UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–LINCOLN

COJMC ALUMNI MAGAZINE WINTER 2007-2008 CAMPAIGNS ON CAMPUS

BREAKING NEWS RENAUD WITNESSES BIRTH OF A KOSOVO NATION ■ S tory on page 75 NOTEB OOK Ward Jacobson Losing the bridge

I’ll never forget the sirens. Coopers of the world had their cameras pointed squarely on the My wife and I had just moved into our southeast Minneapolis rubble, seeking out the people who were there — emergency per- house the previous Thursday. We were about five minutes into din- sonnel, survivors, witnesses. By early the next week, they were all ner on our back patio — a Wednesday evening where the air was gone. heavy, the sky a threatening mix of grey and brown. It was just after Once the last body had finally been recovered, the questions 6 when the sirens started. started coming. Why did this happen? No one wants to hear sirens. Thankfully, they usually last only Then came the data. Some of the numbers were startling as it a few seconds, maybe a minute or two. These sirens seemed to cry was learned just how many bridges in this country were sub-stan- forever. It was Aug. 1. dard. Initially, Minnesotans were reluctant to criticize public offi- As we continued to eat, the sirens grew louder and more per- cials. In this case however, criticism can’t be avoided. sistent. “Must be some wreck on the freeway,” we In the past several weeks I have learned that thought. I-94 is the east-west route connecting transportation concerns in this state have largely Minneapolis and St. Paul, and it roars about a mile been ignored for years. Surely a tragedy of this mag- or so from our house. By 6:30, dinner was over. nitude would change all of that, right? Plates were cleared. The sirens had finally stopped, Not necessarily. Severe flooding in southeast and all was forgotten — for a while at least. Minnesota shortly after the bridge collapse muddied Shortly after 7, the phone rang. A friend from the picture. More emergency funding was needed. A Lincoln was calling to see if we were OK. Looking special session of the Minnesota State Legislature back, I’m amazed she was able to get through. We rightly focused on how to aid flood victims. Wrongly, then did what seems to come naturally in this day the special session ignored transportation safety and age when situations like this unfold. We turned issues. on CNN. Factor in government bureaucracy — namely the For the next several minutes we stared silently Minnesota Department of Transportation, known at coverage of the aftermath of a disaster that here as MnDOT. This government body has not exact- seemed to be happening hundreds of miles away — WARD JACOBSON ly been a shining star in the aftermath of the tragedy. in that other world where horrible things always Among numerous shortcomings within the happen. But this was our own backyard, not even two miles from agency, it was learned that the person in charge of responding to our house. Minneapolis. The Twin Cities. The place we had called emergencies reportedly was on a business trip on the east coast home for one year. It all seemed very surreal. when the bridge collapsed. According to MnDOT, this person did The Sunday before the bridge collapse, my wife and I had biked not return to the Twin Cities until 10 days after the disaster. The from our home to the Guthrie Theatre for a show. We live just a Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported this was one of 17 business trips block off the West River Parkway that follows the Mississippi River the official had taken since mid-2006, costing the state at least into downtown Minneapolis — about a 10-minute ride. It was such $26,400. As one state senator said, “It’s almost incomprehensi- a great evening, being able to bike to a wonderful new venue, avoid- ble.” ing the hassles of traffic and parking. A catastrophe of this nature demands the confidence of the As we followed the Parkway bike path home that night, a full people in their elected officials. That confidence seems to be lack- moon hung over the Mississippi, lighting the way. It was magical. ing right now, which is troubling. A Colorado contractor will rebuild Three days later, the south end of the I-35W bridge was on top of the 35W bridge, costing anywhere from $235-$260 million. They that bike path, right where we and countless others had been, hope to have the bridge open by the end of 2008. Other bridges about a quarter mile south of the Guthrie. need attention too, all over the country. One can only hope the That is the most incredible part of this story. Only 13 lives were work gets done. lost. The night of the collapse I can remember thinking that num- I never thought much about crossing bridges before Aug. 1. ber would probably be staggering. It was the evening rush hour, I’m guessing most people didn’t. Now I do plenty of thinking every downtown, with a Twins baseball game starting in an hour, less time I cross a bridge, usually two or three times a day. I think about than a mile away. The University of Minnesota campus is right a lot of things. there. It is a busy area. This provides little consolation to the fam- And I can still hear those sirens. ■ ilies of those who perished, but given the area and time of day that the collapse occurred, it is remarkable that the death toll was so Ward Jacobson is a 1984 graduate of the University of Nebraska low. College of Journalism. After 21 years at KFOR Radio in Lincoln, he The rest of August unfolded. For a few days, the Anderson moved to the Twin Cities in July 2006 to join American Public Media’s Classical 24 as a national host. 12 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALMNI NEWS 33 COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–LINCOLN WINTER 2007-2008 AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS

THE ISSUE COVER: 40 Message from the Dean: Pomp in Michelle Obama appeared unique circumstance at the Lied Center on Friday, 80 Woman at work: Sriyani Tidball is Feb. 8. Obama was in Lincoln to campaign for her husband, agent of change, growth Barak Obama, before the 10 Journalism: CNN wants to be accu- Nebraska Democratic Party’s rate, timely and first, if possible caucuses on Feb. 9. 11 College publications: Jnews and Courage in Education earn awards in PHOTO BY LOGAN MEIER international competition 12 Celebration: AUCA promotes AT RIGHT: Chelsea Clinton spoke at the democracy, service, toleration Nebraska Union on the UNL 42 Diversity: A diverse J school satisfies campus Thursday, Feb. 7, needs of diverse communities promoting her mother, 43 Internships: Partnership with NET Hillary Clinton’s, candidacy strengthens the classroom experience for the Democratic presiden- tial nomination. and aids students’ career preparation 44 Student groups: Opportunities PHOTO BY JAMES MCCAVE abound for learning, networking and developing friendships 46 In-depth: Report focuses on Nebraska’s water resources 48 In-depth: Class focuses on the inter- Journalism summit in N.Y. national quilting phenomenon Advances in digital technology are challenging 50 Holman Plaza: West entrance to the business model for delivering content. Page 5 Andersen Hall has been renovated 50 ALUMNIf y i The Pentagon Papers History comes to life during NOTEBOOK weeklong symposium. Page 16 20 Losing the bridge: T he questions remain — why did this happen? ANTHONY LEWIS WALTER PINCUS 74 Media: Commercial ratings system DANIEL ELLSBERG concentrates on viewers’ TV habits

JNEWS & NOTES 52 Faculty Notes 54 Faculty Profiles SARAH SWIFT 58 Alumni Notes 63 Student Notes Students’ frankness sets off uproar 64 Student Honors Firsthand experience in freedom of the press 66 Student Profiles earns freshman a freedom award. Page 14 72 Student Internships

JALUMNI NEWS IS A BIANNUAL PUBLICATION OF THE COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS AT UNL IN COOPERATION WITH THE COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION – DEAN Will Norton Jr. EDITOR Charlyne Berens ART DIRECTOR Marilyn Hahn PHOTOGRAPHERS Bruce Thorson – Luis Peon-Casanova – Teresa Prince – JOURNALISM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS – PRESIDENT Ashley Washburn – NATIONAL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE Thom Kastrup – BOARD MEMBERS Jeff Carney, Terri Diffenderfer, Rhonda Gerrard, Barry Kriha, Monte Olson, Tracy Overstreet, Cheryl Stubbendieck, Dara Troutman – PAST PRESIDENT Ann Pedersen-Gleeson – STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE Dani Blecha – COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE Richard Alloway – FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVE Steve Hill • LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SHOULD BE SENT TO: J Alumni News • CoJMC, P.O. Box 880443, Lincoln, NE 68588-0443 • PHONE 402.472.3041 • FAX 402.472.8597 • E-MAIL [email protected] • COLLEGE WEB SITE • http://www.unl.edu/journalism/ NEWSNETNEBRASKA WEB SITE • http://www.newsnetnebraska.org Daily Nebraskan Web site • http://www.unl.edu/DailyNeb/ • The University of Nebraska–Lincoln does not discriminate based on gender, age, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 Pomp in unique circumstances

During the complicated history that followed the defeat of the Serbs in 1389, it has often seemed that freedom and prosperi- ty are not possible in the Balkans. Despite such pessimism, the Kosovo Institute for Journalism and Communication was established in 2005 to offer hope. Its mission was based on a commitment to five freedoms: — Freedom of speech, — Freedom of the press, — Freedom of religion, —Freedom of assembly, and ‘Hans Nielsen Hauge was —Freedom to petition the government At the first graduation ceremony last Nov. 26, Dr. Terry arrested for his religious beliefs. Threadgold, provost at Cardiff University, described how she We looked out over the graduat- and her colleagues teamed with faculty from Norway’s Gimlekollen School of Journalism and Communication at the ing class and wondered which of founding of KIJAC. While the College of Journalism and Mass them may be the Hans Nielsen Communication at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a recent partner in KIJAC, Nebraska has been working with Hauge of the Balkans. Gimlekollen for nearly a decade. Our contact person was Oyvind Aadland, the former director of international studies at Gimlekollen. He was a DEAN WILL NORTON JR. graduate of Wheaton Graduate School when my father was ’ dean of that school. The founder of the Gimlekollen School of His charisma helped spark the economic rise of the peas- Journalism and Communication patterned the Norwegian ant class and the formation of a constitution that resulted in program on the model Wheaton had developed in journalism freedom of expression in Norway. and communication. Hauge was a major player in a new day for Norway. In 1999, Dr. Aadland visited my father at his home in Clearly, none of us knows whether there will be a new North Carolina and asked him to suggest a journalism pro- day for Kosovo and the Balkans. However, the optimism of our gram in the United States with which Gimlekollen could be Norwegian friends should be an encouragement. associated. My father said Nebraska was the only journalism Their optimism is based on those five individual free- and communication school with which he was acquainted. doms. Dr. Aadland asked Knut Sigurd, then president of The future of those freedoms will depend on the knowl- Gimlekollen, to invite my father and me to Kristiansand, edge and skills of people like the first graduates of KIJAC. Norway, to visit the school. That visit led to Sigurd’s and Kaare We congratulated the graduates on this milestone in Melhus’s attending a Freedom Forum conference in London in their lives. 2000 and renewing contacts with Keith Bowers and John We celebrated their accomplishment with their families. Owen, two distinguished teachers in the Gimlekollen network, We reminded them of the hope of commitment to the which includes schools in London, South Africa, Wales, Oslo, five freedoms we cherish. Kristiansand and Lincoln. And as we looked out over that graduating class, we Gimlekollen is part of an organization that was formed wondered which of them may be the Hans Nielsen Hauge of as a result of the experiences of Hans Nielsen Hauge, a the Balkans. Norwegian farmer who lived during the late 1700s and early 1800s. He was arrested for his religious beliefs, for printing and speaking about those religious beliefs and for meeting to discuss those beliefs.

