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News & Events 2017

December 2017

Congratulations to 68 graduates in Communication
Congratulations to the 68 graduates in the Department of Communication and the five finalists in the Fall Semester Speech Showcase. We are proud of your accomplishments and look forward to celebrating with you. 

To those of you not graduating but still in the process of registering for Spring Semester, please let us know if you encounter any problems registering for classes. Please contact the department administrative assistant, Becky Rose, at beckyrose@weber.edu or the department chair, Dr. Sheree Josephson, at sjosephson@weber.edu. We are happy to help you. Use the “wait list” if the class you want is full. Sometimes we are able to add classes to the schedule.     

This is the December 2017 edition of the monthly email to majors. At least once a month during the regular school year, we will email you to let you know about meetings of student organizations, guest speakers, important deadlines, opportunities, student and faculty achievements—and more. If you have information you’d like us to distribute, please email department chair Sheree Josephson at sjosephson@weber.edu.

 What’s Happening
 December
·        Dec. 7: Speech Showcase
·        Dec. 15: Graduation
January
·        Jan. 8: Spring Semester begins
 

Student News

Sixty students graduate with bachelor’s, associate’s degrees
Congratulations to the 59 students graduating with bachelor’s degrees in Communication and the one student graduating with an associate’s in Communication.
Civic Advocacy: Madelaine Tesori
Communication Studies Teaching: Bryce Rudd
Digital Media: Nicholas Asay, Austin Berenyi, Christyna Cummings, Cassidy Eames, David Leavitt, Justin Littlewood, Zachary Lyon, Logan Malan, Cameron Porter, Dylan Totaro, Trent Wojciechowski
Interpersonal and Family Communication: Benjamin Brandley, Hanna Brown, Paige Chavez, Lindsey Fowers, Joshua Graham, Lindsey Kapp, David O'Brien
Multimedia Journalism: Rachel Badali, Brooke Facer, Julia Funtanilla, Jason Lumpris, Jinelle Lumpris, Ingrid Maldonado, Kari Merrill, Stephanie Ostler, Jasmine Pittman, Alexis Rague, Jessica Sorensen
Organizational Communication: Landon Aylor, Samuel Hall, Kyle Hole, Gregory Krim, Alex Morrell, Bethany Rasmussen 
Public Relations and Advertising: Daniel Baerga, Nathan Bennion, Jessica Bischoff, Amanda Castle, Eric Davenport, Jonathan Davis, Francisca Contreras, Brittany Fuhs, Tyler Hoffman, Curtis Hyde, Maria Jacquez, Jed Johns, Heather Miya, Nina Morse, Paula Ninataype, Ariel Pitts, Desaree Sandoval, Haley Smith, Andrew Vollert, Dustin Williams
Associate’s: Elizabeth Wharton

Eight students graduate with Master of Professional Communication degree
Congratulations to the eight students graduating with a master’s degree in Professional Communication. Graduates include Michael Cole, Jasen K. Lee, Carlee L. Madsen, Leighann Medlin, Brooke L. Minnoch, Steven Pugmire, Jennifer Reeves, and Skyler M. Ridley.

Five students graduating with departmental Honors
Five Communication majors are graduating with departmental Honors this semester. They include:
·        Ben Brandley: Nonverbal Cues indicating Stress in Law Enforcement Officers
·        Brooke Facer: “Seeing” the Person Behind the Post: The Effect of Personal Pronouns on Social  Media Engagement
·        Madelaine Tesori: Different Groups and their Standpoints regarding Drug Addiction
·        Rachel Badali: Investigative report on health care options for the homeless and incarcerated
·        Kyle Hole: Overview of Wildcat “Handshake”

Civic Advocacy graduate selected as student speaker at Honors banquet
Madelaine Tesori, a Communication major graduating in Civic Advocacy and Political Science, has been selected as a student speaker at the Honors graduation banquet on Dec. 7. She will speak about her experience with Departmental Honors in two departments, emphasizing how that experience helped prepare her for life after graduation.

Two Communication students’ projects published by Palouse Review
Two Communication students, Rachel Badali and Jeff Peterson, will have work published by the Palouse Review. This is a literary arts journal published by the Honors program at Washington State University, but it serves as the de facto journal of the entire Western Regional Honors Council. It accepts submissions from students at any member institution. Badali created a short documentary film while Peterson made a photograph. Their work can be viewed at https://palousereview.wsu.edu/.

Weber State Debate finishes first in two rankings for Fall Semester
Weber State Debate finished first in the Cross Examination Debate Association’s West rankings and first in the National Debate Tournament’s District 2 (Rockies Northwest) for Fall Semester 2017.

Varsity, novice debate teams have top finishes at University of Washington tourney
Varsity debaters Kinsee Gaither and Bianca Morales won the Varsity Division of the University of Washington debate tournament in November. Gaither was named the top speaker. Novice debate teams consisting of Ashley Johnson, a Communication major, Rieley Frederick, Jordan Stephens, and Jacob Bosen went 12-0 to win both first and second places at the same tournament. Johnson was named top speaker of the Novice Division.

Communication major receives grant to study higher education in Tongan community
Communication major Aulola Moli received a $2,050 grant from the Office of Undergraduate Research to study how the Tongan culture communicates about higher education and how Tongan students understand the cultural value of education within the Tongan culture.

Student gets full-time job at Enterprise Rental Cars after successful internship
Joshua Graham, a Public Relations & Advertising major, is the fourth student to do an internship at Enterprise Rental Cars and then be hired after the internship. Enterprise has also hired our Interpersonal/Family and Organizational Communication majors. Graham wrote in his final survey: "I'm just excited I found a great internship that will lead into a great career.  I never would have found it if an internship was not required by the school."

Sandy Hook mother featured in the news is finishing a BIS with Communication emphasis
Alissa Parker, a Bachelor of Integrated Studies student with an emphasis in Communication, has written books and is often featured in newspapers discussing her experience being the mother of a daughter murdered at Sandy Creek Elementary School in Connecticut. Parker is finishing her degree long distance from Washington state. This story in the Salt Lake Tribune is an example of an article that has featured her: http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=56360516&itype=CMSID.
 

Announcements

Speech Showcase to feature Top 5 speakers from Fall’s public speaking classes
The Department of Communication will host the Fall 2017 Speech Showcase on Thursday from 7-8 p.m. in the Eccles Lecture Hall in Elizabeth Hall Room 229. The five finalists will deliver speeches and the other top speakers from Fall Semester’s sections of Comm. 1020 Principles of Public Speaking will be honored. Jack Lampros, a major supporter of Weber State University and the Communication Department, will be presented with the Freedom through Rhetoric award, recognizing his contributions to the community and the university through speech. Everyone is invited to attend. The top speakers include:
·        Colton Bell – The Magic of Perception
·        Taylor Montierth – Financial Stability and the Overall Quality of Life
·        Rebekah Linford – This is the Place: Where it isn’t Safe to be a Child
·        Noah Bratton – College Campuses and the Threat to Freedom of Speech
·        Travis Monson – Stereotypes are a Pain in the Asperger’s

Class fulfills General Education requirements for both Math and English
Dr. Jean Norman of Communication and Dr. Sandra Fital-Akelbek of Math are team teaching a course in Spring Semester called Writing With Numbers. This fulfills the quantitative literacy requirement for Communication students and combines writing and reading with the math you have to learn for your General Education requirements. The idea is to make math easier to understand by applying it to real-world situations and coming up with language to understand the concepts. It is called WSU 2350 Writing with Numbers (CRN33645) and is scheduled M-T-W-Fr at 9:30 a.m. The prerequisite is MATH 970 or testing into MATH 1030.

The Signpost is recruiting staffers for Spring Semester
The Signpost, Weber State University's student news organization, is recruiting for Spring Semester. Staff members get real-world experience in news coverage—writing, photography, editing or graphic design—and a small scholarship. To apply, fill out the application at signpost.mywebermedia.com under About Us and email it to jeannorman@weber.edu.

Internship coordinator for Spring, Summer semesters announced
Dr. Hailey Gillen Hoke will be the internship coordinator for Spring and Summer semesters while Dr. Susan Hafen is on sabbatical, so please contact her if you have questions about starting an internship those semesters or finishing an internship that you began earlier in the year. If you plan to do an internship in the summer, you may want to enroll in the spring so you can include those credit hours in your spring registration. You must be enrolled in Comm. 4890 to begin an internship. You cannot enroll retroactively (e.g., in Fall 2018 after doing an internship Summer 2018).

Ogden residents donate $5,000 to KWCR Wildcat Radio
Albert "Gerry" and Sandra Mohr of Ogden donated $5,000 to KWCR Wildcat Radio. This donation agreement indicated the funding could be used for purposes determined by the faculty adviser, Robin Haislett. The Department of Communication thanks the Mohrs for their generous donation.  

Digital Documentary Filmmaking course to be offered Spring Semester
A class on Digital Documentary Filmmaking class is scheduled for Tuesday/Thursday at 1:30-2:45 p.m. in Spring Semester. The class will be taught by Andrea Baltazer. If you’re interested in enrolling in this course listed as Comm. 4500 Special Topics, please see your adviser to make sure it counts for graduation. Here is the course description: This course will provide an introduction to the fundamental theory and craft of non-fictional visual storytelling and familiarize students with concepts such as drama, structure, story development and visual style. Throughout the semester, students will screen and analyze various filmmaking techniques used by documentary filmmakers. Students will develop and create a short documentary from conceptualization through post-production.

Weber State selected as host to National Debate Tournament in 2020
Weber State University has been selected for the third time in recent years to host the 73rd annual National Debate Tournament from April 2-6, 2020. WSU last hosted the event in 2013. Other than the U.S. Military Academy, which held the first four NDTs from 1946-1950, Weber is the only university in nearly 75 years to host it three times.

Registration open for enrollment in Entrepreneurship minor
Registration is now open for any Weber State University to student to enroll in the Entrepreneurship minor. Only 15 credits and three semesters long, students learn how to become entrepreneurs. Students can pitch for up to $15,000 in cash awards at the end of the program to put into their venture. The Entrepreneurship minor offers just under $200,000 in cash prizes and scholarships. Contact Brandon Stoddard for more information: brandonstoddard@weber.edu or 801-626-7205.

Alumni News

Recent top graduate new registrar at Ogden-Weber Technology College
Chelsey Conner, a recent Interpersonal & Family Communication top graduate, will be the new registrar at Ogden-Weber Technology College. She had been working on campus in admissions.  

Faculty Achievements

Professor elected to leadership position in Applied Communication Division of NCA
Dr. Alexander Lancaster, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication, was elected to a leadership position in the Applied Communication Division of the National Communication Association. He will serve a four-year term. His responsibilities include serving on the NCA Legislative Assembly for the 2018 convention, planning the division's program slots for the 2019 convention, running the division's business meeting in 2020, and chairing the division's nominations committee in 2021. The 2018 NCA convention will be held in Salt Lake City. The convention presents several opportunities for national-level service to the Communication discipline for faculty and students.

Communication professor to chair interest group for Western States Communication
Dr. Hailey Gillen Hoke has been selected to serve as chair of the Communication and Instruction Interest Group for the 2019 meeting of the Western States Communication Association. She will be the vice chair for the 2018 meeting. She has also been selected as the coordinator of the 2019 WSCA Basic Course Conference. 

Get Involved

·        The Signpost: Contact Dr. Jean Norman at jeannorman@weber.edu.
·        Studio 76: Contact Drew Tyler at drewtyler@weber.edu.
·        KWCR 88.1 Wildcat Radio: Contact Robin Haislett at robinhaislett@weber.edu.
·        WSU Debate: Contact Omar Guevara at oguevara@weber.edu.
·        Ogden Peak Communications: Contact Dr. Nicola Corbin at nicolacorbin@weber.edu.
·        PRSSA: Contact Leslie Howerton at lesliehowerton@weber.edu.
·        Society of Professional Journalists: Contact Dr. Jean Norman at jeannorman@weber.edu.
·        Departmental Honors: Contact Dr. Susan Hafen at shafen@weber.edu.
·        Lambda Pi Eta: Contact Dr. Hailey Gillen Hoke at haileygillenhoke@weber.edu.

November 2017

Drop-in academic advising scheduled for Monday, Tuesday

It’s just about time to register for Spring Semester. If you need any assistance, you can drop in for advising on Monday, Nov. 6, from 9 to10 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to noon or Tuesday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon in Room 332 of Elizabeth Hall. You are also welcome to get an appointment with your academic adviser, but that person is often very busy at this time in the semester so drop-in advising with the department chair is a good idea.

Also, if you encounter any problems registering for classes, please contact the department administrative assistant, Shari Love, at slove@weber.edu or the department chair, Dr. Sheree Josephson, at sjosephson@weber.edu.  She is happy to help you.

Finally, use the “wait list” if the class you want is full. Sometimes we are able to add classes to the schedule.     

This is the November 2017 edition of the monthly email to majors. At least once a month during the regular school year, we will email you to let you know about meetings of student organizations, guest speakers, important deadlines, opportunities, student and faculty achievements—and more. If you have information you’d like us to distribute, please email department chair Sheree Josephson at sjosephson@weber.edu.

