News

Due to weather this past weekend, the northbound traffic shift has been rescheduled to Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Today, Baylor stands as a leading Christian research university with a global voice, unwavering in its commitment to faith, excellence and service. Our mission is clear: to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community — now and for the future.

The Baylor community, including incoming freshmen at Line Camp, joined Baylor Missions and BearAid to pack flood relief buckets for families in Kerr County, Texas.

Baylor is welcoming not one, but two new deans this summer, following the retirement of longtime Graduate School Dean Larry Lyon (BA ’71) and the hiring of Hankamer School of Business Dean Sandeep Mazumder as president of Berry College.

I am writing to you from Brisbane, Australia, where I am attending the Baptist World Congress, but my heart is back in Texas as I stay updated on the tragic flooding and heart-shattering loss of life along the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country and in other areas of the state.

Happy Independence Day from Australia! It’s already July 4 over here in the “Land Down Under,” and the First Gent and I are a little sad that we’ll miss out on the Fourth on the Brazos concert and fireworks at Touchdown Alley next to McLane Stadium, as well as some Texas barbecue and homemade ice cream.

Opportunities to celebrate Independence Day include Baylor's July 2 McLane Carillon recital and the City of Waco's annual Fourth on the Brazos event at Touchdown Alley.

Baylor Theatre's inaugural festival of the Baylor New Play Initiative Sept. 26-28 will feature four new plays by emerging & established artists, culminating in the $15,000 Kirk New Play Prize.

For the fifth straight year, a Baylor Bear was taken in the first round of the NBA draft — and this one went higher than any Bear before him.

With the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe — making the Big 12 Freshman of the Year the highest draft pick in Baylor basketball history. The previous mark was held by Ekpe Udoh, who was selected at No. 6 by the Warriors in 2010.

Baylor University shared the following message with campus after today's shelter-in-place advisory (June 26, 2025).

Dr. Leigh Greathouse is one of Baylor’s many cancer researchers, specifically focused on the relationship between diet, microorganisms and cancer. Her efforts are driven in part by her own experience fighting cancer while still in her 20s.

Her work is also driven by her faith. Earlier this year, she posted on social media about what it’s like to be a Christian working in science today:

Baylor students just keep upping the school record for Fulbright scholarship recipients. In 2019, BU set a new high with 7 Fulbrights; in 2022, that jumped to 14; and last year, 18 Bears were so honored.

Given that trend (and Baylor’s continued national recognition as a top Fulbright producer), it should come as no surprise that that record has fallen again. This spring, 23 Baylor students and recent alumni won the prestigious Fulbright awards — and that’s just the beginning when it comes to the list of BU students winning top national and international scholarships and fellowships.

As we move into the heat of the summer in Waco, I am reminded of how blessed we were this past academic year. Amid turbulent times across all higher education, God was gracious to our students, faculty and staff. I am looking forward to seeing how God continues to bless us during the summer as many in the Baylor Family study and serve across the world.

Beginning Monday, June 23, 2025, crews plan to begin reducing both directions of I-35 in Waco from 12th Street to S Loop 340 to two lanes, starting with the southbound mainlanes. 

Baylor Track & Field’s legacy of Olympians, national champions and record-setters sets a high standard — a standard that this year’s athletes upheld and extended.

Two Bears claimed national titles in individual events this spring, Baylor won three of four Big 12 Performer of the Year honors, and a host of Bears brought home all-America honors as head coach Michael Ford’s teams closed out another successful season last week.

I hope you saw the news earlier this week that Rev. Dr. Charley Ramsey has been named Baylor University’s new University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life, effective Monday, June 9. 

Thirty-four Baylor students and recent alumni have received some of the most prestigious awards for STEM research, public policy/diplomacy, critical language study and more. 

Since graduating from Baylor four decades ago, Doug Rogers (BFA ’82) has truly had a fairy tale career.

From Friends and The Drew Carey Show, to Shrek and Tangled, to the castles at Disney Shanghai and Hong Kong (pictured above left), to Turning Point Ministries’ Why the Nativity?, he’s seen a myriad of projects come to life.

