This week on Lariat TV News Today, we give you a look into Baylor University’s COVID-19 numbers are moving in the right direction, as campus returns to normal.
We hear from Director of Student Activities, Matt Burchett about what you need to know to run the Baylor line and spotlight an incoming student with a massive following on Spotify.
In sports, we preview Baylor’s upcoming season opener with Texas State as well as take a look at two international student athletes.
By Madalyn Watson | Editor-in-Chief
Even though coronavirus has everyone on edge, the Waco Rage Room gives locals a place to create what comes naturally in times of stress — destruction.
Winston Kail, the president and co-founder of Waco Rage Room, opened this business with his brother, David Stallings, on June 4.
“With just everything going on throughout the year, it just seemed like the perfect time to do it,” Kail said.
Although Kail has been dreaming of opening their business since 2017, the chaos that came with the coronavirus gave him and his brother a unique opportunity.
“As we were building and putting this thing together, things just kept happening and I could tell there was such tension,” Kail said.
The Waco Rage Room, located at 1007 Wooded Acres Drive, is a place where people de-stress by breaking as many things as they want within an enclosed room.
“We’re a stone’s throw from Valley Mills,” Kail said. “I love my neighbors. It seems like a very American thing. There’s a gun store, a bar and then a place where you break things.”
With all the tension in the world right now, Kail said he wants the Waco Rage Room to be a safe place for people to work through their emotions rather than taking it out on the people around them.
“It just kind of gives them some focus, it gives them an outlet,” Kail said. “I think a lot of times we suppress all those natural things, and then that’s when we walk around so sad and depressed and angry and frustrated.”
Although the Waco Rage Room provides several different packages, Kail said the most popular is their Date Night service.
“It’s people that would surprise you coming [in], very quiet couples, people who have very normal jobs,” Kail said. “But I think it is from having this very structured, desk job. It builds up inside of them.”
Kail said one couple came to the Waco Rage Room and treated it like couples therapy.
“They kept coming out of the room and they’d be upset, but then they add some more things and go back in there and yell and scream and break stuff,” Kail said. “By the end of it, they were lovey dovey. They were happy.”
The Date Night service starts at $75 for 45 minutes, according to the Waco Rage Room’s Facebook page and its Instagram. Like all of the sessions they offer, you can add more time and items during the reservation. The cheapest option they offer, Bring Your Own Breakables, is $25. You bring the items to be destroyed and they provide the room and the weapons.
Brianna St. John joined several of her coworkers at the Waco Rage Room on Tuesday night to celebrate a birthday and release some pent up frustrations.
“I’ve heard of [a Rage Room] before, but I’d never been to one,” St. John said. “And for the price, it’s really worth it.”
St. John and her friends said that where they worked as waitresses, a lot of their customers are not taking coronavirus seriously and even cuss them out when they ask them to wear a mask.
“People are really selfish and they don’t take the time to buy a mask or wear it and they want to make excuses,” St. John said. “And then that puts people’s health and our health at risk.”
The group smashed dishes, bottles, a door with lots of glass windows, windshields and a television to cope with their frustrations.
All of the items that you can destroy at the Waco Rage Room are donations.
“You’d be surprised to how excited people are to give us things,” Kail said.
Because of the stay-in-place orders and social distancing, Kail said he thinks that people were more likely to donate to them.
“[Because of coronavirus,] people were home. They were bored. They were doing little home improvement projects. They were cleaning out their house, they were getting rid of this, getting rid of that,” Kail said.
A decent amount of the items donated to be smashed at the Waco Rage Room include holiday decorations.
“A lot of times we’ll go in the room and then everything will just be smashed to pieces, but they won’t smash the baby Jesus,” Kail said.
The brothers also mentioned a deal they are promoting for Baylor students now that they are in town. If you show your Baylor student ID, you can get $5 off your session, Kail said.
“We don’t have very many rules,” Kail said. “We ask the people to be safe. Don’t go nuts, but have as much fun as you can.”
By Carson Lewis | Page One Editor
The group is composed of Baylor students, has a president and officer positions and meets weekly for group activities. It functions in the same way as many Baylor clubs with activities like discussions and bowling nights. But this group of students can’t claim to have what other organizations have: an official charter from the university. That’s what they want to change.
Gamma Alpha Upsilon (ΓAY), an unofficial LGBTQ group on campus, is looking to the new semester with hopes of becoming an official chartered organization. Formerly known as SIF (Sexual Identity Forum), Gamma has functioned on campus since 2011 as an independent group with the purpose of giving a home to LGBTQ Baylor students and allies.
Members in the group expressed their appreciation and surprise last year from the support given to a letter sent by three Baylor alumni to administration which proposed acceptance for LGBTQ groups on campus.
“We ask that the university reconsider its exclusion of student organizations that are designed to provide a community for individuals in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (“LGBTQ”) and allied community,” part of the letter read. The letter accumulated over 3,200 signatures from Baylor students, faculty, alumni and supporters who agreed with the message.
Plano senior Elizabeth Benton, president of Gamma, described the group’s positive reaction to the news last semester.
“It’s nice to know that even people outside of Baylor support us… I honestly didn’t think anybody would care about this, really, besides LGBT people,” Benton said. “It’s so gratifying to hear people talk about that and to meet alumni that were LGBT at Baylor and want to help out. It’s absolutely amazing.”
The group used to meet weekly at 8 p.m. Thursdays at Bill Daniel Student Union Building but will meet away from their usual spot this semester, choosing instead Seventh and James Baptist Church.
Despite having a functional home for the group in the SUB next to Common Grounds, several members of Gamma said they’ve found reasons to move their meetings off campus while the group is unchartered.
Searcy, Ark., grad student Hayden Evans, Gamma’s treasurer, described some of the problems that the group had with the location.
“It’s very, very loud. They typically play music, and of course there’s tons of students all around talking and going about their day. It’s very distracting for us the whole meeting, especially when we invite people from outside the university to speak,” Evans said. “Also, people are uncertain about how they will be perceived… some people don’t come because they are afraid of the repercussions of them being seen there. We’re trying to move to a more private area.”
Benton echoed the statement made by Evans, saying that some prospective members of Gamma felt that the location wasn’t as private as they would have liked.
“I’ve talked to some people who have been threatened if they go to Gamma meetings,” Benton said. “There are people I know, people I talked to, who would come to our meetings and they just stopped coming. I asked, ‘Why don’t you come anymore?’ [They] would be threatened. They seemed scared. This happens a lot actually.”
As an official chartered organization at Baylor, Gamma would be able to rent rooms from the SUB for their meetings and events and advertise on campus to prospective members during events like fall semester’s Late Night.
Houston senior Anna Conner, vice president of Gamma, and other group members insist that being official would greatly help them in their mission to provide a safe space for members of the LGBTQ community on Baylor’s campus.
“People have a perception of what we’re trying to do. They think that we’re trying to go in and rip up this tradition that Baylor has and say, ‘No, we’re no longer a Christian university, you have to accept us because it’s 2019 and everyone needs to change,’” Conner said. “What we’re trying to do is create a space where people can have a conversation, maybe learn a few things and meet new people that have different viewpoints. The biggest challenge [this year] will be to get people to understand that.”
In a July 24 Office of the President email, Jerry K. Clements, chair of the Board of Regents, and president Dr. Linda Livingstone expressed that the board seeks to continue discussion about how to best include and provide support for LGBTQ students.
“The Board continued discussions that began at last summer’s retreat about providing a loving and caring community for all students, including those who identify as LGBTQ,” the email read. “This is an issue with which many faith-based colleges and universities – and our churches – struggle. We believe that Baylor is in a unique position to meet the needs of our LGBTQ students because of our Christian mission and the significant campus-wide support we already provide all students.”
By Bridget Sjoberg | Staff Writer
Mamaka Bowls, a popular California-inspired acai bowl and smoothie shop from Arkansas, is opening a second location in this summer, and it just so happens to be in Waco.
Mamaka was founded by mom-daughter duo Carrie and KK Hudson, who opened their first storefront in Fayetteville, Ark. In May 2018. Originally from the Dallas area, KK Hudson said she is excited to bring Mamaka to Texas, particularly in a college town like Waco.
“When we realized that we could open a second store, we really wanted to be back in Texas since it’s where my family is from. We love Texas and it’s also where Mamaka first started,” Hudson said. “My dad and I went to Waco back in December of last year and fell in love. There’s so much personality there and it felt similar to how Fayetteville is for us. There are also so many small businesses and the people are amazing—everyone we’ve interacted with is so kind and helpful. We also love the college town world and are excited to be close to a campus.”
Mamaka Bowls sells both acai bowls and smoothies, and Hudson sees the shop’s unique granola recipe and thick base consistency as two factors that make their bowls stand out.
“We are super transparent with all of our ingredients—everything listed on the menu is all that goes into the bowls,” Hudson said. “For our bowls, we use completely frozen fruit and nothing has any added sugar and we don’t add yogurt. The bowls are also super thick—we make them as close to an ice cream consistency as possible so you don’t feel like you’re eating a smoothie. Our granola is also to die for—my mom came up with the recipe.”
Hudson said that the “Mamaka” and “Pipeline” bowls are two of the shop’s most popular menu items, using toppings and base ingredients like strawberries, mangoes, cacao nibs and peanut butter.
“The Mamaka uses our original blend, which is banana, strawberry, blueberry, mango, acai and almond milk in the base, and it comes topped with our homemade granola, strawberries, bananas and blueberries,” Hudson said. “The Pipeline is chocolate almond milk, banana, peanut butter, strawberry and acai, and is topped with granola, banana, strawberry and cacao nibs.”
Despite their storefront opening just one year ago, Mamaka Bowls truly began when Hudson was in high school. She spent summers with her family in Laguna Beach, Calif., and loved the acai bowls and beach culture.
“Starting my freshman year of high school, we spent every summer in Laguna Beach and around that area—I ate acai bowls almost every day I was there,” Hudson said. “We came back to Dallas at the end of summer and felt like there was nowhere that had acai bowls. During the start of my junior year of high school, I didn’t want to go a whole school year without an acai bowl so my mom spent time in our kitchen coming up with a granola recipe and an original base.”
Hudson said that her mom began delivering homemade bowls to her in high school and that her friends and other students began to notice the bowls and request them as well. From there, a small delivery business began during Hudson’s high school lunches, continuing for a year. Hudson restarted Mamaka again while attending the University of Arkansas by making and delivering the bowls from her house.
“I made a website and was going to have my friends start ordering online to come pick up at my house. Two weeks into the summer, I began having moms, daughters, high schoolers, middle-aged men and just a lot of people ordering online and showing up at my door to pick up a bowl,” Hudson said. “Towards the end of the summer my mom and I realized we need to do this legitimately and stop making bowls out of our houses. We began looking for spaces and fell upon our location in Fayetteville.”
