A stroll through Central Park marks Day 1 in NYC

Hanging out in NYC's Central Park

By Mary Voelker ’13

Day one of the NYC expedition was quite an adventure. It started off with Ronni and I arriving early at the airport for our flight from Peoria to Chicago. We were the only ones in the entire place for over an hour and, when we finally boarded the plane, we had a quick ride to Chicago. There, we found Jessica right away. Sleeping on the ride from Chicago to Newark was not as easy as I thought it would be, but it didn’t really matter because we were so hyped up once we got to New York, sleep was the furthest thing from our minds.

We checked into the hotel around 12:15 p.m. and were out the door 15 minutes later, ready to explore the big city! Today was our day to do tourist-y things since our week is so full during the day. We all agreed that Central Park was the first stop. We were hungry and our minds were set on street vendor hot dogs in the park! After lunch, we walked around the park, observing all the people relaxing in the park. It was pretty crazy because not only was it Sunday and Mother’s Day, but there was a huge celebration for Japan Day, a day which celebrates Japanese culture and its connection to New York City. All of us were surprised at how friendly people were. In movies it seems like New Yorkers are tough and rough but, from what we experienced, they are not that way at all.

We ended up spending the entire day in Central Park taking pictures, seeing someone dressed as the wizard Dumbledore from a distance, meeting a famous dog named Sammy, climbing up castles and searching for the statue of Balto, the famous hound from Alaska. By 5 p.m., we were tired and hungry so we found a little Italian restaurant called Brio, which was amazing. For dessert, we went to Dylan’s Candy Bar where we ate ice cream and sat inside a giant cupcake.

We are so excited for our visit with NBC Studio and Top of the Rock and NBC Universal tomorrow and we are especially excited for possibly getting to watch a rehearsal of Jimmy Fallon’s late night TV show! This is going to be a great week!

Current celebrity spottings = 0.

Spring in Vinnytsia

Yesterday I attended the English Club at the Window on America where everyone received an invitation to come to the stadium in Gorky Park at 13:00 for the Special Olympics. Unlocking the four deadbolts to my apartment — a Ukrainian custom I’ve learned — always presents me with a surprise as I leave the relatively dark interior to the outside. Today I was greeted by warm sunshine.

I took the tram to the center of Vinnytsia. As I got off the tram, I saw more people than usual on the streets enjoying the weather. I noticed a gaggle of photographers pointing their cameras on a bride and groom seated near a fountain. I couldn’t also help but notice two children eating colorful ice cream who may have been wedding guests or just outside to enjoy the weather and a treat.  A brass band was playing nearby. Getting closer, I realized they were a grade school band in colorful uniforms in formation outside a large official-looking building.

Moving onto Gorky Park, I noticed budding trees were not the only change since I last visited a week ago on a cold rainy day.  Colorful balloons announced the ice cream stand was open for business. The brilliantly painted birdhouses caught my attention, and even though I could swear they weren’t there before, more likely I hadn’t noticed earlier when the weather was chilly and rainy.

Finally I arrived at the Stadium. The Special Olympics was great fun to watch. Everyone, participants and volunteers, were in high spirits. There were clowns, a parade and, finally after some time, the soccer games began. Vinnytsia is a pretty fun place to be on a warm spring day.

Vinnytsia architectural tour

Recently I connected with two American Peace Corps volunteers in Vinnytsia. One of them, Mike Dixon, is an architect from St. Charles, Illinois. Yesterday he took my daughter’s family and me on an architectural tour of Vinnytsia where we learned a lot about the history of the city. The Savoy Hotel was the site where the independence of Ukraine was declared in 1917.

Mike also told us where to find a Vinnytisa map. Believe it or not, my husband spent the better part of two days when he was here trying to track down a map. Needless to say, the map will be helpful in this city of 300,000 people.

Welcoming the American ambassador

Today was a big day in Vinnytsia. The United States Ambassador to Ukraine, John Tefft, was here for a visit. I attended a special event sponsored by the Vinnytsia library with my husband, who is also visiting. Seven student groups performed brief skits on Ray Bradbury’s book, Fahrenheit 451, which is about burning books.

Ambassador Tefft quoted Bradbury who had said, “That’s the great thing about our country  — we’re a democracy of readers, and we should keep it that way.”  He noted that Ukrainians are also a democracy of readers. I have to agree. The students I teach are voracious readers.

All groups were very entertaining. Of course, I was partial to my students who were just outstanding. They were very excited to perform, and I was so proud of them.

My students participated in a Window on America project while Ambassador Tefft was in Vinnytsia. Visit http://www.woavinnitsa.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_27.html for more information.

Talks and panelists at sport summit exceed expectations

By Bobby Nightengale ’13

Saturday was the final day for the Fifth Summit on Communication and Sport hosted by Bradley and what an experience it was. All of the professors in the Department of Communication hyped the event weeks before it began and the summit exceeded my expectations.

When I was looking at colleges, Bradley stood out for me thanks to its unique sports communication program. However, I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to listen and learn from some of the best writers, broadcasters and sports reporters in the industry.

How many college students can say they met Charley Steiner, one of the most popular sportscasters at ESPN and now the Los Angeles Dodgers play-by-play announcer; Taylor Branch, a civil rights historian and now one of the most vocal critics of the NCAA; Dave Kindred, an award-winning sports writer; Molly Knight, a biology graduate who worked her way into a freelance job at ESPN; and Katrina Hancock, a sports reporter for Detroit’s local Channel 4 news, all in a week?

