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Raising awareness and generating enthusiasm about new initiatives, the Communication Department celebrated Communication Week from Feb. 9 – 13. The kick-off event, held Feb. 9 in Connelly Center, featured a video presentation, program descriptions, guest speakers, and a tour of the new communication studio. Dr. Terry Nance, associate professor and chair of the department, energetically introduced the evening. “When I think of what’s happening in communication every single day in our department, I am so excited about the possibilities,” she exclaimed.

Nance commissioned the Villanova chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) to coordinate the kick-off event and promote publicity for the week’s events. Professor Bill Cowen, PRSSA advisor, spearheaded the promotional efforts for the week. “The focus was to introduce the new programs in the communications department and to raise visibility of the major,” he explained, “since we are, in fact, the largest major in the University.”
Exciting initiatives include the new Strategic Communication Graduate Certificate, introduced by Dr. Susan Mackey-Kallis, the new journalism program and certificate in public relations, developed under the guidance of Cowen and Dr. John Huxford, respectively, and the new production facilities. The video presentation, produced by professor Paul Wilson and his television production team, utilized the new equipment in the studio.

The event also hosted professional speakers. Professor Huxford introduced Kevin Ferris, Community Voices Editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer who shared his personal experience in the professional world of communication. Professor Lee McCarthy then introduced Bob Monek, producer at television station WPVI and two-time Emmy Award winner, who offered advice to communication students in pursuing the field with excitement and energy. The event concluded with refreshments and a tour of the new studio equipment, located in the basement of Falvey Library.

The week included a number of other events, including the unveiling of the department’s new logo. According to Nance, it “captures the spirit of our department” with the saying “Communication is the World and the World is Communication.”