There was a new byline in the Monroe Evening News this week.
Danny Shaw, a student at Monroe County Community College, wrote his first story for the Evening News. There will be more over the coming weeks; Danny is getting class credit at the college for an internship with the newspaper.
By now, you get the irony. My name, of course, is Dan Shaw, too. Luckily, the fact that Danny uses the more informal version of the name helps us avoid some confusion.
You can imagine my surprise last spring when I saw a Daniel Shaw on the student list for my Intro to Journalism class. I assumed it was a mistake – that they put the instructor on the student list.
But when I took roll the first time, there he was, in the flesh.
You can also imagine my relief when he turned out to be a good student. He’s smart, dedicated to journalism and has the kind of personality that will help him succeed as a reporter – polite and friendly but persistent.
During the three years I was managing editor of The Evening News, my name only appeared in the paper occasionally – usually the byline above a column on the editorial page when I felt compelled to explain something we were doing.
So not many readers of the newspaper will be confused when they see Danny’s byline. He’ll quickly establish his own reputation and I’m sure he’ll do well.
By the way, we’re not related. When Danny’s byline first appeared in The Agora, the student newspaper at MCCC, several people asked whether he was my son.
My father grew up in Minnesota, and moved to Oregon, where I was raised. The only Shaws I know that I’m related to live in those states, along with Colorado and Washington, where my brother and his son live, and New York and South Carolina, where my sons live.
Danny isn’t the first Dan Shaw I’ve run into. It’s not that unusual of a name. Just for the fun of it, I searched whitepages.com for Dan Shaw. It said there were two in Monroe County, and 17 in Southeast Michigan.
In high school, I played basketball against a Dan Shaw. I remember when the teams were announced, looking down the court at the “other” Dan Shaw, wondering how he dared to use my name.
Since he was 6′4″ and an all-league player (I was 5′7″ and all-nothing), he probably had more of a right to question my use of the name.
At any rate, if you run into Danny Shaw, treat him nicely. He’s a fine young journalist. But don’t confuse him with me.
It’s easy to tell the difference. He’s Danny. I’m Dan.

