Collins Outstanding Professor
Each year, Baylor’s senior class recognizes a professor for outstanding teaching with the Collins Outstanding Professor Award. This year, the 2026 senior class voted on Walter M. “Sparky” Matthews, M.D., B.A. ’92.
Matthews is a clinical professor and pre-medical mentor who has continuously been recognized for his humility and exceptional care for his students.
“When I was first informed of my selection for the Collins award, I went weak in the knees. I am so humbled by this; I love my students as if they were my own kids, and I do everything I can think of to help them become the people they want to be,” Dr. Matthews said, according to a Baylor Press Release.
Online Identities
As artificial intelligence continues to develop, questions about the impact of new technology on everyday life begin to emerge. Christopher M. Pieper, Ph.D., senior lecturer of sociology at Baylor, is investigating these very questions in his in-depth research.
Pieper argues that the Metaverse, with the rise of AI-generated avatars, chatbots, and algorithm-driven digital personas, is rapidly changing how users think about and develop online identities.
“People are hungry to talk about what these technologies are doing to us,” Pieper said, according to a Baylor Press Release. “From AI companions to virtual identities, we’re watching the definition of a ‘person’ evolve in real time.”
National Social Work Month
This month, the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work is celebrating alongside social work professionals across the nation for National Social Work Month. Through events at their downtown campus, tabling, and social media campaigns, the school will be celebrating all their students, faculty, and alumni do to serve their communities.
“Social work is one of the most rewarding, most versatile professions today, and the field continues to grow each year,” said Dr. Luci Ramos Hoppe, interim dean of the Garland School, according to an article from Baylor. “Social workers are serving in crucial roles throughout our communities, serving individuals across the lifespan in an effort to help people flourish all over the world.”
College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Faculty
At the end of every academic year, Baylor announces their Outstanding Faculty of the Year. This week, the Baylor Arts & Sciences selection committee announced the 12 faculty members nominated for the award.
Their names will now move forward to the University-wide selection committee, and final decisions will be announced later in Spring 2026. 12 faculty members will be selected from across the University and awarded a cash prize of $3,750, a citation, and recognition by their departments.
Healthy Hearts
Junior Abhinav Rajkumar, a University Scholar at Baylor, is working to advance research on heart transplantation. The Frisco, Texas native recently contributed to a study led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and Texas Heart Institute that investigates what happens to donor hearts in the period between circulatory death and transplantation – specifically, the period when the heart is deprived of oxygen before it is cooled and preserved.
Rajkumar joined the research team in his freshman year and was a summer research fellow at BCM. Through this study, researchers hope to improve preservation techniques and increase the number of donor hearts available for transplantation.
Baylor at the ADDYs
Three Baylor Art Graphic Design students, Lily Asher, Ella Sparks, and CJ Kaltwasser, were recently honored at the Dallas Chapter of the American Advertising Awards (ADDYs).
“In six years of teaching graphic design in higher education and twenty-five years of practice, I can attest that design competitions are a reality check that change students’ lives forever in a positive, magical way,” said Graphic Design Professor Genaro Solis Rivero, according to an article from Baylor.
A standout from the competition, Lily Asher took home the prestigious Best in Show Award for her project titled “The Cost of Bleeding Campaign.”
March Madness
For the first time since 2016, Baylor Men’s Basketball has been left out of the NCAA tournament. Baylor’s win total of 16 games is the lowest mark since 2006-2007. The team is headed to Las Vegas on April 1st to compete in the College Basketball Crown.
Baylor Women’s Basketball, however, is headed to the NCAA tournament for the 22nd year in a row. The team will open the tournament at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Baylor Alumnus is McLennan County Judge
Rick Tullis, Republican Candidate for McLennan County judge and Baylor alumnus, will replace Judge Scott Felton on January 1. Tullis won by default as he was the only candidate from either party to seek the post.
Tullis is the founder and former CEO of Capstone Mechanical, has served on the Midway ISD board of trustees since 2013, and co-hosts a podcast on Waco History. He is passionate about workforce development initiatives and has helped drive programs such as Texas State Technical College’s WorkSITE program and the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy.