KK Hudson said that the new Waco shop will have a similar design and feel as the store in Fayetteville to create consistency between the locations.
“We fell in love with the design of our first space and researched a ton on what we wanted it to look like,” Hudson said. “We want to keep the Waco shop consistent so it will probably look similar. We’ll have garage doors and swings in the front, and keep blue floors with a bar counter where you can watch people make everything.”
Laguna Beach, Calif., sophomore Ashley Shelton is excited for a place in Waco to serve bowls inspired by southern California with healthy ingredients and toppings.
“When I found out another acai bowl place was opening I got super excited—acai bowls are probably my favorite taste of home in California,” Shelton said. “I also love the fact that the idea for Mamaka Bowls originated around Laguna. There are so many delicious and trendy food places in southern California but Laguna is especially known for their acai bowls and small-town health kick.”
Shelton sees Mamaka’s emphasis on quality ingredients and unique toppings as factors that will make Mamaka stand out and be successful in a new second location.
“I’ll always love the original acai bowl, but nowadays many companies are getting creative with serving different bases,” Shelton said. “I’m also a big fan of toppings—I love strawberries, bananas, almond butter, cacao nibs, chia seeds and more. I hope Mamaka inspires the community of Waco to eat and live healthier.”
Hudson sees the people who work at and frequent the shop as the reason Mamaka has been and can continue to be successful, and is grateful for the growth Mamaka has experienced since their first storefront opened in May of 2018.
“Our people are who make us who we are—our employees and the people who come to our store make everything worthwhile for us. The people who work at the store in Fayetteville are like our family and they create the vibe of the store,” Hudson said. “Our lives have taken a complete 180 because of Mamaka—it’s been so crazy but so fun, and it’s still baffling for us to look back on our first trip to Laguna Beach and realize that that had started it all so long ago.”
Mamaka Bowls will be located at 215 S University Drive, on the opposite corner of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.
By Rory Dulock | Staff Writer
From requesting to change a final exam time to going to the Success Center, there are a variety of options for students to prepare for finals week.
Dr. Wesley Null, vice provost of undergraduate education and academic affairs, oversees the Success Center, the Academy for Teaching and Learning and University Accreditation. He said he deals with improving retention and graduation rates, new programs, new majors, new minors and revisions to existing programs.
Null said a student can go to the department chair for the exam that they want to reschedule, but the policy actually points them to the dean’s office, where they can get a form to request a change of a final exam time.
“The best [option] would be for the student to … find out the office hours for each of their instructors and perhaps start with the one that they think would be best to shift to a different day,” Null said. “Go visit that professor’s office hours, or obviously email is a good way to go, or if there’s time after class, go up to that professor. But I think just take them one at a time. Maybe put them in order of the ones that, if it were up to you, you could reschedule.”
Null said to take a copy of the policy from the provost website in case a professor is unaware of the policy. He said the main reason why it’s important that Baylor allows students the opportunity to reschedule exams is to allow them to space out studying.
“It just seems to me three in one day, assuming it takes you an hour to an hour and a half on average to complete a final exam, that’s a lot of exam time in one day,” Null said.
In addition, Null said Baylor wants exams to be an accurate reflection of students’ knowledge of the course.
“To do that, it seems to me like students should have sufficient time to study and should be able to,” Null said. “We want students to perform their best.”
West Greenwich, R.I., freshman Brynn Sauerbrey said it’s important that Baylor allows students to switch a final exam time because it brings adaptability in a stressful time of the semester.
“I think having the opportunity … to adapt your schedule in that way can be really important — to minimize the stress surrounding that and also maximize the amount of time you can allot to one class,” Saubrey said. “If you have the ability to spend more time focusing on a class or on two separate classes rather than just focusing all of your attention and choosing one over the other, that’s probably the better choice. I think Baylor allowing you to change your [final exam time] allows you to split your focus more adequately.”
The final exam schedule will most likely not undergo any major changes in the coming years, Null said.
“I’m afraid we’re always going to have some conflicts,” Null said. “The reality is there are just so many days in the year, and we have to get commencement in. We have to have so many days in the fall and spring semesters based on expectations with accreditation and hours spent in the classroom, instructional hours, so on.”
Null said the advice he has for students as finals week approaches is to make sure they are not wasting time. He said it is typical for underclassmen to get caught up in extracurriculars, which often leads to cramming.
“Plan carefully and manage your time well,” Null said. “I think those are two key pieces. I think planning ahead to make sure that you bracket out enough time to study for each of your classes is really important. Waiting until the last minute [or] waiting until midnight to prepare for an exam is not the way to go. Spending a couple hours between 6 and 8 p.m. three nights for a class is much better than cramming 10 hours the last night.”
Null said he advises students to utilize the opportunities on campus that can help them prepare for exams.
“Take advantage of the offerings we have in the Success Center and the tutoring and the other kinds of support,” Null said. “Lots of people over there want to help students succeed. When in doubt, go visit the Success Center and ask for their support, and you’ll find a welcoming group of people who want to help students succeed.”
By Caitlyn Beebe | Reporter
With the 2024 presidential election around the corner, students will have the chance to study it in real time in PSC 3340 — a class on campaigns and elections.
Dr. Dave Bridge, associate professor of political science, said the class focuses on the institutions, rules and history of elections. When Bridge taught the class during the 2020 presidential election, around 250 students were enrolled.
“We spent a lot of time unpacking things as they were happening in real time,” Bridge said. “We all woke up the day after the [2020 presidential] election not knowing who won.”
Looking ahead to the 2024 election, Bridge said he sees hyper-partisanship as a growing issue. Bridge said it occurs when people source their beliefs from a party platform rather than from personal thought.
“You just have this immense faith in a party to always be right and intense distrust of the other party and that everything they’re doing is wrong,” Bridge said.
Bridge said while polarization has been increasing for the past 30 years, a spike in partisanship in the past decade has led to a distrust of the governmental process and a loss of ethics.
In response, Bridge said he emphasizes that students think institutionally, not politically. The difference comes down to one’s willingness to lose an election.
Bridge said thinking politically means prioritizing winning elections above all else.
“[It’s] as if winning this particular election, regardless of the methods, is more important than upholding constitutional democracy,” Bridge said.
In contrast, Bridge said thinking institutionally means considering the constitutional implications of one’s decision.
“When you’re thinking institutionally, you’re playing within the constitutional rules and the process,” Bridge said. “The longevity of the U.S. Constitution is more important than winning this particular election.”
Plano senior Sage Yassa took Bridge’s class in 2020. Yassa studies how Supreme Court decisions or impeachment processes are coopted into political tools.
“I hope we can find a way to go back to using these [institutions] the way they’re meant to be used and not just as an automatic tool to fight the other side,” Yassa said.
Yassa said mass social media data is an issue the 2024 election raises. Ever since social media played a pivotal role in the 2012 election, Yassa said both parties are likely to rely on activity data. Candidates are less likely to engage with constituents in person or to consider what is best for America.
“I think it definitely makes it less personal, less caring,” Yassa said.
Bridge said the 2024 election will provide insight into how parties balance big data with personalized messages.
In the fall, Bridge said he isn’t worried about in-class disagreements getting out of hand.
“Baylor students are the most tolerant I’ve ever taught,” Bridge said. “And by that, I mean that they really want to listen to people who disagree with them. They encourage others to speak their mind.”
Yassa said professors lead by example when it comes to disagreements. She said her professors always speak respectfully of all candidates during class discussions.
“We also, in political science, have professors who encourage nuanced thought, so look[ing] beyond the bucket you’ve put yourself in,” Yassa said.
Yassa said Bridge’s class helps provide historical context to young people. Learning history helps them be less shaken by new information or circumstances.
“The course forms you into someone who doesn’t react to every piece of information by freaking out and thinking that democracy in America is dead,” Yassa said. “It doesn’t have to be.”
Yassa said she encourages students of all classifications to consider taking Bridge’s class. She said having the opportunity to take it was one of the reasons she chose to attend Baylor.
“Freshmen should not be scared. Sophomores should not be scared. And juniors and seniors, even if they’ve taken quite a few political science classes, will find this one different and maybe refresh them as they finish off their undergraduate career,” Yassa said.
By Jackson Posey | Reporter
For the first time, the world’s largest Baptist university has an Eastern Orthodox chapel.
Baylor’s traditional chapel offering — large-scale student gatherings in Waco Hall — has been scattered into a variety of “calling and career” options in recent years, as the chapel department pushes to personalize the chapel experience. The result: more than four dozen options, including everything from Aviation Chapel to Eastern Orthodox Morning Prayers.
The Rev. Daniel Wright, the presiding priest at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church and one of the spiritual advisers for Baylor’s branch of Orthodox Christian Fellowship, said the chapel department was “really, really open” to having an Orthodox chapel.
“There are a number of people in the chapel department who — they looked around and saw that we have a number of Protestant chapels, and we have the Catholic chapels that are available,” Wright said. “And they thought, ‘Well, what’s missing is the Orthodox from this picture, right?’”
Wright now leads the twice-weekly Orthodox chapel, which is hosted by Orthodox Christian Fellowship at Robbins Chapel. Rather than creating a new curriculum though, he chose to delve into the deep traditions of Orthodox Christianity. He ultimately settled on the morning “Matins” prayer services, which are still consistently practiced in Orthodox monasteries and some churches.
Orthodoxy stems from an eastern strand of Christianity that has remained somewhat isolated from the historical developments of the western church, including Roman Catholics and, later, Protestants. That means incense, icons and an emphasis on church tradition.
“I suspect it’s the only chapel service that’s praying the prayers of the earliest church,” Wright said. “We have incense. We have icons. We read heavily from the Psalms. … We like to say that we worship with the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ that is mentioned in the book of Hebrews.”
The prayer services are a far cry from so-called “low-church Protestantism” — a less structured form of worship that is particularly prevalent at Baylor. According to the university’s latest student demographic information, three of the four largest self-identified religious groups were Baptist (3,778), non-denominational (3,448) and unaffiliated Christian (3,066), a majority of which fall into the “low church” category.
This creates interesting dynamics for non-Orthodox students who choose to attend the Matins services — such as Dallas freshman Hayden Hill, a Protestant whose adviser recommended he take the chapel.
“I don’t know what I expected,” Hill said. “I kind of figured there’d be some chanting, and there is. … It’s been a good way to start the morning just contemplatively and quiet and in prayer. I don’t know; it’s very centering.”
Hill grew up attending what he called a “big ol’ evangelical huge megachurch,” which he said he wasn’t a big fan of. He now describes himself as a “general Protestant, drawing from tons of different traditions.” Taking the Orthodox chapel is part of his quest to come to a deeper, more well-rounded understanding of the Christian faith.
