VOL. 28, NO. 1 - FALL 2013
Southern Communicator
A Publication of the School of Journalism and Communication
Students inducted into Lambda Pi Eta honor society By Annalyse Hasty
Eleven juniors and seniors from the School of Journalism and Communication were inducted into the communication honors society Lambda Pi Eta, Kappa Psi chapter at the Goliath Wall on Wednesday, October 30. After the ceremony Dr. Megan Moe, Communication professor from Lee University, spoke while students had refreshments. Whitney Mitchell, senior intercultural communications and Spanish major, the student president of Lambda Pi Eta, said that being a part of the honor society has many advantages. “Lambda Pi Eta ... is really exclusive, so being able to say that I was invited to join this honor society is a big deal,” Mitchell said. “It also helps people who are interested in going into graduate school. It gives them a foot hold into that arena and is good for students who are interested in doing research.” To be inducted into the society students must have completed 60 hours of general education requirements with a 3.0 GPA and 12 hours of their major classes with a 3.25 GPA. They must also be in the upper 35 percent of their graduating class. Logan Foll, senior mass communication/photography major, was inducted into the honors society and hopes that Lambda Pi Eta will bring him good fortune in the
Inside:
Participants at the induction ceremony. Professor Tara Hargrove (left), Nathan Sturgess, Whitney Mitchell, David Rumsey, Karly Pratt, Ashley Noonan, Ashley Gohl, Logan Foll, Paige Burnett, Courtney Beckwith, Anna Bartlett (right). Photo by Natalie Thomas
future. “I am hoping that Lambda Pi Eta will impress future employers and look good on a resume,” Foll said. Lambda Pi Eta, abbreviated LPH, symbolizes what Aristotle described as the three modes of persuasion. Lambda is for logos or logic, Pi is for pathos which relates to emotion, and Eta is for ethos or character credibility and ethics. Initiated by students of the Department of Communication at the University of Arkansas, LPH was then endorsed by fac-
David Carroll visits the SJ&C
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ulty and founder Dr. Stephen A. Smith in 1985. In 1994 the LPH was established as official national communication honor society for undergraduates and in 1996 joined the Association of College Honor Societies. Today there are 344 active chapters worldwide. Other students inducted into the society at the ceremony include: Courtney Beckwith, Paige Burnett, Jefferson Clark, Logan Foll, Kevin Freeman, Ashley Gohl, Ryan Haas, Avery McKinney, Ashley Noonan, Karly Pratt, and David Rumsey.
Convention in Salt Lake City
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New HD video server improves SAU News production By Elizabeth Camps
A new Autocue high definition (HD) video server was purchased and installed in the School of Journalism and Communication the summer of 2013. Located in the equipment rack inside the control room of the SJ&C studio, the server is networked. This allows students to upload any content to the server from any workstation inside the department The server is currently being used primarily for the weekly SAU News production. The newscast is created by students in the TV News and Performance class. Throughout the week, students can upload news packages and video clips used in the newscast. Each newscast covers campus events, trending topics, and local
and school news. Smirna Paz, junior mass communications media production major, is a part of the class and participates in creating and hosting the weekly newscast. Paz says the quality of the newscast has been enhanced with the new server. “This is our first year using [it] and so far the new team loves the quality it brings to the show,” said Paz. The server also being used for the TV Studio Production class, is open for use by students for special projects. The class introduces students to the basics of producing video programs through individual and group projects done in the school’s studio in Brock Hall.
Stephen Ruf, professor in the School of Journalism and Communication, says new HD server is replacing the old standard definition (SD) server. “All our SAU news reports are shot with high definition cameras,” said Mr. Ruf. “So the Autocue allows us to produce our newscast and retain the quality of our HD video without downgrading the quality to SD, like we used to.” Additionally, Ruf says the server can play out two video clips simultaneously during a live production in the studio. This allows the director to flawlessly switch from one source to another.
