3. On October 16, 2009 during MSU Homecoming
weekend, the college dedicated a new patio
made possible by a gift from Richard Bush and
Patricia McGuigan, honorary alumni award
winners of the college, with support from Bob
and Sally Snyder. The patio honors three special
women who were mothers, scholars and
Spartans: Ruth Cady Bush, Phyllis Spring
Petrullo and June Bercin Snyder.
2010 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 03
4. welcome
Pamela S. Whitten, Ph.D.
Dean’s Message
Welcome to the 2010 edition of the especially meaningful during a year • and by evaluating and changing our
Communicator magazine. It’s been a of such change. As you undoubtedly college to survive and thrive in any
tremendously busy year in the MSU know, MSU and all public universities economic conditions.
College of Communication Arts & are receiving significantly less financial
Sciences, especially in conducting support from the government. Our To accomplish all of this, we need
research that changes lives. That is the college has prepared for this reality in your involvement and support. I wel-
theme of this edition, which I hope several ways: come your communication, whether by
you enjoy. From helping families and phone, email or an in-person appoint-
residents from Michigan to Tanzania, • by increasing our emphasis on re- ment. With almost 43,000 alumni from
our researchers and students are mak- search grants and funding our college, we can all make a differ-
ing a huge difference. • by seeking increased donor and ence. SPARTANS WILL.
foundational support
On the pages inside, you will read • by restructuring our college opera-
about some of this academic year’s tions
greatest moments, from our student • by making curriculum changes to
successes to our alumni newsmakers. benefit students headed toward tech-
Phone: 517-355-3410
nology and creative careers
Email: casdean@msu.edu
Our successes, which in large part are • by increasing career opportunities
Blog: www.cas.msu.edu/deanblog
a product of all of our involvement, are for our students
Highlights of Comm
Congratulations to
Dr. luCinDa Davenport,
reCipient of the 2010
faCulty iMpaCt awarD
Lucinda Davenport, center, with Dean
Pamela Whitten and Alumni Board
President Ed Cohen, was recently named
director of the School of Journalism. She
developed one of the first interactive
software programs for journalism education
and has co-authored three nationally-
known textbooks in reporting and mass
communication. Of this award, she said,
“Every time I look at this monument, I see
a tribute to all of my colleagues and to all
of you who touched the life of an MSU
student. And thanks to you for that.”
04 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 2010
5. Alumni Board President’s Message
Ed Cohen
(BA ‘76 Telecommunication,
PhD ‘88 Mass Media)
Cohen, right, with head of the MSU Alumni Association Scott Westerman (BA
‘78 Telecommunication), and the college’s founding alumni board president
Edward Deeb (BA ‘60 Advertising), at the 2010 Alumni Awards Celebration.
The MSU College of Communication Arts & Sciences time, expertise and resources. These strategies will help to
Alumni Board, with 16 members representing all depart- sustain our college over the long haul.
ments, has made significant progress this year and I’d like
to update you on some of our goals and successes. Following this model, our board has set up an endow-
ment for the college. The endowment allows current and
The mission of the board is to: past board members to work towards a shared fundrais-
• provide a framework for CAS alumni to communicate ing purpose. Upon completion, the interest earned from
formally and informally for educational, professional and the endowment will support several areas that the board
social purposes; feels passionate about, including the Faculty Impact Award
• provide an advisory service to the College of Communi- honorarium and initiatives to engage our alumni.
cation Arts and Sciences staff, students, and alumni;
• expand interest in, and financial support for, the College We hope this endowment inspires other alumni to estab-
of Communication Arts & Sciences at MSU. lish similar endowments and make gifts to support stu-
dents and programs. I encourage you to get involved in the
To accomplish this mission, the board is seeking ways college today. Every page lists a specific way you can (just
to connect with alumni to encourage other alumni to en- look for the Spartans Will shield). Connect with us today!
gage, become informed and invest in the college through
encement 2010
Congratulations
to all graDuates
In May, 948 students graduated
from the college, becoming the
newest alumni. At the college’s
undergraduate convocation,
student speaker Zaneta Inpower
(BA ‘10 Advertising) said, “I am
incredibly proud of my efforts
and ability to prove that tenacity
and goal-setting can overcome
obstacles, even cultural barriers, as
I wrote myself into MSU’s history
simply by standing here right now
and delivering this speech.”
2010 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 05
6. alumni awards
the
celebration
BACK ROW
Loretta Sklar, Edward Deeb
and Phil Bertolini.
MIDDLE ROW
Kelley L. Carter, Ed Cohen,
Pamela Whitten and Lucinda
Davenport.
FRONT ROW
Stan Stein, Tim Whaley and
Nancy R. Kaufman at The
Celebration in May.
o
n May 8, nanCY r. Kaufman
friends of (BA ‘79 Audiology and Speech Sciences), outstanding Alumni Award,
the college creator of the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP), helping
gathered for The children to become effective vocal and verbal communicators.
Celebration: 2010
Alumni Awards stan stEin
Banquet at the Kellogg (BA ‘75 Journalism, MA ‘80 Advertising & Public relations), outstanding
Center. This year, Alumni Award, Executive Vice President for Weber Shandwick Worldwide,
the college honored the world’s leading public relations agency, and re-opened its Detroit office
eight outstanding in 2003.
individuals. Alumni 2008 Outstanding Alumni Award winner
Board President Ed Lynn Henning signs his book, “Spartan tim WhaLEY
Cohen served as Seasons II” for Dr. Bradley Greenberg. (BA ‘81 Advertising), outstanding Alumni Award, founder of EnviroGLAS, a
emcee for the event. recycled glass manufacturing company that produces customized flooring
Presenting this year’s award winners: and counters made of recycled glass from many sources. He designed the
awards that were accepted at the ceremony.
