Yesterday was the last day of my two grad classes for Spring I: Methods for Communication Research and Topics in Mass Communication (the study of the communication of social movements). I have to admit that at first I was a little anxious as to whether or not I was going to enjoy studying the science of communication (as I’m more of a ‘hands on’ learner), however now I can firmly say that I absolutely love it. I love the fact that the first few classes are spent studying theories and reading research papers, and then the rest of the classes are spent applying the theory. We can choose to apply the theory to any aspect, for example, in my Social Movements class, I applied the theory of the rejuvenation of the public sphere to the Green Movement. It was actually quite interesting because the theory I chose was actually the theory that my professor of the class, Dr. Fabj had devised in a published research paper! And the other theory I applied was Thomas Goodnight’s theory of the three spheres (and Thomas Goodnight was Dr. Fabj’s professor in college!).

Dr. Fabj follows a tradition that Thomas Goodnight used to follow in his classes. On the last day of class, he would have all the students over to his house. All the students would bring a different meal or food, they would sit around the fire, and give a casual oral presentation of their research paper. So, yesterday was the last day of class, and all 13 of us went to Dr. Fabj’s home. Laura and I made kebabs, which we barbecued. Other students made things like German potato salad, caramel fruit dips, pasta, cakes, and even an exotic array of pastries! It was so interesting to hear which theories the students applied, and also to learn something about different movements, such as how they started etc. The evening, although very long, was an absolute success! I really really enjoyed myself. We started by sitting around the fire pit outside… but after about 20 minutes, hypothermia began to set in and we moved indoors. It was such a wonderful way to end the class, and I truly hope Dr. Fabj does that in all her Grad classes… I can’t wait till the next one!

For the last two day I have been sick in bed. I am so nauseous! Additionally, just my luck, I get food poisoning over my finals week. I have finished one of my finals, which is due tonight, and the other I am yet to finish… which is due Thursday. It’s a 10 page paper, so I need to get cracking on that one, however, I feel so ill and weak, I can’t bring myself to doing it!

This is the photo of Doris Kearns Goodwin and myself, after I interviewed her at the Dively Frontiers Lecture.

I was just reading on the Lynn University Portal an alert from security alerting students of a robbery that took place a few blocks from our campus. No Lynn students were involved, and it was a petty crime, however security still alerted students of the crime, telling them to be aware of their surroundings, and informing them of what safety precautions can be taken, as well as what to do if they feel anxious. The alert reminded students that if at any time they would like to be escorted to their cars, Lynn security (which some are located on golf carts throughout the campus) is always willing to give you a ride to your vehicle, from your vehicle, or where ever you need to go on campus. They also stated the security telephone number. The alert also reminded students of the emergency booths located throughout the campus, and also of SafeRide. Safe ride is such a novel idea. Basically, we have Lynn Vans that operate from the evenings to early hours of the morning, that are driven by Lynn Security. The vans provide a safe ride back to campus within a certain proximity (10 miles from campus). Many students use this facility, some if they are not comfortable driving home, others get a taxi out to where they’re going with a group of friends, and call safe ride when they’re ready to come home to campus. Students are not reported or documented from being on campus, it’s a no questions asked free service.

Reading this alert just reminded me of why I love Lynn so much. Where most universities would probably hush up a crime near the campus to prevent negative publicity, Lynn handles these matters proactively. Lynn takes the precautions to inform students to take precautions and tells the us what to do in case of an emergency. Although it was unnecessary to inform students of a petty crime (a wallet was stolen) off campus, it was the right thing to do. Students also develop friendships with security on campus. They aren’t perceived as ‘policemen’ and ‘police women’ on campus, but rather someone you can rely on, someone you can trust. They’re all really friendly. Every morning when I drive onto campus, the same two guards are on duty. Lynn students have a sticker which is stuck on the front windshield of their vehicle. Cars with the sticker may pass onto campus, vehicles with out are met by security, who has a list of which guests will be arriving on campus that day, and they assess why this individual is coming on to campus. However, my point is, everyday I wave at the security guards, and everyday they wave back to me… and I’ve noticed that most students wave and greet the students when arriving on campus, and wave goodbye when they leave. If I stood there all day waving to every passing car, I’d be rather grumpy and exhausted by the end of the day. How do you do it, Security? Hats off to your waving efforts! (quick question: do you alternate waving arms, or just use the one?).

So, this weekend was a lazy weekend. My boyfriend is recovering from the flu, so we watched kids movies like ‘monster house’ and I made brownies (which we consumed both for breakfast and brunch!). On Sunday we decided our balcony needed some more greenery… so we bought a bunch of flower pots and a selection of our favorite herbs. I never realized how much fun it would be potting herbs! I lack the secret ingredient of ‘Green Fingers’… but with a little singing and some Mozart playing softly in the background, Basil, Cilantro, Rosemary, Chives, and Parsley may live a happy 9 days and 21 hours. However, with fun always comes cleanup… my balcony looked like a marsh after we were done.

So, thinking that my homework wouldn’t take that long this weekend, I left it all for President’s Day. Bad idea! Somehow it took a good 17 hours longer than I had anticipated. Okay, to be fair, the procrastination monster did wave the TV in my direction for a good 40 minutes… and the ‘I may be hungry’ temptation dragged me to the kitchen on more than one occasion, only to stare blankly at a fridge full of healthy food (which didn’t have the same kick as the previous day’s brownies). Well, somewhere around 3:30 am I dragged myself to bed. I can’t sleep if I haven’t finished what I started… plus it is due today and I have a full day at work. And then I lay in bed for a good 30 minutes wondering if I should change some of the wording in my project.

