Some days he comes to class as Mr. McKinney, the talk show host. Other days, he's Evin Rude the Poetry Dude. He's really Craig McKinney, a 1991 Southwestern graduate and a teacher in suburban Plano, Texas. And when he isn't teaching his high school students to sing "Old McDonald" in Latin, he's got them wondering what he'll do next.

What McKinney could be doing, instead of teaching, is living in London and making lots of money. Unsure what to do after graduation, he flew to England with a work permit and no job prospects. "I envisioned myself begging for food like some imported Oliver Twist," he says. "He was saved when a man on the plane gave him a job selling computer equipment.

McKinney, who majored in English and sociology, spent a year traveling across Europe, but he wasn't happy. "I met many successful people at my church there and none were wealthy," he says. "They were teachers, nurses, civil servants. They were doing things for people and enjoying it. I decided to follow my heart instead of my pocketbook."

His heart led him to Shepton High School. He earned a teaching certificate in English at UT-Dallas and began teaching the subject at Shepton in 1993. "I'm always pumped to go to school," says McKinney, whose mother teaches second grade at another Plano school. "It's special when a students says 'I really enjoyed class today' or a student who's never done well, does."

McKinney teaches in humanities and English with fellow Southwestern graduate Amy Reif, a 1990 alumnae. "There's a need for advocacy for gifted and talented students," says McKinney, who was a National Merit Scholar. "When they're put in regular classrooms, they get bored.

No such problem in McKinney's classes. "I get students moving," he says. "I use art, writing and music to vary the message so everyone can find something to relate to." His mentor is Dr. Edward Kain, SU professor of sociology, who often dresses in clothing that relates to his topic of the day.

"Even if you went to class not caring about the topic," says McKinney, "you came out caring about it."

Such teaching methods have gotten McKinney noticed. Last fall he was named Plano Independent School District Secondary Teacher of the Year and, later, was one of the top three finalists for the State Secondary Teacher of the Year award.

A year earlier, McKinney received the first ever Young Alumnus Achievement Award from Southwestern, which is presented to alumni who have graduated within the last ten years and whose civic or professional work sets a standard of excellence and exemplifies a well-rounded values-centered education.

After the final bell rings, McKinney takes on the persona of student and volunteer. He is a member of Christ United Methodist Church where his minister is The Rev. Donald Underwood, a 1970 Southwestern graduate and a University trustee. McKinney spends much of his time working with the church's youth group.

He has been master of ceremonies for the Faculty Follies at Shepton High School, a philanthropic fund-raiser talent show which benefits various youth-oriented charities related to substance abuse and homelessness. Last fall, he served as Master of Ceremonies for SING!, a Homecoming staple at Southwestern during which student groups sing and act out parodies of life at SU. During one segue between acts, McKinney, in complete tree costume, resurrected his famed-and still talked about-wooden performance of "I'm So Excited" by The Pointer Sisters.

He loved returning to campus and reflecting on his college days. Says McKinney, "The atmosphere at Southwestern is so other-centered and community-centered. There is such an emphasis on giving your talents to help others. It broadened my perspectives on accepting lots of different ideas, people and other cultures."

He echoes other alumni to say that his relationships with professors were the most memorable experiences on campus. McKinney recalls having breakfast with professors in the student union building, or going to a professor's home for exotic meals. "It's a community of people who care about one another and support one another," he says.

McKinney recently completed his master's degree in secondary education at the University of North Texas and advises prospective Southwestern students at college nights. He adds that one of his former students is completing his first year at Southwestern, while another is on her way.

He's also involved with teaching associations and school and district committees. "I've always enjoyed being busy," he says. One day, he'd like to write novels for young people. "There's a need for good teen fiction. There's a need for books that make kids want to read."

It's a Tuesday morning at Shepton and time for the Mr. McKinney Talk Show. Today's guest is a character from a novel by Charles Dickens. He wears the worn, grimy overalls of a blacksmith, calls himself Joe Bargery and bears an amazing likeness to Mr. McKinney.