DU alum Lance Clem, public information officer for the Colorado Department of Public Safety, is scheduled to speak on Feb. 14-15 to offer a fresh look at the field as part of the Media, Film and Journalism Studies (MFJS) Department’s continuing Distinguished Alumni Series (DAS).
DAS provides a venue for alumni to share industry experience in MFJS with current students and faculty. Clem, who earned a bachelor’s degree in 1972, will visit next month to discuss his experiences in the strategic communications field.
“He has previously worked with the Division of Highway Safety, where he came up with the Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk campaign idea in the 1970s,” said Chris Henning, MFJS communications director.
DAS provides students with the opportunity to speak one-on-one with professionals and consult the internship center for specific jobs in the fields of film and video production.
The DAS series, a pilot program at DU, was created in an effort to increase alumni involvement in the DU community. Nine alumni have participated.
“All too often, alumni are simply invited to DU for Homecoming and other events and don’t get the chance to meet directly with current students and faculty,” said Henning. “The DAS is aiming to be a more comprehensive program that allows alumni to interact with DU in a more fulfilling way.”
Alumni were also brought back to show students how their DU degrees helped them in the working world.
“Theories and lessons in class take on a new meaning when students can see that ‘one of their own’ is applying the principles in their daily life,” said Henning.
Lastly, alumni have been able to introduce students to fields they may not have known existed. Danny Simon, who earned a bachelor’s from DU in 1971 and a master’s in 1974, has experience in licensing for studios like 20th Century Fox and for films such as “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” Simon participated in DAS last November.
“[Licensing] isn’t a traditional communication route,” said Henning. “It is exciting and fulfilling and many students were eager to learn more about licensing careers.”
