He joined faculty in 1996 after many years as a newspaper reporter, wire service correspondent and magazine editor. He holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Montana and has worked for The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Wash., Pacific Stars & Stripes in Manila and Tokyo, Reader’s Digest in Hong Kong, United Press International in New Delhi and The Associated Press in Kansas City. In recent years, Hanson has written and photographed articles about falconry, diamondback terrapins, red-bellied water snakes, red drum and American alligators for South Carolina Wildlife magazine and South Carolina Living magazine.