Charles M. Ramsey, Ph.D., B.A. ’97, M.A. ’00, associate University Chaplain and director of campus ministries and church connections, has been selected as University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life, effective June 9. 

We could write a month’s worth of posts about recent Baylor graduate Kristen Nakamura (BA ’25). She was a Getterman Scholar, and a University Scholar studying English and math with a minor in creative writing. An award-winning poet whose Honors thesis and undergraduate research included translating the post-WWII haiku shared between her Japanese-American great-grandmother and her twin sister. Tutor. Piano teacher. BRH Choir member. Mission trip veteran. HRC College Council. Summa cum laude graduate. Phi Beta Kappa. Fulbright ETA recipient to Indonesia.

But for all of those honors, what Nakamura really wanted to talk about was the community and sense of belonging she found at Baylor.

For some, college is just about getting a piece of paper that, after four years, will help land a job. And while that’s important, the Baylor experience is about so, so much more.

Baylor graduates are highly sought after in the workplace, with an impressive 91% placement rate of recent graduates in either employment or grad school. This success is in part thanks to BU’s strong relationships with top employers, and the Baylor Career Center’s concierge-style approach to recruitment that benefits both student and employer.

Recent data shows these are the top 10 employers hiring the most Baylor grads right out of school:

You may remember the name Deonte Epps (BA ’13) from a post we wrote a couple of years ago, as the Baylor alum was working his dream job at ESPN as a content creator. Today, Epps is not only a content associate (a promotion from his last role); he’s also an Emmy winner, thanks to his work with ESPN’s NFL Live, which won the Emmy for Outstanding Studio Show – Daily.

The Baylor Board of Regents took several actions during its regular May meeting, including the budget, Board leadership and new Regents, Ferrell Center renovations and new master’s degree programs.

We are in the midst of Baylor’s quarterly Board of Regents meeting, and a dedicated group of men and women are graciously volunteering their time to provide strategic guidance and direction for our beloved Baylor University. 

Baylor University’s success for highly competitive fellowships and awards continues to skyrocket as a record 23 Baylor students and recent alumni have been selected for 2025-2026 Fulbright U.S. Student Grants. 

Congratulations, Class of 2025 — you did it!

This weekend, more than 4,000 Bears — the largest class in Baylor history — celebrated earning their degrees, the culmination of the Baylor experience. Thousands of their friends and family filled the Ferrell Center for each ceremony, and countless more watched online and joined in the celebration via social media to honor BU’s newest graduates.

Will Critchfield’s student experience at Baylor led directly to working with cutting-edge technology in his field, then a connection with a prominent Baylor graduate, and finally, an impressive first job after graduation.

For Critchfield, a member of the Class of 2025 from Glen Rock, N.J., success has never been about coincidence; it’s been about faith, perseverance, and the unwavering support of his Baylor community. As he graduates from Baylor this week with a major in film & digital media and a minor in entrepreneurship, his next chapter will begin with a role at NBC.

David M. Szymanski, Ph.D., will join Baylor University on May 27 as The William E. Crenshaw Endowed Dean of the nationally ranked Hankamer School of Business.

It seems like just yesterday we began the spring semester, yet here we are – at Commencement! Tomorrow and Saturday, we will celebrate more than 4,000 Baylor graduates, which is the largest class in University history. 

When Carolyn Price’s mother told her, “There isn’t anything you can’t do,” she couldn’t have imagined the far-reaching those words would have on her daughter’s life — including becoming the oldest known doctoral recipient in Baylor history, at age 83.

Every spring, the Baylor Family bids happy retirement to professors and staff who have dedicated their professional lives to the university and its students. This spring, we say a special farewell to two prominent university leaders, Vice President for Student Life Kevin Jackson and Baylor Graduate School Dean Larry Lyon (BA ’71).

Baylor University is thrilled to welcome back rising music sensation Forrest Frank with an exclusive pop-up shop experience from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, May 12, at Hurd Welcome Center. 

Legendary comedian Jeff Dunham will bring his new North American Tour ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE to the Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion, Waco’s new premier concert venue, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3.

“Bear-ly Used” is a campuswide initiative to divert donatable items from landfills and redistribute them towards community partners and families in need. 

It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of another spring semester at Baylor. Commencement is right around the corner for thousands of Baylor students, and I know many of you are working diligently on projects, papers and preparing for final exams.

One of the first stops for Baylor campus visitors is the Williams Bear Habitat, home of bear mascots Indy and Belle. The La Vega High School students visiting campus last week for the first-ever Baylor CityLab were no different; the Bear Habitat was tops on their tour agenda — and where their interactive science journey began.

As soon as the tour was over, Baylor students involved in CityLab set up the scenario. They drank from a stray water bottle, began “acting” strange, and soon developed zombie-like symptoms. Now it was up to the high school students to use real-world scientific methods — including DNA analysis and forensics — to determine what was causing this strange behavior and what exactly was in the water bottle.

Every summer, Baylor students head out on mission trips around the world, putting what they’ve learned in the classroom to use serving others. But the experience isn’t a one-way gift; these students also come back having learned about other people, places and cultures, and ways they can use their skills to help others in the future.

In late April, Baylor sent these Bears off with a special Student Mission Trip Commissioning Ceremony. Following the disciples’ example, Baylor representatives gathered to send these short-term missionaries off with prayer and encouragement (plus some treats to sweeten the celebration).

Today is the National Day of Prayer, an annual day of observance designated by the U.S. Congress in which people are asked to “turn to God in prayer and meditation.”

Baylor and Waco are at the center of the collegiate tennis world this year.

Last fall, the Hurd Tennis Center hosted the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships. In January, men’s tennis hosted the ITA National Indoor Championship at Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center. Earlier this month, the Hurd was the home for the Big 12 Tennis Championship. And now, Baylor is preparing to host the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Championships (every round from the quarterfinals to the title match).

The run to the championship begins this weekend for both the Baylor men and women.

On Saturday, Baylor Acrobatics & Tumbling won its tenth — TENTH!!!!!!!!! — straight national title! The win extends a run that dates back to 2015 (there was no championship in 2020 due to COVID). Over those 11 seasons, head coach Felecia Mulkey’s squad has gone a mind-boggling 110-2, including a current 50-meet winning streak.

For context: The only longer NCAA D-1 championship streaks are in track and field, where the Arkansas men won 12 straight indoor titles from 1984-95, and the LSU women won 11 straight outdoor championships from 1987-97. (To be clear, Baylor’s current run is an NCATA streak, not an NCAA streak, because acrobatics and tumbling is currently classified as an NCAA Emerging Sport while it works its way toward full-fledged NCAA status.)

Each year, when we select the remarkable men and women who will be honored as Baylor Alumni Award recipients, they remind us that the mission of Baylor University – to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service – remains at the heart of who we are as a Christian research university. 

Seven Baylor residence halls are more than just residence halls — they’re Living-Learning Communities, or LLCs for short. These LLCs are organized around specific degree programs or interests, such as business, science, even outdoor adventure and wellbeing, building intentional community for BU students with similar goals and callings in life.

Dr. Karenna Malavanti (BS ’10, MA ’12), senior lecturer of psychology and neuroscience, serves as faculty-in-residence at Earle Hall, where she leads the nearly 350 students in Baylor’s Science and Health Living-Learning Community.

She shared a few of the traits that make these communities so meaningful to students on a recent Baylor Connections podcast:

Two takeaways from the Forrest Frank concert, the first public concert in Foster Pavilion:

1) If you get a chance to see Forrest Frank live, GO.
2) If you get a chance to see a concert at Foster Pavilion, GO.

Earning recognition as a Master Teacher at Baylor is a rare honor — the highest a BU professor can receive for his/her teaching. In January, President Linda Livingstone announced the lifetime designation for four Baylor professors, increasing the roll of Master Teachers to 33 since the honor was first bestowed more than 40 years ago.