KELLEY L. CartEr
(BA ‘07 Journalism), rising Star Alumni Award, Emmy-award winning LorEtta sKLar
entertainment journalist for CNN who has written for publications including Honorary Alumni Award, Vice President/regional Manager for Kohl’s,
the Detroit Free Press, Vibe Magazine, USA Today and The Chicago manages over $1 billion in total sales, manages 6 District Vice Presidents,
Tribune. over 250 executives and
3,000 hourly associates.
tans W
PhiL BErtoLini
(BA ‘85 Telecommunication), outstanding Alumni Award, CIo for oakland
ar
P Nominate i
LL
s
County. Vocal Advocate for enterprise solutions in government, cross-
boundary resource sharing, and inter-jurisdictional cooperation.
an alum today!
Listen to
JamEs Gaudino each winner at cas.msu.edu/alumni
(PhD ‘88 Communication), outstanding Alumni Award, President youtube.com/
of Central Washington University, founding Dean of the College of msucommarts
Communication and Information (CCI) at Kent State University.
06 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 2010
7. “
Luck and laughter have been
“
the keys to my success. But,
also determination, taking What I always wanted
was a purpose, some-
risks and having a strong
thing I could look back
belief in myself and
to and say, ‘I left a
my God-given talents.” mark in what the future
generation is going to
achieve.’”
— nancy r. Kaufman
outstanding Alumni Award — tim Whaley
outstanding Alumni
Award
“ “
one thing I learned here
at MSU is how much it Just because
is a family. It’s really a Michigan State is a
community. It’s a family. big school is not a
once you’re a Spartan, reason that you can’t
you’re always a Spartan. be an individual. You
When you walk on can seek help if you
need it, you can have
campus as a student to
your own identity -
when you graduate and but nobody hands
become an alum, you’re a it to you. First and
Spartan.” foremost, it’s a school
that gives those who
— Phil Bertolini are willing to take on a
outstanding Alumni Award variety of challenges,
the tools necessary to
“
succeed in life, both profession-
ally and personally.”
Much of the advice that has — stan stein
guided my career I received outstanding Alumni Award
from the faculty and the
“
administrators at Michigan
State University.”
— James Gaudino I really, really hope students understand
outstanding Alumni Award the value of a career and how important
it is to always network and to always
stay hungry. When you stay hungry,
you’re always putting out your best
“
work, and when you’re
always putting out
your best work, you’re
I'm humbled as I stand here always catching the
today, not being a attention of people who
graduate from Michigan are in positions to give
State, but truly feeling you more work.”
a Spartan loyalty that is
really deep, deep in my
— Kelley L. Carter
heart. I am grateful for
this recognition and this rising Star Award
award.”
— Loretta sklar
Honorary Alumni Award
2010 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 07
8. New journalism curriculum under way
By: Meagan Meldrim
MSU’s School of Journalism has
overhauled its curriculum to strengthen
its position as the go-to place for students
wishing to become leaders in the industry.
“Critical thinking, excellent writing
and superb visual communication skills
are the hallmarks of our students as they
learn how to research and produce news
and information in distinct platforms for
different audiences,” said Lucinda Daven-
port, director of the School of Journalism.
The new curriculum is built upon the
expertise and advice of faculty, profes-
sionals, alumni, university administrators
and students.
Innovative technologies are in the suc-
cessful journalist’s toolbox, are pervasive
in newsrooms and are in the hands of Journalism students showcase digital media projects.
audiences. This innovation is pervasive
in the new curriculum, building on solid, photography, design). The concentration as Creating and Marketing Journalism
traditional journalism principles and appears on transcripts. for developing innovations that have
theories, said Davenport. “As a journalism major myself, this is the potential for commercial success.
Several major changes were made. One exciting news because the term journal- Other classes produce students’ work
is that journalism students choose a con- ism is so broad, and a concentration will in professional newspapers, radio, TV,
centration in addition to the major. The help me make definite decision as to my magazine and documentary outlets. The
concentrations include courses outside of focus for the future,” said journalism new capstone, Spartan Online Newsroom,
journalism for different types of reporting sophomore Zach Berridge. has students combining their research,
such as sports, international, environmen- Further benefits are that students can writing and visual skills for the web. Still
tal, public affairs, business and formats take journalism courses in their freshman in place is the requirement that students
like electronic or TV news and visual year, and it offers more room for electives. have internships. Most journalism stu-
communication (interactive graphics, It also adds several new courses, such dents average three.
Mexican media CEO gives talk NPR, AP media headline lecture
Alejandro Junco, president and The MSU School of Journalism es-
CEO of the Mexican media organiza- tablished the Siebert Lecture series in
tion Grupo Reforma, was the featured 1968 in honor of Frederick S. Siebert,
speaker of the 2010 Mary Gardner director of the School of Journalism
Lecture on April 8. from 1957 to 1960 and dean of the
The focus of Junco’s speech was College of Communication Arts & Sci-
“Adjusting the Paradigm: Building ences from 1960 to 1967.
Journalism for the Future.” Don Gonyea of NPR and Kathy
The Gardner Lecture was part of the celebration of 100 Hoffman of the Associated
years of journalism at MSU, which will continue through 2010. Press, both MSU graduates, rtans W
Junco earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the were the centennial Siebert Pa
s
iLL
University of Texas at Austin in 1969 and received an Honor- Lecture speakers on Feb. 18.
ary Degree of Doctor of Humanities from MSU in 2000. This year’s lecture topic was Celebrate with
The Gardner Lecture is an annual endowed lecture at
MSU that focus on issues facing Latin American journalism
new technology and political
coverage as part of the 100
the J-School!
in honor of the late MSU journalism professor, Mary Gardner. years of journalism celebra-
For more information about the MSU School of Journalism, tion at MSU. jrn.msu.edu
go online to www.jrn.msu.edu. The archived lecture is avail-
able on demand at www.spartantv.cas.msu.edu.
