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Faculty and Staff
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Dr. Ted Carlin
Professor, Department Chair
ejcarl@ship.edu
112 Rowland Hall (717)
477-1517
"Today's
student is typically an experienced media consumer before he
or she enrolls here at SU, so my role is to get students engaged
and actively involved in the production and evaluation of media,
and keep students thinking about the personal and global impacts
of the media they experience. Communication/Journalism is such
a dynamic field of study — constantly growing, evolving,
and re-inventing itself. Our graduates are prepared to adapt
to these changes through the solid foundation of critical thinking
and professional skills they acquire as a Communication/Journalism
major."
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Dr. Ted Carlin has served as the chairperson of the Communication/Journalism
Department since 2000. With professional experience in the areas of radio and television
production, programming, and management, Dr. Carlin brings this expertise
to the classroom in an engaging and energetic manner. He has worked as
a media producer, writer, announcer, and videographer for radio and
TV stations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas. Dr.
Carlin’s areas of research include the new communication technologies
of digital radio and television, media programming, and media literacy.
Dr. Carlin also serves as the faculty advisor to SUTV21 and SU's chapter of the National Broadcasting Society. Born in Nebraska and raised in Maryland, he is an avid Huskers, Terps,
Orioles, and U.S. Soccer supporter. He and his wife, Sulynn, have four children and live
in Chambersburg.
Education
- PhD in Mass Communication (1997), Bowling Green State University,
Bowling Green, Ohio
- MA in Mass Communication (1987), Bowling Green State University,
Bowling Green, Ohio
- BA in Communication & Theatre Arts (1985), Heidelberg College,
Tiffin, Ohio
- AA in Liberal Arts & Sciences (1983), Chesapeake College, Wye
Mills, Maryland
Publications and Media Production Activity
- "Digital Audio,” in A.E. Grant & J.H. Meadows (eds.), Communication Technology Update, 11th Edition, Focal Press, 2008
- Executive producer/editor, Franklin County Prison Orientation Videos, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; production supervisor and editor for two inmate orientation videos (2007 & 2004)
- Executive producer, SU Productions on Comcast Cable, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania; on-site supervisor for SUTV's live/taped televised coverage of campus events
- Focus the Nation 2008 panel speaker, Media Coverage of the Global Warming Debate, CUB, SU
- Criminal Justice Symposium 2007 panel speaker, Portrayals of Mental Illness in Film & Television, Old Main Chapel, SU
- Digital multimedia lab: awarded a $104,000 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Technology Fee Grant, and 3-year renewal grant, to design and implement a 12-seat multimedia digital video post-production lab for the Communications/Journalism Department & SUTV
- Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters 2006 Educational Equipment Grant: $3,000 to create a MIDI/Digital Music Production Lab for Comm/Journ Department
- "Direct Broadcast Satellites,” and "Digital Audio,” in A.E. Grant & J.H.
Meadows (eds.), Communication Technology Update, 10th Edition,
Focal Press, 2006
- "Cable System and Satellite Programming,” in S.T Eastman
& D.A. Ferguson (eds.), Broadcast/Cable Programming: Strategies
and Practices, 6th edition, Wadsworth Publishing, 2006
- Videographer, Luhrs Performing Arts Center TV commercials – 2006 season; contracted by Luhrs Performing Arts Center, Shippensburg University, to shoot digital video for 30-second TV commercials airing in the mid-Atlantic region on Comcast Cable
- "Why Do I Need to Know This?: Actively Teaching the Introductory
Graduate Research Course to Non-Researchers,” a refereed paper
presented to the Research Division of the 2005 convention of the Broadcast
Education Association in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Emerging Mass Media Technologies: $3,000 Virtual University Grant
to design and implement an online VU graduate course
- Feature Writing & Intro to Mass Communication: two $3,000 Virtual University Grants to design and implement
two online VU undergraduate courses
- External Program Review Team, 2005, La Salle University, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania; served on a four-person team as the electronic media evaluator to visit, review and conduct
an external review of the Communications
Department
- Sports reporter and writer, ABC27 Sports, WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania;
covered area football games (high school, college, and NFL’s
Baltimore Ravens) for Friday Night Football Show & weekend TV
newscasts during fall 2004 sabbatical leave
Courses Taught
Broadcast advertising and sales. Broadcast management and regulation. Current strategies in broadcast/cable programming. Emerging mass media technology (graduate/online). ENG/EFP TV production. Feature writing (online). Introduction to mass communication (online). Introduction to mass communication research (graduate). Introduction to public relations. Mass communication theory (graduate). Media & society. On-location video production. Public relations writing. Radio & TV scriptwriting. Radio production & performance. Senior capstone. Sports writing and reporting (online). Studio TV production. TV criticism. World broadcasting systems (graduate). Writing for the broadcast media |
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Dr.
