Baylor Points of Pride 

Dr. John M. Lilley was unanimously elected the 13th president of Baylor University by the Board of Regents on Nov. 4, 2005, and assumed his alma mater's presidency on Jan. 1, 2006.

A native of Louisiana and the son of a Baptist minister, Dr. Lilley earned three music degrees from Baylor: a bachelor of music education degree in 1961, a bachelor of music degree in 1962 and a master of music degree in 1964. He went on to earn his doctorate in music from the University of Southern California in 1971. His scholarship focused on musical works from the Baroque and modern eras.

Prior to returning to his alma mater, Dr. Lilley served for more than four years as the 14th president of the University of Nevada, Reno. He led the major research and land-grant institution through a comprehensive strategic planning process that incorporated the best ideas of faculty, staff, students and friends. He presided over an expansion of the institution's external funding, created new research centers and institutes to further its scientific outreach, and strengthened the leadership team to create a more responsive, more nimble team that focused on the academic mission of the university.

Before assuming the presidency at Nevada, Reno, Dr. Lilley was the head of Penn State Erie. Over a 21-year period, he led the four-year and graduate campus of The Pennsylvania State University through a period of dramatic growth.

During his tenure, enrollment doubled, admissions standards rose, and the college's physical campus grew from 400 to 750 acres. Under his leadership, the institution created four-year and/or graduate programs in science, engineering, and business, all of which earned accreditation from top accrediting agencies. He presided over creation of an honors program, secured a $20 million private endowment for the School of Business, and helped to found the Allegheny Mountain College Conference for athletics. Penn State Erie's athletics program grew from nine intercollegiate sports to 21 teams that were in full compliance with Title IX. He also led in the creation of 13 research centers for economic development and a 200-acre research park on campus.

In July 2002, Penn State's trustees voted to name the Erie campus' new library in Dr. Lilley's honor. At the same time, he received Penn State Erie's top honor, the Behrend Medallion, for outstanding service to Penn State and the Erie community.

Dr. Lilley began his academic career as a faculty member at The Claremont Colleges in California. In 1976, he was named assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University, where he chaired the college's curricular affairs committee, led a reform of the college's general education requirements, and supervised the student advising program.

A great believer in community service and engagement, Dr. Lilley has served on the boards of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, the Reno Philharmonic, and the Education Collaborative.

While at Penn State, he served as president of the Rotary Club and chair of the United Way board. His other board memberships included the Erie Philharmonic; WQLN, Northwest Pennsylvania's public radio and TV stations; the Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System; the Northwestern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Council; and the Erie Plastics Corp. He also was a corporator of Hamot Health Systems Inc. and the Saint Vincent Health Center. Professionally, he has served on the board of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

While a student at Baylor and USC, Dr. Lilley, a licensed Baptist minister, served as minister of music at four Baptist churches. He and his wife, Geraldine (Gerrie), have four grown children and three grandchildren. Dr. and Mrs. Lilley are members of First Baptist Church, Waco.