Connor Kenaston

Connor Kenaston serves as the Ainsworth Visiting Professor of American History at Randolph College, joining the institution as a new faculty member in 2022. His academic journey began with a passion for history that developed during his college years, where he discovered "the thrill of doing archival research for the first time and using what I found to craft an evidence-based argument."

Dr. Kenaston specializes in American history with a focus on the intersection of religion and media, particularly examining the role of radio broadcasting in shaping religious landscapes throughout the 20th century. His research explores how commercial radio and religious programming contributed to the development of what he terms "Tri-Faith America." His scholarly approach combines deep archival research with cultural analysis to understand complex relationships between faith, broadcasting, and national identity formation.

His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on American religious history and media studies, with particular attention to the 20th century. Kenaston's work reveals patterns in how religious organizations utilized emerging media technologies to reach broader audiences and shape American religious identity.

As an active scholar, Kenaston regularly presents his research at academic conferences including the Southeastern American Studies Association and the Business History Conference, demonstrating his engagement with multiple scholarly communities across disciplinary boundaries.