Baylor Campus in Full Bloom

The new gardens established through the generosity of a retired professor at Baylor University (BU) were officially dedicated on April 11.

Sadie Jo Black, a Baylor graduate who taught for 35 years in the department of family and consumer sciences, established the Sadie Jo Black Gardens Endowment Fund at Baylor to enhance the beauty of Founders Mall, according to the BU news release.

The Black Gardens include thousands of beautiful perennial flowers framed by a manicured lawn and boxwoods. Two benches have been positioned for the visitors to the gardens who also are often greeted by the melodious sounds of the bells in the McLane Carillon at Pat Neff Hall.

Plaques have been located at each end of the mall with a message of invitation to students, faculty, staff and visitors to the Baylor campus: “May all who enter the gardens find inspiration and peace.”

“I think the area allotted for these gardens is one of the prettiest views on campus, with Pat Neff Hall on the north end and the Judge Baylor statue and Waco Hall on the south end,” Black said. “It is an area of campus with a lot of traffic flow of people, so I hope those walking back and forth can stop and enjoy the gardens.”

The Black Gardens tie into the Baylor 2012, the innovative 12-year project for moving the oldest Baptist institution in the world forward. Baylor Imperative VIII focuses on the priority of enhancing community by improving the physical environment and giving increased attention to the aesthetic value of campus.

“Baylor’s campus is lovely and always has been, and I hope these gardens will add to that atmosphere,” Black added.

Black, who resides in Waco, graduated from Baylor in 1950 and was an assistant professor at Baylor until her retirement in 1992 after 35 years of service to the university. She has been a faithful supporter of Baylor for many years, and in recognition of her gifts she has been honored with the James Huckins and Pat Neff medallions of the Medallion Fellowship. She has created three endowed scholarships in memory of family members and is a supporter of a number of Baylor foundations.