Vita
Gail Ritchie Henson, Ph. D.
Address:
Home:2335 Bonnycastle AvenueOffice:Bellarmine University
Louisville, Kentucky 40205Department of Communication
2001 Newburg Road
Louisville, KY 40205
Phone:502 451-6010Office: 502 452-8223
FAX502 452-8451
Education:
B. A.DePauw University 1973 Magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Area major: English, theology, anthropology
M. A.University of Louisville 1974
Major area: English
Ph. D.University of Louisville 1981 Graduate Dean’s Citation for Academic Excellence
Dissertation: “A Holy Desperation: The Reformed Theology of Grace in Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century English Literature.”
Director: Dr. Mary Ellen Rickey
Additional 30 graduate hours in English, representing research in medieval and Renaissance rhetoric
Special student
Indiana University Ernie Pyle School of Journalism 1994
Graduate class in newspaper design
St. Mary’s College of Divinity, 1971-1972
University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland
Non-degree student in theology
Bellarmine College 1989
Graduate class in statistics
Research Interests
End-of-life communication; media effects on children, communication and the elderly, intercultural communication, international communication, educational policy especially regarding literacy.
Academic Honors, awards, fellowships
Graduate
Graduate Dean’s Citation for Dissertation Academic Excellence
Graduate Assistantship 1973-1977 University of Louisville
Undergraduate
Phi Beta Kappa
Outstanding Senior Woman
Alpha Lambda Delta (undergraduate scholastic honor society)
Mortar Board (junior-senior scholastic/service honor society)
Fellowship awarded from Barrington College, Rhode Island to study urban family structure in Newark, New Jersey in 1971.
Grants and awards
2005Provost’s Award for teaching, scholarship, service
2001Miles Award from Bellarmine University Board of Trustees for Community Service
2001Metroversity Outstanding Adult Learners Award
2000Bell Award (Spirit of Louisville-WLKY Award for Civic Service
1999-2001CE&S Grant to participate in Courage to Teach, teacher formation cohort group
2000Technology grant from Bellarmine to develop strategies for incorporating technology into instruction.
1997Metroversity Outstanding Adult Learning Award
1995Edna McConnell Clark Foundation $3 million grant; part of grant writing team for Middle School Reform.
1994Collegium Grant, Knight Foundation, co-chair
1993Summer Stipend from Bellarmine College to study children and media
1993Collegium Grant, Knight Foundation, co-chair
1992Summer Stipend to study broadcasting history in Kentucky
1991Kentucky Business Advertising Association Grant in kind of video equipment
1990Award for Commitment to Excellence in Teaching from Student Government
1989C-SPAN Grant in kind: faculty development seminar in using cable television as an instructional strategy; equipment given as part of training—television and vcr
1987Summer Stipend, Bellarmine. Applied theological communication
Full time Teacher of the Year
1986-7National Endowment for the Humanities, Exemplary Project
Title: the School of Tumult: Crisis and Leadership in Ancient Rome: An Institute for School Administrators.
1981Partners grant to the Lou Tate Foundation
Funded the teaching of the lore and craft of weaving.
Presentations and Participation in Academic and Professional Societies
2005“Difficult Conversations when facing death.” National Hospice and Palliative Care Clinical Conference. April 21-23. Atlanta.
“Anger: a model for Hospice Employees.” National Hospice and Palliative Care Clinical Conference. April 21-23. Atlanta.
“Quality versus Quantity. Living Well Until the End.” Regional Hospice Symposium, invited speaker Care for the Dying Day. March 16, 2005. Louisville.
“Using Visual Art to Talk about Death and Dying.” Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Midwinter Convention February 12, 2005
“Creating learning pathways through experiential learning.” 12th International Conference on Learning. July 11-15, 2005, Granada, Spain
(accepted, did not attend)
“Fé en la Frontera: Immigration and Faith in the Decade of Operation Gatekeeper” Religion in Media Interest Group. Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, San Antonio, Texas. August.