At the panel on Friday, there was no better place to listen to subjects ranging from what I should be learning in college to the importance of Twitter and social media and how to balance the need for speed and accuracy in reporting than in the room with four of those professionals I named.

It was especially great to hear from professors and researchers about how they observe changes in the communication industry and gathered the data to understand them. In the two days of research sessions, I learned that when athletes make political statements the public’s reaction is almost unanimously negative. Who knew the reporting on the sports blog Deadspin is balanced between positive and negative stories when discussing off-the-field actions by people in sports?

Both are questions I’ve considered at some point or another, and luckily I was able to listen to people who have already done the research. Another plus was the enthusiasm researchers had when speaking with students afterward and answering any questions.

I couldn’t be happier with how the summit went, and the opportunity it presented with Bradley as the host. It’s nice to learn from so many people interested in the current path of journalism and where they see it heading in the future.

Although all great things must come to an end, the summit left me motivated and excited to eventually work in the sports communication industry.

Parting messages from the sport summit

By Sean Flavin ’12

The radio voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a Pulitzer Prize winning author, a sportswriter for ESPN The Magazine and numerous other professionals and researchers were on hand for the Fifth Summit on Communication and Sport, demonstrating their dedication to advancing the study of sport communication. Saturday morning marked the third and final day of presentations, lectures and discussions between participants.

The sessions picked up where Friday left off with a series of presentation on important topics. One morning session highlighted how fans perceive athletes through their tattoos and advanced statistics as well as how levels of fandom affect how fans identify with athletes.

Gender roles took center stage at one of the presentations during the sixth and last research session of the conference. Moderated by Bradley’s Dr. Angela Pratt, an assistant professor of communication, the session’s three presenters used beer advertisements, female involvement in high school wrestling and female representation in sports-related entertainment to illustrate how femininity and masculinity are presented across a number of mediums.

The sports communication major at Bradley is relatively new and certainly unique. The summit was a forum for professionals and academics to collaborate in the interest of spurring further study in the field. Promoting responsible journalism and a need for increased research, the summit was a call-to-arms for students researching and seeking to understand sports communication.

Bradley alumnus and voice of the Dodgers Charley Steiner summed up the message I have taken from the summit when he addressed the use of Twitter as a form of public discourse.

“Maybe we’re just going too fast for ourselves … updating stories every 90 seconds seems to me to be a little too much, a little too soon,” Steiner said.

Steiner likened the medium to a bottle of fine wine that needed time to breathe before it can be fully enjoyed. It was a subtle, yet prophetic, message on striving for accuracy rather than immediacy, objectivity instead of bias and responsibility in place of controversy.

Sportswriter and fellow panelist David Kindred agreed with this notion and compared the technological growth in media to the growing field of sports communication.

“We’re on the eve of a revolution and everyone knows we are going somewhere, we just don’t know where,” Kindred said.

The summit reassured students that the profession of sports journalism is as much a responsibility as it is a job and requires ongoing study to make sure that job is done right.

Sportswriters analyze the industry while sharing their advice

By Miles Himmel ’14

Day two of the Fifth Summit on Communication and Sport started off running with sports journalists of all stripes sharing their thoughts on a changing industry.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Taylor Branch spoke about college athletics and the influence of the NCAA. Branch, whose recent cover story in The Atlantic detailed how college athletes can be exploited, compared the NCAA to a cartel whose profits grow while its athletes see none of it.

Molly Knight, a sportswriter for ESPN The Magazine, shared her story about becoming a writer and the challenges women face in the sports industry. Knight, who graduated from Stanford University with a degree in human biology, decided to move to New York City and become a bartender. She kept writing, however, and eventually landed a freelance job with ESPN.

Knight, who has spent the last three years covering the Los Angeles Dodgers, also spoke about women and the uphill battles they face in her field. For example, she’s often mistaken for a player’s girlfriend or sister rather than a reporter. “I’m never not aware that I’m female when I go into a locker room,” Knight said.

I thought one of the most unique things about Knight was her compassion toward the athletes she covers. She talked about never wanting to hurt someone she’s covering and how she tries to gain their trust. This was an unseen side of sports journalism but a very refreshing one.

As the afternoon rolled on there were other research sessions on various topics. One examined the sports blog Deadspin and how the website offers well-rounded reporting despite its rebellious reputation. Another session looked at high school athletes and how they are covered in the media.

The day concluded with a question and answer session featuring Knight, sportswriter Dave Kindred and Bradley alumni and sports broadcasters Katrina Hancock and Charley Steiner. The panel answered questions on different aspects in the sports industry and discussed how much sports media has changed. Nowadays, a journalist has to be able to write, shoot, produce and be the on-air talent for sports reporting.

I thought Steiner had to quote of the day when he talked about the new media world we live in. “Maybe we are going a little too fast for ourselves,” he told the audience. At the end of the day, it’s about getting the story right and not necessarily getting it first.

For the Bradley students studying sports communication the other piece of advice was simple. You have to love what you do.

Conference launches wide world of sports to new levels

By Elise Andert ’13

While attending the Fifth Summit on Communication and Sport today, I saw a whole new world of sports communication.

