Baylor in the News – Dec. 8-14, 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.

On campus, Baylor University hosted an emerging scholastic Esports competition, while Baylor faculty were called on by national and international media for their expertise on star football players leading Christian religious revival on their campuses, Syrian freedom and how a growing, changing senior population has brand new needs, including how to address near-epidemic levels of loneliness. 

Featured News

Waco Tribune-Herald: Esports championships take center stage at Baylor’s Hurd Welcome Center

The Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center at Baylor University hosted the Texas Scholastic Esports Championship, transforming the center into a gaming hub with state-of-the-art setups and enthusiastic competitors. The event, organized with Vanta, brought together middle and high school students for intense competitions and casual gaming, while Baylor showcased its growing esports presence. The esports competition also was covered by KXXV-TV and KWTX-TV.

National/International

National Public Radio: Ohio State University football players are leading a religious revival on campus 

Paul Putz Ph.D., director of the Faith & Sports Institute (FSI) at Baylor’s Truett Seminary, discusses how the connection of faith and football at Ohio State University marks a unique turning point in sports and how to balance the importance of religious expression with a welcoming environment. 

BBC News: Day-to-day life is resuming in Damascus

VIDEO: Joanne Cummings, M.A., adjunct professor of political science at Baylor, discusses the challenges in Syrian rebuilding and freedom post-displacement, America’s role and political influence and interventions from Israel and Turkey.   

Financial Times: The modern retirement home: not for retiring types

Markus Schafer, Ph.D., professor of sociology at Baylor, speaks on the options for retirement homes in this article about the changing senior population, which faces near-epidemic levels of loneliness. “One of the biggest changes in the industry is continuing care centers or CCRCS. People can enter a community, whether that’s a townhouse or cottage on the property, and transition when their needs change,” Schafer said.

EdTech: Teacher Shortage: Is Hybrid or Remote Teaching the Answer?

Greg Speegle, Ph.D., professor of computer science at Baylor, is working to resolve the STEM teacher shortage through his Central Texas Computational Thinking, Coding and Tinkering project. “People who understand computer science and other scientific fields have opportunities to be far better paid, either in companies or even in universities, which puts public schools at a severe disadvantage,” Speegle said.

Reader’s Digest: What’s a Christmas Spider-and Why Might You Want One on Your Tree?

Michael Foley, Ph.D., professor of patristics in Baylor’s Honors College, is quoted in this article about the legend of the Christmas spider. Foley is the author of Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe: Christmas Traditions Explained and shares the origin story of the Christmas spider.

Local/Regional

KWTX: Baylor professor helps students teach complex science to others

Marty Harvill, Ph.D., senior lecturer of biology at Baylor, is recognized as a “Be Remarkable” winner for his I-Bears initiative to bridge local elementary schools with Baylor students to help them learn complex science research topics. The $500 prize will go to purchase a Starlink satellite internet service for I-Bears. 

Waco Tribune-Herald: ‘Baylor Christmas’ to be broadcast on local TV during holiday season

“A Baylor Christmas” concert, filmed in 2023 and featuring the Baylor School of Music’s choirs and the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, will be broadcast nationwide in December on 113 Gray Media Group stations.

ABOUT BAYLOR MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Baylor's Office of Media and Public Relations (M&PR) supports the University's Baylor in Deeds 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. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.