The Communication Program is hosting our seventh annual COMDay on Tuesday March 5, 2019 in de Witt Hall. This year's theme is "In Pursuit of Truth(s)."

The Keynote Speaker is Hank Philippi Ryan, bestselling author and On-Air investigative reporter at WHDH-TV.

The Distinguished Speaker is Dan Shaughnessy, Sports Columnist and Associate Editor at the Boston Globe and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.

To learn more about our speakers, read the speaker profiles.

COMDay March 5, 2019 Schedule of Events

Distinguished Speaker:  Dan Shaughnessy

Boston Globe Sports Columnist and Associate Editor and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee

Dan Shaughnessy is a nationally recognized sports columnist and associate editor with The Boston Globe. A native of Groton, he is a graduate of The College of the Holy Cross.  He has been named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year 13 times and 11 times has been voted one of America's top ten sports columnists by Associated Press Sports Editors. In 2016 Shaughnessy received the J. G. Taylor Spink Award for "meritorious contributions to baseball writing,'' presented at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. He has written 12 books, including New York Times bestseller "Francona,'' "The Curse of the Bambino,'' and "Senior Year." He appears regularly on The SportsHub, 98.5 FM, WHDH SportsXtra, and NBC Sports Boston. He is married to Dr. Marilou Shaughnessy and lives in Newton.

Keynote Speaker : Hank Phillippi Ryan

Bestselling author and On-Air investigative reporter at WHDH-TV

Hank Phillippi Ryan is the on-air investigative reporter for Boston's WHDH-TV, winning 34 EMMYs and dozens more journalism honors. Nationally bestselling author of 10 mysteries, Ryan's also an award-winner in her second profession-with five Agathas, three Anthonys, two Macavitys, the Daphne, and Mary Higgins Clark Award. Critics call her "a master of suspense." Her novels are Library Journal's Best of 2014, 2015 and 2016. Hank's newest book is the acclaimed standalone psychological suspense thriller TRUST ME (August 28, 2018) ‒ the Booklist starred review says "a knockout!" It's named one of the Best Thrillers of Summer 2018 by New York Post, BOOK BUB, Real Simple Magazine and CrimeReads

Life After Lasell: Alumni Panel  

What do alumni say about getting the most from 
college? Internships? Getting their first jobs? Network with recent successful COM alum. 

1. Alyssa Adams, '16, CBS Philadelphia
2. Emmalyn Anderson, '11, WMCT News
3. Michael Bueno, '18, Life is Good 
4. Shannon Hart, '18, New England Patriots 
5. Spencer Kosier, '18, Journalism graduate student, Emerson College 
6. Armando Machado, '18, Monument Staffing
7. Alexa Shola, '16, Lasell College 

Our Sponsors

Reception: The Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
The Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving strives to reach annual fundraising and "friend" raising goals for Lasell College. They connect and communicate with a broad constituency base, build ongoing relationships with alumni, donors and friends of the College. For more information on how to get involved, contact: Garbriella Giangregorio, Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at ggiangregorio@lasell.edu or 617-243-2273.

Coffee Break: The Office of Graduate and Professional Studies
According to the US Census Bureau people with a Master’s degree earn $2.5 million in lifetime earnings. Learn more about Lasell’s Fifth Year Option. With one additional year of study, Lasell students can earn a Master of Science in Communication with a concentration in Integrated Marketing, Health Communication, or Public Relations. Fifth Year students are eligible for advanced standing and may participate in two blended semesters in their senior year. For more information contact The Office of Graduate Enrollment at gradinfo@lasell.edu.

COMDay 2019 Team:

Department of Communication:

• Lauren Anderson, Ph.D. 
• Janice Barrett, Ed.D. 
• Marie C. Franklin, M.S. 
• Luis Lopez Preciado, Ph.D. 
• Meryl Perlson, M.F.A., COM Program Director 
• Erin Vicente, Ed.D., COMDay Chair 
• Brian Wardyga, Ed.D. 
• Susan Farrell, Administrative Assistant 
• Aaron Toffler, Associate Dean, School of Communication & The Arts   

The Communication Program would like to offer a sincere thank you to Susan Farrell, James Kappatos, Sheliqua Mann, Megan Palumbo, Lily Rivera, Stephen Fischer and volunteers for all their hard work on COMDay.

Special thanks to the Public Relations Alliance, Graphic Design League and Graphic Arts Program for their collaboration. 

Student Volunteers 

• Megan Palumbo, Volunteer Coordinator 
• Ariana Perez De Alderete 
• Rosa Del Carmen Gomez 
• Marissa Gugala 
• Ruth Kehinde 
• Avery Stankus 

View Past COMDay Programs

View COMDay 2017
View COMDay 2016
View COMDay 2015
View COMDay 2014
View COMDay 2013