Compassionate. Understanding. Supportive. Kind. Joe-kster – all these describe Dr. Joe Dennis, Associate Professor and chair of the Mass Communications department at Piedmont. However, Dr. Dennis is much more than a professor. He is a father, husband, friend, and Public Address announcer for a new local hockey team, the Athens Rock Lobsters.
Originally from Chicago, Dr. Dennis (colloquially known as Joe) originally studied at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois before getting his master’s and PhD in Mass Communications from the University of Georgia.
“My dream was to become the next Howard Stern,” said Dennis. “We would often push the envelope on our private, Christian-affiliated university radio station.”
His dreams have shifted as he’s grown through the profession. While waiting for his wife to graduate, he became a SID (sports information director) at his former school.
“I feel like the luckiest person in the world, because I really had three dreams at different parts of my life…and I’ve been able to work through all of my dream professions.”
After moving to Athens, Joe, known as “Just Joe” on the radio, worked at a rock radio station in Athens while also working as an editor for the Walton Tribune. His third dream profession was teaching, and he discovered that passion while teaching at UGA, beginning in 2009.
Dr. Dennis arrived at Piedmont in 2016, and was already the P.A. announcer for the UGA Ice Dawgs club hockey team. Due to his standing with the Ice Dawgs, Joe was the first choice to fulfill the vacant position of Rock Lobsters P.A. announcer.
“Pursuing this opportunity was a no brainer to me, because it’s not work to me, it doesn’t feel like work… It’s the same kind of thing with announcing my kid’s baseball games, or the games for the [Clark Central] High School. I would be supporting the team anyways…it’s kind of my zen moment.”
This passion for his job and his love for his work is apparent in his third dream as well: teaching.
Carter McCormick is an associate professor of film, and was hired by Joe in the spring of 2024.
“My job coming in here is so much easier, because I know I have someone who has my back and has the best interest of the program and students in mind.”
A large part of having the best interest of students is fostering a family-like environment in the mass communication department.
Students have expressed the love and support that Dr. Dennis pours into the department.
“Joe is a supportive advisor. Not only that, but he is also a very laid-back professor who has become a friend,” said senior sports communications major Eric Edmonson.
Dr. Dennis loves his family, students, colleagues and jobs, and is patient with all those who come to him with struggles. When asked for advice to give to Piedmont Students, Joe said: “Recognize that dreams change, priorities change. Give yourself credit for the little victories.”
The Athens Rock Lobsters have many home games left this season, and if you ever hear a goal or public address announcement, know that you are listening to the voice that represents Piedmont mass communications.
