List of Baylor University people

This is a list of notable people associated with Baylor University in Waco, Texas, United States. To be included in this list, a person must have their own, existing Wikipedia article. The list includes notable alumni, faculty, and former students.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Alumni

Academics

• William Bennett Bizzell, former President of the University of Oklahoma and former President of Texas A&M University
• Barbara H. Bowman, geneticist and former professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and University of Texas Health Science Center
• Gilberto Freyre, Brazilian sociologist, cultural anthropologist and historian
• Edwin Gaustad, historian of religion in America
• Guy Benton Johnson, Sociologist and cultural anthropologist. He was a distinguished student of black culture in the rural South and a pioneer advocate of racial equality
• Jo Jorgensen, Clemson University lecturer in psychology and Libertarian Party candidate for President in 2020, VP in 1996
• Glenn McGee, American professor of medicine, philosophy, law and public health
• Judy Jolley Mohraz, 9th president of Goucher College, women's history professor, and philanthropist
• Royce Money, former President of Abilene Christian University
• Mark W. Muesse, philosopher and professor emeritus at Rhodes College
• Olin Clyde Robison, former President of Middlebury College
• Lawrence Sullivan Ross, former President of Texas A&M University and Governor of Texas
• Beck A. Taylor, president of Samford University
• Dixon Wecter (BA, 1925), Margaret Byrne Professor of United States History at the University of California, Berkeley.^[1]
• Dallas Willard, philosopher and professor at the University of Southern California

The arts

Angela Kinsey (BA, 1993), Emmy Award-winning actress

Willie Nelson, six-time Grammy Award-winning musician

• H. Parrott Bacot, art historian
• Nancy Barrett, American actress, best known for her roles in the soap opera Dark Shadows
• Crystal Bernard, singer & actress who starred in the television series Wings
• Marc Burckhardt, artist and award-winning illustrator
• Carole Cook, actress, Broadway and film
• Elizabeth A. Davis, Tony Award-nominated actress
• Jim Dickinson, record producer, singer and pianist
• Phil Driscoll, Grammy-winning singer/trumpet player
• Rodger Dean Duncan, author and business consultant
• Jeff Dunham, award-winning ventriloquist and comedian
• Forrest Frank, singer, songwriter, and producer
• Robert Fulghum, best-selling author, philosopher
• Chip Gaines, television personality, entrepreneur, and author; television series Fixer Upper and Magnolia Market
• Joanna Gaines, television personality, entrepreneur, and author; television series Fixer Upper and Magnolia Market
• Florence Gerald (BA, 1880), writer, poet, stage actress^[2]
• Bruce Greer, award-winning composer
• Shaun Groves, Christian contemporary musician, singer, songwriter
• Derek Haas, author/screenwriter
• Jack Hamm, author of acclaimed art books, cartoonist
• John Lee Hancock, director of The Alamo; producer of My Dog Skip^[3]
• Robin Hardy, author of numerous books including The Annals of Lystra: Chataine's Guardian
• Thomas Harris, best-selling author of Silence of the Lambs
• Mark Hayes, Christian music vocal and instrumental arranger
• Jackson Hurst, actor, American television series Drop Dead Diva and Walking Tall 3
• Brett James, country music singer and songwriter
• Julie Kenner, author and former lawyer
• Kara Killmer, actress, Chicago Fire (TV series)
• Angela Kinsey (BA, 1993); actress, podcaster, and television panelist
• Clancy Martin, novelist and philosopher
• Erin McCarley, songwriter-musician
• Brooklyn and Bailey McKnight, actresses and YouTube personalities
• Austin Miller, actor, dancer, and singer on Grease: You're The One That I Want^[4]
• Jay Hunter Morris, operatic tenor
• Willie Nelson, country music star
• Eddie Noack, country music singer and songwriter
• Grady Nutt, pastor, humorist and television personality; regular on Hee Haw (1979–1983)^[5]
• David Phelps, tenor for the Gaither Vocal Band
• Derek Phillips, actor
• Alfred Reed, composer and conductor
• Kevin Reynolds, film director
• Maddy Rosenberg, artist
• Gretchen Rossi, TV personality, The Real Housewives of Orange County
• Paul Smith, singer/songwriter, member of The Imperials
• Suzy Spencer, true-crime writer and novelist
• Robert Sterling, songwriter, produce, arranger
• Steven Stucky, Pulitzer Prize winner for music^[6]
• David Sullivan, film and television actor
• Allison Tolman, actress
• Jennifer Vasquez, actress and contestant on season six of Big Brother
• Peter Weber, television personality, pilot, and author; television series The Bachelor and The Bachelorette The Penland Era: Bachelorette Contestant Peter Weber (Pilot Pete) and Being a Great Guy
• Allen Wier, writer
• Noble Willingham, television and film actor
• Roxanne Wilson, finalist on season five of The Apprentice^[7]
• Stephanie Young, voice actress, singer, songwriter
• Man-Ching Donald Yu, composer

