Awards &

• Edward R. Murrow School of Communication associate professor Susan Ross has received a Fulbright grant to conduct research on how and why the media change the portrayal of groups, thereby influencing public opinion and public policy.


Ross’s research focuses on the First Amendment and new technologies, the First Amendment and marginalized groups, and roles of the media in social movements. Operating on a premise from political science research that suggests that cataclysmic events create radical changes in the reporting on — and public perception of — groups, Ross and a collaborator in Greece will investigate the portrayal of Palestine and Israel in the U.S. and Greek newspapers.

David Cuillier, a doctoral student in the Murrow School of Communication, won first place in the graduate student promising professors competition sponsored by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

His upper-level degree work at WSU was preceded by a decade spent in print journalism as a reporter and editor at newspapers throughout the Northwest.

He earned a master’s degree from the Murrow School in August 2003 and was the first student accepted to the communication doctoral program, which began last fall.

• English professor and former chair Victor Villanueva won the Edward R. Meyer Distinguished Professorship, honoring faculty members who demonstrate exceptional performance in pursuit of the university’s goals and the fulfillment of its mission. “Victor is the coeditor of three books that are due for publication in 2004 alone,” said John E. Kicza, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts, in presenting the award. “He has previously published four other books and countless articles in refereed journals and edited collections. In 1998-99, Victor served as chair of the Conference on College Composition and Communication, and also as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Council of Teachers of English.”

During the recent Division of Student Affairs Annual Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony in the Lighty Building, three employees were presented with employee of the year awards:

Joseph J. (JJ) Oliver, program coordinator in the Office of Admissions, was named Student Affairs Classified Staff of the Year. The Student Affairs office noted that Oliver reflects a “wonderfully fresh perspective on student services and advising, and his outstanding performance in support of Student Affairs’ goal of attracting, recruiting and retaining diverse and talented students.”

Jerry Kruse, associate director of the Compton Union Building, was named the Student Affairs Faculty/Administrative Professional of the Year. It was stated that Kruse “values diversity and extends his hand to all in an effort to help build positive relationships with students, faculty and staff. He is dedicated to students and committed to excellent customer service.”

Monique Nadon, residential education director in Residence Life for less than a year, was recognized as the Student Affairs Newcomer of the Year. Her colleagues cite Monique as an “absolute pleasure to work with because of her amazing integrity and role modeling of professionalism. She is a positive and supportive team player willing to both lead and follow.”

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