Mike Landess Connects

The University of Texas at Tyler held its 2023 Faculty Staff Convocation in the UT Tyler Cowan Center Friday morning, with hundreds of members of the faculty and staff in attendance, and more watching online and listening to UT Tyler Radio's live broadcast of the event. Friday afternoon, UT Tyler Radio rebroadcast the event for those who might not have been able to hear it, or who wanted to l...

Rep. Nathaniel Moran (TX-1) believes rural areas deserve state-of-the-art weather radar just like more populous areas. That's why he's sponsoring the  Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act, which would help even the remotest corners of East Texas stay informed about severe weather threats.  Congressman Moran also weighs in on fiscal responsibility, the $32 trillion national debt, and his...

As children are preparing to return to school, East Texas traffic safety officials are doing their part to keep our kids safe. Cameron Williams, Traffic Engineer for the City of Tyler, shares the strategies behind improving safety through traffic engineering. He explains the crucial role of reducing speed limits in school zones, introduces the advantages of carousel control, and shares the most pr...

The new CEO of the East Texas Food Bank is David Emerson, who is drawing from his successful tenure at the Midwest Food Bank to take on the ambitious goal of addressing food insecurity in East Texas' rural communities. He talks about his strategic plans to expand resource centers and foster partnerships with health organizations, and offers a fascinating insight into ETFB's Backpack Prog...

UT Tyler recently hosted it's second annual "Back-to-School Bash" for some 1,300 educators from ten East Texas School districts to hear motivational speeches on topics like "How To Teach Like A Rock Star."  Dr. Wesley Hickey, a professor in the UT Tyler School of Education speaks to the challenges teachers face in terms of resources and how important local residents and bu...

Undeterred by a global pandemic, residents of Smith County's have demonstrated incredible resilience. In the midst of the economic turmoil caused by the healthcare crisis and mandatory lockdowns, East Texans donated $3.7 million to nonprofits? Dr. Krist Swimberghe , dean of the Soules College of Business at UT Tyler, discusses these astounding insights highlighted in the latest Hibbs Institut...

Have you ever wondered how Federal Reserve's decisions affect your local real estate market? Kelly Raulston, chair of the Greater Tyler Association of Realtors, shares the effects of the Fed's recent rate hike, a move that could potentially drive up the cost of mortgages. Raulston explains local real estate market dynamics, shares key statistics from the Smith County Housing Report, and...

Embark on a fascinating journey of revitalization with  Andy Bergfeld, a fifth-generation Tylerite and president of Bergfeld Realty. From his first steps in revitalizing Tyler in 1999, to his current projects that are actively transforming the city, Bergfeld's dedication to progress is remarkable and infectiously inspiring. Among his most captivating endeavors is the audacious transformation...

One of the many positives that attracts new businesses to Smith County is how well the county and city governments work together. Smith County Judge Neil Franklin explores the $179 million bond for a new courthouse, the forthcoming parking garage, and joint efforts with the City of Tyler to breathe new life into downtown. He also addresses issues like jail overcrowding and the road-building projec...

Have you ever wondered how a degree in communication and media studies might amplify your career prospects across professional sectors like business, government, and beyond? In this episode, Dr. Brent Yergensen, department chair of the UT Tyler Communication Department and associate professor of communication, examines the historical significance of communication in academia, coupled with his thou...

The Texas legislature and Gov. Greg Abbott have agreed to an  $18 billion deal that will provide property tax relief for 5.7 million Texas homeowners.  UT Tyler political science professor, Dr. Ken Wink discusses future implications and the financial boon this agreement promises Texas homeowners.  Dr. Wink unravels the suspenseful drama that unfolded in the Texas Legislature, exposing the power dy...

What if the debts incurred from your quest for higher education could be wiped away? Unearth the complexities of the Student Loan Forgiveness Plan with Dr. Tammy Cowart , UT Tyler Associate Professor of Accounting, Finance, and Business Law. Cowart navigates the recent Supreme Court ruling against President Biden's plan, explores the Biden administration's fresh strategy involving the Hi...

