It’s a Process

By Jesenia Berrios

Last year around this time my daughter, Debbie, was busy with high school and in the process of finishing up her application for Baylor University. It was a stressful time for her and also stressful for me because I didn’t quite know how to help her.  At first, I was a bit overwhelmed with all of the information and I wasn’t sure what to expect for my daughter. All I knew as a parent experiencing this for the first time was that I needed to attend meetings and hope that that would help with my questions/concerns. Simply put, this was my first time experiencing a student going off college, especially one away from home!Jesenia 1

During her Junior year of high school, we attended the Spring Premiere at Baylor. We were able to explore campus and of course enjoy a Dr Pepper float (my favorite dessert at Baylor). After we went to Spring Premiere, we played the waiting game until Debbie could start applying. This was a very FUN day, but at the same time, it was a lot to take in. From what I can remember, some time during the summer before she applied, Baylor Admissions Representatives visited areas near our hometown.Debbie and I decided to check out one of the meetings they held. We definitely tried to attend as many meetings as possible because we just never knew when we would hear something new or important. The presentation gave us more information as it got closer to the time to apply.

One of the most important reminders in the application process is to always have your child check their goBaylor account for updates! Debbie was always checking her account and keeping up with what she needed to do for her application. When the prospective student is able to apply to Baylor, the application itself is pretty straight forward. There’s a timeline and checklist, as long as that is followed then everything else will fall into place and your prospective student should have the application completed before it’s due. Do not procrastinate here! I know your child will be busy with high school work and activities but dedicating time to their application is important too. There is also an option to answer a few essay questions, there’s more than just multiple choice in the application. Thought should be put into the answers because remember it’s not just your specific child applying, so their answers will stand out. Once the application has been submitted, all you can do is wait and have your child check their goBaylor account. It’s so exciting but at the same time, also nerve-wrecking!

On November 4, 2014, my baby girl checked her goBaylor account and what she saw was “Debbie You’re Accepted”. My daughter did not apply to any other colleges besides Baylor. She has talked about attending Baylor since she was in elementary school and I know that God put that Baylor her heart.  Now she is living one of her dreams as a Freshman Baylor Bear!

Good luck and Sic’Em Bears

The Greatest Birthday Ever!

By Frances George

fran oct 3

For five years in a row, I have not been with my daughter, Mary Scott on her birthday. Her birthday is September 1st and that generally means she is in school. Between high school and college Mary Scott took at gap year and was somewhere in the continental United States talking to tens of thousands of teenagers about Christ on her birthday. Thus began the “Birthday in a Box” tradition. In the fall of 2012, Mary Scott entered Baylor as a freshman and for the last four years, she’s been in Waco, TEXAS while I’ve been in Raleigh, NORTH CAROLINA on September 1st. So, dutifully, every year for five years, I have spent the better part of the week prior to her birthday, creating a “Birthday in a Box” for Mary Scott to enjoy 1200 miles (or more!) from home and then rushing to the UPS store to send it 2 day shipping to insure its arrival prior to September 1st. And generally something is a day or two late…This year was no different. Except, this was Senior Year. This was it. Make it count Mom!

September 1st, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 came and went as always and for four years there have been pictures on fb and texts of Mary Scott and “her box” filled with tissue paper and an assortment of gifts from home. Usually, there would be dinner out with girlfriends after a long day in class. But this year, the posts and texts were different! And this is the Baylor difference. fran oct 2First thing in the morning there was a video sent to me of her 4 roommates jumping on her bed and singing Happy Birthday, followed by an enormous breakfast at the house with girls from across the street and down the street. Sunflowers covered the counter, balloons filled the room, little remembrances were beautifully placed alongside artfully painted notes which were lined up on the counter, notes of encouragement and love for one they consider “sister” as well as friend.

Then class. Yes, class.

That evening, about 15 of Mary Scott’s closest friends surprised her and took her to a “dinner destination”… her favorite place by the water in Waco, “The Dam.” (not exactly sure where that is but I know it is beautiful at sunset by the pictures!). They grilled, enjoyed queso and tortillas, ate cupcakes, sang songs, took pictures, lots of pictures, and shared “happy tears.” This is what the girls texted me throughout the evening (just to keep Mom in the loop) “We have a happy friendship and happy friends in our happy spot celebrating our sweet friend who has been the best. We love MSG!” (their nickname for Mary Scott George).

The next day Mary Scott and I talked (actually on the phone!) and she said, “Mom, it was the greatest birthday ever. The girls are so good to me. Their cards are artwork now hanging on my wall.” I thought, “The ‘artwork’ of this day will hang on the wall of your heart for a lifetime, my darling girl. This is the time of your life.” I listened as she talked on about the sunset and the laughter and the utter joy of being a senior at Baylor. While she talked, I recalled a photo she took freshman year while out on a run of an exquisite sunset streaming across campus, “Mom, thank you for letting me come to this place” was the caption attached to the picture. Still so true and so much more. It was as if the light was illuminating her future at Baylor. Her academic future: bright. Her friendships: magnificent.

This is what Baylor friendships mean. They are rich. They are deep. They survive turbulent days and joy comes in the morning. They celebrate life. They celebrate seasons. They last. These are girlfriends, sisters for life. This is the Baylor difference. frances oct blog

And the cherry on top? Judge Starr and Mary Scott were attending the same event on September 2nd and Judge Starr actually said, “You just had a birthday Mary Scott! Let’s get a picture!” And they did. I can’t top that. And you know what, I’m glad I can’t!

