Two faculty members in the Department of Communication at Mississippi State University recently won awards for advising and teaching excellence. Karyn Brown was named a Master Teacher and Frances McDavid received the Irvin Atly Jefcoat Excellence in Advising Award. The department also welcomed three new faculty members and announced a new laptop requirement for students beginning in the fall 2015 semester. Department head John Forde was appointed chair of the Universal Accreditation Board, while faculty members Pete Smith and Kevin Williams took leadership roles in professional organizations.

1. Communication
Corner
Spring/Summer 2015 MSU Department of Communication
The
Two department faculty members
recently were awarded campus-wide
awards in advising and teaching.
Karyn Brown was named the John
Grisham Master Teacher, a tribute to
excellence in classroom instruction
named for the MSU alumnus and in-
ternationally recognized author.
Brown joins others in the highly se-
lect group serving as role models and
mentors for campus colleagues. She
has taught writing, public relations and
broadcasting classes in the department,
as well as serves as an academic advi-
sor.
Brown also currently works as the
communication director for the Col-
lege of Arts & Sciences.
Frances McDavid was awarded the
Irvin Atly Jefcoat Excellence in Advis-
ing Faculty Award. The award recog-
nizes outstanding academic advising
and supports the university’s commit-
ment to quality advising.
McDavid has taught journalism
classes in the department for over 20
years. She serves as the advisor for The
Reflector, the semi-weekly student-run
newspaper on campus and is an aca-
demic advisor for communicaton ma-
jors. McDavid also chairs the Depart-
ment of Communication Scholarship
Committee.
Brown and McDavid win campus-wide awards
Communication faculty members publish new books
In Larry Strout’s new book “Pass
Christian and the Gazebo Gazette: A
Gulf Community’s Post-Katrina Tri-
umph,” he chronicles how the weekly
provided both a basic communication
medium and hope to readers during the
four months following the 2005 mon-
ster storm’s leveling of the beachfront
Harrison County city of nearly 7,000.
“Living in The Pass, I know first-
hand how important the creation of the
newspaper was to the residents,” said
the associate professor.
Strout said “Pass Christian” is his
second book and took approximately
one-and-half years to complete. He
considers it “a quick and enjoyable
read” that can appeal to all ages.
“I think the most interesting aspect
of the book is learning what people
were doing the weekend before the
storm, some in the city and others not,
and how they came together to save the
city where 80
percent of the
homes were
unlivable after
the storm,” he
added.
Published in
1999, his first
book was “Cov-
ering McCar-
thyism: How
the Christian
Science Moni-
tor Handled Jo-
seph R. McCarthy, 1950-1954.”
Hank Flick’s upcoming book, “Hon-
or Thy Aging Parents,” describes the
process of obeying the biblical com-
mandment to honor parents. The book
is a four-part examination of the com-
mand.
“This book does not provide all the
answers to questions we have about
God and our
parents,” said
Flick, “but it
does develop
a picture be-
ginning within
the home and
what God asks
in the end of
all adults who
call themselves
Christians.”
Flick’s first
book, “The Un-
weddables Among Us,” discussed ro-
mantic relationships and the possibility
that some people are not made for mar-
riage at certain points in their lives. He
has a third book in production as well.
Flick, coordinator of the communi-
cation studies concentration, has taught
in the department for over 40 years.
Frances McDavid and Karyn Brown
Larry Strout Hank Flick

2. Department welcomes three new faculty members
Two students brought home the
Public Relations Association of Missis-
sippi’s highest honors this spring at the
annual conference.
Christine Bowman received the top
honor of being named Student of the
Year. Chelsea Dilliard was named the
Outstanding Public Relations Student
of the Year.
Both graduated in spring of 2015
with bachelor’s degrees in communica-
tion with concentrations in public rela-
tions.
During her time at MSU, Bowman,
a Jackson native, was involved in sev-
eral organizations, including service as
the vice president of Chi Omega soror-
ity and on the Honors Council of the
Shackhouls Honors College. In the fall
she will attend graduate school at Bos-
ton University to pursue a master’s de-
gree in public relations.
Dilliard, from Olive Branch, served
as president of the MSU chapter of the
Public Relations Student Society of
America. She also was the vice presi-
dent of public relations and member-
ship for the National Society of Colle-
giate Scholars and a member of Lambda
Pi Eta honor society and the Shackouls
Honors College. She accepted a posi-
tion with Regency Homebuilders in
Memphis after graduation.
PRAM’s Student of the Year Award
recognizes a student annually who ex-
emplifies the professionalism, goals and
ideals of the public relations profession.
PRAM presents a scholarship as part of
the award.
The Student of the Year winner is an-
nounced at the annual PRAM confer-
ence. This year’s conference in Tupelo
included speakers from across the na-
tion and a professional awards ceremo-
ny.
Students win top awards at PRAM conference
The department will welcome three
new faculty members for the fall 2015
semester: Terry Bryant, Tim Matheny
and Cody Stockstill.
Bryant holds a degree in journal-
ism and atmospheric sciences and a
master’s degree in education. He has
worked at several news stations as a
meteorologist, news anchor and sports
anchor.
Most recently, Bryant taught at
American University in Washington
D.C. Last May, he taught two work-
shops to rural broadcast journalists in
Liberia, Africa. The program was part
of World Press Freedom Day hosted by
the U.S. Department of State.
Bryant, who will teach broadcasting
classes, and said he is looking forward
to the experience.
“I’m not sure what classes I’ll enjoy
the most,” he said, “but it will probably
be classes where I work with students
on broadcast storytelling.”
Matheny is a graduate of William
Carey University with a bachelor’s de-
gree in fine arts and a master’s degree in
fine arts from the University of Louis-
ville. He recently served as performance
faculty and chair for the Department of
Theatre and Communication at WCU.
He also has performed and taught in
Kenya, Slovakia and Russia.
He also served with a media team for
six months in Prague, Czech Republic,
and three years with a cultural arts ex-
change called Mosaic Productions in
Moscow. While in Russia, he was a pro-
ducer for concerts and art installations,
as well as a teacher of acting in English
classes for a variety of students, includ-
ing actors from Mosfilm.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the
communication department and The-
atre MSU,” Matheny said. “As a teacher,
I am always excited to help developing
theatre artists.”
Stockstill received a bachelor’s de-
gree in theatre and religious studies
from Millsaps College, as well as a mas-
ter’s in theatre design and technology,
scenic and costume design from the
University of Southern Mississippi.
Stockstill has designed scenery for
“Peter Pan”, “Dracula” and “The Great
Gatsby” at New Stage Theatre (Missis-
sippi’s only professional theatre) and
“The Two Gentlemen of Verona” at
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival.
He also has designed costumes for
both opera and theatre, including The
University of Southern Mississippi
Centennial Celebration’s production
of “Ragtime: The Musical.” His scenic
design for “The Learned Ladies” was a
National Finalist for the KCACTF Na-
tional Festival in 2011.
Stockstill has been a visiting assis-
stant professor at MSU for two years
and overseen much of the Theatre MSU
program. As a full-time faculty mem-
ber, he will continue teaching theatre
classes and coordinating.
Each of the new faculty members
will bring unique talents and skills to
the classroom. All three are excited to
share the experiences that shaped their
careers with students.
Chelsea Dilliard and Christine Bowman
2Spring/Summer 2015 The Communication Corner

3. Department head leads PR organization
Faculty members named leaders in organizations
3Spring/Summer 2015 The Communication Corner
The department will implement a
laptop requirement beginning in the fall
2015 semester. The policy recommends
students purchase Apple computers,
due to their prevalence in the fields
associated with communication
industries.
The Mac OS X Platform will be
utilized in classrooms by faculty and
staff members. For those unfamiliar
with the Mac OS X environment, there
are several software packages that allow
Microsoft Windows programs to operate
within the Mac OS X environment.
