Notes of Interest about...

Karl Payton Associate Professor, Communication Studies LeTourneau University Longview, Texas

Contact Information

Office Location: Heath-Hardwick Hall, Room 121
Phone: 903-233-3385
Fax: 903-233-3476
Mailing Address: LeTourneau University, P.O. Box 7001, Longview, TX 75607-7001
E-mail: KarlPayton@letu.edu

Education

• BA, Religion and Speech Communication, Trevecca Nazarene University, 1976
• MA, Organizational Communication, Western Kentucky University, 1994
• EdD (ABD), Supervision, Curriculum, and Instruction in Higher Education, Texas A&M University - Commerce, anticipate Dec 2010

Research Interests

• My Master's Thesis, "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Corporate Soft Skills Training: An Exploratory Study," set the tone for my continuing interest in assessment of training and learning. The initial direction of my doctoral work was in assessment of college-level public speaking courses. While this remains an area of interest, my dissertation research focuses on Communication Apprehension.

Professional Background

• Adjunct Professor, Communication Studies, Trevecca Nazarene University, 1998-2002
• Adjunct Professor, Speech Communication, Austin Peay State University, 2000-2001
• Adjunct Professor, Communication, Volunteer State Community College, 1995-1996
• Adjunct Professor, Speech Communication, Western Kentucky University, 1994-1996
• Pastor, First Church of the Nazarene, Dickson, TN, 1996-2001
• Employee Communication Mgr. & Executive Speechwriter - BellSouth Telecommunications, 1988-1996
• Business Marketing Specialist / Media Producer - BellSouth Telecommunications, 1976-1988

Professional Memberships and Affiliations

• Texas Speech Communication Association
• Religious Communication Association
• American Communication Association

Special Achievements

• Ordained Minister, Church of the Nazarene, 1998
• Named "Outstanding Graduate Student" - Department of Speech Communication and Broadcasting, Western Kentucky University, 1993
• A founding member and charter vice president of Intercollegiate Religious Broadcasters - the collegiate division of National Religious Broadcasters - while serving as manager of WNAZ-FM, Trevecca Nazarene College, 1974-1975
• Commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Wendell Ford, 1974

Campus Assignments

• Creator and Editor of "Writers' Bloc" -- the official newsletter of LeTourneau University's Department of English
• 2003-2004 - Committee Chair: "Student Publications and Communication"
• 2003-2004 - Committee Chair: "Social Activities"
• January, 2004 to December, 2006 - Faculty Representative to the Reaffirmation Leadership Team and Chair of the Compliance Certification Committee for the University's 2006 SACS review.
• 2006-2007 / 2007-2008 - Committee Chair: "Accreditation and Assessment"
• 2006-2007 - School of Arts & Sciences representative to the Teaching Faculty Organization and TFO Secretary
• 2008-2009 - Committee Member: "Student Publications and Communication"
• 2009-2010 - Committee Chair: "Student Publications and Communication"

Personal Notes

Some random things about me you might find interesting...
• Although I am nearing completion of a doctoral program, I am not yet "Doctor" Payton. I am, however, both an ordained minister and a Kentucky Colonel. Although "Reverend" and "Colonel" are both technically correct, I find neither title necessary. Students seem to prefer calling me "Mr. Payton" (at least to my face).
• I came to LeTourneau in the Fall of 2002. Prior to that, while in transition from pastoral ministry, I taught Speech Comm and Video Production at my alma mater, Trevecca Nazarene University, in Nashville, Tennessee. Many of my "war stories" come from 20 years in the corporate world with BellSouth Telecommunications, where I did marketing and public relations work.
• My wife, Rica, and I have two grown children who are both married and live far, far away. In October,2003, we became first-time grandparents. Our second grandson was born in July, 2007. (Pictures of grandkids shown on request!)
• We share our home with "Sofie," a lovable Miniature Schnauzer. (Sofie was rescued from a shelter the day she was scheduled to be euthanized.)
• In addition to my work as a college prof, I have been a pastor, a radio announcer/air personality, a photographer/multi-media producer, a corporate trainer, and an executive speech writer.
• I am a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Longview, Texas. Most weekends, however, find me doing "pulpit supply" in Nazarene churches throughout East Texas.
• And finally, some of the things I do in my "spare time": listening to music (most genres); playing guitar (my own unique brand of acoustic "blues-grass"); reading (for pure escapism, I prefer Tom Clancy, John Gresham, Ted Dekker, or Frank Peretti); photography; almost anything related to airplanes (especially the old ones); riding my motorcycle (a classic-style V-twin cruiser); watching classic movies (preferably aviation-related); and, of course, indulging frequently in public speaking.