Over the past year, we’ve explored the many people that make up the community here on campus and surrounding campus. We’ve interviewed professors and Main Street staples, but this year, I want to take a look at our history to better understand this school’s legacy and its future. This semester’s series will be speaking with alumni. Starting close to home, we’ll be hearing from Joe Boucher, professor on campus today and an alumni from the class of 1987.
Q: How did you find Roanoke College, and what did you study?
A: I met legendary lacrosse player and coach John Pirro (his statue is on Kerr Stadium) at my high school (Sachem) college fair. He convinced me to take a look at Roanoke College. I never did end up visiting beforehand, but the campus looked beautiful in the brochure, and the school gave me a great financial aid package.
Q: What is your fondest college memory?
A: The lacrosse team had just played in the national championship the previous spring and I was really worried about making the team as a freshman. I think my grades saved me! By my senior year, I was named captain and also won the Paul S. Griffin Award and the Ground Ball Award, which are great memories and taught me about perseverance.
Q: Where did you go post-graduation, and where are you now?
A: After I graduated, I bought a one-way plane ticket to Los Angeles, since my dream was to work in the entertainment industry. I really struggled at first but one day I snuck onto the 20th Century Fox lot and talked my way into a job in the Fox mailroom. This was the early days of the Fox network, and I worked my way onto the morning executive mail run, which included new studio owner Rupert Murdoch. I eventually got a job as a production assistant on The Tracey Ullman Show, which led to a job on its animated spinoff The Simpsons. By the third season, I became the producer of The Simpsons and worked on the first 6 seasons. The studio then convinced me to work with Greg Daniels (a Simpsons colleague) and Mike Judge who had just sold King of the Hill and that turned into an incredible 13-season run. Outside of entertainment, my hobby was teaching entertainment in after-school programs and coaching lacrosse. It was so rewarding to give back and have an impact on young people’s lives in a different way than just making them laugh on TV. When the opportunity came to return to Roanoke College and start a film and television program, I jumped at the chance. Today, I’m the Director of Student Engagement and a Professor of Practice in Screen Studies.
Q: What is the value of education in your life today?
A: My whole Roanoke College experience was invaluable to me. I was a first-generation college student, so I made the most of the opportunity I was given. I grew up at Roanoke College. I feel like this college has always challenged me to be the best version of myself and that has always stayed with me. When I started looking to transition into education, it was the one place I really wanted to be. I wanted to inspire students the way the Roanoke College community inspired me.
Maggie Raker
Culture, Wellness & Lifestyle Section Editor
