Students passionately believe that Joe Dennis, the current Piedmont University chair of communication, should permanently teach journalism full-time at the University of Georgia.
“Nobody wants a boring teacher,” said Hunter Pitrak, one of Joe’s students at UGA’s summer academy. “I feel like I would definitely go into journalism at UGA if I knew he was going to be my professor.”
Joe Dennis attended the University of Georgia, where he received his PhD in Mass Communications. Now, he is currently the mass communications chair at Piedmont University, where he teaches students during the regular school year. However, during the summer, Joe returns to the University of Georgia to teach at the summer academy, and continues to get invited back each summer.
“I think UGA has a really good journalism program,” said Joe. “When you combine it with the Red & Black, (UGA’s independent student newspaper) it’s a one-two punch that I think is one of the best in the country.”
Joe has allowed his various experiences to shape the way he views people, as he portrays his love for people and their differences through teaching. Teachers expressing real passion for their work and their students are difficult to encounter. The prominent Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication program at UGA could further benefit with humorous and genuine professors like Joe, who truly make an impact on students.
“Joe is a very engaging teacher,” said Elsa Block, who traveled all the way from California to attend UGA’s journalism class during the summer. “He is very positive and funny.”
Mixing comedy with learning creates successful teaching styles, as many of Joe’s students have agreed that they have learned more in his class than any other journalism teacher, making Joe a valuable professor that UGA should undoubtedly consider.
“Teaching with humor allows the students to enjoy it and relate to it more,” said Maika Walker, another attendant of UGA’s summer academy.
If Joe were to expand his career onto UGA, the amount of students he would surely impact would increase significantly. Joe, who is obviously very qualified, would be one of UGA’s greatest professors, continuing to teach with a permanent smile.
“I think UGA would most definitely benefit from a professor like Joe,” said Keshondra Shipp, who just recently graduated from UGA with her masters degree in journalism and mass communication. “I think he’s a hidden gem, and I don’t think many people know about him. But I think he’s great.”
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