Baylor University
Webpages concerning "Baylor University"
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Wikipedia-Article "Baylor University"
| Baylor University | |
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| Motto | Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana (For Church, For Texas) |
| Established | 1845 |
| School type | Private |
| President | John M. Lilley |
| Location | Waco, Texas, USA |
| Campus | Suburban, 600 acres (2.4 km²) (City of Waco, McLennan County, Texas) |
| Enrollment | 11,980 undergraduate, 2,197 graduate |
| Faculty | 850 |
| Mascot | Bear  |
| Endowment | $750 million |
| Website | www.baylor.edu |
Baylor University is a private, Baptist-affiliated university located in Waco, Texas. It is the largest Baptist university in the world by enrollment. Founded ins 1845, Baylor University is the oldest university in Texas still operating under their original name.
The Baylor University campus is located just southeast of downtown Waco, roughly bounded by IH-35, Speight Avenue, Eighth Street and University Parks Drive.
The university is known for its programs in business, law, music, museum studies and theology. Bachelors, master's, doctoral and professional degrees are offered through eleven degree-granting academic units.
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History
The university was chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas under Republic President Anson Jones and opened at Independence, Texas, as a coeducational institution. Its founders were Reverend William Milton Tryon, Reverend James Huckins and Judge Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor, the University's namesake. Six years later, Baylor's second president Rufus Burleson decided to separate the men from the women, and thus the Baylor Female College branched off from the main university, while Baylor University became an all-male institution. The city of Independence began suffering a decline due to the rise of neighboring cities serviced by the Santa Fe Railroad, so beginning in 1885, Baylor University moved to Waco, Texas and merged with Waco University, where Baylor's former second president Rufus Burleson was serving as president. That same year, the Baylor Female College moved to Belton, Texas and would later become known as the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. A Baylor College Park still exists in Independence as a memory of the bygone era.
Around 1887, Baylor University began readmitting women, becoming a coeducational institution once again.
In 1900, three physicians founded the "University of Dallas Medical Department", in Dallas, despite the fact that a "University of Dallas" did not exist. In 1903, it was acquired by Baylor University and became known as the Baylor College of Medicine, remaining in Dallas. In 1943, Dallas civic leaders wanted to build larger facilities for the university in a new medical center, but only if the College of Medicine would surrender its denominational alliances with the General Baptist Convention. Baylor refused, and with funding from the M.D. Anderson Foundation and others, the College of Medicine moved to Houston. In 1969, the Baylor College of Medicine became independent from Baylor University. However, Baylor University and Baylor College of Medicine have entered into an agreement through the Baylor2 program that provides five Baylor undergraduates with full tuition scholarships and acceptance into Baylor College of Medicine.
Amidst concerns of a potential fundamentalist take-over, the university changed the terms of its charter in 1991 with the permission of the Texas legislature in order to establish a governance less directly dependent upon the Baptist General Convention of Texas, whilst retaining links with the convention.
Academics
Baylor University is divided into eleven degree-granting academic units. Two of the units are designated as colleges while eight others are designated as schools. They are:
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Hankamer School of Business
- Honors College
- School of Education
- School of Engineering and Computer Science
- Graduate School
- Law School
- Louise Herrington School of Nursing
- School of Music
- School of Social Work
Additionally, the George W. Truett Theological Seminary is a unit of Baylor university.
While they share the Baylor name, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and the Baylor Health Care System in Dallas are no longer affiliated with Baylor University.
Accomplishments
- Baylor University tied for 78th place out of 248 top national universities according to the rankings by U.S. News & World Report. [1]
- In 1982, Baylor won the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest under coach Dr. Donald Gaitros.
- As of 2005, the undergraduate engineering program at Baylor is ranked #21 in the nation.
- The Hankamer School of Business is 66th nationally, while Hankamer's entrepeneurship program is ranked #10.
Baylor 2012
In 2000, Baylor sought to expand its vision of a scholarly institution with a strong sense of Christianity. Baylor, under then President Robert Sloan Jr., created a written statement to detail the exact goals of this vision. This statement appropriately titled, Baylor 2012, the year the school hopes to achieve it. Officially, Baylor goal is to "enter the top tier of American universities while reaffirming and deepening its distinctive Christian mission." [2] It was presented in September of 2001 and approved by the Board of Regents shortly aftwerwards. The 2012 Vision is based upon 12 key imperatives of progress with the purpose of a more fulfilling educational experience coupled with a unique Christian spirit. Among the main ideas are that faith and academia are not mutually exclusive. The twelve imperatives are:
- Establish an environment where learning can flourish
- Create a truly residential campus
- Develop a world-class faculty
- Attract and support a top-tier student body
- Initiate outstanding new academic programs in selected areas
- Guide all Baylor students, through academic and student life programming, to understand life as a stewardship and work as a vocation
- Provide outstanding academic facilities
- Construct useful and aesthetically pleasing physical spaces
- Enhance involvement of the entire Baylor family
- Build with integrity a winning athletic tradition in all sports
- Emphasize global education
- Achieve a two-billion dollar endowment
However, Baylor 2012 has received strong opposition since its inception and has led to a polarization of faculty opinions. Opponents feel that this new mission will limit academic freedom and hinder intellectual growth due to a narrower Christian interpretation. Another issue brought up is the rising tuition costs needed to fuel the mission. Baylor's administration has countered that the increased tuition cost is still comparable to other private universities and that preserving and strengthening Christian values at the university is necessary.
