• What words of wisdom would you share with Baylor’s newest freshmen?

    Four years at Baylor goes by quickly...

    Next week, approximately 3,000 freshmen will move into their new homes across the Baylor campus, ready to begin the college experience. From running the Line to graduation, the next few years will go by quickly. What should they expect? What words of wisdom would you share with them?

    Stephanie Allen, a May 2013 graduate, was asked to speak to the Class of 2017 at Line Camp this past summer. Thankfully for all of us, the Honors College has posted her remarks online. The whole thing is worth a read, whether you’re setting foot on campus for the first time this fall or you’ve been out of college for decades. A couple of excerpts to whet your interest:

    “If I could say anything to my 18-year-old self, the one in your shoes, I would say this: ‘It’s going to be okay. In fact, it will be greater than you can ever imagine. … During my four years at Baylor, I found myself. I found myself in conversations, in books, in conversations about books, in laughter, in the joys and in the difficulties. I found incredible friendship, both among people my age and among faculty. … I had a professor tell me once, ‘Stephanie, the only reason that I would ever disown you would be if you became a selfish human being. Save for that, I will always be proud of you.’ That’s the kind of people you are learning from.

    “While I hope that your time at Baylor brings you great career aspirations, more than that, I hope this place teaches you to become a good human being. I hope you engage your scholarship in practical problems of this world. I hope you work to alleviate suffering and that the peace, joy and love of God shines through each of you.” 

    What an excellent summation of all that Baylor is about for her students!

    Sic ’em, Stephanie and the Class of 2017!

    [Based on the things she saw and learned as a Baylor student, Allen aims to spend her career helping improve healthcare for women and children in developing nations. Toward that end, she will spend the next year getting her master’s at the renowned London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, after which she will attend Baylor College of Medicine with hopes of becoming an OB/GYN or pediatrician.]