74ISSUE

PORTRAIT OF COURAGE At home with Roxana Saberi in Fargo

SELF-EMPLOYED SUCCESS TIPS NU-Q: DISPATCH FROM DOHA IMC ASIA PERSPECTIVES TRIP

ALUMNI // WINTER.09

www.medill.northwestern.edu WINTER.09 “ I am so proud of the CONTENTS strong heritage of the Medill School of

Journalism and that FEATURES

the Medill community Sweet Home North Dakota will help determine the Roxana Saberi (MSJ99) returns to Fargo after spending 100 days in Iran’s Evin prison future of journalism By Christina Capecchi (MSJ07) in this country and throughout the world. Renaissance Woman ” Athletic superstar Ndidi Massay (BSJ89) Morton Schapiro tackles business, law and journalism at ESPN President and Professor By Jessi Prois (MSJ09) Northwestern University

Brand Management Self-employed alumni share success tips By Alice C. Chen (MSJ04)

IN EVERY ISSUE

04 Editor’s Letter 26 In Class World Domination IMC devours marketing 05 Letters to the Editor insights across Asia

06 What’s Your Story? 28 Reflections Five graduates use their degrees Feast in the Middle East in nontraditional ways A Chicagoan’s inside look at Ramadan, iftar and hijabs

Faculty Profile 23 30 Class Notes Hot off the Press Professors exchange the newsroom for the classroom 33 Obituaries Remembering legends Nan Robertson and Dick Christian

Photo by Peter Barreras 4 :: FROM THE EDITOR :: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 5 L R Letters to the Editor ETTE ITO D Lately people have asked me what I like EDITORIAL STAFF The fall issue featured a story about StatsMonkey—computer software that E THE TO RS most about this job, and my answer translates sports data into a narrative—developed in a graduate class in spring 2009. has surprised me. I expected to say

OM THE E Here’s what alumni had to say about it.* collaborating with the designer or helping Managing Editor FR Angela Dee Kwan (MSJ09) D direct a photo shoot or writing the table ITO

of contents. But it’s none of those. My I was willing to sit back and be open- Look, all this app is doing is: R favorite part is meeting accomplished Editor minded about the new direction in A.) Exhibiting the creativity alumni—individuals whose careers Belinda Lichty Clarke (MSJ94) which Medill is headed. But I think and problem-solving ability of demonstrate that a lot of talent, and this is just ill-advised in every way. Medill students. sometimes a little perseverance, can take Photographer Journalism is about humans writing; B.) Converting baseball agate into a you to exceptional places. Tommy Giglio (BSJ09) it’s about human writers finding ways narrative; essentially it’s taking data This issue took me to Fargo, N.D., to turn even simple and ordinary and converting it to another format. where Roxana Saberi generously invited Editorial Assistant stories into something compelling and This technology isn’t going to eliminate me and our photographer, Tommy Giglio, Katie Park (BSJ12) interesting. At least that’s what Medill sports reporting any sooner than any into her home (page 11). There she unassumingly played us Chopin (and used to stand for. number of data-visualizing programs is some of her own compositions) on the piano and graciously stood without Contributors -Bob Kazel (BSJ86) going to eliminate graphic artists. knowing the players, being able to pull a coat in 30-degree weather while we shot her portrait on the street where Christopher Booker -John Heasly (MSJ92) them out into the hallway, ask them she grew up. She drove us across the Red River to Concordia College, Christina Capecchi (MSJ07) Suppressing technological “advances” some questions, and have them give where she played NCAA soccer. After we left, she went back to her room Alice C. Chen (MSJ04) is always a silly idea, regardless of the Storybots can’t be in the clubhouse you substantive answers because you to edit a book about her time in Iran, which is scheduled for publication Winter Johnson (MSJ06) industry, and if Medill were to turn when Carlos Zambrano mouths off have a working, professional relation- this April. Ruth Keyso (MSJ99) its shoulder, some for-profit would about how he’s too lazy to do his ab ship with them. And that’s my point. A few weeks earlier, I was sitting in a coffee shop with New York Jessi Prois (MSJ09) surely take the torch. If developments work, or when Ozzie goes ballistic after Humans can’t develop relationships Times best-selling author Christopher Steiner, an engineer noted for his like these are going to make Medill’s a loss. Increasingly, that’s the real game with storybots. But there will always extensive vocabulary, who traces his success to an article inspired by a Please direct all magazine-related faculty, students, etc. “obsolete,” and do story—not what happened on the field. be potential sources with something Quarter Pounder (page 10). And then there are the alumni whose careers correspondence to: so regardless of Medill’s help, then the Now, there could be an application to share, at least once you strike up a started at Medill, made detours and eventually returned to journalism. Angela Dee Kwan former curriculum is indeed obsolete. when it comes to prep sports. As a rapport with them. Ultimately, I see For Ndidi Massay, that sinuous path included stops as a lawyer, university 1845 Sheridan Road And if this, or some other project, is Tribune freelancer, oftentimes I just this whole conversation underscoring softball coach and adjunct professor. Today she has settled into her current Evanston, IL 60208 the future of certain forms of journal- feed in the stats from the game, maybe one of those very basic things about role as business director for ESPN’s high school sports division, RISE 847-491-5593 ism, then Medill’s grads should most give the desk a quote, and they write up how to avoid boring stories—get out (page 16). [email protected] certainly be equipped with an under- a short capsule. In a time where prep of the newsroom and talk to people. As the media industry changes, more and more graduates are paving standing of the technology’s methods reporters are (tragically) being laid off, Bots can’t do that. nontraditional paths after graduation. If you’ve ever wanted to be your Designed by and means, along with skills relating to and the preps page itself is in danger of -Peter Sachs (MSJ06) own boss, check out the advice from (financially secure) entrepreneurs MORRIS | CROSS MEDIA THINKING BY DESIGN newsworthiness, research, etc. extinction, this new technology might and freelancers (page 20). San Diego, Calif. -Alex Horowitz (BSJ09) be able to give high school sports the With Medill’s “Machine-Generated You may notice some unfamiliar faces in Evanston. We recently www.thinkmorris.com Internet coverage they deserve. You’d be Sports Stories”—oops, sorry, welcomed seven new faculty members whose expertise ranges from It’s easy to continue wringing our hands amazed how many people click on the StatsMonkey—in mind, I foresee a computer-assisted reporting to consumer insight to documentary film Printed by about the future of journalism—it’s preps page. High school sports should day not too far in the future when (page 23). If you’re ever on our campus in Doha, Qatar, say hello to Schneider Graphics much harder to look at these inevitable always matter in sports journalism, and publishers will cheer the release of Christopher Booker, a new NU-Q assistant professor who shares his Bensenville, Ill. new technologies, accept them and I welcome any technology that keeps Managing Editor 2.1—oh, sorry, real first-person account of life in Education City with those who aren’t www.schneider-graphics.com try to use them to better the media. the preps page going online. name Editorial Decision Support fortunate enough to visit the Middle East (page 28). And to stay up to How can we leverage these tools to get -Kristin Lanning (MSJ01) (EDS). While its predecessor EDS 2.0 speed with the latest Medill news between magazine issues, follow us more information to people—including Associate editor, ESPNChicago.com lacked sufficient in-depth functionality, on Twitter @MedillSchool. information we don’t have the resources the latest version of the software Corrections: to report on right now? Sports does But there’s a lot lost in the process package promises to finally eliminate Schneider Graphics was seem like a good venue for this, as [of using storybots]. You lose the those “repetitive” and “boring” tasks misspelled in the fall issue. does finance. Whether you like it or unexpected action and banter and side managing editors face, namely, evaluat- Medill regrets the error. not, the technology is here and it will conversations. You lose the back story ing the news each day, meeting with ALUMNI // MEDILL WINTER.09 only improve. I think I’m glad Medill and the context because the storybot department heads, and assigning and is on the production (rather than the can’t pick up the political nuances. I’ve editing top stories. Angela Dee Kwan reaction) side of this innovation. had countless great stories come out -Doug Bartholomew (BSJ71) Managing Editor -Jessica Hilberman (MSJ05) of meetings that looked on paper like they’d be a complete waste of time. At *Comments represent portions of originally least half of those stories came from submitted letters and e-mails. MEDILL ALUMNI WINTER.09 // 6 :: WHAT’S YOUR STORY? 7 WH

Fact Finder Army of One A RY? T ’S Y ’S TO

How Kate Ferrall helps youth sort truth from fiction. Meet the man responsible for connecting with America’s soldiers. O UR S UR UR S