SJ&C photographers spotlighted with awards By Ashley Gohl
SJ&C student Kendell Rittenour became the first place winner of the Outdoor Photographer’s “Focus On Nature” contest by sending in his shot of a runoff creek. He received $1,000 and a $500 gift card for Ilford paper products. When asked how he was able to capture this beautiful shot, Ritternour said, “I was really lucky to have everything come together for this image. Getting up at 4 a.m. to shoot sunrises eventually pays off. Moraine Lake is a popular lake for tourism.” Instead of shooting a typical view of the lake, he decided to balance on some rocks to use a runoff creek for the foreground. “One technique I use to create dynamic images is to boost individual primary colors like red, green, and blue. It helps makes a vibrant photo,” said Rittenour. Mean while, a seasoned professional photographer from on the SJ&C faculty. Billy Weeks entered his work into the 25th Annual Gordon Park’s International Photography Contest. His photo, “The Doll,” taken in Guaimaca, Honduras, won first place. Weeks said that he is very humbled to have won the Gordon Parks International Photo award. “This is my second time winning the event, and this year there was at least one Pulitzer Prize finalist in this competition,” said Weeks.
Left: The photo entered in the Focus on Nature Contest. Photo by Kendell Rittenour. Middle: Photo of Kendell Rittenour. Photo by Brandon Rittenour. Right: Photo by Kendell Rittenour.
Comm Club’s annual CNN trip ends with a twist The SJ&C’s annual trip to Atlanta to visit the CNN headquarters November 17 ended this year with a delicious twist, a trip to the World of Coca-Cola.
Students touring in Atlanta. (Left Photo). Tamika James (left), Debbie Hall, Jennifer Reynolds, Dustin Johnson, Ben Lowery, Collin Petty, Arthur Harper (right). (Right Photo) Jennefier Reynolds (left), Debbie Hall, Tamika Jones (right). Photo by Kendra Stanton Lee.
WRCB-TV co-anchor David Carroll shares his story By Greg Rumsey & Kendra Stanton Lee A leading Chattanooga news anchor shared highlights of his own journey into broadcasting and offered professional pointers at the September 12 convocation of the School of Journalism and Communication. “Find a career that you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” said David Carroll, co-anchor of the 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. local newscast on NBC affiliate WRCB-TV, Channel 3. With more than 50 students and faculty packed into Brock 1010, the veteran broadcast journalist told personal stories, showed historic pictures and offered timely career advice. Carroll had hopeful words about the job market in television news. Five years ago his station, like many others, was laying people off. Now, he said, they are growing and adding jobs, especially for people who can create web content and work with social media. Journalists are
still very much in demand, he said, but to- and driving from his home in Alabama day they must be equipped with multiple to Chattanooga to apply for a job as an skills. announcer at WFLI, assuming he was a Citing his own experience getting shoo-in. The program director, after lisstarted in radio, he emphasized the impor- tening to his audition tape, proceeded to tance of being humble and learning from critique it severely. the pros. Raised in a blue collar town in [CONTINUED ON PAGE 5] Alabama, Carroll grew up admiring Bob Barker, the late host of “The Price is Right,” for his pristine appearance— a stark contrast to the hard laborers who visited Carroll’s family’s general store everyday. Carroll aspired to be a man who gave away prizes and received hugs from contestants for a living. In his teen years, Carroll’s career aspirations shifted to radio. He recalled skip- Public relations major Alyssia Dewey poses with David Carroll for ping school one day at age 16 Lorraine Ball. Photo by Stephen Ruf
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Students shine at SDA convention in Salt Lake City
By Lindsey Mitchell
The Society of Adventist Communicators held their annual convention this year in Salt Lake City, Utah from October 24-26. The SAC is an organization that encourages the socialization and collaboration of Seventhday Adventist communication professionals through professional workshops, networking opportunities and cultural tours of the city. Five Southern students attended along with staff members from outside the SJ&C. While the convention is focused on Adventist communication professionals, there were also numerous opportunities for the attending students to get involved. “I was able to make connections with Adventist communicators that work in my specific field of interest,” said junior mass communication and media production ma- Students David Rumsey, Rebecca Anderson, Lindsey Mitchell, Suzanne Ocsai, and Kendall Rittenour attend the Society of Adventist Communicators in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo by Steven Foster jor Kendall Rittenour. Throughout the weekend, various indi- of the