Beth Messner
Associate Professor in Communication Studies
About Beth Messner
Dr. Messner grew up on a small dairy farm 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 advancing inclusive excellence, 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 inclusive excellence, and her immersive learning projects. In her spare time, Dr. Messner enjoys gardening, reading, antiquing and spending time with her fur children—Addie, Sadie, and Lulu.
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
- Public Memory and Commemoration
- Hate Speech
Teaching
COMM 100 Intergroup Dialogue
COMM 310 Communicating Democracy
COMM 320 Persuasion
COMM 385 Rhetoric & Marginalized Voices
COMM 404 Political Communication
COMM 412 Rhetorical Theory & Criticism
COMM 425 Speechwriting
COMM 450 Rhetoric & Advocacy
COMM 611 Theories of Rhetoric
COMM 612 Rhetorical Criticism
Awards and Honors
- Excellence in Inclusive Excellence, College of Communication, Information and Media, 2021
- Outstanding Immersive Learning Award, Ball State University, 2017-2018
- Excellence in Social Responsibility, College of Communication, Information and Media, 2016
- Outstanding Diversity Advocate Award, Ball State University, 2012-2013
- Dean’s Faculty Award, College of Communication, Information and Media, 2011
- Outstanding Faculty Service Award, Ball State University, 2007-2008
Service/Community Involvement
- Member, Advisory Board, Center for Peace & Conflict Studies
- Primary Departmental Advisor, Department of Communication Studies
- Chair, 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: Journey to Freedom (2023), “The Freedom Bus” (2014), “Learning from a Legacy of Hate” (2005)
- Martin Luther King Dream Team: Coordinator of the Freedom Bus and “Struggle for Freedom” public history projects, Chair of the Black History Month Committee
Selected Publications
- Lowery, K., Warren-Gordon, K., Griffin, W. B., Donati, J., Messner, B., Stewart, D., & Thompson, Y. (2024). Warp and Weft: Weaving a Community of Practice for Antiracism in Indiana. Collaborations: A Journal of Community-Based Research and Practice, 7(1): 3, pp. 1–10.
- 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.