Gary L. Balfantz named chair of Dept. of English/Communication
December 20th, 2006
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.  Gary L. Balfantz Ph.D., associate professor of communication and drama, has been appointed as chair of the Department of English and Communication at Lake Superior State University. 
His appointment is effective immediately.
A native of Ohio, Balfantz started teaching at LSSU during the 2000-2001 academic year. He previously taught at University of Wisconsin-Marinette, where he was artistic director of Theatre on the Bay, and at Eastern Michigan University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and University of Hawaii at Manoa.
At LSSU, he teaches courses in communications and theater and serves on the Honors Program council. As drama program coordinator, he has directed 14 theater productions and started the annual LSSU Superior Festival, which will celebrate its eighth season in fall 2007. His most recent production, David Lee's "Incident at Thompson Slough and Other Stories," was well-received in the community and by the author Lee himself in November during the National Communication Association's annual convention in San Antonio.
He has directed and acted in numerous productions at teaching posts around the country and enjoys seeing his students take what they're taught in the classroom and apply it on stage.
He is a member of the board of directors for Sault Ste. Marie's River of History Museum and was recently selected for inclusion in Marquis' Who's Who in America for his artistic and academic achievements.
"Gary has the background, experience and disposition that should help him assume, with ease and effectiveness, the role and functions of department chair," said Dan Dorrity Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, in making the appointment.
Balfantz holds a bachelor's degree in speech and theatre education from Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond; a master's degree in speech communication from Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green; and a doctorate in speech and drama pedagogy, performance studies and directing from Wayne State University. LSSU- 

