Thanks to everyone for a successful convention
by Martha Watson, NCA President
After the hubbub of a convention, it’s a good idea to pause
and reflect on the whole experience. From my point of view as the primary
planner, my first reaction is how incredibly grateful I am to all the unit
planners, special event planners, preconference and workshop directors, and, of
course, the absolutely amazing national office staff. Special thanks are due to
our local arrangements co-chairs Mary-Lynn Miller Henningsen and Kathleen Valde,
who supplied more than 270 volunteers to help with every aspect of the meeting.
Thanks to the efforts of all these groups and individuals, the Convention was,
by any standard, a great success. A few numbers may indicate something of how
well things went.
We had more than 5,400 attendees, a record number. In
fact, we have never before had 5,000 people at a convention. Of that number,
more than 4,100 pre-registered, which made for shorter lines and less waiting
for members when they arrived. At the convention, members had the opportunity
to see more than 1200 panels and programs, choose from seven preconferences,
nine seminars and 27 short courses. Approximately 150 newcomers gathered for a
special welcome session and had a chance to learn more about NCA. Sixty schools
registered for the Job Fair and approximately 120 positions were offered.
The intellectual spotlight of the Convention, the Carroll
Arnold Lecture, was outstanding success. More than 800 people gathered to hear
Celeste Condit of the University of Georgia answer the question: “How Do We
Study the Symbolizing Animal?” In a tour de force of careful scholarship, Prof.
Condit traced the mounting challenges to traditional humanistic and social
scientific study before highlighting how communication scholars might enter the
fray and assure their continued presence in the intellectual community.
Fortunately, Prof. Condit’s presentation will be printed and sent to all members
so even though who missed the presentation can profit from her insights.
Since this was the 90th anniversary of the
founding of NCA, it was fitting that we were able to celebrate both our heritage
from those foresightful “rebels” from the National Council of Teachers of
English and our future by burning our mortgage on our national office, a clear
indication of our fiscal and disciplinary health. Chicago even cooperated with
weather that was especially fine for November.
With a very successful convention under our belts, it’s
time to look forward to Boston. Next year’s convention theme “The Health of the
Discipline” promises to be thought provoking and challenging. See you in
Boston!
