Service « Baylor Proud

Points of Pride — Service

Dec

2011

Social work’s Global Mission Leadership to move ahead thanks to generous gift

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Academics, Service

Global Mission Leadership students A $3.6 million gift from Carl and Martha Lindner will allow Baylor to continue a unique program that prepares Christian leaders to become catalysts for change in communities all over the world.

Launched in 2008, the Global Mission Leadership Initiative brings to Baylor’s School of Social Work international graduate students who have demonstrated servant leadership and strategic thinking while working in their home cultures. Here, they earn a master’s degree in social work, after which they serve — many within their home communities — as agents of change, using holistic approaches to build up impoverished communities.

The initiative began with a three-year grant from the Henry Luce Foundation; the Lindners’ gift will create an endowed fund to support the program going forward, reducing its reliance on such grants. It comes with a call, however, for others to step forward to provide scholarship support that can sustain and even increase the number of students in the program. The program’s first students will graduate this spring; two of those five students are pictured at right.

Sic ’em, Mr. and Mrs. Lindner, Baylor social work, and Global Mission Leadership students!

Nov

2011

Alum’s book tells stories behind veterans honored on Baylor’s memorial lampposts

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Service

Frank Jasek For Memorial Day, we wrote our usual 200 words or so about the memorial lampposts that honor many of the Baylor alumni who have served our country, including a large number who have given their lives in service.

Frank Jasek, BBA ’73, has gone much deeper.

For more than a decade, Jasek — a preservation specialist for Baylor Libraries — has been investigating the stories behind the names on those lampposts. The plaques list the veteran’s name, branch of service, years at Baylor and year of death. Jasek wanted to know more.

The stories he’s found are inspiring: the World War II vet who entered Baylor at 13, graduated at 17, then was drafted and was killed at Okinawa; the NoZe Brothers who went on to serve in the armed forces; and the many other tales of Baylor alumni who have served, from the Civil War to the war in Iraq.

Jasek is looking to self-publish a book to share the stories; for more on that effort, check out this story from today’s Baylor Lariat.

Sic ’em, Frank, and sic ’em, Baylor veterans!

Nov

2011

Senior to run NYC Marathon Sunday for charity

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Just for Fun, Service, Student life

Senior AlexAnne Pitts wanted to make the most of her final semester at Baylor, so the film and digital media/Asian studies double major from North Little Rock, Ark., headed to the Big Apple as a part of the Baylor Communications in New York program. And while the Baylor campus celebrates Homecoming this weekend, Pitts will be participating in an NYC tradition: the ING New York City Marathon.

But she’s not just doing it for the exercise; she’s running to raise funds for Madison Square Garden’s Garden of Dreams Foundation, a charity that uses MSG resources (such as New York Knicks players and other celebrities) to make dreams come true for children facing obstacles, from illness to homelessness to foster care issues and other tragedies.

She’s also dedicating her run to her mother, Kelley, who has fought cancer and other illnesses throughout AlexAnne’s time at Baylor, and to 11-year-old Molly Martinsen of Waco, Baylor volleyball’s “biggest little fan” who is battling a brain tumor. Pitts credits Campus Rec assistant director Van Davis — “my boss, mentor, Baylor mom, and friend” — with teaching her how to put her faith and passions in action like this.

Sic ’em, AlexAnne!

Sep

2011

Student’s moment of kindness leaves lasting effect on rival school’s alum

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Service, Student life

Collins Hall We cover Move-In Day every year, usually based on the introduction it provides to Baylor for new students and their parents. But the actions of Baylor students — be they coordinated efforts like Move-In, or random acts of kindness from an individual — can also have a lasting impact on those outside the Baylor family. Take the story below, for example, from 1982 Baylor grad Stephen Hudson.

“In addition to moving in my son to Martin, I was part of a ‘family’ of people who moved in a young lady to Collins. The background is that this young lady’s parents just moved to Washington state, and in addition to dealing with the move, there is a serious illness in the family that they are dealing with, which meant that they couldn’t be a part of getting her to Baylor. So the principal of our school, the principal’s secretary, and I, her mentor teacher and proud Baylor alum, adopted her as our daughter and we moved her into Baylor. … [After everyone arrived and she got moved in], there was the necessary trip to Wal-Mart and Target to get whatever it took to make her dorm a home.

“But the next part of the story is what really makes me Baylor Proud: My boss, you need to understand, is a UT graduate with Aggie children; she has really not had any contact with Baylor except through me. When the three ladies returned to campus from their shopping trip, they all had many bags to carry from the parking garage to the front door of Collins. When they arrived at the door, it was, of course, locked because it was after dark. Just as our New Bear was pulling out her card to swipe, a female Baylor jogger came up and tried to open the door for them. When she realized that it was locked and saw the ID card, she gently took it from our Bear’s hand, swiped the door, opened it, gave the card back, held the door open until everyone was in, and then continued her jog, without ever speaking a word.

“My boss was blown away and couldn’t wait to tell me about it the next day when I saw her back at school. That image of the selfless jogger is indelibly etched in her memory as her lasting impression of Baylor. No fanfare, no seeking for any glory, just service. As I explained to her, ‘See a need, fill a need.’ The next day, at our school-wide convocation, she mentioned Baylor again in the context of this young jogger.

“I am Baylor Proud of our amazing students who, without knowing it, have exemplified service beyond self without even knowing it!”

Sic ’em, Baylor students!

[We learned of this story from a Bear who shared his 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

2011

Husband-wife professors spend their summer overseas in research and service

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Academics, Photo Galleries, Research, Service

Dr. Bradley Bolen and his class in Jordan What did you do with your summer? Some Bears hosted send-off parties for Baylor students. Some took the Baylor name abroad, as tourists or on mission trips. Some served their families in time of need, while others racked up academic honors.

One husband-wife faculty team went overseas on two very different projects. Music lecturer Dr. Bradley Bolen spent time in Jordan with a cultural diplomacy program, while environmental science lecturer Dr. Lynne Baker led environmental education programs in Nigerian schools.

This summer was Bolen’s second tour with a non-profit group called American Voices, which uses music to culturally engage students in the Middle East. Last year, Bolen visited Iraq, Syria and Lebanon; unrest in the region shortened this year’s itinerary to focus on Jordan, where he worked with piano students eager for instruction and connections to the western world. (That’s Bolen and his class at right; learn more on his blog.)

Baker, meanwhile, headed to Nigeria where she has for several years studied a rare primate, Sclater’s monkey, which is considered sacred by the local population. This summer, she worked with a Nigerian colleague to educate primary and secondary school students about how environmental degradation (such as the country’s widespread deforestation and pollution) affects natural habitats, wildlife and even human well-being. In previous work in her study sites, Baker has introduced ideas regarding Christian environmental stewardship. (Click here for photos from Baker’s trip.)

I’m always intrigued to learn about married couples who are professors at Baylor, and proud to see any members of the Baylor family giving of their time for research and service.

Sic ’em, Dr. Bolen and Dr. Baker!

Aug

2011

White House, First Lady’s websites recognize work of Baylor’s Texas Hunger Initiative

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Honors, Service

White House blog Baylor You know it’s been a good summer when your work draws positive attention from the White House and the First Lady.

The Texas Hunger Initiative (THI), a collaborative effort anchored from within Baylor’s School of Social Work, was applauded this summer first on the website for Let’s Move!, an initiative launched by First Lady Michelle Obama aimed at solving the problem of obesity, and later on an official White House blog for the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

As part of its effort to provide meals to the one-in-four Texas children who don’t get enough to eat each summer, THI began a summer food service program. Through partnerships with the Texas Department of Agriculture, the USDA’s Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and others, THI was able to increase meals served statewide by 2 million since last summer, the single largest increase in the country.

THI is housed in the School of Social Work’s Center for Family and Community Ministries. A partner of the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ Christian Life Commission, THI seeks to develop and implement strategies across the state that alleviate hunger through policy, education, community organizing, and community development. It is led by Baylor alum Jeremy Everett, MDiv ’01.

Sic ’em, Texas Hunger Initiative and Baylor’s School of Social Work!

Aug

2011

Move-In Day, Welcome Week provide perfect introduction to the best of Baylor

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

Baylor’s Move-In Day volunteers and the activities of Welcome Week exemplify much of the best of what the university has to offer — be it the hours faculty, staff and students spent hauling boxes in temperatures over 100 degrees, the lighthearted fun of a 1980s-themed dance party, or the sacred moments of the Candlelight Ceremony. (Take a look at photo galleries from Move-In and Welcome Week, as well as this video that played in Chapel this morning.)

It was fun to spend the past week reading the thoughts of former and current students talking about Move-In and Welcome Week on Twitter. High School Musical star Corbin Bleu was among those applauding Baylor’s move-in efforts: “Had a great day moving my sister Hunter into her dorm at Baylor U. The upper class students made move in day smooth & easy for everyone!” Over the weekend, quite a few alumni shared how they met their future husbands, wives, groomsmen and bridesmaids years earlier during Welcome Week.

But my favorite tweet of the week came from a student who shared a parent’s comment about Baylor’s Move-In Day: “This is way better than move in at [another rival school]. No one helped, and I got yelled at for putting boxes on the grass.”

Welcome back, Baylor students, and a special welcome to all our new freshmen and transfer students!

Sic ’em, Bears!

Aug

2011

Truett Seminary student joins the homeless to tell their story in new documentary

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Faith, Service, Student life, Videos

Truett Seminary student Antwone Taulton wanted to aid the homeless, but recognized that he didn’t know what it was like to be in their shoes. So he joined them.

Taulton spent several weeks living on the streets of Oklahoma City to learn the stories of some of the homeless there. He has now told their stories in a new documentary, “A Day in Our Shoes.” DVDs of the film are for sale on the official website, with proceeds going to aid homeless people in finding permanent housing, employment and transportation.

“They’re good people, they’re kindhearted people, but you can’t help all of them and not all of them want to be helped,” Taulton told the Oklahoma Gazette. “Some of them have adapted to this way of life. That comes from being out here so long and the mental abuse they have to go through. If you catch them at the beginning stages, you can get them out of here.”

Sic ’em, Antwone!

Aug

2011

Senior gives up summer to serve her little brother in time of need

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

Josiah and Jenni Biddison Summer for a college student usually means one of a few things: work, summer school, perhaps a mission trip and/or family vacation, and finally preparing to go back to school (book-buying and all the rest).

Senior Jenni Biddison gave up most of that this summer to serve her family. Thanks to her experience in outdoor rec, she was in Colorado helping lead one of Baylor’s Outdoor Adventure Line Camps when she got word that her nine-year-old brother, Josiah, was on life support. Already having been diagnosed with autism, Josiah entered the hospital June 30 with acute pancreatitis. The next day, he went into cardiac arrest; he then spent the next month in ICU.

Throughout Josiah’s stay in the hospital, his mother, Joan, stayed by his side through the day, and Jenni stayed by his side through the night, helping the nurses care for her brother and calming his fears. Though still suffering from some health issues, Josiah is now thankfully back home, and Jenni is preparing to return to Baylor for her senior year.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13

Sic ’em, Jenni!

Jul

2011

Camp Success a win-win for Baylor and Central Texas

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

Since 2003, Baylor students and faculty members have provided a select group of Waco youth each summer with a life-changing experience known as Camp Success.

A four-week, intensive speech, language and reading program, Camp Success participants receive 50 hours of one-on-one therapy — equivalent to a full year’s worth of work in many school districts. Such therapy would normally cost a client $7,500 to $10,000, but thanks to Baylor and the Scottish Rite (which provided nearly $90,000 in funding this year), students are able to attend for free. Since its launch in 2003, the program has grown from 24 participants to more than 80 — a number now effectively capped due to limitations on the space and resources available to Baylor’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Participants generally see dramatic improvement, thanks to the attention and guidance of Baylor undergraduate and graduate students and faculty. (Click here for photos from this year’s Camp Success.) The BU students, in return, receive outstanding experience as they prepare for full-time positions in the field; click here to read what students, participants and their parents had to say about the experience from a 2009 Baylor Magazine feature.

Truly a win-win for Baylor and the community!

Sic ’em, Camp Success!

Points of Pride — Service

Baylor Links

Subscribe:

Points of Pride