Dr. David Goetsch

UWF degree and year of graduation:
BS Vocational Education 1975 and MS Educational Leadership 1976

Why did you choose to attend UWF?
I grew up in Pensacola and, as a child, played on the campus property before it became a university. While a tenth-grader at Escambia High School, I was asked to serve on a student advisory council to promote UWF among students. I attended Pensacola Junior College and received my Associate of Science degree. Shortly thereafter, I joined the Marine Corps. After one tour of duty, I came home to Pensacola and immediately enrolled at UWF. The University was a lifesaver for me because I was a place-bound student and had to work to support myself and to help out with family obligations. I was the first in my family to attend college. My younger brother was the second and he, too, graduated from UWF.

What were your goals as a student?
I wanted to become a teacher, but was not sure of which teaching discipline interested me most. I liked history, but I also liked technical drawing and engineering. Prior to enrolling at Pensacola Junior College, I began working for an engineering firm and that tipped the balance in favor of an engineering-related major. An excellent counselor at UWF later helped me see that I could kill two birds with one stone by majoring in technical education and teaching pre-engineering and drafting/design courses.

What is your best memory from your days at UWF?
Being able to study the European apprenticeship system as part of my Masters Degree program under the tutelage of my mentor and major professor Dr. Carl Proehl. This study led to a quick two week tour of industrial firms in England, France, Germany, and Italy; a brief whirlwind trip, but a memorable trip.

Who was your favorite professor and why?
Dr. Carl Proehl was my favorite professor because he had such a strong background in my field and was such an interesting and dedicated professional. He had served as Florida’s State Director of Vocational and Technical Education prior to joining the faculty at UWF. In 1984 my technical program at Okaloosa-Walton College was recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as the Outstanding Technical Program in the United States (Southeast Region). In 1986 I was recognized as the recipient of the Rex Gaugh Award as Florida’s Outstanding Technical Educator. In both cases, I know that Dr. Proehl played a key role. He was so widely known and respected in technical education circles that having his recommendation for these awards was probably what tipped the balance in my favor with the judges because the competition was intense.

What do you do now?
Vice-President of Okaloosa Walton College with responsibility for all of the College’s branch campuses and centers including the Okaloosa-Walton College/University of West Florida Fort Walton Beach campus. I am also responsible for the College’s business, industry, local government, and military relations.

How did UWF help you progress to this point?
Higher education has been the foundation of my success. After completing my doctorate degree, I continued to pursue graduate studies and eventually completed several other Masters Degrees so that now I hold the following degrees: Associate, Bachelors, four Masters, and the doctorate. UWF was the starting point and foundation for all of this. Although all of my various degrees have served a specific purpose, it was the Bachelors and Masters degrees I received from UWF that allowed me to build a career in higher education. Without UWF, I would not be where I am now.

Outside of work, what are your interests?
Fitness, writing, reading and spending time with my family.

What other organizations are you currently involved in?
I am a member and past-president of the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce; a board member, past president, and current president of the Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce; member of the board of the Crestview Chamber of Commerce; member of the Walton Chamber of Commerce; one of the founders, past president, and current policy board member of the Okaloosa Economic Development Council; member of the board of the Walton Economic Development Council; member of the Board of the Walton Economic Development Council; member of the Board of the Okaloosa and Walton Workforce Development Board; member of the Aerospace and Technology Council of Florida’s Great Northwest; founder and current board member of the Technology Coast Manufacturing & Engineering Network; life member of the Florida Vocational Association; member of the American Management Association; member of the Society for human Resource Management; and a member of the American Society for Quality.

How do you stay connected to UWF?
Primarily through my job. As the Provost of the OWC/UWF Fort Walton Beach Campus, my main responsibility is to maintain a strong relationship between Okaloosa Walton College and the University of West Florida. The OWC/UWF joint campus is a model in the State of Florida. Also, I stay connected as an alumnus through the SAE fraternity

What advice do you have to current and future UWF students?
Figure out what you want to do and then pursue the education that will allow you to do what you want to do in life.

What quality makes UWF special or unique?
Accessibility is central to UWF’s mission as a regional university
Additional comments: For all of the 40 years that UWF has exited, it has played a key role in my life.

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