David E. Sumner
Professor Emeritus
David E. Sumner, PhD, is professor emeritus of journalism. He was head of the magazine media track and adviser to Ball Bearings magazine from 1990 to 2015. During his 25 years at Ball State, he taught courses in feature and magazine writing, magazine publishing, opinion writing, religion reporting, and literary journalism. He is internationally recognized for his scholarship and has spoken or taught at conferences in Canada, Honduras and Turkey. He has presented papers or talks at three dozen journalism conferences in the U.S. He received the "Magazine Educator of the Year" award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and Distinguished Faculty Alumnus recognition from the University of Tennessee College of Communication.
Dr. Sumner is the author or co-author of ten books including 2nd or 3rd editions: The Magazine Century: American Magazines in 20th Century (2nd ed. 2023), Amos Alonzo Stagg: College Football's Greatest Pioneer (2021); Fumbled Call: The Bear Bryant-Wally Butts Football Scandal that Split the Supreme Court (2018); Feature and Magazine Writing: Action, Angle and Anecdotes, (3rd. ed., 2013); Magazines: A Complete Guide to the Industry (2006); Graduate Programs in Journalism and Mass Communication (1996) and The Episcopal Church’s History 1945-1985 (1987). His book American magazine history, The Magazine Century, has been cited in 160 journal articles, dissertations, or books in more than 15 countries. He has written several articles for the Encyclopedia Britannica Yearbook, Georgia Historical Quarterly, Encyclopedia of Tennessee History and Culture, and Encyclopedia of International Media and Communications. He is currently writing his eleventh book on "The Rise and Fall of Florida's Citrus Industry Since 1865" about his native Florida where his family's involvement in the citrus industry dates back to the 1880s.
Sumner earned the PhD in communication from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; a Master's degree from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee; and a B.A. from Stetson University, DeLand, Florida. He lives with his wife, Elise, in Anderson, Indiana. When he isn't writing, he is likely doing volunteer work for his church, reading about American history, or running and hiking.