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Last fall, Baylor launched its first varsity esports team, led by Baylor alum Adam Stanley (MDiv ’12). Just a few months later, the Bears have their first conference championship — and with eyes on even bigger prizes as they head to nationals.

It’s been almost 150 days — nearly five months — since we gathered at McLane Stadium around Baylor football.

That’s far too long.

This Saturday, the Baylor Family is invited back to McLane for “Baylor Fan Fest,” a festival-style celebration presented by McLane Children’s, featuring live music, local food trucks, interactive fan experiences, and a free open Baylor Football practice inside the stadium.

What if bacteria could be a tool to better deliver cancer drugs?

How would heart transplants be improved if hearts were better preserved while waiting for transplant?

These are just two of the many questions being addressed these days by Baylor researchers — professors and students alike — in departments across campus. It would take far more than this blog post to adequately capture the scope of Baylor research, but we can share a few examples of the latest work at BU:

What if bacteria could be a tool to better deliver cancer drugs?

How would heart transplants be improved if hearts were better preserved while waiting for transplant?

These are just two of the many questions being addressed these days by Baylor researchers — professors and students alike — in departments across campus. It would take far more than this blog post to adequately capture the scope of Baylor research, but we can share a few examples of the latest work at BU:

The Arctic Acclimatization & Sleep Optimization (ARKTOS) Research Center will advance collaborative research and testing on the impact of multi-stressor Arctic environments. 

For almost a century now, Diadeloso has provided Baylor students with a much-needed day off just as the spring semester reaches its crescendo — a day to rest and relax, have fun with friends, and make memories on campus that will last a lifetime.

Gray skies threatened to dampen the Dia activities, but thankfully the rain held off, allowing for all the usual festivities to continue as planned. Traditional Dia activities like games, inflatables and a petting zoo were mixed with newer favorites like axe throwing, Nerf gun battles and a rock climbing wall — all served up in the heart of campus on Fountain Mall.

It may just be the biggest stage in sports sales for a student. Representing their schools at an NBA or NHL arena, students step up to the table with industry professionals (who may someday be their colleagues) and make their pitch. If it feels like an NCAA competition, that’s intentional — and it’s Baylor that makes it possible.

Baylor’s Center for Sales Strategy in Sports and Entertainment (commonly known as “S3E”) is the driving force behind the National Collegiate Business Championships. This series of sales competitions brings together college students from across North America to help them sharpen their skills and test themselves in front of industry leaders. Numerous in-person and virtual competitions comprise the championships in both the U.S. and Canada.

In just one year, Baylor has gone from hosting no major concerts to offering a full slate of live music and entertainment events, placing both Baylor and the City of Waco on the radar of national touring artists.

On March 9, 1954, Baylor University admitted a student from a small town near Waco — just in time to start the spring term. His name was Willie Nelson.

Now, some 72 years later, the University is welcoming Willie back to campus to celebrate his Baylor ties and his legendary career in music and public service. Highlighting the reunion will be an outdoor concert by Willie Nelson & Family on Thursday, May 14, at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark, just a few weeks after his 93rd birthday.

When it comes to speeches with an impact, TED Talks are the big leagues — and through their TEDx series, they allow grassroots voices to share their stories of overcoming obstacles, lessons learned, innovation and more.

Last fall, Baylor faculty, staff, students and alumni took the stage at the inaugural TEDxBaylor University event, where they presented speeches based on the theme of “Innovation in Deeds,” connecting to the University’s strategic plan through their own personal stories. (Those stories are now available online for a global audience.)

The first two waves of data from the Global Flourishing Study, the most comprehensive empirical investigation of human flourishing ever undertaken, is now publicly available through the Center for Open Science at no cost and without pre-registration. 

In the spring of 1945, a group of Baylor students prayed for spiritual renewal for 90 straight days. Their prayers led to a movement that helped inspire ministries on campus and around the world, from the Journeyman mission program to the Passion Conferences.

