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Twenty years ago, in the fall of 1989, East Carolina University began offering a BA in Communication in a Department of Communication for the first time. Although the university had previously established minors in journalism, broadcasting and speech, and a major in theatre and speech, this was the first time we were in a stand-alone department with a degree focused specifically on communication.
We have come a long way since 1989. Today we are the School of Communication, housed in the College of Fine Arts and Communication. We offer a BS in communication with five different concentrations—interpersonal and organizational communication, media studies, media production, journalism and public relations. In fall 2006 we welcomed the first class in our MA in communication with an emphasis in health communication. In total, the School of Communication now has more than 1,100 students in six different areas of study and more than 30 full-time and part-time faculty members and staff.
In addition to the quantity of students and personnel associated with the School of Communication, we have a treasure trove of high quality individuals as well. Some of the best and brightest talents from around the world are involved with the School of Communication. Students, alumni, faculty, industry professionals, and friends of the School of Communication represent the success and achievement, historically and today, of East Carolina University’s School of Communication.
I could not speak of the success of the School of Communication without focusing on my outstanding faculty colleagues. Some faculty, such as Dr. Harrell Allen and Dr. Festus Eribo, have been here from the beginning and have helped to sheppard our unit through the many successes, as well as growing pains that are a part of our history. Some of our faculty members are brand new. In 2008, we hired four new faculty members in the areas of PR, health communication and media production.
All of our faculty members have worked hard in the areas of teaching, research and service, to excel in their specialties and to help our students on their paths to success. Our faculty have won several accolades in the past year for their efforts in these areas.
Dr. Todd Fraley was honored in 2009 with the University Alumni Award for Outstanding Teaching. This award is presented to only three faculty members at ECU each year so to have the recipient come from our ranks is an honor for us all.
Dr. Aysel Morin, a new faculty member in 2006, was named the 2008–2009 Distinguished Scholar Award in Intercultural Communication by our largest academic communication organization, the National Communication Association.
Our alumni came to ECU, years ago, with a hunger to learn about their chosen field and work diligently to complete their degrees. As students, our alumni applied for internships, volunteered in the community, and attended graduate school. Upon graduation, they have gone out into the world to be professional journalists, film makers, public relations specialists, writers, thinkers and businessmen and women. For example: Carrie Banks, BA ’91 is currently the Communications Director for the Alabama League of Municipalities; Amanda Miller, BA ‘06, MA ’07, works as a communication specialist for the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta; and our CommCrew president, Michael Aho BA, ’02 is employed by the Federal Government as an analyst covering United Nations peacekeeping around the world. Without our former students we could not be who we are today.
Our current students are incredibly gifted. In 2009, Alexandra Jones received an Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Grant for producing the documentary, “Beyond Burlington.” Elise Phillips was named an ECU Elite Pirate. Elise was one of 11 ECU students selected for the honor, sponsored by the Student Affairs Center for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement.
All of these efforts by our students, alumni and faculty makes me very proud of what we have done and are doing. The past twenty years have seen the School of Communication grow and develop from a newly formed department, to a strong, diverse and award winning School of Communication. With the talent and efforts of our alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends, I can only imagine what the next twenty years will bring.
Linda Kean, Ph.D.
Director
