Fall 2015 Issue

NEWSLETTER OF MASS COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

Recent Tougaloo graduate, Melanie Dotson, a mass Mass Comm communication major, hit the ground running only Notes From 10 weeks post-graduation. July 13th, 2015, she Organizations joined WXVT, located in Greenville, MS, where she and Publications will anchor, report, produce, and provide weather for The Chair their newscast. The Harambee “Remember that The World of Publication produced by Tougaloo Melanie says that without the repetitive practice and College students with the counsel of Mass Media will never love you an advisor. The newspaper’s name is mentoring provided to her during her collegiate ca- as much as you love it. If you derived from the Swahili language reer, this dream would not have been fulfilled. which means “working together.” understand this you will be tru- "There were times when I thought my mentor pushed me to my breaking point. Looking back on ly successful.” Eagle Eye News those challenging moments, I am now aware that The Department produces a weekly newscast they showed me the importance of diligence and Farrish Joins produced, directed and reported by perseverance.” WHLT 22 News Team students. The newscast offers a train- ing ground for future “I vividly remember spending long hours in the lab Carmen Farrish Carmen Alessa Smith television reporters and producers by creating a real-life lab experience for mass communication majors.

Tougaloo Welcomes Advertising Club Mass Comm Graduate Takes Students interested in advertising

Home Alumni receive applied training in the disci- pline as members of the Alessa Smith advertising club. Members have Center Stage in New Career access to industry professionals and agencies. perfecting my craft in order to produce a reel that surpassed “I don't think I realized how much work was involved into produc- Ms. Aleesha Smith returns home to today's average standard. All the hard work was definitely ing an entire newscast. It's a lot. But, as my love grew for broad- Tougaloo and the Department of Public Relations Association of worth it." Dotson stated. casting, everything started to fall into place. By the time I became deeply in love with my major, graduation was right around the cor- Mass Communication as an Assis- The Tougaloo Chapter of PRAM With a new career ahead, Dotson plans on giving back as much ner, and I had to send out my resume reel for local and out-of-state Carmen Farrish is a 2010 graduate of Tougaloo tant Professor of Advertising and offers networking opportunities which bring internship as she can to those who desire a career in Broadcast Journal- news stations." College. She received her Bachelors of Arts Public relations. possibilities and job contacts in the ism. Degree in Mass Comm with an emphasis in She is a graduate of Tougaloo Col- public relations field. Melanie Dotson graduated from the Eagle Queen on Sunday, May Broadcast and a minor in Public Relations. "Pope Cottage has birthed numerous young professionals who 3rd, 2015. She received her Bachelor's of Arts in Mass Communica- lege, as a part of the first class to have turned their dreams into a daily reality. I remember hear- tion with an emphasis in Radio and Television Broadcasting. After Carmen joined the WHLT22 news team in Jan- graduate with a B.A. in journalism ASU HOSTS uary of 2015 after working at the MASS COMM DAY ing about my "Pope Cottage Idol", Terrance Friday, and how the diploma, "life after graduation" finally settled in. in Jackson, Ms. Although broadcasting was and mass communication. She re- he benefited from the hands-on training and guidance given to always the goal; she started out as a Local Sales ceived her M.A. in Journalism and him through our department. It gave us, the students, some- "I remember my mentor telling me to apply for jobs every single Assistant, promoted to Program Coordinator, Mass communication from the thing tangible to relate to. He's living his dream.....so I can day.” Dotson said. “Honestly, it was sometimes aggravating be- finally landing her dream role of Reporter at University of Georgia. too.” cause he would always know when my effort didn't meet his expec- WHLT. She likes to tell people she took the tations. But I kept applying, and I finally had an interview. I felt like unconventional route to reporting. Never end- Prior to joining the Tougaloo fac- Dotson added, “Knowing how much Terrance's visits meant to I was home again inside the new station. I was reassured that I was ing faith and determination allowed that dream ulty she was an adjunct professor me, I definitely want to do the same for the class following in walking into my destiny. Next, was to come into fruition. at Parkland College and an Em- my footsteps." the waiting game....it was stressful,

We are so proud of Carmen. You can follow her ployee Relations manager for a but I made it through.” career on Facebook at Carmen Farrish News. Ms. Dotson served as anchor and reporter for Tougaloo Eagle major insurance company. In the Spring of 2015 the Mass In This Issue Also feel free to email her at [email protected] Eye News, she admits to struggling quite a bit in the begin- Communication Students Tougaloo ning. "When I met my mentor I said, 'I want to be the anchor Dotson Lands Anchor P. 1 College went to Alcorn State Uni- for Eagle Eye. I'm going to be the next big thing'. He chuckled Mass Communications Department versity to attend their annual Mass and said, 'Oh okay. We'll see if you can handle the work'. Tougaloo College Communication Day. Students Alumni on the Move P. 2 were able to meet local profession- 500 West County Line Road Scholarships P. 3 Tougaloo, MS 39174 New Mass Comm Staff P. 4 https://www.tougaloo.edu Channeltougaloo Melanie Dotson @eagleeyenews Students Find Jobs in Mass Communications Student Interns Bronson Tapped Williams Awarded for Double Honors NNPAF Scholarship For Fall 2015

“It’s definitely a blessing and honor Andre Carter, Senior Mass Comm. Andre Carter with former Tougaloo to know my hard work and dedica- Major. students Terrance Friday and Justin tion does not go unnoticed.”