Business

• Joe Allbritton, founder and owner of Allbritton Communications Company, the parent company of Politico^[8]
• Paul L. Foster, Chairman of the board of Western Refining^[9]
• Thomas W. Horton, Lead Director of General Electric's board of directors^[10]
• Mark Hurd, CEO and board of directors member of Oracle Corporation
• Michael S. Hyatt, former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, New York Times best-selling author, and founder of Michael Hyatt & Company, an Inc. 5000 fastest growing company for 2017, 2018, and 2019
• Gary Keller, Co-founder and Chairman of Keller Williams Realty International^[11]
• Rebecca Mark, former head of Enron International^[12]
• Drayton McLane, Chairman of the McLane Group and former owner of the Houston Astros
• Bob J. Perry, founder of Perry Homes
• Marjorie Scardino; CEO of Pearson, a major media group; former CEO of the Economist Group; also a non-executive director of Nokia Corporation^[13]
• Bob R. Simpson, co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of XTO Energy and co-owner of the Texas Rangers
• Allen Stanford, former Chairman of Stanford Financial Group which operated as a Ponzi Scheme, convicted financial fraudster
• A. Latham Staples, President & CEO of EXUSMED, Inc. and Chairman of Empowering Spirits Foundation
• Bill Townsend, Internet entrepreneur and founder of the Web search engine Lycos, Inc.

Law

• Charles Barrow, Former Justice to the Texas Supreme Court and a Dean of Baylor Law School^[14]
• Leonard E. Davis, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas^[15]
• Jennifer Walker Elrod, Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit^[16]
• Sidney A. Fitzwater, Chief United Federal District Judge for the Northern District of Texas^[17]
• A. J. Folley, Justice of the Texas Supreme Court^[18]
• James Rodney Gilstrap, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas^[19]
• James E. Kinkeade, United States Federal Judge for Northern District of Texas^[20]
• Priscilla Owen, Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth circuit, possible nominee to Supreme Court^[21]
• Ryan Patrick, former Judge, 177th District Court, former United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
• Thomas R. Phillips, former Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court^[22]
• Tom Price (JD), judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, 1997–2015; judge of the Texas 282nd Court, 1987–1997^[23]
• Walter Scott Smith Jr., Chief United States Federal Judge for the Western District of Texas^[24]
• William Steger, long-serving United States Federal judge for the Eastern District of Texas, ran unsuccessfully for Texas governor in 1960 and United States House of Representatives in 1962^[25]
• T. John Ward, former United States Federal Judge for the Eastern District of Texas^[26]
• Don Willett, United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit^[27]

Media

• Richelle Carey, Al Jazeera America news anchor
• Deb Carson, Fox Sports Radio national sports anchor & co-host
• Beth Haller, journalism professor, Fulbright scholar
• Robert Heard, Reporter and journalist for the Associated Press^[28][29]
• Candice Millard, former National Geographic editor & New York Times Best Sellers author
• Trey Wingo, co-host of ESPN's SportsCenter
• Brooklyn McKnight and Bailey McKnight-Howard, YouTubers

Military

First Lieutenant Jack Lummus, Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient

• Clarence R. Autery (BA and LL B, 1957), Air Force general
• O. L. Bodenhamer (BA, 1914; LL D (hon), 1930); Army officer during World War I, 12th national commander of The American Legion from 1929 to 1930
• John R. Kane (BA, 1928); Army Air Forces Medal of Honor recipient, led bombardment aircraft in mass low-level attack against Ploesti oil refineries in 1943
• Jack Lummus; professional football player with the New York Giants, Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient killed in action at the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945
• Charles C. Pixley (MS), 34th surgeon general of the Army from 1977 to 1981
• Gale Pollock (MHA, 1987), deputy surgeon general of the Army from 2006 to 2007

Politics

Trey Gowdy (BA, 1986), former U.S. representative from South Carolina and television news personality

Ann Richards (BA, 1954), 45th governor of Texas

• James B. Adams, Texas legislator, and former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation^[30]
• Colin Allred, U.S. Representative from Texas's 32nd congressional district (2019–present)^[31]
• Kip Averitt, former Texas State Senator^[32]
• Charlotte Beers, American businesswoman and former U.S. Under Secretary of State (2001–2003) (attended; did not graduate)^[33]
• Charles T. Bernard, Arkansas Republican state chairman, 1971–1973; Republican candidate for United States Senate in 1968; farmer and businessman^[34]
• Bob Bullock, Lieutenant Governor of Texas, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas Secretary of State, Texas State Representative^[35]

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (Kentucky)

• Joseph Cao, U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 2nd congressional district (2009–11), and the first Vietnamese-American to serve in Congress^[36]
• Brad Carson, U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district (2001–2005)^[37]
• Sam Houston Clinton, former Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge. Lawyer represented both atheist leader Madalyn Murray O'Hair and Jack Ruby, the man who shot and killed presidential assassin Lee Harvey Oswald^[38]
• Tom Connally, U.S. Senator from Texas (1929–1953)^[39]
• Louie Gohmert, U.S. Representative from Texas's 1st congressional district^[40]
• Bill Daniel, Former Governor of Guam and Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives^[41]
• Price Daniel, Governor of Texas from 1957 to 1963^[42]
• Price Daniel Jr., Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives (1973–1975)^[43]
• John E. Davis (BBA, 1982), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Houston since 1999
• Craig Eiland, Departing state Representative and former Speaker pro Tempore of the Texas House of Representatives ^[44]
• James Walter Elder, U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 5th congressional district, (1913-1915)^[45]
• Trey Gowdy, U.S. Representative from South Carolina's 4th congressional district^[46]
• Philip Gunn (BBA, 1985), Speaker of the House Mississippi (current), first Republican speaker of the House in 136 years.^{[citation needed]}
• Sam B. Hall, U.S. Representative from Texas's 1st congressional district (1976–1985)^[47]
• Kelly Hancock, Republican Texas State Senator for District 9
• Phil Hardberger, former mayor of San Antonio^[48]
• Temple Lea Houston, son of Sam Houston, District Attorney, and state legislator^[49]
• Andrew J. Houston, U.S. Senator from Texas (1941); perennial candidate, and son of Texas statesman Sam Houston^[50]
• Ernest Istook, U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 5th congressional district (1993–2007)^[51]
• Leon Jaworski, special prosecutor during the Watergate Scandal and one of the first partners of the major international law firm Fulbright & Jaworski^[52]
• Brad Knott (BA), U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 13th congressional district
• Jeff Leach (BA), state representative from District 67 in the Texas House of Representatives since 2013
• Jim Mattox, U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 5th district (January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1983), Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 33 (East Dallas), 47th Attorney General of Texas In office January 18, 1983 – January 15, 1991
• Julie Myers (BA, 1991), former Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement^[53]
• Pat Morris Neff, Governor of Texas from 1921 to 1925 (later served as President of Baylor from 1932 to 1947)^[54]
• Lyndon Lowell Olson Jr., former United States Ambassador to Sweden and Vice Chairman of U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy ^[55]
• Walter P. Paluch Jr., former Brigadier General in the United States Air Force^[56]
• Diane Patrick, Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Arlington^[57]
• Rand Paul, U.S. Senator from Kentucky, and son of former Texas Congressman Ron Paul^[58]
• Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General (2015–Present) and former member of Texas House and Senate^[59]
• Angela Paxton, Texas state senator (2019–Present) and wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton^[59]
• Chip Pickering (MA, 1989), U.S. Representative from Mississippi's 3rd congressional district (1995–2007)^[60]
• David Pierce, New Hampshire State Representative, 2006–2012, and New Hampshire Senator, 2012–present^[61]
• Larry Phillips (BBA), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives since 2003 from Sherman, Texas^[62]
• William R. Poage, U.S. Representative from Texas's 11th congressional district (1937–1979)^[63]
• Ann Richards, Governor of Texas from 1991 to 1995^[64]
• Sul Ross, Governor of Texas from 1887 to 1891^[65]
• J. T. Rutherford, U.S. Representative from Texas's 16th congressional district (1955–1963)^[66]
• Paul Sadler (BA), former state representative and Democratic U.S. Senate nominee in 2012^[67]
• Ayman Safadi, Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs of Jordan.
• Max Sandlin, U.S. Representative from Texas's 1st congressional district (1997–2005)^[68]
• Scott Sanford (BBA), Member of the Texas House of Representatives from McKinney; Certified Public Accountant and Baptist pastor^[69]
• Mark M. Shelton (BS, 1979), Fort Worth pediatrician, specialist in infectious diseases, and Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 97 (2009–2013); lost 2012 state Senate election in District 10 to Wendy Davis^[70]
• Max Sherman (BA, 1957), Texas State Senator (1971–1977) and president of West Texas A&M University (1977–1982)^[71]
• William S. Sessions, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation^[72]
• David M. Sibley, Texas State Senator (1991–2002) and former mayor of Waco^[73]
• Larry Taylor (BBA, 1982), Republican member of the Texas Senate from District 11 (2013–2023) and Texas House of Representatives from District 24 (2003–2013)
• Alan Steelman, U.S. Representative from Texas's 5th congressional district (1973–1977)^[74]
• Abelardo L. Valdez, former United States Ambassador and Chief of Protocol of the United States^[75]
• Jason Villalba, former state representative from District 114 in Dallas County (2013–2019); former candidate for Dallas mayor; member of the Haynes and Boone law firm in Dallas^[76]
• Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin (2023–Present) and former Texas State Senator^[77]
• W. Marvin Watson, Advisor to President Lyndon Johnson and former Postmaster General^[78]
• Joseph Franklin Wilson, U.S. Representative from Texas's 5th congressional district (1947–1955)^[79]
• Gita Wirjawan, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia^[80]
• Mark White, Governor of Texas from 1983 to 1987^[81]
• David Craighead, former Oklahoman representative^[82]

