SEMO professor's son will speak in lecture series

By Andrew Tyahla ~ The Arrow

Dr. Joseph Low Jr. was one of the most well-known professors to have taught at Southeast Missouri State University.

He taught in the Department of Speech Communication from 1962 to 1998, where he was beloved by students and co-workers. Even after he retired, Low continued to actively support and promote the university.

"I knew Joe for 40 years," said Dr. Tom Harte, retired professor of speech communication at Southeast, host of Caffé Concerto at KRCU and Southeast Missourian columnist. "He was always involved in supporting athletics and homecoming. He was a booster who would always promote the university in any way he could."

Low earned his Ph.D. at age 27 and spent his entire teaching career at Southeast. During his time at the university, Low served as a debate coach, assistant director of forensics and a graduate studies adviser. He also developed and taught classes in public speaking, interpersonal communication, managerial communication and group discussion.

In retirement, Low was active in the Rotary Club and was actively involved in fundraising for Saint Francis Medical Center. He and Harte also were the co-founders of My Daddy's Cheesecake.

Low died of complications of Parkinson's disease Jan. 10, 2007. He continues to be honored through a lecture series named for him that is put on by the Department of Speech Communication and made possible by an endowment from Mildred Low, his mother.

Each year, a different scholar comes to Southeast to discuss his or her research on communication and how it benefits the general public. This year's speaker will be Joseph Low III, Joseph Low Jr.'s son. He will give his lecture at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Glenn Auditorium in Dempster Hall.

Joseph Low III has worked in strategic marketing for more than 20 years while focusing on business development in Latin America. He lived in Brazil for four years, during which time he co-founded Nokia's operations in the country. According to a news release from Southeast, he is considered one of the pioneers of Brazil's early wireless growth. Low is a commercial director with SFE in Action in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

During his lecture, Low will talk about his book "They Don't Speak English in Brazil," which he cowrote with his wife, Claudia Low. In the book, they discuss life, management and tasks for effectively doing business in Brazil.

"Particularly in today's economy," Low said during a phone interview, "I truly think one needs to be able to adapt and adapt quickly to a changing economic environment. Brazilians, generally, are quick learners and extremely industrious."

During the lecture, Low also will touch on the effect his father had on the community of Cape Girardeau.

"Dad was all in when it came to his involvement with students and student organizations," Low said. "I think he left his mark vicariously through all the students he influenced while a professor at Southeast."

Joseph Low Jr. was known to be supportive and caring of his students. His co-workers also strove to live up to his example.

"Joe was a man who would continue to leave an impact on students even after they left Southeast," Harte said. "The fact that the Low Lecture is still being held today shows that it does justice to his legacy."

While Low's son did not attend Southeast, the university was a major part of his life while growing up in Cape Girardeau. When he came home for breaks from his studies at the University of Kansas, his father's former and current students would frequently approach him.

According to Low, they had very high praise for his father.

"Dad truly loved Southeast Missouri State and fundamentally dedicated his entire professional life to the institution," Low said.

Pertinent address:

1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO