Faculty Bio: Reggie Ecarma, Ph.D.
Reggie Ecarma, Ph.D.
Professor
Phone: 864-977-7139
E-mail: reecarma@ngu.edu
Reggie E. Ecarma enjoys playing tennis, jogging and hiking with his kids and students. He was recently promoted to full professor and is vice chair of the professional development committee at North Greenville University, where he assisted in establishing the communication minor and public relations concentration.
Regarding his academic background, he received his B.S. from the University of Louisville (1985), and his three graduate degrees (M.A. in public affairs journalism, M.A. in public policy and Ph.D. in political communication) from Regent University (1989-1999). Dr. Ecarma also attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1986-88). He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges, including the University of Louisville, University of Kentucky (Jefferson Community College), Kentucky State University and Campbellsville University. In South Carolina, he has taught at University of South Carolina-Upstate, Furman University and Anderson University.
As a professional writer, Ecarma has authored Beyond Ideology: A Case of Egalitarian Bias and many articles as listed on Web site www.DrEcarma.com and his blog www.dree-blog.blogspot.com. His articles have been published by the Greenville News, Louisville Courier-Journal, Virginian-Pilot and Ledger Star, Lexington Herald-Leader, Spartanburg Herald Journal, Virginia Beach Beacon and the national bpnews.net (the national news Web site for the Southern Baptist Convention). He is currently a member of several organizations including the Southern States Communication Association, Union for Democratic Communication and National Religious Broadcasters. He was commissioned a “Kentucky Colonel” in 1992 by then-Governor Brereton Jones. He has presented at various conferences or events, including the World Journalism Institute, Faculty Leadership National Conference and Baptist Press, International Full Gospel Businessman (the Bloomington, Indiana chapter) and the Gideon International (Lagrange, Kentucky chapter).
Serving one’s country is an Ecarma heritage, so Dr. Ecarma is also a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in the Naval Reserves from 1985-1991, where he received the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal. He was part of a top secret unit, CINCLANT DET 206 (Commander-in-Chief of Atlantic Command, Detachment 206).
Prior to teaching, Ecarma served as executive director of the American Family Association of Kentucky, appeared several times on the international ABC Family Channel The 700 Club and also has made guest appearance or granted interviews to local television news programs and national affiliates. Ecarma founded or co-founded several organizations, including the Asian American Association of Tidewater, Conservative Club of Virginia Beach, Mayor’s Sister City of Virginia Beach and the Filipino-American Youth Organization of Kentucky and Southern Indiana. In addition to these experiences, he also served as managing editor of Virginia Beach’s Insider Alert.
While at Regent University, Ecarma received several academic awards, including a Ph.D. grant to research “media bias,” the Dooner Scholarship for Catholic student/scholar, three Dean’s Scholarships and the Academic Integrity Award from the School of Public Policy, the Dean’s Scholarship from the College of Communication and the Arts. He also received an athletic scholarship from the University of Louisville to play men’s tennis, obtaining the best record for the 1980-82 seasons. He coached tennis at a Roman Catholic high school and was a teaching tennis pro, leading tennis programs at a country club, tennis clubs and recreational centers for about 20 years in Kentucky and Virginia.
In relation to applied political communication, Ecarma has been involved in political campaigns, including job descriptions such as: campaign manager, volunteer coordinator and consultant for Democrat and Republican candidates in Kentucky and Virginia (1986-1995). He currently serves as faculty advisor for the College Republicans at North Greenville University.
Ecarma and his wife, Lorri, live in a modern log home with their six children and six cats, two guinea pigs on three acres in the South Carolina Upstate. He is a member of Holy Trinity Reformed Evangelical Church in the Greenville area.
