Renaissance Scholars program offers top high schoolers a taste of Baylor life

From Plato to Augustine, Leonardo da Vinci to Shakespeare, and Pascal to Einstein, history’s greatest thinkers have shared a common achievement: They have bridged the gap between the sciences and humanities, technology and art, and philosophy and theology.

With that example in mind, Baylor’s Honors College and the School of Engineering & Computer Science partner each summer to offer high school students an integrated introduction to topics in engineering/technology with complementary readings in history, art, literature, philosophy and theology. It’s a unique opportunity for them to become true Renaissance scholars.

Aptly named, the Renaissance Scholar Program gives high-achieving students who are preparing to enter their senior year of high school a chance to engage academically with Baylor faculty, students and staff. In addition to studying some of the foundational works of literature and philosophy, students also experience campus life through activities such as bowling in the SUB, playing sports in the McLane Student Life Center, eating in the dining halls and visiting the Mayborn Museum. The museum provided a special opportunity for the students to view a variety of exhibits, including a replica of the Waco Mammoth Site, a Comanche tipi, 17 discovery rooms, and the newest traveling exhibit, LEGO Castle Adventure. As an added benefit, the students are able to earn college credit through this summer program.

The Scholars attending this year’s program came from nine different states and from countries as far away as Germany. A total of 66 students attended the program this summer and experienced life as part of the Baylor family. History tells us that experience is a good one; over the past three years, nearly two-thirds of the Renaissance Scholars have followed up their summer by enrolling at Baylor a year later!

Sic ’em, Renaissance Scholars!