What’s Happening

November

  • Nov. 1: Windows of Change, documentary about Mozambique, 7-8:30 p.m., Browning Center Austad Theater
  • Nov. 1: Day of the Dead potluck, 2 p.m., SUB 401
  • Nov. 6: Registration for Spring Semester
  • Nov. 6: Drop-in academic advising with chair, 9-10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., EH 332
  • Nov. 7: Drop-in academic advising with chair, 10 a.m.-noon, EH 332
  • Nov. 15: Investigative reporter offers tips, 2 p.m., SUB 404  

December

  • Dec. 15: Graduation

Student News

Two Signpost staffers win awards at national Pinnacle Awards
The Signpost was recognized with the national Pinnacle Awards at the College Media Association annual meeting in Dallas last week. Managing Editor Cydnee Green placed third in Sports Investigative Reporting for "Student-athletes and crime: Punishment or a slap on the wrist?" which ran April 19, and Emily Crooks placed third in Best Special Section Cover for a photo collage she created for the 2016 Orientation issue. The Pinnacle Awards pits the work of the best college journalists in the country against each other for honors and bragging rights. 

Digital Media students’ horror film wins ‘Best Scare’ at festival

The horror film “Deluded,” which was produced by five Digital Media students, picked up the award for “Best Scare” at a Halloween movie competition. The Studio 76 team consisting of Brad Allen, Caleb Henney, Emily Eldredge, Caitlyn Johnston and Christyna Cummings competed in the “Demon Chaser” category in Filmulate, a set of genre-based contests held throughout the year. The students had a month to write, shoot and edit a short horror piece, but they chose to do it in a week. The Salt Lake City festival is in its eighth year.  

15 Digital Media students work alongside professionals at VidSummit

Fifteen Digital Media students, accompanied by faculty members Drew Tyler and Andrea Baltazar, spent four days  volunteering at VidSummit in Los Angeles. Students worked closely with content marketing giants like Shonduras, Gary Vaynerchuk and Derral Eves. Other students worked with professionals who livestreamed the conference. Many students made fantastic networking connections for future work. One student impressed the organizers so much with her knowledge and work ethic that she was offered a job running VidSummit next year. Organizers have offered their time and connections to bring more content marketing speakers to campus to teach Digital Media students about content/video marketing.

Student PR firm sounds the alarm to make 363 Layton homes safer

A team of Ogden Peak Communications worked with the local chapter of the American Red Cross to turn out volunteers for its Sound Your Alarm event in mid-October. With the team's efforts, 200 volunteers installed 174 alarms and made 363 homes in Layton safer. The student team’s participation was helpful to an organization stretched with the recent hurricanes and fires.

Students in Comm. 3060 conducting focus groups on sustainability

COMM 3060 students in the "Interviewing and Listening" course taught by Dr. Susan Hafen are conducting focus groups on sustainability for Dr. Gary Johnson’s POLS 1100 class, Matt Gnagey’s ECON 2010 class and Dr. Grant Lewis’s OCRE 4020 class. Their reports will be provided to WSU Environmental Sustainability Office as a secondary client.

Ogden Peak publishes newsletter highlighting civil communication

This semester, the students of Ogden Peak Communications produced a newsletter highlighting the importance of communication in maintaining civility. It can be found at: https://issuu.com/weberstateuniversityprssa/docs/october_newsletter_477d083e7d9331.

Weber Media Group students collecting cans and clothes

The Weber Media Group is collecting donations for the Cans and Clothes event in the Student Union Atrium from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every day for the week before Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 13-17). The drive benefits the Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership. A raffle for various prizes from WMG and sponsors will be open all week. There is one entry per donation, not per person. Donate more and have more chances to win as well as make someone else's Thanksgiving holiday brighter. Questions can be directed to Robin Haislett at robinhaislett@weber.edu.

Announcements

‘Windows of Change’ documentary on Mozambique premieres tonight

“Windows of Change,” a documentary about a service trip to Mozambique, Africa, will premiere tonight at 7 p.m. in the Austad Auditorium in the Browning Center. The film was created by Drew Tyler, a Digital Media faculty member, and Stacey Tyler, an adjunct faculty member. The documentary is about 75 minutes and will show the joy that comes from service. Tickets are free at http://bit.do/windowsofchange. Follow the production at http://facebook.com/windowsofchange. Watch the trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWJaJNjPYNI.

Digital Documentary Filmmaking course to be offered Spring Semester

A course in Digital Documentary Filmmaking will be offered Spring Semester. The course will be taught by Andres Orozco on Tuesday nights at 5:30 p.m. If you’re interested in enrolling in this course listed as Comm. 4500 Special Topics, please see your adviser to make sure it counts for graduation. Here is the course description: This course will provide an introduction to the fundamental theory and craft of non-fictional visual storytelling and familiarize students with concepts such as drama, structure, story development and visual style. Throughout the semester, students will screen and analyze various filmmaking techniques used by documentary filmmakers. Students will develop and create a short documentary from conceptualization through post-production.

Advanced Narrative Digital Filmmaking class on spring schedule

A class on Advanced Narrative Digital Filmmaking class is scheduled for Tuesday/Thursday at 1:30-2:45 p.m. The class will be taught by Andrea Baltazer. If you’re interested in enrolling in this course listed as Comm. 4500 Special Topics, please see your adviser to make sure it counts for graduation. This hands-on course explores the collaborative process of making a narrative short film using digital video production. Over the semester, students will write, rewrite, pre-visualize, shoot, direct and edit one film, approximately 15-20 minutes in length. The semester covers four production areas: script concept/development, pre-production, production and post-production.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists to discuss covering campus sexual assault

The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists of the Salt Lake Tribune will discuss covering Sexual Assault on Campus during a panel targeted to college students and sponsored by the Utah College Media Alliance at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Utah Valley University in Orem. The event is free, and no preregistration is required. For information, email Jean Norman at jeannorman@weber.edu.
 

Media students celebrating Dia de los Muertos with potluck

The Weber Media Group, Weber State chapter of Society of Professional Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and National Association of Black Journalists are celebrating Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, with a potluck today at 2 p.m., Shepherd Union Room 401. It's a chance to learn more about student media at Weber State and about the professional associations that can help students network with professionals. For more information, contact Jean Norman at jeannorman@weber.edu or Chris Nichols at chrisnichols1@mail.weber.edu.

Investigative reporter to share tips with journalism students

Investigative reporter Eric Peterson will share his tips for bringing investigative techniques into daily reporting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, in the Shepherd Union Building Room 404. Peterson founded the nonprofit Utah Investigative Journalism Project. 

Journalism students encouraged to attend Utah College Media Symposium

The Utah College Media Alliance is hosting a day of training for students who want to sharpen their skills. The inaugural Utah College Media Symposium is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Utah Valley University in Orem. It's free, and registration is still open. For information, contact Jean Norman at jeannorman@weber.edu.
 

Black, Hispanic journalists encouraged to join journalism organizations

The National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists have active chapters at Weber State for students of color who are interested in media. This organization allows students of color and those deeply interested in diversity issues network together and with professionals. Contact Jean Norman at jeannorman@weber.edu for more information.

Alumni News

Alum/Adjunct helps Liberian scammer turn life around

Ben Taylor, an alum and adjunct instructor in the Department of Communication, was the subject of a KSL story about how he helped a Liberian scammer turn his life around. When Taylor received an email from a man who claimed to be a journalist asking for money, he said, “I thought if I could give him work, provide a way for him to make money, I would do that,” Taylor told KSL. Taylor told the man to take photographs of Liberian life and he would wire him money. The photos were initially very blurry but improved considerably over time. With the help of professional photographers and graphic designers who had become fans of the YouTube series Taylor created, he made a book showcasing some of the man’s best work titled “By D Grace of God”—a phrase the Liberian would often use in his messages to Taylor. With the completed product, Taylor launched a campaign on Indiegogo to sell a few copies of thes book, hoping to raise $2,500. By the end of the campaign, the book had raised over $13,000 and had been purchased by customers in more than 40 countries. “It was really kind of a social experiment to see if he would be willing to do work in exchange for a little bit of money,” Taylor told KSL. The story can be found at https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46185759&nid=148&title=ogden-man-helps-liberian-scammer-turn-his-life-around.

Faculty Achievements

Article to be published on structuration process of LDS missionary identification

Dr. Michael Ault, a professor in Organizational Communication, is the solo author on an article to be published in the Journal of Communication and Religion. His article is titled "Being Refined into a Better Form: The Structuration Process of Missionary Identification." The article is scheduled to be published in print in Summer 2018.

‘Hot Potato’ teaching strategy is subject of new book chapter

A teaching strategy used by Dr. Colleen Packer is the subject of a chapter in a forthcoming book. "Hot Potato Extreme: An Exercise to Enhance Presentations, Problem Solving and Personal Relationships" will be included in “Communication in the Classroom: A Collection of GIFTS” edited by John Seiter, Jennifer Peeples, and Matthew Sanders. It is published by Bedford/St. Martin's and will be available next month through MacMillan Learning. In mid-October, Packer attended a faculty training session on backward course design in Salt Lake City with Dee Fink, renowned educational consultant. 

Professor has article accepted by international teaching and learning journal

An article by Dr. Alexander Lancaster has been accepted by the International Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. The article titled "Student learning with permissive and restrictive cell phone policies: A classroom experiment" is expected to be published in the January 2018 issue.

Four Communication faculty members to present research at NCA

Four Communication faculty members will present research at the National Communication Association’s national conference this month in Dallas. Dr. Hailey Gillen Hoke will present two studies: "Locus of Control, Personality Traits, and Voting in the 2016 Presidential Election" and "An Examination of the Relationships Between Unfollowing and Hiding on Facebook and Verbal Aggressiveness, Argumentativeness, and Self-esteem." Dr. Sarah Steimel will present “The Possibilities and Struggles of Enacting Invitational Rhetoric in Community Conversations about Race.” Dr. Gillen Hoke and Dr. Steimel will also participate in a panel titled “Safe Spaces, Trigger Warnings, and Free Speech: Navigating Sensitive Issues in the University Classroom” in the Instructional Development Division. Dr. Alexander Lancaster will present “Student Learning with Permissive and Restrictive Cell Phone Policies: A Classroom Experiment.” This submission was accepted as a top paper for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Division. Dr. Stephanie Gomez will present "Choreographing Race: Dance and the Performance of Hybridity."

Four faculty members to be recognized for years of service

Four Communication faculty members are being recognized for years of service at Weber State University. Dr. Sheree Josephson, chair of the department, will be recognized for 25 years. Dr. Susan Hafen and Omar Guevara have worked at WSU for 15 years, while Dr. Anne Bialowas has taught here for 10 years. They will be recognized at a luncheon next week.

Faculty member, who is filmmaker and actor, speaks at diversity conference

Digital Media faculty member Andres Orozco gave a lecture titled “Narrative Films for Social Change” at the 19th Annual Weber State Diversity Conference in October. Orozco is an actor and filmmaker. 

Video on victim blaming being created for Women’s Center

Andres Orozco, a faculty member in Digital Media, is making a video for the WSU Women’s Center on victim blaming. Production will begin in March.   

Faculty members featured speakers at Utah College Media Alliance Group

Four faculty members in the Department of Communication will be featured speakers at an upcoming Utah College Media Alliance Group. Andres Orozco and Andrea Baltazar will speak about narrative storytelling. Dr. Nicola Corbin will speak about covering diversity. Dr. Jean Norman will offer tips on asking better questions. 

Get Involved

October 2017

Here’s what is happening in Communication 

This is the October 2017 edition of the monthly email to majors. At least once a month during the regular school year, we will email you to let you know about meetings of student organizations, guest speakers, important deadlines, opportunities, student and faculty achievements—and more. If you have information you’d like us to distribute, please email department chair Sheree Josephson at sjosephson@weber.edu.

 What’s Happening

November

  • Nov. 6: Registration for Spring Semester

December

  • Dec. 15: Graduation

 Announcements

You may qualify to have HONORS emblazoned in gold on your diploma

If you have a 3.5 GPA overall and 3.7 in your major, you can join Honors and be a Communication Honors student. The rewards? Your diploma will have HONORS in gold on it, as will your transcripts that are sent to future employers. You will be invited to an Honors banquet with your significant other when you graduate. You will have access to the Honors resources, including the study rooms and lunch area in the library where there are always free snacks. You do not have to take any extra Honors classes. You do have to present an original research study or creative product at a conference or professional forum—the kind of project that will interest graduate schools and employers looking for innovative graduates. If this sounds like you, contact Dr. Susan Hafen at shafen@weber.edu for more information. Or go to the Honors website to learn more:  http://www.weber.edu/honors/.

Black, Hispanic journalists encouraged to join journalism organizations

The National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists have active chapters at Weber State for students of color who are interested in media. This organization allows students of color and those deeply interested in diversity issues network together and with professionals. Contact Jean Norman at jeannorman@weber.edu for more information.

Alumni News

Graduate who won Pulitzer honored with Young Alumnus Award

Jessica Schreifels Miller, who was named in the Pulitzer Prize for local news reporting won by the Salt Lake Tribune this year, received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award presented by the Weber State University Alumni Association. Miller graduated with master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Communication from WSU. She was the editor in chief of The Signpost and graduated in the journalism emphasis in 2009. She then returned to do the Master of Professional Communication degree. For her thesis project, she did an eye-tracking study on news posts in Facebook and Twitter with Dr. Sheree Josephson, chair of the department. Their research was published in the scholarly journal Visual Communication Quarterly.

Journalism graduate writes first-person account of mass shooting for Rolling Stone

Mark Gray, a writer for Rolling Stone Country, wrote a first-person account for Rolling Stone’s website about the mass shooting last night at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas that left about 60 dead and 500-plus injured. Gray wrote:"’Get down, stay down.’" Those are the words that I'm hearing as gunshots are ringing out around me. Just moments before, I was listening to Jason Aldean sing ‘When She Says Baby’ during his set at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.” Gray, who was uninjured, previously was a staff writer for People magazine. He graduated in journalism from Weber State University where he was the news editor and a staff writer for The Signpost. His account can be found at http://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/las-vegas-shooting-what-it-was-like-at-w506517.

Faculty Achievements

Professor has article accepted by international teaching and learning journal

An article by Dr. Alexander Lancaster has been accepted by the International Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. The article titled "Student learning with permissive and restrictive cell phone policies: A classroom experiment" is expected to be published in the January 2018 issue.

Callahan co-presents action research at International Conference in Japan

RC Callahan, an adjunct instructor in the Department of Communication, co-presented with Dr. Melina Alexander, a professor in the College of Education, on the topic of “Promoting growth mindset in online education” at the 12th International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. Their presentation focused on translating growth mindset teaching and learning strategies into an online environment using digital communication methods and strategies. This presentation was repeated at the Zermatt Resort in Midway, Utah, for the WSU Fall 2017 New Faculty Retreat. 

Communication instructor moderates panel on political civility

Mark Merkley, an instructor in the Department of Communication, moderated a panel titled “Political civility in the time of hotheads and crackpots” at the Pleasant Valley Branch of the Weber County Library on Sept. 21. Merkley serves as a member of this year’s Engaged Learning Series on Civility at Weber State University.  

Get Involved

 

August/September 2017

Welcome to Fall Semester 2017!

Welcome to Fall Semester 2017. We hope you’re excited to be back and enjoy your new classes.

If you are having any problems with registration, please contact Sonja Green at sonjagreen@weber.edu and Shari Love at slove@weber.edu 

or come by the department office in Room 330 of Elizabeth Hall. Here are a few tips:      

  • You must use the waitlists the first week of class.
  • Meet with an academic adviser: If you don’t know what to sign up for, contact your academic adviser. The department chair can also help you.
  • Don’t get frustrated: This may be the most important piece of advice. If you’re having any problems, please contact the department. We are happy to help.         

This is the August/September 2017 edition of the monthly email to majors. At least once a month during the regular school year, we will email you to let you know about meetings of student organizations, guest speakers, important deadlines, opportunities, student and faculty achievements—and more. If you have information you’d like us to distribute, please email department chair Sheree Josephson at sjosephson@weber.edu.

What’s Happening

August

  • Aug. 28: Fall Semester begins

September

  • Sept. 1: Wildcat Block Party. Don’t miss our booths!
  • Sept. 6: Society of Professional Journalists elections, 2 p.m., SUB Room 404
  • Sept 21: Learn geographic storytelling skills (see below)

Student News

WSU student named Utah PR Student of the Year—for seventh year in row

Public Relations and Advertising senior Nina Morse brought home the top prize and was named the Utah PR Student of the Year in late May. Morse won a yearlong internship with West Valley Services, the nonprofit for which she created a public relations campaign, and $1,000. Morse becomes the seventh consecutive Weber State student to bring home this honor.

Two-time national debate champion WSU graduate assistant coach

Two-time national debate champion Ryan Wash will be a graduate assistant coach for Weber State Debate this year. Wash, who debated as an undergraduate for Emporia State University, won the National Debate Tournament policy debate championship with teammate Elijah Smith of New Jersey, a first for an all-black team. They also won the Cross-Examination Debate Association championship—the first time any team had won both titles. Before enrolling in WSU’s Master of Professional Communication program, he was an assistant coach for New Jersey’s Rutgers University-Newark debate team, which won both of those tournaments. He was recently featured in a podcast by Radio Lab: http://www.radiolab.org/story/debatable/.

Organizational Communication student wins intern competition

Alex Morrell, a recent graduate in Organizational Communication, with fellow Weber State student Joel Oliva and two Utah State University students, won first place and a scholarship of $750 in a competition with other interns at Enterprise Rent-A-Car from throughout Utah and Idaho. Their team presented on strategic cost-saving techniques revolving around overtime savings and retention savings through enhanced staffing and scheduling practices and boosting morale. The Enterprise Summer Internship Program is held every year with more than 2,000 participants across the country. Part of the internship is developing new ideas on an assigned topic and creating a presentation to deliver to high-ranking Enterprise management at the end of the summer.

Student-designed billboards designed in campaigns class used by client

Students enrolled in Spring Semester’s Public Relations Media and Campaigns class (Comm. 4400) taught by Dr. Nicola Corbin had their work produced by their client Weber State’s Medical Laboratory Sciences Department. Their billboards are shown on electronic displays such as the one on U.S. 89 near Weber Canyon. Weber State's Charter Academy, the children's school, has also been using the materials produced in a previous campaigns class. In addition, the Developmental Math Department has followed recommendations from students. This semester, the campaigns class client is A Mother's Nest, a new nonprofit that aims to provide support for women with postpartum depression in the Weber and Davis counties. Work produced by Weber State’s student-run public relations firm is also being used by clients. For example, recent graduate Kylee Waddoups continues the work by securing more media coverage for former client Utah Diaper Bank. 

Announcements

You may qualify to have HONORS emblazoned in gold on your diploma

If you have a 3.5 GPA overall and 3.7 in your major, you can join Honors and be a Communication Honors student. The rewards? Your diploma will have HONORS in gold on it, as will your transcripts that are sent to future employers. You will be invited to an Honors banquet with your significant other when you graduate. You will have access to the Honors resources, including the study rooms and lunch area in the library where there are always free snacks. You do not have to take any extra Honors classes. You do have to present an original research study or creative product at a conference or professional forum—the kind of project that will interest graduate schools and employers looking for innovative graduates. If this sounds like you, contact Dr. Susan Hafen at shafen@weber.edu for more information. Or go to the Honors website to learn more:  https://www.weber.edu/honors/.

Digital Media program equipped with state-of-the-art equipment

The Digital Media program received a generous amount of funds from the College of Arts and Humanities and the Office of the Provost to acquire new digital film and production gear. The core Digital Media production classes will benefit from having top-of-the-line equipment. Students nearing graduation will be able to produce their capstone projects using industry-standard cameras, tools and software. 

Society of Professional Journalists kicks off year with elections

The Weber State University chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists meets Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Building, Room 404. Election of news officers will be held in advance of the annual Excellence in Journalism conference in Anaheim, California. Contact Jean Norman at jeannorman@weber.edu for more information.

Black, Hispanic journalists encouraged to join journalism organizations

The National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists have active chapters at Weber State for students of color who are interested in media. This organization allows students of color and those deeply interested in diversity issues network together and with professionals. Contact Jean Norman at jeannorman@weber.edu for more information.

Learn geographic storytelling with Google tools in half-day session

Weber State students can learn geographic storytelling with Google tools on Thursday, Sept. 21, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Elizabeth Hall 229. In this hands-on, half-day session, explore a range of mapping tools for media, including Google Maps, Google My Maps, Google Earth Pro and Street View. Get inspired by seeing examples of how these tools have been used by journalists and try your hand at making your own flyovers, time-lapse maps and more.Download Google Earth Pro for desktops in advance at https://www.google.com/earth/desktop/.

Alumni News

PR & Advertising graduate featured in Sports Illustrated article

Shaquille Heath, a recent graduate in Public Relations & Advertising, was featured in an article in Sports Illustrated about her name. The link to the story is at https://www.si.com/nba/2017/07/05/shaquille-oneal-shaq-baby-name-popularity. While at WSU, Heath was named the Utah PR Student of the Year and honored as the Outstanding PR and Advertising graduate. She also spoke at Weber State’s graduation.  

Two recent PR & Advertising graduates working for Funded Today

Pascal Friedmann, a recent graduate in Public Relations & Advertising, is now the director of PR for all Utah clients at Funded Today, which supports crowdfunding through sites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo. He spends his time managing a five-member team of media relations specialists who seek to place their clients in large digital outlets such as Mashable, CNet and Digital Trends. The company, which started in 2014 and now has 50 employees, has also been successful in getting clients on Shark Tank. The founder is entrepreneur Zach Smith from the WSU School of Business. Their latest PR intern from the Communication Department, Kameron Baetge, was just hired full time in marketing. 

Graduate covering the news for Channel 2 in Salt Lake City

Morgan Briesmaster Saxton, a recent graduate in Digital Media, has joined the news team at Channel 2 in Salt Lake City. Here is the announcement about her when she joined its news team: http://kutv.com/contact/people/morgan-saxton.

MPC grad explains how she and husband raise two toddlers and run two businesses

Crystalee Beck, a graduate of the Master of Professional Communication program, co-presented a webinar with her husband, Ryan Beck, on family and career. The July seminar presented in conjunction with Brigham Young University highlighted the five principles the Becks follow in supporting each other’s professional aspirations while raising two toddlers and starting two businesses. Crystalee Beck has worked as a flight attendant, award-winning marketer, published researcher, and adjunct professor. Beck earned a degree in communication from BYU. Years later, the semester she had her first baby, she graduated from the Master of Professional Communication program at Weber State University. After working for a global sales and marketing company, where she wrote for brands like Microsoft, HP and Sony, she decided rather than climb a complicated corporate ladder, she would create her own. She started a communication consulting company in February 2016 and her team of talented writers help remarkable people and organizations tell their story. Passing it forward, she co-founded The Mama Ladder™ International in 2017 to help women thrive at the intersection of mamahood and entrepreneurship.

Faculty Achievements

Two new faculty join Department of Communication

The Department of Communication welcomes two new faculty members. They are filmmaker Andrea Baltazar and Dr. Stephanie Gomez.

Andrea Baltazar

Andrea Baltazar is a filmmaker who specializes in sound mixing and editing. She enjoys working on industrial, documentary and narrative films. She received her MFA in Writing for Screen and Television from Pepperdine University and earned a B.A. in Film Studies from University of California-Santa Barbara. She was raised in Oxnard, California, and previously was an adjunct professor at her hometown community college. She loves the beach, seafood and hiking. Andrea is thrilled to be at Weber State University and is looking forward to working with students and staff.

Stephanie Gomez

Stephanie L. Gomez earned her Ph.D. in Communication at the University of Utah in 2015. She then worked as an associate instructor in the University of Utah’s Department of Communication from 2015-2017. Her research and teaching focus on media studies, U.S. popular culture, critical/cultural studies, and representations of identities. Her current research includes work on the ways in which post-race and post-feminism are depicted in the popular TV show “Scandal” and the ways that racial/ethnic identities are articulated and policed in the TV show “Dancing with the Stars.”

Norman published article in College Media Review

Dr. Jean Norman has published an article titled “The Digital Generation Gap: How Student Journalist Transition from Personal to Professional Uses of Mobile Devices and Social Media” in the latest version of College Media Review Research Annual.

Lancaster publishes journal article, gets conference paper accepted

Dr. Alexander Lancaster has published an article and will present a conference paper at a national conference. His 2017 publication in The Journal of Communication and Religion is titled “Parishioners’ and Non-Parishioners’ Perceptions of Priests: Homilies Informed by an Intergroup Perspective are Linked to More Positive Perceptions.” He co-authored the article with Dr. Christine E. Rittenour from West Virginia University. The study explored perceptions of priests and the Catholic Church based on the language used in a priest's homily, among Catholics, non-Catholic Christians, and non-Christians. The conference paper titled “Student Learning with Permissive and Restrictive Cell Phone Policies: A Classroom Experiment” will be presented at the annual National Communication Association conference in Dallas this November. It was accepted as a top paper for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Division.

MPC grad, professor present eye-tracking findings on augmented reality

Melina Myers, a recent graduate of the Master of Professional Communication program, and Dr. Sheree Josephson, chair of the Department of Communication, presented findings from their eye-tracking study on augmented reality at VisCom 31 at Whidbey Island, Washington, in June. Their presentation was titled “Mobile Augmented Reality Through the Lens of Eye-Tracking Technology.”

Instructors producing feature-length documentary on Mozambique

Drew Tyler, Digital Media instructor, and Stacey Tyler, adjunct instructor, have been working all summer on a documentary from their trip to Mozambique. The film is being produced in association with Weber State’s Center for Community-Engaged Learning to encourage volunteering and service. A premiere of the feature-length documentary is scheduled for early October. Watch for more information and follow the post-production on the "Windows of Change" page on Facebook.

Professor interviewed about body language used by Trump, Putin

Dr. Colleen Packer was featured over the summer in multiple local television stories about the body language used by U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in their meeting. Packer has studied interpersonal and nonverbal communication for more than three decades. To view one of the stories, see http://mms.tveyes.com/MediaCenterPlayer.aspx?u=aHR0cDovL21lZGlhY2VudGVyLnR2ZXllcy5jb20vZG93bmxvYWRnYXRld2F5LmFzcHg%2FVXNlcklEPTU2NzA0Jk1ESUQ9ODM1NDU2OCZNRFNlZWQ9NDk1JlR5cGU9TWVkaWE%3D.

