Full Newsletter - University of Montevallo

Transcription

The
Brickstreet
Journal
The Brickstreet Journal
Volume 5
Fall 2008
An Online News Magazine for Communication Arts Alumni and Friends
Mass CommuTheatre
Mass Communications
Com
t
Communication Arts
P r e si de n
PHILIP C. WILLIAMS
President Williams Looks Ahead
By: Tiffany Westry
If you’ve looked around campus lately, you can’t help but
notice that things are beginning to change. Not only is the
University of Montevallo breaking ground on a new residence hall, but within the pages of the proposed 2008-2012
Strategic Plan lie many other exciting initiatives. There is no doubt that the ideas of every campus constituency and others have played a major part in what is planned
for UM within the next five years. According to President
Philip C. Williams, over the past two years more than 7,000
ideas have flowed in to him and the strategic plan committee.
Curious to know what the physical form of 7,000 ideas
looks like? It’s similar to the large binder crammed with paper that President Williams pulled out during our interview.
Color coded and categorized, Hoshin planning was used
to enable the committee to index the data, with the help of
Institutional Research Department.
The proposed strategic plan has five key themes: Academic proposals, Diversity and Internationalizing the campus,
buildings and grounds, capital campaign and partnerships
(as broken down by President Williams).
Under academic proposals falls a learning commons coordinated by the library. “The library would be turned into
a state of the art learning facilitator, not just a place where
you go to find books,” Williams said. Another proposal,
the “most exciting thing,” according to Williams, is the
Freshman Experience with a community service element,
increased internships and research opportunities. “Becoming” courses are the foundation of the Freshman Experience. Sessions will be required for all incoming 2009 freshmen. The purpose is to bond students to the university very
quickly through a “very special” group of courses.
(Continued on next page)
(Continued from previous page)
The second theme involves diversity. This not only includes bringing more people from diverse backgrounds to UM but
offering more opportunities for UM students to go abroad.
The UM community can see the beginning stages of the third theme -- buildings and grounds -- with the construction of
the new residence hall. “We will be renovating purposefully, residence halls, over the next five years and we will be looking
at additional residence hall space. We’re very focused on maintaining and improving the quality of our national historic district. We want to make sure that it’s preserved,” Williams said. A very important element, he said, being that the university
is known for its remarkable preservation of its history.
The capital campaign (the fourth theme) involves additional resources to raise money for scholarships, faculty salaries and
a performing arts center. Williams also expressed that many would like to see a new Child Studies Center in another location.
Partnerships are the final theme of the strategic plan. The theme consists of major partnering with Shelby County and
school systems around the state. UM students in the Department of Education are currently partnered with Montevallo Connections. They engage in projects with students from Montevallo High, Middle and Elementary Schools. “The university
sees itself as a service to the greater public, not just the people here on this campus,“ Williams said. Students from the art
department recently helped create sculptures at Montevallo Elementary based on drawings done by the children themselves.
Along with the strategic plan the university is in the midst of preparing for SACS accreditation, which Williams said is a
very tedious project. The committee looks at anywhere from 70 to 80 requirements that the University must meet in order to
obtain accreditation, one of such requirements is looking into all faculty credentials. This means every single faculty member’s credentials must be checked to make sure they have their original transcripts on file, etc… He reports that they will be
finishing up this work by next year in order to submit it in 2010. Another requirement of SACS is for the university (which
they are accepting ideas for now) to create an exciting plan that will improve student learning in some way to implement in
2011.
“If Vienna, Austria can have more than one golden age then so can we,” Williams said. The University of Montevallo is
on the path to many great improvements that have been highly anticipated. Williams said he is excited about the way UM
faculty and staff are coming forward with ideas and implementing them. “When you see the visions of faculty come to life,
I often feel like the person at Churchill Downs at the Kentucky Derby that flips the switch and the horses run. Afterwards
everyone gives me the credit for such an exciting derby it was and all I did was flip the switch. I‘m very proud of our faculty, students and staff.”
InThisIssue
In
WWII
Brickstreet Features 1
Mass Communication 6
19
Comm Studies
28
Theatre
World War II
World War II was a significant event in history that has impacted us all. In October, Mass Communication
Professor Randall Scott brought World War II to the University of Montevallo.
This was the second year that the World War II synopsis has been at the University of Montevallo. Each
year, Dr Scott invites World War II veterans, Holocaust survivors and those who were home surviving the
devastating war.
The panel was held on October 21st and 22nd. “This event was a two-day celebration for people who dedicated their lives to us during World War II”, said Dr. Scott.
Scott looks forward to having this event again next year and urges students, faculty, and the community to
come out and learn from the fascinating survivors.
By Brittany Bivins
Dr. David Callaghan is a very busy man. He
can almost always be found behind the desk of
his Davis Hall office, which is decorated with
the posters of shows he himself directed. He
may also be seen in Reynolds Theatre, where he
prepares students for another main stage musical
-- this time, it is Hair. He serves as a professor,
an advisor, a director, chair of the Department of
Communication Arts--and most recently as the
Interim Dean for the College of Fine Arts.
Callaghan, who grew up in New Jersey, received his M.F.A. in Directing from Western
Illinois University and a Ph.D. in Theatre from
City University of New York Graduate Center.
Before becoming a professor at UM 10 years
ago, Callaghan taught at the American Musical
and Drama Academy in New York City and at
Illinois Wesleyan University.
Since arriving at UM, he has directed a variety
of plays and musicals, including Company, Fat
Pig, Godspell, and Molly Sweeney. “The department is very different than it was 10 years ago,”
said Callaghan. “We’re much more connected to
the university as a program--and much more visible outside the university.”
The step from chairing the department of Communication Arts to serving as Interim Dean was a
big one. He is now responsible for coordinating
the activities of the Department Communication
Arts, the Department of Music and the Department of Art. “You’re looking at the needs of the
whole college,” said Callaghan. “We’re trying to
facilitate the goals of different departments.”
Callaghan will serve as Interim Dean through
the spring semester until new Dean William
Clow takes his post in summer 2009. “We’re
moving forward through university-wide strategic planning and working to help the College of
Fine Arts build on its already excellent reputation.”
The Brick Street Journal • Fall 2008
Department Chair
Dr. Callaghan
Interim Dean
“We’re moving forward
through university-wide
strategic planning and
working to help the College of Fine Arts build on
its already excellent reputation.”
Dr. David Callaghan
3
By Timon David Skees
The fall semester at the University of Montevallo brought many changes. One of the most
important changes was Dr. Sherry Ford, assistant professor of communication arts, named as
the new director of the Honors Program after
Dr. Houston Byrd stepped down last semester.
It’s hard to be in the same room with Ford
and not be swept up in her enthusiasm for the
Honors Program, the students, and her plans to
help both. Ford considers herself very fortunate
to lead the program, especially with it being in
such “a good place.” Ford plans to empower
the program to help develop honors students to
their fullest potential—
academically, physically
and socially.
Most important to Ford
is building a social environment that helps learning and establishes lasting
friendships among the
honor students. Ford said
she hopes that she’ll be
able to continue programs,
such as controversial
debates and arts programs,
to create discussion and
interaction between the
students. Two items on
her to-do list are to work
closer with the Inter-Cultural Affairs Office to help
foster a challenging social environment and to
work on an honor-students-only Blackboard
page.
Ford is especially qualified both academically
and practically to nurture and grow this aspect
of the Honors Program both inside and outside
“a crown jewel for the University.”
Dr. Ford Leads
Honors Program
the classroom. Many of her students have
commented on how she encourages learning, interest and participation in a subject
usually written off as nothing more than a
requirement for graduation. Ford’s excitement reaches a completely new level when it
comes to directing the Honors Program since
“you get a density of good students who are
highly committed and achieved,” she said.
While honor classes challenge students to
meet a higher standard than normal classes,
Ford wants to raise the bar. She believes
that each and “every course pushes every
student every time.” Ford said she hopes
she can make the courses more challenging
by adding more seminar forums that require
students to participate, debate, and think
on their feet. She is already expanding the
growth of the disciplines involved in honors
courses and making classes more available to
work-intense majors, such as Art and Music.
Byrd, a professor in the Department of
Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics, believes that Ford is
perfect for building a social
environment since she is “probably one of the most gifted faculty members to draw people to
her and in preparing students on
where to grow next.” Byrd also
has the fullest faith in Ford to
attract the best and brightest to
Montevallo since she is “savvy
and good at recruiting excellent
students.” Byrd, when asked
about what advice he’d give
to Ford, said that she should
“strive to make it the best it can
be” and “don’t be afraid.”
Ford faces many challenges
ahead of her, but with her fresh
perspective, experience teaching in the Honors Program,
and infectious excitement she should go far.
Byrd has left the program with a deep, strong
foundation with passionate students. Ford
certainly has the opportunity to continue the
Honors Program legacy of, in Byrd’s words,
4
By Brittany Bivins
Designer, teacher, mentor, advisor, friend.
All of these words described John Franklin, the
former costume designer of the University of
Montevallo theatre
department, who died
in North Carolina in
August.
Franklin, who
served as an Assistant
Professor and then
Associate Professor at
UM for seven years,
designed costumes,
makeup, and hair for
dozens of productions.
He taught classes
on costuming, stage
makeup and theatre
history. He also
served on the College
Night Committee
and received the
College of Fine Arts
Distinguished Teacher
Award in 2006. He
accepted tenure and
promotion to Associate Professor in 2007.
“There will only ever be one John Franklin,”
said Eva Hammock, who graduated from UM
in 2006 and planned Franklin’s memorial
service. The memorial was held at Reynolds
Studio Theatre in August. More than 200 of
his former students attended. “As John would
have said, ‘Not a bad house for a Sunday,” said
Hammock.
At the memorial, many theatre students and
alumni sang songs and prepared speeches in
honor of Franklin’s memory. At the end of the
service, people in attendance were invited to
share their memories
with the group.
