SSCA Spring Newsletter

At the SSCA convention in Mem-phis we focused our attention onthe positive sides of communica-

tion.It was an historic and fun convention

and I am grateful for the many programs,papers, and plenary addresses that focusedon the conference theme and broke newground.

I am particularly happy that the conven-tion also sparked at least two new bookspertaining to positive communication aswell as courses in positive communicationoffered at universities in the South.

Over three years ago, as I developed andtaught a course on positive interpersonalcommunication at Old Dominion Univer-sity, I encountered wonderful work in pos-itive psychology that includes many class-room exercises designed, in general terms,to develop positive outlooks, positive atti-tudes, positive moods, and positive relat-ing with others.

One memorable exercise focuses onincreasing our mindfulness of what isworking and good in our lives by means ofdeveloping a gratitude list.

So, for this column I want to pause,count my Southern blessings, and expressmy gratitude to my Southern colleagues.

Of course, a danger in writing a columnof this kind is that limitations of space andmy aging memory may result in a per-son(s) not being mentioned.

So, first, let me say that I am grateful toall the members of SSCA for your support,assistance, and well wishes of both me andSSCA.

Second, I am particularly grateful to thecurrent SSCA Administrative Committeemembers for participating in our strategicplanning meeting and for your service toSSCA, as well as the Chairs of theDivisions and Interest Groups that planned

the Memphis convention.And third, I would like to mention just a

few of the many individuals (in a stream-of-semi-consciousness, quasi-chronologi-cal order) for whom I am particularlygrateful.

• Jim Applegate (University ofKentucky) — while SSCA President in1989, Jim came to give a guest-lecture atODU when I was a new faculty member.Jim was my first contact with SSCA — heset in motion plans to have SSCA come toNorfolk and I have been involved withSSCA ever since.

• Susan Siltanen (University of SouthernMississippi) — my first SSCA mentor andsupporter, got me to serve with localarrangements, as well as taught me how tobuy wine in bulk for suite receptions (andlose my car in the process).

• Larry Hosman (University of SouthernMississippi) — Susan’s always happyhusband, fellow Iowa alum, and someonewho can always be counted on to help. Ifirst learned about some of what goes onbehind the scenes at the Past President’sluncheons from Larry.

• Jef Dolan (Marymount University,Arlington, VA) — taught me how to planand execute receptions in hotel suiteswhere I learned how to avoid committingsocial blunders like selecting low-rent pic-

BY KIRSTEN (KIKI) HEINTZPulaski Technical CollegeLocal Arrangements for Little Rock Convention

The SSCA conference will be in theheart of downtown Little Rock. Thedowntown area has so much to offer

SSCA Members.The River Market District is Little

Rock’s version of Beale Street in Memphisand offers several art galleries and shops,and a wide variety of restaurants and nightclubs.

You can also experience several muse-ums and attractions, such as The William J.Clinton Presidential Center and Park,Museum of Discovery, Heifer Internation-al, Old State House Museum, Little Rock

CC NNNNEECCTTII NNSS‘ ’S O U T H E R N S T A T E S C O M M U N I C A T I O N A S S O C I A T I O N

VOL. 29, NO. 1SPRING 2011

Director’sRemarks

Page 2

Convention Information

Page 2

Hotel Registration

Page 3

VP’s Remarks

Page 4

CaringConnections

Page 7INSIDETHIS ISSUE

Please see BBLLEESSSSIINNGGSS, page 66

Greetingsfrom LittleRock, Ark.

Please see CCOONNVVEENNTTIIOONN, page 44

Socha counts his Southern blessingsTTOOMMSOCHAPresident

Southern StatesCommunication

Associationttssoocchhaa@@oodduu..eedduu

CCoouurrtteessyy PPhhoottoo

River Market District.

Future SSCA Convention Sites

If you have read the report from ourSSCA Vice-President then you know wehave an interesting convention ahead.

Let me urge you to take two actionsupon reading this column. First, makeyour hotel reservation. The convention isin the Little Rock Doubletree and has anoutstanding rate.

As I write this in December, rooms arealready going quickly.

Because of our March convention dates,the reservation deadline is March 1, 2011.

You can book your room by connecting

through the SSCA website ath t t p : / /www . s s c a . n e t / c onv en t i o n -info/hotel-reservations.php.

The second action is to pre-register forthe convention.

