On January 29, 2010, Professor John Wiemann, retired Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement and Professor of the Department of Communication received the Innovator of the Year Award from the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce. The award is given annually to individuals who have “made a significant innovative contribution to positively impacting our world” (according to the Chamber of Commerce’s web site). In years past recipients have included Nobel laureates, university chancellors, inventors, architects, and researchers. Dr. Wiemann joined UCSB in 1977, and was co-founder of the Department of Communication in 1985. His research interests include Interpersonal Communication, Communicative Competence, Intercultural Communication, and Dynamics of Interpersonal Relationships. He remains active in the International Communication and National Communication Associations. He is also past recipient of a Fulbright-Hays Research Scholar Award and an Alpha Chi Omega UCSB Outstanding Professor Award. He is also a W.K. Kellogg Foundation National Fellow. As Vice Chancellor, Institutional Advancement he oversaw programs to achieve broad levels of support for the university. Dr. Wiemann officially retired from UCSB in 2009, but retains close ties with Department.