WACO, Texas — After several fits and starts, Baylor University’s search for new leadership has produced a president — John Lilley, current president of the University of Nevada, Reno, and a three-time graduate of Baylor.
Lilley was elected Nov. 3 by regents of Baylor, the world’s largest Baptist-affiliated university, with 14,000 students. He inherits a university that has been in turmoil for more than two years, with regents, faculty and alumni divided over issues of presidential leadership and the school’s academic direction.
Baylor regents also approved a charter change to downsize the Waco, Texas, school’s governing board from 36 to 16 members over nine years.
Regents approved amendments to the university’s articles of incorporation reducing the board’s size and dropping the maximum number of years of consecutive service from nine to six years.
The board downsizing will be achieved through attrition, explained board chairman Will Davis of Austin.
Other universities affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas have 24 to 48 trustees.
Lilley, in his mid-60s, has been president of Nevada’s oldest public university since 2001. Previously he was president of Penn State Erie, part of Pennsylvania State University.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in music education in 1961, a bachelor’s in music the following year and a master’s degree in music in 1964 — all at Baylor. He earned a doctorate from the University of Southern California in 1971.
Lilley becomes Baylor’s 13th president, succeeding Robert Sloan, who stepped down May 31 under pressure from some regents and faculty. Sloan now serves as Baylor chancellor.
Lilley and his wife, Geraldine, have four grown children.
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