35+ Baylor Bears now leading colleges and universities worldwide
Last fall, Baylor was named among TIME magazine’s top 40 colleges for future leaders. In their research, the publication’s editors studied the resumes of 2,000 U.S. leaders to see where they got their start — with Baylor standing out among the nation’s best.
That’s certainly true in the field of education, where countless Baylor alumni are serving as principals, deans, superintendents, etc. In the world of higher ed, almost 40 Baylor Bears are the top executives at colleges and universities around the world; here’s a quick rundown of those currently serving as presidents and chancellors:
- Dr. J. Blair Blackburn (EdD ’00), East Texas Baptist University, Marshall, Texas
- Eric Bruntmyer (JD ’94), Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas
- Dr. Scott Bullard (PhD ’09), Pfeiffer University, Misenheimer, N.C.
- Dr. Gary Cook (BA ’72), Dallas Baptist University, Dallas
- Dr. Debbie Cottrell (BSED ’79), Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas
- Dr. Barry Creamer (BA ’85), Criswell College, Dallas
- Dr. Elizabeth Davis (BBA ’84), Furman University, Greenville, S.C.
- Harry Davros (JD ’94), Wade College, Dallas
- Dr. Donald Dowless (PhD ’89), Shorter University, Rome, Ga.
- Dr. Pamela Durso (BA ’83, PhD ’92), Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Shawnee, Kan.
- Dr. Ronald Ellis (MSEd ’81), California Baptist University, Riverside, Calif.
- Dr. Mary Hensley (EdD ’89), Blinn College, Brenham, Texas
- Dr. Kao Kim Hourn (BA ’89), University of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Dr. Brad Johnson (BSED ’93, EdD ’05), College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, Mo.
- Dr. Greg Jones (former Baylor provost), Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn.
- Dr. Amanda Lee (BA ’88, MA ’90), Bladen Community College, Dublin, N.C.
- Dr. D. Michael Lindsay (BA ’94), Taylor University, Upland, Ind.
- Dr. Linda Livingstone (former Baylor faculty member), Baylor University, Waco, Texas
- Dr. Diana Lovell (BSED ’89), Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford/Sayre, Okla.
- Dr. Steven Mason (BBA ’98), LeTourneau University, Longview, Texas
- Dr. Brian McCall (BA ’81), Texas State University System, Austin, Texas
- Dr. Harold Nolte (BS ’77, MSEd ’80), Dodge City Community College, Dodge City, Kan.
- Dr. Dub Oliver (BSEd ’87), Union University, Jackson, Tenn.
- Dr. Randy O’Rear (EdD ’04), University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, Texas
- Dr. Jessica Pace (EdD ’23), Panola College, Carthage, Texas
- Rev. Dr. Kenneth Pruitt (DMin ’15), Leland Seminary, Arlington, Va.)
- Dr. Kathy Schwaig (BBA ’84, MBA ’86), Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Ga.
- Dr. Myles Shelton (BA ’75, MS ’76, EdD ’94), Galveston College, Galveston, Texas
- Dr. Frank Shushok Jr. (BSED ’91), Roanoke College, Salem, Va.
- Dr. Robert Sloan (BA ’70), Houston Christian University, Houston
- Dr. Beck Taylor (BBA ’92), Samford University, Birmingham, Ala.
- Bill Underwood (former Baylor faculty member), Mercer University, Macon, Ga.
- Dr. Sinda Vanderpool (longtime BU professor and administrator), University of St. Thomas, Houston
- Dr. Gregory Williams (EdD ’96), Odessa College, Odessa, Texas
Sic ’em, Baylor presidents and chancellors!
(Have we missed someone? Let us know!)
Changes/additions made after the original post:
- Dr. Mark Brown (EdD ’20), Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Ala.
- Dr. Jerry Cain (MA ’71), Judson University, Elgin, Ill.
- Brad Carson (BA ’89), University of Tulsa, stepped down – May ’25
- Dr. J. Bradley Creed (BA ’79), Campbell University, retired July ’25
- Dr. Travis Frampton (PhD ’04), University of Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa
- Dr. Todd Fritch (MS ’95, PhD ’99), University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL
- Dr. Jaffus Hardrick (EdD ’02), Florida Memorial University, stepped down due to health – June ’24
- Dr. Joseph Hopkins (MM ’90), Campbellsville University, Campbellsville, Ky.
- Dr. Sandeep Mazumder (former Hankamer dean), Berry College, Mount Berry, Ga.