I play multiple roles in this production we call life: husband, father, educator, outdoorsman, and incurable smartass. On the job, I’m associate professor in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication at Kent State University where I teach courses in public relations, writing and ethics.
Before KSU, I spent 16 years as a PR professional, most of it with counseling firms, including my own. Off the job, I pursue all sorts of outdoorsy stuff, including fishing, hunting, canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and cycling.
I generally keep my family life out of online discussions but love to brag about being married to the “perfect woman” for the past 32 years. She knows I worship her, but she almost never reads this blog, as she sees it as insane obsession that doesn’t come with a paycheck. Did I mention how very perceptive she is?
Career highlights
- 16 years as a PR professional, most of it in the counseling business, including 5 years as head of Sledzik & Associates, Buffalo, NY.
- 17 years on the faculty of Kent State, 11 of those as associate professor and coordinator of the Kent’s Public Relations Sequence.
- Member of PRSA since 1983, accredited in 1986, elected to the College of Fellows, 1996. Past president of two chapters, Buffalo-Niagara,1988, Akron Area, 1996. Now a somewhat disgruntled senior member wondering what I get for my national dues. That’s a story for another day.
- Significant accolades: PRSSA Teahan Award, 1994, for Outstanding Chapter Faculty Advisor, PRSSA; Public Relations Practitioner of the Year, 1992, Buffalo-Niagara Chapter of PRSA.
- Education: BSJ, Ohio University; MA, U of Buffalo
Personal Side
Hometown: Indiana, Pa.
Favorite band: The Grateful Dead
Favorite song: Won’t Get Fooled Again, The Who
Favorite quotes:
“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“I got vision and the rest of the world wears bifocals.” Butch Cassidy
Favorite retort: F#*& ’em if they can’t take a joke!
What other folks have said about Sledzik:
ToughSledding 
Hey Bill:
A fairly interesting Web site you’ve got going there, especially for an old coot who used to be a PR flack in Detroit. At least you are keeping up with the times. But don’t forget some of us out here remember you from when you were. . . well you know. By the way, rooting for the Steelers this year must be a little like rooting for the Lions — well not quite that bad. Oh, what’s with the short hair? I hardly recognized you? Tom
Bill,
So good to hear from you. I didn’t have time this morning to investigate your blog page extensivly, but did browse a bit. The family looks great. Tell Sharon I said hello, and compliment her that she doesn’t appear to have “aged” at all.
Hope you had a great holiday. I have become cranky about how commercialized the whole season has become.
Sorry that I missed the 35th IHS reunion. I received a notice about 2 weeks before the reunion date. Survival in the car business, coupled with heading a charitable event, The Red Hot Strawberry Ball, that I promote, time was “not on my side”.
I’ve got to get to work now, but hope to do a lot of catching up with you in the near future.
Oh, by the way, I still read newspapers more than burn my aging eyes out on a computer screen. Retort to a retort, Choke ’em if they can’t take a f#*&.
Happy New Year Eustace
Hi Bill,
Just wanted to let you know that I found the link to your blog on Facebook, so it does indeed serve a purpose far greater than showing embarassing pictures of your students (current and former, I’m afraid).
I was just reading about this guy who was trying to raise enough money to buy a SuperBowl ad on which he would propose to his girlfriend. He couldn’t raise the money, so now he’s trying to get a corporate sponsor that will give up 15 seconds of its ad to let him propose on its commercial. The catch? These corporate sponsors are all waiting to see how much of a buzz this guy can create before they lend him their precious SuperBowl ad time. He just got me to send this to you, so he must be doing something right. http://www.mysuperproposal.com/about/
Hope you’re doing well.
Andrea
Hey Prof. Sledzik,
thanks for the blog link. I look forward to your class.
Adam Smithberger
Yowzaaa! If your class is anything like the blog link, I’m in for quite a semester. Sounds like a good time. Rock on.
-Angela
Steelers fan huh? I almost stopped reading your blog when I read that.
The class sounds pretty cool. I look forward to almost wiping out walking there later. Thanks KSU for totally clearing the walkways. Yeah that was sarcasm.
My Brother Prof Bill:
I LOVE your “About”. As soon as I can figure out how to do it, I want to add an “About” to my blog. You set a high standard. Lead on, Bill
Blogging buddies for life,
Les Potter
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