Religion

• George Washington Baines, Baptist clergyman in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas; maternal great-grandfather of Lyndon B. Johnson
• B. H. Carroll, First president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
• Russell H. Dilday, Baptist pastor (Tallowood Baptist Church and others), author, educator, former President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, one of Texas Monthly's "Texas Twenty"
• James T. Draper, Jr., Pastor of First Baptist Euless (1975–1991) and president of Southern Baptist LifeWay Resources (1991–2006)
• Robert Jeffress, Pastor of First Baptist Church (Dallas, Texas)
• Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan, Womanist theologian and ordained elder in the CME Church
• Kyle Lake, Pastor and leader in the Emerging Church movement
• J. Frank Norris, Popular fundamentalist Baptist preacher and critic of Baylor's embracing of evolution in the 1920s
• Paul Powell, Dean of George W. Truett Theological Seminary, pastor, BGCT leader, author
• John R. Rice, Baptist evangelist and pastor and the founding editor of The Sword of the Lord, an influential fundamentalist newspaper
• Lester Roloff, fundamentalist Baptist preacher, storyteller, and author
• Kerry Shook, Pastor of The Woodlands Church (The Woodlands Texas)
• George W. Truett, Pastor First Baptist Church Dallas 1897 to 1944, president Baptist World Alliance and Southern Baptist Convention

Zack Demetri Chapter Director at KLIFE St. Louis ELITE Husband to Taylor Demetri Women Director KLIFE St. Louis at and ELITE Father to Holly Demetri^[83]

Science and medicine

• Hallie Earle, first licensed female physician in Waco, 1902 M.S. from Baylor; only female graduate of 1907 Baylor University Medical School in Dallas
• H. Bentley Glass, geneticist and columnist
• James R. Heath, chemist and the Elizabeth W. Gilloon Professor of Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology
• David Hillis, American evolutionary biologist and 1999 MacArthur Fellow
• Robert W. McCollum, virologist who made important discoveries regarding polio and hepatitis^[84]
• Rod Rohrich, internationally renown plastic surgeon and Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
• Ada-Rhodes Short, Roboticist, professor, and trans and LGBTQ rights activist
• Norman Shumway, pioneering heart surgeon at Stanford University
• John Stapp, Physician and physicist who, among other things, studied the effects of acceleration and deceleration forces on humans
• Gordon K. Teal, worked in early efforts to improve transistors

