With only a few classrooms and professors in our small section of Hardtner Hall, the Public Relations, Journalism and Media Production students spend quite a bit of time together. Our Department of Mass Communication is home for many different people – sports broadcasters, public relations directors, journalists, photographers, reporters, media experts, communication specialists, and writers. We all have our own special gifts and unique talents, but we still have a few things in common.

One thing that remains constant through our department: we love and miss Dr. Vinson.

Dr. Vinson was a professor, advisor and mentor to many students on the McNeese campus. Unlike some other professors, Dr. Vinson made every single one of his students feel important. He taught us to think BIG, and then to aim even higher than that.

His lectures not only taught us how to be professional; his lectures taught us how to be meaningful. He showed us how one man could make a difference and he inspired us to make our own dreams realities. Dr. Vinson cared for every single student who walked through the door for his class and he made sure we knew it.

So here we are, showing the world how much we admire one of the greatest professors at McNeese.

“Dr. Vinson was the best professor I’ve ever had. He always knew I was smarter than I ever gave myself credit for and I’ll never forget that.” - Bailey Gilbeaux, Journalism Senior

“Dr. Vinson was my favorite teacher. He would always come into class and make sure his students were doing well before the class had started. He had a great passion for public relations and his students. He was the reason why I stayed in the mass communication department with this passion. I will miss him, and I will never forget his passion.” - Jacob Terracina,Public Relations Graduate

“Never before have I had a teacher where I truly felt like they cared about me or my personal life! One of the last things he told me was that I did really great work when I tried--otherwise I turned in a bunch of ****!” - Paige Gatson, Public Relations Senior

“Vinson was the only professor's class I ever actually paid attention to. He was also a great inspiration to me. To watch him come to work every day with a joyful spirit despite dealing with his condition. My experiences and conversations with him will always be cherished. He is the only one who shed a tear when I told him my dreams and what I was trying to become and how much his advice was bringing me closer to my dream.” - Wilson Ferguson, Media Production and Criminal Justice Graduate

“Dr. Vinson was lively and excited in class and about assignments. I remember he got so excited when I told him about my internship. He was also my advisor, so he helped me make major decisions about classes and what direction I wanted to take my college life in. It was apparent just by speaking with him that he loved his field and was always eager in supporting his students.” - Lindsey Rivet, Public Relations Junior

“Dr. Vinson always challenged us to do things the way we wanted to. He was less specific on requirements, knowing that in real life we would be told what to do rather than how to do something. This attitude fostered creative thinking and enforced playing to one's strength. I had him for my final semester at McNeese and he helped me a lot with my perspective at that time. He was above all honest, and I am sad that future students will not be able to learn directly from his tutelage.” - T-Claude DarDar, Media Production Graduate

“Dr. Vinson was more than a professor and advisor in my eyes. He was a motivator and pushed me past every single limit I created for myself. He helped me through so many mental blocks and he was always there for me. He lived such a Christ-centered life, which inspired me tremendously. Dr. Vinson is someone who will always hold a special place in my heart, and as I advance in my Public Relations career, I have him to thank for preparing me mentally, and spiritually for the journey ahead. He will be missed so much.” - Ashlyn Simien, Public Relations Graduate

“I will never forget how much love Dr. Vinson had for others. He showed Christ’s love for us through his compassion, understanding and forgiveness and never once said a cruel word to any of us. He made every single one of his students feel important. Even when we didn’t believe in ourselves, we all knew that we had one person that was always on our team, one person that had our backs and believed we could achieve anything. Dr. Vinson wasn’t just a teacher – he was the kind of person we all wanted to become.” - Gandy Osburn, Public Relations Senior

“He had a genuine desire for every student to succeed and rise to the potential he saw in each of us. I would wager nearly every one of his educates can attribute success to time spent in the care of such an influential instructor. His passing is a severe detriment to the students, the department and the university.” - Adam Bradley, Public Relations Senior

We will always cherish the lessons he taught us.

We will always respect his strength as he continued teaching through his pain and suffering.

We will always remember the love he had for his family, friends, church and students.

We will always love and miss you, Dr. Vinson.

Now we say goodbye the only way you taught us how: “Via con leche.”

”Via con leche” or “go with milk” was Dr. Vinson’s favorite way to dismiss his classes. Though it may not be the most accurate form of dismissal, it was always quite entertaining and very effective.