The Independent Newspaper Serving Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s Volume 45: Issue 9 X
friday, September Friday, september 2, 2011
Ndsmcobserver.com
Notre Dame embraces social media use USA Today ranks University No. 1 in social media realm
Students use Twitter, Facebook to connect with current events
By SARA FELSENSTEIN
By MEGAN DOYLE
Associate News Editor
News Editor
Notre Dame now knows how to speak “hashtag.” Todd Woodward, associate vice president for marketing communications, said Notre Dame’s voice is now making noise in the realm of social media. “Social media has allowed us to be able to connect directly with the world,” Woodward said. Outlets like Twitter and Facebook help people learn Notre Dame is more than college football, Woodward said. “It’s about people looking at us and understanding us differently, more than just a conservative, Catholic, Midwest university, but [one that is] doing incredible work with incredible students,” he said. In June, Notre Dame ranked No. 1 on a list of 20 colleges in USA Today for its innovative use of social media. The report, compiled for the magazine by BestCollegesOnline, recognized Notre Dame at the top of colleges that are “influencers and brainstormers” through strategic use of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
When the U.S. women’s national soccer team faced Brazil in the World Cup semifinals this summer, freshman Paul Anthony was stuck on the highway during a road trip. However, thanks to the help of social media, Anthony did not miss an update. “Instead of even following ESPN on my phone, I got on Twitter,” Anthony said. “Whenever someone scored, there would be tweets with ‘GOOOAAAALLLLLLL!!!’” Anthony is one of many college students who rely on social media to stay updated on current events. “I get news from Facebook and Twitter all the time, especially because of the trending topics,” Anthony said. “I don’t check news sites daily.” Even though he does not have profiles on other networking sites like Google+ or LinkedIn, Anthony said he can still be distracted by his Facebook and Twitter pages. “[Facebook] is up right now,” he said, gesturing to his lap-
see MEDIA/page 4
MARINA KOZAK | Observer Graphic
see STUDENTS/page 5
Dillon Hall Pep Rally set for Friday Stadium head usher
retires after 15 years
By ADAM LLORENS News Writer
Continuing a tradition dating back to the 1970s, the Dillon Hall Pep Rally will take place Friday night to kick off this year’s football season. “Our pep rally is almost entirely student designed, including the script made solely by our freshmen [Dillon residents],” Dillon Hall President Andy Boes said. “All acts and logistics behind the scenes are handled by students with some help from the Athletic Department.” Director of Game Day Operations Mike Seamon, who will oversee the rally, said he has high hopes for the activities surrounding the six true home football game weekends this fall. “There is so much more to a weekend than simply the game,” Seamon said. “It’s a core piece, but it’s certainly not the only event.”
Inside today’s paper
By ANNA BOARINI News Writer
MACKENZIE SAIN/The Observer
Residents of Dillon Hall dance during last year’s Dillon Hall Pep Rally. This year’s rally will take place Friday. Seamon labeled the Dillon Pep Rally as the most important pep rally of the season. “Outside of the Opening Mass of the academic year, the Dillon
Pep Rally is the first opportunity for all students to come together for the first time,” Seamon said. “Everyone from
see RALLY/page 4
After 15 years of supervising students in Notre Dame Stadium and ensuring game days ran smoothly, Crowd Control Program Manager and “head usher” Russell “Cappy” Gagnon retired at the beginning of August. Gagnon, a 1966 Notre Dame graduate, began his job at the University after working as a security supervisor with Gavin de Becker in Los Angeles. “In the 80s I protected celebrities with the best in the business,” Gagnon said. “I worked the security for Cher’s 1990 world tour and Neil Diamond’s California tour in 1984.” Gagnon said his experience
working in security prepared him for his job as the coordinator of stadium personnel. “I’ve been in charge of security arrangements for some of the largest stadiums and arenas in the world,” he said. Because of his career, Gagnon witnessed some of Notre Dame’s greatest football moments in the Stadium. His favorite was when Brady Quinn led the Irish comeback against UCLA in 2006. While Gagnon enjoyed watching the games, his most rewarding experiences as usher were when he received positive feedback from the community, he said. “At work … my happiest moments are when the students, alumni and guests to the
see CAPPY/page 4
SMC student works with film stars page 3 u Viewpoint page 10 u Football cheers page 12 u Women’s soccer plays at home page 24