Speech Communication
Luke Cox '25
Why did you decide to study speech communication?
When I was in my first year at Whitworth, I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to study. I took Introduction to Public Speaking for my shared curriculum requirement and liked the class so much I decided to change my major to speech communication. It was valuable to learn how to give an effective speech to a group of people without getting super stressed.
What classes have been your favorite so far, and why?
A few of my favorite classes have included Theories for Human Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Diverse Christian leadership and Core 150. I have really enjoyed the classes in my major as they have helped me have better communication with people. My non-major courses have been very beneficial as well; they have given me different perspectives on subjects that I can then apply to my major classes.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in speech communication?
Public speaking and interpersonal communication are very useful for any job you may choose to go into. If you are thinking about majoring in speech communication, keep in mind that you might want to minor in something to get another skill set for speech communication. You want to be able to have more tools in your box to use to equip you for a good career.
What's your dream job?
I would like to work as child life specialist in the pediatric unit of a hospital to help kids and family members cope with the recovery process from surgery or illness.
Who are three people who have made a difference for you at Whitworth?
In the spring of my freshman year, I took Joe Vigil's Introduction to Public Speaking class. He played a huge part in getting to me change my major to speech communication mainly because of how much great feedback he gave me on all my speeches. Another professor who has made a difference in my time at Whitworth would be Alan Mikkelson, mainly because I took Theories for Human Communication with him. I have recently changed to him as my advisor because he's just easy to get advice from to further my Whitworth experience. Another professor who has had a big impact on me is Forrest Buckner, who I had for my Diverse Christian Leadership class. I opened up a lot in that class about how I'm still trying to manage my stress, and Forest recommended a certain part of the Bible to start reading – the Gospel of Mathew. Thanks to Forrest, I'm reading the Bible daily and not as stressed from school.
Why did you choose to attend Whitworth?
In the fall of my senior year, I decided to apply to Whitworth because I liked its mission. Then I decided to visit the campus in late February to see if I would like the feel of the school. After visiting the school, I just loved how close the community felt because it was much smaller than other schools. To this day, I'm so happy with my decision to come study at Whitworth. It has been the best decision.
Esther Stocker '22
Why did you decide to study speech communication?
I decided to study speech communication because I found a passion for using my voice to advocate for myself and others. I want to become better at expressing myself so I can help others to the best of my ability.
What are some of your favorite classes so far?
My favorite class has been Theories of Human Communication because it looked at different theories that explain the simple act of communication in different ways that highlight the depth and complexity of the act. It opened up a curious new world to me of research in the pursuit of better understanding this skill.
Tell us about a unique experience or project you've worked on for your major.
My experience in Women & Pop Culture was unique because of the way it forced me and my peers to look at the world differently. We would regularly spend class time in class discussions critically examining media and contributing to class content. It was unique because of the inclusive atmosphere that encouraged everybody to contribute their thoughts on representation in media.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in speech communication?
Bring your whole self to each class. You cannot succeed until you bring every part of your identity into the major. The goal is not only to improve your skills but also grow you as a person. Come in ready to grow into the person you truly want to be through the lessons and challenges you face in speech communication.
What's your dream job?
My dream job is to be a professor who educates and inspires students as many of my professors have done for me in my time at Whitworth.
Who has been an important connection for you at Whitworth, and why?
My advisor, Dr. B (Bogarosh), has helped me grow into a strong student who feels empowered to be ambitious in academia.
What is something that has surprised you about your major?
I was surprised by the camaraderie of my peers and the practicality of the skills being taught. Whitworth has a welcoming culture which allows me to become friends with people I go to class with as we have open and free conversations. There is support and understanding instead of competition and selfishness. The impact the education has had on other areas of my life goes beyond what I was expecting. My interpersonal skills have exponentially increased because of my education, which was not an outcome I was expecting.
Why did you choose to attend Whitworth?
God guided me to Whitworth for my first year of college. I stayed because of the opportunities Whitworth gave me to grow into a whole and healthy person in a broken and dark world.