About Beth Messner
Dr. Messner grew up on a small dairy farm just outside of Goshen, IN. She was inspired by an elementary school teacher to pursue a career as an educator. Her B.A. in Speech & Theatre Education provided a firm foundation for a lengthy teaching career at Ball State University. Dr. Messner is equally passionate about her work as a diversity advocate, a passion that drives her research and service activities. Since beginning her career at BSU, she has been recognized for her service to the university and the Muncie community, her advocacy for diversity, and her immersive learning projects. In her spare time, Dr. Messner enjoys gardening, reading, antiquing and spending time with her partner Al and their three fur children - - Carlyle, Gracie and Sadie.
Education
Ph.D., Bowling Green State University
M.A., Ball State University
B.S., Manchester College
Research Interests
- Rhetorical Criticism
- Social Movement Rhetoric
- Political Campaign Rhetoric
- Hate Speech
Teaching
COMM 310 Communication and Democracy
COMM 320 Persuasion
COMM 385 Rhetoric and Marginalized Voices
COMM 404 Political Communication
COMM 412 Rhetorical Criticism
COMM 425 Speechwriting
COMM 450 Rhetoric and Advocacy
COMM 611 Theories of Rhetoric
COMM 612 Rhetorical Criticism
Awards and Honors
- Outstanding Immersive Learning Award, Ball State University, 2017-2018
- Outstanding Diversity Advocate Award, Ball State University, 2012-2013
- City of Muncie Citizenship Award, Muncie City Council, February 2013
- Dean’s Faculty Award, College of Communication, Information and Media, 2011
- Outstanding Faculty Service Award, Ball State University, 2007-2008
- Outstanding Social Responsibility Award; College of Communication, Information, and Media, 2007-2008
Service/Community Involvement
- Co-Chair, Council on Diversity and Inclusion
- Chair; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force; College of Communication, Information and Media
- Member, Advisory Board, Center for Peace & Conflict Studies
- Primary Departmental Advisor, Department of Communication Studies
- Member, Curriculum and Program Development Committee, Department of Communication Studies
- Member, Promotion and Tenure Committee, Department of Communication Studies
- Fellow, Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry: “Learning from a Legacy of Hate” (2005) and “The Freedom Bus” (2014)
- Secretary, Martin Luther King Dream Team
- Volunteer, Freedom Bus
- Member, R.A.C.E (Reconciliation Achieved through Community Engagement)
Selected Publications
- Messner, B. A. (2018). Questioning my way to queer. In Facing LGBTQ Pride. Muncie, IN: The Facing Project.
- Messner, B. A. (2018). A teacher’s heart. In Facing Teaching. Muncie, IN: The Facing Project.
- Messner, B. A. (2016). I see things more clearly now. In Facing Racism. Muncie, IN: The Facing Project.
- Messner, B. A. (2015). Lending Hope. In Facing Depression. Muncie, IN: The Facing Project.
- Messner, B. A. (2013). Journeying from disbelief into acceptance - - Annie’s story. In Facing Autism. Muncie, IN: The Facing Project.
- Messner, B. A. (2012). My new house -- my new life. In Facing Poverty. Muncie, IN: TEAMwork for Quality Living.
- Messner, B. A. (2012). Black and tan clubs. In The Twenties in America. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press.
- Messner, B. A. (2011). Stepin Fetchit. In Great Lives from History: African Americans. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press.
- Messner, B. A. (2011). Amos n’ Andy. In The Thirties in America. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press.
- Messner, B. A., & Vail, M. T. (2009). A “city at war”: Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Communication Studies, 60(1), 17-31.
- 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.
- Apple, A.L., & Messner, B.A. (2001). Paranoia and paradox: The apocalyptic rhetoric of Christian Identity. Western Journal of Communication, 65(3), 206-227.