The Baylor University Chamber of Commerce is a student service organization at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. It was founded on February 26, 1919, it is the oldest student organization at Baylor. It organizes campus events, promotes Baylor's intercollegiate athletic teams and cares for the university's live bear mascots.

History

The Baylor Chamber of Commerce has traced its origins to February 26, 1919, when the Baylor Business Men's Club was organized by a group of students interested in pursuing careers in business. The Chamber also provided new band uniforms, using monetary pledges solicited from the Baylor and Waco communities. The year also marked the beginning of the annual Football Banquet. The first banquet honored Baylor's 1924 Southwest Conference Championship team.

Today, it is the oldest student organization at Baylor University.

Symbols

The Chamber's motto is "Anything for Baylor". Its colors are green and gold, like Baylor University. Its nicknames are Chamber of Commerce, Baylor Chamber, or simply the Chamber. They took on this responsibility shortly after the black bear became the university's mascot in 1917. The name Diadeloso (Spanish for "Day of the Bear") was adopted following a campus name contest in 1966.

Family Weekend

In 1960, the Chamber of Commerce helped put on the first Parent's Day at Baylor. By 1970, the event had expanded to the full weekend with many events like a student talent show, a parent-faculty coffee, a dinner on campus, and other events designed to show parents the best of Baylor. In 2012, the name of the event changed from "Parents Weekend" to "Parent and Family Weekend".

Controversies and scandals

On October 10, 1967, John Clifton, a pledge from Crosby, Texas, died of asphyxiation during hazing. A scholarship was subsequently created in his honor.

On April 5, 1990, as Diadeloso wound down late in the day, a group of Chambermen, including Scott Adams, 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, Adams and a sign were blown out of the bed of the truck. He fell head-first to the ground and never regained consciousness. He was pronounced dead several hours later. Reports indicated the cause of death as a punctured aorta caused by a fractured collarbone. Adams, who intended on going into ministry, had planned on staying at Baylor for a fifth year to train and take care of a bear cub in preparation for becoming the next Baylor Bear trainer. The cub was subsequently named "Judge Scotty" in remembrance of Adams.

Notable alumni

  • Brad Carson – U.S. Congressman and Defense Department Official
  • Bill Daniel – Governor of Guam and member of the Texas House of Representatives.
  • Clyde Hart – Baylor University track coach
  • Leon Jaworski – Attorney
  • Ken Paxton – Texas Attorney General, impeached
  • Don Willett – Justice on the Supreme Court of Texas
  • Roxanne Wilson – Attorney

References

  • Baylor University Diadeloso website
  • Baylor University Bear Program website