News

Two Baylor University debate teams have qualified for the prestigious National Debate Tournament, to be held March 28 -April 2 in Dallas. Baylor is one of only 18 other debate programs that will be represented by multiple teams at the tournament. Currently, Baylor is ranked No. 19 in the nation heading into the national tournament and is the top-ranked debate team in Texas. This year, 78 teams will compete in the national tournament.

On March 12, Acting Secretary of the Army Pete Geren announced that Maj. Gen. Gale Pollock, a Distinguished Alumna of Baylor University, has assumed duties as interim Army Surgeon General and Commanding General of Army Medical Command, following the retirement of Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley.

Looking for something to do with your children over Spring Break? The Physics Circus at Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex might be the answer.

Sir Harold W. Kroto, winner of the 1996 Nobel Prize for chemistry, will serve as featured speaker for Baylor University's annual Gooch-Stephens lecture series at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 22, and 4 p.m. Friday, March 23, in Room B110 of the Baylor Sciences Building.

Baylor University will not hold classes for spring break March 12-16, but most university facilities and administrative offices will remain open.

Baylor Theatre will debut Neil LaBute's contemporary drama, "The Shape of Things," at 7:30 p.m. March 21-24 and 2 p.m. March 25 and April 1 in Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center Theatre 11.

After two weekends of competition, the winners of Baylor University's All University Sing were announced on Saturday, Feb. 24, during an awards ceremony on the Waco Hall stage. The top eight acts were presented invitations to perform in Baylor's Pigskin Revue during Homecoming weekend in November.

The Marketing Department at Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business will be home to a new real estate research center, funded by a generous $5 million donation by Gary Keller, Chairman of Keller Williams Realty.

Funeral services for entrepreneur, philanthropist and former Baylor University Regent John F. Baugh will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 8, at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston. The founder and retired senior chairman of SYSCO Corporation died March 5 in San Antonio at the age of 91. He served Baylor from 1987-96 as a trustee and regent and generously supported numerous Baylor programs and projects, wherever he saw a need, for more than 20 years.

With approximately 25 percent of the homes in the United States utilizing a septic tank system for on-site wastewater treatment, finding better ways to protect the surrounding environment is essential. A Baylor University researcher will present new research findings on Tuesday, March 6, on an alternative treatment system that could be a significant addition to what is currently available for residential use.

Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary will bring another in a long line of world-renowned theologians to the Baylor campus, when Dr. Justo L. Gonzalez delivers the annual Parchman Endowed Lectures March 6-8 in the seminary's Paul Powell Chapel.

Bonjour, comment allez-vous? Où est l'hôtel? Je voudrais un dessert. Combien a-t-il coûté?

If you can understand these phrases, you are probably not in need of the French For Travelers program at Baylor. But for those who wish to learn to speak French or renew their skills, the six-week program offers a practical, hands-on approach to "survival French" for traveling abroad.

Dr. Howard K. Batson, Baylor University regent and pastor of First Baptist Church in Amarillo, will speak on his book "Jesus is Lord: Exploring the Meaning of Jesus's Lordship" during a luncheon at noon Wednesday, March 7, in the Piper Great Hall of George W. Truett Theological Seminary.

After emerging undefeated in nine rounds of play in February's Region 12 tournament, Baylor University's College Bowl team will compete for the national title May 4-6 at the University of Southern California. This win marks the third time in four years that Baylor has advanced to the national level of competition.

Dr. Steven Ozment, The McLean Professor of Ancient and Modern History at Harvard University, will deliver the 29th annual Charles Edmondson Historical Lectures at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, and Thursday, March 8, in room 100 of Morrison Hall on the Baylor University campus. The lectures will focus on Lucas Cranach, a Saxon court painter from the late 15th and early 16th century.

Baylor University international students and scholars will prepare cuisine unique to their home countries at the annual International Food Fest, at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 3, on the fifth floor of Cashion Academic Center.

Baylor's Student Foundation will hold the fifth annual Bearathon, a 13.1-mile race, at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 3, through Baylor's campus and Waco's Cameron Park.

"You're hired." Words that every graduate wants to hear. To prepare students for their future in the business world, the Baylor Business Women hosted a "You're Hired" dinner and panel discussion Feb. 1, that brought together experienced business women from the Waco area with Baylor students. Among the advice: knowing the rules in job interviews, finding an employer with a culture for success, balancing work demands with a personal life, and aligning your values and your work.

The People's Law School will return for a second year from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday, March 3. Hosted by Baylor Law School, the one-day, free event is designed to make the law "user friendly" and to educate consumers about their legal rights.

