Five years ago this summer, Ken Starr took office as Baylor’s 14th president. From the beginning, he has repeatedly emphasized that at Baylor, “It’s all about the students.” And those students have taken to the man they call “Judge Starr,” as well.
The past five years have provided students with a campus experience unlike anything ever experienced at Baylor before. Students have celebrated a Heisman trophy win and sailgated, welcomed such guests to campus as Condoleezza Rice and Sandra Day O’Connor, enjoyed residence hall makeovers, and looked forward to the new Fifth Street fountain.
While many university presidents would be content to remain in their office, far away from the campus buzz, Judge Starr has not only embraced Baylor’s rich and long-standing traditions, but happily joined in: lending a hand on Move-In Day, welcoming loved ones on Family Weekend, even leading the Baylor Line out of the tunnel at home football games.
We often brag about Baylor’s rankings and academic honors, but we’d have nothing to brag about if it weren’t for the students. In the last five years, we’ve seen:
- A Baylor education become more popular than ever before;
- Student scholarship offerings reach record numbers, thanks in large part to The President’s Scholarship Initiative;
- Baylor student-athletes repeatedly lead the Big 12 in graduation rate;
- New academic programs come to life, including the online MBA, Baylor Bound transfer opportunities, and new master’s and Ph.D. programs.
Lastly, the students have, alongside Starr, proven their servants’ hearts that are essential to the Baylor spirit. When the fertilizer plant in nearby West, Texas, exploded, they gave up their Diadeloso to help those affected. When their fellow students were in a car crash last summer, they were there with arms open wide. They even know the impact of small gestures, like helping a stranger from a rival school. Baylor students use their spring and summer breaks to travel around the world helping those who don’t have it as easy as they do. Judge Starr himself even traveled to Africa a couple of years ago to see firsthand how his students selflessly gave their time to help others.
Sic ’em, President Starr and students!
[This piece is in honor of our summer-long celebration of President Ken Starr’s five years of service to Baylor University — something we regard as serious #FiveStarr excellence. We’ll be examining more highlights of his tenure and tracking #FiveStarr on Twitter and Instagram for your best Judge Starr memories.]