5X社区

Director's Note: Connecting a Deeply Committed Alumni Community

October 2021

Dear Friends,

It wasn鈥檛 long after I joined the School of Media and Journalism (MDJ) in July 2020 that I started hearing stories about Jargon and fielding questions about when the next issue would appear. I quickly learned a lot about Jargon鈥檚 importance to alumni, faculty, friends and others.

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Emily Metzgar Headshot
In reviewing past issues, I developed a strong appreciation for the role that Jargon has played as the connective tissue of a widespread and deeply committed alumni community. I strategized with colleagues in MDJ and the College of Communication and Information (CCI) about how to orchestrate Jargon鈥檚 long-awaited return. Now, finally emerging from its extended pandemic slumber, is a new edition of this beloved flagship publication for the School.

This first edition of a re-imagined Jargon is symbolic on multiple fronts. We鈥檙e continuing a longstanding School tradition, but with a digital refresh. We鈥檙e publishing under the masthead of the renamed School of Media and Journalism for the first time. And we鈥檙e telling our stories during this weird, transitional period when we鈥檙e all still feeling our way toward a new post-pandemic normal.

Special thanks to MDJ Professor Michele Ewing who helped imagine and build out a plan for Jargon鈥檚 evolution from a traditional once- or twice-yearly printed publication to a monthly digital update focused on 鈥渁ll things MDJ.鈥 Thanks, too, to J Keirn-Swanson, CCI鈥檚 Director of Strategic Communication and External Affairs and Christina Russ, CCI鈥檚 Social Media and Community Manager for their assistance in overseeing the production of content. A special shout out to Laurel Wirtanen-Siloy, CCI鈥檚 Director of Philanthropy with whose help we鈥檝e been able to develop a regular publication schedule with the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. Finally, huge thanks to two wonderful MDJ students, Kelsey Paulus and Troy Pierson who are researching, writing and producing everything you see here. Thank you, Team Jargon! Jargon鈥檚 triumphant return would not be possible without you.

I hope you鈥檒l find that this edition of Jargon 鈥 and those that follow 鈥 does justice to the School you love. We鈥檙e excited to be telling MDJ鈥檚 stories again and we hope you鈥檒l let us know what you think.

Go Flashes!

Emily

WRITTEN BY:
Emily Metzgar, Director of the Kent State School of Media and Journalism