Baylor Proud

Apr

2013

Baylor equestrian moves forward with dedication of new Carlile Equestrian Building

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Athletics

Carlile Equestrian Building at Baylor

Fresh off a national championship in 2012, the Baylor equestrian program today celebrates the completion of phase two construction at their home, the Willis Family Equestrian Center.

The new Carlile Equestrian Building (to be dedicated in a ceremony this afternoon) provides the program with locker rooms, administrative offices, meeting space and a treatment and training room. Made possible by a lead gift from Baylor Regent Dr. Kenneth Q. Carlile, BA ’69, PhD ’96, and his wife, Celia, the facility benefits the 75+ student-athletes who compete for the equestrian program, which just completed its eighth season as a varsity sport at Baylor.

In that short time, Baylor has already won the 2012 Hunter Seat National Collegiate Equestrian Championship title and the 2010 Big 12 Championship under head coach Ellen White, BA ’81, who has led the program from its beginning.

If the Carlile name sounds familiar, it should. Ken and Celia have given faithfully to numerous projects across campus, including the Carlile Geology Research Building and the Ken and Celia Carlile Atrium in the Baylor Sciences Building, as well as the Kenneth Q. and Celia C. Carlile Endowed Scholarship, and many other Baylor initiatives in the sciences, student life and law.

Sic ’em, Carlile family and Baylor equestrian!

Apr

2013

Hearts of service: Three Baylor nursing students were among the first on the scene in West

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Service, Student life

Czech Stop - West explosion

Last Wednesday, two Baylor nursing students and one recent graduate were driving back from Waco to Dallas following ROTC when they decided to grab dinner at a popular I-35 stop just north of Waco. (You probably see where this is going already.)

The trio — seniors Ali Nordlander, of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Ashlyn McNeely, of Pampa, Texas, and alum Quianna Samuels, BSN ’12, of San Antonio — stopped at the Czech Stop in West just minutes before a nearby fertilizer plant exploded. They immediately ran more than a mile toward the mushroom cloud and were among the first responders to start pulling the elderly, many of them bedridden, from West Rest Haven, a nursing home that was devastated by the blast.

Dressed in their ROTC fatigues, the students’ presence commanded respect in the middle of what Ashlyn calls “complete chaos,” and those able to help listened as the trio gave directions to transport the injured to safety. These brave young women set up a triage area and treated countless injuries over the first four hours of the West tragedy as it all unfolded on national television, leaving only after those in the worst medical condition had been picked up and taken to hospitals.

In addition to the university’s response, Baylor students and alumni have shown initiative in finding their own ways to rally for West. A few examples:

A group of Christian artists (including Baylor alums Laura Cooksey, BM ’01, Jillian Edwards, BA ’11, Shaun Groves, BM ’97, and Robbie Seay) put together Songs for West, a compilation album that is free for download but for which listeners can leave tips; all money received will go to Baylor’s West relief fund. (As of this morning, the album had already generated more than $3,500 in tips.)
Friday, members of Alpha Phi Omega held a bake sale in the SUB to raise money for the people of West.
Jesus Said Love, a “ministry to the marginalized” led by Baylor alums Brett (BA ’98) and Emily (BA ’99) Mills, has adopted one family that lost everything in the explosion (including any keepsakes they had from a baby that died a year ago) and is working to provide shelter, clothing, food, furniture, etc. (in addition to pastoral care).

Do you know of other stories where the Baylor family has stepped in to serve following the West explosion? Please share them with us, and we’ll share some of our favorites in a later Baylor Proud blog post and/or pass them along to Baylor Magazine for consideration for their next issue. Click to here to submit your story.

Sic ’em, Bears, for serving so well!

(photo shared on Twitter by @AndyBartee)

Apr

2013

Baylor community rallies for West, Texas, as Diadeloso becomes DiaDelWest

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Service, Student life

Baylor students praying for West, Texas Few things could make me more proud than seeing how the Baylor community sprang into action following the explosion Wednesday night in nearby West, Texas (about 20 miles north of Waco).

Students organized a midnight prayer gathering in front of Waco Hall, drawing almost 100 people to pray for those affected. Overnight, the university rolled out a website (baylor.edu/relief) to gather information on how Bears could help; that was followed later Thursday with a Facebook group to help get updates out.

Thursday was also Diadeloso, an annual holiday for Baylor students. But the morning’s events were rearranged to make room for a prayer vigil in the Student Union Building between 10 and 11 a.m. Baylor Chamber took the bear mascot trailer out to Dia later in the day to collect water, blankets, etc. for the displaced from West, just one of many groups collecting aid around Waco.

(My wife called at 9:30 a.m. from the local Target, where she had stood in line behind two Baylor students who had a cart overflowing with similar supplies for West evacuees; the cashier said they were the second group of Baylor students to come through her line already this morning.)

