2011 BYU COMMS Magazine by Byu Cfac

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BYU Department of Communications

The Value of a

Mentor GARY DIXON President of The Foundation for a Better Life

BYU STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM LIFE EXPERIENCES OF ALUMNI WHO GIVE

JESSICA PORTER Communications Student

from the c h a i r

table of c o n t e n t s

COMMS ALUMNI REPORT

PUBLISHER Matt Bennett

Mentoring is Our

Message

Recently I sent a letter expressing gratitude to someone who has mentored me in my academic career. This person is eminently respected for his scholarship and integrity. For some reason, he decided to unselfishly share his counsel and help open doors that allowed this young faculty member to reach some hidden potential. I still don’t know why he did this, but I am forever grateful. Looking back now, I can tell he saw things that I never could have foreseen. His experience gave him insight that would have cost me years to acquire. I’m sure he didn’t realize how much I would learn from him by his example. I often think about how this person might deal with a particular situation, and sometimes I still ask his advice. Each year we graduate hundreds of students who have amazing ability and potential, students who could use a mentor in their lives. At the same time, we know we have alumni and friends who want to share their hard-earned wisdom and rich experiences with this generation. For this reason, we have placed a great deal of emphasis on mentoring and mentored learning. In this publication you will read about our new mentoring program, which is connecting our students with our alumni and friends. You’ll also see several examples of mentored learning taking place in our classes, student labs and scholarship.

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I have had the opportunity to share this vision with many of you, and each time I am energized by your enthusiastic willingness to participate. We want to open this opportunity to as many of our alumni and friends as possible. If you haven’t joined up, please do so and engage all of your friends and associates to jump on board. I have the pleasure of meeting many of you at various alumni events and gatherings. This is truly one of the greatest benefits of serving as a department chair. We delight in your success and are grateful for our continued association with you. I hope the year ahead brings each of you health, happiness and exciting personal and professional opportunities.

Brad Rawlins Chair, Department of Communications Brigham Young University

EDITORS Samantha Strong Murphey Jeanette Bennett

ART DIRECTORS David B. Blackhurst Leah Wasson Aldous PHOTOGRAPHY David B. Blackhurst Leah Wasson Aldous

CONTRIBUTORS Breanna Olaveson Caitlin Orton Jacey Reynolds OFFICE MANAGER Whitney Behling CIRCULATION MANAGER Kate Lehnhof DEPARTMENT CHAIR Brad L. Rawlins ASSOCIATE CHAIR FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES Dale Cressman ASSOCIATE CHAIR FOR STUDENT MEDIA Susan B. Walton

Department Updates

BUSINESS MANAGER Layne Peterson

Mormon Media Studies Symposium

BYU COMMS ALUMNI REPORT IS PUBLISHED IN ASSOCIATION WITH

424 W. 800 NORTH, SUITE 201 OREM, UT 84057 PHONE (801) 802-0200 www.bennettcommunications.net editor@uvmag.com

Open your mind and engage your curiosity.

SECRETARY Debby Jackson ALUMNI OUTREACH Jacey Reynolds

Our newest news.

GRADUATE STUDIES Steven R. Thomsen

Student Labs

Getting your hands-on experiences means getting your hands on awards.

Guest Speakers

Industry leaders and interested professionals, step right up to the podium.

A MENTOR FOR EVERY student

Our cover story is your next opportunity.

16 Alumni Stories

Great things come to those who graduate. Our cover story is your next opportunity.

Mentor List

Rows of the ranks who are making a difference.

Faculty Profiles

Faces and features of fabulous faculty.

Faculty Scholarship

Worthy work, polished and published.

Student Scholarships & Awards

These student stand-outs are of the deserving kind.

Alumni Events

Mix and mingle, connect and reconnect.

Alumni Outreach

Six ways to serve the students you once were. VOLUME 4

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from the c h a i r

table of c o n t e n t s

COMMS ALUMNI REPORT

PUBLISHER Matt Bennett

Mentoring is Our

Message

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Brad Rawlins Chair, Department of Communications Brigham Young University

EDITORS Samantha Strong Murphey Jeanette Bennett

ART DIRECTORS David B. Blackhurst Leah Wasson Aldous PHOTOGRAPHY David B. Blackhurst Leah Wasson Aldous

Department Updates

BUSINESS MANAGER Layne Peterson

Mormon Media Studies Symposium

BYU COMMS ALUMNI REPORT IS PUBLISHED IN ASSOCIATION WITH

424 W. 800 NORTH, SUITE 201 OREM, UT 84057 PHONE (801) 802-0200 www.bennettcommunications.net editor@uvmag.com

Open your mind and engage your curiosity.

SECRETARY Debby Jackson ALUMNI OUTREACH Jacey Reynolds

Our newest news.

GRADUATE STUDIES Steven R. Thomsen

Student Labs

Getting your hands-on experiences means getting your hands on awards.

Guest Speakers

Industry leaders and interested professionals, step right up to the podium.

A MENTOR FOR EVERY student

Our cover story is your next opportunity.

16 Alumni Stories

Great things come to those who graduate. Our cover story is your next opportunity.

Mentor List

Rows of the ranks who are making a difference.

Faculty Profiles

Faces and features of fabulous faculty.

Faculty Scholarship

Worthy work, polished and published.

Student Scholarships & Awards

These student stand-outs are of the deserving kind.

Alumni Events

Mix and mingle, connect and reconnect.

Alumni Outreach

Six ways to serve the students you once were. VOLUME 4

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department u p d a t e

OUR NEWEST

NEWS

mission statement “The BYU Department of Communications champions the crucial need to truthfully inform and be informed by emphasizing personal integrity, rigorous scholarship, moral values, professional competence and ethical conduct. The Department: (1) educates men and women in the light of the restored gospel; (2) promotes a commitment to free, responsible and truthful expression; (3) advocates democratic values; (4) fosters respect for all, including diversity of ideas, culture, ethnicity and experience; and (5) prepares

Faculty Updates for the 2010-2011 School Year

graduates who will effectively serve their professions, their communities and their nations.”

Dale Cressman Named Department Associate Chair Dale Cressman, associate professor in journalism, was named associate chair of undergraduate studies in May 2010. This new role has added the following responsibilities to his teaching duties: developing undergraduate programs and assisting students as they progress toward their degrees. Cressman has emphasized assessment of teaching and learning in his efforts and has worked to update curriculum to meet the challenges of a changing media industry.

Photo courtesy of Mark Philbrick

Ed Carter Advances to Associate Professor Status, Named Editor-in-Chief of Daily Universe

AT A GLANCE AREAS OF EMPHASIS:

Advertising, Communications Studies, Journalism, Public Relations

Established in 1933 | Accredited in 1984 and reaccredited in 2009 by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication | Degrees Offered: BA in Communications, MA in Mass Communications

23 4

NUMBER OF FULLTIME FACULTY (four full, 14 associate and five assistant professors)

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OF ADJUNCT FACULTY

71 14

OF FULL-TIME ADMINISTRATION STAFF

% 1,234

Courses taught by Full-Time Faculty

Number of Communications Majors

AAF, PRSSA, SPJ

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Advanced Advertising Lab, Bradley Public Relations Lab, Daily Universe, Eleven News

OF GRADUATE STUDENTS

297 DEGREES

AWARDED IN 2010

Ed Carter, former department associate chair, received continuing status and advanced to associate professor and was named editor-in-chief of the Daily Universe. This new role in the department makes Carter the ultimate content editor for the paper. “Now I don’t just stand up in the classroom and talk about journalism,” Carter said, “I get into the lab and do journalism with the students.” Carter’s efforts in this role have included sharpening the focus on mentoring in the lab newsroom.

Jared Johnson Advances to Assistant Professor Jared Johnson advanced to assistant professor upon completion of his Ph.D. and began his track toward continuing status. Johnson started teaching at BYU in August 2008 and has served as an instructor in broadcast journalism reporting and producing courses, international media and media audiences courses and COMMS 101. Johnson has worked to expand the number of sports reporting opportunities available to broadcast students, including starting a BYU sports show called Coog Tube on KBYU channel 11. He also plans to launch a high school football show on the same channel.

Brad Rawlins’ Appointment as Department Chair is Renewed Brad Rawlins was asked by Dean Stephen Jones to continue as department chair for three more years. VOLUME 4

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OUR NEWEST

NEWS

Faculty Updates for the 2010-2011 School Year

graduates who will effectively serve their professions, their communities and their nations.”

Photo courtesy of Mark Philbrick

Ed Carter Advances to Associate Professor Status, Named Editor-in-Chief of Daily Universe

AT A GLANCE AREAS OF EMPHASIS:

Advertising, Communications Studies, Journalism, Public Relations

23 4

NUMBER OF FULLTIME FACULTY (four full, 14 associate and five assistant professors)

COMMS

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OF ADJUNCT FACULTY

71 14

OF FULL-TIME ADMINISTRATION STAFF

% 1,234

Courses taught by Full-Time Faculty

Number of Communications Majors

AAF, PRSSA, SPJ

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Advanced Advertising Lab, Bradley Public Relations Lab, Daily Universe, Eleven News

OF GRADUATE STUDENTS

297 DEGREES

AWARDED IN 2010

Brad Rawlins’ Appointment as Department Chair is Renewed Brad Rawlins was asked by Dean Stephen Jones to continue as department chair for three more years. VOLUME 4

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SYMPOSE WE...

Sterling Van Wagenen, co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival, was the symposium’s plenary speaker. He spoke on the importance of authenticity and self-awareness relative to media portrayals.

Go to the Mormon Media Studies Symposium

2012 SYMPOSIUM The symposium, which will be held every two years, is scheduled next for November 8-9, 2012, at the BYU Conference Center.

 By Samantha Strong Murphey

THE FUTURE

It’s no secret to the BYU community that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been highly visible in the media in recent years. The church and its members have been the source of media frenzies and sustained subsequent followings and have made great efforts in using the media — rather than simply being an object of it — as a tool for missionary work. Associate professor Sherry Baker saw these recent trends as simply an evolution of a Mormon media tradition. “While circumstances and technologies have changed over time, the media always has been central to the Mormon experience and to the interface of Mormonism with societies, institutions and individuals,” she said.

THE INSPIRATION

Baker’s acknowledgement of the rich potential for research and learning in the relationship of Mormons and the media served as the foundation of the Mormon Media Studies Symposium, a two-day conference held in November 2010. “This first-ever interdisciplinary Mormon Media Studies Symposium was designed to focus on the academic study of all aspects of Mormons and the media, historically and in the present. The term ‘media’ was used broadly to encompass print and electronic media, books, film, etc.,” Baker 6

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CULTURAL CONSCIOUSNESS

The first interdisciplinary conference on Mormons and the media went off without a hitch.

For graduate students, said Baker, this experience presenting at an academic conference is critical. “They get exposure among other scholars and practitioners. For example, students can meet with professors from other universities where they might be considered for Ph.D. programs, which happened with one of our students.”

JEAN GEBSER SOCIETY CONFERENCE COMES TO BYU Assistant professor Clark Callahan was asked to host this year’s Jean Gebser Society Conference at BYU, bringing together academics from all over the world to discuss current implications of the philosophies of Jean Gebser. “He looks at cultural consciousness, the different perspectives cultures go through in seeing the world,” Callahan said. “What scholars in this group do is they use those ideas and apply them to things that are going on in art, technology and media.” This particular conference, held in a gorgeous mountain setting at the Aspen Grove Conference Center, was themed “Technology and Consciousness.” Roughly 20 presenters shared their insights about the intersection of innovation and cultural lenses.

said. “The Symposium also provided an important opportunity to begin to develop an academic and practitioner community around the issue of Mormons and the media.”

