By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer The annual homecoming bonfire will be set ablaze at 9:45 p.m. tonight on Fountain Mall as just one of the many homecoming traditions taking place this weekend. It has been a part of Baylor’s homecoming celebration since it began in 1909, encompassing the tradition of homecoming, the eternal flame and honoring the story of the Immortal Ten since 1947. The bonfire experience began Thursday night during Mass Meeting, where the freshman class was told the story of the Immortal Ten, honoring the 10 members of the men’s basketball team who were killed while traveling…
Author: Tyler Bui
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer, Video by Kennedy Dendy | Executive Producer Dr. Mia Moody-Ramirez, professor and department chair of the journalism, public relations and new media department, received the 2019 Newsmaker of the Year award during the second annual Newsmakers Luncheon, held Monday in the Bill Daniel Student Center’s Barfield Drawing Room. The luncheon recognized the accomplishments of Baylor’s faculty members who have shared their research and expertise with the media. She has done extensive research on the media’s framing of issues including race, gender, women, stereotypes and other current topics. Moody-Ramirez is a nationally recognized expert in…
By Tyler Bui | Staff WriterBoard of Regents chair Jerry K. Clements announced a completed contract extension with Dr. Linda Livingstone, which will extend her tenure as president at Baylor through May 31, 2024. Livingstone has been serving since June 2017 as Baylor’s 15th president. Since starting her role at Baylor, Livingstone has led the university in the creation of the Give Light Campaign and Illuminate. In addition, she has been working to help Baylor achieve recognition as an R1 research university. Clements said Livingstone is a great model and leader of Baylor’s Christian mission. “These long-term contract extensions reflect…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer, Video by BrenShavia Jordan | Broadcast Reporter Baylor film and digital media alumna Susan Scott returned to Baylor for a screening of her award-winning documentary, “STROOP: Journey into the Rhino Horn War.” The documentary, produced by Susan Scott and Bonne de Bod, exposes the realities of the rhino poaching crisis. Over the course of four years, Scott and de Bod traveled throughout South Africa and Asia to document the people involved in the illegal killing and trade of rhino horn and the people fighting to end the crisis. Scott said the rhino poaching crisis…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer, Video by Kennedy Dendy and Sarah Gill A shooting at Eastgate Apartments left the Baylor campus on lockdown for roughly 45 minutes late Thursday afternoon. A Baylor Alert was issued at 4:46 p.m. telling students to seek shelter immediately after Waco Police Department reported a shooting three blocks from campus at 1912 S. Fifth St. Waco Police Sgt. David Conley said the incident was isolated to Eastgate Apartments and did not involve Baylor in any way. “A 22-year-old male was shot in the arm. We’re still investigating, but it does not involve Baylor,” Conley…
By Tyler Bui | Staff WriterDr. Kathy Krey, assistant research professor and director of research and administration for Baylor’s Texas Hunger Initiative (THI), has been awarded a $5 million grant from the USDA. The grant will be used to fund a three-year research project that will improve the accessibility and distribution of food for students living in rural parts of Texas during the summer. Krey said that one in five children suffer from food insecurity in Texas, which is higher than the national average. While federal nutrition programs provide supplemental meals to children, she said many students are unable to…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer, Video by Igor Stepczynski | Broadcast Reporter As the number of deaths linked to an unknown illness connected to vaping continues to increase, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other departments of health have begun investigating the cause of this life-threatening lung injury. Twelve deaths have been confirmed by the CDC, sparking the sudden urgency to find out why these products are causing users to become ill. While researchers are still unsure of the source, it has been confirmed that the use of e-cigarettes has been linked to over…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer Baylor students have brought the Coptic Orthodox Church to Waco, opening its doors for the Baylor community to participate in or learn more abut. The Coptic Orthodox Church is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, brought to the land of Egypt by St. Mark the Evangelist who preached Christianity in Egypt around 43 A.D. It is the primary Christian Church of Egypt and adheres to the Nicene Creed. Dallas senior Athanasius Attia, Grapevine junior Barcenia Morgan, Houston sophomore George Fereg, Seattle, Wash., junior Nicole Salama and Baylor alumna Sherry Mina are the founding…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer, Video by Sarah Gill | Broadcast Reporter The Waco Suspension Bridge will close for two years as it undergoes renovations to ensure the safety and preservation of the bridge. The bridge, a landmark in the National Register of Historic Places, is one of Waco’s most well-known spots. From tortilla tossing to Ironman Waco, the suspension bridge is home to a variety of Waco traditions. Built in 1870, the bridge has a rich history not only for Waco, but also the Baylor community. Tom Balk, senior park planner for the City of Waco, will oversee…
By Tyler Bui | Staff WriterAs I reflect on my senior year in high school, I remember feeling anxious about my decision to attend Baylor. Born in raised in Hopkinton, Mass., I was used to New England and the progressive culture I was brought up in. I knew that by moving across the country, I would encounter differences in culture and societal norms. I expected the “typical” Texas things: cowboy boots, trucks and country music. What I didn’t expect was to be met with a less accepting community, and it wasn’t a change I was excited about. Don’t get me…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer The Baylor Photography Club is a new club on campus where students can explore their passion for photography in a collaborative space with other photographers. Las Vegas senior Zach Jones, president of the Baylor Photography Club, decided to start the club because he thought that there were not enough creative outlets on campus for students. He reached out for help to Rockwall senior Ali Barnett, the vice president of the club, along with four other officers: Samantha Raleigh, Blake Becker and Roman Hernandez. “We realized that there weren’t really any art clubs on campus—we…
