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|  DR. OTIS THOMAS
Scholar, broadcast journalist, television and radio station manager, Dr. Otis Thomas brings a wealth of academic and professional experience to his position as Chairman of the Department of Communications and Director of BSU-TV and WBSU radio at Bowie State University. Dr. Thomas holds a Ph.D. in Communication and Culture with a specialization in Mass Communications from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and holds an M.A. and B.A. in Mass Communications from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. In the area of broadcast journalism, Dr. Thomas has accumulated years of professional experience as a news anchor, feature reporter, public affairs director, host and on-air personality with both television and radio stations. He served as a reporter for major television and radio networks including, CNN, NBC, CBS and Cox, and performed specialized interviews with political and social dignitaries, including President Barack Obama, U.S. Senator for Maryland Benjamin L. Cardin, Maryland Gov. Martin O' Malley, Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, former Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr., former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Journalist and Commentator Juan Williams, and more. Dr. Thomas' is the distinguished voice behind Bowie State University television and radio advertisements, recruitment videos, and other video and audio productions broadcast on WPGC, WKYS, WMMJ, Praise 104.1, and the Comcast and Verizon cable networks. In addition, Dr. Thomas is the executive producer and host for the Minority Male Health Project (MMHP) television program, and creator/executive producer of educational programs at Bowie State University, which include: The President's Update, Metro News Report, Today from Bowie State University, The Bulldog Sports Corner, College of Arts & Sciences SAS Connection, The Bottom Line and live coverage of Bowie State University Commencement Exercises. Dr. Thomas' immense creative talents are also on display at the Bowie State University Distinguished Events Series, College of Arts and Sciences Awards program and the BIG Campaign fundraising gala. Dr. Thomas has hosted a wide variety of music programming formats including, Urban, Contemporary, Jazz, Oldies, Top 40, Talk News and more. He has hosted talk programs for Radio One Corporation, WOL 1500 AM, CBS Network, KMOX-AM/FM and XM Satellite Radio News in Washington, D.C. Dr. Thomas is a nationally recognized communications experts specializing in broadcast journalism, television news production, mass media research, media management, public speaking and fundraising. He is a distinguished professor in all areas of broadcast journalism including radio and television announcing; digital audio/visual production; broadcast program development; script writing; mass media management; directing and producing for television, film and documentaries; radio and television management; speech communication, and general mass communication theory. Dr. Thomas' research interest draws from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives that focuses on media studies involving television and movie violence. Also, Dr. Thomas is exploring research on qualitative and quantitative approaches to broadcast convergence in technology and the development of future high-definition (HD) broadcast newsrooms. Dr. Thomas has published a book chapter in Bowie State University's Custom Edition text book titled, The Power of Communication. Dr. Thomas wrote the introduction for J.A. Devito's Essentials of Human Communication, which is currently used for Oral Communication courses at Bowie State University. Also, Dr. Thomas has various published research papers, and is currently writing a book titled, Essential Ingredients for Broadcast Journalists, which will be published by Pearson Custom Publishing. Dr. Thomas is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation in Hollywood, California; Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC); and Broadcast Education Association (BEA). Dr. Thomas is the recipient of the 2010 Student Government Association Outstanding Bulldog Faculty Award; 2009 Octave Award at Bowie State University Student Recruitment and Retention Ceremony; 2009 Grants Expo Poster Presentation Award from Bowie State University Office of Research and Sponsored Programs; 2009 Image Award at Bowie State University College of Arts and Sciences Awards Extravaganza; 2009 Outstanding Department Award for the Department of Communications at Bowie State University College of Arts and Sciences Awards Extravaganza, and many more. |
I chose Bowie State University because not only was it close to home, but it also has a growing and terrific communications department. 
Dr. Gail S. Medford, a native of New Orleans and a full professor of Theatre Arts, is an alumna of Xavier University of New Orleans, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Maryland at College Park, where she received her B.A in Communication Arts, M.A. in Acting and Ph.D. in Public Communications: Theatre, respectively. 
Dante Lee, only five years out of college, is the president and CEO of Diversity City Media, a successful multicultural marketing and public relations firm based in Columbus, OH, that helps Fortune 500 advertisers reach African American consumers online. 
