Summer 2007

J-School fi nishes fi rst in national Hearst Journalism Writing Awards competition

he School of Journalism T placed fi rst in this year’s Intercollegiate Writing Com- petition of the prestigious Wil- liam Randolph Hearst Foun- dation Awards competition. “The Hearst competition is the most challenging writing contest in the country,” said Ann Brill, dean of the School of Journalism. “We are proud to be named the best intercol- legiate writers in the nation by the panel of judges. To win this is a tribute to our students Prof.Prof. Ted Frederickson and Dean Ann Brill are picturedpictured with J-SchoolJ-School students and Hearst award winners C.J. Moore, on the left, and Frank Tankard at the and their professors.” National Championships in June 2007 in San Francisco. Often called “The Pulit- zers of College Journalism,” the Hearst program holds an annual, year-long competition in writing. The journalism school that accumulates the most points earned by its students in the six writing contests is designated the winner of the Intercollegiate Writing Competi- tion. The University of Missouri placed second in the writing competition, followed by Arizona State University in third place, Pennsylvania State in fourth, the University of Kentucky in fi fth and Northwestern University in sixth place. “Once again KU journalism students have shown that this University traditionally excels at the highest levels in areas other than basketball,” said Ted Frederickson, journal- ism professor. (Hearst awards – continued on page 2) Letter from the Dean Photos from the May Journalism Graduation remember as a kid hearing my parents talking about how fast time fl ies. When you’re Ceremony. Pictured directly above is this year’s speaker, Sam Ford, alumnus and ABC News reporter. I a child, that doesn’t seem to be true at all. Reaching my more “mature” years, I have learned just how wise my parents were in talking about time. Here at the J-School, we see the proof of that everyday. Students graduate and new In this issue... students arrive. The chancellor refers to them as Jayhawks leaving the nest while fl edg- + Student awards and recognition ling Jayhawks arrive to take their place here. It’s a good visual image. While they are here + New faces in the J-School at the nest, we do our best to prepare them to soar into the world. + Budig Teaching Professorship of Writing While I’ve never actually seen a Jayhawk fl y, I’ve certainly seen a lot + Faculty awards and recognition of Jayhawk Journalists soaring—both at KU and beyond. + Alumni News & Notes This year’s Hearst awards serve as an example of our ability - Jonelle Birney Sullivan: Winemaker to soar. We fi nished fi rst in the highly competitive national writ- and Public Relations Executive ing competition. It was wonderful to see our students win the com- - Roger Maier: Public Affairs Offi cer, petition, but what was even better was to understand how they U.S. Customs and Border Protection achieved that goal. Working with professors, other students and - Jeffrey Stinson: London Bureau Chief, USA Today (Dean’s letter – continued on page 2) Left to right: Screenshot of the J-School’s new video, now online at www.journalism.ku.edu; Seymour Hersh, 2008 William Allen White Foundation national citation recipient; Bob Dotson, Sept. 22 Editors Day speaker; Sam Ford, May Journalism graduation program speaker, with Dean Ann Brill; and a close-up of the Hearst award presented to the J-School.

(Dean’s letter – continued from page 1) (Hearst awards – continued from page 1) some alumni, they honed their reporting and writing “Since the Hearst skills. At the national competition, our students sup- Awards are highly com- ported each other and offered encouragement to their petitive and recognize only competition from other schools. Now, that’s class! exceptional reporting and That’s soaring above the ordinary to achieve the ex- writing, fi nishing fi rst is a traordinary. major accomplishment.” It’s what our graduation speaker, alumnus Sam KU journalism stu- Ford from ABC News, talked about in sharing his dents won a total of $5,200 experiences. He urged students to remember the ele- in the six writing contests, ments of good storytelling. Staying true to the basics and the School of Jour- of good storytelling also will be the message from our nalism received match- Editors Day speaker – alumnus and NBC News cor- ing funds of $5,200, plus respondent Bob Dotson, who will be here Sept. 22. $10,000 for fi nishing fi rst Time fl ies and things change. This fall, Dr. Crys- in the Intercollegiate Writ- tal Lumpkins joins us a tenure-track assistant profes- ing Competition. The sor and Simran Sethi is the Lacy C. Haynes Visiting winners in each category Professional in Residence. Joining our staff are Scott received cash prizes and Paul “Dino” Dinovitz, 1969 alumnnus and new Sponholtz in the Advising and Records Offi ce, Amber medallions during the executive director of the Hearst Foundations, is photographed with Dean Ann Brill and Prof.Ted McCullough as a system administrator, Jon Schlitt as National Championships Frederickson at the National Championships in the Kansan sales and marketing adviser, Penny Hodge in San Francisco on June San Francisco. as the administrative assistant in the Dean’s Offi ce 8, 2007. and Kasey Cory, part-time support staff in the Dean’s Two of our students, Frank Tankard and C.J. Moore, compet- Offi ce. There’s more information about our new fac- ed in June in the national write-off among top winners of the six ulty and staff elsewhere in this issue. This summer, monthly contests. Tankard’s in-depth follow-up on the Board- Peggy Kuhr, the former Knight Chair on the Press, walk Apartments fi re that won fi rst place in that category was Leadership and Community, resigned to become the named the best of the more than 900 articles submitted in the six new dean at the University of Montana School of monthly competitions. Journalism. We are proud of her accomplishments Our winners in the six Hearst monthly contests were: Frank and will miss her. Our national search for the new Tankard, fi rst for in-depth writing; C.J. Moore, second in sports Knight Chair begins this fall. In addition, we will be writing and fi fth in spot news reporting; Mark Vierthaler, fi fth in searching for two or three other new faculty members. personality profi le; Fred A. Davis III, ninth in profi le and 17th in Please check our Web site for more information. spot news; Michael Phillips, twelfth in sports writing; and Kath- This will be another exciting year at the J-School erine Loeck, twelfth in opinion writing. and one that we know will go by quickly. We are al- The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, conducted under ready planning for spring classes and events. Our the auspices of accredited schools of the Association of Schools major event this year will again be the awarding of of Journalism and Mass Communication, is fully funded and ad- the national citation from the William Allen White ministered by the W. R. Hearst Foundation. The program con- Foundation Board of Trustees. This year’s recipient sists of monthly writing contests, photojournalism and broad- is Seymour Hersh, Pulitzer Prize winning reporter. cast news competitions, with championship fi nals in all three He’s been called “the hardest-working muckraker in divisions. the journalism business.” He’s no stranger to Kansas Students at 107 accredited schools of undergraduate jour- since he worked as a public information offi cer at Fort nalism in the United States are eligible to participate in the pro- Riley while in the Army. gram, which awards more than $450,000 in scholarships and Time, like the Jayhawk, fl ies. Our job at the J- grants annually. School is to make the best use of the time we have Publisher William Randolph Hearst established the William with our students, colleagues, alumni, friends and Randolph Hearst Foundation and The Hearst Foundation, Inc. families. Here’s wishing you the best of times. ‰ in the 1940s, before his death in 1951. Since then, the foundations have awarded more than $500 million in grants and awards. ‰

2 J-Links Summer 2007 Photos from the August 21 Journalism Graduate Program New Student Orientation session. Journalism student awards and recognition from the 2006-07 academic year

