And now we have the opportunity to meet Baylor University’s president… Dr. Linda Livingstone. She’s waiting for us in Elliston Chapel – one of the many sacred spaces on Baylor’s campus where students can spend time praying, worshiping, or just in quiet reflection. President Livingstone will tell us about Baylor’s Christian mission and what it means to pursue your calling at a Christian research university. President Livingstone….over to you.
Thank you, Alex. We are happy to welcome you to Baylor and share some of the things we love about our remarkable university. Baylor is built on a foundation of Christian faith, and it is on this foundation our university continues to grow and thrive. Everything we do is grounded in our faith, and in pursuit of our mission to support students academically, personally, and spiritually. It is our goal to prepare our students to become leaders in their professions, servants in their communities, and light to the world around them. As a Christian research university, we sit at a unique crossroads of faith and discovery. Here, you will find world-class researchers also teaching in the classroom, and faculty office hours that become mentoring opportunities as students seek to find their calling. At Baylor, we believe research discoveries illuminate solutions to significant challenges confronting society, not for our own gain, but for the transformation those discoveries bring to lives around the world. Incoming Baylor students are met on day one with an example of our caring Christian community when they are welcomed for move-in where the Baylor family helps move their belongings from their cars into their residence halls. Every year, I am amazed at how much students can pack into their campus residences, and every year, I’m also amazed at how many of our faculty, staff, and upper-class students work for hours in the Texas heat to make each student and family feel at home. Our residential communities have upper-class students who serve as community leaders. Their role is to encourage and support students as they transition to life on campus. Each residence hall has a resident chaplain to help cultivate a strong community and provide opportunities for students to grow in their faith. Baylor’s chapel program for first-year students is a time for students to explore their personal beliefs, worship together, and learn to express their faith throughout their lives. Students also choose two required entry-level religion classes that expand their knowledge and understanding. Students come to Baylor from all 50 states and around the world, and that diversity offers interactions with a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. We encourage students to embrace the opportunity to learn from others, and to treat each other with dignity and respect. We hope you’ll come and be a part of our caring Christian community. Thank you, and back to you, Alex.
Thank you, President Livingstone. Your heart for students and for supporting them as they find their place at Baylor is inspirational. I appreciate you joining us.
Okay, everyone, next we’ll move over to the Baylor Sciences Building, another one of Baylor’s state-of-the-art facilities, to hear from McKenna. She’s a junior honors student studying neuroscience on the premedical track at Baylor. McKenna’s gonna share a little bit about her professional goals, and how her academic experience in science and research is preparing her for life after Baylor. McKenna, please take it away.
-Hey, everyone. I can’t wait to tell you about Baylor’s science and pre-health programs and all that they have to offer. When it came down to choosing the right university to attend, I wanted to make sure that my final choice had the academic rigor and the resources to help push me towards the future I imagined for myself as a prospective science student. Baylor had everything I was looking for to help build and foster that environment. Science is a foundational part of Baylor’s academic experience, with 97% of undergraduates taking at least one science course during their academic career. Upon entering as a freshman, I was able to immediately take courses within my major to see if it was the right fit for me. I chose neuroscience as my area of study because it was the perfect way to blend my interests in human behavior and anatomy. From the start, my professors helped guide me in my major while giving me the resources and support to pursue my postgraduate professional goals through our premedical track. Baylor has eight different tracks relating to pre-health alone, ranging from premed to pharmacy to physical therapy. We even have a highly-regarded nursing school that allows students to practice what they’re learning at various sites in Dallas. Baylor’s hands-on learning environment is pertinent to the success of our science programs. The commitment to giving our students research experience within our lectures and labs can be seen through the university’s investments and facilities and faculty that have pursued research at the highest levels. At Baylor, I have been able to work alongside these remarkable faculty, and gained skills and insights from them that I can carry with me into my future career in medicine. The community that surrounds me here at Baylor as a science student has carried me throughout my time here. From fellow students to clubs and my professors, I’ve been supported at every level. Even though a lot of work goes into being a science student, Baylor also provides opportunities for students to pursue other interests so that every single student that leaves Baylor is well-rounded and ready to take on any challenges that may lie ahead. My experience in Baylor’s science and pre-health programs has prepared me in more ways than I could have hoped. I’ve been able to gain knowledge applicable to my interests while having room to be creative with my education as I learn how to communicate what I’m passionate about through amazing professors, incredible lab work, and a lifelong community. It’s an experience that awaits any student interested in pursuing science or medicine here. And that’s a little bit about science and research here at Baylor. Back to you, Alex.
