News

Baylor University students and recent graduates continue to be awarded the most prestigious scholarships and fellowships at the national and international levels – winning Fulbright U.S. Student Grants and Rotary Global Grants.

The first session of New Student Orientation and Baylor Line Camp starts Monday, and over the next two months, Baylor will welcome thousands of students and their families to campus to prepare for the fall semester. Attendees get to meet other new Bears, learn about their major, meet with academic departments and take their first steps as part of the Baylor Line. All experiences are available to new first-year and transfer students. Parents or guests are encouraged to attend as well, with special programming for them woven throughout the day.

The Baylor Board of Regents celebrated the University’s second-best fundraising year ever, a growing endowment and continued success of the Extend the Line scholarship initiative.

Last Thursday night was a memory decades in the making, as Willie Nelson returned to his alma mater and took the stage at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark.

Almost 75 years after he attended Baylor, the legendary country artist — at age 93 — performed for nearly an hour and a half on a picture-perfect evening. The sold-out crowd of more than 6,000 spanned virtually every age, from kids and college students on up — all brought together by a historic night.

Congratulations, Class of 2026 — you did it!

This weekend, more than 3,100 Bears celebrated earning their degrees, the culmination of the Baylor experience. Thousands of their friends and family filled the Ferrell Center for each of the four ceremonies, and countless more watched online and joined in the celebration via social media to honor BU’s newest graduates.

It seems like just yesterday we began the spring semester, yet here we are – at Commencement! Tomorrow and Saturday, we will celebrate more than 3,100 Baylor University graduates who will walk across the Ferrell Center stage during four ceremonies, including the first-ever graduates from the newly renamed Moody School of Education. While at Baylor you have worked hard, persevered through challenges, and although the end of this chapter in your story is near, there is an exciting next chapter to come.

Alan Lenz had heard all the stories about Baylor from his wife, Allison (BA ’94). Then the couple sent two of their kids to BU, and he heard even more incredible stories — enough that Alan felt he was missing out as the only non-Baylor member of his family.

This weekend, Alan and his youngest son, Robbie, will both walk the Ferrell Center stage at Commencement. Robbie (BA ’26) will receive his degree in communication, while Alan (EdD ’26) will receive his doctorate in education (learning and organizational change).

All year long, the Baylor Softball team challenged themselves by playing one of the nation’s toughest schedules, and they were rewarded for that effort by once again earning a selection into the NCAA Tournament — the program’s 17th in 23 seasons!

As Baylor University students prepare to move out of residence halls at the end of the spring semester, a campus-wide, student-led initiative is ensuring that usable items are not thrown away.

Baylor will restore access to the Canvas system at 1:00 p.m. CT today (Friday, May 8). Instructure restored the Canvas system for Baylor and other colleges and universities nationwide to operating condition overnight. Final exams currently scheduled for today will be conducted on Thursday, May 14, and all will be administered online. (Clarification: Final exams originally scheduled for today will be conducted online on Thursday, May 14. All remaining exams will continue as scheduled.) Please pay close attention to the information and instructions below. 

After careful consideration of the circumstances, we have decided to delay final exams tomorrow, Friday, May 8th. 

Canvas is currently unavailable university-wide. This is a nationwide issue. Users should not attempt to engage with or respond within the Canvas system until further notice. Our teams are actively monitoring the situation and working with the vendor toward resolution. Additional updates and communications will be shared as more information becomes available. Visit systemstatus.baylor.edu for updates.

Today is the National Day of Prayer, an annual day of observance designated by the U.S. Congress in 1952 in which people are asked to “turn to God in prayer and meditation.” Here are a few things I am praying for throughout the day, and I hope you will join me and millions of others across our country.

As finals approach, it’s completely natural to feel anxious or stressed as you wrap up the semester. In the midst of this, practicing good mental health habits and knowing the resources available to you can be very helpful.

Twelve Baylor professors have been honored with Outstanding Faculty Awards for exceptional teaching, scholarship and contributions to the academic community.

