The Utah Statesman, April 19, 2010

Page 1

Monday, April 19, 2010

Utah Statesman The

Campus Voice since 1902

Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.aggietownsquare.com

Public relations students get real-world experience By CATHERINE MEIDELL assistant news editor

SCOTT CROOKSTON, junior in recreational resource management, was the only climber to complete the hard climb competition at the Rock Haus Saturday. CODY GOCHNOUR photo

Public relation majors displayed readiness for their future careers through an event that promoted nonprofit and for-profit companies and involved the community in a recreational activity at a discounted price, Saturday. The eight seniors who organized the event decided to build it around outdoor equipment company Campsaver, which recently changed its name from Trailhead. Kevin Mouritsen, public relations senior and the event’s media relations specialist, said the company wanted publicity for its new name, so the group started there and then began to incorporate other businesses interested in putting their name out there. The event was held from 3 to 11 p.m. at Rock Haus and welcomed all to participate to purchase a day pass and equipment rental for the discounted price of $8. At every hour, donated prizes were given away to raffle winners. In addition to Campsaver’s and Rock Haus’ involvement in the event, local nonprofit organizations, such as Boys and Girls Club, and Common Ground, set up tables in front of Rock Haus to raise money for their programs. “Our main goal is to achieve an objective without having to throw a lot of money at it, like not having to pay for an advertisement on TV or in the newspaper,” Mouritsen said. The public relations firm the students created was composed of seven boys and one girl, and all

assumed a particular role in organizing the event. Amber Neil, public relations senior and team lead of the firm, said the Rock Haus event is one of many she has organized in order to gain experience for her future career as an event coodinator. “I love being able to bring together different elements,” Neil said. “We are bringing people together for the common interests of being healthy, having fun, enjoying summer and enjoying life.” She said she was glad Boys and Girls Club could be present at the event to boost their funding with a snack bar because their funding was recently cut. Bob Green, Boys and Girls Club executive director, said their budget was recently cut 50 to 75 percent, and they are looking for any outlets to gain support from the community. With the cuts, a number of summer programs are no longer available and their staff crew lost a handful of people. Their table sold chips, drinks, hot dogs and other snack that were donated by Lee’s Marketplace. Green said Lee’s Marketplace founder, Lee Badger, was one of the original sponsors for Cache Valley’s Boys and Girls Club. “I’ve been in social services for 40 years and funding goes through cycles, but I’ve never seen it quite this bad,” Green said. “That’s just the nature of the beast.” In addition to helping the Boys and Girls Club, the event featured Campsaver outdoor gear such as backpacks, jackets, vests and a high-value sleeping bag by giving them away as raffle prizes. Rock Haus donated free-day and month

Social media beneficial to students By REBECCA SEARLE staff writer

Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn – these are only a few examples of the many electronic networking sites available worldwide. However, the question has been asked whether it is important for college students to be involved with these sites. To college students, is socializing just as important as studying? “Using social media is important for students,” said Preston Parker, USU professor. “College is when you meet colleagues that you will contact for years to come.” Networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, can keep people from around the world connected without the use of a telephone and an extreme longdistance bill. Facebook is good for sharing thoughts, pictures and even videos to the world. Lauren Camille Horn, a student at USU, is from California and SOCIAL MEDIA, SUCH AS TWITTER AND FACEBOOK, can create important networking and even stays connected with her family business opportunities for college students. STATESMAN photo illustration through Facebook. “I use it multiple times every bies to arise such as making, YouTube for his “Lost” series,” posted on Facebook. I think every day,” Horn said. recording and sharing music. My Whittle said. “And we’re being college student ought to be on Another student, Caleb friends and I have a lot of channels contacted by people to do voiceFacebook.” Whittle, is from Colorado and uses where we cover everything from overs because we have the right Another networking site for Facebook, too. music to short films to daily video equipment. We’re using YouTube college students is LinkedIn, a “Facebook is great because I can logs.” to build a poly-entertainment site dedicated to connections and talk to all of my friends and family There are even business oppor- empire that will catapult us to career building. at once,” Whittle said. tunities to be had by using these fame and fortune.” According to LinkedIn’s home Whittle uses YouTube to share sites. Parker said, “I have had several page, more than “65 million prohis music. “Recently, my friend was students now that have gotten jobs Whittle said, “YouTube opens offered a partnership with from a direct result of what they - See SOCIAL, page 4 many opportunities for new hob-

Inside This Issue

4/19/10 Junior Clint Silcock clears third best height in NCAA competition at USU’s only home meet this season. Page 10

Get a closer look at life for college students attending USU-CEU in Price, Utah. Page 8

passes to their facility as raffle prizes and one of the largest prizes given was a rock climbing harness donated by Petzl, said Matt Frandsen, public relations senior. All who donated money or participated in the climbing competitions were entered into the raffle. “Campsaver wanted an opportunity to do some demos of the products they sell,” Mouritsen said. “And, the climbing competitions were less about winning and more about just getting involved.” Mouritsen said public relations covers all aspects of increasing the awareness and public image of any organization. This public awareness is necessary for any successful industry, he said. “Knowing what media outlets to use to get the most amount of coverage is the hardest thing,” he said. The student firm contacted The Herald Journal, Cache Magazine and radio stations in order to get the word out, Mouritsen said. The “Campsaver’s I’ve got a Thing for Spring” event was free to advertise on-air due to its involvement with nonprofit organizations, which established the ad as a public service announcement. Neil said their project was successful because they were able to bring timely activities and products to the community as the weather warms up in Cache Valley. What was once a class project became a booming event that was beneficial to all participating companies, she said. – catherine.meidell@aggiemail.usu. edu

Two finalists are left in USU-CEU chancellor search By DEVIN BYBEE The CEU Eagle

Many College of Eastern Utah students eagerly anticipate their graduation day in order to move out and move on with their scholastic ambitions. However, for the two finalists to be CEU’s first-ever chancellor, moving in would be the means of moving on with their career. Both finalists are influentially and administratively qualified to be CEU’s chancellor. Cory L. Duckworth is equipped with an full resume when it comes to administering in high-profile positions. His experience includes vice president of university advancement and marketing at Ferris State University, transition director of the merger with Utah State University and CEU, and serves as vice president of student affairs at Utah Valley University. Joe Peterson’s resume is equally impressive and his experience is dynamic. His resume includes dean of arts, letters and science and then vice president of student service at Dixie State and currently serves as Salt Lake Community College’s vice president for instruction. In their quest to be CEU’s chancellor, both have visited CEU’s campus to introduce themselves and advocate their qualities in a day circumscribed by meetings. Duckworth visited April 7, while Peterson visited April 13. Duckworth presented five specific areas that outlined his presentation for “Strategic Vision and Leadership.” The five areas comprise of

- See CHANCELLOR, page 4

www.aggietownsquare.com Get to know the faces and places of USU-CEU. Watch videos and see pictures on the Statesman’s website, www.aggietownsquare.com. Official Student Newspaper of Utah State University • “It’s All The News You Need!”


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