Sam Morris is just one of those people who genuinely loves what he does. As a full-time
pastor and full-time graduate student, he spends a lot of his time putting classroom
skills into practice. He strongly believes that choosing strategic communication as
his emphasis gave him the best overall understanding of how to communicate effectively.
He feels that strategic communication is more all-encompassing than any other emphasis. He wanted to learn communication as a whole, not just writing or speaking. This may seem like a novel idea, but Morris chose communication because he thought it was safe. “It’s not a fad that will go away,” said Morris. “There will always be a need to communicate.”
Dr. Jeffrey Jarman’s class, Communication Analysis and Criticism, was a favorite for Morris. “Really, whichever one I was currently in was probably my favorite,” he admitted. The skills he sharpened in the classroom are put to daily use.
As for advice on a major, Morris teasingly said, “Just pick Strat Comm, duh.” He was a little serious, though. “I’d highly recommend it,” he explained. “Especially if you want to deal with people on an everyday basis in your professional career.”
Using his acquired language, listening and writing skills, Morris can do everything from pointing out a lie to giving effective advice. “I can walk someone through a grievous situation because of all of the skills combined,” he said.
Overall, his undergraduate experience at the ESC involved many memories and relationships. “The best part is laughing together and really connecting with other students,” he said. “One of the benefits of being in a communication school: everyone loves to talk.”