Students, faculty and staff were urged to give blood at local collection centers (Carter Blood Care and Scott & White Blood Center), and lines at such locations stretched around the block. Baylor also began accepting donations (both online and in-person at Robinson Tower) for a fund to benefit the community of West. The Diadeloso headliner concert featuring Five for Fighting was moved to the Ferrell Center and opened to the public; cash donations to support the relief effort were accepted, and $1 from every concessions sale will go to relief efforts. [See photos from the concert and other Dia events here.]

Thursday evening, Judge Starr sent this email out to the entire Baylor family, noting that in less than 24 hours the fund mentioned above had already received nearly $15,000 in donations (not including donations collected at the concert).

So proud of how the Baylor family has responded; even Sports Illustrated has picked up on the Baylor spirit. I think this tweet sums things up:

Proud to be a Bear. On a day designed to celebrate all things Baylor, they are helping their neighbors in West. #DiaDelOso #DiaDelWest

— Laurie Cavin (@lauriecavin) April 18, 2013

Sic ’em, Bears!

Apr

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

2013

Griner selected with No. 1 overall pick in WNBA draft

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors

Brittney Griner and WNBA President Laurel Richie

As expected, Brittney Griner was selected with the first overall pick in Monday’s 2013 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury — the first Baylor player ever selected first overall in any major league draft. Teammate Brooklyn Pope was also drafted in the third round by the Chicago Sky; the pair were the eighth and ninth Lady Bears selected in WNBA draft history.

The Mercury rolled out all the stops after selecting Griner Monday night, introducing “the Griner Pack” of tickets, launching a special section of their website dedicated to the Baylor senior, unveiling a 77-foot banner in downtown Phoenix, and even “renaming” a street near their arena “Griner Street.” (You can also already order a “Griner 42″ Mercury jersey.)

But while signing as the top overall pick may seem the obvious choice, Griner could face an interesting decision: Should she go to the WNBA, where she’s predicted for stardom, or take a chance on a potential once-in-a-generation opportunity?

As you may have heard — even World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer picked up on the story — Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has made headlines for suggesting that his team would consider taking Griner in this summer’s NBA draft. She wouldn’t be the first woman to get a shot with an NBA team — in 1977, the Utah Jazz drafted Delta State’s Lusia Harris before the NCAA even recognized women’s basketball — but it’s enough of a rarity that Cuban’s comments sparked all sorts of speculation.

Women’s basketball pioneer Nancy Lieberman said Griner should go for it; UConn coach Geno Auriemma, on the other hand, called it “absolutely ludicrous” to think Griner could make it in the NBA. Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitski and coach Rick Carlisle each weighed in; Nowitski said it would be “tough” for her to make it, but Carlisle called her “a hell of a player.” And NBA.com columnist Fran Blinebury noted that Griner wouldn’t be the most unusual draft pick in NBA history.

Griner has said she’s interested by the possibilities; we’ll see what happens when the NBA draft rolls around in June. Until then…

Sic ’em, Brittney!

Apr

2013

Baylor sophomore impresses on NBC’s ‘The Voice’

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

Holly Tucker on NBC's The Voice

The judges on NBC’s The Voice singing competition — Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine, country music star Blake Shelton, Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira and multi-platinum R&B artist Usher — spent the last three weeks choosing teams of performers to mentor and prepare for head-to-head competitions.

Among those who made the cut? Baylor sophomore Holly Tucker.

A native of Lorena, Texas (less than 15 miles south of Waco), Tucker was introduced on The Voice in this season’s third episode, including a lengthy series of shots showing her walking the Baylor campus and performing with the Golden Wave Band. [Click here to watch Holly's introduction and first performance, "To Make You Feel My Love" (starting just after the 40:00 mark).]

During Tucker’s blind audition, each of the four judges quickly turned their chairs — a rare occurrence on the show, demonstrating that all four wanted her on their team. After much deliberation, Tucker — who dreams of being a country star — chose to join Shelton’s team. Beginning tonight, she and the other artists will be paired head-to-head in elimination battles; if Tucker can make it through this round, then she’ll advance to knockout rounds and (hopefully) the live finals, where audience voting can play a part.

[MORE HOLLY: Uproar Records' video "Introducing Holly" || Tucker's artist page on The Voice website || Get Tucker's first Voice performance on iTunes]

Tucker’s experience on The Voice isn’t her first time performing, of course; she has been singing in front of audiences since the age of 12. She even spent her freshman year as an artist with Baylor’s Uproar Records, recording a CD on the label and even performing on behalf of Uproar in the 2011 Baylor Homecoming Parade.

A Baylor legacy, Holly’s father, Johnny, mother, Cheryl, and brother, Travis, are all Baylor graduates, and Cheryl now works in the Engineering and Computer Science dean’s office. The family is hosting a watch party each night the show airs at the Applebee’s in Waco.

Tune in to The Voice (Mondays and Tuesdays, 7 p.m. CT, on NBC) to see what’s next for Holly, and follow her journey via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and hollytucker.com.

Sic ’em, Holly!

