BY: MAYA CAUS
Guest Contributor
Christaan Eayrs never had a master plan — not for his career in media, his journey into education, or even for meeting the woman who would later save his life by donating a kidney. But somehow, each piece fell into place.
“All of these things have kind of happened without a lot of planning but they’ve all seemed to unfold really good for me. I feel really fortunate,” said Eayrs as he rested his head in his hands while reminiscing on his life work.
Raised juggling full-time customer service jobs and high school extracurriculars, Eayrs discovered his love for writing through contributions to the school paper. Still, uncertainty shadowed his early college years. “I struggled as a young person knowing exactly what I wanted to do or how to identify myself,” he said with his fingers together, his faded ginger eyebrows furrowed over the black framed glasses.
Eayrs attended Missouri Western to receive his bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies and Bowling Green State University to receive his master’s in arts. He knew he wanted to pursue a career in media but said he felt lost and low in confidence on what to do. Luckily for him, he had many instructors who encouraged him to find his calling, and there was one in particular who stood out. “She was super helpful and encouraging even when I wasn’t so sure myself… And that helped get me into grad school, too,” he said.
As an undergraduate student, Eayrs had the help of his public relations instructor, Diane Gorcyca, to finish out his studies. The two worked on researching together which, “was a rare opportunity as an undergrad,” he said. When deciding on submitting a research paper to a conference, he wasn’t sure of himself or his potential to have his paper accepted, according to Eayrs. He would recall those moments as Gorcyca stepping in and said, “‘Well, you’re gonna do it and I’m gonna help you…You can do this, you have the capability to write this sort of way,’” he said with his eyes to the ceiling. That very same paper was accepted in the conference.
After graduate school, Eayrs built a career from the ground up: starting at a small radio station in Iowa, where the demands of a modest operation forced him to master multiple roles — on-air shifts, music direction, commercial writing — and gave him the skills to pursue broader opportunities.
“It was a small station so you had to do lots of different things which was really helpful, too. You learn lots of different skills and are asked to do different things, so it was a really good experience and I’m glad I did it,” he said as he took a sip from his sage green water bottle, nearly blending in with his button down shirt of the same shade.
It wasn’t long before teaching entered the picture. After teaching assignments during grad school, Eayrs decided to fully pivot toward education. He landed a full-time position at STLCC-Meramec in 2011, bringing him closer to his Missouri roots — and eventually closer to his future wife.
While working at the college, he met Amber Schmisseur, a fellow communications professor. What began as casual friendship slowly grew into something deeper. “We just started hanging out a little more… and next thing you know, we’re married,” Eayrs said, fidgeting with his silver wedding band and smiling.
Eayrs describes Schmisseur as funny, quirky, hard working, and giving– which she proved when she donated her kidney to Eayrs when his was failing. “She never wavered from wanting to do that… It says all I need to say about the person she is, that she was willing to do that for somebody else,” he said, laid back in his chair with arms crossed and a cracked smile.
Beyond the classroom, Eayrs’ passion for media continues to blend with his personal interests. He attends TV tapings, collects concert setlists and records — experiences he said he eagerly brings back to his students to enrich their learning.
“All of the stuff that’s kind of media related I’ve kind of adopted as part of my career– teaching and talking about it. But it’s also things I enjoy doing outside of school or my job, as well,” he said.
Over the years, Eayrs’ quiet, steady mentorship has launched careers — from journalists to Emmy Award winners — and he still hears from former students thanking him for the role he played in their paths. “It’s really rewarding,” he said, nodding.
Now, with retirement on the horizon, he looks forward to traveling and spending more time on the passions he’s cultivated. As he reflects on his life, Eayrs said simply, “It all kind of unfolded in front of me… piece by piece.”
