The Voice of Jordan-Hare

Whether you know him as a professor, the internship guy or the voice of the stadium, Ric Smith is someone that has made a lasting impression on the lives of many students, faculty and community members.

Smith has been a dedicated faculty member here at Auburn University in the department of Communication & Journalism since the fall of 1992. Before joining the Auburn family, Smith earned his B.A. at the University of South Carolina. He then earned his Master of Communication and Master of Education degrees here at Auburn.

Smith has had the opportunity to work with four different Olympic games- Atlanta, Sydney, Salt Lake City and Athens.

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How did he get such an amazing opportunity?

Auburn fell within the circle for the Atlanta games to look for recruits, said Smith.

“Once you’re in, you do a good job and you have the opportunity to continue,” says Smith regarding how he got the chance to work with the other three Olympic games.

Smith is also passionate about his position as “the internship guy” or more formally known as the Director of Experiential Learning.

All public relations, communication and RTVF majors are required to complete an internship in order to graduate. Smith oversees every single one.

Smith says that the Summer semester is always the busiest with about 100 individual internships, followed by Spring then Fall.

“What’s great for me is to see students have these amazing internships,” says Smith.

He has seen students go to NYC, LA and even abroad for these internships.

During the fall when Smith isn’t working in his office, teaching or abroad with the Olympics, you can find him in the football stadium. Well maybe you won’t be able to actually find him, but you will sure be able to hear him.

Smith has been the voice of the stadium since the start of the 2006 football season.

“Announcing is the next big thing for me,” says Smith. “It’s hard work but the people are terrific.”

Smith began announcing years ago by getting involved with the campus radio station, Weagle. He also announced for Auburn baseball for 5 years before he hit the announcing jackpot. He was offered the position of football announcer in the spring of 2006 and announced the A-Day game.

“[Football announcing] is a lifelong dream,” says Smith smiling. “A once in a lifetime opportunity. And here I am!”

Presents!

So the other day, one of my sorority sisters and I decided to make tshirts for our three new girls for an initiation present! 

I decided to just play around with Photoshop for a little while until something came up that we liked! I'm excited to say that I designed the back of my first tshirt! :) We had so fun-even though they didn't turn out exactly as we had planned on the actual shirts.

The girls really enjoyed getting their first lettered shirts and it was fun making them!

Just a short little blog today because I'm so busy at the moment. But don't worry! I'll be back soon!

Isn't Spring Break supposed to be relaxing?

Yes is the answer to that question. 

Did I have a relaxing SB? Well that depends. On the outside it looked as though I did.  But I would like to ask my brain a question.

Me: WHY MUST YOU THINK ABOUT SCHOOL/GETTING A JOB AT ALL TIMES??

My Brain: Well Amanda, because you graduate in 5 months and you don't want to live in your parents basement.

Me: BUT WHY DURING SB??

My Brain: Because no matter what you do you can't run away from the thought of not getting a job or finishing your school work.

Yes, this is the conversation that went on in my head the entire break.  I of course did have a fun time being able to sleep in and eat amazing food.  But it's sad when I dream about holding my Mac again and praying that the Bookstore doesn't harm it while they fix it.

Some may say it's pathetic, lame or unhealthy. 

I call it determination, passion and dedication.  

So all of you employers out there--Hire Me!! I will not be a disappointment. #GetAmandaToNYC!

Goodnight all! Sweet dreams! :)

Another side of me

You all know that I am a public relations major--which means that I am always writing press releases, features, biographies, fact sheets and blogs--but most of you do not know that I am also a closet novelist. 

I began writing stories in middle school but it wasn't until 2008 that I had the guts to start writing my first novel.  Within 9 months I had a completed 100,000+ word novel and it blew my mind.  Writing is a hobby of mine that I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring and I thought I would share it with you all.

Here you will find the first 5 chapters of my novel "Just a Little Keepsake".  I created this on Issuu.com and made the cover page on Adobe Photoshop. 

p.s. I'm still working on it and editing it so this is definitely not a final version.

And the Oscar goes to...

Most people watch the Academy Awards and enjoy watching the red carpet simply for the celebrities.  I on the other hand am not "most people". 

I watch the Academy Awards and while I am enjoying the beautiful dresses and gorgeous men, I can't help but think of the following:

1. How much planning went into this event?

2. Who contacted the media and gave them fact sheets?

3. Was there a media relations team?

4. What about a crisis management team?

5. What is being said in all the publicists earpieces?

6. Who planned the after parties and secured the venues?

7. Who is making sure that a particular celeb says the right thing to the right person?

And so much more--but get the hint that it was all PR related?? I can't even watch an awards show without thinking about it.  And that is perfectly okay with me-why? Because I want to know all those answers!!  I want to know what it takes to put on an event like that and keep it running smoothly year after year.  I'm sure there are issues that arise but as an audience we are unaware.  Just call me the Curious George of PR- or Curious Georgina...haha

The fact that PR constantly runs through my mind proves to me that this IS my perfect path.  Does this happen to any one else?

Just some food for thought.  

Until next time! 


~Amanda


#GetAmandaToNYC --join the Twitter Campaign!

PS. On a side note-this was definitely my favorite dress of the night! I'm just going to pretend that I look like her for a while. 

#GetAmandaToNYC

I am in the works of creating a personal campaign called Get Amanda to NYC.  It's going to be fabulous!

Join in by following me on Twitter @AmandaLPinto and hashtagging #GetAmandaToNYC !

We all know this my dream and I will succeed! Help me get there! 

Have a fabulous weekend and I can't wait to update you more on this.

Oh, and on a side note--I'm seriously ridiculously close to finishing my website!! Next on the list is buying my host and domain name!!! 

Stay tuned for both of these awesome projects!

Name Logo!

After many hours with Adobe Photoshop today, I think I have finally finished my name logo for my website!! I am so excited about it and even though it took a ridiculous amount of time on my behalf--being a perfectionist is annoying during times of stress--but it all works out in the end and I think my hard work is paying off.

I can't wait until my website is finished and I can share it will all of you!  I'm SOOOO close!!!! 

I'm also starting to make a Digital Resume and Portfolio for my friend Vicki who is a Journalism major! It will be a lot of fun and another great learning experience.  

That's all for now! Here's the logo! I hope you like it as much as I do!