14 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALMNI NEWS 33 COLLEGE

Journalism students’ education must Journalism in the include interdisciplinary work, panelists said, and J schools must be fully integrated into the greater university. service of democracy REINVENTING AND REINVIGORATING THE NEWS ENVIRONMENT A manda Bennett said her perspective on news did a 180 degree turn when she went Symposium considers how J schools can help from being an editor at the Philadelphia Enquirer to a reader of the paper. “As a shape the changing media world reader, I consumed the paper as ‘what can I do with this information?’ — the utility By CHARLYNE BERENS factor was paramount.” Generally, she said, that’s a point of view newspapers and other mass media have traditionally reject- his is not your father’s mass media. ¶ The ways in which people get news and ed. information today are hardly limited to the daily paper on the doorstep and Bennett is now executive editor/ Huntley and Brinkley on the nightly news. And the impact of these changes enterprise for Bloomberg News. She and T goes beyond the obvious — Web sites and cell phones — to reach to the very the other members of the panel on rein- foundation that has made mass media possible. ¶ It is clear that advances in venting the news environment talked digital technology have changed the ways people consume news content, but those about the most profound changes they’ve advances are also challenging the basic business model for delivering that content. Those seen in the media market and how the changes and challenges, expressed by Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie media should adapt to those changes. Corporation of New York, formed the basis for a two-day January summit titled Jim Kennedy, a vice president at The “Journalism in the Service of Democracy.” ¶ The summit included deans, faculty and stu- Associated Press, said there is no going dents — including nine representatives from UNL’s J school — from 12 universities that back. are part of a Carnegie-Knight consortium on journalism education. The participants “People are consuming news in differ- took a look at the condition of journalism today and how journalism schools should be ent ways,” he said. “We need to adapt.” part of the changing world. ¶ Panelists talked about the role of journalism schools, about Betsy Morgan, CEO of The Huffington how the news environment can be reinvented and reinvigorated and about how the “new” Post, said news is no longer a one-way journalism is being put into action in 2008. street from the mass media to the readers and viewers. “It’s a loop,” she said, con- RETHINKING AND glomerates. That makes a journalism necting the media and the community. RECONCEPTUALIZING JOURNALISM degree more important, he said. That doesn’t mean the basic tenets of EDUCATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY David Westin, president of ABC News, journalism should be abandoned, though, Gregorian led off the day’s first panel, say- asked how the academic and practical side said John Stark, a vice president at the ing the question is not whether prospec- should fit together. Ibarguen said J schools FOX News Channel. Accuracy is still para- tive journalists should earn journalism must teach both practical skills and ethics, mount, he said, but the new technologies degrees but how J schools can be made purpose and values. mean news can be not only faster but also better and more effective. Keller seconded that notion. Students better and more thorough. Alberto Ibarguen, president and CEO must learn the intellectual discipline that But it’s not only delivery that has of the Knight Foundation, the co-sponsor allows them to suspend their prejudices changed. “The business model of the of the consortium of journalism schools, and actually report against them when newspaper has blown up,” said Jim Willse, said the schools are pulled between the necessary. editor of the Newark (N.J.) Star Ledger. academic demands of a university and the While some see the new technologies Concerns today are less about readership practical needs of newsrooms. Journalism as a threat to journalism, Gregorian said than about revenue, he said, adding he was schools, he said, “should be hotbeds of common democratic values and discourse worried about how to preserve journalistic experimentation,” developing graduates are actually enhanced by technological values in ever tightening economic cir- who understand not only new technology advances. And journalists are as relevant as cumstances. but also new ways of thinking. ever. Does the increasing emphasis on par- Bill Keller, executive editor of The He pointed out that, thanks to the ticipatory media make a difference to what New York Times, said aspiring journalists Internet, nearly everyone today has “an the mass media cover and how they do it? used to be well advised to get a degree in entire library at their fingertips.” But how Morgan said it makes things harder in business, political science or history and do people know what to ask, how to deal many ways. For example, she said the then learn the craft of journalism on the with all the information available? J Huffington Post got 4,000 reader comments job, working their way up from small schools must produce journalists with crit- following its coverage of the assassination papers to larger ones. But those opportu- ical minds who can be the arbiters among of Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto. nities are scarce today, he said, as small all the competing pieces of knowledge and “How do readers deal with that?” she papers disappear or are absorbed by con- information, he said. asked, and how does the Post help organize>> 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 53 COLLEGE the information for them? She said editors had divided the comments into eight n

subtopics “with a light hand of editorial io behavior” applied to the comments them- at selves. Stark said it’s easy for people to mis- gie Corpor use their opportunity to comment on ne news sites. “We need to be a traffic cop and vet the information in some way,” he said. But Willse said he thought the only way a newspaper or broadcast outlet could o courtesy Car Phot develop a participatory relationship with Front row: Eric Newton, vice president for journalism program, Knight Foundation; Metta Cederdahl; Amy its readers was to “get rid of the priestly Struthers; Nancy Mitchell; Linda Shipley; Charlyne Berens; Pat Mitchell, president and CEO, The Paley function. Open the windows,” he said. Center for Media. Back row: Jerry Renaud; Will Norton Jr.; Susan King, vice president external affairs, direc- “Make it a more two-way equation.” tor, Journalism Initiative, Carnegie Corporation of America; Adrian Whitsett and Dan Sheppard He said the Star Ledger had set up a Web site as a “living op-ed page” that had “journalism will die.” He urged journalists from each, Current TV is journalism; changed for the better the way the staff to look for entrepreneurial ways to fund YouTube is not. thinks about the paper. Now, he said, edi- the news. “YouTube is showing, not telling,” said tors and reporters try to choose front-page Steve Grove, news and politics editor for THE NEW JOURNALIST IN ACTION content that people are going to talk the site. He said YouTube’s assets are its about, not just what the journalists them- What’s the difference between YouTube immediacy and accessibility, the fact that selves may think are the biggest, most and Current TV? According to panelists citizens who post to the site can be at a important stories. He said newspapers have traditionally tried to be everything to the community Participants in the Carnegie- as we learned, relies on our willingness to while other media were fragmenting. But Knight Initiative on the Future move with technology, even if it means the Internet “blew away the geographic of Journalism Education taking two steps forward and one step market,”Willse said. Now the paper’s job is back as we try to make changes. to synthesize and distribute news all over — “including ads, which are also content.” NANCY MITCHELL INSTITUTIONS Graduate program chair Kennedy said what matters to news Arizona State University Vartan Gregorian, president of the consumers now is “not the container — University of California at Berkeley it’s the content.” He said people must have Carnegie Corporation, said that connec- Columbia University multiple choices available to get at that tivity doesn’t always result in connection. Harvard University content. He also reminded us that Thoreau once University of Maryland Willse said a big debate in newsrooms said: “We are in great haste to construct a centers on the difference between informa- University of Missouri telegraph from Maine to Texas, but Maine tion, which is a commodity, and what the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Texas, it may be, have nothing to journalists themselves create. For instance, University of North Carolina at Chapel communicate.” he said, the Star Ledger has already stopped Hill We can be specialists in technology printing stock listings, which are easily Northwestern University or a subject area, but communicators available in multiple places online. He pre- University of Southern California shouldn’t lose sight of our need to con- dicted TV listings and sports box scores Syracuse University nect with our audiences. To me, this may be the next to go as papers try to pare University of Texas at Austin means in this age of multiplatform media their content to that for which people are City University of New York we need to make sure our students have a willing to spend not only money but time. knowledge base — something to say — Asked what skills journalists must and be able to integrate that knowledge have to be able to reach audiences, UNL REPRESENTATIVES into effective and relevant communica- Kennedy said they must be able to work tion with our audiences. across platforms and to understand how METTA CEDERDAHL best to tell each story. News-editorial student WILL NORTON But Bennett said journalists must not Dean fall in love with their new technical capa- It was encouraging to realize that no one I was fascinated by the first panel in which bilities. “It’s not just how to do stuff but at the symposium was afraid for the wel- David Westin, the president of ABC News, what we should be doing.” fare of journalism itself; the faculty and and Bill Keller, the executive editor of The Willse encouraged faculty and stu- students were instead motivated to New York Times, seemed recently to have dents to think about how to underwrite change journalism along with the changes changed their positions on the usefulness great journalism. If the media can’t solve in technology. The future of journalism, of a journalism education. the problem of financial support, he said, 16 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALUNI NEWS 33 news event first and can stay in situations employees take a look and may pull some- TV like “60 Minutes” and similar pro- where the mainstream media may be thing off the site. grams have produced: sustained, well- kicked out. But YouTube makes no edito- At Current, Putzel said, the watch- trained digging. rial changes or decisions about the con- word is “collaborative journalism.”While “That’s what produces change, and it tent on its site, he said. the platform may be new, the standards of will diminish with citizen journalism,” Christof Putzel, a correspondent and balance and accuracy remain, he said. Steiger predicted. He hopes that producer with Current TV said Current is But, as accessible and immediate as ProPublica can provide the kind of jour- a bit different. It embraces citizen media, sites like YouTube and Current TV may nalism that promotes change. wants to let citizens have their say, but be, digital media have destroyed the busi- Many online media struggle to find a Current also tries hard to verify the accu- ness models of metro newspapers and way to pay the bills. However, Putzel said racy of its postings. much of broadcast television, which rest- Current was profitable within a year of its Moderator David Doss, senior execu- ed on the media’s control of its audience, founding — and it even pays contribu- tive producer of CNN’s “Anderson Cooper said Paul Steiger. tors. He said Current has found new ways 360,” led the panel through a primer on Steiger, formerly of The Wall Street to connect with audiences and said it will the workings of the new media. He asked Journal, is now editor in chief of a fledg- continue to be profitable even as it Grove whether YouTube planned to edit ling service called ProPublica, which will changes its look in coming years. content on its site in the future. produce investigative journalism in the Steiger said ProPublica hopes to find “‘Editor’ is a dirty word at YouTube,” public interest. Notably absent from many a way to work with organizations like Grove said, where the motto is “user first.” new media are foreign reporting and any YouTube and Current to distribute its YouTube, he said, is simply a platform kind of in-depth or investigative report- investigative stories. “We hope to use the where people can have their say. If offen- ing, Steiger said. Citizen journalists may best of the old ways — and new ways — sive material is posted, other users flag it fill some of those gaps, but that’s not the to gather information and the best of the almost immediately. Then YouTube same kind of news that metro papers and new ways to deliver it,” he said. ■

Many talented executives have good DAN SHEPPARD might be able to offer him — without the rhetorical skills, and they do not realize Advertising student sarcastic tone to his voice. that writing and speaking are virtually not It was incredible to see so many influential taught on most campuses these days. Of people in the journalism world in one AMY STRUTHERS course, the exception is journalism educa- place. I felt honored to be among them, Advertising faculty tion. and it was such a great opportunity to lis- Ind ustry professionals representing some This does not mean that you cannot ten and engage in the conversations taking of the largest media organizations in the write or speak well unless you have a jour- place in and out of the panels. It was country emphasized the challenge of cre- nalism degree. However, it does mean that inspiring, to say the least. ating new business models to support the you should be better prepared if you have work of a free press. Key is understanding a journalism degree, and at Nebraska a LINDA SHIPLEY and targeting an audience who is con- high percentage of our students double Associate dean stantly asking, “What can I do with this major. So they have content and good I had a discussion with three graduate stu- information?” Compelling, easily under- writing and speaking skills. dents from one of the other universities stood stories that generate two-way con- that is part of the consortium. One of versations with the audience can help JERRY RENAUD them sarcastically asked, “What can stu- move media from an old position as a Broadcasting faculty dents from Nebraska possibly be doing “department store of news” to a new role It is always exhilarating to have passionate that is so fantastic that you were chosen to as community builders, distilling critical discussions with other educators and be in this group of top journalism pro- ideas from the increasingly complex mass media professionals. Attending the ses- grams?” of information in our world. sions sponsored by the Carnegie and I proceeded to tell him about the Knight Foundations in New York City depth reports providing international ADRIAN WHITSETT reinforced to me the difference that jour- experiences in Cuba, France, Sri Lanka Broadcasting student nalists can make in the world and the and Germany as well as the Ethiopia and The greatest thing about the conference tremendous responsibility we have as Kosovo connections. His reaction was one for me was seeing that people really are journalism educators to make sure our of surprise and newly gained respect for concerned about the future of journalism. students are given all the necessary tools our program. Getting people to talk and think about and training for this important mission. He started asking questions about the what things students can do now to better It’s a great honor to be part of this initia- distance education graduate program and prepare them for their future careers is tive to improve journalism education, and what types of students we attract. He was always a wonderful experience. My hope is I am excited to see what kinds of things amazed at the types and locations of pro- that what the foundation is trying to we will be able to accomplish with this fessionals we have in the program. He then accomplish gets even more exposure and opportunity. began to ask questions related to his own is continued. interests and what our program ■

