April 2008 - Posts
Additional section of COM 439 offered this fall. Due to overwhelming demand, we've opened a second section of COM 439 this fall, TR, 3:30-4:45 with Dr. Sam Dyer. Registration is open for this section now and the seats are filling up quickly. Be sure to register as soon as possible for this class so that it makes!
Graduating next month? You are invited!
Spring 2008 commencement is coming soon, and for those of you who are graduating 
, plan to attend a college sponsored reception before commencement! Bring your parents, friends, and other guests and meet the Dean of the College, Dr. Carey Adams and other COM faculty members. Friday, May 16, 11:30-1:00 in the lower atrium of First and Calvary Church (next to Hammons Student Center).
Free concert event this weekend planned by COM 309 students!
Tina Stillwell's COM 309 class (Principles of Public Relations) is coordinating a special event in conjunction with Ozarks CW this Saturday (April 26) to raise awareness of gynecologic cancers and to raise donations for GYN Cancers Alliance here in Springfield. The event, which will take place from noon-6 p.m. at Jordan Valley Park, features the music of four bands and MSU’s A Cub Bella (women’s a cappella group). From their press release:
MSU STUDENTS HOST FREE TO BE ROCK FEST FOR GYN CANCERS ALLIANCE
SPRINGFIELD—Public relations students from Missouri State University and The Ozarks CW will host Free To Be Rock Fest, an afternoon of music, to raise money for the GYN Cancers Alliance (GYNCA) of Springfield, from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 26 at Jordan Valley Park. The event will feature an eclectic mix of performers while raising awareness for GYNCA.
The following bands will perform during the benefit: A Day Away, Taylor M. Swift and Alea Kilgore, Funkee Noosa, A Cub Bella, Better Left Behind, and Time of Favor. Giveaways and educational segments about gynecologic cancers will take place between band performances.
Each year more than 83,700 women in America suffer from gynecologic cancers. The COM 309 section 301 “Principles of Public Relations” class taught by Tina Stillwell of Missouri State University is teaming up with The Ozarks CW to raise awareness and funds for GYNCA.
“This is truly a win-win situation and we are thrilled to partner with this event,” said Tammy Mast, GYNCA executive director. “One of GYNCA's primary goals is to educate the community about good gynecologic health especially disseminating information about the HPV vaccine that can ultimately prevent most cervical cancers. The college age group seems very open to the vaccine but wants to be informed."
“We are excited about this opportunity to provide PR students with hands-on experience in event planning while educating young people on age-relevant cancers,” said Jamie Dopp, KY3 and The Ozarks CW community relations director.
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“Using what we learn in class to make a difference in the community is the best kind of learning,” said Katie Grana, a Missouri State junior from St. Louis and event logistics chair. “I hope the event makes a big impact.”
GYN Cancers Alliance is a non-profit organization that helps women find new hope while coping with gynecologic cancer by fostering an atmosphere of compassion, support, and learning. The services of GYNCA include peer-to-peer mentoring, New Hope support group meetings, education and awareness, and non-medical financial assistance.
Informational Interviews for COM students
**A free service from the League of American Orchestras**
The League of American Orchestras provides a wealth of services, meaningful information, learning and leadership opportunities, and grass-roots advocacy to its diverse membership, which encompasses nearly 1,000 member symphony, chamber, youth, and collegiate orchestras of all sizes, and links a national network of thousands of instrumentalists, conductors, managers, board members, volunteers, staff members, and business partners.
WHO: For students pursuing non-profit career tracks and who are interested in working for American orchestras
WHAT: 30-minute one-on-one conversations (in-person or over the telephone) with a professional working for an orchestra in the field of Artistic Planning, Development, Education/Community Engagement, Marketing, New Media, Operations, Public Relations or Executive Management
WHEN: Offered on an on-going basis throughout the calendar year
HOW: By request through the League of American Orchestras website. INQUIRE HERE
Find out about how you can put your skills and passion to work in the field of orchestra management.
Sign Up Today for a FREE Informational Interview
For additional information or to find out more, please contact:
Allison Ball, Director of Leadership Training
League of American Orchestras
646.822.4027
aball@americanorchestras.org
JOB OPEN IN PR: Public Relations Coordinator job description (click here for full description) PR Coordinator job description 4-08.doc
The Development & Communications Department at Ozarks Food Harvest, the regional food bank, covering 29 southwest Missouri counties, and one of the region’s leading, largest nonprofits, seeks an organized, multi-talented PR coordinator to help implement communication strategies.
Responsibilities include:
The PR Coordinator will support the Director of Development & Communications in the day-to-day administration of PR and fundraising activities, specifically with writing/designing/updating (newsletters, monthly memos, annual reports, brochures/handouts, web site, social networks, press, case statements etc.); facilitating and coordinating various events’ elements. PR Coordinator to prioritize and manage high volume of detail work, while establishing and maintaining positive relationships with a variety of organization’s publics.
Requirements
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communication, Marketing or related field (Those nearing graduation may also apply)
Excellent written and verbal communications skills
Organized; detail oriented; able to multi-task; self-starter; able take initiative to get projects completed successfully
Basic understanding of press releases (writing and disseminating); SWMO media outlets; event planning; online social networks; letter writing; editing, etc.
