Communication Studies Newsletter – June 2003
May 2003 Graduation
On May 18th, 2003, West Virginia University held its 134th Graduation Commencement. On May 17th, the Department of Communication Studies held a Graduation Reception for those students completing either their undergraduate or graduate degrees this May. Over 200 graduates, family members, and friends attended this event. Congratulations to all of the graduates. A similar reception will be held in December for all August and December graduates. Below are some of the May graduates who were able to attend the reception.
Welcome New Lambda Pi Eta Members
The following students were initiated into Lambda Pi Eta during the 2002-2003 school year. Lambda Pi Eta is an Academic Honorary Fraternity limited to the best Undergraduate Communication Studies students. Only students who have completed 60 hours with an overall grade point average of 3.00 or above and a grade point average of at least 3.25 in Communication Studies are invited to join. Besides receiving a certificate to recognize their accomplishments, students also receive red and white honor cords to wear at graduation. Dr. Scott Myers serves as the advisor to this organization. Congratulations to the new members of Lambda Pi Eta.
Meredith Biggica, Kate Bonifant, Julie Brinker, Vincent Cichirillo, Lauren Cohen, Brent Crotty, Jessica Donaldson, Mary Eidsness, Brooke Hines, Emma Jeremycyzk, Chad Kenderdine, Brannon Krieg, Jarrett Lambright, Mia Leone, Kelsy McKnight, Theresa Murphy, Shannon Nemecek, Molly Poling, Mike Robinette, Adam Russell, Megan Serpentino, Suzanne Shreve, Sarah Slovak, Jennifer Ugolick, Mike Widmyer, Kelli Wooten
Noted Scholars Give Guest Lectures
On Monday April 7, 2003, the Department of Communication Studies was honored to have two of the most distinguished scholars in the field of Communication Studies, Dr. Dominic A. Infante from Kent State University and Andrew S. Rancer from the University of Akron, visit West Virginia University. Both Dr. Infante and Dr. Rancer are researchers in the area of Aggressive Communication and are two of the most published authors in the field.
In the afternoon, each scholar gave a formal presentation. Dr. Infante presented a lecture on “Encouraging Developments in Communication Theory (and some that are discouraging)” and Dr. Rancer a lecture on “Working toward a Problem-Centered Approach to Aggressive Communication.” Over 200 students and professors attended these lectures in the Gluck Theatre. The lecture was co-sponsored by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, and was made possible, in part, from an Endowment established in the Eberly College by Helen Coast Hayes.
Later in the afternoon, Dr. Infante and Dr. Rancer facilitated a discussion on Aggressive Communication in the Graduate Seminar in Personality. Graduate students were able to hear first hand from the special guests about the development of the Argumentativeness Scale and the Verbal Aggressiveness Scale. Dr. Infante and Dr. Rancer also provided their views of the current status of the study of aggressive communication and avenues for future research.
The Department would like to thank Dr. Infante and Dr. Rancer once again for taking the time and effort to come visit and for sharing their expertise and views with the students at West Virginia University.
Graduate Students Present their Research at Eberly College Research Horizons and at ECA
On April 22nd, 2003, the master and doctoral students in Communication Studies presented their research at the Research Horizons Poster Session sponsored by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. At this event, each student had a poster representing his or her original research. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty from throughout the university attended this event, asking the students questions about their research. The poster sessions were well received, and as one Dean noted, “The Department of Communication Studies is the best represented department at the poster session.”
Later in the week was the Eastern Communication Association Convention, in Washington D.C. On Thursday, April 22nd, 2003, the master students presented their research at a program titled, “Assimilation into the academy: Merging Theory and Measurement in the Graduate Program.” There were over two dozen presentations at the conference involving West Virginia University faculty and graduate students. To read more about the convention, visit the Eastern Communication Association website: www.ecasite.org.
Professor Participates in International Seminar on 2004 Olympics
Earlier this year Dr. Ted Avtgis attended a seminar of world scholars in New York City to discuss the image of Greece in the United States. Sponsored by the Ministry of Press and Mass Media of the Greek government, Dr. Avtgis was one of only five North American professors who were invited to participate in this discussion. The Greek government held this seminar as a step in preparing for the 2004 Olympics that will be held in Athens.