J ALUMNI NEWS 73 COLLEGE Being the change she wishes to see

By JENNIFER ANANDANAYAGAM

omeone once said that the most powerful agent of growth and transformation is some- S thing much more basic than any technique — it’s a change of heart. A heart change can do wonders; it can create deep within a desire to be different, to be a light in the darkness that no doubt overwhelms us sometimes. Sriyani Tidball, chairperson at Minds FCB, underwent a change of heart 25 years ago when she entered into a rela- tionship with God and since then, she has been carrying the desire to care for the less fortunate and the downtrodden. “I realised that I had to give something to someone else’s life except my own,” she explained with radiance illuminating her face. The well-known creative guru Reggie Candappa’s daughter, Sriyani has always had the blood of advertising in her. She smilingly admitted though that seeing her father’s constant hum with his line of occupation, she had never wanted to enter the field. And so, in an attempt to avoid this hubbub, she retreated into the world of architecture after being educated at Holy Family Convent in her prime years and St. Bridget’s Convent fostering her in her later years. At the University of Colombo, Sriyani studied architecture and went to the United States to complete her final two years in this field. She also has her masters in journalism and advertising, thus living out the truth that what’s in the family does pass down. While studying abroad, Sriyani met her now husband, Tom Tidball, a recog- nized photographer, and they married. She is happy that her husband too shares her opinion about helping the needy and said, “I have a great husband and a solid family,” colouring this out to be one of her backing ingredients. “I have four great kids and I love that part of my life very much. I’m very proud of them,” she smiled. Perceptibly, being the daughter of Reggie Candappa, she was enthused to be Photo courtesy The Daily Mirror 18 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALUNI NEWS 33 ‘God wants me to be families, helping in refugee camps, regen- our island that are dysfunctional due to erating livelihoods, reconstructing homes poverty. “There are families falling apart humble in all I do. and providing relief to children and youth because of mothers going abroad for so they can have normalcy in their lives. work. I think it’s very sad that because of I don’t do it for credit Today CCS, a child centered NGO poverty, mothers leave the country,” she that empowers disadvantaged children uttered her concern, saying that she her- because you really have and adults to improve their lives through self has witnessed the relating of woeful nothing to lose and education, rehabilitation, vocational tales of broken families because of the development, communication, interven- parents’ neglect. nothing to gain. tion, mobilization etc., has a full-time “Across the country, there’s a prob- staff and part time volunteers who help lem that some aren’t even aware of,” she the poor and hurting. They work in a explained stirring on another area of deep SRIYANI TIDBALL variety of projects which include the concern for her — trafficking. “Young Dehiwela Outreach Centre, Lotus Buds children are brought to work as domestics ’ Children’s Home, Power House, Save and then there’s child sex tourism, creative and was no doubt enthralled by Lanka Kids, Lak Daruwo Child pornography, child soldiers, etc. Unlike in the imaginative side of life. “My dad Sponsorship and Community other countries like India where there’s always challenged himself and I learnt a Development and the Tsunami Project. cross border trafficking, here we have in- lot from him. My childhood was quite “By the end of this year, we would country trafficking. Many of the children stimulating and there were always various have built 450 houses for the tsunami don’t have a safe and good life and thus topics discussed over the dinner table!” affected,” said Sriyani touching on the no childhood.” Sriyani is the editor of Lincoln Today, area of her life that followed her heart Trafficking is a dilemma that is large- an annual guide and lifestyle publication change. “It has helped that I have done ly being experienced in our country about Lincoln, Neb. architecture and learnt about designing although many are unaware of it. Coming back from the States, Sriyani houses — you’re always using the skills According to a recent UN report, it is esti- joined Grants and worked there for about you learn,” she stated. mated that 300,000 to 450,000 people are 10 years. “I did a lot of their ‘below the For Sriyani, working with children trafficked within Asia each year, of which line’ work — publications, newsletters, has been rewarding, “I love it,” she said. “I more than half take place in South Asia. annual reports and so on,” she trailed. “It have one foot in advertising and the other Sriyani’s journey to fight this major was really fun. I liked it.” in social work and I think it’s symbolic of problem has been challenging and tough After the time abroad, reading her how you need the combination of NGOs but what she’s learnt in her experiences masters, Sriyani returned to her mother- and the corporate world to meet the soci- there has been gratifying. land and taught, as a visiting lecturer, at ety’s needs,” she smiled. “All of us expect Advertising plays in her life a role the Katubedda University for a few years. the government to do everything when that is uniquely connected to her passion. In 1980, seeds of what would eventu- we ourselves can do a lot. It’s like sending “The area of advertising I like most is ally grow into Community Concern our children to school and expecting social responsibility advertising,” she dis- Society (CCS) were planted, when Sriyani them to learn discipline there alone when closed. She feels that this particular medi- and her husband began helping two we can teach them ourselves, at home.” um has a powerful way of sharing infor- extremely poor families living in the Sriyani, a driven person who doesn’t mation that can change people’s behav- beach slums of Mount Lavinia. Inevitably, give up easily, likes a challenge. “When iour. “It’s a whole new area of advertising their efforts bore fruit and within a few things get tougher it gets you going,” she through which you can communicate to years CCS officially became a non profit, feels. “God wants me to be humble in all I masses,” she put out. charitable, non governmental, Christian do. I don’t do it for credit because you Change is not something farfetched organization. really have nothing to lose and nothing to and unfeasible — it begins in the hearts By 2005, CCS was serving the needs gain.” of individuals — this would rightly salute of over 1,400 children and 600 adults Sriyani and her sister have had a the efforts and achievements of Sriyani every day. The tsunami that hit in 2004 good family life. “My mom is quite amaz- Tidball. ■ devastated the location of where CCS did ing. She ran a recruitment company for most of their work. Sriyani and her hus- the family,” she sketched, expressing her This piece appeared in The Daily Mirror in band, with immense support from their gratefulness to her good, protective and Colombo, Sri Lanka, in November 2007 in children and others, then spent most of ambitious parents. She is immensely more a section of the paper titled “Women at the year 2005 restoring tsunami affected aware of this as there are many families in Work.”

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 93 COLLEGE

BOOTS ON THE GROUND nist at the Lincoln Journal Star and describes the younger Walton as “a good man, a leader, a hard worker, a sports guy CNN Worldwide brings viewers who loves to compete and loves to win. In the “winning” category, this year’s visit to the OSU game would be a disap- firsthand coverage of news pointment for Walton — but the skybox accommodations were more comfortable By ANDREW LACY possible, and we want to take readers to than when uncle and nephew went to the where news is. We believe it’s critical to games together more than 35 years ago. It would be an understatement to say that have boots on the ground.” “My seats at the stadium then were in Jim Walton stepped into his latest posi- In the four years since Walton took the top row of the balcony, and we sat up tion at an interesting time. over, that mission has been tested in there in cold weather and sleet and snow Walton took over as president of unusual ways. Besides the war, major and north winds and had a great time,” CNN Worldwide in January 2003, just events that have occurred on his watch Don Walton recalled. two months before the U.S. invasion of have also included the tsunami and After graduating from the University Iraq. Hurricane Katrina. of Maryland, Jim Walton joined CNN as an entry-level video journalist. That was in 1981, just one year after CNN’s incep- tion. He held several positions on the news side before taking over as head of the sports division and then moving into senior management. As president of CNN Worldwide, he has overall responsibility for leading the company’s networks and services. But today’s students, he indicated, shouldn’t think they can easily replicate that career path. He noted that CNN had barely started when he was hired. “I’d love to be able to say, ‘Do these four things hense and you’ll get hired,’” he said. Instead, he advised students to use anyone they know to help with introduc- tions or references, and he advised every- o by Meghann Sc one to get as much experience as possible Phot through work-study programs or intern- “I had spent most of my career in Boots on the ground ships. “Good grades are important but sports,” he told students during his not essential,” he said, to the apparent October visit to the College of Journalism is a military expres- relief of some students in the audience. and Mass Communications. “All of a sud- “It’s one little thing on your resume. It den, there’s a war about to happen, and sion. ‘It means we allows news organizations to call and it’s a little different from deciding how check. Professors are also helpful in trying many crews to send to the Super Bowl.” want to be accurate to get students placed. Interning gets you At the time, he recalled, the Pentagon real life work experience.” was warning that hotels could be bombed and, above every- After that, he said, “The single most and that reporters might be killed. important thing is to get any job, any- Walton considered pulling CNN thing else, we want where. Don’t be too choosy. You will learn reporters out of Iraq. And then his boss more in the first year of a job than in intervened. to be timely.’ your entire school career. To be successful “I remember Ted Turner screaming, over time is to be curious. It’s easy to ‘You’re going to ruin CNN.’ I asked how. come in and punch the clock and do your He said, ‘You can’t pull people out. We Walton, 49, was visiting UNL for the job — but you’ll do that forever if you are need them.’” homecoming game against Oklahoma not continually trying to learn.” The military expression is boots-on- State University. Though not a UNL grad- Walton also urged students to take the-ground. But it also fits within CNN’s uate — “I was a student here for a semes- classes that will differentiate them from — and Walton’s — definition of jour- ter in 1978; then I experienced a Nebraska other job candidates. Learn Spanish, he nalism. “It means we want to be accurate winter and transferred to Maryland.” — said, and “take business courses. and, above everything else, we want to be he is a Husker fan with close ties to the Understand business. Try to get into com- timely,” he said. “We want to be first if state. His uncle, Don Walton, is a colum- puter classes; learn html. That’s another 10 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALMNI NEWS 33 thing that can help separate you. The Internet is where growth is.” The CoJMC students asked how the College publications earn awards Internet is changing CNN and how much entertainment or celebrity information is J Alumni News, the journalism college’s encroaching on the traditional news busi- alumni magazine, and Courage in ness. Education, a special publication pro- “It’s a different world than 10 or 20 duced by students to commemorate the years ago,”Walton said. “Many of us get 20th anniversary of the Christa news when we want. It used to be the McAuliffe Courage in Education Awards, (CBS) Evening News with Walter Cronkite, then the local news and that’s received MarCom Awards for 2007. it. Now there are so many different J Alumni News e arned a platinum opportunities for people to go and be award in the magazine/educational insti- entertained.” tution category. Courage in Education No longer, he said, can news chiefs earned a platinum award in the maga- deliver only what they think is important. zine/educational institution category; a “The audience answers by ratings. gold in the magazine/design category; It’s critical for CNN to not lose its posi- and an honorable mention for the mar- tion as the most trusted, but we have to keting campaign, which included a acknowledge the celebrity stuff.” direct mail piece, a Web site and At CNN, one of the ways Walton the magazine. tries to meet the expectations of various audiences is by differentiating the pri- Students produce the majority mary function of each of its channels. In of stories for J News, and Marilyn an interview last year with USA Today, Hahn, the college’s communication Walton talked about the differences specialist, designs the twice-a-year between CNN and CNN Headline News. magazine. “Headline News’ strategy in prime Courage in Education was commis- time will be defined as (address) smart, sioned by Gregg Wright, initiator of the engaging, intelligent, opinionated people Christa McAuliffe prize. The project was — and give them a platform to engage directed by advertising student Courtney with their audiences,” he said. “CNN will Rodgers. Student contributors included stick with a more traditional format of Caitlyn Bals, Metta Cedercahl, Tiffany doing news and information.” Lee and Mark Mahoney. The magazine With the audience itself playing a new role, Walton said the mainstream was designed by advertising major media need to embrace the fact that the Heather Cannon with photographs by viewer’s point of view matters. news major Nick Berry and was super- “If 9/11 happened today,”Walton vised by faculty members Amy Struthers Winners include individual communi- said, “tens of thousands of videos would and Charlyne Berens and CoJMC com- cators, media conglomerates and top 50 be posted on YouTube, and people might munications specialist Marilyn Hahn. Fortune 500 companies. Entries come be spending as many hours watching MarCom Awards is an international from national public relations organiza- YouTube as the traditional news outlets. competition for marketing and communi- tions, local ad clubs and local business It has the potential to affect our business cation professionals involved in the con- communicator chapters. if we don’t understand that the game has cept, writing and design of marketing MarCom Awards is administered changed.” But the same forces that are and communication programs and print, and judged by the Association of challenging mainstream news organiza- Marketing and Communication tions are providing more opportunities visual and audio materials, according to for journalists. its Web site. Entries come from corpo- Professionals. The international organiza- “We read and listen to doom and rate marketing and communication tion consists of several thousand market- gloom about news,” he said, with count- departments, advertising agencies, PR ing, communication, advertising, public less stories about layoffs in broadcast and firms, design shops, production compa- relations, media production and free- print outlets. While such events point to a nies and freelancers. lance professionals. The association over- tough marketplace, Walton said the More than 5,000 entries were sees awards and recognition programs, opportunities for journalists are greater judged in 2007. About 18 percent provides judges and sets standards for than ever before because “there are so received platinum awards. Another 18 excellence. ■ many people publishing news” outside percent earned gold awards. the traditional venues. ■

