By Sophie Acebo | Contributor“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.” This quote by the Buddha perfectly exemplifies how we should be treating ourselves. When it comes to mental health, there is no one set definition as to how we should feel. And there is nothing disgraceful with taking care of your mental health. The only disgraceful thing is the stigma that surrounds it. The stigmas surrounding mental health can be detrimental to someone trying to reach out and get the help and treatment that they need. According to a report published…
Author: Sophie Acebo
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterThere is nothing like walking into a library and seeing the plethora of books laid out around you. The slightly sweet smell of the deteriorating book pages is the most nostalgic feeling that warms my heart. The excitement of going to Barnes and Noble to buy new stories and meet new worlds and characters is a joy that is hard to describe.With e-books and audio books on the rise, print books are slowly becoming the less and less popular reading medium, which is why we need to appreciate the beauty of a print book despite the…
By Sophie Acebo | Reporter The linguistics department is one of many unique areas of study offered at Baylor, teaching students about the origins and applications of language in culture. On the program website, linguistics is described as “the scientific study of language. Instead of trying to learn individual languages, linguists want to know how language works.”Dr. Jeannette Marsh is an associate professor of English and linguistics and the coordinator of the linguistics program at Baylor. She works to serve linguistics students and talks to potential students who are interested in the program.“I do things that have to do with…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterTo Write Love on Her Arms, a non – profit dedicated to giving hope to those struggling with mental health and addiction, has multiple chapters in universities across the country, with Baylor becoming its most recently established chapter. Their website allows for chapters to be established at different universities, and their goal is to have these campuses “embody the mission and vision of TWLOHA. Through on-campus events, programming, and fundraising initiatives, each chapter serves as a voice of inspiration and education for their peers.” Flower Mount sophomore Hannah Yanowitch serves as the current president of the…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterDr. Robert P. George and Dr. Cornel West came to speak on campus Friday as part of Baylor’s 2019-2020 Conversation Series, focusing on the topic of civil discourse and finding ways to communicate despite differences. With George, a Princeton professor, being on the more conservative side of the political spectrum and West, a Harvard professor, on the more progressive side, the two highlighted how, despite their opposing beliefs, they are still extremely close friends who can argue civilly. Students, faculty and staff were all encouraged to attend the event.Chicago senior Billy Bizub was one of many…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterBaylor’s Equity Office joined campus in keeping with the university’s mission of creating a caring atmosphere for its entire community, and has recently expanded positions within the department. Officially established a year and a half ago, the Equity Office “handles matters concerning equal opportunity, affirmative action, civil rights, and related training.” They are located in the same suite as the Title IX Office on the second floor of Clifton Robinson Tower. Dr. Robyn Driskell, vice president for internal administration and compliance and chief of staff, oversees all members of the Equity Office. She also reports directly…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterBaylor School of Education inducted new members into the Beta Xi chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi education honor society Sunday.Founded in 1929, the Beta Xi chapter seeks to “honor the achievement of educators and promote excellence in education,” as well as “promote excellence in and recognition of outstanding contributions to education.”The inductees heard a presentation from Dr. Mona Choucair, a senior lecturer in both the education and English departments, in which she used her personal stories and experiences to give advice to the future educators. Choucair emphasizes the importance of human connection and relationships in…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterChi Alpha, an organization dedicated to Christian fellowship, has recently been welcomed to Baylor’s campus. Chartered in mid-September, Chi Alpha is dedicated to “spreading the good news,” giving a space to grow in Christian faith and even linking its members to local churches. Chi Alpha’s mission is based on 2 Corinthians 5:20, which states, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” Chris Hundl and his wife Hosanna are Chi Alpha missionaries and worked with a Chi Alpha chapter in…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterBaylor’s School of Education has spent a century preparing future educators of different levels to lead in the classroom. Dr. Sandra Talbert, clinical assistant professor and assistant chair for the School of Education, said the program’s unofficial goal is “to provide the highest-quality educators in each of our fields that we can.” The department offers concentrations in three different levels of education—elementary education, middle education and secondary education. Talbert said that the most unique aspect about the curriculum compared to other schools is getting Baylor students in a classroom setting as early as their freshman year.…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterBaylor homecoming is a long-standing tradition that holds special meaning for current students, faculty, alumni and Waco residents. For Baylor freshmen, homecoming represents what they have to look forward to in years to come and showcases Baylor community and spirit. Little Rock, Ark., freshman Ellie Fuller experienced homecoming for the first time and was in the parade, a moment that she said she will remember forever. “My first Baylor experience was awesome,” Fuller said. “I always expected myself to be an observer throughout the parade; I never thought I would have the opportunity to be in…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterTwo members of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work completed ground breaking research into food insecurity among teenagers in Waco. Austin senior Ana O’Quin and Dr. Stephanie Boddie, assistant professor of church and community ministries, conducted a semester-long research project that is now published in The Center for Public Justice, a Christian-rooted organization devoted to public policy and social justice. O’Quin and Boddie’s research focuses specifically on how to better governmental policies, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), put in place to help people have access to food. “Our research is about teen…
By Sophie Acebo | Reporter Baylor’s Office of Academic Support Programs in the Paul L. Foster Success Center is dedicated to personally helping students succeed through a range of academic resources.As part of their mission, they distribute pamphlets all throughout campus on a variety of topics, from procrastination to dealing with test anxiety.Located in the Sid Richardson Building, Academic Support Programs has placed the pamphlets throughout the building, with many next to the Tutoring Center and the advising offices. They can also be found in Castellaw Communications Center. The pamphlets originated around 15 years ago by a former staff member…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterBaylor’s Hispanic Student Association (HSA) is hosting its 32nd annual banquet as a part of Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration of culture through various on-campus activities and events.The banquet will be held at 6 p.m. today in the fifth floor of Cashion Academic Center. The event is held alongside Baylor’s Department of Multicultural Affairs and will include a meal, keynote speaker and live entertainment.The banquet has been a part of HSA since the organization was founded.Pearland senior and HSA secretary Dennise Garza said the banquet is meant to honor Hispanic heritage and allow people to be…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterUBreak is a pop-up brunch bar hosted by Baylor Union Board held every two weeks on Friday mornings, meant to encourage students to take a break during their busy days and enjoy community. The brunch setup is located outside of the Union Board Room in the Bill Daniel Student Center, where the historic barbershop used to operate from 1948 to 2011. Jordy Dickey is the assistant director of the Student Union and staff adviser for Union Board. She has been advising Union Board since its start in 2012 and said that UBreak, which began in the…
By Sophie Acebo | Reporter Baylor’s Hispanic Student Association serves to promote diversity and inclusivity on campus while also educating the Baylor community on Hispanic culture. Founded in 1987, their mission is “to foster an enriching experience of the Hispanic culture, heritage and traditions in the Baylor and Waco communities while empowering and supporting students with their personal development, and advocating for a diverse and inclusive environment.”Dr. Mito Diaz-Espinoza is the associate director for Civic Learning Initiatives at Baylor and has been an adviser for HSA beginning in the spring 2019 semester. He has been involved in the organization since…
By Sophie Acebo | Reporter For some, graduating college means a shift from college town life to new places and new faces. Once a student graduates, they often either leave and move back home or move on to someplace else that has potential new opportunities. For some Baylor graduates, staying in Waco can be the perfect next step after their undergraduate career. Lexy Bishop is a Baylor alumna who graduated in the spring of 2017. She is now the project and research manager for the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and has been in this position for two years. Bishop…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterSept. 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries, marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. Baylor, through the Department of Multicultural Affairs, will kickstart a variety of events centered around Hispanic culture, all being open to any student who wishes to take part. Events include a Listening Session on Wednesday, a Faculty, Staff and Student Mixer on Friday and a Hispanic Heritage Banquet on Oct. 4. Madelynn Lee, graduate apprentice for the Department of Multicultural Affairs, said Hispanic Heritage Month is a time of celebration for students. “It’s a time to celebrate Hispanic…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterJustin Lee, an author and advocate for affirmation of the LGBTQ+ Christian community, will be speaking on campus from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday on the fifth floor of Cashion Academic Center. The event is titled “Christianity and LGBTQ+ Persons” and is being hosted by Baylor’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. It is part of Baylor’s Conversation Series and is free to the public. Lee’s mission in visiting Baylor’s campus is the hope that dialogue can be created in a safe environment and to further movements towards acceptance and advocacy to help LGBTQ+ students feel “loved…
By Sophie Acebo | Reporter As a lecturer in the English department, Mark Olsen has been teaching classes and assisting students for seven years. Along with teaching English, however, he is also a screenwriter and a published author. Olsen discovered his passion for screenwriting during his time in junior college in Kilgore, where he had thoughts of turning the town’s rich history into a screenplay. Olsen then arrived at Baylor and got his start taking screenwriting classes that were taught by current professor Robert Darden. It wasn’t until he sat on the steps of Moody Memorial Library with a friend…
By Sophie Acebo | Reporter Baylor Wellness Department’s FitWell program is offering free group exercise classes for students to participate in, with options like boxing, yoga and zumba. The free classes are being offered until Sunday, and after that students can purchase a semester-long pass for limited classes for $50. The free classes are offered so students have the opportunity to try out different forms of exercise and find what works best for them. FitWell has been a part of Baylor’s Wellness Department and the McLane Student Life Center (SLC) for about 15 years, and the program has created a…
By Sophie Acebo | ReporterI would be lying if I said I am not addicted to social media. I love the idea of being connected to anyone and everyone, no matter how far away they are. Especially after making the move from Miami to Waco, it’s incredible to be able to keep up with my friends and family who are thousands of miles away from me. With all the blessings of social media, however, there are a lot of problems with it as well. We are now facing all the pressures society pushes on us at speeds we could have…
