Remembering Dr. Melvin DeFleur, Esteemed Communication Scholar and Former COM Professor
Back Camera
Dr. Melvin DeFleur former professor at Boston University’s College of Communication (COM) and prominent researcher has died Monday, February 13th 2017.
DeFleur’s academic research remains a pillar in the communication field and has made invaluable contributions to sociology and psychology fields. An author of over a dozen books, DeFleur’s writing serves as the pinnacle for communications education across the world. His notable textbook “Theories of Mass Communication” has been translated in 10 languages and is used widely in various communication institutions.
“Dr. DeFleur is credited for infusing theory into the field of mass communication and by doing so, setting the research agenda for generations of scholars and, as a result, fostering the emergence of the scientific facets of our field. For many decades, his book "Theories of Mass Communication," co-authored with Sandra Ball-Rokeach, was widely used as the required textbook in communication theory classes throughout the United States and around the globe. Faculty members young and old recall reading his books during their years of graduate study. DeFleur’s contributions to our field are too numerous to list,” says former colleague and associate professor of communication at Boston University, Michael Elasmar.
DeFleur served on COM faculty for 10 years and as chair of the Mass Communication, Advertising and Public Relations department. “During his years as MC/AD/PR Department Chair, Dr. DeFleur fostered a collegial and collaborative work environment and strengthened the academic rigor of the various academic concentrations” says Elasmar.
The Dr. Melvin DeFleur Distinguished Lecture Series was created to honor Dr. DeFleur after he retired from the College of Communication. The lecture series consists of lectures given by two communication scholars from outside the college who are making significant impacts in the communications field. The Communication Research Center (CRC) hosts the lecture series at COM and it is open to the entire BU community.
Dr. DeFleur received his bachelor’s from St. Louis University, and his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Washington. He also served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He is survived by his wife Peggy DeFleur, former professor at COM and current Doris Westmoreland Darden Professor at Louisiana State University’s Manship School of Mass Communication.
Written by: Tatiana M.R. Johnson
