Communication Studies Newsletter?Apr. 2008
Dr. Westerman Joins Faculty
Dr. David Westerman joined our faculty last fall. He recently completed his Ph.D. in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University, where he had previously received his masters’ degree. Prior to that, Dave completed his B.A. at Niagara University is his hometown of Niagara Falls, NY. The title of his dissertation was “Comparing Uncertainty Reduction in Face-to-Face and Computer-Mediated Communication: A Social Information Processing Theory Perspective.”
In his dissertation, Dave found that uncertainty reduction follows similar patterns over the course of initial stranger interactions in both face-to-face and computer-mediated interactions, although uncertainty starts higher in computer-mediated interactions. In addition, question asking and self-disclosing started out highest initially in both channels, but declined more rapidly over the course of face-to-face interactions.
Dave’s primary areas of teaching and research include mass communication and computer-mediated communication. His current research focuses on impression formation and relational development in online environments and on entertainment experiences. Dave plans to continue investigating what information people use to make impressions of others and how they use a variety of communication channels to perform relational functions. He also is planning to continue examining the process of entertainment through both traditional and new channels.
Dave has published in numerous journals, including Human Communication Research, the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, and the Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media. He has also been active in both the National Communication Association and the International Communication Association.
Welcome Dave to WVU!
“Enjoy the ride and savor the moments”
One of the most respected and popular Americans is General Colin Powell. Recently, Margaret “Peggy” Cifrino, a WVU graduate and his Principal Assistant, gave a presentation where she shared her career experiences. In her position, she is the primary liaison between General Powell and the government, manages his office in Alexandria, Virginia, and serves as his spokesperson, scheduler, and advisor.
Peggy Cifrino began her career as a legislative assistant on Capitol Hill. She recommends that anyone who wants to get started to move to Washington DC. “It’s a great way to meet young people and network,” she said. From 1981 to 1993 Cifrino served as a special assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon. From 1993-2000 she was General Powell’s executive assistant following his retirement as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She also assisted him in researching his best-selling autobiography My American Journey.
During the lecture she showed the audience pictures of many people she has met through her position. Audience favorites included Kid Rock, Paul McCartney, Angelina Jolie, and Elton John. She has met all of our living Presidents on one or several occasions, as well as the current Presidential candidates. Ms. Cifrino described her world travels and her experiences with various world leaders.
In offering career advice, Ms. Cifrino stressed to always be clear of what your boss wants. Don?t waste his or her time and if something is uncertain always ask. In any job you have you always have to be flexible and assume that someone is always watching. You should always be ethical, honest, and positive and remember to leave your ego at home. She stressed the importance of writing thank you notes to everyone. Finally, she emphasized that networking is key to finding a job and used her current position as an example. Ms. Cifrino began working for General Colin Powell by volunteering to help out a friend in his office.
Cifrino’s daughter, Megan, is currently a senior at WVU. “Her career with General Powell exposed me to a lot of opportunities I might not otherwise have had.” In describing General Powell, Megan added, “He can be very funny and understanding, but he does have high expectations.”
Megan described learning from her mother “the importance of hard work and that you should earn what you get in life. She’s always expressed the importance of doing the right thing in life and having good character. She always pressed upon my sister and I to show appreciation of people and write letters not only of thanks, but condolence and congratulatory.”
Ms. Cifrino’s journey was tough and demanding but she persevered. Concluding her presentation, Ms. Cifrino stressed, “Enjoy the ride and savor the moments.”
Update on Lambda Pi Eta
At West Virginia University, the Xi Nu chapter of Lambda Pi Eta is made up of academically successful students who actively participate in both the university community and the surrounding local community. In order to be eligible for membership into Lambda Pi Eta National Communication Honor Society, Communication Studies students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA, a 3.25 communication GPA, and be in the upper 35% of their graduating class.
“Lambda Pi Eta was very pleased with this year’s group of initiates,” said Vice President Paul Thornton. “We had 30 new members initiated into the honorary – a record-breaking number for Lambda Pi Eta.”
The new members participated in a semi-formal initiation ceremony where they were acknowledged for their excellent academic performances in front of friends, family members, and faculty.