You do save money by pre-registering.It is also a great help to the staff and toyou if we can hand you a prepared con-vention packet with your conventionbadge ready.

I also suggest you read the column writ-ten by our local arrangement chair KiKiHeintz. She has already done great workorganizing volunteers and getting infor-mation for visit. Thank you KiKi.

See you in Little Rock!

2

SPRING 2011SSCA CONNECTIONS

CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONNSS

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SSpprriinngg 22001111

Connections is the official

newsletter of the Southern States

Communication Association (SSCA).

It is published two times a year by

the Department of Communication Arts

at Valdosta State University.

CCaarr ll CCaatteess ,, PPhh ..DD ..

Executive Director

JJeennnnii ffeerr WWoooodd AAddaammss,, PPhh..DD..

Editor and Designer

Southern States Communication Association

Department of Communication ArtsNevins Hall

1500 N. Patterson Street

Valdosta, GA 31698

Hotel rooms going fast for Little Rock convention

CONVENTIONPRE-REGISTRATION

Pre-Registration Deadline is March 5Pre-registering is good for your bank

account and it leaves you more time tohave fun with your friends at the con-vention.

Plus, if you pre-register, you makethe registration staffers’ lives a lot eas-ier.

It is so much easier for us to haveeverything ready for you when you getto the convention.

Otherwise, you have to wait and wehave elevated stress levels becausethere are long lines of folks waiting toregister.

So, please pre-register, if not foryourself then for the sake of the poorvolunteers who handle registration atthe convention.

It’s easy, just go to our Web site:http://www.ssca.net/memberships toregister link. See you in Little Rock!

SSCA CONVENTION REGISTRATION FEES

(Please note that your membership must first be active before qualifying

for the fees listed below.)

• Regular Members (see member-ship costs below): Pre-register: $45; At Convention: $55

• Student Members (see member-ship costs below): Pre-register: $25; At Convention: $30

• Undergraduate HonorsConference Participants: Pre-regis-ter: $50; At Convention: $50

• Non-members: Pre-register: $65; At Convention: $80

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES LIFE: A one-time payment of $1,250

(or four consecutive payments of $325equals a standing patron membership)

PATRON: An annual fee of $190provides special support for SSCA, andincludes convention registration fee,subscriptions to the four regional asso-ciation journals, and listing in the con-vention program

SUSTAINING: Annual fee of $90provides membership and conventionregistration fee

REGULAR: Annual fee of $50 pro-vides membership privileges

STUDENT: Annual fee of $30 pro-vides membership privileges and isavailable only to full-time students.

Little Rock Convention Notes

CCAARRLLCATES

Executive Director


Associationddiirreeccttoorr@@ssssccaa..nneett

2012April 11 - April 15

The St. Anthony HotelSan Antonio, Texas

2013April 10 - April 14The Seelbach HiltonLouisville, Kentucky

3

SPRING 2011 SSCACONNECTIONS

Doubletree Hotel Little Rock ReservationsPLEASE review this entire page before booking your room, then visit:

http://www.ssca.net/convention-info/hotel-reservations.php

Hotel reservations must bemade by March 1 to reserve

the group rate. BOOKING CODE

The Group and durationinformation should already befilled in for you, but if notplease use: Group Name: Southern

States CommunicationAssociationGroup Code: SSCCheck-in: 23-Mar-2011Check-out: 26-Mar-2011Additional nights may be

available at the group rate.Contact the Doubletree at501-372-4371 for any and allquestions.

IMPORTANT!! The grouprate begins on the 22nd, but

conference check-in is on the23rd. Please adjust the startdate to the 23rd if you arebooking for the standardWednesday - Saturday stay.

The group rates start at $119for single/double occupancy. There is a 11.50 percent per

room per night tax.

Click the “Book aRoom” button 1/2 waydown the right-handside of the screen.

Make sure to input the correct dates for your stay.

Make surethe groupcode islisted.

4


Little Rock here we come! Yes, it isthat time of year and the annualSSCA convention promises to be as

wonderful as ever. Between research presentations and

roundtable discussions, coffee with col-leagues and attending the business meet-ing, there is a wonderful way for you tostay in touch with the discipline. Visit ourexhibitors!

Each year at the conference, I dedicatetime to go and examine new textbooks forcourses I teach and explore books forcourses that I have never taught. Throughthis process I familiarize myself withongoing trends in the field, and identifyways to infuse new material into longstanding classes taught.

