Godfrey Sullivan, BBA '75
Alumnus of the Year
Waco native Godfrey Sullivan graduated from Baylor in 1975. An active student, Godfrey became float chair and president of the Taurus Society, a fun-loving fraternity with a penchant for mischief. As a result, Godfrey was closer to President Abner McCall than he would like to admit, having had frequent conversations with the President about activities of his fraternity. He credits this experience for helping to cultivate the negotiation skills that have served him throughout his career. Upon graduation, Godfrey moved to California, where he found himself on the ground floor of the personal computer revolution. By 1981, he was working for a small company called Apple Computer. He recounts the years that followed as "a rocket ship of a ride" in which he took part in the invention of an industry that has changed the world. Today, Godfrey is President and CEO of Splunk Inc., a software company based in San Francisco. He helped build Splunk from a very small data management company five years ago to one serving 6,000 major organizations in 90 countries today. Godfrey has enjoyed strong ties to Baylor, lecturing at the Hankamer School of Business, generously giving to endowed scholarships and supporting fundraising efforts for the new business school and football stadium. Growing up as a self-described "problem child," Godfrey counts himself, his family and friends among those most surprised by this honor. He hopes it will inspire others who have been similarly challenged to believe that they, too, can go on to do something remarkable.
For demonstrating exceptional achievement and leadership, congratulations to Baylor Alumnus of the Year, Godfrey Sullivan.