J ALUMNI NEWS 11 COLLEGE

Celebrating 10 years The American University Central Asia promotes democracy, service, toleration

By ELLEN HURWITZ President, American University Central Asia

Welcome to our third annual academic convocation, a growing tradition here at AUCA that formally and symbolically recognizes the beginning of the academic year. Convocation is, literally, an assembly, a calling together of a community to recognize something very special. For us today, we recognize our mission and purpose as we begin the 2007-2008 academic year with a passionate commit- ment to learning.

Our university is a special place: at In his essay “On once international, interdisciplinary and Freedom,” Popper interactive. We are located in downtown wrote: “A rationalist Bishkek in the center of a region under- is simply someone going rapid economic, political and social for whom it is more developments. We are just across the important to learn street from the Parliament of a proud than to be proved nation that is charting its unique path right; someone who among the democratic nations. Indeed, is willing to learn history is being made right on our from others — not doorstep. Our students, faculty, staff, by simply taking over alumni and trustees collectively and col- another’s opinions, but by gladly allowing laboratively sustain our commitment to others to criticize his ideas and by gladly provide the critical thinking skills and criticizing the ideas of others. The general knowledge required by future emphasis here is on the idea of criticism leaders to support the democratic devel- or, to be more precise, critical discussion.” opment of Central Asia. Popper aptly describes the kind of The core values of this great universi- person this approach to truth-seeking ty are evident in everything that we do: creates: one who never takes his own ‘Please bring in the way that our students pursue their knowledge or the knowledge of others at studies, in the way that our faculty face value but offers it up to examination your nobility, inspires students to learn and in the way and criticism. This principle, along with that our staff supports the university’s the principle of refraining from personal your generosity, commitment to learning. We champion attacks, creates a fertile learning environ- the way students study and learn as much ment that Popper says “leads us to a self- your good humor as, or even more than, what they learn. critical attitude and to toleration,” an to the challenges We honor critical inquiry and the environment we constantly endeavor to thoughtful framing of issues; we value provide every day. These are the essential facing our university civil and respectful criticism, which is the aspects of an independent and responsi- foundation for the development of ele- ble liberal arts university, and that is in the world of the gant thinking, and superb oral and writ- exactly what we are. ten communication; and we foster the This is a very special year in the his- 21st century. habits of learning that enable successful tory of our university. It is our 10th careers and deeply satisfying lives. anniversary, literally this November, as an Our core values are reflected in the independent institution of higher learn- ELLEN HURWITZ visionary ideas of Karl Popper, the 20th ing. AUCA has become an excellent uni- ’ century social and political philosopher. versity in a very short time. We treasure 12 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALMNI NEWS 33 os courtesy AUCA Phot

From left, Kaare Melhus, Gimlekollen our unique mission in the region as a through national election monitoring, School of Journalism and Communication, free-standing liberal arts university. This awareness campaigns for improving the and Dean Will Norton Jr., CoJMC, attended independence, this freedom, is at once a social conditions for the physically chal- graduation ceremonies June 9, 2007, in privilege and a great responsibility. At lenged, fundraising and clothing drives Bishkek, Kyrgystan AUCA we cherish the exploration of ideas for orphaned children and the elderly. It and the design of solutions to complex is my hope that with your compassion, league Diana Chapman Walsh, former problems. We enjoy the freedom to devel- creativity and perseverance, we will president of one of the finest colleges in op these ideas and designs. With this awe- uphold and expand our proud tradition the world, Wellesley College, “The world some freedom, however, come serious of service to our community and that is a scary place, and our individual efforts responsibilities, including the commit- you, our students, will make community seem so inadequate in the face of prob- ment to be intellectually honest, to identi- service a part of your life long after your lems of such magnitude. But the more we fy clearly the sources of our ideas and to days at AUCA. can come together and pool what we accept fair criticism. No cheating, no spe- We welcome our new freshman class know, the more we will come to see the cial favors, fairness, honesty, integrity and of some 350 students along with 15 new ways in which doing our small part fits international standards of excellence and faculty and staff members representing into a larger whole, and the more we will behavior are what we are all about. more than 20 countries. We welcome back be able to be hopeful and effective.” There is an additional responsibility all who have been with us, some for 13 Let us all come together and help that we solemnly bear, and that is the years, even before we became an inde- each other and our university make a dif- responsibility to each other and to the pendent institution. ference in our community and fulfill its community in which we are based. We Please bring your nobility, your gen- role as a leading, internationally recog- strive to foster and strengthen an open erosity and your good humor from your nized and respected center of learning in society, a just society, based on the rule of diverse experiences, philosophies and aca- the heart of Central Asia. ■ law that respects and protects the rights of demic disciplines to the challenges facing Dr. Hurwitz delivered this message in June all. In addition, our students, faculty and our university in the world of the 21st 2007 to students, faculty, staff, alumni staff have valiantly upheld a university century. and guests of the university in Bishkek, tradition of serving our community In the words of my esteemed col- Kyrgystan. J ALUMNI NEWS 13 COLLEGE

By LYNN SAFRANEK

arah Swift came to the J school last fall with firsthand experience in freedom of the press. And that experience earned her a statewide award. ¶ The news-ed fresh- A discussion of students’ use of racial remarks needs to occur, an Omaha school official said Friday, but a high school newspaper man was editor of the Benson High may not be the proper forum. SSchool newspaper in Omaha when the paper pub- The Omaha Public Schools on Friday condemned a four- lished a four-page section in April 2007 that exam- page section in the Benson Gazette, distributed Tuesday, that tackled students’ use of the word “nigger.” The section presented ined students’ use of the word “nigger.” The stories the viewpoints of black and white students and staff, including presented the viewpoints of both black and white the school’s dean of students and athletic director. The school’s principal, Lisa Dale, was put on administrative students and staff. ¶ But some students and mem- leave Friday. OPS officials declined to say why. bers of the community were offended, and the Calls came into OPS offices this week expressing concerns Omaha Public Schools removed the paper from about the content of the section, said Luanne Nelson, an OPS spokeswoman. Some staff members from throughout the dis- the school’s Web site. ¶ In a note that ran on the trict, plus some Benson community members and students, were newspaper’s front page, Swift had explained that, offended, she said. while the language used within might make people On Friday, the newspaper was removed from Benson High’s Web site as OPS announced an investigation into the matter. The uncomfortable, “our mission is to inform our district will take “appropriate action” when the investigation is readers of issues important to them.” ¶ Last fall, completed, according to a statement. Swift and the Benson Gazette adviser, Jerred “The Omaha Public Schools has never condoned and can- not support the actions which recently resulted in the inappro- Zegelis, were recognized by AFCON, the Academic priate articles published in the Benson High Gazette,” the state- Freedom Coalition of Nebraska. AFCON present- ment read. “Unacceptable decision-making by staff has violated ed the Academic Freedom Award, made in honor the standards set forth by the Omaha Public Schools to appro- priately guide and educate our students.” of “Nebraskans who have shown outstanding acts Nelson said Dale’s status is pending the results of an investi- of support for intellectual freedom,” according to gation by OPS’s human resources department. Dale could not be reached for comment. the organization’s Web site. Benson students and parents reacted with shock and disap- pointment to the news that Dale had been placed on leave and that OPS disapproved of the articles. “Is that not what she’s here for — to show the students free- dom of speech?” said Laura Argo, a white parent of a Benson Students’ sophomore. Ciara Lee, a 15-year-old sophomore, said the Gazette’s arti- cles helped students debate the issue. “(The section) brought out the thoughts about it that peo- ple have anyway,” said Ciara, who is black. frankness John Bender, an associate professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and executive director of the Nebraska High School Press Association, said he didn’t see anything in the Gazette’s coverage that crossed the line. He said, however, that some of the editorial comments came close. sets off “I really think they should be commended for taking on a serious topic,” he said. “It’s a part of their culture, and I think they need to talk about it in order to understand it.” Jerred Zegelis, Benson’s journalism adviser, said at midafter- OPS noon Friday that he was unaware that OPS administrators were unhappy with the section. He had not been contacted for an investigation. “Nothing so far,” he said. “I’m sure something will happen.” Zegelis said he consulted with Dale before the newspaper uproar was printed. OPS policy requires principals to sign off on news- paper content that may be questionable. 14 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALNI NEWS 33 The Benson Gazette was removed from Omaha Benson’s Web site as a result of controversy caused by articles examining students’ use of the word “nigger” in April 2007

