Past Leadership
From Kathleen Welch, adopting original constitution, 1993
To Rhetoric Society of America members:
The RSA Board of Directors has approved the constitution of the Society. We publish it here so that all the members will have access to our announced aim, statement of scholarly commitment, and procedures for the smooth working of the Society’s scholarly journal (Rhetoric Society Quarterly), elections, conferences, and so on. The Society, now in its twenty-sixth year, owes a great debt to George A. Yoos, who founded the journal, established its strong reputation in numerous disciplines, and brought his wisdom to the journal as well as to the Society. The constitution has been revised approximately six times by two committees that met at RSA, SCA, and CCCC meetings. Former RSA presidents Winifred Bryan Horner and Richard Leo Enos devoted an extensive amount of time in leading these committees and in applying the results of their long experience to this important document. I thank them for their contribution.
pAst Presidents
1968
J. Carter Rowland
New York State University at Fredonia
English (Provisional)*
1972 – 1976
Edward P. J. Corbett
Ohio State University
English*
(Prof. Corbett served as Board Chair through 1987)
1988 – 1989
Winifred B. Horner (1922 – 2014)
Texas Christian University
English
1990 – 1991
Richard Leo Enos
Carnegie-Mellon University
English
1992 – 1993
S. Michael Halloran
Rensselear Polytechnic Institute
Language, Literature, and Communication
1994 – 1995
Kathleen Welch
University of Oklahoma
English
1996 – 1997
Carolyn R. Miller
North Carolina State University
English
1998 – 1999
C. Jan Swearingen (1948 – 2017)
University of Texas at Arlington
English
2000 – 2001
Frederick Antczak
University of Iowa
Rhetoric
2002 – 2003
Gerard A. Hauser
University of Colorado at Boulder
Communication
2004 – 2005
Patricia Bizzell
College of the Holy Cross
English
2006 – 2007
David Zarefsky
Northwestern University
Communication
2008 – 2009
Jack Selzer
Penn State University
English
2010 – 2011
Michael C. Leff (1941–2010)
University of Memphis
Communication
2010 – 2011
David Zarefsky
(appointed to complete the term of Michael Leff)
Northwestern University
Communication
2012 – 2013
Krista Ratcliffe
Arizona State University
English
2014 – 2015
Kendall Phillips
Syracuse University
Communication and Rhetorical Studies
2016 – 2018
Gregory Clark
Brigham Young University
English
2018 – 2020
Kirt H. Wilson
Penn State University
Communication Arts and Sciences, and African American Studies
2020 – 2022
Michelle Ballif
University of Georgia
English
2022 – 2024
Vanessa B. Beasley
Trinity University
Boards of Directors
1968 Founding Board of Directors
Carter Rowland, New York State University at Fredonia, English
Nelson J. Smith, III, Ball State University, English
Wayne Booth, University of Chicago, English
William Irmschser, University of Washington, English
W. Ross Winterowd, University of California, English
John Rycenga, Sacred Heart University, English
Henry W. Johnstone, Jr., Pennsylvania State University, Philosophy
Richard Larson, University of Hawaii, English
Edward P. J. Corbett, Ohio State University, English
Leslie Whipp, University of Nebraska, English
Robert Gorrell, University of Nevada, English
Joseph Schwartz, Marquette University, English
Richard Hughes, Boston College, English
James Green, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, English
Harry Crosby, Boston University, English
Owen Thomas, Indiana University, Linguistics
Donald C. Bryant, University of Iowa, Speech
Term Expiring *
1974
Donald C. Bryant, University of Iowa, Speech
Leland Griffin, Northwestern University, Speech Karl Wallace, University of Massachusetts, Speech
1975
Carroll Arnold, Pennsylvania State University, Speech
Dudley Bailey, University of Nebraska, English
Ellis Page, University of Connecticut, Psychology
George Yoos, St. Cloud State University, Philosophy
1975
Carroll Arnold, Pennsylvania State University, Speech
Dudley Bailey, University of Nebraska, English
Ellis Page, University of Connecticut, Psychology
George Yoos, St. Cloud State University, Philosophy
1976
Lawrence Rosenfield, Hunter College, CUNY, Speech
W. Ross Winterowd, University of Southern California, English
1977
Walter Fisher, University of Southern California, Speech Communication
Dorothy Margaret Guinn, University of Southern California, English, Student Member
Henry W. Johnstone, Jr., Pennsylvania State University, Philosophy
1978
Janice M. Lauer, Marygrove College, English
Robert L. Scott, University of Minnesota, Speech
Thomas O. Slone, University of California at Berkley, Rhetoric
Richard E. Young, University of Michigan, English
1983
Richard Leo Enos, Carnegie-Mellon University, English
