By Katie Mahaffey | Broadcast Reporter Students got a chance to get away from schoolwork and float on Waco’s Brazos River during the first annual Brazos River Float. The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce held this event in order to get students engaged in the Waco community. “One of our strategic initiatives is to help retain college students within our community. Having a really well-educated workforce is important to us and it’s a major economic driver,” Kris Collins, Senior Vice President-Economic Development of Greater Waco Chamber, said. The Waco Chamber of Commerce wants Baylor students to stay in the area…
Author: Baylor Lariat
Thomas Mott and Jakob Brandenburg sit down to talk the Northwestern State game, Bradford trade, NFC East and college football reaction.
By Morgan Kilgo | Broadcast Reporter Church Under the Bridge has been serving Waco’s homeless community for the past 24 years. According the church’s website, the church was started by a Christian couple and a Baylor student as a place for “black, white, brown, rich and poor, educated in the streets and in the university, all worshiping the living God, who makes us one.” The trio developed the idea after befriending and worshiping with a few of the men who were living under I-35 near Baylor’s campus. “Most Baylor students come from faith backgrounds but haven’t been exposed to the…
It is safe to say that the parking changes implemented for students prior to last Friday’s football game against Northwestern State were disastrous. When Baylor decided to transition from the off-campus, decidedly inconvenient Floyd Casey Stadium to the beautiful, brand-new McLane Stadium right across the river, the students rejoiced. When Saturday games began and signs appeared instructing students and faculty to vacate certain parking garages by 6 p.m. Friday night, students were disgruntled, but flexible. But for Friday’s game, Baylor required students to move their cars out of the Dutton Parking Garage by 6 p.m. Thursday and prohibited them from…
Gin Blossoms headlined the first pregame concert in the series before the game against Northwestern State. A new initiative from Baylor Athletics, the pregame concert series will give football fans another form of entertainment at the tailgate. It is free and open to anyone who wants to enjoy some music before the game. “We went back to our fans and asked them what was missing to truly make Baylor football the best gameday experience in the country,” Assistant A.D. of Marketing and Fan Engagement Jay Luksis said. “So we thought ‘What can we do as a department to step up…
An unexpected rainstorm caused a drastic change of plans for the annual Traditions Rally on Thursday. All of the preconcert events were cancelled and the concert itself, set to end the night on Fountain Mall, was moved to the Student Union Building in the Barfield Drawing Room. The Department of Student Activities and the members of the Chamber of Commerce converted the Barfield Drawing Room into a small concert venue in a frenzy. “We felt that it was the safest decision to bring out students indoors,” said Matt Burchett, Director of Student Activities. “Although it modifies the event significantly, we…
By Christina Soto | Broadcast Reporter Baylor University is a campus that is not known for being racially diverse. According to Baylor IRT, 64 percent of students identify as white while the remaining 35 percent of the student body identify as minorities. Although these numbers seem large, there is a discrepancy in cultural competency on campus. “Coming to Baylor — it was kind of a shock to see such a small black community, coming from Atlanta,” Georgia senior Darren Samuels said. However, Baylor is working hard to create a more diverse campus and educate students about other ethnic backgrounds. The…
Road closures will be in effect for gameday. The map below indicates these closures, as well as the location of available parking garages.
