Herbert Reynolds, former president of Baylor University

WACO, Texas -- Former Baylor University President Herbert H. Reynolds, who led the world's largest Baptist university for 14 years, has died. He was 77.

Mr. Reynolds died unexpectedly on Friday in Angel Fire, N.M., the university announced.

During his tenure, from 1981 to 1995, Mr. Reynolds was known for his work to move Baylor's governing body outside the control of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The school's trustees voted in 1990 to create a board of regents with more independence from the convention.

He earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity University in 1952 and then served four years in the Air Force. He completed a master's degree in psychology and a doctorate in experimental psychology and clinical psychology in 1961 at Baylor.

The Frankston native worked for the Aeromedical Research Laboratories at Alamogordo, N.M., before returning to Baylor in 1969 as executive vice president. He became the school's 11th president in June 1981.

After retiring from the presidency, Mr. Reynolds served as chancellor until 2000.