Athletics

Badminton

• Tan Joe Hok, legendary Indonesian badminton player

Baseball

• Ken Patterson, Pitcher, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels (MLB); currently a pitching coach specialist for the Angels^[85]
• Pat Combs, Pitcher, first round draft pick for the Philadelphia Phillies, played for the Phillies from 1989 to 1992^[86]
• Jason Jennings, Pitcher, Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB)^[87]
• Ted Lyons, Pitcher, Chicago White Sox, 1923–1946, member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame^[88]
• Max Muncy, Outfielder, 2012 5th round draft pick by the Oakland Athletics; now with the Los Angeles Dodgers^[89]
• David Murphy, Outfielder, 2003 1st round draft pick by the Boston Red Sox; now with the Texas Rangers^[90]
• Scott Ruffcorn, Pitcher, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)^[91]
• Kelly Shoppach, Catcher, New York Mets (MLB)^[92]
• Bob Simpson, owner of the Texas Rangers and co-founder of XTO Energy^[93]
• Shawn Tolleson, Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)^[94]
• Lee Tunnell, Pitcher, 1982–1989, for the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, and Minnesota Twins^[95]
• Kip Wells, Pitcher, In MLB since 1999 and most recently for the San Diego Padres in 2012^[96]

Men's basketball

• Quincy Acy, power forward for the New York Knicks^[97]
• Carroll Dawson, former assistant coach and general manager for the Houston Rockets 1980–2007
• LaceDarius Dunn (born 1987), basketball player in the Israeli National League
• Melvin Hunt, assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks and former interim head coach of the Denver Nuggets^[98]
• Pierre Jackson, basketball player
• Curtis Jerrells (born 1987), basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Premier League^[99]
• Vinnie Johnson, former player for the Detroit Pistons (1979–1992); nicknamed "The Microwave" for being able to come off the bench heated up and ready to play. Johnson had his #15 Jersey retired^[100] by the Pistons^[101]
• Perry Jones III, forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder^[102]
• Manu Lecomte (born 1995), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Dennis Lindsey, General Manager for the Utah Jazz,^[103] former Baylor guard (1988–1992)
• Darryl Middleton, professional player for many European teams (won the 2002 Euroleague Cup)^[104]
• Quincy Miller, small forward for the Denver Nuggets^[105]
• Johnathan Motley (born 1995), first player in franchise history to sign a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks. Player for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League^[106]
• Royce O'Neale, forward for the Utah Jazz^[107]
• Taurean Prince, was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, He is a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks^[108]
• Jackie Robinson, won a gold medal as a guard for the 1948 U.S. Olympic basketball team in London^[109]
• Brian Skinner (born 1976), forward for the Los Angeles Clippers^[110]
• Terry Teagle, shooting guard for Rockets, Lakers, & Warriors from 1982–1993, the 16th overall pick (Rockets) in the 1982 NBA draft^[111]
• Ekpe Udoh (born 1987), forward for the Beijing Royal Fighters^[112]
• Ish Wainright (born 1994), American-Ugandan basketball player in the NBA, and now for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Micheal Williams, former point guard for the Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Toronto Raptors.^[113]
• David Wesley, a 16-year NBA veteran and former guard with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, and New Jersey Nets. He is the current television color analyst^[114] for the New Orleans Pelicans^[115]

Women's basketball

• Kalani Brown (born 1997), player in the Israeli Female Basketball Premier League
• Jody Conradt, Legendary women's basketball coach at the University of Texas^[116]
• Lauren Cox, Forward for the Indiana Fever^[117]
• Brittney Griner, WNBA first-round draft pick (Phoenix 2013)^[118]
• Sonja Hogg, Head women's basketball coach at Louisiana Tech and Baylor^[119]
• Sheila Lambert, Drafted by the Charlotte Sting in the First Round (No. 7 overall) of the 2002 WNBA Draft^[120]
• Bernice Mosby, WNBA first-round draft pick (Washington 2007)^[121]
• Kim Mulkey, Lady Bear basketball coach. She is the first person in NCAA history to win a basketball national championship as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. Has won 2 NCAA Championships (2005, 2012) as head coach at Baylor and has won the Big 12 regular season championship 9 times (2005, 2011–2018)
• Sophia Young, All-Star forward and 2006 first-round draft pick for the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA^[122]

