News Briefs

Students Share What Baylor University Means to Them

Early this summer a group of Baylor students was asked, “What does Baylor mean to you?” Their answers became the inspiration behind a new 30-second television commercial that is airing during this season’s football broadcasts. Television partners provide each institution with one 30-second commercial slot within their televised games.

The commercial features the talents of more than 70 Baylor students and showcases a number of the University’s most iconic campus locations. The students’ voices are heard describing what Baylor means to them—“friendships,” “challenging,” “the shared experience,” “rigorous,” “growth,” “family,” and “home” are among the words students used. Throughout the commercial, viewers also hear the University’s alma mater—That Good Old Baylor Line—played on the McLane Carillon atop Pat Neff Hall. A few scenes provide a rare glimpse of the 48 cast-bronze bells.

“Baylor has a distinct place in higher education as a Christian research university, but that’s hard to explain in a 30-second TV spot. We called on our students to communicate their Baylor experience in their own words while also showcasing their favorite campus locations. The result was something that was real and authentic, as well as different from the typical institutional commercial,” said Jason Cook, Baylor’s vice president for marketing and communications and chief marketing officer.

To view the commercial, visit youtube.com/baylor.

New VETS lounge opens

Baylor’s Veteran Educational and Transition Services (VETS) program celebrated the grand opening of its VETS Lounge Aug. 25, located in Room 51 on the garden level of Sid Richardson Building, home to the Paul L. Foster Success Center.

The dedicated space provides a home base to assist student veterans as they prepare for the next phase of their lives.

The VETS program, established in 2012, is a means to help student veterans identify and connect with resources to maximize academic success. Benefits include a transition coach, a new student experience course, mentors, and career development.

VETS promotes the academic success of veterans by partnering with a range of departments and resources to provide support to the specific and unique challenges faced by student veterans.

Led by program manager Kevin R. Davis, BA ’12, a Marine Corps veteran, VETS provides student veterans with academic, family and counseling support, mentoring, a new student experience course specifically for veterans, career and professional development, Veterans of Baylor student organization, SALUTE Honor Society, volunteer outreach opportunities and the Baylor Challenge Coin, which is given by student veterans to individuals who have shown support above and beyond for their academic journey.

In recognition of its efforts, Baylor is ranked No. 43 among national universities in the U.S. News Best Colleges for Veterans. The University also received a Military Friendly School Gold designation (top 10 large private school), from Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs, STEM Jobs and Military Spouse.

Hurricane Relief efforts

Almost 4,000 current Baylor students call the cities and towns impacted by Hurricane Harvey along the Texas and Louisiana coasts their home. The Baylor community rallied to provide support for these students and their communities in a variety of ways.

• University administrators reached out to offer support to every student from the areas affected by the storm, informing them how Baylor will academically support those whose families were impacted by the hurricane.
• The Baylor Family responded to a call for supplies during the opening football weekend and donated enough supplies to fill three storage PODS for distribution to shelters and those in need.
• Baylor’s football team helped set up Waco’s relief shelters (then on stand-by) for displaced families, and Baylor’s baseball team loaded 18-wheelers with supplies headed to the Houston area.
• On Sept. 1, Baylor provided McLane Stadium as the site for the displaced game between Sam Houston State University and the University of Richmond. On Sept. 2, Baylor provided free tickets and a meal to displaced families who wanted to attend the Baylor football season opener.
• The Baylor football equipment truck was one of several from universities and colleges answering a call by the University of Houston to help deliver supplies.
• Baylor Law School students, working with Lone Star Legal Aid, held a fundraiser and donation drive Sept. 11 at the Umphrey Law Center.

For more about Baylor’s support for Hurricane relief, visit baylor.edu/response. At press time, Hurricane Irma was nearing the U.S.