The North Shore’s rich arts culture seems to make the perfect home for the only state college in New Eng- land with an accredited theatre department. With so many different programs in the arts at many different colleges and universities in the area, it can be hard to choose which to enroll in. The Center for Creative and Performing Arts (CCPA) at Salem State University has many different options to consider, such as dance, music, theatre, creative writing, and art and de- sign. Associate Director of Advance- ment Communications, Kathleen McDonald, has special interest in this topic, but not only because her previous title was Staff Asso- ciate for the CCPA. Her interest comes from her investment in the school itself. McDonald received her bachelor’s degree in English at Salem State after growing up in Lynn and choosing to stay close to home for college. She then went on to earn a master’s degree in gender and cultural studies from Simmons College. McDonald did make her way back to Salem State as she now works in the Alumni House on South campus, writing proposals to produce more fundraising for the university. Prior to her promotion to associate director, Mc- Donald handled much of the publicity writing, blogs and social media for the CCPA. “We have a person starting this month who will only have the responsibility of running our Facebook page,” she said. “It’s up and coming and hopefully having someone on the social media full-time will allow for more updates and more involvement from alumni and donors.” The plan is to promote Salem State’s CCPA to perspective students as well as the surrounding area, and in recent years, the department has been using downtown Salem’s fall activities and tourists to their advantage. McDonald said that there have been a few activities they’ve participated in, although time is not on their side considering the hectic schedules that include rehearsals, studio hours and other commitments. “We have done the Mass Poetry Festival, a yearly Dance Workshop at the Boys & Girls Club in Salem, as well as the floating sculpture exhibit behind the House of Seven Gables that (a professor) had his students work on three summers ago,” she ex- plained. “We’re trying to get our name out there while having a positive impact on the community.” (story continued on page 2 - Alumni) The Salem Sailor January/February 2012 Volume 1, Edition 1 In this issue: Salem State & its as- sociates rise to the occasion: an insightful story about the lasting impression Salem State hopes to leave on every student Touring Salem State: to talk or just to walk: a profile on Admissions Ambassador Katelyn Phaneuf and upcoming events Salem State promotes diversity to alums: a highlight of events pro- moting the upcoming ef- fort to diversify the student and professional population at the school Salem State seeks $15 million addition to O’Keefe Center: a news story about the new addition that city committees are trying to implement over the next several years, for stu- dent and community use Salem State helps ready students for the future: a discussion of value, cost and network- ing and how Salem State encourages stu- dents toward their fu- tures Page 4 Courtney Denning is a Com- munications major at Salem State University, graduating in May 2012. “There is really no limit to the things a student can accomplish in the four years they spend in college, especially at a school where there are so many great options.” -Courtney Denning Salem State and its associates rise to the occasion At Salem State, you’ll find many different types of students. Some students have jobs, while others save all summer to take the semesters off from work. Many parents have the ability to pay for school, while some have to take out loans, or the students find a way to pay for school up front. I’ve consistently held two jobs throughout my career at school, sometimes working more than full-time hours, and have paid for school with loans that I’ll have to pay back after graduation. Just a few months from that particular milestone, I’m grappling with the idea of an internship that could land me a job, while also navigating the job search the only way I know how: lots of research and the internet. With all sorts of other responsibilities, I haven’t had much time to get involved in groups or clubs at school and it’s hitting home at this point in my college career that those things may be useful on my resume. In the communications department, it’s almost ex- pected that the stu- dents get involved and more hands on, whether it be by writ- ing for Salem State’s news publication, also known as “The Log” or joining a network- ing association. The program grooms stu- dents to enter the professional world using internships and events as well as a seminar class to pre- pare a portfolio of successful work. When I first got into seminar, I didn’t realize how much other students had done to become involved. Then the first resume critique came around, and I no- ticed that some students had significantly more associ- ation with particular groups, as well as quite a few awards from communications events. I could finally grasp the idea that, being put up against some of these students for a job, I might not be the one to get it. This terrifies me, knowing that the amount of loans I’ve taken out for school might double what I’d make working a retail job after school. But finding out so early has allowed me to come up with a plan. I’ve since decided to take action and get involved with the honor society that I was inducted into last year. Rather than just saying I was in it, I made an effort to volunteer to help out at this year’s induction cere- mony and hope to also help at other events in the fu- ture. I’ve also put forth effort to become more involved in the Student Government Association in an attempt to have one more leadership quality on my resume before pursuing the job search. Basically what I’ve come to understand in college is that it’s never too late to get involved. After starting school two years late, and two changes of major, I’ve found that it’s also never too late to find something you love. It’s about being well-rounded and finding your way – that’s what all of those electives and world literature classes are for! Uncertainty is something that faces all students, no matter their financial situation or the amount of expe- rience they have. It’s a matter of what students do in the face of that adversity that makes them a success. Am I going to be worried and scared about finding a job in this economy? Of course, but so is the girl with the perfect resume. My tips for those coming in after me include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Enjoy Yourself – and I don’t mean in the stereotyp- ical way. I mean, take it all in, see the sights, be a tourist for a day, and don’t forget that these are, in fact, the best years of your life. 2. Work Hard – try to pay for school while you’re here if you can, because it will only free you from stressing post- graduation. And make sure to stay on top of school work – your GPA will work in your favor later. 3. Get Involved – dip your hand in a little of every- thing. Try something new and meet some new people. The only person you’re hurting by sitting and letting the time pass you by is yourself. 4. Be open-minded – there are so many possibilities in Salem and the areas around it. There are so many different people to meet and things to experience. You’re ALWAYS networking – keep in mind that every person you meet could potentially aid in finding your future. There is really no limit to the things a student can ac- complish in the four years they spend in college, espe- cially at a school where there are so many great options. The only thing limiting students with an open-mind is their own will to get involved in their lives and their surroundings. In hindsight, I wish I had gotten involved sooner because there are so many things I would have liked to do to make my own last- ing impression on Salem State. But I did what I could and what I came to do, and now it’s your turn to de- cide how you want to be remembered! Salem State helps ready students for the future Salem State seeks $15 million addition to O’Keefe Center A $15 million addition that will to be two stories and include a large fitness center, recreational basketball courts, a lounge and dance studios, has been proposed to a neighborhood advisory committee and will be pre- sented to the university’s board of trustees to discuss funding and issues. After a survey of students indi- cated that an astonishing 90 per- cent indicated that a new fitness center would draw them in, the university decided to take action in order to make the on-campus experience for students a little more accommodating. “It’s nice that the school is finally taking notice of some of the things that the students want,” said Rehema Stroble, a sopho- more and an avid basketball player. “First the library and now the fitness center – they’re trying to make some real improvements and you can already see it making a difference in the campus. It’s going to be an amazing place once every- thing is finished.” The wellness center at Salem State in its current con- dition has been described by some as “small and tired,” suggesting that the update will shed some new light on the aging sports center. The growing number of resident students, some of whom might not use the current facility, shows need for a bigger area with a more varied schedule to gratify the diversity of some 2,000 in on-campus housing. This growth to about 20 percent of the student body has occurred in more recent years, and seems to be continuing in that pattern. The new facility will be able to provide assembly space for up to 1,000 people while providing a center for social interaction and much more room for on-campus activities that are currently held in the campus center which can’t hold even half that number. For more information on the property, or how to donate, visit salemstate.edu/wellnesscenter or call 978.542.6537. Associate Director of Advancement Communications is enthusiatic about Salem State’s Center for Creative and Performing Arts. The new O’Keefe Center plans are not final, but will be sometime early next year. Central Campus’ new building, Marsh Hall, is always booming with student life.