2009's just fine...
So Far.
It’s tempting to say thank goodness that it’s 2009 and good riddance to 2008.
But even though my 401k and my son’s college fund are mightily diminished, let’s not diminish the accomplishments of the year past.
On December 15, 120 of our students received bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Nothing can detract from the joyful—or relieved—smiles of each graduate I see at graduation ceremonies three times a year.
I was also honored to deliver the December commencement address at Lander University in Greenwood. I quoted one of my favorite philosophers, Yogi Berra, famed for having reportedly (there’s journalistic caution) said, “when you come to the fork in the road, take it.”
Each graduate is at a fork in the road. Our hope is that we have prepared them not so much for the predictable, but to make good choices when confronted with the unpredictable.
Much of what we in the college and university are facing right now had been largely unpredicted—sizeable budget cuts, financial uncertainty, global anxiety. The adjustments we are making—and that you may have heard or been wondering about—will change the complexion of the college. We are looking to streamline, economize, synthesize. What we are adamantly resisting is undermining the education our students receive.
Wherever the road forks, we expect to have more things to crow about in ‘09. After all, the good news chronicled below all happened in spite of the struggles of ’08.
Happy New Year,
College News
Props for Promoted Prof
Congratulations to SJMC faculty member Ran Wei who was promoted to full professor in December. Dr. Wei chairs the Advertising and Public Relations Sequence in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Student Spotlights
Journalism student wins Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship
Junior broadcast major Jessica Lyn Silvaggio will promote Rotary’s ideals of “Service Above Self” in Spain in spring 2010. Silvaggio is the second student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications in two years to receive a Rotary award. The first, electronic journalism alumna Sarah Chakales, is currently studying for her master’s degree in Hong Kong.
Alumni Spotlights
Alumnus Ken Carey in The State’s 20 Under 40 Class of 2009
Broadcast alumnus Ken Carey is a member of the sixth annual 20 Under 40 class. Carey is the president/owner of Agil Staff Inc., a company that helps employers find bilingual professionals and other hard-to-find people. Carey is involved with the S.C. Hispanic Leadership Council, Celebrate Freedom Foundation and the youth program at Eastminster Presbyterian Church.
SJMC Alumnus Jeff Wilson Recognized in PRWeek Magazine
PRWeek magazine has named journalism alumnus Jeff Wilson one of the “2008 Top 40 Under 40 in Public Relations.” PRWeek is one of the leading trade publications for the public relations industry. Wilson serves as an associate vice president and director of business development for the public relations firm CRT/Tanaka in Richmond, VA.
SLIS Alumnus Xuemao Wang Moves
to Emory University Library
Wang has been named associate vice provost for University Libraries at Emory University. He was formerly the head of systems for The Sheridan Libraries at Johns Hopkins University.
Three Library Alumni Publish Book
Roz Anderson, Laura Kane and Steven Wilson are the authors of Health Questions People Ask in Libraries, published by Medical Library Association in cooperation with Neal-Schuman Publishers in October 2008. All three alumni are librarians at the USC School of Medicine Library.