My specialization is rhetoric and composition, particularly computers and writing or, if you prefer, rhetoric and technology. I've published mainly about the play element in CMC-intensive classes. I serve as the department computer coordinator, supervising work on the department web sites and support of instruction in the computer classrooms. See the CV for details.

I was born in New Orleans, breathed its damp air for a few years. I share that city's passion for food and music. En route to OU I had a life in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Portland, Oregon, and Austin, Texas. I grew up in W-S, NC and went to Guilford College in Greensboro for a few years. I left college and lived/worked in Israel for six months, followed by six months of travel (mostly with my brother, Don) in Greece, Turkey, Crete, Italy, Spain, Morrocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Upon returning I moved to Portland, traveled some more (in Mexico and Guatemala), and started a business as a landscape gardener. I spent a lot of time in Powell's City of Books, the biggest and most wonderful book store in the world. Eventually I returned to college, first getting a two year degree in music and then a B.A. and M.A. in English at Portland State University. I taught for a year in community colleges and then did my doctoral work at the University of Texas where I mostly worked and played in the Computer Writing Research Labs of the Division of Rhetoric and Composition. In Austin, I learned the meaning of heat and not coincidentally met my wife, Carrie. Carrie passed in 2006. (For other personal photos please follow this link.)

In 1996 I came to OU, got tenure in 2002. I have an abiding interest in music, guitar playing, songwriting, poetry, art, film, literature, food, politics, and all things that make life worthwhile.