Baylor Proud


Points of Pride — Photo Galleries

May
20
2013

Commencement 2013 continues a Baylor tradition older than most in Texas

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Academics, Photo Galleries, Student life

Baylor commencement 2013

At Baylor, commencement honors every individual, as each graduate walks the stage and hears her or her name called, one by one. (How many universities of Baylor’s size still provide such recognition?) But the event itself means something more to the collective.

“By assembling together, you affirm your membership in the Baylor family through cap and gown, through music, through singing ‘That Good Old Baylor Line,’” said President Ken Starr in his commencement address. “You remember by gathering here with those who encouraged and supported you on your Baylor journey, your dear family and loved ones. But even more than family and loved ones, you made this journey — which we celebrate today — with friends.” [Click here to read the entire speech, and here to see photos from graduation.]

Yes, the Baylor experience is about gaining knowledge that will help you in your career. But it’s also about growing as a person, gaining insight that will help you in life, and about forming friendships with people who will walk with you not just for four years in Waco, but for the rest of your life.

Stay in touch, Baylor graduates — with your friends, with the professors who mentored you, and with your alma mater. Share the good news of your life — new jobs, weddings, kids, etc. — with your now-former classmates (perhaps by submitting a class note to Baylor Magazine). And don’t forget to update your contact information as you move along so you can continue to be kept up-to-date on what’s going on here at Baylor and among your new fellow alumni as you all march “forever down the years.”

Wherever life may take you, Class of 2013 — sic ’em, as new Baylor graduates!

May
7
2013

Road trip takes Baylor seniors back to Independence, where it all began

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Photo Galleries, Student life

Senior Road Trip to Independence

Independence, Texas, symbolizes a lot of things to folks around Baylor. It was where the university began, back in 1845, and today is the place where many students begin their time as Bears, with a visit during Baylor Line Camp. So it’s fitting that many seniors choose to close their time at Baylor with a visit back to Independence.

Each year, as the spring semester closes, the Baylor Alumni Network organizes a senior trip to the university’s original home, where participants enjoy dinner on the grounds, photos at sunset by the historic columns from Baylor’s old campus, and a pre-graduation ceremony set amongst our university’s rich history.

[Click here to see more photos from the Senior Road Trip to Independence.]

In less than two weeks, this students will be Baylor’s newest alumni. Four years ago, many received their Baylor Line jerseys in Independence. Soon, they will be a permanent part of the Baylor Line that stretches back almost 170 years.

Sic ’em, Baylor seniors!

Apr
17
2013

President Starr welcomes Sen. George Mitchell to campus for ‘On Topic’ conversation

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Academics, Photo Galleries

Sen. George Mitchell with President Ken Starr

Twenty years ago, George Mitchell was the Senate’s Majority Leader, overseeing the passage of landmark legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and NAFTA. Fifteen years ago, he was in Northern Ireland, helping negotiate peace after decades of conflict. In the last decade, he has provided Major League Baseball with an independent investigation into the use of steroids by players and served as a Special Envoy to the Middle East on behalf of the United States.

Tuesday night, he was on the Baylor campus as the latest guest in President Ken Starr’s “On Topic” series. In front of a Waco Hall crowd of students, professors and others from the local community, Judge Starr and Senator Mitchell spent nearly an hour and a half discussing conflict in the Middle East, issues of religious freedom abroad, the peace process in Ireland, and performance-enhancing drugs in sports.

[MEDIA: Listen to interviews with KWBU-FM (parts 1 and 2) and 1660 ESPN Radio || Read his interview with the Waco Tribune-Herald || The Baylor Lariat recap of Tuesday night]

Perhaps the biggest ovation of the night came when Mitchell explained his relationship with Bob Dole, who was the ranking Republican leader in the Senate when Mitchell (a Democrat) was Majority Leader:

“I can say, with some pride, that not once ever, in those six years or since, has a harsh word ever passed between Bob Dole and I, in public or in private,” Mitchell said. “We were, and we are, good friends. We disagreed almost every day. We negotiated, we did the best we could representing our beliefs and those whom we represented, but we understood that we had a higher loyalty, and that higher loyalty was what’s best for the country. … You have to have the ability, at least, to listen to the other side, to give some credibility, … [to] establish a sense of respect and personal relationship that allows you to have a somewhat more open mind to that person’s views. Not to immediately discount them or not to always think that you have the exclusive answer to everything.”

Mitchell is the fifth special guest to have been featured in the “On Topic” series, following following billionaire alternative energy proponent T. Boone Pickens, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and leading constitutional scholar Akhil Reed Amar.

Sic ’em, Senator Mitchell and Judge Starr!

