Ken Starr inaugurated as Baylor's 14th president - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

A historic day at Baylor University as Ken Starr was sworn in as the school's 14th president in its 165-year history. 

Starr is a Texas native who is best known for prosecuting the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky affair. He is also an attorney, judge and formed law professor who comes to Baylor from Pepperdine University.

Since his first day on the job on June 1, Starr has had a full plate at Baylor.  In just his second day on the job,  Starr was fighting to keep Baylor in the Big 12.

In his inaugural address Friday, Starr says his next fight is to keep higher education affordable and Baylor a competitive university.

With hundreds of colleagues, students and Baylor supporters attending the ceremony at Baylor's Ferrell Center, Starr was given the distinctive green robe and presidential medallion.

Then, it was his turn to take over the podium and address what he says are critical issues for students.  "As a moral imperative, we must address the fundamental question of the rapidly escalating cost of higher education," said Starr.

This week, Starr announced a new plan to fill in the financial gap for cash-strapped students. It is a $100 million scholarship initiative created by Starr with the support of Baylor alumni.  "This will remain one of our highest priorities throughout the coming decade," said Starr.

Starr also praised Baylor's history as a research university and said he wants to see students and faculty take it to the next level.  "We're to facilitate the discovery of new knowledge to the glory of God and to the betterment of humanity," he said.

Looking to Baylor's future, Starr said now is the time to create the change that is needed in a hurting world.  "Let's call it the Baylor way," said Starr, "that way is characterized by our mission: one of creating and fostering a caring community."

President Starr also said his inauguration Friday was more meaningful because it fell on the same date as Constitution Day, the date that the U.S. constitution was signed back in 1787.

*The keynote speaker for the inaugural event was Yale law professor Stephen Carter, who is also a personal friend of President Starr's.  

Reported by: Britney Glaser/Photographer: Renee Cervantes