Brigham Young University. Department of Communications
Dates
- Existence: 1963 - 2015
Administrative History
The Department of Communications (1963-2015) was responsible for communications courses under the College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University.
The Department of Communications at Brigham Young University was established in 1963. Functioning under the College of Fine Arts and Communications, it was responsible for teaching public relations, advertising, marketing, journalism, and communications. Previously, communications courses were part of the Department of Journalism in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The organization functioned to provide a professional program in communications which includes a broad base of general education, thorough orientation in the processes, functions and responsibilities of mass communication, and the development of skills in fact finding, analysis, and communication through the mass media. The department also sought to provide service courses to help students from other departments develop desired communication skills. Department chairs included: Oliver R. Smith (1964-1966), J. Morris Richards (1966-1972), Edwin O. Haroldsen (1972-1975), M. Dallas Burnett (1975-1980); Brent D. Peterson (1980-1983), J. LaVar Bateman (1983-1986), Ralph D. Barney (1986-1987), Gordon Whiting (1987-1991), David P. Forsyth (1991-1996), Leonard L. Bartlett (1996-1998), Laurie J. Wilson (1998-2002), Michael K. Perkins (2002-2004), Edward E. Adams (2004-2008; 2012-2015), Bradley L. Rawlins (2008-2012), and Edward E. Adams (2012-2015).
In 2015 the department was renamed the School of Communications.
Citation:
BYU Organizational History Project, May 4, 2012: Dept. of Communications (1963, College Fine Arts and Communications, public relations, advertising, marketing, journalism, and communications, previously Department of Journalism in College of Humanities and Social Sciences, professional program, broad base general, orientation, mass communication, fact finding, analysis, service courses, chairs Oliver R. Smith (1964-1966), J. Morris Richards (1966-1972), Edwin O. Haroldsen (1972-1975), M. Dallas Burnett (1975-1980); Brent D. Peterson (1980-1983), J. LaVar Bateman (1983-1986), Ralph D. Barney (1986-1987), Gordon Whiting (1987-1991), David P. Forsyth (1991-1996), Leonard L. Bartlett (1996-1998), Laurie J. Wilson (1998-2002), Michael K. Perkins (2002-2004), Edward E. Adams (2004-2008), and Bradley L. Rawlins (2008- ))BYU Organizational History Project, February 1, 2024 (department chairs, Bradley L. Rawlins (2008-2012), Edward E. Adams (2012-2015); renamed as School of Communications in 2015)
Found in 49 Collections and/or Records:
Oliver R. Smith photographs and notebook, circa 1935-1974
Oliver R. Smith subject files, 1940-1975
Owen S. Rich research projects, 1972-1983
Contains reports of research projects from courses taught by Owen S. Rich. The course research projects are from Communications 449 and Communications 499, 1972-1983.
Pamphlets and brochures on Department of Communications, 1966-1977
Contains pamphlets, a half-poster, award programs, and other material. Dates range from 1966-1977.
Personal histories of Owen S. and Ora Rich
Contains two bound volumes. The first "A Lifetime of Romance and Adventure" contains the personal histories of Owen and Ora Rich. The second "Owen S. Rich: Teacher, Radio and Television Pioneer" contains letters of tribute to Dr. Rich upon his retirement.
Owen S. Rich photographs and other material on KBYU
Photographs and some papers related to the history of KBYU television and radio.
Oliver R. Smith papers
Speech and videos on KBYU
Contains a speech given by Rich on the establishment of KBYU and a video documenting Rich's career at KBYU as well as three DVDs containing "The Rich Years" and a recording of Dr. Rich's retirement party.
University Communications files on the Communications Department, 1956-1999
Contains newspaper clippings, news releases, correspondence, meeting minutes, and photographs concerning the Communications Department from 1956 to 1999. Materials also relate to community relationships, the communication disorders clinic, communications week, public communications, the Communications Council, media services, and cooperative education.