Richard Vatz

Professor Emeritus

Richard Vatz

Contact Info

Phone:
410-704-3107
Office:
Hawkins Halls, Room 405J
Email:
rvatz@towson.edu

Education

B.A. University of Pittsburgh, Sociology; Minor: Philosophy, 1969

M.S. University of Pittsburgh Rhetoric and Communication, 1971

Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh, Rhetoric and Communication, 1976

Areas of Expertise

Political persuasion

Rhetoric

Psychiatric persuasion

Biography

Dr. Richard E. Vatz recieved the status of Professor Emeritus after his retirement in 2023. He won Towson University’s "President’s Award for Distinguished Service," the university’s highest honor, in 2004. In the 2009-2010 school year he won the Towson Student Government Association Faculty Member of the Year and was the first Towson professor to win that award. He won the 2002 "Teacher of the Year Award" from the Student Government of Towson.

Vatz was the 1994 winner of the Thomas Szasz Award for dedication to civil liberties and has written a book on Dr. Szasz’s work. He also published a book on Persuasion entitled “The Only Authentic Book of Persuasion” (Kendall-Hunt, 2013). Vatz has published articles and reviews on persuasion, political persuasion and psychiatry-and-rhetoric in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Los Angeles Times, and has published hundreds of academic articles, reviews and blogs. 

Over his career Vatz has discussed issues on political persuasion and psychiatry on CNN (including "Crossfire"), "The Phil Donahue Show" and "Larry King Live" and William Buckley's "Firing Line." He has provided political commentary for local and national television and radio including CBS, ABC, WBAL, and MPT. 

Highlights

  • “Psychiatric Rhetoric and the Myths Involving the Insanity Plea,” University Lecture, Hillsdale College, November 18, 2013
  • Towson Student Government Association first Faculty Member of the Year, 2009-2010
  • President’s Award for Distinguished Service, 2004, Towson University’s highest honor
  • Governor’s Citation” for Achievements in Higher Education and Service to Towson University, December 31, 2022
  • “Governor’s Citation” for Achievements in Higher Education and Service to Towson University, 2004
  • Winner, Teaching Fellow Award, Eastern Communication Association, 2004; Permanently on Teaching Fellow Committee
  • Keynote Speaker and award-winner at first “Towson’s Elite” Night, 2004
    Faculty Volunteer Service Award, 2003
  • “Teacher of the Year,” 2002, Towson University, awarded by the Student Government Association; first such award by the SGA
  • The Thomas Szasz Civil Liberties Award January, 1994
    Appointed by the NCA Executive Committee to be a member of the NCA Rapid Response Team
  • Sponsored national winner in Wadsworth Publishing Co. oratory contest, 1987
    University Merit Award 1984, 1988, 1990 (awarded to 30 faculty each year 1983-1990)
  • Won 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 – Outstanding Teaching Grants (awarded to ten of approximately 500 full-time faculty each year 1976-1980); most of such awards on faculty
  • Appointed to Faculty of Honors College, Towson State University, 1982
  • “Teacher of the Year,” Towson University, awarded by the Student Government Association, 2002
  • 4 Outstanding Teaching Grants from Student Government Association (most awarded to one professor – awarded to ten of approximately 500 full-time faculty each year 1976-1980)
  • Longest Serving Member, University Senate, 1979-2020
  • Political Commentary 2004-present _2017-2018: Local: WBFF, WJZ, WBAL-Radio through 2019, WTOP-Radio
  • 2017-2018 Eastern Communication Association:  ECA organizational voice task force
  • Richard E. Vatz NCA proposal for Richard E. Vatz Agenda-Spin award
  • National: CBS Radio, Fox News
  • Regular biweekly guest on WBAL’s “The Ron Smith Show,” beginning August 3, 2005 through his passing in December 2011
  • Elected to Legislative Council for several 3-year terms, National Communication Association (NCA)
  • Windham Fellow Lecture Series in Liberal Arts, “Rhetoric and Impeachment,” Middle Tennessee State University, March 4, 1999
  • Governor Bob Ehrlich’s addresses to my “Persuasion” class at Towson twice a year 1993-present
  • Baltimore Magazine panel member, choosing “Baltimore’s Best Ever,” 2003
  • Moderated debates for U.S. House of Representatives election: 2004; Dutch Ruppersberger and Helen Bentley for their House race, September 24, 2002 and moderated a debate between state senate candidates Jim Brochin and Martha Klima, 2002; 2006 moderated debate between Dutch Ruppersberger and Jimmy Mathis
  • Featured speaker honoring Dr. Thomas Szasz on his 80th birthday; symposium was titled “Liberty and/or Psychiatry: 40 Years After ‘The Myth of Mental Illness,'” April 15, 2000
  • Highlight Article: Vatz’s Election Commentary, Towson Times, October 23, 2002
  • Subject of article in The Washington Post, May 6, 2004 on Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich’s lectureships to my Persuasion class, 1993-2004
  • Panel presented on my work at NCA convention, “Richard E. Vatz on Rhetoric and Psychiatry,” 1999
  • Named as a major rhetorical theorist in an essay on “The Rhetorical Situation” in Twentieth-Century Roots of Rhetorical Studies and in essay on “Rhetorical Theory as Message Reception” in Spring, 2003 Communication Studies
  • Appointed Lifetime Member of Board of Trustees, USA Today Magazine circa 2000

Publications

  • Vatz, R. (2017). Thomas S. Szasz: The man and his ideas. New York, NY: Transaction.
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Myth of the Rhetorical Situation,” PHILOSOPHY AND RHETORIC (Summer, 1973)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Rhetoric and Meaning in Grading” FLORIDA STATE COMMUNICATION JOURNAL (Summer, 1974)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Theodore O. Windt, “The Defeats of Judges Haynsworth and Carswell: Rejection of Supreme Court Nominees,” QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF SPEECH (December, 1974)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Ron Rabin, “Dan Rather at George Washington University Law Commencement: Stroking and Nothingness,” EXETASIS (June, 1975)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Ron Rabin, “The Critic as Rhetor,” EXETASIS (1975)
  • Lee S. Weinberg and Richard E. Vatz “Szasz and the Law: An Alternative View,” JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND LAW, (Winter, 1976)
  • Richard E. Vatz et al.,” The Vice-Presidential Debate and the Theories of Paul Rosenthal,” EXETASIS, (November 2, 1976)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Public Opinion and Presidential Ethos,” WESTERN SPEECH COMMUNICATION (Summer, 1976)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “A Szaszian View of Death,” JOURNAL OF HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY (Spring, 1977): Reprinted in THETA: A JOURNAL OF PSYCHICAL 
  • Lee S. Weinberg and Richard E. Vatz, “Law, Language and Forensic Psychiatry,” DUQUESNE LAW REVIEW (Summer, 1978)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Rhetoric and the Law,” in Lee S. Weinberg and Judith W. Weinberg, SOCIETY AND THE LAW: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY INTRODUCTION, (University Press of America, 1980)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Taking Law on Faith,” AMERICAN LEGAL STUDIES ASSOCIATION FORUM (Spring, 1980)
  • Lee S. Weinberg and Richard E. Vatz, “The Mental Illness Debate: The Critical Faith Assumptions,” THE JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND LAW (Fall, 1981)
  • Lee S. Weinberg and Richard E. Vatz, “The Insanity Defense: Szaszian Ethics and Epistemology,” METAMEDICINE (October, 1982)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “From the Therapeutic State to the Lucifer State,” essay on rhetoric in Trevor Melia and Nova Ryder, LUCIFER STATE (Kendall-Hunt: 1983)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Insanity Plea Proposals: Confusing, Contradictory, and Self-serving,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE (September, 1983)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “The Psychiatric Will,” JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND LAW (Fall, 1983)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “A Pulitzer Prize for Cheerleading,” ST. LOUIS JOURNALISM REVIEW (October, 1985)
  • Richard E. Vatz, Lee S. Weinberg, and Thomas Szasz, “Psychiatry and Media: An Unhealthy Marriage,” (adapted from WASHINGTON POST article on television and psychiatry) USA TODAY MAGAZINE (May: 1986)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg “Politics and Psychiatry,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE (July, 1987)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Theodore Otto Windt, “The Haynsworth and Carswell Nominations: Rejection of Supreme Court Nominees,” (reprinted from QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF SPEECH) in Theodore Otto Wind, ESSAYS IN PRESIDENTIAL RHETORIC, Kendall-Hunt, 1987
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Is Compulsive Gambling Really a Disease?,” POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE (October, 1987)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “The Critic as Rhetor: Psychiatry and Fantasy Theme Analysis,” Critique, JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION (Autumn: 1987)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “The Hyperactive Myth and Drugs in the Classroom,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE (September, 1988)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Media and Polling: Measuring and Creating the Salience of George Bush as ‘Wimp’,” MASS COMM REVIEW 1987 ( May, 1989)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Alcoholism and the ‘Disease’ Metaphor,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE ( September, 1989)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “The Arrogance of Predicting Dangerousness,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE ( November, 1989)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “The Case of Marion Barry: Political Persuasion and Self-Doubt,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE ( September 1990)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “The Conceptual Bind in Defining the Volitional Component of Alcoholism: Consequences for Public Policy and Scientific Research,” JOURNAL OF MIND AND BEHAVIOR (Summer/Winter 1990)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Rhetoric, Biology and Power Seekers, “POLITICS AND THE LIFE SCIENCES (August, 1991)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Psychiatric Excuses for Criminal Behavior: The Public is Losing Patience,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE ( March, 1992)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “The Ethics of Negative Political Advertising,” in Peter Madsen and Jay Safritz, ESSENTIALS OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS (Penguin Books: 1992)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Is Mental Illness a Myth?” [Analysis of status and future of psychiatric orthodoxy], USA TODAY MAGAZINE ( July, 1993)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Refuting the Myths of Compulsive Gambling,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE (November, 1993)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Con” side in published debate on “Should Health Care Reform Include Parity for Behavioral Health Benefits?” OPEN MINDS (February: 1994)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “A Windfall for the ‘Worried Well,'” GOVERNING (May: 1994)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “TV on the Couch” (television’s coverage of psychiatry), FORBES MEDIA CRITIC (Summer: 1994)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “The Rhetorical Paradigm in Psychiatric History: Thomas Szasz and the Myth of Mental Illness,” in Roy Porter and Mark Micale, DISCOVERING THE HISTORY OF PSYCHIATRY Oxford University Press (1994)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Psychobabble Revisited,” FORBES MEDIA CRITIC (WINTER:1995)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Hyperactivity?” MOTHERING (Spring: 1995)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Overreacting to Attention Deficit Disorder,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE (Winter: 1995)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Rhetoric and Psychiatry,” in Theresa Enos, ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION (1996)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Should We Destigmatize Mental Illness?,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE (May, 1996)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Better Late Than Never,” (analysis of media coverage of Attention-deficit Disorder,” FORBES MEDIACRITIC (Summer, 1996)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Myth of the Rhetorical Situation,” anthologized in William A. Covino and David A. Joliffe, RHETORIC: Concepts, Definitions, Boundaries, Allyn and Bacon, 1995
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Is Mental Illness a Myth?,” anthologized in Joseph J. Palladino, ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 96-97, Brown and Benchmark, 1996
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “PARITY: The New Buzzword in Mental Health,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE (May, 1997)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “How Accurate Are Media Depictions of ADD?,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE (July: 1997)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Critiques of Szaszian Criticism of Psychiatry: Nonengagement and Irrelevant Theses,” REVIEW OF EXISTENTIAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY, 1997-1998.
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “The Insanity Defense: The Unconscionable Impact on Victims of Violence,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE , May, 1998.
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “The Unabomber’s Twisted Saga,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE, (July: 1998) 56-58.
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Heavy Gambling is not a Disease,” in Rod L. Evans and Mark Hance (eds.), LEGALIZED GAMBLING: FOR AND AGAINST , Open Court Publishing Company,1998
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Television’s Assault on Civility,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE (September: 1998)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Rhetorical Dimensions of Decriminalization,” in Jefferson Fish, HOW TO LEGALIZE DRUGS, 1998
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Should Mental Illness fall Under the Americans with Disabilities Act?” USA TODAY MAGAZINE, January, 1999
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Myth of the Rhetorical Situation,” anthologized in John Lucaites, CONTEMPORARY RHETORICAL THEORY: A Reader (1999)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, ” Dr. Kevorkian on the Air: CBS and ‘60 Minutes’ Drop the Ball,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE, May, 1999
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Tipper Gore and the Overreaching of Mental Health Coverage, USA TODAY MAGAZINE, March, 2000.
  • Richard E. Vatz, Reprint of “The Myth of the Rhetorical Situation,” RHETORICA SCANDINAVICA, September 2000
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Surgeon General’s Unkindest Cut,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE, November, 2000
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Rhetoric of ADHD” Disease, USA TODAY MAGAZINE (March, 2001)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Sexual Predator Statutes and Psychiatric Confusion,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE, July, 2001
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Psychological Help for the Terrorized,” USA Today Magazine, Nov. 2001
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Murderous Mothers,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE, 2002
  • Richard E Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Gambling, Psychology and State Politics,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE, May , 2003
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Lately on Media Bias,” QUALITATIVE RESEARCH REPORTS IN COMMUNICATION (Fall, 2003)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Getting Away with Murder: Vincent Gigante and Exculpatory Psychiatry,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE, March, 2004
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Psychological Help for the Terrorized,” ANNUAL EDITIONS, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, March 2004
  • Richard E. Vatz, The Unabomber’s Twisted Saga, ANNUAL EDITIONS Violence and Terrorism March, 2004
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Latest on John Hinckley,” USA TODAY MAGAZINE, (September, 2004)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Is a Mental Illness Rapprochement Possible?” USA TODAY MAGAZINE (November, 2004)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Will Justice Be Served on Andrea Yates?” USA TODAY MAGAZINE (March, 2005)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Therapy Overload on Campus” USA Today Magazine, November, 2005
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Article Rewrite Assignment, The Successful Professor, November 2005
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Quandary over Mental Illness,” ANNUAL EDITIONS: Psychology 06/07
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Of What Value are Public Opinion Polls,” USA Today Magazine, May, 2006
  • Richard E. Vatz., “Rhetoric and Psychiatry: A Szaszian Perspective on a Political Case Study,” Current Psychology Vol 25, #3 Fall 2006 pp. 173-181
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Devil Made Them Do It,” USA Today Magazine, March, 2007
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “What We Can and Cannot Learn From the Virginia Tech Tragedy,” USA Today Magazine, July, 2007
  • Richard E. Vatz, Annual Editions Psychology 07/08 “The Quandary Over Mental Illness”
  • Richard E. Vatz and Jeffrey A. Schaler, “Psychiatry’s Valid but Dishonest Reconsiderations” – , USA Today Magazine, March, 2008 58-60
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, The Obama vs. Clinton Security Sweepstakes,” USA Today Magazine, May, 2008
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Arguably the Best in the History of the Game” [on Roberto Clemente],” USA Today Magazine, July, 2008
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Unacceptable Campaigning: the “FIT Test,” USA Today Magazine, (in press)
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Candidates need to be ‘FIT’,” USA Today Magazine, September, 2008
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Accommodating the Killer,” USA Today Magazine, September, 2008
  • Richard E. Vatz, “NCA’s de facto Ideological Discrimination,” Spectra January 2009
  • Richard E. Vatz and Jeffrey A. Schaler, “Through a Back Door Darkly: New Mental Health Insurance Requirements,” USA Today Magazine, January, 2009
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Mythical Status of Situational Rhetoric: Implications for Rhetorical Critics’ Relevance in the Public Arena,” The Review of Communication Vol. 9, No. 1, January 2009, pp. 1-5
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The (Liberal) Beat Goes On (on media bias and Howard Kurtz’s “Reliable Sources”), USA Today Magazine, May, 2009
  • Richard E. Vatz and Jeffrey A. Schaler, “A Depressing Outlook for Teenagers,” USA Today Magazine, July, 2009
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Parity’s Perfect Storm,” USA Today Magazine, November, 2009
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Doing Away with the ‘Only One-Fourth of One Percent Solution,’ USA Today Magazine, March, 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “A Democrat Suffers Media Bias: Hillary’s Fight Against Pro-Obama Coverage” in Theodore Sheckels, Cracked But Not Shatterered: Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Unsuccessful Campaign for the Presidency, 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Mentally ill offenders should be held responsible for their actions” in Crime and criminals / Christina Fisanick, (ed.) Crime and Criminals, 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Doing Away with the ‘Only One-Fourth of One Percent Solution,’USA Today Magazine, March, 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Online Courses: Main Streaming the Phoenix Model of Inferior Education,” The Faculty Voice, May 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz,”Bullying by Any Other Name,” USA Today Magazine, September, 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “A Democrat Suffers Media Bias: Hillary’s Fight Against Pro-Obama Coverage” in Theodore Sheckels, Cracked But Not Shattered: Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Unsuccessful Campaign for the Presidency, 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “A Conservative Pundit in Liberal Surroundings: an uneven odyssey” in Seth Kahn (ed.) Activism and Rhetoric, Routledge Press, 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Mentally ill offenders should be held responsible for their actions” in Crime and criminals / Christina Fisanick, (ed.) Crime and Criminals, 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Insanity Excuse and Retrograde Thinking,” USA Today Magazine, March 2011.
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Politics of Rhetoric and Courage,” USA Today Magazine, March 2013
  • Richard E. Vatz and Jeffrey A. Schaler, “Therapeutic Theory: Psychiatry’s Irresponsible Deception,” an expanded piece on the new DSM-5, USA Today Magazine, July, 2013
  • Richard E. Vatz. (November: 2013) Commemoration of Anniversary of JFK Assassination, Baltimore Magazine
  • Richard E. Vatz, Richard E. Vatz, (March, 2014) “This is Insane,” USA Today Magazine
  • Richard E. Vatz, July 2015 “Ameliorating (NOT!) Race Relations” USA Today Magazine, 16-17
  • Richard E. Vatz September 2015 USA Today Magazine “Voting Season Ventures,”  44-46
  • Vatz, Richard E. “Polling Place:  No Choice at All,” USA Today Magazine, July, 2016 
  • Vatz, Richard E. “The Academically Destructive Nature of Trigger Warnings,” First Amendment Studies Volume 50, Fall 2016 – Issue 2
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Fatherless Pandemic,” USA Today Magazine, January 2019.
  • Vatz, Richard E. I’ve Got a Little List, With Apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan, The Daily Squib, 2020
  • Richard E. Vatz “A Conservative Professorial Pundit in Liberal Surroundings: an uneven odyssey projected through 2020,” in Seth Kahn and JongHua Lee (eds.) Activism and Rhetoric, theories and contexts for political engagement (forthcoming: 2019)
  • Vatz, Richard E. Crushing Conservatism In The Academy: A Case Study Of One National Anti-Conservative Organization, The Daily Caller, February 3, 2020 https://dailycaller.com/2020/02/03/vatz-crushing-conservatism-academy-national-anti-conservative-organization/
  • Vatz, Richard E. Identity Universities and the End of Academic Freedom, The Daily Caller, June 23, 2021 https://dailycaller.com/2021/06/21/faulkner-keys-and-vatz-identity-universities-and-the-end-of-academic-freedom/
  • Richard E. Vatz, “A Conservative Pundit in Liberal Surroundings: an uneven odyssey” in Seth Kahn (ed.) Activism and Rhetoric 2nd edition, Routledge Press, 2020
  • Vatz, Richard E. “Whataboutisms” USA Today Magazine. March 2021
  •  Vatz, Richard E. and Schaler, Jeffrey A. Prolonged Grief Disorder, USA Today Magazine July, 2022
  •  Vatz, Richard E. and Schaler, Jeffrey, “Death for Those who inflict Death,” USA Today Magazine July, 2022
  •  Vatz, Richard E.  “Closing a Conservative Chapter in Higher Education,” USA Today Magazine, November 2022
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Presidential Ethos: The Rhetoric of Apotheosis,” at Eastern States Communication Convention, 1973
  • Lee S. Weinberg and Richard E. Vatz, “Psychiatry and Crime,” Academy of Criminal Justice annual meeting, New Orleans, 1978
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair, “Thomas Szasz’s Rhetorical and Communication Theories and Their Applications,” Eastern Communication Association annual meeting, 1979
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Rhetoric and Social Science,” American Legal Studies Association annual meeting, 1979
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Rhetorical Creation of Détente,” Speech Communication Association annual meeting, 1980
  • Lee S. Weinberg and Richard E. Vatz, “The Insanity of the Insanity Defense,” Northeastern Political Science Association annual meeting, November, 1981
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair of Panel on Political Rhetoric at Eastern States Communication Association annual meeting, April, 1984
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair and Coordinator of SCA Seminar Series , “Psychiatry and Psychology as Rhetoric,” 1987 SCA annual convention
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair, “Symbols of Threat and Reassurance: Case Studies in Political Communication,” panel at 1987 SCA annual convention
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair and Coordinator, “Language and Alcoholism: Alcohol and the ‘Disease’ Metaphor/Model,” 1988 Speech Communication Association annual convention
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Media and Polling: Measuring and Creating the Salience of George Bush as ‘Wimp,'” 1988 Speech Communication Association annual convention
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Alcohol and the Disease Metaphor: The Veterans Administration Supreme Court Decision,” 1988 Speech Communication Association annual convention
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair and Coordinator of panel, THE LANGUAGE AND PERSUASION OF HYPERACTIVITY” Eastern Communication Association annual meeting, May, 1989
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Hyperactivity and the Disease Metaphor,” Eastern Communication Association annual meeting, May, 1989
  • Richard E. Vatz, coordinator and participant in debate on considering alcoholism as a disease, Speech Communication Association annual convention, 1990
  • Richard E. Vatz, paper presenter and Panel participant on “Public Opinion and Presidential Elections,” Speech Communication Association annual convention, 1990
  • Richard E. Vatz, coordination and paper presenter on “Predicting Policy from Presidential Rhetoric,” Eastern Communication Association annual meeting, 1991
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Rhetoric and Mental Illness: The Case of Multiple Personality Disorder,” International Communication Association annual meeting, 1991
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “The Conceptual Bind in Defining the Volitional Component of Alcoholism: Consequences for Public Policy and Scientific Research,” Speech Communication Association annual meeting, November, 1991
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Mental Illness and Criminal Law: From Shield to Sword,” Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting, March, 1992
  • Richard E. Vatz, chair, “Stress, Social Support and Cogency of Specialized Appeals,” Speech Communication Association annual convention, 1992
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Rhetorical Paradigm in Psychiatry,” Speech Communication Association annual convention, 1993
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Media Coverage of Psychiatry,” Popular Culture Annual Meeting, 1994
  • Richard E. Vatz, Leader of Roundtable Conference on Psychiatry and Rhetoric, Speech Communication Association annual convention, 1994
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Critiques of Szaszian Criticism of Psychiatry,” Top Three Papers in Health Communication, Eastern Communication Association, annual meeting, 1996
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, SCA Seminar in Rhetoric and Psychology, Speech Communication Association annual convention, Fall, 1996
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Diatribe and Ezra Pound,” Eastern Communication Association, March 1997
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, Rhetoric, Therapy and Culture, NCA National Convention Seminar, Fall, 1997
  • Richard E. Vatz , participation in NCA Seminar in “Rhetoric, Therapy and Culture,” Fall, 1997
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair, “Coming to Terms with the Term, ‘Moderate’” Eastern Communication Association, annual meeting, 1998
  • Richard E. Vatz, coordinator and participant in SCA Seminar Series in “Rhetoric and Psychiatry: Persuasion and Communication Issues,” National Communication Association (NCA) annual convention, Fall, 1998
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Critiques of Szaszian Criticism,” NCA Convention, 1998
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair and Participant, “Rhetoric and Politics in the Impeachment of President William Jefferson Clinton,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, 1999
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair, “Cynicism in Literary, Counter-Cultural and Academic Practice,” Eastern Communication Association Convention,” 1999
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Richard E. Vatz on Rhetoric and Psychiatry,” NCA National Convention, November, 1999
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “Rhetorical Dimensions of Decriminalization,” NCA National Convention, November 1999
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair, “Rhetoric and Politics in the Impeachment and Aftermath of President William Jefferson Clinton, ” NCA National Convention, November 1999
  • Richard E. Vatz, Seminar Series, “Rhetoric and Psychiatry: Persuasion and Communication Issues,” NCA National Convention, November 1999
  • Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg, “The Rhetorical Paradigm in Psychiatric History: Thomas Szasz and the Myth of Mental Illness,” NCA National Convention, November 1999
  • Richard E. Vatz, Panel Coordinator of “Private vs. Public Rhetoric: Can One Accurately Infer Presidential Politics from Public Rhetoric?” and Paper Presenter, Offbeat Rhetoric: Pat Buchanan and Reform Party Effects on the Year 2000 Presidential Campaign.” ECA Convention, Pittsburgh, April, 2000
  • Richard E. Vatz, Seminar Coordinator, “Rhetoric and Psychiatry,” NCA National Convention, 2000 in Seattle
  • Richard E. Vatz, Panel Coordinator, “Rhetoric and Communication Issues of the 2000 Presidential and Election,” NCA National Convention, 2000 in Seattle
  • Richard E. Vatz, position paper, “Negative Rhetoric in Campaign 2000: The Only Way to Go,” NCA National Convention, 2000 in Seattle
  • Richard E. Vatz, panelist, “Burke on the Couch: Psychiatric/Psychological Implications of Dramatism, NCA National Convention, 2000 in Seattle
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Surgeon General’s Rhetorically Flawed Report on Mental Illness,” Eastern Communication Association Annual Meeting, 2001
  • Richard E. Vatz, Organizer and Participant, Seminar: Rhetoric and Psychiatry: Persuasion and Communication Issues, National Communication Convention, 2001
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Myth of the Rhetorical Situation A Contentious Reassertion,” National Communication Convention, 2001
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Rhetorical and Political Implications of the War on Terrorism,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, 2002
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Military Confidence and Other Reassuring Rhetoric in the New Age of Terrorism in America,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, 2002
  • Richard E. Vatz, Organizer and Participant, Seminar in Rhetoric and Psychiatry, National Communication Association Convention, Fall, 2002
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair, “Rhetoric and the War on Terrorism,” National Communication Association Convention, Fall, 2002
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Military Confidence and Other Reassuring Rhetoric in the New Age of Terrorism in America,” National Communication Convention, Fall, 2002
  • Richard E. Vatz, Keynote Series, “Argument for Qualified Support of the Death Penalty,” National Communication Association Convention Fall, 2002
  • Chosen by NCA Vice President to participate in a debate on President Bush’s policies on Iraq for NCA national convention, 2002
  • Richard E. Vatz, “PR and Persuasion Writing”, PRSA 2002 Conference, Baltimore, Md.
  • Richard E. Vatz, March, 2003 “Teach-In War Discussion” for Student Government Sponsored Campus Debate, Towson University
  • Richard E. Vatz, “A Conservative Commentator in a Liberal Media and Academic World,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, 2003
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Security vs. Freedom; Some — but not much — Rhetorical Mutual Exclusivity,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, 2003
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Conceptual Ambiguity in OBRA ’93,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, 2003
  • Elected Senator to NCA Legislative Assembly 2002-2005; 2008-2011
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Rhetorical Changes in Diagnoses and Treatment of ADD/ADHD,” Eastern Communication Association, Spring 2004
  • Richard E. Vatz, The Rhetorical Challenges of Democratic Presidential Primaries, Eastern Communication Association, 2004
  • Richard E. Vatz, The Politics of Rhetorical Commentary, National Communication Association, Fall, 2003
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair, Rhetorical and Political Media Commentary, National Communication Association, Fall 2003
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Rhetorical Changes in Diagnoses and Treatment of ADD/ADHD,” Eastern Communication Association, Spring 2004
  • Richard E. Vatz, The Rhetorical Challenges of Democratic Presidential Primaries, Eastern Communication Association, Spring, 2004
  • Richard E. Vatz, Bush’s War on Terror: Lessons to Be Learned after Three Years, National Communication Association (Fall, 2004)
  • Richard E. Vatz, Re-Imaginations of the Rhetorical Situation in a Mass Mediated Age. National Communication Association (respondent, Fall, 2004)
  • Richard E. Vatz, Rhetoric and Psychiatry: Rhetoric and Persuasion Issues, National Communication Association ( Fall, 2004)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Media Commentary on the Governor Ehrlich vs. Baltimore Sun Controversy: Participant as Observer,” Eastern Communication Convention, Spring 2005
  • Richard E. Vatz, The Rhetoric of Psychiatry: Persuasion and Communication Issues, National Communication Association Seminar (Fall, 2005)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Assessing the Health of Academic Freedom: The Academic Bill of Rights Movement,” National Communication Association Convention (Fall, 2005)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Teaching Fellows Committee Meeting” for winners of Teaching Fellows Award, Eastern Communication Association Meeting, Spring, 2006
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Doling Out the Rice: The Republicans Rich Array of Female Presidential Talent,” Eastern Communication Association Meeting, Spring, 2006
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Erstwhile anti-Public Opinion President,” ,” Eastern Communication Association Meeting, Spring, 2006
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Rhetoric of Psychiatry: Persuasion and Communication Issues,” Preconvention Seminar Organizer and Presenter, National Communication Association Convention (accepted, Fall, 2006)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Challenges in Political Media Commentary,” Panel organizer and presenter, National Communication Association Convention (accepted, Fall, 2006)
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Media and Political Rhetoric” Panel organizer and presenter, Eastern Communication Association Convention, Spring, 2007
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Teaching Fellow Award Committee, Eastern Communication Association Convention, Spring, 2007
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Political Responsibilities of Professor in Class,” Panelist, Eastern Communication Association Convention, Spring, 2007
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Rhetorical Challenges and Election 2008,” Panel organizer and presenter, National Communication Association Convention, Fall 2007
  • Richard E. Vatz, Respondent, “Perspectives on Foreign Policy and Candidate Evaluations, Eastern Communication Association Convention, Spring, 2008
  • Richard E. Vatz, Panelist, “Making a Difference in the Next Four Years: A Roundtable Discussion of the 2008 Election,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, Spring, 2008
  • Richard E. Vatz, “A Rhetoric and Psychiatry: A Szaszian Perspective on a Political Case Study,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, Spring, 2008
  • Richard E. Vatz, Panelist, “Was There a Pitt Tradition in Rhetoric,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, Spring, 2008
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Argumentation and Politics,: Making a Difference Everywhere,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, Spring, 2008
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Rhetoric and Psychiatry,” Seminar organizer and presenter, National Communication Association Convention, Fall 2008
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Pre-Conference Seminar: Rhetorical Evolution and Possible Revolution in Psychiatry,” National Communication Association Convention 2008
  • Richard E. Vatz, Discussant, “Social Movements, Rhetorical Situations, and the Enduring Salience of the Bitzer-Vatz Exchange,” National Communication Association Convention 2008
  • Richard E. Vatz, “William F. Buckley’s Rhetorical Legacy: An UNconventionAL Communicator,” National Communication Association Convention 2008
  • The Unprecedented Rhetorical Challenges Commentary on a Nearly Unprecedented Presidential Election Year, Eastern Communication Association Convention, 2009
  • Richard E. Vatz, The Obama and Republican Opposition Rhetorical Watch: Year One, Chair and presenter, National Communication Association Convention, Fall, 2009
  • Richard E. Vatz, Chair, Whither Ideological Diversity in the NCA, National Communication Association Convention, Fall, 2009
  • Richard E. Vatz, The Maryland Governors: Rhetorically Considerer,” ECA Convention, April, 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Debate Goes On: Charting the Course toward a More Civil Society,” ECA Convention, April, 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “President Obama’s Ethos in Relation to His Agenda and Spin: Presidential Popularity Cannot Long Withstand Overwhelming Policy Opposition” ECA Convention, April, 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Political Communication Meets Maryland Politics; A Tribute to Ted Sheckels,” ECA Convention, April, 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The Obama Political and Rhetorical Watch: Year Two,” National Communication Association Annual Convention, November 2010
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Politics in the Potomac Region,” Eastern Communication Association Annual Convention, April, 2011
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Presidential Rhetoric and the Rhetoric of the 2010 Congressional Elections,”  Eastern Communication Association Annual Convention, April, 2011
  • Richard E. Vatz, Teaching Fellows Meeting [yearly from election],  Eastern Communication Association Annual Convention, April, 2011
  • Richard E. Vatz, The Diversity Hoax, The American Association of University Professors National Convention, Washington, D.C., June 10, 2011
  • Richard E. Vatz , “The Tucson Shootings: Caused by Political Motives or by Mental Illness?” National Communication Association National Convention, Fall 2011
  • Richard E. Vatz, Panel, “The Conservative Voice and the National Communication Association,” National Communication Association Convention, Fall 2011
  • Richard E. Vatz, “100 Years — Politically Significant Almost Since His Birth, the Influence of Ronald Reagan Abounds, Save the NCA,” National Communication Association Convention, Fall 2011
  • Richard E. Vatz, Ideological Prejudice in the National Communication Association, “Difficult Dialogues,” National Communication Association Convention, Fall, 2011
  • National Communication Association Convention, Fall, 2012: Richard Vatz, Mass Communication and Communication Studies, honored at the National Communication Association convention for his teaching at a “Teachers on Teaching” session.
  • Also chosen to give a seminar on his book, The Only Authentic Book of Persuasion (Kendall Hunt, 2012). In addition, he had a major panel on the 2012 election accepted to discuss its rhetoric and politics.
  • Eastern Communication Association Convention in Pittsburgh, April 25-28, 2013: Richard E. Vatz, Chairings: “Presidential Campaign Political Rhetoric and the 2012 Election;” “Confluence and Convergence: Communicating Perspectives on Political Participation;” and “Political Communication in the States: Arguments & Strategies” Richard E. Vatz, Papers: “Does Affirmative Action Find a Manifestation in Obamacare? The Rhetoric and Ethics of the Sandra Fluke Controversy;” “Presidential Debate as Rhetorical Game-Changer;” “Obamacare, Romneycare, and the Rhetorical Legacy of Thomas S. Szasz;” and “Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and the Rhetoric of a  Ham-handed, Sexist and Cowardly attack on Towson University’s President.” Southern States Communication Association Convention Keynote Address: “Persuasion: a Revolt,” April 12, 20133
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Does Affirmative Action Find a Manifestation in Obamacare? The Rhetoric and Ethics of the Sandra Fluke Controversy, ”Eastern Communication Association annual convention, Spring, 2013
  • Richard E. Vatz, chair and participant: Presidential Campaign Political Rhetoric and the 2012 Election, Eastern Communication Association, Spring, 2013
  • Richard E. Vatz “Obamacare, Romneycare, and the Rhetorical Legacy of Thomas S. Szasz.” Eastern Communication Association, Spring, 2013
  • Richard E. Vatz, Towson University, Political Communication in the States: Arguments & Strategies Eastern Communication Association, Spring, 2013
  • Richard E. Vatz, panel organizer and participant: “The Obama Presidency and Republican Opposition Watch in Year Five: The Rhetoric and Politics of Governing and Forging Foreign Policy, National Communicaton Association, fall, 2013
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Making the Connections with the Capitol Steps.” Vice Presidential Panel, National Communicaton Association, fall, 2013
  • Richard E. Vatz,, “Considerations of the Campaign: Communicative Aspects of the 2012 Presidential Race,” National Communicaton Association, fall, 2013
  • Richard E. Vatz, Elected Legislative Assembly of the National Communication Association – 2013-2016
  • Richard E. Vatz, Elected Legislative Assembly of the National Communication Association – 2013-2016
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Attacks on Academic Freedom Based on Accreditation, Assessment and Syllabus Control, : AAUP National Convention, Washington, D.C., June 14, 2013”
  • Richard E. Vatz, AAUP in Washington, D.C. presentation June, 2013, “”Invasion of the Academic Freedom Snatchers in Higher Education: Accreditation, Assessment, and Control of Course Syllabi.”
  • Richard E. Vatz, National Communication Association Coordinator-participant, November 2013, “The Obama Presidency and Republican Opposition Watch in Year Five: The Rhetoric and Politics of Governing and Forging Foreign Policy”
  • Richard E. Vatz, National Communication Association, November, 2013, invited panelist, “Making the Connections with the Capitol Steps II”
  • Richard E. Vatz, National Communication Association, November, 2013, panel discussion, Considerations of the Campaign: Communicative Aspects of the 2012 Presidential Race
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Attacks on Academic Freedom Based on Accreditation, Assessment and Syllabus Control, AAUP National Convention, Washington, D.C., June 14, 2013
  • Richard E. Vatz, Legislative Assembly of the National Communication Association – 2013-2016
  • Richard E. Vatz, Eastern Communication Association, April, 2014, Seminar: Teaching Persuasion: A Revolt Thursday 9:30–10:45AM Narragansett A
  • Richard E. Vatz, Eastern Communication Association, April, 2014, ECA 2014 PLENARY SESSION | The Integrity of Dissent: A “Lively Experiment” on “The State of Dissent in Our Discipline”
  • Richard E. Vatz, Eastern Communication Association, April, 2014, Ethical Dissent to Persuasion and Propaganda: Critical Responses to the U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Healthcare
  • Richard E. Vatz, Eastern Communication Association, April, 2014 “The Second Term Obama Presidency and Republican Opposition Watch: The Rhetoric and Politics of a Lame Duck Versus a Dead Duck
  • Richard E. Vatz, Eastern Communication Association, April, 2014 Resisting the Status Quo: Conversations about Dissent in a Post–Modern Age of Cooperation and Consent
  • Richard E. Vatz, Southern States Communication Association Convention Keynote Address: “Persuasion: a Revolt,” April 12, 2014
  • Richard E. Vatz, Seminar, “The Agenda-Spin Model: a Revolution in Persuasion,” National Communication Association Convention, November, 2014
  • Richard E. Vatz, chair and presenter, “The Obama Presidency and and Republican Opposition Watch in Year Six,” National Communication Association Convention, November, 2014
  • Richard E. Vatz, “President Obama Rheoric and Political Watch in Year 7,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, April 2015
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Trendspotting for 2016; toward a Top Ten List,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, April 2015
  • Richard E. Vatz, “The End of Meritocracy,” Eastern Communication Association Convention, April 2015
  • Richard E. Vatz, Seminal Panel for ECA and Fox Television, “Is Media Coverage of Politics Helping or Hurting Our Democracy?” Eastern Communication Association Convention, April 2015
  • Richard E. Vatz, National Communication Association Convention, Panel head and presenter, “The Obama Presidency and Republican Opposition Watch in Year Seven: The Rhetoric and Politics of Legacy and Groundwork for Election 2016,“ Fall 2015
  • Richard E. Vatz, National Communication Association Convention, subject and respondent, “Roots of Persuasion: Examining Rhetorical Persuasion through the Agenda-Spin Model and the Rhetorical Situation”
  • Richard E. Vatz, Eastern Communication Association Convention Spring, 2016, “The Unique Rhetoric of the 2016 Presidential Campaign”
  • Richard E. Vatz, Eastern Communication Association Convention, Spring, 2016, “Trigger Warning: Trigger Warnings May Compromise University Academic Freedom
  • Richard E. Vatz, Eastern Communication Association Convention Spring, 2016, Towson University, Chair: Baltimore Mayors, Maryland Governors, Successful Communicators
  • Eastern Communication Association 2017
Chair and Participant: The Obama Watch: Eight Years of Near-Consistent Public Support
Ethics and Academic Freedom: The Freedom to Be Free From…
Campaign Ethics and the Race for President: The Freedom to Distract the Public and the Freedom to Be Distracted   1 hour 15 minutes,  8:00 AM –  9:15 AM | Omni Parker House, Longfellow
There Should Be Yelling: A Respectfully Animated Debate about How the 2016 Presidential Race Impacted Our Democracy  “Affirmative: The 2016 Presidential Election WAS Detrimental to the Health of American Democracy”
  • 2017 National Communication Association (NCA)
Vatz, Richard E. The Rhetorical Legacy of Our Epistemic Relevance
Vatz, Richard E. Chair and presenter, “The Trump Watch: Rhetorical Personality and the Presidency”
Vatz, Richard E. Chair and Presenter, Remembering Trevor Melia, the Finest Professor/Mentor We Have Known
Vatz, Richard E.  “The First Nine Months of the Trump Administration”
  • Eastern Communication Association 2018
SECRETS, CHALLENGES, & OPPORTUNITIES IN THE POLITICAL COMMUNICATION CLASSROOMVatz Sponsor of Wine and SpotsTHE LEGACY OF TREVOR MELIA: PanelistRHETORICALLY ACCOMODATING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP:A BRIDGE TOO FAR? Chair and PanelistSCORCHED EARTH POLITICS: INCIVILITY, INCENDIARY SPEECH AND THE END OF DELIBERATION Panelist
  • National Communication Association Annual Meeting November 2017The Rhetorical Legacy of Our Epistemic Relevance ; presenterThe Trump Watch: Rhetorical Personality and the Presidency; Chair and PresenterRemembering Trevor Melia, the Finest Professor/Mentor We Have Known; Chair and PresenterThe First Nine Months of the Trump Administration; Presenter
  • National Communication Association 2018Civility and Knowledge on the Communicative Spectrum of “Seriousness” and “Play”, Presenter
  • Panel: Vatz, Richard E. “Fake News,” PRSA Conference Baltimore June 12, 20182/27/2017  Voice of America on Donald Trump first Joint Session of Congress Speech
  • National Communication Association, 2020, The 2020 Presidential Election: A Rhetorical Roundtable Political Communication Division
  • National Communication Association, 2020, To Rate or Not to Rate: Student Evaluations in a New Era of Teaching
  • National Communication Association, 2020, Crossing the Road, Effectively and Ethically Communication Ethics Division
  • Eastern Communication Association, 2021, Vatz, Richard E. The “Agenda-Spin” Method in Political Rhetoric D.L. Stephenson, Western Connecticut State University Richard Eugene Vatz, Towson University
  • Eastern Communication Association, 2021, Debate: Debate Proposition: “Resolved: Donald Trump’s Policies in Contrast with the Democratic Platform and Nominees Warranted His Re- Election” Chair: Richard Eugene Vatz, Towson University
  • Eastern Communication Association, 2021, Vatz, Richard E., chair and presenter, The Last Trump Watch?—The Rhetoric of Reelection or Defeat
  • Duquesne Communication Ethics Convention, Vatz, Richard E. The Agenda-Spin Theory: The Ethical Solution to Political Rhetoric Prevailing Bias June 9, 2021

Selected Reviewing

  • Quarterly Journal of Speech
  • Speech Monographs
  • Journal of Communication
  • Presidential Studies Quarterly
  • Journal of Applied Communication
  • Southern Communication Journal
  • Western Journal of Communication
  • Communication Studies
  • Transaction Publishers
  • Johns Hopkins University Press
  • Associate Editor of USA TODAY MAGAZINE 1987 -through its closure, end of 2022
  • Board of Trustees Member, USA TODAY MAGAZINE, 2001- through its closure, end of 2022
  • Editorial Board for SOUTHERN COMMUNICATION JOURNAL through its closure 2022
  • Editorial Board for QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF SPEECH 1999-2002
  • Editorial Board for COMMUNICATION QUARTERLY 2001-2003
  • Associate Editor, COMMUNICATION STUDIES, 2002-2004
  • Editor, Current Psychology, appointed June, 2008 – 2015
  • Reviewing papers for the Eastern Communication Association Convention, 2014

University Work

  • University Senate 1979 – through my retirement from Senate 2020; longest serving senator
  • 2003-2004 Search committee for Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
  • 2004 Vice President for Student Affairs Search Committee
  • 2003 COFAC Dean Search Committee
  • COFAC Promotion and Tenure Committee (est. 1985-present)
  • Faculty/Staff Campaign
  • Leadership Advisory Committee
  • Maccabi Games: Transportation Committee Volunteer, August 11-15, 2002
  • University Task Force on Structure and Governance
  • Committee to evaluate BA/BS degree requirements
  • Served on Masters in Writing committee
  • Served on GUR Evaluation subcommittee of University Curriculum Committee
  • Served on Search Committee for Dean of Minority Affairs
  • College Promotion and Tenure Committee (current)
  • President’s Strategic Resources Review Committee on Budget
  • President’s Faculty AD HOC Budgetary Committee
  • University Honors Board
  • University Retrenchment Appeals Committee (current, inactive)
  • Fair Practices Committee
  • Commencement Speakers Review Board (current)
  • Moderated debate for Congressional seat between Dutch Ruppersberger and Jane Brooks, Cockeysville, Md. October 25, 2004
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Political Rhetoric,” speech to Open World Delegates on behalf of the Baltimore County League of Women Voters, November 2004
  • Richard E. Vatz , National interview with Sinclair Broadcasting on Political Rhetoric, February 17, 2005
  • Judged Debate at Randolph-Macon, Spring 2005
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Political Persuasion of the 2004 Presidential Race,” 11th Annual TUSC Staff Development Conference
  • Lunch ‘n’ Listen panel, Towson University Society of Professional Journalists, March 5, 2005
  • Richard E. Vatz, “Public Opinion,” set of interviews with Comcast Television, Spring 2005
  • Richard E. Vatz, CNN Radio interview regarding George Bush’s 2nd Inaugural Address, January 2005
  • Moderator of Debate of Republican Senatorial Hopefuls, Towson University, February 24, 2004
  • “What Makes Professors and Students Succeed at Towson,” Towson Elite Night, April 6, 2004
  • “Media and Political Bias,” William Horne Memorial Lecture, April 19, 2004
  • “Negative Rhetoric in Campaigning,” Beth El Congregation, May 1, 2004
  • Hillel VIP Lecture 2004
  • Keynote Speech, 2003 Induction Ceremony of The Golden Key International Honor Society
  • “Bias in the Media — Pro-left, Pro-right, Non-Existent or Equally Distributed,” TUSC Staff Development Conference, October 30, 2003
  • “Rhetorically Speaking: TU Professor a study in political opinion,” Towson Times cover piece on my media work, November 30, 2005
  • Linda L. Esterson, “The Art of Persuasion Proves Convincing,” The Sunday Sun (largely on my Persuasion class), November 27, 2005
  • Spring, 2006 Governor Bob Ehrlich spoke to my class at Towson –part of twice-yearly lecture since 1993
  • Speech at to CCBC Catonsville”Keeping your ethical chin up when it’s exposed by Fragmented Media.” April 9, 2008
  • Speech, “Public Opinion and public opinion polls in the United States,” League of Women Voters, Towson University, 2009
  • Presentation, The New York Times Talk Lunch Series “Major Non-Constituional Factors Affecting Public Policy: Rhetoric and Public Opinion,” September 16, 2009
  • September 29, 2005 spoke in Sen. Jim Brochin’s class, “Ideology and Politics”
    “Plagiarism and Blacklisting,” Society of Professional Journalists, 2006
  • “A Jewish Conservative Viewpoint,” Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, December 9., 2012
  • Richard E. Vatz, Annapolis speech for Division of Innovation & Applied Research, “Political profiles in courage: a history and current application,” to business and political leaders and representatives of Maryland General Assembly
  • George McGovern vs. William F. Buckley
  • Sen. Patrick Moynihan vs. Sen. S. I. Hayakawa
  • Eleanor Smeal vs. Judith Lindahl
  • Columnist Richard Cohen
  • Thomas S. Szasz vs. E. Fuller Torrey
  • “Rhetoric and Mental Illness,” Staff Development Conference, TU Fall, October 8, 1996
  • “Faculty Forum,” AAUP, November 7, 1997 Guest Speaker, “Media Talk Shows: Pervasiveness and Persuasiveness,” Maryland Press Club, April 30, 1998
  • Lecture to African American Employees Association, “Clinton and Racial Issues” 1998
  • Windham Lecture Series in Liberal Arts, Middle Tennessee State University, March 4, 1999
  • Panelist, “Towards Defining an Honors Course, “Lilly Conference, April, 1999
  • Master of Ceremonies for Community Action Dialogue, Montgomery County, September 22, 1998
  • Lecture to African American Employees Association, “Affirmative Action: Pro and Con,” September 28, 1999
  • Lecture to Dulaney High School, philosophy class on “Rhetoric” February 2, 1999
  • Featured Speaker for symposium on Thomas Szasz, “Liberty and/or Psychiatry” 2000
  • “The Principles of Rhetoric as Applied to Psychiatry,” Celebrating Towson 2000
  • Chair and Presenter, Baltimore Public Relations Symposium on the 24-Hour News Cycle and Implications for Public Relations and the Media, April 19, 2002
  • Chair and Presenter, Baltimore Public Relations Symposium on “Who Controls the News,” July 17, 2001
  • Maryland PRSA Conference, October 30, 2002: PR and Persuasion Writing: Persuasive and Compelling Communicating
  • Provided Debate Institute Lecture for debaters from Baltimore city’s Schools, Summer 2002
  • Moderated debate between Dutch Ruppersberger and Helen Bentley for their House race, September 24, 2002
  • Keynote Speech, 2003 Induction Ceremony of The Golden Key International Honor Society
  • “Bias in the Media — Pro-left, Pro-right, Non-Existent or Equally Distributed,” TUSC Staff Development Conference, October 30, 2003
  • “What Makes Professors and Students Succeed at Towson,” Towson Elite Night, April 6, 2004
  • April 19, 2004 speech on “Media and Political Bias” commemorating Bill Horne at Towson
  • May 1, 2004 Speech to Beth El retreat on “Negative Campaigning.”
  • Debate Moderating: Richard E. Vatz moderated a debate on October 25, 2004, between Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger and Mrs. Jane Brooks who are candidates for the 2nd
  • Congressional District seat in the House of Representatives.
  • Featured Speaker, Maryland State Department of Education ( local and retired school system superintendents) on the topic “Getting Along with the Media — Myths and Reality” at their annual retreat in Ocean City on October 28, 2004
  • Hillel VIP Lecture, Fall 2004, Towson University
  • Speech on political Rhetoric at Towson Library “Media in Politics” 2016
  • Redoubtable Dons Oct 21, 2016 “The 2016 Presidential Election: The Hobson’s Choice of Hobson’s Choices “

Media Work by Topic

  • Zoom interview on the Nov. national elections for the Meyerberg Center hosted by John Rydell, November, 2022
  • Media appearances 2022: over a dozen on Fox local and national appearances on political rhetoric.
  • Appearance on Fox nationally on the Rhetoric of Lying August 24, 2016 with Jeff Barnd
  • 2/27/2017  Voice of America on Donald Trump first Joint Session of Congress Speech
  • Fox News nationally October 17 and 18, 2013 to comment on the politics and rhetoric of the government shutdown.
  • WMAR-TV’s “Square Off” 2000’s
  • Jimmy Mathis’s WBAL show October 19, 2013 to discuss Doug Gansler’s entering the Maryland gubernatorial race, his “back seat driving” during drives in his official car, and his nomination of Del. Jolene Ivey for Lieutenant Governor.
  • Fox news nationally Nov. 7-8, 2014 to comment on President Obama’s promises to ensure that nol Americans will lose their health insurance plans or doctors.
  • Fox news locally Nov. 7, 2014 on WBFF to talk about the probable accuracy of the “47 million” alleged to be on food stamps in the United States.
  • Jimmy Mathis’s WBAL show Nov. 9, 2013 as part of a panel with Bryan Sears and Sen. James Brochin to discuss the rhetoric of bullying in the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin controversy
  • Nov. 7 on Marc Steiner WEAA Show to discuss national politics.
  • Analysis in the November, 2013 Baltimore Magazine of the importance of John F. Kennedy’s tenure as president per the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
  • Media Appearances, 2012 General Election: appearances on WBFF; CBS Radio recorded for them to use; WTOP; variety of national media commentaries on election and continuing into 2013.
  • Selected 2008: Media: July, 2008 CBS News commentary on Barack Obama Berlin Speech
  • July, 2008: Leslie Marshall Show — Interview on the “FIT Test” for Negative Campaigning
  • July, 2008: Chip Franklin Show, San Diego on “FIT Test” for Negative Campaigning
  • July, 2008: radio interviews: Connecticut, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, “FIT Test” for Negative CampaigningPresident Bush’s Speech on Impending Confrontation with Iraq
  • ABC Radio News Network on Bush’s Warning Speech at 10:30 a.m. 3/18/03
  • WTOP News on Bush’s Warning Speech, 3/18/03
  • WBAL’s Dave Durian Show on Bush’s Warning Speech 3/18/03
  • WBAL Bruce Elliot Show on Bush’s Warning Speech 3/17/03
  • Commenting on Bush’s speech on impending Iraqi confrontation 3/17/03 on channel 45 at 10.
  • WLC Charlie Michaels interview WLG 3/14/02 on Bush, Iraq, Ehrlich
  • Remarks on Powell’s speech at U.N.
    • WBAL Radio (2/5/03) and (2/6/03).
    • WBFF (ch.54) “Newsmakers.”
    • Preview of Powell’s speech at the U.N. for WBAL Radio (2/5/03)
President Bush’s State of the Union 2003
  • President Bush’s State of the Union 2003
    • Bruce Elliott WBAL 2/1/03
    • WJZ taped my class and comments on State of Union 1/29/03
    • Steiner Show WYPR 1/29/03
    • CBS Radio 1/28/03
    • ABC: network 1/29/03
    • WTOP in Washington, D.C. (1/28/03 and 1/29/03).
    • WBAL television on State of Union 1/27/03
    • ABC Network 1/28/03
    • WBAL Radio’s “Morning Show” with Dave Durian (1/28/03 and 1/29/03)
    • Marc Steiner Show 1/29/03
    • Ch. 54’s Newsmakers Tuesday (1 /28/03) and ch. 45 at 10
  • Trent Lott
    • Interviewed by channel 13 (12/16).
    • Interviewed by WTOP Radio Monday (12/16).
    • W.JZ (ch. 13) Wednesday (12/11)
  • Chief Political Commentator for 2002 Gubernatioral Election, WJZ-TV, WNUV
  • Debate Commentary, WJZ-TV, 1984,1988, 1992, 2000
  • Continuous Political Commentary 1984 – Present, WBAL Radio Interviews, Political Rhetoric, Marc Steiner, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
  • Sole guest on MPT’s “Direct Connection”; topics were Trent Loft’s majority leader status and Al Gore’s withdrawal from the 2004 presidential race, (12/16/02)
  • WTOP Radio and WBAL Radio 3/10/03 on the Clinton-Dole confrontation on 60 Minutes…
  • Segment 3/10/03 on the ABC Radio Network on the Clinton-Dole duel on 60 Minutes
  • Marc Steiner (3/7/03) discussion Bush and Blix ch. 54’s “Newsmakers” (3/7/03).
  • Segment on WBAL’s “Morning Show” (3/4/03) on the United States’ rhetorical and psychological operations occurring in Iraq
  • Interview with ABC Network News 2/25/03 on Saddam’s proposal in CBS interview for a debate with President Bush.
  • Guest on Marc Steiner’s 10th anniversary show (3/3/03)
  • ABC national radio (12/13/02); WBFF and WBAL radio (12/14/02)
  • Bruce Elliott’s WBAL talk show Saturday discussing the Sun’s coverage of Governor-elect Robert Ehrlich’s relationship, (11/30/02)
  • WBAL from New Orleans, 11/23/02
  • Audio for ch. 45 on the Sun-Fox dispute, (11/21/02)
  • CBS, 1992 Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates
  • CBS, 1993 Presidential Inaugural Commentary
  • CBS, 1996 Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates
  • CBS, 1997 Presidential Inaugural Commentary
  • CBS, 2000 Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates
  • CBS, 2001 Presidential Inaugural Commentary
  • Once-a-week commentary on WBAL Radio — 1994
  • Periodic Guest Analyst on Political Rhetoric and Issues in Psychiatric Persuasion: WBAL-TV, WMAR-TV, WJZ-TV, WBAL RADIO, WJHU Radio
  • Roundtable Discussions: WMAR-TV 1996-1997
  • Interview on WBAL with Bruce Elliott on issue of whether Uday and Qusay’s photographed dead bodies should be publicized, July 26, 2003

