Department Alumni Involved in Politics

By Sherri Wagoner
Telecommunication Senior

If you've ever picked up the phone to tell the White House what you think, chances are a Department of Communication alumnus made sure your comments were heard.

Justin Grove, B.A. 1997, is an associate director in the Office of Presidential Correspondence at the White House. His primary responsibility at the White House is to manage the 70 volunteers who operate the White House comment line and record input from callers. He then analyzes the data and provides the White House staff with reports on the comments received.

"While I was a student, I didn't always see the relevance of the hard work my professors asked from me, but now, on a daily basis at the White House, I apply the Communication theories that I learned at Purdue to best serve the American people," said Grove.

Grove is one of the many Department of Communication alumni who are finding the communication skills they learned at Purdue are valuable in the political careers they have chosen.

Kim Preston, the assistant director of operations and finance, and the internship coordinator for the Indiana Republican Party, said she benefits from her education in one-on-one communication. Her position entails handling everything from maintenance and staff issues to cellular phones and more. She also works with the finance department at times to help track down contributions.

"I still feel like my knowledge of interpersonal communication is priceless," said Preston, B.A. 1998. "I have always had a knack for reading people easily and figuring out the best and most effective way to communicate with different people, but my Communication courses really solidified that for me."

Sarah Perry, B.A. 2000, is a staff assistant in the Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer of Indiana. She acts as a liaison between the congressman and his constituents. She answers phone calls, opens constituent mail, replies to letters from constituents, writes drafts of legislative related letters, gives U.S. Capitol tours, conducts meetings, and assists in making sure the congressman is where he needs to be in coordination with his schedule.

Perry was promoted recently to executive assistant, which will go into affect January 2003. In this position, she will play more of a role in the congressman's daily schedule while he is in Washington, D.C.

"Even though I am not working in the 'PR field,' I still use all of the skills I learned while in school," she said. "I am constantly talking to constituents, my co-workers, and the congressman on the phone, in the office, in meetings, etc. I could describe my job as relating to the public . specifically, the Indiana public. Along with that, the organizational skills have also helped immensely because my job requires me to keep on top of things. Also, I write press releases from time to time and letters daily. My writing skills are used continuously."

Grove said it took time to discover the connection between being a Purdue graduate and his career success.

Throughout Grove's life, he said he has always had a strong desire to improve the quality of life in America. His desire grew stronger when he was at Purdue in Associate Professor Henry Scheele's Advance Public Speaking course.

"This was a great class," Grove said. "Even though it was the first experience many of us had had with public speaking, it was amazing how genuine and inspiring our class speeches were! We spoke about important issues and how we can make America better. I spent many afternoons in that classroom becoming more and more certain that a life of public service was the life for me."

His diploma is displayed in his office at the White House.

"I am very proud to display my Purdue diploma in my office because it makes a strong statement about who I am," he said. "People around here know that a Purdue graduate is disciplined, foundationally strong and capable of lifelong learning.'

In January 2002, Grove received the Office of Presidential Correspondence's first employee of the month award.

"It is a great honor to be the standard bearer for my department's excellent commitment to serve the American people," he said.