Faculty Profile

Drama & English Instructor

Education/Degrees:

M.A. – English, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
B.A. – English, Western Illinois University

Classes Taught:

Campus and Community Involvement:

Faculty Advisor to STAGE (SRC Theatre Artists Group for Education)–Director of Theatre Program; Director of two STAGE productions each academic year; past advisor to Kaleidoscope Student Literary Journal and Phi Theta Kappa; occasional involvement with SRC Community Chorus; have served on a variety of SRC governance committees. Community involvement includes past association as actor and director at Many Lights Theatre in Canton; and several years participating in the Canton Career Expo.

About Me:

Northwest Illinois (Freeport) is my origin story. Graduating from WIU, I found myself in Central Illinois, where my parents had moved. Upon earning my M.A. at SIUE, I returned to the area and found my current position at SRC. At first teaching only English classes, I later accepted an invitation to run the SRC Theatre Program, which I’ve done since 2014.

I’ve been fortunate to spend the last 28 years with my wife, Susie–an alum of SRC and Bradley University–whose three daughters have enriched my life in so many ways. Susie is also a theatre artist and has appeared several times on the SRC stage and frequently designs sets for our shows.

Why Spoon River College?

To be honest, I knew very little about SRC before applying for this position. But I had completed my M.A. with the intention of teaching at a community college, and the position opened up at a time when I was actively seeking a job. In many ways, I grew up while serving in this job and sometimes have trouble remembering a time when I was not here, doing this. SRC presents students with the best opportunity to get a powerful start on whatever path they choose.

My Educational Philosophy:

Education is very much more than the transfer of information. Those who question the value of formal education in the finest liberal-arts tradition should take a closer look. At its best, SRC serves as a nursery for developing souls, helping students figure out who they are and what they want to be, or do. It’s an honor to be part of that process.

Advice for Students:

Cultivate curiosity. Develop adaptability. Seek opportunity.