Department of

Communications Graduates

“I did not declare communication as my major until my junior year.  Most of the other students in my class had been taking communication courses since our freshman year.  So even though  I knew most of the other students, I didn’t know the professors, I didn’t know the field, and I felt like everyone was light years ahead of me.  Immediately, I was welcomed into the communication department by the professors and the other students.  I knew then that Mary Baldwin was the right choice for me. I realized at a larger institution, I would not have received that same type of one on one attention that I was so desperately in need of at the time. The education I received has been a great asset to me in my career.  For one, I am frequently asked to give speeches, toasts, and presentations.  I am constantly praised by my colleagues for being so polished of a speaker. Being a graduate of a women’s college gave me the confidence to become a leader in my chosen field.  Being a communication graduate of Mary Baldwin College gave me the foundation needed to become that leader. Another really great asset is the communication professors themselves.  I am a believer that learning is a life long process. Since my graduation, I have frequently called on both Dr. Dorries and Dr. Araujo for their guidance and professional opinions.  I’ve never hesitated to call on either of them and they have never hesitated to answer!”

Lynnette DAUGHTRY Barrett ‘02
College Admissions Representative

"When you hit senior year, all you can think about is leaving and starting over. Then the end of the year comes and suddenly you realize how important these last years were to you.  You've created memories and met individuals who have influenced which paths you will take in life. Mary Baldwin has done the same for me. It has taught me the importance of  a strong sisterhood. I've learned how to enjoy learning through the use of study groups, leadership training, and support from my advisors, professors, and classmates. The bond between the communication seniors during our last years of school was stronger than any of us had intended. We were a tight group of very diverse backgrounds, personalities, and goals. We helped each other in every class we took because no one wanted to see anyone else fail. I am now among the most competent members of a male-dominated healthcare management company.  Learning the theories of communication and the various methods and hidden realities of what people are truly communicating has opened my eyes and allowed me to see how I can better help people. The perseverance and determination I have gained will, without a doubt, allow me to reach my future goals far before I had ever dreamed."  

Ann Brander '06
Senior operations manager for Environmental Services at Rockingham Memorial Hospital

"When I think of the MBC Advantage, my mind is flooded with so many wonderful memories. First and foremost, I have to credit MBC with having some of the best professors around! At what other institution would a professor invite you on a family picnic in the mountains? Student/professor interaction is truly at its best on MBC's campus. Because of the small class size, I can honestly say that my instructors knew me and my personality.

My communication degree has certainly served me well. At MBC, they don't just teach the coursework. From very early on, you are taught how to apply what you learn. In addition to internships, regular class assignments demanded practical application of skills such as public speaking and how to write in media style. Because of the practicality of my education, I did not fear the "real world." Rather, I embraced it. My degree has given me the confidence to go forth and be successful. My chosen career path is higher education. Mary Baldwin gave me such an awesome four years that now I feel compelled to reach out to others and help them to reach their educational goals.

My advice for any young woman considering enrolling in Mary Baldwin -- be tenacious! In the classroom, in the residence halls, in your campus activities -- be active! You are among some of the brightest young women in college and to be a wallflower is not an option. YOU are MBC!"

Tierra Johnson ‘05
University Enrollment Advisor

“Majoring in communication at MBC will definitely equip you for whatever career you go into.  I often find myself using communication theories and methods to adapt to my work environment. Writing is a daily part of my job and classes such as mass media writing constantly cause me to edit and proofread everything.” 

Virtré Sterling ‘06
Investigator

"Even after my graduation from Mary Baldwin College in May of 2006, I still feel a very strong connection to the rolling hills of the campus and the beautiful small town that is Staunton, Virginia. The people I met during my years as a student and the professors who helped me become the scholar I am today continue to guide me as I take my first steps into the Real World Beyond College. 

As I worked hard (and played hard!) as a communication major, I discovered so much: Campus Comments, the college's student newspaper, quickly became my after-class playground; the video production classes with Professor Allan Moye allowed me to put my creative juices into actual film projects of my own; the Superbowl of Advertising turned football--a sport I never cared for--into a blast of fun and an opportunity to look at our culture as a whole; and most importantly, I learned that not only was I capable of compiling and creating a real thesis project, but that I could create a complete academic study of something that really meant something to me. 

Thanks to my communication courses--Interpersonal Communication, Gender and Communication, Intercultural Communication, Mass Communication, and many others--I see the world differently. Communication is a part of every social thing we do, and I believe it is the key to understanding ourselves and our fellow humans. Though my undergraduate career has ended, the lessons that the communication program at Baldwin taught me are with me every moment of the day."

S.R. Brewer ‘06
Freelancer