Baylor University's McBride Center for International Business will host the Global Business Forum Feb. 27 through March 2 at the Hankamer School of Business. A distinguished group of speakers and panelists will discuss a variety of vital issues related to international trade and investment. The Forum is the centerpiece of a new Global Business Week, providing an annual update on global business issues for Baylor students and the regional business community.

The "Invisible Children" documentary will be shown to Baylor University students during chapel services at 10 and 11 a.m. in Waco Hall, Feb. 26, and at 7 p.m. Feb. 27, at Bennett Auditorium.

A coal plant educational forum, hosted by the office of the student body external vice president (EVP) and the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, in Kayser Auditorium in the Hankamer School of Business.

The audience sat spellbound, listening to one of the primary field generals describe one of the seminal moments in U.S. history. On Wednesday, Feb. 21, in celebration of Black History Month, U.S. Congressman John Lewis spoke to more than 200 Baylor law students, Baylor faculty and the general public about his involvement as one of the "Big Six" in the Civil Rights Movement in the early 1960s.

Baylor University Associate Athletic Director Tom Hill was named to the Athletic Hall of Fame at Cedarville University on Friday, Feb. 2, in festivities during the school's Alumni Weekend.

After placing second in the regional Japanese language speech contest in Dallas, Baylor University's Justin Elms, a sophomore University Scholar from San Antonio, will advance to the state Japanese language speech contest Saturday, March 3, at the Westchester Academy for International Studies in Houston.

More than 450 scientists from dozens of universities across Texas will be on the Baylor University campus March 1-3 to attend the 110th annual meeting of the Texas Academy of Science, one of the most prestigious science organizations in the world. This is the first time in the last decade the academy has held its three-day meeting at Baylor.

Baylor lecturer Luis Matias-Cruz will report his research findings on the economy in Southern Mexico in a lecture titled, "Economics and Rebellions in Southern Mexico: Elements of a Political Economy of Dignity," from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in room 116 at the Draper Academic Building on the Baylor University campus.

More than 50 sessions and workshops will be offered at the annual convention of the North American Association of Christian Social Workers on March 8-11 in Dallas. This year's event, which will be held at the Marriott Dallas/Addison Quorum, is co-sponsored by Baylor University's School of Social Work and Buckner Children and Family Services.

Noted J.R.R. Tolkien scholar Ralph Wood, University Professor of Theology and Literature at Baylor University, will deliver the department of religion's annual lecture at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in Miller Chapel. Wood's lecture, "Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings: A Book for Our Time of Terror," is free and open to the public.

In celebration of Black History Month, U.S. Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis will speak at Baylor Law School at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, in room 127. Additionally, a special showing of the civil rights documentary "Bridge to Freedom," part of the PBS "Eyes on the Prize" series, will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, in room 122. Lewis's lecture and the showing of "Bridge to Freedom" are free and open to the public.

Dr. Peter van Inwagen will deliver the keynote address at the Annual Philosophy of Religion Conference at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, in room 510 of the Cashion Academic Center on the Baylor University campus. The keynote address is titled "What Does an Omniscient Being Know about the Future?" and is open to the public.

Framing Class: Media Representations of Wealth and Poverty in America, written by Baylor University sociology professor Diana Kendall, has been selected as an Outstanding Academic Title for 2006 by Choice magazine, the official publication of the American Library Association's College and Research Libraries Division. Kendall's book was selected as one of only 17 sociology books honored, out of more than 7,000 publications in all scholarly categories that are reviewed annually in Choice.

The Asian Student Association and Place2BU will host the second annual Chinese New Year celebration welcoming the Year of the Pig at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at Fountain Mall on the Baylor University campus.

Baylor law students Kristi Kautz and Ginger Hunter won first place in the American Bar Association's Client Counseling regional competition, held Feb. 10 at South Texas School of Law in Houston. The team will advance to the national competition, which will be held March 16-17 at SMU.

The 54th annual All University Sing competition, a renowned Baylor University tradition that allows student organizations to showcase their musical talents and dancing skills, will take the stage Feb. 15-17 and 22-24. Each performance will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Waco Hall.

Baylor University began a series of preventive health measures Monday, Feb. 12, after doctors confirmed that a student has been diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis. The full story includes links to audio and video streams of today's news conference.

The Class of '57 established Baylor's first library endowment as their senior class gift, allowing the library to purchase significant works such as a facsimile of the Gutenberg Bible. Now, as the class celebrates its 50th reunion, these faithful alumni hope to increase the endowment.

The Baylor University Board of Regents at its February meeting today approved plans to construct the Alwin O. and Dorothy Highers Athletics Complex and the Simpson Athletics and Academic Center, a $34 million complex that will integrate the Baylor athletics department and football program into the campus environment for the first time in the modern era.

