“Twick o Tweat!”

This was the newest phrase that our 21 month old son Zachary learned last week—thanks to the residents of Hogwarts School of . . . I mean Brooks College.

The residents of Brooks College truly outdid themselves preparing the residence hall for Trick or Treat night. Starting at Platform 9 and ¾ at the King’s Cross station, through the Sorting Hat, and up to the four houses—Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff—it was a magical transformation.

There are definitely some Harry Potter scholars among the residents at Brooks. I’m sure that there are many details that I missed as I was chasing Zachary down the halls. Luckily I’ve got it all on film! The moving staircase signs, Snape’s potions lounge, Crabbe and Goyle’s rooms, the Tri-Wizard Cup proudly displayed, the Gray Lady passing out candy, the advertisements for Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Professor Sprout’s herbology class, the rack of broomsticks, and perhaps my favorite—Sirius’s head in the fireplace!

While Zachary didn’t really know what was going on when we started, he quickly learned that those three magic words brought him lots of gifts. By the time we got to the second floor, he was performing on demand.

Since we have a hard enough time getting him to eat anything but Os (as those of you who join us in the Great Hall know all too well), he will likely not get to eat very much of the candy. But for him that wasn’t really the point. He felt loved, and he felt at home—as do we.

Thanks for a great night!


Michele Henry is a professor in Baylor's School of Music and faculty-in-residence in Brooks Residential College.

Returning home

Loud. Obnoxious neighbors. Huge electric bills. And above all, parking!

These were the everyday problems I faced living off campus. After one week in an apartment, I wanted nothing more than to be back in my residence hall.

The convenience of being right on campus takes away the stress I felt fighting for a parking spot each morning. I spend most of my time on campus, why spend all my time driving to it? I can jump out of bed and walk to class within a few minutes. If I did not get enough exercise walking to class, I can step outside and, instantly, I am on the Bear Trail!

There’s a sense of community in the halls. Where else can I leave my room and say hello to twenty of my closest friends? Need help with homework? There’s always someone who can help in the residence hall. I will never forget waiting twenty minutes for fresh cookies with my roommate in Memorial, or brushing my teeth with my suitemate. These are the memories that will stay with me forever!

My favorite thing about living on campus happens in the early evening just as the sun descends, as I walk back from the library. The air is crisp, there are few students out walking, and the lightning bugs flicker in the evening sky. A feeling of peace comes over the campus that contrasts the daily traffic of frantic students running to class.

At that moment, I realize how lucky I am to be at Baylor University.


Katy Chenoweth is a junior at Baylor University studying Classics, as well as a student worker for Campus Living & Learning. After spending a year off-campus, she now lives in Dawson Hall.

When she grows up, Katy wants to be a university professor.

A student's take on the first Brooks dinner

As we waited in line for the Brooks College Sunday Dinner, our anticipation began to build. What would the meal be? What honored guests would attend? As my card was swiped and I entered the Great Hall, I knew this was something special!

The tables had been beautifully set with great care – just for us. We found our seats, and out of respect for our community – and President Lilley, Dub Oliver, and the other guests - remained standing until everyone had found a place at a table. Faculty Master Henry led us in prayer, blessing the food and praying for us to unite, to become a community, a family.

Those seated at the corners of each table stood and brought the meal to the rest of us and, like a family, we served each other. The food was delicious, but the best part of the meal was serving others. It was an incredible opportunity to meet new people, and to put their needs above my own. Rather than a hurried, fit-between-my-classes experience, this was a leisurely, relaxed affair, with great conversation.

Of all my memories of Baylor so far, Brooks’ Sunday Dinner is one of my absolute favorites!

Jennifer Groves is a Baylor sophomore majoring in psychology.

There’s No Place Like Home.

Maybe it’s because I’m from Kansas. Or maybe it’s because I’ve been dying to see the musical “Wicked.” Whatever the reason, I can’t seem to get the phrase “There’s no place like home” out of my head. Dorothy’s words have taken on a whole new meaning for me as I transition back to Baylor…back to a place I called “home” for four years of my life.

Baylor didn’t always feel like home to me. I certainly had my moments of confusion and loneliness and doubt. I probably even uttered the phrase “I don’t think I’m in Kansas anymore” more than once during my undergraduate career. Even with the learning curve that comes with being an out-of-state student in Texas, I loved college life! I loved going to football games, eating in Penland, studying at Common Grounds, running the bear trail, and fully immersing myself in all things Baylor. But my love for Baylor activities and college life wasn’t enough to make this new place feel like home…the thing that really made Baylor feel like home was the people. I truly experienced authentic and life-altering community at Baylor. The women of North Russell Hall 2D will forever be my best friends. My faculty and staff mentors continue to challenge me and provide guidance and encouragement in my life. I am filled with excitement and anticipation as I prepare to welcome a new group of students and walk alongside them as they experience transformational community and begin to feel “at home” at Baylor.

I’ve had the opportunity to call many places “home” in my lifetime, but none of them seem to fit me like Baylor does, and I could not be more excited to be here! I’ve grown and changed quite a bit since my graduation in 2005 (Baylor has grown a lot as well!) but Baylor continues to hold the person I have become…and the person I want to become. To me, this is home. And there is no place like it.

Sic ‘em bears!

Karen Hall is a Baylor alum who recently graduated with her master's degree from Azusa Pacific University. She now serves as the director of Kokernot Hall.

A resurrected blog

When I first came to CL&L, I started a blog on academic initiatives. It didn't take. I'm not sure if it's because the writing stunk or because I did not update it very often. But either way, it fizzled.

But it's a new day!

When complaining to my wife, Amanda, about my blog, she offered me great wisdom, as is typical: "Rish, why not encourage others to actually write the content, sort of like guest speakers, instead of people only hearing from you. Instead of the author of the blog, you could be the editor."

Genius.

So now, my hope is that you will hear from various people in various places about life in Campus Living & Learning. I am thinking about one blog per month, and I hope you enjoy the content. If you have an idea of a post that you want to write, let me know!

Thanks,
Rishi