O By Winter Johnson (MSJ06) By Ruth Keyso (MSJ99) TO ’S Y T RY? A

WH ered taking a production job for a channel access to the curriculum, keeping the Web Last fall, in his role as chief marketing for the Army’s advertising that runs crime shows and mysteries, but site current, and even shooting videos for officer of the U.S. Army, Bruce Jasurda directorate at Fort Sheridan, the thought of dealing with blood and guts www.TheNewsLiteracyProject.org. found himself at the Pentagon delivering Ill.—Jasurda returned to the was unappealing. Though tempted “[Ferrall] has made a tremendous a briefing to Secretary of the Army John classroom to earn a master’s by the lucrative salary, Ferrall says she contribution to the project,” says Miller, McHugh. In a role that few would want to in journalism. He received decided to hold out. Plugging the words who calls her invaluable. “We describe tackle, especially in wartime, Jasurda says an Army fellowship to “news” and “education” into Craigslist the program as a partnership between the that in many respects, this position is attend Medill. brought her to the NLP posting, and she teachers, the journalists and our staff. The a dream job. After graduation, Jasurda never looked back. program coordinators are the lynchpin in Jasurda (MSJ83) manages a budget of returned to Fort Sheridan, The NLP is the brainchild of executive that partnership.” more than $300 million and heads a 235- where he worked on the Army’s director Alan Miller, who as an investiga- To Medillians fresh out of school, Ferrall person staff of marketing and advertising “Be All That You Can Be” tive reporter at the Los Angeles Times gives this advice: “Never give up on trying professionals, all charged with promoting campaign, which was named once visited his daughter’s middle school to combine your interests and what you like the benefits and opportunities of service one of the Top 100 Advertising Bruce Jasurda (right) serves as the chief marketing officer to discuss why journalism matters with to do, though it might not be a traditional with the Army. Campaigns of the 20th century for the U.S. Army, the sponsor of seven-time National Hot Rod Kate Ferrall visits Walt Whitman High School in 175 sixth graders. That night, his daughter path. I ended up on air, and it wasn’t for me. “The scope of the job is phenomenal,” by Advertising Age. During that Association world champion Tony Schumacher (left). Bethesda, Md., where she helps students become brought home 175 thank you cards from I think the Medill degree can open a lot of he says. “[The Army] is a far-reaching time he produced nearly 400 more informed citizens through The News Literacy students expressing what they had learned. doors. Don’t be afraid to open those doors.” enterprise with an integrated marketing broadcast, print and collateral pieces. influencing opinions. Project. Photo by Diane Rusignola (MSJ09) Miller knew he had made a connection campaign that includes events, social net- Eventually, Jasurda’s career took the “Social media is where it’s at today… with them, and two years later, the project Johnson is a freelance writer and editor working, digital media and sponsorships.” civilian path, securing roles as senior and the blogosphere is where conversations Before Kate Ferrall pored over video reels to was born. in Los Angeles. Jasurda’s main goals are to educate young vice president and managing director at are going on,” he says. “The onus is on us to meet a deadline, she worked in the singsong Perhaps less glamorous than the world people about the Army, to inform them Ogilvy & Mather in Chicago during the make sure we are part of the dialogue.” world of puppet shows—using characters to of broadcast, the nonprofit sector isn’t for Volunteering for the of the benefits and to illustrate how the mid-1980s. He then moved into top-level Major General Arthur Bartell, who teach children about disabilities and social everyone. But Ferrall says this job is Next Generation Army can change lives. Two of his biggest executive positions with a business consult- works with Jasurda on marketing strategy, differences. Writing scripts and traveling the perfect fit. Her current role, with its challenges are demystifying the military ing firm, a high-tech agribusiness and a says the combination of commercial and for The Kids on the Block, she always had flexible schedule, allows her to work from and debunking misconceptions about printing company before landing his current military experience Jasurda brings to the a single goal: to make sure the students had home as she takes care of her two children, Recently visiting a high school English Army service. He starts by reinforcing the position with the Army, a job he calls the table makes him the right guy for the Army’s the right information. but still offers the chance to make a differ- class for her first presentation as a News positives: leadership training, access to pinnacle of his career. Jasurda says market- top marketing job. After graduating from Medill, Ferrall ence in the lives of young learners. And, Literacy Project volunteer, Tracie Potts higher education and ways to expand one’s ing the military is different from marketing “He’s been on the inside and on the (MSJ94) held positions as news anchor she gets to be at ground zero of an organi- (BSJ91, MSJ91), received a surprising personal horizons. consumer goods, but the principles of the outside,” Bartell says. “And he brings it all and educational television producer before zation still in its infancy. critique—from the students. As she “Our primary focus is to make sure we discipline remain the same. together for us here.” showed them a recent package she use all of the resources available to us to “You always want to accurately portray Specifically, Jasurda’s colleagues herald his “We’re not making journalism classes— completed as an NBC News Channel make young men and women aware of [your product],” he says. “And your cam- work on the Army’s Officership Marketing correspondent, she was impressed by the opportunities and options in the U.S. paign has to have a personal connection with Campaign, which he jump-started from it’s a class about life and democracy and the students’ suggestions for alternative a series of nebulous ideas and developed knowing what to believe.” sources for her story. One of his biggest challenges is demystifying into a cogent campaign to build awareness “I thought it was good to talk to young of the opportunities the Army provides in people and tell them to watch closely,” the military and debunking myths about service. leadership training. eventually starting her own production “We’re not making journalism classes— Potts says. “Whether they become “He was the person with the ability, company. She has since found a job that it’s a class about life and democracy and journalists or not, it’s important to look intellect and vision to turn [those ideas] into combines her passion for education and knowing what to believe,” Ferrall says. at the news and say, ‘can I trust it?’ ” Army,” he says. “It’s a myth that the military the end user: How does the brand relate to something concrete,” Bartell explains. journalism as a program coordinator for Each participating middle or high A strength that Potts sees in the is the employer of last resort.” the individual?” Jasurda says there is no magic formula for The News Literacy Project in Bethesda, school has a 10-day curriculum designed organization is the group of volunteers Jasurda has had a long association with From his office in Fort Knox, Ky., Jasurda success in his industry; he relies on honesty, ALUMNI // MEDILL WINTER.09 Md. Established in 2008, the nonprofit to teach students how to be critical who have been recruited—journalists the military. At Joliet High School in makes connections through social media hard work and authenticity in messaging to uses the news to help youth become consumers of the news. The first week representing a variety of disciplines and Illinois, he participated in the Junior ROTC and online marketing. He spends many of achieve his goals. And it helps to believe in informed citizens who refuse to accept a is devoted to prepping students for the beats. While her personal wish is that the program before attending Texas Christian his marketing dollars on digital messaging what he is promoting. blog or tweet as fact. volunteer journalist, who gives the class project expands beyond its chapters in University on an Army ROTC scholarship. to ensure that the Army’s Web site (www. “All good marketers have to believe in the “It has been so rewarding to work with a peek inside the news process. Bethesda, Chicago and New York, she is After graduation, he began his active duty goarmy.com) and social networking brand,” Jasurda says. “I can’t imagine a brand the students, to learn from them how news Since joining NLP, Ferrall has been eager for more opportunities to influence service as an officer, including stints as pages are up-to-date and that they convey I believe in more than the Army.” has changed—how they use Facebook, if involved with every step: helping the the next generation of critical thinkers in platoon leader and company commander in clear and relevant messages. He also they use Wikipedia,” Ferrall says. teachers translate information, answering her corner of the world. the U.S. and Europe. To prepare for his next acknowledges the growing impact that Keyso is the author of “Women of Okinawa: Less than two years ago, she had consid- e-mails from eager educators who want assignment—marketing production officer blogs and peer-to-peer relationships have on Nine Voices from a Garrison Island.” MEDILL ALUMNI WINTER.09 // 8 MEDILL ALUMNI ALUMNI // // WINTER.09 WINTER.09 WHAT’S YOUR STORY? 4 (back9usa.com) but earns the majority of of majority the but earns (back9usa.com) one of those?” Iget can “Where says, this ambiguity inspires questions like, ButShaffer of it at first. to make what depth.” and circumference the panels, the stitching, how it hugs your head, says. “We inspect every single millimeter: the factories how we want hats to be made,” “We teach fit. he of comfortable importance factories dictate production, ignoring the let manufacturers Many competition. the quality fit differentiate Back 9’s hats from brand. the tohome develop to Boston Back 9 to the next level. Shaffer then moved call from Hydorn. He was ready to take a company, received technology for agolf working in Chicago as an account executive him to keep that plan in mind. maybe we can turn this into a business.’ ” abrand— has who afriend Ihave minute, ‘Waita thought, “I 31,recalls. Shaffer, brands,” building and marketing and ness to busi exposure this got just “I operation. theturn side venture into a full-scale approached Hydorn with a proposal to Boston. in following asmall developed logo, Soon the hats, adorned with a backward nine ahobby. as caps the selling jobs, day their kept golfers avid The of wearing. worthy was fit whose ahat to create aspired Conforti, Harry and Andy Hydorn friends, Shaffer’s Calif. Pebble Beach, in 2010 tournament the including Opens, U.S. three next for the headcovers customize and accessories brand that signed a deal to apparel agolf 9USA, of Back president vice will. covers club golf never made it to the U.S. Open, this year Shaffer though his And acentury. half won in Championship the Northwestern team had Big first home the Ten bring helped Donald, In 1999, David Shaffer and pro golfer, Luke B A golfer mixes business pleasure with to sell awinning the on and product course. off The Ace of Clubs y Angela Dee Kwan ( Kwan Dee y Angela The company sells merchandise online online merchandise sells company The don’t people know many logo, for the As Shaffer says an intriguing logo and was who later, Shaffer, ayear About Hydorn declined, Shaffer says, but told Shaffer out of Medill, Straight two of when began 9 Back of idea The Shaffer(WCAS00, IMC01) serves as M SJ09)

- communicate to consumers the ways that a a that ways the to consumers communicate product that meets [golfers’] needs and a to develop able was “He marketing. in adds, is the fundamental way to succeed don’t. people most that away in consumer his to understand able is entrepreneur turned student former her two, his knack for marketing. By combining the with for golf passion his to tie for ways ing search remembers She Shaffer. with touch in to keep continues College, Dartmouth had one year of college eligibility left.still he freshman, as a redshirted had Shaffer the return of an old flame—golf. Because and marketing with of a affair love beginning first quarter of graduate school marked The the fall. the in to Northwestern returned advertising internship after graduation and experience. more professional accepted under one condition: He needed senior applied to the IMC program and was the time, Shaffer says he was hooked. The at sciences and arts of college the in offered course marketing only the completing Taylor. Gail After Professor Assistant NU then by taught class advertising to an opportunity.” best the to find ahead looked “He’s always with what they have,” Donald says. Shaffer hasalways been a go-getter. explains. Shaffer tant, consul adesign 9as on Back rely retailers Other for clients. products customizing sales, label private its through revenue This understanding of the consumer, she at member Taylor, now afaculty an Taylor’sWith secured Shaffer help, Shaffer credits his interest in marketing “Some people get stuck being satisfied that says friends, best one of his Donald, of consistent communication, achieved by properly integrating all of facets abusiness. Shaffer says theShaffer he says learned biggest lesson from the IMC is program the importance

- - jazzed up every day.” up every jazzed company,” he says. “That’s what gets me pride as a businessman. with him fills what is basis on acontinual 9grow Back watching And athlete. college a moment as proudest his out as stands a year. he’s lucky to hit the course six or seven lately, that says times school in week a days to seven sacrifice. The man who once played golfsix says. But with great responsibility comes he $3 million, to asteady sales annual grow he helped years, four In revenue. annual in $50,000 about earned company the he says. look,” products our way to the looks Web the way site the from audience, your properly integrating all facets of a business. by achieved communication, of consistent from the IMC program is the importance superior.” is product provide club covers for the 2010 U.S. O U.S. 2010 the for covers club provide to a deal landed that brand lifestyle a golf B of president vice is Shaffer David “I’m not just pushing papers for a big Ten Big the championship Winning team, 9 Back the joined Shaffer When “It’s sending one clear communication to Shaffer says the biggest lesson he learned ack 9 USA, 9USA, ack pen.

B A marketer consumer uses insight to improve the standard of senior care. Compassion, aSide With of Luxury Serving qualified.First, seniors payan entrance financially and healthy be must Residents into this cutting-edge senior community. metal.” the minus rails along the walls are actually handrails, chair cream-colored the decor. For example, which includes a multi-use approach to “The community integrates universal design, be a timeless, classic place,” Moyer explains. community, and it’s specifically designed to Moyer says. “It brings elegance to the Evanston,” downtown in parked line cruise smells, like a nursing home. or even looks, residence living senior this about nothing fireplaces, and chandeliers hardwood floors, Sub-Zero refrigerators, upholstery, to the living units with custom artwork and rich gold and red From the expansive lobby, which features Evanston. in located community retirement 242-unit, $200 million continuing care sick.” got they when went people have been pretty much a place where old they years, “For many says. Moyer reason,” retirement communities are, and for good is the hardest part of his job. reversing misconceptions about elderly care the nonprofit company Mather LifeWays, for of marketing president vice (IMC96), Moyer For Mike depressing. downright are that up visuals conjure often home” “nursing with a senior living facility. The words Luxurious is not normally a word associated community, T community, Life M y B ike Thereare two basiccriteria for moving afive-star it’s like that said “Someone Not so at The Mather, a newly opened, what of misconception is a huge “There W M elinda Lichty Clarke ( Clarke Lichty elinda ays, shows off E off shows ays, oyer, vice president of marketing at he M he ather. ather. vanston’s newest retirement retirement newest vanston’s M SJ94) M ather Chicago. The companyalso provides throughout socialize and to eat gather locations, public places where older adults ates several Mather’s More Than a Cafe and oper Mather The as such residences old. growing for practices best researches which Aging, on Institute at the people 20 of morethan astaff supports LifeWays Mather also based Shore), North onEvanston- Chicago’s two senior living residences (one in Arizona and Moyer, who started the job in July. age well,’ and that’s what excites me,” says under this umbrella of ‘creating ways to helping people at the same time. about good and feel things different many on to concentrate him it allowed because LifeWays job appealed to him, he says, Mather The companies. few selling—a later neurial ventures, including starting—and entrepre on various he embarked career which he received in 2004. During his MBA from The University of Chicago, an and Kansas of The University from members. family for surviving security estate when he leaves which helps ensure entrance fee is returned to the resident’s assisted living units. And 90 percent of the life center in addition to independent and Mather boasts a comprehensive in-house don’t want to settle in a nursing home. The but long-term care need may aspouse that worry who for solution couples agreat is Mather The says pricey, Moyer Though health care (if required) averages $4,000. which covers restaurant meals, services and $2 million. On top of that, a monthly fee, to almost $340,000 from ranges that fee “This company“This hasmuch so going on under and that’s excites what me.” this umbrella of ‘creating to age ways well,’ The institute applies its research to other three and Mather The from Aside on going so much has company “This Moyer holds an undergraduate degree :: WHAT’S YOUR WHAT’S STORY?

- - western.edu/alumni/alumnispotlight.aspx. www.medill.north Moyer: Mike of a video to watch Spotlight section Alumni our Visit my community.” and it’s also a wonderful way to serve interactive, Myvery is job customer. the each other, but not a lot of time talking to to talking alot of time spend businesses “Most says. Moyer companies,” of other alot in Ihaven’t had which here, user end woman who is still active and independent. with residents, such as a 110-year-old label. wine own company’s concept and a chop house that serves the fusion Asian an including restaurants, seven what makes The Mather unique, such as its on he focuses says Moyer rating, satisfaction retirement home is.” a of what perception people’s negative Here, it’s getting through that barrier of until you findan answer that’s not obvious. to see what has worked,” he says. “You dig history past and data current both using role. for this skills IMC intohis tapped definitely he has says Moyer living, senior whole “has its act together.” a as company the that it helps that adds He says. better,” Moyer for to how to age company, it is dedicated to finding solutions [Mather LifeWays] is not just an operating he says. larger, grows demographic senior the as important communication, which is becoming more intergenerational and preparedness disaster on facilities living senior for other training “I do have a lot of connection with the He also likes to spend time interacting percent 98 To residents’ the communicate for insight how to dig you teaches “IMC about misconception the for reversing As that is most Ilike things of the “One

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WINTER.09 WINTER.09 WINTER.09 // MEDILL ALUMNI ALUMNI MEDILL MEDILL // // RY? TO S UR O Y ’S T A WH 5 9 10

RY? Civil Writes TO A journalist calls on his engineering expertise to UR S

O fuel his interest in society’s relationship with energy. ’S Y

T By Angela Dee Kwan (MSJ09) A WH For an engineer who applied to journalism After finishing school at the University school on a whim and admittedly doesn’t of Illinois, Steiner held jobs as a civil love reporting, Christopher Steiner, a New engineer in San Francisco and Park York Times best-selling author and Forbes City, Utah. Unsatisfied by the formulaic writer, has built a nice name for himself. nature of his work, he applied to graduate In July, Steiner (MSJ03) published his programs, intending to enroll in business first book, “$20 Per Gallon: How the school. But a last minute change of heart Inevitable Rise in the Price of Gasoline brought him to Medill instead. “$20 Per Gallon” author Christopher Steiner says Will Change Our Lives for the Better,” “I wasn’t in love with the idea of convenient neighborhoods like his in north Evanston, a work of nonfiction he describes as, “a journalism or reporting or breaking a story,” which allow residents to walk to stores, restaurants thought experiment of the U.S. at higher Steiner says. “I said to myself, ‘I like to and trains, will never seriously depreciate. gas prices… When will Disney World write. And who writes? Journalists write.’” die? When will high-speed electric trains Marcel Pacatte, the current managing to an enterprising front page story he connect the nation? When will Wal-Mart editor at the school’s downtown newsroom, wrote about McDonald’s push into the meet its doom?” remembers that Steiner, as a student late night arena. Searching for a trenchant book topic in reporting on urban affairs, had a gift for He and a friend were eating Quarter May 2008, around the time gas prices began identifying interesting stories and telling Pounders after last call in Wrigleyville flirting with $4 a gallon nationwide, Steiner them in surprising ways. “I think that’s one weekend when his buddy commented started drafting a 35-page proposal with how [Steiner] was able to put together a on the number of 24-hour McDonald’s chapters that corresponded to hypothetical book,” he says. popping up around town—an observation, gallon prices: Chapter $6, Chapter $12, etc. Pacatte also recalls coining the term Steiner says, that stuck with him. Back in The 32-year-old insists that even the “Steineresque,” meaning someone who had the newsroom he called the corporate office and learned that the company was, in fact, extending restaurant hours more and more, “I said to myself, ‘I like to write. And who though nobody had reported this trend. “I went back to that McDonald’s on writes? Journalists write.’” Clark and got a bunch of drunk people for color,” Steiner says. The story ran big, and The Wall Street Journal ended up reporting most inexperienced J-school graduate a good vocabulary. “It drove his classmates it two weeks later, he says. should consider authoring a book and nuts because they thought they were good, That McDonald’s story earned Steiner a that all anyone needs is a solid idea and a too,” he adds. “And they were.” surprise call from a bureau chief at Forbes well-written pitch. He compares writing Come graduation, Steiner had no job. magazine, where he landed a job and a manuscript to writing an extremely long But his luck soon changed when Sheila continues to work as a staff writer, covering article, but due to space constraints and the Solomon, then senior editor for recruiting technology, innovation and entrepreneurs. intense editing process commonly found at at the Chicago Tribune, offered him an Six years as a professional journalist, one sweet home magazines, he says, book writing is easier. internship. Steiner says he had given her master’s degree and two careers later, has “In a magazine, every word gets stretched a packet of stories during a class visit to Steiner changed his feelings toward writing? over a microscope,” Steiner says. “But the Tribune Tower months before, never “There was a guy at Medill—I don’t typically how you’re reading [a nonfiction expecting to hear from her. remember who it was—who said, ‘I don’t book] is how the author wrote it.” “She said she thought [my degree] was like writing, but I enjoy having written.’ I Having a side project such as a book, bizarre and wanted an engineer in the think that’s pretty much true,” Steiner says. documentary or blog (his is chrissteiner. newsroom,” he says. “When I sit down to write, it’s excruciating. Roxana Saberi (MSJ99) returns to Fargo after spending com) not only improves one’s career Steiner remembers his time at the But after I finish it off, I feel really good.” North100 days in Iran’s Evin prison. Dakota prospects by establishing a personal brand, Tribune as an incredible opportunity that but also makes life more tolerable, Steiner allowed him to report on everything from “$20 Per Gallon: How the Inevitable Rise in As told to Christina Capecchi (MSJ07) explains. “It always keeps your fire lit no breaking news to obituaries to features, the Price of Gasoline Will Change Our Lives Photos by Tommy Giglio (BSJ09) matter how disappointed or unengaged you once he proved his competence, he says. for the Better” (Grand Central Publishing, are at your everyday job.” But his internship ended abruptly—thanks 2009) is available on Amazon.com. MEDILL ALUMNI WINTER.09 // 12 13

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(2)

(4)

(1) In her childhood bedroom, Roxana Saberi edits her book, “Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran,” scheduled for publication by HarperCollins in April. (2) The Saberi home is located on a quiet street in Fargo, N.D. (3) Roxana stands next to her mom, Akiko Saberi, at Medill graduation on June 19, 1999. (4) More than a decade after receiving a piano scholarship to attend Concordia College in Minnesota, Saberi still remembers how to play classical compositions by heart.

Christina Capecchi: What first CC: Do you have a favorite Medill CC: How did six years in Iran shape attracted you to journalism? memory that stands out? your identity as an Iranian-American? Roxana Saberi: I decided to go into RS: It’s so hard to pick just one. That RS: Well, I admit that before I went to journalism when I was in college. I took year was one of the best years of my Iran, I didn’t feel my Iranian identity very part in a campus television program, life. I really enjoyed getting to know much. Although I had visited various and I very much enjoyed it. What really my professors and my classmates, who countries, including my mother’s native (3) drew me to journalism at the time was I came from a broad background. We got land of Japan, I had never been to Iran. believed it would have a lot of variety and along very well. I’m lucky to have kept I knew the country mostly through my also the potential to impact society. Every in touch with a few of my professors and father and some Iranian friends living in day you could learn new things and then classmates since graduation. They were the U.S., but I had many misperceptions share what you have learned with other highly motivated. All the students wanted about it that changed after moving and s a girl, Roxana Saberi’s parents and the force of her support appeared best-seller from her upstairs childhood people. You could be a surrogate of the to do their best, and I think we helped living there and getting to better know invited her to choose the color of to prod Iranian President Mahmoud bedroom, perched by a window to assess people. Journalism seemed to combine one another to do our best. And also I Iranians, most of whom treated me their two-story home in Fargo, Ahmadinejad to order a review of her from that familiar vantage point all that the best aspects of different fields, and it lived in one of the dorms in Chicago, and with great hospitality. They were very N.D.A She picked red. She was seeking case. An appeals court suspended her has changed. Her parents assist her quietly, was something that I believed I would there was a wide variety of people there, warm and generous. Now I feel much the bold, yearning to stand out. And she jail sentence, and Saberi was released afraid to interrupt—Dad prepares spiced never tire of. too, studying different fields. Overall, I more Iranian. And when I look at what’s succeeded becoming a soccer star, piano on May 11, 2009. chicken and vegetables for lunch, Mom had wonderful experiences—in and out of happening in that country during these prodigy, Miss North Dakota and a foreign The next day, dressed in black and reads over some drafts. Saberi’s future CC: How did your Medill training the classroom. troubled times, I’m worried for the correspondent for national news networks. cloaked in a blue scarf, she spoke to a is unclear, but her home in Fargo is the influence that drive? nation. But I also have a lot of hope for Today, 32-year-old Saberi (MSJ99) is watching world. She flashed a huge smile perfect place for now, a cocoon so warm RS: My professors were very supportive CC: How did your Medill education Iran because I see what courageous people an international celebrity, and she’s back in and shy eyes that oscillated between a and comforting she is able to mine the and encouraging. They were tough, but inform or inspire your work in Iran, live there. that red Fargo home, trying to blend in, vague midpoint and the standing reporters. depth of Evin’s horrors. that was good for me. Also, the quarter reporting for a book you hoped would lay low and sort out the 100 days she After such dark days, her eyes had not yet HarperCollins plans to publish her I spent in Washington, D.C., helped me present a more nuanced picture of CC: When you were in prison, how spent in Iran’s Evin prison on charges of adjusted to the bright sunlight. Here was account, “Between Two Worlds: My Life realize even more that journalists could Iranian life? real was the prospect of execution? ALUMNI // MEDILL WINTER.09 espionage. She had moved to Iran in 2003, a woman who had aged far beyond her and Captivity in Iran,” on April 6. But influence their communities through their RS: Medill teaches students to tell stories RS: I believed it was a credible threat. where she freelanced for media outlets such years, expressing a simple, childlike desire: Saberi took a break between deadlines work. And being able to sharpen my basic about ordinary people and to show the The charge of espionage can carry the as BBC, NPR and Radio New Zealand, “I just want to be with my parents and my to share her story with the Medill skills working in various media—like human aspect of each story, and I tried to death penalty, and it’s pretty well known and later did research for a book about the friends and to relax.” Here was strength community, reflecting on her views about radio, print and TV—helped me later go keep that in mind when I was reporting in Iran that prisoners there can be tried country’s people. and vulnerability. journalism, the media, her education, to Iran and work on my own. and working on my book there. I wanted and convicted without due process of law. In Tehran, she was sentenced to eight Saberi remains in that paradoxical imprisonment and the Iranian people, to show people’s ordinary lives, the chal- Also, before my imprisonment, I had years in jail. Her story rocked the globe, place, writing an important sure-to-be with Christina Capecchi (MSJ07). lenges and the opportunities they faced. heard many reports about torture and MEDILL ALUMNI WINTER.09 // 14 15 Co

ry execution in Iran, particularly in Evin cope better. They inspired me. Many of CC: How do you think your imprison- v e to prison. I knew that hangings take them were very strong, and they resisted ment changed you? r s r s

place in Evin and sometimes the people pressures to sacrifice their principles RS: I learned the value of the freedom of to e v who are hanged are not clearly identi- and the truth in order to be freed. They doing the smallest things that we often ry

Co fied. Many people have heard of what showed me a person can have hope even take for granted—making a phone call, happened to Zahra Kazemi, an Iranian- in what seems like the darkest of times. walking outside, reading a book, using Canadian photojournalist who was taken into custody in Evin prison in 2003. And a little later she died under mysterious circumstances. The Iranian authorities I learned the value of the freedom of doing were never clear about what happened to her, but there were different stories about the smallest things that we often take for granted— how she died from a blow to a head and making a phone call, walking outside, reading a other acts of torture that she reportedly suffered. I knew all of this when I was “book, using the restroom whenever you want. taken there, and these things definitely had an affect on my mindset.

