http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/ reflections from the faculty of the communication arts department at Union Univeristy Copyright 2009 Union University Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:40:51 CST http://www.uu.edu/images/Crest_Horizontal-300.jpg http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/ <p class="MsoNormal"&rt;<span style="font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;I just wanted everyone to know the results of our new debate team’s exemplary first season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"&rt;  </span&rt;Below is a partial listing of everything they accomplished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"&rt;  </span&rt;The statistics are pretty unrelenting!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"&rt;  </span&rt;As a team, we had a 65% win percentage on the year, had 4 of top 10 novice debaters in the country, accumulated 224 points (no one had ever topped 200 before), and won IPDA Novice Team Sweepstakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"&rt;  </span&rt;Below is a chronological listing of the tournaments we attended and what we did.<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <p class="MsoNormal"&rt;<strong&rt;<span style="font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;University of Arkansas-Monticello</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt; Weevil Wars</span&rt;</strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Kate Conkling: Novice Debate Semi-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Kristin Tisdale: Novice Debate Quarter-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Emily Welborn: Novice Debate Champion<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; <p class="MsoNormal"&rt;<strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack Classic</span&rt;</strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Kate Conkling: Novice Debate Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 2<sup&rt;nd</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Betsy Davis: Novice Debate Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Jordan Hughey: Novice Debate Semi-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Andrew Roberts: Novice Debate Champion, </span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 1<sup&rt;st</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Jonathan Skagfield: Novice Debate Quarter-Finals, </span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 5<sup&rt;th</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Jessikah Stahl: Novice Debate Quarter-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Emily Welborn: Novice Debate Octo-Finals, <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 4<sup&rt;th</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Overall Team Sweepstakes: 1<sup&rt;st</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; <p class="MsoNormal"&rt;<strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Mississippi College Deep South Debates</span&rt;</strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Kate Conkling: Novice Debate Quarter-Finals</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 5<sup&rt;th</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Betsy Davis: Novice Debate Octo-Finals</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 1<sup&rt;st</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Ben Fulton: Varsity Debate Quarter-Finals, </span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Varsity Debate Speaker: 1<sup&rt;st</sup&rt; Place <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Overall Speaker (Lindsay Miller Award) : 1<sup&rt;st</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Jordan Hughey: Novice Debate Quarter-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Andrew Roberts: Novice Debate Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Jessikah Stahl: Novice Debate Quarter-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Kristin Tisdale: Novice Debate Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Emily Welborn: Novice Debate Semi-Finals <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 2<sup&rt;nd</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Overall Team Sweepstakes: 2<sup&rt;nd</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; <p class="MsoNormal"&rt;<strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Louisiana State University Mardi Gras Classic</span&rt;</strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Kate Conkling: Novice Debate Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Betsy Davis: Novice Debate Quarter-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 1<sup&rt;st</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Ben Fulton: Varsity Debate Quarter-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Bethany Hogg: Novice Debate Quarter-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Andrew Roberts: Novice Debate Octo-Finals, </span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 3<sup&rt;rd</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Kristin Tisdale: Novice Debate Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Emily Welborn: Novice Debate Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 2<sup&rt;nd</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Mandisa Wofford: Novice Debate Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Team Debate Sweepstakes: 1<sup&rt;st</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt; </o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:right dotted 6.5in"&rt;<strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Henderson State University Reddie to Rumble</span&rt;</strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Kate Conkling: Novice Debate Champion<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Betsy Davis: Novice Debate Octo-Finals</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 1<sup&rt;st</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Jordan Hughey: Novice Debate Quarter-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Kristin Tisdale: Novice Debate Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Emily Welborn: Novice Debate Octo-Finals</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 3<sup&rt;rd</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; </ul&rt; <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:right dotted 6.5in"&rt;<strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;University of Central Arkansas End of Hi-bear-nation</span&rt;</strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Kate Conkling: Novice Debate Champion</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 2<sup&rt;nd</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Bethany Hogg: Novice Debate Semi-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Jordan Hughey: Novice Debate Semi-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 1<sup&rt;st</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Andrew Roberts: Novice Debate Double Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Kristin Tisdale: Novice Debate Double Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 5<sup&rt;th</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Mandisa Wofford: Novice Debate Double Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Emily Welborn: Novice Debate Double Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Team “Bear It All” Award for Best Overall Win Percentage: 1<sup&rt;st</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Overall Team Sweepstakes: 3<sup&rt;rd</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:right dotted 6.5in"&rt;<strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;IPDA Championships</span&rt;</strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Betsy Davis: Novice Debate Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 6<sup&rt;th</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Ben Fulton: Varsity Debate Double Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Bethany Hogg: Novice Debate Double Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Jordan Hughey: Novice Debate Quarter-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 1<sup&rt;st</sup&rt; Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Andrew Roberts: Novice Debate Double Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Emily Welborn: Novice Debate Octo-Finals<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Novice Debate Speaker: 2<sup&rt;nd </sup&rt;Place<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; </li&rt; </ul&rt; <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:right dotted 6.5in"&rt;<strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Season Novice Individual Season-Long Awards</span&rt;</strong&rt; <ul&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Kate Conkling: 2<sup&rt;nd</sup&rt; Place</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Jordan Hughey: 6<sup&rt;th</sup&rt; Place</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Andrew Roberts: 9<sup&rt;th</sup&rt; Place</span&rt;</li&rt; <li&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;Emily Welborn: 3<sup&rt;rd</sup&rt; Place</span&rt;</li&rt; </ul&rt; <span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt;<strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;Season Novice Team Sweepstakes: </span&rt;</strong&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;1<sup&rt;st</sup&rt; Place</span&rt;<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"&rt;<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt;</span&rt; <!--EndFragment--&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=86 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=86 wdrake@uu.edu (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Fri, 08 May 2009 00:00:00 CST This is a recent article from the Cardinal & Cream, co-written by Elizabeth Wood and Lindsay Dawkins. <h4&rt;Piercing eyes. Flawless complexion. Perfect figure. Impeccable smile.</h4&rt; In the world of advertising, altered imagery and misleading messages are found in glamour magazines, TV commercials and the Internet, said students across the campus of Union University. Some students said current advertising focuses on selling products for physical fulfillment rather than building character and individuality. Others said advertising can be positive and beneficial to the public eye. “The purpose of advertising is to allure viewers to buy their product,” said Benjamin Ferrell, junior psychology major. “People would be revolted by the advertisement if it were ugly.” Trey Peters, senior marketing major, said advertising is about drawing customers to the unique selling points of a company’s brand, product or service. “In our commodity driven society, we have become saturated with a constant exposure to advertisements,” Peters said. “In order for our economy to get back on its feet, people need to spend money. The way to do that is through advertising and marketing strategies.” Companies want consumers to demand their product, so they make their advertisements optimal, Peters said. The problem with advertising, Ashley Jackson, resident director of Heritage Complex said, is advertisers appeal to senses and emotions to make a connection with consumers. “Advertisers will do anything to sell their product, even if it goes against ethical violations,” Jackson said. Kim Middleton, junior advertising major, does not believe all advertisements are misleading. She said she looks forward to creating and promoting good, clean and positive messages in the advertising field after college. “There are many people working in advertising that desire to promote love and family through their work,” Middleton said. “Whereas some advertisements are misleading, not every advertisement is corrupted and dishonest.” Bethany VanCleave, junior social work major, said the world encourages people to follow the media’s lies instead of pursuing the image of Christ. As human beings, she said it is a natural instinct to follow what society proclaims as truth. “We should proclaim the gospel of Christ instead of proclaiming the media and their gospel,” Ferrell said. In January, ABC launched a new reality TV show, “True Beauty.” Contestants on the show assume they are being judged solely on outward beauty, when in reality, judges are looking at the contestants’ inner-beauty. The show raises the question, “What is the definition of true beauty?” Rob Simpson, freshman digital studies major, has high hopes “True Beauty” will help open the eyes of people who have preconceived notions as to what beauty is. “In order for people to be accepted in our world, the media will have to show a more diverse demographic in the things they portray instead of the perfect body figure,” Simpson said. “It would take all sizes, shapes, race, creed and origin.” Jackson said Proverbs 31:30 sums up the meaning of beauty when it says, “Charm is deceiving and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” “Find true beauty in Christ,” she added. http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=83 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=83 (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:00:00 CST <span style="font-family: Arial; "&rt;<small&rt;“Get inside! Get inside the building now!” </small&rt;</span&rt; <spacer type="horizontal" size="36"&rt;</spacer&rt;<small&rt;Katie Shatzer and I are practically shoved into a building on Belmont University’s campus by a security guard, as we hear warnings of a blast in three minutes in the big hole on campus that will one day be their Pharmacy school. Barely inside the building, we suddenly hear a loud boom and feel the building shake under our feet. We look incredulously at each other and start laughing, clutching our bags to our sides. Just another great memory from the Southeastern Journalism Conference 2009.</small&rt;<spacer type="horizontal" size="36"&rt;</spacer&rt; <span style="font-family: Arial; "&rt; </span&rt; <small&rt;The SEJC Conference, which was Feb. 12-14 on Belmont’s campus in Nashville, Tenn., brought together hundreds of journalism students from several colleges throughout the Southeast. As a college in the Southeast region, the communications department takes students every year. This year, 15 students attended, providing a unique experience for everyone, as it was all our first time to attend the conference.</small&rt;<spacer type="horizontal" size="36"&rt;</spacer&rt; <span style="font-family: Arial; "&rt; </span&rt; <small&rt;The conference provided sessions ranging in topic to fit a variety of interests. The most interesting session I attended was on social networking sites and their importance in the modern-day communication world, as more and more people and businesses become a part of Twitter and LinkedIn. While I did not agree with everything the session leader said—he encouraged us to get a Twitter account in order for us to talk to future employers, which I don’t think is very professional—he provided a knowledgeable presentation on the benefits of creating an online identity.</small&rt;<spacer type="horizontal" size="36"&rt;</spacer&rt; <span style="font-family: Arial; "&rt; </span&rt; <small&rt;The most anticipated part of the conference, I dare say, was the onsite competition. In the competition, students participated in different writing areas—news, entertainment, feature—and had an hour to research their story and an hour to write. I participated in entertainment, where I attended a faux press conference with a member of a local Nashville band with around ten other students. After the conference, we had an hour to write our story and turn it in to be judged.</small&rt;<spacer type="horizontal" size="36"&rt;</spacer&rt; <span style="font-family: Arial; "&rt; </span&rt; <small&rt;While I enjoyed the fast-paced, thrilling side of writing a story for competition, I enjoyed more being able to connect with students from other schools and states and talk to them about their goals as a journalist. In the end, it wasn’t about the competition or who was going to win; it became more to me about reconnecting with other journalism majors from several different schools and backgrounds.</small&rt;<spacer type="horizontal" size="36"&rt;</spacer&rt; <span style="font-family: Arial; "&rt; </span&rt; <small&rt;Union students represented the school well, as we took awards in several of the onsite competitions. Katherine Pullen won first place in feature writing, Katie Shatzer won second place in news writing, Elizabeth Wood and Daniel Callicott took third place in public relations campaigns and I took third place in entertainment writing.</small&rt;<spacer type="horizontal" size="36"&rt;</spacer&rt; <span style="font-family: Arial; "&rt; </span&rt; <small&rt;We also took home awards from the overall competition—Jonathan Huskey came away with first place in Best Sports Writer, Emily Rawls took first place in graphic design, Kyle Kurlick took second place in best news photographer and Sarah McBroom took third place in best news writer.