Another former student said in a nomination letter, "Gary Hanson is an invaluable asset to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. I still hear his voice in my head every time I write a story."
Hanson was recently involved in a project called International Story Telling. He traveled with a group of students to Shanghai for 11 days of reporting. This spring he is taking students to India.
Hanson enjoys Kent State University because he gets to work with hardworking, highly motivated students as they prepare for media-related careers. He said he also gets to work with like-minded faculty colleagues who share his passion for teaching.
Being part of the university community is really something special to Hanson. "It has really given me a tremendous set of opportunities," Hanson says. "The most rewarding thing is seeing the light come on in someone’s eye, that ‘oh yeah, I get it!’ moment."
Hanson grew up in North Dakota and moved to Ohio to take a position as a producer in Youngstown, where he worked at WKBN for 18 years.
His goal is to make a difference. He says students and parents trust him, and he wants to make sure they’re spending their money wisely. Students pay for access to the faculty, and Hanson believes it is his moral responsibility to make that happen.
"I want to make journalism better," says Hanson. "I want to make sure it’s good."
Please watch for profiles in upcoming issue of eFlash featuring the other two DTA recipients, Susan Taft and George Garrison.
By Kasey Fahey