mass communications message - volume 8 (december 2014)

8/10/2019 Mass Communications Message - Volume 8 (December 2014)

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The Delaware Press Association Award-Winning Magazine

Mass Communications Departmen

Volume 8, December 201

DR. FRANCINE EDWARDSReflects on teaching, research and student success


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THE MASS COMMUNICATIONS MESSAGE VolumDecember 2

EATURES

moke-Free for 2015 2ighlights of the DSU Smoke and Tobaccoree campus initiative.

he Revival of the

WDSU Radio Blog 3

reating a strong brand becomes thecus for the new staff of WDSU Radio

lumni Spotlight 4

his issue spotlights Teryn Chamberlain3) personal assistant to a multimediaogul.

over Feature 5

r. Francine Edwards talks about balanc-

g roles and responsibilities in a univer-ty setting.

andidates Night 6

ocal politicians come to campus for avely debate.

The Wiz 6

everal Mass Communications studentske center stage in the DSU Production of

The Wiz.

Mass Communications Message Volume 8 December 2014

Dr. Edwards talks about balancing academic andservice to the university. What keeps her grounand focusing on student success? Read thismonths cover story to find out.

NABJ STUDENT

MULTIMEDIA PROJECTConvention and Career Fair

Minneapolis, MN August 5-August 9, 2015

NABJ offers an expenses-paid fellowship to outstanding jo

nalism students to cover its Annual Convention and Caree

Fair, and local stories in the convention host city. For oneweek, students work with professional journalists and edu

tors to produce daily television newscasts and newspaper

as well as create and manage a full convention website. Vwww.nabj.org for more information.


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A YEAR OF REFLECTION

DITORS NOTE ef lect ing on Ferguson and Beyond

In 2014 we find our selves slaying dragons from

e past. I never thought that I would turn on the

ews and witness what many are calling injustice.

he nation has been in a state of unrest as a result

the grand jury decisions surrounding the

eaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. While

ere isnt a need to chronicle the events, what is

articularly important to me is trying to find out

ow, as young people to cope, to move forward,

make a statement that will make human rights a

riority.

I remember sitting around the TV trying to fig-re out why another young black male lost his life.

While the looting, violence and outrage wasnt

appening in our own backyard, many of us felt

e pain. The key fact that stuck out in my mind

as not that Brown could have committed petty

eft or that he was not a saint as some of the

roadcast journalists put it. What lingered in my

ind was that he was an 18 year old kid (like

any of us) who made some mistakes along the

ay but had turned his life around and had plans

attending college.

At Delaware State University we held acandle

ght vigil and on December 6, 2014 the campus

ctivity board scheduled a protest in response to

oth officers not being indicted. As a nation we

ave to do something.Hands Up Dont Shoot andI

ant Breatheare gripping chants but they are not

nough. Collectively we need to be willing to

ake a change - - for men, women, young and

d, black and white, the disenfranchised and

arginalized - - a change for human kind.


In an effort to foster a healthier environment,

and in keeping with our commitment to wellnes

DSU is transitioning to become a smoke-free an

tobacco-free campus. As a first step, effective

January 1, 2015, there will be only four desig-

nated smoking areas on the main campus, and

one designated area at each satellite loca-

tion. Smoking anywhere else on campus will b

prohibited, although smokers will be allowed to

smoke inside their personal vehicles until mid-

August.

Starting August 15, 2015, no person is permit

ted to use tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) at any time on DSU property. Indivi

als will need to leave campus in order to use to-

bacco. The policy will apply to students, emplo

ees, visitors, vendors and attendees at any cam

pus events, including conferences and sporting

events.

DSU is committed to supporting smokers who

want to quit; a number of resources are avail-

able. Students are encouraged to contact theHealthy Hornets program,healthyhor-

[email protected]. DSU employees who have insu

ance through the state can access resources

through the DelaWELL programhttps://

delawell.alerehealth.com or 1-866-674-

9103. Delaware residents and full-time student

are eligible for tobacco cessation services

through the Delaware Quitline

www.quitsupport.com or 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

The Delaware Center for Health Promotion is

offering free nicotine gum for those interested,

while supplies lastcontact [email protected]

or 302-857-7309.

