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COMMUNICATION TALK
Communication Department | December 9, 2013 | Appalachian State University

George G. Beasley Media Complex Dedication

Madison V. Fisler, HC Press Staff Writer Finally opened in August Thank you for the lives following numerous delays, you have touched and the lives you construction on the complex began will touch, said Chancellor Ken in 2011. The completed project is a Peacock of Beasley. This building 18,000 square-foot LEED-designed isnt about George Beasley. Its about media complex which houses the students who we can expect broadcast studios, classrooms to come through this building. and class labs for students and Beasley himself had a few words for offices for members of faculty in the crowd as well. I think that over the Appalachian State University the next few years, Appalachian will Department of Communications be one of the premier broadcasting electronic media broadcasting schools in America, said Beasley. program. The complexs ground floor The ribbon cutting will house the new WASU-FM ceremony was performed in the radio complex which will moved courtyard of the George G. Beasley the radio station from its current Complex where a large crowd place in Wey Hall. There are also gathered to watch the dedication. faculty offices, two production Members of the department suites and a waiting area, as well of communications, students, classrooms wired for audio/video members of the Board of Trustees production, and computer and and other university officials turned audio labs for students to utilize. out for the event. Many individuals The second floor will hold a spoke at the event, including total of two television studios and Chancellor Ken Peacock, Dean of their control rooms, more faculty the College of Fine and Applied offices, a green room, storage and Arts Glinda Treadaway and Beasley multiple video editing suites. The himself. television studio will be the largest Jennie Reeb, Staff Writer studio in the communications department. The George G. Beasley Media Complex is named after donor George G. Beasley, who is also an Appalachian State University Alumni who earned a bachelor of science and master of arts degrees in business education. Beasley also served as chairman, founder and CEO of Beasley Broadcast Group Inc., which today owns more than 40 radio stations across the United States. According to a press release, Beasley is a current member and past chairman of the Appalachian State University Foundation Board of Directors, a current member of Appalachians Board of Trustees and Campaign Steering Committee, and a former member of the College of Fine and Applied Arts Communication Advisory Board. In 1990 he received the Alumni Associations Distinguished Alumnus Award. He also received an honorary doctorate from Appalachian in May 2013.

COMM Students Collaborate

Staff Writer The Department of Communication recently found an opportunity to offer students a unique learning experience while collaborating across disciplines and with industry. The Department of Technology and Environmental Design has been working with Kingsport, TN-based Eastman on a project that is providing a real-world learning experience for industrial design students. The project also includes a promotional aspect, which utilizes the skills of communication students. At the start of the Spring 2012 semester, five communication seniors formed a team to assist with promotion of the Perennial Wood Appalachian State Design Studio 2012. The team includes four public relations majors, Taylor Bureau, Natelie Murphy, Ben Onstot, and Melissa Vega; and one broadcasting major, Sam Howe. The four public relations majors are enrolled in the departments Public Relations Practices course, in which students create a semester-long public relations campaign for a local client. This team took on Eastman as their client and Eastmans corporate public relations team, as well as the outside counsel retained for the Perennial Wood product launch, would approve everything the students produced. Of course, COM students are collaborating with TEC students on a project for Eastman. the students would also be students and stories about the evaluated by their professor and design project. This multi-platform earn a grade for their work. social media campaign is designed The students created a to better connect this unique Facebook page, Twitter account, project with members of the and a blog as well as a series of community. video interviews with design

Editorial Statement
The Communication Department of Appalachian State University runs this newsletter in order to inform alumni of major events happening within the college of Fine and Applied Arts. Our goal is to create a simple, effective tool for anyone looking to keep updated on the happenings within the department.

