Meeman Matters August 2018 Department Engaged in Efforts Vol

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MeemanNewsletter of the Department of Journalism and Strategic Matters Media August 2018

MEMPHIS.EDU/JRSM High school students learn media skills at workshop

INSIDE MM ❱❱

❱❱ Donate to Journalism and Strategic Media http://www.memphis.edu/ annualgiving/

Exciting new efforts launched in city ❱❱ 2

New Helmsman biz manager named ❱❱ 3

Online master’s gets recognized ❱❱ 3

PHOTO BY ADDIE JAMES Students clean up The five high school students who participated in the first Accelerated Media Project workshop at AP awards ❱❱ 3 enjoy time on the UofM campus this past June. They are Olivia Morrison, top; Mariah Fisher, Kathryn Todd and Justin Kouch, middle; and Caitlin Tate, bottom. Veteran journalist n Workshop encourages The students spent the three days joins the UofM ❱❱ 4 learning about photojournalism, media students to think differently writing, social media and visual commu- Study abroad trip about careers in the field nication before using their newfound a life lesson ❱❱ 5 skills to report on events on campus, in- BY TOM HRACH cluding a food camp called Camp Chef, Plenty of awards on social media. at annual event ❱❱ 6 High school students were back in the “I was always interested in journalism, High school students were back in the but I did not know what it was all about. Meeman Journalism Building in June for Now I know it is about photography, blog- JRSM awards $25,000 a three-day workshop designed to teach ging and social media – lots of different in scholarships ❱❱ 7 students multimedia skills and build re- things,” said Mariah Fisher, 17, a senior lationships with area high school jour- at Bartlett High School. “I thought this New JRSM faculty nalism programs. would be a bunch of old crusty people, members named ❱❱ 7 The Accelerated Media Project 2018 but it was not. It is young, enthusiastic – (AMP ’18) took place from June 12 to June not what I was expecting.” 15, attracting five students from White Students, faculty Station and Bartlett high schools. ❱❱ CONTINUED PAGE 8 present research ❱❱ 8

1 FROM THE CHAIR Meeman Matters August 2018 Department engaged in efforts Vol. 3, Issue 1 Department of Journalism to improve local news reporting and Strategic Media

he Pew Research Center recently reported that David Arant, Ph.D. 300 Meeman Journalism, newsroom employment had University of Memphis, T Chair, dropped 23 percent between 2008 3711 Veterans Ave. and 2017. Even worse, newspaper Journalism and employment fell nearly 45 percent Strategic Media Memphis, TN, 38152 in the same time period. As I was despairing for the Memphis community as well as Department Chair provide hands-on training to future of comprehensive local news David Arant reporting in Memphis earlier this journalism students. year, I happened upon Memphis Then at a July 16 press conference Daily News publisher Eric Barnes at at FedEx Forum, Barnes announced Assistant Chair the winter meeting of the Tennessee the launch of The Daily Memphian, Sandra Utt Press Association. I encouraged Eric a nonprofit, online-only publication to add more reporters to fill the void of in-depth journalism for the in local news reporting created by Memphis community. Administrative Assistant the severe cutbacks in reporting The Daily Memphian, which will Teri Hayslett capacity at The Commercial Appeal. launch in September, has cherry- picked top journalists from around A once vibrant, comprehensive Faculty source of government, political and the city, including Commercial Appeal economic news for the city, our daily sports columnist Geoff Calkins and Robby Byrd, Tori Cliff, Teri Del newspaper has suffered declining food writer Jennifer Biggs. Our own Rosso, Pam Denney, Matt Haught, advertising and subscription income Otis Sanford will publish his weekly Joe Hayden, Tom Hrach, Melissa column at The Daily Memphian and as have most large and medium- Janoske, Kim Marks, Michael size U.S. metro papers. With its serve as its editor at large. purchase by Gannett two years ago, In addition, about 40 percent Robinson, Otis Sanford, Ruoxu The Commercial Appeal has become of The Daily Memphian staff Wang, Jin Yang less a source of local Memphis news members including Editor-in-Chief James Overstreet are University and more a repository for the shared Adjunct faculty content from sister newspapers of Memphis graduates. The Daily across Tennessee and the U.S. Memphian will partner with the Brittany Block, Elizabeth Cawein, Yet two startling developments in University of Memphis’s Institute Casey Hilder, Megan Mallicoat, the past two months have brightened for Public Service Reporting, Jason Terrell, Andrea Wiley the future of comprehensive local publishing its work and providing news reporting in Memphis. In some funding for its operation. late May in a conference call with That the University of Memphis Graduate assistants University of Memphis President figures prominently in the staff at Louis Asser, Javari Burnett, David Rudd and journalism professor The Daily Memphian is no surprise Dana Cooper, Addie James, to me because our graduates have Otis Sanford, I learned of plans to Garrett Pilgrim, Will Suggs create on our campus an Institute for a huge footprint in public relations, Public Service Reporting with Marc advertising and journalism Perrusquia at its head. operations throughout the city. Institute for Public Perrusquia worked for more I’m proud of the difference that Service Reporting our professional media programs than 29 years at The Commercial Marc Perrusquia Appeal, where he won numerous and their graduates make on this city. state and national awards for And I’m thankful for the visionary his work, work which uncovered leadership of Memphis businessman The Daily Helmsman egregious wrongs plaguing our Andy Cates, UofM President Rudd and Candy Justice, Chris Sheffield, other city leaders to establish these city. The institute will produce Sharon Whittaker independent investigative and two new news initiatives to preserve enterprise reporting for the journalism excellence in our city. Contact Meeman Matters editor Tom Hrach at [email protected].

2 MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2018 BILL BRODY — 1933-2018 New Helmsman biz manager Brody remembered as futurist, innovator a veteran in journalism field The Daily Helmsman in May E.W. “Bill “ Brody, 85, retired profes- named Chris Sheffield, a 20-year sor in the Department of Journalism veteran of journalism, as the new and Strategic Media, who taught pub- business and advertising manager lic relations for 30 years at the Univer- for the campus newspaper. sity of Memphis, died Sheffield began his journalism Aug. 3 in Memphis. career in the late 1980s when Helms- Brody was a futurist man General Manager Candy Justice who led the way for the recruited him away from a psychol- department of journal- ogy major during a media media ism to begin the first writing class. He would go on to be a fully online masters reporter and Arts and Entertainment degree in journalism in BRODY editor for The Daily Helmsman be- the country in 1995. He led the depart- Chris Sheffield was named new fore graduating in May 1990. ment’s public relations concentration business and advertising manager for During a 28-year career, he has and was a leader both locally and The Daily Helmsman in May. worked as a business and arts and nationally in public relations. entertainment reporter for the An entrepreneur and salesman Brody served the local public rela- Northeast Mississippi (Tupelo) at heart, he started and ran a com- tions community for years including Daily Journal; North Mississippi mercial janitorial company to help leadership roles as president of the Bureau Chief for the Mississippi pay for college. Sheffield now rel- Memphis Chapter of the Public Re- Business Journal; Business Edi- ishes his new role with The Daily lations Society of America, chair of tor for the Arkansas Democrat- Helmsman and knows that he has the national PRSA education affairs Gazette Northwest Arkansas Edition; big shoes to fill following long- committee, and the PRSA technology Editor of the Desoto (Mississippi) time Business and Advertising taskforce. Brody was the first practi- Times Today; and reporter for the Manager Bob Willis. Willis died in tioner from Memphis to be elected to Memphis Business Journal. January after more than two de- PRSA’s College of Fellows. He has also worked in college cades of dedicated service to the He also wrote eight public relations public relations at the University of campus newspaper. books, and numerous articles and pa- Mississippi; economic development Sheffield is a runner and pers on public relations and technology. as assistant director of the Appala- cyclist, loves to travel, camp, shoot His futurist leadership in technol- chian Regional Commission; and pool, design garden spaces, read ogy and education led him to create nonprofit employee communica- history, listen to classical and online journalism education 10-15 tions as liaison, executive and inter- jazz and fantasizes of being a years before most of the higher edu- nal communication for ALSAC/St. jazz or big band drummer. He is cation community understood that Jude Children’s Research Hospital. married to Suzanne Newsom Shef- mode of education. He also offers strategic communica- field and their blended family in- Beside the many public relations tions guidance for small businesses, cludes three adult children and two students taught, Brody’s legacy at the nonprofits and entrepreneurs. grandchildren. University of Memphis is the development of online education, according to former vice provost for extended programs and chair of journalism, Dan Lattimore. “The development of Student wins AEJMC logo contest the first online program approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Alyssa Goins-Williams, a senior in Jour- Commission and the first journalism nalism and Strategic Media, won the 2019 program in the nation led the way for Association for Education in Journalism the University of Memphis to become and Mass Communication logo contest. a leader in online education, one that Her logo (right) will be used for the associ- was far ahead of the rest of the coun- ation’s 2019 conference in Toronto. try,” Lattimore said. “I knew that a skyline was a good place He is survived by his wife of 46 to start, but I wanted to find a way to make years, Sandy, five children, 11 grand- the Toronto skyline a more versatile and children and 10 great grandchildren. usable logo for a conference,” she said.

MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2018 3 Decorated journalist joins UofM to head new reporting institute n Institute for Public Service Reporting housed in Meeman Journalism

BY TOM HRACH

Veteran Memphis journalist Marc Perrusquia has been named the first Distinguished Journalist in Residence at the University of Mem- phis, a position created as part of a new institute at the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media. The University announced July 16 the creation of the Institute for Public Service Reporting. The institute was established to produce independent investigative and enterprise reporting for the Memphis community. It also will provide hands-on training to journalism students. PHOTO BY TOM HRACH Perrusquia, 59, worked for more Marc Perrusquia discusses his new role with Madeline Faber, managing editor of High than 29 years at The Commercial Ground News, at the July 16 announcement of The Daily Memphian at FedEx Forum. Appeal where he won numerous Perrusquia was named head the UofM’s Institute for Public Service Reporting that day. state and national awards for his work. He is also the author of the managing editor and current Hardin educational institutions.” 2018 book“ A Spy in Canaan,” which Chair of Excellence in on the faculty The first partnership for The Dai- is about civil rights photographer of Journalism and Strategic Media. ly Memphian is with the UofM and Ernest Withers. The institute already has an the new institute. “This is a very exciting and novel agreement with the Daily Mem- The institute fits with the Universi- opportunity,” Perrusquia said. phian, a non-profit news organiza- ty’s mission to serve the community, Perrusquia said the goal is to tion that will launch in the fall, to said UofM President David Rudd in a start small with just one person but publish its work. statement announcing the initiative. eventually create a professional The Daily Memphian has attract- “The institute of Public Service newsroom staff of four to five jour- ed some of the top journalistic tal- Reporting at the UofM will allow nalists specializing in investigative ent from the city. Sanford will be our students to gain valuable ex- and enterprise reporting. He will one of the columnists at the Daily perience working under the direc- work with graduate assistants who Memphian along with former Com- tion of some of the most respected will serve as interns, helping in the mercial Appeal columnists Geoff journalists in Memphis,” Rudd said. newsgathering, data collection and Calkins and Jennifer Biggs. “We are fortunate to have Marc writing process. “We need better, more high Perrusquia with his expertise start “Our goal is to produce robust, quality local news reporting in our program along with Louis Gra- reliable in-depth journalism that Memphis. The Daily Memphian ham and Otis Sanford. It is anoth- Memphians can depend on,” Per- will provide that,” said Eric Barnes, er wonderful association between rusquia said. president of the Daily Memphian the UofM and a nonprofit to make a The new institute will be advised during the July 16 announcement positive impact on our city.” by Memphis journalists including at the FedEx Forum. “And one of The eventual goal for the institute Louis Graham, former executive ed- the things we are most pleased is to forge partnerships with news itor of The Commercial Appeal; and about is the partnerships that we organizations in television, radio and Otis Sanford, the paper’s former are forming with some of our local digital media.

