OBU Communication Students to Present at National Conference

February 27, 2017

Five communication studies majors from Oklahoma Baptist University will present by invitation at the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) conference March 16-19 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

CSCA is a professional, academic organization of primary and secondary school teachers, students, college and university professors, and communication professionals. CSCA was founded in 1931 to promote the communication discipline in educational, scholarly, and professional endeavors. Though the association formally consists of 13 Midwestern states, scholars from all over the nation are welcome to submit their research for consideration.

OBU students participating in the conference will present their research for CSCA’s prestigious Undergraduate Honors Conference. Graduate schools from across the nation will evaluate students’ work and provide opportunities to apply for graduate assistantships and fellowships. 

Moreover, by earning the opportunity to present at CSCA’s Undergraduate Honors Conference, OBU will be acknowledged as one of Central States’ best communication studies programs. Each of OBU’s students will receive individual recognition for their scholarship.

Savaughn Williams from Lawton, Oklahoma, conducted a hate speech analysis of a YouTube video series. Her paper, “No Show for No Kids: An Analysis of a Child’s Effort to Advance the KKK’s Agenda,” was selected for the competitive papers panel.

Haley Schumacher from Gainesville, Texas, conducted a rhetorical critique on a letter designed to reflect on the Title IX exception. Her paper, “Title IX Public Relations and Christian Universities: Title IX Generates a Firestorm,” was selected for the competitive political papers panel.

Rebekah McPheeters from Tulsa, Oklahoma, conducted a curriculum analysis involving mission trip preparedness. Her paper, “They Will Know You are My Disciples: Intentional Group Formation for Short-Term Missions,” was selected for the competitive poster session.

Haylee Belcher from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, conducted an assessment of Christian college students’ depiction of the phrase “spiritual warfare.” Her paper, “The Unspoken Holy War: An Evaluation of How Christians Describe Spiritual Warfare,” was also selected for the competitive poster session.

Their projects were a product of work completed in the communication research course, taught by Dr. Vickie Ellis, professor of communication arts and chair of the Division of Communication Arts.

Additionally, Branden East from Bartlesville, Oklahoma, conducted a rhetorical critique on a political artifact. His paper, “Branding Trump: Fantasy Themes in Ads from the Clinton Campaign,” was selected for the competitive poster session. His product resulted from work completed in his political communication course, taught by Dr. Kaylene Barbe, professor of communication studies.

OBU’s Student Government Association made a contribution to support the students’ trip to the conference.