By Tyler Bui | Staff WriterStudents performed their talents onstage at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at After Dark, a variety show and art expo produced by the Baylor Student Activities and Student Productions committees.The performance contained 14 acts that included singers, dancers, instruments, spoken word and a juggler.The Student Productions and Baylor Student Activities committees have been working since April to create a diverse show that encompasses the different talents on campus.Scottsdale, Ariz., junior Audra Hoover is the executive producer of the show.“Sing and Pigskin have a structure to them, but with After Dark, it’s just [Student Productions]…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer Logan Leslie, a veteran of the Elite U.S. Special Forces and graduate of Harvard Law School, reflected on the tragic event that occurred 18 years ago on 9/11 and shared how the day impacted his life and decision to serve in the military. “That fateful day occurred just two weeks after my 15th birthday,” Leslie said. “I was not there and I didn’t know anybody who was there at the time, but 9/11 is a big part of my story. I underestimated the impact it would have—the uncertainty that we were heading off into…
By Tyler Bui | Staff WriterStudents in the Baylor Kendo club embrace culture through their practice of Kendo, a Japanese martial art developed from traditional Japanese swordsmanship and descended from the Samurai tradition. In Kendo, or “the way of the sword,” practitioners spar using bamboo swords (shinai), which involves technical movements and footwork. When sparring, protective armor (bōgu) is used. The practice enforces the unity between mind and body. The Baylor Kendo Club is led by Baylor physics professor Dr. Kenichi Hatakeyama, who is a two-time national Kendo champion. He serves as Sensei for the club and provides instruction and…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer, Video by Drake Toll | Broadcast Reporter Ben Shapiro, editor-in-chief and founder of The Daily Wire and host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” will visit Baylor in November as a stop on the Young America Foundation’s Fred Allen lecture series. Baylor’s chapter of Young American’s for Freedom (YAF) applied to be one of the three schools Shapiro will tour this fall. Of the 1,500 applicants, Baylor was the first school selected. Shapiro graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He went…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer The Baylor University Career Center has filled the month of September with events and resources for students, and has recently undergone changes to better prepare students for the workforce. Last spring, the Office of Career Management in the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation and the Career and Professional Development Office merged, creating the Baylor University Career Center for all students. With this change, the Career Center now has three offices on campus. “Our central office is located on the 1st floor, west wing of the Sid Richardson Building with two additional…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer, Video by Nate Smith | Broadcast Reporter Established in 2001, Baylor’s Late Night tradition serves as a platform to connect freshmen and new students with various clubs and organizations at Baylor. Students gathered from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday in five different campus locations: the Bill Daniel Student Center (SUB), the McLane Student Life Center (SLC), Russell Gymnasium, The Bobo Spiritual Life Center and Moody Library. Leaders from over 225 different student organizations provided information, food, games and prizes for the new students in hopes of getting them connected on campus. Nashville,…
Tyler Bui | Staff WriterI think we can all agree that a hug from a furry friend can make any situation a lot better. Whether you’re studying for a test, up late writing a paper or just in need of a smiling face, pets will always be there to encourage you. What if I told you that you could bring your favorite four-legged friend to college?Moving away from home is a big milestone, and we all know that college can be stressful. Having your pet at school provides an abundance of emotional support and can also teach you valuable skills…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer Shelby Livingstone, daughter of Baylor president Dr. Linda Livingstone, has been named the new volunteer assistant coach for Baylor Volleyball. Livingstone, a recent graduate of Rice University, was an outside hitter for its volleyball team during her five-year career as a student athlete. “Just a few weeks ago, coaching wasn’t even something I was looking into,” Livingstone said. “But looking back on my own volleyball career at Rice, my coaches were super influential not only on the court but also in my life off the court. Knowing the coaches here at Baylor and how…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer Baylor’s First in Line program provides support and guidance to first-generation college students while they adjust to a new environment, prepping them for their future endeavors. The program includes a range of different events, resources and organizations that help first-generation students of all ages and backgrounds as they make their way through their undergraduate career at Baylor. Michelle Cohenour, director of Student Success Initiatives and interim program manager for the First in Line program, said the program was created to support first-generation students who often do not have family members who have previously navigated…
By Tyler Bui | Staff WriterThis summer, Baylor students had the opportunity to study abroad in 26 different countries and on six continents. While experiencing diverse cultures and environments around the world, students were simultaneously able to focus on their academics and major. Baylor in Australia is a 24-day trip where students travel to 11 destinations. The program focuses on the environmental conservation and natural history of North Queensland, Australia. Along with spending time inside a classroom, Baylor in Australia provides a more interactive curriculum where students can develop a better understanding of the environment by experiencing it firsthand. Boerne…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer Former Baylor football quarterback Robert Griffin III returned to his alma mater to hold the first RG3 Quarterback Academy this summer. The one-day camp was open to football players in grades 9 through 12 and cost $100 to attend. Not only did Griffin III assist the campers, but members of the Baylor football team and coaching staff did as well. Flower Mound sophomore John Mayers, a kicker for the Baylor football team, said the best part about the camp was not just helping the young players become better quarterbacks but better leaders and role…
By Tyler Bui | Staff Writer Reconstruction of Interstate 35 continues to make changes on and around the Baylor campus, with updates like lane closures and construction zones having the potential to affect members of the Baylor and Waco communities. Lori Fogleman, assistant vice president of media and public relations for Baylor, and Kenneth Roberts, public information officer for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), will both play an important role in communicating the changes and traffic updates to the Baylor community. According to Fogleman and Roberts, a few major changes have been accomplished thus far: the I-35 pedestrian bridge…

