[lph chapter highlights] - national communication...

2011

Lambda Pi Eta National Office

[LPH CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS] This issue of LPH Chapter Highlights begins with letters from the current student officer president and a member of the faculty advisory board. The remainder of the document highlights a selection of chapter activities. *The text of this document comes from the chapter officers/advisors and is compiled at the National Office.

LPH Chapter Highlights Fall 2011


A Letter From Your Student Officer President

When I applied for national office last year, my main goal was to encourage more Lambda Pi Eta chapters to become more connected with each other and the community. I stressed that LPH chapters should become "architects" of their communities by volunteering and giving back to their universities or communities. Now with the National Communication Association's 97th Annual Convention "Voice" in New Orleans, LA quickly approaching November 17 - 20, 2011, LPH members will have the unique opportunity to give back to the community. At NCA's convention LPH members can assist with the rebuilding of New Orleans. I am anxious to see you all there helping with this day of service. I would also like to stress the importance of attending NCA‟s Convention. NCA offers many positive experiences and opportunities for students. NCA gives some undergraduates the opportunity to present their own work where they are able to receive feedback from many scholars within the field of communication. At the conference there is also a graduate school fair where students are able to gather program information from faculty members and current graduate students from all over the nation. Finally, I would like to encourage anyone who believes that they could become a great member to the national student board to apply! The experience and connections you can gain from attending the conference is irreplaceable. I am eager to see you all at the conference this year in New Orleans!

Natasha Horn

National President, Lambda Pi Eta

Wayne State College

Illinois State University

Sigma Gamma Chapter Wins Student Organization of the Year at Columbia College, South Carolina

By Jason Munsell, Faculty Advisory Board

In the Spring 2010 Simply Speaking I showcased the accomplishments of Diana Lynde, a member of the Sigma Gamma Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta at Columbia College in South Carolina and her recognition as the NCHC Student of the Year. Here I would like to showcase the accomplishments of the chapter. As their


faculty advisor, it was my privilege to nominate the Sigma Gamma Chapter along with our regular student club, the Columbia College Communication Club (C4), jointly for the 2010-2011 Student Organization of the Year award. During this recent academic year these two organizations provided significant involvement opportunities for students. They held joint monthly meetings, members of both organizations worked at activities fairs, open houses, scholarship days, and the like. All officers were active in meetings and we started utilizing facebook (both organizations have facebook pages) to showcase events, announce meetings, and offer photographs of all of our doings Further, the organizations allowed students to be involved in the community through fundraisers and service projects, including working with a local organization that helps released prisoners re-establish themselves in the community. We also involved our students in academic conferences. For instance, several of our students went to CCA‟s (Carolinas Communication Association) annual convention in Conway, SC, October 2010. They presented on a panel called “Service Learning, Oral History and the Politics of Intercultural Communication;” this roundtable discussion involved LPH and C4 students in my Intercultural Communication course. Student presenters included Yolina Elenkova, Jacqueline Furch, Kiosha Gregg, and Lea Vane. During the spring semester, three C4 and LPH students attended SSCA‟s (Southern States Communication Association) annual conference in late March, 2011. Juliette Brown, Diana Lynde, and Donna Tillis (all C4 and LPH members) presented papers and Diana won the Top Paper Award for the undergraduate section.

All of our activities served to enhance the quality of campus life as well as address pertinent issues. We co-sponsored the Women‟s Equality Day Program, C4 and LPH did a reading and spear-headed a celebration of the 19th Amendment on Thursday, August 26, 2010. Nearly 200 students, faculty, and staff attended. We also co-sponsored a gubernatorial debate watch and discussion Monday, October 25, 2010 in the Student Union on Columbia College's campus; about 70 students attended. We also co-hosted an event called Pastry and Politics, Monday, November 1, 2010 in the CC Student Union. Working in conjunction with the College Republicans and Young Democrats, this event featured a debate between the two in light of the SC Gubernatorial Election the following day. About 50 students attended.

We also respond to student needs, particularly students desiring information about life after graduation. We again held our annual "Life After Graduation” event in which, working with the Arts and Communication Studies Division and Theatre Program, brought a former CC graduate, C4 members, and LPH member, Jade Huell, who is now finishing up her Ph.D. at LSU back to campus. We had a pizza lunch with her and discussed her graduate school experiences. This was held March 17, 2011. Approximately 20-25 students attended. We also held our annual LPH Induction Ceremony in the fall of 2010. We have a


guest speaker at the ceremony each year and on October 27, 2010, CC graduate and LPH member Nancy McClendon discussed her college experience and how being a member of LPH and a Communication student prepared her well for her career. Further, most of our students are interested in research in Communication Studies and we have an annual research lecture. This past year our Annual Research Lecture in Communication Studies was held April 15th and our guests were Drs. Karren Anderson from Colorado State University and Kristina Sheeler from Purdue University Indianapolis. They discussed issues of gender during the 2008 presidential campaigns. In light of more social needs, we held our Annual End of the Year Taco Party, usually held at Dr. Helen Tate‟s house; Dr. Tate is the Division Head for our Arts and Communication Studies Division as well as a Professor of Communication Studies.

In short, C4 and LPH had a great year and I was pleased we won our local Student Organization of the Year Award. Our college is a liberal arts college for women founded in 1854. We are small (only about 1300 students), but mighty. We only have about 60 majors and so it is practical for our two clubs to work in conjunction. I hope this short story perhaps gives other chapters some ideas about possible events. Please feel free to contact the author (Jason Munsell) with questions, [email protected].

Sigma Gamma – Columbia College

Advisor: Dr. Jason B. Munsell Chapter Officers: President, Jacqueline Furch Vice-president, Juliette Brown Secretary, Tessie Andoneagui Treasurer Donna Tillis Chapter Website: http://www.columbiacollegesc.edu/academics/communication/lambda.asp Spring:

"Life After Graduation Sham-Rocks!” Brought in 3 graduates: Danielle

Gillard, Dana McCullough, and Anita Mixon to discuss life after career and

grad school experiences. March 17, 2010. Approximately 20-25 students

attended.

C4 and Lambda Pi Eta Present

The Annual Research Lecture in Communication Studies

“Method and Madness at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum” 1:00pm, April

30, BLC 103 Welcome guest lecturer: Dr. Gretchen Stein Rhodes, Louisiana

State University. Approximately 75 students and faculty attended.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.columbiacollegesc.edu/academics/communication/lambda.asp


C4 and Lambda Pi Eta present an evening of undergraduate research

presentations in preparation for the Southern States Communication

Association Annual Conference!

Kim Alpaugh will practice presenting her paper: Women Behaving Publicly:

Poetry, Patriarchy, and Power in the Words of Hillary Clinton

Morgan Smalls will practice presenting her paper:

Promoting Positive Communication through a Study of Lil Wayne„s ―Cry Out:

Catharsis, Transference, and Social Change

When: Wednesday, April 7th, 2010, 8:30pm, Where: Arena Theatre, Cottingham

Theatre. Approximately 15-20 students attended.

Annual End of the Year Taco Party for all Comm students: Sunday, May 2,

2010 · 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Fall:

Women’s Equality Day

Program, C4 and LPH

did a reading and

spear-headed a

celebration of the 19th

Amendment:

Thursday, August 26,

2010 · 12:30pm -

1:00pm. Nearly 200

students, faculty, and

staff attended.

CCA - Several of our LPH members presented at the Carolinas Communication

Association annual conference in Conway, SC. “Service Learning, Oral History

and the Politics of Intercultural Communication.” A roundtable discussion with

several of my students growing out of my Intercultural Communication course.

Student presenters included Yolina Elenkova, Jacqueline Furch, Kiosha Gregg,

and Lea Vane. Carolinas Communication Association‟s Annual Convention,

Conway, SC, October, 2010.

Haley Sheheen Debate Watch Monday, October 25, 2010 at 7:00pm, upstairs in

Student Union on Columbia College's campus (C4 and LPH sponsored this

watch party and discussion). About 70 students attended.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=101148896619826&ref=mf


Pastry and Politics, Monday, November 1, 2010 at 6:00pm, upstairs in the CC

Student Union. Working in conjunction with the College Republicans and Young

Democrats, C4 and LPH sponsored a debate between the two in light of the SC

Gubernatorial Election the following day. About 50 students attended.

Omega Iota – Florida Southern College

Advisor: Dr. Cara Mackie Chapter Officers: President, Ashley Islas Vice-president, Cynthia Navarro Secretary, Kim Kolk Treasurer, Melissa Rodriguez Spring: We held an interest meeting and chose officer positions at this meeting. Fall: We formally opened up for membership and accepted 17 total members. Induction is planned for later on this fall. We planned our 3 philanthropy events (Leukemia/Lymphoma Walk, Relay for Life, and Alzheimer‟s Walk). Several of our members and advisors participated in the Florida Communication Association Convention in Orlando, giving panels on topics such as Feminist Communication and Communication in Modern Film.

Omicron Beta Chapter – North Dakota State University

Advisor: Dr. Carrie Anne Platt and Dr. Zoltan Majdik Chapter Officers: President, David Benson Vice-president, Kylie Mitchell Secretary/Treasurer, Dana Veidel Chapter Website:

http://www.ndsu.edu/communication/student_organizations/lambda_pi_eta/

Spring: The Omicron Beta chapter of Lambda Pi Eta held last spring – and will

hold this spring – its annual Lambda Pie-Eating Contest. The competition

features professors in the NDSU Communication Department raising money for

local charities of their choice. The professors then compete in a pie-eating

contest, with the winner donating all the money raised to their chosen charity.

Funds raised in past years have gone to the Fargo YWCA – that charity has a lot

of strong advocates in the department.

http://www.ndsu.edu/communication/student_organizations/lambda_pi_eta/


Fall: This fall, the members of the Omicron Beta chapter plan to help with

holiday festivities at the local Young Women‟s Club of America. We are also

planning a mixer in the fall to encourage cohesiveness among members.

Sigma Phi – California State University, Los Angeles

Advisor: Dr. Chunseng Bai and Dr. Lena Chao Chapter Officers: President, Julie Shaffer Vice-president, Jose Guillen Secretary, Michelle Ilan Treasurer, Melisa Nahimana Chapter Website: http://www.sigmaphicsula.blogspot.com/

Mu Gamma – Wayne State College

Advisor: Deborah Whitt Chapter Officers: President, Lucas Christensen Vice-president, Natasha Horn Secretary, Sara Slobonick Treasurer, Kelsey Messerschmidt Chapter Website: http://www.wsc.edu/schools/ahu/cmar/

First, four students attended the National

Communication conference in San

Francisco. Students attended the

National Business meeting and Awards

Ceremony where they reported on the

first LPH Nebraska annual

undergraduate conference.

First picture of current and past Wayne

State Lambda Pi Eta students together in San Francisco (Alicia Gregerson,

Kelsey Messerschmidt, Natasha Horn, Stefanie Zahourek, Deborah Whitt,

Advisor, Joe Whitt, and Tim McKenna).

Next, ten students presented at Central States Communication Conference in

Milwaukee. Wayne State student' papers focusing on "Language and

Identity: Finding our Home in a Diverse World" were chosen as Top Panel in

Undergraduate Research Honors Conference

http://www.sigmaphicsula.blogspot.com/

http://www.wsc.edu/schools/ahu/cmar/


Second group picture of Wayne

State students and faculty at Central States.

Finally, seven students presented papers at

the 2nd Annual LPH Nebraska

Undergraduate Communication Research

Conference at Hastings College. Students

enjoyed interacting with Dr. Em Griffin as the

keynote speaker. The conference theme was "Communication in the Digital

Age: The Changing Face of Relationships."

