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PSC History Professor Dr. Brian R. Rucker shows off the three books he discussed during the WSRE-TV “Connecting the Community” segment, “The Write Stuff.”
Pensacola State College Professor Dr. Brian R. Rucker was a featured author on the WSRE-TV “Connecting the Community” segment, “The Write Stuff,” this fall. A renowned author, Rucker discussed “Worlds Within the World: The Story of the Walt Disney Resort Hotels,” “Floridale: The Rise and Fall of a Florida Boom Community,” and “Mine Eyes Have Seen: Firsthand Reminiscences of the Civil War in West Florida.”
Rucker, who specializes in Florida history, said he was honored to be featured on the episode. “Connecting the Community” is hosted by Dr. Rameca Vincent Leary, the College’s director of Community and Special Initiatives.
“People need to be aware of their history and culture, and this is a way that I like to give back,” said Rucker, who joined the Pensacola State faculty in 1996 and is an Academy of Teaching Excellence inductee.
“The Write Stuff” segment also featured Erica Lanes, author of “My Selfie Needs No Filter;” Abraham O. Sculley, who wrote the bestseller, “Unlearn The Lies: A Guide to Reshaping The Way We Think About Depression;” and Jeremy Ruffin, a motivational speaker and author of “RuffPath Quotes For The Right Path.”
“It was my first time meeting these other authors, but there was a great ‘synergy’ between us,” said Rucker who encourages everyone to record and document family histories.
“Keep history. We don’t appreciate old people until we get old. I grew up in a close-knit family, listening to family stories while shelling peas on the back porch.”
Leary described “Dr. Rucker is a one-in-a-million, selfless educator who finds joy in helping students succeed.”
WSRE-TV “Connecting the Community” host Dr. Rameca Vincent Leary is pictured with guests from “The Write Stuff” segment.
“He’s a walking encyclopedia of knowledge who doesn’t mind sharing his attributes in exciting and innovative ways,” she added. “I was so glad to have him share his knowledge and wisdom on ‘Connecting the Community.”
The 58-minute segment aired in September and can be viewed at https://www.wsre.org/productions/connecting-the-community/.
Rucker was joined on the segment by author and friend Vick Campbell and former PSC and University of West Florida student Hannah Matthews. The two shared their experiences with Rucker during the episode.
“At PSC, I had the pleasure of having him (Dr. Rucker) for all my history classes. I’m not a big European history person, but he made me enjoy it,” Matthews recalled. “Now at UWF, he teaches two very niche classes – Florida History in the fall and Panhandle History in the spring.
“…I’ve lived here my whole life, and after I left his Panhandle class, I found a new appreciation for the area.”
A Pensacola State College alumnus, Rucker has authored more than 50 works. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of West Florida and a doctoral degree from Florida State University.