University of Mary Hardin–Baylor

University of Mary Hardin–Baylor

Former names	Baylor Female College Baylor College for Women
Type	Private
Established	1845 (as part of Baylor University)
Affiliation	Baptist
Endowment	$59,550,762[1]
President	Randy O'Rear, Ed.D[2]
Academic staff	330
Students	3,898
Undergraduates	3,221
Doctoral students	121
Address	9th at College; Belton, TX 76513, Belton & Temple, Texas, USA 31°03′59″N 97°27′51″W / 31.06650°N 97.46405°W / 31.06650; -97.46405Coordinates: 31°03′59″N 97°27′51″W / 31.06650°N 97.46405°W / 31.06650; -97.46405
Campus	Suburban, 170 acres (0.69 km2)[3]
Colors	Purple, White and Gold
Athletics	NCAA Division III – ASC
Nickname	Crusaders
Mascot	CRUnk the Crusader
Affiliations	Baptist General Convention of Texas CCCU NAICU
Website	umhb.edu

The Parker Academic Center at UMHB opened in 2002.

The University of Mary Hardin–Baylor (UMHB) is a Christian co-educational institution of higher learning located in Belton, Texas, United States. UMHB was founded by the Republic of Texas in 1845^[4] as "Baylor Female College," the female department of what is now Baylor University.^[5] It has since become its own institution and grown to 3,898 students and awards degrees at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate levels. It is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.^[3][6]

The university is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).^[7][8] UMHB's first doctoral program, leading to the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), officially began in June 2007 with twenty-one students in the inaugural class.^[9] The university's overall student/faculty ratio is 16:1.^[4] This university also now awards the Doctor of Physical Therapy and the Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees.

History

UMHB's history dates to the time before Texas became a U.S. state. Its original charter was granted by the Republic of Texas (prior to statehood) in 1845 as the female department of Baylor University. Classes began in May, 1846, in a small wooden building on a hillside at Independence in Washington County. The first class consisted of twenty-four male and female students^[10][11] While it was a coeducational institution, the classes were still separated by gender.^[12]

Baylor College’s coeducation lasted only until 1851 when it was divided into a Female Department and a Male Department.^[5] Each began occupying separate buildings approximately a mile apart at the Independence campus.^[11]

The changing demography of Texas and relocation of the local railroad made it increasingly difficult for college students to get transportation to Independence.^[5] Both colleges were relocated in 1886 to their permanent homes in Central Texas: the women's division relocated to Belton where operations continued as Baylor Female College; the men's division moved to Waco, merged with coeducational Waco University, and continued as Baylor University.^[5][11][12]

The Mayborn Campus Center is named for its benefactor, the late Temple Daily Telegram publisher, Frank W. Mayborn

The Cottage Home System, the first work-study program for women in a college west of the Mississippi, was instituted on the new Belton campus in 1893 by Elli Moore Townsend, wife of the serving president.^[12] Its aim was to provide more affordable housing for women students who could not meet the expense of dormitories. The women students earned financial assistance by growing vegetables, raising livestock, and hand making crafts and quality clothing items.^[13] Initially the cottages were modest wood frame residences. In 1905, a permanent residence hall for the Cottage Home System was built by the residents themselves.^[12]

Beginning in 1922, a few male students, known as "Campus Boys," were allowed to attend classes and work on campus through their junior year, at which time they transferred to Baylor University or another college for their senior year and graduation.^[14] "Campus Boys" did work that was deemed unsuitable for the young ladies. They maintained the grounds, unloaded coal from rail cars, milked cows, fed hogs, served as night watchmen, and unstopped drains. They lived on the second floor of a carpenter shop in quarters dubbed "The Shack."^[15]

In 1925, Baylor Female College was renamed Baylor College for Women. A year later in 1926, it was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities (now SACS), being the first Texas Baptist college to do so. Then in 1927, it received accreditation from the American Association of Colleges.^[5] In 1925, enrollment peaked at 2,372 which forced the college to start a costly building project.^[12] That, in addition to a devastating campus fire in 1929, required immediate construction of even more buildings and, with the help of the Great Depression, brought the college to the edge of bankruptcy.^[12] It was saved by a generous gift from Mary and John G. Hardin. In gratitude, the college changed its name to Mary Hardin–Baylor College in 1934.^[5]

In 1968, the Scott & White College of Nursing, named for the Scott & White Memorial Hospital located in nearby Temple, became a part of Mary Hardin–Baylor College.^[16]

Mary Hardin–Baylor College once again became fully co-educational in 1971.^[14] August of that year saw the first male graduates including three males receiving bachelor's degrees. With the inauguration in 1978 of its first graduate program, a Master of Education, the college achieved status as a university with five schools: Arts and Sciences, Creative Arts, Business, Education, and Nursing.^[12] It was renamed the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor.^[5][17]

Academics

There are 119 undergraduate majors^[18] and 13 graduate degree programs, including several master's degree and two doctoral programs.^[17] Qualified students can participate in engaged learning through internships with businesses and industries. Study abroad programs are offered on 3 continents.^[19]

UMHB comprises eight colleges: College of Business, College of Christian Studies, College of Education, College of Humanities and Sciences, Scott and White College of Nursing, College of Visual and Performing Arts, and the Graduate School.

Notable alumni

• Margaret "Maggie" Lea Houston, eldest daughter of Republic of Texas President Sam Houston^[20]
• Oveta Culp Hobby, the first woman appointed as a commanding officer of a military unit, the first director of the Women's Army Corps and the first Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, now known as the Department of Health and Human Services;^[21] the second woman to serve in a Cabinet for a U.S. president;
• Sybil Leonard Armes, a Christian author, alternate poet laureate of Texas in 1969, and former trustee of UMHB^[22]
• Miriam 'Ma' Ferguson, Texas' first female governor^[23] and the second woman to be elected governor of any state in the U.S.
• Jerrell Freeman, Canadian and American football linebacker
• Buddy Groom, Major League Baseball pitcher from 1992-2005
• George W. Bush, Honorary PhD in Humanities, 2015. Republican 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009, and the 46th Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000.

Presidential connections

Former President George H. W. Bush, management expert Dr. Ken Blanchard (author of the "One-Minute Manager" books),^[19] and former First Lady Barbara Bush^[24] were recent distinguished guest speakers on campus. Johnson Hall, an all-girls dormitory on the UMHB campus, was named after Rebekah Baines Johnson, mother of President Lyndon B. Johnson and granddaughter of Baptist preacher Reverend George Washington Baines who served as president of the college from 1861–1864.^[25] President Johnson, Mrs. Johnson and several other family members were present when the building was dedicated on September 26, 1968.^[25]

Athletics

The UMHB Crusaders, or "The Cru," competes in NCAA Division III as a member of the American Southwest Conference (ASC). UMHB was formerly a member of the NAIA before becoming a full member of the NCAA Division III following the 1999–2000 school year. UMHB held dual membership in the NAIA and NCAA during a provisional period as UMHB was transitioning to the NCAA.^[26]

UMHB sponsors twelve varsity athletic programs, six men's and six women's:^[27]

Athletic achievements

Tim Walker charges towards the end zone on a punt return against Linfield in the NCAA Div III Championship Game

The Crusaders have won two national championships and seven national runner-up finishes:^[26]

• The Lady Crusader golf team won the 2000 NAIA Women's Golf Championship and the 2013 NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championship
• The Lady Crusader golf team posted four straight second-place finishes at the NCAA National Tournament from 2002–2005
• The women's basketball and men's baseball teams both posted national runner-up finishes in the NAIA
• The men's basketball team finished as the NCAA national runner up in 2013
• The football team finished as the NCAA national runner-up in 2004
• UMHB athletic programs have won or shared a combined total of 13 conference championships in the ASC
• The men's golf team won the 2008 and 2009 ASC golf championships and have won four conference championships overall. The team also qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2008 and 2009^[28]
• The first athlete from the UMHB football program to make the jump from college into the NFL was linebacker Jerrell Freeman, who signed a free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans in 2008, then moved to the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League for three seasons. ^[29] Freeman returned to the National Football League to play four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. In the spring of 2016, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Chicago Bears.

