ScholarsNEXT student Becky Goodridge practices her speech with IAA Oral Communication instructor Tony Pagnotti.
Image Credit: Nina LaTassa
Institute of Applied Agriculture Oral Communication instructor Tony Pagnotti is no stranger to the camera. The Fox 45 weekend weatherman is known for his big, bold, fun personality which he shares off-air with his UMD students in the hopes of making them better and more comfortable speakers. In fact, seeing Pagnotti put his camera skills into play prompted Ananth Srivatsan, a member of the ScholarsNEXT program, to ask the terrific talker to advise the team in expertly speaking to the student body on issues such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease and the aging process, the relationship between music and math, and the psychology behind the infamous “selfie.”
“We created it [ScholarsNEXT program] with the idea that the students in the College Park Scholars program often go above and beyond the expected norm of college students. With the program, we hope to give these students a chance to dig into their great ideas in order to truly do their projects justice. To that end, we had hoped to put these students on stage, in front of a large audience, and to give them an opportunity to share their ideas,” stated Srivatsan, who is excited that the talks will one day be recorded and published online for all to view.
Coach Pagnotti is also enthusiastic about the rhetorical undertaking, emphasizing the fact that being an effective speaker isn’t about simply telling the audience what you know, but showing them how you FEEL about what you know.
“It’s a good feeling knowing the students want me to use my TV techniques to help them as they speak on camera,” said Pagnotti. “I want them to be the best communicators they can be.”
Pagnotti is one of eight Oral Communication instructors in the IAA who feel the same way about the importance of being able to communicate effectively in today’s society. Indeed, the IAA’s Oral Communication team feels so strongly about mentoring students in their journey toward academic success that its members don’t stop at teaching—they advise on-campus clubs, organizations, and groups. Instructor Michelle Molinaro, for instance, advises the Alpha Phi fraternity, while JoEllen Barnhart, another Oral Communication professor, oversees the start-up club called You Matter, which advocates for suicide prevention. In addition, Nina LaTassa coaches the IAA’s award-winning Speech and Debate Society.
“My vision for IAA’s Oral Communication faculty is becoming a reality thanks to Tony and the others,” commented IAA Director Glori Hyman. “We assembled a fulltime team of excellent instructors with the hope that they would enhance the learning community both in and outside the classroom.”
And as for the class contributions of Cameraman Pagnotti, Srivatsan certainly puts him in the speaking spotlight as having a tremendous impact on the speakers and their talks.
“I can honestly say that Mr. Pagnotti has been the mentor these speakers needed!” he exclaimed.
Pagnotti’s skills can be seen on his Tony’s Tute Talks.
