Winter 2011 Courier
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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID St. Louis, MO Permit No. 7207 P.O. Box 1065 Winter 2011 Chesterfield, MO 63006-1065 Return Service Requested STATE OF THE UNION By Gloria S. Ross, President Dear members of the greatest Press Club in the The untold story. nation: The Press Club has renewed the commitment begun As we, incredibly, careen into 2011, I find that I’m under Immediate-past-president Dick Weiss in 2009, to anxious, I’m excited and I’m hopeful, despite the help ensure that more investigative stories do not fall daily predictions of the demise of journalism. To prey to the budget axe. The enterprise journalism fund, paraphrase what Mark Twain reportedly said upon established to spur local reporting of under-reported hearing that his obituary had been published in the community topics, remains a priority. New York Journal: reports of journalism’s death are Partnering for a purpose. greatly exaggerated. The Press Club of Greater St. We are partnering with other organizations – Louis is helping to ensure that journalism’s epitaph Gateway Media Literacy Partners to help enhance will not soon be written. critical thinking skills; the St. Louis Public Library We are all journalists now Media Archives to ensure that our history is saved; and In the late 80’s and early 90’s, the computer became the St. Louis Journalism Review as it celebrates its ubiquitous. No longer were keyboards the domain of 40th anniversary – and others to leverage the impact of 2011 Press Club Membership Dues Are Due. clerical workers. Almost everyone, from executives our efforts. to janitors, gained immediate access to a device Preparing the next generation. that would not only accept their every thought, but We are continuing our tradition of funding Your Press Club membership offers you: would record and store said thoughts for posterity, scholarships and internships for young people to ensure . Invitations to regular luncheon forums on the hot topics of the day or let the writer share those thoughts throughout we have bona fide journalists and deft communicators . A network of communication colleagues their organizations. And the machines came with in the future. The Press Club is now also administering . A way to contribute through enterprise journalism and scholarship programs something no typewriter ever had: a graphics approximately $20,000 in Journalism Foundation program. This, of course, instantly made everyone a scholarships. A place in history through an organization celebrating 55 years in St. Louis graphic artist. Not. And that’s just for starters. This year, we’ve already . Social events such as our Media Person of the Year gala and annual meeting Hot on the computer’s heels was the World Wide had an excellent forum, Science, Medicine and the . Exclusive members-only activities Web. The advent of www has given everyone Media, appropriately, at the Science Center, on January the ability to instantly share their every thought 25. A stellar group shared how they report science and . Access to membership and media directories throughout the world. Consequently, everyone is now medical stories in what sometimes seems like a fact- . Affiliation privileges in other national and international Press Clubs a journalist. Again, not so. free world. The world has, does and forever will have a need There are more great forums and events to come. If you haven’t sent in your dues yet, please do so. for people who actually gather and disseminate news But the Press Club needs your help. If you care about in a methodical, professional manner. Access to a great journalism – and you are among the people who ____ Retired $40 ____ Student $30 ____ Active $85 distribution list of millions does not a journalist make. report, make or influence the news – tell me what you Keeping real journalism alive want to do this year. The Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis The union is strong. With your help, it will become Mail to PO Box 410522, St. Louis, MO 63141 or pay by credit card online at www.stlpressclub.org . recognizes this enduring, universal truth and operates stronger. accordingly. This, in part, is how: Meet Our Newest Board Members Press Club Members Hear St. Louis Series Speakers at Maryville Diane Toroian Keaggy By Spencer Engel, Fall Intern St. Louis Post-Dispatch arts reporter Diane Toroian Keaggy writes about the places and events that make Thirty Press Club members heard renowned Carson said. 2011 Board of Directors St. Louis such a fun place to live. She has covered neurosurgeon Ben Carson, M.D. speak at Maryville Fast forward 50 years, and you see a man who PRESIDENT elephant’s births at the St. Louis Zoo, profiled St. Louis’ University last November thanks to arrangements personifies the American dream. Carson became Gloria S. Ross most exciting dancers, visual artists and musicians made by board member Tom Eschen, Maryville’s the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns PAST PRESIDENT and originated the popular “Hip Hoods” series which