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2009-2010 Portfolio

University of Southern Indiana

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Table of Contents Summary of Activities…………………………………………………………………………………………3 Letter of Recommendation from Department Chair……………………………………………………….4 Letter from Executives………………………………………………………………………………………..6 Flyers for Events………………………………………………………………………………………………8

Iraq Troop Company Sponsorship Request and Inventory………………………………………9

Graduate School Information Session……………………………………………………….……11 Careers in Communications Event…………………………………………………………….…..12 Spudz ‘N Stuff Fundraiser………………………………………………………………………….13 Photos from Events……………………………………………………………………………………….…14 USI Foundation Phone-A-Thon……………………………………………………………………15 Iraq Troop Company Donations…………………………………………………………………...16

National Communication Association Conference in Chicago…………………………………16 Social Event at Walther’s……………………………………………………………………………17

Bowling with the Profs……………………………………………………………………………….18 Careers in Communications………………………………………………………………………...18

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Summary of Activities 2009-2010

Administrative - Created student organization, named it Communication Studies Connection - Registered with NCASC and USI - Drafted and passed constitution and by-laws - Created leadership structure and nominated leaders (president, vice-president,

secretary, treasurer/fundraising chair, professional development chair, service chair, social chair)

- Recruited 28 members - Developed website: http://www.usi.edu/libarts/comm/commclub/ - Launched Facebook site:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=166918699815&ref=ts

Professional Development - Brought in two speakers to discuss what graduate school is like (10/09, attendance 15) - Sent 5 members to the NCA conference in Chicago (11/09, attendance 5) - Received $1600 award from USI Student Government for students to attend conference

(11/09, attendance 5) - Created "Careers in Communication" event and brought in Directors of Communication

from Vectren, Old National Bank, and Mead Johnson (04/10, attendance 25).

Service - Volunteered at USI Foundation phone-a-thon to raise $350 for new communication

scholarship (10/09, attendance 18) - Donated 78 supplies to a troop company serving in Iraq (11/09, attendance 12)

Fundraising - Raised $160 through partnership with local business (Spuds N' Stuff) for organization

(04/10, attendance 25 members, 125 non-members and business partners)

Social - Developed partnership with local business (Walther's Golf N' Fun) to host end of

semester gathering (12/09, 05/10, attendance 15 at each) - Attended USI basketball game (02/10, attendance 4) - Created "Bowling with the Profs" event (03/10, attendance 14)

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12 October 2010

To the NCASC Advisory Board,

The 2009-2010 school year saw a huge growth for the Communication Studies Connection at the

University of Southern Indiana. In the years prior, there were only three members. It had a poor organizational

structure, sparse events with little or no impact, and an unnoticeable presence on campus. With the 2009-2010

school year as a turning point, our organization flourished to twenty-eight members with a full executive team.

The four committees (Professional Development, Fundraising, Social, and Service) planned events to reflect the

mission of the organization. All students are now aware of the organization and its events.

In our goal of promoting the study of communication, the Professional Development Committee secured

funds and organized a trip for five student delegates to attend the National Communication Association Annual

Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates attended sessions addressing current communication research, on

topics relevant to their interests. They also had the opportunity to attend their professors’ research presentations.

Those interested in graduate school were able to attend the graduate school fair to learn about universities

across the nation as well as network with other faculty and students. The importance of graduate school was

also highlighted in the committee’s Graduate School Information Session. During a one hour session, two USI

professors shared stories, experiences, and advice about graduate school. Students were encouraged to ask

questions about the process of preparing for, applying to, and attending graduate school. Since graduate school

isn’t for everyone, the committee also planned and event called Careers in Communications. At this panel

discussion, three professionals from local businesses shared thoughts and advice on everything from the

interviewing process to maintain a successful career in the field of communication. Also present was the Career

Coordinator at USI, who emphasized the value of internships. From this important networking event, several

internship opportunities arose for club members and enduring relationships with the local business community

were established.

Partnering with the local business community was also of importance to the Fundraising Committee. As

a team, they generated many creative ideas which provided a strong foundation for the success of this

committee in subsequent years. They were also able to establish a relationship with a local restaurant that is

popular among USI students. From this relationship came a successful event through which the club earned

$160. Not only did the event earn money for our organization and recognition in the community, but it also

encouraged professors and students to dine together in support of their club.

