Associate Professor and Undergraduate Coordinator in the School of Communication Studies Jeffrey T. Child, Ph.D., was honored as an Outstanding Alumnus by his undergraduate alma mater, Wayne State College (WSC). Child completed a degree in speech communication with minors in mathematics and computer sciences from WSC in 2002, before going on to complete his doctoral degree from North Dakota State University in 2007.
Child was given the award during the college's Homecoming weekend at the Outstanding Alumni Banquet on Sept. 27.
In his remarks, Child said, "If I hadn't have come to Wayne State College I probably would not be a college educator, doing what I feel passionate about today, working with students, studying communication and hopefully in some way paying it forward and making a difference to the wonderful students and the generosities that have also been extended to me while I was an undergraduate student here."
Child thanked the faculty and staff that influenced his undergraduate academic career, and initial interest in the field of communication studies.
"This award and honor means so much to me, because I really do consider you all my heroes and role models," Child said. "When I think about why I do what I do at Kent State University, pushing students toward advancing and discovering their own pathways of excellence, it's because so many of you and in such wonderful ways, pushed my thinking, my capabilities and my desire to be an educator who makes a difference."
Child's family traveled to WSC to share in the experience with him.