Daemen College : Academics & Research : Division of Arts & Sciences : English : Faculty : Karl Terryberry

Karl Terryberry

Associate Professor

kterrybe@daemen.edu

I have taught literature and writing at several colleges and universities since 1988. I began my teaching career at the University of South Carolina, and when I returned to Western New York, I taught for several state university colleges, Houghton College, and D'Youville College between 1992 and 1996.  

In 1994, I left academia altogether and worked as a professional writer: first, as a writer and editor for Adelphia Communications and then, as a writer, editor, and web content administrator for a research arm of the State University of New York. These experiences in the corporate and research worlds have proven to be instrumental in helping me become a more effective writing instructor. I've seen the problems that are created by poor writers in their industries, and I take these real world experiences back to the classroom to share with my students.

In 1999, I returned to academia as an assistant professor of English at Elizabeth City State University, one of the system colleges of the University of North Carolina. I taught technical writing, composition, American literature, and children's literature there, and I also worked as the Business Administrator to our campus newspaper and developed the Online Writing Lab (OWL). The  OWL allows students to learn basic lessons about writing in static web pages, but it also allows students to seek interactive feedback from student tutors in threaded discussion groups. This type of interactive learning system was highlighted in the Interactive Multimedia Education Journal, which is published at the campus of Wake Forest University. I was able to build a similar OWL here at Daemen.

Since arriving at Daemen in 2000, I have mainly taught courses in writing. I teach advanced composition and the first-year writing course, called CMP 101. Also, I teach CMP 315: Advanced Composition for Health Professionals, which is a required course for majors in Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Athletic Training. This course is also popular with students in Health Care Studies. In 2009, I began teaching scholarly writing for our new Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program. This course helps our doctorally-prepared nursing students publish evidence-based research. My work in writing for the health sciences has been well-received in the health care industry as well. My textbook, Writing for the Health Professions, is used in medical schools and undergraduate programs in the health sciences across the North America, Asia, and Europe. My work in this field has also led me to lecture on the subject and present my findings at conferences for the national accrediting bodies of physical therapy and physician assistant studies.  

My specialty in writing for the health sciences has also led me to continue research in the sciences that influence writing. For example, my most recent research proposal explores the relationship of cognition and brain function in writing. In my spare time, I also teach and provide English and literature tutorials for Native American students on reservations across Western New York. When I'm not teaching or thinking about writing, I play golf, tennis, hockey, and squash or travel with my wife and homeschooled children.