Professor named “Outstanding College Communication Educator” by state association

Oklahoma Speech Theater Communication Association
Dr. Pam Broyles was named outstanding college communication educator at OSTCA’s annual conference. (Photo from OSTCA’s Facebook)

By Brad Crofford

Dr. Pamela Broyles was honored as the outstanding college communication educator by the Oklahoma Speech Theater Communication Association (OSTCA).

“I was surprised because they didn’t notify me ahead of time,” said Broyles, chair of the department of speech communications at SNU. “It was a nice compliment.”

She was awarded the Fred Tewell Outstanding College Communication Educator Award during the luncheon/general meeting of OSTCA’s 85th annual convention at Oklahoma City Community College on Saturday, September 8.

Broyles has deep ties to OSTCA. She has been involved with the state association since she began teaching in 1979. In those years, she has served in numerous roles, including president (two years), executive director (three years), newsletter editor (three years), first vice-president, and communication section chair.

Broyles was nominated by Dr. Sheryl Lidzy, the current president of OSTCA and an associate professor of communication at Emporia State University. Lidzy is an alumna of SNU, receiving both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Broyles served as her academic adviser during her time at SNU.

“During the past twenty years, I have been influenced by Pam’s advice, encouragement, wisdom, and strong work ethic,” Lidzy wrote in her nomination of Broyles, which she made available to The Echo. “I have witnessed her commitment and service to the discipline of communication as my academic advisor, as my colleague, as a scholar, through her involvement at local, regional, and national conferences, as well as through her friendship.”

Broyles attributes her success to “understanding, relating to and caring about students and their futures.”

In addition to the many courses she has taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at SNU, Broyles has been actively involved in other endeavors. She helped create the curriculum guides for high school speech as a member of the Task Force on High School Speech Curriculum, peer reviewed textbooks, directed and produced two 20-minute video documentaries. In addition, she developed and wrote an instructor’s resource manual for a textbook on persuasive communication, and wrote, produced, and directed radio and television public service announcements for the Oklahoma Infant Immunization Coalition. Broyles also serves on numerous boards, councils, and committees.

The award for outstanding college communication educator was established in 1987 and was named after Fred Tewell in 1993, according to Lidzy. Tewell was a long-time member of OSTCA and a professor of communication at Oklahoma State University, where he taught and coached debate for 25 years.