WACO (March 24, 2009)—The two committees that will be involved in selecting Baylor University’s next president met jointly Tuesday in Waco.

WACO, Texas (March 24, 2009) – The two committees involved in selecting the next president of Baylor University kicked off their efforts today in a joint session held on Baylor’s campus.

Baylor University Board of Regents Chairman Dr. Howard K. Batson announced the members of the presidential search committee and presidential search advisory committee on March 5.

Tuesday the committees went to work on a plan for more than a dozen listening sessions with faculty, alumni, staff, students, Texas Baptists and members of the Waco community.

“These listening sessions will provide an organized forum for those who love Baylor to provide input early in the search process,” said Joseph B. Armes, chairman of the Presidential Search Committee and member of the Board of Regents.

“During these sessions, key stakeholders will have the opportunity to tell us about the most important qualities the search committee should look for in Baylor's next president.”

The committees also discussed the selection of the Atlanta-based firm of Baker and Associates to assist with the national search for a replacement for former President John Lilley, whom regents fired in July 2008.

The search committee is comprised of 14 members of the Board of Regents and the advisory committee is comprised of representatives of the university’s faculty, staff, alumni, students, Texas Baptists and the Waco community.

“The Presidential Search Committee has the responsibility to recommend the best finalist for the board’s consideration in selecting Baylor’s next president, and it will do so having been informed by a steady flow of very good information from the Presidential Search Advisory Committee,” Batson said.

Search Committee Members

Joseph B. Armes, BBA ’83, MBA ’84, COO, Hicks Holdings LLC, Dallas, who was elected by the Regent Presidential Search Committee to chair Baylor’s presidential search process

Stan Allcorn, BA ’76, Pastor, Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Abilene

Wes Bailey, BBA ’78, President, Bailey Insurance and Risk Management Inc., Waco

Albert C. Black Jr., President and CEO, On-Target Supplies & Logistics, Ltd., Dallas

Dr. Duane Brooks, BA ’84, PhD ’91, Pastor, Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston

R. Stephen Carmack, BS ’70, MS ’72, Chairman and CEO, Legacy Bank, Hinton, Okla.

Harold R. Cunningham, BBA ’56, Retired, Crawford

Bobby Charles Dagnel, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lubbock

Gary D. Elliston, Senior Founding Partner, DeHay and Elliston L.L.P., Dallas

Sue Holt Getterman, BA ’50, Philanthropist, Waco

Neal T. “Buddy” Jones, BA ’73, JD ’75, Principal/Owner, HillCo Partners LLC, Austin

Ramiro Abraham Peña Jr., BA ’88, Pastor, Christ the King Baptist Church, Waco

Dr. John C. Reimers, BA ’72, Dentist, Beaumont

R. Dary Stone, JD ’77, Vice Chairman, Cousins Properties Inc., Dallas

Advisory Committee Members

Dr. Kenneth L. Hall, President and CEO of Buckner International and past president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Dallas, representing Texas Baptists. Hall will serve as chair of the advisory committee.

Dr. Jaime Diaz-Granados, chair of the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, representing Faculty Senate

Angela Funai, MPPA ’08, Director of Foundation and Corporate Development and Chair of Staff Council, representing Staff Council

Dr. Georgia Green, Chair of Faculty Senate and Associate Dean of the Baylor School of Music, representing Faculty Senate

Dr. Thomas S. Hibbs, Dean of the Honors College and Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Culture, representing the Council of Deans

Dr. Mikeal C. Parsons, Professor of Religion and The Kidd L. and Buna Hitchcock Macon Chair in Religion, Faculty-at-Large

Thomas R. Phillips, BA ’71, retired Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court and current partner with Baker Botts LLP, Austin, representing the Baylor Alumni Association

Randy Lee Pullin, BBA ’82, Chief Financial Officer, Stedman West Interests Inc., Houston, Alumnus-at-Large and a life member of the Baylor Alumni AssociationClifton Robinson, BBA ’63, Chairman, Specialty Property Ltd., representing the Waco community

Chelsea Saylors, senior University Scholar from Rowlett, representing Student Government