Darren Hellwege
Announcer/Producer"The Voice Of Columbia," Darren Hellwege has hosted NPR's “Morning Edition” for over 30 years on KBIA, and serves as host/producer of the award-winning “Thinking Out Loud” programs. He also hosts “Vox Humana” on Classical 90.5 FM. Darren is also a marketing representative for KBIA and Classical 90.5, helping businesses connect with their customers using public radio.
An avid Tiger sports fan, Darren serves as the P.A. announcer for Mizzou Wrestling, Softball and Gymnastics. As former KBIA Sports Director, Darren reported on Tiger athletics for more than 10 years.
An active community volunteer, Darren served recently as president of the Board of Directors for ACT Services of Columbia. In the past, he’s been a member of the Columbia/Boone County Board of Health and the Boone County Mental Health Board of Trustees, the University of Missouri Campus Safety Committee, and he was a board member for the Central Missouri Humane Society and Rock Bridge Christian Church. Darren coached youth sports for several years with Boys/Girls Club of Columbia, Columbia Diamond Council and Columbia Youth Basketball Association.
Darren was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma and grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma where he attended the University of Central Oklahoma. Darren and his wife Bonnie have two grown children. Their son Kristian lives in Columbia, and daughter Janie lives in Kansas City with her husband and two children.
Darren is on Twitter at @kbiamorning where he shares news stories, selfies, dad jokes and way too much sports.