Student research has received national recognition. For example, one student's research paper was competitively selected for the DePauw University Undergraduate Honors Conference, and another student's research was selected for presentation in the student division of a national professional organization. They also have access to seven Super-VHS cameras and VCR equipment for field recording. Advanced students use a Media 100 non-linear editor and video special effects. Many Communication courses are supplemented with video presentations and videotaped performance evaluation.
Internships are a vital, integral component of the major in Communication.
Locally, departmental interns are placed in sites as diverse as radio and television stations, public relations and advertising firms, various non-profit organizations, hospitals, governmental organizations, various offices within the college, and local industries. Lynchburg College hosted the Bi-Centennial Constitutional Celebration, an oratorical contest featuring competitively selected student speakers from the five area colleges. Our department also sponsors campus-wide speaking contests and has an endowed award for the outstanding student in forensics. Epsilon Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the national honors organization in Communication Studies, recognizes junior and senior majors in Communication Studies who have achieved a 3.0 overall grade point average and a 3.5 in a minimum of 12 hours of major courses. Clearly, the department's offerings allow students a variety of experiences, both in the classroom and beyond.