ESU’s Professor Robert McKenzie Hosts Book Signing, Establishes Scholarship

Posted by: admin on October 15, 2014, No Comments

Why do humans act the way they do? Robert McKenzie, Ph.D., distinguished professor and chair of communication studies at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, spends a lot of his time asking that question. So much so that he decided to write 147 columns, all published in the Pocono Record, focused solely around human behavior. He never found the answer to his question — he published all of his columns in a book instead. McKenzie’s book, Rounding Some Corners, is now available on www.amazon.com.

“The columns are about how silly human beings can be,” McKenzie said. “They present unique and funny observations of life’s oddball ironies, and are designed to give you a laugh.” Every column in McKenzie’s book may have a big, bold headline, but it’s the last sentence in each one that he wants the reader to focus on.

“My goal was for the last line to invite you to catch the double meaning, and then wrestle with your opinions on the observation,” McKenzie said.

In addition to his goal to spark critical thinking in his readers, McKenzie has other ambitions for his book. It will also serve as a fundraiser for the newly established ESU Broadcasting Scholarship, which will be to a community college transfer student who selects the broadcasting concentration of the communication studies major. The award amount will be a minimum of $500 but will rise to $1,000 if the book proceeds support this amount. The applicant must have a 2.5 GPA, and preference will be given to first generation college students with demonstrated financial need. McKenzie wants to award a student who works hard in the field of broadcasting, but he also wants to honor the way he met his wife, Kelly, who is also an instructor of Academic Enrichment and Learning and the adviser to undeclared majors at ESU. She was a first generation community college student who transferred to California State, San Bernardino, McKenzie’s first place of employment, to major in communication studies with a broadcasting concentration.

Why do humans act the way they do? Robert McKenzie, Ph.D., distinguished professor and chair of communication studies at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, spends a lot of his time asking that question. So much so that he decided to write 147 columns, all published in the Pocono Record, focused solely around human behavior. He never found the answer to his question — he published all of his columns in a book instead. McKenzie’s book, Rounding Some Corners, is now available on Amazon.com.

“The columns are about how silly human beings can be,” McKenzie said. “They present unique and funny observations of life’s oddball ironies, and are designed to give you a laugh.” Every column in McKenzie’s book may have a big, bold headline, but it’s the last sentence in each one that he wants the reader to focus on.

“My goal was for the last line to invite you to catch the double meaning, and then wrestle with your opinions on the observation,” McKenzie said.

In addition to his goal to spark critical thinking in his readers, McKenzie has other ambitions for his book. It will also serve as a fundraiser for the newly established ESU Broadcasting Scholarship, which will be to a community college transfer student who selects the broadcasting concentration of the communication studies major. The award amount will be a minimum of $500 but will rise to $1,000 if the book proceeds support this amount. The applicant must have a 2.5 GPA, and preference will be given to first generation college students with demonstrated financial need. McKenzie wants to award a student who works hard in the field of broadcasting, but he also wants to honor the way he met his wife, Kelly, D.Ed., who is also an instructor of Academic Enrichment and Learning and the adviser to undeclared majors at ESU. She was a first generation community college student who transferred to California State, San Bernardino, McKenzie’s first place of employment, to major in communication studies with a broadcasting concentration.

McKenzie will host a book signing on October 28 from 2- 4:30 p.m. in the University bookstore. Rounding Some Corners will be available for purchase in the bookstore the day of the signing. For more information on the book signing or the broadcasting scholarship contact McKenzie at 570-422-3812 or mckenzie@esu.edu.