March 2016 College News

days of workshops followed by three days of scholarship. The 2016 conference was the third such conference with each conference separated by twenty years. The f irst three days of the conference featured workshops conducted by experienced trainers associated with the Department. Distinguished presenters included Richard Cheatham , Steven Beebe , Lee Williams , Dennis Romig and Phil Clampitt . The last three days featured scholars from around the nation, presenting a total of 28 pieces of research. Eighty-f ive people attended either the workshops or panels. Alumni Accolades Kelly Bales (B.A. 2009) is the Social Activation Manager at Condé Nast Entertainment in New York, developing feature films, TV and digital video based on the company’s iconic brands. As head of the Social Studio, she produces original content for brands’ social platforms, develops original digital programming and creates distribution strategies for Condé Nast Entertainment brands. Lynn Buehler (M.A. 2006) recently became the Stewardship Coordinator for University Advancement at Texas State. This brand new position focuses on developing a program that increases interaction and recognition for our major donors. Brianne Giese (M.A. 2014) currently serves as a Lecturer and Director of Forensics in the Department of Communication Studies at Aurora University in Chicago. Brianne has been responsible for starting a formally organized forensics program on the campus where students are introduced to competitive speech and debate for the first time. COMM Week 2016 This year’s Communication Week featured two internationally recognized speakers. Shawn Turner , former Deputy Press Secretary of the White House, opened COMM Week with a story about his journey to success armed with his degree in Communication Studies from Texas State. He shared his techniques for success with a highly interactive presentation geared for student involvement. The second featured speaker, Kuro Tawil , spoke about founding the philanthropic company Kuros! , an organization dedicated to helping women in third-world countries cope with the fear of sexual-assault by arming women with pepper spray. Kuro spoke about how communication guided him through his awe- inspiring experience in India that led him to create his enterprise. COMM Week also featured other panels focusing on the job search and several successful alumni took part in these panels. The panels included a Speed Networking session where students met with professionals from several different fields for ten minutes each; the panel mimicked a speed- dating event. Other panels featured successful professionals from across the U.S. ready to respond to students’ questions about employment after college. COMM Week concluded with a “Mix and Mingle” where everyone was invited to meet with the Communication Studies Department and other departments on campus. The Office of Student Retention Management and Planning, the College of Fine Arts and Communication Advising Center, Career Services, and Communication Studies student organizations were just a few of the many participating groups. Stephanie Dailey accepting her Award for Excellence in Online Teaching