TMU 5(22) -- September 30, 2008

DebateWatch: Round One
Students and Faculty Participate

Adam Tyma and Mary Anna Kidd were interviewed by channels 7 and 42 during coverage of the first presidential DebateWatch Sept. 26 at the Milo Bail Student Center. KETV had a live shot from inside the meeting to lead their 10 p.m. newscast.

Barb Pickering organized students and faculty in facilitated discussions and data collection following the viewing of the first debate.

The Civic Participation Program sponsored the event. More than 100 people participated on a Friday night -- including about eight School of Communication faculty members. We again attracted local media attention and engaged students and the community in the presidential election process.

Pickering, Tyma and Kidd were joined by School of Communication faculty members. These facilitators worked in focus group discussions after the debate: Ana Cruz, Mary Anna Kidd, Teresa Lamsam, Lynnette Leonard, Holly Miller and Karen Weber. Rita Shaughnessy, Shereen Bingham, Jeremy Lipschultz and Deborah Smith-Howell also attended the event.

Omaha residents voiced their opinions on the issues after viewing the debate on C-SPAN.

The next DebateWatch event is the vice presidential contest on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the Thompson Alumni Center. The vice-presidential debate will focus on both domestic and foreign policy. Parking will be available at the Alumni Center.

The Commission on Presidential Debates and the National Communication Association are sponsors of DebateWatch 2008. UNO is one of the 123 universities participating in the project. Students who participate in DebateWatch have shown an increased knowledge of political issues, and are more likely to vote, especially when participating in discussion groups that include people of all ages.

Second Life Demo
Leonard Shows Techniques to Teachers

Lynnette Leonard and her collaborators at universities in Michigan and Maine demonstrated the School of Communication Second Life classroom to faculty members Sept. 25. The session at the Milo Bail Student Center focused on the pedagogical potential of immersive online environments.

Adam Tyma and Jeremy Lipschultz joined the virtual session by logging into Second Life from their laptop computers and having their avatars, which are computer likenesses, appear with Leonard’s in Second Life. Conference attendees could see what was happening in Second Life while Leonard explained it.

UNO is among an elite group of campuses using Second Life to teach computer-mediated communication.

Speech Center At A Glance
Davidson to Highlight Functions

Marlina Davidson is one of three faculty members who will highlight UNO’s Math-Science, Speech and Writing Centers next month.

The UNO centers help students and faculty with assignments, presentations, and papers.

“UNO Centers at a Glance” will be held Monday, Oct. 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Council Room.

The program is sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development.

Davidson is an instructor and Speech Center consulting coordinator in the School of Communication. The Speech Center was established in 2004 with Excellence Funding from the University of Nebraska.

The workshop will address: Student Support (tutoring, study groups, supplemental instruction, peer mentoring); Collaboration with faculty and other campus units with related missions; Assessment of science education effectiveness; UNO’s “Speaking Across the Curriculum” Program and the Speech Center, Basic Course Room and Speech Consulting Room; and the Writing Center's individual consultations and writing workshops.

To register, contact the Center for Faculty Development at 554-2427 or unofacdev@unomaha.edu . All those interested are invited to bring their lunch. Desserts and drinks will be provided. For more opportunities see the Center for Faculty Development or FacConnect: www.unomaha.edu/facdevelop or www.unomaha.edu/facconnect.

Of Note
Excellence in Action

Teresa Lamsam was asked by Osage Nation Principal Chief Jim Gray to participate as a member of a three-person editorial board for the nation's monthly newspaper. Lamsam established The Osage Nation News and also founded a publications board, which is what led her to graduate school. Now, things have come full circle. Congress must confirm the appointment.

* * * *

Alumna Angie Miller has joined the firm of Lamson, Dugan, and Murray (www.ldmlaw.com). She has been working there since her first year of law school and loves the people and the work. Miller recently updated Shereen Bingham on her professional accomplishments.

* * * *

Dean Gail F. Baker participated Sept. 23 in a panel discussion with the pre-tenure mentoring group at UNO. Ana Cruz attended the meeting, which was organized by Barb Pickering.

Faculty members learned about university guidelines for promotion, portfolio expectations and the steps in the process.

