BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – Three West Virginia Wesleyan College communication majors attended the Eastern Communication Association Convention held in March in Boston, Mass. The students submitted seven submissions and earned all seven acceptances into the convention.
Danica Propst ’26, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was accepted for “Fourth-Wave Feminism on Social Media and Generation Z” based on her work in the Ledford Scholars program, and “Magic, Dragons and Postmodern Feminism: How Female Authors are Taking Over Bestselling Lists in Previously Male-Dominated Genres.”
Chloe Sotomayor ’24, of Spencer, West Virginia, submitted “We got the Pynk: Reclaiming Femininity and Sexuality Through Black Queer Artists and “Life is Plastic, It’s Fantastic (When You’re White): Analyzing White Feminism in The Barbie Movie.”
Faith Yoho ’26, of New Martinsville, West Virginia,, presented “When You Wish Upon a Star….Have Live-Action Remakes Gone Too Far: Exploring the Racial Connotations Behind Claiming “POC Representation” Within Recycled Media.”
In addition, Propst’s poster presentation “The Hunger Games and Hegemony: The Politics of Panem” and Yoho’s “This is the skin of a toxic male, Bella!”: Observing Toxic Masculinity Within Young Adult and Romance Novels” were both accepted.
Dr. Nancy Bressler, chair of the Department of Communication, gave two research presentations at ECA entitled “Those Were the Days”: The Legacy of Norman Lear” and “I Don’t Care If You Think I’m Good at This or Not Anymore. I Care About Whether or Not I Can Make a Change”: The Influence of Quinta Brunson and Feminist Humor.” Bressler also taught a short course on media literacy and diversity, as well as a teaching activity entitled “Listen To the Song Here in My Heart” – Exploring Ways to Improve Listening and Provide Feedback.”
The Communications Department and Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society hosted the students at the end of the semester to present their research to fellow students and faculty/staff.
