Programs & Organizations
Student Organizations
Some of the most helpful opportunities for a communication major are the student organizations. Berry offers something to cover practically every aspect of communication from newspapers to television.
More information on our organizations:
- Yearbook: Cabin Log
- Newspaper: Campus Carrier
- Forensics
- Magazine: Ramifications
- Television: Viking Vision-Channel 55
Cabin Log
Working with the Cabin Log
The Cabin Log, Berry's yearbook, employs approximately 10 paid students and another 10 to 20 unpaid writers, photographers, page designers, graphic artists and advertising salespersons, though there is always room for more. Many students receive communication department scholarships given in exchange for work with the Cabin Log or other student organizations in the communication department. They also have the opportunity to gain credit hours toward their degree through participation on the yearbook staff.
Prior experience, while helpful, is not necessary. Starting out in a lower position in order to learn and then moving up to an editorial position is a natural process for many students who work with a student publication.
Seeing the Results
The Cabin Log averages 256 pages, with approximately eight of its two-page spreads using full-color photos and another eight using spot color. The book is provided to currently-enrolled students and recent graduates at no additional charge, with the expense calculated into each student's tuition and fees. Taking part in producing this key piece of memorabilia for their classmates is a point of great pride for those who work with the Cabin Log. The Cabin Log has received several awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, as well as placing first in the best of show competition at the annual Associated Collegiate Press conference.
For more information, contact:
Kevin Kleine, student publications adviser and lecturer of journalism
(706) 238-7871
kkleine@berry.edu
Campus Carrier
Working with the Campus Carrier
Working with the student newspaper staff is certainly not the easiest job on campus, but when done correctly, it's quite possibly the most enjoyable. The Carrier employs 15 to 20 paid staff members and another 10 to 20 unpaid staffers as writers, photographers, cartoonists, graphic artists, page designers, Web page designers and business managers. The newspaper always has room for new faces, but since deadlines are crucial for the successful operation of the Carrier, responsibility and willingness to work long hours a few nights a week are two of the key characteristics of a good Carrier staff member.
Work for the Carrier can be rewarded by communication department scholarships, credit hours and student work pay, but it is always most importantly rewarded by priceless work experience to help build students' resumes and portfolios.
Seeing the results
The Georgia College Press Association named the Campus Carrier the best small college newspaper in the state 12 of the last 14 years. Throughout those years, the Carrier also enjoyed many first-place finishes in each of the overall categories - campus community service: news, sports, features and editorials; advertising excellence; layout and design; and photography - and has boasted first-place winners in many of the individual categories including news story based on objective reporting, column, news photo, feature photo, sports story, review and so on.
The Carrier is a weekly publication, typically running 12 tabloid-size pages with a single spot color on the front and back covers. The newspaper has a circulation of 2,000 and is widely read by students, faculty, staff and even some alumni, thanks to the online edition (see link below).
For more information, contact:
Kevin Kleine, student publications adviser and lecturer of journalism
(706) 238-7871
kkleine@berry.edu
campus_carrier@berry.edu
Read the Carrier online at: www.berry.edu/stulife/carrier
Forensics
Participating in forensics competition
An average of 15 to 20 students participate consistently with the Forensics Union each year, with 10 or 15 more competing on a part-time basis. The categories of competition include informative, persuasive, after-dinner, debate, literary interpretation (solo and duo) and rhetorical criticism. Participating students attend weekly practice sessions with speech coaches and compete in 10 to 12 tournaments each academic year. About half of the participants are communication majors, though both the opportunity to participate and scholarship opportunities are open to students of any major.
Seeing the results
February 2006 saw the team bring home its 12th state championship in a row. The Forensics Union averages 160 individual awards each year. It is consistently one of the top three teams in the Southeast, up against the University of Alabama and the University of Florida. The team has won 10 individual national championships in as many years and has also finished as high as eighth in the nation as a team.
Aside from all the team and individual awards gained from competition, participating in forensics offers just as many personal and educational benefits for students. Many Berry forensics competitors go on to use their advanced communication and research skills in law school, graduate school, political science careers, electronic media or public relations careers, or careers as preachers, teachers, speech pathologists and more.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Randy Richardson, director of forensics and lecturer of communication
(706) 236-2214
rrichardson@berry.edu
Ramifications
Working with Ramifications The primary responsibilities of the five to 10 staff members that work with Ramifications, Berry's literary magazine, are to select the art and literature that will appear in a given issue and to arrange those selections onto the pages. The opportunity to submit work for publication is open to all students.
Seeing the results
Ramifications is published once per semester and averages 32 pages. The publication contains poetry, prose, photography, musical compositions and other forms of art.
For more information, contact:
Kevin Kleine, student publications adviser and lecturer of journalism
(706) 238-7871
kkleine@berry.edu
Viking Vision-Channel 55
Working with Viking Vision
Viking Vision-Channel 55, Berry's student-run television station, employs 10 to 12 paid student workers and another 35 to 40 unpaid staff members. About 85 percent of participants are communication majors, though students of any major are welcome to take part. The more experienced crew members hold various training workshops at the beginning of each year, making it possible for new students to participate regardless of prior experience. Viking Vision offers experience with television news, live studio shows, short film and field-produced programs, making it easy for those aspiring to careers in electronic media to fill their portfolio tapes.
Seeing the results
Viking Vision produces three to five fully student-produced weekly or biweekly shows through the course of an average semester. Fully student-produced means exactly that: Students handle the lighting, sound, videography, editing, scripting and talent. The station has been recognized for the quality of its productions, with awards from Collegiate Broadcasters Inc., Broadcast Education Association, the Crystal Awards and the Communicator Awards.
For more information, contact:
Mark Hannah, faculty adviser for Viking Vision-Channel 55
(706) 368-6963
mhannah@berry.edu
or contact the student station manager at: vikingvision@berry.edu
(706) 236-1731