FACULTY INVOLVEMENT

Ten faculty members from the Department of Communications participated in the symposium, either as presenters or panel members. After the conference kicked off with a panel discussion on Mormon teachings about media, associate professor Joel Campbell presented on the framing of Mormon and gay perspectives in the media’s coverage of California’s Proposition 8. Campbell touched on a range of insights — from how Mitt Romney’s campaign primed the media to think of Mormonism as a

hot button issue before Prop. 8 to how Mormons were overrepresented in the media relative to the involvement level of interest groups like African Americans to the media’s emphasis of dissent rather than cohesion within the Mormon community. Professor John Hughes, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and editor, participated the following day on a panel of different stakeholders discussing the Church’s public relations relationship with the press, making an attentive audience smile with his candid comments and jokes. “Students come to me and say, ‘We’ve lived this sheltered life. Can we make it out there in the world of journalism?’ You don’t have to be a disgusting person to be a good journalist,” Hughes said, “although some-

times it helps.” One of the last presentations of the conference was made by professors Clark Callahan and Quint Randle who teamed up to present on their analysis of the lyrics of Mormon murder ballads. They closed their presentation with a live performance of one of the songs they studied.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

Six graduate students from the

Department of Communications were also given an opportunity to present their research. Among them was Maurianne Dunn, who presented on reader responses to the Relief Society Magazine 40 years after its publication. Trent Boulter and Kevin Nielsen presented on differences in male and female General Conference viewing styles, and Danny Duerden presented on why videos go viral using the MormonMessages YouTube channel.

“The 2010 Symposium went amazingly well. All of the participants were enthusiastic about the event and encouraged us to do it again,” Baker said. “We had far more presenters than we had anticipated on a variety of fascinating topics. Attendance was high. People had a chance to meet others with similar interests, to network together and to discuss possible collaborative research and other projects in the future.” The symposium will be held every two years. The next one is scheduled for November 8-9, 2012, at the BYU Conference Center. dc

FASCINATING RESEARCH FROM FABULOUS FACULTY BRAD RAWLINS Panel Participant, “Mormon Teachings about Media: Message and Audience Considerations” JOEL CAMPBELL “Framing Mormons vs. Gays: How Media Covered California’s Proposition 8” Panel Participant, “Joining the Conversation: The Evolution of Public Relations and Public Affairs in the LDS Church” JOHN DAVIES “Theory and Theology of Media Uses and Effects: Connecting Communication Theory and LDS Doc-

trine in David A. Bednar’s ‘Things as They Really Are’” KEVIN KELLY “Highlights from the Documentary Film ‘The History of Homefront, the Early Years: 1972-1985’” EDWARD CARTER “‘Entered at Stationers’ Hall’ The 1841 British Copyright of the Book of Mormon” EDWARD ADAMS “Out of Obscurity: Heber J. Grant’s Communications and Public Relations Efforts to Bring the Church into a National Positive View”

JOHN HUGHES Panel Participant, “Church PR and the Press: Reflections and Experiences of Seasoned Practitioners” SUSAN WALTON Panel Participant, “Joining the Conversation: The Evolution of Public Relations and Public Affairs in the LDS Church” CLARK CALLAHAN & QUINT RANDLE “Assuaging Death and Assigning Blame: A Lyric Analysis of Mormon Murder Ballads”

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on c a m p u s

SYMPOSE WE...

Sterling Van Wagenen, co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival, was the symposium’s plenary speaker. He spoke on the importance of authenticity and self-awareness relative to media portrayals.

Go to the Mormon Media Studies Symposium

2012 SYMPOSIUM The symposium, which will be held every two years, is scheduled next for November 8-9, 2012, at the BYU Conference Center.

 By Samantha Strong Murphey

THE FUTURE

THE INSPIRATION

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CULTURAL CONSCIOUSNESS

The first interdisciplinary conference on Mormons and the media went off without a hitch.

said. “The Symposium also provided an important opportunity to begin to develop an academic and practitioner community around the issue of Mormons and the media.”

FACULTY INVOLVEMENT

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

Six graduate students from the

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Freedom to Learn, Freedom to Serve Communications Studies is the discipline of interdisciplinary learners.  By Samantha Strong Murphey The societal contributions of communications studies students start in the classroom. This past year assistant professor John Davies’ students conducted a research project on the influence of media use in marital satisfaction. “Conducting original primary research gives students the opportunity to tackle communication-related problems that affect all of us on a day-today basis,” Davies said. “As students move from the classroom to the work world, their contribution becomes discipline specific. ... All industries need people who can practice in their profession, but all industries desperately need people who can think about the implications of their practice.” The newest cohort of communications studies graduates are pursuing careers all over the spectrum — sound recording, audio engineering, public affairs lobbying, marketing, teaching and more. Comms studies graduates are now enrolled in law schools, MPA programs and graduate programs and are working as research analysts in the medical field, as entrepreneurs, as supply chain managers, etc. “Our students are very diverse in terms of their educational background and interests,” Davies said. Often communications studies students have minors in other subjects, and often they are excellent scholars who tend to have an intellectual curiosity regarding communication. “They want to know ‘how to’ but also ‘why’ and ‘how,’” Davies said. “Our students are excellent writers and tend to be analytical.” In all of the student population’s diversity there is one common thread. “Our students want to study com8

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Department professors know the importance of engaging their classroom audiences as they would engage their media audiences.

The Ad Lab is one of the many places in the Brimhall building where great ideas are born. Students put their heads together to meet clients’ needs in creative ways.

Think BIG, Win BIG The Advertising program is aiming higher than ‘student lab’ — and clients are liking what they see.  By Caitlin Orton munications but don’t want to be limited to studying as advertisers, PR professionals or journalists, because their interests often go beyond those specific professions,” Davies said. “They are interested in media and messages, but they want the freedom to study those things from an interdisciplinary perspective.” BYU students in this diverse emphasis do have an important trait in common. “In my opinion, a key trait is intellectual curiosity. I think our best students are those who aren’t satisfied with the simple COMMS 101 answers but want to know more,” Davies said. Students in the emphasis are required to take a research practicum where they work one-on-one with a professor on a research project, a key step in developing valuable problem

solving and research skills. This year marks the fourth year in a row that students in COMMS 319, the research course, have published original primary research or presented original primary research at a regional, national or international conference. “Presenting or publishing research in academia means the research has undergone additional checks and balances to ensure it is rigorous and meets high standards,” Davies said. As the media world changes, communications studies students’ high standards will be key to their success. “Change means uncertainty, and in an uncertain world, people need to be able to make well-informed, evidencebased decisions,” Davies said. And that is exactly what communications studies students are learning to do. dc

It was a busy and successful year for the Ad Lab as it raked in more than a dozen different awards, including a professional win at the One Show, a first for a student organization. The Ad Lab paired up with McCann Erickson’s New York office and Holiday Inn to promote the song “You Make Me Smile” by Kyle Andrews, which served as the background music in commercials and in the hotels. Ad Lab manager Jeff Sheets — and students Pierce Thiot, Scott Stevens, Bryce Cline and McKay Hathaway — created a viral music video, shooting more than 4,000 BYU students throwing more than 126,000 water balloons. “To be able to break the glass ceiling, so to speak, and win a professional award as a student agency is an amazing accomplishment,” Sheets said. “It’s the first time a student group has won

a professional One Show Pencil Award. We always believed this was the ability the Ad Lab had. Now we have the hardware to prove it.” While the award is a prestigious accomplishment for the Ad Lab as a whole, the individual students involved with the video are already reaping the benefits of their creativity. Each has been awarded a prestigious internship at one of the best ad agencies in the country. “It’s exciting for us and the program because it shows we can do just as good of work as professionals can,” Thiot said. “And no other students are going into the workforce with a professional One Show Pencil.” In addition to the professional Pencil Award, Ad Lab students LJ Johansson and Janssen Weeks won a student pencil from the One Show that was awarded in May. The Ad Lab also won the national finals of L’Oreal’s Brandstorm competition,

and students Hawken Vance, Kylie Cox and Summer Holm represented BYU and the USA in the International Finals in Paris against 44 other countries. In the American Advertising Federation’s ADDY competition, the Ad Lab won 18 ADDYs in a pool of Utah advertisers, second only to Salt Lake City ad agency Richter7. The BYU advertising program has continued to strengthen its relationships with big agencies since the creative track was introduced 11 years ago. As Sheets brings in bigger clients like Gatorade, Nature Valley and Häagen-Dazs, advertising students are being pushed to exhaust their talents. “We used to have most of our ad students go to New York, but these past few years the biggest agencies in the country have been coming here to recruit kids,” said Doug McKinlay, faculty adviser in the Ad Lab. “You earn your wings here.” dc VOLUME 4

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Department professors know the importance of engaging their classroom audiences as they would engage their media audiences.

The Ad Lab is one of the many places in the Brimhall building where great ideas are born. Students put their heads together to meet clients’ needs in creative ways.

COMMS

student l a b s

Bradley Agency client Project HOPE began with Dwight D. Eisenhower's donation of U.S. Navy hospital ship, the USS Consolation, renamed the SS HOPE. Now the foundation operates mobile health centers on land as

PRO-SOCIAL & PRO-FESSIONAL

The student-run Rulon L. Bradley Public Relations Agency is taking on tough issues and top clients.  By Samantha Strong Murphey When a group of Rulon L. Bradley Agency students traveled to Dallas to help with an event for a client, things didn’t go according to plan. In an effort to raise awareness about childhood obesity and heart disease for international aid organization Project HOPE, students publicized and then volunteered at a mobile health clinic doing free screenings in under-served communities. The hope was to piggy-back momentum from the Super Bowl, which was also happening that week, but the weather was uncooperative. “The coldest weather in literally 40 years rolled into the area and shut down the entire city. The next four screening events were cancelled,” said Jeff DuBois, Bradley Agency manager. “I think my team learned that even though you have a carefully laid-out plan, you sometimes need to be flexible.” Student Lauren Lytle said the experience taught her the importance of developing a “Plan B.” 10

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“Overall, I think the biggest lesson I learned is that executing PR in the classroom is a lot different than executing PR in real life,” she said. During the medical screenings that were held, Lytle spent her time at education booths teaching families about healthy eating. “I have a passion for serving others and when I get to combine that with PR, I’m the happiest girl in the world,” she said. DuBois, who spends a lot of his time generating business for the agency, said he tries to go after pro-social causes like Project HOPE as often has he can. “I know this generation is keenly interested in making the world a better place,” he said. “Not only are they doing what they’re learning in the classroom, but their work is making a difference in the world.” The public relations faculty and staff administrators have made a conscious decision to do more than just teach theory. “The classes present the theories, principles, opportunities and chal-

lenges of the public relations field, but often in an abstract manner,” said associate professor Robert Wakefield. “The Bradley lab fills in the experience.” The Bradley Agency, which takes on projects from local clients to Fortune 500 clients, is a way to provide students with hands-on learning experiences to reinforce what they learn in the classroom. “I have seen a concrete benefit for students who choose to get involved in the agency,” DuBois said. “They have experiences and a portfolio to prove those experiences. They are much more confident and well-rounded. They are able to leap-frog over the competition.” People outside BYU are starting to take notice of the quality of the PR program. The program has placed in the top five in PR Week’s “Education Program of the Year” listing for two years in a row. “We’ve known for many years that our program is stellar,” DuBois said, “and it’s nice to get that endorsement.” dc

STAND of the Society OUT BYU PRSSA hit the milestone of milestones. Say ‘hello’ to the nation’s outstanding chapter.  By Samantha Strong Murphey Lauren Lytle was overwhelmed with tears when she heard the name read — “Brigham Young University!” Lytle is one part of the many-year legacy of hard work and preparation that led BYU’s Chapter of PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) to be recognized with the Teahan Award for “Outstanding Chapter of 2010” at the society’s annual conference in Washington, D.C. “We are delighted that this award honors our outstanding PRSSA chapter. While it recognizes the great chapter that we are today, it is also the culmination of many years of effort by PRSSA students and faculty at BYU,” said Susan Walton, faculty adviser to the chapter. The award represents the chapter’s excellent performance in all of the categories in which individual awards were given, including community relations, student-run firm, website, newsletter, relationship with local professional chapter and faculty advisement. The journey to the award has been marked with significant milestones along the way, noted Walton, including the chapter’s receipt of the Teahan Award for “Best Chapter Newsletter” in 2008. BYU’s chapter was selected from a group of more than 300 university chapters. The prize is the highest honor awarded to a PRSSA chapter.

