EDUCATION
PhD: Technical Communication and Rhetoric, Texas Tech University, 2010.
Dissertation: Placing (and shaping) genocide on the public record: A rhetorical analysis of apologetic exchanges in Rwanda’s gacaca trials.
Committee: Sean Zdenek (chair), Sam Dragga, Ken Baake.
MA: English, St. Cloud State University, 2004.
Thesis: Beneath the tip of the iceberg: A semiotic and rhetorical examination of textual gaps. Received 2005 Distinguished Thesis Award, English Department, St. Cloud State University.
BS: Mass Communications, St. Cloud State University, 1996. Magna Cum Laude.
PUBLICATIONS
Forthcoming
Towner, E.B. (2010). “Quantifying genocide: What are we really counting (on)?” JAC, 30.3-4. [Invited paper.]
Towner, E.B. (2010). “Apologizing for genocide: The subtleties and complexity of contrition in Rwanda’s reconciliation.” In J. Shuler and L.W. Riegert, Jr. (Eds.), Thinking and Practicing Reconciliation.
Peer-Reviewed Articles and Chapters
Towner, E.B. (2010). “Truly public apologies: Third-party participation in Rwandan apologetic rhetoric.”Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, 11, 63-69. [Peer reviewed.]
Towner, E.B. (2010). “A <patriotic> apologia: The transcendence of the Dixie Chicks.” Rhetoric Review, 29, 293-309. [Peer reviewed.]
Towner, E.B. (2009) “Apologia, image repair, and reconciliation: The application, limitations, and future directions of apologetic rhetoric.” In C.S. Beck (Ed.), Communication yearbook 33 (pp. 431–468). New York: Routledge. [Peer reviewed.]
Additional Publications
Towner, E.B., & Everett, H.L. (2010). “Responding to accusations of wrongdoing: How technical communicators can help.” Intercom, 57, 4-7.
Towner, E.B. (2010). “Lessons from apologies in the media.” YOU magazine, 50.
Towner, E.B. (2008). “Apologia: How wrongs are discussed and reconciled.” 34th Annual Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC) Proceedings.
Towner, E.B. (2008) “Crisis management by apology” (Book Review). Business Communication Quarterly, 71, 261-266.
PRESENTATIONS
“Politicizing abstract values through apologia: The identical, yet contrastive rhetoric of Representative Joe Wilson and the Dixie Chicks.” Rhetoric Society of America, 14th Biennial Conference, Minneapolis: May 2010.
“Charity in Truth: A righteous rhetorical vision of economics and technology.” Rhetoric Society of America, 14th Biennial Conference, Minneapolis: May 2010.
“Apologetic rhetoric in Rwanda.” Eastern Communication Association Conference, Philadelphia: April 2009.
“Encoding and decoding car dashboard communication.” 28th Annual Southwest/Texas Popular Culture and American Culture Association Meeting. Albuquerque, NM: February 2007.
“Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in online education.” 33rd Annual Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC) Meeting, San Francisco State University: October 2006.
“Five categories of textual gaps.” Minnesota Council of Teachers of English Conference: April 2003.
“Examining textual gaps.” Research Colloquium, St. Cloud State University: March 2003.
COURSES TAUGHT
In addition to reviewing the courses below, you may also want to read my teaching philosophy.
Rhetorical and Analytical Writing, English Department, St. Cloud State University. Teach introduction to rhetoric, critical reading and writing, and research techniques by focusing on a variety of subjects, including post-9/11 rhetoric, visual rhetoric, technology in society, and the role of public apologies in shaping societies: F02, Sp03, F03, Sp04, F04, F06, F07, F08, Sp10, F10, Sp11.
Principles of Mass Media, Department of Mass Communications, St. Cloud State University. Taught graduate and undergraduate students the principles, ethics, segmentation strategies, and research methods of mass media: Sp06.
