Newsbriefs
Parents Weekend will feature comedian Bill Cosby at 8 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Ferrell Center. Tickets are available at www.gobaylorbears.com.
The senior class named Robert B. Jones, senior lecturer in management and entrepreneur-in-residence, the Collins Outstanding Professor this spring. The honor carries with it a $10,000 cash award. Jones, who has taught at Baylor since 1992, was honored at the May commencement.
Dr. Phyllis Karns retired June 30 as dean of the Louise Herrington School of Nursing after 15 years with Baylor. She was honored at a reception May 3 in Dallas. Acting dean of the School will be Judy Wright Lott, associate professor of nursing.
Baylor Law School students again led the state of Texas with a 97.83 percent passing rate for the bar exam taken in February.
Dr. Van D. Gray, associate professor of management, has been named associate vice president for strategic planning and improvement for the University. He will manage the overall strategic planning process for academic and administrative units.
ExxonMobil Foundation awarded $263,525 in unrestricted grants to Baylor as part of its $3.5 million package to 76 Texas colleges and universities to match educational gifts made in 2001 by ExxonMobil employees, retirees, surviving spouses and directors.
Dr. Michael Beaty, professor of philosophy and director of Baylor's Institute for Faith and Learning, took on the role of vice provost for faculty development, a newly created position, in June. He will work with Provost Donald D. Schmeltekopf on several initiatives for faculty members, including summer teaching and scholars institutes focusing on effective teaching practices and mentoring programs to help orient new faculty.
The Stacy Riddle Forum, a permanent facility for Panhellenic sororities, is under construction across from Collins Hall between Eighth and Ninth streets. The 51,000-square-foot facility is projected to cost $5.5 million and has received support from more than 1,500 donors.
Baylor was among five Big 12 universities and 22 Texas institutions recognized for the number of bachelor's degrees awarded to Hispanics in the latest rankings published May 6 by The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine.