header.gif 

  A Monthly Publication of the Communication Department
Upcoming Events
 
Research Methods
Poster Session
May 3  (more info)

Finals Week
May 10-13

Electronic Media Senior Project Presentations
May 11

Commencement
May 15

Quick Links
Featured Student 


emilystofferahn.jpg

Emily Stofferahn
Senior
 
Major: Public Relations
 
What are your goals for the future?: After graduation, I would love to get a job in the public affairs or communications department of a Minneapolis-based company like Target or Ameriprise. My dream job would be to work in the community relations department for the Minnesota Twins! I'm really passionate about and interested in the field of public relations, but eventually I would like to go to graduate school, specifically law school.
 
What interesting things have you done while at NWC?: I've had the opportunity to do internships with both the Minnesota Twins and Clear Channel Communications. Being a part of IABC and helping Northwestern try to get a chapter of PRSSA have also been great experiences. My PR classes have given me the chance to help a church's PR campaign, assist in event planning and work alongside a political campaign.

What is your favorite thing about NWC?:
It's hard to pick one favorite. I have been so blessed to be a part of a school that is Christ-centered. It isn't something to be taken for granted. I also love my fellow PR students; having similar interests and so many of the same classes has made us into a family. My advice to other students is to build as many relationships as you can while here at Northwestern, whether it be with professors, classmates or people you meet through jobs or internships.

Featured
Alumnus

albertswanson.jpg 
Albert Swanson
May 2005
 
Degree
Broadcasting & Electronic Media
 
What have you been doing since graduation? The day after I graduated, I slept over at Professor Seignious' house, and Monday morning it was off to Belize! Part of my unique Belize experience was having an interview there with the director of radio for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Though I hadn't intended to move away from the Midwest, the Lord provided me with the opportunity to serve as Production Coordinator for BGEA Radio/Audio in Charlotte, NC, and I stepped out in faith. For almost five years, I've recorded and edited (and occassionally written) for the Hour of Decision, Decision Minutes, and Billy Graham Classics (Sirius) radio programs. Not to mention inumerable spots to tell the story of what God is doing through BGEA. It's a tremendous, humbling privilege to serve on this team.

What advice do you have for current students?: NWC Communications students: First, REMEMBER you're made in the image of the Great Communicator, and you've been redeemed by the blood of His Son. Being His ambassador is why you're here. Second, PRACTICE now what you want to do and be in the future. If you're too busy for God, family, church and ministry now, it may only get more difficult. Do now what you dream of doing when you graduate. NWC's full of opportunities. Go for it. And SERVE. Volunteering to produce a Russian-language radio program every Friday afternoon of my senior year and to go to Belize were not only satisfying service opportunities, but God used them to teach me the skills and give me the connections that brought me to BGEA.

Join Our Mailing List

Hundreds gather to enjoy Five16 Film Festival
 
f16ff.jpg
The Five16 Film Festival, which was held on April 19, drew nearly 600 guests to Maranatha Hall. The festival was an opportunity to showcase the talent in short films created by Northwestern students.

The festival featured 21 films in five different categories, each reviewed by a panel of judges including professors, alumni and film professionals such as directors of photography, sound designers, animators and casting directors. An award was presented to the highest scoring film in each category as well as to a grand prize winner voted on by the audience. The winning films are:
  • Best Comedy: Ring (by Spring) by Erin McGregor, Nate Lechner, Ryan Sanderson
  • Best Documentary:Up From the Depths by Anna Carey, Christopher Dadisman, Adam Steinmetz
  • Best Animation: Birthday Party Blues by Lauren Krieger
  • Best Music Video: Bluegrass Breakup by Phil Baur, Seth Conover, Ryan Sanderson
  • Best Drama:The Obituary of Richard Cory by Micah Murray
  • Audience Choice Award: Ring (by Spring)
Freshman Anna Carey, who co-produced Up From the Depths, said, "I loved the celebration of God's creation of the beautiful art of film through the joy and laughter of the evening. Each film had something new to say and it was inspiring to have my group's work amongst so many talented artists."
 
Junior Ryan Sanderson, who co-produced Ring (by Spring) and Bluegrass Breakup, said he didn't know exactly what he wants to do after graduation but said, "I want to go into film, I know that, but whether I want to move out to L.A. or try to break in here in the cities for a while, I don't know. I think I'm going to keep making short films for now and maybe run a few of them in some festivals next year and hopefully get some recognition that way. Who knows? I just love the creative process and want to be involved in it my whole life."
 
See photos from the festival on the department's Facebook page, and watch the winning films on the festival YouTube site.

Students and faculty serve the History Center
 
dops2.jpg On the recent Day of Prayer & Service, students and faculty from the Communication Department joined with members of the softball team to spend the afternoon serving at the Minnesota History Center.

Part of the group assembled at least 1,000 lighthouse hat foundations for the center's summer History HiJinx activities. Children who visit the History Center this summer will be able to finish and take home their hats and learn about the 100-year-old Split Rock Lighthouse.

The rest of the students filled a total of 6,800 red backpacks, which will be distributed to field trip students visiting the Minnesota History Center or the Minnesota State Capitol this spring. Those who receive the backpacks will learn from and enjoy the educational materials and activities that are enclosed.

