2212B Foxden Drive
Salem, OH 44460-9444
May 2, 2011
Dr. Cynthia E. Anderson
President
Youngstown State University
One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44555
Dear Dr. Anderson:
As a senior at YSU and within about one year of graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies, I am writing to you because I would like to acknowledge the excellent faculty in the Communication Department that I was privileged to have as my professors and instructors.
Starting with Dr. Rebecca Curnalia, she was my professor for the first and last communication courses that I completed. When I was feeling challenged by learning a lot of material for her essay exams, Beckey showed me how to learn only the keyword information and that made it a lot easier to achieve high scores. And that is a technique that I applied in nearly all of my courses from 2007 to present. When I needed extra help understanding an assignment or needed her critical eyes to examine my written work, Beckey willingly gave me office time. When I wanted to start early preparing for the Senior Project, the capstone Communication course, Beckey permitted me to start doing the research several months ahead of schedule. I believe that extra help made it possible for me to earn an A in both courses. I am grateful for her contributions to my education.
Next, Dr. Dan O’Neill, the former Chair of the Communication Department was my professor for several courses. His liberal approach to research projects made it possible for me to write a 25 pages paper on Communication Apprehension (public speaking anxiety) in his Individual Studies course. However, the Argumentation course he taught is highlighted as one of my favorite courses because I learned to critically listen to conversations and what is stated in the media to understand whether there is a fallacy present and what kind of fallacy is operating. That is a valuable skill that I can apply in both my professional life and my personal life. Thank you Dr. O’Neill.
Dr. Jeff Tyus was my professor for three courses: Gender Communication, Designing Communication Research, and Intercultural Communication. Dr. Tyus cares about his students’ academic success and he can be very supportive to them in the classroom. I remember during a speech I was presenting in the Gender Communication class about the effects of gender inequality in the workplace and how vehemently one student challenged some of my statements. It was obvious that I was at a temporary loss for words in that situation. I was very grateful that Dr. Tyus came to my rescue by saying “that he happened to agree with my statements.” His response silenced the rude student and it reassured me that I had done a great job with the presentation. Thank you for your support Dr. Tyus.
Dorian Mermer was my instructor for only one course – Organizational Communication. Dorian’s expectations for the course were very high, but very rewarding from the standpoint of learning marketable skills. I learned to excel at fundraising for a charitable cause. Dorian’s teaching style sharpened my presentational skills. I learned about employee-friendly organizations and environmentally-friendly companies. Dorian was an excellent mentor and she taught me valuable skills to overcome conflict in group work. I appreciate all of the useful skills and knowledge that I gained from her course. Thanks Dorian.
Dr. Adam Earnheardt was my professor for only one course too – Computer Mediated Communication. From his course, I learned about social media, video editing, and I befriended a classmate that later helped me to create my professional website. As many students have appropriately stated, Adam creates a fun learning environment and his high class attendance is proof that his teaching style works. When I needed a ride to attend an Intercultural Communication Course dinner at P.F. Chang’s, Dr. Tyus was kind to make arrangements for me to ride with Adam, thereby making it easier for me enjoy that learning opportunity. Thank you for a fun and rewarding semester Adam.
Dr. Cary Horvath, the present Chair of the Communication Department was my professor for three communication courses: Interpersonal Communication, Advanced Interpersonal Relationships, and Organizational Cultures. I enjoyed the challenging learning environment that she presented and I gained useful knowledge that can shape my personal and my professional life. Cary is a highly intelligent professor and over-the-top professional. I can see her one day becoming a Dean and perhaps President of a university. It has been a privilege to have Cary as one of my professors and I appreciate everything she has done to prepare me for a successful career.
Lastly, I would like to give kudos one more time to Dr. Cary Horvath and that is for how well the Communication faculty relates to each other and get along. There is obvious warmth and friendliness that is present in their interaction and it must have something to do with Cary’s style of leadership. It is a style of leadership that could serve as a model for other departments at YSU.
Cordially,
Thaddeus Smith
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2212B Foxden Drive
Salem, OH 44460-9444
April 10, 2011
Dr. Cynthia E. Anderson
President
Youngstown State University
One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44555
Dear Dr. Anderson:
As a senior at YSU and within about one year of graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies and a Minor in Marketing, I am writing to you because of the excellent assistance I have received from several personnel in the Archives Department of the William F. Maag Jr. Library.
One of my hobbies since the 1970s has been genealogical research about my family. And I have amassed a large collection of data and artifacts. I have preserved and shared nearly my entire collection on the computer as a legacy and with ancestry.com. However, some tin-type photographs (mid 1800s), and two old letters dating back to 1804 and 1819 presented problems using my standard-sized scanner at home. So, I contacted Ben Blake, the Head of Archives and Special Collections in the Maag Library, and he and his assistant Brian K. Brennan, another Archivist helped me to scan the letters and the photographs using YSU’s professional equipment. Ben and Brian also provided me with leads to organizations that could help me with other research challenges. During another visit, their Archives Assistant, Lisa Garofali was nice to help me convert some scans, so I could access them on my computer and share them too.
I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge a few other staff in Maag Library that generously provided me with helpful assistance along the way. When I was considering a Master’s Degree in Library Science; I interviewed Kevin Whitfield, Alyssa Jordan, and John Popadak to gain a better understanding about library science from different perspectives. And Ellen Banks, Jim Ontko, and Carol Hovanes have been very helpful and friendly to me for general services at Maag. I am indebted to all of those great people that work in Maag Library; it is one of the most important buildings on the YSU campus and it is a treasure-trove of resources.
Cordially,
Thaddeus Smith
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2212B Foxden Drive
Salem, OH 44460-9444
October 30, 2007
Brenda Burbick
Volunteer Coordinator
Area Agency on Aging
Dear Brenda,
This past year has been a rewarding experience for me to serve as a Volunteer Ombudsman with the Area Agency on Aging 11, Inc. I have enjoyed the friendships and the chance to make a difference for people.
It is reassuring to know that I am welcome to return in the future, when my life becomes more settled. I know in my heart that God has blessed me with a gift of working with the elderly and the ombudsman program is the best way to use that gift. If it is all right, I would like to return to
Thank you for sharing your time and experience with me so that I might become a better advocate. Please give my best to Kathy Janecko and to the other volunteers.
Wishing you all the best,
Thaddeus Smith
P.S. Enclosed are my I.D. badge and some unused envelopes.
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