About our authors
Steven A. Beebe is Regents’ and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at Texas State University. He served as chair of his department at Texas State for 28 years and concurrently as associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication for 25 years. Before joining Texas State University, he was on the faculty of the University of Miami (Florida) for 10 years.
Professor Beebe is author and co-author of 14 books (with most books in multiple editions) that have been used at hundreds of universities throughout the world. He has also authored or co-authored more than 75 articles and book chapters and 175 professional papers with an emphasis on communication skill development.
Dr. Beebe has been a Visiting Scholar at both Oxford University and Cambridge University, and has given lectures and conference presentations internationally. During his 15 visits to Russia, he helped to establish the first communication studies programs in that country.
Dr. Beebe served as president of the National Communication Association and has received his university’s top awards for teaching, research and service; he was named a Piper Professor for the State of Texas. He received the Scholar of the Year Award by the Religious Communication Association and the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Communication Association, Division of Training and Development. The National Speaker’s Association has named him Outstanding Communication Professor in America.
He enjoys traveling, reading, researching and writing about C. S. Lewis, and playing the piano, and is a struggling cellist.
John T. Masterson is Executive Vice President and Provost Emeritus of Texas Lutheran University. He taught communication courses for more than 30 years and has presented or published dozens of papers and articles as well as books co-authored with Steven A. Beebe. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his teaching, scholarship and service.
Prior to his move to Texas, Dr. Masterson served the University of Miami (Florida) for 22 years as professor of communication, associate dean of the School of Communication, dean of the Graduate School of International Studies, and vice provost for Undergraduate Affairs.
In his spare time, Dr. Masterson plays lead guitar and sings with the band Tin Roof Texas.