NATIONAL NEWSPAPER AWARDS: Other CNBAM best honors won by our students were: The School’s entrants placed fi rst in the Hearst Intercolle- Kyle Hoedl, business manager of the year; Ryan Berg, adver- giate Writing Awards, winning $10,000 for the School (see page tising designer of the year; Best Sales Incentive Program; Best one article for more information). Special Section; Best Electronic Display and House Ads; Best Seven KU students received Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Newspaper Marketing/Promotion Program; Best Color Dis- Editing Internships for summer. The interns and the newspa- play Ad; Best Classifi ed Group Promotion; and third place for pers on which they worked include: Cynthia Hernandez, The Newspaper Promotion Ad. New York Times; Natalie Johnson, The Indianapolis Star; Derek Korte, The Rochester, Minnesota, Post-Bulletin; Will McCullough, REGIONAL AWARDS: The Rockford, Illinois, Register-Star; Vanessa Pearson, The Los Regional Mark of Excellence awards from the Society of Angeles Times; Travis Robinett, The St. Paul Pioneer Press; and Professional Journalists went to 16 students from the School. Kate Shipley, The Kansas City Star. Dow Jones named an ad- They were: Brianna Auza, television general news reporting; ditional eight students as top prospects for editing internships Fred Davis III, online news reporting; Courtney Farr, general at other newspapers. They are: Aly Barland, Kelly Lonigan, column writing; Lynzee Ford, television general news report- Mindy Ricketts, Patrick Ross, Diane Smith, Ashley Thompson, ing; Heidi Fedak and Heather Brummitt, online news report- Jyl Unruh and Elyse Weidner. ing; Heidi Fedak and Michael Phillips, online opinion and Catherine Odson received a prestigious editing internship commentary; Matthew Goble and Patrick Shehan, online in- at The Philadelphia Inquirer. depth reporting; Eric Jorgensen, sports writing; Nicole Kelley, Kimberly Wallace received a Chips Quinn Internship from breaking news reporting; Whitney Mathews, television feature; the Freedom Forum to report in the summer for The TimesDaily Rachel Parker, general news reporting; Michael Phillips, sports in Florence, Alabama. column writing; James Pinnick and Andrew Baker, online Michael Phillips was a fi nalist for a National Mark of Ex- sports writing; and Darla Slipke, in-depth reporting. cellence Award for sports writing from the Society of Profes- The Bernstein-Rein Multicultural Internship-Scholarship sional Journalists. He will be recognized at the national con- was awarded to Minh-Tu Pham. vention in October 2007 in Washington. The Advertising Club of Kansas City Foundation award- ed scholarships to: Mallory Goldstein, Reka Justis, Carlos Perez NATIONAL BROADCAST AND ONLINE AWARDS: Beltran, Carolina Medeiros, Carrie Mills, Angela Palacioz, Ra- National Mark of Excellence fi nalist awards from the chel Schulteis and Nathan Totten. Society of Professional Journalists will be presented at the national convention in October 2007 to: Matthew Goble and STATE AWARDS: Patrick Shehan for online in-depth reporting; James Pinick and The Kansas Association of Broadcasters presented awards Andrew Baker for online sports reporting; and Nicole Kelley to 13 winning entries in its annual competition. There were for breaking news reporting. fi ve fi rst place, four second place and four honorable mention awards. NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARDS: First places went to two entertainment programs, a Web In August 2007, Amanda Sellers received a fi rst place site, an entertainment news package, and a complete news fea- award for her start-up magazine, “Layers,” in the Association ture. for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication an- Second places went to an entertainment program, a com- nual competition. plete newscast, a hard news package and a complete sports Elyse Weidner received a third place award for a service feature. Winners of fi rst place awards were: Heather Brummitt, and information article, “Business Casual.” two awards; Blake Cripps; Rustin Dodd; Ryan Elder; Rahul Jayplay received a third place award for design of a single Sharma; Scott Winer; and tv.ku.edu. issue. The editors were David Ruigh and Becca Cremer, and the KAB Second place winners were: Tami Dreitz, Annie Har- designers were Katherine Loeck and Brian Marvin. rigan, Ian Hrabe, Mary Johnson, Kristin Luehrs, Danica Nisley, Joe Noh, Tracy Perlman, Rahul Sharma, Frank Waugh and Steve NATIONAL STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS: Zawilinski. Honorable mentions went to Bryan Cisler, Rustin The University Daily Kansan advertising staff was named Dodd, Audrey Esther, Colin Swartz and Heather Brummitt. best in the nation among 125 newspapers from nearly every state (Student awards – continued on page 4) by College Newspaper Business and Advertising Managers. J-Links Summer 2007 3 Photos from the August 21 Journalism Graduate Program New Student Orientation session.

(Student awards – continued from page 3) Carnez Williams is one of 40 recipients statewide of Robert Two students, Sarah Beals and Annie Vangnes, have been J. Dole Public Service Scholarships that recognize involve- chosen as peer advisers in the University Advising Center. ment in volunteer community and public service. Funded by a Congressional grant, this provides $1,000 a year for four years. OTHER ACTIVITIES OF KU JOURNALISM STUDENTS: Paola Adriazola, a journalism and political science senior, STUDENT RECOGNITION AT THE UNIVERSITY: was one of ten students in the KU Global Awareness Program Journalism students inducted by national academic hon- who went to Washington in March to meet policy makers and or societies: Phi Beta Kappa, 10; Phi Kappa Phi, 16; Kappa learn about international organizations. She was cited as a KU Tau Alpha journalism honorary, 20. Woman of Distinction in fall 2007. Two of the 10 fi nalists for the ExC.E.L., Excellence in Com- Four journalism students had legislative internships. munity, Education and Leadership, Award were journalism Molly Lee Johnson was in the offi ce of U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore students Dena K. Neuenschwander and Zak Beasley. of Kansas and Natalie Nelson was in the offi ce of U.S. Sen. Russ Zak Beasley was one of 15 U.S. students who participated Feingold of Wisconsin. In Topeka, Sasha Roe worked for state in the Global Youth Partnership Conference in Africa in sum- Rep. Clay Aurand and Kelsey Quillan worked for Rep. Terrie mer 2006. Huntington. Whitney Fasbender, a journalism and pre-nursing senior, Seven photojournalism students spent spring break in Em- and Ali Bannwarth, a May 2006 graduate in journalism and po- poria, Kan., producing photo feature stories that appear in The litical science and now a KU law student, were chosen to be Emporia Gazette. They were Anna Faltermeier, Jon Goering, featured on the KU Women of Distinction calendar. Marla Keown, Sarah Leonard, Rachel Seymour, Michiko Takei Carnez Williams is one of 21 members of the KU Freshman and Megan True. ‰ Leadership Council. Members were selected based on high school GPA, involvement with high school activities, interest in leadership, activities at KU and answers to written essay questions. They completed an eight-week series of leadership enhancement training. Nicholas Jay Benedict and Jennifer Erin Short are on the Board of Class Offi cers. It chooses the recipients of the H.O.P.E. Award that goes to outstanding faculty members. Short was vice president of the senior class. Matthew Goble co-chaired the selection of recipients of the Outstanding Educator Awards given by Mortar Board aca- demic honor society. Rula Andriessen was student site coordinator for the 2007 Leader Shape Institute, a six-day program during winter break that had 56 graduates. Angela Palacioz is director of administration for the KU PattyPatty Noland, CareerCareer Development CoordinatorCoordinator Student Alumni Association. Marsha K. Leffl er received a KU Undergraduate Research Let the Journalism Career Center Award for summer 2006 to make a design video with Rebecca Evanhoe. help you fi nd your next job Five students had leadership positions in the Rock Chalk Review that supports local United Way agencies with fund he School of Journalism’s Career Center provides information online about journalism jobs that require at least two years of raising and volunteer service. They were Jaime Hornberger, T experience. The job listings are posted on the J-School’s Web site, co-community service coordinator; Erin Gregory, assistant pro- www.journalism.ku.edu, under the “Alumni & Friends” tab. This motions coordinator; Emily Flom, alumni records coordinator; service is for jobs that require 2-4, 3-5, 5-7 and 10 or more years Courtney Hagen, program director; and Krista Fisher, advisory of experience. The School and faculty members hear about such board member. positions on a regular basis. The jobs are immediately posted online. Three journalism students were chosen as assistants for If you know of relevant job openings that should be listed, please New Student Orientation. They are Hali Baker, Emily Hen- e-mail Patty Noland, the J-School’s career development coordinator, dricks and Jacque Lumsden. at [email protected].

