About Me
| I was born and raised in the
Youngstown area and graduated from Boardman High School. I earned a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from Ohio Wesleyan University and a
Master of Arts and Ph.D. in American Culture from the University of
Michigan.
My academic areas of interest are film study, popular culture, and local history. Most of my publications are in these areas. In 1999 I co-authored a book on Idora Park. I am currently researching the history of Mil Creek Park. My two favorite places to do film research are the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Margaret Herrick Library in Beverly Hills and the Motion Picture Section of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. I've taught at YSU since 1976, first as a part-time instructor for three years and since 1979 as a full-time faculty member. I'm a second generation YSU faculty member. My mother, Virginia Shale, taught in the English Department and the Speech Department for thirty-four years. I've also worked as a steel mill laborer, roofer, security guard, press operator in a stove factory, and ranger in Yellowstone National Park.
I'm a big sports fan and am particularly devoted to Penguin and University of Michigan football. My hobbies include photography, travel, genealogy, and hiking in Mill Creek Park. I've been to over three dozen countries including China, South America, Africa, and most of Europe. My favorite tourist city in the world is London. |
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