Honors « Baylor Proud

Points of Pride — Honors

Mar

2013

Mulkey, Griner sweep Big 12 Coach/Player of the Year honors for third straight year

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors

Kim Mulkey and Brittney Griner In the nearly 20-year history of the Big 12 Conference, no coach in any of the Big-Four sports (football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball) had ever won three straight Coach of the Year honors — until Thursday, when the Baylor Lady Bears’ Kim Mulkey was so honored.

Only one player in that time, across all four sports, had ever been named Big 12 Player of the Year three times — Oklahoma women’s basketball’s Courtney Paris. That number is now two, as the Lady Bears’ Brittney Griner claimed her third straight trophy this week.

Griner was also named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth straight year and was joined by junior guard Odyssey Sims on the All-Big 12 First Team (Sims’ third straight first-team selection). Seniors Jordan Madden, Kimetria Hayden and Brooklyn Pope were each named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Griner and Sims also made the All-Defensive Team, while senior Destiny Williams received the Sixth Man Award and Alexis Prince made the All-Freshman Team.

With their third straight Big 12 regular season title already in the bag, the Lady Bears will now look to extend their Big 12 tournament championship run to three straight years as well. Baylor will face either Kansas State or Texas in the tournament quarterfinals Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on FSN.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Feb

2013

Lady Bears celebrate third straight Big 12 title by beating No. 2 UConn on the road

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors, Videos

Brittney Griner and Rebecca Lobo You know your program has reached a new level when you can win a conference title, then beat the No. 2 team in the country on their own court, and barely bat an eye.

That’s Baylor women’s basketball for you. When Oklahoma and Iowa State each lost on Sunday, the Lady Bears clinched their third straight Big 12 regular season championship (and fourth overall) — with more than two weeks left to go in the season.

The next night, Baylor had to face UConn (ranked No. 2 in one poll and No. 3 in another) on the road in front of 16,000+ Huskies fans. Head coach Kim Mulkey’s squad showed why they are the No. 1 team in the country for the seventh straight week, however, fighting back from an 11-point first-half deficit to win 76-70. [See video highlights from Sic 'Em Sports and ESPN.]

An added bonus from the game: Brittney Griner became just the eighth woman (and 15th person) in NCAA Division I history to score 3,000 career points. At her current pace, Griner (pictured being interviewed postgame by ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo) is on pace to finish her career second all-time in NCAA D-1 career scoring.

If you want to see Griner play in Waco, you’ve only got two more chances guaranteed: this Saturday, when Baylor hosts Texas and will celebrate the 2013 Big 12 title; and March 4, when the Lady Bears host Kansas State in the regular season finale.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Feb

2013

Baylor prof named Lone Star Big Brother of the Year

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Honors, Service

Dr. Byron Johnson and Blake West It’s easy to forget, but teachers (and coaches), like the rest of us, have lives outside the classroom. Some Baylor professors have been known to perform live theatre or direct films in their spare time. Some write or record music. Some compete in triathlons.

For several years, Dr. Byron Johnson, director of Baylor’s Institute for Studies of Religion and one of the nation’s leaders on faith-based initiatives, has given his evenings and weekends to serve as a Big Brother to a Waco teenager. Johnson and 16-year-old Blake West (pictured together) often attend Baylor sporting events and concerts, but according to Blake’s mother, Johnson’s biggest impact has been on Blake’s commitment to his future.

“Byron has been a tremendous inspiration,” says Sherry White, Blake’s mom. “Blake wasn’t too excited about going to college, but now he is, and he wants to get the good grades. Byron is always there for him when he needs a little advice. … Blake has cheered up and grown up.”

For his work with Blake, Johnson was recently named Big Brother of the Year for the Lone Star district, which stretches from Dallas-Fort Worth across Central Texas west to San Angelo and south to Houston. In receiving the honor, Johnson is automatically nominated for statewide recognition from Big Brothers Big Sisters; Texas winners are then eligible for national awards from the group.

Sic ’em, Dr. Johnson and Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers!