On Friday, the School of Communication held a follow-up meeting with tenure-track faculty members. Shereen Bingham, Mike Hilt, Barb Pickering and Jeremy Lipschultz discussed procedures with Ana Cruz, Cynthia Robinson-Moore, Lynnette Leonard and Robert Franklin. An earlier session was held to mentor instructors Abbie Syrek, Marlina Davidson and Courtney Fristoe.

* * * *

Mike Whye published Thursday a guest opinion Omaha World-Herald article on the topic of public art in Council Bluffs.

* * * *

Courtney Fristoe gave a presentation to the University of Nebraska Foundation Ambassadors Sept. 26. The speech covered small talk and listening skills to help better equip the student representatives at social events.

Did You Know?
People in the News

Hugh Reilly published an article in UNO Alum about legendary UNO sports announcer Terry Forsberg.

* * * *

The UNO School of Communication is sponsoring a distinguished lecture at the Omaha Press Club. Loren Ghiglione, Northwestern University, will speak Monday, Oct. 20, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the OPC about his new book, CBS's Don Hollenbeck: An Honest Reporter in the Age of McCarthyism. Ghiglione is the Richard A. Schwarzlose Professor of Media Ethics at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Tickets for lunch and the program are $12. Please contact School of Communication Director Jeremy Lipschultz at 203-7247 or jlipschultz@mail.unomaha.edu for reservations.

* * * *

Bruce Johansen will debate UNO Chemistry Professor Robert Smith on global warming at the Omaha Press Club Nov. 20. Hugh Cowdin is organizing the event.

* * * *

The North Omaha Media Alliance (NOMA), a Civic Participation Program and Service Learning Academy collaboration between the School of Communication, Girls Inc. and Omaha North High, will attend a screening of 18 in '08, a new documentary directed and produced by 19-year-old David D. Burstein of Weston, Conn. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Collaborating Commons, inside the new College of Public Affairs and Community (CPACS) Building. This is part of Democracy Matters: Building Social Capital Through Public Dialogue, a new, monthly series of community forums, debates and guest lectures hosted by CPACS and UNO.

Footnotes
Evidence of Excellence

1. Katie Kassebaum, marketing director, Mid-America Council Boy Scouts of America, spoke to class Sept. 23 about how the Boy Scouts handled the weather related tragedy at Little Sioux Camp. A tornado killed four Scouts at the Little Sioux Camp in June. The Boy Scouts followed the PRSA Code of Ethics in dealing with the families, the media and the public in the aftermath of the tragedy. The UNO PRSSA chapter, Maverick PR, the School of Communication and its PR Case Studies class sponsored the event as part of September PRSSA Ethics Month.

La Notte Italiana
PRSSA Fundraiser Tickets on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for Italian Night PRSSA benefit dinner.

La Notte Italiana, the annual benefit dinner sponsored by the UNO chapter of PRSSA, will be held Sunday, Oct. 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Swanson Hall of Durham Museum.

The dinner features authentic Italian cuisine from more than 20 local restaurants. This year the event will include live music and a silent auction. All proceeds help the chapter pay for student travel, competitions, service projects and special events – including the School of Communication Graduation Breakfast.

Tickets cost $25 for adults; $15 for students; and $5 for children under 12. They can be purchased through Karen Weber, PRSSA faculty adviser, in ASH 140-E, a PRSSA member or at the door. For more information, contact Weber at 554-2246 or kweber@unomaha.edu.

The Week In Photos
Images from Around the School

Tom Becka and Clear Channel's Taylor Walet spoke to the Media Management class last week at KFAB.

The Omaha World-Herald was among employers at the UNO Job Fair.

Ana Cruz was shown on the cover of this national brochure.

Dates & Times
Mark Calendars for Interesting Events

October
2 – DebateWatch: V.P. candidates, Thompson Alumni Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

3 – Blackboard Grade Center training, ASH 110, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

4 & 5 – UNO Forensics @ Hastings College.

5 - Sunday, Oct. 5: La Notte Italiana (Italian Night fund raiser dinner), Swanson Hall, Durham Museum, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

7 – DebateWatch: Presidential candidates, Thompson Alumni Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

8 – Convocation at SPAC, 10 a.m.
CPACS Dedication, 11 a.m.
Centennial Reception, 12 p.m.

9 - HPER Groundbreaking, 10 a.m.

10 - CPACS Open House, 3 p.m.
Centennial BBQ, 6 p.m.

11 - Centennial Homecoming Open House Tailgate at 10:30 a.m.
Homecoming Football, 1 p.m.

15 – DebateWatch: Presidential candidates, Thompson Alumni Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

17 - School of Communication students will be partnered on Friday, October 17 with students from Tulane, Florida State, Iowa, Missouri and St. Louis University for a day with Omaha investor and billionaire Warren Buffett.

20 – Northwestern University Professor Loren Ghiglione luncheon, Omaha Press Club, 11:30 a.m..

22 - Illinois-Chicago Professor Steven Jones meets with students online in Second Life.

24 - Friday, Oct. 24 to Tuesday, Oct. 28 National PRSSA Conference in Detroit.

30 - Thursday, Oct. 30 Halloween Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

November
4 – The Omaha News election special, TKN Cox 17/Qwest 74, 7 p.m.

15 & 16 – UNO Forensics @ Doane College.

20 - Thursday, Nov. 20 Thanksgiving Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

December
5 – Nebraska Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy will officiate at the CPM graduation on Dec. 5 at the new CPACS building on campus at UNO, 4 -6 p.m.

2009
January
15 - High School Journalism Dinner, 6-9 p.m. at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room.

February
12 - Thursday, Feb. 12 Valentine's Day Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

26 - Thursday, Feb. 26, MBSC Nebraska Room Bateman team campaign event for National Banking Association College Program 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March
12 - Thursday, March 12, MBSC Nebraska Room One-Five-0 and in Control Alcohol Awareness event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

31 - Thursday, March 31, MBSC Dodge Room Communication Career Development Workshop 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

April
23 - High School Journalism Workshop, 12 p.m. at the MBSC Ballroom.
28 - PRSSA Presentations, 4 p.m. at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room.
30 - 10 a.m. Scholarship Breakfast at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room; 5th Annual Alumni Panel at 1 p.m. at the MBSC Dodge Rooms); 54th Annual Awards Banquet, 6 p.m. at the Thompson Alumni Center.

May
8 - Friday, May 8, at the MBSC Ballroom School of Communication Graduation Breakfast 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

TMU 5(21) -- September 23, 2008

Thompson Learning Community Launches
Miller Teaches Public Speaking Course

UNO’s Thompson Learning Community (TLC), which promotes academic success of Buffett Foundation scholars, is serving 78 new scholarship recipients this semester.

Holly Miller assists TLC students in the Speech Center.

School of Communication faculty member Holly Miller is teaching a section of Public Speaking Fundamentals in the new UNO program. Nearly two-thirds of the students receiving tuition scholarships are first generation college students, Jerry Cederblom, program director, said.

Jerry Cederblom speaks to TLC faculty and staff at a luncheon last week.

Miller is one of eight UNO faculty members teaching the special Thompson sections this semester, and she is one of seven teaching a TLC course next semester.

The program places students in cohorts, employs extensive advising, offers peer mentoring and cultivates community activities among its members. TLC students will attend workshops on study skills, grades, information technology and other aspects of learning.

UNO Hosts DebateWatch 2008
Pickering Schedules Four Campus Events

Omaha residents will voice their opinions on the issues after viewing the presidential and vice-presidential debates at a series of non-partisan events sponsored by the School of Communication and the Civic Participation Project.

UNO will host DebateWatch 2008 on Friday, Sept. 26 at the Milo Bail Student Center and on Thursday, Oct. 2, Tuesday, Oct. 7, and Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Thompson Alumni Center. The orientation for the event begins at 7:30 p.m., and the debates will last 90 minutes, beginning at 8 p.m.

Small group discussions will follow the debates. Parking will be available in any campus parking lot for the first event and at the Thompson Alumni Center for the other three events.


DebateWatch brings citizens together to view the debates and then participate in small group discussions. “We want to know what Omahans think first-hand,” said Barbara Pickering, associate professor of Communication at UNO. “We want to get people talking to each other first,” she said. “This is why we will not view the post-debate commentary before the small group discussions begin.”

The first presidential debate will focus on domestic policy, and the third presidential debate will focus on foreign policy. The second presidential debate will be a town hall meeting format, and it will include issues raised by the audience. The vice-presidential debate will focus on both domestic and foreign policy.

The Commission on Presidential Debates and the National Communication Association are sponsors of DebateWatch 2008. UNO is one of the 123 universities participating in the project. Students who participate in DebateWatch have shown an increased knowledge of political issues, and are more likely to vote, especially when participating in discussion groups that include people of all ages.

“We're hoping to get a large turnout, both from the student body and the community,” Pickering said. “We encourage everyone of voting age in the community to attend these non-partisan events, and let their voices be heard.” For more information on DebateWatch at UNO, contact Pickering at bpickering@unomaha.edu or at 554-2204.

Of Note
Excellence in Action

Three faculty members have received School of Communication support of their applications for Faculty Development Fellowships in the 2009-10 academic year: Chris Allen, Shereen Bingham and Marshall Prisbell have proposals under review by the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media. Allen has plans for writing a broadcast history book, Bingham is launching a new research project on mediation in family and parenting, and Prisbell is developing a workbook on great teaching techniques.

* * * *

Chris Allen spoke last week to students at Westside High School about mass media issues.

* * * *

Lynette Leonard and Adam Tyma are guest lecturers this semester in the Communication & Technology doctoral seminar. Jeremy Lipschultz is again teaching Ph.D. students in the Information Technology program. He serves on several dissertation committees.

Did You Know?
People in the News

The Omaha News launches a new season of broadcasts this week on The Knowledge Network (TKN), which can be found on Cox 17 and Qwest 74. Students will again air a live election special, and Hugh Reilly will provide analysis. Verizon Communications has agreed to provide smart phones and laptop access cards, so that the newscast can serve as a demonstration project for the technology capabilities in campus broadcasting.

Footnotes
Evidence of Excellence

1. Lynnette Leonard and the North Omaha Media Alliance (NOMA) are working with high school students from Omaha North and Girls Inc. to provide UNO campus access during the election season. Students will attend DebateWatch and broadcasts of The Omaha News, as planning continues for the launch of a community-based website.

La Notte Italiana
PRSSA Fundraiser Tickets on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for Italian Night PRSSA benefit dinner.

La Notte Italiana, the annual benefit dinner sponsored by the UNO chapter of PRSSA, will be held Sunday, Oct. 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Swanson Hall of Durham Museum.

The dinner features authentic Italian cuisine from more than 20 local restaurants. This year the event will include live music and a silent auction. All proceeds help the chapter pay for student travel, competitions, service projects and special events – including the School of Communication Graduation Breakfast.

Tickets cost $25 for adults; $15 for students; and $5 for children under 12. They can be purchased through Karen Weber, PRSSA faculty adviser, in ASH 140-E, a PRSSA member or at the door. For more information, contact Weber at 554-2246 or kweber@unomaha.edu

The Week In Photos
Images from Around the School

Karen Weber and public relations students prepare the student organization

room for upcoming work.

Dates & Times
Mark Calendars for Interesting Events

September
26 – DebateWatch: Presidential candidates, MBSC Ballroom, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

30 - Tuesday, Sept. 30: PRSSA Ethics Advocacy Panel MBSC Ballroom 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

October
2 – DebateWatch: V.P. candidates, Thompson Alumni Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

3 – Blackboard Grade Center training, ASH 110, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

4 & 5 – UNO Forensics @ Hastings College.

5 - Sunday, Oct. 5: La Notte Italiana (Italian Night fund raiser dinner), Swanson Hall, Durham Museum, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

7 – DebateWatch: Presidential candidates, Thompson Alumni Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

8 – Convocation at SPAC, 10 a.m.
CPACS Dedication, 11 a.m.
Centennial Reception, 12 p.m.

9 - HPER Groundbreaking, 10 a.m.

10 - CPACS Open House, 3 p.m.
Centennial BBQ, 6 p.m.

11 - Centennial Homecoming Open House Tailgate at 10:30 a.m.
Homecoming Football, 1 p.m.

15 – DebateWatch: Presidential candidates, Thompson Alumni Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

17 - School of Communication students will be partnered on Friday, October 17 with students from Tulane, Florida State, Iowa, Missouri and St. Louis University for a day with Omaha investor and billionaire Warren Buffett.

20 – Northwestern University Professor Loren Ghiglione luncheon, Omaha Press Club, 11:30 a.m..

22 - Illinois-Chicago Professor Steven Jones meets with students online in Second Life.

24 - Friday, Oct. 24 to Tuesday, Oct. 28 National PRSSA Conference in Detroit.

30 - Thursday, Oct. 30 Halloween Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

November
4 – The Omaha News election special, TKN Cox 17/Qwest 74, 7 p.m.

15 & 16 – UNO Forensics @ Doane College.

20 - Thursday, Nov. 20 Thanksgiving Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

December
5 – Nebraska Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy will officiate at the CPM graduation on Dec. 5 at the new CPACS building on campus at UNO, 4 -6 p.m.

2009
January
15 - High School Journalism Dinner, 6-9 p.m. at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room.

February
12 - Thursday, Feb. 12 Valentine's Day Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

26 - Thursday, Feb. 26, MBSC Nebraska Room Bateman team campaign event for National Banking Association College Program 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March
12 - Thursday, March 12, MBSC Nebraska Room One-Five-0 and in Control Alcohol Awareness event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

31 - Thursday, March 31, MBSC Dodge Room Communication Career Development Workshop 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

April
23 - High School Journalism Workshop, 12 p.m. at the MBSC Ballroom.
28 - PRSSA Presentations, 4 p.m. at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room.
30 - 10 a.m. Scholarship Breakfast at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room; 5th Annual Alumni Panel at 1 p.m. at the MBSC Dodge Rooms); 54th Annual Awards Banquet, 6 p.m. at the Thompson Alumni Center.

May
8 - Friday, May 8, at the MBSC Ballroom School of Communication Graduation Breakfast 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

TMU 5(20) -- September 16, 2008

PRSSA Chapter First In Nation
NODAC Campaign Claims Highest Honors

UNO’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) tied for first place in the 2008 National Organ Donor Competition (NODAC) sponsored by Rowan University.

From left:
Kristen Martin, Kate Sypal, Keegan Niederdeppe, Meagan Phenix, Bre Gehrken and Mikaela Knipe.

The campaign, “Spring into Organ Donation,” featured two main events, a donor card check-in and sign-up on the Student Center Plaza and a speaker, Reg Green, an internationally known advocate for organ donation. Senior Keegan Niederdeppe coordinated the winning campaign. She is vice president of recruitment for the chapter and co-director of Maverick Solutions, our student-run PR firm.

Keegan will be honored at the National PRSSA Conference awards dinner, Oct. 27, in Detroit. She is also coordinating UNO’s chapter development session, “Pitching Like Pros: How to Score Clients for your PR Firm.”

“Another part of this good news is the cash award of $400 for the chapter to assist us in our efforts to send 10 students to the national conference, adviser Karen Weber said.

The April NODAC event attracted campus, community and media attention. The UNO chapters of PRSSA and Students for Organ Donation signed up about 100 people as potential organ donors. A key goal for the event was to remind each donor to inform family members of his or her decision to be an organ donor.

Organizers passed out goodie bags and informational material on organ and tissue donation. The group Indecision provided musical entertainment.

Meanwhile, the first meeting of Maverick Solutions and UNO's PRSSA chapter was held Sunday night on campus.

Constitution Week
Speech Communication Class Project Promotes Freedoms

School of Communication argumentation and debate students Monday advocated for constitutional freedom as part of the Civic Participation Project’s (CPP) Constitution Week activities.


CPP seeks to engage the university community to better understand and participate in activities designed to increase civic engagement.

The argumentation and debate readings and reflections were about The True Patriot, a look at the meaning of patriotism. Abbie Syrek organized student participation for the second year in a row.

Of Note
Excellence in Action

Marshall Prisbell has been recognized for his exceptional interpersonal communication instruction by the new Thompson Learning Community. In the latest newsletter, a Thompson Scholar said Prisbell’s class was his favorite: “Professor Prisbell makes class fun by setting it up so that everyone actively participates,” Joe Novotny said.

