Extraordinary Stories « Baylor Proud

Points of Pride — Extraordinary Stories

Jan

2011

Young alum “Ally ASL” becomes YouTube star signing popular music for the deaf and hearing impaired

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Extraordinary Stories, Honors, Videos

As a child, Allyson Townsend had a deaf friend who, because of her hearing, had trouble understanding Allyson’s love of music. To try to explain herself, Townsend filmed herself signing to Sixpence None the Richer’s hit “Kiss Me” — not simply translating, but using American Sign Language and its motions to convey the feeling of the music along with the words.

During her years as a student at Baylor, she posted dozens of such videos to YouTube (covering songs ranging from Christian music like “Here I Am To Worship” to pop singles such as Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat’s “Lucky“), eventually gaining over 15,000 followers, well over a million total views, and a level of fame among the deaf and hearing impaired community.

Then her YouTube account was briefly closed last fall as she was accused of copyright violation. After a few anxious weeks, the resulting outcry from followers and a swift defense from the Electronic Frontier Foundation led to the account’s restoration — and even wider exposure for her work. Friday, Townsend was named ABC World News’ Person of the Week. (That video is embedded below and really captures her story far better than the words in this blog post.)

After graduating with her degree in deaf education earlier this year, Townsend is now a second grade teacher working with deaf and hearing impaired children in Mesquite. “When I see a child who’s just been exposed to music and who’s never had that experience before, it makes me feel great,” she told ABC. “It makes me feel like I’ve been able to provide them with something they’ve never had before, and something they can take with them the rest of their life.”

Sic ’em, Allyson!

Jan

2011

Rosters for Super Bowl hopefuls Green Bay and Pittsburgh include Baylor alums

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Athletics, Extraordinary Stories

Josh Bell and Daniel Sepulveda Of the 11 Bears in the NFL this season, two will see their squads competing this weekend in the NFL’s conference championship games for the right to play in Super Bowl XLV (Feb. 6 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington). Season-ending injuries, however, will prevent both Baylor alums from taking the field for their teams — perhaps diminishing their excitement, but not their pride, over what their squads have accomplished thus far this year.

A foot injury suffered during training camp kept cornerback Josh Bell from contributing to the Green Bay Packers’ defense in 2010. Bell has played parts of two seasons in the NFL, appearing in nine games (four starts) for the Denver Broncos in 2008 and four games for the Packers in 2009 after signing as a free agent.

Former Baylor All-American Daniel Sepulveda, BBA ’06, on the other hand, was having the best season of his four-year NFL career this season, ranking among the league’s top 10 in several statistics, before tearing his right ACL in week 13. Before the season began, he had hoped to help lead the Steelers to the championship that would be played in his hometown; instead, Sepulveda is working to recover from third ACL tear — just the latest in a long line of setbacks that could have derailed his dreams long before now.

Sepulveda speaks of much of that in this video, explaining how over the years God has used humbling experiences to make sure Sepulveda looked to God first. It’s part of a series known as the “I Am Second” movement, in which individuals such as Texas Rangers all-star Josh Hamilton, former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and actress Janine Turner share their challenges and struggles and how God has used such trials to lead them back to Christ.

That message is a strong one to keep in mind while watching the Packers/Bears and Steelers/Jets — minus Bell and Sepulveda — and perhaps even as Green Bay and/or Pittsburgh move on to the Super Bowl.

[1/24 update: So both Bell's Packers and Sepulveda's Steelers are headed to the Super Bowl. Injuries will keep us from seeing either Bear in the big game, but still glad to see our alums' teams succeeding on their behalf.)

Sic ’em, Bears in the NFL!

Jan

2011

Alum moves from Baylor to the highest levels of Jordan’s government

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Extraordinary Stories

Jordan's King Abdullah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Baylor grad Ayman Safadi

I have to admit, my knowledge of foreign politics is probably not what it should be. I don’t recognize any of the faces in the picture above, but I do recognize the names listed in the caption. Second from left is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; on the opposite side of the flag sits King Abdullah of Jordan.

Also in the room, sitting at the far right in the photo, is Baylor graduate Ayman Safadi, who earned his master’s in international journalism from BU in 1992. After graduation, he returned to the Jordan Times, where he had worked previously, eventually becoming its editor-in-chief. Since then he has gone on to lead Jordan’s Royal Press Service and the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation, then served as spokesman for the United Nations mission in Baghdad. In 2005, he again returned to Jordan as editor-in-chief of al-Ghad, Jordan’s only independent Arabic-language newspaper; while there, he led the successful effort to obtain the release of American journalist Jill Carroll, who was kidnapped in Iraq and held for almost three months.

