002 - Baylor
In this letter, I reflect on the lessons I’ve learned at Baylor beyond the classroom. I explore identity, growth, and the quiet moments that shaped my journey, guided by presence, resilience, and a search for meaning within the structure of academic life.
I started at Baylor straight out of high school. I still remember the feeling of arriving at Line Camp. The energy. The pride. The sense that I was stepping into something bigger than myself. I wanted to be part of it all. The Baylor Line. The traditions. The rhythm of this place that felt new but welcoming. That early excitement never really left. It just grew deeper.
From day one, Baylor felt alive. Whether it was walking across Fountain Mall or looking up at Pat Neff Hall lit green after a win, I felt connected to something meaningful. I lived in Hallie Earle Hall, surrounded by people from every walk of life. We came from different places, believed in different things, and still found ways to build community. As a Muslim at a Baptist university, I learned that respect is not built on sameness. It is built on sincerity. Baylor taught me that difference and dignity can exist side by side.
Over time, I came to know this campus with quiet familiarity. I spent long nights studying at Moody Library. I walked the halls of the BSB. I met friends at the SUB and wandered across campus during moments I needed to think. Baylor became more than a school. It became a place where I learned how to navigate the world and my place in it.
Some of the most valuable moments happened in the classroom. I met professors who shaped the way I think and challenged me to grow. My anthropology classes taught me how to see culture with depth. My science classes pushed me to stay resilient. My history professors reminded me that care and challenge can exist together. Some were demanding. Some were incredibly kind. All made an impact.
College is not just about finishing assignments. It is a personal journey. You learn how to carry your values, meet people who expand your world, and discover versions of yourself you did not expect. I have had the full college experience. Academics. Friendship. Service. Growth. Through Alpha Phi Omega, I served at the Salvation Army Community Kitchen. I took part in Steppin’ Out. I gave back where I could and made memories I will carry with me.
Being part of the Waco Ismaili community gave me an even deeper sense of purpose. It reminded me that no matter how small a community may seem, its impact can be lasting. I was proud to serve, to show up, and to find meaning in small acts of consistency.
Baylor gave me more than a degree plan. It gave me space to grow, to reflect, to question, and to build. I came in with curiosity. I am leaving with clarity. I may not have followed every path that was expected, but I created one that felt honest. That is what I will remember most.
With gratitude for what this place has been,
Arman
07.10.2025
I started at Baylor straight out of high school. I still remember the feeling of arriving at Line Camp. The energy. The pride. The sense that I was stepping into something bigger than myself. I wanted to be part of it all. The Baylor Line. The traditions. The rhythm of this place that felt new but welcoming. That early excitement never really left. It just grew deeper.
From day one, Baylor felt alive. Whether it was walking across Fountain Mall or looking up at Pat Neff Hall lit green after a win, I felt connected to something meaningful. I lived in Hallie Earle Hall, surrounded by people from every walk of life. We came from different places, believed in different things, and still found ways to build community. As a Muslim at a Baptist university, I learned that respect is not built on sameness. It is built on sincerity. Baylor taught me that difference and dignity can exist side by side.
Over time, I came to know this campus with quiet familiarity. I spent long nights studying at Moody Library. I walked the halls of the BSB. I met friends at the SUB and wandered across campus during moments I needed to think. Baylor became more than a school. It became a place where I learned how to navigate the world and my place in it.
Some of the most valuable moments happened in the classroom. I met professors who shaped the way I think and challenged me to grow. My anthropology classes taught me how to see culture with depth. My science classes pushed me to stay resilient. My history professors reminded me that care and challenge can exist together. Some were demanding. Some were incredibly kind. All made an impact.
College is not just about finishing assignments. It is a personal journey. You learn how to carry your values, meet people who expand your world, and discover versions of yourself you did not expect. I have had the full college experience. Academics. Friendship. Service. Growth. Through Alpha Phi Omega, I served at the Salvation Army Community Kitchen. I took part in Steppin’ Out. I gave back where I could and made memories I will carry with me.
Being part of the Waco Ismaili community gave me an even deeper sense of purpose. It reminded me that no matter how small a community may seem, its impact can be lasting. I was proud to serve, to show up, and to find meaning in small acts of consistency.
Baylor gave me more than a degree plan. It gave me space to grow, to reflect, to question, and to build. I came in with curiosity. I am leaving with clarity. I may not have followed every path that was expected, but I created one that felt honest. That is what I will remember most.
With gratitude for what this place has been,
Arman
07.10.2025
I started at Baylor straight out of high school. I still remember the feeling of arriving at Line Camp. The energy. The pride. The sense that I was stepping into something bigger than myself. I wanted to be part of it all. The Baylor Line. The traditions. The rhythm of this place that felt new but welcoming. That early excitement never really left. It just grew deeper.
From day one, Baylor felt alive. Whether it was walking across Fountain Mall or looking up at Pat Neff Hall lit green after a win, I felt connected to something meaningful. I lived in Hallie Earle Hall, surrounded by people from every walk of life. We came from different places, believed in different things, and still found ways to build community. As a Muslim at a Baptist university, I learned that respect is not built on sameness. It is built on sincerity. Baylor taught me that difference and dignity can exist side by side.
Over time, I came to know this campus with quiet familiarity. I spent long nights studying at Moody Library. I walked the halls of the BSB. I met friends at the SUB and wandered across campus during moments I needed to think. Baylor became more than a school. It became a place where I learned how to navigate the world and my place in it.
Some of the most valuable moments happened in the classroom. I met professors who shaped the way I think and challenged me to grow. My anthropology classes taught me how to see culture with depth. My science classes pushed me to stay resilient. My history professors reminded me that care and challenge can exist together. Some were demanding. Some were incredibly kind. All made an impact.
College is not just about finishing assignments. It is a personal journey. You learn how to carry your values, meet people who expand your world, and discover versions of yourself you did not expect. I have had the full college experience. Academics. Friendship. Service. Growth. Through Alpha Phi Omega, I served at the Salvation Army Community Kitchen. I took part in Steppin’ Out. I gave back where I could and made memories I will carry with me.
Being part of the Waco Ismaili community gave me an even deeper sense of purpose. It reminded me that no matter how small a community may seem, its impact can be lasting. I was proud to serve, to show up, and to find meaning in small acts of consistency.
Baylor gave me more than a degree plan. It gave me space to grow, to reflect, to question, and to build. I came in with curiosity. I am leaving with clarity. I may not have followed every path that was expected, but I created one that felt honest. That is what I will remember most.
With gratitude for what this place has been,
Arman
07.10.2025