Editor's Focus - Southern Communication Journal

In February 2004, the communication field lost a bright light in the profession with the passing of Janice Hocker Rushing, an admired and often-cited rhetorical scholar. Not only did she bring new light to rhetorical criticism with her impactful critiques of popular movies, but she suggested new methods and ways to focus rhetorical criticism. While we miss her, the myriad ways her legacy lives on are shown in a special issue of the Southern Communication Journal, Volume 71 (2), put together in her honor.

In the issue, well-known communication scholars describe her influence, not only on their scholarship, but on themselves personally. The result is a rich exploration of a scholar and teacher who personally and professionally contributed to us all. Through narratives and scholarly expositions, her personal and professional journeys are lovingly traced. Those who knew her will greatly appreciate such a pulling together of remembrances; those who knew her scholarship will enjoy a rich overview of where her analyses have led us, and those who did not know her will begin to learn why they should read her work. Guest Edited by Art Bochner and Tom Frentz, the issue's contributing authors include Jane Sutton, H. L. Goodall, Kathleen Turner, Michael Osborn, Roseann Mandziuk, and Bruce Gronbeck. Janice Hocker Rushing's final published article is also included. In this issue, we bid Janice Hocker Rushing a fond farewell, but we also show how her legacy will live on through years of future scholars and teachers of rhetoric.

John C. Meyer
Editor

Sample articles from the Special Issue

Figuring Forth the Gift of Janice Hocker Rushing
Jane Sutton
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Memories of Miz Myth
Michael Osborn
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Going Deep
Robert E. Terrill
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