Member Spotlight - Dr. Kathleen M. Trigg

Name: Kathleen M. Trigg Position: Professor of Communication Number of years in the position: 5 1/2 years at this college. I have however been teaching communication since 1983. Alma Mater: Clarion University, Ball State University, Wayne State University (never wrote dissertation) Hometown: Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Classes taught:   Public Speaking Introduction to Communication Advanced Public Speaking Organizational Communication Mass Communication and Society Writing for Communication Professionals Public Relations Social Media for Professionals Interpersonal Communication Voice and Diction Great Speeches in American History Communication in Business Persuasion

The FARA 15

1. How did you become an FAR? The Athletic Director recommended me because of my appearance at many athletic competitions and the Vice President and President that that was a good idea. Not yet having secured tenure, I thought it a good idea not to disappoint the administration.

2. What is your favorite part of being an FAR? Getting to know the athletes better.

3. What is the biggest challenge of your job? I am paranoid about overlooking something and affecting a student’s chance to play. So the double-checking can be time consuming and stressful if I let it.

4. If you could go back to your first day as an FAR, what would you tell yourself? I am still really new so I do not think I know enough to confidently tell myself anything.

5. What is your favorite show/movie? I love the TV show Psyche. I watch reruns regularly. There is something about a screwball buddy
   comedy that makes me laugh.

6. What has been the highlight of your time as an FAR? All the athletes on campus greeting me on campus by name and coming up to me in the stands or on the course and thanking me for my support. It’s nice to be appreciated.

7. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?  Get some sleep.

8. What can you not live without?  Paper and pens.

9. Who are your favorite teams (other than your school’s of course)?  Steelers, Penguins, Pirates.

10. Who was your most memorable or inspiring student that you have worked with and why? One of our men's basketball players is also an Organizational Communication major.  He has lupus but he comes to class and plays basketball even when he is taking treatments. This semester he came to class and asked if he could give his speech first because he had to return to the hospital to finish his treatment. He rolled up his sleeve and revealed the infusion tube hanging loose from his arm. They let him go if he promised to be back in an hour. I have students who won’t show up to speak on days they are assigned for something less than the equivalent of a hang nail and this young man shows up with a smile no matter how he feels.

11. How does your school approach certifying students in the ECP software?  Good question...I'll get back to you on that.

12. What do you like to do in your free time?  Read, knit, play board games with my kids, and just rest.

13. If you have a question related to your position as FAR, who do you contact?  Whoever answers the 800 line.

14. Do you have any pets? A mutt named Sparky.
     
15. How do you navigate being a part of two different departments on campus?   We are such a small college (520 students) that we are just a big family and we text each other when we need each other. It's no big deal.

View more FARA 15 Member Spotlights here.