Wojtek Service Award

Naming History

The name Wojtek (Voytek) was given to a Syrian Brown Bear. The bear was bought by Polish solders while stopped in a railway station in Iran during World War II. To provide adequate rations and transportation for the bear, he was eventually officially enlisted as a soldier with the rank of private and was subsequently promoted to corporal. Most of his service was spent with the 22^nd Artillery Supply Company. During his service with them, Wojtek helped move crates of ammunition during the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy in 1944. After this, Wojtek became a celebrity with visiting allied generals and statesmen. Wojtek, the soldier-bear, exemplified commitment to service even during the harshest of circumstances. For this reason, the award given to a student veteran for exemplifying a commitment to service, uses the name Wojtek.

Award Significance

Service is central to the mission of Baylor University as we strive to, "educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service." We measure success, not by just academic accolades, professional success, but ultimately by the ways we empower servants to go and make an impact on the world. For Baylor's student veterans, these students, before arriving at Baylor, have completed a profound chapter of this calling in military service. When they come to Baylor, we encourage them that just because they have hung up their uniform, that calling, central to who they are, continues. Below are individuals who have been recognized for embodying this commitment in profound ways.

If you have connected with a student veteran who exemplifies this quality of service, please nominate them for this recognition here: Nominate Here

Prior Award Recipients: