Blog Posts
93 students graduate as LSU Distinguished Communicators in Spring 2025
During May 2025 Commencement, 93 graduates across 10 colleges and 43 majors will receive the LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal. These 92 graduates represent the largest class of Distinguished Communicators in CxC’s 20-year tenure, and is also the first cohort that includes a medalist in every undergraduate college. As of the May 2025 ceremony LSU has now graduated more than 1,000 LSU Distinguished Communicators.
11 December 2024 graduates earn the LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal
Seven Faculty Members named 2024–25 C-I Teaching Fellows
Now in its second year supporting the Geaux Communicate initiative, LSU’s Communication-Intensive (C-I) Teaching Fellows program is pleased to announce the 2024–25 cohort.
Honoring the late Dr. Lillian Bridwell-Bowles, CxC’s founding director
Without Dr. Lillian Bridwell-Bowles, Communication Across the Curriculum might not exist today. Lilly was the founder of CxC, a long-time teacher of Communication-Intensive (C-I) Courses in English and the Honors College, and an advisor to many LSU Distinguished Communicator candidates. She passed away on June 24, 2024.
Meet the May 2024 LSU Distinguished Communicators
During May 2024 Commencement, 61 graduates across eight colleges will receive the LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal.
Ten Faculty Members named 2023–24 C-I Teaching Fellows
To support the Geaux Communicate initiative, LSU recently launched the inaugural Communication-Intensive (C-I) Teaching Fellows program. In collaboration with Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner, faculty chair of Communication across the Curriculum (CxC), the Teaching Fellows are working to inform, create, and disseminate innovative teaching development resources across campus, all in support of advancing undergraduate communication skills development.
Meet the Fall 2023 LSU Distinguished Communicators
During December 2023 Commencement, nine graduates across three colleges will receive the LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal.
Announcing the Spring 2023 LSU Communicator Certificate recipients
At the conclusion of the Spring 2023 semester, 205 students earned the LSU Communicator Certificate.
Announcing May 2023 LSU Distinguished Communicators
During May 2023 Commencement, 84 graduates across eight colleges will receive the LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal. This will be the largest class of Distinguished Communicator graduates to date.
LSU CxC Communication Mentor Grayson Loudon awarded Outstanding Tutor of the Year
Grayson, a senior majoring in architecture, is a prime example of the efficacy of this varied approach. He has worked as a communication mentor with CxC since his freshman year in 2019.
What College Faculty Should Know about ChatGPT
As with any technology, this is an ideal opportunity to reflect on our current teaching practices, experiment with new opportunities, and brainstorm ways they could be utilized effectively in a classroom.
Meet the Fall 2022 LSU Distinguished Communicators
During December 2022 Commencement, seven graduates across four colleges will receive the LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal.
Record number of students earn the LSU Communicator Certificate in May 2022
At the conclusion of the Spring 2022 semester, 197 students earned the LSU Communicator Certificate. This non-degree certificate, issued by the Office of Academic Affairs via LSU Communication Across the Curriculum (CxC), recognizes students who have successfully completed rigorous communication-intensive coursework within their disciplines.
Meet the Spring 2022 LSU Distinguished Communicators
During May 2022 Commencement, 70 graduates across eight colleges will receive the LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal.
Tips to Make the Most of Your SCWCA Virtual Experience
Announcing December 2021 LSU Distinguished Communicators
During December 2021 Commencement, 13 graduates across five colleges will receive the LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal.
Announcing May 2021 LSU Distinguished Communicators
Creating Meaningful Class Discussions
Facilitating productive classroom discussions can be tricky in any setting, but when adding the challenges of digital or hybrid environments, you have an opportunity to disrupt those tried and true methods for different (and maybe even more impactful) outcomes.
Get to know the Fall 2020 LSU Distinguished Communicators
These 17 exceptional students are graduating with demonstrated success in effective multi-modal communication, a designation on their transcripts and a bright, shiny medal.
Announcing December 2020 LSU Distinguished Communicators
During December 2020 Commencement, 17 graduates across eight colleges will receive the LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal.
Why collecting mid-semester feedback is worth your time and a few tips on how to do it effectively
In C-I courses, we use feedback loops to help students learn, but what about creating feedback opportunities to help us learn as teachers? Midterm is the perfect chance to elicit feedback from our students about what's working well (and not so well) to inform our teaching practices and enhance students' own success.
LSU CxC Wins National Award for Innovative Faculty Support Programming
As one of the first programs of its kind in the nation, LSU Communication across the Curriculum (CxC) has long been recognized for academic innovation, but the Delphi Award is the first to specifically honor CxC's progressive work in transforming faculty support and LSU's institutional culture surrounding teaching excellence.
Seven ways to improve your digital classroom setting without buying new equipment
The first step to enhancing your lectures and video class time is by controlling your environment and making the most of what you have on hand. While new technology can be an asset, it is often costly--or difficult to access. We have a few simple solutions to improve your setup that will put you and your content in the best light possible.
Fostering Effective Class Discussions in Asynchronous Settings
Teaching via live discussion is a tried and true method for many of us. And while yes - discussions are different when you take them out of a live setting - they can still be a powerful tool for steering students on their learning path. As their instructor, you have the ability to foster consistent structure and clearly communicate what you ask of your students to help them succeed.
Communication Tips for Remote Learning Success
Take a moment to recognize that as a college student, you have already been building skills to be able to think critically, communicate effectively, and lead through the unexpected. In other words, you’ve been training for this challenge all along!
