Christel Benson, Assistant Professor
Graphic Design, August 2009

clbenson@pittstate.edu

620.235.4426

Degrees: B.A., Arkansas State University; M.S., Pittsburg State University

Industrial
Experience:

9 years, Corporate, Higher Ed, Agency, and Freelance
Teaching
Experience:
Pittsburg State University since 2009, Adjunct; UA Fort Smith and Pittsburg State University for six years.
Consulting
Work:
Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce; Crawford County Convention and Visitor's Bureau; Pittsburg Area Young Professionals; Crawford County Live Well Coalition; Franklin Centennial Celebration; Miner's Memorial; Pittsburg Community Theater; Art Walk; Colonial Fox Theater; Mount Carmel Foundation; Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Honors &
Awards:
Seven Gold Addy Awards; Nine Silver Addy Awards; Tri-State Business Journal 15 People to Watch (2011); Pittsburg Area Young Professionals President's Award (2012)
Professional
Societies:
Joplin AAF, Board Member

Robert Ferro, Instructor
Digital Media, August 1995

rferro@pittstate.edu

620.235.4422

Degrees: B.A., University of Central Missouri; M.S., Pittsburg State University
Industrial
Experience:
Pittcraft, Inc., Pittsburg, KS, Allied Business Services, Joplin, MO; Smith Printing Company, Joplin, MO; Joplin Printing Company, Joplin, MO; Messenger Publishing House (ColorLine Press),Joplin, MO; freelance business and adjunct teaching.
Teaching
Experience:

Crowder College, Neosho, MO; Franklin Technical School, Joplin, MO; Ozarks Technical College, Springfield, MO;  Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS.

Linda Grilz, Instructor
General Technologies and Variable Data Software, August 2005

lgrilz@pittstate.edu

620.235.4848

Degrees: B.S., M.S., Pittsburg State University
Industrial
Experience:
40 years, Pittsburg State University
Teaching
Experience:
Pittsburg State University since 2005
Consulting
Work:
Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce; Crawford County Convention and Visitor's Bureau; Frontenac Education Foundation; USD 249 Frontenac Schools; Gene Bicknell Celebrity Golf Tournament
Honors &
Awards:
EDSf Innovation in Higher Education Award (2009), Outstanding Alumni Frontenac High School (1994); Pittsburg State University Outstanding Alumni (1993); Pittsburg State University Outstanding Printing Alumni (1990); Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year (1989); Former Crawford County Commissioner.

Chris Huitt, Assistant Professor
Print Media, August 2009

cehuitt@pittstate.edu

620.235.4416

Degrees: B.A., M.S., Pittsburg State University
Industrial
Experience:
26 years, National Mills Inc.
Teaching
Experience:
Adjunct; Pittsburg State University since 2007, Pittsburg State University since 2009.
Design &
Consulting
Work:
Various design groups including; American Living, American Eagle, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Girbaud, Harley Davidson, Nautica, Ralph Lauren Polo, Rocawear, Sean John and Tommy Hilfiger.
Professional
Societies:

Specialty Graphics Imaging Association (SGIA), SkillsUSA, Technical Committee Member.

David Oldham, Assistant Professor
Graphic Design, August 2004

doldham@pittstate.edu

620.235.6140

Degrees: B.F.A., University of Oklahoma; M.Ed., University of Central Oklahoma
Industrial
Experience:
Six years, Heritage Media Graphics/Horizon Advertising, El Reno, OK, freelance graphic designer since 1976.
Teaching
Experience:
Four years, Southwestern Oklahoma State University; Three years, Auburn University; Eight years, NM Highland University; Seven years, Labette Community College; PSU since 2004.
Honors &
Awards:

John Langford Faculty of Distinction Award, 2007; LCC Distinguished Faculty member nomination, 2000, 2001, 2004; Parsons Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year nominee, 2002; 1st place Gold Award at GRAPHEX 19, 1987; Two Oklahoma City ADDY awards, 1981.

