Baylor University

File:Baylor Judge Statue.jpg

In 1841, 35 delegates to the Union Baptist Association meeting voted to adopt the suggestion of the Rev. William Milton Tryon and R. E. B. Baylor to establish a Baptist university in Texas, then an independent republic. Baylor, a Texas district judge and onetime U.S. Congressman and soldier from Alabama, became the school's namesake. Some at first wished to name the new university "San Jacinto" to recognize the victory which enabled the Texans to become an independent nation, then before the final vote of the Congress, the petitioners requested the university be named in honor of Baylor.

File:R.E.B. Baylor.jpg

In fall 1844, the Texas Baptist Education Society petitioned the Congress of the Republic of Texas to charter a Baptist university. Republic President Anson Jones signed the Act of Congress on February 1, 1845, officially establishing Baylor University. The founders built the original university campus in Independence, Texas. The Rev. James Huckins, the first Southern Baptist missionary to Texas, was Baylor's first full-time fundraiser. He is considered the third founding father of the university. Although these three men are credited as being the founders of the university, many others worked to see the first university established in Texas and thus they were awarded Baylor's Founders Medal.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/about/index.php?id=48921 |title=Founders Day |publisher=Baylor University |date=November 3, 2011 |access-date=April 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127124529/http://www.baylor.edu/about/index.php?id=48921 |archive-date=November 27, 2011 }} The noted Texas revolutionary war leader and hero Sam Houston gave the first $5,000 donation to start the university. In 1854, Houston was also baptized by the Rev. Rufus Columbus Burleson, future Baylor president, in the Brazos River.{{cite web |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbu44 |title=Burleson, Rufus Columbus | The Handbook of Texas Online| Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) |publisher=Tshaonline.org |date=August 20, 1964 |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516184401/http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbu44 |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |url-status=live }}

During the 1846 school year Baylor leaders would begin including chapel as part of the Baylor educational experience. The tradition continues today and has been a part of the life of students for over 160 years. In 1849, R. E. B. Baylor and Abner S. Lipscomb of the Texas Supreme Court began teaching classes in the "science of law", making Baylor the first in Texas and the second university west of the Mississippi to teach law. During this time Stephen Decatur Rowe would earn the first degree awarded by Baylor. He would be followed by the first female graduate, Mary Kavanaugh Gentry, in 1855.

In 1851, Baylor's second president, Rufus Columbus Burleson, decided to separate the students by sex, making the Baylor Female College an independent and separate institution. Baylor University became an all-male institution. During this time, Baylor thrived as the only university west of the Mississippi offering instruction in law, mathematics, and medicine. At the time a Baylor education cost around $8–15 per term for tuition. And many of the early leaders of the Republic of Texas, such as Sam Houston, would later send their children to Baylor to be educated. Some of those early students were Temple Lea Houston, son of President Sam Houston, a famous western gun-fighter and attorney; and Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross famous Confederate general and later President of Texas A&M University.

File:Baylor University 1892 front.png

For the first half of the American Civil War, the Baylor president was George Washington Baines, maternal great-grandfather of the future U.S. President, Lyndon B. Johnson. He worked vigorously to sustain the university during the Civil War, when male students left their studies to enlist in the Confederate Army. Following the war, the city of Independence slowly declined, primarily caused by the rise of neighboring cities being serviced by the Santa Fe Railroad. Because Independence lacked a railroad line, university fathers began searching for a location to build a new campus.

Beginning in 1885, Baylor University moved to Waco, Texas, a growing town on the railroad line. It merged with a local college called Waco University. At the time, Burleson, Baylor's second president, was serving as the local college's president. That same year, the Baylor Female College also was moved to a new location, Belton, Texas. It later became known as the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. A Baylor College Park still exists in Independence in memory of the college's history there. Around 1887, Baylor University began readmitting women and became coeducational again.

In the 1890s, William Cowper Brann published the highly successful Iconoclast newspaper in Waco. One of his targets was Baylor University. Brann revealed Baylor officials had been importing South American children recruited by missionaries and making house-servants out of them. Brann was shot in the back by Tom Davis, a Baylor supporter. Brann then wheeled, drew his pistol, and killed Davis. Brann was helped home by his friends, and died there of his wounds.

In 1900, three physicians founded the University of Dallas Medical Department in Dallas, although a university by that name did not exist. In 1903, Baylor University acquired the medical school, which became known as the Baylor College of Medicine, while remaining in Dallas. In 1943, Dallas civic leaders offered to build larger facilities for the university in a new medical center if the College of Medicine would surrender its denominational alliances with the Baptist state convention. The Baylor administration refused the offer and, with funding from the M. D. Anderson Foundation and others, moved the College of Medicine to Houston. In 1969, the Baylor College of Medicine became technically independent from Baylor University. The two institutions still maintain strong links and Baylor still elects around 25 percent of the medical school's regents. They also share academic links and combine in research efforts.

During World War II, Baylor was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program which offered students a path to a Navy commission.{{cite web |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Admin-Hist/115-8thND/115-8ND-23.html |title=U.S. Naval Administration in World War II |publisher=HyperWar Foundation |access-date=September 29, 2011 |year=2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112105122/http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Admin-Hist/115-8thND/115-8ND-23.html |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |url-status=live }}

The university first admitted black students in 1964.{{cite web|url=https://www.baylor.edu/lariatarchives/news.php?action=story&story=22344|title=Profs recall racial integration at BU|publisher=Baylor University|last1=Merchant|first1=Megan|access-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625180834/https://www.baylor.edu/lariatarchives/news.php?action=story&story=22344|archive-date=June 25, 2016|url-status=live|date=February 2005}} The first black graduate was Robert Gilbert, of Waco.{{cite web|url=https://www.baylor.edu/lariatarchives/news.php?action=story&story=19905|title=First black graduate recalls past at BU|publisher=Baylor University|last1=Gomez|first1=Lindsey|access-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629103616/https://www.baylor.edu/lariatarchives/news.php?action=story&story=19905|archive-date=June 29, 2016|url-status=live|date=February 11, 2004}}

In 1991, Baylor began appointing the majority of its board, granting it partial independence from the Baptist General Convention of Texas.{{Cite web|last=Star-Telegram|first=Jim Jones, Fort Worth|title=Many Baptist universities cutting ties with Denomination|work=OrlandoSentinel.com|date=November 23, 1991 |access-date=April 5, 2019|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1991-11-23-9111230864-story.html|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815063035/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1991-11-23-9111230864-story.html|url-status=live}}