Football

• Walter Abercrombie, NFL running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles
• Riley Biggs, American football center^[123]
• Matt Bryant, NFL placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons^[124]
• Cody Carlson, NFL quarterback taken in the 3rd round of the 1987 NFL draft for the Houston Oilers (1988–1994)^[125]
• Nakia Codie, NFL defensive back
• Ray Crockett, NFL cornerback drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1989, won two (2) Super Bowl rings with the Denver Broncos, BU Hall of Fame Class of 2008
• Cotton Davidson, Played and coached at Baylor, quarterback in the NFL and AFL^[126]
• Paul Dickson, NFL defensive and offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys^[127]
• Santana Dotson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman, 1992 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, also played for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins (1992–2002)^[128]
• L.G. Dupre, running back for the Baltimore Colts and the Dallas Cowboys^[129]
• Thomas Everett, NFL defensive back with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987–1995)^[130]
• James Francis, NFL linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins (1990–1999)^[131]
• Ron Francis, Cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots^[132]
• Malcolm Frank, Canadian Football League defensive back^{[citation needed]}
• Hayden Fry, NCAA Division I-A coach (1962–1998), inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.^[133]
• Terrance Ganaway, Running back for the St. Louis Rams^[134]
• Kelvin Garmon, Offensive guard for the Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers and the Cleveland Browns^[135]
• Lester Gatewood, NFL center for the Green Bay Packers^[136]
• Dennis Gentry, NFL running back (1982–1992), selected in the 4th round of the 1982 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears^[137]
• David Gettis, 2010 NFL draft 198th overall pick by the Carolina Panthers^[138]
• Bill Glass, Round 1 draft pick and defensive tackle with the Detroit Lions (1958–1961) and the Cleveland Browns (1962–1968)^[139]
• Josh Gordon, Wide receiver, Drafted in the second round of the 2012 supplemental draft by the Cleveland Browns^[140]
• Robert Griffin III, Heisman Trophy winning (2011) Baylor quarterback; 2012 NFL draft 2nd overall draft pick by the Washington Redskins^[141]
• Greg Hawthorne, NFL running back with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots^[142]
• Heath Herring (attended), football player and wrestler; retired mixed martial artist fighter, formerly for the Ultimate Fighting Championship^[143]
• Darrell Hogan, NFL player for the Pittsburgh Steelers^[144]
• Jeff Ireland, Kicker at Baylor and general manager of the Miami Dolphins^[145]
• Joe Jackson, American football player
• Clay Johnston, Linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams^[146]
• George Koch, NFL and AAFC player
• Khari Long, Defensive end for the Chicago Bears^[147]
• James Lynch, Defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings^[148]
• Gerald McNeil, "The Ice Cube", NFL and USFL wide receiver that played in the 1980s^[149]
• Fred Miller, Offensive tackle for the St. Louis Rams (1996–1999), Tennessee Titans (2000–2004), and the Chicago Bears (2005–2008)^[150]
• Denzel Mims, Wide receiver for the New York Jets^[151]
• Mike Nelms, All-pro NFL and CFL defensive back^[152]
• J. W. Pender, University of North Texas head coach (1913–1914)^[153]
• Luke Prestridge, Former all-pro NFL punter with the Denver Broncos^[154]
• Robert Quiroga, Arena Football League player^[155]
• John B. Reid, University of North Texas head coach^{[citation needed]}
• Bravvion Roy, Defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers^[156]
• Lloyd Russell, University of North Texas head coach (1942); Baylor Bears baseball head coach (1940–1941, 1958–1961)^[157]
• Daniel Sepulveda, Punter for Pittsburgh Steelers; two time Ray Guy Award winner^[158]
• Del Shofner, Wide receiver for L.A. Rams (1957–1960), New York Giants (1961–1967); five-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler^[159]
• Mike Singletary, Linebacker for the Chicago Bears (1981–1992); head coach of the San Francisco 49ers (2008–2010); assistant head coach for the Minnesota Vikings, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998^[160]
• Jack Sisco, University of North Texas head coach^[161]
• Jason Smith, Offensive tackle, 2nd overall draft pick by the St. Louis Rams in 2009 NFL draft^[162]
• Justin Snow, Long snapper signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2000 as an undrafted free agent. A member of the long snapper, holder, kicker trio to not miss a field goal (2003 season)
• Jack Steadman, Former chairman, vice president, president and general manager for the Kansas City Chiefs^{[citation needed]}
• Phil Taylor, Defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns, 21st overall draft pick in 2011 NFL draft^[163]
• Don Trull, All American quarterback at Baylor; played six seasons with the AFL Houston Oilers (1964–1969)
• J. D. Walton, Offensive center for the Denver Broncos^[164]
• Danny Watkins, Offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, 23rd overall draft pick in 2011 NFL draft^[165]
• John Westbrook, first African American to play football in the Southwest Conference^[166]
• Robert Williams, Cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys, Phoenix Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs^[167]
• Terrance Williams, Wide receiver, 2013 NFL draft 74th overall draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys^[168]
• Kendall Wright, Wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans, 20th overall draft pick in 2012 NFL draft^[169]
• Bob Woodruff, Former head coach at the University of Florida and former athletic director of the University of Tennessee

