John Angus Campbell

John Angus Campbell
Born	(1942-03-10) March 10, 1942 (age 82) Portland, Oregon
Nationality	American
Education	Portland State University (BS) University of Pittsburgh (MA, PhD)

John Angus Campbell (born March 10, 1942) is a retired American professor of communication and rhetoric at University of Memphis who argues that the religious idea of intelligent design should be mentioned in schools when teaching Darwin's theory of evolution.^[1][2] He was a fellow of the Center for Science and Culture (CSC), the subsidiary promoting creationism of the Discovery Institute, a Seattle-based conservative think tank; he became a fellow of the Discovery Institute in 1995.^{[1][3][4][5]: 6} He was a fellow in communications of the now-defunct International Society for Complexity, Information, and Design (ISCID), whose tagline was "retraining the scientific imagination to see purpose in nature".^[2][6]

Personal life

On March 10, 1942, he was born in Portland, Oregon.^[7] He continued to be raised in the Pacific Northwest.^[8]

He was a member of the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Oregon, receiving the Eagle Scout award and becoming a member of the Order of the Arrow. In 1960, he worked for the Forest Service, doing "minor surveying and major brush whacking". From 1960 to 1968, he did various door-to-door sales in Oregon and Northern California.^[7]

In 1982, he married Brooke Quigley. In 1990, they bought property in North Mason; after he retired in 2005, he moved to Belfair.^[7][8]

From 2000 to 2005, he was a board member of the YMCA in Memphis, TN. In 2007, he was a member of the Citizens Committee for the Establishment of Mason County Hospital District 2 in Belfair, WA.^[7][8]

Career

From 1960 to 1964, he studied to get his B.S. degree from Portland State University. He subsequently studied and worked as a teaching assistant at University of Pittsburgh, getting an M.A. in 1967 and a Ph.D. in 1968. All three of his degrees were in Speech Communication.^[7][5]: 6

He taught Communication in the Department of Speech at University of Washington, as an Assistant Professor from 1968 to 1973^[7] or 1976,^[5]: 6 then as an Associate Professor until 1995, totaling 28 years, teaching students from freshman to doctoral; there, he received a Distinguished Teaching Award in 1993 and a Dean's Recognition Award in 1994, and completed 14 Ph.D. dissertations. He was a Professor and Graduate Program Director / Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication at University of Memphis for 10 years starting in 1995, retiring and becoming Professor Emeritus in 2005, teaching graduate Rhetorical Theory, undergraduate Oral Communication, undergraduate Rhetorical Perspectives in Intellectual Revolution, graduate Rhetoric of Science, undergraduate Great American Speeches, graduate Rhetorical Criticism, graduate Classical Rhetoric, undergraduate Senior Thesis, graduate Modern Rhetoric, Independent Studies (Rhetoric of Science), graduate Independent Studies, graduate Rhetoriography, and undergraduate and graduate American Public Address; there, he completed 7 Ph.D. dissertations, had 1 M.A. and 1 Ph.D. scholarships for Distinguished Teaching established in his name by his colleagues, and inaugurated a doctoral program which as of 2007 was ranked 13th in the US. As of 2007, he had 7 Ph.D. dissertations in progress long-distance from his home office in Belfair. As of 2007, all of his 21 completed Ph.D. students were "successfully employed in their chosen fields of endeavor".^{[7][5]: 1, 6, 7 [8]}

In 1970/1971 and 1987, he received the Golden Monograph Award for Distinguished Scholarship from the National Communication Association; the second time, it was called the Golden Anniversary. In 1990, he was a Van Zelst Visiting Professor of Communication at Northwestern University. He was declared Communication Educator of the Year in 2001 and Communicator of the Year in 2004 by the Tennessee State Communication Association. In 2003/2004, he received the Oleg Ziman Award for best essay/article from the Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. In 2005, he received the James Madison Award in First Amendment Studies from the Freedom of Speech Division of the Southern States Communication Association.^[7][5]: 6

He was invited to do a MacArthur Lecture at University of Utah in 1982 as part of their "In Darwin's Wake" series, a Van Zelst Lecture at Northwestern University in 1990, a Brigance Lecture at Wabash College in 1999, a lecture at St. John's College at University of British Columbia in 2000, a lecture for the departments of English and Philosophy at University of Waterloo in 2003, a lecture for the Honors College at University of Central Arkansas in 2003, a lecture for the department of Biology at University of Mississippi in 2004, a key note address at Denison University as part of the faculty conference "Is Pub Speaking A Liberal Art?" in 2004, a lecture at the McLauren Institute at University of Minnesota in 2004, a lecture at the department of Communication at Tulane University in 2005, a key note address at Kent State in 2006, and a lecture at Greene College at University of British Columbia in 2006.^{[7][5]: 6–7}

