Communications students apply theory to help others

Among the students in this spring’s small group communications class were (l to r) Kim Plue, Mike Liachenko, Nicole Giarranta, Kaity Craig, and Steve Bartholowmew.

For two years, Jeff Farrar, instructor-in-residence in communications sciences, has taught students in his small group communications course to apply group communication theories to their own projects of helping others in the community.

By working together as a small group, they have a chance to analyze how small group communications work.

This year, one group raised $1,300 for the American Cancer Society by joining with a fraternity to organize a 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament.

Another group, calling themselves Dancers for Cancer, organized a dance show at Whitney Dining Hall and raised $800 for cancer research.

Yet another attempted a bocci ball tournament to benefit the Italian Student Club. When the tournament was snowed out in a late-season storm, they raised $400 for the club with a Bingo game.

“The projects have always been impressive, and this semester, they just blew me away,” says Farrar. In all, 19 students this spring raised $3,000 for charities.

Last fall, 38 students in two sections organized charity events. One group sponsored a teen night in Stafford Springs, Conn., with games, snacks, and music for more than 120 teens.

To meet the course requirements, students must agree on a project, do some kind of work for the public good, and be original. Follow-through also is essential.

Working as a group to accomplish a goal is “a living lab of what they are learning out of the textbook,” Farrar says.