“It’s been really eye-opening to me,” Hill said. “Digging into the tradition and just practicing that spiritually has been very fruitful as well. … It’s really just broadened my view of a lot of Christian practice, helped me to realize that my way — the way that I’ve learned or been taught — is not always the right way. And people think different things for different reasons, and how do I be empathetic to that?”
For Orthodox students, the chapel serves another purpose: spiritual formation in a like-minded community. The Rev. Dr. Erin Moniz, director for chapel, praised the university for being a “unique community” that emphasizes spiritual growth. The Orthodox chapel, she said, is just the latest example of that commitment.
“I will say that the Orthodox chapel, I’m really excited for it,” Moniz said. “All chapels are grounded in spiritual practices; they have to identify two on their syllabus, and that has to be sort of the anchoring point for the chapel experience. So for these students, it’s just the grounding of these practices — just getting to come together twice a week and start their day with a liturgy of morning prayer, and do that in community with each other and with a priest.”
By The Editorial Board
What are your plans after graduation? Where are you interning this summer? What’s your major — and what are you planning to do with that? What else are you getting involved in?
Questions about our future plans seem to be never-ending, and it’s exhausting. From incoming freshmen to outgoing seniors, there is so much pressure to have it all figured out.
For freshmen, it might be questions about majors, potential minors or a change in degree plans. For sophomores and juniors, there’s a looming responsibility and constant conversation surrounding finding a summer internship or joining a new organization to beef up their resumes. And, no surprises here, for seniors, it is the constant bombardment of post-graduation questions.
While these questions often come innocently from friends and family, the underlying stress they can cause is unfair. To the people asking the questions, please be mindful. It’s a great starting point to chat with someone, but chances are they have already been asked multiple times that week. Let them bring it up.
And it’s not just that. These subjects of conversation are common among our peers — at times in an unhealthy and competitive way.
Doom-scrolling on LinkedIn can be intimidating right about now, with an abundance of “I’m thrilled to announce …” posts. It might seem like you’re in the minority of friends or classmates who are posting about what graduate program or internship they got into, but to those who are anxious because they don’t have a solid plan for the next few years of life, you are not alone.
Taking a deep breath and being intentional about living in the present can be good first steps. Don’t let the stress of trying to make a future plan take away from your day-to-day college experience. Another good starting point is seeking out support and advice from your peers, professors or family.
In addition, Baylor offers help for students who may be struggling to figure things out. Major Exploration and Success Advising is a tool for students exploring different major options. The Student Involvement Center helps students join or create an organization they may be interested in. The Career Center also has multiple resources for job searches, alumni connections and more.
If you don’t have a job or summer internship — or if you haven’t even declared your major — it’s OK. If you have no idea what you want to do yet, that’s OK too. Where you start in college and directly after is just a stepping stone to where you’ll end up.
We’re only 18-22 years old. We have our entire lives ahead of us. Things will work out, even if they don’t work out exactly according to plan.
By Kassidy Tsikitas | Photo Editor
Only four months into the year, America has had an estimated 143 shootings. That means so far in 2024, there have been more shootings than days.
According to federal law, licensed dealers cannot sell a firearm to anyone under 18, and they cannot sell a shotgun or rifle to anyone under 21. Texas residents under 18 cannot purchase a firearm, and Texas residents under 21 cannot purchase a handgun.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, Giffords Law Center posted under background check procedures that “Texas is not a point of contact state for the NICS. Texas has no law requiring firearms dealers to initiate background checks prior to transferring a firearm. As a result, in Texas, firearms dealers must initiate the background check required by federal law by contacting the FBI directly.”
There was also an important note that stated that “people who have become prohibited from possessing firearms may continue to hold state firearms licenses if the state fails to remove these licenses in a timely fashion.”
The Texas State Law Library further explains that as of 2021, Texas residents don’t need a license to carry, but different rules apply when a person is around schools, businesses and private properties.
In the state of Texas, there are different categories for selling guns. One category is private sellers at gun shows. A document from the Houston Texas Government talks about the loophole of guns being bought at the shows, which can play a part in increasing the likelihood of shootings such as that in Columbine, Colo.
The document specifies that “As an unlicensed seller, that individual or vendor is not required to keep records of sales and is not required to perform background checks.”
Federal background checks were mandated in 1994, but background checks for private sellers are not required. According to Giffords Law Center, “Over 3 million people legally prohibited from possessing a gun have been stopped from purchasing a gun or denied a permit to purchase. More than 35% of these denials involved people convicted of felony offenses.”
One major thing Texas is failing to follow through with is making legislation for gun control. A 2022 article from the Texas Tribune quoted Gov. Greg Abbott saying gun laws being sought out because of the impact of the shooting in Uvalde were ruled unconstitutional.
This makes me question the safety of where I attend school, no matter what state I am in.
My first experience with noticing some people are sick enough to use a gun on other people was the shooting in Newtown, Conn.
The day after it happened, there were multiple news stations airing the aftermath of the shooting. All I saw were the frightened faces of children my age — some the victims. Seeing how easily something this horrific can happen changed my perspective on gun control forever.
People who say things like “this stuff happens” don’t fully understand what families of both parties go through after a tragedy like having a loved one killed in a shooting. We, as a country and society, need to improve our laws and background checks not only for future generations but also for victims of all the major and minor shootings that have happened.
As a result of mass shootings like that at Sandy Hook Elementary, the Sandy Hook Promise was formed to educate and prevent more mass shootings.
If we are able to make a direct impact with organizations like this one, then we should be able to grow as a country. A better future for our younger siblings and future children calls for stricter gun laws. I want a safe future for my little sister, who is still elementary-age. Stricter gun laws will unite our country. Do it for yourself and others.
By Brooke S. Robinson | Student Body Attorney General
Dear Baylor University Student Activities,
As a distinguished institution of higher education, it is imperative that we uphold the recognition and preservation of the rights of our students. However, I recently learned that the due process rights of our student organizations have been overlooked for an extended period.
The existing procedures for issuing cease-and-desist orders and investigations into student organizations grossly encroach upon the due process rights to which all citizens are guaranteed, as enshrined in the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Presently, organizations are ordered to act under cease-and-desist directives without notification of any charges or accusations underlying such actions. Additionally, there has been documentation that investigations into these accusations persist for extended periods, often spanning months without resolution, thereby impending the progress and contribution these organizations bring to our Baylor community.
Per the Sixth Amendment, every individual is guaranteed the right to a prompt trial and investigation, along with full disclosure of the charges and evidence that has been brought against them. While the operations of Student Activities may not mirror those of our nation’s judicial system, it is imperative that our university’s entities act in accordance with the same level of respect and dignity.
I am writing this letter to you, in my capacity as the student government attorney general, requesting that your policies and procedures be updated to ensure that our students and organizations can fully recognize their rights here on campus. As the representative of our student constitution, I am acutely aware of the necessary changes that must be made to safeguard our students. As my term ends, I anticipate the implementation of these reformed policies. Furthermore, I have advised our incoming leaders to undertake a review of our student bill of rights so that it may align with the intentions of this letter and fully protect our student body. I hope to see that with this change in guidelines, Student Activities will unequivocally recognize and honor the protected rights of our students.
By Kalena Reynolds | Staff Writer
From the classrooms of Baylor to the stage of “American Idol,” Houston sophomore Colby Cobb has transformed his life by releasing songs and showcasing his talent at gigs across the country.
Cobb grew up loving music and found it to be his “out” amid a childhood filled with ups and downs. When he was 5 years old, Cobb began playing viola, and he picked up saxophone and guitar in middle school. However, his calling was not always clear.
“I wanted to be a doctor, and it was rooted in wanting to help people,” Cobb said. “And it wasn’t until the summer before I was supposed to go to Baylor that that kind of changed, because I enjoyed music, but I never thought I could actually pursue it.”
While playing a gig in downtown Waco, a random listener left Cobb a note that ultimately changed his trajectory and inspired him to switch majors.
“Here in Waco, someone left me a note with a tip, and the note on the napkin says, ‘Follow your dreams. You can save lives. Do your music or your med-school journey. Go big. Wishing you luck,'” Cobb said. “And it just really, really spoke to me.”
The summer before Cobb came to Baylor, he auditioned for “American Idol” and was sent through to the judges’ rounds. There, Cobb met multiple people who influenced his view of music and helped him feel inspired to write his first full song while on the show.
“I just had this urge to write, and when you do a reality show, they have you talk about your life so much,” Cobb said. “It feels like a drag, and I never used to talk about my life growing up.”
With some advice from a family friend, Cobb finished writing the song, titled it “Make Believe” and performed it on the show.
Tara Matthews, a family friend, met Cobb through his friendship with her daughter and said she quickly noticed his unique gift for music.
“Colby wasn’t 100% confident in his musical abilities, but I could see through all the fear and the self-doubting and all that that he would put on himself,” Matthews said. “I could see how gifted he was.”
While Matthews is well-versed in the music world herself, she has had an inside perspective into Cobb’s growth and how his writing has blossomed through the journey of his artistry.
“His musical abilities just blew up to new levels that I’m not even sure he was sure he could accomplish or become,” Matthews said. “But he has such a gift, and I’m telling you, he has it from the top to the bottom. He can do the creating. He can do the writing. He can come up with the music to go along with it. He is a wonderful lyricist, a wonderful producer, and it has been awesome watching him grow and develop and come into his own.”
Since releasing “Make Believe,” Cobb has released two other songs — both just as vulnerable as the first — titled “Sober” and “Starting Over.”
As Cobb’s music has grown, he has begun doing gigs that he flies to on the weekends while balancing classes. After he graduates, he plans to continue pursuing music and writing.
“I’m going to be doing music forever, whether I’m pursuing it as a career or just writing, because No. 1 it’s for me first, and then for others whenever I release it,” Cobb said. “I’m going to be doing music forever.”
By Jamie Barrett | Reporter
A three-day Baylor Symposium — Migration and Food Needs: Latin American and U.S. Perspectives — came to an end Thursday night with a rhythmic quintet recital featuring guest performer Mariachi Oso.
The recital was held in Roxy Grove Hall and helped open the minds of those in attendance to the stories behind migration in not just the United States but also other places in Latin America.
Marcelo Boccato Kuyumjian, a jazz studies lecturer and a member of the quintet, said what he was most interested in learning from the project is how much music is involved in helping those who are migrating get accustomed to their new environment.
“I have always been interested in how music plays a role in creating a home for these communities who a lot of times feel out of place,” Kuyumjian said.
The recital encompassed a variety of jazz artists, from Duke Ellington to Stevie Wonder. Each song told a different story, helping guests better understand the symposium’s message of changing the narrative about migration throughout the Americas.
Dr. Carlos F. Cardoza-Orlandi, who helped plan the three-day event, said he hoped to shift the story of migration in the media and highlight the positives that accompany it.
