John McKenzie

Seeking Ph.D., Rhetoric and Language Studies
Projected graduation date: Spring, 2010
Email: jmckenzie2@gmail.com
Hometown: Gilmer, TX
BA Degree: Speech Communication Texas A&M University
MA Degree: MA in Speech Communication: Rhetoric and Public Affairs Texas A&M University
Current research interests: Currently, my research interests fall in the category of critical cultural theory, simulation theory, post-structuralism, and the philosophy of rhetoric. I'm interested in the rhetorical effects of psychological heuristics (especially image heuristics) of the mind.
Outside hobbies & interests: Outside of academia, I enjoy kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, swimming in Barton Springs, blogging and scouring the Internet, and believe it or not I do a lot of reading even when I don't have to. Not to mention, I'm engaged to my beautiful fiancée Jade, so she ranks highly on my interests every day.
What you think makes UT or Austin unique, cool, or "weird": Austin has something for every mood. I've never been in Austin and thought "there's nothing to do right now" - unless it had been raining for a week straight like it occasionally did this summer.