Baylor in the News – May 2-8, 2021

Media Contact: Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-1961
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WACO, Texas (May 9, 2021) – Baylor University researchers and faculty experts were featured in national and local media stories as they shared their thoughts and expertise on the benefits of combining education about mental health best practices with Bible reading, the effect on Medicare spending on lab and imaging services when a physician practice becomes part of a hospital or health system, looking to the early church to end racial discrimination and violence and what goes into coordinating major events at a university from football games to commencement.

May 3, 2021

Christianity Today: Study: Trauma-Informed Bible Reading Reduces Depression, Anxiety, Anger
A recent American Bible Society-commissioned study by Baylor University researchers found that combining education about mental health best practices with Bible reading can have a significant benefit on helping people heal from trauma. In their study, this reduced the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and increased forgiveness, compassion, and sense of purpose.

Baptist News Global: Barna: Racism a reality even in multiracial churches
This article about recent Barna Group research - "Do Multiracial Churches Offer Healthy Community for Non-White Attendees?" – cites a 2020 study by Baylor sociologist Kevin Dougherty and other scholars that focused on churches in which no one racial or ethnic group makes up more than 80% of the congregation.

WalletHub: Do You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Allen Seward, Ph.D., associate professor of finance, insurance and real estate, answers the question: Why is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage only required in some states?

Waco Tribune-Herald: Baylor scientists: 40% of campus COVID-19 cases could be British variant
New Baylor research using genetic sequencing found that four of every 10 cases on campus could involve the highly contagious UK variant of the COVID-19 virus, which researchers said could be a sign of things to come if people are too slow to get vaccinated.

May 4, 2021

Baptist News Global: Book traces the complex story of women's influence within Southern Baptist Convention
Elizabeth Flowers, Ph.D., a Baylor associate religion professor, and Karen Seat of the University of Arizona, co-editors of "A Marginal Majority: Women, Gender, and a Reimagining of Southern Baptists," contributed to the collection of essays, which trace the roles and challenges of women from the 19th century onward.

Becker's Hospital CFO Report: When hospitals buy physician groups, Medicare spending increases, study finds
Medicare spending on lab and imaging services increases after a physician practice becomes part of a hospital or health system, according to new research published May 3 in Health Affairs by researchers at the Rand Corp., Boston University and Baylor University.

May 6, 2021

Waco Tribune-Herald: Delayed outdoor commencement means closure for 2020 Baylor grads
Baylor University held its first outdoor graduation in ceremony in 66 years Thursday, honoring a graduating class like no other. Delayed by a year of pandemic, the class of 2020 walked the stage at McLane Stadium on Thursday, kicking off three days of commencement ceremonies for last year's and this year's graduates, for a total of 3,659. Baylor's in-person commencement also was covered by FOX 44, KWTX-TV and KCEN-TV.

Presbyterian Mission: 'No matter how deep evil goes, God goes deeper'
In a chapel service attended by more than 80 of the PC(USA)'s national staff, Jonathan Tran, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophical theology and The George W. Baines Chair of Religion at Baylor, looked to the early church to help us conquer racial injustice and violence.

The Austrian: The State of Modern Economics
Interview with Peter G. Klein, The W.W. Caruth Chair and Professor of Entrepreneurship at Baylor and Carl Menger Research Fellow of the Mises Institute, about the state of the economics profession.

May 7, 2021

Baylor Connections: Drew Pittman, Associate Athletic Director for Event Management and Facilities
AUDIO: What goes into coordinating events like football games, commencement ceremonies, basketball games and more at venues like McLane Stadium and the Ferrell Center? As Associate Athletic Director for Event Management and Facilities, Drew Pittman works to coordinate a variety of people and resources into a concerted effort that ensures a safe and fun experience for student athletes and fans. In this Baylor Connections, Pittman examines how he and his team navigated the challenges of COVID-19, and shares a personal story of adoption, as he and his wife, Alyssa, opened their homes and hearts in a unique and meaningful way.

Today's Dietician: Changing Diets May Best Explain Global Childhood Obesity
A study by Baylor anthropologist Samuel Urlacher, Ph.D., shows that when children gain excess weight, the culprit is more likely to be eating too much than moving too little.

May 8, 2021

KWTX-TV: Parents of Baylor grad student who passed away due to Covid-19 complications presented with her diplomas
Baylor President Linda Livingstone presented Jeremy and Amy Morales, the parents of Alicia Martinez, a Baylor graduate student who passed away due to complications from COVID-19 in January, with their daughter's Bachelor's and Master's in Social Work diplomas Saturday at Baylor's graduation ceremony.

ABOUT BAYLOR MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Baylor's Office of Media and Public Relations (M&PR) supports the University's Illuminate strategic plan as a top Christian research university by focusing on faculty research and expert opinions, innovative teaching, major awards and recognition, and community involvement. Through its media training workshops, the Baylor M&PR team develops faculty experts to effectively communicate the impact of their research or speak as subject-matter experts into national trends and conversations with media outlets, through Hot Topics and on the Baylor Connections podcast. Our faculty expert directory is available on the M&PR website at www.baylor.edu/news/experts.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.