Todd Wemmer knows that stories matter. They are where we learn, grow, and process life around us. As a Professor of Communication in Endicott’s School of Social Sciences, Communication, and Humanities and an avid documentary and podcast lover, Wemmer also knows a thing or two about using media to tell a story. With his cheeky sense of humor, office scattered with everything from old cassettes to collected rocks, and classes like Multimedia Storytelling and Documentary Modes, he pushes his students to gather pieces of gold through media and get outside of their comfort zones to create unique and thought-provoking works. For nearly 20 years at the College, he has helped students find their own stories in the process.
What’s been your most memorable experience as a professor?
Every year when students do something really spectacular and realize it.
What is your favorite podcast?
The Archers. A British radio drama soap opera that has been on since WWII.
What’s your favorite spot at Endicott?
The classroom and that cool collection of bronze pyramid art pieces near the pond.
What are your goals while teaching?
To create a crazy, messy place for students (and myself) to feel comfortable making mistakes.
Why is it important to tell stories via multimedia?
Because stories are all that matter. They are how we learn about the world.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Where I live now. Salem, Mass.
Do you collect anything?
Old snapshots.
What is your favorite hobby?
Probably digging around antique shops for old snapshots.
If you had to choose—documentaries or podcasts?
If you would have asked me this question 10 years ago, I would have said podcasts. The podcast world is bloated and I don’t find the same enjoyment. Today, I say documentaries.
If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be?
Nothing. Have you seen time travel movies? Go back and change something and it messes something else up. Since I’m pretty satisfied now, changing something could mess up the present.
Who would play you in a movie of your life?
An actor from the Endicott Drama department. Have you seen their shows?
What motivates you to work hard?
Students.
What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family?
Going for walks.
Most embarrassing moment in your career?
I think once I handed out the wrong syllabus to a class…but I don’t think the students ever knew. So it was more of a personal embarrassment.
What do you look forward to every day?
Right now, the iced Americanos at Kid Dream café in Beverly. This is not an advertisement, but everyone on campus should try that place. Jammy toast.
Favorite restaurant in Salem?
Super Taco.
If you could meet up with any celebrity for coffee, who would you choose?
I probably wouldn’t choose to have coffee with a celebrity. Maybe Jordan Peele, Robert Eggers, or Ari Aster.
What’s the phone app you use most?
The same as everyone else. Tik Tok.
What’s something an outsider wouldn’t know about your industry?
The amount of footage or audio you need for a short 1-2 minute piece.
What career advice would you give to your younger self?
None. Again, if you have watched time travel movies, that doesn’t end well.