CC: How did you cope with the psycho- CC: You must’ve been touched to learn the restroom whenever you want. And logical pressures of being blindfolded of your many advocates, including many I appreciate basic human rights, such as and interrogated for hours on end? vocal Medill alumni. the freedom of expression, more than “ RS: At first, I have to admit, I did not RS: I was very humbled by it. I was ever before. I think my imprisonment cope well. I was not as strong as I would amazed that so many people were making also changed my perspective on things (6) have liked to be. But later, through efforts for me. For example, at Medill, I I value. I’ve always valued my family, meditation or prayer or introspection, and heard about the rally in my support, as but I value them even more than before. (5) Saberi says that the quarter she spent reporting in Washington, D.C., as a Medill graduate student, helped her realize how much journalists could impact very much because of the other women well as other efforts, particularly those On the other hand, certain things I was communities through their work. (6) Roxana shares a laugh with her dad, Reza Saberi, in their front yard. prisoners I met when I was taken out of to raise awareness online, that some stressing out about before, I realized were solitary confinement, I learned how to Medillians had made for me. I learned not really that important. It’s my loved that some even went on a hunger strike ones, my family and my good friends who to show solidarity with me while I was on really matter in life. I realized that time is CC: Have you grown more comfortable heart tells them. We can feel it, but we and the various places I worked. I realize mine. I was very touched to receive these limited with the people we love and I now with that loaded label “hero”? don’t always choose that path, because through all of that the importance of kinds of support from both my former try to value every moment. RS: I really don’t believe I’m a hero. I sometimes it’s a much harder path. It is having mentors and veteran journalists classmates and faculty who knew me, as think so many others deserve to be called a difficult time, but their work has a lot to help guide and give new opportunities well as students, faculty and alumni who CC: How did the enormous coverage of heroes more than I. What comes to my of value—maybe much more value than to journalists who are in the early stages did not. I would like to say thank you your imprisonment change your view of mind oftentimes are Iran’s prisoners of they may realize. Where would we be of their careers. to the Medill community for all their the media? conscience, as well as ordinary Iranians, support when I was in prison. I believe if RS: It made me realize the power of the who have been courageously calling it wasn’t for efforts like that, I could very media. I believe the media coverage of my in the streets for their basic human likely still be in prison today. case played a significant role in pushing rights despite the prospects of harsh I hope the book informs people about, the Iranian authorities to release me. punishments and even death. I think not only my situation, but also about the CC: And now you’re back in Fargo, After I was freed, I saw what it was like to they are true heroes. I learned a lot from where you grew up, leading a safe, be on the other side of the camera or the ordinary Iranians as well as from my situation of Iranians, especially those in prison. wholesome American life. microphone, so it’s been a new experience cellmates. RS: I am grateful to be back in Fargo for me. “ with my parents and my friends. The CC: Your heart must really go out to the without them? For the journalists who CC: What’s next for you? community is known for its high quality CC: You just completed a draft of your ones who are still in prison. want to go overseas and try something RS: I’m not sure for the long-term yet. I of life and its friendly and caring people. book. How does it feel? RS: Absolutely. I hope that they and new, I think that’s a wonderful oppor- need to finish editing this book. I’d like It’s been a wonderful setting to relax and RS: Basically, I wanted to get every- other prisoners of conscience can be tunity for people to discover themselves to use my experiences, if I can, to inform “ ALUMNI // MEDILL WINTER.09 write. It’s quite a contrast to Tehran, thing out of my head and down on my treated with justice and released. and also to discover a new culture, a new and help other people. I hope I’ll have the where I also enjoyed living. But here, computer. It was certainly challenging at country, and to share what they learn opportunity to do that. There’s still a lot there’s a lot less traffic, a lot less pollution. times. I hope it informs people about, not CC: What’s your message to Medill with other people. I think I’ve been really to be done. It’s much easier to get things done, for only my situation, but also the situation of alumni grappling with this changing lucky in my career to meet supportive example, to go to doctors’ appointments Iranians, especially those in prison. media landscape? people who have given me the chance to Capecchi is a freelance writer from or to go shopping. I haven’t gotten back RS: Listen to your heart. Everybody experience new things—starting St. Paul, Minn. She contributes to The into soccer yet, but I do hope to return to CC: Do you feel you got it all down and says it, but it’s hard to do a lot of times. in undergraduate college and then New York Times and syndicates the column that soon. expressed it as you wanted to? But I think most people know what their through the different internships I did Twenty Something. (5) RS: As best I could. MEDILL ALUMNI WINTER.09 // 16 17 Photos by Giglio Tommy A e lu l i mn f o r a P a P r o f mn i l lu e A Catch

H if youer can

Former Northwestern softball star Ndidi Massay takes on journalism, business and law as director of ESPN’s high school brand RISE. By Jessi Prois (MSJ09)

Ndidi Massay admits the most valuable be considering alternative careers, Massay thing she learned at Medill was that says journalism opportunities that combine traditional journalism was not the path she other disciplines shouldn’t be viewed as a wanted to take. After earning a law degree secondary choice. from Notre Dame and a recent spot in the “Everyone should aspire to do work Northwestern Athletics Hall of Fame as a they’re passionate about, no matter what softball catcher, her current job as a director it is,” says Massay, who feels fortunate to at RISE, ESPN’s high school sports brand, work in a field that she deems perfect for couldn’t be a better fit. Once a leader on herself. “My husband swears I don’t have a the field, Massay (BSJ89) now oversees the job; he thinks I go to work and talk sports. business side of RISE. Once responsible for And yeah, that is my job,” she says. “But stopping wild pitches, she now screens all I paid my dues. You need to do that, and content fit for air. And once the player who dues aren’t always pretty. That was my noticed all the nuances of the game, she biggest misconception; I thought I’d land ALUMNI // MEDILL WINTER.09 now combs through the details of a legal a good job right away because I went to a contract without missing a beat. prestigious school and got good grades.” Massay’s job with RISE, based in New Charged with the mission of elevating York, mixes journalism, law and business, young athletes, Massay works to incorpo- serving as a paradigm for today’s writers rate RISE’s high school coverage into all of looking to adapt their skills for another ESPN’s platforms, including TV shows like arena. At a time when newsroom jobs are “SportsCenter.” She also manages business difficult to find and Medill graduates may operations for some 200 events RISE hosts MEDILL ALUMNI WINTER.09 // 18 MEDILL ALUMNI // WINTER.09 Alumna Profile “ everything.” check approach things like a journalist; I double Now I me hard. hit it. But that attribute didn’t and of asentence half copied “I the library and looked in books,” she laughs. of a light bulb. “That was when you went to functionality the describing piece writing ontotechnical a F,”scribbled “Medill first her including experiences, memorable her defining who she is. She recounts some of in milestones important most one of the Medill considers Massay anything.” coat not to sugar and sides… both to see and better me to negotiate prepared “Reporting try. “There’san art to a deal,” sheexplains. indus of the allure surface the past looking journalist—maintaining objectivity and herself drawing upon her skills as a after earning her law degree and found California in practice law entertainment negotiating deals for her own sports and She worked as an attorney brokering and journalism as the backbone of her success. solutions.” breaking ground offered has really she and trades, of all ajack is “She RISE. of ESPN president vice senior Brown, James rights issues as well. property intellectual way. handles She any in eligibility student’s the jeopardizes never exposure athlete’s an that certain the bylaws inside and out, Massay makes with NCAA and state rules. Knowing ensure that the RISE coverage complies trends. lifestyle teen to profiles which covers everything from athlete addition, the brand creates a magazine, In scouts. and of coaches front in perform receive rankings and media coverage, and the country come together to compete, across players where camps organizes RISE during the year. To accomplish its goal, Of all Massay’s classroom experiences in education her credits Massay “Ndidi juggles a lot of balls,” says On the legal front, Massay works to and got good grades. I thought I’d agood job away right land because Iwent to aprestigiousbecause school

- - she never took the easy way out, which which out, way easy the took never she but for time, her competed schedules academic and athletic demanding Massay’s me.”shook “That athletes don’t make it at Medill,” she says. that told aprofessor by Iwas at orientation And great. so is school the and my dream, Medill and the talent of the students. It was by intimidated was “I path. that doubted career—the first day at Medill—she out. But at the onset of her journalism media brand, didn’t always have life figured national ofa officer operating chief facto says. professor,” Massay one and one by class enamored just wasn’t I sure to make wanted “I stick. would law to determine whether the decision to pursue So she accepted a paralegal job in Chicago senior year—too late to apply to law school. of her quarter spring But it was lens. ferent adif through journalism viewing issues, Amendment First and industry media absorbed everything she could about the piqued her interest in the subject. She first class Trossman’s Ethics and Law at Medill, the discussions in Mindy During her undergraduate years, de the Massay, that to imagine It’s hard (left), coached by Sharon Drysdale (right). (right). Drysdale Sharon by coached (left), softball during the late 1980s with pitcher and H and pitcher with 1980s late the during softball N the into inducted were whom of N didi M didi “ assay (second from left) stands next to her sister, Chinazo O Chinazo sister, her to next stands left) from (second assay Photo Caption and credit and Caption Photo U Athletics H U Athletics - 1986, Massay helped lead her to the team Ten Big the Year ofand the in Freshman word.” the of sense every in athlete’ a‘student are truly you Northwestern, At both. be can you and athletes, alotare of bright There wrong,” she says. “Athletes are misjudged. them me to prove inspired both they while a but after me, doubted professors two “These attorney. an as acareer reconsider and her professor suggested that she should school. Massay struggled with one class, journalism.” in stayed and office this,’ great abilities, so I thought ‘Let’s utilize that to her. She was this person who had transferring out of journalism?’ I didn’t give about opinion afavorable want you ‘Do she was questioning her ability, I asked her, “When recalls. joy,” great Kraft with upon don’t leave Medill—they try to get in.’ ” differentthings with those skills. People You many so do mind. can your changed you ‘So to me, he said remember “I Kraft: with ago years 20 morethan a conversation her time and efforts toothin. She describes softball—a schedule that seemed to spread whether she was fit to balance schooland wanted to continue pursuing journalism and her when she questioned whether she athletic director of 27 years, with counseling Northwestern’s former senior associate her school work. She credits Ken Kraft, she says would have meant neglecting As softball team captain at Northwestern at Northwestern captain team softball As law in again it happened But then back one Ilook who out as stands “Ndidi all of Fame in 2009. T 2009. in Fame of all ” he laughs. “She walked out of my out of my walked “She ” he laughs. all of Fame member Lisa I Lisa member Fame of all pia Cunningham, both both Cunningham, pia he sisters played played sisters he shikawa Sliwa Sliwa shikawa

Image courtesy NU Athletics “ served on the boards of the National National of the boards on the served years as an adjunct professor. She has for four of Law School Francisco of San University at the law sports taught and team softball Dame coach for three years with the Notre softball assistant an as worked She strong network of people to lean on. a developed but has for herself, Massay has not only made a name people cannot answer that question.” how many with You’d surprised be people what makes them different. Ask well. write can and grades good with schools, to went great of people athlete and came from Medill. Lots elite an of colorwas who a woman being is me apart sets of what “Part “It makes me memorable,” she says. excel. her helped has that challenge a as but rather adrawback as this coverage. receive who athletes the business employees to the reporters to dominantly caters to men—from the pre ESPN room. board the in from being surrounded by them different is field the on aficionados earlier.” inducted been have should she say who those are “There says. Kraft of Fame. Hall Athletics Northwestern intothe inducted was Massay 2009, February in And time. at the history Wildcat in second ranked that average batting day, acareer held she Ten graduation All-Big On team. (1980s) team the and All-Decade Ten Big on the aspot awarded was She World Series. College By accumulating leadership roles, doesn’t view Massay However, But being surrounded by sports athlete,” agreat just was “She Ask people what makes people what them Ask answer that question. answer different. You’ddifferent. surprised be with how manywith people cannot -

based in Las Vegas. inLas based writer afreelance is Prois moment.” the in to live try or anything—just or family you’reit that doing—work is what matter conclusion—no to come a I’ve “But says. and we think it’s a skill,” she kids. We all tend to multitask my phone I’m when with family time. with work doesn’tinterfere she let that says Massay executive, business asuccessful from coming twist, as she would like. And in a surprising them with time much as spend can’t Mateo, a priority, even though she sons, 8-year-old Miles and 3-year-old to make her husband, Marc, and two tries always she says She important. but doubly dependable, equally is box.” apress in journalist black only We’ll talk about issues like being the well. other each know color, we and “I know a lot of women and people of industry is really small,” she explains. “The Telecommunications. Cable Communications and Women in Association of Multi-Ethnicity in National Association, Lawyers Sports and Entertainment Black of the amember also is Massay York. New in chapter Alumni Northwestern the and Section Sports Journalists, of Black Association “I don’t answer my my don’t“I answer system support other Massay’s

“

20 § After Harris Damashek lost his job when the tech bubble burst, he launched 21 Damashek Consulting, a Web design and online marketing agency that has been profitable every year since inception.

