A New Year a new blog

During the protest in Bangkok, May 2010

Back in August I started a new chapter in life as the R.M. Seaton Chair in the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications. I moved to Kansas from Bangkok, Thailand.

One of the great things about returning to my alma mater, Kansas State, is being in an environment where there are people who care about trying to get better at teaching and learning. Yesterday I attended a conference here focused on creating a community of learners.

But what does that mean exactly? 

I''m still processing everything from yesterday but I think I have a pretty good idea. 

When I was in college back in the 1980s, I worked at the K-State Collegian, the campus daily newspaper, as a photojournalist. Why did I choose to come to K-State? Because there was a dedicated, focused group of people who cared about each other and the work they were doing. The success of the photojournalists wasn't predicated on classroom instruction as much as it was on our ability teach and learn from each other as we worked on the Collegian.

The Photogs - circa 1982.

We were a tribe. The lessons passed down to me from the upperclassmen - work hard, build a portfolio, get internships, be professional - were the same lessons they had passed to them from their elders. As I become one of the old dogs, I passed the lessons to new photojournalists when they arrived. We were passionate and driven and brutally honest with each other – and it worked. Over the course of our college careers we spent hours together brainstorming ideas, working on stories, partying and celebrating our successes.

Many of the people I worked with have amazing professional careers. Robert Clark has been working with National Geographic for years. Jeff Tuttle, is now freelancing in Wichita after years at the Wichita Eagle newspaper. We were best friends in college but nearly got into a fist fight in the darkroom once over who should be able to get their picture out on the wires first. The competition was awesome. There are many who still make their living with a camera. Others have moved into management positions in the news business.

And others have taken new paths in life. My college roommate, Jeff Taylor, is one of the best coffee roasters on the planet and his company, PTs Coffee, was named the 2009 Roaster of the Year.

Regardless of where the path of life has led the K-State photo community, there is a still a connection back to this place. I can call a photojournalist from the 1960s and they will help me because we are part of the tribe. I have called photojournalists who came after me for help. We care, we learn and we succeed. We built a community of learners. 

As I prepare for a new semester, I've reflected on what I can do to try and build this feeling in my classes. I've got a few ideas and I will see how they work. 

I'll keep you posted.