Ph.D., The Ohio State University (Rhetoric and Public Address)
M.A., Texas Tech University (Communication)
B.A., Muskingum College (Speech and Secondary Education) cum laude
Dr. Waggenspack's scholarship involves women and their rhetorical efforts. Recent critical essays include analysis of the persuasive communication of American First Ladies (Helen Herron Taft, Eleanor Roosevelt) to women who argue for social change, such as children's rights activist Marian Wright Edelman and women's rights advocates Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone, and Lucretia Mott. Her analysis of the contributions of women to the span of rhetorical theory and history are featured in The Rhetoric of Western Thought (eighth edition), a leading textbook on rhetorical theory.
Waggenspack, Beth M. (2010). “Deceptive Narratives in the 2008 Presidential Campaign.” Studies of Identity in the 2008 Presidential Campaign, Ed. Robert E. Denton, Jr. .Boulder, CO: Rowman & Littlefield.
Waggenspack, Beth M. (2010) “Awards and Ceremonies” (30-34); “Cult Films and Figures” (76-80); “Humanitarian Efforts” (137-139); “Reality Television’s Role” (251-256); “Talk Show Hosts” (287-289). Star Struck: An Encyclopedia of Celebrity Culture. Ed. Sam G. Riley. Santa Barbara: Greenwood.
Wallace, Samuel P., Beth M. Waggenspack, and Kimberly Hubbert. (2009) Communication: Principles of Tradition and Change. Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt.
Waggenspack, Beth M. and Samual P. Wallace.(2008) Basic Course Instructors' Perceptions of Web-based Ancillary Materials with Sam Wallace. Selected for "Looking at Ourselves: Top Papers in the Basic Course Division" NCA 2008
Waggenspack, Beth M. (2007) Eleanor Roosevelt: Social Conscience for the New Deal. ed. Thomas W. Benson, American Rhetoric in the New Deal Era, 1932-1945 (Volume 7 of A Rhetorical History of the United States). East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, pp. 157-209.
Waggenspack, Beth M. (2007) Reflections on April 16. American Communication Journal (Vol.9, no.1, Spring 2007) http://acjournal.org/holdings/vol9/spring/articles/reflections.ht
Teaching Interests
Rhetorical History, Theory, and Criticism
Persuasion
Social Movements
Introduction to Communication Theory
Professional Affiliations
National Communication Association (Chair, Basic Course Division 2008; NCA Legislative Committee 2008-2010; NCA Nominating Committee 2009)
Eastern Communication Association
Central Communication Association
Basic Course Directors Conference
Virginia Tech Academy of Teaching Excellence
Virginia Tech Awards:
Spring 2007 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 2006-2007 Excellence in Undergraduate Advising Award
Spring 2007 Office of Residence Life
Favorite Faculty 2007
Spring 2006 Nominated for Undergraduate Alumni Advising Award for Excellence in Advising
Spring 2006 Alpha Chi Omega sorority
Favorite Professor 2006
Spring 2006 Office of Residence Life
Favorite Faculty 2006”
Panhellenic Council recognition 2005 and 2006 (selection as one of the most valuable professors at VT)
VT Sigma Kappa Sorority selection as “favorite professor at VT 2005
Alumni Teaching Award 2000 (one of two given university-wide)
Inducted into Virginia Tech Academy of Teaching Excellence 2000
College of Arts and Sciences Certificate of Teaching Excellence 1998, 1993 and 1989