Returning Home
There have been some pretty remarkable people who have earned their degree at Truett Theological Seminary – and Mulenga Chela certainly falls into the category of remarkable.
Chela, who is from Zambia, was wrongfully imprisoned in an African country in 2006. During his time in prison, Chela committed himself to sharing the gospel with thousands of other inmates.
After his release, Chela went on to earn two degrees from Baylor after meeting a former Baylor interim president in Zambia. Now he has returned home to Zambia, one of the world’s poorest countries, to serve its people.
Chela and his family started Christ Life Ministry, a church with multiple ministries focusing on caring for people in poverty.
“To me, being part of the global Church means that although there are thousands of people all over the world who are Christians – people who live in different types of homes, people from different race/ethnic groups, people who speak different languages – we all serve the same one true God,” Chela said, according to an article from Truett Seminary. “I know God loves each person equally. This truth has empowered me and given me a deeper appreciation for God.”
Black Gospel Archives Acquires Boyer Family Materials
On May 14th, the Black Gospel Archive (BGA) acquired the first batch of material from the James and Edna Boyer Family collection– continuing the archive center’s growth and flourishing.
The Boyer Brothers were most active in the 1950s and 60s and were major contributors to the golden age of Black Gospel music. Alan Boyer, son of James B. Boyer, the frontman for the Boyer Brothers, delivered the material to the BGA.
“My father had a longstanding relationship with Baylor and believed deeply in its mission,” said Alan Boyer, according to an article from Baylor University Libraries. “It is our hope that researchers, students, musicians, educators, and communities of faith will find in these materials not only a historical record, but a living testament to what one man — and one family — believed was worth preserving. This music belongs to everyone.”
The Return of Dr. Lynne Gackle
Lynn Gackle, Ph.d., Professor Emeritus of Music and former Director of Choral Activities, is coming back to the Baylor choral program in an interim capacity for the 2026–27 academic year.
“I feel blessed that God has given me the strength, the health, and once again, the opportunity to interact with students in the rehearsal hall, the concert hall, and in the classroom at Baylor,” Gackle said, according to an article from the School of Music. “To continue to invest in the lives of students is a true gift.”
Previously, Gackle served as the Director of Choral Activities, Chair of the Ensemble Division, and holder of the Mary Gibbs Jones Chair in Music. She retired in 2023.
Checking in with the Honors College
Exciting changes have been taking place within the Honors College. Alongside the announcement of Sarah Walden, Ph.D., as director of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core (BIC), the Honors College announced that it is seeking a new director for the University Scholars Program.
The position is open to regular full-time faculty at Baylor who hold a promoted rank, and applications are open through July 15th.
Two other new faces joined the Honors College: Kasey Ashenfelter and Alexis Gutierrez. Ashenfelter is the newly named director of development for the HC, and Gutierrez is taking on the role of admissions coordinator.
Keston Center Fundraiser
The Keston Center raised over $76,000 at its two-week spring fundraiser this past May. The money will help advance the center’s mission of being a “voice of the voiceless” through lectures, special events, research, and teaching that promotes the understanding of religion and religious persecution.
“We are grateful for the generous support of the Keston community,” said Keston Center director Kathy Hillman, according to an article from Baylor University Libraries. “Campaign donors consisted of individuals from the United States and Europe, including researchers, members of the Keston Advisory Board and Keston Council in the UK, along with 20 current or past members of the Baylor Libraries Board of Advisors.”
$16,521 was raised through individual contributions, and with two matching donors contributing additional gifts of $10,000 and $50,000, the total came out to $76,521.66.
Summer Camps at Baylor
While students may disappear as finals wrap up and they set off on their summer adventures, Baylor’s campus isn’t quiet for long.
The kickoff of Baylor’s annual summer camps brings students of all ages, from elementary to high school, to the sprawling campus for a variety of activities. Opportunities like the Summer Debate Workshop and the Moody School of Education’s Talent Identification Program camps help students get an inside look at college life. Some programs offer residential opportunities for students, allowing them to live in the dorms, eat in the dining halls, and get the full experience of being a Baylor Bear.
“By the end of camp, you would never know these kids hadn’t been friends for five years. They’ve built these really great relationships,” Mary Lauren Benton, Ph.D, assistant professor of computer science and a leader in Baylor’s Innovate camp, told Baylor Proud. “They got to meet with the faculty, and you could tell that when we had our end-of-camp breakfast, they were excited to show their parents what they’d done and introduce them to the people that they’d met. Watching them build those relationships and get excited for Baylor and that caring community that I think we build is really special.”