Golf

• Jason Hill, golfer
• Jimmy Walker, PGA Tour^[170] PGA Championship winner

Gymnastics

Tennis

• Benjamin Becker, German professional player (defeated Andre Agassi in Agassi's final match in the 2006 U.S. Open)^[171]
• Benedikt Dorsch, German professional player
• John Peers, Australian professional player

Track and field

• Trayvon Bromell, The first junior to surpass the 10-second barrier for the 100 meters. He secured a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team
• Michael Johnson, Winner of five Olympic gold medals and nine-time world champion^[172]
• KC Lightfoot, Placed fourth in the pole vault at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
• Jeremy Wariner, Winner of gold medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece for the individual 400 meter and the 4 × 400 meter^[173]
• Darold Williamson, Winner of a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece in the 4 × 400 meter^[174]
• Reggie Witherspoon, Winner of a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing for the 4 × 400 meter along with teammate Jeremy Wariner^[175]

Volleyball

• Laura Daniela Lloreda, Mexican/Puerto Rican player^[176]

Faculty

Administration

• Reddin Andrews, President of Baylor University from 1885 to 1886
• George Washington Baines, Maternal great-grandfather of U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson, served briefly as natural science professor and president of Baylor University at its first location in Independence, Texas
• Samuel Palmer Brooks, President of Baylor University from 1902 to 1931
• Rufus Columbus Burleson, President of Baylor University from 1851 to 1861, and again from 1886 to 1897
• Oscar Henry Cooper, President of Baylor University from 1899 to 1902, and of Simmons College, now known as Hardin–Simmons University from 1902 to 1909
• David E. Garland, Interim president of Baylor University 2008 to 2010 and 2016, and Dean of George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University 2007 to 2016
• Henry Lee Graves, President of Baylor University from 1846 to 1851
• John M. Lilley, President of the University of Nevada, Reno from 2001 to 2005 and Baylor University from 2006 to 2008
• Abner Vernon McCall, President of Baylor University from 1961 to 1981
• Herbert H. Reynolds, President of Baylor University from 1981 to 1995
• Ken Starr, Special Counsel during the Whitewater controversy and later president of Baylor
• Robert B. Sloan, President of Baylor University from 1995 to 2005, and of Houston Baptist University from 2006 to the present
• William D. Underwood, Interim president of Baylor University 2005 to 2006, and of Mercer University 2006 to present
• William R. White, President of Hardin–Simmons University from 1940 to 1943, and of Baylor University from 1948 to 1961

Coaches

• Scott Drew, Men's basketball coach
• Clyde Hart, Former head track coach and director of track and field
• Sonja Hogg, Former head woman's basketball coach at Louisiana Tech University and at Baylor University
• Glenn Moore, Softball coach, played both football and baseball in college and softball with "The King and His Court"
• Kim Mulkey, Lady Bear basketball coach, college player at the Louisiana Tech University and on the US Olympic Team
• Grant Teaff, Former football head coach (1972–1992), member of the College Football Hall of Fame and executive director of the American Football Coaches Association
• Randy Waldrum, Founded the Baylor University women's soccer program, and went 46–14–3 from 1996 to 1998. Current head coach of the University of Notre Dame's women's soccer team
• George Woodruff, Former Baylor football coach

Biology

• Maria Elena Bottazzi, Distinguished Professor of Biology
• Lula Pace (1868–1925), First female professor at Baylor with a PhD

Economics

• Earl Grinols, Distinguished Professor of Economics, notable works include contributions to the study of the economic effect of gambling and casinos^[177]
• David VanHoose, Herman W. Lay Professor of Private Enterprise. He has written text books and papers used in the field of economics. Areas of focus are international economics, monetary economics, macroeconomics, and banking

