The Communications, Politics, and Law Association took part in a decades old CPLA tradition this past Monday by visiting Washington D.C for President Barack Obama’s Inauguration.

For the first time the trip was open to Emerson students outside of CPLA allowing for a diverse group of 40 students (pictured below) hailing from all backgrounds and years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving late Sunday night, our sleepy members were hardly ready for the crowds that awaited us when we arrived and made our way to the National Mall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arriving at the Mall, our members were excited to see Anderson Cooper and the rest of the CNN news team up in their press box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a few moments of swooning over the back of Mr. Coopers head, CPLA made its way further down the mall, and into the crowd. We didn’t get the closest spot, but we watched the ceremony on the big screen and listened to the moving words and incredible speeches on the loud speakers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of our members waited in anticipation for the President’s speech. After President Obama was finished, the crowd erupted into a patriotic frenzy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the ceremony members split up to see the nearby sights, attend the parade, or visit museums, among other things. At the end of the day, as our group made its way back to our bus parked in RFK stadium, we were greeted by a spectacular sunset. The perfect way to cap off such a historic, exciting day. A day that no one on the trip is sure to forget anytime soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, Jan 18, CPLA engaged with the Emerson Community at Student Life’s Org Fair. New President, senior Katie Prisco-Buxbaum, introduced herself to potential members and encouraged them to check out the organization.

CPLA meetings will be held on Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. in Piano Row L151 starting Jan. 30. All those interested in attending can email emersoncpla@gmail.com or can just stop by!

On behalf of CPLA, we welcome you to a new semester!

The Communications, Politics, and Law Association hosted its annual trip to Washington DC, November 1-4. Twelve students had the opportunity to meet with prominent alumni, visit landmarks, and make connections in the DC area.

The trip began with a trip to the capitol, with a tour of the Senate floor and House of Representatives’ chambers.

Students then went to visit CPLA alumni, Evan Chapman, at Virginia Represenative, Bobby Scott’s, office. Chapman gave students advice about interning and working on the Hill.

After Representative Scott’s office, students headed to Maine Senator, Olympia Snowe’s office to meet with her correspondent, Hayley King.

The next morning, Nov. 2, CPLA headed to the State Department to the office of International Information Programming. The State Department showed students their television broadcast facilities and Emerson alumi, Nick Namba introduced students to the principles of the department.

CPLA also headed to the Icelandic Embassy to meet with the Ambassador of Iceland, Gudmundur Arni Stefansson, who illuminated students of the political and cultural aspects of Icelandic life.

Students met with alumni throughout the trip and current Emerson students at the Washington program in DC. Always a worthwhile trip, DC inspired students to expand their networks and become more politically involved.

Carrying on the tradition of the longest running 9/11 Vigil in the United States, CPLA hosted the candlelight ceremony in the Boston Common at 7pm on the 11th anniversary of the tragedy.

Students were joined by key faculty members from the communications department including Dr. Gregory Payne (CPLA’s sponsor), Dr. John Anderson (Head of the Communications Department), Dr. Phillip Glenn (Dean of the Communications School at Emerson), and Emerson College’s President, Lee Pelton as well as a representative from Senator John Kerry’s office, Greg Stewart.

CPLA President, Monica de Pinto Ribiero Hancke gave opening remarks and introduced faculty speakers, including President Pelton. CPLA Secretary Abby McCauley gave closing remarks and began the candle lighting.

Over 160 students and faculty came together to honor the fallen men and women.

Awarding the efforts of Emerson College’s premiere Communication and Political group on campus, CPLA was presented with the 2012 ERA for Best Organization of the year.

At the ERA ceremony former CPLA President Alex Castillo passed the torch to incoming President Monica DePinto Ribeiro Hancke.

April 19, CPLA wrapped up its year with a banquet held at Fajitas and ‘Ritas.

Commemorating the campaigns and trips of the year, President Alex Castillo presented each member with a paper plate award, as well as announced the organization’s member of the year, Freshman Erin Goodyear.

The retiring executive board gave the incoming officers gag gifts and words of wisdom.

Bringing everyone together one last time, CPLA ended its year with food and festivities.

CPLA held elections Thursday, April 5, to determine which members would make up the 2012-13 executive board. The positions up for election were President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Communications Director.

Sophomore, Monica de Pinto Ribeiro Hancke ran unopposed for the position of President, and will serve as the leader of executive board during the 2012-13 term alongside sophomore Xakota Espinoza, who ran unopposed for Vice President.

Freshmen, Abagael McCauley, Erin Goodyear, and Kassie King compose the rest of the executive board. McCauley ran against Paul Almeida for the position of Secretary, Goodyear ran unopposed for the position of Treasurer, and King ran against Rebecca Contreras for the position of Communications Director.

Elections for director positions in CPLA will be held at the start of the fall semester.

Supporting one of Emerson’s professional sororities, Kappa Gamma Chi, CPLA donated funds towards their Take Back the Night campaign and events, March 26-April 1.

Take Back the Night is a national foundation dedicated to end violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual assault. Today, Take Back the Night takes initiative on the lives women, men, the LGBTQ community, families, and many others.

 

Arriving in the Nation’s Capital, March 30, a few days following D.C.’s 100th annual Cherry Blossom Festival, CPLA took fourteen students to experience Washington and network with former CPLA students.

Students arrived in D.C. Friday morning, and were given the opportunity to do some sight seeing.

 

 

Students then met with Alumni, Peter Lodge and Phil Madgi to get some perspective on careers in the fields of law and lobbying. Lodge and Madgi gave advice to eager listeners and spoke to the networking capabilities of the Emerson Mafia in D.C.

Following the Alumni panel, students ventured further downtown to experience the National Public Radio (NPR) Headquarters. Escorted by Brent Baughman (Emerson Class of 2010) the students were able to get a feel for recording spaces and then were introduced to NPR Host, Guy Raz.

 

 

 

Beginning Saturday with a security check, CPLA members filtered into the US State Department for a meeting with the Bureau of International Information Programs. Students were informed of possible careers in the State Department, and future internships.

Finally, Students headed to Virginia Representative, Bobby Scott’s, office for a quick tour and talk-back regarding working for elections and going into politics.

Through the wide variety of monuments, alumni, and speakers the students saw and met with, D.C. enrichws the students of CPLA and proved to be a worthwhile experience.