08 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 2010
9. j o u r n a l i s m ce n tennial
Stan Soffin reflects on years Journalism
Centennial Committee
leading School of Journalism The School of Journalism at
By: Meagan Meldrim Michigan State University’s College
of Communication Arts & Sciences
As Michigan State University celebrates is pleased to announce the 2010
the 100th anniversary of the first journalism School of Journalism Centennial
course offered on campus, MSU’s ombuds- Committee, comprised of leading
man Stan Soffin reflects on his 30 years on journalism alumni.
the J-School faculty, including 16 as director. The establishment of the Cen-
Soffin, who holds a master’s degree in tennial Committee demonstrates
journalism and a Ph.D. in American Studies the importance of 100 Years of
from MSU, joined the J-School faculty as an Journalism Education at Michigan
Stan Soffin State University, an investment
instructor in 1968. He was appointed director
Courtesy: Jason Chiou, The State News from alumni in the School of Jour-
of the J-School in 1982, a position he held
until 1998, when he was named the University In 1984, Soffin spearheaded a $1 mil- nalism and a commitment to the
ombudsman. His duties include helping MSU lion grant to establish the Knight Chair in next 100 years of journalism. The
students resolve disputes within the university Environmental Journalism. The program, now Centennial Committee consists of
in a neutral and confidential manner. called the Knight Center for Environmental the following members:
“When I was appointed the director of Journalism, teaches students to research,
the J-School, then dean of the college Erwin report and write about environmental issues. Benjamin Burns, Professor of
Bettinghaus told me my primary responsibil- Soffin jumpstarted the J-School develop- Communications at Wayne State
ity was ‘to build a strong department,’” Soffin ment program, which, among other projects, University
said. established many of the student scholarships
He went to work in a hurry. In 1982, Soffin at the J-School. Alumni and friends endowed Beverly Burns, Attorney and
brought the Michigan Interscholastic Press a journalism scholarship in Soffin’s name in Counselor at Law, Miller, Canfield,
Association to the J-School. A year later he 1998. Paddock, & Stone
and colleague Carrie Heeter raised $100,000 Soffin remarked on the changes he has
from the Gannett Foundation to create a pio- seen in journalism during his time at MSU. Donald Dahlstrom, Senior
neering communication technology lab for the “Symbolically, we went from typewriter- Communications Officer at C.S.
College of Communication Arts & Sciences. assisted journalism to computer-assisted jour- Mott Foundation
In 1985, he helped restart and bring the long- nalism. That was an expensive and significant
dormant Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame to shift, and it’s still evolving,” he said. Katherine Dahlstrom, Instructor of
the J-School. Journalism at Oakland University
Karen Healy, Vice President of Cor-
UPCOMING EVENTS porate Affairs & Marketing at Delphi
Larry Lee, Former Vice President at
Gongwer News
Neal Shine Lecture Centennial Weekend
Joseph Serwach, Media Relations
Friday, Oct. 15, 2010 Friday and Saturday at University of Michigan
2 p.m. 145 CAS Oct. 22-23, 2010 Stan Soffin, Ombudsman at
Michigan State University
The Neal Shine Lecture is named after The weekend following Homecoming
Neal Shine, former publisher of the culminates the celebratory centennial
Detroit Free Press. This year’s lecture year. Three keynote speakers anchor a Centennial Planning Committee:
on Homecoming Friday celebrates day filled with alumni and profession-
the new sports journalism concentra- als leading workshops and seminars. Jeremy Steele, Pam Saunders,
tion with a panel of highly successful The event ends with a spectacular Lucinda Davenport, Bob Gould,
sports reporting alumni discussing evening reception. Joe Grimm, Karl Gude, Steve Lacy
ethical situations and new technology. and Cheryl Pell
Thank you to additional faculty for
For a complete list of journalism centennial events, their time and efforts.
visit www.jrn.msu.edu
2010 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 09
10. alumni honors
Taking the helm
at the MSUAA Book signings by alumni
M.L. Elrick (BA ‘90 Journal-
Scott Westerman ism), near right, along with De-
(BA ‘78 Telecom- troit Free Press fellow reporter
munication) took the Jim Schaefer, discuss their book
helm in January as “The Kwame Sutra” at a local
MSU’s new associ- book signing. Elrick and Schae-
ate vice president for fer won a 2009 Pulitzer Prize
alumni relations and in the local reporting category
executive director of for uncovering incriminating
the MSU Alumni Asso- text messages by former Detroit
ciation. Westerman came to MSU from Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
Albuquerque, N.M., where he was area
vice president for Comcast Corp.’s West Writer and editor Robin
Division. He spearheaded a public rela- Stone (BA ‘86 Journalism),
tions turnaround for the company by right, discusses the book “My
leveraging social media such as Face- Times in Black and White” by
book and Twitter to respond to custom- Gerald Boyd, her late husband,
er complaints. In 2001, he received the former managing editor of the
MSU College of Communication Arts & New York Times. Stone helped
Sciences Outstanding Alumni award. edit the book and bring it to
He has served as president on the Col- publication and shared the
lege of Communication Arts & Sciences story with MSU students.
Alumni Board.
From MSU
By: Kerri Jo Molitor
Two alumni have used their MSU
journalism training at the well-known
journalism corporation, National
Geographic.
Anisa Abid Peters (MA ‘08 Jour-
nalism), has worked with National
Geographic Television since finish-
ing her master’s degree at MSU. She
started out working with the program
“Dangerous Encounters” as a produc-
tion coordinator intern and is now
associate producer. Applying for the
National Geographic internship was
a natural choice, Peters said, because
Telecasters alumni reunion
working for an international wildlife
program seemed perfect for her.
“I was fortunate to get the intern-
ship,” Peters said. “It was the best
Former Telecasters and MSU alumni Ryan Alloway, Maureen Enright, Andrew news I’d ever heard. National Geo-
Sobotka, Debora Del Valle, Heather Zara, Brian Murray and Tim Taylor spoke graphic’s mission is appealing because
about their professions to more than 50 students and alumni in February as it is inspiring people to care about
part of an all-day Telecasters alumni reunion for the MSU Telecasters Alumni the planet. I knew the job would be a
interest group. good fit because that’s what I want to
do, through television and documen-
tary film.”
