Mike Landess Connects

UT Tyler's summer music camp for percussionists is coming up the week of June 19. Dr. Tyree Hastings is the director of the camp and the director of percussion studies for the university. He shares all the details about this enriching opportunity for high school musicians who want to hone their skills and enjoy time with fellow performers and UT Tyler's music faculty. (A transcript of th...

While Tyler is a medical hub for all of East Texas with a variety of options for high quality healthcare, that's not the case for many of the more rural portions of our region. Dr. Carolyn Morales is the associate dean for community engagement at the UT Tyler School of Medicine . She explains the situation and what UT Tyler and UT Health East Texas are doing to address the need , including de...

UT Tyler president, Kirk Calhoun, MD, FACP, provides his quarterly update to the UT Tyler Radio Podcast. Dr. Calhoun address growth plans for the university, construction progress for the School of Nursing expansion, and the latest activity in the Texas legislature. (A transcript of this episode is available at KVUT.org.) (Show notes are automatically generated and may contain phonetic spellings a...

 Americans are celebrating Memorial Day today, honoring those members of the United States Armed Forces killed in the line of duty. But how did the commemoration come about? What is its history and significance? And what should it mean, to you? Dr. James Newsom, professor of political science and history at UT Tyler explains. (A transcript of this episode is available at KVUT.org.) (Show notes are...

American music legend Tina Turner passed away this week at age 83 in her home in Switzerland. She was known for her iconic vocals, energetic dance moves and overcoming an abusive relationship to skyrocket to superstardom. But not many people know she recorded some of her music in the East Texas studios of Robin Hood Brians. (A transcript of this episode is available at KVUT.org.) (Show notes are a...

The UT Tyler School of Nursing is growing, with a new building and proposals for expanded program offerings. Dr. Barbara Haas, dean of the school, shares and update and talks about the future of nursing in East Texas and nationwide. (A transcript of this episode is available at KVUT.org.) (Show notes are automatically generated and may contain phonetic spellings and other spelling and punctuation...

The Texas legislature is about to conclude its 88th regular session with the prospect of a special session looming. UT Tyler Political Science professor, Dr. Mark Owens has the results of the latest poll by the UT Tyler Center for Opinion Research , including how the legislature's current work aligns with the public's priorities. (A transcript of this episode is available at KVUT.org.) ...

 Tyler Junior College (TJC) is one of the healthiest and most robust community colleges in Texas, if not the entire nation. This is at a time when many community colleges are struggling to find their place, and funding, in an environment that grows more competitive each year. Dr. Juan Mejia, president of TJC , talks about what his institution is doing that's different than others and the comm...

Bert Truax, who currently plays trumpet with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra , was second trumpet of the Dallas Symphony from 1976-2000. He began playing the trumpet at the age of seven. As a published composer, his works are recorded on Crystal Records. He has performed with the Fort Worth Symphony, Lewisville Symphony, and the Memphis Symphony in addition to an illustrious recording career. He...

John G. Self works primary with executives and middle managers seeking their next career opportunity. This experience has given him enormous insight into how Artificial Intelligence and social media are changing the post-pandemic application and interview process for all job seekers. (A transcript of this episode is available at KVUT.org.) (Show notes are automatically generated and may contain ph...

Registration is now open for summer music camps at UT Tyler for high school student musicians in percussion , brass and jazz . Dr. Kyle Gullings, director of the School of Performing Arts explains what students can expect and how to get involved in these fun learning opportunities.  (A transcript of this episode is available at KVUT.org.) (Show notes are automatically generated and may contain pho...

 The young and young at heart have been visiting Tyler's Discovery Science Place for, literally, decades. Development Director Tammy Urias is inviting the public to the Founder's Day celebration this Saturday (May 13) to commemorate the 30th anniversary East Texas' most interactive landmark. (A transcript of this episode is available at KVUT.org.) (Show notes are automatically gener...