“The emphasis is so skewed and so narrow that you miss the abundance of migrants’ contributions,” Cardoza-Orlandi said. “It is a very limited story, and we tried to broaden it.”
Attendees of the recital were engaged with the performance, and the speeches given by Kuyumjian between songs helped guide them to the messages behind the music. The recital ended with a standing ovation for all the performers.
By Zach Babajanof-Rustrian | Sports Writer
No. 6 seed Baylor women’s tennis fell in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championships, as it lost 4-0 to No. 3 seed Oklahoma on Thursday afternoon at the Greenwood Tennis Center in Stillwater, Okla.
The Bears (17-12) lost control of the match when the Sooners (17-5) earned the doubles point and found singles wins on courts two, three and six. This was the second meeting between the two sides, as Oklahoma secured a 4-0 victory over Baylor last Friday in Waco.
Starting in doubles play, Oklahoma was able to pull out a win on court two by a score of 6-1, and it also won 6-2 on court three. Court one remained undecided, but senior Miska Kadleckova and sophomore Danielle Tuhten trailed 3-5.
Survive and Advance.
🔗 https://t.co/NfREHJ9hsx#SicEm 🐻 pic.twitter.com/LNebZQlzPc
— Baylor Women’s Tennis (@BaylorWTennis) April 18, 2024
In singles action, the Sooners kept their lead by picking up victories on courts three (6-1, 6-1) and six (6-2, 6-0). They needed just one more to clinch the match, and they found it on court two with a 6-1, 6-3 victory. Even though OU picked up the overall win, Baylor managed to hang tough on the other three singles courts.
No. 117 Kadleckova, who finished the year with a 16-5 record in singles play, was in the midst of a comeback against No. 31 sophomore Julia Garcia, as their match ended with a score of 4-6, 1-3 on the top court.
Junior Sierra Berry was in the middle of her third set with Sooners’ freshman Chloe Noel, which finished undecided at 1-6, 6-3 and 1-2. Berry finished the match as the only Bear with a set victory on the day.
Baylor looks to return to the court with a potential NCAA Tournament bid. Seedings and match dates will be announced on April 29, and matches will begin on May 3.
By Tyler White | Sports Writer
Baylor men’s golf has its eyes set on the upcoming Big 12 Championship, which is set to begin on Monday. Despite a slow start to the spring season, the Bears have been gaining momentum over the last couple of tournaments.
Baylor is coming off a win at the Aggie Invitational and a strong final round outing at the ASU-Thunderbird Collegiate. Head coach Mike McGraw said it’s a great time of the year to be trending upward, and he knows the team can feel it.
“We hadn’t played particularly well early in the spring,” McGraw said. “So that was a big win. To beat Texas A&M in their own backyard was not an easy task, and we played very, very well. It’s nice that we’re on an upward swing.”
🗣️ It's 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 🗣️@BearCoachMcGraw looks forward to competing against the best of the best next week at Whispering Pines!#SicEm🐻⛳️🏌️♂️ | @Big12Conference pic.twitter.com/jdSQC2pKgW
— Baylor Men's Golf ⛳️ (@BaylorMGolf) April 17, 2024
Graduate student Luke Dossey said it’s important for the squad to gain momentum at the right time. Dossey said these last two meets have been an opportunity for them to gain confidence and strength going into the conference championship.
“Aggie was a big, big turning point for us,” Dossey said. “It was nice, because we played really good team golf. Everyone contributed a lot. A lot of us were in contention individually.
“Then, in Arizona, I remember coach just kind of told us before the last round, ‘Let’s go build some momentum before conference,’ and that’s exactly what we did.”
Dossey said the Bears proved it last year when they began to trend up at the right time of the year. He said they were able to gain momentum for the NCAA Regionals and make a good run to nationals, and he said they can do the same this year if they continue to build on their success.
“I mean, anybody can beat anybody on any given day,” Dossey said. “But if we’re working on the right things every day and taking care of small things and playing really good team golf — I think that’s what we’ve done the last two events, and I think that’s all you really need to do in these next two.”
McGraw said the confidence of the team has been “hard earned.” Though they started off slow and some meets didn’t go as expected, he said they have been pushing hard through the end of the year against tough competition.
“We have the strongest conference in the country on some of the best golf courses you’ll ever see,” McGraw said. “So it’s an amazing, amazing opportunity for these guys. So when I play it up, it’s not hyperbole. It’s real. It’s a great, great opportunity.”
🥳 Happy birthday to the head man, @BearCoachMcGraw! 🎉#SicEm🐻⛳️🏌️♂️ pic.twitter.com/tkUMseTkYU
— Baylor Men's Golf ⛳️ (@BaylorMGolf) April 18, 2024
After achieving his 50th career win at the Aggie Invitational, McGraw said the team is getting used to how they play with each other and feeling more confident entering the conference championship with their lineup.
“The synergy is probably better than it’s ever been all year long, because you don’t have a revolving door in the last four and five spots,” McGraw said. “You have basically the guys you know we’re going to be playing the rest of the year. So I can already see the energy at Texas A&M and the energy of Arizona State changing within the team.”
The Big 12 Championship will run Monday through Wednesday at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity.
By Tyler White | Sports Writer
Baylor track and field is gearing up to host the Michael Johnson Invitational this weekend. With 22 schools in the home meet, the Bears are using it as an opportunity to prepare for championship season, according to head coach Michael Ford.
Ford said the Michael Johnson Invitational is a great chance for athletes to tune up in their events and prepare for the Big 12 Championship in early May, which is followed by nationals. He said it’s always great to have a strong home crowd for this event, and he said it allows the students to gear up for the most critical time of the year.
“We’ll try to run as much as we can for the locals to see a lot of our student-athletes,” Ford said. “And then also it’s almost like a sad time too, because some of the seniors who haven’t competed — or the ones that have competed a lot — this is technically their last home meet. And so it’s always just good to honor the senior group.”
It’s not a home meet week without a stop at @rudysbbq to talk track on the Baylor Coach’s Show! #SicEm 🐻 pic.twitter.com/YcI5zSyZTt
— Baylor Track & Field (@BaylorTrack) April 19, 2024
With so many schools coming to Waco for the meet, Ford said it’s an opportunity for the athletes to compete against a variety of others in their respective events.
“We’ve always had really good competition at our home meet,” Ford said. “And so for us to get 22 schools — it’s probably a little bit more than I would like — but when you have some schools from Texas, then you have some schools from the Midwest and up east that want to come to it, you let them in.”
Despite there being two meets before the Big 12 Championship, Ford said his squad is focused on using the meets to prepare for the final few weeks of the season.
“I think the big thing is just getting mentally ready for conference,” Ford said. “Like I always tell them, you have certain opportunities to compete. If you have two opportunities this weekend, let’s use the two opportunities, because you won’t get them back.”
Back at the green oval TOMORROW for the Michael Johnson Invitational‼️
There’s still time to claim your ticket to catch all the action on the Banks of the Brazos: https://t.co/r9wGCN25yU#SicEm 🐻 pic.twitter.com/niYelw6Zkr
— Baylor Track & Field (@BaylorTrack) April 18, 2024
Junior sprinter Laurenz Colbert said he’s confident going into the home meet. Colbert will run in the 200- and 100-meter dash, as well as being a member of the 4×100 men’s relay team.
Colbert added that the relay team has developed a lot of chemistry and that it is continuing to work hard to drop its time while moving into championship mode.
“I feel like we have a good shot at winning or placing high at conference and even placing really high at nationals,” Colbert said. “I feel like since we’re more developed and we have good chemistry between everybody on the relay team, it just makes us a really good team and better than most, because we have really good communication skills, and we have a real friendship between each one of us.”
For the first time in 2024, BOTH SQUADS are in the @USTFCCCA top 25‼️#SicEm 🐻 pic.twitter.com/EbokBxFZgJ
— Baylor Track & Field (@BaylorTrack) April 16, 2024
Colbert said the relay team is focused on getting closer to the program record, of which he was the opening leg. The 2022 team clocked a time of 38.87 at the Arkansas Regional.
Colbert ran the second leg of this year’s fastest one (39.19), which was set at the Clyde Hart Classic on March 22 in Waco.
Although Ford described this meet as a “tuneup,” Colbert said the group is also focused on remaining consistent.
“Since we’ve been real consistent this whole season with our relay, I feel like this week might be a good week that we could possibly drop faster or run even close to our school record,” Colbert said.
The Michael Johnson Invitational is set to run Friday through Saturday at the Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium in Waco. The event kicks off with the women’s hammer throw at 11 a.m. on Friday. Saturday’s events will begin at the same time.
The meet will end with the men’s 4×400-meter relay around 4:40 p.m. on Saturday. Ford will honor the senior class at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
By Emma Weidmann | Arts and Life Editor
The Fox and the Crow, SUNNN | April 19 | 9 p.m. | $5-10 | Freight Waco, 1613 James Ave. | If you’re into indie music, this is the night for you. Baylor’s own SUNNN opens for The Fox and the Crow right off campus.
{254}DanceFest | April 20 | 8 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Ball Performing Arts Center, 1400 College Drive | Free | Attend contemporary dance classes and see 20 choreographed performances by professional dancers throughout the day.
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | April 20 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | 500 Washington Ave. | This weekly event hosts local vendors, artisans and craftsmen in the heart of downtown Waco, accompanied by live music.
Dr Pepper Paranormal Experience | April 20 | 7 p.m. | Dr Pepper Museum, 300 S Fifth St. | $35 tickets | Experience a guided tour of the Dr Pepper Museum. Some have seen glowing orbs and mysterious figures haunt this Waco landmark.
Journey to Space at the Mayborn Museum | Through April 21 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Mayborn Museum Complex | $10 admission | Live like an astronaut at the Mayborn and experience what it’s like to see space up close.
Monday Night Lights Mountain Bike Ride | April 22 | 7:15 p.m. | Bicycle World Waco, 112 Mary Ave. | Experience Waco’s trails at night on a group ride from Bicycle World Waco to Cameron Park. Helmets and lights are required for safety.
Eclipse: Shining Shadows | Through May 4 | Hours vary by day | Art Center Waco, 701 S Eighth St. | This juried art exhibition asks if life imitates art or if art imitates life. By looking at how the total solar eclipse has been seen by various cultures throughout history, artists are able to hold a mirror to ourselves as well.
Texas, Your Texas: Celebrating 100 Years of The Texas Collection at Baylor | Starting Aug. 8, 2023 | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Carroll Library, 1429 S Fifth St. | Carroll Library is showcasing rare pieces of Texas history and holding special events to celebrate the collection’s centennial year at Baylor.
By Abbey Ferguson | LTVN Reporter
Which dorm will win in a heated field day competition? LTVN’s Abbey Ferguson shows you how three residential colleges compete to crown a winner.