</small&rt;<spacer type="horizontal" size="36"&rt;</spacer&rt; <span style="font-family: Arial; "&rt; </span&rt; <small&rt;Overall, the conference provided a fun journalism filled weekend. For me, however, it wasn’t about scaring the other schools with our journalism skills—it was about connecting with the other Union students and professors on the trip that I had never really had a chance to talk with one-on-one before. The conference was an invaluable experience that all communication students should attend before they leave Union University.</small&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=84 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=84 (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:00:00 CST For those of you techie types interested in the details of the new studio equipment being installed in Jennings Hall, here you go. Click on the links to go to detailed info about each item. Video:<br /&rt; (3) "http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101625"&rt;JVC GY-HD250U ProHD cameras with VF-HP840U LCD HD Studio Viewfinder, HZ-FM13U Focus Control, HZ-ZS13U Zoom Control, and RM-HP250AU Camera Control Unit <br /&rt; (1) "http://www.broadcastpix.com/The-Switcher-Redefined/Slate-3000.html"&rt;Broadcast Pix Slate 3016 HD switcher with 3 DVEs, built-in multiviewer, clip store, and Inscriber CG<br /&rt; (1) "http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/product/KDL-42V4100"&rt;Sony KDL-42V4100 42" LCD monitor for program, preview and camera monitoring<br /&rt; (3) "http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-videorecorders/cat-optical/product-PDWF75/"&rt;Sony PDWF75 XDCAM HD decks <br /&rt; (3) "http://www.telescript.com/hardware/15fps.html"&rt;Telescript Fast Fold teleprompters with TeleScript AV software and the 10-button controller <br /&rt; (1) "http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101632"&rt;JVC DTV20L1DU HD production monitor<br /&rt; (1) "http://www.hamlet.co.uk/products/digiscope/9000/menu/main_i.html"&rt;Hamlet DS9000B Digiscope digital waveform/vectorscope<br /&rt; (2) "http://www.aja.com/html/products_rackmount_FS1.html"&rt;AJA FS-1 SD/HD audio/video converter to downconvert HD signals to SD signals<br /&rt; <br /&rt; Audio:<br /&rt; (1) "http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%25253D451996%252526CTID%25253D560488%252526CNTYP%25253DPRODUCT,00.html"&rt;Yamaha LS9-32 digital audio mixer with built-in EQ, effects and USB Memory Recorder/Player<br /&rt; (4) "http://www.genelec.com/products/2-way-monitors/8030a/"&rt;Genelec 8030A audio monitors <br /&rt; (2) "http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/WirelessMicrophones/us_pro_ULXP_content"&rt;Shure ULX wireless microphone systems <br /&rt; (2) "http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/WiredMicrophones/us_pro_SM93_content"&rt;Shure SM93 micro-lavalier microphones <br /&rt; (2) "http://www.telexradiocom.com/product.php?id=3019744000"&rt;Telex TT-16 Wireless IFB <br /&rt; (2) "http://www.telexradiocom.com/product.php?id=301945000"&rt;Telex TR-16 Wireless IFB receivers <br /&rt; <br /&rt; Updated pictures of the installation are available "http://picasaweb.google.com/drchrisblair/COMUnionNewHDTVStudio"&rt;here. http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=25 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=25 cblair@uu.edu (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 CST Brittany Howerton, a 2008 Union graduate, has been named to the inaugural UWIRE 100 list, which honors the nation’s top 100 collegiate journalists. Howerton, a Public Relations/Advertising alumna, served as managing editor of the Cardinal & Cream, Union’s student newspaper, and played a key role in the coverage of the Feb. 5 tornado that devastated the Union campus.   “As the campus lay in shambles, Brittany led the staff to move beyond their own problems and concerns and focus on telling the story,” said Union journalism professor Michael Chute. “We set up a make-shift newsroom in Penick Academic Center, which was also damaged by the tornado, and the facility had no heat. Students worked in coats and gloves in the frigid newsroom, making periodic treks out to the devastated areas to cover the news events.”   Among other stories, Howerton reported on the campus visit by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, and she interviewed Union students who were most seriously injured by the tornado.   “She told students’ stories of survival and how the storm had affected their lives,” Chute said. “On a couple of occasions, she also became a spokesperson for media outlets as one who was an eyewitness to the events. And, when students returned to campus two weeks later, Brittany wrote the main story on classes resuming.   “Through this coverage, Brittany exemplified the very best of journalism in that she put her own struggles aside and worked tirelessly to inform a nation clamoring for information about the storm and its effects,” Chute continued. “Her stories helped put a human face on a natural disaster that made national headlines.”   UWIRE is a free membership organization for college student media and is operated by CBS College Sports Network , a CBS company.   Howerton was selected for the UWIRE 100 from more than 500 nominations submitted by students and educators at 132 schools. A UWIRE panel evaluated each candidate based on demonstrated excellence in the field of collegiate journalism.   