Around the State: Baylor president chairs NCAA board

Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone was elected chair of the NCAA Board of Governors, which met on Tuesday, Aug. 2, for the first time in its new iteration. “It is an honor to be chosen by the board to lead the group at such an important time in the history of college sports,” Livingstone said. “We are at a critical moment, with an opportunity to shape the association and successfully navigate the transformation taking place across all three divisions. We are also undergoing a search for the next president of the NCAA. The work of this smaller board will be vital in determining our way forward.” As the rare Division 1 student-athlete-turned-university-president, Livingstone was appointed in June to the NCAA Board of Governors as one of just nine voting members—and one of only two Power 5 university presidents—helping lead college athletics during a season of fast-moving changes. She is the current vice chair of the Big 12 Conference Board of Directors, while preparing to assume the role of chair next year. She also was appointed as a member of the NCAA’s initial constitution and transformation committees. In addition, she is chair-elect for the American Council on Education board, which represents more than 1,700 colleges and universities on effective public policy and innovative, high-quality practice. She will become chair of the ACE board in March 2023.

The State Board of Education Certification recently commended Howard Payne University’s School of Education for exemplary performance in preparing and supporting teachers employed in rural schools. HPU’s Educator Preparation is one of only four other programs to receive the commendation. “A considerable number of HPU Educator Preparation graduates from all over Texas stay and teach in Brown County,” said Kylah Clark-Goff, dean of the HPU School of Education. “These teachers are equipped to be especially effective in the classroom because of the quality of education and field-based experiences they are receiving during their undergraduate experiences at HPU.” The Department of Music in HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts also is serving rural schools through its Center for Rural and Small School Music Education. The center seeks to provide assistance, support, research, professional development and advocacy for the students and teachers in Texas’ rural and small-school music programs “These teachers often lack the resources available to larger enrollment schools, including those in urban and suburban settings,” said Richard Fiese, dean of the School of Music and Fine Arts. “Nevertheless, the students in small, rural schools deserve the opportunity for quality music education, irrespective of where they live.”

Dallas Baptist University hosted the International Forum on Education and Leadership on campus July 17-23, after conducting last year’s forum online due to the COVID pandemic. The event drew 27 participants representing upper leadership from 12 school groups and seven countries. Forum participants discussed topics including the integration of faith and learning, mentoring, teaching methodology, institutional issues and leadership. Attendees had opportunities to take part in plenary sessions, workshops, local school visits, networking opportunities and local tourism. “School leaders from around the world built relationships and left encouraged by the speakers. It was a real privilege for us to be a part of this program,” said Jon Dooley, assistant vice president for international affairs. “It truly accomplished the goal of the program: to serve and equip school leaders in their incredible work.”

As University of Mary Hardin-Baylor students arrive for the fall semester, they will see messages throughout the Belton campus encouraging them to “Live on Purpose.” The “Live on Purpose” theme reflects the university’s desire to see students “discover and live out all they were created to be and do,” said Rebecca O’Banion, UMHB vice president for advancement. “For 177 years, UMHB has equipped students for purposeful lives that honor God. UMHB has and will always prepare students for lives of leadership, service and faith-informed discernment in a global society.”

Anniversary

Fifth for Mark Snowden as pastor at First Baptist Church in Floydada.