“What Americans know about Greek culture is pretty limited. With the recent movie, My Fat Greek Wedding, some people now believe they have a better understanding of Greek culture. While that movie is entertaining, that movie only shows one view of Greek life. The 2004 Olympics will give the country of Greece an opportunity to showcase to the rest of the world what Greece looks like in the 21st century,” stated Dr. Avtgis.
As a descendant of Greek ancestry, Dr. Avtgis was proud to be able to participate at this event. “My family has strong ties to our Greek background. When I was a boy, I had the privilege to visit Greece several times with my family. My parents’ influence on passing on Greek tradition was strong and I feel fortunate to be able to give something back to my Greek heritage” said Dr. Avtgis.
Alumna Named National Mother of the Year
Rosalie Fuscaldo Gaziano, an Eberly College alumna and a member of its Advisory Board, was named the 2002 National Mother of the Year by American Mothers Inc. A native of Fairmont and a resident of Charleston, Gaziano represented West Virginia as the state?s Mother of the Year during the AMI’s National Convention in Orlando, where she received her honor. She spent a portion of the last year touring the nation meeting mothers and speaking at events to promote the AMI’s educational, cultural, and spiritual program. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in Communication Studies. Congratulations!
SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS ARE VALUABLE DOLLARS
(a message from Dean Almasy)
The Department of Communication Studies currently has a significant number of majors at WVU on the undergraduate level—129 majors and 276 pre-majors! The Department also awards the most minors of any department at the university. For these reasons, scholarship support for our students is essential in helping so many meet the expenses of their education. Although WVU remains an excellent “buy” in terms of tuition costs – even for out-of-state students – many students need help in order not to incur burdensome student loans. Even students receiving PROMISE Scholarships from the State of West Virginia have significant expenses beyond what PROMISE provides. Regrettably, loan debt might be increasing for our students since tuition and fees are on the rise due to the state’s inability, from a sagging economy, to fund higher education at the same level as last year. The State of West Virginia is not alone in having to make significant budget cuts.
All of this points to the tremendous help your gifts can be when they are directed to scholarship aid. Furthermore, the current needs of our students provide you with the opportunity to consider establishing your own scholarship fund as a way of helping someone who is following in your footsteps in Communication Studies.
Currently, the department has only one scholarship fund: the Lucy Hancock Scholarship. This fund memorializes a graduate of the program (from the late ‘40s) and was established by her family upon her death. The scholarship is reserved for female students who have graduated from West Virginia high schools.
There is one important area where you could make a difference. All Communication Studies majors must conclude their work at WVU with a “capstone” experience or class which pulls together all the learning that?s been going on within the major. One option we have developed for our seniors is the internship. Many students want to seize the opportunities internships offer, but not all internships are paid internships. Students need financial help in order to accept many of the internships which are available in and beyond Morgantown. A scholarship could be directed to helping a student accept an internship.
Endowed scholarships can be established on at least two levels. A $10,000 gift creates a modest scholarship which helps a student meet some college expenses. A named scholarship, which creates a commemorative brick on the Scholars Walk in front of the new library, is available for a $25,000 donation. Such a scholarship generates over $1000 annually to make a tremendous difference for a student who has tuition and housing obligations.
Any scholarship can be funded through a five-year pledge, a complete gift, a transfer of stock, or a paid-up insurance policy. Additionally, a scholarship can reflect the wishes of the donors in describing how they want their scholarship dollars to help, as was done by the Hancock family in 1971. A scholarship can recognize loved ones, honor individuals who have made a difference in your life, or celebrate a donor?s commitment to the work of Communication Studies. If you would like more information on creating a scholarship through a gift or a bequest, or even an annuity, don?t hesitate to contact Associate Dean Dr. Rudolph Almasy at ralmasy@wvu.edu or 304-293-4611. Here is a perfect opportunity, especially because of the pledge arrangement, to participate in the Building Greatness Campaign for WVU.
