Letters From Our Readers

September

It was with great sadness that I read the tribute to F. Ray Wilson II in the September issue of Baylor Magazine (page 56). I was a junior at Baylor University in the fall of 1973 when Professor Wilson first came to Baylor. I was a student of his in Human Physiology. We became good friends during that year. In addition to teaching me physiology in the classroom, Ray taught me to play chess. We kept score with pencil marks on the wall in the kitchen of his small apartment. The most important thing that he taught me during that year, however, was the joy of learning. It was not important what you learned, but that you learned. Ray's enthusiasm for learning was infectious, as was his laughter.
I last talked with Ray at dinner in Dallas in March 2003. At that time, he had some reservations about Baylor 2012 but was hopeful about its future. He was extremely excited about the new science building, not for his own personal pleasure, but for the opportunities for learning that it was going to provide for Baylor students in the future. He was also extremely excited about his role in the Baylor study abroad program.
The loss of Professor F. Ray Wilson II is extremely sad for his family, as well as the Baylor family, but his loss is most sad for the future Baylor students who will not know his remarkable personality, intellect and teaching abilities.
Dr. Charles Lackey, BS '74
Norman, Okla.

In response to the editor's note referring to what measures the University has used to gauge Baylor community support [for the George W. Bush Presidential Library], not only are students involved in planning committees, but Student Congress, in its 2001-02 session, passed a unanimous resolution in support of pursuing the presidential library.'Copies of the resolution, with signatures, can be obtained from the Student Government office.
Kristen Beall, BBA '04
Waco, Texas

I fully support a George W. Bush Presidential Library on the Baylor campus in Waco.'It is fitting that President Bush has chosen to establish his home near Waco. What a tribute for a President who was so resolute in his leadership of this great country after one of our darkest hours on 9/11, and what an honor for Baylor University.
Dave Keel, BS '76
Waco, Texas

The letter printed in Baylor Magazine written by Cody Garner: I realize you must print letters expressing both sides, but why highlight his opinion? George Bush is good for America, and his library will be good for Baylor. I believe that most of Baylor feels that way.
Jack Whetsel, BBA '41
Georgetown, Texas

I greatly enjoyed reading the "Purls of Wisdom" article in the September edition (page 53). I agree with all the life lessons that can be learned through this art and the special friendships that can be formed. I would encourage the group to take their skill to the next level.
Since January 2003, I have been part of a ministry at Irving Bible Church called "Stitches of Faith." We meet on Tuesday nights and Thursday afternoons. People come to crochet/knit and to fellowship. Our members range from 12 to 80 years old. 
As a ministry, "Stitches of Faith" has one rule -- every project done during the meeting time must be donated. In 2003, we donated 600 hats and scarves for a mission trip to a Russian orphanage. We also donated baby items for some African orphanages.
During 2004, we designated a different service project each month including a crisis pregnancy center, a women's shelter, a men's shelter and "Newborns in Need." "Newborns in Need" distributes the items to families at local Dallas area hospitals.
Our motto is 1 Peter 4:10: "Each one should use whatever gift he or she has received to serve others faithfully administering God's grace in various forms."
Through yarn and needles, we have been able to spread our love throughout the world.
I am pleased to learn I am not the only person under 60 who enjoys crocheting.
Michelle Kostur Watts, BBA/MBA '98
Lewisville, Texas

After reading the September issue of Baylor Magazine, I was pleased to find my daughter's picture in the section called "Faces of Baylor" (page 40). This delighted me in two ways. Of course, one, having the opportunity to see my daughter's beautiful face in print, but also it reminded me of the first time that I had seen her picture in a university magazine. I have enclosed a copy of the front page of Insight Magazine, March 1984, a publication from Texas Tech University. In it, you will see that Marissa's first picture was when she was a baby. I thought that this was an interesting piece of history and that possibly you might also find it an interesting piece of trivia for your readers.
Perry M. Marchioni
Midland, Texas

I really enjoyed the story about the "Miracle on the Brazos" (page 16). While reading it, I had to wonder why we have to look back 30 years to find something good to say about Baylor football. For many other schools, a season like that would be one of many, not one of a kind.
I remember as a student at Baylor, in the fall of 1991, Baylor being ranked as high as eighth in the nation and going undefeated until a surprise loss to Rice and a massacre by Texas A&M.'If memory serves me correctly, we were not even ranked at the end of the year.'
Baylor hasn't been trying to be bad, and I feel that the coaches that they have now, as well as the ones in the past, are great coaches.'I respect the players because I know they work very hard to do their best for Baylor. Somehow'we are'just missing it.'
I didn't go to Baylor for the football, and athletics should not take priority over academics, but wouldn't it be great if Baylor was not the Vanderbilt of the Big 12? I hope someone figures out how to have a great academic reputation as well as a team that can have a winning record.
Michael Cole, BM '89
Chicamauga, Ga.

I really enjoyed the article "Miracle on the Brazos" in the September issue of Baylor Magazine (page 16). During the 1974 football season, I was living in Grand Cayman, employed by Pecten Trading Ltd., an oil trading subsidiary of Shell Oil Co. At that time, Grand Cayman had no radio or television reception. I found out Baylor football scores in the Sunday or Monday edition of the Miami Herald, which was flown to Grand Cayman from Miami on Cayman Airways. I was invited by a University of Texas graduate to listen to the Texas game on shortwave radio in his office. Neither of us could believe the outcome of that game. I flew from Grand Cayman to Miami on New Year's Eve and stayed at the airport Marriot Hotel to be able to watch Baylor play in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day 1975 on television in my hotel room.
Jim Tye, BBA '63
Davison, Mich.

I think this is the first time I have ever written a letter to your group. I attended Baylor University in 1940-42, then went to Baylor Medical School. It so happens that I also was an acquaintance of Virginia Ball, whom you mentioned on page 10 [September] regarding some lectures in honor of their mother, Mrs. John A. Bell. ... 
My reason for writing this letter is to mention the football game between Texas and Baylor in about the year of 1940 or 1941. It looked as though Texas was going to the Rose Bowl in California, and they came up to Waco to play. I believe the main quarterback for Texas might have been injured ... Baylor tied them that day and the next week I believe TCU beat them. ... I believe that would be a Miracle on the Brazos. I only saw a tiny part of the game, as I worked in the chemistry lab most of the afternoon knowing that Texas would run all over Baylor, and I needed to work in the lab anyhow.
I can testify also about President Pat Neff's lectures and presentations at the morning Chapel that all students had to attend, at least a great part of them.
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your magazine. Thank you for all the time and effort involved in publishing such a magazine.
Dr. James Holman, BS '43
Dallas, Texas