“I Heart Social Media” alerts students about the importance of online profiling sites in Dale Hall Tuesday

The “I Heart” Panel, hosted by Gaylord College student leadership, encouraged students to pursue professionalism online during the “I Heart Social Media” conference on Tuesday evening.

The panel consisted of five professionals in the media industry who covered different topics ranging from getting a job in media to maintaining online profile accounts.

Panel member Cassie Gilman, a former OU political science student, explained how she never puts anything on her Facebook or Twitter account that she would not want anyone professional to see.

“Whatever you put out there is for public consumption,whether it is for your professional or your personal life,” Gilman said.

The panel talked about ways that employers utilize online profiles to check out potential future employees.

“This is like your online reputation,” panel member Miranda Wilson, Associate Director of Communications for the YMCA, said.

The panel also touched on utilizing online profile sites to possibly secure a future career, even as a student.

“Use social media as a way to get your foot in the door,” Wilson said.

Wilson advised students to be cautious online but to take advantage of using online profiling sites to get their names out there.

The panel alertedstudents of posting information onthe Internet and gave tips on preparing yourself for a job in the media.

Panel member Dave Rhea, the managing editor for online products at The Journal Record, in Oklahoma City, suggested getting a personal website together junior year of college because it could be a landing point for you if an employer is looking to hire you.

Olivia Price, a sophomore advertising major, attended the event and took some key points away from it.

“It told me that employers do look at your Facebook and read your Twitter accounts before they hire you. And that everything online can be traced. Which is scary,” Price said.

If you have questions for the I Heart Panel or would like to see some questions and answers from the event you can check out their @iheartpanel twitter account.

“Search for Identity” screened in the Gaylord auditorium Tuesday evening

The creator of the documentary “Search for Identity” spoke to students about the importance of an individual’s right to identity via Skype interview in the Gaylord auditorium Tuesday at 7 p.m.

“We can make a difference, but you don’t make a difference sitting on the sidelines,” Charlie Tuggle, the “Search for Identity” creator, said.

Gaylord College played Tuggle’s film Tuesday evening for students. The film emphasizes family and identity, focusing on the children who lost their families after being born and then kidnapped by military members in Argentina detention centers during the 1970 Dirty War.

Tuggle, who was once a journalism professor for the University of North Carolina, sent two journalism students to Argentina to report on the Grandmothers of May Plaza, aka the Las Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo. The film centered on these women who spend their lives looking for their lost grandchildren with hopes of restoring their identity.

In the Skype interview, Tuggle explained his heart for the project and the thesis that drove the film.

“It’s the right to identity, a basic human right, let’s make sure we come back to that for our basic thesis,” Tuggle said.

Tuggle explained his aspiration for this film and shared his passion for an individual’s basic human right to identity.

For more information on the documentary or Las Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo you can visit www.searchforidentitydocumentary.com

CAC’s annual Dance Marathon event will return on March 3 to raise money for OU Children’s Miracle Network

By: Jessica Bruno

Published February 5, 2012

Campus Activities Council invites students to dance the night away at its annual philanthropy event Dance Marathon, March 3, at the Huston Huffman Fitness Center.

“It is a 12 hour event where ,'we dance for kids who can’t,' which is the Dance Marathon motto. There is a carnival, multiple dances, a moon bounce, a lot of food, and there is a DJ,” said Taylor Reames, a member of the Dance Marathon morale team, who are the leaders of the event.

The event will last from 10a.m. until 10p.m. with non-stop activities. This event is not only a fun night to interact with other students, but also a night to give back.

According to Reames, Dance marathon is a collegiate fundraiser, that raises money for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, specifically OU Children’s.

Each member of the morale team is required to raise about $150 for OU Children’s and there are various fundraisers throughout the year.

Annually, CAC spends the year preparing and getting the word out for this Spring event. CAC has "125 days of Dance Marathon," a series of fundraisers year round to raise money for OU Children’s. 

The event is sponsored by Children’s Hospital Foundation and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Registration is $25 and you can find out more information at www.helpmakemiracles.org.