Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Communication Arts John Trumbull Auston (June 8,1916-) was born in Pueblo, Colorado. He received his early education in the Colorado public schools in Denver. Auston attended the University of Denver, where he earned a B.A. degree in speech and social science in 1939, an M.A. degree in general speech in 1940, and a Ph.D. degree in speech in 1950. In 1950-51, he did postdoctoral study in speech pathology and voice science at the University of Michigan. He married Isabel Wyrick in 1945 in Columbus, Georgia. During the 1940-42 academic years, Auston served as instructor of speech at the University of Minnesota. He later served as assistant professor of speech at Marshall University from 1946 to 1947. From 1947 to 1950, he was assistant professor of speech at Purdue University. He served as associate professor of speech pathology and audiology from 1951 until 1959. From 1959 to 1962, Auston served the University of Denver as director of advanced studies in speech. He was associate professor of speech at the University of Akron from 1962 to 1968. Auston began his career with Appalachian State University as professor of communication arts in 1968. While at Appalachian State, he was a member of Trainers of Teacher Trainers Fellowship (1971-72) and the graduate council (1974-78). Dr. Auston was a gifted instructor in the area of speech communications. He coached the national debate tournament qualifiers of Purdue University (1947-49) and of the University of Denver (1962). In 1962, he coached the national oratorical champion of the University of Denver, and he directed twelve doctoral dissertations at the University of Denver from 1959-62. He served as chair of the National Speech Tournament at the University of Akron in 1964. Auston served numerous organizations: Tau Kappa Alpha, national vice president, 1962-64; Colorado Speech Association, president, 1962; Ohio Speech Association, president, 1966; Carolinas Speech Communication Association, president, 1974; Northern Ohio Forensic Conference, president, 1962-68; and the Colorado Language Arts Association, president, 1962. Among Dr. Auston's awards and honors are National Debate Tournament co-champions, University of Southern California, 1938; Outstanding Speaker Award, University of Denver, 1938 and 1939; Who's Who in the Southwest and Southeast; Director of American Scholars; and Who's Who in Education. Auston has had articles published in the following academic periodicals: Journal of Communications, Quarterly Journal of Speech, Speech Monographs, Speech Teacher, Educational and Psychological Measurement, Philosophy of Science, Journal of Educational Research, Michigan Education Journal, Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, Western Speech Journal, and North Carolina Journal of Speech and Drama. Dr. Auston retired from Appalachian State University in 1986. Sources: Appalachian State University files. -Patti Levine-Brown
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