Reviewing books that are outside myinterest area exposes me to aspects of thefield for which I am less familiar.

Beyond skimming new books, visitingthe exhibits is a tremendous opportunityfor scholars of all professional levels of

accomplishment to familiarize themselveswith the publishing process.

Not everyone aspires to write a textbook.But, there are ways to be involved anddevelop comprehensive teaching materialsthat may be beneficial to both you as theauthor and scholars within the communica-tion discipline.

You will not know what opportunitiesawait you unless you talk with theexhibitors.

So this year, between your presentationsand panels, I encourage you to visit theexhibits. And be proactive – engage with

the exhibitors beyond skimming books.It has been said that in order to get the

most of your membership in anAssociation, you must be involved.

I took that statement to heart a few yearsago when I accepted the opportunity toserve as the Marketing Director. It hastruly been a wonderful experience to workwith colleagues from across the country insoliciting and coordinating advertising andexhibits at the annual convention.

And while significant financial chal-lenges plagued the country during my serv-ice, we as an Association remained strongand financially supportive through adver-tising. As a new Marketing Director takesthe reigns, it is with excitement that I looktoward the future of the Association.

There are boundless possibilities that weparticipate in to move the Association for-ward.

It is with sincere gratitude that I bid eachof you so long as Marketing Director, butnot farewell as an active member of SSCA.

Make time to visit SSCA convention exhibits

Central High School National Historic Siteand Visitors Center, the Arkansas InlandMaritime Museum and the Arkansas ArtsCenter.

Getting around downtown and the RiverMarket is easy!

Little Rock has several replica vintagetrolleys operating on a 2.5-mile route.

The River Rail route includes the RiverMarket District, several area attractionsand hotels.

You can also walk or jog throughRiverfront Park while enjoying the beauti-ful and relaxing view of the ArkansasRiver

I look forward to seeing you in LittleRock! If you have any questions abouthotels or things to do while in Little Rockplease email me at [email protected].

ConventionContinued from page 11

Check out the SSCA Web site for updated association information at: www.ssca.net

KKEELLLLIIFELLOWS

Marketing Director


Associationffeelllloowwsskk@@uunnccww..eedduu

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Little Rock skyline

Okay, how many of you did a doubletake? Actually, the Theodore Clevenger Jr.Undergraduate Honors Conference turns21! It is true!

For 21 years, UHC has afforded youngscholars the opportunity to mingle withseasoned scholars, make graduate schoolconnections, present their scholarship in anenvironment that promotes insightful andconstructive comments, and promote theopportunity for networking … amongmany other things.

Yes, over the last 21 years, many UHCparticipants have gained not only mentors,but friends; not only information on gradu-ate schools, but programs that helped themgrow into fine scholars.

The Theodore Clevenger Jr. Undergrad-

uate Conference is more than just a confer-ence for undergraduates.

It has proven to directly benefit our dis-cipline. So, as our SSCA conference inLittle Rock grows near, please make it apoint to add UHC panels to your agenda!

Attend the panels and interact with thesetalented students!! They are the future ofSSCA. The UHC conference will be heldFriday, March 25 to Saturday, March 26.

Hint: To help welcome these newcom-ers, you might consider purchasing a“Caring Connections” and write a note ofencouragement on the back! The annualUHC breakfast will recognize these youngscholars and the Top Paper recipient willbe announced at this time. At the awardsluncheon we will present the Top Paperaward and will have a special award aswell. The Osborn Reception, in its 20thyear, will continue to be held to honor allaward recipients.

So, please join us in Little Rock! Welook forward to seeing you there!

As the finishing touches are beingadded to the Little Rock program, Iwould like to encourage you all to

attend the 81st Annual Southern StatesCommunication Association’s conven-tion.

Little Rock is a wonderful city with lotsof interesting places to visit.

The hotel has a nice view of the riverand the River Market area is just a quicktrolley ride away. There are many ofinteresting shops and restaurants in theRiver Market area. In addition Little Rockis also the home of the William J. ClintonPresidential Library, the Governor’sMansion, the Capitol Buildings, andHeifer International.

If you are interested in other types ofattractions you could visit the Little RockZoo or the Le Petite Roche, the city’sname sake.

The theme for the 2011 convention is“Traditions, Trends, and Technology” andthere are many submissions related to thistheme for the convention.

The division planners did an outstand-ing job putting together well balanced andinteresting panels. This convention hassomething for everyone.