A SMOKE -FREE CAMPUS

DSU eNews Writer
https://webmail.desu.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=TmGpbqKu50q8Z8ga62DckEOV-Fw75dEI0GFBEADCKrRPwo8zm_FtUStmgoE-kYiWAKuGFz5Y3fQ.&URL=mailto%3ahealthyhornets%40desu.eduhttps://webmail.desu.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=TmGpbqKu50q8Z8ga62DckEOV-Fw75dEI0GFBEADCKrRPwo8zm_FtUStmgoE-kYiWAKuGFz5Y3fQ.&URL=mailto%3ahealthyhornets%40desu.eduhttps://webmail.desu.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=TmGpbqKu50q8Z8ga62DckEOV-Fw75dEI0GFBEADCKrRPwo8zm_FtUStmgoE-kYiWAKuGFz5Y3fQ.&URL=https%3a%2f%2fdelawell.alerehealth.comhttps://webmail.desu.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=TmGpbqKu50q8Z8ga62DckEOV-Fw75dEI0GFBEADCKrRPwo8zm_FtUStmgoE-kYiWAKuGFz5Y3fQ.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.quitsupport.comhttps://webmail.desu.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=TmGpbqKu50q8Z8ga62DckEOV-Fw75dEI0GFBEADCKrRPwo8zm_FtUStmgoE-kYiWAKuGFz5Y3fQ.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.quitsupport.comhttps://webmail.desu.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=TmGpbqKu50q8Z8ga62DckEOV-Fw75dEI0GFBEADCKrRPwo8zm_FtUStmgoE-kYiWAKuGFz5Y3fQ.&URL=https%3a%2f%2fdelawell.alerehealth.comhttps://webmail.desu.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=TmGpbqKu50q8Z8ga62DckEOV-Fw75dEI0GFBEADCKrRPwo8zm_FtUStmgoE-kYiWAKuGFz5Y3fQ.&URL=mailto%3ahealthyhornets%40desu.eduhttps://webmail.desu.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=TmGpbqKu50q8Z8ga62DckEOV-Fw75dEI0GFBEADCKrRPwo8zm_FtUStmgoE-kYiWAKuGFz5Y3fQ.&URL=mailto%3ahealthyhornets%40desu.edu


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I am very excited andhonored to be the new assign-ment editor for the Mass Com-munications Message. I amcurrently a junior and a MassCommunications major with aconcentration in Public Rela-tions. Last semester was myfirst time writing for the maga-zine and it was a great experi-ence. It felt good to be apart ofsomething where I could show-case my writing skills.

At the end of last semester, Dr. Edwards askedme if I would be interested in becoming the assign-ment editor for the publication and there was no sec-ond thought or hesitation in my decision. One of my

goals for my junior year was to get more involvedwithin the Mass Communications Department here atthe university and I was blessed enough to be consid-ered for the position.

WELCOMING A NEW ASSIGNMENT EDITOR

The closed-circuit campus ra-io station, WDSU Radio The Hive is

nder new management and looking to

rand itself in a new and revitalizeday. As the new Online Content Man-

ger, sophomore, Asha Moses has been

sked with the responsibility of reviv-ng the online presence of WDSU Radio

The Hive. With social media be-

ng more prominent than ever, the sta-ons management team decided that

his move was long over due for the

ation. When asked how she felt abouthe task, Moses said, It was well past

me for us to start having an online

resence. Im excited to be leading this

ig effort. People are quick to Googlerganizations and businesses to get

nformation about them.

We consider ourselves a busi-ess, so why not? Moses initially cre-

ed a blog which would chronicle theequent happenings of the staff and

he stations business but decided be-

ause of the demand of a blogs up-

eep, a general website would better

Caprice King

serve the purpose of informing the gen-

eral public, student body, donors, fu-ture advertisers, etc.

In recent years, the radio sta-tions management had not been proac-

tive in the branding the station but newmanagers say that it will not be that way

under their leadership. Moses says thatthe focus this year is strictly, Image in

terms of pushing our business!

So how do people see our cam-

pus radio station? In a survey con-

ducted in the campus library only 1 in 3

students knew that DSU even had an

operating radio station. Statistics like

that are a source for motivation. The

Hives management team has been

working even harder to generate a

strong brand for the station as a whole.

