Four Decades of Dialogue.
One Unforgettable Night.
Celebrating Four Decades of Dialogue: The MSC 40th Anniversary Dinner
Featured Speakers
Robert Hariman, PhD
Faculty Director, MS in Communication Program; Owen L. Coon Professor of Argumentation and Debate, Department of Communication Studies
Northwestern University
Robert Hariman is a renowned scholar of rhetoric and public culture whose leadership helped shape the MS in Communication (MSC) program into a nationally recognized model of graduate education for professionals. As faculty director for over a decade, he brought intellectual depth, strategic vision, and a humanistic lens to communication and leadership development.
Dr. Hariman’s research explores how communication—through language, images, and performance—shapes political judgment and civic life. His work has been featured in leading academic journals and several influential books, including Political Style, No Caption Needed (with John Lucaites), and The Public Image. He is a past editor of the journal Rhetoric & Public Affairs and has been widely honored for both his scholarship and his mentorship.
Known for his wit, generosity, and high standards, Dr. Hariman has left a lasting impact on generations of MSC students and faculty alike. His remarks at the 40th anniversary celebration reflect the program’s enduring commitment to dialogue, complexity, and leadership with integrity.
E. Patrick Johnson, PhD
Dean, School of Communication; Annenberg University Professor of Performance Studies and African American Studies
Northwestern University
E. Patrick Johnson is an award-winning scholar, artist, and academic leader whose work bridges performance, race, gender, and sexuality. As dean of the School of Communication, he has championed innovation, inclusion, and interdisciplinary excellence—values that mirror the spirit of the MS in Communication program.
Dean Johnson is a pathbreaking researcher and performer whose books and stage works, including Sweet Tea and Honeypot, have shaped national conversations on Black queer identity and storytelling. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has received numerous accolades for his creative scholarship and leadership in higher education.
At the helm of the School of Communication, Dean Johnson has expanded access to transformative learning experiences, elevated the arts and social justice as core commitments, and deepened the school’s global impact. His presence at the MSC 40th anniversary underscores the program’s relevance and resilience in an ever-evolving communication landscape.
Anne Marie Adams, PhD
Director of Administration and Academic Affairs, MS in Communication Program
Northwestern University
Anne Marie Adams is a strategic communicator, educator, and academic leader dedicated to empowering working professionals to lead with clarity, purpose, and influence. As director of the MS in Communication (MSC) program, she has reimagined what graduate education can be—blending academic rigor with real-world application and a deeply human-centered approach.
With a background in curriculum design, leadership development, and higher education policy, Anne Marie brings a unique blend of vision and pragmatism to her role. Under her leadership, MSC has expanded its reach, modernized its delivery models, and deepened its impact on industries ranging from healthcare to tech to nonprofit advocacy.
A passionate advocate for adult learners and interdisciplinary collaboration, Anne Marie’s work centers on creating transformational learning experiences. Her presence at the 40th anniversary celebration reflects not only the program’s evolution but its future.
Jason DeSanto, Esq.
Senior Lecturer, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Keynote Speaker
MS in Communication 40th Anniversary Celebration
Jason DeSanto is one of the nation’s leading voices on argument, advocacy, and democratic discourse. A Senior Lecturer at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, he teaches widely acclaimed courses on political rhetoric, public leadership, and the art of persuasion—skills at the heart of the MS in Communication program.
A former litigator and seasoned political speechwriter, DeSanto brings a powerful blend of practical insight and scholarly depth to the study of public communication. His work has guided presidential candidates, C-suite executives, and change agents across sectors in crafting messages that move audiences and shape public life.
Known for his dynamic teaching and incisive commentary, Jason is a sought-after speaker and media contributor on issues of rhetoric, law, and leadership. An MSC faculty favorite, his keynote at the 40th anniversary event will explore what it means to lead with voice and vision in an era that demands both.