Last week, thousands of Baylor students again gathered in Jesus’ name for FM72, an annual 72-hour on-campus prayer and worship event coordinated by Baylor’s Office of Spiritual Life in conjunction with local churches and campus ministries.

Legendary Texas country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson is coming home to his alma mater on Thursday, May 14, for an outdoor “Willie Nelson & Family” concert at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark.

Looking for one of the top college experiences in the nation? Then you’ve come to the right place.

Looking for a great education? Baylor ranks among the top 20% of national universities (U.S. News). It also ranks among the top 10 nationally in Fulbright qualifiers (U.S. Department of State), the top 40 nationally for best undergraduate teaching and research (U.S. News), and the top 40 nationally for “Most Innovative Schools” (U.S. News).

Yes, the calendar just turned to spring… But these 85+ degree days we’re having say summer will be here before we know it, and fall right on its heels.

Time to go ahead and put some important fall dates on your calendars (and possibly even start making plans):

One of Baylor’s own is now commander of the service’s oldest continuously serving numbered Air Force, the 5th Air Force, based in Japan.

Lt. Gen. Joel Carey (BA ’92), recently promoted to a three-star general, took command earlier this week at a ceremony in Tokyo. The move was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in January, the latest promotion in Carey’s distinguished career since he got his start at Baylor more than 30 years ago.

Baylor researchers Corey P. Carbonara, Ph.D., and Michael Korpi, Ph.D., led university-industry team to develop 6P’s revolutionary Full Color Range display system

Dwayne D. Simmons, Ph.D., and Samuel S. Urlacher, Ph.D., have been elected to the rank of 2025 AAAS Fellow, a lifetime honor announced today by the Council of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Baylor University is ranked No. 81 among the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2025, a list published by the National Academy of Inventors.

She’s been called the “Mother Teresa of Bangalore,” and her lifetime of service is the subject of two books — a biography published in 2008, and a children’s book published in 2021.

But before the books, before the recognition, before the lifetime of service, Rebekah Ann Naylor (BA ’67) was a Baylor Bear.

Only one school in Texas was named among the nation’s most beautiful college campuses by U.S. News, Architectural Digest, and Condé Nast Traveler.

That school would be Baylor University.

For the 22nd straight year (!!), Baylor women’s basketball is headed to the NCAA tournament!

To put that in perspective, only one player on the team — graduate student Jana Van Gytenbeek — was even born the last time the Baylor women missed the NCAA tournament. (That came in March 2003, when BU finished as WNIT runners-up; two years later, the program won its first national championship.)

When researchers complete a study and share their work, they hope it will have impact: to help people, advance understanding, develop technologies and more. 

Such impact is important — but can be hard to measure. There’s no one way to do it, but Stanford University has annually compiled a prestigious list that captures one important measure of impact: citations. And Baylor researchers do very well there.

There’s a lot to like about Baylor’s home here in Waco, the heart of Central Texas. A city recently recognized by Southern Living as undergoing a “creative renaissance,” Waco anchors a growing metro with over 300,000 people who enjoy the area’s outdoor activities, history and culture, job market and more.

While such factors alone have long drawn people to the area, there’s a growing focus on the burgeoning megaregion Waco calls home: the Texas Triangle.

New research shows how a natural plant compound flips a built-in “avoid” switch in the mosquito brain and why that could lead to better repellents

When you think of the greatest moments in Baylor women’s athletics history, you likely think of highlights like Women’s Basketball’s three national championships, Acrobatics & Tumbling’s decade of dominance, and softball’s six Women’s College World Series appearances.

Not surprisingly, many of those moments have come in the last quarter-century, as Baylor’s increased investment in women’s sports has set a high bar for excellence. The story of women’s sports at Baylor, however, goes back more than a century.

Three months ago, Baylor Director of Athletics Doug McNamee (BA ’03, MSED ’05) made it clear at his introduction as AD that improving the fan experience would be an immediate priority.