In 2015, the Baylor Board of Regents hired law firm Pepper Hamilton to perform an external review of Baylor's handling of sexual assaults.{{cite web |last1=Roach |first1=David |title=Baylor's sexual assault response draws protest |url=http://www.bpnews.net/46301/baylors-sexual-assault-response-draws-protest |website=Baptist Press |date=February 10, 2016 |access-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517044349/http://www.bpnews.net/46301/baylors-sexual-assault-response-draws-protest |archive-date=May 17, 2016 |url-status=live }} The report, summarized by the board in a public "Findings of Facts" document, stated that Baylor failed to implement Title IX in a timely and effective manner, that Baylor administrators actively discouraged reporting of sexual assaults, and that the athletic department failed to address sexual assaults.{{cite web |url=https://www.baylor.edu/rtsv/doc.php/266596.pdf |title=Baylor University Board of Regents Findings of Fact |author=Baylor University Board of Regents |year=2016 |access-date=June 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614214701/http://www.baylor.edu/rtsv/doc.php/266596.pdf |archive-date=June 14, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Baylor University Board of Regents Announces Leadership Changes and Extensive Corrective Actions Following Findings of External Investigation |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=170207 |website=Baylor University |access-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613200049/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=170207 |archive-date=June 13, 2016 |url-status=live |date = May 26, 2016}} In response to the report, the Board of Regents fired Ken Starr as president of the university but retained him as Chancellor and as a law school professor;{{cite news |last1=Belkin |first1=Douglas |last2=Futterman |first2=Matthew |title=Baylor Plans to Fire Art Briles, Demotes Ken Starr Over Scandal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/baylor-plans-to-fire-art-briles-demotes-ken-starr-over-scandal-1464284169 |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=May 26, 2016 |access-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609145949/http://www.wsj.com/articles/baylor-plans-to-fire-art-briles-demotes-ken-starr-over-scandal-1464284169 |archive-date=June 9, 2016 |url-status=live }} he resigned as Chancellor shortly thereafter and resigned as law professor in August 2016.{{cite news |last=Greenhouse |first=Linda |title=Reversal of Fortune for Bill Clinton and Kenneth Starr |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/opinion/the-president-the-prosecutor-and-the-wheel-of-fortune.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 1, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115090029/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/01/opinion/the-president-the-prosecutor-and-the-wheel-of-fortune.html |archive-date=November 15, 2016 |url-status=live }} The school also fired head football coach Art Briles.{{cite web |last1=Caplan |first1=Jeff |last2=Johanningmeier |first2=Tom |title=Baylor fires football coach Art Briles |url=http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/baylor-bears/article80032437.html |website=Star Telegram |access-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529055524/http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/baylor-bears/article80032437.html |archive-date=May 29, 2016 |url-status=live }}

In 2021, Baylor released an independent historical report acknowledging past slave ownership and support for the Confederacy by R. E. B. Baylor and two founders. These facts were not previously acknowledged by the university.{{cite press release |last1=Fogleman |first1=Lori |title=Baylor University Releases Independent Report of Commission on Historic Campus Representations |url=https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=222585 |access-date=April 18, 2021 |work=Media and Public Relations: Baylor University |date=March 23, 2021 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420045815/https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=222585 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Greta |title=Baylor Acknowledges Racist History of Namesake |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2021/03/25/baylor-acknowledges-racist-history-namesake |access-date=April 18, 2021 |work=Inside Higher Ed |date=March 25, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418021100/https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2021/03/25/baylor-acknowledges-racist-history-namesake |url-status=live }}

A ban on various forms of sexual conduct including "homosexual acts" was in place until 2015. The university has since modified its Code of Conduct.{{Cite news|url=http://www.wacotrib.com/news/higher_education/baylor-drops-reference-to-homosexual-acts-in-sexual-conduct-policy/article_91d25ebb-1ccd-5738-a86a-7bbf4cf4b052.html|title=Baylor drops reference to 'homosexual acts' in sexual conduct policy|last=Dennis|first=Regina|work=WacoTrib.com|access-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924233751/http://www.wacotrib.com/news/higher_education/baylor-drops-reference-to-homosexual-acts-in-sexual-conduct-policy/article_91d25ebb-1ccd-5738-a86a-7bbf4cf4b052.html|archive-date=September 24, 2017|url-status=live}}

Baylor officially chartered Prism, an LGBTQ+ and allies student organization, after a process initiated in fall 2021. Prism's formation involved drafting a constitution and membership agreement to safeguard students who haven't come out yet. The chartering process, managed by Matt Burchett, involved several steps, including listening sessions and forming a leadership team, aligning with Baylor's mission of creating a caring community. Prism's constitution emphasizes creating a respectful space embracing diverse sexual identities, voicing LGBTQ+ concerns to the administration, and fostering continuous learning. Chartered on April 19, Prism marks a significant milestone in Baylor's history, following Gamma Alpha Upsilon's decision to cease charter pursuit. Baylor spokesperson Lori Fogleman confirmed Prism's charter aligns with the Board of Regents' guidelines. Prism, symbolized by a prism refracting light, aims to provide a safe, educational platform for discussing sexuality, gender identity, faith, and spirituality.{{cite web | url=https://baylorlariat.com/2022/04/20/baylor-charters-prism-lgbtq-allies-student-organization/ | title=Baylor charters Prism: LGBTQ+, allies student organization | the Baylor Lariat | date=April 20, 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/baylor-prism-lgbtq-students/ | title=Baylor Grants First Charter to LGBTQ Student Group | date=April 27, 2022 }}