Etiquette Tips for Participating in Live Online Video Meetings
Whether you're meeting via live online video for school or work, having clear communication protocols is key to being productive. Here are a few etiquette tips you and your online group might consider adopting, particularly if you're just beginning to transition away from face-to-face (F2F) meetings.
Meet the May 2020 Distinguished Communicators
During the May 2020 graduation celebration, 44 graduates across six colleges will join the elite group of LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal.
2020 CxC Faculty Award recipient Cynthia DiCarlo
For education students who will soon embark on their roles as advocates for their own students’ development, few serve as a better role model than 2020 CxC Outstanding Faculty Award recipient Dr. Cynthia DiCarlo.
Three Spring Break To Do's to Prepare for Remote Learning Success
Are you prepared to resume classes in a different setting next week? Either way, CxC is here to help! We've compiled a few suggestions to help get you started on the right path on March 30.
Distinguished Communicator candidate Libby Reiner on communicating as an engineer
Electrical Engineering Senior Libby has not only become a standout team member in the CxC studio, she has also used her time in the Distinguished Communicator program to fully explore the role communication plays in her current research and future career.
Five ways faculty can improve their public speaking skills
As C-I faculty, we frequently put our students in a position to reflect on their abilities as a speaker, and to practice and refine critical oral communication skills. When was the last time you gave yourself the same opportunity? At the recent LSU Faculty Colloquium, Dr. Linda Nilson reminded us just how important this is: "As faculty, we may not think of ourselves as public speakers, but our students do."
Meet Distinguished Communicator Dwayne Hinton
Dwayne Hinton's pursuit of knowledge surpasses any one discipline. This is why he'll be graduating in December with three bachelor's degrees.
How one course is developing communication skills to tackle an industry-wide problem
Eager to connect passionate young people with opportunities to make an impact, Bruce Sharky started brainstorming creative ways to address misconceptions and increase awareness about the profession while engaging future landscape architects to think critically about how to best communicate with different audiences. In Fall 2019 he offered LA 4504, a professional elective focused on recruiting the next generation of landscape architects.
Encouraging end-of-semester reflection from students
The close of the semester is the perfect time to encourage your students to reflect on the communication skills they’ve gained within your C-I course. Highlighting the connections among the content knowledge they’ve engaged with, and the transferability of the disciplinary communication skills they’ve acquired, elevates students’ overall learning long-term.
Blake Kruger on being a Distinguished Communicator
Learn about his path from LSU to med school and how being a Distinguished Communicator has helped his career so far.
Senior Chris DeFelice on the Distinguished Communicator experience
Chris DeFelice, a senior in public relations, shares his path to becoming a Distinguished Communicator and how the program is already impacting his career trajectory.
Creating a collaborative learning opportunity through a podcast assignment
A podcast assignment offers students a new way of meeting important benchmarks of courses in every academic discipline.
Podcast technology as a tool for student engagement and learning, no matter the academic discipline
Want to inspire students to engage in class discussions? To think critically about course material? To discover their personal investment in the course? Consider a podcast.
2019 CxC Outstanding Faculty Award recipient Kristen Kelsch
Since joining the School of Architecture faculty in 2010, Kristen has been a champion for CxC, certifying every one of her courses as communication intensive. In addition to serving as a C-I faculty member, she has worked collaboratively with the CxC Art & Design Studio team to creatively develop assignments for architecture students and has served as a faculty advisor for several Distinguished Communicator candidates.
Announcing May 2019 LSU Distinguished Communicators
During May 2019 Commencement, 62 graduates across nine colleges will receive the LSU Distinguished Communicator Medal.
Four essential tools to help leaders communicate with their teams
Whether you have goals to become a leader or have years of experience guiding a team, these skills can be easily implemented to make the most of your experience as well as your team's development.
Being an Effective Global Citizen
LSU CxC and the Humanities and Social Sciences Residential College host a panel discussion on how to be a more effective global citizen and how traveling abroad can enrich your personal and professional life.
Where Are They Now? - Courtney Irwin
Distinguished Communicator Courtney Irwin is taking her communication skills and dedication to community to new heights.
Distinguished Communicator Candidates Named Udall Scholars
Communicating as a Global Citizen
November 13, 2017 Globalization impacts every aspect of our lives, and savvy communicators understand that asking the right questions and adapting to different scenarios sets us on the path to success.
Listening is a Communication Skill Too
October 2, 2017 Listening is how you gain information and learn. By becoming a better listener, you can avoid communication breakdowns, improve the quality of all your relationships and increase productivity.
TEDxLSU Creative Team
September 27, 2017 LSU Communication across the Curriculum (CxC) has championed TEDxLSU for the past three years. Students have always played an important role in the TEDxLSU event, especially when it comes to day-of implementation.
First Impressions: Interview Dress
September 26, 2017 As the LSU Career Fair approaches, it’s important to freshen up on key interview skills needed to impress recruiters and future employers. When it comes to preparing for a job interview, there are many factors that need to be addressed.
From Studying the Ocean to Telling Stories about the Ocean
July 15, 2017 Meet David Fertitta, student researcher and science communicator extraordinaire.
Blake Kruger and the Impact of Science Communication
November 11, 2016 Combining his love for science with his drive to equalize socio-economic inequity, Blake Kruger is tackling a big problem. The Distinguished Communicator candidate is devising a therapy for Kaposi Sarcoma, which is a type of cancer that traditionally impacts minority populations.