Baylor in the News – Oct. 16-22, 2022

October 23, 2022
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Baylor Sciences Building

Media Contact: Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-1961
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WACO, Texas (Oct. 23, 2022) – Baylor University researchers and faculty experts were featured in national and local media stories as they shared their thoughts and expertise on the history of the iconic castle in Waco, controversial Halloween costumes and using AI to stop crimes, such as sex trafficking and the sale of stolen car parts.

Oct. 17, 2022

Realtor.com: Chip and Joanna Gaines Return With Their Most Royal Project Yet
Baylor graduates Chip and Joanna Gaines are back with a brand-new show, “Fixer Upper: The Castle,” in which they restore one of Waco’s most prized properties. Baylor historian Stephen Sloan, Ph.D., provided the popular home renovation stars with the history of the property, with photos and newspaper articles about the castle written from the time of its 1913 grand debut.

Forbes: Why Conservatives And Liberals Should Green Light “Green” Sports And Entertainment Venues
Kirk Wakefield, Ph.D., Edwin W. Streetman Professor of Retail Marketing and executive director of the Center for Sports Strategy & Sales at Baylor, writes about the intersection of sports, entertainment and sustainability becoming the nexus for future profitability as venues prioritize sustainability efforts including environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

Oct. 18, 2022

CBN: 'Joy, Jesus, Others, Yourself': Baylor University Men's Basketball Coach Opens Up About His Faith
Baylor men’s basketball head coach Scott Drew is known for his faith on and off the court, but he recently spoke out about how "winning the game of life" is more important than any championship title, trophy, or notoriety.

UNK News: UNK World Affairs Conference brings global issues to Nebraska
Moises Park, Ph.D., a Korean-Chilean American associate professor of Spanish at Baylor, will speak at the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s James E. Smith Conference on World Affairs. Park, who researches Latin American literature, cinema and culture, will speak on how individuals with multiple ethno-religious and gender identities are constantly “crossing lines” in the realm of poetry, film and music.

Newsweek: Jeffrey Dahmer Isn't the Only Controversial Costume Banned From Stores
Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D., professor and chair of journalism, public relations and new media, is quoted in this article about controversial costumes, such as that of gruesome serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, have been barred by various retailers over the years.

Oct. 19, 2022

Baptist Standard: Around the State
Baylor researchers led by Devan Stahl, Ph.D., assistant professor of religion and a theological bioethicist and Sarah Schnitker, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, have received a $2.5 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation for an interdisciplinary project, “Illuminating Theological Inquiry and Christian Ethics Through Training in Psychological Science.”

KXXV-TV (ABC): Deep in the Heart Film Festival announces 'Reel Stories: A Black Film Showcase' at Art Center Waco
Deep in the Heart Film Festival has joined with community partners to present a series of three films spotlighting the Black experience, including “Unfinished Business,” created by Stephanie Boddie, Ph.D., assistant professor of church and community ministries at Baylor. Boddie’s film weaves the oral history of African American elders from historic Black churches and communities with personal diaries, photos, letters and music.

KWTX-TV (CBS): Baylor professors use AI to identify online listings that lead to criminal activity
VIDEO: Baylor computer science assistant professors Pablo Rivas, Ph.D., and Tomas Cerny, Ph.D., have received a National Science Foundation grant to lead a team of researchers to stop sex trafficking and the sale of stolen car parts by testing how AI might be able to identify how sites that sell goods could lead to these kinds of illegal activities.

Lawnstarter.com: 2022’s Best Cities for Single Moms
Michelle Kiefer, director of Baylor’s Piper Center for Family Studies and Child Development, is quoted in this article about the best ways for single moms to find social support if they don’t have a strong family or friend network.

Oct. 21, 2022

Baylor Connections: Jordy Dickey and Kalliyana Tep
AUDIO: Homecoming traditions old and new invite the Baylor Family to re-connect with friends and the campus they love. On this Baylor Connections, go behind the scenes at Homecoming with Jordy Dickey,, senior associate director of student activities, and Kalliyana Tep, a junior double major in finance and marketing who serves as president of Baylor Activities Council.

Oct. 22, 2022

Waco Tribune-Herald: Steel frame rises on Baylor basketball complex; garage-hotel tower to follow
The steel frame for Baylor University’s $213 million basketball complex on the Brazos River reached skyward this week as the university welcomed alumni to town for homecoming. Now the race is on to finish the Paul and Alejandra Foster Basketball Pavilion in time for Big 12 conference play in January 2024.

ABOUT BAYLOR MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Baylor's Office of Media and Public Relations (M&PR) supports the University's Illuminate strategic plan as a top Christian research university by focusing on faculty research and expert opinions, innovative teaching, major awards and recognition, and community involvement. Through its media training workshops, the Baylor M&PR team develops faculty experts to effectively communicate the impact of their research or speak as subject-matter experts into national trends and conversations with media outlets, through Hot Topics and on the Baylor Connections podcast. Our faculty expert directory is available on the M&PR website at www.baylor.edu/news/experts.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.