S.O.C TALK Volume 2, Issue 2 Radford University School of Communication Fall 2011

IN THIS ISSUE Will Work for Experience

Will Work For Experience Page 1 By Bryan Cole, ’11 Many alumni n a tough job market, internship WHERE ARE THEY NOW? experience makes a difference on Laura Turk Page 3 students’ resumes. Many employers stay connected and Page 4 I Justin Ward look for individuals who have had experience in the field. Some School of offer internships to FACULTY PROFILES Communication students also are required to enroll in an internship class and work Radford students. Roland Lazenby Page 7 120 hours for three credits. With limited Kristin Froemling, PhD Page 7 options in Radford, many students are the application process and he got the asking, “Where do I even begin?” internship. FROM THE DIRECTOR Page 2 Finding an internship can be a stressful “Jessica knew her friend did an internship CONTACT US Page 2 and lengthy process. Students learn to the prior semester and asked her for help. look for a job, polish their resumes and She was given contact information and MEET OUR STUDENTS Page 6 portfolios, and quickly learn that it’s inquired about available positions. Like STUDENT MEDIA Page 7 common to hear back from only about Alex, she landed a position with the one in 10 places where they apply. athletic department. Their duties included NEWS ROUNDUP Internship coordinator Betty Kennan has working in the office, graphic design, Talk Like a Pirate Day Page 8 been guiding students in their internship and videotaping basketball games. Both Pachyderm PR Page 8 searches for the past few years. She hosts attribute the internship with improving informational meetings and sends email their communication, production, and Chinese Public Opinion Page 8 notifications to help with the hunt. She graphic design skills. Advertising Field Trip Page 8 maintains contact with many companies There are a number of on-campus Hands-on Reporting Page 8 looking for interns and helps manage the internships, a plus for students who Fright Night Page 8 application process. lack transportation or need to stay near Outside the university, the alumni campus. Tanya Ridpath, director of network has been a valuable resource. conference services, got a master’s degree Many alumni stay connected with the from Radford University in 2006 and Election Day University and offer internships to recently supervised Courtney Russell. Radford students. They frequently post Lyle Moore spent his summer at openings on the alumni section of the Cherokee Tobacco Co. in Halifax County, University and School of Communication Va., where he worked with two Radford website and hold seminars on campus. graduates. Vice President Kathy Farley Many students have sought help and Manufacturing Manager Anne from Kennan and the Radford network Puryear both supervised his internship. and landed an internship as a result. Rachel Greenway was an intern at North Alexander Pham and Jessica Cook Cross School, a private school that serves are among them. In Fall 2010, Alex the Roanoke Valley. Her supervisor also Journalism students hit interned for the multimedia section of the was a Highlander. the polls to practice field athletic department. He had previously Internships are a great way for students attended an interest meeting and was to gain practical skills and build their reporting. See story, put on Kennan’s mailing list. This led portfolios — and make contacts and to him being notified of the available receive references from alumni and Page 8 position. Kennan helped him through professionals in the field.# PAGE 2 SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION S.O.C Talk From the Director A publication of the School of Communication at Radford University Our Students Need You Volume 2, Issue 2

DIRECTOR School Benefits from Lynn M. Zoch, PhD Alumni Perspectives COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR Lisa Baker-Webster, PhD appy Holidays to all. It has been five months since I’ve been MEDIA STUDIES COORDINATOR Hback as director of the School of Courtney Bosworth, PhD Communication after an educational and exhausting year as interim dean of the GRADUATE COORDINATOR College of Humanities and Behavioral John Brummette, PhD Sciences. Dr. Vince Hazleton did a fine as much fun in the classroom as he is job of keeping the School on course, and knowledgeable. EDITOR in the past few months we’ve redoubled In the last newsletter Dr. Hazleton Leigh Anne Kelley efforts to keep programs current to meet mentioned the ways that you, our alumni, can help the School of Communication as CONTRIBUTORS the needs of today’s students. we move forward. Jeremy Butler, ’12 • Brittany Case, Radford University is undergoing An immediate question is – how many ’12 • Bryan Cole, ’11 • Caitlin Hermann, SACS (Southern Association of Colleges of you plan to attend Alumni Weekend, ’12 • Kate Houser, ’12 • Brittany and Schools) reaccreditation, and in Feb. 24-25, AND would you be willing Jeglum, ’13 • Lydia Jones, ’14 • Susan the spring the School will undergo to take part in Alumni Teaching Day Leonard, ’10 • Corey Mann, ’12 • Page University program review for all three on Friday, Feb. 24? We would love to Mori, ’12 • Taylor Myrick, ’12 • Anna of our programs – communication, media have four or five (or more!) alumni speak Sacks, ’12 • Terrence Strickland, ’12 • studies and corporate & professional in various classes, or take part in a panel Michele Zorrilla, ’13 communication. Our public relations concentration has discussion with students about your field Most content in this publication was written by been recertified by the Public Relations and how they should prepare themselves students in the School of Communication. Society of America (PRSA) as one of in this tight market. I would also ask, as you think about S.O.C Talk is published online and distributed 30 colleges and universities in Canada, to alumni and friends by the School of Europe, South America, New Zealand making your end-of-year donations, to Communication. If you received this as a and the U.S. that meet this global consider the School of Communication in forward and would like to be on our mailing list, standard in public relations education. your plans. We have several established need to update or change an email, or have scholarship funds for our students, as well other comments or questions, contact us at We have gone “back to the future” with [email protected] our renamed Communication Studies as the School of Communication Fund program, and student enrollment has that allows us to support special events Do you have an interesting story or know alumni already increased. We are working such as Communication Week, which this who do? Send ideas for stories or profiles to: year will be held April 1 to April 5. [email protected] toward a “senior semester” for journalism students by teaching several journalism Finally, please drop me a note from time to time and let us all know how you’re FIND US ON CAMPUS courses back-to-back for the same groups 704 Fairfax Street of students so they have more class doing. Right now we don’t have enough Radford, VA 24141 time to be coached and to experience information about all of you to do an Phone: 540.831.6553 meeting short deadlines. Some of their Alumni Updates column, but it would be

Fax: 540.831.5883 finished work can be found onhttp:// wonderful to include that in the future. e newrivervoice.com. You can use either the School email Even though the rough economic address, [email protected] or contact climate meant belt-tightening across me directly at [email protected]. the commonwealth, this fall we were The best to you and yours at this able to hire a new faculty member, wonderful, festive time of the year. Dr. Kevin “West” Bowers, a recent You’ll be hearing from your School of doctoral graduate from the University of Communication in the Spring.

Faculty Florida. West is teaching in the areas of offices are in

704 Fairfax. production technology and web design. Lynn M. Zoch, PhD Studios, labs e He comes to us with not only a Ph.D., Professor and Director and equipment space is in but professional television experience School of Communication Porterfield Hall. from MTV, and he already is gaining a reputation among students for being PAGE 3 SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION Where Are They Now? Turk Uses Skills to Benefit Radford

By Susan “Susie” Leonard, ’10

tudents and alumni are most Post your Radford qualified to communicate the spirit Sof Radford University, so who diploma on your better to represent the Highlanders than Laura Turk, who falls in both categories? Turk (Communication ’87, English wall. You never ’90) is executive director for university advancement, after having served many know who’s looking. years as director of alumni relations at RU. She began her time here in 1983 — Laura Turk (’87, G ’90) as an undergraduate. She majored in “ communication and enjoyed classes such as news reporting and public relations. director she initiated Alumni Teaching said, “I see more similarities then I do When asked about her best experiences Day and the Highlander Polar Plunge as differences. I see the same commitment at Radford University as a student, well as numerous affinity-based reunions. from students and faculty, and the same Turk said it was “ the opportunity to In addition to her role in Alumni community environment.” work closely with faculty who strongly Relations, Turk also has spearheaded the Because she works so closely with encouraged internships, as well as the annual fund and served in a leadership alumni on a daily basis, she has noticed a chance to be involved in leadership capacity for Radford University’s two few trends that she believes are constant activities.” As a student, Turk was the capital campaigns. She led the fundraising because of the kind of school Radford sports editor of The Tartan, held a work- efforts for programs such as AASIS, Selu is. She says most alumni have very good study position, and was recruitment chair capital projects, numerous scholarships communication skills and are willing to for her sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma. and many outreach initiatives including work hard for their success because they After