PRSSA leadership and PR advisory faculty accept their 2010 Teahan Award for “Outstanding Chapter.”

Lytle, the outgoing chapter president was there with other current PRSSA members to accept it. Lytle says her involvement with PRSSA has helped her build professional and interpersonal skills. “The most valuable thing I learned is that people are more important than events, programs or to-do lists,” she said. “I learned I was never wasting time when I was getting to know a member or helping him or her solve a problem. The members of PRSSA make our chapter great, and without them we literally wouldn’t have a chapter.”

Michelle Treasure, last year’s vice president of professional development, was given the Gold Key award at the meeting, representing the highest individual honor given to members of the PRSSA. Treasure was one of just 30 students honored with the award. “There are a lot of great PRSSA chapters around the country, so it was a great and humbling experience to be named the top one,” Treasure said of the group award. “For the Gold Key, it was definitely to my advantage to be from BYU and to have gone through such a great program.” dc VOLUME 4

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PRSSA leadership and PR advisory faculty accept their 2010 Teahan Award for “Outstanding Chapter.”

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BROADCAST

into mainstream media Little fish hold their own in a big NCAA Tournament pond.  By Caitlin Orton Several BYU Broadcast Lab students followed the Cougars to Las Vegas, Denver and New Orleans for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and stood toe-to-toe with some of the biggest sportscasters in the business. “The students were in there working with the rest of the media,” said Chad Curtis, the lab’s news director. “They were getting the same feeds. They were getting the same information and the same press conferences.” For many of the broadcast students hoping to break into sports coverage, the opportunity was a window into the industry. Lauren Francom, a senior who traveled with the team, said the professionals helped students learn the ropes. “It was great to have them mentoring us,” she said. “A lot of people said, ‘We’ve never had school reporters here for something this big.’” The NCAA coverage was big news in the broadcast lab — but not the only news. This past year, student broadcasters raked in awards. In the Hearst awards the broadcasting program took fifth in the nation. Seniors Natalie Tripp and Garrett Tenney won Hearst National Championships: Tripp for radio and Tenney for television. Broadcast students also took home five Gracie Awards. “It’s an honor and I’m still coming to the realization that I won,” said Lakia Holmes, a senior who won for best sports host and enjoyed meeting professional heroes at the ceremony. Holmes, who is interning at ESPN, said opportunities through the broadcast lab and BYU TV enabled her to succeed in her education. dc 12

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Seniors Nolan Crane (left) from San Leandro, Calif., and Kaitlyn Thatcher (right) from Placentia, Calif., prepare to tape a broadcast in the BYU Broadcast Lab.

Junior Kara Neaves from Arlington, Texas, and senior Valeria Kraft from Uraguay collaborate on a lab project.

Anna Hayes, a junior from Las Vegas, monitors the production of a broadcast.

For a look at footage from the Broadcast Lab’s work at the NCAA Basketball Tournament, look for the CoogTube menu when you visit http://elevennews.byu.edu.

Covering BYU’s GLOBAL FOOTPRINT BYU is all over the world. And the Daily Universe is all over reporting it.  By Samantha Strong Murphey If the world really is BYU’s campus, the university newspaper staff is facing a big task. For the first time, strong consistent efforts — accompanied by strong, consistent funding — are opening doors and passports for young reporters committed to give quality coverage to BYU’s global footprints. “The idea is that BYU is involved in these amazing things all around the whole world and as the campus news outlet, we feel like we ought to document a lot of that,” says associate professor Ed Carter, who has served as the Daily Universe’s faculty adviser for the past year. “In the last year we’ve had an increased focus and attention to that.” Carter, along with associate professor Quint Randle, received a generous grant from the university to take Daily Universe reporters on enriching journalism experiences around the world, starting with taking one student writer and photographer to London and Blackpool, England, last summer to cover BYU’s ballroom dance team at an international competition. Randle also took students to Nauvoo to generate news content about the Church’s role in community development there in the past decade. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Trips with students covering similarities and differences in the cultures and academic approaches of schools in BYU’s new athletic conference are underway, as are plans for student trips to cover BYU’s international folk dance team and study abroad programs. “We just try to look for opportunities to take students out into the field,” Randle said. “Some are closer, some are far, but it’s a great opportunity to tackle real stories and also mentor

BYU students Michael Richardson, Court Mann, Tessa Farnsworth, Carolyn Carter and Carmen Dunsford with professor Ed Carter in San Francisco.

students in the field.” Employers are recognizing the inthe-field experience of BYU students. One of Randle’s students landed a job at National Geographic Television through work in her portfolio from a student trip to cover wolf populations in Yosemite. “I think we do a very effective job preparing students for professional work,” Carter said. “We have an advantage when they come to us — students are already very bright and talented, but through this combination of scholarly study and hands-on professional lab experience, bright students come away with a wellrounded professional experience.” A close second to The Daily Universe

Lab’s international expansion news is this development — starting this fall, the print and broadcast tracks will merge. Incoming students will be admitted to one multimedia sequence where they will pick their path and each develop their own unique skill set, opening more doors for journalism students to prepare themselves for a diverse global industry. dc

Can’t get enough? Check out the Daily Universe online to view past issues, as well as polls, blogs, slideshows and more. http://universe.byu.edu. VOLUME 4

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Seniors Nolan Crane (left) from San Leandro, Calif., and Kaitlyn Thatcher (right) from Placentia, Calif., prepare to tape a broadcast in the BYU Broadcast Lab.

Junior Kara Neaves from Arlington, Texas, and senior Valeria Kraft from Uraguay collaborate on a lab project.

Anna Hayes, a junior from Las Vegas, monitors the production of a broadcast.

For a look at footage from the Broadcast Lab’s work at the NCAA Basketball Tournament, look for the CoogTube menu when you visit http://elevennews.byu.edu.

BYU students Michael Richardson, Court Mann, Tessa Farnsworth, Carolyn Carter and Carmen Dunsford with professor Ed Carter in San Francisco.

Can’t get enough? Check out the Daily Universe online to view past issues, as well as polls, blogs, slideshows and more. http://universe.byu.edu. VOLUME 4

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The Beckham Lecture Series

They come, they speak, they leave the audience in awe.  By Samantha Strong Murphey Former BYU communications professor Raymond Beckham has been retired for years and isn’t around to enrich students’ and faculty members’ lives directly, but his legacy — and his lecture series — are taking care of that for him. Beckham was a leader in the educational world for 42 years, serving as a founder of the BYU Evening School program, the BYU Travel Studies program, Aspen Grove and the Department of Communications’ New York Internship program. His contributions to the university reflect the value he places on education, specifically on the hard work of educators. “I established the lecture to give the faculty an opportunity to do research and campus-wide lectures to teach the rest of the university what’s going on in the world of communications,” Beckham said. PROMOTING PROGRESS The 2010 lecture was given by associate professor Ed Carter on the copyright ownership of online news. He discussed the challenges technology has posed to news organizations in regard to copyright law. “The elimination of copyright formalities has led to what I believe is perhaps an inappropriate culture or feeling about ownership,” Carter said. Carter’s remarks touched on a movement away from the Constitutionally stated purpose of copyright law — to promote the progress of science and useful arts — toward an interpretation that serves the exploitative interests of corporations. He asked this central question: Can the free trade and ideas at the infor14

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Ray Beckham (left) and Ed Carter chat about the new projects that Carter’s Beckham Lecture research has inspired.

mation gathering or news gathering stage coexist with what is increasingly a restrictive commodification of ideas at the corporate publication and postpublication stages? Through discussing the history of copyright law protection for news and sharing examples of contemporary challenges for online news organizations, Carter arrived at a few copyright law solutions to the industry’s business model problems. “The experience I had with the Beckham Lecture was a great thing,” Carter said. “It was inspiring to me to be a part of it and motivating to me to present that kind of a lecture in that kind of a setting.” Carter hopes his lecture, along with department lectures from guest speakers, will help fulfill some of the university’s objectives — to be intellectually enlarging and to inspire lifelong learning. “You can never get really settled

and think you know everything you need to know,” Carter said. “If you’re in a profession you’re most likely not writing academic articles, but just the idea of being able to go out and find new ideas, process them and apply them is valuable anywhere.” ONE ISN’T ENOUGH In addition to the annual Beckham Lecture, the department hosts two Beckham Scholar Lectures each year. Faculty from all disciplines are invited to apply for the three lectures and shed light on the media’s relationship to society. “We expanded the opportunity to lecture to all scholars at BYU because we realized scholarship in the area of media is broader than just our department,” said Brad Rawlins, department chair. Last December, Richard Davis, a political science professor at BYU, lec-

“You can never get really settled and think you know everything you need to know.” ED CARTER, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR tured about the symbiotic relationship of blogging and journalism. “Bloggers and journalists now depend on each other for information and analysis,” Davis said. Davis noted that the connection between blogs and what communications students will do as news practitioners is an important one to recognize. To be successful, students must look outside their specific disciplines. “It is critical that they become exposed to more than the craft of journalism or public relations in order to do a good job in the various aspects of communications,” Davis said. In April 2010 RonNell Andersen Jones, an associate professor of law at BYU, delivered a lecture titled “Waning Watchdogs: Litigation, Legislation and Democracy in a Post-Newspaper America.” A former newspaper reporter and editor, Andersen Jones was pleased to share some of her recent research with an audience that includes both of her “natural academic homes” — journalism and law. Her thoughts centered on the effect the demise of traditional mainstream media, specifically newspapers, may have on freedom of information for the public and on the strength of democracy. In Andersen’s opinion, no obvious replacement has emerged for newspapers’ critical role in the American legal world. “Using examples of ground-breaking constitutional litigation, state open meeting act and sunshine laws, and important democracy-enhancing federal legislation, I think it can be unequivocally illustrated that the major players in all three of these areas have been newspapers — most of which are now defunct or in serious financial straits,” she said. dc

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This visiting speaker line-up is one impressive guest list. And these speakers represent only a fraction of the fascinating professionals who came to lecture at the Communications Department this year.

