Author: Alexandra Brewer

They’ve led troops. Traveled the world. Now, they’re navigating lecture halls, textbooks and deadlines. At Baylor, student veterans are discovering the challenges of college are battles of a different kind — and they’re not doing it alone.

The first thing that disappears after someone dies isn’t the person. It’s what you’re allowed to say about them. Once someone dies, the language around them changes.

A small coin carried a big meaning last week at the Veterans of Baylor Coining Ceremony. The event recognized mentorship, service and the relationships that have shaped Baylor’s student veteran community.

A new 7 Brew location opened in Waco on Monday, bringing steady crowds as customers came out to check out the new stand. Located on 1540 N. Valley Mills Drive, the new location offers the familiar drive-thru service and customizable menu items that fans know and love.

Graduate Student Appreciation Week aims to recognize graduate students’ contributions and build community. Held annually at the start of April and part of a national observance, the week included events hosted by the Graduate Student Association and individual departments.

Kottage, a new Korean fried chicken spot in Waco, opened March 6 and is already gaining traction, even with hours limited to Friday and Saturday nights.

Baylor Theatre and history students brought history to life and added a little Broadway flair for one night with “1776 and More!,” a show celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Dallas sophomore Madelyn Prewitt, founder of Pear Ridge Botanicals, started her all-natural luxury body care line in high school after struggling with sensitive skin. What began as a personal frustration quickly turned into something much bigger: a brand rooted in both intention and experience.

Months after speakers took the stage for TEDxBaylor, the ideas shared at the event are now available for a wider audience to watch.

Turning Point USA’s This is the Turning Point Tour will stop at Baylor April 22, bringing several nationally known conservative commentators and political figures to campus.

Life, conflict and growth are uncomfortable. When every uneasy emotion becomes a diagnosis, we lose resilience. Instead of asking, “Why do I feel this way?” we ask, “What do I have?” The question shifts from reflection to labeling.

Pastel dresses hang neatly on racks and jewelry sparkles on display cases at Francesca’s. It looks like any other small boutique on an afternoon: calm, curated and easy to get lost in for a few minutes. But behind the checkout counter, the vibe is a little different as the future of the location remains uncertain.

Baylor’s tuition has risen nearly 44.53% over the past decade, and the university’s most recent increase has drawn reactions from students and families about affordability and transparency.

Baylor graphic design students are making a name for themselves by putting their creative blueprints to the test. On Thursday, three students in the art and art history department earned multiple awards at the Dallas chapter of the American Advertising Awards (ADDYs), including the coveted best of show.

“Alice By Heart” takes place in 1940s London during the Blitz and in a fractured version of Wonderland. The underground scenes stick close to historical reality, while Wonderland is wild, fractured and a little chaotic. The costumes reflect that shift, moving from realistic jackets and dresses to pieces stitched, layered or completely reimagined.

Dr. Heidi Hornik, professor of art history and chair of the art and art history department, has spent more than three decades building a career defined by both rigorous Renaissance scholarship and a deep commitment to her students — a combination that has now earned her the Big 12 Faculty of the Year award.

Every fall, students pack Waco Hall for All-University Sing, one of Baylor’s oldest traditions. For a few hours, the campus comes together, cheering, laughing and watching student organizations perform in a competition that’s been part of campus life for decades.

For decades, Sing has been a cornerstone of Baylor life, connecting generations of students through a shared tradition. Alumni still remember the thrill of performances they were once a part of, while current students feel the excitement and responsibility of carrying that legacy forward.

Balancing classes, part-time jobs and a growing business would overwhelm most college students, but for Weatherford senior Mariah Harris, it’s all part of the journey. Harris is the founder of RiahBeautyCo., a makeup company that caters to brides, alumni and anyone looking for professional photoshoot makeup.

At the intersection of family, landscape and imagination, Associate Professor of Art Winter Rusiloski creates art that moves beyond mere representation. Rusiloski channeled both her knowledge and passion to create “Anniversary Storms Over Orion’s Ridge,” which is currently on view at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.

February brings more than just deadlines and cold weather to campus. For Common Grounds, a new Valentine’s lineup just dropped, complete with pink signage, seasonal drinks and heart-themed names.

Every summer, college students hear the same advice: get an internship if you want a job after graduation. It sounds simple enough, but in reality, finding an internship can be incredibly difficult and time-consuming. There aren’t enough positions for the number of college students looking for internships, and the few that do are often highly competitive and require prior experience. This is a frustrating paradox: the only way to get experience is through an internship, yet you often need experience to get one.

Cha Community’s Eighth Street location near Baylor’s campus recently introduced food to its menu, expanding beyond drinks for the first time at that location. The menu includes items such as rice boxes, curry, dumplings, chicken broth and steamed buns, giving customers a variety of options to pair with their drinks.

Coming back to school after winter break can feel slow and a little overwhelming, but the right music can make a big difference in easing back into the swing of things. Songs meet you exactly where you are during this time of reflection and reset.

Apartment hunting can feel rushed for Baylor students, especially with pressure to sign early and secure roommates. While every Waco apartment comes with its own set of perks, it can be difficult to pick a place to live for the first time. As you begin the search for your new abode, here is a list of things to avoid, be aware of and things that are often overlooked.

Roni’s Mac Bar opened its second Waco location earlier this month, expanding beyond its store inside Union Hall with a standalone storefront designed to reach a wide variety of customers. The new location provides more space, a drive-thru and a restructured menu, offering a different experience than the original downtown spot.

As students return to Baylor’s campus for the spring semester, the university’s calendar is packed with an array of events that bring the campus together. Whether you’re into student-led performances, big-name shows or cultural moments, here’s a semester’s worth of events to mark on your calendar.

Sex trafficking isn’t a distant tragedy. It thrives because we tolerate objectification in social media. We normalize pornography because we scroll past awareness posts, thinking that someone else will fix it. Our faith commands us to act, but our comfort has made us passive. Silence isn’t an option.

Downtown Waco glistened with holiday cheer this weekend as Waco Wonderland returned to Heritage Square for its 13th year, drawing large crowds of families, students and local vendors. With the ferris wheel lighting up Austin Avenue, expanded food truck options and a busy Mistletoe Market, this year’s event blended familiar traditions with new features that kept visitors circulating through the plaza.

For generations, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has been a staple of holiday traditions. From classic films to stage productions, Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from miser to redeemed man returns each December, boasting familiar lessons and a sense of warmth. This year, Baylor University added its own twist, bringing the tale to life inside the Carroll Science Hall during Christmas on Fifth with an immersive, walk-through performance that invited visitors to step directly into the story.