Communication Studies Newsletter—Aug. 2006
James C. McCroskey
1972-2006
“Retirement is the ugliest word in the language.” ~Ernest Hemingway
“I feel nothing but the accursed happiness I have dreaded all my life long: the happiness that comes as life goes, the happiness of yielding and dreaming instead of resisting and doing, the sweetness of the fruit that is going rotten.” ~ George Bernard Shaw
Jim McCroskey. Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.
Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University. Jim McCroskey.
For many years, the two have been synonymous. But earlier this summer, Dr. McCroskey announced that the unimaginable was to happen, that he would be retiring after teaching his extended learning courses in July.
To say that faculty and staff members, students, and alumni were shocked is an understatement. Granted, his wife, Dr. Virginia Peck Richmond, had accepted a position to be the new Chair at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. But she had left WVU before for a chair position and he had stayed behind in Morgantown, as he stated he would once again. But after a lot of contemplation, he changed his mind. “I’m moving to Alabama with Virginia.”
“Wow! I don’t know what to say. I came to WVU to work with the famous Dr. James C. McCroskey. Jim had a great impact on my research and I was fortunate to work on several projects with him. As a chair now myself, I can also say I model my leadership style after Jim’s leadership behaviors,” stated Dr. Joseph Chesebro, Chair of the Department of Communication at SUNY-Brockport. “Jim may no longer be at WVU, but he will always be a legend.”
Dr. McCroskey arrived at WVU in the fall of 1972 as Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication Studies. Before coming to WVU, Dr. McCroskey taught at Illinois State University, Michigan State University, Pennsylvania State University, Old Dominion University, and the University of Hawaii.
Members of the field of communication studies probably know Dr. McCroskey best for his prolific scholarship. He is recognized as the most prolific scholar in the discipline and is also recognized as being the most cited. Dr. McCroskey has also been authoring textbooks routinely over the last 40 years.
Those that worked with Jim know him for his leadership and collegiality. An exiguous number of graduate students and faculty members did not publish with Dr. McCroskey at one time or another. As stated on his web page, the field of communication was a family affair for Dr. McCroskey, as he frequently co-authored with his wife, as well his daughter, Dr. Lynda McCroskey.
“I learned a great deal from Dr. McCroskey in the time we spent together, and I am sad to see him move on to bigger and better things. He was a great teacher, a great leader, and a great mentor, but most of all I consider him to be a great friend,” said eighth-year doctoral student John G.Cole.
Dr. McCroskey received many awards and recognitions during his career for his teaching, research, and service. Two recent prestigious awards were the 2003 National Communication Association Mentor Award and the 2004 Benedum Distinguished Scholar Award. Both awards have only been bestowed upon a few people.
“Louis Armstrong once said that ‘musicians don’t retire, they stop when there’s no more music in them.’ I still believe Jim has a little more music in him; maybe not much singing, but a little dancing,” remarked Dr. Martin.
“James C. McCroskey retired, no longer at West Virginia University – that is imperceptible,” noted Ms. Renee Kisner, long time office manager and department confidant.
Although there was little time to prepare, departmental faculty and staff members were able to celebrate Dr. McCroskey’s career at WVU at a dinner held in his honor in July. At this even, Dr. McCroskey was given several WVU mementos, including a WVU gold watch, as a token of the department’s appreciation.
Keep up to date with Dr. McCroskey’s retirement activities on his personal webpage: http://www.jamescmccroskey.com/
Best wishes Jim and thanks for the many years of service to the department, WVU, and the communication studies discipline.
Scott Myers: Mr. Factotum
“I’m anal retentive. I’m a workaholic. I have insomnia. And I’m a control freak. That’s why I’m not married. Who could stand me?” ~ Madonna
“I slip from workaholic to bum real easy.” ~Matthew Broderick
Some people who have a full-time job fish for a hobby. Others might play golf or spend time relaxing on a boat. Some people volunteer for a second full-time job without any financial compensation. Earlier this summer, Dr. Scott Myers completed his two year term as Executive Director of the Central States Communication Association (CSCA).
