Tag Archives: Student Organizations

AsianFest

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By Lauren Woods

Last week, I had the honor of attending AsianFest. It was a wonderful night full of acts that blew me away. Some may think that this event only pertained to Asian culture, but they would be wrong. There were elements of other cultures as well. For example, I watched salsa dancing by the Latin Dance Society!

I found myself on the edge of my seat while watching the taekwondo group break through wood boards and battle each other using their martial arts skills. Members of the alpha Kappa Delta Phi (aKDPhi) sorority performed a traditional Vietnamese dance that combined classic and contemporary elements. Lastly, a few groups choreographed dances to KPop (Korean pop) songs that made the crowd go wild. Each performance reminded me how beautiful and wonderful diversity is. I love how we all come from different cultures that embrace such unique traditions. If you have the chance next year, I highly recommend you attend the AsianFest Culture Show.

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Six Things to Do Instead of Sitting in Your Dorm

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By Emmy Edwards

As a freshman, I have encountered that, “I have nothing to do. I guess I’ll just sit in my room alone and watch Gossip Girl on Netflix” feeling many different times. Although every once in a while it is great to just relax and get some alone time in the dorm, there are many different fun things to do on campus to get to know more people or to get rid of nagging boredom.

1. Need to study? Vacate that dorm room!

One of my absolute favorite activities as a freshman has been studying with friends in different places around or off campus. Sometimes, I will study with my good friends, or sometimes, I will make a new friend by studying with someone who is in one of my classes. If I’m going to study, why do it alone? Sometimes, I need the motivation of having another friend there with me. We go to the Student Union Building (SUB), the Honors College, East Village, Collins lobby, study rooms, Moody Library, the Baylor Sciences Building, Armstrong Browning Library or— weather permitting — to a table outside. Off campus, we will venture to Common Grounds, Barnes and Noble, Dichotomy, World Cup Café, Panera Bread or even Cameron Park.

Now sometimes, when I need to really focus and study alone, I find it better to get out of my dorm room. My favorite spot to study on my own is in the tranquility garden outside of Armstrong Browning Library or in a study carol on the nearly silent third floor of Moody Library. Getting out of the dorm to study creates a separation between the place I sleep and the places I study, which is a really good thing. I am also out more, which is good for my mental well-being, especially during stressful study times.

2.  Go eat some food.  Mmmmmm.

Everyone eats right? Sometimes, I will text someone random to get lunch and just meet up with them. If I have no one to eat with, I like to grab some food to go and eat it at a nice place outside. A lot of the time, I will run into someone I know in the dining hall and eat with them. Plus, there are a million stellar places to eat across Waco. I still have not tried all of the food that I want to try in this town, and I’ve been here for a few months now!  Eating out is also a great way to get to know the city a little bit better.

3. Is it Sunday morning? Try church!

I know it is really difficult to wake up early for church on Sunday mornings. Some days, I just want to lay in bed all day long, but I have found that I never regret going to church.  Church is a great way to get refreshed for the week of school ahead, and it’s another fun way to get to know people on a deeper level. I made a great group of church friends, some of whom I would not know without my church. Also, some of our other friends have started tagging along with us. Our conversations at our weekly after church lunch are always thought-provoking and honest. I love getting to hear my friends’ perspectives after the services!

4.  Get your workout on!

Being a college student isn’t always the healthiest lifestyle in the world. Between staying up late, eating the delicious food of Waco and the easy accessibility of all that dining hall food, it is important to try to keep some health in balance. A great way to do this is by working out! The Student Life Center (SLC) is a great place. It’s very big, and everyone has a different kind of workout skill level. There are some serious athletic people, and then there are people like me who probably couldn’t even bench press the bar. There’s still a place for me there, though! I love to ride the bikes, play wallyball or racquetball with friends, play some ping pong (OK, maybe that’s not a workout, but it’s still really intense), or, my personal favorite, the Bearobics activities. By signing up for the group exercise plan, I have access to yoga, pilates, zumba, boot camps, cycling and more. This is a great way to keep myself healthy and busy, and it’s super fun to do with friends.