4 MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2018 STUDY ABROAD Trip to Germany shows how all people pretty much the same Editors Note: Two students from the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media spent the month of May studying at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. As part of the project, the students kept an online blog site about their experiences. Here is the final post from Charity Williams.

BY CHARITY WILLIAMS

Welcome to the last installment from me of our Memphis to Mainz study abroad blog! I have been home for a couple days now and I felt it was time for me to recap and give you the last impressions of my experience. I spent the last couple days of PHOTO BY TOM HRACH the trip after the class sessions UofM student Charity Williams poses at the site of Checkpoint Charlie, the famous were over doing my own personal crossing point from East to West during the days of the Berlin Wall. Williams was on a exploration of the city. study abroad trip to Germany in May. I got a chance to meet with buses, trains and planes I rode were the students in my Media, Fake noticeably silent in Europe and News and Right-Wing Movements became filled with chatter in more course and got a chance to have Americanized parts. conversations with them about life I appreciate going on this trip as a student and about how much because it gave me the opportunity they learned in the class. Overall, to expand my horizons and we agreed that there are a lot of gave me another perspective of differences between Germany and how people see Americans. I’m America but as a whole most of us so grateful to the University of carry the same beliefs and values Memphis Journalism and Strategic across the board. Media Department for offering this Immediately getting back, I opportunity to students, as well as realized how lucky Americans are to Mrs. Pennington who awarded me have access to public facilities such the Pennington Scholarship for as restrooms and water fountains Ashley Schaller, Tom Hrach and Charity studying abroad. as these luxuries are to be paid for Williams stand at the Brandenburg Gate I encourage all journalism majors in Germany. I was also reminded of in Berlin in May. to consider this program. Thank you how different the food is, and not again to all my readers for keeping just referring to portion sizes. As up with this blog, and I encourage much as I miss Memphis food, I will transportation. Americans are more you all to follow my personal blog admit that it is not nearly as healthy likely to engage in small talk or to as well to keep up with the rest of as my meals were overseas. smile and offer light comments my career as a student and my One of the more positive in dead silence, whereas Germans transition into graduation! differences was dealing with will simply embrace the silence To read all the blog posts, visit strangers, especially on public and not engage in small talk. The www.memphistomainz.wordpress.com.

MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2018 5 Students rack up numerous awards at annual banquet More than 60 awards were dis- tributed to journalism and strategic media students at the annual Eve- ning of Excellence awards banquet at the UofM Holiday Inn on April 27. Those awards recognized the top students who had graduated in the past year along with recognizing the work of students from the past 12 months. More than 140 people attended the annual event. The top scholars were: Brittney Gathen and Kelsey Pierce, outstanding graduate students; Emily Okins, outstanding public relations student; Russlyn Caudill, outstanding online public relations student; Carson Turner, outstanding Lambuth PR student; Garrett Pilgrim, outstanding advertising student; Jurnee Taylor, Otis

Sanford outstanding journalism PHOTO BY CURT HART student. Alyssa Goins-Williams and Corinne Baldwin receive awards from Ruoxu Wang, assistant The leadership award winners professor, at the annual Evening of Excellence on April 27 at the UofM Holiday Inn. were: Garrett Pilgrim, AAF student abeth Cash, best visual PR; Kelly Austin Anderson, dean’s creative chapter; Gus Carrington and Mitch- Cook, internship work; Brianna achievement award; Madison In- ell Koch, Daily Helmsman editor in Moore, Saul Brown Press-Scimi- man, MAIP internship; Kyland chief; Marshea Oliver and Kix Patter- tar for photojournalism; Mitchell Evans, LaGrant Foundation Fel- son, Meeman 901 Strategies; Kai Ow- Koch, Saul Brown Press-Scimitar lowship; Garrett Pilgrim, Ron ens, NABJ Ida B. Wells; Kyland Evans, for excellence;. Spielberger advertising creative PRSSA Memphis; Allison Plummer, Bailey Clark, Nathan Josel Me- achievement; Madison Inman, Tiger News; Hira Qureshi, SPJ. morial Fund for Creativity; Makay- outstanding researcher; Garrett The achievement award winners la Boswell, web designer of the Pilgrim, outstanding media plan; were: year; Frank Ramirez and Kix Pat- Marshea Oliver, Tori Johnson, Chris Harker, first place writ- terson, multimedia storyteller of Hayden Michael and Angel Kelly, ing; Caleb Suggs, second place the year; Jordin Howell, outstand- outstanding integrated commu- writing; Joshua Vinson, third ing media designer of the year; Da- nication plan; Julia Gerber, best place writing; John Klyce and An- vid Jarrod Smith, PR rookie of the magazine cover; thony Moss, first place reporting; year; Haley Wildridge, PR rookie Morgan Postelle, best magazine Mitchell Koch, first place report- of the year Lambuth; Caleb Suggs, cover runner-up; Corinne Bald- ing; Makayla Boswell, second place journalism rookie of the year; win, best logo; Alyssa Goins-Wil- reporting; Abigail Warren, third Brendan Cole Creasy, advertising liams, best print ad; Elizabeth place reporting; Christian Volk, rookie of the year; Logan Patter- Porter, best outdoor ad; Austin An- first place video story; Jurnee Tay- son, creative mass media rookie of derson, best ad campaign; Robert lor, second place video story; Kim the year. Fairchild, best copy writing; Em- Rix, third place video story; Jarrod William Sanders, Daily Helms- ily Okins, CCFA dean’s academic Bethel, public relations textbook; man MVP for writing; Briana achievement award; Paul D’Am- Carson Turner, best press release; Moore, Daily Helmsman outstand- brosio, Morton Thesis Award; Ade- Jenna Mehmed, best long feature; ing newcomer; Abigail Warren, lyn James, graduate school perfor- Emily Okins, best case study; Eliz- Daily Helmsman sports reporter; mance award.

6 MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2018 Students win more than $25,000 in scholarships for school year Twenty-five journalism and strategic media students received scholarships totaling more than $25,000 at the annual Evening of Excellence awards banquet at the UofM Holiday Inn on April 27. The scholarship winners were: Corinne Baldwin, Frank Ahlgren Scholarship; Carson Turner, Billy Jones Scholarship; Raven Moore, Mi- chael David Green Memorial Schol- arship; Marcus Dandridge, John Paul Jones Scholarship; Joshua Vin- son, Kathy Krieger Memorial Schol- arship; Hira Qureshi, Joe and Lila Norton Scholarship; Jailenn Scott, Eleanor B. O’Neill Scholarship; Cyn- thia Castor, Ken Sossaman Scholar- PHOTO CURT HART ship; Caleb Suggs, Marge Thrasher Robby Byrd, assistant professor, presents the Gridiron John Hurd Scholarship to Frank White Scholarship; Ramirez at the annual Evening of Excellence on April 27. Frank Ramirez, Gridiron John Hurd Scholarship; Reagan War- Nicholas Lingerfelt, Variety Club Scholarship; Claire Tracy, Carson ren, Gridiron Jim White Scholar- Scholarship; Lauren James, Olin Leadership Scholarship. ship; Mia Stephens, Gridiron Archie Morris Fellowship; Rachel Craw- These were the winners of the Quinn Scholarship; Tristan Fletch- ford, McDaniel Scholarship Fund Pennington Abroad Scholarship: er, Gridiron Wayne Trotter Scholar- in Journalism; Joshua Vinson, Phil Ashley Marie Schaller, Rachel Craw- ship; Alyssa Goins-Williams, Grid- Cannon Memorial Scholarship; ford, Kylee H. Todd, Gabrielle M. iron Mike McGee Scholarship; Bethany Clarke, Paul Coppock Williams and Charity Ann Williams.