Among the newest honorees is Dr. Lenore Wright (MA ’95), an award-winning philosophy professor in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core (BIC) and director of Baylor’s Academy of Teaching and Learning from 2011-24. Wright came to Baylor in 1994 as a graduate student, joined the Baylor faculty five years later, and has been a BU fixture ever since.

He is Risen! What beautiful words for Christians.

In 2009, a group of Baylor students decided to come together in one of their living rooms to pray on a weekly basis. Soon, others joined them to study scripture and worship — and the group outgrew the living room. It moved to a park, then a parking garage, then to the Waco Hippodrome.

Today, Vertical Ministries welcomes hundreds of Baylor students each week to its meetings. As it celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, Vertical is thriving as a non-denominational, student-led ministry that seeks to challenge college students to actively pursue an authentic, “vertical” relationship with God.

“FAT” isn’t always a good thing — but in the world of artificial intelligence (AI), it’s crucial.

The acronym stands for Fairness, Accountability, Transparency — three words at the heart of Baylor’s approach to AI, as BU seeks to lead the way in addressing major ethical questions surrounding AI’s rapid growth and its impact on humanity.

In cities like Dallas, Houston and Austin, the economics of a nice night out can get overwhelming. Dinner costs, concert ticket prices, and parking fees all add up in a hurry. Waco residents (including Baylor students) then have to add over two hours of travel (and perhaps a pricey hotel stay) to the cost, making the expense of such a night on the town approach the price of a vacation.

Those days are now over.

With Foster Pavilion now serving as a live event venue, Baylor Bears (and other Central Texans) can now enjoy a proper night on the town with far fewer impediments and a much shorter time commitment.

The Stations (or Way) of the Cross offer a way for us to pray imaginatively by tracing the story of Jesus's final hours, from betrayal to burial, through word, image, and song.

Baylor University and McLennan Community College (MCC) announced they will offer two new General Assembly training programs to learners interested in launching or growing tech career skills as part of their collaboration to close the cybersecurity talent gap in Texas and across the country.

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. This is the week that matters.

We eagerly look forward to this weekend, the beginning of Holy Week for Christians (or as many Christians around the world know it, Pascha) and the beginning of Pesach, or Passover, for our brothers and sisters of the Jewish faith on Saturday evening. In both sets of high holy days, we celebrate a God of liberation. 

For almost a century now, Diadeloso has provided Baylor students with a much-needed day off just as the spring semester reaches its crescendo — a day to rest and relax, to have fun with friends, and to make memories on campus that will last a lifetime.

Yesterday was a perfect day for Dia — sunny, high of 75, just absolutely beautiful weather. Traditional Dia activities like music performances, inflatables and rides were mixed with newer favorites like goat yoga — Dia’s new top attraction.

Highlighted by Top 30 graduate programs across disciplines. Baylor University graduate and professional programs were among those nationally ranked in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings.

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, hundreds 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.

Baylor undergraduate STEM researchers have kicked off the spring major fellowships and awards season by earning a record four Goldwater Scholarships, the preeminent undergraduate award that supports outstanding undergraduates interested in pursuing STEM research careers.

Lauren Daigle, multi-award-winning country music singer, is set to perform in concert at Baylor University’s Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.

I truly enjoy this time of year at Baylor. Two of my favorite spring traditions are Steppin’ Out and Diadeloso (affectionately known as Dia), and they are both great – yet different – examples of how Baylor strives to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service.

Baylor’s long history of military education dates back at least to 1888, just a couple of years after BU settled in Waco. Over the years, Baylor has prepared a long line of future military officers through the Air Force ROTC and Army ROTC programs; today, these programs offer students the option to earn their degrees while preparing for careers as officers in the U.S. military.

Baylor’s Air Force and Space Force Reserve Officer Training Corp (AFROTC) recently added another milestone to its distinguished history. Earlier this year, Detachment 810 was named the No. 1 Medium Detachment in the country, outperforming 49 other detachments nationwide to claim the top honor.

