Not Goodbye

Dear Alumni,


This is to be my last semester teaching at Piedmont. On May 9th, the Monday after Commencement, I will begin my new job as News Editor for the American Cancer Society in Atlanta.

The past nine years at Piedmont have been extremely rewarding for me, due mostly to all of you – the respect and friendship you have given me, and the pride I take in your accomplishments.

Dr. Van Cantfort will see to it that the Mass Comm Dept. stays in touch with all of you as I have done, to share news and updates and job opportunities. His email address is dvancantfort@piedmont.edu.

I still would love to stay in touch with each one of you personally. You can find me on Facebook or LinkedIn if you have not already done so. Or shoot me an email and I’ll give you my personal email address. Just don’t wait too long…

Best regards,

Stacy

Alumni News

Whitney Foster ('06) is in charge of a grant to publicize the Helen Arts & Heritage Center. She is working with Professor Abbi Oakley's PR class on a project in conjunction with this effort.

Brandon Ridgway ('05) is working toward his MS in Organizational Leadership at Colorado State.

Daniela Guevara ('09) works with the Lanza Group, LLC  in Atlanta and is featured on the company website.  

David Brandt ('04) is using hisTwitter feed (@IamDavidBrandt) to hone his writing and editing skills as he prepares to start work on two books this year.

Tim Suda ('09) and Sandi Tatum ('09) were married on December 31 at Piedmont.

Job Opening for Decatur News/Sports Writer

The Champion newspaper is looking for an entry level local news and/or sports writer. This is suitable for recently graduated college students in the metro area who may be interested in a reporter position in Decatur. If interested, please contact John Hewitt at the following:
John Hewitt
Chief Operating Officer
ACE III Communications, Inc.
Publishers of The Champion and The Champion Free Press
PH: 404-373-7779, Ext. 110
FAX: 404-373-7721
http://www.championnewspaper.com/

Snow Days

Did you ever have a snow day when you attended Piedmont? How about a snow week? That's right. Dr. Cleere canceled classes for five straight days last week when Piedmont and all the rest of North Georgia was buried under ice and snow. Even I could not get out of my driveway in Atlanta.

To help make up for the time lost, Dr. Cleere and Dr. Mellichamp canceled the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and we all went back to classes Monday, Jan. 17.

For those of you looking for jobs in this tight economy, here are a couple of leads:

Marketing Writer, Callaway Gardens


Position is responsible for managing and scheduling the day-to-day communications for the Marketing Division. The purpose of this position is to write, update, edit, create, traffic and disseminate all internal and external marketing material. Responsible for database. Requires a BA Degree in Mass Communications, Marketing or Business, and 2-4 years writing or editing experience. Theme park, ad agency or resort experience a plus.
Available Jobs at Callaway Gardens
---
Account Manager, Cox Media Group Athens


Job Description:  Are you someone who always seems to be the one who takes charge? Loves to change people's minds? Can keep a lot of balls in the air without dropping any? Has contagious enthusiasm? Is cool in a crisis? Loves big challenges? Is motivated by money? If so, we want to talk to you!

The entry-level Account Manager will work with existing and new clients to achieve their marketing goals through the creation of innovative radio advertising campaigns; assist one or more radio stations in achieving desired revenue growth by selling advertising time, event sponsorships, and web-based programs to local businesses; manage all aspects of clients' accounts from initial contact through collections and renewal.

Qualifications:  Outside sales experience a plus; college degree preferred.

Send resumes to mel.stovall@coxradio.com

An Equal Opportunity Employer

David Brandt Beats Cancer

The end is HERE
by David Brandt


Hello, friends.

I kept my word. I'm still here.

In case you haven't read or heard in the past few days, I'm now in remission following six months of chemotherapy sessions (12 total sessions). While I am certainly "out of the woods," I am still dealing with overcoming a negative side effect of a chemo drug called bleomycin. The drug created small clouds of toxicity in my lungs which can sometimes leave me feeling winded or have shortness of breath. It also makes me cough a little more than I care to, but not to the point that I'm hacking up a lung (although that WOULD kind of help with getting rid of the toxicity). I'm taking a prescribed steroid for it that should help eliminate the clouds in the near future. This is NOT cancer and it's a short-term problem that is much less severe than the very thing I managed to beat.

Adios, Hodgkin's lymphoma. Don't let the door hit you in the mass on the way out.

So, things are suddenly going marginally better for me than they were, say, a month ago, when I was spending a week in Northside Hospital. Certainly better than four months ago, when I broke down and cried for the first time under the heavy weight of facing the disease. And far better than seven months ago, when I was first told I may have cancer.

And while I may have been calm, cool and collected in the early and middle months of treatment, the experience really became a battle during the last month of treatment. I never felt I was losing and failing in my road to remission, but I definitely felt like I had to keep throwing punches just to stop from being hit. But as it turned out, I was Ali eventually knocking down Foreman.

"OK, Dave, you KO'd cancer. What are you going to do now?"

Part of me would respond that I have no idea. But that's not necessarily true anymore. I've had months to think about what I'm going to do next - I've even made a list of things I'm eager to accomplish, big or small, within the next few years. I don't care for cliches - particularly those involving life and death - but I won't turn my head from the idea that I've been given a second chance.

I also won't be opening up about just what I plan to do with that second chance. Much of the reasoning behind this decision is that I'm still trying to process that the fight is over. I can't speak for other cancer survivors, friends or otherwise, but I don't believe there is immediate recovery from cancer - biologically, physically, or psychologically. I'm going to need time and, to a large extent, privacy. Some of you may call that hiding. I call it becoming.

What I will admit openly is that before I began to suspect I was sick, I was driven by two things: my career and - in recent years - politics. For many years, I've been a workaholic. And until I had more time to consider my life as a whole, that never really bothered me. Things have changed, so in some ways over time, so will I. But now that absolute control of my life has been returned to me, changes are going to take place on my terms and done my way.

But the reward of this second chance didn't come easy, and I'm not sure I could've achieved it by myself. I owe a great deal of gratitude to my family, friends and colleagues. Some of them have stepped up beyond favors and visits and really gave a great deal of time and energy to making sure I was able to eat, that I made it to my doc's office or chemo appointments, keep watch over me when I was feeling most ill, and allow me to continue doing my job to the best of my ability throughout my treatment (the last item helped maintain a sense of purpose, which is always important to me). All of these things helped keep my spirits up and maintained my optimism about the outcome of my situation. All the help, words of encouragement, and general expressions of support are great debts that I will never be able to repay.

With that said, I think I'm done with these long notes for at least a while. I'm looking forward to the holidays and I'm curious to see what I'll accomplish in 2011. There's some lost time and activities to make up... visit with old friends, attend more Braves games, spend more evenings out and about, maybe learn some sweet new dance moves. Might even start spending equal time between Best Buy and the Home Depot... can't appreciate those home theater systems without knowing just how to best install them.

Jeez, I'm getting old.

I hope all of you have a terrific holiday season and new year with your loved ones.

And thanks again, everyone.

-David Brandt


Dec. 10, 2010

Opportunity for Recent Graduates

SCHOOL OF BROADCAST & CINEMATIC ARTS

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
2011-2012 GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS

Earn a Master's degree in Broadcast & Cinematic Arts while assisting with the School's undergraduate teaching, production, and administrative activities.
Assistantships are available in the following areas:

Video teaching and production
Audio teaching and production
News production
Film studies

Graduate assistants receive full remission of tuition and fees, and a stipend of approximately $10,300. Assistantships are potentially renewable for a second year.
A Graduate Assistant Application can be downloaded from the School website: http://www.bca.cmich.edu/.

For further information, please contact:
Dr. Peter B. Orlik, Director
School of Broadcast & Cinematic Arts
Moore Hall 340
Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
orlik1pb@cmich.edu

Assistantships are filled on a rolling basis as high-quality applicants are identified.
CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity within its community (see www.cmich.edu/aaeo/).

Newest Alumni

Shhh don't tell them I said so, but I think our four Capstone presenters did such a good job yesterday, they are surely going to pass. I predict they'll be walking across the Johnny Mize stage next week to pick up their PC diplomas and become the newest Mass Comm alumni. Here are the presenters and their topics:

• Michael Barry - "Promoting Piedmont Debate"
• Matt Curtis - "How to Get It on Tape"
• Kathy Nicholson – “Building an Effective Imaging Campaign”
• Lee Robin – “Starting a New Radio Station”

I was happy to see alumni Heather Bardinelli, Justin Poole and Joy Ugi in the audience. Speaking of alumni, I heard from Eric Mathews recently. He is a development associate with Disability Rights International. It's a nonprofit that exposes abuses of the disabled. DRI released a Mexico Report and it was covered by the New York Times and ABC Nightline. See the Times report here:  Abuses Found at Mexican Institutions for Disabled

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

There is one day that is ours. There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home to eat saleratus biscuits and marvel how much nearer to the porch the old pump looks than it used to. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American. ~O. Henry



Happy Thanksgiving!

Announcing Fall 2010 Capstones

Piedmont College Mass Communications Alumni are cordially invited to attend the Mass Communications Capstone Presentations for Fall 2010.
The presentations will take place from 4p - 6p on Wednesday Dec. 1 in the Swanson Center Screening Room.
Presenters are: Kathy Nicholson, Michael Barry, Matthew Curtis and Lee Robin

Marriage Advice

I just returned from Jenkins Lobby (formerly Jenkins Theater) in Daniel Hall, and a wedding shower for alumna Sandi Tatum, who is marrying Tim Suda, also an alumnus of the mass comm department. Those of us in attendance who are married were asked to give the new couple our marriage advice. Here is mine (I've been married 21 years):

1. Keep each other’s secrets. Married couples who are very close know intimate details about each other. It’s powerful to trust someone else with your insecurities, and feel he or she loves you anyway. It’s damaging when someone breaks that trust, even if the confidante is another family member or friend.


2. Don’t ride the complain train. I don’t know what men talk about when they get together without their wives. But I know what women talk about, and sometimes they complain about their husbands. If I have a problem with my husband, I work it out with him, not with my friends behind his back.

3. Express yourself. You can’t read each other’s minds. It’s a romantic idea that your spouse will know exactly what to buy you for your birthday without your having to say a thing. It’s thrilling in a perverse way to employ the silent treatment until he/she figures out what he/she did wrong. But it’s detrimental to your marriage. Say what you’re feeling and what you want and you’ll avoid misunderstandings.

4. Listen. The other person has just as much right to a point of view as you do. Sometimes you can agree to disagree.

5. Don’t criticize. I learned early on in our marriage that if my husband offered to clean the kitchen after dinner, I should leave the kitchen and leave him to it. If I suggested he wasn’t doing it right, he’d quit, and rightly so.

6. But know when to speak up. Encourage your spouse to do important things that are beneficial, like apply for a promotion or get more exercise.

7. Don’t keep score. Do nice things for your spouse when the opportunity arises. Avoid doing things that are hurtful. Do them for their own sake, and not for rewards or retaliation for things he/she did in the past.

Mass Comm Experience Day

The Mass Comm Department is playing host to 100 high school students Friday, November 5. Five groups of 20 students will attend workshops in Print Journalism, Public Speaking/Debate, Radio, Television, and a tour of the Swanson Center. Mass Comm faculty and students will work together to showcase our facilities and our department to prospective Piedmont students and Mass Comm majors.
Here's the schedule:


8:30-9:00 Check-In Swanson Lobby

As guests arrive, Admissions staff will check them in at the check in table and be provided with a folder of information which will include the following:

• An agenda of the day including an explanation of which track they are on.

• A map of the campus

• Promotional material about Piedmont College

• Nametag

After registering, guests will be directed to the screening room where they can find a seat and watch a video/slide show related to Piedmont and Mass Comm. The video will play in a continuous loop to entertain the guests while they wait.

Several mass comm. students will be available to take groups on tours of Swanson as they arrive early. Groups will be returned to the screening room by 8:55.

9:00-9:15 Welcome and Introductions Screening Room

Dr. Van Cantfort will welcome everyone to Piedmont College and introduce Mark and Gwen, the mass comm. faculty, and admissions staff. Then Dr. Van Cantfort will review the agenda and the procedures for the day. Eight mass comm. students will be present. Dr. Van Cantfort will introduce them and have the tracks report to their designated escorts who will greet them and help them get to their first session.

9:20-9:50 Session One

Track 1: Print Journalism Track 2: Radio Track 5: SWC Tour

Track 3: Television Track 4: Public Speaking/Debate


9:55-10:25 Session Two

Track 1: Radio Track 2: Television Track 5: Print Journalism

Track 3: Public Speaking/Debate Track 4: SWC Tour


10:30-11:00 Session Three

Track 1: Television Track 2: Public Speaking/Debate Track 5: Radio

Track 3: SWC Tour Track 4: Print Journalism

11:00-11:40 Tour of Campus

Guests will remain in their 5 groups. The admissions staff will be divided to take each group on a tour of campus.

