Drop-in advising, Speech Showcase and Graduation planned

To those of you who are not graduating, registration for Summer Semester opens next week. Registration for Fall Semester begins April 11. The Department of Communication is hosting two drop-in advising sessions on April 12 and 13. See below.

To those of you who are graduating, congratulations! We look forward to celebrating this accomplishment earned by 72 undergraduates and 10 master’s students.

We also encourage you to attend the semester’s Speech Showcase at 7 p.m. on April 13 in the lecture hall of Elizabeth Hall. See below for more details.

This is April’s installment in the monthly email to majors. Once a month we will email you to let you know about meetings of student organizations, guest speakers, important deadlines, opportunities, student and faculty achievements—and more. If you have information you’d like the department to distribute, please email Sheree Josephson at .

What’s Happening

April

  • April 4: Registration begins for Summer Semester
  • April 11: Registration begins for Fall Semester
  • April 12: Drop-in academic advising, EH 332, 10:30 a.m.-noon
  • April 13: Drop-in academic advising, EH 332, 10 a.m.-noon
  • April 13: Speech Showcase, Elizabeth Hall lecture hall, 7-8 p.m.
  • April 14: Open Mic Night. See below.
  • April 14: Meeting for black and Latino journalists, Shepherd Union, Room 404A, 1:30 p.m. See below
  • April 22: Communication Awards Ceremony (by invitation)
  • April 28: MPC hooding ceremony, Dumke Legacy Hall, Hurst Center, 6 p.m.
  • April 29: Graduation

May

  • May 9: First day of Summer Semester

June

  • June8-12: 2016 CEDA Topic Conference andexecutive meeting

Student News

72 students graduate this year with bachelor’s, associate’s in Communication

Congratulations to this year’s baccalaureate and associate’s graduates in Communication.

  • Civic Advocacy:Jazmine Thompson, Delaney Woodfield
  • Digital Media:Jordan Barbadillo, Trevor Ewing, Nick Garrett, Justin Holliday, Aleesha Owens, Danny Rubio, Robert Stewart, Shane Thompson
  • Electronic Media:Mark Mandell, David Rodriguez, Thomas Troy
  • Interpersonal & Family Communication:Courtney Beecher, Jalen Carpenter Gentry, Adrienne Child, Jonathan Coy, Kylee Hallows, Sylvana Kelley, Krystin Kubo, Demi Martinez, Cristina Mayorga, Emily Orozco, Lissa Quinlan, Lauren Schulte, Brooke Steadman, Casey Stratton
  • Multimedia Journalism:James Cogan, Emily Ferguson, Linsey Hansen, Christina Huerta, Matthew Kunes, Ingrid Maldonado, Abigail Payne, Skyler Pyle
  • Organizational Communication: Natalie Barcelo, Breann Johnson
  • Public Relations & Advertising:Dakoda Anderson, Anna Auger, Jonathan Basler, Nathan Bennion, Nathaniel Cragun, Morgan Davenport, Grant Dellow, Anastasia Drandakis, Brianna Edwards, Amberleigh Farrell, Patrick Farrington, Kyle Froerer, Laura Garcia, Michelle Garrett, Tyler Hall, Kari Harbath, Jeffrey Herbert, Lauren Houskeeper, Caysem Johnson, Kelsey Kingdon, Cecily Kiss, Sarah Knowlton, Alexis Marquez, Richard Marsh, Christopher Murphy, Matthew Norman, Amy Olsen, Rod Peterson, Kris Sanford, Cynthia Villagomez, Jamie Winchester
  • Associate in Communication:Ryan Brown, Celma Flores, Spencer Stevens, Trent Wojciechowski

Ten students graduate with Master of Professional Communication degree

Congratulations to members of the 2015 class of the Master of Professional Communication. They will be hooded in a special ceremony on April 28 at 6 p.m. in the Dumke Legacy Hall in the Hurst Center. Graduating students are AlyessaD'Ewart, Daniel Jackson, Jay Jex, Angela Johnson, Ryan King, Cash Knight, Jonathan Oglesby, Melisa Russell, Brennon Schweikart and Stacey Tyler. The top students in the graduating class are Jonathan Oglesby and Stacey Tyler.

