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A preeminent Christian research university

Campus - drone, aerials - Pat Neff Hall - Burleson Quadrangle - Old Main - Founders Mall - 05/19/2020
Baylor University Credit: Morty Ortega

By Baylor University

America’s earliest institutions of higher education — and others, like Baylor, founded in the 18th and 19th centuries — were created by Christian leaders who believed the combination of faith and academic excellence was essential in preparing men and women for professional achievement and the betterment of society.

Over time, most of these schools abandoned their Christian identities; Baylor, on the other hand, has remained firmly grounded in our Christian faith in the Baptist tradition. Today, that faith inspires our pursuit of greater levels of excellence, as we understand that all truth is God’s truth.

In August 2019, Baylor University leaders officially announced plans to guide Baylor towards joining the nation’s top research universities. With its foundational Christian mission and a historic reputation for excellence in academics, growth in research is a vital next step for Baylor University, says President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.

“Baylor University’s vision affirms that the world needs a preeminent research university that is unambiguously Christian, and we are uniquely positioned to achieve this goal by building on Baylor’s historic strengths and strategically investing in new areas of research and service,” says Livingstone. “Through top-tier research, scholarship and external funding support, Tier 1/R1 universities bring their voice to bear in addressing our world’s most meaningful challenges.”

Baylor’s Illuminate strategic plan provides the framework and commitment to investment over the next decade that will guide the institution towards becoming a top national research university, recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 Research university. The strategic plan is built upon the foundation of Four Pillars, where Baylor will be a community recognized for its:

“By strengthening scholarship, deepening learning and enhancing teaching, these initiatives support our commitment to excellence in undergraduate education and growth in graduate education,” Livingstone says.

“Growing in our capacity and impact as a research institution strengthens our presence as God’s hands in the world,” adds Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D. (BA ’82). “The research our faculty, staff and students are undertaking is being pursued in order to make a difference in the world — to reflect Christ’s compassion for our fellow human beings and his desire for our welfare and personal flourishing.”

With its distinct spot in the world of higher education, Baylor can guide students in the consideration of crucial issues from every possible perspective — ethical, religious, social and intellectual — and faculty members can serve as open and persuasive advocates for the beneficial role that faith plays in their teaching and scholarly research.

As we fulfill our mission, we will raise the bar in Christian higher education, combining the richness of undergraduate, professional and graduate education with rigorous research, celebration of the arts, championship-level athletics and unwavering faith commitment.

The world needs a Baylor that is committed to finishing the race we have started, striving to achieve excellence as a research university that is unambiguously Christian. When we can accomplish this goal, we will articulate and embody an exceptional vision for 21st-century Christian higher education and produce graduates with the wisdom, innovation and leadership skills required to make a difference in the world.

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 18,000 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 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.