Communication alumna goes behind the camera

by Hunter Ingram and 6 p.m. primetime newscasts, as well as the 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. Transitioning from the structured world of college to the everHowever, camera operating is not the only duty that falls on Lott. changing world of the workforce is never an easy task. But for recent When she arrives at 3 p.m. everyday, East Carolina University Lott first checks all the equipment, from microphones to lighting. She graduate Kelly Lott, the change is even greater. She is now working in also is given graphics to create for the newscasts through a Photoshop one of the fastest-paced industries program. The graphics that you see in the world: broadcast news. over the anchors shoulders are the pictures that I create each day, said Lott. During filming, Lotts position on the cameras changes. Usually, there is another camera operator out there with me, so we switch back and forth from floor directing and will alternate working each camera, said Lott. However, while the process of preparing the news is consistent day to day, the world of news is Kelly Lott operates a WCTI camera at work. changing constantly, and Lott and her coworkers have to be prepared for anything that might come their Lott, who graduated from ECUs way. School of Communication with Lott recalls one such situation a degree in media production in the stations coverage of Hurricane May 2011, now works full-time as Irene in August 2011. [During a camera operator for WCTI News Channel 12 in New Bern, N.C. As an Irene] we were there for wall-to-wall coverage and were on-air for around evening news staffer, Lott controls the cameras for the 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. continued on page 4
Photo by Hunter Ingram

-C u r r ent
The newsletter for alumni and friends of the School of Communication

Spring 2012
Inside this issue
Alumna honored....... p. 2 Comedic research......p. 3 ECU in Poland............p. 5 Book for Haiti relief.....p. 6

DO YOU TWEET?
The most used social media platforms among public relations professionals and agencies are:

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

31% 29% 18%

Source: PRSA Industry Facts & Figures

Alumna honored for achievements

by Samantha Rice School of Communication alumna April Baer, who received her masters degree from ECU in 2008, was recently recognized for her career achievements by a Maryland newspaper. The Daily Record named Bear one of their top 50 very important professionals in 2011. This list highlights professionals under the age of 40 who have made significant achievements in their work and community. Baer received her bachelors degree in communication with a concentration in public relations in 2006, graduating Cum Laude. She went on to earn her masters in communication with a concentration in health. She completed the graduate program with Phi Kappa Phi honors in 2008. Bear currently works at Frostburg University in Maryland as the coordinator for University Wellness. She related that it felt surreal to receive this kind of recognition for her work. I believe in always doing something that fulfills me, so it wasnt even on my radar, Baer said. Aside from her work as the coordinator for University Wellness, Baer has been working closely with a new program at Frostburg called CHILL. CHILL was a generous gift given to us by AstraZeneca and I have been tasked with it. It stands for creating healthy, informed, lasting 2 lifestyles. CHILL has really become my child. CHILL works to promote the health of students at Frostburg by providing them with preventative health screenings, encouraging wellness, and many other activities and educational programs that encourage the importance of exercise and good nutrition all over
Photo courtesy of April Baer

opportunities to achieve success in serving the health needs of communities through expertise in communication. Baer says that what she learned while completing her degrees at East Carolina Universitys School of Communication has helped her a great deal today. The communications program taught me tenacity, Baer said. That no doesnt mean no; it means maybe. You always have potential and you just cant be afraid, you have to push the boundaries. ECU taught me to go for it and I think thats what all Pirates have in common. n

HOW DO YOU GET YOUR NEWS?

Successful before 40 honoree April Baer.

the campus. Baer was also part of a project to make Frostburg a smoke-free campus. In the future Baer hopes to expand her program to a national level. Director of the School of Communication, Dr. Linda Kean, had Baer as a student. April is an incredibly exceptional individual, Kean stated. She has always been a hard worker who values the health of the university student and addresses that in a variety of ways. Kean added that the communication program for graduate students provides individuals with the information and

percentage of device owners getting their news from their gadget

70%
Dektop/Laptop

Smartphone

51%
.

