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George Stevens To Retire After More Than 30 Years at Purdue By Miranda Emmert Since 1969, George Stevens has been a professor in the Department of Communication. Stevens is fond of claiming, however, that the department never hired him.  Initially, Stevens was hired by the Department of English but was then “traded” to the newly formed Department of Communication. Over the years, Stevens has joked that he was traded for a table and a couple of chairs. From his understanding, he said, the Department of Speech – which evolved into the Department of Communication – transferred some equipment to the Department of English in exchange for him. “Which department benefited most I'm not sure. I'm worn out; the equipment, from what I've heard, is still going strong,” he said. Stevens is retiring in July, a little more than 30 years after coming to Purdue. When he arrived at Purdue, the department included journalism and telecommunication. Stevens said that it is now much larger and more comprehensive. But, the department's reputation has always been high, he said. “When I first joined the department, its reputation was primarily in speech. Now, its reputation covers a broad spectrum of programs,” said Stevens. Stevens’ reputation has grown as well. Stevens said he has tried to encourage more student involvement than when he first began. When Stevens first started, it seemed that “straight lecturing” was what professors were doing. Also, Stevens said that he provided more materials from the Internet for his students. Stevens has held academic positions ranging from assistant professor, to full professor, to assistant head and schedule deputy for the Department of Communication. He has taught Mass Communication Law; Legal Dimensions of Communication; Freedom of Speech and Press; and several writing classes, such as Magazine Journalism and Journalistic Writing.
Professor Charles Stewart, a former head of the department and longtime colleague of Stevens’, called Stevens “a dedicated scholar and administrator who always does everything with precision and thoroughness.” Upon retirement, Stevens plans to help his wife, Laura Jane, with her new book on diet and behavior. It will be her seventh. He plans to help her with some of the research. Stevens also plans to do more reading and to play more tennis. Besides his wife, Stevens also has two sons: Jack, a clinical psychologist at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and Jeff, who is a strategic planner for American Trans Air in Indianapolis.
Stevens said that it has been a privilege to be at Purdue. “This is a first-rate university with a first-rate faculty and student body, and, on the whole, a great environment for living and learning,” he said. |
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Stevens also developed a reputation as a leading scholar during his time at Purdue. Seventy-eight of his articles have been published in 27 journals. Of those articles, six have been reprinted, and two have won “best article” awards. His works have been cited in several journals, including the Yale Law Journal and the Columbia Law Review. He also said that state supreme courts in Illinois, Washington and West Virginia have cited his work. |
The Communicator is a publication of the Department of Communication at Purdue University and produced by students in COM491 under adviser Jane Gibson Natt. |