The Executive Director of a professional association has many responsibilities. For CSCA, responsibilities of the Executive Director include being in charge of making convention arrangements, planning and supervising convention events, and running the day-to-day operations of the convention, handling membership records, creating and maintaining the association?s website, writing and formatting newsletters, balancing financial books, and serving as a liaison between the association and other organizations.
“Executive Directors perform an invaluable service to their associations. Associations would not be able to function without them. At the same time, I believe a person would have to be certified daffy to volunteer for this position. Given this criteria, Dr. Myers qualifies,” stated Dr. Matt Martin.
“Central States Communication Association needed me and I was glad to serve my association. It was not easy; in fact, the position was much more challenging than what I expected. But as one of my personal heroes, Helen Keller, once said, ‘Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved,’” pondered Dr. Myers. “Believe me, I’ve suffered. At first I was afraid, I was petrified. Kept thinking that my term would never end. But I’ve survived, I’ve survived.”
The pinnacle of the recent 75th CSCA convention in Indianapolis was a Diamond Jubilee Gala on Saturday night. Dr. Myers fluttered in his tuxedo from food station to guest tables to the exhibits to the bar, making any final arrangements and accommodations that were needed or requested. As one might expect, the night was a complete success.
“The Diamond Jubilee Gala capped the conference perfectly. The Rumpled Tweed band rocked as CSCA members danced. The food was both elegant and delicious” stated Dr. Deanna Sellnow, President of CSCA.
“Serving as Executive Director CSCA was like going to the dentist weekly for two years. I might have suffered a little discomfort, but my teeth are stronger and better looking than ever, although popcorn kernels seem to get stuck in my teeth more often” concluded Dr. Myers. When asked to explain his analogy, Dr. Myers said that the receiver must interpret for him or herself.
Dr. Avtgis co-authors aggressive communication text
“Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Theodore Avtgis, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at West Virginia University, along with Dr. Andrew Rancer, Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Akron, recently published the text Argumentative and Aggressive Communication: Theory, Research, and Application.
The book is divided into three sections. The first section focuses on the origins of argumentative and aggressive communication. The second section takes a contextual approach while the third section provides guidelines for readers on how to increase their argumentative skills.
“Our book is particularly interesting because it gives suggestions and strategies for handling destructive aggressive communication. We also provide instruction on how to argue constructively. People can use the information in the book to become stronger and more effective communicators,” said Dr. Avtgis.
Dr. Joseph A. DeVito, a professor at Hunter College, agrees. “The thoroughness of coverage that this book devotes to perhaps the most important research area in communication today provides students with amazing insight into conflict, argumentativeness, aggressiveness, and a variety of other concepts and skills central to communication!”
Argumentative and Aggressive Communication: Theory, Research, and Application is available through Sage Publications.
Home Improvements: Seminar Room Remodeled
Armstrong Hall 115 is known as the seminar room for the Department of Communication Studies. Most graduate courses, several undergraduate courses, faculty meetings, and research studies frequently take place in this room. Over the last year, the room has metamorphosed and now has a new look and capabilities.
First, new carpet was installed. Then new chairs and tables were purchased. For the first time in many years, all of the chairs match. Additionally, a 36 inch television monitor with a DVD/VCR player was acquired for the room.
Over the summer, the department invested in 25 laptop computers and arranged to have Armstrong 115 made into a wireless classroom. Graduate and undergraduate classes in research methods can now be taught in this room instead of a computer laboratory elsewhere on campus. The wireless capabilities also allow for additional research possibilities.
“For as long as I remember, other departments, especially the Department of Psychology, have been kind enough to let us use their computer labs when they were available. But as time went on, availability decreased while our own demand increased,” noted Dr. Matthew Martin, Chair of the Department. “We believe that our students will directly and immediately benefit from these upgrades.”
When asked by a curious faculty member about how these upgrades were paid for, knowing that the College and University did not pay for the improvement, Dr. Martin replied, “I caught a leprechaun.”
If anyone in the future identifies a leprechaun, or would like to be a leprechaun, please contact Dr. Martin (mmartin@wvu.edu).
