The Department of Communication Arts maintains a vibrant and engaging series of programs and activities to assist in developing your professional skills while having fun.   


Department

Lambda Pi Eta (ΛΠΗ)

Communication Honorary LogoLambda Pi Eta is the honor society for communication students recognized by the National Communication Association (NCA). The purpose of this organization is to recognize, foster, and reward outstanding scholastic achievement in communication studies; stimulate interest in the field of communication; promote and encourage professional development among communication majors; provide opportunities to discuss and exchange ideas in the field of communication; establish and maintain closer relationships between students and faculty to foster student scholarship, and to explore options for graduate education in communication studies.

LPH has over 400 active chapters at four-year colleges and universities. The organization was founded in 1985, became a part of NCA in 1988, and became the official honor society of NCA in July 1995.

To qualify for membership in LPH, communication majors must have completed 60 semester hours with a 3.0 GPA and a minimum of 15 hours in communication courses with a 3.3 GPA.

For additional information, contact faculty advisor Leigh Bryan at labryan@valdosta.edu. 

 

V-State Debate Team

Debate TeamThe Valdosta State University Debate Team competes in regional and national level competitions, offering you the opportunity to develop your debate, critical thinking, persuasion, research, and organization skills. 

The team participates in NPDA or Parliamentary Debate, in addition, the team occasionally competes in individual events including such activities as impromptu speaking, extemporaneous speaking, informative, persuasive, dramatic interpretation, dramatic duo, poetry interpretation, program oral interpretation, and others.

The team is open to all majors on campus and does not require previous experience.

For additional information, contact Dr. Michael Eaves at meaves@valdosta.edu or (229) 259-5116

 

Mass Media

Film & Video Society

Film & Video Society is primarily concerned with educating members on proper, new, and informative video/filming techniques including (but not limited to) writing, shooting, framing, lighting, editing, and production and providing further help to members wanting to pursue careers in the film/video industry. Amongst other things we host an annual film festival open to all students, high school film festivals to regional schools, and film showcases at the end of every semester, as well as a number of student-run competitions such as the 48 Hour Film Festival or the One Script Film Challenge.

For additional information, contact Dennis Conway at dpconway@valdosta.edu 

Society for Collegiate Journalists

Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) is a National Society dedicated to building leadership skills amount student journalists. The Society offers you the opportunity to have your work judged by professionals during its annual national contest and hosts a number of local events. SCJ will help you discover your potential as a journalist and provide important networking options before you graduate.

The Mass Media program has won several SCJ awards including the McDonald Award for National Chapter of the Year.

For additional information, contact Dr. Nicole Cox at nbcox@valdosta.edu. 

 

South Georgia Film Festival

The South Georgia Film Festival strives to celebrate the beauty of the region through the art and business of movies. Bringing in local, regional, and national filmmakers and enthusiasts, the South Georgia Film Festival has been a highlight of the Mass Media Program and the area for over six years now. Students and community members are encouraged to submit their work, attend, view, and participate!

For additional information, contact Jason Brown at jasonebrown@valdosta.edu.

 

Theatre and Dance

PRO-CONN PROGRAM       

Pro-conn involves bringing theatre and dance professionals to campus to deliver to you workshops and masterclasses, advice.  Professionals are available your questions about the reality of the theatre and dance industries as well as providing you with opportunities to audition, learn from, and network with these professionals. Additionally, biennial trips are planned to major markets for the intensive workshops and networking opportunities with industry professionals and Area alumni as well as experiencing a metropolitan environment.

Pro-Conn organizes a professional showcase at the end of each academic year.  The professional showcase brings regional hirers to campus to respond to the work of the upperclassmen who audition or present their portfolios.

Another professional connection that Pro-Conn promotes is the summer experience.  You are encouraged to seek performance-work opportunities and summer intensive programs in your field of study.  These summer experiences are an important step in building your personal network. 

One example of the experience Pro-Conn promotes is attendance at the Southeastern Theatre Conference's annual professional auditions.  Each spring dozens of professional theatre companies meet at the SETC Spring Convention to audition actors, singers, dancers, and interview technical theatre specialists for work - both summer and (for the graduating senior) year-round opportunities.

 

ALPHA PSI OMEGA (ΑΨΩ)

Alpha Psi Omega, a national honorary dramatic fraternity, has a major goal of stimulating your interest in dramatic activities at Valdosta State University. The highly active, energetic members of the Rho Epsilon cast are proud to aid the VSU theatre program in student recruitment, production activities, community service, and fundraising.

Alpha Psi Omega also presents two student performing organizations:

  • To Be Named Later Improv Troupe: the improv troupe holds biweekly workshops, many of which are open workshops.  They perform a variety of improv events throughout the academic year on campus and in the community.
  • Immediate Theatre Project: The Theatre Project is a student-operated theatre, producing the work of students, by students.

For additional information, contact Dr. Melissa Porterfield at mrporterfield@valdosta.edu

 

USITT

VSU is home to a student chapter of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT).

USITT is an organization aimed at advancing your skills and knowledge in the areas of design, production, and technology.  Over the course of the year, the USITT mounts a number of conferences and workshops at the national level and hosts a competition for students.  USITT will help you discover your potential as a Theatre professional and provide important networking options before you graduate.

For additional information, contact Chalise Ludlow at cludlow@valdosta.edu

 

NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY FOR DANCE ARTS CHAPTER

The VSU Chapter of the National Honors Society for Dance Arts is a program of the National Dance Education Organization. The organization's mission is to recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance and to foster an appreciation for dance as a true art form and one worthy of recognition and prestige. Students inducted into NHSDA may receive the following benefits:

  1. Recognition of their artistic merit, academic achievement, and leadership throughout their educational experience 
  2. Certificates at each level of induction, opportunity to wear the gold Honor Pin and blue and white Honor Cord
  3. Mentorship from Chapter Sponsor and networking with peers
  4. Leadership and development opportunities within their NHSDA Chapter, as they can assist the Chapter Sponsor with Chapter administration, record keeping, fundraising, and event planning

Interested students may apply online on the NHSDA  Induction requirements may be found in the NHSDA Chapter Handbook. Inductions are held at the end of each semester. Applications for Spring 2020 induction are due November 1, 2019.

NHSDA also assists in supporting student participation in  through annual fundraising events. 

For more information, please contact Sarah Arnett, at swarnett@valdosta.edu

 

VSU DANCE CLUB

The VSU Dance Club supports the dance program and provides outreach to both the VSU campus and the Valdosta/Lowndes County Area. In addition to promoting outreach, the club seeks to create a support system among you and your colleagues to provide an alternative outlet for dancers to express themselves as individuals outside of the dance curriculum.

Club membership is available to any VSU student interested in the art of dance and looking for a place to express their inner dance artistry through community and campus volunteerism, participating in dance recruitment tours, or sharing in the joy of dance at club meetings and events.

For more information, please contact Sarah Arnett, at swarnett@valdosta.edu