LEE A. MCGAAN

 

Department of Communication and Theatre Arts
Monmouth College
Monmouth, Illinois  61462
Ph. (309) 457‑2155 
C  FAX (309) 457-2310  --  E-mail: Lee@monm.edu

Web: http://department.monm.edu/cata/McGaan/default.html       

418 North Sunny Lane
Monmouth, Illinois  61462
(309) 734‑5431
mcgaan@maplecity.com

 

                                   

EDUCATION

 

Ph.D. ‑ 1980.  Concentrating in organizational communication with emphasis in communication

theory and research methods (quantitative and qualitative).   Related Area:  Higher Education Administration.

The College of Communication.  Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701.

 

M.A. ‑ 1970.  Concentrating in communication theory and processes (supported by a National

Science Foundation Fellowship).  School of Interpersonal Communication, The College of Communication. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701.

 

B.A. ‑ 1969.  Interdepartmental major in Economics, Speech, and Psychology.  Monmouth College,

Monmouth, Illinois  61462.  (Graduation with departmental honors).

 

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

 

  1986 to ‑‑ Professor (1995) of Communication and Theatre Arts, Monmouth College,

 

Responsibilities

 

Assistant to the Dean for Assessment (1996 -- 2001) and Chair of the Assessment Committee.  responsible for leading and coordinating the Monmouth College effort in developing and implementing an assessment program for student learning outcomes.  assisting program chairs in developing program goal statements and objectives, providing resources for selecting assessment methods.  designing the assessment cycle and feedback systems.  chairing the assessment committee.  ensuring coordination of materials, timetables and activities.  writing several annual college-wide assessment studies.  authoring the portfolio handbooks for students and faculty, etc.

 

Director of "Fundamentals of Communication," (1986-95 & 98- ).  a course in oral and written message composition skills and interpersonal communication, required of all Monmouth College freshmen.  reviewed course content and methods in relation to other all‑college and departmental requirements.  revised the course developing new "common content and assignments."  developed the course tutorial program.  supervised student tutors. 

 

Advisor to the campus student radio station, 1988 ‑ 96.  supervised student executive staff

(of 9-12 students).  monitored air quality standards for a student staff of over 65.  station budget preparation and supervision.  staff recruiting and training.  developed a computerized data base and communication systems for staff and workshop management.

 

Reviewed Speech Communication Curriculum in relation to national guidelines and programs at

comparable colleges,  proposed curricular revisions and developed new and revised courses, 1987-88.  Co-developer of new curriculum, requirements and learning objectives for the CATA major, 2000 - 2001

 

Founder and Adviser to Kappa Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, National Communication Honor

Society, 1988 - .  developed the LPE Communication Careers Program.

 

Faculty Representative to the Monmouth College Alumni Board.  Member of the Executive

Committee, 1989-96.   Faculty Representative to the Parents Advisory Committee, 1993-96.


      Courses Taught

 

Fundamentals of Communication, Persuasion, Small Group Communication, Mass Media and Society, Argumentation, Organizational Communication, Political Communication, The Human Dialogue (Honors Program),  Seminar in Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics.

 

College Service and Related Activities

 

Faculty and Institutional Development Committee (college budget committee) 1995-97.

Reviewed budget requests from all "cost centers," set priorities for new spending initiatives, reviewed faculty development and professional travel requests, provided oversight for the library and computer services sub-committees.  Sabbatical Chair 1995-97.  supervised sabbatical scheduling, proposal review and reporting.

 

Proposed a revision of the Monmouth College Advising system, 1995-96.

A four year student development planning model which includes assessment dimensions and encompasses not only academic and career planning but personal development in areas such as relationships, health, leadership, "portfolio" building, spirituality, etc.  (currently under review by faculty committee).  The portfolio system and a career-oriented AAdvising Day@ program have recently been implemented.  Member of the Advising Week planning Committee, 1997- 2000.

 

Student Affairs Committee 1990-93, Chair 1990-92.

Responsible for general committee leadership including:  review of student organizations applying for recognition, review of athletic policies and sports schedules, approval of the Orientation Program, discussion of issues relevant to student concerns.  wrote the current policy statements concerning the college's philosophy of student organizations and procedures for recognition.

 

Faculty Grievance Committee (elected) 1990-93, Chair 1992-93.

Responsible for investigation and recommendations to the President concerning all grievances which are not solved between the parties in a dispute, including contract disputes, termination, sexual harassment.  The chair mediates when possible.

 

Admissions and Academic Status Committee Chair 1987‑90. Member 1993-94.

Coordination of general committee responsibilities including: establishing admission standards and requirements, reviewing admissions office procedures and policies, reviewing financial aid policies, supervising the college honors program, reviewing applicant files for admissibility, reviewing students on probation and recommending appropriate action.

developed evaluation materials for the college merit scholarship competition. edited an Admissions and Academic Status Manual (of procedures, policies and practices).  developed new admissions guidelines (1987) in conjunction with a new conditional admissions policy.

 

Developed a plan for a program to improve teaching at Monmouth College in anticipation of                          seeking external funding, 1993.  preliminary funding received for 1996-97.

 

Strategic Planning Committee (Secretary) 1987.

Participated in the development of the College's strategic plan.  conducted research on admissions and financial aid programs.  wrote portions of the committee's Fall 1987 report.

 

Faculty Adviser to Illinois Gamma Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, 1986‑96.

Met regularly with the Executive Board of the chapter, the Alumni Board, and chapter membership as a whole.  provided advice on all matters related to chapter operations, especially matters related to financial responsibility, scholarship, legal liability, alcohol use and abuse.  worked with the fraternity national office and Dean of Students Office on matters related to the chapter.  during this period the chapter won a Buchanon Cup (the highest chapter award) at each Sigma Phi Epsilon National Conclave.


Council of Fraternity Advisers, Chair and co‑founder, 1987-92.

A group of faculty advisers to the campus fraternities providing leadership and some disciplinary control in order to reform the fraternity system on campus.  assisted in writing new "dry rush"  rules, supervised some rush activities.  provided policy and procedural advice to the Dean of Students Office.

 

Organized the Speech Communication and Theatre Arts Electronic Media Fund Raising

Program 1992-93.  Wrote the case statement to raise $65,000 for campus electronic media, developed alumni lists, targeted "key donors," coordinated all aspects of the student phonathon.

 

Coordinator of the President's Committee on Financial Aid Policy, 1988.

Participated in developing new policy guidelines, drafted new policy document.

 

Member of the Ad Hoc Committee on (developing) the Environmental Studies major 1987‑88.

 

Member of the Alcohol Awareness Task Force, 1987‑88.

Developed non‑disciplinary methods of dealing with alcohol abuse.

 

Convener of the "Language Rubric" Communication Skills Group, 1987.

Developed a set of message composition skills to be expected of all Monmouth Students.

 

Coordinator, Returning Alumni Career Encounter (RACE)

Program on communication careers presented to students by alumni, Spring 1987.

 

Developed "The Target High Schools Proposal" and "Message Tactics in

Admissions," 1987. strategic plans for the Monmouth College Admissions Office.

 

Coordinator of the WMCR Studio Dedication and 25th Anniversary Ceremonies, Fall 1986.

Program organization and alumni contact.

 

 

  1980 to 1986   Assistant Professor of Speech, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana 47933.

 

Responsibilities

                   

As Acting Chairman, Spring 1985,  budget preparation and justification, budget supervision,

supervision of student employees.

 

Director of Forensics and other public forums.(Intercollegiate Debate and Individual Events,

on-campus debate forums)

 

Member of the Minority Studies Committee, 1982‑83.  responsible for supervising courses in

minority studies and advising the college on minority student life.  Chairman (1984‑85) of the Pre‑business Committee (1980‑85) coordinating curriculum and placement opportunities for students planning careers in business.  Member of the Academic Support Committee supervising library, bookstore and computer center functions and services (1984‑85).  Member of the Humanities Film Series committee (1983‑85).  Member of the off‑campus Study Committee (1985‑86).

 

Evaluator for Senior Comprehensive Examinations


Courses Taught

 

Public Speaking, Communication Theory, Argumentation and Debate, Persuasion, Small Group

Communication, Language and Behavior (as the Freshman Tutorial "Wordplay").

 

College Service and Related Activities

 

Member of the Coss Fund Committee of the College (Faculty Development Funding

Committee), 1981‑86.

 

Staff member of the "Wabash Executive Program," summers 1980, 1981, 1983.

An institute for corporate managers, directed training in public communication.

 

Staff member for "Opportunities to Learn About Business,"  summers, 1981 ‑ 86.

A ten‑day simulation in corporate management for high school students sponsored by The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.

 

Co‑founder of "The Metaphor Project," 1982.

 

  1979 to 1980   Teaching Associate (Small Group Communication), School of Interpersonal

Communication, Ohio University (while completing Doctoral Thesis).

 

  1974 to 1979   Assistant Professor and Chairman of the Department of Communication, Olivet

College, Olivet, Michigan 49076.

 

Responsibilities

 

Supervisory responsibility for faculty of the Department.  Complete responsibility for all

departmental budgets, including educational FM radio, theatre (production and operating budgets), forensics, departmental outreach, departmental operations, and student employment.  Developed a new curriculum which replaced the previous combined Speech and Theatre curriculum with a program providing concentrations in Interpersonal Communication, Mass Communication, or Theatre within the major.

 

Director of WOCR‑FM, 1975‑78.  supervising all activities of the student‑operated, campus

FM radio station.

 

Courses Taught

 

Fundamentals of Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Advocacy, Practicum in Mass

Communication, Communication Theory, Oral Interpretation, Teaching Methods, Research Methods, Internship (supervision).

 

College Service and Related Activities

 

Faculty Council member, 1976‑78.

The elected governance body of the Olivet College Faculty;  concerned with such matters as salary and benefits, personnel, college policy formation, etc.

 

Faculty Development Grant Proposal Committee, 1976.

Assisted in drafting a proposal which resulted in a $183,000 grant to Olivet College from the Kellogg Foundation.

 

Contributor to the development of the Olivet College "Core" Curriculum. 1976.


  1972 to 1974   Teaching Assistant, School of Interpersonal Communication, Ohio University,

Athens, Ohio  45701.

 

Courses Taught

 

Fundamentals of Communication, Public Speaking, Introduction to Communication Theory, developed and taught an introductory course in "Pragmatics of Human Communication."

 

 

  1971 to 1972   Policy advisor and ombudsman for enlisted men's affairs to Major General John C.

Bennett, Commander, 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Carson, Colorado.

 

 

  1970 to 1971   Psychology/social work specialist (counseling and therapy), U.S. Army Correctional

Facility, Ft. Carson, Colorado.

 

 

SCHOLARSHIP

 

AA Report on Progress Made by Seniors in Meeting the Purposes of the College,@  Monmouth

College, 1997, 1998, 2000.  Three assessment studies based on data from an original instrument, the

Transcript Reflection.

 

THE MONMOUTH PERSONAL PORTFOLIO: FACULTY HANDBOOK and STUDENT

GUIDEBOOK.   Monmouth College, 1997.  two manuals for use by faculty advisors and students in

constructing student portfolios for personal development.

 

AA Report on Progress Made by Students in Meeting the Purposes of the College,@ Monmouth

College, 1997.  An assessment study based on ACT Student Opinion Survey data.

 

AA Report on the Achievement of Students in Meeting the ACommunication Skills in Which All

Students Should Be Proficient by the End of the Freshman Year,@   Monmouth College, 1997. (Revised

2001) an assessment study based on course examination data from required general education

classes.

 

ACommunication and Environmental Science: A Bridge to Other Disciplines,@  a paper presented

 to the Central States Communication Association, St. Louis, MO, April 1997.

 

"The Miniversity,"  a paper presented to the Monmouth College faculty and administration concerning organizational decision-making at liberal arts colleges, 1995.

 

"Adapting the Basic Course to Departmental and General Education Needs,"  a paper presented to the Annual Conference of the Speech Communication Association, New Orleans, LA, November 1994.

 

FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMUNICATION:  A BASIC COURSE MANUAL (with Roberta Davilla).  a supplementary text for SCTA 101.  1988, 1989, 1990.

 

"The Speech Communication Tradition in the Liberal Arts,"  a paper presented to the Annual Conference of the Speech Communication Association, Boston, MA, November 1987.

 

"Evaluating Faculty Scholarship at Small Colleges," a paper presented to the Annual Conference of the Central States Speech Association, St. Louis, MO, April 1987.

 

"Structuration Theory and the Small Group Communication Course," a paper presented to the Annual Conference of the Central States Speech Association, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 1986.


"Habermas' `Theory of Communicative Action' and the Small College Community,"  a paper presented to the Annual Conference of the Central States Speech Association, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 1986.

 

"The Role of the Media in American Life:  Themes and Contexts,"  THE SOVEREIGN CITIZEN, 1:2, 1985.

 

"A Directory of Scholars of Philosophy of Communication,"  a computerized data file system and directory (with scholarly interests and bibliography capable of search procedures) presented to the Philosophy of Communication Division of the International Communication Association Honolulu, May 1985.

 

"Jurgen Habermas and 'The Theory of Communicative Action'," a paper presented to the Humanities Colloquium, Wabash College,  October 1984.

 

"The Rhetoric of the 1984 Republican Presidential Campaign,"  a paper presented to the Indiana Speech Association, West Lafayette, IN, October 1984.

 

"Interpreting Communication,"  a program and paper critique presented to the Philosophy of Communication Division of the International Communication Association, May 1984.

 

"Alienation:  A Concept for Communication Research," a paper presented to the Philosophy of Communication Division of the International Communication Association, Dallas, Texas, May 1983.

 

"The Ballot,"  a paper presented to the Indiana Speech Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, October 1982.

 

"The Media as Makers of Meaning,"  a paper presented at Symposium II,  The Institute for American Values, Dudley, Massachusetts, September 1982.

 

"Systems of Explanations:  Elements in a Science of Communication as Informed by Philosophy," a paper presented to The International Communication Association, Boston, Massachusetts,  May 1982.

 

"Alternatives for the l980s,"  a paper presented to the Indiana Speech Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, October 1981.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL REALITY:  ELEMENTS IN A CONSTRUCTIVIST SOCIOLOGY OF COMMUNICATION IN ORGANIZATIONS.  a Doctoral Thesis, School of Interpersonal Communication, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, August 1980, (nominated for ICA Organizational Communication "Dissertation of the Year").

 

Edited, produced and directed, T. S. ELIOT:  THE MAN AND HIS WORK, a two‑act, readers theater production on the life, thought, and writing of T.S. Eliot, Olivet College, Olivet Michigan, April 1975.

 

"Measuring Perceptions of Authority," a paper presented to the International Communication Association Convention, New Orleans, 1974.  See RESEARCH IN EDUCATION, November 1974 for ERIC listing.

 

"From Theory to Practice:  The Role of Grounded Theory in Organizational Communication," a paper presented to the International Communication Association Student Summer Conference, Athens, Ohio, 1973.  See RESEARCH IN EDUCATION, May 1974 for ERIC listing.

 

"Relationships of Dogmatism, Listening Comprehension and Listening Material," a Masters Thesis, School of Interpersonal Communication, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 1970.


RECENT LECTURES AND PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

 

Effective Superior-Subordinate Communication, a training program designed for the Warren

Achievement Center, November 1997

 

" 'Politically Correct' Speaking:  Campaign Communication in the 1990s,"  a presentation to Monmouth College Republicans, October 1995.

 

"Doing Program Assessment!"  a presentation to the Monmouth College Faculty, November 1994.

 

"Are Media Too Violent?" a presentation to Monmouth Associates, April 1994.

 

"Video and Literacy,"  a presentation to Monmouth Associates, January 1992.

 

"Changes and Continuity,"  a presentation to the National Committee of the "Forward to the 21st Century Capital Campaign, Monmouth College, October 1991.

 

"Interaction Patterns of Power in Argument,"  a Faculty Colloquium, Monmouth College, April 1989.

 

"Rhetoric of the 1988 Presidential Campaign,"  Roseville PEO, Fall 1988.

 

Wrote and performed the role of the accuser Anytus in "The Trial of Socrates," presented at Monmouth College, September 1988.

 

"Do High School Students Have 1st Amendment Rights (after the Hazelwood Supreme Court Decision)?"  Monmouth Associates (and area high school administrators), February 1988.

 

"Interpreting Political Messages:  The Iran‑Contra Case,"  a lecture and discussion, Parents Weekend, Monmouth College, October 1987.

 

"What Does it Mean,`Congress Shall Make No Law ...'?"  a lecture on the current state of 1st Amendment law presented to the Monmouth Chapter of AAUW, October 1987.

 

Debated (as the negative) against William Stewart, GOP U.S. House of Representatives Candidate, on the proposition, "Resolved:  Robert Bork Should Be Confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice,"  Convocation Series, Monmouth College, September 1987.

 

Led Admissions Office staff training session on message strategies at Monmouth College, September 1987.

 

"What Do the Japanese Know (about management) that We Don't?"  Monmouth Kiwanis Club, May 1987.