* * * *

The Nebraska Certified Public Manager (CPM) program is now officially, formally and fully accredited. The National CPM Consortium voted Sept. 7, to provide UNO’s Nebraska program with initial accreditation. The accreditation team was very complimentary about the program, our faculty, our participants and our commitment to professionalism in the public and nonprofit sectors. Karen Dwyer, Dave Ogden and Jeremy Lipschultz teach a communication module in the course. As part of the Consortium’s regular process, the Nebraska program will be reviewed in five years for reaccreditation.

Did You Know?
People in the News

The Omaha News covered the Obama Omaha office opening last week, Mike Hilt reported. UNO current and past students were seen at the event. Tyler Kersting was in attendance for KMTV and Justin Riviera was working for KETV. Crew from Hilt’s Broadcast Journalism course were required to file stories by Monday. Students are preparing for an election night special in November.

* * * *

Mike Whye supplied some of the photos in the Voices Against Violence campaign. PRSSA students promoted the event with a post card mailing.

Footnotes
Evidence of Excellence

1. Bruce Johansen published “What’s HOT in Global Warming?” in the September Nebraska Report (p. 7).

La Notte Italiana
PRSSA Fundraiser TIckets on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for Italian Night PRSSA benefit dinner.

La Notte Italiana, the annual benefit dinner sponsored by the UNO chapter of PRSSA, will be held Sunday, Oct. 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Swanson Hall of Durham Museum.

The dinner features authentic Italian cuisine from more than 20 local restaurants. This year the event will include live music and a silent auction. All proceeds help the chapter pay for student travel, competitions, service projects and special events – including the School of Communication Graduation Breakfast.

Tickets cost $25 for adults; $15 for students; and $5 for children under 12. They can be purchased through Karen Weber, PRSSA faculty adviser, in ASH 140-E, a PRSSA member or at the door. For more information, contact Weber at 554-2246 or kweber@unomaha.edu

The Week In Photos
Images from Around the School

Constitution Week 2008!

Students discuss the meaning of patriotism.

Graduate faculty held their first meeting of the year earlier this month.

Dates & Times
Mark Calendars for Interesting Events

September
26 – DebateWatch: Presidential candidates, MBSC ballroom, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

30 - Tuesday, Sept. 30: PRSSA Ethics Advocacy Panel MBSC Ballroom 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

October
2 – DebateWatch: V.P. candidates, Thompson Alumni Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

4 & 5 – UNO Forensics @ Hastings College.

5 - Sunday, Oct. 5: La Notte Italiana (Italian Night fund raiser dinner), Swanson Hall, Durham Museum, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

7 – DebateWatch: Presidential candidates, Thompson Alumni Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

8 – Convocation at SPAC, 10 a.m.
CPACS Dedication, 11 a.m.
Centennial Reception, 12 p.m.

9 - HPER Groundbreaking, 10 a.m.

10 - CPACS Open House, 3 p.m.
Centennial BBQ, 6 p.m.

11 - Centennial Homecoming Open House Tailgate at 10:30 a.m.
Homecoming Football, 1 p.m.

15 – DebateWatch: Presidential candidates, Thompson Alumni Center

17 - School of Communication students will be partnered on Friday, October 17 with students from Tulane, Florida State, Iowa, Missouri and St. Louis University for a day with Omaha investor and billionaire Warren Buffett.

20 – Northwestern University Professor Loren Ghiglione luncheon, Omaha Press Club, 11:30 a.m..

22 - Illinois-Chicago Professor Steven Jones meets with students online in Second Life.

24 - Friday, Oct. 24 to Tuesday, Oct. 28 National PRSSA Conference in Detroit.

30 - Thursday, Oct. 30 Halloween Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

November
4 – The Omaha News election special, TKN Cox 17/Qwest 74, 7 p.m.

15 & 16 – UNO Forensics @ Doane College.

20 - Thursday, Nov. 20 Thanksgiving Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

December
5 – Nebraska Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy will officiate at the CPM graduation on Dec. 5 at the new CPACS building on campus at UNO, 4 -6 p.m.

