Communication Celebration Honors Dr. Suzannah Patterson and Dr. Raymond Young

VALDOSTA – Valdosta State University’s Speech Communication program will honor two of its longest serving faculty members, Dr. Suzannah Patterson, associate professor of communication, and Dr. Raymond Young, professor of communication, with a communication celebration in the Student Union Ballrooms Saturday, March 1.

Planned and hosted by seniors in the program’s Public Relations Plans and Campaigns class, the daylong celebration includes three events: the Communication Career Connection that brings students and alumni together for networking opportunities, a fashion show that features traditional and casual business attire and the Patterson/Young Retirement Celebration that allows guests to mingle and reminisce with the honorees.

The career connection takes place from 9 a.m. to noon and includes career roundtables, job hunt roundtables and one-on-sessions. The fashion show follows, with contemporary business attire provided by Belk. The retirement celebration includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, networking, a silent auction and conversation with Patterson and Young.

The Suzannah Patterson Public Relations Student Travel Scholarship and the Raymond Young Communication Student Travel Scholarship have also been established in honor of the retiring educators. Information on giving levels and donor incentives is available at http://bit.ly/1dF5mUF .

Registration for the celebration is open until Feb. 20. Students are $18, recent graduates (2009-2013) are $25 and other attendees are $45. To register or become a sponsor, visit http://tinyurl.com/VSUgaSCevents or contact Dr. Shirley Serini at saserini@valdosta.edu .

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities.

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals:

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 2: Increase financial support for the institution.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Goal 5: Develop and enhance Valdosta State’s human and physical resources.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.