Panel Discussion Kicks Off Dedication Weekend

Asbury University kicked off a weekend of activities to dedicate the Andrew S. Miller Center for Communication Arts with a panel discussion Thursday evening.

Four panelists — representing careers both behind and in front of the camera, in the United States and abroad, in the business world and in vocational ministry—shared their challenges and joys with an audience of students, community members and University friends. The breadth of experience at the table was united by a theme each person had encountered individually: the importance of integrity.

“The characteristics of a Christian are what make a good PR person in the long run,” said Susanna Elliott ‘07, a panelist who works as the corporate PR manager for Alltech, a global animal health and nutrition company. “Have a tenacious commitment to excellence and integrity. That will be respected.”

“My Christianity is not just something I do, it’s something I am,” added D.T. Slouffman ‘97, a panelist whose credits include reality series, live and taped sports productions, studio shows and documentaries.  “So it comes through in everything I do.”

The panelists responded to both prepared questions and questions from the floor, many of which probed the tension Christians often find between participating in media culture and remaining strong in their values and standards.

“Media is the most powerful form of communication that exists,” actor and filmmaker Jeff Rose said. “That’s why it thrills me to see what’s going on at Asbury, because we need people who are well-trained.”

Sarah Leckie ‘03, a communications missionary with the One Mission Society, brought an international perspective to the discussion: “The influence and power of the media is going to keep increasing all over the world. While you’re at Asbury, get good at what you do.”