Claflin University’s Dr. Donna Gough Becomes Faculty Fellow of Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Jan 20, 2015
Claflin University Department of Mass Communication Chair Dr. Donna Gough was chosen as a fellow of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Faculty Seminar for 2014.
Each year, the Academy selects only 20 faculty members from universities across the United States to complete a week-long entertainment seminar presented by industry professionals. The seminar includes topics related to the business side of the entertainment industry. Gough completed the fellowship in November in Los Angeles, Calif.
Gough came to Claflin University in August 2009. In addition to her teaching and department duties, she has served as the chair of the Academic Advising Committee and coordinator for the Claflin University-Boston University Student & Faculty Exchange Program.
Gough earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, and master’s degree in theatre, film and television at Regent University, then CBN University, in Virginia Beach, Va.
While a student at Regent University, Gough was part of the team that produced the film Bird in a Cage, which went on to receive the Best Student Film Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. Later, Gough earned a doctorate in mass communication at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla.
From Regent University, Gough began her professional career by working for Mars Hill Productions in Houston, Texas. She served as the production coordinator and casting director for the independent film Without Reservation. The film went on to win the Chris Award from the Columbus International Film Festival; two Crown Awards, including Best Evangelistic Film; and a Silver Award for Best Short Dramatic Film from the Houston International Film Festival.
While working as a producer, Gough was invited to join the faculty at East Central University in Ada, Okla. There, she was responsible for teaching and overseeing the student-produced newscasts ECU News, for both radio and television; ECU Tiger Football for KTEN-TV10; Assignment: Radio ECU for KGOU Radio; and a host of other commercials, theatrical productions and special projects for the university. Gough received two outstanding teaching awards for her work.
Gough served as president of the Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association and as a member of the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. She also served as president of the Oklahoma Speech Theatre Communication Association and is the first woman to be the president of both state-wide communication associations.
In addition, Gough is a founder and the first person to serve as president of the South Carolina Media Education Association. Gough is a long-time Rotarian and recently served as president of the Rotary Club of St. Matthews, S.C.