Heart of service at the core of Baylor’s mission

Earlier this week, Baylor was named to the 2008 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, which “recognizes colleges and universities nationwide that support innovative and effective community service.”

Teaching students the importance of service has always been at Baylor’s core, as seen in both the University’s longstanding mission statement and the more recent Vision 2012. Whether overseas or right here in Waco, Baylor students learn the need to follow Christ’s example in serving one another.

I could share countless other examples (and we often have), but here’s a new one I just heard about. About a year ago, we covered the ONE Campaign’s efforts at Baylor and nationwide towards raising awareness of extreme poverty. In December, the Baylor chapter raised funds to support Malaria No More, a non-profit group that aims to end deaths from malaria. Above and beyond that, the Baylor group also worked with faculty to incorporate Malaria No More’s message into curriculum in classes across campus. Professors in departments as diverse as engineering, social work, Spanish, journalism and biology all pitched in to help spread the word about the over one million people who die worldwide each year from the disease.

Sic ’em, ONE Campaign supporters and all Bears who serve!