CCOM Dean Joe Valenzano welcomes senior Abby Kom to the 050 Studio in Fairbanks Center for this early November episode of the Pawcast.

Abby recently presented "Called aggressive? Me too," at TEDx Danville (Ky.), and is a dual major in Organizational Communications & Music, as well as the president of the Butler Speech & Debate team.

A native Minnesotan, she trekked down to Indianapolis for the close community of a mid-sized campus that has allowed her numerous opportunities to grow and thrive.

Enjoy their CCOM conversation and her story!

Corey McPherrin '77 hosts an all-star lineup of CCOM alumni who are making their mark on our communication world. Jen Christensen '94, Patricia Mays '93, and Steve Key '77 continue to give back to Butler and CCOM through their time, effort, and eagerness to mentor Bulldogs looking to make their name in journalism, broadcasting, and communication leadership.

Listen to their stories of how they ended up at Butler, where they've gone since (CNN, ESPN, and more), and why they're excited about the future of their alma mater.

Go Dawgs!

Homecoming 2023 is the gift that keeps on giving. Corey McPherrin '77 once again steps in as guest host to welcome Barry G. Hohlfelder ’66 to the studio in Fairbanks Center.

Hohlfelder tells stories about being news director for Butler's WAJC FM radio station, how his first taped interview was superstar-celebrity Bob Hope, and how special every visit to Butler's campus is for him.

Hohlfelder won the Katharine Merrill Graydon Alumni Service Award in 2015. It recognizes a long-term commitment of outstanding service to Butler University. The recipients have provided affirmative service to the University to assist in perpetuating the University as a great educational and cultural institution.

Jacqueline Eckhardt '13 joins host Dean Joe Valenzano to celebrate Homecoming from Fairbanks Center.

They talk about her earning the Joseph Irwin Sweeney Alumni Service Award as part of this year's Butler University Alumni Association Awards as well as the impact her classes and mentors had on her success while at Butler and since graduation.

Guest host Corey McPherrin '77 helped lead the way for the CCOM Pawcast during Homecoming. His first of three alumni interviews is with the vivacious, fun, and accomplished voice actor Amy Ulrich '98.

Learn even more about Amy, and her incredible career and accomplishments, at her website: https://amyulrich.com/.

Butler University's College of Communication: Where Great Stories Begin!

CCOM Pawcast host Dean Joe Valenzano is joined by two leaders of The Butler Collegian, the student-run University newspaper. Alison Miccolis, editor-in-chief, is a senior journalism and German double major, and Eva Hallman, multimedia editor, is a sophomore journalism major with a minor in strategic communication.

They talk about their Butler experience and their path to choosing the school, the future of The Collegian, and some of their biggest mentors on campus. And they both take part in "The Dean's List" speed round.

A special thank you to CCOM students Elizabeth Dixon ’25 and Chas Hall ’25 for their audio engineering and positive energy in making this episode happen.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the CCOM Pawcast. This podcast is hosted by the Dean of the College of Communication, Joe Valenzano. We are honored to have Provost Brooke Barnett as our first guest as she shares some of her responsibilities, thoughts on the current state of higher education, and how meeting with students is still worked into her routine—as much as possible.

At least one episode a month will be released and we look forward to building this property with your help, support, and feedback. Bark at us at [email protected] to share your thoughts.