‘You are welcome here’ video produced by Digital Media professor

Andres Orozco, an assistant professor in Digital Media, created a video for Weber State University to let the world know that “You are welcome here.” The video can be viewed athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LNrW4t-j0I. “You are welcome here” is a campaign produced at more than 100 colleges and universities to welcome and support underrepresented students in general and international students specifically.  

Steimel receives tenure and promotion to associate professor

Dr. Sarah Steimel, director of the Master of Professional Communication program, has received tenure at Weber State University and promotion to associate professor. Dr. Steimel teaches a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate classes, especially those revolving around her expertise area of Organizational Communication. She also currently serves on the Executive Committee for the WSU Faculty Senate.

Instructors participate in panel at Broadcast Education Association

Instructors Drew Tyler and Robin Haislett were experts on a panel at the national conference Broadcast Education Association in April. The panel was titled “Making Accessibility Accessible: Designing Accessible Course Material and Teaching Students about Accessibility.” 

Adjunct instructor publishes book chapter, journal article

Dr. Stephanie Heath, an adjunct instructor in the Department of Communication, has published a book chapter and a journal article. She is the lead author on a book chapter titled “Communication Diversity in Families.” It is Chapter 10 in the book "Bereaving Over Family Loss." Here is the link to the book: https://titles.cognella.com/communication-diversity-in-families-9781516510498.html. She is also the co-author on an article titled "Relational Maintenance and Social Support in the Aftermath of Sudden and Expected Death" that will appear in the forthcoming issue of Communication Research Reports. In addition, she will present that article at the National Communication Association conference in Dallas in November. She will also present her video performance work in the Performance Studies Division at NCA with a video titled "X-Files: Swede the Future."

Get Involved

May 2017

Congratulations, graduates!

Congratulations to all who are graduating this spring with master’s, bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in Communication. Graduating from college is a major achievement.

For those of you not graduating, please let us know if you need help registering for either Summer or Fall Semester. We are happy to help. Please contact your academic adviser. If you encounter any registration problems or can’t get into the classes you need, please contact Sonja Green at sonjagreen@weber.edu or Sheree Josephson at sjosephson@weber.edu.

This is the May edition of the monthly email to majors. At least once a month during the regular school year, we will email you to let you know about meetings of student organizations, guest speakers, important deadlines, opportunities, student and faculty achievements—and more. If you have information you’d like us to distribute, please email department chair Sheree Josephson at sjosephson@weber.edu.

Student News

11 students graduating with master’s in Professional Communication

Congratulations to the 11 students graduating with a master’s degree in Professional Communication. Cami Ann Sabin was recognized as the outstanding graduate. The graduates include Angie R. Burton, Elizabeth Dela Cruz, Lucas T. Eddy, Colleen J. Henstra, Usman Khalid Javid, Melina Myers, Ann Parry, Amber Robson, Cami Ann Sabin, Jazmine Ellesse Thompson and Amanda Paige Wray.

61 students graduating with bachelor’s, associate’s in Communication

Congratulations to the 55 students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and the six students graduating with an associate’s degree in Communication. The graduates include:

  • Civic Advocacy: Steven Sanchez, Misty Tippets, Chase Christian VanOrden
  • Digital Media: Adam John Disterhaft, Keela M. Disterhaft, Nicholas J. Garrett, Matthew Stephen Havertz, Jacob T. Holt, Dustin Ray Howell, Logan Michael Malan, Meghan Courtney Montecillo, Mason Robert White
  • Public Relations & Advertising: Kyle Perry Froerer, Parker T. Alexander, Michelle Janae Barrett, Keith Tyrone Brown, Jonathan J. Davis, Ashton Dymock, Curtis William Hyde, Lauren Kenney, Alexander Warren Kurth, Ryan McCormick, Heather Hiroko Miya, Katie F. Orndorff, Carly S. Puffer, Zoe Rain Rogich, Hayley Blair Smith, Spencer Bryant Stevens, Thais Cavazotti Stewart,  Jane Mckenna Van Bibber, Haille E Van Patten, Chase J. Wood
  • Interpersonal & Family Communication: Courtney Beecher, George N. Black, Jalen Latrell Carpenter Gentry, Chelsey Madison Conner, Sheila Flamm Favero, James Rimando Felipe, Lindsey K Kapp, Tonya Kae Minson, Sarah Michelle Oaks, Dawn Ellen O'Brien, Marissa Brooke Questereit, Gatete Djuma Ujifusa
  • Multimedia Journalism: Evan Lawrence Brown, Derrick Gainsforth, Stephanie Ostler, Jasmine Marie Pittman
  • Organizational Communication: Alexander Hiette Morrell, Jeremy Ryan Arends, Nathan S. Keyes, Troy Jacob Michaelson, Bethany Anne Rasmussen, Jennifer Weight
  • Communication Teaching:  Bryan Lay
  • Associate of Science in Communication: Tori Leigh Alexander, Parker William Martin, Jacob A. McMahon, Tawnie Marie Moore, Megan Ann Roessler, Valerie Rose Sterrett

Outstanding graduates in Communication to be honored

The outstanding graduates have been selected for the Department of Communication for the 2016-2017 academic year. They will be honored at a ceremony on April 20.

  • Academic Achievement: Meghan Montecillo
  • Civic Advocacy: Misty Tippets
  • Digital Media: Matthew Havertz
  • Interpersonal & Family Communication: Dawn O’Brien and Chelsey Conner
  • Multimedia Journalism: Jasmine Pittman
  • Organizational Communication: Bethany Rasmussen
  • Public Relations & Advertising: Thais Stewart

22 to be inducted into national honor society for Communication

Twenty-two Communication majors will be inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the national honor society for Communication, in a ceremony on April 20. To be eligible for Lambda Pi Eta, students must (1) complete 60 semester credit hours, (2) have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all courses taken, (3) complete the equivalent of 12 semester credit hours in Communication, (4) have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for all Communication courses, (5) currently be enrolled as a student in good standing, as determined by the institution's policies, and (6) rank within the highest 35 percent of one’s class in general scholarship. The inductees include Emilee Atkinson, Rachel Badali, Daniel Baerga, Hayley Biddle, George Black, Benjamin Brandley, Eric Davenport, Natalie Hales, Melissa Jensen, Dax Johnson, Madison Kaufman, Jinelle Lumpris, Tonya Minson, Tawnie Moore, Nina Morse, Bethany Rasmussen, Megan Roessler, Dallas Terry, Madelaine Tesori, Kailey Thompson, Chase Van Orden, Jennifer Weight.

Two students to graduate with Honors in Communication

Two students will graduate with Honors in Communication.  To graduate with Honors, students must earn a 3.75 GPA in the Communication major and have a 3.5 GPA overall. They must also present original research at a conference. They will be honored at the awards ceremony on April 20. They include:

  • Mathew Havertz, Digital Media: “Call-to-action invitations which effectively increase total subscribers on YouTube”
  • Jennifer Weight, Organizational Communication: “Employee motivation and the impact of incentive”

Six undergraduate Communication majors present research findings

Six Communication majors presented their findings on undergraduate research projects at various conferences in 2016-2017. These six students will be honored at the annual awards ceremony for the Department of Communication on April 20. The students and their projects include:

  • National Conference on Undergraduate Research: Maedelaine Tesori, “Project success: Barriers and concerns related to health disparities in the African-American community in Utah
  • Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research: Bailey Paige Lefthand, “Facebook and college transition”
  • WSU Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration: Ben Brandley, “Nonverbal cues indicating stress in law enforcement”; Hayley Harris, “Instagram hastags used as speech codes by young LDS mothers”; Matthew Havertz, “Which call-to-action invitations effectively increase total subscribers on YouTube?”; Jennifer Weight, “Employee motivation and the impact of incentive”

Communication majors named as winners, finalists for Crystal Crest

Two Communication majors were winners and three other Communication majors were finalists at this year’s Crystal Crest awards. They include:

  • Excellence in Inclusivity: Winner, Aulola Moli; Finalist, Haille van Patten
  • Wildcat Achievement: Winner, Marissa Questereit
  • Athletic Wildcat Achievement: Finalist, Tawnie Moore
  • Male Athletic Achievement: Finalist, Andrew Vollert

Public Relations and Advertising student to speak at commencement

Public Relations and Advertising student Thais Stewart, who also has a major in Political Science and a minor in Portuguese, has been selected as student speaker for the Spring 2017 commencement ceremony. Stewart is also one of the longest-serving members of Weber State's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and is completing her tenure as chapter president. This is the third time since 2013 that a Communication student has been selected to deliver the student address at commencement.

Communication scholarship awardees named

Sixteen Communication majors and participants in co-curricular organizations housed in the Department of Communication will receive scholarships for the 2017-18 academic year. They include Cydnee Green, Harrison Epstein, Alex Harris, Josh Wineholt, Ashton Corsetti, Chris Nichols, Jason Lumpris, Jinelle Lumpris, Daniel Ray, Ellie Coombs, Benjamin Brandley, Mitch Lawson, Jon Van Sickle, Hannah Wilson, Crystal Hall and Linsey Fowers.

Speech Showcase highlights five best student speakers from Comm. 1020

The five best speakers from Spring Semester’s public speaking classes delivered their speeches to a packed auditorium in Elizabeth Hall on Aug. 20. All 20 finalists were honored for their participation in Selection Saturday. The winning speakers and topics were:

  • Geoff Hasty: Correcting our Correctional System
  • Taylor Dawson: Monsters of the Mind
  • Megan Christensen: Giving Foster Children a Voice
  • Mykell Rivera: Worthy of Your Dreams
  • Samantha Bunderson:Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse

Alan Hall, founder and chairman of MarketStar, was the guest dignitary during the Speech Showcase. He was honored for his contributions to public speaking and led the audience in the Weber Speaks anthem.

Four advanced public speaking students address Ogden City Council

Four students enrolled in the Advanced Public Speaking course offered by the Department of Communication participated in the Weber Speaks program on Tuesday, April 18. Kyle Hole, Melanie Jackson, Carver Nicholas and Misty Tippets spoke before the Ogden City Council, where they delivered persuasive speeches on two topics selected by the City of Ogden: maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle in Ogden presented by Melanie Jackson, and mandating the use of body cameras by Ogden police officers presented by Kyle Hole, Carver Nicholas and Misty Tippets. These speakers represent the Department of Communication's commitment to the College Town Initiative, as well as the democratic engagement pillar of the Weber State University Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL). The four students were honored at the semi-annual Department of Communication Speech Showcase event.

Communication major elected student body president

Communication major Aulola Moli was elected student body president of Weber State University for the 2017-2018 year.

AHA! Awards recognize students, adjunct faculty member, friends

Five people connected to the Department of Communication were honored at the annual AHA! Awards sponsored by the College of Arts and Humanities. Signpost staff members Benjamin Bigelow and Joshua Wineholt received scholarships. The student awards are for “students who have persevered despite difficult circumstances, who reach beyond their grasp, and who exhibit talent or promise indicating a commitment to education. Adjunct faculty member Christine Denniston was honored for the work she does as marketing director for the college. Alumni awards went to two friends of the department: Jonathan Morrell and Phillip Tuckett.      

Announcements

Sports Multimedia Journalism track now available

The Sports Multimedia Journalism track within the Multimedia Journalism major is now available. Students interested in becoming sports journalists should see Jean Norman, multimedia journalism adviser: jeannorman@weber.edu.
 

Special topics course ‘Innovations in Media’ to be offered in fall

A special topics course called "Innovations in Media" will be offered in fall. The course, Comm. 4500, will include demonstrations of drone photography, virtual reality, Google Tools and other innovations that are changing the media world landscape. Students will take on a project of their choosing that pushes the boundaries of media innovation. It will count as a Communication elective for majors. For more information, contact Jean Norman, jeannorman@weber.edu.
Broadcast news reporting class to be offered Fall Semester

Broadcast News Reporting and Production, Comm. 3780, will be offered only in fall starting in 2017-18. For multimedia journalism majors, this is a required course, and they need to plan their course schedules. Students who take News Reporting and Writing, Comm. 3130, in the same semester as Broadcast News Reporting and Writing may cover the same events for both classes and create multimedia journalism packages for their portfolios. For more information, contact Stacey Tyler at staceycragun@weber.edu.

Performance Studies on the schedule for Fall Semester

Performance Studies Comm. 3070 will be offered in Fall Semester. It will be taught by Dr. Stephanie Heath, an adjunct instructor with background in this area. The course will survey communication studies through the lens of performance, considering the inherent drama in human life. Topics covered will include performance and culture, performing social roles, performing identity, performing resistance, and aesthetic communication. If you have question, email stephanieheath@weber.edu

Alumni News

Graduate named in Pulitzer Prize for local news reporting

Jessica Miller, who graduated with master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Communication from Weber State University, was named in the Pulitzer Prize for local news reporting won by the Salt Lake Tribune. Miller was the editor in chief of The Signpost and graduated in the journalism emphasis. She then returned to do the Master of Professional Communication degree. For her thesis project, she did an eye-tracking study on news posts in Facebook and Twitter with Dr. Sheree Josephson, chair of the department. Their research was published in the scholarly journal Visual Communication Quarterly. Just a few days after her award, she spoke about the project on sexual assault on Utah college campuses to a group of students in a class taught by Dr. Jean Norman.     

PR & Advertising graduate makes appearance on ‘Good Morning America’

Thomas Judd, a recent graduate in Public Relations and Advertising, made an appearance on “Good Morning America.” On Facebook, Judd said, “I'm incredibly thankful for Kirvin Doak Communications, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, my amazing clients and the opportunity to promote my city.”

Communication graduate to attend law school at University of Utah

Brian Bankhead, a 2014 graduate in Communication, will attend the S. J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah beginning in the Fall. He said he became interested in law school after his Communication Law class with Dr. Sheree Josephson.

Faculty Achievements

Faculty member retiring after decade of teaching General Education classes    

Dr. Cynthia Bishop is retiring from the Department of Communication at Weber State University after 10 years of teaching Comm. 1020 Principles of Public Speaking and Comm. 2110 Interpersonal and Small Group Communication on both the main campus and the Davis campus. She was just nominated in Spring Semester by two students at the Davis campus for being a professor who had a positive effect on their lives and will be honored at a reception. Dr. Bishop advised Weber State’s student chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the national honor society for students in Communication. She is a proud Idahoan. A self-proclaimed "late bloomer," she began college at 40 and just couldn't stop. She claims she was quite happy as a PROFESSIONAL STUDENT, but realized she had to do something to make money and not just spend money. While she is proud of her academic trek, her greatest accomplishment, according to her, was raising three daughters— alone—often working two jobs. Dr. Bishop said her “other Gemini-self wore hot-pants, red leather knee boots and carried a tray. The tips were great but that was an education on the human condition in and of itself.” Dr. Bishop is a woman of letters, a learner, a teacher and a proud mother of three (each of whom gave her a son-in-law she adores) a grandmother to eight, and a great "Nana-Doc" to three. She is looking forward to viewing the world from the golf course. The first thing she wants to do after the term busy-ness is over is buy a "really good pitching wedge." 

Debate coach receives national service award from NDCA

Omar Guevara, director of Weber State Debate, was honored with the Service Award from the National Debate Coaches Association. Guevara, with the assistance of assistant director of debate Ryan Cheek, hosted the national tournament at WSU that brought about 600 high school debaters and coaches to campus and infused about $750,000 into the local economy.

Two Communication faculty members finalists for Master Teacher award

Two faculty members in the Department of Communication were among the five finalists for the Master Teacher award in the annual Crystal Crest awards. Dr. Nicola Corbin teaches public relations and advises the student PR firm Ogden Peak Communications and the student chapter of PRSSA. Dr. Jean Norman teaches journalism and advises The Signpost and the student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Instructor records video for Entrepreneurship Center

Brent Warnock, an instructor of Communication, has recorded a video about his business experience for the  Weber State Entrepreneurship Center. It can be viewed at https://youtu.be/NfCucDeBibc.

Administrative assistant selected for Super Staff Award

Sonja Green, the administrative assistant for the Department of Communication, has been selected for a Super Staff Award for Spring Semester. She will be honored at an ice cream social in May.  

Faculty members to make documentary film in Mozambique

Faculty member Drew Tyler and adjunct faculty member Stacey Tyler will travel to Mozambique in May with the Global Community Engaged Learning program to produce a documentary about the work of Weber State students in Boane, Mozambique. Students will construct two classrooms and a library for the Eduardo Mondlane School for elementary-aged children. Participants will also assist with education programs at the Women's Center that was built by Weber State students in 2014. The Tylers will spend about 10 days shooting and interviewing participants on location to tell their stories. 

Get Involved

April 2017

Drop-in advising, registration, graduation all planned

It’s a busy time of year with graduation festivities and registration for summer and fall semesters. If you’re a continuing student in need of academic advisement, drop-in advising will be held on April 10-11 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 332 with Dr. Sheree Josephson, chair of the Department of Communication. You are welcome to show up without an appointment. You can also schedule an appointment with your academic adviser. If you encounter any registration problems or can’t get into the classes you need, please contact Sonja Green at sonjagreen@weber.edu.

This is the April edition of the monthly email to majors. At least once a month during the regular school year, we will email you to let you know about meetings of student organizations, guest speakers, important deadlines, opportunities, student and faculty achievements—and more. If you have information you’d like us to distribute, please email department chair Sheree Josephson at sjosephson@weber.edu.

What’s Happening

April

·         April 4: Mideast correspondent for Newsweek, 10:30 a.m., Wildcat Theater
·         April 4: Meeting of Hispanic, black journalists, 3 p.m., Signpost offices
·         April 4: “Shark Tank” survivor, 5:30-7 p.m., Union Building Sky Room
·         April 8: Humane Society fund-raiser (see information below)
·         April 7-10: National Debate Coaches Association tournament, hosted by WSU
·         April 10: Fall Semester registration opens
·         April 10: Drop-in advising with chair, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., EH 332
·         April 11: Drop-in advising with chair, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., EH 332
·         April 20: Speech Showcase, 7 p.m., EH 229
·         April 21: Film Showcase, 7 p.m., Wildcat Theater
·         April 28: Graduation

 

Student News

11 students graduating with master’s in Professional Communication

Congratulations to the 11 students graduating with a master’s degree in Professional Communication. Cami Ann Sabin was recognized as the outstanding graduate. The graduates include Angie R. Burton, Elizabeth Dela Cruz, Lucas T. Eddy, Colleen J. Henstra, Usman Khalid Javid, Melina Myers, Ann Parry, Amber Robson, Cami Ann Sabin, Jazmine Ellesse Thompson and Amanda Paige Wray.

61 students graduating with bachelor’s, associate’s in Communication

Congratulations to the 55 students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and the six students graduating with an associate’s degree in Communication. The graduates include:

  • Civic Advocacy: Steven Sanchez, Misty Tippets, Chase Christian VanOrden
  • Digital Media: Adam John Disterhaft, Keela M. Disterhaft, Nicholas J. Garrett, Matthew Stephen Havertz, Jacob T. Holt, Dustin Ray Howell, Logan Michael Malan, Meghan Courtney Montecillo, Mason Robert White
  • Public Relations & Advertising: Kyle Perry Froerer, Parker T. Alexander, Michelle Janae Barrett, Keith Tyrone Brown, Jonathan J. Davis, Ashton Dymock, Curtis William Hyde, Lauren Kenney, Alexander Warren Kurth, Ryan McCormick, Heather Hiroko Miya, Katie F. Orndorff, Carly S. Puffer, Zoe Rain Rogich, Hayley Blair Smith, Spencer Bryant Stevens, Thais Cavazotti Stewart,  Jane Mckenna Van Bibber, Haille E Van Patten, Chase J. Wood
  • Interpersonal & Family Communication: Courtney Beecher, George N. Black, Jalen Latrell Carpenter Gentry, Chelsey Madison Conner, Sheila Flamm Favero, James Rimando Felipe, Lindsey K Kapp, Tonya Kae Minson, Sarah Michelle Oaks, Dawn Ellen O'Brien, Marissa Brooke Questereit, Gatete Djuma Ujifusa
  • Multimedia Journalism: Evan Lawrence Brown, Derrick Gainsforth, Stephanie Ostler, Jasmine Marie Pittman
  • Organizational Communication: Alexander Hiette Morrell, Jeremy Ryan Arends, Nathan S. Keyes, Troy Jacob Michaelson, Bethany Anne Rasmussen, Jennifer Weight
  • Communication Teaching:  Bryan Lay
  •  Associate of Science in Communication: Tori Leigh Alexander, Parker William Martin, Jacob A. McMahon, Tawnie Marie Moore, Megan Ann Roessler, Valerie Rose Sterrett

Outstanding graduates in Communication to be honored

The outstanding graduates have been selected for the Department of Communication for the 2016-2017 academic year. They will be honored at a ceremony on April 20.

  • Academic Achievement: Meghan Montecillo
  • Civic Advocacy: Misty Tippets
  • Digital Media: Matthew Havertz
  • Interpersonal & Family Communication: Dawn O’Brien and Chelsey Conner
  • Multimedia Journalism: Jasmine Pittman
  • Organizational Communication: Bethany Rasmussen
  • Public Relations & Advertising: Thais Stewart

22 to be inducted into national honor society for Communication

Twenty-two Communication majors will be inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the national honor society for Communication, in a ceremony on April 20. To be eligible for Lambda Pi Eta, students must (1) complete 60 semester credit hours, (2) have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all courses taken, (3) complete the equivalent of 12 semester credit hours in Communication, (4) have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for all Communication courses, (5) currently be enrolled as a student in good standing, as determined by the institution's policies, and (6) rank within the highest 35 percent of one’s class in general scholarship. The inductees include Emilee Atkinson, Rachel Badali, Daniel Baerga, Hayley Biddle, George Black, Benjamin Brandley, Eric Davenport, Natalie Hales, Melissa Jensen, Dax Johnson, Madison Kaufman, Jinelle Lumpris, Tonya Minson, Tawnie Moore, Nina Morse, Bethany Rasmussen, Megan Roessler, Dallas Terry, Madelaine Tesori, Kailey Thompson, Chase Van Orden, Jennifer Weight.

Two students to graduate with Honors in Communication

Two students will graduate with Honors in Communication.  To graduate with Honors, students must earn a 3.75 GPA in the Communication major and have a 3.5 GPA overall. They must also present original research at a conference. They will be honored at the awards ceremony on April 20. They include:

  • Mathew Havertz, Digital Media: “Call-to-action invitations which effectively increase total subscribers on YouTube”
  • Jennifer Weight, Organizational Communication: “Employee motivation and the impact of incentive”

 

Six undergraduate Communication majors present research findings

Six Communication majors presented their findings on undergraduate research projects at various conferences in 2016-2017. These six students will be honored at the annual awards ceremony for the Department of Communication on April 20. The students and their projects include:

  • National Conference on Undergraduate Research: Maedelaine Tesori, “Project success: Barriers and concerns related to health disparities in the African-American community in Utah
  • Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research: Bailey Paige Lefthand, “Facebook and college transition”; Maedelaine Tesori, “Project success: Barriers and concerns related to health disparities in the African-American community in Utah
  • WSU Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration: Ben Brandley, “Nonverbal cues indicating stress in law enforcement”; Hayley Harris, “Instagram hastags used as speech codes by young LDS mothers”; Matthew Havertz, “Which call-to-action invitations effectively increase total subscribers on YouTube?”; Jennifer Weight, “Employee motivation and the impact of incentive”

Signpost wins top prize for non-daily student newspaper

The Signpost, Weber State University's student news organization, came away with the top prize for non-daily student newspapers at the Region 9 Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards, held March 25 in Salt Lake City. The three-day-a-week newspaper beat out Brigham Young University to win Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper. BYU's The Universe, which publishes a print edition weekly, was a finalist behind The Signpost. In addition, Editor-in-Chief Charles Bowker won the top prize for editorial writing for a series of commentaries he penned on open government. Two other Signpost staffers were honored at the ceremony. 

Spanish reporter Rosa Arambula was a finalist for general column writing among newspapers at large schools. Her columns explored the place of a Latina in the university and the world. Photo editor Emily Crooks had two photo illustrations honored as finalists: the cover of the Orientation issue, which featured a collage of Signpost photos overlaid by a student reading a book, and an illustration for breast exams that used a model wearing a hospital gown. Student news organizations—print, broadcast and online—compete annually in the Mark of Excellence. The Region 9 competition includes 13 colleges and universities from Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. Winners at the regional level move on to compete nationally.

Communication majors, organizations, friends nominated for Crystal Crest

Communication majors, student organizations and friends of the department received nominations for Weber State’s annual Crystal Crest awards. Nominated students and groups include:

  • Excellence in Inclusivity: Lola Moli, Haille van Patten
  • Registered Organization of the Year: The Signpost, Studio 76
  • Friend of Student Award: Matt Gerrish, Debbi Murphy
  • Woman of the Year: Cydnee Green, Danielle Collier, Kailey Thompson
  • Wildcat Achievement: Tawnie Moore, Marissa Questereit, Taylor Winnie
  • Talent of the Year: Tawnie Moore
  • Man of the Year: Felix Bacan

Public Relations and Advertising student to speak at commencement

Public Relations and Advertising student Thais Stewart, who also has a major in Political Science and a minor in Portuguese, has been selected as student speaker for the Spring 2017 commencement ceremony. Stewart is also one of the longest-serving members of Weber State's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and is completing her tenure as chapter president. This is the third time since 2013 that a Communication student has been selected to deliver the student address at commencement.

Debate team makes Sweet 16 of national tournament

Weber State Debaters Kinsee Gaither and Misty Tippets made the Sweet 16 at the 71st National Debate Tournament at the University of Kansas. They defeated Trinity University on a 4-1 decision. In the octafinals, they were bested by the University of California-Berkeley on a 4-1 decision. Gaither and Tippets is the first all-woman team from WSU to compete in the elimination rounds of the NDT, and the first Weber State team to appear in the Sweet Sixteen round since 1991. Tippets is only the third Weber State debater to qualify for the National Debate Tournament four times in four years.

Editor in chief, other Signpost editors named for 2017-2018 academic year

Weber State senior Cole Eckhardt will take the reins of The Signpost in June for the 2017-18 school. Eckhardt, an archaeology and geoscience major, has served on The Signpost's copy desk for two years, the past year as copy desk chief. Senior Cydnee Green, a multimedia journalism major, will join Eckhardt's team as managing editor, overseeing The Signpost's digital presence. Green has been the sports editor for the past year. Other Signpost editors selected for the 2017-18 school year are Ashton Corsetti, news editor; Harrison Epstein, sports editor; Daniel Ray, assistant sports editor; Samantha Bunderson, arts & entertainment editor; Ezekiel Lee, science & technology editor, Leah Higginbotham, science & technology assistant editor; Abby VanEss, photo editor; Trevor Billings, Spanish editor; Alexandra Harris, copy desk chief; and Maddy VanOrman, graphics editor.

WSU chapters of Hispanic, black journalists to meet Tuesday

The Weber State University chapters of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists will hold its final meeting of the school year at 3 p.m. April 4 in The Signpost offices on the fourth floor of the Shepherd Union. All interested students are invited to attend.

Studio 76 selects executive producer for 2017-2018

Studio 76 has chosen a new executive producer for 2017-2018. Mitch Lawson will be taking the reigns as the new student leader of the Studio 76 production team. Lawson has spent that last year on the team as the live event director in charge of streaming soccer, volleyball and softball games. As the new EP, Lawson will choose his incoming staff this week. 

 

Announcements 

Speech Showcase to highlight best student speakers from Comm. 1020

The Department of Communication will sponsor the Speech Showcase on Thursday, April 20, at 7 p.m. in the lecture hall in Elizabeth Hall, Room 229. This event will recognize the best speeches from the Comm. 1020 (Public Speaking) classes. It will provide an opportunity for the Top 5 finalists to present their speeches to faculty, administration, students and the overall university community. Comm. 1020 classes in Spring 2017 will select one student to represent the class in the competition. Students selected will be recognized as semifinalists. Each semifinalist will receive a $25 Bookstore gift certificate and will have the opportunity to present their speech to a faculty selection committee on Selection Saturday on April 15. The faculty selection committee will then choose five finalists who will receive a $150 cash award and will be asked to present their speeches during the April 20 Speech Showcase evening. For any questions about the Speech Showcase, contact either Alex Lancaster at alancasater@weber.edu or Brent Warnock at brentwarnock1@weber.edu. Alan Hall, founder and chairman of MarketStar, will be the guest dignitary during the Speech Showcase. He will be honored for his contributions to public speaking and will lead the audience in the Weber Speaks anthem.

‘Shark Tank’ survivor to speak to public relations students

Have you ever watched “Shark Tank”? Now is your chance to hear from someone who survived. Join Ogden Peak Communications this Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Sky Room in the Shepherd Union Building for “Show your Face: communicating that you care about more than just the bottom line through corporate social responsibility.” This event will feature speakers from Utah's Mission Belt who were funded through Shark Tank. To learn more, see https://orgsync.com/148098/forms/252206. Speakers will also include representatives from Coalatree and the WSU's Center for Leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility. 

Student Film Showcase to highlight student work

Nine short student films will be shown at the 2017 Student Film Showcase on Friday, April 21, from 7-9 p.m. in the Wildcat Theater in the Union Building. The films were made in a class taught by Andres Orozco. Admission is free. The films and the student filmmakers include:

  • Comes around: Nathan Stock
  • Daydreamer: Nicholas Asay
  • Fake-edge lips: Caleb Henney
  • Faulty 101: Crystal Dawn Snow
  • Happy birthday: William Wornack Jr.
  • Ian: Logan Malan
  • Topo and the pizza: Dave Rogers
  • Waiting game: Valerie Sterrett
  • What you make it: Emily Elredge

Students hosting concert to benefit Humane Society of Northern Utah

Weber State students will host a concert to benefit the Humane Society of Northern Utah following an all-day adoption event on April 8. The adoption event will run from noon until 5 p.m. The concert fundraiser will begin at 5 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. This will take place at Ken Garff Honda at 950 W. Riverdale Road in Riverdale. There will be food from Bella's Fresh Mexican Grill, live bands and K9 unit demonstrations. Donations are recommended but not required. All proceeds will go to the HSNU. For more information, follow @WeberStatePawSquad on Facebook. 

Newsweek’s Mideast correspondent to speak on Syria

Janine DiGiovanni, the Mideast correspondent for Newsweek, will give a talk on Syria at the Holocaust Remembrance event on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the Wildcat Theater.  

Sports Multimedia Journalism track now available

The Sports Multimedia Journalism track within the Multimedia Journalism major is now available. Students interested in becoming sports journalists should see Jean Norman, multimedia journalism adviser: jeannorman@weber.edu.

Special topics course ‘Innovations in Media’ to be offered in fall

A special topics course called "Innovations in Media" will be offered in fall. The course, Comm. 4500, will include demonstrations of drone photography, virtual reality, Google Tools and other innovations that are changing the media world landscape. Students will take on a project of their choosing that pushes the boundaries of media innovation. It will count as a Communication elective for majors. For more information, contact Jean Norman, jeannorman@weber.edu.

Broadcast news reporting class to be offered Fall Semester

Broadcast News Reporting and Production, Comm. 3780, will be offered only in fall starting in 2017-18. For multimedia journalism majors, this is a required course, and they need to plan their course schedules. Students who take News Reporting and Writing, Comm. 3130, in the same semester as Broadcast News Reporting and Writing may cover the same events for both classes and create multimedia journalism packages for their portfolios. For more information, contact Stacey Tyler at staceycragun@weber.edu.

The Buzz app gives students access to latest campus, local, national and world news

The Buzz: Weber State University, a new digital resource, is available to students, faculty and staff for download through both iTunes or Google Play. Weber State has partnered with USA TODAY for a number of years to provide a selection of newspapers to students through the Collegiate Readership Program. However, the consumption of print news is on the decline and reaching the most-connected and tech-savvy generation with reliable news and information is a real challenge. The Buzz: Weber State University is a first-of-its-kind news app that gives students access to the latest national, world, local, and campus news they care about in one app. Students are able to:

  • Examine multiple opinions and perspectives.
  • Create conversations and promote a sharing of ideas within their community and beyond.         
  • Access the latest headlines from The Signpost and USA TODAY, stream live radio from KWCR, and view videos from Studio 76.       
  • Receive the latest career advice for use in their prospective field.
  • See their lives in a global context and relate major stories to specific course-work.          

National Debate Coaches Association national championship hosted by WSU

Weber State Debate will host the 12th annual National Debate Coaches Association national championship in April  2017. The event will bring 600-plus people to Ogden during 2017, the centennial year for debate at WSU. Participants will include the elite tier of high school debaters in the United States. This event is expected to insert half a million dollars in the community.  To visit the hosting website for the event, visit https://www.ndca2017.com/.

 

Faculty Achievements

Dr. Ty Sanders to retire after 26-year career at Weber State

Dr. Ty Sanders will retire after 26 years of teaching and advising KWCR at Weber State University. Dr. Sanders came to WSU in 1991 after an 18-year career in radio and television news. In his first career, he did “a little bit of everything” from all-night DJ to working as vice president in charge of the news operations for a small chain of television stations in the Northwest. At WSU, Sanders established many of the audio and video classes in the Communication Department. He served as chair of the department from 2000 to 2003. Sanders spent much of his efforts working directly with student organizations, establishing the Studio 76 program for students interested in video journalism and serving as adviser to KWCR-FM, the campus radio station for more than 20 years, and as advisor to the campus newspaper, The Signpost. In the four years leading up to the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, he served as director of the International Olympic Broadcast Student Training Program. He trained more than three dozen students who worked full time during the Olympics, broadcasting the games all over the world. Sanders also served as the chief broadcast liaison officer during the games at the Snowbasin downhill skiing events.


Faculty members to make documentary film in Mozambique

Faculty member Drew Tyler and adjunct faculty member Stacey Tyler will travel to Mozambique in May with the Global Community Engaged Learning program to produce a documentary about the work of Weber State students in Boane, Mozambique. Students will construct two classrooms and a library for the Eduardo Mondlane School for elementary-aged children. Participants will also assist with education programs at the Women's Center that was built by Weber State students in 2014. The Tylers will spend about 10 days shooting and interviewing participants on location to tell their stories. 

Faculty members presenting panel at Broadcast Education Association meeting

Faculty members Robin Haislett and Drew Tyler will present a panel at the annual meeting of the Broadcast Education Association in Las Vegas at the end of April. It is called "Making accessibility accessible: Designing accessible course material and teaching students about accessibility."


Steimel’s article on volunteering published in online version of Voluntas

Dr. Sarah Steimel’s article titled “ Skills-based volunteering as both work and not work: a tension-centered examination of constructions of ‘volunteer’” has come out in Voluntas, an interdisciplinary journal on volunteering scholarship, online. The article will soon be published in the print edition.

Seven faculty members nominated for Master Teacher award

Seven faculty members in the Department of Communication received a nomination for Master Teacher in the annual Crystal Crest awards. They are Dr. Michael Ault, Dr. Anne Bialowas, Dr. Nicola Corbin, Dr. Jean Norman, Dr. Colleen Packer, Drew Tyler and Brent Warnock.

Two Communication professors present at WSU Faculty Symposium

Faculty Dr. Jean Norman and Dr. Alexander Lancaster presented at the 2017 Faculty Symposium March 21 in the Shepherd Union. Both projects grew out of a Teaching and Learning Forum semester-long course on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Lancaster compared a strict no-cell-phone policy to a lax cell phone policy in equivalent public speaking classes. Norman reported on a project to bring training to community journalists in a rural community.

 


March 2017

You may meet requirements for AS degree in Communication

Even if you thought you weren’t graduating this year, think again. You may be eligible to apply for graduation with an Associate of Science degree in Communication. Applying for graduation with your associate’s is a good way to list a degree on your resume now. If you meet the requirements, you should have received an email from an academic adviser. If not, see information below.

March means it will soon be time to start thinking about registration for Summer and Fall semesters. It’s also time to join Lambda Pi Eta, the national honor society in Communication.

This is the March edition of the monthly email to majors. At least once a month during the regular school year, we will email you to let you know about meetings of student organizations, guest speakers, important deadlines, opportunities, student and faculty achievements—and more. If you have information you’d like us to distribute, please email department chair Sheree Josephson at sjosephson@weber.edu.

What’s Happening

March

  • March 14: Hispanic, black journalists, 3 p.m., SU 401
  • March 22: Deadline to join Lambda Pi Eta national honor society (see below)
  • March 24-25: Society of Professional Journalists conference, SLC

April

  • April 3: Summer Semester registration opens
  • April 4: Mideast correspondent for Newsweek, 10:30 a.m., Wildcat Theater
  • April 7: National Debate Coaches Association tournament, hosted by WSU
  • April 10: Fall Semester registration opens
  • April 10: Drop-in advising with chair, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., EH 332
  • April 11: Drop-in advising with chair, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., EH 332
  • April 20: Speech Showcase, 7 p.m., EH 229
  • April 21: Film Showcase, 7 p.m., Wildcat Theater
  • April 28: Graduation

Student News

You may meet requirements for Associate of Science in Communication
Even if you thought you weren’t graduating this year, think again. You may be eligible to apply for graduation with an Associate of Science degree in Communication. Applying for graduation with your associate’s is a good way to list a degree on your resume now. You may have received an email from an academic adviser. If you want to have the AS Communication degree awarded, please do the following as soon as possible:

  • Contact the Communication office and declare the AS Communication.
  • Once declared as seeking the AS Communication, complete the graduation application located in your student portal.

Please contact Debbi Murphy atddmurphy@weber.edu if you have any questions or if you need more information. It’s not too late to be listed in the graduation program.

Top Communication students invited to join national honor society
Junior and senior Communication majors with high GPAs will receive invitations this week to join Lambda Pi Eta, the national honor society for Communication students. To be eligible students must (1) complete 60 semester credit hours, (2) have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 for all courses taken, (3) complete the equivalent of 12 semester credit hours in Communication, (4) have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for all Communication courses, (5) currently be enrolled as a student in good standing, as determined by the institution's policies, and (6) rank within the highest 35 percent of one’s class in general scholarship. Invitations will be extended via postal mail. If you quality, but do not receive your invitation by March 17, please contact Sonja Green at sonjagreen@weber.edu to check your eligibility. Qualifying students will be honored at the department’s end-of-year event.  The deadline to join is March 22.

Organizational Communication student wins Big Sky Conference title in hurdles
Tawnie Moore, an Organizational Communication major, won the 60-meter hurdles, setting a school record of 8.32 seconds, at the Big Sky Conference Indoor Championships. Not only did Moore break a Weber State record, she ran the second fastest time in Big Sky Conference history. 

Students put on program, make donation to Down’s Syndrome organization
Six students in Small Group Facilitation & Leadership (Comm. 3100) organized a Spring Formal for Gigi’s Playhouse in Layton, a community center for people with Down’s Syndrome. The students involved were Nathan Keyes, Caralee Wallentine, Zoe Rogich, Nathan Tinsley, Marc DeYoung and Bethany Rasmussen. They received donations from local businesses and individuals to make a formal dinner for the attendees, decorate the room, and provide each attendee with a goodie bag worth approximately $25 each. They donated the remaining $1,425 to the organization. Comm. 3100 is being taught this semester by Dr. Michael Ault.

