LIZ ABEND
Staff Writer
Surrounded by the constant buzz of today’s media, the communication field at Pepperdine is constantly evolving. In response, the Communication Division is hosting its third annual Comm Connection on Wednesday, Feb. 8 through Friday, Feb. 10, featuring speakers from all aspects of communication.
“Committee members work together to develop a panoply of sessions that fit Comm Connection’s mission,” said committee member Dr. Ginger Rosenkrans, who has participated in Comm Connection for the past three years. This year’s speakers include Jerry Mitchell, the 2005 winner of the John Chancellor Award for Excellence in Journalism, and Richard Schirmer, who headed marketing and advertising for “The Chronicles of Narnia.”
“The speakers are interested in sharing their trials, triumphs, challenges and suggestions,” Rosenkrans said.
Comm Connection focuses on considering vocations related to communications.
“It’s a good way for students to see how what they learn in the classroom applies to their future,” Keri Thompson said, the graduate coordinator of the event. “We try to combine vocation and career in fields that are generally lacking in moral and ethical morality.”
After two successful years of Comm Connection, this year’s committee is optimistic about the way it will impact not only students, but also faculty, staff and guests from around the region, according to Thompson.
“There’s a lot of draw with the credibility of the speakers,” Thompson said. “We’re trying to establish the event as something that happens annually, something that communications students look forward to.”
This year’s invitation has been extended to faculty and students from visiting campuses.
“Comm Connection is growing in popularity and exposure across the university,” Thompson said.
This year’s agenda includes a panel of presenters covering a wide array of media trends. Mitchell, the keynote speaker, will deliver two sessions titled “Justice and the Search for Truth,” illustrating how his passion for faith and justice led him to the investigations which brought justice to four Ku Klux Klan members.
“Jerry Mitchell is a world renowned speaker,” said Comm Connection’s coordinator Dr. Mike Murrie. “He has a lot of interesting things to add to the panel.”
Mitchell will also be participating in a panel discussion with Assistant Director of Student Journalism Elizabeth Smith reporting their first-hand experiences with Hurricane Katrina. Smith volunteered with the Red Cross.
Richard Schirmer, a presenter and the founder of Fly Over Group, will be recounting his experiences on the marketing teams covering not only “The Chronicles of Narnia,” but also “The Passion of the Christ,” “The Polar Express” and others.
Schirmer, who attended Pepperdine’s Graziadio School of Business and Management for an MBA in marketing, has previously volunteered as a guest speaker in Rosenkrans’ advertising classes.
The presence of accomplished speakers gives students the opportunity to make connections that help establish their futures.
“Comm Connection is not only a great opportunity for students to learn, but a great way for students to network,” Thompson said. “Students will be able to pick people’s brains about future professions and plans.”
Rosenkrans agreed.
“Comm Connection is a good way for students to network and connect, and learn to weave vocation into career,” Rosenkrans said.
In addition to the featured speakers, Comm Connection is offering opportunities for students to view and showcase the resources already available on campus.
Advertising majors will showcase their work, and students will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of student media and journalism productions like Newswaves and the Graphic.
An event like Comm Connection cannot take place without the cooperation and effort of the many people involved, Rosenkrans said.
“I’m proud to be part of the event, because each year we’ve been able to improve it,” Thompson said.
A schedule of the events can be found in the CCB. Convocation credit will be offered for specific sessions. According to Rosenkrans, attendance is expected to be better than ever this year.
“Comm Connection is showing models of people taking their work seriously and showing models of what they do,” Murrie said. “It’s important for students to see where their educations will take them beyond the classroom, and see the interaction of vocation and career in the real world.”
02-02-2006