Story by Victoria Stone
Photos by Kailee Shores
MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media organized several events over the past week in honor of the department’s 50th anniversary, all leading up to a networking event at the Miller Education Center on Friday, April 12.
From a baby board to a scavenger hunt and a speaking event with alumnus and News Channel 5 Investigation reporter Phil Williams, many hardworking students and faculty collaborated to build the celebration.
In true MTSU fashion, the anniversary event planned for current students to build connections in the media industry doubled as an avenue for student experience.
Angie Boyd-Chambers’ PR event planning class worked diligently to plan and execute the networking event. Not only were students able to network with employers, alumni and other students, but they were also able to enjoy activities such as a timeline of the school of journalism and a drawing for a special prize.
“[The event was] a great way to get your foot into the door [of] the industry in a professional environment,” said Itzy Cordoba, a student in the event planning class.
Several faculty members gave brief speeches, including Katie Foss, director of SoJSM, and Larry Burriss, longstanding professor of the program. Alumni were invited to speak about their time at MTSU and their careers. Several students also had the opportunity to speak about their experience in the program.
The event planning class beautifully decorated the atrium with flowers, lights and an elaborate photo-op area, accompanied by a bubble machine and ambient background music.
Guests were gifted T-shirts sporting the SoJSM’s 50th-anniversary logo, undoubtedly in the hope that the same shirts would reappear at the centennial celebration.
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