OBU Communications Student Presents Research at National Convention

December 12, 2017

Braden L. East, a senior communication studies major at Oklahoma Baptist University, was recently invited by the National Communication Association to present his research at its 103rd annual convention in Dallas.

The National Communication Association is an organization working to advance communication as a discipline that studies all forms, modes, media and consequences of communication through humanistic, social, scientific and aesthetic inquiry. Each year, the NCA holds a national convention to honor outstanding scholarship, teaching and professional service, as well as provide a space for professional development. This year, the NCA welcomed more than 4,000 attendees and hosted more than 1,100 sessions at its convention.

On Nov. 16, East presented his paper, “Since When Have You Been Sick: Health Communication Between College Students and Their Families,” on the competitive paper panel, “Honoring Excellence in Undergraduate Scholarship.” The panel was hosted by Lambda Pi Eta, the national honor society for communication studies scholars. Students from State University of New York, the University of Georgia and the University of Montevallo were included on the same panel with East.

Dr. Vickie Ellis, professor of communication arts and chair of the Division of Communication Arts, advised East on his research and was pleased to see the result of his hard work.

“I was so proud of his presentation and insightful responses to questions asked,” Ellis said. “He is one of the most thoughtful scholars and one of the classiest students on Bison Hill.”