Baylor Connections

President Linda Livingstone

Months of preparations for an in-person fall semester have led to the arrival of Baylor students on campus for the start of classes Monday, August 24. In this Baylor Connections, President Linda Livingstone goes deep inside the process of welcoming students back to campus safely, preparing meaningful modes of class instruction both virtually and in-person, readying Baylor's physical spaces for students and more.

Kirk Wakefield

The world of sports has been squarely in the news in recent weeks, as teams, leagues and players grapple with the implications of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Dr. Kirk Wakefield, the Edwin W. Streetman Professor of Retail Marketing and executive director of Sports Strategy & Sales in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business is a nationally-recognized researcher and sports business expert. In this Baylor Connections, he analyzes how teams at both the professional and collegiate levels navigate change, engage fans and work to make the best of uncertain times.

Gail Offringa

Every parent wants to support their student through the unique joys and challenges of the college years. As Baylor University’s director of parent engagement, Gail Offringa and her team serve parents as they become a part of the Baylor Family and help them navigate questions that arise. In this Baylor Connections, she shares tips for parents to best support their students and anticipate adjustments throughout the college journey, and addresses common questions heading into the new school year.

Dorina and Marius Mitrea

Thirty years ago, Dorina and Marius Mitrea left everything behind in Romania to come to the United States and pursue a career in higher education. In this Baylor Connections, Dr. Dorina Mitrea, Chair and Professor of Mathematics, and Dr. Marius Mitrea, Professor of Mathematics, share their story of life and work together, the drive to teach, research and impact students, and the factors that brought them to Baylor after more than two decades at Missouri.

Dakota Farquhar-Caddell and Bailey Havis

No one knows Joy and Lady, Baylor’s beloved black bears, better than their caretakers. Dakota Farquhar-Caddell, associate director of Student Activities and the Robert Reid Director of the Baylor Chamber of Commerce, oversees the Baylor Bear program and Bailey Havis, a rising senior student, is one of two lead caretakers for the bears. In this Baylor Connections, they help us get to know Joy and Lady better—their favorite foods, personalities, what it takes to care for them, Lady’s recovery from a health scare and more.

Holly Oxhandler

The uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 public health crisis has placed added focus on mental health. Dr. Holly Oxhandler, Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and Assistant Professor in Baylor’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, is a recognized expert on the intersection of faith and mental health. In this Baylor Connections, she shares how individuals can prioritize their own mental wellbeing through both immediate and long-term practices, and discusses the role of an individual’s faith in their mental health.

Carlos Cardoza-Orlandi

What happens when Christianity enters a new market? Throughout history, Christians have shared the gospel around the world, and the way people receive that message is inevitably informed by their own customs and culture. In this Baylor Connections, Dr. Carlos Cardoza-Orlandi, the Frederick E. Roach Professor of World Christianity in Baylor’s Department of Religion, examines interpretations of the Christian movement and shares trends that shape the transmission of the faith across the globe.

Brad Livingstone

Get to know Baylor University’s First Gentleman. Brad Livingstone is an educator, basketball player, World War II expert, and Baylor’s inaugural “First Gent.” As a high school history teacher, Livingstone has brought hundreds of veterans into his classroom to share their stories with students, and the impact of those moments have become a hallmark of his classes. In this Baylor Connections, he shares how those experiences have been so meaningful, reminisces about meeting President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., in college, and offers insights into his role as First Gent.