4 J-Links Summer 2007 Photos from the August 15 faculty retreat. J-School faculty and staff spent the morning touring the new facilities of both Barkley and The Kansas City Star. Pictured above are photos from The Kansas City Star. At left in the blue shirts are Mac Tully, publisher, and Mark Zieman, J-School alumnus and KC Star vice president and editor. Long-time Professor Ted Frederickson receives fi rst Budig Teaching Professorship of Writing for the School of Journalism

-School Professor Ted Frederickson is the recipient of the Jfi rst Budig Teaching Professorship of Writing for the School of Journalism, established by former KU Chancellor Gene Budig. As part of his award for 2007-08, Frederickson will pres- ent a public address on the importance of teaching writing to the School of Journalism and the public. The time and date of the address will be announced later. “The selection committee chose Prof. Frederickson to re- ceive the fi rst professorship because he embodies the spirit of excellence in teaching writing. He has contributed so much to the school and to our students. This recognition is very fi tting,” said Ann Brill, dean of the School of Journalism. Frederickson has taught at KU for 27 years. He teaches classes in newspaper reporting, media ethics and fi rst amend- ment law and society. He received his bachelor’s degree in po- litical science from the University of North Dakota, his mas- ter’s in journalism from the American University and his juris doctorate from the University of North Dakota. This year the School of Journalism placed fi rst in the In- tercollegiate Writing Competition of the prestigious William Randolph Hearst Foundation Awards national competition. Decades later, whenever I’m struggling to write a piece, I often Frederickson coached many of the students who won awards fi nd that the problem isn’t lack of creativity or inspiration. The in the competition, often referred to as “The Pulitzers of Col- problem is inadequate research. Then I think of Prof. Frederick- lege Journalism.” son. What he taught me is that good, clear writing isn’t possible “This award is fl attering, but embarrassing,” Frederick- without a deep understanding of the subject at hand.” son said. “In the Kansan reporting class, where students win The professorship will rotate each year between KU’s the Hearst awards, I get them on their way out the door of the School of Journalism and the School of Education and includes School. They’ve already had many other teachers who helped a stipend. them be better writers. By the time they are seniors they are “We are very grateful to Dr. Budig for his generous sup- polished and ready to go on to work for newspapers. It is easy port of the School of Journalism,” Dean Brill said. “Throughout to teach good writers to be even better when they have already his distinguished career Dr. Budig has been dedicated to excel- been taught by my esteemed colleagues,” Frederickson said. lence in education. We are very appreciative.” On his proudest moments as a teacher: “The moments I Budig was named KU’s 14th chancellor in 1981. During appreciate most are when a student who doesn’t have a strong his 13-year tenure, more than 180 faculty positions were estab- natural talent as a writer works hard and is attentive and then lished. He was an active fund-raiser during Campaign Kansas, writes a great story that wins awards,” Frederickson said. the 1987-92 campaign that raised $265 million from private do- He spends much one-on-one time with students, coaching nors. Budig Hall is named in his honor. He left the University them in the fi ner points of proper news reporting and writ- to become president of baseball’s American League and now ing, as well as teaching them how to get the best story. “A tal- is senior adviser to Major League Baseball. He and his wife ented writer must approach the people whose stories he or she Gretchen live in Isle of Palms, S.C. will tell with respect for their humanity and empathy for their “Too many young people do not write well and that de- plight,” Frederickson said. fi ciency threatens our society in a highly competitive world,” In nominating Frederickson for this award, former student Dr. Budig said. “I believe signifi cant schools of journalism and Pulitzer Prize winning Wall Street Journal reporter Kev- and communications, like the one at the University of Kansas, in Helliker wrote: “He covered a lot of ground (in his class). must reverse the trend, showing the importance of the written I remember best, however, his assertion that good writing is word.” ‰ not distinct from thoughtful, exhaustive, detailed research. J-Links Summer 2007 5 Photos from the August 15 faculty retreat. J-School faculty and staff spent the morning touring the new facilities of both Barkley and The Kansas City Star. Pictured above are photos from Barkley, one of Kansas City’s largest full-service marketing and advertising agencies. At right is Executive Vice President Mike Swenson. J-School faculty recognized for accomplishments in 2006-07

r. Barbara Barnett, nation as well. He has been instrumental in establishing pro- Dassistant professor, grams that have been on the cutting edge of journalism educa- has received the Mary Ann tion. He has been unselfi sh in sharing information with others Yodelis Smith Award for about the successes he and others have experienced through Feminist Scholarship. Giv- KSPA.” en annually, the national Kerry Benson, J-School award recognizes feminist lecturer, was a fi nalist for research that has the po- the H.O.P.E., Honor for an tential to make signifi cant Outstanding Progressive contributions to the schol- Educator, award this year. arly literature on gender This was Benson’s third and media. time as a H.O.P.E. fi nalist. Barnett accepted the She has taught at the Uni- award Aug. 11 from the versity for eight years. Commission on the Sta- Established by the tus of Women at the As- Class of 1959, the H.O.P.E. sociation for Education Award recognizes out- in Journalism and Mass standing teaching and Communication (AEJMC) Barbara Barnett concern for students. It is conference in Washington, D.C. The award, fi rst presented in the only honor for teach- 1995, honors Smith, a past AEJMC president and advocate for ing excellence given ex- KerryKerry Benson women in the academy. clusively by seniors on the John Hudnall received the Educator of the Year Award Lawrence campus through a ballot-and-interview process. frfrom the Scholastic Bob Basow received the John Katich Creativity Award JoJournalism Divi- May 8 before his Campaigns class made its fi nal client presen- ssion of the Associa- tations. The nomination by other faculty members cited his zest ttioni for Education in for learning and systematic research. JoJournalism and Mass “His endless explorations of new areas of knowledge give CCommunication at him an overfl owing warehouse of ideas to combine with those ttheh annual conven- research fi ndings,” a colleague wrote. ttioni in Washington, Basow has been on the faculty for 20 years. Laura Katich DD.C. He was praised attended the presentation of the award that honors the memory fofor his leadership of her late husband. John Katich was on the J-School faculty oof the division from from 1986 until his death in 2001. 22003 to 2005, and Visit the J-School’s Web site at www.journalism.ku.edu for a fofor contributions to complete listing of journalism faculty awards, publications and tthreeh national scho- presentations. ‰ lalastic journalism as- ssociations, as well as John HudnallHudnall hhis accomplishments as executive director of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association. Hudnall began teaching high school journalism in 1969, and came to KU in 1990 to head KSPA and be a lecturer in the School. Dick Johns, longtime executive director of Quill and Scroll, said Hudnall’s “leadership and teaching skills have not only reached beyond the traditional classroom in promoting the support of journalism education in Kansas but throughout the