Hammock shared
a story about a WalMart trip for cloth
with Franklin after a
late night of sewing
costumes. As they
headed for the fabric
department, one of
the students jumped
into the buggy. A
Wal-Mart associate
saw them and
demanded to know
who their adult was.
Simultaneously,
they all pointed
at Franklin, who
shrugged and
wheeled the cart
away. “I think that
was one of his
favorite stories,” added Hammock.
Today, the door of the costume shop in the
theatre department still proudly bears a sign
which reads, ‘Franklin’s Sweatshop’. “He was
my mentor and my friend,” said Hammock.
“I know that he will never really leave… [his
memory] will always stay alive in Reynolds.”
John Franklin
5
Mass CommuThe Brick Street Journal • Fall 2008
he at re
Com
Theatre
Communication Arts
Mass Communication
Mass Communications
MASS
COMMUNICATION
FACULTY
By Stephen Gill
Dr. Jay Cofield (MA University of Montevallo, PhD
University of Alabama) has been teaching at the University of Montevallo for nine years. Cofield is a part
of various projects and committees here at Montevallo, including the Technology Advisory Committee,
the Web Review Committee, University Academic
Admissions and Retention Committee, head of Falcon
Fever (the Mass Communication sports newscast), as
well as being one of the National Broadcast Society
Chapter Advisors.
Dr. John M. Hoerner Jr. (MA University of Georgia, PhD University of Alabama) has been teaching at the University of Montevallo for 12 years.
Hoerner is the Division Coordinator for the Mass
Communication department. He is also a part of
many committees at Montevallo including the Banner Committee and many other software-updating
committees.
Dr. Hoerner is also involved in many service
projects. He helps with the design of the sports
streaming, broadcasts the winter graduation, records
various concerts for the music department, and has
been working with Mountain Brook High School on
adding a Mass Communication department to their
Dr. Cofield plans to take the members of NBS to
Nationals in New York City this March where they will school.
Hoerner has also just received new equipment for
do many different activities such as going to different
Montevallo’s
Mass Communication department and
studios and meeting with Alumni. “It’s a good time to
be a Mass Comm. Major,” said Cofield. “We have a lot is presently working on getting it all ready for use. “I
love technology,” said Hoerner. “You can look at my
of exciting things going on.”
showcase history and figure that out.”
6
COMMUNICATION
FACULTY CONTINUED
Dr. Randall Scott (BA Florida Technological University, MA University of Montevallo, PhD University of
Southern Mississippi) has been teaching at the University
of Montevallo for 10 years. He has been teaching at the
university level for 27 years. Scott is currently working on a basic reporting text with colleague Dr. Susan
Thompson and has recently released a new edition of his
media management textbook. He also hopes to write a
book on the effect of the Industrial Revolution on the rise
of mass communication.
Dr. Scott is on the Intercollegiate Athletics committee
and also played a large part in forming a Remembrance
Day committee. “We wanted to let World War II American veterans tell their story so we could hear first hand accounts of what they went through in World War II,” Scott said. The Remembrance Day also featured Holocaust
survivors who told their stories. “We need to be reminded of what people can do to other people.”
MASS
Dr. Susan Thompson (MA, PhD Alabama) was
given tenure and promoted to Associate Professor in
2008. She is now in her seventh year at the University
of Montevallo. Thompson said she enjoys seeing her
students progress through the program. “Teaching is
very important to me. We have wonderful students in
Mass Communications,” she said. “They are willing
and eager to learn.”
As for research, Thompson is working on a basic
reporting text with colleague Dr. Randall Scott. She is
also beginning research on another book about the Penny Press, this time focusing on the newspaper leaders
in New York City from 1833 to 1872. The research and writing should take several years. She received a research
grant from the university for the project.
“I’ve also spent a lot of time this year serving on committees,” Thompson said. She is a member of the following: Faculty Senate; the Quality Enhancement Plan Committee; the Academic Development, Research and Special
Projects Committee; the University Writing Committee; the Student Publications Committee; and chairs the Library Committee.
7
By Timon David Skees
T
he halls of the Mass Communication building are cluttered with boxes, coils of wire, and
packing, creating a trail leading to Dr. John Hoerner’s desk. In his office, Hoerner unwraps the
latest piece of mass media wizardry paid for by the year-end
disbursement and proclaims it
“totally cool.”
The division received $60,000
in this year’s disbursement,
compared to $20,000 last year.
Hoerner’s goal is to help the
division reach the industry’s
standards. His first move was
to replace the 25-year-oldcameras with new remote controlled, robotic cameras. Hoerner acquired three robotic
cameras for the price of a single, no frills studio camera.
The new cameras look like
white domes with a large glass eye in the middle
and can sit in the palm of a hand. Already the
cameras have the nick-names of R2-D2, R2-D3,
and R2-D4, after the small droids in the ‘Star
Wars’ movies. The cameras are mounted on
wheeled light stands. In the control room across
the hall, students can guide each shot in the studio from a remote no bigger than a laptop, all
cameras are high-definition.
Hoerner also purchased a laptop. Its sole purpose is for location production. This change
brings a new aspect that Hoerner is excited
about. With a new level of mobility, camera
crews will be able to go to campus events and
broadcast live. A handheld, flat
screen monitor was also purchased, so the director can see
each shot as it’s made.
Other changes in the studio
include new teleprompter monitors. In the sound studio, a new
computer is hooked up to where
students can record to a USB
drive. Hoerner is also in the middle of installing a server for nonlinear editing. Students will now
be able to retrieve their projects
from a secure source, safe from
accidental deletion.
Hoerner’s goals with the yearend disbursement are “staying
current” and “moving the program forward.”
With the new cameras, monitors, and hi-def capabilities the Mass Communication division is
streamlining and advancing.
Hoerner is excited about Mass Communication’s future. He can’t seem to stop smiling as
he talks about the new equipment. “The technology is a moving target,” he says, and this
year he believes he’s struck a bull’s-eye for the
division.
Mass Communication
Disbursements
8
By James Ward
As a student, Jeremy Anderson really was not sure what
he wanted to do once he had
graduated from the University of
Montevallo. However, an internship during his time at Montevallo would help him realize his
main interests in the broadcasting world and set a path for his
future.
Anderson, originally from Fort
Walton Beach, Fla., graduated
from the University of Montevallo in December 1999. A
big sports fan, Anderson took
an internship with ABC 33/40.
And it was during his internship
where he was a part-time editor
that he realized that editing was
something that he was really
interested in.
Shortly after his time at Mon“Being creative
tevallo and his internship at ABC
and being able to
33/40, Anderson took a threebring fresh ideas
month contract with Student
Life in 2000 as a video director
to the creative
but it was his next job which
process is a bigproved to be the job Anderson
was really looking for. Anderson ger help,”
was employed as a Post Production Editor in Creative Services
Jeremy Anderson
with the sports giant ESPN.
The job required Anderson to
move to Bristol, Connecticut
where ESPN’s central studios are
located. The job involves many
responsibilities including editing
and coordinating larger projects
and also some technical produc-
ing. One of Anderson’s most
recent projects was the open for
the NFLSunday countdown. During the project, Anderson pitched
ideas, storyboarded and worked
with “in-house and out-of-house
animation.” He also helped
during the shoot as a technical
producer.
Anderson’s employment with
ESPN has also helped him as he
recently won a Murrow award
for a feature he cut called “Staying Alive.” The feature was
about the Uruguay rugby team
that crashed in the Andes Mountain’s in South America and
struggled to get out alive.
Anderson, whose favorite sport
is football and who is a firm
follower of the Florida Gators
and Dallas Cowboys, says that
an internship during college is
a fantastic way to get started in
the broadcasting world. “I highly
recommend doing an internship
to anybody as part of your time
at Montevallo,” said Anderson.
Although Anderson is a big
sports fan, he said that even
though it is a help it’s not the
main reason he enjoys his job.
“Being creative and being able to
bring fresh ideas to the creative
process is a bigger help,” added
Anderson.
Jeremy Anderson
9
is Pritchard’s Calling
By Tiffany Lee
Could there be danger in a Mass Communication
career? It can be very dangerous at times. Just ask
Phillip J. Pritchard, President, Video Visions, Inc.
what happened to him while filming. “I was attacked
by a 2,000-pound American bison in Texas in 1996
while shooting an outdoor pilot show. Almost killed
me, I now have a permanent plate in my left ankle as a
momento!”
Pritchard graduated from The University of Montevallo with a degree in Mass Communication in 1991.
He has always had an interest in Mass Communication since he was a child. “My Dad was a songwriter
and musician, so I grew up around music and made
a couple of trips to the big city of Birmingham to do
some recording.” Pritchard fell in love with the whole
production process. His father built a small recording
studio as a hobby and Pritchard learned everything
he could about audio production. My sister attended
Montevallo on a piano music scholarship. Through
her, Pritchard learned about Montevallo’s Mass Communication department. After attending Alexander
City State Junior College, he received a full scholarship to Montevallo. “Once there and being exposed
to TV/Video Production, I decided that was what I
wanted to pursue!”
Pritchard’s spare time is spent with his family. “My
wife, Judi, a Speech Path Montevallo graduate, is a
very busy executive, so I am fortunate enough to have
a job with a flexible schedule.” This allows
Pritchard to help coach his son’s baseball team, as well
as be very involved in his daughter’s cheerleading,
dance and gymnastics. “I do still play drums, golf a
little, and love building and using my hands!” said
Pritchard.
Pritchard says the best part of owning his own
business is the flexibility. Pritchard says that he is
blessed to have Susan Pope, also a U of M graduate, as his Production Manager and Terrie Watts as
his Office Manager. “I can leave the business for as
long as I need and know that it will be there when I
get back. Also, I am blessed to get to do what I love
everyday!” Pritchard said.
Pritchard wanted to thank The University of Montevallo for providing him the opportunity to meet his
wife of 17 years. “Thank God for raquetball,”
Pritchard joked. Also he credits UM for gaining the
tools needed to succeed in his production and business adventure. Pritchard continues to give back to
the University by allowing students to intern at Video
Visions, Inc.
