Dr. Eric Abbot
Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
Iowa State University
Re: Assistant Professor positions
October 11, 2006
Dear Dr. Abbot,
Just before the application deadline, I found the electronic posting for the
assistant professor positions in the Greenlee School of Journalism. Consequently, I am
submitting my application for one of those positions via the old-fashioned method—
hard copy. My suitability for such a position rests upon my dedication to and
experience with communication, Iowa State University, research, and teaching.
Since 1995, I’ve been an active editor/writer for Meredith Corporation and
Reader’s Digest. The majority of my work falls under the heading of service
journalism covering the areas of home improvement and woodworking. During my
tenure as a journalist, I’ve significantly contributed to two books, published hundreds
of articles, and acted as both a department and feature editor. At both companies,
writer/editors have huge levels of control and responsibility for their work. Not only
have I been expected to develop my own story ideas, but also to prepare and direct
photo shoots, conduct all research, act as technical editor, and to exercise final say in
the published product.
My relationship with Iowa State traces back to 1994. At that time, I was a PhD
candidate in the English department’s Rhetoric & Professional Communication
Program. After completing the majority of the required coursework, I saw an
opportunity for a marriage between my eclectic background and the journalism field.
Ultimately, this journey led me to Meredith and then to Reader’s Digest in Minnesota.
While in Minnesota, my wife and I began our family and labored over the decision of
the best place to raise our children. That decision led to us leaving behind lucrative
businesses and connections to return to Ames in 2004. For the past two plus years,
I’ve held the position of full-time lecturer in the English Department where I instruct
engineers and scientists in a 300 level technical writing course. During this time, I’ve
not only been seeking a way to make Iowa State my permanent home, but also
contemplating how I can put my stamp on the field of communications through
publications and research.
The past twelve years of work as a writer, technical editor, photo editor,
business owner, student and teacher have led to a keen interest in and development of
theories in the areas of visual communication, pedagogical methods, usability testing,
and communication risk management. Currently, I have plans to create a 70-page
visual principles book for the private sector covering the areas of visual organization
and instructional photography. Further, I hope to disprove the widely held belief in
technical writing that illustrations are better than photographs for communicating
technical detail. In the same vein of my belief in instructional photography, I hope to
develop principles and techniques for businesses to address communicative needs for
illiterate, semi-literate, and non-native customers—work which leads naturally to
global communication challenges.
The communication challenge I’m most interested in is that between a student
and teacher. This latest turn (my third) as a university teacher has been an engaging
life lesson to show me how I’ve grown in the practice over the last 22 years. While
I’ve always been very dedicated to my students, my previous student evaluations
reflected fairly mixed reviews. Since my return to the university, I admit to a bit of
surprise in that a great many students (mostly juniors and seniors) claim that I am the
best instructor they’ve had at Iowa State. While I think recent memory definitely
works to my advantage, I work very hard at reaching my students and individually
pushing them toward improvement. Toward that end, I hold at least 250 meetings with
my 60 to 70 students every semester. Given that most of my students hate writing, it
should be interesting for you to view the quality of their work on my website
(msatterw.public.iastate.edu). I always feel complimented when a student tells me that
my class isn’t like a normal English class.
Neither would I readily class myself as “normal.” Throughout my primary and
secondary school years, I was a below-average student in a well below-average school
system. I had little respect for the value of education and was far more interested in
causing trouble and “cowboying.” I attended college for the first semester as an
experiment and, since I knew I would have to fund my own education, had little
intention of staying longer. But that first semester changed me irrevocably. I
discovered I had a brain, and a pretty good one at that. I developed pride in myself as I
connected with my Native American heritage. I experienced the transformative power
of the teacher/student relationship. I embraced my past even as I worked toward a new
vision for my future. I believe much of my ability to reach students stems from the
broad, eclectic reach of my slightly strange life.
To date, I’ve had four legitimate careers (my personal definition holds that
legitimacy stems from having to engage in a professional act for five years or more) as
a university instructor, an air traffic controller, a remodeling contractor, and an
editor/writer. I grew up in the Texas panhandle and have lived in six states since. My
bachelor’s degree minor is in range and wildlife management. I’m a closet inventor
who is curious about virtually everything. I know how to throw a calf better than most
of the agriculture students. I’ve shown pigs and I’ve built houses. I’ve spent thousands
of hours cleaning up parking lots and trash cans and I’ve controlled the first President
Bush’s airplane. I’ve driven tractors and I’ve written books. I’ve made some mistakes
and I’ve gotten some things right. And right now, the right thing is for me to
contribute to the goals of the Greenlee School of Journalism.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Satterwhite
English Department
Carver 354
msatterw@iastate.edu