States like Texas and Florida are seeing an influx of migration from major cities and coastal states. Smith County has benefited from an influx of New Yorkers and Californians, but there have been some challenges as a result of these shifts.  Krist Swimberghe, DBA and dean of UT Tyler Soules College of Business , talks about a new Hibbs Institute for Business and Economic Development report out th...

 The 88th session of the Texas legislature has less than 30 days to go, and there are a number of deadlines that must be met for additional legislation to move forward. UT Tyler political science professor, Mark Owens, PhD, explains the process and answers a question many Texans are asking: Will property tax relief happen this session? (A transcript of this episode is available at KVUT.org.) (Show...

Marty Crawford, EDD, superintendent of the Tyler Independent School District wants East Texans to know that the costs of education are increasing while inflation has made the funding schools do have worth less. He says this is happening at a time when many parents want the option to take the public education money dedicated for their children away to pay for private schools. He spoke on behalf of...

Habitat for Humanity of Smith County is welcoming a new CEO, but she's no stranger to the organization. Mary Alice Guidry has served on the organization's board for six years, including terms as secretary and president. She is a licensed architect with nine years of experience as a Senior Project Manager with Fitzpatrick Architects, Inc. Disclosure: The Smith County Habitat affiliate is...

First District U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R) recaps the passage of H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which requires that only individuals who are biologically female be allowed to compete in women's sports. He also discusses his trip to Taiwan, Korea and Japan and his take on possible conflict with China in the future. Moran believes the GOP convention in July...

Nathan Witt is a UT Tyler sophomore who was recently named Editor-In-Chief of the Patriot Talon student newspaper. He also manages a podcast for UT Tyler Radio and runs a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged youth in his home town of Mineola. (Transcript for Nathan Witt: Patriot Talon editor, UT Tyler student success story at KVUT.org) (Show notes are automatically generated and may contain phonetic...

City of Tyler Mayor Don Warren talks about severe weather cleanup, downtown development, the new W.T. Brookshire Conference Center that replaced the old Harvey Hall and more in his quarterly update for UT Tyler Radio and the UT Tyler Radio Podcast. (Transcript for Don Warren: Tyler mayor's quarterly update at KVUT.org) (Show notes are automatically generated and may contain phonetic spellings...

US Army veteran and UT Tyler graduate Jenn Ford is now pursuing music full time. After playing country music for a decade, she's honoring her rock musical influences ranging from Bonnie Raitt to Jimi Hendrix with a new album, Americana Radio. Jenn shares how music helped her manage PTSD after her military service. (Transcript of Jenn Ford: East Texas musician releases album at KVUT.org) (Show...

How can we create a "financially aware" culture. According to Susan Doty - director of UT Tyler's Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy - what we're doing now isn't working. She says spending money you don't have rather than saving and investing is like signing up for a diet plan, not following the instructions, and wondering why you're not losing...

UT Tyler students now have the opportunity to take a creative writing class from a member of the Texas Institute of Letters, which is, in essence, a "hall of fame" for Texas writers. Glenn Blake is the author of "Return Fire: Stories," "Drowned Moon," and "The Old and The Lost: Collected Stories." He came to UT Tyler from Johns Hopkins University and has pre...

The UT Tyler School of Medicine is looking for volunteers to serve as simulated patients for the first class of the new medical school. The goal of the paid, part-time positions is to help medical students get used to working with East Texans. The hope is that these future doctors will chose to complete their residency programs and ultimately practice medicine here in East Texas. (Transcript of Ka...

The Texas legislature is more than halfway through its current session. Thousands of bills have been filed, but comparatively few will even make it to the floor for a vote. Which proposals are picking up steam and which are likely to die at the end of the 140-day session? Mark Owens, PhD, with the UT Tyler Center for Opinion Research and the university's political science department has that...

East Texas Giving Day is officially April 25th, but because of a $50,000 matching gift donation, you can give now. The money raised goes to more than 20 agencies and organizations that help East Texans and the funds stay in our region. Mary Foster with United Way talks about the various ways your donations make life better in East Texas. (Transcript of Mary Foster: East Texas Giving Day at KVUT.or...