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DENNIS DENINGER PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF DENINGER MEDIA (ESPN) Deninger’s lecture on how ESPN has changed sports broadcasting and modern media in general attracted sports fans and never-been sports fans alike. TOM NICHOLSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ARTHUR PAGE SOCIETY Does PR have a future? According to Nicholson’s lecture on globalization and the communications industry, the resounding answer is “Yes!” ... as long as practitioners are ready to adapt. TOM ZELLER NEW YORK TIMES REPORTER This Kennedy Center lecture was widely attended by communications students. Zeller discussed environmental responsibility and his coverage for the Times of the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in 2009. LILLIE FEARS JOURNALISM PROFESSOR FROM ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Fears’ perspective opened eyes during her presentation titled, “No Longer Nappy-Headed and Angry: A Critique of African American Images in Media. BRENT ANDERSON CREATIVE DIRECTOR, TBWA\CHIAT\DAY Brent, whose work for Gatorade has made him one of the most decorated creatives in the world, lectured on the creative process of selling and on how to build campaigns that go beyond advertising to creating cultural moments.

For video of guest speakers, visit the department’s YouTube channel at

www.youtube.com/user/byucomms For more information on the Beckham Lecture Series, contact the Department of Communications at (801) 422-2997 or comms_secretary@byu.edu.

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Ray Beckham (left) and Ed Carter chat about the new projects that Carter’s Beckham Lecture research has inspired.

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T U O

For video of guest speakers, visit the department’s YouTube channel at

www.youtube.com/user/byucomms For more information on the Beckham Lecture Series, contact the Department of Communications at (801) 422-2997 or comms_secretary@byu.edu.

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A MENTOR FOR

student Gary Dixon, president of The Foundation for a Better Life, mentored Jessica Porter this past year as part of the departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new mentoring initiative.

That was the vision of Brad Rawlins, chair of the Department of Communications, and Stephen Jones, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, when they created a formal mentoring program. BY JACEY REYNOLDS

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A MENTOR FOR

student Gary Dixon, president of The Foundation for a Better Life, mentored Jessica Porter this past year as part of the departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new mentoring initiative.

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LET’S TALK IT OVER Mentors and mentored students shared lunch and ideas at a spring 2011 gathering in the BYU Department of Communications. More than 160 alumni participated in the pilot mentoring program after BYU President Cecil Samuelson began a campus-wide initiative to reach out to alumni to mentor students.

SEE THE LIGHT

Students like Sarah Tomoser, a public relations major, find their education enriched by mentors who share their vision and their network.

“In the fast-paced, ever changing world into which our students graduate, they need guides who can help them bridge the educational and professional worlds,” said Stephen Jones, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications. “We have no better group of mentors who can provide this kind of help than our capable alumni, who have already found their way into positions of influence and responsibility in their disciplines.” But anyone who has ever tried to find mentors and match them to students knows the task can be daunting. Seeing this would be difficult to do all at once for all 3,800 students in the college, Jones turned to the college alumni board for ideas. The board concluded the best strategy would be to follow the old “how to eat an elephant” adage by tackling the project one “bite” at a time. A good place to start, they determined, would be the Department of Communications. Department Chair Brad Rawlins had made a point of reaching out to communications alumni in recent years, often expressing a desire to create a program that would help professionals and students connect in 18

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ways that could benefit both. Considering Rawlins’ ongoing enthusiasm for such a project, Jones agreed that the pilot program was a perfect fit for the Department of Communications. “Most of our communications students work in applied fields with defined job possibilities,” Jones said. “Our initial pairing of students with volunteers from our strong base of alumni has been tremendously successful and points the way forward for other units in the college to begin their own mentoring efforts.”

SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS

Going forward, Jones, Rawlins and other administrators wanted to be sure participants on both sides would have a positive experience as well as a solid understanding of the purpose behind it. For students, the benefits of such a program are readily apparent — it is an opportunity to interact with professionals in their areas of interest and to gain from their knowledge and perspective. For mentors who donate their time for the benefit of the students, a portion of their reward may come from the service itself. “While the benefits of the mentoring

program are more obvious to our students, we also hope alumni who participate will enjoy and appreciate the experience,” Rawlins said. “You could say the program has the potential of turning the hearts of the students to our alumni, and the hearts of our alumni to the students.”

THINGS OF THE SPIRIT

The integration of spiritual and secular learning has always been at the core of a BYU education. Prominently displayed on campus is a sign which issues both an invitation and a challenge to all who come to study. It reads, “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve.” For those who have had the benefit of the educational experience at BYU, the undertaking of that challenge to serve is viewed as a blessing and an opportunity. According to Gary Dixon, Foundation for a Better Life president and director of the college’s alumni board, spiritual guidance is an important piece of the mentoring puzzle. “One aspect of this effort is to provide a spiritual mentoring component to let students know how individuals in the day-to-day business of advertis-

Communications students know the power of a good mentor. They eagerly seek opportunities for mentoring relationships, and the department is determined to help them. For the department to reach its goal of having an alumni mentor for every student in the program, alums need to volunteer their time. Mentorships can work within any schedule and any geography. Mentoring relationships can consist of informal emails and phone conversations or more structured inperson sessions. The department also sponsors a semiannual Mentor’s Day and several student organizations within the department have their own mentorship programs and activities. For information on how to become a mentor, contact Jacey Reynolds, outreach coordinator, at jacey@byu.edu. VOLUME 4

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SEE THE LIGHT

Students like Sarah Tomoser, a public relations major, find their education enriched by mentors who share their vision and their network.

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SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS

THINGS OF THE SPIRIT

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“Mentoring Brooke provided insight into the challenges facing today’s journalism students. She demonstrated great enthusiasm and talent, plus an eagerness to keep learning. I definitely hope to serve as a mentor again next school year.” – CHARLES ZOBELL, LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL MANAGING EDITOR

ing, public relations, broadcasting and journalism hold to their standards,” Dixon said.

THE ENTHUSIASM NETWORK

An additional benefit for mentors is the chance to learn from students who are excited about their chosen professions. “Although the purpose is not to find recruits, it provides a chance to see great candidates,” said Dixon. With numerous top awards in recent years for students’ work in broadcast and print journalism, advertising, public relations and research, it is widely known that BYU’s communications program continues to produce some of the industry’s best and brightest graduates. Whenever well-established professionals are given the chance to interact closely with bright, ambitious students, there is always an opportunity for networking to take place.

WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S WORK

While the concept of mentors and students being ideally matched and having a mutually fulfilling experience was promising in theory, Rawlins knew he and his team had their work cut out for them if they wanted this new program to have a successful start. He was concerned some students would view it as just another assignment to complete, or that potential mentors might hesitate to volunteer for fear of putting strain on their already busy professional lives. Rawl20

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ins wanted to be sure all participants could see the benefits of the program without feeling stress over its requirements. The department’s objective was to keep the process simple while still yielding the most positive results possible. “We knew if we didn’t make it a class assignment, some of our students would still eagerly embrace the opportunity to get advice from a professional, while others would be interested but might not follow through,” Rawlins said. “We were concerned about our alumni having too varied an experience to help launch this off the ground. We also had to find enough mentors to match with our students, and to build a large enough network so different alumni would have the opportunity each semester.”

JUMPING AT THE CHANCE

To offset the anticipated challenges, members of the college board personally reached out to both students and alumni in an effort to build enthusiasm for the project. It was no surprise that when a call for mentors was issued, the response was one of overwhelming excitement. Rachelle Johnson, principal at Reef Creative Strategies near Seattle, was one of those eager to work with students in the program, particularly those in the advertising emphasis. “I’ve always loved tutoring and mentoring others,” Johnson said. “I enjoy working with friends and watching them succeed. I’ve learned a lot

about advertising through the course of my education and career, much of which isn’t taught in a classroom. I thoroughly enjoy sharing that information in the hopes I can enrich the experience of students at BYU and help them achieve their goals.” Las Vegas Review Journal Managing Editor Charles Zobell also served as a mentor in the pilot program. “I had the benefit of excellent mentoring when I was a student at BYU,” Zobell said. “I felt it was my obligation to provide professional guidance to a current student. One (mentor) in particular, Nelson Wadsworth, made a tremendous difference in my career path. He had faith in my writing and editing abilities and gave me the opportunity to be a teaching assistant my senior year. He guided me on feature stories, helped me sell my first story to Associated Press and assisted me in getting my first job.” Outreach efforts were also effective in helping the students see the benefits of working with mentors. “When I first heard they were offering a mentor program, I was excited,” said senior Brook Self, Zobell’s mentee. “I knew I could benefit from those who have come before me and built their own careers.”

CLASSROOM INTEGRATION

Besides attempting to raise the enthusiasm of alumni and students, Rawlins also felt it was important for faculty to see the merits of a formal mentoring program. Considering that

AS I WAS SAYING Mark Callister, associate professor of communications, assigns his students to do three projects with their mentors. “Students and alumni who see the value in the mentoring experience become converted to the idea,” he said. At Callister’s side are mentors Charles Zobell, Las Vegas newspaper editor, and Jeanette Bennett, Orem magazine editor.

instructors also serve as mentors to their students and can have an influence on attitudes as well as aptitudes, he believed faculty support would be crucial to the success of the program in its early phases. Mark Callister, associate professor in advertising, knows the value of mentoring and was eager to implement the assignments into his class syllabus. “For students to have mentors early in their academic training is of great value,” Callister said. “The students enter their respective programs with some level of uncertainty and anxiety as to the competencies they must acquire and where their career path will lead. Through the mentoring program they have a willing and experienced source to which they can turn with their questions and concerns.” Students were required to complete three assignments during the semester with the help of their mentors. Topics included career advice, balance, ethics and etiquette. Students and mentors were free to be creative

with their interaction. Communication via email, telephone and video chat, as well as in-person visits were encouraged. Self is appreciative of the opportunity she had to meet face-to-face with Zobell. “In the end we were able to meet in person and he gave me a lot of feedback on my work and resume,” Self said. “Because of his years as an editor and also a journalism professor, he was able to help me immediately improve my resume and writing, and he showed me examples of how I could do better by writing more succinctly and clearly.” Of his experience as a mentor, Zobell said, “Mentoring Brooke provided insight into the challenges facing today’s journalism students. She demonstrated great enthusiasm and talent, plus an eagerness to keep learning. I definitely hope to serve as a mentor again next school year.”

PILOT PROGRAM, CHECK!

With the success of the pilot pro-

gram during the winter 2011 semester, the next school year is precisely what is on Rawlins’ mind as he considers the need to expand the project’s volunteer base and fine tune the details in order to help both students and mentors get the most from the program. Rawlins has made this a top priority as part of his efforts to build a bridge between those who are finding their paths in the world and those who paved the way for them. “We are still trying to build that mentoring database and are reaching out through personal communication, LinkedIn, Facebook and even this magazine. In fact, if you are reading this and are interested in participating, we’d love to have you sign up,” Rawlins said. As the communications mentoring program continues to grow and flourish, so do opportunities for professionals and students to build mutually beneficial relationships and to perpetuate the BYU legacy of going forth to serve. dc VOLUME 4

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ing, public relations, broadcasting and journalism hold to their standards,” Dixon said.