By Ashlyn Beck | Staff Writer
The LatinX Association for Science and Health is encouraging students to put on their tennis shoes and head to Fountain Mall on Sunday afternoon for a kickball tournament.
This year, the LatinX Association for Science and Health is raising funds for La Puerta, a local nonprofit that provides education to the Hispanic and Latino population in Waco.
Mission junior and club vice president Allison Garza said club members volunteer at the ESL courses at La Puerta on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“My week isn’t complete if I don’t go there to help out, so we’re very tight-knit with them,” Allison Garza said.
According to the La Puerta website, the nonprofit provides many resources to the Hispanic and Latino community in Waco, including social, legal, medical and mental health services. It exists to empower the community to reach its full potential.
“It’s so important to offer even something as simple as English, because you’re automatically ostracized from the community if you don’t speak the same language or if you don’t look the same,” Allison Garza said.
Fort Worth sophomore and club DEI chair Alanis Robles said the Kickin’ It with La Puerta kickball tournament is a way to honor La Puerta, bringing awareness to the work it does as well as volunteer opportunities.
“[We want to] bring awareness to everyone that La Puerta is an option,” Robles said. “It’s a volunteering option that they have for them to [become] educated, not just in our culture but just be more aware.”
The event, which will take place from 2 to 6 p.m., includes a kickball tournament, food, music and games, according to Victoria senior and club president Gabby Garza.
“This is not just [another] event for us,” Gabby Garza said. “We always are trying to help [La Puerta] in whatever way we can.”
This is the second year the LatinX Association for Science and Health is hosting the event. Club members said the biggest difference at this year’s kickball tournament is the nonprofit they are supporting. Last year, they raised funds for a national organization that worked at the border.
“This year, we wanted to target more of the Waco community itself, and that’s how we came up with La Puerta,” Robles said.
Allison Garza said La Puerta is an important part of the Waco community. She said La Puerta helps individuals realize that education is an option and that they are capable of the work.
“All the people that we tutor are older,” Allison Garza said. “They are not high school students. They aren’t college students. These are people that are as old as my parents, as my grandparents. And they’re putting the work in now because they realize it is an option.”
Robles said Kickin’ it with La Puerta is an opportunity for club members to care for their community. It’s also a way for Baylor students, who have had the opportunity to pursue higher education, to help give the gift of education to others less fortunate.
“As human beings, we’re responsible to think about others and care for others, and this is just another way to do that and bring awareness of what La Puerta is,” Robles said.
Many people ask why the LatinX Association for Science and Health — an organization for students in science and health — supports a nonprofit providing education. According to Gabby Garza, it couldn’t be more relevant. She said she wants to ensure all health care patients feel comfortable talking with their physicians and receiving the care they need.
“We want to empower our patients later on down the line,” Gabby Garza said. “So many people are fearful to go to the hospital because they don’t understand what a physician is saying.”
Teams of six to 10 players can register and pay $5 per person to participate in the tournament. Other than the tournament and concessions, the event is free.
By Clara Snyder | Reporter
Ben Christie began rescuing wild animals as an undergraduate student. Since becoming a Baylor alumnus, Christie has turned his hobby into a social media career that has allowed him to open one of the only wildlife rehabilitation centers between Austin and Dallas.
Known as “The Urban Rescue Ranch” on social media, Christie’s nonprofit has amassed 4.2 million TikTok followers, 2.92 million YouTube subscribers and 701,000 Instagram followers since 2020. The Urban Rescue Ranch is now doing business as Waco Wildlife Rescue and is looking for Baylor student volunteers to help with animal care and social media.
“Our overarching message is we want to do sanctuary care for animals while also rehabilitating our native wildlife,” Christie said. “We’re essentially a hospital for wild animals, and our goal is to always release animals back into the wild unless they’re deemed unreleasable.”
Christie said wildlife rescue started as a hobby during his senior year at Baylor when people would bring him animals they found around campus.
“People would find squirrels that fell out of nests on campus or doves that fell out of the parking garages, and I would just take care of them,” Christie said.
After finishing a degree in professional sales and moving to Austin to begin his career in 2019, Christie continued rescuing wildlife. Christie said animals had always been a passion of his, but he knew that sales would be the way to make money.
“Opening a wildlife center would have always been a dream of mine, but wildlife rescue is a negative income job for the most part,” Christie said. “You either need to have a robust network of donors and sponsors or get really good at social media and crowdfunding.”
While working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Christie said he started spending most of his time doing wildlife rehabilitation and posting about it on TikTok. Christie took in animals that were injured or orphaned, specifically ones from the exotic hunting market.
“Because of COVID, there was nothing else to do, so I started making TikToks with funny skits, and some were getting millions of views,” Christie said. “It got us crazy exposure. I have videos where I’ve gotten about 50 million views just for playing with the kangaroo.”
By early 2021, Christie had amassed around 2 million followers on TikTok and was considering quitting his job to pursue wildlife rehabilitation full time in the Waco area, but he wasn’t in a good financial position. During the Winter Storm Uri freeze, Christie said he spent the days without power or water praying about his situation.
“I just prayed during those three days, asking God to tell me what I’m supposed to do with my life, why I’m here and if I should focus on this social media thing,” Christie said. “And I felt like God said, ‘Quit your job, and trust in me for income.’”
Despite his financial situation, Christie decided to quit his job on April 15, 2021. Christie said he woke up the next morning to the news that his circumstances had changed drastically overnight.
“When I went to bed, I didn’t have a lot of money to my name, and I was in $30,000 of debt at least,” Christie said. “But then I woke up the next day, and a YouTube video I had posted three weeks prior was on trending next to Mr. Beast and Drake; I had never had success on YouTube, but someone had posted the video on Reddit, and that was all it took.”
Afterward, the YouTube videos continued to receive traction. Christie said some of his earliest successful videos starred a rhea named Kevin.
“Kevin was attacking zebras and giraffes on this dude’s ranch, so he was given to me for free,” Christie said. “He also would attack me, which is the reason the videos blew up initially. He would just bite me. He’s funny.”
Christie said his success on YouTube yielded greater money than TikTok did, with the money he earned from ad revenue allowing him to fund the move to Waco and his work at the rescue center.
Today, there are about 30 species at the rescue center. According to Christie, they are currently beating the statistical survival average for wildlife rescue, with 60% of animals in their care surviving and returning to the wild.
Waco Wildlife floor director Ian Petty said although caring for wildlife isn’t always easy, it has brought him so much joy and peace.
“The best part of the job is when these animals are able to be released,” Petty said. “It’s a very beautiful experience I cannot describe. Seeing a raccoon you raised from a week old, now all grown up and sent back out into the wild — it’s incredibly rewarding. I could not ask for a better job than this.”
Waco Wildlife Rescue is looking for committed Baylor students willing to give one hour a week consistently on Tuesdays, Thursdays or weekends. Volunteers will be trained to work with and care for wildlife. Additionally, it is looking for volunteers to help with filming and social media for the rescue center. Those interested can email wacowildliferehabilitation@gmail.com to get involved.
By Piper Rutherford | Staff Writer
Baylor’s summer REC camp serves Baylor faculty and staff by offering a day camp for children aged 6 to 12, all while providing a summer job for Baylor students.
Lubbock graduate student and REC director of operations Jack Isaacson said the main goal of the camp is to provide professors with an easy and convenient child care option during the summer that also benefits the campers. Baylor faculty and staff can register online, and session costs range from $140 to $160.
“We want to take this weight off of faculty and staff and provide a space for their kids to engage in play with their peers by building their confidence through activity,” Isaacson said. “We operate out of the SLC, and being in a big gym when it is hot outside in Texas lets kids engage in sport with friends so that they can develop physically and socially.”
As for Baylor students who are interested in getting involved, Chris Gomez, director of summer camps, said they are welcome to apply, whether they are staying in Waco and need a summer job or have a love for kids.
“We are very flexible with work schedules, so a camp counselor can either sign up to do any number of weeks during the eight-week camp, whether that be part or full time,” Gomez said. “For instance, if a counselor is taking summer classes, they can choose to work either 20 hours or 40 hours, where they will be paid $10 an hour for first-timers and $20 an hour for returners.”
Gomez said the typical work day goes from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Baylor students can expect to be engaging in sports, skits, songs or prayers for the campers.
“Some of the activities we do include swimming in the pool, teaching arts and crafts, using the climbing wall or playing sports like basketball and volleyball,” Gomez said. “We also go to the Marina once a week for activities like kayaking and canoeing.”
As for the benefits counselors can expect to get from the experience outside of the salary or the resume boost, Gomez said it teaches counselors about youth protection and how to supervise children.
“This is an opportunity for students to learn how to better work with kids,” Gomez said. “This can apply anywhere from education majors to those who want to be in [a] mentor position and act as a role model and big brother or sister to these kids.”
Similarly, Isaacson said the job is rewarding for counselors looking to develop themselves in all aspects of their lives.
“Being a counselor is a rewarding job where you are in charge of kids running around. And even if you are introverted, you will have to quickly learn how to be vocal. Or if you are naturally extroverted, this is your dream job to be high energy,” Isaacson said. “This helps counselors build soft skills that can bleed over into the classroom or their professional lives, which goes along with how campus recreation is all about experience and that we believe through experiential learning, both counselors and campers can come out of this camp for the betterment of themselves and their future.”
By Clara Snyder | Reporter
As an individual who is pretty heavily entrenched in the world of journalism, both personally and academically, I spend a considerable amount of time thinking about the future of journalism and the challenges in it. Any time I am asked about this topic, two issues seem to overwhelmingly dominate the conversation: news bias and artificial intelligence.
Discussing news bias has become commonplace in the interactions I have with people about journalism, which comes as no surprise, since polls indicate public trust in media is at a historic low.
The main issue I take with the topic is the notion that the news bias existing today is unprecedented and that journalism used to be entirely free of bias. That isn’t true.
There are a number of examples of partisan journalism in the past, specifically in the 19th century, when most papers were directly linked to specific political parties, depending on the publisher’s economic interests.
The idea of objective journalism is actually a more recent one than many are led to believe. Objectivity didn’t arrive on the scene as a norm until the 1920s, when newspapers were forced to merge amid publication closures, leading papers to embrace objectivity in order to appeal to the greatest number of readers.
The other issue I take with this topic is the idea that news bias makes consuming journalism a wasted effort. If we neglect to inform ourselves on the basis of dissatisfaction with people who are meant to inform us, we regress from critical thinking as a culture.
To some extent, the idea of objectivity can be seen as an impossibility. Humans, by nature, have opinions that inform the daily decisions they make. Even when it comes down to choosing a source to interview for a story, choosing to interview the most informed individual on a given topic is not objective in and of itself.
Hunter S. Thompson painted objective journalism well in his book titled “Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72,” in which he called the phrase “objective journalism” a pompous contradiction in terms.
