Faculty Page

Prof Kenneth D. Day

Department of Communication
University of the Pacific

Kenneth D. Day (Ph.D. 1980 in Mass Communications and M.S. 1975 in Computer Science, Indiana University) is Professor of New Communication Technology in the Department of Communication at the University of the Pacific, where he also serves as Virtual Worlds Manager for Pacific's exploration of the use of virtual worlds such as Second Life and OpenSimulator.

Prof. Day teaches a range of undergraduate courses from Introduction to New Communication Technology, Intercultural Communication, Media and Society, Mass Communication Theory and the senior capstone course, Legal and Ethical Issues in Communication. He also teaches a graduate seminar in Mass Communication Theory. He is currently designing a special course, delivered through iTunes University and within Second Life, that will offer an introduction to the range of new Internet-based communication technologies that are transforming our society.

At present Prof. Day's research interests are focused on the effects of Internet-based communication technology, a topic which ranges widely from the success of the Barack Obama campaign strategies during the presidential election to how virtual worlds are transforming the Internet to three dimensions to best practices in using virtual worlds.

He is the executive producer of an Internet political-affairs podcast called Tear Down the Fence, the manager of a company assisting businesses and educators in using virtual worlds (Meta Navigators), an Internet consultant for a musical performer (Michael Knight) and an aspiring screenplay writer (Dirty Operation, written with Morokoth Khoonsrivong, is the story of the tragic fate of the family of a Cambodian military commander during the Vietnam War.) He plays traditional Irish instruments and composes music, including hiphop, using the professional sound synthesis program called Reason. Dr. Day is also actively working with Comanche Nation in Oklahoma to assist in the Internet distribution of and creation of instructional materials to restore the Comanche language.

Recent papers:

Day, K. D., Dong, Q., & DeCoste, T. A.  Virtual worlds and the transformation of the Web to 3D.  Paper presented at the annual Mardi Gras Conference, Baton Rouge, LA, February 2009.

Dong, Q., Urista, M. & Day, D. Explaining why young adults use MySpace and Facebook through uses and gratification theory. Paper presented at the National Communication Association Annual Conference, San Diego, November, 2008.

Day, K. & Dong, Q.  Constructing presidential candidate ethos: The case of Barack Obama (expanded paper). Paper presented at the Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association Conference, Reno, NV. October, 2008.

Dong, Q., Day, K. D. & Urista, M.  Resonant message and powerful media: Analysis of the success of the Obama presidential campaign. Paper presented at the Obama Effect Conference organized by University of Minnesota, October, 2008.

Dong, Q., Day, K., & Collaco, C. Overcoming ethnocentrism through developing intercultural communication sensitivity and multiculturalism. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of International Communication Association Annual Conference, Montreal, CN, May, 2008.

Day, K. & Dong, Q.  Constructing presidential candidate ethos: The case of Barack Obama. Paper presented at the Western States Communication Association Annual Conference, Denver/Boulder, CO. February, 2008.