Video Production
Video Production
Video Production
“I am blessed to get to do
what I love everyday!”
-Phillip Pritchard
10
Mass CommuncatioN Graduates
Where are they now?
Joe Crowe, a ’92 UM Mass Communications graduate,
now works for the The Birmingham News as a copy editor
and writer, works on a website that he helped create, and
even made time to co-write a book.
After graduating, he worked about five years at the
publishing company EBSCO editing a very large reference book. After that he worked as a writer and editor for
the comedy website, Hecklers.com. He helped create it
and learned a lot about the programming process in making sites. The website went out of business in 2001, which
is when he started as the copy editor for The Birmingham
News. He also writes some for the City Scene section of
the paper, which comes out every Friday. He writes TV
reviews, video game reviews and comedy stories for the
City Scene.
Crowe works nights at The Birmingham News, while working on something he is more passionate about
in the daytime. RevolutionSF.com, an online sci-fi commentary and review magazine, was created by
Crowe and others from Hecklers.com. He is the senior editor for the site, which looks at the funny side of
sci-fi. He also goes to many conventions for the website to work at panels and host game shows. He says
it is “A great experience and similar to doing stand-up comedy,” which he also has done for Hecklers.com
and at the Stardome in Birmingham.
Crowe’s work on RevolutionSF.com and his visits to the conventions led to him being involved in the
book, “Assembled! Five Decades of the Earth’s Mightiest.” The book is a commentary on the history of
Marvel’s Avengers, which have included Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, and many other Marvel superheroes. Crowe served as the copy editor for the book and also wrote some chapters in it.
Crowe lives with his wife, Stefanie and five-year-old daughter, Quin in Fultondale. Stephanie is also
a Montevallo graduate with an English degree. Crowe says that Quin, who is already a fan of comics,
joined him to visit the Dragon-Con convention recently, and she wears “Green Lantern” pajamas to bed.
Crowe says he has to do a lot of time-management to be able to work on everything, but he always makes
sure to have time for what comes first to him, his family.
By: Dwight McCoy
Chris Megginson, a 2005 UM graduate, is now
the sports editor for The Shelby County Reporter. This
past year as part of the Associated Press Association
Better Newspaper Contest, The Shelby County Reporter
won the “General Excellence” award for Division C,
which is for large weekly papers. The paper won 11
first-place awards in the contest, including Best Sports
Page. He describes the job as editor and writing on
sports as being easy, because every team he has covered
(UM, Martin Methodist College and Shelby County
(Continued on next page)
11
Joyce Edwards Johnson, a 1980 graduate of Montevallo,
now works as the Events Manager for the Wealth Management division of SunGard. SunGard is a Fortune 500
company that is the global leader in software and processing solutions for higher education, financial services
and the public sector. The company serves more than
25,000 customers in 150 countries, including the world’s
50 largest financial services. Montevallo has started using SunGard, which is the reason for the student email
changing from U-mail to forUM.
The Wealth Management Division of the company is
in charge of providing financial solutions for planners,
banks and investors. This is a very important division of
the company, especially since SunGard brings in revenue of about five billion dollars annually. Johnson’s job as the Event Manager means that she is responsible for all of the conferences and events that take place in her division. She travels to do so and is out of
town about 60-70% of her time working. Her favorite event to attend was at Lake Como, Italy, where she
went to a world event for the investors in Europe. Another favorite was an event at Texas Stadium that had
football legends Roger Staubach, Randy White and Drew Pearson as guests.
Between graduating and her present job, she has worked for Fox 6 News, Med Partners/Caremark (now
known as CVS), and an advertising publication firm. She now lives in Vestavia Hills with her husband
Steve, who also works for SunGard, and Chandler, their pet shepherd/husky mix.
Johnson said that she loved her time at Montevallo and still keeps in touch with friends she went to
school with. “Some people see Montevallo as a small school and think students wouldn’t learn as much to
build careers, but it really develops great careers and life-long friendships,” she said.
Schools) were consistently good in their sports.
Other than being in charge of covering the games in Shelby County, he also keeps up with commitments
of high school seniors and writes some stories on the collegiate careers of the former county players. Megginson has been adding some big new additions to their website that include video highlights, Game of the
Week, and a Weekly Highlight Show. The Shelby County Reporter has also started an additional paper, The
Alabaster Reporter. This makes it possible for the growing city of Alabaster to keep its citizens informed
with what is going on in their town.
While at Montevallo he wrote for the Alabamian in his first two years. Then in his junior and senior
year, Megginson worked for the Sports Information Department. He thinks that the Mass Communications
professors at Montevallo did a great job of preparing him and also were very understanding in how many
hours he put in outside of class. Megginson said that he got a lot of help from Alfred Kojima, who was
Montevallo’s sports information director at the time. Kojima became the coordinator of special projects for
the UM Athletic Department this year.
After graduating from Montevallo, he went to Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tenn. During
2005-06, he worked in the Department of Athletics Communication at MMC. In the following January he
began working for The Shelby County Reporter, and now resides in Columbiana.
12
By Tiffany Westry
It was April 22, 2008. Daisy Moon was celebrating her
22th birthday when her phone rang and on the other line was
someone about to offer her a great opportunity.
Daisy began job-hunting about five months before
graduation. She applied to The Villages Media Group for a
newspaper reporting position and by May she had her first
interview. Just a week after her second interview Daisy
received another call with an offer to be a general assignment
reporter for The Villages Daily Sun in Lake County, Florida.
The Villages is Florida’s most popular retirement
community. Moon says, “Unless you’ve been here it’s hard
to even understand how massive and beautiful it is. There are
two downtown squares fashioned after peoples’ hometowns.”
Moon covers everything from gala events, such as tea parties
Daisy Moon
and store grand openings to Sarah Palin’s visit to The Villages
August 2008
Lake Sumter Landing in September.
Graduate
With the start of The Villages Media Group’s Daily Sun
News Show, Moon is now pulling double duty, anchoring a
20 minute news program one or two times a week.
Moon said she feels that the University of Montevallo helped bring diversity - being from
the small town of Millbrook, Alabama - to her life, and the cultured experiences are things that
Moon continues to receive from the things she does at her job.
It is to the Department of Mass Communication that Moon owes the ease of adjusting from
school to the real world. “It did a great job preparing me for the working world,” she said.
“Everything you learn in class is what you end up doing at your job. If you pay attention and do
well in your classes, then a job won’t be such a huge adjustment.”
When asked if she had any words of advice for upcoming Mass Communication graduates
Moon says, “ Don’t be afraid to take a leap. Don’t be afraid to move away from everything and
everyone you know. You will make new friends in no time.”
Bruce Finklea got his break
Bruce Finklea after an internship at NBC 13 HD.
Shortly before graduation he was
2007
offered a position as an associate
Graduate
producer at the station.
Finklea thought he would be
a reporter. He sent out tons of tapes but never heard back from
anyone. He says, “ The television news business is shrinking,
which means it’s harder and harder to get the job you want,
especially if it’s on air.” He also stated something that many
people currently in the business and who have worked in the
business stress everyday, that technology is changing the business. Robotic cameras and computers have decreased the need
for actual staff but that also opens the doors in other areas like
Mass Communication:
New Grads
13
(Finklea continued.)
writing news for the web, blogging and according to Finklea, NBC 13 HD practices Facebooking weather reports.
One thing that Finklea is grateful for having when he graduated from Montevallo is the ability
to write. “ For most of my day, I write until the cows come home and when it comes to news,
you have to know how to write. You may have all the accolades on your resume, but those
things mean nothing if you can’t write a clear, coherent sentence.” He encourages students to
intern and ask questions so that they make sure being in the news business is what they really
want to do. “ A career in broadcast news is very demanding, but it’s also very rewarding when
you hear how your work has made a difference in someone’s life.”
Like other graduates Laken Lovely was told finding a job after
graduation would be tough. Those comments were somewhat
accurate seeing that Lovely was offered a position to be a
production assistant on the set of Hannah Montana: The Movie
before she even graduated. So, indeed it would be tough finding
a job better than that after graduation, but she did.
After a successful internship at Taillight TV in Nashville,
Tenn., Lovely was asked to work on the set of Hannah
Montana: The Movie a few months before graduation. She knew
that she wouldn‘t be able to finish school and work in Nashville,
so after speaking with Dr. Susan Thompson, who reassured her
that something better would come along, she decided to decline
the offer.
Later, a month before graduation, the production coordinator
from her internship heard that the Executive Producer, David
Laken Lovely
Blocker (also known for films such as Into the Wild) of Hannah
May 2008
Montana: The Movie was looking for an assistant and told
Graduate
him Lovely would be perfect for the job. Ten to 15 others
interviewed for the job, but Blocker hired Lovely on the spot.
Lovely has worked on such shows as Larry the Cable Guy’s
Star Studded Christmas Extravaganza and Crossroad: Def Leppard and Taylor Swift. She
says, “When on set I could be doing anything from taking care of talent, decorating the set
making credentials or doing runs.” Lovely also does pre-production work like, “licensing and
downloading sound effects, music and visuals. She also says, “ I have some not so glamourous
tasks that everyone should know about. Sometimes I get coffee, make copies and make sure the
refrigerator is stocked.”
Lovely is very grateful for the support she received from faculty in the Mass Communications
department, “ I can’t say enough that the professors in the Mass Communications Department
are amazing people.” One thing she says she didn’t expect of herself was, “ That I would
already have a company.” Lovely started a company called E.C. Lovely, LLC, and says it was
basically started as a vehicle to protect the television treatments she was writing, but has now
grown into so much more.
Mass Communication: New Grads
14
Greg Funderburg
May 2007 Graduate
Brian White
May 2008
Graduate
Brian White found himself moving from
the set of Montevallo’s MCC News to the
set of ABC 33/40’s Talk of Alabama in
Birmingham, Ala., not even a month after
graduation.
White’s main duty is being a camera
operator. Other duties consist of operating
the teleprompter, master control room and
operating robotic cameras for the early
morning news. White has aspirations to
direct, be a one-man band and edit. He makes
sure he gets a chance to dabble in everything
at the station.