“What can I say? Objective journalism is a hard thing to come by these days. We all yearn for it, but who can point the way? … With the possible exception of things like box scores, race results and stock market tabulations, there is no such thing as objective journalism.”
In regard to AI, a common opinion communicated to me is that AI will eliminate the need for journalists and dismantle the practice of journalism as a whole. I disagree with that opinion as well.
AI isn’t a threat to the jobs of journalists. I believe it can actually be an asset to the future of the practice and help combat the issue of public distrust and disinterest in traditional news outlets.
The practice of reporting and breaking news stories remains a human-specific role that AI can’t do. However, Charlie Beckett, the head of the London School of Economics’ journalism AI research project, argued it can be used to streamline the process.
“AI is not about the total automation of content production from start to finish. It is about augmentation to give professionals and creatives the tools to work faster, freeing them up to spend more time on what humans do best,” Beckett said in a Reuters Institute article.
Additionally, AI could help revive public trust in media by sifting through the large amount of information available to readers in order to produce a final product that distinguishes the facts.
If journalism embraces AI as a tool and invites this technology into the future of the practice, media outlets could begin to output stories that reassert themselves as trustworthy sources. Harnessing the power of AI in the production of journalism is also something that could separate these outlets from social media, which has become an increasingly popular medium for consumers to get their news.
When it comes to social media becoming a preferred outlet for news consumption instead of traditional media, the overarching reason I see is journalism’s lack of connectivity with the public.
Social media strives to connect with the public by utilizing algorithms to tailor information that directly aligns with consumer desires. Why would you want to look for information beyond social media when you’re already getting a product curated for your own personal taste?
In this age of technology, where mass amounts of information are available to users at any given moment, gaining the reader’s trust has become increasingly dependent on personal emotions.
Perhaps by setting aside the notion of total objectivity and instead focusing on producing stories that appeal to the individual — while reinforcing the information with evidence and cross-referenced truths — modern media could reposition itself as an outlet worth trusting.
Beckett summarized this point well in his blog article titled “Journalism’s new mission: understanding the human.”
“Journalists have to go with this flow of postmodern human nature. They need to be more expert, but they also need to be more empathetic. [Journalism] must not abandon all of its traditional virtues and craft, but the reinvention must be more than technical. The news media must rediscover its interest in understanding the human.”
By Mia Crawford | Photographer
We live in an age where connectivity has never been easier, which is both a blessing and a curse. With every moment having the capability of being documented and posted online, it comes as no surprise that most of us are plagued by the fear of missing out. But what if I told you FOMO isn’t necessarily a negative thing?
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not immune to this feeling, and neither are 75% of people. But I have implemented some more positive ways of thinking that have completely changed my perspective. The first step? Realizing comparison is the thief of joy.
You will never be satisfied with your own life and accomplishments if you are constantly staking them up against someone else’s. It is essential to note that social media, while wonderful, often presents a distorted reality. Most only showcase their best sides, angles and moments on the internet, making it hard to discern truth from filters. Recognizing this deception can help us maintain a healthier relationship with social media and ourselves.
So, rather than comparing, try using FOMO to reflect on your own values and goals. Rather than envying experiences, use this fear as a reminder of what you hope to accomplish. This newfound clarity serves as the catalyst for renewed purpose and motivation. By reframing FOMO, we can redefine what it means to miss out, turning it into a tool for personal growth. Rather than allowing it to fuel feelings of anxiety or inadequacy, use this energy to discover and work toward what you hope to accomplish.
By adopting an attitude of gratitude, we can shift our focus from what we lack to what we have. If we begin to celebrate the blessings and opportunities already present in our lives, we won’t feel discontent. Practicing gratitude cultivates contentment that can counteract the envy we hold toward others.
In essence, FOMO is not inherently negative; it only reflects our desire to connect and achieve our own accomplishments and goals. By shifting our mindset away from the negative, we can turn this source of stress into one of growth. So, the next time you feel the familiar pang of FOMO, remember you are on your own journey embracing your own moments.
By Sarah Gallaher | Staff Writer
When it comes to eating out as a college student, convenience and cost often outweigh taste, health and sustainability. With a variety of fast food options at our fingertips, it’s easy to overlook local food options when treating yourself to a meal out.
However, Waco has lots of affordable, healthy and delicious food options within a few miles of campus.
Fast food is sometimes a viable option, but supporting local eateries in Waco stimulates the economy and gives you more overall satisfaction. When eating the same type of cuisine, I always feel more refreshed after eating a freshly made meal, whereas fast food leaves me feeling bloated and uneasy.
I’m not here to say that all fast food is bad. I enjoy many places in the grease pit, but I also make a conscious effort to support local restaurants. This diversifies my eating habits and causes me to eat more fresh food that is often absent from my regular diet. Additionally, it makes me feel better about splurging on a meal out, as I know it will benefit the Waco community as a whole.
At the start of my freshman year, I usually resorted to tried-and-true chain restaurants. As an out-of-state student, it left me feeling homesick and out of place in Waco. By trying new places, I feel like I have gotten to know Waco better and appreciate it more than I did before.
Ultimately, what you eat is up to you, but I encourage you to try a new restaurant as summer approaches.
That being said, here are a few of my favorite places to eat in Waco.
J-Petal and Poke
With locations in Waco and Hewitt, J-Petal is my second-favorite poke stop of all time. Trust me, I’ve been to Hawaii multiple times and used to work on a Hawaiian barbecue food truck, so I eat poke a lot. While I usually prefer traditional shoyu-style ahi poke, J-Petal’s build-your-own setup is amazing. It has a variety of proteins and toppings to choose from and offers large portion sizes that usually amount to two meals. By the way, J-Petal also serves sweet and savory crepes, as well as rolled ice cream. This is my go-to place, and my boyfriend insists on going here every time he visits.
Alpha Omega Grill & Bakery
Don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you — Alpha Omega is one of the best eateries in Waco. I didn’t try it until earlier this year, and I feel like I missed out for so long. It sells fresh baked goods and traditional Greek food with a modern twist. Its gyros are huge, and most cost under $7. The homemade pita and hummus are also must-haves, along with the variety of sweet treats available. It’s a great balance between the comfort of a homecooked meal and a reasonable cost for a meal out.
Huaco Eatery
Located in Union Hall, Huaco Eatery specializes in Latin American classics like empanadas, flautas and pozole. Personally, my go-to order is the grilled chicken quesadilla, which comes with sides of rice and beans. Huaco Eatery also serves churros and a variety of specialty drinks. It’s a little bit on the pricier side, but it’s 100% worth it.
By Erika Kuehl | Staff Writer
Not every Tuesday night calls for an expensive dinner, but sometimes you just need a good meal with friends. I ventured downtown to satisfy my craving for real non-microwavable food and ended up on Fourth Street at a new restaurant, Red Herring.
To start, I ordered the sourdough focaccia with whipped olive oil butter. It’s safe to say that is probably the best bread I’ve had in Waco. It was perfectly salty and easy to rip apart and share with friends. It was gone in about two minutes.
Next was the confit potatoes that had a delicious garlic emulsion under them. These reminded me of that girl on TikTok who makes the “unreal” potatoes. Usually, I wouldn’t order potatoes off the menu because they tend to be lackluster and flavorless, but these were unreal. Perfectly crunchy and soft in the middle, I couldn’t recommend them more.
I ordered everything at once, and there was barely any waiting time. As soon as I had the first bite of a dish, another one appeared out of thin air, hot and fresh. I got the spaghetti alla chitarra for the main course, which is a Cacio e Pepe pasta. The cheese pull on this pasta was so good that you would have to video it. Flavorful and rich, I would share this with a friend — unless you’re Michael Scott carb-loading for a fun run race.
Next were the chicken thigh skewers, which weren’t dry but were nothing to write home about. To finish off this fantastic meal, I went with the unconventional tiramisu. Instead of coffee, there seemed to be a strawberry and blackberry compote that pleasantly surprised me. It was fresh, light and perfect to share with a group.
I split this meal with a friend and spent around $52, which isn’t bad for an upscale spot in Waco. The ambience was a part of the bill. Being surrounded by moody lighting and beautiful chandeliers made the experience worth it. The service was excellent and attentive, and nothing let me down except the fact that there were no purse hooks in the women’s bathroom.
Red Herring is the perfect spot for a graduation party or when your parents visit Waco. It’s an excuse to dress up and venture to the rooftop bar after dinner (if you’re of age, of course). I will be visiting again, but be warned: You will leave a lot fuller than when you came in.
By Daniel Taylor | Reporter
No. 4 seed Baylor women’s golf is set to tee off in the Big 12 Championship event on Thursday morning at the Clubs at Houston Oaks Country Club in Hockley. The Bears are looking for their second-ever Big 12 Championship.
Baylor finished in a tie for second place the last time it played in Hockley in 2022. The Bears have risen 23 spots in the rankings over the past month.
Head coach Jay Goble said his squad is in a solid spot heading into the tournament. Goble said he’s confident due to the success of two years ago as well as the groove his group is in as of late.
“[Houston Oaks] is a course we played very well two years ago,” Goble said. “I think our team has really been moving in the right direction in the last month or so. We played well at Arizona State and then again at Dallas Athletic Club last week. I really believe that everyone’s game is peaking at the right time.”
The Bears shot under four in the final round of the Arizona State Invitational and finished sixth on March 30, and they also shot under 12 and had a first-place finish in the Veritex Bank Texas Showdown on April 8 in Dallas.
Senior Rosie Belsham enters this tournament having earned Big 12 All-Tournament recognition two years ago when the Bears played at Houston Oaks. Belsham will play at the No. 1 spot this weekend, and she said she feels comfortable with this course due to its resemblance to Ridgewood Country Club — one of the Bears’ practice or qualifying courses in Waco.
“If you have a tough shot or something, you can think about all the good ones you’ve hit at Ridgewood and draw off that,” Belsham said. “It helps you feel like you’ve played it before even if you haven’t.
“I think I’m the only one to have played Big 12s there, but a few more of us have played there. And with it being like Ridgewood, I think it gives us a lot more experience.”
🎤 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙗𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙂𝙚𝙖𝙧 ⚙️
Tested early in the year, the Bears are surging into the @Big12Conference Championship this week at Houston Oaks!#SicEm🐻⛳️🏌️♀️ pic.twitter.com/OTFiHDQuRN
— Baylor Women's Golf (@BaylorWGolf) April 16, 2024
Freshman Ashleen Kaur, a Houston native, is set to play at the No. 2 spot while junior Sara Hasegawa will play at the No. 3, with junior BaiMai Seema and sophomore Silje Ohma rounding out the rotation in the No. 4 and No. 5 spots, respectively. Freshman Yoonjeong Huh will fill in as the Bears’ alternate for the Big 12 Championship.
