I was a Peace Corps Volunteer
Western Russia, 1995-97
I taught at Rostov State University in Rostov-na-Donu, Russia from 1995-97, a fascinating time to be in the former Soviet Union.
I learned to speak Russian, and to navigate the everyday challenges of living in a place where the economy had collapsed and crime was running rampant. Experiences that still inform my life and career.
I didn’t have a video camera when I was there, but I borrowed one for a weekend and shot the grainy footage you see at right.
The poem was written and performed by my wife, whom I served alongside. We were married all of 5 weeks when we first arrived in-country. Good times. Good times.
This video was submitted for consideration in the Peace Corps Week 2014 (#PCWeek2014) Video Challenge.
Boards and Committees
I’ve served on a variety of boards and committees around Central Ohio. I was communications director for the Central Ohio Returned Volunteer Association for a few years. I also was President of the Delaware Country Friends of the Trail, and chair of the Genoa Township Parks Advisory Board. I still lend my time to parks and trail advocacy when I’m able
Teaching Filmmaking
Most recently, I’ve been lucky to volunteer teaching filmmaking to the members of Central Voice, an after school club of primarily English as a Second Language students at Westerville Central High School. In addition to teaching the technical aspects of filmmaking, we work with the students to articulate, refine and share their stories using the medium of film.
Two films we’ve worked on have been selected for the annual Best of Ohio Short Films competition run by the Wexner Center for the Arts at Ohio State University.