VOL. 27, NO. 1 - FALL 2012

SouthernCommunicatorA PublicAtion of the School of JournAliSm And communicAtion

Inside:Professor pursues a doctorate

Remembering Dr. Don Dick

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Eight journalism and communica-tion students plus two faculty members traveled from Southern to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the Society of Adventist Communicators (SAC) conference dur-ing fall break, October 17-20, 2012.

This year, several popular speakers were included. Julia Duin has 25 years full-time experience in journalism, with more than 14 of those years spent at The Washington Times. Daryl Gungadon, an Engineer for Adventist World Radio for 16 years. He also worked underwater cameras at the 2012 London Olympic games. Ed Guthero, one of Southern’s own faculty members, teaches in the School of Visual Art and Design.

For many, the most anticipated speaker was DeVon Franklin, vice president of production for Columbia Pictures—a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and author of Produced by Faith. Franklin earned wide recogni-tion for his appearance earlier this year on Oprah Winfrey’s show Super Soul Sunday.

Sarah Ruf, senior international studies major, said she most enjoyed Franklin’s advice about keeping the Sabbath while working in Hollywood. “Devon Franklin was my favorite part. He really had a

specific message to Adventist students about going into the workplace,” Ruf said.

During the annual awards ceremo-ny, Southern’s student newspaper, The Southern Accent, was awarded Best in Class for the 2011-2012 school year, ed-ited by mass communications writing/editing major Deanna Moore.

Students from Walla Walla, Union, Andrews, La Sierra, Southwestern and Oakwood Adventist Universities also

attended the conference. Ingrid Hernandez, a senior public

relations and business adminstration major, said her “favorite part about the SAC trip was connecting with commu-nication students from other Adventist universities. Getting to share our college experiences with each other and being able to learn new techniques at the con-ference definitely allowed for some great networking.”

Students meet communication all-stars in Albuquerque By AnnAlyse HAsty

Sarah Ruf interviews Devon Franklin, vp of production for Columbia Pictures, at SAC.Photo by Stephen Ruf

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Coming back to Southern: a professor’s journey

When the voice on the other end of the phone first asked me to interview at Walla Walla College, I replied that I was happy at Southern and not looking for a job.

“How about just visiting the western college, meeting colleagues there? No pressure.”

That’s how Walla Walla University re-cruited me in 2000 to chair their commu-nication and drama program. During the visit, I was not impressed to accept the position until the last day. My husband, Allen, and I prayed that God would be very clear about His direction. He was. We were equally convicted that God was leading us to Walla Walla University.

It was through WWU that my re-search proposal was funded. This includ-ed travel to collect data and documents on the Irene Morgan project.

Four years later, I became the co-ordinator of the master’s program at Andrews University. The research con-tinued full-speed ahead with several graduate assistants helping to collect further data on press coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court case Morgan vs.

Commonwealth of Virginia. Morgan was one of the first Civil Rights heroes, though nearly unknown—a practic-ing Adventist whom President Clinton credited with “being there before just about anybody else.” He awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.

While at Andrews, I worked on ex-panding the curriculum of the master’s program into several tracks and build-ing up the enrollment of the university’s Communication Department. In April of 2007, I was privileged to attend Irene Morgan’s funeral in Gloucester, Virginia, and continued to expand my research about her case.

Western Carolina University (WCU) recruited me and specifically asked me to present my research on Irene Morgan. They were interested in communication and gender. When I was asked to inter-view for a position at WCU, I accepted and my family moved closer to my two brothers and my Mom and stepfather, who was ill. During my four years at WCU, my Irene Morgan research con-tinued, and I was privileged to have my

research accepted for presentations at conferences across the country. WCU asked me to develop a course on the in-fluence of social media, and my research expanded to include Twitter’s first legal challenges

I couldn’t have been more surprised when three Southern faculty knocked on my door last March with an invitation to return to Southern. It was a family deci-sion to accept.

The trees are taller and the ever-greens in front of Brock Hall are broad-er since I last taught here. Winn-Dixie is gone from Four Corners, but Ooltewah business has expanded. Hamilton Place Mall stores have changed, and even the long hallway of offices in the SJ&C has lengthened and expanded to accommo-date the growth in faculty.

But the trains still stretch by, the air still smells sweet, and a new fountain swishes water upwards to the sky encir-cled by a roundabout at center campus. I’m back where I began as a communi-cation minor. Tweeting and teaching. Continuing the Irene Morgan research that began here in 2000.

By Dr. PAmelA HArris

Construction begins in the SJ&COver the summer, the sound of

construction, sledge hammers, and saws could be heard from the lower floor of Brock Hall. The School of Journalism and Communication had begun phase one of an expansion project.

Since WSMC moved across the street, the SJ&C faculty has been look-ing to expand into the empty space left behind. “Our department sent in a written proposal about a year and a half ago to have access to the former WSMC space,” said Greg Rumsey, dean of the SJ&C. The first step of the pro-cess was to extend the hallway to allow for more office space for teachers in the department.

Rumsey described the department’s need for more offices since the SJ&C

increased from six to nine full-time staff in the past decade. With the extra space, the department can now provide an of-fice for half dozen adjunct faculty staff to use throughout the semester.

The largest phase in the expansion project will be to move the TV studio into the former WSMC space. The ex-isting TV studio sits next to the heating and air conditioning unit for the build-ing, making a low hum that can be heard when recording audio.

Other plans include creating another classroom to aid with speech classes; establishing a permanent photo studio, and building a new conference room and a room in which to conduct research for classes.

The extended hallway in the SJ&C office.Photo by Deanna Moore.

By logAn Foll

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In January 2012, Southern Adventist University signed an agreement for Lynelle Ellis to expand her education by pursuing a doctoral degree. Ellis was honored and thrilled to have the oppor-tunity. She knew without a doubt that God wanted her to take this opening. Earlier, in the summer of 2011, Ellis was talking with an academic colleague about how valuable a Ph.D. would be to her career. Ever since then, Ellis knew God had been encouraging her to get her doctorate.

Ellis started her doctorate in com-munications, Ph.D. in May 2012 at Regent University and is hoping to finish by May 2015, including her dissertation work. Southern is supporting Ellis by giving her full academic leave to work on her studies.

In order to stay connected to her students, Ellis is still teaching one class and advising students. Even though she wants to teach, Ellis said it is difficult to find the balance. “I’m finding it challeng-ing being a teacher and a student. I can’t be everything. I feel like I am ending up

putting the highest priority on being a student, which is uncomfortable.” Ellis ad-mits she does wish she could give more time to teaching.

When asked about why she specifically wanted to get her doctorate, Ellis said, “it is a great opportunity to do research and find out more information in the communication field.” She also said that in the world of academia, a Ph.D. is the pin-nacle; it is something every educator should aspire to ac-complish.

During her research, Ellis wants to answer the question, “What type of media content/story telling used for evangelism is most effective?” This topic comes from her background and passion in ministry through media. This is the question she hopes to answer with her dissertation.

Ellis is ultimately grateful to

Southern Adventist University for con-sidering her as a good candidate for expanding education. She is honored to have this opportunity to pursue her doctorate. Ellis said, “The fact that they valued me as a professor, is a great privi-lege, gift and blessing.”

By KAyce Foote

Every year, the School of Journalism and Communication hosts two convocations with featured guests who are involved in the Chattanooga area. This September, Candace Davis was the speaker at the de-partment convocation.

As the marketing and public relations manager for the Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), Davis plays a large role in the community. During her presentation, she described several promo-tional methods used by the CVB in hopes of bring-ing people to Chattanooga’s finest attractions, such as the aquarium, Ruby Falls, Rock City and other outdoor recreation facilities in the area.

Davis was a student at Southern Adventist University for two years. She then transferred to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and gradu-ated with a degree in public relations.

PR professional speaks at convocationBy logAn Foll

Coming back to Southern: a professor’s journey Professor takes leave to pursue doctorate

Professor Lynelle Ellis is pursuing her doctorate in communication.

Logan Foll talks with convocation speaker Candace Davis. Photo by Stephen Ruf.

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This Thanksgiving, Comm Club collected 44

bags of non-perishable food items from the

surrounding community for the Chattanooga

Food Bank.

