Growing from half a day last year to a full day event this year, the "COMM Symposium: Transcending Boundaries" brought together students, alumni, faculty and staff on May 7 at the San Manuel Student Union. "This was the first year where a team of 8 student interns put on the event as part of their coursework," commented Professor Jess Block Nerren, who lead the team of interns and organized the event. The symposium had 1270 registrations up from 500 last year and the lunch serving 175 people. The day started with panels in the morning and built up to the award ceremony and lunch in the afternoon. The ceremony honored Communication student achievements by awarding most … [Read more...] about Annual Communication Symposium Focused on Networking, Success & Gratitude
awards
#OscarsStillSoWhite
By Carolyn Solar |Staff Writer| For the second year in a row, the acting category of the Oscars consisted of all white nominations. This alone has raised questions about the diversity of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “The Academy members, also known as the "Oscar voters," range in age from early 40s to late 60s and are all white and male,” according to BET.com. This has people wondering whether this is a test of talent or another case of blatant discrimination. Actress Jada Pinkett Smith decided to take to social media to note her disapproval. She posted a video saying that she refused to support an award show that lacked diversity and that she would … [Read more...] about #OscarsStillSoWhite
Delivering the unpredictable
By Nadia Ahmad |Staff Writer| The 57th Annual Grammy Awards premiered Sunday, Feb. 8 and included a variety of quality performances and iconic moments from nominees. AC/DC opened the show and after that, each contemporary artist was paired with an artist that has made music history. Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett performed “Cheek To Cheek” and won the award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Usher performed a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “If It’s Magic” and the crowd went wild when the legend himself appeared on stage. Hozier performed his haunting hit “Take Me To Chuch” and teamed up with Annie Lennox, who sung “I Put A Spell On You.” Hozier and Lennox gave me chills and in … [Read more...] about Delivering the unpredictable
The 2014 MTV EMA’s didn’t dissappoint
By Chelsea Faler |Staff Writer| The 2014 MTV (European Music Awards (EMAs) aired on Sunday, Nov. 9, in Glasgow, Scotland and did not disappoint, providing viewers with yet another entertaining and controversial award show. This was the 20th annual EMA's. It began in 1994 in Berlin, Germany and is hosted in a different European country every year. This award show began primarily as an alternative to the infamous VMA's, and although some worldwide nominations have been added, the main categories consist mainly of popular American artists. Nicki Minaj hosted this years EMA's. Most people know her as the risqué singer/rapper who never stops surprising us, either with her crazy … [Read more...] about The 2014 MTV EMA’s didn’t dissappoint
2013 Oscar performances steal show
By Shannon Luster |Staff Writer| The Oscars celebrated the best films of the year on ABC on Feb. 24 in an entertaining event that included singing, dancing, and more. Host Seth MacFarlane, writer and creator of "Family Guy" and other shows, opened the Oscars with a joke about his quest to make actor Tommy Lee Jones smile. The show opened with a fast-paced montage of clips from Bond films, speeding cars, beautiful women, handsome Bonds, and explosions complete with music, celebrating 50 years of Bond films. First lady Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance with actor Jack Nicholson as he announced the coveted Best Picture "Argo," directed by Ben Affleck. Daniel Day-Lewis … [Read more...] about 2013 Oscar performances steal show
Performances prove that Grammys are music’s biggest night
By Mike Sessions | Staff Writer Music’s biggest night couldn’t get any bigger. The 55th Annual Grammy Awards, hosted by Hip Hop legend LL Cool J for the second consecutive time, proved to be a star-studded event. Bob Marley's birthday was honored that night with a group of stars; Sting, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, and his sons Ziggy and Damian Marley, showing their appreciation for one of the greatest to ever do it. Introducing the return of artist, Justin Timberlake, and performing his new single “Suit & Tie,” featuring rapper, Jay-Z, Timberlake brought back the 40s in amazing fashion. Television screens across the country transitioned from color to black and white, bow ties and … [Read more...] about Performances prove that Grammys are music’s biggest night
Entertaining or Overrated? Award season infects our TV screens
By Mike Sessions |Staff Writer| This is the season of winners, and the time for reflection of the world’s more recent classics… or not. In case you’re wondering what I’m talking about, it is award season now, the 70th Golden Globe Awards have already taken place mid-January, and both the Grammys and Academy Awards coming up in February. Film directors, producers, actors, rappers, comedians, etc. are all coming together around this time to be honored and awarded for their memorable year in their respective arts. However, people are beginning to ask: are big time award shows entertaining or just flat out overrated? “They are overrated. I think they’re for celebrities to spend a … [Read more...] about Entertaining or Overrated? Award season infects our TV screens
G.I. Jobs names CSUSB as a Military Friendly School
By Maria Aguilar |Staff Writer| CSUSB has been placed on the Military Friendly Schools list by G.I. Jobs Magazine for 2013. This list contains the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade/vocational schools in the nation who offer programs and services important to the military community, according to G.I.jobs.com. The Military Friendly Schools Academic Advisory Board Members evaluate the schools based on their veteran-student support, flexibility, academic accreditation and tuition discounts to name a few. "The competition for our 2013 Military Friendly Schools list was fierce and as a result we raised the already stringent criteria to a higher benchmark," said Rich McCormack, … [Read more...] about G.I. Jobs names CSUSB as a Military Friendly School
Grammys crown music royalty
By Yetunde Keme |Staff Writer| The 54th annual Grammy Awards turned out to be an interesting, yet somber night. With the recent death of Whitney Houston looming over the festivities, the night proved to be a memorable one for Adele. The British singer took home six Grammy awards, including one for “Album of the Year” for her album, 21. Grammy host LL Cool J came out with a prayer for the late Houston, who died suddenly on Saturday at the Beverly Hilton. LL Cool J may have said a little prayer before continuing the rest of the show, but Nicki Minaj said less than a little prayer with a religion-themed performance that had everyone talking. Her performance included being … [Read more...] about Grammys crown music royalty
Academy Awards, the highly esteemed nominees
By Brian Chidueme |Staff Writer| Basketball has the NBA Finals. Football has the Super Bowl. In the world of filmmaking, the Academy Awards (aka the Oscars) are the major leagues. This year, a collective of films from “The Descendants” to “Moneyball,” are competing to gain recognition, honor and legacy in these major leagues. One may think that the Golden Globes should be in the same category because of how both awards ceremonies receive intensive coverage from news outlets around Hollywood and the rest of the world. What puts the Golden Globes and Oscars in different leagues is that the Golden Globes is under the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (or HFPA). As British comic … [Read more...] about Academy Awards, the highly esteemed nominees