Issue #5: May, 2008 In this issue: Janice and Jim are retiring to life away from work.
For Jim and me, life as free agents is about to begin – and it’s high time! As the only two instructors in the highly successful (BAC) public relations program until 2005, there were not only meetings, but classes, tutorials, final exams, marking deadlines and close to 1000 hours of individual student advising. This may not seem like a lot to you who are out there in the communication management “rat race” full time, but we found teaching to have a special twist – well beyond anything we experienced in the real world of public relations. About the “new” Bachelor of Communication degree Any of you following Mount Royal’s slow, but steady, journey towards becoming a university, know about the new baccalaureate degrees. The first one, in nursing, was launched in fall of 2007. This fall, the new Bachelor of Communication, will begin – forever replacing the Bachelor of Applied Communication degrees. Our new degree joins arts, science, criminal justice and business administration as the next university-equivalent baccalaureates being offered at Mount Royal.
I've taught in our public relations program for the past five years and prior to that in the public relations program at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton. I've studied journalism at Carleton University in Ottawa; political economy and communication theory at the University of Toronto, and I have an MBA specializing in public relations and communication management from Royal Roads University in Victoria. I've also enjoyed a diverse professional career spanning journalism, corporate communication and consulting in both the private and public sectors. We are entering a very exciting time of change for our program as we launch our new four year Bachelor of Communications Degree in September. We also have dedicated, professional and enthusiastic instructors and staff in our program, all of whom are looking forward to this new chapter in the development of our program. Here's to continuing the strong (and growing) relationship we have with our public relations alumni and all that you represent as mentors to our students and contributors to our program. I'll end by saying that as delighted as I am to be assuming the role of Acting Chair, I am deeply grateful for the major contributions both of our retirees, Janice Robertson, Chair and Jim Wood, Instructor and former Chair, have made to the success and national recognition of our public relations program. Their enduring contributions in the education of more than a decade of our public relations students is, I believe, captured in these words... 'What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.' Pericles, Greek Statesman To new beginnings. Jane Stoneman McNichol Alumni Working Around the World
From Nova Scotia to the Netherlands, two more Alumni report on their work experience from across the globe. If you have a story to tell, email elennox@mtroyal.ca and we will publish your story in the next newsletter. Photos are always welcome.
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. Send your postings to Elizabeth at elennox@mtroyal.ca. Interested applicants will contact you directly. This past semsester, the Job Seekers Network distributed 80 postings submitted by alumni just like you. It’s hard to believe an entire year has passed since the launch of the Public Relations Tri-Mentoring Program. This past week, the second group of mentors and students met at orientation and began a year long relationship. The group has grown from an initial 10 pairs in the first cycle to 15 pairs this year, indicating that good things are happening and word is spreading about our program. The first cycle is still underway and will end with the senior students graduating this summer. No doubt the mentors are passing on many lessons learned and sound advice as the students seek the right organization to begin their careers. Thank you to all the alumni who stepped forward and offered to guide our students in this exciting journey. Elizabeth Lennox 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. This information is for Public Relations alumni. If you would like to be removed from the distribution list, just email: elennox@mtroyal.ca. |
I am delighted to have been appointed Acting Chair, Public Relations Program here at Mount Royal College. This new challenge in my career comes on the heels of the retirement of Janice Robertson, Chair of the program for nine of the past 11 years. Janice has been a wonderful mentor during the weeks since my appointment and I'm looking forward to assuming my 'official' duties in August.
Elizabeth Lennox