Lou E. Davidson Tillson, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean College of Fine Arts & Communication Price Doyle  Fine Arts Complex Murray State University Murray, KY  42071

Ph.D. 1992
The Ohio University
Organizational Communication

M.A. 1987
West Virginia University
Communication Studies

B.S. 1984
Glenville State College (WV)
Oral Communication & English
Secondary Certification
 

Murray State University, KY  (1998 -      )
College of Fine Arts and Communication
Assistant Dean

Murray State University, KY  (1992-1997 )
Department of Speech Communication & Theatre
Assistant Professor
Basic Course Director

Ohio University College of Education, OH  (1990-1991)
Inservice Coordinator
Trainer

Wood County Board of Education, WV  (1988-1992)
Substitute Teacher, 7-12 grades

Charles County Board of Education, MD  (1987-1988)
Teacher (Speech, Theatre, English 11)
Theatre Director

Wood County Board of Education, WV  (1984-1987)
Teacher (Speech, Debate, English 10)
Forensics Director

OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:

1998

Presenter:  Special Interest Sessions for Summer Orientation I and II, MSU

Judge:  Young Careerist of the Year Competition
Business & Professional Women's Organization

Advisor:  Summer Orientation Session, MSU

Reviewer:  Evaluated research papers submitted in COM 409 (capstone course for communication majors/minors)  MSU

Workshop Leader:  “Enhancing Communication Skills in  the University Classroom”
Communicating Across the Curriculum Program, MSU

Trainer:  "Departmental Graduate Assistant Workshop", Department of Speech Communication and Theatre, MSU,  1992-1997   (Annually)

Examiner:  Test of Oral Communication Proficiency, Department of Speech Communication and Theatre, MSU,  1992-1997   (Annually)

1996

Director:  Children's Church Program  (to present)
Palma (KY) United Methodist Church

Curriculum Developer:  Sunday School Literature for Quadrennial Theme of "Call to Ministry"
The United Methodist Church,  Paducah District of the Memphis Conference

Workshop Leader:  "Speaking, Listening, and Cooperative Learning in the University Classroom"
Communicating Across the Curriculum Program, MSU

Trainer:  Stress Management for Center Volunteers,  Rape Victim Services, Inc.

Speaker:  Summer Orientation, MSU

Speech Trainer:  Academic Decathlon (hosted by Murray State University)

Facilitator:  Brainstorming session for Teaching Forum, Faculty Resource Center, MSU

Facilitator:  "When Push Comes to Shove: What is the Association's Role in Times of Controversy?"
Land Between the Lakes Association, KY

Trainer:  "Teaching Vocational Education Classes with Style"    (Eleven 5-hour sessions)
S.E. Ohio Vocational Education Personnel Development Center, The Ohio University, OH

Trainer:  "Perfecting Your Oratory Skills"  (Eleven 5-hour sessions),
S.E. Ohio Vocational Education Personnel Development Center, The Ohio University, OH

Trainer: "Strategies for Reducing Stress", Williamstown First Baptist Church, WV

Graduate Associate to the Administrator for Academic and Clinical Affairs:  Assisted with the restructuring of Phase III and Phase IV General/Family Practice Clerkship,  College of Osteopathic Medicine, The Ohio University, OH (1988-1991)

Trainer:  "Leadership: Getting Others to Want to Do", S.E.  Ohio Vocational Education Personnel Development Center, The Ohio University, OH

1989

Trainer: “Stress Management Workshop”, School of Applied Behavioral Sciences/Educational Leadership, The Ohio University, OH

Consultant:  Conducted a Communication Audit,  Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, WV

Consultant:  Designed speech curriculum
Trainer: "Talk to Me" & "Stress Management for Students",  Athens High School, OH

Trainer:  "Communication:  Check it Out!",  Ohio Educational Librarians and Media  Association
 

Workshop Assistant:  "Storming the Barricades Toward  More Effective Communication"
AT&T Bell Laboratory, OH

