On Disruptive Communication and Providing Digital Access to the Program I Am Certainly Pleased with the Electronic Shawn D

SPRING 2020 VOL. 38, NO. 1

SOUTHERN STATES COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION On Disruptive Communication and providing digital access to the program I am certainly pleased with the electronic Shawn D. through your preferred smart device. system, but I am over the moon excited I want to give special shouts out to Execu- about the actual conference program. The LONG tive Director Jerry Hale, President Pamela disruptive theme runs rampant through- First Vice President Bourland-Davis, Immediate Past President out the program, across all the divisions Southern States Jason Munsell, and 2nd Vice-President and interests groups. Kudos again to the Communication Association Wendy Atkins-Sayre for their support of outstanding program planners for slotting [email protected] this disruptive programming modality and exciting panels and papers that push the their advice, best practices, and encourage- boundaries of the way we have traditionally ment along the way. We held our collective thought about our communication prac- We are officially three months away from breaths hoping that it worked. I’m pleased tices, processes, and paradigms. the 90th Annual Southern States Commu- to announce that the system seems to have To be especially provocative, I have nication Association’s conference in Frisco, worked out well, with a few lessons learned scheduled four Vice-President’s Spotlight Texas. The conference theme is “Disruptive through the process. I would like to give a Panels throughout the conference tied to Communication: A Discipline without Con- particularly hearty thanks and shout out the theme of disruption: Disrupting Sports straints.” I am so honored to serve as the to George Stock, Associate Program Plan- (organized by Dr. Dan Grano, UNC Char- Program Planner and the official “Disrup- ner and Organizational Science Doctoral lotte), Disrupting Death (organized by Dr. tor-in-Chief” for this exciting conference. Student at UNC Charlotte. This whole pro- Christine Davis, UNC Charlotte), Disrupt- A key disruptive piece of this conference gramming shift would not have been pos- ing Pedagogy (organized by Mr. Lionell would not have been possible without the sible without his assistance, technological Smith, University of Memphis), and Dis- support of the association to pilot a new acumen, his keen eye and attention to de- rupting Religion (organized by Dr. Andre way of planning this convention. I am so tails to the program planning aspect of the Johnson, University of Memphis). I appre- grateful to the executive committee and the conference, his constant contact with pro- ciate the great work of the organizers to general membership for approving my program planners, and his good spirit and cheer bring together scholars and practitioners posal to pilot a new electronic submission, while we figured out the challenges and op- who will disrupt our sensibilities along review, and programming system for this portunities this system provides. I cannot these four domains. I hope that we have a conference. With this approval, we signed thank him enough for his outstanding work full house for each of these spotlights be- a year contract with our vendor; trained in helping me coordinate this conference. cause you are in for a real treat. our outstanding division and interest group Speaking of support, there is no one better I have invited a special guest, Artis program planners; accepted, reviewed, and in the business than Janet Fisher with Con- Twyman, Senior Director, Communica- programmed almost 600 submissions— ferenceDirect. Janet is phenomenal, patient tion, Los Angeles Rams of the National including the Theodore Clevenger Under- and such an asset to the association. Please Football League, to serve on the Disrupt- graduate Honors Conference; and are cur- give George and Janet a special high five and rently finalizing the final program for print fist bump when you see them in Frisco. Please see Disruptive, page 4

ED Frisco Big NCA Click to connect INSIDE Reflections Ready Shoes Awards with SSCA. THIS ISSUE Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 SSCA SPRING 2020