Kaur grew up near this course and leads the team in scoring birdies or better 20.1% of the time.
Hasegawa has three-straight top-10 finishes, and she’s second on the team in getting a par-or-better, achieving this at a rate of 80.4% on 414 holes over the course of the season.
Huh had seven starts this year and finished in a tie for 14th at the Veritex Bank Texas Showdown in Dallas.
The Bears are set to tee off on Thursday morning, and the final round on Saturday will be available to be streamed on ESPN+.
By Alexa Hernandez | Social Media Editor
On April 15, the greatest of greats in women’s basketball gathered in New York City for the highly anticipated 2024 WNBA Draft. Social media buzzed with excitement as fans admired each player’s outfit, surpassing previous years’ fashion looks. Let’s dive into these standout looks.
1. Caitlin Clark
Standing at 6-foot-0, Clark wore a satin button-up and skirt set with a rhinestone mesh crop top and black slingback pumps, all by Prada. That night, Clark became the first athlete to be dressed by Prada in both the WNBA and NBA.
Caitlin Clark pulled up in a full Prada fit 🔥
(via @WNBA)pic.twitter.com/A0Pq0JBsT0
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 15, 2024
2. Cameron Brink
Stanford player Cameron Brink shocked many with her high-slit black-and-white dress. The dress featured her right leg and properly displayed her 6-foot-4-inch self. Brink worked with Balmain to ensure she was fitted in the best dress for her new journey as a Los Angeles Sparks player.
3. Angel Reese
LSU player Angel Reese, who was the seventh pick, wowed the audience with her stunning head-to-toe dress from Bronx and Banco. While her look was one of the most admired from the night, Reese revealed in an interview with Cosmopolitan that the dress was very last minute.
“I got a dress made a month or two ago, but it didn’t fit, and then my backup dress got lost in the mail,” Reese said. “So when I got to New York, I was panicking. Luckily, I worked with Vogue to announce me going into the Draft, so the stylist, Naomi Elizee, from that shoot was thankfully in the city, and she pulled my look all together for me like literally two days before the Draft.”
4. Nika Mühl
UConn player Nika Mühl, who was the 14th pick, wore a beautiful black blazer and long skirt set, styled by Brittany Hampton. Mühl, who was selected by the Seattle Storm, raved with excitement to be a part of the Draft.
The 2024 WNBA Draft was not only a showcase of incredible talent but also a runway of exceptional style. From Clark’s historic collaboration with Prada to Brink’s striking Balmain dress, the fashion choices were as memorable as the picks themselves. As the Draft concluded, one thing became clear: Fashion and talent go hand in hand.
By Michael Haag | Sports Editor
No. 6 seed Baylor women’s tennis advanced past the first round of the Big 12 Championships with a 4-2 victory over No. 11 seed West Virginia on Wednesday afternoon at the Greenwood Tennis Center in Stillwater, Okla.
The Bears (17-11) dropped the doubles point to the Mountaineers (14-12) but used singles play to find the postseason win, which marked their second win in the last seven outings.
Baylor will face No. 3 seed Oklahoma at 3 p.m. on Thursday at the same venue.
“In the end, it’s just character,” Bears head coach Joey Scrivano said of the win. “This is building character, and ultimately that’s what college tennis is about. I’m really excited about this team moving forward, and I’m really proud of them.”
Baylor had some different doubles lineups due to injury, according to a press release, and West Virginia capitalized by taking the doubles point. The Mountaineers found a 6-3 win on court three, and Baylor leveled the count with a 6-2 decision on two.
Almost go time in Stillwater.
📊 https://t.co/Q9Nv24RlQx #SicEm 🐻🎾 pic.twitter.com/niKnZ1pyW6
— Baylor Women’s Tennis (@BaylorWTennis) April 17, 2024
WVU clinched the point on court one with a 6-4 victory.
Bears senior Miska Kadleckova, who’s ranked No. 117 in singles, cruised to a 6-2, 6-0 success on court one. Kadleckova stands 16-4 on the year and 15-4 at the No. 1 spot in the lineup. The Mountaineers retaliated with a 6-1, 6-4 win on five to retake the overall lead.
Baylor knotted the tally at 2-2 when junior Liubov Kostenko pulled away with a 6-2, 6-3 win on No. 3. The Bears were ahead on the remaining three courts, but sophomore Danielle Tuhten cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 victory on six to give them a 3-2 advantage.
The match-clinching point came off the racquet of freshman Zuzanna Kubacha, who worked to a 6-4, 6-3 success on court four. Graduate student Isabella Harvison’s match remained unfinished at just one game away by a score of 7-6(4), 5-0.
Baylor and Oklahoma will square off in the quarterfinals at 3 p.m. on Thursday in Stillwater. The contest can be streamed on ESPN+.
By Sarah Gallaher | Staff Writer
Baylor’s American Chemical Society Affiliates is set to welcome families to Sic ‘Em Science Day from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Usually hosted by the Mayborn Museum Complex in the fall, ACS will host the spring session independently, including a variety of hands-on experiments and its traditional Chemistry Magic Show.
Founded in 1876, the American Chemical Society is one of the oldest and largest scientific organizations in the nation. Medford, Ore., junior and ACS president Ainsley Dunn said the group is excited to host Sic ‘Em Science Day by itself. In the past, ACS partnered with the Mayborn, but the group received permission to host its own spring event this year in addition to the fall event.
“It’s never happened on campus before, and we wanted to have it twice per year,” Dunn said. “We went through all of the process to get it approved as an event in the spring, so that will be run by our organization.”
There will be two sessions during the three-hour event, and each will include an hour of small hands-on experiments for children. The experiments include kid-safe activities like iodine clock reactions and blowing up a balloon with vinegar and baking soda. Sic ‘Em Science Day is intended for school-age children, but Dunn said younger and older children have also enjoyed the activities in the past.
ACS members will guide children through the experiments, allowing them to get “up close and personal” with chemistry, Dunn said. St. Louis junior and ACS social media manager Viviana Castillo said Sic ‘Em Science Day is an opportunity for families to bring learning outside of the classroom in a fun and engaging way.
“It’s a very family-oriented event for children to be inspired by seeing science right in front of them,” Castillo said.
Following the hands-on experiments, ACS members will put on their Chemistry Magic Show, traditionally performed as a part of Mayborn’s Sic ‘Em Science Day in the fall. The show includes bigger experiments better performed by those with adequate chemistry knowledge, including well-known experiments like “elephant toothpaste” and “death of a gummy bear.”
Due to limited outdoor seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for added comfort during the 30-minute show.
Although this part of the event is observation-only, Castillo said it still entertains children and, combined with the small hands-on experiments, can spark a lifelong interest in science.
“You’re able to see the application of these concepts that you can read on paper, but seeing it in person and being able to be hands-on with it is such a different experience,” Castillo said. “It’s something that I personally would have loved to have as a kid as someone who was very interested in science and wanted to get into that field, but I never attended any of these events. I feel like this is a really good opportunity to inspire some children or solidify their goals in life, even if it is something as small as an experiment with slime.”
Both Dunn and Castillo shared their passion for science and their desire to pass it along to the next generation. To Dunn, chemistry is an important subject for children to learn about at a young age.
“Oftentimes, you don’t get up close and personal with chemistry until high school, so it’s a good way for them to get their foot in the door to learn about a field that’s super innovative and has a lot of impactful research that comes out of it,” Dunn said.
Sic ‘Em Science Day will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday on the rear side of the Baylor Sciences Building, located on Bagby Avenue.
By Jacob Boone | Staff Writer
It’s that time of the year. You can count weeks on one hand, and every time you open Canvas, you’re greeted with “Course Evaluations are Open! Please take a moment to complete your evaluations by clicking the Go to Survey button below.”
The moment it takes to fill out course evaluations may not mean much to students, but their value to professors is a different story.
“The chairman looks at your course evals, and that determines your pay raise,” Dr. Steven Rich, associate professor of finance, said. “It affects it, at least.”
Course evaluations impact more than a professor’s salary. In many cases, they can shape the way a class is taught.
“Students were saying 10 chapters on a test was too much,” J.D. Lotte Bostick, clinical professor in the department of accounting and business law, said. “I read that enough that I was like, ‘You know what? I think they got a point.’ So I got approval to change the way that I do it, and it seems to be successful.”
From the professor’s side, course evaluations are anonymous.
“The anonymity allows you to be more honest,” Rich said.
Course evaluations are broken down into scale ratings of the professor’s performance and individual comments. Rich has read course evaluations for each of his 36 years of teaching and said he filled them out at Baylor 40 years ago.
“The most useful stuff is the comments,” Rich said. “That’s why I stopped using the flipped classroom. Even though test grades went up a letter grade when I flipped the classroom, it was so intense, a lot of students didn’t like it.”
Bostick said that “knowing that the professors actually read them and take action to improve our teaching based off of them” will encourage students to be honest but also aware of the personal impacts their comments can have.
“I think students need to be respectful in it, stick to constructive criticism and stay away from personal stuff,” Bostick said. “I have not ever experienced that, but I know other professors who have, and it discourages them.”
Bostick said that for students looking at BuBooks and professors reading their own course evaluations, there are numerous reasons why ratings could be low.
“Sometimes student evaluations are low because a class is harder,” Bostick said. “There are subjective reasons why evaluations can be lower, [but] that doesn’t really mean that the professor is good or bad.”
While course evaluations are written in retrospect, their real purpose is forward-facing.
“There is always room to improve as a professor, always room,” Rich said. “Y’all see it from a different perspective than we do, so if a student has input on how to improve a class, then a professor should care a lot about them.”
By Rory Dulock | Staff Writer
For prospective or current students who are undecided about their major or are starting to have second thoughts about their choice, Major Exploration and Success Advising is a one-stop shop to receive guidance.
“Major Exploration and Success Advising partners with students, guiding them on their journey to find not only a major that is best suited for them but also to help discern God’s callings at this point in their life,” the MESA website reads.
Dr. Robert Shipp, director of MESA, said the office is fairly new on campus and helps students explore different options.
“Our mission evolved two years ago,” Shipp said. “Prior to that, we were known as University Advisement, and we advised pre-majors and undecided students. But with a study and a reorganization of the advising community, we were able to step more into that — exploring majors, undecided student advising — and then really move into the major exploration area.”
While the office does focus on current students, Shipp said it also assists prospective students in hopes of lowering the likelihood they will switch majors upon arrival at Baylor.
“The Department of Education says that 50% of undergraduates that start in a fall will change their major at least one time before the next fall,” Shipp said. “Half the students who are coming to a university will learn about themselves a little bit more. The reason why we’re [helping] prospective students is so they don’t change their major that first time. They can find it before they get here. That’s why we’re offering them the same tools as a continuing student.”
