Baylor University appoints first woman president
Linda A. Livingstone has been named president of Baylor University, beginning June 1. She will be the first woman to to head the Christian institution in Waco, Texas, founded by Baptists.
Livingstone is currently dean of the school of business at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Among her previous positions, she taught at Baylor as part of the business faculty from 1991 to 2002.
“Baylor’s unique culture of care and compassion—that I experienced personally from my colleagues and that I saw demonstrated among faculty, staff, and students—continues to inspire and influence me as an administrator,” she said in a statement. “When I had the opportunity to come back, I felt this was really where God was calling me.”
The board of regents selected Livingstone unanimously, the school wrote in a statement.
Livingstone’s tenure begins as the school deals with reports of rape, sexual assault, and harassment in recent years and faces federal lawsuits filed by former students. Several student athletes have been charged and found guilty. Ken Starr’s term as president of Baylor ended in May 2016 amid allegations of mishandling the situation, and the school fired its head football coach.
“At Baylor, we’re going to do the right things,” Livingstone told the Baptist Standard. “We’re going to do everything we can to provide a safe and healthy environment for all our students. I’m committed to that.”