Year, which identifies a student who was the premier of the film, the Adventists 2. viduals and organizations were recognized has demonstrated excellence in the classroom Filmmaker Martin Doblmeier, creator of the for excellence in the field of communica- and on-the-job. Anderson, who graduates Adventists, a film that focused on the backtion. Southern took home several awards, this December, maintained a high academic ground and health habits of the Seventhincluding the “Best in Class” awards for record throughout her time at Southern and day Adventists, attended the convention the design of Southern’s “Be A Part” web- was selected for competitive internships at to premier and discuss his new film, the site and a student-produced video project Mount Pisgah Academy, McKee Foods, and Adventists 2. This film focuses on the interabout fly-fishing and the Sabbath. Professor the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. national Adventist health organizations that Kendra Stanton-Lee was also recognized “The professors in the SJ&C depart- are combatting serious health challenges for her blog, kendraspondence.com, and se- ment have really helped me prepare for what around the world. Doblmeier, who is not nior communications studies major, David is to come after graduation,” Anderson said. Adventist but has made numerous faithRumsey, was selected to serve on the SAC “They have given me the confidence to apply based films, received a standing ovation after board of directors to represent the student for my dream jobs and encouraged and sup- the premiere. He also revealed that a third voice as next year’s convention is planned. ported my internships.” film, the Adventists 3, which will focus on the Rebecca Anderson, senior public rela Salt Lake City proved to be a beneficial Adventist education system, is in the works. tions major, was recognized as SAC Student setting for the convention because of colSuzanne Ocsai, senior art major, has inlaboration with the Church of Jesus Christ of terned in the communications office at the the Latter-Day Saints. LDS Church leaders North American Division for the last two and faculty members from Brigham Young summers. She worked closely with memUniversity led out in several of the breakout bers of the SAC board in planning the 2013 sessions that covered topics like the Mormon convention and helped promote the event at media campaign “I’m A Mormon,” positive Adventist colleges and universities during marketing methods and new media technol- the school year. “I think the convention is ogy methods. a great place for church entities to network “The breakout sessions provided practi- and see what everyone is doing and to figure cal information and training for public rela- out how they can work together,” Oscai said. tions, media production, and advertising,” The Society of Adventist said Rittenour. Tours of Tabernacle Square Communicators is currently planning the and LDS church facilities were also incorpo- 2014 convention in Jacksonville, Florida. For rated into the convention weekend. more information about the SAC, go online Rebecca Anderson receiving the SAC Student of the Year One of the highlights of the weekend to www.adventistcommunicator.org. award flanked by George Johnson and Kimberly Luste Maran.
SJ&C Internship Opportunists Arleny Popoteur, senior Public Relations
Anna Bartlett, senior Mass Comm-Writing/Editing
Where did you intern? Cobblestone Rue; a couture portrait studio
Where did you intern? Parkridge Medical Center Marketing Intern
What did you do? I helped out with public relations and marketing. I worked on some marketing tools (website, brochures, business cards), contacted magazines for real wedding submissions, newsletter, and a couple times assisted with photo shoots.
What did you do? Updated hospital media (re-wrote, revamped brochures and flyers). Wrote the employee spotlight section of the employee newsletter. Created a pictorial directory of all the hospital volunteers. Assisted with planning, preparing, setting up, and executing several marketing events.
Did you learn anything about yourself ? The most important thing I learned was that there’s nothing limiting me from reaching my BIG dreams. Life is about finding your niche and having no fear to shine. Did you put your knowledge to good use? Yes, I am definitely more inspired, motivated, and determined to never give up. After interning at Cobblestone Rue, I believe I am not scared to try new things and put myself out there. My brain keeps working challenging myself to what is next and how I can achieve it.
Marketing
Department,
Did you learn anything about yourself ? The most important thing I learned about myself is I should slow down and enjoy the journey of executing tasks, instead of just focusing on generating output. Did you put your knowledge to good use? I utilized many of the things I’ve learned at Southern, predominately interviewing, writing, editing, and design skills. I came into the experience fully prepared to complete the tasks they gave me.
