2008 40 Under 40 Honoree: Josh Compton

An inherent gift of gab, coupled with an intellectual hunger, defines Josh Compton.

Compton is the department chairman of the Bob R. Derryberry School of Communication Arts and an assistant professor of communication at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar.

Compton divides his time between teaching, speaking, research and writing.

“I entered academia because I have a passion for teaching and a passion for research,” Compton says. “So far, I’ve been able to do both well, and this has inspired my students.”

At SBU, Compton considers among his accomplishments the creation of new upper-level courses, an updated video production studio and a growing number of majors in communication and its related fields.

Compton had his eye on education for quite some time. In kindergarten, he made clear his intention to attain a Ph.D. before the age of 30. His parents reminded him of that pledge the day he successfully defended his dissertation and earned his Ph.D. in communication from the University of Oklahoma. That was on Aug. 18, 2004. “Four months later, I celebrated my 30th birthday,” Compton says.

He also holds a master’s degree in communication from Missouri State University and a bachelor’s degree in communication and English from SBU.

His pride goes beyond the degrees and the job, though. Compton is pleased by what his students have been able to do with his help.

“I have helped inspire many students to pursue advanced studies in communication,” Compton says. “Some of my students are now earning Ph.D.s themselves. This impact, not only on future researchers and teachers, but also on the discipline (of communication), is among my proudest accomplishments.”

While living in Oklahoma, Compton served as media consultant and speechwriter for the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. There, he applied his abilities to cut through competing ideologies to help the nonpartisan group gain ground for Oklahoma’s children and families.

In Missouri, Compton’s community involvement entails serving as a regularly featured speaker for Leadership Bolivar. In August, Compton will begin a new chapter in his career teaching public speaking at Dartmouth College.

Double Play

Birth date: Dec. 21, 1974

Family: I’ve been married to Laura since 1997. We have two dogs, Miso and Fuji. Laura is an opera singer. She has performed in Santa Barbara, Calif.; Austria; France; Tulsa, Okla.; Springfield, and she sang in a special Master Class by invitation of Marilyn Horne at Carnegie Hall, New York City.

Philosophy to live/work by: Keep asking questions. The most influential and interesting people I’ve met aren’t the ones with the most profound answers, but instead, the ones who ask the most interesting questions. I have a lot of respect for people who are comfortable with what they don’t understand.

In a fantasy world, which professional sport would you play? Baseball. Let’s just say I didn’t show much potential as a kid playing t-ball. It’d be ironic if I ended up playing professionally, wouldn’t it?

Information accurate at the time of the honor.[[In-content Ad]]