Industry Veteran, Instructional Technology Educational Expert Join The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University

SMU/DALLAS – July 2, 2008 -- Ed Clune, former senior manager of central technology at Activision Publishing, and Dr. Paul Topac, a specialist in educational instructional technology, have joined the faculty at The Guildhall at SMU, a top rated graduate video game development program at Southern Methodist University.

“Ed and Paul are tremendous additions to our faculty,” said Dr. Peter Raad, executive director for the program.  “Ed’s 12 years with Activision will be so valuable to our students.  And Paul’s work in instructional technology will allow us to explore the serious game sector more aggressively and attract some significant research projects.”

Prior to being senior manager of central technology at Activision, Clune served as an associate producer and programmer with the publishing company.  He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electric and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

Topac received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin this spring where his dissertation topic focused on “The Effects of a Problem-Based Learning Digital Game on Continuing Motivation to Learn Science.”  He also holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemical Engineering from UT Austin