56%
Tablet

Source: State of the News Media 2012

Professor presents comedic research

by Lisa Klopp Sarah Silverman is the only comedian breaking down walls for women in terms of vulgar and hostile humor, according to Professor Eric Shouse. Shouse, who is a Professor of Communication at ECU, was the speaker at a recent colloquium where he presented his latest research, entitled Sarah is Magic: The (Post-Gendered?) Comedy of Sarah Silverman. The paper was cowritten by Professor Patrice Oppliger of Boston University. Shouse touched on the idea of outdated beliefs about women in regards to comedy. What does it mean to be a lady? Shouse asked. Society believes their role models should be modesty, virtue, and placidity. What a lady should be and what humor is are opposites. But Shouse says Silverman is the first woman to segue into un-ladylike characteristics of womens humor and receives much harsher criticism for it. Critics call her narcissistic, wrongheaded, and irritating. From what Shouse researched, Silverman has broken all five traits of what womens humor usually is. These include telling stories instead of jokes, using a less hostile approach, making jokes about the powerful instead of the powerless, trying to connect to the audience, and using self-deprecating humor. In each case Silverman breaks away from the stereotype. To demonstrate, Shouse quoted never taken to task by critics of their performances of empathy-starved humor, a phrase which is applied to Silverman. Shouse said these belifs can be traced back to the early 20th century when women first started performing comedy. They started out at night clubs and strip joints where they were only seen as sex objects. Now, women are placed on safe daytime talk shows to share their humor instead of the more stand-up comedy way of late night talk shows. For example, Shouse called Ellen Degeneres one of the best comics of all time, despite the fact that she is a woman. Shouse said that even the best female comics remain ghettoized in the mainstream media. The only woman in late-night television is Chelsea Handler, and Shouse said even she is not pushing the boundaries as much as men. But Silverman is: she even goes so far as to verbally attack her audience members. But since women are taught not to have a public voice according to Shouse, her humor is not very well accepted. n
Photo by Lisa Klopp

Dr. Shouse speaks about his research.

Silverman. I was raped by a doctor, which, for a Jewish girl, is so bittersweet. Shouse said that jokes like these showcase her ability to tell jokes in a less feminine way. Another point made by Shouse was that there is a double standard towards women in the comedy

women are taught not to have a public voice.

business. Men who use foul language and taboo subjects are seen as brave and edgy, said Shouse. He writes in his paper that despite doing so on a regular basis, male comedians like Dave Attell, Louis C.K. and Daniel Tosh are almost

ALUMNA, continued from page 1

60 hours, recalls Lott. Because of the storm, people couldnt or wouldnt come in to relieve us, so for the last 12 to 13 hours, I was there in the station and I was working no breaks or anything. Another challenge Lott had to endure was the relocation of someone she admired at WCTI. The thing that has been most challenging has been losing my favorite director, Dave Henderson, said Lott. He taught me so many things since I began working here and it was amazing. He truly was my mentor and I wanted him to teach me more on directing. Henderson, who moved back to Raleigh in November 2011 to be

my butt off to achieve

I am going to work my goals.

closer to his family, now works at WRAL as the newscast director the same position he held at WCTI. Recalling when he first started working with Lott, Henderson said, As the director, Im the one in the control room calling the shots, following the scripts, and talking to the camera people for playback I am coordinating everything. When Kelly first started working [at WCTI], she was the playback operator, so I coordinated with her on when everything was to happen and when 4

it was to roll and when it was to change. Henderson said that the station works on a platform where most people know most jobs, so Kelly is capable of stepping up into any position. He also said Lott has always been very open to new experiences and new tasks that werent necessarily part of her job. She wanted to learn audio, so she sat in and watched our audio guys, even during her time off, said Henderson. Kelly was one of those people that I never minded showing new stuff to because I knew she was going to pick it up and turn around and use it for the company. Even after leaving WCTI, Henderson recalls Lott as being someone who has a very good attitude toward her work and those she works with. She also handles pressure situations very well, which for Henderson, is a big accomplishment. Trust me, TV is a pressure-situated atmosphere, laughs Henderson. But for Lott, while news is giving her the experience to grow, film will always be her true passion. While studying at ECU, Lott was not only the Student Activities Boards Films Chair, but she also made her own short film, entitled Pride. The film, which she directed, produced and wrote, was entered into the 2011 North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. I already knew that film was what I wanted to do, but creating my own film and everything that goes into it helped me realize that I am going to work my butt off to achieve my goals, said Lott. According to Lott, working in

STAY IN TOUCH
purple
www.ecu.edu/comm
Photo courtesy of ecu.edu

with the

gold

and

news may just be the best way to achieve those goals. When you graduate college, dont expect to get your dream job that pays great. You are going to have to start at the bottom until you prove yourself thats how the world works, said Lott. Im new and Im willing to learn a lot of different things because I know I am able to grow here at the station. Even with a career in film in her sights, Lott knows that working at WCTI is a step in the right direction. According to Lott, In the real world, employers want experience, experience, experience, and thats what I am getting here at WCTI. n

Director will bring ECU to Poland

people feel to ECU. Kean looks forward to the opportunity to travel to Krosno Luggage tags, passport, and tickets and talk with the administrators. are all some need to travel. Others Planning to work closely with the choose to travel with pets, friends, Department of English at Krosno family and even strangers. But for State College (KSC), Kean must fully Dr. Linda Kean, the only extra understand her options and goals to baggage she needs is the culture of East Carolina University. benefit their department. This past fall, the Rector and Vice Rector from Dr. Kean, the Director of the KSC visited East Carolina where School of Communication at East they were able to see what the Carolina, has been invited to travel curriculum and studies were like. across the world to work with Kean, as well as other colleagues Krosno State College in Krosno, from KSC, plan on teaching courses Poland. She plans to work closely with the Krosno State College (KSC) together to utilize the global classroom. Aside from teaching, administrators and faculty to create and work with the global partnership plans have been made in hopes of creating and developing study unit. Kean plans to bring with her abroad programs. This summer, the many things shes learned from being a Pirate to Poland in hopes of Kean specifically aims to figure out a way to make these options possible. learning more in return. Kean has been invited to be a Though Kean did not presenter at KSCs summer intensive graduate from East Carolina, she study program that focuses on understands the value of the Pirate Narration and Migration. According Nation. I love working at ECU, said Kean. I really enjoy the loyalty to KSCs website, this program is by Cara Linens
Photo courtesy of ecu.edu

Dr. Kean, Director of the School of Communication.

free and welcomes to many different students. These students will spend two weeks in Krosno studying issues of migration and will listen to speakers from several universities. Kean plans to present an overview on the research on Latino immigration in the US as well as representations of Latinos in the US mainstream entertainment media. Kean graduated from University
continued on page 7

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Even if youve only had a change in phone number or email address, please let us know. Please email the following to: Barbara Bullington, Alumni Relations Committee Chair, at bullingtonb@ecu.edu

Let us know what youre up to.

Alumna writes for Haiti relief

Photo courtesy of Christina Ruotolo

by Shay Quigley A 7.0 magnitude earthquake ravaged Haiti and surrounding areas on January 12, 2010. Nations watched as the already poverty-stricken country became even more devastated. In response, missionaries and doctors from the United States packed their bags and made their way to the hurting people in Port-auPrince. But, for those unable to make the journey for personal or medical reasons, hopes of assisting Haiti were discarded as impossible. Christina Ruotolo, graduate of East Carolina Universitys School of Communication, was determined to find a way to aid Haiti from North Carolina despite how far-fetched it seemed. A few years before the earthquake, four of the five main authors of The Day the Earth Moved Haiti: From Havoc to Healing met in a writing and publishing class at East Carolina University in 2006. The group regularly met at a local Barnes & Noble store to swap and critique one anothers new work. It also happened to be the same store at which Ruotolo worked part-time. After talking with the group on numerous occasions, Ruotolo eventually joined Elaine Hughes, Patricia Koenig, Elizabeth Thompson and Lynne

Proceeds from the book will go toward rebuilding Haiti.

