J. Richard Cassin

MS '84 Butler University. Trained military journalist and broadcasters for more than 20 years at the Defense Information School on fort Benjamin Harrison, before the school moved from Indianapolis. He joined the Media Arts faculty of the Jordan College of Fine Arts in January 1998, teaching courses in writing, audio production, and performance in the electronic media.

A native of Michigan, he first came to Indianapolis during the Vietnam War to be stationed at Fort Harrison. He served in the U. S. Air Force during both the Korean War and Vietnam. While on active duty, he was assigned to the worldwide Armed Forces Radio and Television Service, providing daily radio and television programming to American servicemen and women stationed overseas. Prior to leaving military service, he was the public information specialist for the internationally known Air Force "Thunderbirds" precision flying team. Out of uniform, he joined the then Indianapolis-based Amateur Athletic Union of the U. S. (AAU) as its publicity director, before returning to teaching at Fort Harrison in 1976.

Outside the classroom, he has maintained a relationship with the Helen Wells Talent and Modeling Agency, appearing in numerous regional and local commercials (Red Roof Inns, State Farm Insurance, Cincinnati Bell, Meijer, H.H. Gregg, among others).

A member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), he confesses a preference for "live" theater, though admitting to having little time to participate. His community theater credits include roles in "Inherit the Wind," "Caine Mutiny Courts-Martial," "Teahouse on August Moon," and "Detective Story."