I received a question from a new graduate student at Lynn. It is as follows:

Today at 1:04pm
Message: From Brad

“I just started grad school at Lynn for Communications & Media, do you have any advice? thanks!

Brad”

Ashlea Evans
Today at 1:16pm

“Hi Brad,

I recommend that if you are considering doing a thesis or creative project, that you start right now. It’s a lot of work, but well worth it. Choose a topic you are passionate about and would enjoy dedicating a lot of time to. Start speaking to your advisor now, they will be able to advise you on how to further develop your ideas, and create a central focus.

Also, if you are going to be missing class or can’t finish an assignment, just chat to the prof. They are understanding, and unlike undergraduate student classes, they realize that you probably have a full time job, are taking classes at night, and sometimes life happens in between. I have found that the best way to ensure a worthy grade is to participate in class discussions, bring up new ideas, comments etc. I also found that I have learned the most and made the most out of my graduate career that way. The class is so diverse, multi-cultural, and innovative. Each student has something to offer, it’s up to you to listen, and respond.

I have loved my Masters, and it really gives one the freedom to branch out into the areas one is passionate about. Just give it everything you’ve got, because if this is the last degree you plan to get, you have to make the most of it. The time flies so fast, and before you know it, you’ll be finishing up (like me!).

Carpe Diem – Grasp the moment…

It’s daunting to see the end approaching, but I must say that staying an extra year to do my Master of Science in Communication was one of the best last minute choices I made!

Best of luck Brad!

Ashlea.”

To all the new graduate students at Lynn, Welcome! If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comment box below and I will answer all!

For those of you who are thinking about attending Graduate School, Lynn offers some great courses. Most of the classes are in the evenings, and an accelerated 8-week term program is available. There are also online or distance learning  courses offered. Lynn also offers Graduate Assistantships, such as what I am doing.

As a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Marketing and Communication, one of my tasks has been to create a Lynn University YouTube Channel.We have some great playlists ranging from Life@Lynn, to 4 questions 4.
Have a look at some of our videos at www.youtube.com/user/LynnUni.

I finally got around to going to Muvico and seeing a movie. Watching the movie was purely an excuse to see the Lynn Commercial in theater, and enjoy my 15 seconds of fame. I felt rather special sitting in the packed theater, everyone watching something I created. However, I was rather disappointed when some rude individuals continued to talk over my hard work. I must admit, I had to stop myself from jumping up and ’shhhhh’ing them. Laura, my amazingly supportive friend and co worker brought her camera along and we tried to snap a photo of the screen… evidence. And she even gave me a little applause after the commercial had aired. I was hoping every one would clap, but then again, I was just relieved nobody ‘boo’ed!

Well, the second Lynn Commercial launched today on YouTube and also on our Facebook page:

Thanks again to everyone involved. These commercials are a true window into Life @ Lynn!

A few days ago the new Lynn University Commercial launched in movie theaters in our area. If you remember, I had been working on the production of the videos for quite some time. Well, it is such a relief to know that the videos are now in theater and running smoothly. I never thought I would be on the same screen as the premier of Batman! In fact, I never really saw myself on the big screen at all! However, it is due time that I make my way down to Muvico and see myself in theater.

There are two commercials, one of which I have posted to our Lynn University Facebook page.

I just wanted to say a big thank you to each student that worked with me in creating the commercial. Interestingly, none of the students are professional actors, merely students being themselves. It’s a truly authentic commercial. If you go to the science lab, you’ll find Rhandi working in her lab coat. The classes that I taped in were actual classes, and the teachers were really teaching. And if you walk around campus, you’re bound to find me somewhere with a video camera. So, the commercial is as honest a reflection of the university you can get.

In a recent blog I asked you if there were any aspects on campus you would like to see. Kristopher left me a comment asking to see more of the facilities on campus, and also the dorm rooms.

Lynn does not have Upperclassman dorms, all dorms are open to any student class, however, we operate on a lottery system. The higher the amount of credits you have, the sooner you get to choose your dorm room. Thus the Upperclassman have first choice, however, due to the cost difference in the residence halls (The more expensive being E M Lynn and Lynn with triple occupancy – sometimes double – with a private bathroom; the less expensive being DeHoernle, Freiburger, and Trinity with double occupancy and a community bathroom on each floor) some upperclassman may select to stay in the less expensive dorms. As a freshman, your room will be assigned to you. You are able to pick what your first choice would be, however, you may not get what you want.

As a freshman I was placed in Trinity. It wasn’t my first choice, however, I actually ended up really loving it! So let me tell you a bit about each Residence Hall…

Trinity, as I said, is one of my favorites, and I truly recommend that as a freshman, I would elect this hall. It is slightly smaller, thus it has a great sense of community. The residence hall also overlooks the lake and the cafeteria, so you are likely to have a room with a view. It’s three stories, and the bathrooms are really modern and clean. The cleaning staff attend to the bathrooms at least once a day, if not more. Trinity also has the best location, right across the lake from the cafeteria, across from the pool, close to the fitness center, and closest hall from the educational buildings on campus. This building is coed, however separated by floor… I believe the first floor is males, and the top two are females. Also, there is a common area on the first floor where one may watch TV on a big screen. Also, there are vending machines on the second floor, and also a computer room.

Quite honestly, DeHoernle and Freiburger are practically identical. They are both two stories, and have four wings in each building. Recently I walked through DeHoernle, and they have this great courtyard with couches and tables. It looks so nice, and really the center and social area of the hall. These rooms have views of the baseball field, volleyball court, soccer field, and basketball court. I believe there are some single rooms in these buildings. However, as a freshman, believe me, you’re going to want a roommate. This hall is also gender separated by wing. Additionally, there are vending machines in both these halls.

Lynn has a view of a lake and the Schmindt building. The rooms are considerably larger than the above mentioned halls, however, keep in mind that they are triples. The fitness center is located in this building, but anyone may use it. There is a pool table, and TV lounge on the first floor. On the second floor there is a yoga room/studio room and a boxing bag. I really like the large windows in this hall, the rooms are all really bright. This is a three story building, and quite large compared to the above halls. However, mainly athletes, and upperclassman reside here. This building is co-gender.

E M Lynn is where I lived and worked for a year as a Resident Assistant. This building is five stories, triple occupancy, and private bathrooms. This building is also co-gender. I love this building too, however, I honestly do not think that a freshman should reside here. As a freshman you truly want to be amongst your peers, people who are experiencing the same things you are. As this building is mainly Upperclassman, and the most sought-after residence hall, it may be a little harder. E M Lynn has the largest rooms, and offers a lot more in terms of facilities. There are laundry facilities on each floor, a recreation room on four floors that facilitate pool tables, ping pong tables, foosball tables etc. Additionally, there are TV rooms with dvd players and vending machines. The view from the fifth floor is spectacular of campus. This hall also has a great location. The nurses room is located on the first floor, as well as residence life, but both these offices are accessed from the exterior of the building.

Whatever you choose, it is not carved in stone. If you arrive on campus and hate your residence hall or your roommate(s), don’t worry, they aren’t going to force you into an environment you aren’t happy with. There is a two-week freeze at the beginning of semester, in which they do not allow any changes to occur, but this is just to allow you to settle, and perhaps after 14 days you discover that actually your roommate isn’t who you thought they were, and your room has actually become quite homey and comfortable. If you still dislike your situation after 14 days they will do what they can to get you where you’re happy. They are extremely accommodating, and the residence directors are fantastic!

Being a campus tour guide, I saw many prospective students and parents reactions when I showed them the rooms. The most common reaction was: ‘Wow! They’re so big! They don’t look anything like the other dorms we’ve seen!’ and then the parents go on to ask when they can move in!

So, Kristopher, as you requested, here are some photos from Trinity. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get any photos of the other dorms as it is Summer and they are all locked. This is our show room, however, I assure you they all look like this. Keep in mind that this room is the smallest on campus, and the rooms in E M Lynn and Lynn are twice the size, if not more. All rooms on campus come with a basin area too!

These photos are of Trinity:

Clearly, this is the pool~

There are two pools on campus. And a volleyball net to the right of the pool.

The building to the left is Trinity and to the right is E M Lynn.

This is one of the two tennis courts on campus. Altogether there are six nets, and it is open for student use, as long as the teams aren’t practicing. We have a social tennis club too.

Below is the outside area of Christene’s, which is our cafe on campus. They have sandwiches, salads, soups, pastries, smoothies, ice cream, and my favorite, Starbucks!

