Faculty Spotlight: Bob Hankin
Meet Bob Hankin, Bellevue University Graphic Design Professor
How long have you been at Bellevue University? I believe this will be my 15th year at BU.
What programs/ classes do you teach? I am the program director for the Graphic Design program - I teach/have taught all of the graphic design classes.
Tell us about your previous work/schools? I joke that I’m a non-academic academic since I don’t have a traditional academic background. I’ve been a graphic designer since 1994.
Degrees/awards: AA from Metro, BS from UNO, MA from BU and I’m looking to finish my MFA at UNL.
What do you love most about teaching at Bellevue University? The flexibility I’m allowed in developing and teaching my courses. Smaller class sizes allows me to know my students and for them to know me.
What motivates or inspires you? Everything. I’m inspired by art, design, music, photography, lettering, graffiti, woodworking, food, sewing, skate culture, etc., etc.
What experiences or people had the most influence on you? I have had a few teachers that have really influenced me in how I teach and how I look at the world. But I think I’m influenced mostly by everyday things and events. Being aware of life can be a big influence if you allow it.
What is your favorite teaching experience or memory? When I can see the glow of understanding brighten in a student’s eyes. Or when a student ends up someplace completely different because they took an idea and ran with it.
What career did you dream of when you were a child? When I was very young, I wanted to fly jets. But my first pair of glasses doused that dream. In high school, I wanted to be an architect. I loved it, and still do. But I struggled horribly in math, so that dream became graphic design.
Where did you grow up? New Jersey, Fremont, and Omaha.
What is your favorite book? Just one? On the Road by Jack Kerouac, Ruling your World by Sakyong Mipham, and Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss are a few of my favorites.
What is the most important piece of advice you give to your students? Make your education a priority in life. Work. Work. Work. Ask as many questions as you need and never give up. There is always a way.
What do you think distinguishes the BU experience/education? Professors know their students and students know their professors. We really push learning, and apply a good dose of reality to what and how we teach. Doors are always open.