According to White, many of the classes
he had at Montevallo simulate exactly what
he has come across in the working world. He
encourages Mass Communications majors
to double concentrate saying, “ You might
not be savvy with a pen or perhaps a camera
but you will only open more doors and
opportunities if you go with both broadcasting
and journalism.” White says reporters and
photographers are paired up much like the
way they are in Montevallo’s photojournalism
and newswriting classes. Block, lighting
lessons from Dr. Cofield and audio lessons
from Dr. Hoerner have also come in handy
while working on Talk of Alabama. White
wants students to know, “they should not
take these classes for granted.”
Greg Funderberg is a reporter at WTVM in
Columbus, Ga,, the No. 1 station in the market.
Funderberg actually wanted to be a mortician in the ninth grade. Fran Curry (formerly of
NBC 13) came to speak at his school in 2000
and talked about how much she enjoyed her
job and invited him to the station. She has been
a mentor for him since then.
Funderberg covers mostly political and government issues in Columbus and Phoenix City.
He also fills in as an anchor when others are
out. He uses his job to get out in the community, doing more public speaking events than any
other person at the station. Funderberg does
motivational and success speeches at schools,
churches and civic organizations.
Aside from public speaking he still gets the
big stories. In January he had the honor of
interviewing Kristin King (sister of Martin Luther King, Jr.). He says that is the most memorable story he has done so far, “ I always said
if I had the chance to interview someone dead
or alive it would be Martin Luther King, Jr. and
that is as close as I could get.”
Funderberg recommends students intern at
two different places because that is the only
way you will get the experience you need and
to remember things you‘ve learned in class.
During his interview at Channel 9 he was given
a writing package, he said, “ They looked just
like the AP assignments that Dr. Thompson
assigned.”
Mass Communication: New Grads
15
iscoe
r
B
y
d
o
l
By Me
The Division of Mass Communication at
the University of Montevallo is known for helping
create educated writers, reporters, news anchors,
producers and directors. While radio has not always been as popular as television news or print
journalism at Montevallo, some students want that
to change.
Arky Shea Bartlett, is a junior at the University
of Montevallo and a mass
communication major with
a concentration in journalism. He has a strong passion for radio. Arky Shea
hosts the university’s popular sports radio show, the
Arky Shea Express. “I have
been interested in radio for
about two years, more so
when I began broadcasting
baseball last spring.” Arky
Shea has been broadcasting Montevallo’s baseball games as a commentator for almost a year. He also broadcasts women’s
basketball and soccer. Arky Shea plans to launch
his own website http://www.arkyshea.com and
hopes to have that up and running very soon.
Arky Shea is not the only student interested in
radio. He recently started a group on Monday
nights at 6 p.m. for students interested in radio.
The first meeting was held in September and has
continued. Approximately 12 students attended
the first meeting, ready and eager to learn about
hosting their own radio shows. Students were
allowed their own time slots and able to choose
their own shows.
o
i
d
a
R
Dr. John Hoerner, a professor in the mass communication department, assists in monitoring the
shows and makes sure restrictions similar to that
of the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) are followed. The university does not currently have an actual FCC license.
Kalyn Wolfe is a senior at Montevallo with a
double concentration in print and broadcast journalism. She is also editor of The Alabamian and
currently has the longest running radio show on
campus. The Eclectic is in its third season and
airs Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. “Phillip Gibson, who graduated in 2007, approached me in
the Fall of ‘06 to start my own radio show. He’d
already started one a year earlier and wanted me
to learn all I could from him to keep it going.
And I thought, ‘Radio? Me? All those buttons?
Sure, why not?’ I launched The Eclectic on a
Wednesday night in late October 2006 and it’s
been running ever since ,” she said. Kalyn plays
Alternative Rock music, features controversial guests, and
comments on topics that interest her personally.
The main website for the
Eclectic is http://www.howeclectic.blogspot.com.
At this time the campus radio
is a closed circuit. Currently
the only place you can hear the
campus radio is in the dorms,
and on the campus television
turned to channel 13.
Weston Flippo is a senior at Montevallo majoring in history. He has been a fan of radio since
he was 8 or 9. He is still very much a fan of radio, but said he feels like Montevallo could offer
more with radio. “We have the people to do cool
shows but there needs to be varied programming
and better circulation in terms of how many people can listen.”
Weston has not had time to set up a show on
campus, but is considering graduate school at
Montevallo and would like to consider a show
in the future. His current podcast can be found at
http://www.myspace.com/fatdolphin.
16
James Owens
A man with a passion for production
“I like writing
and film equally.
There are stories
I want to tell
that are better
suited for a specific media, some
for screen and
some on paper.”
--James Owens
At the beginning of the semester, James Owens’ friends
had no idea whether or not
they would ever see their
6’6” friend lumbering across
campus with a video camera
in his hand again. As a prank,
Owens spread the rumor that
he had accepted a job offer
in California, quit his last semester of college, and moved
across the country to pursue
his dream of working in Hollywood. The rumor was so
believable that many of Owen’s friends greeted him with
delighted shock and playful
anger when they realized that
he was still enrolled in school
for his final semester.
Owens chose to do a dual
concentration in Mass Communication in the spring of
2006 to give some practicality to his big dream of producing films for Hollywood.
He spent his freshman year
of college at the University
of Alabama at Huntsville near
his hometown of Madison. He
then took a year off to evaluate what he wanted to do with
his life and moved to Birmingham. “Retail and restaurant jobs were my bread and
butter for a year,” he said.
During his search for the
right place to continue his
college education, his parents
recommended the University
of Montevallo to him as a
place where he could thrive
in its small environment. He
met with Mass Communication professor Dr. John Hoerner before enrolling and
heard about the possibilities
that a Mass Communication
degree could offer.
The chance to be involved
in a project from its conception to conclusion drew Owens to pursue a producing
career. In the spring of 2006
he enrolled in Montevallo
and decided to do a double
concentration in journalism
and broadcasting because
of how both are essential to
film production. “I like writing and film equally. There
are stories I want to tell that
are better suited for a specific media, some for screen
and some on paper,” Owens
said.
In his three years at Montevallo, Owens has sharpened
his skills as a writer and editor from the sheer practice
demanded in and outside
of the classroom, sometimes spending as much as
six hours at a time working
on assignments in the Mass
Communications building.
“I’ve learned how to write
succinct articles and edit a
tight commercial. There’s not
a single professor in the department who doesn’t know
what he or she is talking
about,” Owens said. He has
written for the campus newspaper The Alabamian and
worked for the university’s
sports broadcast Falcon Fever, often watching various
sports events behind a tripod
and a video camera.
Owens interned
By Melynda Sides
17
James Owens continued...
ens has penned two short films and is working on a
third. He said he believes that film should be a break
from reality. “I’m interested in doing entertainment,
comedy, action, and drama, anything that’s a work of
fiction,” he said.
As far as the future is concerned, Owens said he has been
sending out resumes and making
connections slowly. “I’m not too
worried yet. Being in my last semester of college is exciting and
intimidating at the same time, but
I honestly think it won’t hit me
until about a month after I graduate,” Owens said. If a chance to
move out to Hollywood came,
Owens said he would jump at
the offer. But for now, he said
he would be happy to find work
in the Birmingham area since
he doesn’t want to move too far
from his family in Huntsville.
No matter what line of work he
goes into, Owens said his degree
in Mass Communication will
open up the door to jobs that will allow him to use
his creativity. “I never stopped playing pretend. The
ideas in my head just keep getting fleshed out the older I get,” said Owens. The experiences he has gleaned
from a double concentration in the Mass Communication department have given Owens the tools he will
need to take the next steps toward putting his ideas
and dreams into motion.
during the summer of 2008 with Charter Media, a
company based in Birmingham on Highway 280.
He worked from eight to five, five days a week, for
three months, learning how to produce commercials
from beginning to end. “I would
write, edit, shoot, do voiceovers
and casting and really got saturated in the job,” said Owens. He
worked on at least 15 commercials, all of which were aired.
Owens said he would advise
other Mass Communication majors who haven’t interned yet
to get an internship as soon as
possible, even as early as junior
year. “I would recommend if at
all possible that you be there
all day. Then you’ll get a really
strong inkling of whether or not
you could handle a job like that
or one in the same vein in the
real world,” said Owens.
During his directed studies
course with Dr. Jay Cofield, Owens produced a 10-minute long
action film with a bare basics camera crew of nine
other people. “It was my first time to direct a film that
lasted more than 30 or 60 seconds,” he said. “I had
to organize the equipment, cameras, choose the locations, write the script, and hand out roles. There was
a lot more planning involved than I first expected,”
Owens said.
Besides his internship and work for the school, Ow-
18
Mass CommuCommunication Arts
Communication Studies
ass Communications
Communication Studies Faculty
By Tiffany Lee
D
r. Sally Bennett Bell became interested in the field of
Communication because she had always questioned why
people do what they do and why they make the choices
they make. Communication Studies, especially rhetoric and
gender studies which are her areas of expertise, helped Dr. Bell to
answer some of those questions.
Dr. Bell has been teaching at Montevallo since fall 2002. She
acquired her undergraduate degree at The University of Kentucky
in Communication and her Masters and Doctorate Degrees from
University of Memphis.
In her spare time, Dr. Bell participates in service work. Dr.
Bell is on several committees around campus including Faculty
Senate and the Montevallo Connection. The majority of her free
time is spent with her 9-year-old son, Bennett.
“I love my students. I love continuing to learn and study and grow as a teacher and a student,” she said. “The
relationships I have with my students are so special. I love to watch my students come in as freshmen and grow, as
they turn ideas over in their minds and then finally watch them enter the ‘real world’.”
Dr. Bell says that the Department of Communication is currently working on updating the alumni list in order to
stay in better contact with former students. Both Dr. Bell and Dr. Ford have submitted work to the 2009 SSCA conference in Virginia. Both women are enjoying their new classroom. “Other than that, we’re just trying to update the
curriculum and make sure our students are getting the best of what we have to offer,” said Dr. Bell.
e om
eatrC
Theatre
R
ay Ozley has been teaching at The University of Montevallo for almost two years. Ozley is currently completing
his dissertation at the University of Kansas. He earned his
Master of Arts from the University of Memphis and his Bachelor
of Arts from the University of Central Arkansas. Ozley’s interest
in the field of Communication has a long history. “Communication problems at work, communication problems in a volunteer
organization, and communication problems at home were all major motivators for me to study communication,” explains Ozley.
19
19
D
r. Sherry Ford has been teaching at The
University of Montevallo for six years as a
full-time member of the faculty. She also
taught for four semesters as an adjunct in the mid
90s. Dr. Ford earned her Bachelor of Arts from
Jacksonville State University, her Master of Arts
from The University of Montevallo, and her Doctorate from Louisiana State University. Dr. Ford really
became interested in studying communication while
taking an undergraduate course at Jacksonville on
interpersonal communication. She was intrigued by
the idea of exploring what makes individuals communicate the way they do -- especially in the context
of interpersonal relationships. Dr. Ford says that her spare time is in short supply
right now. However, she plays golf whenever and
wherever she can and loves to travel.
“I love having that student who gets as excited
about course material as I do. I adore when students
share with me experiences they’ve had in life that
reflect what they’ve studied in our courses. I love hearing them talk about how much more aware they are
of their own and others’ communication after having taken a COMS course. I love when I get to infuse my
teaching with humor and it actually works and having the opportunity to learn from my students as well.”
The next efforts of the faculty will focus on increasing the number of COMS majors, refining courses,
getting more students involved in scholarly research and conference presentations. They are also soliciting
updates from graduates of the program and would love to hear from anyone who received a Speech Communication (1999 or earlier) or Communication Studies degree from Montevallo.
He also had a very inspiring undergraduate advisor, Sue Young, whose Gender Communication class
opened an entirely new perspective on the world for him. “This newly found passion to understand
communication and its complexities was developed further as I found in my COMS classes answers
to questions about communication problems at work, in other organizations, and at home,” said Ozley.
Ozley enjoys spending time with his wife, Lorrie, and their children, Kaitlyn, 4, and Jacob, 2. He
also enjoys gardening, camping, and genealogy.
“I enjoy watching as students challenge their assumptions and discover new ways to look at the
world. I especially enjoy when students talk about how course materials enrich their lives. Even
more enjoyable though is when they talk about how they have used course materials to enrich the
lives of others” he said. Currently within the Department of Communication, Dr. Bell, Dr. Ford and
Ozley are working on developing new objectives and measurements for SACS accreditation. Also,
they are working on improving the senior portfolio class. Ozley serves on a committee which is
seeking to bring a Boys and Girls Club to Montevallo. “This will be an excellent resource for our
community and an opportunity for students to serve and get connected with the community. I hope
that we will have more information about specific ways students in the department can get involved
soon,” Ozley said.
20
NE
LA S S R O O
M
The Communication Studies Department
has invested in something that has been in the
planning since at least 2002. Thanks to annual
disbursements and generous support from the
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Terry
Roberson, as well as President Phillip Williams, the department has a brand new master
classroom.
The classroom was the biggest want and
need for the department. The room, now
Reynolds 226, is located in Reynolds Hall and
is just across the way from the Theatre offices
in the horseshoe-shaped facility and up the
stairs of an area that, until the Fall semester of
2008, was locked and off limits. Major renovations were done to make the classroom one
that would be both accessible and adaptable.
The area, once a series of smaller rooms, is
now home to hardwood floors, six windows
that allow brilliant sunlight to radiate the facility, a new projector and screen, wall boards
and twenty-three adjustable and movable
desks which give professors and students the
ability to enhance their communication skills
and experience.
“It was renovated just for our majors,” said
By Arky Shea Bartlett
Dr. Sally Bell. We have desks that can be
moved in various ways to enhance communication education and we are completely
up to date technologically.”
The classroom is intended for and is
primarily used for communication studies classes, but is available to other majors
who need some space. In fact, Tammy Killian requested the room for an upcoming
statewide theatre event that is going to be
held at Montevallo in August 2009.
The project was a considerable investment. “It all [the classroom] represented
major progress for the Communication
Studies program,” said acting dean Dr.
David Callaghan, “and we are very grateful
for the support.”
“Because of the hard work of our students, who so passionately made the case
for more space, and the support from administrators,” Dr. Sherry Ford added, “we
now have a wonderful classroom directly
above the usual classroom.
“We feel it is representative of the
growth and maturity of our major,” said
Bell.
SC
W
LING
Y
T
S
C
21
The Communication Studies program at
the University of Montevallo will again have
professors and students attending the next
Southern States Communication Association
Conference which is to be held in Virginia in
April 2009.
The SSCA conference is an annual conference with many people involved in the communications world attending the event. The
event is rotated every year at different locations
around the South. Faculty, administrators and
graduate students are among many people who
attend the conference. There is also a special
undergraduate honors conference (UGC) for
people in communications studies, performance
studies and mass communication. Students
have the opportunity to attend the event and
showcase their work if they have their papers
accepted by the UGC.
The next SSCA conference is to be held in
Roanoke. It starts on a Wednesday and finishes
on Sunday. At the conference, students have the
chance to present their communication studies
work to faculty within the communication studies world. As well as presenting their work, students also get the chance to network and meet
with members of potential graduate schools. It
offers a great opportunity for students to talk
to many people who have been in the communications world for many years and learn a lot
about what they might expect in the future.
“My favorite thing is that I get to
see what is new in my field and I
get to catch up with old friends”
~ Dr Sally Bell
Dr. Sally Bell regularly attends the SSCA
conferences. One of the benefits of the conference is “networking,” said Bell. There is the
chance to meet new people in the communications world along with old friends.
Students who are invited to the SSCA conference get the chance to meet famous scholars
at the event and also prepare and explore into
graduate school options but, “most importantly, [receive] recognition for their work” said
Bell.
“My favorite thing is that I get to see what is
new in my field and I get to catch up with old
friends” added Bell.
Dr. Ford, who teaches in the Communication
Studies program at Montevallo will also be
attending the SSCA conference. Dr. Ford will
be attending the conference with students who
have yet to be picked to go. “Students can submit to the Undergraduate Honors Conference
through mid-December,” said Ford.
“It is a fantastic experience for students who
are contemplating or might one day contemplate graduate school,” added Ford. Students
who have their articles accepted get to present their papers at sessions similar to those of
graduate students.
By James Ward
SSCA
22
By Jessica Fisk
Jeff Walker is a University of
Montevallo alum who is working on
his Master’s Degree in Communication
Arts from the University of Alabama.
Walker favors UA’s graduate program
for many reasons. He is impressed
with their resources for networking
and research. He says learning from
great professors is also a plus.
He has discovered time balance is
important while in graduate school.
“It is easy to get bogged down in
readings and coursework—you also
need to make time for the gym, social
activities, and that type of thing.”
The large amount of work required in
graduate school can be overwhelming,
but Walker is passionate about the
material. “Communication Studies is
unique because the field encompasses
so much and works so well with other
disciplines.”
Walker initially chose to go to UM
because of its “unique and inclusive
atmosphere.” He was a History major
before deciding to double major in
Communication Studies.
Needing elective hours, he took
Interpersonal Communication. After
that, “I was hooked,” he said.
Walker was very active at UM. He
presented a paper called “Preservation
and
Reconciliation:
Lincoln’s
Rhetorical Genius” for Undergraduate
Research Day and History Day at
UM. He was a Gold Side Leader for
College Night during his senior year.
His sophomore, junior, and senior years
he wrote scripts and he was director
his junior year. He calls the experience
both challenging and rewarding.
Other activities also claimed Walker’s
time. He was an SGA Senator, an
Orientation Leader and a member of
fraternity Alpha Kappa Lambda. He
participated in three honor societies:
Omicron Delta Kappa, Lambda Pi Eta,
and Phi Alpha Theta. “Few Universities
give you so many opportunities to get
involved like that,” he said.
Walker enjoys watching football
and playing Frisbee golf. He plans to
graduate from UA in May of 2010 and
wants to try out politics. “I hope to go
into political campaigning, either as an
organizer or speech writer.
“Communication Studies is unique because the field
encompasses so much and works so well with other
disciplines.”
Jeff Walker
23
LYNSEY
WEATHERSPOON
by Paula Radmard
Lynsey Weatherspoon, 24-year-old native
contact with my teachers. Being able to
of Birmingham, Alabama, graduated from
have access to them when I need help was
the University of Montevallo in 2006 and
very important to me," said Weatherspoon.
completed graduate school at UAB. She is
Weatherspoon said that all of the classes
now working for FOX6 WBRC in Birmingin the Communication Studies Department
ham, Ala.
were all helpful in their own way
Weatherspoon has been given two titles
"I enjoyed every moment of each class,"
at the station, Assignment Editor and Web
she said. The fact that each professor is
Producer. As Assignment Editor she asgenuinely informed and different in their
signs stories to reporters and photograown way was the most inspirational thing
phers as well as informs
about the department
the public of local and
for Lynsey. "Dr. Ford
“I’m doing exactly what I
national news. As Web
taught me how to love
went to school for and
Producer she is responand have respect for the
sible for maintaining
subject. Dr. Bell used
exactly what I love to do.”
MyFoxAL.com.
her keen sense of humor
“QUOTWE
Weatherspoon was an
to convey the reactions
intern at FOX6 in high school. Although
you should have to rhetoric and other
she plans on leaving the television business
realms of communication. Dr. Simone
in 2010 to obtain her PhD in Communicawas serious about the subject, but made
tion Studies, she feels very honored to have
sure that we all learned the importance of
been able to come back on as a FOX6 emproper interpersonal communication. It
ployee and looks forward to going to work
was great to be taught by such a wonderful
everyday. “I’m doing exactly what I went
staff," Weatherspoon added.
to school for and exactly what I love to do,”
Dr. Sally Bell along with other professaid Weatherspoon.
sors is very proud of Lynsey for getting her
The campus of the University of MonteMaster's degree. "Lynsey has worked very
vallo is what attracted Lynsey to the school.
hard and is very successful and is a model
She loved the small community and atmofor what I would like to see even more of
sphere. "I was instantly attracted to the
our students doing," Bell said.
size of the classrooms. I've always attended
small schools growing up and I like to have
24
By: Heather Liston
Josh Barronton graduated in May 2008 with not only a degree
in Communication Studies but also History. He started a graduate program in
August at Auburn University to work toward a master’s degree in History. While
there, he is a teacher’s assistant for one of the World History classes. After graduate school he wants to go on to teach History at the university level. He says that
he could not even list the number of ways that his Communication Studies degree
has helped him. His rhetoric classes have really helped him because rhetoric and
history often go together. His knowledge of skills for public speaking and nonverbal cues has helped him become a comfortable public speaker. This helps him
when he interacts with students from his World History class. He credits Dr. Sally
Bell and Dr. Sherry Ford, as well as the University of Montevallo, with helping
him realize his love for school.
Ashley Burge graduated in August 2008. She
has been working at the University of Montevallo as an admissions counselor for almost four months. She says that her
Communication Studies degree helps her in communicating
effectively with the different people she comes in contact with
on a daily basis. Her job sends her all over the state to talk
to high school students about the University of Montevallo.
“All those public speaking classes that I used to dread have
prepared me to confidently speak to large groups of people,”
she says. When asked how her experience as a student at the
university has helped her, she said, “Being a full time college
student while living and working in this environment has given me invaluable insight into how to better relate to people.” Kristina Kuzma graduated in May
2008. During her last year of school she did an
internship with MSNBC, which gave her contacts to get her current job. She is a production
assistant for MSNBC’s daytime news program,
in which she handles their graphics, handles research and breaking news for the daytime team.
Including the time of her internship she has
been working with them for one year and eight
months. She credits Dr. Bell and Dr. Ford for
allowing her to focus on her passion of politics
in her classes. This helped open up the world of
political theory and communication to her. She is grateful to them for helping her find
her calling so early and help her refine her research and critical thinking skills.
Recent Graduates
24
25
By: Melody Briscoe
Jamika Kirk finished her communication studies degree from Montevallo in
2003. She has since gone on to thrive in the magic city of Birmingham. Jamika has had
several jobs that put her degree to good use. Jamika spent five years at Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“Lucky enough for me the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce compressed
everything I learned from Montevallo,” she said. “We did a lot of marketing and public
speaking.” After working there, Jamika went on to Horizon High School, where she helped
students in special education classes find employment. “I was at Horizon High School for
six months before transitioning to my current job at UAB. I’ve now been at UAB for three
months.” Jamika currently helps coordinate internships for students at UAB. Jamika said
she feels her biggest accomplishment is that she has been able to put her degree to good
use.
Her advice to current students is, “Start looking for jobs early is key—do internships.
Get all the experience possible. Take advantage of all the classes at your school -- required
or not. That will help you in the long run. It is all about experience.”
Crystal Leight graduated with a communication studies degree in 2004
from the University of Montevallo, then went on to receive a graduate degree in secondary education in August of 2008. “I loved every moment of my time at Montevallo and
for that reason came back for grad school.”
At first, Crystal was not sure what she wanted to major in. It took some time, but she
finally found the right path for her. “During the spring semester of my freshman year,
I was still trying to figure out which path I wanted to take. One day in my Coms 101
class, my professor had a Coms major speak about the communications department. I
was really intrigued so I talked with my professor a little more and decided it was the
major for me.”
Crystal also says looking back now she wishes she had double majored in communication studies and education. She says she has also been able to put her degree to good
use. “After I graduated, I became interested in the teaching field. I had the opportunity
to teach at a small private school and since then, I have received my master's degree in
secondary education, English/language arts. So I would say that yes, I have worked in
the communications field, because I deal with it on all levels in the classroom.”
Crystal said she plans to teach in the near future and hopes to help her students understand the value of good communication skills.
“In my opinion my biggest accomplishment is being a wife and mother. I have been
married for three and half years and have a 4-month-old son,” she said. Crystal is currently a stay-at-home mom to her son Fin. However, she plans to teach in the near future
and put her degree in communication studies to good use. “Communication Studies
should be a basic part of any well-rounded education. As a society we rely on the ability
to properly communicate with one another. Society as a whole would be well served by
good communicators. As a teacher it is my goal to help each student that comes through
my classroom door to understand the importance of good communication and how to
develop this skill.”
More Graduates
24
26
Melvin Milton:
Upgrading
His College
Experience One
Step At A Time
by Heather Liston
M
Melvin Milton is a senior Communication
Studies student who has quite a lot going on this year.
He is the Gold Side leader, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity president and UPC coordinator. He is also taking
a full load of classes. He says he is able to balance it
all through a lot of hard work.
If you walked into Milton’s office at the top of the
Student Union Building you realize right away that he
is one popular person. His walls are covered in pictures of celebrities, his friends and some memorabilia
items. Some of those items include plaques that he has
won for various things but his favorite is his Nat King
Cole scholarship plaque.
He earned this award after writing an essay emphasizing the importance of music and how Nat King Cole
impacted the field of music. After earning this award,
he sang “The Christmas Song,” also known as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” at a Nat King Cole
House dedication.
He graduated from high school in 2004 and used
scholarship money to come to the University of Montevallo. He originally planned to major in theater and
minor in music. He decided that theater was not for
him and was convinced by Dr. Sally Bell to try the
communication studies major. Once he got in the major he realized he had found his niche.
Some of his favorite classes include: Organizational Communication, Non-verbal Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Training and
Development and Public Speaking. Most of these
classes have helped him learn about the work environment and team building. He said that all of his
classes have helped mold him into the leader he is
today.
He was voted best executive member of the SGA
and has planned numerous events for Montevallo
students. Some of these events were a pool party, a
foam party and Comedy Show: A Laughing Explosion. As the president of Lambda Chi Alpha, he
helped to lead them to a successful recruitment,
bringing in 22 new members. He is planning several mixers for the Gold Side for the spring term.
After college, he is not too picky about what
his job is so long as it is in radio or television. He
hopes to be able to do some behind-the-scenes
work to get his feet wet in the industry. But if that
does not work out he will try going to work for a
cruise line doing whatever they need.
Ultimately, though, he wants to go on to
become a publicist for a celebrity.
27
Mass Commu-
he at re
Com
Communication Arts
Theatre
CommunicaMass
Lights, Camera, Action!
The Theatre Department has been making big additions to help the program’s stages
be more technologically advanced, so that
Montevallo has been able to put on some great
plays and musicals this past fall as well as in
semesters to come.
Some of the disbursements for the department went toward getting three new large LED
lights, which are a high-tech and low-maintenance light source. These three large LEDs
went along with the one large and several small
ones that the program already had to make the
lighting for the plays even more state of the
art.
Dr. David Callaghan, who is the interim dean
of the College of Fine Arts, the chair for the Department of Communication Arts, and a theatre
professor, said of this addition, “A lot of larger
college programs haven’t made that leap yet
to get into LED, but we have.” Callaghan also
mentioned that a guest technical consultant,
who recently visited the campus, commented
on how impressed he was of this addition to the
theatre department’s lighting.
Money also has gone for many upgrades for
the Chi Box, including the chairs and seating.
The Chi Box also has undergone a lighting upgrade, and soon will be making another adjustment with the lights. The grid pipes that the
lights hang on will be raised, making it possible
to use better angles of lighting during the performances. Another great new addition to the
Chi Box is a new sound system, which will also
make watching a play performed there a better
experience.
Some of the new additions were used in the
By: Dwight McCoy
plays performed in the fall 2008 semester, including “The Last Five Years”, “Dead City”,
and “Hair,” which all took place in Reynolds
Studio Theatre. Two of the three plays in the fall
2008 semester were musicals.
Callaghan said, “We (the department) have
been doing a lot of work already in musical theatre; however, we are looking to expand this
area in response to growing student demand.”
The department will still produce new plays
and classics along with the musicals, to give
students a broad learning base.
The department also now has three part-time
teachers that help increase the number of students studying voice techniques. This is very
useful with the musicals to improve the performers’ confidence, charisma and overall performance.
The disbursements were spent wisely by the
department, and this is important to keep it running so well. The department receives the money for these additions from the Dean’s office
and the Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr.
Terry Roberson.
The Alumni Board Foundation also contributes. The University of Montevallo currently
has about 75 students majoring in theatre, with
29 new majors in the fall 2008 semester. All the
new equipment helps the department overall because it impacts the level of production to help
educate and train students, which makes them
better prepared to go out and work elsewhere.
This all comes back to the department, because it will make recruiting easier for Montevallo, since people will want to come to be better prepared for a successful career.
Theatre
28
By Brittany Bivins and CeCe Conner
Tammy Killian
Tammy Killian has been a member of the Montevallo faculty a relatively short time—two years.
However, in those two years, she has made a definite impact. She directed Five Women Wearing the Same Dress in fall of 2007, and her latest project, Dead City, made its
Alabama premiere in October 2008. “I love working with Tammy,” said Emily Gill,
UM’s costume designer. “It’s good to have colleagues that are collaborative artists.”
Killian also teaches classes on a variety of subjects, including acting, directing and
play analysis. While not directing a show or teaching a class, Killian may be found
in her Alabaster home with her husband, Jason; her daughter, Kate; her dog Samson;
and Viola and Cesario, her two well-versed Shakespearean cats.
Kel Laegar
Kel Laeger may be one of the university’s hardest people to track down—but with
a schedule like his, that’s not surprising. Laeger, who joined the UM theatre faculty
five years ago as scenic and lighting designer, is responsible for designing scenery
and lighting for every show on the UM stage. “You have to learn to design, build,
and install two shows at the same time,” said Laeger. In addition to designing, Laeger teaches classes on stagecraft, set design and lighting design. “I like the diversity
of all the things I do. I just wish they weren’t all at the same time.” In his free time,
Laeger likes to spend time with his wife, Therese, his two daughters, and his horse.