In a May 1, 2023, letter to the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, Baylor University's President Linda Livingstone requested a formal exemption from provisions of federal Title IX law related to the discrimination and harassment of LGBTQ+ individuals, on the basis that Baylor requires "purity in singleness and fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman as the biblical norm" and must "regulate conduct that is inconsistent with the religious values and beliefs that are integral to its Christian faith and mission."Livingstone, Linda A, Ph.D. (2023, May 1). Baylor University Religious Exemption Request. United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/t9-rel-exempt/baylor-university-request-05012023.pdf On July 25, 2023, the Office for Civil Rights responded acknowledging exemption to Title IX for a number of provisions related to the discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals, including "rules of private organizations" and "sexual harassment".Lhamon, Catherine E (2023, July 25). Baylor University Religious Exemption Response. United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/t9-rel-exempt/baylor-university-response-07252023.pdf The exemption request, notable for its specific claim of exemption to Title IX's sexual harassment provision specifically in response to three active investigations against Baylor by the Office for Civil Rights, including one investigation into "Baylor's alleged response to notice that students were subjected to harassment based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity," led five U.S. representatives, including Representative Adam Schiff, to write and sign a letter to Miguel Cardona, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, requesting "thorough, timely investigations into the pending sex-based harassment cases against Baylor University and further clarification on the implications of this particular exemption on students' rights to be protected from sex-based harassment."Schiff, Adam, et al. (2023, September 5). Letter to Department of Education Regarding Title IX Exemption for Baylor University. Media – Schiff.house.gov. https://schiff.house.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_to_department_of_education_regarding_title_ix_exemption_for_baylor_university.pdf {{Cite web |last=Knott |first=Katherine |title=Education Dept. Affirms Exemption for Baylor From Protecting Gay Students From Harassment |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/2023/08/11/us-affirms-baylor-exempt-protecting-gay-students-harassment |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Inside Higher Ed |language=en}}

File:Baylor University June 2016 63 (Sheila and Walter Umphrey Law Center).jpg on the Brazos River]]

{{Infobox US university ranking

| Forbes_NU = 152

| USNWR_NU = 91 (tie)

| Wamo_NU = 357

| WSJ_NU = 331

| QS_W = 1001–1200

| THE_W = 601–800

| USNWR_W = 425 (tie)

}}

In the 2025 "Best Colleges" rankings by U.S. News & World Report, Baylor was ranked tied for 91st best "national university" in the U.S., tied at 26th for "Best Undergraduate Teaching", tied at 26th for "Most Innovative".{{cite web |title=U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings - Baylor University |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/baylor-university-6967/overall-rankings |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date= |magazine=U.S. News & World Report}}

Forbes ranked Baylor 152nd out of the top 500 rated private and public colleges and universities in America for the 2024-25 report. Baylor was also ranked 86th among private colleges and 37th in the south.{{Cite web |title=Baylor University |url=https://www.forbes.com/colleges/baylor-university/?list=top-colleges |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

Baylor University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacscoc.org/details.asp?instid=15920|title=Southern Association of Colleges and Schools {{!}} Commission on Colleges {{!}} Institution Details|website=Commission on Colleges|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222104926/http://www.sacscoc.org/details.asp?instid=15920|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}

Several Baylor graduate programs, including its law school, Hankamer School of Business and programs in the sciences and education are nationally ranked.{{cite web

|title= Baylor Programs Ranked in U.S. News Grad School Survey

|url= http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=73343

|access-date= June 15, 2011

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110119145839/http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=73343

|archive-date= January 19, 2011

|url-status= live

|date = April 26, 2010}} According to the National Research Council (NRC), among those programs, Baylor's Graduate program in English was ranked first for Student Support and Outcomes by the National Research Council, and Baylor's Doctoral program in Sociology was ranked third nationally, based on criteria such as the percentage of students receiving full financial support, PhD completion percentage, median time to completion of degrees, and job placement rate.{{cite journal|url=http://www.chronicle.com/article/nrc-rankings-overview-/124663|title=Doctoral Programs by the Numbers|journal=The Chronicle of Higher Education|access-date=December 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221053331/http://www.chronicle.com/article/nrc-rankings-overview-/124663|archive-date=December 21, 2016|url-status=live|date=September 29, 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/graduate/index.php?id=82669#Q |title=Baylor Programs Ranked in U.S. News Grad School Survey and National Research Council |access-date=November 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116040959/http://www.baylor.edu/graduate/index.php?id=82669 |archive-date=November 16, 2013 }}

File:Baylor Pat Neff 2.JPG

The university is divided into twelve degree-granting academic units. Three of the units are designated as colleges, while eight others are designated as schools and one is a seminary.{{cite web|title=Baylor University Colleges & Schools|url=http://www.baylor.edu/academics/|website=Baylor University Academics|publisher=Baylor University|access-date=February 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603213419/http://www.baylor.edu/academics/|archive-date=June 3, 2016|url-status=live}} They are:

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
• George W. Truett Theological Seminary
• Graduate School
• Hankamer School of Business
• Honors College
• Law School
• Louise Herrington School of Nursing
• Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
• School of Education
• School of Engineering & Computer Science
• School of Music

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File:Baylor President's Concert 1.jpg

More than 16,000 students study at Baylor University, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and approximately 89 foreign countries.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php?id=214241 |title=Quick Facts |publisher=Baylor University |author=Office of Institutional Research and Testing |access-date=January 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231100119/http://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php?id=214241 |archive-date=December 31, 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/student_life/?_buref=661-48570 |title=Baylor University || Division of Student Life |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=October 10, 2013 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101170302/http://www.baylor.edu/student_life/?_buref=661-48570 |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |url-status=live }} The university clubs and organizations provide each student with an opportunity to become engaged with an organization that shares his or her interests. Baylor University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 13,859, with a gender distribution of 42 percent male students and 58 percent female students. At Baylor, 36 percent of students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 64 percent of students live off campus.