2009
January
15 - High School Journalism Dinner, 6-9 p.m. at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room.

February
12 - Thursday, Feb. 12 Valentine's Day Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

26 - Thursday, Feb. 26, MBSC Nebraska Room Bateman team campaign event for National Banking Association College Program 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March
12 - Thursday, March 12, MBSC Nebraska Room One-Five-0 and in Control Alcohol Awareness event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

31 - Thursday, March 31, MBSC Dodge Room Communication Career Development Workshop 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

April
23 - High School Journalism Workshop, 12 p.m. at the MBSC Ballroom.
28 - PRSSA Presentations, 4 p.m. at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room.
30 - 10 a.m. Scholarship Breakfast at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room; 5th Annual Alumni Panel at 1 p.m. at the MBSC Dodge Rooms); 54th Annual Awards Banquet, 6 p.m. at the Thompson Alumni Center.

May
8 - Friday, May 8, at the MBSC Ballroom School of Communication Graduation Breakfast 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

TMU 5(19) -- September 9, 2008

Voices Against Violence
PR and Forensics Students Raise Awareness

UNO's newly created Voices Against Violence Task Force launched a campaign September 4 to deal with the devastating effects of intimate partner violence.

Lauren Ackerman

Forensics students presented the dramatic effects from partner violence. School of Communication public relations majors from Maverick Solutions, the PR firm, and PRSSA planned and promoted the event.

The campaign, in partnership with the Omaha YWCA, will serve as an advocate and educational resource for the UNO campus. Statistics show students, especially freshmen women, are most vulnerable during the first few weeks of school.

The “Break the Silence” campaign opened with a Voices Against Violence Arts Festival at the MBSC Henningson Plaza.

WOWT's Jodi Baker and Roger Hamer, both School of Communication alumni, did a great piece on the event airing on the 5 p.m. newscast. Hamer also is a part-time faculty member in video production.

Speech Center
School Work Publicized in Gateway

The School of Communication Speech Center was one of three UNO centers featured in a September 5 Gateway article. The Writing Center and Math-Science Learning Center also were discussed. The student newspaper interviewed Marlina Davidson for the story, which focused on speech anxiety, organization, delivery, audience adaptation and expression.

Of Note
Excellence in Action

Five School of Communication faculty members recently were named by three or more graduating seniors as having positively influenced them during their time at UNO: Chris Allen, Teresa Lamsam, Holly Miller, Marshall Prisbell and Hugh Reilly! This is a record number of faculty members making this list.

* * * *

Chris Allen spoke to UNO graduate teaching assistants at an orientation session sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development. The following faculty and graduate students also were recognized for their participation in presenting at the Annual August Workshop: Lynnette Leonard, Kate Rempfer, Herbie Thompson, Barb Pickering and Marlina Davidson.

* * * *

Brittney Longwell, a graduate student and part-time instructor, will be presenting a paper co-authored with Barb Pickering entitled, "An Unconventional Look at Politics: Hillary Clinton Challenging Politics as We Know It" at the National Communication Association meeting in San Diego in November.

* * * *

DebateWatch is coming! As was done during the 2004 election, Barb Pickering is back for 2008 with four debate viewing and post-debate dialogue opportunities – September 26, as well as October 2, 7 and 15. There are three presidential debates scheduled, and the lone vice presidential debate is October 2. DebateWatch is a national teaching, service and research project. Pickering receives funding support from the Civic Participation Project.

* * * *

Lynnette Leonard is scheduled to offer a Second Life session for UNO September 25. “The Pedagogical Potential of Second Life for Higher Education” is sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development. This presentation will cut through the media hype and hyperbole to explore the instructional opportunities Second Life brings to higher education. At the session, attendees will: Understand how Second Life is being used in higher education; Explore the opportunities and challenges of Second Life for the classroom.; and Learn best practices for teaching with Second Life.

Did You Know?
People in the News

PRSSA Day was held with the PRSA Nebraska Professional Development Workshop at Ironwood Country Club September 5, Karen Weber reported.

* * * *

Teresa Lamsam is serving as a search committee member in the Department of English, as well as on the Native American Studies search committee for a new assistant professor.

