October 2022

Josh Bacon ’93 & M’95

DEGREES:
B.A. - Sociology & M.S. Education Administration

CURRENT EMPLOYER
Eastern Mennonite University

CURRENT OCCUPATION
Coachlink Mentor

DESCRIBE YOUR CAREER PATH
I served 21 years at James Madison University where I retired last year as dean of students. After my retirement, I served one year as a campus safety officer at Bridgewater College. Currently, I am a consultant, conducting trainings to colleges, schools and law enforcement agencies around the country on restorative justice.

MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED WHILE ATTENDING SALISBURY UNIVERSITY
At Salisbury, I learned through the classroom and football field to never give up and if you work hard and believe in yourself there is nothing you can’t do.

WHAT CAMPUS ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS WERE YOU INVOLVED WITH?
Football team

BEST COLLEGE MEMORY
My best memories involved the friendships I developed with my football teammates. My teammate and current NFL coach Dan Quinn calls it a brotherhood and that is truly what it was and still is today. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to help a brother out and they are always there if I need them. It doesn’t matter if we haven’t seen or talked in years – our bond was formed on the field with blood and sweat. I called Dan out of the blue and asked if he would consider writing an endorsement for my book I Screwed Up! Now What? Seven Practices to Make Things Right and Conquer Adversity. He said, “whatever I can do to help, brother.” All of us have enjoyed watching Dan’s achievements because we know what a great teammate he was and we know he hasn’t changed.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SALISBURY UNIVERSITY?
I chose Salisbury because it is near the beach and I wanted to play football.

IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE SALISBURY UNIVERSITY IN THREE WORDS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE AND WHY?
A place to believe in – I know it’s more than three words, but it was a place I could learn and try new things. I learned to believe in myself and my dreams. There is plenty to challenge yourself with at SU and there is an equal amount of support from the most caring faculty and staff in the world. I learned to believe in myself and believe that there are good places and people in this world.

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT AND WHY?
Ocean City, MD – the beach, the crabs and the fun stuff to do.

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
Finishing my book I Screwed Up! Now What? I think it can help a lot of people who are struggling and people who want to help someone who is struggling. I wish I had this book when I was in college.

WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I have three daughters who I love.

HOBBIES/OTHER INTERESTS
Sports, reading, teaching.