Approximately 14 percent of undergraduate men are members of fraternities, and 21 percent of undergraduate women are members of a sorority.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/studentactivities/greeklife/ |title=Baylor University || Greek Life |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=October 24, 2013 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207093040/http://www.baylor.edu/studentactivities/greeklife/ |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=live }} There are four councils at Baylor. Most of the university's fraternities began as local fraternities, before affiliating with their national organizations in the late 1970s.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/studentactivities/greeklife/index.php?id=74959 |title=Baylor University || Greek Life || Meet the Greeks |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=May 15, 2012 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208225339/http://www.baylor.edu/studentactivities/greeklife/index.php?id=74959 |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |url-status=live }}

File:All-University Sing.jpg performing at Baylor University's 2011 All-University Sing]]

Historically, LGBT student organizations received no official recognition at Baylor University.{{cite news |last=McGee |first=Kate |date=July 9, 2021 |title=Baylor University stirs anger and confusion as it opens the door for first LGBTQ student group |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/09/baylor-university-lgbtq-student-group/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=August 23, 2021 |archive-date=August 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802195621/https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/09/baylor-university-lgbtq-student-group/ |url-status=live }} The subject of sexual orientation was "too complex" for student groups, according to the statement by a university official posted on a student group's blog.{{cite news |last=Washeck |first=Angela |date=January 21, 2013 |title=Princeton Review Labels Three Texas Universities as LGBT-Unfriendly |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/princeton-review-labels-three-texas-universities-as-lgbt-unfriendly/ |work=Texas Monthly |access-date=August 23, 2021 |archive-date=August 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823164901/https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/princeton-review-labels-three-texas-universities-as-lgbt-unfriendly/ |url-status=live }} In 2022, Baylor chartered an official LGBT organization{{Cite web |last=McNeel 10 |first=Bekah |date=April 27, 2022 |title=Baylor Grants First Charter to LGBTQ Student Group |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/baylor-prism-lgbtq-students/ |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=Texas Monthly |language=en |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707212103/https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/baylor-prism-lgbtq-students/ |url-status=live }} called "Prism", that follows the University's "Statement on Human Sexuality", which affirms "purity in singleness and fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman as the biblical norm" and prohibits advocacy groups from promoting "understandings of sexuality that are contrary to biblical teaching", including "homosexual behavior".{{Cite web |title=Baylor University Statement on Human Sexuality |url=https://www.baylor.edu/risk/doc.php/343044.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401033831/https://www.baylor.edu/risk/doc.php/343044.pdf }}

Every semester, students participate in various intramural sports. Students build teams within campus organizations, sororities/fraternities, residence halls, and personal friend groups. As of Fall 2022,{{Cite web |title=Schedule |url=https://www.baylor.edu/campusrec/index.php?id=928384 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=Campus Recreation {{!}} Baylor University |language=en-US |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707221407/https://www.baylor.edu/campusrec/index.php?id=928384 |url-status=live }} Baylor offers these intramural sports:

File:Baylor SLC Pool.JPG

{{main|Baylor University Golden Wave Band}}

File:2012 Homecoming Show - Baylor University Golden Wave Band.webm]]

The Baylor University Golden Wave Band (BUGWB) is the halftime entertainment for Baylor football. The 340-member band attends every home football game and sometimes travels to away games.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/gwb/index.php?id=42872 |title=Baylor University || The Golden Wave Band || General Information |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=June 28, 2010 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214105829/http://www.baylor.edu/gwb/index.php?id=42872 |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |url-status=dead }} The band's name dates back to 1928 when, while on tour in West Texas, observers noted that the band members' gold uniforms looked like a giant "golden wave" sweeping over the landscape.

File:Baylorsign brotherspg.jpg in 2002]]

The Noble NoZe Brotherhood, an unofficial fraternal organization, was founded in 1924 to study the art of bridge construction in association with the BBA (Baylor Bridge Association). The brotherhood provides the university with unusual public pranks and satirical writings in its newspaper, The Rope. Members hide their identities to keep their actions anonymous.

Formal military instruction began on campus in 1888.File:Baylor AFROTC.jpg

Baylor has had several famous military graduates such as Andrew Jackson Lummus, Jr., who fought and died at the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II and received the Medal of Honor for his service. John Riley Kane also received the Medal of Honor.

In July 1948, the Air Force and Baylor University partnered in the creation of Air Force ROTC Detachment 810 - one of the first detachments ever created. In 2008, Detachment 810 was awarded the Air Force ROTC Right Of Line Award as the No. 1 large detachment in the nation. The unit was additionally awarded the High Flight Award, recognizing it as one of the top four detachments in America. It has been named best in the AFROTC Southwest Region for 1996, 2003 and 2008.

Baylor runs several postgraduate and professional health sciences programs in partnership with the Army Medical Department headquartered in San Antonio. Programs offered include the Doctor of Physical Therapy,{{cite web|url=http://www.baylor.edu/graduate/pt/|title=Baylor University -- Army-Baylor DPT|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729185424/http://www.baylor.edu/graduate/pt/|archive-date=July 29, 2015|url-status=live}} MHA, United States Army Graduate Program in Nursing Anesthesia (USAGPAN), and MHA/MBA (joint program).{{cite web|url=http://www.baylor.edu/graduate/mha/|title=Baylor University -- Army-Baylor MHA - MBA|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804071439/http://www.baylor.edu/graduate/mha/|archive-date=August 4, 2015|url-status=live}}

File:Baylor BSB.JPG

In 2005, the university was invited to join the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) collaboration at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=34343 |title=Baylor Invited To Join Experimental Physics Lab |publisher=Baylor University |date=May 9, 2005 |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901113430/http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=34343 |archive-date=September 1, 2006 |url-status=live }} The project is one of the world's largest experimental physics collaborations. The following year, the university was classified as "Research University" with "High Research Activity".{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=40799 |title=Baylor Reclassified by Carnegie Foundation as 'Research University' |access-date=June 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225004829/http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=40799 |archive-date=December 25, 2008 |url-status=live |date=May 30, 2006 }} In 2021, the university was classified among "R1: Doctoral universities with very high research activity".{{cite web |title=Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup |url=https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=223232 |publisher=Center for Postsecondary Education |website=carnegieclassifications.iu.edu |accessdate=December 16, 2021 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009070100/https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=223232 |url-status=live }}

File:Baylor BSB 2.JPG

In October 2009, a group of state, county and city governments and organizations and higher educational institutions in Central Texas announced the creation of the Central Texas Technology and Research Park, and the park's first project, the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC) to be housed in the former General Tire facility on South Loop Drive in Waco. Funding for the effort came from the state of Texas and Baylor University. Clifton Robinson (a member of Baylor's Board of Regents) donated the facility to the university to support the research collaborative.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=63366 |title=Unique Partnership Creates Region's First Research Park |publisher=Baylor University |date=October 23, 2009 |access-date=November 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829152340/http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=63366 |archive-date=August 29, 2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/q-a-with-dr-truell-hyde-on-the-formation-of/article_79bb2f7d-d13d-5e80-89df-f4ac3faeed7f.html |title=Q&A with Dr. Truell Hyde on the formation of the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative |date=October 25, 2009 |access-date=June 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821184212/http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/q-a-with-dr-truell-hyde-on-the-formation-of/article_79bb2f7d-d13d-5e80-89df-f4ac3faeed7f.html |archive-date=August 21, 2017 |url-status=live }}

