Alumni Spotlight: David (‘90) & Rebecca (‘88 & ‘90) Glenn
By Brittney Kimber
For David and Rebecca Glenn, their love story began in 1987 when they first met at a Jax State fall pep rally. They arrived at Jax State passionate about their career path, something they both had decided upon before stepping onto campus. David is a broadcast meteorologist, and Rebecca serves as a school counselor. They credit Jax State with fully preparing them for their careers.
David graduated in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in geography, and Rebecca graduated in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in English, followed by a master’s in counseling in 1990.
“My interest in meteorology came at a very early age,” David said. “I was 7 years old when the Super Outbreak of tornadoes occurred in April 1974. This affected many in the Southeast and Eastern U.S. While my community was not impacted, I was very scared of what tornadoes could do. I wanted to learn more about how they form and why they occur.”
Throughout elementary and high school, David said his science projects revolved around the weather. He came in second overall at the Gordon Lee High School Science Fair for his project on homemade weather instruments, and in high school spent his time as a Weather Watcher – calling in the daily high/low and rainfall for his hometown of Chickamauga, Georgia.
David has spent the last 35 years as a broadcast meteorologist with Seals of Approval from both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association. He now serves as Chief Meteorologist at WTVC (ABC/Fox) Chattanooga, the same station he spent time calling in the weather as a Weather Watcher in high school.
“This job was always my dream job, and I have been very fortunate to now be at WTVC (ABC/Fox) for almost 20 years,” David said.
Rebecca was in high school as well when she saw firsthand how impactful the role of a school counselor could be.
“In high school, I worked in the counseling office for several years,” Rebecca said. “Our counselor was incredible—he helped so many students in our small town access opportunities we didn’t even know existed. Watching him guide students toward their goals inspired me and showed me how meaningful this work truly is.”
Rebecca said there are many rewarding moments as a school counselor, but the most meaningful ones are those helping students overcome things they once believed were insurmountable.
“My career journey began my senior year of high school when I received an alumni scholarship to Jacksonville State University,” Rebecca said. “I will always be so grateful for that gift. Once at JSU, my professors challenged me and helped me realize that I could be both a successful teacher and a school counselor. Without their support, guidance, and belief in me, I truly could not have done this. I will always be thankful for their care and encouragement.”
While at Jax State, Rebecca said she took advantage of every opportunity she could.
“Where do I even begin? The memories are endless,” Rebecca said. “I absolutely loved my time at Jacksonville State. Little did I know that my four years on campus would become some of the best years of my life.”
Rebecca recalled long nights studying at the library, living in Sparkman, and Rush 1984.
“I worked as a Chanticleer editor, tutored at Bibb Graves (Angle Hall), and served as a hostess for athletics. Most of all, I cherished my time in Alpha Xi Delta, where I formed friendships that I still treasure today. Those years were so fun and unforgettable, and I hope every student gets to experience that same happiness at JSU.”
David echoed these sentiments, saying Jax State played a huge role in preparing him for his career as well.
“The geography department was led by Dr. Howard Johnson and Dr. Ted Klimasewski (Dr. K). I have huge respect for both and was privileged to have Dr. Klimasewski as advisor to my degree course of study. Dr. K is a meteorologist, and he knew I wanted to learn as much as I could about the subject. I was able to do an independent study on the impacts of the ridge and valley landscape and tornadoes. Each year, Dr. Johnson would lead a hiking study tour in the Southwest U.S. for two weeks. Learning about the climate impacts on early settlements in the Southwest and how weather impacts the landscape was so fascinating to me.”
David said it was Dr. K who suggested he pursue a graduate program in broadcast meteorology.
“His advisement during my undergraduate years enabled my BS degree in geography to fully prepare me for the next level in graduate school pursuing broadcast meteorology,” David said. “I completed the program at MSU (Mississippi State University) in 1992. I simply could not have been able to achieve my career goals without Jax State. I have been able to stay in contact with Dr. K. We even briefly worked in the same TV market in Mobile while he was there in 2005. I should also add that I minored in finance. Dr. Bill Scroggins played a huge role in charting my course of study. His classes were outstanding and so informative! I am forever grateful to the university and staff!”
David said Jax State allowed him to have a well-rounded degree and more than prepared him for graduate school.
“For future students interested in geography or Earth sciences, I encourage them to take a look at the excellent course of study that Jax State offers,” David said. “From courses in meteorology, cartography, GIS and environmental science, Jax State can have you fully prepared for your career goals.”
In David’s biography showcased on the WTVC website, he states he is a proud graduate of Jax State. “I mean that with all of my heart. I take pride in telling people about being a Jax State graduate and encouraging future students to attend,” David said. “You will often see my many social media posts supporting Jax State. Weather livestreams from my home office have the "Fear The Beak" banner and JSU diploma front and center of each broadcast.”
David said Jax State being the “Friendliest Campus in the South” is true, continuing that he has many lifelong friends from his time at the university.
“Meeting my future wife was by far the most memorable of my time at JSU, but before we met and when I first set foot on campus, I was blown away by the community support and dedicated fan base at sporting events,” David said. “The Jax State/Troy games were epic. Basketball at Pete Matthews always had a huge crowd – and watching Rudy Abbott's teams dominate the diamond...”
David and Rebecca continued dating throughout their undergraduate and graduate years, with David later proposing on air in November 1991 during his time at WRCB-TV (NBC) Chattanooga.
“It was during our morning show,” David said. “I had called her mom the night before to ask for her blessings for my proposal to Rebecca. I then provided her the phone number to the station and asked her to be sure that Rebecca was up early and watching the show while she was preparing to get ready for school and her teaching job. I paused at the end of my morning forecast, dropped to one knee, and proposed. Rebecca called in, and we put her live on the air - which she then responded, yes. I picked her up from work after the school day ended, and we drove to the Jax State campus. We went to the exact spot we first met at Paul Snow Stadium (AmFirst Stadium), and I did the in-person proposal with the ring.”
They married the following year in1992 and will be celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary this year.
“Truly, those were some of the most fun and meaningful times of my life,” Rebecca said.
“It's also no coincidence that our oldest son is named Jack,” David said.