Dr. Elizabeth Graham Ohio Communication Association Educator of the Year Dr. Elizabeth Graham, Professor in the School of Communication Studies, will be receiving the Distinguished Teacher Award by the Ohio Communication Association at their annual convention in Marietta, Ohio, on October 4. Several colleagues nominated Beth for this award due to her sustained excellence as an educator and mentor for both undergraduate and graduate students.  She completed her Bachelor’s degree at John Carroll University and her Ph.D. at Kent State University, and since that time has served the Academy and the communication discipline through her work at Ohio University.

In addition to her performance as a teacher in classrooms, one letter writer noted, “Beth also is a teacher by virtue of her writing—her theoretical contributions have greatly informed the way educators across the country teach interpersonal and family communication courses.  She writes because of her intellectual curiosity, models such curiosity for students and colleagues alike, collaborates with others around shared interests, and generally inspires people to think deeply about salient issues. She has the heart of an educator.”  As a teacher-scholar, Beth has made important and lasting contributions at OU, within the broader region, and within the discipline. The School of Communication Studies congratulates Beth on this well-deserved recognition.