Announcements

Applications open for Studio 76 until Friday
Applications for Studio 76 will be open until Friday. Studio 76 has openings for positions such as:

  • Executive producer
  • Program director
  • Senior producers
  • Online director

Staff members receive tuition waivers as they perform various activities associated with Studio 76. Applications are available atstudio76.mywebermedia.com.

The Signpost taking applications for editors, staffers
The Signpost is taking applications for section editors and staffers for the 2017-18 school year. Weber State's student news organization will be making some major changes, switching to twice-a-week publication in a tabloid format and five-day-a-week publication online, and new staffers will be part of shaping the new direction. To get an application, go to signpost.mywebermedia.com and click on About Us. You can download an application there and email it to Jean Norman at jeannorman@weber.edu. Signpost staffers are eligible for scholarships.

Hispanic, Black journalists to meet on March 14
The Nationals Association of Hispanic Journalists and National Association of Black Journalists will meet March 14 at 3 p.m. in The Signpost offices, Shepherd Union Room 401. Anyone interested in media and diversity is welcome to attend. For more information, email Jean Norman at jeannorman@weber.edu.

The Peak highlights getting involved to stand out
The next edition of The Peak is ready. This issue highlights getting involved to stand out. Here is the link: http://issuu.com/weberstateuniversityprssa/docs/febpeak17?e=15772823/45784332. This is produced by members the Public Relations Student Society of America.

Studio 76 hiring two Work Study employees for Fall
Studio 76 is hiring two Work Study employees who will start in Fall. Applicants must qualify for Work Study. Salary starts at $10 an hour. These positions will involve video production skills. See adviser Drew Tyler at drewtyler@weber.edu for details.


Newsweek’s Mideast correspondent to speak on Syria
Janine DiGiovanni, the Mideast correspondent for Newsweek, will give a talk on Syria at the Holocaust Remembrance event on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the Wildcat Theater.  

Journalism students encouraged to attend regional conference in Salt Lake City
The Region 9 annual convention of the Society of Professional Journalists will be in Salt Lake City on March 24-25. The regional conference provides an opportunity for students interested in journalism to network with professionals. Registration for students is only $25. For more information, go to the Utah Headliners chapter's website.

Biomedical Informatics session of interest to Communication students
Communication majors are invited to learn about the Biomedical Informatics non-thesis master's degree program at the University of Utah. The information session will be Friday, March 31, at 12:30-2 p.m. in Student Union 404. 

‘Putting Student Through’ degrees to be awarded on Graduation Day
To honor those people who helped you receive an education, reward them with a PST degree—“Putting Student Through” degree. This will be bestowed by Weber State President Chuck Wight on April 27 at 4 p.m. The deadline to apply to give a speech at the program is March 24. The deadline to submit names is noon on April 20.  The website to submit speeches and names of those to be honored is: www.weber.edu/StudentInvolvement/puttingstudentthrough.html.  

Communication scholarships will be decided later this spring
Even though the priority date for financial aid is Jan. 10, the Communication Department has many opportunities for scholarships, and many of them are not decided until later this spring. Most, but not all, are awarded for participation in the department's five co-curricular activities. One scholarship, the Communication Studies Merit Scholarship, is available to majors in the Civic Advocacy, Interpersonal and Family or Organizational Communication emphases. Here is where to get more information:

Watch the Communication Department e-newsletter for deadlines to apply for these co-curricular activities. For scholarships associated with the co-curriculars, these dates are also scholarship deadlines. Application requirements for the Communications Studies Merit Scholarship will also be publicized through a future e-newsletter.

Here’s what you need to do to graduate with departmental Honors
If you have a 3.5 overall GPA or above and 3.7 in your concentration, apply for Departmental Honors.  Benefits:

  • HONORS in gold on your diploma
  • HONORS in gold on your transcript
  • Letter of commendation from WSU President, Chuck Wight
  • Invitation to Honors Banquet the semester you graduate

What you have to do:  Sign the Honors admissions form, present an individual undergraduate research project at WSU Symposium or other professional conference.  For more information, contact Dr. Susan Hafen at shafen@weber.edu

The Buzz app gives students access to latest campus, local, national and world news
The Buzz: Weber State University, a new digital resource, is available to students, faculty and staff for download through both iTunes or Google Play. Weber State has partnered with USA TODAY for a number of years to provide a selection of newspapers to students through the Collegiate Readership Program. However, the consumption of print news is on the decline and reaching the most-connected and tech-savvy generation with reliable news and information is a real challenge. The Buzz: Weber State University is a first-of-its-kind news app that gives students access to the latest national, world, local, and campus news they care about in one app. Students are able to:

  • Examine multiple opinions and perspectives.
  • Create conversations and promote a sharing of ideas within their community and beyond.
  • Access the latest headlines from The Signpost and USA TODAY, stream live radio from KWCR, and view videos from Studio 76.
  • Receive the latest career advice for use in their prospective field.
  • See their lives in a global context and relate major stories to specific course-work.

National Debate Coaches Association national championship hosted by WSU
Weber State Debate will host the 12th annual National Debate Coaches Association national championship in April  2017. The event will bring 600-plus people to Ogden during 2017, the centennial year for debate at WSU. Participants will include the elite tier of high school debaters in the United States. This event is expected to insert half a million dollars in the community.  To visit the hosting website for the event, visit https://www.ndca2017.com/.

Faculty Achievements

Norman’s article to be published in College Media Review
Dr. Jean Norman, assistant professor of Communication, has been notified that her article titled "The Digital Generation Gap: How Student Journalists Transition from Personal to Professional Uses of Mobile Devices and Social Media" has been accepted for publication in the College Media Review.

Steimel re-elected to Executive Committee for the WSU Faculty Senate
Dr. Sarah Steimel, an assistant professor of Communication, has been re-elected to the Executive Committee for the Weber State University Faculty Senate for the 2017-2018 school year.

Packer busy presenting on best teaching practices at Utah conferences
Dr. Colleen Packer, professor of Communication, will present a session called “Using evidence-based instructional strategies to promote student success at the teaching for learning conference” at a conference March 29-31 at Utah Valley University in Provo.  Packer also attended the Red Rock Great Teachers Retreat in Moab and facilitated the Adjunct Faculty Retreat in February.   

Ault third author on piece in Computers in Human Behavior
Dr. Michael Ault, assistant professor of Communication, is the third author on a piece published in Computers in Human Behavior. The scholarly article is titled “Reactions to ideological websites: The impact of emotional appeals, credibility, and pre-existing attitudes.” Other authors include A.M. Ness, G. Johnson, W. D. Taylor, S. Connelly, M.L.  Jensen and N.E. Dunbar. 

Sabbaticals approved for two Communication faculty members
Sabbatical leaves have been approved for Dr. Susan Hafen and Dr. Anne Bialowas for the 2017-2018 academic year. Dr. Bialowas will be on sabbatical in Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 to work on multiple research projects involving media and teaching. Dr. Hafen will take sabbatical Spring 2018 to work on two projects:  to collaborate with interpersonal/family communication textbook authors to include examples of human-animal communication with animal companions as part of their family in a new textbook edition, and to publish a 2015 international environmental conference paper titled "Compassionate conservation:  Across the cat-bird divide between animals and environmental ethics."

Alumni Achievements

Alum featured in textbook authored by former PR faculty member
Jason Carlton, a graduate in Public Relations, is featured in a media writing textbook co-authored by Dr. Andy Lingwall, formerly a faculty member in the Department of Communication at Weber State. Carlton, now the social media manager for Intermountain Healthcare hospitals in Salt Lake Valley, was featured in a chapter profile. The textbook published by Sage Publications is titled “The basics of media writing: a strategic approach.”  

Governor’s former senior strategist launches new company called 24NINE
Communication graduate Marty Carpenter, who was Gov. Gary Herbert’s senior strategist in the successful 2016 campaign, has launched a new company called 24NINE, an external affairs consultancy. The company solves problems for clients using external affairs tools including communications, government relations, public policy, community affairs, philanthropy and by building alliances. 


February 2017

Scholarship, graduation sign-off deadlines are near

February means it’s time for graduating seniors to apply for graduation and for continuing students to apply for financial aid and scholarships.

This is the February edition of the monthly email to majors. At least once a month during the regular school year, we will email you to let you know about meetings of student organizations, guest speakers, important deadlines, opportunities, student and faculty achievements—and more. If you have information you’d like us to distribute, please email department chair Sheree Josephson at sjosephson@weber.edu.

What’s Happening

February

  • Feb. 3: College scholarship and fellowship applications due
  • Feb. 7: Black, Hispanic journalists meeting, 3 p.m., The Signpost
  • Feb. 14: Get a professional headshot, see below
  • Feb. 20: Presidents Day, no class

March

  • March 1: Major Fest. Find Communication’s booth.
  • March 6-10: Spring Break
  • March 24-25: Society of Professional Journalists conference, SLC

April

  • April 3: Summer Semester registration opens
  • April 7: National Debate Coaches Association tournament, hosted by WSU
  • April 10: Fall Semester registration opens
  • April 28: Graduation

Student News

Weber State debaters posting top results in national tournaments

Weber State debaters Misty Tippets and Kinsee Gaither placed in the Sweet 16 of the University of Southern California tournament in early January. They beat Harvard in the first sudden-death elimination round with a 3-0 victory. Tippets is a Communication major while Gaither is majoring in philosophy. Four other WSU debaters had outstanding finishes in January tournaments. Henri Phan and David Astel placed in the Elite 8 of the junior varsity division of the California State University-Fullerton tournament. Crystal Hall and David Rawle placed in the Final 4 of the Southwestern College Tournament. They lost narrowly on a 2-1 decision to Gonzaga University. WSU debaters are coached by Communication faculty members Omar Guevara and Ryan Cheek.

Internship turns into full-time job as multimedia developer at WSU
David Rodriquez, a Digital Media student, has been hired as a multimedia developer at Weber State University. His internship required of all Communication majors turned into this full-time job working. Rodriquez told Dr. Susan Hafen, internship director, “I just wanted to say thank you. Going through the Communication program was one of the best things I've done in my life.” He will work with Alan Ferrin, an alum of the Department of Communication. 

Communication students named to dean’s list for Fall 2016
Scott Sprenger, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, announced that the following Communication majors made the dean’s list for Fall 2016. Alan Vogel, Alex Flitton, Alex Morrell, Alexis Rague, Amanda Wray, Ashley Bigbie, Ashton Corsetti, Aubrey Cox, Bailey Lefthand, Benjamin Brandley, Bethany Rasmussen, Brielle DuBois, Brooke Facer, Brooke Minnoch, Bryan Lay, Caitlyn Johnston, Caitlyn Larsen, Caleb Henney, Cameron Porter, Carver Nicholas, Celeste Daley, Chandra Zarogoza, Chelsey Conner, Clark Jensen, Colby Peterson, Cooper Jorgensen, Crystal Snow, Cydnee Green, David Leavitt, Dawn O'Brien, Daylen Bills, Desaree Sandoval, Dustin Williams, Elizabeth Wharton, Emily Eldredge, Emily Lane, Eric Davenport, Grayson Hodge, Haille Van Patten, Hayley Harris, Jacob Kapp, Jaden Larson, Jamie Spackman, Jazmine Thompson, Jeff Peterson, Jennifer Reeves, Jennifer Weight, Joseph Faiola, Julia Funtanilla, Kaden Saunders, Kailey Thompson, Kameron Searle, Karlee Stewart, Kelly Bingham, Kelsie Taylor, Kyle Hole, Kymberlee Smith, Madison Kaufman, Makayla Morris, Mallory Gallegos, Marissa Wolford, Mason White, Matthew Havertz, Meghan Montecillo, Michael Fifer, Michaela Carson, Morgan Gardiner, Morgan Stonehocker, Natalie Hales, Natalie Slater, Nicholas Chase, Nina Morse, Paige Guest, Paula Lopez Alvarado, Quincy Hyde, Rachel Badali, Rachel Wilding, Ryan Christ, Ryan Hauser, Ryan Mccormick, Saige Hadley, Sarah Oaks, Shaton Hatch, Shaundra Rushton, Sheila Favero, Steven Pugmire, Taylor Carlson, Thais Stewart, Trevor Pate, Zachary Berrett.

PR student will present at Utah Conference for Undergraduate Research
Bailey Paige Lefthand, a major in Public Relations and Advertising, will present her research at the Utah Conference for Undergraduate Research on Feb. 17. Her study is titled "Facebook and college transition.”  
 

Announcements

Get a professional headshot on Valentine’s Day
You can get a professional headshot for an affordable price on Feb. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you sign up before Feb. 12, you will receive $5 off your headshot and an opportunity to have your resume critiqued by professionals. Register today at: https://orgsync.com/148098/forms/241854

  • Walk-in headshots - $20
  • Early registration headshots - $15
  • PRSSA members - FREE 

Contact Haille Van Patten if you have any questions at haillevanpatten@mail.weber.edu.

https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gifHispanic, black journalists to meet in The Signpost Feb. 7  
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists and National Association of Black Journalists will meet Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. in The Signpost offices, Shepherd Union Room 401. All students of color who are interested in media are invited to attend.

