Meet Our Personnel

Charles W. Elliott (Chair)

Dr. Elliott is a Professor of Communication Arts and the Chair of the department. Chuck comes to Cedarville University from Hong Kong where he served as Chair of the Department of Communication Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Social Science from Cedarville College in 1977 and his Masters and Ph.D. in Mass Communications from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He teaches classes in communication theory and intercultural communication. Research interests include exploring cultural values in mediated communication and the impact of technology on social life. Dr. Elliot has been teaching at Cedarville University since the Fall of 2003.

J. Wesley Baker

Dr. Baker serves as Distinguished Professor of Communication Arts as well as the Faculty Liaison for CedarNet. After earning his B.A. in Radio-Television Production from Bob Jones University (1972), Dr. Baker received his M.A. in Journalism from the University of South Carolina (1980) and his Ph.D. in Communication from The Ohio State University (1991). He has worked in broadcasting, film and web-based media ever since. Dr. Baker studies how to effectively use information technology for teaching and learning and has presented a number of workshops and faculty in-services for the Council of Independent Colleges, the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, and several other colleges and universities across the country. Dr. Baker has worked in the broadcasting industry for over 40 years, and has appeared in several Christian films. He has a specific interest in media law and ethics, the challenges of an image-based culture, social responsibility of the media, and the role of technology in teaching and learning. He and his wife, Rebecca, have four children.

Rebecca M. Baker

Rebecca Baker serves as Associate Professor of Communication Arts with masters degrees in performance and speech pathology. She is a member of a national speech trainers association and specializes in professional voice work. Mrs. Baker serves as artistic chair of the Ohio Lyric Theatre which produces musicals for the community as well as sponsoring KIDSTAGE, a drama outreach for local youth. She is active as an actor in local productions, and serves as director for community and Cedarville University productions. Her classes focus on acting, vocal and physical skills for performance, and Christian approach to theatre as a vibrant connection in our culture. She and her husband, Wes, have four children--Vanessa, Nathan, Kati and Elizabeth.

David G. Bastress

Mr. Bastress serves as the Electronic Media Technician in the Communication Arts Department.  He came to Cedarville fulltime in 2002.  A graduate of P.B.T.S. (now Davis College) in 1970 and from John Brown Univ. in 1981,  he has worked in communication systems design, construction and maintenance, broadcast engineering and antenna manufacturing.  His interests are providing technical assistance to small groups or individuals and amateur radio.  He and his wife Joy have 3 sons and 8 grandchildren.

Deborah Bissett

Deborah R. Bissett serves as the Administrative Assistant of Communication Arts. She has a BA in Bible, with a concentration in Elementary Education. She has served in areas of leadership in her church and community, taught and directed ladies and children’s ministries, and is actively involved in missions. In her spare time, she loves to read, garden, bike with her husband, and video chat with her kids and granddaughters. She and her husband have 2 children.

Robert L. Clements

Robert L. Clements serves as Assistant Professor of Communication Arts. He has a B.A. from Bob Jones University (1970), an M.Ed. from Wright State University (1983) and continues graduate work at The Ohio State University and Wright State University. He is a member of the United Institute of Theatre Technology and CITA (Christians in the Arts) at the Association for Theater Higher Education. He has over forty years of experience in directing and theatrical design. His extensive expertise has made him the ideal Program Coordinator for Theater at Cedarville where he directs and is involved in set and lighting design. His award winning scenic, lighting, and costume designs have been used on church, high school, and university stages. He teaches Intro to Theater, Intro to Technical Theater, Play Production, Scenic Design, Lighting Designs, and Scenic Painting.

Jeffrey Gilbert

Jeff Gilbert serves as an Assistant Professor of Communication Arts in the area of journalism. He received his B.A. in Broadcasting at Cedarville in 1987. Jeff worked for 22 years in the newspaper industry as a sports writer, copy editor, page designer and sports editor. He teaches print classes in reporting, writing, editing and design while incorporating the emerging online tools that are shaping the future of how news is delivered. He prepares students to find the stories that need to be told and to uphold high journalistic ethics and standards. Jeff and his wife, Amy, have three daughters and live in Jamestown. He loves to spend time with his family and friends, is a sports fan of all sorts, loves to coach basketball and play golf.

