Why did you choose NCMC?
I was born and raised in Trenton and my older brother graduated from TJC so I was familiar with the college. I originally attended from 1980-82 as part of a joint program with Chillicothe Vo-Tech school where I studied Electronics Technology. I later attended NCMC part-time from 1989-91 and completed my A.A. degree while working in my parents’ appliance store one block south of the main NCMC building.
What do/did you like best about NCMC?
The low cost and convenience were major factors in attending NCMC but the professors were the best part. I especially enjoyed taking classes from Bill Osterling, Don Dalrymple and Larry Danner. Being a Trenton native, I felt at home, but it was also nice to meet students from other places.
Do you have any advice for current or prospective students?
- Go to class and do the assignments.
- Be open to new ideas and new ways of thinking.
- Make friends with people who are different from you.
What was your first job after graduating or attending NCMC (college)?
After graduating from NCMC in 1991 I went on to earn a B.S. in Journalism and an M.A. in Communication from the University of Central Mo. I worked at two newspapers in Warrensburg Mo and in the PR office at UCM. I attended Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, from 1997 to 2001 where I earned a Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication.
What’s your current job and how long have you been there?
I am currently a Professor in the Department of Communication at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. I teach media law, media history, mass communication theory, and journalism. I have been teaching at PSU since August 2001.
What do you like best about your current job?
I enjoy working with students and teaching them about the important role of mass media in our democracy.
What are you most proud of (personal or professional) and why?
Personally: I am most proud of my family–my wife Sabrina and our 17-year-old son Will.
Professionally: I am proud of the career I have built in academia–publishing articles in law journals and watching my students go out into the world and be successful professionals and good citizens.