Student life

Easter Pageant

For 75 consecutive years^[30] the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor has produced an outdoor reproduction of the Holy Week.^[31] Each year the pageant takes place on the Wednesday afternoon before Easter and is performed on campus in front of Luther Memorial. The Easter Pageant is fully produced by the students of UMHB themselves, including directing, costumes and performances and draws nearly 5,000 viewers each year.^[30]

Charter Day

Charter Day is an annual tradition that celebrates the charter signing on February 1, 1845. The event is held during chapel service on the first Wednesday in February. During the service, seniors sing the alumni/senior song, "Up with the Purple."^[32] At the conclusion of the service, it is tradition for seniors to place a wreath of flowers on the grave of Judge R.E.B. Baylor, located in the courtyard.^[33]

Homecoming

Homecoming provides opportunities for graduates and former students to return to campus and connect with former classmates and the university. The first Homecoming was held in 1909 and over the years has been held in either the Fall or Spring. Students and alumni together celebrate Homecoming in the Fall to include Football activities. Selection of the Homecoming Court and the pep rally with fireworks are some of the new events established by students.^[34]

Robing Ceremony

Robing symbolizes the passing of the student leadership from the Senior Class to the Junior Class. The specific origin of the robing ceremony is not known, but it may have occurred as early as 1902. Seniors place their caps and gowns on the juniors, and this is the first time the Juniors are allowed to sing the alumni/senior song, “Up with the Purple.” Since 2007, Robing has been held on the Friday of Midnight March with Class Ring Ceremony.^[34]

Midnight March

At midnight a few weeks before Spring Commencement, seniors in regalia march with lighted candles around Vann Circle Drive. As they sing the senior/alumni song, "Up With the Purple," they stop to light the candles of special friends and alumni.^[35] In the early stages of the Midnight March, the dormitory residents would witness the March inside of their dark rooms. Later during the ceremony, the residents would migrate into the hallway so senior friends could light their candles. Due to fire codes, however, the March was moved outdoors.^[35]

Stunt Night

Stunt Night is a competition among the four classes that builds a bond between members and creates class spirit. It began in 1909 when George Rosborough, the physical education instructor, initiated Stunt Night to give the campus residents, who could not go home, an activity during the Christmas holidays. The Stunt Night committee selects a theme for the event, allowing the class directors time to prepare a skit and an original song. The winning class has the honor of decorating the Stunt Night blanket which is then displayed in the Musick Alumni Center and Museum for a year.^[34]

Dubbing Ceremony

In the Spring of 1995, students requested a ceremony to create closer emotional ties to the university. Subsequently, a “Dubbing Ceremony” became part of Welcome Week. Each Fall new students are “dubbed” with a ceremonial sword by the university administration as “Crusaders Forever.” Prior to the ceremony, students light candles and sing the Alma Mater. Immediately following the ceremony the sophomores ring the sophomore bell the number of years the university has been in existence.^[34]

Miss MHB Pageant

The Pageant provides young women opportunities to gain confidence and poise and to develop friendships through competition. The pageant has evolved over the years into a two-evening, primarily student-produced event. Classes and student organizations select representatives and judges interview the contestants, listen to their platforms, and evaluate them on the group dance, individual talent and evening gown stroll. Miss MHB and three runners-up are named, and each one receives a scholarship for the semester following their selection.^[34]

Crusader Knights

The Class of 1994 held the first Crusader Knights in the Fall of 1993. It is a two-night, themed event for the men of UMHB. The competition includes a group opening number, short video-skits created by the participants showing their personality and talent, and the individuals walking in evening attire. The winner is dubbed Mr. Crusader Knight by the university president.^[34]

UMHB gallery

• 
  UMHB entrance sign
• 
  Luther Memorial
• 
  Burt Pond
• 
  UMHB's W. W. Walton Chapel
• 
  Townsend Memorial Library
• 
  Sanderford Hall, the UMHB administration building
• 
  Paul and Jane Meyer Christian Studies Center
• 
  Wells Nursing and Science Hall
• 
  York Science Center
• 
  Presser Hall (established 1929) houses the university music department and the Hughes Recital Hall.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

• UMHB Website
• UMHB Athletics Website
• UMHB Alumni Website
• Handbook of Texas Online entry.