WACO, Texas (ABP) — Herb Reynolds, the president who led Baylor University into the Big 12 Conference and founded George W. Truett Theological Seminary, died May 25 in Angel Fire, N.M. He was 77.
Reynolds, the 11th president of Texas' oldest continuously operating university, served as president of Baylor from 1981 to 1995. His administration was notable in change of the school's charter to prevent conservative Baptist leaders from taking control of school polity and theology.
In a university statement, Baylor President John Lilley called Reynolds “a renowned Texas Baptist and one of Baylor's great leaders.
“I have known Herb for 50 years, first as Capt. Reynolds, one of my Air Force ROTC professors,” Lilley said. “During his 14-year presidency and the service he provided under President McCall, Herb made an extraordinary impact on Baylor University….”
Reynolds earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity University in 1952 and completed four years active duty in the U.S. Air Force. After service as a member of a technical advisory group to the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, he came to Baylor in 1956. In 1958, he completed his master's degree in psychology, followed by his doctorate in experimental psychology and clinical psychology in 1961.
In 1969, Reynolds joined Baylor as executive vice president and became president in 1981. In 1986, he was named one of America's 100 most effective chief executive officers in a study funded by the Exxon Education Foundation. Reynolds retired from the presidency in 1995 and became chancellor that same year. He retired as chancellor in 2000.
Charles Wade, the executive director of the Baylor-affiliated Baptist General Convention of Texas, also praised Reynolds' life of ministry and leadership. Wade said his “strong leadership of Baylor, influence in Texas Baptist life” and status as a “quintessential Christian gentleman” endeared him a close friend and advisor.
“Dr. Reynolds was a courageous leader not only of the Baylor family but of Texas Baptists,” Wade said. “His deep appreciation for the essence of our Baptist heritage based on his confidence in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his faithfulness to the Baptist vision of soul competency and religious liberty made him a true Baptist statesman.”
During Reynolds' tenure, the university changed its charter so the BGCT could appoint a quarter of the school's regents. Previously, the convention had appointed all of its regents. Reynolds said the change was needed to protect the school from being taken over by conservative Southern Baptists who had taken over other state conventions.
In 1995, Baylor became the only private school in the Big 12 Conference, which also includes Iowa State University, Texas A&M University, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, Texas Tech University, and the Universities of Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Reynolds was the 11th president of Texas' oldest continuously operating university. He is survived by his wife, Joy, and three children: Kevin, Kent, and Rhonda. He is also survived by two daughters-in-law, Katy and Cathy; a son-in-law, Greg Winslett; and seven grandchildren. The Reynolds' family holds a total of 13 degrees from Baylor, according to a Baylor press release.
Funeral services are pending.
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