| FULL-TIME FACULTY |
STEVE BRUNING, PH.D., Professor and Associate Provost
Office: Yochum Hall, Rm 204 Phone: 614-236-6323
Email: sbruning@capital.edu
Academic Background:B. S. in Communication Systems Management (1987) and M. A. in Organizational Communication (1988), Ohio University; Ph. D. in Communication Studies, Kent State University, 1992.
Teaching Areas: Bruning currently teaches introductory courses in Public Relations and Public Speaking. He also teaches advanced courses in Public Relations Research, Public Relations Campaigns, and Communication Inquiry.
Research/Professional Experience: Bruning’s research interests include public relations as relationship management and dialogue in public relations. He has published more than 20 articles in refereed journals (of those 20 articles, nine have been co-authored with students) and has made more than 35 conference presentations. He serves on three editorial boards (Public Relations Review, The Journal of Public Relations Research, and The Journal of Promotion Management). Bruning has achieved local, regional, national, and international recognition for his scholarship in public relations. He recently was named by Ki and Shin (2006) as the leading contributor to the scholarly literature examining organization-public relationships. Bruning is a former winner of Capital University’s Praestantia Award for excellence in classroom teaching. In 2003, Bruning was listed as one of the “Top 100 Educators” in Ohio Magazine. Within the field of organizational communication, Bruning has served as a consultant for a variety of profit and non-profit organizations. He has moderated focus groups, provided research design expertise, and helped organizations understand quantitative and qualitative research. Outside of his work at Capital, Bruning and his family spend part of their summers serving as missionaries in SW Alaska. |
THOMAS BAGGERMAN, PH.D., Assistant Professor and Director of WXCU
Office: Huber-Spielman, Rm 24 Phone: 614-236-6498
Email: tbaggerm@capital.edu
Academic Background: B.A., Kent State University, 1991;
M.S. in Communications and Information Systems, Robert Morris University, 2001;
Ph.D. in Communication, University of Pittsburgh, 2006.
Teaching/Mentoring Areas: Baggerman currently teaches introductory courses in Video Production, Film, Mass Media, and Oral Communication. He also serves as faculty advisor for the “WXCU Management Squad.”
Research/Professional Experience: In 2001, Baggerman was awarded a provost's fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, was a Teaching Fellow there from 2002-2005, and a Visiting Instructor from 2005-2006. While at Robert Morris University, Baggerman founded the only regional chapter of the National Broadcast Society and was instrumental in starting a campus news program to provide extra-curricular experience to the production students at that University. His research interests include pedagogical issues in broadcast education, mass media and broadcast policy, the industrial history of broadcasting and television, the study of technology, and the cultural impact of video games. Baggerman’s professional broadcast experience includes 5 years as a producer/director at two network affiliate television station operations manager overseeing the production, promotion, and programming departments. He was formerly Operations Manager at WTOV-TV, the NBC affiliate in Steubenville, Ohio and a television producer/director at WGGB-TV in Springfield, MA and at WTOV-TV. |
SHARON E. CROFT, PH.D., Professor of Communication
Office: Huber-Spielman, Rm 21 Phone: 614-236-6338 Dept. Office Phone: 614-236-6201
Fax: 614-236-6169
Email: scroft@capital.edu
Academic Background: B.A., Speech Communication, North Texas State University, 1987;
M.A., Communication and Public Address, University of North Texas, 1989;
Ph.D., Speech Communication, Louisiana State University, 1995.
Teaching/Mentoring Areas: Croft currently teaches the introductory course (Oral Communication), Visual Communication, Persuasion & Propaganda, and several other upper-division communication courses. On occasion, she teaches Performance Studies and regularly teaches upper-division courses in film criticism, including Horror Films & Their Audiences. She is co-faculty sponsor of Capital’s chapter of Reach Out and Read.
Research/Outreach Experience:Her published research focuses on storytelling in everyday conversations and the representation of individuals with developmental disabilities. Recently, she has become intrigued by horror film monster magazines and film censorship. She also hosts a radio show on WXCU featuring funk on Thursdays from 1 – 3pm. Outside of her work at Capital, Croft serves as an on-air reader for VOICEcorps, a regional radio reading service. |
LOIS FOREMAN-WERNET, PH.D, APR, Associate Professor
Office: Huber-Spielman, Rm 027 Phone: 614-236-6663
Email: lforeman@capital.edu
Academic Background: B.M.E. in Music Education, M.A. in Journalism, Ph.D. in Communication,
The Ohio State University.
Teaching/Mentoring Areas: Foreman-Wernet teaches courses in public relations and communication and culture (e.g., cross-cultural communication, communication and gender) as well as the university's general education course in oral communication. She is faculty adviser for the Capital University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.
