Measuring Success ONE STUDENTAT A TIME

VOLUME 2 n ISSUE 1

Dear Friends,Welcome to the second issue of Impact Magazine, a publication that profi les the accomplishments of the alumni and students who have worked in the Department of Student and Community Involvement at Frostburg State University.

Since our premiere issue two years ago, we have seen many changes on campus, including the creation of a new marketing theme at Frostburg State. “One University, A World of Experiences.” was offi cially adopted as our University’s tagline in the fall of 2013. Frostburg State has a longstanding tradition of off ering its students amazing real-world opportunities that prepare them for their careers beyond college. SCI has been a part of these off erings for years. We educate students and provide both employment and real-world experiences to prepare students for careers in a variety of fi elds. Time and time again, we hear from our alumni how their undergraduate experiences have made a positive and lasting impact on their lives.

As you read the stories of our alumni and our current students in this issue, we want to thank them for sharing their experiences with all of us. Student and Community Involvement would literally not exist without student engagement and commitment. We practice our mission every day for the betterment of our students and our community.

We hope you enjoy this editon of Impact.

Bill MandicottAssistant Vice PresidentStudent & Community Involvement

FROM FROSTBURG TO THE WORLD

Our Mission: Building Community through Engagement

We Appreciate Your Support 

Vice President for Student and Educational ServicesDr. Tom Bowling

Assistant Vice President for Student and Community InvolvementBill Mandicott

WriterTy DeMartino

Graphic DesignerMelissa Martz

PhotographersTy DeMartinoMelissa Martz

ContributorsBeth BairLisa ClarkRobert “Coop” CooperAngel FlowersAmy FynesBill MandicottMissy MartzPatrick O’BrienMary Jane PlummerRob WebberJamie Winters

For more information:STUDENT & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTFROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY101 BRADDOCK ROADFROSTBURG, MD 21532-2303PHONE: 301.687.4411 FAX: 301.687.7049EMAIL: infodesk@frostburg.edu

involvement.frostburg.edu

“Like” us at FSU Department of Student & Community Involvement

Tweet us @thesocialbobcat

IMPACT Magazine Volume 2, Issue 1

Impact is published by the Frostburg State University’s Department of Student and Community Involvement to inform community members, friends, faculty, staff , alumni and parents of its programs and impact.

Student and Community Involvement builds community and empowers students to achieve personal and academic excellence through distinctive co-curricular programs, services and experiential learning opportunities.

Thank you to those who have supported Student Community Involvement with their time, eff ort, and/or contributions. When you attend our events, volunteer your time or make pledges to the university, you are showing us that our programs matter. If you are in a position to support us, whether it be a fi nancial contribution or an in-kind gift, we encourage you to contact the FSU Foundation at 301.687.4161 or contact Bill Mandicott at 301.687.4881 or wmandicott@frostburg.edu.

2 STUDENT & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Innovative Programs, Collaborations Respond to Student NeedsThe leadership of Student and Community Involvement recognizes that the campus is changing and with that, so are it needs. Several new collaborative initiatives have been created to meet the operational and programmatic needs of our students.

Lane University Center Technical ServicesAs the number and quality of performances continued to soar at FSU through its Cultural Events Series, Student Activities and University Programming Council, the need for a centralized technical services staff became more apparent. The Lane University Center put out the call and assembled a group of tech-savvy, professional students to make up Technical Services. The group works on all major campus events, from special University convocations to visiting musical and stage acts. Technical Services not only makes sure that the shows go on, but that they look and sound fi rst-rate.

Traveling companies have been so impressed by Technical Services that many of the students have been off ered jobs with professional fi rms.

Late@LaneWhen our Student and Community Involvement staff and Student Government Association saw the need for alternative after-hours programming, they collaborated to create a dynamic, engaging late-night, “must-attend” event. As a result, Late@Lane was born. Created “for students by students,” Late@Lane is a free monthly event series for the University community that runs from 10 pm to 2 am. From DJs and concerts to great food and prizes, Late@Lane has been THE place to be since its inception. On one weekend, an estimated 1,500 students were in attendance. FSU students have raved about the entertainment value and the chance to leave with high-ticket giveaways such as iPads and snowboards. The Frostburg State administration applauds the success of this alternative, safe programming venture. Student programmers walk away with event management and marketing skills and a sense of accomplishment. It’s a win-win.

Social Marketing TeamIn this era of tweeting, trending and tagging, Student and Community Involvement saw the need to connect with students digitally. The Social Marketing Team is a group of University students who share FSU happenings through their unique online perspectives. The Team also produces and circulates SpotlightOnline, a weekly e-newsletter informing the campus of SCI events. The results have been creative, on-the-spot promotions that trend across all social media platforms.

STUDENT & COMMUNITY INVOLVMENT 3

Top to bottom: Late@Lane dishes out late night grub to students. Social Marketing Team photographers capture the moment at Late@Lane.

CULTURAL EVENTS SERIES

For Ashley Amezcua ‘06, working with FSU’s Cultural Events Series propelled her toward a career that she loves today.

“The Cultural Events Series defi nitely kicked off my love of live events,” she says. “I enjoy seeing an empty auditorium – like a blank canvas – and then seeing it transformed into an entire stage set up.”

Amezcua now calls Nashville home and works in all types of freelance productions. From television to fi lm and concerts to photography shoots, Amezcua admittedly does it all. “I truly do everything you can think of,” she says, with a laugh.

A native of Western Maryland, Amezcua graduated with a mass communications degree with a concentration in video production before moving to Nashville because of “her love of country music” and desire to avoid a desk job. “I don’t like the 9 to 5,” she admits.

Even though she wandered into town not knowing a soul, her willingness to work immediately helped her pick up jobs as a production assistant on sets. She has helped out in every department – design, hair, make-up, wardrobe – just to learns the ins and outs of the business.

“A good producer should work in every department once, so they know what everyone does,” Amezcua says.

Her strong work ethic landed her more gigs on TV shows shooting in Nashville such as American Idol and The Voice and music videos such as Eric Church’s

Creepy and the independent movie Blue Like Jazz. However, it’s the live music shows, like the Country Music Awards, where Amezcua’s experience with CES shows pays off .

One of her fondest CES memories was working with the Goo Goo Dolls when they played FSU. “I don’t really get star struck, but it was great to meet them,” she remembers.

Most recently, Amezcua has been working as a production coordinator for a new TV show starring the viral sensation “Kid President,” the little boy in a suit who off ered the nation a pep talk back in 2013. The uplifting children’s show is slated for a summer 2014 premiere on the HUB cable network.

While living the life of freelance production can be unpredictable with last-minute calls to set or wondering what your next gig will be, Amezcua couldn’t be happier.

“I want to be happy and fulfi lled in what I do. My goal is to work on projects where the content is good,” Amezcua adds. “This is exactly what I want to do.” n

ALUMNI IMPACT ASHLEY AMEZCUA ’06THEN: Hospitality Coordinator NOW: Freelance Producer, Nashville, Tenn.

Production Work Keeps Grad “Happy and Fulfi lled”

“ The Cultural Events Series defi nitely kicked off my love of live events. I enjoy seeing an empty auditorium – like a blank canvas – and then seeing it transformed into an entire stage set up.”

ASHLEY AMEZCUA Freelance Producer

The Cultural Events Series at Frostburg State University continues to captivate its audiences by attracting professional, world-renowned artists to campus. CES off ers a full schedule of artists from September through May each year, from Broadway-caliber musicals and plays to captivating dance and music concerts. CES is also known for its tradition of off ering educational outreach opportunities for the community, often introducing people to their fi rst experience with the performing arts. The impact of the Cultural Events Series is far-reaching and life-changing.

4 CULTURAL EVENTS SERIES

CES student ushers take a break from seating people to pose for a photo.

Ashley Deppe, a senior business manager, defi nitely knows the meaning of hospitality.

“I’ve always worked in the hospitality fi eld. And the Cultural Events Series is all about hospitality,” she says. “One time we had an artist who only wanted blue M&Ms. You just suck it up and do it. If they’re happy, you’re happy.”

And Deppe is at her happiest when she is organizing an event. A transfer student from Johnson and Wales University in Florida, Deppe earned experience working as a catering manager at a yacht club in her hometown of Kent Island, Md., before joining FSU’s CES team.

She now works in many aspects of CES, where she does everything from ticket sales to answering the phone to dealing with the needs of artists – including those specially colored, chocolate-covered candies.

“I guess I just like people,” she says, noting her additional involvement with her sorority Alpha Sigma Tau, the Student Government Association and the Society for Human Resources Management.

Deppe’s long-term plans include owning her own event business and dealing with some of the toughest clients of all – brides.

“I love weddings,” she says. “I like to make people relax and help them solve their problems.”

How incredibly hospitable of her. n

STUDENT IMPACT ASHLEY DEPPECultural Events Series Hospitality Student Manager

It’s All About Hospitality

“ I’ve always worked in the hospitality fi eld. And the Cultural Events Series is all about hospitality. One time we had an artist who only wanted blue M&Ms. If they’re happy, you’re happy.”

ASHLEY DEPPE Hospitality Coordinator

CULTURAL EVENTS SERIES IMPACT• Over 8,500 people attend performances and arts events

each season.

• 20 artist engagements were produced in 2013-14; these engagements involved 46 events and 15 public performances.

• Attendance at 31 educational outreach events was over 5,000; attendees included local community members, school children, FSU students and seniors.

• 170 professional artists performed.

