Business Training Seminars

Keynote/Breakout

Communication
Humor
Media Training
Motivation

Profile

Dr. Don Newbury: America's 'Unstuffiest' University President?

   Dr. Don Newbury, a favorite Texas humorist, spent 40 years as a distinguished educator, including almost half of that time as a university president, an assignment he claims took a long time to live down!  He looks for--and finds--humor in every day occurrences--in at least every other link in the chain of life. An introducer once said that "before God made Dr. Newbury, He broke the mold," ending with a reference to "America's 'unstuffiest' university president!" Dr. Newbury loved it, and the label stuck.

   His is an ongoing effort to help folks "major in majors," always underscoring the importance of not taking ourselves too seriously. Addressing a national conference of university presidents, he reminded them "that if a bomb hit the meeting hall that day, it would set education FORWARD 100 years."  Listeners are entertained and enriched, gaining an elevated view of who they are, where they are and what they're doing in their world. Messages of hope, motivation and inspiration are woven throughout his remarks.

   The communicator's experiences, in addition to education, are off the charts. He has also been editor of a country weekly newspaper, basketball official, newspaper correspondent, host of a state-wide radio sports show, teen enterpreneur (selling snowcones and handguns), parasail boat operator, college professor, educational consultant and university president. He's also been on a national policy-making board for intercollegiate athletics. For the past decade, he has returned to "first love"--speaking and writing. He has averaged more than 100 speaking engagements annually for more than four decades, and for seven years, The Idle American, his weekly column of humor and inspiration, has delighted readers. It is featured in 150 newspapers and is heard on Texas radio stations. His writing has been compared to Will Rogers', and numerous persons liken his speech delivery to that of the late Paul Harvey.

   His long-time "calling card" has been giant bags of popcorn, much of it served on the back porch of the president's home at Howard Payne University, deep in the heart of Texas. Students quickly learned that when the porch light was on, Dr. Newbury was serving up free popcorn, ready to "talk life" with them. The popcorn event began 25 tons ago, and inspired his first book title, When the Porch Light's On...Stories of People, Popcorn and Parasails. He has since turned out eight more books, including Life by the Seat of the Pants, A Few Geese Short of a Gaggle, Stories from the Sunny Side, Funnier Than Fiction, A Wheelbarrow Guy in a Digital World, Honk! If You're Sick of Political Ads, As the World Churns and Life With IF in the Middle.

   He's been privileged to address educational, corporate and sports groups at national, state and local levels.  Dr. Newbury has appeared at functions in 45 states, and he's nearing the 6,000 mark in presentations.  He frequently gets to say "It's great to see you AGAIN!" He is a product of a rural Texas high school; there were 25 graduates in his class, so each member was "elected most likely to do something." It was unanimously decided that Newbury was "most likely to remain left-handed."

   Dr. Newbury and Brenda, his wife of 44 years, now reside in Burleson, Texas, a short hop from Fort Worth and three axle-greasings from DFW Airport. He's now studying the fine art of grandparenting. Recipient of numerous professional honors, he values none more highly than the Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree conferred by his alma mater, Howard Payne University.  There are several remembrances of the occasion:  Brenda bought a new dress, his three daughters got three days off and the Newburys' six grandchildren giggled about calling him "Doctor/Doctor!"  He has reminded them--and others-- that neither of his degrees is the kind that does anyone any good!

   Contact MVP Seminars for additional details.