| Forensics/Pi Kappa Delta | The forensic program at Towson University offers students educational and
competitive opportunities in public speaking and debate. Students may engage in debate on
the national topic, or participate in a wide variety of individual speaking events
(including persuasion, performance of literature, impromptu, and informative speaking).
As a hands-on activity, forensics offers unparalleled opportunities for the development of skills in advocacy, persuasion, research, critical thinking, and public speaking. Many alumni are currently applying the skills they gained in forensics to careers in education, law, business, and the mass media. In addition to offering solid educational and career benefits, forensics is also a fun opportunity to travel and meet students from other universities. Any full or part-time undergraduate student at Towson may be a member of the program. Members receive course credit (COMM 249-250, 349-350), attend meetings and practice sessions, participate in at least three inter-collegiate speech or debate tournaments each semester, and assist with on-campus demonstrations, activities, and tournaments. Members of the forensic program may also elect to become members of Pi Kappa Delta, a national honor society for speech and debate participants which offers many opportunities for service and recognition. Students who are interested in joining the forensic program, or who are looking for additional information, should contact Elizabeth Skinner at 410-704-5354, E-mail: eskinner@towson.edu.
|
| Lambda Pi Eta | This honor society, recognized by the Association of College Honor
Societies, is open to eligible majors in Communication Studies or Mass Communication.
Lambda Pi Eta recognizes, fosters, and rewards outstanding scholastic achievement;
stimulates interest in the field of communication; and encourages professional development
among COMM and MCOM majors. The name represents what Aristotle described in his Rhetoric
as the three modes of persuasion: logos (logic), pathos (emotion), and ethos
(character credibility and ethics). For further information, contact Teodora Carabas, 410-704-4855, E-mail: tcarabas@towson.edu.
|
The American Advertising Federation chapter at TU is for college students who are interested in advertising and who want a direct link to the "real-world" of advertising. With meetings scheduled two or three times per month during the academic year, the AAF invites outside speakers, promotes agency tours and other networking opportunities with professionals in the community, and participates in the National Student Advertising Competition, The World Series of Advertising. The NSAC challenges student teams to take a case study from a national corporation and develop a complete marketing, advertising, and media plan to meet specified goals. In addition, there are high-profile internship opportunities, a college chapter achievement competition, and Alpha Delta Sigma, the only national honorary society for advertising students. Students must be enrolled in a least one TU course to be eligible. Due are $30 per annum, with $15 of that total allocated to the national organization, which issues membership cards, a monthly newsletter, and a quarterly magazine. For further information, contact Ying Kong, 410-704-4139, E-mail: ykong@towson.edu
|
|
| Public Relations Group | The TU Public Relations Group is a student-run organization that serves
as an umbrella organization for the Public Relations Student Society of America and the
student chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Each year,
approximately 40 students are active in the Public Relations Group, which has professional
advisors and faculty advisors. Funded in part by the TU Student Government Association,
the Public Relations Group holds at least three fund-raising events each semester. It also
hosts special meetings with guest speakers, helps members prepare resumes and professional
portfolios, conducts pro-bono campaigns for special clients, sponsors off-campus tours of
public relations agencies, and encourages its members to attend professional meetings and
conferences. For additional information, contact Les Potter, 410-704-3235, E-mail: lpotter@towson.edu.
|
| Society of Professional Journalists | The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is a preeminent national journalism organization dedicated to preserving a free press vital to a well-informed citizenry and providing resources necessary to suppport, educate and inspire current and future journalist. The organization also provides a professional network and a job database, internship opportunities, and scholarships and awards. As one of its student chapters, the TU SPJ group holds weekly meetings and organizes activities to help members prepare and pursue their chosen careers, including meeting with local professionals, attedning national and regional SPJ conferences, preparing resumes and professional portfolios, engaging in service activities, and organizing an annual event for networking and educational purposes. For further information about group activities, contact Dr. Sandy Nichols, 410-704-3761, E-mail: slnichols@towson.edu. |