5.  Get off campus for a while.

Sometimes, reality can seem to fade away while living on campus. I sometimes notice that I almost never see anyone over the age of 20 except for my professors, and it really throws me off sometimes. Occasionally, I just need a dose of normality. Getting off campus is a great way to be reminded that the real world is still out there. Also, Waco has so much to offer. It’s a rich community with tons of things to do, places to see and food to eat (we’ve been over the food before, but obviously it’s very important to me…yum). Cameron Park is a great place to be active and get some good rays. There’s some great shopping out in town, too. Also, Waco has some really incredible ministry opportunities. They’re very eager to have college students helping, too. It’s a really great way to give back to this community for providing such a great home for our great school.

6. Get Involved!

People hammer this last point so much (especially to freshman), but it honestly is a great way to make new friends and keep occupied. Baylor offers so many different clubs and organizations. There is a place for everyone here. And not just a place — a home — a loving, welcoming and exciting home. There’s swing dancing, ministry, Greek life, cultural groups, intramurals and many more. I went through the recruitment process, and I was initiated into Chi Omega last night. The friendships I have made and the opportunities that I have been given through this group has been so valuable to my freshman year.

In summary, some of my most valuable experiences have happened when I did not want to leave my dorm, but I did it anyway. Sometimes being a freshman is scary and intimidating, but when I’ve put myself out there, I’ve realized that this is one of the most encouraging and exciting places to go through my four years of college. Yes, I will still have the occasional day where I will stay in and watch 10 episodes of “Gossip Girl” on Netflix when I really need it, but nothing trumps the good times with good friends at this great place.

My Baylor Journey

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By TJ Partida

So, I only have a couple of days left before I walk the stage at the Ferrell Center when I will receive my diploma from our incredible president and chancellor, Judge Ken Starr. I’ve been fortunate enough to get hired with my housing complex next spring, so I can take some time to breathe and get myself ready for the real world after graduation. Since this blog post will be my last with Baylor Admissions, it’s time to reflect on a few memories. It’s a long one, so bear with me!

I’ll start by saying that one of the best memories I’ve ever had as a student was when we became Big XII Football Champs at our last game in Floyd Casey Stadium! I definitely cried because it was my senior game, and I got to run the Line one last time as we shut down the “Case.”

 

 

 

 

 

That’s me on the far left cheering with some of my best friends at the last Homecoming game in Floyd Casey Stadium.

Speaking of which, my first favorite memory of my time here was Line Camp. I still keep in touch with the friends I made that week, and I took that experience with me to the following summer when I served as a Line Camp leader. No matter if you make 20 friends or just one, you’ll definitely have an incredible time learning about our university and its rich tradition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a picture of one of my Line Camp groups when I was a leader. My jersey has the 13!

Now, Greek Life at Baylor played a huge role in my college experience here at Baylor. I won’t expand too much on my involvement because you can just read about it here, but I will say that it was an incredible way to view Baylor in a different light. The Greek community is so diverse and an excellent representation of Baylor’s best students. I don’t think going Greek is the only way to enjoy college, but it’s truly is a helpful supplement to your experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a quick snapshot of me and some of my fraternity brothers at a water crush.

Serving Baylor as a Yell Leader with Spirit Squads was really what provided me with a ton of memories I can carry on after I graduate. As a Yell Leader I was able to cheer on the sidelines for four of our sports teams, make appearances throughout the Baylor and Waco communities and represent the university in more ways than one with my some of my best friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There I am in the middle, cheering at my last game in Dallas at the Big XII Women’s Basketball championship game!

And more recently, working for Campus Visits, serving on the Student Recruitment committee with Student Foundation and blogging for Admissions are all experiences that have helped me reflect on my time at Baylor like I’m doing right now. Sharing my experiences with you and other prospective students helps me appreciate my undergraduate experience even more. I’ve come to believe integrity is a leader’s most important attribute. I’ve learned skills I can take to the real world both in Journalism and simply for the work force.

 

 

 

 

 

Here I am volunteering at a football game with Student Foundation.

So, by now you’re either exhausted from reading my post or you’re even more excited to get here. Regardless, I hope you make the most of your time in college. Honestly, I hope these aren’t the best years of your life. I do hope they’re the best years to get you ready for the rest of your life. Thanks so much for reading my posts and if you want to stay in touch, add me on social media. You can find my information on my website. I wish you the best on your decision. Sic ‘Em Bears!!!

