Baylor University Chamber of Commerce

The oldest student organization at Baylor University, the Baylor University Chamber of Commerce (usually called "Chamber of Commerce" or simply "Chamber;" was founded in 1919.)

Purpose

The organization's stated purpose: "In order to promote the general welfare of Baylor University the purpose of this organization shall be: to stress the importance of Leadership, Service, and Scholarship in daily life; to promote an active interest in the Athletic, Academic, Traditional, and Cultural aspects of Baylor University; to foster an atmosphere of unity among the membership which creates effective service; and to encourage communication and good will among all the peoples of Baylor University, as well as among those with whom this organization comes in contact."

The Beginning

The Baylor Chamber of Commerce traces its origin to February 26, 1919, when the Baylor Business Men's Club was organized by a group of students interested in a business career. Headed by Henry Craig of Hillsboro, Texas, the club was formed when no business classes were offered at the University. The first officers of the club were Henry Craig, President; H. L. Roach, Vice President; and J. C. Jones, Secretary-Treasurer. This group of Baylor men, most of whom lived at Ma Greer's boarding house on Fifth Street, felt a definite need for an organization to help promote Baylor University. Cited by the Baylor Lariat as "the most promising organization on campus," the Chamber was to be the chief influence in building the Baylor spirit.

The Name Change

Promoting Baylor University and initiating projects to benefit the university, the Business Men's Club realized its kinship to that of a city chamber of commerce. Desiring to widen its purposes and strengthen itself by changing its name, the Business Men's Club adopted the name "Baylor University Chamber of Commerce" on March 10, 1920. The Baylor University Chamber of Commerce was the first university chamber of commerce specifically established to promote a university.

Chamber Firsts

chool of Commerce

On February 8, 1923, the Chamber sent a letter to Baylor President Samuel Palmer Brooks petitioning him to establish a School of Business at Baylor. The men signing the petition on behalf of the entire Chamber knew "full well that the School is of interest to many students already in attendance and, hundreds of others [who] in the next few years will be drawn to Baylor University in order to acquire the theoretical and practical values [attached] to courses offered in proper correlation in a Baylor University School of Commerce." That same year, President Brooks organized the School of Business.

Athletics

In 1924, the Chamber began the intramural sports program to promote class rivalries and to discover talent for the Baylor athletic programs. This same year, Chamber also presented the band new uniforms through monetary pledges solicited from the Baylor and Waco communities. Moreover, the year 1924 marked the beginning of the annual Football Banquet. The first banquet honored Baylor's 1924 Southwest Conference Championship team.

Yell Leaders

Baylor's Yell Leaders were equipped with proper green and gold uniforms in 1926. In 1929, a Yell Leader Fund was established in order to pay for the expenses of out of town games attended by the Yell Leaders. The Chamber assumed responsibility for that group, as well as Baylor's pep rallies, in 1937. This continued until 1967, when the Chamber relinquished its responsibilities for the Yell Leaders.

Good Will Week

Also in 1926, the Chamber began the tradition of "Good Will Week" to foster friendships and deepen personal relationships among students. This event, which preceded the Homecoming game, was officially designated Homecoming Week in 1969. While Homecoming itself had been established in 1909, the year 1936 marked Chamber sponsorship of the Homecoming Parade and the crowning of Baylor's first Homecoming Queen. Today, the parade is recognized as the oldest and largest collegiate parade in the nation.

Baylor's Fight Song

In 1940, the Chamber sponsored the selection of a new Baylor Fight Song, which was composed by Fred Waring and introduced on December 20, 1940. This song, "Bear Down You Bears of Old Baylor U.," was announced on Waring's National Broadcast.

The Green and Gold Fountain

In 1963, the Chamber financed the building of the circular Green and Gold Fountain, originally situated on what became known as Fountain Mall; dedicated to the Baylor-Waco Foundation in 1964, this was further evidence of the work of the Chamber on the Baylor campus. The year 1964 also marked the beginning of Cub Week, designed to honor the Freshman Class. This event was discontinued in 1968. In 1964, the Bob Hope Benefit Show, which netted $14,000 for the Baylor Library Fund, was sponsored and publicized by the Chamber.