My Ride’s Here Jerold L. HALE As my term as Executive Director of SSCA Executive Director winds down it is important to recognize the Southern States efforts of many people who helped the asso- Communication ciation run smoothly for the last five years. It Association was not a solitary effort. My team at the Col- [email protected] VOL. 38, NO. 1 lege of Charleston included Katie Monk and SPRING 2020 Christine Ragusa, who managed the associa- worked with outstanding presidents, vice pres- tion’s finances and member services respec- idents, editors, and standing committee chairs. tively. Their work was made more difficult The administrative committee members, and Connections is the official when I moved from Charleston to Chattanoo- especially Presidents Jean DeHart, Roseann newsletter of the Southern States ga. I am very appreciative that they hung in Mandziuk, Victoria Gallagher, Jason Munsell, Communication Association (SSCA). with me through that transition and for their and Pam Bourland Davis served the associa- It is published two times a outstanding work. tion well. I was fortunate to serve with these Kevin Bryant worked all five years, and and other dedicated long-time members. year by the School of Humanities Andrew Pyle for three years of my term as Carl Cates’ friendship, advice, and counsel and Social Sciences at the convention staff members. They helped our were invaluable, both as I began my term, and College of Charleston. convention-going members have a positive throughout its progression. As my term ends, conference experience. I suppose he and I will have more time to eat Jerold L. Hale Janet Fisher of ConferenceDirect has bacon together. It was Carl who persistently Executive Director worked with SSCA for 12 years and with three kept asking me, in the face of repeated my re- executive directors. Before joining Conferen- fusals, to serve as executive director. I am glad ceDirect Janet worked in nearly every aspect he didn’t give up. Thomas Ezell of the hotel industry. Her experiences helped Most of all, I want to thank our membership Editor and Designer us to select appropriate cities and properties, for trusting me with this responsibility. There negotiate the best convention contracts, and is a reason that SSCA is the best of the regional Southern States saved us money with her careful examination associations. The strength of our organization Communication Association of every daily and final convention invoice. is rooted in the character and sociability of We are the only client she offers onsite service. its members. It has been an honor to serve as School of Humanities Her work for SSCA is invaluable and I will your executive director. With John Haas, you and Social Sciences miss working closely with her. are being left in even steadier hands. Part of the executive director role involves 2 Greenway collaborating closely with the Association’s ad- My ride’s here. Thanks y’all. Charleston, SC 29424 ministrative committee or leadership team. I Be It Resolved… With the new year under way, you might be considering your resolutions. I hope those are progressing well, but I want to talk about another kind of resolution—the ones passed by the legislative assembly. The SSCA Resolutions Committee drafts and presents the standard and any special resolutions at the annual convention. These resolutions can be about the workings of the association or conference. Also, the assembly uses resolutions to honor individuals and organizations that have served SSCA. You can find a list of past resolutions on the SSCA website (www.ssca.net) under the Membership area. There you can see resolutions from the last ten years. If you know a topic or person that needs to be considered in a resolution, please contact me at [email protected]. - Corey A. Hickerson, James Madison University