Apr
5
2013

Baylor Men’s Basketball: Your 2013 NIT Champion!

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

Baylor NIT Champs!In the last five years, Baylor men’s basketball has two NCAA Elite Eight appearances, one NIT runner-up finish, and now an NIT title. Head coach Scott Drew’s Bears romped all over Iowa Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, 74-54, to claim the 2013 National Invitation Tournament championship — the program’s first-ever postseason tournament title.

In one of the team’s more complete games of the year, Baylor shot 54% from the field while holding the Hawkeyes to just 26% shooting. In the seniors’ last game in the green and gold, Pierre Jackson (the NIT’s Most Outstanding Player) scored 17 points and dished out 10 assists, and A.J. Walton (the winningest player in program history) had 6 steals and 5 assists. Junior Cory Jefferson led all players with 23 points, and freshman Isaiah Austin added 15 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks.

[LINKS: Highlights from ESPN || Pictures from Baylor Photography and the AP || Get your official 2013 Baylor NIT champions t-shirt from the Baylor Bookstore || ESPN: Baylor 1 of 5 teams primed to break out next season]

Jackson finished his senior season tops in the Big 12 in both scoring (19.8 points per game) and assists (7.1 per game), the first player from a power-6 conference to lead in both categories since current Boston Celtic Jason Terry in 1998-99. He also broke LaceDarius Dunn’s Baylor records for points in a season and consecutive games with a 3-pointer. Jackson concluded his career as a Bear 14th in career scoring, having passed Baylor all-time greats David Wesley and Vinnie Johnson in his final game, and third in career assists — all despite having played just two seasons at Baylor after transferring from a junior college.

Drew’s Bears are now 15-3 in the postseason over the last five seasons. For the second straight year, Baylor was the last Texas Division I team (out of 21) playing postseason basketball. The Bears finish the year at 23-14, their fifth 20-win season in the last six years (after just three 20-win seasons in program history prior to Drew’s arrival) and gave the Big 12 its first-ever NIT championship.

[Want to show your thanks to the Bears for their NIT title run? Back the Bears with a gift of $5, $15 or $50 to the Baylor Bear Foundation Endowed Athletic Scholarship Fund!]

Fans can congratulate the team Saturday afternoon at Baylor football’s spring game; the controlled scrimmage starts at 1 p.m. at the Highers Complex practice fields. Admission is free, and all fans in attendance will receive a 2013 Baylor football schedule poster. Fans are asked to park in the Ferrell Center parking lots; a shuttle service will run from there to the complex.

Sic ’em, Baylor basketball!

Mar
29
2013

Students host annual Easter egg hunt for Baylor community kids

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Photo Galleries, Service, Student life

Baylor Easter Egg Hunt

Every year, the ladies of Kappa Kappa Gamma host an Easter Egg hunt on Founders Mall (between Pat Neff and Waco Hall) for the children and grandchildren of Baylor faculty and staff. [Click here for pictures from this year's event, thanks to Baylor Photography.]

Hundreds of plastic eggs stuffed with candy and other goodies are distributed across the grounds, as the children (ages 9 and under) wait for the signal to begin a mad dash of egg collecting. The “hunt” doesn’t take long — usually five minutes or less — but the squeals of joy ring in parents’ ears for far longer. (My three-year-old thanked God that night for “the Baylor Easter thing.”)

Of course Easter is primarily about our Savior’s death and resurrection, but it’s also enjoyable around such holidays to celebrate with family — be they flesh and blood, or members of the larger Baylor family. As both an alum and a parent, I’m thankful to be a part of the community here and to those who bring us together for such events.

Sic ’em, KKG!

Mar
28
2013

Men’s hoops headed to NYC, Madison Square Garden and NIT Final Four

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

Cory Jefferson vs. ProvidenceFor the second straight year, Baylor is the last Texas team standing in both men’s and women’s basketball.

One night after the Lady Bears won at home to advance to the NCAA’s Sweet 16, head coach Scott Drew’s men defeated Providence in the Ferrell Center, 79-68, to move on to the NIT semifinals. The Bears will face BYU on Tuesday, April 2, in Madison Square Garden (6 p.m. CT, ESPN2), with the winner playing for the title two days later.

As has been the case so many times this season, Wednesday’s win was keyed by senior guard Pierre Jackson (20 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds, 0 turnovers) and junior forward Cory Jefferson (26 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks). Freshman Rico Gathers added a tough 8 points and 10 rebounds off the bench and played a season-high 27 minutes. [See pictures from Baylor Photography and the Associated Press.]

