Kenna Lang Archer Returns to Baylor to Discuss Brazos River Development

Contact: Carlye Thornton, Baylor Libraries

WACO, Texas (Oct. 16, 2015) – Baylor University’s Texas Collection will welcome back to campus Kenna Lang Archer, B.A. ’04, M.E.S. ’07, Ph.D., who will discuss her new book, Unruly Waters, and Baylor’s role in development of the Brazos River. The lecture will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, in Bennett Auditorium in the Draper Academic Building. A reception will follow.

Archer will speak on “Unruly Waters, Dam Dreams and the House that Art Built,” a brief history of development projects along the river and the significance of the untapped resource located in the heart of Waco.

"In 1957, Congressman W.R. Poage spoke about a 'Brazos River problem' and called for development of this river. In 2015, Coach Art Briles spoke about a (mind-blowing) lack of attention to the Brazos and, likewise, called for development of this river,” said Archer, now an instructor at Angelo State University in San Angelo. “My lecture will unravel the story of improvement along the Brazos and reveal, among other things, that any lack of development is not due to a lack of effort."

Archer earned both undergraduate and master’s degrees at Baylor and her doctorate in American history from Texas Tech University. With the Brazos River a topic on which she is well versed, she is excited to speak to the Baylor community once again.

“Dr. Kenna Lang Archer is the foremost authority on the Brazos River,” said John Wilson, associate dean for special libraries and director of The Texas Collection. "Her understanding of its history, course changes and impact on Texas is significant. She brings new knowledge to light every time she speaks.”

The lecture is free and open to the public. Bennett Auditorium is located at 1420 S. Seventh St.

For more information, visit www.baylor.edu/library/texascollection.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.