Communicating Across the Curriculum

November 2007

Art Young made a commitment many years ago to positively impact the way Clemson students communicate – and in turn, how they learn and succeed.

Young, who holds the Robert S. Campbell Chair in Technical Communications at Clemson, proved this commitment in 1989 when he established the Communication Across the Curriculum (CAC), a University-wide initiative to improve the communication abilities of all Clemson students. Originally called Writing Across the Curriculum, CAC broadens the focus of communication to include oral and visual modes of contact to promote critical thinking, collaboration and problem solving within and across the disciplines.

But why the focus on getting students to communicate?

“In our increasingly global, information-driven society, oral and written communication skills continue to be vitally important to success,” Young said. “[This program] provides students in all majors at Clemson with the communication abilities to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.”

Proof of the academic growth of more than 50 Clemson students is spotlighted in an anthology of creative works edited by Young, titled Teaching and Learning Creatively: Inspirations and Reflections. Students and colleagues also count on his involvement in other CAC-related projects, such as involving poetry and digital communication across the curriculum.

Program outcomes go beyond building a student’s education to growing the University’s reputation. For five consecutive years (2002-2006), U.S. News & World Report has named Clemson University as one of the top universities in the country for promoting writing in the disciplines. In 2000, Time magazine recognized Clemson University as "Public College of the Year" based on the CAC program – much to the thanks of Young’s tireless efforts.

Beyond the Clemson campus, Young spreads the importance of cross-curriculum education by offering consultations to more than 70 colleges in the United States and abroad. His dedication to the development of students not only helps Clemson students learn, but it makes our curriculum stand out in the competitive world of higher education.