Nineteen Comm majors to be inducted into national Communication honor society

NineteenCommunication majors will be inducted later this month into Lambda Pi Eta, the national honor society for graduates in Communication. To be eligible for Lambda Pi Eta, students must (1) complete 60 semester credit hours, (2) have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all courses taken, (3) complete the equivalent of 12 semester credit hours in Communication, (4) have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for all Communication courses, (5) currently be enrolled as a student in good standing, as determined by the institution's policies, and (6) rank within the highest 35 percent of one’s class in general scholarship. This year’s inductees include Dakoda Anderson, Alexa Arnold, Courtney Beecher, Morgan Davenport, Barbara Rose Dille, Sheila Favero, Shaton Tyler Hatch, Jeffrey Herbert, Christina Huerta, Bailey Paige Lefthand, Ryan McCormick, Lissa Quinlan, Skyler Pyle, Lanea Rea, Thais Stewart, Spencer B. Stevens, Casey Michael Stratton, Jazmine Ellesse Thompson and Misty Tippets.

Students present at 11th Annual WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium

A number of Communication students presented work at Weber State’s Undergraduate Research Symposium.

  • Casey Stratton: Organizational Culture and the Effect it has on Employee Satisfaction and Customer Care (Dr. Susan Hafen, mentor)
  • Skyler Pyle: The Mineral Spring Tourism Boom in North America ( Dr. Susan Hafen, mentor)
  • Jazmine Thompson: Exploring the Evolution of the “N” Word: Is Its Degradation Deceasing?(Dr. Anne Bialowas, mentor)
  • Abigail Payne: The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go: Weber State University Professor’s Experiences in Nature
  • Mathew Walker: Transforming Utah: Focusing on How Transgender Persons Negotiate Their Identities (Dr. Colleen Packer, mentor)

Four to graduate with Communication Department Honors

Four students will graduate with departmental Honors this Spring. To graduate with Honors, students must earn a 3.75 GPA in the Communication major and have a 3.5 GPA overall. They must also present original research at a conference. Graduating Honors students include:

  • Abigail Payne: The Mountains Are Calling and I Must Go
  • Jazmine Thompson: From Dick Van Dyke to Parks & Rec: A Critical Analysis of Feminism in Popular TV
  • Skyler Pyle: The First Tourism Boom in North America
  • Casey Stratton: Organizational Culture and Its Effect on Employee Satisfaction

Student editors selected for The Signpost; other positions still available

Communication major Michael J. Grennell has been selected as editor-in-chief of The Signpost for 2016-17. Grennell, currently the news editor, will take the reins onApril 21 at The Signpost's end-of-year celebration.Sports editor Charles Bowker has accepted the position of news editor/managing editor, providing Grennell an important second-in-command. Grennell and Bowker are screening candidates for other editorial positions on the staff.If you are interested in joining Weber State University's news organization, go tosignpost.mywebermedia.comand download the application from the link near the top of the page.

Student leaders named for Studio 76 and KWCR Wildcat Radio

Logan Malan, a senior majoring in Digital Media, has been named the executive producer for Studio 76.Spencer Hart, a Communication major, has been named general manager for KWCR Wildcat Radio. Edwin Santiago-Lopez, a junior majoring in Network Technology Management, will be the program director. These two KWCR students will have shared responsibility of managing the station and staff as well as teaching incoming DJs in the COMM 2730 class.

KWCR Wildcat Radio and Studio 76 both finalists for Crystal Crest

Two Communication Department co-curricular organizations—KWCR Wildcat Radio and Studio 76—are both finalists for Student Organization of the Year in the annual Crystal Crest contest. Studio 76 will live-stream the Crystal Crest Awards this year onApril 23. Watch the event live onmywebermedia.com.

WSU Debate claims top spot in CEDA West Conference for fifth year in a row

Weber State Debate wrapped up the 2016 Cross Examination Debate Association National Tournament by claiming the top spot in the CEDA West Conference for thefifth year in a row. DesarayOdekirk, class of 2005, was posthumously awarded the 2016 CEDA Alumni Award for her participation in intercollegiate debate and her professional service for the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation.In addition, Weber State came away with two All Americans and five National Debate Scholars. Weber GT cleared to the doubles as the 12th seed. Weber GT will continue on to debate at the 70th annual National Debate Tournament at Binghamton University.Thank you to WSUSA, Weber State Communication Department and Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities for continued support of Weber State's oldest and best team.

