Topic: College of Communication Information and Media

September 1, 2009

One of the nation's leading producers of music documentaries brings his storytelling skills to the students of Ball State University.

Robert Mugge, nationally recognized for his tireless and prolific work for producing award-winning films about traditional American music and musicians for three decades, has been named the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball endowed chair in telecommunications at Ball State.

"Ball State has outstanding faculty and facilities in the arts, journalism, broadcasting and, especially, my own area of telecommunications. I look forward to sharing my experiences as a documentary filmmaker and storyteller in the classroom, helping students to understand the continuing power of video and audio to inform, entertain, inspire and empower, regardless of how electronic media may evolve and proliferate in the decades to come. I consider it an honor and a privilege to be a part of such an extraordinary institution during this time of unparalleled growth and visionary leadership."

Joe Misiewicz, telecommunications department chair, said students will have access to Mugge's unique blend of academics and storytelling developed from years of work as a tireless and prolific documentary filmmaker.

"His documentary work has clearly demonstrated his desire to do serious research and preserve memorable moments and people," he said. "His focus on music will be an attraction to various immersion programs on campus, and having worked 30 years independently by seeking funding, writing grants, working with various crews all over the world allows Bob to bring to class a perspective on financing and working with various groups and crews throughout the United States."  

Mugge received a bachelor's degree in film and associated art media from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and completed a year of graduate study as part of Temple University's documentary filmmaking program. He also studied practical film theory in 1974 at the American Film Institute.

Mugge also was the filmmaker in residence for the Mississippi Public Broadcasting and the Foundation for Public Broadcasting in Mississippi from 2003 to 2005.

By Marc Ransford, Senior Communications Strategist