Verderber, Rudolph F. : Distinguished Teaching Professor, University of Cincinnati

Rudolph F. Verderber is Distinguished Teaching Professor of Communication Emeritus, at the University of Cincinnati. He joined the faculty there as Director of Forensics and served as Director of Graduate Studies, Director of the Division of Rhetoric and Public Address, Director of the Basic Course, and Department Head. His primary areas of expertise are Rhetoric, Public Address, Argumentation, and Interpersonal Communication. He received B.S. and M.A. degrees from Bowling Green State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. During his tenure at the University of Cincinnati, Dr. Verderber taught more than 25 different courses, 10 of which he originated. Considered one of the university's finest teachers, Dr. Verderber received the Dolly Cohen Award for Outstanding teaching (two such awards are given at the university each year). In 1994, Dr. Verderber was named Distinguished Teaching Professor, an honor held by only four faculty members across the university. In 1996, Dr. Verderber received the National Speakers Association Outstanding Professor Award. Dr. Verderber continues to teach one basic undergraduate course each year and continues to serve higher education by conducting teaching workshops throughout the country for young faculty and graduate students in a variety of disciplines. In addition, Dr. Verderber remains one of the leading authors of textbooks in the field of communication in the United States. Last year Wadsworth published the Twelfth Edition of the very successful public speaking text, "The Challenge of Effective Speaking."

Verderber, Kathleen S. : Associate Professor of Management Emeritus, Northern Kentucky University

Kathleen S. Verderber is Associate Professor of Management Emeritus at Northern Kentucky University, where she taught for 18 years. She holds an M.A in Speech Communication as well as an MBA and Ph.D. in organizational behavior from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Verderber has consulted with various civic, professional, and business organizations. She has published numerous articles in several journals and has presented papers at both communication and management conferences. Dr. Verderber is the co-author of the very successful human communication text, COMMUNICATE!