Department of Communication

The Harnisch Foundation in January awarded a $ 1.5 million gift to the Kennesaw State University Foundation to establish the Center for Sustainable Journalism, which will be overseen by Leonard Witt, Distinguished Chair in Communication and eminent scholar.

The center’s mission is to discover innovative ways to produce financially sustainable, high quality and ethically sound journalism. This generous gift from The Harnisch Foundation will help underwrite applied research‚ build collaborations and advance innovative journalism projects regionally and around the country.

“We are living in an era when old journalism models are failing, newspapers are faltering and experienced journalists are losing their jobs,” Witt said. “This solution-oriented funding comes at a critical time and with it we can start to build new models that will ensure journalism continues to play its vital role in our democracy.”

“We, who care about journalism, are very fortunate that Bill and Ruth Ann Harnisch understand the gravity of the situation and are willing to make philanthropic investments in building new journalism models for the Digital Age.”

Witt has been sharing his ideas about journalism innovation on his blog (PJNet.org) for two years. Last year‚ The Harnisch Foundation provided more than $60‚000 to launch a test run of Representative Journalism, a community-supported journalism project in Northfield, Minnesota.

The $1.5 million in funding, spread over five years, will enable the center to research and test a continuing stream of innovative journalism projects and nurture the best of them into self-sustaining entities.

“This gift is a tribute to the belief that Kennesaw State is at the forefront of helping reinvent journalism in this era when old business models are crumbling and new ones need to be tested and advanced,” Witt said.

AT&T Awards $47,500 Grant to Fund Digital Media Lab at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, Ga., December, 12, 2008 — AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced the AT&T Foundation has awarded a $47,500 grant to the Kennesaw State University Foundation to support the Digital Media Lab. The grant will enable to Media Lab to purchase equipment vital for teaching students who are taking classes in journalism and citizen media. This in turn will support an array of activities as students prepare for careers in production and explore a wide range of crew and talent positions.

Kennesaw State is the third largest university in the Georgia University System. This grant will support the Bachelor of Science in Communications at KSU and its newest concentration, Journalism and Citizen Media. This new curriculum includes both traditional journalism, as well as the theories around civic, citizen and community journalism, especially as it relates to media outreach by community organizations, schools and faith based groups to the media. Use of the digital media lab will enabled advanced students to master the sophisticated equipment commonly used in a media career in video, whether on-camera or in production.

The AT&T grant is consistent with the signature initiative of the AT&T Foundation: AT&T Aspire. This program, announced earlier this year, is focused on preparing students for success in the workforce. AT&T has committed $100 million in philanthropy through 2011 to schools and nonprofit organizations that are focused on high school retention and better preparing students for college and the workforce. This grant complements, but is in addition to that initiative.

“As the nation completes the movement of its entire communications infrastructure to a digital platform, this generous gift from AT&T will ensure that our graduates are on the cutting edge of digital media production and well-equipped for the state’s workforce in this vital industry,” said Kennesaw State University President Daniel S. Papp.

"We are pleased that AT&T is making an investment in our community through the grant to KSU's Digital Media Lab,” said Kennesaw Mayor Mark Mathews. “The grant will provide valuable learning opportunities to students at the University, and we look forward to the success of the program."

As one of the largest-ever corporate commitments to high school retention and workforce readiness, the $100 million AT&T Aspire program will support organizations with strong track records that promote educational success, from the classroom to the workplace.

“We are pleased to help expand the opportunities for students in the Kennesaw State University Journalism and Citizen Media program,” said AT&T Georgia External Affairs Manager Don Barbour. [President Sylvia Anderson]. “The success of our young people is critical to the success of our communities, our state and our nation, and training in the Digital Media Lab should give them high technology skills vital to finding a place in tomorrow’s workforce.”

For more information about the AT&T Aspire initiative, please visit www.att.com/education-news.

For Immediate Release: November 17, 2008
Contact: Emily Holler, Instructor of Communication
eholler@kennesaw.edu
Office: 770-423-6926

KATIE PETERSON WINS FIRST PLACE IN PUBLIC SPEAKING SHOWCASE

Katie Peterson, a sophomore communication major, won first place in KSU’s second annual Public Speaking Showcase, held November 11, 2008. The Communication Department sponsored the event, which featured 26 speakers. To be eligible to enter, the contestants were current students in the Public Speaking course, or had previous credit for the course. Each student delivered a speech that was 8-10 minutes in length with an extemporaneous delivery style. The event was open to the public and consisted of 5 semi-final rooms of speeches to begin the evening. Then, one speaker from each of the semi-final rounds competed in the final competition. Judges were KSU Communication Department faculty members.

Peterson’s speech title was, “The TV Diet: The Answer to America’s Addition.” She explained how excessive television watching is an addictive behavior and urged audience members to monitor and cut down the amount of television watched each day. Peterson won a glass trophy and $300 cash award for her award-winning speech.

Erica Eckman won second place with her speech “Making Music Gives Life” persuading people that music can improve the quality of peoples’ lives. She also took home a trophy and $200 cash award. Third place went to Andrew Groom who presented, “Censor This Speech.” Groom stressed the importance of the Internet being free of censorship and won a trophy and $100 cash award. Katie Davis and Trey Toler were also speakers in the final round of competition.

The Public Speaking Coordinator at KSU and showcase organizer, Emily Holler, said the number of participants nearly doubled from last year’s event. She invites students of Public Speaking to enter the contest next fall.

Katie Peterson - Winner

Finalists from left to right: Katie Davis, Andrew Groom, Erica Eckman, Katie Peterson, Trey Toler

200 TO 14 TO 3

Kennesaw State University Communication major Miguel Sepulveda knew the competition to be invited to compete in 2008 Summer Internship Challenge in the Atlanta office of Manning, Selvage and Lee, one of the world’s leading communication firms, would be intense. To win one of the three coveted slots would indeed be nearly beyond his wildest dreams.

From over 200 applicants representing universities across the southeast, Sepulveda became one of the 14 public relations students invited to participate in the Summer Internship Challenge April 18. And after a series of competitive challenges that included one-on-one interviews, a brainstorming session, a writing and editing test, and minigroup presentations that offered ideas for promoting an environmentally-friendly high definition television, Sepulveda emerged as one of the chosen three.

“It was a great opportunity just to be invited to participate in the MS&L Internship Challenge,” said the KSU senior, who is in the Public Relations concentration. “When they told me I was one of the three chosen for the summer internship program at MS&L it was a dream come true for me.”

“For his professors here in the Communication Department, Miguel winning the Summer Internship Challenge was no surprise,” said Department of Communication Chair Birgit Wassmuth. “He is an impressive young man. Miguel will be a great representative for the quality program we are building in the Department of Communication and for the quality students the university is attracting,” she added.

Sepulveda currently serves as vice president of PRSSA-KSU Chapter and will become president in the fall. He has earned the President's and Dean's List Recognition and was inducted into the National Communication Honor Society, Alpha Theta Chapter, in Spring 2008.

MS&L is a global communication agency with 54 offices throughout North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia-Pacific, as well as an extensive global affiliate network. MS&L won PRWeek's Best Use of Internet/New Media Award in both 2006 and 2007. The firm is a member of the Publicis Groupe, the world’s fourth largest communications group.

With 880 majors, the Department of Communication is the second-largest department in terms of enrollment in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kennesaw State University. It offers four concentrations: Public Relations, Journalism and Citizen Media, Organizational Communication and Media Studies.

Miguel Sepulveda

Student recognized for undergraduate research

Rhonda Turner’s senior thesis paper, “Exploring Elements of Cinematic Lighting and Suspense in Classic Film Noir and Neo-noir," was presented at the KSU 13th Annual Symposium of Student Scholars. The Symposium took place Monday, April 14, 2008, in the Student Center University Rooms.
When chosen, Rhonda was taken aback. “It was such an honor to be selected for the symposium. I had to fight back tears of joy. It was my most exciting moment at KSU, thus far.”
Rhonda’s paper was among a select few chosen for this honor and the only one presented from the Communication Department this year.

Rhonda Turner (standing)

