Husson University Board of Trustees Chair to Deliver Keynote Address at New England School of Communications Graduation Ceremony
Published on: May 8, 2014
BANGOR, MAINE - The 2014 Commencement Ceremony for the New England School of Communications (NESCom) at Husson University will be held in the Newman Gymnasium on the institution’s Bangor, Maine campus on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Samantha (Rutter) Hammond, a Class of 2000 graduate, will be honored during the ceremony and presented with the Outstanding Alumni Award. Carol Kanar, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Husson University will deliver the keynote address.
“During the past year, Husson University and the New England School of Communications joined forces to create a multi-media and communications powerhouse,” said Thomas Johnston, President of NESCom. “Carol’s selection to deliver the keynote address demonstrates the growing synergy between our two organizations and the spirit of cooperation that is enhancing the program offerings at our united institution.”
More About Commencement Speaker Carol Kanar
Since her graduation from the University of Florida in 1967, Kanar has been involved in education, first as a secondary school teacher for 10 years and then as a faculty member at Valencia College where she taught courses in developmental reading, writing, literature, and student success for 18 years. In 1995, she retired from full-time teaching to write college textbooks. Her titles include The Confident Student, Eighth Edition; The Confident Writer, Fifth Edition; and The Reader’s Corner, Fifth Edition. Originally published by the Houghton Mifflin Company, Kanar’s books are now published by Cengage Learning under the Wadsworth imprint. Before her election as Chair of the Husson Board of Trustees, Kanar served as a Husson Trustee for 11 years and also served on the Board of Directors of New England School of Communications.
Kanar also holds multiple master’s degrees in developmental reading from Rollins College and creative writing from the University of Florida. Over the years, she has been a frequent presenter at regional and national conferences, a longtime member of NADE (National Association of Developmental Educators), and has consulted in student success and developmental writing at institutions such as Pulaski Technical College in Little Rock, Arkansas and New England Institute of Technology in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Some of her other activities include work for Florida’s Department of Education, including her service as a reader/grader of CLAST (College Level Academic Skills Test) from 1979 until 2008 when the test was discontinued. Also during that time, she served as reader/grader of FELE (Florida Educational Leadership Exam) a test to certify secondary school administrators.
More About Samantha (Rutter) Hammond, Outstanding Alumni Award Recipient
Samantha Hammond is a creative services coordinator and director at WLBZ 2 in Bangor. In March, on her 12-year anniversary with the station, she received the Unsung Hero Award from the station’s corporate owner, Gannett Co., Inc.
She received her associate’s degree in television production from the New England School of Communications in 2000. Hammond started her television career at Bangor’s CBS affiliate WABI-TV 5, where she worked the early morning hours and learned how to direct the morning newscasts. In 2002, she moved on to WLBZ 2 as a production assistant and back up director. Hammond quickly became knowledgeable with the editing software and helped complete numerous client television commercials. When one of the senior directors left the station, she stepped into the role as director of the 5:00 pm newscast, and when the creative services coordinator moved into a different department in the station, Hammond stepped in and took on those responsibilities.
Additional Graduation Details
Each NESCom student participating in the graduation ceremony is provided with 10 tickets for family and guests to attend the ceremony. Individuals who require more than 10 tickets are asked to come to the NESCom business office where they will be put on a waiting list. Students on the waiting list are notified as tickets become available.
On-campus parking is free to all individuals attending the graduation ceremony. Friends and family member of NESCom graduates will be directed to parking areas by Husson University Security Staff when they arrive on campus.
The New England School of Communications (NESCom) at Husson University is located in Bangor, Maine, and offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Communications Technology, Entertainment Production and in Mass Communications. Within these degrees, students may choose from concentrations in Audio Engineering, Live Sound Technology, Video Production, Web Media, Journalism, Marketing Communications, Radio Broadcasting, Entertainment Production, and Sports Journalism. The New England School of Communications specializes in communications, providing students with a hands-on experience that gives them the education and skills needed for today's job market.
For more than 100 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells and Northern Maine provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.