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Q: What year did you graduate from WCU?<\/strong><\/p>\n A:<\/strong> 1981.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Q: What was your concentration and minor?<\/strong><\/p>\n A:<\/strong> Broadcasting and Journalism.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Q: What are your career highlights?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A:<\/strong> Current Owner\/Senior Strategic Communications Counselor at Cummings Communications LLC, and Co-Owner\/Vice President at RBC Utilities Incorporated. I previously held positions at Fairpoint Communications Inc., Suncom Wireless, Duke Energy, and Mecklenburg County Government.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Q: Why did you choose the Communication department over other majors at WCU?<\/strong><\/p>\n A:<\/strong> I wanted to major in journalism, but it wasn\u2019t offered as a major at that time. Therefore, broadcast journalism (radio\/TV communications) was my major. I took all the journalism classes I could find.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Q: What is the most important principle or skill you learned while in the Communication department?<\/strong><\/p>\n A:<\/strong> Writing and thinking quickly have always served me well. Also, public speaking skills.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Q: Where did you complete your internship? What was the most important thing you learned from this experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n A:<\/strong> At WLOS-TV in Asheville. I learned to work fast and be accurate the first time.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Q: How would you characterize the impact of the WCU Communication department on your career?<\/strong><\/p>\n A:<\/strong> It taught me the fundamentals such as writing, production skills, as well as voice and articulation, which were crucial for my career in journalism and public relations.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Q: Thinking back about your time as a WCU Communication major, what is your favorite memory?<\/strong><\/p>\n A:<\/strong> Working as a staff member of WWCU-FM. Those skills coupled with hands-on training in the department prepared me well. I got my first job the day after graduation.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Q: What would you tell a prospective student wanting to major in Communication at WCU?<\/strong><\/p>\n A:<\/strong> Use what you learn in the classroom to participate in all the other opportunities at WCU such as writing for the campus newspaper, working at the radio station, writing for the public information department, etc. Also, get involved with PRSSA.<\/p>\n