In its first major effort to directly support renewable energy sources, Baylor University will soon rely more on wind power for its electricity needs. Baylor has signed a 10-year contract with Wisconsin-based WPS Energy Services to provide electricity on campus starting July 2008.

Three Baylor University students have been selected to participate in a Japanese speech contest held by the Dallas Japanese Association and Japanese Teachers Association of Texas Saturday, Feb. 10, in Dallas. This year's contest is the first year for college students to be eligible to compete.

Baylor University will bring many distinguished speakers and performers to campus this spring. Below is a list of the lectures, conferences, performances and symposia that will be held during the spring semester at Baylor.

Dr. Thomas R. DeGregori, professor of economics at the University of Houston, will deliver three lectures on Feb. 9 at Baylor University. DeGregori's visit is sponsored by the University Lecturers Committee and the McBride Center for International Business at Baylor's Hankamer School of Business.

While all couples may have conflict in their relationship, a Baylor University researcher has found it is not if a couple fights and argues, but how they communicate during their conflict that can determine whether a couple will stay together for the long haul.

Kirk Franklin, gospel recording artist and winner of three Grammy's, 33 Stellar and nine Dove Awards, will serve as featured speaker for this year's Black Heritage Banquet, hosted by the Association of Black Students (ABS) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, in Room 510 of the Cashion Academic Center.

Baylor University senior and former staff writer for The Baylor Lariat, Katy Matlock, placed 14th in college In-Depth writing in the 47th annual William Randolph Hearst Foundation's Journalism Awards Program. The top 20 winners in college In-Depth writing were announced Friday, Jan. 26.

Baylor University Law Professor Jeremy Counseller will deliver the keynote address at Baylor Law School's commencement exercises at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at Waco Hall. Baylor President John M. Lilley also will participate in the program and will award juris doctor degrees to 27 graduates.

Baylor Theatre will debut Irving Berlin's Tony Award-winning musical, "Annie Get Your Gun," at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8-17 and 2 p.m. Feb. 11 and 18 in the Jones Theatre of the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center.

Baylor University presented one of its most distinguished awards - the 2007 Baylor University Founders Medallion - to Ralph Storm of Corpus Christi and, posthumously, to his wife, Jean, during the university's annual Founders Day celebration on Jan. 31.

Dr. Richard R. Russell, assistant professor of English at Baylor University, will receive the 2007 Achievement Award for New Scholars in Humanities and Fine Arts from the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS). Russell will receive the award Feb. 25 at the CSGS Annual meeting in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Celebrating the 81st consecutive season of barnstorming across North America, the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their 2007 Tour to Waco at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Baylor University's Ferrell Center.

Instead of a normal study break at I-Hop, Denny's or Starbucks, last week Baylor law students enjoyed a late-night breakfast served by none other than Baylor law faculty. Eight law profs plus Dean Brad Toben donned personalized aprons and chefs' hats while they spooned out eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, and pancakes to more than 100 students.

In her new book "Shakespeare's Christianity," author Beatrice Batson investigates the Catholic and Protestant foundations in three of Shakespearean tragedies: "Julius Caesar," "Macbeth," and "Hamlet." Throughout the each of these plays are distinct footprints of Elizabethan England's religious struggles and tensions. Baylor University Press is pleased to announce the December 2006 publication of this book.

Baylor University has enrolled a total of 13,169 students for the spring 2007 semester, an increase of 150 students over last spring's enrollment, according to official 12th-day enrollment statistics compiled by the Office of Institutional Research and Testing.

While temperature records dating back thousands of years already exist for certain regions of the United States, like the East Coast and the Northwest, no such record exists for the North American Great Plains. But now, a Baylor University researcher along with a team of scientists has developed a new method to measure temperature fluctuations in the Great Plains, creating a temperature record for that area of the country dating back 12,000 years.

Around 3,000 high school students, transfer students and their families will flood campus this Saturday, Jan. 27, during Winter Premiere, one of three premiere events sponsored each academic year by the Baylor University office of campus visits.

Although cold, wet weather forced the ceremony indoors, Baylor University celebrated reaching the midpoint of construction on Brooks Village, its newest residential community, with a traditional "Topping Out" ceremony on Jan. 19 in Barfield Drawing Room of the Bill Daniel Student Center.

Dr. Leon Kass, former chairman of the President's Council on Bioethics, will deliver the Roy Albaugh Lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, in room 510 in the Cashion Academic Center on the Baylor University campus. Kass' lecture, "Brave New Biology: The Challenge of Bioethics," is free and open to the public.

