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Complete statements from Baylor University and ousted president John Lilley
Baylor University’s official statement on seeking a new president (from Baylor’s web site):
The Baylor University Board of Regents voted today to begin the search for a new University President. Board Chairman Dr. Howard K. Batson said the decision was necessary in order to unite Baylor’s many constituencies and move the University forward in its next period of growth and renewal. Batson said the move represents the Regents’ acknowledgement of a need for unifying leadership as Baylor strives to achieve its goals under Baylor 2012. The Board had hoped to transition to a new president gradually, officially beginning the presidential search in January 2009 and eventually replacing Baylor President John M. Lilley during the final portion of his five-year contract. Because plans for a gradual transition were rejected by Dr. Lilley, the Board will immediately seek a new president. The decision came during the Board of Regents annual summer retreat, which this year is being held in Grapevine, Texas. “I’m not a liberty to discuss the specifics of this personnel decision,” Batson said, “but we believe that Baylor must demonstrate its commitment to excellence in all areas, including communication and the building of relationships within the Baylor family. Change is always difficult, but Baylor has a solid leadership team in place and the university continues to experience unprecedented success in many areas. The Board is confident that the university will be able to press forward and continue its progress during this time of transition. The Board is appreciative of Dr. Lilley’s service to Baylor, which includes a variety of significant accomplishments.” Harold Cunningham, a member of the Board of Regents who was previously board chair, will assume the role of acting president until such time as an interim president is named. According to Batson, “Harold has a track record of proven leadership and is well respected within the Baylor family. He has served Baylor previously in two different vice-presidential roles, including Vice President for Special Projects and Vice President for Finance and Administration, and as Acting Director of Operations. He has also done an outstanding job in his work on the Board of Regents.” It is expected that Cunningham will serve a brief period until an interim president is appointed. After an interim is chosen, the Board, in consultation with other constituencies of the Baylor family, will begin a comprehensive search for a new president. “For 160 years,” Batson said, “the University’s success has been based upon the collective efforts of the entire university community working together. In this time of transition, we know that all members of the Baylor family will ensure that Baylor continues to do what it does best - provide an outstanding education in an environment that embraces both faith and learning, delivered by the best faculty.” The Board will conclude its three-day meeting on Friday.
John Lilley’s response (e-mailed to the Tribune-Herald):
Two and a half years ago I was invited unanimously by the Board of Regents to come to Baylor. I did not come to Baylor to advance my career. Gerrie and I were reluctant but finally were persuaded to come because of the unanimous vote and the promised prayers of the regents. We felt that we could help to heal the wounded hearts left in the wake of the conflict that preceded us. Despite the board’s unanimous vote, it became clear immediately that the Baylor Board of Regents reflected some of the deepest divisions in the Baylor family. I am proud of the work my colleagues and I have done to bring the Baylor family together and to help the university achieve the ambitious goals set forth in our mission and vision 2012, documented in our annual report just presented to the regents. I deeply regret the action of the Board, and I do not believe that it reflects the best interests of Baylor University.
Statement from Baylor student body president Bryan Fonville (e-mailed to the Tribune-Herald):
The Baylor University Board of Regents released a statement announcing their intent to seek a new president. Harold Cunningham, former chairman of the Baylor Board of Regents, will serve as acting president until an interim president can be appointed. Below is Baylor University Student Body President Bryan Fonville’s statement concerning the situation. “As we enter this period of transition, we know that the strength of the Baylor family will continue to propel our progress as a university.” “We have full confidence in the Board of Regents and faith that the next president of Baylor will unite the university community as we continue to build upon our traditions of academic excellence and Christian commitment.” “We are grateful to Dr. Lilley for his service and for the positive changes he made during his time at Baylor. We wish him nothing but the best as he moves on to this new phase in his life.”
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Hot stories, Baylor University
Comments
By cynic
July 24, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Baylor PR obviously wrote the statement for the student body president.
By arealdoubter
July 24, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
The regents in-breeding keeps the administration of the university in chaos. Alumni - shame on you!
By Fred
July 24, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
Burn Baylor burn. Baylor University is burning down in the flames of hate, pompus pride and greed. As Jesus said……”they reap what they sow”. It’s karma; just plain, old fashioned karma. Thee Christian Baylor University will fade away into just another arrogant religious private school. Hypocrites all……burn Baylor burn!