[CONTINUED FROM DAVID CARROLL, PAGE 3]
He invited him to come and apply again later. Carroll followed his advice and was hired a year later. “Ask someone who is good at it to tell you how you can improve,” Carroll told his audience. From his preschool years he was bred on children’s programs such as “Romper Room,” when Miss Marcia was the host. She would spin her magic mirror and look into it, calling the names of children in the viewing audience. When Carroll was about 30 years old, he finally met Miss
Marcia at a media event in the mall, and he admitted, “When I was four, I thought you could see me.” “Oh, I could!” Miss Marcia replied. Carroll, who published a book in 2011 called Chattanooga Radio and Television, chronicling the history of broadcasting in Chattanooga, played radio clips from 1940 during his convocation appearance. He also showed pictures dating to 1954 “in glorious black and white” of WDEF-TV, the first television station in Chattanooga. His talk included salutes to
Luther Masingill and Mort Lloyd, prominent names in radio and television in the Scenic City. Carroll concluded with an encouragement to students: There will always be a place for the skilled journalist. “Somebody has to be trusted to separate fact from rumor,” he said. Departmental convocations are held four times each school year, near the beginning and the close of each semester.
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December
Graduates
photos courtesy of southern memories
Name: Rebecca Dawn Anderson
Name: Courtney Alexandra Beckwith
Major: Public Relations
Major: Mass Comm Photography
Hometown: Candler, NC
Hometown: Pittsboro, NC
Name: Emily Dawn Hammond
Name: Annalyse Hasty
Major: Graphic Design Print & Advertising
Major: Mass Comm Writing/Editing
Hometown: Collegedale, TN
Hometown: Ranger, GA
Name: Anthony Cole Taylor
Name: Amy I Vitrano
Major: Mass Comm Media Production
Major: Mass Comm Media Production
Hometown: Mansield, TX
Hometown: Ooltewah, TN
Alumni
Updates
Lauren Brooks, ‘12, is an Enrollment Counselor for Southern Adventist University. Name: Whitney Ann Mitchell
Name: Corrine Rachelle Morris
Major: Comm Studies Intercultural & Spanish
Major: Art & Photography
Hometown: Cleveland, TN
Hometown: Collegedale, TN
Name: Danielle Nicole Quailey
Name: Jashlene Rey
Major: Mass Comm Writing/Editing
Major: Mass Comm Advertising
Hometown: Springfield Gardens, NY
Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
Name: Alison Quiring
Kalie (Conrad) Kelch, ‘00, is the author of the 2014 junior/earliteen devotional Grab Your Boarding Pass. She and her husband, Randy (‘00), live in Calhoun, Georgia, with their two children, Katelyn adn Ryan. Kalie is a book editor for TEACH Services, as Adventist publishing company, and is very involved in youth ministries at the Georgia-Cumberland Academy Church. Deanna Moore, ‘12, is the Guest Visit Coordinator for Enrollment Services at Southern Adventist University.
Stacy Spaulding, ‘96, has been promoted to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure at Towson University. She graduated with a Ph.D. in Media Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2005. Prior to her appointment at Towson University in 2007, she spent nine years teaching journalism at Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, Md. She lives in downtown Baltimore and in December, 2012, married Rayned Wiles. Dr. Spaulding serves on the board of the Friends of the H.L. Mencken House, a group working to restore the lifelong home of the city’s most famous journalist. Natalia Lopez-Thismon, ‘08, is the Communication Specialist at ADRA International in Silver Spring, MD.
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Publisher hosts the last convocation of 2013 Celeste Ryan Blyden, assistant to the president for communication in the Columbia Union Conference, spoke at the SJ&C convocation December 12. Blyden, who recently published a book titled Crisis Boot Camp, talked about the need for skilled story tellers in church communication work. She also visited the public relations campaign class during her visit to Southern, discussing crisis communication cases.
Stephen Ruf (left) contributed pages to the book, Crisis Boot Camp for Celeste Ryan Blyden (right). Photo by Logan Foll
Kara Holland, Celesete Ryan Blydan, and Natalie Gomez enjoying the SJ&C Christmas Party. Photo by Stephen Ruf
Faculty Advisor : Greg Rumsey
Editor : Ashley Gohl
Lorraine Ball David Barasoain Linda Crumley Lynelle Ellis Tara Hargrove Ryan Harrell Pam Harris John Keyes Kendra Stanton Lee Andy Nash Sam Nkana Stephen Ruf Greg Rumsey, dean James Seward Billy Weeks
Faculty Vol. 28, No.1
southern.edu/journalism
Fall 2013
A publication of the School of Journalism and Communication
Southern Communicator
School of Journalism and Communication Southern Adventist University P.O. Box 370 Collegedale, TN 37315