University of Mary Hardin–Baylor

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 24 male and female students While it was a coeducational institution, the classes were still separated by gender.

Baylor College’s coeducation lasted only until 1851, when it was divided into a Female Department and a Male Department. Each began occupying separate buildings about a mile apart at the Independence campus.

The changing demography of Texas and relocation of the local railroad made it increasingly difficult for college students to get transportation to Independence. 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, and the men's division moved to Waco, merged with coeducational Waco University, and continued as Baylor University.

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. 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. 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.

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. "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".

In 1925, Baylor Female College was renamed Baylor College for Women. A year later, it was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities, being the first Texas Baptist college to do so. Then in 1927, it received accreditation from the American Association of Colleges. In 1925, enrollment peaked at 2,372, which forced the college to start a costly building project. 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. 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.

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

Mary Hardin–Baylor College once again became fully coeducational in 1971. August of that year had 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. It was renamed the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor.

Academics

The school has 119 undergraduate majors and 13 graduate degree programs, including several master's degrees and two doctoral programs. Qualified students can participate in engaged learning through internships with businesses and industries. Study abroad programs are offered on three continents.

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

Presidential connections

Former President George H. W. Bush, management expert Dr. Ken Blanchard (author of the One-Minute Manager books), and former First Lady Barbara Bush 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. President Johnson, Mrs. Johnson and several other family members were present when the building was dedicated on September 26, 1968.

Athletics

The UMHB Crusaders, or "The Cru", compete in Division III (NCAA) 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.

UMHB sponsors 12 varsity athletic programs, six men's and six women's:

Athletic achievements

The Crusaders have won three national championships and seven national runner-up finishes:

Easter Pageant

For 75 consecutive years the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor has produced an outdoor reproduction of the Holy Week. 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.

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". At the conclusion of the service, seniors traditionally place a wreath of flowers on the grave of Judge R.E.B. Baylor, located in the courtyard.

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.

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.

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, they stop to light the candles of special friends and alumni. In the early stages of the Midnight March, the dormitory residents witness the March inside of their dark rooms. Later during the ceremony, the residents migrate into the hallway so senior friends can light their candles. Due to fire codes, however, the March was moved outdoors.

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.

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.

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.

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.