Sears leaves Star-Telegram to join Schieffer School faculty

By Taylor Pashley

Dallas, 6:40 a.m. – With a blaring boom box in one arm, Broxon Sears begins his morning routine by waking his 6-year-old grandson, Christian, to his favorite rock ‘n’ roll tunes. After a quick breakfast together, Sears drives him to school and begins the first half of the 96 miles he will travel to and from TCU for his new full-time position teaching in the Schieffer School of Journalism.

Praised for his talents in newspaper graphic design, Sears left behind his fast-paced days in newspaper journalism at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in January to transition from the professional to academic world.

On Friday, Jan. 11, he worked the last day of his 22-year career with the Star-Telegram. On the following Monday, he began teaching full time at TCU, having taught as an adjunct journalism professor since 2001.

“My wife and I talked about making this transition in about 10 years from now,” Sears said. “When Tommy (Thomason) asked me to join full time starting in January, we were thrilled. It was a stunning offer.”

With a degree in graphic design from Kansas State University, Sears spent the last 30 years managing art and design departments for several newspapers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He is most recognized for his five redesigns of the Star-Telegram. As senior editor of the Star-Telegram graphics department, he enjoyed the challenges of managing a staff of more than 50 people.

“I’m not good at any one thing in particular, so I became a manager because that requires being good at a lot of things,” Sears said.

Considered a celebrity among designers, Sears’ humble attitude often conceals his repertoire of accomplishments. Clif Bosler, senior design editor for the Star-Telegram, has worked with Sears on several occasions in the last 30 years.

“Broc’s philosophy was pretty much the sky's the limit, and it showed in the work that we produced,” Bosler said.  “The Star-Telegram won numerous visual awards during the time Broc was at the paper. He is very involved locally and nationally in the design community.”

Sears said one of his greatest honors was judging for the Society of Newspaper Design’s international competition for the best newspaper design.

Sarah Huffstetler, the current assistant managing editor for design and graphics at the Star-Telegram, now has the job and office that Sears left in December.

“Broc instilled many of his values in me and if I can be just half the leader he is, I will be successful,” Huffstetler said. “Broc is everything you would ever want in a supervisor. He recognizes the potential within a designer or artist and gently nudges you to be the best you can be.”

Sears is currently occupying an office above the RealWorld IMC building until another space becomes available in the Schieffer School. Until then, he said he enjoys the exercise to and from the journalism school every day – about a 15-minute walk.

Sears’ enthusiasm for joining the Schieffer School community is met with similar attitudes from students and faculty, as expressed by Phil Record, professor in residence in ethics and retired ombudsman of the Star-Telegram.

“Broc is considered one of the best newspaper designers in the country,” Record said. “He is a delight to work with.”

Sears said the transition from the professional world to working with students was easy. Working as manager of creative staffs, he focused on helping individuals become better communicators and designers, a goal that carried over into his teaching profession.

“I care about the people I work with and their development,” Sears said. “My ultimate goal is for them to be successful.”

This mission seems to be effective, as students rave about his character and teaching strategies. Andrew Chavez, editor in chief of the TCU Daily Skiff, said he thinks highly of Sears.

“He’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever worked with, but at the same time, he gives great objective criticism,” Chavez said.

Driven by the adrenaline rush of meeting deadlines and working under the intensities of the journalism industry, Sears sometimes misses life in the fast lane. He said the pace here is a bit slower and more deliberate.

So what is it about TCU that keeps this designer legend enthusiastic about teaching and willing to go the extra miles – literally? Sears said it is knowing that students truly enjoy his classes.

“Students tell me they took a class because they knew I was teaching it. That’s very rewarding.”