Richard Weiss Vice President of Institutional Advancement. Hopkins Hospital at 32, performed groundbreaking spotlights emerging neighborhoods such as the Grove VICE PRESIDENTS: Caron’s talk, which was particularly poignant, witty 22-hour surgery (with a team of 70 other surgeons) PROGRAMMING and Cherokee Street. She also regularly contributes Irvin Harrell entertaining, cooking, parenting and travel stories and and inspirational, was the third exclusive opportunity on Siamese twins at 37 and was awarded the highest Judy Kaplan is also a frequent contributor to Catholic Health World offered to our members to hear prominent civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Pamela Niehaus where she covers innovative programs in Catholic hospitals, hospices and MEMBERSHIP individuals in town for the St. Louis Freedom, by President George Bush in Patricia Wente nursing facilities. Speakers Series. 2008. Keaggy was raised in south St. Louis County and graduated from Nerinx PUBLICITY Carson grew up in Detroit in hopeless He is also the author of several books, Margaret S. Gillerman Hall High School. She completed her undergraduate degree at Washington Carol Lundgren University and her graduate degree at the University of Illinois - Springfield, poverty with a single mother. With very one of which, “Gifted Hands,” was adapted SCHOLARSHIPS where she studied public affairs reporting. few resources and low grades, the odds to a TNT movie starring Cuba Gooding Claudia Burris Aisha Sultan Keaggy is the daughter of Soren “Al” Toroian, who was a devoted Press were stacked against Carson from the Jr. (He had to bring his energy level way ENTERPRISE JOURNALISM Club member and Catfish Award winner. Toroian, Washington University’s time he was a child. However, instead of down to play me, Carson said.) The title Richard Weiss long-serving director of news and information, died in 2004. Keaggy lives SECRETARY in the Tower Grove South neighborhood with husband Bill and their two wallow in his dire circumstances, Carson references Carson’s realization that he William Greenblatt children, 7-year old Liam and 5-year old Sorena. turned his life around — with an assist had incredible eye-hand coordination and TREASURER Benjamin Lipman from his mother. When she wasn’t busy excellent three-dimensional reasoning BOARD MEMBERS: Molly Hyland working, Carson’s mom made him and his skills. This combination led Carson to Joan Lee Berkman Molly Hyland has worked in all areas of the brother read two books a week and submit change his concentration from psychiatry Charlene Bry communications industry, including media, agency and Amanda Cook in-house communications positions as well as work with written book reports to her, despite her low literacy to neurosurgery. Suzanne Corbett level. Soon after, Carson went from worst to first in “All you young people just need to ask Thomas Eschen nonprofit and civic organizations. Since joining Commerce Carla Freiman Feuer Bank in 2007, she has worn many hats. In addition to his class and began dreaming of starting a career in yourself,” Carson said. “What are you really, really Cynthia Kagan Frohlichstein developing and implementing strategic public relations the medical field. good at? From there you just need to learn how you Ellen Futterman plans, she handles investor communication and government “The person most in control of your life is you,” learn.” Richard Gavatin relations. She has developed the company’s corporate Alice S. Handelman Nancy Higgins social responsibility report and social media policy and Molly Hyland action plan. Thanks to financial reform, Hyland has added Diane Toroian Keaggy lobbying to her position as she works to ensure that Thomas Keller Commerce Bank is heard on Capitol Hill and in Jefferson City. Note: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will speak at noon on March 22nd. There is limited Susan Kerth Prior to joining Commerce, she worked at American Federation of Alvin A. Reid reserved seating for Press Club members. Call the Press Club office at Michael J. Right Television and Radio Artists conducting contract workshops, reviews and Janet Scott negotiations, along with developing and executing marketing programs and 636-230-1973 for reservations. Barbara Langsam Shuman establishing a website. Before her time at AFTRA, she was an apprentice Bill Smith reporter and afternoon editor at KMOX Radio. Hyland began her career Ellen Soule at Fleishman Hillard, handling media relations, media tours, crisis Virginia Trent Press Club president Gloria S. Ross (second from left) Barbara A. Washington communications, trade communications, and special events for local and national clients. During college, she interned for the office of former U.S. thanking “Science Medicine and the Media” panelists The Press Club office is in Room 111 Administration Building, Logan College. Senator John C. Danforth, Mutual Broadcasting and Anheuser Busch. Hyland and moderator, from left, Veronique LaCapra, Ph.D., Phone 636-230-1973 is on the board of the National Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse – St.