So, if you’re not on Facebook yet, it’s time to get with the times, and take that bold step into the realm of the unknown. Facebook is a great way to meet other Lynn students, and also become a fan of one of several Lynn University pages.

Become friends with Lynn University:

Become a fan of our pages:

Facebook has a great chat feature, so you can get in contact with current students, or even Lynn University itself.

We have professors, staff, and students on Facebook… what a great way to get to know who you’re going to be spending time with over the next four years! So, request me as a friend, ask any questions you may have, and let the “Facebook addiction” take effect.

Nick Pentzak, originally from North Port Florida, shares his experience as a student of Lynn University’s School of Aeronautics.

-I came to Lynn University’s Burton D. Morgan School of Aeronautics because it had the same feel as my hometown airport’s flight school. I started my flight training in a small community airport, where everyone on the field knew everyone. It was that setting that really encouraged me to keep at my ratings, and fueled my increasing enthusiasm for aviation.
At Lynn, the flight program they have there is set up in the same manner. You have flight instructors that were once students at the university themselves, and share their passions with their students freely. The same atmosphere of enthusiasm and compasion for aviation is present, and you cannot but help but get to know all of your fellow aviation students, of which I have made my greatest friends.
The fleet of aircraft consists of Cessna 172s, a Cessna 172 SP, and coming this month, a twin-engine Diamond Twin Star. The program is conducted under Part 141, for ratings up to Private Pilot and Instrument ratings, and upon the arrival of the Twin Star, Commerical, Multi-Engine, and Certified Flight Instructor ratings.
Even though I graduated, I still keep in touch will the instructors and professors, as they have made a real impact in the shaping of my career. Right now, I am employed by Spirit Airlines, as the Assistant Chief Pilot. While I don’t fly for them (yet), I work directly with the pilots and flight attendants with any and all issues they may have, such as schedule conflicts, company correspondence, and other human resources. I also update the electronic cockpits of the Airbus A319 and A321 that Spirit operates with navigational and operational information, as well as revise the paper manuals on-board the aircraft. I also work directly with the chief pilot, who is probably one of the best professional contacts I have ever made, and has allowed me to not only enter the industry, but help out my fellow Lynn students get into the airline, as well, through internships, positions, and even piloting jobs!
For further information of the Burton D. Morgan School of Aeronautics, contact the chief pilot, Tim Jensen, at 561.237.7323-

Kristopher asked: What do you think of the Aviation Program at Lynn University and can you tell me more about it?

Answer: Kristopher, I personally do not know too much about it, but I do have many friends who are enrolled in the program. I contacted a friend of mine, Kuda Biza who is a Junior from Zimbabwe. This is what he had to say:

“The aviation program is a unique and interesting program as it helps students achieve their dreams. One can start taking flight classes within 2 weeks of their first semester. because lynn believes in individualized learning, a student works with one instructor throughout their flight lesson. This helps build a relationship between the instructor and the student and also enables the student to earn their licence quickly. The school has a flight simulator and another one is expected to be installed within the next few months to improve the training program. Stop-by the boca raton airport if you get the chance so u can check out the school of aeronautics and the training planes”

One of my tasks as the Graduate Assistant in the Marketing Department has been to create a graduation video for the Class of 2008. This was one of my favorite projects, as I am a member of the Class of 2008. I went around campus with Laura and asked seniors to share a memory of their time at Lynn. Some told us of how their friend ended up moving their mattress into their bedroom as the friend didn’t get along with her roommate, others told of their favorite classes, worst teachers, and best moments (such as dancing in the car lot).

I found it quite difficult to share my favorite memory of my time at Lynn. There have been so many great moments that I have wished I had a Kodak just to take a snap shot and treasure that moment forever. At least we have the video, so we can remind ourselves of the very best times of The Class of 2008.

One aspect of the Graduation Ceremony that made it such a special and memorable occasion, was the words of advice and encouragement from our student commencement speakers, Taryn Hamil and Jena Zakany.

Taryn Hamil, who earned her degree in Business, addressed the undergraduate students, whilst Jena Zakany, a College of International Communication major put her masters degree to practice, in addressing the graduate students.

Both of them did a fantastic job! You can actually watch their speeches online.