“Teaching and Learning, Discovery, Engagement and Integration through Experiential Learning in Communication Classes” Kentucky Communication Association. September. Natural Bridge State Park, Slade, Kentucky.
2004“Intercultural Communication and its implications for Hospice.” Presentation for Alliance of Community Hospices. December. Louisville.
“Anger!” Regional (Kentucky & Ohio) Hospice Meeting. October 22
held at Blue Lick State Park, Kentucky.
“Managing Anger within Healthcare Systems: Necessary Strategies for quality” paper delivered at the International Conference on Healthcare Systems, October 14-17, 2004 at Marshall University, Charleston, West Virginia.
“Difficult Conversations and the Elderly for Healthcare Systems to Consider” paper delivered at the International Conference on Healthcare Systems, October 14-17, 2004 at Marshall University, Charleston, West Virginia.
“Anger! Tools for Hospice Employees” curriculum and workshop developed for Hospice of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, 16 workshops presented; video available.
Difficult Conversations: Baby Boomers and their Aging Parents.”
Hospice and Palliative Care Symposium and Care for the Dying Day.
Louisville, Kentucky
“Communicating Last Things. Strategies for teaching about death and
dying through art, music, and literature.” Hawaii International Conference
on the Arts and Humanities, University of Hawaii-Oahu/University of Peking, January 20204
2003“Intercultural Communication Issues with the Dying” Care for the
Dying Day, Hospice of Louisville. Presentation and panel moderator
2002From Solutions to Sanctions: Lessons for Low Performing Schools.
San Diego, California. Panel presentation for National Association
Of State Boards of Education.
2000“Writing the Statement of Communication Ethics,” at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Convention, Miami
Chaired the refereed paper competition in the International Communication Division,
International Communication Division, Peer reviewer for National Competition
Phi Beta Kappa Association of Kentuckiana Inc. Board
NCATE National Unit Accreditation Board Member (reviewer for 56 Board of Examiner Reports)
1998, 1999Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
International Communication Division, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Annual Convention. Divisio
1999Judge and Chair of section.
1991-1998 Greater Louisville High School Press Association Executive Director
Press Day Organizer, 20 workshops for journalism; competitions
1995 Television and Children” presented at the Kentucky Academy of Social Workers
.
Publications
2005 (antic)The Gentle Agitator, an Oral Biography of Dr. Samuel Robinson.Bellarmine University Press.
2004“Managing Anger within Healthcare Systems: Necessary Strategies for quality” Proceedings of International Conference on Healthcare Systems, October 14-17, 2004 at Marshall University, Charleston, West Virginia.
“Difficult Conversations and the Elderly for Healthcare Systems to Consider” Proceedings of the International Conference on Healthcare Systems, October 14-17, 2004 at Marshall University, Charleston, West Virginia.
“Communicating Last Things. Strategies for teaching about death and
dying through art, music, and literature.” Proceedings. Hawaii International Conference on the Arts and Humanities, University of Hawaii-Oahu/University of Peking, January 2004
2003 From Solutions to Sanctions: Lessons for Low Performing Schools.
Washington, DC: National Association of State Boards of Education
2002Writing the Statement of Communication Ethics,” Great Ideas for Teaching, AEJMC.
2001Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly. Review of Mediaspeak: Three American Voices, Roy Fox.
Review Modern Media Writing, for Wadsworth Publication
2001 Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Culture. London: Routledge. Published 25 articles
2002The Encylopedia of Louisville. John Kleber, editor. Lexington: University of Kentucky Press. Published 9 articles.
1998The Encyclopedia of Kentucky. John Kleber, editor. Lexington: University of Kentucky press. Published 4 articles.
1999“The Effects of Television on Children and Adolescents.” The Basic Handbook of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. John Wiley Publishers.
Horizon, the quarterly journal/newspaperfor the Kentuckiana Interfaith Community. Editor, writer, producer.
1985-2000Horizon. Numerous articles published prior to becoming editor
1986-88Business First. Free lance writer.
