Journalism Awards Luncheon

454 Moore Hall, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 [email protected] the Alumni Newsletter

VOLUME 9,Headliner ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2013

Teresa and Ken Stevens visited from West Michigan to accept Ken’s Alumnus of the Year award at the 13th annual Journalism Awards Luncheon. Ken works as a multimedia specialist for the Muskegon Chronicle and MLive.com. Inside the Headliner PAGE 2 Frazier leads weekend photo workshop PAGE 4 PAGE 6 Maynard teaches two new classes Ambrose urges students to stay updated Ed Kashi speaks about photojournalism PAGE 3 Miller teaches photo workshop in Alaska Dr. Elina Erzikova receives teaching awards PAGE 5 Four inducted into Journalism Hall of Fame PAGE 7 CMU students, alumni win top MPAA Kirkwood speaks about Penn St. scandal Kameel Stanley visits for Hearst series awards Changes allow more journalism classes the 2 Headliner SPOTLIGHT ON GUEST SPEAKERS Frazier leads weekend photo workshop hotojournalism major Zack Wittman believes working alongside nationally Prenowned photographer Danny Wil- cox Frazier taught him two key things about his future career. “The first thing I learned is how important intimacy with your subject is when making a photo story,” Wittman said. “If you distance yourself from your subject, you won’t produce the same kind of work; intimacy is key. I also learned the importance of establishing the scene. If you don’t give your viewers a sense of place, they won’t be able to fully understand your story.” Wittman, a junior from Novi, Mich., and 10 other students participated in a three-day workshop from Oct. 5 to 7 led by Frazier. Stu- dents shot pictures for photo stories they were working on, and Frazier, who was on campus as a Hearst Visiting Professional, helped them Renowned photographer Danny Wilcox Frazier helps a student edit the photos she took during edit and critiqued their work. A slideshow pre- the weekend workshop he led at CMU. sentation of their work was presented to faculty and students. roadblocks before them. Saturday and Sunday, starting early and ending “At other workshops I’ve seen notable “Those who learn to get access will come up in the early morning hours. journalists speak, but I haven’t had the chance with photography that is memorable,” he said. “I want them to know anything is possible to actually work with them,” Wittman said. “It Trisha Umpfenbach, a junior from St. Clair if they continue to push themselves,” Frazier was a really unique and rewarding experience.” Shores, Mich., said Frazier was extremely pas- said. Frazier, whose work has been featured sionate and takes his work very seriously. Photojournalism professor Kent Miller said in TIME, Newsweek, Life and People, said “It was good to get feedback in the editing he enjoyed seeing his students interact with the workshop is a great way to interact with process,” she said. “He would choose photos I Frazier and grow as photojournalists. students and give them feedback as they’re would never think of. He had a totally different “They all have a stronger capability of working. eye than any of us.” shooting real, meaningful photographs that “The workshop is how you real-time teach Frazier said he enjoyed the intensity of the they shoot more from their hearts than their someone to be a storyteller,” he said. workshop, and also the intensity the students cameras,” Miller said. “It is a great launching Frazier said as photographers, students showed. The participants worked long hours pad for their careers.” are always going to have someone putting up

SPOTLIGHT ON ACADEMICS Maynard teaches new journalism classes

eynolds Visiting Journalism Profes- JRN497B Introduction to Entrepreneur- “A well-rounded journalist ought to be able sor Micki Maynard taught two new ial Journalism. JRN 397C focused on basic to cover anything,” Maynard said. Rjournalism classes at CMU in spring concepts of business and economic journalism, Maynard is a real believer in business jour- semester 2013, one in business journalism and while JRN 497B required students to craft nalism education. one in entrepreneurial journalism. ideas for future projects and come up with “It is such an important time in journal- Maynard, a former New York Times senior pitches to get funding for those projects. ism,” she said. “I’m really happy to be part of business correspondent, taught JRN 397C Maynard believes every story has an ele- the revolution.” Fundamentals of Business Journalism and ment of business in it. Headlinerthe 3 SPOTLIGHT ON THE HALL OF FAME By Jackson Seedott Four inducted into Hall of Fame

our Central Michigan University alums Flory said having a curious personality is were inducted into the Department of the best advice he could give to future journal- FJournalism’s Hall of Fame Saturday. ists. Kim Clarke, Brad Flory, Roger Hart and “If you see something interesting, you have Jim Vruggink were inducted as the newest to have the dedication to dig for answers,” he members of the Hall of Fame. The Hall of said. “Don’t be afraid to ask the tough ques- Fame has 48 members, including John Grogan, tions. It’s something so basic that they don’t best-selling author of Marley and Me. even teach it in classes, but it’s a crucial part in Clarke, a 1982 alum, works as the director being a good journalist.” of executive communications at the University Hart is a 1980 graduate and serves as the of Michigan and won several speech-writing executive editor of Autoweek Magazine. awards in the past but said being inducted to He said the key to success in the world of the Hall of Fame is the greatest honor of all. journalism is to gain experience and maintain a “It really is a fantastic feeling,” she said. “It strong work ethic. still feels so surreal to me. It’s a very flattering “Whatever path you choose, whether it be experience, and being nominated by your peers photography or journalism, it’s important that makes it that much more special.” you do it a lot,” he said. “It’s the only way to get Kim Clarke, a 1982 alum, talks about being Flory, a 1980 graduate, worked as a reporter better; that’s what the CMU work ethic is all inducted in the Department of Journalism’s and columnist for the Jackson Citizen Patriot about.” Hall of Fame. and MLive Media Group before retiring in Vruggink, who graduated in 1970 works 2012. In his acceptance speech, Flory said when for Purdue University in the Office of Rela- where you are — an editor, photographer and he received the phone call informing him of his tions and Athletics. One of his biggest claims especially a reporter — you need to be able to nomination, he legitimately thought someone to fame is working closely with NFL quarter- write, and write well.” was playing a practical joke on him. back Drew Brees during his time at Purdue Brian Manzullo, web editor at the Detroit “I’m sort of like the fat guy who eats hot- University. Free Press and 2010 CMU graduate, was dogs and complains about city hall sometimes,” Although journalism is constantly chang- awarded the Young Journalist of the Year he said during his acceptance speech. ing, Vruggink said one skill will always be award. Manzullo, a Central Michigan Life alum, One of Flory’s greatest accomplishments crucial: the ability to write, and write well. is the only editor-in-chief to win two national is discovering a politician lied on his resume “Journalism is a changing field; you have Pacemaker awards in the same year for both by doing hours of research and making phone to be willing to go with the flow and modify print and online content. calls all the way to England, years before the your skills,” he said. “Being able to write is the Internet was around to expedite his research. most important part of this field. No matter

SPOTLIGHT ON GUEST SPEAKERS Kirkwood speaks about Penn St. scandal

he Patriot-News’ Production Editor Pa., first broke the Sandusky story. the charges were filed, then they trusted us.” Ron Kirkwood recalls the responses In January 2011, Sara Ganim was hired as He said he loved watching ESPN after Tthe newspaper received after first a crime reporter and was put on the Sandusky that and seeing the ticker at the bottom of the reporting the sex scandal involving former Penn story. The story about the grand jury probe was screen say, “The Patriot-News reports …” about State football coach Jerry Sandusky. published in March 2011, but Sandusky wasn’t the Sandusky story. “We got two types of responses: apathy and indicted until November 2011. In April 2012, The Patriot-News won the anger,” he said. “No one believed it.” Kirkwood said The Patriot-News was the Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting “for cou- Kirkwood, a 1977 graduate of CMU, came only medium covering the story before the rageously revealing and adeptly covering” the to Moore Hall as part of the Hearst Visiting indictment, but the rest of the media started Sandusky story. Professionals series in October. He explained following it after that. “We were on high for a while, and it was an how The Patriot-News, located in Harrisburg, “I guess they didn’t trust us,” he said. “Once exhausted high,” Kirkwood said. the 4 Headliner SPOTLIGHT ON GUEST SPEAKERS Ambrose urges students to stay updated