10 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 2010
11. Alum Craig Murray and his daughter Alumni shine
at the oscars
Jessie at the 82nd Annual Academy
Awards. Murray’s company Craig Murray
Productions had a major production role
in the Oscars.
The college was well represented
by alumni at the 82nd Annual Acad-
emy Awards in February, including
by:
• Craig Murray (BA ‘76 Advertising),
whose company Craig Murray Pro-
ductions created the nomination film
sequences, the Governors Award
sequence and the World of Sound,
• Bob Murawski (BA ‘87 Telecommu-
nication, Film Studies), who received
an Oscar for best film editing for
“The Hurt Locker” with Chris Innis Alum Bob Murawski and wife Chris Innis
• and Justin Shaw (BA ‘99 Telecom- with the Oscar for editing “The Hurt Locker.”
munciation, Film Studies), who was Murawski’s company Grindhouse Releasing
assistant film editor on “Avatar,” is a Hollywood-based distribution company.
which was nominated in the film
editing category.
... to National Geographic jobs
In 2003, Lerman returned home to after graduation, whereas usually this
Croatia and applied to be the associ- specialization comes to journalists
ate editor of the new Croatian edition later in a career after working several
of National Geographic Magazine. years in general beats. Overall, the
Not only did she get the job, but she knowledge and experience I gained at
was later promoted to deputy edi- MSU was invaluable and it prepared
tor in chief and worked there for six me well for my career and gave me all
years. the necessary tools to succeed in this
“My favorite part of the job was field.”
writing feature stories,” Lerman said.
Anisa Abid Peters works on a crocodile suit “Among the ones I am especially
for “Dangerous Encounters.”
proud of is the story on overfishing
in the Adriatic Sea for which I got
the Croatian Journalist Association’s
tans W
Another graduate,
award for excellence in environmental
r
Pa i
Ivona Lerman (MA ‘01
Journalism) was part journalism.”
LL
of the National Geo- Recently, Lerman was transferred
s
graphic family. The to Sensa, a health, environment and
MSU environmental wellness magazine. Share your story!
journalism program “Being a graduate from MSU’s
was a good choice for School of Journalism opened a lot of
her, she said, because doors for me,” Lerman said. “Also, spartansagas.msu.edu
it combined her love my specialization in environmen-
Lerman
for science and nature tal journalism and experience as an
with her newly discov- editor of EJ News provided me with
ered passion for journal- a possibility to start working in the
ism. environmental journalism field right
2010 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 11
12. new scholarships
Leo Burnett Detroit creates
award to honor colleague PR firm
By: Kirsten Khire establishes
Creative. Someone who took a
chance on others. A mentor. A family
man. Smart, passionate. Great sense
scholarship
of humor. By: Rebecca Pagels
These were among 1,100 qualities
that people loved about George Kat- Investing in the younger generation
sarelas (BA ’82 Advertising) – perma- in Michigan and giving back. These
nent remembrances on a wall in the are the words that Jeff Lambert (BA
Leo Burnett ’93 Advertising) used to describe
Detroit of- the Lambert, Edwards & Associates
fice, where Expendable Scholarship.
Katsarelas Advertising student Tess Maurici, left, is the first When Lambert became a member
worked for recipient of the George Katsarelas Endowed Memo- of the college alumni board, he began
many years rial Scholarship, founded by friends at Leo Burnett looking for ways to give back and
as a creative Detroit including Jeff Cruz, right. introduce CAS students to real-world
leader. first recipient is advertising student public relations as well as investor
Katsar- Tess Maurici, who met Cruz in April. relations, an area
elas passed Leo Burnett Detroit isn’t stopping in which his firm
away in there. The advertising agency is work- specializes.
June 2009. ing on fundraisers, wristbands and The result
When he campaigns to encourage everyone who was the Lambert,
passed, his knew Katsarelas to get involved and Edwards & Associ-
George Katsarelas ates Expendable
colleagues contribute toward the scholarship.
in the office sought a special way to “Our goal is to make this scholar- Scholarship in
remember a very special colleague. ship bigger and greater,” Cruz said. the Department
They created a remembrance wall and “The more students we can help, the of Advertising, Public Relations, and
made it blue to symbolize one of Kat- better.” Leo Burnett offers matching Retailing in the college.
sarelas’ last projects: a pro bono effort funds to employees who make a gift. As part of the scholarship offered
for the Detroit Public Schools. They “For us, this is about George: how to juniors or seniors studying public
planted an apple tree, symbolic of the he approached life, how he treated relations at Michigan State University,
Leo Burnett culture. But they wanted people, how he taught people in the students will participate in a job shad-
to go even further to keep his memory business. He was a great guy. You ow day at one of Lambert, Edwards &
alive. The result? They established would have liked George,” Cruz said. Associates’ locations. The first recipi-
the MSU George Katsarelas Endowed Katsarelas was president of the ents are students Jessie Murninghan
Memorial Scholarship. Detroit Creative Director’s Council and Emily Tschirhart.
Jeff Cruz of Leo Burnett said the and a leader in the Detroit advertising Lambert considers this gift to be
scholarship was a group decision that community. He is survived by his wife a perfect example of investing in the
made perfect sense. “He was my role Mary, sons Max and Nick and daugh- future generation, adding “I grew up in
model. Anyone who knew George ter Elizabeth. Michigan, my employees live and work
would say he was creative by trade, here, and this scholarship will support
r tans W students from Michigan.”
and he was even better with people.
He understood that some people Pa i Lambert is the president and
LL
co-founder of Lambert, Edwards & As-
s
crave extra guidance and mentoring,”
Cruz said. “He could see potential in Create or support sociates, founded in 1998. The firm has
people, and he would want to foster a scholarship! grown to become a top-10 Midwest-
based PR firm and a top-20 investor
the next generation of creatives. We
had to make this scholarship happen.” (in any amount) relations firm nationally with more
Leo Burnett Detroit contributed than 100 clients based in 20 states and
five countries. The firm recently won
$30,000 to set up the scholarship en-
dowment with the CAS Advancement
cas.msu.edu/giving PR Week’s Small Agency of the Year
Office. The scholarship will benefit award.