If parents and youth leaders want a proven way to deepen the faith development of teens, the latest research by Baylor University School of Social Work professors provides one - involvement in a meaningful community ministry alongside adults.

Researchers with Baylor University's Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR) have completed a case study that examines the success obtained by the state of Ohio's faith-based and community initiatives. The case study provides an overview of the Ohio programs and provides analysis of how the state has achieved its success.

Due to the large demand for All University Sing tickets, an additional performance has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in Waco Hall on the Baylor University campus.

Baylor University will operate on a regular schedule on Thursday, Jan. 18. Administrative offices will open at 8 a.m., with classes operating according to the regular Thursday schedule.

Baylor University President John M. Lilley announced today that in a special meeting held this morning, Baylor's Board of Regents unanimously adopted a proposal to construct an on-campus football training facility. The facility, which is being funded with private resources, is expected to be located on University Parks Drive adjacent to Baylor's other athletics facilities at the Turner Riverfront Complex. A final review of the project plans and specifications has been scheduled for the February 2007 meeting of Baylor's Board of Regents.

Due to weather conditions in the surrounding areas and the forecast for Waco tonight and Monday, the Sic 'Em Day Recruitment Event scheduled for Monday, Jan. 15, has been cancelled.

The Baylor University Alumni Association will bestow the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award upon five Baylor graduates -- James B. Adams, Philip D. Hardberger, Steven Stucky, Walter Umphrey and Dr. Dallas Willard -- at a black-tie banquet Friday, Jan. 19, in the Cashion Academic Center on the Baylor campus. Presented annually since 1965, the prestigious award has honored governors and scientists, artists and denominational leaders, and educators and entrepreneurs.

Three Baylor students recently were selected to attend the Young People For's (YP4) Class of 2007 Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C., from Thursday, Jan. 11, through Monday, Jan. 15.

Due to weather conditions in the surrounding areas and the forecast for Waco tonight and Monday, the Sic 'Em Day Recruitment Event scheduled for Monday, Jan. 15 has been cancelled.

Joshua Brown, a Baylor University graduate student, was recently selected as a semifinalist in the Graduate Student Conducting Competition for the National Convention of the American Choral Directors' Association. The semifinals and finals will take place this March in Miami.

As the nation mourned the Dec. 26, 2006, death of President Gerald R. Ford, Baylor University recalled the 38th President's visit to the campus during a campaign stop in Waco on April 29, 1976.

Baylor University administrative offices will be closed and no classes will be held Monday, Jan. 15, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Susan Kendrick, the Baylor Law School librarian described as a "remarkable inspiration" to all as she fought a long battle with ovarian cancer, passed away at her home Saturday, Jan. 6. She was 56. A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church following cremation with private interment.

Baylor University is mourning the death of the current president of the Baylor Bear Foundation. Paul Edwin Gartner Jr., 54, died suddenly Dec. 30, 2006. Funeral services were held Jan. 3 at University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, with burial following at Oakwood Cemetery, Waco.

The FastTrac Entrepreneurship Training Program is accepting applications for spring courses, which begin later this month at Baylor University. Two sessions are offered, one for beginning entrepreneurs or those with an idea for a business, and the other for existing entrepreneurs or those who have owned a business for more than two years.

Baylor University President John M. Lilley today released a statement to the Baylor community, regarding the George W. Bush Presidential Library.

Beginning Jan. 18, 2007, Baylor University's Martin Museum of Art will feature "TEXAS MODERN: The Rediscovery of Early Texas Abstraction," an exhibition of more than 50 paintings and sculptures from public and private collections in this first in-depth, critical analysis of Texas indigenous modernist art at mid-century. TEXAS MODERN will open in Baylor's Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center.

Memorial services for Ruby Olar, an adjunct professor of ballroom dance at Baylor University, will be held tonight at 6 at Miller Chapel on the Baylor campus. Olar passed away last Thursday in the Marrs McLean Gym dance studio.

Baylor University offices and campus facilities will vary their regular operating hours during the Christmas and New Year's holidays. University administrative offices, with the exception of the development office and other essential services, will be closed for the Christmas break Dec. 23-Jan. 1.

Dr. Virgil L. Tweedie, 88, professor emeritus of chemistry at Baylor University, passed away Dec. 17 in Waco.

Baylor University has announced a gift from William and Mary Jo Robbins of Houston, Texas, to construct The Robbins Chapel in Brooks Village. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins are longtime supporters of Baylor. The new Chapel will provide students a place for everyday prayer, meditation and worship.

The Community Involvement Council (CIC) met at the Doris Miller YMCA in November to discuss ways to further improve the strengthening ties between the Baylor and Waco community.