With so many new faces this year, Lambda Pi Eta was excited to get even more involved on campus and in the community. One of the largest activities that Lambda Pi Eta was involved in was the annual Cream Your COMM Instructor fundraiser. With the assistance of some brave professors who stood out in the rain and allowed their students to pie them in the face, Lambda Pi Eta was able to raise $160 to donate to the Ronald McDonald House.
“As always, the annual Cream Your COMM Instructor fundraiser was a lot of fun,” said Dr. Maria Brann, Lambda Pi Eta faculty advisor. “However, this was our most challenging year because the weather did not cooperate at all. It was a lot colder and rained the entire time, but the faculty and students who participated were real troopers who made the event a lot of fun and helped us raise the most money yet.”
Besides donating money to help local agencies, members donated, decorated, and filled both Halloween and Easter bags with candy. These bags were hand delivered to students who attend an after school program called The Shack.
Back on campus, Lambda Pi Eta is also dedicated to helping other students excel in their classes. Before each COMM 200 & 201 exam, tutoring sessions have been held to help students better understand the material.
“It is great seeing our students help each excel academically,” Brann said. “Several of the instructors commented on how appreciative they were for this assistance and recognized that it did help the students who attended.”
Lambda Pi Eta members also had an opportunity to meet with the new University President, Michael Garrison, who expressed how impressed he was that so many student groups had such a huge impact in community service. The Wednesday before Spring Break, Lambda Pi Eta was invited by the Center of Civic Engagement to a forum that showcased community service; the officers of Lambda Pi Eta attended and the President Meagan Birmingham spoke on their behalf.
“The forum was such a great opportunity,” Birmingham said. “We have never been invited to this event before, and we felt honored that we were asked to present and showcase our honorary and activities. I am so happy that President Garrison, the Center of Civic Engagement, and the other student organizations were able to see what we were doing. It was also a great opportunity to network with other student organizations.”
Lambda Pi Eta members are excited about upcoming events that include cooking dinners at the Ronald McDonald house and the Bartlett House. There are also two other projects in the works, which include making information packets for incoming undergraduate and graduate students. These will help provide useful information to help make both processes easier.
“The members of Lambda Pi Eta and Dr. Brann are a wonderful representation of our Department. Their efforts are greatly appreciated,” stated Dr. Matthew Martin, Chair of the Department of Communication Studies.
The McConnell Health Communication Project
“LiveLong West Virginia – but have fun along the way!” That’s the theme of the McConnell Health Communication Project funded by an endowed Chair to Melanie Booth-Butterfield, Professor in Communication Studies. This semester advanced students focused on dissemination, or “getting the word out” to the population of West Virginia. Students worked on diverse project teams that interfaced with the community toward this goal.
For example, one weekend students had displays and helped run activities for children at Morgantown’s Fun Factory, a community play space for parents and children. “Participating allowed the LiveLong WV team to inform people about our Project, and encourage children (and their parents) to eat healthy foods by providing oranges, an obstacle course and activity books for them” said Meagan Birmingham, coordinator for that project.
Another group created and hosted an exhibit to reduce stress as part of WVU’s recreational center’s “Body for Break” activities. According to Jaclyn Segedin, team leader for that project, “Everyone was interested in learning ways to reduce their stress. I was beyond impressed with the end result!”
Other groups projects included: (a) hosting an exercise and fitness exhibit in the MountainLair, (b) working with local restaurants such as Flying Fish, Madeline’s, Maxwell’s, and Café Bacchus to develop and produce high-quality inserts for their menus in order to help diabetic diners, (c) designing verbal and nonverbal messages with public nurses to encourage breastfeeding, and (d) maximizing the impact of safety messages for mine workers.
Health communication research is also a part of the McConnell project goal. One graduate student team presented their research using the Theory of Planned Behavior to predict parents? attitudes about their children’s dental hygiene at the ECAS Research Horizon Event. Booth-Butterfield says, “All of this makes for a BUSY semester, but the students’ excitement and involvement are clear and growing. There’s more to come!”
For more information about projects, or how you can play a role, visit the LiveLong website (LivelongWV.com) or contact Melanie Booth-Butterfield (mbooth@wvu.edu).