Just over two years ago, Safadi was appointed to the ministerial-level post of King’s Advisor. In that capacity, he is second only to the Chief of the Royal Court among King Abdullah’s advisors. In September, he accompanied Abdullah to Washington, D.C., for talks with Netanyahu (as pictured above), U.S. President Barack Obama and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

He also has remained connected to Baylor, returning to campus in 2006 in to speak to Baylor students about international journalism, particularly independent journalism in the Middle East.

Sic ’em, Ayman Safadi!

Dec

2010

Student’s artwork helping families of kids with cancer at MD Anderson

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Extraordinary Stories, Service, Student life

Carrington Marzett

Five years ago, Carrington Marzett was diagnosed with leukemia, enduring eight months of treatment at MD Anderson in Houston. With her cancer now in remission, Marzett is today a junior business major at Baylor — but her efforts continue to help other children fighting cancer, especially during this Christmas season.

While at MD Anderson, Marzett participated in the MD Anderson Cancer Center Children’s Art Project, designing artwork that is then used in holiday gift items such as greeting cards and ornaments; funds raised from the sale of such items funds programs at the Cancer Center that benefit patients and their families. This year’s offerings include a variety of items based on three of Marzett’s designs — “Boots,” “Three Friends” and “Presents.”

“It’s definitely wonderful to know that all my stuff is still helping cancer patients like me,” she told her hometown Midland Reporter-Telegram.

Sic ’em, Carrington!

Dec

2010

Alumna, former professor and faithful friend Sadie Jo Black passes at 80

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Academics, Alumni, Extraordinary Stories

In her 60-plus years as a Baylor Bear, beloved alumna and retired professor Sadie Jo Black touched countless lives. Many of those she reached gathered today at Truett Seminary’s Paul W. Powell Chapel for her memorial service, after Black passed away Dec. 5 at the age of 80.

Even more than most Bears, the Baylor family was Sadie Jo’s family, and the Baylor campus was Sadie Jo’s home. She came to Baylor more than 60 years ago from Teague, Texas, and graduated with her bachelor of science degree in home economics in 1950. She returned to Baylor to join the faculty in home economics (now family and consumer sciences) seven years later, where she would remain until her retirement in 1992, impacting the lives of countless students.

“My three years at Baylor coincided with a difficult time in my life,” recalls one of Black’s former students. “I had a number of personal issues during that time and left without graduating. One of the bright spots during that time, however, was Sadie Jo Black. I learned more than clothing construction in her classes. She encouraged me to pursue leadership positions and walked me through how to handle them. She took me to conferences and nurtured me even when I felt like a fish out of water. After I left Baylor, Ms. Black and I kept in touch, and she continued to encourage me to reach for my goals. She even sent me a gift when I finally did graduate from college. Two decades later, as a professional in the Family and Consumer Sciences field, I will always be grateful for the positive influence Ms. Black had on my life.”

In addition to the relationships she built over the years, Black also was very intentional in building a legacy through her thoughtful and creative support to her beloved alma mater, from the beautification of Baylor’s campus (endowing funds to provide for the Clifton Robinson Tower’s foyer décor and the gardens on Founders Mall) to cancer research (creating a scholarship for BU undergraduates engaged in medical research) to student scholarships (financially supporting The President’s Scholarship Initiative and serving on its steering committee). Even in her passing, she asked that, in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the Sadie Jo Black Endowed Scholarship Fund. Just as Black was quick to respond to President Ken Starr’s call for supporting scholarships, Judge Starr and his wife, Alice, were among the first to respond to Black’s final wishes, donating to the fund in her honor.

Sic ’em, Sadie Jo Black, for your lifetime of service to Baylor and her students!

Oct

2010

Soccer player’s story illustrates God’s faithfulness through trials

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Extraordinary Stories, Faith, Student life

[Came across this inspiring story last week and felt it was definitely worth sharing here. I'm just summarizing; you really should go read the whole thing, in Kaitlyn's words, over at SharingTheVictory.com.]

Kaitlyn Amos grew up wanting to play soccer for Baylor, following both the team and the university from junior high on. In February 2006, her dream was realized; she was offered (and accepted) a scholarship to play at Baylor. Then things began to fall apart; a broken collarbone the summer before she enrolled ended her hopes of making the travel squad that fall, and then a mysterious illness during spring practice sapped her energy and abilities even further. In September 2007, a cardiologist diagnosed Amos with dilated cardiomyopathy, a weakened heart that cannot pump blood efficiently and caused her fatigue and other symptoms. With the diagnosis came the doctor’s strong suggestion that her playing career was over.

While her family sought a second opinion about the possible end of Amos’ career, her shot at playing finally came; just a few days later, she was put into the game early in the first half. In a cruel twist of fate, however, a collision with an opposing player tore Amos’ ACL, definitively ending her season. But Amos (pictured at right on crutches) didn’t see it as cruel, or fate; as she writes, “the knee injury actually spared me from having to make any soccer-ending decisions.” She was instead able to focus on her heart problems.

That offseason, Baylor hired a new soccer coach, Marci Jobson, who saw Amos’ heart for the team and offered her a team manager position. Amos’ words again:

“Even in the midst of my sorrow, I was encouraged by Coach Jobson’s faithfulness to her word… Over the course of my last two soccer seasons at Baylor, the Lord gave me everything He had promised… Had I not torn my ACL, my very life would have been jeopardized. Had my parents and family not prayed without ceasing, despair would have swallowed me. Had Coach Jobson not stepped into the picture, I’d have lost all relationships with my teammates. Had I not suffered loss, I would not understand my Redeemer the way I do now.

“All through college, the Lord repeatedly implored me to carry on. I discerned His voice saying, “Kaitlyn, this is the way—My way. Walk in it.” He stripped me of pride, false identity and worldly glory so that my story could truly reveal His glory. In the end, it points to divine sovereignty, fatherly intimacy and rich goodness.

“Though I may never again fit the world’s definition of an athlete, I will finish the race—the Kingdom race. Only now, I run with more of Him and less of me. Christ’s surpassing greatness in my jar of clay. Physical weakness of which I now gladly boast for the sake of His glory.”

This is what being a Baylor Bear is all about.

Sic ’em, Kaitlyn!

[So many of Baylor's students leave here with extraordinary stories to tell, and their stories continue long after they leave campus. Baylor graduates are changing the world, and many prospective students are eager to come to Baylor for this reason. But they need your help. The President's Scholarship Initiative aims to raise $100 million to assist Baylor students in their pursuit of the distinct educational experience offered nowhere else; help support the students of tomorrow by making your gift today.]

Oct

2010

Quadruplets, quintuplets at Baylor — oh my!

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Extraordinary Stories, Just for Fun, Videos

(At Homecoming, we’re glad to welcome back all our alumni — but not many have stories like these!)

Baylor grads of a certain age watching Thursday’s “Rachael Ray Show” might have recognized the four sisters — identical quadruplets, actually — featured on the show receiving makeovers so that they, for the first time, might have individual looks. (See video here.)

Known collectively as the Hansen Quads, the foursome graduated from Baylor in 1997; Alison, Claire and Darcy each received journalism degrees, with Alison also earning a degree in Spanish, and Brooke received degrees in international business and marketing. By their graduation, the foursome had appeared on “The Tonight Show” and “Regis and Kathy Lee” as well as in commercials for Coca-Cola, Jack in the Box and many others.

The Hansens weren’t the first Baylor quadruplets, either; that honor went to the Keys sisters, who graduated from BU 60 years earlier. Considered the first same-sex quads to survive to adulthood, Roberta, Mona, Mary and Leota Keys were recruited to Baylor by President Pat Neff, and they often accompanied Neff as he traveled the state spreading the word about Baylor.

Today, another Baylor grad is in the news — not as a multiple himself, but as the father of quintuplets. Austin resident Ethan Jones earned his EMBA from Baylor in May, 14 months after his wife Casey gave birth to Brooklyn, Britton, Jack, Lila and Ryan. A new show on TLC, “Quints by Surprise,” shares the Jones’ life as a family of eight with viewers; one of the first episodes covered the family’s trip to Waco for Ethan’s Baylor graduation.

(Click the image at right for a larger version of the Hansens, Keys and Jones.)

Sic ’em, Baylor quads and quints!

Oct

2010

New film tells story of how alum overcame parents’ murder to move on with life

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Extraordinary Stories

Speaking of Bears in movies… We’ve got another one, but this time, the movie doesn’t star a Baylor graduate; it’s based on his life.

Heaven’s Rain, released last month, tells the true story of Brooks Douglass, BBA ’85, the son of a Baptist pastor, who at the age of 16 witnessed his parents’ shooting at their home in Oklahoma. Douglass and his sister, Leslie, then 12, were also shot in the incident but survived to testify against their parents’ killers. (People magazine recaps the entire story in this article from 1996; be warned, the details aren’t pleasant.)