Beyond the Classroom

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By Laura Beth Moore

Did you know Baylor offers more than 190 various student organizations? Not only do these organizations help you meet other students in your major, but they also provide opportunities and internships. As a Journalism, Public Relations & New Media major, I decided to join the Baylor chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America. PRSSA serves as a bridge for students to meet and learn from PR agents. Baylor’s PRSSA chapter will frequently email us when different PR conferences, events and various opportunities arise. A couple of weeks ago I received an email about an opportunity to tour the GolinHarris agency.

The GolinHarris agency began in 1956 when Al Golin saw the potential to market a hamburger stand. What started small has now become the world’s largest fast food chain, McDonald’s. Today, GolinHarris has 45 offices throughout North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

 

The greater Texas branch, located in Dallas, invited university students to attend an office open house. Eight Baylor students, including myself, attended along with students from University of Oklahoma, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University and more. I loved the opportunity to meet and network with other public relations students. It’s thrilling to meet people who are passionate about the same things you are. It’s interesting to collaborate on ideas and see what they’re learning too. After chatting and enjoying some Southwest wraps, we all headed into the conference room to begin.

Bright and cheerful Baylor alum, Ginger Porter, welcomed us to the Dallas office. She has been with GolinHarris for 12 years and now is the director over the greater Texas branch. My attention was captivated as she described her passion for PR and walked us through the history of GolinHarris. As Porter described, GolinHarris prides itself on relationships. It’s easy to see the tight knit and friendly relationships between the staff in the office. Their community spills over into their focus on cultivating a strong relationship between the employees and clients. The ripple effect continues with inspiring clients to gain and maintain relationships with their stakeholders. The 57-year-long account with McDonald’s proves their commitment to focus on long-term relationships with their clients.

One of their prominent features, The Bridge, was designed by GolinHarris to integrate real-time news headlines to spur on business marketing strategies. The Bridge serves as a philosophy and a physical environment.

The 5 Bridge techniques include:

  1. Insights into Action
  2. Relationship Building
  3. Hype-Revelant Media Relations
  4. Customer Engagement
  5. Content Creation

After explaining The Bridge concept the Director of Real-Time Engagement Stephanie Matthews issued a challenge for us. We were given 10 minutes to come up with various ways to attract a certain ESPN reporter’s attention and influence to GolinHarris’ client AccuWeather. Slips of paper were passed out and the pressure was on. The winner of the challenge received a lunch with directory Ginger Porter while the two honorable mentions would be given the opportunity to shadow the office for a week. I quickly rushed to the conference room to begin writing.

I was so nervous. My mind was racing, and I could barley read. I took a deep breath and thought, “OK, what did she say they’re looking for?” In the margin, I began to list out various ideas. One idea actually came from my PR class lecture last week. We were talking about ways to grab the media’s attention in creative ways. Dr. Bates used the RGIII for Heisman Baylor campaign as an example. They sent out baseball cards with RGII’s stats and information. Since the task was marketing to this ESPN reporter, I suggested sending the reporter AccuWeather baseball cards with information promoting the company. I scribbled down my ideas, hoped I spelled everything right, turned it in and headed to the next session.

They offered four different sessions students could pick from including: How to be a Rockstar Intern, Resume and Internship 101, The Bridge Information Session and Recent Client Campaigns. I attended the session where various employees presented recent case studies and campaigns they have worked on for Texas Instruments and PetSmart. I tried to jot down as many ideas as I could as they spoke. They’ve even worked with Josh Dumel and Nicholas Sparks on various PetSmart promotions.

At the conclusion of the sessions they announced the winners of the challenge. I was shocked to hear my name called out as they announced the two runners-up! I can’t wait to go back and shadow! I am extremely thankful for Baylor presenting students with opportunities like this! I’ll have to let you know how it goes!

 

Breaking the Mold

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By Sophia Cooper

Most people picture engineers as anti-social guys with thick glasses sliding down their noses, hunched shoulders and a slight glow from spending too many hours over a keyboard. They think all engineers do is play video games and eat Ramen noodles in their spare time.

Um, what?

Even though I’m a mechanical engineering (ME) major, I am very much the antithesis of this stereotype. It’s true I wear glasses, but my skin is a normal tone, and I have never owned a single video game consul. My entire senior ME class is a social group; the lab can get pretty hopping late at night! We tease each other like I would my family, help each other with homework and collaborate on group projects all the time. Our socialization goes outside of Rogers Engineering & Computer Science building, too. A group of senior engineers ran the Great Brazos Relay earlier this fall (their name was “The √(-1) of the Tiger”), 15 of us went to dinner and saw Thor: The Dark World on opening night and Teal Residential College sponsors game nights and social activities on a regular basis.

