United Way of Waco-McLennan County Honors President Livingstone with ‘Born Learning Trail’ at Local Park
Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-710-6275
Follow Lori on Twitter at @LoriBaylorU
Follow Baylor Media Communications on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia
WACO, Texas (Oct. 17, 2017) – Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., often reminiscences about her father’s college degree opening the door of opportunity for his children, all college graduates with multiple degrees.
Now, thanks to United Way of Waco-McLennan County (UWWMC) and support from Baylor, young children and their families will be on that same educational path early in life through the first “Born Learning Trail” dedicated in Livingstone’s honor at a Waco park. The trail was announced before more than 100 local leaders who gathered Oct. 13 for the UWWMC Leadership Breakfast in the President’s Suite at McLane Stadium.
The United Way Born Learning Trail at Cotton Palace Park, 1300 Clay Ave., includes a series of 10 interactive signs that offer fun, active learning activities for young children and their families. The trail helps parents, caregivers and communities create quality engagement opportunities when out on a stroll or visiting the playground.
“These Born Learning Trails focus on the importance of early childhood education, development and community impact,” said Cheryl Gochis, vice president for human resources at Baylor, as well as a United Way board member and university campaign chair. “They really involve parents and children or educators of children going to these places and learning together, which is really the key for all of us to get better as a community.”
Two dozen volunteers from Human Resources and Staff Council at Baylor readied the trail for visitors during the United Way’s HOW (Hands on Waco) Day of community service on Oct. 14.
Livingstone has an affinity for United Way. She worked for a United Way agency, Kid’s Inc., in Woodward, Oklahoma, after completing her bachelor’s degree at Oklahoma State.
After earning her M.B.A. and Ph.D., Livingstone taught at Baylor from 1991 to 2002. Now back in Waco after a 15-year absence, Livingstone said she has noticed the dramatic changes in the Waco community.
“Dramatic changes in a community don’t happen unless people are working together to give significantly, whether that’s giving to nonprofits like United Way, whether that’s giving their time and energy to volunteer and be involved in community leadership,” Livingstone said. “It’s been affirming for me to know how much the Waco community is coming together and working together to support the efforts of the community to really lift up everyone, particularly those with the greatest needs. Certainly, United Way is a really significant part of that.”
During the leadership breakfast, Livingstone joined Dr. George Kazanas, superintendent of Midway ISD, and Barbara Mosacchio, UWWMC executive director, for a conversation about leadership, the importance of education and the impact of community giving on nonprofits like the United Way.
“Our staff and faculty are unbelievably supportive, and our students love to volunteer. They have hearts of service and hearts for the community and volunteer thousands of hours of service to United Way agencies and other organizations around the community,” Livingstone said. “It’s been wonderful to come back and see that impact of people coming together, working toward a common purpose can have that really makes a significant difference in the community.”
For nearly 90 years, United Way of Waco-McLennan County has focused on strengthening our community and creating opportunity for every citizen through inspired and informed philanthropy and partnerships to address the community’s greatest challenges. UWWMC works with the corporate, private and civic leaders to strengthen programs that support and empower children, families and individuals. Through the generous support of our donors and the strength of non-profit partners, UWWMC are effectively building a strong foundation for the community’s future health and well-being.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 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.