Faculty

The faculty in Ouachita's department of mass communications has a wide variety of professional and academic experiences. Besides their years of experience in the classroom, all of the faculty maintain their professional skills by working on projects for the university and community groups.

A 1983 graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, Dr. Jeff Root now serves as the dean of the school of Humanities and is an associate professor in the mass communications department. In previous years Dr. Root served as director of public relations. He now serves as advisor to The Signal, Ouachita's newspaper. Dr. Root holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Ouachita, a master's in history from the University of Arkansas and a doctorate in higher education/mass communication from Oklahoma State University. E-mail Dr. Jeff Root at rootj@obu.edu or call (870) 245-5206

Dr. David Ozmun, professor of mass communications and public relations associate, leads the department's telecommunications area. Dr. Ozmun joined the faculty in 1987. Originally from Illinois, Dr. Ozmun received his bachelor of science degree in radio and television from Southern Illinois University in 1979. He earned a master's of arts in communications from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Dr. Ozmun has worked at both radio and television stations, including Milwaukee and Dallas. He continues to produce television and video programs for Ouachita and other businesses, organizations and ministries. “Ouachita,” a monthly production, has won numerous awards. He also oversees the university's cable affiliation with FamilyNet. His research interests include history and television news. Dr. Ozmun is a member of the Broadcast Education Association, National Press Photographers Association and the Arkansas Broadcast Education Association. E-mail Dr. Ozmun at ozmund@obu.edu or call (870) 245-5574.

Dr. Deborah Root graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1981 and returned with her husband in 1991 to join the faculty as an assistant professor of mass communications and director of development publications. She serves as the adviser of the Ouachitonian yearbook. Dr. Root is the faculty sponsor of the EEE women's social club on campus. Dr. Root holds two bachelor's degrees from Ouachita, a bachelor of arts in communications and a bachelor of science in education. She also earned her master of science in education from OBU. In 1991, Dr. Root completed her doctor of education in higher education/mass communications from Oklahoma State University. E-mail Dr. Deborah Root at rootd@obu.edu or call (870) 245-5510.

Lannie Byrd joined the mass communications faculty full-time in 2006 as an instructor of mass communications.  Before that he served as an adjunct instructor in mass communications for five years, while serving as the university’s web manager.  Before coming to Ouachita, Lannie was an online producer for the Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., and an instructor and media producer for Mid-South Community College in West Memphis.  He has a bachelor of arts degree in mass communications and political science from Ouachita (1997) and a master of arts degree in journalism from the University of Memphis (2006). You can e-mail Lannie at byrdl@obu.edu.

Dr. William D. Downs Jr., professor emeritus of mass communications at Ouachita Baptist University, joined the OBU faculty in 1966 after a professional career in public relations and news media.  He received his B.A. degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville; and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Missouri.  In addition to his teaching responsibilities at OBU, he serves as the adviser of the University's American Advertising Federation's National Student Advertising Competition program. E-mail Dr. Downs at downsb@obu.edu or call (870) 245-5207