There are ways to get involved within the School of Engineering & Computer Science (ECS), as well. Student organizations cater to each major, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Association of Computing Machinery, and the Association of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology. There are also non-major specific organizations; my personal favorite is the Society of Women Engineers (SWE)! You do not have to be an engineer or even be female to join SWE, just have an interest in science and technology. We have monthly meetings, outreach activities, study hours, socials and fundraisers on a regular basis. As SWE president, I admit a slight bias on how great of an organization it is. Our main service-based ECS organization is Engineers with a Mission. They do projects in Waco and mission trips around the world to bring technology to developing communities, all with an emphasis on Christian-servant leadership.

Wherever that stereotype of an engineer came from, it does not fit Baylor’s ECS population. We’re a loud, fun-loving group of people with dynamic interests and involvement. I have absolutely loved my experience here and wouldn’t change a thing about it!

A Family that Prays Together, Stays Together

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By Aaqila Rasheed

One of the things that I absolutely love about Baylor is the different ways to get involved. When I first came to Baylor, many people believed that I would soon dropout. I am a preacher’s kid and with that title comes a lot of stereotypes. It was disconcerting to know that people thought I would soon be home due to an unwanted pregnancy; however, I was determined to prove them wrong. I was so determined that I hooked up with the Impact Movement here at Baylor.

Joining Baylor’s chapter of the Impact Movement was a great decision for me. The organization emphasizes discipleship and evangelism. We meet every Thursday for Bible Study, gather on the weekends for community service, host talent shows and keep each other spiritually accountable. We’ve been involved with University events such as Stompfest and Steppin’ Out. This group provided me with an alternative to the party-sleep-repeat pattern that most believed I would fall into. I met with people that I could do life with. They shared the same goal as I did: staying spiritually rooted in Christ during this journey through college.

The people I met really are family. What started as surface level friendships soon turned into what will be life-long relationships. I know that even after this season at Baylor, I will always be able to call my family for honesty and wisdom. What really brought us closer together was the fact that every time we gathered, we gathered with intentionality to encourage each other on the Biblical truths that we believe. Christ is the foundation of our organization and the foundation of our relationships. It’s a foundation that cannot be shaken. I guess it’s true what they say, “A family that prays together, stays together.”

Being Professional in Philly

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By Parmida Schahhosseini

Coming to Baylor has been a huge blessing because of all the amazing opportunities. As the chapter president for Baylor Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), I had the opportunity to represent Baylor at the PRSSA National Conference in Philadelphia. While I missed almost a week of school, it was worth it. My stay in Philly was amazing. I stayed on the 27th floor of my hotel and had an amazing view. I was definitely blessed to say the least.

This experience was invaluable. Not only did I get to learn about public relations from seasoned professionals, but also I got to meet and network with PRSSA members from other chapters across the nation. I was amazed at how nice and friendly everyone was. As the only person from Baylor to go, many chapters were welcoming and invited me to different events. I had dinner with the Stockton PRSSA chapter, the president of UNT’s chapter and several others.

Arizona State PRSSA was the chapter I hung out with the most, so I was the self-proclaimed honorary member. The chapter president and I are talking about hosting a joint meeting over Skype. It will be cool for all of our members to meet each other, even if it’s virtual. We also had the opportunity to explore downtown Philly and see Independence Hall with the limited free time we had.

One of my favorite experiences was having dinner with Mary Henige, the director of social media and digital communications research & reputation strategy at General Motors. I was one of seven to win a random drawing! It was an amazing opportunity to meet and have a conversation with her.

The conference itself was great and had different sessions we could attend focusing on industries such as sports, healthcare, agency, entertainment, food, nonprofit, media relations, presentation skills, big data and more. As the chapter president, I had the opportunity to attend the Chapter President’s Leadership Workshop where we got to hear from Cassandra Bailey, the principal at Slice Communications. She was a great speaker and had some insightful perspectives on the profession.

National Conference was definitely one of the best experiences in my life, and even though I have a ton of make up work, it was worth it.

