The first home game of the 2026 Baylor football season is upon us, and I know the Baylor Family will fill the stands at McLane Stadium on Saturday night against defending SWAC Champion Prairie View A&M. It’s 254 Night, and I am looking forward to seeing and hearing you cheer on our team. Besides the game, I can’t wait to watch our freshmen run the Baylor Line for the first time, showcasing the “Best Walk-Out Tradition in College Sports.”

One of the hallmarks of Baylor University as a Research 1 institution is the ability to contribute to transformative research that addresses some of the world’s most significant challenges. That hallmark is amplified by a guiding conviction that “the world needs a Baylor” – a Christian research university dedicated to pursuing knowledge in service of humanity.

The beginning of the academic year is always rejuvenating. There are students everywhere, and each one is brimming with promise. Faculty and staff have a renewed energy and commitment to helping each student reach his or her full potential. As we all get settled into the semester, I am already looking forward to what September has in store for us.

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District has notified Baylor University about an active case of tuberculosis (TB) identified in the greater community. The impacted individual has not been on the Waco campus for several weeks and is currently positively responding to treatment. Be assured there is no ongoing risk of exposure to the Baylor community, according to Waco Public Health officials.