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The University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas

Walter J. Lemke Department of Journalism

Faculty and Staff

The Department Chair is Patsy Watkins.

See the Sequence Advisers here.

Editorial / News Faculty

  • Professor Gerald Jordan Prof. Gerald Jordan
    575-6306, Professor Jordan's E-mail

    Associate professor, print journalism. B.A. in journalism, University of Arkansas, 1970; MSJ, Northwestern University, 1971. Nieman Fellow, Harvard, 1982. Jordan joined the department in 1995, from The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he was a Washington correspondent. He became an assigning editor for The Inquirer in 1989 and worked in the suburbs and on the City Desk before he was named North Zone editor, with responsibility for a two-county edition which reached about 110,000 readers. He has also worked for The Kansas City Star, and The Boston Globe. Among his other assignments have been features and sports, editorial writing and TV and radio critic.
  • Dr. Louise Montgomery Dr. Louise Montgomery
    575-5965, Professor Montgomery's E-mail

    Associate professor, print journalism. B.A. in journalism, Arkansas State University; M.A. in Latin American Studies, University of Texas; Ph.D. in journalism, University of Texas. Worked as reporter for the Dallas Morning News and Miami Herald. Worked in public relations in Dallas and as a probation officer and social worker in New York. Research interests: Relationship between media and the government, societal changes influencing press freedom. Joined the University of Arkansas in 1989.
  • Prof. Hoyt PurvisProf. Hoyt Purvis
    575-5969, Professor Purvis' E-mail

    Professor, journalism. Director of Fulbright Institute of International Relations. B.A. and M.J., University of Texas. Worked as reporter for the Houston Chronicle, author and editor of a number of books and articles. Press secretary and special assistant to Senator J. William Fulbright, foreign and defense policy adviser to Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd. Research interests: international media, media and government/politics, cable and media technology. Joined the University of Arkansas in 1982.
  • Prof. Katherine ShurldsProf. Katherine Shurlds
    575-6305, Professor Shurlds' E-mail, Professor Shurlds' Web site

    Instructor, print journalism. Specialties include communications law and journalistic style and usage, but has also taught photojournalism, television documentary, editing for print and public relations campaigns. B.S. in journalism, Arkansas State University, 1969;M.A. in journalism, University of Mississippi, 1986; J.D., University of Arkansas School of Law, 1994. Licensed attorney in the state of Arkansas. Worked as newspaper reporter, photographer and editor for several Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri newspapers and manager of public access television center. Taught UA journalism in 1990-91 and since 1994.
  • Prof. Eric GorderProf. Eric Gorder
    575-2450, 575-7682, Mr. Gorder's E-mail

    Adjunct instructor, photojournalism. B.A. anthropology, M.Ed. in educational technology, University of Arkansas. Worked in archaeology in Arkansas and Texas and became interested in documentary film and video. Worked in location management in feature films, and helped establish Public Access and Government Access Television in Fayetteville and Little Rock. Worked in public relations (photographer and video producer) for City Manager's Office in Little Rock, and as photography and video manager for Mass Merchandisers in Harrison. Recruited by UA Computer Services Department to establish MultiMedia Resource Center in 1991. Taught Radio and Television production at Capital City Junior College in Little Rock and Photography at North Arkansas Community College, Harrison, before coming to worked at the U of A. Serves as director of UA MultiMedia Resource Center.

Broadcast Radio & TV Faculty

  • Professor Dale CarpenterProf. Dale Carpenter
    575-5216, Professor Carpenter's E-mail

    Professor, broadcast journalism. Specialties include documentary film producing, videography, and editing. B.A. from Vanderbilt University, M. A. from Emory University. Cinematography fellow at the American Film Institute's Conservatory. Before joining the journalism faculty in 1994, Carpenter was Senior Producer for the Arkansas Educational Television Network. His documentary films have won numerous national awards including Gold Medals from the New York Festivals, a Golden "CINDY" award, the "IRIS" award, and an "EMMY" award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
  • Professor Larry FoleyProfessor Larry Foley
    575-6307, Professor Foley's E-mail

    Professor, broadcast journalism. His productions have earned national and international awards, including an Emmy, first place awards from the Broadcast Education Association, WorldFest Houston, the Aurora Film Festival, and the International Film and Video Festival. His PBS credits include Saving the Eagles, The Lost Squadron and When Lightning Struck.

    His documentary credits include 22 Straight, The Forgotten Expedition, It Started Here: Early Arkansas and the Louisiana Purchase, Sanatorium Hill, Arkansas' Natural Heritage, Out of the Woods, The Keetoowahs Come Home, The Black Swamp, The Governor from Greasy Creek, Arkansas-A Special Place, Hell on the Border, and Natural, Wild & Free.

    Foley returned to his alma mater in 1993 to teach, produce documentaries, and build and direct a center for teaching television reporting and production. In 1996, he founded the campus television station, UATV, for which he serves as faculty adviser. In October 2003, he was inducted into the Lemke Department of Journalism's Hall of Honor, the highest award bestowed upon UA journalism graduates. In 1998, he received a Master Researcher award from the J. W. Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

    Before coming to the U of A, Foley spent nine years at the Arkansas Educational Television Network as a producer, programmer, and associate director of the network. He is a former reporter, morning news anchor, assignment editor and producer for KATV Channel 7, Little Rock.

