As graduation approaches, many seniors are looking for jobs and career opportunity as they take their last classes at Medaille. We wanted to spotlight some of our seniors in these last few weeks of school. For next few weeks we will profile a senior in the department.

Courtney Pellett

When it comes to being a hard working, one name comes to mind, Courtney Pellett. Whether it be with WMCB or The Perspective, Pellett has shown determination in anything she puts her mind to.

This year, her senior year, Pellett became Photo Editor of the newspaper. Last year she was Features Editor.

“I applied for Photo Editor on the advice of our advisor and some of the other editors from last year. I love taking pictures. It is one of my passions and other than Greg [Wlosinski], last years Photo Editor, I was the go to person to edit,” Pellett said.

The good that Pellett can bring to the table is the fact that she has the ability to work in more than just one medium.

“My career goals are so mixed up because I want to do everything, however I know that someday I would really like to own my own event planning company because it is the perfect thing for my creative side and I love planning a good party,” Pellett said. “I like print better. I’m a big talker, but in all honesty nobody cares what I talk about unless they are involved and I talk super fast so nobody can understand me. With print I feel like you get a chance to be more creative. For the newspaper I’m in charge of the photospreads and it really lets me be creative and have some fun.”

With April ending and May quickly approaching, there isn’t much time left before the senior class graduates and is done with their undergraduate work at Medaille.

“I’m scared and excited about graduating, it just depends on which day or hour you ask me. I’ve been in school since I was five, it’s about time that I’m done with it, at least for now; someday I plan on going back and actually I really want to get my doctrine in the future. I’m scared because I still don’t have a job or a clue what I want to do. Sometimes I envy my education friends because they know what they want to do without question. Communications is so general that you can really do anything.”

The Communications department and its professors are a huge part of each class that comes and goes at Medaille. Every senior has something or someone that they will miss and truly appreciated as their four years came an went.

“The best part of the communications department has to be Lisa and Lou. I’ve never met two teachers or professors who care so deeply about their students. They take the time to get involved in our lives and they trust us to share in theirs. They want everything to do their best and become shining stars. I couldn’t of asked for better professors and I count myself lucky to know them.”

The 4th annual Star Search was a huge success as Tara Lacell took home the $500 grand prize. The 3rd annual Star Search winner, Dan Brawn became a judge this year and here are his thoughts on this year’s competition.What was your opinion of the 4th Annual Star Search competition?

Tara talks about her performance:

“The first round was all about fun and working the crowd. The second round got vocally intense.

Tara’s thoughts on the competitors:

“To be honest, there were a couple of vocally talented people that really surprised me. I’ll keep them in mind next year for the musical.”

Tara’s thoughts about being in the competition for the third year in a row:

“It was the same as every other year! I just get up on stage and have a good time doing what I love and live to do: perform. I really love the crowd and their reactions to what I sing. I live for the screams that they give me. It’s one of the greatest feelings ever.”

Tara talks about the judges:

“I didn’t quite agree with the selections they chose to get through to the next round; but I did like the feedback and critiques that were given to the contestants.”

Tara’s thoughts on finally winning it all:

“Being my third year, I went in with the attitude that it was my year to win. However, I didn’t expect to take the grand prize after hearing a few of the competitors. My primary focus consisted of putting on a great show for my fans, and I believe I did.”

Next year Tara will be a judge as that is what the winner receives for taking home the grand prize, $500 and the chance to judge the next year.

The Computer Lab in H209 will be offering Extended Hours this coming week.  The PC Lab will be open until midnight this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 29th through May  1 so that student may be able to study and use the facility to prepare for exams and final projects for their classes.

The PC Lab will also be open from 8 a.m. - 4 pm on Friday May 2 from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., on Saturday May 3 and from 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 4.

The Perspective will be hosting a release party for it first-ever magazine, INcite on Thursday, May 1. The magazine was produced by the Perspective staff. The event will take place from 5-7 p.m. and will be held at the Perspective newpaper office, located at 73 Humboldt. There will food and all guests will be registered to win an iPod Shuffle. All are welcome to attend the event and be part of Perspective history.

You know the cliche: Life’s not fair? Well for Dennis Williams, the ex-Sports Director of WIVB Channel 4, life isn’t fair.

A month ago, Dennis Williams’ contract was up and WIVB decided not to renew it. This was not because of anything that he did not didn’t do but because there was someone out there on the market that they would rather have.

It’s like in sports when you are the quarterback of a successful football team and one off-season there is a better quarterback with a better profile that is more marketable suddenly becomes available. The team is probably going to go with the better player even if he will cost more and even if the team is already in good shape.
That is exactly what Channel 4 did when John Murphy left WKBW Channel 7 after he refused to take a pay cut. John Murphy is the voice of the Buffalo Bills, marketable, well respected, and very well known in the area. So Channel 4 decided to go with Murphy and part ways with Williams just like that.

Channel 4 has nothing against Williams they just felt Murphy was better for their station at this point in time. It just wasn’t right the way they let Williams go so suddenly without much of an explanation or a chance for him to let it sink in. It must have been a shock for him.

I was able to speak to Williams a few weeks after he left Channel 4 and I could tell that he wasn’t happy with how things ended.

Williams is a very talented sports director and he did direct the best sports coverage in the area. I am sure that he will land on his feet but he will probably have to leave the area to get a job and that is a shame. Recently Williams has kept his part-time job on WGR 550 radio.

So I’ve already taken my GRE and have submitted all my stuff to the grad school. I’m pretty much in but they want me to retake the GRE because I’m just a tad under their score requirements for acceptance and as to not make an exception just for me they have requested I take them again and then I will be admitted.

I’m more than happy to comply with my first choice of schools but it’s such a pain to take the GRE once let alone twice. For those of you who have taken it I’m sure you feel my pain; but, for those who haven’t……..Good Luck!!! It’s better than thr SAT but still a HUGE annoyance!

Is any body else having this issue with taking the GRE and getting every thing to the grad school of your choice? It’s worse than getting into undergrad……don’tcha think?!?!?!?!?!?

As graduation approaches, many seniors are looking for jobs and career opportunity as they take their last classes at Medaille. We wanted to spotlight some of our seniors in these last few weeks of school. For next few weeks we will profile a senior in the department.

Chris Muscarella

Muscarella is a prominent member of WMCB the Lizzard, Medaille College’s radio station. He is the current Program Director for the station. He also works in radio currently as a producer at KB 1520.
“I enjoy the position of Program Director. Things can get a little crazy at times, but overall I enjoyed the experience,” Muscarella said. “I accepted the job as Program Director because I wanted to be more involved in what happened in the station and what was going on with automation.

This year the radio station received automation software. Next year the station will really take of with the new software was WMCB can run shows and promos without people being in the booth meaning that the station can run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“As I graduate my career goals haven’t changed much, I still want a full time position in my field. I enjoy radio but I’m still very open to new experiences not only in radio but also television. I think that I’d probably be best suited for PR or Advertising work though,” Muscarella said.

With graduation approaching, some seniors may feel apprehensive about moving on with the next phase of their lives. Everyone has their own way of dealing with the the change of moving onto their career.

“I’m more nervous than scared and I am excited as well. I’m excited because after this I’m moving on to get my masters degree, but I’m nervous because this is where the real life evaluation of my education starts,” Muscarella said.

All seniors will miss something after they take their last exam and finish that last class. It can be hard to let go of things that were so comfortable for four year.

“The faculty is probably my favorite part of the communication department. I don’t recall having better teachers at any of my previous schools. They really go out of their way to help you.”

Medaille Music and Drama Club is putting on Nunsense, a musical on April 24-26 at 8 p.m. There will be a 3 p.m. performance on Saturday. Tickets are only $2 for students.

The show features two of our own communications students. Tara Lacell portrays Sister Robert Anne and Scott Monica plays Brother Leo.

It is truly a hilarious musical about 5 nuns and a monk putting on show to raise money to bury their dead sisters. You will find out how they died in the show.

The 4th annual Star Search was a huge success as Tara Lacell took home the $500 grand prize. The 3rd annual Star Search winner, Dan Brawn became a judge this year and here are his thoughts on this year’s competition.

Dan’s thoughts on the 4th annual Star Search as a whole:

“I think Star Search gets better with each passing year. The talent is fantastic, and the competition level continues to increase.”

Dan’s thoughts on being a judge this year:

“I had a great time judging. It was nice being on the other side of the judges table, and to not have to worry about memorizing lyrics or forgetting the words to a song. Some people told me I was too nice, but I had to remind them that I go to school with all of the contestants, and I see most of them on a daily basis, so I tried to be as nice as possible.”

Dan’s thoughts about the other two judges:

“It was nice to have Mary Beth Wrobel as a judge, as she has had many years of training in music, and most people in WNY know who she is. In terms of Rob Lucas, I think he was a great asset as well. Just like Mary Beth, many people know who he is, and he seemed to know what he was talking about.”

Dan’s thoughts on Tara Lacell winning it all:

“I thought Tara did a fantastic Job, and as I said the night of the performance, I thought it was her best performance ever. She absolutely deserved the title of ‘2008 Star Search Winner’.”

So my best friend from home is an Army Wife. She is home, back on the Island, but will be returning to Ft. Bragg shortly to welcome her husband back from over seas. Ever since she has been home, for about 6 months, all she does is watch CNN or Fox News. This had me curious because she’s never been a news watcher. Well I asked her about this the other day and she explained some thing to me that was a bit shocking.

Amy let me in on a little Army Wife secret. She said that most of the time the media will cover an event over seas and will report casualties, names of the victims, and more details than before the Military can get to the families to brief them. I sat there, jaw to the floor, stunned & speechless. She has been watching to see if she can see her husband or any body she recognizes because she doesn’t, and will never know, the exact location of her husband.

Is this right? Is this good or bad? Should families be notified by the media before the military can tell them?

I’ve been a victim of this. As most of you know my cousin, a New York State Trooper, was killed last year while trying to capture a wanted fugative. We had the news on all day after we were told of the incident which left most of us more stunned and with more questions than answers. David was 29 years old and has been gone for a year this Friday April 25th.

So while you’re all pondering this theoretical question, please stop and think just for a second of all those brave men and women who serve and those who have lost their lives defending the U.S. and all the rights we have.