Baylor students today have dozens of options to choose from when it comes to Chapel. Some prefer a large-group worship setting (similar to traditional Chapel services); others, a small group setting — perhaps one with friends from their residence hall, or one focused on how faith plays out in their field of study, or one connected to a campus ministry.

One of the more unique options available this semester: Chapel with the First Gent.

March is Women’s History Month, so all month long we’ve been celebrating the history of Baylor women — notable individuals such as Dr. Diana Garland, Angela Kinsey, Ann Miller and Leah Moncure, plus the long lists of Baylor women who have left their marks in fields like science and engineering, law and politics, the arts, and education.

To cap the month, two Baylor experts on women’s history — Dr. Andrea Turpin, an associate professor and director of the Baylor history graduate program, and Amy Achenbach, a doctoral candidate and Baylor history teacher — sat down to answer the big questions, like: Why study women’s history? What kinds of unique sources are used in researching women’s history? And how did higher ed change as more women enrolled?

Next Wednesday the entire Baylor Family is invited to join in Giving Day. One day each year – on April 2 for 2025 – we focus our collective attention on giving to support students, programs, schools and colleges and many other areas. Gifts big and small combine to make a significant difference for our University.

On April 22, Baylor’s Foster Pavilion will host its first public concert event, featuring GRAMMY-nominated Baylor alum Forrest Frank (BBA ’17) — but Frank technically won’t be the first artist on the Foster stage that night.

That honor will go to Claire Leslie, a 23-year-old performer from San Antonio, who will perform as the concert’s opening act. In her day job, Leslie leads worship at Max Lucado’s Oak Hills Church, as she finds her way as an up-and-coming Christian singer-songwriter.

Earning recognition as a Master Teacher at Baylor is a rare honor — the highest a BU professor can receive for his/her teaching. In January, President Linda Livingstone announced the lifetime designation for four Baylor professors, increasing the roll of Master Teachers to 33 since the honor was first bestowed more than 40 years ago.

Among the newest honorees is Wiff Rudd (BME ’77), a Baylor graduate and distinguished member of Baylor’s School of Music since 2002. As Professor of Trumpet and Brass Area Coordinator, Rudd’s students have achieved notable success — especially the Baylor Trumpet Studio, which has won six first-place titles at the National Trumpet Competition since 2009.

Baylor basketball’s losses Sunday — both the men and women fell in the NCAA second round — still sting. But if you listened to the student-athletes talk after the game about their Baylor experience, you’ll understand what makes BU special, and what “Preparing Champions for Life” really means.

In their own words:

Baylor University is once again joining universities and communities around the country to increase public awareness and prevention education about sexual assault and interpersonal violence during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).

Believe it or not, it was 20 years ago today — March 24, 2005 — that America first visited the offices of the Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company. To put that in context, current Baylor freshmen had not yet been born. Yet here in 2025, thanks to reruns and online streaming, today’s college students (and millions upon millions of other people) have visited those offices again and again, to laugh (or cringe) at the antics of Michael Scott, Dwight Schrute, Jim and Pam, and of course, Angela Martin, played by cherished Baylor alumna Angela Kinsey, BA ’93.

In the two decades since the premiere of NBC’s The Office, the show and its characters have become American pop culture touchstones. But don’t get the impression that Angela Martin and Angela Kinsey are the same person.

NCAA March Madness is here, and for the 10th time in the past 11 postseasons, both the Baylor men’s and women’s basketball teams are going dancing! 

Baylor University’s 2025 senior class has selected Don Carpenter, clinical associate professor of accounting and business law in the Hankamer School of Business, as the 2025 Collins Outstanding Professor.

Before he was topping the charts as a GRAMMY-nominee, winning two Dove Awards, and achieving massive success for his 2024 national tour, Forrest Frank (BBA ’17) was a typical student leaning into his Baylor experience.

From participating in All University Sing to donning a suit and tie for the professional sales program in Hankamer School of Business, Frank embraced his experience and thrived at Baylor.

