PR class takes on the world, not finals
Emily Hoferer
Managing Editor
One less final paper at the end of the semester is a tempting offer for many students. So when Dr. Danielle Parker, a first time professor in the Communication Arts department, gave the students in her Public Relations Ethics and Society class an option of doing a big, final paper or doing 30 hours of volunteer work, many students chose to volunteer instead of slaving away at another final semester paper.
Parker said that she has been in too many classes where all they do are write papers. “Actually doing what you talk about in the classroom is more beneficial,” she said.
Students were put into groups and had to complete 30 hours at various places around Cincinnati, which included working with the March of Dimes, Easter Seals and Shriners Hospital. Students not only got some experience in the real world of PR, but they became familiar with local events in Cincinnati.
The group that volunteered for Hamilton County Job and Family Services became familiar with Cincinnati. They were given a plethora of promotional materials for the Everyday Hero campaign and instructed to blanket the city with them. “At first it seemed like a seemingly simple task but it ended up being more complicated than we thought,” said junior Kelsey Evans. Her group went to over 20 locations in Hamilton County.
Another group that reached out to the Cincinnati community worked at Shriners Burn Hospital creating a burn prevention educational program called “Know Burns, No Burns.” The group created large posters and ran the program sessions for elementary school kids and teenagers.
“Overall it was pretty meaningful. We saw the efforts of our work when we went to the schools for the kids,” said senior Sarah Wood.
Groups also focused on planning events for the Cincinnati area. Senior Megan Haughney and junior Jessica Kelly worked for the March of Dimes organizing their grand black tie event, which was catered by real French chefs and featured a silent and live auction. Haughney and Kelly mailed invitations, helped set up for the event and helped with the auctions.
“We enjoyed working the event for the March of Dimes and seeing the positive impact March of Dimes can have on a family,” said Haughney. She was also impressed with how much Cincinnati businesses were willing to donate.
Another group worked at Crossroads, a church on Ridge Road, with its community outreach. Seniors Amanda Evans and Erin Tibe created press releases and pitches for local college newspapers to promote Crossroads as not only a church, but a community center as well.
The Hyde Park Adult Center, which offers services for senior citizens was a location for another group, as well as Easter Seals where volunteers helped planned events and programs.
Overall, the students learned valuable real-world experience, something that writing a 20 page paper cannot always teach someone. “It was more practical and more of what we would actually be doing in a real world scenario,” said Wood. Parker said that future classes will have similar opportunities.
Senior leads among Air Force peers
Amy Windhorst
News Editor
Photo courtesy Krista Miller
Miller serves as Cadet Col., managing and training over 90 cadets in the University of Cincinnati’s Air Force program.
Krista Miller, a member of the Air Force ROTC, knows what it means to take risks—likewise, she knows what happens when risks pay off. In late October, Miller, a senior computer science major at Xavier, acquired the hard-earned position of “pilot.”
Since this past summer, Miller dedicated herself to her new position as Cadet
Col., the highest achievable rank of any cadet in the Air Force ROTC.
“I basically manage about 90 cadets to ensure everyone receives the proper
training to become an Air Force officer,” said Miller.
Because Xavier does not provide Air Force ROTC, Miller is constantly travelling between Xavier and the University of Cincinnati, where she is Wing Commander of Detachment 665.
Her rank is certainly a source of pride, and the recent acquisition of her pilot’s slot affirmed the hard work put into her previous three years.
As announced on Oct. 18 by Lt. Col. Shaun House, professor of aerospace studies at the University of Cincinnati, Miller had been chosen from among the pilot candidates who applied nationally.
However, the application process came with a risk. Miller was originally ineligible for pilot status due to poor eyesight. During last January, she decided to overcome this final obstacle standing in the way of her dream.
“I had to make the decision to pay for LASIK in hopes I would receive a pilot slot, but with no guarantee,” said Miller.
Aided by her parents, Miller chose to undergo the expensive surgery. Even then, she had no assurance of her place in the pilot’s seat.
“I had to have corrective eye surgery done so I could compete for a pilot slot, so I met an out-of-cycle board,” said Miller.
The board, which evaluates pilot candidates, typically convenes in February. However, due to the timing of Miller’s surgery, her board meeting was postponed until September of this year.
The September board has historically selected fewer pilots than the February board. L uckily, Miller was among those awarded a position after a competitive selection process.
Miller describes flying as “freeing and exhilarating.”
“I love it,” she said. Her first real flight experience happened during the summer between her freshman and sophomore years.
While attending Professional Development Training, Miller had the opportunity to ride and fly a T-37 training jet.
“After two days of preparation, the instructor pilot took me up, demonstrated how to do several maneuvers including barrel rolls, loops and aileron rolls, and then said to me ‘Now you do it,’” she said.
