Intellectual Life

Take a Closer Look at Important Issues

Throughout the year, the Diederich College of Communication brings nationally known speakers to campus, encouraging students and faculty to explore vital communication issues. Faculty and graduate students also enjoy opportunities to present their research, creating a climate of intellectual curiosity in the college.

The Pete and Bonnie Axthelm Memorial Program
The Axthelm Memorial Program honors the lives of Pete Axthelm, nationally known columnist, sports commentator and author, and his sister Bonnie, an accomplished marketing executive. In addition to awarding an annual scholarship, the program brings to campus speakers from the worlds of sports and media, offering meaningful, thoughtful and colorful insights.

Burleigh Media Ethics Lecture
The annual Burleigh Media Ethics lecture honors William R. Burleigh, Journalism ’57, who started working for the Evansville, Ind. Press at 14 as a sports reporter. He retired in 2000 as president and CEO of the E.W. Scripps Company, having led the transformation of Scripps from primarily a newspaper enterprise into a media concern with interests in cable and broadcast TV, newspaper publishing, e-commerce, interactive media, and licensing and syndication. Burleigh lecturers address the ethical issues today’s communicators report on, as well as those they wrestle with in their own work.

The Lucius W. Nieman Symposium
Named after the founder of The Milwaukee Journal, the Lucius W. Nieman Symposium includes a public address and scholarly forum. Students and faculty enjoy the opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics with experts in the field.

Faculty/Graduate Student Research Symposium
Every spring the Diederich College holds a day-long symposium offering faculty and graduate students the opportunity to present their research. Graduate students are encouraged to submit exceptional papers written for their classes, advance their presentation skills and prepare for potential conference submissions. The top two student presenters receive $250 awards, based on a blind review of papers by a faculty committee.

Colloquia
Presentations throughout the year offer a more in-depth look at individual faculty members’ research, promoting scholarly exploration in communication.

Community Connections
Read stories of faculty, staff and students connecting with Milwaukee area businesses and individuals.