Tartan Spotlight: David Bodary prepares to retire after 32 years at Sinclair

After more than three decades at Sinclair College, David Bodary, Ph.D, is preparing to retire as chair of the Communication Department. This will close a career that began in 1994 and leaves behind a lasting impact on students, faculty and the college community.

For Bodary, the path to Sinclair was not something carefully planned or thought out. While completing graduate work at Wayne State University in Detroit, he was searching for a job somewhere between Detroit and Dayton, where his wife’s family lived. A position at Sinclair happened to fall right in between.

“I thought, well, I’m looking for a job anywhere between Detroit and Dayton,” Bodary said. “And this job happens to be right there.”

**David Bodary, chair of Sinclair’s communication department.** CONTRIBUTED

At the time, he said, he didn’t fully understand what Sinclair would become in his life.

“I didn’t understand at that time what a place Sinclair was,” he said. “This is not your average community college.”

His perspective quickly changed once he stepped into the classroom. What stood out most to him was the students, their work ethic, determination and willingness to grow.

“The students at Sinclair really valued and appreciated what we were doing,” Bodary said. “They worked so hard and they were willing to learn, and so that just was perfect.”

Over the next 32 years, Bodary watched the Communication Department evolve, with new faculty, expanded programs and changing approaches to teaching. But despite those changes, his focus remained steady: helping students discover their potential.

“I think that’s what all the faculty at Sinclair love doing,” he said. “Helping students to become the best version of whoever they want to be.”

“I try my best to serve others, serve the department as best I can.”
DAVID BODARY

Rather than pointing to one single achievement, Bodary said the most meaningful moments of his career came from seeing students grow — especially those who didn’t initially believe in themselves.

“There are so many students who I see potential in, but they don’t believe it,” he said. “And I’m like, ‘Oh, but you could.’”

That process — helping students recognize their abilities and build confidence — is what Bodary described as the most rewarding part of teaching.

“Man, is that fun to see the blossoming of that student’s potential,” he said.

Beyond the classroom, Bodary also contributed to shaping Sinclair’s culture. Early in his career, he helped develop the college’s honor code along with Tom Roberts and other faculty. The code emphasizes personal accountability and integrity, rather than reporting wrongdoing by others.

“It was always about ‘for myself,’” he said. “An aspirational guiding light toward what we want to be, who we want to be and upholding sort of the highest standards of academic integrity.”

When he later stepped into a leadership role within the department, Bodary said his approach centered on support rather than authority.

“I’ve always been a better support person,” he said. “I try my best to serve others, serve the department as best I can.”

That philosophy became especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when faculty and students had to quickly adapt to new challenges and fully online learning.

As he prepares to retire, Bodary said he has not focused heavily on defining his personal legacy. Instead, he hopes what remains is something stable and lasting for future students.

“I want to make sure that whatever we leave behind is solid and can continue,” he said.

Part of that effort includes his involvement with the Sinclair Foundation, where faculty and staff raise money to support scholarships, emergency funds and student resources. These initiatives, he said, reflect a larger commitment to making education accessible.

“Sinclair is going to be here,” Bodary said. “And that’s what I always tell students… when you’re ready to come back, we’ll be here.”

“Some people think [communication] is easy. That means they don’t understand it.”
DAVID BODARY

In addition to reflecting on his career, Bodary shared his thoughts on the future of communication — a field he believes is often misunderstood.

“Some people think it’s easy,” he said. “That means they don’t understand it.”

He explained that communication is constantly evolving, especially with the rise of social media and AI, and requires critical thinking, adaptability and strong interpersonal skills.

“If you think it’s easy, it’s probably because you’re not doing it as effectively as it could be,” he said.

As colleges across the country cut or merge communication programs, Bodary emphasized that the field is becoming more important, not less.

“In an AI world, they probably become more important,” he said. “We’ve got to be thoughtful, skillful communicators and critical consumers.”

He added that communication skills are essential not just professionally, but personally as well — shaping relationships, decision-making and everyday interactions.

“I don’t think the need for good communication skills is going away,” he said.

Looking ahead, Bodary is preparing for a retirement filled with both personal and community involvement. He plans to spend more time with family — including welcoming a new grandchild — and continue volunteering in the Dayton area. He also looks forward to time at his cottage in Michigan and staying active in local organizations.

“There are just so many things to look forward to,” he said.

Though he is stepping away from his full-time role, Bodary said he hopes to remain connected to Sinclair in some capacity in the future.

Reflecting on his 32 years at the college, Bodary described his time at Sinclair as both meaningful and impactful.

“I feel fortunate that I was given the opportunity,” he said. “What we do here changes lives, and I’m just so proud to have been a piece of that process.”

Jacie Moore, reporter

See more from The Clarion: