Chapter Briefs A ‘Beary’ Special Thank You The send-off party in Anaheim Hills, Calif., held a special surprise for Margaret Hollis. In appreciation and as a tribute to her dedication and loyalty to Baylor University, friends have established the Margaret L. Hollis Endowed Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will assist students from California who attend Baylor. Dan Baker (BA ’62), a long-time friend of the Hollis family, made the announcement. Margaret began working for Baylor in the late 1980s as a volunteer The Northwest Houston 1st Call prayer group met on student recruiter for the state of California. She became an official September 7 in the home of Rebecca Henry. The group included Baylor employee in 1990 and continued to work as an Admissions 13 freshmen moms who really appreciated the opportunity to Counselor until her retirement in 2004. She is a Baylor Alumna by come together with other Baylor parents to pray together and Choice. She and her husband, Robert (BBA ’61), have three children: share information about their students’ Baylor experiences. The Richard, William (BA ’92, MBA ’93) and Anita (BA ’94). group meets the first Tuesday of each month. Parents interested Judy Maggard presented Margaret with a crystal bear sculpture from in more information about the NW Houston 1st Call prayer the Parents League and University Development to commemorate the group should contact Rebecca Henry at (281) 374-6538 or Ana event. The sculpture depicts a mother bear with two cubs, symbolizing her “mama bear” relationship to many California students through the Koenig (281) 880-5251. years. www .ba y lor entsleague .edu/par Address Service Requested Service Address Waco, TX 76798-7026 TX Waco, One Bear Place #97026 Place Bear One A PUBLICATION FOR BAYLOR PARENTS Volume XII, Fall 2004 Making Connections Through Student Activities wing dancing, volunteering, aikido According to Oliver, or Italian, whatever your student’s 74 percent of Baylor Sinterest may be, chances are there is students are involved in an organization at Baylor University that at least one student is a perfect fit. From academic and organization. Studies professional groups to recreational clubs, show that students who there are more than 300 registered get involved at Baylor on-campus organizations. retain better, make better “We feel it is important for students to grades, graduate quicker Students browse through the Student Activities Fair in the get involved in student organizations and get more interviews McLane Student Life Center. The fair is held every fall to acquaint because through cocurricular activities, when it comes time to look students with the hundreds of organizations available on campus. students learn a lot of the skills they need for a job. There are two main ways to get to be successful in their professions,” So how can students get involved? involved on the Baylor campus: Dr. Dub Oliver, dean for student The Department of Student Activities • Student Organizations—The development, said. Students get to test is the gateway for student involvement Department of Student Activities website some of the things they are learning in on the Baylor campus and is designed (www.baylor.edu/student_activities) classes, interact with people and hone to encourage connection through lists all registered organizations on their leadership, communication and campus activities, student campus. These include community organizational skills through activities, he organizations and leadership explained. opportunities. continued on page 5 Parents Weekend, is truly a premier facility. We know this Letter from the President building has been responsible for attracting excellent students and faculty. Baylor University has always had a nationally- Dear Parents, recognized prehealth program, growing 15 percent in the last I am truly energized by the decade. As technology advances, we are extremely proud to tremendous progress on our campus. have a facility that meets the needs of not only our prehealth This year marks a year of unprecedented students, but also of all students on the Baylor campus. growth at Baylor University. Our Through excellence in teaching and discovery, Baylor is students are already enjoying the maintaining a standard of overall excellence in a university resources of several new buildings on setting—creating yet another exceptional experience for a new campus, and our incoming freshman class group of Baylor students and helping us fulfill our mission of surpassed our goals in both numbers and preparing young men and women for worldwide Christian excellence. leadership and service. In May, we dedicated the Mayborn Museum Complex and I want to thank you for your continued support. It is my Jeanes Discovery Center, a facility that not only offers an hope that you are as excited as I am