2013 Jennie Reeb

Cortney Duck: A Modern Day PR Student

Cortney Duck, a senior at Appalachian State University, is not your average student. As both a wife and a soonto-be mother, her view of Appalachian holds a different tint. Originally from South Dayton, N.Y., Duck said she chose Appalachian because of the snow. It reminds me of home she said, and I would always pick the mountains over the beach. Duck has found comfort and a

Cameron Kallianos

Students Win Prestegious Scholarship

Staff Writer Appalachian State University Department New York values well-prepared young professionals of Communication is proud to announce that who enter the communications business, said Liz advertising majors, Shelby Forsyth (left) and Schroeder, executive director and chair of the AWNY Ashton Starnes (right), have been awarded the 2011 Foundation. This award program and our annual Advertising Women of New York (AWNY) Tuition Advertising Career Conference for 700 students, Scholarships for $2,000 each. held each year in New York City, demonstrate our The Foundation of AWNY has awarded commitment to future professionals entering our Appalachian State Universitys advertising program in field. the Department of Communication Forsyth, of scholarships Burlington, N.C., the past three has a 3.71 GPA, years. AWNY is and has won a professional several awards organization of for Advertising over 1,300 women and design. and men in the Starnes, of communications Matthews, N.C., industries in the is an advertising metropolitan area major with of New York. a 3.88 GPA, To be and has also eligible, students been honored must be a junior with several with a minimum Advertising 3.2 GPA, and awards. Forsyth Forsyth and Starnes receive the 2011 Advertising Women of New York (AWNY) Tuition Scholarships demonstrate and Starnes financial need. The recipient(s) also should have will be invited to participate in AWNYs 56th annual past or current membership in the Appalachian Advertising Career Conference in November where State University Ad Club as well as knowledge of they will be acknowledged on stage during the the advertising business. Advertising Women of conference.
Communication Department

Cortney Duck: PR Student Continued

sense of belonging at Appalachian. Her fear of being an outsider once her pregnancy began to show has been eased by the acceptance, support and encouragement of her classmates. According to Duck, Appalachians support for her during this time was one of the biggest encouragements to her. At the beginning she was nervous about being different from the usual student. As time when by, Duck realized that Appalachian was on her side. Providing support groups, fair treatment, scholarships, special housing options and multiple other programs, Appalachian made it clear that Duck was important to them. This attention and personal relationship she was provided helped Duck gain confidence in the university setting. Starting off her college career Duck thought she would find her passion in journalism. It didnt take long for her to realize that her heart was in public relations. Duck had the opportunity to do some hands-on work with Carolina Body Shapers when they asked her to design their newsletter. She said she loves the challenge of getting the correct message across. Being able to have some hands-on experience has helped Duck develop courage. Planning to graduate in August 2014, Duck said she could see herself going to graduate school. With the birth of her baby boy expected to come in January, Duck is thankful for the flexibility Appalachian offers. She will be taking the spring semester to get settled into her new role as a mother and will be back at the books come May. When asked about her plans once she is finished her schooling, Duck commented that she was hoping to do something in human services. One of her dreams is to work in Greensboro, N.C., with a counseling program for rape victims. Duck has always had the opinion that you should work hard and live happily. She has found the space to do both of these at Appalachian and for that, she is grateful.

Saying Farewell
Watauga Democrat Dr. Jacob Matovu, 69, of Banner Elk, passed away Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at Watauga Medical Center. Born Jan. 22, 1944, in Uganda, he was a son of Salongo Bukenya and Nalongo Egulasi Namuyimbwa. Dr. Matovu was Professor of Communication and Academic Advisor for 24 years at Appalachian State University in Boone, retiring in 2010. He was a member of St. Lukes Episcopal Church. Dr. Matovu is survived by his daughters, Barbara Matovu of Brooklyn, N.Y., Ruth Matovu of Winston-Salem; and the mother of his children, Edith Mubanda of Boone; three brothers, and four sisters, all of Uganda; and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and four brothers. Memorial services and internment will be conducted at 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at St. Lukes Episcopal Church, officiated by the Rev. Cynthia Banks. A reception will follow services at the church. Memorials, in memory of Dr. Matovu, may be made to the St. Lukes Episcopal Church Priests Discretionary Fund, 170 Council Street, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website http://www. austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Matovu family. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Dr.

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Jacob Matovu. Dr. Jacob Matovus contributions to our department and our school will never be forgotten.

Dr. Jacob Matovu

Watauga Democrat