September 23, 2019
Wheaton College welcomes Dr. Danielle Corple, who is serving the College as an Assistant Professor of Communication.
Name: Danielle Corple
Education:
Ph.D., Organizational Communication, Purdue University
M.A., Communication, Purdue University
B.A., English, Cedarville University
What was your favorite class in college?
My favorite class was Literary Theory. My professor sketched a story of the Western world’s search for meaning by tracing developments in philosophy, literature, and literary criticism. I was captivated. Understanding this narrative helped me understand so much more of the world around me.
Before Wheaton, what were you doing?
I was finishing up my Ph.D. at Purdue University.
What big question are you trying to answer through your work?
I have several different research interests, so there are a few big questions. Right now, I’m trying to understand how nonprofits and social enterprises operate businesses that employ survivors of abuse and exploitation. I want to know how these organizations communicate about their programs and seek to facilitate “empowerment” for the populations they serve.
What’s one interesting or intriguing thing that you have learned recently?
I have a personal interest in how Christians communicate about money (perhaps that’s a research project for the future). I read recently that most Christians only tithe 2.5% of their income, and 8 out of 10 tithers have no credit card debt.
Do you get butterflies the night before the first day of school?
Not butterflies, but I start to feel some adrenaline. I love the excitement of the first day of class.
What would you have liked to tell the freshman version of yourself about going to college?
Learn how to rest in college, not after college. Learn how to keep the Sabbath now, not later. Also, your intramural ultimate frisbee team is going to lose the championship game, so don’t feel guilty about accidentally sleeping through it.
When you’re not teaching or researching, what do you like to do?
My husband and I love to read, travel, and spend time with people. Personally, I find great joy in going to Aldi. I also love a good thrift store—which, thankfully, there are many in the Wheaton area.
Read more about Wheaton College’s Communication program here.