Lambda Pi Eta Goes to New York: Eastern Communication Association Conference

Students from Pitt Greensburg’s Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honors society attended the Eastern Communication Association Conference in Buffalo, New York March 26–30. Two students presented papers that they wrote during the fall semester.

The Eastern Communication Association (ECA) Conference is held each year in March or April. The event is a great way for students to get feedback on their writing and presentation skills, network, learn about graduate programs, and provide feedback to others.

Kae Woodring, sophomore communication major, presented her paper “I’m a Homo! A Rhetorical Analysis of ‘But I’m a Cheerleader.’’’

“My presentation went really well. I felt like I got a good opportunity to talk about a strong interest I have and get others interested in that as well,” Woodring said. 

Alyssa Kocon, sophomore communication major, presented her paper “Dexter Morgan | Morning Routine”. 

Kocon explained that she was nervous at first, but the presentation went really well since everyone was so supportive. 

“I was expecting it to be a lot scarier and intense, but everyone does such a great job of making each other feel comfortable which makes things a lot easier,” Kocon said

Both students were able to receive helpful feedback from others in the field and see how the topics they learn about in their communication classes relate to the real world.

“The two Pitt-Greensburg students who presented at ECA this year did such a wonderful job with their projects. Their presentations were polished and professional, and it even looked like they were having fun in the process,” Dr. Anne Czerwinski, associate professor of Communication, said. 

The conference had many presenters covering various topics open for all attendees. Dr. Czerwinski attended one that really stood out. An undergraduate student focused on trees as a rhetorical resource for storytelling. She discussed St. Mary’s College’s program in which they plant dedicated trees. The campus has more than 600 trees with plaques to remember loved ones. 

”Her presentation was amazing; it made me want to visit the campus filled with so many beautiful trees and cherished memories,” Dr. Czerwinski said.

The conference is a great opportunity for all students, whether or not they are communication majors. 

“The overall experience was really nice and I feel like I made good connections,” Woodring said.

Dr. Czerwinski acknowledged that public speaking is difficult, but encourages her students to improve by embracing more public speaking opportunities, like Kae and Alyssa did. 

“I am very proud of them for having the courage to take this big step and present their research at a professional communication conference,” Dr. Czerwinski said.

The 2026 conference will be held in early April in Pittsburgh. Anyone can submit a paper, whether or not they are a communication major. The regular deadline is October 19, 2025 and the undergraduate deadline is mid-December.

Feel free to reach out to Dr. Czerwinski if you are interested in joining Lambda Pi Eta or attending the 2026 conference at czerwin@pitt.edu.