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As part of Baylor’s re-accreditation work through the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), Dean of Faculty William Montgomery ’92 led a committee of more than 30 faculty and staff to develop a “Portrait of a Graduate.” This portrait captures the characteristics and skills that should be possessed by a Baylor School student upon graduation.

The self-study group identified magnanimitas (Latin for greatness of spirit) as the quality that Baylor cultivates and fosters – the quality its graduates carry with them into the world beyond the school’s gates.

The committee then undertook the challenge of identifying five individual “habits of being” that together create magnanimitas. The result is the committee’s framework for the “Portrait of a Graduate,” as illustrated in the preceding graphic.

Below, you'll meet five members of the Class of 2023 who exemplify the five fundamental habits of being as defined by Baylor’s “Portrait of a Graduate."

Noah Gravel is a boarding student from Saint-Hubert, a province of Quebec, Canada, and will attend East Tennessee State University.

Marguerite Pippenger is a day student from Lookout Mountain, Tenn. and will attend the University of Tennessee.

Nora Redding is a boarding student from Florence, Ala., and will attend the University of Georgia.

Porter Stinson is a day student from Chattanooga and will attend Auburn University.

Mohammed Wumpini is a boarding student from Ghana and will attend Hampden-Sydney College.

This year Baylor says farewell to six beloved faculty members and two valuable staff members that served a total of over two centuries.

Looking back on her 32-year career at Baylor, Priscilla Birdsall's contributions include coaching the girls’ varsity soccer team, staging renaissance fairs, and creating authentic leadership opportunities for Middle Schoolers.

When Abby Dyer Franklin lists what she will miss about Baylor when she retires after 32 years, the views from expansive windows in her office overlooking the quad ranks at the top.

After only a year as a biology teacher, soccer coach, and dorm parent, Grant Wood was approached to take the position of Baylor’s first ever dean of residential life.

Although much has been written and shared in the recent issues of Baylor magazine about changes in the community service program with the pending retirement of Joli Anderson, she made it official in June.

Varsity softball coach, Middle School teacher, and dorm parent Jenny Green struggles to name the most rewarding role of her 25-year career at Baylor.

Once an administrative assistant in the residential life office, Sharon Wang advanced to associate dean of residential life, international student advisor, dean of the ninth and tenth grade, dean of students, and Upper School head.

Dedicated, prompt, and serious about her work, Myrtle Jeffery has been a part of Baylor’s housekeeping department for 24 years.

Always a friendly face greeting everyone who passes through Guerry Dining Hall, Joe Flippen has served as director of dining operations through Sodexo for 22 years.