“We have a collegial atmosphere here that is different from some schools where there is more of a combative competition for pieces of the pie. Here, there is a constructive attitude of how can we make a bigger pie.” --David Perlmutter

"(Students,) keep in mind we aren’t educating you for a job, because the media industry is changing so rapidly that the job you (or your parents) are fixated on may not exist five years down the road. Rather, we are teaching you the skills of writing, speaking, persuasion, research and critical thinking that will help you in your work and life forever, no matter what happens in the world or media business,” said David Perlmutter, associate dean for graduate studies and research. 

Perlmutter knows this first hand from his wide range of experience including political campaigns, writing newspaper and magazine essays, television scripts and books to teaching at the university level.

Perlmutter received his undergraduate and masters at the University of Pennsylvania and Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. While studying at Minnesota, he also taught there and at the University of St. Thomas. He also taught at Louisiana State University for over 10 years and was a visiting professor at Williams College. 

KU is a good fit for Perlmutter because, like him, KU is working on building up its research efforts. Also, Perlmutter was impressed by the reputation of professional excellence, and academic excellence as well.

“Students here are obviously very well prepared especially coming out of undergraduate program.”