University of Mary Hardin–Baylor

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. 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. "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. Mary Hardin–Baylor College once again became fully coeducational in 1971. == Academics ==

The school has 119 undergraduate majors and 13 graduate degree programs, including several master's degrees and two doctoral programs. UMHB comprises eight colleges: The McLane 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==

• Miriam 'Ma' Ferguson, Texas' first female governor and the second woman to be inaugurated governor of any state in the U.S. • Jerrell Freeman, Canadian and American football linebacker • Buddy Groom, Major League Baseball pitcher, 1992–2005 • Oveta Culp Hobby, the first woman appointed as a commanding officer of a military unit, the first director of the Women's Army Corps, the first Secretary of the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and the second woman to serve in a US cabinet • Blake Jackson, American football wide receiver • Bess Whitehead Scott, pioneering Texas journalist and the first woman news reporter in Houston • Lucy Wilson Rice, Texas painter == 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 16 varsity athletic programs, seven men's and nine women's: '''Men's sports''' • Baseball • Basketball • Cross country • Football • Golf • Soccer • Tennis '''Women's sports''' • Acrobatic gymnastics and Tumbling (sport) • Beach Volleyball • Basketball • Cross country • Golf • Soccer • Softball • Tennis • Volleyball Athletic achievements The Crusaders have won four national championships and seven national runner-up finishes: • The first athlete from the UMHB football program to make the jump from college into the NFL was linebacker Jerrell Freeman, who signed a free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans in 2008, then moved to the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL for three seasons. Freeman would return to the NFL to play four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. In the spring of 2016, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Chicago Bears. == Student life ==

LGBT prohibitions In 2015 the university was granted an exception to Title IX allowing it to exclude LGBT student organizations for religious reasons. In 2016 the organization Campus Pride ranked the college among the worst schools in Texas for LGBT students. The UMHB Student Handbook prohibits homosexual behavior. Easter Pageant For 79 consecutive years 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. 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. ==Gallery==

Image:Entrance sign, UMHB, Belton, TX IMG_5551.JPG|UMHB entrance sign Image:Bell Tower, UMHB, Belton, TX IMG_5539.JPG|Luther Memorial Image:Fountain, UMHB, Belton, TX IMG_5555.JPG|Burt Pond Image:W.W. Walton Chapel, UMHB, Belton, TX IMG 5530.JPG|UMHB's W. W. Walton Chapel Image:Townsend Memorial Library, Belton, TX IMG_5534.JPG|Townsend Memorial Library Image:Sanderford Hall, UMHB, Belton, TX IMG_5528.JPG|Sanderford Hall, the UMHB administration building Image:Paul_and_Jan_Meyer_Christian_Studies_Center,_UMHB,_Belton,_TX_IMG_5563.JPG|Paul and Jane Meyer Christian Studies Center Image:Wells Nursing and Science Hall, UMHB, Belton, TX IMG_5546.JPG|Wells Nursing and Science Hall Image:York Science Center, UMHB, Belton, TX IMG_5548.JPG|York Science Center Image:Presser Hall, UMHB, Belton, TX IMG_5544.JPG|Presser Hall (established 1929) houses the university music department and the Hughes Recital Hall. Image:Parker Academic Center, Belton, TX IMG 5560.JPG|The Parker Academic Center at UMHB opened in 2002 Image:Mayborn Campus Center, UMHB, Belton, TX IMG 5552.JPG|The Mayborn Campus Center is named for its benefactor, the late Temple Daily Telegram publisher, Frank Mayborn == References ==