My Portfolio!
My public relations writing from my time taking public relations courses at SIUE.
PRSSA
NEWS RELEASE
Name: Christopher Knight
Phone number:(618)-960-4809
Email: Chknigh@siue.edu
Oct. 12, 2014
Digital Communication is all about you
Edwardsville - Gini Dietrich, blogger, author and CEO of Arment Dietrich, an integrated marketing firm in Chicago, was the guest speaker during the digital communications seminar hosted on the SIUE campus Sept. 19. The seminar was sponsored by two SIUE student organizations, the Public Relations Student Society of America and the English Literature and Language Association.
Dietrich, who started at an entry level position and moved up from there, said she didn’t initially start out on a public relations career path. “I actually got into public relations because I needed a job and there was an opening at Fleishman Hillard in Kansas City,” Dietrich said.
That first introduction into public relations at Fleishman Hillard taught Dietrich a lot about the industry, and one of her biggest take-away lessons was the importance of having a firm ethical stance as a professional. Dietrich was adamant about professionals staying true to the code of ethics. She told a story of how she turned down a six-figure job because they were asking her to perform tasks that she felt were not ethical. A strong ethical foundation is necessary to build a healthy relationship.
Dietrich, stated that public relations is all about the relationship, and building relationships takes time. Some clients want instant success, but they lack an understanding of what it is practitioners do. As public relations professionals, it is important to understand the relationships built have an impact on a client’s future success. Digital communication is used to help cultivate relationships between the professional and their client. It is the creed of public relations as a practice and as a career.
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FEATURE
Oct. 29, 2014 Contact: Chris K.
Phone: (618)-960-4809
Email: chknigh@siue.edu
No Gas Required: This car runs on Sun
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – No gas required. As long as your vehicle is out in the sun, you will be ready to go. This may seem like something out of a science fiction book, but for members of the SIUE solar car team, it is reality.
Christopher James Maske, the team’s director of development, is a junior at SIUE majoring in engineering, and although cost and vehicle designs present challenges, Maske thinks solar cars are coming.
“We should see more production of solar cars in the not too distant future,” Maske says. “We just need to work on the cost and design issues.”
A solar car is an electric vehicle powered by solar energy. In short, solar energy is converted into electric energy with the use of photovoltaic cells in a solar panel, and here is where the magic happens, but that magic does not come cheap.
The term solar car indicates that solar energy is used in some, if not all, of a vehicle’s propulsion. There aren’t more cars being manufactured and shipped because it isn’t an easy or cheap task to achieve. The photovoltaic cells, which convert the sun’s energy into electric energy, are expensive and the solar panel is also constrained by a vehicle’s size.
As the director of development, Maske has been exposed to copious different parts that make up a solar car. He says the SIUE team knows how to take care of each part to avoid costly mistakes.
“The battery is made up of lithium iron phosphate and is extremely efficient and lightweight,” Maske said. “However they are very volatile, and if you don’t have a battery management system, you run the risk of burning up your car.” Maske said this happened to another team at last year’s solar car competition in Austin, Texas.
On the other hand, the SIUE solar car team hasn’t had a problem with this. As the director of development this is something Maske says can’t be overlooked. In short, all the intricacies of developing this vehicle fall under attention to the finest detail. Last year SIUE tied with MIT ranking 13th in the competition.
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SIUE solar car team – Page 2
The purpose of the SIUE solar racing team is to design and race solar cars competitively, but they also want to expand everyone’s knowledge on alternative energy sources, particularly solar power. “When I apply for a job, being a part of this club will be on my resume and will help when I am in a situation where I can apply what I’ve learned,” Maske said.
For many, it may look like the SIUE solar racing team is living in the future, but to the team, that future is now.
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Ennovation
Newsletter
Oct. 29, 2014 Contact: Chris Knight
Phone: (618)-960-4809
Email: chknigh@siue.edu
Christopher James Maske: UNMASKED
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Into the mind of Christopher James Maske, an engineering student at SIUE. What immediately stands out about Maske is his quiet, assassin personality. As an engineering student, Maske is always calculating, planning and improving himself; he’s an executioner.
Maske, was born and raised in Saint Peter, Illinois and graduated from Vandalia Community High School. While growing up in his hometown, he discovered his love for engineering. “My dad was a mechanic and a jack of all trades,” Maske states. Maske’s father used to race stock cars at the local race track and built their current home by himself. He also helped build a church that still stands in Maske’s hometown today.
Need a quote or something here to help connect the previous information to your story and then transition into the next. For example: “Growing up watching him racing cars and building things from the ground up was what made engineering so intriguing to me,” Maske said.
Being a part of SIUE’s solar car team has helped Maske determine where he wants to go in his future. He has been a member for a year now, and as director of development, he oversees projects, helps gather material and test drives the car. Maske hopes to one day win the yearly solar competition in Austin, Texas.
Aside from the fact that Maske spends a large amount of time studying, his hobbies and interests are like any other college student. Maske is an avid gamer who loves Legos and hiking. After 30 to 40 hours of weekly studying, his hobbies help him to unwind.
However, when it is time to get down to business, Maske does not like to waste time. “Repeated failure” is his biggest pet peeve. He can’t stand getting an answer wrong on a problem repeatedly. Maske will dedicate his energy to solving any problem that he comes across. It is what defines him. If you ever need help with a problem or if something needs to be fixed, Maske will be there.
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All of my projects were based on 315 projects the feature story is the one that got published.
Christopher Knight Business card