Joseph Borrell
Associate Professor
ajborr@ship.edu
130
Rowland Hall (717) 477-1528
"Make
the most of your time at the university. Try out new ideas,
test new ways of learning and explore different aspects
of yourself. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, but always
learn from your missteps." |
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Dr. Joe Borrell is an associate professor at Shippensburg University
specializing in electronic media. Involved in radio since high school,
Dr. Borrell also has worked on the television side. In 1996, he received
a fellowship to work at the Federal Communications Commission in Washington,
D.C. His current academic research focuses on media management, radio
programming and new media.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication, Annenberg School for Communication,
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Master of Arts, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Bachelor of Science, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
Publications
- "Radio station characteristics and the adoption of satellite-delivered
programming," Journal of Media Economics
- "Online and Electronic Resources: Audio Resources on the Internet," Communication Booknotes Quarterly
- Several articles in both the Encyclopedia of Contemporary American
Culture and the Encyclopedia of Radio
Courses Taught
Radio Production and Performance, Political Communication, Writing for
Broadcast Media, Media Management and Regulation, Broadcasting in America,
Communication Research Problems, Broadcast Advertising and Sales, and
Senior Capstone
Advisor to WSYC-FM, Shippensburg University's student-run campus
radio station
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Dr. Michael
W. Drager
Associate Professor
mwdrag@ship.edu
131
Rowland Hall (717) 477-1594
"Written language is THE essential
element in communication. The ideas that have propelled human development
have been written down in books, journals, magazines and newspapers. Students
must understand how important good writing skills are to their success
in our program. It is not only important to have an ability to write, it
is also important to have the desire to write. Both will help you succeed
in the field of communications." |
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Dr. Michael W. Drager is an associate professor at Shippensburg University
specializing in print media. Dr. Drager’s professional experience
includes work as a newspaper journalist, magazine writer and public
relations professional. He has worked for weekly and daily newspapers
as a reporter, copy editor, editorial columnist, photojournalist and
advertising copy writer and layout designer. His experience in public
relations includes work as a writer, photographer and publications designer.
His academic research explores the relationship between mass media and
public policy. In addition, he has conducted workshops and seminars
on the relationship between journalism and public institutions.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Media,
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Master of Science in Communications
Studies, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science in Art Education,
Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania
Publications
Books:
- Reporting for the Media, 9th edition, Oxford University
Press
Journal Articles:
- "Sample Size in Content Analysis of Weekly News Magazines,” Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly
- "Assisting Faculty Through Technology Transitions,” in Fulfilling Higher Education’s Covenant with Society: The
Emerging Outreach Agenda
- "News Stories About Conflict Generally Balanced,” Newspaper Research Journal
Awards
- Frank Luther Mott–Kappa Tau Alpha Research Award, August 1993,
Law Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass
Communication
- Faculty Research Award, August 1999, Newspaper Division of the
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
Memberships
- Newspaper, Law, and Mass Communication and Society Divisions of
the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
- Society of Professional Journalists
- Pennsylvania Newspaper Association
Courses Taught
News Writing and Reporting, Public Affairs Reporting, Computer-Assisted
Reporting, Feature Writing, Public Relations Writing, Media Writing,
Introduction to Photography, Photojournalism, Copy Editing and Design,
Magazine Design, Media Ethics, Introduction to Mass Communication, Mass
Communication Theory, and Introduction to Mass Communication Research
Advisor to The Slate, the student-run campus newspaper,
and the Rowland Stone, the Communication/Journalism Department
newsletter
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Dr. John Ellerbach
Assistant Professor
jrellerbach@ship.edu
129
Rowland Hall (717) 477-1652
“I enjoy teaching
PR and advertising because I am not an automatic apologist nor
an incessant cheerleader for either discipline. Students will
do plenty of critical analysis in my classes. They will also do
challenging creative work. True, some students I encounter believe
that if they are ‘people persons’ they will excel
in PR. That’s not nearly enough. Success in public
relations requires strong writing and speaking skills. Success
in PR requires an in-depth knowledge of various media, as media
relations expertise is a key component of many PR jobs.” |
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Dr. John Ellerbach, who joined the Shippensburg faculty in the summer
of 2006, has extensive media and teaching experience. Dr. Ellerbach
has worked as a public relations practitioner, a radio news reporter
and a magazine writer. He teaches courses in journalism, public relations
and advertising.
Education
Doctor of Education in Higher Education/Mass Communication, Oklahoma
State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Master of Arts in Journalism, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
Bachelor of Arts in English, University of Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa
Publications
- "The Advertorial as Information Pollution," Journal
of Information Ethics
Scholarly/Creative Work
- Writer, producer, actor, director and co-editor
of “The Stem Cell Jury Tapes,” a full-length feature film
shot in Iowa and edited at Shippensburg; the film was selected as
an entry at the American Artist Film Festival, September 2006
Courses Taught
Media Writing, Public Relations, Public Relations Writing, News Writing
and Reporting, Communications Law, Press and Public Affairs
Advisor to PRSSA, the Public Relations Student Society
of America
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Margaret
P. Evans
Professor
mpevan@ship.edu
http://www.ship.edu/~mpevan/
132 Rowland Hall (717)
477-1152
"In addition to the technical areas of both traditional
and electronic image making, I am particularly interested in teaching
about the relationship between the production of images and the
various employment settings that students enter. It is also important
that students learn to critique the messages they create with
their photographs in order to be more critically aware of the
messages they receive from the media in general. A college curriculum
should develop equally knowledge, expertise, and employment potential." |
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Professor Margaret Evans is an expert
in the fields of photography, digital photography, video,
and multi-media production, whose work has appeared in many
exhibitions and publications. She has been the recipient of
numerous grants and awards, including a technology grant to
establish a digital imaging laboratory at Shippensburg University
and the prestigious Ernst Haas Award for Excellence in Photography.
She has traveled widely doing documentary studies on such
subjects as the American steel industry and the textile industry
in Lodz, Poland.
Education
Master of Fine Arts, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New
York
Bachelor of Arts, Goddard College, Plainfield, Vermont
Publications
- Shots, a national magazine of art photography; photographs of the
70s theme
Papers & Presentations
- "Shock in Shock Therapy: Contemporary Labor History in Post
Communist Poland & Ukraine," in collaboration with Dr. Catherine
Clay, California University of Pennsylvania
- "Photographic Digital Manipulation: Fantasy vs. Reality,"
Visual Communication: Rhetorics and Technologies, Rochester Institute
of Technology, Rochester, New York
- "A Digital Reality: Computer Manipulation at the Movies,"
International Society for the Fantastic in the Arts
Awards
- Ernst Haas Award, environmental/nature print category, first-place
photograph
Memberships
- Shippensburg chapter of Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society
Selected One-Artist Exhibitions
- Andre Zarre Gallery, New York, New York, photographs from Poland
- Jewish Community Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, photographs
from Poland
- Jewish Community Center, Providence, Rhode Island, photographs
from Poland
Courses Taught
Introduction to Photography, Advanced Photography, Introduction to Mass
Communication, Digital Photography, Diversity Issues in the Media, Electronic
News Gathering, Modes of Film Communication, Senior Capstone
Advisor to the Cumberland Yearbook
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Kim
Garris
Assistant Professor
kdgarr@ship.edu
127 Rowland Hall (717) 477-1523
"My hope is our students leave
us understanding the magnitude of the responsibility the mass
media have to our society. To ensure effective and respected democracy,
those who choose a career in mass communication must be willing
to accept that responsibility and promise to do all within their
power to uphold and further the rights of all citizens." |
Professor Kim Garris brings 16 years of experience in television
news to her position on the Communication/Journalism faculty.
Professor Garris' professional experience includes work as a news reporter
at ABC, NBC and CBS television affiliates from Alabama to Maine.
Along the way, she has worked for a large regional cable network in
New England and even reported on the space and science industry through
her work for the Sci-Fi Channel. Her most recent stop was a 10-year
stint in Harrisburg at the ABC affiliate as a reporter and the morning
anchor. She landed her first job in broadcast news in AM radio.
Her professional career has not been limited to news reporting.
She has been a producer, weather anchor, sports anchor and even videographer
and editor.
Education
Doctoral Candidate in Mass Communications, Pennsylvania State University,
State College, Pennsylvania
Master of Science in Broadcast Journalism, Boston University, Boston,
Massachusetts
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications
Research Interest
Professor Garris’ current research focuses on the role of women
as decision makers in television.
Courses Taught
Electronic Newsgathering (TV Reporting), Radio and TV News, Media Sales,
Introduction to Mass Communication
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Dr.
William Pritchard
It
is with sadness that we note the passing of our
friend and colleague Dr. William Pritchard in
July. Bill enjoyed the respect and admiration
of his friends, colleagues and students here
at Shippensburg University. His caring manner,
sense of humor, and innate goodness truly will
be missed by one and all. Our thoughts go out
to his family and loved ones. |
Dr. William Pritchard taught
courses in the public relations emphasis, including publication
design and interactive media classes.
He also taught graduate classes and was faculty advisor for the
IMPEL Group, the university’s student-run public relations
firm. He had more than 15 years of professional advertising
experience and held the positions of advertising director
and creative director for various companies in the Washington,
D.C., area.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication, Bowling Green State University,
Bowling Green, Ohio
Master of Science in Communication Studies, Shippensburg University,
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Publications
- Marketing research report on the robotics industry,
published by BCC Research Co.