It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of another spring semester at Baylor. Commencement is right around the corner on May 15-16 for more than 3,000 Baylor students, and I know many of you are already working diligently on projects, papers and preparing for final exams.

Baylor University and Waco will serve as the "Esports Capital of Texas," hosting two major Esports high school and college competitions May 1-3 across campus and downtown venues. 

One of mainstream country music’s most popular live groups, Old Dominion is headed to Baylor University’s Foster Pavilion for an electrifying show on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.

On Saturday, Baylor Acrobatics & Tumbling won its 11th — yes, ELEVENTH!!!!!!!!!!! — straight national title! The win extends a run that dates back to 2015 (there was no championship in 2020 due to COVID). Over those 12 seasons, head coach Felecia Mulkey’s squad has gone a mind-boggling 122-2, including a current 62-meet winning streak.

Yesterday evening Baylor students organized two events on our campus that provided the opportunity for attendees to hear from speakers with differing viewpoints. Both gatherings were conducted safely and without incident, and I want to thank each of you for engaging respectfully as a demonstration of Baylor’s Christian mission, our commitment to academic freedom and to civil discourse.

Baylor University’s Rocket League varsity team secured the program’s first-ever conference championship hosted at the HyperX Esports Arena in the Luxor Pyramid in Las Vegas. 

This is the time of the year that we call the “Spring Sprint,” as we move quickly from Diadeloso to so many semester-ending events and activities – all the while finishing up the academic year in the classrooms, libraries and research labs. 

On March 9, 1954, Baylor University admitted a student from a small town near Waco — just in time to start the spring term. His name was Willie Nelson.

Now, some 72 years later, the University is welcoming Willie back to campus to celebrate his Baylor ties and his legendary career in music and public service. Highlighting the reunion will be an outdoor concert by Willie Nelson & Family on Thursday, May 14, at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark, just a few weeks after his 93rd birthday.

Some of the most meaningful traditions at Baylor are those that tie directly to the University’s mission to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.

In the spring of 1945, a group of Baylor students prayed for spiritual renewal for 90 straight days. Their prayers led to a movement that helped inspire ministries on campus and around the world, from the Journeyman mission program to the Passion Conferences.

Last week, thousands of Baylor students again gathered in Jesus’ name for FM72, an annual 72-hour on-campus prayer and worship event coordinated by Baylor’s Office of Spiritual Life in conjunction with local churches and campus ministries.

Legendary Texas country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson is coming home to his alma mater on Thursday, May 14, for an outdoor “Willie Nelson & Family” concert at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark.

The Easter story is a beautiful reminder that God’s love for us is complete.

Yes, the calendar just turned to spring… But these 85+ degree days we’re having say summer will be here before we know it, and fall right on its heels.

Time to go ahead and put some important fall dates on your calendars (and possibly even start making plans):

Baylor University has a deep history of prayer that reflects our mission in Christian higher education and our historic Baptist roots. In the spring of 1945, Baylor students prayed for revival for 90 straight days, and in 2015, more than 35,000 attended “The Gathering” service at McLane Stadium.

Student Foundation's Bearathon Half-Marathon and Sic'Em 6k on Saturday, March 28, will close several campus roads and parking lots, beginning at midnight Friday until noon Saturday.

Only one school in Texas was named among the nation’s most beautiful college campuses by U.S. News, Architectural Digest, and Condé Nast Traveler.

That school would be Baylor University.

In a world of increasing discord and conflict, Baylor has an opportunity as a Christian institution to share our expertise and use our faith foundation to bring people together. Whether in our classrooms and labs, with colleagues, or throughout the student experience, we have a responsibility to fulfill our mission to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community as we live out our scriptural calling to know one another as part of God’s creation.

University Scholar Abhinav Rajkumar joins researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Heart Institute for life-saving medical research

For the 22nd straight year (!!), Baylor women’s basketball is headed to the NCAA tournament!

To put that in perspective, only one player on the team — graduate student Jana Van Gytenbeek — was even born the last time the Baylor women missed the NCAA tournament. (That came in March 2003, when BU finished as WNIT runners-up; two years later, the program won its first national championship.)