By Morgan Kilgo | Broadcast Reporter While Baylor fans have been awaiting the upcoming football season, the Golden Wave Marching Band has been in preparation for weeks. The band has been a Baylor tradition for the past 100 years and with that tradition comes a high level of pressure and expectation. While their biggest performance occurs at halftime, they are also expected to keep the stadium loud and the Baylor spirit high the entire game. “We are out there for them playing our hearts out just for them,” said head Drum Major Walker Karstens. “We are there for their entertainment,…
Due to Baylor’s massive growth in the past few years, registration for classes has gotten much more difficult. The Baylor Lariat intended to write this editorial on the process of enrolling in classes as a studio art minor. Studio art minors are barred from registering for 3000 and 4000 level classes until the majors have registered for their courses. The following was pulled from the story that was originally going to be published: “Senior year is a dichotomous mixture of graduation parties and paper-writing. It is a daze of getting classes lined up in order to graduate on time, making…
For many Baylor students living off campus, transportation to and from campus can be expensive, and owning a car may not be feasible for many. The public transportation system that Baylor provides is a free alternative to the financial burden of keeping a vehicle. However, with all the new off campus housing being developed, the bus system is becoming overcrowded, inconsistent, and inconvenient for students to use. Due to the rise in applicants to Baylor in recent years, many changes have been taking place to restore and rebuild the campus. Dining halls and dorms are being updated each year, including…
By Jacquelyn Kellar | Broadcast Managing Editor After a full academic year of renovations, the Cashion Academic Center, the new home to the Speech Pathology Department, is now open for classes. The building reopened August 22 for the beginning of classes and will begin clinic appointments again on September 6. The entire inside of the building was gutted and refinished, thanks to a generous, anonymous gift of $10 million. The facilities include new rooms for clinic appointments furnished with all of the necessities ranging from educational toys for children all the way up to top of the line technology and…
It’s no secret that attending Baylor is expensive. In order to maximize the efficiency with which they move through their college years, many students save time and money by taking non-essential courses at community colleges or online. Unfortunately, one of Baylor’s summer policy changes now prohibits students from transferring in upper-level courses. According to Baylor’s “General Policies on Transfer Credits” online, “No course at or above the ‘3000’ level may be taken at a community/junior college, and no community/junior college course will be evaluated as an advanced course.” Baylor has always had fairly stringent policies on transferring credits from other…
Morgan Kilgo | Broadcast Reporter The Big Event is one of the ways the incoming freshmen class gets to know their fellow bears. A Welcome Week Tradition, the Big Event is annually held the first Saturday before the start of classes in the Ferrell Center. “I wanted to meet some people,” Conway, Ark. freshman Matthew Sweere said. “Meet the rest of my 2020 class, and have a good time.” This year’s event was safari-themed and featured an exotic petting zoo. The main part of the event was a live performance by the band “Intensity.” This was Intensity’s fourth time performing…
Jacquelyn Kellar | Broadcast Managing Editor Baylor University brought its Welcome Week celebration to a close Sunday evening, welcoming thousands of young freshmen with worship and song. The service was held in the Ferrell Center, where less than 24 hours before the group had been dancing, mingling and eating pizza at the safari themed Big Event. This time, the tone was much different. “First and foremost, we want them to see that at the heart of what Baylor is all about is a deep connection to God,” said University Chaplain Dr. Burt Burleson. “So we are framing this very important night…
Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life Editor 1. The Pullin Family Marina Located right across the street from Baylor’s main campus, the marina provides kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, sunfish sailboats, sand volleyball and a grassy area to lay down and relax in. A Baylor ID is required to check out the equipment, but this is a great place to enjoy the warm weather. Located on the Brazos River, the water feels great and it comes with some pretty great views as well. 2. Waco Downtown Farmer’s market On S. University Parks Dr. every Saturday morning , the Waco Downtown…
Baylor sophomore takes the crown as Miss Texas 2016.
