Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Journalism, School of Journalism, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. 2003.  Dissertation title: Community newspapers as instruments of social control: Framing Prison Site Selection in Rural Illinois.  

Master of Arts in Public Relations, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 1996. Thesis title: Comparative research into credibility attributed to uniformed versus non-uniformed defense sources.

Bachelor of Science. United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 1976.  Majored in Far Eastern Studies with Mandarin Chinese language specialty.

Teaching Experience

Bradley University

Assistant Professor of Communication, Slane College of Communication and Fine Arts, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois (1999-present).  Temporary rank 1999-2003.  Tenure track August, 2004-present.
Courses taught: Three courses per semester plus summer courses.

Public Relations (Introductory survey course)
Public Relations Writing
Research Techniques for Public Relations/
Strategic Communications Research
Public Relations in a Global Environment
Public Relations: Cases and Campaigns
Independent Study (Communication)

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

• Instructor of Record: (1997-1999)
  Magazine Management and Production.
• Teaching Assistant: (Spring, 1998)
  Introduction to Mass Communication Research.  

Third Fleet, United States Navy

Curriculum design/Chief instructor: (1994-1996)
Media Relations Training Sequence for senior U.S. Navy and Marine Corps commanders preparing for overseas assignment    

Department of Defense

Curriculum design/Lead instructor: (1991-1994)
Defense Department Joint Public Affairs Advanced Course

George Washington University

Invited guest lecturer: (March 1992)
Public Relations Theory Course in March, 1992.

Defense Information School

Chief instructor and instructor evaluator, Public Affairs Department: (1989-1991)  
Taught blocks of instruction blocks in public affairs, journalism and
broadcasting

Refereed Conference Papers

Thurwanger, M.L. (August, 2005).  Community newspapers as members of the local
growth coalition: Framing discourse surrounding community initiatives.  Unpublished paper presented to the Mass Communications and Society Division, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication convention, San Antonio, TX.

Thurwanger, Michael L. (August, 2004).  Community newspapers as instruments of
social control: Updating Community Conflict and the Press.  Unpublished paper presented before the Newspaper Division, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication convention, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Thurwanger, Michael L. & Jaehnig, Walter B. (August, 2004). Ethics of newspapers  
in prison communities: Imprisoned by their economic role?  Unpublished paper
presented before the Media Ethics Division, Association for Education in
Journalism and Mass Communication convention, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Ramaprasad, Jyotika, & Thurwanger, Michael L. (1998).  South Asian student
attitudes toward and beliefs about advertising: Measuring across cultures.  Unpublished paper presented before the International Division at the 1998 AEJMC National Convention.

Thurwanger, Michael L. (1997).  Public framing, public journalism and public
relations: Implications for proactive communications. Unpublished paper presented at the inaugural conference for the Center for Mass Communication Research at the University of South Carolina on “Framing the New Media Landscape.”   

Thurwanger, Michael L. (1997).  World War II press censorship: A comparison of
editorials in journalism trade publications and general circulation newspapers. Unpublished paper presented at the 1997 American Journalism Historian Association’s annual conference in Mobile, AL.

 

Professional Presentations/Workshops

Thurwanger, Michael L. (June 20, 2006).  Something to Talk About: Working with the Media to Promote a Positive Public Image.  Workshop presentation at the Illinois School Nutrition Association 56th Annual Conference at the Pere Marquette Hotel, Peoria, IL.

Continuing Education

• Workshop in Basic Fundraising, participant in 1-day workshop for professional fundraising and development programs.  Sponsored by the Central Illinois Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals in September 2005.
• Disaster Public Affairs I, attended day-long training session in crisis communication for American Red Cross volunteers in April 2005.  Course is required for volunteer participants in ARC/PRSSA Power-of-Two volunteer program.
• Blackboard Training for Faculty, attended Blackboard Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced training sessions during January 2002 interim period.
• Student Engagement in the University, participated in summer workshop cosponsored by the American Association of Higher Education, the Central Illinois Higher Education Consortium, and the Illinois State University Center for the Advancement of Teaching. July 18, 2001.
• Redefining the News: The Evolution of Civic Journalism, workshop participant.  Co-sponsored by the Pew Center for Civic Journalism,  the AEJMC Civic Journalism Special Interest Group and hosted by the Elliott School of Journalism at Wichita State University, 1998.
• Television Broadcast Skills Course, Defense Information School, Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN. 1991.  
• U.S Army Instructor/Supervisor Course Sequence: Faculty Training Course; Staff and Faculty Development Training Course for Instructors and Curriculum Developers; and the Instructor Evaluation Workshop—1989.
• Public Affairs Officers Course, Defense Information School, Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN.  Graduated with honors, 1989.
• Air Force Short Course in Communication, University of Oklahoma.  Class honor graduate, 1983.