• 61 FSU students and faculty members took part as performers and teaching artists at seven CES events.

CULTURAL EVENTS SERIES 5

A Cultural Events Series patron joins a cast member from Broadway’s Next H!T Musical on stage.

Jazz artist Catherine Russell performs.

Students can never claim “there’s nothing to do at FSU.” The goal of Student Activities and Greek Life is to create opportunities that add to a student’s academic experience at FSU through social, cultural, recreational and governance programs. It creates a co-curricular environment to enhance a student’s studies and exercise his or her leadership skills. The University Programming Council (UPC), student programming for students by students, is the main offi ce in Student Activities and off ers a packed schedule of events throughout the entire academic year. The goal is to present students with educational and entertainment opportunities to complement their academic life at the University.

When Brandi Jorden ‘13 graduated from Frostburg, she wanted to move to Florida. She did. She wanted to get a job where she was in event planning. She did. And she now wants to get a degree in student counseling in higher education. She will – because Jorden is driven to get what she wants.

It was that tenacity and persistence that caught the attention of the instructor of her event planning course at FSU. “I really enjoy planning events, so I took the class,” Jorden recalls.

When the history major from Southern Maryland received the assignment of securing donations for Spring Fest, Jorden’s enthusiasm and abilities impressed Robert “Coop” Cooper of the Lane University Center.

“I got tons of donations and Coop noticed,” she remembers. Her instructor quickly encouraged Jorden to work in Student Activities.

When the campus saw a need for late-night programming, Jorden was one of the students involved in the genesis of the new Late@Lane program. “Our goal was to off er students fun in a controlled and safe environment,” she says. “The event blew me away.”

The attendance was overwhelming, attracting as many as 1,500 Frostburg students. Jorden credits the success to meeting the need in a creative way and off ering unusual entertainment such as fi re breathing, belly dancing, games and big prizes that attracted and captivated the students.

“The administration used students in the planning – that’s what made it successful.”

Jorden is now successfully working as a club and property manager in a community in Gainsville, Fla., where she oversees 300 homes and the residents’ living and programming needs. She puts into practices the skills she learned from her days in Student Activities, such as hiring and managing a staff , working within a budget and getting “the best deals” from vendors.

“Frostburg is the kind of school that specializes in one-on-one relationships,” she says. “That is great for the students.” n

ALUMNI IMPACT BRANDI JORDEN ’13THEN: Late@Lane Organizer, Lane University Center Student Manager NOW: Club and Property Manager, Gainesville, Fla.

Tenacity and Persistence Pay Off for Alumna

STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND GREEK LIFE

6 STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND GREEK LIFE

Late@Lane members promote at the Student Organization Fair.

It’s a good thing that Jill Helmstetter has so much going on in her life. Otherwise, she would be bored silly.

“I wouldn’t know what I would do if I just had to go to class,” says Helmstetter, who has a triple major in earth science, geography and secondary education and has “held every position imaginable” in the University Programming Council offi ce over the past fi ve years.

Now a senior, she looks back at the time planning events for the campus with nothing but joy. “It’s so rewarding when you have an event and you see all these people having fun. It makes you feel good inside that you’re reaching so many students.”

The native of Little Orleans, Md., says that some of her fondest memories are the bigger events like Spring Fest and UPC’s murder mystery dinners. “Those take a lot of work to pull off , but they’re worth it.”

In addition, Helmstetter is a member of Delta Zeta sorority and the Geography Honor Society and is the vice president of the College Pan-Hellenic Council.  However, she credits her time with UPC for establishing her role as a programmer and an educator.

“Starting out in UPC made me feel connected with Frostburg. It got me involved right away,” she recalls.

Helmstetter is also grateful for the leadership training that she received with UPC, where she learned how to be professional and keep one’s enthusiasm. She plans on taking those traits with her into her classroom.

“Those are skills that you can use in teaching.”

With a plan like that, Helmstetter’s students are going to have the best programs imaginable. n

STUDENT IMPACT JILL HELMSTETTERUniversity Programming Council Hospitality Student Manager

From Campus to Classroom Programming

“ Starting out in UPC made me feel connected with Frostburg.”

JILL HELMSTETTER University Programming Council President

STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND GREEK LIFE IMPACT• Late@Lane entertained 25 percent of the campus

community one weekend per month during the fall and spring.

• FSU’s student organizations collaborate to provide food, music, novelties and fun in the sun at the annual Spring Fest which had an attendance of approximately 1,200 campus community members.

• Every year, the University Programming Council hosts approximately 80 programs for FSU students and the University community.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND GREEK LIFE 7

Jeremiah’s Kall performs at a University Programming Council late night event.

