News Briefs: Summer 2009

International Approach

Five Baylor students were selected to receive the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship this spring, bringing the total number of Baylor recipients to nineteen since 2001. Two students won a research grant, while three will be teaching English. Ashley Killough, an international studies and journalism graduate from Plano, will conduct media research in Armenia, and Charlie Manzanares, a 2008 graduate with a dual JD and MBA, will go to Spain to conduct research on business formation in Spain, Venezuela, and the U.S.

Alex Nix, a Spanish major from Riesel, will teach in Brazil; Aaron Reynolds, a French major from Grapevine, will teach in France; and Megan Rizos, a University Scholars major from Lucas, will teach in Spain.

Professorial Prowess

Dr. William (Bill) Hillis, the Cornelia Marschall Smith Distinguished Professor of Biology at Baylor, was named the Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year. “It is certainly considered by me the honor of a lifetime, because I knew and loved Cornelia Marschall Smith,” Hillis said. The honor is based on teaching, research, and service.

The senior class voted to honor Dr. David Eldridge as the Collins Outstanding Professor. A professor of biology and director of clinical laboratory science at Baylor, Eldridge said, “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the students you work with. It is good to know that they have respect for you and know that what you do in the classroom is designed to benefit them.”

New Faces on Campus

Dr. Kevin Jackson became the new vice president for student life on July 1, replacing Dr. Dub Oliver ’87, who left Baylor to become president of East Texas Baptist University. Jackson has served as assistant vice president for student affairs at Texas A&M since 2007. He earned a doctorate in educational human resource development from A&M, a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Denver, and a bachelor’s from the University of North Texas.

Baylor also welcomed new chief investment officer Kent Muckel. After a nationwide search, he succeeded Jonathan Hook ’81, who left Baylor in July 2008. Muckel has eighteen years of experience and came to Baylor from the University of Colorado Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Colorado and an MBA from the University of Denver. He has been portfolio manager at his alma mater’s foundation since 2007.

Muckel works directly with the Baylor Executive Investment Committee, a group of investment professionals who are appointed by the Board of Regents.

Anniversary Celebrated

The Baylor/Waco Foundation celebrated its fiftieth anniversary of supporting projects that enhance the quality of life in Central Texas. Through the years, the foundation has raised millions for projects ranging from autism services to the Waco Mammoth Site. This year’s projects include providing a CD of lullabies by the Baylor University Women’s Choir to every child born in Waco; a “victory gallery” in the Simpson Athletics and Academic Center; and support of Baylor Steppin’ Out, Santa’s Workshop, the Mayborn Museum, the Texas Collection, and the Baylor Addictions Research Consortium.