Wow. My thanks goes out to all of you who helped to make our conference in Marietta a success. We welcomed more than 130 of our members to that beautiful campus on the banks of the Ohio River and enjoyed a truly enriching day of considering the communicative aspects of politics, among other topics of discussion. The enthusiastic participation of our membership is what makes our annual gathering so engaging, and so my gratitude goes out to all of you who prepared a paper, poster, or response, as well to those of you who chaired a panel or simply contributed an idea or two in a question and answer exchange.
But behind the scenes there are some special people who helped prepare the conference who deserve extra praise. In particular, I have to thank our outgoing conference coordinator, Adam Earnhardt of Youngstown State University, for making it all run so smoothly on paper and in person and local arrangements coordinator, Dawn Carusi of Marietta College, who could not have done anymore to make us feel right at home. And, of course, I want to thank our Immediate Past President, Candice Thomas-Maddox of Ohio University-Lancaster, for keeping us all focused on the goal. We are proud of all that you have accomplished with OCA, Candice, and we look forward to having your continued guidance as the association moves forward.
We look forward to seeing you all in Columbus in 2009!
-- Matthew J. Smith
From the Executive Director...
It is an honor to be appointed executive director of the Ohio Communication Association (OCA). Ohio is a great state, with amazing college and universities. From Marietta to Cleveland, Toledo to Youngstown, and all points in between, we are a state full of top scholars and educators in the field of communication.
What makes Ohio great is the people who live and work here. We see amazing examples of that greatness in the people that have guided our association for the last few years. Sheida Shirvani (Ohio University-Zanesville), for example, has served as executive director and guided us effortlessly through the last several years. We are lucky to have her on board as our next vice president and president-elect. I feel as though I have benefitted more than anyone from Sheida’s service to OCA.
We are fortunate to have people like Candice Thomas-Maddox (Ohio University) and Matthew Smith (Wittenberg University), our immediate past president and president, respectively. Matt referred to Candice as an “advocate” during our recent business meeting. The truth is, Matt and Candice have devoted hours of support to OCA. Both actively campaign on behalf of our great association. They are model leaders.
And from a distance, we owe Jim Aman (Saint Xavier University) a great big “thank you” for directing the OCA web site. Jim is quick to update the site and to give OCA a professional face on the web. Thanks, Jim.
A word of thanks to my two families: my “home” family and my “YSU” family. First, I have the love and support of a wonderful wife, Mary Beth, and two fantastic little girls, Ella (3) and Kate (15 months). Quite frankly, I wouldn’t have assumed these new responsibilities without their unwavering support. Second, I have the support of my colleagues and students. My YSU family consists of all the great people that make my job easy. Youngstown’s students are impressive and the faculty are stellar. They make coming to work each day fun and invigorating.
Kudos to the great students and faculty across this great state. Let’s continue to make Ohio and our great learning institutions proud.
-- Adam C. Earnheardt
From the (new) Vice President ...
This message comes from your (now) ex-Executive Director and new Vice-President. October 4 was a great day for our Ohio Communication Association Conference. It was an excellent fall day! Marietta College added much warm feeling with their outstanding hospitality by opening their campus to our members. I would like to take this opportunity to publically thank Marietta College so generously welcoming all of us.
I would also like to welcome our new Executive Director, Adam Earnheardt, and wish him the best in his years in this position. As you all know, we filled open Executive Board positions through an election at the conference. Result are outlined below. While we congratulate our new officer, we should also offer our thanks to those departing the Executive Board. Jason Wrench helped with Ohio Communications Journal even though he had left the state. Richard Hendrickson founded our newsletter, Communications, and is leaving the post of editor. Tim Pollock and Carol Vroom have served (respectively) as the graduate and undergraduate representatives this past year. We appreciate the service all of you provided to enrich OCA.
The Executive Board proposed a constitutional amendment which was passed overwhelmingly by the membership. As a result, student representation on the Board is doubled.
New Executive Board members are:
Southeast District Representative
Northwest District Representative Communications Editor
Vice-President
Graduate Student Representatives
Undergraduate Student Representatives
Dawn Carusi
Aaron Burton
MaryBeth Earnheardt
Sheida Shirvani
Anne Gerbensky-Kerber, Ohio University-Athens
Brandi Frisby, West Virginia University
Sara Davis, Ohio University-Zanesville
Jacob Hooper, Ohio University-Zanesville
Finally, I would like to welcome our new President, Matthew Smith, and wish him well in his new role. And we all owe a great deal of thanks to Dr. Candice Thomas-Maddox for her leadership and vision as President these past two years. We have put one more successful year behind us in the long history of our organization and can look forward to the 2009 conference in Columbus area with the theme “INSPIRED.”
-- Sheida Shirvani
2009 OCA CONFERENCE
Inspired!
Most of us have benefitted from the inspiration of a mentor, and many of have served as the inspiration for others to embrace the Communication discipline. The 2009 conference of the Ohio Communication Association will focus on acknowledging the legacy of scholarship, teaching, and service of which we are a continuing part. We welcome all kinds of programs that talk about the inspiration that has previously come to and now flows from our profession. We are particularly interested in those programs that honor those who came before us and others that discuss our roles as inspirational figures to our colleagues and students. Such inspiration may be found in the examples we set in our professional activities but might also include how we conduct ourselves beyond the academy to our civic, religious, and personal lives.
October 3, 2009
Columbus, Ohio
Membership forms in various popular formats are available online
About
OCA
MISSION STATEMENT
The Ohio Communication
Association exists to provide a forum where professionals
and scholars with particular interest in communication
may work together to promote common goals.
Executive Council,
July 2001
The Ohio Communication
Association is a professional organization of
communications teachers, professors, and scholars
in high schools and universities/colleges throughout
the State of Ohio. The organization is affiliated
with the National Communication Association.
OCA offers an annual conference for scholars
and presents awards at this conference for teachers
and students who have achieved excellence in
academics, student organizations, or professional
work. The OCA also publishes an annual journal
in communication research.