Tyler Mayor Don Warren shares the energetic progress taking place in the city of Tyler in this latest update. From the grand opening of the WT Brookshire Conference Center, to the establishment of the UT Tyler School of Medicine, Tyler is on an upward trajectory. The city is buzzing with a vibrant downtown revival, bringing to life a plethora of restaurants, stores, apartments, and condos. Warren...

If you want to know how to equip students with the skills they need to conquer the global workforce, Dr. Joanne Simmons, superintendent of UT Tyler's University Academy is an excellent resource. In our latest episode, she charts the incredible growth of the academy since its launch in 2012 and discusses the significance of the academy's partnership with UT Tyler. She'll also delve i...

East Texas musician, writer, producer and recording engineer Bob Gentry has worked with music industry giants like Leanne Rimes, The (Dixie) Chicks, and even the legendary Tina Turner. In this episode, Bob reveals secrets of the trade, sharing his journey from being a nascent musician here in Tyler,  to becoming the acclaimed musician, performer, writer, and recording producer he is today. Bob tal...

Wondering how the Supreme Court's recent ruling on college admissions might change the face of educational diversity? Join us as we navigate this complex issue with Dr. Tammy Cowart, UT Tyler Associate Professor of Accounting, Finance, and Business Law . She weighs in on the implications, dissects the differing views among the justices and explores the potential impact on diversity within cam...

Dr. Brigham Willis, the founding dean of the UT Tyler School of Medicine , explains the invaluable mission of the institution, which is geared towards addressing health disparities and fortifying healthcare access in East Texas. He details the strategic process behind selecting students with deep ties to the region and the unique activities planned to foster a strong bond between them, the school,...

Get ready to embark on a musical journey with Sergio Pamies - a gifted jazz pianist , composer and assistant professor for jazz piano at the University of Cincinnati - as he takes us through his remarkable career. This episode draws you into Pamies' world, from his early days as a professional musician in Spain to becoming a respected educator in the United States. His tale is one of passion,...

What can we learn from the incredible growth of Tyler, and how can these lessons be applied to other own communities? Join us in a captivating conversation with Henry Bell, fifth-generation Tyler native and president of the Tyler Chamber of Commerce . With more than 30 years' experience in the chamber, and more than a dozen years at Regions Bank, Henry shares his unique insights into the city...

Have you ever wondered about the fascinating history behind radio and television broadcasting, especially in East Texas? Join us as we uncover some incredible stories and unique artifacts in our exclusive conversation with Chuck Conrad, the executive director of the Texas Broadcast Museum in Kilgore.  In this captivating journey, we explore how Chuck acquired some truly remarkable pieces, includin...

What if rural broadband was more than just access to Netflix? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Mickey Slimp - a broadband consultant with the Deep East Texas Council of Governments - sheds light on the importance of expanding and enriching rural broadband in Texas, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as internet connectivity has become an essential part of everyday life. Dr. Slim...

Discover the importance of dementia and Alzheimer's screenings during June's Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, as we chat with Logan Guillory, a third-year clinical psychology doctoral student at UT Tyler's Memory Assessment and Research Center (MARC) . Learn how UT Tyler's free screenings can make a significant difference for older adults who might not have the resou...

Imagine a world where young musicians have the opportunity to learn jazz from renowned experts, perform in unique concert settings, and foster a lifelong passion for music. That's exactly what we explored in our conversation with Dr. Sarah Roberts, Jazz Camp Director at UT Tyler School of Performing Arts, as she shared the evolution and impact of the annual UT Tyler Jazz Camp since its incept...

UT Tyler’s summer music camp for brass players is coming up the week of June 19. Dr. Jeremy McBain is the director of the camp and professor of music for the university. He shares the details of this beneficial opportunity for high school musicians who want to develop their skills and enjoy time with fellow performers and UT Tyler’s music faculty.   (Show notes are automatically generated and may...

Broadway musicals, live music performances and a distinguished speaker with a sense of humor will round out the 2023-2024 season for the UT Tyler Cowan Center . UT Tyler sophomore mass communications student Nathan Witt talked with Cowan Center Executive Director Susan Tomae-Morphew and has the details. (Show notes are automatically generated and may contain phonetic spellings and other spelling a...