Students should carefully consider
their budgetary needs while making a
computer selection. Students would be
wise to factor in their laptop purchase
with the entire course of their studies at
Mississippi State in mind.
In addition, students who enroll in
Photographic Communication (CO
3403) will be required to purchase a
digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera.
CO Department
adopts new laptop
policy for Fall 2015
John Forde is serving as chair of the
Universal Accreditation Board. The
UAB is comprised of public relations
professionals, educators and military
public affairs personnel that supervise
the accreditation program (APR).
This is Forde’s second time to serve
on the board. He was appointed for his
first term by the Southern Public Rela-
tions Federation, and this time by the
Public Relations Society of America.
Forde has taught
in the department
for 28 years and has
served as depart-
ment head for the
past 11 years. He
also is a member of
the Public Relations
Association of Mis-
sissippi. He became
accreditited in 1991.
Pete Smith and Kevin Williams are
new leaders of professional organiza-
tions.
Smith is serving as first vice presi-
dent of the American Journalism His-
torian Association. AJHA works to
develop mass communication history
education and research through mem-
bership, conferences and publications.
Founded in 1981, it works to make cer-
tain all scholars and students recognize
the value of media history.
Williams has been named head of the
Mass Communication and Society Di-
vision of The Association for Education
in Journalism and
Mass Communi-
cation. MC&S is
one of the largest
divisions within
AEJMC, consist-
ing of more than
400 mass commu-
nication educators
from around the
world. The role
also includes con-
trol over the budget for the journal,
MC&S, one of the most reputable jour-
nals within the field. Williams’s term
will end in Octo-
ber.
Both associate
professors, they
have taught in the
department for
11 years. Smith
teaches Mass Me-
dia and Society
and Introduction
to Mass Media.
Williams current-
ly teaches Mass Media and Society as
well as Digital Communicaton.
Kevin WilliamsPete Smith
John Forde
TheatreMSU 2015-2016SchedulePinocchio
Saturday,September 25
EuripdesTheTrojanWoman
Wednesday, November11
Thursday, November12
Friday, November13
Sunday, November15
Tickets available online at
comm.msstate.edu/theatre/
OKLAHOMA!
Thursday,April21
Friday,April22
Saturday,April23
Sunday,April24
TheCompleteWorksofWilliam
Shakespeare(abridged)[revised]
Wednesday,February24
Thursday,February25
Friday,February26
Saturday, February27
Congratulations to our spring graduates!

4. Public relations majors visit Birmingham and Atlanta
Public relations majors experienced
a special opportunity this spring. They
took a trip to the PRSA Summit in Bir-
mingham and to Atlanta for a visit to
headquarters of Coca Cola, UPS and
Home Depot.
The Summit connects students with
public relations professionals through
innovative speakers and networking.
Speakers for the event included Jeff
Barrett, Whitney Breaux, Mark Ervin,
Andrea Fanning, Becky Goff, Maree
Jones and Heather Harder.
Named a Forbes Top 50 Influencer
In Social Media, Barrett discussed the
changing age of social media in public
relations. Breaux
is an integrated
marketing and
c o m m u n i c a -
tions consultant
and challenged
attendees to
consider, “what
would you do
if you weren’t
afraid” and to
exceed expectations. Mark Ervin, chief
brand officer of Big Communications,
spoke about the Made in Alabama cam-
paign and its effect on the state’s com-
merce.
Andrea Fanning and Becky Goff,
editors for Southern Lady, emphasized
building relationships with clients and
colleagues to produce the best work.
Heather Harder, PRSSA national
president, challenged students to take
advantage of opportunities they are
given. Maree Jones, a social media spe-
cialist for Luckie and Company, spoke
about the power of storytelling.
The keynote speaker was Rick W.
Looser, COO of The Cirlot Agency in
Jackson. He explained the Mississippi
Believe It! campaign that was created to
improve the image of the state of Mis-
sissippi and promote famous Mississip-
pians.
Mississippi State’s group was the
largest in attendance with over 70 stu-
dents.
