News Archive
Summer 2007
Welcome to the newly redesigned Communication Department news pages. On these pages you'll find the latest information about our programs and people and about the students we serve. We hope you'll return here often for updates about the department, and we welcome your feedback.
From the Chair
Ron Smith's overview on the last semester and the department's many changes.
Rik Whitaker Retires
After 23 years, former chair and Professor of Broadcasting W. Richard (Rik) Whitaker retires.
Nominations for the Hall of Fame
The Communication Department invites nominations from alumni and friends for its Hall of Fame.
Extreme Makeover
The Savage Theater Arts Building television studio control room undergoes $300,000 worth of technology improvements to comply with the FCC's 2009 digital television standards. See students operate the new equipment.
Department Moving Toward Accreditation
The Communication Department is preparing for a formal review in October by a team from the Accreditation Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, which is expected to lead to the department becoming the only SUNY program with professional accreditation in this field.
Honor Society 2007
The Communication Department honored the 57 juniors and seniors inducted into its Rho Psi chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the national communication honor society.
Department Achievements 2006-2007
Each year, the chair's report to the dean, provost and president highlights the academic and professional accomplishment of the Communication faculty and staff. Here is this year's impressive list.
Alumni Fun
A re-energized local chapter meets to renew old friendships and forge new partnerships.
Classnotes
Information from alumni about their new achievements -- professional, personal and academic.
2006
Public Radio Board: A former Communication student and part-time instructor, Gabe DiMaio, has been appointed to the Public Radio Program Director's board of directors.
Special Audio Projects: Two special recording projects were completed over the Winter break, using the Mackie digital audio equipment in the Communication Department's sound studios in the Savage Building.
Athlete of the Week: Women's basketball player Darnika Moseley was named the Buffalo State Athlete of the Week for the third time during the winter 2005-06 season.
Political Success: A Communication instructor and a graduate have been elected to political office in Western New York. Speech instructor Mary Travers Murphy is the new Orchard Park town supervisor. Byron Brown, a journalism graduate, has been sworn in as mayor of Buffalo.
2005
Honor Society: The first members have been inducted into the Rho Psi chapter of Lamba Pi Eta, the newest of more than 400 chapters of this student society associated with the National Communication Association.
Covering Katrina: In the first segment of a Media Speaker Series, two Buffalo reporters talked about their experiences in covering Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
Alumni Magazine: 1300 Elmwood, the publication of the college's Alumni Association, featured two Communication graduates in its Fall 2005 issue, Jennifer Whitson Adams and Claudine Ewing.
Chautauqua Address on Iraq War: Journalism Professor Mike Niman, a media analyst and expert on propaganda, was a keynote speaker at the Chautauqua Institute's Hall of Philosophy.
Playwright Advice: Alumnus Tom Fontana met with Communication and Theater students for an informal exchange on breaking into and making it in television and theater.
American Indian Initiative: Native leaders from throughout North American, including Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, met for the inaugural Buffalo Round Table of a new Communication Department project.
Buffalo Common Council: Journalism students on a class field trip with Professor Bill Raffel received a round of applause by members of the Buffalo Common Council when they visited the council chambers to report on city government.
Communication Hall of Fame: The Communication Department faculty have voted two television producers, both graduates of Buffalo State, into the Communication Hall of Fame.
PR Grad Honored as Arts Administrator
Deutschman Named Athena Finalist
Communication Chair Builds Japan Connection
Com Student Receives Engel Scholarship
2004
PR Grad Named 'Black Achiever'
TV Correspondent Garrick Utley Meets with Students