School of Mass Comm Graduation--December 2008

The School of Mass Communications’ December Fall 2008 commencement ceremony ushered nearly 80 students into a world of opportunities as the latest VCU alumni stepped up to receive their diplomas.

Featured at the ceremony was guest speaker Dr. Lauren Tucker, director of consumer forensics at The Martin Agency — Richmond’s nationally renowned advertising agency. Dr. Tucker leads a team of consumer intelligence experts who transform data into business ideas and strategies.

A former tenured professor at the University of South Carolina, Dr. Tucker gave spirited tips to the graduates. Among other things, she urged them to “get rid of those toxic people in your life,” which inspired loud murmurs of agreement from the parents in the audience.

Dr. Tucker literally had the graduates – and even some faculty – dancing in the aisles when she ended her address with the popular dance song, “Live Your Life” by I.T. The lyrics, “You’re a shining star,” resonated throughout the Student Commons as the future professionals took the song’s name to heart and marched from the ceremony with diplomas in hand.

School of Mass Communications Graduation: December 13, 2008

The School of Mass Communications will hold its Fall 2008 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. The ceremony will take place in the VCU Student Commons, located at 907 Floyd Avenue, in the Commonwealth Ballrooms.

As this anticipated date approaches, nearly 80 future alumni have mailed invitations, tailored their gowns and are anxiously waiting to receive their diplomas and move on to the next stage in their lives.

The school is proud to present degrees to this talented class of students. As with every year, faculty and staff look forward to seeing students put their teachings from the past several years to work in Creative Advertising, Strategic Advertising, Broadcast Journalism, Print Journalism and Public Relations.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Lauren Tucker
Featured at the graduation ceremony will be guest speaker Dr. Lauren Tucker, director of consumer forensics at The Martin Agency. Dr. Tucker leads a team of consumer intelligence experts who focus on uncovering data-driven insights that drive business ideas and strategies.

Educated at the Universities of Wisconsin-Madison, Texas-Austin and Virginia, Dr. Tucker has accrued more than twenty years of providing creative and disciplined thought leadership to colleagues and clients, including BF Goodrich Tires, Bacardi Rum, DaimlerChrysler and Kellogg.

A former tenured professor at the University of South Carolina, Dr. Tucker continues to take her passion for marketing and her communication education beyond The Martin Agency’s doors to inspire and encourage today’s professionals, educators and young thought leaders on whom the future depends.

Pictured: Dr. Lauren Tucker, director of consumer forensics at The Martin Agency