You see, I’ll always be Mom. I can always send “Birthdays in a Box” but birthdays like the birthday of 2015 happen rarely in life. But it is the rare that becomes the commonplace at Baylor.

If you are wondering about a college choice. Wonder no more.

Choose Baylor.

For friends.

For birthdays.

For LIFE!

 

I’ll Help You Little Buddy-How a Two Pound Baby Boy Led Our Family to Baylor

By Frances George

So why are we at Baylor? We are a North Carolina family with deep NC ties to our own universities, families on both sides who have been North Carolinians for generations dating back to a boat named “Mayflower”. Perhaps this story, less than 24 hours old in its genesis will explain why.

Ten years ago, my namesake, a beautiful young married woman, gave birth prematurely to her first child, a 2 pound 12 ounce baby boy names John Clark Purvis. For three months he struggled for his life in the NICU unit in Greenville, North Carolina, at one of our premier teaching hospitals. fran sept 2Ten years later, he’s grown to be a strong boy with a tender heart. Our daughter, Mary Scott, a senior now at Baylor, was a young girl when she first saw her cousin in the hospital. She could hold his entire body in the palm of her hand and over her wrist. She came out of the hospital that day following her visit, with a life calling – to work with children in critical condition in the early days of their life. As the years passed and she began looking for a college that would meet her criteria for her goals, Baylor quickly became high on her list. Once we visited the campus, she knew this was the place for her! However, because of her deep involvement in campus life, she realized she would not pursue nursing, which required moving to Dallas for her last two years. Rather, she changed her major to Corporate Communications and now hopes to move to Dallas following graduation and work in a children’s hospital, working with families in crisis and helping to administrate the day to day events within the hospital in the children’s wing. Later, perhaps, a graduate degree from Baylor in counseling to more deeply touch the lives of parents and their children in crisis. And all because of a two pound baby boy and a place called Baylor that inspires dreams that become reality.

Fast forward to September 7, 2015. fran sept 1This same namesake delivered her second son, Samuel Thomas, at 28 weeks, the exact same gestation as his now 10 year old healthy and strong brother. “Little Sam” weighs 2 pounds 9 ounces and is in the same NICU unit where his big brother spent the first three months of his life. Mary Scott’s younger sister, Catherine, visited this little one just a few hours following his birth and as we walked down the hallway to his unit said, “I feel as though I am walking in Mary Scott’s footsteps.” After seeing the tiny one, and praying over his incubator through all the tubes and IVs, we walked back down the hall and she said, “Mom, I feel as though I have found my calling – to teach special needs children. I AM walking in her footsteps.”

Why do I tell you this? Because, Baylor is a special place that grows young freshmen into lovely and strong adult women who will do great things for our world. Baylor Nation impacts THE nation and beyond. Classroom instruction can happen on any campus in the country. But Baylor develops character and inspires dreams that can be navigated to their apex, which is really only the beginning.

The picture below is of 10 year old John Clark praying over his tiny brother, Little Sam, on the day of his birth saying, “I’ll help you little buddy.” And that’s what Baylor does. It takes young men and women and provides the perfect environment (much like what our Little Sam’s environment looks like) of support and instruction and guidance and “life”. The result is a culture changing group of men of women prepared and excited about shaping their culture, even if their culture is within the halls of a Dallas children’s hospital or in a special needs classroom of elementary students.

Mary Scott will be in this spring’s graduating class, the Class of 2016. Where will her sister be? If it is at Baylor in the Class of 2020, then I can only say THIS is the best place to learn what it means to live out with great purpose what a 10 year old little boy said, “I’ll help you little buddy.” And at Baylor they do this and they do it with eternity in view.

Grateful for Baylor Nation once again.

I Wish I Had…

By Amy Hyde

So, this is my first blog post. Ever.

My hope is that these writings will encourage and give a “head’s up” to parents of prospective and current Baylor students. Sending a child off to college is new territory for each of us at some point in time. And because for some who have not done it before, we may not completely confident in how to do it. A friend to join alongside is a nice thing. After all, we’re all in this together!

Our oldest son, Nathan, started Baylor in the fall of 2009. His brother, Austin, joined him in 2012. As Austin nears the completion of his bachelor’s degree, I reflect on these wonderful years of joy, trials, achievement, and loss.

So, if I could do it all over again, what would I do differently?

1. Jump in the local Baylor Parent Network group sooner rather than later. During my early years as a Baylor parent, I rarely attended the events offered. When I joined, I found bright peers with whom I’ve enjoyed wonderful relationships.

2. Send more packages from home. While Nathan and Austin always expressed great appreciation for goodies they received while away at school, I think I underestimated the power of that “hug” from home. Whether the packages contained something homemade or purchased, edible or usable, notes of appreciation for their hard work or encouragement during a tough time, these bundles always lifted their spirits.

3. Pray more with other parents. We’ve always been a praying family. But there is something very special and powerful about praying together with and for other parents and their children. There is a closeness that comes from this bond that is hard to match in any other way. I am thankful that prayer and honoring God as our Creator and Sustainer are actions that are valued and supported by Baylor University.

So, how can you become involved in any or all of these ways from the get-go?

Check out the Baylor Parents Network to see what’s happening in your area: http://www.baylor.edu/alumni/parentsnetwork/ If there isn’t a chapter where you live, contact Judy Maggard or Leigh Ann Marshall in the Parent’s Network Office. They’ll be happy to get you connected.

Then you can say “I’m glad I did” instead of “I wish I had”.

Love, grace and sic ‘em,
Amy