Comm alumnus Thom Tran does a comic take on his Army experience, touring the nation on the comedy club circuit. He is the creator and executive producer of The GIs of Comedy, five military veterans who say they are still serving their country, one joke at a time.
Thom was a Media Production student and a staff sergeant when he was deployed to Iraq, where he was wounded twice. During his recuperation, he helped rebuild a television station that was destroyed in the war.
After Thom returned to Buffalo State, the Communication Department cited the TV station project in presenting him with a special commendation for professional service when he graduated in 2004.
In news interviews, Thom credits the department with teaching him networking skills he's used to succeed in Hollywood.
He acted in "Race to Witch Mountain" with Wayne ("The Rock") Johnson, and he has been a military consultant to "CSI New York." His most recent claim to fame is as the model for opposing forces in the video game "Call of Duty: Black Ops."
Links to WIVB article and video and to his Facebook page.
12 October 2011
Instructor Wins AP Blog Award
Journalism instructor Mary Pasciak won first place in the New York State Associated Press Association awards for her "School Zone" blog. The awards were announced in September.
Pasciak, a Communication Department graduate, is education reporter for The Buffalo News. Her blog deals with all aspects of education, from the classroom to the boardroom.
Pasciak, a Communication Department graduate, is education reporter for The Buffalo News. Her blog deals with all aspects of education, from the classroom to the boardroom.
08 September 2011
Screening of Tolerance Film
David Coryell, adjunct instructor of media production, will lead a panel of experts who will discuss and analyze his 2003 film, "North of 49: Exploring Religious Tension in Rural Areas," during the second annual Global Citizens Conference Nov. 10 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo.
Coryell's film, which will be screened during the conference, chronicles an arson hate crime committed against a group of Sikhs by four teens in rural Oswego County shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks. Although the Sikhs immediately forgave the teens for burning down their farmhouse temple, the resulting media attention triggered mixed reactions by the surrounding community.
The film's message about religious intolerance and forgiveness and the crucial importance of cross-cultural education remains highly pertinent today.
18 July 2011
Silverman to chair national ethics panel
Dr. Deborah Silverman, APR, associate chair and assistant professor of public communication, has been appointed chair of the Board of Ethics and Professional Standards for the Public Relations Society of America.
A former national board member who has led numerous PRSA initiatives and is well-known for her dedication to research and education, Dr. Silverman will finish the five months left of the term of departing ethics chair Tom Eppes before beginning a new, two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2012.
She has also been promoted to associate professor, effective Sept. 1.
Congratulations, Deb, on both fronts!
07 July 2011
J-Students Win Scholarships
Journalism students Julia Merulla and Lauren Kirchmyer have won scholarships from the Greater Buffalo Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, for the next academic year.
Merulla and Kirchmyer are also recipients of the department's Buffalo News scholarship.
Congratulations to both!
24 June 2011
Instructor on Pulitzer Panel
Part-time journalism instructor Margaret Sullivan has been elected to the Pulitzer Prize Board for a three-year term.
Sullivan served on the Pulitzer jury in previous years to recommend finalists. But in her new role on the board, she will help make the final selection of recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, the most prestigious award in American journalism.
Sullivan teaches COM 210 Media Writing as a part-time instructor in the Communication Department. Since 1999, she has served as editor of The Buffalo News, the first woman to hold that post in the newspaper's 131-year history.
Sullivan served on the Pulitzer jury in previous years to recommend finalists. But in her new role on the board, she will help make the final selection of recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, the most prestigious award in American journalism.
Sullivan teaches COM 210 Media Writing as a part-time instructor in the Communication Department. Since 1999, she has served as editor of The Buffalo News, the first woman to hold that post in the newspaper's 131-year history.
31 May 2011
High School Journalism Workshop
The Communication Department is sponsoring a Summer Workshop for High School Journalists, Aug 15-19. The workshop is open to high school students entering their junior or senior year. Here are some of the benefits to participating students:
- Work with Buffalo State journalism faculty and local journalists
- Get hands-on experience with the college's state-of-the-art equipment
- Learn techniques and skills to apply to your high school campus media
- Have your multi-media reports published online
- Work with Buffalo State journalism faculty and local journalists
- Get hands-on experience with the college's state-of-the-art equipment
- Learn techniques and skills to apply to your high school campus media
- Have your multi-media reports published online
The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day for the week. The $150 tuition includes lunches and all supplies. Application deadline in June 27.
06 April 2011
Silverman Judges National PR Awards
Dr. Deborah Silverman, APR, assistant professor of public communication, served as a judge for the national Public Relations Society of America's annual Silver Anvils Awards, widely regarded as the "Oscars" of the public relations industry. She was one of 172 public relations practitioners and educators from across the country invited to serve as a judge for public relations campaigns in categories ranging from crisis communication to media relations. The Silver Anvils awards will be presented on June 9 in New York City.
Niman on Internet-Business Panel
Associate Professor Mike Niman will serve as one of three panelists for a discussion of "The Business of Media in the Age of the Internet," on Monday, Apr. 11, at 7 p.m. in the Cinema at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center.
Sponsored by Hallwalls, the Media Law Resource Center, and Talking Leaves, the panel discussion will also include political blogger Alan Bedenko (Buffalo Pundit) and media and First Amendment attorney Joe Finnerty.
The free public panel discussion will focus critical issues facing the media in the Internet age, including citizen journalism, user-generated content, personal and corporate liability, and the definition of “journalist." It also will at developments such as the Newsweek/Daily Beast merger, AOL's purchase of the Huffington Post, the downfall of Rep. Chris Lee, and New York Times' attempts to initiate a paywall.
09 March 2011
Comm Senior in MTV "Real World"
Journalism major Naomi Defensor stars in MTV's 25th anniversary edition of the "Real World."
One of seven housemates whose lives are chronicled in "Real World: Las Vegas," Defensor is a senior originally from the Bronx. She spent nearly three months at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for the show, which premieres March 9 at 10 p.m.
One of seven housemates whose lives are chronicled in "Real World: Las Vegas," Defensor is a senior originally from the Bronx. She spent nearly three months at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for the show, which premieres March 9 at 10 p.m.
17 December 2010
Out with Smith, In with Marren
The new year is bring changes for the Communication Department.
Ron Smith is leaving as chair to answer a call to serve as interim Associate Dean for Buffalo State's School of Arts and Humanities. In this capacity, Ron will assist students and faculty in 10 departments and 3 interdisciplinary programs.
A professor of public relations, Ron has served as chair since 2003. He joined the department in 1990 after serving as communication director for the Catholic Diocese of Syracuse. He also had worked as a newspaper reporter and a Navy journalist.
The number of Communication students has grown from 488 in fall 2003 when he became chair to 703 this fall, a 44% growth. Recognition by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications was a highlight of his term as chair.
Ron holds a bachelor's degree education from Lock Haven University and a master's degree in public relations from Syracuse University. He is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America. He holds numerous awards for his work in public relations. He is the author of two textbooks on public relations and co-author of a textbook on media writing.
Joe Marren, associate professor of journalism, is stepping up as interim Communication Department Chair.
Joe first joined the department as a student, earning degrees in both journalism and history with a minor in anthropology in 1986. Ten years later, he received a master's degree in history from St. Bonaventure University.
Joe re-joined the department in 2002 as assistant professor of journalism, after having served as a part-time instructor since 1997 while working as a columnist and associate editor for Business First.
Joe is the author of several book chapters on journalism and the media's role in the desegregation of baseball. He holds journalism awards from the NY Newspaper Publishers Association, NYS Associated Press, NY Press Association, and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.
A professor of public relations, Ron has served as chair since 2003. He joined the department in 1990 after serving as communication director for the Catholic Diocese of Syracuse. He also had worked as a newspaper reporter and a Navy journalist.
The number of Communication students has grown from 488 in fall 2003 when he became chair to 703 this fall, a 44% growth. Recognition by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications was a highlight of his term as chair.
Ron holds a bachelor's degree education from Lock Haven University and a master's degree in public relations from Syracuse University. He is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America. He holds numerous awards for his work in public relations. He is the author of two textbooks on public relations and co-author of a textbook on media writing.
Joe first joined the department as a student, earning degrees in both journalism and history with a minor in anthropology in 1986. Ten years later, he received a master's degree in history from St. Bonaventure University.
Joe re-joined the department in 2002 as assistant professor of journalism, after having served as a part-time instructor since 1997 while working as a columnist and associate editor for Business First.
Joe is the author of several book chapters on journalism and the media's role in the desegregation of baseball. He holds journalism awards from the NY Newspaper Publishers Association, NYS Associated Press, NY Press Association, and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.
Our Blog Readers
Who's reading this blog? You and 2,595 other people. That's since we started this blog in June; 696 in the past month alone.
The most common page readers are seeking is the Internship Update, with 74 visitors. Additionally, we've had 37 readers for Faculty Achievements, 22 for Sports Communication and Advisement/Registration, 20 for Celebrating Meg, 19 for New Students, New Semester, and 17 each for Public Relations Awards, Tips for Part-Time Instructors, and Scholarship Applications.
Most of our readers are from the U.S., but we've had quite a few internationals -- 30 from the Republic of Georgia, 22 from China, 14 each from Brazil and Germany, and 11 each from Denmark, Russia and Taiwan.
We're pleased that we've been able to provide useful information for so many readers. We'll keep it up.
