Changing Lives

From one generation of students to the next, Baylor University has played a powerful role in shaping the lives of thousands of young men and women. Whether coming in the form of providing a transformational education in our classrooms and labs or helping students achieve greater discernment of their unique calling in life, Baylor continues to be a place where tomorrow’s leaders gather to learn and grow in a thriving Christian community and then journey out into the world to serve others.

The course of each academic year follows a pattern that, though varying in places, has predictable yet always poignant characteristics. From the family-like atmosphere of the fall semester, with its renewed or new friendships and memorable experiences like football games and Homecoming, we end the spring semester with our hearts set on hopes and locations lying beyond the Baylor campus.

Increasing Access

For me, two recent events perfectly captured this forward-leaning posture of the spring term. On May 16-17, the Baylor Family celebrated the achievement of all Baylor students’ ultimate goal — earning a degree — at four separate Commencement ceremonies. Almost 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students received degrees. A Baylor record.

Walking across the stage at graduation and being applauded by more than 8,000 family members, friends and fellow students is one of those milestone moments one never forgets. It stands as the culmination of countless hours of study and growth for each of our students, and it also forms the culmination of our faculty and staff’s work to create an environment in which every student can thrive and achieve the dream of obtaining a college degree.

As a campus community, Commencement encapsulates so many aspects of our institutional mission and our operational priorities. One of those priorities is ensuring that a Baylor education remains accessible and affordable for both current and prospective students. To that end, in February the University launched the Extend the Line Scholarship Initiative, which aims to raise $250 million by 2030 for student scholarships.

As one among several affordability efforts being pursued by Baylor, this initiative will provide us with greater flexibility to address student needs. 

Worldwide Impact

“Value, Affordability and Completion” is an imperative woven throughout the University’s new strategic plan, Baylor in Deeds. In addition, among the plan’s four commitments is “Building a Vibrant, Caring and Global Community” — a priority that was reflected in the second event that struck me as capturing the horizon-gazing character of the spring semester.

To be sure, Commencement offers the epitome of such experiences, marking the beginning of a new chapter in one’s life. Although less prominent an event, a few weeks before the spring semester concluded we held a Student Mission Trip Commissioning Ceremony that reflected Baylor’s growing impact on the surrounding world.

Every summer, Baylor students head out on mission trips that place them in contact with communities around the world — from Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic to Wales and South Africa — and engage them in areas ranging from nursing and business to sports ministry. During our commissioning ceremony, we followed the disciples’ example in gathering to send these short-term missionaries off with prayer and encouragement.

Last summer, Baylor became a full member partner in the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), which uses the month of May to celebrate missions and evangelism. As reflected by our facilitation and encouragement of student involvement in mission trips, Baylor is identifying new opportunities to serve as the hands and feet of Christ. In doing so, we hope to embody the transformational power of Christ’s love and expand the Kingdom of God.

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President
Baylor University