 

"Making Decision‑making Groups Effective."  Monmouth Associates, April 1987.

 

RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

 

Planner/presenter for a workshop on AEducational Technology in Communication Across the Curriculum@ sponsored by a grant from the Carver Foundation, Monmouth College, June 1998.

 

Editorial reviewer for the McGraw-Hill upper-level text, Perspectives on Organizational

Communication, 4th ed.  Daniels Spiker and Papa, Spring 1998.

 

Planner/facilitator for an all-college, two day faculty retreat on Assessment and General Education.

 January 1997.


Member, Faculty Advisory Committee,  State of Illinois Board of Higher Education.  1997-99.

(Alternate member 1996-97)

 

Conducted a sabbatical study on ANew Media and Computer Mediated Communication.@

January - June 1995.

 

Participant,  "Learning Across the College,"  ACM Conference, Northfield, MN, October 1994.  a conference focusing on ways small colleges can maximize learning goals both in classrooms and outside of class activities.

 

Participant in the 1994 SCA Summer Conference "Assessing College Student Competency in Speech Communication, Alexandria, VA, August 1994.

 

Editorial Reviewer for COMMUNICATING WITH CREDIBILITY AND CONFIDENCE by Lumsden and Lumsden.  (an introductory level college course text)  Wadsworth Publishing Company, Belmont, CA, summer 1994.

 

"Instructional Seminar Series,"  a proposal for a systematic program to improve teaching quality at Monmouth College, 1993.

 

Outside Evaluator for personnel review (1992), sabbatical proposal (1995),  St. John's University, MN.

 

Faculty Mentor (research director), Associated Colleges of the Midwest Minority Students in Academic Careers program,  a program encouraging minority students to consider careers in higher education by introducing students to academic research under the direction of a faculty member working in a mentoring relationship.  summers 1991, 1992, 1994.

 

Organizer and Chair of the program on "Issues of Diversity at the Small College,"  Central States Communication Association Annual Conference, Chicago, April 1991.

 

Contributing participant to the "IntraConference on Rethinking the 'Essential Undergraduate Curriculum in Speech Communication' at the Small College,"  Central States Communication Association Annual Conference, Chicago, April 1991.

 

Evaluator of "Short Course" Proposals for the 1988 Central States Speech Association Annual Conference.

 

Program planner for the Small College Committee of the Central States Speech Association 1987 Annual Conference.

 

Principal contributor to the "Ideal Course" outline for Small Group Communication at "The Essential Undergraduate Curriculum in Speech Communication" Conference, Hope College.  August 1986.

 

Secretary, Philosophy of Communication Division, International Communication Association, 1983‑85 and 1985‑86.

 

Chair, Rhetoric and Communication Theory Division, 1983‑85. Vice‑chairman, Forensics Division, 1981‑82, Indiana Speech Association.

 

"Alternate Structures of Consciousness in the Work of Jean Gebser" a presentation to the Wabash College Philosophy Workshop, February 1981.

 

Campaign management consultant to William Dewey, candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives, August through September, 1978.  Responsible for strategy development, media, press relations, campaign staff, etc.


Campaign Assistant to State Representative Earnest Nash, October through November, 1978.  Grassroots organization (phone bank coordination, door‑to‑door campaign, volunteer recruiting).

 

Developed and directed the first Michigan High Schools Forensics Festival, Olivet College, 1975 and 1976.  A workshop to develop student skills for high school individual events competition.  (Used as a recruiting device for the college and department.)

 

Professional Staff, American Legion Auxiliary Michigan Girls State, a professionally designed simulation in state and local government and politics, 1979 -1986.  Responsible for political party organization and the executive branch of state government.

 

Chair of the session on "Hermeneutics,"  Central States Speech Association Convention, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1974.

 

Participant on the Panel, "Doctoral Research in Ohio," Ohio Speech Communication Association Conference, Columbus, Ohio, 1974.

 

Program Chair, International Communication Association Midwest Summer Conference, Athens, Ohio, 1973.  Chairman, Information Systems Session, ICA Summer Conference, 1973.

 

Member of the Graduate Council (the policy body of the Ohio University Graduate College), 1973‑74.  Chairman, Ohio University Graduate Student Contract Grievance Board, 1973 ‑ 74.  Member of the Ohio University Budget Committee, 1973‑74.

 

Intern in Higher Education Administration with Edward Penson, Vice President for Academic Services, Ohio University, 1974.