THE ENTHUSIASM NETWORK

WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S WORK

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JUMPING AT THE CHANCE

CLASSROOM INTEGRATION

Besides attempting to raise the enthusiasm of alumni and students, Rawlins also felt it was important for faculty to see the merits of a formal mentoring program. Considering that

PILOT PROGRAM, CHECK!

With the success of the pilot pro-

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Donetta Allen

alumni

multiply  By Jeanette Bennett Although 1,234 students are ac-

tively pursuing their BYU degrees in communications in 2011, there are more than 14,000 who have already entered to learn communications and gone forth to serve. These thousands of Cougar graduates are leading their industries of advertising, print, broadcast, public relations and communications studies. Here you will meet seven leaders who launched from the Department of Communications.

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Jason Bagley In July 2010, the BYU Harold B. Lee Library created a commercial patterned after the popular “Smell Like a Man, Man” Old Spice campaign, and the video received more than 2 million views on YouTube. But viewers may not have realized the library video was inspired by a fellow Cougar’s work. Jason Bagley, a graduate of BYU, is one of two creative directors behind Old Spice’s “Smell Like a Man, Man” campaign. After spending 10 years as a copywriter, Jason is now a creative director at Wieden+Kennedy, a full-service ad agency in Portland. “My job is to make sure everything turns out funny,” Jason said. And he’s good at it. Jason and his partner chose scripts for Old Spice and then worked with the creative team to develop them. They oversaw the production of the commercials that delighted audiences and dramatically increased sales for Old Spice. “Lucky for us, we had a great creative team and we picked the right script,” Jason said. Jason says without his training at BYU, he wouldn’t be where he is today. “I was decent at making people laugh, but that was about it,” he said. “Being forced to learn more about history, literature and especially critical thinking has allowed me to do what I do.” Year graduated from BYU 2000 Current city Portland, Ore. Company Wieden+Kennedy Job title Creative director Family Married to Jill, father to Ruby, Ezra, Lucy Favorite part of attending BYU All the cool people I met and the great roommates I had

Donetta Allen said she didn’t consider a career in public relations until she picked up a course catalog as a “disgruntled pre-med student.” She noticed a degree in public relations required a variety of classes — everything from English to business to computer programming to graphic design to journalism — and she was intrigued. Today, Donetta creates, develops and executes public relations programs for popular consumer products including Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Transformers, KoolAid, Cold Stone Creamery, Goldfish Crackers and more. “I love the challenge of thinking about how to make brands newsworthy, which might include suggestions for product design or recommending how to adjust a brand strategy or dreaming up huge media stunts,” Donetta said. And as a partner at Hunter Public Relations in New York City, she knows how to make her job both productive and fun. She once wore an inflatable Kool-Aid Man costume for a media appearance and even played Bop-It with Jordin Sparks and Frankie Jonas, which she loved. Donetta said much of her success today comes from the skills she learned at BYU. “It was a balance of the theoretical and practical that provided a solid foundation for a successful career in public relations,” Donetta said. “Some skills I learned at BYU have become such second nature to me that I’m not sure how I would survive in this job without them.” Year graduated from BYU 2000 Current city New York Company Hunter Public Relations Job title Partner Family Parents, siblings, nephews and a niece scattered across the country Favorite part of attending BYU Meeting and working with so many great people

“Some skills I learned at BYU have become such second nature to me that I’m not sure how I would survive in this job without them.”

Jared Munyan Anyone who thinks you can’t get a good job with a degree in Comms Studies hasn’t met Jared Munyan, a 2011 Comms Studies graduate. Jared had a job lined up at Fortune magazine’s 2011 No. 4 “Best Company to Work For” before he even finished his senior-level courses — and he was earning a paycheck before his diploma arrived. “Many students and even professors express a belief that an emphasis in Comms Studies doesn’t have many viable career options,” Jared said. “That is not true. I knew that Google’s requirements for employment were really high, and I worked really hard to develop needed skills and characteristics to become a satisfactory fit.” At Google, Inc., Jared’s job is to “find answers to tough questions” by analyzing technical issues with web pages and fixing them. Jared says the Comms Studies program prepared him to do just that. “I learned how to look at real-life situations from new perspectives and discover creative ways to find answers,” Jared said. “This process taught me important problem-solving skills that I use at Google.” BYU also taught Jared to work in teams. “Learning analytical and teamwork skills while an undergraduate is invaluable,” he said. “The ability to master a subject and get along well with others creates an enjoyable work environment and good experience for everyone.” Year graduated from BYU 2011 Current city Mountain View, Calif. Company Google Job title Technical services analyst Family Married for 2 years and has a 7-month old son Favorite part of attending BYU Going to World of Dance VOLUME 4

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“Some skills I learned at BYU have become such second nature to me that I’m not sure how I would survive in this job without them.”

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McKay Coppins There aren’t a lot of LDS voices in national media, but 2010 BYU graduate McKay Coppins is using his voice at Newsweek to spread accurate information about the church he grew up in. “I think it’s important that BYU students enter journalism and help spread truth,” McKay said. “That’s what our faith is all about, and it’s also what journalism is all about. The two are very congruent.” McKay got an internship at Newsweek through BYU’s New York internship program, and he impressed editors so much that his three-week stint was extended to three months. He was then invited to stay at Newsweek as a reporter. Because of his background, he became something of a resident expert on the LDS Church. “I think there is a noticeable absence of active Mormons in mainstream media,” McKay said. “Magazines and newspapers don’t want to write inaccurate things about the church, but reporters simply don’t know much about Mormons.” Thanks to professionals like McKay, people are learning more about the LDS Church all the time. But he couldn’t have that influence without his training at BYU. “I find myself at Newsweek thinking back to class lectures and discussions we had,” McKay said. “I’m probably most grateful to BYU for providing the internship for me. I’d encourage anyone studying journalism to take advantage of the internship program.” Year graduated from BYU 2010 Current city New York Company The Newsweek Daily Beast Company Job title Reporter Family Married to Annie Favorite part of attending BYU Late nights at the Daily Universe newsroom 24

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Ruth Todd

Gary Dixon

Utah has known Ruth Todd’s face for nearly two decades as she has anchored evening broadcasts on both KSL and ABC4. Now she’s doing an “about face” with her new position as senior manager in the public affairs department for the LDS Church. Although Ruth’s career path has been successful and highly public, she acknowledges she got her humble start at BYU. “Our professors gave us a lot of room to try our hand at things,” Ruth said. “They gave us leeway to stretch our wings. Some of our projects worked better than others, but we came away with great experience.” Ruth has seen the industry evolve from typewriters to multimedia. “The ability to adapt and change are essential skills in this industry,” Ruth said. Ruth shares her up-to-date experiences as an adjunct faculty member in BYU’s Department of Communications. “As a BYU teacher, I encourage my students to acquire as many different skills as possible,” she says. “The program allows for a student to become proficient in photojournalism, editing, lighting, reporting — they don’t pigeon-hole students. And these types of graduates are highly valuable in a newsroom.” Ruth has five children, including two BYU graduates. She’s been able to combine family and career by having her priorities in line. “I tell my daughters and my female students to get all the knowledge they can and work hard in their careers, but never ever put career in front of family,” Ruth said. “I encourage my girls to prioritize their lives and put the things that matter most on the top of that list. For me that is my testimony and my family — my work and career falls down the line. It’s important to me and has enriched my life in many ways, but it’s not more important than family.” Ruth also advises graduates to enjoy the journey. “Life won’t unfold exactly as we plan it,” she said. “But a loving Heavenly Father has given each of us a path and wants us to find joy on our path even though the journey unfolds differently than we hope.”

Gary Dixon, who is seen on the cover of this issue of COMMS magazine, is a leader. As president of the Foundation for a Better Life, he oversees positive messages that have aired on seven networks, 900 TV stations and in 21 Latin American countries. The Colorado-based foundation has also been featured on 10,000 billboards around the country. But some of his favorite messages to deliver are oneon-one. As part of the Department of Communication’s pilot mentoring program, Gary has taken a student under his wing and shared his expertise and advice. “Jessica’s questions reminded me of my own when I was a student,” Gary said. “It is so important for alumni and students to converse. I like being involved as an alumnus because I feel connected to campus.” Gary earned his master’s degree in communications from BYU after earning a bachelor’s in broadcasting from Texas Tech University. He believes BYU students should remember three values when they are networking for internships and permanent employment: optimism, good manners and encouragement. “My main message to students is to do what you say you are going to do,” Gary said. “I also advise students to build their own board of directors. Include someone who understands the legal world. Include someone with an international background, particularly in Asia where we are seeing emerging economies. Lastly, include someone with specialized skills you are looking to acquire.” Gary said social media can be used to build a personal board of directors. His own network has been built throughout his career, including service as vice president of Bonneville Communications where he oversaw campaigns including Homefront, Children’s Miracle Network and American Cancer Society. dc

Year graduated from BYU 1983 Major Broadcast journalism Current Position LDS Public Affairs Family Mother of five

“The ability to adapt and change are essential skills in this industry.”

Brett Jewkes Brett Jewkes came to BYU with a love for sports, but he was unsure how he would build a career in the industry. Brett worked as an intern with BYU Sports Information during his freshman year (and, incidentally, Ty Detmer’s Heisman Trophy campaign), and he was hooked. That internship confirmed he would take the public relations route to a career in sports. “I decided right then that if I could make a living having that much fun, there was no need to look at anything else,” Brett said. Today, Brett is vice president and chief communications officer of NASCAR, where he oversees all communications for one of the most widely followed sports in the United States. And as a perk, he gets a little adrenaline rush now and again. “If you have never been up close to 43 cars going 200 miles per hour just inches apart from each other, it’s very hard to explain what a thrill that is,” Brett said. “Not a typical day in the office.” Of all the things Brett learned at BYU, he says one lesson has stuck with him most. “Hard work always gets rewarded and is often more valuable than being the smartest person in the room,” Brett said. “It’s easy to get out-smarted at BYU. It happened pretty much every day to me. But I never got outworked.” Year graduated from BYU 1994 Current city Charlotte, N.C. Company NASCAR Job title Vice president/chief communications officer Family Married to Melissa (BYU, Dance Education, 1994); father to Stockton, Mason, Mallory Favorite part of attending BYU My greatest overachievement was meeting the most beautiful woman ever to step on campus in the Kimball Tower and somehow convincing her to marry me.

Graduated with master's from BYU 1976 Current city Denver Job title President of the Foundation for a Better Life

“I like being involved as an alumnus because I feel connected to campus.”

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Ruth Todd

Gary Dixon

Year graduated from BYU 1983 Major Broadcast journalism Current Position LDS Public Affairs Family Mother of five

“The ability to adapt and change are essential skills in this industry.”

Graduated with master's from BYU 1976 Current city Denver Job title President of the Foundation for a Better Life

“I like being involved as an alumnus because I feel connected to campus.”

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Meet the Mentors

IT’S A MATCH! Sean Good from New Hampshire (right) was matched up with mentor Kirk Tanner, chief marketing officer for Fishbowl in Utah. “From my mentor I learned how many directions you can go with a degree in advertising,” Sean said. “I started out as a business major, but a math class led me to switch to advertising. I got matched up with my mentor right away, and he gave me a heads up on what to expect.”

