Department Head:
Anthony Caton M.A. (Interim department head)
Anthony Caton was named assistant professor of journalism and director of broadcasting at Arkansas Tech in April, 2004. Previous to his teaching at Tech, Caton taught journalism and communication courses at several colleges and universities. He has over 25 years of practical experience in print, television, and radio ranging in positions from newspaper editor, to TV reporter and anchor, to radio station general manager. Caton's foremost goal as a professor is to prepare his students for the workplace. "I want the students to be able to handle any situation that comes their way in their chosen professions. They will receive a well-rounded education in my courses - acquiring not only theoretical knowledge, but practical experience as well." Outside of teaching, Caton collects 16mm film, kinescopes, and videotapes of classic television and news shows and is currently in the process of writing a book on the history of broadcast television. Caton's office is located in 124 of the Energy Building. He can be contacted at (479) 964-0889 or through e-mail at acaton@atu.edu.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION :
M. A Communication arts & Sciences, University of Arkansas, AR
B. A, Communication arts & Sciences, University of Ozarks, AR
A. A, in Journalism, Westark Community College, AR
Speech
Gabriel L. Adkins, Ph.D.
Gabriel L. Adkins, PhD. joined the ATU faculty as an Assistant Professor of Speech in the fall of 2009. In addition to his teaching duties he also serves as the Director of Debate and Forensics at ATU, a position he has held since the fall of 2011. Dr. Adkins is also a co-founder of the newly-formed Center for Research on Improved Resilience in Emergency Networks (CIREN), a cross-disciplinary research consortium founded to promote increased communication effectiveness in communities and organizations that are threatened with or impacted by disasters of various types.
Dr. Adkins received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS with a major in Speech. He holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Development with a concentration as an Organizational Development Practitioner from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS. He also holds a Master of Arts in Communication from Wichita State University in Wichita, KS; his coursework in that degree program concentrated in areas of organizational communication and crisis communication. Dr. Adkins received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Oklahoma where he was a student in the Communication Studies department; his research and studies at OU were primarily in the area of Organizational Communication.
His office is located in 130 of the Energy Building. He can be contacted at 479-964-0891 or through e-mail at gadkins@atu.edu.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION:
B.A. Speech Communication, Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS
M.S. Human Resource Development, Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS
M.A.C. Organizational Communication, Wichita State University in Wichita, KS
Ph.D. Communication Studies, The University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK
PERSONAL INTERESTS:
Gabriel and his wife Tammy are avid nature and wildlife enthusiasts, and enjoy pursuing their mutual interests in activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife photography. In addition to these activities, Gabriel is a cooking enthusiast and football fanatic who especially enjoys preparing Kansas City style barbeque for friends and fellow tailgaters at KC Chiefs and University of Oklahoma football games whenever possible. He hopes to expand his list of tailgating venues to include hosting tailgates for the ATU Wonderboy football games and any other sporting events that give him a good excuse to “drag out the smoker”.
Chris Duerringer PhD.
Chris Duerringer PhD. joined the Arkansas Tech faculty in the fall of 2011 as an assistant professor. He received his M.A. in Communication Studies from Stephen F. Austin State University and his Ph.D. in Human Communication from Arizona State University. His doctoral dissertation entails the ideological criticism of three discourses of persecution in relation to the critical concept of counterpublicity. He has taught courses in rhetorical studies, argumentation and debate, critical approaches to popular culture, critical research methods, and group communication. His research interests lie at the intersection of the critical theory, rhetorical studies, and the public sphere. As a teacher, his primary goal is to help students master communication theories and concepts which will equip them to be more reflective consumers of media, active and skilled producers and critics of rhetoric, and citizens engaged in the process of deliberative democracy. Dr. Duerringer's office is located in 131 of the Energy Center Building. He can be reached at (479) 964-0805 or through e-mail at cduerringer@atu.edu.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Human Communication, Arizona State University, 2011
M.A. in Communication Studies, Stephen F. Austin State University, 2007
B.B.A in Computer Information Systems, Stephen F. Austin State University, 2004
David J. Eshelman, Ph.D.
