Ellington

Baker University's mass media and communication department will soon welcome a new faculty member seeking contemporary progress in the field of journalism.

David Bostwick, journalism director at Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, will fill the position of assistant professor of mass media and communication at the beginning of the fall semester.

Associate Professor of Mass Media and Communication Gwyn Mellinger said Bostwick would help with the student media convergence process alongside teaching courses in the department.

Media convergence will include improving The Baker Orange online edition by introducing such functions as blogging.

Bostwick said he is looking forward to teaching as well as learning about contemporary tools in media convergence.

"Ironically, I'm entering into something with the online (convergence) that I don't have a lot of experience in," Bostwick said. "But I think that's an area everyone is just learning and struggling with, and I look forward to getting more into it."

Bostwick holds a master's degree in English and has 19 years of teaching experience. He has been working at Cowley County for 10 years.

Mellinger said Bostwick's credentials include an outstanding reputation as a teacher.

"He's widely regarded as an exceptional classroom teacher," Mellinger said.

Assistant Professor of Mass Media and Communication Joe Watson was chair of the faculty search committee and said of about 15 applicants, Bostwick was one of only two invited to interview on campus. Watson said he was in charge of checking Bostwick's references.

"He just had glowing references," Watson said. "There was a feeling of real admiration for this guy."

Watson said one of Bostwick's positive characteristics is his reputation for letting students learn in an unrestrained environment.

"All of his references said he was the type of adviser who lets the students fly on their own and make mistakes," Watson said. "That's something we value here."

Mellinger said Bostwick's reputation within the journalism community has been upheld because of his students' numerous successes including winning the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press' All-Kansas Award in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and being a finalist for the Associated Collegiate Press' Online Pacemaker award.

"There is clear evidence that his students are learning what to do in journalism," Mellinger said. "We're exceptionally fortunate to get him to come here."

Watson said another of Bostwick's standout qualities is his reputation for mentoring students while building long-lasting relationships with them.

Senior Michael Cation said he attended Cowley County as a freshman and enjoyed having Bostwick as a professor.

"He's a really good teacher because he's good at explaining what it is he's teaching," Cation said. "He has a lot of potential to bring to Baker. He wants to help students learn."