The UWIRE 100 students hail from 66 different schools, ranging from small liberal arts colleges to large state universities. The full list of the UWIRE 100 is available at uwire.com/100.   Howerton is the daughter of Bob and Sharon Howerton. She has accepted a position as a staff writer for the Alabama Baptist newspaper.   Original story written by Tim Ellsworth, Director, News and Information. http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=23 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=23 mchute@uu.edu (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 CST Be sure to come by and check out the updated High Definition editing suite in Jennings 204. This last semester we have upgraded to Final Cut Studio 2, featuring Final Cut Pro 6, DVD Studio Pro 4, Motion 3, Soundtrack Pro 2, Compressor 3, and the new color correction app, Color. We also upgraded to Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, so you will benefit from Photoshop CS3's new video features, as well as the new Flash CS3 video encoder. Finally, we have added Maya Complete 2008 to the suite! We are excited about this addition to our complement of video and 3D animation tools, and we are thankful to Autodesk for their generous gift. <img src="/dept/commarts/blogs/photos/EditSuiteImage.jpg" alt="Maya 2008, Final Cut Studio 2, Creative Suite 3" align="left" border="1" hspace="5" /&rt; <br/&rt; <br/&rt; <br/&rt; <br/&rt; <br/&rt; <br/&rt; <br/&rt; <br/&rt; All of this new software is powered on our MacPro with 2.66GHz quad core processors, 3GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage. And we have added an additional Panasonic HVX-200 DVCPro HD camera to allow you to capture, edit and output in High Definition. So come by and check it out. If you have any questions, or are interested in shooting a project in HD, feel free to contact Dr. Blair. http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=16 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=16 cblair@uu.edu (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 CST Hello there! My name is Alison Ball, I am a senior Public Relations major and a Photojournalism minor that would like to share my love for our department with you. The first day I stepped foot on Union's campus I knew Public Relations was the path God had for me. The benefits of small class sizes and a close-knit department allow for numerous opportunities for growth in the lovely field of communications. My relationship with faculty has allowed for conversations that have sparked my interest in a number of organizations and events. One organization I have become very active in over the course of my four years is Union's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). This is a nationally recognized organization that extends Public Relations experience and knowledge, not to mention the great internships and scholarship benefits offered. We are a young but growing chapter who is beginning to make our mark on campus. At the beginning of the semester PRSSA hosted the return of "Mr. Campus." This hilarious event served as a fundraiser for us this year. Seven charming and talented gentlemen participated in this parade of male humor, we had cowboys, roosters even talented musicians vowing for the coveted title of "Mr. Campus." Our 2007 "Mr. Campus" received a dashing crown and scepter along with some pretty great gift certificates from area businesses. Needless to say, the event was a success and PRSSA members hope to see you there next year, maybe even on stage! Along with using our skills on campus, our bid for a Regional Activity was recently chosen. These events are hosted throughout the country by various PRSSA chapters and we are one of 13 schools hosting in 2008. Our activity will be held in Nashville this spring to learn more about our field, meet other peers and gain National recognition. When you come visit us, or even better, come join us, you will find we are not a major that sits around and waits for things to happen; we are seeking new ways to have hands-on-learning experiences and are becoming more active every day. At the end of October we will be working on the promotion of a campus-wide concert featuring artists from Nashville. In addition to this concert we worked with Hanson, yes "Mmmbop," last semester in promoting their new single, "Great Divide," on campus and hosted other Nashville artists to help bring students together to celebrate great music as well as the hope Hanson found in Africa. I cannot forget to mention the photojournalism aspect of my life. My visual creativity has grown and changed over the past few years in ways they wouldn't have anywhere else. At Union, I am able to visualize it and bring it to fruition thanks to the equipment available to students as well as the unbeatable instruction in the classroom. Throughout my time spent in this department I have been able to help organizations in the community through public relations campaigns and social documentary classes. The help I have been able to extend to the Jackson community in and outside of class has been more rewarding than any grade I have received. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our department; it is growing and changing everyday. We all hope you come visit us at Union University! http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=7 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=7 (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 CST If you get a chance, be sure to go to one of the screenings at the Gillette/Tracy film series, held throughout the year at the homes of Jonathan Gillette, assistant professor of art, and Cam Tracy, web development agent and instructor of digital media studies. The series explores "the strange and unique and extraordinary." <br&rt; For up to date information about the series, go to their "http://uu.