Author: oblumb1

Seek truth, speak with honesty, says Miles

by: Kaitlyn Mashburn and Dr. Bonnie Riechert

Keith Miles discusses information, misinformation and disinformation, urging news consumers to be skeptical and urging communicators to be truthful and transparent.

People are bombarded every day with information, misinformation and disinformation, so we must be skeptical news consumers and earn trust as communicators, Nashville business leader Keith Miles told Belmont students at a recent Intellectual Well-being WELL-Core event.

“We’ve always had to be careful consumers of information,” said Miles. “Today, even more so.”

A partner at MP&F Strategic Communications, he discussed “Information/Misinformation & Intellectual Health: The Role of Ethical Strategic Communication.”

Miles defined information as the data, facts, knowledge and directions that are relevant to us in making decisions every day. Misinformation is “information that’s wrong inadvertently.” Disinformation is not only incorrect, but includes “the intent to deceive,” he said.

Psychologist Steven Stosny coined the term “headline stress disorder” to describe the negative effect of misinformation and disinformation to intellectual health. A 2019 study by the Pew Research Center showed 66% of American are “worn out by the news.”

Relating to intellectual health, Miles said that receiving misinformation can cause stress, anxiety, negative thoughts and can even negatively affect memory. Dealing with these issues can be taxing on personal mental health, which is why having accurate information is important.

News consumers can always investigate the truthfulness of reports, he said. “It’s up to you to make sure it’s correct.”

Communicators can be guided by the Public Relations Society of America Code of Ethics, Miles suggested. Principles such as the free flow of information, disclosure of information and enhancing the profession depend on the values such as honesty and transparency. “If you take a hit to your credibility, it just takes a second, and to rebuilding it would take forever.”

Miles summed this up by saying that we have a responsibility to be open, honest and transparent and do personal research to find the most accurate information. “Work harder, be more skeptical and remember there is hope — ‘truth will out,’” he said, quoting from Shakespeare’s “Merchant in Venice.”

Miles joined MP&F in 1995 after careers in journalism and politics, becoming a partner in the firm in 1998. He is the professional adviser to the Belmont University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. He was named the Teahan Outstanding Professional; Adviser in 2016 and 2019 by the national organization. He was honored by the Public Relations Society of America Nashville Chapter with the 2019 Hercules Award for his contributions to the community and the profession.

His presentation was co-hosted by Belmont PRSSA and the Department of Public Relations. Belmont PRSSA is one of more than 350 chapters in the national organization and is open to students interested in public relations. The chapter has received national awards in ethics advocacy, chapter development, Outstanding PRSA/PRSSA Relationship and community service.

Professor Profile: Trenay Perry Bynum

by Trenay Perry Bynum

In case you haven’t already had the chance to meet her, we want to introduce you to PR @ Belmont’s newest faculty member, Trenay Perry Bynum. Professor Bynum is teaching two sections of First Year Seminar and two sections of Public Relations Principles during the Fall 2021 semester.

Education

Liberty University, Ph.D., Strategic Media – expected completion, 2023

Cumberland University, MSP, Public Service Management

Tennessee State University, BS, Mass Communications

Why PR?
During my junior year at Tennessee State University, I took a public relations course and enjoyed the variety of ways it could be applied to strategic communications. I purchased a textbook and spent the summer before my senior year studying. For my senior project, I pitched a public relations campaign to the honor society’s professor to increase awareness of the honor society and its end-of-the-year event. Surprisingly, the 13-year-old who sang Whitney Houston’s Greatest Love of All grew up to become Monica, a well-known R&B performer. When interviewing for jobs after college, I used the campaign as a writing sample, which helped me land my first writing job at Meharry Medical College. I landed a PR manager position with the Nashville Symphony 10 years later. Though my 30-year career in strategic communications has included various tactics, including event planning, marketing, collateral development, and social media, public relations has remained a favorite due to its connection to media relations.

What brought you to Belmont?
Belmont University is incredible! However, I was unaware of this until I became more exposed to its mission during my orientation. I enrolled in a doctoral program in strategic media in 2020 with the goal of teaching at a university as my encore career. Naturally, I thought my desire to teach would lead me back to my alma mater. Dr. Kevin Trowbridge, on the other hand, saw my pure enthusiasm for entering this field and opened the door. During my interview with him, I witnessed his passion for Belmont and his profession, which convinced me that this would be the right fit for me.

Something you want students to know:
Public relations techniques can be applied to personal/student branding (what I call Real Life Branding), as it is never too early to position oneself for their dream job. Stop scrolling and start creating on your favorite social media channel!

Personal Life:

I’m from Los Angeles and married to Quinton, who is from Memphis. Our daughter attends Hume Fogg, Nashville’s first public school founded in 1912. We live with two fur babies – Wyatt the Bulldog and Oliver the cat.

Follow Professor Bynum on social media!

Twitter: @tlpbynum

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trenaybynum/

Occasional Blog: https://trenaybynum.medium.com/

 

 

Student Feature: Katie Harris

Our students are one piece of what makes PR at Belmont special. Throughout the semester, we will be featuring our students as they share “Why PR?” and more.

Name: Katie Harris

Major & Minor: Public Relations/ Sports Admin

Why PR?

I always knew I wanted to do something creative, but I wasn’t sure exactly what I could do that was still practical. I took my first PR intro class after transferring to Belmont, and I loved it! I love being able to work in a creative field that still is left-brain enough for me – I’m super analytical and type A, but still love having fun with creating a brand’s story.

Favorite memory or favorite thing about PR at Belmont? 

The community is amazing! I love the feeling of going into the first day of class and seeing people I know and recognize in the class. Plus, all the professors are always ready and willing to help.

Career aspirations or goals

Honestly, I’m not sure yet… I think I’d like to work for an agency after I graduate in December just to get a feel for all different types of communications. I’d love to work in sports since I’m a huge sports fan, but who knows!

Hobbies, fun facts, or anything else that would be cool to know about you!

I am a huge book nerd and a Mexican food connoisseur (if you ever need recommendations, HMU). I am a dog lover and the biggest Titans fan out there!

 

PRSA Honors Belmont Grads, Students

by Dr. Bonnie Riechert

Belmont University graduates and students were honored by the Public Relations Society of America Nashville Chapter at the recent 2021 Parthenon Awards at City Winery. Area public relations and communications professionals attended the event to celebrate the accomplishments of their colleagues.

Michelle Ward, Belmont Class of 2013 (B.A., public relations) and Class of 2016 (M. Ed., organizational leadership and communication), received the 2021 Mercury Award recognizing a young professional for accelerated career progress, leadership potential, community involvement and professionalism.

Ward is senior director of marketing communications at New Classrooms. She is also the recipient of 2021 Parthenon Awards in the integrated communications category and in the marketing (business to business) category and a 2016 PR Platinum Award for Branding/Re-Positioning. As an undergraduate at Belmont, she served as an officer in Belmont University Public Relations Student Society of America and was a student worker in the Office of Communications.

Two awards were presented in the student category, one featuring a team of Belmont students. A team compiled of Emma dela Pena, Katie McAdams (Class of 2020), Nicole Jones (Class of 2021) and Lexi Stewart received an Award of Merit for their team’s campaign, “Picture Present: Adapting to a Digital Landscape,” conducted on behalf of Open Table Nashville. The campaign was produced in public relations campaigns, a service-learning class, in fall 2020.

The Public Relations Society of America is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the public relations and communications community. The Nashville professional chapter includes almost 200 members and sponsors Public Relations Student Society of America Chapters at Austin Peay State University, Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Middle Tennessee State University and Western Kentucky University. Students from Belmont University and Tennessee State University served as volunteers at the awards banquet.

Student Profile: Julie Fenske

Our students are one piece of what makes PR at Belmont special. Throughout the semester, we will be featuring our students as they share “Why PR?” and more.

Name: Julie Fenske

Major & Minor: PR Major and Dance Minor

Why PR?

My mom suggested I major in PR, and I was excited that Belmont offered a PR-specific program. Organizing and strategizing are skills I’ve always excelled in and have enjoyed. I wanted to get involved with events and be in a major where I could also write and be creative. PR really casts a wide net, and a lot of my varying interests are incorporated in the PR world.

Favorite memory or favorite thing about PR at Belmont? 

I love that the program is small enough where I can still meet new people but know most of the students in my classes. I think the PR program is a nice community because of this, and I’ve gotten connected to the larger Belmont community because of it.

Career aspirations or goals

I haven’t figured out specifics, but I’d love to work in the entertainment industry in some capacity for PR. I’m interested in publicity, events, and unit publicity as possible future jobs, but who knows where I’ll end up!

Hobbies, fun facts, or anything else that would be cool to know about you!

Since we all love writing, as a side project, some of my friends and I started a bimonthly newsletter called Suburban Elitist, where we contribute pieces on pop culture and college life. It’s become such a fun hobby and a place to put my more creative writing skills! I also got the chance to study abroad twice through Belmont. In Summer 2019 I completed my language credits in Angers, France, and in Spring 2021 I spent a semester in Florence, Italy! I really encourage any new students to take advantage of the great opportunities Belmont offers in regard to studying abroad.