Hundreds of professionals are volunteering for a great cause — the future. Joshua Aikens, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, LDSScriptures.com Donetta Allen, N.Y., Public Relations, Hunter Public Relations Michael Alvarez, Utah, Advertising, Avantar Rebekah Arnta, Va., Advertising, Micron Technology Jonathon Bacon, Utah, Public Relations, Wilson Electronics David Bascom, Utah, Advertising, SEO.com Michael Bennion, Nev., Communications Studies, Insphere Insurance Dan Bowles, Utah, Master’s Program, Dyno Nobel Tim Brown, Utah, Public Relations, Richter7 R. Brown, Ark., Communications Studies, Paramount Pictures Marc Buchanan, Utah, Public Relations, BidSync Andrew Burch, N.C., Public Relations, Catalyst Public Relations John Burger, Texas, Advertising, Precision Time 26

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Jordan Burke, N.Y. /United Kingdom, Print Journalism, Bloomberg News Kate Call, N.Y., Public Relations, Maletzky Media Richard Call, N.Y., Advertising, Young & Rubicam NY Alan Cassidy, Utah, Communications Studies, self-employed Jeremiah Christenot, Utah, Communications Studies, BYU Athletics

tions, MARKETLINK Brandon Crockett, Ill., Advertising, DDB Lisa Dayley, Utah, Advertising, Dayley Creations Daniel Deceuster, Utah, Advertising, Leadgenix Brandon Despain, Va., Broadcast Journalism, University of Virginia Athletics Department

Tyler Christensen, N.Y., Advertising, mcgarrybowen

Gary Dixon, Colo., Master’s Program, The Foundation for a Better Life

Aubrey Cichelli, Va., Public Relations, Children’s Miracle Network

Hernando Donosso, Ill., Advertising, Kimberly Clark

Luke Coltrin, Utah, Advertising, Overstock.com

Maureen Dudley, Calif., Public Relations, Dudley & Nunez Communications

Taunyya Covington, Wash., Public Relations, The Brane Company Brenna Cox, Utah, Public Relations, United Way of Utah County Holly Cox, Utah, Public Relations, University of Utah Gary Cox, Utah, Brigham Young University Stephanie Craft, Calif., Public Rela-

Nanette Dunford, Calif., Master’s Program, homemaker Richard Dye, Calif., Public Relations, Political Consultant Jon Eyre, Utah, Public Relations, Symantec Jeffrey Farley, Calif., Public Relations, Four Star

C. Fehlberg, N.C., Public Relations, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business

Allison Hansen, Utah, Broadcast Journalism

Brett Jewkes, N.C., Public Relations, Nascar

Cameron Fuller, Idaho, Public Relations

Matthew Hargreaves, Utah, Public Relations, Utah Farm Bureau Federation

Michael Johanson, Hawaii, Public Relations, Brigham Young University—Hawaii

Curtis Gasser, South Korea, Public Relations, Samsung

Gordon Hochhalter, Ill., Advertising, Mobium

Rachelle Johnson, Wash., Advertising, Reef Creative Strategies, LLC

Melissa Gibbs, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, KUTV 2News

Karene Hoopes, N.Y., Advertising, Grey NY

Marti Johnson, Va., Broadcast Journalism, VOA

Michelle Gray, Utah, Public Relations, Alpine School District

Kimberly Houk, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, ABC 4

Jessica Johnson, Calif., Broadcast Journalism, The RBL Group

Samantha Hall, Utah, Public Relations, Connect Public Relations

Don Hudson, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, KTVX

Jared Jones, Texas, Public Relations, University of Texas, San Antonio

Mark Hamilton, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, Hello International, LLC

Heather Janse, Calif., Broadcast Journalism

Thayne Hansen, Utah, Public Relations, Dow Chemical, retired

Carol Lyn Jardine, Utah, Public Relations, LinkTrust Systems

Keith Kesler, Calif., Advertising, AMP Marketing John Knab, Utah, Advertising, Phonex Broadband VOLUME 4

COMMS

m e n t o r list

Meet the Mentors

COMMS

VOLUME 4

Tyler Christensen, N.Y., Advertising, mcgarrybowen

Gary Dixon, Colo., Master’s Program, The Foundation for a Better Life

Aubrey Cichelli, Va., Public Relations, Children’s Miracle Network

Hernando Donosso, Ill., Advertising, Kimberly Clark

Luke Coltrin, Utah, Advertising, Overstock.com

Maureen Dudley, Calif., Public Relations, Dudley & Nunez Communications

C. Fehlberg, N.C., Public Relations, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business

Allison Hansen, Utah, Broadcast Journalism

Brett Jewkes, N.C., Public Relations, Nascar

Cameron Fuller, Idaho, Public Relations

Matthew Hargreaves, Utah, Public Relations, Utah Farm Bureau Federation

Michael Johanson, Hawaii, Public Relations, Brigham Young University—Hawaii

Curtis Gasser, South Korea, Public Relations, Samsung

Gordon Hochhalter, Ill., Advertising, Mobium

Rachelle Johnson, Wash., Advertising, Reef Creative Strategies, LLC

Melissa Gibbs, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, KUTV 2News

Karene Hoopes, N.Y., Advertising, Grey NY

Marti Johnson, Va., Broadcast Journalism, VOA

Michelle Gray, Utah, Public Relations, Alpine School District

Kimberly Houk, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, ABC 4

Jessica Johnson, Calif., Broadcast Journalism, The RBL Group

Samantha Hall, Utah, Public Relations, Connect Public Relations

Don Hudson, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, KTVX

Jared Jones, Texas, Public Relations, University of Texas, San Antonio

Mark Hamilton, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, Hello International, LLC

Heather Janse, Calif., Broadcast Journalism

Thayne Hansen, Utah, Public Relations, Dow Chemical, retired

Carol Lyn Jardine, Utah, Public Relations, LinkTrust Systems

Keith Kesler, Calif., Advertising, AMP Marketing John Knab, Utah, Advertising, Phonex Broadband VOLUME 4

COMMS

m e n t o r list

f a c u l t y updates

Devin Knighton, Texas, Public Relations, Instructure

Courtney Orton, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, KSL TV

Sarah Stultz, Minn., Print Journalism, Albert Lea Tribune

Paul Kotter, Idaho, Advertising, Bingham Memorial Hospital

James Pardi, Ill., Advertising, Leo Burnett

Gary Sume, Utah, Advertising, Richter7

Mauren Kunz, Texas, Public Relations, Vollmer Public Relations

Marc Paxton, Utah, Advertising, Bountiful Wi-Fi

Kirk Tanner, Utah, Advertising, Fishbowl

Reed Larsen, Colo., Broadcast Journalism, Colorado Office of the State Auditor

Sam Penrod, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, KSL-TV

Joseph Tateoka, Ill., Public Relations, Ruder Finn

Kathryn Peterson, Utah, Print Journalism, eBay

Kyna Taylor, Utah, Public Relations, LinkTrust

Rebecca Peterson, Utah, Public Relations

Julene Thompson, Utah, Print Journalism, Penna Powers Brian Haynes

Antonio Lima, Utah, Public Relations, The Summit Group Reed Markham, Fla., Public Relations, Daytona State College Adrienne Martin, N.Y., Advertising, Y&R David McAllister, Ill., Broadcast Journalism, Caterpillar, Inc. Brett Meldrum, N.Y., Advertising, Deutsch Donald Meyers, Utah, Print Journalism, The Salt Lake Tribune Stan Mickelson, Utah, Advertising, HyperX Media Marianne Millar, Ariz., Advertising, Ameritox Jeffrey Mulcock, Ill., Advertising, Baxter Healthcare Sara Nichols, Utah, Public Relations, Ingenix Anna O’Brien, N.Y., Advertising, Citibank R. Olsen, Va., Public Relations, Southern Virginia University Rebecca Olsen, Utah, Public Relations, Shirley J

Jeffery Pizzino, Ariz., Public Relations, PizzInovations, LLC David Politis, Utah, Public Relations, Politis Communications Brent Priday, Ariz., Communications Studies, Banner Health Jane Putnam, Utah, Public Relations, Penna Powers Brian Haynes Scott Rackham, Wis., Public Relations, Jigsaw LLC John Rizley, Ariz., Advertising, Cox Media Dave Schefcik, N.Y., Public Relations, Coltrin & Associates Michael Shin, Wash., Advertising, Project 2 Brandon Shriber, Calif., Advertising, Netflix Nicholas Sowards, N.Y., Public Relations, Rodale Inc. Jennifer Stagg, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, KSL-TV

Brandon Olson, Calif., Public Relations, Mail Boxes Etc., Inc.

Marc Stevens, Idaho, Broadcast Journalism, Brigham Young University—Idaho

Nick Olvera, Ill., Broadcast Journalism, Q Center

E. Stryker, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, Penna Powers Brian Haynes

COMMS

VOLUME 4

Jenny Titus, Nev., Print Journalism, MGM Grand Ruth Todd, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, LDS Public Affairs Rand Walton, Va., Public Relations, Project HOPE Chris Ward, Ill., Public Relations, Catalyst Public Relations Andrew Watson, Utah, Public Relations, Adobe (Omniture) Eric West, Calif., Broadcast Journalism, Comcast Taylor White, Utah, Public Relations, Wilson Electronics Jess Whiting, Ariz., Print Journalism, West Valley View Diana Windley, Utah, Advertising, Goldenwest Credit Union John Winston, N.Y., Advertising, Ogilvy Allison Yrungaray, Calif., Public Relations, Notice PR Charles Zobell, Nev., Print Journalism, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Powers in the workplace,

PILLARS IN THE CLASSROOM

JOEL CAMPBELL

STEVE THOMSEN

LAURIE WILSON

Associate professor Joel Campbell has been working as a registered lobbyist for the Utah Press Association, actively engaged in the fight against a bill from the 2011 state legislative session that attempts to limit public access to government records. Campbell’s social media efforts have mobilized support against it. “I thought this would be a 72-hour story, that the media would shout and scream and then just go away,” Campbell said. “But the story did not go away. It became a huge issue in the session.” Through his former position as the Society of Professional Journalists’ National Freedom of Information (FOI) Chair and his current membership on the national FOI committee, Campbell has become an expert on FOI issues. His expertise serves him well in the classroom. “In my communications research classes, freedom of information is a big part of what we talk about,” he said. “I try to make my students see things from the perspective of all of the stakeholders — the journalists, the public, the law enforcement, etc.” Campbell’s future research plans focus on the movement of transparency around the world. “I think we can learn from what’s going on globally,” he said.

Steve Thomsen, professor and graduate coordinator of the Department of Communications, has mentored many students in their scholarship. Each year he supervises graduate theses and undergraduate research projects. His academic and professional backgrounds give him great insight on the issues facing media and its audiences. This past year under Thomsen’s guidance, communications studies students won the top paper award at the conference of the Western States Communication Association. It was published as the lead article in the Western Journal of Communication, which only accepts 9 percent of submissions. “This is no small accomplishment,” said Thomsen’s colleague, John Davies. “This means our undergraduate students not only beat out other graduate students, but also scholars with Ph.D.s in the field. That is outstanding; many master’s students apply to a doctorate program without having ever had a single opportunity to present at a conference. Our undergraduate students can apply with a publication on their resume.”

