This has been a very busy year for the department, for the university and for our alumni. We continue to face challenges and embrace opportunities. Our study abroad programs in London and Italy (with the Krannert School) have attracted increasing interest, and we have several Communication faculty members teaching overseas this year.

We have been successful in reducing the number of our majors and improving the overall profile of our undergraduate and graduate students. Our students are active on campus, serving as officers of major organizations, winning awards and filling the ranks of prestigious organizations like Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board.

The department has been working to improve student access to and use of technology with the support of the school and central administration. This year, advanced journalism students have “gone digital” using Toshiba Tablet PCs in their “public affairs reporting” class to do what used to be done the old fashioned way… with note pads, pencils, cameras and tape recorders. We have also upgraded our instructional lab facilities with new machines and software.

We are also in the initial stages of a partnership with the Eli Lilly Co. that will eventually result in an exchange of Lilly and Purdue Communication staff, internship possibilities for our students and travel support to professional meetings for students and faculty. We are excited about this opportunity.

We hosted several alumni who returned to campus to lecture in our program, at Krannert and in the "Old Masters" program. It's always great to see them and all have been impressed by recent changes on campus. This place looks very different than it did 20 years ago. If you are "back on campus," let us know!

We recently returned from Miami Beach and a meeting of our largest national communication association. At that meeting, we hosted a social gathering for over 400 alumni, friends, students and faculty. A great time was had by all.

Finally, I want to thank you for your monetary support this year. These gifts have made a big difference for our students in scholarships and travel awards. Such contributions make it possible for many of our undergraduates and graduates to attend, and ultimately succeed, at Purdue.

Let us know what you've been up to!