VOL. 29, NO. 2 - SPRING 2015
Southern Communicator
A PUBLICATION OF THE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND COMMUNICATION
Students, Locals Experience Social Media Workshop By aveRy mcKinney & DR. GReG RUmsey
Fourteen students and staff attended a fi ve-day workshop, Social Media for Professionals, presented for the fi rst time May 11-15 by the School of Journalism and Communication. The three-hour sessions included social media strategy, improving audience engagement with Facebook, utilizing Twitter, launching a corporate blog and assessing social media results. Kevin Trowbridge, public relations professor at Belmont University in Nashville, presented Monday’s session on planning a social media strategy. “Content is king,” he said. Many speakers urged organizations using social media to offer people relevant content more than direct product pitches. Followers want to see practical items such as recipes, top 10 lists and how-to information. Gary Shockley, Village Market manager, said the class “gave us information on the social media phenomenon and how to use it for business.” Some presenters emphasized the importance of including images in social media postings. “Always think visual,” said Kayla Sullivan, digital media coordinator at Blood Assurance in Chattanooga. Sullivan’s Facebook presentation included a hands-on as-
Inside:
signment creating simple graphics with free software such as Canva and PicMonkey. Participants visited NewsChannel 9 in Chattanooga to learn about Twitter from Dan Lehr, interactive content producer. Lehr showed a reporter livestreaming using Periscope on his smart phone from Cabela’s store opening in Ft. Oglethorpe. Kendra Stanton-Lee, journalism professor at Southern, discussed corporate blogging. She looked at a local business responding to a customer complaint and vowing to improve service in the future. The fi nal session looked at measuring social media with Eric Wilbanks, chief digital strategist with the Alderman Group in Cleveland, Tenn.
“Without measuring, you are not in social media marketing,” said Wilbanks as he demonstrated how to use Facebook Insights and other tools to track views, reach, and engagement. Attendee Teri Reutebuch, offi ce manager for Campus Ministries, said the workshop provided “an opportunity to learn how to better utilize social media to promote campus ministries.” The idea for the workshop, organized by Professor Lorraine Ball with help from Professor Pam Harris, stemmed from student feedback in Ball’s capstone class, Portfolio and Career. Dr. Linda Crumley, dean, said it is very likely that a similar workshop will be held in future years.
Kayla Sullivan from Blood Assurance presents on business use of Facebook. Photo by Stephen Ruf.
Dan Lehr at NewsChannel 9 talks about how to maximize Twitter. Photo by Jessica Anzai.
“Dean’s Beans” Creates Conversation
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Student Work: Intro to Photography
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Students Present Papers at SSCA Meet in Tampa By Janice Cosme The 85th annual Southern States Communication Association held its convention in Tampa, Fla. April 8-12. Six students presented research papers that were accepted into the 25th Annual Clevenger Undergraduate Honors Conference within the convention. The honors conference theme this year was “Communication as an Art and Craft.” More than 30 universities in the southern states region participated in the conference, and from them students submitted 110 research entries. Eighteen panel discussions during the conference featured the best of these papers. The Clevenger Undergraduate Honors Conference enables students to share ideas, engage with the future generation of communication researchers, and enjoy the energy and new insights of undergraduate and graduate scholars. “I appreciated the opportunity to see other participants from different undergraduate programs so passionate about their topics and wanting to further their research,” said Alisa Luby, senior graphic design major.
From left to right: Dr. Linda Crumley, Janice Cosme, Jessica Anzai, Alisa Luby, Veronica Garcia, Chris Janetzko, and Professor Tara Hargrove attended the Undergraduate Conference breakfast, where students received awards for participation in the conference. Photo contributed by Janice Cosme.
“I’ve never seen so many people passionate about research in one place,” Jessica Anzai, senior public relations major, said. “It was great to meet other communication students and professionals and to see Tampa for the first time.” Next year the convention will be held in Austin, Texas. Janice Cosme is a senior public relations major.
Chris Janetzko and Jessica Anzai from Southern and Ti’Ana Marshall from Texas A&M listen to reactions on their papers. Photo contributed by Janice Cosme.
