From time to time, we will update this page to help you better understand who Jim is and how he operates in the classroom. You should also peruse the advice page to obtain additional insights. The remainder is written in first person by Jim.
I am from Indiana and the oldest son. My birth month is July. I have a brother, sister, and a step-sister. Both my parents never graduated high school. My dad (now deceased) was a Great Depression baby and my mom (now deceased) first married early in life.
I took 10 years to complete the B.A. changing majors three times and campuses. Early in my career, I struggled academically earning 12 hours of F and I was drifting with no clear niche. Once I found Communication and a gifted mentor, Gary L. Kreps, Ph.D., my whole life was transformed. Not overnight of course, but over a period of several years. I worked at a variety of management and sales jobs to help pay for my undergrad expenses. I team taught at the IU School of Nursing as a junior and senior. I presented my first professional research paper before earning my B.A.
I did the M.A. in two years and the Ph.D. in three years. My higher educational odyessy thus spanned from 1974-1990. Many folks believed that I would be a professional student (**VBS**).
I could have never gotten this far without the love and unwavering support of my biological family and second family: Jim Sr., Treva, Rosie, and Tommy (deceased), Norm, Daryle Lee, Sherry, Tom, and Marnie.
I am intense when I lecture. I believe in and love what I do most days. I abhor talking heads and rote memorization. I am not a blank page in the classroom. You will certainly be exposed to my interpretation of communication practices, research, and pressing social issues that merit close scrutiny; however, that does NOT mean that you should adopt my perspective. Check out my interpretations with your own experiences, that of your friends, and that of other authorities.
There will be times when I actually read some of the text out loud (OH NO!!). And that's due to the passage being powerful and important; NOT because I assume each of you cannot read it...
Without question, three of the major events in my life were the birth of Julie Query, my oldest daughter now 17 years old, finding and marrying Dr. Gina Dattilo, and our adoption of Yamile (now 10) and Jorge (now 5). You will hear a fair amount about the kiddos in class. I am a D.A.D. and they are an integral part of my life. I generally try and make such references somewhat relevant to the discussion or lecture at hand. Moreover, I like showing that I am more than merely a professor.
Other things that might be helpful to know....
I do place my name and highest degree on practically all handouts...to indicate my ownership and NOT to impress you or anyone else...
We will use and read some of my published work. That choice is based on its relevance and to help demonstrate that I can "walk the walk" or is it "walk the talk"?? **S**
I am very accessible and strongly encourage you to touch base with me....I do email alot, but I can easily fax you the materials and notes as well if you do not have ease of access...I also like to interject some humor or amenities into my emails and lectures as fav sayings and emotional displays....
All too often, there is a tendency to focus on the "peaks" and "valleys" of life while glossing over the "plateaus". AND it is OKAY to focus and reflect on the plateaus...really...*VBS*...to suggest that one will never encounter a "speed bump" in life is also myopic...
Some Fav Sayings (and recall, I am a Hoosier BG*)
"That's like Aqua Velva" (meaning its very obvious, well at least to me and I often slap myself too hard just like in those commercials) ouch!! *LOL*
"BOOM"...no that's not a sonic one, but a vocalic one to indicate a dramatic point or closure...
"You can't miss that on the exam"...hoping that you will keep the point clear; NOT meant to intimidate...
"Don't hit me." I don't like violence and strive to ease others' pain most times..
"Geez Louise"....well, what can I say?? Louise is an imaginary alter ego who assists me in a variety of ways...usually used to express some amazement or dissatisfaction....I also use wow, bummer, gnarly, and cool as well....YEP and YEPPERS as well....it is indeed lucky that I am tenured now, huh?? **LOL**
"Stretch your lexicon"....meaning, expand your vocabulary and usually employed as an fyi tip on written work...rarely have I have taken points off for someone's lexicon....
"Be good to yourself".(BGTY)....just like it says you know...and I often say it better than I practice it...though I am improving on that daily *VBS*
"Push the envelope"...most folks struggle with me early on...then challenge themselves by digging down and striving for that personal best...these are the folks who typically excell with me and in life as well....I try and motivate not punish (though I can carry and use a BIG stick when necessary such as in matters of academic dishonesty)...I DO NOT like that part of myself either, nor will you...SO let's not go there, cool?????
I am sure there are many others and the vets will supply more as we go....
Email Legend and Jargon (abbrevs and terminology that are commonplace. I am a cyberphyte folks).....
*SS* Big soft smile....*s*...small smile *ss* soft smile
*VBS* Very Big Smile...
**LOL** laughs out loud or lots of laughter....
*G* or *BG* grin or big grin...*VBG*..very big grin...
*TY* BIG Thank you or *ty* usual thank you.
*AFK* Away From Keyboard
ack.....acknowledge receipt of message, especially critical for external server users such as AOL, AT & T, hotmail, excite, dynamite, juno, worldnet, etc.
"loud and clear"...the message came across in its entirety and was legibile (Fisher's 1978 external view of communication *S*)....
"inside the box"...used for external servers when I cut and paste a handout or message...some external servers dislike rtf or WORD attachments...
Okay...nuff for now....more soon.....Be good to yourselves....