The Communication Club hosted a trip for 21 students to go to the CNN Center and the Martin Luther King Jr. Museum based in Atlanta, GA this se-mester.

The students took note of how news anchors worked in front of the camera and learned what took place behind the scenes to make a broadcast possible. Students listened to the instructions given to camera operators about dif-ferent angles to shoot and which news anchor would speak next. Soon after, the students saw the anchors recording a newscast.

“It was really neat to see CNN broadcast their shows first hand,” said Justin Hammar, a junior public relations major. “We could see the news on the screen and the anchor recording at the same time.”

The tour guide led students to dif-ferent departments. One room was filled with dozens of computers where re-porters were busy researching the latest news. The stories were then sent to the next room, where other reporters would write the articles. This demonstrated the multiple jobs each employee was as-

signed to do. “I liked the [tour] because it opened

my mind to the different possibilities for career options out there,” said Lexie Center, a freshman public relations ma-jor.

After the tour at CNN students headed out to see the Martin Luther King Jr. Visitor Center where a historic walk-through gallery showed how Dr. King made an impact on civil rights.

“The [museum] has a real tie to co-

munication. His speeches and ability to persuade were powerful,” said Janita Herod, Communication Club sponsor. “It’s a very historical part of media.”

The trip also included touring the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site where students saw King’s birth home, the Ebenezer Baptist Church where he pastored and his gravesite. The visitor center held historic pieces such as King’s Nobel Peace Prize and his per-sonal Bible.

Trip to CNN hosted by Comm ClubBy JessicA AnzAi

Students visit the CNN Center. Photo provided by CNN.

Comm Club members Lauren Swafford (left), Kayce Foote, and Ryan Hass and Comm Club advisor Janita Herod

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Donald David Dick, Ph.D., 80, of Collegedale, Tenn. died Sunday, September 16, 2012, after a long illness. His wife, Joyce, was by his side.

Donald (Don) Dick was known for his hard work, leadership, organiza-tion and management during his time at Southern. Dr. Dick taught in the communication department for 37 years. Colleagues and former students re-member him as a good-natured man who always provided a positive tone for the department.

“He built the Communication program through its early stages to make Southern one of the prominent leaders in our education system—I think some would say the premiere school,” says Dr. Greg Rumsey, dean of the School of Journalism and Communication.

Dr. Rumsey remembers Dr. Dick as being a great advisor all through his college years here at Southern. “He was one of the professors who inspired me to go into teaching,” Dr. Rumsey says.

Dr. Dick is the longest running chair—more than 18 years—for the School of Journalism and Communication. While he was at Southern, he directed productions of Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady, Annie, Sound of Music, and more. He loved teaching speech and broadcast classes. Dr. Dick brought leadership to the SJ&C where students learned about radio announc-ing and production for broadcast television.

Dr. Rumsey says he learned a lot about organization from Dr. Dick. One element he gained from Dr. Dick’s teaching style that he uses in his classes

today is “blending theory with practical application.” Dr. Rumsey also remembers how helpful Dr. Dick was. “His door was always open, and he always had a ready smile.”

Bev Self, was a student of Dr. Dick’s and remembers him as a very Christian man who was full of knowledge and wisdom. She recalls him being very patient and forgiving with his students as well. “[He] enjoyed life, humor, and adventure,” Self says. “It was an honor to know him.”

In loving memory of Dr. Don DickBy mAllory mixon

A new class has come to the School of Journalism and Communication.

Titled Communication Theory, the central idea is to study, dissect and better understand the established theories of communication.

“Communication Theory will help students prepare for upper division classes by giving them an overview of the theories commonly used in commu-nication,” says the professor, Dr. Linda Crumley.

There hasn’t been a class like this at Southern for many years, although SJ&C professors generally try to make theory part of the curriculum in all of their communication courses.

However, many in the department agree students will benefit from com-ing into their upper division classes with a knowledge of communication theory. It will help better prepare students for classes such as Communication Research and Persuasion and Propaganda.

How will this help students not only in conquering their undergrad degree in communications, but also after gradua-tion---perhaps on the job or in pursuit of a gradaute degree?

Dr. Crumley comments again, “Anytime you have a variety of ways of looking at something, it gives you a bet-ter chance of actually being able to think about your reaction to things rather than

a gut-level response.” Students share this outlook about

learning theories earlier in their college career. “It gives you lots of perspectives on how you can improve your com-munication,” says Whitney Mitchell, a senior with a minor in Intercultural Communication.

So what have the students learned in the class thus far that will help them become better communicators?

Mitchell put it this way, “It comes down to being open and receptive to what people are telling you and being very conscious of what you’re saying and how you’re reacting.”

SJ&C offers new class on communication theoryBy micHAel HADley

Photo contributed by Marketing and University Relations.

Trip to CNN hosted by Comm Club

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DecemberGraduates

School of Journalism and Communication

Name: Michelle Carmona

Major: Public Relations

Hometown: Clarksville, MD

Name: Leandra Brunetta Barr

Major: Mass Comm - Media Production

Hometown: Nassau, Bahamas

Name: Lauren Claire Brooks

Major: Public Relations

Hometown: Ocoee, FL

Name: Rochelle Denise Banner

Major: Public Relations

Hometown: Lanham, MD

PHotos courtesy oF southern memories

Name: Brian David Castellanos

Major: Mass Comm - Media Production

Hometown: Cortland, NY

Name: Alison Quiring

Major: B.S. Mass

Communication - Writing/

Editing

Hometown: Kelowna,

British Columbia, Canada

Name: Kathryn Chandler

Major: Marketing

Minor: Advertising

Hometown: Collegedale, TN

Name: Ashlee ChismMajor: EnglishMinor: Journalism (News Editorial)Hometown: Michigan City, IN

Name: Andrea Nichole Alexander

Major: Mass Comm - Writing/Editing

Hometown: Georgetown, CA

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Name: Deanna Michelle Moore

Major: Mass Comm - Writing/Editing

Hometown: Crossville, TN

AlumniUpdates

Leo Macias, ‘11, is working for Maranatha Volunteers International in Roseville, CA as a Video Production Specialist.

Kelsey (Larrabee) McAuliffe, ‘12, is the Contract Adminstrator for True North Custom Media in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Aimee Burchard, ‘12, works as a Graphic Designer at True North Custom Media in Chattanooga, Tennesssee.

Ricky Oliveras, ‘11, received the Best Documentary award for his “Golden Glove” production in the SONscreen Film Festival April 14 in Simi Valley, Calif. He now works in video production for Adventist Mission.

Katie Freeland, ‘11, is doing photography, copy-writing, and social media at H2B Creative.

John Shoemaker, ‘11, is currently working for the Kettering Health Network in Kettering, Ohio, as a Marketing Communications Specialist in the Network Marketing department.

Name: Omar Gustavo Lopez-Thismon

Major: Journalism (Broadcasting)

Hometown: Miami, FL

Name: Kayce Lynn Foote

Major: Public Relations/ Business Admin

Hometown: Scranton, PA

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A publication of the School of Journalism and Communication

Faculty Adviso

r: Greg R

umsey

Greg Rumsey, deanLorraine Ball

David BarasoainChris Carey

Linda Potter CrumleyStevie Ray Dallimore

Lynelle EllisTara Hargrove

Volker HenningPamela Maize Harris

John KeyesAndy NashSam Nkana

Stephen RufJim SewardBilly Weeks

Kendra Stanton Lee

School of Journalism and CommunicationSouthern Adventist University P.O. Box 370Collegedale, TN 37315

Vol. 27, No. 1 southern.edu/journalism Fall 2012

Ed

itor: L

auren

Sw

afford

Faculty

SouthernCommunicator Moments of glory at the SJ&C’s

Olympic Games

Gold medal winners: (Left) Brandon Cobos, Brian Castellanos, Sarah Ruf, Ingrid Hernandez, Lexi Alvidrez, Lauren Swafford, Jamie Jacobson, Simone Marshall) The noodle jousting competition.

Professors of the SJ&C perform the commencement ceremony.

PHotos By logAn Foll & ryAn HAAs

(AKA Weclome Back Party Aug. 30)