Writing in the Professions, English Department, St. Cloud State University. Taught students how to plan, develop, and edit the writing required in business, industry, non-profit organizations, and government (such as proposals, business letters and memos, reports, and web content): Sp05, F05.
Advertising Copywriting, Department of Advertising Communication and Design, St. Cloud Technical College. Taught students how to write persuasive and informative copy with a clear purpose, tone, and style: F01.
Media Campaigns, Department of Advertising Communication and Design, St. Cloud Technical College. Taught students how to conduct primary and secondary research, develop media and communication strategies, finalize production, and create presentation materials: F00, Sp01.
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Vice President of Content, Mortgage Success Source—Manage team of researchers, writers, designers, and HTML programmers for two companies, as well as contractors and outside vendors. Oversee content calendar, including web releases, electronic communications, and social networking efforts. Track website analytics to report progress toward goals as well as make adjustments to the release schedule as needed based on insight from analytics. Communicate with Advisory Board and Faculty Members to develop and implement relevant content to membership: 2010 to Present.
Lead Content Developer, The Mortgage Market Guide / Mortgage Success Source—Researched and developed electronic communications, web content, and print material related to the mortgage and financial industries. Worked with designers and HTML coders to build, approve, and launch new content. Oversaw micro blogging and social networking communication for MMG. Served as contributing writer for The MMG Weekly, The MMG Monthly, and the Daily Script. Also served as Navigation and Design Lead for the MMG website redesign: 2007 to 2010.
Senior Writer, Wolters Kluwer Financial Services—Developed print materials and electronic communications, including interactive presentations and web content: 2000 to 2007.
Communications Specialist, Creative Memories—Responsible for print and electronic communications, media relations, and speechwriting: 1999 and 2000.
Copywriter, The Liturgical Press—Managed content and budgets for websites, magazines, and mailings: 1997 to 1999.
Copywriter, Herberger’s—Developed creative concepts and wrote copy for nationwide campaigns, including catalogs, newspaper ads, and brochures: January 1997 to September 1997.
SERVICE / COMMITTEES
Community/Non-Profit
Communications Advisor, Cyapepe (Kigali, Rwanda): February 2009 to Present.
Volunteer, Minnesota Loon Survey Program: 2005 to Present.
Results Team, United Way, St. Cloud United Way: 2003 and 2004.
Data Management Chair, Central MN Advertising Federation: 2002.
Board of Directors, Central MN Advertising Federation: 1998 to 2000.
Membership and Recruiting Committee Chair, Central MN Advertising Federation: 1999 and 2000.
Public Service Director, Central MN Advertising Federation: 1998 and 1999.
Academic
Journal Intern, Technical Communication Quarterly (TCQ): May 2010.
Committee Member, Rhetoric and Applied Writing Curriculum Committee, St. Cloud State University: Sp07 to Sp09.
Website Editor, STC Student Chapter, Texas Tech University: F08 to Sp10.
Speaker, Student Career Workshop, St. Cloud State University: Sp07.
Brochure Designer, Popular Culture Association: May 2007.
Branding Committee Member, “IPCC 2008”: May 2007.
Industry
Navigation and Design Lead, Website Redesign Committee, The Mortgage Market Guide: July 2009 to February 2010.
Website Redesign Committee, Wolters Kluwer Financial Services: May 2004 to June 2005.
Communications Lead, Great Performances Committee, Creative Memories: 1999 and 2000.
AWARDS / HONORS
Academic
Distinguished Thesis Award, English Department, St. Cloud State University—Received for “Beneath the Tip of the Iceberg: A Semiotic and Rhetorical Examination of Textual Gaps”: 2005.
Magna Cum Laude, St. Cloud State University: 1996.
Carol Loberg Fourth Cavalry Award, St. Cloud State University: 1996.
Professional
8th District ADDY Award—Honored for excellence in advertising copywriting in a four-state area: 2002.
Gold and Silver ADDY Awards—Received 16 awards for excellence in advertising copywriting: 2001 to 2004.
