Communication

L. Jay Williams

• 1967 BA Brigham Young University
• 1970 MA Brigham Young University

In high school the only thing I was paying attention to was being in the Marching Band and the Dance Orchestra. Both won state-wide awards while I was there. Twice I marched the seven mile route of the Rose Parade.

Several of my friends decided to go to BYU, so I went too to be with them. I majored in music and thought it would be a good idea to minor in physiology until my academic advisor told me it would take seven years to complete.

After my LDS mission to France (what a glorious time!!) I returned to BYU and majored in History, then Communication.  I completed a major in communication and minors in french and sociology. I graduated in 1967 with a bachelors degree and was married three weeks later.

My first professional job was at the Orem-Geneva Times where I did everything, like everyone did at weeklies in those years.  I worked at WIS television in Columbia, South Carolina when it was a black and white station.  I was there when we switched-over to color one weekend. 

Along the way I spent a few years at Brazosport College in Lake Jackson, Texas, and then later at Converse College, a four-year liberal arts college for women.  When I came back to Utah I worked for Arnold Machine Company and learned about all the troubles they were having at Trade Tech. So when the Director of PR job came available I decided to be interviewed for it and got the job.  That was in April of 1980.  I started teaching COMM 1010 a couple of years later and continued that for about 18 years before being given the chance to be a full-time faculty member.  It was the best thing that ever happened to me.

I’ve been a life-long Scouter. I’ve had a string of Scout Troops since 1967. All my sons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. I help more than a hundred other boys do the same. That’s what I would do full-time if I could.  I still would rather be camping than staying at a five-star hotel in Paris. 

Every class that I teach is my favorite.  I really love the theory classes, but the argument classes are so much fun, and nothings greater than introduction to mass communication and public relations.

Little known facts about me:

• I can’t function if I miss the morning and late news.
• I once won a special recognition for a solo I performed at the Hollywood Bowl.
• I was the one who cut down the senior tree (a Siberian Elm) the night before I left for BYU.  I doubt anyone ever figured that one out.
• I still own three trombones – you can never have enough.
• I have never told any of my granddaughters “no.”
• Like my Dad, the angrier I get the quieter I am. As long as I’m spouting off, I’m okay.
• I’m a people watcher. I have so much fun watching communication between people, especially children as they play.
• I have a not-so-secret desire to spend the summer in Namur, Belgium where I spent a winter in 1962.

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