Athletics
Baylor's men's sports teams are nicknamed the Bears and the women's the Lady Bears. They participate in the NCAA's Division I as the only private school in the Big 12 Conference. Prior to joining the Big 12, Baylor was a member of the Southwest Conference from the conference's charter in 1914 until its dissolution in 1996. Baylor has carried over its rivalries from the now-defunct Southwest Conference. The two main rivalries are Texas A&M and the University of Texas.
Baylor won its first team NCAA title in 2004 as the men's tennis team defeated UCLA in the championship game. Additionally, the Baylor Lady Bears won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship in 2005. Coached by Kim Mulkey-Robertson, the Lady Bears defeated the Spartans of Michigan State University 84-62. Mulkey-Robertson became the first women's coach and only the third coach ever to win an NCAA basketball championship as both a player and a coach, joining Dean Smith and Bob Knight.
Track and Field
Baylor's most notable sports program is perhaps its track and field team, producing 466 All-Americans under the 42-year tenure of head coach Clyde Hart. The greatest standout of the track program has been its men's 4x400 relay team, which has sent teams to the NCAA finals in each of the past 27 years and produced three Olympic gold medalists: Michael Johnson, Jeremy Wariner and Darold Williamson.
Coaching Staff:
Todd Harbour, Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach Clyde Hart, Director of Track & Field/400 Meters Danny Brabham, Assistant Head Coach Michael Ford, Assistant Coach Stacey Smith, Assistant Coach Jon Capron, Assistant Coach Michael Johnson, Consultant Jeremy Wariner, Volunteer Assistant Coach
Baseball
Baylor's baseball team is one of the most successful athletic programs at Baylor. Since the inception of the Big 12 Conference, Baylor has carried the best conference record at 137-83 (.623).
The 2005 Bears played one of the toughest schedules in the nation and went all the way to Omaha where they finally lost to the University of Texas, whom they had beaten 3 times during conference play. The Bears' strength was their pitching, with a weekend rotation of Trey Taylor, Cory VanAllen and Mark McCormick with closers Abe Woody and Ryan LaMotta. While their offense was poor during the regular season, during the post season the offense produced. Many players from this team have gone on to play in the major leagues.
Coaching Staff:
- Steve Smith, Head Coach
- Steve Johnigan, Assistant Coach
- Mitch Thompson, Assistant Coach
- Chris Berry, Volunteer Assistant Coach
Men's Basketball
The men's basketball program was plagued by scandal in 2003. Patrick Dennehy, a player for the team, was murdered by a former player for the team, and then-coach Dave Bliss was forced to resign amidst allegations that he had made improper financial payments to players and planned to cover his actions by characterizing Dennehy as a drug dealer. The school placed itself on probation, limited itself to 7 scholarships for two years and imposed a post-season ban for one year. Additionally, the NCAA further punished the team by initiating a non-conference ban for the 2005-2006 season and extending the probationary period during which the school would have limited recruiting privileges.
The 2005 Bears were hindered by only having 7 scholarship players and recorded only one win in conference play
In spite of these challenges, head coach Scott Drew was able to put together a 2005 signing class ranked No. 7 nationally by HoopScoop. The 2006 Bears include Aaron Bruce, the highest scoring freshman in the NCAA, Mamadou Diene, rated one of the top 10 centers for the 2007 NBA draft, as well as the No. 7 national recruiting class according to HoopScoop.
Coaching Staff:
- Scott Drew, Head Coach
- Matthew Driscoll, Assistant Coach
- Mark Morefield, Assistant Coach
- Jerome Tang, Assistant Coach
- Stephen Brough, Director of Basketball Operations
- Paul Mills, Coordinator of Basketball Operations
Football
The Baylor football team plays at Floyd Casey Stadium, located a few miles away from campus. The stadium was created in 1950 and currently seats more than 50,000 fans. Upon joining the Big 12 conference in 1996, Baylor has held a 9-35 record in regular season play with their best season coming in 2005. In 2004, Baylor beat their first ranked opponent since 1998, arch-rival Texas A&M in Waco by a score of 35-34 in overtime on a two-point conversion [3]. Guy Morriss has been the head coach of the football program since 2003.