Music Director sophomore,

Marquell Tate says, Its no secret that

the station could use an equipment up-

grade but that hasnt stopped us. The

team believes that by tackling one

issue at a time, we can accomplish

the unthinkable but first, we need to

strengthen our brand. The rest will

in place. Tate believes that by reac

ing out to an online audience The

Hive is opening itself up to be ac-

knowledged more both on campus a

in the community. And who knows,

this student-run radio station could

potentially generate funds for us, T

says laughing.

The intent of the website is to

provide listeners with information

about on-air schedules, the on-air ta

ent, the Street Team, News Team and

Production Team and a reoccurring

Managers Message. Moses hopesrecruit a web-designing

team for the spring 2015

semester as a means of

welcoming various types

of creativity to the web-

site and to the station.

WHATS REALLY BUZZZIN IN THE HIVE?The Revival of the WDSU Radio Blog

Jacquaniese Washington

In addition to being the new assignment ediI am involved in many other areas on campus. Sincfreshmen year, I have been a part of the Public Relations Student Society of America. During my sophomore year, I began to get more involved with othercampus activities and began to grow as a leader. Iwas on the Spirit and Traditions Committee for Campus Activities Board (CAB) and I joined ToastmasteInternational, a public speaking club. In the spring mester of my sophomore year, I ran for the Spirit anTraditions Director for CAB and won.

This school year, I have been hired as a peecounselor and I dedicate a great portion of my timeCAB planning and holding events for the studentbody.

As the assignment editor for the Mass Commnications Message, I look forward to being a part othe award-winning magazine and I will help to mak

sure this publication continues to grow. I encourageach of you to add to your own portfolio by becomia contributing writer.


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The DSUs Mass Com-

unications Department hasways produced alumni whoave been able to use bothassroom and practical ex-erience to catapult them-lves to remarkable careers.

eryn Chamberlain is an indi-dual who exemplifies these

haracteristics and is makinger mark as a part of Chewntertainment staff. Chewntertainment is probablyost notable for the workone by Ray Chew, who wascently hired as the Music

rector for Dancing with the Stars (ABC Television).Chamberlain graduated from DSU in 2013 ander career has sky-rocketed ever since. This Hacken-ck, New Jersey native is a Project Manager and per-nal assistant to Vivian Scott Chew, CEO of TimeZonearketing and Chew Entertainment, an internationallycognized event production company managementm. Teryn Chamberlains most recent work includes

e creation and design of an EPK for Ray Chew andess materials for Peter Thomas (Real Housewives oflanta) and his new coffee line. This opportunity is

pening so many doors for me. Im learning so much;

ere is where I need to be, says Chamberlain. Whenked about how it feels to be an alumni Chamberlainid It feels great to be an alum, close the college

hapter of my life and move on to the real world,

A normal work day for Chamberlain includes ariety of projects that could range from traveling withe artist, coordinating an event, or even doing officeork. Chamberlain believes that DSU has contributedcertain aspects of her real world preparations in herreer, DSU has prepared me for the real world in

llaboration with my life experiences, and withoutther I doubt I would be where I am today.

As for her ultimate career goal Chamberlainas aspirations of opening up her own internationalarketing and event coordinating company. Teryn hasove for traveling and wants to intertwine that with

er career.

Lonjae Williams, a sen-ior majoring in MassCommunications with aconcentration on Public

Relations and Advertisinghas taken on the role asPresident of the DSUs

Public Relations StudentSociety of America(PRSSA) Chapter for the2014-2015 academicschool year.

Hoping to enhanceprofessionalism andreadiness for PR studentsafter college, Lonjae has

been working diligentlyto support students byproviding them with thenecessary resources to besuccessful in the field; oneresource being the PRSSABateman Case StudyCompetition.

Eager to take PRSSA tothe next level, Lonjae andthe members of the 2014-15 team have started

working on this yearscase in which they aretasked with raising aware-ness and sparking localand national dialoguearound the importance ofaffordable housing, inpartnership with HomeMatters,The Plank Cen-ter for Leadership in Pub-lic Relations and Edel-man.