1984Business Pressure on American Politics: Chandler P Anderson. Benjamin Harrison. Scholars Press. (edited this book).
1985Tune in the World. Kenneth MacHarg. Media, PA. Miller Publishing Co. (edited this book).
A Church Planning Questionnaire: Manual and Discoveries for 100 Churches. Grayson Tucker. (edited this book).
Manuals and Workshops related to Communication
2005 Anger Management: Communication strategies for parents of preschoolers. March 8, 2005
“When is it time to address quality of life” Cancer Recurrence Pain Network. Foxhollow, Kentucky March 5, 2005
2004Effective Business Writing, Summit Energy, October and November 2004. Two four-day workshops in precision writing for energy corporation
“Intercultural communication strategies for Hospice employees.” Hospice of Louisville (33-county service area), December 2004
“Difficult Conversations between Baby Boomers and their Aging Parents,” Care for the Dying Day. Hospice of Louisville, March 2004
Facilitating Difficult Decisions at the End-of-Life. A Competency for Hospice Social Workers. Hospice Social workers June 2004
“Anger! Tools for Hospice Workers.” 20 workshops provided for the 550 Hospice employees as part of their quality management in Elizabethtown, Shelbyville, New Albany, and Louisville, for Hospice of Louisville
2003Intercultural Approaches to Communicating about the end of life.
Care for the Dying Day. Hospice of Louisville, March 2003
1990-presentWriting camps for middle school youth. Summer programs tied to Kentucky’s required writing portfolio.
1991-2001High School Press Day. Fall workshops for high school newspaper, television, and yearbook staff. Generalla 400-600 students attended sessions with 20 workshops and competitions. Held at Bellarmine for the Greater Louisville High School Press Association
1993-2003Majority of workshops regarded educational policy issues related to service on Jefferson County Board of Education, Kentucky Board of Education, P-16 Council, and NCATE UAB Boards.
1989-92Mastering Leadership. Professional Writing. Part of Bellarmine team to train UPS personnel in leadership skills.
1993Kentucky Bankers Association Presentation Skills
1992, 1991, 1990, 1989Kroger Company: Executive Presentations
1988Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary: Communication and the Clergy: Written and Spoken Skills
1989 Oldham County Teachers In-Service: Small Groups and English Instruction
1987 School of Tumult: Crisis and Leadership in Ancient Rome
1986Peacemaking Begins at Home. Council on Peacemaking and Religion
Current Professional Memberships:
Phi Beta Kappa
Phi Beta Kappa Association of Kentuckiana, Executive Board member
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Reviewer for International Communication division.
National Communication Association
Society for Professional Journalists
Service to Bellarmine
Chairperson of Department of Communications, 1987-present
Faculty Council, 2004-5
Chair, Faculty Development 2004-5
Educational Affairs Committee 1987 to present
Freshman Focus instructor
Multiculturalism Task Force 2004
Strategic Planning Committee 2004-5
Advisor to The Concord, campus newspaper 1985-2003
Board of Trustees1999-2001; 2005 Fund-raising committee.
Advisor to The Lance, campus yearbook, 1998-2001
Advisor to Campus Crusade for Christ, 1999-2001
Advisor to ICTHUS, 2001-2003
Rank and Tenure committee 2001-4, 1993-5,
Collegium, Knight Foundation co-chair, 1992-4
Faculty Senate President, Committee of the Faculty President
Sexual harassment task force 1991 to present
Journalism and writing camps for middle school to high school youth 1990 to present
Advisor to 33 majors
Freshman Seminar: part of team to design and implement freshman seminars
Summer Orientation and Registration participant
Organizer for Kentucky Intercollegiate Press Association state conventions held twice at Bellarmine and for a third time spring 2004
Civic Involvement
Visioning for a Healthy Community. Metro Healthy Communities Initiative member 2005—
Highlands Community Ministries, Board member 2005--
Bonnycastle Homestead Association Board, secretary 2002-2005; newsletter editor, current.
Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana board member 2000-2001; 2005-2008
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Unit Accreditation Board 2001-2004. UAB Team Chair 2003-4.
Kentucky Board of Education, member at large (2000-2004)
Learning and Results Committee (curriculum committee), co-chair, Kentucky Board of Education.
Chairperson, P-16 Council for the State of Kentucky 2003-2004
Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church Elder, children’s choir director 1993-present
Archdiocese of Louisville Office of Ecumenical Affairs 1984-1985
Archdiocese of Louisville Refugee and Migration Task Force 1999-2000
Louisville Nature Center Executive Board 2001-2002; 1998-1999
National School Board Association liaison for information for Jefferson County Board of Education (1994-5)
Jefferson County Public Schools Board of Education, Representative District 2 1993-1995
Kentucky Department of Education Office of Professional Standards 1993-1995
Team member of “Experienced Teacher Outcomes” writing team.
Atherton High School 1992-1999 Served as PTA president, organized forums for international issues, marketing committee, youth service center member for two years.
Fifteenth District PTA Reading and Tutoring chairperson 1992-1995
Meyzeek Middle School 1992-1994 PTSA First vice President for Membership
Highland Middle School: President of PTSA 1990-1992; participatory management committee, international studies advisory committee
Bloom Elementary School 1984-1990: PTA president twice, treasurer, participatory management committee 1991-1993
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School PTA, membership chair, various other committees
Jefferson County Public Schools Textbook Adoption committee 1986, 1992
Jefferson County Public Schools parent Involvement workshops
Presbytery of Louisville:
Communication Task Force
Mission Task Force
Advocate for International Mission 1981-5
Ecumenical Advisory Panel 1981-3
Job Club network 1984-5; Public Relations committee
Edna McConnell Clark Foundation-Jefferson County Public Schools team 1994-5.
Greater Louisville High School Press Association, Executive Director 1991-2001
Kentuckiana Interfaith Community Horizon, writer and editor 1983-2001
Kentuckiana Girl Scout Council Area 12 Community communicator; Troop 103 Leader, 1987-1991
Cabbage Patch Settlement Board 1983-1987. Community Relations, long range planing—co-author of five-year plan.
Louisville International Cultural Center, member of founding board, media relations chair
TWIGS of Children’s Hospital Foundation 1979-1984. Member of Founding board, produced slide-tape presentations, logo,brochure.
Little Loomhouse, Lout Tate Foundation board 1981-1983
Old Kentucky Home Council pack 40 Cub Scout Den co-leader 1990-1992
Classes Taught at Bellarmine
English 101 English Composition I
English 102 English Composition II
English 203 World Literature I
English 204 World Literature II
English 403 Linguistics
English 444/5 Internship
Comm 100 Grammar and Editing
Comm 170 Publications
Comm 171 Publications Management
Comm 200 Media and Society
Comm 203 Business Writing
Comm 205 Business & Professional Communication
Comm 300 Rhetoric
Comm 301 Small Group Communication
Comm 302 Interpersonal Communication
Comm 303 Communication Theory
Comm 304 Writing for the Mass Media
Comm 307 AdvertisingInterdisciplinary Seminars
Comm 308 Public RelationsCommunities
Comm 312 Newswriting and EditingAging in America
Comm 313 Intercultural CommunicationArts and Ideas
Comm 326 PhotojournalismAmerican Civic Values
Comm 346 Children and mediaReligion and the Arts
Comm 400 Communication EthicsSenior Seminar
Comm 401 Persuasion Catholic Social Justice
Comm 444/5 InternshipFreshman Focus
English Linguistics
Master’s of Liberal Arts program: Leadership through Ancient Texts
Classes taught at the University of Louisville
English Composition I, II
World Literature I, II
Advanced Expository Writing
Rhetoric
Old Testament
Children and Media
Broadcasting
Newswriting
Editing
Communication Theory
Organizational Communication