FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 13, 2009
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

Roberts participates in communication workshop for Tupelo Boy Scout Troop

COLUMBUS, Miss. - Dr. Van Roberts, assistant professor of communication at Mississippi University for Women, recently participated in a Boy Scouts of America workshop in Tupelo.

Every year in January, the Northeast Mississippi Boy Scout Council holds a Merit Badge Day at the Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo. The event is hosted by Boy Scout Troop 85.

For the third year in a row, the communication class was taught by members of the Tupelo Toastmasters Club and other instructors including Roberts, who is a member of the ProLink Toastmasters Club.

The 17 scouts from the various troops learned how to organize a speech, using both visual aids and body language. Each scout was given an opportunity to write and present a five-minute speech about himself. Afternoon lessons focused on how to teach, plan and conduct an event and writing a letter to the editor.

Guest speakers presented on careers in radio, television and newspaper communications.

Roberts received his Ph.D., in American history from Mississippi State University. His academic training includes history and media criticism and research interests in film history and criticism. He has 25 years experience in radio, television and film broadcast announcing, editing, production and directing. He is an award-winning feature and spot news writer and a regional freelance movie reviewer.