Links Connecting Alumni, Students, and Faculty Wittenberg University Department of Communication Newsletter 2017 Photo Credit: Wittenberg University Office of Communications 1 Greetings from the Alumni Liaison In This Issue Jessica Walters (‘18) I hope you enjoy this edition of Links, our annu- Page 2 Page 24 Communication Alumni Return to Campus for Communicating with a Greater Purpose: al Department of Communication newsletter! Homecoming Andy Gallatin (‘05) The Links staff have been hard at work getting Page 3 Page 25 2017-2018 Integrated Media Corps Reach for your Dreams this newsletter underway. The writers this year Heather DeSantis (‘11) were inspired by the alumni they spoke with Page 4 and were dedicated to sharing their stories for Big Risks Mean Big Rewards: Page 26 Megan Shroy (‘07) Communication Students Earn High Awards at the others to hear. 2017 Honors Convocation Page 5 As you read this newsletter, I hope you find the India’s Top Digital Brand Planner: Page 27 Swati Shivshankar (‘13) Fostering Cross-Cultural Understanding journeys that so many of these individuals are Fall 2016 Communication Colloquium: on not only interesting, but compelling. Witten- Page 6 Dr. David Domke berg is a special place in which may of us have Work Hard and Enjoy What You Do: Merrick Austin (‘11) Page 28 found our identity, our calling, and our true Bursting the Bubble from Witt to Google: vocation in life. Page 7 Kayla Villegas (‘16) Liberal Arts in Action 2017: A Celebration of Learning Page 29 I am grateful for the resources I have to embark From Witt to the Big Apple: into the world ahead, and for such amazing Alumni Liaison Intern, Page 8 Matt Green (‘04) steps to follow. May our light keep passing on! Experiences Make You Who You Are: Jessica Walters (‘18) Andrew Durbin (‘12) Page 30 A Note from the Department Chair Thank you to the alumni and their dedication to Page 9 Dr. Waggoner’s Gender and Communication Class honoring Wittenberg and the Department of Having a Backbone: Takes a Field Trip to a Drag Show 2017 Links Linzey Rice (‘16) Communication. Your stories are vital to mak- Page 31 ing our program what it is. Staff Writers Page 10 Thank You for Your Support Lambda Pi Eta Honorary Follow us on Social Media Life After Witt: Alumni Visit COMM 403 Lastly, I want to send out a huge congratula- Page 32 tions to the graduating class of 2017! Devon Atchison (‘19) Page 11 Dr. Waggoner in Germany: Witt in Wittenberg Department of Communication Spring 2018 Pearl Ernat (‘17) Spring 2017 Colloquium and Immigration Panel Page 33 Tiger Up, Witt! Ryan Fulmer (‘18) Page 12 Dr. Broz in Costa Rica: Witt in San Jose C.A.B.L.E. 2017 Spring 2019 Stephanie Glass (‘17) Page 13 Page 34 Kate Koelling (‘17) More then a Degree: Learning Your Vocation Kailee Kratoville (‘13) Remington Larsen (‘18) Page 35 Pages 14-17 Take Your Internship to the Next Level Kylie Ponn (‘18) Alumni News and Notes Pages 36-37 Sami Petruzzi (‘18) Page 18-19 Faculty News and Notes Allie Purvis (‘19) Turning a New Page Page 38 Page 20-21 Congratulations, 2017 Graduates! Evelyn Ritzi (‘17) Alumni News and Notes Continued Nicholas Tafoya (‘18) Page 22 Alumni, We Want to Hear From You! Macy Winkelfoos (‘17) Page 23 Congratulations to Communication Majors on the Fall 2016 Dean’s List 2 3 Communication Alumni Return to 2016-2017 Integrated Media Corps Campus for Homecoming 2016 Devon Atchison (‘19) Integrated Media Corps (IMC) is a program at Wittenberg that, on pa- per, is a one-credit course along with work hours in the Office of Universi- ty Communications. But to me it has been so much more than that. IMC has opened me up to a world of pos- sibilities within media, communica- tions, graphic design, television, ra- dio, and marketing. These opportuni- ties have helped me learn more about my future career and equipped me IMC with a WHIO Stormcenter 7 Meteorologist with new skill sets. From left to right: Morgan Mitchell, Devon Atchison, McCall Vrydaghs (Meteorologist), Bobbie Clayton, Stephanie Glass, Jeff Hall, Kylie Ponn, Savannah Marceau, The work we do in the University and Camila Quinones. Office of Communications includes working at our own computers and cubicles with various up-to-date technology and software. This allows us to have hands-on training that is relatable to the real workplace. With the resources and mentorship we have access to, we are able to gain valuable expe- riences that better prepare us for our future. I have been able to become familiar with different technology that I know will give me a one-up in the workforce. In the office, there are Macs and PCs available to work on, which allows the opportunity to learn more about both operating systems. There is also Microsoft, Adobe, Premiere Pro, and many other types of software that are