Tag Archives: Derek Byrne

Why Baylor Is Better Than Everywhere Else

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By Derek Byrne

It’s hard to believe this is my last full month at Baylor. I knew this was my dream school as soon as I visited campus, and that hasn’t changed. There have certainly been some unexpected challenges in the last four years, but I’ve also had opportunities and found relationships I never could have anticipated. I could list dozens of reasons I’m grateful to call Baylor my home, but here are just a few moments that I couldn’t have experienced anywhere other than on this beautiful campus next to the Brazos.

  • Remarkable faculty and staff. A few months ago, I spoke at an event for prospective students for the department of Journalism, Public Relations & New Media. A few days later, I received a handwritten note from our department chair, thanking me for serving the department. Dr. Stone, who manages the entire department on top of being an outstanding professor, took the time to write a note of gratitude to me. The relationships I’ve built with faculty and staff at Baylor are easily one of the most valuable parts of my time here, and this note of thanks was another reminder of the commitment faculty and staff have to investing in students.
  • Baylor Football. I’ve laughed. I’ve danced. I’ve wanted to cry. The Bears have made themselves known as one of the most entertaining shows in college football, and being in the stands for four seasons has given me some unforgettable moments. Running the Line, travel packages to bowl games and a beautiful new student tailgating section show the value Baylor places on its fans, and the university gives us opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.
  • Community partnerships. Being a student doesn’t mean waiting a few more years to do the things you love. Baylor and Waco seek opportunities to serve each other, and chances for students to get hands-on experience in a great community are common here. I’m currently interning in the office of Marketing & Communications at McLennan Community College, refining my skill in the education public relations field at a top-notch institution. Whether it’s marketing, child development, health care or business, there’s a place in town to put your education into action.
  • Unparalleled traditions. Baylor Homecoming might be the best thing in the world, and I’ve seen dozens of impressive Sing performances. There are also less flashy traditions that are unique Baylor experiences. Every Tuesday afternoon, I meet some friends in the SUB for Dr Pepper Hour. A quick afternoon break with good people and good ice cream is the perfect reminder that Baylor is a place for life as well as learning.

I could continue for a while, but these are a few of the university’s defining features that have made my time here so valuable. Academically, socially and personally, I’ve had opportunities and experiences here that I never expected, and I know I wouldn’t be able to find them anywhere but Baylor.600359_10151802542687286_1575443189_n

Don’t Fear the First Year

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By Derek Byrne

I feel like I started college three times.

I spent two summers working with Baylor New Student Programs, which allowed me to experience the first few days on campus with my own class, as well as the classes of 2017 and 2018. By the third time I saw new students making their home here, I started noticing some common themes about students’ first days as Baylor Bears:

  • It’ll open your eyes. On a college campus, you’ll encounter ideas you’ve never heard before. Honestly, I don’t think I knew the term “public relations” when I started at Baylor. Now, it’s my major and an industry I’m extremely passionate about. My freshman year aspiration wasn’t to be a PR professional, but I found new interests and a more fitting degree after starting my studies. If you find yourself on an unexpected path, don’t fear it. Keep an open mind, and know that plans can change.
  • It’s hard sometimes. I think college often is portrayed as a world of nonstop excitement from move-in day to graduation (think “Pitch Perfect”). Without a doubt, some of life’s best memories come from college, but the reality is that the transition to college comes with its fair share of challenges as well. I realized finding the right relationships and organizations would take time and work. At first, there will be difficult days, and you may not immediately feel right at home. Be patient, and don’t get discouraged.
  • It comes once in lifetime. Freshman year at Baylor only comes once, and new students here have a pretty special role in the Baylor family. From Baylor Line Camp to residence halls to running the Line at football games, there are opportunities designed with first-year students in mind. I wish I had spent more time getting to know my Community Leader and the guys in Penland Hall freshman year, because community life is rarely so accessible. Don’t pass up the chances that only come around in your first year.

Being a new student is a unique time to seek out new experiences, learn from challenging moments and discover what it means to live with new people in a new place. Face the tough moments boldly and take advantage of the amazing opportunities. Your first year will quickly turn into one you’ll never want to forget.

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Take advantage of every moment because it will be gone before you know it.

Finding a Place to Serve

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By Derek Byrne

Without a doubt, Baylor holds itself to high academic standards. Courses here are challenging and offer students outstanding educational opportunities. However, some of the best chances to learn can be found outside the classroom. I’m continually learning what it means to serve people and communities during my time at Baylor.

Meeting community needs and serving effectively can be complex issues, and educating yourself on what it means to serve is an ongoing process. Even so, there are a few concepts I’ve learned during my time in college that are now foundational to my perspective on service.

Serving is a powerful learning tool. The university and its various departments offer numerous opportunities to combine your studies in the classroom and the greater needs of the community in a practical way. It could be on a discipline-specific mission trip, a class project that utilizes a partnership with a local nonprofit or a discussion on service and learning hosted on campus. During your time here, you’ll have plenty of chances to discover how your field of study can contribute to the greater good of society. 

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There’s a place for each of us to serve. Service can be motivated by other interests and passions. At Baylor and in Waco, there are chances to serve in nearly any field imaginable. If you love working with kids, you can tutor children after school. Have a green thumb? There’s a community garden for you. For me, working with people who have special needs is a huge source of joy. Since freshman year, I’ve had the chance to work with Baylor Urban Missions’ special needs ministry. I get to do what I love with people I love, and that’s what service can be. Finding passion in what you’re doing is so valuable, and there are plenty of chances to do that at Baylor. Below is a video of Urban Missions’ Fall Ball Masquerade from last October. This was a great way to give back to the special needs community while also having a lot of fun!

Service is bigger than me. Easily the most valuable thing I’ve learned through my time serving at Baylor is that service is not about me. In fact, it’s not about any one person. Serving is about moving communities forward and improving lives. Service organizations and events on campus offer chances for reflection and discussion. They create places where students can consider the work they are doing and how it fits into the bigger picture of benefitting communities.

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Baylor is a university that is uniquely committed to service and located in a city that offers unparalleled opportunities for service-oriented partnerships. Don’t miss the chance to study the world around you by finding a place to serve during your college years.