Baylor Alumni Association

By Todd Copeland

Each fall, thousands of alumni return to Baylor University's campus for Homecoming. It's a tradition that has been observed for decades—a time to reconnect with Baylor and friends at the bonfire, reunions, and the football game. Everyone knows about Homecoming.

What you may not know is that, each spring, the Baylor Alumni Association (BAA) organizes another type of

homecoming. Called the Heritage Club, it's a more narrowly focused reunion than the fall's extravaganza, but the Baylor spirit that runs through the event is just as green and gold. And the bonds between those participating in Heritage Club are powerfully strong.

Created in 1977 to honor those who attended Baylor fifty years ago or more, Heritage Club offers a large celebration in the spring and another get-together in the fall during Homecoming. All alumni are eligible, even if they didn't complete their degree.

The Heritage Club's spring gathering is the program's signature event. Much like a homecoming designed especially for older graduates, it includes interesting programs, campus tours, and opportunities for fellowship. The highlight of the three-day event is a special presentation of golden anniversary diplomas or certificates to the fifty-year class, followed by a gala banquet that evening when diamond anniversary diplomas or certificates are presented to members of the seventy-five-year class.

Bill '53 and Shirley Oliver Brubaker '52 (pictured) have attended several Heritage Club spring reunions in recent years. "We see more of our friends there than at Homecoming," Bill says. "It's smaller and more tailored to the interests and classes of older graduates. We have found Heritage Club to be a great place to reunite with old friends and to get to know new people while also seeing what's new on the campus."

Endowing the Heritage Club is one goal of the BAA's Sesquicentennial Campaign. Designed to provide a critical base of endowment support for the BAA's core programs—all of which directly benefit Baylor—the Sesquicentennial Campaign coincides with the BAA's yearlong celebration in 2009 of its 150th anniversary of serving Baylor.

Many alumni have already made gifts to endow the Heritage Club, but there's much more work to be done before the BAA reaches its goal of securing $750,000 in endowment for this unique program. The Brubakers, who have given $1,000 to the Heritage Club's endowment, believe it's an achievable goal because the program's value to the Baylor community is so evident. "We decided to help, and I would encourage all alumni to help endow this program," Bill says.

The Brubakers live in Houston, where Bill has been retired for more than a dozen years after a career as a CPA and financial and educational executive. Shirley was a homemaker during those years, and she has been active in the Baylor Women's Association of Houston. Both of their children attended Baylor, and the Brubakers say they have always kept Baylor close to their hearts.

Bill and Shirley believe their support of the BAA is a significant way to demonstrate that ongoing commitment to supporting Baylor. In addition to their endowment gift, the Brubakers recently became life members of the BAA. "I think the BAA is a critical part of Baylor's life," Bill says. "We can't participate in a lot of events now because of age and health, but we love Baylor, and the BAA is our best way to keep track of what's going on at Baylor and stay in touch with classmates."

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