Robert Reid, professor emeritus of history, received a special 82nd birthday present in April. About 75 Baylor Chamber of Commerce members, alumni and special guests traveled to Independence, Texas - Baylor's birthplace - to note Chamber's 85th anniversary and to honor professor Reid for his 25 years of sponsorship and support.

When Alathea Sloan woke in the morning, her first sight of the day often would be of a scaly face. Lizards, like sweltering summer afternoons and street vendors, are common in Thailand, where she spent most of last year teaching as part of a unique program for Baylor graduates.

It doesn't have the reputation of the Sundance Film Festival -- nor does it attract film buffs from around the world -- but Baylor's Black Glasses Film Festival has been celebrating independent filmmaking among students since 1999.

Consumerism and American Culture

In April 2004, alumnus Stuart Smith, BBA '82, made a journey most heat-loving Texans couldn't imagine -- spending more than a week on cross-country skis and in frigid temperatures -- just to be able to ski the "last degree" to the North Pole.

Winning a Grand Jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival is the independent film equivalent of winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards - extremely prestigious and highly competitive.