South Middlesex Times

Rutgers University has appointed Lea P. Stewart to the Richard D. Heffner Professorship in Communications and Public Policy, recognizing her groundbreaking research in the field. Stewart, who is the director of the Center for Communication and Health Issues and professor of communication at the School of Communication and Information at Rutgers-New Brunswick, expressed her gratitude for the appointment, stating, "I had the privilege of working with Richard Heffner for many years. He was an engaged teacher, with a keen mind, who always challenged his students to do their best work. I am honored to be appointed to a professorship that carries his name."

Stewart's impressive career at Rutgers spans over 40 years, during which she has received numerous awards for her teaching, research, and service. She has been instrumental in securing significant funding for her research, including almost $5 million from the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Stewart's academic journey began at Allegheny College, where she graduated in 1973 with a bachelor of arts in psychology. She went on to pursue her master's and doctorate degrees in communication theory and interpersonal and organizational communication, respectively, from Purdue University.

The Richard D. Heffner Professorship in Communications and Public Policy, originally established in 1987 as the Edythe and Dean Dowling Professorship, was renamed in 2018 to honor Richard Heffner, a distinguished faculty member and the host of the renowned public television show The Open Mind. Stewart's appointment to this prestigious professorship is a testament to her dedication and contributions to the field of communications and public policy at Rutgers University.