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Pamela BOURLAND- Work to Do in Frisco DAVIS journal, the promotions and membership clusion, to parallel the opportunities pro- President Southern States work of Ashli Stokes and her committee, vided at other regional associations. Communication and the budget reviews of Jennifer Mize Those committee members are Ele- Association Smith and her committee. Of course we tra Gilchrist-Petty, University of Alabama, [email protected] have a number of committees reviewing Huntsville, Chair; Michael Arrington, awards, managing the search for the next Sam Houston State University; Lisa Cor- As a conference attendee, it’s easy to journal editor, and supporting the associa- rigan, University of Arkansas; Leland think of the work of the organization fo- tion in many other ways as well. Spencer, Miami University; and Antonio cused on paper/panel submissions and the In the meantime, Jerry Hale has been Spikes, Davidson College. actual conference. For the many volun- working with incoming ED, John Haas, So, yes, we’ll have a fair amount of busi- teers for SSCA, the work to strengthen and while keeping up with all of the above, and ness to cover in Frisco. maintain the association continues year moving to a new job in a new location. He All of these volunteers work to uphold round. works closely with Janet Fisher who keeps traditions and the mission of SSCA, and to Jason Munsell, Immediate Past Presi- us on point in planning for and during a provide innovation. And that’s part of what dent, worked with the Nominating Com- conference. Both work with the Time and makes the SSCA family special – the value mittee to offer a strong slate of candidates Place Committee, which I have heard just of tradition and the openness to something (don’t forget to vote). Wendy Atkins-Sayre, returned from the latest site visit for plan- new. The conference is a place to reconnect Second Vice President, has lined up inter- ning for the future. Our association is infi- and to connect; it’s small enough to get to esting student research panels. And, of nitely stronger because of these folks. know folks and to volunteer, and it’s large course, Shawn Long, Vice President, has I especially want to point out the work enough that there are always new folks to been busy the entire year, not only coor- of two Ad hoc committees. First is the meet, new ideas to try. dinating the program as a whole, but also SSCA Ethics Statement Committee, which For the upcoming conference, I hope introducing, piloting, and managing our has worked on a statement which will be you’ll take advantage of as many oppor- foray into the on-line submission process, presented in Frisco. This committee was tunities as possible. Shawn has made sure which by all counts, helped everyone. He comprised of Jim Kuypers, Virginia Tech, there is no shortage of sessions or topics. also checked out Frisco and our confer- Chair; Nina Jo Moore, Appalachian State; Attend a session on a new topic, or with a ence site. Jason, Shawn and I will be on Jim Pickett, Flagler; and Jenni Simon, Uni- different division. And because we’re busy a panel at the Georgia Communication versity of North Carolina, Greensboro. year round, go ahead and start thinking to Association to promote SSCA and the op- At the same time, the Ad hoc commit- 2021—I challenge you to propose a panel portunities down the road in Norfolk and tee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, has with at least one non-current SSCA mem- Greenville. reviewed our organization as well as other ber, and to invite a colleague or student to The Executive Council met during regionals. Their report will be provided at submit a paper. And I especially hope you’ll NCA in Baltimore, while the Administra- Frisco as well, and will include a recom- thank the many volunteers at the division tive Committee has had conference calls mendation to move the committee to a and interest group level, and at the associa- and any number of e-mail conversations Standing Committee of SSCA. The com- tion level as they represent our discipline throughout the year. And this doesn’t even mittee will also ask members to consider and association well. Hope you have a great cover the work Jennifer Samp has done to a division or interest group dedicated to conference in Frisco – see you there! continue producing a fine and rigorous the interests of Diversity, Equity and In-

A Reminder to Sustaining Members Sustaining members please do not forget to preregister for the Frisco convention if you plan to attend. It is important to preregister so that we can accurately calculate our catering needs. While your convention registration is included in the sustaining membership there is a $30 service charge if you do not preregister.

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JOHN HAAS Incoming Filling Big Shoes Executive Director Southern States explore the discipline and build lifelong rela- involved with the day-to-day management of Communication tionships. Since that first association meet- the association’s finances. Sandy has extensive Association ing, I have viewed SSCA as a central part of experience with department accounting and [email protected] my professional life. As I transition to my new financial services. I am grateful to Kevin and role, I am mindful of the traditions that con- Sandy for their willingness to serve the as- SSCA has a tradition of strong leadership. tribute to the SSCA experience. sociation. In addition, I am grateful for the That history of strong leadership is exempli- I am excited about serving as the Executive opportunity to work with Janet Fisher from fied by people such as Susan Siltanen, Richard Director of SSCA. I am deeply committed to ConferenceDirect. Ranta, and Carl Cates. That tradition contin- the association and welcome the opportunity In this new role, I am mindful that many ues with our current Executive Director Jerry to continue the work of building a strong as- heads are better than one. Moreover, I am Hale. Jerry has guided the association well sociation. In that capacity, I will be working mindful that our association is at its best and continued the tradition of creating posi- with others to provide member services and when we create an environment that pro- tive experiences for SSCA members. Living financial management. Kevin Bryant of Ten- motes inclusiveness and celebrates diversity. up to that tradition will be a challenge! nessee Tech University will provide member I look forward to working with the member- My initial experience with SSCA took place services. Kevin has extensive experience with ship to advance SSCA’s mission of promoting at Houston during the annual association the operations of SSCA and is a familiar face at scholarship and teaching in the communica- meeting in 1986. Over the next 34 years, the conference registration. Sandy Cabbage from tion discipline. association offered me a welcoming home to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville will be

Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion fantastic and memorable keynote event is Disruptive and Professor of Communication at the an understatement. I am humbled that Dr. Continued from page 1 University of Colorado Denver and the An- Allen will provide this timely address to our schutz Medical Campus. She has developed membership. ing Sports panel. a track record for leadership, scholarship, In closing, I am again honored to serve Artis is a seasoned teaching, service, mentorship, and training as the Vice-President and Program Planner communication related to organizational communication, for SSCA. I am excited about the upcoming professional, par- social identity, and power. She has worked conference and to see the many and varied ticularly with the tirelessly to promote more inclusive, hu- ways that our members will disrupt tradi- NFL. He has led mane, and equitable communication and tional communication through their schol- disruptive com- professional practices. Among Dr. Allen’s arship, pedagogy and activities in Frisco, munication efforts numerous publications is a groundbreaking Texas. I encourage you to visit the ssca.net during his long Artis Twyman book entitled Difference Matters: Communi- website to view the interactive, digital con- and storied career cating Social Identity (Waveland Press). She ference program. We will have the tradi- as a communication professional. I am ex- is working on the third edition of that book. tional paper program for all the attendees, cited to have him join our community of Dr. Allen’s keynote address is titled: Dis- but you may also use the digital version to scholars at SSCA. rupting Leadership through Radical Inclusion plan your disruptive paths in Frisco. Finally, but not This interactive keynote will incite and exhaustively, I am so inspire participants to reimagine “leader- See you soon in Frisco, thrilled to announce ship” and its implications for cultivating the conference key- radical inclusion in communication schol- Shawn D. Long note speaker, Dr. arship and practice. We will explore ways Vice-President, SSCA Brenda J. Allen, Pro- to enact leadership disruptively within and Program Planner and Disruptor-in-Chief fessor Emerita, Uni- beyond our roles and institutions, in or- versity of Colorado. der to effect change in our discipline and Dr. Brenda J. Allen Dr. Allen is a former society-at-large. To say that this will be a

4 SSCA SPRING 2020 30th Annual Theodore Clevenger Undergraduate Honors Conference Wendy The papers have of the presenters, as determined by reviewers, recognized as our 2020 ATKINS- been reviewed, the Clevenger Scholars: Rhea Carter (Berea College), Kortney Halliburton panels have been set, (Berea College), Annebelle Klein (Transylvania University), Jada Pet- SAYRE and now we await the tus (Berea College), Jacob Stenson (Berea College), and Ashley Win- Second Vice President commencement of the dom (Texas A&M University). Top paper awards will be announced Southern States 30th annual Theo- at the conference. Communication Association dore Clevenger Un- Also on the schedule is a Thursday afternoon preview panel fea- [email protected] dergraduate Honors turing UHC alums with advice for the presenters and an opportunity Conference in Frisco. to ask questions about the conference. We will also have a Thursday We were, once again, afternoon spotlight panel on regional state champions in speech and fortunate to have so many quality submissions from students across debate. The UHC breakfast will take place on Saturday morning. UHC the region. Thanks go to the students who submitted their work as participants will receive their tickets to the breakfast when they arrive well as the faculty who worked with them in various ways to help at registration. Others (faculty advisors, guests) will be able to pur- them with the submission process. I’d also like to thank our stalwart chase tickets. We have also planned another graduate school fair that volunteers who reviewed papers and will chair and respond to panels will occur Saturday afternoon. We hope to see UHC participants at all in April. of these events and panels. We have a great conference planned, including 14 paper panels. Pa- Please show support for these talented students by welcoming them pers will cover everything from political rhetoric to communication and attending their panels. SSCA is known for its friendliness and this about identity, online communication to communication in educa- is a perfect place to show it. See you in Frisco! tion, relationships to culture. Special recognition goes to the top 10%