As of 2007, he had published "more than 35 single-authored, peer-reviewed essays, not including book reviews and conference papers".^[7] In 1976, as part of the series Modules in speech communication published by Science Research Associates, he wrote a 47-page textbook titled An Overview of Speech Preparation.^{[7][5]: 9 [9]} In 1996, he wrote an essay on teaching titled "Oratory, Democracy and the Classroom".^[7] In November 2003, together with Stephen C. Meyer (who is also a Fellow of the Center for Science and Culture) he edited Darwinism, Design and Public Education,^[10] a collection of articles primarily from a 1998 issue of the journal Rhetoric and Public Affairs published by Michigan State University Press, purporting a scientific basis for intelligent design.^{[1][5]: 1, 9}

In Fall 2000, he received $12,000 from the Discovery Institute.^[5]: 20

He did High Ability Day for "Highschool Students interested in Communication" starting in 1995; did the Urban Communication Conference for "Community Activists, local government representatives, citizens and U of M students" starting in 1995; served as judge on March 18, 1998, and February 10, 1999, for the Optimist Club High School Oratory Contest; presented a lecture on "Rhetoric & The Art of Preaching" to the Harding Grad School of Religion, Prof David Bland Dr. of Ministry Seminar in 1997–1998; presented a lecture on "Classical Rhetoric & Prophetic Rhetoric: A Necessary Tension?" to the Mid America Theological Seminary, sponsored by Prof Ken Easly, in 2000; attended and presented at Career Day to "department majors", sponsored by Professor McDowell, in 2002; met with Jim Carnes of the Classical School, a "private school centered on rhetoric and the classics" in 2002; presented a lecture to Classical School faculty and students on "The Centrality of Argument to a Liberal Education" in 2003; had a discussion with faculty members at Memphis Theological Seminary during a lunch meeting in January 2004; and was a board member of the Mason YMCA in 2004.^{[5]: 20–21} In 2006, he presented two seminars, one in the summer, and one more in the fall after observing its success and interest, on "Civic Communication" at the Theler Center in Belfair, WA, in the North Mason community.^[7][8] As of 2007, he was in his second term as President of the Association for the Rhetoric of Science & Technology.^[7]

In 1995, he became an Associate Editor for the NCA's Quarterly Journal of Speech (with a hiatus between 1998 and 2000), and later Argumentation & Advocacy,^[11] Southern Journal of Communication, and Rhetoric and Public Affairs. From 2003 to 2004, he as Secretary American Branch Society for the History of Rhetoric at SSCA. Starting in 1997, he was Associate Editor of Origins & Design published by the ARRN Access Resource Network [Access Research Network?^[12][13]]. In 2000, he was Associate Editor for Poroi, published by the University of Iowa. In the summer of 1990, he was Guest Editor for a special issue on rhetorical criticism of the Western Journal of Speech Communication, published by U of Iowa. In 1998, he was Guest Editor for a special issue on Intelligent Design & Public Policy for Rhetoric and Public Affairs, published by U of Iowa. In 1994, he was on U of Iowa's Wichelns/Winans Award Committee. Starting in 1994, he was on U of Iowa's Woolbert Award Committee, being chair in 1996. Starting in 1999, he was on U of Iowa's Dissertation Award Committee. From 2002 to 2003, he was on U of Iowa's Gerald (R.) Miller Dissertation Award Committee. From 2002 to 2003, he was on U of Iowa's Marie Hochmuth Nichols Award Committee. In 2002, he represented U of Iowa at the NCA/NSF^[14] conference in Leesburgh, Virginia. From 1997 to 1998, he was President of the American Association for the Rhetoric of Science & Technology. From 1997 to 1999, he was chair of the Rhetoric & Public Address Division of the Tennessee State Communication Association. From 1995 to 1996, he was chair of the Committee on Program Viability for the Southern States Communication Association. He participated in the Tenure/Promotion Assessments for Dr. Marouf Hasian at Arizona State University in 1997, Dr. Jeff Philpott [Jeffrey S. Philpott] at Seattle University^[15][16] in 1998, and Dr. William Purcell at Seattle Pacific University^[17] in 1998. He participated in the Grant Application Evaluation for Dr. Judy Segal at University of British Columbia^[18][19] in 1998. He participated in the Tenure/Promotion Assessments for Dr. Eric Gander at Baruch College in the City University of New York^[20][21] and Dr. Ken Zagacki at University of North Carolina^[22][23] in 2002. From 2003 to 2004, he was Secretary American Branch International Society for the History of Rhetoric of the Southern States Communication Association. From 2005 to 2006, he was Second Vice President, in charge of program planning, at the American Association for the Rhetoric of Science and Technology.^{[5]: 22–23}