I had always thought sports communication was strictly about working as a sports announcer or reporter. Boy, was I wrong.

There is an academic side to sports that I never knew existed. For example, Adam Earnheardt, a communication professor at Youngstown State University, discussed how being a fan of specific sports teams can affect a journalist’s objectivity. From his research, Earnheardt concluded that journalists who have fewer than five years of experience believe being a fan has no impact on their work. On the other hand, journalists who have more than five years’ experience feel that being a fan heavily influences a reporters’ work. Veteran writers tend to think that you cannot be a fan if you want to remain objective in your work.

I found this study as well as the entire idea of sports research to be very fascinating. Not until today did I ever think of sports communication in terms of academic research or analysis. The Fifth Summit on Communication and Sport, however, changed that and has persuaded me to think of sports communication on a totally different level.

Bradley alumni tells broadcasters to “tell the truth” at communication and sport summit

By Molly Geraghty ’13

Thursday evening was the night Bradley University’s Department of Communication has been patiently awaiting. Just three years after introducing sports communication as a major, Bradley is now hosting the Fifth Summit on Communication and Sport.

“The jewel of the crown is hosting the summit,” said Dr. Paul Gullifor, chair for the department of communication.

The keynote speaker of the evening was Charley Steiner, voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Steiner graduated from Bradley in 1971 and began his broadcasting career in Connecticut and Cleveland and later moved to New York to work for the New York Yankees. In 2005, Steiner joined the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Sports have become the new show business,” said Steiner. “There has been an explosion of sports business communication.”

Steiner reminded the audience to always speak the truth.

“No matter how you are delivering and reporting a message, the important thing is to tell the truth,” said Steiner. “We need to remember why we tell the truth. You do not need to try to be anyone else but you.”

The administration and students are looking forward to spending time at the conference this weekend and Bradley President Joanne Glasser is excited about having Steiner back at Bradley.

“Charley is a Bradley graduate who did tremendous things,” said President Glasser. “He is proof a Bradley degree puts you in position. I’m also anxious for our students to hear sports communication professionals speak and ask questions while networking and learning. It is a great opportunity for Bradley.”

Summit brings a gathering of Bradley’s broadcasting greats

By Rachelle Dejean ’12

Today at the Embassy Suites Convention Center, some of Bradley’s greats slowly filled the room for the 2012 Fifth Summit on Communication and Sport—David Snell, the voice of Bradley Braves; our enthusiastic president, President Joanne Glasser; and the face that helped ESPN become a worldwide leader in sports broadcasting, Charley Steiner. Before the night began, few seats remained empty and the hall buzzed with anticipation.

As a senior studying advertising with minors in marketing and graphic design, I have also competed on the Division I women’s volleyball team all four seasons and am competing with the track team this spring. I would have hoped that as a collegiate athlete I could have attended more sports conferences in my four years, yet it’s 43 days before I graduate and the summit was my first. What an opportunity Bradley has to host an international event!

Right before the event started, Len Clark, a representative of Vericorder Technologies and friend of Dr. Paul Gullifor, chair of the Communication Department, was whispering tips to my table about getting on Gullifor’s good side, when it seemed a hush fell over the room. The night began with Dr. Gullifor at the podium followed by President Glasser.

President Glasser’s words about the field of communications were inspiring and motivating. She spoke about gathering all these great talents and speakers under one roof to educate the next generation of broadcasting executives—and maybe create some even greater than before. She said the events this weekend are about more than just sports. This is something many of my friends were not aware of; a lot of students I had talked to lost interest because they thought it was mostly about sports. But it’s not. This event is about leadership, athletics, journalism, gender, and more.

Next came Steiner and I learned many things from him in just 15 minutes. The most important lesson was how the job of broadcasters and journalists remains unchanged: to tell the truth. Although it seems that central mission is becoming muddled. “Writers, back in the time when there was still journalistic integrity, are all dead and gone. I’m afraid it’s a slippery slope,” Snell said after the evening concluded. Another thing I think we can take with us into the weekend is how sports communication is the becoming the new show business. I never really considered this while I was competing on the volleyball court.

If I had more time, I would join the 110 students that have jumped at the chance to be a sports communication major at Bradley. With so many greats from Bradley University, like Jack Brickhouse and Charley Steiner, it makes me want to do something extraordinary in the field. Needless to say, I am excited about the rest of the weekend. What about you?

Svitlana Strelnyk teaches at KNEU

For the last two weeks I’ve been on a road trip that took me from Vinnytsia to Kyiv, on to Berlin for a Fulbright conference, and finally to a long weekend in Prague. I will write more about Berlin and Prague in my next post.

On March 15, I spoke at the Kyiv National Economic University. The title of my talk was Leadership: Developing Self and Organizations in a Changing World. The faculty really rolled out the welcome mat.  After lunch I was invited to the Director’s office to talk about issues related to Ukrainian higher education. They are eager to learn more about American higher education in order to make their programs relevant and competitive in the global economy.  The young teacher who made the arrangements for the event commented on how difficult it is for Ukrainians just starting their careers.  Sveta said, “The Orange Revolution happened in 2004, and nothing has changed.”  But I’m hopeful about her. She was selected by her colleagues to attend an exchange program in Germany in May and is working hard on her Fulbright application, which, if granted, will allow her to come to the United States. I wish her well.

That evening my friend and I had dinner in an Italian restaurant in Kyiv. Two women came into the small restaurant. Immediately we recognized one another as fellow Americans. We asked them to join us at our table. Turns out they were epidemiologists from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, in Kyiv to conduct workshops for Ukrainian medical personnel. I asked Bonnie, who has conducted these sessions for several years, what changes she’d noticed in the past three years in Ukraine. She said that the younger medical personnel from Ukraine were eager to learn about how to prevent or deal with public health problems — a stark change from the “old guard” that predominated several years ago. Their attitude was that there was little need to learn from Americans.

In one day, I gained greater insight into Ukraine, where I’ve been now for eight weeks. The world is changing rapidly — most everyone is aware of that. Young people from all over the world wonder about their future in seemingly unpredictable times. And yet, my new friend Bonnie, who has been all over the world throughout her career, notes that attitudes of Ukrainian young professionals are more open than their predecessors to learning about the rest of the world.  And Sveta may sound slightly pessimistic, but she’s working hard to live up to her potential. March 15 was a very good day.

More about Berlin and Prague later.

My invitation to meet with the president of Vinnytsia University

Left to right, John Tripses, Sveta Kuzminia, Jenny Tripses, Rector Oleksandre Shestopaliuk, and Dean Tamara Yamchynska. Sveta was a Fulbrighter at Southeast Missouri University in 2008.

“The Rector (president of the university) wants to see you, Sveta, and Dean Tamara, tomorrow between 11:00 and 12:00 for a very pleasant meeting. ”

Hmmm …. what could that mean? So after my graduate English class, my host, Sveta, came to get me, and we hurried over to the Rector’s office — they in their furs, and me in my Land’s End down. The Rector’s assistants took our coats, and we were ushered into his office.

The Rector greeted us and asked how my husband John, who had returned home, was getting along back in the States — was he getting enough to eat? I assured him John seems to be managing just fine from what I can see on Skype. He asked about my children, and we learned that we each have two grown daughters and two grandsons whom we miss. Then he asked how I was getting along in Vinnytsia. Very well. I mentioned possible leadership projects I’d like to complete while I’m here. The Rector jumped on that idea and said, “Let’s get deans from the university together, and you can talk about leadership development.“

At that point we came to his purpose for the meeting. He wanted to congratulate me for International Women’s Day. Then, he presented me with gifts to commemorate the occasion: a coffee table book on Vinnytsia written in Ukrainian and English, a pot of crocus, Ukrainian dolls, a huge fruit basket, and a beautiful handmade card.  One of his assistants accompanied me back to my apartment carrying my gifts.

And so it was a very pleasant meeting. What made it positive was far more than the gifts and the courtesy.  Like everyone I’ve encountered at Vinnytsia Polytechnic University, the Rector and I had a good conversation. We connected as grandparents and educators. I thoroughly enjoyed dreaming about ways I could use my background here in Vinnytsia. A very pleasant meeting indeed.

Ukrainian generosity

From Dr. Jenny Tripses ’73, professor of leadership in education, human services and counseling

Today makes two weeks teaching in Ukraine. In many ways, teaching is no different in Ukraine than it is in Peoria. The students here are like my graduate students — sincere, hardworking, and interested in learning. The teachers resemble teachers I’ve worked with for the past 39 years. They, too, are deeply committed to their work and students. And they know how to have a good time. In two weeks, I’ve attended three birthday parties — two teachers, one dean — and one class celebration.

The most obvious differences involve language. My students speak English, Ukrainian, Russian, German, and some are learning Italian. I’m embarrassed when they marvel that I speak very good English. Truly, I don’t feel I can take much credit for that.

Tomorrow I am invited to speak to a high school English class on the environment. Not quite my area of expertise, but I’ve reviewed what I know (wish I’d finished reading Hot, Flat and Crowded) and am prepared to speak on recycling.

I am so impressed and humbled by the extraordinary generosity of every Ukrainian I’ve met. A young student who came to tutor me in Ukrainian just left my apartment. She brought a cake and fruit. I’ve received so many gifts, tangible and otherwise, from everyone — ranging from literal gifts to uncommon courtesy towards a woman who obviously doesn’t know how to check out her groceries. Ukraine is a wonderful place.

Can you hear me now?

From Dr. Jenny Tripses ’73, professor of leadership in education, human services and counseling

“Buy a mobile first thing when you arrive in Ukraine. You can pick one up at any kiosk.” Those were our instructions from the Fulbright summer orientation. Not entirely clear about what kind of kiosk might sell mobiles, my husband and I set out into the 5-degree cold to find a phone. His online research directed us to a well-advertised shop on Khreschatyk, the large boulevard that resembles Chicago’s Michigan Avenue.

We walk into the store where people are sitting around apparently waiting, but for what? After a minute, I notice a young man standing by a computer screen. He motions to me and quickly enters my information. I need an inexpensive phone and a clerk who speaks English. He gives me a number and directs me to watch the board on the wall to know when it is my turn to speak to a representative. The young woman who helped us was very polite, spoke excellent English, and answered all our questions. “Would the phone work in other parts of Ukraine, Berlin, Prague? What exactly is a SIM card? How long will it last?” Questions answered, she goes to pick out a phone that meets my needs and relative ignorance with technology gadgets. In a few minutes she returns to recommend we go somewhere else since they don’t have the phone I need.

At the next store just a few doors down, we are helped by Alexandre whose English is not as good, but he is equally helpful and courteous. By this time, I’m slightly more savvy about phone purchases, and in relatively short order we leave the store with my new mobile.  We have to return the next day because the voice mail message is in Ukrainian, and I figure that likely anyone who can understand the voice mail greeting might leave a message that I will not understand. Another Fulbrighter,  Diane Levy, meets us there since she has the same issue with her mobile. Turns out Alexandre waited on Diane as well the day before, so in pretty short order he has both our mobiles leaving messages in English. We hope.

In every Ukrainian shop, restaurant, and coffee shop we’ve experienced since we arrived, we have been treated with courtesy. Normal everyday activities are organized differently than in the US, but in ways that are sensible. Everyone waits his or her turn. No one acts as if we’re stupid even though we obviously don’t know what we’re doing. We’re enjoying the Ukrainian sights, people, food, and atmosphere. So far, very good.

Week two in full swing

By Lauryn Landacre

We are halfway through the week now, and we are exhausted! It is a good exhausted, though. Our calves hurt, we have blisters on our feet, but we are still working hard. There is never a dull moment here at the Chicago Auto Show.

Our days consist of constant tweeting, Facebooking and generating media buzz. Courtney Shattuck and I have been working with Vivid Ascent, the private PR group hired by the CAS, shooting webisodes and conducting interviews for the official Chicago Auto Show website.

When we are not behind the camera, we are generating photos and videos for blogs, vlogs and status updates. Morgan Kotars and Kendra Newlon also have been working hard on setting up CAS’s own HootSuite and running that whole operation.

Courtney Shattuck said this: “The best part about this experience so far was being able to see video footage that I shot included in the official Chicago Auto Show webisodes.”

Personally, I love being able to say that I have seen firsthand the success Twitter can have for generating media attention. So far, we have been able to collectively persuade local Chicago celebrities and big name businesses to re-tweet our messages and reach over 50,000 followers in addition to CAS’s over 3,000 followers. You can help us out by tweeting with the hashtag #cas2012. It is our goal to get CAS trending in Chicago!

We have been gaining a lot of great experience while also enjoying the show. Check out some of our pictures!

Auto Show Take 2

By Lauren Landacre ’12

For the first time ever, the Chicago Auto Show and Bradley University created a second week of internship opportunities for communication students. The second wave arrived Sunday and was catapulted into the craze of the first weekend of the auto show. The first week of the internship focused on media week and the preparation of opening day. Now, it’s our turn to handle the busy week with the public attending the show and keep up with everything that is happening!

For our first day, we did everything from shoot video of Chicago Blackhawk players making appearances to doing media clippings for the auto show’s media coverage. Our first look tour was literally 20 minutes long, and immediately we were told to get to work. We have a bit of freedom when it comes to making our own tasks. Because we focus primarily on social media, we are utilizing Facebook, Twitter and Youtube constantly. We roam around the show, take photos and videos and interview the public for potential tweets, statuses or blogs.

It is amazing to be able to say that while I am playing, I am also working. We have the opportunity to visit and experience the activities at all of the car booths. It is something we have to do! How are we supposed to create media buzz if we don’t experience it for ourselves? You can check out our 180-degree photo taken at the Chevy booth here.

It is exciting coming into work each day because the event schedule keeps us busy. Every day, there is someone, or something, that needs coverage for the official Chicago Auto Show website. Every time you see a Facebook post or tweet, we are behind it!

We’ve only been here 24 hours and we are loving every minute of it! Stay tuned to see what else we have the privilege of doing! The Blackhawks were day one; imagine what’s next!

Posting and tweeting

By Katie Odon ’12

Our last two days at the Chicago Auto Show focused on the newer side of public relations: social media.  Both days, we were posting and tweeting about anything and everything going on at the auto show.  We interviewed consumers attending the show and handed out prizes.  We also had the opportunity to choose what we thought was unique and interesting at the show and write blogs about it.

Marissa Salinas ’12, wrote about the 2012 SMART ForTwo by Mercedes-Benz.  This car comes with a “smart expression” tool where a consumer can choose the design and paint color of the car’s exterior.  I chose to write about the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500.  Attendees had the chance to hear its supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 engine rev up every hour of the show.  For people who do not attend speed racing events on a regular basis, this was something very special to experience.  You can see all of the interns’ blogs at http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/blogs/blogs.aspx?BlogId=3.

Besides writing about what was going on at the show, we also had the chance to talk to the people attending this show.  Jessica Coulter ’12, Molly Geraghty ’12, Karla Carr ’12 and I interviewed attendees as they were waiting in line to buy their tickets for the auto show.  We asked them why they were attending and what they were interested in seeing.  We then tweeted their answers from the Chicago Auto Show Twitter account.  As a small reward for those willing to speak to us, attendees received one free ticket in to the auto show.  It was like Christmas morning for those receiving the ticket, and we were Santa Claus.

After all our hard work was completed, our supervisors, Mark Bilek, Chicago Auto Trade Association Internet Director, and Michelle Ferm, Chicago Auto Trade Association Communication Specialist, took us out for a delicious dinner at Hard Rock Café on Saturday night.  This was a tremendous way to unwind and end a week of long hours and rewarding experiences.  We all developed a great relationship with Mark and Michelle, and we all appreciated the professional advice they gave us.