“We discussed how important (the topic) was,” Zegelis said. readers. The four-page section included news stories and a transcript “We use language that may make people uncomfortable, but of a round-table classroom discussion. An editorial and two edi- we feel that the use of language is justified in our mission to torial cartoons produced by the newspaper staff poked fun at the inform our readers of issues important to them,” she wrote. dual meanings of the word and criticized the ability of one race, The Gazette’s reporting found that many students find it but not others, to use the word without repercussion. acceptable for a black student to use the N-word but feel it’s Nelson, the OPS spokeswoman, said, “There is no question never OK for a white student to say it. One white Benson student that the students had a valid, spirited discussion regarding this reported getting jumped for doing so. topic.” She said, however, that a high school newspaper may not The students also explored how one syllable makes a differ- be an appropriate forum, “because, as a printed piece, it can be ence: using the word ending with “er” makes it offensive, but misinterpreted.” ending with an “a” strikes a friendlier tone, they said. Benson senior Sarah Swift, the paper’s editor in chief, dis- Throughout the process, Zegelis said, the students wanted to agreed. make sure they weren’t raising controversy for the sake of raising “I think a newspaper is the perfect forum,” said Swift, who is controversy. They checked out books from the W. Dale Clark white. “Why would we have newspapers at all? It may make peo- Library and consulted Web sites to research the history of the ple uncomfortable, but you can’t talk about things that people word. are always OK with. We can’t just ignore the bad things and hope “Along the way, I trusted them fully,” Zegelis said. they go away.” Swift researched First Amendment issues before newspaper The newspaper hit the school in the middle of the contro- staffers even started work on the project to make sure they could versy surrounding radio talk show host Don Imus, who was fired even print the word, she said. from CBS Radio on Thursday for referring to members of the Zegelis said the reaction he had heard about the section had Rutgers University women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed been “almost all positive.” hos.” One of Swift’s friends told her that she read the student Zegelis said earlier Friday that the issue wasn’t too serious newspaper cover to cover — something the friend had never for high school students because the word is around them every done before. Swift said she also heard from teachers who said the day in the school’s hallways. section sparked intellectual and thoughtful discussions in their “It was a challenging issue because they wanted to make classes. sure they were careful about it,” he said. Benson’s racial makeup for the 2006-07 school year is about The newspaper staff began the project in January under 46 percent black, about 41 percent white, about 10 percent Swift’s leadership. Latino and less than 2 percent each Asian-American and Swift said the topic was inspired by a Martin Luther King Jr. American Indian. Day address by the Rev. Darryl Eure of Freestone Baptist Church Zegelis said some people thought the newspaper staff’s in Omaha. intent could be misconstrued. But most students, he said, “think “He made a call to action,” she said. “He said ‘We can’t use it’s cool” that the paper covered a controversial issue. ■ this word.’” Students listening to Eure stood and clapped, showing they World-Herald staff writers Tom Shaw and Bob Glissmann agreed with him, Swift said. Seeing that, the Gazette staff decided contributed to this report. This story about the Benson High to give a voice to what students cared about, she said. controversy appeared in the April 14, 2007, Omaha World- On the paper’s front page, a letter to readers from Swift Herald and is reprinted by permission. warned that the paper’s contents might be difficult for some 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 15 COLLEGE Joe W. Seacrest’s legacy lives on J school benefits from his contributions to newspaper, community and university mm Art courtesy Jon Humiston/UCo

The Lied Center for Performing Arts, the College of Journalism and Mass Communications and the College of Law sponsored a weeklong series of lectures and public events to discuss the effect the Pentagon Papers has had on American journalism. “Echoes of Project X: The Pentagon Papers Symposium” hosted Anthony Lewis, a former New York Times columnist; Walter Pincus, a Pulitzer Prize winner and nation- al security reporter for The Washington Post; Daniel Ellsberg, a former Defense Department official who gave the documents to the press; and Robert O’Neil, a First Amendment scholar and director of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression.

Echoes of Gil Savery noted appreciative- son, James C. Seacrest, said his shortly before his death. ly that Seacrest believed in father’s philosophy was “what Proceeds from the account, Project X “letting the boys in the news- is good for me is what is good along with money contributed room handle” editorial deci- for the community.” by James C. and Rhonda hen a prominent down- sions, unimpeded by interfer- That legacy of commit- Seacrest, Joe W.’s son and town retailer once ence from the business side of ment to journalism and its daughter-in-law, are ear- W the paper. role in the community lives on marked for the University of threatened to pull advertising from the Lincoln Despite that strong sense in the Joe W. Seacrest Lectures Nebraska. Journal in response to the of preserving the “wall” at the UNL J school, the first John Seigenthaler Sr., placement of a story, Joe W. between the journalistic side of which were held this year. founding editorial director of Seacrest, the paper’s longtime and the business side of the The lectures are funded USA Today, presented the first publisher, gave the advertiser a paper, Joe W. Seacrest was by a Lincoln Community Joe W. Seacrest Lecture on lesson in journalistic ethics. deeply involved in and com- Foundation account estab- April 19, 2007. Seigenthaler “The Journal is edited on mitted to his community. His lished by Seacrest in 1977, focused on the importance of P Street, not on O Street,” maintaining First Amendment Seacrest told the businessman, freedoms. drawing a distinction that ‘Seacrest believed in “letting the boys The second lecture in the spoke to more than mere series was hosted by the Lied geography between the loca- in the newsroom handle” editorial Center for Performing Arts in tion of his newspaper and O decisions, unimpeded by the conjunction with the College Street, where most of Lincoln’s of Law and the J school on major businesses were then business side of the paper. Oct. 30, 2007. Robert O’Neil, located. director of the Thomas As he recalled this story, Jefferson Center for the longtime Lincoln newsman LINCOLN NEWSMAN GIL SAVERY Protection of Free Expression 16 WINTER 2007-2008 ’ ALUNI NEWS 33 at the University of Virginia, opportunities come about. joined two-time Pulitzer Prize Everyone around that table winner and former New York understood whatever good

Times columnist Anthony ts came from this, they would all Lewis to discuss the effect the benefit,” James C. Seacrest Pentagon Papers case has had said. on American journalism. But Joe W.’s philanthropy With his dedication to a was not limited to the local or Performing Ar free press, it’s likely Joe W. r f community. Savery recalled an Seacrest would have enjoyed occasion when Joe W. learned both lectures. that a Red Cross fund drive Gil Savery remembers his was lagging. Savery watched as old boss as someone who the publisher raised a substan- “wanted a newsroom that was tial sum of money for the o courtesy Lied Cente aggressive in covering govern- cause simply by making sever- Phot ment, attentive to economic From left, Anthony Lewis, Walter Pincus and Daniel Ellsberg al phone calls. news and family-oriented,” Although neither Joe W. said Savery, who worked at the nor his wife, Ruth, graduated paper for 44 years and retired During his early days at ‘Nebraska All-Star Primary’ from UNL, they remained as managing editor in 1985. the newspaper, Joe W. worked presidential preference pri- deeply committed to the uni- “The publishers set the tone of as a reporter and photogra- mary, which, through a bipar- versity until their deaths in the newspaper, but they did pher, as well as selling adver- tisan committee, spotlighted 1978. not interfere or dictate how tising. issues early in the presidential Joe W. was involved in a the newsroom mission was to Ultimately, he “focused campaign,” Savery said. variety of leadership roles as be carried out.” heavily on the advertising Seacrest’s work and influ- well as fundraising activities. Joe W. Seacrest and his department and was attentive ence outside the paper also Most notable was his work for brother, Fred, took over publi- to all phases of publishing,” had long-term effects on the University Foundation, cation of the paper in 1942, Savery said. Lincoln. raising funds for the W.K. following the death of their Joe W. saw the newspaper His son, James C. Kellogg Center — now named father, J.C. Seacrest. At the as a force to improve the Seacrest, recalled that his Hardin Hall — on UNL’s East time, Joe W. was 47 years old, Lincoln community, Savery father was a member of the O Campus. Joe W. found financ- and his family had been in the said. “Joe W. was a strong Street Gang, an informal ing to match the original newspaper business since believer in … the power of the group of business leaders who donation from the Kellogg 1897, the year his father newspaper to aid good things met for coffee and to discuss family so the construction bought the Lincoln Evening in the city, state and nation.” business ventures that might could move forward. News. In 1949, during Joe W.’s benefit the community. He was recognized for his Born in 1895, Joe W. tenure, the Seacrests’ newspa- “These were men of sub- work with an honorary doc- Seacrest spent much of his per was awarded the Pulitzer stantial means in the commu- torate of humane letters from youth working for the paper. Prize for Public Service for nity who knew where the the University of Nebraska in After attending “the campaign establishing the finances were that might make 1974. Dartmouth College, he —JOSH LIONBERGER returned to Nebraska and Ellsberg (below) first came forward as a whistleblower in 1969 married Alice Rushton in 1917. They had one son, WHISTLEBLOWER Joseph R. Seacrest, but Alice died in 1920, leaving Joe W. a widower. Activist is He met his second wife, Ruth Kadel, while both were reflective attending the University of Nebraska. Following their oted Vietnam-era marriage, the couple and Joe N whistleblower Daniel W.’s young son moved to Ellsberg said today’s Denver, where they purchased political climate eerily mirrors

and operated a creamery. asanova the conditions in the Johnson

In 1927, the couple n-C administration that fostered returned to Lincoln and his eo the Vietnam War in 1964. family’s newspaper enterprise, uis P Ellsberg said he perceived and Ruth gave birth to Joe W.’s the Bush administration’s evi- o by L second son, James C. Seacrest. dence for war with Iraq, >> Phot 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 17 COLLEGE and potentially an attack on Robert O’Neil, director of Iran, as based on false infor- the Thomas Jefferson Center mation that many government for the Protection of Free insiders know about. Expression in Charlottesville, “The evidence for this Va., and a First Amendment war (with Iraq) is laughably scholar, was also on hand for inadequate,” said Ellsberg, 76, the symposium. He said the while in Lincoln during the Pentagon Papers case broadly last week of October for the addressed the extent to which Pentagon Papers Symposium. courts can intervene, if ever, to “It’s inadequate to be the basis stop the presses. for action when hundreds of “It was an extraordinarily subordinate level officials important decision, even knew it was false from the though the circumstances that beginning.” led to it are unlikely to occur The College of Journalism again,” O’Neil said. and Mass Communications o by Teresa Prince Controversial as Ellsberg’s

