Rachel Chiang's Camayak portfolio

By Ryan Otteson (Rachel as desk editor) + 3 others for The Baylor Lariat - 3 min read

Baylor research lab offers training for parents across Texas who have kids with autism

The Family CARE project travels around Texas offering training and coaching sessions for parents who have kids with autism. Photo courtesy of Kelsey Sparks

By Ryan Otteson | ReporterThe Behavior Analysis Research Lab is a lab with multiple projects involving educational psychology. One of these projects is Family Compassionately and Attentively Rendering Evidence-based practices (Family CARE). The goal of Family CARE is to help parents of children with autism implement practices into the daily lives. This is done through parent training, and if the...

Continue →

Brooks Great Hall to no longer provide dining in fall

Baylor plans to repurpose Brooks Great Hall, transitioning it from a dining space into a student meeting and event venue, with potential use for other campus and community needs. Mesha Mittanasala | Photographer

By Delaney Newhouse | Focus EditorBrooks Great Hall, home to Tuesday Teas and Sunday community dinners, will close its doors on May 14 after serving meals to the Baylor community since 2007. While it will no longer function as a campus dining hall, the Great Hall will continue to serve as a community space.“This decision allows Baylor to maximize the...

Continue →

Review: d4vd's 'WITHERED' is for the yearners, romantics

By Rachel Chiang | Assistant News EditorNormally, copyright strikes are a nuisance for YouTubers and streamers who want to include music in their videos and content. For d4vd, it became a window of opportunity. At the encouragement of his mother, to avoid getting flagged for using music without artists' permission, d4vd simply began to make his own. Since 2021, he...

Continue →

Waco residents rally for democracy with Beto O'Rourke, Wendy Davis

From left, Ellie Caston and Gayle Lacey listen to Beto O'Rourke speak at Sunday's "March for Democracy" at Indian Spring Park. "I wanted to put an obscenity there," Caston joked when discussing her sign. Photo courtesty Delaney Newhouse — Photo credit: Delaney Newhouse

By Delaney Newhouse | Focus Editor Warm spring breezes floated through the air of Indian Spring Park on Sunday as signs danced up and down the sloped lawn along the Brazos River. At noon, hundreds of residents from McLennan and surrounding counties gathered at a rally organized by the McLennan County Democratic Party. Speakers including Beto O’Rourke, Nancy Thompson and...

Continue →

Despite loss of federal research grants, Baylor pushes forward

In wake of Baylor's loss of funding from the EPA as a part of the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program, both Baylor and the Waco community will feel the effects. Camie Jobe | Photographer

By Delaney Newhouse | Focus Editor As a new presidential administration shakes up the flow of cash from the federal government, Baylor has felt the effect of cut-off research funding. In her newsletter on April 14, Provost Nancy Brickhouse announced the cancellation of grants from the Environmental Protection Agency and National Endowment for the Humanities has affected two projects in...

Continue →

Data Science Club prepares students for careers

Social events such as bowling in the SUB allows members of the Data Science Club to bond outside of professional development opportunities. Photo courtesy of Kayla Balkcum

By James Laird | ReporterThe Data Science Club at Baylor prepares students for a career in data science and related fields while also helping build a community among its members. The club organizes info sessions with companies, game nights, professional development workshops and real world projects. The club began with two founding members, Redmond, Wash., senior Kayla Balkcum and Galveston...

Continue →

Baylor's green initiatives strive to serve as future example

Baylor has pursued many initiatives to be more sustainable such as Waco Creek Cleanup and the Green Communities Conference. Mesha Mittanasala | Photographer

By James Laird | ReporterBaylor sustainability efforts are a part of the university's strategic plan and hopes to integrate Christian stewardship of the planet into its green initiatives. Notable green initiatives recently have included composting 270,000 pounds of food waste from the dining halls and achieving Tree Campus USA certification. Baylor also supports green community initiatives like the Waco Creek...

Continue →

Waco Mammoth National Monument to celebrate 10 years

This year, the Waco Mammoth National Monument will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary of achieving National Park status. Maggie Meegan | Photographer.

By Marisa Young | ReporterThis summer, the Waco Mammoth National Monument will celebrate its 10 year anniversary of becoming a recognized site by the National Park Foundation. This designation was the result of over six years of hard work between the park staff and Waco community, according to National Parks Service Site Manager Raegan King. After two failed attempts to...

Continue →

Baylor Catholic community mourns, remembers Pope Francis' legacy

A street artists chalks a portrait of the late Pope Francis outside the Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

By Marisa Young | ReporterBaylor’s Catholic community is joining the world in remembering Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88. His papacy lasted almost 12 years, during which his leadership by example impacted countless Catholics around the world.“I was in the eighth grade when he was announced,” Director of Campus Ministry John Maxwell said. “I remember taking the day...

Continue →

Passover sparks debate regarding Christians practicing Seder

Seder serves to remember all of the eras of persecution Jews have endured over centuries. Christians are often seen upholding these traditions during Holy Week. Kassidy Tsikitas | Photo Editor

By Marisa Young | ReporterIn the wake of Passover, discussion has been rising regarding the Jewish practice of Seder. Particularly, students and scholars alike debate if it is appropriate or spiritually correct for Christians to celebrate Passover with a Seder meal. In her article, “Christianizing Judaism? On the Problem of Christian Seder Meals,” Marianne Moyaert states that, “Jewish Passover brings...

Continue →