Research Interests
- Marxism, semiotics and sports cards
Scholarly/Creative Work
- Writes and records music and, in the 1990s, owned his own music
publishing company, Root Recordings, BMI
Advisor to the IMPEL Group, a student-run
public relations firm in the Communication/Journalism Department
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Carrie Sipes
Assistant Professor
casipe@ship.edu
128 Rowland Hall (717) 477-1432
"Understanding how people communicate, whether
interpersonally or through mass media, is important for those
who will be future professionals in a mass communication field.
Understanding how their messages affect audiences will make them
better professionals." |
Professor Carrie Sipes joined the Shippensburg University
faculty in the summer of 2006. Prior to that she taught for three years
at Duquesne University's Capital Region Campus. She teaches in the public
relations emphasis. Her research interests focus on persuasive communication
messages. She conducts research on political advertising and the persuasive
behavioral aspects of public health campaigns. Additional research interests
include the psychological and cultural aspects of mediated messages.
Education
Doctoral Candidate in Mass Communications, Pennsylvania State University,
State College, Pennsylvania
Master of Science in Communication Studies, Shippensburg University,
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg,
Pennsylvania
Papers and Presentations
- "Political Advertising, Cynicism and Affect: A Mediation Model
Account," Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
Conference, San Francisco, California, 2006
- "Political Advertising Valence and Candidate Response Strategy,"
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, San
Francisco, California, 2006
Memberships
- Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society
- Media Effects Research Group, Pennsylvania State University
Courses Taught
Introduction to Mass Communication, Media Writing, Communication
Theory, Communication Ethics, Media in the Marketplace, Broadcast Advertising
and Sales, Senior Capstone
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Stephanie
Anderson Witmer
Assistant Professor
snanderson@ship.edu
126 Rowland Hall (717) 477-1525
"The only way to become a better writer
is to write and write some more. It's that simple —and that
complicated. I want to help students find their own voices
in order to tell the stories that need to be told, whether
it's through words, sounds or images. I want to help them
learn how to think about and respond critically to the
media they encounter —and will eventually create—every
day." |
Professor Stephanie Anderson Witmer joined the
Communication/Journalism faculty in Fall 2007, specializing in
print media. She taught writing courses at both Pennsylvania
State University at University Park and Harrisburg Area Community
College prior to coming to Shippensburg University. Professor
Anderson has worked as a freelance magazine writer, editor and
proofreader since 1996, and spent four years as a full-time magazine
editor. In 2000, she was the recipient of the
Gold Award for Feature Writing from the International Association
of Business Communicators and a nominee for a feature-writing
award by the City & Regional
Magazine Association. In 2002, she founded the (now defunct)
web magazine, EvilGeniusMagazine.com. Professor Anderson focuses
on literary journalism, feature and profile writing, food writing
and magazine design.
Education
Master of Fine Arts, Nonfiction Writing, Pennsylvania
State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts,
English (magazine-writing concentration), University of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Publications
Books:
- Killer Pies, Chronicle Books, 2007
- Killer Chili, Chronicle Books, 2007
Magazines and Other Publications:
- Central PA magazine
- Susquehanna Style magazine
- Rain Taxi
- Pittsburgh magazine
- Rapportage
- Hispanic Flair magazine
- The Sentinel
- BusinessWoman
- WordsasWeapons.com
- ExplorePAHistory.com
- EvilGeniusMagazine.com
Memberships
- Society of Professional Journalists
- Associated Writing Programs
Courses Taught
Introduction to Mass Communication, Feature Writing, Rhetoric/Composition,
Technical/Professional Writing, Introduction to Creative Writing,
Introduction to Literature, Business Writing, College Writing
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Dr.
Jeffrey T. Bitzer
Assistant Professor
jtbitz@ship.edu
124 Rowland Hall (717) 477-1512
"Learn
to write by writing. Learn to love and protect the First Amendment." |
Dr. Jeffrey Bitzer was a working journalist and a lawyer when
he first came to SU in 1982. He has worked in all aspects of broadcast
journalism from a radio street reporter to a television anchor. He has
been an assignment editor and a producer. Bitzer created, produced and
hosted the "Legal Brief" television series and produced and hosted "Newsmakers"
on public television. His most memorable reporting experience was the
Three Mile Island crisis. Bitzer maintains a private civil law practice
in York, Pennsylvania, where he counts a number of advertising companies
and musicians among his clients. He is a frequent guest speaker for
professional public relations and media groups on a variety of communications
law issues.
Education
Juris Doctorate, Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Courses Taught
Communications Law, Radio Television News |

Loretta
Sobrito
Department Secretary
Loretta Sobrito has been a part of Shippensburg University since
1990. She worked in admissions in Old Main prior to becoming the Communication/Journalism
Department secretary in October 2002.
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