Eleven Baylor University professors have been honored with Outstanding Faculty Awards for teaching, scholarship and contributions to the academic community for the 2024-2025 academic year.

For the 10th time in the last 11 postseasons, both the Baylor men’s and women’s basketball teams are going dancing!

The Baylor women will begin NCAA tournament play on Friday (2:30 p.m., ESPNU) — their 21st straight appearance! — and for the first time, will get to do so at Foster Pavilion! The Baylor men will start their NCAA tournament run Friday in Raleigh, N.C. (11:15 a.m., CBS) as a No. 9 seed against No. 8 seed Mississippi State.

Baylor University will host the 31st annual Beall Poetry Festival, a three-day event March 19-21, 2025, that features poetry readings, a panel discussion and the Virginia Beall Ball Lecture on Contemporary Poetry.

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 2024, Baylor jumped to 18 Fulbright student honorees.

Such success now ranks Baylor among the top 20 colleges and universities nationally, earning BU recognition this spring as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for the third straight year. In the latest totals, Baylor ranks No. 1 in both Texas and the Big 12 for most Fulbright student awards.

Baylor University bear mascot Judge Sue Sloan, known as “Lady,” beloved sister of the late Judge “Joy” Reynolds and cherished member of the Baylor Family, passed away peacefully today surrounded by her loving and dedicated caregivers, staff and veterinary team. Lady was 23.

It’s hard to believe it’s already March and Spring Break is next week. I know many of you are looking forward to time away with family and friends and for rest and renewal during this busy time of year.

Earning recognition as a Master Teacher at Baylor is a rare honor — the highest a BU professor can receive for his/her teaching. In January, President Linda Livingstone announced the lifetime designation for four Baylor professors, increasing the roll of Master Teachers to 33 since the honor was first bestowed more than 40 years ago.

Among the newest honorees is Dr. Andrew Hogue (MA ’05, PhD ’09), a two-time Baylor graduate who returned to join the faculty of his alma mater in 2011. Over the last 15 years, he has taught various political science courses, led what is now Baylor’s Philanthropy & Public Service Program, served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and led Baylor’s Office of Engaged Learning.

Higher education isn’t cheap — but it’s not as astronomical as many people believe. Recent studies show that even as sticker prices have gone up nationwide, the price most families actually pay has been dropping for years.

Since 2019, Baylor’s median out-of-pocket cost has decreased or remained constant for students and families with household incomes of $300,000 or less. Nine out of 10 Baylor students receive some form of financial aid, and for families with demonstrated need and an adjusted household income below $50,000, tuition is covered by the university, thanks to the Baylor Benefit Scholarship.

Now, a new effort is in the works to even better support students. Late last month, the university launched the “Extend the Line” Scholarship Initiative, aiming to raise $250 million for student scholarships. The goal: ensuring a Baylor education remains accessible and affordable for both current and future Bears.

More than 100 Baylor students and faculty and staff leaders will serve with Baylor Missions over spring break March 9-16, combining faith, service and learning in Texas and in four international locations with the University’s global partners.

After countless hours of planning, practicing and performing, All University Sing 2025 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 Chi Omega, which won first place this year for their act, “Back on Track” (pictured above). Alpha Tau Omega took second for their act, “Underneath the Tree,” followed by Delta Delta Delta in third for “When Pigs Fly.”

Baylor students will compete this weekend in the first officially sanctioned Big 12 Conference esports tournament.

Teams from six other conference schools will join Oso Esports for the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU) tournament, which will take place virtually March 1, and serve as the conference qualifier for the prestigious Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup (CECC), to be held this May in Arlington.

Baylor has long taken pride in how it supports student veterans on campus, and it shows. BU annually ranks among the nation’s best colleges for veterans; this year, Baylor is ranked No. 1 in the Big 12 and No. 3 in Texas.

Further evidence: Veterans of Baylor (VoB), a student organization that supports student veterans on campus and in their community, has been named the 2024 Student Veterans of America Chapter of the Year from among nearly 1,600 SVA chapters nationwide.

