PRESIDENT

"My view of administration is that

we are here for the students. I
think the future of Baylor is in
the future of our graduates."
-Dr. David Garland
Interim University President

Academics 18 2
 Left: Interim President Dr. David Garland speaks in
the Cox Reception Hall at Armstrong Browning Li-
brary at the dedication of a stained glass window
depicting the Vallombrosa monastery in Florence.
The window was donated in memorial of Dr. Ann
Miller, an alumna and professor in the English de-
partment.
Right: President Garland visits the Louise Herrington
School of Nursing in Dallas for the dedication of the
Don A. and Ruth Buchholz Simulation Lab. The lab
provides robotic patients that can be programmed to
provide life-like training for nursing students.
Interim President
W hile a historical race for the nation’s presi-
dency was entering its final stages, Bay-
lor had its own transition of presidential leadership.
Maintaining his role as dean of George W. Truett
Theological Seminary, Dr. David Garland took on
the role of interim president of Baylor University after
a tumultuous year for the university. Dr. John Lilley
was fired from the presidency on July 24 with two
and a half years left on his contract after issues of
tenure denial, faculty Web site censorship and univer-
sity logo use spurred discontent among faculty, staff,
alumni and students. Regent Harold Cunningham,
former chairman of the Board of Regents, served as
acting president until Garland was named interim
president on Aug. 20. A modest man who says he
has never sought out high positions, Garland said he
was “flabbergasted” when he was asked to be interim
president, but he was willing to serve the university.
“Sometimes you have to take responsibility to do
what has to be done.”
Flabbergasted or not, Garland’s presidency has been
seen as largely successful according to student, faculty
and alumni.
“One of the things that people who have been
around David since he’s come here regard as one of
his greatest successes has been bringing this sense of
unity, bringing this sense of calm. He’s not going to
claim it because that’s not his style, but those around
him have seen that that has been the hallmark of his
administration so far,” said John Barry, vice president
for marketing and communications.
Above: President Garland talks with students during Dr
Pepper Hour. Dr Pepper floats are served from 3 to 4
p.m. every Tuesday in Barfield Drawing Room in the
Bill Daniel Student Center.The 56-year-old tradition pro-
vides a forum for students to interact with faculty, staff
and administration, including the university president.
Left: President Garland rides in the homecoming pa-
rade with his wife, Dr. Diana Garland, the dean of
the School of Social Work. The interm president also
served as the dean of George W. Truett Theological
Seminary, where he started his time at Baylor as a pro-
fessor 11 years ago.
Garland’s presidency has not been entirely calm,
however, filled with events requiring actions of deci-
sive and strong leadership. After accusations of rac-
ism between students flew around campus, the presi-
dent made a clear stand against such hatred through
campus-wide e-mails and two letters printed in The
Baylor Lariat.
“I believe in confronting the truth and then trying
to fix, as best we can, the issues that surface,” he said.
“Those were hard times. Particularly the racial inci-
dents. That was very painful for me. I was so relieved
when they proved to be untrue. These problems
provided an opportunity for us to address issues we
would have overlooked. I look at crises as opportuni-
ties now. You realize everything’s not the end of the
world.”
Garland said his experience in the military and as
a religion scholar helped prepare him to lead the Courtesy photo
world’s largest Baptist university. Interim president and dean of George W. Truett Seminary,
Dr. David Garland and his wife, Dr. Diana Garland, dean
“Being in the military helped a lot, understanding
of the School of Social Work, watch one of the live mascot
hierarchy and authority. It’s been extremely helpful bears do a sic’ em.
for me to look at the Biblical model of leadership you
see in Jesus and Paul.” One goal of Garland’s is to further Baylor’s academic
The president said he hoped his interim position reputation and increase the size of the univeristy’s en-
could bring peace to the university, but not at the dowment.
cost of success. “It’s not simply making tier one status. It’s really to
“I hope that we would continue making progress continue our academic excellence and have that be
at all of the things that we have made progress on so recognized. As we increase our endowment, we are
that it is not simply a standing-still time but continue able to increase our scholarships and continue to at-
to reach our goals that have been expressed in 2012,” tract the best students. I am just always impressed
he said. with the students.”
Jenna DeWitt Academics Editor
18 3 Academics