Here is also a peak at the VERY FIRST brochure advertising the COML program!  Read the interview to see who designed the brochure pro-bono!

John Caputo - Interview 2

As promised, here is another interview involving a very influential member, to say the least, of the Communication and Leadership Program Masters program.  John Caputo, the founder of the COML Masters Program was kind enough to meet and the interview below is what transpired!

   

I had the pleasure of meeting with John Caputo, who graciously agreed to meet for an interview regarding not only his role in the COML program but also for an informatory interview on how the program first got started and how it has transformed.  As I walked into his office at the time of our meeting I walked into an office that was full of books.  Some on shelves, some in piles, and some scattered.  Yet, they all seemed to be put in a designated and correct place. As I walked into John Caputo’s office he greeted me with a larger then life smile and a big hello!  His voice is one that screams confidence, is enthusiastic and has a tone that is soft and reassuring at the same time.  Upon sitting down with John he wanted to know all about my own involvement in the COML program.  It is clear he has a genuine desire to learn not only about me as a student of the COML program, but all COML students.  It became apparent that he is very engaged in many aspects of the program when he began asking more about my own thoughts, ideas, and views from when I first began the program till now as I am about to graduate.  It is as if he is always gathering bits of information and data on how he can add to and make the program better.  After explaining how I got involved with the program and where I currently stood within the program I started asking the questions!

John informed me that COML classes were actually offered in the year 2002 even though the program did not officially start until 2004.  This was because the ORGL program was older and already in place meaning there were classes which later became a part of the COML program that originally correlated with the ORGL program, just how classes currently intertwine between with each program.  When the first year the COML program launched, year 2004, it began with 45 students and the goal was to admit 15 new students per semester.  This goal was surpassed when spring semester came and 27 new students were admitted.  The support and desire from individuals wanting to be involved was slightly unexpected and overwhelming.  When the COML program first launched there was no online portion or section to it.  However once the demand was seen for those wanting to enter into the COML program there was a push to add the online portion to the program.

Before the online classes were added to the COML program more and more students were moving to Spokane due to the fact that the program resided on the Gonzaga campus in Spokane, Washington.  When I asked John to reflect on his thoughts back when the program first started and the demand that caused the program to grow he sat back and simply said he remembers thinking, “it is all really happening, and it is the real thing!”  With that said, John felt an immense responsibility for the students because he realized there were consequences with every action.  He reflected on all the students that relocated to Spokane, Washington for the program.  John felt it was his duty to ensure their experience was the best he could possibly make it seeing as the students had relocated for the program he had helped create.  This helps give a clear picture of the person John Caputo is, a person who deeply cares for those around him.

It was not until online classes were added to the COML program thereby creating an online option and portion to the program that the program was really allowed to grow into the size it has today.  When asked about the online portion of the program and what exactly it has done for the program, Caputo reflected and said it has helped make the COML Master’s degree into one of the largest master’s degree in the United States.  The COML Master’s program consists of 75 campus students and approximately 500 online students.  Most masters programs hold an enrollment anywhere from 40-70 students.  While the online portion has allowed for the COML program to grow to its fullest potential it has also made it more difficult to grow the on campus classes.  Caputo reflected on this and said in a sense this makes it difficult because it is on campus where the classes really get a chance to develop.  I asked him what he meant by this and he simply responded by saying that when conducting a class on campus the professor and students have the luxury of changing the class if something is not going as planned or if the class was inspired to change directions they can do so by reformatting the class in a new, unforeseen, and possibly better way.  This is much more difficult to do in an online course Caputo reflects. 

Caputo’s ambitions for the COML Master’s program was that it would be a high quality Master’s degree.  It was essential that it included the Jesuit Ethos, an inherit part of Gonzaga University.  Part of the Jesuit philosophy is ‘women and men for others’ and the idea that those individuals involved have the potential to change the world.  This is exactly what Caputo set out to accomplish with the COML program, taking those same concepts and applying them to the program.  As the program matures and continues to grow Caputo saw it fit to develop a new focus in college teaching.  When researched 1/3 of students were interested in the idea of college teaching but were not as well as prepared to embark on continuing that desire as they needed to be.  Caputo believes it is essential to continue to build the program to the needs and desires of those enrolled, the students.  Other areas of communication Caputo hopes to develop in the program are digital media and journalism. 

As the COML program moves forward it is looking to hire a new faculty member and for the first time is having two sessions of learning overseas.  The two sessions will take place both in the summertime and France and Ireland is looking to be added to the areas traveled.  For the first time two scholarships were raised for students who otherwise would not have been able to participate in the travel abroad program.

As the interview neared towards the end I asked Caputo to think about when it would be time for him to retire and what it would be like for him to leave the program.  He responded by saying he cannot see any reason why he would stop doing what he was doing within the program.  Within the last three years he no longer operated as chair, Heather Crandal took over, however this past year he stepped in again so that Crandal would have more time and be able to pursue other areas.  Overall Caputo enjoys the work he does and cannot imagine his life without it.  I think it goes for all, the students and all those involved with the program, to be thankful for not only Caputo’s drive and ambition but dedication.  We all owe a large thank you to him.      


Lastly, when asked what John's favorite quote is he responded with the following: From Robert Bolt's "A Man for All Seasons"  In a conversation with between Sir Thomas More and Richard Rich:

Sir Thomas More: Why not be a teacher? You'd be a fine teacher; perhaps a great one.

Richard Rich: If I was, who would know it?

Sir Thomas More: You; your pupils; your friends; God. Not a bad public, that.

- Robert Bolt, “A Man for All Seasons”