File:Old Main, Baylor University.jpg

Several former and present members of faculty at Baylor are or were prominent proponents of intelligent design, most notably philosopher William Dembski, now at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Christian philosopher Francis Beckwith and electrical engineer Robert J. Marks II."Baylor avoids repeating an anti-ID purge from years before" by Mark Bergin [http://www.worldmag.com/articles/13256 World Magazine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913034520/http://www.worldmag.com/articles/13256 |date=September 13, 2007 }}Baylor U. Removes a Web Page Associated With Intelligent Design From Its Site" by Elizabeth F. Farrell [http://chronicle.com/daily/2007/09/2007090406n.htm Chronicle of Higher Education] September 4, 2007.

The university's endowment passed $1 billion in 2007 and reached $1,055,478,000 on December 31, 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/lariat/news.php?action=story&story=48999 |title=Lilley: 2012 endowment goal may be too small |access-date=June 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008193933/http://www.baylor.edu/lariat/news.php?action=story&story=48999 |archive-date=October 8, 2012 |url-status=live }} Even with the economic crisis of 2008, Baylor spokesperson Lori Fogleman reported that Baylor's endowment grew 5.1 percent in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008; the National Association of College and University Business Officials estimated that during that same period, the median return for the top 25 percent of college endowments decreased by 2.2 percent. Fogleman cited the university's long-term investments and diversified holdings as the cause of the endowment's success. Despite a hired consulting firm's concerns that the troubled economy and disagreements within the Baylor community could hinder continued growth, the university's endowment exceeded $1.1 billion {{as of|2013|May|lc=y}}.

On March 4, 2010, "An anonymous longtime Baylor donor ... set up an estate provision that will benefit the school to the tune of an estimated $200 million. The gift will bolster Baylor's research on the issues of aging in multiple disciplines at the school."{{cite web |url=http://www.kwbu.org/news.php?action=story&story=70168 |title=Baylor Receives Largest Gift in School's History |publisher=KWBU 103 NPR |date=March 4, 2010 |access-date=September 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924213756/http://kwbu.org/news.php?action=story&story=70168 |archive-date=September 24, 2010 |url-status=dead}} Citing the most recent data reported by the Chronicle of Higher Education, Baylor officials say the $200 million donation is the second-largest gift to a Texas college or university and ranks among the top 20 private gifts to higher education institutions in the country.{{cite web |url=http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/86332227.html |title=Baylor Receives Anonymous $200 Million Donation |publisher=KWTX 10 News |date=March 4, 2010|access-date=September 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308003732/http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/86332227.html |archive-date=March 8, 2010}}

{{main|Baylor Bears}}

Baylor student athletes participate in NCAA Division I as part of the Big 12 Conference. As of the 2021–22 school year, all teams are nicknamed "Bears". Women's teams had historically been known as "Lady Bears", but by the end of the 2010s almost all of these teams had dropped "Lady", with the last three holdouts of basketball, soccer, and volleyball following suit in fall 2021.{{cite news |url=https://www.kcentv.com/article/sports/baylor-drop-lady-bears-nickname-womens-teams/500-f3231efb-4cc2-401e-8c46-1529c8bf431a |title=Baylor University to drop 'Lady Bears' nickname from women's teams |first=Kurtis |last=Quillen |publisher=KCEN-TV |location=Temple, TX |date=September 3, 2021 |accessdate=September 4, 2021 |archive-date=September 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904133141/https://www.kcentv.com/article/sports/baylor-drop-lady-bears-nickname-womens-teams/500-f3231efb-4cc2-401e-8c46-1529c8bf431a |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/32143240/baylor-women-hoops-drops-lady-team-name-known-bears |title=Baylor women's hoops drops 'Lady' from team name, to be known as Bears |first=Mechelle |last=Voepel |website=ESPN.com |date=September 4, 2021 |accessdate=September 4, 2021 |archive-date=September 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904065536/https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/32143240/baylor-women-hoops-drops-lady-team-name-known-bears |url-status=live }} In the 2011–2012 season, Baylor broke the NCAA record for most combined wins in the four major collegiate sports: baseball, football, and men's and women's basketball.

The university has won NCAA titles in 2004, 2005, 2012, 2019, and 2021. The men's tennis team defeated UCLA in the 2004 championship match to garner the Baylor's first title.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=7976 |title=Baylor Men's Tennis Crowned National Champions |website=Baylor University | Media Communications | News |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=May 25, 2004 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209000757/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=7976 |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |url-status=live }} One year later, the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team beat Michigan State in the championship game and was subsequently named as the only women's team to be nominated for a 2005 "Best Team" ESPY.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=34703 |title=Baylor Women's Basketball, Jeremy Wariner Nominated for ESPY Awards |website=Baylor University || Media Communications || News |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=June 24, 2005 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208223441/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=34703 |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |url-status=live }} In 2012, the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the NCAA National Championship; the first college basketball team to ever finish with a perfect 40–0 record. The Bears men's basketball team won the 2021 NCAA National Championship after beating the Gonzaga Bulldogs 86–70. It is the university's first men's national championship.

The Baylor men's basketball team advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA 'March Madness' Championship tournament in 2010, 2012, and 2021. Under the direction of head coach Scott Drew, Baylor achieved a record of 121–55 (.688) between the 2008–2012 seasons and reached post-season play in four of those years. Four former Baylor basketball players were drafted in the first or second round of the NBA draft in the 2011 and 2012 seasons:Ekpe Udoh (first round), Perry Jones III, Quincy Acy (second round), Quincy Miller (second round).

