As higher education emerges from the pandemic, a strong and resilient Baylor is thriving in our pursuit to become the preeminent Christian research univerity

Twelve Baylor faculty members were honored with Outstanding Faculty Awards for teaching, scholarship and contributions to the academic community for the 2020-2021 academic year. The Outstanding Faculty Awards recognize the best all-around faculty, including tenured, tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty.

Roughly 32 percent of American colleges and universities are led by female presidents or chancellors. It is rarer for a university’s top two executives to be female. With Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., as president and Nancy Brickhouse, B.A. ’83, Ph.D., as provost, Baylor also boasts a first gentleman and a second gentleman. Brad Livingstone and Mark Brickhouse, Ph.D., both lend their expertise to the Baylor and Waco communities.

The Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat at Baylor University has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the international accrediting organization for the best zoos and aquariums. Baylor is the first university in the world to receive this designation and joins the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo as the only AZA-accredited zoos on higher education campuses.

Three Baylor seniors and one alumna were honored by the National Security Education program at the end of the spring semester. Amanda Sutton (University Scholar and Russian major), Anne Walker (economics, international studies) and Daniel Burch (political science) were awarded the prestigious David L. Boren Scholarship. Maria Torres, B.A. ’20, master’s candidate at the George Washington University Elliot School of International Affairs, was awarded the Boren Fellowship.

Baylor is partnering with Topgolf Entertainment Group as the official education partner of Topgolf Waco, a single-level, community-focused venue featuring 30 climate-controlled hitting bays, classic Topgolf games, iconic virtual courses, a full-service restaurant, backyard-style lawn areas with fire pits and a mini golf course for a casual and enjoyable experience. The sponsorship agreement is the first between a university and Topgolf nationwide at this partnership level.

In its regular quarterly meeting in May, the Baylor Board of Regents elected seven new members and voted to approve officers and committee chairs, who also will serve on the Executive Committee, for 2021-2022.

Baylor Career Center reported a surprising increase in job placement of graduating Baylor students in spring 2020 compared to spring 2019 despite an anticipated decrease due to the effect of COVID-19. 

In March 2021, entrepreneur and TV personality Chip Gaines, B.B.A. ’98, released his latest book, published by Thomas Nelson. In it, Gaines shares keys to building relationships that pull us into a life of meaning, joy and connection.

Linda Plank, B.S.N. ’77, Ph.D., NEA-BC, began her tenure as Dean of the Louise Herrington School of Nursing in May after serving as interim dean since summer 2020. Sandeep Mazumder, Ph.D., was selected as The William E. Crenshaw Endowed Dean of Hankamer School of Business.

In June 2020, the Baylor University Board of Regents announced its unanimous approval of the “Resolution on Racial Healing and Justice,” acknowledging Baylor’s historical connections to slavery and the Confederacy and establishing the Commission on Historic Campus Representations. 

Internships often are an important part of Baylor’s transformational undergraduate education. There might be no better time for students to focus on extra- or co-
curricular professional work than in the summer. 

From athletics to academics, Baylor’s profile is on the rise. More students than ever want to be a part of the Baylor experience — so much so that Baylor is preparing to welcome its largest class in the University’s 176-year history.

Baylor faculty and staff produce amazing digital content available in the form of podcasts and other online platforms. Here are a few of our recent favorites.