Headlines from the AUR Blogs

Alessandra Potenza (Communication, 2011) graduates from Columbia

Wed, 16 May 2012 03:23 GMT

Alessandra Potenza (Communication, 2011) will receive her MA in Journalism from Columbia University on May 17th. To watch the Graduation ceremony please log onto Columbia University's website at 9.00 pm Rome time. Congratulations Alessandra!

Alessandra Potenza (Communication, 2011)

Wed, 16 May 2012 03:23 GMT

Business Student Elected Class of 2012 Commencement Speaker

Tue, 15 May 2012 01:47 GMT

Kristin Lichtenberg, BUS '12, was elected by her classmates to be Class Speaker at Commencement. The students eligible for this honor were the seven top-performing students in the class of 2012 (those who have achieved a GPA of 3.5 or better). Kristin's election is a well deserved acknowledgement from her classmates of the leadership role she has played since coming to AUR in 2009 as a study abroad student. Within weeks of her first semester at AUR, Kristin knew she wanted to stay and transferred in. She has been a leader in the student community ever since.

Kristin Lichtenberg BUS '12,

Kristin has served as President of the Business Club for the last two years, after being Operations Manager as a sophomore. In that role she has overseen the merchandising business that the Club runs on behalf of the University and organized a number of social events. She has also been Captain of the Women's Soccer Team, the She Wolves, for two years, and a member of AUR's chapter of Campus Girl Scouts. In addition to working as a student assistant in the Enrollment Services Department, Kristin has done not one but two internships, the first as an assistant in the Finance Department of Bioversity International, an NGO in Rome, and the second in the fundraising and development department of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Congratulations from the BizFac to Kristin on being elected to represent your class and on your excellent academic performance.

Tagged: Commencement, Honors, Students

Capstoners Present Theses

Sat, 12 May 2012 02:12 GMT

The 2012 Business Capstone Cohort gathered on May 11 with their faculty advisors, to present the key findings of the research they have conducted over the last semester. The Capstone project for the BSBA degree is a 360° analysis, called a Strategic Audit, of a transnational, publicly traded company. Each student selects a firm and becomes an expert on that firm and the industry(ies) in which it operates, applying the tools and frameworks learned during the semester in the Strategic Management course, and building on the knowledge gained in previous years of study. This year's cohort chose an intriguingly wide variety of firms in industries ranging from high tech to fashion to hospitality: Ahmed Badenjki focused on HP, Cody Cinelli on Nintendo, Kristina Eidukatis on LVMH, Kristin Lichtenberg on RIM, Andrea Natale on Apple, Isabelle McDonnell on Marriott, Jennifer Pedraza on 3M, Aleksander Sapega on Benetton and Max Zadini on UnderArmour.

2012 Capstone Cohort with Prof. Kathleen Fitzsimmons and Capstone Advisors Prof David Pollon (left) and Bob Sonnabend (right)

The Capstone project is made up of three parts (in addition to the BUS 498 Strategic Management course): a 25-30 page written analysis on the company and industry (50% of the grade), a 20-minute presentation before a panel of faculty of the key findings in which the students role-play consultants and provide recommendations for future strategy (40%), and an evaluation by the student's Capstone advisor (10%). The most recent crop of nine students successfully negotiated the first aspect, the presentations, during a four-hour session with Advisors. After the presentations, the group celebrated with an Aperitivo on the Terrace and toasted the end of the challenging but satisfying Strategic Audit process. Feedback from alumni indicate that the thesis is a key differentiator in the job search, and several, including 2011 grads Elen Ustun and Cody Ferguson, got jobs either with the company they researched (Elen works at J&J) or in the industry (Cody studied Google and today works for Oracle).

Congratulations to the BSBA Capstone Cohort of 2012!

Max Zadini was one of nine Business seniors who presented the key findings of their semester-long analysis and research.

BizClubbers celebrate with Year-End BBQ

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:28 GMT

BizClub members headed out to the country on a recent Saturday to celebrate the end of another great Club year and a long-time BizClub tradition: the year-end BBQ. BizClub Prez Kristin Lichtenberg ushered members onto a bus that squired the group from AUR out to the home of Prof. Kathleen Fitzsimmons. Amid the vineyards and olive groves, the group relaxed in the sunshine, shared chat, frothy beverages, good company and a good, old-fashioned American-style BBQ. They also took the Official Club photo (and a couple more!).

AUR Business Club Members – Year Nine: Back row: Katelyn Bellus, Treasurer; Jessica Malmstrom, Publicity; Kristin Lichtenberg, President; Isabelle McDonnell, Publicity; Jessica Lagomarsino; Front row: Ahmed Badenjki, Amber Glasser, Abby Kolb and Verdiana Biagioni Gazzoli, Operations Manager

This one joins the previous eight, as the BizClub closes Year Nine and heads into its 10^th year of activity. The Club is the oldest active club on campus, and has a three-fold mission: service to AUR (by running the school’s merchandising business and investing the proceeds back into the School), social (organizing outings and social events for Club members) and functional (organizing speakers and other events that help students learn about the business environment). Since 2003, the Club has had authorization from AUR to design, select, promote and sell AUR merchandise including apparel and souvenir items. Every year the Club donates a gift to AUR, reinvesting the proceeds of the merchandising business back into the University. They are currently deliberating what this year’s gift will be. Among past gifts: the trophy case outside the Student Lounge, the IT equipment in Room 205, the editing station in the Computer Lab, and the park bench in the Garden, dedicated to the memory of Prof. Terry Kirk. Congratulations and arrivederci to this year’s Business Club team: President Kristin Lichtenberg, Vice President Jennifer Pedraza, Operations Manager Verdiana Biagioni Gazzoli, Publicity Chairs Isabelle McDonnell and Jessica Malmstrom and Treasurer Katelyn Bellus. We look forward to working with a new team in the fall as you kick off Year 10!!

BizClub Members goofing for the camera at their year-end BBQ.

: BizClub Advisor Prof. Kathleen Fitzsimmons with Club members

Torino and Le Laghe field trip-one credit class

Wed, 09 May 2012 23:21 GMT

This semester, for the first time, the Italian deparment organized and offered a Field Trip- one credit class to Torino and Le Laghe to learn about how food is culture, the slow food mouvment and the multiculture aspect of food in Italy.

In Torino and the area we visited the biggest food market in Europe, the Università of Studi Enogastronomici, the bank of wine, a vineyard where we had a wine tasting, Eataly (the slow food supermarket) and Torino city center.

Here are some students comments:

"The Food and Culture class trip explored a range of food and culture topics. Lectures from those who work with immigrants taught us why people who relocate to Italy are reluctant to give up food from their home countries even though Italy has a world renounced cuisine. This onsite talk brought us to places where foreigners are able to buy food from their homelands. Another aspect of the class investigated the importance of food quality, local food that is grown using sustainable methods. In order to understand this aspect of the course we visited Eataly, which prides itself on selling and preparing quality products for all of its international locations. In addition, we went to the biggest outdoor food market in Europe. A part of this market is run by Foundazione Campagna Amica. This foundation tries to get people to shop food that is grown locally and in season. Products from participating farms are 0km. This is a great trip for anyone interested in different aspects of food culture" (Chelsea)

"If you are considering taking the trip to Torino, do it! It was by far one of the best weekends I've spent in Italy. It's a great opportunity to meet new friends, eat amazing food, sip on delicious wine and learn how food and culture are intertwined--all while surrounded by incredible views." (Elise)

Art Exhibition of Student Work - Spring 2012 (Students and Artists!)

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:03 GMT

"I like it! especially the Bernini Elephant! even though I prefer sketches that painting caught my attention" Andrew

"I really enjoyed the exhibition. the Bernini's elephant really moved me and I see some sketches have a real sense of perspective" Christine

Art Exhibition of Student Work - Spring 2012 (Sketches and Students) [Edit]

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00 GMT

"I prefer the sketches from contemporary art but is visible that students worked hard on it" Lorenzo

"Is really nice to see the students work" Domonique

Art Exhibition of Student Work - Spring 2012 (Paintings and sketches) [Edit]

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:49 GMT

"Is a good Exhibition!- I like the paintings but I suggest to publicize it better" - Orfeo

"I think is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, and hints into the soul" - Shane

Art Exhibition of Student Work - Spring 2012 [Edit]

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:43 GMT

"Mercury and Retrograde" is the Exhibition Presented by the Fine Arts Department of the American University of Rome. Is a mixture between shapes, colors, figurative and abstract paintings accompanied by the unique sketches made by the students around some of the greatest Roman neighborhood. Thanks to the Professor Breda Ennis all this is available on the Exhibition, as well as on the web!

Enjoy the show

Finals Approaching

Mon, 07 May 2012 04:43 GMT

Hello!

