Baylor Connections

“If you build it, they will come,” says John Wood of Baylor’s 508,000‑square‑foot Baylor Sciences Building (BSB), an elite facility that houses Baylor’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry alongside other science disciplines. A nationally recognized leader in organic synthesis whose work contributes to drug leads for cancer and numerous other diseases, Wood speaks from inside his BSB research lab about his department’s continued growth—ranging from advances in understanding disease to expanding work in materials chemistry and beyond. He also reflects on the collaborative environment the BSB enables and shares why mentorship remains a passion as he and his colleagues nurture resilient, creative future problem‑solvers.

Hannah Stolze of Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business shares takes listeners inside the global supply chain. Stolze explains how recent disruptions and new technologies like artificial intelligence are changing how goods move around the world, and further shares how Baylor’s approach to supply chain leadership emphasizes ethics, people, and human dignity alongside innovation and efficiency.

Baylor's George W. Truett Theological Seminary lives out every part of the Baylor motto "Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo" as it equips those who will serve the Church for service and leadership. Todd Still, the Dean of Truett Seminary, describes how the seminary advances into its fourth decade of service, embodying "deep roots and green shoots" in foundation-centered innovation.

What does it take for students to flourish academically and holistically during their college years? Carroll Crowson, Director of Academic Support Programs at Baylor’s Paul L. Foster Success Center, shares how Baylor provides personalized resources—from tutoring and supplemental instruction to academic mentoring and resiliency training—that empower students to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Families have made a significant investment in their student’s years at Baylor, and the University has built a culture of care that helps those students reach their full potential.

As healthcare needs and opportunities grow, Baylor’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is responding with innovative approaches to prepare compassionate leaders for the field. Dean Jason Carter shares Robbins Colleges distinctives like interprofessional education, hybrid graduate programs, elite research and cutting-edge technology, highlighting the ways Baylor shapes graduates who serve patients and communities with integrity and excellence.

How do science and theology intersect to promote human flourishing? Baylor researchers Sarah Schnitker and Devan Stahl share how research collaborations bridge psychology, ethics, and faith to address real-world challenges. They discuss the origins of their research partnership, a new collaborative human thriving research center at Baylor, and a project that equips scholars to integrate empirical research with theological inquiry.

What happens when critical equipment breaks down in a remote location, like a far-flung military battlefield or even Outer Space? Baylor’s Point-of-Need Innovation Center (PONI) answers that question in the form of innovative solutions. Brian Jordon, Paul Allison and their students develop technologies that reduce supply chain delays, cut costs and promote sustainability. Discover how Baylor is innovating in these areas for defense, aerospace, and humanitarian applications—all with an eye toward human flourishing.

Mandy Hering never expected her career to flow into water research. But today, her statistical science expertise addresses global needs and supports municipal water systems across the country in pursuit of new ways to deliver clean water. Discover how the Baylor mission and statistics intersect to protect water resources for the future.

What does it really mean for humans and communities to flourish? The answers aren’t always what you might expect, which makes Byron Johnson’s landmark Global Flourishing Study a seminal contribution to the field. This massive study—the largest of its kind—has shared its first wave of insights, with more coming in the months ahead. Learn what he and a team of elite global researchers found in countries around the world that unlock clues to help people thrive in meaningful ways. 

Sawyer Robertson has become one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, but there’s far more to his story than the highlights on the field. Robertson analyzes his journey to the starting quarterback position at Baylor, highlights meaningful moments with his teammates and classmates and discusses what it means to have a national platform to share his faith through football.

Mind, body and spirit—the Baylor student experience is distinct in higher education, with nationally recognized resources to help students grow as leaders, provide avenues to serve others, support their physical and mental health and promote spiritual growth. Sharra Hynes, Baylor’s Vice President for Student Life, presents 10 areas in which the Baylor student experience shines.

When you turn the faucet, you expect clean water to pour out. Baylor researchers Bryan Brooks and Thad Scott examine current and future challenges to water quality and availability, and demonstrate how Baylor has become an internationally trusted leader in water quality research.

As a new academic year takes shape,  join President Livingstone at the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center to reflect on Baylor University's expanding global footprint and vibrant campus life.