COMM-unity (April 2016)

COMM-unity

The official newsletter of the OtterbeinCOMM-unity University Communication Department

Issue Number 7

Lights, Camera, Democracy Now! fly, and trying to coordinate between Journalism and media communiso many remote locations to bring cation students at Otterbein.tv went international in February, delivering a it all together was an overwhelming but great experience.” Senior Alicia live broadcast of Amy Goodman and her award-winning program, Democ- Lawson ran the teleprompter.

“It was racy Now. The probably show airs on one of my more than 800 favorite public TV and things I’ve radio stations. done during Goodman is my time at an award-winOtterbein,” ning investigasaid tive journalist, Lawson. author and “Being in columnist. the fastStudents paced were linked environto producers ment was in New York such a thrill and Cleveland, and just and handled seeing how all production everything aspects of the Junior Justin Jordan preps Otterbein.tv for a live broadcast to more behind-theshow, earning than 800 TV and radio stations across the world. scenes works on a show like this was strong praise from Goodman. incredible.

Junior Al Williamson was a camera “I was able to listen to the directors operator during the broadcast. from New York give cues to us back in Columbus, and it was interesting just being able to see how quickly “It was probably one of my facan change or how in a vorite things I’ve done during my something second something might go wrong. time at Otterbein...being in the You just need to move on and fix the fast-paced environment was such issue,” Lawson said.

Jeff Demas, Journalism and Media a thrill and just seeing how everything behind-the-scenes works on Communication professor, Steve Rossman, assistant director of Otterbein a show like this was incredible.”

TV and tech operations, and Mark -Alicia Lawson ’16 Pfeiffer, Otterbein TV production coordinator, all pitched in to support the students.

Goodman delivered the Vernon L. “It was a fantastic experience. It Pack Distinguished Lecture the night gave all of the involved students a look into how it is out there in the real before, speaking on the role of independent media in promoting social world,” said Williamson. “The show change, peace and justice. was constantly being changed on the

April 2016

Calendar May 1

May Term Begins

May 25 Final Exams

August 22 Fall Semester Begins

October 10-11

Fall Student/Faculty Break

October 20-22 CBI National Conference

October 21-25

PRSSA National Conference

December 6-9 Final Exams

In this issue • Amy Goodman Visit • D.C. PR Travels • Guest Speakers • Award Winners

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COMM-unity

From the editor’s perspective...

What a year it has been! As I write this, it’s difficult for me to believe that another year has come and gone.

To the graduating class of 2016, thank you for setting the bar high for those who still have work to do here. You have made your mark on the department and we wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors. Know your COMM family will always be here to cheer you on in whatever you do next.

I could not be more proud to be a part of a department that truly is a family.

Sincerely,

Brian Hammel, editor

Sarah Paden shares her story how being passionate about politics led her to work for a presidential campaign.

Campaign representative speaks Sarah Paden, Hillary Clinton for President regional director for central Ohio, spoke to rhetoric students in Nichelle McNabb’s class this semester.

Her visit provided students real insight into the operation of a fullscale presidential campaign and the

importance of how getting involved in politics at a local level can leave a national impact.

Students were impressed by her passion in helping the campaign and her willingness to locate anywhere to achieve positive results.

Debates bring departmental collaboration This past year, members of the Otterbein debate team had the chance to apply their skills in a new way and argue in front of a new audience.

The team participated in a series of debates focused around issues relevant to the Otterbein community. The topics they argued included the current Otterbein mascot, alcohol on campus, and Greek Life, to name a few.

“I know the debaters enjoyed researching the topics and being competitive with each other.”

-Dr. Susan Millsap, professor and debate coach Debate participants were expected to research prior to the debates and build a strong case based on primary and secondary research.

Students from across the department moderated, filmed, participated in and judged debates this past semester.

What started as a search for Otterbein TV programming evolved into cross-departmental collaboration as debate team members were both in front of a live audience as well as live streamed on OtterbeinTV and the radio station, WOBN. “I know the debaters enjoyed researching the topics and being

competitive with each other,” said professor Susan Millsap. “It also gave the radio and television students a chance to work on a live broadcast.”