aste of Home Editor Jeanne Ambrose helped her get a reporting job in Guam. true when it comes to the audience for a story. wants CMU students to know they “It is really important to be persistent,” She said to remain objective and keep the read- Tneed to constantly update their skills Ambrose said. “Keep going back, knocking ers in mind when reporting. to be successful in journalism. on doors. Persistence and drive really make a “You are not the story,” she said. “You are “The education process doesn’t stop at difference.” the storyteller.” graduation if you want to stay on top of your Ambrose believes her education at CMU She also told students that listening to their game,” she said. “Be passionate. Be adaptable. helped her hone her skills in writing, interview- sources and using “dramatic pauses” will get Be curious, creative and kind. And, never be ing, editing, and even photography and design. people to open up and help tell the story. afraid to ask any questions.” “But, most of all, it taught me to take those “The key is to make sure you make whoever Ambrose, a 1976 CMU graduate, visited skills and add desire and drive,” she said. “Those you are talking to comfortable,” she said. campus as part of the Hearst Visiting Profes- are keys to success. I am a dreamer. But, I also She was hired by Taste of Home, the largest- sionals series in November. She had not been am a doer. I take those dreams and figure out circulation food magazine in the world, to back to campus for about 30 years, so she how to implement them.” help modernize it. She still freelances, and told jumped at the invitation to speak to journalism Students in Teresa Hernandez’s JRN 102 students there are many smaller publications students. class were preparing story proposals for various out there looking for employees. Her first job after college was for a news- media outlets, and Ambrose encouraged them “Work hard,” Ambrose said. “Always make paper in Grand Blanc, Mich., but she decided to study whom they are pitching to. She said sure to keep your options open. Once you that wasn’t for her, so she moved to Hawaii. She the idea may be great, but if you don’t study the make a relationship with someone, never burn worked in public relations for a year, but her publication, your proposal will get rejected. bridges.” constant visits to the newspapers in Honolulu Ambrose believes the same philosophy is

SPOTLIGHT ON FACULTY Miller teaches photo workshop in Alaska hotojournalism professor Kent Miller Miller’s volunteer work with the National began his love affair with Alaska on a Park Service and his photography have helped Pfamily cruise in 2008. him establish internships for CMU students He had always wanted to photograph the at three of Alaska’s national parks. Since 2009, scenery and wildlife there, so he contacted the students have spent their summers working National Park Service and sent in his portfolio. as assistants to the parks’ media specialists at He was hoping to be invited to stay four days Denali, Kenai Fjords and the Southeast Utah and shoot at Denali National Park. Instead, he Group. As a result, their photographs appear on was invited to stay for 10 days, and he has been the web sites of those parks, exhibits in visitor invited back every year since then. centers, bulletin boards, government publica- Miller taught a workshop from Aug. 26 tions and multimedia presentations. through Sept. 1 at Denali National Park. The “There’s an emphasis on the skills they learn Road Scholar program, titled “Photographer’s here that gets super emphasized there,” Miller Paradise, Denali in Fall Foliage,” was a combi- said about the internship program. nation of classroom and hands-on learning. Miller checks in with the park rangers “We were in the prime of photography throughout the summer to help evaluate the heaven with the fall colors,” Miller said. students. He said they have really grown as Miller enjoyed capturing the scenery and photographers and expanded their skills after the wildlife, while helping his group of senior their experiences in Alaska. zones and find what inspires them. citizen students learn to master their cameras. It is Miller’s hope that his students will “Being a photojournalist is not only a great “Alaska is almost like a foreign country. It is continue to challenge themselves, as he does way to get things published, but it’s almost so different and wild,” he said. in the classroom, to go outside their comfort spiritual when you form relationships with people,” he said. the Headliner 5 SPOTLIGHT ON RECOGNITION CMU students, alumni win top MPPA awards entral Michigan University photojournalism students and alumni have been Crecognized with high honors from the Michigan Press Photographers Association, edging out photographers from the Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, MLive, Midland Daily News and Michigan State University. Individuals from CMU received approximately 30 percent of the total awards and honorable mentions in the MPPA 2013 Pictures of the Year competition, making CMU the most highly decorated university. The MPPA, an affiliate of the National Press Photographers Association, annually hosts a Michigan Pictures of the Year contest that attracts more than 200 professional and student photojournalists across the state. CMU received 27 of the 89 awards and honorable mentions. Approximately 10 CMU alumni and four current students were recognized with top awards in each of the 13 categories of the competition, including College Photographer of the Year, Photographer of the Year and News Picture Story. Novi junior Zack Wittman received two awards, including first place in College Photog- rapher of the Year. Wittman is the first junior from CMU to win this award since 2004. “There was some tough competition this year,” Wittman said. “I am beyond privileged to have won. It’s great to be recognized for doing something I love to do.” CMU journalism faculty member Kent Miller says the awards put a spotlight on the talent in the photojournalism program. “CMU knows what it takes to become a photojournalist,” Miller said. “We have high expectations of our students. They work hard to Top, Novi junior Zack Wittman received two awards, including first place in College Photogra- achieve awards like the MPPA awards. It really pher of the Year. Above, 2012 alumna Libby March, of Iron Mountain, received second place in speaks to the strength of our program.” Photographer of the Year. Additional award winners include: first place in Sports Portfolio 2009 alumnus Neil Blake of Alma received Novi junior Zack Wittman received first Senior Mike Mulholland of Greenville third place in Photographer of the Year place in Feature Picture Story received second place in College Photographer CMU had more than 10 honorable men- 2012 alumna Erica Kearns of South Lyon of the Year tions, including a multimedia project created by received first place in Portrait/Personality 2012 alumna Libby March of Iron Moun- seven CMU alumni titled “Wind. Mid-Mich- Senior Jeff Smith of Ann Arbor received tain received second place in Photographer of igan’s New Energy.” The project was created as first place in News Picture Story the Year part of a final project for Miller’s Seminars in 2009 alumnus Neil Blake of Alma received 2012 alumna Ashley Miller of Farmington News Photography class, a capstone course for first place in Sports Picture Story Hills received third place in College Photogra- the photojournalism program. 2009 alumnus Neil Blake of Alma received pher of the Year the 6 Headliner

