I intended the "last hurrah" to be the last post for this semester. However, I didn't want the semester to pass without congratulating a few of our own and others.
PUBLIC SPEAKING SHOWCASE
This past Wednesday, May 7, the department of communication hosted its semi-annual Public Speaking Showcase. At the end of each semester, students enrolled in COM 115 can compete in a public speaking competition. Each section of COM 115 forwards its top speaker to compete in two preliminary rounds by giving an informative speech. After those two rounds, the top 5 rated speakers are selected to compete in a final round in front of their peers of COM 115 students, friends, and instructors in the Plaster Student Union Theatre. This final round is judged by special guests invited from the university and the community. This year, guests included our very own Dr. Susan Waters, Dr. Elizabeth Dudash, Mike Wood (Director of Student Success), student Jordan Haymes (Ag Com major, Com minor), and a publishing sales manager.
After all five finalists gave their speeches, they were presented with trophies, bookstore goodies, and a gift certificate to the MSU bookstore. We want to send out congratulations to ALL FIVE finalists for their accomplishment in making it to the final round. Jonathan Ellis (5th place), Daniela Gemgigiani (4th), Quiana Smith (3rd), Sarah Reinhardt (2nd), and Lauren Terry first place speaker. Speech topics included sleep disorders, job/career outlooks, cyberbullying, synesthesia
Pictured above are Lauren Tracy (first place speaker) and her very proud instructor, Jerri Lynn Kyle. Lauren spoke about bullying and cyber bullying. Mrs. Kyle is very proud of her and it was especially gratifying for her because this Showcase was a milestone for her. Mrs. Kyle is the showcase coordinator, and this year was her 20, over the last 10 years, showcases! Isn't that amazing. She deserves an award too!
I'm pleased to announce the 2008-2009 officers for our communication honor society, Lambda Pi Eta
President: Emily Trammell
Vice President: Emily Standley
Secretary: Erin Pridemore
Public Relations: Nikki Vandepopulier
Event Coordinator: Jessica Lewis
Treasurer: Kristin Hurd
Congratulations and we look forward to your efforts next year.
Kelly
There was a definite process by which one made people into friends, and it involved talking to them and listening to them for hours at a time.
Rebecca West, Irish critic, journalist, & novelist (1892 - 1983)
I've posted this quote on the Craig Hall lobby board for May. As we say goodbye to our seniors and look forward to the next year with our returning students, it's important to remember friends; those you've made here and those you will make after you leave here. As a COM major or minor, you understand the important role of communication in creating and maintaining friendships. Once you leave the hallowed halls of Craig, you'll have to work at keeping in touch with your college buddies. via calls, emails, facebook posts, and visits. I have a younger sister who, since graduating from college in 2000, meets up with her college roomates every year at a new location. Of course since graduation they've had weddings and baby showers, but I've noticed that dedicated time together is key to maintaining their close ties. Consider what you are going to do to keep in touch with your friends, as well as the department. As you move into the next stages of your life, drop us a line here and let us know where you are, what job you've landed, and what exciting things you are doing since graduating. Do keep in touch with us. The above quote also means that you can still make new friends, no matter where you are, it just takes time to invest in creating and maintaining them through frequent interaction.
THREE ITEMS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION (skip to #3 if you are not graduating):
1. In Your Honor
For graduating seniors, I want to remind you that the College of Arts and Letters (wherein COM is located), is hosting a pre-commencement reception for you and your family and friend, Friday, May 16. Do plan to come by and celebrate with your favorite COM faculty members and other students. Graduation begins at 1:30 in Hammons Student Center.
Date and time:
Friday, May 16, 2008, 11:30 AM-1:00 PM
Location:
First and Calvary Presbyterian Church attrium (right next to Hammons Student Center) 820 Cherry Street
Open to current students, parents and family, alumni, faculty, staff Free.
2. From the Desk of the Career Center
As the semester ends, the Career Center is in the process of collecting graduate placement data. Students can go online or complete and return the attached survey to the Career Center --- so if you have accepted a job or plan to go to graduate school, etc, please to let us know by completing the survey online.
We will be entering students names in a drawing to win $25 gift certificate to the MSU Bookstore – drawings will occur on May 12th & June 16th. Even if students do not have a job yet, they can still be included in the drawing, if they complete & return the survey.
Graduate Survey online: http://careercenter.missouristate.edu/GraduateSurvey.htm
Note: The Career Center is open all summer – we help alumni in their job search all the time. If graduates are still looking, refer them to the Career Center! If you can pass this message on to students in your department, that would be great! Let me know if you have any questions! Thanks! For information, contact: Career CenterEmployer Relations Manager / Career Counselor http://careercenter.missouristate.edumarjoriewieland@missouristate.edu(417) 836-5636(417) 836-5656 (Fax)
3. RATE YOUR CLASS INSTRUCTOR
From the Office of the Provost:
To Missouri State Students, As we near the end of the spring semester, we are asking that you take a few minutes to participate in the Rate My Class Instruction or iGrade option on the My Student Information system website which will be available to you May 3 – May 19. Your participation is especially needed now in order for the University to comply with a relatively new law in Missouri which requires state institutions of higher education to provide additional information on those providing instruction on our campus which includes having student evaluations available on our website. We are fortunate to already have a system in place due to the joint efforts of the Student Government Association and the Faculty Senate. Please take a few moments to submit your evaluations of your spring 2008 classes. You simply go the My Student Information page and select Class Schedule. Your spring 2008 class schedule will have buttons that allow you to submit your responses to each of the 5 questions. The summarized results of all evaluations will be available to all current and future students beginning May 20. We very much appreciate your time and attention to this very important campus-wide endeavor. Sincerely,
From all your COM Faculty and Staff, congratulations seniors, and to all of you, have a great rest of the semester and even more enjoyable summer!
Stay in touch,
Kelly