STUDENT IMPACT:

Greek Life is All About Teamwork

Greek Life has been a part of the Frostburg campus fabric since 1931. From those early beginnings to today, Greek Life at Frostburg has promoted the progression and advancement of fraternity and sorority life through the principles of scholarship, philanthropy and service, community and social activity and leadership. Greek organizations make a lasting impact, providing students with opportunities for leadership training, networking opportunities and lifelong friendships.  

STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND GREEK LIFE

When Michael Dunn ‘90 came to Frostburg in the mid-1980s, he wanted to pledge a national Greek fraternity. But when he didn’t fi nd one he liked, he decided to start his own.

“It was on my bucket list to be a member of a national fraternity,” he remembers. “So I said, ‘let me start one. I’ll fi nd 20 guys.’”

That, in essence, is how the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity came to be at Frostburg State University. Dunn says he chose his affi liation with SAE because of its national affi liation, size and strong mentoring and leadership programs. But creating a chapter wasn’t as

easy as signing paperwork. Dunn, who was a soccer player putting himself through college, dedicated his spare time to convincing administrators and the Interfraternity Council and recruiting classmates to his cause.

“It was a lot like starting a business from scratch,” says Dunn, who is now an entrepreneur and CEO of the Chesapeake Eyecare and Laser Center in Annapolis. “In order to get the chapter, I had to put in the work.”

All of his hard work and persuasion paid off and the fraternity became a chapter in 1991, a year after Dunn graduated.

“It was hard to leave college. But by that time, we had a strong group there,” he says.

Dunn feels that his eff orts infl uenced the trend for more national organizations at Frostburg at the time, when most of the fraternities and sororities were local. Through the years, he has remained as acting adviser for SAE at Frostburg and the president of the SAE Alumni Association. When he visits the chapter, he is proud of their accomplishments.

“The students are great. They are very enthusiastic,” he says, hoping each one will reap the benefi ts of a fraternity like he has.

“My career started because of SAE. It was defi nitely the key to my success.”

As for Dunn, who has four sons who range in ages from 12 to 18, he secretly hopes that his hard work and love of Greek life will be passed on as they enter college.

“If it fi ts within their academic career, they should do it. Joining a fraternity is a personal choice,” he says, quickly adding. “But do I want them to be SAE? Absolutely.” n

ALUMNI IMPACT MICHAEL DUNN ’90THEN: Founder, FSU Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity NOW: CEO, Chesapeake Eyecare and Laser Center, Annapolis, Md.

Greek Life Was on Alum’s Bucket List

“ The students are great. They are very enthusiastic.”

MIKE DUNN Sigma Alpha Epsilon Alum

8 STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND GREEK LIFE Phi Beta Sigma perform during Iota Phi Theta’s Party Walk.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND GREEK LIFE IMPACT• 440 Greek members served 162.5 hours of

philanthropic service.

• Sigma Alpha Iota won Greek Organization of the Year at FSU.

• Greek Week raised $558 for Relay for Life; overall Greeks donated over $11,800.

• Greeks help such causes as the American Cancer Society, White Ribbon Campaign, Humane Society and the local animal shelter, Habitat for Humanity, voter registrations, St. Jude’s, Movember, UNICEF, Ronald McDonald House, Pulsera Project, Alzheimers Association, American Red Cross and Wounded Warrior Project, and participate in such events as the Deep Creek Dunk, Hooley Plunge, local food bank and women’s shelter, Alternative Break to New Orleans and New Jersey, FSU Family and Homecoming weekends, Block Party and walk-in athletes for Special Olympics.

Ask Chair of the Greek Council Janine Fields what drives her and her answer is simple: teamwork.

“I love a team dynamic. I don’t like working alone,” she says. “And Greek Life brings people together.”

With her packed schedule of responsibilities, Fields is never alone. In addition to her duties on Greek Council, she is also a resident assistant on campus and president of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. But her work with Greek Life has been especially rewarding for Fields who sees her role as a liaison between the administration and the students to promote Greeks in a positive light.

“For years, Greeks have had a bad rep on campus,” she says. “It was nice to remind people what is positive about our organizations.”

During her tenure on Greek Council, Fields gave her positive spin to events such as Greek Week. She enjoys when the fraternities and sororities can give back to the community through service projects and fundraising. She boasts that a

recent Spirit Night helped to raise $4,000 for the local animal shelter.

“I love being part of a successful project and helping people.”

The psychology major from Baltimore plans to continue to help people post-graduation, when she pursues her master’s degree in student aff airs. This way, she can pay it forward and keep up that team dynamic she loves.

“I like helping people,” she adds. “And I want to help students like me.” n

STUDENT IMPACT JANINE FIELDSPresident, Greek Council; Member, Alpha Phi Omega

It’s All About the Teamwork

“ I love a team dynamic. I don’t like working alone. And Greek Life brings people together.”

JANINE FIELDS President, Greek Council

STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND GREEK LIFE 9

Sigma Alpha Iota sings at All Campus Sing.

