“Follow your passion.”

These were the first words out of Professor Rita Kirk’s mouth. Glancing around the room, one can see how much these words have inspired Kirk’s life. Awards, degrees and letters of achievement are framed all over the walls of her office.

Kirk grew up in Arkansas. Her parents have died, but she keeps an upbeat outlook. She explains that, “they lived good, happy, healthy, full lives.” Kirk keeps close to her heart the memories of her father saying she was “a daddy’s girl and a bit of the tomboy.”

She remembers her father telling her stories of Winston Churchill and the men and women throughout history who have made impacts on our political world. She says this is where her passion for politics and public affairs started.

Throughout high school, Kirk was a part of the debate team and the drama club.

She went to college on a debate scholarship, where she earned a Bachelor’s in arts in speech and political science at the University of Arkansas in 1975, then went on to get her Master’s in arts in communication in 1978.

She finished out her schooling by earning a Doctorate of Philosophy in Communication in 1986 at the University of Missouri.

Kirk reminds everyone to “stand up for your convictions” because they will always be put to the test. While going to school for her Master’s degree one of her professors approached her, saying no women had ever graduated with a 4.0 and doubted she would be the first. This wasn’t the only time someone tried to discourage Kirk because she was a woman.

Proving that professor wrong, along with many others, Kirk began her long-term career as a teacher. She taught high school and really loved what the kids had to offer. Her only complaint was that she didn’t really like the babysitting or “potty patrol.”

Moving from teacher to a college professor seemed to fit Kirk. She is still teaching at Southern Methodist University and loving every moment of it.

When asked about her personal life, Kirk is quick to inform that she is divorced and as she says, “formerly married to my wasband.”

Though divorced Kirk’s greatest achievement came from that relationship: her son, Robert.

Kirk explains how proud she is of her son and how excited she is for him to be graduating from high school this year.

With raising her son and being a professor, you would think that all of Kirk’s time would be taken. Yet she takes on other challenges, such as being a strategist for major campaigns for governors, mayors, U.S. Congress, U.S. Senate, and District Attorneys.

Kirk, along with colleague David Slayden, also wrote a book, “Hate Speech,” which provides, “a scholarly, well-done book exploring the circumstances, politics, rhetoric, and nature of hate speech and its institutionalization” (The Midwest Book Review).

Many professors from universities across the country have put this on their recommended list of books to read throughout their courses. Kirk has written many other articles and book chapters that most everyone in the communication field has read.

Along with being a published author, Kirk has also done more than 25 professional speeches and presentations from 1985 to the present.

Kirk is very modest about her achievements, and unless one does some in-depth research, most of her accomplishments would be overlooked.

Not only has Kirk received the Outstanding Teaching Award from the SMU in 2000, but she has also been named Who’s Who in Media and Communication, The World’s Who’s Who of Women, Who’s Who of International Scholars, Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, Who’s Who in American Women, and Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1986.

Knowing what an asset Kirk is to SMU, she received the position of Chairwoman for the department of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs and is still holds the position.

During an interview, Kirk pulls out a worn piece of paper and says that her friend gave it to her a long time ago and she keeps it with her at all times. Kirk says that it has four rules to live by.

The first rule is to be confident in what you do. No matter if you are still in school, are working on your career, or trying to raise a family, she says, always be confident in the things you do.

The second rule is develop interpersonal relationships. Being involved in public affairs, one must be able to connect with the people around them in order to accomplish a goal.

The third rule, which may be the most important, is to have a certain amount of disproportionate pleasure. There need to be things in your life that give you joy in times of tension and stress.

For Kirk, this includes her Bichon, whom she adores, along with gardening, which helps to ease her mind and release the tension from a hard week of work.

Kirk says the last rule is, to know what kinds of activities fill your reservoir, and to know when your reservoir is not full enough or when it is too full. Kirk said that because she is always taking on so many tasks at once, it is sometimes hard to find the time for rule number three.

Future plans for Kirk include a new book she is working on called “Healing Hate,” which is an extension of her prior book “Hate Speech.”

She is also looking forward to becoming more involved in the organizations she is in, namely InterAmericas Council, for which she is vice president of Finance, and The American Communication Association, for which she is an executive.

Her colleagues talked about how grateful they were to be able to work with not only a great person with a great heart, but also a great teacher to not just the students but faculty and staff as well.

Whenever asked about her career and any advice she would give, Kirk never fails to mention to stay on track, be inspired, and give 100 percent to every task you attempt.

Kirk also said, “There is a difference between doing your job and doing your job passionately.”

Many can say this, but there is a difference between the people who make this statement and the people who live this statement.

Rita Kirk lives this statement, and one can witness it everyday of her life as she takes on new challenges and only looks toward her future goals with a smile on her face and determination in her mind.