Communication

Congratulations from Dean Hesselman to all who put their considerable time and efforts to creating the following program additions and changes.

• The following academic program ‘Structural Action’ has been approved and is ready for implementation:
  • Moving the Journalism and Media Program and faculty from School of Social Science to School of Arts and letters
• The following academic program ‘Certificate/Degree/Major Termination’ has been approved and is ready for implementation:
  • Eliminating Studies Strategic Communication Track from the B.A. in Communication
• The following academic program major ‘Name Changes’ (includes Tracks/Concentrations/Specializations) have been approved and are ready for implementation:
  • Public Relations Track to Strategic Communication Track in Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Media and Strategic Communication (new degree name)
  • Public Relations Track to Strategic Communication Track in Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Media and Strategic Communication (new degree name)
• The following academic program ‘Major Credit Hour Changes (includes Tracks / Concentrations / Specializations) have been approved and are ready for implementation:
  • Multimedia Journalism Track in Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Media and Strategic Communication (new degree name) – 42 to 49 credits
  • Multimedia Journalism Track in Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Media and Strategic Communication (new degree name) – 42 to 49 credits
  • Strategic Communication Track (new track name) in Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Media and Strategic Communication (new degree name) – 48 to 66 credits
  • Strategic Communication Track (new track name) in Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Media and Strategic Communication (new degree name) – 48 to 66 credits

• Jessi Kramer, a freshman pre-nursing major won the Annual Voices of Change speech Contest earning a scholarship valued at $250. The contest is co-sponsored by the Department of Communication Studies and the Office of Campus Life. Read more about the contest winners…⬈

• Dean Hesselman directed a production of The Nerd by Larry Shue in February. View the program from the production ⬈
  
  
  
  
  

• Glimpses of The Rabbit Hole, Luna Gale, and Reasons to be Happy, an evening of Theatre Scenes presented by IU Southeast Student Directors, Actors, and Designers was performed on Monday, May 2.
  

• Marina Hart, BA Theatre 2017, moved to Chicago after graduation where she went through the Second City conservatory program for comedy. She has performed in various sketch festivals around the city and is currently studying to get her graduate degree in digital media and documentary filmmaking at Loyola University Chicago.
• Mitch Donahue, BA Theatre 2014, and fellow IU Southeast grad and now wife, Marina Hart moved to Chicago in 2017 where he worked on several TV shows filming in the area including being a stand-in “hand double” for CHICAGO FIRE and EMPIRE. He is currently a district videographer and school graphic designer in the Chicago Elementary School System.
• Erwin Jacobs, BA Theatre 2014, completed two tours with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati then moved to Chicago to pursue its Theatre scene. Erwin recently graduated from Chicago’s academy at The Black Box Theatre. Recent credits include modeling for Cresco Labs, Smirnoff, and The NFL.
• Gabriel Vanover, BA Theatre 2013, is a professional performer, director, and chair/assistant professor for the Theatre Department at Hanover College in Hanover Indiana. During the summer, he is Managing Director for Lees-McRae Summer Theatre. His performance and directorial work has been seen on professional stages such as Lees-McRae Summer Theatre, Ensemble Stage, and Lubbock Community Theatre.
• Christian James Bowyer, BA Theatre 2016, is currently a graduate student at IU Southeast. He is a professional technician, scenic and lighting designer, and Technical Director for the Theatre Department at Hanover College. His design and technical work has been seen on professional stages such as Lees-McRae Summer Theatre, Point Sebago, and Utah Shakespeare Festival.
• Alexandria Sweatt Foree, BA Theatre 2014, is a professional performer who has been featured in a number of national ad campaigns for such companies as First Citizens Bank and Aflac. When not working in commercials, she is a Child Talent Coordinator at Creative Drive and a Historical Interpreter at the Atlanta History Center.
• Michelle Engleman, BA Theatre 2006, is the Director of Production and union (AEA) stage manager for the Quantum Theatre in Pittsburgh, PA.
• Charles Henry Lauffer III, BA Theatre 2020, is a playwright and professional performer who has been spending his summers performing for Cedar Point Amusement Park for various attractions, and his winters performing at Dollywood and touring children’s theatre productions.
• Wesley Seiderman, BA Theatre 2019, is currently a second year MFA student at Florida State University with an anticipated graduation in 2023. He spent last summer at Lees McRae Summer Theatre as their Master Carpenter and will be returning this year as the Technical Director for their 2022 summer season.
• Alex Conn, BA Theatre 2021, has accepted a yearlong contract beginning in May with The Gateway Theatre located in Long Island as costume staff.
• Erin Hogle, BA Theatre 2021, will be working with Lees-McRae Summer Theatre as a Costume Technician.
• Kristin Gilbert, BA Theatre, 2012, wrote a show last year called A SMILE IS NEVER FAR AWAY featuring Jason Mraz! She wrote, directed, filmed, and worked with an editor in New York to put the show together during Covid restrictions. The production was a huge success that reached people in 22 states and 2 countries and raised $50,000 for TERI Campus of Life Theatre and Performing Arts Department in San Diego California. Kristin is currently writing the next show and the goal is to raise even more money!