“The way we got clients was word Y BE TO HOW Y BE TO HOW

D of mouth, networking and my network,” N Renew and Retool Damashek says. “It really has always RA been about relationships, people I know referring.” The fall marked the first quarter of Medill’s newest program, a O O B OWN UR Damashek’s company employs 15 to master’s track for experienced professionals. The curriculum is B OWN UR UR OWN B

O 40 consultants at any given time. Without designed for journalists who want to renew and retool; create or a brick and mortar storefront to support, run a media enterprise; learn more about marketing, corporate clients don’t pay for overhead and, in turn, RA receive access to the quality of a larger communications or public relations; build their own personal RA N N D agency—minus the higher price. brand as entrepreneurs; or continue working as media profes- D HOW TO BE Y BE While Damashek Consulting is known sionals but with an expanded skill set and a more comprehensive for combining emerging technologies with view of the industry. Students select courses from several pro-

Photos Giglio by Tommy and image courtesy Lambeth Hochwald refined design, Damashek says it’s also important to establish your personal brand, grams, including journalism, IMC or Media Management classes especially as companies move toward using offered in conjunction with the Kellogg School of Management. Y O U R more and more contractors. But the most Visit www.RenewAndRetool.com for more information. crucial thing is quality work, he says. “Live O W N up to the hype and brand you create.” The Humble Magazine Writer

As a writer who has traveled to remote She decided to embark on a full-time parts of Morocco for a wedding story; freelancing career and told her boss, who spent a day interviewing Lauren Hutton assigned her several articles to write after BRAND for O, The Oprah Magazine; and explored she left. Hochwald also took a part-time If you’re looking for work, you’re not alone. The number of newspaper industry employees dropped 19 percent. Vienna, Austria to chronicle coffee houses, job at an online venture for more stability. The population of radio and TV workers fell 12 percent. The amount of people working in advertising and related Lambeth Hochwald has an enviable Still, the early days were nerve-racking. services decreased 9 percent between January 2008 and July 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. career. Hochwald (BSJ90, MSJ90) has “I remember standing in the middle of Given the tumultuous nature of the current media industry, now may be the best time to start your own business. freelanced full-time for 14 years, writing Broadway and 50th. All the people were Here’s a look at the entrepreneurial journeys of several successful alumni and one of Medill’s adjunct lecturers. primarily for Health, Redbook and Real scurrying back to their offices with lunch. By Alice C. Chen (MSJ04) Simple. She is also a contributing editor I was thinking, ‘What have I done?’ ” at Scholastic Parent & Child and an she recalls. “ ‘What am I, nuts? I have to adjunct professor of journalism at New support myself.’ ” York University. To this day, Hochwald operates in With numerous high-profile publica- survival mode, which has taught her an The Self-Taught Entrepreneur tions on her resume, it might seem like important lesson: humility. As a novice Hochwald can rest easily, accepting only freelancer, she didn’t blindly pitch top You don’t have to be an expert in running a in the most senior roles at any agency. the projects and eventually, Damashek premium assignments from senior editors, magazines but instead, reached out business in order to start one. Starting his own company was never acquired that entire account from Critical but the 41-year-old says, “You’ve got to to former colleagues and classmates, Lambeth Hochwald works as a contributing Just ask Harris Damashek (BSJ97, in the plans for Damashek, who studied Mass, but says he still maintains a healthy keep crawling, keep pushing.” sending queries and clip packages. Some editor at Scholastic Parent & Child and IMC99), who transitioned from a laid-off journalism but found writing challenging relationship with his former employers. He Hochwald started working in of her best opportunities stemmed from freelances for Health, Redbook, Real Simple and The New York Times. senior account director to the founder of a and pay prospects too low. So he took a few started consulting more regularly and hired journalism at age 14, as an intern for her small-scale publications. A three-hour, virtual Web design and online marketing business courses and worked for a year at a subcontractors to help, building his team local newspaper and radio station. After in-person interview with the head of agency. With only four years of full-time direct marketing agency after graduation. one by one. “It became clear there was a graduating from the accelerated master’s Planned Parenthood marks the highlight constantly pitches to new publications and work experience under his belt, he launched Damashek returned to Medill to enroll in business here,” he says. program at Medill, she relocated to New of her early years. writes about new topics. And she still aims ALUMNI // MEDILL WINTER.09 Damashek Consulting in 2002. the IMC program and then landed a job His entrepreneurial acumen is essentially York for an editorial assistant position at “You have no idea where a gig is going high—last fall she pitched a story to The Based in Brooklyn, N.Y., the company with the interactive agency Critical Mass, self-taught and often gleaned from one Longevity magazine, where she stayed for to lead you,” Hochwald says. “It doesn’t New York Times wedding pages, which has been profitable since its inception and spearheading accounts for clients like of his strongest resources: his network. “I three years before moving to Folio. Her matter if the story isn’t sexy. I get really took her to northern Maine. She accepts grows about 30 percent a year in revenue, Mercedes-Benz. ask people smarter than I am,” he says. time on staff taught her how magazines into it and do my best. If I get two to four any assignment, unless she doesn’t believe with current accounts ranging from $30,000 When the tech bubble burst in 2002, That network also drives the majority of work and how to write on deadline. stories a year I’m supremely proud of, it’s in the mission of the magazine or thinks to more than $1 million. Running his own Damashek lost his job, and one of his clients his business, considering that Damashek By 1995, though, Hochwald felt restless worth it to me.” the idea is silly. “Most successful writers are company offers Damashek, 34, a flexible offered him consulting work. Soon the client Consulting didn’t even have a Web site and worried she was turning into a busi- To achieve her goal of securing clawing their way,” Hochwald says. “We lifestyle where he earns more than he could requested that he assemble a team to handle during its first four years. ness reporter instead of a feature writer. continuous work as a journalist, Hochwald don’t feel entitled to it.” MEDILL ALUMNI WINTER.09 // 22 :: FACULTY PROFILES 23 The Journalism Teacher Turned Career CoACH

Medill skills think they can’t make a living caught the eye an editor at Follett Publishing, FACUL

D outside of the conventional careers. I’d like who asked her to write a book on the topic. N Medill welcomed a new crop of them to know they can.” While promoting her book, Kennedy met RA Captains of T After graduating from Medill, Kennedy the editor of Glamour magazine and landed a talented faculty members last fall, Y PR taught journalism at DePaul University and position as editor of a job strategies column, on top of the seven we added in 2008. O helped dozens of students find jobs. She which she wrote for 17 years. After her sixth F I L

UR OWN B Industry E

O attended two seminars by career planning book, Kennedy decided to switch to a paid S guru Richard Bolles and found the topic of newsletter, so she could respond more quickly work to be “endlessly fascinating.” She soon to her readers’ concerns. started running career seminars on Saturdays Though Kennedy has expanded her exper- and consulting on the side. tise to include office politics, demographics HOW TO BE Y Marilyn Moats Kennedy speaks at 100 career She moved on to the association manage- and job planning, she has never strayed from seminars a year, flying across the country and ment firm, which catered to professional her core interest of careers. Kennedy’s brand Bryan Monroe logging 100,000 miles each year. organizations, after 11 years at DePaul. A used to center on career strategies, but after a Journalism Visiting Professor self-described introvert who disliked office lot of people joined the field, she changed the Getting fired was the best thing to happen to politics, Kennedy then decided to work brand to spotlight herself—emphasizing her Background: Monroe most recently served as vice president and editorial Marilyn Moats Kennedy’s career. for herself because, she says, “I’m the only extensive experience and passion. director of Ebony and Jet magazines. He was also the assistant vice president/news Let go from an association management one who can really get along with me on a These days Kennedy speaks at about at Knight Ridder Inc. and is a regular CNN contributor. firm in 1977 after 10 months on the job, long-term basis.” 100 events a year, primarily for professional Course taught: Enterprise Reporting in Diverse Communities Kennedy (BSJ65, MSJ66) recalls, “I’ve never Kennedy launched her business by offering associations. She charges $4,000 for a half- been so grateful in my life.” 40 free seminars in three months to singles day workshop and $5,500 for a full day. It’s Claim to fame: Monroe landed the first exclusive interview with then That event spurred Kennedy to turn her groups. “They had to be interested in career not easy money, though—she flew 100,000 President-elect Barack Obama.

part-time career strategies consulting into planning—they were self-supporting,” miles a year for 15 years. State of the industry: Journalism is alive and hungry, he says. This is the golden a full-blown business. Over the decades, she says. The seminars led to individual She insists that it’s not difficult to focus on age of journalism because people are using new tools, new media and new formats she has conducted workshops for more clients and referrals for other workshops. any topic and start a business like hers. “I’ll to tell the world’s important stories. than 300,000 people, written six books and Organizations started to offer her money, bet out there is a Medill grad who’s passionate appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and so she gently raised her rates. Despite her about the environment. Why isn’t the person Why Medill excites him: Its real-world nature. Medill is not just about impacting “20/20.” And for the past 25 years, she has success, Kennedy does not advertise and says figuring out who to target and talk to about the future of journalism—it’s about impacting journalists and the media world with fantastic research, practical ideas and hands-on learning, he says. earned a six-figure salary. that referrals drive 95 percent of her business. these things?” Kennedy asks. “Skills can be deployed in any way you Her career gained momentum. The Just figure out your deepest interest “I hope to offer students some context on how the world is now and what they need want to use them,” says Kennedy, 66, from Chicago Tribune ran a story about one of that’s also relevant and valuable to someone to know to function in a newsroom—knowing how to balance the speed and her office in Chicago. “Some people with her office politics workshops. That article else—just get going, she says. urgency of breaking news with the desire to get it right. And sometimes it’s just about getting it right for right now. Knowing how to ask questions and not accept answers as given—those are always the fundamentals of journalism.” The Seller Who Rarely Solicits

Karen Springen is the type of Medill adjunct University, spent 24 years on staff at Newsweek lecturer who bakes treats every week for her before accepting a buyout last February. Now students. It’s this kind of generous personality she writes for many of her former editors Timothy J. McNulty that enables her to join the club of a particular and colleagues who have moved on to other Journalism Lecturer breed of freelance journalists—those who publications. She has even written for a rarely solicit for work. Instead, Springen previous source and a former intern who now Background: A veteran journalist, McNulty spent decades reporting on national and focuses on cultivating friendships and waits works for Scientific American Mind. “[She] had foreign news, including roles as White House and war correspondent. As the national and for people to notice her writing and assign her found me on LinkedIn. We started e-mailing later foreign editor of the Chicago Tribune, he helped direct coverage of Sept. 11, stories or request pitches. back and forth, and I just did a big piece for the American strike into Afghanistan and the Iraq invasion. “Lots of journalists are shy at heart,” says her,” Springen says. Courses taught: Global Journalism; The Pentagon, the Press & the Public; National Springen, who hates asking for anything from She markets subtly, highlighting her recent Security & Civil Liberties anyone. “You mostly end up freelancing for work on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. people who know you and your work.” Once Springen has an assignment, she asks Notable fact: He has traveled to 50 states and reported from more than 65 countries. // MEDILL ALUMNI // MEDILL WINTER.09 This strategy has benefited Springen, 48, her editors exactly what they want in terms Raison d’être (at Medill): National Security Journalism Initiative, sponsored by grants who launched her full-time freelancing career of content, format and style, and then from the McCormick Foundation and Carnegie Corporation. The program’s mission is to in January 2009 and has published pieces over-delivers. help students learn about national security issues to better inform the public. Aside from Adjunct lecturer Karen Springen posts in Self, Publisher’s Weekly, iVillage.com and “You have to kill yourself. If they say this offering new classes, the initiative (medillnsj.org) awards three fellowships and provides links to her clips on social networking sites WebMD.com. piece needs a minimum of two experts, I’m and waits for editors to assign more stories professional development for working journalists. Springen, who earned an under- going to call 10,” Springen says. “It’s much or request pitches. “When it comes to civil liberties, it’s important for journalists to raise questions and to graduate degree from Stanford University easier to keep up with the same client than examine the role of government. I hope that students who take these classes become Chen is a freelance writer in the San Francisco area. and a master’s in journalism from Columbia drum up new work.” familiar with all aspects of national security and how it affects society, so they can go out and be better journalists.” MEDILL ALUMNI WINTER.09 // 24 25 FACUL S E