graduating from Radford, she the initial Scottish Rite Summer Clinic. don’t feel entitled to anything. According spent some time outside the world of She currently serves as Executive to Turk, “Radford University allows academia. She traveled and landed a job Director for University Advancement people to grow.” as the special events coordinator for a and leads engagement and fundraising She has been a dedicated member of the retail cosmetic store that she had worked efforts in Northern Virginia, Maryland Radford community for more than two for during her undergraduate years before and Washington, D.C. Additionally, decades, and offers a few good pieces of deciding to come back for her master’s Turk earned her Certified Fund Raising advice for college students: “Be proud degree in English. Executive (CFRE) designation. of your education and where you come At the same time, she wanted to use her “As a two-time Radford University from. Network with alumni, they want communication degree in a practical way. graduate and long-time RU employee, to help you. Post your Radford diploma While being a graduate student is quite I have witnessed firsthand how private on your wall. You never know who’s time-consuming, Turk still found the support can benefit our wonderful looking.” # time and the opportunity at Radford for institution,” said Turk. “It is easy for me leadership. She was a freshman English to be passionate about asking people to teacher both years she was a graduate be engaged on many levels because I Stay in Touch student. truly believe in Radford’s rich past and its After completing her graduate degree, future potential.” If you are not receiving the monthly Turk was offered a position on the staff Turk finds her work rewarding because Alumni e-News or the Magazine of of Radford University. She was hired it allows her to use both her degrees. Radford University click here to up- in 1990 as the director of corporate With thousands of contributors and date your contact information today. foundation and college development. alumni to keep track of, her job can be Her main job was to raise funds from challenging at times. She stresses the You can also contact the Radford private sources for university projects fact that it would be impossible without University Alumni Association, and scholarships. She loved the job, and good communication skills, and that she Martin Hall Suite 209, stayed there until asked to be the director needs to have strong messages to send to PO Box 6914 of alumni relations in 2008. Turk saw this alumni to get them more involved with Radford, Va. 24142 move as a great opportunity to use her the University. 540-831-5248 communication skills to engage alumni When asked about how Radford has Toll free: 1-888-4RUGRAD with the University. As alumni relations grown and changed over the years Turk [email protected] PAGE 4 SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION Where are they now? Justin Ward: More than Child’s Play By Lydia Jones, ’14

ustin Ward always knew he would be a reporter. Home videos show him Every day is Jpretending to be a television anchor. His interest in journalism grew during so different, his years at Christiansburg High School. His English teachers encouraged his there’s never a start in journalism when they noticed his unique writing skills; he also participated cookie-cutter in a shadowing program at CBS 7 News in Roanoke, where he learned about type day. journalism behind the scenes. “ Ward attended Radford University where he majored in media studies and — Justin Ward (’10), WDBJ 7 political science. He didn’t limit his work to just the classroom. He participated in news meeting, then he spends time in the evoke emotions in under a minute, then the student-published paper, The Tartan community in search of story ideas. In they are doing their job.” and was an announcer on the school radio addition to being on camera, he writes Outside work he enjoys reading and station, WVRU 88.9, for three years. scripts and helps shoot video. “Every day spending time with friends. He avoids During his college years, he took on is so different, there’s never a cookie- television to keep him from thinking many interning opportunities, giving up cutter type day.” about the office. He also looks for new student breaks to get experience. With the changing methods of reporting, experiences, because he believes doing While on a trip to Washington, D.C., Justin finds himself learning a lot of new things out of the ordinary will make him Ward found a network that would allow things. He says that he is best at writing a better reporter. Ward wants to go back him to do job shadowing for a few days and is learning how to improve his video to school to take a few classes in law; he instead of interning. Justin spent time and production skills. Justin seeks advice is most interested in covering the court at the CBS Evening News after other from videographers at the station. Justin system and politics. stations rejected his request. advises the importance of learning all the Justin has always set goals. He The person he talked with “said he had skills