History
SCHOOL HISTORY
The School of Communication Studies (COMS), one of five schools in the Scripps College of Communication, was renamed in 2002 from the School of Interpersonal Communication (InCo). The program, in some fashion, has been part of the fabric of Ohio University since 1808 when the first courses on logic (dialectic) and persuasion (rhetoric) were taught in English. The School of Interpersonal Communication was created in 1964 as one of three programs in the newly created College of Communication. Since then our scholarly instruction and research in organizational and interpersonal communication, health and relational communication, public advocacy and cultural studies in a globally and technologically advanced society continues to explore the challenges inherent to human communication.
For a review of our contemporary program, please explore both the Undergraduate, Master's degree and Doctoral pages to gain a better understanding of our curriculum, as well as the Faculty/Staff Directory to review the scholarly interests of our faculty.
RECOGNITION
Honoring visionaries and trailblazers is a longtime COMS tradition, and a cherished part of our ever-evolving history. We are proud to recognize scholars, Paul H. Boase and Elizabeth G. Andersch, through two unique awards.
Paul H. Boase was regarded as a visionary in the field of communication. The founding director of what was then called the School of Interpersonal Communication, Boase led a faculty charged with developing a distinct niche for the study of human communication within Ohio University’s new College of Communication. Ahead of his time in many ways, Boase—whose specialty, like many communication scholars of the time, was public address—helped create a school in which scholars could explore facets and forms of communication beyond public speaking. As a result of his founding leadership of the School from 1964-1981, COMS today is internationally known for engaging questions of communication that span a variety of contexts. Dr. Boase died December 13, 2000. The Boase Prize for scholarship was created to, in the words of his wife Connie, “keep his name alive” in the field. Befitting his legacy, the award is given annually to scholars who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in any area of communication.
NEW! The faculty of the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University welcome nominations for the next Paul Boase Prize competition.
Materials must be received by April 1st, 2024, for consideration. View or download the full call HERE.
Past winners of the Boase Prize:
2016 Dr. Ronald C. Arnett
2015 Dr. Karen Foss
2014 Dr. Karen Tracy
2013 Dr. Kent A. Ono
2012 Dr. Patrice Buzzanell
2011 Dr. Brenda Allen
2010 Dr. Barbara Sharf
2009 Dr. David Seibold
2008 Dr. Bonnie J. Dow
2007 Dr. Carole Blair
2006 Drs. Robert Hariman and John Lucaites
2005 Dr. Gerry Philipsen
2004 Dr. Martin Medhurst
2003 Dr. James Andrews
Elizabeth G. Andersch joined the faculty at Ohio University in 1943 and was the first woman to be accorded tenure and promotion to Full Professor within the school. Dr. Andersch was recognized for her efforts to promote women and other historically excluded voices at Ohio University and beyond through teaching and mentorship. As described by Paul Boase, the School Director who established the Elizabeth G. Andersch Award in 1973, the award honors “the tradition of excellence in teaching, research, and service she embodied as a member of our faculty.”
Past winners of the Andersch Award:
2014 Dr. Arvind Singhal
2012 Dr. Ann Bainbridge Frymier
2011 Dr. Larry Frey
2010 Dr. Ronald C. Arnett
2007 Dr. Sandra Petronio
2006 Dr. Art Bochner
2005 Dr. Fredric M. Jablin
2004 Dr. Karlyn Kohrs Campbell
2003 Dr. Gustav Friedrich
2002 Dr. Larry Grossberg
2001 Dr. Eric Eisenberg
2000 Dr. Robert Scott
1999 Dr. Sue DeWine
1998 Dr. Leslie Baxter
1997 Mr. Matt Lauer
1996 Dr. Julia Wood
1995 Dr. Steve Duck
1994 Dr. Jesse Delia
1993 Dr. Erwin Bettinghaus
1992 Ms. Nancy Cartwright
1991 Dr. Linda Putnam
1990 Dr. Everett Rogers
1989 Dr. Walter Fisher
1988 Dr. W. Barnett Pearce
1987 Dr. Ray E. Wagner
1986 Dr. L. Edna Rogers
1985 Dr. Don Faules
1984 Dr. Samuel Becker
1983 Dr. Robert G. Gunderson
1982 Dr. Gerald R. Miller
1981 Dr. Loren Reid
1980 Dr. Paul H. Boase
1979 Dr. W. Charles Redding
1978 Dr. Jeffrey Auer
1977 Dr. Virginia Hahne
1976 Dr. Bowler Aly
1975 Dr. Barb Leib-Brilhart
1974 Dr. Mary Ellen Ludlum
1973 Dr. Ruth A. Wilcox