Media studies revamps inactive club LaTasha Atcity TNE Writer

LaTasha Atcity/TNE Dr. David Scott, communications and media studies department chair, addresses his students in a communication course. These students are potential members for the new PRAD Club. NSU offers a variety of organizations and clubs that focus on enhancing education. This gives students opportunities to get involved with areas they are passionate about while receiving hands-on experience. The media studies department decided to revamp an inactive club. The focus of PRAD organization is public relations and advertising. PRAD is a way for students on campus to come together and share their ideas about advertising and public relations, said Kyle Eubanks former PRAD president. PRAD is club geared toward students interested in Media Studies. PRAD will offer media studies students a student group to be a part of, said Dana Boren-Boer, instructor of Media Studies. Several of those already aware of the former club are ready to see PRAD succeed on campus and off campus. My vision is to see PRAD grow throughout the NSU campus and to see the students branching out and talking about Media Studies to various high schools, said James Parker, Broken Arrow senior.

Although there are high expectations of how the club will impact campus, it is ultimately the new members who will develop the goals and mission of PRAD. Ideally we want to gain interest in media studies and provide a gathering place/group of like minded students, said Boren-Boer. However, it is up to the students to decide the goals and mission of the club. In the past, PRAD members took trips to watch students compete in advertising campaigns. At the time, we chose not to compete in the events, said Eubanks. Going forward, I hope the PRAD club comes together enough to eventually compete at a competition. Participating in competitions and sharing the work of students is a shared vision between Eubanks and Boren-Boer. I hope to offer the students an opportunity to showcase their work and present at competition, said Boren-Boer. Creating awareness and getting students involved with the media studies program is a present goal for PRAD. Overall, PRAD is a student led organization that strives to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of public relations and advertising, said Parker. And to help find student avenues to achieve greatness within the field. For more information, call Boren-Boer at 918-444-2892. Published 1/20/14