James J. Murphy, University of California, Davis, Rhetoric
1984
Frank D’Angelo, Arizona State University, English
Winifred B. Horner, University of Missouri-Columbia, English
Charles W. Kneupper, Southwest Texas State University, Speech
Donovan J. Ochs, University of Iowa, Rhetoric
1985
S. Michael Halloran, Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, Language
Janice M. Lauer, Purdue University, English
Honora Mary Rockar, Carnegie-Mellon University, English
1986
James A. Berlin, University of Cincinnati, English
Steve Wilson, Texas Christian University, English, Student Member
Lynn Worsham, University of Texas at Arlington, English
1989
Robert J. Connors, University of New Hampshire, English
Richard Johannesen, Northern Illinois University, Speech Communication
Charles W. Kneupper, Southwest Texas State University, Speech
Andrea A. Lunsford, Ohio State University, English
1990
Donald C. Bryant, University of Iowa, Speech
Winifred B. Horner, Texas Christian University, English
James J. Murphy, University of California, Davis, Rhetoric
Kathleen Welch, University of Oklahoma, English
1991
Lisa S. Ede, Oregon State University, English
S. Michael Halloran, Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, Language
Michael C. Leff, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Communication Arts
1992
Lisa S. Ede, Oregon State University, English
Victoria Gaydosik, University of Rochester, English, Student Member
Nan Johnson, Ohio State University, English
Michael C. Leff, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Communication Arts
Carolyn R. Miller, North Carolina State University, English
James J. Murphy, University of California, Davis, Rhetoric
Gary A. Olson, University of South Florida, English
Marie J. Secor, Pennsylvania State University, English
Winifred B. Horner, Texas Christian University, English (no term specified)
1993
Victoria Gaydosik, East Central University, English and Language, Student Member
1994
Sheri Helsley, Ohio State University, English, Student Member
J. Blake Scott, Pennsylvania State University, English, Student Member (replacing Helsley)
Richard Leo Enos, Texas Christian University, English (1990-91)
Nan Johnson, Ohio State University, English
Carolyn R. Miller, North Carolina State University, English
Gary A. Olson, University of South Florida, English
Marie J. Secor, Pennsylvania State University, English
1996a Members-at-Large
Don Paul Abbott, University of California – Davis, Department of Rhetoric and Communication
Joyce Irene Middleton, University of Rochester, English
Edward Schiappa, University of Minnesota, Speech Communication
J. Blake Scott, Pennsylvania State University, English, Student Member
1996b Members-at-Large
Frederick Antczak, University of Iowa, Rhetoric
Melody Bowdon, University of Arizona, English, Student Member
Gregory Clark, Brigham young University, English
Sharon Crowley, Pennsylvania State University, English
1998
Frederick Antczak, University of Iowa, Rhetoric
Melody Bowdon, University of Arizona, English, Student Member
Gregory Clark, Brigham Young University, English
Sharon Crowley, Pennsylvania State University, English
2000
Patricia Bizzell, College of the Holy Cross, English
Jeanne Fahnestock, University of Maryland, English
Gerard Hauser, University of Colorado at Boulder, Communication
Steven Mailloux, University of California at Irvine, English
Jean Dietz Moss, Catholic University, English
2003
Stacy Day, Brigham Young University, English, Student Member
Rosa Eberly, Penn State University, Communication Arts and Sciences
Robert Gaines, University of Maryland, Communication
Glen McClish, San Diego State University, Rhetoric and Writing
Molly Meijer Wertheimer, Penn State University, Hazelton, Speech Communication
2005
Jack Selzer, Penn State University, English
Sean Patrick O’Rouke, Furman University, Communication Studies
Alisse Theodore Portnoy, University of Michigan, English
Susan Wells, Temple University, English
Susan Zaeske, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Communication Arts
David Zarefsky, Northwestern University, Communication Studies (replacing
Zaeske)
2007
Janet Atwill, University of Tennessee
Jim Aune, Texas A & M University
Leah Ceccarelli, University of Washington
Ralph Cintron, University of Chicago
Diane Davis, University of Texas, Austin
Susan Jarratt, University of Califronia, Irvine
Michael Leff, University of Memphis
Virginia Sanprie, University of Colorado, Boulder, Student Member
2009
Cinthia Gannett, Loyala College, Maryland
Caroline Gottschalk-Druschke, University of Illinois, Chicago, Student Member
Robert Hariman, Northwestern University
Kendall Phillips, Syracuse University
Krista Ratcliffe, Marquette University
Barbara Warnick, University of Pittsburgh