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21459170009"&rt; Facebook group. <br&rt; Recent films include:<br&rt; Evil (or Ondskan) (2003)<br&rt; Okie Noodling (2001)<br&rt; Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)<br&rt; 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)<br&rt; Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (2005) <br&rt; loudQUIETloud: A Film About the Pixies (2006)<br&rt; Adaptation (2002)<br&rt; The Thin Blue Line (1988)<br&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=9 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=9 cblair@uu.edu (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:00:00 CST I discovered a great book when I was in LA last year at a CCCU Cinema Studies conference. The book is Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film and Culture, edited by Spencer Lewerenz and Barbara Nicolosi of Act One, Inc., a non-profit training and formation program for Hollywood writers and executives. The book features essays from numerous Christians who are working as writers, directors and producers in Hollywood. If you have an interest in working in Hollywood, or you just want to better understand the challenges Christians face trying to shape our culture, then you must read this book!<p/&rt; <img src="/dept/commarts/blogs/photos/behindScreen.jpg" alt="Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film and Culture" align="left" border="1" hspace="5" /&rt; I cannot just pick out one essay that is my favorite. The essays, though written in isolation from one another, combine together to create a unified, holistic argument for Christian involvement in the arts, and film specifically. I will say that I have used Ron Austin's (Mission: Impossible, Charlie's Angels, Matlock, Father Dowling Mysteries) explanation of the differences between Plato's view of drama and Aristotle's view of drama numerous times in conversations and in class. Trust me-it is more interesting than it sounds. I have also been challenged and convicted by statements made in essays like Thom Parham's (JAG, Touched by an Angel) Why Do Heathens Make the Best Christian Films and Scott Derrickson's (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) A Filmmaker's Progress.<p/&rt; I was challenged so much by what I read, that I went out and bought a copy of the book for each of the faculty in the Communication Arts department. Of all the books on the issue of Christianity and film that I have read, this one stands out. Perhaps it is because it is broken into small, easily digestible pieces. Perhaps it is because it is written in large part by professional writers who tell compelling stories for a living. Perhaps it is because it is written by people who have lived and breathed the "culture wars" on a daily basis. No matter the reason, I highly recommend this book for any of our students. And you might as well buy it now, because I will likely require it in the next class you take from me.<p/&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=5 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=5 cblair@uu.edu (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 CST Congratulations to the Union students who submitted their work to the Baptist Press Collegiate Journalism Conference, Oct. 11-13. It was an excellent conference and our students represented Union well, earning honors in a number of the award categories. Here's the list of winners:<p/&rt; Column Writing<br&rt; Kyle Kurlick, 1st place, "Coin links father and son" Feature Article<br&rt; Allison Hayes: 2nd place, "Deaf population lost in translation" <br&rt; Tyler Whetstone: 3rd place, "Autism challenges whole family" <p/&rt; News Photo<br&rt; Kyle Kurlick, 1st place, "Freshman come from near and far" <br&rt; Stephanie Schroeder, 2nd place, "GOP retains Tennessee" <p/&rt; Feature Photo (B&W) <br&rt; Stephanie Schroeder, 1st place, "Illusionist dispels stereotypes" <p/&rt; Feature Photo (Color) <br&rt; Kyle Kurlick, 1st place, "Virtue and vengeance brew in Union's rendition of Tempest" <p/&rt; Portrait Personality (Color) <br&rt; Stephen Beckham, 1st place, "Tattoos not taboo" <p/&rt; Feature Picture Story (Color) <br&rt; Matthew Diggs: 2nd place, "Union has grounds" <p/&rt; Sports Action Photo (B&W) <br&rt; Heather Phillips: 2nd place, "Road Warriors" <p/&rt; Portrait (Color) <br&rt; Kyle Kurlick, 3rd place, "Fresh Cole ignites fire for golf team" <p/&rt; In addition, Brittany Howerton served on the four-member Student Advisory Panel and had several opportunities to represent Union well during the conference. <p/&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=6 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=6 mchute@uu.edu (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 CST The Union University Players performed Judith Viorst's Alexander, Who's Not, Not, Not, Not, Not, Not Going to Move to over 2500 elementary school students from over 20 schools in the region, including a school from Mississippi. The play, which ran from Nov. 5-8, continues the story of Alexander. After weathering all those comic calamities in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, the loveable and irrepressible Alexander now faces his biggest challenge ever: moving-as he puts it-"a thousand miles away!" Everyone is packing, but NOT Alexander, who can't bear the thought of leaving his best friend Paul...his tree house...his soccer team...his babysitter...and everything else he considers home sweet home in this "hilarious and heartrending" (The Washington