Baylor in the News – June 9-15, 2024

Contact: Baylor University Media & Public Relations, 254-710-1961
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Note: The opinions expressed in these articles do not necessarily reflect those of the University.

WACO, Texas (June 16, 2024) – Baylor University administrators and faculty researchers provided their expertise for news outlets spanning from NPR's All Things Considered to CNN on the success of the University’s Give Light comprehensive fundraising campaign, new leadership taking the helm at Baylor Law, a controversial vote on women pastors and the political virtue of former President Jimmy Carter.

June 10, 2024

Christianity Today: Some Churches Call Clergy Sexual Misconduct an ‘Affair.’ Survivors Are Fighting to Make It Against the Law

Baylor researchers David Pooler, Ph.D., and Lucy Huh, M.A., doctoral candidate in social work, who lead research on clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse, are quoted about efforts to criminalize clergy sexual misconduct, saying that survivors of adult clergy sexual abuse suffer trauma rates that surpass even war veterans. Huh was involved in drafting legislation to effect justice for survivors.

June 11, 2024

NPR – All Things Considered: Southern Baptist Convention will decide whether to expel churches with women pastors

AUDIO: Beth Allison Barr Ph.D., The James Vardaman Professor of History at Baylor, and author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth, is interviewed about her expertise and personal experience with the Southern Baptist Convention vote to expel churches where women serve as pastors. 

Fort Worth Report: Fort Worth pastors weigh in on Southern Baptist Convention’s vote on women

As pastors weigh in on the Southern Baptist Convention’s vote on whether or not to allow women pastors, Doug Weaver, Ph.D., The Barbara Jo Beard Driskell Professor of Historical Studies and chair of the Department of Religion, notes the ruling would be more restrictive than previously by not allowing any “women to use the title of pastor in any way, shape or form.” 

Deseret News: Opinion: America needs schools like BYU and Baylor more than ever

Baylor University is highlighted in this opinion article by BYU President C. Shane Reese about the importance and benefits of faith-based higher education. Also mentioned is the recent inaugural conference of the American Council on Education’s Commission on Faith-based Universities, which included Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.

Furman Magazine: The Einstein Example

Michael Scullin, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor, is quoted in this article about his Furman undergraduate experience, particularly the influence of Professor Emeritus of Psychology Gil Einstein. Scullin considers himself to be a beneficiary of Einstein’s teaching and said that he works to follow his legacy “to pay forward the grace, the patience and the positivity he has shown me in my career and my life.” 

June 12, 2024

CNN: Jimmy Carter set a virtuous example as president. To today’s voters, that may not matter

As former President Jimmy Carter nears the end of his life, his character is compared to modern politicians through the standards of virtue. Andrew P. Hogue, Ph.D., associate dean for engaged learning at Baylor and author of Stumping God: Reagan, Carter, and the Invention of a Political Faith, said, “The very foundation of a successful democracy is that we have to be able to trust that the people we elect are doing what we hope they will do.”

Voice of America News: What would Trump's and Biden's second-term policy on Ukraine look like?

Sergiy Kudelia, Ph.D., associate professor of political science at Baylor, is quoted in the article on the direction U.S. Ukraine policy will take depending on who is in the White House.. 

The Christian Century: What does ‘Christian nationalism’ even mean?

In this column, Jonathan Tran, Ph.D., associate dean in Baylor’s Honors College and associate professor of theology in Great Texts, writes about what Christian Nationalism is… and what it is not. 

Baptist Standard: Around the State: Texas Baptists celebrate Legacy Day

The success of the Give Light campaign is included in this roundup of Baptist news in Texas. Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. expressed her gratitude to the generous donations to the campaign by saying, “The world needs a Baylor—this unifying truth is resoundingly echoed through the generosity of our Baylor Family. Together, we have answered the call of support from this institution, and together we will continue to build this bright future so the world will see Christ through the impact of Baylor University.”

Fort Worth Report: Fort Worth pastors react to Southern Baptists’ rejection of ban on women in leadership

Following an SBC vote that rejected a ban on women pastors, Doug Weaver, Ph.D., chair of Baylor’s Department of Religion, said the SBC can still find churches not “in friendly cooperation” with the SBC and its beliefs, which could lead to disfellowship. 

June 13, 2024

Waco Tribune-Herald: 9/11 attack background to life's uncertainties in Baylor's ‘Recent Tragic Events’

AUDIO: Stacy Stiller, M.F.A. candidate in the Baylor Theatre program, is directing a local production of “Recent Tragic Events” by Craig Wright, a play about a blind date set the day after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

June 14, 2024

Baylor Connections: Jeremy Counseller

AUDIO: Before he even knew his last name carried a legal connotation, Jeremy Counseller showed signs of pursuing a career in law as a child. Today, he serves as The Abner V. McCall Chair of Evidence Law and will take over as Dean of the Baylor Law School in July. In this Baylor Connections, get to know Baylor’s newest dean as Counseller shares his experience as both a Baylor law student and faculty member and paints a picture of the qualities that make Baylor Law distinct.

The Athletic: The Big 12 needs more money, fast. Is Allstate or private equity investment a good fix?

Kirk Wakefield, Ph.D., The Edwin W. Streetman Professorship in Retail Marketing and Baylor’s executive director of the Curb Sales Strategy in Sports and Entertainment (S3E) program, is quoted in this article about the Big 12 Conference considering both a sponsorship deal with Allstate Insurance and a $1 billion private equity partnership in an effort to quickly raise more money.

Philanthropy News Digest: Baylor University raises $1.5 billion in decade-long campaign 

Baylor’s Give Light campaign surpassed its initial $1.1 billion goal by more than $400 million through contributions given by more than 100,000 people. Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., said the donations to the campaign “help ensure Baylor University continues to have a distinct position and voice in higher education.”

ABOUT BAYLOR MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Baylor's Office of Media and Public Relations (M&PR) supports the University's Illuminate strategic plan as a premier Christian Research 1 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.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 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 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.