Student Achievement

Courtney Russ (09) has accepted a position with the American International

School In Cairo, Egypt. She is teaching Pre-Kindergarten, and says, "I am so

excited that I got this opportunity and would encourage everyone that loves

adventure to explore international employment."

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David Donais ('09) has a post graduate Internship with the Washington Redskins. He deals with the online website, retail, and social media.  David says, "I think that the best part so far has been building the new facebook fan page, as well as the twitter accounts, because the social media aspect is what most applies to my field of study.

Drue Brownback ('09) was featured in The Daily Press newspaper for her volunteer commitment to fundraising and special events with the Peninsula SPCA. Here, she accompanies her dog Ruby to help with the shelter's annual Paws for a Cause dog walk and festival.

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The Undergraduate Reseach Council has presented the 2009 Cupola Awards

for research papers presented at the Christopher Newport University Paideia Conference.

Among the award winners are:

Nari King ('09) and Sara Isenhour ('09)

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Along with department faculty, Communciation Studies students presented their research work at the 2009 Southern States Communication Association Convention in Norfolk, Virginia. Pictured below are a few of the participants.

                              Katherine Sears                                        Courney Fox, Jessica Gaffney, Anita Mixon

Anita Busciglio ('06) is a Program Coordinator for the Institute of Reading Development, a private reading company in partnership with colleges across the United States. Working from their Novato, California headquarters, she arranges classroom rentals for enrichment programs and provides oversight for all aspects of facilty use at 148 locations. 

Anita also works for Wine Country Radio in Santa Rosa, California as a respresentative for this four radio station group and promotes their efforts in the local community.

Katherine Jensen ('08) is working with a research team associated with the Smithsonian Institute, University of California Santa Cruz, and the Wildlife Trust. Her team is based out of the National Zoo in Washington, DC.

Together, they travel to various locations collecting mosquitos that will be tested for west nile virus. Their research is directed toward vaccinations for specific birds, in order to dampen west nile virus transmission.

The Sigma Kappa chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the Communication Studies honor society, won the 2007 Rookie Chapter of the Year award from the National Communication Association (NCA).

In addition Dr. Michaela D. E. Meyer was selected as the chapter's Rookie Advisor of the Year.

The Sigma Kappa chapter will receive a plaque and a check for $200 at the Lambda Pi Eta awards ceremony at the National Communication Association 2007 Conference in Chicago.

Ariel Wallingsford ('06) is the Convention Services Manager at Crown Plaza Williamsburg at Fort Magruder in Williamsburg.  In addition to her many responsibilites, Ariel helps to arrange internship positions for interested college students.

Loni Albertson (MFA, Regent University '07), (BA, CNU '03)

received the Golden Hen award for an independent film

that she produced. Loni now has a position in Feature Animation Administration with DreamWorks Animation in California.

Yvonne (Ohrnberger) Wood ('06) serves as a Volunteer for several military based organizations, including positions as U.S. Army Operation READY Family Readiness Group Co-Leader and Point-of-Contact Chairperson. She has received training certificates and awards of appreciation for her efforts. Here she poses with husband Matthew Wood, 1st Lieutenant, U.S. Army.

Three Communication Studies graduates have been nominated for the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language and Gender's undergraduate paper awards.   The research of Jacki LeClair (08), Lauren McGehee (08), and Jessica Schach (08) is entitled The Construction of Culture by the Narrator in 'Grey's Anatomy.'  Their efforts examine how the narrator of the television show Grey's Anatomy constructs a feminine culture in a traditionally masculine medical world.

Two Communication Studies students have attended the    Southern States Communication Association 2007 Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Megan Tucker's original essay, The Adult Cartoon: Intertextuality and genre via the Family Guy, was selected for presentation at the conference.  Her paper competed against faculty and graduate student papers. Samantha Pelstring presented Audience Perceptions of the Representation of Gay Men in Queer as Folk, co-authored with faculty member Dr. Michaela Meyer.

The Organization for the Study of Communication, Language and Gender (OSCLG) has given the same prestigious award to two Communication Studies graduates!

Kristen Harding ('06) has won the the 2006 national award for

"Outstanding Undergraduate Paper" for her research titled:

Behind the Nettela: Race, Gender, Power, and Identity in the Third World.

Kristen spent this past summer working in Ethiopia and Kenya, assisting local development projects. She has now taken on an internship in Washington, DC with the National Student leadership   

forum.

Kristen Harding visits a patient

at Fistula Hospital

Prior to her graduation in December of 2005, Jonelle Hanson was finalizing plans to purchase a coffee shop in Suffolk, Virginia. After renovating the “Olde Harbour” coffee house, Jonelle changed the name to “Jersey’s Java,” and set up a website, www.jerseysjava.com, to promote her business. In addition to making renovations, Jonelle has added weekly entertainment to her shop and joined the Chamber of Commerce.

Christina Martin ('06) is the Student Services Coordinator at the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce. She provides information about prerequisites and program requirements for Commerce students. She also manages the schedule for the Dean of the School, student organization activities, and the daily operations of the Undergraduate Student Services Office.

Crystal Hamlett ('06) spent four months in Costa Rica as a Bilingual Tour Guide and taught English to the local tour guides. Here, she poses with one of the indigenous Olive Ridley Sea Turtles at the Ostional de Guancaste de Costa Rica.

Communication Studies alumni represent CNU!

David Gosselin (’01) is the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications. He maintains and updates CNU’s athletic website, and is responsible for keeping all of the sports teams’ statistics. He designs several media guides each year and coordinates Academic All-America selections. David is also a sportscaster for numerous internet and public address systems.

Eric Gambardella (’05) and wife Beth Gambardella(’05)

both serve Campus Ministry as InterVarsity Christian Fellowship staff workers. Incorporated in 1941, InterVarsity has a rich tradition of

campus witness.

Sarah (Fannick) Ireland ('06) is an Admissions Officer.  She oversees the Group Visit Programs and Overnight Visits. Sarah also coordinates the Academic and Student Services Showcases for CNU's Open Houses. She is responsible for recruiting prospective students and reviewing applications from Richmond and the Southwestern regions of Virginia.

Lauri (Bickham) Throupe ('07) is a President's Leadership Program Fellow. She is in charge of event planning for the organization and acts as President's Leadership Program liaison with the office of admissions. Laurie also oversees student committees and leads PLP workshops.