Phi Beta Sigma perform during Iota Phi Theta’s Party Walk.

It has been described as the official “hub of campus life” at FSU. With its recent renovation, the Lane University Center is now equipped for the best service and programming possible. While the physical building boasts of spacious meeting rooms and lounges, a 17-seat computer lab, a fitness center, student offices, a state of-the-art smart lounge/game room and shopping and campus dining opportunities for a variety of tastes, it’s the people inside the building that bring it to life. Designed with the input of students, the Lane University Center is a place where students meet, learn and grow – especially for the fortunate group of students who work there.  

LANE UNIVERSITY CENTER

What is the sound of success? You could probably ask FSU alum Alex Roldan ‘12 to describe it.

The mass communications major is now living his dream of working in the sound field as a designer and mixer. “It was awesome landing a job in audio,” he says. “I never thought I could.”

Roldan had his sights on sound back in his high school days, working with music. He finally put his love of the craft to work when he became a student at Frostburg State and was hired to work on the Technical Services staff of the Lane University Center. Right away, he found himself at the mixing board running live events.

“These were actual events with paying customers,” he recalls with a laugh.

That kind of real-world experience is what prepared him for his current career. “My time in the Lane Center definitely molded me into a professional person.”

Roldan notes the trust of the FSU staff who gave students these experiences. He credits Lane University Center’s Rob Webber and Austin Huot for allowing students to try and fail, if they had to. But they would always grow.

“On Tech Crew, I got to do a little bit of everything – from scheduling to lighting,” he says.

He is now employed by a post-production company called Ott House Audio, where he works on all types of sound mixing for video productions – from feature films to television shows to special projects for groups like the Smithsonian.

And for Roldan, it all officially started at FSU. “Getting that hands-on, real-world experience at the Lane Center definitely helped me get a real- world job.” n

“ Getting that hands-on, real-world experience at the Lane Center definitely helped me get a real- world job.”

ALEX ROLDAN Sound Designer

ALUMNI IMPACT ALEX ROLDAN ’12THEN: Lane University Center Technical Services Manager NOW: Sound Designer/Mixer, Ott House Audio, Silver Spring, Md.

The Sweet Sound of Success

10 LANE UNIVERSITY CENTER

For Andy Krehbiel, the Lane University Center has been his home away from home during his years at Frostburg State.

“I’ve defi nitely put in days where I’ve worked 18 hours, got four hours of sleep and then got up and worked another event,” Krehbiel says. “You have to be dedicated and passionate about tech.”

As a member of Lane University Center’s Technical Services, Krehbiel and the others work around the clock to make sure every production in the Department of Student and Community Involvement looks, sounds and feels professional.

Krehbiel, a double major in business and economics from Hagerstown, Md., was no stranger to working on audio and lighting setups. In fact, he started in his middle school, running their events. When he came to FSU for Freshman Preview, he met Assistant Director of the Lane University Center Austin Huot and quickly learned he could parlay his passion into a paying gig. Krehbiel accepted right away and ended up working at his own Freshman Convocation.

Krehbiel has also been active with Phi Mu Delta fraternity and served as a senator on the Student Government Association. Joining additional organizations within SCI was a natural fi t. “You join people, not organizations,” he explains. And after all, he “lives” in the Lane University Center.

“Tech enhanced my work ethic,” he says. “It teaches you about problem solving and every business will have problems.”

Krehbiel plans to relocate to Atlanta after graduation to take a position in his family’s carpet cleaning business, but won’t give up his passion. “Oh, I’ll be a weekend warrior for sure,” he says, noting he’ll do freelance tech on weekends.

Despite the lack of sleep, he will miss the bonds with the other members of Technical Services and that sense of accomplishment when breaking down a show.

“It was great looking back at Homecoming, Family Weekend or Convocation and thinking, ‘Man. We won this weekend,’” he says, with a refl ective smile. “It’s been like a fraternity. Tech, to me, is another set of letters.” n

STUDENT IMPACT ANDY KREHBIELLane University Center Technical Crew

A Passion for Tech

LANE UNIVERSITY CENTER IMPACT• Provided paid experiential learning

opportunities for 36 students during the academic year.

• On average, 2,400 patrons visited the Lane University Center each day during the 2013-14 academic year.

• The Lane University Center hosted more than 6,700 events during the 2013-14 academic year.

• The Lane University Center student staff logged over 16,000 hours supporting our campus community and student life.

“ Tech enhanced my work ethic. It teaches you about problem solving and every business will have problems.”

ANDY KREHBIEL Lane University Services Technical Services

LANE UNIVERSITY CENTER 11

Angel Flowers, Austin Huot and Rob Webber accept the Excellence in Student Training Program award at the Association of College Unions International National Conference in Orlando, Fla.

