Baylor has long cherished deep connections among its athletic programs, academic focus, and Christian mission, mutually enhancing Baylor’s programs and reputation, and our regional, national, and even global impact. As we all know, those deep connections became frayed in recent years because of significant problems in the football program. Despite the valiant efforts of Coach Jim Grobe and a football team with many admirable student-athletes, the last year has been challenging for the whole university.

The appointment of Mack Rhoades as Vice President and Director of Athletics in July 2016, and then his leadership in the hiring of Matt Rhule as Head Football Coach in December 2016 have helped reconnect our football program to Baylor’s broader mission. Indeed, because of the character and leadership of these remarkable people, our future is very bright.

Coach Rhule announced at his opening press conference that he wanted Baylor to be proud of its football players “on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.” That is true across all of our athletic programs: our men’s and women’s basketball teams are having outstanding seasons; Baylor student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom, achieving a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher for the 17^th consecutive semester; and last fall, our softball and baseball teams traveled to Louisiana to help with flood relief and this spring, the football team volunteered in a community gardening project as part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday observance. A holistic approach to education and formation is a hallmark of Christian higher education at Baylor.

Over the past two months, in the midst of the most hectic time of the football recruiting season, AD Rhoades and Coach Rhule have reached out to collaborate with our deans, with the Provost’s Office, and with faculty to ensure that we are all working together effectively. Coach Rhule already has remarkable achievements under his belt in helping to restore integrity to Baylor’s football program and reconnect it to our academic focus and Christian mission. Against all odds, Coach Rhule and his staff were able to recruit an exceptional class that was announced on February 1^st, National Signing Day. These student-athletes will become a significant cornerstone of Coach Rhule’s upstanding program. As AD Rhoades regularly notes, we at Baylor are “preparing champions for life,” signifying our commitment to character and leadership that represents Baylor at our best.

There may continue to be stories in the media about the events of the last several years that led to the changes announced on May 26, 2016. Even so, we can focus on how Hope Abounds in the leadership of all of our coaches, teams, and athletic programs, especially with Coach Rhule’s new leadership as Head Football Coach and the broader leadership of AD Mack Rhoades.

Baylor University students struggling with substance abuse will have an on-campus haven this fall at the Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center (BARC). Made possible by a $2.5 million gift from Bob and Laura Beauchamp of Houston, the BARC, to be located in the East Village Residential Community, will create a friendly recovery community culture for students to connect between classes, to study, to host community and recovery support events, and to hold meetings. It will also support increased staff and a wide array of programming, including recovery coaching, conversations with mentors, and campus-wide educational outreach efforts.

On college campuses across the nation, young men and women are navigating a host of complex issues as they deal with the challenges and changing responsibilities of college life. For some, such challenges include alcohol and substance use disorders. Research indicates that 31.6 percent of college students across the country meet the criteria for substance use disorders. Baylor University’s students encounter the same challenges as their peers nationwide. Recognized for its caring Christian community, Baylor has consistently sought to educate its nearly 17,000 students about the negative consequences of alcohol and drug use and to care for those in recovery from compulsive behavior and addiction. However, more needs to be done, both at Baylor and nationwide, to prevent substance use disorders and to provide support to students in recovery.

“Laura and I strongly believe that young men and women who are struggling with addiction should be supported and treated with compassion and grace,” said Bob Beauchamp, chairman of BMC Software and member of the Baylor Board of Regents. “We believe Baylor as a Christian university should be the best in the world at supporting its students who are struggling. Removing the stigma of addiction is crucial to ensuring that students feel they can seek out resources to help them overcome their challenges and fully realize all that God is calling them to become. Our family is honored to help Baylor raise awareness about substance use disorders and support addiction recovery, and we hope others in the Baylor family will come alongside us in supporting this effort.”

The multifaceted program will dramatically enhance Baylor’s efforts to foster the holistic well-being of its students in a manner that reflects the University’s values as a Christian community where wholeness, spiritual growth, and academic success are priorities. The Beauchamps’ lead gift launches the first phase of the Christian Character Initiative coordinated through the University Provost’s Office. With an initial $20 million fundraising goal, the Initiative reinforces Baylor’s long-standing commitment to a Christ-centered education, bringing together a range of programs and experiences in a coordinated and powerful endeavor to help students thrive and flourish.

To learn more, visit:

Bob and Laura Beauchamp Make a Significant Gift to Create the Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center and

Waco Trib: Baylor to launch addiction recovery center for students