Adrienne Bridges, a junior, said
that the Sum-
mit was a major
opportunity to
connect with
public relations
professionals
and see all the
different ways
public relations
can be used
across various fields.
“I’m already looking forward to next
year’s,” said Bridges.
About 50
students con-
tinued on to
Atlanta to
meet senior
e x e c u t i v e s
from corpora-
tions and see
public rela-
tions in action.
Their first
stop was at Coca Cola, where Steve
Soltis, advisory board member and di-
rector of executive communications,
greeted them.
After the welcome, students split
into two groups.
One learned about
Coca Cola’s em-
ployee relations; the
other group heard a
presentation about
Coca Cola’s online
magazine.
Junior Sam Lee
said it was interest-
ing to see public relations in action in a
large company.
“Coca Cola is such an innovative
company that steps outside of the box
to give customers what they want,” she
said. “It’s intriguing to see how that
happens.”
The group then went to UPS for
lunch and a meeting with Peggy Gard-
ner, advisory board member and senior
director of public relations. Gardner
shared UPS’s new
campaign and
initiative to break
into blogging and
social media. At
UPS, students
also heard from
Sammy Slappey,
a new hire to the
company who
had recently graduated.
Junior Katilyn Nowell said hearing
from Slappey was one of the most help-
ful and encouraging aspects of the trip.
“UPS was fantastic.” Nowell said.
“Sammy was who we could be soon. It’s
one thing hearing in class about how
important an internship is and why we
should network, but Sammy is our peer
recently promoted into post graduate
life and she’s rocking it. That advice
from her really made a difference for
me.”
During the final stop at Home De-
pot’s corporate office, students met with
Steve Holmes, director of corporate
communications. Holmes discussed
the differences in communication for a
retail store and presented a news web-
site that Home De-
pot launched that
is more interactive
and shares content
with viewers. He ex-
plained the impor-
tance of being pro-
active in preparing
for crises as well.
Colleen Kennedy,
a junior, said she enjoyed seeing how
a large corporation with stores all over
the country sends out a consistent mes-
sage.
“It was really cool to see how a big
corporation handles a crisis at one store
that effects them not only there, but na-
tionally,” Kennedy said.
4Spring/Summer 2015 The Communication Corner

5. Mississippi State’s Mitchell Memorial
Library now is home to a special dona-
tion made by family members of a late
MississippiStatealumnusknownforhis
compassion for others and strong sense
ofdutyinthepursuitoftruthandjustice.
During a ceremony last fall at the
university’s Hunter Henry Center,
family and friends gathered to share
memories of Earl Love Guyton and
present scrapbooks he had assembled
during and after his time on campus.
Guyton was a 1956 MSU magna
cum laude graduate in public affairs
(a liberal arts-oriented pre-law cur-
riculum) who also minored in his-
tory at the land-grant institution.
During his time as editor of The Re-
flector, the student-run newspaper, the
Kosciusko-reared Guyton garnered
a reputation for courageously speak-
ing out on unpopular but important
issues of the day, including race rela-
tions, Mississippi politics and deci-
sions made by school administrators.
“Earl Love taught each of us to ques-
tion the status quo, state our truth
and speak with care to everyone,”
said brother Sam Guyton in his re-
marks during the midday program.
The ceremony concluded
with Sam Guyton’s formal pre-
sentation on behalf of the fam-
ily of his elder brother’s collection.
Ryan Semmes, assistant archi-
vist for MSU Libraries’ Congres-
sional and Political Research Cen-
ter, accepted for the university.
Semmes said that, in addition to
being housed physically in Univer-
sity Archives, the scrapbooks eventu-
ally will be accessible to all through
the repository’s digital archives.
In 1995, the Guyton family estab-
lished the Earl Love Guyton Scholar-
ships as a memorial in MSU’s com-
munication department. A portion of
the ceremony was devoted to honoring
the current group of Guyton Scholars.
Dean Gregory Dunaway of the
College of Arts & Sciences not-
ed the family’s continuing support
both for MSU students and young
people throughout Mississippi.