L Michelle F. Weinberger

I Brent Huffman F

IMC Assistant Professor T O

Journalism Assistant Professor Y PR Y PR O

T Background: An expert in ethnography, in-depth interview techniques and Background: A cross between a TV journalist and F I qualitative data analysis, Weinberger recently earned her Ph.D. in marketing a documentary filmmaker, Huffman is an award- L E

from the University of Arizona. She has also worked at Time Inc. in the home winning director, writer and cinematographer. S FACUL entertainment division in New York and at CARMA International as a media He has been making social issue documentaries research analyst in Washington, D.C. and environmental films for more than a decade, traveling to places like Afghanistan, China, Liberia, Course taught: Consumer Insight Senegal, Guinea, Haiti and Puerto Rico. Why Medill excites her: The group of young faculty who are doing interesting Courses taught: Enterprise Reporting in Diverse research, the multidisciplinary nature of the program and the diverse back- Communities, Broadcast Producing grounds represented on campus: practitioners, researchers, journalists and academics. Teaching philosophy: Huffman says it’s important that he trains leaders—people who are not going What she’s researching: Weinberger studies how cultural knowledge—informa- to just fall in line. His hope is to graduate well- tion of the world—shapes consumption patterns. Specifically, she researches how rounded journalists who can enter a TV station, newspaper or documentary some upper middle-class young professionals (post-college, pre-marriage) avoid Daniel A. outlet and be able to identify trends and to determine the direction that needs consuming too many material objects and, instead, accumulate experiences they to be taken. imagine they’ll want once they settle down. Gruber What he brings to the table: Passion. Huffman wants to help students “They consume all these experiences now to hedge their bets for the future. …A lot of IMC Assistant Professor, discover their voice and passion (his is human rights). Documentary calls for my students fall into this group, so I use that example in class—both to understand my Courtesy Professor at Kellogg a creativity, a passion, an art and an aesthetic, he says. And he believes that students and to help relate my class material to their personal life experience.” Background: Before joining the faculty, documentary can help make the world a better place and change problems. Gruber completed his Ph.D. in manage- “Students are going to be the catalyst for change in the industry. Instead of being ment and organizations at the University victims of journalism falling apart, they are going to move it forward and define of Michigan, where his dissertation where it goes.” examined the relationship between firms and the financial media.

Darnell Little Courses taught: Public Relations and IMC Journalism Associate Professor Implementation: Managing Integration Lisa Parisot Background: Little earned a master’s degree in Why Medill is a perfect fit: As a former Journalism Lecturer engineering and another in journalism—both from Web producer, Gruber created content Background: Northwestern. A former software developer, Little has for a local news site in Chicago and a Parisot comes to Medill from the worked at the Chicago Tribune as a reporter for online financial news Internet start-up in San University of North Texas, where she taught Electronic and multimedia operations and, most recently, for the Francisco. He has also worked in financial Newsgathering and Multimedia Storytelling. She previ- metro desk specializing in computer-assisted reporting. services and researched the management ously owned Reel Reflections, a production company side of the industry. Medill represents specializing in personal history documentaries. Course taught: Database Journalism the intersection of many areas he’s Courses taught: Enterprise Reporting in Diverse researched and served during the past Greatest challenge students will face: The industry is Communities, Journalism Methods 15 years. changing, and nobody can predict how things will shake About the audience: For Parisot, it’s always been out, he says. There will be journalism professionals, but Advice to students: Dealing with about the audience. She says that’s what Medill does nobody knows exactly what the equilibrium point will be resiliency and ambiguity are going to well. However, journalism students often write and in terms of newspaper, online, multimedia, magazine and be two of your biggest assets. Read and produce visual stories for the professor when they television. Students will enter a world that is unsettled— understand the principles of “Managing should produce stories for their audience instead. but they will be part of the people who will figure out the Unexpected,” authored by Karl E. what the landscape will be. Weick and Kathleen M. Sutcliffe, to learn What she loves about Medill students: They are immersed in journalism—they read how organizations plan for and respond magazines and newspapers and listen to NPR. But they have to use their skills in a Advice to students: Be intellectually open to all possibilities, regardless of the type of opportunity or its geography. ALUMNI // MEDILL WINTER.09 to unexpected events. To withstand current industry changes, it’s best to be flexible and have as broad a base of skills as possible. variety of ways, whether it’s going into a neighborhood to create a blog subsidized by a local business or working at a traditional outlet like the Chicago Tribune, she says. "The privilege of teaching is watching “I like being where the action is. Journalism gives you the opportunity to do that. It gives you the opportunity to learn new students learn and expand how they things every day and to slay a new dragon every day. Journalism can be a lot of things, but it’s rarely boring.” “The hardest thing about journalism is that it’s a craft as much as a profession. see the world. My goal is to empower There’s theory and ethics. Sometimes we focus on the skills, but we have students with theories and frameworks, to be mindful of the theory behind why we do what we do as well as the which they can use to understand the ethical ramifications.” In a time when many institutions are cutting back, Medill is expanding both its academic programs, which include world differently." 93 graduate and 88 full-time IMC students who enrolled in September—two of our biggest classes yet. And we’re still hiring! For information on available faculty positions, visit www.medill.northwestern.edu/employment/medilljobs.aspx. MEDILL ALUMNI WINTER.09 // 26 27

everything, like pay for vending machine SM: Other classes laid the foundation of Watch a slide show of the Asia Perspectives snacks and scan barcodes called QR (quick theories and concepts, but this class allows trip on the IMC Student Work/Client Projects

response), which take you to a company’s you to see the IMC process in action. You page: www.medill.northwestern.edu/imc/ CLASS IN Web site where you can read a message or get to learn by doing and also gain the imcwork/Default.aspx. Jetsetters play a game. It’s good for promotions and a insight of 21 other professionals who bring -As told to ADK

IN CLASS good way to get more information. different perspectives to the table. (1) Kate Floyd wakes up at 5 a.m. to visit a Tokyo SM: The diplomacy in Japan is amazing. Plans for after graduation? fish market in time to catch local restaurateurs & Hobnobbers and retailers selling their seafood. You can tell people there have to learn to NL: I plan to start a wellness read between the lines. (2) Students snack on Mumbai’s local fare, IMC students travel the globe to meet senior marketing executives, consulting practice. dosa, a spicy potato-filled crepe. network with alumni and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of Asia. Best meal? (3) the class visits the Gateway of India, a SM: I’d like to use all the skills I’ve monument built during British rule in 1911 NL: The steamed buns and dumplings in learned. Few companies do what IMC that served as the first landmark seen by Shanghai. I even went searching for them does from start to finish, incorporating visitors arriving by sea. If you ask an MBA student what he did on his summer vacation, overview of the market in terms of size, demographics and at 7-Eleven. brand management, analysis and consumer (4) tmJ, an educational resource firm based in chances are he’ll tell you he interned at a management consulting consumer and market trends. Because of Medill’s global insight. Maybe one day I’ll start my own Tokyo, hosts a dinner for Medill IMC. (From left firm. If you ask an IMC student what she did on her summer reputation and extensive network of alumni around the world, SM: The sushi in Tokyo. The combinations business that fuses all the IMC elements. to right): Kelsey Chappell eats with Shinji Ito, a vacation, she might say she met with Akihisa Fujita, president of students were able to meet with senior executives from companies strategic alliance planner at the company, and of flavors were unique, and the seafood classmates Natasha Lindor, Andrea Kibler and D2 Communications, Inc., in Tokyo, where she learned that the such as Swamy BBDO, Tata Group, The Times of India, was so fresh. They served a bunch of native What did you miss most Rob Royer. mobile Internet industry in Japan is the fastest growing media Draftfcb, EuroRSCG, Kraft Foods, Millward Brown, Yum! fish whose names I couldn’t even tell you about the U.S.? (5) Lanterns adorn the street in the Shibuya district platform the world has ever seen—reaching 50 million consumers Brands, Nielsen, Sony, Denstu, Shiseido and Google. because we don’t have them in the U.S. near Google’s Tokyo office. in less than three years. Back in the U.S., students attended weekly lectures co-taught NL: Cheap access to my BlackBerry. (6) Lauren Smaron and Sam Madan (right) pose Such is the case for the 22 IMC students who traveled to by Showfer and Associate Professor John Greening, where How has the trip helped with a giant Oreo cookie at Kraft in Shanghai. Mumbai, Shanghai and Tokyo as part of the Asia Perspectives they read and discussed global cases related to the marketing you as a student? SM: Diet Coke. class, an elective that offers a rare opportunity for students strategies they witnessed firsthand on the trip. Visit their blog (2) (3) to gain an inside view of the best business practices of global at www.TheRealWorldIMC.com. NL: I think about business issues in a agencies and marketers. Here’s a look back at the experiences of two travelers: Natasha broader sense, not just in this class, but in In September, the class, accompanied by adjunct lecturer Lindor, a full-time student and native Chicagoan, and Sam all my classes. I ask better questions now. Marla Showfer, visited 21 companies, which presented an Madan, a part-time student originally from Downers Grove, Ill. SM: The trip provided me additional resources to understand and to reach How many times had you visited a strong sense of pride and corporate psychographics. And variations of the consumers. I used to assume that how we Asia before the global trip? responsibility—a relatively new buzz word same product are sold to consumers in target and segment our consumers in the for that region. Marico really cares about different tiers. So for example, marketers U.S. was done globally. Natasha Lindor: None. giving back to the community, and by may advertise whitening toothpaste with creating ad campaigns with values that align long-lasting freshness to tier I, but sell Why would you recommend Sam Madan: I think nine, but all with those of the Indian people, you can see the same basic paste—minus the bells this class? before the age of 16. that the people are at the heart of all they do. and whistles—to tier II. NL: There’s no better way to go to Asia Why did you enroll in SM: Sony’s world headquarters in Tokyo Favorite city? and meet with the level of executives and (4) this elective? was like being in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate the number of companies that we meet NL: Shanghai was so cosmopolitan Factory, but filled with electronics. It was with. This was a chance to see marketing NL: I love to travel, and I’ve always seen and clean and new. It was easy to get amazing to see the mission of one man firsthand and ask questions during the day myself doing international business. I knew around without knowing Chinese. The grow into a global company. We got to see and still get to experience the culture of the trip was going to be more than just Shanghainese were very friendly and emerging products in the showroom usually the cities at night. seeing the sights. I thought it was going to accommodating and made the effort to help intended for high-end clients. crystallize what I was learning in school or you, even if they knew only a little English. (1) at least give me points of contrast. Most interesting consumer SM: Tokyo was the most striking in regards SM: I’m very intrigued by other cultures. insight? to cultural differences and nuances. You I want to have a foothold in the global NL: In India the per capita income is had to be aware of Japanese traditions arena rather than a smaller niche, and I equivalent to about $350. It’s interesting to and customs, even in a business context.

was hoping to gain perspective about the You needed to know the rules to play the ALUMNI // MEDILL WINTER.09 see how marketers position products and Photos courtesy of IMC students (5) (6) marketing landscape in other societies. justify selling products knowing that their game—there’s something to be said for that. sales directly take away from the people’s The city was frigid and friendly all in the Favorite company visit? low incomes. Because of the high illiteracy same breath. rate, many ads are simple and rely heavily NL: Marico, a consumer packaged Most interesting goods company in Mumbai. I was blown on visuals. away at how efficiently they work with cultural insight? SM: In China, the markets are segmented small, independent businesses instead of NL: I was impressed at how prevalent cell by tiers I through IV, according to the multinational firms typically found phones are in Japan. The phones there are demographics, economics and in the U.S. The company also garners an extension of who you are and can do MEDILL ALUMNI WINTER.09 // 29 R E FL E C TION S Photos by Christopher Booker and Jason George

u

(From left to right): Northwestern University in Qatar journalism sophomore Zainab Sultan interviews two Indian dhow boat workers. NU-Q sophomore Rana Khaled shoots video of Doha harbor for her Visual Journalism class. Christopher Booker looks out over Sisimiut harbor during Dispatch a recent trip to report on climate change in Greenland.