The Year of the Bear is the name given to the 2011–2012 year in Baylor Athletics. During this year, the Baylor Bears football team defeated Big 12 rival Oklahoma (No. 5 AP) for the first time ever, as well as future bitter Big 12 rival TCU (No. 14 AP), ending the season at 10-3 ranked at No. 12 (No. 13 AP). Junior quarterback Robert Griffin III gained recognition throughout the year and was awarded both the 2011 Heisman Trophy and National Player of the Year honors.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Meanwhile, the men's basketball team started with 17 straight wins en route to a 30–8 season (the best in school history), a berth in the NCAA Elite Eight (its second in three seasons) and a No. 10 final ranking. The women's basketball team won the program's second national title, becoming the first basketball program – men's or women's – to finish 40–0. Center Brittney Griner was named the National Player of the Year, while Coach Kim Mulkey was awarded National Coach of the Year. The baseball team won 49 games (one shy of its all-time best), including a Big 12-record 18-game conference winning streak and school-record 24-game winning streak. Although ranked at No. 1 for two weeks (a program first), the baseball team finished in the NCAA Super Regionals and a No. 9 ranking.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Baylor's four major programs (football, men's and women's basketball, and baseball) finished with an NCAA record 129 wins during the year (and an overall record of 129–28 for a winning percentage of .822) and Baylor was the only school to have all four programs ranked at the end of their respective seasons. The football and (men's and women's) basketball programs also set NCAA records with a combined 80 wins between them, including a stretch from November 1, 2011, to January 16, 2012, when the three programs had 40 consecutive wins between them.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylorbears.com/yearofthebear/ |title=Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com - Year of the Bear |publisher=BaylorBears.com |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208025851/http://www.baylorbears.com/yearofthebear/ |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

Outside of the four major programs, Baylor was one of only two schools that had all 19 of its sponsored sports advance to the post season.

File:Baylor University's McLane Stadium.JPG

Following the 'Year of the Bear,' it was announced in July 2012 that a new $260 million football stadium to be called "McLane Stadium" would be constructed on the university's campus. Opened in fall 2014, the stadium holds 45,000 spectators and is situated on {{convert|93|acre|ha|abbr=off}} of land adjacent to the Brazos River and Interstate 35. The stadium was planned by architecture firm Populous, known for its design of Yankee Stadium in New York and Houston's Daikin Park. A partnership between Austin Commercial-Flintco LLC oversaw the project as its contractor.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=129986 |title=Baylor University Celebrates Football Stadium Fundraising and Construction Milestones |website=Baylor University | Media Communications | Baylor Stadium |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=May 7, 2013 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208044937/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=129986 |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |url-status=live }}

From 1936 to 1949, the Baylor Bears home football games were played at Waco/Municipal Stadium. In 1950, the team moved to the newly constructed Floyd Casey Stadium (originally named Baylor Stadium), located four miles from campus with a seating capacity of up to 50,000 spectators.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=111291 |title=McLane Family Makes Leadership Gift for New Baylor Football Stadium |website=Baylor University | Media Communications | News |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=March 13, 2012 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207161915/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=111291 |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=live }} The stadium has been renovated several times, most notably in 1998 and 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=3271 |title=The Grant Teaff Athletic Complex |website=Baylor University || Media Communications || News |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=February 27, 1998 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209061502/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=3271 |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |url-status=live }}

Baylor's mascot is the American black bear. The university had two live bears on campus named Joy and Lady, each bearing the title of Judge in honor of Judge R.E.B. Baylor, one of the university's founders. Joy died on July 18, 2022, and Lady became a graduate of the class of 2023, officially retiring to a brand new facility off campus. The university announced in May 2023 that it was welcoming two new bear cubs to campus, cousins named Indy and Belle. The name "Indy" comes from "Independence", the town of Baylor's founding, and "Belle" pulls from the Carillon bells on campus. Like the past living mascots, they will reside on campus.{{cite web |last1=Fogleman |first1=Lori |title=Baylor University Mourns Passing of Baylor Bear Mascot Judge "Joy" Reynolds |url=https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=229605 |website=Baylor University |date=July 18, 2022 |publisher=Baylor® University |access-date=July 24, 2022}} The school's costumed mascots are Bruiser and Marigold.

Although Baylor began intercollegiate athletic competition in the 1890s, students did not elect the university's mascot until 1914.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylorbears.com/trads/bay-bearname-mascot.html |title=Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com - Traditions |publisher=BaylorBears.com |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207215401/http://www.baylorbears.com/trads/bay-bearname-mascot.html |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=live }} The other two dozen nominees included the bald eagle and the bookworm.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/bear/index.php?id=18243 |title=Baylor University || Bear Program || Mascot History |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=December 14, 1914 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310173528/http://www.baylor.edu/bear/index.php?id=18243 |archive-date=March 10, 2009 |url-status=dead }} Three years later, the 107th Engineers, a U.S. Army troop stationed in Waco, gave Baylor its first live bear. The 107th Engineers had found the bear while traveling by train to Waco. After the troop left, the Baylor University Chamber of Commerce began caring for the animal. The organization still cares for the university's live bears.

One of the most famous Baylor mascots was "Big Joe" or "College Joe" in the 1930s. The bear (originally named Buckshot) was the pet of local businessman Herbert E. Mayr and was known to perform circus tricks and drink from a bottle at Mayr's business.{{cite news |title=Herbert E. Mayr with "Buckshot" the bear |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1971985/herbert_e_mayr_with_buckshot_the/ |newspaper=Waco News-Tribune |date=October 21, 1928 |access-date=May 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128000929/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1971985/herbert_e_mayr_with_buckshot_the/ |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |url-status=live }} The bear was housed at The Cotton Palace Zoo after it became too large to keep as a pet and destroyed the backseat of Mayr's car. Due to the expense of food, Mayr transferred responsibility for the bear to Waco attorney Woodie Zachery.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/47966911/?terms=big%2Bjoe%2Bmascot|title=23 Mar 1943, Page 1 - at Newspapers.com|work=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402105802/http://www.newspapers.com/image/47966911/?terms=big%2Bjoe%2Bmascot|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live}} It was later adopted by W.W. Boyd and soon began its 11 years as Baylor's mascot "College Joe". Following its death, the bear was stuffed and given a special display at the university.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/47967270|title=23 Mar 1943, Page 8 - at Newspapers.com|work=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402190607/http://www.newspapers.com/image/47967270/|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live}}

The university's costumed mascot, Bruiser, was introduced at the beginning of the 1981–1982 basketball season.{{cite web|url=http://www.baylorbears.com/ot/spirit-squad-mascots.html|title=Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com - Athletics|publisher=BaylorBears.com|access-date=December 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207215349/http://www.baylorbears.com/ot/spirit-squad-mascots.html|archive-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=dead}} The mascot appears at football and basketball events, along with university pep rallies and community events. Bruiser also travels with the basketball team to games for the Big 12 Basketball Tournament, NIT and NCAA Tournaments.