Research/Professional Experience: Foreman-Wernet’s research interests focus on the intersection between institutions and their publics, communication theory, and cultural communication. Specifically, she has developed a reputation for her work regarding audiences of the arts. She has co-edited two books, with a third in press. Foreman-Wernet has also authored or co-authored numerous book chapters and journal articles as well as presenting papers at national and international conferences. She has eighteen years of professional experience managing communication programs in cultural and educational institutions and is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America. |
JEFF GRESS, M.F.A., Assistant Professor and Technical Director/Designer of Theatre
Office: Huber-Spielman, Rm 26 Phone in Huber-Spielman: 614-236-6250
Phone in Reynolds Room: 614-236-7174
Email: jgress@capital.edu
Academic Background: B.A. In Theatre, Miami University, 1985; B.S. in Mass Communications, Miami University, 1985; M.F.A. in Theatrical Design, University of Cincinnati/College-Conservatory of Music 1991
Teaching Areas: Gress currently teaches introductory courses in Theatre and Theatrical Design and Production. He oversees the scenery and lighting for each production and works with the students in all technical areas.
Creative/Research/Professional Experience: Gress also continues to provide design and technical services for professional and community productions in the Columbus area. In addition, he is an experienced Theatre Consultant, having worked on several houses of worship, sports facility, and theatrical construction projects. Gress has worked as Designer and Theater Building Consultant for the following companies: ArtSpace Design, Dayton Public Schools, Heath High School, Waverly High School, Van Wert High School, Pastime Theatre and Convention Center, Rabbit Run Community Art Association. He also served as a Designer for the following theatrical organizations: The Letterman, The Actor’s Summer Theatre, Central Ohio Youth Ballet, Weathervane Playhouse, Contemporary American Theatre Company, the Phoenix Theatre Circle. |
DANIEL W. HEATON, PH.D.,Professor and Acting Chair of the Department of Communication
Office: Huber-Spielman, Rm 33 Phone: 614-236-6207
Email: dheaton@capital.edu
Academic Background: A.A. in Liberal Arts (Theatre), Anderson College, 1984;
B.A. in Communication Arts (Theatre) and English, Carson-Newman College, 1987;
M.A. in Communication/Performance Studies, Louisiana State University, 1990;
Ph.D. in Communication/Performance Studies, Louisiana State University, 1997
Teaching/Mentoring Areas: Heaton currently teaches various Communication and Theatre courses including Performance Studies, Alternative and Experimental Theatre, Storytelling, Group Performance, Public Address, and Oral Communication. On campus, “Dr. Dan” coaches the Fat Tuesday Debutantes Improvisational Comedy Group and advises Delta Alpha Nu performance fraternity, Phi Beta fine arts fraternity, and Lambda Pi Eta national communication honor society.
Creative/Research Experience: As a scholar/artist, Heaton’s research includes performance art, adapting film and video texts for the stage, and solo performance. Heaton’s reputation as a performer and director has resulted in invitations to bring solo or group performances (featuring CU undergraduates.) His work is regularly featured at national & regional conferences and performance festivals: the Petit Jean Performance Festival, the Michigan Oral Interpretation/Performance Studies Festival, the Georgia Performance Festival, the Southern States Communication Association Convention, and the National Communication Association Convention. Heaton was a finalist for the National Communication Association’s Leslie Irene Coger Award for Excellence in Performance and, in 2004, was the featured performer and honoree for the NCA panel “Pillars of Salt: Performance Critics Look Back at Thirteen Years of Juanita’s Art of Hair Fashi’n and Postmodern Hair/Art Theory.” He has served as chair of the Southern States Communication Association’s Performance Studies Division. Heaton has served as a manuscript reviewer for American Communication Journal, Kentucky Communication Journal, and NCA Undergraduate Honors Conference. In 2005 and 2006, he organized the Patricia Pace Performance Festival, a national festival attended by scholars/performers/students from over 15 different universities and theatre companies. |
BILL KENNEDY, PH.D., Professor and Director of University Theatre
Office: Huber-Spielman, Rm 28 Phone: 614-236-6497
Email: bkennedy@capital.edu
Academic Background: B.A. in Communication, Literature, and Secondary Education, Grove City College, 1979; MA in Theatre History, Literature, and Criticism, University of Pittsburgh; Ph.D in Theatre, Kent State University, 1986.
Teaching/Mentoring Areas: Kennedy teaches introduction to theatre, acting, directing, theatre history, and playwriting. He directs and writes plays. Kennedy also serves as faculty advisor for Capital’s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre honorary society.
Creative/Research Experience: Kennedy’s research on musical theatre has been published.
His areas of performance, writing, and research include stage magic, puppetry, and musical theatre history. He has achieved local, regional, national, and international notoriety for some of his creative scholarship. For his 2001 production of Finian’s Rainbow, Kennedy received permission from the playwright’s estate to revise/update the text and make it more culturally sensitive. Kennedy has worked with the Cleveland Opera, Actor’s Theatre, and the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Locally, he has worked on theatre presentations with Broad Street Presbyterian Church, Broad Street Methodist Church, and Clarion Presbyterian Church. In addition to his position at Capital, Kennedy is also the Director of Theatre for Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Kennedy is also the founding artistic director of Capital's Eden Summer Players. |
STEVE KOCH, PH.D. Professor and Director of University Debate
Office: Huber-Spielman, Rm 114 Phone: 614-236-6320
Email: skoch@capital.edu
Academic Background: B.A. in Journalism (1970), M.A. in Speech and Dramatic Art (1972) and Communication Studies (1982), University of Iowa.
