DECEMBER 2015 SENIOR CAPSTONE STUDENTS. Conner Bowman

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1 DECEMBER 2015 SENIOR CAPSTONE STUDENTS Conner Bowman Conflict & Global Peacebuilding Photography Minor, plus coursework in Asian Studies An Autoethnographic Study of a Persisting Trauma: My Experience with Leukemia Since January 2015, I have participated in MediaLab. I studied abroad twice: my sophomore in spring 2012 in Denmark and my Junior year in fall 2014 in Norway. My story over the past decade has centered on my disease including diagnosis, treatment, two relapses, surgeries and my recovery over the past six months. Through this I have considered how my experiences and what I have learned can help others in a larger social, cultural and political scale. Upon graduation, I intend to enjoy being healthy as I explore my passions of music and photography, tentatively walking the Camino De Santiago next Fall and/or moving abroad to Japan, Korea or China to teach English. Natalie Hope DeFord Communication, Journalism major German major Holocaust and Genocide Studies minor Narrative Paradigm & These Four Years Documentary During my time at PLU I worked extensively with Mast Media and Lute Air Student Radio (LASR). I was also a member, and then later the General Manager, of MediaLab. I was actively involved with Swing Club, planning events and leading social dances and lessons. I was fortunate enough to study away in Berlin, Germany, in January 2015; an amazing, eye-opening journey. The summer of 2015 was spent in my hometown of Olympia, Washington, where I interned at The Olympian newspaper as a finalist through the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Association. As a senior, I am the editor of the 2015 MediaLab documentary, one of two KPLU student reporters, the LASR Executive Events Coordinator, the Center for Media Studies Senior Fellow and a member of Mortar Board National Honors

2 Society. Above all, the relationships and friendships I have built as a PLU student - both locally and globally - are what I will treasure the most from my undergraduate experience. For my capstone I took a pre-existing project - editing a documentary about higher education - and explored how researching narrative paradigm, narrative theory and methodologies of storytelling might improve my chances of creating a successful, clear and compelling narrative. But perhaps narrative theory is easier said than done? I put it to practice and screened several different versions of my film, gathering audience feedback on story arch and clarity of thesis, before the deadline for the final version and big premiere day. After graduation in May I hope to pursue a journalistic career as a writer, photographer or perhaps a film-maker. I've already submitted many applications for summer internships across the country as well as several job applications for the fall. Hannah Rae Jeske Communication, Public Relations & Advertising Theatre, Minor Gatekeeping Theory: The Art of Story Selection I have had the opportunity to spend the last four years in the theatre here at PLU. I have worked as both an actress and a theatre tech and have created amazing memories. I also spent a semester abroad in London last fall. It was easily the best experience of my life. I grew in knowledge and independence and discovered how much I am capable of achieving. I have been blessed with the relationships I formed while here at PLU, both with my friends and with the faculty and staff. I treasure the fun memories along with the hard because I became who I am through them. I researched the communication theory of Gatekeeping. The basic idea is that the media control what information is and is not passed on to the general public. I interviewed five media professionals in the Seattle-Tacoma area. They work in both televised newscasts and traditional newspapers. I asked them questions about Gatekeeping Theory and how it affects their decisions in story selection. The purpose of the research and interviews was to discover why media professionals select the stories they do. As a future public relations professional, I will pitch many stories to the media. I want to apply what I learn to how I craft stories in the future. Upon graduating from PLU I will be working as the Marketing Coordinator for the Broadway Center in Tacoma this January through June.

3 Haleigh Missildine Communication major, Journalism Music minor Leadership and Management in College Radio During my time at PLU I have enjoyed being a part of Lute Air Student Radio (LASR) and the guitar orchestra. My senior research project is on the leadership and college radio - specifically, my journey as LASR s general manager. I am graduating in December and plan to work in promotions for several CBS radio stations. David Nguyen (Leon) Communication major, Public Relations & Advertising Psychology minor Media Influence on Perceptions of Gender and Sexuality I have been involved with both the Women s and Diversity Centers on campus over the years to help raise awareness about social justice and cultural diversity. I have changed my major five times, which has led me to being a super senior! I am also highly vocal about social issues on and off campus and often engage in debate and dialogue with people about relevant social topics/concerns. Does media influence people to adopt unhealthy ideologies about gender and sexuality? My research project deals with the influence of media on people s perceptions of gender and sexuality in relation to how they view and believe to carry their own gender and sexual identities. I believe that current media portrays negative images and messages about gender and sexual identities that serves to promote continued stereotyping and prejudice behavior towards non-heteronormative people of diverse ethnic back grounds and varying genders and sexual identities. I hope to pursue a career in some form of journalism or psychology as my degree is in both. I will hopefully stay in the Pacific Northwest but wherever life and work opportunities take me there I will go. If push comes to shove I could always marry rich and get a TV show!

4 Brendan Stanton Communication major, PR & Advertising Sociology minor Lutes Debate! I have been a top competitor for the PLU debate team, competing in elimination rounds and finals at numerous regional tournaments. I have worked on campus as a resident assistant, campus tour guide, Tel-A-Lute student caller and sat on the Dean's Student Advisory board for the School of Arts and Communication. I spent the fall 2015 semester organizing and running "The Lute Debates: PLU's 1st Annual Novice Tournament." My research project focused on the benefits of debate, specifically for those new to the event. After graduating this December, I hope to continue living in the Tacoma/Seattle area and pursue a full-time job that combines my passions of communication and helping others. McKenzie Sumpter Communication, PR & Advertising Art Minor Why I Buy: Women s Choice-making & the Beauty Industry During my time at PLU, I have participated in many opportunities. My freshman year, I ran a successful talk radio show throw the LASR student radio station. For two years I sang in the all-female audition-only choir, University Singers. My sophomore year I was the RHA President for Tingelstad Hall and the Dance Committee Chair for ASPLU. My senior year, I have been the Public Relations coordinator for a university-wide project warning against the dangers of microbeads and their impact on the environment. This project produced a film, website, and was represented on many social media outlets. Outside of the university atmosphere I have participated in numerous professional stage and film by providing my makeup and hair expertise; skills I acquired growing up in a theatrical atmosphere. For the last year, I have also been interning for John L. Scott real estate, gaining valuable information about social media and it s utilization in the Real Estate world. After graduating in spring 2016 I plan to continue my passion for Public Relations and the beauty industry by working as a PR/Social Media Specialist.

5 Kylie Wheeler Communication major, Public Relations & Advertising Philosophy minor #whyesd I am a transfer from Pierce Community College and I have a passion for what PLU has to offer. My Senior Capstone is bringing Elite School of Dance into the social media world. Creating a social media campaign is a project I have always wanted to accomplish and proud to present as my senior capstone. My post PLU plan is to become a PR Practitioner for a big company. I have high hopes for where my future will take me!