11:45-12:30 Lunch Brookside Dining Room

12:40-1:10 Session Four

Track 1: Public Speaking/Debate Track 2: SWC Tour Track 5: Television

Track 3: Print Journalism Track 4: Radio


1:15-1:45 Session Five

Track 1: SWC Tour Track 2: Print Journalism Track 5: Public Speaking

Track 3: Radio Track 4: Television

1:50-2:00 Closing

Ending the day in the screening room, Dr. Van Cantfort, Mark, and Gwen will provide closing comments. A video will be shown of guests on campus during the day. Mark and Gwen will take photos during the morning sessions and will create the video while the guests are in their afternoon sessions.

News Workshop in Atlanta

Publishing a successful student newspaper is tougher than ever these days (as if you didn't know that).


But smart editors and advisers are constantly asking themselves:

-- What can we do to keep readers happy?

-- How do we upgrade our storytelling and design?

-- What new-media skills do our reporters and editors really need?

In other words: How do we futurize our newspaper?

Now, you may think your paper is fine just as it is. BUT -- If you need to rethink, retool or reinvent what you do, you'll find all the answers at the highly-acclaimed-yet-ridiculously-affordable "Futurizing the News" workshop with Tim Harrower, author of "Inside Reporting" and "The Newspaper Designer's Handbook," coming to Atlanta on Saturday, Nov. 13.

"Tim's seminar is entertaining, enlightening and fulfilling. You leave feeling good about what you do, armed with new ways to do it better, wishing you could infuse Tim -- or at least his ideas -- into your paper right away." (Steve Dorsey, design director at the Detroit Free Press)

Want to learn more? Or watch a video preview? Follow this link to http://timharrower.com/atlanta

2011 Gwinnett Braves Trainee Program

From  Piedmont College Career Services:

The Gwinnett Braves Trainee Program is designed for applicants who are interested in pursuing a career in professional sports. This program not only provides trainees with a valuable experience in the day-to-day operations of a professional baseball club, but it also gives trainees the opportunity to build a network in the sports industry. Trainee positions pay an hourly rate and are not subject to health benefits or paid time off. Term: January - End of Season.


The Gwinnett Braves also offer two internship positions for college credit only. These positions are intended for college students who seek credit as part of their curriculum. These position typically report on gamedays only and are not subject to monetary compensation, health benefits or paid time off. Term: April - End of Season.

Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to gwinnettinfo@braves.com .

Job Opportunity

Attached is a job announcement for a Location Specialist in the Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Division. If you or someone you know are interested please send resume and cover letter to jobs@georgia.org. This position is open until 5 p.m. on October 18, 2010.

Georgia Department of Economic Development Position Announcement

Title: Location Specialist
Entry Salary: Low to Mid $40k’s
Division: Film, Music & Digital Entertainment
Location: Atlanta
Duties and Responsibilities: The Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development is responsible for promoting Georgia as an entertainment industry destination by increasing the awareness of Georgia’s film, music and multimedia business opportunities, resources and infrastructure. This is achieved through the building of relationships between GDEcD staff, industry partners, the private sector and prospective global clients, resulting in an increase in the number of new projects to locate, expand or start in Georgia.
The Location Specialist will assist production companies with all aspects of filming in Georgia from initial preparation of location packages through site visits and logistical assistance through the completion of the project.
Duties and responsibilities include:
• Manage the division’s digital location database and create individualized location packages for prospects
• Through networking, trade shows and trade publications, identify prospective projects, develop qualified leads and promote the state as a premier filming location
• Assist with research, writing and development of industry-specific promotional materials
• Scout locations throughout the state of Georgia for prospects as well as to populate the location database
• Develop itineraries and conduct statewide location scouts with prospects
• Assist Georgia communities to understand the needs and benefits of hosting local film and television productions and develop long-term relationships
• Assist productions already in progress in Georgia with logistical assistance and troubleshooting as needed
• Speak and present to statewide communities, associations and organizations about the film industry in the state and its value
• Provide in depth information to prospects about the state’s film resources as well as our incentive packages
• Photograph Georgia locations and upload to database
• Represent Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office at trade shows, film festivals, and local industry events.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Journalism, Business or a related area and two years of related experience
OR one year of experience as a location scout in the film production industry.
• Knowledge of Georgia communities and locations
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Proficient proofreader with strong writing ability
• Detail-oriented with ability to multi-task and follow through on numerous projects
• Ability to travel and represent the state and department in a professional manner as needed; valid GA drivers’ license required.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as necessary to meet with prospects.
• Ability to effectively work under short deadlines and quick turnaround times
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. Public speaking will be required
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in the film production industry
• Music production background
• Photography experience
• Experience in marketing and/or promotions
Travel Required? Yes. Nights, Weekends Required? As necessary
Deadline: October 18, 2010
To apply for this position, you must submit your résumé and cover letter via e-mail to: jobs@georgia.org no later than the deadline listed above. Include the position title in the subject line of your e-mail. If you do not have internet access or require accommodation because of a disability, please contact GDEcD Human Resources at 404-962-4000.
All qualified candidates will be considered but may not receive an interview. Preference will be given to applicants who meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications. Current and former employees of GDEcD may be considered prior to other candidates. Applicants who are not selected for interviews will not receive notification.
Applicants selected for hire will be subject to a background check, including a criminal history record check. Depending on the position, the background check may include education verification, credit check, and driving record.
If selected, male applicants between 18 and 26 years of age must present proof of Selective Service Registration.
GDEcD is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Marty Essen Presentation