Karen Kendall, Program Associate at the Minnesota Historical Society, said, "NWC students provided tools which will directly enhance the visitor and learning experience for at least 8,000 students. They have definitely connected with their community through service. And they did it with eagerness, efficiency, generous spirits and lots of smiles. It's especially fun to hear staff rave about the work that's accomplished and how much they admire your students' work ethic."

To see more photos from the History Center project, visit the Communication Department Facebook page.
 poster
Poster session to display students' research
 
postersession.jpgDr. Kent Kaiser's Communication/PR Research Methods class will be exhibiting their research study on Monday, May 3 at 9:10-10:15 a.m. in the MJMC atrium. The class' focus was to choose a particular topic within communication and to create their own original research study addressing the problem.

The poster session is open to the public and will showcase all 11 student research projects.

Communication major Jon Peterson said, "Creating this research presentation has given me a great appreciation for just how challenging it is to create original research. This project was definitely a lot of work, but it's exciting to think that I'm contributing, in even a small way, to the literature surrounding my topic, and Dr. Kaiser has been great to help me with the whole process."

"Research Methods has prepared me for the professional workplace. After taking this class I am much more prepared to how to conduct research and analysis," said junior Vanessa Graetz.

Click here to view a complete list of topics that will be displayed.

Riley's documentary to premiere at Northwestern
 
Associate Professor of Communication Dr. Robin Riley recently completed a historical documentary film entitled Utopia on the Rio Grande. Riley's documentary will premiere at Northwestern in a special viewing on Monday, May 10.

The film tells the story of John Newbrough, a seeker who believed in the perfectability of man, who set out to create a colony of orphans who would, when raised, bring forth a new age of peace and abundance. The film follows his journey and struggles as he pursues this impossible dream. Set against the backdrop of the Mesilla Valley, New Mexico, the film features reenactments and the natural beauty of the area along with extensive archival and photographic materials.

"Part of the reason I chose this topic," explained Riley, "is my strong personal interest in American religious and spiritual movements and the visionaries that shaped them. John Newbrough is a fascinating man who was viewed by the people of his day in a variety of ways: as a dreamer, humanitarian, prophet, crank or fanatic... As a research document, the film sheds new light on his life, motives, and what happened at Shalam Colony. It also raises age-old questions about human nature, sin, and human destiny."

All are invited to view Utopia on the Rio Grande on May 10 at 12 p.m. in MJ006.

Speakers shine in spring Speak-Off

speakoff.jpgOn April 13, the Communication Department held its second semi-annual Northwestern Speak-Off, where 50 students competed against each other in two categories of public speaking, informational and persuasive. Each participant completed two rounds in the speech category of his or her choice.

Speak-Off coordinator Kaylin Karpinski explained, "The informational category consisted of a five-minute extemporaneous speech in order to provide understanding, enlightenment and education about the topic, while the persuasive category included an eight-minute speech designed to actuate behavior of the audience using either problem/solution or motivated sequence patter of arrangement."

The contestants were judged based on speech content, delivery and other presentation-related criteria.
 
Bernice Fernandes, who won first place in the informative category, said, "I was really happy and shocked but thankful for this new gift that God had given me. I enjoy public speaking now because it gives me an opportunity to express myself to my audience. I chose that topic because I was passionate for it and I enjoyed talking about it." Fernandes said that she practiced her speech about 15 times and prayed continually.

Congratulations to the following students, who were finalists in the spring 2010 Speak-Off.

Informative
1st Place: Bernice Fernandes
2nd Place: Lystra Charnon
3rd Place: Yolande Kluse
Finalists: Jake Harden, Heidi Heitzman, Brea Smiley
 
Persuasive
1st Place: Grant Swanson
2nd Place: Christopher Pechan
3rd Place: Amanda Tilstra
Finalists: Jose Moreno, Josh Deleon, Chelsey Ramaker


Note From the Chair
 
I want to let you in on a little secret: Sometimes I'm wrong.
 
I'm sure you're shocked by this revelation. "Doug Trouten, wrong about something?" you're asking yourself. "But he's the smartest man in the world. How could he be wrong?"
 
I share your sense of astonishment, and yet the fact remains that every now and then I'm wrong about something. (For instance, just last month I thought I was mistaken about something, but it turned out I was wrong.)
 
Obviously I'm writing this with my tongue wedged firmly into my cheek, but here's a totally serious truth: One of my deep-seated beliefs is that I'm probably wrong about something important. I don't know what that might be, but as we look back at the history of the world in general and the church in particular, we can see that in hindsight, pretty much everybody has been wrong about something big. I figure it's pretty unlikely that I've happened to come along at the moment when we've finally figured it all out. Chances are much better that a couple of centuries from now people will look back at us and say, "Can you believe they used to think this?"
 
This belief that I'm probably wrong about something doesn't keep me from earnestly contending for the faith. It doesn't keep me from bravely defending my beliefs. But it does mean that at some level, my earnestness and bravery are tempered by the tiniest bit of humility--a humility that comes from understanding that nobody bats a thousand.
 
Many students in the Communication Department are headed for careers that will involve sharing information, conveying ideas and changing minds. My prayer is that our students will be bold advocates for the Christian faith when they enter the marketplace of ideas. But I also hope that in your boldness, you will remember that you're not always going to be right. I believe that this approach actually makes us more effective communicators.

(Of course, I could be wrong.)
 
Doug Trouten
Chair, Communication Department