Scholarship Awards Points of Pride Ashli Q. Franklyn S. Haiman Award for STOKES Distinguished Scholarship in Freedom of Greetings from Charlotte, where January Expression feels like April. The (likely brief) spring-like Director of Strategic Communication Stephen A. Smith, University of Arkansas weather helps me gear up for our Frisco Southern States Service Awards Conference, coming soon. Be on the look- Communication Robert J. Kibler Memorial Award Association out for another episode of SSCA’s Podcast, Tina Maria Harris, Louisiana State [email protected] The Medium is the Message, produced and University hosted by member David Nelson. Thanks to Dave for his hard work on this project where Division Awards be selling our popular SSCA t-shirts ahead he’ll spotlight some exciting events that are Communication Ethics Division of the conference—have you ordered yours? happening at the Conference, share with us Top Journal Article of the Year Award Look for the link on our official Facebook conversations with SSCA leadership, and Andrew Tinker, Middle Tennessee State page. As always, please send me the good take us on an audio tour of Richard Nor- University news about your programs and our mem- Communication Ethics and the Rejection man/Norman Film Studios in Jacksonville. bers—this month, I’d like to highlight our of Paternalism in John Stuart Mill’s On Thanks also to all of our new and steadfast members for their achievements at the re- Liberty. Communication Quarterly supporters of SSCA who help support the cent NCA Annual Convention in Baltimore, 67, 3 (2019): 312-332. Conference and the membership through Maryland. We’re proud of our great mem- their investment in the Association—we Public Relations Division bers for their hard work and their institu- PRIDE Book Award will once again have a great program and tions for their dedication to SSCA! See you Brigitta R. Brunner, Auburn University graduate program open house/networking soon in Frisco! & Corey A. Hickerson, James Madison event due to their efforts. While you’re at the University conference, consider stopping by our exhib- Teaching Awards Cases in Public Relations: Translating itors’ tables as well to flip through new titles, Wallace A. Bacon Lifetime Teaching Ethics into Action. find resources for your classes, and maybe Excellence Award Oxford University Press get a few goodies to take home. We’ll also Stephen A. Smith, University of Arkansas