Third group picture of Wayne State

students and faculty with Dr. Em

Griffin.

Overall, Mu Gamma, had a very

successful year and the club looks

forward to another exciting year.

Fall:

In October, Mu Gamma hosted a student/faculty costume and bowling contest.

LPH students learned that faculty members, even those with bad backs, can

“out-strike” the students! Mu Gamma students developed their new T. Shirt

design of “Making Connections.”

In November, Mu Gamma joined a Small Group communication class to promote

the “Invisible Children Project.” On a Friday night, over 75 students and faculty

turned out to watch the film. It was an incredible night that increased student

awareness and generated monetary donations for the children of Uganda.

In December, Mu Gamma continued the tradition of donating winter clothing to

the Head Start children in the area. The induction ceremony is held in the WSC

Student Atrium where LPH students decorate our Christmas Tree with children‟s

gloves, stocking caps, and scarves. Head Start employees are invited to join in

our ceremony as honorary guests. It is a memorable ceremony for students,

faculty, and guests.

Spring:


January and February were spent planning and developing the first Nebraska

Undergraduate Communication Research Conference.

In March, Mu Gamma officers connected with the LPH chapter at UN-O. We

spent the day in Omaha sharing ideas about how to generate excitement and

support in our departments for LPH. We talked about organizational items, how

to get students to meetings, and future plans for our LPH chapters. It was a

productive day and the officers decided that this is a tradition they will continue

each year.

In April, Mu Gamma hosted the first Nebraska Undergraduate Communication

Conference at WSC. Six colleges and Universities and over 80 participants were

represented at the conference. Twenty-five student papers were presented. The

conference keynote speaker was Dr. Kathleen Galvin from Northwestern

University. The conference was successful for Mu Gamma, our Communication

Arts Department, and our institution. The conference began a tradition for

regional schools to recognize, foster and reward outstanding student scholarship

each year.

In addition to these activities, Mu Gamma achieved other accomplishments this

year. Our Mu Gamma President, Stefanie Zahourek, was voted the National

President of LPH in November, 09. She now joins three other Mu Gamma alums

that have served as National President.

Our Advisor, Dr. Deborah Whitt, serves on the National Faculty Advisory Board.

This year, she participated in a NCA National Interactive Teleconference for LPH

Advisors, entitled “Getting the Most Out of Your Lambda Pi Eta Chapter.”

Additionally, she was a presenter on the “Lambda Pi Eta Five Year‟s Out” panel

in Chicago and wrote an article for the Fall Simply Speaking Newsletter entitled,

“The Benefits of Lambda Pi Eta Chapters.”

Lambda Chi – Penn State University – Altoona College

Advisor: Robert Trumpbour Chapter Officers: President, Lindsey Noel Vice-president, Lauren Bowers Secretary, Emily Lamarca


Spring: Lambda Pi Eta recruitment dinner event in March 2010 and LPH

Induction Ceremony in April 2010. We currently have a fall induction ceremony

set to unfold on April 28, 2011.

Fall: Sponsored welcome reception for incoming COMM students. This event

provides an opportunity to educate new incoming students about the COMM

major and allows Lambda Pi Eta a high visibility event in which to showcase its

presence on campus. A similar event was added to the Spring semester for the

first time ever and was a big success.

Psi Theta – Saint Louis University

Advisor: Dr. April Trees Chapter Officers: President, Amelia Blanton Vice-president, Katie Williams Secretary, Heather Fliss Treasurer, Kate Burke Spring:

February – We held our first general meeting for the year

March – We held our formal induction ceremony and held a general meeting

April – We participated in Showers of Service Day sponsored by Saint Louis

University

Fall:

September – We held our first general meeting of the academic year

October – Our chapter hosted a Graduate School Information Session that was

open to all Communication majors. Four professors from the department spoke

on their experiences and several graduate students were present to answer

questions. We also participated in the Make a Difference Day sponsored by Saint

Louis University. Additionally, the chapter received its official charter as a

student organization on campus.

