By Erika Usui

PR instructor Fred Hobbs goes over projects with students. (Photo by Drew Johnson)

Professors, faculty members and students agree that if there were such thing as tenure for adjunct instructors, Fred Hobbs ('54) – who has taught public relations for 15 years – would have it.

"He's very caring of the students, very loyal to the school, very dependable and very hard-working," said Assistant Professor Lee Hood. "He's had a long, distinguished and prolific career. He has also worked on both sides of the fence of public relations and broadcast and has a unique perspective that is beneficial to students."

But Hobbs, 73, will retire after the spring semester, leaving the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in a search for a replacement for the man with more than 50 years of experience in the field of journalism.

Hobbs first came to the School in 1950 as a student to "learn about the little men and women inside the radio." As a sophomore, he got his foot in the door as an announcer in the campus radio studios of the University, then in Norlin Library, on shows such as "Portraits and Music" and "CU Campus News," which were broadcast on the local Boulder commercial radio station KBOL, now Colorado Public Radio AM-1490.

Hobbs graduated from the school in 1954 with a bachelor of arts in journalism. He said for many years that he wanted to return to his alma mater as an adjunct while also pursuing a professional career.

In 1955 and 1956, Hobbs worked as a disc jockey and feature reporter for Armed Forces Radio in West Berlin. After his two years overseas, Hobbs came back to Boulder to work as program director and announcer for KBOL until 1960.

In 1962, Hobbs was invited to work as news director for KDEN radio in Denver. Four years later, he broke into the world of television as an anchor and state government reporter for KLZ-TV, now KMGH-Channel 7.

After seven years as news anchor, Hobbs came to CU as public relations manager for all four CU campuses. But when he was offered a news director position at Denver's KWGN-Channel 2, he said he couldn't refuse. Hobbs stayed at the station for five years.

In 1982, he became director of marketing and public affairs at the AMC Cancer Research Center in Lakewood. Three years later, he became an account manager at Schenkein Inc., an independent Denver public relations firm specializing in media relations, crisis communications, community relations and internal communications.

Hobbs left Schenkein Inc. in 1989 to become an entrepreneur. He said he started Public Relations Associates with a one-room office in Denver, sharing a telephone line with a free-lance writer. He said his business slowly grew as he worked with one client at a time, assisted by a colleague who had worked at Schenkein.

Hobbs started teaching at the School in 1988 as an adjunct instructor. But a teaching career wasn't enough to keep him busy. He taught at the School, with one two-year break, and maintained his company for the next 17 years.

"The academic atmosphere on a full-time basis was a little slow for me. I moved faster; I liked a faster paced way of life," Hobbs said.  "I had the best of both worlds because I could teach a limited amount of courses and still work in the professional world elsewhere. That was the perfect way for me to go."

At the school, Hobbs has made a reputation for bringing in a wide array of public relations and news professionals into his classes. He has also become popular among students for having them plan and pitch their own public relations projects for nonprofit organizations as a part of the class.

"His classes aren't just lectures. He brings guest speakers to class who are professionals currently in the business," said Jennifer Skarka, senior broadcast news major. "There's always something new and different in each class. What he teaches is also very valuable because he knows many angles of journalism."

Skarka also said she feels confident going out into the working world because the practical experience she gained in Hobbs' class has prepared her for what professionals will be looking for and expecting.

"He's got that positive, genial attitude that shows he is dedicated and interested in the students," said Assistant Dean Steve Jones. "He's one of few adjunct instructors working with students' internships. It's because they requested him – he really seems to resonate with them."

Although Hobbs said he enjoyed teaching very much, he never had the desire to teach full-time. He said he also didn't have the desire to pursue a higher degree because practical experiences are much more valuable to him than an advanced degree.

"His experiences in the fields he's been involved in really enhance his ability to teach because he knows how the journalistic mind works, which is a key asset," said Dean Paul Voakes. "It enables him to prepare his students for all kinds of challenges, problems and difficulties because he's seen it all.

"The fact that he's been invited back over and over and over again certainly implies that he would be one of the tenured adjuncts if there were such thing.

He's proven it by his performance that he's someone who deserves to be around for a long, long time. He's someone who we've been able to count on year after year to teach."

Hobbs said he plans to travel and spend time with his wife, Mary Ellen, and his family after he retires. He also plans to keep volunteering for his community – Hobbs has been an active volunteer for the Colorado History Museum, Lions Club and Alzheimer's Association among other organizations for more than 50 years.

"A lot of times you get back more than what you give when you volunteer," Hobbs said. "There are so many people with needs of all kinds that there's always some place to help out. I think it's really important to volunteer; it's something that everyone should have a part in." fhobbs@prassoc.com