6 J-Links Summer 2007 BobBob BaBasowsow Photos from this summer’s 44th Kansas Journalism Institute (KJI) summer camp for high school students. 165 students from across the country traveled to the KU campus to attend. J-School lecturer John Hudnall is the director of KJI. New faces in the J-School

wo faculty members and fi ve staff Tmembers have joined the Jayhawk Journalist family this year. Crystal Lumpkins is an assistant professor. Her areas of expertise are pub- lic relations, broadcasting and health PicturedP from left communication. This semester she is tot right are Kasey teaching Research & Writing and Prin- Cory,C Amber Mc- ciples of Public Relations. Lumpkins Cullough,C Penny brings a wealth of academic and profes- Hodge,H Crystal sional experience to the J-School. She has Lumpkins,L Scott SponholtzS and Jon worked as a broadcast reporter and pro- Schlitt.S Pictured ducer, newspaper reporter, and public abovea is Simran relations consultant. She has taught jour- Sethi.S Her photo nalism classes at Rockhurst University, is courtesy of the Johnson County Community College, SundanceS Channel. Saint Mary College, Central Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she assisted professors with a cancer communication MBA fromf theh Presidio Schoolh l off Man- JonJ SchlittS hli iis theh new sales and study. This summer Lumpkins earned agement, San Francisco. marketing adviser to The University Daily her PhD in Journalism from the Univer- Scott Sponholtz is a new academic Kansan. He coaches, trains and mentors sity of Missouri-Columbia. She has mas- adviser in the Journalism Advising and the sales staff. He helps students with ter’s degrees from Webster University Records Offi ce. He has been a counselor product and selling issues. A 2001 gradu- in Media Communication and Manage- in the KU Offi ce of Student Financial Aid ate of the J-School, Schlitt previously was ment. She received her undergraduate since 2003, working with potential and the retail advertising supervisor at The degree in Journalism from the University current students and their families. He Fort Collins Coloradoan. of Missouri-Columbia. earned bachelor’s degrees in communi- Penny Hodge is administrative as- Simran Sethi is the new Lacy C. cations studies and political science at sistant to the dean in the main offi ce, 200 Haynes visiting professional in resi- KU in May 1999. He expects to earn a Stauffer-Flint. Previously she was with dence. This semester she co-teaches On- master’s degree in higher education ad- the KU Center for Environmentally Ben- line Writing, Design and Production and ministration in May 2009. efi cial Catalysis, an NSF-funded research Current Issues: YouTubers, Bloggers and Amber McCullough is system ad- center, where she worked in human re- Comedy News, both with Rick Musser, ministrator for servers. She monitors sources and event planning. She has as well as assists in project developments server traffi c and security and keeps the been an accounting specialist with the for classes and the multimedia news- operating system software up-to-date KU Department of Mechanical Engineer- room. In spring, she will teach a Current and secure. She documents all system ing and worked in program registrations Issues topics course. Sethi has worked maintenance and backup processes, and and planning at KU Continuing Educa- with PBS, MTV, Sundance Channel, Bra- creates and manages user accounts on tion. Earlier she was a customer service vo and TreeHugger.com. She served as J-School servers. She previously worked manager for Dillons stores for 23 years. moderator for Al Gore’s Webcast before for Butler Manufacturing, Sprint, Kan- Kasey Cory is the new part-time as- the Live Earth concerts. She recently was sas City Kansas Community College and sistant in the deans’ offi ce. She provides on the History Channel and has appeared Meridian IQ. McCullough earned her continuous coverage of the dean’s offi ce, on the Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres bachelor of music degree in 1995 from the assisting with offi ce duties and school and Martha Stewart shows. She plans to State University of New York at Potsdam hospitality. She is originally from Okla- write a book on journalism, the environ- and an MBA from KU. She also is a Cer- homa City and has a bachelor’s degree ment and new media. She has a bachelor tifi ed Associate in Project Management from Oklahoma City University in Politi- of arts degree from Smith College and an from the Project Management Institute. cal Science, and a minor in Spanish. ‰

J-Links Summer 2007 7 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Photos from the August 8 Washington, D.C., J-School alumni reunion event. Where are they now?

2007 Jacob Dysart is an embassy teach- ing assistant in France. Jennifer Arthur is an account executive in advertising sales and Josh Eliseuson is an Internet me- integrative marketing for CBS dia planner at Bernstein-Rein. radio 107.5.

Charley Forsyth is a KU admis- Andrew Baker is a sports reporter sions counselor. for 6News, Lawrence.

Mallory Gadell works on a special Rachel Benson is an associate events team for Anheuser-Busch. with ISN Software Corp.

Ashley Gass is an assistant ac- Karen Bentley is a research assoc- count executive for Zillner Market- iate with Polling Company, Inc./ ing Communications, Lenexa, Kan. WomanTrend, Washington, D.C.

Jaime Goddard is in copier sales Lisa Bomberg is an assistant print for Unisource Document Products, negotiator media buyer for Zenith Lenexa, Kan. Media, New York.

Sarah Gordon has joined the Heather Brummitt, MSJ, is a Thomas Collective Public Rela- producer/reporter for 6News, tions agency, New York. It focuses Lawrence. on luxury goods. Bethany Bunch is an English Susan Hepworth is a political teacher in a middle school in SchoolSchool ofof JournalismJournalism desk coordinator for the Romney South Korea. presidential campaign, Florida. CalendarCalendar ofof EventsEvents

Elyse Calderon is the 6 and Kyle Hoedl is an advertising 10 p.m. producer at KSNT-TV, account executive for The Arizona Sept. 22: Editors Day with Bob Dotson, alumnus and Topeka. Republic, Phoenix. NBC News correspondent. Emily Carpenter is an assistant ac- Abby Hughes is the new commu- count executive in public relations Sept. 24: Journalism Day for high school seniors. nications associate for Girls Inc., with Germinder & Associates, Inc. San Francisco. Dec. 9: Fall Graduate Recognition Ceremony, 1 p.m., Laura Davis is with Liberty Mu- Skylar Hurst works for Teach for Woodruff Auditorium. tual Insurance Group. America, Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Feb. 8: William Allen White Day, honoring Pulitzer Sarah Davis is a public relations Andrea Iman works for Teach for account coordinator for Sturges Prize winning reporter Seymour Hersh. America, Houston. Word Communications, Kansas

City. April 29: School Awards & Scholarships Ceremony, Nicole Kelley is a reporter for The Lansing Current, Lansing, Kan. 4 p.m., Woodruff Auditorium, followed by a reception Crissy Del Percio is in sales and in the Big 12 Room. marketing for Paradise Aquatics. Piper McEndarffer is an assistant media manager for VML advertis- May 17: Journalism Graduate Recognition Ceremony, Brielyn Dickerson is a media as- ing, New York. sociate with Starcom, Chicago. 8:30 a.m., Lied Center (tentative).