The Bateman CaseStudy Competition isPRSSAs premier national

case study competition forpublic relations students,it gives you an opportu-

nity to apply classroomeducation and internshipexperience to create

MAKING THEIR MARK

yron Dixon

OTWORTHY ALUMNIer yn Chamberlain

Teryn Chamberlain (13)

STUDENT PROFILELonjae Wil l iams

and implement a fullpublic relations cam-paign, says Williams

The 2012 DSU PRSS

chapter won honorablmention in the BatemaCase Study Competitiand plans to exceed thaward this year.

In addition to theBateman Case StudyCompetition Lonjae anmembers are gearingup for the spring semeter where they look foward to increasing

membership and ac-quiring more clienteleWe want to raise

awareness about theDSU PRSSA Chapter inthe surrounding com-munity too, says Wil-

liams.To stay up to date o

the latest with DSUPRSSA follow them ontwitter and Instagram

@dsuprssa.

Lonjae Williams
http://www.homemattersamerica.com/http://www.homemattersamerica.com/http://plankcenter.ua.edu/http://plankcenter.ua.edu/http://plankcenter.ua.edu/http://plankcenter.ua.edu/http://plankcenter.ua.edu/http://plankcenter.ua.edu/http://www.homemattersamerica.com/http://www.homemattersamerica.com/


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COVER FEATUREDr. Francine Edwards:

Committed to Educat ion

I left corporate America for a reason and I

havent looked back, says Dr. Francine Edwards

as I sat down to talk with her about a career as aneducator that has spanned a decade. Edwards

went on to say that now, more than ever she seesthe need to be a part of a greater plan to guidetodays Millennials. Edwards says that the HBCU

teaching experience is truly unique and that thereare so many opportunities to not only teach but tomentor and inspire students to think beyond theirgreatest potential.

Dr. Edwards started at DSU in 2007 andsince then she has been instrumental in helping to

reshape the public relations concentration. Oncesolely focused on public relations, the concentra-

tion now includes an emphasis on advertising withseveral writing intensive courses. Edwards saysthat students really need to understand the basics,

foundation of PR and theory, but at the end of theday, if they cant execute theyre going to be left

behind.Edwards not only has a commitment to stu-

dents in the classroom, she also works to provideopportunities for professional growth throughprofessional affiliations and outside activities. In2012 DSU entered its first team into the prestig-

ious PRSSA Bateman Case Study competition.This was a lot of hard work , says past PRSSA

President and team leader, Donnice Peterson,but to walk away as the only HBCU in the honor-

able mention category out of over 60 teams was agreat first-time accomplishment. Dr. Edwards

believes that opportunities like this better posi-tion DSUs PR students and makes them more mar-ketable. I was ecstatic to get an email from the

national PRSSA office asking us if we were going

to participate in 2013, but faculty responsibilities

kept me from advising a team that year, but wehave a team poised and ready for the 2014 com-petition.

When it comes to other responsibilities, Dr.

Edwards manages to balance them effortlessly. Asthe current Vice President of the American Asso-ciation of University Professors (AAUP) and chairof the universitys Promotion and Tenure Commit-

tee, Edwards spends countless hours after

teaching and student advisement, meeting heobligation in these two very demanding rolesWhen Im not managing these responsibilitie

Im working on my current research which is

about social media authenticity, a book chaptefor an HBCU Reader and reviewing submissio

for Untested Ideas Research and for Sage Pubtions. I dont mind the work. I dont talk about

what I do often, but my hope is that people [wstudents especially] see my focus and commit

ment to not only being an educator but to learing.

Dr. Edwards says she is a life-long learn

and that is something that probably sets her apfrom some academicians. Edwards says shes

seen first-hand, people who dont want to opethemselves to learning, whether its a new tec

nology, concept or even the idea of learning fyoung people and that can be an enormous barier to ones own personal development.

In her seven years at DSU, Edwards has

won several honors including publication awafrom the Delaware Press Association and an Ecellence in Teaching Award from the NationalSociety of Leadership and Success. Edwardshopes to someday take on a more administratrole within the university and her long-term g

includes running for school board or a localpolitical office.

