Students Explore Roman and Baylor Monuments, Revealing Art’s Role in Community Identity, Memory

Contact: Kelly Craine, 254-297-9065
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Art history classes have traditionally favored classroom lectures, but Baylor University’s Art and Art History Department has reimagined its approach to art education by bringing sculptures to life for students through experiential learning. Led by Jerolyn E. Morrison, Ph.D., lecturer of art history, this innovative teaching method in her Roman Sculpture class shifts the focus from the classroom lecture to immersive experiences, where students engage directly with public art and monuments on and around Baylor’s campus.

In Morrison’s class, students step outside of the classroom and conduct on-site visits to examine Baylor’s notable sculptures and monuments, including the statues at McLane Stadium, Founders Mall and the Immortal Ten Memorial. They study the realism or abstraction, material choice, inscriptions and symbolic value of each piece to gain a comprehensive understanding of its historical and cultural significance.

“Art is all around us,” Morrison said. “Whether it’s a statue outside a stadium or a memorial in a cemetery, each piece tells a story. I want students to recognize these narratives and see art as more than just decoration – it’s a statement of values, history and identity.” 

A foundational pillar within the University’s new Baylor in Deeds strategic plan, focuses on blending challenging academics and experiences with high-quality creative and performing arts that prepare students for leadership and service. Addressing significant problems in the world is enriched and expanded by exposure to creative and performing arts produced hundreds of years ago as well as those that reflect the current world.

Learning through exploration

By visiting campus sculptures and memorials, students gain a deeper appreciation for how public spaces are shaped by art and symbolism. This approach, Morrison said, is intended to cultivate a more nuanced understanding of how ancient motifs and sculptural techniques are adapted in contemporary settings.

“Baylor’s campus itself is like an open museum,” Morrison said. “From the mythological themes in Roman art to the symbolic representation of Baylor’s community values, students learn to appreciate how the past informs our present and shapes our future.”

Connecting cultures

Morrison’s course draws connections between Roman sculptural traditions and Baylor’s own artistic landmarks, providing students with a hands-on opportunity to analyze how sculptures form public spaces and influence community memory.

“Art is a living dialogue between the past and present. By examining sculptures on campus, students can understand how art serves as a vehicle for storytelling, commemoration and even propaganda, just as it did in ancient Rome,” Morrison said.

Themes and Art Across Campus Discussed in Morrison’s Class

Entertainment & Sports:

• 1st Lt. Andrew Jackson “Jack” Lummus and Commander John Riley Kane
• Robert Griffin III
• Coach Grant Teaff

Memorial of People and Individuals:

• Hebrew Rest 

History of Baylor

• Judge Baylor 
• Barbara Walker and Robert Gilbert
• Rufus Burleson

Mythology

• The Immortal Ten 
• Memorial for Students 
• Memorial for Baylor Art & Art History Students 

“Sculpture serves as a powerful medium for connecting generations and preserving tradition,” Morrison said. “By studying these public monuments, students not only learn about ancient Roman values but also come to appreciate how these values resonate in our own community spaces today.”

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University’s largest academic division, consisting of 25 academic departments in the sciences, humanities, fine arts and social sciences, as well as 11 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. The College’s undergraduate Unified Core Curriculum, which routinely receives top grades in national assessments, emphasizes a liberal education characterized by critical thinking, communication, civic engagement and Christian commitment. Arts & Sciences faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit the College of Arts & Sciences website