Traditions
Homecoming
Every year since 1909, Baylor celebrates Homecoming. Homecoming activities include Pigskin Revue, a song and dance featuring the top acts from the previous spring's All University Sing; the Freshman Mass Meeting, where the freshmen are charged with building the bonfire as well as hear the story of the Immortal Ten. The celebration also includes a pep rally and bonfire on Friday evening as well as the oldest and longest collegiate parade in the United States. Since the mid 1930's, the Baylor Chamber has been responsible for funding, coordinating and executing the majority of the aspects of Baylor's Homecoming activities.
Official Baylor Homecoming Website
Mascot
As the school mascot is the bear, Baylor traditionally hosts a live mascot on campus, which is always given the name of the current president's wife and the title "Judge" in honor of Judge Baylor. Currently there are two black bears on campus named "Judge Joy" Joy Reynolds and "Judge Lady" Sue Sloan. Both bears recently moved into a brand new habitat which replaced the old "Bear Pit"; now visitors can see the bears up close and at eye level. The habitat is also much more natural, featuring pools, waterfalls and natural shelters. The bear habitat is a favorite spot for visitors and students of all ages.
Diadeloso
Every spring since 1934, Baylor takes a day off from classes for Diadeloso. The Baylor University Chamber of Commerce organizes the event which consists of entertainment of all types - tug o' war contests, 3-on-3 basketball, ping pong, indoor soccer, board game tournaments, comedians, an all-University dance, multi-player console games, gospel choirs, etc. This tradition often baffles new professors, who then require quite a bit of convincing to not hold class (or worse, give an exam) on a seemingly arbitrary Thursday in April.
The NoZe Brotherhood
Baylor University's oldest campus beautification society and perennial gadfly, the holy and supreme, immaculate yet serene, heard yet unseen Noble NoZe Brotherhood of the Universe (East Waco diocese) was founded in Brooks Hall in 1924 (1926, by some incorrect accounts), making it one of the oldest continuous college organizations in the state.
Official Noble NoZe Brotherhood website
Controversy and Criticisms
As a Baptist university whose constituency ranges from conservative to liberal, Baylor has seen its share of infighting and controversy, most recently evidenced in the university's decision in 2005 to transition Robert Sloan from president to chancellor.[4] During his decade of leadership, Sloan sought to rejuvenate the university's conservative Christian identity while at the same time becoming a tier 1 research university. [5]
Despite support from conservative factions, Sloan's policies invited criticism of some alumni, faculty, and students who feared that the policies were fiscally irresponsible or would damage academic acredibility.
Conservatives have criticised Baylor as a BINO (Baptist In Name Only) university. Tom DeLay, who had been expelled from Baylor for drinking, was reported as responding to a parent:
- ‘Don’t send your kids to Baylor. And don’t send your kids to [Texas] A&M,’ DeLay answered, to vigorous applause. ‘There are still some Christian schools out there—good, solid schools. Now, they may be little, they may not be as prestigious as Stanford, but your kids will get a good, solid, godly education.’[6]
Baylor also came under fire from both sides of the evolution debate for the hiring of intelligent design advocate William Dembski and the subsequent decision not to renew his contract.[7]
Conservatives are also concerned at the number of graduates who espouse liberal views, such as Ann Richards. Conversely, moderate to liberal Baylor students and alumni have objected to the lack of courtesy that certain students have afforded to Ann Richards when she has spoken on campus, as well as by the idea that Baylor should only attract and produce conservative graduates.
Baylor has been criticized for its policies toward homosexual students. Its student handbook explicitly prohibits homosexuality and partner benefits are not offered to employees.
In the second half of 2003, Matthew Bass, a seminary student, announced to his friends he was gay. Word of this revelation soon reached the dean of the seminary and on December 17, Bass received a letter with news that his scholarship had been revoked. Dean Paul Powell has cited three major reasons for his scholarship termination. The primary reason was based on the text of the Bible, specifically 1 Corinthians. Secondly, Powell says his duty is to train students for ministry in Baptist churches, and being a homosexual directly contradicts the Baptist lifestyle. Lastly, Baylor scholarship money is often donated from conservative organizations, which Baylor must meet certain standards for where to spend that money. As a result, Bass stated he was not able to attend Baylor University because of lack of money for tuition. Shortly after leaving Baylor, Bass sent numerous pornographic emails to Baylor staff members which had been edited to portray them in sexual acts. After tracing the emails and bringing a lawsuit, Bass was ordered to pay $77,000 to Baylor after losing the lawsuit.
