Communication

Millsap (Department Chair), Demas, Jones, Kelly, Ludlum, McNabb, Reynolds, Sabbath, Shively, Strayer, Warren, Windborne.

Mission and Programs

The Department of Communication consists of 12 full-time faculty members and defines its mission as: (1) providing our majors with education that helps them develop as “whole persons,” both as future professionals and as contributors to society; (2) helping all students develop communication skills that will allow them to exercise their rights as citizens in a free society, and to develop meaningful relationships with others; and (3) modeling ethical communication practices, mentoring students in and out of the classroom, and exploring, developing and applying new knowledge.

The department sponsors majors in broadcasting, speech communication, organizational communication, journalism and public relations, and minors in broadcasting, speech communication, journalism and public relations. The organizational communication major is offered in the evening program. The department also provides required courses for several majors and sponsors co-curricular activities.

Communication Ability Awards are available to students planning a major in speech communication, broadcasting, organizational communication, journalism or public relations. Awards are based upon high school record, test scores, communication-related activities and completion of an essay. To be eligible for consideration, a student must be accepted to Otterbein. For information, please write: Chairperson, Department of Communication, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio 43081. (614- 823-3380)

Communication Related Activities

Newspaper— The College newspaper, The Tan and Cardinal, is published by a student staff each week during the academic year except during the summer term. Students can write, edit, take photographs and design this 1,500-circulation newspaper. The newspaper is also available online at otterbein360.com. Some editorial positions are paid, and editors are eligible to attend national and local college newspaper conferences.

Public Relations— Otterbein sponsors a chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), a national, pre-professional organization for students interested in public relations. The Otterbein College Chapter sponsors a variety of speakers and workshops and a student-managed public relations agency. In addition, members of PRSSA are eligible for scholarships sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America, receive reduced rates at professional luncheons and workshops and may attend national and district conferences of PRSSA.

Radio— WOBN-FM, the student-run radio station, is under the direction of the Department of Communication. WOBN also offers co-curricular opportunities for students majoring in communication and other related disciplines. The station broadcasts 24 hours a day featuring an alternative music format, Otterbein College sporting events and Westerville area news and public affairs. WOBN broadcasts at 97.5 FM and on-line at www.wobn.net.

Television— WOCC-TV 3 provides programming for Westerville and Otterbein College via cable channel 3. Programming includes public affairs, entertainment, education and sports. By participating, the student has the opportunity for a hands-on learning experience including camera, graphics, audio operation, production and direction, as well as management. The day-to-day operation of an on-air cable television station provides a practical addition to classroom instruction.

Forensics— Otterbein is a member of the Ohio Forensics Association, National Forensic Association, and Pi Kappa Delta, a national forensics honorary. Students compete in debate tournaments and individual events (public speaking, oral interpretation and extemporaneous speaking) tournaments which provide travel opportunities to both local and out-of-state contests.

M.O.S.T.— Mentoring Organizational Students Today is a networking and mentoring organization for students interested in careers in Organizational Communication. Students are actively involved in building mentoring connections by organizing professional speaking events, an informal networking brunch, mock interviews, fundraisers, and on-site professional visits. In addition, students coordinate various activities to develop mentoring relationships among all communication majors.

Otterbein360.com – is the student-run online media outlet for Otterbein student media. The organization provides students with experience working in a 24/7 multimedia news environment. The outlet provides news, entertainment, opinion and sports coverage from WOCC, WOBN and The Tan and Cardinal as well as developing its own original content. The Otterbein360 editor collaborates with online editors from WOCC, WOBN, and The Tan and Cardinal to prioritize stories and provide breaking news coverage across the media organizations.

Program Outcomes

Broadcasting: This program of study qualifies students to seek careers in electronic media/radio-television broadcasting, and/or non-broadcast video or to apply for graduate study in mass communication, electronic media and radio-television broadcasting.

Journalism: This program of study qualifies students to seek careers in the field of journalism including writing, editing and designing newspapers, magazines, web sites and other publications or to pursue graduate study in journalism/mass communication.

Organizational Communication: This program of study prepares students for graduate study in Organizational Communication and other communication-related disciplines. This program also qualifies students to seek a variety of communication careers in leadership positions in a wide variety of industries and not-for-profit agencies.

Public Relations: This program of study qualifies students to seek careers in the public relations field for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, enter other related communication professions, or pursue graduate study in communication or related disciplines.

Speech Communication: This liberal arts program of study prepares the student to pursue graduate study in communication-related disciplines. This program may also prepare students to seek a variety of professional careers including broadcasting, social and human services, and government/politics.

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