Alpha Xi – The College of New Jersey

Advisor: Dr. Anntarie Sims and Dr. John Pollock

Chapter Officers: President, Kellyn Klapko


TCNJ’s Alpha Xi Chapter goes out with a…Roar.

Home of the lions, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) bid farewell to the class of

2011 with an intimate luncheon celebrating the achievements of young scholars

who will forever have an impact on both faculty and future students.

May 4, 2011 marked the 1st Annual Senior Luncheon organized by senior

Lambda Pi Eta Alpha Xi chapter officers Kellyn Klapko (President), Sarah Ruane,

Ashley Platt, Erin Prendergast, and Emily O‟Gorman. Graduating seniors were

welcomed with warm, congratulatory remarks from faculty organizers and

esteemed professors Dr. Anntarie Sims and Dr. John Pollock (faculty advisor to

the Alpha Xi chapter). Students were treated to a musical interlude with

performances from the Dean of the School of Arts and Communication, Dr. John

Laughton, on the piano and faculty professor Dr. Yifeng Hu on the violin.

Selected graduates were spotlighted with the presentation of department

specialization awards as well as individual recognition for outstanding

achievements. Department specialization awards went to Sarah Ruane

(Interpersonal and Organizational Communication), Kellyn Klapko (Public and

Mass Communication), and Jenna Bush and Nicholas Donnoli (Radio/TV/Film).

Faculty awarded Michelle Yzaguirre with the WTSR (college radio station) David

Rogosky Award, Natasha Perez with the Leadership and Advocacy Award,

Rebecca Vogt with the Internship Award, and Jacqueline Webb with the Health

Communication Award and Faculty Award (for highest GPA). Webb and

O‟Gorman presented refereed LPH papers at the annual NCA conference in San

Francisco, November, 2010. Juniors Kathleen Ward, Carolina Chica, and Melissa

Virzi were also recognized with the Promise of Achievement Award for their

current student-faculty engagement and outstanding academic achievements.

The College of New Jersey has been the proud home of many undergraduates

who have proven themselves vital assets to both the academic communication

studies discipline and workforce. In fact, since 2000 TCNJ students have been

awarded five times the Stephen Smith Award for best co-authored undergraduate

paper in the nation. Since 1996, TCNJ students have won the LPH national

presidency eight times, the national vice presidency six times, and the national

secretary position three times. It is not surprising that Alpha Xi alumni have gone

on to leading graduate schools of communication, and professional schools of

public health, social work, and law, including: University of Pennsylvania

(Annenberg, law and social work), Syracuse (Newhouse and Maxwell Schools),

Penn State, Rutgers, George Mason, Emerson, Ohio State, Kentucky, Georgia,

UC-San Diego, Columbia, George Washington, George Mason, Delaware,


Maryland, Howard, and Johns Hopkins. In 2003 the TCNJ Alpha Chi chapter won

the LPH award for national “chapter of the year”, and Dr. Pollock also won the

Thomas A. Veenendall award for national “advisor of the year.”

Sigma Kappa – Christopher Newport University

Advisor: Ron Von Burg

This past spring semester, the Sigma Kappa Chapter of LPH at Christopher

Newport University again hosted the annual Concert for Tommy. With the help of

numerous campus organizations such as Greek life, Relay for Life and local a

cappella groups, the event sparked much enthusiasm and marked another year

in memoriam of Tommy Gossner, the son of two Christopher Newport University

communication professors who passed away from cancer.

“By far, this is our biggest event, and we hope to see it grow even more, allowing

students to link scholarship with activism on the front of cancer research and

awareness,” states president-elect Alan-Michael Weatherford. This upcoming

year, the Sigma Kappa Chapter will attempt to work with the local hospital,

Riverside Medical Center, to help increase awareness and educate others about

childhood cancer. The Sigma Kappa chapter is dedicated to raising further funds

for Cure Search, an organization that promotes pediatric oncology research.

[lph chapter highlights] - national communication...

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