before the horse. I feel confident results During daylight hours the city moved lives are driven by attempts to succeed will come, but there is still much to be at a snail’s pace, often making normal within the system, but it does not entirely learned and understood. This became chores exceedingly difficult. Certainly define who we are as individuals. from Doha abundantly clear during Ramadan. As a frustrating, but strangely therapeutic My students offer similar ideas. When u “have it your way” American (read: eat when I consider how impatient my digital I asked two female students about their anything you like, when you like it) this life has become. As a child my mother decision to wear a hijab (the veil covering made for an interesting introduction to would lament her early years when their hair), one, who was dressed in An assistant professor’s musings on Islam, an Islamic country as the holiday began a everything was closed on Sundays. I, of Western clothing, said it is entirely a By Christopher Booker week after classes started. Lasting for 30 course, would roll my eyes at the thought choice. She hopes to be able to wear the capitalism and life in a foreign town. days, Ramadan is a time when Muslims of limited commercial stimulation. I veil soon but says she doesn’t want to reflect upon their faith, family and life completed Ramadan a few pounds be hypocritical since she needs to first In Eric Weiner’s recent book, “The had spent the past five years working as in a word, remarkable. In less than 18 through daylight fasting and late-night lighter with a bit more savings in the begin with other Muslim practices. Her Geography of Bliss,” he describes Qatar a multimedia producer for the newspaper months, NU-Q has moved from a single gatherings. Stores are closed during the bank, thinking perhaps she may have classmate added, yes, but veiled or not, as an “airport terminal: pleasantly air- and moonlighting as an adjunct lecturer office in the Texas A&M building to day, alcohol is not sold and the expats had a point. the religion is there. conditioned, with lots of good shopping, with Medill. In December 2008, NU-Q an entire state-of-the-art floor within have to be particularly sneaky with their Recently during breakfast, I was It is impossible not to speculate how a wide selection of food and people from Senior Associate Dean Richard Roth and the Carnegie Mellon facility. Complete lunches. After sunset and evening prayers talking with my colleague and NU-Q such ideologies may be confronted around the world.” In ways both good I met over coffee to discuss the possibility with a multitude of smart classrooms, comes iftar, a giant banquet of Arabic Communications Assistant Professor as undergraduates complete their and bad, Weiner is absolutely correct. of my joining the new venture for the enormous flat screen monitors (seriously, cuisine. From there, most families gather John Laprise about my attempts to find studies within an American university. Looking out over the Doha cityscape, 2009 school year. I was thrilled. the largest I have ever seen—the screen for late-night parties and continued feasts. an analogy between the role of Islam Furthermore, it is difficult to determine ALUMNI // MEDILL WINTER.09 amidst the endless construction, there is Due to the incredible efforts and in the auditorium is more than 100 inches Between daytime fasting and twilight in everyday Qatari life and life in the who is creating the challenge. The West confusion, unexpected delays and myriad abilities of the NU-Q veterans, my wide) and an impressive equipment roster, socializing, my group of students was United States. After listening to a few of has been invited en masse, but they are possible destinations. transition to life in the Middle East NU-Q is fully operational. All of this, fairly lethargic during class, and on more my rather ridiculous abstractions, John the ones throwing the party. However, I touched down in terminal Doha this has been surprisingly smooth. I was combined with nearly 80 students from than a few occasions I had difficulty suggested that perhaps Islam in Qatar the work the students produce will not past August. I had arrived into the warm spared many of the bumps and bruises 15 different countries studying journalism rallying their attention during lectures. was akin to capitalism in the U.S.—a only help the dialogue in this region, (exceedingly so in this case) arms of the gracefully weathered during the 2008- and communications, will certainly yield In hindsight, I think I struggled with perpetual force by which in one capacity but also alter the discussion across the new Northwestern University Qatar 2009 inaugural year. What they have some interesting results. the inherent connection between religion or another, we are commonly bound. Each globe. I feel incredibly lucky to have a campus as a Chicago Tribune refugee. I achieved in a short amount of time is, But, it is important not to put the cart and day-to-day operations of Qatari life. day, we participate in and much of our front-row seat. 30 :: CLASS NOTES 31 CLASS NOTE CLASS S S CLASS NOTE CLASS NOTES

Murray Olderman (MSJ47) Michael Chacko Daniels recently completed the (MSJ68) lives and writes manuscript of a memoir, in San Francisco. This year “Decade on Dominance,” with iconic his poetry appeared in Quicksilver, The Oakland Raiders owner, Al Davis. Battered Suitcase and Eclectica magazines. Since turning 80 in 2002, Olderman has published two other books, “Mingling with Lions,” a collection of 130 sports Greg Dobbs (MSJ69) personality cartoons and “Angels in the published the memoir, Maria C. Hunt Forest,” co-authored with a Holocaust “Life in the Wrong Lane: survivor who escaped a ghetto massacre. Why Journalists Go In When Everyone Maria C. Hunt (BSJ89) A portfolio of his work, mementoes Else Wants Out.” After working at released her first book, “The and illustrations is found at ABC News for 23 years as a producer Bill Lord Bubbly Bar: Champagne www.murrayolderman.com. and correspondent, Dobbs is now a Congratulating Robert Feder (center) are Medill Dean John Lavine (left) and Associate Professor & Sparkling Wine Cocktails for Every correspondent for HDNet Television. Bank based in Columbus, Ohio. Allen Emeritus-in-Service Roger Boye. Occasion.” Hunt, a freelance food and has expertise in global communications, drink writer and editor based in San Karen DeCrow (BSJ59) brand management, government relations Robert Feder (BSJ78), Larry Blumenthal (MSJ81) Diego, also hosts a champagne and wine was inducted into the Dennis Waite (MSJ69) is and banking. who stepped down after was named director of information site, www.thebubblygirl.com. National Women’s Hall of writing a feature for Black nearly 30 years as television social media strategy for the Fame in October. A nationally recognized Belt magazine on the and radio columnist for the Chicago Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in attorney, author and activist, DeCrow is Olympic prospects of American martial Charles Kaufman (MSJ76) Sun-Times, was among three inductees Princeton, N.J. Blumenthal has managed Michael E. Sprengelmeyer one of the most celebrated leaders of the artists in the 2012 games in London. He co-authored the textbook in the Medill Hall of Achievement for the foundation’s Web initiatives for the (BSJ89) has taken over women’s movement. She was named one is a third-degree black belt in tae kwon do “Engaging Public Relations: 2009. The other honorees were Jerry Dow past eight years and continues to reside in as managing editor and of Time magazine’s 200 Future Leaders and a former brown belt in judo. A Creative Planning Approach” with Dr. (MSA89) and Edwin C. “Skip” Gage Holland, Pa. with his wife and two sons. publisher of The Guadalupe County of America in 1974 and lives in Bruce Smith and Gilbert Martinez, his (BBA63, MSA65). Communicator, a weekly newspaper in Jamesville, N.Y. colleagues in the School of Journalism Santa Rosa, N.M. He spent more than 20 Bill Lord (MSJ73) was and Mass Communication at Texas State Hagit years as a reporter, including a decade as promoted from vice president University-San Marcos, where Kaufman Jeff Hilton (MS79), Limor a Washington correspondent and roving Ed Bryant (BSJ63, JD67) of news to vice president/ has taught for four years. a partner and co-founder of (BSJ82, political reporter for the Rocky Mountain retired from practicing station manager at WJLA-TV in Integrated Marketing Group MSJ83) was News of Denver. health law at Drinker, Biddle Washington, D.C. He has also worked as based in Salt Lake City, led a green elected president & Reath after 42 years with the firm. a news director at KIRO-TV in Seattle, Mark marketing seminar at Natural Products of the Society Since 1972 he has served on the board of KNBC in Los Angeles and WKRN in Modesto Expo East in Boston. of Professional Kim Holstein directors of Northwestern University’s Nashville, Tenn. (MS77) Journalists. She (MSA90) Students Publishing Co., which publishes was promoted to will be inducted at the society’s annual received the 2009 the Daily Northwestern. president of Draftfcb Randy Rohn (MSJ79) convention in 2010. Entrepreneurial Woman of Gail Shister (MSJ75) North America. He wrote a short story, The Man the Year award by Chicago’s recently left The Philadelphia will work closely with who Fell in Love with the Women’s Business Development Center. Marcia Chambers Inquirer after 30 years, 25 management teams from New York, Stump of a Tree, which was included in Jonathan Eig (MSJ86) Holstein is the president/CEO and chief Schnedler (BSJ65) of which she served as its nationally Chicago, the West Coast (San Francisco, “The Best American Mystery Stories is about to publish his inspiration officer of Kim & Scott’s was promoted to editor of syndicated TV columnist. Seattle and Orange County) and Canada 2009.” Rohn is senior vice president third book, “Get Capone: Gourmet Pretzels. ALUMNI // MEDILL WINTER.09 the weekly HomeStyle section of the (Toronto and Montreal), to build closer and executive creative director of Keller The Secret Plot that Brought Down Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little ties and synergies between the offices. He Crescent Advertising in Evansville, Ind. America’s Most-Wanted Gangster” in Rock. Her husband, Jack Schnedler Elizabeth Heller Allen will remain based in Chicago. April. The first two made The New York Ursula Lindqvist (BSJ64), continues to work as deputy (BSJ75) was named Times best-sellers list. Eig also taught (BSJ90, MSJ91) moved managing editor/features at the executive vice president and graduate students as a Medill adjunct to the Boston area, where same paper. director of corporate public relations lecturer in the fall. she teaches Scandinavian languages, and communications for Huntington literature and film at Harvard University. MEDILL ALUMNI WINTER.09 // OBITIN CLASSUARIES // MEDILL ALUMNI 33 WINTER.09

OBITS ::

83, of Bethesda, Md., died Oct. 13. She She 13. Oct. died Md., Bethesda, of , 83, ITUARIES B O ITUARIES Robertson pushed her editors for years to allow the use of Ms. as Ms. of use allow the yearsto for editors her pushed Robertson A Woodrow Wilson National Robertson Fellow, also received the Divorced once and twice widowed, Robertson is survived by her She also published “The Girls a book about in sexual the Balcony," of ways new and ideas new books, new to eyes my opened “Nan Robertson lived in Paris, London, Berlin and Frankfurt as a B the first Eugene L. Roberts visiting professor of journalism. of professor Roberts visiting L. Eugene first the a courtesy title, along with Mrs. Mr., and Miss. In 1986, The Times finally acknowledged that honorific the had become a standard part style. language changedthe its and of lifetime achievement award from the Media International Women’s Foundation and the Washington Press Foundation. She received an honorary Doctor Humane of Letters degree from Nothwestern in and1992 was inducted into the Medill Hall Achievement. of Jim Mary Houghton, Levey, Frank John Levey, stepchildren,Bob andHoughton William Ross and nine step-grandchildren. P. Excerpts taken fromWashington The Post theand TimesLos Angeles obituaries of Robertson. courtesy Image Jane Levey. the on sued employees female where paper, the discriminationat promotions. of lack a and unequalpay of grounds looking the at says world,” Minow Jo (WCAS48), a lifelong friend. “She was a kind of one and she enriched life my than more for 60 years. I am very lucky.” Edition. Herald European the Tribune for New York correspondent she taught the at And University 1999, from to 1994 Maryland of as won thewon Pulitzer Prize Times a New for in York magazine 1983 article, Shock,”“Toxic which chronicled her struggle to survive toxic shock syndrome. Hospitalized weeks, 11 for Robertson lost fingertips eight gangreneto fully but recovered and returned The to Times, where she covered cultural affairs until retiring in1988. Nan Robertson (BSJ48) O

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Josh Gershenson (WCAS99, MSJ03) recently launched JIG enterprise, media a The Entertainment. of components two first Marc Zarefsky (MSJ07) earned four statewide awards in the 2008 Minnesota Kristin Thorne (MSJ05) a 2009won Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Award a for Ben Golombek (BSJ03) Samantha Santa Maria-Hartke (MSJ03) and Kevin Hartke are pleased was recently named deputy city controller for the

Associated Press Sports Association Contest while working as sports editor theof Faribault Daily News. Zarefsky received honors in column writing, enterprise series and feature writing. andHe his fiancée, Emily Zbesko, live in Chicago, where is he a sports reporter Suburbanfor Life Publications. JIG include Jumper Cable Productions, Productions, Cable Jumper include JIG a production company that specializes in Glass and television, nonfiction high-end Images,Eye a high-definition stock footage company. spot news piece she produced while work ing as a reporter ABC for 27 WHTM in Harrisburg, Pa. to announceto the birth their of daughter, Zoey Justine Hartke, Sept. on Santa 21. Maria-Hartke is also an editor with Platts in Houston. City of Los Angeles, where he handles he communications. 7, On Nov. married Meghan Loper.

