Osler's Razor

As many of you know, I was mentored as a professor by former interim President Bill Underwood, who has gone on to do wonderful things at Mercer University as President. Bill is beloved there now, and has built a faith identity for that school that is consistent with a modern era and the history of that school. He's also one of the people I admire most in the world.

On the first full day he was interim, Bill gave a wonderful address to the members of the Baylor community, along with his provost (and another of my mentors, heroes, and friends), Randall O'Brien. Though the video linked below does not show it well, the end of that speech was startling and wonderful. Bill simply walked out the back doors as people applauded. As he opened the doors, the bright Texas sun streamed into dark Waco Hall like a brilliant sunrise, and the metaphor could not be missed. It was a day few who were there will forget.

As we prepare for another distinguished lawyer to greet the community today as President of Baylor, it might be a good time to recall what Bill and Randall said back in 2005. You can view the video (in several formats) here, and I hope that you will. (I give a short intro of Randall at the beginning-- the good stuff is after that).