Derrick L. Green

Derrick Green graduated from Cedarville College in 1997 with a BA in Communication Studies with a specialization in Organizational Communication. While attending CU, he competed for Cedarville’s Individual Events forensic team. From 1997-1999, Derrick attended Miami University as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in speech communication and assisted in coaching Miami's individual events forensic team. While teaching at Kansas State University from 1999-2002, he worked as assistant Individual Events coach. He has worked extensively with Individual Events Forensics teams at all three schools. Joining the faculty of Cedarville University in the Fall of 2002, he teaches Fundamentals of Speech and also functions as assistant coach for the Individual Events Speech Team. Derrick is single and lives in the town of Cedarville.

Deborah B. Haffey

Dr. Deborah Haffey serves as Professor of Communication Arts, teaching public speaking and political communication at Cedarville University since 1986. She earned her B.A. from Cedarville College (1968), her M.A. from The Ohio State University (1969), and her PhD from The Ohio State University (2002). Listed among the honors she has received are: the Faculty of the Year Award, 1998; the Alumni Association Distinguished Educator Award, 2006; the University Service Award, 2009; and recognition for her debate coaching accomplishments from the National Educational Debate Association on three separate occasions. She is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society, and has been listed in Who’s Who Among Women in the US. She is co-founder and director of The Miriam Maddox Forum, an honor society of communication arts alumni who share an interest in public speaking and performance. Dr. Haffey is co-director of Women of Vision, a campus organization associated with World Vision International which seeks to serve the poor in the name of Jesus Christ. She and her husband David have three adult children, and a growing bevy of grandchildren.

Donald N. C. Jones

Donald Jones has a B.A. and serves as artistic director, designer, and technical director for more than 35 years in educational and professional theatre and won numerous awards. He has worked in film, opera, classical, and educational theater and is a member of ATHE (Association for Theatre in Higher Education), the American Crafts Council, and USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology). He teaches Stagecraft, 1, 2, 3, and 4, Introduction to Design, Costume Design, Makeup Design, and Costume History.

James L. Kragel

Mr. Jim Kragel serves as Associate Professor of Communication Arts. He earned his M.A. in Communications from Wheaton College and has been at Cedarville since 1994. He teaches classes in Digital Film, Television, and Video Production. His heart is to see Cedarville graduates in the Feature Film Industry in Los Angeles, California. He has helped to produce numerous professional videos for a variety of Christian ministries, including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Somewhere Forever Ministries, and Answers in Genesis. He also spends many hours outside of class working with students in professional internship opportunities through Disney, Dateline, CNN, Fox Sports, and the Summer Olympics. Many graduates from the program can be found in various corners of the globe serving the Lord through Media Technology and Missions organizations. Mr. Kragel and his wife Julie have two sons: David and Jonathan. His interests outside of communication arts and video production are any sports (but especially golf).

James O. Leightenheimer

James Leightenheimer serves as Associate Professor of Communication Arts. He earned his B.A. in Communication Arts and Broadcasting from Cedarville College (1980) his M.A. in Telecommunications Management from Ohio University (1989), and also graduated from the New Technology program at the Recording Workshop in Chillicothe, Ohio. Mr. "L", as the students call him, teaches classes in the audio production, management, and sales emphases of the electronic media major. During his time at Cedarville, he has received the Faculty Member of the Year Award, Faculty Advisor of the Year, and Faculty Innovator of the Year. In addition to teaching, Jim is the advisor for Cedarville University’s student radio station, Resoundradio.com, serves as the afternoon host for the CDR Radio Network, and is a member of the Educational Resource Assistance Program Committee at the University, which facilitates Cedarville graduates as teachers in China. Jim and his wife, Beth, have five children, ranging in age from 14 to 28. When he is not on campus, Mr. Leightenheimer spends time with his family, reading, working on his home, hunting, or canoeing.

J. Michael López

Dr. López serves as Professor of Communication Arts. He earned his Ph.D. in Communication from The Ohio State University in 1985 and has a broad range of research interests that he explores cooperatively with undergraduate students. Outside the classroom, he is interested in restoring historic structures and works to renovate old structures and build new homes for first-time buyers in the Springfield, Ohio, area. He and his wife, Shelley, are very involved in community ministry through their church and are known for their neighborly hospitality.

Mischelle M. McIntosh

Ms. McIntosh serves as Assistant Professor of Communication Arts and Media Research, focusing on Documentary Film. She graduated from Cedarville College in 1977 with her B.A. in Speech Education. She has a M.A. in Dramatic Productions, and a M.A. in Communications. Mischelle also serves on the Theatre Arts Committee and directs University Play Productions. A specific area of interest to Prof. McIntosh is the integration of theatre and documentary film. She is a member of the International Documentary Association. She began teaching at Cedarville as an adjunct instructor in 1993 and has been full-time at the University since 1999. Mischelle has two children, Whitney and Jason and one granddaughter, Savannah Grace. Mischelle participates in local community theatre productions and is also very involved in church drama and media.