possible in school. advises college students to do the same, never received a call like mine and would “I never took a production class in especially because of the many new love to help me out,” Justin said. college because I never thought I would opportunities in the field. Justin met with news correspondents be doing my own stuff. There’s a lot of “Never give up, that’s one thing I was such as Bob Scheiffer and toured places behind-the scene work that the reporters often told. It’s so common, but I believe on Capitol Hill where only journalists do,” Justin said. it. If one door closes, another opens. If are allowed. This allowed him to make He wants to go as far in the field as he something isn’t meant to happen, then contact with other reporters and led him can. Justin would one day like to work there is something else out there that’s to opportunities later in his career. It also for a national network alongside reporters meant to happen. Always be prepared to changed him as a reporter. who have inspired him over the years. “A talk to the right people,” he said. “It was like a dream, and I soaked good reporter is someone a viewer can “Set some goals for yourself and look up every second of it,” Ward said. “I watch and ... understand the story without out to accomplish them. It’s always one followed around some of the reporters thinking about it,” he says. “If they can phone call away or one email away.” # and producers. I learned there was more to the job than what you see. ... It’s a regular eight-hour job. The reporters do Campus Connections to support new talent: Students most of the work by themselves.” During Communication Week, some often are required to profile working Ward now reports on the Danville of the most popular sessions have to do communication professionals or alumni area for WDBJ Channel 7. He also is with finding a job and advancing along as part of class assignments, like this responsible for covering aging issues a career path. one. such as Social Security and long-term In Spring 2011, journalism students If you’re willing to speak to students care. Each night he plans for the day organizing a career panel invited Justin during Communication Week or share ahead. In the life of a news reporter, there Ward and others to share tips on how to your story, let us know. are no set hours. get a job in the field. Ward continues Send an email to [email protected]. A typical day starts with the morning PAGE 5 SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION Faculty Spotlight Lazenby Revists Radford in 2010-11 By Corey Mann, ’12 Professor Lazenby is not new to Radford. Alumni may It’s not every day you get to talk remember him teaching here with a man who has seen it all in the in the 1990s. “I worked here sports community. Roland Lazenby, for seven years in the ’90s, I and would be here two days a sportswriter and author who has written 64 books, including “Bull Run!,” a week, then in Chicago the 1997’s Sports Book of the Year by the rest of the week covering the Independent Publishers Association, Bulls.” returned to Radford University on a one- He reported on the NBA year contract for 2010-11. team during their dynasty Writing since 1978, most notably years. He covers some of the about NBA basketball and NFL football, best athletes in the world, but Lazenby had no plans of writing as an he isn’t blinded by celebrity. undergraduate student at Virginia Military “I always worked at not Institute. After majoring in English, letting that be a factor that Lazenby was named Blacksburg High excited me. People who get School’s varsity wrestling coach, and it all giddy and excited about all began from there. After submitting interviewing somebody really articles to the Blacksburg Sun about his aren’t going to do a good wrestlers, The Sun offered him a full-time job.” sports editor job just a year later. Lazenby is working on a 400-page biography on Michael Jordan “I did have some English background, “That’s going called “MJ: The Life.” He is also putting but once I got into it, I tend to be very to help you get together two other books on the Boston aggressive, so I got very busy,” said hired later. There Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. Lazenby, looking back at his first writing [are] a variety of Journalism students soaked up his job. Dozens of books later, filled with things you have experience and stories from the locker years of experience, Lazenby still loves to to do to get the room. teach. “I teach writing as a life skill. ... I experience you have a lot of experience, so the work I do “The idea is to get your expertise need as a student.” makes me a better teacher.” while you’re here [at Radford],” he said. # Froemling Focuses on Personal Connections