Nate McGinnis is a reporter/ James Dix is a leasing analyst for May 18: KU Commencement. photographer for The Osawatomie Jones Lang LaSalle commercial Graphic. real estate, Chicago. For more event details, visit (News & Notes – continued on page 10) www.journalism.ku.edu. 8 J-Links Summer 2007 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Photos from the August 8 Washington, D.C., J-School alumni reunion event. “Making wine and growing grapes Public relations executive adds is very different than winemaker to her resume public relations. We didn’t have a set By Abby Hughes, St. Louis, Mo., senior schedule and didn’t have to be on planes fter 18 years practicing public relations in Washington, every week, which A D.C., Jonelle (Birney) Sullivan, a 1980 J-School alumna, was really nice,” moved to the West Coast in 1998 to try something new—wine- Sullivan said. making. By 2000, their Sullivan and her husband, Rick Sullivan, also in public re- vineyard had grown lations, were both in California on business when they found to 62 acres. They their perfect house in a real estate magazine. Spontaneously, hired a winemaker they called a realtor to see the house and spent the day looking and bought a tasting at homes in the area. room in Glen Ellen, The next day Sullivan fl ew back to Washington, D.C., and Calif. Their Sullivan her husband went to Hong Kong on business. When they spoke Birney chardonnay that night, they found that neither of them could stop thinking was named “Best about the fi nal house they’d seen. Chardonnay in California” in 2003. “The house was awful, but the view was beautiful. We In 2006, their winery was acquired by Audelssa Winery, were spellbound by Sonoma Mountain,” Sullivan said. which still makes wine from grapes bought at the Sullivans’ The Sullivans’ decision to buy the former Arabian horse vineyard. ranch changed their lifestyles completely. They planted 12 Sullivan now is temporarily in Washington, D.C., consult- acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes to transform the ing with the World Wild Life Fund. Her husband has begun a ranch into a vineyard. master’s degree program at George Washington University’s School of Political Management. “It is so much more than pandas and endangered species. I’m learning about climate change and depletion of resources. It’s fascinating,” said Sullivan. Sullivan started her career with ProServ sports marketing in 1980. She also worked for Ogilvy & Mather and Fleishman Hillard, where she was a senior vice president, during 11 years in Washington. In 1995 she became vice president of public relations for MCI, serving through its 1997 merger with Brit- ish Telecom and 1998 merger with Worldcom. In 1996 she was named a “PR All Star” by Inside PR Magazine. In 1998, she be- came chief executive offi cer of Blanc & Otus, a San Francisco- based technology public relations fi rm. When it was acquired by Hill & Knowlton she remained CEO of Blanc & Otus and became global technology leader of H&K. In 2000 and 2001, she was one of only fi ve industry executives nominated as PR Agency Person of the Year by PR Week Magazine. She left Blanc & Otus in summer 2001 to devote increased time to Navillus Birney Winery and Vineyards. She is active with the Sonoma Valley Film Festival and Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Association. The Sullivans plan to maintain a balance between the fran- tic lifestyle of public relations and the laid-back wine industry. “We love our property and hope to be here for a long time,” Sullivan said. ‰ DeanDean Ann Brill visited Jonelle SullivanSullivan at her winerywinery in California.California. J-Links Summer 2007 9 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Photos from the August 8 Washington, D.C., J-School alumni reunion event. Jillian Baco is a graphic designer gust 2007 to teach English in public for Orlando Magazine, Florida. schools as a participant in the JET (News(N & Notes N t – continuedti d from f page 8) Joel Simone is an assistant man- program. He was a reporter for The ager for Wal-Mart, Topeka. Andrea Belfry is an assistant ac- Examiner, Independence, Mo. Teresa Meagher is a technical count executive at Padilla Speer writer and editor for H&R Block, Kylie Smith is an account execu- Beardsley Public Relations, Min- Jackie Frye is an assistant account Kansas City. tive for Cumulus Broadcasting, neapolis, Minn. executive with Zillner Marketing Topeka. Communications, Lenexa, Kan. Anton Menning, MSJ, is a doctoral Matthew Benge is an employee student in the KU Geography De- Gabriella Souza is in the Gannett benefi ts specialist, Standard Insur- Stephen Godfrey is marketing partment. He also teaches a World Newspaper Talent Development ance Co., Overland Park, Kan. coordinator for Simply Wireless, Regional Geography class. Program as a reporter intern for Lawrence. The Ft. Myers, Fla., News Press. Jennifer Bergman is an assistant Amanda Miller, MSJ, is an account wedding coordinator/designer for Tiffany Goebel is an account manager for CMP Media. McKay Stangler, MSJ, is a writer A Magic Moment, Burkson, Texas. coordinator with eshots, Inc. event for the KU Medical Center’s exter- marketing, Chicago. Sara Miller is a marketing special- nal affairs division. Nadine Billgen’s master’s thesis, ist for UMB Financial. “Crisis in the News: Themes, Kevin Goldstein is a sales consul- Lisa Tilson was in the New York Frames and Sources in German and tant with the Hannon Hill Corp. Shannon Mortimer is associate University Summer Publishing American Newspaper Coverage,” web content management fi rm, producer at WREX-TV, Rockford, Institute. has been published as a mono- Atlanta, Ga. Ill. graph by a publisher in Germany Julie Tomlinson is an account and is available from Amazon. Lindsay Gurbacki is sales manager Susan O’Neil is an account coordi- coordinator for GlynnDevins for Grand Hyatt Atlanta Hotel in nator with The Hoffman Agency, a advertising and marketing. Daniel Billingsley is the director Buckhead, Ga. public relations agency in San Jose, of marketing and public relations Calif. Marisa Vrona is a public relations for the Friends of Chamber Music, Lindsey Hale is the overnight intern for Fleishman-Hillard, Min- Kansas City, Mo. producer for KCTV-5 news, Kansas Lindsey Owen is a graduate neapolis, Minn. City. Prior to this she was with student in clinical psychology at Katherine Bond is a negotiator KSNT-27 news in Topeka as a Roosevelt University, Chicago. Katharine Ward is a media rela- with Zenith Media, a broadcast producer. tions specialist for the Kansas City media buying fi rm in Chicago. Ashley Pate is a self-employed Area Development Council. Jeb Harter is a public outreach spe- communications consultant. Brooke Budke is writer and editor cialist with the American Associa- Carli Watkins is a senior fi eld sales of Senior Portrait Artists, a pho- tion of Pharmaceutical Scientists, Caroline Perez is an event planner manager for Vector Marketing. tography trade magazine, and a Arlington, Va. for The Stone Kitchen Catering and photographer, Louisburg, Kan. Special Events, Chicago. Kassandra Weber is in sales and Christopher Hill is inventory, pur- marketing for the Kansas City Katie Bushouse is a search con- chasing and production manager Tracy Perlman is the weekend Chiefs. sultant with Solomon Edwards for Stallard Technologies, Overland morning producer at WDAF-TV, Group, Chicago. Park, Kan. Kansas City. Anne Weltmer interns with the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, Kyle Cook is an account coordina- Kelly Hollowell is marketing co- Lindsay Pestinger is a public rela- a legal advocacy group in Topeka. tor with GlynnDevins Advertising ordinator for Ad Astra Information tions coordinator for Associated She is in the KU School of Law. and Marketing, Overland Park. Systems, Overland Park, Kan. It is Advertising, Wichita. a software company serving higher Amber Wingert is a media associ- Patrick Craven is a sales represen- education. Megan Price is an account execu- ate for Starcom MediaVest Group, tative for Eli Lilly. tive for Nicholson Kovac Integrat- Chicago. Johanna Horstman is an account ed Marketing Communications, Tamara Dugard is a media as- representative with Ketchum Kansas City. 2006 sociate with Starcom Worldwide, Directory Advertising, Overland Chicago. Park, Kan. Janelle Robinson is a client rela- Adrienne Allegre is an online me- dia specialist with Karsh/Hagen tions specialist for DST Systems. Lauren R. Erickson has been Rylan Howe is a staff photogra- Advertising, Denver. promoted to account executive at pher for Iowa Information Publica- Christopher Schulz, MSJ/JD, Morningstar Communications, tions newspaper and magazine, Corrina Anderson handles animal works in the offi ce of the Texas Overland Park, Kan. Sheldon, Iowa. attorney general. health public relations for Germi- nder & Associates, Kansas City. James Foley moved to Japan in Au- (News & Notes – continued on page 12) 10 J-Links Summer 2007 ScenesS from border protection in El Paso, Texas, from the left: A CBP offi cer and her drug-sniffi ng dog fi nd and ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES seizes more than 100 pounds of marijuana hidden in paint cans in the trunk of a car crossing from Mexico into theth U.S.; illegal immigrants detained by the Border Patrol are deported back to Mexico under the “Expedited Removal”R policy; and a border fence outside of El Paso. J-School grad protects nation’s borders

