EDGEWOOD COLLEGE
1000 Edgewood College Drive, Madison, WI 53711
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 3, 2004 |
Academic Contact: Michael Corrigan Professor of Communication Studies 608-663-3461, mwcorrigan@edgewood.edu
Media Contact: Richard Nagel Director of Public Relations & Marketing 608-663-2333, RNagel@edgewood.edu |
Madison, Wis. – This fall Edgewood College is expanding its range of majors and minors to include the rapidly growing field of Communication Studies. More than 15 undergraduates have already chosen Communication Studies as their major.
“We are very excited about the future of the Communication Studies Program at Edgewood College,” said Communication Studies Professor Fred Kauffeld. “With our new hire of Dr. Michael Corrigan, with the addition of qualified adjunct professors, and with the list of new classes we are introducing, students at Edgewood now have a valuable new way to prepare themselves for success in the professional world.”
“Without communication, knowledge is mute,” Corrigan said. “Our goal is to offer the priceless knowledge of understanding communication through excellent teaching in a caring, constructive environment.”
Considered one of the oldest disciplines of higher education, the study of communication and speech dates back to the times of Aristotle, Isocrates, and Cicero. As early as 2,400 years ago, Greek as well as Roman and Chinese leaders realized the important role that communication plays in society and in defining one’s success. Each elite culture placed special emphasis on the art of verbal persuasion and argument.
Studies show that this kind of importance is still placed on communication knowledge and skill today, so the value of a Communication Studies degree is easy to see.
For example, a California study of Fortune 500 companies showed that formal training in communication was essential for management success. According to Fortune 500 executives, oral communication skills were even more important than written communication skills. Another study identified listening, resolving conflict, public speaking, planning and conducting meetings, and interviewing skills as the most essential skills for employees. These are precisely the kind of skills that students develop in Communication Studies. As a result, Communication Studies is becoming one of the most popular degrees on campuses across America.
There are many career opportunities available for those with Communication Studies degrees. Examples include, but are not limited to: management, public relations, advertising, media, fund raising, law, politics, consulting, teaching, sales, human relations, customer service, social services, and publishing. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nine of these career paths will be the biggest generators of new jobs over the next 10 years.
Beyond these particular careers, the ability to communicate effectively is often cited as the number one skill for career advancement across all professions.
For more information on what you can do with a Communication Studies major or minor, visit http://commarts.edgewood.edu/communication_studies.htm. Or contact Professor Michael Corrigan at mwcorrigan@edgewood.edu or 608-663-3434.
Edgewood College, located on the shores of Lake Wingra in Madison, Wis., is a Catholic, independent liberal arts college with approximately 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students, pursuing more than 40 academic and professional programs. Edgewood offers masters degrees in business, education, nursing, and other fields, and a doctoral program in education leadership. For more information about Edgewood College, visit www.edgewood.edu or call 800-444-4861.
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