{"id":1206,"date":"2019-05-07T00:00:26","date_gmt":"2019-05-07T00:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/commspotlight\/?p=1206"},"modified":"2020-04-21T23:52:41","modified_gmt":"2020-04-21T23:52:41","slug":"gansner20190507","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/commspotlight\/2019\/05\/07\/gansner20190507\/","title":{"rendered":"Kai Gansner"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Kai Gansner<\/p><\/div>\n

Kai Gansner is a husband, brother, son, uncle, cousin, and friend who is working towards opening a brewstillery in St. Louis, MO.\u00a0 After starting his career in the non-profit sector, he is venturing out on his own with the hopes of providing the community with a place to celebrate life.\u00a0 He is an avid hiker\/backpacker, FCC licensed ham radio operator (KE0QEJ), hunter, home cook, certified welder, and DSLR photographer.<\/p>\n

What year did you graduate and what was your concentration?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I graduated a semester early in December 2005.\u00a0 My concentration centered around Communication Science — a combination of psychology and group process<\/a>.\u00a0 I also had a minor in Business Administration<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What extra-\/co-curricular activities did you do?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I actually almost transferred from Truman because I didn\u2019t feel like I belonged.\u00a0 That changed when I decided to apply for the Student Advisor position (Truman\u2019s nomenclature for \u201cRA\u201d) and received my assignment in the soon-to-be shuttered Dobson Hall.\u00a0 I worked as an SA until graduation.\u00a0 I traveled to several conferences where I gave presentations about my philosophy of Residence Life. In addition to working as an SA, I was highly involved in University Swingers<\/a> — Swing Dance Performance Team.\u00a0 We traveled to the American Lindy Hop Championships in Stamford, CT.\u00a0 I was \u201cadopted\u201d as an honorary member of the African Students\u2019 Association<\/a> where I made friends and participated in cultural group meals.<\/p>\n

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Kai (far left) and the rest of the University Swingers (2003).<\/p><\/div>\n

Did you go to grad school? If so, where?\u00a0 Was it immediately after you left Truman or did you wait?\u00a0 Why?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Several of my professors recommended that I continue with graduate school.\u00a0 I did not attend.\u00a0 By the time my studies at Truman were wrapping up, I experienced the famed “senior-itis” and decided that a break from formal schooling was the best route for me.\u00a0 With that said, my experience at Truman reinforced the concept of being a lifelong learner.<\/p>\n

What was your first job after graduation?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"

Kai receiving his certificate for Neapolitan pizza in\u00a0 Naples, Italy (2017).<\/p><\/div>\n

I worked as a K-12 substitute teacher in the Mehlville School District<\/a>, peaking with a long-term position in the business department (my minor at Truman).\u00a0 At nights, I worked as a sales associate at Dillard\u2019s<\/a> Department Store.\u00a0 I soon was offered multiple opportunities with Dillard\u2019s and moved to Columbia, MO to commence my career.\u00a0 I discovered early that I didn\u2019t find joy in that type of work, so I moved back to St. Louis, finding a job at a large international non-profit.\u00a0 I swiftly rose to the role of Director of Member Services\u00a0 — traveling internationally delivering high quality presentations,\u00a0 managing graphics and print media, contributing to board meetings and creating a coordinated group of online learning, membership, and marketing programs focused on UI before that was the popular mode of interactive learning.<\/p>\n

What work do you do\/What are you doing now?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Currently, I work as a manager at one of the big craft breweries in St. Louis.\u00a0 I have worked at this brewery for a little over five years.\u00a0 My original plan was to make this a short-term act before opening my own brewery, as I had been home-brewing during semester breaks in college (after I became of legal age) and had developed the hobby into something bursting at the seams and ready for the market.\u00a0 However, my dad fell into some poor health and I decided to maintain my current position.\u00a0 This allowed me the flexibility to help take care of him — a decision I\u2019d make over and over again.\u00a0 My dad passed last year and I am moving towards next steps in an ever evolving market.\u00a0 One of the last phrases my dad said to me was, \u201cYou\u2019re not done yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kai and his wife Elyssa touring a balsamic Vinegar estate in Modena, Italy (2016).<\/p><\/div>\n

How has your Liberal Arts\/COMM education helped you?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"

Kai adding a little humor to the world (2015).<\/p><\/div>\n

Wow.\u00a0 This is a loaded question.\u00a0 Studying at a Liberal Arts university helps you see beyond the tip of your own nose.\u00a0 If you\u2019re open to it, it fosters a critical thinking process which encourages gathering information from interdisciplinary sources before making an educated decision.\u00a0 There is nothing more scarce than time and nothing more important than understanding people.\u00a0 The scope of my COMM studies at Truman assisted a long game approach to life.\u00a0 Even though you might have a target in mind, it\u2019s important not to be myopic.\u00a0 In other words, the professors and curriculum in Truman\u2019s Communication Department teach how to gather information and filter the noise for the signal.<\/p>\n

Because my studies involved courses like Mass Communication<\/a>, Rhetoric<\/a>, Public Relations<\/a>, Argumentation<\/a>, Group Process<\/a>, Race Class & Gender<\/a>, and Persuasion Theory<\/a>, among others, I think I am a measured and balanced citizen who can draw from perspective.\u00a0 Honestly, in all of my varied work experience, I thought I understood people.\u00a0 Managing at a craft brewery has shown me more grit in understanding in relation to my coursework.\u00a0 I am grateful to have had both refined, elevated professional experience and a \u201cstreet-level window\u201d to society at my brewery role.<\/p>\n

Which class did you dislike at the time you took it, but now you\u2019re grateful you took it?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"

