Several voices could be heard singing and echoing throughout the Bill Daniel Student Center on Thursday evening. Shortly after the singing stopped, thunderous applause lasted for several minutes. The building was filled with laughter and cheers as faculty, staff and students gathered around to watch the performances at the Black Student Welcome.

Amy Murphy, former manager of two Shipley Do-Nuts in Waco, said she went through the FastTrac Program 20 years ago and continues to apply what she learned about business during those 10 weeks in her current profession of social work.

The Baylor Line originated in 1970, with generations of Baylor freshmen after them immortalizing their names on the same golden line, according to BaylorProud. The Baylor Chamber of Commerce helps keep this tradition alive.

Even though Prater has not yet crossed paths with Foli, her impact on the graduate program is already present. Prater, who is currently reading Foli’s book on psychological trauma in nurses, said Foli’s arrival “reinforces [her] excitement to be at Baylor and in the program.”

“I feel like a lot of the humanity has been taken out of politics,” Walsh said. “And, I feel like he’s really going to help people remember that in the end, we’re all just individuals, learning and growing and expressing ourselves.”