notes etc

Our Technical Communication degree programs were given invaluable publicity this past July, when the MS in Technical Communication was one of 12 listed in an article in Nature. Nature is one of the most-read academic science publications worldwide, well-known to many of the researchers on our campus, as well as alumni. Program director Kathryn Northcut, an associate professor in the Department of English and Technical Communication, expressed her feelings about the coverage: "Being listed as one of twelve programs really validates our efforts to make our program visible and respected." The article, titled "The best words in the best order," appeared in the Careers section of Nature.

According to Northcut, the article's main point was that technical writing is a viable career option for communication-savvy scientists. Northcut confirms that opportunities for technical communicators may be greatest when a humanities or social science degree can be combined with technical education or industry experience. "We've had several successful students who majored in engineering or science as undergrads and then sought a master's degree to propel their career toward the same industries but in a different track. Of course, some students move only through English and tech com programs and land good jobs as well." Northcut pointed out that the article reports technical communication salary figures, which are highly competitive. "The only negative point was that women still earn less than men across certain careers in technical communication," Northcut noted, "but with such information, we can help our students understand why they must not only be competent, but also strategically manage their careers and continually hone their negotiation skills. Our program is extremely diverse, with much higher female enrollment than most programs on campus, and we directly address diversity issues with our students." 

The technical communication program at S&T is the only graduate degree offered in the arts and humanities, but the technical communication bachelor's is one of many non-engineering degrees offered here, along with psychology, economics, history, philosophy, English, and business. "We are a university, not just an engineering school," Northcut says. "Our faculty and programs are recognized nationally, not solely in engineering."

For more information about Missouri S&T's technical communication degree programs, contact Northcut at 431-4687 or email northcut@mst.edu. Information is available on the web at http://english.mst.edu/graduatedegreeprograms/gradtechcom.html. 

Five faculty members in the Department of English and Technical Communication received awards recently for the work they've done on campus. Jack Morgan and Dan Reardon both received 2010 Faculty Achievement Awards. Anne Cotterill and Eric Bryan both received 2010 Faculty Teaching Awards. And Kathy Northcut received a 2010 Academic Service Learning Award. The campus hosted a nice dinner on February 8 for the award winners and their guests. It was wonderful to see these faculty members recognized for the important work they do.

It's the eve of my last day as a member of the faculty at Missouri University of Science & Technology. I've been packing up my office so that the new chair, Dr. Kristine Swenson, can move in. My family has lived in the same house for nearly 35 years, so I don't have recent experiences of moving. I'd forgotten the reflections aroused by sorting and boxing papers, files, letters, books, manuscripts . . . a long list of types of items.

A good part of the things from my file cabinets will go to the university archives; a fair number will be left for Dr. Swenson to use. A small number, fewer than I'd expected, are coming home with me. Riffling through a folder of letters 25 or 30 years old is unsettling, partially because of the dust in them, more because of the memories of people and events. Much of my correspondence is with other writers, poets, editors, and teachers. These letters will go to the archives to be cataloged and will be available for scholarly research.

Part of the archives will be the issues of Christianity and Literature when I was poetry editor (1975-1983). Correspondence with the poets and my own records will also be there. When I first encountered C&L, it was a wire-stitched (stapled) newsletter with a lot of energy. I saw it go to perfect-binding and glossy paper. (Not that changes in format were my doing!)

I have had many books in my office; there are fewer now. I've been giving away books to colleagues, friends, students, and family members. Those that are left will go either to Reader's Corner, the ones that that business will buy, to my library at home, or . . . I'm not sure where else, but certainly elsewhere.

My files, drafts of poems, and correspondence have been almost entirely electronic for twenty years. How do electronic files relate to archiving? Going through a mass of old email or document files would be less personal and engaging than digging out papers that I haven't touched for years.

Linda Sands, the department's Administrative Assistant, also raises Quarter Horses. Early this month, Emma (her nickname) competed in the 2009 Iowa 7 Day Run in Des Moines. Linda's explanation of Emma's success follows:

Empty Irons, 4 yr old bay American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) filly by high point stallion Iron Enterprise, recently earned the title of High Point Open horse at the 2009 Iowa 7 Day Run in Des Moines.    She also won two circuit championships - the Green Hunter Under Saddle and the Open Hunter Under Saddle.

