Communication & Theatre Arts Faculty
The faculty in the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts maintain active professional lives outside of the classroom. This allows them to remain aware of industry trends and issues and create realistic concrete examples. Students benefit from their rich practical experience. Prospective employers look for applicants with professional experience, which students receive at Anderson University with internships and industry contacts.
Donald Boggs manages WQME and Covenant Productions. In the past 30 years, he has helped produce hundreds of videos, including nearly 20 RIAA Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum video awards. In 2003 he was nominated for a regional Emmy for his work on Candles & Carols and in 2004 for an AU commercial called "Being and Doing." He is a professor of speech and broadcasting and the chair of the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts.
Boggs earned his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Akron and his Ph.D. from Kent State University. He joined the faculty of Communication & Theatre Arts in 1978.
David Baird, professor of communication, is the academic adviser for journalism and public relations students as well as faculty adviser for the student newspaper and the department’s new PR agency. Special interests include political communication and media history, and one of the highlights of his professional career was interviewing Pem Farnsworth, who was working in the lab alongside husband Philo Farnsworth when he invented electronic television in 1927. Baird was associate producer for the Department’s “A Ripple of Hope” documentary, and his articles have appeared in Columbia Journalism Review, Quill, American Journalism and other publications.
Baird joined the Department of Communication & Theatre Arts faculty in 1990. He earned his B.A. from Anderson College, his M.A. from Wheaton College Graduate School and his Ph.D. from Purdue University.
Visit his faculty web page.
Virginia Chapman
is a professor of speech and the director of the Comm 1000 classes. Chapman authored a chapter in the book Beyond Boundaries: Sex and Gender Diversity in Communication. She serves Ovid Community Church as a member of its Sermon Team, which helps generate concepts and ideas for the series of sermons at the church. She is a Legislative Ambassador for the Great Lakes Division of the American Cancer Society and advocates at the local and national level. She has presented a legal seminar on Alternative Sentencing hosted by Madison County Legal Secretaries for members of the Madison County Bar Association.
Additionally, Chapman has presented a panel on Elements of Alternative Sentencing at the Indiana Association of Community Correction Act Counties. She conducted a training session for the Indianapolis Americorp staff on Business Communication. She has been involved in speechwriting and debate preparation for candidates at the local and state level. She started the Harold E. Achor Debate Tournament on campus
Chapman earned her B.S. and an M.A. from Ball State University and her Ph.D. from Indiana University. She joined the faculty of Communication & Theatre Arts in 1982 and received the faculty of the year award in 1997 and 2006.
Ronald Johnstone is an assistant professor of communication and the director of theatre arts for Anderson University. Johnstone has experience working with east coast and west coast acting & directing ranging from work as the Company Manager of Creation Studies Inc., a California based regional touring theatre that focused on issues of faith and social reform. In Indianapolis he has worked at Theatre on the Square, The Phoenix, ERT, Comedy Sportz, The Bonderman Festival w/IRT, Arden and Indy Fringe. Johnstone is president of the board for the Arden Theatre Company, an Indianapolis based Production Company that promotes the work of young Indiana playwrights
Johnstone earned his B.A. from Southern California College; an M.A. from Azusa Pacific University and at Hunter College; and ABD (Theatre/Film) City University of New York. He joined the faculty in Communication & Theatre Arts in 1995.
James Morehead is an associate professor of communication working with speech classes on campus. In 1984 he moved to Anderson where he accepted a teaching appointment at Anderson University. He was the first African American to become a tenured professor at that institution of higher learning. Rev. Morehead accepted the call to Christian ministry in 1980 and was ordained in 1993. He presently serves as senior pastor of the Pasadena Heights Church of God, Indianapolis. Rev. James Morehead is an accomplished actor, playwright and the author of two full-length plays and a book of poetry entitled "Life’s Reflections". He has won numerous awards and recognitions including "Outstanding Teacher of the Year" from Anderson University in 1995.
Morehead earned his B.S. at Grambling State University and his M.A. from Oklahoma State University. He joined the faculty in Communication & Theatre Arts in 1984.
Professionals in Residence
David Armstrong
has worked in the area of video production and operations since
graduating from Anderson University in 1984. He currently is a
professional in residence at Anderson University and serves as
operations director at Covenant Productions.
David teaches a trio of video production classes and has been honored
as director of Candles & Carols with a regional Emmy™ award.
He earned his MBA from Anderson University in 1997. David began
his career in video production at Fox affiliate, WXIN TV, Indianapolis,
serving in various production roles including operations supervisor,
before returning to his Alma Mater.
Mark Dawson is a professional in residence with Covenant Productions, primarily working as a producer/director and cinematographer/editor. Previously, he worked as a TV news photographer/editor for 7 years, earning 17 state and regional awards in the process. He then spent two and a half years as a staff producer for an award-winning Nashville film and video production company. Since joining Covenant Productions in 1998, Mark has been honored with Telly, ADDY, Aurora and Angel awards as well as a Regional Emmy(tm) Nomination in 2004. In addition to his work with Covenant Productions, he has also shot overseas in Japan, Nepal, the Philippines, Kenya, Haiti, Honduras, Panama and Brazil. He earned his B.A. at Anderson University in Mass Communications.
Holly Miller is a professional in residence and the senior editor for the Saturday Evening Post; author of 13 books; co-author of the textbook "Feature and Magazine Writing," now in its third printing; and communication consultant to Lilly Endowment. She teaches many public relations courses for the university.
Miller earned her B.A. at Indiana University and her M.A. from Ball State University. She joined the faculty in Communication & Theatre Arts in 1984.
Matt Rust is a professional in residence for the Department of Communication & Theatre Arts and the program director of WQME 98.7 FM. Matt has worked in radio for over 15 years. His past experience includes work at 3 major market stations in Indianapolis as well as studio manager for a recording studio in Indianapolis.
Matt hosts the WQME morning show every weekday morning from 6 to 10 a.m. He is actively involved as a volunteer at the Madison Park Church of God in Anderson. Matt and his wife Melissa are the proud parents of their twins Jacob and Chloe. Matt earned his B.A. from Anderson University. He joined the Department of Communication & Theatre Arts in 1999.