2011
Davida Charney,University of Texas – Austin
Pamela K. Conners, Gustavus Adolphus College, Student Member
Cara A. Finnegan, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Roxanne Mountford, University of Kentucky
Lester C. Olson, University of Pittsburgh
Kendall Phillips, Syracuse University
Kimberly Thomas-Pollei, University of Minnesota, Student Member
Arthur Walzer, University of Minnesota
2013
David Kaufer, Carnegie Mellon University
Michelle Ballif, University of Georgia
Kirt Wilson, Penn State University
Lisa Villadsen, University of Copenhagen
Kendall Gerdes, University of Texas Student Member
Jennifer Keohane, University of Wisconsin Student Member
2015
Vanessa Beasley, Vanderbilt University
David Tell, University of Kanasa (replaced Pat Gehrke, University of South Carolina)
Shirley Wilson Logan, University of Maryland
Jenny Edbauer Rice, University of Kentucky
Sarah Frank, University of Texas Student Member
Katie Lind, Indiana University Student
2016 (change in term date)
Jessica Enoch, University of Maryland
Christa Olson, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Ron Greene, University of Minnesota
René De los Santos, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California
Damien Pfister, University of Maryland (replaced Rene de Los Santos)
Erica Fischer, University of South Carolina Student Member
Katie Irwin, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Student Member
2018
Lisa Flores, University of Colorado – Boulder
Ersula Ore, Arizona State University
Gwendolyn Pough, Syracuse University
Karrieann Soto Vega, Syracuse University
Anjali Vats, Boston College
2020
Tamika Carey, University of Virginia
Lisa Corrigan, University of Arkansas
Celnisha Dangerfield, University of Memphis
Debra Hawhee, Pennsylvania State University
Theon Hill, Wheaton College
2022
Rasha Diab, University of Texas at Austin
Jennifer LeMesurier, Colgate University
Rachael McIntosh, Northeastern University
Anita Mixon, Wayne State University
Amy Young, Pacific Lutheran University
RSA Newsletter Editors
1968 – 1969
Nelson J. Smith, III
Ball State University
English
1972–1975
George Yoos
St. Cloud State University
Philosophy
RSA Quarterly Editors
1975–1986
George Yoos
St. Cloud State University
Philosophy
1987 – 1990
Eugene Garver
St. John’s University
Neely Chair of Thinking
George Yoos
St. Cloud State University
Philosophy
1991 – 1995
Eugene Garver
St. John’s University
Neely Chair of Thinking
Philip Keith
St. Cloud State University
English
1993 – 1995
Rex Veeder
St. Could State University
English
1996 – 1999
Jeffrey Walker
Pennsylvania State University
English
2000 – 2007
Gregory Clark
Brigham Young University
English
2008 – 2011
Carolyn R. Miller
North Carolina State University
English
2012 -2015
James Jasinski
University of Puget Sound
Communication
2016 – 2019
Susan Jarratt
University of California, Irvine
Comparative Literature
2020 – 2023
Jacqueline Rhodes
University of Texas – Austin
Department of Rhetoric & Writing
Executive Director
1968
Nelson J. Smith
Ball State University
English (Provisional)
1972 – 1974
Richard Larson
Herbert H. Lehman College, CUNY
English
(Prof. Larson served as Exec. Sec. through 1986)
1986 – 1995
George Yoos
St.Cloud State University
Philosophy
1996 – 2003
S. Michael Halloran
Rensselear Polytechnic Institute
Language, Literature, and Communication
2003 – 2008
David Henry
University of Nevada at Las Vegas
Communication
2008-2012
Gregory D. Clark
Brigham Young University
2012 – 2014
Frederick J. Antczak
Grand Valley State University
2014 – 2020
Gerard A. Hauser
University of Colorado Boulder
2021 – Current
Leslie Dinauer
membership Officer
1992–1996
Fred Reynolds
Old Dominion University, English
City College of New York, English and Speech
1996–2000
Cheryl Glenn
Pennsylvania State University
English
2000 – 2006
Rosa Eberly
University of Texas at Austin
Rhetoric and Composition and English;
Pennsylvania State University
Communication and English
2006 – 2009
Debbie Hawhee
Pennsylvania State University
English
2009 – 2013
Arabella Lyon
SUNY – Buffalo
English
2013 – 2016
Jordynn Jack
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
English
2016 – 2019
Joan McAlister
Drake University
Communication
2019 – 2021
Leslie J. Harris
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee,
Communication
Biennial Conferences
1984 (July 20-22)
1st Biennial Conference
Oldspeak/Newspeak: Rhetorical Transformations
Keynote: Lloyd F. Bitzer “George Orwell’s Rejection of Tyrannical Rhetoric”
University of Texas at Arlington
1986 (May 29 – June 1)
2nd Biennial Conference
Visions of Rhetoric: History, Theory and Criticism
Keynote: Edward P. J. Corbett “Where are the Snows of Yesteryear? Has Rhetoric Come a Long Way in the Last Twenty-Five Years?”