Dr. Eshelman joined the Arkansas Tech faculty in 2006. His interests include voice, oral interpretation, performance studies, and writing for performance. His plays and monodramas have been performed in such places as Amana, IA; Austin, TX; Buffalo, NY; Chicago; Cleveland; Columbia, MO; Kansas City, MO; Madison, WI; New York City; and Wilmington, DE. He has been published in Translation Review, Theatre Journal, Theatre History Studies; and the Baylor Journal of Theatre and Performance. In addition to his own writing, he translates drama from French to English. At Arkansas Tech, Dr. Eshelman runs the Arkansas Radio Theatre. His office is located in 121 of the Energy Building. He can be contacted at (479) 498-6058 or through e-mail at deshelman@atu.edu.
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. in Theatre, University of Missouri
M.F.A. in Writing, University of Texas at Austin (Michener Center for Writers)
B.A. in English / Theatre Arts / Religion, Case Western Reserve University
PERSONAL INTERESTS:
Dr. Eshelman enjoys writing, performing, singing, running, making cold salads, hanging clothes on the line, and reading to his daughter, Olive.
Jay M. Hudkins, Ph.D. Candidate
Jay Hudkins joined the Arkansas Tech faculty in 2008 as a visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech, and in 2009 he accepted a full-time position as an Assistant Professor in the department. Jay received his B.S.E. in English and Speech and his M.A in Speech Communication from Baylor University, and he is completing his Ph.D. in Rhetoric from Texas A&M University. Jay taught high school speech and debate for six years in San Antonio, and he joins the Tech faculty from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he taught for seven years. Jay teaches classes in public speaking, group communication, and interviewing. His published work has appeared in Rhetoric & Public Affairs and he has received awards for his scholarship and teaching. Jay’s primary research interests include the rhetoric of the Supreme Court, presidential rhetoric, and organizational discourse. His office is located in 122 of the Energy Building. He can be contacted at 479-356-2026 or through e-mail at jhudkins@atu.edu.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION:
M.A. in Communication, Baylor University
B.S.E. in English and Speech Communication, Baylor University
PERSONAL INTERESTS:
Jay enjoys completing crossword puzzles in pen, reading mystery novels, hunting and fishing, and spending quality time with his wife, Danya, and his son, Jackson.
Thomas Vaughn, Ph.D.
Dr. Thomas Vaughn is an Assistant Professor in Speech program. Thomas Vaughn received his B.A and M.A in Communication from the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D. in Speech Communication from Indiana University in. He teaches classes in communication, rhetoric, and cultural studies. His published work has appeared in the Quarterly Journal of Speech and he has received a number of awards for his scholarship. One of Professor Vaughn's primary goals in life is to "promote a greater understanding of the symbolic processes that constitute our identity as both persons and as a nation." He joined the faculty of Arkansas Tech University in the fall of 2003. His office is located in 123 of the Energy Building. He can be contacted at 479-964-3257 or through e-mail at tvaughn@atu.edu.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION:
Ph.D. in Speech Communication, Indiana University, 1997
B.A. in Communication, University of Arkansas
B.A. in Communication, University of Arkansas
Theatre
Valerie Brugh M.F.A
Valerie Brugh is the Principal Designer/ Technical Director of the Tech theatre program. She teaches Scene Design, Lighting, Costuming, Stagecraft, Theatrical Design, classes as well as Introduction to Theatre. She arrived at Tech in 1997 and with her first design for the Tech Theatre, secured for ATU the Critic's Choice Nomination at the American College Theatre Festival. She received her M.F.A. in Theatre Scenic Design and Lighting Design at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1997, and a B.A. in Technical Theatre at Roanoke College, Virginia, in 1992. Brugh has worked professionally in theatre for over 20 years at more than 12 different regional and repertory theatres across the Eastern U.S. Her office is located in 105 of the Energy Center. She can be contacted at (479) 964-3282 or through e-mail at VBrugh@atu.edu.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION:
M.F.A. in Scene Design & Lighting Design , Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
B. A. in Technical Theatre, Roanoke College
Ardith Morris, Ph.D.
