Longwood University Communication Studies

Longwood’s annual Day of Giving concludes today at 12:00 noon! If you are able and willing, please consider donating to one of our two named scholarships: the Dr. William “Bill” Stuart Memorial Scholarship or the Keaton Coleby Elam Busser Scholarship. Each year these scholarships help students with tuition costs. Thank you for your continued support of our students!

Support Communication Studies Department | Longwood Day of Giving I’m ready to support Communication Studies Department on February 18, 2026 during Longwood Day of Giving. Learn more about Communication Studies Department and all the other areas participating in Longwood Day of Giving.

Longwood’s annual Day of Giving is just about here! It begins at noon this Wednesday, February 18 and ends at noon on Thursday, February 19. If you are able and willing, please consider donating to one of our two named scholarships: the Dr. William “Bill” Stuart Memorial Scholarship or the Keaton Coleby Elam Busser Scholarship. Each year these scholarships help students with tuition costs. Thank you for your continued support of our students!
https://dayofgiving.longwood.edu/organizations/commstudies

Dr. Nancy Anderson Haga passed away earlier this week at the age of 90. Nancy is why the COMMunity exists and we join thousands of her students, colleagues, and friends in honoring her memory.

Among her many accomplishments, Nancy helped organize and run debate workshops for students in the Farmville region (for both public and private high schools and colleges) since the late 1960s. Because of this longstanding work in forensics, in 2016 she became the first inductee of the PEA/Fuqua School Nancy Anderson Haga Forensics Hall of Fame.

Nancy’s work in forensics led her to create and run the Longwood Forensic, Debate and Speech team. Because of this, in 1969, two weeks before the start of classes, she was asked to join the faculty of Speech and Theater. She said yes. And in 1989 she became chair of that department, increasing the number of majors from 30 to 50 over her tenure. That initial “yes” in 1969 led to a 31-year career in higher education working with students, retiring in 2000.

But what is the COMMunity connection? Haga’s experience teaching courses in forensics and interviewing provided her an opportunity to create a new major in communication to serve a growing need on campus. Nancy was responsible for developing and writing the proposal that led to the creation of the Communication Studies major. And once approved, she was integral in the initial hiring of Dr. Bill Stuart for the program. The rest, as they say, is history.

Apart from her work at Longwood, Nancy was a community leader and volunteer while living in Farmville. She was the face of the Heart of Virginia Christmas Mother program, seeking to raise donations to provide presents for families in need. She also joined the Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad in 1984 as one of the first female volunteers earning her certification as an Emergency Medical Technician.

Most recently, Nancy was recognized as an icon that helped shape Longwood as part of the 125th anniversary of CHI. Also, a scholarship in Nancy Haga’s name is setup in the Theatre department for first year students.

We will communicate the celebration of life details for Dr. Haga when they become available.

Homecoming and Communication Studies 25th Anniversary are just two weeks from today! Come swing by and enjoy a drink or ice cream with faculty and staff!

There's still time to register:
https://www.longwood.edu/alumni/homecoming/

Longwood University Homecoming Tailgate
November 15, 2025 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Come celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Communication Studies department during the LU homecoming tailgate on Saturday, November 15 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm! Your very own COMM faculty will be there celebrating at our departmental booth giving away swag that has the limited edition 25th anniversary logo on it because everyone loves free…stuff.

We’ll also be doing tours of the French Hall studio and the COMM hallway in Allen Hall. You’ll be able to record your favorite memory in the studio, see the Bill Stuart memorial painting and bench at Allen, or watch past student work in Allen Hall classrooms (sorry but these chairs don’t sink down – you have to go to CSTAC for that experience :-) ).

Remember to save the date: Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

More information coming soon!

It was fun to appear on Living in the Heart of Virginia-LHOV and discuss a very special partnership that has developed over the last couple of years!

Shaping History: Dr. Yemaja Jubilee Through the Lens of Longwood University Dr. Yemaja Jubilee has spent her life uplifting others while overcoming obstacles of her own, leaving a lasting impact on the African American community. Now, L

2025-2026 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Communication Studies department at Longwood University. We're marking the anniversary with a special logo, a reunion for alumni, and much more. Stay tuned for more information!

The work is mysterious and important.
A new chair takes the helm on 07.01.2025.
Praise COMM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb8J8I9Alkw

Tight department like us gotta keep our synergy up.

Coming 05.02.25

Handshake available upon request.
05.02.25

Our annual streaming of research presentations begins at 9:00 am on Wednesday, April 23rd - live from Blackwell Hall on the campus of Longwood University! Tune in and see the seniors shine as they tell you about their semester-long research projects.
https://www.youtube.com/c/longwooduniversitycommunicationstudies