Happy 170th birthday, Baylor University!

It's a phrase that fills every Texas-born Baylor Bear (and even many from outside the Lone Star state as well) with pride. It's a simple phrase, found on the Baylor seal, that tells of Baylor's beginnings: "Chartered in 1845 By The Republic Of Texas." While Texas was still an independent nation, the vision for Baylor was hatched by our founding fathers, a vision which was endorsed by the Republic of Texas 170 years ago this weekend through the signing of Baylor's charter.

The founders of Baylor University had a vision that far exceeded their humble resources when they first began discussing the idea of a Baptist educational institution. Their plans called for "a Baptist University in Texas ... that would be susceptible of enlargement and development to meet the needs of all the ages to come."

Our founders were pioneers who came to Texas, which they saw as a "new Promised Land," to minister and share Christ to the residents of the growing Republic. Recognizing the opportunity for growth in ministry, churches and other opportunities, the Union Baptist Association met in 1841. One of the members attending was Judge R.E.B. Baylor. There, he presented a proposal for what would become Baylor University.

(The proposal itself was written by Rev. William Tryon, the moderator of the Union Baptist Association. Judge Baylor actually tried to convince Tryon not to name it Baylor, feeling he hadn't done enough to merit the honor. Had Judge Baylor's proposal succeeded, this blog would be called TryonProud.)

With Rev. James Huckins working to secure funding from Baptists nationwide and the the Republic of Texas busy fending off attacks from the Mexican Army and Native American tribes, it would take nearly four years for those plans to coalesce in front of the Texas Congress for approval. But finally, Baylor's founders had their day, and the Republic of Texas passed an Act of Congress that chartered Baylor University 170 years ago this week -- Feb. 1, 1845.

The founders' early vision has been realized. In addition to imagining an institution that would grow as needs arose, the founders wanted a university known for excellence in learning both in secular fields and in ministerial training -- a university that would prepare not just ministers for excellence, but people across all fields. What might Judge Baylor, Rev. Tryon and Rev. Huckins think if they saw Baylor today, living out that vision for the church and for the state of Texas? It's safe to assume they'd still be BaylorProud, 170 years later.

Sic 'em, Baylor founders!

Baylor senior again reaches Hollywood on 'American Idol'

Baylor Bears are not strangers to televised singing competitions, from singer-songwriter Megan Conner, BFA '02 (The Next Great American Country Star finalist, 2008), to The Voice finalist Holly Tucker (2013), to three American Idol competitors (Megan McCallon, BA '06, in 2010; and Bryan Watt, BM '08, and Savion Wright in 2014).

But for the first time, one of those performers is back for another try. After reaching Hollywood last year, Wright -- now a Baylor senior -- aims to make it even further this year. So far, so good; Wright aced his audition in Nashville, singing Eric Clapton's "Change the World" (see it below), and is through to Hollywood once more. (American Idol's Hollywood Week begins tonight on FOX.)



If Wright's voice sounds familiar, it could be from last year's American Idol -- or from his past performances at Common Grounds, in Baylor Chapel, and in recent Baylor Homecoming parades. You can hear more of his work on his YouTube page, and follow his progress via Twitter (@SavionJWright) and Facebook.

Sic 'em, Savion!

Baylor scientist is a Washington regular for U.S. veterans

Dr. Lea Steele, research professor of biomedical studies and Director of the Baylor Veterans Health Research Program, is no stranger to the halls of power in Washington, D.C. In the past few weeks alone, Steele -- a neuroepidemiologist and recognized expert on the complex health conditions affecting American veterans -- has been to the nation's capital for scientific activities at three different federal agencies.

In November, she chaired a Department of Defense panel that evaluated scientific proposals submitted by universities to obtain funding for studies of military and veterans' health issues. In early December, she provided a "State of the Science" briefing for a special workshop convened by the National Institutes of Health on chronic fatigue syndrome and other similar, poorly understood medical conditions. And later in the month, she was back in Washington for meetings with officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss Gulf War illness research.

Steele's work at the interface of science and federal programs is nothing new. Since publishing research in 2000 on the health of Operation Desert Storm veterans, she has regularly been called to testify in both U.S. Senate and House hearings, to provide informal briefings to Congressmen and staffers, and to serve on federal committees tasked with understanding the medical consequences of military service.

Since initiating her research program at Baylor in 2010, Steele has developed scientific collaborations with regional and national partners, including Baylor Scott & White Healthcare. Her research has been supported by multiple grants totaling nearly $3 million in external funding, and late last month the journal Environmental Health published results of her team's study that found the first direct evidence of a genetic factor that can make some individuals more susceptible to Gulf War illness.

Steele says she is humbled and blessed to have the opportunity to apply her scientific training and expertise in the service of those who have given so much. "We can never lose sight of the fact that our work, beyond its scientific importance, has real consequences for the many thousands of veterans who continue to suffer long-term health effects of serving in a theater of war."

Sic 'em, Dr. Steele!

Three Baylor staffers picked to work Super Bowl as 'Wi-Fi Coaches'

Fans attending games at McLane Stadium last fall enjoyed not only a slate of Baylor wins, but also perhaps the best-connected stadium in college football, thanks to a robust Wi-Fi network and a custom app that provided all fans with in-game replays from multiple angles -- a first at the collegiate level.

The same company that installed McLane Stadium's Wi-Fi System, Extreme Networks, was tapped to provide analytics and "Wi-Fi Coaches" for Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona. Extreme Networks selected coaches from teams they had worked with previously, settling on 19 individuals from four NFL teams (the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers) and one college: Baylor.

The two Baylor ITS staffers who headed up McLane Stadium's Wi-Fi system -- Micah Lamb, BBA '02, and Andrew Stripling, BBA '00 -- joined ITS associate vice-president Bob Hartland, BS '81, MS '83, as Wi-Fi Coaches at University of Phoenix Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday, helping thousands of mobile users connect to the in-stadium network and utilize the in-stadium applications.

Sic 'em, Baylor ITS!

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