With every person comes a unique story behind them which brings their individuality into the spotlight. Joe Dennis seeks out and helps these stories flourish. As a result of seeing so many special lives, he acknowledges how important it is to cover even the smallest of stories.
Joe interviewed a local judge who needed a liver transplant. He published multiple stories on the topic, bringing the community to see the judge’s decline of health. He would include the judge’s place on the waitlist for a liver. Even though he slowly moved up the waitlist, he was never able to get the liver he needed. The judge passed and the same day Joe agreed to become an organ donor. When he was covering the story, the judge and his family agreed that the coverage of the story would help spread awareness of the issue of a lack of organ donors. Journalists like Joe notice the importance in seemingly minor issues and put them into the spotlight.
Even though he has interviewed many, he cares beyond his typed words. He teaches college journalism classes at the University of Georgia and his students vary widely. He’s open to support them no matter what, even though they’re so different. For example, after the presidential election, some of his students came to him with concerns. They were very different kids with different sexualities, races and disabilities. They were all worried and felt like they could come to Joe with these concerns about their future.
“They just needed someone to talk to, they just needed someone to vent to, you know?” Joe said in an interview. “When my students are struggling, I hope they know that I’m here for them.”
“But I do think that I have written stuff in the past in the perspective of growing up as someone who is different.” He stated upon being asked on his childhood growing up Filipino. He related to his students troubles and made them feel comfortable enough to talk to him.
Joe cares about more than just the writing of the story; he cares about the people who make the stories.
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