Diane Conrad - Merchant

Dr. Merchant serves as Professor of Communication Arts on the faculty for the Theatre program. She earned her B.A. in Speech and Secondary Education at Cedarville College (1978) and taught high school English, theatre and speech in Elyria, Ohio for eight years. She conducted postgraduate work in theatre (Directing, Playwriting and Dramaturgy) at Kent State University, and completed her Ph.D. in Theatre Education at The Ohio State University in 1996. Coming first as an adjunct faculty member in 1986, Dr. Merchant assumed a full-time position at the College in 1989. She teaches Theatre History, Dramaturgy, Directing, Educational Theatre, Theatre of Social Change, Arts Administration, and the Professional Preparation Seminar for theatre majors. Dr. Merchant is a member of the professional labor union, the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and maintains active memberships in the Association of Theatre in Higher Education, Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas, and the American Allliance of Theatre in Education. She and her husband, Mahlon, have one son.

Matthew M. Moore

Matthew Moore is an Associate Professor for Communication Arts. He received his B.A. from Cedarville College in 1992 and M.A. from Miami University in 1997. Professor Moore received an MFA in classical acting from the George Washington University in 2008. He is active as a professional voiceover artist, actor, and director in central Ohio and has a passion for using scripture as a dramatic text. From 2000 to 2006, Professor Moore served as the Director of Forensics leading the Cedarville University speech team to four state championships and three national championships among Christian higher learning institutions. Professor Moore has served at Cedarville since 1998. He and his wife, Cindy, live in the Cedarville area.

Kurt D. Moreland

Kurt Moreland serves as Associate Professor of Communication Arts. He received his B.A. from Cedarville College in 1976 and his M.A. from West Virginia University in 1978. He has completed all of his work for his Ph.D. from Purdue University except his dissertation. His research interests specifically include crisis communication and negotiation. In addition to teaching organizational communication, Mr. Moreland serves as the Advisor for the student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. Outside the classroom, Kurt enjoys sports and drumcorps competition. He has been at Cedarville since 1981.

James R. Phipps

Dr. Phipps is a Senior Professor of Communication Arts and has taught at Cedarville College/University since the fall of 1968. He received his B.A. in Speech and English from Cedarville College in 1968, his M.A. in Broadcasting from Ohio State University in 1970 and his Ph.D. in Communication from Ohio State University in 1975. He served as Chair of the Department of Communication Arts for 32 years and now serves the department in other capacities along with teaching. His specialties are in historical communication, leadership, storytelling, and interpersonal, persuasive, and media communication. Since 1996, Jim has also been the Mayor for the Village of Cedarville. On campus, he was known as the Radio Voice of the Yellow Jackets for 32 years. Off campus, he has interim pastured five churches. He also enjoys working with cars, making golf clubs, and serving at the local church. Jim and his wife Patricia make their home in Cedarville.

Timothy Phipps

Tim Phipps holds the position of Assistant Technical Director/Production Manager. He graduated from Cedarville University in 2003 with a B.A. in Multimedia Tech and Broadcasting with a minor in Bible. Tim oversees house management of productions, supervises student workers with theatre, operates the scene shop, works with designers to build sets for productions on campus, and administrates the operation and promotion of theatre on campus. He is passionate about mentoring and teaching students in the implementation of designs and effectively utilizing theater technology. Tim is also a member of United State Institute of Theatre Technology. He and his wife Brittany live in Cedarville. Tim joined the Communication Arts Department in the fall of 2004.

Margaret Stowell Wheeler

Margaret Wheeler serves as Associate Professor of Communication Arts. She received her B.A. from Cedarville College in 1964 and her Masters in Educational Leadership from Central State University in 1998. Prof. Wheeler serves as the Coordinator of the Fundamentals Program, and is a member of the National Basic Course Directors, National Communication and the Ohio Communication Association. Currently, she teaches Introduction to Communication Arts, and Fundamentals of Speech. Prof. Wheeler was awarded the 2008 SOCHE Excellence Award for exemplary teaching and is known for creating a positive learning atmosphere in the classroom and strong relationships with her advisees. Professor Wheeler was also the 2007-2008 Miracle Yearbook Dedication recipient. She has been at Cedarville since 1988. She and her husband, Bill, use their holidays to visit their 6 daughters and their families.