MSU advertising students, and the
12 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 2010
13. Alumna creates scholarship to honor parents
By: Kirsten Khire sure and work load for the students who receive it.”
The first recipient of the scholarship is advertising student Thomas
For alumni board member Diane Neal (BS ‘79 retailing), helping Shaver, who hopes to pursue a career in art direction at an advertising
others achieve their dream to go to college is a fulfilled dream for her firm. “When I gain enough experience, my ultimate goal would be to
through a new scholarship she established. start my own business.”
Due to her family’s financial Shaver will push to become a motivated student with the opportu-
circumstances, Neal paid for her nity this scholarship has presented to him.
own MSU education, and she “receiving a scholarship for school means so much to me, and
hopes this fund helps others who I’m so grateful that I was chosen to receive the Neal scholarship.
are supporting themselves through Even though I believe getting a good education and going to college
college. is extremely important in today’s world, I also believe in keeping out of
“It was always distressing to debt and saving as much money as possible. Scholarships help relieve
“
my parents that they were unable some of the burden of debt students face after graduation, while also
to pay for my motivating them to work
education,” she said. “However, harder.”
it was their unconditional support “Because I received this inspires me to also be
and belief in me, that helped me a scholarship I will strive a scholarship donor in the
get to the position I am at today.” to achieve better grades
Alumni board member Diane Neal To honor her parents, Neal so that I can enhance my future so that i may help in
founded the Donald and Annette Neal Scholarship to benefit students chances for future scholar- the education of a young
who are transferring to MSU. “My parents helped set the stage for my ship awards. Another way person.”
success, and this scholarship honors their love and support, while this scholarship makes a
providing financial support to students.” difference in my own life is
-thomas shaver
Neal, CEo of Bath and Body Works, knows first hand how valuable the realization that there (neal scholarship recipient)
this support can be to students. “I wanted to set up a scholarship fund are people who are gener-
to help out students who are unable to find resources for their educa- ous givers. This inspires
tion. I personally understand how difficult it is to work and go to school me to also be a scholarship donor in the future so that I may help in
at the same time, so hopefully this scholarship will help ease the pres- the education of a young person.”
Telecasters alumni help students
The MSU Telecasters Alumni Group created and film live concerts for musicians.
awarded its first scholarship this spring. “Life is about stories. We carry our stories with us,
MSU Telecasters provides opportunities for MSU un- share them with others we encounter and create new
dergraduates to gain hands-on experience working with ones from scratch. We aim to enlighten and inspire
state-of-the-art television equipment such as cameras, those around us with our stories, and I want to do it on
lighting and editing software. Students produce, direct, a larger scale,” Marshall said.
write and edit their own shows. All shows are entirely
created by student casts and crews.
“If you are like us, you are proud to have been a Media arts and
part of the Telecasters experience at MSU. It was likely technology
a highlight of your college career that formed lasting student Colin
friendships and provided a launching pad to a career in Marshall re-
television, film, communication technology and many ceived the
other fields,” said Pam Saunders, president of the MSU Telecasters
Alumni Group’s
Telecasters Alumni Group.
first scholarship
The Telecasters alumni group presented a $500 in the spring.
scholarship in the spring to media arts and technology
student Colin Marshall. Marshall is in the Honors Col- Credit: Matt
lege and in the fiction film specialization. He was editor Radick/
of Telecaster productions “The Giraffe House” and “The Residential
Show.” He has helped produce videos for musical artists College in the
and a video for the MSU Office of Admissions. He also Arts and
interned with the Big Ten Network. Marshall’s goal is to Humanities
2010 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 13
14. Students help protect
Alumni provides children via internships
internship help By: Nicole Marble
For the second year in a row, dozens of Michigan State
By: Kirsten Khire University students volunteered around the state to help
organizations that protect children from abuse and neglect.
Alumni board One such student is MSU public relations master’s
member Jana student Halley Buchan, who is interning at the Children’s
O’Brien has set up Trust Fund main office in Lansing.
an internship fund “This internship has meant a lot to me. I have been able
for advertising to finally use all my schooling and put it to use on actual
students so that projects that are helping to prevent abuse and neglect of
they can pur- children all around the state of Michigan. It has been nice
sue their career working with people that truly want to help children and
dreams. Often, people in need,” Buchan said.
Jana O’Brien
internships are The Children’s Central volunteer program is part of a
unpaid, located in relationship between the Department of Advertising, Public
expensive locations or require travel funds. O’Brien’s Relations, and Retailing and Michigan Children’s Trust
contribution is helping eight students this summer to Fund (CTF).
pursue their dream internships. In the program, advertising and public relations stu-
“I honestly attribute a lot of my career success to dents are working as fundraising and publicity volunteers
my summer internship experience at BBDO in Detroit for CTF affiliate offices among other nonprofits statewide.
in the summers of 1977-1978. It is so gratifying to see Last summer, the nonprofits received approximately
that students have been able to find similar opportu- $48,000 worth of contributed labor from 20 MSU under-
nities in the midst of our challenging economic times graduate PR and advertising students over the 12-week
and also to know that my small donation helped summer break.
them take advantage of those opportunities,” O’Brien “PR and advertising students in our program get a great
said. deal of exposure to child abuse and prevention efforts
Here are a few examples of students interning as well as other important social causes through various
around the country: courses in the department. We help local CTF affiliates
• Lauren Fifarek, interning at MWW in New York City; meet their objectives by giving the students a chance to
• Yale Miller, interning in Palm Springs with the Pow- show what they can do. This program benefits the student
ers Minor League Baseball Team; and society,” said Richard Cole, chair of the Department of
• Lynsey Tomac, intern- Advertising, Public Relations, and Retailing.
ing at Allied in Chicago. This summer, MSU has placed student volunteers in
Fifarek says, “This local CTF affiliate offices in Ingham, Livingston, Gratiot, Ot-
summer has been a tawa, Macomb, Eaton, Wayne, Clinton and Jackson coun-
chance of a lifetime ties. In addition to CTF internships, students are interning
here in New York City. at organizations including Matrix Human Services, Ann
I am so fortunate to Arbor Center for Independent Living and Cranbrook Insti-
attend a university that tute of Science.
has such a strong and Keri Keck, executive director of the Council for the Pre-
supportive alumni base. Lauren Fifarek vention of Child Abuse and Neglect in Jackson, said MSU
With the donation I received intern Stacy Scheier has made a difference this summer.
I was allowed to put “Stacy has been very busy and such an asset. She has
it towards my experi- done great things for the agency, from creating a website to
tans W
ar
ence here and focus less developing media opportunities for the agency to get out
about how I will pay for P i into the community,” Keck said.
LL
s
everything and more on “One of the side benefits of our relationship with MSU
growing not only as a has been the value that these interns have been able to
young professional but
Host or support add in our offices. That’s important,” said Michael Foley,
as a person all around. an intern! executive director of CTF. “What may be more important,
This was my third intern- over the long haul, is the degree to which we are helping set
ship, but my first one out cas.msu.edu/giving these kids off on a lifetime course of volunteering to help
of the Lansing area.” prevent child abuse and neglect. I’d call that a win-win-
win.”
14 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 2010
15. care e r b o o st s
Participants at the Grand Rapids Showcase in April 2010.
Grand Rapids businesses open doors to students...
By: Nicole Bays
On April 16, the college hosted a showcase and networking event ...leading to career
for Grand Rapids professionals and alumni to highlight careers in
West Michigan for graduating MSU students.
Huntington Bank provided the MSU College of Communication
success stories!
Arts and Sciences with a $10,000 donation to organize the event and
support the college’s Career Services. madalyn Kaltz (BA ‘10 Journalism) attended the
MSU students toured downtown Grand Rapids businesses and Grand rapids Showcase and is now working in Grand
“
organizations to learn about possible rapids at SeyferthPr.
We hope to career opportunities in West Michi- “This event helped me find a
present Grand Rapids as gan. After the tour, area professionals job! I think the media tour is a great
a viable option for gradu- and MSU alumni joined the students at idea. I also went to career network-
ating seniors to consider Tavern on the Square for a networking ing events and job fairs at MSU,
but with so many people present, it
for their future career session.
can be overwhelming. The agency
plans. We are also The event was free to students,
MSU alumni and local professionals, tour was a personal way to go to the businesses
excited about the instead of having them come to us. This helps us to
opportunity for them to thanks to the support of Huntington get a better feel for what the company is truly like. And
network with area alumni Bank. it showed us that there are jobs out there, a lot of good
“With Huntington Bank’s close
who can help them get relationship with the MSU [College of jobs, and they are hiring in Michigan.
connected in the Communication Arts & Sciences], we Throughout much of my college career, I knew I
community.” thought it would be a great opportu- had to be independent and have strong self-discipline
nity to reach out to this year’s graduat- and motivation. This is what college is about. But this
— Michael Lindley
ing class and give them an opportunity event built a bridge between us as students and the
senior vice president of real work force. This is necessary for our first job, to
marketing for Huntington Bank to experience downtown Grand Rapids build networking and to use the brand “Michigan State
and career and lifestyle options avail-
able,” said Michael Lindley (BA ‘76 Advertising), senior vice presi- University” with pride to make us stand out in a stack
dent of marketing for Huntington Bank. “We hope to present Grand of resumes.
Rapids as a viable option for graduating seniors to consider for their Thank you and the team at CAS for the opportuni-
future career plans. We are also excited about the opportunity for ties and experiences that made me feel that personal
them to network with area alumni who can help them get connected connection and personal attention that large univer-
in the community.” sities often lack. Having people care if you end up
Participating companies in the showcase included Huntington successful is definitely a great feeling.”
Bank, Bevelwise, Hanon McKendry, Lambert, Edwards & Associates,
Meijer, SeyferthPR and Spectrum Health.
2010 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 15
16. health
Getting creative to help social media project is
potential life-saver
Grand Rapids get FIT
According to Donate Life Amer-
By: Kirsten Khire
ica, a nonprofit organization whose
mission is to increase education
What if entire schools and the
about organ and tissue donation,
community committed to getting fit?
more than 100,000 Americans
That’s the healthy idea for students at
currently need life-saving organ
schools who have received Project FIT
transplants. The organization said
kits, designed and packaged by faculty
an average of 18 people die each day
and students from Michigan State
from the lack of available organs for
University.
transplant.
MSU is partnering with Blue Cross
In a new project funded through
Blue Shield of Michigan and Grand
a $340,000 grant from the U.S.
Rapids Public Schools to lead a $1
Health Resources and Services
million health initiative led by the MSU partnered with colleagues throughout
Administration’s Division of Trans-
College of Human Medicine to promote the Department of Advertising, Public
plantation, MSU researchers are
physical activity and healthy eating. Relations, and Retailing including Keith
studying ways in which social me-
Project FIT, funded by Blue Cross Adler, Henry Brimmer, David Regan,
dia – in particular Facebook – can
Blue Shield, is focusing on four el- and graduate student Karina Garcia-
increase the numbers of people who
ementary schools and surrounding Ruano to take a more integrative ap-
register as organ and tissue donors.
neighborhoods in Grand Rapids. The proach to marketing this project. The
“There is a great need in the state
program, working with community team’s goal is to raise awareness of the
of Michigan to increase the number
organizations, seeks to increase ac- initiative among appropriate audiences
of citizens who enroll on the state
cess to safe and affordable physical through educational materials, adver-
organ donor registry,” said Sandi
activities, improve the affordability tisements and promotional items –
Smith, director of MSU’s Health
and availability of nutritious food, and including Spanish-language materials.
and Risk Communication Center
increase knowledge, attitudes and be- “The creative part of this project is
and director of the project.
haviors associated with healthy living, a vital complement to the research,”
“We’re hopeful that we can help
in collaboration with school staff and Paek said. “The packaging and brand-
increase the number of young adults
parents. ing of the Project FIT makes it stand
registering on the Web by as much
Associate Professor Hye-Jin Paek is out. It’s a comprehensive health inter-
as 15 percent.”
leading the branding, social marketing, vention project that employs the cre-
and promotion of the project. Paek has ativity of advertising and marketing.”