All of the interns can agree when I say that interning at the Chicago Auto Show has been one of the most gratifying experiences we have had while at Bradley.  A professor can make you write a million articles, plan various mock events, and train you to cope in different atmospheres, but they cannot prepare you for working for a real company or event.  We are all grateful for this awesome opportunity and want to thank Bradley’s Department of Communication for setting this up.  It’s back to Bradley for us six interns and now time for four more Bradley interns to take over at the Chicago Auto Show.

Shifting Into Full Gear at the Chicago Auto Show

By Katie Odon ‘12

We have been immersed in the Chicago Auto Show culture for only three days, but you wouldn’t know it by seeing us! We have been attending press conferences, writing press releases and assisting with media credentials. The only complaint we as interns have is that our feet hurt; we are always on the move!

I was very nervous writing my first actual press piece for a company, but my experience from Bradley reassured me that I had all the tools I needed to cover an event. The first event I covered was the Midwest Automotive Media Association breakfast with Allison Barkley ’13. John Maloney, president and CEO of Volvo, was the keynote speaker. He spoke about growth in the automotive industry and that Volvo’s long-term goal is increased safety. He hopes the measures they take will result in no deaths or serious injuries while driving or riding in a Volvo by the year 2020.

Allison and I hurried back to the Media Center to write our story. We had to complete it in less than an hour! Sure, both of us have had plenty of writing assignments while at Bradley, but nothing to this extent. With our Bradley writing experiences and knowledge at hand, we went right to work. The article turned out to be easier than we thought and we quickly finished within the time constraint. All of the interns completed at least seven articles during the two media preview days.

After all our hard work during media preview days, it was time to get fancy at the First Look for Charity event. This black tie event hosted by the Chicago Auto Show benefits 18 Chicagoland charities.  In our formal attire, we walked on to the show floor, enjoying a variety of hors d’oeuvres and posing in front of luxurious automobiles. The night ended with an awesome performance from the Blues Travelers.

Seeing such an extravagant event really made me think of all of the logistics and planning that went into First Look for Charity. Erik Higgins, Chicago Automobile Trade Association Director of Dealer Affairs, has been planning for this one-night event since May of last year. Organizing the different charities, meeting with the food vendors, choosing the entertainment and advertising the event are only a few of the checks on Higgins’ list as he prepared for this night. Without seeing firsthand how much went into this event, I wouldn’t have appreciated it as much.

These past two days have been unlike anything else I have experienced. I remember attending the auto show a few years ago and thinking the event was probably put together a month in advance. I never would have thought that one department needed to do so much work year-round to pull off this event.

This is an aspect of communications and public relations that I wouldn’t have been able to experience with only my classroom knowledge. The other interns and I can’t wait to see what the Chicago Auto Show has in store for us for the next few days!

Day 1 (February 7, 2012)

By Katie Odon ’12

When people think of the Chicago Auto Show, they probably think of the newest luxury automobiles, but don’t consider all the work that goes in to preparing for one of the biggest automobile trade shows. Today, six Bradley interns experienced firsthand all the hard work that goes into the making of the Chicago Auto Show.

Our supervisor and Internet director Mark welcomed us to the media center and put us right to work getting the media center cleaned up for the madness of the media preview days. We put lanyards together and organized media giveaways. Mark introduced us to the Chicago Auto Show database, where we will be posting blog entries and registering media professionals. We even got to make our own credentials, which allow us into any part of the auto show. We put together programs for a meeting tomorrow and cleaned up the media center.

Mark and Michelle, the communication specialist, took us on a tour of the whole Chicago Auto Show area. We saw a few behind-the-scenes rooms and met other people that work for the auto show.  Then we toured the actual show floors. We were some of the first few people to see 95 percent of the vehicles that were to be on the floor before it is open to the media or the public. The carpet was not down yet, wrapping was still on cars, and some manufacturers were still setting up their displays. McCormick Place and Chicago Auto Show workers will work through the night to make the show floors look their best.

Even though today was a lot of simple tasks and orientation to the event, we really learned how much it takes to be the biggest automotive trade show in the country. It showed us the importance of little details and how much coordination goes into large events. We are really excited to see the outcome of our work.

Love more, worry less

By Sadie Salsman ’13

When I first arrived in the Dominican, everything was so foreign. All of my senses were overwhelmed by my immersion into this new culture. Within a day, though, the shock wore off and by the end of the week, I felt comfortable and at home here.

This morning we left San Juan for a resort near Santo Domingo for time to relax and debrief. You would think that I would be happy to trade that poor little city for time to lie on the beach. But I am not. As enjoyable as relaxing at a mediocre resort is, I am missing the people and the place I have come to love.

See, I forget how quickly people can grow to know and love one another. In the past few days, I have been utterly privileged to experience these people and this culture. I have done nothing for these people besides love them, but they have helped transform the way I see all people.

One day in the clinic, I looked around and realized that I had stopped seeing in color, that I didn’t hear language anymore. I saw all of the therapists and patients working together. As much as I have always believed in my mind that all people are equal, my heart has finally taken the step beyond that and ceased to really even be aware of the categories we place people into. It is so easy to have an attitude of arrogance toward developing countries, as if we Americans are somehow better people because we have more “stuff.” Any distorted view of “betterness” I may have had has been shattered this week. It has been my privilege to be loved by these people and to develop friendships I will not forget.