Emma has accumulated over 20 AQHA points in just a few shows, and our goal is for her to acquire her Superior HUS title (50 Pts) and to become qualified in Junior Hunter Under Saddle in time for the World Championship Show this November.  Emma is a 16-2 hand, quiet and elegant filly.  She is sweet and easy to be around, fun to ride also!   She has lots of ring presence with a big, sweepy and consistent stride.

Emma is trained byJoni and Craig Nelson, from Long Grove, IA.   They are doing a superb job in training and showing Emma.

See one of her winning rides.

In 1977, Bruce L. Edwards received his BA in English from the English Department here at Missouri S&T. (We were the University of Missouri - Rolla at the time.) He went on to an MA from Kansas State University and then a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in 1981. From there, Dr. Edwards went to Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where he has been ever since.

Currently, Dr. Edwards is Professor of English and Africana Studies at BGSU, where he also is Associate Vice-Provost for Academic Technology.

His scholarly interests include C. S. Lewis and Kenneth Pike, both of which, I like to think, were encouraged here. Dr. Edwards' Web site provides much information and many links for you to browse.

Dr. Ed Malone has successfully navigated Missouri S&T's tenure and promotion process and been promoted to Associate Professor with tenure. Dr. Malone has worked hard for this recognition, as a scholar, a teacher, and as Director of Technical Communication. If you see Ed, shake his hand and congratulate him.

I've just returned from the Department of English and Technical Communication's annual picnic. At the end of every spring semester, we gather to socialize, announce scholarship awards, give Academic Scholar's List certificates -- and eat.

Despite the afternoon's being chilly, windy, and rainy, over 50 people, students, faculty, spouses, children, parents, came to Lion's Club Park here in Rolla. It's especially nice to see young children at department picnics and also nice to meet the parents of some of our students.

Perhaps you will be able to join us next May.

"I'm an engineer, not a poet. How can English classes be important to me?" Terry Bollinger, Computer Science major at Missouri University of Science & Technology, answers clearly, "If you want to make a difference in the broader scheme of things, you have to be able to communicate your thoughts clearly and convincingly."

Back in the 1970s, the English Department of Missouri S&T (then UMR), began offering a writing minor. One of the first students to take a minor was Terry Bollinger, then a B.S. Student in Computer Science. Terry received his B.S. in 1977 and an M.S. in Computer Science in 1980,both from S&T. The title of this post comes from Terry's statement quoted above.

Terry was on the S&T campus on April 23 and 24 as a member of the Computer Science Department's Advisory Board. The Department of English and Technical Communication was fortunate to have Terry meet with an English/Tech Com 260 class. Terry carried on a lively informal conversation with the class, centering on a project the class has been working on.

Currently, Terry works for DeVenCI as their main technology assessor of emerging IT and hard science products. DeVenCI works together with the Department of Defense. Writing is a major component of Terry's career. If you visit Terry's personal Web site, you can find many examples of his reports and his advocacy of open source software and of Linux.

It was a real pleasure for me to talk with Terry and sit in on his conversation with the class. He was one of my students here and one of the best I've had in 42 years.

Dr. Kate Drowne, Associate Professor of English and Technical Communication, was named Woman of the Year at the annual Woman of the Year luncheon on April 20. This Award is given annually by Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Dr. Kristine Swenson, Associate Professor of English and Technical Communication, has accepted the position of chair of the department. Dr. Swenson's duties will begin on July 1, 2009. Dr. Swenson's years of experience at Missouri S&T (UMR when she came here in 1998) make her well-qualified to handle the demanding job of administering the department.

During this academic year (fall 2008 - spring 2009) Dr. Swenson has been on research leave, pursuing her book project on the Kenealy sisters, Arabelle and Annesley. The sisters were trained in medicine, one as a doctor, the other a nurse. They were active feminists and popular writers. I was privileged to hear Dr. Swenson's presentation on this research at the 2007 Woman of the Year banquet. It's very promising.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Swenson as department chair.