The Social Marketing Team is the online pulse of the FSU campus. From what students are thinking to campus events, SMT represents FSU Bobcats on social media through posts, photos and online marketing campaigns. In addition, the Team creates and distributes the SpotlightOnline e-newsletter that informs the campus of weekly events. The offi ce is new, but growing as the way students receive their information changes at a rapid pace.

Blair Raughley ‘12 has gone from photographing Bobcats to photographing starlets.

An art major with a concentration in photography, Raughley was one of the fi rst members of FSU’s newly formed Social Marketing Team. Now, she fi nds herself at red carpet events in Hollywood, working for prestigious organizations such as the Associated Press.

“I was sort of undecided where I wanted to go with my photography,” she says. “But the Social Marketing Team gave me a whole new aspect of photography.” 

Raughley moved to California shortly after graduating from Frostburg. She admits that taking photos for social media helped her learn how to put her subjects

at ease. “The type of photography I did for the Social Marketing Team is very similar to the photography I do now. You want people to feel relaxed. I’ve applied the skills that I’ve learned at Frostburg.”

Since moving to LA, Raughley worked freelance for Getty Images and even photographed the Twilight movie premiere. “But I don’t really get star struck,” she admits.

That’s a good thing, because currently she is a full-time photo editor for AP and can be found working such star-studded events as Coachella, ComicCon and the Academy Awards. She has also traveled to the Toronto Film Festival and to Sundance where she admits to getting great shots of Cumberland native William H. Macy. She continues to take side jobs for nonprofi t organizations like the Catholic Education Foundation. Raughley just wants to be shooting as much as she can.

“If I have a camera in my hand, then I’m happy,” she says. n

ALUMNI IMPACT BLAIR RAUGHLEY ’12THEN: Photographer, Social Marketing Team NOW: Photo Editor, Associated Press, Hollywood, Calif.

Alumna Captures Hollywood

SOCIAL MARKETING TEAM IMPACT• Social Marketing Team videographer Florence

Kargbo was selected to work on the National Association of Campus Activities National Conference video team.

• Social Media Coordinator Katie McCartney represented the Social Marketing Team at the College Media Association Conference in New York City.

SOCIAL MARKETING TEAM

“ I was sort of undecided where I wanted to go with my photography. But the Social Marketing Team gave me a whole new aspect of photography.”

BLAIR RAUGHLEY Photo Editor

12 SOCIAL MARKETING TEAM

Flo Kargbo produces Late@Lane videos for use on social media.

It was actually social media that landed Ly-Anh McCoy her job as a member of the Social Marketing Team at FSU, even before she was offi cially a student.

When McCoy, a student from Baltimore, came to FSU Preview, the summer orientation for all freshmen, she began Tweeting about her experiences using the hashtags #Frostburg and #Bobcats. It was then that Missy Martz, director of the Social Marketing Team, noticed McCoy’s posts and did some old-fashioned footwork while networking.

“Missy somehow found me,” McCoy says, recalling how Martz walked into the Lane University Center lounge and asked, “Is a Ly-Anh McCoy in here?” It was a case of hashtagging at the right place at the right time.

“Missy tracked me down and off ered me a job as a Twitter coordinator.”

McCoy never considered herself a big Twitter fan prior to Preview, but was up for the challenge within the newly formed department. She started on the team and her role as the social networking voice of the

campus. The mass communication major’s goal was to build interaction among students. “It’s all about starting a conversation,” she says. “You have to be outgoing.”

She implemented guerrilla marketing tactics of roaming the campus, fi nding stories and Tweeting about them. Through her years at Frostburg, McCoy has transitioned into other roles with the Social Marketing Team. She has served as SpotlightOnline coordinator, where she acted as editor for the weekly campus events e-newsletter. Most recently, she was promoted to team coordinator, where she

oversees everyone from the graphic designers to the photographers.

“I’ve been involved for three years and I’ve had three positions,” she says.

McCoy has also been “social” in Greek Life as a member of Delta Zeta sorority and serving as president of the PanHellenic Council and the Greek Council. She knows all her experiences will help her in the future, whichever way that “trends.” She would like to get her master’s degree, but would also like to be a PR specialist or event planner.

“To do this job, you have to be outgoing, creative and have strong leadership skills,” McCoy says, unknowingly describing herself.

If McCoy’s future had a hashtag, it would be #promising. n

STUDENT IMPACT LY-ANH MCCOYSocial Marketing Team Coordinator

Putting the Social in Social MediaIf this story had a hashtag, it would be #ironic.

“ To do this job, you have to be outgoing, creative and have strong leadership skills.”

LY-ANH MCCOY Social Marketing Team Coordinator

SOCIAL MARKETING TEAM 13

Katie McCartney, Social Marketing Team Social Media coordinator, accepts a Steal This Idea award for the Twitter account @thesocialbobcat at the Association of College Unions Region 4 Conference.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Luckily for the world, Holly Harrington ‘04 is a born “joiner.”

