North Carolina A&T associate professor Myra Shird, Ph.D. withdrew from her position as department chair of the newly added Speech Communication Program. The speech communication program started when Dr. Shird and others worked to create a major that was not limited to journalism & mass communication but also included the study of speech and various communication studies under one discipline. There are currently 31 students that have joined the program since its conception in the spring of 2004. “I am saddened because of the lost of her energy and personality in the program,” said Stephanie Carrino, a lecturer in the Speech Communication Program. “Rest assure you will still be able to see Dr. Shird, she will still be advising and teaching her classes.”When asked about Dr. Shird’s classroom setting, students say that it is different from other professors at the university in that students have a great input on what is being taught to the class.”It’s unique because she doesn’t go by the book, she teaches more than what the person who wrote the book wants you to know about their philosophies and ideas,” said senior Quay Quick, a journalism and mass communication major. Students say Dr. Shird doesn’t stress that students remember the contents of certain texts, rather she pushes her students to think. It’s also noted by her pupils she encourages them to apply what they know to facilitate more learning. This focus is what students believe creates an experience that you can only receive in her class. “Dr. Shird is very profound,” said senior Kelly Gary, a print journalism major. “She also keeps it real.”Her approach is evident, even in her own text, as she explains her tactic in the introduction of her book “Introduction to the Fundamentals of Speech Communication.””It is arranged differently than most other hybrid texts,” says Shird. “This text is about you and what you go through in everyday communication acts.”Although the reasons for her stepping down are still up for debate, the loss at the leadership position has been felt among students and faculty throughout the journalism and English departments.”The biggest disappointment to the program is that she is a very visible person because of her public speaking skills, which have benefited the program,” said Dr. Regina Silverthorne a lecturer in the speech communication program. “I think that her contribution to the program was not acknowledged in that she should have been encouraged by her supervisor because the program did grow in such a short period of time.”Many of her students and advisees view Dr. Shird as not only a great teacher but a great friend and mentor. “I came to A&T believing that the professors here would be influential in shaping my life and also guiding me down the road to success, said Bryle Hatch a senior speech communications major. After having Dr. Shird as my advisor, professor, and friend, I know that my future has been positively affected by her wisdom, kindness, and vast knowledge.”To students, Dr. Shird has a personality that is contagious, and she teaches with her heart. From the student’s perspectives, her style of teaching reflects that this is what she loves to do. With her resignation, she leaves the speech communication program with big shoes to fill.

• Steven J. Price