The first C.A.B.L.E. (Communication and Business Leadership Experience) class was announced recently, with 12 Business or Communication majors and minors. The program is replacing the Communication Leaders program, expanding to include and incorporate Business students and professors.

The students participating in the program next year are (in alphabetical order): Tyson Agler, Elizabeth Brake, Julia Devine, Regina Gasser, McKenzie Hopkins, Lindsay Janmey, Nicolette Lyons, Kathleen Murphy, Francine Murzynski, Matthew Pfouts, Chloe Tippman, and Kelcie Webster.

The primary difference between C.A.B.L.E. and Comm Leaders is that C.A.B.L.E. will run through the calendar year, starting in January of 2013 and ending in December of 2013. This will encourage students to participate in a summer internship prior to the start of their senior year.

“I'm most excited about the truly interdisciplinary nature of where we are going,” said Dr. Matthew Smith, Professor of Communication and Co-Director of the C.A.B.L.E. program with Dr. Wendy Gradwohl, Associate Professor of Business.  “I'm eager to learn from Dr. Gradwohl's and the Business majors' perspectives.”

There may be some difficulties experienced throughout the first year of the C.A.B.L.E. program as both Comm Leaders and C.A.B.L.E. will run simultaneously next semester.

“Frankly, the finances may find themselves strained as we try to run two versions of the program simultaneously and build a bridge from one model of running the program to the next,” said Smith. “We've designed a program to live within its means and saved just enough from various additional contributions over the years to make this transitional period work in theory. The whole program is based on generous donor support for which we are so grateful.”

The Communication Leaders will introduce the new C.A.B.L.E. members as well as present on their fall project at a presentation scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 6 at 4:30 p.m. in Shouvlin 105. All are welcome to attend.

By Shelly Gregory, 2013