New Name for The School of Education
Baylor’s school of education received an exciting $30 million gift from the Moody Foundation of Galveston, Texas. The funds will help support faculty research, scholarships, and academic programs.
In recognition of the generous donation, the School of Education will be renamed the Moody School of Education. The donation marks the largest single gift to the School of Education in its history, which is one of Baylor’s oldest academic units, having been established in 1919.
The donation is a part of the Moody Foundation’s $1 billion pledge to transform education in Texas by 2035. “I am … deeply appreciative of what this means for future Baylor students,” said Shanna Hagan-Burke, Ph.D., dean of the Moody School of Education, according to a Baylor University Press Release. “It will open doors for so many to pursue careers in education – the profession that makes all others possible.”
Fun in the Snow
Snow and icy conditions made for a quiet weekend in Waco, Texas, with most businesses closed. Baylor classes were held online on January 26 and 27 and during the morning of the 28th as temperatures stayed below freezing.
But those icy conditions didn’t stop Baylor students from making the most of their weekend. Students all across Waco were found outdoors enjoying the slippery surfaces; sledding, walking their neighborhoods, and gathering with friends. For several Baylor students coming from warmer climates, this was their first time seeing snow.
Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year
Randall Bradley, D.M.A., has been selected as Baylor University’s 2026 Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year. Bradley is the Ben H. Williams Professor of Music and professor of church music, serving as director of the Church Music Program and the Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies in the School of Music.
The Cornelia Marschall Smith award is named after the 1918 Baylor biology graduate and distinguished faculty member. It is awarded to a Baylor faculty member whose teaching, research, and service are of the highest order.
“Serving at Baylor for the last 26 years has been an honor and a privilege for which I am most thankful. It has been my joy to teach, mentor, and follow the lives of thousands of women and men for whom I have the greatest respect and appreciation,” said Bradley, according to a Baylor Press Release. “You have taught me much, and you have informed every aspect of my teaching and research. Being listed among such an august group of former award recipients is an honor for which there are no words.”
Celebrating Survivors
Seventh-grader Michael Montague of River Valley Middle School recently celebrated a major milestone after ringing the bell at McLane Children’s Hospital in Temple, marking the end of his cancer treatment.
The celebration continued over the weekend when Montague was given a behind-the-scenes experience with the Baylor team during their Friday night practice. That Saturday, the Montague family was recognized during Baylor’s Coaches vs. Cancer game against TCU.
Head coach Scott Drew showed his support by wearing a pair of custom sneakers designed by Michael and his mother. Baylor freshman Tounde Yessoufou praised Montague’s strength, telling Baylor Bear Insider, “To see the smile on his face and how he’s dealt with it, I have so much respect for him, for sure.”
Princeton Professor Receives Baylor Teaching Award
On January 27th, Baylor named Jamie Rankin, Ph.D., University Lecturer in German at Princeton University and inaugural director of the Princeton Center for Language Study, as the 2026 recipient of the Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching.
This national honor, awarded by Baylor, recognizes the value of teaching and encourages institutions to recognize their own great teachers. Rankin will receive $250,000 and an additional $25,000 to the German Department at Princeton.
When Rankin visited Baylor in October 2025 to present his Cherry Award finalist lecture, he left with a deep appreciation for the Baylor faculty and broader community.
“Having met so many wonderful people on the Cherry Award committee and in the Department of Modern Languages & Cultures, I thought to myself: ‘I would love to win this just for the opportunity to work alongside these colleagues,’” said Rankin, according to a Baylor Press Release. “They were all so genuine, so committed to teaching, so enthusiastic about their academic fields, that I came away hoping to get to know them and learn from them. That and attending as many Baylor basketball games as possible, of course.”
Supporting Small Businesses
The recent icy storm that swept through Texas offered many Waco residents an unexpected pause from work and the fast pace of daily life. However, for small business owners across the community, the storm brought significant challenges rather than relief.
Many local shops and restaurants depend on a steady stream of daily customers to stay afloat, and the hazardous conditions forced numerous businesses to close their doors for up to four days. When profit margins are already slim, even a short interruption in operations can lead to serious financial strain.
In the aftermath of the storm, small business owners are now turning to the community for support. This week, they are encouraging Wacoans to shop locally and make a conscious effort to support small businesses. By choosing local shops and eateries in the coming weeks, residents can help these businesses recover and continue serving their community.
Happy BEARthday!
Both of Baylor University’s beloved bear mascots, Indy and Belle, celebrated birthdays this week. Indy marked her third birthday on January 24, followed just a few days later by Belle, who turned three on January 29.
To celebrate the occasion, Baylor is hosting a joint birthday party for the two bears on Saturday, January 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Baylor Bear Habitat.
Indy and Belle are cousin rescue cubs who joined the Baylor family in 2023. Since their arrival, the pair has quickly become a cherished part of campus life, delighting students, alumni, and visitors alike with their playful personalities.
