Turnage, in collaboration with retired Professor Laura Roselle, established a fund to further support research in political communication and media literacy with grants supporting speakers, research, and dialogue at Elon.
Dave Turnage, who helped develop a fund focused on research in political communication and media literacy, passed away on November 17, 2022. he was in his 90s.
Having spent most of his career as a program administrator at Alamance Community College, Turnage helped found the Turnage Family Innovation and Creativity Fund for political communication research at Elon. The Turnage Foundation’s first event was “Media and Politics: Openness, Accuracy, and Honesty in the 21st Century Media Landscape,” held in Spring 2011.
Turnage has developed a foundation to support Elon students and faculty as they strive to make an impact in the world. Turnage collaborates with Laura Roselle, Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Policy Studies, to support faculty research and fund programs to advance the interests of students and other members of the community in the world of politics. provided.
Through Turnage Fund, Elon has hosted speakers such as Ruby Sales, James Fielder, Peter Levine, Doug McAdam, Siva Vaidhyanathan, Kathleen Searles and more. In conjunction with the Communication School, the fund supported the Pulitzer Center for the Crisis his reporting event in Elon in 2018 with veteran reporters Rachel Oswald, Reza Saya and Tom Handley. The Turnage Fund has also supported research by Elon’s faculty, including Safia Swimelar, Kelsey Bitting, Harlen Makemson, Damion Blake, and Douglas Kass.
Baris Kesgin, Associate Professor of Political Science and Policy Studies, currently serves on the Turnage Fund’s Board of Trustees and continues to support student and faculty research and community events that fulfill the Fund’s mission.
A graduate of NC State University with a degree in mechanical engineering, Turnage spent two years in the United States Air Force before joining the staff of Alamance Community College. He was a member of the board of directors of the Greensboro Opera and the Burlington Dinner He was also an active member of the Rotary Club and his YMCA.
A memorial service for Turnage will be held at Elon Community Church on Thursday, December 1 at 11:00 am, followed by a reception.