On Tuesday, March 11, Baylor’s OSOFast InterLibrary Loan platform will be offline for scheduled maintenance. While the outage is planned for one day, the vendor warns the maintenance window could extend if they encounter unforeseen issues.

As a Christian research university, Baylor takes great pride in celebrating holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. There is something special about expressing gratitude for our many blessings and for preparing our hearts for Advent. 

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has recognized Baylor as one of only 56 doctoral universities with the highest number of students selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

Low vaccination rates and delayed recognition contribute to rapid spread of disease once though eradicated in the U.S.

Oligarchy is being thrown around a lot these days. But what does the term mean? Is America an oligarchy? And how does oligarchy help explain American democracy today?

For the 21st year in a row, a Baylor University debate team has qualified to compete in the nation’s top debate tournament, while another Baylor debate team won a recent national competition.

In the early 1990s, a Baylor student pitched the idea of a coffee shop just off campus as a class project. Fast forward three decades, and that classroom pitch is now a campus community staple.

Happy 30th birthday, Common Grounds!

Following the massive success of his 2024 national tour, GRAMMY-nominee and double Dove Award-winning artist Forrest Frank will bring his 2025 Child Of God Tour Part 2 to Baylor University’s Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 22. 

During its regular February meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents took several actions that will provide the foundation for an aggressive implementation of the University’s new strategic plan – Baylor in Deeds. 

Baylor University today officially launched the Extend the Line Scholarship Initiative, which aims to raise $250 million by 2030 for student scholarships to help ensure a Baylor education remains accessible and affordable for both current and prospective students.

I have said many times before that I believe our ability 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 – is only possible when we value and embrace our differences. 

College traditions are beloved on college campuses across the country. At Baylor, traditions are rooted in connection and community, giving students a lifelong tie to the University.

In 2023, Baylor introduced a new high honor for faculty — the title of “University Distinguished Professor,” an accolade to be given out only once or twice every two years, and even then only after an extensive review process. The honor recognizes faculty members for outstanding achievement in scholarship and/or creative activity, national and international recognition in their discipline, and mentorship of colleagues and students.

Earlier this month, Dr. John L. Wood, Baylor’s Robert A. Welch Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, became the second BU professor to receive this high honor. Wood joined Dr. Mikeal Parsons as Baylor’s second University Distinguished Professor, recognized for his groundbreaking research using natural products.

Zero to 60? That’s kids’ stuff. Try 0 to 632 mph in five seconds — then decelerating back to zero in another 1.4 seconds. Such a ride puts the body through 40+ G’s of force. “My eyeballs pushed against the upper lids, pulling at their attachments with a searing pain like a dental extraction without anesthetic,” recalled the test pilot.

That was the last of 29 rocket sleds Dr. John Paul Stapp (BA ’31, MA ’32) would ride in the mid 1950s, part of U.S. Air Force safety testing that would lead to improved pilot helmets, better seatbelts and shoulder harnesses, improved escape mechanisms, and stronger cockpit frames.

I am thrilled to report we have been notified by the American Council on Education (ACE) that as expected, Baylor University has been reaffirmed as a R1 research university in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications. 

Baylor University has again been recognized as a Research 1 (“R1”) university, a prestigious designation awarded to the nation’s top research universities by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Raise your hand if this has happened to you: You’re walking through the grocery store (or the airport, or Disney World, or the Great Wall of China…), and you spot that unmistakable Baylor green and gold on a shirt or cap. Then comes the universal nod of acknowledgement, if not the all-out “SIC ‘EM!” and “You went to Baylor too?!”

Those don’t have to be the only times you meet fellow Bears. Baylor Alumni hosts hundreds of events across the country each year, where alumni (and others) meet old and new friends, network, discuss Baylor news, and of course, cheer on the Bears. Naturally, the more Baylor people live in an area, the more events like these that city is likely to host — and not surprisingly, the top five metropolitan areas for Baylor alumni are all in Texas: