Workshop Faculty/Staff

Dr. George Arnold, professor emeritus in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University, has 47 years' experience as a journalist and journalism educator. He worked as a news and sports reporter for eight years in Beckley and Huntington, taught high school English for three years, and taught journalism at Marshall for 36 years. A Ph.D. journalism graduate of Ohio University, Dr. Arnold has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, social studies and journalism and a Master of Arts degree in American and European history, both from Marshall. He is author of more than 50 articles for professional and academic publications and his textbook/resource book -- Media Writer's Handbook, a Guide to Common Writing and Editing Problems, 5th edition, McGraw-Hill -- has been purchased by students and faculty at 273 colleges and universities. Dr. Arnold is the first recipient of Marshall University's Marshall and Shirley Reynolds Outstanding Teacher Award (1987) and was runner-up in 1995 for West Virginia professor of the year in the Faculty Merit Foundation competition. In 2008, Dr. Arnold was selected by the Marshall alumni as one of 11 top professors in the history of the university.
Two workshop sessions Dr. Arnold will provide a discussion language skills and bloopers and the fundamentals of news writing in one session and interviewing tips in a second session.



Dr. Chuck Bailey, professor of journalism and mass communications, is faculty manager of WMUL-FM (88.1 MHz). Under Dr. Bailey’s guidance Marshall University’s radio station and its student broadcasters have won 989 awards since 1985. Dr. Bailey received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association (WVAPBA) during the WVAPBA Convention at Pullman Plaza Hotel, Huntington, West Virginia, Saturday, April 21, 2007, and was recognized by the College Media Advisers, Inc. with the 1995 Distinguished 4-Year Broadcast Adviser Award.
Workshop session Sports journalism


Ashton Bias is a junior at Marshall University majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in political science. She joined WMUL her freshman year and she says “it has given me the opportunity to do a little bit of everything in the journalism field, as well as earn awards for news anchoring.” I was also recently named promotions director of WMUL.
Workshop session The WMUL Experience



Ruby Dyer has taught journalism and English at Wayne High School for 36 years. She has a B.A. and a M.A.J. from Marshall University. She is the adviser of the award-winning Pioneer newspaper and yearbook. Dyer has been named a distinguished alumna of the School of Journalism and was inducted into its Hall of Fame. She was Wayne County Teacher of the Year in 2009 and was one of six state finalists for state Teacher of the Year. She has also been named a finalist in the Yearbook Adviser of the Year. She was the West Virginia Journalism Teacher of the Year in 1985. She is married to Kenneth Dyer, who works for Chapman Printing, and is the mother of two sons, Caleb, who teaches at Wayne High School; and Kyle, the 2008 W. Page Pitt Journalist of the Year. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in graphic design at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Workshop session How to improve high school publications. Mrs. Dyer will discuss turning news into features.


Katie Harper is a 2010 honors graduate of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications with a degree in public relations. During her time at Marshall, Miss Harper completed internships with the West Virginia Legislature, West Virginia Attorney General and Huddleston Bolen, a national law firm. This fall, she enter law school at West Virginia University. She was a counselor at the 2009 workshop and returns as a counselor this year.


Dan Hollis is an associate professor with the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University. Among the courses Hollis teaches at Marshall are Media Literacy and Law of Mass Communications. Professor Hollis has won many awards for both his professional creative work and his teaching, including National Broadcasting Society’s Best Video News Story for five out of the past 6 years. He has been with the university since 1999.
Workshop session We’ll examine the current interpretation of the law surrounding the student press.



Associate Professor Rebecca Johnson is a Kentucky native who joined the faculty of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University in 1976. She attended Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and Ohio State University before completing both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism at Marshall. In addition, Professor Johnson attended Ohio University where she completed doctoral course work in law and responsibility, international journalism, and history with a minor in sociology. Twice named a “Fabulous Faculty Member” by PHI ETA SIGMA, The National Honor Society, Professor Johnson has taught a variety of courses including photojournalism, news reporting, fundamentals of writing and editing, computer-assisted reporting, research and information gathering, magazine writing, magazine editing and production, and international communication. Currently her teaching focus includes digital imaging, web strategies, web design and multimedia reporting. A magazine writer, photographer and consultant, she worked as a newspaper copy editor, resort photographer, horse trainer and riding instructor. When not on campus, Professor Johnson hangs out with my husband, J.P. (not Johnson), their pack of dogs and a couple aged pet horses. “I love the southwest desert and the Outer Banks, read lots of books, do a little stained glass and never watch TV,” she said.
Workshop Session Photography

Andre Jones earned 2010 master’s degree in journalism and 2008 bachelor’s in journalism degree from Marshall University. He recently accepted a position as communications coordinator for Technica Corporation in Dulles, Va. He is a member of DC Explosion, a semi-pro football team, Eagle Scout, Piano player and drummer. Mr. Jones was a workshop counselor in 2009 and returns as a counselor this year.


Burnis Morris, Carter G. Woodson Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications, directs the high school workshop. Professor Morris has received more than $1 million in grants supporting his work to improve news coverage of nonprofit organizations and provide programs to attract the best and brightest students to careers in journalism.
Workshop Session Blogs and other 21st century issues.





Rob Rabe, assistant professor, teaches news reporting, writing, media history and media culture studies. He is currently completing his Ph.D. dissertation and revising several scholarly articles for publication.
Workshop Session Data collection and the Marshall libraries.



Tammy Reynolds manages the office of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. She has worked at Marshall University for 10 years and has a masters degree in Adult and Technical Education.







Dr. Chris Swindell is associate professor of journalism and a veteran television reporter and anchor who teaches television, ethics, history and graduate classes for what will be a 5th year at Marshall. Swindell earned his Ph.D. in 2006 in communication at the University of Kentucky. He has had teaching stints at four other institutions of higher learning, all in Kentucky from 1992-2006. Dr. Swindell lives in Teays Valley with wife Kim, workshop participant Kelly, and best dog, Skittles.

Workshop Session "The ethics of photo manipulation and use."


Ralph J. Turner, Ph.D., is professor emeritus, W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University. He retired as a full-time professor in 2003 and received the university's Distinguished Service Award for 32 years of service to Marshall. He also has received the Life Membership Award from the West Virginia Press Association in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to journalism education, West Virginia newspapers and the West Virginia Press Association. He earned bachelor and master's degrees in journalism from Marshall University and doctorate in mass communications from Ohio University. He also attended Rochester (NY) Institute of Technology. He was director of the magazine program at Florida A&M University and taught at Ohio University. Before becoming a university professor, Dr. Turner worked as a reporter for newspapers in Wayne County, Huntington and Charleston. Dr. Turner currently heads his own consulting business on writing, editing and design. He is a freelance magazine article writer and edited a book on the history of the Westmoreland section of Huntington. He is author of Marshall Memories A Pictorial History of Marshall University. He and his wife Barbara are the parents of four children and have eight grandchildren.
Workshop Session
Dr. Turner will conduct this workshop to get you thinking about the role of the news media in today's world in which many contend journalism ethics is a oxymoron. Participants will play the ethics game of "What would you do if faced with such and such ethical challenge? You will explore whether journalistic ethics is dead. Ethics often is a major issue for high school journalists and their roles with campus media. This session will boost your ethics score.


Sandy York is director of United High School Media and assistant director of the high school workshop. She earned a B.A. in advertising and a M.A.J. from W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University. She has been at the University since 1998.
Workshop Session
Using computers; design/layout issues.