Communications students present research at 2014 SURF sessions

More than two dozen students spent the day sharing their scholarship with the Elon community.

Twenty-five School of Communications students were among the many students who presented their work at Elon University’s selective Student Undergraduate Research Forum April 29.

Faculty mentors for this year’s School of Communications researchers included Janna Anderson, Lucinda Austin, David Copeland, Colin Donohue, Kenn Gaither, Julie Lellis, Harlen Makemson, Barbara Miller, Glenn Scott, Amanda Sturgill, Brian Walsh and Qian Xu.

Following is the 2014 list of Communications presentations.

Jeff S. Ackermann, Shakori D. Fletcher & Ryan K. Greene, “The Ongoing Role of Original Principles in the Internet Evolution: Internet Leaders Continue to Adhere to Early Ideals,” Faculty Mentor: Prof. Janna Anderson

Rajat Agarwal, “Microblogging the News: Covering a Crisis when Twitter is the Only Option,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amanda Sturgill

Yasmine Arrington, “Is It Still Relevant: Public Education’s Role in Promoting the Common Good in the 21st Century,” Faculty Mentors: Drs. David Fletcher and Amy Johnson (Department of History)

Elizabeth A. Ballard, “On the Defense: How the NFL Fought to Regain Public Trust after the Concussion Crisis,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lucinda Austin

Katherine E. Blunt, “The Power of the Fourth Estate: Media Framing of Hitler at the Height of Conflict,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Copeland

Joseph R. Bruno & Brian A. Mezerski, “A Widening Digital Divide: Infrastructure and Governmental Control in an Age of Expanding Internet Use,” Faculty Mentor: Prof. Brian Walsh

Stephanie Butzer, “Wild Disturbances: Rights of Survival in Predator Control,” Mentor: Prof. Colin Donohue

Jill E. Capotosto, “Framing Climate Change: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Government Environmental Agencies’ Websites in Norway, China, Costa Rica and the United States,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Barbara Miller

Nicole Chadwick, “Revolutionizing the Newsroom: How Online and Mobile Technology has Changed Broadcast Journalism,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Copeland

Tess I. Duncan, “Winning a War of Ideals: The Neglected Use of Artistic Expression in Cultural Diplomacy,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Glenn Scott

Dana A. Gullquist, “Get It First, Get It Fast, Get It in Fewer than 140 Characters: Local vs. Regional Effects on Accuracy, Sourcing of Breaking News,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amanda Sturgill

Heather L. Harder, “Are All Calories Created Equal? A Case Study of the Coca-Cola Company’s Communication in the Fight against Obesity,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lucinda Austin

Jennie L. Hook, “Disability Representation in Independent Narrative Film,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Julie Lellis

Tessa J. Jones, “Young Adults’ Behaviors & Opinions Regarding Cell Phone Addiction & Their Ability to Communicate in Society,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Copeland

Michelle C. Landahl, “The Fallout from Fallout: Comparing Scientist Testimonies to Government Narratives surrounding Nuclear Fallout in 1961 and 1962,” Faculty Mentors: Dr. Harlen Makemson and Dr. Laura Roselle (Department of Political Science)

Elena Meskhidze, “Musicians as Diplomats: Frames Used in Domestic News Coverage of International Jazz Tours,” Faculty Mentors: Dr. Harlen Makemson and Dr. Laura Roselle (Department of Political Science)

Baron A. Smith, “Conveyance of Brand Identities and Portrayal of Minority Groups in 2013 Super Bowl Automobile Advertisements,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Copeland

Gloria E. So, “From ‘Pockets of Poverty’ to Potential Prosperity in Appalachia: Connecting Mass Media Narratives of Poverty Stereotypes to Authentic Appalachia through Photovoice,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kenn Gaither

Katy A. Steele, “Palestinian-Arab Media Frames and Stereotypes of the ‘Other’ Israeli-Jews,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Copeland

Kyrstin McKenzie Wallach, “A Content Analysis of Twitter Use: Factors that Might Increase Music Sales during an Award Show?” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Glenn Scott

Jason T. Waterman, “How Source and Bandwagon Cues Affect Information Processing and Attitude Formation in Twitter Marketing,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Qian Xu

Allison C. Weiler, “The 1957 Little Rock Crisis, Regional Newspaper Coverage, and Cold War Frames,” Faculty Mentors: Dr. Harlen Makemson and Dr. Laura Roselle (Department of Political Science)

Celebrating Faculty Scholarship

Additionally, two Communications faculty members shared their research as part of the SURF morning poster session. Assistant professor Nicole Triche shared her creative work titled “Taxidermists: A documentary portrait of two very different practitioners who re-create nature using art and science.” Assistant professor Jessalyn Strauss showcased her research titled “From the Last Frontier to the New Cosmopolitan: A History of Casino Public Relations in Las Vegas.”

Additional Communications Event

elondocs, the documentary filmmaking program in the School of Communications, featured student audio, photo and video documentaries created by students in the organization. The one-hour screening was followed by a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers.