UAFS student media growing; new degree program sought

The renewed media program at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith has produced its second Web publication, and UAFS officials are proposing a new degree program that could result in expansion of the media effort.

An “Attacking Lion,” information about student scientists and a report on UAFS Student Senate elections were the top stories in the second Web edition of the Lions’ Chronicle, the “Official Online Student Newspaper” at UAFS.

The attack of the Lion is a story about a large Lion sculpture scheduled to arrive on the UAFS campus in April. According to the story, the “Attacking Lion” is in a fighting position and will be five times larger than a real line. The UAFS Foundation received $200,000 in private donations to fund the statue, which will be placed near the Stubblefield Center.

Michael King, president of the UAFS Student Senate and member of the Lion Committee was quoted in the article: “I think [the Bell Tower] was a sign of growth and achievement for Westark and a group of students and faculty that preceded us. It’s time for the campus to make a new image for itself. Something future students can look at and see school spirit in.”

Attacking the future of journalism is Dr. Joe Hardin, dean of the College of Languages and Communication. Hardin, along with the UAFS administration and staff of the college, outlined three goals at the beginning of the academic year: to put together an advisory council of media professionals; to bring student media back to the campus, and to initiate a new major in media communication. All three goals were met.

Hardin provided the following description of the proposed media program: “The proposed degree in Media Communication features an interdisciplinary approach to new media writing, convergence journalism, and digital literacy. The primary purpose of the program, which will be housed in the College of Languages and Communication, is to train professionals capable of working in environments that require communication facility across various media, such as newspapers, on-line news outlets, radio, television, public relations, production and promotion, and advertising. Focused on a distinct set of facilities that includes writing, research, reporting, presentation, and new media skills, the major features a solid knowledge base within the fields of mass communications, speech, rhetoric, and new journalism. The program also offers students an opportunity to apply that knowledge to both written and spoken rhetoric in print, image, video, and sound production for new media publication. This degree includes a total of 124 hours.”

It’s likely that communication graduates from the new program could find local, state and national employment.

Fort Smith-based Baldor Electric Co. effectively doubled the size of its operation less
than three years ago. Most analysts say it is on track to be a world leader in its markets.
The company will need effective internal and external communications to reach its
growth potential. And despite the national freight recession, Fort Smith-based Arkansas Best Corp. and Van Buren-based USA Truck are seen as gainers when freight demand returns. They are companies with a national footprint and rely on internal and external communications to connect with employees, vendors and consumers.

Also, Fort Smith-based Golden Living operates in a sector — long-term care, hospice, rehab therapies, etc. — that will see blazing growth as the baby boomer generation ages. Again, people with communication skills will be vital to the efficient growth of Golden Living.

Demand for PR specialists in Arkansas is expected to increase 22% between 2006 and 2016, and media and communications jobs are expected to grow 16% in the same period, according to state agency research. A report from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 15% growth in broad media and communication fields between 2004 and 2014.