Campus Events

Homecoming

Homecoming has been a tradition at Baylor since 1909. (See above, "Good Will Week") Thousands of alumni return to Baylor for the weekend's festivities. Homecoming weekend kicks off with Mass Meeting on Wednesday which is an event designed to explain some of Baylor's great traditions to new students. On Friday Alumni have the opportunity to attend Pigskin Revue, Pep Rally, Extravaganza, and Bonfire. Saturday's events start with one of the oldest and largest Homecoming Parades in the nation then alumni and students can cheer the Bears on at the football game. The Chamber is given the privilege of funding, planning, and executing this entire weekend.

Diadeloso

Diadeloso, originally known as May Day, then Play Day and All University Day, was founded in 1934 and transferred to Chamber control in the early 1940's. The name Diadeloso was adopted following a campus name contest in 1966. Diadeloso changed to its present format in 1983.

Parent's Weekend

In 1960, a special day was designated to introduce the University to Baylor parents. By 1970, the event had become a full weekend known as Parents Weekend, featuring a student talent show, a parent-faculty coffee, a dinner on the grounds, and other events designed to show parents the best of Baylor. The Spring of 1974 marked the introduction of a Spring Parents Weekend, which became Spring Preview Weekend.

Other Activities

The Fall of 1991 brought the control of the coordination of Freshman Runs to the Chamber. Previously, the Chamber assisted the Sophomore Class in operating this event. Other activities include the sale of Slime Caps (1920), the Card Section (1952-1989), Football Program Sales (1960), Baylor University Athletic Hall of Fame (1960), Bear Bash (1968), the Baylor Faculty Jamboree (1990), the Robert L. Reid Distinguished Lecture Series (1992), and Banners, as well as many other projects to help meet the needs of the Baylor Community.

John Clifton Memorial Scholarship

October 10, 1967 marked the death of John Clifton, a pledge of the Baylor Chamber of Commerce. In 1968, a John Clifton Memorial Reading Room was established in Moody Library, and the John Clifton Memorial Scholarship was instigated. Through various donations by Chamber Alumni and fund raising projects by the Chamber, the endowment for the scholarship was completed in the Fall Semester, 1975.

Changes

The most notable change of late came when women were allowed to rush and pledge as part of the membership accession process. As an organization, the Chamber has experienced its ups and downs; most notably in its history, the Chamber has mourned two tragic deaths.

The first was that of John Clifton, a pledge from Crosby, Texas who tragically died of asphyxiation during pledge activities in the fall of 1967. A scholarship was created in his honor.

The second death occurred in 1990 on Diadeloso, a holiday unique to Baylor University students that takes place every Spring. Spanish for "The Day of the Bear", Diadeloso is hosted by Chamber, and consists of a day-long festival of events on the Baylor campus.The 1990 Diadeloso was chaired by Scott Adams, a senior religion major from Edmond, Oklahoma.As the event winded down late in the day, a group of Chambermen including Scott were sitting in the bed of a pickup truck while breaking everything down and unloading from the day’s events.As the group was driving down University Parks Drive, Scott was knocked out of the bed of the truck along with a sign he was holding after strong gust of wind came by. Scott fell head-first to the ground, and never regained consciousness. He was pronounced dead several hours later. Reports indicated cause of death as a punctured aorta caused by a factured collarbone.Scott, who intended on going into ministry, had planned on staying at Baylor for a fifth year to train and take care of a cub in preparation for becoming the next Baylor Bear mascot. The cub was subsequently named "Judge Scotty" in remembrance of Scott. Just days before the accident, he had also been named the Chairman for the fall 1990 Homecoming celebration.

Today

Notwithstanding those low-points, Chamber members have always remained extremely dedicated in their service to the university. Today, Chamber is mostly known for its role in caretaking for the live Baylor Bear mascots, as well as orchestrating major university-wide events at Baylor such as Homecoming, Diadeloso, Winter Premiere, and Parent's Weekend. The organization is also known for odd, secretive, and traditional behavior - all of which contribute to the reputation of its members as student-guardians of Baylor. Chamber is also in charge of the Baylor Line during home games.

External links

* [http://www.baylor.edu Baylor University web site]
* [http://www.baylor.edu/chamber/ Baylor University Chamber of Commerce web site]
* [http://www.baylor.edu/homecoming/ Baylor University Homecoming web site]
* [http://www.baylor.edu/parentsweekend/ Baylor University Parents Weekend web site]
* [http://www.baylor.edu/diadeloso/ Baylor University Diadeloso web site]
* [http://www.baylor.edu/bear/ Baylor University Bear Program web site]