– Nice work, McKenna. It sounds like you’ve had some amazing opportunities to do undergraduate research alongside your professors at Baylor. It’s all very, very impressive. Thanks again for sharing that. Take care, McKenna.
All right, now let’s head up the Brazos River to Cameron Park, a 416-acre urban park that’s about 10 minutes from campus. Mike, a junior double majoring in history and English with a minor in business administration, is waiting for us. He’s gonna tell us about the many outdoor activities Baylor students enjoy to stay active and have fun. Mike, you’re up.
Aloha from Waco. One of my favorite things about the Baylor and Waco community are the countless opportunities to get outside and stay active. Even though we’re located in Central Texas, Waco surprisingly has a lot to offer when it comes to water activities. I’m from Honolulu, Hawaii, so I’m always looking for a way to get out on the water. Baylor University is located on the Brazos River, and has a marina of its own. At the marina, Baylor students can rent paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, all for free. There’s also a great sand volleyball area at the marina, which is the perfect place to hang out with your friends on a hot Texas day. There’s also Lake Waco, about a 15-minute drive from campus. It’s perfect for wakeboarding and just hanging out with your friends on the beach. I really got acquainted with the Brazos River the summer of my sophomore year. I recommend grabbing some of your friends and eating lunch along the river. My favorite place in Waco is definitely Cameron Park. Cameron Park is known for its rolling hills, scenic views, and bamboo forest. There are over 20 miles of biking trails that I prefer to use as hiking trails. These trails are relatively easy. They require little to no experience. Even my 11-month-old puppy, Beans, loves to go on these trails. There’s also a disc golf course and a zoo within the park. If I get too busy to drive to Cameron Park, Baylor’s campus has the Bear Trail. The Bear Trail is a trail that goes in and around our campus for a little over two miles. It’s perfect to run on in the early mornings and late evenings. College is a great time to be active, but you also have to make memories. A great Baylor tradition is called the Gut Pak Run. Runners run to a famous restaurant in Waco called Vitek’s. Runners quickly consume their famous specialty, the Gut Pak. The Gut Pak consists of sausage, beans, barbecue, cheese, and a Frito pie. The crazy part is, after eating the Frito pie, you run a mile back to campus to finish the race. If you’re an average to above average long-distance runner, I recommend running the Bearathon. It’s known as the hardest half marathon in Texas. Many of the students here will train together so they can run or walk it as a group. Waco also hosts an Ironman competition which is a qualifier for the Ironman Championship in my home state of Hawaii. And that’s how I spend my time outdoors and relax here at Baylor. Back to you, Alex.
-Thanks, Mike. That was amazing, and so is the scenery. Thanks for introducing us to Beans, and showing us the trails at Cameron Park, and the Gut Pak sounds pretty delicious, too. Thanks again, Mike. Take care.
Okay everyone. Let’s head over to the McLane Student Life Center here at Baylor to hear from Jack. He’s a junior double majoring in marketing and finance with a minor in film and digital media. He’s up next to talk about all the ways he stays healthy and the services Baylor offers to help keep him well. Over to you, Jack. Take it away.
Thanks Alex… Hey y’all, I’m so excited that I get to tell you all about Baylor’s incredible Student Life Center, or the SLC for short as we like to call it here on campus. The SLC is a 156,000 square foot recreation center, home to all things fitness, sports, and wellness. Their motto is “A Place for All Students,” and that’s really what it is, a place for everyone to learn, try new things, live actively, and lead healthy lives. There are so many awesome amenities, like the 53 ft free standing rock wall at the center of the building or 13 ft tall bouldering wall. This is also where you’ll find four indoor full-size basketball/volleyball courts, racquetball, squash and walleyball courts, an indoor track perfect for walking or jogging and our three-level weight training and fitness center. Just outside of the lap pool and lazy river is where you’ll find my favorite spot on campus, the sand volleyball courts. Growing up in a small beach town, the sand volleyball club has been my little piece of home away from home. Not only has the sand volleyball club been my escape from a rigorous class and work load but it has also provided me with opportunities to meet some of my best friends. This semester, I also participated in some really fun fitness classes that are offered through the SLC. Students can sign up for classes like, yoga, kickboxing, spinning, F45 crossfit training, and a bunch of other cool classes. I love these classes because they are taught by instructors who really want to help you succeed, try new things, step out of your comfort zone, and most of all have fun. I won’t lie when I tell you I was pretty nervous to try my first spin class, but I showed up with some friends, the instructor got me set up on the bike, and I got super pumped for the class. She played the best music, everyone was jamming out having a good time, and before I knew it, I had biked for an hour. If you’re looking to get outside and soak up the sun then Baylor has got you covered as well with the outdoor basketball and tennis courts. Something that really stood out to me when I got to Baylor was how much everyone cared about me and my wellbeing. From professors reaching out, my academic advisor keeping me on track, and all of my friends checking in, I feel like I am truly a part of a big family — the Baylor Family. Not only has the University provided so many options for fun and fitness, but they also have some incredible resources focused on health and wellness. On the 2nd floor of the SLC is where you’ll find the health center, pharmacy, physical therapy, and massage therapy. I know that whether I am missing home, struggling in a class, or just need to blow off some steam, I can come to the SLC to feel better. From the staff in the health and counseling centers all the way to the sand volleyball courts, I know that I am cared for here on campus. Well, that’s all that I’ve got and I hope to see y’all soon, now back to you, Alex.
Jack….that was great. Good for you for trying something new with that spin class! Those classes are no joke, and it’s great to hear about Baylor’s emphasis on wellness, because that absolutely contributes to academic success. Thanks again, Jack. Take care.
Okay, next up is Antwon. A first-generation college student who is studying to become a registered nurse. Antwon shares his story of being nervous about having what it takes to become a nurse, but due to the encouragement of his professors, Antwon has seen his dream come true. Take it away, Antwon.
– Thank you for the intro, Alex. I knew from an early age that I wanted to go into the medical field and help others, but I was never exposed to the college decision-making process. On my first visit here, I really enjoyed how welcoming everyone was and the peaceful energy that seemed to surround the entire campus. I was nervous that as a first generation college student, I didn’t have what it took to make it through the nursing program, but the faculty and staff made me feel confident that I would be prepared to take the NCLEX, which is the national licensing exam. More than 95% of Carson-Newman nursing students pass the NCLEX on their first attempt. I’m thankful for my professors who have been there to push me further than I ever thought that I could go. An exciting addition coming to our campus in 2023 is the Drama & Ted Russell Center. This center will serve as the future hub for the nursing program. We will have access to additional classrooms, simulation labs, health assessment labs, and general skills labs. The nursing program at Carson-Newman helped me realize my full potential. Waking up early for clinicals and staying up late can be challenging, but is a part of the process. And I know that in the end I will be well-educated, and in the mission of a Christian university prepared to make an impact on the healthcare system. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Antwon. I’m sure you and all the other nursing students are excited about the new health sciences center and all it will bring to campus. And speaking of the other nursing students, a big congratulations is in order on your NCLEX pass rate. That’s amazing. Well done.
Okay, everyone, let’s move over to Burke-Tarr Stadium, where our next student and his teammates take to the field every Saturday in the fall. For Jesse, being a member of the Carson-Newman Eagles football team is more than just being an athlete. It’s a chance for him to be surrounded by coaches and players with strong Christian values and the work ethic to win championships. Jesse, please take it away.
– I appreciate it. Alex. As a high school athlete and a Christian, I earnestly wanted to find a place where I could play sports and interact with coaches who could instill Christian values into all facets of my college life. Carson-Newman’s strong alumni support and pride is deeply rooted in the school athletic and academic tradition. As a member of the Carson-Newman football team, I’ve seen firsthand the intense demand for excellence on the field. However, for Eagle athletes, this intense demand extends to the classroom as well. Thanks to Carson-Newman Student Success Program, student athletes have access to academic coaching, tutoring, and career advancement opportunities. Students who then take these resources, utilize them, and excel in the classroom, have the ability to become Eagle Scholars, a distinguished honor only given to elite student athletes. Through a variety of campus ministries, such as weekly chapel, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Student Chaplaincy programs, Students are exposed the transforming message of Christ every single day. With 21 NCAA teams, six national championships, and over a hundred conference titles, Carson-Newman university sets the bar extremely high for their student athletes. But if there’s one thing about Carson-Newman, that’s especially unique, it’s the banding together of faculty and coaches for the purpose of helping students step into their next steps in life. Becoming better mothers, better fathers, that are leaders, that are servants, all for the purpose of glorifying Christ. But that’s all for me. Who’s next, Alex?
– Wow. What a record both on and off the field for Carson-Newman student athletes. It’s obvious that students like Jesse are gaining valuable life lessons they will be able to take with them once they graduate and will be well-equipped to share their faith, wherever life leads them. Jesse, well done.