Guest Column by Interim President David E. GarlandI count it a tremendous privilege to welcome the more than 16,000 men and women who have come to Baylor University from across America and around the world to prepare academically, socially and spiritually for their future endeavors. Along your journeys, you will encounter exemplary faculty and staff who care deeply for you as individuals and challenge you to become all God intends you to be. I am honored to serve for a second time as Baylor’s interim president. “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” (Revelation…
The 2015-2016 academic year at Baylor University had its fill of disappointments, heartbreak and negative media attention. It seemed as though losing our two starting quarterbacks to injury was the biggest tragedy we’d face at the beginning of the fall semester. However, after an ESPN report brought to light some serious sexual assault allegations surrounding several members of the Baylor football team and the athletics program at large, the rest of the year was a collection of investigations and controversy. It seems impossible to move on from these blows to the school’s leadership, reputation and morale, but time doesn’t stand…
By Kalyn Story | Staff Writer Baylor Media Communications announced that President Ken Starr will continue his role as Chancellor and law Professor as Dr. David Garland is named interim university president. Baylor head football coach Art Briles will be suspended with intent to terminate after his 8 seasons with the Bears. Athletic Director Ian McCaw is sanctioned and placed on probation, and Baylor will self-report to the NCAA. “We have made these decisions, because, above all, we must safeguard our students and our campus,” said Richard Willis, chair of the Baylor Board of Regents. “We must set a…
By Liesje Powers | Lariat Photo Editor The last remaining structure of Floyd Casey Stadium was imploded at 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 14. Public access was denied during the operation, and warnings were given at both five and one minute prior to the implosion. A number of locals watched from nearby parking lots. The implosion had been a planned part of the demolition since early March, according to Vice President John Satterwhite of the demolition company, Lloyd D. Nabors Demolition. The stadium, which was home of the Baylor football team for over 60 years, has been under deconstruction since January,…
Make friends, fight crime: All in a day’s work for Kandy Knowles By Jessica Hubble | Lariat Staff Writer Kandy Knowles, the Baylor Police Department’s crime prevention officer, is well-known in the Baylor community and has deep connections with students. Students, eager to talk to Knowles as she makes her way around campus on her bicycle, often call out to her from across the street and stop her in the store to introduce her to their family and friends. Of all the issues she deals with on campus, sexual assault prevention is something that is very close to Knowles’s heart…
Walter Abercrombie returns to his roots after playing for NFL By Kendall Baer | Lariat Assistant Web Editor Football has been a major part of Baylor University’s history since 1898. Many players have passed through the team, leaving their marks. One particular player, Walter Abercrombie, a standout running back for Baylor from 1978-1981, continues to impact Baylor campus after his collegiate and professional football days by serving as executive director of the Baylor ‘B’ Association. Abercrombie, a Waco native and the son of a Baptist preacher, said Baylor was always a natural connection for him. “I had one of the…
Local hat-maker keeps cowboy culture values relevant By Hunter Hewell | Lariat Reporter The cowboy hat is not just a symbol of the Wild West or of days gone by. The cowboy hat is an expression of the American spirit. The cowboys who wore them remind us of freedom, self-expression and the pursuit of happiness. As the era of technology seems to grow and the number of cowboys seems to lessen, the cowboy hat has come to embody those ideals and represents a lifestyle and spirit that is all but gone. No one understands this better than Cameron Morris, the…
By Sawyer Smith | Lariat Reporter Jon Ker has a story that demands full attention. As somebody who claim status as a veteran, lawyer, educator, politician and family man, his life experiences are fascinating and admirable. He is a warm and interesting person who has lived a life filled with great achievements, including his current position in the Baylor community as a seminary student. His exotic boots, cowboy hat and southern twang give away the fact that Ker is Texan through and through. From Dallas to Waco, this is his native land. Though travels and work have taken him afar…
By Kalyn Story | Lariat Staff Writer When Dr. Darryn Willoughby saw that his student was distracted in class, he did whatever he had to to make sure she could focus on the lecture; in this case, that meant picking up her baby and holding her for the duration of class. Earlier that morning, Deadwood, S.D., junior Katy Humphrey was driving to Baylor from her home in Salado when her babysitter called and said she was sick and unable to watch Humphrey’s daughter, Millie. Humphrey asked her to stay with Millie for the morning because she had a physics test…
By Gavin Pugh | Assistant City Editor The Bicyclist His bicycle’s chain is rusted, the brakes are shot, and the seat is missing the screw that keeps it upright. The logo that once identified the bicycle as a Pure Fix is worn beyond recognition, yet his is arguably the best-known bike on Baylor campus. “I call it my magic bike,” Dallas junior William Harkness said. Sometimes carrying a hula hoop and always blaring hip hop, Harkness has made a reputation for himself as the guy who rides his bike with no hands. “He takes you back, and then makes you…
By Dane Chronister | Lariat City Editor Not many people can say they have had the opportunity to work with Jean Michel Cousteau, but Baylor senior lecturer, Curtis W. Callaway has done that and then some. As a kid, Callaway grew up watching the Cousteau Society when they first started showing underwater films and first started exploring around the world. He always thought underwater videography and photography would be something he would like to do some day. However, he never thought he would get to work for the son of his childhood hero. “I met one of the Cousteau divers…
