Off Broadway
The Baylor New Play Initiative – a program that presents young playwrights with the opportunity to showcase their work and be awarded the $15,000 Kirk New Play Prize – makes its debut on September 26. In addition to the readings, the festival will include a panel that creates the opportunity for playwrights to connect.
Theatre professor Carla Nuess, Ph.D., states in an article from Baylor, “the BNPI cultivates new work as a means of generating respectful dialogue, expanding artistic horizons, and enriching our communities both locally and nationally.” The festival allows Baylor to display their enjoyment of theatre and acceptance of the different plays out there, but shares the growing population that is Texas theater.
Push for Inclusion
Baylor’s Center for Church and Community Impact (C3I) has been awarded a $643,401 grant from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation with the aim of fostering inclusion and belonging of LGBTQIA+ individuals and women within church congregations. The C3I is a research center housed within Diana R. Garland School of Social Work.
Baylor in the past has made controversial moves when addressing the inclusiveness of the LGBTQIA+ community. Good Faith Media quotes the University’s statement: “Social work values and competence through the ethical integration of faith and practice prompt C3I to constantly and consistently nudge faith-based organizations to be proactive in establishing institutional courage.”
Fourth of July
On this great holiday of independence, Waco will celebrate with some good old fireworks. The celebration will be held at Touchdown Alley next to McLane Stadium. The gates will open at 6 p.m. with free entry. There will be a music and food, along with H-E-B fireworks that will begin at 9:15 p.m.
The Truett-est Form
Sorry for all of the puns recently – just wanted to shed some light on George W. Truett Theological Seminary. A previous issue of The Baylor Brief mentioned the expansion of the Baylor motto to “Pro Mundo” and the initiation of the partnership with Baptist World Alliance. On July 10, President Livingstone and General Secretary Brown will participate in a ceremonial signing of the BWA Program, joined by leaders of the BWA, Baptist General Convention of Texas, education and ministerial leaders. This program will include non-credit and graduate-level certificates for current and future leaders, pastors, and students. Truett Seminary will also offer a Doctor of Ministry degree in a collaborative effort with the John Leland Center for Theological Studies at the BWA global HQ in Falls Church, VA.
This is Sic
Still think we’re a football school? Out of all the universities in the great state of Texas, Baylor University is leading in NBA draft selections, and has been since 2012. Baylor has made 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, holding a record of 23-16.
Flourishing With That R1 Status Again …
Not to brag again, but Baylor seriously has some of the best researchers. Partnering with researchers from Harvard University, the Institute of Global Human Flourishing, aims to understand what makes life fulfilling for humans. The study itself was one of the highest indexed studies in the world – interviewing over 200,000 people in 22 different countries, including around 40 languages. The project highlights the happiness level for the youth vs. the elderly, different religions, and class. Will this research answer the question of “How do we flourish in life?”
