Baylor regents consider candidate for school presidency

Posted: 11/04/05

Baylor regents consider
candidate for school presidency

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

WACO–Baylor University regents were summoned to a called board meeting Nov. 4 to consider a unanimous recommendation from the school's presidential search committee.

Regents met after this issue of the Baptist Standard went to press.

Committee Chair Bill Brian of Amarillo characterized the candidate as “a proven leader in higher education” who “understands and appreciates the strong relationship between the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Baylor.”

The candidate has deep Baptist roots and a strong commitment to distinctive Baptist principles, but he currently attends a Presbyterian church, Brian noted.

“We probed that thoroughly with the candidate,” he said. “We all were satisfied he is committed to historic Baptist principles, and what we understand as Baptist distinctives are a vital part of who he is.”

Regents Chair Will Davis of Austin–in consultation with Vice Chair Jim Turner of Dallas–appointed the 11-member presidential search committee after Robert Sloan told the regents in January he would vacate the university presidency June 1 to assume the chancellor's role and the board formalized the transition at its February meeting.

In addition to Brian, other regents on the search committee were Jay Allison of Frisco, Joe Armes of Dallas, Joe Coleman of Houston, Randy Ferguson of Austin, Phil Lineberger of Sugar Land, Drayton McLane of Temple, David Sibley of Waco and Donell Teaff of Waco. Davis and Turner also served on the committee.

In May, regents elected law professor Bill Underwood interim president. Underwood told the board in September he was withdrawing his name from consideration for the permanent president's position.

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