Education
B.S., Manchester College
M.A., Ball State University
Ph.D., Bowling Green State University
Teaching
COMM 201: Exploration of Communication Studies
COMM 320: Persuasion
COMM 385: Rhetoric and Public Advocacy – Investigating Hate Speech
COMM 401: Message Design for Communication Professionals
COMM 404: Political Communication
COMM 412: Rhetorical Criticism
COMM 420: Classical Rhetorical Theory
COMM 611: Theories of Rhetoric
COMM 612: Rhetorical Criticism
COMM 614: Contemporary Rhetoric and Social Issues
COMM 690: Narrative Theory and Criticism
Research interests include:
- Rhetorical Criticism
- Rhetorical Theory
- Social Movement Rhetoric
- Political Campaign Rhetoric
- Hate Speech
Selected publications:
Messner, B.A., & Vail, M.T. (2009). A “City at War”: Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Communication Studies, 60(1),
Messner, B. A. (2009). Madame C.J. Walker. In Historical Encyclopedia of American Business. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press
Messner, B. A. (2009). James Byrd Murder Case. In The Nineties in America. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press
Messner, B.A., Jipson, A., Becker, P.J., & Byers, B. (2007). The hardest hate: A sociological analysis of country hate music. Popular Music and Society, 30(4), 513-531.
Messner, B. A. (2008). United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Great Events in the 20th Century. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press.
Messner, B. A. (2006). Willis Carto. Notorious Lives. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press.
Messner, B. A. (January). White Citizens’ Councils. Fifties in America. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press.
Apple, A.L., & Messner, B.A. (2001). Paranoia and paradox: The apocalyptic rhetoric of Christian Identity. Western Journal of Communication, 65(3), 206-227.
Messner, B.A., & Buckrop, J.J. (2000). Restoring order: Interpreting suicide through a Burkean lens. Communication Quarterly, 48(1), 1-18.
Messner, B.A. (1997). Achetypal evolution and 'new birth' from codependency. Communication Studies, 48(1), 76-92.
Messner, B.A. (1996). 'Sizing up' codependency recovery. Western Journal of Communication, 60(2), 1-24.
Service
- Member, Diversity Interest Group, College of Communication, Information and Media (2005 - present)
- Member, Advisory Board, Center for Peace & Conflict Studies (2008-present)
- Chair and Member, Creative Arts Committee (2006 - present)
- Primary Departmental Advisor, Department of Communication Studies (2004 - present)
- Member and Past Chair, Curriculum and Program Development Committee, Department of Communication Studies (1992 – present)
- Member, Past Chair and Chair, Promotion and Tenure Committee, Department of Communication Studies (1994–1997, 1998-1999, 2002-present)
- Past Advisor, COMM Club (NCASC, BSU Chapter) (1999-2004)
- Past University Senator and Member of Faculty Council (2004-2006)
- Past Chair and Member, Academic Policies Council, University Senate (1997-2003)
- Member and Past Officer, “Freedom and Responsibilities of Speech” Division, Central States Communication Association (2002 – present)
- Past Member, Education Steering Committee, Indiana Civil Rights Commission (2006-2008)
- Member, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (2008 – present)
- Fellow, Diversity Associates Program (2004-2005; 2008-2009)
- Fellow, Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry (2004-2005)
- Member, Communicating Common Group Initiative, National Communication Association (2005 – present)
Awards and Honors:
- Outstanding Faculty Service Award, Ball State University (2007-2008)
- Outstanding Social Responsibility Award; College of Communication, Information, and Media (2007-2008)
- Outstanding Teaching Award, Department of Communication Studies (2006-2007)
- Educator of the Year, Muncie Human Rights Commission (2006)
- Outstanding Teaching Award, Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority (Spring 2005)
- Co-Recipient (with Marisa Fuoti), Service-Learning Award; College of Communication, Information, and Media (2003-2004)
- Teaching Award; College of Communication, Information, and Media (August 2002-2003)
- Teaching Award, Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority (Fall 2003)
- Outstanding Faculty Award, Mortar Board Society, (1997-1998, 1995-1996)
- Outstanding Faculty Award, Student Government Association, (1995-1996)
- Outstanding Professor Award (Fall 1991), Delta Delta Delta Sorority