In 2011, I attended the WSUM orientation session, wondering what my time at the radio station over the next four years would bring. I remember at one point looking to my left and seeing a man smiling from ear-to-ear as each person in the lecture hall introduced themselves and explained why they were interested in joining WSUM. I later learned that that man was Dave Black. A friend told me soon after (paraphrasing), "Scott, you have to get to know Dave. He is a wealth of knowledge, he truly cares about everyone at WSUM, and is just an overall amazing human being."

To this day, I am so glad that I got to know Dave. At WSUM, in his LSC course, and in conversations after I graduated, Dave was an incredible mentor, instructor, boss, colleague, & friend. I owe him so much, including for the incredible opportunities made possible through WSUM. In fact, it was my role of training new members of the radio station that inspired me to pursue being a professor. Ultimately, I would not be who or where I am today without Dave. And I know this is the case for countless others who are beneficiaries of Dave's hard work, guidance, support, and care.