You might also like:
* Husband-wife professors spend their summer overseas in research and service (Sept. 2011)
* Piano prof takes music training to the Middle East (Sept. 2010)
* Prof nominated for Meals on Wheels volunteer award (June 2009)

Feb

2013

Journalism professor named to national industry ethics board

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Academics, Honors, Research

Marlene Neill As a leading Christian institution of higher education, it makes sense that Baylor would be recognized as a leader when it comes to ethics in the field. That has proven to be the case, whether it’s Baylor alumni serving as high-ranked ethics officials or Baylor programs being lauded by national publications for their focus on teaching ethics to students.

The latest example comes from Baylor’s College of Arts and Sciences, where journalism, PR and new media lecturer Dr. Marlene Neill was named this month to the national Board of Ethics and Professional Standards for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Neill is one of just two university professors on the 17-person committee, which is comprised largely of high-ranking representatives from some of the world’s leading PR firms.

PRSA is the world’s largest organization of public relations professionals, with more than 21,000 members; Neill’s committee is responsible for helping guide those members in navigating the ethical issues that arise in the industry.

A professor at Baylor since 2006, Neill’s research has largely focused on ethics in PR and advertising. Her most recent study, published in Journal of Mass Media Ethics, examined whether PR professionals stand up to senior management when pressured or if they fold as “yes men.” The study’s results have been featured in industry publications such as prdaily.com.

Sic ’em, Dr. Neill!

Feb

2013

RG3 follows up Heisman with NFL Rookie of the Year honors

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Athletics, Honors

Robert Griffin III Rookie of the Year

Since the Associated Press began honoring an NFL Rookie of the Year following the 1967 season, only two quarterbacks have won the Heisman one year, then ROY the next: Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III, BA ’10.

The former Baylor All-American was named the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Saturday night, capping another year of proving the doubters wrong in his first season with the Washington Redskins. Griffin led the Redskins to their first NFC East championship and their first home playoff game since 1999; in the process, he became the first QB ever to win a Heisman one year, then lead an NFL squad to the postseason the next year.

[WATCH: Great RG3 2012 highlight video and week-by-week highlights from NFL.com]

RG3 became the first player ever to lead the NFL in both yards per pass and yards per rush, and he set NFL rookie records for passer rating, interception rate and rushing yards. Griffin also recorded the fewest interceptions of any QB this season with 20+ passing touchdowns, and he joined Randall Cunningham (1990) as the only players in NFL history with 3,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards in a season.

For his efforts, Griffin beat out perennial favorites such as Drew Brees and Eli Manning in being named to the NFC Pro Bowl team — the second rookie QB ever to be named to a Pro Bowl original roster (joining Dan Marino).

A late-season knee injury was made worse playing on bad field conditions in the playoffs and led to reconstructive surgery on his right ACL, the same knee injury Griffin suffered as a sophomore at Baylor. Over the weekend, Griffin said he had “no doubt” that he’d be ready for the Redskins’ 2013 season opener.

Sic ’em, RG3!

Feb

2013

Noted alum honored for extraordinary contributions to higher education in Texas

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Honors

If you’ve spent any time at all around Baylor in the last 25 years, you know the impact Drayton McLane, BBA ’58, has made on the university. From his service as a Baylor Regent to the bells in Pat Neff Hall, the McLane Student Life Center and the new Baylor Stadium, McLane has generously given his time and resources to Baylor and her students for years.

You may not, however, be aware that McLane’s investment in higher education doesn’t stop at Baylor. He and his family are also longtime supporters of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, having most recently given the lead gift for the Crusaders’ new football stadium in Belton. McLane is also on the boards of Baylor College of Medicine and Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service, among many non-profit groups.

For his extraordinary contributions to higher education across Texas, McLane was awarded the Mirabeau B. Lamar Medal in January by members of the Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors, the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas and the Texas Association of Community Colleges.

The annual honor has previously been given to such notable Baylor names as former university president Abner McCall, JD ’38, BA ’42, Texas Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, JD ’58, and Louise H. Ornelas, namesake of Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing.

Sic ’em, Mr. McLane!

Jan

2013

Griner now the NCAA’s all-time leading shot blocker and Big 12′s all-time leading scorer

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors, Videos

It’s been a busy week for Baylor Lady Bear Brittney Griner.

In an 82-65 win over No. 20 Oklahoma on Saturday, she tallied eight blocks in the process of setting the NCAA career record for blocked shots. The 6-foot-8 Griner has now blocked 672 blocks in her career — more than any man or woman, at any level of college basketball, ever.

