Mansfield Resident Presents Research at Regional Communication Conference

2016 Apr 5

Ashland University junior Allison Vredenburgh presented research at the 107th annual Eastern Communication Association (ECA) conference this past weekend in Baltimore, Md.

ECA is the eastern regional conference in communication that has a history of achievement in research, criticism, communication, theory and excellence in teaching. It is the oldest professional communication association in the United States.

Vredenburgh, from Mansfield, Ohio, is double majoring in public relations and strategic communication and sport communication, and minoring in Spanish. She is the daughter of Brian and Susan, and is a 2013 graduate of Ontario High School.

Vredenburgh created a poster to outline her research that she completed in a class at Ashland. Her research was titled, "Analysis of Play60 and the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act."

In addition to her involvement in the department, Vredenburgh is heavily involved on Ashland's campus. She is the vice president of the Sport Communication Club and secretary of the Public Relations Student Society of America organization. Her honors include Lambda Pi Eta - the communication honorary - as well as making the dean's list every semester of her college career.

This was the first regional conference at which Vredenburgh presented, but she presented research at the state level at the Ohio Communication Association conference last October. Additionally, she will be presenting research at AU's Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium later this year.

"Presenting research at conferences is a vital teaching tool and professional experience for students. The skills they develop directly correlate to securing professional positions upon graduation," said Dr. Theodore Avtgis, chair of the department. "The AU Department of Communication Studies emphasizes a culture of scholarship that translates to Ashland University students and faculty being well represented at state, regional and national conferences."

Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report's National Universities category for 2016, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students. ###