Winter issue of alumni magazine is online

The Winter 2009 issue of Mass Communicator, VCU's alumni magazine, is online. Dowload the issue now!

Five inductees selected for Virginia Communications Hall of Fame

The 2009 class of inductees into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame includes a decorated print journalist, an influential educator, a dedicated First Amendment lawyer, a service-minded public relations executive and television host and an innovative broadcasting executive.

Professionals with exceptional careers in journalism, public relations, advertising and other media fields are eligible for selection to the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame. Possible inductees must have significant ties to Virginia. The newest class of inductees increases the hall’s membership to 112.

The reception for the induction ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. with dinner and the ceremony to follow. Tickets are $150 each and can be reserved by calling (804) 827-3761. Proceeds benefit the Hall of Fame permanent exhibit and scholarship fund.

Learn more now, and read about the new inductees.

Attend the Spring 2009 Career Fair & Related Events

Wednesday, Jan. 28
Career Fair Preparation Fashion Show
Noon -1 p.m.
Richmond Salons III & IV on the 2nd floor of the Student Commons


Monday, Feb. 2 and Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Resume Express—15-minute resume reviews; no appointment necessary
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Career Center, 1st floor of the Student Commons (across from Chick-fil-A).


Wednesday, Feb.4, 2009
Career Fair
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Check-in at the Richmond Salons
University Student Commons, 2nd floor

Book signing on Jan. 29

Mass Comm alumnus and advertising executive, Doug Burford, has just written a book on his life in the industry and will be participating in a book signing at the Barnes & Noble on campus Jan. 29 at 1 p.m.

Burford will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the book to the School of Mass Communications.

Agency Reveals All by Doug Burford takes readers from humble beginnings in Richmond, to Madison Avenue, to the jungles of Africa, all in an effort to encourage young people to go into advertising and show business owners how to produce effective advertising. It’s over 200 pages, comes with a thirty-minute DVD, and is really three books in one:

• It tells readers things they’ll need to know to get a job in advertising.


• It explains how to “Burf” people.


• It describes the looney world readers are about to enter.

Dowload the informational flyer now.

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

VCU student receives one of two PRSA Richmond scholarships

The Richmond Public Relations Foundation announced the two winners of their $1,000 scholarships for juniors or seniors at four-year colleges or universities in central Virginia who plan to pursue a career in public relations.

The scholarships were awarded at the Nov. 19 PRSA Richmond luncheon at the Sheraton Park Hotel.

• The winner of the Bill Dietrick memorial scholarship is Duncan Phillips a senior at the University of Richmond.


• The winner of the David Hurdle memorial scholarship is Lauren Gauthier a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Learn more now.