By Frances George, a Baylor parent
Friday arrival: Our arrival kicked off with dinner with our daughter and her best girlfriends, TWO Pigskin performances, a late night Pep Rally (10,000 plus in attendance!), the band, the cheerleaders, an enormous bonfire and pictures galore with family and friends!
Saturday: The day started with the early morning Homecoming parade, the largest collegiate parade in the nation, that rivals the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade (The floats are pulled with 18-wheeler tow trucks. They are THAT big). Then, we enjoyed coffee and spiced tea, tailgating on the Brazos in the early afternoon and a wonderfully packed walk across the bridge that led us straight to the beautiful new stadium where everyone was wearing green or gold! Following the crushing defeat of the Kansas Jayhawks, we attended the final performance of Pigskin Review!
Sunday: After a mid-morning brunch (it was a very late night, and we decided God would forgive our lapse in attending church – which is always a highlight of our visits), I gave a few words of motherly advice, hugs and kisses to my beloved daughter. Then, we returned to the airport to fly home.
During this hectic weekend, some thoughts cross my mind: When do they sleep? When do they eat? And study? And wash clothes? Then I remembered, it’s college. They are young. They eat on the run, they study late into the night and they wear whatever is clean and available (and when all else fails, they shop!). This is life lived to the fullest.
So, how is it different at Baylor? Most colleges have Homecoming. They all have fun tailgates and special traditions. But Baylor is different. On Friday at the Pep Rally, I noticed several things that made me think to myself, “This is no ordinary major university campus.” As I observed the students, faculty and parents all mingling together, I saw the Baylor difference right before my eyes. There was not a hint of alcohol on the breath of the tightly packed students. The conversations were pleasant and profanity free. Even when the announcement was made for the winning float, genuine cheers from the winning groups rang out but without the typical boos or hisses from the losing groups. Congratulations all around! As I stood watching the crowd, I noticed strollers from faculty and alumni with their young children. Students were polite as they could be to the guests on campus, mingling like one family. Younger siblings and parents were welcomed and treated with respect and honor amid all of the enthusiasm from the students. However, most outstanding to this parent was the opening of the Pep Rally. The university chaplain stood to officially open Homecoming Weekend, and a hush came over the crowd of 10,000 as he opened in prayer. He didn’t ask everyone to be quiet. Everyone just knew.
Baylor is a highly competitive university with a very diverse student body. It is made up of students from around the country and the globe who do not all share the same religion or background. But they are alike in the things that matter for a culture to thrive. They understand the importance of doing all things to the best of their abilities whether in the classroom or working on a top secret design for a Homecoming float or practicing endless hours for Pigskin Review. They have sense of esprit de corps (a feeling of fellowship and common loyalty shared by the members of a group) even when they don’t “win” a competition. There is a sense of pride (the good kind!) in how they treat their campus. The campus was as tidy Sunday morning when we left as when we arrived Friday night. All of these observations are not the result of students living under a long list of do’s and don’ts that are forced upon them by overseers constantly monitoring their every move. Actually, there are very few “rules.” These students seem to have an innate sense of right and wrong. And when they do make a mistake, they seem to quickly acknowledge, take responsibility, understand what needs to change and make the adjustments. They use the word “grateful” frequently in conversations. They open doors for others and speak with grace. As a result, doors will open for them in life.
Baylor Homecoming. It is just part of this amazing place where you will make a memories in just four short years that will last a lifetime. And for parents, it is an amazing place to confidently send a young adult who right before your eyes will blossom into an adult with whom you will be happy to pass the baton. Baylor Homecoming…we can hardly wait for next year! Sic ‘Em!