True to his word, McNamee and Baylor Athletics this spring have rolled out a series of “Fan First” announcements aimed at “making the fan experience more vibrant and gamedays more accessible.” Baylor football fans this fall will find significant changes to the gameday experience, including:

After countless hours of planning, practicing and performing, All University Sing 2026 is in the books. Over the last two weeks, hundreds of Baylor students put their hard work on display performing for thousands of Baylor students, alumni and friends in Waco Hall (plus a streaming audience online for Saturday’s finale).

Congratulations to Beta Upsilon Chi, which won first place this year for their act, “Grill of Rights” (pictured above). Phi Kappa Chi took second for their act, “Cold as Ice,” followed by Delta Delta Delta in third for “When A Mouse Eats A Cookie.”

For a quarter of a century now, the Lake Waco Wetlands have provided a rich home for countless species of birds, deer, amphibians, and other animals, plus a wide variety of plants and trees indigenous to Central Texas.

From the wetlands’ very beginning, Baylor’s Dr. Robert Doyle (BS ’81, MS ’85) has played a key role — first in helping establish it, then in helping study, enhance and expand it. For his longstanding service, the City of Waco proclaimed Feb. 17, 2026, as “Robert Doyle Day.”

If you want to reach students, you can’t be afraid to try new things. Baylor has struck an incredible balance of holding on to what’s most important (our faith, incredible student experience, etc.) while growing and improving across the board (Exhibit A: R1 status).

Higher ed leaders across the country are noticing Baylor’s efforts — and that shows up in lists like U.S. News‘ “Most Innovative Schools,” where Baylor ranks among the nation’s top 40 national universities. That puts Baylor well inside the top 10% nationally when it comes to innovation.

If one goal of college is to get you a job in your chosen profession, then the Baylor men’s basketball program is one of the best job training programs in the nation.

For the second straight year, Baylor ranks among the top 10 universities with the most players currently in the NBA, one behind Kansas and ahead of such programs as North Carolina, Villanova and Texas. A school-record 11 Baylor alumni played in the NBA last year; this year, 10 Bears have seen time on NBA rosters.

It's National Engineers Week, and Baylor University is celebrating a significant honor for electrical engineering professor Emmanuel Agamloh, Ph.D., – his election as a member of the prestigious IEEE Fellow Class of 2026.

Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Preservation Project is drawing national media attention by expanding the ways it preserves and promotes decades of this historic music. 

During its regular February meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents took several actions that will continue to strategically position the University for the future in areas related to academics and research and value and affordability.

In 2019, Baylor set a school-record with seven Fulbright scholarship recipients — part of the nation’s most prestigious international education exchange program. Just three years later, Baylor doubled that total, with 14 Fulbrights. And in 2025, Baylor jumped to 24 Fulbright student honorees.

Such success has catapulted Baylor up to No. 10 nationally in Fulbright qualifiers — No. 1 in Texas, and among Big 12 schools. Baylor also earned recognition this spring as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for the fourth straight year.

Baylor-Waco Family Medicine research finds affordable interpreter training model for heritage Spanish speakers can improve patient care, restore dignity in health communication

Lent is observed annually by Christians across the globe and in multiple denominational traditions. It spans the forty-day period before Easter, excluding Sundays. The season begins on Ash Wednesday, a day Christians are reminded they are mortal and instructed to confess sin, repent, take up their cross, and follow Christ. The season concludes on Holy Saturday, the day we remember Jesus’ burial, a day of rest before the day of Resurrection.

Baylor’s mission has long been to “educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service” — and for the third straight year, a survey by TIME magazine confirms Baylor’s doing exactly that.

Baylor once again ranks among TIME‘s list of the 100 Best Colleges for Future Leaders, coming in at No. 70 nationally for 2026 (No. 4 in Texas, No. 5 in the Big 12). This year, the publication studied the resumes of almost 5,000 U.S. leaders — pulling from business, government, academia and more — to find where today’s leaders got their start, with Baylor continuing to stand out among the nation’s best.

“The Whole Body Project” will showcase stories of mutual flourishing in faith communities that embrace individuals with and without disabilities and mental health challenges.