r. Kristin Froemling, an associate professors,” she stressed. professor of communication, teaches Dr. Froemling’s current interests focus on Dmostly in the communication studies computer mediated communication. Specifically, concentration and Corporate and Professional she recently studied how communication is Communication graduate program. managed in a chat room. Dr. Froemling was Her favorite undergraduate course to teach is working with a chat room affiliated with research methods. “Students usually dislike this Fox 5 News in New York, where she noticed class, because the material seems foreign and different communication patterns taking place. not something they would apply right now,” she She has been most excited to see how and if said. “However, at the end I enjoy seeing the communication changes once you meet the light bulb go off and the students getting it.” person face-to-face. She prefers to teach classes in which people Aside from teaching, she dedicated five years feel comfortable participating. She is serious to writing a textbook, “Communication: The about the material but likes to have fun at the Handbook.” same time. It is designed for introductory communication Dr. Kristin Froemling Dr. Froemling appreciates the students at courses and incorporates interpersonal, group and B.A., Bowling Green State Radford because they come from backgrounds public speaking subject areas. University M.S., University Toledo, Ohio similar to her own. “They are down to In her free time she enjoys hiking, making Ph.D., University of Oklahoma earth, and have a desire to connect with the jewelry and spending time with her rabbits.# PAGE 6 SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION Meet Our Graduate Students

Copy Editor on the Rise research on massively multiplayer online getting my master’s later in my life.” A veteran of Radford’s undergraduate games. Pursuing graduate school right after her English program with concentrations in — B.J. undergraduate program allows her to get secondary education and business and a better understanding of what she wants technical writing, Brittany Jeglum has to do in life. She teaches public speaking found her place in Radford’s Corporate Living A Dream as a a Graduate Teaching Fellow. and Professional Communication Jeremy Butler of Luray, Va., is making Brittany dreams of traveling the world program. The 23-year- the most of his educational experiences and discovering opportunities along the old is from Northern while at Radford University. Butler, 26, way. After graduating in May 2012, she Virginia. is a second-year graduate teaching fellow hopes to find a job in advertising or event “I couldn’t have in the School of Communication and is planning within the entertainment field. picked a better program using his opportunities to gain experience —C.H. than the one here at and skills to make him successful upon Radford,” says Jeglum. graduation. “I love the university A self-described “Good Ole Boy,” New York Native Makes a and really try to keep myself involved Jeremy graduated from Radford in the Home in Southwest Virginia and connected with various clubs and Spring of 2010 with a bachelor’s in Caty Hermann, 23, was born and raised organizations.” communication with a public relations in Rochester, N.Y. She has a passion Jeglum is a member of PRSSA, serves concentration. He for art and being creative. She has an as secretary of the English club, writes decided to further undergraduate degree in business and for WHIM (the student-run online his education and communication studies from Lynchburg magazine), and is assistant news editor is a candidate for College. for the Tartan. graduation in May Right after graduation her When she’s not helping out around 2012 with a master’s advisor emphasized the prestige of campus, she can be found in her office in Corporate Radford’s Corporate and Professional helping students as a graduate teaching and Professional Communication graduate program. assistant. — M.Z. Communication. Hermann decided to enroll and is in her Outside the second year of graduate school. classroom, Butler enjoys diesel trucks Education Through After finishing her degree, Caty would and lifting weights. He enjoys the like to move into either advertising or Online Gaming atmosphere of his classes and the public relations in a firm involved in Michele Zorrilla, 26, puts an relationships he has with his professors. entertainment. While she misses home, educational twist on “I think the professors in the School of she would like to travel wherever her video gaming. Communication do a really good job of future job may lead. She joined the connecting with their students. I’ve built —B.C. Corporate and some great relationships with the faculty Professional as well as the other graduate students,” Communication said Butler. Student Gets on Track graduate program this When asked about his future plans, with Advanced PR Skills year, after graduating Butler said, “I’d like to ultimately get a job with the FBI, buy some land, and a Terrence Strickland is a graduate from Central teaching fellow from Martinsville, Va. Washington University with a B.A. in nice diesel truck. If I could do that I’d be livin’ the dream.” —T.S. He earned his bachelor’s degree from communication studies. Radford University in 2007 with a Zorrilla applied to the program on the ` concentration in public relations. advice of her professor, Steve Jackson, Ready to Travel the World After graduation, Strickland worked a former doctoral student