In addition to the more than 150 panels,we have some very exciting Spotlight pan-els. One of which is ‘53 Years ofTraditions, Trends, and TechnologyChanging Times at Central High.’ Thispanel is both relevant to the conventiontheme and location.

The plenary sessions were also selectedbased on the significance of the history ofLittle Rock specifically referencing the“Little Rock Nine.” Dr. John A. Kirk fromUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock willdiscuss the 1957 Little Rock SchoolCrisis.

Dr. Kirk’s research focuses on the histo-ry of the civil rights movement in theUnited States, the South, and Arkansas,and the history of post-New Deal Southernpolitics, society and culture.

He has won a number of awards for hisresearch including the F. Hampton RoyAward (1993) from the Pulaski CountyHistorical Association, and the Walter L.Brown Award (1994), the J. G. RagsdaleBook Award (2003), and the LucilleWestbrook Award (2005) from theArkansas Historical Association.

A second plenary session will be aninterview with Minnijean Brown Trickeya Member of the Little Rock Nine. Dr.Trickey is one of nine African-American

students who collectively resisted theopposition to desegregation and enteredLittle Rock Central High School in 1957with protection from federal troops.

This setting provides an opportunity tolook back at history as well as to considerwhat trends still need to be altered to real-ize goals related to achieving “liberty andjustice for all.”

Finally, our Awards Luncheon speakerwill be Dr. Sandra Petronio. Petronio is aProfessor in the Department of Communi-cation Studies at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis and CoreFaculty in the Indiana University Centerfor Bioethics in the School of Medicine.

She is also an adjunct faculty in the IUSchool of Nursing and the IU School ofInformatics. Petronio’s area of research isin privacy, disclosure, and confidentiality.

During the last 25 years, she has devel-oped the “Communication PrivacyManagement” theory, which is detailed inher book “Boundaries of Privacy: Dialec-tics of Disclosure.”

This book has won the Gerald R. MillerAward from the National CommunicationAssociation in 2003 and the 2004 IARRbook award from the InternationalAssociation of Relationship Research.

This convention offers us an opportuni-ty to discuss how Traditions, Trends, andimpact of Technology influence each ofour divisions and interest groups.

I am looking forward to seeing all ofyou in Little Rock.

5


Plenary sessions to focus on ‘Little Rock Nine,’ history of city

MMOONNEETTTTEECALLAWAY-

Vice President-Elect


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Vice President


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BROWN

Theodore Clevenger Jr. UHC turns 21

nic paper plates. • Dick Ranta (University of Memphis)

— an energetic and wise Dean who alwaysseems to be smiling and happy, an incred-ibly generous person with help and advice(a fellow Iowa alum), and an all-roundgreat guy.

• Chuck Tardy (University of SouthernMississippi) — a long-time friend, fellowIowa alum, one of my SSCA Presidencyrole models, and of particular help withstrategic planning. I have Chuck to thankfor getting me to run for office and forintroducing me to Biloxi.

• Tom Frentz (University of Arkansas)— I love Tom’s spirit, humor, and wit;Tom added new meaning to the expres-sion “let’s hang out” when he thought weshould go bungee jumping (and for me toshare the ride down with him) during aconvention site visit to Norfolk/VirginiaBeach. We did not jump, but he still wantsto.

• Mike and Suzanne Osborn (Universityof Memphis) — my idea of Southern ele-gance and eloquence, who along with thedearly departed Mike Leff (University ofMemphis) shared a most memorable din-ner at the Rendezvous Restaurant, whereMike and Mike (not to be confused withESPN’s morning show guys) analyzed forus the newly inaugurated PresidentObama’s first speech. Rhetoric, red meat,and the rendezvous — yum.

• Bill Edwards (Columbus) — for hisfriendship, gentle spirit, and sharing his

energies with SSCA going way back toour involvement in the founding ofSSCA’s Interpersonal CommunicationDivision (and sharing the joys of positive-ly managing a few moments of insanity)

• Ken Cissna (University of SouthFlorida) — a most highly respected com-munication professional, my secondSSCA presidency mentor, and of particu-lar help with strategic planning. I loveKen’s energy, thoughtful spirit, andwished I had his hair.

• Janet Fisher (ConferenceDirect) — weare really fortunate to have Janet involvedwith SSCA, she is a kind, gentle and sup-portive professional whom it is a genuinepleasure to know!