oger Maier is on the R front lines of one of the country’s most important is- sues—border protection. Maier, a 1984 J-School graduate, is the United States Customs and Border Protec- tion (CBP) spokesperson for the El Paso, Texas, sector. U.S. Customs and Border Protec- tion is responsible for operat- ing border crossings through- out the country. Maier has been with CBP, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, for 15 years. “What happens at the border affects the entire United States—immigration, drugs, agricultural safety and homeland More than 16,000 pedestrians cross into the U.S. from Mexico each day at the Paso security issues,” Maier said. “The drugs that end up on the del Norte crossing, shown here. streets of our nation’s communities didn’t just get there, they were smuggled through a long trail.” “I like working with the press to tell the public our story,” CBP’s primary mission is anti-terrorism, but curbing illegal Maier said. “We have a lot of hardworking, dedicated offi cers. immigration, drug smuggling and illegal agricultural smug- Their work goes unheralded.” gling are part of the daily routine of CBP. Maier says the challenges at a border crossing are multifac- While working as the nation’s fi rst line of defense in home- eted. “The greatest challenge CBP offi cers face at a busy border land security, CBP offi cers also must be the face of the nation, crossing is balancing the anti-terror enforcement mission with welcoming people to the country. the need to keep legal and legitimate traffi c moving without unnecessary delay.” CBP offi cers must balance the need to move people quickly through the four border crossings between Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, with enforcement. As human, drug and agricultural smugglers get more creative, offi cers must adapt and adjust their detection methods. “Despite the challenges in my job, I am passionate about CBP’s mission to protect U.S. borders,” he said. Maier studied in the Radio-TV sequence at the J-School, and then began his career in broadcast journalism. He worked as a reporter and part-time anchor for a morning show before deciding to make the switch to public relations. Maier’s background as a reporter has helped him relate to the media and communicate his message to the public. “I know the journalism side of my job through reporting fi rst.” “Heartland residents can sleep well at night knowing that hundreds of miles away vigilant CBP offi cers are hard at work to make sure that all threats are being addressed at the border,” Maier said. ‰ Vehicles line up for inspection at the Bridge of Americas border crossing in El Paso. J-Links Summer 2007 11 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Photos from the May 19 Journalism Graduation Recognition Ceremony at the Lied Center. Jason Shaad is a reporter on tech- Jessicah White is an account coor- nology, telecommunications and dinator with Team One advertising (News(N & Notes N t – continuedti d from f page 10) Carley McGinnis is an account utilities for The Kansas City Business in New York. services coordinator with INKinc Journal. Emily Huffhines is an advertising public relations, Kansas City, Mo. Erin Wisdom is education and account executive with Nicholson Brittany Simon is an account coor- features reporter for Miami County Kovac, Inc., Kansas City, Mo. Patrick McNally, copywriter, com- dinator with Barnhart Communica- Newspapers, Paola, Kan. pliance department, Metrolist, Inc., tions in Denver Katherine Ibsen is an editor at The . Greenwood Village, Colo. Erica Wolfe is an account executive Lawrence Journal-World. Terena Silva is a media associate for Zillner Marketing Communica- Ben Myers is a radio advertising tions, Lenexa, Kan. John Jordan teaches English for the with Starcom Mediavest, Chicago. executive with Cumulus Broadcast- Peace Corps in Madagascar. ing, Topeka. Kelsie Smith is a Minnesota Twins Sage Woodard is an account beat r manager for Skill Path Seminars, Nora Kellam is an account execu- eporter for The St. Paul Pio- Shannon Murrish is a content de- neer Press. Mission, Kan. tive with Weber Shandwick World veloper for the Cerner Corporation, Wide Public Relations, Chicago. healthcare information technology Kaitlin Staniforth is a marketing Charissa Young is an associate fi rm, in Kansas City, Mo. and public r editor, Penton Media publishing Derek Klaus is a marketing/com- elations specialist, St. company, Overland Park. munications specialist, Kansas City Luke’s Health System, Kansas City. Amanda Novascone is an athlete Convention and Visitors Associa- services coordinator in sports Rachel Stephens is a marketing Rachel Zupek is a corporate com- tion. medicine for The Andrews Insti- specialist with First National Bank., munications specialist for Career-

tute, Baptist Health Care, Gulf Overland Park, Kan. Builder.com. She writes content for Stacey Knowles became an ac- Breeze, Fla. the Web site. CareerBuilder content count manager with McKesson Lindsey Stringer is marketing appears in MSN.com, AOL.com Pharmaceutical Division in June. Carly Pearson is a photographer coordinator, Burns and McDonnell and CNN.com among others. She had been a sales representative for The Emporia Gazette. engineering, Kansas City, Mo. for Yellow Book USA, Chicago. 2005 Vanessa Pearson was a Dow Jones Andrea Sumpter is an executive Dustin Leite is an account special- Newspaper Fund copy-editing assistant with Paramount Pictur Amy Alfredson is catering director ist with Associated Advertising, es intern at The Los Angeles Times. for the Eldridge Hotel in Lawrence. Wichita. in Hollywood, Calif. Alison Peterson is a copy editor Jennifer Byrd, MSJ, works in Brian Loftus is in brand manage- Meghan Swallow is with the trainee at The New York Times. Richar Chicago at Crain Communications ment with Richards Group, Dallas. ds Group in Dallas in brand management. writing for Pensions & Investments, Erin Pursel is a marketing coor- one of the company’s business-to- Katie Lohrenz is an online content business publications. Pr dinator at Burns & McDonnell Lisa Tevis is a marketing commu- eviously provider at The Wichita Eagle. architects and engineers. nications specialist with Capitol she worked for the Associated Press Federal Savings, T in Cheyenne, Wyo., Helena, Mont., Stephen Lynn, MSJ, is a reporter opeka. Sara Reifschneider is assistant and Olympia, Wash. for The Vail Daily in Colorado. promotions director and internship Becca Thom is an assistant account coordinator for Entercom radio Laura Clark is an interactive media Tricia Masenthin is campaign executive with Zillner Marketing stations 98.1 KUDL and 106.5 The Communications, Lenexa. planner at Draftfcb in Chicago. She coordinator for the Lawrence Com- Wolf, Kansas City. previously worked at VML and munity Theatre. Allison Traylor is a copywriter Bernstein-Rein, Kansas City. Marissa Rosenblum is an assistant with Meers Marketing Communi- Whitney Mathews is a Web pro- to a producer at 321 Theatricals for cations, Kansas City Jennifer Davidson is director of ducer, WDAF-TV, Kansas City, Mo. . “Wicked” and “Spelling Bee,” in communications for the Kansas New York. Democratic party. Patrick McCormick is a marketing Katharine Unger is special events assistant with ABLE, Inc. Insur- manager with Lettuce Entertain Nicole Schumacher is an assistant Matt Fortner is a real estate agent ance Licensing Solutions, Bonner You Enterprises, Chicago. product manager for Hallmark for Graham-Welch, serving the Springs, Kan. Kansas City area. Cards, Kansas City. Jessica Virtue works in guest rela- Maggie McCoy is a media relations tions for Applebees International, Ryan Schumm is CEO/sales Adrienne Rosel, Miss Kansas 2005, assistant intern for the Portland Sea Overland Park, Kan. representative for Desert Mountain performed in “TEXAS,” a musical Dogs minor league baseball team drama in Palo Dur Trading Co., Greenwood Village, Chris Vogel is a media analyst o Canyon State affi liated with the Boston Red Sox. Park this summer. This production Colo. with Plattform Advertising, Lenexa, Kan. (News & Notes – continued on page 13) 12 J-Links Summer 2007 Photos from the May 19 Journalism Graduation Recognition Ceremony at the Lied Center. ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater Brian Flink recently was promoted in downtown Los Angeles. to associate production director at (News & Notes – continued from page 12) Glamour magazine in New York Lindsay Hanson Metcalf is the as- Kursten Phelps entered the Wash- City. He is pictured in the Septem- by the Texas Panhandle Heritage sistant editor of Prime Buzz Blog, a burn University law school. ber issue. Foundation was in its 42nd year Kansas City Star political blog. telling stories of the settlers in the Michael Rigg is a producer with Brian Sieman is the play-by-play 1800s. Most of the year, Rosel is Barbara (Kullbom) Mosely is an Game Day Productions, Fort Worth. voice for the Minnesota Timber- one of four members of the USO account executive with USstorag- It specializes in production of na- wolves in the NBA and the Min- Troupe of Metropolitan New York. esearch.com. tionally syndicated sports shows. nesota Lynx in the WNBA.

Lisa Schmitz, MSJ, is the public re- Elizabeth Trotta covers biotech lations representative for NASCAR stocks for TheStreet.com, which is 2001 1997 driver Casey Mears with Hendrick located on Wall Street. Previously Katie Freeman is a real estate agent Marc Buehler, MSJ, has been pro- Motorsports, Charlotte, N.C. Previ- she covered stock exchanges for with Q Properties, Chicago. moted to chief executive offi cer of ously she was an account executive Investment Dealers Digest. ([email protected]) Romacorp Inc., Dallas, the parent with Fleishman-Hillard, Raleigh, company of Tony Roma’s. N.C. 2003 Sarah Miller is a marketing manager for Bukaty Companies Ulviye Emirzade, MSJ, BS 1994, Ashley Sloan is a founder of a non- Tawnya Bach is now the morning in Leawood, Kan. (sarahemiller68@ works at UBS Investment Bank in profi t organization in St. Bernard show anchor at KOAM, Pittsburg/ hotmail.com) Zurich. Previously she was a brand Parish, La., that will offer visiting Joplin. ([email protected]) manager in fi nance/economics volunteers, beginning in Jan. 2008, a Melissa (Day) Walton is an at the University of Chicago. She place to learn about the devastation Jay Krall is research supervisor area photography manager for also worked for Merrill Lynch in from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, for Cision US, Inc. in Chicago. The Lifetouch NSS, Inc., in Phoenix. London. and a comfortable living area while fi rm, formerly Bacon’s Informa- ([email protected]) volunteering in the community. tion, is a global provider of media Teresa Veazey is the public Sloan worked on home building in research, distribution, monitoring 2000 relations manager for the Ulrich the Parish for two of her 10 months and evaluation services, with more Museum of Art at Wichita State with AmeriCorps National Civil- than 40 locations around the world. Mike Vest has joined the Big 10 University. ian Community Corps. She and The Chicago offi ce has 60 research- Network in Chicago in media two of her Americorps teammates ers who maintain data about relations. He has been in the sports have formed Live Saint Bernard, a 100,000 media outlets. Krall previ- information offi ce of Wake Forest 1995 501c(3) non-profi t organization to ously taught English in Japan. University in Winston-Salem, N.C., Chris Gannett is the senior director enhance the volunteer experience. since he graduated. of strategic marketing and business They are seeking grants and hold- Joy Maxwell is a KU admissions development for Sony BMG Music ing fundraisers. They planned to counselor. 1999 Entertainment, New York. purchase a gutted home in August, rebuild it by December and begin Wilson Miner is a designer for Anna Attkisson became managing Polina Steier, who took maga- housing volunteers in January. apple.com living in San Francisco. editor of Laptop Magazine in New zine classes in the J-School, is the He co-founded a startup in July York July 16. publisher and editorial director of Julianne Brooke Vendley is the 2007 called everyblock.com, which Caviar Affair magazine, Palo Alto, account director for News America aggregates local news and informa- Danny Boresow is a sales account Calif. Marketing, Cincinnati. (Jvendley@ tion. The project is funded by a executive for 106.5 The Wolf and 98.1 KUDL, Mission, Kan. (dbore- newsamerica.com) grant from the Knight Foundation. [email protected]) 1994 Lisa Scheller, MSJ, is the new David Dorsey won fi rst place for 2004 Hilary Johnston is an advertising senior editor and team leader for the Florida Sportswriters Associa- account manager for The New York tion Best Enterprise story. It was Lauren Bristow graduated from media relations at the KU Endow- Times. on the connection between baseball the Washburn University law ment Association. She had been and beer. It appeared on news- school and has accepted a position news editor of The Tonganoxie Mir- press.com. in Salina with the fi rm of Norton, ror since 1999. Colleen Rauscher is a marketing Wasserman, Jones and Kelly. She director for Whole Foods Market, does transactional work in areas Denver, Colo. 1993 of real estate, estate planning and 2002 natural resources law. Matt Merkel-Hess has been ac- 1998 Gillian Flynn who earned degrees cepted to the MFA program in in journalism and English in 1993, Johanna Maska is doing press ad- Studio Art at the University of Cali- Aaron Brinkman is senior manager vance work in Iowa for Sen. Barack fornia Los Angeles. For the past for national sales at Activision, (News & Notes – continued on page 14) a Dallas video-game publishing Obama’s presidential campaign. four years he worked at the Roy company. J-Links Summer 2007 13 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Photos from the May 19 Journalism Graduation Recognition Ceremony at the Lied Center. Rob Merritt is the new senior 1976 vice president/director of public (News(N & Notes N t – continuedti d from f page 13) Deborah Gump is the print and relations for CKPR in Chicago, the operations, increasingly impact online director for the Commit- public relations arm of Cramer- wrote a new novel, “Sharp Ob- the more than 41 million Hispanics tee of Concerned Journalists in Krasselt. Previously he was with jects,” about a young reporter who living in the U.S. and their families Washington, D.C. She had been the Blattner Brunner in Pittsburgh, returns to her hometown to cover overseas. A native of Colombia, he Knight Foundation professor of which he joined after 9 years at the murder of two preteen girls. is a John S. and James L. Knight editing at Ohio University. Barkley in Kansas City. Praised by Stephen King, it was a Foundation Latin American Nie- candidate for the Mystery Writers man Fellow. Other KU journalism Ellen Walterscheid, MSJ, is direc- of America fi rst novel award. graduates who have been Nieman 1975 tor of career services for the City Fellows include Craig Welch, Ger- Mark Baxter is co-founder of a new University of New York Graduate Gayle Osterberg is starting a aldo Samor and Matt Scholfi eld. branding agency, The Brandloft, in School of Journalism. This public public relations fi rm called 133 South Norwalk, Conn. university school will graduate Public Affairs in Washington, D.C. Alan Morgan is chief executive its fi rst master’s degree class in The name comes from the offi ce offi cer of the National Rural Health December 2007. She taught feature 1971 number of former Sen. Don Nickles Association in Alexandria, Va. writing and placed interns at New of Oklahoma for whom she was Trish Boger co-owns Southern York University from 1999 to 2006. press secretary for 11 years. She is Grounds Coffeehouse in Gulfport, She went to New York as a writer leaving the position of vice presi- 1989 Miss. ([email protected]) for The Sciences magazine and also dent for corporate communications Monica (Hayde) Schreiber has wrote for other publications. at the Motion Picture Association started her own practice in legal 1970 of America. Her new fi rm will marketing in Belmont, Calif. She Bob Newton has retired from a focus on the fi lm industry, dealing helps law fi rms with communica- 1982 30-year career at Lawrence radio with copyright and other issues tions, marketing and business Jon Froelich is the principal at stations KLWN/KLZR, but contin- affecting it. development strategies. (monica- Heritage Champions Academy ues to produce the broadcasts of [email protected]) in Huntsville, Texas. (jonfroelich@ KU Football and Men’s Basketball 1991 yahoo.com) games for the Jayhawk Radio Net- Margaret Graff works as an 1987 work. He is also a part-time duty integrated account manager for Janet Saunders Klockenga is the 1978 offi cer and public information offi - cer for Douglas County Emergency The Time Inc. Business and Finance senior editor of the custom pub- Steve Leben, a Johnson County Management. Network. ([email protected]) lishing division of The Des Moines district judge, has been appointed Register, in Des Moines, Iowa. She to the Kansas Court of Appeals Charles Higginson, MSJ, joined the was previously the lifestyle editor by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Judge 1968 KU Endowment Association. He of The Register-Mail, Galesburg, Ill. Leben also is an instructor at the Swaebou Conateh is managing is responsible for content develop- KU School of Law. director of the Gambia News and ment for the Web site. He worked 1984 Report weekly magazine. at the J-School for the Accrediting Eric Morgenstern, president and Michael Beck was named presi- Council for 10 years and most CEO of Morningstar Communi- dent and publisher of The Wassau recently was an associate editor of cations, was recently inducted 1966 Daily Herald by the Newspaper Mother Earth News magazine. into the inaugural class of SAGE Division of Gannett Co. on June 19. Rosalie Jenkins was named the (Strategic Advisors for Growth and Beck, who was president and pub- new vice president of corporate Peter Lundquist was promoted Excellence), a new program from lisher of The Iowa City Press-Citizen, communications for the Depository to vice president/content and the PRSA Counselors Academy. also will be a vice president of the Trust and Clearing Corporation in product development at Gannett He also is co-chair of the program. Midwest Group and will oversee New York. ([email protected]) Digital. SAGE counselors are considered Gannett’s Central Wisconsin News- experts in the industry and are papers group, which consists of called upon to provide thought 1962 1990 newspapers in Wassau, Marshfi eld, leadership for programming. Mark L. Knapp is the Jesse Andres Cavelier, the multime- Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rap- H. Jones Centennial Professor dia manager of El Nuevo Herald ids. He joined Gannett in 1987 at Emeritus in Communications & in Miami, is one of 30 U.S. and The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla., 1977 University of Texas Distinguished international journalists chosen by and became assistant managing Jerri Corgiat has written a new Teaching Professor Emeritus in the the Nieman Foundation to study editor at The Ithaca Journal in New book, “Take Me Home,” which is Department of Communication for a year at Harvard University. York in 1994. He went to Iowa City now available from Signet Eclipse Studies at the University of Texas He will study how U.S. and Latin in 1995 as managing editor and Mass Market Paperback. She is the at Austin. ‰ American media, especially online became president and publisher award-winning author of “Home in 2000. by Starlight” and “Home at Last.”

