Baylor University is constructing a memorial to honor the enslaved people who helped build its original campus in Independence, Texas. Located in Founders Mall, the memorial is part of a broader effort to acknowledge Baylor’s historical ties to slavery. The initiative follows research by the university’s Commission on Institutional History, which found that early leaders—including the first four presidents and 11 of the first 15 trustees—owned slaves. The project is set for completion this year.
Addressing Baylor’s Historical Ties to Slavery
Baylor’s institutional history includes deep connections to slavery and the Confederacy. The university’s early leaders supported the Confederate cause, and wealth generated from enslaved labor directly benefited the school. In response, Baylor has begun revising how it presents its past. The university recently relocated a statue of Confederate chaplain Rufus Burleson and added historical context to a monument of Judge R.E.B. Baylor, a slave-owning founder of the institution. The memorial will feature biblical inscriptions emphasizing freedom, reinforcing the school’s Christian identity.
Push for Transparency and Historical Accountability
The effort to acknowledge Baylor’s past gained momentum after the 2020 murder of George Floyd, leading the university to form a commission of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and board members. The commission’s 2020 report recommended campus monument changes and the creation of a memorial to enslaved people. Mark Rountree, chair of Baylor’s board, emphasized that the goal was not to erase history but to provide a fuller account of the university’s past. Research into individual enslaved people connected to Baylor remains ongoing.
DEI and the National Backlash
Baylor’s initiatives occur amid national pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Malcolm Foley, a historian, and Baylor’s equity adviser has been instrumental in shaping the university’s approach. He argues that Christian institutions are responsible for acknowledging past injustices and working toward justice today. However, critics of DEI initiatives worry about ideological enforcement and potential curriculum changes. Foley acknowledges concerns but insists that his role at Baylor is focused on historical truth and institutional accountability rather than ideological policing.
Ongoing Challenges and Institutional Commitment
Baylor has steadily increased diversity, with last year’s freshman class having the highest percentage of racial minorities in school history at 38%. Despite national debates over DEI, Baylor continues to support Foley’s work. He asserts that Christian institutions must confront their histories to build a culture of justice and understanding. “We need administrations of institutions that are deeply committed to doing the right thing,” Foley said, emphasizing the moral responsibility of Christian organizations to reckon with their past.
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How Baylor Is Facing Its Slavery History
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