A close encounter with Twitter greatness

Until yesterday, I thought Jack Dorsey (one of the triumvirate of Twitter founders, better known as @jack in tweetdom) was just another new-media success story.

@jack, aka Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey
@jack, aka Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey
But that was before I learned, via St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Deb Peterson’s blog post, that he once attended the university where I work, Missouri S&T. He attended here in the ’90s, back when we were the University of Missouri-Rolla. He studied computer engineering here, and chances are great that we crossed paths on campus.

I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know about this connection previously. I’m doubly embarrassed that another university (Webster University, based in his hometown of St. Louis) will present him with a major award next week, instead of us.

The PR guy in me hates missed opportunities.

But maybe, now that I know Jack was a student here, I can work to reconnect our campus with him. According to at least two higher ed colleagues on Twitter, Jack is technically an alumnus of our university. One said so publicly, the other privately, via direct message.

Anyway, I am now one of @jack’s kabillion followers on Twitter. I hope to one day meet the man personally.

Congratulations, Mr. Dorsey, on your award from Webster University. I only wish we’d connected with you sooner.

P.S. – I’m glad to read that you’re still a St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Update: Jack Dorsey just gave a shout out to Missouri S&T, exposing our Twitter site to more potential views than most of our media relations efforts ever would.

Greentree Gazette becomes Today’s Campus

The Greentree Gazette, a publication and e-newsletter covering higher education, has morphed into Today’s Campus.

It’s been a stealth undertaking, apparently. I just found out this morning, when I received an email with “Today’s Campus Update” in the subject line. The format looked familiar — I’ve been receiving Greentree’s updates for some time now — and when I clicked on the link I was taken to the newly redesigned website.

No detailed explanation on the name change — although “Today’s Campus” seems to be a more sensible title than “Greentree Gazette” for a publication that covers higher ed, so maybe no explanation is necessary. All the email announcement said was that the publication “is an old friend – The Greentree Gazette – reinvented to help you manage today’s campus successfully.”

The announcement goes on to say:

We will still publish practical solutions, best practices and illuminating insight from some of the smartest people in education. But the focus shifts to the most relevant issues facing your campus and your job. Today’s Campus replaces The Greentree Gazette with the September 2009 issue.

So, stay tuned.

Oh, yeah. Today’s Campus is also on Twitter. Follow @TodaysCampus.