Ability to manage deadlines
Ability to work in a team environment or with minimal supervision
Basic computer skills including proficiency in all Microsoft Office programs as well as Adobe software (PhotoShop, InDesign, etc.)
Experience:
Entry level; internship or service learning experience a plus
Ability to effectively present information to publics in written or oral form a must
No contact information was provided, but you can contact the Ozarks Food Harvest directly, here is the website.
Kelly
In a conference style setting, Friday, April 4 provided upwards of 50 students the opportunity to hear from PR professionals about how what it means to be a PR professional, from how to get that first job to how to handle public relations crises. A key note address started the day with Katie Pace who talked about those coveted internships at Fleishman Hillard in St. Louis to understanding how Facebook and MySpace pages are used by agencies to "screen" applicants. After that address, a panel of local PR professionals (Melinda Arnold, Jacob Day, John Scroggins, and Sarah Cochran) and academics (Sam Dyer) talked about everything from "the (a)typical day" on the job to how one gets started in PR, to what the new buzz words and trends are in the profession. After this livelly session, panelists joined students for lunch. At each of the tables discussion centered on getting internships and resume tips. Students brought resumes for professionals to review and provide comments.
Congratulations to the officers of the PRSSA student group for putting on a great event (as it should be, they are PR professionals in training). Emilee Mudd is the current president who deserves kudos, along with the other officers and planners for putting on such a professional event!
Some of you may not know that our debate squad has ties to the beginnings of this university, way back to 1906...when Dr. Virginia Craig began and was the first coach of the debate team. Since that time, we've enjoyed MUCH success with the debate team and this year is no exception. Every year, collegiate debate teams have tournaments, just like college basketball. They have the National Debate Tournament (NDT) and the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) each year around spring break. Teams of two speakers advance with each round and they move towards rounds such as the sweet 16, elite 8, and final 4. This year the 2008 NDT was in Fullerton, CA, March 26-April 1, 2008 (from the debate webpage)
Missouri State's Martin Osborn and Clay Webb reached the semifinals, tying the record from 1973 set by Tom Black and Jon Jackson. They competed as a 1st round large bid bid to the 2008 NDT, which was the 2nd time Missouri State secured a 1st round bid. Their run included a win over Emory, who had been 8-0 in prelims, top seed, and 2nd in the Copeland voting based on their year-long performance.
Missouri State's Michael Mapes and Meggie reached the octofinals, which we believe means this is the first time Missouri State has advanced two teams to the NDT elimination rounds. Their 6-2 run through prelims included a 3-0 win over Berkeley, who had been the Copeland Award winner (the top vote getter in the 1st round voting process).
Martin Osborn won 1st speaker, surpassing Bill Maynard's previous Missouri State record (2nd speaker, 1955). Osborn was also the 1st speaker at the CEDA Nationals the week before, and is the first debater in history to win BOTH top speaker awards in the same year. Michael Mapes was 17th speaker. The field included 156 debaters.
CONGRATS TO OUR DEBATE TEAM, including Martin "Ozzie" Osborn and Clay Webb for their final 4 appearance. Here is Dr. Eric Morris having just openned the traveling trophy/cup for Top Speaker at the NDT. Soon we will engrave Osborn's name on it and it will be on display for the next year in the COM office, College of Arts and Letters office, and hopefully the President's office.
HONORS RECEPTION reminder
Please RSVP to Dr. Janis King to attend next week's honors reception to induct new members of the Honor Society, award the COM scholarships, and recognize the Debate Team for their achievements this year. Monday, April 14 at 3:00, PSU 400. This is a time to celebrate our accomplishments within the department. Hope to see you there!
Do a good deed...DUNK THE DEAN.
Friday April 11, noon-2:00pm you can dunk the dean of the college of arts and letters, 
Dr. Carey Adams for $2.00 for one, and $5 for 3 attempts. Dr. Adams is the previous department head of Communication, so I"m sure you'll want to try and get him all wet...and it's for a good cause. The college's Relay For Life team, Art with a Heart is putting on this event to support their team. Even if you aren't a good throw, surely you'll want to attend and see this awesome site! There will be a bake sale, games, a kiss booth (?) and more.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE: Seeking Solutions: Conflict, violence, and the courage to change.
Three years ago, Missouri State University commemorated its centennial year. The keystone of the celebration was the inaugural Public Affairs Conference. During 2007, we hosted the third conference: One World, Many Voices. The fourth annual Public Affairs Conference will convene April 15-18, and its theme is Seeking Solutions: Conflict Violence and the Courage to Change.
As a communication major or minor, we know there are many ways that communication influences, is influenced by, and can impact on conflict between people. This conference deals with conflict and violence at many levels, so pick a panel or guest speaker to attend that you can learn from and apply communication principles. Consider the interpersonal communication implications at two Wednesday sessions at 9:00am, Is violence a part of human nature? or at 10:30, Dealing with the effects of violence and trauma. Or two panels Thursday at 9:30am, you might think more rhetorically at the panel Why Remember? Public memorials as a response to violence, or The state of public discourse. There are many more besides these, so look at the program and pick at least one event to attend. Tell your faculty members about what you learned, maybe even write a short reflection on it and turn it in.