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c ozdech) M his wife, Julie Yoo, Liron Reznik Reznik Liron (IMC99) Felicia Oliver (MSJ01) became the editor the of Building Safety Journal the Bee, Fresno recently E.J. Schultz (MSJ02), reporterstate Capitol for Ekta Rawal Garg (MSJ02) is a freelance writer for ABCDlady,

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etsy ( and Housing Giants magazines. Yoo Reznik,Yoo Sept. on 20. They have another Amelia, daughter, welcomed their Emma daughter, City. live in New York and Asian magazine. women’s She lives in the Houston area with her husband, two daughters and father-in-law. Online, a publication the of International Code Council. She was formerly withthe residential construction group Reed at Business Information, working as a senior editor Professional for Builder Builder won first place for beat reporting from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors. CAS97) and B artin’s wedding include (from left to right): E W

organ-Chu ( Allison Vuchnich (MSJ95)

all, SJ97), Kate M H received Canada’s Gemini Award Best for Lifestyle/Practical and Information Segment B L 60208. Cathy Mizgerd (MSJ99) movedfrom Vermont Annto Arbor, Mich., Vanessa Martin(BSJ97) Vanessa (BSJ97) Yohe Eric married on Aug. 1 in Denver, where where Denver, in 1 Aug. on

e want hear to from you vanston, I vanston, mail to Fisk Fisk to mail [email protected] or Send your updates to W E and so and do your classmates! 1845 Sheridan Road, orthwestern alumni in attendance at Vanessa M for a seriesfor investigating health concerns associated with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Vuchnich is a correspondent for Global News, based in Toronto. where her husband, Tom Clynes,where her husband, Tom accepted a Knight-Wallace fellowship in journalism the at University of Michigan. The couple have two sons, 6-year-old Charlie and 4-year-old Joe. the couple resides. resides. couple the N (Armstrong) Ashby ( , a weekly , in “The was promoted

Duncan Murrell (MSJ95) has been named a contributing Jennifer Hopfinger (MSJ95) launched the Web site, The Bollywood Ticket: Bryan Gilmer (BSJ94) published “Kill the Story,” a mystery/thriller with Barb Goffman (MSJ93) wrote a new short story, WorstNoel The Jane Corrigan (IMC93) started site, The a Web Green Art Project Lyzette Leal Austen (BSJ93) manager content to the for

CLASS NOTES

editor Harper’s at . Magazine The American Guideto IndianMovies (www.thebollywoodticket.com). a romantic subplot, influenced by his experience as the night shift crime reporter The at GreenvilleNews in South Carolina. Gift an anthology Murder,” of of winter holiday-related crime stories designed raise to money charity. for She was also managing to promoted director and associate general counsel Sallieat Mae, where she focuses on regulatory compliance. online magazine highlighting art made with reclaimed materials. She works as a freelance public relations consultant in the Bay Area. Corrigan and her husband, George, welcomed twins, son Rocky and daughter Dwyer, 10. Feb. on McGraw-Hill Companies’ Professional group. Last year she and her colleagues a companywon achievement award for their a language-learning on work audio program. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Roland, and their two sons, Hunter and Holden. ::

NOTE CLASS S WINTER.09 MEDILL ALUMNI // // ALUMNI MEDILL 32 34 :: OBITS S IE Isabel C. Seimer (MSJ42), 90, writer for several trade magazines,

UAR of Bath, Maine, died Sept. 21. an ad writer for real estate firms While pursuing a master’s degree at and a teaching assistant for special OBIT Northwestern, Seimer met her future education students. She sang in the husband, Stanley, who died in 2007. choir as a member of the United They were married in 1942. Seimer Methodist Church of Waynesville, was an active community volunteer N.C., before settling in Indiana. She and a member of the New York State loved gardening, tennis, world travel Board of the League of Women and the written word. Richardson Voters. Seimer is survived by her is survived by her husband, Henry Kevin Patrick Foley (MSJ96), 38, of daughters, Kathie Weibel, Elizabeth Richardson; her daughter, Tracy Charlotte, Vt. died on Nov. 19. As he faced Twiss and Priscilla Seimer. Katsarapoulos; and her sons, Mark epithelioid sarcoma, a rare cancer, for the and Robert Richardson. last four years, Foley drew upon his inner strength to remain a vital presence in the Irene M. Zibart (BSJ53), 77, of Richard C. Christian (KSM49), In the world coming at us their Northfield, Ill., died Sept. 22. She is Richard M. Croake (BSJ60), 71, lives of his family, his wife, Lee Ann Cox, and their children, Bay and Tess. 84, of Evanston, Ill. died Oct. 3. value and power was to integrate, survived by her children Christopher of Ann Arbor, Mich., died July Foley left his job at the University of Christian was a long-time faculty and work together. What a Zibart, Kenneth Zibart and 24. Croake was an active member Vermont in 2008 to focus on his health and member of Northwestern, a legacy for Northwestern and Katherine Zibart Prochotsky. of the Theta Chi fraternity at family. As his illness progressed, he created founder of Burson-Marsteller for the industries Dick loved.” Northwestern, where he later worked Card Blue: Travels Through Illness, a blog and a member of the Advertising In 1983, Christian, along as the university’s assistant dean of Thomas Wolfsmith, 76, of St. that chronicled the last years of his life Hall of Fame. with his son and son-in-law, men. He married Edith Fienning Charles, Ill., died July 31. He was with intelligence, candor and humor. Christian left Denison University as a freshman to founded Sedgwick Productions, which recently produced Morris in 1966, and they moved to With more than 250 posts, Card Blue an award-winning journalist who enlist in the U.S. Army, where he was awarded the Purple the documentary, “We Believe: Chicago and its Cubs,” Ann Arbor soon after. There, Croake (www.cardblueblog.com) grew into a resource played a vital role in the Chicago Heart in World War II. He finished his studies at Miami with director John Scheinfeld (MFA78). Tribune’s move to its new printing received a master’s degree in higher for other epithelioid sarcoma patients and left University of Ohio, where he received a degree in marketing Throughout his career, Christian served as chairman facility called the Freedom Center education from the University of an enduring sense of Foley as a person and his before earning an MBA from Northwestern in 1949. and director of the American Association of Advertising in the early 1980s. His career as a Michigan and spent 28 years working distinctive voice as a writer. In 1953, Christian, along with Bill Marsteller and Agencies; president and director of the National reporter and editor at the Chicago in fundraising. He is survived by The son of John and Janice Foley, he was born in Orange, Calif., and grew up in Advertising Review Council; chairman and director of the Tribune lasted 35 years. Although he his wife, Edie, and two daughters, Harold Burson, founded Burson-Marsteller, which became Cerritos with his brother, Christopher. Foley attended Northwestern in the 1950s, Caitlin Vernor Croake and Sarah one of the largest public relations firms in the world. As Business/Professional Advertising Association, Chicago; earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology at Wolfsmith ran out of money for Barron Croake. president of Marsteller, Inc., he became the youngest director of the James Webb Young Advertising Fund at the the University of California Berkeley. There, president of a major U.S. agency. When Marsteller, Inc. University of Illinois and founding director of the Museum school and was drafted by the army. he made lifelong friendships, taking pride in merged with Young & Rubicam in 1979, Christian served of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. He also held He is survived by his wife, son and Cheryl Walker (BSC73, MSJ74), Cal’s academic rank and football fortunes. two daughters. 59, of Laguna Woods, Calif., died His Medill classmates remember Foley as on the board with Burson. roles as director of the Economic Club of Chicago, director July 27. Born in New York, Walker one of the deepest thinkers in the graduate Christian became associate dean and tenured professor of of the Chicago Council of the Better Business Bureau and Jane Fullerton Gillespie (BSJ56), 75, relocated to California in 1979 journalism program. He went on to work advertising at Medill in 1984, using his business experience board chair of the Lake Street Church of Evanston. of Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico, died and freelanced for various local at the San Francisco Chronicle and Men’s to develop the Integrated Marketing Communications Christian received an honorary doctor of law degree from Jan. 12, 2009. Gillespie was formerly publications. She also launched Fitness and freelanced for publications like program. Two years later, he became associate dean of the National-Louis University, where he served on the board the editor of The Fence Viewer, a a column, Valley People, at the Outside, Real Simple and Men’s Health. Kellogg Graduate School of Management. A member of the of trustees. A recipient of the Ohio Governor’s Award and In 2001, Foley joined the communications community newspaper in Sudbury, Saddleback Valley News before Northwestern Board of Trustees, Christian also served as the American Academy of Advertising’s first Distinguished staff at the University of Vermont, where Mass. When she and her husband, spending 19 years at the Laguna president of Northwestern Alumni Association, chairman Service Award, Christian was honored in the American he was editor of The View, a weekly online Norman R. Gillespie, relocated to the Woods Globe. In 1992, she published and life director of the John Evans Club and founder of the Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Fame in 1992. a children’s book, “Waterskiing and publication, and senior editor of Vermont West Coast, she became a freelance Quarterly, the university’s magazine. Under Kellogg Alumni Association. He is survived by Audrey, his wife of 60 years, as well food and travel writer. For many years, Kneeboarding.” Walker is survived “His impact on the University—and especially Medill as his sister, Barbara Adams; his children, Ann Carra and by her mother, Doris Walker, and her his leadership, The View won a national she also wrote a weekly restaurant and Kellogg—was profound,” says Medill Dean John Richard C. Christian, Jr.; and six grandchildren. brother, Charles Walker. award for staff writing from the Council for review column for the Santa Barbara Advancement and Support of Education Lavine. “As associate dean and tenured professor of News-Press. The Gillespies retired in 2003. With tremendous resolve and advertising at Medill, he joined Don Schultz—who led to Mexico in 2000. She is survived Daniel Evan Ginsburg (BSJ77), 53,  endurance, Foley continued to work as his the charge, along with Ted Spiegel, Martin Block and Please join us in honoring Richard Christian’s memory by her brother, Hugh S. Fullerton of Washington, D.C., died Aug. 12. health declined. many others on the faculty—to turn the advertising, direct by making a gift to The Richard Christian Scholarship (BSJ61, MSJ62), of Magnolia, Texas. He is survived by his mother, Charlotte Donations on Foley’s behalf may be made marketing and public relations programs into Integrated Fund to support Medill students. Checks should be made Arnold; his brother, Seth Ginsburg; his to Partners in Health (www.pih.org), an Marketing Communications. When they were done, agen- out to Northwestern University and sent to Jenna White sister, Deborah Marx; and his nephews, organization working for basic health care Gail Kuhn Richardson (BSJ60),  cies and universities here and around the world saw that all Beasley, director of development at the Medill School of Jeremy, John and George Marx. among the world’s poorest nations. 74, of Fishers, Ind., died Sept. 25. facets of marketing communications had to leave their silos. Journalism; 2020 Ridge Avenue; Evanston, IL 60208. Richardson worked as a feature Excerpt taken from the Burlington Free Press.

MEDILL ALUMNI WINTER.09 // 36 Road Sheridan 1845 Evanston, IL 60208-2101 IL Evanston, MEDILL ALUMNI // WINTER.09 www.medill.northwestern.edu Northwestern University University Northwestern PAID Postage U.S. O Nonprofit

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