Baylor Connections

Robin Wallace

Few Beethoven scholars have as meaningful a connection to the impact of deafness on the composer’s works as Robin Wallace, Baylor professor of musicology. Wallace’s late wife, Barbara, suffered from profound hearing loss, providing insights into the impact of the disability both relationally and creatively. This year marks the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, and on this Baylor Connections, Wallace celebrates his legacy by examining the ways Beethoven, as well as Barbara, found wholeness and expression amidst deep physical challenges.

Leigh Greathouse

As a 24-year old, Leigh Greathouse developed a rare form of cancer, an experience that would shape her path into the study of diet and disease. Dr. Greathouse, assistant professor in human sciences & design at Baylor, is a leading researcher into the relationship between diet, the microbiome, disease and health. On this Baylor Connections, she shares her personal story, breaks down key research projects in her field and provides a framework for listeners to think about the relationship between diet and health in their own life.

Sutton Houser

There’s a lot on the plate of a Baylor University Student Body President, particularly in 2020. On this Baylor Connections, meet this year’s president, Sutton Houser. He shares details about the duties and responsibilities of student body presidents, what it means to be a voice for students, and takes listeners inside his work with Baylor leadership, local churches, campus initiatives and more.

David Corey

How can we model charitable discourse that bridges political, ideological and theological divides? Dr. David Corey serves as director of the Baylor in Washington program and professor of political science in Baylor’s Honors Program. In this Baylor Connections, he analyzes our political climate and tone, examines how Christians can forge a different path in the midst of the current tenor, and shares how the Baylor in Washington program builds leaders as it promotes opportunities for students to work in the nation’s capital.

President Livingstone

With the Fall Semester heading into its home stretch, Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., analyzes a variety of topics on this Baylor Connections. From COVID-19 safety measures, to Baylor’s growth in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, to encouraging participation and civility during this election season, President Livingstone shares thoughts on a busy season for the Baylor Family.

Kenny Befus

What can volcanoes, gemstones and minerals reveal about the geological forces that physically shape our world? Dr. Kenny Befus, assistant professor of geosciences, is a volcanologist who studies clues found in magma flows, gemstones and more that shed light on past and future events. In this Baylor Connections, he shares how these forces interplay, and unpacks an award-winning research project aimed at advancing the study of imperfections in gemstones to uncover geological data.

Kelly Ylitalo

Kelly Ylitalo combines high-level, data-driven research with practical community partnerships that address upstream health issues. Dr. Ylitalo, assistant professor of epidemiology in Baylor’s Department of Public Health, focuses her research on physical functioning, obesity and the impact of healthy behaviors on aging trajectories. In this Baylor Connections, she takes listeners inside her partnerships with Waco’s Family Health Center and World Hunger Relief to study the effectiveness of innovative health approaches.

Shanna Hagan-Burke

Get to know Dr. Shanna Hagan-Burke, the new Dean of Baylor’s School of Education. She came to Baylor this summer after serving at Texas A&M University, the University of Oregon and University of Georgia, and taught children with behavioral challenges for many years prior in her native Florida. In this Baylor Connections, Dr. Hagan-Burke tells about a unique parental introduction to Baylor that helped draw her to the University, shares experiences that shape her approach to higher education leadership, examines the School of Education’s contributions to Tier 1 research and more.