DR. MICHAEL J. BROOKS

Associate Professor of Communications

Phone: (334) 683-5160
Email: mbrooks@judson.edu
Office: Jewett Hall

AT JUDSON COLLEGE SINCE 1998

"To me, there have always been three unique things about Judson: the smallness of the classes, being allowed to pray in class with my students and the fact that Judson is a community - you step onto Judson's campus and it's like another world." - Michael J. Brooks

EDUCATION

• B.A. Religion and Speech, 1973 - Samford University, Birmingham, Ala.

• M.A. Speech Communication, 1974 - Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.

• M. Div. & D. Min. 1976 and 1982 - Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, Ky.
  

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Public Speaking; journalism; drama survey; drama production; Old and New Testament Survey; and Christian doctrine.

MEET THE PROFESSOR

Besides an extensive list of involvements at Judson College, Dr. Michael J. Brooks has many responsibilities within the community. A few of these include: Moderator for the Cahaba Baptist Association of Perry County, Ala.; United Way Director; teaching at Bibb County Correctional Facility in Brent, Ala.; writing columns for such local newspapers as the Selma Times Journal and The Marion Times-Standard; and holding the position of pastor at Pine Flat Baptist Church in Marion, Ala. for the last six years.

Dr. Brooks is a frequent writer and commentator on political issues and is also a book reviewer for The Decatur Daily in Decatur, Ala.

Dr. Brooks, originally from Birmingham, Ala., lives in Marion with his wife of 33 years, Donna Jean (Bell) Brooks. They have two children: Jami Brooks Bennett and John Benjamin Brooks, and one 18-month-old grandson - Brooks Bennett.

In his spare time, Dr. Brooks likes collecting political memorabilia, watching movies, writing and reading. He sets a goal for himself each year to read at least 40 books. One thing people probably do not know about Dr. Brooks is that he was a delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City, which he says was "the trip of a lifetime." He also likes to travel but has not been outside of the country because "there are still so many interesting things to see in the U.S."

Dr. Brooks chose his career path in high school when he made a commitment to Christian ministry, and he became interested in communication while in college. Having been a minister for years, he always enjoyed writing but never actually thought he would one day be teaching it to other people - until he came to Judson. Now, Dr. Brooks enjoys teaching writing to, and learning along with, his journalism students.

______________________________________________________________________________________

SELECTED EXPERIENCE

Associate Professor of Communications and Assistant to the President for Public Relations - Judson College, 1998-present
Director of Public Relations - Judson College, 1998-present
Chairman, Chapel and Christian Ministries Committee - 1999 - responsible for coordinating and planning weekly campus convocations
Wallace Community College, Selma, Ala. - Adjunct Instructor of Communications
Faulkner University, Montgomery, Ala. - Adjunct Instructor of Communications
Decatur Board of Education, Decatur, Ala. - 1996-1998 - Public School Teacher
First Baptist Church, Decatur, Ala. - 1993-1996 - Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church, Selma, Ala. - 1986-1993 - Senior Pastor
Pine Flat Baptist Church, Marion, Ala. - 2002-present - Pastor

SELECTED AWARDS AND HONORS

* "Francisco Preaching Award nominee" Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
* Produced and published more than 500 articles for denominational publications and local newspapers
* "Minister of the Year" - 1993 - Samford University
* Member - "American Political Items Collectors"
* Vice President and newsletter editor - "Jimmy Carter Political Items Collectors"
* "Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Service Award" - 2006
* Delegate to the Republican National Convention - New York City - 2004
* "Who's Who Among America's Teachers" - 2004, 2005, 2006
* Metropolitan "Who's Who" - 2007
* Civitan Club "Outstanding Service Award"