Frank Deford Delivers Spring 2008 Robison Lecture

Legendary sports author and commentator Frank Deford delivered the Department of Communication’s Spring Robison Lecture to a packed Neumiller Auditorium on April 2nd. Deford, arguably the most accomplished sports writer in American history, is a regular contributor to Sports Illustrated, and commentator on National Public Radio.  His lecture “A Half-Century (Well, Almost) in Sports Journalism” contained the same balance of wit and wisdom that makes his commentaries so popular on NPR.  The Robison Lectureship was established by the late Mary Leslie Robinson, who taught journalism at Bradley from 1957 to 1969.

The Department of Communication’s Fall 2007 Robison Lecturer, Melissa Block, spoke to a standing room only crowd in the Neumiller Auditorium on October 24.  Block, host of National Public Radio’s All Things Considered delivered an address entitled “Covering the War from Home.”  The Robison Endowed Lectureship Series has brought 32 distinguished journalists and journalism educators to campus since its inception in 1988. 

Communication Department Welcomes New President

President Joanne Glasser (third from the right, front row) joined the Department of Communication for a recent faculty meeting.

Dr. Paul Gullifor, Communication Department Chair, with President Glasser

The Department of Communication welcomed Bradley President Joanne Glasser at a faculty meeting in October.  Bradley’s 10th president applauded the faculty for its accomplishments, and shared her vision for the future of Bradley University.  The Department of Communication looks forward to working with President Glasser in advancing the mission of Bradley University.

Dr. Ron Koperski Wins Putnam Award

Dr. Ron Koperski, who has already been awarded the Snider Award this year for his outstanding teaching, won another honor on Founder's Day. Dr. Koperski was awarded the prestigious Putnam Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Dr. Koperski is in his 41st year on the faculty at Bradley. He led the way in the development of the public relations program at the University. He regularly uses videoconference technology in his classes to arrange guest presentations by important industry figures. Each year he organizes at least one communication expedition trip to Chicago or Los Angeles to give students the opportunity to examine the inner-workings of the public relations field. He has arranged an exclusive internship for Bradley students at the annual Chicago Auto Show, where students work as public relations practitioners writing news releases, shooting photographs, and assisting media covering the event.

Dr. Ron Koperski Wins Snider Award

Dr. Ron Koperski, associate professor in public relations, was presented the 2007 Paul B. Snider Award for Teaching Excellence at the Department of Communication’s annual Majors’ Night held September 12.  The award, named in honor of Dr. Paul Snider, who taught journalism at Bradley from 1955-1986, recognizes outstanding teaching in the Department of Communication.  Dr. Koperski, who joined Bradley in 1966, was applauded for his high standards and his ability to integrate real world experiences into the classroom.  Dr. Snider and department chairperson Dr. Paul Gullifor presented the award.

Advertising and Public Relations Career Seminar

The Department of Communication hosted an Advertising and Public Relations Career Seminar on Wednesday, September 19th, 2007 in the Horowitz Auditorium from 5:00 - 6:30 PM. The event was streamed live on the Internet.

Featured panelists included Susie Ketterer, Principal with Simantel Group, Christopher Hecht, Associate Strategy Director with Starcom Worldwide, Lindsey Birkel, Communications & Learning Manager with Caterpillar, Inc., Katy Moon, Team Coordinator at Hult Fritz Matusak, and Chris Lofgren, Director of Public Relations for OSF St. Francis Medical Center.

CFA Awards Banquet Winners - May 2, 2007