Ardith Morris has been theatre director at Tech since 1982. Her productions have won many awards in the American College Theatre Festival, including best production and best direction, and have been selected for performances at the regional competition. Her bachelor's degree is from the College of the Ozarks, her master's from the University of Arkansas and her Ph.D. from Northwestern University. She teaches acting, directing and theatre history classes.Her office is located in 101A of the Energy Center. She can be Contacted at (479)498-6025 or through e-mail at amorris@atu.edu.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION:
Ph.D. in Theatre, Northwestern University, Illinois
M. A. in Theatre, University of Arkansas,
B. A. in English(magna cum laude) , University of Ozarks
Journalism
Sangki Lee, Ph.D.
Dr. Lee joined the Tech faculty in Fall 2007 after completing a doctoral program at the Pennsylvania State University. He has pursued an interdisciplinary program of study with a focus on the psychological and social aspects of media effects and communication technologies. Broadly speaking, his research centers on issues relating to advancing mass communication theories. His scholarship contributions include applying social psychological research findings and refining elements of communication theories to modern communication phenomena including new communication technology. He currently has two published articles on Communication Research and Journalism and Mass Communication Educator.
Dr. Lee can be reached in his office 101B of the Energy Building, by phone (479) 498-6000 or by e-mail at slee15@atu.edu.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION:
Ph.D. Media Effects, Pennsylvania State University
M.A.Telecommunications, Information and Telecommunication Management
Michigan State University
M.A. Mass Communication, Sogang University (Korea)
B.A. Mass Communication, Sogang University (Korea)
Tommy Mumert MSMC
Tommy Mumert joined the Tech staff in 1989 after working more than 10 years in the newspaper business in Arkansas at Mountain View, Newport, Jonesboro and Stuttgart. In addition to being an active member of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Mumert enjoys reading and photography. He also calls himself a "diehard fan" of Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Reds. On campus, Mumert is the faculty advisor for the student newspaper, The Arka Tech, and is advisor for the university’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He primarily teaches print journalism courses, including News Writing, Editorial, Column and Review Writing, Basic Photography and News Photography. “I’ve always believed journalism is an exciting field but the changes in the last decade have made the field even more exciting,” Mumert said. “We’re all trying to figure out what is in store for the future of journalism but one thing is certain. The ability to gather information and turn that information into a relevant story for readers is a foundation that will serve students well regardless of how that information may be distributed to the public.” Both of his degrees are from Arkansas State University. His office is located in 103 and he can be contacted at (479) 968-0284 or through e-mail at tmumert@atu.edu.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION :
M.A. Mass Communications, Arkansas State University
B.S. Journalism, Arkansas State University
Billy Reeder, M.A.
Billy joined the faculty in 2008. He has 20 years of video editing experience and has spent over ten years working in various communication roles on corporate, non-profit, municipal, state and national levels. In addition he has spent the past few years experimenting with new media strategies as well as working with research groups on millennial and GenX communication tendencies in order to find real world applications for these technologies. As a third generation Arkansas Tech alum, Billy has returned to apply lessons learned in the field to effectively equip the next generation of communicators. He can be reached in his office 104 of the Energy Building, by phone 479-968-0459 or by e-mail wreeder@atu.edu.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION :
M.A. Multimedia Journalism, Arkansas Tech University
B.A. Broadcast Journalism, Arkansas Tech University
PERSONAL INTERESTS:
In his spare time Billy enjoys playing music, smoking meat, rustic woodworking and playing around on the family farm where he is currently building a log cabin from scratch.
Staff
Pat Bullard
Administrative Specialist 1
479-964-0890
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