Among the many ways to measure the impact of a college education is a practical accounting: Are students finding opportunities to work or further their education after graduation? At Baylor, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

With the most recent numbers just released (covering Summer 2024 through Spring 2025), Baylor’s placement rate is 92%, and its success rate is 94% — numbers well above the national average, and emblematic of steady growth in this area at BU.

Few Christian programs have garnered the level of critical acclaim and multi-platform viewership as The Chosen. The show — a historical drama of the life of Christ through the eyes of those around him — has appeared on the IMDb Top 250 list, and reviewers have lauded the program’s storytelling and production. Such success made the chance to serve in professional roles on the show all the more appealing to Baylor Film & Digital Media (FDM) students.

Baylor University’s Black Gospel Archive (BGA) is one of the world’s most significant programs dedicated to preserving Black sacred music and cultural history.  

As the 2026 Baylor Acrobatics & Tumbling season begins Friday, the Bears find themselves in a familiar position — ranked as the nation’s No. 1 team in the preseason poll for the 11th straight season.

For a program and coach accustomed to celebrating national titles, it’s hard to imagine that anything could match what’s become an annual thrill, but everyone involved — especially Coach Fee, as she’s called by her athletes — got just that last month.

Baylor researchers have published a novel approach to fight colorectal cancer, using modified bacteria as a courier to deliver potent cancer-killing proteins into tumor cells. 

When Dr. Jamie Rankin talks about great teaching, he doesn’t start with expertise or accolades. He starts with caring.

That philosophy has guided Rankin’s work for more than three decades — and it’s a large part of why Baylor named him as the 2026 recipient of the Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching.

The Fulbright Program today recognized Baylor University as one of the nation’s elite top 10 producers of students and recent alumni selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

If you’re a Baylor fan who loves life with your earbuds popped in, or who can’t make a drive without connecting your phone for your favorite podcast, then you’re in luck: the University offers multiple podcasts to keep you connected to all things Baylor, from athletics to academics, theology to history.

Here are 10 podcasts from Baylor faculty, schools and more to add to your subscription list:

Chartered by the Republic of Texas on February 1, 1845, Baylor University began with a bold vision—to educate leaders who would shape a young and rapidly changing state. Today, Baylor stands as the oldest continuously operating university in Texas, a distinction earned through generations of innovation, service, and faithful leadership. 

We’ve hit the midpoint of the Big 12 basketball season, and March is only a month away — meaning college basketball’s stretch run is here.

Ranked 14th nationally and tied for first in the Big 12 standings, Baylor Women’s Basketball is poised to make the next two months memorable, thanks to a strong start, top scorers and rebounders, and an elite defense.

New insights published in the journal Science explain how a paper-thin layer of clay powered Japan’s most destructive earthquake

When David J. Negrón Sr. (BA ’61) walked the halls of Baylor University, he was majoring in mathematics — but his creative spark was impossible to ignore. During his time on campus, Negrón was actively involved with Student Activities and found support (both emotional and financial) from Marie Mathis, director of the Student Union Building, who recognized his artistic talent.

That encouragement proved pivotal. His passion led him to pursue professional art training after graduation, ultimately launching a remarkable career as a conceptual painter, illustrator and storyboard artist in the motion picture industry.

When it comes to pioneering education and ground-breaking research, Baylor has always been on the cutting edge.

The annual award honors Church Music Professor Randall Bradley, D.M.A., director of the Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies, for his outstanding contributions to Baylor’s learning environment.

On Friday, Baylor announced a historic $30 million gift from the Moody Foundation to the School of Education, supporting scholarships, expanding faculty research and providing resources to grow academic programs.

The gift was the largest single gift to Baylor’s School of Ed in its 107-year-history. It was so significant that, in recognition of the Foundation’s transformational generosity, the School of Education has been renamed the Moody School of Education.

Baylor University has announced a $30 million gift from the Moody Foundation of Galveston, Texas, to the University’s School of Education, now known as the Moody School of Education at Baylor.