There are 114 majors, and there are a number of ways to get students to explore them. Shipp said the office usually meets with a student more than once to have a couple of different discussions about which major might be the best fit for them.
“We have a couple of tools that help us,” Shipp said. “MyMajors is one of those. It’s an online assessment, and it’s on our Major Exploration and Success Advising page. It takes about 15 minutes, and what it’ll provide a student who’s looking — and anybody can do this, a prospective student or a current student — it gives them 10 Baylor majors to explore.”
Shipp said another tool is the ability to refer students to the academic departments on campus. In addition to talking with professors, they can speak with the office’s colleagues in the Career Center.
“[Our Career Center colleagues] want to help you find a career that best fits you,” Shipp said. “From there, we can help you to find a major that fits into that career. Or, we can find the major for you, and then they can help you find a career from that major. They’ve got some other techniques and tools that they can use in conjunction with what we do, and it really helps to explore all of your options.”
Denver senior Sarah Stenger said she started off as an undecided major before becoming a communications major.
“I was undecided until I was a sophomore, so unfortunately, I don’t think that program was available to me for when I was undecided,” Stenger said. “[MESA] would for sure be more helpful for [undecided] students.”
Shipp said students are encouraged to reach out to the office to receive help during their Baylor journey, and they are welcome to email mesa@baylor.edu to set up a meeting time.
“If [a student is] in the Sid Richardson Building, stop at the front desk and see if we can set up an appointment for just kind of finding out where you are,” Shipp said. “If you email the MESA address, then one of our advisers will respond back to you and then set up an appointment, or see what you’re needing and see how we can best start that exploratory journey with you.”
Shipp said the MESA staff has a perspective on all the majors and minors on campus, and he encourages students to utilize the office to be able to explore all of the opportunities.
“Find the place that you are most comfortable doing well, and if you find that you’re not doing well, start exploring, start questioning, what is it?” Shipp said. “That’s the first step, is to listen to what your life has been telling you. Are you enjoying things is another thing, but also know that you have a whole staff here that can help you to explore and understand what it is to be successful here.”
By The Editorial Board
Applications to work for The Baylor Lariat next semester are open through April 22, so we thought we’d share some of our favorite parts about being on staff.
Experience, mentorship and community
When I submitted my application for The Lariat at the end of my freshman year, I had no idea what I was getting myself into — that is, besides a biweekly paycheck and an outlet for my strange affinity for grammar. I took a chance on The Lariat, and I’m so glad I did.
I may have started as an introverted sophomore who hid behind her mask in the back of the newsroom, but after two years, I found myself at the big corner desk with a nameplate and a wall to decorate. This job brought me the experience, mentorship and community I didn’t know I needed. It helped me find my vocation and one of my very best friends. It gave me the confidence to spontaneously break out my British accent in the middle of staff meetings in front of 35 people. It took me to the streets of Dublin, the press box of McLane and everywhere in between, and I’ve loved every minute of it.
So, consider this your sign to take a chance on The Lariat too. It might be exactly what you need.
Jenna Fitzgerald | Editor-in-Chief
Confidence and friendship
I honestly wasn’t sure if I had made the right choice in selecting journalism as my major before I joined The Lariat. Though, not long after I submitted my first few stories, my doubt began to melt away as I realized this is what I want to do for a long, long time.
I can still remember that feeling of submitting my first story as an Arts & Life writer. I felt like I was on top of the world — like I was finally making progress toward my dreams of becoming a real journalist. Getting to hear others’ stories and being able to tell them through my own words is something truly special and an opportunity I will be eternally grateful fell into my hands. And having the honor of working with my writers’ opinions and ideas now as an editor and sharing them with the world has been an experience which continues to help me see things in a new and different way every day.
I have The Lariat to thank not only for my confidence as a journalist but also for the wonderful people I get to call my friends. Together, we have been through it all: stress, fun, challenges, victories and defeats. Where I would be without these people, I don’t even want to know.
I’m looking forward to what’s in store for me here next semester, and you could too if you decide to take a chance on The Lariat.
Olivia Turner | Opinion Editor
Late nights and laughs
Starting college in 2020 had its challenges, to say the least. One of the big ones for me just happened to be that I was a political science major with a public relations minor with absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my four years of college or the rest of my life. I was lost, lonely and mostly unhappy.
Halfway through the spring semester of my sophomore year, someone in one of my journalism classes mentioned a job opening for the school paper. On a whim, I applied and got an interview with the news editor at the time. I wore a blazer and pumps to my interview at Moody Memorial Library, only to discover I was shockingly overdressed. It was clear from my interviewer’s jeans and T-shirt that it was supposed to be casual.
Despite my embarrassing misread of the attire, I got the job and have stuck around in the newsroom ever since. The person who interviewed me and I laugh about that day all the time, and she is one of my biggest role models and dearest friends.
Starting out, I was nervous and shy and had no idea what I was doing, but submitting my application for The Lariat is the best decision I’ve made in my college career. If you’re hesitant to submit your application, my advice is to take the chance, even if you aren’t experienced and aren’t sure. It’s worth it. From the late nights in the newsroom to the laughs and memories I’ll hold close forever — and right down to my interview outfit — I would do it all again.
Tatum Mitchell | News Editor
Coolest job in the world
I can’t lie when I say The Lariat is just about the coolest job in the world. I’ve covered Austin City Limits, interviewed Colony House and Midland, traveled across the state and across the country with some of my best friends and earned years of experience and memories that I couldn’t possibly put a price tag on.
I started in this newsroom in the fall of my freshman year, and I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. Good thing every single person who comes through Castellaw 232 has a kind heart and wants to help others improve, because I would have been a goner. For all its perks, journalism is a tough gig. In my nearly three years here, there have been late nights and a few stressful moments. OK, maybe there have been more than a few. But who better to help you along, to hold your hand when all you want to do is delete InDesign from your desktop, than this group of wonderful, smart and talented people?
If you have a knack for writing, if you love music and the arts, if you want to tell stories, if you love to edit and fix little mistakes, if you love taking photos, if you love being in front of a camera, if you love sports — I know a place.
Emma Weidmann | Arts & Life Editor
Constructive feedback and empowerment
When I first joined The Lariat my sophomore year, I had no idea what to expect. I knew I loved to write and was really just looking for an outlet to share my love for storytelling and my very strong opinions on certain topics. A year later, I can confidently say I have gotten so much more than that from The Lariat and have met some of the best people along the way.
The number of fun memories is impossible to count. From print nights to events, my experience has been nothing short of amazing. When I graduate and look back on my college experience, I will think of The Lariat and all of the fun times I have had. I will walk out of Castellaw 232 with some of my best friends and people I consider family.
Not only that, but I have also grown in my writing tremendously throughout my time at The Lariat. Looking back on my first stories versus the ones I write now, the difference is incredible. That growth can only be credited to the people I have met along the way who gave me constructive feedback and empowerment.
If you are like me and are looking for a place to share your opinions, are interested in digging up interesting stories around Baylor or are just looking to meet some amazing people, I highly recommend joining The Lariat.
Sydney Matthews | Assistant News Editor
Hands-on experience
At first, I hopped on at The Lariat as just a podcaster in the second semester of my freshman year. Needless to say, I stuck around. From climbing the ranks to being the radio director and being up close and personal for March Madness games, everything The Lariat has offered has been a blast.
My favorite memory while on staff has been traveling to three different March Madness venues and covering both Baylor men’s and women’s basketball. In addition, over my two and a half years, I have done play-by-play for more than 100 baseball, basketball and football games, which has given me hands-on experience that the department was unable to offer.
If you’re looking to branch out and find something new, The Lariat is the place to do that. As I look toward my final year, I want to add a news podcast and expand the horizons that radio can have on the publication. That said, there will be more opportunities aside from print just waiting for someone to make their mark on.
Foster Nicholas | Sports Writer, Radio Director
By Foster Nicholas | Sports Writer
Behind six different pitchers who combined to allow just one earned run on seven hits and forfeit zero walks, Baylor baseball won its ninth game in the last 10 games as it took down UT Arlington 3-1 on Tuesday at Clay Gould Ballpark in Arlington.
In senior Jared Matheson’s return to a starting role, the right-handed pitcher went 2 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out three batters. The Bears then turned to freshman left-handed pitcher RJ Ruais and redshirt freshman right-handed pitcher Tanner Duke, who each allowed one hit in 1 1/3 and 1.0 scoreless innings, respectively.
“This ballgame was totally won by our pitchers,” head coach Mitch Thompson said. “Our offense was stagnant. We didn’t have a whole lot of energy. We weren’t taking great at-bats, and we didn’t run the bases real well.
“We have to do better there, but our pitching staff picked us up big time, and we made plays on defense. Every pitcher who went out there threw the ball pretty well.”
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Ethan Calder (4-1) snagged the win after working 1 2/3 scoreless and striking out four batters, while senior left-handed pitcher Kobe Andrade earned his second consecutive save (2), closing the ballgame with 1 1/3 innings with two strikeouts. The Mavericks tallied their lone run of the game in the eighth inning against redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Gabe Craig, who threw 1.0 inning and gave up two hits and an earned run.
“It’s really big,” Andrade said of pitching in big moments. “I have confidence in my teammates behind me on defense and just try to go out there and do my job. It’s definitely been a role I’ve been in before, and it’s the ‘Mamba Mentality’ I take out there — just trusting my ability to go out and get the job done and count on my teammates to be right behind me.”
Tyriq Kemp is RED HOT ♨️#SicEm 🐻⚾️ | #Together pic.twitter.com/SGizvgaWKM
— Baylor Baseball (@BaylorBaseball) April 17, 2024
While the Bears struggled to get much going offensively, junior shortstop Tyriq Kemp kept his hot streak going as he went 3-for-4 at the plate. The three-hit mark ties a Baylor career-high and was the second time he’s recorded the trifecta in as many games. Aside from Kemp, Baylor notched just four other hits. Most notably, redshirt junior right fielder Enzo Apodaca went 1-for-5, extending his on-base streak to 14 straight games a day after being named Big 12 Player of the Week.
Baylor set the tone, plating a run in the second and fourth innings off the bat of sophomore left fielder Caleb Bergman. Both runs went as unearned as the Mavericks recorded an error each time Bergman put the ball in play, which allowed both runs to score. Senior first baseman Cole Posey found the only Bear RBI as he whipped a single to left field in the eighth to give Baylor a 3-0 lead before UTA added its lone run in the bottom of the inning.
There's an RBI knock for @Co_Po5! 👏
Top 8 | Baylor 3, UTA 0#SicEm 🐻⚾️ | #Together pic.twitter.com/XQByBlafeU
— Baylor Baseball (@BaylorBaseball) April 17, 2024
Baylor returns to action on Friday to kick off a three-game series against Kansas (19-14, 7-8 Big 12). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in game one at Baylor Ballpark.
