DAVID J VERGOBBI portrait
  • Associate Professor, Communication
801-581-3294

Professional Service

  • American Journalism Historians Association. Long-Range Planning Committee. 01/2023 - 12/2023
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Journal Manuscript Referee for American Journalism (journal). National Convention Manuscript Referee. 01/2023 - 12/2023
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Long-Range Planning Committee. American Journalism (journal) article and book reviewer. Scholarly Service. 01/2022 - 12/2022
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Long-Range Planning Committee. American Journalism (journal) article and book reviewer. 01/2020 - present
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Past President/Board Member. Board of Directors. 01/2019 - 11/2019
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Member. Long-Range Planning Committee. 01/2019 - 11/2019
  • American Journalism Historians Association. AJHA Convention Host. with Prof. Kim Mangun and Prof. Glen Feighery as co-hosts, of the 2018 American Journalism Historians Association National Convention in Salt Lake City, October 2018. Past President, Oct. 2016-Oct. 2017, Ex-Officio Board Member (first of two-year term), AJHA, Oct. 2017-Oct. 2018. Chair, AJHA Long-Range Planning Committee, Oct. 2017-Oct. 2018. Committee developed and submitted to board duties and responsibilities of national convention hosts. Member vote for constitutional inclusion occurs October 2019. Member, AJHA Convention-Site Committee, Oct. 2016-Oct. 2020. Journal Manuscript Referee for American Journalism. Convention Manuscript Referee for AJHA. 01/2018 - present
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Convention Host. Appointed with Prof. Kim Mangun as co-host of the 2018 AJHA National Convention to be held in Salt Lake City in October 2018. Hotel, special event dining, and historical tour contracts are already complete. 10/2017 - 10/2018
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Journal Manuscript Referee for American Journalism. Convention Manuscript Referee for AJHA. 01/2017 - 11/2017
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: President, 2016-2017. This space does not provide room to list my duties and activities through the year. Please see the attachment to my vita. 01/2017 - 11/2017
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: President. As president, I am not only chief executive officer but also the organization's chief financial officer. Besides co-ordinating the October 2017 national convention in Little Rock, Arkansas, I am also pursuing the following goals: A survey of journalism and mass communication administrators that will address history’s potential for helping them maintain curriculum and instruction standards. Encouraging members to not only join committees, but to seek committee chair positions. A campaign to monitor and respond to First Amendment violations by government officials via teaching, research and public outreach. A discussion of possible financial assistance for retired members to attend conventions. An invitation to all members for their input and suggestions. Clarifying and defining the constitutional duties of the Development Committee. A continued drive for increased membership. 10/2016 - 10/2017
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: 1st Vice-President. Actual term, 10/2015-10/2016. As 1st VP, I worked with 12 committee chairs throughout the year to clarify and assist them in their assigned duties, this included the completion of committee manuals that describe the roles and tasks of committee chairs and members. I also requested, compiled, wrote and edited the chairs’ committee reports for presentation to the board of directors and assisted the president and 2nd VP in decision-making related to organizational needs and issues. During the convention I coordinated and administered special events. During the year, I consulted with the officers on deciding the President’s Award, the AJHA 35th Anniversary celebration arrangements, and on AJHA financial matters. We also addressed the Long-Range Planning Committee’s Convention Costs Survey recommendations, implementing the need for greater affordability and accessibility in deciding convention cities and hotels. 01/2016 - 10/2016
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: 2nd VP . Elected 2nd Vice President. 5-year position. 2nd VP to 1st VP to President to Ex-Officio President (2 years). As 2nd VP: Organized conference schedule for accepted papers, panels, research-in-progress submissions, special events, and award sessions. Recruited, assigned paper and RIP session moderators. Prepared working draft of convention schedule to post on website for participant travel planning. Prepared completed draft of program. Worked with president to finalize program for printing. Contacted 65 universities/colleges 3-5 times each to solicit and invoice ads for the conference program, setting an ad revenue record. Scheduled computers for paper and panel sessions. Facilitated the conference. Previous to conference work I consulted with president, 1st VP and several committees to assist in budget reforms and a long-range planning expense audit. I also reviewed conference paper submissions. 10/2015 - 10/2019
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Research Committee. 01/2015 - present
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Convention paper reviewer. 01/2015 - present
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Submissions reviewer for American Journalism journal. 01/2015 - present
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Member. History in the Curriculum Committee. 01/2015 - 10/2015
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Member. Elected association 2nd Vice President. Convention Site-selection Committee. History in the Curriculum Committee. Research Committee. Convention paper reviewer. American Journalism article submission reviewer (AJHA journal). 01/2014 - present
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Convention paper reviewer. 05/2013 - present
  • American Journalism . Role: reviewer. journal article reviewer. 01/2013 - present
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Member. Research Committee. 01/2013 - present
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Member. Convention Site Selection Committee. 01/2013 - present
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Member. History in the Curriculum Committee. 01/2013 - present
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Member. Research Committee. 01/2011 - 12/2011
  • American Journalism Historians Association. journal article reviewer. 01/2011 - 12/2011
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: chair. History in the Curriculum Committee. 01/2011 - 11/2011
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: member. Long-Range Planning Committee. 01/2011 - 11/2011
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Member. Board of Directors. 01/2011 - 11/2011
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Member. Board of Directors. 10/2008 - 10/2011
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Chair. History in the Curriculum Committee. 10/2008 - 10/2011
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: member. Long-range Planning Committee. 10/2008 - 10/2011
  • American Journalism Historians Association. Role: Member. Research Committee. 05/2007 - 10/2012