From her early days as a Girl Scout to being in “pretty much every club” in high school, Harrington was ready to get involved when she hit the campus at Frostburg State. Now, she puts to use those skills she learned at Frostburg with her activist work in Taiwan.

“I actually got involved on campus the very week I arrived,” recalls Harrington who, after many majors, settled on political science with a women’s studies minor. “Over time, I got involved in more and more activities like Student Government Association, The Bottom Line, the Western Maryland Student Legislature, Amnesty International and V-Day.”

Not only did Harrington get involved, but she was a leader of many of the groups. She is credited with resurrecting the Sierra Student Coalition on campus and a defunct Earth Day celebration. After her graduation, she stayed at Frostburg as an AmeriCorps volunteer to continue to shape campus programming. It was Harrington who was instrumental in changing the way the annual Homecoming king and queen are elected by adding a fundraising component to the

competition. She didn’t see the fruits of her labor, however, until she was in Taiwan.

“This was the project I initiated and planned in my fi nal months at Frostburg, and I was sad to leave it behind without getting to see how it turned out,” she says. When she received a news clipping that candidates raised over $19,000 for local charities that fi rst year, she was overjoyed and still has the clipping to this day. “It was one of my proudest moments.”

Nowadays, Harrington works as a writer and platform strategist for the startup company StorySense Computing, where she develops and promotes news-writing logarithms. Even though she does not directly work in the service fi eld, she continues to be active with causes in which she believes.  She is spokesperson and government liaison for Forward Taiwan, an organization that aims to help Taiwan’s future through immigration reform for businesses and start ups. She has also been involved with V-Day Taipei and has raised almost $30,000 for women’s organizations. She performs these duties with the passion and skills she acquired at Frostburg.

Harrington encourages all students to get involved, to lead and to acquire necessary experiences that will help them in the future.

“Being a leader in a student organization is kind of like being an entrepreneur. You have to fi nd resources, build a team, do marketing and implement strategy. When you do all of that, you have to learn to deal with individual personalities and needs, defend your ideas, manage your time and actually meet your goals,” she says. “Be involved in anything. ....[it] really can shape your ability to make things happen and deal with diffi culties in your career and in life in general.”

Even with all she accomplished at Frostburg and continues to accomplish overseas, Harrington is uncomfortable with the word “service.” It proves that this “joiner” is just doing what comes naturally.

“At the time, I didn’t see that as service, but I guess that’s what it was,” Harrington admits. “It may just be a matter of semantics.” n

ALUMNI IMPACT HOLLY HARRINGTON ’04THEN: Campus Activist, Student Government Association, AmeriCorps Volunteer NOW: Writer, Platform Strategist, Activist; Taiwan

Service With a Global Impact

The Offi ce of Civic Engagement builds lasting community partnerships through national service opportunities, community collaborations and volunteer opportunities in Western Maryland. By providing a wide range of one-time and ongoing service opportunities that address key local and global issues, volunteers are able to meet vital community needs while forging new friendships, building personal and professional skills, and creating memories that last a lifetime. 

The programs include:

ASTAR! in Western Maryland: A Maryland AmeriCorps program placed 195 AmeriCorps members in volunteer positions, providing direct service meeting the needs of education, healthy futures and volunteer management in the four westernmost counties in Maryland.

VOICE Volunteer Clearinghouse: An AmeriCorps program that serves as the volunteer manager for Allegany and Garrett counties, providing students with service opportunities on campus and throughout the communities.

Read to Succeed: An AmeriCorps program providing academic engagement to strengthen reading and math while reinforcing the importance of education in grades K-12.

ECHOSTARS: An AmeriCorps living, learning and serving residential program. This freshman-based initiative combines academics and volunteering into a unique experiential learning experience.

Rising STARS: An AmeriCorps program focusing on a sophomore component, engaging them as mentors in service and volunteerism on campus and in the community.

14 CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Jennifer Cruz believes her work in civic engagement is just part of who she is.

“I just like helping people,” she says. “It’s who I am.”

Cruz, a junior from Columbia, Md., was active in community service organizations throughout high school and her church back home. So when she came to FSU, it was a natural fi t for her to get involved in civic engagement.

“I wasn’t sure how community service would fi t into my plans, but it did. And it made a huge impact. “

Cruz became a member of the ECHOSTARS residence hall, a living-learning and serving community, her freshman year. Looking back, she admits that was the perfect way to get started and acquaint herself with the campus.

“Joining ECHOSTARS kick-started a lot of my service eff orts and got me connected.”

A psychology major, Cruz decided to do a placement at the FSU Children’s Center. There, she interacted with all types of young children, including some with challenges, and established relationships with her fellow students.

