West awarded by Eastern Communication Association

Rich West, professor of Communication Studies, received the 2015 Distinguished Service Award from the Eastern Communication Association (ECA) on April 25 in Philadelphia. The prestigious recognition is the top honor that an individual can receive from the 106-year-old organization. The award recognizes an individual ECA member for his or her contributions to the field of communication in general and to ECA in particular. 

“I am a 24-year member of this organization, which is the oldest professional communication association in the country,” West said. “To have had the opportunity to serve some of the country’s top scholars and teachers in communication has been both humbling and hugely satisfying.”
West’s ECA accomplishments are extensive. He is a past president of the organization and currently serves on its three journal editorial boards. He has participated in nearly 50 ECA programs and has chaired more than 15 different committees and interest groups. He has been appointed twice as a member of ECA’s Committee of Scholars, has received the Past Presidents award, and was honored as ECA’s “Distinguished Research Fellow.” 

In 2012, West also served as the president of the National Communication Association.

ECA President Tom Flynn praised West’s service: “The recognition of Rich West is very overdue. During his long committed relationship with ECA, he has demonstrated himself to be a gifted, accomplished, inspiring, dedicated, and warmly humane mentor to our membership. Rich is a leader and stands as an exemplar of the best among his peers in higher education.”

West is currently on sabbatical researching the relationship between GLBT families and their relationships with public school systems.