Perspective Online

Over 70 Professionals Provide Guidance During 2014 Media Day

by Hilary Sigler

On Wednesday, March 5, 2014, the Mass Communications department at the University of West Georgia presented the 33rd annual Media Day in the Campus Center. The annual event invites all mass communications students to partake in a professional panel and networking session. Media Day gives students the opportunity to network with professionals from public relations, film and media, and radio broadcasting. This year, UWG welcomed around 70 professionals to network with students.

Over 70 Professionals Provide Guidance During 2014 Media Day

Jim Burress of WABE with students Dewitt Harris and Ana Flores. Photo by Chris Renaud.

This year’s professional panel included Beth Carter, director of CNN Newsource, Jim Burgess, host and reporter at WABE 90.1 FM, Tiffani Thomas, account manager at Jackson Spalding, Casey Tate, producer/ executive producer at Star 94/ WSTR 94.1 FM, and Maya Table, executive producer and director at Sam Frank productions. Each member of the panel gave a brief history of how they came into their current positions. They also answered questions about their current jobs and gave suggestions for organizations that students should participate in while in college.

During Media Day, students were awarded with Excellence Awards for their chosen fields of study. Five UWG seniors were recognized for these awards: Kaley Clayton for public relations, Chadwick Brock for film and video production, Amber Dees for film and media arts, Darryl Forges for broadcast journalism, and Kathleen Sturgeon print journalism. Awardees are chosen by committee members of the mass communications department and are judged based on their grades and participation on UWG’s campus.

Dr. Hazel Cole and Dr. Chris Renaud, both assistant professors of mass communications, were responsible for coordinating the event this year. The event takes approximately a year to plan, and with the help of several student and faculty volunteers, Media Day 2014 proved to be a huge success.

"Media Day is the signature annual event in the department of mass communications, now in its 33rd year,” says Dr. Cole. “The planning process begins one year in advance and includes a steering committee who works closely together to plan and execute this dynamic event that celebrates and honors our students for their academic achievements. This year marked the largest turnout in Media Day history in terms of the number of professionals, students and alumni participants. We also had an increase in the number of Academic Achievement and Professional Development Awards presented to our students. We are very proud."

Coordinators and beginning to plan for Media Day for 2015, which is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2015. For more information, please contact UWG Mass Communications at 678-839-6518.


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