Brief Biography
I’m a lifelong Missouri resident who grew up in Sedalia, earned a psychology degree at Northeast Missouri State University, then embarked on a career in newspaper journalism. I’ve been married nearly 25 years to Lisa Swafford, and we have two wonderful sons, ages 19 and 8. We’ve lived in Columbia since 1988, and we own a home in the Parkade neighborhood.
Hometown: Sedalia, Missouri
E-mail: swaffords@missouri.edu
Career Goals: To keep doing what I’m doing, helping student journalists learn how to report and write the news, and how to empower their audiences to influence public opinion and contribute to self government.
Why Journalism Interests Me: Because it challenges me to be observant, to be a good writer and to become enough of an expert on any subject — quickly — that I can report responsibly on that matter to the public. Journalists able to meet those challenges can truly make a difference.
Other Interests: Whitewater and flatwater canoeing and racing, deer hunting, camping, hiking, music, good friends.
My Job Description: I’m an assistant professor at the Missouri School of Journalism and senior city editor at the Columbia Missourian. I edit and teach the Public Life reporters enrolled in the Missourian staff classes of Reporting and Advanced Reporting. I’ve been the Public Life editor since my arrival here in August 2003. I also teach undergraduate and graduate students in the classroom.
Hey Its Abby Dougs Daughter. I’m with my Grandma
do you remember her?So whats Quitin doing?
Kanasas is so fun I like to play on my Swingset
Throw the ball to Cammy play on the Enternet
and cook
your Friend,
Abby