John Forde, department head,
gave special recognition to the late
journalist’s stand “for equal rights
before it was popular to do so.
“Earl Love Guyton was a very strong
journalist, and it’s very important that
his legacy as a leader and innovator lives
on through his family and our students,”
Forde added. “We really appreciate the
Guyton family and their contributions
to our department and university, and
we look forward to continuing rela-
tionships and partnerships with them.”
The Guyton Scholarship
is among nearly a dozen ad-
ministered by the department.
Students:
Looking for an INTERNSHIP?
Want to gain experience?
Need course credit?
Alumni:
Looking for an intern?
Want to mentor a student?
Contact: Amy Fountain
Internship Coordinator
intern@comm.msstate.edu
Twitter: @MSUCommIntern
CaseyMcGee
wasasenior
communication
studentwitha
concentrationin
publicrelations.
Casey and Karyn were selected from a student vote. Lambda Pi Eta
is a national communication honor society, and the MSU chapter
hosts events to broaden student’s knowledge and expertise.
KarynBrownis
aninstructorin
thedepartment’s
publicrelations
concentration.
LambdaPiEtaStudentandTeacherofTheYear
Guyton family donates to MSU libraries and communication department
Brothers Steve and Sam Guyton (left and
right, respectively) presented a collection of
scrapbooks developed by their late brother,
Earl Love Guyton, to Ryan Semmes (center) of
the MSU Libraries.
5Spring/Summer 2015 The Communication Corner

6. Thank you for reading our second
edition of Communication Corner!
We appreciate Emile Creel, our
departmental intern, who designed,
wrote and edited this issue. She
interned with us last year and will work
this school year on many departmental
ventures.
We plan to produce a newsletter at
the end of each fall and spring semester
for the immediate future, so please
forward items to us that you would like
to have included.
In addition to Emile, Van Tong (now
an alumnus) worked with us in many
areas during the past school year, and
we also look forward to having our
major Jordan Brouwer join us in the fall
as an intern.
We’ve had a very busy and eventful
year. The spring semester concluded
with almost 600 majors. During the
2014-2015 school year (including last
summer), we had 159 majors graduate.
Our department continues to be one
of the largest
on campus and
we have many
students change
majors into the
department each
semester,while
very few change
out.
Our students,
faculty and
alumni make us
proud in many
ways.
You hopefully have read in depth
many of these examples in the
newsletter, but I wanted to highlight
that faculty colleague Karyn Brown
was named the John Grisham Master
Teacher this year, which is one of the
very highest faculty awards on campus.
She will serve as a mentor and role
model for others.
Frances McDavid was selected
for the Irvin Atly Jefcoat Excellence
in Advising Faculty Award. She has
served the department, The Reflector
and the journalism profession for more
than 25 years. We are proud that two
of our long-time excellent instructors
were recognized with these awards by
the university for their efforts, and the
honors are very deserved!
As you probably read, Dr. Hank Flick
and Dr. Larry Strout recently published
books. They and others are working on
additional projects on diverse topics
that we’ll plan to report on in future
editions.
We’re also excited to welcome
three new full-time colleagues this
fall, and we know they will enhance
the successes we’ve had in the past.
Theatre faculty Tim Matheny and Cody
Stockstill already have begun planning
next year’s Theatre MSU schedule, and
Terry Bryant will join our broadcasting
concentration. (He is already involved
in conversations about new equipment
and facilities.)
A Note from our Department Head
Ouroutstandingalumniandstudents
Lauren Rogers, alumna, is touring with the Air Force’s Tops in Blue entertainment
group.
Casey McGee, Bethany Crooks and Alissa McKinnon, spring 2015 graduates, were
awardedtheSpiritofStateawards.
Molly Riley Perkins is an executive producer for Inovation TV that was nominated
foranEmmyAward.
Mary K.McGowan,spring 2015 graduate,was selected for Society of Scholars in the
ArtsandSciences.
Hilda Queiroz,spring 2015 graduate,won the Magnolia Film Festival’s student film
competition.
