Category Archives: Student Work

Oct 01 2020
Student Work

Make Way for Filmmaking with Monea Allen

By: Heather Waldo

While only just beginning her journey at Longwood, Monea Allen (’24) is already making a name for herself in filmmaking.

Monea Allen (’24)

Monea is from Richmond and has four older siblings. While no one in her family created films, she still gives them credit for inspiring her to do. “When I was younger, I did watch a lot of movies. I have four older siblings, each with four different tastes in movies, so from there I would just watch whatever they were watching. That’s when I became hooked to the idea of storytelling.” This idea of being hooked on storytelling turned into a creative hobby for Monea. She began to be more serious in her filmmaking during her junior year of high school. During this time, she was also interested in poetry and began to make films about the poems she would create: “I began to make poetry visuals on YouTube, and that’s what sparked my interest. I knew I was meant to do something in that field.”

Click here to see one of Monea’s poetry visuals.

For Monea, her interest in filmmaking clicked from the very beginning. Her passion for film is natural and genuine, both of which show in her creations. You would think Monea would have a system for planning and creating her films. Instead, she chooses to use looser guidelines and alters them depending on what she is creating.

“When I create a film, there is no structure at all. I know there should be but what I do is put the visual together first and then I think about what message I want to spread to others. From that message, I create a theme from all the videos combined.”

Click here to see Monea’s favorite video she has created.

As for Monea’s work, she is no stranger to being a part of big projects. She was a contributor on the “American Portrait” project by PBS. Monea mentioned she felt a little intimidated to work on this project due to being surrounded by professionals in her field. Allen’s job for the project was to interview five people in Richmond and a create a video to be included in the project. “I learned so much in the few months that I worked on it, and from that, I just tell everybody to reach for the stars and if you want something, just go for it.”

Since Monea just started attending Longwood, she hasn’t started taking any digital production or editing courses yet. She said she is interested in learning more about camera work and “I’m looking forward to taking classes where we go out and make films. I’m very excited to perfect my craft even more and learn things that I’ve never thought about.”

Allen also mentioned that she would be interested in creating films as a career but also wants to experiment with acting. As she progresses through her degree, she will soon learn many tools and techniques for filmmaking that will make her dreams a reality. She also said out of all of the film genres, documentaries were her favorite to create.

Click here to see more of Monea’s videos.

Monea Allen is definitely someone to watch during her time in Communication Studies at Longwood. Her natural talent at filmmaking is quite impressive and the knowledge she gains from her Communication classes will help in her professionalism and techniques. The department is already looking forward to seeing everything she will accomplish. Welcome to the #COMMunity Monea!

Feb 26 2018
Student Work

A Day in the Life of a COMM Student

By Julia Bogdan

Like any other college student, junior COMM student Kiersten dreadfully wakes up in the morning and heads to her classes. She is out of class everyday by 11 am, but you can usually find her in French Hall for the next hour or so.

“I always have something that I need to be editing, uploading, or sending out, so that’s my golden hour to get it all done before the madness starts,” Kiersten said.

“People underestimate COMM majors, they call it the “easy” major, but it’s not that,” Kiersten said. “It’s a different type of learning than English, business, anthropology, and is not governed by textbook.”

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Everyday, Kiersten gets hands-on experiences with all different kinds of technologies in the communication field.

“No, I don’t write papers all the time, but I do spend hours in French [Hall] editing videos and writing articles that get torn up by the “Red Pen of Death” just like any other major. COMM is not an easy major, but if you’re passionate about it, it never feels like work,” Kiersten said.

After finishing up her COMM projects, she goes home to get a head start on her homework and prepares for the upcoming night. Sometimes, that includes our Student Government Association (SGA), Junior Class Council, or making a playlist for her show on the local Top 40 radio station, WFLO 95.7 FM.

Outside of the classroom, Kiersten also serves as an Assistant Director for the Big South Network (BSN), which is a position she earned through a COMM internship she did.

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“My job [as an Assistant Director for the BSN] allows me to integrate my video production experience with sports, which is really where my passion lies,” Kiersten said.

Kiersten was also involved in the school newspaper, The Rotunda, for 2.5 years, where she wrote for almost every section.

“If I know anything about COMM students, it’s that we’re over-involved. We do everything we can to practice our craft and [that includes joining] every club related to it,” Kiersten said. “I spend anywhere from two to eight hours a day on COMM related work.”

“I’m back out the door by 3 p.m., bouncing around from meetings or work. Sometimes, I’m home as early as 6 p.m., other days I’m home as late as 10 p.m.,” Kiersten said. She then proceeds to prepare for the same process the next day.

“Overall, I love being a COMM student,” Kiersten said. “They refer to us as the #COMMunity, and it really is true. Our professors are so down-to-earth and feel like family to me, I even babysit their kids! They don’t just advise us, they care for us outside the classroom and that support is invaluable in college, given the stressful lives we live.”

“Our alumni are so helpful and giving to the current students, they give advice, they help us find jobs and internships and they stay our forever friends, even when they’re away from Longwood,” Kiersten stated.

Kiersten stated, “COMM is not just a major, it’s a whole life. Be expected to get a family, not just a degree. You will love your professors and they won’t just teach you, they’ll prepare you for your future, and allow you to leave the program with enough experience and connections to find you a job that you love just as much as the people who got you there.”

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Sep 25 2017
Student Work

Carefest 2017: Student Groups Turn Lessons into Action

By Julia Bogdan

Doggie kissing booth at Carefest 2017.

On Tuesday, Sept. 19th, the Longwood University #COMMunity, including PRSSA, WMLU, The Rotunda and Lambda Pi Eta, came together to raise $700 (and still growing) for the victims of the recent hurricanes in Texas and Florida.

Carefest 2017 had raffles, a bake sale, puppy kissing booth, and jail a friend.

“I think the #COMMunity really just united around the idea of helping other people,” Halle Parker, senior, and editor-in-chief of The Rotunda said. “The Carefest was a culmination of what we’ve learned in our communication classes and a desire to help others.”

The #COMMunity has a history of reaching out to nonprofit organizations including their annual #RealCOMM Competition, where they raise money for local organizations.

“I think this was a great way to bring the Heart of Farmville down to Texas and Florida,” Parker said.

Student groups came up with the idea of an all-communication fundraiser at a Lambda Pi Eta meeting (the communications studies honor fraternity), when the advisor, Dr. Paal, brought up the idea of trying to do something to fundraise money within the department after hearing about the recent tragedies.

“The Longwood Communication Studies department tries to build a relationship with its majors and tries to promote the idea of citizen leaders,” Parker said.

“We have always had the #COMMunity, but this shows everyone that we really are just like one big family. We will all work together and pull together when we need to,” Emily Neighbors, President of PRSSA, said.

“We tried to evolve and get as many people in campus involved, so that’s where the dining services came in, Longwood athletics started promoting it within their department, the University decided to cover it, so it really just became a student-wide effort,” Parker said. “All the money made at the food truck went toward the cause.”

Emily Neighbors and Dr. Alec Hosterman are working together to send the money down to a university in Florida and one in Texas so they can choose local nonprofits to send it to.

Neighbors and Parker hope for the Carefest to become an annual celebration where they raise money for many different non-profit causes.

Jail a friend, including Dr. Hosterman and students Halle Parker and Miriam Loya

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Apr 14 2017
A Look Inside, Student Work, Uncategorized

3rd Annual #RealCOMM Competition: 300 Pairs of Shoes and $200 Later

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.

Nov 20 2016
PRSSA, Student Work, Uncategorized

Longwood University’s Public Relations Student Society of America Soars to New Heights

By Shelby Shelton

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, four members of Longwood University’s chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) returned back to Farmville, VA after attending a three-day long Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) 2016 International Conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

President of PRSSA and junior at Longwood University student Kyle Stone feels that the organization benefited from attending the PRSA 2016 International Conference. “Aside from having the amazing opportunity to travel to Indianapolis, Indiana, the conference was very informative and fun.”

The conference is designed to engage the focus of young professionals by providing information sessions on a number of different aspirations.

“One session I attended stressed the importance of adaptation in the workplace.  The speaker did not specifically speak to one field in particular, but to all fields.  They said that adapting to change is the most important thing a person could do in the professional world and that it is one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish.  It requires a lot of practice and patience.” said Stone.

Rebecca Huffine, senior communication studies student and member of Longwood University’s PRSSA found that the conference brought about lots of insight for her and other members of PRSSA. With the conference being international, Huffine was introduced to numerous amounts of PRSSA chapters from local and non-local universities and colleges.  “There were chapters from all over the country! I knew the conference was going to be a large scale event but I never imagined there were so many different chapters worldwide.”

Huffine was impressed with one keynote speaker in particular, Holly Wagner, Product Placement and Blogger Influencer for Vera Bradley.  Huffine approached Wagner following her presentation to thank her for such an informative session. “This was a big deal for me because I love the company Vera Bradley.  Holly Wagner gave me an inside look into how she got her dream career through networking with a family friend.  I was so inspired by her story and really took it to heart.  She even gave me a Vera Bradley makeup bag after our conversation.”

Maya Bennett, sophomore at Longwood University and Vice President of Longwood’s chapter of PRSSA was in awe of the conference. Bennett made a list, prior to their arrival, of keynote speaker sessions she wanted to attend. “The most important marketing tip I received from my trip was that, ‘If you can’t adapt to your clientele, then you won’t be successful in public relations.”

While most members focused on the marketing and networking aspects of public relations at the conference, one chose to explore a different aspect, crisis communication.  Chris Williams, a senior communication studies major, took notes during this session because he found it applicable to his professional future:  “In the public relations world it is valuable to know how to deal with crisis.  Even though it may not affect your company or future profession, it is essential that you know how to handle tough situations.”

Students returned to the classroom with an amazing experience and a greater understanding of what it means to make public relations a career.

Oct 11 2016
Student Work, Uncategorized

Vice Presidential Debate Recap: How Making History Shapes our Future

by Hannah Hanson

“You walk into that debate hall, and I just got this overwhelming sense of excitement and giddiness, like I just got the best surprise birthday present ever. Everything was decorated patriotically and it was absolutely enthralling to know that I was able to be in the presence of so many influential and deeply respected people in this country… that feeling was like no other and I felt so lucky I got sit in that freezing cold room for 90 minutes and absorb all of it.” – Ally Werner, Communication Studies major

Communication Studies students inside the debate hall

Communication Studies students inside Willett debate hall

There comes a moment in every Communication Studies major’s life when they are handed a once in a lifetime opportunity. The 2016 Vice-Presidential debate was that for many majors at Longwood University. As campus is returning to normal, the Communication Studies department would like to take the time to reflect over this life-changing experience for all of the students, staff, and faculty of the #COMMunity.

According to Macrae Hammond, the Special Assistant to the VP of Strategic Operations at Longwood University, approximately one hundred students, (over 10% of all the student volunteers) were from Communication Studies. These students were able to partake in making history at Longwood and got first-hand experience working with major news stations.

Ally Werner got the opportunity to work with CNN during debate day. Werner’s experience was the most amazing, yet tiring, moments of her life. She said, “No one prepares you for what it is like to work for one of the most influential media outlets in the world… the experience made me so much more interested in mass media. Because my interests will always lie with politics and communication, but to now to have another door to open is just really exciting.”

Taylor Tharrington and Drew Pelkey with Sen. Tim Kaine

Taylor Tharrington and Drew Pelkey with Sen. Tim Kaine

Drew Pelkey is a senior Communication Studies major that was a student volunteer for the debate. She was placed as an usher in the hall handing out programs and showing people, like Rev. Jesse Jackson, to their seats. Pelkey spent her day walking around different news station stands, received free swag, and getting interviewed with her sorority by MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle. Pelkey said if she were to describe her experience in three words they would be “thankful, amazing, and eye-opening.”

Michael Castanon, another senior, was placed with Twitter on the day of the debate. Castanon was also featured on different Facebook and Instagram live video streams, including one for Longwood University. Castanon was fortunate enough to receive a ticket into the debate hall to watch the debate from the audience. He was so ecstatic that he was able to be there for the experience: “[it was] so surreal and awesome. I’m so happy I got to be in there for such a historic, once in a lifetime opportunity.”

These are just a handful of stories from Communication Studies students who were able to experience the 2016 Vice Presidential Debate firsthand. To say the debate was life changing would be an understatement for the #COMMunity at Longwood University.

And what do faculty think about what the debate provided students? Dr. Ryan Stouffer, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, best sums up this experience by saying:

“The debate was an incredible experience for our students, both in terms of getting professional production experience and witnessing first-hand the impact the media has on the political process.”

Sep 26 2016
A Look Inside, General, Student Work, Uncategorized

An Inside Scoop on the (Now) Infamous Paul Ryan Selfie: Communication Studies Major Ally Werner Sheds Light on the Compromising Photo

Ally Werner, a senior communication studies major, had an internship on Capitol Hill this past summer. And Werner was front and center for Paul Ryan’s viral selfie of Grand Old Party interns.