In 2007, he ran for a seat on the school board of North Mason School District (#403) in the state of Washington, stating that "issues of communication" were the cause of many stakeholders' frustrations, that he "will work to establish transparency in board deliberations and to foster the consensus-building vital to wise policy, public credibility, and excellence in education", and that his candidacy was about "creating a positive atmosphere in which our students will achieve their full potential".^[8] His campaign page summarized that he will "help restore TRUST and a spirit of collaboration among those concerned about local education", "use his LEADERSHIP skills to work to build consensus, vital to excellence in education", and "create open and clear COMMUNICATION between the school board, teachers, administrators and the community."^[24] However, he did not disclose his collections to intelligent design; in a telephone interview he stated that he would not be dealing with curricula, and that he is a "Darwinist" who considers that debating Darwin can engage the interest of students and improve their skills in critical thinking. He was quoted as saying "Rather than demonizing people that believe in ID, I think there are ways people could use their ideas to study Darwinism more closely."^[25] He said that he "doorbelled about a thousand homes and apartments and talked to an equal number of people in the parking lots of Safeway and QFC. People are really concerned about the reputation and image of the schools." The election was held on November 6, 2007, and results showed him defeating the incumbent Glenn Landram by 2,216 votes to 992; he said that he was "really grateful to the people of this community for the trust and confidence they have placed in" him.^[26] At a special meeting on December 14, 2023, he retired from his position as District 4 Director of the North Mason School Board; the board unanimously voted to replace him with Nicholas Thomas.^[27]

Involvement in the trial Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District

The Thomas More Law Center (TMLC) named him, among others, as an expert witness for the defense in the case of Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District. In early 2005, Susan Spath, Public Information Director at the National Center for Science Education, aided by activists contributing to a Wiki page, spent most of two months analyzing his expert report and his writings, in order to help the plaintiff criticize and question him during his deposition, which was scheduled to occur on June 2, 2005. At 9 AM on June 2, 2005, Pepper Hamilton attorney Thomas Schmidt III and legal assistant Kate Henslow, representing the plaintiffs, were waiting in Memphis, Tennessee, to take his deposition, with the help of a court reporter they hired. Campbell, TMLC attorney Pat Gillen, and a lawyer from the Discovery Institute arrived, and Gillen announced that Campbell was withdrawn from the case, so the deposition was cancelled. Campbell was the first, but other expert witnesses also subsequently withdrew from the case.^[4][28]

Campbell, as well as Stephen Meyer and William Dembski, all fellows of the Discovery Institute (DI), were willing to testify as expert witnesses under the condition that they have their own independent legal counsel with them during their depositions, but Richard Thompson, lead attorney for TMLC, refused to allow their request, citing a conflict of interest, but without providing legal justification for this. This disagreement resulted in the cancellation of their depositions.^[28][29] This resulted in an amplification of conflict between the TMLC and the DI.^[30][31]

The withdrawal of the expert witnesses hurt the defense's ability to support their side.^[4][30]

