Summer 2009 - Texas Tech University

Advertising to Hispanics(continued from p. 12)Texas Tech students can learn from theLatinos who are chasing their dreams, Pantaninisaid. The goal for this culture is to bepassionate about their lives while accomplishingtheir goals. That passion, she said,is what keeps people working and happyfor their entire lives, and she hopes TexasTech students find that happiness in the future.People must have a passion for their careerand should try to find a cause they canfight for in that career to help stay excited,she said, adding that she found a cause intrying to discover the best way to advertiseto the Hispanic culture.“Stick to what you’re passionate about,”Pantanini said. mc(Mia Walters is a senior print journalismmajor from Ovilla, Texas. Courtney Ryburnis a senior photocommunications major fromMidland, Texas.)Dawn of all Trades(continued from p. 13)“I truly enjoy the different people I workwith.”Bridget Christopherson, the departmentchair support staffer, described Moreno ashard working, kind, and a patient individualto work with.“I have worked with Dawn almost twoyears,” Christopherson said, “and evenwith her hectic and busy schedule she stilltakes the time to help me when I havequestions.”When not on campus, Moreno said sheenjoys being outdoors. Camping, cooking,and working in her garden are among herfavorite ways to relax. She spends muchof her time gardening. She also cans vegetablesherself.Christopherson praised Moreno’s abilityto cook, and said working in the officenext door she gets to reap the benefits ofMoreno's cooking skills.“She is planning a big garden for thesummer,” Christopherson said, “and if weare real nice maybe she will share somegoodies that come from that project.”Moreno worked in the private sector atone time but returned to Texas Tech becauseshe enjoys working with studentsand faculty.“My 13-plus years of experience atTexas Tech University have afforded methe opportunity to become quite familiarwith the policies and procedures of thecampus,” she said. “In fact, I have movedfrom different positions during my careerin a conscious effort to improve my skillsets and take advantage of opportunitiesfor advancement.”Moreno’s passion for Texas Tech spreadthrough her genes and on to her daughter,Lauren, who now attends Texas Tech. Asfor her husband, Jaime, he is no strangerto the Lubbock community. His blues andclassic rock band, Reverend Al and the Pythons,performs around Lubbock at localvenues. Although her daughter and husbandshare a love for music, they do notperform on stage together, as Lauren studiesclassical music.Moreno said she loves the social partof her job. Working on upcoming collegeevents with donors and alumni is a bonusfeature of her workload. She said she enjoysthe variety of experiences from each ofher jobs, which keeps her busy throughoutthe year. mc(Bailey Baker is a junior public relationsmajor from Dallas. Natashia Yezak is a juniorpublic relations major from Bellville,Texas. Morgan Hall is a senior photocommunicationsand advertising dual major fromDuncanville, Texas.)All the Right Words(continued from p. 20)Haynes said he was honored to be inductedinto the Panhandle Press AssociationHall of Fame, and noted how humblingit was to be mentioned in the same breathas the other members. As a journalist andeducator, Haynes used West Texas valuesto influence his decisions and the words hewrote.“I hope to transmit the culture and valuesof West Texas to the people who arereading what I’ve written,” Haynes said.“And on the education side,” Haynessaid, “to teach students to do that, plus theother tenets of journalism, which is transmittingthe culture of the area, the peopleand also uncovering darkness and trying toshine a light on it.” mc(Megan Yeary is a junior public relationsmajor from San Antonio. Karl Anderson is ajunior public relations major from Georgetown,Texas. Morgan Hall is a senior photocommunicationsand advertising dual majorfrom Duncanville, Texas)Zig Zag to Texas Tech(continued from p. 21)Rodriguez started teaching a three-dayweek after she gave birth to her first child.She knew she could not raise her childrenand keep working in the demanding hoursof a law firm. She also said that she didnot want to raise her children in New YorkCity.“Education is the only thing that I cando that combines all of my crazy interests,”she said.It is due to all of her extensive experiencethat Coy Callison, Ph.D., chair of thepublic relations department, enjoys havingRodriguez at Texas Tech.