Internal Service

  • University of Utah, Department of Communication, Kappa Tau Alpha journalism honor society Faculty Adviser, Fall 2022-continuing. Faculty Adviser, 01/2023 - 06/2026. Department service.
  • University of Utah, Department of Communication, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee/Scholarship Committee, Fall 2022-continuing. Member, 01/2023 - 06/2024. Department service.
  • University of Utah, Department of Communication, Honors Program Faculty Adviser, Fall 2022-Spring 2023. Faculty Adviser, 01/2023 - 06/2023. Department service.
  • University of Utah, Department of Communication, Chair of the Journalism: Race, News & Community Assistant Professor Search Committee, Fall 2022. CHAIR, 07/2022 - 12/2022. Department service.
  • University of Utah, Department of Communication, Co-Chair of Digital Journalism Assistant Professor Search Committee, Fall 2021-Spring 2022. CO-CHAIR, 01/2022 - 04/2022. Department service.
  • University of Utah, Department of Communication, Co-Chair of Digital Journalism Assistant Professor Search Committee, Fall 2021-Spring 2022. 07/2021 - 04/2022. Department service.
  • Journalism Assistant Professor Search Committee, 2021-2022. Co-Chair, 07/2021 - 03/2022. Department service.
  • Peer Teaching Committee. Peer Teaching Report for Professor Suhi Choi RPT review. Reviewer, 04/2021 - present. Department service.
  • College of Humanities Career Development Committee, Three-year term 07/2020-06/2023. Review and rank the fall URC Faculty Fellowship applications. Review and rank the Spring International Travel Grant applications. Member, 01/2021 - present. College service.
  • College of Humanities Career Development Committee, Three-year term 07/2020-06/2023. Review and rank the fall URC Faculty Fellowship applications. Review and rank the Spring International Travel Grant applications. Member, 06/2020 - present. College service.
  • Student Behavior Committee. Three-year term 07/2017 - 06/2020. Member, 01/2020 - 06/2020. University service.
  • Undergraduate Scholarship Committee, Department of Communication. Six-year term 07/2014-06/2020. 01/2020 - 06/2020. Department service.
  • Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Department of Communication. Two-year term 07/2018-06/2020. Member, 01/2020 - 06/2020. Department service.
  • Member, Long-Range Planning Committee, American Journalism Historians Association, 2018-2019. 01/2019 - 12/2019. Other service.
  • Past President/Board of Directors member. American Journalism Historians Association, 2018-2019. 01/2019 - 12/2019. Other service.
  • Undergraduate Scholarship Committee, University of Utah, Department of Communication, 2014-2020. 01/2019 - 12/2019. Department service.
  • Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, University of Utah, Department of Communication, 2018-2020. 01/2019 - 12/2019. Department service.
  • University of Utah student chapter of Toastmasters International faculty adviser, 2014-2019. 01/2019 - 12/2019. University service.
  • Student Behavior Committee. Three-year term, 07/2017 - 06/2020. Member, 01/2019 - 12/2019. University service.
  • Student Behavior Committee. Member, 07/2017 - 02/2020. University service. 01/2018 - 12/2018. College service.
  • University of Utah student chapter of Toastmasters International faculty adviser, 2014-present. 01/2018 - 12/2018. Department service.
  • Member, “Space Force” Committee, Department of Communication. 01/2018 - 12/2018. Department service.
  • Member, Scholarship Committee, Department of Communication. 01/2018 - 12/2018. Department service.
  • Member, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Department of Communication, . 01/2018 - 12/2018. Department service.
  • KUER Radio Ethics Code Committee, created “Standards of Public Integrity for Employees, Journalists & Development Personnel” Document. Finalized summer 2018. 01/2018 - 12/2018. University service.
  • Student Behavior Committee. Member, 07/2017 - 06/2020. University service. 07/20/2017 - 12/2017. University service.
  • Student Behavior Committee. Member, 07/2017 - 02/2018. University service.
  • Scholarship Committee. Member, 01/2017 - 12/2017. Department service.
  • Peer Teaching Committee. Member, 01/2017 - 12/2017. Department service.
  • KUER Radio Ethics Code Committee, created “Standards of Public Integrity for Employees, Journalists & Development Personnel” Document. October 2016-November 2017. Member, 01/2017 - 11/2017. University service.
  • KUER Radio Ethics Code Committee. Researching and writing an ethics code for KUER journalists and employees. Member, 10/2016 - 12/2018. University service.
  • Undergraduate Scholarship Committee. Member, 01/2016 - 12/2018. Department service.
  • University Chapter of Toastmasters International. Faculty Adviser, 01/2016 - 12/2018. Department service.
  • Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. Member, 01/2016 - 06/2016. Department service.
  • College of Humanites Executive Committee. 08/2015 - 05/2016. College service.
  • University Chapter of Toastmasters International. Faculty Adviser, 01/2015 - 12/2018. Department service.
  • Undergrad Curriculum Committee. Member, 01/2015 - 12/2015. Department service.
  • Undergraduate Scholarship Committee. 08/2014 - 12/2018. Department service.
  • RPT 7th-year formal tenure review for Joy Pierce. Committee member, fall 2014. 08/2014 - 10/2014. Department service.
  • Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. 07/2014 - 05/2016. Department service.
  • University of Utah Chapter of Toastmasters International, Faculty Adviser. 01/2014 - 12/2018. University service.
  • University of Utah Chapter of Toastmasters International. Faculty Adviser, 05/2013 - 12/2018. University service.
  • RPT 6th-Year Informal Tenure Review for Sean Lawson. Chair, 04/2013 - 07/2013. Department service.
  • RPT 7th-Year Formal Tenure Review for Suhi Choi. Committee Member, 03/2013 - 07/2013. Department service.
  • Dept. of Communication Graduate Committee. Member, 07/2012 - 05/2014. Department service.
  • Dept. Honors College Adviser. 07/2012 - 01/2013. Department service.
  • Department of Communication Graduate Committee. 01/2012 - 05/2014. Department service.
  • Faculty Committee on Community & Government Relations. committee member, 08/01/2011 - 07/30/2014. University service.
  • Public Relations Student Society of America, U of U, Department of Communication chapter. Faculty Advisor, 08/01/2011 - 06/01/2012. Department service.
  • Dept. of Communication Executive Committee. Member, 07/2011 - 06/2013. Department service.
  • Public Relations Student Society of American, U of U Chapter. Faculty Advisor, 07/2011 - 05/2012. Department service.
  • RPT Committee Tenure Review for Glen Feighery . Chair, 05/2011 - 12/2011. Department service.
  • Faculty Committee on Community & Government Relations. Member., 01/2011 - 07/2014. University service.
  • Student Media Council. Chair, 01/2011 - 06/2011. University service.
  • Search Committee: Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication. Chair, 01/2011 - 03/2011. Department service.
  • Student Media Council Board of Trustees appointment. Chair, 05/2010 - 06/2011. University service.
  • Search Committee: Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication . Chair, 05/2010 - 02/2011. Department service.
  • Student Publications Council Board of Trustees appointment. Chair, 05/2009 - 05/2010. University service.
  • Peer Teaching Review Committee. Chair, 07/2008 - 05/2010. Department service.

