Keep on Communicating

Every year Flagler College hosts an amazing week long event full of lectures, discussions, and networking opportunities. Known as Communications Week Connect to Success, the goal is to do just that, help the students connect and ultimately be successful in their own means. Very few colleges across the country offer such an event and Flagler students know they would be deserving themselves if they did not participate.This year at Com Week Flagler hosted an elite group of professionals to say the least. The keynote speakers were Kevin Sites and Connie Schultz.

Sites is an award-winning journalist and author who has spent the past decade covering global war and disaster for ABC, NBC, CNN, and Yahoo!. Sites spoke about his adventures through the world's most dangerous places carrying only a backpack with his equipment. He described, in depth, what it felt to be a journalist while witnessing some of the most challenging human experiences. Sites had to remove his human feelings to be only a journalist in the toughest of situations, questioning himself about weather to same a man or leave him to die. Working along with the US armed forces, Sites has seen things you and I have only experienced in movies. After his travels, Sites wrote his first book, "In the hot zone: One Man, One Year, Twenty Wars," which shares his effort to put a human face on global conflict, reporting from major war zones. Winning the Edward R. Murrow award and nominated for an Emmy for his contributions to a series on landmines, Sites has opened the eyes and hearts of many, showing us the truths behind the war that we see very little of.

Schultz's presentation was insightful to say the least. She is a nationally syndicated columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, OH, Creators Syndicate and the author of two books. She spoke to us about her life as a writer and her trials and tribulations in the field of journalism. Schultz explained the way she interacted with her readers and followers. She receives around 100 emails an hour, 24 hours a day and she reads them all. "It is fun and interesting to pay attention to who is reading me, I get ideas for columns from comments readers have made," Schultz said. To be in her presents was a treat. She was warm, friendly, fun, and informative. I truly enjoyed listening to the stories she told about her family and about other people and their families who's lives she has touched through her writing.

Amongst the key note speakers, Robbie Gordon, Alfredo Corchado, Anagla Kocherga, and Allen Olivo were featured speakers.

Com Week at Flagler College would not so successful and helpful if it weren't for the variety and wealth of knowledge the speakers brought to campus. It is a time for students to not only think about the next chapter in their lives, but also explore the opportunities that are out there while making connections to the people who make it possible.

Written by

Tessa Manton

Missing persons? -->social media!

Can social media really help in a missing persons case? Yes! And more people are turning to social media when this tragic event occurs.

There are multiple organizations where their primary focus is to find missing persons. Many of these organizations have created an online presence through the use of social media. For example, Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension currently has a Facebook fan page. They submit posts relating to missing persons and safety tips. When BCA posts information on a missing person, the information will appear in members news feeds. This is such a beneficial way to send out information. There is a lot of controversy on the page, but that is expected when dealing with children and loved ones missing.

Amber Alerts also has a Facebook fan page along with Facebook applications. Amber Alerts have established a reputation on the television and radio but social media is where it is at today. They are sending the message out with the hope of gaining leads.

Not only are established organizations creating Facebook pages, but so are people. The families that have lost a loved one are turning to social media to do the research on their own. For example, when Brittanee Drexel went missing a Facebook page was created. There is over 19,000 members on the page currently. People post their condolences to the family and friends. They also will make posts relating to how much they miss her and wishes of her to come home. Some people will post information on other unsolved missing persons cases. And there is also information and tips on how to protect yourself.

Social media is the best way to reach your audience. And when it comes to heartbreaking cases like a missing person, social media is a favorable outlet to turn to.

--Abby Sessock

Developing Social Network: Foursquare

We all knew Myspace.
Then were introduced to Facebook.
More recently, Twitter came into our lives.


Now, the next social network is here. Foursquare is a location-based social networking game/website/phone application. According to the co-founder Dennis Crowley's personal website, it is service that mixes social, locative and gaming elements to encourage people explore the cities in which they live. (See YouTube clip below!!)


The idea is that users can “check in” to locations using a phone app (iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Palm), sending a text message to ‘50500’, or accessing the website on their mobile browser. The application uses GPS to locate venues near you to check in at. The user can see where their friends are, and the location of the venue. A venue can be anything from an airport, to a bar, to a gym. Users unlock points and badges as they go out and about. Users are able to feed their Foursquare activity through their Twitter or Facebook pages. 







Foursquare is obviously the most popular in bigger cities, and started in 2009 with limited availability in only 100 worldwide metro areas. They are growing at incredible speeds, and have gained a following in the past few months. In January 2010, Foursquare changed their location model to allow check-ins from any location worldwide. As of March 2010, the service had 500,000 users internationally. In the past two weeks alone, they had 100,000 new users (including myself).


Here are some screenshots of the Foursquare app:




This form of social network is fast and new. So, go ahead, "check in"!

Caitlin Brown
http://myamericanjetset.blogspot.com/