As you may know our last day of classes is on Wednesday, and then finals! (Arghhhhhhhh!) This is the first semester that final exams have been split up, usually our finals are all in one week (Mon-Thursday), this time they’ve divided the finals up, so they’ll start Thursday of this week and end next Tuesday, leaving a nice weekend of study time. (Unfortunately my cousin is getting married on Saturday, so there might not be much studying done on that day for me!)

Overall, I’d say it’s been a fairly good semester, and in the Fall, I will be a Senior….no comment. I just chose my project for Capstone…it will be (drumroll) a screenplay! I had the following options as a Communications Student:

1. Thesis Paper

A 35-40 page research paper on a topic approved by your faculty mentor

2. Media Production

A digital media production (options include: animation, experimental short, narrative short, music video, etc.) of appropriate length approved by your faculty mentor

3. Feature length screenplay

An 80-page screenplay written in proper format approved by your faculty mentor

4. Magazine/online publication

A full-length magazine project, including articles, ads, and artwork. The length of the magazine/online publication must be approved by your faculty mentor.

5. Ad campaign/web site design/online game/DVD-ROM/interactive kiosk

An Ad campaign/web site design/online game/DVD-ROM/interactive kiosk design for a real-world client. The content of the project must be approved by your faculty mentor.

In my opinion, the screenplay is the better choice. Kristin has (almost) finished her thesis, and her presentation is on Friday, so in Bocca al Lupo to her. Giorgi is wrapping up his freshman year, lucky him!

Summer is fast approaching, I can’t wait!

Have a good week,

Romina

Our Blog Cleans Up Nicely -Renovations in Progress

Sun, 06 May 2012 12:45 GMT

Hi Everyone, I've just returned from five months of maternity leave a few weeks ago (Yes American readers, that was not a typo. Five months!) It's wonderful to be back and to see all the projects that students are trying to wrap up in the upcoming week in time for ...

Featured Student Work: Après La Coulée

Fri, 04 May 2012 05:56 GMT

This is a stop-motion animated short created by Suzanne Darkan as a final project for The Computer as a Media Tool Course at The American University of Rome. Filed under: Animations Tagged: animation, experimental, Student Work, video

Featured Student Work: Hungry?

Fri, 04 May 2012 05:48 GMT

This is a student entry to the Hungerbytes TV Commercial Video Competition sponsored by the UN's World Food Programme. Created by: Olga Timokhina, Jordan Chase, and Sean Castle for the Introduction to the TV Commercial Class at The American University of Rome. Filed under: Commercials and PSA's Tagged: commercial, hunger, ...

Featured Student Work: Breathe Out

Fri, 04 May 2012 05:37 GMT

“Breathe Out” was directed by Shahnaz Al-Dulaimy, produced by Edwina Dennison, and shot by Kelly Mangiantini. Created for Digital Filmmaking class at The American University of Rome. Filed under: Narrative Shorts Tagged: AUR, fiction, narrative, Rome, short film, Student Work

Featured Student Work: Multimedia Compilation 2010-2011

Fri, 04 May 2012 05:26 GMT

This is a compilation of student animation, graphic design, computer art, and illustration from 2010-2011. Filed under: Multimedia Compilations Tagged: animation, design, multimedia, Student Work, video, web

Featured Student Work: Black Rose

Fri, 04 May 2012 05:20 GMT

This is music video created as a capstone project by Zaira Lo Piccolo. Photography by Sofia Marmorstein. Song: “Black Rose” by Andy. Filed under: Music Videos Tagged: goth, music video production, Rome, short film, Student Work

Featured Student Work: The Question of Three

Fri, 04 May 2012 03:56 GMT

This is a short film by Aleksandra Petrova created for the Experimental Film class at The American University of Rome. Filed under: Experimental Videos Tagged: experimental, Petrova, Rome, short film, Student Work

Featured Student Work: Siúil, a Ghrá (Farewell, My Love)

Fri, 04 May 2012 03:50 GMT

Edwina Dennison created her short film Siúil, a Ghrá as her Capstone Senior Project in the Department of Communication and English at AUR. The short documentary, an exploration of the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of one of her relatives, was made over a one-year period and shot on-location in ...

Logo Contest

Thu, 03 May 2012 03:47 GMT

The Southwest/Texas Popular Culture and American Culture Association (SW/TX PCA/ACA) is holding a call for submissions for a graphic logo and banner. The contest offers a $500 prize for the winning design. Designs can be of any color or design and can abbreviate the association's name as “SW/TX” or “PCA/ACA.” ...