John McCaa PhD’15
February 25, 2020
A beloved local news anchor who came to UTD to explore the relationship between history, mass media and society.
John McCaa PhD’15 is best known for his work with WFAA-TV in Dallas. During a 42-year career in television news, McCaa served as a reporter, news anchor and newsroom chief for over 35 years with WFAA.
Raised in a U.S. Air Force family, McCaa attended high school in Madrid, Spain, before moving back to the United States for high school. He earned a bachelor’s in journalism and mass communication from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and a master’s degree in politics from the University of Dallas.
In 2008, McCaa enrolled in the history of ideas doctoral program in the School of Arts and Humanities at UT Dallas. His dissertation, “Passport to a Parallel Universe: Fame, Celebrity and Media in the Digital Age,” was guided by Dr. Daniel Wickberg, associate professor of arts and humanities.
Journalists don’t know enough about history. I wanted to see deeper connections and how people are transformed in society.
John McCaa PhD’15
After graduating from UT Dallas with a PhD in 2015, McCaa has remained connected to the University, serving as emcee for the 2016 UT Dallas Awards Gala.
McCaa retired from WFAA in March 2019 and has plans to use his PhD education to pursue teaching at the university level.