Teaching/Mentoring Areas: Koch teaches upper-division courses in rhetoric and public address, such as Argumentation & Debate, Political Communication, and Communication & Civilization. He also enjoys a national reputation as a forensics educator and debate coach. Koch also serves as faculty advisor for Capital’s chapter of Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha, the national forensics honorary society.
Research/Professional Experience: In addition to the notable success of his students, Koch’s reputation is evidenced by the various national offices he has held over the past twenty-six years. He has served as a member of the Executive council of the National Debate Tournament, a member of the national Board of Governors of the academic honorary Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha, a member of the Executive Council of the Cross Examination Debate Association, and has served in various capacities for the American Forensic Association including his current stint as a member of its national Finance Board. His papers on argumentation have been published in the “Selected Papers” of the National Biennial Conference on Argumentation and in the annual Contemporary Argumentation and Debate. Within our region, he has served as the Executive Director of the Ohio High School Speech League, a reviewer for the Ohio Communication Journal, and has authored in excess of eighty outreach presentations supporting various intercollegiate and interscholastic workshops in forensics and debate. He has been a popular commentator on national and regional political debates for nearly thirty years with periodical press clippings appearing in the Scripps-Howard syndicate, the Los Angeles Times, The Columbus Dispatch, and has made various radio and television appearances in Southern California, Iowa, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Columbus. |
JOHN LEDINGHAM, PH.D., Professor and Internship Coordinator
Office: Huber-Spielman, Rm 122 Phone: 614-236-6318
Email: jledingh@capital.edu
Academic Background: B.A. in Journalism—Broadcasting and Magazine (1966), M.A. in Journalism—International Affairs (1968), Ph.D. in Educational Communication (1980), Ohio State University.
Teaching/Mentoring Areas: Ledingham currently teaches introductory courses in Public Relations and Mass Media. He also teaches advanced courses in Public Relations, including Public Relations Research, Public Relations Campaigns, and Event Planning. Ledingham serves as Internship Coordinator for the Department of Communication.
Research/Professional Experience: Ledingham has an international reputation in the area of relationship management and was recently cited in an academic journal as the third-most prolific scholar worldwide in terms of PR theory. Ledingham is particularly effective at translating theory into practice both for students and professionals and, upon joining the faculty of Capital University in 1994, served as the primary designer of a new public relations curriculum. The new curriculum was the basis for approval of a Capital University student chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Ledingham’s co-edited 2000 book, Public Relations as Relationship Management, is a standard part of public relations education at many universities offering graduate courses and/or an advanced degree in public relations. Ledingham joined Capital University following a career in government and agencies and as an international consultant to multi-national companies. |
CHRIS SHUMWAY, M.A., Instructor and Director of University Television
Office: Blackmore Library, Rm 101 Phone: 614-236-6413
Phone in TV Studio: 614-236-6577
Email: cshumway@capital.edu
Academic Background: B.A. in General Studies (English and Communication), Jacksonville State University, 1988; Certificate in Broadcast Metereology; M.A. in Media Studies, New School University for Social Research, 2003.
Teaching/Mentoring Areas: Shumway teaches several courses in the Radio-TV-Film program, manages the campus television studio, and advises student-produced video shows, such as CapVision. He also teaches Oral Communication in the university's General Education program.
Creative/Research/Professional Experience: Before starting his teaching career, Shumway was an award-winning broadcast journalist for 15 years. He has also worked professionally as a writer/editor for online news publications. From 1985 to 2000, Shumway worked as a videographer, editor, news reporter, anchor and meteorologist at local TV stations Alabama, Georgia, Texas and Ohio. His research interests include media ethics, alternative media, the development of communication technology, and the impact of media consolidation on broadcast and online journalism. Shumway has focused much of his recent research, writing and public speaking on journalism ethics. He is co-author of the highly praised book Digital Dilemmas: Ethical Issues for Online Media Professionals (Iowa State Press/Blackwell, 2003). The text establishes a critical and historical framework for understanding a range of ethical issues confronting journalists and other media producers using the Internet and World Wide Web. He also maintains an active creative schedule, producing and editing videos for university departments and several off-campus clients. Not one to simply observe and write about online journalism, Shumway has also worked professionally as a writer and editor for The NewStandard, an independent, non-commercial web site that specializes in investigative reporting. He also maintains an active creative and community service agenda. In 2005, Shumway produced an informational video for the Upper Arlington Public Library system, and is currently working on a DVD for the Central Ohio chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. |
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