Issue #6: November, 2008 In this issue:
As new students and new instructors settle into the rhythm of life at Mount Royal, our students in their final two years of our Applied Degree in Communications – Public Relations are revving up for new challenges. Our third-year students are applying for their final Directed Field Studies (DFS) work term during the Winter’09 semester and some of them are packing their bags to embark on an international semester abroad. Meanwhile, our second-years are working with Cindy Drummond, our DFS coordinator to prepare for their first work term in the Spring ’09 semester. We’re always scouting for more DFS employment opportunities for our students, so if any Alumni out there have a spot in your company or know of a potential opening, please give Cindy a call at 403.440.6231. Alumni Working Around the World Andrea Lauder, Class of 08
When I had planned my trip to Australia over a year ago, the whole idea of moving abroad was centered on getting into a public relations role as soon as I landed on Australian terra firma. I realize now that those expectations were a bit unrealistic but by the same token, I persevered in my job search day after day, month after month. I began my travels in Sydney, spent a week with family friends south of Canberra in a town called Cobargo and eventually moved to Brisbane. I worked with a hospitality staffing company, which was unique because I was working for events that I would usually attend or plan for a client back home. After two months I sent out a request for an informational interview with a public relations agency, Infront Communications, in the northern town of Airlie Beach/Cannonvale. It just so happened that Infront was looking for someone with PR experience, so after a quick interview at the end of May, I was offered a job and I moved to Airlie in mid-June.
Peter Mansbridge Visits for Q & A Session
By Amber Bassen, 2nd year student On November 5, 2008 the students of the Faculty of Communication Studies had the opportunity to listen to Peter Mansbridge speak during an open forum at Mount Royal College. As the anchor of CBC’s The National and one of the most recognizable faces on Canadian television, Mansbridge spoke to 300 students eagerly waiting to hear his insights into the journalism profession.
From preaching to practice
In mid- July, my wife and I moved to Lethbridge. Maybe more appropriately, we fled. Calgary’s traffic, construction, crime and other social woes were becoming wearisome – especially as inner-city dwellers. We were looking for calm. Lethbridge is calm. But not without its opportunities. The Job Seekers Network began a number of years ago when Jim Wood, instructor, started spreading the word about openings in the field of public relations. It quickly grew and became an important avenue for businesses to find practitioners with the best training available. Where else but at Mount Royal! Just over a year ago, this network became the responsibility of Elizabeth Lennox who accepts postings by e-mail and sends them out every Friday to over 200 alumni on the network. This past semester, the Job Seekers Network distributed 80 postings submitted by alumni just like you. Send your postings to Elizabeth at elennox@mtroyal.ca. Interested applicants will contact you directly. Exciting things are happening in the mentorship program this year. The program has received a grant of $50,000 to further develop and expand mentorship within the Faculty of Communication Studies. This grant will allow us to add new elements to the program such as a leadership workshop for the students, a guest speaker event, a library of resource material and the addition of a work term student.
The Alumni E-Newsletter is growing up and needs a new name. Put on your creative caps and submit your ideas for a chance to win Flames hockey tickets. The winner will be sent two tickets to the January 21st game against Columbus. The winning entry will be selected by a panel of judges including: Jane McNichol, Acting Chair, Public Relations The contest is open to alumni of the Public Relations Program and current students in the PR program (as future alumni). Deadline: Entries must be emailed to elennox@mtroyal.ca by 4:00 p.m., December 5th. The winner will be contacted and the winning name will be announced by email before Christmas. The new name will be featured on the winter semester newsletter due out in March. Remember to let us know when you move or change jobs so we can keep in touch and let you know about all the great things that are happening in our program. The Public Relations Alumni E-Newsletter is produced once each semester and sent electronically to graduates of the Public Relations Program at Mount Royal. The next issue is due in March 2009. If you have a story to tell, send it to elennox@mtroyal.ca. Photos are encouraged. |
The weeks have flown by since we greeted our first-year students into the Bachelor of Communication - Public Relations degree. It’s been a whirlwind from orientation ‘til now and as I write this we’re just ten days away from the end of our Fall ’08 semester. 
On November 7, twenty eight of our senior students walked the stage to receive their Bachelor of Applied Communications in Public Relations. For the first time, two valedictorians spoke, for the first time in eight years a fall ceremony was held and for the first time our new Acting Chair, Jane McNichol was on stage to honour our 2008 graduates. Former Chair, Janice Robertson was in the audience to offer her congratulations to the many students who grew under her wisdom and dedication over the past years. A posthumous degree was award to Cherry Holand and was accepted by her close friend, Mona Bartsoff. See Mona’s story below.
I’m aware that this is an alumni newsletter. I also know the only similarity between retiring and graduating is ‘life after MRC’. However, that’s the thread I’ll grasp to justify a short note from this recent retiree. 
Elizabeth Lennox