* * * *

Shereen Bingham is a facilitator for the next Omaha Table Talk on October 2. Area residents meet in private homes over dinner to discuss the issue of race.

* * * *

UNO’s “Maverick Mojo: Why Fight It?” campaign has been credited with UNO’s enrollment growth this fall. New enrollment data show UNO has 1,818 first-time freshmen this semester, an increase from last year. UNO now has 14,213 students, nearly 1,000 more than attended UNO a decade ago. UNO also is taking advantage of tuition breaks for Iowa students in the Omaha area, new student housing and Thompson Learning Community funding for economically disadvantaged students. The School of Communication is offering public speaking courses in the program.

* * * *

Bruce Johansen was quoted in an Omaha World-Herald article about riding his bike to work. Johansen said he began bike commuting in his student days at the University of Washington in 1970. Johansen also published a note in The Public Pulse on global warming.

Footnotes
Evidence of Excellence

1. Graduate faculty recently held a colloquium to discuss core required courses. As a follow-up to the Curriculum Summit earlier this year, faculty examined program outcomes.

The Week In Photos
Images from Around the School

Karen Weber leads her students as Maverick Solutions executes another successful event.

UNO Forensics sold School of Communication polo shirts as a fundraiser.

UNO's Marching Mavericks played as the football team won the season opener against UNK.

Dates & Times
Mark Calendars for Interesting Events

September
15 – Constitution Day forensics speeches.

26 – DebateWatch: Presidential candidates--MBSC ballroom, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

30 - Tuesday, Sept. 30: PRSSA Ethics Advocacy Panel MBSC Ballroom 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

October
2 – DebateWatch: V.P. candidates, Thompson Alumni Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

4 & 5 – UNO Forensics @ Hastings College.

5 - Sunday, Oct. 5: La Notte Italiana (Italian Night fund raiser dinner), Swanson Hall, Durham Museum, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

7 – DebateWatch: Presidential candidates, Thompson Alumni Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

8 – Convocation at SPAC, 10 a.m.
CPACS Dedication, 11 a.m.
Centennial Reception, 12 p.m.

9 - HPER Groundbreaking, 10 a.m.

10 - CPACS Open House, 3 p.m.
Centennial BBQ, 6 p.m.

11 - Centennial Homecoming Open House Tailgate at 10:30 a.m.
Homecoming Football, 1 p.m.

15 – DebateWatch: Presidential candidates, Thompson Alumni Center** (subject to change)

17 - School of Communication students will be partnered on Friday, October 17 with students from Tulane, Florida State, Iowa, Missouri and St. Louis University for a day with Omaha investor and billionaire Warren Buffett.

20 – Northwestern University Professor Loren Ghiglion luncheon, Omaha Press Club, 11:30 a.m..

22 - Illinois-Chicago Professor Steven Jones meets with students online in Second Life.

24 - Friday, Oct. 24 to Tuesday, Oct. 28 National PRSSA Conference in Detroit.

30 - Thursday, Oct. 30 Halloween Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

November
15 & 16 – UNO Forensics @ Doane College.

20 - Thursday, Nov. 20 Thanksgiving Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

December
5 – Nebraska Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy will officiate at the CPM graduation on Dec. 5 at the new CPACS building on campus at UNO, 4 -6 p.m.

2009
January
15 - High School Journalism Dinner, 6-9 p.m. at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room.

February
12 - Thursday, Feb. 12 Valentine's Day Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

26 - Thursday, Feb. 26, MBSC Nebraska Room Bateman team campaign event for National Banking Association College Program 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March
12 - Thursday, March 12, MBSC Nebraska Room One-Five-0 and in Control Alcohol Awareness event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

31 - Thursday, March 31, MBSC Dodge Room Communication Career Development Workshop 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

April
23 - High School Journalism Workshop, 12 p.m. at the MBSC Ballroom.
28 - PRSSA Presentations, 4 p.m. at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room.
30 - 10 a.m. Scholarship Breakfast at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room; 5th Annual Alumni Panel at 1 p.m. at the MBSC Dodge Rooms); 54th Annual Awards Banquet, 6 p.m. at the Thompson Alumni Center.

May
8 - Friday, May 8, at the MBSC Ballroom School of Communication Graduation Breakfast 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.