TMU Communications Professor Retiring After ‘A Marvelous 40 Years...
Scvnews - Santa Clarita, California, United States, 91382Work at Scvnews
Overview
- Apply
Overview
- Reverend F.D. Seward opens the new First Presbyterian Church in Newhall [story ]
Several months ago, a student paused before class to ask Julie Larson, Ph.D., how she was feeling about her upcoming retirement. She laughed.“I’m too busy to be sad,” she said.But with the passage of time, the tears began to catch up. After what she’s described as a “marvelous 40 years of teaching” in the communication department she helped to found, Larson is retiring from The Master’s University this month.She described her career with a hint of wonder: “It’s a dream come true, and a fulfillment of my passion ever since I became a believer.”The dream started during her last semester as an English student at the University of Southern California.“I was sitting in the back row, just listening, and I said, ‘God, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to teach Christians at a Christian school how to think critically in order that they might be able to better evangelize for you.’”Larson’s singular mission statement never changed. It brought her to TMU in 1983, where she was first tasked with teaching general education spoken communication courses. The school only had about 250 students, and the previous communication degree — an interdisciplinary program helmed by a single faculty member — had been discontinued.But in 1985, Larson was hired full-time — the same year that Dr. John MacArthur came to head the college, which soon saw its enrollment numbers double and triple. Students began to ask for the resurrection of the communication major. Larson finally took the query up to Dr. John Stead, then vice president of academic affairs.“What should I tell the students?” she asked.She remembers that Stead remained quiet in thought for several minutes.“Finally, he turns around, looks at me and says, ‘Well, the fastest way for us to do that is if you started it. Do you want to?’”Larson, fresh off of earning a master’s degree in rhetoric and literature, didn’t have to think long. “I thought, ‘If he has enough confidence in me to start a program, then I’m going to give it a try.’”Larson still calls Stead “one of the greatest mentors of my entire life.” With his support, she went on to develop the communication department from scratch. When the first students joined in 1986, there were three emphases: speech, writing, and electronic media.Since then, the department has bounded from one milestone to the next, adding new emphases, faculty, and resources. Larson has worked with several department chairs in her tenure, even briefly chairing herself. But through the program’s expansion, she has vigilantly held to the national accreditation standards, a benchmark for student learning outcomes.Larson is dedicated to preserving what she believes to be the crucial, classical foundation of academics: speech, writing, and critical thinking. Core courses she taught included heavy-hitters like Rhetorical Criticism, Argumentation and Debate, and Interpersonal Communication.Pupils entering a Larson class for the first time often had to find their bearings when they encountered the intellectual demands of her coursework. Prof. Peter Shickle, assistant professor of communication at TMU, remembers sitting under her instruction as a TMC student two decades ago.“She holds you to a higher level,” Shickle said. “She wants you to think for yourself. And I think that’s why her classes can seem to be a struggle, because people are not always used to being pushed that way.”The fruits of Larson’s academic rigor are evident in the dozens of students who have transitioned from her classrooms into graduate schools and law programs across the country.As she retires, Larson believes it is most important for the program to remain a training ground for the essentials: teaching students “how to write well, how to think critically, how to do research and cite sources accurately, how to deliver a good speech, and how to understand concepts and ideas.”It’s that passion for helping young men and women communicate for Christ, semester after semester, that is perhaps Larson’s greatest legacy.Shickle said simply, “I would not be where I am today without her.”COMMENT POLICY:
We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.REAL NAMES ONLY:
All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.0 Comments
You can be the first one to leave a comment.> COLLEGE NEWS ARCHIVE
CSUN Prof Curates Lowrider Craftsmanship ‘Love Letter’
Thursday, May 30, 2024 Denise Sandoval, a Chicana/o studies professor at California State University, Northridge, called the latest exhibit she’s co-curated with Los Angeles’ Petersen Automotive Museum a “love letter” to the craftsmen and craftswomen who have created some of the world’s most distinctive lowriders. FULL STORY...
TMU Communications Professor Retiring After ‘A Marvelous 40 Years’
Monday, May 27, 2024 Several months ago, a student paused before class to ask Julie Larson, Ph.D., how she was feeling about her upcoming retirement. She laughed. FULL STORY...
Award-Winning Documentary by TMU Alumni Now on YouTube
Monday, May 27, 2024 The award-winning documentary “SPELLERS,” the crew of which included alumni of The Master’s University and a TMU faculty member, is now available to watch for free on YouTube. FULL STORY...
Matadors Celebrate 2024 Commencement
Monday, May 27, 2024 Commencement season at California State University, Northridge never fails to disappoint, and 2024 has been no exception: Eight joyous ceremonies kicked off May 11 with Honors Convocation, and continued May 17-20 as graduates from eight colleges crossed the stage. FULL STORY...
From COC to the University of Cambridge
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 When Nicole Brooks leafed through the College of the Canyons Fall 2022 class schedule, a British Literature course caught her eye.
FULL STORY...1891
- Reverend F.D. Seward opens the new First Presbyterian Church in Newhall [story ]
The Santa Clarita Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, June 4, at 6 p.m., in City Hall's Council Chambers.The American Red Cross critically needs blood and platelet donors now following a concerning trend over the past month – fewer donors rolling up a sleeve to give lifesaving blood.The Santa Clarita Valley Water Engineering and Operations Committee will hold a meeting Thursday, June 6, at 5:30 p.m., in the Engineering Services Section Boardroom, 26521 Summit Circle in Santa Clarita.Tune in to Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation's episode of SCV Means Business to join host, Dr. Jey Wagner, as he interviews economist Mark Schniepp about the current state of the economyJoin the Santa Clarita Artists Association Monday, June 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Barnes and Noble Valencia for its monthly meeting, where it will feature Annette Power.School is out for summer and it is time to enjoy the long sunny days and warm nights.Denise Sandoval, a Chicana/o studies professor at California State University, Northridge, called the latest exhibit she’s co-curated with Los Angeles’ Petersen Automotive Museum a “love letter” to the craftsmen and craftswomen who have created some of the world’s most distinctive lowriders.The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to drink Mary Jones hemp-infused soda, which have been identified as containing prohibited tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) isolate ingredients.As the June 4 deadline approaches, the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs urges all qualified landlords to seize this final opportunity to apply for the LA County Rent Relief Program.2013
- Powerhouse Fire breaks out in San Francisquito Canyon; will destroy 30 homes & 28 outbuildings [story ]
Get ready to dust off those cowboy boots for an evening of fundraising at the Circle of Hope Cancer Wellness Center’s Hoedown For Hope.The city of Santa Clarita advises motorists that now through Saturday June 1, there will be a full road closure on Copper Hill Drive between Avenida Rancho Tesoro and McBean Parkway from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.The city of Santa Clarita presents “Character Strengths,” an art exhibition by Deitra Charles. This collection of expressive paintings explores themes of family, community and peace. It will be on display from June 13 to Sept. 11, at the Canyon Country Community Center Gallery, 18410 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.From June 1–8, a consortium of some of Los Angeles County’s most prominent opera companies, including Mission Opera in the Santa Clarita Valley, along with OPERA America, presents OperaFest LA, a week-long performance festival running concurrently with the 2024 Opera Conference and World Opera Forum in downtown Los Angeles.The city of Santa Clarita announces the opening of its latest art exhibition, “Celebrating Diversity,” at the First Floor Gallery within Santa Clarita’s City Hall. This showcase will run from June 6 through Sept. 18, 2024, with a special reception event planned for Friday, June 7, from 6-8 p.m.Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Michael Lennig reminds drivers to always buckle up and secure children in the right car seats when visiting friends and family.California State Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) announced his bill to help reduce overcrowding at animal shelters across the state, by expanding access to low and no-cost spay/neuter services, was unanimously approved on the Senate floor last week.The WiSH Education Foundation has announced that Cocktails on the Roof returns to Hello Subaru of Valencia on Saturday, Sept. 6.1987
- Director John Landis acquitted of charges in deaths of Vic Morrow and two child actors on Valencia set of "Twilight Zone: The Movie" [story ]
The city of Santa Clarita will present “Dawn/Eclipse of A New Era,” an expressive photographic exhibition by acclaimed artist Harry Gamboa Jr.The 2024 Eat. Drink. Local. Festival will be held Saturday, June 1, 2-8 p.m. at Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus, CA 91350.The city of Santa Clarita has announced the return of Santa Clarita Transit’s Summer Beach Bus service, offering convenient transportation to Ventura Harbor on the weekends starting Saturday, June 1 through Sunday, Sept. 1.The city of Santa Clarita will hold a Full Moon Community Hike Friday, June 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex, meet at the outdoor basketball courts.SCVTV Media Center22505 14th Street Unit ESanta Clarita, Calif. 91321Phone: 661-251-TV20FAX: 661-290-2536Operating HoursMonday - Thursday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PMFriday: By Appointment Only
Email:
info@scvtv.comSCVTV is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. All rights reserved.
#J-18808-Ljbffr