Earlier this month, Baylor announced the hiring of two new deans, each of whom will begin their new roles this summer.

Dr. Tanya Sudia (pictured above right) returns to Baylor on June 1 as dean of the Louise Herrington School of Nursing, while Dr. James Brockmole (above left) comes to Baylor on July 1 as dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. They follow in the footsteps of Dr. Linda Plank (nursing) upon her retirement, and Dr. Lee Nordt (A&S) as he returns to the classroom.

It’s hard to believe that Foster Pavilion only just hosted its first public concert last April — just nine months ago — and yet, such events at Foster (and elsewhere) now feel like a regular part of campus life.

Let’s take a look back at some of 2025’s headlining concerts on Baylor’s campus — and then ahead at what’s in store for 2026:

Every college student knows the feeling — a challenging class that stretches your limits, perhaps at the same time you’re adjusting to the new responsibilities of college life. In the moment, you may feel the top-tier academics that drew you to the school are stretching you beyond your limits.

At Baylor, students are not alone in those moments. All they have to do is know where to look — and Baylor’s Paul L. Foster Success Center is the place to start, offering personalized support for Bears.

Baylor Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., has announced James R. Brockmole, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame, as the next Dean of Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences.

For the seventh time in nine years, a Baylor Bear is Texas’ student-teacher of the year.

This year’s honoree is Bella Buncher (BSED ’25), now a second grade teacher north of Atlanta

Baylor University has announced the largest gift in Baylor Baseball program’s history from Magnolia, the Waco-based and nationally recognized lifestyle company founded by Baylor alumni Chip and Joanna Gaines, naming Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark and supporting the program’s anticipated capital projects.

Another year, another top-10 ranking for Baylor entrepreneurship.

Yes, for the 16th time in 17 years (!!), Baylor’s undergraduate entrepreneurship program is a top-10 national pick in the field, coming in this year at No. 10 nationally according to U.S. News.

Baylor Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., has  announced that Tanya M. Sudia, Ph.D., R.N., FNAP, FAAN, has been selected as Dean of the Louise Herrington School of Nursing, effective June 1.

The NFL regular season is over, and the playoffs are here. As games begin this weekend, Baylor fans will have multiple opportunities to cheer on their fellow Bears as they pursue a Super Bowl victory.

This season began with 16 Bears on NFL rosters, and with the field whittled down to just 14 teams, there are now five Bears on active playoff rosters. All of them played meaningful roles in helping their teams get there:

Another year has flown by… As the calendar turns, let’s take one last look back at 2025, through the lens of our favorite photos from Baylor’s official Instagram account.

Here are our top 10 Baylor Instagram photos of 2025:

Don't miss the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters™ during their 100 Year Tour playing Saturday, Feb. 14, at Baylor's Foster Pavilion! Tickets are on sale now.

Baylor University experts to share ideas for resolutions that are easier to maintain while making a positive impact on our lives.

Obituary of Jo Ann Whiteside, B.A. ’55, who passed on July 3, 2025. 

Every student walking Baylor graduation stages this weekend has proved their resilience in some form or fashion — but few will have shown the resilience in the months leading up to Commencement as Baylor Nursing student Mahala Griffin-Halvorson.

This summer, Mahala and her husband, Caleb, were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child when life took an unexpected turn. Their son, Hudson, was born 13 weeks early, entering the world at just 1 pound, 9 ounces on June 20. The Halvorsons found themselves fervently praying for their son as nurses cared for him in NICU, providing intensive care to strengthen and save his life.

Baylor’s campus is always beautiful — but it shines brightest at Christmas.

With Christmas trees and decor in practically every building — and in between as well, highlighted by the trees on Fountain Mall and Founders Mall — Baylor’s campus in December is a true winter wonderland of Christmas beauty.

For more than 60 years, the combined choirs and orchestra of Baylor’s School of Music have heralded the arrival of Christmas with a joyful worship performance. This month, an encore presentation of the award-winning "A Baylor Christmas" will air on 175+ stations across 39 states.

