Now 100 episodes in, Baylor Connections shares BU stories straight from the source
Baylor is filled with faculty, staff and administrators whose fascinating work and deep sense of mission give us plenty of worthy stories to tell. But unless you’re on campus, you can’t always hear those stories straight from the source.
Enter Baylor Connections, the weekly radio show and podcast that introduces listeners to the people who provide the heart behind the work. Hosted by Derek Smith — whose voice you likely recognize as the PA announcer at McLane Stadium and the Ferrell Center and radio play-by-play man for Baylor baseball — new episodes air weekly all year long.
Last month, the podcast celebrated its 100th episode since it came online in 2018. We’ve highlighted some of those episodes in the past; here are six recent episodes that give a sampling of the many ways Baylor and Baylor people impact the world:
Provost Nancy Brickhouse, BA ’82, assumed the role of provost at her alma mater last summer. In this episode, she talks about what it’s like to return after more than three decades in higher education, and examines how Baylor’s R1/Tier 1 research aspirations will help Baylor speak into important societal issues with a distinct Christian voice.
Dr. Dwayne Simmons, the Cornelia Marschall Smith Chair and Professor of Biology and a leading international researcher in hearing loss, the brain and aging, shares how his work yields new insights for those dealing with hearing loss. He further explains what motivated him to leave a productive tenure at UCLA for Baylor.
Dr. Annette von Jouanne, professor of electrical and computer engineering, worked on the first hybrid sport utility vehicle and is a national leader in renewable energy. She shares how her research at Baylor advances the future of electric vehicles.
Waco Mayor Kyle Deaver, BBA ’86, JD ’93, is a two-time Baylor graduate with a unique insight into the partnership between city and university. On the podcast, he examines some of the ways Baylor and Waco work together to improve the community and provide opportunity for our neighbors.
Dr. Julie Hoggarth, assistant professor of anthropology, drew international headlines last spring for the discovery of an ancient Maya vase while digging in Belize. She shares how the vase yields insights into ancient tales of war, famine and societal breakdown in Maya civilization.
Jeff Brown, BA ’00, Baylor’s director of social media communications, shares how Baylor has built one of the most engaged social media communities of any university out there. There’s a good chance you follow Baylor on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; learn more about how the university utilizes social media to interact with the Baylor Family.
Baylor Connections airs in Waco each Friday at 11 a.m. on KWBU-FM; the show can also be subscribed to as a podcast, or streamed online at baylor.edu/connections.
Sic ’em, Connections listeners!