Outreach

  • Keynote Speaker, “The Rights and Responsibilities of High School Journalists,” Utah High School Journalism Symposium, Utah Valley University, November 2017, 468 attendees. 11/2017 - present
  • Sole panelist, “A Constitutional Discussion with High School Journalism Advisers.” Utah High School Journalism Symposium, Utah Valley University, November 2017, 24 attendees. 11/2017 - present
  • Utah High School Journalism Boot Camp. University of Utah, Utah State, Weber State, Westminster College joined to create the four-day event. Administered via UofU Student Media Council. I taught two sessions on mass comm law and media ethics. 07/2016 - 08/2016
  • Utah High School Journalism Boot Camp. University of Utah, Utah State, Weber State, Westminster College joined to create the four-day event. Administered via UofU Student Media Council. I taught a session on mass comm law. 07/2015 - 08/2015

Honors & Awards

  • Department of Communication nomination for the University of Utah College of Humanities 2022-2023 Ramona Canon Teaching Award. University of Utah College of Humanities, 01/2023
  • Faculty Award of Excellence for “Security, Economy, Society, and Complexity: White Newspaper Coverage of Race in the West During the 1860s.” Glen Feighery & David J. Vergobbi, co-authors. National Symposium on the 19th Century Press, the Civil War, and Free Expression. , 11/2021
  • Department of Communication nomination for the University of Utah 2021-2022 University Distinguished Teaching Award. University of Utah, 02/2021
  • National Award for Excellence in Teaching. American Journalism Historians Association , 10/2019
  • Nominated for the 2018-2019 Calvin S. & Jeneal N. Hatch Prize in Teaching. University of Utah, 02/2019
  • ASUU Student Choice Teaching Award. Associated Students of the University of Utah, 04/2012

In the Media

  • Interview: “ABC’s ‘Nightline’ Profiles Ben Shapiro,” ABC News, October 2017. 10/2017.
  • Interview: “Campus Free Speech: The Ben Shapiro Visit,” KUER-Radio, September 2017. 09/2017.
  • Interview: “Civility: Changing the Conversation,” KSL-TV, Salt Lake City, UT. Church of Jesus Christ for Latter-Day Saints General Conference Programming, aired April and October 2017. 04/2017.