Due to traveling and presenting at a crisis conference over the past few weeks, I have not been able to write a #ProudProf feature, and I wanted to make sure to get back into the swing of things with these features again.
This feature is dedicated to a truly outstanding graduate student who, in my opinion, makes coffee look tired. For those who know me, that’s saying a lot. Plus, he’s working in an industry most people dream about working in, which is the music industry. I remember having this student in class and he would send me an occasional note saying “Dr. Freberg, my paper may be cutting it close to the deadline because I have to be at the Beyonce concert tonight working in promotion.”
As you can imagine, this is not the typical note you see coming from a student. However, if you had a student like Andy Flick, then you knew he had a lot of responsibility and work ahead of him. With this in mind along with being an exceptional student, this #ProudProf feature is dedicated to him.
Andy is the VP of Promotion for RCA Records and is a graduate of the IMC program at West Virginia University. What is amazing to me (and what’s truly inspiring) is Andy’s work ethic and dedication. He was one of the hardest working students in class and I remember seeing his comments and emails coming in at around 3 a.m. in the morning. He ALWAYS was the first to turn in his assignments and would go 150% on everything for the class. Yes, you heard me right, 150%. Always exceeding expectations by miles at a time for all course work across the board, which for me spoke volumes to me as a professor.
I was also impressed with Andy’s writing and creativity in his work for class. He created a great strategic plan for Tesla – it was creative, thoughtful, and innovative in my opinion. I have encouraged Andy to share this plan with Tesla because I think it would be interesting for them to see Andy’s great ideas.
In addition, I got to see first hand Andy talking about his work during the past Integrate conference at West Virginia. This was probably one of my all-time favorite presentations not only of the conference, but in general. It was entertaining, relevant, and full of creative strategic ideas coming from specific campaigns from the music industry. Andy truly had a packed room and he had everyone’s attention for the complete time.
I remember telling Andy afterwords how this was one of the best presentations I have seen and couldn’t be prouder. You can watch Andy’s presentation here. I also have encouraged him to consider teaching in the future as well – he’d be a truly inspirational and exceptional professor and role model for students to have in class!
Even though I have been a professor for just a few years, there have been several students I’ve had in class who I felt not only made an impact among their classmates for their contribution and learning experience.
These are the same students who have made an impact on me as well – these are the students who inspire me to be the best I can be for future students and have taught me professional lessons as well. I’ve learned how to put forth the extra effort and setting high standards across all of my classes because of students like Andy. Andy is one of these students who it was not only a joy to have in class – but a true honor. Very proud of you, Andy!
Hope you all are having a great day!
Best Wishes,