Announcements

Department of Communication to hold Speech Showcase competition

The Department of Communication is sponsoring a Speech Showcase on April 13 at 7 p.m. in the lecture hall in Elizabeth Hall, Room 229. This event will recognize the best speeches from each COMM 1020 (Public Speaking) class. It will provide an opportunity for the Top 5 finalists to present their speeches to faculty, administration, students and the overall university community. Each COMM 1020 class in Spring 2015 will select one student to represent the class in the competition. Students selected will be recognized as semifinalists. Each semifinalist will receive a $25 Bookstore gift certificate and will have the opportunity to present their speech to a faculty selection committee on SelectionSaturday on April 9. The faculty selection committee will then choose five finalists who will receive a $150 cash award and will be asked to present their speechesduring theApril 13Speech Showcase evening. For any questions about the Speech Showcase, contact either Alex Lancaster at

or Brent Warnock at .

The Peak highlights what students can do with a major in Communication

The Peak, a newsletter produced by Public Relations & Advertising students, has been reoriented to target Communication andstudents undecided about a major. Content is focused on helping students learn what they can do with a degree in Communication. The link is:

Groups for Hispanic, black journalists to get started

Students of color in the Communication Department are organizing Weber State chapters of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists. The organizational meeting will be at1:30 p.m. on April 14in the Shepherd Union, Room 404A. If you are interested, please come. If you cannot make the meeting but want to be involved or for more information, contact adviser Jean Norman .

New look and delivery method debut for The Signpost

The Signpost has unveiled a new, young look on the three-day-a-week newspaper. The redesign features a logo that reflects a social media aesthetic and a more visual style throughout. The Signpost is available in every building on campus. Take a look! The Signpost has also unveiled a new way of receiving the news. On Monday, Wednesday andFriday, you can get The Signpost's top news in your inbox with the new "Letter From the Editor." Subscribe to this e-newsletter by going tosignpost.mywebermedia.comand clicking on e-News.

Society of Professional Journalists to offer free training

The state chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is holding a session called "Alleged Legal Training"from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.on April 9at Utah Valley University in Orem. It also is an opportunity to network with local professionals. The training is free and includes breakfast. The Signpost will have several staffers there, and anyone interested in attending is welcome to carpool. To RSVP,click here. To be included in the carpool, .

Student media to welcome incoming students during orientation

Weber State's first new student orientation for the 2016-17 year isApril 5 at 3:30 p.m., and the student media organizations— The Signpost, Studio 76, KWCR and Ogden Peak Communications—will welcome incoming freshmen and transfer students then and at orientations throughout the summer. If you are available, we'd love to have you join us in the Shepherd Union atrium to meet future Wildcats and talk to them about Communication as a major. Also, a new tabloid publication is launching onApril 5, in time for student orientation. It's Waldo's World: The Signpost's New Student Survival Guide. It will include hard-earned advice from experienced students for prospective students on topics from navigating general education to eating healthy on a Sodexo food plan. Watch for iton Tuesdayand throughout the summer.

American Copy Editors Society boot camp coming to SLC

The American Copy Editors Society, a national organization of professional editors, is bringing its renownedACES Editing Boot Campto Salt Lake City onMay 20. The daylong training will allow students who want to become editors to rub elbows with those who are already making a living at it. In addition, the training will cover grammar and punctuation basics, commonly misused words, clear writing, accuracy, proofreading and headline writing.The boot camp will be held at the University of Utah. The cost is $100 for members and $175 for nonmembers. Students can join the group for $40, an easy way to save a few dollars. For more information, go to the ACES website,copydesk.org, or register at the link above.

KWCR Wildcat Radio to hold Open Mic Nights

KWCR Wildcat Radio will hold Open Mic Night in the new performance space in the billiards area of the Shepherd Union Building, Waldo's Corner Pocket on April 14.KWCR staff will take pre-registration for performance order during open hours as well as in the Shepherd Union atrium at our table during the week.Students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome to attend or perform free of charge. We want to showcase the talents of Weber State University, KWCR and the great space of Waldo's Corner Pocket.For more information, contact Robin Haislett, KWCR .

