Speech communication, dramatic arts chair resigns

Denny Bettisworth, chair of the speech communication and dramatic arts department for almost two decades, has announced his plans to resign.
Bettisworth said he had no comment on why he was resigning as chair, but did say he would remain as a professor in the department. He said he has chaired the department since arriving at CMU 19 years ago.
Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts Sue Ann Martin said she learned of Bettisworth’s resignation Monday.
“I received a letter from him Monday morning and in one part of the letter he said he felt he was no longer an effective spokesperson for the department,” Martin said. “He also tendered his resignation for Aug. 15, 2000.”
Martin said she tried to dissuade Bettisworth from resigning.
“It really came as a surprise to me. I wrote a letter back to him that same day and in it I told him that he was a very skillful administrator and that I felt I enjoyed learning from him over the two-and-a-half years since I’ve been here,” she said.
“I thought he was a very good chair and a very effective chair.”
Bettisworth said members of the speech communication and dramatic arts department will discuss plans for finding a new chair.
“The department is just starting to begin that exploration,” Bettisworth said Thursday.
He said the department’s recommendation for a new chair will be forwarded to Martin.
On Thursday, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Richard Davenport said he just returned from out of town and has not had a chance to talk with Bettisworth or Martin about the resignation.
“I’m really shocked,” Davenport said. “Denny has been one of our outstanding chairs at Central. He’s very dedicated, and he’s done a wonderful job serving his chair and the department.”
Because Bettisworth doesn’t plan to resign until Aug. 15, Davenport said there is ample time for the department to search for a replacement.