With her easy smile and hearty laugh, JoEllen Barnhart “holds down the fort” on the first floor of Jull Hall. The Oral Communication lecturer, who recently received accolades from the women’s field hockey team for her outstanding teaching, opened up to me about everything from the importance of credibility to the awesomeness of Meryl Streep. Here’s what she had to say!
1) What's one interesting fun fact you learned about one of your IAA colleagues?
Carole Dingess is an accomplished baker but we continue to wait for proof to show up in the office. Rumor has it that she makes amazing sticky buns.
2) What word or phrase best describes you?
Tenacious. When I fully become engaged in an activity or goal, I keep going with strong sense of determination.
3) If you could meet one famous rhetorical figure/person, who would it be and why?
I fluctuate on the answer to this question but Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) comes to mind today. I admire her tenacity and courage in the 19th century suffrage and abolitionist movements. As the principal author and reader of the “Declaration of Sentiments” for the 1848 Women’s Right Convention in Seneca Falls, NY. Stanton declared that men and women are created equal, changing course of American history. She is also the credited for the resolution demanding the right to vote include women. Thank you Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Where would we be without your rhetorical savvy?
4) What's one thing a student of yours taught you? Why was that a teachable moment for you?
When I first started teaching Public Speaking for a community college a couple of decades ago I remember assigning students an informative speech about a person who made a significant impact on their lives.
There was one student who shared the intimate and emotional details of providing end-of-life care for his grandmother. As he completed his presentation, the classroom fell silent with respect and sadness. Struggling to restrain my own tears of grief for this student and his unusual tough role at such a young age, I asked if he was okay.
“Why shouldn’t I be? I made-up the whole thing!“ he said.
I will never forget the collective gasp of his peers followed by strong words expressing betrayal and a few wads of paper thrown at him. Experiencing first-hand the power of trust and deceit provided a memorable teachable moment that I know all of the students in that classroom carry with them still today, twenty years later.
5) What's the most exciting part about working at UMD?
I enjoy learning WITH students. Every class, every semester offers an eclectic group of students who are required to take an Oral Communication course. I get a charge out of meeting students at their place of readiness and helping them find their own voice. The students of UMD are supercharged and I treasure being a small part of their learning journey.
6) If life were a series of speeches--the topics of which you got to choose---what topic would you talk about and why?
Transformational learning is a topic of great interest to me and applicable to all of us in navigating not only one’s academic life – but one’s human experience. Trigger moments that leave us stunned and feeling disoriented can be opportunities for illumination, examination, and transformation. We are ever evolving and making meaning out of the situations we experience. Navigating unknown seas of emotion and knowledge can be both daunting and exhilarating. This andragogical approach to learning leaves one’s perspectives permanently changed….transformed.
7) What's one aspect about the IAA that you'd like to learn more about?
Ken Ingram IAA Lecturer and Coordinator for Landscape Management and Ornamental Horticulture recently took the time to give me a tour of the UMD Greenhouse. WOW! The cataloging of seeds, weeds, trees, and plants is SERIOUS and IMPORTANT business. This is no ordinary greenhouse. I can’t wait to go back and learn more about the research and the learning happening there.
8) What's an interesting fact about you?
I enjoy traveling….anywhere. Seeing and experiencing other countries and cultures informs my life perspective. This summer I am headed to Athens to see and feel the energy of our ancient Greek philosophers. Plus, I want to see where the movie Momma Mia was produced. I love ABBA and Meryl Streep.