“With her broad experience,” Callisonsaid, “she can bring another dimension toour department that very few people can.”When Rodriguez and her husband Roydecided to leave New York, she got a job offerfrom Dean Jerry Hudson for a one-yearteaching contract in the college. Five yearsafter moving her family to Lubbock, Rodriguezis still teaching at Texas Tech, and thefaculty could not be more impressed withher efforts.“Of all of the faculty members I have,she is the easiest one to schedule,” Callisonsaid. “She is always the person I call whenI need someone to fill in for a class becauseshe is always willing to take it. She nevercomplains, but she just takes care of business.”When asked if Rodriguez would root forher home team of Florida or Texas Tech ifthe two ever competed, she hesitated toanswer.“It would have been really difficult, butI would have to root for Tech,” she said, “Iknow who pays the bills!”Rodriguez is currently working on anumber of different research fields, includinglaw, litigation, crisis planning, advertisingmanagement, usability of universityWeb sites, Native American mascot names,legal duties of universities in educatingathletes, and Heisman PR effectiveness.It is the interactive mentality and downto-earthattitude that keeps Rodriguez sowell-liked among the students and facultyat Texas Tech.“I am always telling stories in class andmost students like that,” she said. “I thinkprofessors should be open to interact withstudents because that relationship is moreimportant than most people think.” mc(Christopher Martin is a sophomorepublic relations major from Lubbock. ErinHawes is a junior public relations majorfrom Austin, Texas. Kasey Muth is a seniorphotocommunications and advertising dualmajor from Spring, Texas.)45 Days & Nights(continued from p. 26)Working hard may be an understatementfor all that Tirumala has done.I was completely cut out ofthe world. But, if you have theheart for the job, you don’t mindthat.”—Lakshmi N. Tirumala“Students enrolled in public relationscampaigns, advertising campaigns, journalismreporting classes, and electronicmedia and communications courses haveenjoyed the benefits of having Lakshmiaround,” said Chambers. “He has been theone that faculty and students call on whenthey need help editing video, creating acommercial, producing a podcast or withany other production-related project.”For Tirumala, passion is the key to hismany successes.“I worked hard for what I do,” said Tirumala.“I mean, I spent two months in a ruralforest without TV, radio or Internet, Iwas completely cut out of the world. But,if you have the heart for the job, you don’tmind that.” mc(Helen Kahl is a junior public relationsmajor from Plano, Texas. Sarah Lewis is ajunior public relations major from Amarillo,Texas.)Pursuing Passion(continued from p. 27)“No one should pass up an opportunityto learn more about your passion or careerfield,” she said. “There are intelligentpeople who want to help you achieve yourgoals, but you have to accept the opportunity.”Maxian was named the outstandinggraduate part-time instructor for the 2008-2009 school year from the college. Theaward is a teaching award for those graduatestudents who "contribute to the teachingmission of Texas Tech University." mc(Crystal Casias is senior public relationsmajor from Paducah, Texas. Allyson Wickardis senior public relations major from Lubbock.Bri Crow is a senior photocommunicationsmajor from Austin, Texas.)Congratulations to Dr. Shannon Bichard and the studentsof the Texas Tech American Advertising Federation studentteam for their winning performance at the 10th Districtcompetition in April. The team competed with other districtwinners in the national competition in Washington, D.C., inJune and placed sixth.The 2008 Tech AAF team, from left, bottom row: Dailey Fuller, Laurie Umfleet, Matt Bush,Lauren Filipski, Abby Spears and Kyla Butterfield. Middle row: Shannon Bichard, SeanCouch, Lynn Lawrence, Stephanie Foster, Jennilee Wilson, Jason King, Morgan Hall, SaraThetford, Meagan Froehlich and Nicole Sever. Top row: Jerod Slay, Stephen Ayers andBobby Purnell.The 1984 Tech AAF team, from left, top row: Beth Walraven and Cheryl Habbe. Middle row:Scott Santese, Andy Rowe, Ladonna Craig, Laura Eads, April Brock and Brent Landrum.Bottom row: Jimmy Clark, Dr. Joe Bob Hester and Debbie Guthrie. Not pictured: Tim Sojka.32 | mc mc | 33