Campbellsville University

CU inducts new members to Lambda Pi Eta, communications honor society

CU inducts new members to Lambda Pi Eta, communications honor society

10/31/2011

Students inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, communications honor society, include: Sarah Ames, a junior from Elizabethtown, Ky.; Ellen Hittson, a junior from Bowling Green, Ky.; Russ Barclay, visiting professor of public relations and advisor of CU's Lambda Pi Eta chapter; Lt. Col. Stacy Bathrick, honorary member of Lambda Pi Eta; and Matews Tomaz, a junior from Brazil. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

 Students inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, communications honor society, include: Sarah Ames, a junior from Elizabethtown, Ky.; Ellen Hittson, a junior from Bowling Green, Ky.; Russ Barclay, visiting professor of public relations and advisor of CU’s Lambda Pi Eta chapter; Lt. Col. Stacy Bathrick, honorary member of Lambda Pi Eta; and Matews Tomaz, a junior from Brazil. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

Oct. 31, 2011
For Immediate Release

By Christina L. Kern, office assistant

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.— Eight students were inducted into Campbellsville University's chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the official communications studies honor society of the National Communication Association (NCA).

Campbellsville University students inducted into the chapter include: Ellen Hittson, a junior from Bowling Green, Ky.; Michael McBride, a sophomore from Visalia, Calif.; Maria Gaona, a senior from Springfield, Ky.; Brian Gray, a senior from Greensburg, Ky.; Matews Tomaz, a junior from Brazil; Sarah Ames, a junior from Elizabethtown, Ky.; Katie Johnson, a junior from Leitchfield, Ky.; and Mary Kutter, a sophomore from Lebanon, Ky.

In order to become a part of Lambda Pi Eta students must have a high GPA in their major as well as overall.

Lt. Col. Stacy Bathrick, public affairs officer for the US Army Human Resources Command in Fort Knox, Ky., spoke to the new inductees about the top ten rules in becoming a successful communication professional.

Bathrick's top ten include: (1) know your organization; (2) know your boss' interest in “communicating” the organization's message; (3) leverage key communicators to “tell your good news story” while you are the one who handles “crisis communication;” 4) anticipate the need for proactive communication plans; (5) build great relationships within your organization, community and media markets;

(6) balance “service and protection” to your organization; (7) don't be afraid to make mistakes, just make new mistakes; (8) be part of the solution, not part of the problem; (9) manage your boss' expectations when the story may be “bad or ugly;” and (10) know your job better than anyone in your organization.

In addition, Bathrick said, “Have your heart into it, and have it be your passion. Your job may not always be easy, but it can be very rewarding.”

An honorary Lambda Pi Eta member cord was bestowed upon Bathrick following her presentation.

Dr. Russ Barclay, visiting professor in public relations, is the advisor for Campbellsville University's chapter of Lambda Pi Eta.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.