SPOTLIGHT ON GUEST SPEAKERS Ed Kashi speaks about photojournalism

enowned New York photojournalist became clear to him that he did not have the Ed Kashi believes the point of his skills to be a writer. He decided to try photog- Rwork is to make the world a better raphy. place. “I found my calling,” he said. “After three “Strong reporting, strong imagery can months, I was hooked – hook, line and sinker.” inspire people and change their minds about a Kashi also shared how he got hired by Na- situation,” Kashi said. tional Geographic. He started showing them his Kashi was invited to CMU in October work in 1983, just four years after he graduated as part of the Hearst Visiting Professionals from college. He went back two or three times program. after that. A visual journalist for more than 30 years, “In 1991, I had completed a project in Kashi spoke to journalism students and shared Northern Ireland and was able to prove to his photographs and multimedia work. His big- they see is bad news,” Kashi said. “I try to point them that I could tell a story,” Kashi said. “You gest client is National Geographic. to solutions to help with the problem.” need to be able to create a visual narrative.” “Ultimately, I’m a storyteller; a visual story- In Lori Brost’s JRN 340 class, one student Kashi told students composition is the teller,” Kashi said. asked Kashi why he wanted to be a photojour- most important element in still photography. He works with various organizations, like nalist. He also said you always have to be looking for the Open Society Foundation in New York, to He told her he started out wanting to be moments to create a great photograph. draw attention to the subjects he covers. He a writer, and he applied to the University of “I view images as a road map,” he said. “I hopes his efforts help bring change. Michigan. He didn’t get in there, but got ac- create a road map of where I want the viewer’s “I feel like people kind of tune out if all cepted at Syracuse University. While there, it eye to go.”

