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Anatomy of Gray
April 11-14
(more info)
Five16 Film Festival
April 16
(more info)
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Taylor Filzen
Senior
Major: PR
What are your plans for the future? One of my goals is to land a job in the field of athletic administration and/or coaching. I love athletics and am excited to take the experiences I have had in the Communication Department out into the sports industry!
What opportunities have you had at Northwestern?
Just being a student in the public relations program here has given me a lot of experiences that will definitely help me in the future. I also play volleyball, and that has been a fantastic opportunity for me to play a sport I love with amazing teammates and coaches. Last summer, I had the opportunity to do an internship in the Carleton College Athletic Department and that was a great way for me to not only learn a lot but also to gain experience in a real-life work setting.
What is your favorite thing about NWC?
My favorite thing is definitely the community. I love that Northwestern is truly Christ-centered, and the community here definitely reflects that. I have loved getting to know so many great teachers, professors, and staff, and I am grateful for the awesome experience I have had here!
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Bethany (Armstrong) Johnson
2008
Degree:
Electronic Media
Communication
Where has life taken you after Northwestern? After graduation I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the film industry. While searching for full-time work, I paid my rent by working mostly industry-related jobs through temp agencies or by working as a production assistant on a variety of shows (mostly reality). I did this for about five months and then became the assistant to four executives in charge of various elements of NFL.com. I was later hired as the assistant to a documentary producer/director, and that's what I've been working on for almost two years. Within the next month, we'll be wrapping production and segueing into post, where I will move to a new role as post-production coordinator. I've also been working on a few of my own film projects and I recently (finally!) finished the first draft of my screenplay. Oh, and I got married.
What advice do you have for current students?
Northwestern is a great place to try out as many interests and possibilities for the future that you have, so take advantage of it. If you're not sure what area you want to get into after graduation, dabble in as many as possible. I also encourage you to do as many things outside of the Northwestern community that you can. Be an intern, volunteer, study abroad...anything that gets you out in the world, meeting and interacting with people you may not otherwise encounter. It will really be an asset in the future and will help you gain interpersonal skills you might not otherwise develop in just a classroom setting. Experience is key, and the more the better. And make sure to make time for the your interests and hobbies, especially if you're in a job that's less than ideal. It will help you keep your sanity until better things come along. |
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EMC students and professors travel to Belize
 Over spring break, some Northwestern students went to Florida for spring-training, lounged on a sun-soaked beach or relaxed to the sounds and smells of home. However, only one group traveled to Belize.
From February 29 to March 9, seven Electronic Media Communication majors, four faculty and 14 KTIS listeners and staff traveled to Belize for ten days to provide insight into the culture and the mission of Christian radio to Belizean citizens. They hosted a three-day seminar that included classes, workshops and hands-on software and technology training. The EMC students also took on the role of consultants to the Belizean Christian radio and TV personnel through the seminar, helping them create content, examining the radio and TV stations' conditions and recommending areas for growth.
Senior Alyssabeth Hester said, "The radio students educated people how to use their editing software and how to enhance their news stories. The TV students taught classes on how to enhance TV stations and news stories."
The Belize group also connected and volunteered with the community. Some members played with kids at a children's home, while others hosted a mini job fair for high school students focusing on the importance of college.
Hester said, "The trip was a great opportunity to take all the things I have been taught in class and teach them to someone else. I have been blessed with time here at NWC with amazing professors who have taught me a lot. It was fun to pass it along to others to assist them in spreading the gospel to Belize." |
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 Dan Hanson communicates a message of hope
 Senior Electronic Media Communication major Dan Hanson's life story is a bit different from the typical Northwestern student. But that story is opening doors for him to share a message of hope across the country.
After graduating from high school, Hanson enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he served an eight-month tour of duty on the front lines of Iraq. A series of traumatic experiences during and after his return from the war helped put Hanson on a path to self-destruction. "I lost a friend to suicide, another good friend to Iraq and finally my own brother (also a Marine) to suicide. At that point I pretty much gave up on my life and started to avoid pain at any and all cost." Hanson's coping methods strapped him with addiction, debt and eventually landed him in jail. "That was when I decided I needed something more, and I found that something more at Minnesota Teen Challenge."
Hanson spent over a year at Teen Challenge, a faith-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, where he was introduced to the hope and healing of Christ and set on a path to a new life. "The program meant and still means to me in one word, 'hope.'"
But Hanson's relationship with the program didn't end at his graduation. "I currently do a lot of marketing work with Teen Challenge and a little bit of public relations. There have been several videos made about my story, and Teen Challenge has used them to get the word out about the success of the program." Hanson also recently traveled with Teen Challenge to the National Religious Broadcasters convention (NRB), where he did several powerful radio and TV interviews. "Every time I tell my story it is new...[NRB] was a great experience and a real blessing. I was able to meet people like Dr. Tony Evans, Charles Stanley and a few others. I was also invited to be on Dr. James Dobson's show in Colorado Springs!"