Theatre Faculty
Emily Gill
The UM theatre department’s costume shop has several notable staples. Costumes, makeup kits, and sewing machines
are a few of the more obvious ones. Another fixture is the department’s costume
designer, Emily Gill. Gill joined the UM faculty two years ago as a visiting professor of costume design and construction. “I was attracted to Montevallo because it
is a liberal arts school,” said Gill. In addition to designing costumes and makeup
for UM performances, Gill teaches classes on costume construction, stage makeup,
and costume crafts. “I think the theatre department does a great job of consolidating
liberal arts with a professional training program. That tends to grow a more flexible artist,” she said. As for her upcoming projects, Gill advises that playgoers take
a close look at the makeup in the spring production of Scapin. “That’s going to be
crazy,” she says.
David Callaghan
Interim Dean of the College of Fine Arts and theatre professor Dr. Callaghan is currently revising a past article for a new book and exploring many other new ideas pertaining to the Fine Arts Department. He also serves on numerous committees such
as, the Strategic Planning Committee and is currently planning a co-production of a
musical with the Magic City Actors Theatre of Birmingham in fall 2009. Over the
past ten years Dr. Callaghan has positively contributed to the education of his students at the University of Montevallo. His enthusiasm and dedication for academic
excellence at the University of Montevallo shines through as he continues to lead
and teach each individual.
29
A familiar face with a new title:
hough this was her first semester to work full
time for the University of Montevallo’s theatre
and music departments, Laurie Middaugh was
far from being a new face among the faculty in Reynolds. “I’ve worked for Montevallo in the music and
theatre departments as an adjunct professor for twelve
years,” she said, “and this is the first time I get my
own office!”
Middaugh’s piano, desk, and a few chairs filled up
her new office space at the end of Davis, where music
and theatre majors come in to work on pieces for class
or performances. The Blackberry resting on the piano
and the coffee pot in the corner both suggested the
full schedule and late nights demanded by a career in
musical theatre. But for Middaugh, this is the kind of
lifestyle she has thrived on and strived for since childhood.
Middaugh said she can’t remember a time when music wasn’t a part of her life. “There’s actually a picture
of me, I keep it on my refrigerator for moments when I
need validation, and it’s of me on my first birthday and
I’m sitting at the piano. My mother says that as soon
as I was aware of the instrument in the room, I wanted
to play it,” she said.
She has been a part of the musical culture of Montevallo since age 12 when she would travel 30 miles
north from her hometown of Maplesville to attend the
Montevallo Community School of Music, where she
is now the director. At 14 she started taking piano lessons from the University of Montevallo faculty members and realized that this was where she wanted to
spend her college years. “I never considered going
anywhere else. The thought never entered my mind. I
just knew I was coming here,” said Middaugh.
During her freshman year of college, Middaugh said
she first became aware of the opportunity to play the
piano with other people by accompanying musicals
and operas. “I got really excited about that and I’ve
been doing it ever since,” she said. She earned her
Bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Montevallo in 1988 and her Master’s in 1998. Since 2003
she has commuted to the University of Alabama for
her doctorate which she said she plans to finish in December 2009.
Middaugh has accompanied musicals for the university as a faculty member since 1999. She has also
accompanied for the Musical Theatre I and II classes
as well as taught Musicianship Skills for both actors
and singers. One of her first major responsibilities as
the musical director for the theatre department was to
direct the music for “Hair”, which opened November
20.
The fifty musical numbers in “Hair” demanded
much of Middaugh’s attention as she coached the 20
cast members in both large ensembles and as soloists.
She had one week off between the last performance
of “Hair” and the first rehearsals for opera scenes.
“When I’m working with musical theatre, that’s my
favorite, and when I’m working with opera, that’s my
favorite. I love opera. I think I’m a frustrated opera
singer down in my soul,” she said, laughing.
Middaugh’s enthusiasm and love for this university
radiated out through her facial expressions and tone
of voice. “I love working with singers, I love working with instrumentalists. I love what I do. I could not
be happier,” she said. For Middaugh, Montevallo has
become not only a place to learn and to work, it has
become home. She said, “I just think Montevallo is so
unique. I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
“There’s actually a picture of me...on my first birthday and I’m sitting
at the piano. My mother says that as soon as I was aware of the
instrument in the room, I wanted to play it.”
T
Laurie Middaugh
by Melynda Sides
30
From the stages of New York City,
Marcus Lane
brings combat fighting and movement techniques to
UM’s theatre department.
By Melynda Sides
to use items found on stage in combat, such as garden
hoses and frying pans.
To choreograph fight scenes and teach them to students, Lane said it is “a balance between making it safe
and making it convincing.” A gun loaded with a blank
can still be deadly if pointed too closely at another
person, and the only difference between a stage sword
and a real sword is that the stage sword isn’t edged, he
said.
Lane’s experience in stunt work and stage combat will
also contribute to his spring 2009 schedule of Movement I, Directing I and Stage Combat classes as well
as the production of Moliere’s Scapin, which he has
planned on directing with a twist. “Instead of using the
exact script, the actors will keep the character’s archetype and the beginning and ending of a scene, but they’ll
have the freedom to improvise during the scenes. So the
play you see on one night will look different from the
play the next night,” said Lane.
The creativity and expertise that Lane has acquired
from his years as an actor, director, and choreographer
have already begun to shape the way that current theatre
students have learned and performed. From stunt work
to fight scenes to exploring the space, Marcus Lane has
brought talent and knowledge about his profession to
his new setting of Montevallo.
M
arcus Lane has
lived all over
the world, from
Japan and the Philippines
to a smattering of states in
the U.S., due to a childhood as an Air Force brat
and a career in theatre
as an adult. But after his
most recent move from
New York City to Montevallo, he said he plans
on staying in one place for awhile. “I’ll be here ’til I
retire,” said Lane, who joined the University of Montevallo theatre department this year to teach movement,
stage combat, acting and directing classes.
Lane first heard about the University of Montevallo
while working on his MFA in acting pedagogy at the
University of Alabama. While performing professionally during the summer seasons at Theatre West Virginia, he kept meeting students and actors who were
connected to the University of Montevallo and noticed
they shared a common desire to improve their craft. “I
was impressed by their willingness and openness to
learning,” said Lane.
In the spring 2008 semester he did his teaching seminar
with eight Montevallo students and further experienced
the university’s pull. The small size of the school, the
quality of students, and the chance to develop and know
his students all were factors that appealed to him.
So when he and his wife decided they wanted to raise
their son somewhere other than New York City, Montevallo became an option. “I’ve lived in Alabama before,
and my wife is from Mississippi, so we’re both comfortable in the South and wanted to be in a place with
strong values,” said Lane.
He also wanted to be part of the movement to
embrace the arts that is spreading across Alabama.
“The amount of talent that’s in this state is staggering,” Lane said. He estimated that four to five
people of each cast in every Broadway production
are somehow linked to the state of Alabama.
Since coming to Montevallo, Lane has taught
students unarmed combat, how to fall and roll correctly, and different movement styles in his Beginning Acting, Acting Period Styles, and Movement I and II classes. During his career, Lane has
directed scenes using up to 120 firearms with an
audience only six feet away, choreographed a
fight in which eating utensils and a cheese grater
were turned into weapons, and taught actors how
31
Theatre Season
By Paula Radmard
“Scapin”
Written by Jean Baptiste Moliere
Directed by Marcus Lane
•April 16-18 7:30p.m.
•April 19 2:00 p.m.
•Reynolds Theatre
•$8 UM students, faculty and staff
$12 general admission
•Young lovers, scheming
servants and lots of laughter offer the perfect mix for a Spring evening in this classic
comedy. (Adult Content)
Spring Theatre Festival
•April 24-26
7:30 p.m.
•Chi Box Theatre
•$3 for everyone, every night
•More provocative short plays
staged by our advanced directing
students.
•Reserve seats early because seating
is limited. (Adult Content)
2009
South Eastern Theatre Conference
in Birmingham
The South Eastern Theatre Conference is
the largest and most active regional theatre
service organization in the nation. It is held
yearly throughout the southeast region. The
conference is an opportunity for individuals
involved in theater to audition for various
companies and potentially jump start a
successful career.
This year, SETC will be held in Birmingham,
Ala. Students from the University of
Montevallo will be participating.
Britney Hunt, a senior theater major at UM,
especially looks forward to SETC. “SETC is
a chance, not only to show the culmination of
our growth throughout our years at school, but
as well see how we compare, skill-wise, to our
By Cedrina Burroughs
peers. It’s healthy competition.”
The conference brings companies from all
over. Students can audition for graduate schools
and interview for employment opportunities.
Savannah Swafford, also a senior theater
major at UM said she likes to seize all of the
opportunities she can at the conference. “
SETC, for me, it an opportunity to audition for
companies from all over the US. It is a plethora
of available work.”
SETC holds its 60th Annual Theatre
Convention in Birmingham, Ala., March 4-8,
2009.
32
By Melissa Smith
Making a living in the art world
can be challenging, but Carl Dean
is making it work, and living his
dream every single day.
Carl Dean is the co-founder and
Artistic Director of the Magic City
Actors Theatre, a professional theatre company in Birmingham. The
company, in its third season, was
recently honored for the second consecutive
year as one of Birmingham’s top five best
live theatre companies by The Birmingham
News. In addition to this award, Dean also
received the honor of Best Local Actor.
The company performs shows at the historic Virginia Samford Theatre. Their latest
endeavor is Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated
Ladies.” In May, Dean’s favorite musical,
“Pippin,” will grace the stage as MCAT’s
third season finale. More info on MCAT’s
third season, as well as online ticketing for
all their productions can be found at http://
www.mcactorstheatre.com.
