September 21, 2009
Recommendation for David Beard:
I am pleased to write in support of David Beard’s candidacy for a position in your
department. I have known David since 2004, when as editor of The International
Journal of Listening, Professor Beard directed one of my submissions to publication in
the journal. I also contributed an invited essay in tribute to Ralph G. Nichols, and that
too was under David’s editorial direction. In both publishing experiences I was favorably
impressed with David’s knowledge, dedication, and willingness to strive for excellence in
the journal’s publications. His leadership as an editor was impressive.
Since that time I have been appointed editor of the IJL and worked extensively with
David during a lengthy period of transition. Because of David’s patience, understanding,
extraordinary professionalism, and general assistance, we made the transition with
relatively little difficulty. I cannot adequately express my appreciation to David for his
hard work in that transitional period. His professionalism made my job much easier.
Additionally, as part of the transition process, I was able to gain a good understanding of
David’s work during his tenure as editor. I would like to summarize briefly what I
learned. He widened the pool of materials published, and, as a result, was able to
convince Routledge to accept the journal as worthy of publication by their company.
He established links to important areas of the National Communication Association,
particularly Communication Centers and Ethics Divisions (this serves to help broaden the
journal’s readership in the field). Overall, he respected the traditions of the International
Listening Association on one hand and broadened the scope and quality of the journal on
the other. This was a leadership accomplishment that is especially noteworthy, as change
never comes about easily.
During my tenure as editor of IJL I honestly believe that I am working with a much
stronger—academically sound and professionally varied—journal than I would have
inherited had it not been for David Beard’s hard work in improving the journal and in
placing it in a position to meet the demanding standards of leading academics. The connections he made with the Ethics Division of NCA led to a special ethics edition of the
IJL under the guest editorship of Pat Gehrke, University of South Carolina.
David set in motion an expansion of the journal, and we have now moved from
publishing the journal twice a year to three times, and are on our way to becoming a
quarterly publication. These changes are a result of David’s leadership and dedication
to quality as editor of the journal.
Because of my association with David, I have had the opportunity to work with him in a
variety of projects. He organized a panel for the National Communication Association’s
convention in November, 2009. And he is currently organizing a conference on modern
rhetorical theory. In both of these endeavors, David favorably impresses me with his
ability to organize, to bring people together, and to create interest in important
communication issues. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity of working with him.
I urge the most serious consideration of David’s candidacy for employment in your
department. I, and others on our field, value David as a colleague of stature. I should
think that any department would be proud to have him as a member.
Sincerely yours,
James J. Floyd, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri
660-543-8638