Park Scholar Program holds alumni weekend

Maura Gladys, 11/4/2009  ·  0 comments

By: Mykal Urbina ('11)

The Park Scholar program is recognized for providing its scholars with much more than just a scholarship.  The program fosters strong connections between scholars and with each graduating class, builds a larger network of successful, promising professionals.  Because of the program’s emphasis on giving back to the community, past scholars are eager and willing to give advice, connections, and guidance to current scholars.

On Oct. 24th, 10 former Park Scholars returned to campus for this purpose.  The annual Park Scholar Alumni Weekend brings past and current scholars together for a reception and a variety of workshops.  

Alums Peter Berg (’07), Jeremy Levine (’06), and Kate Sheppard (’06) led a workshop in which they discussed the art of freelancing.

“As someone who is considering the possibility of freelancing later in my career, it was very helpful to hear their honest insights and advice about how to get involved and be successful,” said junior television-radio major Brian Ropp.

Katie Maslanka (’06), Cassie Safrit (’04), and Leah Romano (’99) shared their experiences in a session regarding alternative careers and gave tips on how to apply a background in communications to a “non-comm” field.  Maslanka is currently a graduate student at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. Safrit is working towards her graduate degree in elementary education at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, and Romano is also currently working in the field of higher education.

Kelly McPherson (’05), Safrit, and Sheppard spoke with current scholars about their lives as professional journalists.  Freshman Emily Miles enjoyed the workshop.
 “It was really interesting to hear the behind-the-scenes of the career, especially from women who are just starting off in the field,” Miles said.  “It was easy to relate to and they were very honest with their answers as far as the challenges going into the field.”

McPherson is a reporter for WJZ 13 in Baltimore, Safrit is a former anchor and reporter for News 14 Carolina in Raleigh, N.C. and Sheppard is a reporter for the independent political magazine Mother Jones in Washington D.C. and has recently appeared on
“The Rachel Maddow Show”.

Brad Bisbing (’01), Brian Dashew (’06), and Alyssa Gardina (’08) led a workshop concerning online marketing for individuals and companies.
“It was very helpful to hear from recent graduates who have just entered the work force on their perspective of using social media to market themselves,” said senior Elise Kain.