During sold-out performances in 2023, KWTX Television captured the brilliant voices of the Baylor Combined Choirs who, along with the talented musicians in the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, resounded throughout Jones Concert Hall as they performed traditional favorites. All told, the production features the talent of more than 350 Baylor students and faculty, performing such favorites as “O Holy Night” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the Baylor Bear in your life? Whether they’re alumni, current students, parents, or fans, here are 10 Baylor-themed ideas sure to make any Bear’s holiday merry and bright:

Baylor University has received a $9.76 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to launch and provide financial support for the innovative Ministry for Life initiative at George W. Truett Theological Seminary. 

Baylor students living on campus have a wide variety of options. Some choose to live with other students their age; others, with students who have similar academic or extracurricular interests; still others, in faculty-led residential colleges.

Baylor takes these opportunities seriously, and it shows. For the third straight year, Baylor’s learning communities once again rank among U.S. News‘ top 10 nationally — just behind schools like Vanderbilt and Yale, and ahead of, well, just about everyone else. (The honor ranked Baylor No. 1 in the Big 12, No. 1 in Texas, and No. 1 among large private universities.)

Baylor University’s Michael P. Foley, Ph.D., has researched many forgotten Christmas customs and folklore, including the darker – and eerier – side of Christmas. 

It’s almost like Doug McNamee’s whole life was geared toward this moment.

A Baylor Bear, through and through. Experience working at every level of Baylor Athletics, and in the corporate sector (with a special focus on business and branding). It all adds up to what you see in Baylor’s new Director of Athletics, Doug McNamee (BA ’03, MSED ’05).

Faith, disability and the work of flourishing at Baylor

Baylor alumni follow their callings into engineering fields where they put their Baylor experience into action – solving real-world problems that make life better and safer for others. 

A look at the University’s commitments to its founding faith, a caring community for all students and the pursuit of knowledge grounded in God’s truth

Class notes for the Spring 2026 edition.

Jeff Dorrill, B.B.A. ’83, J.D. ’85, is a testament to boundless curiosity and dedication. His life embodies the spirit of a true Baylor Renaissance man.

Currently serving as the president and CEO of TIAA, Thasunda Brown Duckett, M.B.A. ’01, is the company’s first female CEO and only the third Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, earning Baylor’s 2022 Alumna of the Year honor. 

The fourth annual reunion of the Baylor Black Alumni Alliance was held in September. Participants honored distinguished alumni and enjoyed opportunities to connect throughout the weekend events. 

Joseph DeWoody, B.B.A. ’05, M.B.A. ’06, was named Energy Services and Technology Executive of the Year in the D CEO 2025 Energy Awards. The Awards honor excellence and innovation in oil, gas and renewable energy in North Texas.

Ashley Killough, B.A. ’09, calls herself a storyteller. Through journalism and international studies, she has always been a curious person — curious about the world, the people in it and how they interact with each other across divides. 

Obituary of William Eugene Ballou, B.A. ’60, who passed on August 30, 2025.

Obituary of John “Jack” Williams, B.A. ’60, who passed on June 28, 2025.

Obituary for Brett James Cornelius, who passed on September 18, 2025.

Obituary for Jayson S. Baldridge, who passed on August 18th.

Obituary for Walter L. Bradley, who passed on July 2, 2025. 

Obituary for John Daniel Russell, who passed on November 15, 2025. 

Obituary for Professor David W. Schlueter, who passed on November 4, 2025. 

Obituary for Ann Reed, who passed on July 4, 2025. 

Baylor University has long been known for its success in preparing students for accomplished careers in the sciences.

A summary regarding the 2026 election process for alumni-elected regents. 

Baylor University announced the hiring of Doug McNamee, B.A. ’03, M.S.Ed. ’05, as the Bears’ next vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. 

Baylor baseball Hall of Famer and 2020 Young Alumnus of the Year Max Muncy helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a repeat, winning the 2025 World Series.