[Want to show your support for the Bears and Lady Bears during their postseason runs? Back the Bears with a gift of $5, $15 or $50 to the Baylor Bear Foundation Endowed Athletic Scholarship Fund!]

Baylor has a limited number of tickets available for the games in New York City; fans can also purchase tickets through Ticketmaster. Fans in NYC can join the Baylor Alumni Network for sendoff parties at the team hotel (the Marriott Marquis) 90 minutes prior to each game; fans at each sendoff party will also receive a free t-shirt (while supplies last).

NOTES: The Bears’ three NIT wins so far have improved their record to 21-14, marking the fifth time in the last six years that Baylor has won 20-plus games. In the previous 101 years of Baylor basketball, the Bears had just three 20-win seasons. … Baylor has already faced BYU once this season; the Bears beat the Cougars 79-64 in Waco back in December behind double-doubles from Jefferson (13 points, 16 rebounds) and freshman Isaiah Austin (14 points, 10 rebounds).

Sic ’em, Baylor basketball!

Mar
27
2013

Griner’s 3 dunks lead top-ranked Lady Bears to fifth straight Sweet 16

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

Brittney Griner waves to fans after final game in Waco

From the outset Tuesday night, it was clear that Brittney Griner wanted to put on a show in her final game in the Ferrell Center — especially after learning there was a special guest in the house.

With former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, in attendance, Griner scored 33 points, pulled down 22 rebounds, and became the first woman in NCAA history to dunk three times in a game as the No. 1-seeded Baylor women’s basketball team beat Florida State, 85-47.

With this victory and the Lady Bears’ opening round win over Prairie View A&M, Baylor advanced to a fifth straight Sweet 16 (the eighth in Kim Mulkey’s 13 years at Baylor).

[LINKS: Highlights from ESPN, including Griner's 3 dunks || Photos from Baylor Photography and the AP || Griner & Mulkey reflect on the seniors' final home game || President Obama picks Baylor to win it all || Players do their best Mulkey impersonations || Jalen Rose on Brittney Griner's numbers || Griner's 15th career dunk || Baylor/Sweet 16 t-shirt available from the Baylor Bookstore]

Over the last four years, Baylor’s senior class of Griner, Nae-Nae Hayden, Jordan Madden, Brooklyn Pope and Destiny Williams led the Lady Bears to an astounding 72-2 record in the Ferrell Center. But their final goal still awaits; they hope to leave with back-to-back national championships — something only three other schools have ever accomplished (Southern Cal, Tennessee and UConn).

Next up for the Lady Bears: 16th-ranked Louisville on Sunday in Oklahoma City, with the winner of that game facing either Tennessee or Oklahoma Tuesday in OKC. Baylor has sold-out of its allotment of tickets for the regional, but fans may purchase seats directly from the Chesapeake Energy Arena web site. Gameday bus trips from Waco to OKC and back are also available for both games from Anthony Travel.

In Oklahoma City, Baylor fans can join the Baylor Alumni Network for send-off parties at the team hotel (the Skirvin Hilton) 90 minutes prior to each game, as well as a pep rally at the hotel from 8-9 p.m. April 1 if the women advance to the Elite Eight.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Mar
13
2013

Robert Griffin III Day at Texas Capitol culminates in RG3 Scholarship announcement

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Athletics, Honors, Photo Galleries, Videos

Robert Griffin III in Austin

Tuesday was “RG3 Day” in Austin, as the former Baylor All-American and current Washington Redskin was honored on the floor of both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate. Senate Resolution 314 and House Concurrent Resolution 10 commended Robert Griffin III, BA ’10, for his outstanding representation of the state of Texas.

[LINKS: Video from Baylor Athletics || Pictures from Baylor Photography || Texas Monthly: "RG3: A Gentleman and a Scholar" || Houston Chronicle: "Could RG3 soon be a Texas lawmaker?"]

Senator Watson had the honor of announcing the establishment of the Robert Griffin III (RG3) Quarterback Scholarship at Baylor. To participate in this effort that honors RG3′s legacy at Baylor, visit www.baylor.edu/nation/rg3.

The events were just part of a busy week for Griffin around Central Texas that also included visiting Baylor football practice last week (along with former teammates and fellow NFL players Kendall Wright and Danny Watkins), having a street named in his honor (“Robert Griffin III Blvd.“) in his hometown of Copperas Cove, and taking in Baylor men’s basketball’s big win over Kansas (complete with pregame pep talk and his own No. 10 “electricity” jersey).

If you were ever worried about RG3 hitting the big time and forgetting about where he came from… I think you can stop fretting.

Sic ’em, RG3!

Mar
12
2013

Lady Bears sweep Big 12 regular season, tournament titles for third straight year

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

Baylor Lady Bears Big 12 Tournament champs

Across all 23 sports, in the history of the Big 12 Conference, just four teams have managed to sweep both the regular season and tournament conference titles three years running. Three of those four are from Baylor.

Baylor women’s basketball became the latest team to accomplish the feat, beating Iowa State Monday night to win the 2013 Big 12 tournament, the program’s fifth postseason conference title.

[LINKS: Video from Baylor Athletics || Photos from Baylor Photography and the AP || ESPN: "Baylor's ready for the Big Dance"]

For those keeping track, here’s what head coach Kim Mulkey’s resume now looks like:

  • 5 national titles (two as a player, one as an assistant coach, two as Baylor’s head coach)
  • 5-time Big 12 coach of the year
  • 14 Final Fours (four as player, seven as assistant, three at Baylor)
  • 24 Sweet 16s (four as player, 13 as assistant, seven at Baylor)
  • 9 Big 12 championships (four regular season, five tournament)

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. We’re blessed to have one of the best here at Baylor.

[Get your Lady Bears gear here, including 2013 Big 12 Champion t-shirts.]

The Lady Bears now have to wait until Monday night (6 p.m. CT, ESPN) to learn what their NCAA tournament bracket will look like. This we do know: Baylor University will host the first and second rounds in Waco March 24-26; tickets are available now.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

[In case you were wondering, the four teams to sweep both Big 12 titles three straight years: Texas women's tennis (1997-98-99-00), Baylor men's tennis (2002-03-04-05), Baylor women's tennis (2008-09-10-11) and Baylor women's basketball (2011-12-13).]

Mar
10
2013

Men’s hoops routs No. 3 Kansas to keep postseason hopes alive

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Photo Galleries, Videos

Fans and players celebrate Baylor's win over Kansas Saturday

Maybe it was the magic of RG3′s presence. Maybe it was the added focus of Senior Night, as Pierre Jackson and A.J. Walton played their final regular-season games on the Ferrell Center floor. Maybe it was just head coach Scott Drew’s squad clicking the way they’ve known was possible all year.

Whatever the key, the end result grabbed the nation’s attention, as Baylor men’s basketball stunned No. 3-ranked Kansas, 81-58, Saturday night at the Ferrell Center in front of a national ESPN audience.

[VIDEO/PHOTOS: Highlights from ESPN and Baylor Athletics || Pictures from Baylor Photography and the AP]

The 23-point loss was the Jayhawks’ worst in seven years and kept KU from winning the Big 12 title outright; instead, they finish tied for first with in-state rival Kansas State. Baylor, meanwhile, won its 18th game for the sixth straight season; prior to Scott Drew’s arrival, the Bears had won 18 or more games just six times in 101 years.

Will the victory be enough to get Baylor off the bubble and into the NCAA tournament? We won’t know that for another week; the NCAA selection show is March 17 at 5 p.m. CT on CBS. Between now and then, the men could likely use another win or three in the Big 12 tournament, which begins next week in Kansas City. As the No. 6 seed, the Bears will face No. 3 seed Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals Thursday at 8:30 p.m. CT (Big 12 Network).

For now, let’s enjoy this one. Jackson and Walton certainly did, combining for 40 points and 15 assists. Junior Cory Jefferson also had himself a night, with 25 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, several monster dunks, and the first three 3-pointers of his career.

Robert Griffin III, BA ’10, decked out in his own Baylor “electricity” No. 10 jersey, also seemed to be having a good time, seated right behind the BU bench. The Redskins QB was in the area after having seen his hometown of Copperas Cove dedicate a street, “Robert Griffin III Blvd.,” in his honor on Friday.

Sic ’em, Baylor basketball!

« Older Entries
Baylor Proud

Baylor Links

Baylor Nation

Buy Baylor Gear

Get Athletic Tickets

Baylor Alumni Network

Refer a Future Bear

Become a Student

Visit Campus

Give to Baylor

About Baylor Proud

Contact Us

Subscribe:

  • E-mailSubscribe to E-mail
  • TwitterFollow on Twitter
  • RSSSubscribe to RSS
  • Points of Pride

    • Academics
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Baylor 2012
    • Extraordinary Stories
    • Faith
    • Honors
    • Just for Fun
    • Photo Galleries
    • Pro Futuris
    • Research
    • Service
    • Student life
    • Videos
Baylor University How Extraordinary the Stories: The President's Scholarship Initiative Baylor on Facebook

Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved. Trademark/DMCA information. Privacy statement.
Baylor University  Waco, Texas 76798  1-800-BAYLOR-U