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In ResponseStanding Out
It was exciting and heartwarming to read about the accomplishments of
all of the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients ("Life Studies,"
winter 2008 issue)—but especially those of Steve Browning and Jim
Shelhamer, whom I remember as outstanding Baylor students and friends.
They are certainly most deserving of this honor.
Jo Willoughby Terry '71
Knoxville, Tennessee
In the Hunt
It was with a great deal of appreciation and admiration that I read Meg
Cullar's story regarding the student recruitment program at Baylor ("In
the Hunt," winter issue). It has come a long way since 1970, when
former president Dr. Herbert Reynolds and former vice president for
student life Dr. A. A. Hyden created the Office of Admissions
Counseling and hired me to "go out and shake the bushes" for students.
So with a new Oldsmobile from Mr. Rountree, some homemade,
black-and-white handouts about Baylor, and a Texas map, I set off to
"fling the green and gold afar." A year later, about sixty thousand
miles had been traveled and about two hundred high schools and junior
colleges had been visited by "a Baylor rep." This was a colossal
achievement in those early days as we attempted to tell the Baylor
story to prospective students and parents.
Then the development office with Bill Harlan created the Baylor Parents
League, and in less than twenty-four months about sixteen clubs had
been formed in five states. In eight years, more than 125 Parents
League meetings and thousands of prospective students and parents heard
the Baylor story. The focus on their spring meeting was "student
recruitment," which created another avenue by which to tell the Baylor
story.
The following summer, around twenty summer youth camps were visited in
Texas as well as Glorieta and Ridgecrest. About 1975, the wonderful
history professor Robert Reid suggested that Baylor visit prestigious
East Coast preparatory academies—and off we went to introduce those
schools to Baylor.
When Student Foundation (SF) was started, we suggested that one of
their committees be called "student recruitment." With their
outstanding help, the number of schools, camps, and churches contacted
in a year was doubled. Many were the days when SF members departed Waco
for a high school "College Night" in Dallas, Houston, or Abilene only
to return in the wee hours of the morning. Their only payment was a
free dinner and reimbursement for their fuel.
Also in the 1970s, Baylor Nationwide began. Six or seven cities a year
were targeted for an aggressive Baylor marketing effort, which included
a new movie about Baylor, alumni meetings, and, of course, student
recruitment. It was a fantastic concept, with the new Baylor movie
being shown in major cities throughout the nation followed by Baylor
representatives and students visiting schools, churches, and civic
clubs.
Each year showed an increase in enrollment as a result of many people
responding to the Baylor story, and I was very privileged to be an
early participant. There were lots of great stories along the way—like
Dr. Reynolds, Ray Vickrey, Carroll Dawson, and myself being imprisoned
in the new DFW airport's "People Mover" for three hours in the early
morning, or Coach Hart getting splattered on the ceiling of the Baylor
plane while encountering storms as we flew to Little Rock—but for now,
thanks for providing the story for us "old" student recruiters.
Larry Smith '69
Director of Admissions Counseling, 1970-78
Crowell
In the Attic
When I pulled my Baylor Line
from the mailbox, I received a shock. My magazine had fallen open to
the "A Look Back" article on the last page ("Memorializing Memorial,"
winter issue). The shock was caused by the recognition of a space at
Baylor that was integral to my college experience.
The area of the attic at Memorial Residence Hall shown in the picture
has the same basic shape as the room CHI'S Service Club has used for
many years. I remember my time with CHI'S fondly, and I am sad that our
space in Memorial Hall will soon be gone forever. It was a perfect
place to meet—on campus, in an old building, with a lot of character. I
liked the way the room felt, both a part of Baylor and tucked away and
quiet. I will never forget riding in the old elevator with its manual
gate and door.
As the oldest women's club at Baylor and one of the few that didn’t "go
national," we often emphasized our connection to Baylor's past. The
atmosphere in the attic at Memorial Hall helped to complete the
experience. While I was involved, CHI'S was a unique club that never
quite fit into any category. I hope CHI'S continues to have a place at
Baylor as it helps women to discover themselves while working to help
others.
Patricia Etheredge MacFarlane '85
Hancock, New Hampshire
Core Values
Thank you for printing your affirmation of "traditional Baptist principles" in the December 2007 issue of the Baylor Line.
While Baptists generally agree with the principle of the sufficiency of
scripture, the doctrine is usually associated historically with Martin
Luther. Whatever Luther may have thought of decisions by various
ecumenical councils, he was especially in disagreement with some claims
by and for popes. Luther lived several centuries before the official
declaration of papal infallibility, but he thought that far too much
authority was being given to the papal office even in his own time.
Luther's emphasis on the Bible alone was expressed in "sola scriptura"
and the later declaration of "no creed but the Bible."
The quotation from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 does not provide good support for
"the doctrine that the Bible is the sole and sufficient authority for
Christians in all matters of faith, instruction, and morals." While
"scripture" originally referred to anything that was written, the
reference to scripture in 2 Timothy 3 is probably not to the Bible but
to the Hebrew scriptures. The Old Testament is very important, but it
is not the full Bible. It is likely, for example, that the Gospels,
Acts, and Revelation were not written until after 2 Timothy. In
addition, the reference in 2 Timothy 3 does not speak of scripture as
either sole or sufficient but as "profitable." I believe that 2 Timothy
3 is often misinterpreted in relation to the Bible, including use for
the sufficiency of scripture.
While Baptists may claim belief in the sufficiency of scripture
(thought of as the Bible), there have been many Baptist confessions of
faith and other declarations through the years, including various
editions of the Baptist Faith and Message and resolutions by the Southern Baptist Convention. I do not believe that Baptist actions always match Baptist words.
Speaking of the sufficiency of scripture may not be the best choice of
words. I wish there were a way to emphasize the Bible's importance that
allowed various kinds of additional statements or forms of expression
that are consistent with the Bible.
E. B. (Ben) Self '51, MA '52
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
I would like to commend the recent special issue of the Baylor Line.
It's a timely reminder of what Baptists have always believed and the
purpose for which Baylor was established. It's also encouraging to know
the Baylor Alumni Association still stands by these beliefs and will
work to see that Baylor's policies adhere to these beliefs.
During this past decade, I feel that the Baylor administration and the
regents have deviated from these principles and attempted to establish
their own agendas for the direction Baylor should go. In my opinion,
Baylor has suffered for it.
I also appreciated the Q&As with Baylor alumni. It is reassuring to
know that these alumni—and I am sure many others—will continue to work
to guide Baylor back to these principles.
Sylvia Morris Ashley '64
Sedona, Arizona
Any Response? E-mail: Baylorline@bayloralumni.com
Letters should be a maximum of three
hundred words and should include name, address, and class year if
applicable. Letters may be edited for length, clarity, or civility.
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