Department of Communication

Flyer TV is a student-run station that brings together the talents of UD students from all majors. Students can produce original programming — including newscasts, sports talk, interview shows, dating shows, short films and series, and documentaries — that runs on our campus-wide cable system (Channel 205).

In addition, students can get involved with live ESPN+ broadcasts for athletic events, as well as video production work for other entities.

Broadcasting from the Roger Glass Center for the Arts, WUDR Flyer Radio 99.5/98.1 FM is completely student run and operated. We bring you all the greats from top pop, rock, and R&B artists. We also broadcast several public affairs programs, as well as selected sporting events (football, volleyball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, and baseball).

History

The University of Dayton was a major player in the Dayton broadcasting scene in the 1960s through part of the 1980s.

The University launched WVUD (the Voice of the University of Dayton) in 1964. The station was located on campus, and the transmitter and 500 foot tower were located on Stuart Hill. The station was managed by professionals and operated by full-time undergraduate students.

In the 1970s, WVUD was the No. 1 station in the Dayton market, using its album-oriented rock programming to battle Top 40 station WING. It was also nationally known as a cutting-edge station.

WVUD was also responsible for launching the career of Dan Patrick, then Dan Pugh. He has has become one of the University’s most famous alumni.

Over the years, the studio has been located in Kennedy Union, Art Street and the Roger Glass Center.

Flyer News is the University's student-run newspaper. It was named the "best all-around student newspaper" by the Society of Professional Journalists in 2023.

Flyer PR is dedicated to developing thoughtful storytellers who are prepared for successful careers in public relations — and to supporting the PR goals and objectives of our clients.

Want to learn more or obtain a quote? Contact udflyerpr@gmail.com.

Flyer PR Practicum

This one-credit-hour course (CMM 397) provides students with an opportunity to actively participate in and understand how a PR firm works, and to be involved in PR campaigns and work with clients.

Students in the practicum will be assigned to a specific client team under the supervision of an account executive and/or will work to promote the agency on campus. Students will attend the annual UD Crisis Simulation and at least three Flyer PR firm meetings, and tasks could include event attendance, drafting writing assignments or marketing messages, research and other duties assigned by the account executive.

Crisis Simulation

Our flagship event is our Crisis Simulation. Flyer PR develops a storyline for the event that encompasses organizations around Dayton. Students are assigned PR roles within those organizations and work with PR pros to deal with the day's events. Journalism students are assigned to work for our simulation news outlet, working with area reporters from area media.

Client Services

Flyer PR offers a range of services; we work with clients to customize a strategy to meet their goals.

Event Planning

Your occasion, managed with care and expertise

• Establish Vendors
• Vendor Relations
• Set-Up and Clean-Up
• Promote Event
• Logistics

Research

Finding the right data for your needs

• Audience Analysis
• Communication Audits
• General Audience Data

Media Relations

Get talked about for all the right reasons

• Media List Development
• Pitching Your Brand
• Strategic Evaluation
• Media Training and Analytics

Social Media Strategy

Showcase what sets you apart

• Content Creation
• Calendar Development
• Blog and Podcast Pitching
• Social Media Guidebook and Training

The Dayton Independent Film Festival is proudly organized by University of Dayton's Communication students. They organize, promote and evaluate local independent films that are shown at the annual film festival every fall.

The mission of this organization is to provide meaningful artistic and cultural programming to Dayton's thriving community. The organization aims to inspire those to act on their passions in a place where passion always shines, the beautiful Gem City.

Most University of Dayton Department of Communication majors complete at least one professional internship by the time they graduate. Many students complete several internships, working at organizations in the Dayton area during the school year and elsewhere in the U.S. during summers.

Our students are highly motivated to learn and serve the workplace and community, as businesses and non-profits that have had our communication majors as interns will attest. Both the student and employer benefit greatly through these professional relationships.

Current students can visit Porches to learn more.

Employer Information

Internships can be a win-win for University of Dayton communication majors and for businesses and institutions. Whether a student pursues an internship for academic credit or not, on-the-job experience should be part of every student's college experience.

Businesses, organizations and agencies that offer professional internships to communication students get the opportunity to:

• Acquire short-term talent with minimal risk
• Gain fresh ideas and perspectives from the student intern
• Provide current employees with opportunities to gain supervisory experience by working with an intern
• Energize staff by having motivated and interested interns in the workplace
• Enhance their community and university relationships

Businesses, organizations and agencies that work with students earning academic credit through the CMM 498 Communication Internship course get interns who have assessed their professional competencies in advance of the internship, have clearly defined their goals and expectations, and have a high degree of accountability. The Department of Communication Internship Coordinator also is available to help the employer to enhance the internship relationship.

For a link to the Online Internship Performance Evaluation form, please contact Pat Enright or call the Department of Communication main office at 937-229-2028.

The Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop's mission is simple: to encourage and inspire writers in the same way that celebrated columnist and author Erma Bombeck '49 found encouragement and inspiration at the University of Dayton.

Thanks to the generosity of the Alumni Association, University of Dayton students receive free scholarships to attend the workshop. Internships for academic credit are available for communication and English majors.

The Department of Communication runs a study abroad program every summer. While the courses, locations and faculty change from year to year, each program is carefully developed to provide students with the most educationally meaningful and culturally embedded experience possible.

Our program is taught by UD communication faculty and the courses you take are UD courses. While the program is open to non-communication students as well, we carefully choose courses that will benefit multiple communication concentrations for each program in order to make this experience relevant to all of our majors.

Study abroad also offers professional development opportunities. Some of our programs include internships or opportunities to work with and learn from UD alumni who have been successful in their field. Other programs include professional site visits and lectures from industry professionals.

Scholarships

In addition to the scholarships offered by the Global and Intercultural Affairs Center (GIA), the department of communication offers additional scholarship opportunities for communication majors studying on the department program. The Maureen M. Pater Award, the Don Yoder Scholarship and the Phil Harwood Scholarship are each awarded annually based on the applicant pool and vary in amount from $250-3,000. Full details for applying to these scholarships will be present on the application page for the current year's program or contact the Department of Communication main office.

UD alumnus Jeff Jones '90, current president and CEO of H&R Block, founded Phi Beta Chi in the late 1980s. Phi Beta Chi, a coed professional and honors fraternity is open to communication and other majors across campus. Through the organization, members of opportunities to improve communication skills and build professional relationships. Activities include speakers, discussions, networking opportunities, fundraising and event planning as well as social events.

UD PRSSA is the pre-professional society for students interested in public relations and communications. Open to all majors, the University of Dayton's Chapter of PRSSA is a valuable resource for students, enhancing their public relations knowledge through innovative professional development and networking opportunities in the field of public relations.

Through UD PRSSA, members are able to network with professionals, travel to conferences, access exclusive internship opportunities, gain inside access to various public relations sectors and more.

The Society of Professional Journalists is the oldest organization representing journalists in the United States. The University of Dayton advisor is Professor Chad Painter. If you're interested in pursuing a career in journalism, joining the SPJ would certainly be a beneficial step.