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Theon Hill, Ph.D.Associate Professor of Communication
On Faculty since 2014
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Dr. Theon E. Hill serves as Associate Professor of Communication at Wheaton College, specializing in the study of African American rhetoric within the contexts of politics, social movements, religion, and popular culture. His research and teaching explore how African American rhetorical traditions shape public discourse and drive social change across these diverse spheres. Dr. Hill's scholarly work appears in a variety of respected academic journals, including Rhetoric & Public Affairs, Public Relations Review, Journal of Communication Management, Communication Quarterly, and the Journal of Communication and Religion.
Selected Peer-Reviewed Articles
In-Press. "Black Loyalty and the Obama Era: A Rhetorical Critique of Bayard Rustin's Theory of Coalition Politics. Rhetoric & Public Affairs 27.4.
2024. "Introducing the Marginalized Imaged Navigation and Expression (MINE) Principles Via the Confirmation Hearings of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson." Public Relations Review 50.2 [First author with Damion Waymer]
Hill, T. E., 2016
2023. "A Conceptual Update to Image Restoration Theory (IRT) Via an Analysis of the Vice-Presidential Campaign of Kamal Harris." Public Relations Review 49.2 [Second author with Damion Waymer]
Selected Book Chapters
In-Press. "Prophets, Presidents, and Democracy." In N. Crick (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook on Rhetoric and Power. New York: Routledge.
2021. "Heed the Prophetic Voice." In R. Hart (Ed.), Fixing American Politics: Solutions for a Media Age. New York: Routledge
Purdue University
Ph.D., Communication, 2013
- African American Rhetoric
- Race & Ethnicity
- The Obama Presidency
- Political Rhetoric
- Rap & Hip-Hop Culture
The Positives of Diversity
Chris Fabry Live online
You hear a lot about diversity in our culture these days. Many are urging us to make our churches, our workplaces and our communities more diverse. What are the positives of diversity? Why should we push for it?
The Centuries-Old Habits of the Heart
Christianity Today online
The tragic events in Charlottesville have captivated the attention of the nation, plunging us, yet again, into another period of deep soul-searching over our anguished racial history. President Donald Trump drew criticism from both sides of the aisle for his reluctance to condemn white nationalism specifically in his initial remarks.
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Melvin Banks had a Dream
Christianity Today online
His name may not be familiar to those outside Christian publishing, but few have impacted the church as much as Melvin E. Banks Sr., the founder and chairman of Urban Ministries Inc. (UMI).
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Kate Shellnutt, "Should Churches Keep Their Civil War Landmarks"
Christianity Today online
“The primary question for the church to consider is not what to remember but how we remember it,” said Theon Hill, a Wheaton College communications professor. Hill remembers the culture shock—and crisis of faith—that accompanied his undergraduate years at Bob Jones University, where he watched classmates embrace and defend Confederate heritage.
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What Would Jesus Say about Confederate Symbols
The Front Porch online
As a Christian, I’m interested in the influence of faith on this debate, especially considering that the majority of Confederate symbols are located in the South which ranks as the most religious region in the nation.
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Remembering James Baldwin
Faithfully Magazine (inaugural issue) online
January-March Issue, 2017
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Episode 241: Race! Religion! Trump! w/Theon Hill
The Phil Vischer Podcast online
Why do black and white evangelicals see the world so differently? Race and religion in the age of Trump, with professor Theon Hill.
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Rhetoric and Preaching the Gospel
Theology for Life Podcast, Episode 12 online
What is the role of rhetoric in the public square and in enacting justice? Hill explains that rhetoric shapes our identity. How we describe and term things in our world helps shape that around us and how people see the possibilities.
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Remembering James Baldwin
The Front Porch online
On February 3, 2017, Raoul Peck’s critically acclaimed documentary “I Am Not Your Negro” will debut in theaters across the nation, introducing a new generation to the prophetic voice of James Baldwin. The film considers American race relations through the lens of Baldwin’s unfinished novel “Remember This House.”
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Racial Reconciliation
Brian and Kathleen Mornings (interview), Moody Radio, Cleveland online
The United States has a long and painful history with racism. Dr. Theon Hill from Wheaton College joins Brian and Kathleen to discuss how he believes that we can begin to make steps towards solving this difficult and complex issue.
Are Trump’s White Evangelical Supporters Racist
Quick to Listen Podcast, Episode 36 (podcast interview), Christianity Today online
Theon Hill joins CT editors to discuss the evolution of the word “racist,” where gentleness belongs in this discussion, and how the issue of race affects evangelicals’ legitimacy in the public square.
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The Church at its Racial Turning Point
Christianity Today online Five ways forward after the recent tragic events.
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Looking Back and Looking Forward (includes an interview with Dr. Theon E. Hill)
Vocalo’s The Barber Shop Show online
On this week's show we heard from Dr. Theon Hill, a communications prof who specializes in race, rhetoric, speechwriting, and the speeches of Obama and MLK, about the significance of eulogies, including President Obama’s eulogy for Sen. Clementa Pinckney (pastor of Emmanuel AME).
MLK Day speaker to give 'practical tips' on carrying out King's work
Daily Herald online
Theon Hill sat transfixed in his college dorm room, watching a video that grabbed hold of the teen in a way that "nothing else has."
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Episode 133: Addressing Systemic Racism w/Theon Hill
The Phil Vischer Podcast online
Phil and Skye are joined by guest Theon Hill to discuss the church’s role in addressing systemic racism in a post-Ferguson America.
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Evangelical Colleges: Unlikely Allies in #BlackLivesMatter
The Atlantic online
Whether the college years actually make students more liberal is still an issue up for debate, but it would seem that many Christian colleges are creating space for their students to have difficult conversations about political issues that they often avoided in the past. A Christian college experience may lend itself to thinking about empathy and justice in ways that are new to some students. "The role of the Christian college at a time like this is to teach, to educate our students to think Biblically about the world in which they live," said Theon Hill, a communications instructor at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Christian colleges have always paid special attention to shaping the character of their students, but conversations around issues of race are new for many.
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Evangelical Colleges: Unlikely Allies in #BlackLivesMatter
The Atlantic online
"The role of the Christian college at a time like this is to teach, to educate our students to think Biblically about the world in which they live," said Theon Hill, a communications instructor at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.
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Wheaton College students protest in wake of Ferguson decision
Chicago Tribune online
Wheaton College Professor Theon Hill also joined the protesters before leaving early to teach his class. "I think it's important for us — the church — to start talking about systemic racism in society," Hill said. "This has been going on far too long."
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Quad staff interviews communication studies professor Dr. Theon Hill
The Quad online
Dr. Theon Hill is a first year communication studies professor here at the university. Dr. Hill finished his doctorate program at Purdue earlier this year and specializes in the study of Rhetoric. Dr. Hill was born and raised in Chicago, and is a diehard Chicago sports fan...
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- COMM 312: Communication Criticism
- COMM 454: The Rhetoric of Rap Music
- COMM 454: Political Style
- COMM 253: Messages, Influence, and Culture