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.