Friends of Baylor Good News 3/23/2007

Good News from Baylor University
March 23, 2007
Too Much Good News!

The excellence called for in Baylor 2012 has manifested itself in such mega doses lately that a “Spring Break” for the Friends of Baylor e-mail last week has left us with almost too much good news to report. Achievements academically, in sports, as well as some unique opportunities to further distinguish Baylor’s Christian mission leaves us no choice but to relate to you the “glad tidings” by category. Even the outstanding “Report Card on Baylor 2012” that the Waco Trib reported on March 11 is already somewhat outdated. Here goes………

Academics
David Garland • Nationally renowned New Testament scholar Dr. David E. Garland has been appointed Dean of Truett Seminary replacing Baptist Hall of Famer and nationally renowned good guy, Paul Powell. The press release describing the spiritual scholarship of Dr. Garland and the career accomplishments of Paul Powell is 8 pages long which illustrates the body of good works that these gentlemen possess. Dr. Garland is also married to the distinguished Dean of the School of Social Work at Baylor, Dr. Diana Garland.

Pattie Orr • Distinguished Wellesley Officer, Pattie Orr, has been appointed Baylor Vice President for Information Technology and Dean of Libraries. Drawn to Baylor by the “commitments to excellence” in Baylor 2012, Pattie Orr’s recruitment from well regarded Wellesley is a great coup for the University. In addition to her technical credentials, Pattie, a native of Texas, was faculty advisor to the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and has a daughter and son-in-law on the faculty at Baylor.

• Hankamer School of Business has been named by BusinessWeek as one of the top 25 private undergraduate business schools in the nation.

• Baylor student Brittany Mays has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to South Korea.

• Truman Scholar – although not officially announced, one of the record number of Baylor students to be nominated as a Truman Scholar has in fact been selected for this prestigious award.

Christian Mission
Engineers on a mission• A group of outstanding Baylor engineering students are on a mission to deliver electricity to a remote area of Honduras. Led by grad student Ryan McGhee these self described “Engineers with a Mission” are designing and building a turbine that will help power a hydroelectric generator. Read the March 22 Baylor News piece to get the full story. In Ryan’s words, “I have been given a specific skill set for engineering work and while I'm not the type of person who can get up in front of a church group and play music, I can sit behind a desk and do calculations. Hopefully I can bring glory to God that way."

• Relevant Magazine, a publication read by many young Christians, rated Baylor as the Number “1” Christian University in the country. Looks like Coach Mulkey and Coach Knoll just got a little competition.

Sports
• Lady Bears basketball ended much too early for our liking with an overtime loss to N.C. State 78-72. We were one shot short of making our 4th consecutive Sweet 16 appearance. However, we are very young and were not supposed to be so good so early. The next couple of years will be special!

• Men’s basketball ended as well but not without significant late season success and promise for the future. A thumping of Mizzou in round one of the Big XII Tournament and a thriller against heavily favored Texas suggest great things for Coach Drew’s also very young squad. Buy your tickets now while they are still cheap.

Men's Track Women's Softball • Baylor men’s 4x400-meter relay team clocked the World’s fastest time this year to claim its seventh indoor national championship (duh?).

• Number 4 ranked men’s tennis defeated No. 2 Virginia and Georgia Tech. Big XII play starts today at Nebraska.

• Number 10 ranked Baylor softball starts Big XII Conference play vs. Nebraska this weekend.

• Number 25 ranked women’s tennis defeated Kansas State 7-0.

• Undefeated 2007 Baylor Bears football team began spring drills this week!
Baylor 2012

Excellent faculty, excellent scholarship, excellent students, excellent sports achievements, and a clear Christian mission and identity. Just too much to report on……