By: Faith Yoho

Lambda Pi Eta has held several fundraising events recently, and plans to hold more in the future. 

Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honor society, has been holding fundraisers in hopes to raise money to send several students to the Eastern Communication Association Conference in March. The Communication Department boasted a 100% acceptance rate at the 2024 conference, and hopes to do so again, but with at least seven students planning to submit, the costs can add up. 

That’s where the honor society steps in. They hope to provide some funding to accepted students and to do so, have hosted creative events such as “Lambda PIE Eta,” where students could pie Lambda Pi Eta President, Faith Yoho and Professor, Dr. Alexis De Coning in the face. Most recently, they sold caramel apple slices on Halloween to the Wesleyan community. 

Dr. Alexis De Coning, Assistant Professor of the Communication Department, has been incredibly supportive of these events. 

“We are fundraising to help support our students’ academic success, and specifically paying conference fees for the Eastern Communication Association Conference. It’s so important for students to have access to these opportunities, so we decided to fundraise to make it financially easier,” De Coning said, “I’m really proud of my students for taking the lead and initiating these fundraising events; it demonstrates their commitment to the department, but also their leadership skills as young servant leaders at Wesleyan!”

The Eastern Communication Conference is an honor for students to be accepted to. It allows them to present their research and projects to fellow undergraduate students, graduate students, and communication professionals. 

Danica Propst, a senior communication major, and Editor in Chief of The Pharos, attended the conference last year, and hopes to attend again in March. 

“I presented my Senior Capstone research on a panel with other undergraduate students, presented as part of a panel with graduate students and professionals, and presented a research poster at a session for undergraduate students. I got to travel to Boston for the first time ever with other Communication majors who all felt passionate about their work and what they were presenting. I had a great time and learned so much from other students and professionals in the field of Communication, making important connections for my future,” Propst said, “It is a valuable learning experience, but it is expensive due to travel costs, meals, and hotel expenses. It is a lot for the department to pay, and sometimes we are limited on the number of students who can go. The more students who are able to attend, the better!”

Propst also shared her excitement about the 2025 conference. 

“I am looking forward to attending again this year because I cannot wait to learn more about the developments occurring in the political communication field! Also, I will be less nervous, so I can focus more on what others are presenting instead of focusing on what I have to present.”

Lambda Pi Eta thanks those who have supported their fundraising efforts thus far, and encourages readers to be on the lookout for future events!

Picture of Dr. Alexis De Coning getting pied at the Lambda “PIE” Eta fundraiser in October

Credit: WVWC Comm Instagram