Afterward, Brooks fell into a spiral of depression and alcohol abuse, eventually dropping out of Oklahoma Baptist University. With an uncle’s support, he eventually returned to college at the University of Tennessee, then transferred to Baylor. He again fell victim to alcohol, however, and was suspended at one point before talking his way back into school and graduating in 1985. He went on to earn a law degree and become the youngest state senator in Oklahoma history.

After retiring from the state senate in 2002, he earned his Master of Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government but then turned his attention to another interest, taking a screenwriting class in Hollywood and beginning work on what would become “Heaven’s Rain.” Once completed, Douglass decided to produce the film himself; the movie stars Mike Vogel (star of CBS’ Miami Medical) as Douglass. (Read The Oklahoman‘s review here.)

It’s a powerful story of overcoming tragedy and finding forgiveness that hits home all the more knowing that it really happened — and to a member of the Baylor family.

Sic ’em, Brooks!

[We learned of this story from a Bear who shared her Baylor pride. Do you know of an inspiring story, news item, or just a fun link that makes you proud of Baylor and the Baylor family? Let us know! Click here to submit your point of pride!]

Sep

2010

Alumni couple’s service earns Underwoods 2010 Parents of the Year honor

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Extraordinary Stories, Honors, Student life

2010 Baylor Parents of the Year

Parents love to dote on their children and proudly share about their accomplishments and steadfast character, but it is less often that the children get the chance to honor their parents. Annually, the tables are turned as the Baylor Parents League announces the Baylor University Parents of the Year — an honor given only to those who exemplify selfless service and unceasing love for their children and for Baylor.

When Baylor senior Emily Underwood heard that her parents, Max (BBA ’78, MBA ’04) and Debbie (BSEd ’81, MS ’82) Underwood, were being named the 2010 Baylor Parents of the Year, she enthusiastically described them as teachers, counselors, nurses, coaches and encouragers who instilled wisdom into her and her brother, Brad (BA ’08), through songs, Bible verses and inspirational quotes. Yes, Max and Debbie Underwood fit the bill.

Debbie, with a family history of Baylor Bears, and Max, a first-generation Baylor student, only began their Baylor experience by earning degrees here. As alumni — and now parents of their own Bears — they have poured their lives into other Baylor parents in their community of Colleyville, Texas. Not only do the Underwoods lead 1st Call to Prayer monthly meetings and other events in their local Baylor Parents League chapter, but Debbie and Max also willingly serve through the Baylor Network.

And their roles in the Baylor Nation are only matched by their generosity. Faithful supporters of the Parents Fund, Baylor Athletics, Truett Seminary and Baylor’s Honors College, the Underwoods’ Baylor pride is undeniable.

Sic ’em, Max and Debbie!

Aug

2010

80 years after graduating, alum continues to build his Baylor legacy

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Athletics, Extraordinary Stories

Ian McCaw and Lucian Morehead Lucian Morehead, BA ’30, has seen a lot in his 99 years. As a student, he was friends with some of the Baylor basketball players who went on to become known as the Immortal 10. His graduating class was the first to use Waco Hall, and since then, he’s seen 13 different head football coaches, from Morley Jennings to Art Briles, and eight Baylor presidents, from Samuel Palmer Brooks to Ken Starr.

His name isn’t on any building at Baylor, but throughout his life — as he came to Baylor from Plainview, Texas, earned his degree, became an attorney, returned to Plainview to raise his family, and then retired to Austin — he has done his best to support Baylor. A long-time football season ticket holder, when he’s been unable to attend in recent years due to poor health, he has returned his tickets to Baylor for distribution to other BU fans.

On the giving side, he established the Lucian E. Morehead Endowed Athletic Scholarship, funded an assistant coach’s office at the Whetsel Practice Facility, established a charitable gift annuity benefiting Baylor athletics, and has contributed to the excellence fund for every single Baylor sport — believed to be the only Bear to have done so. He’s also contributed to the Guardian Angels at Armstrong Browning and the President’s club, and he is a member of the Endowed Scholarship Society and Baylor Bear Foundation.

Over a lifetime of supporting Baylor, Morehead has quietly become one of the highest-ever cumulative donors to the Baylor athletic endowment. He’s one of only 50 members of Legacy Legends, a program established this year to recognize donors who have put Baylor athletics in their estate plans. And despite suffering a heart attack and broken hip this year, he continues to follow the Bears by having his grandchildren read him all the articles about Baylor in the Waco Tribune-Herald (to which he subscribes even in Austin).

I love to hear these amazing stories of Bears who have made an impact on Baylor and the students who have followed in their footsteps. What’s your Baylor legacy?

Sic ’em, Mr. Morehead!

Points of Pride — Extraordinary Stories

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