The debates were well-received by the campus community and plans are developing for them to continue next year.

COMM-unity

3 Top Communication Award Winners Courtney Kilmer Dr. Griss Speech Communication Award Emily Jeffries Verda B. Evans Journalism Award

Students met with PR professionals from the White House, the Pentagon and Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office.

PR students experience Washington Newly-elected PRSSA officers took an experiential-learning trip to the nation’s capital. Kerigan McNamara, Abby Dawson, Brian Hammel and PRSSA adviser Dan Steinberg recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for high-level PR appointments, arranged

by Steinberg.

The group met with White House press secretary Josh Earnest, NBC correspondent Ron Allen, Sen. Sherrod Brown and was given behind-thescenes tours of the Pentagon, Library of Congress and the U.S. Capitol.

Jhas Corbett Robert Spencer, Jr. Broadcasting Award William Sipe Robert Pollock Speech Education Award Jessica Hinkel and Mara Daugherty Forrest & Maude Beery Ketner Speech Prize 1st Place: Mara Daugherty 2nd Place: Jessica Hinkel Howard Russell Speech Prize

New inductees, their families and guests were invited to a celebration after being initiatied into Lambda Pi Eta.

Chapter welcomes new faces The Otterbein University chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association’s honor society, welcomed six new members this year. The 2016-17 class of honoreers includes Jhas Corbitt, Kristina Crawford, Sophia Bonsib, Kristin

Crews, Courtney Kilmer and Kerigan McNamara.

The honor society is led by communication professor Eric Jones. Members must have a major within the communication department as well as strong scholastic achievement.

1st Place: Mara Daugherty 2nd Place: Paulina Bacigalupo James Cox Speech/Drama Award

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COMM-unity

Tim and Troy Neptune passionately pursue their dreams

by Tabatha Piper ’15 Students constantly evolve due to life experiences. Tim and Troy Neptune are no exception. The brothers are not the same young men that first stepped off their family cattle farm in New Concord, Ohio, and onto Otterbein’s campus in fall 2013.

Now, with nearly three years of university instruction and experiences under their belts, they are far more mature, travelling the world, making the most of their Otterbein careers while passionately pursuing their dreams.

“Everyone has an opportunity,” says Tim. “It comes down to if they want to pursue it.”

Tim is taking a traditional path toward his studies. He is majoring in journalism and media communication while minoring in creative writing.

Tim found his passion by interning with Columbus Radio Group and working in-studio at Otterbein’s radio and television stations. By being deeply involved with his major, Tim has been able to attend broadcasting conferences in Seattle and Minneapolis. While attending a national conference in Minneapolis, Tim was able to lead a session educating students on promoting local music.

“By getting involved with student media here at Otterbein, I have been

Tim and Troy pursue their passions with the help of the communication, art, science and english departments.

able to grow as a professional in my field,” said Tim. Meanwhile, Troy is majoring in both Zoo and Conservation Science and Art. His focus is on Herpetology---a branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians and reptiles. His added studio concentration in drawing makes him one-of-a kind.

“I learn so much from my professors in the small-classroom

setting,” said Tim. “We are the first generation to go to college from our family. We are both paying for our education on our own. I had to learn how to take out loans and be knowledgeable in that sense.”

“Students like us can’t afford a college like Otterbein,” Troy says.

“But thanks to donors, professors and our family, we are able to make it happen.”

COMM Analytics • 90 students attended the 2016 PaRtners Conference hosted by Otterbein University PRSSA • 302 total views were gained during on-campus debates this year • 27 graduating COMM seniors will walk across the stage at commencement

Editor: Brian Hammel brian.hammel@otterbein.edu Adviser: Dan Steinberg dsteinberg@otterbein.edu Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/OtterbeinCommunicationDepartment Follow us on Twitter: @OtterbeinCOMM Read our blog: otterbeincommdept.wordpress.com