“She was one of those people that those other students of color were gravitating to, because she was a waymaker,” Hernandez said. “She was saying, ‘No, you belong here. And look, with this accomplishment, I belong here too.'”

With the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Memorial to Enslaved Persons set to take place in late February, Dr. Todd Copeland gave insights on the lives of Ann Freeman — a slave believed to have served the university’s namesake, Judge R.E.B. Baylor — as well as other slaves throughout the university’s early history.

“The idea behind this season of prayer is that we pray for our college students, who are our next generation of leaders,” Dr. Charles Ramsey, director for campus ministries and church connections, said. “If they are the leaders of the future church, surely we have the time in our day to invest in them and support them.”

Seniors, this survey is for you! The university’s Faith and Character Study has been measuring the value and impact of a Baylor education for the last couple of years, tracking students’ progress when they arrive at Baylor, when they graduate from Baylor and a decade later. This year, there is a new incentive for seniors to participate as well.

“I hope we see that our freedom is tied to one another, that we’re not free until everyone’s free.”