Communication

La Salle has prepared me by expanding my network to include the over 50,000 alumni around the world. These alumni are all #LaSalleProud and have always been eager to help undergraduate students like me. Especially in a field like public relations, knowing people is incredibly important. I’ve gotten several positions due to my La Salle network.

Name: Ryan Wall

Major: Communication (Tracks: Communication Management and Public Relations)

Minor: Latin American Studies

Graduation Year: May 2018

Hometown: Edison, N.J.

Sports/Clubs/Organizations: Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), La Salle TV, Ambassadors, Project Freedom, The Collegian, Catholic Relief Services, President’s Student Advisory Council. I work as an Admissions Campus Explorer (ACE) in the Admissions Department, student worker for the Events Department, and as a Writing Tutor.

How do you juggle all of the things on your plate as an active student?

I’m the type of person who thrives off of being busy, but it takes a lot of time to learn how to best prioritize everything. Time management is key to being a successful student, and it’s difficult for someone who is “Type A” like me to say no to an opportunity. However, during my time at La Salle, I’ve managed to learn when to lean in and when to take it slow and focus on myself. It also helps that all of my friends are involved as well, so being engaged on campus has a social function as well.

What helped you decide on your major?

As the child of a newspaper editor, I was always interested in communication. When I was younger, I used to write stories for my made-up newspaper and would “host” talk shows with my friends. As I grew up, I became fascinated by the interpersonal aspect of communication, involving how we send messages and the strategy behind crafting them. I’ve always loved writing, and I feel that my major allows me to be creative and challenge myself. I might not have always known what I wanted to do, but I always knew what I enjoyed, and Communication seemed like the logical choice.

What made you choose La Salle?

I chose La Salle because I thought it could be a good place to grow as a student, as a professional, and as an individual. In the past few years, I am amazed at how far I have come and how much I have benefited from the close-knit community at La Salle. This community extends beyond faculty: it’s a place where the workers in the dining halls know my name and the public safety officers will stop me to strike up a conversation. It’s made me more aware of the world around me while allowing me to see my community in a different light. La Salle is a place where people care about each other, and it’s impossible to replicate that support network.

How do you think La Salle is helping to prepare you for the future beyond college?

La Salle has prepared me by expanding my network to include the over 50,000 alumni around the world. These alumni are all #LaSalleProud and have always been eager to help undergraduate students like me. Especially in a field like public relations, knowing people is incredibly important. I’ve gotten several positions due to my La Salle network, including my summer internship in the Corporate Communication Department of KPMG, LLP (through Ann Marie Gorden, ’09), and in my current position at Brian Communications (through Rachel Breslin, ’15, and Meg Kane, ’03). The Communication Department is especially good at building these relationships by hosting events with alumni so we can build our connections and learn what to expect in our careers.

What has been one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned here at La Salle?

La Salle has taught me a lot, but the most important thing I have learned is the need for social justice and the dignity of each individual. I have had my eyes opened to some of the injustices certain populations face, and in doing so, I have become much more aware of how I can educate myself on these issues to enact change. La Salle has such a unique perspective on the necessity of giving back, and I am very fortunate that this altruism and compassion has been instilled in me by the faculty of La Salle, the Christian Brothers, and my fellow classmates.

Communication is a very broad major and allows students to really create their own path based off their interests. I have always been interested in the film and television industry as well as journalism, so Communication was the perfect choice.

Name: Brian Gelbach

Major: Communication (Media and Journalism)

Minor: Marketing

Projected Graduation/Class Year: 2019

Hometown: Havertown, Pa.

Sports/Clubs/Organizations: Honors Board (President), The Masque, Improv 101, ACEs, Ambassadors, La Salle TV, Explorientation

What has your experience in La Salle’s program been like so far?

My experience as a Communication major has been very rewarding. I have gained hands-on experience with professional-level equipment and learned what a real-world work environment is like in the classroom. I have also been able to form close relationships with faculty that have further enhanced my education.

What helped you decide on your major?

I decided to major in Communication because I thought it presented an opportunity to gain insight into many areas of interest of mine at once. Communication is a very broad major and allows students to really create their own path based off their interests. I have always been interested in the film and television industry as well as journalism, so Communication was the perfect choice.

What made you choose La Salle?

I was very impressed by the community that existed at La Salle. Everyone seemed to know each other and were happy to see one another. The tight-knit feeling that flowed throughout the campus was something I was looking for in a university.

How do you think La Salle is helping to prepare you for the future beyond college?

La Salle has helped me prepare for my future by teaching me valuable skills like time management and teamwork. It has also prepared me by having courses specifically designed to show what the real world is like.

What is your advice to any high school students thinking about entering the Communication program at La Salle?

For students interested in entering the Communication program, I would definitely recommend it! I have learned a lot and made great friends. There is something for everyone to get involved with in the department, so everyone ends up feeling rewarded.

What has been one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned here at La Salle?

I’ve learned that  putting yourself out there and leaving your comfort zone is worth it.

Marianne Dainton (Ph.D. The Ohio State University) is a Professor of Communication at La Salle University in Philadelphia.  She teaches interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, and communication theory.  Marianne’s research focuses on relationship maintenance.  She is the author of three books:  Maintaining Relationships through Communication (co-edited with Dan Canary, published by LEA) and Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life (co-authored with Elaine Zelley, published by Sage), and Maintaining Black Marriage (published by Lexington Books). Her personal life is spent eating her way through the city of Philadelphia, hanging at the Jersey Shore, and trying to pass as a local while visiting foreign countries.