“We sit under shade trees we did not plant,” Baylor Regent Dr. Michael McFarland said in reference to the forced labor by which Baylor was built. “We drink from wells we did not dig. And we are warmed by fires that we did not light … Baylor’s story, like the story of our great nation, is both complicated and redemptive.”

As we watch Sing next year, I challenge us to revisit our expectations. Ask yourself what is entertaining and what is excellent, and why you believe an act fits in either category (or both). I don’t think it’s a coincidence all six of the people’s choice awards from this year went to all-women’s acts.

East Village Residential Community was formally dedicated Friday to Baylor in honor of late alumni Dr. Gordon Teal, an American scientist, and Hallie Earle, the first female graduate of Baylor Medical School in Dallas. Members of the Teal and Earle families were present at the dedication and were recognized.

East Village was opened at the beginning of this semester and includes two residential buildings, Earle Hall and Teal Residential College. Earle Hall is home to the Science & Health Living-Learning Center and Teal Residential College is home to the Residential College for Engineering and Computer Science.