Dean graduated from UM in December of
1996 with a degree in theatre. He participated in campus events, but most notably was
one of the Purple Side leaders in 1996. Now,
he is back at Montevallo teaching an advanced musical theatre class that presents the
musical theatre showcase in December. Dean
choreographed the Sondheim musical “Company”, which was performed in the spring of
last year as part of Montevallo’s theatre season. He also teaches classes at Holy Family
Cristo Ray Catholic High School and works
with many other schools and theatres in the
area on productions throughout the year.
After graduation, he lived in New York
City off and on for three years and continued
to work regionally as an actor, director, and
choreographer. “I did the New York thing,
and I wanted a family and knew that wasn’t
the place where I wanted to raise one,” said
Dean. He returned to Birmingham where he
met his wife, Rachel. The two were married
in 2001 and have two children; Caroline, 6,
and Ryder, 4.
“I’m very blessed,” said Dean.
Carl Dean
“The University of Montevallo and its theatre department have been a huge part of my life! It was there
that I received the training that has allowed me to work
professionally in the theatre as an actor, director and
choreographer for the last 16 years. What an incredibly
profound experience it was in 2008 to be able to return
to my beloved alma mater as guest choreographer on the
department’s fabulous production of Sondheim’s “Company” and as adjunct professor in the Fall semester to
teach the Musical Theatre Styles II class and direct
the student showcase. It was truly a thrill to be on
the “other side” and share my knowledge and experience with a new generation of UM theatre students. I
couldn’t be more pleased with the growth and direction
the department is now enjoying. Under Dr. Callaghan’s
leadership and guidance, the department has an artisti
vitality and drive that is very exciting. I feel honored
to be a small part of the trememdous things which are
happening in our theatre department now. We have
gifted and driven students and a faculty that is bold and
artistically daring. It is truly a fantastic time to be a
part of the magic that is UM Theatre!”
Carl Dean
33
rina
ed
By C
ghs
ou
Burr
Savannah Swafford is a senior BFA
musical theatre student at the University of
Montevallo. Born and raised in Panama City,
Fla., she was raised as an only child. She found
her outlet in theater at the age of 5.
After graduating high school at 16, Savannah
had to figure out what to do next. She became
interested in the University of Montevallo
after two friends looked into the university.
After receiving scholarship offers from the
university, she came and became engulfed in
theater. While Montevallo was not first choice,
she is happy that this is where she ended up.
“Everything happens for a reason,” she
said.
This theater season, Savannah choreographed
UM’s production of the 1960s classic musical
“Hair”. For a girl who has been “singing since
she came out of the womb and dancing since
she could walk,” the chance to have such a
role is one she found herself more than happy
to be a part of.
“This is the most epic show I’ve ever worked
on,” she said.
The show had 35 numbers and choreographing
such a huge show was what Savannah called
a “fantastic challenge,” The show opened in
November. Savannah had been working on it
since June.
The production, as any other, was demanding
and kept Swafford busy. This production is what
Swafford saw as her “first true opportunity” as
a choreographer.
“It’s been a chore. And has stretched me,”
Savannah said. “But I’m having a straight
up blast. My time here at UM has fostered
growth in me not only as a performer but as a
person. I’ve grown up here--what I bring into
an audition room reflects my true self through
my work now. I’ve learned about life AND
the art that imitates it!”
“Hair” opened November 20th and showed
until November 25th.
S
n
a
v
a
w
S
h
na
d
r
o
af f
34
By Jessica Fisk
Julian Robinson is a University of Montevallo graduate who
lives in San Francisco and was nominated for an Emmy for his
documentary work about the art festival called Burning Man. The
festival takes place annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada.
Robinson holds an M.F.A. from Columbia University and is a
producer/ editor/ camera operator for Current TV. As a “one man
band,” he works for the independent media company that was
started in 2005 by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt. The company focuses
on art, culture and music. Robinson calls it “You Tube meets
CNN.”
Robinson said he likes that his job incorporates a lot of people
into one vision. “People have to work closely together to make
sure everything works out,” Robinson says. “It forces artists to
articulate what they want to do.”
Robinson went to UM from 1998- 2002. He chose the university
because of its theatre department and its closeness to home. He
was extremely involved in College Night. He was the writer and
director for the Purple show his junior and senior year. He was
also a member of the Honorary Theatre Fraternity. He acted in the
play “Three Viewings” as a funeral director in love with a woman.
“It was the best performance I had in Montevallo,” he says. He
also directed “True West,” which is his favorite play.
After graduation he went to New York. He waited tables and
freelanced for a year and eventually scored an internship at
Wooster Group in Soho. Around that time his attention turned toward film and he decided to go to graduate school
at Columbia.
“I really wanted to make movies,” he says. Robinson spends his time attending art festivals and going out with
friends. He says San Francisco is different from Alabama in that there is “a better appreciation for the quirks that
make life fun.”
Robinson wants to continue to develop TV shows but eventually start his own company and produce projects
independent of Current TV.
“The best advice I can give to any UM student is this--take full advantage of the opportunities to practice and
learn a wide skill set. The opportunities you have to do this at Montevallo will put you ahead of your competitors
who went to high-profile schools with football teams and a marketing budget. I find that the creative opportunities
I took as a BFA student very directly informed each step in my career. When I eventually got accepted into Columbia University’s MFA Film Program, my submission tape was a montage of College Night shows and my BFA
Thesis Project (True West, by Sam Shepard). When I got my first professional video editing job, my submission
was a bunch of student films from Columbia. And when I got nominated for an Emmy, my submission was from
my first video editing job. The opportunities you take wherever you are at “now” invariably open up doors.
“Finally, there is another tremendous opportunity at Montevallo--the ability to pursue advanced studies in a very
specific field. While the professors are very engaging in a diverse curriculum, they are also extraordinarily generous with their time in helping you fine-tune the skill set of your choosing. Learning a lot of skills is important, but
it’s also essential that you take the time to learn some of them “all the way.” The creative workforce will want to
pull you in a lot of different directions, so it’s very important to get in touch with what challenges you find the most
fulfilling. Vigorously pursue one or two marketable skills and ask your professors to help you get as far along in
the field as you can. I’m sorry to report that after Montevallo, it’s going to be rare you’ll get the opportunity to
work so closely with a professor or colleague. Take time to consider that, and make the most out of your school.
You’re going to a good one.”
Julian Robinson
35
Rachel Dozier Ezell graduated from the University of Montevallo in 2005.
She is currently working at the University of South Dakota where she is Interim Head of Costume Design and Technology.
While at the University of Montevallo, Dozier Ezell began her college career
as an acting major but switched her third year in to attain her B.F.A. in costume design and technology.
Dozier Ezell continued her education beyond Montevallo. She received her
M.F.A. in costume design from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She taught at the University of South Dakota in the fall of 2008 and is
currently a freelance designer for costumes and jewelry.
While at South Dakota, Dozier Ezell, in addition to being interim Head of
Costume Design and Technology, taught three classes -- Independent study in
Costume Design, Stage Costuming and Costume Crafts. She served as Advisor
for the One Acts, costume shop manager, and she designed the fall shows: " A
Voice of The Prairie" and "A Christmas Carol."
Some of Rachel Dozier Ezell's greatest achievements while at the University of Montevallo were designing "Godspell" and being president of Alpha Psi
Omega. Some of her greatest experiences at the University of Montevallo were
" participating in college night with the Purple side and meeting my husband,"
Dozier Ezell said.
Rachel Dozier Ezell
36
Carl Maguire is finally realizing his dream of living
in New York City and working in the world of theatre.
Opportunities are abounding for Maguire, who
graduated from UM in 2008. He has worked with a
Broadway costume designer, interned with a casting
director, and helped Mike Myers find his waiter at a
charity event.
Staying productive is always a challenge, but
Maguire plans to continue writing plays and
auditioning for productions. He is now interning
under Arnold Mungioli who is a casting director. At
the moment, McGuire is helping Mungioli put together
the cast of Fela.
This past summer, Maguire was a principal actor in
“The Lost Colony” and also honed his acting skills in
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”
Maguire will continue his internship and is looking for
any job opportunities that come his way.
Carl Maguire
Jeff Speetjens
Living in Los Angeles affords Jeff Speetjens many
opportunities to develop his passion for writing and directing
in the film industry. Not only does he enjoy working these
two parts of the business, but he is also able to take classes in
acting and film theory and process.
Taking up residence in New York City after college enabled
him to work in theater in the West Village. In the real world,
Speetjens soon realized that “the stakes were higher and
success was harder to come by,” he said. While in New York
City, Speetjins was able to use his directing skills in various
production opportunities.
Speetjens continues his work in the film industry focusing
on media production and is currently working on a film project
which is due to begin shooting in January.
37
37
The Brick Street Journal is an annual online news magazine for alumni
and friends of the University of Montevallo’s Department of Communication Arts produced by advanced journalism students and InDesign
students under the direction of Associate Professor Dr. Susan Thompson.
Featured Writers
Arky Shea Bartlett
Brittany Bivins
Melody Briscoe
Cedrina Burroughs
Special thanks to:
CeCe Conner
Dr. David Callaghan
Jessica Fisk
Dr. John Hoerner
Stephen Gill
Dr. Jay Cofield
Tiffany Lee
Heather Liston
Dwight McCoy
Timeca McCoy
Paula Radmard
Melynda Sides
Timon Skees
Melissa Smith
James Ward
Tiffany Westry
Layout Artists
Cedrina Burroughs
Lisa DiCarlo
Jessica Griggs
Tiffany Lee
Paula Radmard
Melynda Sides
Ashton Stansberry
James Ward
Naquela Webster
Evan Douglas
Anna McFall
The Brick Street Journal
Photography
Melissa Smith
38

Full Newsletter - University of Montevallo

Transcription

Similar documents

CLICK ME TO SEE the arts world tour in PDF

Fall 2009 - University of Montevallo

STEVEN SATER Music by DUNCAN SHEIK

Montevallo

Social Work - University of Montevallo

December 2015 - Montevallo Chamber of Commerce

INDEPENDENCE DAY 1776

Culture

A Colonial Christmas at the American Village