My college Prof. At UConn Who made me a much better writer was Milton Stern. He permitted as many rewrites one could bear to submit. I was pursuing better grades. He was doggedly improving my writing skills. Sadly I don’t know if he’s still alive. But God bless he and all his ilk.
What a wonderful tribute to Richard Massa. For me it was a high school journalism teacher, Marion Turnbull, and our newspaper The Kernal at East Bakersfield High in California.
Yep. No one would bat an eye if I say "Missouri Southern," but they might listen to "Merrill College of Journalism at Univ. of MD," though it wasn't called that when I was there. I hope the education offered there has improved because I learned FAR more at MSSC.
I also cut my journalistic baby teeth at the Chart. Mr. Massa was an unforgettable character. His cranky, growly, sarcastic veneer was 100% for show. Underneath he was a warm and caring man who deeply loved the kids who worked at the Chart as though they were his own.
The paper wasn't half as good as we all thought it was, but it was a tremendous laboratory for kids who thought they might want to be journalists. It was a place to try. There was plenty of room to make mistakes (I took full advantage of that) and learn from those mistakes.
When I, like you, moved onto a bigger college, my experience at the Chart helped me immediately land the job of news editor at the maneater, the U. of Mo.'s student newspaper. I was very far from being a Hall of Famer at the Chart--truly I didn't know shit--but I thought I did, and that was thanks at least in part to Mr. Massa. He saw my occult talent and continually praised me for it. The scaffold he helped to build definitely helped me succeed at the vaunted U. of Mo. journalism school and I'll always owe him for that.
At one point Clark and Mr. Massa and maybe a couple of others came up to visit up there. I imagine it was to collect some more trophy-case hardware, I can't remember if they crashed at my place or not but we definitely hung out together and had a blast talking about old times. Long live the Chart, and congratulations to you Susan, you will always be in my personal Hall of Fame. Please say hi to Clark and any of the other old timers, including Steve Smith
Why did I not know you went to MSSC for a bit? I thought you shot up the highway to Columbia and never looked back. And yes, that meanness was all for show but it took me years to realize it. I look forward to seeing Clark, whom I've not seen in 100 years, and I believe we'll all get to see Teresa Massa, as well. Plus? The Campbell boys will be there, which is awesome.
When people ask about my education I say I'm a U. of Mo. grad. I conveniently leave out the fact that I spent a couple years at a state school before transferring up there. I mean, a degree from U. of Mo. is already underwhelming enough. I don't need to let people know that I'm actually not even smart enough to have gone there for four years.
Truthfully though, if I had gone straight to Columbia from W.C.H.S. I probably would have washed out. Not to dis our high school, but at least at that time, the academics were pretty far from stellar. I really needed a transition and MSSC provided that.
That's precisely how long I was at MSSC and while I don't regret transferring, the school I went to lacked a good journalism program. That is not the case now. They're a powerhouse, but when I was there, there were rumors of them losing their accreditation. So yeah.
Congratulations, Susan, on this super award and on your sparkling career. This is a lovely tribute to your life-changing professor, may he rest in peace. You've made me pause and remember several dynamic professors who made a impact on me. Safe travels to Missouri!
We’ll said and entirely credible. For me it was the HS paper and the beloved-scary mentor was a nun about 5’0” and 98 lbs habit and all. For both my sons it was the late Jim Bransfield who brought his sportswriter’s discipline to advising the NP staff at Middletown HS. His approach was 100%support in the face of an often hostile principal—but if you screwed up and played at ethical edges he was in your face! My youngest is now 36 but his memory of “Mr. B” taking him to a Yankees game is fresh. Good on you for taking this trip back to Missouri.
My college Prof. At UConn Who made me a much better writer was Milton Stern. He permitted as many rewrites one could bear to submit. I was pursuing better grades. He was doggedly improving my writing skills. Sadly I don’t know if he’s still alive. But God bless he and all his ilk.
They make all the difference, don’t they?
Congratulations.
The more I read what you write,
the more I know you between the lines of your resume.
My resume is quite long but doesn't begin to reflect the fun I've had. Thank you, Deacon.