Engineering

• W. Mack Grady, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Robert J. Marks II, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, notable work in application of artificial neural networks, brachytherapy, wireless communication, detection theory, and Fourier analysis; a proponent of intelligent design and is featured in the documentary-style film Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

English

• Greg Garrett, Professor of English, winner of the Pirate's Alley William Faulkner Prize for Fiction, and author of several books^[178]

History

• Beth Allison Barr, James Vardaman Endowed Professor of History^[179]
• Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History and Co-Director of the Program on Historical Studies of Religion^[180]

Mathematics

• David Arnold, Ralph and Jean Storm Professor of Mathematics
• Vivienne Malone-Mayes, First African-American Mathematics professor at Baylor
• Dorina Mitrea, Professor and Department Chair of Mathematics

Philosophy

• Francis J. Beckwith, Associate Professor and Christian philosopher
• Jean Bethke Elshtain, Visiting Distinguished Professor of Religion and Public Life^[181]
• C. Stephen Evans, University Professor of Philosophy and Humanities
• Thomas S. Hibbs, Dean of the Honors College and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy
• Jonathan Kvanvig, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Christian philosopher, specialist in Epistemology and Philosophy of Religion
• Robert Campbell Roberts, Distinguished Professor of Ethics
• Alexander Pruss, philosopher, mathematician and the co-director of graduate studies in philosophy.

Physics

• Anzhong Wang, Theoretical physicist, specialized in gravitation, cosmology and astroparticle physics; currently working on cosmology in string/M theory and the Hořava-Lifshitz gravity
• Bennie Ward, Theoretical particle physicist, Fellow of the American Physical Society and is currently Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Open Nuclear and Particle Physics Journal

Religion

• Carlos Cardoza-Orlandi, Frederick E. Roach Chair in World Christianity
• Edward R. Dalglish, Biblical scholar and professor of Old Testament
• Philip Jenkins, Director of Program for Historical Studies of Religion
• Ralph C. Wood, University professor and author of The Gospel According to Tolkien^[182][183]

School of Music

• Storm Bull, Musician, composer and educator, Professor Emeritus at the College of Music, University of Colorado at Boulder

Social sciences

• Marc H. Ellis, Controversial author of numerous articles and books on Israel and Jewish affairs^[184]
• Jay Hein, Director of the Program on Faith & Generosity and former Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives^[185]
• Jerry Pattengale, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion and Director of the Green Scholars Initiative^[186]
• Rodney Stark, Advocate of the application of rational choice theory in the sociology of religion^[187]

Truett Seminary

• Jimmy Dorrell, Professor of Missions, author of Trolls and Truth
• Roger E. Olson, Professor of Theology, author of The Story of Christian Theology Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform

Presidents

The following is a list of presidents of Baylor University since 1846:^[188]

No.	Image	Name	Term	Refs.
1		Henry Lee Graves	1846-1851	[189]
2a		Rufus Columbus Burleson[a]	1851-1861	[190]
3		George Washington Baines	1861-1863	[191]
4		William Carey Crane	1864-1885	[192]
5		Reddin Andrews	1885-February 27, 1886	[193]
2b		Rufus Columbus Burleson[a]	1886-1897	[194]
–		John C. Lattimore[b]	1897–1899
6		Oscar Henry Cooper	1899-March 31, 1902	[195]
7		Samuel Palmer Brooks	1902-May 14, 1931	[196]
acting		William Sims Allen	May 15, 1931 – 1932
8		Pat Morris Neff	1932-1947	[197]
9		William R. White	1948-1961	[198]
10		Abner Vernon McCall	1961-1981	[199]
11		Herbert H. Reynolds	June 1, 1981 – May 31, 1995	[200]
12		Robert B. Sloan	June 1, 1995 – May 31, 2005	[201][202]
interim		William D. Underwood	June 1, 2005 – December 31, 2005	[203]
13		John M. Lilley	January 1, 2006 – July 24, 2008	[204][205]
acting		Harold R. Cunningham	July 25, 2008 – August 19, 2008	[206]
interim		David E. Garland	August 20, 2008 – May 31, 2010	[207]
14		Ken Starr	June 1, 2010 – May 31, 2016	[208][209][210]
interim		David E. Garland	June 1, 2016 – May 31, 2017	[209]
15		Linda Livingstone	June 1, 2017 – Present	[211][212]

Table notes:

1. Burleson served twice as president, twenty years apart.
2. as Chairman of the Faculty