CCOM Pawcast | Butler University

Reilly Byron ’28, journalism major and president of Butler’s Alliance for Women in Sports (BAWS) and Alana Pangallo ’28, sports media and strategic communication dual major and VP of BAWS, discuss their student group, sports opportunities for women at Butler, what they’ve done and what exciting things are ahead. 

Learn more about BAWS as you look to get involved or support these trailblazing student leaders. Follow BAWS on Instagram.

Dr. Eric Hahn, Assistant Professor of Film & Media Production at Butler University, has once again teamed with director Jeremy Workman (2018 "The World Before Your Feet", 2023 "Deciding Vote", 2024 "Secret Mall Apartment"), for a new film.

"School For Defectors" will be playing at Heartland Film Festival on October 11th at 5PM and October 16th at 5:15PM. Both screenings will take place at The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at The Square.

Hahn, as he was for "Secret Mall Apartment," was the colorist for "School For Defectors"

Film background:

"In an industrial corner of Busan, South Korea, stands the tiny Jangdaehyun School. It is home to 20 students, all of whom are North Korea defectors. With unprecedented access to a community never seen on film, "School for Defectors" gives voice to young people whom the world might otherwise overlook—illuminating not just what they’ve endured, but who they are about to become. What emerges is a deeply human story of hope, youth and possibility."

Below is a link to more info about the Heartland Film Festival screenings, the film, and getting your tickets.

School For Defectors - Heartland Film Festival Screening Information

Dr. Ann Savage, professor of Critical Communication and Media Studies, provides background on her 2027 Spring Break Study Abroad trip — Prague: Media, Culture & Difference, in partnership with Butler's Center for Global Education.

Be part of her group experiencing all Prague has to offer including Barrandov Studios, Old Town, the Astronomical Clock, Prague Castle, and more during this cultural and media exploration of the Czech Republic's capital and largest city.

Learn more and sign up HERE.

Veronica Smith '24 (Sports Media) was offered her full time social media coordinator position with the Indianapolis Colts in a unique way. 2nd-year tight end Tyler Warren was part of an orchestrated content team effort in surprising Veronica. And then the video showed up on Good Morning America.

Smith shares thoughts about the Colts, her time and opportunities at Butler, the privilege to learn from prominent women in sports throughout Indianapolis, and special relationships from Butler she still keeps today.

Veronica also gets a video surprise from one of her best friends and former classmates.

READ: The Butler Collegian - Bulldogs of Butler: Veronica Smith

Film & Media Production (FMP) lecturer Peter Matsoukas joins the Pawcast to discuss THE DEPTHS, a horror film he helped produce, that is available to stream this Friday, Sep. 18th.

He also shares his educational and film background, gushes about his fellow professors in the FMP major, and talks about the start of the Fall 2026 semester in the College of Communication at Butler University.

Learn more about THE DEPTHS, including where to stream the film.

Patrick Reilly '27 (Sports Media and Strategic Communication) president of the Butler Institute for Sports and Entertainment (BISE) tells us about the group and two upcoming projects they are excited to contribute to this semester: The Penrod Arts Fair and the NBA Cup Promotional Sprint Challenge.

Dr. Kwadwo Anokwa, Professor of Journalism at Butler University, recently passed away after an incredibly impactful life.

For this episode of the CCOM Pawcast, Dave Juday ‘94, BS in Radio/Television with a Journalism minor, joins Ross Hollebon to discuss the legacy of Dr. Anokwa and their relationship and friendship, starting in Dave's first-year and carrying on throughout his adult life.

Rest In Peace Dr. Anokwa.

CCOM Pawcast: Season 4, Ep. 6

Dr. Margaretha Geertsema-Sligh, Professor of Journalism and the Director of Graduate Studies in the College of Communication, joins Ross Hollebon on the CCOM Pawcast to talk about her summer projects and the coming school year.

She provides background on the new book she is editing for Routledge, "Journalism and Gender in the Global South: A Research Companion," her vantage point on the recent Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) held in New Orleans, and what she is looking forward to during the 2026-2027 academic year at Butler.

CCOM Pawcast: Season 4, Ep. 5

Dr. Margaretha Geertsema-Sligh, Professor of Journalism and the Director of Graduate Studies in the College of Communication, joins Ross Hollebon on the CCOM Pawcast to talk about her summer projects and the coming school year.

She provides background on the new book she is researching/writing for Routledge, "Journalism and Gender in the Global South: A Research Companion," her vantage point on the recent Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) held in New Orleans, and what she is looking forward to during the 2026-2027 academic year at Butler.

CCOM Pawcast: Season 4, Ep. 5

Ariel Chan ’30 is an incoming first-year Strategic Communication major who has already wrapped up her first marketing internship, plays the guitar and sings, and is one of a quintuplet who will all be going their own direction this fall.

Thanks for celebrating Ariel and these initial building blocks of her Butler and CCOM story with us!