F. Gerald Bench, Department of Fine Arts

F. Gerald (Jerry) Bench joined the faculty of UW-Platteville in 1969. Before coming to UW-Platteville, he had successful teaching careers at the University of Utah and Weber State College (now Weber State University). Before teaching, he had been a commercial and educational broadcaster working with KSL Television in Salt Lake City, Utah; KOET educational television in Ogden, Utah; and producing and directing television for KUED-TV, Salt Lake City, Utah. He received a 1992 Telly Award as co-producer of a videotape chronicling the 125 year history of UW-Platteville. Bench has taught SPCH 1010, Public Speaking, at a distance for 20 years.

He received his B.A. from Brigham Young University and his M.S. from the University of Utah. He is a member of the Speech Communication Association and the Wisconsin Communication Association (serving as Executive Secretary of WCA from 1993-1995). In 1996, he was awarded the WCA service award in recognition of his service to the organization. He also served as a member of the University of Wisconsin System Speech Representatives Committee that brought together teachers from schools in the system to coordinate speech curriculum.

Bench says technology has greatly influenced how he teaches his distance education courses.

"Technology has brought the single biggest change in my approach to teaching Public Speaking for distance learning. The development of small camcorders at a reasonable price now makes it possible for students to submit their speeches on videotape, whereas in the early years audiotape was used," says Bench. "The Internet and email now make communication much easier and faster for both the answering of questions and the submission of written materials."

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