Wayne A. Payne was a professor in the Department of Physiology and Health Science at Ball State University for 32 years. He became an emeritus member of the faculty in 2003. Payne earned his Ed.D. in community health education from The University of Tennessee, and his MS in health education and his BS in biology from Ball State University. Payne also holds an R.T. certification in radiographic technology. He also completed preclinical medical education course in gross anatomy, physiology, histology, and biochemistry at Indiana University School of Medicine. During his teaching career at Ball State University, Payne taught a variety of health-related courses, including personal health courses. Central to his teaching was a deep interest in the role of health as it relates to growth and development during young and middle adulthood. Dr. Payne also taught in England and for the Department of Defense in Germany.

As an emeritus professor, Payne remains involved in the study of many health-related topics and their impact on the adult life experiences, he also enjoys opportunities for family interaction, exercise, travel, recreational reading, and volunteering in the cardiology department of his local hospital.