Spring Social Season (by Hunter Gorman)

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The green grass growing, the sun warming, and the new spring pledge classes of the over 40 Baylor Greek organizations in full swing, can only mean one thing and one thing only: Social Season at Baylor. This is a loved time of year on campus with an endless amount of fraternity/sorority mixers, take-a-dates, and dances. The time of year when 10th street is filled with sporty youths, the library filled with those more scholarly, and the thought of the fast approaching spring break on everyone’s mind.

Spring truly is a great time here at Baylor, and really gets people in the mood for some dancing! Check out this video of Baylor’s “Harlem Shake!”

As I said, dances are a common theme of the spring time and it honestly can get a little overwhelming when you think about the number of events that you can have and they all seem to happen in the same week! School work is something that is very easy to get behind on during the spring season, especially freshman year, while you continue to experience that euphoric feeling of new found community.

For those of you that will be coming to Baylor as freshman for the nearing fall semester, spring is a time to look forward and also a goal to work for during your first semester. Aside from the various Greek and other student organization’s events, Baylor University has a lot going on during the spring time such as spring break (as mentioned), the Easter Holiday, the fun and exciting “Diadeloso,” and then finally, summer time!

During the spring it is very easy to lose track of time and before you know it you are almost done with your first full year of college (that’s my case anyway).

For those who are looking to Baylor as incoming freshman, get excited! Baylor is a great place that thrives on community and tradition. Finally for those of you looking to Baylor as a place to restart your college journey, look no more! Baylor’s great people and many communities could not be more excited for you to get here!

 

Volunteering is Fun! (by Grant Siluangkhot)

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In concurrence with the season of Thanksgiving and service, I’d like to share my recent experience of volunteering at a local church. I joined the Baylor APPS (Association of Pre-Pharm Students) this semester and one of the things we enjoy doing is participating in service events together. APPS was able to help Hewitt FUMC with their rummage sale event by folding clothes and organizing miscellaneous items.

 

After hours of hauling boxes and shelving books outside in the cold, we finally were able to go inside. To our surprise, we were given free pizza and drinks. Score! The people at the church were so kind and thankful. I was just glad to help. Before we left, we helped to set up tables and chairs for an event and said our goodbyes to our new friends.

 

Although it was very very cold on this October evening, (as you can see by our jackets and hats) I think it was worth it. It really was a great time to give back and connect to the community and get to know my fellow APPS members.

 

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I’m also going to be participating in Baylor’s Steppin’ Out this weekend! I’m going with the Japanese Student Association to help serve food at an event. I heard that some groups also go out and paint and garden.

 

“Steppin’ Out is a program providing service to the greater-Waco community by coordinating volunteer service days once each semester. Steppin’ Out strives to enhance student involvement in community service and attain community awareness, interaction, and collaboration between Baylor University and the Waco community. Additionally, Steppin’ Out seeks to provide opportunities for experiential learning, civic leadership, and social responsiblity.”

Finding Community at Baylor (by Lexa Johnson)

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Being a freshman, you arrive on campus and are immediately surrounded by thousands of potential friends. The key is getting to meet as many people as possible and spending intentional time with your new friends in order to foster potential friendships with those around you. Here are a few tips to taking advantage of the opportunities Baylor presents to getting to know your fellow classmates.

  1. Take advantage of Welcome Week! Baylor groups freshman and transfers into small groups of about 20 students with upperclassmen leaders. During welcome week there are several activities that students can go to with their groups. It is a great way to get to know other Baylor students and get orientated with the campus!
  2. Get to know your neighbors and the other residents in your hall. During the first few weeks there are several hall events, which are a great way to get to know the girls or guys that you will be living with and doing life together for the next year. Another great way is to attend your hall bible study put on each week by the resident chaplain.
  3. Join an organization or lifegroup! Organizations are a great way to get involved on campus and meet other students. There are many different organizations including academic, service, and religious ones. I have personally found my lifegroup to be amazing which is through Antioch Church here in Waco. Lifegroups are a great way to form deep friendships with people and engage in meaning fellowship.

Take advantage of the fact that you will be living on campus with thousands of freshman who are all looking for new friendships. Invite people to go eat with you, go to the student life center together, or even just to get together and study. Spend intentional time with the people you are meeting and before you know it beginning friendships will soon develop into something much deeper!