Life Lines

Tony Atwater, Ph. D. has enjoyed productive careers as a broadcast journalist, university professor and university president. In addition to writing poetry, he is the author of approximately 30 scholarly articles published in academic journals devoted to journalism and mass communication research. He grew up as a "military brat" in Ramstein, Germany and on the island of Okinawa (Japan). Dr. Atwater was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He served as a university president at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and at Norfolk State University (Virginia). He served additional administrative roles as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Youngstown State University (Ohio) and as Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Education at Northern Kentucky University. He also served as Chairman of the Department of Journalism and Mass Media at Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ). Dr. Atwater earned his Ph. D. degree in Mass Media Research from Michigan State University. And, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University. He is the recipient of many academic, professional and civic honors and awards. Dr. Atwater is a Ford Foundation Post-doctoral Fellow, and he is a former president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. He is the recipient of the United States Army's Commanders Award for Public Service (the highest award conferred by the U. S. Army upon civilians). He is married to Dr. Beverly Roberts-Atwater a medical doctor and a licensed psychologist. They met at Michigan State University, and the poem "Boundless Love" describes their commitment to each other. It is to Beverly that this book is dedicated. Dr. Atwater gives God the glory and praise for all of the many blessings in his life. And, he hopes that this book will be a blessing to you.