about the coming academic incredible learning environment for museum studies students, year at Baylor University. By God’s grace, we will continue to but also hosts more than 1,000 visitors each week. educate our students and fulfill the mission of Baylor The North Village Residential Community and the Honors University—making the Baylor experience truly unique. College Living-Learning Center both create a new environment in on-campus living. Students live and learn with Sincerely, others in their major, while faculty members live and maintain offices on site. This unique arrangement has created so much excitement on campus that the North Village is fully occupied in its first year. Robert B. Sloan, Jr. Finally, the Baylor Sciences Building, dedicated during President, Baylor University c November a 6 Steppin’ Out l A Word from the Director 24-28 Thanksgiving holiday e December n The fall Parents League website at 6 Last day of classes d semester is always www.baylor.edu/parentsleague to find a 9-15 Final exams an exciting time out what is going on in your area. If 18 Commencement r on the Baylor you do not find an active chapter 2 campus. We have listed for your area and would like to January 0 been anticipating organize one, just let us know by 5 Residence halls open 0 the arrival of our contacting the Parents League office 10 Classes begin 4 new freshman at 1-888-BU-PL-557. 17 Martin Luther King, Jr. - class for quite some time, as well as From a distance it is sometimes holiday 0 being eager to welcome back our difficult for parents to know who to returning students. Students are contact if they have questions 28-29 Winter Premiere 5 diving head first into their classes concerning their student’s Baylor February and extracurricular activities. It is experience. We hope that you always 2 Founders Day thrilling to witness the enthusiasm of remember that the Parents League 18-20 All University SING our student body as the semester office is your direct communication 26-27 All University SING unfolds. We are grateful to have your link with the university community. sons and daughters at Baylor, and it We will do our best to answer your March is our goal to provide quality service questions or listen to any concerns 12-20 Spring Break and first-rate facilities that create an you may have. Or, we can put you in 25-28 Easter holiday inviting atmosphere where your contact with the appropriate faculty student can achieve their goal of a or staff member who can assist you. April Baylor education. Please let us know how we can be of 2 Steppin’ Out More parents than ever are service to you throughout the year. 14 Diadeloso participating in local Parents League May chapter activities. It has been exciting 2 Last day of classes to welcome six new chapters this past year. It is a privilege to work with all 5-11 Final exams of our volunteers who are providing 14 Commencement opportunities for parents to connect 29 Residence halls open with each other and to share their 31 Summer I classes begin experiences as Baylor moms and dads. Judy Maggard A great way to connect with a chapter Director, Parent Programs in your area is to check out the Baylor Parents League Chapter Briefs We love to hear what chapters are doing to stay connected with Baylor parents and their students. Please send us your stories, tips and photos for the Parents League News Brief section that will appear in the spring issue of Perspectives. Send your material to: Baylor Parents League One Bear Place #97026 Waco, Texas 76798-7026 E-mail: [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you soon! FALL 2004 • 2 Perspective Points Baylor Alums Commit Lead Gift for Bear Habitat Complex The Bill and Eva Williams family of Scottsdale, Ariz., announced a lead gift that moved the Bear Habitat expansion and renovation project more than halfway to its goal of $950,000. The current gift total is approximately $870,000. The popular on-campus facility is home to Baylor’s North American Black Bear mascots, Joy and Lady. The renovated bear habitat will increase Athens Olympians Bring Triple Gold the bears’ current living space and include Back to Baylor natural terraced landscaping with grassy areas and detailed rockwork, a feeder log, Baylor University’s Jeremy Wariner, a deadfall trees and a play area consisting of a Grand Prairie, Texas, junior, and Darold waterfall and den. Williamson, a San Antonio senior, were For more information, or to make a gift teammates in the 4x400-meter relay at to support the new habitat, contact Cathy the XXVIII Olympics held in Athens, Dunnam Pleitz at (254) 710-8500 or Greece, where the United States team [email protected] or visit the website finished first. “It was the greatest feeling at www.baylor.edu/bears. knowing that someone [Williamson] there is someone that you have been working with all year.