As the fall semester of 2006 has drawn to a close, leaving students with "remember when" moments and looking forward to a new start in the spring, Student Government has had a most productive fall, by working hard, getting creative and achieving what many might have thought impossible.

Christmas: the season of giving, and for many Americans, the season to give products of a religious nature or theme. The recent Baylor Religion Survey has collected data concerning the consumption of religious goods, including how much is spent, what genres are purchased and who is buying.

Baylor University will confer degrees on more than 700 graduates during commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, in the Ferrell Center on the Baylor campus.

Ruby Olar, an adjunct professor of ballroom dance at Baylor University, was found dead just after 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, in the Marrs McLean Gym dance studio. Baylor public safety officials say that there was no sign of foul play.

The holiday season is a time filled with happiness - family gatherings, parties, presents and resolutions for the upcoming year. But for people dealing with depression, the holiday season is a very difficult time. Psychologists, such as Baylor University's Michael Frisch, are now treating depression and other mental health problems by focusing on the other end of the spectrum - what's positive in a person's life.

David Schwartz, the author of more than 50 children's books - including How Much Is a Million? - will present his energetic and engaging program and sign books during events Wednesday and Thursday at a local bookstore and four Waco schools. Schwartz's appearance is a collaborative effort between Baylor University's School of Education and the Waco Independent School District.

Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex invites you to bring your family to a model train exhibit now through Dec. 17. The Central Texas Area Model Railroaders Club has installed six model train sets that fill the 5,000-square-foot Anding Traveling Exhibit Gallery at the museum.

The Fifth Street/Bookstore Parking Garage will be closed temporarily beginning Sunday, Dec. 17, and will reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, as residence halls reopen to students.

Speakers from both sides of the recently settled federal lawsuit City of Waco v. Contained Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) will be on the Baylor University campus Tuesday, Dec. 5, for an environmental law forum.

M.L. "Hub" Northen enrolled at Baylor University in 1925, but it wasn't until his family came across a rolled up group of papers that the 100-year-old man now has his Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA) from Baylor. At the century mark, the Shreveport, La., resident is the oldest person ever to obtain a degree from Baylor.

Funeral services for Mark Hudson, a sophomore pre-business major from Keller, Texas, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in Miller Chapel on the Baylor University campus.

Despite the wintry weather, Baylor University's annual Christmas on Fifth Street celebration will still take place tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Bill Daniel Student Center. The KOT Christmas Tree in Burleson Quadrangle will be lit as visitors arrive on campus, but all activities will be moved indoors.

Baylor University's Martin Museum of Art, in collaboration with approximately 8,000 other museums, colleges/universities, high schools and AIDS organizations, will recognize World AIDS Day on Friday, Dec. 1, by presenting A Day Without Art. On that day, the artwork of the museum's current exhibiting artists, Victoria Star Varner and Jiyoung Chung, will be draped in black cloth and ribbon in remembrance of those artists who have died from or are now living with HIV/AIDS.

Baylor University students from the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) and Master of Tax (MTax) degree programs had a higher pass rate on the Texas CPA exam than any other graduate program in the state and second nationwide, according to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy statistics about the 2005 CPA exam results.

A Baylor Law School luncheon program on Thursday, Nov. 30, will honor the memory of the late Lyndon L. Olson Sr. of Waco and mark the establishment of a newly endowed professorship bearing his name and the name of his brother, William A. Olson Sr., a retired Houston attorney.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in Miller Chapel for Baylor University student Adam Todd, who died Nov. 11 at his Waco apartment. He was a junior biochemistry major from Oklahoma City. Funeral services were held Nov. 20 in Oklahoma City.

The three justices of the 10th Court of Appeals, Waco, will visit Baylor Law School on Thursday, Nov. 30, to hear oral arguments in three cases. The hearings, which are open to students and the public, will be held in the Jim Kronzer Appellate Advocacy Classroom and Courtroom (Room 127) in the Sheila and Walter Umphrey Law Center on the Baylor University campus.

Santa Claus is coming to town a little early this year. The 14th annual Santa's Workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 1, in the McLane Student Life Center on the Baylor University Campus. The event is co-sponsored by Baylor and Aramark.

Baylor University has been awarded a $100,000 subcontract to study whether pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP) are found in fish tissue. The study is the first of its kind on the national level.

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, Baylor University will not hold classes and administrative offices will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 22, through Friday, Nov. 24. Several university facilities will have modified hours during the week.

Oct. 30 marked the first meeting of the Community Involvement Council (CIC), a group of Baylor University students, faculty and Waco community leaders, that grew out of September's Beyond Leadership community summit.