April 2010 Newsletter
Hope College Department of
Communication | 257 Columbia
Ave. | Holland, MI 49423 | Phone:
616.395.7595 | Fax: 616.395.7937
Three Communication Students Participate in
Hope’s Celebration of Undergraduate Research
By Megan Yeiter, Hope Senior
With spring here, Communication students
have been working hard on their research
projects for Hope’s annual Celebration of
Undergraduate Research (CUR). The annual
event was held at the DeVos Fieldhouse on
April 9 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The event gives Hope students from all
majors the opportunity to present their research
in a fun and creative way. After submitting an
abstract and being accepted into the Research
Celebration, students organize their research
on a large poster or tri-fold board containing
their findings and key points about their
research. Posters are visually attractive and
include pictures, graphs, and charts, depending
on the research topic.
On the day of the Research Celebration,
students stand by their projects and answer
questions as people browse from table to table
looking at the wide range of findings and
topics.
“Participating in CUR is valuable experience
By Colton Wright, Hope Junior
Ali Thompson, former co-editor
of the Milestone
Q: What have you been doing since
graduation?
Thompson: Since graduation, I’ve held a
few different paid and volunteer editorial
positions with my church back home in
Minnesota and a non-profit organization
also located in the Twin Cities.
Q: Did you consider graduate school upon
graduation?
Thompson: I was accepted at both Temple
and Boston for their master’s of journalism
program but decided to defer for now so
that I could get more work experience first.
I’ve always loved learning, and attending
grad school would be another great
opportunity to continue learning from
those that are active in their field.
Above (from left): Communication students Samantha
Molnar and Holly Evenhouse discuss their research
projects with Communication Professor Roselyn Lee at
CUR on April 9. Communication student David Moore, who
also presented, is in the background.
for being able to articulate your research to
others,” Communication Professor Teresa
Heinz Housel said. “I especially recommend
participation for students considering graduate
school, as they will be typically making these
types of presentations in their graduate
studies.”
Open to the public, the event attracts people
from the Holland community, as well as Hope
students, and faculty. Last year, more than 170
research projects were presented, representing
around 300 student researchers. Nine
Communication students presented last year.
Communication students who presented
this year include Allison Garza and Samantha
Molnar, “International Perspectives of Global
Communication” (faculty mentor: Prof. Dede
Johnston). In addition, Megan Yeiter will
present, “Water Consumption: Comparing
Its Meaning and Uses Between Two Groups”
(faculty mentor: Prof. Teresa Heinz Housel).
Garza and Molnar will also present at the
National Celebration of Undergraduate
Research (NCUR) in Missoula, Mont. on April
15-17.
Check Out the Communication
Showcase And Information Fair
on Thursday, April 15!
See page 2 for details
Alumni Q & A:
Ali Thompson (’09)
Q: What do you do in your editorial positions?
Thompson: Much of the work I’ve done so
far has involved more work in groups and
teams than I’d originally thought. I’m part
of the communication team at the church,
which oversees the overall communication
strategies of the church and ministry groups.
There is a lot of collaboration and teamwork
that goes on.
Q: Has any course in the communication
department been essential to your current
positions?
Thompson: I think the thing that has helped
me the most was taking Professor Anderson’s
task group leadership class. I’m naturally
a very individually-oriented person, but I
know that I needed to gain both confidence
and experience working in groups,
which is why I signed up for that
class. Learning about how each
member of the group functions in a
different way has really helped me
understand how to relate
to the people I work with.
Q: When did you begin feeling that
journalism was your calling?
Thompson: I think it was my senior year of
high school that I discovered a passion for
hearing others’ life stories because they are
so fascinating. One day, I hope to create a
media outlet specifically for young adult
women to share their stories.
Q: Have any suggestions for current
communication students?
Thompson: I would strongly suggest that
every student take advantage of as many
internship opportunities as possible. They
give you amazing real-world experience.
Newsletter questions or comments? Contact Newsletter Editor Katherine Moore (Hope senior) at: katherine.moore@hope.edu
Visit the Communication Showcase
And Information Fair on
Thursday, April 15!
Door prizes, food, student awards,
displays on student media, student
research, internships, and more. See
“Upcoming Events” feature on right
for event time and location.
Communication Department News and Upcoming Events
• Communication Showcase and Information
Fair: Thursday, April 15, Martha Miller first floor
rotunda. Mixer and info fair at 6:30 - 7 p.m.;
program 7-7:40 p.m.
• National Celebration of Undergraduate Research, Missoula, Mont. on April 15-17.
• David Moore Film Showing: Thursday, April 22
in the MCC Auditorium.
• Honors Convocation: Thursday, April 29 at 7
p.m. in Dimnent Chapel.
• Hope College Graduation: Sunday, May 9 at 3-4
p.m. at Holland Stadium. Communication Prof.
Rob Pocock is delivering the Commencement
address.
Faculty Spotlight:
Kathy Nathan
Association awards for investigative reporting,
editorial writing, best series, best front page,
and photography.
or every adult, a moment in his or
After five years as a managing editor for
her childhood always stands out. Something
the small town paper, she moved to the big
defines his or her generation. It evokes
changes and inspires the youth of the nation. city and landed a section editor position for
the Houston Post. After another two years as an
For Prof. Kathy
editor, Nathan wanted a change.
Nathan (left), the
“I realized I was ready for the next step,”
turbulent environment
she said. And on to graduate school she went.
surrounding the Nixon
While attending the University of
administration called
Houston and earning her master’s degree
her into the field of
in communication and public relations
journalism.
management, Nathan also taught news
“I was one of those
writing and editing courses as a teaching
Watergate generation
assistant. Little did she know that she would
kids,” said Nathan.
“The investigative reporting at that moment be teaching for the next 19 years.
“I taught at a lot of colleges because of
revealed so much.”
my husband’s job,” Nathan said. “We moved
And in 1977, off to Auburn University
around a lot and lived in Pittsburgh then in
went Nathan, eager to combine her passion
for writing and reporting. Four years later, she South Bend. That’s where I really fell in love
with the Midwest. I felt more at home here
graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public
than in the South.”
relations and journalism. That next year, she
She instantly fell in love with Holland
started her first job at the Aberdeen Examiner
as a reporter and photographer. Her prowess and the rest of West Michigan when she
in the field earned her several Mississippi Press became a part-time instructor at Hope in
By Colton Wright, Hope Junior
F
2004. A year later, she took on the role of
faculty advisor for the Anchor newspaper. She
recommends that students take full advantage
of all that Hope has to offer.
“You need to build that portfolio,” she
said. “Otherwise, no one’s going to take a
second look at you. They want to see your
student involvement on campus and with
internships. Have a strong suit and two
additional skills. Employers want to see what
you can do.”
Professor Nathan noted that times are
tough in the Midwest right now, but added
that she has first-hand experience in times
like these.
“I know exactly how people feel about
the recession,” said Nathan. “I graduated
twice during recessions and worried about
landing a job, but I always found one. I
realized with a degree in communication, I
could work anywhere and there were always
opportunities.”
Communication proved the perfect fit
for her. “It’s such a fun area to work in,” she
said. “Everything is always changing.”