• Emmett Winn (Auburn) — one of themost organized individuals I have evermet, his humor and devotion to SSCA iscontagious; had great fun with Emmett inplanning Memphis during his last year asED. And, he looked great with the ducks,didn’t he?

• Carl Cates (Valdosta)—a gutsy, go-toSSCA guy. I was very fortunate to get toknow Carl and his wonderful family thisyear. I value and respect Carl’s Southernsense of honor, duty, and tradition as wellreceiving his e-mails — the shortest I haveever received.

Carl also taught me a positive way toask “How?” instead of saying “No.” whenpeople make requests that you cannotgrant. So, if you ask for something, andCarl asks “How?” at least you will walkaway thinking about why you do not havewhat you need. He too looked great withthe ducks.

I am so very grateful to these and many

others with whom I was privileged toshare SSCA joys and successes and want-ed to let them know that I appreciate themall.

But, to be honest, and balanced, there isalso at least one lament I want to mentionin closing, with the hope that one day oth-ers might be able to succeed where I couldnot.

During my time as the chair of the pub-lications committee (when I was transi-tioning to VP-elect), I extended the workof Tom Frentz and wrote the full proposalfor Qualitative Research in Communica-tion (that was to have become SSCA’ssecond journal).

To my surprise, the proposal was subse-quently turned down for publication, duemostly (at least to my understanding) tothe changing economic circumstances inthe publishing industry.

A hallmark of a positive organization isresilience, and I hope that SSCA and thepublications committee will shake off thedust of rejection and continue to seekways to bring this journal (in whateverform it may take) to fruition as well asdevelop a broader publications program toshare the many great ideas, criticalinsights, and important work of the mem-bers of SSCA with our members andbeyond.

SSCA will always be my professionaland academic home and I am happy tohelp its continued growth as a positiveforce in the field of communication stud-ies.

So, if you’re happy and you know it, ornot, please let me know what you think. E-mail me at: [email protected].

This year the Resource Develop-ment Committee (RDC) is contin-uing it’s work to fund the Outreach

Award. This award honors SSCA members

who have made significant contributionsto the profession by facilitating the suc-cess and access of under-represented pop-ulations or the integration of specificgroups of students, professionals, orscholars into the communication disci-pline or professional organizations.

You can help fund this award in twoways: either by a direct contribution to theaward fund (on your membership form) orthrough your support of Caring Connec-tions. Since its inception in 2002, mem-

bers of the association have honoredfriends and colleagues with CaringConnections.

Recipients of this honor are alwaysdelighted to learn that a colleagues orfriends have honored them in this way.

Please consider showing a friend or col-

league how much you care by sending aCaring Connection. Direct donations andCaring Connections purchases are bothtax deductible.

To purchase Caring Connections,please fill out the order form on page 7.

Mail the order form to the address atthe top of the form by March 2.

Pre-convention orders will be waitingwith your recipients’ nametags when theyarrive at the convention.

Caring Connections will also be avail-able for purchase at the convention duringfor the purchaser to deliver to those s/hewishes to honor.

Thanks for your support of the associa-tion and the awards!

6


Caring Connections helps fund Outreach Award

BlessingsContinued from page 11

TTOODDDD LLEEEEGOEN


[email protected]

RDC Chair

7


CARING CONNECTIONS PRE-CONVENTION ORDER FORM

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Honoree’s Name Honoree’s University Affiliation

Number purchased: _________ X $5 = $_____________

Please make check payable to Southern States Communication Association

CC NNNNEECCTTII NNSS‘ ’Dr. Carl Cates, Executive DirectorSouthern States Communication AssociationThe Department of Communication Arts1500 N. Patterson StreetValdosta, GA 31698

SSCA DIVISIONS• Applied

Communication• Communication

Theory• Community College• Freedom of Speech• Gender Studies• Instructional

Development• Intercultural

Communication• Interpersonal

Communication

• Language and Social Interaction

• Mass Communication

• Performance Studies

• Political Communication

• Popular Communication

• Public Relations• Rhetoric and Public

Address• Southern Forensics

INTEREST GROUPS• Association for

CommunicationAdministrators (ACA)

• American Society for the History of Rhetoric

• Ethnography• Kenneth Burke

Society

SSSSCCAA DDIIVVIISSIIOONNSS AANNDD IINNTTEERREESSTT GGRROOUUPPSS

Documents

SSCA Spring Newsletter