Del Rosso, Robinson join JRSM faculty Two new faculty members have and Syracuse University. Del Rosso is applies creative multimedia approaches joined the Department joining the public relations faculty and to ensure his classroom is both relevant of Journalism and will teach courses in public relations, and engaging for students. Strategic Media for fall writing and research. A lifelong Memphian, Robinson earned 2018, and both prom- In addition to her teaching in- both a bachelor’s and master’s degree ise to bring a new mix terests, Del Rosso researches public from Journalism and Strategic Media at of academic and pro- relations topics related to sports, the UofM and taught for several semes- fessional experience to sexual health and pedagogy. She ters during his graduate program. His UofM students. DEL ROSSO moved to Memphis with her hus- area of expertise is creative mass media, Teri Del Rosso spent band, Justin, and their adorable and and he thrives on helping students com- the last two years at sassy border collie mix, Otto. bine detailed writing with impactful Bridgewater State Uni- Michael Robinson comes to the de- multimedia components. versity in Massachu- partment with several years of profes- Robinson’s creative work extends be- setts before arriving at sional art direction experience. He has yond print and digital media. He is an in- the University of Mem- completed work in the areas of public terior design assistant, performs locally phis. She previously ROBINSON health, public transit and brand devel- as a soul singer and recently closed his was at the University of opment. Passionate about strong design eighth show as a middle school musical Oregon, where she earned her Ph.D., and telling interesting stories, Robinson theater director.

MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2018 7 Camp inspires students for a media career ❱❱ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Fisher said the workshop inspired her to pursue a career in journalism with a focus on photography. Justin Kouch, 15, a junior at White Station High School, learned how to design a website that will capture a reader’s attention. “I am thinking about some different majors, but journalism is definitely on the list,” Kouch said. “It was a fun learning experience. PHOTO BY ADDIE JAMES I am taking journalism in the fall, Dana Cooper, graduate student, discusses how to use social media as a journalist to and this will really help.” the students at the first Accelerated Media Project camp. The workshop is the successor to the highly successful Teen Appeal, organizer Robby Byrd, assistant pro- And then we will have more next which was discontinued in 2015 fessor of journalism, said he felt good year.” because of a lack of funding. The about what was accomplished. Assisting with the AMP ’18 work- Teen Appeal, which started in 1998, “I feel good about what we did. shop were faculty members Pam offered a week-long summer work- Now we again have an outlet for Denney and Matt Haught, and grad- shop for high school students, who high school students – something uate students Addie James and then produced The Teen Appeal we have not had since the Teen Ap- Dana Cooper. newspaper during the school year. peal,” Byrd said. “It was the first The goal is to build the workshop The Teen Appeal summer work- time. We were excited that we had and enhance it for the summer shop typically attracted up to 60 stu- any students show up at all,” said 2019. dents. Although the new workshop Byrd. “Now, we hope that they will Students’ work can be seen at attendance was much more modest, tell their friends what they learned. ampworkshop.wordpress.com.

Students, faculty present at AEJMC

Two graduate students from the non-white Crime Portrayals in Lo- Department of Journalism and Stra- cal Broadcast News.” She did the tegic Media were recognized for their research with former UofM faculty work at the 101st conference of the member Stephanie Madden. Association for Education in Jour- Dana Cooper, current master’s nalism and Mass Communication on student, participated in research Aug. 6 to 9 in Washington, D.C. titled “Identity Formation and Vot- Also recognized were several er Suppression: The Iconography of Journalism and Strategic Media fac- Fake News Memes in the 2016 Presi- ulty members who participated in dential Election.” Presenting the re- research presentations, panel dis- search were her co-authors Robby cussions and research sessions as Byrd and Melissa Janoske. discussants. The AEJMC is the na- Other department faculty mem- tion’s preeminent journalism and bers who presented research and mass communications education participated in events at the confer- organization. ence along with Byrd and Janoske Jeniece Jamison, a recent UofM were Ruoxu Wang, Tom Hrach, Teri Jeniece Jamison presents her research master’s graduate, presented re- Del Rosso, Matt Haught, Sandra Utt at the AEJMC annual conference in search titled “An Examination of and David Arant. Washington, D.C.

8 MEEMAN MATTERS I AUGUST 2018