An impressive table display at Homecoming Extravaganza 2004, furthering partnerships and collaborations in the College of Communication and Information, and preparing for the National Communication Association Conference are sure signs that the School of Communication Studies and the Communication Graduate Student Association (CGSA) are promoting the diversity and excellence which define the Communication Studies program at Kent State University.

Kent State’s Homecoming Extravaganza 2004 included an impressive display by the School of Communication Studies and the Communication Graduate Student Association. Held October 16, 2004, in the Fieldhouse, Kent State student organizations, departments, and schools gathered to celebrate Extravaganza 2004 and the start of a new Homecoming tradition.

Why would CGSA decide to take part in the Homecoming Extravaganza 2004? CGSA President Becki Bowman, eloquently explained, “We as the department wanted to raise awareness to both the student body and the community about our program, the purpose of our program, and what you can do with a communications degree.”

Bowman, a teaching/research assistant and doctoral candidate, helped to coordinate a large display with materials showing off the best and brightest aspects of Communication Studies. Graduate students and faculty joined together to greet visitors from the greater Kent community and Kent State students and to inform them about the excellent programs that the School of Communication Studies has to offer.

If you happened to walk by their table you would have seen Senior Portfolios, program information handouts. Children received candy and Kent State stickers. During the afternoon that a half a dozen Communication Studies representatives staffed the table more than 50 visitors stopped by to inquire about the school and the College of Communication and Information.

The Senior Portfolios sparked the most interest, according to Bowman. “The portfolios were among the most successful attributes in the display,” Bowman said.

Throughout their time at the Homecoming Extravaganza 2004, master’s students John Spinda, Jeff Bolt, and Molly Taggart, and doctoral students Bowman and Margaret Garmon demonstrated their communication skills during this event. All five are also teaching assistants in the school. Dr. Paul Haridakis, Graduate Studies Coordinator, and Dr. Stanley Wearden, Interim Director of the School, were proud to join the team at this event.

Following Homecoming, CGSA is planning to meet and to collaborate with other organizations and colleagues in the College of Communication and Information. CGSA hopes to take part in events that will attract more attention with a larger audience in order to communicate the benefits of a communication degree, the purpose of a communication program, and how a communication degree can benefit students.

Bowman expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in Homecoming. “We were given a great opportunity to make connections with people from the community and interact with members from other schools and departments,” Bowman said.

Most of the graduate students were now busy throughout the semester preparing for the National Communication Association Conference that was held in Chicago, November 11-14.

With almost 20 graduate students attending, the School of Communications was eagerly looking forward to representing Kent State at this prestigious national conference. Fifteen of the graduate students presented papers or served on panels, and others had been tapped as volunteers by NCA.

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