Laurie Wilson, professor and former chair of the Department of Communications, was recognized with the 2010 Golden Spike Award for Public Relations Professional of the Year for the state of Utah. “I believe the professionals in our field have an unparalleled opportunity to influence organizations, and by extension, society for good,” Wilson said. “We can help create an environment where people prosper together, not at the expense of one another.” Her passion for the industry has fueled a long career of professional excellence. Wilson earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from BYU and a Ph.D. in international relations from American University in Washington, D.C. She consults widely for public, private and nonprofit organizations. “When I got my Ph.D., I never thought I’d come back to the university,” Wilson said. “After a few years, I was invited to apply and thought it might be fun for a while. Twenty-two years later, I’m still here! I still have the opportunity to contribute professionally through regular consulting opportunities. But I also love teaching and sending out exceptionally well trained professionals who extend the influence for good in our profession.”

VOLUME 4

COMMS

m e n t o r list

f a c u l t y updates

Devin Knighton, Texas, Public Relations, Instructure

Courtney Orton, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, KSL TV

Sarah Stultz, Minn., Print Journalism, Albert Lea Tribune

Paul Kotter, Idaho, Advertising, Bingham Memorial Hospital

James Pardi, Ill., Advertising, Leo Burnett

Gary Sume, Utah, Advertising, Richter7

Mauren Kunz, Texas, Public Relations, Vollmer Public Relations

Marc Paxton, Utah, Advertising, Bountiful Wi-Fi

Kirk Tanner, Utah, Advertising, Fishbowl

Reed Larsen, Colo., Broadcast Journalism, Colorado Office of the State Auditor

Sam Penrod, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, KSL-TV

Joseph Tateoka, Ill., Public Relations, Ruder Finn

Kathryn Peterson, Utah, Print Journalism, eBay

Kyna Taylor, Utah, Public Relations, LinkTrust

Rebecca Peterson, Utah, Public Relations

Julene Thompson, Utah, Print Journalism, Penna Powers Brian Haynes

Brandon Olson, Calif., Public Relations, Mail Boxes Etc., Inc.

Marc Stevens, Idaho, Broadcast Journalism, Brigham Young University—Idaho

Nick Olvera, Ill., Broadcast Journalism, Q Center

E. Stryker, Utah, Broadcast Journalism, Penna Powers Brian Haynes

COMMS

VOLUME 4

Powers in the workplace,

PILLARS IN THE CLASSROOM

JOEL CAMPBELL

STEVE THOMSEN

LAURIE WILSON

VOLUME 4

COMMS

f a c u l t y scholarship

f a c u l t y scholarship CARTER, ED ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Oral Argument in the Roberts Court: A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Individual Justice Behavior Journal of Appellate Practice and Process ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Source of Information or ‘Dog and Pony Show’? Judicial InformationSeeking During U.S. Supreme Court Oral Argument, 1963-65 & 2004-9 Santa Clara Law Review

CUTRI, CHRIS WEBSITE

The Sports Academic CREATIVE WORKS

Gerardo, The Truth Anti-Smoking Commercial Public Service Announcement CREATIVE WORKS

Hanging Five Ombak Bali International Surf Film Festival, Hawaii Surf Film Festival, Yallingup Australia Surf Film Festival

HUGHES, JOHN BOOK

Faculty Scholarship Publications/Creative Works from 2010 BAKER, SHERRY ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Journal of Media and Religion Mitt Romney’s Religion: A Five Factor Model for Analysis of Media Representation of Mormon Identity

CALLAHAN, CLARK CHAPTER/SECTION IN SCHOLARLY BOOK

Comparative Cultures and Civilizations Journal Article, Academic Journal History, Science and the Lessons of Cultural Contact Explorations in Media Ecology Journal Article, Academic Journal Technoculture, Perspectivity and the Integration of Consciousness 30

COMMS

VOLUME 4

Comparative Cultures and Civilizations

CALLISTER, MARK ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Yes, another teen movie: Three decades of violence in film aimed at adolescents Journal of Children and Media ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Prevalence and portrayal of sexual content in adolescent novels Journal of Sex Research ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Getting Boozy in Books: Substance Use in Adolescent Literature Health Communication

CAMPBELL, JOEL REGULAR COLUMN IN NEWSPAPER

Salt Lake Tribune, Freedom of Information, Journalism and the Courts Topics PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL

FOI Toolbox: Investigating non-profits can yield great stories Quill Magazine REGULAR COLUMN IN NEWSPAPER

62 Mormon Media Observer Columns Mormon Times ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Mitt Romney’s Religion: A Five Factor Model for Analysis of Media Representation of Mormon Identity Journal of Media and Religion

Islamic Extremism and the War of Ideas — Lessons from Indonesia Hoover Institution

KELLY, KEVIN CREATIVE WORKS

The History of Homefront — the Early Years, 1972-1985

PLOWMAN, KENNETH ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Public Relations Management at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital: A Case Study Journal of Public Relations CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

The Community and Physician Relations Department at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital: A Case Study in Public Relations Management CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

Prioritizing Stakeholders for Public Relations: A Case Study of Envirocare

RAWLINS, BRADLEY PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

Do the Right Thing: Measuring the Effectiveness of Corporate Social Responsibility Public Relations Tactics ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Taking the BS out of PR: Creating

genuine messages by emphasising character and authenticity Ethical Space BOOK, TEXTBOOK An Overview of the Public Relations Function RESEARCH REPORT A New Paradigm for Media Analysis: Weighted Media Cost Institute for Public Relations Measurement Commission CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS Prioritizing Stakeholders for Public Relations: A Case Study of Envirocare, CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS Communicating Accountability: The Role and Moral Obligations of Public Relations in Justifying Organizational Actions and Decisions

ROBINSON, THOMAS ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Yes, another teen movie: Three decades of violence in films aimed at adolescents Journal of Children and Media ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Evaluation of Sexual Content in Teencentered Movies from 1980-2007 Mass Communication & Society ABSTRACT

A content analysis of affection in television families and children’s programming during the 2006-2007 season Journal of Children and Media

THOMSEN, STEVEN ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Adolescents’ attention to traditional and graphic tobacco warning labels: An eye-tracking approach Journal of Drug Education ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Does it matter if she’s black or white? Using eye tracking to explore effects of race on reader reaction to magazine advertisements Southwest Journal of Mass Communication ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Selective visual attention, eye movements during social comparisons, and eating disorder risk International Journal of Child and Adolescent Health

WAKEFIELD, ROBERT PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

Effective Global Public Relations: Gearing Up for Change The Public Relations Strategist

ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Translucency Corollary: Why Full Transparency is Not Always the Most Ethical Approach Public Relations Journal CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

The Translucency Corollary: Why Full Transparency is Not Always the Most Ethical Approach IPRRC Conference Proceedings Website BOOK Why Culture is Still Essential in Discussions about Global Public Relations Handbook of Public Relations, 2nd ed.,

WALTON, SUSAN PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

Effective Global Public Relations: Gearing Up for Change The Public Relations Strategist ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Translucency Corollary: Why Full Transparency is Not Always the Most Ethical Approach Public Relations Journal PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

Do the Right Thing: Measuring the Effectiveness of Corporate Social Responsibility Public Relations Tactics PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

Worthy Adversaries: Surviving and Succeeding in the Face of Workplace Opposition The Public Relations Strategist PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

“The ninth minute: Before you act, step back and evaluate” Public Relations Tactics (trade journal) CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

The Translucency Corollary: Why Full Transparency is Not Always the Most Ethical Approach PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

“What to Expect in the Coming Year” Public Relations Tactics

WALZ, ROBERT CREATIVE WORKS

The Children of the Dragon, KBYUBYUB China/Korea CREATIVE WORKS

The Lost Food of the Incas, KBYUBYUTV Bolivia

VOLUME 4

COMMS

f a c u l t y scholarship

f a c u l t y scholarship CARTER, ED ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Oral Argument in the Roberts Court: A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Individual Justice Behavior Journal of Appellate Practice and Process ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Source of Information or ‘Dog and Pony Show’? Judicial InformationSeeking During U.S. Supreme Court Oral Argument, 1963-65 & 2004-9 Santa Clara Law Review

CUTRI, CHRIS WEBSITE

The Sports Academic CREATIVE WORKS

Gerardo, The Truth Anti-Smoking Commercial Public Service Announcement CREATIVE WORKS

Hanging Five Ombak Bali International Surf Film Festival, Hawaii Surf Film Festival, Yallingup Australia Surf Film Festival

HUGHES, JOHN BOOK

Faculty Scholarship Publications/Creative Works from 2010 BAKER, SHERRY ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Journal of Media and Religion Mitt Romney’s Religion: A Five Factor Model for Analysis of Media Representation of Mormon Identity

CALLAHAN, CLARK CHAPTER/SECTION IN SCHOLARLY BOOK

COMMS

VOLUME 4

Comparative Cultures and Civilizations

CALLISTER, MARK ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Yes, another teen movie: Three decades of violence in film aimed at adolescents Journal of Children and Media ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Prevalence and portrayal of sexual content in adolescent novels Journal of Sex Research ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Getting Boozy in Books: Substance Use in Adolescent Literature Health Communication

CAMPBELL, JOEL REGULAR COLUMN IN NEWSPAPER

Salt Lake Tribune, Freedom of Information, Journalism and the Courts Topics PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL

FOI Toolbox: Investigating non-profits can yield great stories Quill Magazine REGULAR COLUMN IN NEWSPAPER

62 Mormon Media Observer Columns Mormon Times ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Mitt Romney’s Religion: A Five Factor Model for Analysis of Media Representation of Mormon Identity Journal of Media and Religion

Islamic Extremism and the War of Ideas — Lessons from Indonesia Hoover Institution

KELLY, KEVIN CREATIVE WORKS

The History of Homefront — the Early Years, 1972-1985

PLOWMAN, KENNETH ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Public Relations Management at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital: A Case Study Journal of Public Relations CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

The Community and Physician Relations Department at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital: A Case Study in Public Relations Management CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

Prioritizing Stakeholders for Public Relations: A Case Study of Envirocare

RAWLINS, BRADLEY PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

Do the Right Thing: Measuring the Effectiveness of Corporate Social Responsibility Public Relations Tactics ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Taking the BS out of PR: Creating

ROBINSON, THOMAS ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Yes, another teen movie: Three decades of violence in films aimed at adolescents Journal of Children and Media ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Evaluation of Sexual Content in Teencentered Movies from 1980-2007 Mass Communication & Society ABSTRACT

A content analysis of affection in television families and children’s programming during the 2006-2007 season Journal of Children and Media

THOMSEN, STEVEN ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Adolescents’ attention to traditional and graphic tobacco warning labels: An eye-tracking approach Journal of Drug Education ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Does it matter if she’s black or white? Using eye tracking to explore effects of race on reader reaction to magazine advertisements Southwest Journal of Mass Communication ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

Selective visual attention, eye movements during social comparisons, and eating disorder risk International Journal of Child and Adolescent Health

WAKEFIELD, ROBERT PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

Effective Global Public Relations: Gearing Up for Change The Public Relations Strategist

ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Translucency Corollary: Why Full Transparency is Not Always the Most Ethical Approach Public Relations Journal CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

WALTON, SUSAN PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

Effective Global Public Relations: Gearing Up for Change The Public Relations Strategist ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Translucency Corollary: Why Full Transparency is Not Always the Most Ethical Approach Public Relations Journal PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

Do the Right Thing: Measuring the Effectiveness of Corporate Social Responsibility Public Relations Tactics PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

Worthy Adversaries: Surviving and Succeeding in the Face of Workplace Opposition The Public Relations Strategist PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

“The ninth minute: Before you act, step back and evaluate” Public Relations Tactics (trade journal) CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

The Translucency Corollary: Why Full Transparency is Not Always the Most Ethical Approach PROFESSIONAL/TRADE JOURNAL ARTICLE

“What to Expect in the Coming Year” Public Relations Tactics

WALZ, ROBERT CREATIVE WORKS

The Children of the Dragon, KBYUBYUB China/Korea CREATIVE WORKS

The Lost Food of the Incas, KBYUBYUTV Bolivia

VOLUME 4

COMMS

student s c h o l a r s h i p s & a w a r d s

awards winners Department honors awarded to students in 2010.

