David Neal

Three industry leaders will headline High Point University’s “Communication Week,” April 8 – 15. They are: Daniel Grossman, Pulitzer Center journalist on global warming; Dr. Jack Shaheen, Hollywood consultant on Arab portrayals, international author and award winning media critic; and High Point native David Neal, 34-time Emmy award-winning producer and Fox’s World Cup Coordinator. All three events are free and open to the public.

The schedule is as follows:

• April 8: Grossman will announce the High Point University student chosen for a Pulitzer Center stipend. The stipend will allow one of HPU’s students to work with the Pulitzer Center on an international reporting project. Grossman will hold a Q&A session with students after that presentation. The presentation will be held in Phillips 120 from 7 to 9 p.m.
• April 10: Shaheen is a former CBS news consultant on Middle East Affairs, and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, NPR, GMA, 48 Hours and The Today Show. He will screen his documentary, “Reel Bad Arabs,” which explores degrading images of Arabs while offering insight to these stereotypes, their development throughout United States history and why it matters so much today. Dr. Shaheen will hold a Q&A session following the screening. The screening will be held in the UC Cinema from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• April 11: Neal, a High Point native, will discuss his successful career as one of the most decorated figures of sports television. He was recently named chairman of the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication Advisory Board. The presentation will be held in Phillips 120 from 7 to 9 p.m.

“This week is about showcasing some of the best work in the communications field, from journalism to entertainment,” says Neal. “I’m excited to share my 30 years of knowledge and experience with the students at HPU.

“Communication Week” is hosted by HPU’s Nido R. Qubein School of Communication. The week will also feature a video game tournament, the School of Communication’s awards banquet, the “River Run Film Festival” and the “First Amendment Free Lunch,” which forces students to think about all the freedoms the first amendment provides by taking them away.

MASTER’S DEGREE CAPSTONE PROJECT DEFENSE for Matthew Ritter

Tuesday, April 9 4:00-6:00 NQSC 109—The screening room

THIS IS NOT A TEST: DO FEAR-BASED WEATHER WARNINGS REALLY WORK?

Past research into fear appeal models has found a relationship between efficacy information and effective message persuasion. Efficacy-to-fear ratios have been studied for distal fear threats. The current analysis investigates efficacy effectiveness for an imminent threat. For the study, college students who thought they were giving their feedback on a live television program were exposed to a series of tornado warnings that varied in levels of fear and efficacy. A local meteorologist recorded the warnings to help ensure the participants thought they were viewing live television. Using the extended parallel process model as a framework, results indicated that efficacy played no role in the participants accepting suggested safety measures that could have protected them from an actual tornado. Students in the low fear group were found to be most fearful, leading to conclusions that other message factors contributed to the observed effects. Personality differences among the participants did not alter message effectiveness.

MASTER’S DEGREE CAPSTONE PROJECT DEFENSE for Brent Starling

Tuesday, April 9 2:00-4:00 NQSC 109—The screening room

MESSAGE TAILORING: A TOOL TO INCREASE PERCEIVED CORPORATE CREDIBILITY AND ENCOURAGE COLLEGE STUDENTS TO SAVE MONEY

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of tailored, targeted, and mass-produced direct solicitation materials in increasing perceptions of corporate credibility and encouraging students to invest money. Using pre-test and post-test survey control group design, a valid sample of 88 college students responded to marketing materials from a local bank. To heighten the relevance of marketing materials, each student participated in a mock financial literacy workshop before randomly receiving a generic, targeted, or tailored flier encouraging them to open a savings account at High Point Bank. The flier offered a $35 incentive. Based on the type of solicitation that the students receive, response rates were tracked with the help of High Point Bank. These response rates were compared with students’ locus of control, financial literacy, and perceptions of corporate credibility. While the results of the study showed that message design had no effect on participants’ attitudes or behaviors, the financial literacy workshop resulted in a negative effect on participants’ overall attitudes toward savings money.

MASTER’S DEGREE CAPSTONE PROJECT DEFENSE for Kaitland Willingham

Thursday, April 11 3:30-5:30 NQSC 109—The screening room

THE EFFECT OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA IN A FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOP TO IMPROVE COLLEGE STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES ABOUT INVESTING

The current research proposed seeks to determine whether the addition of a social aspect (i.e., Facebook or email) to a financial literacy campaign improves college students’ attitudes and knowledge about investing. Using the elaboration likelihood model as a framework, the researcher will construct and conduct a workshop that engages college students with messages relating to finance and investing and encourage elaboration with the issue through Facebook to enhance the processing of messages. Findings from the current study are expected to have significant and valuable implications public relations and financial professionals by identifying communication strategies that are successful at improving knowledge and attitudes and can be employed strategically.

In November 2012, High Point University’s chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association’s honor society, held a ceremony to induct more than 40 students into the chapter.

The ceremony honored students who have completed rigorous coursework and maintained a high GPA. The initiates took a pledge to honor the society’s three core building blocks: character, credibility and ethics, which are based on Aristotle’s “Rhetoric.”

The society was established at HPU in 2009 and the members have volunteered in the community with “Reading Connections,” a service group that works with adults in Guilford County to improve literacy skills. Members have served as mentors and provided tutoring services through the program.

“I’m honored to serve as faculty adviser to the HPU Lambda Pi Eta chapter,” says Dr. Nahed Eltantawy, assistant professor of journalism. “I hope all LPH inductees will stay active by organizing and contributing to various communication-related activities, such as workshops, lectures and research.”

Read Andrew’s reports on the Pulitzer Center website, or visit the project website.