Walter M. "Sparky" Matthews, M.D., B.A. ’92, has been selected by Baylor’s 2026 Senior Class as the Collins Outstanding Professor.

This year’s Pruit Memorial Symposium, Frontiers of Health & Innovation, is happening March 24-25, and it will bring together a wide range of disciplines and experienced researchers to examine how innovation and technology are reshaping health and wellness.

When researchers complete a study and share their work, they hope it will have impact: to help people, advance understanding, develop technologies and more. 

Such impact is important — but can be hard to measure. There’s no one way to do it, but Stanford University has annually compiled a prestigious list that captures one important measure of impact: citations. And Baylor researchers do very well there.

There’s a lot to like about Baylor’s home here in Waco, the heart of Central Texas. A city recently recognized by Southern Living as undergoing a “creative renaissance,” Waco anchors a growing metro with over 300,000 people who enjoy the area’s outdoor activities, history and culture, job market and more.

While such factors alone have long drawn people to the area, there’s a growing focus on the burgeoning megaregion Waco calls home: the Texas Triangle.

On Tuesday, March 3, Baylor commissioned students who are serving on mission trips across the U.S. and around the world over spring break, during the summer months and who recently served over winter break.

When you think of the greatest moments in Baylor women’s athletics history, you likely think of highlights like Women’s Basketball’s three national championships, Acrobatics & Tumbling’s decade of dominance, and softball’s six Women’s College World Series appearances.

Not surprisingly, many of those moments have come in the last quarter-century, as Baylor’s increased investment in women’s sports has set a high bar for excellence. The story of women’s sports at Baylor, however, goes back more than a century.

The spring storm season in Texas is approaching, and it’s a good time for all of us to make sure we are “Weather Ready.” When we experience severe weather in Central Texas, which can include everything from snow and ice to thunderstorms and tornados, the Baylor Department of Public Safety alerts our campus community through the multi-tiered Baylor Alert emergency notification system.

Three months ago, Baylor Director of Athletics Doug McNamee (BA ’03, MSED ’05) made it clear at his introduction as AD that improving the fan experience would be an immediate priority.

True to his word, McNamee and Baylor Athletics this spring have rolled out a series of “Fan First” announcements aimed at “making the fan experience more vibrant and gamedays more accessible.” Baylor football fans this fall will find significant changes to the gameday experience, including:

Spring Break is almost here (March 8-15, 2026), and the Baylor University Department of Public Safety is urging students, faculty and staff to travel smart. 

Baylor University has been recognized yet again for its campus beauty, this time among the nation’s 30 Beautiful College Campuses by U.S. News & World Report.

After countless hours of planning, practicing and performing, All University Sing 2026 is in the books. Over the last two weeks, hundreds of Baylor students put their hard work on display performing for thousands of Baylor students, alumni and friends in Waco Hall (plus a streaming audience online for Saturday’s finale).

Congratulations to Beta Upsilon Chi, which won first place this year for their act, “Grill of Rights” (pictured above). Phi Kappa Chi took second for their act, “Cold as Ice,” followed by Delta Delta Delta in third for “When A Mouse Eats A Cookie.”

Severe Weather Awareness Week is the time to take steps to Stay Weather Ready for the spring storm season.

It’s hard to believe Spring Break is only one week away. Soon many Baylor students, faculty and staff will scatter across the state, nation and world for vacations, mission trips and visits home to see friends and family.

If you want to reach students, you can’t be afraid to try new things. Baylor has struck an incredible balance of holding on to what’s most important (our faith, incredible student experience, etc.) while growing and improving across the board (Exhibit A: R1 status).

Higher ed leaders across the country are noticing Baylor’s efforts — and that shows up in lists like U.S. News‘ “Most Innovative Schools,” where Baylor ranks among the nation’s top 40 national universities. That puts Baylor well inside the top 10% nationally when it comes to innovation.

If one goal of college is to get you a job in your chosen profession, then the Baylor men’s basketball program is one of the best job training programs in the nation.

