Communication News

Congratulations to Business Communication alum Mackenzie Wieder, who is thru hiking the Appalachian Trail this spring. In the photo, she's rejoicing having completed the first 100 miles of the trail at Albert Mountain in North Carolina. The Appalachian Trail goes along its summit, which is around 5200ft high.  Mackenzie commented on her Facebook page that this was the best 100 she's ever received!

Mackenzie is keeping everyone updated on her progress through Facebook and Instagram posts. At this point, she has 2,081 miles to go on her journey.

Stevenson University and the department of Business Communication are pleased to welcome local Baltimore news anchor, Jessica Kartalija, as the keynote speaker at the University’s 65^th Commencement Ceremonies, Thursday, May 17, 2018.

From an SU press release:

Kartalija is widely recognized as the noon and 5 p.m. news anchor on WJZ-TV 13 CBS Baltimore while simultaneously running JKMedia, a consulting firm specializing in executive coaching and media training.

With more than two decades of experience in news, media, and communication, Kartalija has also worked for news stations in New Mexico and Arizona, and been recognized by the Associated Press for hard news coverage.

Kartalija graduated from The Pennsylvania State University and earned her Master's in Communications and Media Studies from Johns Hopkins University. She was named one of The Daily Record’s “40 Under 40” Leading Women and a Baltimore Rising Star from the Living Classrooms Foundation. Kartalija is a member of the American News Women’s Club and National Press Club.

She taught in the Business Communication department as an adjunct from 2014-2016, focusing on Introduction to Public Speaking. To this day, her Stevenson students remain in touch with her.

Mackenzie Wieder, Business Communication class of 2017, has begun her thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail -- all 2,181 miles of it, from Georgia to Maine. Thru-hikers cover the entire distance in one long hike, taking months for the journey.

Mackenzie is chronicling her travels through Instagram posts and a blog, "Dreaming with My Eyes Wide Open," posted on The Trek, a blogsite that covers all things hiking. She began her trek on March 22 at Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, and has since begun progress north. You can read her blog posts here.

From filtering stream water to listening to an owl's lullabies at night, Mackenzie's trip has been anything but boring. Each day, she covers anywhere from eight to 15 miles, often meeting other hikers along the way, but sometimes enjoying the solitude that the Trail provides. In the photos, you can see her crossing a log and then enjoying the summit of Blood Mountain, the highest peak on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail with an elevation of 4,458 feet.

Our thoughts are with her as she learns from and  enjoys the experience!

(Photos from Mackenzie's Instagram site)

Congratulations to junior Lauren Novsak, who will serve as the Student Government Association president next year! Lauren's campaign was a masterwork in social media, positivity, and clear messaging.

On a Monday, March 26 Facebook past, Lauren wrote, "To the students- we made a promise to all of you that when we take office, we would be working for you. Nothing has changed. We are ready to take on this role with grace, dignity, and a steadfast commitment to this campus community."

Lauren and her running mate, Noah Connor, will assume their offices next fall.

Congratulations to all the Business Communication students and faculty who joined in the effort to raise money for the American Cancer Society via Relay for Life at Stevenson on Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24. The team, spearheaded by Lambda Pi Eta, the honor society, raised over $1,700 for the cause. Students also designed t-shirts (shown in the photos below) that gave a nod to to faculty members in the department -- professor Christine Noya, who is recovering from cancer after a long year's battle, and Bryan Read, the son of faculty member Chip Rouse. Bryan's battle with colorectal cancer has just begun. The theme this year, Candyland, was reflected in games, prizes, and designs. The team has also been designated as a "Rising Star" team because of their fundraising efforts.