Hurd Welcome Center dedication capped with ‘Howdy at the Hurd’ celebration
On Friday, Baylor officially unveiled and dedicated the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center — the much-anticipated new front door to campus. From Friday morning’s ribbon-cutting to Friday night’s “Howdy at the Hurd,” the entire day took on a celebratory air.
First came the traditional ribbon-cutting, led by Baylor Regent Paula Hurd, whose gift — along with her late husband, Mark (BBA ’79) — began the path to making this facility a reality. After a brief ceremony, a gathered crowd headed inside to look around the building that now welcomes prospective students, alumni and other visitors to campus.
The evening was a celebration reserved for students. The University and Pi Beta Phi partnered to combine “Howdy,” an annual Texas welcome for new students, with the Hurd Welcome Center’s debut. An expanded “Howdy at the Hurd” featured food trucks, a Ferris Wheel, games, line dancing, a concert by country music star Bailey Zimmerman, and an incredible drone show over campus.
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With that, the Hurd is now officially open! Stop by the next time you’re in Waco — but until then, here’s a glimpse at the newest building on campus:
Sic ’em, Hurd Welcome Center!
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