Wheels are not required for success

by Monica Everett, posted May 3, 2010

Shane Hoffman is like a cat, said his best friend Garry Frank. “No matter what happens to him he always lands on his feet.”

Hoffman, a senior journalism student, has certainly had to land a few times in his life. A native of New Mexico, he had dreamed of moving across the U.S. to study journalism at Mizzou ever since seventh-grade. Hoffman refused to let obstacles like finances stand in the way of reaching his dreams.

“We lived basically at the lowest socioeconomic level,” he said of his living situation growing up. Hoffman is one of three triplets and was raised solely by his mother, who supported Hoffman and his brothers by working minimum wage jobs.

“We lived on welfare,” Hoffman said. Because of his upbringing, Hoffman was deprived of what most might consider basic necessities.

“We were never able to afford drivers’ licenses,” he said.

When Hoffman finally arrived on campus, he was more shocked by some students’ attitudes than they were that he didn’t have a license.

“When you go to a university, people just assume you have a car,” he said. “They assume you have a driver’s license; they assume you come from a stable middle-class background. I’ve never been in a financial position to either afford a car or insurance and it’s amazing to me that when you go to college people just expect that to be a right.”

Although many college students would balk at the idea of not being able to drive, Hoffman has found ways to deal with the situation, and he even feels he benefits from it. The cost, for one, is a huge benefit, he said.

“I don’t have the stress that a lot of college students have because I don’t have to worry about insurance or gas or cars breaking down,” Hoffman said. “I live a lot more carefree life in that regard because my money can go a lot further. I’m paying for loans and I’m paying for meals, but I’m not paying monthly car payments.”

Hoffman’s only real complaint about not having a driver’s license is its hindrance on his dating style.

Hoffman described himself as a “Cory Mathews” kind of guy — a nice old-fashioned gentleman,” and he said he wishes he could be the one to pick girls up on dates, not the other way around.

“I hate that I can’t pick girls up on dates, but it’s taken me a long time to realize that this is the hand I was dealt in life. You can’t change you’re hand; it’s only how you play the cards,” Hoffman said.  “The people in my life that mean the most, especially the girls, are the ones that understand it, don’t judge me for it and don’t mind it.”

Senior journalism student Allison Clarke dated Hoffman for a short while, but she said the lack of a driver’s license didn’t bother her too much.

“I did try to teach him [to drive] a couple of times,” she said. “Once he ran into my garage, but he didn’t do much damage.”

Hoffman's driving skills are a bit shakey.

“Driving is still my biggest fear,” said Hoffman. “I’m a walker. I walk everywhere; it’s secondhand nature — I’m 6 foot 3 inches tall. I can get most places in 8 minutes, if that.”

Hoffman relies on his large group of friends for transportation. He said he has only taken public transportation two or three times in Columbia and has never had to take the MoX bus to the airport to travel home to New Mexico.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to meet an amazing group of people,” he said.

Frank is one of those amazing friends that Hoffman can always count on. Hoffman and Frank first bonded as freshman over their mutual love of sports. Hoffman played tennis and basketball while in high school.

“When I found out [Hoffman] didn't have a driver's license, it didn't shock me like it does most people,” said Frank. “But I knew I would have to drive him places. This was just fine with me, because I really enjoy driving.”

There friendship now runs much deeper than merely an appreciation for sports.

 “I had never been treated so nicely by a stranger,” Frank said of the first time he met Hoffman. “He has [taught] me to be a little more bold in getting things that I want.”

The carefree attitude Hoffman said he has from not having to worry about a car comes out in full-swing around Frank.

During their many car trips, “we have a lot of fun singing to the radio,” said Frank. He said they listened to everything from “As Long as You Love Me” by the Backstreet Boys and “I’m a Playa” by Tech N9ne.

Although most might not be as lucky to find good friends like Frank, Hoffman said he would encourage incoming students to leave their cars at home.

“I think it gives me a better peace of mind; I control where I go.  I have no other vehicle besides myself.”

Many students might consider this decision risky, especially if they plan to be a broadcast journalism major like Hoffman.

He said the lack of a car has not had a negative affect on his education.

“In Columbia, you can actually walk to a lot of good stories without ever using a car,” Hoffman said. “I love doing radio and I have my legs. I found really interesting stories within walking distance.”

Hoffman’s efforts have made an impact in the journalism school. He was recently recognized as part of the group that led the school to receive the most awards at the Region 7 Society of Professional Journalists conference, where he placed second in the radio sports reporting category.

Hoffman was also named one of the elite Mizzou ’39, which honors outstanding seniors and service, according to the Missouri Journalism School.

Mizzou ’39 students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Hoffman is not one to boast about himself, but the Missouri Journalism School noted that he serves as a journalism and communications peer advisor, A Way With Words and Numbers tutor, a Student Staff Training leader coordinator and a Student Staff Conference assistant intern. He is also an anchor and reporter for KBIA Radio.

“Nothing surprises me in terms of his achievements now," said Frank, “because I could see it was going to happen when I first got to know him freshman year.”

Despite financial hardships and four years of college without a drivers’ license, Hoffman managed to remain carefree and live life with a positive attitude that has led him to success.

“His philosophy is that you won't ever accomplish anything if you don't try,” Frank said.

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