News
Senior COMMRC Student, Erin Clark, Receives 2026 Spiegel Award
Erin Clark, an undergraduate Communication and Rhetoric major, is the recipient of the 2026 Jennifer and Eric Spiegel Award.
Professor Caitlin Bruce Receives National Award for Distinguished Scholarship
For her groundbreaking contributions to rhetoric and public address, Professor of Communication, Caitlin Bruce, has been awarded the prestigious James A. Winans–Herbert A. Wichelns Memorial Award for Distinguished Scholarship. The National Communication Association (NCA) presented the honor during its 111th Annual Convention in Denver.
Celebrating Black History Month: Dr. David Molina Shares Insight on Undergraduate African American Rhetoric Course
February’s Black History Month calls for a look inside Dr. David Molina’s African American Rhetoric. It offers an understanding of Black political imagination past and present, through the lens of communication, rhetoric, and Dr. Molina’s research background in Black freedom movements in the United States.
From Music to Media: Rachel McGregor’s Journey with Pitt Athletics
Most people would not connect playing the trumpet with interning in Pitt’s athletic department, but that connection seemed obvious to Rachel McGregor.
McGregor, a senior majoring in Communication Rhetoric, is a member of the Pitt Varsity Marching Band who has leveraged her membership in the band to gain a strategic communications internship with the Pitt Athletics media staff.
Alumni Networking Pop-Up Brings Connections to Life
The Department of Communication welcomed nine alumni back to the 14th floor on the evening of Nov 18 for an Alumni Networking “Pop-Up” Event designed to connect students and recent graduates in a relaxed, conversational setting.
Students Put Communication Into Action in Partnership With Vitalant Blood Drive
The Department of Communication is committed to helping students see the many professional directions their communication skills can take them. Reflecting this mission, the Department partnered with Vitalant throughout the fall semester to plan and host an on-campus blood drive.
Dr. Calum Matheson Talks Conspiracy Theories in The Conversation
Dr. Calum Matheson, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication, recently contributed an article to The Conversation, an independent news organization that publishes articles written by academic experts for general audiences.
"I Gotta Know What’s In That Pittsburgh Water”: WPDU Win Streak Continues"
The William Pitt Debating Union (WPDU) powered through November, stacking up championship titles and speaker awards across three major tournaments. From Illinois to Florida to West Virginia, the Panthers showed once again that this season’s surge in titles is no fluke.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Caitlin Bruce Paints a Picture of Public Art and Identity
The spaces and places that we as humans occupy, interact with, and shape through means of public expression are essential parts of our identity. This is the idea at the core of the research of Professor, Dr. Caitlin Bruce, who explores the intersection of art, politics, publics, and identity in a transnational context.
Grad Students Share their Research at Agora
Members of the Communication Department gathered on October 31 for the second Agora of the fall semester. This event spotlighted three graduate students–Seth Davis, Zoe Tzanis, and Berna Gorgulu–whose presentations offered fresh perspectives and sparked lively discussions.
COMMRC Connections: Two Students Explore Urban Art through HCUAP Internships
This year, two students joined HCUAP as Research and Writing interns: Briana Bindus is a BPhil candidate in English literature with a double major in Communication Rhetoric, Tori Casarella is majoring in English Writing (Non-Fiction), Communication Rhetoric, and Law, Criminal Justice, and Society.Hear Us Roar: WPDU Celebrates Week of Dialogue and Debate
The William Pitt Debating Union (WPDU) kept the conversation flowing throughout the week of October 20, hosting a series of events that celebrated academic freedom, the team’s competitive excellence, and the power of public dialogue.