of Dr. Lynn at a community college in Martinsville, Zoch. Brittany Case is a second-year graduate student in the Corporate and Professional where he worked as an outreach advising Zorrilla also became a graduate teaching specialist. He quickly put to use his assistant for both the introductory public Communication program. Originally from northern Virginia, her family now undergraduate skills. speaking and public relations classes. It was there that he realized he enjoyed Zorrilla plans to use her master’s degree resides in Georgia. She graduated with her bachelor’s working in academia. At the same to work for a gaming company such as time, he found he would have limited Blizzard Entertainment or Razer. Her degree from Radford University where she was an advertising major with a advancement opportunities because he focus in the program is video gaming lacked a graduate degree. and gender. She is an avid gamer, and communication minor. Developing more interest in public relations, she decided He decided to go back to school to has combined her love of gaming with further his studies in communication and her educational aspirations, focusing her to further her schooling at Radford. “I didn’t want to have to worry about gain experience teaching. In the graduate PAGE 7 SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION Meet Our Students program, he particularly enjoys his campus. Shaver works late, usually Is Sports Advertising in studies in crisis communication. closing the restaurant at night then going home for much-needed rest. When he Superfan’s Future? After graduation he would like to get Christian Compton is all about sports, back into academia. Strickland also is isn’t working, Shaver loves to listen to music, watch movies and dabble in whether it is football, baseball, basketball considering pursuing a doctoral degree. or hockey. Does he actually play any of Strickland is the outdoors type who snowboarding when the weather is right. — A.S. these sports? No. He’s just a superfan. loves to hunt, fish, and camp, but his This 20-year-old hails from New York true love lies with NASCAR, which but is now a Virginian. He claims to seems natural for someone who lived and Behind the Camera love mostly Virginia state teams, such worked near the Martinsville Speedway. Page Mori may only have one year left as Virginia Tech and U.Va., but he’s —J.B at Radford, but don’t let that fool you: been known to support the Washington This 21-year-old has ambitious goals for Capitols, the Washington Working, Writing Keep her final days as a college student. Mori Redskins, UNC is executive producer for the school’s basketball and the Student Up All Night broadcast news program “ROC TV.” Boston Red Sox. His Tyler John Shaver, or TJ for short, is a Mori calls Clifton, Va., home and hopes dream isn’t to suit up, 25-year-old senior from the small town to one day work in the Washington, D.C., but rather work with of Hot Springs, Va. He returned to the area. Last summer she was an intern the teams in advertising university this semester after a break and with Washington Week, a political news — his concentration at plans to graduate in program. Radford. the spring. Working there sparked an interest He says his ideal Shaver loves to in politics she didn’t know she had. job is “to work in write, so it comes as Although she’s excited to graduate in the advertising field in sports on the no surprise that he is a May 2012, Mori plans to dedicate her university or professional level.” journalism major with senior year to ROC TV. “I really want Compton is also involved in Greek Life an English minor. His to make this show work,” she said. Her in the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He favorite subjects are past work with student media and her maintains a sports blog on the side and music and sports. He plans for ROC TV will help her when she would love to travel the world someday. hopes to write for magazines. graduates. She hopes to one day be an “Well, maybe not the WHOLE world, but When Shaver isn’t writing he’s executive producer at a well-known news most of it!” he says. working full time at the Chik-fil-a on network. —K.H. —T.M. A Taste of Student Media Radford University has seven Media student media organizations, giving Advertising Group, students ample opportunities to get which was created in involved. 2001. The objective The Beehive is the student-run of this organization is yearbook that is the oldest publication to provide advertising on campus. It started in 1914 as The sales and design Radnor. This year it switched to a services for all student magazine format. media organizations. Exit 109, published every spring, Whim is Radford’s is a student-run literary and arts student-run online magazine. magazine. Updated ROC TV is an acronym for weekly, Whim Radford on Camera. It is a focuses on opinion articles along with weekly broadcast on the University’s investigations on a broad range of topics Radio Free Radford is the Reslife channel. The broadcast that affect the 21st century student. Internet radio station for Radford features a variety of genres including The Tartan