Enduring Symbols
Baylor closed a monumental chapter in the life of the institution, mourning the loss of its beloved American black bear and Baylor icon, Judge Sue “Lady” Sloan. Lady passed away peacefully on March 11 at the remarkable age of 23.
For more than two decades, Lady and her sister, Judge Joy Reynolds, weren’t just Baylor’s live American black bears, they were treasured companions to generations of students, families, Baylor Alumni and visitors. Whether lounging in the shade on a quiet afternoon or greeting crowds during Homecoming, Lady and Joy became icons of Baylor’s spirit and campus community.
Lady’s life was a story of resilience and grace. Known to many as the “Miracle Bear,” she captured hearts far beyond Waco after surviving two complex health challenges that once threatened her life.
With the expert care of a team of student caregivers, University staff and the veterinarians at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in College Station, Lady made veterinary medical history, receiving advanced treatments that were believed to be the first attempted on a bear. Her recovery was not just a victory for her — it became a published standard for future care and veterinary medicine.
After Joy passed away in 2022, Lady transitioned to a private, auxiliary facility designed to give her all the comfort and dignity she deserved in her golden years, under the watchful care of the same devoted team who loved and looked after her on campus. Even after her 2023 retirement, Lady brought the Baylor Family together, returning for special visits to campus, including Homecoming. Her presence sparked a passionate reaction on Baylor social media and showed the deep bond between these remarkable bears and the community that adored them.
Lady and Joy’s legacy is woven into the heart of Baylor. Their lives helped shape a program that is rooted in stewardship, education and conservation. Over their lifetime, Baylor built the beautiful Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat in the heart of campus and became the first university in the world to earn accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The University’s commitment to compassionately caring for the bears throughout the entirety of their lifetimes stands as a testament to the excellence and care that defines the Baylor Bear Habitat.
Today, that legacy continues through Judge Indy and Judge Belle, the next generation of Baylor’s live bear program, who will carry forward the same lessons of love, care and stewardship. Since Indy and Belle arrived on campus in 2023, there is no doubt that the Baylor Family will continue its ardent support and care for these bears.
Plans are underway for a lasting on-campus memorial to honor Lady and Joy — two extraordinary bears whose presence left indelible paw prints on each member of the Baylor Family.
To learn more about the Baylor Bear Habitat, visit baylor.edu/bear.