Ernest G. Bormann (July 28, 1925 – December 27, 2008) was Professor Emeritus in the Department of Speech-Communication at the University of Minnesota. He received his B.A. from the University of South Dakota in 1949 and earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1953. He originated the Symbolic Convergence Theory of human communication, which emphasizes the sharing of group "fantasies" (creative interpretations) as a method of developing shared meaning. He is the author of numerous books and articles.