Baylor Connections

Dwayne Simmons

Hearing, the brain and aging: Dwayne Simmons, The Cornelia Marschall Smith Endowed Professor and Chair in Baylor University’s Department of Biology, has dedicated his internationally-recognized research to studying how sensory cells and neurons in the brain respond to aging. These sensory cells and neurons are connected by wiring that degenerates over time, a common disconnect revealed in many senior adults as hearing loss. On a broader level, he’s pursuing breakthroughs in the auditory system that could impact areas far beyond hearing. Dr. Simmons came to Baylor three years ago from UCLA and has invested time and energy to invigorate research throughout the biology program. In this Baylor Connections, he shares why he came to Baylor and the motivation to uncover discoveries that heal.

President Linda Livingstone

It’s the start of a new school year, and Baylor University President Linda Livingstone looks ahead to 2019-20 on this Baylor Connections. President Livingstone shares on topics like university priorities, Baylor’s R1/Tier 1 aspirations, the incoming freshman class, a new athletic season and more.

Mayor Kyle Deaver

Earlier this spring, the City of Waco was honored with one of Baylor University’s most distinguished awards, the Founders Medal. Waco Mayor Kyle Deaver, a Baylor Business and Baylor Law graduate, accepted the award, which highlighted the partnership between city and university for the betterment of the community. In this Baylor Connections, Mayor Deaver examines numerous ways the City of Waco and Baylor University work together, looks ahead to future growth for the city and shares more about his family’s Baylor experience.

Jason Cook and Jovan Overshown

Last spring, Baylor unveiled “United,” a new visual identity featuring an updated interlocking BU and uniforms, a new logo and more. Shortly thereafter, the university adopted the interlocking BU across all colleges, schools and divisions to bring everyone together under “One Brand. One Baylor.” Learn more about the new look and how these changes enhance the Baylor brand in this Baylor Connections with Jason Cook, Baylor University’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications and Chief Marketing Officer, and Jovan Overshown, Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs.

Jeff Brown

As Baylor’s Director of Social Media Communications, Jeff Brown oversees one of the nation’s most engaged university social media communities, through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, the BaylorProud blog and more. In this Baylor Connections, he examines how to strategically navigate the ever-changing social media landscape, shares how Baylor University utilizes social media to communicate with the Baylor Family and provides tips for social media practitioners in other areas.

Sarah Schnitker

Sarah Schnitker, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience, joined the Baylor faculty last year, compelled by the Illuminate vision of a preeminent Christian research university. Earlier this year, she was awarded a $2.6 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation to galvanize widespread development of virtue interventions for adolescents. In this Baylor Connections, she shares what that looks like and examines how individuals can better develop virtues like patience in their own lives.

Monique Ingalls

Many churches and services are, in part, identified and defined by the style of music they play. Dr. Monique Ingalls, ethnomusicologist and Assistant Professor of Music at Baylor University, is a worship music expert and the author of the book “Singing the Congregation: How Contemporary Worship Music Forms Evangelical Community.” In this Baylor Connections, she shares how musical styles, technology and parishioners’ expectations shape the communities in which they worship.

Kenneth Hafertepe

Kenneth Hafertepe takes listeners on a tour of Waco’s historic homes and architecture in this Baylor Connections. Dr. Hafertepe, department chair and professor in Baylor’s Department of Museum Studies, is the author of the recently-released book, “Historic Homes of Waco, Texas.” On the program, he paints a picture of the community through the eyes of a material culture and decorative arts expert and explains how the buildings people inhabit tell a story of the city’s history.