This semester, OCCC welcomed one of its most unique students: Dan Webb, a 78-year-old former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. After more than five decades away from a college classroom, Webb has returned with a new goal – learning the art of podcasting.
“I haven’t been in a classroom in 53 years,” Webb said. “But I decided I wanted to learn about podcasting – what it’s all about, how it’s done – and so I came here to check it out.”
To pursue that goal, Webb enrolled in a sound production class at OCCC. The course introduces students to the fundamentals of audio and video recording, editing and publishing. For Webb, it is the perfect starting point for creating podcasts that combine his lifelong interest in communication with his desire to reach new audiences.
“The professor (Coordinator of Broadcasting David Zeoli) is really great to work with,” Webb added, noting how much he enjoys being in the classroom again.
Although Webb may now be one of OCCC’s oldest students, he brings with him decades of professional and personal experience. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central State University (now the University of Central Oklahoma), with minors in psychology and business management. Soon after, he became a certified public accountant in 1975, a credential that shaped his career. Over the years, he practiced as an independent accountant, prepared taxes and eventually retired as the chief financial officer of a company.
“Being a CFO is very different from doing bookkeeping,” Webb explained. “You’re focused on financial planning – how the company runs, how to hopefully make a profit and how to keep everything moving forward.”
But Webb’s career path was not limited to accounting. In 1990, he was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where he served for 12 years until 2002. At the time, Republicans like himself were a minority in the chamber.
“When I started, there were 26 Republicans and 75 Democrats,” he recalled. “By the time I left, the numbers were much closer. Politics has become very toxic over the last 20 years, though. It takes a thick skin to stay in it.”
Webb described the growing polarization in politics as one of the biggest changes he has witnessed in recent decades.
“There are extremes on both sides, and those extremes sometimes taint each party,” he said. “When I first came in, politics was more civil. You could disagree without being hostile. Now it’s very different.”
Returning to the classroom after so many years has reminded Webb of the importance of communication. His interest in podcasting is rooted in the belief that conversations can help bridge the gap between generations.
“Younger people sometimes miss out on history,” he said. “As they get older, they may wish someone had told them more about how things used to be. Podcasting is a way to share that perspective.”
Webb also acknowledged that older voices are often overlooked.
“As a general rule, older people like me tend to be tuned out by younger people,” he said. “They may think we don’t have anything to offer. But if students are willing to listen, they might hear something that helps them in their own journey.”
When asked what advice he would give to today’s students, Webb emphasized the importance of openness and perspective.
“Keep an open mind,” he recommended. “There are always two sides to every story. Sometimes older people can share lessons from mistakes we’ve made. You don’t always have to take the advice but at least listen. You might hear something valuable.”
Outside the classroom, Webb leads a full life. He has been married for 43 years and has two grown children. His son lives in Norman, while his daughter and her family live in Edmond. Webb himself resides in south Oklahoma City, not far from the OCCC campus.
Though his accomplishments are already impressive, Webb sees his new exploration of sound production as an opportunity to keep growing. For him, OCCC isn’t just a place to learn a new technical skill; it is also a place to rediscover the value of dialogue and lifelong learning.
“I remember a time in politics when it was civil – when you could disagree without being hostile,” he said. “Maybe through podcasting, I can help bring back that kind of conversation.”