 

Grants

• Network news conformity to AAPOR disclosure standards for opinion poll reporting prior to the 2004 presidential election.”  Submitted with Dr. Greg Pitts.  Awarded this Bradley University grant for faculty/student collaboration for 2004-2005.
• Strengthening Journalism Education in South Asia.  Assisted in drafting   the grant proposal and justification, prepared budget and assembled all supporting documentation.  Supervised final compilation and submission of proposal package.  The approved grant was co-sponsored by the U.S. Information Agency and SIUC.  Total funding for the grant exceeded $200,000, 1997-1998.
• FY 1997 College and University Affiliation Program—Proposed affiliation between Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and the University of Poona (India). Assisted in drafting the grant proposal and budget, compiled and submitted the final package to the U.S. Information Agency. The proposal survived initial review stages but was not the final selection for the region, 1998-1999.

 

Service

• Bradley University Faculty Senate, Department of Communication Representative, May 2005-May 2007.
• Chapter Secretary, PRSA Central Illinois Chapter for 2005-present.
• Board Member-At-Large, Public Relations Association of Central Illinois, May 2006-present.
• PRSA-American Red Cross Power-of-Two Volunteer, May 2005 – present.
• Department of Communication Scholarship Committee, Fall’2004-present.
• PRSA Central Illinois Chapter Scholarship Committee, 2003-present
• AEJMC Public Relations Division, Membership Committee Co-Chair, 2004-2005, 2005-2006.
• Faculty Advisor to the Ronald Solberg Chapter of PRSSA at Bradley University--1999 to present.
• U.S. Naval Academy Information Officer, served as United States Naval Academy Information Officer for Peoria area high schools from 2000-present.  
• Graduate Faculty Committee, School of Journalism, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.—Graduate representative, 1997-1998, 1998-1999.
• School of Journalism’s “Blue Book.”  Revised and redesigned the 1998-1999 version of the school’s Guide to Graduate Programs
• SIUC Journalism Graduate Students Association, Vice President, 1997-1998.
• Recommendations for Strengthening Journalism Education in South Asia.  Assisted in drafting, designing and publishing booklet based on experience and observations of grant participants, 1998.
• Southern Illinois Student Publications Association, Served as competition judge: Editorial Writing—1997, Yearbook Cover Design—1998.
• Brehm Communications Community Newspaper Competition.  Judged  special advertising campaigns—1997, special promotional sections—1998.
• Southern Illinois Student Publications Association. Presented workshops in magazine writing and magazine graphic design—Fall 1997 and Spring 1998.
• Strengthening Journalism Education in South Asia.  Assisted in design and preparation of proceedings following five nation conference, 1997.  
• McCormick Foundation Conference on the Military and the Media. Assisted in planning and coordination. Participated in inaugural conference, 1992.
• Desert Storm Prisoner of War Conference.  Recognized for contributions to the conference as public affairs representative and advisor, 1992.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency. Served as Department of Defense public information representative to the national emergency response team, 1990-1992.
• Public Relations Society of America Accreditation Team. Served as member of Defense Information School’s successful PRSA accreditation effort, 1989.
• Research/Publications Reviewer.
• AEJMC, Public Relations Division, Paper Review, 2005 and 2006.
• Journal of Asian Communication, proposed articles, 2006.
• American Journalism Historians Association, 2006.

 

Awards and Honors

• Who’s Who Among American Teachers.  Nominated in 2002, 2003 and 2005.  Included in seventh, eighth and ninth editions as a result of student nominations.
• Delta Tau Delta Teacher of the Year.  Recognized as Zeta Omega Chapter’s Teacher of the Year for 2002-2003. 
• Sigma Delta Tau Teacher of the Year.  Recognized by Bradley University chapter of Sigma Delta Tau sorority as one of their selections for “Teacher of the Year,” 2001-2002.
• U.S. Naval Academy Director’s Award.  Presented the Director’s Award by U.S. Naval Academy Admissions for “outstanding service in support of the Naval Academy Information Program” in 2002 and 2005.
• Graduate Student Award from SIUC School of Journalism, 1997-1998.
• Journalism Outstanding Graduate Student (one of two) for the academic year, 1997-1998.
• Dean’s Citation from Ball State University for completion of the masters degree program with a 4.0 grade point average, 1996.
• Honor Graduate, Air Force Short Course in Communication Studies at the University of Oklahoma.  Completion with highest overall grade point average, 1983.

Awarded various military commendations and awards including:

• Defense Superior Service Medal for service as Senior Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.  Highest medal awarded in the Department of Defense for service outside of combat.
• Joint Meritorious Service Medal.
• Navy Meritorious Service Medal.
• Navy Commendation Medal (Two awards).
• Joint Service Achievement Medal (Two awards).
• Navy Achievement Medal.
• National Defense Service Medal (Two awards).
• Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (Three awards).
• Overseas Service Ribbon.

