The Robert J. Kibler Award was presented to Dr. Bill Seiler at the 2016 National Communication Association conference in Philadelphia.

 President of NCA Dr. Christina Beck with Dr. Bill Seiler

The award was created in 1978 to honor Robert J. Kibler. It was first presented in 1979. The award  recognizes those qualities epitomized by Professor Kibler's professional and personal life. These qualities include dedication to excellence, commitment to the profession, concern for others, vision of what could be, acceptance of diversity and forthrightness.