WT Students to Present Academic Research at Statewide Communication Convention

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

Photo: Hannah Franklin, right, will present at the upcoming Texas Speech Communication Association convention in San Antonio. Lacy Cannon, left, is a West Texas A&M University instructor of speech and TSCA board member.

CANYON, Texas — Two West Texas A&M University communication students will present papers at the upcoming Texas Speech Communication Association convention.

Cynthia Callaham, a graduate student from Ropesville, and Hannah Franklin, a senior broadcast journalism major from Lubbock, will take part in the TSCA convention alongside communication instructor Vanessa Dirksmeyer and retired communication department head Dr. Trudy Hanson.

The conference will take place in San Antonio from Oct. 14 to 16.

Callaham, who teaches honors English and public speaking in Ropes, will present “Advertising Social Justice: A Content Analysis of Feminism Through Advertising,” in which she examines how organizations promote feminism through social justice advertising.

“This topic interested me because I noticed how social justice commercials are more prominent after the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements,” Callaham said. “As more women become CEOs, entrepreneurs, and world leaders, gender equality is essential in any organization.  To promote equal opportunities, many organizations choose to promote feminism through ‘femvertising,’ which are advertisements that showcase women empowerment.

“It is an honor to represent WT at TSCA,” she said. “Presenting this paper allows me to promote the importance of women empowerment through advertising. As a public-school teacher, it is essential that young women learn that they can be leaders by loving who they are both intellectually and physically.”

Franklin will present “Benefits of Attendance at Orientation Events for College Students: A Research Study for New Student Orientation,” based on surveys of student leaders and attendees at orientation events.

“The purpose was two-fold: to determine which activities at the events were most beneficial to student success as the students began their first semesters and to determine how the pandemic restrictions in 2020 affected the overall experience,” Franklin said. “Presenting my research paper at TSCA is an honor and blessing. I am thankful for the opportunity to share with others the benefits of orientation events in college and how they've impacted my life.”

Dirksmeyer will lead a scholar session with Hanson, who will discuss rhetoric, research and her experiences in the communication field.

Undergraduate and graduate research helps fulfill WT’s goal of becoming a Regional Research University, as laid out in the University’s long-term plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

About Texas Speech Communication Association

The Texas Speech Communication Association is the largest state professional communication association in the nation, committed to excellence in communication instruction, student performance, research, scholarly accomplishment, professional service and political awareness. TSCA strives to fulfill its responsibilities by providing a variety of quality academic programs and workshops at its annual convention. This state organization supports students, and communication professionals including teachers at every level; Middle School, High School, Community College & University. 

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. With enrollment of more than 10,000, WT offers 60 undergraduate degree programs, 40 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

—WTAMU—