 

Affiliations

• Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Member of AEJMC Communication Theory and Methodology Division, International Communication Division, Public Relations Division and the Media Ethics Division.
• Public Relations Society of America, 1995-present.
  • Central Illinois PRSSA Chapter, 2000-present.
  • St. Louis PRSSA Chapter, 1996-2000.
  • San Diego PRSSA Chapter, 1995-1996.
• Public Relations Association of Peoria, 2000-present.
• Phi Kappa Phi, Inter-Disciplinary Honor Society
• Kappa Tau Alpha. Journalism Honor Society

 

 
Professional Work Experience

Retired as Commander, United States Navy in June, 1996.

Completed successful military career, including more than 16 years of diverse experience across the full spectrum of public relations and journalism disciplines including magazine, newspaper and publicity writing; magazine design, production and management.  Skilled instructor with teaching experience in classroom, laboratory and extension settings.  Developed and tailored training programs to meet emerging requirements, responsible for evaluating the curricula and lesson plans of others.  Attained extensive experience in media relations, crisis communication, strategic communication and international and intercultural communication.

Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Third Fleet, 1994-1996.  

• Supervised immediate staff of seven. Prepared and administered public relations budget.   
• Principal media spokesman/public relations counsel for Third Fleet, an organization of 35,000 people dispersed throughout the Eastern Pacific region.
• Initiated Third Fleet web site leading to instant public access to fleet information and international media access to press releases and photos.  
• Directed public relations support for highly visible international events including Russian naval visit to Hawaii and multi-national Pacific Rim exercise including production of the Discovery Channel documentary, “Battle Force.”

Senior Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, 1992-1994.

• Selected as Executive Assistant to Pentagon spokesperson.  Formulated communications points used by Secretary of Defense and senior officials.
• Maintained daily liaison with the press offices of the White House, National Security Council, State Department, and other executive agencies.
• Coordinated all Pentagon press briefings, accompanied Secretary of Defense (Richard Cheney, Les Aspin and William Perry) during overseas travel to arrange press conferences and media events.
• Advised Assistant Secretary on crisis communication, media pool operations in combat, media access, and training issues.   

Plans Officer, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, 1991-1992.

• Participated in consultation and negotiations leading to Military-Media adoption of “Nine Points for Combat Coverage” following Persian Gulf War.
• Designed and implemented curriculum for the new Joint Public Affairs Advanced Course to address issues identified during Operation Desert Storm.
• Developed communications strategies for high visibility and crisis operations including the Haitian crisis, East Los Angeles riots, and operations in Somalia.
• Served as Department of Defense media liaison to Federal Emergency Management Agency during disaster assistance including Hurricane Andrew.

Deputy Director/Instructor, Public Affairs Department, Defense Information School, 1989-1991

• Second in command of naval detachment.  Responsible for supervision, training, and evaluation of approximately 150 students, staff and faculty.
• Assistant director of the Public Affairs Department—assisted in administering department budget, supervised department faculty and staff of  20 people.  
• Lead instructor for Public Affairs Department.  Directed curriculum development and review.  Evaluated instructor performance and training.
• Developed extension courses in media training, media relations, and crisis communication utilized by Navy, Naval Reserve and Coast Guard commands.

 

Public Affairs Officer, Commander Carrier Group FIVE, 1985-1988.

• Managed staff of five. Prepared and administered public relations budget.
• Chief media spokesman/public relations advisor to naval leaders of units totaling 15,000 people and operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans.
• Directed public relations support for first U.S. Navy visit to People's Republic of China.  Advanced all press and protocol arrangements for the visit.
• Developed media relations policy for U.S.-Kuwaiti escort operations in the Persian Gulf with successful activation of Department of Defense media pool.

Deputy Director, Navy Office of Information Northwest, 1983-1985.

• Directed media placement effort in five state area of Pacific Northwest.  Worked closely with print and broadcast journalists throughout the region.
• Arranged U.S. Navy support for regional and community special events including Seattle Seafair, Portland Rose Festival and other civic celebrations.
• Formed local sponsor organizations to support commissioning of  namesake ships including USS Henry M. Jackson, USS Olympia and USS Alaska.
• Worked closely with federal, state and local agencies during environmental impact hearings and strategic homeporting process in Pacific Northwest. 

Editor/Production Manager, Navy Internal Relations Activity, 1981-1983.

• Assistant director, supervised 15 military/10 civilian employees.  Responsible for personnel matters including military and professional training.  
• Managed production of seven periodicals including All Hands, the Navy's flagship publication, and of special publications for Navy-wide distribution.
• Introduced state-of-the-art publication graphics and design computer capabilities including desktop publishing and full pagination.
• Edited Navy Newsgram, a weekly print update, and produced Navy Log, a weekly radio package.  Both were distributed worldwide.

Personal Information

Born in San Diego on June 13, 1954.  Married to Christina Joan Anderson on May 20, 1978.  Three daughters: Rebecca, 20; Ruth, 19; and Hannah, 15.