Journalism students encouraged to attend regional conference in Salt Lake City
The Region 9 annual convention of the Society of Professional Journalists will be in Salt Lake City on March 24-25. The regional conference provides an opportunity for students interested in journalism to network with professionals. Registration for students is only $25. For more information, go to the Utah Headliners chapter's website.

Application deadline Feb. 3 for college scholarships, fellowships
Applications for scholarships and fellowships from the College of Arts and Humanities are due Feb. 3. For ALL scholarships, complete the University application first. Continuing WSU students must complete the online scholarship application each year to be considered for all university scholarships. The application is available as early as Sept. 1 of the prior academic year. The priority deadline is Jan. 10. Applicants must reapply each year to be considered. Here are the steps: (1) Go to www.weber.edu, (2) Log into eWeber, (3) Search for scholarship, (4) Click on the Scholarship app, (5) Be sure the aid year is correct, (6) Update the information, and (7) Submit. A link can be found at https://docs.google.com/a/weber.edu/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKzsifws8pt-X7ftqevvDWkiqOBv3MruhiY9H2pDEnouh1rg/viewform?c=0&w=1.

Communication scholarships will be decided later this spring
Even though the priority date for financial aid is Jan. 10, the Communication Department has many opportunities for scholarships, and many of them are not decided until later this spring. Most, but not all, are awarded for participation in the department's five co-curricular activities. One scholarship, the Communication Studies Merit Scholarship, is available to majors in the Civic Advocacy, Interpersonal and Family or Organizational Communication emphases.

Here is where to get more information:

Watch the Communication Department e-newsletter for deadlines to apply for these co-curricular activities. For scholarships associated with the co-curriculars, these dates are also scholarship deadlines. Application requirements for the Communications Studies Merit Scholarship will also be publicized through a future e-newsletter.

Here’s what you need to do to graduate with departmental Honors
If you have a 3.5 overall GPA or above and 3.7 in your concentration, apply for Departmental Honors.  Benefits:

  • HONORS in gold on your diploma
  • HONORS in gold on your transcript
  • Letter of commendation from WSU President, Chuck Wight
  • Invitation to Honors Banquet the semester you graduate

What you have to do:  Sign the Honors admissions form, present an individual undergraduate research project at WSU Symposium or other professional conference.  For more information, contact Dr. Susan Hafen at shafen@weber.edu

Studio 76 students starting live-streaming club this semester
Students at Studio 76 are starting a live-streaming/Twitch club where they will learn the ins and outs of live-streaming. If you're interested in live-streaming, email faculty adviser Drew Tyler at drewtyler@weber.edu

The Buzz app gives students access to latest campus, local, national and world news
The Buzz: Weber State University, a new digital resource, is available to students, faculty and staff for download through both iTunes or Google Play. Weber State has partnered with USA TODAY for a number of years to provide a selection of newspapers to students through the Collegiate Readership Program. However, the consumption of print news is on the decline and reaching the most-connected and tech-savvy generation with reliable news and information is a real challenge. The Buzz: Weber State University is a first-of-its-kind news app that gives students access to the latest national, world, local, and campus news they care about in one app. Students are able to:

  • Examine multiple opinions and perspectives.
  • Create conversations and promote a sharing of ideas within their community and beyond.
  • Access the latest headlines from The Signpost and USA TODAY, stream live radio from KWCR, and view videos from Studio 76.
  • Receive the latest career advice for use in their prospective field.
  • See their lives in a global context and relate major stories to specific course-work.

National Debate Coaches Association national championship hosted by WSU
Weber State Debate will host the 12th annual National Debate Coaches Association national championship in April  2017. The event will bring 600-plus people to Ogden during 2017, the centennial year for debate at WSU. Participants will include the elite tier of high school debaters in the United States. This event is expected to insert half a million dollars in the community.  To visit the hosting website for the event, visit https://www.ndca2017.com/.

Faculty Achievements

Research conducted with Comm. 3150 students to be presented at conference
Dr. Hailey Gillen-Hoke will present research conducted with students in the Comm. 3150 Research Communications class she taught in Spring 2016 at the Western Communication Association conference in Salt Lake City in February. The paper is titled "An investigation of academic locus of control, attendance, and academic success."

Nine faculty members to participate in Western States Communication conference
Nine faculty members will present research at the Western States Communication conference in Salt Lake City from Feb. 18-21. Dr. Michael Ault will present a paper titled "Experiencing the modern ‘Hero’s Journey’: the structuration process of LDS missionary service.” The paper is about how Mormon missionary service helps young LDS people learn the rules of the LDS culture and helps them develop resources that allow them to maintain and alter the LDS culture. Dr. Anne Bialowas and Jonathan Oglesby, a top graduate in the Master of Professional Communication program, will present his thesis project titled “The social gridiron: understanding social media interaction with Big Sky Conference football games televised on ROOT SPORT.” The research study was accepted as a competitive paper in the Media Studies Division. Dr. Gillen-Hoke and Dr. Sarah Steimel will participate on a roundtable discussion titled "Gender(ed) identities, expressions, and work: centering gender in the organizational communication classroom." Dr. Susan Hafen, Dr. Jean Norman, Dr. Alexander Lancaster, Dr. Nicola Corbin and Robin Haislett will discuss “The intersection of race, gender, and feminism in primetime television.”

Professor to present papers on religious organizations, campus police department
Dr. Alexander Lancaster will present two research papers at the 2017 Eastern Communication Association convention in Boston in April. The first is titled “Organizational elements of religious institutions,” and is part of a panel discussion on nontraditional applications of organizational communication research. The second is “Spotlight on law enforcement: The organizational culture of a university police department.” This paper discusses the observed officer-to-officer interactions at a university police agency.

Two faculty members to discuss research, teaching at regional conference
Two Communication faculty members will discuss research, teaching and advising at the Central States Communication Association conference in Minneapolis in March. Dr. Hailey Gillen-Hoke will present a paper titled “But first, let me take a selfie”: The Big Five, interpersonal communication motives and selfies." Dr. Sarah Steimel will participate on three panels: "Best practices and ideas for ‘creating’ new courses and assignments in organizational communication," "Create excellence in academic advising: best practices for communication faculty advisors" and "Creating further opportunities for scholarship through data-driven case studies."

Adjunct instructor to discuss Weber Speaks at Utah faculty retreat
Kim Smith, an adjunct instructor in Communication, has been selected to present at the Utah Campus Compact Biennial Engaged Faculty Retreat on Feb. 10. She will discuss the Weber Speaks program, where public speaking students present on important topics to local groups such as city councils.


January 2017

Student News

Digital media student lands general production internship with Tonight Show

Nick Garrett, a student majoring in Digital Media, landed one of the country’s most sought-after internships in television. Garrett will be a general production intern on the “Tonight Show” this semester. His viral video helped land him this internship. To learn more, see: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670087/Weber-State-students-viral-video-gets-him-an-internship-with-The-Tonight-Show.html

PR student will present at Utah Conference for Undergraduate Research

Bailey Paige Lefthand, a major in Public Relations and Advertising, will present her research at the Utah Conference for Undergraduate Research on Feb. 17. Her study is titled "Facebook and college transition.”   

Finalist in Fall 2016 Speech Showcase dies in skiing accident

Ryan Roberts, one of the 25 finalists the Fall 2016 Speech Showcase, died in a skiing accident last week at Snowbasin Resort. His obituary can be viewed at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hjnews/obituary.aspx?n=ryan-gregory-roberts&pid=183283198&fhid=6828

MPC Graduate to present paper with faculty member at conference

Jonathan Oglesby, a top graduate in the Master of Professional Communication program, will present his research with his adviser Dr. Anne Bialowas at the Western States Communication Association conference in February. His thesis is titled “The social gridiron: Understanding social media interaction with Big Sky Conference football games televised on ROOT SPORT.” The research study was accepted as a competitive paper in the Media Studies Division.

WSU debaters finish as 11th seed in prestigious tournament, defeating Harvard

Weber State debaters Misty Tippets and Kinsee Gaither finished as the 11th seed in a very competitive field at the University of Southern California tournament last week. They posted wins against teams from San Francisco State University, the University of Texas-Austin, Wake Forest University and Harvard to reach the Sweet 16 where they lost a close debate against a tough team from the University of California-Berkeley.

  

Announcements

Application deadline Feb. 3 for college scholarships, fellowships

Applications for scholarships and fellowships from the College of Arts and Humanities are due Feb. 3. For ALL scholarships, complete the University application first. Continuing WSU students must complete the online scholarship application each year to be considered for all university scholarships. The application is available as early as Sept. 1 of the prior academic year. The priority deadline is Jan. 10. Applicants must reapply each year to be considered. Here are the steps: (1) Go to www.weber.edu, (2) Log into eWeber, (3) Search for scholarship, (4) Click on the Scholarship app, (5) Be sure the aid year is correct, (6) Update the information, and (7) Submit. A link can be found at https://docs.google.com/a/weber.edu/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKzsifws8pt-X7ftqevvDWkiqOBv3MruhiY9H2pDEnouh1rg/viewform?c=0&w=1.

Communication scholarships will be decided later this spring

Even though the priority date for financial aid is Jan. 10, the Communication Department has many opportunities for scholarships, and many of them are not decided until later this spring. Most, but not all, are awarded for participation in the department's five co-curricular activities. One scholarship, the Communication Studies Merit Scholarship, is available to majors in the Civic Advocacy, Interpersonal and Family or Organizational Communication emphases.

Here is where to get more information:

Watch the Communication Department e-newsletter for deadlines to apply for these co-curricular activities. For scholarships associated with the co-curriculars, these dates are also scholarship deadlines. Application requirements for the Communications Studies Merit Scholarship will also be publicized through a future e-newsletter.

Here’s what you need to do to graduate with departmental Honors

If you have a 3.5 overall GPA or above and 3.7 in your concentration, apply for Departmental Honors.  Benefits:

  • HONORS in gold on your diploma
  • HONORS in gold on your transcript
  • Letter of commendation from WSU President, Chuck Wight
  • Invitation to Honors Banquet the semester you graduate

What you have to do:  Sign the Honors admissions form, present an individual undergraduate research project at WSU Symposium or other professional conference.  For more information, contact Dr. Susan Hafen at shafen@weber.edu

Studio 76 students starting live-streaming club this semester

Students at Studio 76 are starting a live-streaming/Twitch club where they will learn the ins and outs of live-streaming. If you're interested in live-streaming, email faculty adviser Drew Tyler at drewtyler@weber.edu

The Buzz app gives students access to latest campus, local, national and world news

The Buzz: Weber State University, a new digital resource, is available to students, faculty and staff for download through both iTunes or Google Play. Weber State has partnered with USA TODAY for a number of years to provide a selection of newspapers to students through the Collegiate Readership Program. However, the consumption of print news is on the decline and reaching the most-connected and tech-savvy generation with reliable news and information is a real challenge. The Buzz: Weber State University is a first-of-its-kind news app that gives students access to the latest national, world, local, and campus news they care about in one app. Students are able to:

  • Examine multiple opinions and perspectives.
  • Create conversations and promote a sharing of ideas within their community and beyond.
  • Access the latest headlines from The Signpost and USA TODAY, stream live radio from KWCR, and view videos from Studio 76.
  • Receive the latest career advice for use in their prospective field.
  • See their lives in a global context and relate major stories to specific course-work.

National Debate Coaches Association national championship hosted by WSU

Weber State Debate will host the 12th annual National Debate Coaches Association national championship in April  2017. The event will bring 600-plus people to Ogden during 2017, the centennial year for debate at WSU. Participants will include the elite tier of high school debaters in the United States. This event is expected to insert half a million dollars in the community.  To visit the hosting website for the event, visit https://www.ndca2017.com/.

Job postings available on Communication website

Weber State University Communication students and graduates can log into the Communication Department’s website at weber.edu/communication to look for job postings now or in the future. The listings are under the "Jobs" link. Employers contact the department looking for Communication students and graduates for full-time and part-time jobs.

Faculty Achievements

Two faculty members to discuss research, teaching at regional conference

Two Communication faculty members will discuss research, teaching and advising at the Central States Communication Association conference in Minneapolis in March. Dr. Hailey Gillen-Hoke will present a paper titled “But first, let me take a selfie”: The Big Five, interpersonal communication motives and selfies." Dr. Sarah Steimel will participate on three panels: "Best practices and ideas for ‘creating’ new courses and assignments in organizational communication," "Create excellence in academic advising: best practices for communication faculty advisors" and "Creating further opportunities for scholarship through data-driven case studies."

Adjunct instructor to discuss Weber Speaks at Utah faculty retreat

Kim Smith, an adjunct instructor in Communication, has been selected to present at the Utah Campus Compact Biennial Engaged Faculty Retreat on Feb. 10. She will discuss the Weber Speaks program, where public speaking students present on important topics to local groups such as city councils.

Five faculty members to participate in panel discussion on primetime TV

Five members of the Department of Communication will participate in a panel discussion at the Western States Communication Association convention from Feb. 18-21 in Salt Lake City. Dr. Susan Hafen, Dr. Jean Norman, Dr. Alexander Lancaster, Dr. Nicola Corbin and Robin Haislett will discuss “The intersection of race, gender, and feminism in primetime television.”