Butler CCOM STR

Butler CCOM Strategic Communication: Public Relations & Advertising

A Taylor, a Rose, and a Bridge

A Taylor, a Rose, and a Bridge

Stories feed our imagination. A compelling narrative, masterful worldbuilding, and a well-written hero (or villain) stick with readers and viewers—for a lifetime in some instances. I have been fortunate enough to live the culminating on-campus chapters of three award-winning protagonists during the past year and a half as part of CCOM. My time here allows only short story versions of what this impactful trio has developed, nurtured, and shared through their nearly 100 years of combined service to Butler University.

This is a true story about a Taylor, a Rose and a Bridge. They have earned their beautiful and inspiring academic sunsets after so many selfless seconds, minutes, hours, days, and years of preparing Bulldogs to have their own bright, fulfilling futures.

Once upon a time, somewhere in the vicinity of 4600 Sunset Avenue…

Prof. Christine Taylor spending time with friends and peers at the CCOM Retirement Celebration.

The Taylor: Tailors mend broken clothes, impact design and fashion, and help make their clients look well put together. Our Taylor, Christine, has also done some mending, lots of designing, and has helped her students achieve their best for three decades in CCOM. Christine has been a faculty member at Butler through ebbs and flows and evolution in her immediate work environment and the discipline in which she resides. She seamlessly assimilated from the Department of Radio and Television in the Jordan College of the Arts, to the Pulliam School of Journalism and Creative Media in the College of Communication. Christine has helped build community, develop curricula, and educate students who desired the feel of a camera in their hands. She has evolved with the times, learning new technology and practices in the broadcasting industry from her days at CNN to her long tenure with Butler. Christine has been a voice of calm, a source of wisdom, and a faculty member her former students never forget—and we hear about that often.

Dr. Rose Campbell, with her husband Ken, during the CCOM Retirement Celebration.

The Rose: A single rose can, at times, be more powerful and meaningful than dozens of flowers from a florist. We know it first-hand in CCOM because we only needed our Rose—Rose Campbell. She is actively celebrated by others who have taught me how invaluable her presence and actions have been while building the foundation of our college.

I learned about Rose’s authentically forged connections with students from Trey Meehan ‘14. He told me that her investment was grounded in care, but also high expectations. Her colleagues in the Department of Strategic Communication reflect constantly on her dedication to CCOM and to Butler University. Provost Brooke Barnett echoed this by leaning on Rose as a special assistant the past two years during a grueling accreditation process. That is just one example of her “for the greater good” service throughout an award-winning career. Rose has served as chair for seven years, special assistant for two years, and a mentor to colleagues and students for her entire 25+ year career. She has always emphasized students, and that is an approach I embrace and appreciate. Rose also initiated the CCOM Experiential Learning Fund which has helped numerous students pursue education and resume-building opportunities they otherwise would be unable to take advantage of. Experiencing higher education with Dr. Rose Campbell, as a student, mentor, or peer might be best summarized in the final line of the poem “What A Rose Can Say,” by Margie Driver: “No matter what there is to say, a rose can say it best.” Butler and CCOM know this to be true.

Prof. Scott Bridge in a moment of reflection, as his wife Maryann proudly watches him at the CCOM Retirement Celebration.

The Bridge: The bridge is a way to connect people and places, and Scott Bridge has epitomized this during his time as a leader at Butler. He has done transformative work with CCOM’s thriving internship program. I can’t imagine anyone being surprised that during the pandemic he hosted a weekly Zoom meeting with a first-year journalism student to make them feel connected to the campus from 900 miles away. “Mr. CCOM” has done it all—from tours of campus for prospective students to hours spent advising students from all parts of the university during his career. Scott is a two-time graduate of Butler and a longstanding faculty member. His shoes aren’t likely to be filled by any single person.

At the CCOM’s retirement reception for our spectacular trio one alum told me he was explaining to colleagues that he needed to leave early because his college professor was retiring. One colleague commented, “I don’t even remember who my college professors were.” The Bulldog alum responded, “If you went to Butler, you know Scott Bridge.” We all have our Scott Bridge stories, and true to his last name, he connects students to Butler and CCOM.

The vignettes about Christine, Rose, and Scott are endless. They include dozens of mentored colleagues, and thousands of lives changed for the better. Their compelling stories navigate years of hard work and dedication as three heroes in our college—a Taylor, a Rose and a Bridge—take their final, celebratory Butler CCOM bows.

They represent the best of the best in Bulldogs Nation, and I count myself lucky to have worked with them even for such a short time. May their next career be filled with joy, adventure, and fulfillment equal to that which they have given here at Butler.

CCOM Faculty Achievement

CCOM Faculty Achievement

Prof. Rob Norris (left) and Dr. Eileen Taylor (right) shortly after learning they had both been promoted to the role of senior lecturer within the College of Communication at Butler University.

I had the pleasure last week of delivering welcome news to a pair of amazing faculty. Dr. Eileen Taylor and Mr. Rob Norris, respectively, were promoted to senior lecturer within CCOM. They both came to Butler after concluding long and successful careers outside of academia and help to bring the experiential element into our classrooms as part of their second careers. Their success is their own, but I still share in their joy at this well-earned achievement.  

Eileen had a tremendous career in government, before returning to school to get her doctorate, and then joining CCOM as a faculty member in Organizational Communication and Leadership.  Her passion for teaching students leadership is only matched by her desire to prepare students for the demands and challenges of the coming changes to the workforce. She is a dedicated teacher, supportive mentor, and engaged member of the CCOM and Butler community.  It was a joy to walk into her office, share this news, and experience her process the moment from being speechless to overjoyed.

CCOM Dean Joe Valenzano delivering a letter of promotion to Dr. Eileen Taylor in Fairbanks Center.

Rob arrived at CCOM after a career in corporate communication, culminating with a leadership position at Cummins. He is a mainstay in Fairbanks Center, always in his office or engaging with students in the hallway outside his office. He rarely misses a college event, and always has a smile on his face—happy to go the extra mile to attract new students and help elevate current ones. Rob was at his desk when I delivered his letter, and, in typical Rob Norris fashion, he stood up, graciously invited me in, and then told me I made his day after he read the letter. 

Achievements need to be celebrated, and I was honored to be the bearer of glad tidings for both Rob and Eileen, two amazing CCOM faculty dedicated to our students’ success. They represent the best of Butler, and it is a gift for each of us to get to work with them. I am also excited to see them rewarded for their hard work and compassion for our students, alumni, and their CCOM colleagues. 

Please join me in congratulating Rob and Eileen, the newest senior lecturers in the College of Communication at Butler University!

CCOM Community Warmth & Well Wishes

CCOM Community Warmth & Well Wishes

The winter holiday season, for many, is a time of joy, celebration, family, and friends. On a college campus, this aura kicks into full swing upon the return from the Thanksgiving holiday. It’s hectic but full of positive energy, engagement, and a rewarding, sometimes exhausting, sense of accomplishment. This holiday season in CCOM provided numerous reasons for cheer, provided gifts full of meaning and recognition,and has inspired our college resolutions for the coming year.

A good friend of mine used to call exams, “celebrations of knowledge.” Whether it’s final exams, final projects, or final papers, it is something to acknowledge with a smile—for our hard working faculty, who have to grade each assignment on a tight deadline, as much as the students who have to perform the work. A small group of these students, after getting everything graded, finished their current course of studies.  

We proudly celebrated our December graduates in recent weeks. In the quiet of winter these students reached the summit of their undergraduate careers at Butler and now march undeterred into their bright futures as Bulldog graduates.I know they will make an impact on the world and their respective communities. 

These members of the CCOM community included undergrads representing numerous degrees, as well as students from our quickly growing graduate program in Strategic Communication. We hosted a reception for the entire group in Fairbanks. Each graduate received an alumni blanket to mark their momentous achievement, and to reassure each graduate they were always welcome to return to the warmth and comfort of “home.”    

The holiday season also ushers in the new year. It is common practice to resolve ourselves to improve on who we are and what we contribute. Instead of making resolutions supporting greater physical health (which I will do), eating better (which I also will do), and taking up a new hobby (unlikely), colleges and universities resolve to improve different things. So, here are just a few of CCOM’s resolutions for 2024:

Provide more opportunities for students to explore their intended vocation: 

We have several established immersive experiences for students to apply their knowledge in the classroom and in real life. And we encourage them to connect with industry professionals while exploring potential career paths, but I want to develop more of these opportunities. From New York to LA, and Atlanta to Indianapolis, I want our students to be able to navigate their path, and a successful future, wherever it may lead.

Develop new educational programs for students: 

We have a stable of strong majors and minors, as well as a budding graduate program, but there is more we can offer students. In 2024 I hope we can develop and introduce another graduate program. Fluidity and creativity are also important so we intend to offer some unique one-credit classes and workshops for students. These all provide memorable and impactful experiences.

Continue to keep alumni, friends and partners informed: 

In 2023 we launched this blog and the CCOM Pawcast (podcast), and they have been great vehicles for helping our community keep up with what is going on at Butler. In 2024 I want to explore ways to create more avenues to interact with students, alumni, and partners so even more friends can see how much we provide and accomplish as proud members, contributors, and stewards of CCOM.

Keep bringing the “fun” to Fairbanks:  

In 2023 we had “Pie the New Guy,” “Dogs with the Dean,” the “Stay Puft Marshmallow Dean Halloween,” and an Ugly Holiday Sweater party. It won’t stop there!  In 2024 I want to ensure that every month with students on campus we do something fun together. I tell people all the time I have the best job on earth, because I get to wake up every morning and go to Butler—so it should be fun!  What’s in store next year? One hint is that as a graduate student I always loved to putt golf balls in my hallway. 😊

This is the final Pawprints blog for 2023, and what a year it has been—and what a way to celebrate the holiday season with newly minted graduates! Even though I cannot wait for 2024, I want to wish all Bulldogs, friends of Butler, and our extended CCOM family a very happy, healthy, and joyful holiday season. May 2024 bring you all the blessings you could hope for!

GO DAWGS!!! 

A Wealth of Experience

A Wealth of Experience

Writer William Arthur Ward once observed, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”  

I have experienced inspirational guides at every level of my learning. Mr. Frank DeVito, whose encouragement and care in high school showed me education was more than just books and lectures. My undergraduate and graduate school professors included Dr. Sandra Berkowitz, Dr. Lyombe Eko, Dr. George Raymond, Dr. Michael Speigler, and Dr. Joe Cammarano. They taught different disciplines, but each inspired and mentored me in ways I’m still realizing. These higher ed heroes taught me information—but the most important lessons they shared with me were the experiences that helped shape their lives as critical thinkers and contributors to our overall society.

Every educational institution I have attended or worked at has those special individuals. I’m certain most of you have also connected with incredible professors and administrators who remain guides for life as much as they are teachers. In my time at Butler University, I’ve recognized there are so many individuals who fit these criteria across a variety of fields and colleges on our campus. Call me biased, but I think our current team of instructors in CCOM, from various levels of education, professional accomplishment, and life experience, are as good as you’ll find anywhere. And it only gets better as I get to introduce (alphabetically) the four newest full-time faculty members, who join the Class of 2027 in embarking on a new adventure in the Fairbanks Center of Communications.

Mr. Ryan Gautreaux (Communication and Critical Media): Ryan will teach a variety of courses, including Media Literacy, and Sports and Culture. It’s important to note that while Ryan is teaching here at Butler, he also is working to finish his doctoral dissertation at Georgia State University.  Ryan loves teaching and knows without it he would have trouble finishing his dissertation. He is excited to be here at Butler to work with our tremendous students and setting a great example as he finishes his own program via a long distance approach.

Mr. Matthew Herbertz (Eugene S. Pulliam School of Journalism and Creative Media): Matthew is a filmmaker originally from Indianapolis but spent several years teaching in Florida before coming to Butler. In addition to teaching in the Creative Media and Entertainment major, Matt also will be the new advisor for Indy Blue Video*, and he has started enacting new ideas for that student organization (the * is there because Matt and his students will spearhead a new name and brand for the organization this semester). He is passionate about teaching, but also about showing students how to operate in a creative environment.  

Mr. Bob Schultz (Strategic Communication): Bob joins the Department of Strategic Communication after a long and illustrious career at Downtown Indy, Inc., and serving as a tremendous adjunct and resource for Butler students for almost thirty years.  I learned very quickly that there is no one in Indianapolis who either does not know and love Bob, or whom Bob does not know.  Given he is not new to campus, he hasn’t missed a beat with his classes, bringing in guest speakers galore, mentoring students 1:1, and even arranging for one class to do a bike tour of, wait for it…….Downtown Indy!  I joined them (in a golf cart) and it was quite the experience.

Ms. Mandy Thurston (Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences): Mandy is as professional, energetic and passionate as they come. She has taught part-time for Butler in the past so she knows and loves our CCOM Bulldogs. Mandy is a speech pathologist by trade, a teacher by heart, and a fun and enjoyable person (and sports fan) all the time. I am excited about the expertise she brings, but more so her experiences which will teach our SLHS students even more.

Butler faculty have always been engaged teachers, who remember their students and whose students remember them long after graduation. I see evidence no matter where I am on campus and with every alum I meet. I know that Matt, Mandy, Ryan, and Bob will add to that community and reputation because they fit the mold of Butler and our CCOM teachers—selfless stewards of our future generational leaders.

We have welcomed great new teachers to join our current amazing faculty and we know they’ll all inspire our students.