University of Texas at Arlington
1988 (May 26 – 29)
3rd Biennial Conference
Rhetoric and Ideology: Compositions and Criticisms of Power
Keynote: James A. Berlin “Rhetoric Programs after World War II: Ideology, Power and Conflict”
University of Texas at Arlington
1990 (May 24 – 27)
4th Biennial Conference
Realms of Rhetoric: Phonic, Graphic, Electronic
Keynote: Karlyn Kohrs Campbell “Genre and Culture: The Test Case of Women’s Rhetoric”
University of Texas at Arlington
1992 (May 21 – 23)
5th Biennial Conference
Rhetoric in the Vortex of Cultural Studies
Keynote: Walter H. Beale
Minneapolis, MN
1994
6th Biennial Conference
Rhetoric, Cultural Studies, And Literacy
Norfolk, VA
1996
7th Biennial Conference
The Prospect of Rhetoric
Tucson, AZ
1998
8th Biennial Conference
Rhetoric, the Polis, and the Global Village
Pittsburgh, PA
2000
9th Biennial Conference
Professing Rhetoric
Washington, DC
2002
10th Biennial Conference
The Rhetorical Democracy: Discursive Practices of Civic Engagement
Las Vegas,NV
2004 (May 28 – 31)
11th Biennial Conference
Rhetorical Agendas Political, Ethical, Spiritual
Austin, TX
2006 (May 26 – 29)
12th Biennial Conference
Sizing Up Rhetoric
Memphis, TN
2008 (May 23 – 26)
13th Biennial Conference
The Responsibilities of Rhetoric
Seattle, WA
2010 (May 28 – 31)
14th Biennial Conference
Rhetoric: Concord And Controversy
Minneapolis, MN
2012 (May 25 – 28)
15th Biennial Conference
Re/Framing Identifications
Philadephia, PA
2014 (May 22 – 26)
16th Biennial Conference
Rhetoric Across Borders
Keynote: Linda Martin Alcoff
San Antonio, TX
2016 (May 27 – 29)
17th Biennial Conference
Rhetoric & Change
Keynote: Louise W. Knight
Atlanta, GA
2018 (May 31 – June 3)
18th Biennial Conference
Reinventing Rhetoric … Building the Future
Minneapolis, MN
2020 (cancelled due to Covid)
19th Biennial Conference
Rhetoric / Hospitality
Portland, OR
2022 (May 26 – 29)
20th Biennial Conference
The Charge for Change
Baltimore, MD
biennial institutes
RSA Biennial Summer Institutes Archives
A searchable archive of the seminars and workshops of RSA Biennial Summer Institutes since the 3rd Institute in 2009 can be found here
2005
First Biennial Summer Institute
May 23 – 29, 2005
Kent State University
2007
Second Biennial Summer Institute
June 17-27, 2007
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
2009
Third Biennial Summer Institute
June 22-28, 2009
Penn State University
2011
Fourth Biennial Summer Institute
June 20-26, 2011
University of Colorado – Boulder
2013
Fifth Biennial Summer Institute
June 3 – 9, 2013
University of Kansas
2015
Sixth Biennial Summer Institute
June 1 – 7, 2015
University of Wisconsin – Madison
2017
Seventh Biennial Summer Institute
May 21 – 27, 2017
Indiana University
2019
Eighth Biennial Summer Institute
June 3 – 8, 2019
University of Maryland
2021
Ninth Biennial Summer Institute
May 24 – June 4, 2021
Virtual via Syracuse University
electronic Communications Officer
2014 – 2016
Collin Brooke
Syracuse University
2017 – 2020
Casey Boyle
University of Texas – Austin