Our Steadfast Christian Mission

Each issue, I write to Baylor alumni, parents and friends to share how we are advancing our work as a Christian research university. The challenges facing higher education today are significant, requiring institutions across the country to manage resources carefully and think creatively about the future. Baylor faces these same realities, but our commitment remains unchanged: we will continue to pursue our Christian mission while meeting these challenges head-on.

As we look ahead, here are three things you should know about Baylor’s work in the coming year.

1. Our Christian mission remains at the heart of everything we do.

In August, the Baylor Family celebrated the opening of a new Baptist Student Ministry Center on campus. Baylor donated the land, and the Baptist General Convention of Texas and its fundraising arm brought the building to life. This brick-and-mortar testament to our long relationship with the BGCT serves as another meaningful gathering place where students can deepen their faith and connect in Christian community.

The Office of Spiritual Life continues to provide programs and resources that support students’ spiritual growth throughout their Baylor journey. One of the highlights of the beginning of the year is the Candlelight Worship Service held at the conclusion of Welcome Week. This gathering of first-year students in prayer for each other and our campus is one of my favorite Baylor traditions. 

Spiritual Life also oversees global mission opportunities for students, faculty and staff. Through more than 30 discipline-specific mission experiences, Baylor community members serve as the hands and feet of Christ around the world, growing in self-discovery, deepening their human connection and becoming better equipped as servant-leaders.

2. Baylor continues to excel in both teaching and research.

Baylor remains committed to providing a transformational education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The close relationships students build with faculty members continue to distinguish the Baylor experience and create opportunities for mentorship both inside and outside the classroom.

Our professors are regularly honored for excellence in teaching. Most recently, Stephen M. Sloan, Ph.D., professor of history and director of Baylor’s Institute for Oral History, was named a 2026 Piper Professor by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation, one of only 10 professors recognized with Texas’ highest honor for university educators.

At the same time, Baylor’s growth as an R1 research university continues to expand our global impact. By encouraging innovative scholarship and supporting excellence across disciplines, our faculty and student researchers are advancing knowledge in service of humanity.  In areas ranging from astrophysics to water quality, this combination of outstanding teaching and meaningful research remains a hallmark of Baylor’s mission.

3. The Baylor student experience remains a top priority.

Our faculty and staff are especially focused on helping students thrive from their first days on campus. National recognition affirms the strength of these efforts. Baylor is ranked among the nation’s top five universities for First-Year Experience by U.S. News for the third consecutive year. We also earned a top-10 ranking for Learning Communities, which foster strong connections among students and faculty.

Baylor traditions continue to unite generations of Bears. Recently, the Baylor Line was recognized by USA TODAY Sports as the nation’s Best Walk-Out Tradition. The excitement and enthusiasm of Baylor freshmen as they welcome the team onto the field reflects the spirit that defines our university community.

As Baylor continues to grow, launch new programs and pursue bold initiatives, we remain grounded in the values that have guided us throughout our history. Our mission is to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.

That mission has sustained Baylor for generations, and it will continue to guide us as we prepare future generations of Baylor Bears to make a meaningful difference in the world.

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