Media Work for Elections 

  • CBS Nationwide – 10/3; 10/5;10/11;10/17 Appearances & Commentary for all Pres. and VP Debates; 1/18; 1/19 Inaugural Commentary ; included individual bites for CBS affiliates
  • Marc Steiner WJHU – Debates, Pres and V. Pres: 9/29, 10/4, 10/6, 10/12, 10/18, 10/25; 11/6; 11/13; 11/15 Pres. Election and aftermath 11/17; 11/22, 11/25 12/1; 12/8 (1-1/2 hours Steiner hours); 1/4/01 Electoral College; 1/19/01 Bush Inaugural
  • Chip Franklin WBAL – 10/5 VP Debates 11/20 — Pres. Election aftermath
  • WTOP (Washington) – Washington Election & Supreme Court Battles 12/11
  • Bruce Elliott WBAL – 10/7 VP Debates; 10/14 Pres. Debates; 11/25; 1/20/01 Bush Inaugural
  • Bruce Elliott WBAL – 10/7 VP Debates; 10/14 Pres. Debates; 11/25 1/20/01 Bush Inaugural
  • WBAL 10/4 – 3 hours on Dave Durian on going debate commentary 10/10; 10/11 Durian, 10/12 Durian, 10/18 Durian 11/6; 11/7; 11/8; 11/13; 11/16 Morning Show 11/24 Durian, 12/13 Durian, 12/14 Durian 1/20 Bush Inaugural with Alan Walden
  • Metro News 10/11;10/26 Presidential Election 11/20; 12/4 Election Aftermath
  • KNX – Los Angeles 10/3, 10/4 Presidential Election
  • WMAR-TV – 12/14
  • WJZ -TV – 10/6 VP Debates; 10/24 Early News Presidential Debates; 11/6, 11/14 11:00 pm News Presidential Debates; 11/18 Morning & Evening News Election Aftermath; 12/5; 12/8; 12/10; 12/14 Election Aftermath
  • MPT – 11/1 Presidential Election;
  • WNUV – 9/27; 10/18;11/6 Newsmakers
  • 6/20/04 piece on the Rather-Clinton 60 Minutes interview for WJZ’s evening news
  • 6/21/04 interview on WBAL Radio on Rather-Clinton 60 Minutes interview
  • 6/21/04 interview on ABC Radio nationally on Rather-Clinton 60 Minutes interview
  • 6/24/04 interview on Marc Steiner on Media and Politics
  • 6/25/4 Marc Steiner’s show which was guest-hosted by Mindy Mintz on Michael Moore and VP’s use of “F” word.
  • 7/6/04 “Newsmakers” on July 6 on VP choice of Edwards
  • 7/9/10 segment on ch. 45. on Kerry Edwards Team
  • 7/10/04 hour on WBAL with Rob Douglas on Political Rhetoric
  • 7/12/04 segment on ch. 45 on Kerry-Edwards
  • 7/27-30/04 Dave Durian on rhetoric of Democratic National Convention
  • 7/30/04 MPT on Friday night on political rhetoric
  • 7/30/04 ABC Radio News nationwide Friday morning.
  • 8/13/04 Marc Steiner on rhetoric of the presidential race
  • 8/14/04 WBAL Bruce Elliott on rhetoric of the presidential race
  • 8/21/04 hour on WBAL’s Rob Douglas with Alan Walden substituting to discuss the presidential race.
  • 8/23/04segment on channel 45 news on celebrities’ campaigning for -presidential candidates.
  • 8/24/04 I did WBFF’s “Newsmakers to discuss the rhetoric and politics of the Swift Boat ads.
  • 8/30-9/3/04 WBAL weeklong election rhetoric commentary
  • 8/31/04 ch. 45 interview on convention rhetoric
  • 9/1/04 interviewed for channel 13 tonight
  • 9/2/04 WTOP-Radio on Republicans’ convention rhetoric.
  • 9/3/04 ABC Radio nationwide on rhetoric of election
  • 9/8/04 ch. 45 News at 10 on negative campaigning
  • 9/16/04 “Newsmakers” ch. 54 on election rhetoric
  • 9/17/04 MPT News Maryland on the CBS controversy and state the Linda Lamone controversy
  • 9/17/04 ch. 45 segment tonight on CBS’s belated apology
  • 1/18/05, CNN Radio, Conversation with Richard Benson regarding George Bush’s 2nd Inaugural
  • Regular biweekly guest on WBAL’s “The Ron Smith Show” every other Wednesday afternoon beginning August, 2005-present
  • Periodic appearances on Fox national television, local television WBFF TV, WBAL-TV, WJZ-TV, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, WBAL spot interviews + and appearances on Bruce Elliott Show
  • “Without a Doubt, Ehrlich has a Way With 1 Word,” The Washington Post, July 30, 2005
  • “Ehrlich’s Position? 1090 on the Dial,” Washington Post August 19, 2005
  • “Ehrlich waits as Democrats duke it Out,” The Baltimore Sun October 10, 2005
  • “Former Aide’s ‘Dirty Tricks’ Could Blemish Ehrlich Image,” The Washington Post, November 15, 2005