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Oral History Project
The Project
Every Pioneer has a story, and the Wayland Alumni Association wants to hear yours. However, with over 60,000 living alumni, it would take many years to meet with each of you individually. That’s why we’ve decided to embark on a new project called Recollections: An Oral History Project to collect the stories of alumni like you in your own words. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact Wayland Baptist University has had on your lives and who you are today. Every year we don’t capture and preserve these stories feels like another opportunity lost, so we’re excited to get started today!
Have you moved?
As part of this project, we are also taking this opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected to Wayland. Our vendor, PCI, will help us collect updated contact information from those of you who may have moved and inadvertently lost touch with your alma mater.
Your story
So what Wayland memory will you share?
- Did a special faculty or staff member have a profound impact on your life?
- Did you find your lifelong sweetheart at WBU, aka "Wedding Bells University"?
- Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment at our alma mater?
- Have connections you made on campus turned into lifelong friendships?
- Were you on campus during a historical moment?
- Are you a Wayland legacy?
PCI Partnership
With our limited resources, we’d never be able to tackle a project like this. By partnering with PCI, we’re able to access their trained staff of real, live human beings who are excited to listen to what you have to share. PCI will also help collect and assemble the stories into the Recollections book that we can share with all Pioneers. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information, or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.
Do I have to buy something?
No. This project is being done at NO COST to Wayland. The project is completely funded by the alumni who choose to purchase the Wayland Remembers book that will be produced at the end of the project. Various book packages will be offered. PCI will also offer you the option to purchase other WBU branded merchandise such as a blanket and pullover. You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not required to do so to participate in the project or order the book. Again, we’d never be able to embark on a project like this without the support of our amazing alumni and the partnership with PCI. We sincerely thank every person that participates and chooses to purchase the book.
What's next?
Soon you will be receiving email and postcard communications from the PCI team with instructions on how to participate. We’d like to invite you to share one of your stories with us and take part in this first of its kind project to honor the experiences and voices of our alumni. The PCI team will collect stories until January 2023. After that, they will enter a post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book distributed in late summer 2023.
We look forward to hearing from each and every one of you regarding your memories of this special place!
What to look for
Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from the WBU Alumni Association, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your Wayland memories.
Below is an example of an email you will receive in your inbox. Once you receive the email, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your Wayland memories. If you do not receive it, please take this opportunity to call PCI at 1.888.853.5718 and update your contact information so we can stay connected.
FAQs
1. I received an email/postcard/phone call asking for my personal information and a story about Wayland Baptist University. Tell me more about the project.
We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for Wayland Baptist University. PCI is a family owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. This project allows us to hear about your personal experiences from your time at Wayland Baptist University and how the school helped shape your life since then. And, while we have you on the phone, we want to make sure your contact information is up to date.
2. Does Wayland Baptist University benefit from this at all?
Yes, in a few different ways:
- Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni
- Legacy – sharing and collecting stories preserves the history of our school
- Revenue – generates non-dues revenue for alumni programs
- Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our school
3. How do I know my information will only be used for Oral History Project purposes?
PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law. Upon completion of the project, PCI will redact PII (Personal Identifiable Information) from any and all electronic files that we have supplied or were produced by PCI in connection with the production of the Oral History Project.
4. I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How may I do this?
- If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify all the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at Wayland Baptist University. Your story will be recorded and the sound clip provided to Wayland Baptist University at the conclusion of the project.
- If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.
- If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call the dedicated Wayland Baptist University update line at 1-888-853-5718.
5. Can I choose what information prints in the publication?
The only information that is included in the publication is your name, class year and degree, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your contact information, it will only be used to update your alumni record for the school/alumni association. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before December 23, 2022, by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com.
6. I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share.
You can call back at any time before December 23, 2022, to share your story.
You will receive an email prior to publication with a link to review your transcribed story and make any edits.
7. I shared a story and the representative said I could send a photo. How do I do this?
You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption.
If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed (note: the photo will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).
8. Can anyone purchase a book?
Recollections: A WBU Oral History Project book is available for sale only to Wayland alumni.
9. When will I receive my book?
The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12 months. Since we began the project in June 2022, the books will be distributed in July of 2023.
10. I ordered a book/package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?
Call the PCI customer service help desk at 800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.