For the second straight year, Baylor ranks among the top 10 universities with the most players currently in the NBA, one behind Kansas and ahead of such programs as North Carolina, Villanova and Texas. A school-record 11 Baylor alumni played in the NBA last year; this year, 10 Bears have seen time on NBA rosters.

Baylor esports secured the Rocket League championship in the Texas Collegiate Invitational, topping Lubbock Christian 4-2 in the Grand Finals on Feb. 22 in Dallas.

During its regular February meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents took several actions that will continue to strategically position the University for the future in areas related to academics and research and value and affordability.

In 2019, Baylor set a school-record with seven Fulbright scholarship recipients — part of the nation’s most prestigious international education exchange program. Just three years later, Baylor doubled that total, with 14 Fulbrights. And in 2025, Baylor jumped to 24 Fulbright student honorees.

Such success has catapulted Baylor up to No. 10 nationally in Fulbright qualifiers — No. 1 in Texas, and among Big 12 schools. Baylor also earned recognition this spring as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for the fourth straight year.

As a Christian research university, Baylor takes great joy in celebrating holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. There is something special about expressing gratitude for our blessings and for preparing our hearts for Advent. Now that the Lenten and Easter season has started, I am thrilled to see so many opportunities for the Baylor Family to share in this important time for Christians across the world.

Baylor esports secured the Rocket League title in the Hawai’I Esports Invitational, topping Boise State 4-2 in the Championship game on Feb. 15 in Oahu.

Baylor’s mission has long been to “educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service” — and for the third straight year, a survey by TIME magazine confirms Baylor’s doing exactly that.

Baylor once again ranks among TIME‘s list of the 100 Best Colleges for Future Leaders, coming in at No. 70 nationally for 2026 (No. 4 in Texas, No. 5 in the Big 12). This year, the publication studied the resumes of almost 5,000 U.S. leaders — pulling from business, government, academia and more — to find where today’s leaders got their start, with Baylor continuing to stand out among the nation’s best.

Rising artist Tyce Delk will open for Texas country sensation Hudson Westbook in concert Friday, April 24, 2026, at Foster Pavilion in Waco, Texas.

There are so many ways to measure the impact of a college education, and at Baylor we take great pride in our mission to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service. We know that leading and serving can take many forms, ranging from the corporate sector to military service to public service and the mission field.

Among the many ways to measure the impact of a college education is a practical accounting: Are students finding opportunities to work or further their education after graduation? At Baylor, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

With the most recent numbers just released (covering Summer 2024 through Spring 2025), Baylor’s placement rate is 92%, and its success rate is 94% — numbers well above the national average, and emblematic of steady growth in this area at BU.

Few Christian programs have garnered the level of critical acclaim and multi-platform viewership as The Chosen. The show — a historical drama of the life of Christ through the eyes of those around him — has appeared on the IMDb Top 250 list, and reviewers have lauded the program’s storytelling and production. Such success made the chance to serve in professional roles on the show all the more appealing to Baylor Film & Digital Media (FDM) students.

Baylor fashion expert explains why the race for Best Dressed may be the most interesting competition of all.

As the 2026 Baylor Acrobatics & Tumbling season begins Friday, the Bears find themselves in a familiar position — ranked as the nation’s No. 1 team in the preseason poll for the 11th straight season.

For a program and coach accustomed to celebrating national titles, it’s hard to imagine that anything could match what’s become an annual thrill, but everyone involved — especially Coach Fee, as she’s called by her athletes — got just that last month.

One of the things I love about Baylor is that the Baylor Family is made up of many members with different backgrounds and experiences that enable a wide range of contributions to the world. I believe our ability to fulfill our University mission, which is to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community, is only possible when we embrace those contributions.

The Fulbright Program today recognized Baylor University as one of the nation’s elite top 10 producers of students and recent alumni selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

If you’re a Baylor fan who loves life with your earbuds popped in, or who can’t make a drive without connecting your phone for your favorite podcast, then you’re in luck: the University offers multiple podcasts to keep you connected to all things Baylor, from athletics to academics, theology to history.

