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Points of Pride — Photo Galleries

Nov

2012

Mental Floss names Armstrong Browning Library one of the nation’s 10 most beautiful libraries

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

Armstrong Browning Library at Baylor No less an authority than Mental Floss — a popular magazine dedicated to facts and trivia — recently named Baylor’s Armstrong Browning Library one of “The 10 Most Beautiful Libraries in the United States.”

If you’ve ever been inside, you know why. (And if you haven’t visited, you should.) Mental Floss describes it as “a 3-story, Italian Renaissance-styled masterpiece adorned with 62 stained glass windows, massive marble columns, intricate ceiling designs and other wonderful details.” (This photo gallery might give you some idea of the library’s look and feel.)

Rumor has it that the ballroom so beautifully depicted in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was modeled after Armstrong Browning. (The connection? Jim Hillin, a 1979 Baylor grad who oversaw CGI artistic direction for Walt Disney Animation in the late ’80s and early ’90s and was responsible for the movie’s groundbreaking CGI.)

Sic ’em, ABL!

You might also like:
* Baylor’s Texas Collection named among world’s top 20 university special collections (Sept. 2012)
* Armstrong Browning Library named one of the 50 most beautiful college libraries in the world (Jan. 2012)

Nov

2012

Baylor Homecoming 2012: A Social Gathering

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

The way we tell our stories may change, but the feelings stay the same. From the nation’s first collegiate homecoming in 1909 on through the 2012 event this past weekend, Baylor’s richest tradition remains strong as thousands of members of the Baylor family return to campus each year.

[PHOTOS: Wed./Thurs activities (Pigskin, Mass Meeting, etc.) || Fri./Sat. activities (Bonfire, Parade, Football) || More from football's win over Kansas || Waco Tribune-Herald: Bonfire, Parade, Football]

It was fun to follow this year’s Homecoming through the eyes of those attending, be they former, current or future students, through social media — particularly on Twitter and Instagram. (Do a search on either site for “#BUHC12″ to see what I mean.)

Such sites gave a new meaning to the “social gathering” that is Homecoming. Baylor Photography combined some of their own work from this weekend with photos and comments seen online to produce the video above celebrating Homecoming 2012.

Enjoy the video? It’s never too early to start making plans to come for Homecoming 2013!

Sic ’em, Bears!

Oct

2012

Moonlight Madness shows off Baylor basketball’s pure athleticism

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

I hadn’t planned to recap Baylor basketball’s Moonlight Madness. Then I saw this photo:

Deuce Bello dunking over 7-1 Isaiah Austin

That’s Baylor sophomore guard Deuce Bello leaping over 7-FOOT-1 freshman Isaiah Austin during the Bears’ dunk contest — and Bello didn’t even win the event. That honor went to senior Cory Jefferson for his high-flying dunk that took off from near the free-throw line.

[SEE: Moonlight Madness highlights or the event in its entirety || Another dunk highlight compilation || More photos from the event]

Baylor fans can expect to see more of that athleticism this winter at the Ferrell Center. Remember, a year ago it was newcomer Pierre Jackson who wowed the crowd in the dunk contest; this year, the 5-foot-10 guard is the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year.

Bello, Jefferson and Jackson were joined in the contest by the reigning national player of the year, Lady Bear senior Brittney Griner. Her 360 dunk, plus another slam over teammate Mariah Chandler, also excited a full house at the Ferrell Center.

We’re barely a week from the men’s first exhibition game and less than two weeks from the national champion women’s season opener, and season tickets are on sale now. In fact, a special promotion running through Oct. 19 is offering men’s season tickets for $111 and women’s for $86.

Sic ’em, Baylor basketball!

Oct

2012

Baylor moms and dads describe their experiences at Parent & Family Weekend 2012

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

From “Last Lectures” to After Dark and Moonlight Madness to Saturday night football, the Baylor campus welcomed thousands of visitors for Parent and Family Weekend Friday through Sunday.

[Click here for photos from the weekend.]

