Blog 9

CAC Family Weekend Overview:

Video By: Emily Calhoun

CAC Family Weekend
By: Emily Calhoun

Parents flocking from far and wide will make their way to Norman, beginning Fri, for OU's annual Dad's Day and Family Weekend festivities.

"My favorite part of the weekend is the game watch party in Gaylord," sophomore Brenna Umino said. "My family didn't have tickets last year so it was a great alternative. Plus my little brothers enjoyed it because they passed out candy and T-shirts."

The viewing party is just one of the many activities put on by OU's Campus Activities Council (CAC) including a UOSA Tailgate, U-Sing performances, a family brunch and showings of the movie, G.I. Joe.

This year will also expand the participation of previous years by incorporating a new family-friendly event. A Family-A-Fair will be available for all OU students and their families Fri night. The carnival-like atmosphere will include games, activities like face-painting and palm reading, multiple raffles, and food for anyone with an OU student ID to enjoy.

"It's a great way to include your younger siblings in the family weekend fun," Umino said. " Family weekend really will have something for everyone in your family to enjoy."



FINAL PROJECT IDEA:
The expanding trend and use of the social networking site, TWITTER. Who uses it. Why? What for? How it came about? How it can help you further your career. OU's use of it. User feedback, etc.

Blog 8

The Cleaning of a VERY messy room:

Blog 7

Crisis PR Video Clip:

Midterm Project

MC Tony Nguyen as the auctioneer for the evening at AASA's charity date auction, Oct. 2.
Photo By: Emily Calhoun


Students looking to find a not so cheap date or merely mingle amongst a throng of uniquely dressed individuals found themselves attending the University of Oklahoma's Asian American Student Association's (AASA) charity date auction, Friday Oct. 2.

The 10th annual date auction and after party dance hasn't changed much since its creation, according to event chairman sophomore Peter Tran. It continues to be one of AASA's most successful philanthropy events that raises money for their charity Christmas Head Start, Tran said. This year carried on that legacy by raising over $3500 in bids and entry fees.

For a $10 under 21 price or a five dollar over entry fee into Coach's Bar on Main street, attendees were able to watch all the shenanigans ensue as OU students and AASA members attempted to auction themselves off for dates at large price tags.

"It's crazy to see what people will do in order to up the amounts bid," Tran said. "watching the date auction is definitely my favorite part of the night."

Beginning in early August, AASA members start planning the night of excitement. Discussion over the theme was first on their list. Their decision was far different than previous years.

"Last years theme was 80s and we wanted to do something really different than that," Tran said.

"Anything But Clothes" was the original theme AASA's executive members were looking for. Attendees were encouraged to wear exactly what the theme portrayed. Audience members were spotted wearing anything from tin foil dresses to twister boards shirts. Although they had a unique theme, AASA members began to doubt their selection.

"We were kind of worried about the participation, like if people were going to dress up," Tran said. "But there were some really good costumes, so I think it went over really well."

To reward audience members for partaking in the challenge; a costume contest kicked-off the night of festivities. A $50 grand prize was given to the person with the most outlandish costume made of unconventional items.

Following the costume contest, the "auction items" took the stage. The auction itself was far from traditional. The crowd began to cheer as Senior Tony Nguyen stepped up fill the shoes of the auctioneer. His enthusiastic and projective voice wielded the crowd into bidding mode.

37 students decided to put themselves up on the auction block in order to raise money for the Christmas cause. Ranging in ages, the students stopped at nothing to rake in the cash.

"I just really wanted to be involved because it was for such a good cause," junior Eva Prinh said.

During the event, the dates were sold for various prices. Senior Jamie Nguyen broke the bank with her $250 purchase prize.
Although many of the students were bought by their closest friends, Tran recounts a time last year when he found himself being purchased by an unfamiliar face.

"I got bid on by a random person I didn't know," Tran said. "It was awkward, she didn't talk at all. But in the end it wasn't that bad, It was kind of fun meeting a new person in an unconventional way."

Many audience members showed their disappointment at current AASA president Mimi Nguyen's decision to not enter herself for bids. However, the crowd roared in excitement when MC Nguyen threw himself up on stage for lucky bidders to pursue.

The after party was in full swing by 11:30 and lasted on into the night. Many students credited the club-like atmosphere of Coach's as the best part of the night.

"The event flowed from auction to after party so easily," sophomore Steffin Schoeppel said. "One moment I had this random guy that came up and asked me if I was going to be auctioned off, the next moment the floor erupted into a dance party."

All $3500 raised will go directly to Christmas Head Start, an AASA founded philanthropy. The philanthropy is based on the Angel Tree program which incorporates giving local children their dream Christmas, Tran said. AASA is instrumental in providing toys, food, and clothes to over 150 families each year.

"The manager of Coach's ended up being really nice," Tran said. "She ended up cutting the price of the venue in half, which saved us even more money and now all of that can go straight to our charity."

Throughout the night, the executive members had no doubts over the success of their event. The continued enthusiastic and packed crowd of about 287 revealed it all.

"I was really proud about how the event turned out," Tran said. "Everyone that attended, bid, or just danced was key to it's success. It just feels good to be apart of something that really will make a difference."



Event Chairman Sophomore Peter Tran discusses what the date auction benefits:


Tran discusses the difference between this years and last years date auction:

BLOG 6

Delta Gamma Sorority hosted it's first annual Anchor Slam Tournament. During the philanthropy event, a cheerleading competition between various Fraternities occured. This slide show documents Phi Delta Theta's attempt to win the cheerleading competition. In the end, they lost. However, it was very entertaining to watch.

Blog 5

KATHLEEN EVANS TALKS ABOUT GAYLORD'S NEW RENOVATIONS:
SUBJECT FOR MID-TERM PROJECT:
A story on the Asian American Student Associations charity date auction.
This is their biggest event to raise money for their charity. There would be plenty of picture opportunities. There would be pictures of the actual auctioning, attendees, and their date experiences. I could include a side story of one person who was actually purchased and their experience on the date. I could include background on the charity and the association itself. This would be a way to bring light a great cause.

Another option: experiences at OU/TX. I would take tons of groups attending. Give highlights on all activities going on that weekend, including pictures. Include experiences of individuals and their memories/favorite things that happen during the traveling, attending, and returning of one of OU's favorite weekends.

BLOG 4

Bob Dotson addressing students in JMC 3160, Thursday.
-PHOTO BY EMILY CALHOUN

Award winning NBC correspondent, often referred to as "America's storyteller" Bob Dotson visited OU's Gaylord College, Thursday, giving advice on the future of Journalism and steps to making yourself marketable in an ever-changing business.

A former resident of Oklahoma and KFOR employee, Dotson made his homecoming with a jam-packed schedule. After speaking to students of JMC 3160, Dotson addressed a packed room of various JMC majors. His final stop was the daily OU Nightly taping.

During strike in the studio, Dotson shared stories of his past broadcast endeavors. He advised to be the best, one needs to be well-rounded in all aspects of the business. He also revealed the ever-popular career of anchoring can be less exciting than imagined.

"All the money in the world is sitting on a chair in New York City, but all the fun is everywhere else," Bob Dotson said.

After taking a few moments to speak one-on-one with crew members, Dotson expressed his amazement at how advanced the students were from when he began his career. He then gave an encouraging final thought.

"Good Luck in you're future, you've chosen a great career," Dotson said. "You get the opportunity to reinvent yourself all the time."

Gaylord students viewed Dotson's presence as an opportunity worth experiencing.

"Mr. Dotson was very inspirational," Journalism sophomore Karlie Mclaughlin said. "I found it an interesting opportunity to see someone we could aspire to be like in the future."

After his engagements with Gaylord students, Dotson will conclude his visit to Norman by giving the keynote address at the NewsTrain seminar. The event will be held at Gaylord College Friday and Saturday.