Event Highlight: ABC's "Media Mixer"

Last night the LSU Association of Black Communicators (ABC) held their first  “Media Mixer” in the Holliday Forum in the Journalism Building. Numerous local media and political professionals shared dinner and conversation with a large group of minority students who make up ABC.  The focus of the evening was connecting students and professionals. The night provided several highlights. None topped the surprise announcement from Baton Rouge Councilman Ulysses “Bones” Addison and former Councilwoman Lori Burgess. They announced a $1,000 donation to LSUABC to help the group continue its good work in the Manship School of Mass Communication.

Under the leadership of President Raimy Living and a great executive team, the student organization grew to become one of the strongest (if not the strongest) student organization in the Manship School.  This is a real feat given the active and engaged nature of Manship School students on campus. Strong advising is another hallmark of this organization. In fact, last night was LSUABC faculty adviser Jinx Broussard’s 38^th wedding anniversary.  She spent it with the students.

Student Organization Spotlight: GEAUX VOTE

Geaux Vote was an on-campus initiative that promoted both voter registration and education during the months before the 2008 national elections. It was an initiative led by Project Geaux, a civic engagement organization that was started in fall 2008, who worked closely with many other campus organizations.

After setting a goal of registering 2,000 campus students to vote, it was exceeded by the registration deadline. Working closely with The Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs, Student Government, College Republicans and College Democrats, we were able to successfully put on educational events before Election Day.
We helped plan and host the Voter Registration Drive Kickoff where we had both Louisiana’s Secretary of State, Jay Dardenne; and Haverford student and Director of 18 in ’08, David Burstein speak to students about the importance of fulfilling their civic duty in the form of voting.

Other successful events included speakers such as Charlie Cook and Callie Crossley; an educational event called Are You Red or Blue with a panel of representatives from ECO@LSU, Spectrum, the Economic Graduate Department, and Teach for America to discuss current events; a debate simulation by the College Democrats and Republicans; presidential debate watching parties; and numerous table sits at various campus events to register voters.

Project Geaux will continue to deal with various current events and promote civic engagement and interest, and hopes are that Geaux Vote will continue to be an initiative students will embrace in the future during election times.

Student Organization Spotlight: Association of Black Communicators

The Association of Black Communicators (ABC) is a professional student organization whose main objective is to promote the awareness of minorities in the field of Mass Communication. The organization participates annually in conventions with the National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ) and attended UNITY 2008 which happens every four years. ABC is the only organization expanding throughout the four concentration areas: journalism, public relations, political communication and advertising. ABC emphasizes recruiting, diversity and networking as its three main objectives.

ABC holds general body meetings bimonthly. The first half of the meeting is consumed with business, and the second half of the meeting is devoted to guest speakers who share with members their successes about their careers and give advice based on their personal experiences. This semester ABC has welcomed: CBS Sports Director Mark Grant, Daily Reveille Advisor and former Advocate Reporter Melissa Moore, Manship School Dean John Maxwell Hamilton, Manship School Associate Dean David Kurpius and Manship School Internship Coordinator Mary Ann Sternberg and Professor Jinx Broussard.

ABC also hosts several lunches and events with professionals for members. These are ways members meet and learn from professionals in the field. These events included former White House Correspondent and current CBS News Correspondent Randall Pinkston and Glenn Coleman, KTVT CBS in Dallas local/ regional sales manager, and Carol Frazer, Meredith Corporation senior account manager, Callie Crossley, commentator for NPR and Denver’s 9News Reporter TaRhonda Thomas.

ABC also actively participates in the LSU and Baton Rouge communities. The Organization co-hosted a Real Talk program with the African American Cultural Center and the Black Student Union. ABC also publishes The Communicator, a monthly newspaper focused on LSU’s minority community.

Intern Highlight: Madeline in DC

Political Communication Junior Madeline Peters has spent the spring semester in Washington, DC interning with Meet the Press.  She is able to receive internship credit toward her major upon returning to LSU in the fall.  

check out everything she's been up to at http://madelineindc.blogspot.com   

She has done such a wonderful job that she was offered another internship in New York City with MSNBC's "Morning Joe."  

                                                  

                                                  

Admission Requirements

• 30 hours of college-level coursework
• A grade of "B" or better in Media Writing (MC 2010)
• 3.00 LSU grade point average

Applicants may apply at any time after they have met the requirements stated above.

Applications may be found online, Manship School counselors, the Manship School main office, and from University College counselors. 

Go to manship.lsu.edu for more information.