Features: Gaylord College Ambassadors

PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL: 2005-2006 Gaylord Ambassadors (from left) Megan Juneau, Jake Behrens, Allison Abshere, Cory Lynn, Brittany Boren and Laurie Dernick meet with OU president David L. Boren. Boren praised the group’s outreach efforts on behalf of the Gaylord College. Photo by Robert Taylor

Student group aids college's mission
Gaylord College Ambassadors act as the students' voice to alums, visitors

By Andrew May

United States ambassadors serve in an assorted array of activities and diverse duties. They travel throughout their assigned country forming relationships and helping to achieve both countries’ goals.

The Gaylord Ambassador program allows the college’s strongest students to perform similar functions.

Journalism senior Sarah Ganus hosted Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Woodward before he spoke to OU students. Ambassador Chair Laurie Dernick, journalism senior, gave Sooner football legend Joe Washington a tour of the campus during his visit. Public relations senior Jake Basden worked to bring to campus Bill Wertz, director of International Corporate Affairs for Wal-Mart, to speak to public relations students.

Gaylord College Dean Joe Foote began the program at OU in fall 2005 based on one he had created at Southern Illinois University, where he was the first dean of the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts.

2006-2007 Ambassadors
Lindsey Allgood Prof. Writing Sophomore Christopher Davis Public Relations Senior Megan Davis Journalism Senior Laurie Dernick Journalism Senior Amy Draper Public Relations Senior Houda Elyazgi Public Relations Senior Annie Gasparro Journalism Senior	Robert Gonzales Advertising Junior Rachel Griffith Public Relations Senior Lisa Janssen Journalism Junior Megan Juneau Public Relations Senior Lauren Kula Prof. Writing Senior Cory Lynn Broadcast Senior Crystal Mason Journalism Junior	Laura Neal Broadcast Senior Mark Nehrenz Journalism Sophomore Krista Nightengale Journalism Senior Joanna Rus Journalism Senior Nicole Terranella Advertising Senior Angela Tran Public Relations Junior Valerie Willis Prof. Writing Senior

Designed to assist in external and internal outreach efforts, the Gaylord College program allows ambass-adors to engage in a variety of activities from contacting prospective students to meeting with nationally known visitors.

Among other duties, ambassadors attend recruiting functions, act as liaisons between the college and alumni, give tours of Gaylord Hall, assist the college during special events and host visiting dignitaries.

“I became an ambassador because I wanted to be an active participant of my college,” professional writing junior Valerie Willis says. “I wanted to become a part of the student leadership for the college and a representative for my fellow students.”

Fred Blevens, former associate dean of student affairs, led a selection committee responsible for choosing the 15 students in the program’s inaugural year. The committee placed a strong emphasis on academic achievement, communication skills, enthusiasm and desire to serve, Foote says.

“We look for students who are committed to the college and who have the personality to interact well with external audiences and who are excited about being a connector for the college,” he says.

Recruiting the best and brightest of the journalism and mass communication student body is the key to the success of the program, says Lance Thomas, Gaylord College public information officer.

Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 and strong communication skills.

“I want the group to be as diverse as possible,” says Thomas, who serves as the group’s adviser. “We have that in the student body, so we want this program to be a reflection of that.”

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