Human Genome Project Leader Francis Collins To Speak Wednesday

We are fortunate that Dr. Francis S. Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health and author of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, will be speaking on campus at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, in Jones Concert Hall in the Glennis McCrary Music Building. The lecture is free and open to the public.

A description of his book reads: "Dr. Collins provides a satisfying solution for the dilemma that haunts everyone who believes in God and respects science. Faith in God and faith in science can be harmonious -- combined into one worldview. The God that he believes in is a God who can listen to prayers and cares about our souls. The biological science he has advanced is compatible with such a God. For Collins, science does not conflict with the Bible; science enhances it."
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Spring Break Mission Trips

The spirit of service embodied at Baylor was evident this past week with a variety of Spring Break mission trips. Clif Mouser, director of the Baptist Student Ministries, led a team of 30 staff and students on a construction trip to help rebuild homes in Plaquemine's Parish, South of New Orleans.

Baylor students led the singing and gave their testimonies at the Sunday morning worship service at Port Sulphur Baptist Church, and then visited door-to-door in the neighborhood to raise awareness about the church. They also hosted a block party for the community with free food and games for kids, shared the Gospel with adults, and worked on four houses, doing framing, roofing and window framing.

On another trip, Drs. Rod Hetzel and Susie Matlock-Hetzel, counselors at Baylor Counseling Center, led a team of eight Baylor students who provided relational ministry at a Christ-centered drug rehabilitation center located near New York City. This discipline-specific trip gave our students an opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom, to gain valuable hands-on experience in their chosen discipline and to extend the love of Christ to those in need.

Baylor Grad Receives President's Volunteer Service Award

One fine example of the servant leadership exhibited by Baylor students is Kathryne Butler, a 2007 graduate, who has been awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award. The award was created by President Bush in 2002 to recognize Americans who have made a sustained commitment to volunteer service.

While a student at Baylor, this outstanding young woman volunteered her time for Steppin' Out, Waco Wetlands, Operation Christmas Child, Caritas Food Bank, and Special Olympics, just to name a few.
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Professor Wiliam H. Bellinger, Jr. Receives Distinguished Scholar Award

It was a great Spring Break for Professor Bill Bellinger, Chair of Religion and holder of the W. Marshall and Lulie Craig Chair in Bible. Bill received the John G. Gammie Distinguished Scholar Award presented by the Southwest Commission on Religious Studies (SWCRS) at its annual meeting in Irving this past weekend. The award is presented annually in recognition of a scholar's distinguished work. Previous Baylor award recipients incl ude Bruce Cresson in 2000 and Glenn Hilburn in 1992.

Baylor Music Students Excel

Three Baylor students competed in the semi-finals of the National Trumpet Competition late last week. Sarah Harris, Ross Ahlhorn and Adam Gautille were three of 45 accepted from a field of 105. Adam advanced to the finals placing fifth. He was in good company as three of the top four finalists were from the Juilliard School of Music.

Zach Buie and Baylor graduate Kyle Koronka advanced with three others to the second round of the Austin Opera last week, and the Baylor Trombone Choir performed very well at the Eastern Trombone Workshop.

If you have not attended any of the performances offered regularly by the students and faculty of the School of Music, I would encourage you to check the Baylor calendar online and take advantage of the opportunity.

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