The more time I spent around the Dominican people, the more I saw how insignificant the mental barriers we place between people really are. If I learned anything this week, it is that communication goes far beyond language. That language, though convenient, often isn’t even necessary. Love, laughter, friendship, pain, hope, fear, strength, courage: they are all the same between us. They don’t need words or explanations; they transcend culture and unify us.

I am going to miss San Juan so very much. The people here love more and worry less than any people I have ever seen before. Their lives are based on relationships rather than on things, and they are satisfied with the lives they lead. Although it will be nice to come home to hot water, no cockroaches, and toilet paper that I’m allowed to flush, I can confidently say that I would be perfectly happy to live here. I certainly hope to return in the near future.

Positivity abounds

By Amanda Wright ’13

You know when you think of tribal women carrying baskets of things on their head? Well, it actually happens. A patient we saw today came in with neck pain, caused by … you guessed it: carrying buckets of water on her head. Needless to say, she had the strongest neck muscles we’ve ever seen. You know those pictures of three, four, five people amazingly balanced on one tiny scooter? That actually happens, too, and here is the evidence to prove it.

As we have waded through diagnosis after diagnosis, several themes have emerged:  chronic back pain is universal, you work with what you have, and a smile trumps everything. We have been beyond blessed during our time down here. To say we are on a mission trip feels guilty. We have been indulging ourselves in the traditional Dominican food, we played baseball with the locals and have been smothered in hugs by the beautiful children. Oh, and I forgot to mention the nice nap in the hammock.

When we first got here, being told to ride in the back of the truck was as foreign as the Spanish was to our ears, but now the reverse analogy prevails. Something about riding in the back of truck makes you feel like you are a kid again. So with cabs empty, our group piles into the back of the truck to go eat at local restaurants, attend church, or drive to our various work sites. We started today in a different location than the past two days, but we lost some patients when they found out we weren’t chiropractors. Excitedly, we went back to the hospital where we had been working the previous two days. The interesting cases keep coming, as our minds strain to remember the important details about various diagnoses. Being in the clinic, we cannot help but absorb the positive attitude that abounds there. The atmosphere is especially remarkable considering the amount of time the patients wait and the volume at which the local therapists are trying to work. Time works differently down here; we are operating on Dominican time. Hopefully my professors will understand when I return to my classes. I encourage all of you to get out of your comfort zone; it is the only way to grow.

Arrival and awakening

By Sadie Salsman ’13

Although the thought of coming back to school and seeing all of my friends after a long break sounded wonderful, the thought of trudging through snow to start new classes was not entirely appealing. However, the knowledge of my upcoming tropical escape made it much more bearable.

Now, when I say tropical escape, don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t decide to book my winter vacation the second week back to school. That is just when the mission trip I wanted to take happened to occur. Less than a year ago, when I was talking with my advisor, I mentioned to her my interest in medical mission work. To my surprise, she informed me that some of the physical therapy professors and students went on a mission trip each year.

After more than half a year, jumping through a few hoops, and 22 hours of travel in the not-so-pleasant weather we have been having, I sit here in the Dominican Republic at the Clinica Cristiana in a t-shirt dress, kicking my feet up next to a flowering tree. A few members of our group are playing board games with a couple of the local people while others are helping cut up fresh fruit for dinner.

Getting off of the plane, I was instantly immersed into a culture so different than I had ever experienced before. Everyone was everywhere, yelling about everything. Dan, the missionary from the clinic, was waiting for us, and ushered us onto a bus for a three-hour ride. Dan reminded us of the importance of not drinking anything as we stopped to eat along the way. I had to go to the bathroom, but after Mandy, the DPT student, Melissa, the DPT professor, and I saw the massive overflow of horrible-smelling water flowing toward the bathroom door, we decided we really didn’t have to go that badly.

As we drove through the dark streets of both the town and countryside along the way, I faded in and out of consciousness. I’ll admit, I was intimidated by all of the unfamiliar sights and sounds, the crazy driving, the people staring, and, most of all, by the poverty that I had known existed, but couldn’t actually picture as reality.

Finally arriving at the clinic, our team all showered and went straight to bed. The shower was cool, but it felt refreshing after my long day. I put in a pair of earplugs to drown out the endless sound of people, music, traffic and roosters and was lost to the world for a few blissful hours.

This morning I woke up almost chilly from the cool morning air, quickly changed and brushed my teeth with water that was not from the faucet, and had a lovely breakfast of fresh fruit, muffins, eggs, ham, toast and homemade granola before heading to church. The church we attended is still being constructed, and our team will be putting in its windows and doors this week. The entire service was in Spanish, but I sat next to Dan’s wife Kari and she quietly translated for me. I was inspired by the beauty and simplicity of the service. A young guy with an awesome voice led all of the music a capella. Following that, an older woman got up and spoke over a passage of the bible, calling these people, who already had nothing in my mind, to give up everything they had for Jesus. The joy of the people was so evident. They accepted us so warmly. I was struck by the gratefulness of the people. In prayers in the United States, we spend most of our time asking God for things. Here, the people spend most of their prayers thanking God for all they have and all he has done. The sharp contrast was, not surprisingly, quite convicting.

