|
|
|
|
The Power of Communication |
|
 Stephanie Overton |
|
| Communication is a powerful process, through which knowledge, ideas and opinions can be conveyed in order to effect change. It is the common thread that can unite or for the lack of, separate human beings. Claire Waldron understood the power of language very early in life and has spent her career working to help others unlock this skill. "In ninth grade, I had this scary English teacher. I was really afraid of her. Then I figured out that if I just talked to her, I could learn so much from her," said Waldron. "The principles of good communication are the same despite the audience. Everyone should have their best shot at communicating."
For the past six years, Waldron has put her communication skills to work for a different audience as a representative to the RU Faculty Senate and currently, as president. "It's an enormously informed group," said Waldron. "In order for a complex place like Radford University to work, people need to communicate. It has been a luxury for me to work at a university with people who help me learn." Waldron is outspoken about university issues, particularly the role of faculty in RU's Internal Governance system. Through her leadership, the fundamental principles of good communication, such as openness and trust, have been stressed as the key to the growth and success of the university. |
top |
With that philosophy to guide her, Waldron has spent more than 30 years working with children and adults who have speech and language disorders. As a professor and associate chair of the department of communication sciences and disorders at RU, she is dedicated to helping students understand language development and to diagnose disorders and provide intervention. She believes everyone, despite language differences, and hearing or speech deficiencies, has the ability to communicate. The challenge is to discover the most effective means for each individual to achieve this goal.