So, when I woke up at 7:05 this morning, it is understandable that I am not looking as cheery as usual.

Anyway, back to work… after a quick cup of coffee (or five) to keep me awake!

So, on Thursday late afternoon I received a phone call from Jena (The Grad Assistant who previously held the position in the Marketing Department, and also the producer of many of my projects). Jena is now working in the College of International Communication. She asked whether I knew who was doing the interview for Doris Kearns Goodwin, who was scheduled to give a lecture the following morning as a guest speaker for the Dively Frontiers and Globalization Lecture Series at Lynn. As I have written about before, I have interviewed the guest speakers in the past. However, no one said anything to me about it, so I presumed they were perhaps not doing the interview this time. Anyway, to cut a long story short, there was some last minute panic as everyone realized that no one was scheduled to interview Dr. Kearns Goodwin, and I was honored with the opportunity.

Unlike my usual week or two preparation for the interview, I had just a few hours. Plus I had Grad classes until 10pm that night! So, I quickly researched Dr. Kearns Goodwin, sifting through masses of information on her… she really is quite famous. I wrote a piece on her for the iPulse:

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Doris Kearns Goodwin visits Lynn University

By Ashlea Evans

Acclaimed historian, NBC news analyst, and prizewinning author, Doris Kearns Goodwin visited Lynn University Friday. Kearns Goodwin was invited as a guest speaker for the Dively Frontiers and Globalization Lecture Series, which brings outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership to Lynn’s campus.

Kearns Goodwin was awarded with the Pulitzer Prize for history for her book, No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II. She is also famous for being the first woman to ever step foot into the Red Sox locker room. In her lecture, she spoke to students of her life as special assistant to President Johnson, as well as how her love of baseball has complimented her passion for history. Following the lecture, Kearns Goodwin was interviewed by College of International Communication graduate student, Ashlea Evans, where she was questioned on her journey to success. Kearns Goodwin spoke openly about her relationship with President Lyndon and the years that she spent with him helping him write his memoirs. She also discussed her view of the current presidential race and which character traits students should seek when voting for the next president.

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I formulated the questions I wanted to ask her, and then sent them to Jena for review. She checks them, makes any corrections she feels are necessary and sends them back to me. I then create little cards that I can take on set with me (with little Lynn University Logos on the back). At the last minute, I shot out to go and buy one of her books from Borders. It’s my Dad’s 50th approaching and I thought he’d appreciate one of her prize-winning books personally autographed [not to worry, my folks never read my blog, so my dad won't find out what his present is before his birthday, nor will he find out I just revealed his age to the world!].

Well, the interview went well. We did it differently to how we usually do it. We normally have the guest speaker come up to the studio, however, it is always such a rush and time-pressured. So, this time they set up a studio in the AG Theater, where the lecture was hosted. So, after the lecture, the curtains were drawn back to reveal a studio set. Surprisingly, quite a large number of the audience opted to stay for the interview. And even more surprisingly, I wasn’t that bothered by their presence. In the studio, the lights are generally so intense one cannot see the audience. However, in this situation, I could clearly see everyone.

I suppose I was nervous at first, and stumbled over my first line. So, I decided to stop and start again. Thats the great thing about filming for video or web. You can stop and start again! And once I got it right, the rest was smooth sailing. Doris Kearns Goodwin was very open with her information. The only thing she held back on was telling us whom she supported in the presidential race, but as a news analyst, she has to be unbiased. As we became more involved in the interview, I became more relaxed and was able to ask her questions ad lib (not on my preplanned question cards).

I picture interviews, or at least the journey I have experienced so far, like learning to ride a bike. I think back to my first Pink BMX bike, the large white handles, and the tourquoise fairy wheels (hold on… I’ll have to google what fairy wheels are called in the USA) (aaah… training wheels). Well, my first interviews were co-hosted, firstly with Jena, and then with Chrissy. The Carl Hiaasen interview was my first interview alone. It was wobbly at first, but once I was up and peddling, I just had to keep my chin up and look straight ahead – keeping my balance. This interview with Dr. Kearns Goodwin, I learnt to challenge myself by asking a question ad lib. Eventually, I will have the steadiness and confidence to ask a few more questions ad lib. And (hopefully) in no time, I won’t even need my question cards.

I suppose it’s all a journey, and I’m really enjoying the ride.

I’m loving my job as Graduate Assistant in the Marketing Department. It truly gives me the opportunity to use all the skills that I have learnt over the last 3.5 years of my undergrad. One of the events I am arranging is the “I’m Lynn” contest. The contest is such a wonderful opportunity for a Lynn student to get their work promoted, and win some cash. Students create a 2-5 minute mini documentary, audio slideshow, music video, or something like that. The topic of the video has to be something about Lynn University, for example: A day in the life of … (a faculty member, a student, an athlete), My favorite thing about Lynn is…, etc.

There are four prizes: The Grand Prize ($500 cash), The Overall Video Category Award ($100 cash), The Overall Audio/slideshow Category Award ($100), The $50 cash random draw.

The contest website is here

I am really hoping that we have many many entries. I’ve been going around to the classes and talking to the students, and also asking the teachers and professors to promote the contest. I guess we’ll just have to find out on April 15th – the contest deadline.