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Former TV reporter re-invents himself

Mike Igoe teaches at SUNY Fredonia
Posted at 7:26 PM, Sep 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-15 19:26:47-04

He used to appear nightly on the TV news, at one of the other stations. These days if you want to see Mike Igoe you'll have to sign up for one of his classes at SUNY Fredonia. He admits "teaching is just something I fell into."

The full-time associate professor teaches public speaking. After 30 years in broadcasting, he had some doubts about this career change. He say's he wasn't sure he would like it, but it turned out that he did.  Out of the media for seven years, along the way Mike had a chance to teach in China.  He has mementos from his three years there and from his other international teaching gigs in Turkey and Hong Kong.

He has written a couple books including the textbook he uses for his public speaking course. Mike Igoe is also a cancer survivor. Beating colon cancer 13 years ago taught him a few things about life. He says 'life is precious, take nothing for granted, be adventurous".  That may be the most valuable lesson he can share with his students.