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Show 11.23.2009 news Automotive department gives back I I MICHAEL TORRES News writer" SKIPPY JESSOP/ UVU Review Author of / Weed a Killer Press Release-Now What???: A Guide to Online PR" spoke to PR students in the fastest growing major at UVU. Author encourages students to be ahead of trends in media H SKIPPY JESSOP : ^ ] " News writer On Nov. 17 the Public Relations Club hosted a speech by online marketing expert and author Janet Meiners Thaeler. Thaeler discussed with students key points from her new book, / Need a Killer Press Release-Now What???: A Guide to Online Pr. Thaeler's book comes out at a time when many text books are scrambling to explain new technology. During her speech, Thaeler, who goes by @newspapergrl on Twitter and refers to herself as "The Lois Lane of the world wide web," At the end of any college semester, one of the last things on a student's mind is car care. But on Nov. 18, the Automotive department held a free car care clinic to help students out by checking their cars' fluids, tires, filters, wipers and other basic items. The clinic took place in the Sparks Automotive Building near Parking Lot F between 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and was offered to all students and faculty. "We do it every year right before Thanksgiving so the kids can drive home a little safer," Department students. Senior, Millie Dadson said, "I learned that when you write a press release you need to get it out as much as possible. I'm working on a press release for my friend's art show, so now I'll be putting it on his blog, my blog and encouraging my friends to repost it to get the word out faster." The night ended with refreshments, music from local bluegrass artist Matt Williams and Thaeler signing copies of her book, which can be purchased on Amazon.com as well as her website www.newspapersirl.com encouraged students to add her as a friend and to use it to make as many connections as possible to help further their careers. "If you know online PR you will be in demand right now. You're well poised to take advantage of the various online mediums and get killer results for your clients," said Thaeler. "Your generation grew up as digital natives. Many are looking to you to help them understand and adapt to these changes." Of the more than 70 students in attendance, most were PR majors, which is the fastest growing major at UVU with over 600 "" Chair Don Wilson said. All of the services were provided by the students from the three divisions of the Automotive department: Auto, Diesel and Collision. Any fluids which were low were topped off right then and there. The student techs also provided suggestions on any necessary additional services that could not be performed at that time. "I think our kids need to give service and learn how to give service back to their community," Wilson said. He also suggested that events like this one help bring the campus community closer together. The automotive pro- gram is one of the best in the nation and the students from UVU have, over the past 18 years, won nearly half of all competitions entered. The department is over 100,000 sq. feet and has been regarded by top government contractors as one of the best facilities they've ever seen. Department receptionist Holly Madsen had her car checked last year and was very grateful for the free service offered. She will be driving home this year for Thanksgiving and is looking forward to getting her car checked before leaving. "I'm going to rely on it so I can travel home for the holidays," Madsen said. PEN MIC N Dec. 2 at B:OGf#i Radiation to Graduation News writer ~" Josh Solomon graduated with a Bachelor's degree in information systems last April, after battling a rare brain tumor for half a decade, In 2004, Solomon was living in Salt Lake City while pursuing an AS degree in general studies at LDS Business College. As the fall semester began, he noticed that something wasn't right. "At first the headaches I was getting were just annoying. I thought maybe it was just stress" said Solomon. But the 'annoying' pain didn't let up. "[It] got to the point that it was just unbearable. Some days I wouldn't be able to move. Other days I'd just be vomiting constantly," said Solomon. By this point he knew that something was seriously wrong. After a series of tests and numerous visits with doctors, Solomon finally received his diagnosis. "My doctor explained to me that I had a grape-sized growth around my pituitary gland. My first thought was 'What is a pituitary?"1 The pituitary* a gland situated on the base of the brain, is responsible for secreting growth hormones and controlling the secretion of other glands throughout the body. The expanding tumor was compressing surrounding brain tissue and altering the production of crucial hormones. Within a month of being diagnosed, Solomon underwent a delicate operation to remove the bulk of the tumor, followed by years of radiation. "Those first couple years were rough. The pain wouldn't quit. I couldn't keep anything down. I had lost over 90 pounds because of it," he said. Eventually the pain would subside, though a portion of the tumor still remained, allowing him to enroll in classes at UVU. "I decided on information systems because I love the idea of connecting the technical side with the business, or people, side," Soloman said. Now graduated, Solomon is now the senior web application architect at ACR International in Provo, where he's putting his ISYS degree to good use. Regarding his contribution to the company, David Garcia, head of development at ACR, said "He has been an excellent addition to our company. The solutions he provides —and the development as well— are innovative, creative. He just knows how to think things through." As a UVU alumnus, Solomon credits those traits in part to his education and accomplishments as a wolverine. Still, he says that the real accomplishment is his battle with a grape-sized tumor. WHAT IS THE VIEW FROM YOUR OFFICE? UVU U T A H V A L L E Y UVU AVIATION SCIENCE SCIENCE Next Generation of Aviation Personnel U N I V E R S I T Y Limited Space Available! (801) 8B3 7B30 or 1 888 901 www.FlyUVU.jcpm |