This initial flying experience, combined with a family history of Air Force service, is what motivates Miller to continue pursuing her goal of serving her country through piloting.
After her graduation from Xavier in the spring, Miller plans to commission as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Air Force and attend Undergraduate Pilot Training.
Professional Profile: Kimberlie Goldsberry
Meghan Berneking
Asst. Campus News Editor
Amy Windhorst
Kimberlie Goldsberry is the executive director of student involvement at Xavier.
Kimberlie Goldsberry, Ph.D., is the executive director of student involvement and interacts with students on a daily basis in her office in the Gallagher Student Center. She is passionate about the Xavier community, particularly its students and the opportunities provided for them. She recently took time to answer a few questions for the Newswire.
Newswire: How did you spend Thanksgiving?
Kimberlie Goldsberry: I went back home to Athens, Ohio to spend it with family
and see old friends. I ate too much, had lots of fun with my nieces and nephews
and am proud to say I still sit at the kids’ table!
XN: What is the best part about your job?
KG: Interacting with students – specifically as it relates to their leadership
development and their personal and organizational successes!
XN: Why Xavier?
KG: I came to Xavier because it was clearly a mission-driven institution and
they offered me a great opportunity for professional growth. I was also eager
to be in a larger, more diverse community.
XN: What would you change about Xavier?
KG: I would like to make Xavier more nimble and more readily able to respond
to and implement change and growth. I would also love for us to create more
space for student clubs and organizations.
XN: Where did you attend college and what degree(s) do you have?
KG: I went to Bowling Green State University in northwest Ohio and received
a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel.
More recently (June 2007), I completed a Ph.D. in Education at Ohio University.
XN: What was your favorite course that you took and why?
KG: I have taken a lot of courses over the years, some while seeking a degree
and others simply because of personal interest. It is difficult to identify
a single course . . . but I really enjoyed a special education course in my
undergrad and a training and development course in my masters’ coursework.
XN: What courses did you dread?
KG: This question is much easier to answer; Chemistry, both organic and inorganic
– not my best subject.
XN: What is your dream vacation?
KG: My dream vacation is at least two weeks in length, ideally somewhere abroad,
has some elements already planned for me so I do not have think, but allows
me to sleep in or nap as often as I like.
XN: What is in your fridge?
KG: Not much coming off the Thanksgiving holiday! Milk, hummus, bread, chocolate
chips, condiments and freezer pops!
XN: Any pet peeves?
KG: Laziness.
XN: What’s the number one thing Xavier students need to know before
they graduate?
KG: They need to know who they are as individuals. All the time they have invested
inside and outside of the classroom has helped them to define themselves as
an intellectual being, but more importantly as human being. I hope they all
graduate knowing who they are as individuals in order to be open to more learning
and growth beyond Xavier.
XN: What famous person would you choose to have dinner with?
KG: There are so many! I think I would say former President Jimmy Carter because
he is a leader who overcame the popular opinion of his upbringing, faced many
challenging international and domestic issues while representing his country,
continued to do many great things since being president and seems to be a man
with great integrity. I also think he is pretty down to earth and would let
me invite Oprah to join us.
Police Notes
Nov. 20, 2:34 a.m. – Norwood Police informed Campus Police that
two students were observed rolling a large wooden object down Montgomery Rd.
were arrested for disorderly conduct and underage consumption.
Nov. 21, 1:31 p.m. – A non-student shoplifter was arrested in the bookstore for theft and criminal trespassing.
Nov. 24, 6:50 p.m. – Campus Police, Cincinnati Fire and Rescue, Residence Life and Physical Plant responded for a fire alarm in Brockman hall. Investigation revealed that aerosol spray used near the smoke detector activated the alarm. The system was reset.
Nov. 25, 10:50 a.m. – A student reported someone drew sexually explicit images on his or her windshield in the R-1 lot.
Nov. 25, 11:33 p.m. – Campus Police investigated a dispute between two students in the Village. The dispute was resolved and one of the parties was gone when officers arrived.
Nov. 26, 12:13 a.m. – Cincinnati Police informed Campus Police that a student was arrested in the Dana Gardens parking lot for D.U.I and obstructing official business.
Nov. 28, 11:20 a.m. – A student observed walking out of Logan hall with no shoes on was given a trespass warning and sent on way.
Nov. 30, 9:23 p.m. – Two students reported a minor auto accident with no injuries in the C-1 lot.
Nov. 30, 10:57 p.m. – Campus Police and Residence Life responded to the Commons for a loud party and underage drinking. Residence Life will follow up.
Police Note of the Week
Nov. 24, 1:58 a.m. – A student and a non-student engaging in sexual activity in a car in the Village lot were cited for disorderly behavior. A BB gun and knife were also confiscated from the vehicle.