Paul Ryan and Ally Werner (right)

Paul Ryan and Ally Werner (in blue, right)

The selfie above was taken during a lecture that Paul Ryan was giving to all of the GOP interns. As soon as the photo was released on Paul Ryan’s personal Instagram account, many media outlets used it as an opportunity to point out the lack of diversity within the group of interns.

Werner was an unpaid intern for congressman, Rodney Frelinghuysen, over a four-week period this summer. During this time, Capitol Hill had a lecture series for all of their interns to listen to various people from the House of Representatives. Werner was told that Paul Ryan had an opening in his schedule and was going to be speaking to all GOP interns.

Werner arrived an hour and a half prior to the event to have a seat in the front during the lecture. Werner said Paul Ryan took the time to thank them for all their hard work, especially since all the interns were unpaid. He ended his lecture by asking the interns to take a selfie to impress his followers with a picture of all the interns he got the opportunity to speak with.

The Friday after the event, Werner was at a Gwen Stefani concert when she received the news that the photo with her face front and center went viral. One of Werner’s sorority sisters sent her a link to the Buzzfeed article.

Paul Ryan's Famous Selfie @speakerryan

Paul Ryan’s Famous Selfie @speakerryan

Several media outlets followed Buzzfeed, releasing hundreds of articles criticizing the photo. Different sources were making similar claims about how the picture was “white washed”.

GQ released a humorous article and named all of the interns in the photo, claiming they had an “exclusive roster of the GOP interns.” This list renamed each individual with “typical white people names”, said Werner. She was renamed as Blair Callahan along with all the other interns. GQ went as far with the joke as giving interns names such as, “Daddy’s Little Girl” and “Fry McMillionaire”. Werner took the joke lightly, but is still asking the question “what about my face gave me the name Blair Callahan?”

The Democrat interns soon responded to the GOP selfie with their own.

Werner spoke about the issue of lack of diversity as a problem among all federal government interns. Although, Werner said her congressman has had several different cultures and races as his personal intern in the past. Werner recognizes that there is a need for more diversity within federal government interns and hopes to see change in the future.

Overall, Werner said she enjoyed being a part of the whole experience. She took interest in watching media agenda setting, especially after learning about the subject in her communication courses, and now has an interesting first-hand experience that she won’t forget any time soon.

Sep 05 2016
A Look Inside, Student Work, Uncategorized

Communication Students Film the Hokule’a at Hull Springs Farm

by Hannah Hanson

This summer, Communication Studies Assistant Professor Dr. Ryan Stouffer was given the opportunity to take three students to Longwood University’s Hull Springs Farm in order to film the arrival of the Hokule’a, a Polynesian voyage canoe.

hokulea_profile

The Longwood managed site is located in Westmoreland County and is used as an educational, outdoor classroom for research and other programs. Longwood acquired the property in 1999 after the original owner and Longwood graduate, Mary Farley Ames Lee, passed away. Leaving more than 660 acres to the university to prevent development on the property, Longwood has transformed the land into an almost perfect ecological system for the students and community to study.

CiRQBOgWEAAdadmStouffer and his students were hired to film and capture the vision of Hull Springs Farm, but more importantly film the docking of the Hokule’a. The Hokule’a is a traditional Polynesian voyage canoe that traveled across the world on a 60,000 mile trip. The mission of the Hokule’a is to discover how local communities are working towards a sustainable future; naturally, Hull Springs Farm was a perfect stop on their voyage. The crew consisted of 13 men whose goal was to change the world by water. A majority of the crew would leave their families for months on end so they could make a difference.

Robert Watkins, Payton Conway, and Marci Logsdon were the Communication Studies students hired to film during the two days that the Hokule’a was docked at Hull Springs Farm. Watkin’s main responsibility was filming everything he saw: from the crew of the Hokule’a, the people working at Hull Springs Farm, and the students that came to visit from schools all over the county.

When asked about his overall experience, Watkins was most excited that he got first-hand experience with the camera. Watkins stated, “no one was telling me what to do or what shots to film, but there was 500 kids watching me so I had to do my best.” When asked what Watkin’s favorite part about filming on location was he was most excited because, “[Dr.] Stouffer gave us guidelines about what to be filming, but having to shoot and create a story all on my own was the most rewarding.”

Dr. Stouffer and his students worked diligently to perfectly capture the Hokule’a and their mission of sustainability.