In Josh Perkey’s office, a small but eye-catching statue stands out — Gandalf, the wise and powerful wizard from “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.” Perkey first read these books as a child, and his appreciation for J.R.R. Tolkien’s world endures; he rereads “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy regularly and is a fan of the Peter Jackson film adaptations.
“To me, the Gandalf statue conjures a sense of magic, heroic elements of fantasy and mentorship,” Perkey said. “The pose is humble and real, like we’ve caught him mid-story, sitting by the fire, hat off, staff set aside, eyes looking straight into you. Gandalf feels alive. I just love that statue.”
Perkey, assistant dean over digital media and communications in the College of Humanities, has always loved a good story — from medieval-themed fantasy to contemporary non-fiction. His office reflects that passion — filled with mementos of his favorite novels, reminders of his Kentucky roots and keepsakes from his time working for Church magazines.
Raised Presbyterian in Louisville, Kentucky, Perkey showcases his Kentucky background throughout his office. One treasure is a radio announcer’s microphone, which is a Kentucky Derby award he inherited from his father and a symbol of both his family legacy and a shared passion for communications.
Six years after being introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Perkey was baptized and later served a mission to Guatemala. He completed undergraduate (BYU) and graduate (Ohio State University) degrees in history.
Perkey’s first dream was to become a fantasy novelist. While he considered himself a good storyteller, he discovered through his work at McGraw-Hill and Church magazines that he was even better at capturing human-interest stories. His shelves now hold hardbound copies of Church magazines that he once helped create.
At BYU since 2021, Perkey embraces the spirit and mission of working at a place where meetings can begin with prayer. He especially values the opportunity to mentor students in the art of storytelling.
“Like Church magazines, the stories here strengthen lives and lift the spirit, though our emphasis is telling rich stories with a humanities flavor.” Perkey said. “I love mentoring my team and helping them understand the power of good craft — whether that’s in writing, messaging or design.”