“Dean’s Beans” Creates Conversation Over Lunch By Eloise Ravell
Once a month Linda Crumley, dean of the School of Journalism and Communication, can be found eating lunch and conversing with students in her department. “Dean’s Beans” started as a way to open the channels of communication between Crumley and students. “I grew up with beans as my family’s comfort food,” Crumley said. “I wanted a chance to share conversation over something warm, filling, and healthy that I would actually have time
to cook.” Many of the ideas that students talk about during Dean’s Beans are be- Dr. Crumley, center, speaks with Kendall Rittenour, senior media production major, and Cassie Matchim, junior journalism major, during March’s Dean’s Beans. ing implemented. Crumley makes Photo by Eloise Ravell. sure to focus the conversations on how the students think terested and willing to come and talk the department could improve their about it,” Crumley said. “It’s a privilege to be their dean.” academic experience. “I’m just so blessed that students care about the department and are in- Eloise Ravell is a senior journalism major.
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Fider Accepts “Aspiring Professional” Award By JUlia Bonney
Maurice Fider, who graduated with a public relations degree in December 2014, was awarded the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Aspiring Professional Award by the PRSA Lookout chapter last fall. Fider was president of Southern’s PRSSA chapter from 2013 to 2014. During this time, he planned and co-chaired a committee for a one-day conference titled “Public Relations: The Chattanooga Way” in March 2014. Fider was able to put this idea into motion with the help of Lee University’s chapter. “Our purpose was to strengthen the relationship between both chapters, as well as with the local professionals of PRSA,” Fider said. Fider said he is especially thankful to Lorraine Ball, associate profes-
sor and faculty sponsor of the PRSSA chapter, for guiding him throughout his time at Southern. “Her encouragement and support pushed me to want more for our chapter,” Fider said. Since graduating, Fider has been busy putting his PR skills to work through freelancing and working on projects such as a startup company
projects such as a start-up company called MyManny that connects families with male sitters, coaches, and tutors. Fider recently accepted the position of assistant chaplain at Southern for the 2015-2016 school year. The oneyear position began in May. Julia Bonney is a junior mass communication/ writing-editing major.
Maurice accepts the “Aspiring Professional” award with Ronelle Sellers, Pat Holloway and Tina Paul, who are all on the board of directors for the PRSA Lookout chapter. Photo contributed by Maurice Fider.
Media Summit in Nashville Draws Southern Students By Jessica anZai Five Southern Accent journalists attended the Tennessee Collegiate Media Summit on February 5 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Nashville. The Tennessee Press Association Foundation (TPAF) held the event. In addition to two keynote speakers, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam addressed the audience about the gas tax proposal, healthcare, and future education. “I appreciate the fact that he was able to talk to us for a short time,” Julia Bonney, junior mass communication major, said. “The governor seemed to have a personal interest in journalism.” During the afternoon sessions, senior English and journalism major Myron Madden competed with other students and the main speaker, Kevin Slimp, in an Associated Press column writing competition. Each person had three minutes to
write a story starting with the words “It all started when…” Madden said, “At fi rst I was nervous, because I was up against all of these students from prestigious schools. I thought they were going to crush me. But at the same time, it was thrilling to write alongside a wellknown columnist.” Madden ended up winning the competition. “It made me feel more comfortable, if this is what I’m up against,”
Madden said. “I think it showed that Southern students could actually throw their ‘hat in the ring’ with students from other universities.” Emmylou Drusky, Southern Accent editor-in-chief and junior journalism major, coordinated the trip. “I fi gured this would be a great way to network with others and bring our team together,” Drusky said. Jessica Anzai is a senior public relations major.
Gov. Bill Haslam is pictured here at the Tennessee Collegiate Media Summit with journalism students from the state of Tennessee. Photo courtesy of Governor Haslam’s offi ce.
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Student Work: Intro to Photography
Jonathan Vega
Introduction to Photography is an essential class when learning photography because it gives photographers a chance to see a new perspective of the world through the lens of a fi lm camera. The class teaches students how to have a better eye for photographs and how to develop their fi lm and prints in the darkroom, while teaching about the history of photography and the equipment students can use. Students get experience using fi lm cameras and developing their photos in the darkroom with chemicals. The use of fi lm cameras for the class forces the photographer to carefully plan out each shot and learn how to use a camera manually. This class can be enjoyed by all majors and is highly recommended for students who have an interest in cameras. Here are some examples of students’ work throughout the school year. –Natalie Thomas, senior photography major
Shane Fredericks
Myles Ketelsen
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Jacklyn Ruth
“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” - Ansel Adams
Naomi Schumacher
Michalek Takes Home Addy Award for Illustration
Shana Michalek, senior public relations major, won “Best in Show” among student submissions at the American Advertising Federation Chattanooga Chapter’s ADDY awards. She submitted this VW illustration (left). Photos contributed by Shana Michalek.
