Campbell University to hold inaugural Communication Day

Prominent business communicators to share advice with students

Buies Creek, N.C. – Nov. 5, 2009 – Campbell University will hold its inaugural Communication Day on Friday, Nov. 6 at the Scott Concert Hall, Taylor Bott Rogers Fine Arts Building. During the full-day seminar, the University’s communication students will hear from area business leaders and alumni with careers in the communication, journalism and marketing industries.

“This day will offer students the valuable opportunity to interact with many prominent, successful communicators in our region and receive valuable advice for entering the competitive job market,” said Shelley Faircloth, a senior communication studies major and an event organizer. “Along with providing helpful job-seeking information, presenters will also share their own success stories and lessons learned.”

Communication Day will begin at 10:30 a.m. with an alumni panel who will discuss how their Campbell education prepared them for success. Following the alumni panel, a reception will be held at noon in the lobby of Scott Concert Hall and is open to all panel participants and student attendees. At 1:30 p.m., leading professionals from the communication field will discuss career opportunities and how graduates may distinguish themselves in a competitive environment.

Campbell alumni participating in the morning panel include Courtney Willey of Kelly MarCom, Brandon Bridges with Global Services Corporation at Fort Liberty, Amber Cava of Campbell University’s College of Arts and Sciences, Jeremiah McLamb with JerFilm Productions, Carole Laughton with Meredith College, Melissa Lilley with the Baptist State Convention of N.C., John Clark with WRAL.com and Reece Murphy of the Dunn Daily Record.

The business professionals afternoon panel will consist of representatives from some of the most prominent regional businesses and organizations including Mariryan Starr of Kelly MarCom, Brian Shrader with WRAL-TV, Julie Smith-Hamilton from Campbell University School of Law, John Clark, Kerry Grace Heckle of Rex Healthcare, Joseph Gaitens of The Catevo Group, Lynne Beaman of Catalyst Communications and Elizabeth Witherspoon, an independent PR practitioner.

“I think it is important for industry professionals to be a resource for students to help them become better prepared for all the challenges and opportunities the market presents,” commented Mariryan Starr, vice president integrated marketing at Kelly MarCom. “Being a part of the Campbell University Communication Day is a great way to share this insight with upcoming graduates and ultimately give them the tools and confidence to enter the workforce with greater success.”

The event will close with a screening of “Masquerade” starting at 7:30 p.m. The film, which delves into the spiritual struggles of faith and friendship was written, directed and produced by Jeremiah McLamb who graduated from Campbell University’s communication studies department in 2006. There will be a Q&A after the film with McLamb.

The event is sponsored and made possible by the support of WRAL.com and Zaxby’s of Erwin.

About the Campbell University Department of Communication StudiesThe Campbell University Department of Communication Studies offers undergraduate concentrations in Public Relations, Broadcasting and Electronic Media, Journalism, Advertising, Communication Generalist and a new concentration in Health Communication. The Department has over 100 students, and has produced graduates who have won numerous broadcast, public relations, journalism and advertising awards. The Department of Communication Studies began as a Mass Communication emphasis in the Department of English at Campbell University in 1982 and became an independent department in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1991.

Story by: Shelly Faircloth, Communication Studies student