Auer, J. Jeffery (John Jeffery), 1913-1999

J. Jeffery Auer was a professor the Department of Speech Communication at Indiana University from 1958-1983, serving as chair of the Department of Speech and Theatre from 1958-1971 and chair of the Department of Speech Communication from 1971-1978.

From the description of J. Jeffery Auer publications, 1939-1987, bulk 1960-1965. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 503157612

Born May 8, 1913, in Aurora, Illinois, J. Jeffery Auer attended Wabash College where he graduated in 1934 with a B.A., having majored in speech and history. From there, Auer attended the University of Wisconsin, receiving a M.A. in 1935 in political science and a Ph.D. in speech in 1947.

Auer joined the Indiana University faculty in 1958 as the Chairman of the Department of Speech and Theatre. He held that position until 1971 when the department of Speech and Theatre was divided into two departments, the Dept. of Speech Communications (now Dept. of Communications and Culture) and Dept. of Theatre and Drama. That same year Auer became chairman of the Department of Speech Communication. Auer held that position until 1978, but continued teaching until his retirement in 1983. Upon his retirement, Indiana University established the annual J. Jeffery Auer Lecture in Public Communication. Auer was inducted into the Indiana Academy in 1997.

Outside of I.U., Auer’s involvement in professional activities was wide ranging and included terms as president and executive vice president of the Speech Association of America, President of the Indiana Speech Association, and Editor of Communication Monographs and World Communication. Auer was a prolific writer, authoring 11 books and numerous articles. Included in his publications are Speech Communication and Essays on Teaching Speech in the High School.

From the guide to the J. Jeffery Auer publications, 1939-1987, bulk 1960-1965, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)