More recently, service says been incorporated in her role as a resident assistant on campus. She has helped with the Relay for Life event, works with nonviolence and anti-bullying clubs on campus and interns at the FSU Diversity Center, where she helps students organize focus groups on such topics as diversity and campus inclusion.

Just as she was uncertain how service would fi t into her Frostburg life, she’s uncertain about will happen after graduation. However, she hopes service will still be a part of her plans.

“We will see how life works out,” she says, with a smile.” n

ALUMNI IMPACT JENNIFER CRUZECHOSTARS member, Resident Hall Assistant, Intern, FSU Diversity Center

Creating a Service Plan

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IMPACT• The Governor’s Offi ce on Service and

Volunteerism has recognized the ASTAR! Program as a Program of Excellence throughout Maryland, 2007-2014.

• Relay for Life raised the most money ever at FSU, reaching $58,000 for the American Cancer Society.

• A STAR! director received the 2013 Peace Crafter Award through Community Mediation Maryland.

• ECHOSTARS received the 2013 Governor’s Service Award and the 2013 Maryland DC Campus Compact Award.

• Frostburg State University was again named on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2013.

• The Offi ce of Civic Engagement led an Alternative Break to New Jersey this spring with 40 participants.

• Student organizations, FSU athletic teams, FSU departments and community members donate over 100 Thanksgiving baskets annually to the Offi ce of Civic Engagement to be distributed to those in need throughout the local area.

“ I wasn’t sure how community service would fi t into my plans, but it did. And it made a huge impact.”

JENNIFER CRUZ ECHOSTARS

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT 15

Shayna Sandbank sweeps a Frostburg sidewalk during Beautify the ‘Burg.

STUDENT & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT STAFF

CIVIC ENGAGEMENTPatrick O’Brien • pobrien@frostburg.eduDirector, Office of Civic Engagement

Sandy Cannon • scannon@frostburg.eduAdministrative Assistant, Office of Civic Engagement

Lisa Clark • lclark@frostburg.eduDirector, A STAR! in Western Maryland

Beth Bair • btbair@frostburg.eduAmeriCorps National Service Coordinator Office of Civic Engagement

CULTURAL EVENTS SERIESMary Jane Plummer • mplummer@frostburg.eduDirector, Cultural Events Series

Melanie Moore • mamoore@frostburg.eduAssistant Director of Production Services Cultural Events Series

Donna Briner • dlbriner@frostburg.eduBox Office Manager, Cultural Events Series

Susan Manger • smanger@frostburg.eduGrant Associate, Cultural Events Series

LANE UNIVERSITY CENTERRob Webber • rwwebber@frostburg.eduDirector, Lane University Center

Austin Huot • ajhuot@frostburg.eduAssistant Director, Lane University Center

Judy Abbott • jabbott@frostburg.eduLane University Center Information Desk

Mark Miller • memiller@frostburg.eduMultimedia Assistant, Lane University Center

Angel Flowers • ahflowers@frostburg.eduEvent Management Coordinator Lane University Center

STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND GREEK LIFERobert “Coop” Cooper • rncooper@frostburg.eduDirector, Student Activities and Greek Life

Amy Fynes • alfynes@frostburg.eduAssistant Director, Student Activities

Jamie Winters • jwinters@frostburg.eduAssistant Director, Student Activities and Greek Life

STUDENT & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTWilliam Mandicott • wmandicott@frostburg.eduAssistant Vice President Student & Community Involvement

Autumn Brode • asbrode@frostburg.eduAdministrative Assistant Student & Community Involvement

Becky Grube • rngrube@frostburg.eduAccounting Clerk Student & Community Involvement

Missy Martz • mmartz@frostburg.eduGraphic Designer and Social Media Coordinator Student & Community Involvement

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATIONKathi Perkins • kperkins@frostburg.eduAdministrative Assistant Student Government Association

Left to right: Judy Abbott, Beth Bair, Donna Briner, Autumn Brode, Sandy Cannon, Lisa Clark, Robert Cooper, Angel Flowers, Amy Fynes, Becky Grube, Austin Huot, Bill Mandicott, Susan Manger, Missy Martz, Mark Miller, Melanie Moore, Patrick O’Brien, Kathi Perkins, Mary Jane Plummer, Rob Webber and Jamie Winters

Frostburg State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. Admission shall be determined without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or handicap. FSU is committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodation through the ADA Compliance Office, call 301.687.4102 or use a Voice Relay Operator at 1.800.735.2258. Frostburg State University is a smoke-free campus.

For more information:STUDENT & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTFROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY101 BRADDOCK ROADFROSTBURG, MD 21532-2303PHONE: 301.687.4411 FAX: 301.687.7049EMAIL: infodesk@frostburg.edu

involvement.frostburg.edu

“Like” us at FSU Department of Student & Community Involvement

Tweet us @thesocialbobcat