14 J-Links Summer 2007 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Photos from the May 19 Journalism Graduation Recognition Ceremony at the Lied Center.

Grad utilizes journalism skills overseas as London bureau chief of USA Today By Brian Schneweis, Great Bend, Kan., junior

effrey Stinson, London bureau chief of USA Today, is proof J that degrees from the William Allen White School of Jour- nalism launch careers all over the world. Stinson says learning the basics and gaining valuable experience are keys to success. Described by his wife Christine as having boundless en- ergy and lightening-quick wit, Stinson has put his skills as a journalist to use since leaving the School of Journalism. As Lon- don bureau chief for USA Today, Stinson is in charge of covering stories in Europe and parts of the Middle East. He has worked in London since January 2006 and covered a broad range of subjects, including the fi ghting between Hezbollah and Israel Stinson in Cairo. in Lebanon in 2006. Stinson began working at USA Today in March 2000. He faculty – Ed Bassett, John Bremner, Susanne Shaw, Calder Pick- was senior national editor for the newspaper in McLean, Va., et, Del Brinkman, just to name a few – taught at very high levels where he supervised U.S. domestic coverage, including the Su- and expected much.” preme Court, criminal justice and aviation issues. Although he In the spring of 1974, Stinson worked on the Kansan with has been at USA Today for seven years, he has worked for the another J-school alumnus, John Ritter, who now also works for newspaper’s parent company, Gannett, in various positions for USA Today in its Northern California bureau. Ritter says he has nearly 30 years. fond memories of his time at KU and working with Stinson. Stinson graduated from the J-School in December 1974, af- “As a student, the main thing that I recall about Jeff, which ter deciding journalism fi t him best personally. hasn’t changed, is his intensity,” Ritter said. “Not necessarily “I fi gured I wasn’t going to the diplomatic corps, and my serious-minded all the time, just intense and a bit on the hy- rebellious streak and questioning of authority wasn’t going to per side, which, for a journalist, is a good thing. We talk now make for a sterling military career,” Stinson said. “And becom- and then, updating each other on our families and talking KU ing a lawyer like my father seemed boring. But – aha – journal- sports. There’s a bond there that dates to our time on campus. ism. There was a business that seemed anything but boring. I have a great deal of respect for him. Jeff’s one of the best jour- Journalism, I fi gured, would allow me to witness interesting nalists I know.” events and pick the brains of fascinating people. It has done Stinson has earned many journalistic awards. They in- exactly that for me.” clude a John Hancock Award, a New York State Bar Association During his time at KU, Award and various Hearst awards, state press association and StinsonS worked on The Univer- Gannett Co. Inc. awards. sitys Daily Kansan as a reporter, He is married to the former Christine Stevens, who is a assistanta campus editor and fellow J-School graduate. They have two sons. Zachary, a law associatea editor, which he be- school student at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., lievesl has helped in his career. graduated from KU and drew editorial cartoons for the Kansan. “The day-in, day-out work Ian is a sophomore at Kansas State University majoring in en- ata the Kansan, along with fac- gineering. ultyu guidance, provided good Stinson said a strong foundation in the basics of journal- disciplined and skills for the ism is crucial for people seeking careers in today’s ever-chang- business,”b Stinson said. “But ing media world. asa important, I think, were “Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals,” Stinson thet high ethical standards and said. “If you can report, write and edit well, it makes no differ- standardss of quality that the ence what medium you’re working in. Those are the basic skills facultyf instilled in us. That for the Web, TV, newspapers, magazines, you name it. There is Stinson in London. hash stuck with me. All of the no substitute.” ‰ J-Links Summer 2007 15 Aerial photos of the KU campus. Send us Your News

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J-Links is a publication for the alumni and friends of Non-profi t Organization the University of Kansas William Allen White US Postage Paid School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Permit #116 Lawrence, KS Editor Jennifer Kinnard, Communications Coordinator [email protected], 785-864-7644

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Financial support provided by The Ward Family Foundation Fund in Journalism The School of Journalism acknowledges, with gratitude, the support provided by the Ward family.

For more information 200 Stauffer-Flint Hall, 1435 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045-7575 • [email protected] • 785-864-4755 www.journalism.ku.edu 16 J-Links Summer 2007