Every campaign answers two questions: who are you, and why are you running? So let me first introduce myself. I was raised in a working-class family that my mother once described as “not poor, just broke.” It was a good home where we learned the values of education, persistence, and a good sense of humor.
As best anyone can tell, I was only the second person in three family generations to attend college. I fell even further in love with learning. So it’s no surprise my career eventually led me to UT where I am an associate professor and teach courses in journalism and broadcasting.
It was here in Knoxville that I met my wife Becky. We literally bumped into each other at church. We now have a home in North Hills. Both of us divide our time between jobs and community projects, and we’re both active in our church.
I have become a Big Brother to a great kid. I’m also a research mentor in the McNair Scholars Program; it matches talented young people with professors to lead the students through a research project. For four years I volunteered time at Knoxville College to coach a speech and debate team, often paying some travel expenses out of my own pocket.
I am motivated strongly by the value of opening doors for the next generation, creating an educational environment where children can grow into innovative and optimistic young adults.