This afternoon, we walked through the barrios, the poor neighborhoods near the mission, hoping to visit a few families that one of our team members knew from previous visits. As we walked the streets, we met and talked with countless children. All of the people were so friendly and warm. The more I am around the people, the more I see their joy and the less I see their poverty.

Honestly, although we are coming here to serve these people, I think we in America are so much worse off than they are. The happiness that flows out of them is not a reflection of what they have. It is not conditional; they don’t place their security in what they have, so they worry less than we, who have so much, tend to. There is a lot to be learned from these amazing people.

And I have been here less than 24 hours.  I can’t wait to see what the rest of the week will bring us.

How time flies!

By Karin Nelson ’13

Sometimes it feels as if we have been in London forever, as we’re all so comfortable here. At the same time, it feels as though the time has passed too quickly and we have only been here a few days. Either way, tomorrow is our last day in the beautiful and busy capital city of England.

I spent the day shopping with a group of girls. We all have a few British pounds to spend before leaving. The afternoon started on Portobello Road, walking through stalls of trinkets and antiques standing next to junk. We spent a great deal of time poring over jewelry and searching for fashionable hats and coats. I was drawn to the old maps and war medals, but they were very expensive!

With lighter purses and grumbling stomachs we set off for Covent Garden to eat and continue our day of shopping. There we found wonderful musicians on every corner singing or playing violins. One man was blowing into a construction cone to make music and it was actually very pretty. There were more markets to explore and clothes to try on. Strawberry and raspberry tarts were the perfect way for us to end our Saturday in London.

Tomorrow, everyone has different plans to wrap up their trips. Some are going to do more shopping, others are seeing a show and a few are off to Kings Cross Station to pose with platform 9 ¾, the site of the magical passageway in J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series. We have all had a wonderful time and made lasting friendships and memories. Our future travels should be easier now that we have had this experience. The sights have been exciting and well documented in pictures and everyone is finishing up homework assignments before the coming semester begins.

We are all looking forward to different things as we prepare for home, but as for me, I am ready to escape the crowds of people and have a personal bubble again! Even with the crowds, London was fabulous and will forever be a treasured memory and growing experience for all of us.

Leaving the Muggle world

By Karin Nelson ’13

Markets are always a fun place to explore with friends, so today I set out with a couple of other girls to Camden Market. Stepping out of the Tube station and looking down the street at all of the vendors was overwhelming. There were so many different things for sale! When we turned down the path to the actual market we were crowded with clothes and jackets and accessories. There were men everywhere trying to get us to purchase something from their stalls. Signs warning us against pickpockets were everywhere, but we were smart and clutched our belongings as we walked together and had a lovely morning of shopping.

The market was fun and busy, but not exactly what we were expecting when we showed up. One student remarked that she wasn’t expecting to see the same clothes in multiple stalls. Another student thought it would be craftier. Overall, we enjoyed our time shopping and marveled at the very high heels on some shoes.

Later in the evening a group of about 20 of us went on a walking tour of London that was all about the magical world of Harry Potter. It was an excursion that many of us had been looking forward to the entire trip, and while it was not exactly what we expected, it was still wonderful and we had a blast.

We saw the place where the trio (Harry, Ron and Hermione) transform into ministry workers, where Harry teaches Mr. Weasley how to use the Underground, where author J.K. Rowling may have been inspired, and where the trio escape to after attending Bill and Fleur’s wedding. Our guide, Richard, was wonderfully funny and interactive. He explained the connections Rowling made between many of her characters and their names. For example, Sirius means hot or scorching in its original Greek and Sirius is the most hot-headed of all of the characters. Sirius is also a star, sometimes called the Dog Star and his character transforms into a dog.

By the end of the tour everyone was ready to go back and review all the films to look for the places we have now seen in person. As for me, I’m ready to re-read the novels to find all the streets we have now walked! Our guide told us that many people believe J.K. Rowling used Charring Cross as the place for the Leaky Cauldron (the entrance to the magical world) because Charring Cross has more bookstores than any other place in London. For us Muggles (those who lack magical ability), books are the entrance to magic.

How DreamWorks works

By Meghan Loy ’14

The end of the two-week Entertainment Industry Seminar is quickly approaching and one of our lasts stops was to DreamWorks Animation Studios. There, we met with Jed Schlanger, a BU alumnus and production manager of DreamWorks. The company creates high-quality, family entertainment, including computer-generated animated feature films, television specials and series and live entertainment properties. We learned that the studio produces two 3-D feature films a year and Jed is involved in the process. We also were fortunate to be guests at lunch in the commissary.

After our visit to DreamWorks we went to NBC Studios where we enjoyed VIP seating at “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”  We were all really excited to hear the interviews with the guests. The first was actor Liam Neeson, who was there promoting his new movie “The Grey.”  We were also fortunate so see columnist, author and blogger Meghan McCain and band Jack’s Mannequin.

After the show was over we had an incredible surprise. Doug Frank, BU honorary alumnus and music business entrepreneur, had arranged for us to meet with Rickey Minor, director of the “The Tonight Show Band.”  He is the Emmy-nominated music director of American Idol and has worked with artists like Whitney Houston, Beyoncé Knowles and Ray Charles. We talked to Rickey for over an hour in his private office studio. He participated in a question and answer session with us and talked about how he got to where he is today. He even shared with us his inspiration for the show’s theme song and played it for us on his computer. We will all remember Rickey’s generosity and friendship for a very long time.