Chrissy Bartels' Mackin-Mailander Lecture

Clarke University has hosted the Mackin-Mailander Lectures since 1997 after receiving gifts from two alumni, Mary Mackin ’34 and Verna Slattery-Mailander ’20. The yearly series of lectures consists of an outside speaker, a faculty lecture, and an alumni lecture. After being postponed due to weather, Chrissy Hogue Bartels took the stage on Wednesday, April 2nd for her lecture titled, “Crucial Conversations: Turning Pain into Purpose and Setbacks into Success”.  

Chrissy Hogue Bartels, the assistant professor of communication, held her lecture titled “Crucial Conversations: Turning Pain into Purpose and Setbacks into Success” on Wednesday, April 2nd. However, Chrissy led her lecture quite differently than others have in the past. Chrissy had her Communication Capstone Class simulate a production of the event, alongside the help of Paul Kurutsides and his team. The production team consisted of seven members with different job titles.  

Alden Brown- Director 

Maddie Patten – Assistant Director 

Corryn Wiggins- Videographer  

Dean Ormonde- Videographer 

Ahmed Shamila- Audience Facilitator 

Breeyona Burrell- Social Media Manager  

Jacob Schemmel- Sound Board & Editor 

The students in the class are all 2025-2026 seniors that will be leaving the communication department and Clarke University in May. The seniors will be using the footage to not only highlight the lecture and Chrissy, but also to use in their personal portfolios for their upcoming job searches and interviews.  

Chrissy’s lecture highlighted the importance of not allowing setbacks to cloud your focus on your future. Examples of family loss, hangovers, and loss of motivation were used to highlight her words of insight. Following the forty-five-minute lecture, the audience was able to ask questions. These questions were focused around receiving advice from Chrissy. Some included creativity, loss, motivation, routine, and more. Chrissy continued to give uplifting words of encouragement to the audience that will teach them to turn their setbacks into success, and pain into purpose.