Baylor Traditions Ornaments Support Our Students

The 2018 Baylor Traditions Ornaments raised more than $50,000 for the benefit of our students and the world they will impact throughout the coming year! Proceeds will provide opportunities for Baylor Engineering and Computer Science students to apply their knowledge, skills and passion to address human needs through their work. From innovations that provide mobility to the disabled to the installation of off-grid power solutions for hospitals, schools and orphanages, and the construction of basic utility vehicles using locally sourced materials to facilitate affordable transportation and economic opportunity, the educational experiences fueled by donor support secured through the Baylor Traditions Ornaments are making a difference for our students and our world.

One engineering project the proceeds will advance is the Basic Utility Vehicle (BUV) missions program in Uganda. A BUV is a simple, rugged, low-cost and low-weight vehicle that is easy to operate and maintain. Designed for rural off-road areas and heavy payloads, the BUV benefits users from simplicity in design and ease of repairs. The rural parts of Africa need a vehicle that is appropriate for their geography, can be built locally and maintained by local workers. BUVs offer a low-cost solution for the basic transportation needs in these regions.

"The Uganda Engineering Mission Trip was an extremely rewarding experience both for the Baylor students and the students at the Village of Hope Secondary School. Their enthusiasm and excitement, throughout the entire building process, demonstrates how impactful our presence was in teaching these students how to build a basic utility vehicle. With continual financial assistance and funding that is provided by sponsors, Baylor BUV will continue to share the knowledge of affordable and reliable transportation in developing countries."
—Seth Emig, senior mechanical engineering major and president of Baylor BUV

In May, Baylor Engineering students, including members of the student group Baylor BUV, will continue work initiated last year in partnership with Village of Hope (VOH) Uganda. Applying their engineering knowledge, students will design a basic utility vehicle constructed of parts sourced locally in Uganda and fabricated by VOH students. The finished product will aid rural Ugandan farmers in hauling crops, water, people and essential supplies.