Senior Class Votes Walter “Sparky” Matthews, M.D., as Collins Outstanding Professor

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Baylor University’s 2026 Senior Class has selected Walter M. "Sparky" Matthews, M.D., B.A. ’92, as the 2026 Collins Outstanding Professor, an award that recognizes and honors outstanding teachers at Baylor. Retired from the U.S. Air Force as the First Surgeon General (Acting) of the United States Space Force, Dr. Matthews returned to his alma mater in 2020 to teach in the Honors College as clinical professor and pre-medical mentor in the Honors Program.

The senior class votes each year to select a Baylor faculty member as the Collins Outstanding Professor, an honor generously provided by the Carr P. Collins Foundation. As Collins Professor, Dr. Matthews will give a special lecture on “The Body of Christ: The Physiology of the Passion and Crucifixion” at 5:15 p.m. Monday, March 30, in the Fudge Family Auditorium in the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center.

"I love my students as if they were my own kids, and I do everything I can think of to help them become the people they want to be. I had some amazing professors and mentors as a Baylor student myself 30 years ago, including Dr. Bill Hillis and Dr. Ray Wilson. I am honored and humbled to receive an award that they received as well. I hope to have the same impact on my students that they had on me." – Walter M. "Sparky" Matthews, M.D.

“When I was first informed of my selection for the Collins award, I went weak in the knees. I am so humbled by this; I love my students as if they were my own kids, and I do everything I can think of to help them become the people they want to be,” Dr. Matthews said. “I had some amazing professors and mentors as a Baylor student myself 30 years ago, including Dr. Bill Hillis and Dr. Ray Wilson. I am honored and humbled to receive an award that they received as well. I hope to have the same impact on my students that they had on me.”

A Baylor graduate with a B.A. in Biology/Pre-Healthcare, Dr. Matthews went on to earn his M.P.H. from the University of Texas Health Science Center, an M.S. in National Security Strategy from the National War College, and his M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine. He is board-certified in both Aerospace Medicine and Public Health & General Preventive Medicine and was elected Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association in 2019. A highly decorated Air Force officer, he achieved 1,113 flight hours in 26 weapon systems, including 197 combat hours and 42 combat support hours. 

At Baylor, Dr. Matthews teaches courses on the history of medicine, pathophysiology and freshman seminars on leadership as a physician. In addition to serving as a pre-med mentor, Dr. Matthews is director of the Hillis Scholars Program and advises several student organizations, including Christian Pre-Health Fellowship (CPHF), Medicine in Uniform (MIU) and Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA).

“Over the last six years, I’ve celebrated Dr. Matthews’ exceptional commitment to classroom excellence and unsurpassed availability to mentor, challenge, encourage and commend students to be their very best. His well-deserved Collins Outstanding Professor Award recognizes his selfless devotion to students in service to Baylor’s Christian academic mission.” – Douglas V. Henry, Ph.D., dean of the Honors College

“Over a decorated Air Force career, Dr. Matthews dreamed of returning one day to his alma mater to teach a rising generation of physicians, just as an earlier generation of Baylor professors did for him,” said Douglas V. Henry, Ph.D., dean of the Honors College. “Over the last six years, I’ve celebrated Dr. Matthews’ exceptional commitment to classroom excellence and unsurpassed availability to mentor, challenge, encourage and commend students to be their very best. His well-deserved Collins Outstanding Professor Award recognizes his selfless devotion to students in service to Baylor’s Christian academic mission.”

Even with all his accomplishments, Henry added, Dr. Matthews possesses genuine humility and real interest in others.

“Students see all these things and are drawn to him. He’s knowledgeable, he listens and learns from anyone he can, and he seeks and strives for good things for his students and his colleagues,” he said.

Dr. Matthews also serves the local Waco community as a board member and past president (2024) of the McLennan County Medical Society and past chair (2022-23) of the City of Waco Veterans Affairs Advisory Board.

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 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.

ABOUT THE HONORS COLLEGE AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

The Honors College at Baylor University unites five academic pathways: the Bachelor of Philosophy degree, the Great Texts major, the University Scholars major, the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, and the Honors Program. Students may also choose to live in the Honors Residential College, a multi-year community of students that fosters formation through friendship, study, service, and spiritual engagement. Together these opportunities invite undergraduates to explore questions that reach beyond the boundaries of individual disciplines. For more information, visit the Honors College website.