SPOTLIGHT ON FACULTY Dr. Elina Erzikova receives teaching awards

r. Elina Erzikova, assistant professor of public relations, has been recog- Dnized with two teaching awards. She received the 2012-2013 Excellence in Teaching Award and the Lorrie Ryan Award for 2013. Executive Vice President/Provost E. Gary Shapiro said in a letter to Erzikova, “This is an especially important award for Central Michigan University, which prides itself on the professional strength and committment of its teaching faculty. I commend you as one of whose performance as a teacher has had a positive and memorable impact in helping your students attain their learning goals and has earned the praise of your peers.” The Lorrie Ryan Award exemplifies the committment to effectively incorporating community service into the classroom. It also per- sonifies respect and inspiration to your students Erzikova received plaques for each honor, Library Auditorium on campus. while being a positive role model. which were presented on March 20 in the Park the Headliner 7

SPOTLIGHT ON GUEST SPEAKERS Kameel Stanley visits for Hearst series

atisfying her own curiosity, and that of choices that consumers aren’t always choosing journalism students, is what brought what is right. She told students, that as journal- SKameel Stanley back to CMU after ists, they need to be willing to challenge the she had been invited to be a Hearst Visiting facts and report the truth. Professional in September. In Teresa Hernandez’s JRN 102 class, stu- “I’m very curious about what today’s jour- dents asked Stanley what they should be doing nalism students think of the industry and what to prepare for their future careers. She stressed they think they’re getting into,” Stanley said. the importance of doing, not just studying. Stanley majored in journalism and creative “Classes are important, but CM Life is writing and graduated from CMU in Decem- where I learned how to be a journalist. … You ber 2008. She had worked at CM Life as a can’t study journalism, you have to do journal- reporter and editor while in college. She is now ism,” Stanley said. a police and crime beat reporter at the Tampa CM Life gets you clips, teaches you how to partment beat during internships at the Jackson Bay Times. work on deadline and helps you network with Citizen Patriot, The Grand Rapids Press, Tampa As part of the Hearst series, Stanley came professionals in your field, Stanley said. She also Bay Times and The Washington Post, prepared to Moore Hall to discuss how CMU helped mentioned how Tim Boudreau’s Ethics and Stanley for her career today. shape her career as a journalist and to offer Media Law class, her photo class, and Dr. John “I like telling people’s stories, and writing students her thoughts on how the industry is Palen’s speed drills shaped her as a journalist. about things that matter to people,” she said. changing. She stressed the importance of getting For current journalism students, Stanley “Journalism is not going away. There will internships, even as early as after freshman year. said they need to find a place where they can always be a need for information; it will just be She said she believes her internships made it fit in, get on-the-job training and grow as a delivery issue,” Stanley said. easier for her to get a job once she graduated. journalists. She said today there are so many media All that experience covering the police de-

SPOTLIGHT ON ACADEMICS Changes allow more journalism classes

ournalism students will be able to digital skills and emphasis on teaching communications,” the revisions state. take more classes under the JRN and learning. Graduates also must be able to think J designator as a result of revisions “Instruction, whether on-site or critically, creatively and independently; to the accrediting standards set by the online, is demanding and current, and is conduct research and evaluate Accrediting Council on Education in responsive to professional expectations information; write correctly and clearly; Journalism and Mass Communications of digital, technological and multimedia and critically evaluate their own work and (ACEJMC). competencies. Achievements in teaching the work of others. The revised standards permit and learning are recognized and valued,” According to a news release from the journalism students to take a maximum of the revisions say. ACEJMC: “The revised standards become 52 credit hours under the JRN designator, Standards for curriculum and effective Sept. 1, 2013. However, schools instead of 44 hours. The minimum of instruction are outlined. The ACEJMC doing self-studies this year and next 39 credit hours will remain the same. stresses the importance of preparing year may use the new 72 semester hour Students also may take up to six hours of students to work in a diverse society. requirement of classes outside the major internship credit instead of the current All graduates must “demonstrate instead of the current 80 semester hours three hours. an understanding of gender, race, of general education with 65 semester This change allows students to take ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as hours in the liberal arts.” more electives in their program. appropriate, other forms of diversity The ACEJMC outlines the need for in domestic society in relation to mass the Please Return To: Central Michigan University Department of Journalism 454 Moore Hall Headliner Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2013

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