The Baylor Chamber of Commerce is the oldest student organization on the campus and carries responsibility for many school traditions.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

File:Theline.jpg

{{main|Baylor Line}}

The Baylor Line is a tradition for new students that began in 1970. Freshmen embrace the spirit of Baylor by wearing special football jerseys and rushing the field before home football games. Each "Line Jersey" has a nickname chosen by the student and his or her intended year of graduation on the back. From its inception until 1994, only male students were allowed to run the Line. Before the football game on Saturday, October 28, 2017, alumnae who were not allowed to run in the Line were invited to join the Freshmen in the run.{{Cite news|url=http://www.wacotrib.com/news/higher_education/baylor-line-against-ut-to-feature-alumnae-not-allowed-to/article_46c39bd7-f6a5-582e-9293-409e6fd0bf09.html|title=Waco Tribune-Herald|last=Ericksen|first=Phillip|date=October 24, 2017|access-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220042946/http://www.wacotrib.com/news/higher_education/baylor-line-against-ut-to-feature-alumnae-not-allowed-to/article_46c39bd7-f6a5-582e-9293-409e6fd0bf09.html|archive-date=February 20, 2018|url-status=live}}

The Thursday night of Homecoming Week, new Baylor students (Freshmen and Transfers) attend a mass meeting in Waco Hall where they learn about the Immortal Ten, the ten student athletes who died in a bus-train accident in Round Rock, Texas, on January 22, 1927. After the Mass Meeting, the freshmen class build a bonfire on Fountain Mall which often includes burning vigils of the homecoming football opponent's mascot created by the various on campus houses.{{cite web|url=https://www.baylor.edu/homecoming/index.php?id=865353|title=Baylor University {{!}} Homecoming {{!}} Extravaganza/Bonfire|website=Homecoming {{!}} Baylor University|access-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504102947/http://www.baylor.edu/homecoming/index.php?id=865353|archive-date=May 4, 2016|url-status=live}}

The nation's first homecoming celebrations originated at Baylor in November 1909. Not long after, the idea was adopted by the University of Illinois in 1910, the University of Missouri in 1911, and at universities throughout the U.S. in the years that followed.{{cite web |url=http://www.active.com/football/articles/the-history-of-homecoming-871285 |title=The History of Homecoming |publisher=Active |date=May 19, 2012 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109180206/http://www.active.com/football/articles/the-history-of-homecoming-871285 |archive-date=January 9, 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/homecoming/index.php?id=73724 |title=Baylor University | Homecoming | History |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=January 21, 2011 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208190212/http://www.baylor.edu/homecoming/index.php?id=73724 |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |url-status=dead}} The Baylor Homecoming event began as a way to reconnect alumni with current students but has now grown to include a football game, bonfire, concerts, speeches, receptions, class reunions, pep rallies, and the nation's oldest and longest collegiate parade.{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=133623 |title=Baylor University | Media Communications | News |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=October 8, 2013 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208050358/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=133623 |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |url-status=live }}

File:Immortal 10.jpg

On January 22, 1927, a bus carrying the Baylor basketball team collided with the Sunshine Special train in Round Rock, Texas. Ten members of the traveling party were killed and many others were injured in the accident. The story of the Immortal Ten is told each year at Freshman Mass Meeting, where the names of the ten are called out. In 1996, the senior class provided initial funding to create an Immortal Ten statue on campus. Fundraising and planning for the statue continued over the ensuing years. Finally, on June 22, 2007, the statue sculpted by Bruce R. Greene was unveiled. The Immortal Ten memorial was officially dedicated during Homecoming on November 2, 2007, in Traditions Square.{{cite web |url=http://www.wacotrib.com/hp/content/news/stories/2007/02/04/02042007wactheimmortalten.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071022184009/http://www.wacotrib.com/hp/content/news/stories/2007/02/04/02042007wactheimmortalten.html|url-status=dead|title=Baylor's Immortal Ten finally get their statuary due|date=October 22, 2007|archive-date=October 22, 2007}}[http://www.baylor.edu/homecoming/index.php?id=2876]{{dead link|date=April 2012}}[http://www.baylor.edu/about/index.php?id=5560] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205035536/http://www.baylor.edu/about/index.php?id=5560|date=February 5, 2007}}{{cite web |url=http://baylorbears.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/012207aaa.html |title=Baylor Flashback - Jan. 22, 1927 - The Immortal Ten :: Exactly 80 years ago, Baylor tragically lost 10 athletes |publisher=Baylorbears.cstv.com |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022231348/http://baylorbears.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/012207aaa.html |archive-date=October 22, 2007 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=46042 |title=Immortal Ten Memorial Installed on Campus |publisher=Baylor University |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505153414/http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=46042 |archive-date=May 5, 2010 |url-status=live |date=June 22, 2007 }}

{{listen

| filename = That Good Ol' Baylor Line.ogg

| title = That Good Ol' Baylor Line

| description = The Baylor University Men's Choir performing the university's alma mater, "That Good Ol' Baylor Line".

| format = ogg

}}

Baylor's alma mater is "That Good Ol' Baylor Line". In 1906, a student penned humorous words to the tune of "In the Good Old Summer Time" and they became generally accepted among the student body as the school fight song. The "Good Ol' Summer Time" tune was later arranged to fit the "Baylor Line" tune.

{{main|List of Baylor University people}} File:Willie UK2K7 2.JPG attended Baylor]]

With more than 180,000 living alumni, Baylor is represented by notable individuals in an array of public and professional spheres.

Graduates acclaimed for their work in the arts include Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Steven Stucky, GMA Dove Award-winning composer Bruce Greer, Grammy Award-winning Christian recording artist Phil Driscoll, Christian recording artist David Crowder, Grammy-winning Gaither Vocal Band tenor David Phelps, screenwriter and director John Lee Hancock (with works including The Blind Side, nominated for the 2009 Academy Award for Best Picture), screenwriter Derek Haas (with works including 3:10 to Yuma and Wanted, both nominated for multiple Academy Awards), Emmy Award-nominated director Kevin Reynolds, Emmy-winning actress Angela Kinsey (the character of Angela Martin in NBC's The Office), Emmy-nominated actress Allison Tolman, Tony Award-nominated actress Elizabeth A. Davis, actress Carole Cook (a protégé of Lucille Ball), ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, and The Silence of the Lambs writer Thomas Harris.