    Joined University of Arkansas in 1993.
  • Prof. Rick StockdellProf. Rick Stockdell
    575-6573/2556, Professor Stockdell's E-mail

    Associate professor, broadcast journalism. B.A. in speech, Northwest Missouri State; M.A. in radio and television, Kansas State University. Coordinator of broadcast news program, general manager of public radio station KUAF, University of Arkansas. Worked as radio announcer, manager and executive in Arizona, Missouri, Iowa, Colorado, Kansas. Joined the University of Arkansas in 1980.
  • Prof. Robyn LedbetterRobyn Starling-Ledbetter
    575-6420, Instructor Ledbetter's E-mail

    Instructor, broadcast journalism. B.A. and M.A. in journalism, University of Arkansas. Starling-Ledbetter teaches broadcast journalism courses and serves as a faculty advisor for UATV, the student-ran television station. Before coming to the U of A, Robyn spent several years as a reporter and news anchor. She is also a former high school journalism instructor. Joined University of Arkansas in 2007.

Advertising & Public Relations Faculty

  • Professor WicksDr. Jan LeBlanc Wicks
    Graduate Committee Chair
    575-6304, Professor Wicks' E-mail, Professor Wicks' Web site

    Professor, advertising journalism. Coordinates advertising program. B.A. in Radio-TV Broadcasting from the University of Southwestern Louisiana; M.A. in Advertising from Michigan State University; Ph.D. in Mass Media at Michigan State University. Professional experience at advertising agencies and television stations. Research interests: advertising clearance, management and ethics. Joined the University of Arkansas in 1994.
  • Professor Phyllis MillerDr. Phyllis Miller
    575-5213, Professor Miller's E-mail

    Associate professor, public relations. Coordinates public relations program. B.A. in journalism and speech communication; M.A. in higher education, Lamar University; Ph.D. in institutional public relations and media management, Texas A&M University. Worked as a reporter for the Beaumont Enterprise and as news director for KPXE radio, Liberty, Texas, and and as television producer, editor of football programs and media consultant to Texas A&M Athletic Department. Research interests: Sports journalism and women in the media. Joined the University of Arkansas in 1991.
  • Prof. Patsy WatkinsDr. Patsy Watkins, Department Chair
    575-6301, Professor Watkins' E-mail

    Professor, print (magazine) journalism. B.A. and M.A. in journalism, University of Texas; Ph.D. in American Studies, University of Iowa. Worked as magazine editor. Worked at University of Texas information services. Publisher, Picadilly Press. Research interests: computer-assisted graphics, periodical publications and design. Joined the University of Arkansas in 1984.
  • Kim MartinProf. Kim Martin
    575-7700, Kim Martin's E-mail, Kim Martin's Web site

    Instructor, advertising, copywriting, computer applications, web design and internet. B.S.Ed. Middle and High School English (1990), M.A. English Literature (1995), University of Arkansas. Department computer point person and internship coordinator. Professional experience in advertising and publication design as well as print and radio production. Edited two newspapers; designed several books and monthlies. Nine Addy awards for radio writing, voiceover and production. Interned in marketing at University of Arkansas Press. Worked as publications consultant for Arkansas Historical Association, 1993-2001. Currently works as webmaster for University of Arkansas Press. Joined the University in 1995.
  • Professor Ignatius FosuDr. Ignatius Fosu
    575-5215, Ignatius Fosu's E-mail

    Ignatius Fosu joined the department in 2005, after completing his Ph.D. in Mass Communication from The University of Alabama. He has a masters degree in Marketing from the University of Alabama, a graduate diploma in Communications from the University of Ghana, and a bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Ghana.

    He teaches advertising and public relations courses. His research interests include mass media effects, individual differences in responses to sexual information in advertisements, and effects of risk disclosures on responses to prescription drug advertising. His research has been presented at international conventions and published in reputable journals.

    He previously worked as a television producer/director for METRO TV in Accra, Ghana, and a disc jockey and talk show host for Radio Univers in Accra, Ghana. He also worked as a Special Projects Manager for the Division of Distance Education of the University of Alabama, where his duties included marketing analysis of distance education programs and developing marketing plans.

    He is an avid music lover. He plays percussion, drums, and bass guitar.

Staff

Marti Hattabaugh, Office Manager
Ms. Hattabaugh handles all department finances. If you have a question about your scholarship or special funding related to a student organization or project, contact her first. She also handles course scheduling.
575-3602, Marti Hattabaugh's E-mail

Carol Rachal, Alumni Liaison Director
Ms. Rachal supervises students' files. See her if you need access to your file. She also has information on faculty schedules, including office hours. As Alumni Liaison Director, Ms. Rachal will be your department contact after graduation.
575-3113, Carol Rachal's E-mail