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As we look back, 2008 was a great year for the department, and its students, faculty, staff and alumni. Looking forward, we know there will be big challenges. Fortunately, I think we are well-positioned to accept these challenges.
Over the past seven years we have hired 19 new faculty members, we have maintained our national rankings in scholarship, and we have dramatically increased our funded research profile. We have continued to develop strong international ties, and our students are doing great things. We have continued a tradition of excellence with many new faces, new students and new faculty members.
We are excited about the future, even though we all face uncertain economic times. There will be more changes and challenges. Professor Charles Stewart retires in May after 48 years at Purdue. He has taught interviewing and persuasion almost every year of his time at Purdue, and it’s hard to go to an event without running into a Purdue alum who had him in class and inquires about Professor Stewart. Charlie, you will be missed.
We continue to work on the development of strong partnerships with the best global universities and top-ranked communication programs. Following up with student internships at the Beijing Olympics, we are working on a project to involve more students in the forthcoming World Expo in Shanghai. We think this will be another signature event for our program and another chance for our students to work in a really important global venue. The Purdue brand remains strong and opens a lot of doors.
We hope that this newsletter finds you well. We look forward to hearing your stories. Please let us know when you are in town. Write and let us know what you are doing. Your input is valuable to us.
Warmest regards from West Lafayette.
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