What did the parents who visited have to say about their experiences? Here’s a sampling of comments from Baylor’s official Facebook page:

“Thank you Baylor community! As a parent of a freshman, I have noticed that your your vision and reality are closely aligned. That is what makes a great organization. What a great time my family had this weekend. Go Bears!”

“It was a joy to be a part of such an awesome weekend at such a prestigious institution! Our family enjoyed our time together, and also meeting our son’s new extended family. It was a pleasure to meet each of his professors; each one was an example of both great strength and genuine humility. They were pleasant and it was evident that they possess a real joy for teaching. It was also a pleasure to meet Mr. Ken Starr. We saw first hand that he is not only an excellent leader, but is also very personable. Thank you, Baylor for a great time: Sic’ em Bears!!”

“FABulous weekend – every time we go to Baylor for whatever reason, we are even happier that our son is there. WHAT a wonderful environment! What a blessing to everyone who is touched by Baylor!”

Back at you, parents — thanks for all you do for Baylor and your children.

Sic ’em, Baylor families!

[Parents: Want to stay involved? Check out the Baylor Parents League to connect with other Baylor parents in your area. Local chapters gather to create care packages for students, raise money for scholarships, pray for students and more. Visit baylor.edu/parentsleague for more information.]

Sep

2012

Baylor couple welcomes home last of sextuplets born in April

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

Perkins sextuplets

In April, Baylor alums David (BBA ’05) and Lauren (BS ’05) Perkins welcomed sextuplets: three boys, Andrew, Benjamin and Levi, and three girls, Allison, Caroline and Leah (pictured together above). They were born 10 weeks early; the largest weighed only 2 lbs., 15 oz., and the smallest was just 1 lb., 10 oz.

Benjamin and Caroline were able to go home a month after birth; Andrew joined them for Father’s Day. Levi went home a couple of days before his mother’s original due date in late June, and Allison joined the family at their house in Pearland shortly after their three-month birthday in August.

This week, the family was finally reunited at home as Leah, who faced the most uphill battle medically, was released from Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. As the siblings approach their five-month birthday, each weighs between 8 and 14 pounds.

[SEE: NBC's Today introduces the family in May and follows up in September || Houston Chronicle photos from May and September]

“We’re truly humbled that we are bringing home six,” David told NBC’s Today show. “We know it could have been a completely different path. We’re grateful.”

“We are so excited to finally have all of our children under the same roof,” Lauren echoed. “We are very thankful for all of our nurses and physicians at the Pavilion for Women who cared for me throughout my pregnancy, delivered our babies safely and cared for them during their time in the NICU.”

Sic ’em, Perkins family!

You might also like:
* TLC visits Floyd Casey to document first football game for ‘Quints’ (Oct. 2011)
* Quadruplets, quintuplets at Baylor — oh my! (Oct. 2010)

Sep

2012

Baylor celebrates 225th anniversary of Constitution’s signing with ‘On Topic’ conversation

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

Akhil Reed Amar and President Ken Starr

Monday was the 225th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, an event annually celebrated as Constitution Day in the United States. The day has taken on added importance at Baylor since the hiring of Ken Starr as president, given Judge Starr’s status as one of the nation’s top constitutional scholars.

To celebrate the occasion, Judge Starr welcomed to campus Yale professor Akhil Reed Amar, another of the country’s leading experts on the Constitution, for the latest in the President’s series of “On Topic” public conversations. The pair of scholars discussed not only the document as it exists today, but also “America’s unwritten Constitution,” rights that are sometimes assumed or taken for granted that are not, in fact, delineated in our governing documents.

[LINKS: Watch the entire "On Topic" conversation || Photos from the event || Judge Starr's guest column on the importance of the Constitution]

Amar is just one of many top scholars brought to Waco and the Baylor campus each year for free public lectures. This event was the fourth in Judge Starr’s ongoing “On Topic” series, following T. Boone Pickens, Condoleezza Rice and Sandra Day O’Connor, and departments across campus are constantly featuring guest lectures. To stay on top of all the offerings, bookmark baylor.edu/calendar.

Sic ’em, guest speakers, for sharing your knowledge so freely!

[And while we're talking anniversaries... Wednesday marked the 125th anniversary of Baylor's first day of class in Waco (after 41 years in Independence, Texas). Those first Waco classes were held in Old Main, still the heart of the Baylor campus.]

Aug

2012

Baylor spirit of service on full display to welcome new students during Move-In

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

President Ken Starr helping new Baylor students move in More than 2,700 Baylor students, professors, staff members and community members — all the way up to and including President Ken Starr (pictured) — pitched in Wednesday and Thursday to help more than 3,200 members of the Class of 2016 get settled into their new homes on campus.

[See photos from Move-In 2012.]

The flood of volunteers came together to provide a proper welcome to Baylor’s newest students in the best way possible — by saving the new students and their parents the hassle of carrying all their stuff to their rooms in 100-degree heat. Instead, the impressively organized volunteers hauled load after load up stairs (even to the sixth floor of Collins) so that mom, dad and student could simply park their car and stroll on up to their room.

It’s fun to read comments from new Baylor parents on Facebook: “Truly the smoothest college move in we have experienced. … What a blessing!” … “Everyone made it so easy today! Baylor was definitely the right decision!” … “Thank you for helping my daughter move in. The heat was extreme and you were all wonderful!!” … “A great experience for my wife and I, knowing [our daughter] is in a great place, thank you Baylor bears!!!”

Other comments shared fond memories of Move-In from every decade — 2000s, 1990s, 1980s, 1970s — all the way back to 1971! Similar memories were shared on Twitter, particularly tales of meeting future best friends — even future bridesmaids and groomsmen.

All this, and Welcome Week is just now getting underway!

Sic ’em, Baylor Move-In volunteers and new BU students!

You might also like:
* Student’s moment of kindness during Move-In leaves lasting effect on rival school’s alum (Sept. 2011)
* Move-In Day, Welcome Week provide perfect introduction to the best of Baylor (Aug. 2011)
* Early Move-In volunteers help international students settle in at Baylor (Aug. 2010)
* Move-In Day welcomes Class of 2013 to Baylor (video) (Aug. 2009)

Jul

2012

Regents officially approve Baylor Stadium project

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Photo Galleries, Pro Futuris

Baylor Stadium rendering

It’s official: Baylor Stadium is coming to the banks of the Brazos.

Baylor Regents officially approved the project Thursday during their summer meeting, just two days after the Waco City Council first voted to award $35 million toward public improvements of the stadium site. [See the latest Baylor Stadium design renderings.]

Because the Waco City Council has a two-step voting process, the council must vote on the project once more in early August before the funds are officially approved; that vote is widely expected to be just a formality. The Regents approved the project on the condition that the public funds are approved at the council’s August 7 meeting; those funds would go toward public improvements such as building roads and moving sewer and power lines.

[CITYWIDE IMPACT: Waco Tribune-Herald: $35 million grant to Baylor Stadium project is right for downtown redevelopment|| Proposed Baylor Stadium is the big catalyst many Wacoans sought || New stadium's benefits extend far beyond 'Baylor Bubble']

Construction will begin on the new on-campus football stadium at the intersection of I-35 (one of the nation’s busiest highways) and the Brazos River (Texas’ longest waterway) as soon as possible after the August 7 vote. General contractors Austin Commercial and Flintco have been named the construction managers; the two companies have worked together on recent stadium projects at Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and TCU, and they aim to have Baylor Stadium completed in time for the 2014 season.

[See a video walkthrough of the stadium design and learn more about the project at Baylor-Stadium.com.]

The price tag on the construction is $250 million. Around $100-$120 million of that will come from private donations, and Baylor officials say they have raised more than 80 percent of that goal. The Waco funds will cover a portion of the cost, and the rest will be raised through bonds that will be paid off through athletics revenue (not tuition dollars).

To date, private fundraising efforts have focused on large capital gifts that could lay a foundation for the project. The next stage, coming soon, will be to invite alumni and other friends of the university to participate in making the Bears’ new home a reality.

Sic ’em, Baylor Stadium!

You might also like:
* Baylor Regents unveil rendering of potential on-campus football stadium (Nov. 2011)
* McLane family gift launches move toward new Baylor football stadium (March 2012)
* Significant gifts towards Baylor Stadium keep project moving ahead (May 2012)

Jul

2012

Lady Bears — and their biggest fan — enjoy President’s welcome at White House

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

Lady Bears with President Obama Even an occasion as special as a visit to the White House would not have been the same for the Baylor Lady Bears if their biggest fan hadn’t been able to enjoy the experience, too.

Thus, members of the Baylor women’s basketball team were excited to learn that 11-year-old Haley Klepper would accompany them in Washington, D.C., as President Barack Obama hosted the national champions at the White House on Wednesday.

[SEE: Video of the entire event || Video and photos of the team's day in D.C.]

Klepper, the daughter of longtime Baylor supporters, suffers from a rare disorder that has decreased her mobility and hearing. When head coach Kim Mulkey learned of the situation, she made Haley and her sister Hannah practically a part of the team. The sisters were given their own locker at the Ferrell Center, and throughout the Lady Bears’ 40-0 season the two spent time with the players at practices and before games. When the team won the national title, the players pulled Haley and Hannah up on stage to share the moment.

Thus, it seemed only right that the Kleppers would get to join the team for this honor, too — and Obama even noted as much in his short address. “Haley is as brave as can be and has gone through some struggles, but when the team found out about Haley … they immediately took her under their wing,” said the President. “We’re thrilled to have Haley here.”

President Obama also congratulated the Lady Bears on their successes both on the field and off, noting their GPAs and history of community service along with their undefeated record. “This team sets a terrific example for girls everywhere — as athletes, as scholars, as leaders in their community,” said Obama. “I could not be prouder of this team.”

Of course, this isn’t the first time the Lady Bears have visited the White House; the team was also invited back in 2005 after winning the program’s first national title. [See photos from that visit.]

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Jun

2012

Baseball battles back to win NCAA Regional, will host Super Regional this weekend

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

Baylor baseball celebrates the regional championship

“No pressure, no diamonds. We compete, we win. We are Baylor.”

Head coach Steve Smith’s Baylor baseball team clearly took RG3′s words to heart, overcoming an opening round loss to battle back and win the NCAA Waco Regional in a winner-take-all game Monday. As a reward, the Bears will now host Arkansas in a Super Regional (baseball’s equivalent of the Sweet 16) this weekend. (Tickets are available now, and going fast.)

Baylor, the nation’s No. 4 overall seed, lost its opener Friday night to Oral Roberts, 4-2, but then won four straight games to advance to a Super Regional for the fourth time since the extra round was added in 1999. Left fielder Dan Evatt was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after hitting .474 with two triples and a home run on the weekend, including this SportsCenter-worthy catch that robbed Dallas Baptist of a home run on Sunday.

[LINKS: Video highlights from the championship win and celebration || Photos from Monday's win || Baylor's post-game press conference Monday]

The Big 12 Champion Bears will host the Razorbacks, who finished second in the SEC West and upset Rice to win the NCAA Houston Regional. Baylor and Arkansas will play Saturday at 4 p.m. (ESPNU), Sunday at 3 p.m. (ESPNU) and, if necessary, Monday at 3 p.m. (ESPN2). Super Regionals are a best-two-out-of-three format; the winner moves on to the College World Series. Two victories would also get the Bears to 50 wins on the season, which would tie the school record set in 1999.

#YEAROFTHEBEAR UPDATE: Baylor is the only school in the country this year with a bowl victory, both basketball teams in the Elite 8 and its baseball team in a Super Regional. The Bears are now a combined 128-26 across the “Big Four” sports, continuing to add on to their NCAA record total.

Sic ’em, Baylor Baseball!

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