Communications Week to bring more than 20 high-profile communicators to FIU

Donovan Campbell of FOX/7NEWS Keynotes 23rd Annual Event

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) is hosting the 23^rd Annual Communications Week March 18-21 on the Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC). This year’s theme is sports communications. The event will feature panel discussions, workshops and other activities bringing more than 20 high-profile sports communicators to BBC. On March 20, the Student Awards ceremony will recognize student and alumni achievements, with a keynote address by FOX/7NEWS reporter Donovan Campbell ‘00.

The annual Communications Week celebrates the professions of journalism, public relations and advertising. The purpose is to supplement classroom instruction by exposing students to professional development, local and national industry experts and, most importantly, recognizing those students who have excelled academically.

The week’s events begin on Tuesday, March 18, with “The Sports Media Panel,” presented by Gregory Lee, Jr., executive sports editor, the Sun-Sentinel; Gabriel Gabor, consultant, Major League Soccer; and Michelle Kaufman, sportswriter, the Miami Herald. The panel will be moderated by journalism Professor Fred Blevens and address the globalization of sports and sports media, the value and controversies of the Olympics, and diversity controversies in sports. The event takes place from 2-3:15 p.m. at the Mary Ann Wolfe Theatre located in the Wolfe University Center (WUC).

On Wednesday, March 19, the Sports Communications Panel will include leading communications specialists from the South Florida community. Panelists will include Jose Sotolongo, Miami-Dade Sports Commission; Bradley Gerber, Burson Marsteller; Chris Yandle, University of Miami; and Jon Erik Alvarez, the Miami Marlins. They will lead a discussion on employer trends, employer and employee expectations and what to do and know when searching for and landing a job in sports communications. Co-sponsored by the William C. Adams PRSSA chapter, the panel takes place from 3-4:30 p.m. in WUC 244B.

On Thursday, March 20, there are several events. From 1-4:30 p.m. in ACII 230, students will have a chance to practice professional interviewing skills with Virgil Smith, vice president of Diversity and Talent Acquisition at Gannett. From 3:30-4:30 p.m., those interested in pursuing their master’s degree online can find out about SJMC’s new Global Strategic Communications program during the open house, “Innovations in Online Teaching.” The program will be presented by SJMC Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research Kathy R. Fitzpatrick and Associate Professor and Director of SJMC Online Michael S. Sheerin. Anyone can join in person at ACII 242 or online at https://connect.fiu.edu/gscopenhouse/.

The day of activities will close with the 23rd Annual Student Celebration and Awards Ceremony, which will feature a keynote speech by FOX/7NEWS reporter Donovan Campbell. The evening will honor outstanding students in all SJMC majors and award 2014-2015 scholarship recipients. The Outstanding Alumni Award will be presented by SJMC Dean Raul Reis to Donovan Campbell. Univision Anchor Pamela Silva Conde ’03 will also be part of the ceremony. Silva-Conde will bestow the scholarship she donated to SJMC last year to broadcast students Leyanis Diaz and Cindy Dueñas. A reception will immediately follow the ceremony, which starts at 6:30 p.m. in the WUC ballrooms.

On Friday, March 21, the Society of Professional Journalists chapter at FIU presents “Listen. Learn. Connect.” The all-day conference features five panel discussions on journalism ethics, social media, branding, war reporting and photojournalism. Panelists include Lori Todd, the Sun-Sentinel and Orlando Sentinel; Jacqueline Charles, the Miami Herald; Patrick Farrell, the Miami Herald; Andrew Innerarity, Caribbean Living Magazine; Michael Koretzky, SPJ Region 3; Juliet Pinto, SJMC associate professor; Carmen Gentile, USA Today, ABC Radio; Larry Doyle, CBS News; and Steve Rothaus, the Miami Herald. The conference runs from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. at WUC 244AB.

All events are free and open to the public. The SJMC encourages participation and attendance by all faculty, students, staff and alumni. For more details and information visit: http://journalism.fiu.edu/#!/Spotlight