Dr. Trey Guinn, Faculty Contributor
THE STAFF
Editor & Social
Media LiaisonMackenzie Conant
Assistant EditorPaige Heller
Section Contributer/WriterNatalia Valenzuela
Alford, MA, Faculty Advisor
Section Contributer/WriterAudrey Patton
Layout DesignerKlarysa Saldana
Section Contributer/WriterBlair Villarreal
Section (Alumni)
Contributor/WriterAaron Rios
Section Contributer/WriterDanna Ramos
PhotographerMatthew Jurenovich
PhotographerMarco Trujillo
Contributing Writers | Susanna Alford, Chase Carter, Hannah Cash, Dr. Trey Guinn, Theresa Servin
Susanna
EDITOR’S NOTE
BY MACKENZIE CONANT
One of the best parts of becoming a member of this department was the privilege of watching a new set of seniors arise every school year. In truth, I have always enjoyed the thrill of seeing who “top dog” in my academic environment is. I wanted to observe how they carried themselves in that position of influence and try to emulate the same style whenever I stepped into their shoes. They were more than just a 4th year student, they were a leader in my eyes, and I was going to do everything in my power to be worthy of the name “senior” like they were. Now when it comes to the senior classes I have observed over my years here at UIW, they all seemed to have one thing in common: loyalty. Call it a cliché, or even a filler word, but I would argue it is the most fitting word of the English language to describe a comm arts 4th year student. Even after they have walked the stage, received a diploma, thrown their cap, and cried their tears of joy at the accomplishment, they still show up to support the underclassmen no matter what. It didn’t matter if they felt their job was “finished” after the diploma was in their hand, their commitment to the people they invested time and love into was first priority. Whether that manifested in a guest speaker role in one of Dr. Guinn’s classes, a surprise appearance at our spring end-of-year film festival, or a bouquet of flowers brought to their close friend presenting at Comm Extravaganza. All were examples of that loyalty on display. That is what I love and value in our COMMunity, the support that we hold for one another in each of our endeavors. It’s infectious and more often than not, those outside of our department notice as well and see its intrinsic value. An unspoken example was set long ago for the seniors in our department to demonstrate what it means to finish well, and it is safe to say that I have witnessed the fulfillment of that expectation many times over. I hope and pray that this year’s group remember the loyalty that was bestowed upon them by past seniors, and they decide to continue the tradition. Congratulations class of ’24, our team at RED is immensely proud and we are excited to see what the future holds for you!
“That is what I love and value in our COMMunity, the support that we hold for one another in each of our endeavors.”
#UIWCOMM
RUN CLUB
by Natalia Valenzuela
Photography by M. Jurenovich
Meet Mackenzie Conant, Head of Run Club
Run Club is a Communication Arts, student ran organization. Joining our #UIWCOMM Run Club is a great way to mix fitness with fun! It allows students to stay active while forming friendships. The shared experience of running together forms teamwork and support that can be carried outside of Run Club. Whether you’re a more consistent runner or a newcomer, everyone is welcomed to participate and encourage one another.
President and founder of Run Club is Mackenzie Conant, a junior at the University of Incarnate Word studying Communication Arts. Mackenzie, also known as Mack, has a great passion for running and wanted to share it with her community.
Run Club is an amazing organization that gives students the opportunity to work out, socialize, and bring their creative minds. Beyond the physical benefits, Run Club is more than just running. Students come to play football, soccer, volleyball, and kickball with each other while others go and share their film making and photograph skills.
Often, there are collaborations with Alamo Heights Nutrition, a juice bar with delicious
and healthy food and drinks that have been so generous to provide our students and staff with energy refreshers. Another collaboration and a recent addition to Run Club is having a conjoined running experience with the Wolf Pack Run Club. The fun doesn’t stop there, another great way to participate is through our themed runs; for example, coming dressed up as head of the Communication Arts department, Dr. Guinn.
Run Club takes place at Olmos Park by the soccer fields every other week. Runners take on the trails of Olmos that make for a scenic run through the trees and over the river. The trail is a few miles from the starting line to the Quarry and back. If the trails do not interest you, there is an alternative to run in a large circle around the park fields with mile markers to keep you on track.
Run Club welcomes everyone, not only Communication Arts students. The goal is to create a welcoming and support environment. Students and staff bring their friends, family, and pets. The laughs, hard work, and memories made at run club are something the students look forward to. Hope to see you there!
Photography by M. Jurenovich
DON’T MISS OUT
FIRST UIWTV NEWSCAST
SEPT. 26th | 12:30pm | Tune in on the UIWtv Youtube Channel
The first UIWtv Newscast of the Fall 2024 semester is coming up! Tune in to their lineup of anchors to hear the latest UIW news, entertainment, and sports. It will be streamed live on the official UIWtv YouTube Channel.
EVENT PLANNING X LPH SHAKE SHACK FUNDRAISER
SEPT. 30th | 11am-10pm | Shake Shack (Broadway location)
Our Event planning class is partnering with Lambda Pi Eta to host a fundraiser at Shake Shack. It will be an all-day event, from11am to 10pm, so bring your friends, family, & come hungry! Simply order at the front, and tell them you are with UIW comm arts. See you then!
#UIWCOMM TAILGATE
RED OUT FOOTBALL GAME
OCT. 5th | 6:00 PM | Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium
Join us for a RED OUT edition of a #UIWCOMM tailgate hosted by the Event Planning Class on October 5th! There will be food, drinks, music, and a whole lot of UIW Spirit as UIW Comm has several studentathletes that are on the team. Wear your best RED outfit and we hope to see you there!
Photography by M. Jurenovich
“THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED... STARTING A COLLEGE JOURNEY AT FIFTY”
by Theresa Servin
Starting college at fifty is a bold journey that defies conventional expectations. Most students embark on their academic paths in their teens or early twenties, but more and more of us are starting our journey later in life. I am starting this road less traveled after being a wife and mother for over twenty-five years. It has not been an easy path to take or a path that many understand. But it is a path that I believe in wholeheartedly. When you start college at this age, your perspective is different from that of your average fellow students. Many are not faced with balancing family, career, and personal aspirations. This choice has opened a whole new world for me, one that is filled with unique challenges and enriching experiences. My ambition knows no age, but I do wonder what others see. Do they understand that it is possible to have a renewed passion for learning? A professor at UIW once said to me that I should not worry about my age, that I had something that many other students did not have yet, and that was life experience. I came to UIW because I wanted to fulfill a lifelong dream. It was not until I got here that I realized the inspiring realities of this brave choice that I have made. Imagine reinventing your identity, challenging societal norms, and embarking on a path filled with knowledge, growth, and self-discovery. I hope my decision exemplifies my resilience and desire to grow. I want to push past what society says I should be doing. Students in my unique phase of life have so much to offer. Every step forward is a step that will contribute to a fulfilling life that, at one time, I could only dream of.
“I want to push past what society says I should be doing. Students in my unique phase of life have so much to offer. Every step forward is a step that will contribute to a fulfilling life that, at one time, I could only dream of.”
OPINION
by Hannah Cash
My Advice for Seniors
I graduated this past May and I cannot believe how quick my 4 years at UIW went! Going into your senior year can be scary but here are some things I wish I could have told myself going into that Fall! Enjoy this year! I remember coming in as a freshman and my senior teammate on the women’s golf team told me to enjoy it because it really flies by and she was not lying! These 4 years go sooo quick and my senior year went by even quicker, so take in every moment- whether they are ups or downs!
Prepare for your future! Use this year to really prepare for your career and where you want to go once you’ve graduated. You have time to perfect your resume, do things that will make you a better employee and get comfortable in interview situations. Because once you start working it’s hard to work on these skills because you get so busy!
Enjoy having fun with your friends! You are only in college once, embrace it! After this it’s very rare you are going to be able to see your friends every day, so spend time with them, go get late night ice cream, go to cowboys on college night, enjoy having no real responsibilities and have fun!
Utilize your resources! UIW and the Communications Department offer you so many resources for your future. First off the professors- they can give you so much advice and feedback, listen to it, they know what they are talking about! Experiment with different opportunities to find your passion- UIWtv was mine- I wouldn’t be in sports broadcasting if I didn’t take advantage of that opportunity! I continuously took advantage of the UIWtv studio, the cameras, I began my podcast in the audio booth, I wouldn’t have been able to start that if I didn’t use those resources that were available to me!
Stress less! You are in such a cool place in your life where you don’t really have any real life adult worries, embrace it, if it doesn’t matter in the next 5 years then don’t let it ruin your day, week or last year of college!
Have fun! Enjoy this year! Good luck!
C
CHASE CARTER
by Chase Carter
“I’ve found a new home, a new family, and a new sense of purpose. The people I’ve met at UIW have become an integral part of my life, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to learn and grow.”
When I first arrived at UIW, I was a bit overwhelmed. Coming from cold and snowy Minnesota, the Texas heat was a shock to my system. But it wasn’t just the weather that was different. The campus, the people, the entire culture was a world away from what I was used to. As a football player, I knew I was joining a tight-knit community, but I had no idea how quickly I would become a part of it. The camaraderie among the team members was unlike anything I had experienced before. We spend countless hours on the field, in the weight room, and in the locker room, and I’ve created bonds that will last forever. Joining the communications department was another pivotal decision.
While I had always been interested in writing and storytelling, I hadn’t considered pursuing it as a major until I came to UIW. The professors were passionate and supportive, I gravitated towards journalism, public relations, and advertising.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at UIW has been meeting new people. I’ve made friends from all walks of life, from fellow athletes to international students. We’ve shared countless laughs, tears, and adventures together. It’s been incredible to see how diverse perspectives can enrich our lives and help us grow as individuals. Moving to Texas was a big change, but it was also a blessing in disguise.
I’ve found a new home, a new family, and a new sense of purpose. The people I’ve met at UIW have become an integral part of my life, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to learn and grow. As I look back on my time here, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude and excitement for what the future holds.
DEVIN
by Audrey Patton
Here at the University of the Incarnate Word our athletes are not just defined by their sport, but who they are and what they do for our community. Devin Grant is the perfect example of this. He is a senior that was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Devin began playing football at the age of seven as a defensive end. Growing up, he participated in various sports, but football seemed to come more naturally to him than others. Devin chose to play collegiate football because it gave him an opportunities that his loved ones did not have the luxury of having themselves. He has been fortunate enough to earn money to support his family, and he will be the first in his family to graduate from college. Prior to attending UIW, Devin was at the University of Colorado at Boulder for his first three years. When asked why UIW, Devin talked about how the coaching staff treated him like family. Family is a big part of his life, so being closer to the people he cares about most was a big selling point.
College sports sadly do end, so Devin makes sure to appreciate every moment. Preparation for the game starts way before the day of the game but hours before are crucial to lock-in and have the right mindset. Most athletes develop a game day ritual that allows them to create a mindset to perform at the highest level. He starts his pregame ritual with prayer, which to him is the most important part. Then while he stretches, he listens to rap music. Once it is closer to game time, he begins to listen to softer and more relaxing music. Before he goes out to the field, he talks about listening to one of his favorite songs, “Reckless Love” to connect with God and pray with Jesus one last time. As an older player Devin Grant knows what it takes for the team to get to the next level. He strives for the team to be extremely successful both on and off the field. He said, “I am motivated to meet more people and step out of my comfort zone.”
Not only does Devin play football here, but he also started his own clothing brand “Isolated” two years ago. Devin speaks very highly about how he wants to help others and how he can bring awareness on this matter. “I started it back when I was in Colorado. I wanted to spread awareness of mental health. I feel like the way I could do it is with clothes. I feel like mental health is important, but it is not talked about enough.”
He has put his all into this business and wants to be able to make this into a career. He plans on one day opening his own store and using the profits to return to the meaning and goal of his brand. Giving back to the community is a goal that he has and hopes to do so through a non-profit or charity. Devin, we are proud to know you & call you a member of this department!
“ As a UIW student athlete, I have experience being part of a family, especially in the COMM department. Everyone has given me the best advice to have success in college.”
FINISHING STRONG: ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCES EVERY SENIOR SHOULD
C O N S I D E R
by Susanna Alford
By now, if you’re a senior, it would not be shocking for you to have a list of the cherished moments that have mattered most to you because of how memorable they were, the impact they had on your life, or perhaps, the intentionality behind them. These moments may range with some of them small and intimate, while others may have occurred in front of a large audience filled with faculty, alumni, students, and friends. Whether it was a scholarship you received as a sophomore in college that you applied for on the whim, or a more recent conversation you had with a faculty member, each of those moments matters to different people, for different reasons.
So, as you continue to cruise through this semester, with graduation approaching closer each day, leaving your college days numbered, let’s also be willing to acknowledge that we are left with so much more work to do! Here are a few adventures to consider doing to ensure your last days before tossing your cap in the air, are memorable and unforgettable.
