Choosing a program, individuals and a university to study towards your doctorate is very different from previous choices.

Few universities offer a doctoral program in which Public Relations plays a part and which also makes the new electronic media technologies a priority. These are
two areas of significant interest to me and
the reason why I chose Tennessee.

By the way,
I have been to the University of Tennessee during the SEC Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Tennessee was memorable for being wonderful hosts, keeping well run schedules --- and becoming the SEC Champion in the women's shot put was cool

I became infamous in the Tennessee Newspaper
for giving a 'Gator Chomp" on the victory
stand... ooops!!

Not that this was important -- but the food was fantastic!

Karen :)
 

On the left, I have my 'new business' card.

As you may recognize, it is a combination of the four Universities I have attended. On the far right is SMU, then the University of Florida where I completed my Bachelors degree in Public Relations along with 3 All-American honors, followed by my Trojan Alma Mater the University of Southern Cal where I earned my Masters in Strategic Public Relations (to be completed at the end of this summer), my final All-American honor and school record, and lastly, on the far left is the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where I will be working on my doctorate in
Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations.

My Tennessee email is not up yet -- although one has been assigned, but anyone can
still get a hold of me on my USC email or my hotmail account.

Looking ahead and back, life is full of many experiences and changes -- and for
 those of us willing to make them the world is then more open to us.

Karen :)

(left)

The crowd shows up to the Tommy Awards at Southern California and the band and cheerleaders performed magnificently!

Another great Trojan Happening!

One of the things that I have really been amazed about USC is that they really go out of their way to show their support to all of their athletes.  They understand that their students not only have to excel on the field, but off the field.  I got a chance to go to the Second Annual Tommy Athletic Awards on Monday.  It was held at the new Galen Center (which is absolutely amazing) in the Founder’s Room.  The ceremony was attended by USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett, Sports Information Director Tim Tesselone, and all of the academic athletic counselors. 

The host for the event was Brandon Hancock, a former USC football player getting his masters in communication management.  He definitely kept it entertaining!  The ceremony was dedicated to Ryan Francis and Mario Danelo—Francis was killed last year in a drive-by shooting accident, and Danelo died after falling off a cliff in January.  Both will be remembered by those in the USC Trojan Family. 

(left)

I was fascinated watching the
'spider monkeys'!

They are beautiful and athletic!