The Department of Communication and Creative Arts at Purdue University Calumet hosted their Spring 2015 graduate retreat on May 8. The alumni were recognized for their accomplishments, faculty and staff were praised and students were introduced to the graduate program.
The retreat was held on the morning of the graduation ceremony. Many students graduating that night attended the retreat to prepare for the beginning of their graduate program.
The staff and faculty of the department spoke about how the graduate students and teaching assistants have become an inspiration and model to all students. Catherine Gillotti, an associate professor of communication in the department who has a doctorate in interpersonal communication, helped present awards for graduate students for the past school year.
“I think it’s been a very memorable year for all of us,” Gillotti said.
As awards were being presented, graduate students shared information about their experiences in the program. Jim Harwood, a history major and communication minor who graduated this year, said he will begin his graduate program next semester.
“I think this is going to be highly informative,” Harwood said.
Harwood said he was inspired to pursue academic success in communications when his history professor suggested the department to him. Harwood has a career in radio and said the graduate program will help him better communicate in a more marketing and public relations manner.
The retreat also featured a presentation by guest speaker Bren Murphy, a professor of communication and women’s studies from Loyola University Chicago who has a doctorate in communication studies. Murphy spoke about the influence of children literature on urban community and individual identity.
To help correspond with the material Murphy talked about, the retreat began with a game that had invitees guessing cartoon characters and children’s books based on snippets of photos posted.