Flourishing Through the Baylor Family’s Generosity

Jenna Thomas credits a family friend with putting her feet on Baylor University’s campus. When she was in high school and traveling through Texas to look at prospective colleges, this friend encouraged her to make a stop in Waco.

Although she knew little about Baylor at the time, she accepted the advice.

“From the moment I stepped on this beautiful campus, I felt at home,” said Jenna, who is now in her third year at Baylor. “Baylor’s deep Christian commitment was evident in every aspect of campus life, not just in name but in the way that faith is integrated into academics, student life, and the broader mission of the University.”

The sense of belonging Jenna feels at Baylor extends to her academic work. As a University Scholars major, the Louisiana native is concentrating in environmental science with a secondary major in philosophy, while also minoring in environmental humanities and environmental studies on the pre-law track. 

Jenna’s hope is to pursue a career in environmental law and advocacy. Expressing gratitude to those on campus who have taught, mentored, challenged, and encouraged her, she said the knowledge and skills she has gained at Baylor have positioned her for professional success. “But my Baylor education is preparing me for success in ways that go far beyond academics,” she added. “At Baylor, I am being formed into a person who understands what it means to be human, to have morals, and to live as a child of God in the real world.”

Once Jenna had set her heart on going to Baylor as a high school student, the financial generosity of donors was the final key required to open the door to a Baylor education.

Among the financial assistance she has received during her time in Waco has been the Bryant O’Bannon Memorial Scholarship, which was created during the lifetime of the donors and will be enhanced through estate commitments.

“Because of this support, I am able to pursue my passions without the overwhelming burden of financial strain,” she said while also praising her parents for their dedication to ensuring that she and her three siblings received a strong education. “Growing up in southern Louisiana, nearly everyone in my family attended in-state schools. While I never ruled out that path, I felt a deep calling to Christian higher education.”

Jenna’s scholarship was made possible through the generosity of the Baylor Family.  Learn more about Extend the Line, the scholarship initiative providing new pathways to invest in the future of Baylor students.