Communication student applies his classroom knowledge in the workforce

“I love my Communication career,” Montye Edwards emphatically begins his discussion on his profession, accomplishments, and aspirations.
Montye is Communication major here at Kennesaw State. He is already employing the skills and principles of his Public Relations concentration in his job at PM Lifestyle, an Atlanta-based social media company founded in March of 2006. The company covers many aspects of media including Photography, Viral Marketing, Social Networking Interaction, Designs, Video Production, and includes media properties Wrecked Magazine and SlideAmerica. The goal of the company is to connect and promote products generation wide, giving businesses a chance to reach out to younger consumers. As Chief of Communication of PM Lifestyle, Montye’s responsibility is to build strong relationships with both the public and the companies interested in the unique connection opportunities offered by his company.
Montye just recently organized the Oklahoma Men of Distinction Leadership Conference at Seminole State College in Seminole, OK. Male students, grades 9-12, from seven area high schools attended the conference. These students gathered to learn about the positive influence of leadership and even received the keynote address from Eason Jordan, former President and Chief News Executive for CNN. Also in attendance were city officials, judges, and military officials, as well as fire fighters and members of law enforcement. Those in attendance described the conference as a very positive experience with enthusiastic and passionate speakers.
Ultimately, Montye plans to use his success in Communication and, specifically, Public Relations to inspire young men and women to find the direction they deserve. “Young men are so disconnected from American society,” he states, wanting to help them find leadership through understanding and experience. He is currently with the United Way of America on a nationwide youth program, “Live United,” which will give role models in the community a chance to positively impact and connect generations.
He also plans to give back to Kennesaw State by making a point to give Kennesaw students job opportunities through PM Lifestyle. An internship for KSU students is also in the works.

Korean Press Foundation (KPF) visited the Department of Communication

Sponsored by the Korean Press Foundation (KPF), a group of nine Korean journalists and three researchers came November 5, 2007, to visit the Department of Communication and hear Professor Len Witt’s lecture on citizen journalism. The journalists currently work as editors, reporters, and researchers in mainstream South Korean newspapers. Dr. Thierry Leger, Associate Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, attended the meeting, and Dr. Birgit Wassmuth gave the welcome. The continental breakfast was provided by the Korean Association of Metro Atlanta ($300). A follow-up dinner, sponsored by the Chosun Daily News-Atlanta, was held at Myungawon (a Korean restaurant in Duluth, GA) at 7:00 p.m. that evening ($735). Desiring the opportunity to increase our global network and awareness of South Korea, communication faculty Dr. Allison, Professor Phillips, and Dr. Kim attended the dinner and met with Korean journalists and people from the Korean community. Participants, including representatives from KPF, Dr. Birgit Wassmuth, and Professor Len Witt, hope to continue building both friendly and professional relationships between Kennesaw State and KPF in the future.

SURVEY MONKEY LINK FOR THE NEED ASSESSMENT FOR A GRADUATE PROGRAM IN COMMUNICATION

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=g79QWqsqdNLPA_2f0PsfEtig_3d_3d

For Immediate Release: November 15, 2007
Contact: Emily Holler, Instructor of Communication
eholler@kennesaw.edu
Office: 770-423-6926

KIMBERLY TERRELL WINS FIRST KSU PUBLIC SPEAKING SHOWCASE

Kimberly Terrell, a sophomore communication major, took first place in KSU’s first Public Speaking Showcase, held November 13th. The showcase, sponsored by the Department of Communication, featured 14 speakers who were selected to represent their public speaking classes. Each student delivered a 6-8 minute persuasive speech. Terrell’s topic, “Keeping the ‘Humane’ in Humane Society,” focused on the excessive numbers of dogs and cats euthanized in metro-Atlanta each year, and urged listeners to take steps to prevent pet overpopulation and support no-kill shelters. Her impassioned delivery impressed the audience of approximately 150 students, faculty and family members and the panel of three judges, comprised of present and former KSU Communication Department faculty members. Terrell won a trophy, a $200 cash award, and an assortment of KSU-logo prizes.

Second place finisher was Derek Wright, a freshman biology major who persuaded listeners to engage in acts of chivalry. Third place went to Courtney Nelson, who spoke about the negative impact of the media on body image, and the fourth place finalist was Kylee Doyle, who urged the audience to switch to hybrid vehicles.

Showcase organizer Emily Holler, an instructor of communication and KSU Public Speaking course coordinator, said she hopes the showcase will become an annual campus event.

Kimberly Terrell-Winner

From left to right: Kylee Doyle, Courtney Nelson, Kimberly Terrell, Derek Wright

A new National Advisory Board for the KSU Department of Communication met in November. The NAB consists of communication professionals in management positions who will provide advice and guidance for the Department regarding curriculum development, internship offerings, job placement opportunities, diversity issues, professional outreach opportunities and other challenges facing the Department. “The NAB will play an integral role in helping us develop the KSU Communication Department into a program of national stature,” said Birgit Wassmuth, chair of the Department of Communication. “We are grateful to these dedicated professionals who are volunteering their time and talents to our efforts here.” The NAB will meet twice a year. The next meeting will be April 1, 2008.

From left to right:

Buddy Mayo, Associate Professor, Department of Communication

Elenora Andrews, NAB Vice President

Tim Henschel, NAB President

Birgit Wassmuth, Chair, Department of Communication