September_CollegeNews1

College of Fine Arts and Communication | 11 Translational Health Research Center, Elizabeth and her TXST student alumni team Allister McNally , Rex Long , Johnny Vasallo , Anca Tonciu , and Rowan Lampert pub- lished "Texas Librarians Communicate Their TSLAC Experi- ences and Future Needs and Dreams for Texas Libraries and Communities" in July. This applied communication research report examines librarians’ communication about the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s (TSLAC) programs and addresses statewide community needs. [1] Rebekah Fox and Ann Burnette published a book chap- ter, "Wrangling the ructions: An examination of Major Ian Fishback's whistleblowing campaign," in the book, From a Whisper to a Movement: Investigating the Shared Rhetorical Spaces of Whistleblowing and Social Protest , edited by Joshua Guitar and Alan Chu. Wallace Golding published "'A monument of disenfran- chisement': Inventing Black commemorative authority in the Mammy Monument controversy," as the lead article in Rheto- ric & Public Affairs , a prestigious national journal in rhetorical studies. Maureen Keeley published " The good goodbye: The transforma- tive power of conversation at the end of life, " continuing her re- search focused on “final conversations.” The book is meant to help those who must say goodbye to a loved one who is dying. In it, readers will discover how culture affects final conversa- tions, and that often the last interactions may not consist of words but gestures and expressions. Readers will learn about the positive outcomes of final conversations, both from the advice of children and the detailed stories of adults who were changed profoundly in their attitudes and life paths. [2] Kellie Marin received the Surveillance Studies Network's 2024 Early Career Research Award for the article "Failure to enroll: The blurring rhetorical power of anonymizing tools and photographs in making In/Visible Black Lives,"published in Surveillance & Society . Kellie published a book chapter, "See someone, say someone: Doxing vision as usurping the rhetoric of whistleblowing” in From a Whisper to a Movement: Investigating the Shared Rhetorical Spaces of Whistleblowing and Social Protest , edited by Joshua Guitar and Alan Chu. STUDENT ACCOLADES Morgan Smith (B.A. '24 and current M.A. student) served as program assistant for the Business Communication Abroad program this summer in Europe led by Stephanie Dailey and Seth Frei . In this role, she supported logistics and grading, while bringing professionalism and a positive attitude that enriched the experience for both students and faculty. [3] HON 2309O students deliver TED-style Talks. Students enrolled in “Talking Like TED” (HON 2309O) de- livered their final presentations over two sessions. The Talking Like TED course develops presentational speaking and sto- rytelling skills through the lens of TED Talks. Students view and discuss well-received TED Talks and practice the verbal and nonverbal behaviors related to effective communication. Students spent the entire semester engaged in research, outlin- ing, one-on-one coaching, visual aid preparation, practicing, and application of course material. The theme of this Talking Like Ted class event is Reclaim — our call to take back what matters most. The twenty-three students in this class covered a variety of topics, such as reclaiming identity, mental health, creativity, education, relationships, personal agency, and the power of storytelling in a digital age. With this theme, students wanted to reclaim focus from distraction. Reclaim classrooms as spaces not just for knowledge, but for belonging, emotional growth, and re- al-world skills. Reclaim creativity as a lifelong tool for mental wellness. Reclaim relationships - near, far, and even virtual - as sources of strength. Reclaim our stories from silence, our attention from algorithms, and our humanity from systems that devalue it. The talks invited us to rethink, to resist, and to move forward with purpose. Because reclaiming isn’t just about what we take back - it’s about what we choose to carry forward. The course is taught by Mark Paz , Assistant Professor of Prac- tice and COMM 1310 Course Director. Mark Paz II honored as Regents' Teacher Mark Paz II , Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Communication Studies, received the prestigious Regents' Teacher Award. The Texas State University System’s highest facul- ty honor, the Regents’ Award, is conferred upon professors who demonstrate excellence and exem- plary achievement in the areas of teaching, research and publication, and service. This award recognizes Mark as an exceptional teacher based on his out- standing performance as an educator, contributions to the development of courses, and use of innova- tive teaching methods, among other criteria. Win- ners maintain the title of “Regents’ Teacher” for the duration of their service within TSUS. Mark is the 16th recipient from Texas State. Mark currently serves as Basic Course Director for the national award-winning Communication 1310 - Fundamentals of Human Communica- tion course, teaching classes as well as mentoring and managing the graduate teaching staff. He also teaches courses in Public Speaking, Inter- personal Communication, and the “Talking Like Ted” Public Speaking course offered through the Honors College. He recently finished his duty as the faculty advisor for Lambda Pi Eta, the National Honor Society for Communication Studies and is currently the creative director for TEDx Texas State University. As one colleague noted: “ He is a true teacher/mentor/coach who guides students, at ev- ery turn, to discover their love for learning and the “gifts” they have to share with those around them. His innovative teaching methods and established mentoring relationships help our students, faculty, and community members, alike, recognize the importance and value of his brand of teaching. Texas State University has always taken pride in its emphasis on teaching excellence. Mark is the epitome of a great teacher. His commit- ment, internal and external recognition, and impact are rare qualities for one person to embody. He has them all .” The Department of Communication Studies has the honor of claiming two additional Regents Professors, Dr. Ann Burnette and Dr. Elizabeth Eger .