ReflectoreditorsandwritersplacedhighlyattheSoutheasternJournalismConfer-
ence’sBestoftheSouthcompetetion.
John Forde
The department held a tailgate
party May 1 before the MSU vs. LSU
baseball game. Sponsored by UPS, it
provided a time for faculty, alumni,
advisory board members and
students to get to know each other in
an informal setting. About 75 people
enjoyed snack foods and fellowship,
as well as drinks provided by Clark
Beverage Co.
Department Tailgate
6Spring/Summer 2015 The Communication Corner

7. All of these energetic men have
many years of teaching and “in-the-
field” experiences.
You’ve seen how Dr. Pete Smith and
Dr. Kevin Williams are leading two
major academic organizations, and
their roles in these and related groups
should expand.
I have the pleasure again to serve on
the Universal Accreditation Board, this
time as a Public Relations Society of
America representative. For anyone in
public relations, I strongly recommend
becoming accredited (APR). Please let
me know if you are interested or have
questions.
Communication majors are among
the best students on campus, leading
academic and social organizations,
winning awards, and completing
internships. A few are highlighted here,
but we are amazed every school year
at the numbers of honors our students
earn.
Our departmental advisory board
provides needed input to us throughout
the year, and especially at our meetings
twice a year. Our first-ever baseball
tailgate on May 1 was a huge success,
and we plan to do it again next year.
This event was developed from an idea
at our fall advisory board meeting.
In addition, our visit with three
board members in Atlanta in February
opened the students’ eyes to many
opportunities. We appreciate board
members Steve Soltis (Coca-Cola),
Peggy Gardner (UPS) and Steve
Holmes (Home Depot) for organizing
this experience and providing over 50
students with a view of their corporate
headquarters, but more importantly
their insights into what it takes to be
successful.
Our 9th Annual Department of
Communication Golf Tournament is
scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9, which is
the day before MSU football kicks it
off with Troy University. It’s not too
early to register as a player or sponsor.
We have typically cleared about
$3,500-$6,000 from this scholarship
tournament each year, and in recent
years we have dedicated the proceeds to
the Lora J. DeFore Memorial Endowed
Scholarship that supports summer
internships.
We would love to increase our
earnings this year to provide more
scholarships. Alumni and others can
help by sponsoring, playing, donating
player prizes or silent auction prizes,
and otherwise promoting the event.
We are so very thankful for our many
scholarship donors and those who
support in other ways. In each of the
past two school years, we have been able
to provide about $40,000 to our majors
though departmental scholarships (in
addition to the DeFore Scholarships).
Please contact us if you would like to
donate to any of our scholarships or
donate to the department in general. Be
sure to list any specific requests if you
donate online.
We need your help for future
editions of the Communication Corner
newsletter and to keep our website and
departmental TV monitor in McComas
Hall updated. Several times a year we
also produce our “Communication
Connection” television show that
focuses on accomplishments of
students, faculty and alumni.
Please email any newsworthy
information to me (preferably with
pictures and links), and we’ll promote
accordingly in the department and
through other colleagues on campus
as needed. Also submit any potential
television interview topics. Don’t be
shy, because we want to share your
accomplishments with others.
Be sure to connect with the
department and me through social
media (see below). We want to stay
updated with all of you as often as
possible. Have a great summer, stay in
touch, and please come and visit soon!
The department of communication has five concentrations: broadcasting, communication studies, journalism, public relations, and
theatre. One of the largest academic units in MSU’s College of Arts & Sciences, the department currently includes approximately 600
majors. Departmental faculty members also provide classes to hundreds of other students across the institution.
@MSUComm
Mississippi State University
Department of Communication
Mississippi State University
Department of Communication
@JohnEFordeAPR
John E. Forde
Scholarship Donations
Dr. John E. Forde, APR, PRSA Fellow
Department Head
jforde@comm.msstate.edu
Office: 662.325.8033
Cell: 662.312.5031
John E. Forde
7Spring/Summer 2015 The Communication Corner