Elizabeth Genevieve Andersch Biography

Elizabeth G. Andersch, Professor of Speech at Ohio University, was born February 4, 1913 in Grand Rapids, MI. She attended the University of Iowa for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, and received her Ph.D in 1941. Before coming to Athens in 1943, Dr. Andersch taught at Bemidji (MN) State Teachers College. Professor Andersch co-authored the beginning speech text, Speech for Everyday Use (1950), which was used for over two decades to instruct freshmen. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Lambda Theta, Mortar Board, National Collegiate Players and the Speech Association of America. Dr. Andersch received emeritus status from Ohio University in June 1968, the year of her retirement. Dr. Elizabeth Andersch died in Florida in 1974.

The Ohio University School of Interpersonal Communication established the Elizabeth Andersch Award to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of human communication. This award is sometimes presented to scholars and sometimes to practitioners or to famous personalities practicing communication. The Elizabeth Andersch Award is the highest award given by the School of Interpersonal Communication.