Nationally known nature photographer, author and speaker Marty Essen will be at Piedmont College Oct. 6 to present a talk on his worldwide photography adventures. The event is free and everyone is invited.
The 7 p.m. presentation in the Arrendale Amphitheater is a high-energy digital slide show titled “Around the World in 90 Minutes,” during which Essen will talk about the three-year trip he and his wife made to seven continents to produce his award-winning book, “Cool Creatures, Hot Planet.”
Essen’s talk will feature interesting facts, humorous stories, and the best of thousands of
photos he took while traveling the world for his book. “It's the type of show where the audience has fun laughing at the stories, oohing and aahing at the photos, and then, when it's all done, they realize just how much they've learned,” said Piedmont Dean of Students Drew Davis.
“Around the World in 90 Minutes” began as a show Marty presented in bookstores as part of his first book tour. Later, after numerous refinements, the show took on a life of its own
at colleges, museums, and nature centers across the United States. It has been rated a number one lecture on college campuses for 18 months straight.

Alumni News

Congratulations to Gabby Parham (Gabby Pitts '06) and her husband on the birth of their son, Brayden Maddox Parham, born Sept. 30.

Daniela Guevara ('09) visited us here at Piedmont on Sept. 29th. Daniela was recently married, though some of us who have been previous victims of her practical jokes, didn't believe it at first. Congratulations, Daniela!

Campus News

OK, OK so Mass Comm is not the only department on campus. Here are some news items of interest to the entire Piedmont College community:

• The Board of Trustees approved the purchase of two pieces of property near the Grill across from Wallace
• A new art instructional building is being constructed next to the Martens Botanical Center
• The art museum and gallery is being renovated
• Tuition increases have been approved for next year: $1,000 for the Demorest campus and $500 for Athens

Department News: We're Busy!

What's going on in Mass Comm?

• This fall we have a record 19 new freshmen, a record 6 new transfer students, and a record 55 majors and minors
• Freshman Family Day on Oct. 2 will treat all PC freshmen and their families to a day of music, theater, sports events and food. Many of the events will take place in Swanson Center and the Arrendale Amphitheate
• Guest speaker Marty Essen will speak in the Swanson Center Screening Room about Cool Writing Careers 3pm Oct. 6
• Mass Comm freshmen will enjoy a social mixer Oct. 7 at the home of Dr. Van Cantfort and his wife
• Mass Comm Experience Day, Nov. 5, will introduce area high school students to the exceptional facilities and faculty of our department with a day-long conference that includes seminars, tours, activities and lunch

Good News

This week, two alumni have asked me to share their good news:

Jessica Howell, '02, has a new job as copywriter for BKV, Inc.

David Brandt, '04, has heard the words, "SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT" from his doctor after a CT scan. He's looking at continued chemo through Thanksgiving, but is hoping for a negative PET scan before the end of the year, January at the latest.

Congratulations to both!

The Butterfly Effect

Everyone who attended Convocation last Wednesday received a small butterfly made out of wire and fabric. It's a symbol to remind us that even a small act can have a significant impact. This is part of a campus-wide effort to get students, faculty and community members thinking about the butterfly effect.

The term “butterfly effect” comes from a Ray Bradbury science fiction story, “A Sound of Thunder”, and from Edward Lorenz’s research in meteorology, first published in the early 60’s, that led to the development of chaos theory. It refers to the occasional huge effects of even the tiniest actions, often unintended or even unknown, and also unpredictable when they will occur.


Many events and projects on campus this year will incorporate the butterfly theme. The kick-off event took place right after Convocation. Campus clubs and community non-profits set up tables and signed up volunteers. About 200 people attended, possibly because of the free ice cream. Campus clubs reported 75 new students signed their lists. Some of those signatures were for the Navigator, Debate Club, Radio Club and Yearbook.
 
Let's flap those wings!