Meet Baylor’s new class of Regents

As Baylor’s Board of Regents holds its regular summer meeting this week, five new Regents are taking their seats at the table to start new terms: one serving at-large, one elected by alumni, one nominated by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, one nominated by the Bear Foundation, and one new Student Regent:

• Barbara Calhoun Cargill (BSED ’82), alumni-elected Regent, served 16 years on the Texas State Board of Education before retiring from public office in December 2020. She is also the founder and director of WOW Science Camp, a hands-on science education program for children.
• Jack Harper (BBA ’93), at-large Regent, is an executive vice president at ConocoPhillips, one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, where he oversees the company’s operations in the lower 48 states. He previously served as president of Concho Resources and co-founded two energy and real estate investment entities.
• Ashley Beane Hooper (BBA ’03), Bear Foundation Regent, is a senior vice president at Allie Beth Allman & Associates, a Dallas-based real estate firm. A third-generation Baylor graduate, Hooper also serves as president-elect of the Baylor Bear Foundation board and is also a past chair and current steering committee member of the Baylor Professionals of Dallas.
• JD McDonald, student Regent, is a Master of Divinity student at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He previously earned degrees in Biblical studies, social work, and mental health counseling before coming to Baylor. He currently serves as a resident chaplain at Baylor and as a youth program assistant for Mission Waco.
• Gail Stewart (BBA ’80, JD ’83), BGCT Regent, is a partner with Baker Botts LLP and leads the law firm’s Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Practice. She has been named as one of “Houston’s Top 50 Women in Law” by the Texas Diversity Council, and is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Baylor College of Medicine.

In all, 94% of this year’s Regents — 31 of 33 — are either Baylor alumni, professors or current students (including nine who have earned multiple degrees from the university). Several are also current Baylor parents. Given the unique Baylor experience — a truly transformational education built on the foundation of our Christian faith — it’s good to see so many Bears answer the call to serve their alma mater.

Sic ’em, Baylor Regents!