There’s nothing more awkward than introducing yourself.
I’m funny? I’m a nice guy?
The beard will grow back soon?
Let’s start with this: I’m the new editor of UNMC Today, joining the public relations team after a stint as a grant writer at Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska. Before that, I worked for many years at the Omaha World-Herald, where my beats included restaurants, local business and community news.
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John Keenan |
I run road races and compete in triathlons, although I use the word “compete” loosely. I have been married for nearly 15 years; my wife, Melinda, teaches English and journalism at St. Albert’s in Council Bluffs. We have three children – Rosemary, 14, Joseph, 13 and Thomas, 7.
I love to read and write, and I was raised on classic science-fiction, horror and fantasy. These days, I enjoy suspense novels (e.g. Lee Child or Omaha’s Alex Kava) and going back to read the classics I missed when I was younger.
I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities this position offers me. At the core, I love to find and tell good stories – so hopefully you’ll find these stories worth reading.
Three things you don’t know about me:
- I was born and raised on Long Island, and my accent comes back HARD if I hear another Noo Yawka talking – but only then. I can’t bring it out myself.
- A UNMC-trained doctor saved my daughter’s life, delivering her by emergency C-section following a placental abruption.
- I know an embarrassingly large number of Irish folk songs, and can be caught singing them to myself (off-key) if I don’t know you’re listening.
We are excited to have you as part of the team John!! I will look past the Yankees thing….go Dodgers!
John, Welcome to UNMC! Hope you enjoy your stint here as much as so many other people do.
Go Yankees!
Welcome, John! I enjoyed the humor in your introduction. We at the COPH look forward to working with you.
Being a Yankee fan certainly didn't hurt John in getting the job. Just kidding. 🙂 Know UNMC Today readers are going to enjoy reading John's prose.
Welcome, John! Looking forward to working with you!
It's a pleasure having you on the team, John. Already, you, Karen and Kalani are my three favorite team members! We'll have to sing some Irish songs together.
Welcome, John. Looking forward to working with you!
Glad to be working with you again, John! We can start a recovering journalists support group.
Add me to the list of people who is glad you've joined the team. Based on this week's UNMC Today issues, it's clear you hit the ground running.
Hi John! Welcome aboard! It will be great working with you again.