By Josh
July 24, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
As a student, this is very disheartening and frustrating beyond belief. To ‘arealdoubter’ the in-breeding Regents is an extreme problem, however to blame the Alumni is not right. Basically the Regents have said to the Alumni Association, “If you want to “sit at the table” to discuss anything, you are going to go along with whatever we say.” I am also very saddened at our “Student Body” President’s statement. He does not represent the majority of the Baylor student population and he does not represent my views concerning this. The Regents have become their own system and have effectively gotten rid of anyone they didn’t like. It is a very sad day for Baylor and for Baptists all around. Let us pray that through this something good will happen.
By rrr
July 24, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
Fred, what are you going to reap? Based on that, it doesn’t look good …
By kkk
July 24, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
Well, if Baylor is still looking in five months George Bush will be out of a job and needing employment. After all they spent a bundle on his failed library attempt. Besides he couldn’t screw Baylor up anymore than the Board of Regents. Who do they think will be interested in the position if they are changing Presidents every three ( + / -) years.
By BU Student
July 24, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
First, I truly believe Bryan wrote his own statement. Bryan is very smart, and wants to keep the best interest of the student body in mind with his statement without throwing our former president under the bus. The only thing he could have done to have made a better statement would have been to not make one at all.
As far as the student body is concerned Josh, I don’t know how often you have worked with former President Lilley or his office, but as a member of an organization that worked with him on many occasions I can a test to the fact that he was not at all pleasant to work with. Furthermore, most students that I talked to today and previously, although surprised that the BOR decided to act now, they felt that it was the right decision in the long run to no longer have him as our president. From my perspective Lilley was never very well liked by the student body but until recently was relatively well respected by the faculty and alumni. When he pulled his recent stunt with the faculty along with the interlocking BU fiasco he lost support of both the faculty and the alumni…and had already been struggling for support from the BOR’s.
I appreciate Fonville’s remarks in that we wish Dr. Lilley the best, we truly do. He is a part of the Baylor family and little is harder than letting go of one of your own, but the BOR’s truly felt that it was in the best interest of all parties to sever ties, and for what it is worth I have to agree with their sentiments.
Good luck Dr. Lilley!
By Barbara Barrier
July 25, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
As an alumna of over 50 years, I have seen Baylor presidents come and go. All of them, with the exception of Dr. Sloan and Dr. Lilley, have been good to great. I don’t remember any others who were as divisive as these last two. Occasional conflicts, yes, but none who generated the general dislike that these last two have done.
The Regents gave Dr. Lilley the chance to go gracefully, but he refused, so they did what they felt must be done. I just hope the BOR will make the selection of Baylor’s new president a matter of much prayer and we alumni will join them in praying that the person they next select to lead Baylor will be God’s choice for our beloved school, as well as theirs, and that the students, faculty and alumni can once more see Baylor progress as the great University she is.
Barbara Barrier
By Barbara Barrier
July 25, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
As an alumna of over 50 years, I have seen Baylor presidents come and go. All of them, with the exception of Dr. Sloan and Dr. Lilley, have been good to great. I don’t remember any others who were as divisive as these last two. Occasional conflicts, yes, but none who generated the general dislike that these last two have done.
The Regents gave Dr. Lilley the chance to go gracefully, but he refused, so they did what they felt must be done. I just hope the BOR will make the selection of Baylor’s new president a matter of much prayer and we alumni will join them in praying that the person they next select to lead Baylor will be God’s choice for our beloved school, as well as theirs, and that the students, faculty and alumni can once more see Baylor progress as the great University she is.
Barbara Barrier
By Barbara Barrier
July 25, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
As an alumna of over 50 years, I have seen Baylor presidents come and go. All of them, with the exception of Dr. Sloan and Dr. Lilley, have been good to great. I don’t remember any others who were as divisive as these last two. Occasional conflicts, yes, but none who generated the general dislike that these last two have done.
The Regents gave Dr. Lilley the chance to go gracefully, but he refused, so they did what they felt must be done. I just hope the BOR will make the selection of Baylor’s new president a matter of much prayer and we alumni will join them in praying that the person they next select to lead Baylor will be God’s choice for our beloved school, as well as theirs, and that the students, faculty and alumni can once more see Baylor progress as the great University she is.
Barbara Barrier
By Bear
July 26, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
I honestly believe Bryan wrote his own statement as well! Shame on those of you who think otherwise.Obviously the majority of the student body does agree with him- everyone had their chance to vote.