Spent the first 18 years of my life in Bethel Park, a suburb south of Pittsburgh. Obtained a bachelors and masters degree from Ohio University. Received a Ph.D. in sociology from Indiana University. Upon graduating I got a teaching position at Wilkes University in 1984, where I have been ever since and where I am now a full professor.

 

I've been smoking a pipe for about 20 years and have a collection of over 100 pipes. In addition, I am President of Pocono Intermountain Pipe Enthusiasts, United Pipe Clubs of America and the Vice-President of the Americas in the Comite International des Pipe Clubs. I am the 2011 and 2015 US pipe smoking champion.