By Hannah Hanson
Every year the Communication Studies department hosts an event to raise donations for a local philanthropy and have a little healthy competition between their two concentrations. On Tuesday, April 11th, students, faculty, and staff from both Public Relations and Digital Media concentrations gathered on CSTAC/Bedford Lawn for the #RealCOMM competition.
This year the the department chose Madeline’s House as their philanthropy. Madeline’s House is a local nonprofit organization that helps provide support to victims and families of sexual and domestic abuse. They offer anything from shelter, food, legal assistance, to clothing and shoes. When the department reached out to Madeline’s House earlier in the semester, the item they were in most need of was shoes; and the department was up to the challenge!
The event was a huge success this year. On the day of the #RealCOMM competition, students and faculty throughout the Longwood community hauled bags and boxes of shoes across campus over to CSTAC Lawn. Together, they raised almost 300 pairs of women and children’s shoes and over $200 in loose change.
Not only did the department raise points with shoes and money, but the concentrations spent time playing games to earn points: like cornhole, giant Pac Man, dodgeball, and ladder ball to continue the competition. By the end of the event, Public Relations had earned the title of #RealCOMM Champion, with a total score of 184 points to Digital Media’s 150 points.
While the concentrations enjoyed the competition, the department came together to support a great cause and that is what it was all about. Thanks to everyone who made this year’s competition so successful! Look for the #RealCOMM Competition to return in 2018.