Summer 2009 - Texas Tech University

Instructor, Photographer, Musicianby Britney Long and Molly Cook, photo by Joe EsparzaFoster grew up on a ranch in Paradise, Texas."If anything, the ranch really taught me how to workhard," Foster said. "We grew up with a driven personality.I never was told ‘no you can’t do something becauseof qualifications.’ It was always, 'Work hard at it, andsee what you can do with it.'"Cummins said he is determined to see one of the Hogg Maulies’shows and that Foster is an all-around talented man.“It’s not fair that one guy could have all that talent,” said Cummins.Chambers also said that Foster is a very talented person.“He has done some amazing things already,” Chambers said.“I get to do what I love all day, every day.Not many people get to do that.”—Jerod FosterAfter he met the state photographer of Texas, who later became his best friendand mentor, Jerod Foster, photography instructor at the College of Mass Communications,set out on a road that has led him to own businesses, partner inanother business, publish a book and have a successful band.Foster said as a child, he was always interested inmagazines and color, but he did not become interestedin photography until his second year at Texas Tech. Hemajored in agricultural communications and took aphotography class.He said he was set to go to law school until he decidedto introduce himself to Wyman Meinzer, the statephotographer of Texas. Even though he was not takingMeinzer's class, he said he waited until after Meinzer’slast class one day, introduced himself, and they sat outsidethe Mass Communications building at Texas Techand talked for an hour.Todd Chambers, chair of the Electronic Media andCommunications Department, said Foster was one ofhis students.“I really respected Jerod as a student for what hebrought to the table,” Chambers said. “He is extremelybright. He brought a unique perspective to class discussions.He did some outstanding work on his researchassignments. That’s where I really started to respecthim as a student.”Chambers said he recommended Foster, who has amaster's degree from the college, to Dean Jerry Hudsontwo years ago for a teaching position. Chambers said hethought Foster would be a good asset to the college.“He has really helped us connect with students interestedin photography for three reasons,” Chamberssaid. “He is very smart, and he knows about his industry,but he is also very approachable, and I think studentscan appreciate that.”Glenn Cummins, an assistant EMAC professor, said Foster is agreat addition to the college.“He’s an active photographer, so he spends a lot of time in thefield himself,” Cummins said. "That kind of experience is invaluablein the classroom, and I hope his students recognize everything hebrings to the table.”In October 2007, Foster and Meinzer published a book togetherentitled “Inspiration, Texas Style,” that pays tribute to the sceneryand landscapes of Texas. They paired photographs with quotesfrom notable Texans about the things they loved about Texas.Foster is also a member of a Lubbock-based band called theHogg Maulies. He plays lead guitar and sings harmony vocals. Hesaid they have toured all over the state and have appeared on theTexas country music charts several times.“He’s been photographing people around this campus and internationalfigures, but his real passion is his family.”Recently, Foster made a book especially for his grandparents.The book is a compilation of family photographs and scenic picturesof their family ranch where Foster grew up.Foster said he is very proud of the photograph from the bookthat he took of his grandparents.“That is one of my more proud photos memory-wise,” Fostersaid.Both of Foster’s parents are teachers and they encouraged himto earn his master’s degree so that he could teach at the collegelevel.Foster said he loves teaching because of the progressive environmenta college campus has to offer. He said he couldn’t ask for abetter job.“I get to do what I love all day, every day,” Foster said. “Notmany people get to do that.”Foster said he is unsure of where he will be in five years, however,he hopes to finish his Ph.D. at the college, and publish hisown book.“I see some more publications under my belt,” Foster said. “I seemy own book project.”One project that Foster is pursuing is a conservation documentaryof El Carmen mountain range in Coahuila, Mexico.Foster and Sylinda Meinzer, Wyman’s wife, started a companycalled Badlands Design and Production with this project in mind.He said they spent nine days filming the mountain range, andthey are planning more trips.Foster said he feels fortunate that he gets to pursue his passionfor photography as a hobby and a career.He said photography is one of the most useful components ofcommunication, and that its practicality lies in the ability to tella story, or at least part of a story. He said his memories revolvearound the people and places that he has photographed, each ofwhich has a story to tell.“It’s not hard to be passionate about photography,” Foster said.“But the main thing is for me to show how practical this is, howuseful this is.” mc(Britney Long is a senior public relations major from Midland,Texas. Molly Cook is a senior public relations major from Midland,Texas. Joe Esparza is a senior agricultural communications majorfrom Schertz, Texas.)18 | mc mc | 19