With writing an honors thesis, applying to grad school and participating in rodeo pageants, Boerne senior Ashley Bergfield knows how to handle more than just schoolwork.

Born on a ranch in Nebraska, Bergfield said she and her family moved to San Antonio when she was only four years old. She said rodeo and horses are just one of many passions.

David Kaye is the associate director of athletic communications at Baylor and is also a 2008 alumnus. Kaye began his studies at Baylor in fall 2002 and joined the Army Reserve the summer of 2003, serving as a specialist. He was called to active duty in May 2005 with only two days notice, Kaye said.

“I had two weeks left in my junior year, and they called me on a Friday and said, ‘You’re flying up here on Sunday,’” Kaye said. “So I had to withdraw. Baylor was willing to let me take the finals early, but two days wasn’t enough time. So I just had to wash away that whole semester.”

Palestine, Texas, sophomore John Hazel is serving in Afghanistan as a specialist for the National Guard. He has been stationed there for three months; his total deployment is scheduled to last 12 months.

Hazel enlisted Jan. 5, 2011, as a senior in high school. During his freshman year at Baylor, he joined the ROTC, just to see if it was something he liked, Hazel said.

Many Baylor students have served overseas with the United States military and have brought their experiences back to Waco with them.

Seattle, Wash., junior Bryan Solis first came to Baylor in the spring of 2013, after serving six years overseas with the Marine Corps.