On September 12, 2005, Baylor graduate Tim Smith was removed from the Hankamer School of Business advisory board because homosexuality is incompatible with the university and its affiliated denomination, the Baptist General Convention of Texas. [8]
Notable alumni
In politics
- Former Governors of Texas
- Pat Morris Neff (later president of the University - see photo of Pat Neff Hall above right)
- Price Daniel
- Mark White
- Ann Richards
- Former U.S. Senators
- Leon Jaworski (Baylor Law School) - special prosecutor during the Watergate Scandal and one of the first partners of the major international lawfirm Fulbright & Jaworski
In sports
- Gary Baxter - NFL cornerback
- Carrol Dawson - General Manager, Houston Rockets of the NBA
- Malcolm Frank - Canadian Football League defensive back
- Hayden Fry - NCAA Division I-A college football coach from 1962 to 1998
- Jason Jennings - pitcher, Colorado Rockies (MLB)
- Michael Johnson - Winner of four Olympic gold medals and nine-time world champion
- Ted Lyons - pitcher, Chicago White Sox, 1923-1946, member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame
- Drayton McLane - Owner of Houston Astros in MLB, major food distribution entrepreneur
- Mike Singletary - "Samurai" former NFL linebacker & current assistant head coach of the San Francisco 49ers
- Jeremy Wariner - Winner of gold medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece for the individual 400 meter and the 4x400 meter
- Kip Wells - pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
- David Wesley - shooting guard for Houston Rockets in the NBA
- Darold Williamson - Winner of a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece in the 4x400 meter
In the arts
- Robert Fulghum - best-selling author, philosopher
- Steven Stucky - Pulitzer Prize winner for music
- Thomas Harris - best-selling author of Silence of the Lambs
- Kevin Reynolds - director of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Waterworld, and The Count of Monte Cristo; son of Herbert Reynolds, who served as the chancellor emeritus of Baylor.
- John Lee Hancock - director of The Alamo; producer of My Dog Skip
- Michael Brandt - co-writer of Universal Studios' 2 Fast 2 Furious
- Derek Haas - co-writer of Universal Studio's 2 Fast 2 Furious
- Orian Williams - associate producer of Oscar nominated film Shadow of the Vampire
- Jim Hillin - visual effects artist for such films as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Spider-Man 2 and Dinosaur
- Trey Wingo - co-host of ESPN's SportsCenter
In business
- Mark Hurd - CEO of Hewlett-Packard Corp.
- Jim L. Turner - CEO of Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Bottling Group
- Marjorie M. Scardino - CEO of Pearson, a major international media group; former CEO of the Economist Group; also a non-executive director of Nokia Corporation
Chief Executives
During its more than 160 years of educational service, Baylor University has had 14 presidents, whose leadership has shaped the growth of the institution.
- 1846 - 1851: Henry Lee Graves, President
- 1851 - 1861: Rufus C. Burleson, President
- 1861 - 1863: George Washington Baines, President
- 1864 - 1885: William Carey Crane, President
- 1885 - 1886: Reddin Andrews, President
- 1886 - 1897: Rufus C. Burleson, President
- 1899 - 1902: Oscar Henry Cooper, President
- 1902 - 1931: Samuel Palmer Brooks, President
- 1932 - 1947: Pat Morris Neff, President
- 1948 - 1961: William R. White, President
- 1961 - 1981: Abner Vernon McCall, President
- 1981 - 1995: Herbert H. Reynolds, President
- 1995 - 2005: Robert B. Sloan, Jr., President
- 2005 - 2006: William D. Underwood, Interim President
- 2006 - present: John M. Lilley, President
Other notable trivia
- Baylor is home to the Armstrong Browning Library, which houses the world's largest and finest collection of items and manuscripts related to the Victorian era poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
- The Armstrong Browning Library is also believed to be the home of the largest collection of secular stained glass windows in the world.
- Country music singer Willie Nelson attended Baylor for one year.
- Home of the oldest and longest collegiate parade (started in 1909) - sponsored by the Baylor University Chamber of Commerce.
- Campus events are chronicled in Baylor's student periodical, The Lariat.
- There are 22 fraternities and 18 sororities. Baylor has the highest rate of male participation in the state with 20-25% of males participating in fraternities.
- In 1960, the "Bear Claw" hand signal was introduced as well as the "Sic 'Em Bears" yell. Both are commonly showcased by fans in Baylor events, especially football.
References
- Detailed history of Baylor University
- History of Baylor College of Medicine
- History of Independence, Texas
- History of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
External links
- Baylor University official homepage
- Baylor Athletics offical website
- Baylor 2012 Vision page
- "Baylor University" in the Handbook of Texas Online
- Armstrong Browning Library homepage also here
- The Baylor University Chamber of Commerce
- Baylor University Press
- Unofficial Baylor Athletics Discussion Board
- Christmas at Baylor with School of Music
- The NoZe Brotherhood
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