James Sours, Professor
Graphics Management, August 1988

jsours@pittstate.edu

620.235.4417

Degrees: B.S., M.S., Ed.S., Pittsburg State University; Ed.D., University of Arkansas
Industrial
Experience:
Six years, Ag Press; 2 years, Clay Center Dispatch
Teaching
Experience:
10 years, USD 379; PSU since 1988
Consulting
Work:
Printing Industries of Oklahoma and Southwest Missouri, SeKan Printing, Ace Forms
Professional
Societies:

Phi Delta Kappa (PDK), Association of Graphic Arts Trainers (AGAT), International Graphic Arts Education Association (IGAEA), Epsilon Pi Tau (EPT), Gamma Epsilon Tau (GET)

Akram Taghavi-Burris, Assistant Professor
Web and Interactive Media, August 2011

aburris@pittstate.edu

620.235.4492

Degrees: A.A.S. Oklahoma City Community College; B.S. University of Central Oklahoma; M.Ed. University of Central Oklahoma
Certifications: Master of Web Design, Adobe Associate Certification
Industrial
Experience:
Freelance graphic design/web design for over 10 years
Teaching
Experience:
Five years Professor of Computer Aided Technology and Program Director of New Media Options at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC); three years adjunct for various schools including OCCC, Francis Tuttle Technology Center and Moore Norman Technology Center
Honors &
Awards:
2012 Addy Award for writing and directing in animation, 2011 Davinci Fellows Award for innovation in teaching, 2011 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Teaching & Leadership Excellence award, 2011 OCCC Faculty of the Year, 2006 OCCC Adjunct Faculty of the Year
Professional
Societies:

Special Interest Group in Graphics (SIGGRAPH), American Computer Machinery (ACM), International Association of Internet Professionals (IAIP), American Advertising Federation (AAF), American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)

Jason Ward, Assistant Professor
Digital Media, August 2002

jward@pittstate.edu

620.235.4423

Degrees: B.S.T., M.S., M.S., Pittsburg State University
Industrial
Experience:
Five years, Sun Graphics; Three years, Morning Sun; One year, Depco, Inc.
Teaching
Experience:
Two years, Labette Community College, Four years, PSU
Professional Societies: Phi Delta Kappa (PDK)
Honors &
Awards:

Teaching Excellence, PSU Graduate Student Association, 1999

Professional
Societies:
Phi Delta Kappa (PDK)

Barry Wilson, Chair
Graphics and Imaging Technologies, August 2012

bjwilson@pittstate.edu

620.235.4420

Degrees: B.S. College of the Ozarks; M.S. University of Central Missouri
Industrial
Experience:
Four Years, College of the Ozarks, Production; Eight Years, Consulting, Production Management; Four Years, University of Central Missouri, Director of Center for Print Production (formerly Printing Services); Four Years, Environmental Graphics Installation, 3 Fire Creative
Teaching
Experience:
Eleven Years at University of Central Missouri; PSU since 2012
Honors &
Awards:

Jerry Watson Educator Award, PIA MidAmerica (2013), Leadership PSU (2013), Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation Educator of the Year Award, PGSF (2009)

Professional
Societies:
International Graphic Arts Education Association (IGAEA); SkillsUSA National Committee Chair Production Planning; Printing Industries of America (PIA)

Douglas Younger, Associate Professor
Print Media, August 2003

dyounger@pittstate.edu

620.235.4425

Degrees: B.S.T., M.S., Ed.S., Pittsburg State University, Ed.D. University of Arkansas
Industrial
Experience:
Two years, TOBEY Fine Papers
Teaching
Experience:
12 years, Flint Hills Technical College, PSU since 2003
Honors &
Awards:

Phi Kappa Phi (2011), Leadership PSU (2010), All Campus Advisor of the Year (2010), Greek Advisor of the Year (2010), College of Technology Excellence in Teaching Award (2008)

Professional
Societies:
International Association of Printing House Craftsmen (IAPHC), International Graphic Arts Education Association (IGAEA); Phi Kappa Phi (PKP)

Retired Faculty

Carolyn Bachura Assistant Professor
Ray Bachura Professor Emeritus
Bonnie George Associate Professor Emeritus
Stan Harmetet Assistant Professor Emeritus
Dean Powell Professor Emeritus
Robert Roberts Professor Emeritus
Jesus Rodriguez Professor Emeritus
David Sours Associate Professor Emeritus
Larry Thornburg Professor Emeritus