Noel Studio Director Honored by National Communication Association
National recognition continues to shower Eastern Kentucky University’s innovative Noel Studio for Academic Creativity. Now it has extended to its director, Dr. Russell (Rusty) Carpenter, who earned the Von Till Outstanding Newcomer Award presented by the National Association of Communication Centers (NACC).
The award is presented on the basis of innovation, scholarship and intellectual work, mentoring, and effectiveness, as well as participation in the National Communication Association (NCA) communication centers section and NACC conferences. The recipient must have been involved in communication center administration for no more than five years. Carpenter joined EKU in 2009, and the Noel Studio opened this fall.
“Dr. Carpenter is a scholar in the fullest sense of the word,” said Carrie Cooper, dean of libraries at EKU. “(He) brings to our campus not only knowledge and experience in learning centers, but a willingness to explore new avenues to help students develop their communication skills. He has become a leader on campus in the exploration and application of creativity in both teaching and learning.
“Eastern Kentucky University is poised to make significant contributions to the practical and scholarly literature on combining writing and communication center services under his leadership,” Cooper added. “Dr. Carpenter’s energy is contagious, and his enthusiasm and passion for his profession are admirable.”
This past year, Carpenter gave presentations about the Noel Studio at NCA and NACC conferences and has fielded calls from colleagues at colleges and universities nationwide about the Studio, which is nationally unique in the way it integrates services, all in a technologically sophisticated environment, designed to enhance students’ writing, speaking and research skills and inspire individual and collaborative learning. The Noel Studio embodies EKU’s Quality Enhancement Plan, which calls for the University to develop informed, critical and creative thinkers who communicate effectively.
In 2012, the Noel Studio will be showcased to a national audience when Eastern hosts the annual conference of the National Association of Communication Centers.
The Studio bears the name of Ron and Sherrie Lou Noel, of Union, Ky., whose $1 million-plus gift helped make the $2.8 million facility possible.
For more information about the Noel Studio, visit www.studio-old.eku.edu, or contact Carpenter at russell.carpenter@eku.edu or at 859-622-6229.
Published on December 01, 2010
