Dr. Herbert H. Reynolds

Herbert H. Reynolds President Emeritus of Baylor University March 20, 1930 – May 25, 2007 Herbert Hal Reynolds was born March 20, 1930 in Frankston, Texas to AvaNell and Herbert Joseph Reynolds. He died May 25, 2007 in Angel Fire, New Mexico. Dr. Reynolds will lie in state in the Paul Powell chapel of the Truett Seminary on the Baylor campus from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, with funeral services at First Baptist Church of Waco at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 30. Pallbearers for Dr. Reynolds will be: Dr. John Belew, George Cowden Jr., Howard Dudgeon III, Bob Feather, Bill Hillis, J.D. Hudson Jr., Joe Frank Hugon, Jim Netherton, and Dr. Charlie Shoultz. Over the six years from 1946 to 1952 Reynolds earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Trinity University and completed four years active duty in the United States Air Force. After service as a member of a technical advisory group to Japan he came to Baylor in 1956. Over a five year period he served as an Assistant Professor and Teaching Fellow, earning the Doctor of Philosophy degree in experimental neuroscience and clinical psychology while remaining on active duty in the Air Force. Dr. Reynolds had been assigned to the faculty of the Air Force Academy in 1961, but he was diverted to the Aeromedical Research Laboratory at Alamogordo, New Mexico, where he became Deputy Commander and Director of Research. This laboratory was involved in unique research activities associated with the United States space program, specifically the Project Mercury, Gemini and Apollo NASA endeavors. In the midst of producing some fifty publications Dr. Reynolds also served as an adjunct faculty member of both Baylor and the University of New Mexico. After serving several months as the establishing Commander and Director of Plans for the Air Force Human Resources Laboratory in San Antonio, he retired from the Air Force in November 1968, at age 38, having completed twenty years of active duty with four decorations for meritorious service. In March 1969 Reynolds joined Baylor University as Executive Vice President and, on June 1, 1981, became the eleventh president of Texas’ oldest institution of higher learning. In 1986, President Reynolds was named one of America’s one hundred most effective chief executive officers in a study funded by the Exxon Education Foundation of the 3, 400 presidents of American colleges and universities. More than $180 million in renovated and new facilities were added at Baylor during his presidency, endowment quadrupled, the total net assets of the University tripled and there was no increase in long-term indebtedness. He retired from the Baylor presidency on May 31, 1995 and became Chancellor June 1, 1995. He retired as Chancellor on May 31, 2000 and became President Emeritus June 1, 2000. Dr. Reynolds received the coveted Baylor Founders Medal in 2000, the Scottish Rite Stephen F. Austin Award in 2000, the prestigious Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas Founders Medal in 2001, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 and in 2003 he was named the Texas Baptist Elder Statesman. Reynolds was past Chair of the 850-presidential member National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities as well as the forty Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas ICUT. He was Chair of the Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency from 1995-1997, was a member of the 1991 Texas Select Committee on Higher Education, and served as an emeritus trustee of the Baylor College of Medicine. He was a director of Community Bank and Trust of Waco, a deacon and former deacon chairman of the First Baptist Church of Waco, a 33rd degree Mason, a member of numerous honor, professional and civic organizations, and was also a licensed psychologist. Reynolds was listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, Who’s Who in Science, Who’s Who in Education and was named a Distinguished Alumnus of both Baylor and Trinity University. In 1980 he was appointed the first University Professor at Baylor Neuroscience/Psychology, Organizational Behavior and Higher Education. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and held several honorary doctorates. From 1994-97 he was a Visiting Scholar/Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge University. Through the years he gave numerous invited addresses and formal presentations. Dr. Reynolds and his wife, Joy, were married fifty-six years and have three children: Kevin, Kent, and Rhonda -- all Baylor graduates. They also have two daughters-in-law, Katy and Cathy, a son-in-law, Greg Winslett, and seven grandchildren, Jonathan, Melinda, Sam, Nicole, Jake, Trey and Dylan. His grandchildren will serve as Dr. Reynolds' honorary pallbearers. Dr. Reynolds is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Charles Payne of Sun City, Texas and their daughter Lori, Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Wiese of Alpharetta, Georgia and many cousins. The family invites you to leave a memory or message in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com