Recent News
Share thisFaculty Spotlight: Paul Stewart, Ph. D., Professor of Communication
- Chair, Department of Communication
- Director, First-Year Seminar
Education
- Greenville College | B.S. | Speech Education
- Wichita State University | M.A. | Communication Theory
- University of Maryland | Ph. D. | Communication
What brought you to Roberts?
When I was at Greenville College, I fell in love with Christian Higher Education and Liberal Arts Education. I quickly realized that that’s what I wanted to do with my life. There was a job opening at Roberts, so I applied. Dr. Mrs. Berry found out I was advised by James Klumpp (arguably one of the greatest living scholars of Kenneth Burke), whom she liked and respected. I think the thing that made my application appealing to the Communication Department at Roberts was my Burkean connection.
How many years have you been at Roberts?
22 years
What are your favorite courses to teach?
I love teaching basic public speaking. It’s a basic course, but I really feel like connecting with students on that rudimentary level is fun. I think I do a pretty good job of helping them see that public speaking is more than just standing up straight. However, my favorite course within the major is Communication Ethics because I get to read Jacques Ellul (who was a French philosopher and professor).
What is your favorite campus tradition?
I would have to say Saturday Night Live because, every time I go, I am impressed by how talented Roberts students are. Every time somebody, who I didn’t even know was talented, goes on stage and performs, I am blown away! I think homecoming at Roberts is really cool, too. At a lot of other colleges, homecoming is for alumni only, but I think Roberts does a really good job at making the festivities student friendly.
Is there anything new and exciting happening in your department?
Yes, we have a brand new Media Studies major! This new major has allowed us to hire a new faculty member, Dr. Song who has become a great asset to the department.
What is your favorite part about teaching at Roberts?
This may sound corny, but I love watching my students have “ah-ha” moments, when they finally realize something that fundamentally changes who they are as human beings. It may have nothing to do with my content, but they have an experience that changes how they view life. For instance, they may realize they love to read and they didn’t know that they loved to read. All of a sudden, they become passionate about reading. The most rewarding thing about Roberts to me is the students and getting to know them. They live rich and interesting lives - it’s a beautiful thing.
Any interesting research projects/publications?
I’m currently concerned about the forces that close public discourse. How do we know when something shuts down people’s ability to talk about important ideas? What causes discourse to be invigorated? A lot of people in my discipline think that any critical discourse closes discourse, but I don’t buy it. So, I often ask what are the forces that encourage or discourage public debate, which is a communication ethics issue?
Where is your favorite place to be on campus?
My office at 67 Orchard, which was torn down, was my favorite place to be. My second favorite place to be is the North Chili Rural Cemetery. I take my students there and we talk about B.T. Roberts and the Rural Cemetery Movement. I took my First-Year Seminar students to the cemetery this past Fall and we walked right through where my old office would have been. We paused, had a moment of silence, and wept. Well, I wept.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I’m a beekeeper.
Student Insight:
Zach Case, Communication '18
Dr. Stewart has been a constant source of support since freshman year. I came in as an undeclared major and he guided me through that confusing time when I was a part of his Freshman Seminar class. I ultimately became a Communication major and have never regretted it! I am so thankful for all of the opportunities the Communication major has given to me. The classes I have taken, including Dr. Stewart's classes, have prepared me for the real-world and I look forward to using the skills I've learned when I graduate!
For more news articles, you can take a look at our archive.