Kathryn M. Olson

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Kathryn M. Olson is currently a Professor and Department of Communication Chair at University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. With an expansive background in education and research, she has explored a wide variety of subject matter, specializing in Rhetoric and Public Communication. Dr.Olson has taken interest in empowering critically-thinking citizens, serving as the purpose of her work. Through her work and tireless efforts, she has had an immense impact on the contribution and relevancy of women in communication.

Education

Her undergraduate education began at Saint Olaf College for just a year before she transferred her studies to University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. It was at UW Eau Claire that she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a minor in Psychology. Her graduate education was continued at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned her Masters in Speech Communication. Finally, her studies were taken to Northwestern University where she earned her Ph.D. in Communication Studies.^[1] Her education did not, however, stop as a student; she continued her contributions onto being a professor, and a major research contributor to a broad range of subjects in the field of Communication.

Employment History

Dr. Kathryn Olson began her employment as a professor at University of Alabama- Huntsville in 1987. She then moved on to serve as an Assistant Professor and Director of Forensics at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. In 1991 she was employed as an Assistant Professor at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and served as the Undergraduate Director from 1993 until 1995. While at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, she progressed to the Associate Professor as well as acting as the Graduate Director from 1998-2002, and the Director of Rhetorical Leadership Graduate program from 2002-present. From 2006 and on, she has been a Full Professor at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, as well as served as the Department chair from 2014-present.^[1]

Scholarly Work

Of all of the work that Dr. Kathryn Olson has done within the field of communication, her most prominent and possibly most notable area of contribution is within the topic of rhetorical leadership. The subject of rhetorical leadership delves into the theory and use of language as a persuasive tool to determine and reflect the way that we view and interact with the world around us. This concept becomes particularly important and influential as it is related to the topic of gender; challenging perceptions of gender, and the implications that those perceptions may have. Some of her most notable work includes, "Detecting a Common Interpretive Framework for Impersonal Violence", "Beauty and the Beast", "Fur Controversy" (written with Tom Goodnight), and "Rhetorical Leadership in Framing a Supportive Social Climate for Educational Reforms: Assisting Children with Disabilities".

Not only has Dr. Kathryn M. Olson been an influential contributor to the world of communication, serving as an empowering reflection of women's work in the field, but she has extensively explored women's roles and influences through her analytical work. Looking deeper into the patterns of words and behaviors, Dr. Olson has worked tirelessly to give proper recognition to the importance of feminism in the context of communication. Uncovering the ins and outs of behavior as it is related to gender, has formed a strong foundation for her work and her reputation.

Rhetorical Leadership

Rhetorical leadership at its core is the concept of practical wisdom, natural instincts, and ethical action. The study of this concept closely explores the use and application of language as it pertains to the influence it has over amalgamations of people. Exploring the use of language may determine the efficiency, or inefficiency, of a leader. Delving deeper into word choices and their context plays a pivotal role in leadership development in both formal and informal roles. As words develop, leaders emerge, and the thoughts and behaviors around us are shaped.^[2]

Awards

With an extensive list of achievements and accolades, Kathryn M. Olson is a well-established professor and researcher in the field of communication. Her achievements began as a student, but didn’t stop there. She was awarded Summa cum laude by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1981 after completing her undergraduate studies. In 1983, she was awarded Outstanding Graduate Scholar Award by the University of North Carolina’s Department of Speech Communication. In 1988, she was awarded Outstanding Dissertation Award by Northwestern University’s Department of Communication Studies for her dissertation titled “Toward Uniting a Fellowship Divided: A Dramatistic Analysis of the Constitution-Writing Process of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America”. In the following years of 1992-2009 she was recognized with an abundance of awards, recognizing her academic achievement and contribution to the educational field of Communication. In both 1995 and 2005, she was awarded with Golden Anniversary Monograph Award for “the most outstanding scholarly monograph published during the previous calendar year… In any of the areas of the speech communication arts and sciences”. In 2006, she was awarded the Francine Merrit Award, recognizing one individual annually who has made “outstanding contributions to the lives of women in communication”, awarded by the National Communication Association’s Women’s Caucus. She was also awarded the Regents Teaching Excellence Award in 2006, which recognizes one or two outstanding teachers among all UW System institutions.^[1]

References

https://uwm.edu/communication/people/olson-kathryn/

https://uwm.edu/communication/wp-content/uploads/sites/150/2014/11/olson_cv.pdf

http://www.iupui.edu/~ncafws/merritt_award06.htm

https://www.wisconsin.edu/news/download/news_documents/2006/november_2006/Learn-more-about-UW-Milwaukee-Professor-Kathryn-Olson.pdf

Bibliography

Olson, K. M. (2014). Unqualified Support: Joe Biden’s Disturbing Performance of Leadership, Loyalty, and Laughter in the 2012 Vice Presidential Debate. Palczewski, C. H. (Ed.). Disturbing Argument: Selected Works from the 18th NCA/AFA Alta Conference on Argumentation, 219-224.

Olson, K. M. (2013). Intransigence and Self-Justification as a Political Way of Life. Roundtree, J. C. (Ed.). Venomous Speech: Problems with American Political Discourse on the Right and Left, Vol. 1, 41-73. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.

Olson, K. M. (2013). An Epideictic Dimension of Symbolic Violence in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: Inter-generational Lessons in Romanticizing and Tolerating Intimate Partner Violence.Quarterly Journal of Speech, 99, 448-480.

Olson, K. M. (2013). Framing Silence and Absence Regarding Presidential Debates: Successful and Unsuccessful Performances of Democratic Leadership. Argumentation and Advocacy, 49, 167-194.

Olson, K. M., Pfau, M. W., Ponder, B., & Wilson, K. H., eds. (2012). Making the Case: Advocacy and Judgment in Public Argument. , 260. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University Press.

Olson, K. M. (2011). ‘Get Motivated!’: How the New Prosperity Gospel Operates. Rowland, R. C. (Ed.). Reasoned Argument and Social Change, 617-623.

Olson, K. M. (2009). How Can We Address No Child Left Behind? The Importance of Inherency Analysis on Public Issues. Jacobs, S. (Ed.). Concerning Argument, 580-589.

Olson, K. M. (2009). "Rethinking Loci Communes and Burkean Transcendence: Rhetorical Leadership While Contesting Change in the Takeover Struggle Between AirTran and Midwest Airlines". Journal of Business and Technical Communication, 23, 28-60.

Olson, K. M. (2008). The Practical Importance of Inherency Analysis for Public Advocates: Rhetorical Leadership in Framing a Supportive Social Climate for Education Reforms. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 36, 219-241.

Olson, K. M. (2005). Educating Rhetorical Leaders. Conference Proceedings – National Communication Association/American Forensic Association (Alta Conference on Argumentation), 532-538.

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^ ^a ^b ^c "Kathryn M. Olson curriculum vitae" (PDF).
^ Olson, Kathryn M. (September 2011). "What is Rhetorical Leadership?: My Perspective" (PDF). N/A.

[:0-1] "Kathryn M. Olson curriculum vitae" (PDF).

[2] Olson, Kathryn M. (September 2011). "What is Rhetorical Leadership?: My Perspective" (PDF). N/A.

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