I had the pleasure last week of delivering welcome news to a pair of amazing faculty. Dr. Eileen Taylor and Mr. Rob Norris, respectively, were promoted to senior lecturer within CCOM. They both came to Butler after concluding long and successful careers outside of academia and help to bring the experiential element into our classrooms as part of their second careers. Their success is their own, but I still share in their joy at this well-earned achievement.  

Eileen had a tremendous career in government, before returning to school to get her doctorate, and then joining CCOM as a faculty member in Organizational Communication and Leadership.  Her passion for teaching students leadership is only matched by her desire to prepare students for the demands and challenges of the coming changes to the workforce. She is a dedicated teacher, supportive mentor, and engaged member of the CCOM and Butler community.  It was a joy to walk into her office, share this news, and experience her process the moment from being speechless to overjoyed.

Rob arrived at CCOM after a career in corporate communication, culminating with a leadership position at Cummins. He is a mainstay in Fairbanks Center, always in his office or engaging with students in the hallway outside his office. He rarely misses a college event, and always has a smile on his face—happy to go the extra mile to attract new students and help elevate current ones. Rob was at his desk when I delivered his letter, and, in typical Rob Norris fashion, he stood up, graciously invited me in, and then told me I made his day after he read the letter. 

Achievements need to be celebrated, and I was honored to be the bearer of glad tidings for both Rob and Eileen, two amazing CCOM faculty dedicated to our students’ success. They represent the best of Butler, and it is a gift for each of us to get to work with them. I am also excited to see them rewarded for their hard work and compassion for our students, alumni, and their CCOM colleagues. 

Please join me in congratulating Rob and Eileen, the newest senior lecturers in the College of Communication at Butler University!