Kiera Bronson and Noah Andre' Carter is a Senior Mass Communication Major, Studying Radio and Television Broadcasting. He Once nominated, Williams had to Haile, upcoming senior mass has recently started at WRBJ 97.7FM as a Radio Personality and DJ Andre' has also recently been featured surpass an application process. This communication majors, on WJTV Channel 12 News for his Upcoming YouTube series "Unlikely Heroes". Diamond Williams spent two weeks as interns process included a brief essay and with the Digitial Humanities letter of recommendation from an seminar at Tougaloo. They BURKS SHINES AT MASS COMM ALUMNI ARE ON THE MOVE! The National Newspaper Pub- advisor, chairperson, or faculty. recorded and photographed LOCAL AFFILIATES lisher Association Foundation in While discussing this process Wil- Kiera Bronson, the speakers and faculty Washington, DC presents 20 After moving on Terrance is a 2010 graduate of liams adds, “The essay question is HEADWAE Recipient members at the seminar. scholarships to students through- Tougaloo College. As one of the always the toughest part but I al- from 16 WAPT Kiera Bronson, senior mass communica- The purpose of the Digitial first students to graduate through out the United States studying News, JaMichael ways speak from my heart not my tion major, received double honors during the newly formed Mass Comm journalism, multi-media and Humanities seminar was to Chambers is Jack- head. It’s the most truthful.” her spring semester at Tougaloo College. Department, Terrance quickly teach faculty different ways son State’s newest English every year. Tougaloo The first was a journalism scholarship for of incorporating the Internet Assistant TV Pro- used what he learned to take on an College Senior, Diamond Wil- $1,000 from The Mississippi Link in De- into their classrooms. They Williams plans to continue excel- duction Manager. Internship at 16 WAPT News in liams, has been awarded a cember 2014. also learned how to Jackson. ling in the Journalism field with their own websites. NNPAF Journalism Scholarship Justin Burks now blogging daily and in hopes The award was based on an essay she JaMichael Terrance took his talents to the Fall 2015-2016. Midwest where he worked as an for an upcoming internship. She wrote entitled “Why Should I Win the Bronson said she learned Justin Burks is a part of the Tou- Jenkins LeMia Anchor for FOX 47 news in Lan- Scholarship”. Bronson learned about the how to use her camera in galoo College Pope Cottage Fam- Each awardee is specifically continues in disbelief, “You never scholarship from her broadcasting mentor, depth during those two sing, MI. ily. The skills he learned at Tou- LeMia Jenkins, a nominated by a Department Karlos Sanders. weeks. know who is watching. So I always galoo have quickly made him one 2010 Graduate of Terrance is an Anchor/Reporter chairperson and completes an of the area’s most recognizable Tougaloo Col- for the CBS affiliate and says he's give my best work ethic and drive. “He thought I would be a great person to “At first, I didn't know how application process. Once asked lege with a Bach- photojournalists. His crisp and proud to be representing the col- I know God will do the rest.” apply for this scholarship. So I did not real- to use my camera in manual precise skills have garnered plen- elor’s degree in lege and all the 'Pope Kids' out what she thought about being ly thinking I would win,” Bronson said. mode, so I took this oppor- ty of support from viewers across Public Relations, there. Follow him on facebook at nominated Williams responds, tunity to learn more about the country. Justin is a photogra- and a Master of Terrance Friday News and Twitter The second award she received was from it,” she stated. Public Health pher and editor for WJTV News @TerranceFriday The Higher Education Appreciation Day,

channel 12. He has covered se- from the George Working for Academic Excellence or Haile applied what he was TerranceFriday vere weather, sports, political Washington University. HEADWAE. This honor is awarded to one taught in his classes through LaMia recently accepted a position at 100% Employment Rate For events, and most recently the student and professor in every community this internship. Jackson State University. Prior to JSU, funeral of Blues Legend BBKing. college, university, and college in Missis- she worked as a press secretary for Tou- Justin is known for his talents by Tougaloo sippi. Bronson was nominated by her De- “Matriculating through my galoo Alum, Congressman Bennie G. many of his competitors. Before partment Chairperson who also received intern, I was able to use Thompson based in the his Washington, this award. skills I learned such as re- his current position, he worked as D.C. office. Mass Communication porting live, recording, and a photojournalist for WLBT She has also worked as Deputy Communi- on camera interviews,” He News in Jackson. We are all so cations Director for Congresswoman Shei- said. proud of Justin and everything he la Jackson Lee (TX-18) Class of 2015! has accomplished. The best is yet to come.