I can put pen to paper and make a difference.

Wigentin the Critique It For Me Writers Guild. Soon after Ruotolo joined the Guild, a woman named Carol West walked into Barnes & Noble while Ruotolo was working. West was purchasing books for children in Bolivia, and the two began talking about mission work. The topic turned to Haiti, and West mentioned that she had been there during the 6

earthquake. As a writer, what do I do? I write. So I asked her, Can I write about you? Ruotolo said. After telling the Guild about her conversation with West, the idea of writing a book about Haiti, its people and the earthquake was born. The book wouldnt be any ordinary book however, as all the profits from the book would go toward relief efforts in Haiti. The idea was wildly accepted, and over two years of hard work began. Everything really just fell into place with this book, said Hughes, a childrens book author and staff member in East Carolina Universitys Department of Kinesiology. We all just started writing pieces separately. As we saw things on the news or wherever, we would write pieces that touched our heart from what we saw. Soon after the five women began writing in reaction to photographs and videos of the disaster, a mission team returned from Haiti and another was preparing to depart from a church a few of the authors attend. Once approached with the Guilds book concept, the missionaries readily agreed to contribute photographs, writings and personal time to be interviewed by the authors about their experiences in the devastated nation.

Two years later, the writing was compiled and completed, and the Guild had found a publisher. The next step was to get the word out about their book and its purpose. Ruotolo, who graduated with a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in public relations
Photo by ECU School of Communication

Haiti population:

9 million
Haitians currently with clean water and sanitation:

Christina Ruotolo holds the finished book.

from East Carolina University in 2002, currently has her own PR firm, The Ruotolo Agency. Using her knowledge of media and promotion, Ruotolo helped to spread the word about the Guilds book. As authors, you are partly responsible for marketing your own book. We market to all of our friends and family. We use social media and Facebook, email blasts and things like that, said Ruotolo. The five authors are currently holding book signings locally, celebrating the fruition of their vision, and vying for slots on national television. All the profits from the book are benefitting the Ryann Epps Childrens Home, Compassion Weavers, and The Hope For Haiti Foundation--all organizations actively at work in Haiti. The Day the Earth Moved Haiti: From Havoc to Healing began with Ruotolos desire to make a difference in Haiti, but also with the knowledge that she couldnt travel there for health

370 thousand
Source: The Huffington Post

reasons. For countless others wanting to make a difference but unsure how to, Ruotolo advises those people to find a personal talent and take advantage of it. For Ruotolo, its communication: Im a writer. Thats my gift. Thats what I do. I can put pen to paper and make a difference that way. n
DIRECTOR, continued from page 5

of Illinois in 1989 with a bachelor of science in broadcast journalism, Kean felt comfortable in her area

of study. She then went on to receive her master of arts in communication arts in 1994 as well as her doctorate degree in communication arts in 1998 from the University of Wisconsin Madison. From there, her journey into the Pirate Nation began. In 1998, Kean settled in Greenville to work with the School of Communication and become a faculty member of the university. Kean has been the director for the past five years. As director, Kean is in charge of budget and personnel matters relating to the school as well as providing structure and a vision to its faculty, staff and the students. My role is one based in service to the unit in that I try to do what I think will help all of those mentioned above me be more successful in achieving their goals, said Kean. People are so supportive of this university so they act in its best interest, said Kean, It makes it a very good place to work. Not only does Kean enjoy working for the school, but she enjoys working with fellow faculty members as well. Dr. Kean is an energetic, outgoing and charismatic director for the School of Communication, said Barbara Bullington, a professor at East Carolina. She has a long history at ECU, has done many important research studies in the field of communication and has seen the School of Communication go through many changes. She is a strong leader and a great ambassador for our program. n

Help the School of Communication continue to grow:

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