Then on Wednesday, the Houston native added another record to her name, recording the fourth 40-point game of her career while setting a new Big 12 Conference mark for career scoring. Baylor now holds both the Big 12 men’s and women’s career scoring marks, as LaceDarius Dunn set the men’s record two years ago.

Griner has now scored 2,873 points in 132 games, an average of 21.8 points per game; she ranks 12th in NCAA history in career scoring, with an outside shot at holding that record, too, before all is said and done.

[For more on Griner, check out this feature from the latest Baylor Magazine on how she is changing the face of women's basketball -- and having fun doing it.]

For good measure, Griner also added another dunk to her resume last night — the 12th of her Baylor career (and fifth this season). That, too, is an NCAA women’s record; the next closest competitor is Tennessee’s Candace Parker, with seven career dunks. [See video of Griner's dunk at the 3:10 mark here.]

Griner also holds the NCAA record for single-season blocks and nine other Big 12 marks in addition to her scoring, blocks and dunks numbers. She could have as many as 20 more games to build on her records, but only five of those will be in Waco. If you haven’t yet made it to campus to see her play in person, don’t miss out.

Sic ’em, Brittney!

Jan

2013

BBC names Armstrong Browning one of America’s 5 most beautiful college libraries

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Academics, Honors, Photo Galleries

I used to refer to Armstrong Browning Library as Baylor’s “hidden jewel.” But given the growing number of honors the library has received of late, I don’t think that’s accurate anymore.

The latest recognition came from the BBC (in conjunction with Lonely Planet), which named Armstrong Browning one of America’s five most beautiful college libraries. (ABL was joined on the list by libraries at Johns Hopkins, Cornell, UCLA and the Rhode Island School of Design.)

If you’ve never been inside the library, you’re missing out. Armstrong Browning is open 9-5 on weekdays and 10-2 on Saturday; call ahead (254-710-4960) to inquire about a free guided tour. Until you can make it down, this photo gallery will give you some sense of the ABL’s beauty.

Sic ’em, Armstrong Browning Library!

You might also like:
* Mental Floss names Armstrong Browning Library one of the nation’s 10 most beautiful libraries (Nov. 2012)
* Media coverage of Baylor Libraries ‘Browning Letters’ project draws thousands of eyes to Baylor (Feb. 2012)
* Armstrong Browning Library named one of the 50 most beautiful college libraries in the world (Jan. 2012)

Jan

2013

Baylor named among nation’s best colleges for African Americans

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Honors, Student life

Baylor graduation For 20 years, M. Clayton & Associates has studied colleges and universities across the United States, seeking to find institutions committed to helping African American students graduate. From more than 800 schools nationwide, they’ve published a list of the “88 Best Colleges for African Americans” — a list that includes Baylor University.

To make the list, each school had to meet a minimum graduation rate for African American students and offer a sizable African American student community. Baylor is one of just four Texas universities to appear on the list (along with Rice, Texas Lutheran and UT-Tyler) and is the only Big 12 member recognized.

African Americans make up about 8% of Baylor’s undergraduate student body; for reference, the rest of the undergraduate breakdown is 65% white, 14% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 5% other/unknown. Overall, Baylor’s racial minority percentage is around 34%, making our student body the second-most diverse in the Big 12.

Sic ’em, Bears!

Jan

2013

Legendary track mentor celebrates 50th year coaching at Baylor

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Athletics, Honors

In 1963, a 28-year-old Baylor graduate was named head track and field coach at Baylor. He’s never left.

Clyde Hart, BBA ’56, was honored for entering his 50th year coaching at Baylor on Friday night with a surprise dinner. Over the last half-century, Hart has coached 34 national champions and 537 All-Americans at Baylor, plus nine Olympic athletes who have combined for 16 medals, including a dozen golds.

Hart stepped down as head coach in 2005 after developing Baylor into one of the nation’s elite programs, known worldwide as “Quarter-Miler U” for its success in the 400 meters. But he remains an assistant coach working with the quarter-milers and the 4×400-meter relay, where the Bears continue to have great success.

Sic ’em, Coach Hart!

You might also like:
* Baylor track coach’s pupils have won gold in six straight Olympics (Aug. 2012)
* Pair of Hart pupils named U.S. track and field athletes of the decade (Feb. 2010)
* Hart named World Coach of the Year by IAAF (Jan. 2010)

Points of Pride — Honors

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