“Rejoice… I say it again rejoice.”
What a wonderful tribute to Richard Massa. For me it was a high school journalism teacher, Marion Turnbull, and our newspaper The Kernal at East Bakersfield High in California.
Congratulations!
Please give my love to Missouri! I never lived there, but I adopted relatives there, near Summerville.
And I note how many superb academics there are in less glory-laden institutions.
Yep. No one would bat an eye if I say "Missouri Southern," but they might listen to "Merrill College of Journalism at Univ. of MD," though it wasn't called that when I was there. I hope the education offered there has improved because I learned FAR more at MSSC.
I also cut my journalistic baby teeth at the Chart. Mr. Massa was an unforgettable character. His cranky, growly, sarcastic veneer was 100% for show. Underneath he was a warm and caring man who deeply loved the kids who worked at the Chart as though they were his own.
The paper wasn't half as good as we all thought it was, but it was a tremendous laboratory for kids who thought they might want to be journalists. It was a place to try. There was plenty of room to make mistakes (I took full advantage of that) and learn from those mistakes.
When I, like you, moved onto a bigger college, my experience at the Chart helped me immediately land the job of news editor at the maneater, the U. of Mo.'s student newspaper. I was very far from being a Hall of Famer at the Chart--truly I didn't know shit--but I thought I did, and that was thanks at least in part to Mr. Massa. He saw my occult talent and continually praised me for it. The scaffold he helped to build definitely helped me succeed at the vaunted U. of Mo. journalism school and I'll always owe him for that.
At one point Clark and Mr. Massa and maybe a couple of others came up to visit up there. I imagine it was to collect some more trophy-case hardware, I can't remember if they crashed at my place or not but we definitely hung out together and had a blast talking about old times. Long live the Chart, and congratulations to you Susan, you will always be in my personal Hall of Fame. Please say hi to Clark and any of the other old timers, including Steve Smith
Why did I not know you went to MSSC for a bit? I thought you shot up the highway to Columbia and never looked back. And yes, that meanness was all for show but it took me years to realize it. I look forward to seeing Clark, whom I've not seen in 100 years, and I believe we'll all get to see Teresa Massa, as well. Plus? The Campbell boys will be there, which is awesome.
When people ask about my education I say I'm a U. of Mo. grad. I conveniently leave out the fact that I spent a couple years at a state school before transferring up there. I mean, a degree from U. of Mo. is already underwhelming enough. I don't need to let people know that I'm actually not even smart enough to have gone there for four years.
Truthfully though, if I had gone straight to Columbia from W.C.H.S. I probably would have washed out. Not to dis our high school, but at least at that time, the academics were pretty far from stellar. I really needed a transition and MSSC provided that.
That's precisely how long I was at MSSC and while I don't regret transferring, the school I went to lacked a good journalism program. That is not the case now. They're a powerhouse, but when I was there, there were rumors of them losing their accreditation. So yeah.
Thanks for this beautiful story.
Safe trip!
You written a tribute any teacher would treasure, a validation of their calling. His memory is a blessing.
Congratulations! What a wonderful legacy he left and that you now pass along to your own students. Safe travels!
Thank you!
Congratulations, Susan, on this super award and on your sparkling career. This is a lovely tribute to your life-changing professor, may he rest in peace. You've made me pause and remember several dynamic professors who made a impact on me. Safe travels to Missouri!
I never had another teacher like Richard Massa, but I think, upon reflection, one is enough. Thank you, Charlene.
Congratulations!
This is wonderful. You richly deserve it and your connection to your past is so lovely.
We’ll said and entirely credible. For me it was the HS paper and the beloved-scary mentor was a nun about 5’0” and 98 lbs habit and all. For both my sons it was the late Jim Bransfield who brought his sportswriter’s discipline to advising the NP staff at Middletown HS. His approach was 100%support in the face of an often hostile principal—but if you screwed up and played at ethical edges he was in your face! My youngest is now 36 but his memory of “Mr. B” taking him to a Yankees game is fresh. Good on you for taking this trip back to Missouri.
That’s “well said”
Isn't that wonderful? Those teachers make all the difference.