New Beginnings and Lasting Legacies

Welcoming New Regents

During its May meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents took several actions to support the University’s strategic plan, Baylor in Deeds, elected and affirmed new Regents who began service on June 1 and elected Board leadership for the 2025-26 year. 

Regents re-elected William “Bill” E. Mearse, B.B.A. ’78, M.B.A. ’79, of Houston to a third year as chair of the Board and elected Todd Patterson, B.S. ’90, J.D., of Richmond, Texas, as vice chair. Patterson succeeds Melissa Purdy Mines, B.A. ’90, of Munich, Germany, who has served as a vice chair since 2019 and is entering the final year of her service on the Board.

Elected to three-year terms as new at-large Regents:

Jeremy L. Fudge, B.A. ’97, J.D., of Parker, Texas, CEO of Berry Appleman & Leiden, a leading U.S. corporate immigration law firm. Members of the Give Light National Campaign Steering Committee, Fudge and his wife, Kristy, provided a $15 million lead gift for the construction of the Fudge Football Development Center, the new home of the Baylor Football program; and

Roger C. Lowe Jr., B.B.A. ’91, M.B.A., of Waco, vice president and CEO of Lowe’s Supermarkets, a family-owned business that has grown to more than 150 stores across Texas and New Mexico, with additional locations in Colorado, Kansas and Arizona.

Regents recommended by the Baptist General Convention of Texas and confirmed by the Board:

• Gail W. Stewart, B.B.A. ’80, J.D. ’83, of Houston — second term, BGCT Regent; and 
• Joseph C. Parker Jr., D.Min., M.Div. ’97, J.D., senior pastor of David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Austin — first term, BGCT Regent.
   

Affirmed by the Board to a three-year term in February as Alumni-elected Regent:

• Orhue Odaro, B.S. ’11, M.D., of Houston, assistant professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Approved by the Board in February as Student Regents:

• Meghan Fletcher, B.S.F.C.S. ’20, M.S.Ed. ’22, doctoral candidate in higher education and leadership from Lawrence, Kansas — second term, voting Student Regent; and
• Spencer Yim, sophomore political science major in the Honors College from Connecticut — first term, non-voting Student Regent.

Five current members of the Board were re-elected to three-year terms:

• Jack F. Harper II, B.B.A. ’93, of Midland, Texas — second term;
• Sarah Gahm, B.S. ’84, M.H.A., of Dallas — third term;
• William “Bill” E. Mearse, B.B.A. ’78, M.B.A. ’79, of Houston — third term;
• Manny Ruiz, B.B.A. ’81, of San Antonio — third term; and
• Ashley Beane Hooper, B.B.A. ’03, of Dallas — second term (honoris causa).

Farewell to Longtime Leaders

Dean of the Graduate School Larry Lyon, B.A. ’71, Ph.D., will retire August 1 after 50 years of service to Baylor. 

Lyon joined Baylor’s sociology faculty in 1975 and became dean of the Graduate School in 1998. He also served as vice provost and director of the Baylor Center for Community Research and Development. During his longstanding tenure, the Graduate School experienced exponential growth, and his leadership has played a key role in guiding Baylor toward significant research growth and attaining R1 status.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished here at Baylor,” Lyon said. “I’m excited for our future because Baylor is in such a better place than it was 50 years ago. We now have the faculty, the staff, the students, the financial base and the physical infrastructure to compete at the highest levels of research and education — all while keeping sight of our Christian faith. Without a doubt, Baylor’s best years are in front of us.”

After 16 impactful years at Baylor, Kevin Jackson, Ph.D., vice president for student life, will retire on July 1. 

“During his tenure at Baylor, he has faithfully led this critical area of our University, leaving an indelible mark on our campus and community,” Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., said. “He and his team are to be commended for their advancement of Baylor’s Christian mission and the care they provide our students during their entire Baylor experience.”

Jackson’s time at Baylor includes the construction of  East Village and the renovation of 10 residence halls, the expansion of the Counseling Center, the addition of telehealth services, the establishment of the Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center and Care Team Services, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and championing a first-of-its-kind study of student faith and character development that has implications for all faith-based institutions.

Sharra Hynes, Ph.D., senior associate vice president and dean of students, has been named Baylor’s next vice president for student life, effective July 1.