Here are 10 podcasts from Baylor faculty, schools and more to add to your subscription list:

CANCELED BY LIVE NATION Get ready for Post Malone and Jelly Roll Present: The BIG Stadium Tour Part 2, coming to Baylor University’s McLane Stadium on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Waco, Texas!

This Sunday Baylor University turns 181 – the oldest continuously operating university in the state after being chartered by the Republic of Texas in 1845. 

As the weather continues to improve in Waco and across Central Texas, the Baylor University Waco Campus has returned to normal operations as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.

The annual award honors Church Music Professor Randall Bradley, D.M.A., director of the Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies, for his outstanding contributions to Baylor’s learning environment.

On Friday, Baylor announced a historic $30 million gift from the Moody Foundation to the School of Education, supporting scholarships, expanding faculty research and providing resources to grow academic programs.

The gift was the largest single gift to Baylor’s School of Ed in its 107-year-history. It was so significant that, in recognition of the Foundation’s transformational generosity, the School of Education has been renamed the Moody School of Education.

Baylor University has announced a $30 million gift from the Moody Foundation of Galveston, Texas, to the University’s School of Education, now known as the Moody School of Education at Baylor.

The spring semester is certainly off and running at a brisk pace! I hope everyone is settling into new routines and becoming acclimated academically, physically and spiritually. 

It’s hard to believe that Foster Pavilion only just hosted its first public concert last April — just nine months ago — and yet, such events at Foster (and elsewhere) now feel like a regular part of campus life.

Let’s take a look back at some of 2025’s headlining concerts on Baylor’s campus — and then ahead at what’s in store for 2026:

Every college student knows the feeling — a challenging class that stretches your limits, perhaps at the same time you’re adjusting to the new responsibilities of college life. In the moment, you may feel the top-tier academics that drew you to the school are stretching you beyond your limits.

At Baylor, students are not alone in those moments. All they have to do is know where to look — and Baylor’s Paul L. Foster Success Center is the place to start, offering personalized support for Bears.

Chart-topping artists La Fiera de Ojinaga and Los Pescadores del Río Conchos are headed this summer to Foster Pavilion, Waco’s premier concert venue, for a spectacular show on Sunday, July 19, at 6 p.m.

We are just days away from the start of a new semester, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone back on campus after what I pray was a wonderful holiday season. 

For the seventh time in nine years, a Baylor Bear is Texas’ student-teacher of the year.

This year’s honoree is Bella Buncher (BSED ’25), now a second grade teacher north of Atlanta

The Baylor University and Waco communities will join others across the nation to participate in multiple events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

Baylor University has announced the largest gift in Baylor Baseball program’s history from Magnolia, the Waco-based and nationally recognized lifestyle company founded by Baylor alumni Chip and Joanna Gaines, naming Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark and supporting the program’s anticipated capital projects.

Another year, another top-10 ranking for Baylor entrepreneurship.

Yes, for the 16th time in 17 years (!!), Baylor’s undergraduate entrepreneurship program is a top-10 national pick in the field, coming in this year at No. 10 nationally according to U.S. News.

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful (and restful) Christmas break and are ready for all 2026 has in store for Baylor University. There is great anticipation across campus as faculty and staff have returned and students prepare to begin classes on Jan. 20. As we embark on another year, I am reminded of how faithful the Lord has been to us.

The NFL regular season is over, and the playoffs are here. As games begin this weekend, Baylor fans will have multiple opportunities to cheer on their fellow Bears as they pursue a Super Bowl victory.

This season began with 16 Bears on NFL rosters, and with the field whittled down to just 14 teams, there are now five Bears on active playoff rosters. All of them played meaningful roles in helping their teams get there:

Another year has flown by… As the calendar turns, let’s take one last look back at 2025, through the lens of our favorite photos from Baylor’s official Instagram account.

Here are our top 10 Baylor Instagram photos of 2025:

Don't miss the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters™ during their 100 Year Tour playing Saturday, Feb. 14, at Baylor's Foster Pavilion! Tickets are on sale now.

