He graduated from Michigan State University in 1968 with a bachelor's in journalism. Later that year he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served about two years with a Nike Hercules missile battalion near Pittsburgh, Pa.  Before becoming a journalism professor, he worked for several newspapers as a professional reporter, editor, or columnist.
He graduated from Michigan State University in 1968 with a degree in journalism. Shortly after, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served about two years near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he operated part of a Nike Hercules missile battalion. Before becoming a professor of journalism, he worked as a reporter, editor, or columnist for several newspapers.