Kai & Elyssa at Snow Lake, WA (2017).<\/p><\/div>\n

I genuinely liked my COMM coursework at Truman.\u00a0 Upon entering, I had a misconception of what a university was like.\u00a0 I dreamed of a free learning environment where students could attend ongoing lectures of their choice — a quasi-Socratic style.\u00a0 I adjusted and liked my classes.\u00a0 If I had to pick one, it would probably be Race, Class & Gender<\/a>.\u00a0 It will always be contemporary because it involves humanity.\u00a0 It continues to make me a better person, and I am glad I enrolled.<\/p>\n

What was your greatest accomplishment at Truman?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

My greatest accomplishment doesn\u2019t involve coursework or extra-curricular activities and is a very private matter.\u00a0 Let\u2019s suffice it to say that I helped another human being through the aftermath of an extremely tragic event, and that was a formative experience for me because it was a continual process to which I deeply dedicated myself.<\/p>\n

Why is Truman a good place for a student to study?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

If the enrollment statistics resemble what they were when I was a student, the three main cities from which fellow students came were St. Louis, Kansas City, and Chicago.\u00a0 I am from St. Louis.\u00a0 After researching a lot of possibilities, I applied to and was accepted to three schools University of Evansville, University of Missouri (Columbia), and Truman State University.\u00a0 The first was too small.\u00a0 The second was too big and full of concrete, and Truman was just right.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kai (2nd from left) at a Res Life dinner with fellow SA friends (2005).<\/p><\/div>\n

The architecture and campus design provided for an edified environment in which to learn.\u00a0 There were enough opportunities for activities without breaking the bank.\u00a0 From student orchestra\/symphony concerts and capstone performances or exhibits to the Student Activities Board<\/a> bringing in big name performers\u2026 from speakers and Lyceum Series<\/a> to the allure of the sunken garden. . .Truman is a good place for students from urban, suburban, and rural areas alike.\u00a0 There are a myriad of clubs and organizations<\/a>, too.\u00a0 Class size and direct access to professors is a plus.\u00a0 There\u2019s a certain reminiscence on the buildings\u2019 nostalgia — paying homage to the past.\u00a0 The people of the time are of course what keep the University\u00a0 active and moving towards the future.\u00a0 It\u2019s a living organism and it makes you feel alive.<\/p>\n

What would you say a COMM student should absolutely<\/u> do while at Truman?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Explore.\u00a0 A decent portion of your college experience is learning and making connections outside of the classroom.\u00a0 Be intuitive.\u00a0 Learn about yourself.\u00a0 Learn about others.\u00a0 Listen to what your soul already wants you to be.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kai and Elyssa continuing to learn in Rome (2016).<\/p><\/div>\n

If my answer had to reference classes or coursework, I\u2019d say get involved in campus media<\/a>, but also computer programming — at least the basics.\u00a0 Hone in on how people receive the message and information you want to deliver.\u00a0 You\u2019ll experience lots of \u201cah ha\u201d moments down the road — after Truman — connecting your current experience to lessons learned while there.<\/p>\n

What advice would you give someone who wants to go into the same line of work as you?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, my circumstance is different.\u00a0 Choices now influence the future.\u00a0 Life happens.\u00a0 Many other people will tell you to start making connections both with fellow students and with professionals in your field of interest.\u00a0 I agree that those connections are important, but an even more important connection is with yourself.\u00a0 If you can truly know yourself while understanding that you are evolving and don\u2019t know everything, that will help you in any field you chose or any field you fall into.\u00a0 It\u2019s about knowing about all the new shiny objects and discerning which ones are important to you to pursue.<\/p>\n

What do you miss most about campus\/Kirksville?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Of all the questions, this one is the one to which I didn\u2019t have a visceral response.\u00a0 I think my answer would revolve around the heartbeat of a university.\u00a0 There was an energy at Truman.\u00a0 I miss being able to knock on someone\u2019s door and invite them to lunch or an activity.\u00a0 That can still happen in adult life, but it seems there are more considerations than a quick walk down the hall and a knock on the door.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kai (left) and Rafeal enjoying lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Kirksville (2004).<\/p><\/div>\n

What tag line would you create for the COMM department at Truman?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019d probably just use the title of John C. Maxwell\u2019s book, \u00a0Everyone Communicates, Few Connect<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

If you could come back to Truman and teach a class for a semester, what would be its title and what would it be about?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Returning to a Civil Society — exploring how to engage in civil conversation, listen to opposite and differing points of view, and constructively move forward whether agreement is reached or not.<\/p>\n

What did we not ask that you think is important for people to know?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Relationships (family, friends, and connections), Resilience, and Grit are some of the most important things in life.\u00a0 Time is the most scarce resource.\u00a0 If you want to do something, use your intellectual faculties to make an informed decision, but also look at life in a childlike sort of way — unencumbered by adult thinking.\u00a0 Take a chance.\u00a0 If it doesn\u2019t work out, bounce back.\u00a0 Respect a balance of hubris and humility.\u00a0 Everyone is fighting a tough battle. I believe in you.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kai and Elyssa enjoying a sunrise on Jekyll Island, GA (2013).<\/p><\/div>\n

If you would like to learn more of Kai’s story, you can follow him on Twitter<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you want to learn more about the Department of Communication, contact us!<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kai Gansner is a husband, brother, son, uncle, cousin, and friend who is working towards opening a brewstillery in St. Louis, MO.\u00a0 After starting his career in the non-profit sector, he is venturing out on his own with the hopes of providing the community with a place to celebrate life.\u00a0 He is an avid hiker\/backpacker, … Read More →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":497,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50608],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-watdn"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/commspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/commspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/commspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/commspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/497"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/commspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1206"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/commspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1262,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/commspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1206\/revisions\/1262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/commspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/commspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/commspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}