Veteran Texas journalism professor cited by alma mater

Retired journalism professor David McHam of Houston was inducted into the Garner-Webb University Gallery of Distinguished Alumni during 2016 homecoming activities at the campus in Boiling Springs, N.C.

McHamm retired in 2015 after teaching journalism in Texas colleges for a record 54 years. 

Like many of his contemporaries at Gardner-Webb in the 1950s, McHam came from a working-class background. He was born in a mill village at Inman, S.C. Eventually the family settled in Spindale, N.C., and both parents worked at Spindale Mills. Neither of his parents graduated from high school. 

“It’s a miracle that I’m even here,” McHam reflected before the award ceremony. “I didn’t intend to come to school here.”

After graduating from Rutherfordton-Spindale (N.C.) Central High in 1951, he completed a summer school and a semester at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., but several of his Spindale friends were commuting to Gardner-Webb. He thought he was going to be drafted to serve in the Korean War. 

When he had not been drafted, his friends convinced him to enroll at GWU. It was the last day to register for the spring semester in 1952.

“I don’t mean to exaggerate, but Gardner-Webb changed my life,” McHam said. “It was the right school at the right time for me. I met so many wonderful people during my time there. And the teachers were outstanding. I went to five colleges, and sometimes I am asked which was the best school I went to. I always say Gardner-Webb.”

After graduating from GWU in 1953, McHam spent three years in the Marine Corps. He completed his undergraduate work at Baylor University in Waco and received his master’s degree from the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University in New York. 

After Columbia, McHam went to work at The Houston Post, and in 1961 came the opportunity to teach at Baylor. He also taught at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Houston. 

He was chosen the outstanding journalism teacher in the nation by the Society of Professional Journalists in 1994. 

He was named a legend of Dallas journalism by the Dallas Press Club in 2015 and was named one of the outstanding graduates at the Columbia Journalism School in 2016. 

Since 1957, Gardner-Webb has recognized and honored 457 alumni and friends who have made significant contributions in their fields of service and in the communities in which they serve. The university established the Gallery of Distinguished Alumni in 1988.