Also alumni of the university are Chip and Joanna Gaines, who graduated in 1998 and 2001 respectively. They are the stars of the former HGTV show, Fixer Upper and are frequently involved in the Baylor community. In 2020, they left HGTV after being offered an opportunity to develop and star in their own network – Magnolia Network – which began airing in 2021 as part of the Discovery Family of Networks.{{cite web|url=http://www.baylor.edu/alumni/magazine/1401/index.php?id=927590|title=Baylor University {{!}} Baylor Magazine, Fall 2015 {{!}} Alumni of the Year: Chip and Joanna Gaines|website=Baylor Magazine, Fall 2015 {{!}} Baylor University|access-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521052205/http://www.baylor.edu/alumni/magazine/1401/index.php?id=927590|archive-date=May 21, 2016|url-status=live}}

Alumni known for leadership in the private and public sectors include People Magazine co-founder Hal C. Wingo, The Weather Channel CFO Jerry Elliott, American Airlines CEO Thomas W. Horton, Western Refining CEO Paul Foster, Allbritton Communications Company (the parent company of Politico) founder Joe Allbritton, XTO Energy CEO Bob R. Simpson, chairman of the McLane Group and former owner of the Houston Astros Drayton McLane, Jr., Oracle Corporation CEO Mark Hurd, former chairman and CEO of Stanford Financial Group and convicted fraudster Allen Stanford, EXUSMED CEO and founder of Empowering Spirits Foundation A. Latham Staples, former mayor of San Antonio Phil Hardberger, former governor of Texas Ann Richards, former governor of Texas Mark Wells White Jr., former Federal Bureau of Investigation director William S. Sessions, and ninth president of Goucher College Judy Jolley Mohraz.

Professional athletes who graduated from the university include quarterback and 2011 Heisman Trophy-winner Robert Griffin III, Phoenix Mercury WNBA player Brittney Griner, four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, NFL Hall of Fame Member Mike Singletary, and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Ted Lyons.

Grammy–winning recording artist Willie Nelson, actor Austin Miller and Senator Rand Paul attended Baylor. Former United States Vice President John Nance Garner (Franklin D. Roosevelt President) received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Baylor in 1936.{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/00384/cah-00384.html|title=A Guide to the John Nance Garner Papers, 1874–1968|website=Lib.utexas.edu|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411005617/http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/00384/cah-00384.html|archive-date=April 11, 2015|url-status=live}} Actor and comedian Bill Cosby received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the university in 2003,{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=5453 |title=Baylor University | Media Communications | News |publisher=Baylor.edu |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209023346/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=5453 |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |url-status=live |date=September 5, 2003 }} which was rescinded in 2015.{{cite news |title=Baylor rescinds honorary doctorate given to Bill Cosby in 2003 |url=http://www.wacotrib.com/news/higher_education/baylor-rescinds-honorary-doctorate-given-to-bill-cosby-in/article_204ba1ef-403d-5390-8ebc-22cae468e1ef.html |newspaper=WacoTrib.com |last=Stottlemyre |first=Matthew |date=October 9, 2015 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011072246/http://www.wacotrib.com/news/higher_education/baylor-rescinds-honorary-doctorate-given-to-bill-cosby-in/article_204ba1ef-403d-5390-8ebc-22cae468e1ef.html |archive-date=October 11, 2017 |url-status=live }}

For information on notable faculty, staff and other alumni, please see the List of Baylor University people.

Mark Hurd (cropped2).jpg|Mark Hurd
CEO of the Oracle Corporation and former CEO of Hewlett-Packard

Crowder.jpg|David Crowder
GMA Dove Award-winning Christian recording artist

Rg3 redskins.jpg|Robert Griffin III
Quarterback and winner of the 2011 Heisman Trophy

Jeff Dunham and Achmed.JPG|Jeff Dunham
Ventriloquist

Trey Wingo cropped NFL Live ESPNWeekend2010-026.jpg|Trey Wingo
Co-host of ESPN's SportsCenter

Brittney Griner accepting Wade Trophy 2.jpg|Brittney Griner
WNBA player for Phoenix Mercury, three-time All-American, 2012 AP Player of the Year

Robert Fulghum.jpg|Robert Fulghum
Minister and New York Times Bestselling author

GKeller.png|Gary W. Keller
Author and co-founder of Keller Williams Realty

Michael Johnson Sydney2000.jpg|Michael Johnson
Sprinter, winner of four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championships gold medals

Trey Gowdy official congressional photo (cropped).jpg|Trey Gowdy
Former US congressman and television news personality

Ann Richards.jpg|Ann Richards
Former governor of Texas

Image:PatNeffflowers.JPG|Pat Neff Hall, named for the former governor of Texas, Texas Railroad Commission member, and president of Baylor

File:Bill Daniels Student Center, Baylor University (2006).jpg|Bill Daniel Student Center from the side

File:Bill daniel student center.jpg|Bill Daniel Student Center during Christmas

File:Tidwell Bible Building - Baylor University.JPG|[https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/tidwell-josiah-blake Tidwell Bible Building]

Image:Tidwell Bible Building.jpg|Tidwell Bible Building

File:Truett Seminary at Baylor University (2006).jpg|Truett Seminary

Image:Mayborn Museum.jpg|Mayborn Museum

File:Old Main, Baylor University.jpg|Burleson Quadrangle

File:Old Main and Pat Neff Hall, Baylor University (2004).jpg|Old Main and Pat Neff Hall

Image:Bu_patneff.jpg|Pat Neff Hall looking west

Image:Judgebaylorfixed.jpg|Statue of Judge Baylor

Image:burleson.jpg|Another view of Burleson Quadrangle

Image:Baylor Science Building (panoramic picture) - Baylor University, Waco, Texas.jpg|Baylor Science Building

File:Baylor University's McLane Stadium.JPG|McLane Stadium

File:McLane Stadium facingsouth7.16.14.jpg|McLane Stadium interior facing south

• SS Baylor Victory – ship namesake

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