• c ong After being established in 2008, the College of Communication experienced some dramatic changes within the first few years. Dr. Beckie Weaver, who had served as chair of the department of communication for two years, was named the new dean of the College of Communication in 2010. The college housed three different departments: mass communication, communication sciences and disorders (CSD) and theatre with an oral communication division. These changes, Weaver believed, made the college "more in line with other universities." "Now we more accurately reflect who we are, what we do and have delineated out areas of study," Weaver said. • wor Petit Jean staff was a unique opportunity most universities made students wait to join until they reached upperclassman status. The CSD department prided itself on its involvement in Zambia, as it had been asked to present their program internationally. "Our Harding University in Zambia-Speech-Language Pathology Program (HIZ-Path) is drawing national attention," Dr. Dan Tullos, chair of the CSD department, said. "Few other CSD academic programs in the world can offer such an experience." The theatre department had its share of successes as well. From programs such as Spring Sing to The Pied Pipers, an internationally touring improvisational children's theatre company, the department was a strong asset to the college. In fact, students often paired their intel-est in theatre with a heart for ministry. Such changes helped realign the duties of professors and staff within the College of Communication. Many had to broaden their interests as they worked together to maximize the students' experiences. "As we grow, we are working to celebrate and collaborate on our differences, and at the same time we cherish the long-standing communication principles that we share," Dr. Jack "One of the factors that makes our department unique compared to other theatre departments is our focus on Dr. Weaver plays a game of Candy Land while heIping students create a 1 ife, not just a working the speech clinic Sept. 28. The speech career," Professor Robin Miller, theatre clinic gave students an opportunity for a ~nds on department chair, said. "Our greatest experience with students in need Caleb Rummel concern is in the whole person." Shock, chair of the department of mass communication, said. "I feel like I have the best job in the world." Weaver noted that each department boasted some incredible accomplishments within the college. According to Shock, the mass communications department focused on the "career arc of each student." Allowing students to get involved early with programs such as the TV-16, KVHU 95.3 or the Bison and the -: -•!· Ultimately, the College of Communicat'i!®n with all its changes was focused simply on helping students reach their potential as they prepared for the work environment. "My vision is to make sure that the whole gmup of the faculty are able to adequately convey the opportunities to students that are going to be coming up in the 21st century," Weaver said. Gabrielle Pruitt communication 17 5 ~
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==