2008 Woodie Awards
ISU Communication and Rhetorical studies department stepping down
Danielle Rymer ; Mass Communications student
Issue date: 4/27/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
After almost 36 years as chair of the communication and rhetorical studies department, Bruce Loebs is stepping down to become a full-time professor.
"I hope to continue teaching for several years," Loebs said.
At 70, Loebs has served the longest at ISU as a department chair. Loebs is stepping down mainly because he wants to teach, he said. Everything about teaching is positive, but the administrative part is not as enjoyable.
The job of department chair has good and bad qualities. Loebs says he likes being involved with the university, but he dislikes that a lot of the administrative work is not related to teaching students.
"We have reports, projections and five-year plans; the emphasis on assessment is unrelated to teaching," Loebs said.
Apart from needing a change, Loebs will not say, on the record, why it took 36 years to decide to step down.
Loebs has had many responsibilities as an administrator. He was in charge of class scheduling and teaching assignments, overseeing the administration of the department, attending chairs' meetings and producing faculty evaluations.
After stepping down, Loebs plans to be involved in the department and be on department committees. He teaches two classes per semester as an administrator. After stepping down, he will teach an additional course per semester and continue teaching during the summer.
Administrative Assistant Karen Jeppson, who has worked with Loebs for five years, sees how much he is devoted to teaching first-hand.
"He loves teaching; it's his passion," Jeppson said.
Loebs teaches Argumentation and Debate, Principles of Speech, Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill, American Public Address and Recent Rhetorical Issues. He says he likes to observe students' improvement in communication, enjoys explaining subjects and likes to watch students grow.
He's very caring and knowledgeable, Assistant Lecturer Sharon Sowell said.
Now that Professor Loebs is stepping down, he will be able to continue to do what he enjoys. He will be able to concentrate on teaching.
"I'm glad he will still be teaching," said Mary Goodenough, a senior in his Argumentation and Debate class.
"I hope to continue teaching for several years," Loebs said.
At 70, Loebs has served the longest at ISU as a department chair. Loebs is stepping down mainly because he wants to teach, he said. Everything about teaching is positive, but the administrative part is not as enjoyable.
The job of department chair has good and bad qualities. Loebs says he likes being involved with the university, but he dislikes that a lot of the administrative work is not related to teaching students.
"We have reports, projections and five-year plans; the emphasis on assessment is unrelated to teaching," Loebs said.
Apart from needing a change, Loebs will not say, on the record, why it took 36 years to decide to step down.
Loebs has had many responsibilities as an administrator. He was in charge of class scheduling and teaching assignments, overseeing the administration of the department, attending chairs' meetings and producing faculty evaluations.
After stepping down, Loebs plans to be involved in the department and be on department committees. He teaches two classes per semester as an administrator. After stepping down, he will teach an additional course per semester and continue teaching during the summer.
Administrative Assistant Karen Jeppson, who has worked with Loebs for five years, sees how much he is devoted to teaching first-hand.
"He loves teaching; it's his passion," Jeppson said.
Loebs teaches Argumentation and Debate, Principles of Speech, Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill, American Public Address and Recent Rhetorical Issues. He says he likes to observe students' improvement in communication, enjoys explaining subjects and likes to watch students grow.
He's very caring and knowledgeable, Assistant Lecturer Sharon Sowell said.
Now that Professor Loebs is stepping down, he will be able to continue to do what he enjoys. He will be able to concentrate on teaching.
"I'm glad he will still be teaching," said Mary Goodenough, a senior in his Argumentation and Debate class.