Texas Tidbits: Baylor extends Ken Starr’s contract

Baylor University’s board of regents voted to extend the contract of President Ken Starr and expanded his role to “president and chancellor.”

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Baylor regents extend president’s contract, add title. Baylor University’s board of regents voted to extend the contract of President Ken Starr and expanded his role to “president and chancellor.” He will continue to serve as the university’s chief executive officer. “With the title of president and chancellor, we have expanded the president’s role and challenged Judge Starr to seek creative ways to advance our university’s mission and influence by increasing Baylor’s standing on the national and international stage,” said Richard Willis, chair of the board of regents. To assist him in carrying out his expanded role, Starr announced Karla Leeper will serve as vice president for board and executive affairs, including Baylor’s government relations activities. Leeper also will serve as chief compliance officer to ensure Baylor has the necessary policies and processes in place to comply with all legal and ethical mandates for American higher education institutions.

Four ShalomBuilders projects scheduled. ShalomBuilders, a new volunteer construction initiative coordinated by the Texas Baptist disaster recovery office, has four projects slated in Cental Texas. shalom buildersAll four projects  benefit under-insured or uninsured families who lost their homes due to the explosion in West or flooding in Austin. Financial contributions and gift cards for families also are requested. Mail checks or gift cards to Texas Baptists Disaster Recovery, Attn.: Marla Bearden, 333 N. Washington, Dallas 75246.

Scholarship benefits HSU math and science students. Sherry and William G. Kiker Jr. established a scholarship at Hardin-Simmons University for sophomore students preparing for careers in science, technology, engineering and math careers in honor of his parents, William G. and Bonibelle Kiker, longtime members of First Baptist Church in Abilene. HSU students majoring in biology, chemistry and physics, geology and environmental science, mathematics, communication sciences and disorders, biochemistry and molecular biology are eligible for the new scholarship. HSU students in pre-health profession tracks and education majors with science and math emphasis also are eligible. The scholarship awards are for a minimum of $1,000 for the academic year.

Gift to Baylor makes auditorium possible. Paul and Carol McClinton gave $1.5 million to Baylor University to build an auditorium in the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation. The 350-seat McClinton Family Auditorium will provide space for larger classes requiring tiered seating, interdisciplinary presentations and meetings of student professional organizations, as well as space to accommodate guest lectures and special events. The $100 million, 275,000-square-foot Foster Campus for Business and Innovation will create a new home for Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business.


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