Comm Grad in Standup Comic Role

   Comm alumnus Thom Tran does a comic take on his Army experience, touring the nation on the comedy club circuit. He is the creator and executive producer of The GIs of Comedy, five military veterans who say they are still serving their country, one joke at a time.
   Thom was a Media Production student and a staff sergeant when he was deployed to Iraq, where he was wounded twice. During his recuperation, he helped rebuild a television station that was destroyed in the war.
   After Thom returned to Buffalo State, the Communication Department cited the TV station project in presenting him with a special commendation for professional service when he graduated in 2004.
   In news interviews, Thom credits the department with teaching him networking skills he's used to succeed in Hollywood.
   He acted in "Race to Witch Mountain" with Wayne ("The Rock") Johnson, and he has been a military consultant to "CSI New York." His most recent claim to fame is as the model for opposing forces in the video game "Call of Duty: Black Ops."
   Links to WIVB article and video and to his Facebook page.