"Assessing Perceived Effectiveness of the Basic Communication Course:  An Examination of the Mass Lecture Format vs. the Self-Contained Format"  (with T. Todd)

"Alienation in Academia:  A Communication Study of Female Faculty and Staff at a Regional University"  (Thesis Committee Member, Pam Dawes)

“Student Teachers' Teaching Anxiety”  (Thesis Director, David Yastremski)

"Communication Between Early Adolescent Female Athletes and their Coaches" (Thesis Committee Member, Amy O'Nan)

“Dimensionality of Patient Satisfaction:  What is the Nature of the Beast?”  (On-going study)

“The Art of Osteopathy:  An Examination of Patient Satisfaction with Physician Communicator Style”

PUBLICATIONS:

Tillson, L.D.  (1997-1998).  Developing the professoriate:  Today’s TAs, tomorrow’s  tenure track.  Journal of Graduate Teaching Assistant Development, 5 (3), p. 133-147.

Tillson, L.D.  (1997-1998).  Preparing tomorrow's professoriate:  Graduate  teaching assistant development and the case method.  Journal of Graduate Teaching  Assistant Development, 5 (1), p. 31-42.

Gesler, D.M., Hanor-Dawes, P., & Tillson, L.D.  (1998).  The games our students  play:  A roundtable discussion.  Proceedings of the 1997 Kentucky  Communication Association Annual Conference:  KCA.

Tillson, L.D.  (In press).  Building community and reducing CA:  A case study approach  for public speaking.  In G. Grice and J. Skinner's Mastering Public Speaking (3rd  ed.) Instructor's Resource Manual.  Boston:  Allyn & Bacon.

Tillson, L.D.  (1997).  Building community and reducing CA:  A case study approach  for public speaking.  In S. Lucas The Art of Public Speaking (6th ed.)  supplemental materials:  “Selections from The Speech Communication Teacher.”   New York:  McGraw-Hill.

Tillson, L.D.  (1997).  Perception and the complexity of communication:  A magical  approach to understanding.  Proceedings of the 1996 Annual Conference of the  Kentucky Communication Association.

Tillson, L.D.  (1997).  The case method as reflective and projective practice in the  instructional communication classroom.  (Report # 400565).  Bloomington, IN:   Smith Research Center.  (ERIC Document Reproduction Service).

Tillson, L.D.  (1996).  Specialist or charlatan?  An argument for the certification of  communication consultants.  Kentucky Journal of Communication, 1(2).

Tillson, L.D.  (1996).  Building community and reducing CA:  A case study approach  for public speaking.  In S.R. Brydon & M.D. Scott Between One and Many:  An  Introduction to Public Speaking Instructor’s Manual (2nd ed.), pp. 83-85.   Mountain View, CA:  Mayfield Publishing.

Tillson, L.D.., Chipps, R., Chaudoin, K., Miller, B., Shultz, S., Wagner, M.J.,  Yastremski, D.  (August/September, 1995, vol.9, #7).  Strategies for coping  with teaching anxiety.  The Teaching Professor.

Tillson, L.D.  (Summer, 1995, vol.9, #4).  Building community and reducing CA:  A  case study approach for public speaking.  The Speech Communication Teacher.

Tillson, L.D.  (1995), [Review of Case studies for teacher problem solving].  Communication Education, 44(2), 185-186.

Tillson, L.D.  (1995).  Pulpit talk:  Or how to teach 200 students in a church  sanctuary.  College Teaching.

Tillson, L.D.  and Wagner, M.J.  (1994).   Writing case studies for the communication  classroom.  Progress Through Partnership:  New Ideas in Communication:   Proceedings of the 1994 Annual Conference of the Kentucky Communication  Association.

PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS:

Dawes, P., Gesler, D. & Tillson, L.D.  (November, 1998). The Games our Students  Play:  A Review Activity for the Interpersonal Communication Classroom.   Presentation at the National Communication Association Annual Conference, NY,  NY.

Tillson, L.D.  (November, 1998). The Administrative Experience:  Women in  Academia Speak Out.  Coordinated panel and made presentation at the National  Communication Association Annual Conference, NY,  NY.

Tillson, L.D.  (August 1998).  Lectures and Discussions.   Presentation for the  Murray State University Graduate Assistant Orientation Program.

Tillson, L.D.  (November 1997).  Teacher and Student Concerns:  Implications and  Applications.  Chair of panel presented at the National Communication Association  Annual Conference, Chicago, ILL.

Tillson, L.D.  (November 1997).  Training of Communication Teachers/Professors.   Roundtable panelist at the National Communication Association Annual  Conference, Chicago, ILL.

Tillson, L.D.  (November 1997).  The Development of Women in Academia:   Communicating Centrality through 'Mentor-Mentee' Relationships.  Presentation  at the National Communication Association Annual Conference, Chicago, ILL.

Tillson, L.D.  (September, 1997).  The Games our Students Play.  Roundtable panelist  at the Kentucky Communication Association Annual Conference, Dawson Springs,  KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (September, 1997).  Communication Perspectives on Mentoring in  Academia.  Roundtable panelist at the Kentucky Communication Association Annual  Conference, Dawson Springs, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (August 1997).  Lectures and Discussions.   Presentation for the  Murray State University Graduate Assistant Orientation Program.

Tillson, L.D.  (April 1997).  Other Forms of Intelligence:  Contributing to Life  Out There.  Keynote address for the Alpha Chi National Honorary Society  induction ceremony (MSU chapter).  (Student membership restricted to the top  3% of the senior class and top 2% of the junior class).

Tillson, L.D.  (April 1997).  Innovations in Communication Pedagogy.  Respondent for  panel presented at the Southern States Communication Association Annual  Convention, Savannah, GA.

Tillson, L.D.  (March 1997).  Opening the Door:  Entrance into Organizational  Structures.  Chair of panel presented at the 10th Annual Celebrate Women  Conference, Murray State University, Murray, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (November 1996).  Roundtable Reflections on Taking the Helm:  The  Unique Experiences of Female Educators and Administrators in Communication.   Chair of panel presented at the Speech Communication Association Annual  Convention, San Diego, CA.

Tillson, L.D.  (November 1996).  Specialist or Charlatan?  An Argument for the  Certification of Communication Consultants.  Paper presented at the Speech  Communication Association Annual Convention,  San Diego, CA.

Tillson, L.D.  (October 1996).  Innovation and Higher Education Roundtable:   Applications in Graduate and Undergraduate Curricula.  Paper presented at the  Showcase for Regional Innovation: Research, Teaching, and Service.   Southern  Illinois University, Carbondale, ILL.

Tillson, L.D.  (October 1996).  Adding Communication Skills to KERA.  Paper  presented at the Annual Teaching/Learning Conference,  Ashland, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (September 1996).  Chair of the “GIFTS” Roundtable Discussion  for  the Kentucky Communication Association Annual Conference, Lake Cumberland,  KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (September 1996).  Perception and the Complexity of Communication:   A Magical Approach to Understanding.  Paper presented at the Kentucky  Communication Association Annual Conference, Lake Cumberland, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (August 1996).  Lectures and Discussions.   Presentation for the  Murray State University Graduate Assistant Orientation Program.

Tillson, L.D.  & Todd, T.S. (March 1996).  Methodology and Training.  Paper  presented at the Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention  Memphis, TN.

Tillson, L.D.  (March 1996).  The Case Method as Reflective and Projective Practice  in the Instructional Communication Classroom.  Paper presented at the Southern  States Communication Association Annual Convention, Memphis, TN.

Tillson, L.D.  (November 1995).  And the Winner is....  Paper presented at the Speech  Communication Association Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX.

Tillson, L.D.  (October 1995).   Improving Listening in the College Classroom.
 Presentation for the MSU Communicating Across the Curriculum Program,  Murray, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (October 1995).  Cooperative Learning:  Group Design and Process.
 Presentation for the MSU Communicating Across the Curriculum Program,  Murray, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (September 1995).  Instructional Principles & Practices in Motivation  Theory. Paper presented at the Kentucky Communication Association Annual  Convention, Frankfort, KY

Tillson, L.D.  (March 1995).  Did I Ever Tell You about the Time...(Instructor's War  Stories as the Impetus for Designing Case Studies.  Paper presented at the 5th  Annual Basic Communication Course Workshop, Lexington, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  & Miller, B.  (March 1995).  Great Beginnings and Grand Finales:   Strategies for Introducing and Concluding Class Meetings.  Paper presented at the  5th Annual Basic Communication Course Workshop, Lexington, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (November 1994).  Building Community and Reducing Communication  Apprehension.  Paper presented at the Speech Communication Association Annual  Convention, New Orleans, LA.

Tillson, L.D.  (September 1994).  Writing Case Studies for the Communication  Classroom.  Paper presented at the Kentucky Communication Association,  Lexington, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (Summer 1994).  All's Fair in Love, War, and  Classroom Discussions:   A Case Study.  Graduate teaching assistant training materials.

Tillson, L.D.  (March 1994).  Reducing CA in the Public Speaking Classroom:  A Case  Study Approach.  Paper presented at the 4th Annual Basic Communication Course  Workshop, Lexington, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (March 1994).  Developing or Damaging Self-Esteem:  Discussion  Topics for Interpersonal Communication.  Paper presented at the 4th Annual  Basic Communication Course Workshop, Lexington, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (April 1994).  Making A Case for Cases.  Workshop presentation for  Murray State University Faculty Resource Center, Murray, KY.
Tillson, L.D.  (September 1993).  Case Studies in Communication.  Paper presented at  Kentucky Association of Communication Arts Fall Conference, Lexington, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (September 1993).  Varieties in Teaching Techniques.  Workshop   presentation for Murray State University GTA Training.

Tillson, L.D.  (March 1993).  Snakes & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails, That's What Little  Girls are Made of: Gender Issues in the Classroom.  Paper presented at the 3rd  Annual Basic Communication Course Workshop, Lexington, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (March 1993).  Let's Go to the Movies:  Using Contemporary Films to  Review Small Group Communication Principles.  Paper presented at the 3rd  Annual Basic Communication Course Workshop, Lexington, KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (March 1993).  The Interpersonal Communication Course and  Perception Deception:  Do You See What I See, Do You Hear What I Hear?  Paper  presented at the 3rd Annual Basic Communication Course Workshop, Lexington,  KY.

Tillson, L.D.  (July 1990).  Communicating More Effectively at Home and on the Job.   Presentation made for the Michigan/Ohio Telecommunication Association Annual  Conference, Toledo, OH

GRANTS:

1997  Co-Investigator (With Tim Todd)
$1,200.00 grant from Murray State University Committee on Institutional Studies and Research for:      "Assessing Perceived Effectiveness of the Basic Communication Course:  An Examination of the Mass Lecture     Format vs. the Self-Contained Format"

1993-1995 Principal Investigator
$2,500.00 grant from Murray State University Committee on Institutional Studies and Research for:      "Dimensionality of Patient Satisfaction:  What is the Nature of the Beast?"

1990-1992 Principal Investigator
$500.00 grant from The Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine for dissertation research:
"The Art of Osteopathy:  An Examination of Patient Satisfaction    with Physician Communicator Style"

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EVIDENCE OF PROFESSIONAL GROWTH:

1998

Web Development Workshop, sponsored by Murray State University

National Communication Association Annual Convention, Chicago, IL

Learning Strategies in the College Classroom 1, Seminar sponsored by the Murray State University Office of the Provost

Kentucky Communication Association Annual Conference, Dawson Springs, KY

School-to-Work Local Partnership Council Teaching Fellowship, Marshall County Sheriff's Office, Benton, KY,
Shadowed award winning law enforcement officer to observe professional communication skills.

Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, Savannah, GA

Celebrate Women! Annual Conference,  Murray State University

Effective Instructional Techniques for Gender Equity (Sadker/Learner),  Teaching/Learning Seminar sponsored by the Murray State University Office of the Provost

Facilitating Learning through the Use of Groups and Group Activity,  Teaching/Learning Seminar sponsored by the Murray State University Office of the Provost

1996

Speech Communication Association Annual Convention, San Diego, CA

Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) Showcase for Regional Innovation:  Research, Teaching, and Service,
Carbondale, ILL

Annual Teaching/Learning Conference, Ashland, KY

More Effective and Equitable Instructor Techniques,  Teaching/Learning Seminar sponsored by the Murray State University Office of the Provost

Kentucky Communication Association Annual Conference, Lake Cumberland, KY

Board of Director's Training, United Way Program,  Paducah, KY

Southern States Communication Association Convention, Memphis, TN

1995

Speech Communication Association Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX

Kentucky Communication Association Annual Convention, Frankfort, KY

Teaching Forum, discussion groups for Murray State University faculty sponsored by the Faculty Resource Center

Designing Group Projects and Oral Presentations,  Workshop sponsored by the MSU Communicating Across the Curriculum Program

Prestonsburg Community College (KY) Fifth Annual Basic Communication Course Workshop, Lexington, KY

Speech Communication Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA

Kentucky Communication Association Annual Convention, Lexington, KY

Using Cases Across the Curriculum,  3 day workshop sponsored by the MSU Faculty Resource Center for select  faculty

Whole Language and Communicating Across the Curriculum:  Reading, Speaking, and Writing for the 21st Century, MSU Department of English Colloquium

The Case Method of Instruction,  Discussion led by Dr. John Boehrer, Harvard University, MSU Faculty Resource Center

Prestonsburg Community College (KY) Fourth Annual Basic Communication Course Workshop, Lexington, KY

Kentucky Association of Communication Arts Conference, Lexington, KY

Using Cases to Prompt Reflective Practice about Teaching and Learning:  A Working Conference,  4-day workshop co-sponsored by The AAHE Teaching Initiative and Pace Center for Case Studies in Education, Oakland, CA

The Southern States Communication Association and Central States Communication Association Joint Convention, Lexington, KY

Prestonsburg Community College (KY) Third Annual Basic Communication Course Workshop, Lexington, KY

Graduate Teaching Assistant Fall Orientation,  Workshop sponsored by the MSU Faculty Resource Center for GTAs and supervising faculty

New Faculty Orientation, Workshop Series sponsored by the MSU Faculty Resource Center

Portfolio Development for New Faculty, Workshop sponsored by the MSU Faculty Resource Center

EDITORSHIPS/REVIEWS:

1998

Associate Editor, The Speech Communication Teacher (from 1995)

Elected Reviewer, Basic Course Submissions for the National Communication Association Annual Convention, Chicago, IL

Assistant Editor, Kentucky Journal of Communication 1994-1997)

Solicited Reviewer, Public Speaking Text (St. Martin’s Press)

Elected Reviewer, Basic Course Submissions for the Speech  Communication Association Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX

Assistant Editor, Progress Through Partnership:  New Ideas in Communication (Selected Papers by the Members of the Kentucky Communication Association).

UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE & COMMITTEE EXPERIENCES:

1999

MSU Academic Council  (from 1997)

• Executive Committee (98-99)
• Undergraduate Studies  (97-99)
MSU Roads Scholar Team, Ballard County Memorial H.S.  (from 1994)

1998

MSU Celebrate Women! Annual Conference, Steering Committee Member and Chair of Program Planning

MSU University Assessment Committee  (97-98)

MSU Faculty Senate (from 1992)

    Academic Policies (1997-1998)

    Rules, Elections, & By-Laws  (1992-1997)

    Board of Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award (92-97)

    Nominating Committee, Chair (1996 only

1997

MSU University Studies, Submitted proposal for the inclusion of COM 161 and COM 181

MSU College Admissions to Teacher Education  (from 1992)

MSU Mid-Term Report Committee

MSU-SAT COM 409 (Capstone Course) Student Evaluation Committee

MSU-SAT Comprehensive Exam Committees (Gesler, Dawes,White)

MSU-SAT Thesis Committees (Dawes, O'Nan)

 1996

MSU-SAT Thesis Committee, Director (Yastremski)

MSU Celebrate Women Annual Conference, Program Reviewer

MSU English/Language Arts Certification Folio Committee

MSU-SAT Comprehensive Exam Committees (Yastremski, Davis)

MSU Graduate Assistant Teaching Excellence Committee

MSU-SAT Curriculum Committee  (from 1993)

MSU-SAT Graduate Assistant Utilization Committee, Chair

MSU-SAT Search Committee, Chair (3 positions)

MSU-SAT Comprehensive Exam Committees (Shultz, Wagner,Chaudoin, Dockery, Mullican, Robinson)

1994

MSU-SAT Search Committee, Member (1 position)

MSU New Teacher Standards Committee (analysis of SAT 372)

MSU-SAT Comprehensive Exam Committees (Lucas, Kassing, Jackson, Horn)

MSU-SAT Comprehensive Exam Committees (Chipps, Shelton)

MSU Graduate Teaching Assistant Advisory Board, Invited Member

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PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & LEADERSHIP ROLES:

1998

Present Rape Crisis Center, Paducah, KY, Board of Directors (from 1996)

National (Speech) Communication Association  (from 1992)

     Commission on Training and Development

     Organizational Communication Division

     Instructional Development Division

     Nominating Committee  (1995)

     Commission on Experiential Learning

     Health Communication Commission

     Basic Course Commission

     Paper Reviewer  (1997 NCA Convention)

     Paper Reviewer  (1995 SCA Convention)

Southern States Communication Association (from 1992)

     Teacher Certification Committee (1996-1998)

Kentucky Communication Association (from 1992)

     Executive Committee  (1996-1997)

     President (1995-1996)

     Treasurer (1994-1995 )

     Journal & Newsletter Committees (1993-1997)

1997

National Communication Association States Advisory Council  (from 1995)

Kentucky Multi-Source Task Force for the Oral Communication Goal of KERA, Committee member/Advisor  representing western Kentucky  (from 1995)

 1995

Teaching Forum (MSU), Advisory Board

COURSES TAUGHT:

    Interpersonal Communication
    Public Speaking
    Advanced Organizational Communication
    Advanced Small Group Communication
    Communication in the Educational Environment
    Communication in the Instructional Environment
    Debate and Individual Forensic Activity
    Directed Individual Study in Communication Theory
    Internship
    Readings in Communication Research
    Directed Individual Study in Organizational Communication
    Seminar in Interpersonal Communication

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HONORS & AWARDS:

 1997

American Association of University Women (AAUW)  Recognition Award for Emerging Scholars, Nominee

Key-Note Speaker for Alpha Chi National Honorary Society Induction Ceremony  (MSU Chapter)
 

Identified as a professor who exceeds MSU student expectations in research leading to the publication:  Creating Stakeholder  Satisfaction:  A Guide for Universities  (American Association for the Study of Higher Education).

Outstanding Service to the Profession Award, Recipient
Kentucky Communication Association

Board of Regents' Teaching Excellence Award, Recipient
Murray State University

Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society, Nominee
Murray State University Chapter

Teaching Excellence Award, Nominee
Kentucky Communication Association
 

Board of Regents' Teaching Excellence Award, Nominee
Murray State University