Staff Writer
A beloved professor of Baylor is in the thoughts of many, especially those on whom he left a lasting impression.
At age 64, Dr. Fred Hulme Jr., a senior lecturer in the Hankamer School of Business, died Sunday at his residence with his family at his side, according to an email sent to faculty, staff and students Tuesday.
This past summer, Hulme was diagnosed with cancer, which was the cause of his death.
“We are deeply saddened at the loss of one of our beloved professors, Fred Hulme, who faithfully served the university and countless students for so many years,” Lori Fogleman, assistant vice president for media communications, wrote in an email to the Lariat. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Fred’s wife Carolyn and daughter Emily, as well as with his students and colleagues in the business school, as they grieve the loss of a husband, father, mentor and servant to all.”
Tim Kayworth, the information systems department chair, said Hulme was more than just a professor to students.
“I’ve known him for years,” Kayworth said. “He’s always been very passionate about his work and cared about his students.”
Kayworth said in the days immediately after Hulme’s death, his own desk was littered with letters from students attesting to the heart Hulme had for his students and work.
Daniel Voigt, who graduated from Baylor in 2007 with a degree in finance and economics, said he took a class taught by Hulme during the study abroad program Baylor in Great Britain.
“I loved having Dr. Hulme,” Voigt said. “He cared more about his students than the average professor. You could see on his face that he loved what he did.”
Voigt said he initially heard about Hulme’s passing via Twitter from another student who participated in the study abroad program.
“I felt total sadness when I heard about it,” Voigt said. “I think the Baylor community really lost a great person.”
Hulme had a knack for making difficult or generally uninteresting areas of study enjoyable for his students, Kayworth said.
“He taught statistics, but he had a passion for it, so many students found his class to be their favorite,” Kayworth said.
Hulme was an accomplished professor who received many accolades for outstanding teaching, such as the Hankamer School of Business Teaching Excellence Award in 1997, the Guidestone Outstanding Professor in 2009 and Baylor Athletics’ Outstanding Professors Award for six consecutive years.
Aside from being a dedicated professor, Hulme also volunteered with organizations such as Mission Waco, Kids Hope and Caritas, and also served in several areas at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church.
“We will certainly miss the level of impact he had on so many students,” Kayworth said. “He mentored many students outside the classroom. The magnitude — the depth to which he impacted students — I think we’re really going to miss that.”
Voigt expressed his condolences for Hulme’s family.
“My prayers go out to his wife and family,” he said. “I know he will be missed by many.”
Visitation will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Oakcrest Funeral Home, located at 4520 Bosque Blvd.
Hulme’s services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, located at 1300 Columbus Ave. in Waco. The burial at Oakwood Cemetery will immediately follow the services.
