James W. Hikins, Ph.D. is Professor and Chair of the Department of Speech Communication and Public Relations at the University of Central Arkansas. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Iowa and the Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin. Hikins has held teaching appointments at Tulane University, Ohio State University, University of North Dakota, and The College of Wooster. Hikins is a frequent contributor to the literature in rhetorical theory and criticism and includes research into how communities respond symbolically to catastrophe.