Despite the strains posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Marymount University’s academic Communication program still produced an engaging Fall 2020 Communication Speaker Series featuring talented professionals across the media industry.
Below is a list of speakers, arranged in chronological order leading with the most recent:
Professor Christie Phillips’ COMM 206 Introduction to Public Relations class hosted David Therkelsen on November 16. A principal at Crisis Communication in Minneapolis, he is a former CEO of the St. Paul Regional American Red Cross, Executive Director of the St. Paul Blood Center, Chief of Staff to the President of the American Red Cross and Communications Director of American Red Cross-Minneapolis. Therkelsen talked about communications planning and messaging, as well as the importance of research and evaluation. He also invited Dr. Dennis Wilcox, the author of Public Relations Strategies and Tactics, to join the class and discuss the text that is used in the course by Marymount students.
NBC4 Washington anchor Jummy Olabanji spoke to Professor Larisa Epatko’s COMM 307 Broadcast Writing and Delivery class on November 12.
Andy Medici, Money Reporter at the Washington Business Journal, spoke to students in COMM 209 Contemporary Journalism on November 12.
Brian Murray, telecommunications lawyer, visited COMM 403 Principles of Communication Law on November 12.
Naome Seifu, Associate Producer at The Lead with Jake Tapper on CNN, also virtually visited the Broadcast Writing & Delivery class on November 5.
The students in COMM 209 Contemporary Journalism were treated to a virtual visit on October 8 from Gene Herrick, Associated Press photojournalist, who photographed the Korean War, the Civil Rights Movement, Elvis Presley, Neil Armstrong, at least five U.S. Presidents, star athletes such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Mickey Mantle, and much more over his amazing career. Herrick shared his experience and advice with students, and talked about the importance of paying attention to the subjects of one’s photographs – their facial expressions and body language – and knowing the subject ahead of time.
Fernando Pizarro, former Univision TV and radio news anchor and correspondent, visited Dr. Kim Meltzer’s COMM 209 Contemporary Journalism class on September 10.
