Around the State: Students design exhibit about integration of Wayland

Stories about the integration of Wayland Baptist University appeared in Ebony magazine. These pages are on display in a new museum exhibit about integration at Wayland. (WBU Photo)

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Wayland Baptist University students Chloe Barham (right) and Devin Davis (center) speak with Plainview Herald Editor Ellysa Harris about their integration exhibit during an opening reception. The students researched and designed the exhibit as part of a history practicum course. (WBU Photo)

As a history practicum project, Wayland Baptist University students Chloe Barham and Devin Davis researched and designed a museum exhibit focused on Wayland’s integration in 1951. Barham and Davis chronicled the decision by Wayland President James Marshall to allow Annie Taylor, a Black schoolteacher from Floydada, to enroll in classes. They examined the decision in conjunction with social and cultural expectations of the time period. The students worked with Melissa Gonzalez, director of the Llano Estacado and Jimmy Dean museums on the Wayland campus, and Rebekah Crowe, who oversees the history practicum course. The experience led to a comprehensive exhibit currently on display at the Jimmy Dean Museum. The integration exhibit will be on display until the next practicum exhibit is ready in fall 2022.

Alexandra Ronnenberg

Alexandra Ronnenberg, who graduated from Baylor University in May with an undergraduate degree in elementary education, has been named Texas Clinical Teacher of the Year. She earned the recognition for outstanding instruction and interaction with children while a senior at Baylor. The award honors senior-level teacher-education students from the Texas Directors of Field Experience, the organization of faculty members within university teacher-education programs who supervise field experiences. It was presented during this fall’s statewide meeting of the Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education. Ronnenberg is the fourth Baylor intern to receive the award in the last five years it has been presented. No award was given in 2020 due to COVID-19. Ronnenberg completed her student teaching in a first-grade classroom at Hillcrest Professional Development School in the Waco Independent School District. After graduating from Baylor, she stayed at Hillcrest and now teaches second grade with many of the same students in her class. “I feel so grateful to have started my career at a school I know and love,” Ronnenberg said.

At fall commencement, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor presented the Loyalty Cup to Mercedes Saldivar of Richland Hills and Gilda Tchao of Midland. UMHB awards the Loyalty Cup to students who are considered most representative of the university’s ideals, traditions and spirit. Kailyn Strain of Hutto received the President’s Award for meritorious service. Jonathan Stirtz of Duncanville was named as the Honors Program Summa Cum Laude graduate. UMHB awarded 333 undergraduate degrees, 45 master’s degrees and 39 doctoral degrees at commencement. Fifteen graduates were the first in their families to earn a college degree, UMHB President Randy O’Rear noted.

Eleven months after a fire destroyed New Light Church’s building in the Pleasant Grove section of Dallas, the congregation gathered to dedicate their new facility in Mesquite. “Up from the ashes, we rise” was the theme of the Dec. 7 worship service. Members and guests gathered at Inspiration Church in Mesquite, where they have shared the facility since the January fire, and traveled by motorcade to the new church building. Oza Jones Jr., director of African American ministries for Texas Baptists, was guest speaker. Shaun Rabb is pastor of New Light Church.


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