The National Communication Association recognized the Elon University associate professor with its 2013 "Advisor of the Year" award during a recent convention in Washington, D.C.
Ward-Johnson, who teaches public relations in the School of Communications, was presented this fall with the Thomas L. Veenendall Advisor of the Year plaque at a ceremony during the NCA’s 99th Annual Convention in Washington, D.C.
“The advisor who has best manifested the goals of Lambda Pi Eta receives this award and is honored at the convention,” said award presenter Megan Moore, the association’s director of academic and professional affairs.
As an accredited member of the Association of College Honor Societies, Lambda Pi Eta counts more than 400 active chapters at four-year colleges and universities worldwide. The honor society recognizes, fosters and rewards outstanding scholastic achievement while stimulating interest in the communication discipline.
“Dr. Ward-Johnson is an excellent example of a great communicator, and more importantly, she displays qualities that are essential for an advisor – campus leader, coach, facilitator, mediator and educator,” students wrote in a four-page award nomination letter.
Honor society officers cited six areas in which Ward-Johnson exemplifies an excellent advisor, including: pushing chapter members to be the best communicators possible; offering guidance and support; providing advice in times of crisis; giving great insights and suggestions but also giving students plenty of room to create new and innovative ideas on their own; serving as a visionary and setting high expectations for the chapter.
“At the end of the day, it is Dr. Ward-Johnson’s passion for communications, her desire to see her students succeed and her ability to motivate that sets her apart from others,” students noted.
The Elon chapter of Lambda Pi Eta was also recently named the national Chapter of the Year by NCA. Ward-Johnson has advised the group since 2007.
The Elon chapter was organized in 1998 to recognize outstanding achievement of communications students. Currently, 75 juniors and seniors are members of the Elon chapter.