Park University students come in all shapes and sizes, cultures and different backgrounds. Some come to Park University straight after high school while others decide to wait and focus on families.
When Cynthia Weber was a student at Park she was a single mother of three boys. Weber, or “CWeb” as she liked to be called, graduated Park University in 2005 with a major in Theory of Communication and Human Relations and minors in Music and Journalism.
During her time on the Stylus, Weber was news editor and staff writer.
“After graduation I started working as a freelance writer for West Newsmagazine and also became an account executive for Publication Services of America,” she said. “This entailed traveling the various newspaper markets across the U.S.”
The Stylus instilled many skills into Weber that she carries with her every day.
“Working for the Stylus taught me were objective thinking, complex problem solving and the importance of good research,” she said. “I definitely use my communications, marketing, advertising and journalism skills on a day to day basis.”
There were many unforgettable moments that happened on the Stylus and at Park University that Weber will always remember from being pushed to ‘dig deeper’ by her professors to winning first place at the Missouri College Media Association awards for feature writing.
Weber, who wasn’t a Stylus member at the time, does vividly remember her experience on campus when 9/11 occurred.
“I was late for class that day after working until 3 a,m.,” she said. “I watched the second plane hit the World Trade Center and after gathering my thoughts decided to go to class. No one in class knew what was happening. I believe it was Dr. Noe’s public speaking class. Class was dismissed shortly thereafter.”
Weber’s daily routine now usually starts out with dogs bouncing on her.
“Every morning I wake up to four panting dogs who jump on my bed at the first notion of a human waking up,” she said. “A typical morning routine and off to the office. After work, more panting jumping dogs and a dinner with my husband.”
“Usually I continue to monitor customer service issues and social media for my brand until about 9 p.m. On the way to work, I think about the book I should have written by now and on the way home I think about composing something new on the piano. Implementation happens about 20 percent of the time. Three days a week I work with a 58-year-old brain injured woman to help her walk again. I use music therapy and physical exercises to stimulate her memory. Traditional medicine has given up on her.”
The best advice Weber said she was ever given on writing was “dig deeper.” She wasn’t sure when she was turning in her first feature article which was only 250 words and Stylus advisor John Lofflin told her to just “dig deeper” and she did. That article was the one that won her an MCMA award.
Her advice for current Park students is simple.
“(You should) take your time and relish the education you are receiving,” she said. “Dig deeper. Sometimes the story isn’t even what you were assigned to write on. Research and put your own feelings, emotions and opinions aside. You will be amazed at the information you can acquire.”