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May
Graduates
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SOUTHERN MEMORIES AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Name: Lexi Alvidrez
Name: Moriah Arterberry
Major: Public Relations (B.S.)
Major: Public Relations (B.S.)
Hometown: Visalia, California
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
Name: Jefferson Clark
Name: Jordan Correces
Major: Public Relations (B.S.) Minor: Photography
Major: Mass Comm - Photography (B.S.)
Hometown: Bartlett, Nebraska
Hometown: Hagerstown, Maryland
Name: Janice Cosme
Name: Chris Janetzko
Major: Public Relations (B.S.)
Major: Mass Comm Advertising (B.S.) Minor: Photography
Hometown: Manassas, Virgina
Hometown: Morganton, North Carolina
Name: Benjamin Lowery
Name: Shana Michalek
Major: Mass Comm Media Production (B.S.) Minor: Advertising
Major: Public Relations (B.S.)
Hometown: Augusta, Georgia
Hometown: Hilham, Tennessee
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Name: Karly Pratt
Name: Kendall Rittenour
Major: Communication Studies (B.A.)
Major: Mass Comm - Media Production (B.S.)
Hometown: Etowah, North Carolina
Hometown: Mead, Washington
Name: Georgia Standish
Name: Natalie Thomas
Major: Journalism - Broadcasting (B.A.)
Major: Mass Comm - Photography (B.S.)
Hometown: Yucaipa, California
Hometown: Coral Gables, Florida
Name: Jason Upson Major: Mass Comm - Media Production (B.S.) Hometown: Sanbornville, New Hampshire
AlumniUpdates Amy Vitrano Walters, ’13, worked for a year at True North Custom as a graphic designer after interning with them her last college semester. She recently accepted a position as multimedia specialist and graphic designer in the marketing/communications department at Girls Preparatory School. Alongside full-time work, she keeps up with freelance clientele shooting photos and video as well as designing websites and various print needs for customers. She married Southern alumnus Mark Walters (B.S. Business/ Marketing) in September 2014 at the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga. She and Mark live in downtown Chattanooga and are both loving their careers and post-collegiate years!
Tyler Quiring, ’11, graduated in May with his M.A. degree in communication at the University of Maine. In November, he attended the 100th annual National Communication Association convention in Chicago and presented his original research analyzing the videogame “Journey.” In February, his study on place-making in the videogame “Minecraft” was published in the Journal of Virtual Worlds Research. Quiring used the piece to discuss the potential for videogame worlds to be researched as unique places where social and physical processes create meaning.
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On Returning to Walla Walla in Media Ministry By lynelle ellis I’ve really enjoyed my six years at Southern, and it has been a great privilege to get to know so many talented students. As some know, I will soon be leaving the School of Journalism and Communication to become the Director of the Center for Media Ministry and a professor in the new Master of Arts in Media Ministry program at Walla Walla University in Washington state. I am excited about this new program and feel God is leading me to teach in a program that is at the heart of my interests and passions. It is like God has been preparing me for this all along through my professional experience at Blue Mountain Television and my academic experience as a professor and as a student in graduate studies. I recently passed my comprehensive exams and will soon earn my doctorate in communications through Regent University upon completion of my dissertation titled: “Seventh-day Adventists and the Movies: The Confl ict Between Christianity and Visual Media Over Time.” The new program at Walla Walla University is a fl agship one for the Seventh-day Adventist church and should nicely complement the current undergraduate
programs in religion, theology, fi lm, and media production at the church’s colleges and universities. For more information on the new graduate degree look up: www.wwumediaministry.org. I will really miss everyone in the School of Journalism and Communication. I’ve learned so much from this professional and fun group of colleagues!
Lynelle Ellis waves goodbye during the last convocation of the year after the rest of the faculty finished singing “So Long, Farewell” from “The Sound of Music,” Ellis’ favorite film.
Editor : Avery McKinney
Faculty Advisor : Greg Rumsey
Lorraine Ball David Barasoain Linda Crumley, dean Lynelle Ellis Tara Hargrove Ryan Harrell Pam Harris John Keyes Kendra Stanton Lee Andy Nash Sam Nkana Stephen Ruf Greg Rumsey James Seward Billy Weeks
Faculty
Vol. 29, No.2
southern.edu/journalism
Spring 2015
A publication of the School of Journalism and Communication
Southern Communicator
P.O. Box 370 Collegedale, TN 37315