Okay. So it’s not every day. You find a student who basically grew up on campus, but for education major Emma, Carson-Newman is truly a family affair. Emma had lots of choices of where to go to college, but she shares that she made the right decision, choosing Carson-Newman. Emma, it’s all yours.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex, when I was looking at colleges, Carson-Newman always felt like home. I’m a third generation Carson-Newman student, and my younger sister is here as well. I grew up going to events like homecoming and football games with my family. As an education major, it’s really important to me to gain as much experience as possible before I set foot in my very own classroom. By the second semester of my freshman year, I was in three different classrooms, observing three different teachers at three different grade levels. Every single semester since then I’ve been in the classroom in some capacity, whether it be observing, actually getting the opportunity to teach a lesson or helping a student one-on-one. The professors in the Education Department truly invest in the lives of their students. I’ve been challenged in all of my classes to think about things through a Christian lens. As a student, the knowledge that my professors are constantly praying over me is both a blessing and a comfort. They genuinely teach by example by treating us the same way they expect us to treat our future students. My faculty advisor has been an incredible mentor to me from the moment I set foot on campus. I would consider her more of a best friend than a professor. And honestly, we make it a point to go to lunch pretty regularly. In addition to undergraduate degrees, Carson-Newman’s Education Program also offers Master’s and Doctoral degrees. Both of these programs are made for working people. Both programs are also well-regarded in the area and incredibly popular. As a matter of fact, Carson-Newman graduates have been named Tennessee teacher of the year for 2011, 2017, and 2019. I’m confident that Carson-Newman’s education program has prepared me for both the planned and the unplanned. My professors truly know what it takes to be a great educator, and it shows. Graduates of Carson-Newman’s Education Program are highly sought after and the vast majority of our teacher candidates have jobs by the time they graduate. That’s all for me. And back to you, Alex.
– Emma, what a great story. It’s obvious the Education Department is doing things right. Not only with Emma, but with the entire program. Three Tennessee teachers of the year in the last decade reflects the commitment to excellence for the Education Program. Congrats and thanks again, Emma.
Okay, everyone. First, we’re heading over to the Memorial Union on the Tempe Campus. Here we have Nikhil Dave waiting for us. Nikhil is a junior double majoring in neuroscience and innovation in society. Pretty cool. And he’s gonna talk to us about what kind of university the world needs right now. Nikhil you’re on.
Everybody, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I was born and raised here in Arizona by two incredible immigrant parents who endured a treacherous journey from India to the United States about 25 years ago. Education was always a big part of their upbringing, and so it’s become a big part of my own.
Now, as a student here at Arizona State, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of learning environments from working on cutting edge technology to being able to be a part of a young group of phenomenal men in my fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha. None of these opportunities would have ever been a possibility for me if it wasn’t for the amazing college experience that Arizona State University provides.
In the spring of 2020, I had the opportunity to take a class with the president of our university, President Michael Crow. And there were a lot of things that President Crow said, but there was one thing that stuck with me in particular. When describing the design of Arizona State, he explained that the primary purpose of a public university is to educate the public. While seemingly obvious, this sentence carried a lot of weight. What this means for us here at Arizona State is that we measure ourselves not based on the amount of people that we exclude, but rather all of the people we include and how they succeed. This focus on accessibility is something that’s unique to Arizona State University, not only as a university, but for its students.
In emphasizing inclusivity, our students have the opportunity to encounter diverse perspectives and different backgrounds, challenging their thinking and pushing them to grow. Beyond including students from all walks of life, ASU is also devoted to impacting society. Recently, I had the honor of serving as one of four team leads on two of ASU’s COVID-19 response efforts headed up by the Luminosity Lab, a student-driven skunkworks interdisciplinary research and development lab focused on developing technological solutions to problems in society. Our group developed the PPE Response Network, where we crowdsourced 3D printers from across Arizona to print and deliver over 14,000 units of PPE to medical clinics experiencing shortages. Beyond that, in just four months, we designed, developed, and scientifically validated two patent pending sterilization technologies for sterilizing N95 masks and other critical PPE.
Now, Luminosity is just one example of all the amazing opportunities that exist here at ASU. And all of these opportunities share one thing in common: They show that ASU is a university built for the future. Not only as ASU helped prepare me for my future and the future of the world around me, but it’s also equipped me with unique experiences and close memories that I will hold the rest of my life. So with all that being said, I’m so excited to show you what this place is all about. Welcome to ASU. Back to you, Alex.