quite useful skill sets to be proficient in, especially in such a technology-driven world. IMC also allows us access to knowledgeable mentors. We work directly with the Univer- sity Office of Communications and under Cindy Holbrook, Senior Communication As- sistant, and Ryan Maurer, Senior Writer and Web Communications Specialist. It is with their collaboration and guidance that we are able to grow. Another aspect of IMC is that each member has a specific project to work on. However, they're not for a grade and they're not just an assignment; they really mean something to us personally and mean something to the community. Project requests come in from the community and since there is a large number, we only do the ones that we are able to do. It is great that in addition to learning these important skill sets, I get to learn about dif- ferent events and issues within the Springfield community as well. In the beginning of the year, we focused on broader topics and heard from multiple speakers from different fields. It started off as a broader and more all-inclusive view so Communication alumni spanning more than ten years stopped by at various Home- we could see where we may want to dive in deeper. In the second half of the year we coming events to catch up and share about their journeys. Kelly Eggers (‘09) and honed in on an interest area and began to apply certain topics and ideas. Beth Thomas (‘13) were panelists for two of the Celebration of Lifelong Learning sessions where current students could learn more about how to take advantage of IMC has given me a taste of many different fields, a taste of what it is to work in a work- opportunities at Witt, how to prepare for their professional lives, and how to navi- place, and what it means to be a team member. IMC has been a fantastic experience and gate their career paths. The Department of Communication sponsored a tailgate has meant a lot more to me than just another program on campus. It has helped me to event to bring our alumni together for some Tiger spirit before the game on Satur- begin shaping my future career, and allowed me to see the importance of mentorship, day. Current and former CABLE members gathered to celebrate the program’s 10th and the value in embracing community. anniversary. 4 5 4 Big Risks Means Big Rewards: India’s Top Digital Brand Planner: 5 Megan Shroy (‘07) Swati Shivshankar (‘13) Stephanie Glass (‘17) Kylie Ponn (‘18) Recently honored in Columbus’ Forty Under 40, Megan Swati Shivshankar (’13) is a recent Wittenberg graduate Shroy (’07), founder and president of Approach Market- already making big strides in her field as a senior brand Witt really taught ing, is an accomplished and driven PR and marketing planner and strategist in India. A Double major in Eco- professional. Following graduation, Shroy began an in- nomics and Communication, Shivshankar dedicates a lot me to be kind to ternship program with Golin, one of the world’s leading of her success to the Wittenberg education and leader- people. It taught public relations firms. Although she had hoped for a full- ship skills that come with it. me to help people time position, Shroy knew Golin’s legendary internship without expecting program was an opportunity she could not pass up. The Shivshankar was involved in many extracurricular op- anything in return. program offered an immersive experience that would portunities aside from her studies during her time at shed light on the areas Shroy was interested in within the Wittenberg: Student Senate, Class Cabinet, and the marketing industry. One of Shroy’s biggest tips for recent American International Association. But she shares that graduates who are hoping to break out in the public rela- one of the best learning experiences was Comm Leaders, tions world is to “intern early and often.” Shroy asserts now C.A.B.L.E., which helped her land two critical in- that “it’s rare to see an entry-level candidate resume with- Megan Shroy (‘17) ternships for post college life. Because of visa complications, those opportunities didn’t out three or more varied internships today.” Shroy herself used internships, notably the work out, but she says, “I still take a lot away from the project I did with Google which post-grad experience at Golin, to mold her true interests within the marketing industry was related to my field of social media and branding, while it was only a six-to-eight that have ultimately shaped her career path. month project, the experience I gained was timeless.” Currently, Shivshankar works in the digital advertising industry and she shares that everything she learned at Witten- Shroy comes from an agency background that began with Golin, which eventually led berg is “still applicable.” her to Columbus-based Paul Werth Associates.