For more than 20 years, Dr. William H. Purcell has taught a wide range of classes at Appalachian State University, most recently as a senior lecturer for the Department of Communication. As a graduate of App State, Purcell worked as a journalist before returning to his alma mater in 1998 to work in public relations for University Advancement and later as Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Business Affairs. He earned a master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His research interests center on disability, auto-ethnography, and storytelling. In his spare time, he enjoys bluegrass music and traveling in an RV.