Breast cancer research to help advocates
Growing concerns about breast cancer lead many people turn to breast for mothers and daughters. So it’s critical that they have the latest research
cancer organizations for help with the latest information, including risk factors translated at their fingertips to share with people who seek this information.”
and treatment options. Atkin and Smith, along with Associate Professor Kami Silk, translate hard
MSU faculty, as part of a Breast Cancer and the Environment grant, are science research – which can take decades to produce meaningful data – into
working with advocates at breast cancer organizations to help translate breast health communication messages for testing with breast cancer advocates.
cancer research into information that families can use to reduce breast cancer Atkin says the messaging will include advertising and website messages,
risk, particularly among young girls. and the research team will test messages of varying complexity with different
This communication is vital to connect the basic science with the advo- audiences. For example, Atkin said, exposure to the chemical perfluorooc-
cates, who influence the research agenda and help disseminate findings, say tanoic acid (PFoA) can increase the risk of certain types of cancers in mice.
the faculty involved in the project. This man-made chemical is found in our environment, but also many different
Charles Atkin, chair of the Department of Communication, along with products. The researchers want to study whether people can understand
Sandi Smith, director of the Health and risk Communication Center, are lead- multiple ways PFoA can be reduced, and they will create multiple ads to test
ing this project, which continues a longtime research project on breast cancer this example of hard science research.
communication funded by the NIEHS and NCI. recent focus groups conducted with mothers and their young daughters
“once people are diagnosed with cancer, they become information seek- this summer by Kami Silk and her research team are looking at the PFoA
ers looking for treatment and research that might help them,” Atkin said. For messages as well as others that are related to breast cancer and the environ-
people not yet touched by breast cancer, organizations must be more proac- ment research.
tive in reaching out to a broad audience. “The focus groups had valuable feedback for us regarding messages. We
“Advocates at breast cancer organizations are trying every day to increase are trying to find ways to create messages for parents that are engaging and
public awareness about breast cancer efforts, especially prevention advice useful as the manage the health of their families.”
16 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 2010
17. Assistant Professor Elizabeth
Games for health
Quilliam is studying online games
that incorporate named food prod-
focus of grant
ucts. Quilliam’s research is
supported by the Michigan Agricul-
tural Experiment Station.
Photo by Kurt Stepnitz/MSU
By: Kirsten Khire
Faculty members have received a
$284,000 grant from the robert Wood
Johnson Foundation (rWJF) to explore how
digitally-delivered games can improve health.
Wei Peng, assistant professor, is working
with Brian Winn, associate professor, in the
Department of Telecommunication, Informa-
tion Studies & Media on the project to help
strengthen the evidence related to the devel-
opment and use of digitally-delivered games
for positive health outcomes.
Their project investigates effects of the
Mount olympus game, a 3D fantasy role- Faculty study Consumer Culture and the
playing game Ethical treatment of Children
that requires food games
players to move
their upper and with NIH grant By: Elizabeth Quilliam
lower body in
Michigan State University’s Children’s
order to control By: Kirsten Khire Central research Collaborative unit in the
their character’s
Department of Advertising, Public relations,
movements With nationwide and White House con- and retailing hosted the inaugural “Consumer
throughout the cern over childhood obesity and a need for Culture and the Ethical Treatment of Children:
game. Inactive college students participate healthier lifestyles, researchers at MSU are Theory, research and Fair Practice” confer-
in the study, which randomly assigns them studying food marketing and how it shapes ence in November. Children’s Central has been
to different versions of the Mount olympus children’s dietary behaviors. working with the Michigan Children’s Trust
game. The study examines the extent to MSU Professor Nora rifon says food Fund (CTF), the state’s child abuse prevention
which each version of the game meets marketers have increasingly targeted children agency, on a variety of initiatives including this
individuals’ needs for competence, autonomy with web-based approaches specifically to conference.
and social relatedness and how meeting promote their branded food products. “Free Two plenary session speakers, two lun-
these needs may motivate. More engagement online games, also known as advergames, cheon speakers, and 28 conference breakout
is expected to lead to more physical activity are everywhere, and food products are sessions were included in the program that
in daily life, and therefore, to better health everywhere in the games,” she says. “often, attracted scholars from six countries and 150
outcomes. the food products in these games are not practitioners from 81 of the 83 counties in
“our Mount olympus game will be nutritiondense products.” Michigan. The Academy was well represented
designed with a strong theoretical foundation rifon and colleagues Mira Lee, Elizabeth in competitive paper and special topic ses-
and play testing. We expect that the game Quilliam, richard Cole, Hye-Jin Paek and sions, and three current and former Journal
can engage the players in a fun way and the Lorraine Weatherspoon recently received a of Advertising editors participated – russ
exercise can become part of their routines,” $418,000 grant from the National Institutes of Laczniak, Marla royne and Les Carlson.
said Peng. Health to identify the role of food advergames royne (University of Memphis) and Carlson
in determining children’s dietary behaviors (University of Nebraska – Lincoln) co-chaired
and health status. “It’s important to study the conference, along with Nora rifon, Brad
whether these games are having effects on
tans W
Greenberg and Elizabeth Taylor Quilliam, all of
ar
children and their eating habits,” said rifon. MSU.
The research team aims to identify how researchers presented papers on a variety
sP
iLL
pervasive food advergame play is among a of topics, including television ads and violence,
Help us make wide variety of children. Then the team will child development and media literacy and food
others healthy! study how food advergames attract children advertising and branding.
to their brands. Combined with information Save the date for Consumer Culture Con-
about children’s health, the research team ference Sept. 14-16, 2012. More information is
hrcc.cas.msu.edu hopes to identify factors that can contribute to online at www.childrenscentral.msu.edu.
improved childhood dietary behavior.
