B.A. Idaho State University

M.A. University of Kansas

Ph.D. University of Illinois

Non-degree advanced study at the Universities of Texas, Wisconsin, and Oxford.

Communication studies; rhetorical and communication theory; theories of persuasion.

Published over three dozen scholarly monographs in refereed scholarly journals, all in the areas of rhetorical/communication theory and criticism.

2001 recipient of the Eastern Communication Association's Donald H. Ecroyd and Caroline Drummond Ecroyd Teaching Excellence Award.

Burkeian/dramatistic theories of rhetoric, postmodernist and feminist theories of language and rhetoric, orality and literacy, and history of rhetoric.

Held elective office in several scholarly associations and was past vice president (1984) and past president (1985) of the Eastern Communication Association. In addition, was awarded two National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships and one National Science Foundation Fellowship. Current research interests include Burkeian/dramatistic rhetorical theory, history of rhetoric, and nineteenth century July 4th oratory.