Alumni Affairs

The Department of Communication Studies takes great pride in the notable achievements of our graduating students.

We welcome your continuing interest in the activities of the department and we are similarly interested in hearing from you. Contact us using the link on the left.

We offer you a pictorial walk through the attendees at the Alumni Reunion in the Fall 2005. Click to enter.

Homecoming, Fall 2006
The department celebrated with refreshments and gatherings at the Tailgate party on Saturday, 21 October.

Homecoming, Fall 2007

The Alumni Advisory Council

Communication Studies Distinguished Alumni Award

1. A Communication Studies Distinguished Alumni Award will be established, effective immediately.
2. The first award will be presented at the April 8 Senior Banquet. Future awards will be presented at the Senior Banquets.
3. The criteria for selection are:
    a. Outstanding contributions to the profession/discipline
    b. Outstanding service to the community, region, nation
4. Nominations for the award will be due to the School Director no later than February 26, 2008.
5. Nominations may be made by SCOM faculty and members of the SCOM Alumni Advisory Council.
6. The nomination packet should include:
    a. A nominating cover letter
    b. Two letters of support
    c. A resume
7. The Communication Studies faculty will vote on the nominations at a special meeting on Friday, February 29, 2008, 3:30pm, Ha 1246.

Communication Studies Student Advisory Council

1. The CSSAC will serve as a liaison to the Alumni Advisory Council, the Faculty Advisory Council, and the SCOM faculty.
2. The CSSAC will consist of:
    a. One student from each concentration appointed by the respective Coordinators.
Coordinators should 1) consult with faculty in their concentration in forwarding names of possible appointees; and 2) consider the need for diverse composition of the advisory group when identifying appointees.
    b. Presidents or top officers of each SCOM student organization
3. A regularly scheduled meeting time will be selected. Students will be eligible only if they can attend the meetings.
4. Students will be invited at the end of their junior year to serve during their senior year. The invitation to serve should occur no later than April 1.
5. A primary task of the CSSAC will be to assist the AAC with the Homecoming Week events. Other liaison tasks will be determined. The overall purpose of the group is to foster connections among students, faculty, and alumni.

The inaugural gathering of the AAC occured on Saturday, October 21, 2006 during JMU’s Homecoming. Formed during spring semester 2006, The Alumni Advisory Council (AAC) met with Dean Jeffrey, the SCOM FAC, and Department Director Eva McMahan for brunch and then a work session.

We asked the AAC to elect a Chair and set an agenda for its two year term. Here is a summary of their work:

Meet the members of the AAC here

1. Andy Perrine was elected Chair. The SCOM office staff will provide clerical support for him. 2. The AAC designated their group as the Board. The Board will hold an annual meeting on campus at Homecoming, and hold teleconferences every three months. 3. The meeting next year will begin on Thursday with a reception, and then on Friday a series of groups sessions for alumni and students will be held-- topics to be determined later. If you have interest in participating on that Friday, please let Andy Perrine or Eva McMahan know. 4. The AAC set a goal of identifying 5 alumni each to recruit to sit on a larger AAC. The objective is to have a 30 member Council by the end of the year. Some of those persons will be selected to succeed Board members in order to insure continuity of membership and leadership. 5. The AAC envisions assisting SCOM with such things as job shadowing, internships, guest lectures in classes, student recruitment, faculty recruitment, raising funds for scholarships, academic Chairs.

We are delighted with the enthusiasm, creativity, and generosity of the AAC and believe we are on the right path toward enhancing a fruitful long-term relationship with alumni.