The Beginning

The Baylor Chamber of Commerce traces its origin to February 26, 1919, when the Baylor Business Men's Club was organized by a group of students interested in a business career. Headed by Henry Craig of Hillsboro, Texas, the club was formed when no business classes were offered at the University. The first officers of the club were Henry Craig, President; H. L. Roach, Vice President; and J. C. Jones, Secretary-Treasurer. This group of Baylor men, most of whom lived at Ma Greer's boarding house on Fifth Street, felt a definite need for an organization to help promote Baylor University. Cited by the Baylor Lariat as "the most promising organization on campus," the Chamber was to be the chief influence in building the Baylor spirit.

Victory Loan Drive

Working with the faculty, students and businesses of Waco, one of the first undertakings of the club was to enable Waco to reach its goal of $10,000 in the National Victory Loan Drive, a program set up by the Secretary of War immediately following World War I.

The Name Change

Promoting Baylor University and initiating projects to benefit the university, the Business Men's Club realized its kinship to that of a city chamber of commerce. Desiring to widen its purposes and strengthen itself by changing its name, the Business Men's Club adopted the name "Baylor University Chamber of Commerce" on March 10, 1920. Simultaneously, the Baylor Chamber of Commerce affiliated with the Texas, East Texas, and Waco Chambers of Commerce. The Baylor University Chamber of Commerce was the first university chamber of commerce specifically established to promote a university.

Samuel Palmer Brooks was the President of Baylor when the Chamber was first formed. He wrote the following words to the graduating class of 1931, shortly before he died:

Because of what Baylor has meant to you in the past, because of what she will mean to you in the future, oh my students, have a care for her. Build upon the foundations here a great school of which I have dreamed so that she may touch and mould the lives of future generations and help to fit them for life here and hereafter.

By caring for her and by remaining true to its motto "Anything for Baylor," the Chamber has earned the title, "Keepers of the Baylor Spirit."