Nikhil, great job. What you and Arizona State University are doing for the community here locally and throughout the state is incredible. You can feel that sense of inclusion here on Campus, and it’s awesome. Thanks Nikhil.
Okay, so let’s head downtown and head over to ASU’s law library at it’s Downtown Phoenix Campus. Here, we’re gonna meet up with Madeline. She’s a junior studying business law with a minor in criminal justice, and she has an awesome story touching on the subject of adaptability here at ASU. You’re gonna wanna watch this. Madeline, it’s all yours.
Hey everybody, my name is Madeline. And in order to tell you about adaptability, I need to tell you a really crazy personal story. My whole life I’ve dreamed of studying abroad, and last year I did exactly that. I lived on a ship and took classes at sea on the Semester at Sea program as an ASU student. Then came COVID-19. Within days of mainland China going into lockdown in January, 2020, the ship diverted its course. This was the beginning of several different itinerary changes as the ship tried to outrun the virus.
Thankfully, no one on board was sick, but there were times when we didn’t know when or where we’d be on land again. And my experience studying abroad during the pandemic taught me the importance of embracing every possibility. Even though there were only a few other ASU students on my study abroad program, ASU supported us. ASU has shown immense adaptability during the pandemic. I mean, what would you expect from the most innovative university in the country?
Since the COVID outbreak, ASU has been a pioneer in developing a saliva-based COVID test, which is easier to administer and less painful than traditional nasal swabs. The ASU Biodesign COVID Testing Laboratory has the capacity to test thousands of students a day and deliver results in just 24 hours. Anyone at ASU is eligible for unlimited free saliva-based COVID tests. As an ASU student, that makes me feel super safe. COVID-19 created a lot of challenges, but it also created a lot of opportunities. I went from seeing COVID take over the planet as I sailed from Asia to Africa, to now studying COVID testing laws for my thesis.
At ASU, we are all about learning to thrive, and this unique time has given us all extra opportunities to learn how to be creative, embrace every possibility, and adapt so that we’re always moving forward. And that’s adaptability at ASU. Back to you, Alex
Madeline, great job. What a story. It’s so impressive to see how you and the university pressed through a challenging time. That was great. By the way, you have a future in TV if you want one. Great job. Cheers, Madeline.
Next, we’re heading over to ASU Biodesign buildings here on campus to meet up with Lily Baye-Wallace. Lily is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in dance and has already started her Master’s in robotics and autonomous systems. Super, super impressive. Lily is gonna take a few minutes and talk to us about the quality of academics here at ASU. Lily, take it away.
Thanks, Alex. Arizona State was an easy choice for me. ASU accepted my AP scores as general electives and directly transferred my dual enrollment credit, which meant that I’ve been able to graduate with my bachelor’s in mechanical engineering in just three and a half years. Through Arizona. State’s 4+1 program, I was able to complete my master’s in robotics and autonomous systems just a year after.
I chose mechanical engineering because I wanted to solve real world problems, but I had no idea what industry I might work in or what my career might look like. In my sophomore year, I had the incredible opportunity to work with a board certified music therapist from Chicago to develop an electromechanical drum integrating autism therapy frameworks with pressure sensitive feedback in the form of lights, sounds, and vibrations to teach children on the autism spectrum the relationship between physical actions and emotional responses. This incredible experience was through the Engineering Projects and Community Service Program, or EPICS for short, here at Arizona State. My team and I were awarded for our work at the Society of Women Engineers International Conference in 2019.
ASU is one of the fastest growing research institutions in the country in all disciplines. I’m standing outside of the Biodesign Institute, which is home to groundbreaking human health, community safety, and global sustainability research. One of the benefits of attending a large university is not only are you learning from top tier professors, but there is a diversity in course options and time offerings. I’ve been able to take classes online and in person, allowing me to work part-time throughout my college experience and learn new things, like looking at the “Star Wars” universe through the lens of a film critic, or learning about death and dying across the world from anthropologists in the field, using music theory to dethrone the king of rock and roll, or learning not only how to dance salsa, but to teach it.
I have loved my time at Arizona State, but even more than that, I am confident in my ability not just to get a job, but to have a career in a fulfilling industry at a competitive employer thanks to the rigorous academics and variety of research and extracurriculars provided to me here at Arizona State University. So forks up future Sun Devils, and I’ll pass it back to you, Alex.
Lily, you are such an impressive student. What you’re doing in the world of engineering is fascinating, mind-blowing in fact. Keep up the great work and thank you for taking the time to speak about your academic journey here at ASU. That was awesome. Bye, Lily.