5 SSCA SPRING 2020 The Rise of Frisco Kid 2020: A Movie Review  5/5 Stars out what the hell the wayfinder is actually say- Arches nominee Wendy Atkins-Sayer), ap- JASON ing about how to find the way to Frisco. He pears behind the Frisco Kid with her own la- MUNSELL has to write a paper, submit it online through ser sword and robotic horse (SS21). Frisco Kid Immediate a new fancy system, the paper goes through a and Memphis Ray join forces and battle Darth Past President review process, he’ll have to be notified about Cowboy. But just then the whole of the wicked Southern States acceptance (or not) and then even after that First Cowboy Order joins in the combat. All Communication Association he’ll have to find some stupid knife. Though seems lots for our heroes. jmunsell@columbiascedu daunted, our hero gets on his robotic horse The climax of the movie is a stunning, goose (named SS20), grabs his laser sword, and the pimple inducing cinematic achievement. Just There have been two movies called Frisco journey begins. as we think the First Cowboy Order and Darth Kid, a 1935 film starring James Cagney, and Throughout the film and the various quests, Cowboy will win the day, random spaceships 1979 Western satire starring Gene Wilder as the Frisco Kid and his trusty SS20 offer rich appear above the Dallas Cowboys World a Polish Rabbi. Both movies are situated in banter. The witty SS20 almost always begins Headquarters. The largest ship, the Southern or characters are traveling to San Francisco. speaking with, “And this is straight from the Crossroads, piloted by Captain Pam, destroys This new movie (out now in limited release, horse’s mouth” and ends each sentence with much of the headquarters with the ship’s laser but will have wide release on April 1), is not “doesn’t that make a lot of horse sense?” The cannons. The Applied Communication ship is set in San Francisco, but rather it is a quest script is brilliant, funny, and tight. It will likely there. So too the Rhetoric and Public Address to find Frisco, Texas, north of Dallas, on the be nominated for a best unoriginal screenplay ship. The storied Argumentation and Foren- fringe of the galaxy. Written, directed and award. As the Frisco Kid successfully moves sic, the famed Comm Theory, the Community starring Shawn Long, produced by Jerry Hale, through each little quest, he at last discovers College, the Freedom of Speech, the Gender and released by SSCA, the story follows the an ancient knife hidden in Stonebriar Cen- Studies, Instructional Development, Inter- Frisco Kid (played by Long) as he discovers a tre at Dick’s Sporting Goods. The blade, once cultural, Interpersonal, Language and Social new technology (something called a wayfind- sharp, was apparently forged from the excre- Interaction, Mass Comm, Performance Stud- er) that he believes will guide him to Frisco. ment of Roger Staubach, the handle shaped ies, Political, Popular, and PR—all these ships (Spoilers Ahead!) This wayfinder was created like a cowboy hat. Holding the knife just right join the attack against the First Cowboy Order. by evil Sith Lord Jerry Jones to guide mem- in the parking lot of Dick’s, the Frisco Kid dis- Even the smaller ships known collectively as bers of the evil First Cowboy Order to Frisco. covers it is pointing to the 91 acre campus of the interest group fleet join the laser chaos. All The movie starts with the Frisco Kid having a the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. ships piloted by passionate and skillful fliers, dream or a vision or something like that. The Exploring the dark corridors of the head- they together, the alliance of ships working Frisco Kid is standing on top of Kennesaw quarters riding atop SS20 with laser sword in with the Frisco Kid and Memphis Rey, defeat Mountain in Georgia and hears an aged voice hand, the Frisco Kid soon discovers evil Sith the First Cowboy Order, find Frisco, and cel- say, “Find the wayfinder and that wayfinder Lord Jerry Jones hooked up to some tubes or ebrate new peace in the galaxy. will help you find the way to Frisco because something like that to keep the villain alive. The movie ends with a party at a cantina that’s what wayfinders do.” But where is this Also known as Darth Cowboy, Jerry Jones called Embassy Suites in Frisco, Texas. The Wayfinder? The Frisco Kid hears the voice suddenly shoots lightening out of his nasty Communication Alliance toast their vic- again (played by Golden Corral nomine, Ja- looking, super evil fingers striking Frisco Kid tory over evil; and Comm Ghosts are there son Munsell), “Oh, that wayfinder is online. and jolting him to the ground. As Frisco Kid too, glowing spirits of the past appreciatively Google ‘Conference Management Software by lays injured, Darth Cowboy declares in a pile watching the merriment. All that being said, X-CD Technologies Inc.’.” of bile, “Young fool. Did you think you’d find the plot is pretty predictable, but the movie is Once the Frisco Kid finds this wayfinder Frisco on your own? You must also have an still really fun. The special effects and sound he soon learns that the map to Frisco is in so undergraduate honors conference!” Just then, editing are just okay, but that stuff is always many freaking different pieces that he has to a new character not yet seen in the movie, really expensive. go on various individual quests just to figure Memphis Rey (played skillfully by Golden Review by Jason B. Munsell

6 SSCA DIVISIONS AND INTEREST GROUPS

SSCA DIVISIONS INTEREST GROUPS • Applied Communication • Language and Social • Association for • Communication Theory Interaction Communication • Community College • Mass Communication Administrators (ACA) • Freedom of Speech • Performance Studies • American Society for the • Gender Studies • Political Communication History of Rhetoric • Instructional • Popular Communication • Ethnography Development • Public Relations • Kenneth Burke Society • Intercultural • Rhetoric and Public • Philosophy & Ethics of Communication Address Communication • Interpersonal • Southern Argumentation Communication and Forensics

Don’t forget to visit the SSCA website at www.ssca.net! Click to connect with SSCA.

Jerold L. Hale, Executive Director Southern States Communication Association School of Humanities and Social Sciences 2 Greenway Charleston, SC 29424