The most common page readers are seeking is the Internship Update, with 74 visitors. Additionally, we've had 37 readers for Faculty Achievements, 22 for Sports Communication and Advisement/Registration, 20 for Celebrating Meg, 19 for New Students, New Semester, and 17 each for Public Relations Awards, Tips for Part-Time Instructors, and Scholarship Applications.
Most of our readers are from the U.S., but we've had quite a few internationals -- 30 from the Republic of Georgia, 22 from China, 14 each from Brazil and Germany, and 11 each from Denmark, Russia and Taiwan.
We're pleased that we've been able to provide useful information for so many readers. We'll keep it up.
09 December 2010
Editor-Adjunct on Journalism Future
Margaret Sullivan is editor of The Buffalo News. She's also an adjunct journalism instructor in the Communication Department. So when she talks about the future of journalism, she's speaking with experience and expertise. Here's what she offered during a Buffalo City Forum at the WNED studios:
- No one knows what journalism will be like in the future.
- Society may not need newspapers, but it will always need newspaper-style journalism.
- Thus good journalism will always be with us.
That's the same message that Sullivan, and all full-time and part-time journalism faculty at Buff State, give our students. It's a message about accuracy, integrity, and professionalism. It's a message of hope about their future in a changing profession.
See the Buffalo News article and download Sullivan's hour-long talk on Buffalonews.com.
- No one knows what journalism will be like in the future.
- Society may not need newspapers, but it will always need newspaper-style journalism.
- Thus good journalism will always be with us.
That's the same message that Sullivan, and all full-time and part-time journalism faculty at Buff State, give our students. It's a message about accuracy, integrity, and professionalism. It's a message of hope about their future in a changing profession.
See the Buffalo News article and download Sullivan's hour-long talk on Buffalonews.com.
Tips for Part-Time Instructors
Assistant Professor Annemarie Franczyk likes teaching journalism so much she's helping other communication professionals join her.
Writing in Quill magazine published by the Society of Professional Journalists, she gives advice on "Landing the Education Gig." Subtitle: "Whether you've been laid off, are semi-retired or are just looking for extra income, teaching journalism is attractive. And it takes a lot more than mere years in the field."
In the article, Franczyk draws on her own transition as newspaper reporter and part-time lecturer in becoming a full member of the faculty. She also interviews faculty and department administrators at several universities. Read the Quill article.
Writing in Quill magazine published by the Society of Professional Journalists, she gives advice on "Landing the Education Gig." Subtitle: "Whether you've been laid off, are semi-retired or are just looking for extra income, teaching journalism is attractive. And it takes a lot more than mere years in the field."
In the article, Franczyk draws on her own transition as newspaper reporter and part-time lecturer in becoming a full member of the faculty. She also interviews faculty and department administrators at several universities. Read the Quill article.
02 December 2010
Media, Music and Dance
Department technical assistant Brian Milbrand is directing Surround: Visual, a multi-genre show at Asbury Hall (Ani DeFranco's church on Tupper and Delaware). The show is the second and final segment of the "Beyond / In Western New York" performance series.
Brian says the goal of this project is "to create an atmosphere that saturates the audience with a stew of media techniques, music, and dance."
He also directed the opening series event, Surround: Audio, which featured electronic instrumentation and live surround-sound mixing with live mixed videos. That segment was held at the Burchfield Penney Art Center on campus.
Read about the exhibition in an Art Voice front-page article by Stephanie Berberick, a Communication Studies senior.
Brian says the goal of this project is "to create an atmosphere that saturates the audience with a stew of media techniques, music, and dance."
He also directed the opening series event, Surround: Audio, which featured electronic instrumentation and live surround-sound mixing with live mixed videos. That segment was held at the Burchfield Penney Art Center on campus.
Read about the exhibition in an Art Voice front-page article by Stephanie Berberick, a Communication Studies senior.
01 December 2010
Tsunami and Communication
Associate Professor Michael Niman has published a chapter about the South Asian tsunami and communication aspects of the natural (and subsequent social) disaster. The chapter examines tsunami stories that most of the world's media did not tell and the environmental and social injustice that such silence nurtures.
Niman's chapter, "The Political Tsunami: Not All Death and Destruction Is Natural" was published in Tsunami Communication: Interpersonal/Intercultural, Mass Media, and Philanthropic Responses; Historical, Technical, Ethical and Development Communication, published by Hampton Press.
Read the chapter at mediastudy.com/articles/tsunami2004.pdf.
Niman's chapter, "The Political Tsunami: Not All Death and Destruction Is Natural" was published in Tsunami Communication: Interpersonal/Intercultural, Mass Media, and Philanthropic Responses; Historical, Technical, Ethical and Development Communication, published by Hampton Press.
Read the chapter at mediastudy.com/articles/tsunami2004.pdf.
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