Communications Week 2008

Guest Lectures, Films, Exhibits and Other Events Planned

April 18, 2008

What do public relations and marketing, movie production, education and journalism have in common? These are just some of communications fields that media professionals will discuss April 21-27 as part of Cal State Fullerton's Communications Week.

The annual event will feature special exhibits, panel discussions and film screenings, as well as the OC E-Biz 2008 business conference Friday, April 25; an April 23 "Health Care: Beyond Sound Bytes" town hall; and the Dean's Car Show April 27 featuring rare, classic and racing vehicles.

Scheduled speakers include:

• former presidential speech writer Craig Smith, who will discuss "Presidential Speechwriting: Finding the Proper Persona" at 4 p.m. April 23 in the Titan Student Union Theater;


• writer-producer-director Kenneth Johnson, who created the 1983 miniseries "V" and Emmy Award-winning productions such as "The Bionic Woman," "The Incredible Hulk" and "Alien Nation," who will present "Life in the Trenches of Film Making at 7 p.m. April 21 in the TSU Portola Pavilion; and


• director George Hickenlooper, whose film "Factory Girl" will be screened at 7 p.m. April 22 in the TSU theater

Also appearing will be reporter John Canalis of the Long Beach Press-Telegram; John Gryka, managing editor of the Riverside Press-Enterprise; autism advocate Jennifer McNulty; Sirish Mani, operations development manager, Toyota Financial Services/Lexus Financial Services; and Julio Badin, director of resort guest services for the Disneyland Resort.

More than 20 CSUF alumni will be returning to their alma mater, including KNBC weathercaster Elita Loresca (B.A. communications-TV/film '00); Gregory M. Young (B.A. communications-public relations '90), vice president of the Costa Mesa-based PR firm Idea Hall; Glenn Koenig (B.A. communications '78), photographer for the Los Angeles Times; Matthew Libatique (B.A.communications- radio/TV/film ’92), director of photography for the upcoming film “Iron Man” with Robert Downey Jr. and the 2006 Spike Lee-film “Inside Man” starring Denzel Washington, Clive Owen and Jodie Foster; Samantha Sprecher (B.A. communications-radio/TV/film '91), vice president of development for Billy Crystal's production company, Face Productions; and Sandra Bell (B.A. communications '81), vice president and chief marketing officer for the First American Corp.

"After 30 years, Communications Week truly has grown into a campuswide event that reaches out into the community," said Dennis Gaschen, lecturer in communications and adviser to the student group that worked on the weeklong program. "Through the years we've broadened our focus so there is something of interest for anyone. Our student film festival, community town hall, poetry slam, e-business conference and writer's workshop are prime examples.

"We've even got a classic car show that commemorates the university's 50th anniversary. Comm Week 2008 promises to be our best event ever."

Communications Week is a collegewide event designed to promote the field of communications, expose students to the professional world and serve as a showcase of the range and depth of the college's programs and its alumni, said Gaschen.

Most programs are free of charge. Additional information is available on the Communications Week website at http://communications.fullerton.edu/commweek/2008/index1.htm.