Why Communication Studies

This summer "Communication Studies" became our division name replacing "Speech Communication." The name change is part of a systematic effort to develop a 21st century environment for teaching and researching communication at Kansas State University. Communication Studies better reflects the wide-array of courses we offer students. While we still teach public speaking to thousands of students annually, our majors and minors take classes focused on organizational, legal, political and relational communication. Also, we offer many classes exploring the rhetorical and persuasive nature of language use. The name change to Communication Studies also was made to align with other communication programs across the United States.

While Communication Studies is our new name, we remain committed to offering a blend of theory and skill-building in our courses. Furthermore, our class sizes are still small (typically 25 students or less) and our majors are advised by faculty members.

Speech Comm. Majors Awarded Pi Beta Kappa Membership

Speech Communication majors Esther Otis and Luke Finley were awarded membership into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Society. This award is the nation’s oldest and most widely known academic honor.

Esther Otis, a senior from Livingston, Montana is studying relational communication with aspirations to obtain a graduate degree in communication studies. She also has interests in becoming a museum curator.

Luke Finley, a senior from Winchester, Kansas is studying legal communications with aspirations to attend law school upon completing is degree at KSU. Luke is interested in working with upper-level management in a business environment.

Esther and Luke are exemplars of a growing body of undergraduate Speech Communication majors who study for careers in business, law, health, and politics.

Enjoy the summer – new blogs will resume in the Fall

Esther accepted a summer internship position at Martha's Vineyard

Esther Otis will work for the Martha's Vineyard Historical Society as an oral history intern this summer. For more information, Esther can be reached at eco@ksu.edu. Congratulations, Esther! (Hmm, a cool summer in Northeast!? Sounds like a good plan.)