Baylor University experts to share ideas for resolutions that are easier to maintain while making a positive impact on our lives.

Christmas marks the coming of the light of Christ into the world. At Baylor, the Christmas season provides us with opportunities to prayerfully reflect upon the work with which God has entrusted us and to strengthen our commitment to transforming the lives of our students and serving the surrounding world.

Baylor University offices & most facilities will close Dec. 22-Jan. 4, 2026, during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The University will reopen Jan. 5, with classes beginning Jan. 20.

Baylor’s campus is always beautiful — but it shines brightest at Christmas.

With Christmas trees and decor in practically every building — and in between as well, highlighted by the trees on Fountain Mall and Founders Mall — Baylor’s campus in December is a true winter wonderland of Christmas beauty.

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the Baylor Bear in your life? Whether they’re alumni, current students, parents, or fans, here are 10 Baylor-themed ideas sure to make any Bear’s holiday merry and bright:

It’s hard to believe the fall semester is coming to an end, and what an exciting, memorable semester it has been. I cannot wait to see what the New Year has in store for Baylor in 2026! But, before we get to another year, there are a few things we still need to do to finish the semester strong.

Baylor students living on campus have a wide variety of options. Some choose to live with other students their age; others, with students who have similar academic or extracurricular interests; still others, in faculty-led residential colleges.

Baylor takes these opportunities seriously, and it shows. For the third straight year, Baylor’s learning communities once again rank among U.S. News‘ top 10 nationally — just behind schools like Vanderbilt and Yale, and ahead of, well, just about everyone else. (The honor ranked Baylor No. 1 in the Big 12, No. 1 in Texas, and No. 1 among large private universities.)

It’s almost like Doug McNamee’s whole life was geared toward this moment.

A Baylor Bear, through and through. Experience working at every level of Baylor Athletics, and in the corporate sector (with a special focus on business and branding). It all adds up to what you see in Baylor’s new Director of Athletics, Doug McNamee (BA ’03, MSED ’05).

The most wonderful time of the year is officially here!

Last Thursday night, Baylor kicked off the Christmas season with the beloved tradition Christmas on 5th Street. From lights and snow to musical performances to pictures with Santa to photo opps and, of course, the live nativity, the heart of campus was filled with Baylor students, faculty/staff, their families — and plenty of Christmas spirit.

Baylor has named experienced media and brand executive and former athletics administrator Doug McNamee as the Bears’ next Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Christmas is really the most wonderful time of the year at Baylor University. For me, the unity and warmth of the holiday begins with the Baylor Family collectively reflecting on the coming of Christ in our traditional Preparing Our Hearts Advent series. 

Gray Media Group and KWTX Television will present a nationwide encore of “A Baylor Christmas,” with the annual School of Music concert airing on all Gray TV stations in the U.S.

Baylor University will join City of Waco and McLennan County partners to conduct a regular test of its Outdoor Warning System (tornado sirens) at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5.

For the 10th year in a row, Baylor Volleyball is in the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Ryan McGuyre has led the best decade in program history, with a high program standard that this year’s squad, with significant contributions from numerous freshmen, has extended.

The Bears enter the postseason on a high note, having closed out the regular season with a top-20 win at TCU. Their 17-9 record and No. 22 overall ranking were buoyed by a strong close to the season that saw the Bears win four of their final five matches. That earned them a spot in the tournament as a No. 6 seed. They’ll begin their postseason journey in West Lafayette, Ind., taking on Arkansas State this Thursday afternoon at 3:30 p.m (ESPN+).

Baylor experts share practical strategies to help donors support the causes they love with intention, confidence and lasting impact.

An incredible Baylor soccer season came to an end Sunday in the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16, as the Bears fell to Ohio State, 2-1 in double overtime.

In her fourth year leading the Bears, head coach Michelle Lenard’s squad finished the year 14-5-4 overall, 7-3-1 in Big 12 play, and back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since back-to-back runs in 2017-18.

For the third consecutive year, Baylor University has been named to TIME's list of Best Colleges for Future Leaders for nurturing the career trajectories of the nation’s most highly influential leaders.