No, I’m not going back to Baylor for another degree. Yesterday Jenny and I returned to Baylor for the evening. We attended the annual banquet for people in a scholarship program I was in during my Baylor years. I like attending these banquets to meet the new members of the program and see a few of the people I remember. They always inspire and energize me with tales of their academic achievements and the community service projects they have done. One girl set up an interfaith group for Christian, Muslim, and Jewish teens to get to know each other better. Many people work with children after school or on weekends. Some started recycling programs or gathered art supplies for orphans in Eastern Europe. I am honored to be part of them, even if I still feel a bit unworthy.

While I was there, I had to explore and reminisce a bit. Baylor tore down my old dorm, Brooks Hall, and rebuilt it bigger and better. It has a Harry Potter-style dining hall now, beautiful rooms, and a separate building with apartments. They also expanded the Bear Pit where the mascots live. Before I left, I topped off the gas tank at my old gas station and bought a french vanilla cappuccino there, just like I did during my freshman year when I needed to stay up “late” to study. It’s always fun to go back to Baylor, almost enough to make me want to go back, but I know it wouldn’t be the same.