By After nearly two decades of teaching, mentoring and community engagement, Doreen Kutufam, professor of communication, bids a fond farewell as she embarks on a new chapter.
“I grew up at home with a teacher,” she said when asked about her passion for teaching, “I was around education my whole life.”
After graduating from the National Film and Television Institute in Ghana, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship. The scholarship allowed her to further her education at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She eventually earned her master’s and doctorate from Syracuse.
Since her arrival at Carroll College in the fall of 2006, Kutufam taught many courses including TV and Film Production, Mass Media, World Cinema (Co-Instructor), Gender, Globalization and Communication, Writing for the Digital Media, and Social Media.
While it took some getting used to, she eventually adjusted to the move from Ghana via Syracuse to Montana.
“She taped her window shut with duct tape because she was scared of minus temperatures, she wore three layers, with two heaters on the floor,” said Brent Northup, communications professor at Carroll College. “A few years later she wore a light jacket one cold day and told me ‘I got used to it.’”
In no time Kutufam was able to adapt, finding areas on campus to impact.
Kutufam initiated and executed the first television production program at Carroll College, one of her proudest accomplishments.
“When I came it was a blank slate, I had to structure the entire program,” she said.
Students who have graduated from the program have gone on to work at TV stations in various states around the country. One of her students, Patrick Manning, made it to the national Media stage and is currently working at CNBC as a Senior Field Producer.
“Today, I work as a network senior producer in New York and I wouldn’t be here without Doreen,” said Manning. “Carroll College and the Helena-community is a much, much richer place because of her.” (See accompanying story: “Kutufam’s legacy: A grateful student’s story”)
From the beginning of her time on campus she has enriched her environment.
Beyond her role in the classroom, Kutufam’s influence extended far beyond the arenas of academia. As a published author and respected scholar, she delved into topics ranging from HIV/AIDS education to race and gender in media, even when both topics were considered taboo and heavily stigmatized.
In addition to her scholarly pursuits, Kutufam dedicated herself to service and advocacy, serving on various boards and councils aimed at promoting international understanding and community development. Most notably she served as the first Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Taskforce started on campus.
In addition to that, she served on the Boards of local Helena organizations like Helena Civic Television, Helena International Affairs Council, and Compassion Tanzania.
“Doreen was affectionately called DK by her students, who loved her,” said Northup. “Her contributions can be most visibly seen in the careers of her students, but her lasting contribution is in the hearts of her students.. She was a compassionate, nurturing soul who saw the good in everyone and helped struggling students regain their balance and achieve their dreams. We are so grateful for all she gave us, and we are sad to see Doreen move on.”
Reflecting on her time at Carroll College, Dr. Kutufam expressed gratitude for the mentors who inspired her to come this far.
“He saw potential in me and wouldn’t cut me any slack, it was a tough love relationship,” she remarked about an old professor. She expressed how having such great examples made teaching a little easier for herself.
As Kutufam embarks on her next journey, her colleagues and students at Carroll College extend their appreciation for her dedication and passion.
While her presence will be greatly missed at Carroll, her impact will continue, as she plans to continue teaching in some capacity.
Wherever life takes me, Carroll College and Montana will always be a part of my story, and I will continue to cherish it fondly. (END main story)