Christian Perry


7/8

Students and members ofe Delaware community came

ut to Candidates Night hosted

y WDSU Radio The Hive, theeague of Womens Voters of

ent County and the American

ssociation of UniversityWomen Dover Branch (AAUW).

or several years, Professor Avaerrine has been instrumental

coordinating this event thatrings politics, student engage-ent and community interactionthe campus.

One of the most memo-

ble experiences was gettingmeet everyone else and see

here they stand. Although I amot from here [Delaware] I stillel like its relatable even

here I am from, said Marquell

ate a DSU student who at-nded the Candidates Night

vent. During the night,


MASS COMM STUDEN TS SHINE IN DSU PRODUCTION OF THE WIZ

LaQuita Williams

OLITICS OF A DIFFERENT KINDWDSU Radio Hosts the Candidates Night Pre -elect ion Event

Catherine Damavandi picturedhere at a previous debate at

Widener Law School

candidates were able to speakout about their platform and in-

form the public on why theywere running for office. Candi-

dates did a three minute intro-duction, and answered a total of

three questions presented bythe audience.

I wanted to get out that it

is important to understand whois qualified to be an attorneygeneral and identify what theattorney general can do. Whatmy opponents did were propos-ing plans for the governors of-

fice, for example putting more

police officers on the streets

and we must remember its im-portant to process more casesand do the public outreach pro-grams to cut back on crimes,

said Catherine Damavandi,Green Party Candidate for the

Attorney General.

This has always been

great opportunity to engage ostudents and provide them wnot only experience as they

help to execute the event, bufor many of them its the first

time they ever experiencesomething like this, says

Perrine.

everal Mass Communications students showcased their talent in the 2014 DSU Production of The Wiz.he casts of 30 students performed classics from the show including Ease on Down the Road and

Home. Convergence Journalism major Chaya Mayo had the honors of the lead role as Dorothy. Othe

Mass Communications majors, Jamie Gage and Asha Moses showcased their dancing talents as a part he shows dance ensemble and LaQuita Williams served as one of the student choreographers .

he classic musical was directed by Dr. Shirlyn Henry Brown with Dr. David Tolley as music director.

aff Writer

hotos (L to R) The Dance Ensemble, lead actress Chaya Mayo, and Cast Photo (courtesy of DESU.edu/news


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DO YOU WANT TO WRITEFOR THE MAGAZINE?

Students interested in writing for our upcoming issues csubmit stories (and story ideas) to Kristyn Green, Student

tor at [email protected], or Caprice King,

signment Editor at [email protected] orDr. Fran Edwards, faculty advisor at [email protected]

Winter Commencement 2014

As always, this time is

bitter sweet. As the se-

mester is drawing to aclose some of you are

eaching another mile-

tone; graduation. On

behalf of the Mass Com-

munications Message

Staff, I would like to wish

each of you much suc-

cess. Now more than

ever, you should have anopen mind. For some of

you, the journey has not

been easy, but you have

managed to see it through.

This moment is some-

hing of great magnitude.

Your charge now is to

apply what you have

earned here at DelawareState University as you go

forward to graduate

chool or as you embark

on your first career. Your

professors, staff and advi-

ors have laid the founda-

ion for you but its time

for you to take the torch

and run.

A dream is no good if

you do not go out and

chase it. Life would not

have meaning without

hills and valleys.

SALUTING OUR GRADUATES

While

the fu-

turemay be

un-

known,

what

we do

know

is that you do not know

what is out there unless

you take a chance andexplore the opportunities.

The future

awaits you and it is time

for you to make your

mark on an even grander

scale.

To the returning stu-

dents, do not loose sight

of the amazing things thathappen along the way.

Our time here at DSU

will go by faster than ex-

pected. Live in the mo-

ment.create moments

that you will be proud to

look back on and most of

all do all things necessary

to ensure that you cele-

brate commencement.

Kristyn Green

DECEMBER GRADUATES

Leandra Abreu

Taneeya Alexander

Shanice Alston

Imani Bashir

Shawnice Blount

Zakiya Broughton

Shubasz Gordon

Tierra Hawkins

Cameron Judge

Darrien Joshua Coleman

Christian Perry

Akeem Pridgen

Briana Priest

Francisco Rivera

Keith Trawick

mass communications message - volume 8 (december 2014)

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