Communication Department : Faculty and Staff

Associate Professor Broadcast Journalism
M.A. Broadcast Communication Arts, San Francisco State University, 1978.
B.A. Political Science, University of California at Riverside, 1971
Teaching: Journalism/ Broadcast Specialization, Film & Video Studies
Research Interests: Media and politics, broadcast history, and pedagogical issues in communication.
Bouillon 231
fordanr@cwu.edu
(509) 963-1068

Robert Fordan is responsible for teaching courses in journalism, mass communication, video production, and broadcasting. Courses have included broadcast news and advertising scriptwriting, television studio and field production, media history, law, visual communication, and mass media and society. Since 1991 he has also served as an executive producer-faculty advisor to NewsWatch, a student-run weekly newscast on Ellensburg Community Cable Channel-2.

Prof. Fordan previously taught at Troy University and Eastern Washington University. In his professional experience he held the title of News Director at three different Washington state radio stations, including KEWU-FM, Cheney/Spokane, KBRC-AM, Mount Vernon, and KAGT-Anacortes. He served as Associate News Director at KRFE-AM, Everett/Seattle. He held the post of Assignment Manager at KXLY-TV, Spokane, KNDU-TV, Kennewick/Richland/Pasco, and KNDO-TV in Yakima. He also was a reporter, producer, and photojournalist.

When not grading papers or attempting to clean up his office, Prof. Fordan's interests outside of school include fruit tree growing and gardening, off road motorcycle riding, and working with his wife on the Daily Record crossword and the National Public Radio Sunday Morning Puzzle. Of course, he also enjoys television viewing.

He has been married to Paulette since 1987. Over the years they have had an assortment of pet dogs and cats.