Introduction
Dr. Robert B. Bookwalter is a long-serving faculty member in Marshall University’s Department of Communication Studies and currently serves as Interim Provost. He is a valued Board Member of The Southside Preservation and Enhancement Alliance.

Professional & Academic Background
Dr. Bookwalter earned his B.A. in Speech Communication from Fresno State University (1979), his M.A. in Interpersonal Communication from the University of Montana (1982), and his Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas. He has taught at Marshall University since 1987 and has held key leadership roles, including Coordinator of CMM 103 for 15 years and Department Chair from 2008 to 2010. His research focuses on conflict management, interpersonal communication, group leadership processes, and language discourse analysis.

Connection to Southside / The Alliance
Dr. Bookwalter brings a thoughtful, educational perspective to The Alliance, helping guide discussions and decisions with a focus on collaboration and community impact. His leadership enriches our efforts to address flooding issues and enhance neighborhood resilience.