Baylor has announced philosopher and public intellectual Dr. John Haldane as The J. Newton Rayzor, Sr., Distinguished Professor in Philosophy at Baylor University.

Construction began March 31 for a new fountain plaza on 5th Street in the heart of the Baylor campus. The 46-foot by 61-foot fountain--made possible through an $8 million gift from Dr. Thomas Rosenbalm, BS '50, MS '51, in honor of his late parents Clarence and Claudia Rosenbalm.

A lead gift by Louise "Lou" Herrington Ornelas of Tyler, Texas, made possible the purchase of the Baptist General Convention of Texas building in Dallas for use as the new home for Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing.

Baylor University graduate programs in law, business, health disciplines, sciences and education were among those nationally ranked in the 2016 U.S. News Best Graduate Schools rankings, released in March.

Professors receive honors for teaching and scholarship

At Baylor's 2015 Service Recognition Ceremony in February, the university recognized many long-serving employees, three of whom have dedicated 45 years to Baylor.

Although the numbers are not final, as of mid-March, the fall 2015 incoming class is shaping up to be the most selective in school history. The acceptance rate, currently at 44 percent, is a full 10 points lower than last year.

Three preeminent scholar/teachers from U.S. universities have been selected as finalists for Baylor University’s 2016 Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching.

In March, Baylor University received a Silver designation through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance through the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Baylor received a Bronze designation in 2014.

In February, Baylor University's Board of Regents authorized $31 million to refurbish Penland Hall, renovate Memorial Dining Hall and expand the Baylor Energy Complex and Electrical Substation.

In March, Baylor Trumpets returned victorious from the National Trumpet Competition, held at Messiah College in Pennsylvania. In the large ensemble division, Baylor Green won first prize and became the first group to win this national championship three times.

As Baylor fans cheered the Bears to back-to-back Big 12 championships in the beautiful new McLane Stadium, they enjoyed the best-connected stadium experience--enhanced by in-stadium Wi-Fi Coaches--in college football.