125 years of the Baylor Lariat
This year is the 125th year of The Baylor Lariat. To celebrate we’ve gone back and found crazy stories, important history and old trends featured in our pages. Stories on the history of the live bear mascots, coverage on the ’60s and civil rights movement, history of women at The Lariat and pop culture moments featured.Â
The Baylor Lariat, the voice for the student body for the past 80 years, was silent. An empty newsroom was echoed only by the fateful last stand of the Feb. 22, 1980, editorial. But in the spring of 1980, the lights went out in the newsroom. Students still went to class, and Fountain Mall still hummed with springtime chatter — but the newsstands remained empty.
Arts & Life
Kirk joined The Baylor Lariat on Feb. 1, 1967 — his birthday — just one year before graduating. As The Lariat celebrates its 125th anniversary on Friday, Kirk reminisced on a radically different newsroom, a wooden — military-style structure behind Old Main, perched over Waco Creek.
To put this monumental celebration in perspective and to celebrate the development of student press over these years, here are 10 important historical developments that succeed the birth of The Lariat.
Through all — the good, the bad, the funny and the sad, the Lariat was there. Here are 12 major moments in Lariat history, hand plucked from the archives.
News
The Baylor Lariat, the voice for the student body for the past 80 years, was silent. An empty newsroom was echoed only by the fateful last stand of the Feb. 22, 1980, editorial. But in the spring of 1980, the lights went out in the newsroom. Students still went to class, and Fountain Mall still hummed with springtime chatter — but the newsstands remained empty.
National Mall thrummed as crowds of a million people bunched together and as camcorders rose in unison hoping for a glimpse of history. With the wave of flags, high hopes and wide smiles, the nation waited to witness the inauguration America’s first Black president — Barack Obama.
Long before social media, news print was the heartbeat of every community. Baylor Lariat alumnus Louis Moore made a name for himself covering religion, civil rights and history’s most significant moments at the Houston Chronicle. Even in his retirement, Louis Moore still loves a good story.
Upon its founding, Baylor banned the chartering of national fraternities and sororities. It wasn’t until 1975 that the ban was finally lifted, the floodgates opened and Baylor Greek life’s tumultuous and iconic history began.
Opinion
In its 125 years, The Baylor Lariat has seen its fair share of news. Though we have had the privilege of being part of just a glimpse of The Lariat’s lifetime, it’s made a mark on us. In honor of 125 years of Baylor’s student publication, we thought it would be fitting to share our favorite memories and lessons we’ve learned from our time at The Baylor Lariat.
Before there were comments sections and quote tweets, there were letters to The Lariat — and Baylor students have never held back. From chef salad complaints to prison pen pals, the opinion page has always been where the campus found its voice.