Kappa Tau Alpha Top Scholar Melissa Seipel

Deseret News Scholarship Joshua DeSpain, Chelsea Warren Scripps League/N. LaVerl Christensen Scholarship Natalie Crofts

Development Board Scholarships Vish Gopalakrishnan, Alexander Hairston Stephen W. Gibson Entrepreneurial Scholarship Jared Munyan Nancy Briggs Rooker Richards Memorial Scholarship Liliana Perez Professor Raymond Beckham Endowed Scholarship Miriam Blanco, Janica Winder Hopson Family Integrated Marketing Communications Scholarship Michelle Orr

COMMS

VOLUME 4

George S. Barrus & Richard I. Kagel Advertising Creative Award Ryan Moore Society of Professional Journalists Awards Lauren Simpson, Seth Stoker

Edwin O. Haroldsen Award Spencer Flanagan Earl J. Glade Awards Anna Staker, Karly Staples

Advertising Faculty Awards of Merit Cara Gessell, Rebecca Groesbeck, Nicolas Perner Public Relations Faculty Awards of Merit Rhapsody Forte, Audrey Howell, Jessica Molinengo Rulon L. Bradley Award Abram Jones

Peggy Hughes Scholarship Aura Mosquera

Rich Long Dow Chemical Scholarship Emily Taylor

LaVieve Huish Earl Scholarship David Mortimer

Deseret Media/KSL Scholarships Jacob Rascon, Nicole Fowler

Alf & June Pratte Original Research Award Ashley Stevens

Owen S. Rich KBYU Pioneer Fellowship Camille Whiteley

Mrs. Forace Green Journalism Award McKay Coppins

Bruce R. Merrill Scholarships Natalie Tripp

Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Internship Mariangela Mazzei

Michael K. Perkins Communications Top Scholar Nathan Hammer

From C to Shining C Communications Department alumni gather together from coast to coast.



scholarships outstanding

a l u m n i events

 

New York “I think what’s great about these events is that it’s always good to reconnect with a lot of the formal colleagues I’ve gone to school with. ... It’s great to see this new generation filter through and to shepherd young people as they are first getting their feet wet here in New York City.”

San Fran

“It was helpful to see that the department has an advertising studio and PR studio for students and that I can utilize those services in my business for a reduced amount.” Kimberley Stewart, CEO, OnBoard Outfitters

Salt Lake

"I liked seeing people from my major who had graduated and were working in professional jobs. It was also interesting to see what BYU students in my old major were working on." Erika Marie Bahr, Associate Producer, LDS Church

Tyler Christensen, Account Director, mcgarrybowen

INTERESTED IN HOLDING AN ALUMNI EVENT IN YOUR AREA? Contact Outreach Coordinator, Jacey Reynolds. (801) 422-4510, jacey@byu.edu

This year, alumni events were held in San Francisco, Salt Lake City and New York City, giving alumni all over the country opportunities to connect with each other and reconnect with the department. “We recognize there are many alums who may want to give back but aren’t sure how to go about it or who feel disconnected from the department for various reasons,” said Jacey Reynolds, the department’s outreach coordinator. “ Alumni events were created to show the department’s gratitude for alums who have continued their involvement and to reengage alums who haven’t.” VOLUME 4

COMMS

student s c h o l a r s h i p s & a w a r d s

awards winners Department honors awarded to students in 2010.

Kappa Tau Alpha Top Scholar Melissa Seipel

Deseret News Scholarship Joshua DeSpain, Chelsea Warren Scripps League/N. LaVerl Christensen Scholarship Natalie Crofts

COMMS

VOLUME 4

George S. Barrus & Richard I. Kagel Advertising Creative Award Ryan Moore Society of Professional Journalists Awards Lauren Simpson, Seth Stoker

Edwin O. Haroldsen Award Spencer Flanagan Earl J. Glade Awards Anna Staker, Karly Staples

Peggy Hughes Scholarship Aura Mosquera

Rich Long Dow Chemical Scholarship Emily Taylor

LaVieve Huish Earl Scholarship David Mortimer

Deseret Media/KSL Scholarships Jacob Rascon, Nicole Fowler

Alf & June Pratte Original Research Award Ashley Stevens

Owen S. Rich KBYU Pioneer Fellowship Camille Whiteley

Mrs. Forace Green Journalism Award McKay Coppins

Bruce R. Merrill Scholarships Natalie Tripp

Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Internship Mariangela Mazzei

Michael K. Perkins Communications Top Scholar Nathan Hammer

From C to Shining C Communications Department alumni gather together from coast to coast.



scholarships outstanding

a l u m n i events

 

San Fran

Salt Lake

Tyler Christensen, Account Director, mcgarrybowen

INTERESTED IN HOLDING AN ALUMNI EVENT IN YOUR AREA? Contact Outreach Coordinator, Jacey Reynolds. (801) 422-4510, jacey@byu.edu

COMMS

alumni o u t r e a c h

Alumni who take the initiative to reach out to students make all the difference in their world. Go forth (and then come back) to serve. There are opportunities everywhere.

BECOME A MENTOR Communications students know the power of a good mentor. They eagerly seek opportunities for mentoring relationships, and the department is determined to help them. To reach the department’s goal of having an alumni mentor for every student in the program, more alum volunteers are needed. Mentorships can work within any schedule and any geography. Mentoring relationships can consist of informal emails and phone conversations or more structured in-person sessions. The department also sponsors a semiannual Mentor’s Day, and several student organizations within the department have their own mentorship programs and activities. For information on how to become a mentor, contact Jacey Reynolds, outreach coordinator.

REACH between the

LINES Six ways to serve the students you once were

Jacey Reynolds, Outreach Coordinator 263 BRMB, (801) 422-4510 jacey@byu.edu

VISIT OR SPEAK TO A BYU COMMUNICATIONS CLASS What’s more powerful than a Communications Department alum? A Communications Department alum in a classroom. Planning a campus visit? Interested in sharing your expertise with students? To explore speaking opportunities, contact Jacey Reynolds, outreach coordinator (see above).

SHARE JOB AND INTERNSHIP INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES In a world of networks, students often have a tough time

how to 34

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VOLUME 4

developing a body of contacts to get themselves in the door. Sometimes knowing about opportunities is half the battle. Alumni can provide invaluable information about job openings and internships. If you would like to alert us to such opportunities, please contact the internship office. comms_internship@byu.edu 280 BRMB, (801) 422-6486 www.commsinternships.byu.edu

Contribute to one of the Department of Communications’ strategic initiatives: FUND INTERNSHIPS Many students have extraordinary opportunities for internships in major markets, but they are financially unable to do so because these internships are unpaid or require high living costs. The Department of Communications has made significant progress toward endowments that support internships, but much more is needed to fulfill the vision of supporting the best internships for the best students.

HIRE OR FUND STUDENT MEDIA LABS As you probably remember, real learning really happened “on the job” in student media labs, like the Daily Universe or Eleven News (formerly Daily News). The department also operates the student-run Advanced Advertising Lab and the Rulon Bradley Public Relations Agency. Each works with high-profile clients to conduct research and strategic communications planning and execute campaigns.

DONATE

An excellent value for the cost, these labs are seeking new clients and external funding to support socially beneficial pro-bono work. DONATE TO INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH AND EXCHANGES As The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints grows globally, we have wonderful opportunities to support the church’s global mission. Broadcast students can help provide content for BYU-TV International, public relations students can work with the international offices of LDS Public Affairs, and advertising students can work on campaigns aimed at improving conditions in global communities. These efforts could benefit from financial support and in-kind donations. dc

> HIRE A LAB Bradley Public Relations www.bradleypr.com Jeff DuBois, Lab Manager 140 BRMB (801) 422-4946 jeff_dubois@byu.edu

BYU Ad Lab www.byuadlab.com Doug McKinlay, Advertising Faculty 332 BRMB (801) 422-8030 douglas_mckinlay@byu.edu

Layne Peterson, Business Manager 375 BRMB · (801) 422-6142 layne_peterson@byu.edu VOLUME 4

COMMS

alumni o u t r e a c h

Alumni who take the initiative to reach out to students make all the difference in their world. Go forth (and then come back) to serve. There are opportunities everywhere.

REACH between the

LINES Six ways to serve the students you once were

Jacey Reynolds, Outreach Coordinator 263 BRMB, (801) 422-4510 jacey@byu.edu

SHARE JOB AND INTERNSHIP INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES In a world of networks, students often have a tough time

how to 34

COMMS

VOLUME 4

DONATE

> HIRE A LAB Bradley Public Relations www.bradleypr.com Jeff DuBois, Lab Manager 140 BRMB (801) 422-4946 jeff_dubois@byu.edu

BYU Ad Lab www.byuadlab.com Doug McKinlay, Advertising Faculty 332 BRMB (801) 422-8030 douglas_mckinlay@byu.edu

Layne Peterson, Business Manager 375 BRMB · (801) 422-6142 layne_peterson@byu.edu VOLUME 4

COMMS

Department of Communications BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY 360 BRMB PROVO, UT 84602

Hunter Sebresos (Left) and Nic Perner

Never Too Young (Or Old)

TO GIVE BACK

To learn more about donating Layne Peterson, Business Manager 375 BRMB · (801) 422-6142 layne_peterson@byu.edu

When Nic Perner and Hunter Sebresos left the Ad Lab, they went on to big things. These entrepreneurs started their creative consulting company, DYvergent, in Orem, Utah, ready to take the world by storm. But setting their sights for the skies didn’t make them forget to look back. Their gratitude for talent award money they received as students motivated them to donate a cash award to an unsung Ad Lab volunteer each year. “The award is meant to honor someone who isn’t paid but who has given dedicated service to unselfishly build the program,” said Perner, who graduated in 2010. “It was surprising to us that the department was so grateful for what we felt was a minimal contribution. We’re not a large corporation with lots of assets, but at the same time it seemed like the least we could do. We hoped that by us doing this, others would feel like giving back was that much more accessible.” Done. Inspired by Perner and Sebresos and by donors who had funded the scholarships he had received, 2011 public relations graduate Patrick Hernandez decided to establish his own $1,000 scholarship for a student who has excelled at the Bradley Agency. “The Bradley Public Relations Agency really was the door I went through to break into public relations. It opened my eyes to possibilities I never thought of before,” said Hernandez, who will soon be starting a communications position at General Motors Corporation. “If, as a new alum, I can make a difference in somebody else’s educational experience, I’m happy to do it.”