“Commies” Kick Off a Success

 Kirkland, Washington
 

39 Northwest University students gathered at HSC Argue Hall fireplace lobby to kick off the semester from 3:30 to 4:25 PM on Thursday, September 03.

Students enjoyed snacks and soft drinks, then listened to featured guests talk about the major.

We began hearing from alumnus Mathew Cuellar, a successful accounts executive with Konica Minolta. Matt was among the first ten students to graduate as communication majors in 2002. He reports that his degree and debate experience helped advance his career in sales and is pleased to see that our program has grown to 100 students. Matt recommended that to prepare for the workforce student get involved in activities like debate, the Talon student newspaper, drama, sports or KCNU radio. We gave Matt a NU tee shirt and some chocolates as a parting gift for taking the time to speak to us.

Susan Tamfu, a senior organizational communication major, then reported on her internship with the US State Department in Paris France for three month. She worked with African related issues.

Tyler Hart, also a senior organizational communication major then shared about his job with Mad Scientists, a nation-wide children’s educational business. As “Test Tube Tyler” he speaks to as many as 800 children teaching them about science using various stunts. He says that the job is perfect for “commies” – his name for communication majors. Tyler is also President of TalkBack Debating Society – a club open to all students who enjoy debate and speaking (not just those who travel with the debate team.) Talkback will host a regional scrimmage on September 18 and 19 including show debates on health care and Darwinism.

Professor Kara Heinrichs then interviewed our new full time professor Peg Achterman who went on to share about her experience as a broadcast photographer and videographer with KING Five News. She is completing her dissertation at the University of Washington in new media studies and is now teaching basic speech and web design.

Professor Gary Gillespie announced communication studies sponsored travel courses to Hawaii and Canada. Students are urged to enroll in the Native Peoples of Hawaii course the includes six days in Oahu set for spring break in March. Students will stay two blocks from Waikiki Beach and get to travel all over the island.

The Video and Film seminar for September 25 and 26 was also announced as was drama tryouts for the fall play “All My Sons” on Monday, September 14.

Another travel course tentatively planned for spring semester and may be taken as a summer class as well. Students enrolled Anthropology of Northwest Native Peoples will include six nights in Canada with students staying in Victoria, Campbell River at the northern end of Vancouver Island as well as Vancouver. We will study native art and meet first nations people, visiting ancestral villages and even take a six hour wild life boat tour featuring grizzly bear watching. In addition, if we can work it out, we may offer a video documentary class simultaneously so that students may earn six credits for the trip. More soon.

At the event students re-elected Matt Moroni as Communication Major President and Rachael Arteaga as Vice present. These students will be in charge of hosting social events and parties for both semesters including an event to honor seniors graduating.

 

The party ended with a prize drawing that included ITunes cards, tee shirts, candy,  flashlights and an NU hat.

The next party will be a Christmas theme near the end of the semester.