Bear Briefs

Baylor University and Xavier University of Louisiana have created a domestic exchange program that will expand educational and cultural opportunities for students at both universities.

The Baylor/Xavier exchange extends the transformational education offered at Baylor by introducing students to compelling scholarship from new faculty, inspiring informed engagement within one of the world’s most exciting cities and stimulating cross-cultural exchange with students who wish to learn about each partner institution.

For Baylor students, the program offers an opportunity to engage with New Orleans’ vibrant, diverse personality, experience Xavier’s unique identity as a higher education institution, enjoy access to impressive Xavier University professors teaching major- and minor-related courses, as well as elective courses, all while living at the heart of campus in one of the nation’s most historic cities.

School of Music Performance at Carnegie Hall

Winners of Baylor University’s first-annual Semper Pro Musica Competition will be performing in the Winners Recital at Carnegie Hall in May.

The Semper Pro Musica Competition is a two-round competitive process that includes Baylor University students who also are enrolled in private instrument or voice range lessons competing in chamber groups and as soloists. Baylor School of Music professors judged students in the first round, which took place in January, and an external panel of judges will select the winners of the competition after the final round in February.

The Baylor University School of Music will cover travel and hotel expenses and award a $500 merit scholarship to each winner. The performance will take place in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 8 p.m. Information regarding tickets, travel information and other attractions in New York City can be found at baylor.edu/music/carnegie.

School of Music to Begin Streaming Baylor Concerts

The Baylor School of Music now invites audiences to watch world-class musical performances from renowned artists and Baylor students and faculty through a new live-streaming service. The live web stream will feature performances from select Baylor School of Music events.

Baylor Lecturer Wins Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award

Dr. Kayla Rhidenour, lecturer in the Department of Communication in Baylor University’s College of Arts & Sciences, has been honored with the 2016 Gerald R. Miller Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award presented by the National Communication Association. Rhidenour was honored for her dissertation, “The Mediated Veteran: How News Sources Narrate the Pain and Potential of Returning Soldiers,” which was completed at the University of Texas at Austin.

“We are very proud of Kayla for this award. Dr. Rhidenour is a bright and talented young scholar-teacher,” said Dr. David Schlueter, chair of the Department of Communication. “We are very pleased she is a member of our team.”

Rhidenour was presented with the award during the National Communication Association’s 102nd Annual Convention held Nov. 10-13 in Philadelphia.

Baylor Students Participate in Steppin’ Out

On Saturday, Nov. 12 Baylor University students participated in the University-wide day of service, Steppin’ Out. This event allows students to come together and help the local community. Approximately 2,200 students volunteered at 70 different work sites in the Greater Waco area.

This semester, students cleaned up over 13 tons of trash from Keep Waco Beautiful sites. In addition to painting houses, trash pickup and yard cleanup, students helped paint lockers to look like books at Tennyson Middle School.

The first Steppin’ Out was held at Baylor University in 1985, and today the event has evolved into one day full of service activities occurring in both the fall and spring semesters. Steppin’ Out is recognized as one of the largest community service projects on an American college campus.

“Our hope is that even after the day of Steppin’ Out is over, students will want to continue serving their community,” said Macy Warburton, coordinator of community service at Baylor University.

Spring Steppin’ Out will be held on Saturday, April 8.