Vision Driven

June 23, 2005

Robert B. Sloan Jr. began his presidency by dancing on Fifth Street. Ten years later, he ended it by watching the Lady Bears basketball team at the Big Dance -- the NCAA Tournament. Both were historic occasions signaling a first for the University.
During the years between, Baylor's 12th president added several other pages to Baylor's history book. When he was sworn into office June 1, 1995, he began a tenure that would bring triumph and tragedy, consensus and conflict.
On June 1 of this year, Sloan stepped down as president and assumed the role of chancellor of the University, where he will continue his efforts in fundraising and implementation of Baylor 2012.
His 30-year association with his alma mater continues, and as Board of Regents chair Will Davis says, "I think his 10 years here [as president] and what he's done for the University will be treated very well by history."

1995

Robert B. Sloan Jr. inaugurated as 12th president
Engineering and Computer Science elevated from department to School status

1996

First on-campus dance - "The Miracle on Fifth Street"

1997

Baylor Health Care System separates from the University by mutual agreement

1998

$20 million gift from three couples announced to fund Sheila and Walter Umphrey Law Center
Women's soccer team wins Baylor's first Big 12 championship

1999

Speight Plaza parking and offices facility opened
Floyd Casey Stadium skyboxes and Dave Campbell Media Center dedicated
$20 million McLane Student Life Center dedicated
Regents authorize five-year, $500 million Campaign for Greatness

2000

Getterman Softball Stadium dedicated
Men's tennis team wins first of five Big 12 titles
Baseball team wins Big 12 championship
Sloan announces Baylor's intention to pursue George W. Bush Presidential Library
Louise Herrington School of Nursing $5 million expansion/renovation dedicated

2001

Baylor Ballpark dedicated
Regents approve Baylor 2012, new tuition structure
Bear Ridge Golf Course completed
Men's golf wins Big 12 championship

2002

Regents establish Honors College, Baylor's 10th academic division
George W. Truett Theological Seminary dedicated
$33 million Sheila and Walter Umphrey Law Center dedicated
Baylor hosts President George W. Bush's Economic Forum
Renovated Morrison Hall rededicated

2003

Stacy Riddle Forum dedicated
Women's tennis wins Big 12 title
Sloan announces resignation of Dave Bliss and Tom Stanton over improprieties in men's basketball program in wake of disappearance of Patrick Dennehy
Regents reaffirm Sloan administration, 31-4
Baylor appoints National Steering Committee for proposed Bush Presidential Library

2004

Lady Bears basketball team reaches NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time
Sue and Frank Mayborn Natural Science and Cultural History Museum Complex dedicated
Men's tennis team wins Baylor's first NCAA team national championship
Track athletes Jeremy Wariner wins two gold medals and teammate Darold Williamson one in the Olympic Games
Regents approve independent status of School of Social Work; adds women's equestrian program to begin fall 2005 as 18th varsity team sport
$103.3 million Baylor Sciences Building dedicated
Baylor successfully completes $500 million Campaign for Greatness ahead of schedule
North Village Residential Community dedicated

2005

Sloan and Regents Chair Will Davis jointly announce Sloan will transition to University Chancellor June 1
Groundbreaking for the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat Complex
Regents establish a Presidential Search Committee
Lady Bears basketball team wins Big 12 Conference title, Big 12 Tournament title and NCAA National Championship, the first national title in basketball in the Big 12
William D. Underwood becomes interim president June 1