Apr

2013

Undergrad’s research suggests ‘green’ laundry products could make children’s clothing less safe

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Academics, Research, Student life

Haley Moore at work This week was URSA (Undergraduate Research & Scholarly Achievement) Scholars Week at Baylor, an annual event designed to share the research being done by Baylor undergraduate students. Some 180 students and 70 professors participated in this year’s event, sharing details of their work through presentations and posters.

Here’s just one example: Haley Moore, a junior apparel merchandising major from Katy, Texas, found that all-natural cleaning products — an increasingly popular choice nationwide — may have unintended consequences.

Working with Dr. Rinn Cloud, the Mary Gibbs Jones Endowed Chair in Textile Science in the College of Arts & Sciences’ Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Moore found that flame-resistant fabric (like that commonly found in children’s sleepwear) loses more of its protective properties when repeatedly washed with organic detergent (compared with washes using conventional detergent).

Moore’s research was supported by a grant from the URSA Small Grants program and was one of dozens of academic efforts on display in the Baylor Sciences Building’s Carlile Atrium this week.

Sic ’em, Baylor researchers!

[For more on Baylor's research efforts at the undergraduate, graduate and faculty levels, follow the new Research Tracks blog at blogs.baylor.edu/researchtracks and on Twitter at @BaylorOVPR.]

Apr

2013

Baylor’s Texas Hunger Initiative making strides in reducing hunger across Texas

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Academics, Pro Futuris, Service, Videos

Despite some tremendous results in helping reduce hunger across the state, Baylor University’s Texas Hunger Initiative (THI) has flown somewhat under the radar since its founding in 2009. But no longer.

A series of sponsorships and grants from corporate foundations like Walmart and ConAgra Foods, coupled with contracts like this $3.5 million deal with the State of Texas, are allowing THI to rapidly expand the efforts that have already seen, for example, an additional 15 million breakfasts served to school children statewide over the past year.

In 2009, Baylor alum Jeremy Everett, MDiv ’01, began the Texas Hunger Initiative in a parking garage office space, working collaboratively with Baylor’s School of Social Work, the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. His goal was to develop a model to significantly reduce (and perhaps eliminate) hunger by building a public-private infrastructure that could be replicated in other states. To accomplish such a feat, THI has worked with local volunteers in cities across Texas to make sure money already budgeted for food program assistance is better and more efficiently utilized.

[Learn more about the Texas Hunger Initiative and how it works in this excellent feature from the latest issue of Baylor Magazine.]

Thanks to increased funding from outside sources, THI is now able to expand, opening a dozen regional offices (from El Paso to Houston and Amarillo to McAllen) to better coordinate with individuals in the communities being served. (Want to join in? Learn more here.)

Baylor’s Pro Futuris strategic vision calls for Baylor to be a place “where our Christian faith, in conjunction with our expertise and resources, inspires a desire to address systematic problems facing our community.” THI is a perfect example of how Baylor can serve not only our students, but our entire state. Pro Texana, indeed.

Sic ’em, Texas Hunger Initiative!

Texas Hunger Initiative

Apr

2013

Students win National Trumpet Competition for second time in three years

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Academics, Honors, Student life, Videos

The month of March brought a national championship to Baylor, after all; in fact, the winning team has all the makings of a potential dynasty. It’s just not in the world of sports.

For the second time in three years, a Baylor student ensemble was crowned national champion at the National Trumpet Competition, hosted by George Mason University. The sextet of master’s candidates Drew Fremder and Erika Izaguirre, seniors Taylor Williamson, Manuel Munoz, junior Ben Hauser and sophomore David Sayers (dubbed “Baylor Gold”) took first place from among 30 groups that had reached the semifinals. Here‘s their award-winning performance of “1849,” arranged by Baylor trumpet professor Wiff Rudd:

And the members of “Baylor Gold” weren’t the only Bears to excel at the competition; another group from the School of Music’s Baylor Trumpet Studio was also among the competition’s top six acts, as “Baylor Green” (senior Tyler Brinkman, junior Kelsie Dunham, sophomore Daniel Gerona, and freshmen Regan O’Connor and Brent Smith) joined “Baylor Gold” in the finals.

Sic ’em, Baylor Trumpet Studio!

You might also like:
* Christmas carols from BU trumpet students, Lubbock-area grads (Dec. 2012)
* Trumpeteers, debaters bring home national honors for Baylor (April 2011)
* Freshman’s musical talents lead to scholarship and service (Jan. 2010)

Trumpeteers

Apr

2013

President Starr joins Justices O’Connor and Souter on Harvard Law-hosted panel

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Academics, Videos

Earlier this month, Harvard Law School hosted a daylong symposium on the need for civics education in schools. The featured noontime panel included four experts:

Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor,
Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter,
Longtime Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe, and
Baylor University President Ken Starr.

Pretty good company, eh? The panelists discussed why civics and civics education matter; Judge Starr talked about his realization during a Supreme Court case he argued before the Supreme Court of how little appreciation many Americans have for open civic discussion. He cited the iCivics program championed by Justice O’Connor (and studied by Baylor professors and students for classroom implementation) as a great example of how intentional efforts can help reach tomorrow’s citizens at an early age.