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Furthering the spirit of unity among students and faculty, the Social Committee hosted “Bowling with

the Profs.” On a Friday evening, students and professors gathered for an evening of socializing and friendly

competition. In an effort to establish tradition, the committee began a biannual event held at the end of every

semester. The Thursday before the week of finals, professors, members, and guests gathered at a local venue for

a chance to relax before the stress of finals. Everyone competed in games of laser tag and miniature golf and the

event wound down with pizza and conversation. In the committee’s effort to support USI’s undefeated

basketball team, a group of students attended. Not only were members supporting the basketball team, but also

making their presence known on campus.

The Service Committee guided members in helping support future members. The USI Foundation

Phone-a-Thon was a week-long event, during which members reached out to USI Communication graduates for

support in establishing a Communication Studies scholarship. All funds generated went to the support the newly

established scholarship for the USI Department of Communications. The committee also provided an

opportunity for members to show support to a troop company stationed in Iraq. Over a period of several weeks,

members collected personal comfort items to be sent to the troops. The care package included over seventy-five

items ranging from Ethernet cables to toothpaste. The package was greatly appreciated and the club later

received news that all members of the troop company have now returned safely to the States.

In reflection upon the past year, the Communication Studies Connection is proud of the significant

transition made from little organization to strong leadership and from struggling existence to strong presence.

Put simply, this year has been a real Cinderella story for our club. Our four committees have created events that

have benefited students both educationally and socially, both on campus and in the community. In the coming

year, we are looking forward to building upon last year’s accomplishments. With strong leaders in place, we are

developing followership and empowering members through committee participation. By establishing tradition

with previous events, in addition to creating new ones, we look forward to the 2010-2011 school year bringing

even more success.

The Executive Committee of the Communication Studies Connection

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Flyers

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CAN YOU HELP?

Donations needed: 1 Twin size bed sheet (fitted and

flat), 2 pillow cases, 1 25ft Ethernet cable, compressed

air (for keyboards), computer screen wipes, and

LETTERS OF SUPPORT! Please drop off any donated

items to LA 3097 by Monday, November 2.

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CSC Service Event: Iraq Donations Inventory

1. 1 Twin size mattress pad

2. 1 25ft. Ethernet cable

3. 1 box Electronic cleaning wipes

4. 4 bags pretzels

5. 1 Toothbrush

6. 3 tubes toothpaste

7. 2 boxes facial wipes

8. 14 packages dental floss

9. 10 bottles of lotion

10. 1 bottle of mouth wash

11. 1 shower cap

12. 2 bottles of suntan lotion

13. 1 bottle shaving cream

14. 2 tubes eye cream

15. 1 bottle hand gel

16. 11 bars/bottles body soap

17. 3 bottles of shampoo

18. 2 bottles of conditioner

19. 1 canister compressed air

20. 3 twin fitted sheets

21. 3 twin flat sheets

22. 4 pillowcases

23. 2 canisters air spray

24. 1 telephone cord

25. 2 wash rags

26. 1 throw

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03/24/2010

LA 2005

6:00pm

COMMUNICATION STUDIES CONNECTION

You are invited to a graduate school

information session. Bring all your questions,

and learn all the important information you

need to know in preparation for Graduate

School!!

Presentations By:

Dr . Henning and Dr. Young.

Join our discussion

board on Blackboard

for more information

and contacts.

Or email

cdmeyers@mail.usi.edu

Or

ebako@mail.usi.edu

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CAREERS IN COMMUNICATIONS

Come learn about the qualities, skills, education, and experience employers are looking

for in potential candidates. Panelists include Corporate Communications Directors from

Mead Johnson, Old National and Vectren Corporation. GREAT WAY TO NETWORK

DATE: Wednesday April 21st

TIME: 6:00PM – 7:15PM

LOCATION: RICE 0017

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Spudz-N-Stuff Fundraiser When: Tuesday, April 20th 2010

Where: Spudz-N-Stuff

$1 of each individual purchase

made throughout the day will

be returned to the

Communication Studies

Connection! A pass is not

required.

Email lepriest@mail.usi.edu

for more questions!

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Photographs

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Learning telephone skills to solicit donations for scholarships

We volunteered evenings for a week to make hundreds of calls

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A sample of items shipped overseas for the troops.

At NCA in Chicago (professors on each side, students attended in middle)

They applied and earned a grant from the Student Government Association

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Mini-golf at Walther’s

Others attending mini-golf at Walther’s

(Professors on each side)

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Bowling with the Profs event

Careers in Communications

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Three Directors of Communications from Evansville served on the panel

Students learned about how to be marketable in today’s economy, and

Networked with the panelists.