Max Utsler

First year at KU: 1983

Degrees: B.A., Knox College; M.A., journalism, University of Missouri; Ph.D, education, University of Missouri

Honors: HOPE Award finalist, 2003; various awards for television programming and corporate video production; developed marketing communication for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City

“Nothing gives me a greater sense of pride than traveling to a different city and stumbling onto my former students.” - Max Utsler

by Joanna Hawkins

According to Max Utsler's mother, his desire to be a journalist was evident in his early childhood years. Many children read comic books for entertainment, but young Max constantly read the newspaper. Growing up on a farm in Maquon, Ill., he loved "commentating" imaginary baseball games. In high school, he joined his school newspaper to get the credentials to participate in Northwestern University's Summer High School program.

Later, baseball kept Utsler in journalism. After graduating from Knox College, Utsler taught seventh grade English, but coaching was what really excited him. So, he decided to get his master's degree in journalism at the University of Missouri -- where he also had a graduate assistantship to coach baseball.

Covering the bases

Utsler has taught a wide variety of classes at and describes himself as a "utility infielder." He says he enjoys teaching a wide range of classes because it permits him to interact with different types of students, whether they are inexperienced first-semester sophomores or graduate students with established careers.

There is one common objective in all of Utsler's classes: He hopes all his students finish his courses understanding how to be professionals who meet deadlines and work well with others.

He says, "If you are a professional, in any field, good things will happen."

Two of his better-known students are Lara Moritz, news anchor at KMBC Channel 9 news, and Brian Sexton, play-by-play commentator of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The KU appeal

Utsler taught at the University of Missouri for 11 years before coming to KU in 1983. He says Lawrence, as a college town close to a big city, is one of the reasons he has stayed at KU so long, as well as the fact that many of his best friends are on the KU faculty.

Utsler says incoming students should remain flexible by taking a variety of classes that interest them. He assures parents of incoming students that their children will receive a good education at the J-School because the teachers care about students' progress.

Utsler advises students to work hard because the majority of the time it pays off. He takes great pride in being a dependable and professional person.

"Half of life is just showing up," he says.