St. Lawrence University: University Communications

Staff

Megan Bernier Writer mbernier@stlawu.edu 315-229-5565	Meg Bernier ’07, M’09 joined the University Communications team in March 2012. She writes for traditional print publications, including numerous admissions and advancement materials, and contributes to the University’s expanding electronic and social media presence. Since graduating, Meg pursued her passion to work in higher education. She served as a graduate assistant in St. Lawrence’s athletic media relations office and as a University Communications intern before working at Clarkson University as an admissions counselor. Most recently, Meg was the public relations coordinator at SUNY Canton, where she was responsible for publication content, advertising and marketing, and assisted with media relations and social media. Meg majored in English and minored in education at St. Lawrence, graduating cum laude, and earned her M.Ed. in educational leadership. As an undergraduate, she was heavily involved with campus life as an athlete, a member of Tri-Delta sorority, an Alumni Executive Council student delegate, and a member of her class council.
Neal Burdick Director of Editorial Services nburdick@stlawu.edu 315-229-5560	Neal is a 1972 graduate of St. Lawrence who returned to his alma mater in 1977 after earning his master’s degree and Ph.D. in American studies at Case Western Reserve University and teaching and coaching for a year at a private high school in Maine. He leads the writing and editing aspects of St. Lawrence’s publications program, which encompasses everything from the alumni magazine and course catalog to admissions and fund-raising literature, as well as some online material. Neal also teaches a senior-level writing course, “Internships in Communications,” which combines advanced journalism and feature writing, and engages selected students in the “real work” of writing. Outside of SLU, Neal is a freelance writer and editor. Specializing in the Adirondacks, he writes and edits regularly for regional periodicals and publishers. He is on the boards of directors of the Adirondack Center for Writing and the Canton Community Fund, and has been a juror for the New York Foundation for the Arts non-fiction writing grant program.
Macreena Doyle Coordinator of News Services mdoyle@stlawu.edu 315-229-5587	Macreena began working in media relations at St. Lawrence in 1985. She has responsibility for working with local, regional and national news media to tell the University's story beyond the confines of campus, and also creates content for the St. Lawrence website. The accomplishments of students are celebrated through hometown press releases sent to and printed in papers across the country, and Macreena coordinates their production. Before working at St. Lawrence, Macreena was a journalist with her hometown daily newspaper, the Ogdensburg (N.Y.) Journal, covering city government, economic development and business. A graduate of Nazareth College of Rochester, where she earned a degree in English and theater arts, Macreena is a member of the board of Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg.
Tom Evelyn Vice President for Communications tevelyn@stlawu.edu 315-229-5845	Tom joined St. Lawrence University as vice president for communications in June 2011. With nearly 20 years of experience in communications, he leads the University’s comprehensive communications and marketing initiatives, overseeing the office responsible for print and digital publications, media and public relations, social media, and video and photography. Previously, Tom served as the senior director of news and media relations at Bucknell University and as the interim assistant vice president and associate director of news and information at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Before that, he worked as a reporter and editor at several newspapers in Florida and Georgia, covering a variety of topics from government and politics to health and technology. Tom has a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in philosophy from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in communication from UCF, where he also guest-lectured in journalism and public relations and advised students in an advanced reporting class.
Tara Freeman Coordinator of Photography Services tfreeman@stlawu.edu 315-229-5556	Tara joined St. Lawrence as the university’s photographer in 2000. She works in collaboration with the University communications team to conceive, plan and capture high-quality images that support the University in its publications and on the Web. She also oversees the digital photo database. Tara has 15 years of experience as a professional photographer. Before coming to St. Lawrence, she was a staff photographer at the Olean Times Herald, a daily newspaper in Olean, N.Y. Tara has a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication from St. Bonaventure University.
Adam Gordon Web Designer agordon@stlawu.edu 315-229-5955	Adam joined University communications in 2006 as a Web designer/content manager. He is responsible for the graphic design and interactive elements of the University's website. He works closely with communications colleagues as well as staff members in University advancement, admissions and information technology to help create well-designed and user-friendly online content. Adam graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology School of Design with a B.F.A. in graphic design.
Sharon Henry Specialist shenry@stlawu.edu 315-229-5585	Sharon is the assistant to the vice president for communications. She is responsible for providing collaborative administrative and secretarial support for five professional staff members, representing the diverse functions of publications design and purchasing and website design and management. Sharon also is responsible for the daily oversight of the University communications office, where she has worked the past 11 years, including budget management, supervision of student workers, scheduling calendar appointments and travel arrangements. In addition, she helps coordinate Class Notes for St. Lawrence magazine. Sharon has worked at St. Lawrence for nearly 25 years in various secretarial positions, and has helped support major events, including Commencement, the inauguration of President Fox, Laurentian Leadership Weekend and the Momentum celebration. She has attended several educational workshops and previously worked for the St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services as a social welfare examiner.
Sue LaVean Chief Clerk slavean@stlawu.edu 315-229-5593	Sue has worked in the University communications office for 11 years. She is responsible for designing and updating various publications, coordinating purchasing, delivery and payment of invoices, and tracking all publications. She is also involved with production of the University's telephone directory and maintains the University's master calendar. Sue has more than 25 years of experience working in higher education clerical positions, including as assistant to the vice president for development and as assistant to the vice president for student affairs at Clarkson University before coming to St. Lawrence. Sue completed the secretarial science and computer programming/operating programs at Coleman College in San Diego and has since completed numerous training sessions in both fields.
Mark Mende Director of Web Services mmende@stlawu.edu 315-229-5955	Mark joined St. Lawrence in 1999 as the University’s first website manager. He is responsible for general oversight of the University’s external Web presence, and leads projects related to the University’s website as well as other electronic communications. In addition, he maintains the content for numerous pages on the University site and helps coordinate social media. Mark has nearly 25 years of experience in journalism and higher education communications, marketing and electronic communications. He previously served as coordinator of electronic communications, media relations director and sports information director at the State University of New York at Potsdam. Prior to that, he was a sports reporter at several newspapers throughout New York. The winner of the first State University of New York Council for University Advancement award given for a website, Mark has spoken at SUNY/CUAD conferences and is the co-founder and was first president of Higher Education Web Professionals. Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Canisius College.
Jessica Rood Director of Publications jrood@stlawu.edu 315-229-5577	Most recently serving as director of publications and creative services at SUNY Potsdam, Jessica joined University communications in December 2011. She leads St. Lawrence's efforts in publications design and production, as well as graphic standards and art direction across all communications. Jessica has more than a decade of experience in graphic design in higher education and private industry. She has taught digital design, performed consulting work for several higher education clients and local businesses, served as a faculty adviser to student journalists, served on the SUNYCUAD board of directors as well as various campus committees, and won numerous awards for her work. Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism, with concentrations in graphic design and women’s studies, from SUNY Oswego.

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.