Post) musical for the whole family. "http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/2485/"&rt;The Kennedy Center provides a great study guide for classes who attended the play. http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=11 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=11 dburke@uu.edu (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:00:00 CST Congratulations to senior Matt Stimmell, who received a number to go to the Southeast Theatre Conference Auditions this spring. There were few audition slots this year, and many schools did not get to audition at all. Six Union students were able to audition. The 40th Annual Tennessee Theatre Conference was a great success, and a number of our students were able to participate in the workshops and discussions. And mark your calendars for the 59th Annual SETC Convention, which will be in Chattanooga, March 5-9, 2008. "http://www.setc.org/"&rt; Click here for more information.<p/&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=10 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=10 dburke@uu.edu (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 CST Wink Martindale, a Jackson native whose broadcasting career spans more than 50 years, will visit Union Communication Arts students Thursday, Oct. 25th, during the 12:15 hour.<p/&rt;Mr. Martindale will conduct and Q&A session with students in the Television Studio on the second floor of Jennings Hall. A video of his career will be shown prior to the Q&A session. The entire event will be televised live on EPlus Channel 6. <img src="/dept/commarts/blogs/photos/Wink.jpg" alt="Wink Martindale" align="left" border="1" hspace="5" /&rt; The host of 19 games shows and currently seen as the Orbitz Man in commercials for the national online travel service, Martindale began his broadcasting career at WDXI in Jackson in 1951 after "pestering his Sunday School teacher, who owned the station, to give me a job." Eventually, he worked for two other Jackson stations before vaulting to an on-air job at WHBQ in Memphis, the most popular rock music station serving West Tennessee in the 1950s.With his popularity growing on radio, Martindale migrated to WHBQ-TV, where he hosted two successful local broadcasts: "Wink Martindale and the Rocket Rangers" and "Wink Martindale's Top Ten Dance Party." On the latter show, he periodically interviewed Memphis native and music legend Elvis Presley. Martindale's interviews with Elvis are credited with helping propel The King in his early music career.In 1959, Martindale took the plunge and moved to Hollywood, where he hosted a live television dance party show in Los Angeles and did an four-hour daily pop music show on radio. The same year he was tapped to do a narrative song, "Deck of Cards," the story of a soldier who did not own a Bible but used the numbers on a deck of playing cards to depict the impact of the Bible and Christ on his life. The song soared into the top five on the Billboard charts. Martindale performed the song on the Ed Sullivan show in New York.In 1964, he began the journey as a popular television game show host. "What's This Song?" was a forerunner of today's "The Singing Bee" and " Don't Forget the Lyrics!" Over the next 36 years, Martindale hosted more than 18 more game shows. His longest running favorites: "Gambit," which ran on CBS from 1972-77, and "Tic Tac Dough," which ran from 1978-85. In the late 1990s he had another long run with "Debt" on Lifetime.In 2006, Martindale was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In July 2007, the Game Show Congress presented him with the Ralph Edwards Career Service Award for this lifetime of charity work, including the Wink Martindale Cerebral Palsy Telethon, which raised more than $1 million for Jackson's Cerebral Palsy Center from 1978-88. Two weeks ago, Martindale was inducted into the Game Show Hall of Fame at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas.Wink and his wife, Sandy, are both devout Christians and have lad several tours to the Holy Land.All Communication Arts students will be excused from 12:15 to 1:30 classes to attend the session with Wink Martindale in Thursday and are able to ask him questions about his career during the event. http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=8 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=8 sbeverly@uu.edu (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 CST Great paragraph from JPod - the new Douglas Coupland novel I'm currently reading. "...we're googling every ten minutes. The problem is, after a week of intense googling, we've started to burn out on knowing the answer to everything. God must feel that way all the time. I think people in the year 2020 are going to be nostalgic for the sensation of feeling clueless." http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=1 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=1 ctracy@uu.edu (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Tue, 15 Aug 2006 00:00:00 CST This random beef jerky company has recently launched a hilarious ad campaign called Messin' With Sasquatch - "http://www.messinwithsasquatch.com/"&rt;http://www.messinwithsasquatch.com/ When you get to the site - view the commercials. I've seen a few on TV, but they've got all four on the website. My favorite thing about them (other than the idea of playing classic pranks on Bigfoot) is that Bigfoot often attacks one of the hikers at the end. Genius. http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=3 http://www.uu.edu/dept/commarts/blogs/blog.cfm?ID=3 ctracy@uu.edu (Department of Communication Arts at Union University) Wed, 14 Jun 2006 00:00:00 CST