is a weekly newspaper University. The student-run comedy, news, talk shows and short run by the students on campus. The paper organization has positions available documentaries. is distributed 22 times a year and once both on and off-air and no experience SMADs stands for Student during the summer. is necessary. PAGE 8 SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION News Roundup What is the Origin of that would indefinitely haunt the town’s research, media research/planning, reputation. creative development, account Talk Like a Pirate Day? Nearly a century later, Dr. John management, strategy development, and Dr. Matthew R. Turner’s “Arrr!!!: Brummette (G ’03) analyzed this social and digital media. Performing Piracy and the Origin of piece of public relations history in the The closing keynote came from the International Talk Like a Pirate Day” context of the press agentry model of director of marketing communications will appear in Popular Culture Review public relations, an illustration of how for Nissan Global, who presented several in February 2012. For the paper, Turner an organization’s decisions affect its clips from the company’s consumer focus interviewed the Pirate Guys — Cap’n reputation and that of its surrounding groups and shared the brand position, Slappy, and O’l Chumbucket — the two community, and how community values strategy, and creative campaign that modern day Buccaneers responsible for changes with time. derived from that primary research. the unorthodox holiday. He explored His analysis will appear in an upcoming how the holiday started, how and why it issue of Public Relations Review. spread, and what it says about modern Field Reporting: An popular culture. Turner’s next publication is “Performing Yao Presents Research Election Day Exercise Students studying journalism got out of Pop Parody: Lady Gaga, ‘Weird Al’ on Chinese Public Opinion the classroom and headed to the polls to Yankovic, and Parodied Performance,” Assistant Professor Dr. Shuo Yao test their skills covering elections. which will appear in an edited collection presented a paper with Leigh Anne Kelley’s News Reporting from McFarland Press entitled: The colleagues at the National students used interview skills practiced Performance Identities of Lady Gaga. Communication Association in class to gather reaction from voters Turner explored how “Weird Al” conference in New Orleans, outside Radford polling places. Yankovic and Lady Gaga both perform La., in November. “This wasn’t hard to do, it was just parody as part of their artistic expression. “Guiding Public Opinion hard to come up with questions,” said A third publication, “The Last Marx in Civil Disorders: The Lydia Jones, a sophomore. In addition Brothers’ Film,” will be published with Chinese Experience” also was to traditional journalism, she and other Jura Gentium Cinema, an online journal accepted for publication in the Journal of students tried capturing images and audio. of cinema and globalization. He explores International Communication. Students in Joe Staniunas’ Basic News their comedy and what made them unique. Writing and Journalism Portfolio classes Ad Students profiled races around the region in Who Killed Mary? An what he called “a chance to take part in Focus on Creativity and observe one of the great rituals of Elephantine PR Case Study During the last week in October, American citizenship.” In 1916, the Carolina, Clinchfield and Assistant Professor Jim Collier took eight Many students, like Hannah Mankin, Ohio Railroad Co. performed its civic members of the RU Advertising Club to expected the turnout to be lower than for duty by helping an angry public hang a the American Advertising Federation’s a presidential election. But they were still murderer in Erwin, Tenn. The murderer, conference on innovation, “Innovate the disappointed by the slow trickle of voters. a 2-ton pachyderm circus performer Way You Think,” in Washington, D.C. “This was a recurring theme here at the named Mary, was convicted, sentenced Attendees heard from top polls today,” she wrote, “people simply and executed for causing the death of communications professionals not caring enough to get their vote out her trainer in a horrific public spectacle representing fields such as consumer there, which is actually very sad.” #

Ad Club, PRSSA Team up for Alexa Sears (’12), Amy ‘Radford After Dark’ Anderson To raise awareness on campus and gain experience in (’12) and event marketing, the student chapter of the American Bryce Floyd (’12) welcome Advertising Federation (RU Ad Club) applied for guests to an an event grant through the Department of Student event planned, Activities and its “Radford After Dark” Initiative. organized and After winning the grant, the Ad Club invited the RU sponsored by the Radford PRSSA to join in the Oct. 20 implementation of the Ad Club and successful event. PRSSA. The theme was “Fright Night,” which celebrated the Halloween holiday with face painting, pumpkin Photo courtesy Radford Ad carving, a costume contest and a buffet that included Club pizzas, seasonal desserts, drinks and hot cider from 8 p.m. to midnight.