Though he doesn't yet know where his career will take him, Hanson is commited to maintaining a healthy life and family, and to let his story be spark of hope for others. "My main goals are to be a good husband to my wife and father for my kids and to keep a strong personal relationship with God. I've been having a lot of opportunities, and I know it's not because of me, it's because of God." |
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 The theatre program has never let the audience down by selecting a mundane, stale piece, and this spring is no different. With a nine-character cast, Dr. Don "Doc" Rainbow is directing Anatomy of Gray, a beautiful story about love, loss and hope. The show will take place in the Patsy Miller Studio Theatre April 11-14 at 7 p.m.
Set in the late 1800s, the play follows the story of a young woman, June Muldoon, who prays for a healer to arrive so plague can be prevented in her small town. After her father dies, she becomes curious about God and love.
The role of June Muldoon is played by sophomore Communication major Bridget Russell. She said, "Students should attend the play because it is a charming show about loss and love. The cast has been working hard to put together an incredible show for Northwestern. We would love to have support from the students as we try to touch their hearts with the talents God has blessed us with. Come laugh, cry and enjoy the show along with us."
Nathan Cousins, Theatre Production Manager, said, "Seating is limited and tickets will go quickly, so get 'em while they are hot! We'll see you at the theatre."
Tickets are free for students with a valid NWC ID and can be reserved at the Ticket Office. |
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Students trade free PR for experience
When public relations students take the PR Principles & Campaigns class in the spring, they come away with real-life experience that gives them the skills and contacts to pursue an internship or job. The students select a business and create a public relations plan book for the company, essentially offering them free PR.
Dr. Kent Kaiser said, "The project is a complicated process of doing original research, setting objectives, picking strategies and tactics and determining how to evaluate the campaign's effectiveness."
Junior Amanda Stroud is currently working with Perk Health, a new business that provides companies workouts for their employees to create a healthy community. She said, "I enjoy getting out in the real world and offering a company the opportunity for success."
Emily Barry, a senior who took the class last year, created a plan book for a boutique catering company, Cocoa & Fig. She said, "I enjoyed the organization and creative thinking involved in the project. It was helpful to learn how to manage such a large project on my own and to pay careful attention to detail."
Since the process can be long and complicated, Barry suggested, "The most important thing to initially do is to create a SWOT analysis, in which you analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the organization. You want to address a variety of matters related to the SWOT analysis in the plan."
The plan books will build up students' resumes and portfolios to demonstrate to future employers the high-level work they are capable of performing.
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Notable Notes
Political Communication students Courtney Gossen, Sian Taylor and Drew Worthing hosted a table in Graham Commons providing information about the Minnesota Marriage Amendment as part of their work with the Minnesota for Marriage campaign, their chosen practicum for the course.
PR grad Danielle Marcus ('07) is now an Event Coordinator for Greater Twin Cities United Way.
EMC graduate Jon Meerdink ('12) was recently hired as the afternoon anchor and beat reporter at WCLO radio in Janesville and Beloit, Wisconsin. Prior to that, he worked as a Marketing Representative for Nicolet Broadcasting.
Dr. Kent Kaiser served as project manager and editor for the book Company Town: An Oral History about Life in Silver Bay, Minnesota, 1950s-1980s, to be released in early May. The project was funded by a grant from the Minnesota Historical Society, and a small group of current and former NWC Communication students contributed to the project.
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Note From the Chair
"Better take a jacket--- it's cold." That warning from my wife would have been unnecessary most years, since jackets are standard Minnesota equipment in late March. But the slight turn toward normal temperatures later in the unseasonably balmy month caught us by surprise. Hadn't spring already sprung?
Living in Minnesota reminds you that one man's global warming is another's "Hey, it's nice out!" This year also reminded us that whatever we're surrounded by quickly becomes the new normal, revising our expectations of the way things should be. That's good to keep in mind, because it applies not only to the weather, but also to our media environment.
In the Mass Media and Society class, we spend a lot of time learning to think critically about the media world around us. It's a little like being a fish and learning to pay attention to water. The messages we take in from mass media may not change our views overnight, but the more we're exposed to the false world of media, the more likely we are to accept it as true. George Gerbner called this effect "cultivation," and demonstrated that the more people watch television (which is filled with cops and robbers) the more likely they are to overestimate the role of crime in society.
The same principle almost certainly applies to other issues. What is your media world telling you about the role of faith in society? What lessons are you learning about greed, or lust? Are you happy with the worldview you are soaking in?
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--- think about such things." Paul never saw our modern media world, but he certainly knew what to do about it.
Doug Trouten Communication Department Chair
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