2010 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 17
18. Gift aids students
Effecting climate change studying ICT
By: Kristen Parker for development
For the first time, crop breeders and By: Cara Boeff
agricultural specialists in East Africa will
have regionally specific climate data to Drs. Jake and Max-
research and manage crops in an effort ine Ferris will provide
to improve food production, according students with an
to Michigan State University researchers. international experi-
Using a $430,000 Rockefeller ence while they bring
Foundation grant, researchers will study technology to remote
the impact of climate change on the corners of the world.
drought-stricken area, including Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, said The couple made a gift toward the Information
lead researcher Jennifer Olson, associate professor in the College & Communication Technology for Development
of Communication Arts & Sciences. Corps, a collaboration of the College of Communi-
“This part of Africa is getting over the worst drought it has cation Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering
had in many years,” said Olson, who is working with geographers, and the Honors College that includes a specializa-
agronomists, sociologists and climatologists at MSU and in East tion and study abroad program. Thanks to their
Africa. “Climate change is leading to warmer temperatures and donation, student recipients will receive a stipend
heightened water stress for plants, as well as less reliable rain.” for the costly travel expenses of participating in
With assistance from an MSU supercomputer and the Michi- this hands-on study abroad experience.
gan Agricultural Experiment Station, the research team will link a “We accomplished exactly what we hoped to
customized regional climate model with crop and water models. achieve. We made a
an
rt s
Pa
This will enable agriculture specialists to determine the impact of gift reflecting our be-
climate change on different crop varieties. As a result, they will lief that international
s
Wi
develop crop varieties that better withstand climate change. experiences broaden
Suppo
rt o
LL
students’ perspec-
progra ur global eff
“Most of our research has focused on the causes and conse-
tives and help them
ms an o
d stud rts,
quences of climate change,” said Nathan Moore, assistant profes-
become better
sor in the Department of Geography and co-investigator on the ents!
citizens of the world,” ca
project. “This grant will apply those results in a new way by asking s.msu
said Dr. Maxine Ferris .edu/g
African specialists what their information needs are and how they
(PhD ’62 Rhetoric
iving
want us to help.
“The project also will allow us to train African researchers how and Public Address).
to analyze crop-climate data so they can test different possibilities
themselves.”
Scholarship honors Ethiopian journalist
By: Rebecca Pagels forward thinking and uncompromis-
ing in his writing or reporting. Girma
The College of Communication was abducted in 1984 by the military
Arts & Sciences and the School of government and was later killed.
Journalism are pleased to award the “Our family is very pleased to
first Baalu Girma Expendable Schol- make this scholarship available in
arship. honor of Baalu Girma,” says daughter
This scholarship was established Zelalem Girma. “To the family, this
in honor of Baalu Girma (MA ‘63 Po- scholarship represents his commit-
litical Science and Journalism). After ment to making a difference in the
graduation, Girma returned to his na- lives of others. It is our hope that his
tive Ethiopia where he made signifi- story and professional life will inspire
cant contributions to the profession others to achieve their best and give
as a news correspondent, mentor and back to society as well.”
editor-in-chief of several of the na- The first recipient of this scholar-
tion’s prominent newspapers. He also ship is journalism master’s student Baalu Girma
was a fiction writer and authored Yue Xu, originally from China.
several famous novels. He was
18 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 2010
19. international
MSU students and faculty in Tanzania,
summer 2010.
By: Lane Blackmer
E
very six months for the
past two years, a study
abroad group known as
the Information and Communica-
tion Technology for Development
(ICT4D) has been going to Tan-
zania, teaching locals how to do
something Americans do every day Top: Primary school in Tanzania. Above, (left to right): MSU students install solar panels on the roof of the
— use computers in the classroom. school; MSU student sets up computers; computers ready in the classroom; schoolchildren in Tanzania.
Photos courtesy of Andy Bruinsma, Bret Charboneau and Eric Tarkleson
The ICT4D program began in
2008 as a collaboration among
MSU’s colleges of Communication stalled computer systems in three students learn the language, Swa-
Arts and Sciences, Engineering schools since 2008, one of which hili, and learn about and experi-
and Honors. The idea of the trip to run by solar power. Before traveling ence the culture. Two weeks later,
Tanzania was to develop easy-to- abroad, the students also devel- the students went to the schools to
use computer programs, bring them oped computer programs, includ- update computers, and train and
to the country and set up comput- ing games to assist in teaching the test the new games. Media arts and
ers, as well as the programs, for the Tanzanian students. technology senior James Przytulski
teachers and students’ use. Computer science senior Chris was one of the students who helped
Eric Tarkleson, an electrical en- Dasbach, along with student Dan train Tanzanian teachers and stu-
gineering graduate student who has Shillair, created a game called dents.
attended every study abroad trip to Tanzania Trader for students to test “The Tanzanian students were
Tanzania, said that an entire school out before heading to Africa. so excited to see the games and
typically gets less money than The game is set in Tanzania, and play the games,” Przytulski said.
American schools get per student. the player is supposed to travel and “They’d huddle around the room as
This budget problem is hopelessly answer questions from the Tan- we were working on the comput-
inhibiting for the students’ educa- zanian school curriculum to help ers.”
tion in Tanzania. the video game character with its Przytulski said the trip not only
Since books can be outdated quests. made him apply the knowledge of
rather quickly, computers provide “Along the way the player must his field, but he acquired a valuable
more up-to-date information. MSU answer questions in order to suc- cultural experience.
students go to Tanzania every six ceed in the game,” said Dasbach. “I think employers want to see
months to install new computers, “For instance, a player’s vehicle students go on trips that relate to
update computer systems and to may break down and, if they an- their area of study,” Przytulski said.
train the school’s faculty and stu- swers question correctly, it will be “Employers want to see students
dents. much cheaper to fix.” go to developing countries and see
Students and faculty have in- After arriving in Tanzania, MSU how technology is used.”
2010 | THE CoMMUNICATor I 19