Amber K. Stewart

COM 345

Dr. Rohler

Final Speech

8 December 2004

1,235 Words

 

Communication Day Address

 

            Good afternoon students, alumni, faculty, and distinguished guests and welcome to UNCW’s Communication Day Convocation.  For those of you who do not know me, my name is Frank Tremble and as chair of the Communication Studies department I want to thank all of you for joining us on this special occasion to celebrate the “Young Alumni Homecoming.”  I hope that all of you will join us in today’s, by participating in the activities that we have set up. Today, you will have the opportunity to hear from a few of our department’s alumni who will be speaking about their academics, careers, and personal journeys since completing their Bachelor’s degree.  Following the discussion session, there will be a luncheon and we will wrap up the day’s festivities at the concluding reception.

            The Communication Studies Department has been growing over the years, and every year we have more and more students join the program.  The growing number of students, faculty and alumni in the department gave us a need for a new and permanent academic home.  So, in August of 2001 we left the classrooms in Kenan Hall and moved to our new home in Leutze Hall.  The department and its members have continued to grow and the department annually celebrates its growth and expansion by holding Communication Studies Day. 

            The Communication Studies program was built in collaboration with the Liberal Arts curriculum.  Liberal Arts have always made an important contribution to the students, faculty and alumni, not only here at UNCW but also all over the world.  Society continuously benefits from the skills and techniques that the Liberal Arts’ curriculum has to offer.  Liberal Arts is full of many programs that give its students to chance to get a well-rounded education, by allowing them the opportunity to choose the courses that are of interest to them.  Instead of focusing on one topic, students can focus on many that are related to their field of study.  That is why the Communication Studies program is so important to the study of liberal arts.  The courses within our program are beneficial because they expand on the skills and techniques that are necessary in the workplace, such as conflict management, research methods, training and development, organization communication, interracial communication and the list goes on.

            Many people, especially those outside of the department, have their own perceptions and ideas about Communication Studies. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard students say that they are majoring in Communication, and of course I have to remind them that it is Communication Studies.  There is a big difference between the two.  Some people think that the program focuses on learning how to speak or learning different languages.  In general, those who do not know assume that the focus of communication studies is what the name implies…learning how to communicate.  Yes, in a way that is true; however, that is not all the program is about.  Basically, Communication Studies is the study and analysis of interactions between people, organizations, and various public; in order to communicate effectively, students must understand the importance of who, how, when, where and why interaction and communication occurs.  It can be verbal or non-verbal types of communication; which is this program is so extraordinary, because communication is everywhere.

            The Communication Studies program is a tremendous contribution to the Liberal Arts’ curriculum.  Our program helps students gain a meaningful education that prepares them for their careers, as well as prepares them to enter into society as an educated and mature citizen.  The courses within the Communication Studies program can enhance students’ oral, written and organization skills.  The department’s program helps students develop the self-confidence, direction and connections that they need to pursue their desired career. 

            Former students have always told me that they enjoyed the Communication Studies’ program because it provides aspiring professionals with a choice.  Unlike other programs, Communication Studies gives students a wide-range of careers to choose from; they can attain careers in many fields, such as broadcast, journalism, sales, service, management and public relations.  Many alumni have gone on to attain careers in various fields, some of which include educational coordination, realty, construction sales, personal banking and relief counseling.

            When students finally graduate with a B.A. in Arts and Science with a major in Communication Studies, they have more than one specific option for a career.  The degree can be applied to various facets in life because our program provides the hands-on experience that a student will need in the workplace.  Many of our students and alumni double-major in another program because Communication Studies adds to their understanding of other fields of study.  English, History, Art and others relate back to the information that students have gained in the Communication Studies program.

            Past and present students have always said that they enjoy the department’s versatility and experience.  Members of the department place great emphasis on taking a wide range of courses with different focuses of study because these courses can provide students with the knowledge needed for internships.  Internships are an important part of a student’s education.  We strongly believe that practice makes perfect.  Internships, in various fields, are constantly made available to the students so that they may practice the skills and techniques that they are studying in the program.  The great thing about the internships offered through the department is that students have a wide-range of choices.  They do not have to pick a particular internship, like students must do in programs such as Social Work, where there have only one type of internship to choose from.  We want to give students the choice because we want them to have the opportunity to decide what type of career best suits each student.  Above all, we want what is important to the students and internships give them the chance to find out what is important or interesting to them.  Communication Studies’ internships are beneficial because they teach students to ask questions, get involved and learn to apply the skills they have learned. 

            The department has also developed several organizations that get students, faculty and alumni involved in the activities offered by the Communication Studies program.  Organizations such as the Communication Studies Society, the UNCW advertising Chapter, Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society and Storytelling in the Community give all of you the chance experience our program first-hand.  These organizations also create a welcoming atmosphere where people can met and get to know one another.  It is programs like these that help to sustain the tight-knit academic family that we want in our department.

            The Communication Studies department has a lot to offer education and the citizens that participate in our society.  Faculty, students and alumni of the department form an academic family here at UNCW.  Over the years, many of us have formed personal relationships with each other.  Our instructors help guide students on the path to their careers.  The department is full of incredibly gifted and nurturing professors that love to teach.  I hope that all of you will take advantage of this occasion and participate in some of the programs we have set-up.  See if your original perceptions of communication studies is the same at the end of the day.  I am confident that by the time that you leave here today, you will see the program’s importance in contributing to the liberal arts’ curriculum and education.

            Thank-you and have a wonderful afternoon.