Campbell's opinions are stated in his expert report.^[5]: 1–5

References

1. Forrest, Barbara (December 2004). "Book review: Darwinism, Design, and Public Education. John Angus Campbell and Stephen C. Meyer, eds". Integrative and Comparative Biology. 44 (6): 510–513. doi:10.1093/icb/44.6.510. S2CID 85813976.
2. Jacobsen, Scott Douglas (January 29, 2022). "Excavation of a Failure: The International Society for Complexity, Information, and Design (ISCID)". Politics. News Intervention. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
3. "Fellows". CSC - Center for Science and Culture. Seattle, WA: Discovery Institute. Archived from the original on September 23, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2010. does not include his name.
4. Elsberry, Wesley R. "Can I Keep a Witness?". National Center for Science Education. Retrieved November 12, 2009. This version might differ slightly from the print publication.
5. "Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26 Disclosure of Expert Testimony: John Angus Campbell, Ph.D." (PDF). Tammy Kitzmiller, et al. v. Dover Area School District and Dover Area School District Board of Directors. March 29, 2005. Case No. 04-CV-2688. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024 – via National Center for Science Education.
6. "Society Fellows". International Society For Complexity, Information, and Design (ISCID). 2005. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013.
7. "Biography of John Campbell". Campbell-4-Kids. Belfair, WA. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007.
8. Campbell, John. "About John Campbell..." Campbell-4-Kids. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007.
9. Campbell, John Angus (1976). An overview of speech preparation. Modules in speech communication. Palo Alto, California: Science Research Associates. ISBN 978-0-574-22524-5. LCCN 75035739 – via Library of Congress catalog.
10. Campbell, John Angus; Meyer, Stephen C., eds. (2004). Darwinism, Design, and Public Education. Rhetoric and Public Affairs Series. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press. ISBN 978-0-87013-675-7. Archived from the original on September 3, 2006.
11. Young, Kelly (June 30, 2022). "Argumentation and Advocacy Editorship: Call for new Editor of Argumentation and Advocacy, vols. 59-61". NCA Argumentation & Forensics Division. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
12. Campbell, John Angus (May 1, 1997). "Report on the Mere Creation Conference". Origins & Design. 18 (1). Access Research Network. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
13. "About the Contributors". Origins & Design. 18 (1). Page development by Premier Publications. Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA: Access Research Network. May 1, 1997. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023.
14. "Search: nsf". National Communication Association. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
15. "Profile | Jeffrey S. Philpott, PhD". Seattle University. December 11, 2023. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
16. "Jeffrey S. Philpott, Ph.D. / Microsoft Word - JSP Academic Vita 2018.docx - Jeffrey-Philpott-CV-2018.pdf" (PDF). Seattle University. October 22, 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
17. "Faculty Profile: William Purcell". Academics > CAS Home > Communication, Journalism, and Film Home. Seattle Pacific University. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
18. "Judy Z. Segal". Department of English Language and Literatures. The University of British Columbia. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
19. "Dr. Judy Segal". Graduate Program in Science and Technology Studies. The University of British Columbia, Vancouver Campus. Archived (screenshot) from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
20. "Eric Gander - Faculty Profile". Baruch College, The City University of New York. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
21. "Vita and Individual Profile Data Sheet: Eric Gander". Faculty180. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
22. "Kenneth Zagacki". Leadership in Public Science. NC State University. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
23. "Kenneth Zagacki PhD". LinkedIn. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
24. "Welcome!". Campbell-4-Kids. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007.
25. Nina, Shapiro (August 29, 2007). "Rural School Board Candidate Hasn't Been Forthcoming About His "Intelligent Design" Agenda". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2007.
26. Strosnider, Ann (November 6, 2007). "2 Incumbents Lose on North Mason School Board". The Kitsap Sun. Belfair. Archived from the original on November 9, 2007. This story was updated to correct the initially reported vote totals.
27. Williams, June (December 21, 2023). "Thomas named to North Mason School Board seat". Shelton-Mason County Journal. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
28. Forrest, Barbara (July 31, 2006). "The "Vise Strategy" Undone: Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover Area School District". Skeptical Inquirer: The Magazine for Science and Reason. Amherst, NY: Center for Inquiry. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
29. "Setting the Record Straight about Discovery Institute's Role in the Dover School District Case". Intelligent Design. Discovery Institute. November 10, 2005. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
30. Humburg, Burt; Brayton, Ed (Summer 2005). "The Dover decision: a stunning blow against intelligent design creationism--how the Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover Area School District trial unfolded". Skeptic. Vol. 12, no. 2. Altadena, CA: Skeptics Society & Skeptic Magazine. pp. 44+. GALE|A144150738. Retrieved December 21, 2023 – via Gale Academic OneFile.
31. Meyer, Stephen (June 27, 2005). "Affidavit of Stephen Meyer" (PDF). Tammy J. Kitzmiller, et al., Plaintiffs, v. Dover Area School District and Dover Area School District Board Of Directors, Defendants, and Foundation For Thought And Ethics, Applicant for Intervention. United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Civil Action No. 4:04-CV-2688. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024 – via National Center for Science Education.

External links

• John Angus Campbell Biography from Discovery Institute
• John Angus Campbell articles from Access Research Network

Court documents

• Disclosure of Expert Testimony: John Angus Campbell, Ph.D. Documented submitted as part of Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District. Includes Campbell's curriculum vitae and copies of published articles relayed to intelligent design.
• Stephen Meyer's affidavit regarding the termination of John Angus Campbell, William Dembski, and himself as expert witnesses by the Thomas More Law Center when they insisted on private counsel.