Gary Wickham: The Mass Communications Department's Hidden Gem

Adia Watts

ONEONTA, N.Y.--The Mass Communication department, one of the more popular majors at SUNY Oneonta, provides hands on learning environments coupled with some excellent experienced professionals.

One professor in particular, Gary Wickham, has really set the tone for the type of quality education that students at the college can expect. 

An Oneonta native and SUNY Oneonta alumnus, Professor Wickham has become a staple in the Mass Communications department for his expertise in the field. Wickham began his radio career while he was still in college at SUNY Oneonta, where he claimed that he was “a horrible student.”

He has worked at numerous radio stations throughout his career, including WSRK radio in Oneonta, which is now owned by Townsquare Media. 

After college, Wickham was drafted into the army. While in the army, Wickham was a teacher for the soldiers. After he left the army, Wickham went back to school to pursue his graduate degree. He said that once he got to graduate school, he was a much better student than he was during his undergraduate years. Subsequently, Wickham began working at SUNY Oneonta as a lecturer. 

Wickham has been a lecturer at SUNY Oneonta for ten years. During his time teaching at SUNY Oneonta, Wickham has taught many production classes including Audio Production, Audio Documentary, and Writing for TV, Radio, and Film.

He has also taught more theoretical classes like Research Methods in Mass Media, but Wickham said he is a strong advocate for the more practical, hands on classes that he feels better prepare students for their future careers.

"It does no good for us to teach theory if we can't see the kids go out and get jobs," Wickham said.

Wickham greatly cares about his students. He says that his students are the best part about working at the college. 

"The kids are brilliant. They want to learn ... It'll be the students that I miss when I go," said Wickham. 

Wickham's students also feel the same way about him. SUNY Oneonta student Samantha Butcher was a teaching assistant for Wickham for three semesters. During that time, Butcher said that she and Wickham became very close and she had a good time learning from him and working with him.

"I feel like I have somebody I can go to if I need anything on campus or a recommendation," said Butcher.

Colleagues of Wickham also appreciate his warm spirit and kind heart.

Former student and current mass communications professor Rilwan Ameen says that he appreciates Wickham’s generous, giving nature.

"He's one of those professors who's always willing to cater to his students’ needs," said Ameen. 

Ameen also says that Wickham has influenced his current teaching style. 

Although Wickham said that he will miss the students when he goes, he also said that he's not saying when that will be. 

Whether 2016 is one of Wickham's last years on campus is hard to say for now, but one thing is for certain: Wickham has brought the college a lot more than just knowledge.