Weber State Debate preparing to host two national events

Weber State Debate is preparing to host two high-profile national events. On June 9-12, the 2016 CEDA Topic Conference andexecutive meeting will convene in the Ogden Marriott. All college debate coaches from across the country will attend this convention, which determines the college debate resolution for the upcoming year. On April 8-10, 2017, the 12th annual National Debate Coaches Association tournament will come to Ogden.This event is expected to insert half a million dollars in the community.

Registration open for summer Weber State Debate Institution camp

Registration is now open for the Weber State Debate Institute camp for Summer 2016.This camp features inexpensive tuition, high-quality instruction and an opportunity for participants to earn three college credits. For more information,

Academy Award-nominated movies of interest to Communication students to play

Two Academy Award-nominated movies with Communication implications will be shown in April in the Student Union Building. "The Hunting Ground" about sexual assaults on campuses, created and directed by three college students,will show on April 4 at 5 p.m. in the Wildcat Theater. "Brooklyn," about an Irish immigrant,will show April 11 at noon in the Wildcat Theater.

Job postings available on Communication website

Weber State University Communication students and graduates can log into the Communication Department’s website at weber.edu/communication to look for job postings now or in the future. The listings are under the "Jobs" link. Employers contact the department looking for Communication students and graduates for full-time and part-time jobs.

Communication Department to participate in Ogden Marathon

The Department of Communication will have participation from many faculty, staff, students and alumni this year in the 5K, half marathon and the full marathon on May 21, 2016. If you'd like to join and participate in one of these distances click the below link and register for the distance you prefer: Once you've registered please reply nd indicate which event you will be participating in. We will be compiling alist and taking a photo with all those who are participating and who have a connection to the Weber State Department of Communication.

Faculty Achievements

Steimel publishes article about refugees in scholarly journal

Dr. Sarah Steimel has published an article titled “Acknowledging knowledges and expertise in refugee settlements” in the March 2016 online version of Cogent Social Sciences. The article can be accessed at It is based on research she completed for her dissertation.

Dawson presents two papers at two Communication conferences

Dr. Veronica Dawson attended two majorCommunication conferences where she presented papers. At the Western States Communication Association conference, she presented “The organizing role of social media professionals.” At a once-every-10-year Organizational Communication conference, she presented “Organizations, organizing, and identity in social media.”

Hafen, Packer nominated as outstanding undergraduate research mentors

Two Communication faculty members were nominated as Outstanding Office of Undergraduate Research mentors. They are Dr. Susan Hafen and Dr. and Colleen Packer.

Department chair selected as program chair for VisCom 30

Dr. Sheree Josephson, Department of Communication chair, is the program planner for June’s gathering of Visual Communication scholars at Snowbird. She is in charge of the blind peer-review process as well as the formatting of the three-day conference expected to attract the premier scholars in the field of Visual Communication. The VisCom program started in Alta, Utah, and returns to nearby Snowbird to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Alumni News

MPC graduate wins 2016 H. Aldous Dixon Award at Weber State

Master of Professional Communication graduate Amy Crosbie was honored as one of two 2016 H. Aldous Dixon Award recipients at Weber State University in March. Crosbie, WSU’s associate athletic director since 2010, oversees academic compliance and helps student-athletes maintain satisfactory grades. She is WSU Athetics’ senior woman administrator. As such, she is heavily involved in the decision-making process and is an advocate for female athletes and administrators.

MPC student who works in Alumni Relations Office honored for work

Amber Robson, a student in the Master of Professional Communication program, won the BIG Award from the Offices of Institutional Research, Institutional Effectiveness and Student Affairs Assessment. Robson was recognized for cleaning up the Alumni Relations data system iModules and helping to facilitate its use. With these efforts, she was called a “game changer” for Alumni Relations.

Get Involved

  • The Signpost: Contact Dr. Jean Norman at .
  • Studio 76/Wildcat ONE: Contact Drew Tyler at .
  • KWCR 88.1 Weber FM: Contact Robin Haislettat .
  • WSU Debate: Contact Omar Guevara at .
  • Ogden Peak Communication, PRSSA: Contact Dr. Nicola Corbin at .
  • Society of Professional Journalists: Contact Dr. Jean Norman at .
  • Departmental Honors: Contact Dr. Susan Hafen at .
  • Lambda Pi Eta: Contact Dr. Cynthia Bishop at .