A. Christopher Hammon

Writer-Editor
Web Developer
Photographer

• A Bit of Introduction
  
• Photo Gallery
  
• Stories and Essays
  
• Articles
  
• Stress Oasis
  
• Bicycling

• Oates Institute

EMAIL

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Hi, I'm Chris Hammon. By profession I am a specialist in continuing professional education and online learning ... except I prefer the term (an approach for) Connected Learning. Over the past twenty years I have worn a number of hats related to being a writer, including that of being an educational television/video writer-producer, journalist, public relations/marketing copy writer, and Internet/Web Developer. Most of it has been related to some aspect of health care and ministry education.

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Distance learning and education is an area of particular interest. The idea of a global network of electronically connected learners was first planted in my mind during a class with Buckminster Fuller at Southern Illinois University in the winter of 1970. In May 2004, I completed my doctorate in 21st Century Leadership at Drew University after co-authoring a dissertation on Thriving in the Whirlwind: Connected Learning as an Approach to Lifelong Learning for Ministry with my collaegue at the Oates Institute, Vicki Hollon.

The area of stress management holds a particular interest for me. Over the past dozen years I have presented a variety of stress management workshops, written a number of articles and scripts related to stress management, and conducted several research projects. I also produced a series of relaxation videos, Seasons of Healing, for use by hospitals and other healthcare providers for patient and employee stress management. More than 600 hospitals throughout the United States and Canada have used these programs, including all twenty-five listed by US News and World Report in a recent Top 25 US Hospitals listing. L.L. Bean and the Acadia National Park, where it was filmed, also distributed one of the videos, The Waters of Mt. Desert Island. During recent years I have been researching the relationship between sleep and stress, and writing a series of stress management tips. You will find these currently in the Stress Oasis. Prior to coming to the Oates Institute I also served as the Director of the Center for Sleep and Stress on the Web.

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While I am a confessed workaholic, I do try to hold to a work hard, play hard approach to life. When it comes to playing my interests include bicycling, hiking, and nature photography. Of those, I probably spend more time on my recumbent bicycle these days than anything else (Click here for more) I also enjoy long hours spent sharing stories over coffee, exotic teas or fine meals, cooking with friends, playing my recorder, and watching movies.

After more than 20 years of being connected to the online environment I continue to be intrigued by the sense of community that can be experienced here. There is a little cafe and bar I enjoy not far off the information highway where storytellers gather to share their tales and relax with their favorite libations. It is a little place called the Spoon, and chances are good that you will find me there if you drop by.

For those who may be interested, my educational background includes a BA in philosophy from Southern Illinois University, an M.Div. in Pastoral Counseling from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (back when it was ranked among the best academically), and a D.Min. from Drew University in 21st Century Leadership. Added to this are countless hours of continuing and professional education.