1
Attend a UIW Sports Game, Event, and or Tradition. The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is known for its long-standing traditions and culture, and lucky for you, there is a list with your name on it, and plenty left to do, even for seniors, graduating this December. From departmental events and sports game, to a campus-wide events, here are some of our athletic teams, with home games this semester, and campus-wide events for your consideration:
· September 2024: Men’s Football, Women’s & Men’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, UIW Communication Arts Fundraiser at Shake Shack
· October 2024: Men’s Football, Women’s & Men’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, UIW Communication Arts Fundraiser at Chipotle, Trunk or Treat
· November 2024: Men’s Football, Women’s & Men’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, Women’s & Men’s Basketball, Homecoming, Light the Way, and #UIWCOMM Extravaganza: For Students, By Students,
· December 2024: Women’s & Men’s Basketball
The list provided above with examples of upcoming events and athletic games is not a complete list of all campus happenings. For more information about upcoming events, visit UIW Engage, for a more detailed list.
2
Reconnect with a Professor. Throughout your journey and time at UIW, there have been courses you have probably enrolled in, based on the professor assigned to the course,
but there also may have been other courses you avoided, for the same reason. Whatever the reason may have been for being enrolled in the course, you were meant to be in that course, for a very reason. It may not have been visible to you then, and possibly unclear to this day, but my hope is that you did have at least one professor, who stood out to you, over others.
I dare you to ruminate over this, asking yourself who the professor was, and I dare you to visit them to share that with them. Whether it be to share how they inspired you to restructure your goals, or to share news about the season of life you’re about to embark in, find time to schedule a visit with them, the next time they have scheduled office hours.
3
Create a Playlist of Songs Defining Your College Experience. Music is often described as being multifaceted and purposeful for a variety of reasons. Music is also dynamic, and always evolving, while embracing an array of elements. From varied genres and sub-genres to creative expressions and interpretations, along with theoretical and technical mechanisms, music creates a space for us to explore diversity and emotional depth. So, the challenge here is to create a playlist, representing some of the most significant moments you experienced in college. These songs could represent some of those core memories such as the day you moved into your freshman dorm, late night study sessions, or emotional moments such as losing a loved one and experiencing heartbreak for the first time. There is no right or wrong way to do this, the goal is to share your story through music, because your story is worth sharing.
Lifestyle Section
what’s our community up
Take a look at our Culture Calendar for all of our October Events
My college experience was magical. So much so, that I have yet to leave college. Since the fall of 2000 when I first arrived for freshmen welcome week, I have attended and/or worked at a university. All that said, I could have managed my senior year a little smarter than I did.
I graduated college with my roommates and friends in May of 2004. Er, actually, I graduated a semester early in December 2003. The summer before my senior year, I became anxious about life after college. So, I started strategizing all the ways to fail proof my life on the other side. I opted to rush through a few extra courses in order to graduate ahead of schedule, start a campus job and stash more cash in the savings account. I figured this would also help me stand out to potential graduate programs, because I would be seen as “so smart that he graduated early.”
S eIze the sEAson to be SeNior
by Trey Guinn
In the end, graduating a semester early didn’t seem to make much of an impact on anything other than my stress level. I made other mistakes too. I was so stressed about managing time and money that I started making major trade-offs during my senior year of college, all of which seemed financially savvy and the responsible thing to do at the time but later caused me to smh.
Looking back, a lot of what looked like responsibility was probably more of a fear response on my part. I feared the ambiguity and uncertainty of what came after college. I desperately wanted to know that I would be ok. But some of those fears and anxieties overwhelmed me to the point where I stopped allowing myself to be a college student and placed all my attention on lining up my future plans. Knowing what I know now, I would have urged myself to take a more balanced approach. And I certainly would have given myself permission to seize the season of being a senior.
As you embark on your senior year, don’t blink or you will miss it. While some may give into much time fearing the uncertainty of what comes next, know that the final lap around the track will end in an instant and your last opportunities for meaningful and memorable college moments will flash before your eyes. So, say “yes” to that tailgate on Saturday. Say “yes” to that afternoon picnic on the lawn with people you hardly know.
You might be nearing the end, but the race isn’t over yet. Until you cross the stage and receive that diploma, this is your race to run. Give it all you’ve got and get all you can.