along with the Lied Center for Phot actions were, he realized his Performing Arts and the Ellsberg (left) and Campus Voices host Rick Alloway discuss nation- ultimate goal in helping to Nebraska College of Law al foreign policy in a public affairs program aired by the CoJMC precipitate the ending of the sponsored Ellsberg’s visit to Vietnam War. campus as part of a weeklong Ellsberg’s actions became the fodder for New Ellsberg said he doesn’t series of events examining the have much faith in the media, release of the Pentagon Papers York Times v. United States , the case that then or now, to expose hidden more than 30 years ago. reached the Supreme Court in 1971 after the truths when whistleblowers Ellsberg worked on a top- government attempted to stop the publication fail to come forward. secret study of U.S. decision- “Reporters are capable of making in Vietnam led by of excerpts from the Pentagon Papers being very ignorant of what’s Robert McNamara, secretary going on outside their own of defense under President newsrooms,” he said. Because Johnson. These documents, Department. grounds of governmental mis- of the danger reporters face in which came to be known as McNamara made the case conduct, leading to the con- Iraq, he said he fears less the Pentagon Papers, included for war in Vietnam, saying victions of several White information is forthcoming some 7,000 pages that he pho- there was unequivocal proof House staffers. now than in the Vietnam era. tocopied and sent to The New of an unprovoked attack in Ellsberg said he revealed The atrocities of Abu York Times, The Washington the Tonkin Gulf against the documents after conclud- Ghraib and Haditha, high- Post and 17 other newspapers American forces at sea. Soon, ing he no longer wanted to lighting inhumane military in 1971. information revealed initial work for any president ever behavior in Iraq are not aber- In Ellsberg’s estimation reports from the gulf had been again. He said he knew his rations, he said. “Iraq is a war then, as now, evidence used to inaccurate — there was no actions would cost him his of atrocity, primarily, not garner public support for the attack as originally reported. job, his security clearance and exceptionally. I used to think wars in Vietnam and Iraq was “Everything my bosses perhaps even his freedom. melees were aberrations. I no based on information promul- said was false,” Ellsberg said of That is why he said he believes longer think so.” gated by government insiders the propaganda put out by individuals in the Bush Ellsberg said he believes and known to be false. President Johnson, McNamara administration refuse to come the Bush administration may Ellsberg reflected on his and others in support of going forward: People are unwilling be fixated on the notion of actions during Vietnam and to war. face the risks involved. bombing Iran, regardless of asked audiences to consider “I knew they were lies at Ellsberg’s actions eventu- whether an adequate rationale what he should have done at the time, and I knew it would ally became the fodder for arises. the time and how the Bush be disastrous,” he said. “What New York Times v. United “If the president has it his administration should act should I have done?” States, the case that reached way, he is determined to attack today. Ellsberg was prosecuted the Supreme Court in 1971 Iran before he leaves office,” Ellsberg came forward in on 12 felony counts and faced after the government attempt- he said. “This administration 1969 as a whistleblower, first 115 years in prison for reveal- ed to stop the publication of is not pursuing nonmilitary to Congress, then in 1971 to ing what the government said excerpts of the Pentagon ways of keeping Iran non- the press, though he’d known was classified information. He Papers in The Times and The nuclear.” of some of the faulty informa- said he fully expected to spend Post.The court sided with the Emily Ingram, a junior tion since his first day on the the remainder of his life in newspapers in one of the most news-editorial and advertising job in 1964 as an assistant sec- prison. But in 1973, all charges notable cases in history in major who met with Ellsberg retary in the Defense against him were dismissed on establishing press freedom. for a student luncheon said, 18 WINTER 2007-2008 ALUNI NEWS 33 “In today’s political climate, The audience of about 80 rights. include. national security has become people in the Sherman Lewis said The Times took “The whole history of the trump card. Ellsberg is Welpton Courtroom at UNL’s a significant risk when it what judges have done in frank about what he believes College of Law filled the gen- decided, after much delibera- interpreting the First needs to be done and the con- eral seating area and, eventu- tion, to publish the leaked Amendment shows that only sequences.” ally, the jury box, too. The information. The Times’ legal bold judicial decisions could Astrid Munn, a junior two-time Pulitzer Prize win- counsel discouraged the paper have given us the freedoms we news-editorial major also at ner drew about 75 people to from taking any action on the enjoy,” Lewis said. the luncheon, said she didn’t the Lied Center for report. Though the courts consis- find Ellsberg’s message dis- Performing Arts for another “Not only did they say tently have upheld the free- heartening. Instead, she agreed lecture; he also spoke to a ‘Don’t publish it because it dom of the press since the with his contention that the journalism freshman honors could be a crime,’ but ‘We Pentagon Papers case, Lewis press and the public were seminar. won’t even look at what you said that since Sept. 12, 2001, overly complacent and needed Lewis came to campus as have because then we’d be the day after the attacks on the to work harder to uncover part of Echoes of Project X: committing a crime,’” Lewis World Trade Center and the government untruths. The Pentagon Papers said. Pentagon, another American Ellsberg said he hopes Symposium, a weeklong series The Times listened but ideal has slowly eroded: the government insiders who of discussions about the histo- didn’t follow the lawyers’ balance of power among the know the government is lying ry behind the top-secret advice. The government, three branches of government. about the war in Iraq, and report, the implications it indeed, sought an injunction “Since the terrorist potentially Iran, come for- holds in today’s political to get the paper to stop pub- attacks of September 2001, the ward. He said there should be atmosphere and the ongoing lishing the report. The Times executive branch has used the broad public debate about the tug-of-war between the pub- appealed, and the case reached resulting fear to abuse its severe consequences of a war lic’s right to know and con- the U.S. Supreme Court in authority on a grand scale,” with Iran. cerns about national security. June 1971, just months after Lewis said. “American troops go into Lewis elaborated on his The Times first received the The Bush administration’s war to be David, and they perspective — both as a for- papers. warrantless wiretapping of come out and realize they are mer reporter covering the In a 6-3 decision, the jus- Americans should be of par- Goliath,” Ellsberg said. Supreme Court and as a for- tices ruled the government’s ticular concern, Lewis said. —LISA MUNGER mer New York Times employee injunction was an unconstitu- “The reason for this — on the Pentagon Papers tional prior restraint — an deliberate lawlessness is that case as well as what he sees as order to prevent publication. the president — and the ideo- a slow erosion of checks and Lewis said he agreed with logical cohort behind him — balances at the federal level, Justice Hugo Black’s opinion want to exalt the power of the the government’s stance on on the case: “Only a free and president, claiming the right torture and threats to the First unrestrained press can effec- to do anything the executive Amendment. tively expose deception in wants on its own if it asserts a “The Pentagon Papers” is government. And paramount national security necessity,” the common name for the 47- among the responsibilities of a Lewis said. volume top-secret government free press is the duty to pre- Another action the gov- report that detailed the U.S. vent any part of the govern- ernment has taken because of government’s deceptive plan- ment from deceiving the peo- national security concerns ning behind the Vietnam War. ple and sending them off to worried Lewis even more, he The papers came to light distant lands to die of foreign said. when Daniel Ellsberg, a for- fevers and foreign shot and Though White House THE PRESS mer Defense Department con- shell. … spokeswoman Dana Perino sultant, released some of the “In revealing the work- recently said, “The bottom findings he and others had ings of government that led to line is that we do not use tor- Free speech made during a study of the the Vietnam war, the newspa- ture,” Lewis begs to differ. U.S. decision-making in pers nobly did precisely that A document from the is at risk Vietnam. which the Founders hoped Justice Department’s Office of The New York Times, and trusted they would do,” Legal Counsel advised the uthor and former New which received a copy of the Black wrote. president that torture is “only A York Times columnist report, began to sift through Speaking at the Law something that inflicted pain Anthony Lewis gave his the documents in secret, an College to students and facul- of a severity equivalent to the first lecture at UNL in a endeavor dubbed “Project X.” ty members, as well as mem- failure of a bodily organ or packed courtroom, a fitting The Times published the find- bers of the public, the 80-year- near death,” Lewis said. place for someone who won a ings, putting itself in the mid- old Lewis stressed the impor- However, Lewis maintains Pulitzer Prize for his reporting dle of a struggle to define and tance of judges in defining that torture — as he defines it on the Supreme Court. defend First Amendment what First Amendment rights — has become not “an >> 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 19 COLLEGE occasional, individual act of appalling that the church’s and Walter Pincus, a Pulitzer background in journalism and barbarity but … official poli- members would disrupt Prize-winning reporter for law. “He is not in the slightest cy.” funerals for men and women The Washington Post. bit a novice when it comes to “I have believed all my life who died for their country. Will Norton, dean of the constitutional law. He’s in the essential goodness of “But is it something that can journalism college, said Lewis absolutely an expert on the America. I clung to that belief be stopped?” was brought in as the second First Amendment.” despite Vietnam and other Legally, Lewis said, no. speaker in the Joe W. Seacrest Law students specifically, misadventures. I never Censoring any type of speech, Lectureship series. John Poser said, could gain a great thought, never imagined that even the kind that he whole- Seigenthaler Sr., longtime edi- deal of insight from Lewis’ our country would torture heartedly disagrees with, chips tor of the Nashville Tennessean unusual mix of knowledge of prisoners,” Lewis said. “That is away at First Amendment and founding editorial direc- journalism and the court sys- what we have done. Torture.” rights. tor at USA Today, was the first tem. The document further The Pentagon Papers speaker in the series in April “He’s not a lawyer, but I worried Lewis because “it Symposium, sponsored by the 2007. think informed people can went on to say that the presi- College of Journalism and Susan Poser, an associate teach lawyers a lot about the dent had unilateral power to Mass Communications, the professor in the law college law.” order the use of torture, College of Law and the Lied who also serves as chief of From the students Poser ignoring criminal statute and Center for Performing Arts, staff and associate to the chan- talked to, she said, “I heard a treaty that prohibits torture. also featured Ellsberg, who cellor, was the link that helped nothing but praise for the lec- And Congress, this legal opin- gave the papers to the newspa- bring Lewis to UNL. Poser’s ture.” ion added, could not stop pers; Robert O’Neil, director father had been Lewis’ class- —EMILY INGRAM him.” of the Virginia-based Thomas mate at Harvard University. Lewis cautioned law stu- Jefferson Center for the Poser said students could dents — who down the road Protection of Free Expression; learn a great deal from Lewis’ THE COURT could become judges — against bowing to whatever the executive branch says. ‘(Lewis) is not a lawyer, but I A free press “Most judges say, ‘What think informed people can teach will prevail do I know about national lawyers a lot about the law. security?’” This opens the door for Thirty-one years ago the U.S. the president to chip away at ASSOCIATE TO THE UNL CHANCELLOR AND LAW PROFESSOR SUSAN POSER Supreme Court voted against the system of checks and bal- prior restraint on the media in ances that, Lewis said, are fun- ’ Nebraska Press Association v. damental to the U.S. govern- Stuart. ment’s success. Robert O’Neil, a professor Another cornerstone of of constitutional law and an the U.S. government that authority on the First Lewis stressed was the First Amendment, said he thinks Amendment. the outcome of the case would Lewis said radical lan- be the same today, even guage — the kind that can though the political climate make a person’s blood boil — has changed. often can put the right to free “(The decision) wouldn’t speech in jeopardy. be unanimous, and the court Protesting at military wouldn’t say as nice of things, funerals has become a hotly but I have no doubt that the debated issue across the coun- free press would still prevail,” try. Lewis’ fourth book, he said. “Freedom for the Thought We O’Neil, director of the Hate,” due out in January, Thomas Jefferson Center for deals with this topic. the Protection of Free Members of the Westboro Expression at the University of Baptist Church, a Topeka, Virginia, was in Lincoln as Kan.-based group, often picket part of the Echoes of Project at military funerals, saying X: Pentagon Papers that soldiers’ deaths are God’s Symposium during the last way of punishing America for week in November. He was the tolerating homosexuality. ROBERT O’NEIL Joe W. Seacrest Lecturer, par- Lewis said he found it ticipated in a panel discussion 20 WINTER 2007-2008 ALUNI NEWS 33 and spoke with students from those who ought to be receiv- the College of Journalism and ing the information,” he said. Mass Communications and During a panel discussion the College of Law. at the Lied Center for On Oct. 30 in a mass Performing Arts on Oct. 30, media and society class of O’Neil discussed the First about 100 journalism stu- Amendment and prior dents, O’Neil discussed a U.S. restraint in regard to the Supreme Court case brought Pentagon Papers. by the Nebraska Press The panel, which includ- Association against Lincoln ed Anthony Lewis, a colum- County (Neb.) Judge Hugh nist for The New York Times, Stuart. John Bender, a member of the The case started in the J school faculty, and O’Neil small, rural community of spoke to roughly 150 people. Sutherland and involved a The Pentagon Papers brutal multiple murder, arrest were a 7,000-page top-secret and confession. U.S. government report on the Stuart imposed media history of the government’s restrictions to limit pre-trial internal planning and policy- publicity that had caused legal making process concerning problems in previous cases. the Vietnam War. The docu- The Nebraska Press ments were leaked to The New Association protested the York Times and The judge’s restrictions. Washington Post by former Ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Defense Department official Court said Stuart’s order was Daniel Ellsberg. The govern- prior restraint, an effort to ment sued to stop the publica- prevent news from being pub- tion, and the case rapidly lished. made its way to the U.S. O’Neil said the Supreme Supreme Court. Court justices were unani- Despite the decision in mous in their decision against favor of the press, “the case Stuart. wasn’t the Supreme Court’s “Judges were trying to finest moment,” O’Neil said. outdo each other on saying “They made a rash decision.” nice things about the press,” The case went through O’Neil said. the court system in less than a Even though the justices month. And when it came voted against prior restraint in time to write the opinion of 1976, it is still an issue today. the Supreme Court, no justice “I’m worried about read- wanted to own up to it. So the ers, listeners, people who need opinion was written “per curi- the information,” O’Neil said am,” a decision attributed to of prior restraint. the court as a whole, allowing Prior restraint abuse individual judges to remain dates back to pre-colonial anonymous. British history and American Only three justices dis- troop ships. During his public sented because they felt the lectures, O’Neil said prior court had been rushed, O’Neil restraint was acceptable only if said. a military troop ship was set- O’Neil predicted the next ting sail for war when pub- three to five years would see lishing would compromise another test of the First national security. O’Neil also Amendment. said prior restraint often was “I hope we’ll have anoth- and will be used by govern- er equally heartening case,” he ment officials to protect them- said. selves. —JORDAN DEMMEL “The primary concern is 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 21 ALUMNI fyi

A man of MANY media ns io licat ub l Sitzmann/Omaha P il y B n b io at o illustr Phot 2003 grad makes sports reporting his business reports and recruiting stories for the Web By TOMMY DAHLK site. Through HuskersIllustrated.com, Callahan also covers Nebraska recruiting for Rivals.com, a national football recruit- Sean Callahan was a broadcasting major, not a business major ing coverage Web site. Those are just Callahan’s print tasks. at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. ¶ But Callahan’s mar- In radio, Callahan serves as the sideline keting and entrepreneurial talents allow the 27 year old to flour- reporter during Husker football games for Sish as a sports reporter. ¶ Callahan, who covers the Nebraska the Husker Sports Network. He also records 60-second practice reports for Cornhuskers and football recruiting for numerous companies radio and sells them to numerous stations. For television, Callahan provides in different media, said he has capitalized on Nebraska’s foot- Husker beat reporting for WOWT in ball-crazy market. ¶ “My bosses (at Rivals.com) always said Omaha on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday nights and also reports for there is a niche within this Nebraska market for someone to do KOLN/KGIN in Lincoln on Friday nights. what I’m doing,” Callahan said. “For whatever reason, no one Six days a week, Callahan does some had ever taken advantage of that.” ¶ Since graduating from UNL sort of radio job; he works for television five times a week during football season. in 2003, Callahan has carved right into this niche. ¶ His main Callahan doesn’t have too much job is running HuskersIllustrated.com, and he writes practice down time, but he’s had a hectic schedule

22 WINTER 2007-2008 ALUNI NEWS 33 his whole life. Broadcasting faculty mem- willingness to take any job, rather than tal- “I’m used to it,”Callahan said. “Doing ber Rick Alloway attributed ent alone, helped him rise through the 25 things at once is how I’ve lived my life journalistic ranks. all of my life. I’m always a schedule-orient- Callahan’s success to his “I really don’t even consider myself a ed person. I can operate that way. I know a business savvy and the way good writer,”Callahan said. “I’m not going lot of people can’t.” to even try to pretend and say I’m this Callahan had a lot on his plate as he he started marketing his great, world-class writer. But I have pas- grew up in South Omaha and was always daily practice reports to sion, and I put the work in. I think that’s involved in numerous activities. At Omaha other stations all around what helps me. I have good people skills Gross Catholic High School, Callahan and can deal with people. That’s what’s competed in football, basketball and track. the country helped me a lot, and the willingness to And he still found time to play the violin, never say no to an opportunity.” compete in tae kwon do and write for the Alloway said Callahan always showed high school newspaper. “Really, it ended up changing my life and great passion and work ethic but attrib- After graduating from Gross, really led to everything I do today.” uted Callahan’s success to his business Callahan came to UNL to study broadcast At this time, football recruiting was savvy and the way he started marketing his journalism. still a relatively young subject that was daily practice reports to other stations all Once again, he got involved in as starting to pick up lots of steam on the around the country. “That was good busi- many things as possible. Before even step- Internet. Callahan took this beat assign- ness moxie,” Alloway said, “and frankly, ping foot on campus, Callahan sent letters ment to a new level and gave the paper that is something that journalism students to Rick Alloway, a broadcasting faculty more in-depth coverage than ever as he don’t have knowledge or interest of. But member at UNL and the general manager started to report on signings and even Sean was really an entrepreneur from the of the campus radio station, KRNU. compete with Rivals.com. start and marketed what he does and made Enclosed in these letters asking for work at Through his work, Callahan crossed money off of it.” KRNU were recommendations from paths with Rivals.com writer Jeremy At the age of 27, Callahan already has teachers, and Alloway soon hired Callahan Crabtree. Impressed with Callahan’s inter- established himself as a fixture in his to be one of the station’s sports directors. est and work ethic, Crabtree hooked dream market and said he couldn’t be hap- Callahan also got involved with the Callahan up with a job at Rivals in 2000, pier with his life. Daily Nebraskan during his freshman year and the J school grad has helped evaluate “I love what I do every day,” Callahan and was assigned a beat that would end up prospects and cover Nebraska recruiting said. “I tell people that it never feels like I changing the young journalist’s life. ever since. have a job when I wake up in the morning. “I got assigned to be the paper’s foot- Callahan also interned at ESPN in That’s a feeling that I know is hard to find.” ball recruiting beat writer,” Callahan said. Bristol, Conn., during college and said his ■

Pender native leaves big city lights for Big Red Report Shane Gilster, grew up on a farm southwest was making friends and met his future wife, but returned to their Nebraska roots. While of Pender, Neb., graduated from Pender Lissette, a Coloradan, in Denver. it has been tough getting used to fewer High School in 1992, graduated from the Then, as it so often does, life happened. shopping venues, less variety of stores, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1998 with His company merged with Scout.com slower pace of life and more humid, cold a bachelor’s degree in journalism and Media, an integrated sports publishing weather, the move has been an overall posi- minors in history, Spanish and anthropolo- company that delivers integrated Internet tive one for the Gilsters. gy … then headed west to Denver, Colo. and print products. Management took a “[We’re] closer to family and college Like many young Nebraskans … for look at Gilster’s Nebraska roots and educa- friends, Nebraska football, [located in a] that matter, many young college-age adults tional experience and decided he was a per- growing city, [and] bought our first house nationwide … Gilster was anxious to explore fect match for the position of advertis- and car,” said Gilster. big city life. ing/marketing director of Big Red Report “The quality and cost of living here is so “When you are just out of college and magazine and Web site, which covers much better than Denver,” Gilster said. single, you want to move out of state to a Nebraska athletics. “Since I am now married and will be start- bigger city that provides more opportunity “Being a UNL graduate and from ing a family in the near future, it seemed to live and grow,” Gilster said. “Denver pro- Nebraska, I agreed,” Gilster said. “My wife logical to move back to Nebraska. Lincoln is vided that for me.” was hesitant at first since she was from a good-sized city and Omaha is only 40-45 He got a job with First Down Denver and had a stable job there. But she minutes away!” Publications in Boulder, Colo., as an adver- [agreed and] recently found a good job in To talk more with Shane Gilster about tising/marketing director for the company’s Lincoln and enjoys the quality of living his Big Red experience, contact him at 402- Colorado and Colorado State publications. here.” 742-0125, or e-mail: [email protected]. ■ Life was good. He was in a profession he Since moving back to Lincoln, Gilster Reprinted by permission from Nebraska loved marketing university sports teams. He has run into other friends who moved away Development News, Issue 06, 2006.

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 23 ALUMNI fyi

By ERIC FOSTER Roger Boye named to the Medill Hall of Achievement

hen the dean of journalism school and head of Institute. the graduate program, The National High School Northwestern University’s remembers Boye as a highly Institute is a summer program Medill School of gifted student when he was an intended to give high school undergraduate in her classes. juniors an overview of the Journalism meets with “Roger was an exceptional field of journalism. The train- W student and a hard worker,” ing lasts five weeks and, incoming freshman classes and introduces the faculty members, a great she said. “He was more than according to Ghiglione, Boye’s just a student in the class- careful stewardship of the pro- cheer erupts when he gets to Roger Boye. room. He was active in almost gram prompts many of the everything that had to do with students to return to Medill Many of the students will ism. To think that I’m remote- journalism.” for college. have been here a year or two ly part of that group is a hum- After earning the master’s “The students who partic- before when they were part of bling experience.” degree from Northwestern in ipate in the program love him the “cherub program,” a sum- Boye, whose current title 1971, Boye began working at so much, the majority of them mer program designed for is associate professor emeritus high school students who are in service, said his interest in considering a college journal- journalism was first piqued in ism major. a very ordinary way: working Roger Boye, a 1970 grad- for the student newspaper at uate of the University of Lincoln High School. Nebraska–Lincoln journalism Once at UNL, he became school, started working with the editor of the Daily the Cherub program at Medill Nebraskan and president of the year after he graduated. He the student chapter of Sigma has served as its director for Delta Chi, now known as the 23 years in addition to his reg- Society of Professional ular teaching duties. Journalists. “It’s often the first time Gilbert Savery, retired high school students have managing editor of the former been away from home for Lincoln Journal, was a member such an extended period,” said of the professional chapter of Loren Ghiglione, a Richard the society and came into reg- Schwarzlose Professor of ular contact with Boye at its Media Ethics at Medill, who meetings. was dean from 2001 to 2006. “I have very good recol- “It requires a little bit of lections of his great skills as an Roger Boye, third from left, is apply to become undergradu- parental-like supervision. educator,” said Savery, who pictured with students outside ates here,” he said. Roger not only builds their recently turned 90. “He’s one of Fisk Hall on the campus of Bret Begun, national Northwestern University skills but helps them grow of the most modest and self- affairs editor of Newsweek, up.” effacing individuals I’ve ever recalls his experience in 1993 To recognize Boye’s teach- known.” Quill magazine and using his as a cherub under Boye’s tute- ing career at the school, As a way of honoring summers to teach, enabling lage. “It was a tremendous including his summers spent Savery, Boye was instrumental him to have one foot in the amount of fun, while at the with the cherubs, Medill in setting up a scholarship in practical journalism world same time being educational,” inducted him into its Hall of his name: the Gilbert M. and the other in the academic he said. “What Roger does Achievement on April 30, Savery-Sigma Delta Chi world. very effectively is instill in the 2007. Scholarship Fund, which con- But Boye is best known at kids a sense of personal “It was a distinguished tinues to be presented to jour- Medill for being the driving responsibility.” honor,” Boye said, “because it nalism students at UNL. force behind the Cherub pro- Often returning to Medill (the Hall of Achievement) is Wilma Crumley, the gram, officially known as as an instructor and guest lec- like a who’s who in journal- retired associate dean of the National High School turer in the program, Begun

24 WINTER 2007-2008 WS 33 Focus on the positive

Dean of Tennessee communications college continues to look for challenges credits a lot of the success he’s doing things to make his boss- By MEGAN SVOBODA had in the field of journalism es look good.” to the lessons he learned from However, there is more to Boye. Boye’s journalism career than “I am where I am in large what he has accomplished at rowing up, Mike Wirth loved the Davy part due to my experience in Medill. In Lincoln as a boy, he Crockett television series and would sing the Cherub program with became interested in coin col- G Roger at the helm,” he said. lecting, a hobby that soon the show’s theme song at the drop of a In 1987, Boye became the grew into a lifelong passion hat. ¶ “When he moved to Tennessee, we (the coordinator for Medill’s par- for numismatics, the study ticipation in the Hearst and collection of items related family) gave him a Davy hat to remind him of Journalism Awards Program. to money. that,” said Janet Poley, his oldest sister and a Once again, Boye’s leadership When he heard the was crucial in making Medill a Chicago Tribune was looking broadcasting graduate from the University of solid winner. Northwestern for a coin columnist, he Nebraska-Lincoln. applied for the job and got it. From 1974 to 1993 he wrote a Wirth, also a J school to accomplish,” said Barbara Other Nebraska gradu- weekly column for the paper. broadcasting graduate, accept- Moore, a professor in the col- ates in the Medill School He also wrote the annual ed a position as professor and lege of communications and of Journalism Hall of entries on numismatics for dean of the College of information at UTK, said. “He Achievement: the “ Encyclopaedia Britannica Communications and sets goals, and he works Book of the Year” foy r man Information at the University steadily toward them.” R. Neale Copple — years. of Tennessee Knoxville in Moore said Wirth is a University of In spite of Boye’s dedica- 2006. highly respected leader in Nebraska–Lincoln tion to the journalism pro- According to its Web site, communication education (1947) gram at Medill, it’s no secret the college has about 50 and that it’s been an honor to Albert “Mort” Crim — to people there that he tenured or tenured-track fac- work with him. University of remains a Nebraskan at heart. ulty members and more than “He’s conscientious and Nebraska–Omaha “He’s very loyal to 1,800 students in four schools: hard-working, but has a sense (1961) Nebraska,” said Ghiglione. “If advertising and public rela- of humor,” she said. Cheryl A. Tritt — you go into his office, it’s kind tions; communication studies; Eileen Wirth also gradu- University of of a shrine to Nebraska and information sciences; and ated from UNL with a bache- Nebraska–Lincoln the university.” journalism and electronic lor’s degree in journalism. She (1969) At Northwestern, Boye media. said everyone in the family said, “We do have a few grad- He may be in charge of a was driven to achieve. uates of Nebraska high good-sized college, but being “There was no one single students won first or second schools as undergraduates, so dean hasn’t changed who he star; we were part of a herd place overall for 16 consecu- I often become their academic is. that tried to do well.” tive years in the writing por- adviser and make it feel like a “He has incredible Mike Wirth, 56, said dur- tion of the competition dur- small Nebraska. We stick integrity, and he doesn’t play ing high school and college, ing the time Boye directed its together.” games,” said his older sister he was involved in academics involvement. Torn as Boye may be Eileen Wirth, chair of the and extracurricular activities, Boye also served as assis- between institutions, though, journalism department at but he got more serious about tant dean and director of it’s clear his first loyalty is to Creighton University. “He is school as he got older. undergraduate studies at the students who will be going very straightforward, and you “I came from a family Medill for nearly 18 years. out into the world to practice know where you stand with focused on education and “He’s been the reason journalism. him at all times.” hard work,” he said. “I had Northwestern has done so “It’s nice to be a very Others see similar posi- great role models with my well in so many areas,” said small cog in funneling talent- tive qualities in Wirth on a three older sisters.” Will Norton, dean of UNL’s ed, motivated, interested professional and a personal The Wirth family lived on journalism school. “He works youngsters into the profes- level. a farm five miles outside of really hard behind the scenes sion,” he said. ■ “He knows what he wants Nebraska City. >>

J ALUMNI NEWS 25 ALUMNI fyi continued from p. 25 / Mike Wirth Wirth played basketball and had a very good experi- “your focus is more on devel- my arm, and it was a great and performed in musicals at ence, and I found out I oping critical thinking skills, opportunity to do something Lourdes Central High School enjoyed doing the research and you’re learning how to do different,”Wirth said. “It made in Nebraska City. side.” basic scholarly research,” me grow. … It’s (Tennessee) “I had a good singing Wirth said what he likes Wirth said. “You’re expected to challenging, and it has its voice because my father had a about doing research is being deliver more, and at the Ph.D. moments, but it’s been a great great singing voice,”Wirth able to ask a question and level, it goes up another change for me.” said. “I was in all of the musi- develop an approach to gather notch.” As dean, Wirth said he cals in high school.” data. After graduating from has lots of meetings, and it Not only that, “but he was “I’ve done a lot of Michigan, Wirth worked the can be a challenge to stay always into theatrics and sto- research in quantitative and next 29 years at the University focused when there are an ries, which is part of what unending number of things to drew him into broadcasting,” accomplish. Poley said. “I try to stay on the half- He stayed busy while glass full side and keep one completing his undergraduate foot in front of the other,” degree in ag journalism and Wirth said. broadcasting. Wirth said he has liked Wirth was president of most everything he’s done. Kosmet Klub, a group that “There are rough spots produced musicals and plays, with any job,”Wirth said. worked at the Department of “There are good and bad in Agriculture Communications everything you do, and I’ve at UNL and was a member of never been one to focus on the Farmhouse Fraternity and the negative side.” Innocents Society. Eileen Wirth said her “The agriculture part was brother is one of those people because I grew up on a farm. I who wants people to get enjoyed it and knew a lot along. about it (farming),”Wirth “There’s not a mean bone said. in his body. He’s always there Many of Wirth’s profes- for you,” she said. sors and family members saw Looking back on his life positive attributes in Wirth. so far, Wirth said he is most “He was hard-working, proud of his marriage to Alice enthusiastic and intelligent,” and raising two daughters. Professor Larry Walklin said. “I’ve got a great wife who “Mike is an intellectual and a is a dedicated teacher and per- doer.” ‘I came from a family son,”Wirth said. “I have two Eileen Wirth said her great daughters who graduat- brother is very driven and focused on education and ed from communications at tends to find information on hard work. I had great role Denver.” everything. Wirth said other high- “One summer, Mike got models with my three lights in his life were his six interested in baseball, and he visits to China where he was could’ve told you the batting older sisters. the first guest professor from average of every player in the the U.S. at the School of major leagues,” Eileen said. MIKE WIRTH Journalism at Renmin “You can still see that today in University in Beijing. his academic work; he does ’ “I’ve made a career out of everything with 200 percent.” qualitative work, so it’s excit- of Denver. He was director of doing things I enjoy,” he said. After graduating from ing when you find your theory the School of No matter what, Wirth UNL, Wirth extended his edu- is confirmed or when it’s not Communications and profes- will always remember his cation at Michigan State to get confirmed,” he said. “It’s sor and chair of the roots. a master’s degree and Ph.D. in always exciting to think about Department of Mass “He really treasures his broadcasting and mass media. the arguments.” Communications and UNL background, and I think “Michigan State is one of Eileen Wirth said her Journalism Studies when he in many respects a part of his the top schools, so I wanted to brother has always been inter- left for the Tennessee in 2006. heart, without question, is still put a major focus on broad- ested in data, numbers and “I really enjoyed my time here in Nebraska,” Janet Poley casting,”Wirth said. “I went statistics. At the graduate level, there, but Tennessee twisted said. ■ 26 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALUMNEWS 33 From sidelines to starting lines Cullinan returns to his first love: sports Mayeux told Cullinan ABC Sports was coming to Lincoln to cover the By SPENCER SCHUBERT Nebraska football game against Missouri and wanted some student help. Cullinan wasn’t very interested, but Mayeux insist- ed, and Cullinan gave in. He was a side- ob Cullinan’s first experience with sports journalism line runner for the network that day, get- came on the sidelines at Memorial Stadium when he ting coffee for the regular employees and helping people in production control fig- was a gofer for ABC during the telecast of the ure out where to buy new parts if they Nebraska-Missouri game in 1976. ¶ Today, after a needed them. 30-year career, first in local television news and then He didn’t get paid, but it turned out not to matter. inB media relations, he’s come nearly full circle. Cullinan now “I just loved it. It was a blast,”Cullinan makes his living on the sidelines of bicycle races, covering the said. “I met Keith Jackson (former ABC play-by-play announcer). I got along really events for an Internet site devoted to cycling. ¶ “I have found a well with him, and the unit manager asked way to go to the big cycling events around the world,” said me to do the Oklahoma game. Then he asked me to do some bowl games. It was Cullinan who lives in San Rafael, Calif., about 15 miles outside just a blast.” San Francisco. “I write stories and take pictures, and (employ- Cullinan helped out with the Nebraska-Oklahoma game in November ers) pay me to do that. It’s kind of a hobby that pays for itself.” 1976, then went to the Liberty Bowl in ¶ His first journalism experience, though, was as a volunteer — December and the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day in 1977, working 18-hour days and he had to be nearly dragged to it by now retired broadcast- for a week at both places — for “some ing professor Peter Mayeux. minor stipend,” he recalls. >> 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 27 ALUMNI fyi continued from p. 27 / Bob Cullinan He worked with ABC for several more starting line of the Tour de France — and Cullinan said if he could relive any of events that winter, but in February 1977 nobody’s telling me to leave. It was great.” his college experiences, it would have he started working full-time as a sports- In mid-February, Cullinan planned to nothing to do with classes or even his caster at KETV in Omaha — while he fin- launch his own Web site called CycleTo, part-time work for ABC. ished his last semester at UNL. After grad- but he’ll be doing the same kind of work “I met the love of my life in the J uation, he stayed on at KETV until 1979. he’s been doing: “Basically, it’s Internet school,” Cullinan said. “She was a blond- He took his sportscasting skills to Journalism 101,” he said. haired and blue-eyed Nebraska cheer- KMGH, the CBS affiliate in Denver, for Ironically, Cullinan wasn’t all that leader from Ogallala. She befriended me several years, then returned to KETV in interested in journalism when he started my senior year, and one of the great 1982 as sports director. Two years later, he at UNL. He had planned to run his ironies was she was dating one of my went into a video production partnership father’s industrial machinery business in friends, and I stole her away from him.” that lasted two years, then moved to Lincoln after graduating, but those plans Cullinan said they dated for two years Monterey, Calif., to work for the CBS affil- changed when his father died in October before she went on to finish her schooling iate there. 1976 while Cullinan was still in school. in Indiana. Soon thereafter, the relation- After 12 years in television news and “It pretty much knocked me on my ship was over, and Cullinan was on the sports, Cullinan moved to media relations ass,” Cullinan said. “I took a week off from road to a career in journalism. Alloway in 1989, working for an agency in Mill classes when he died. When I got back, I said an experience like that is a perfect Valley, Calif. He started his own media thought of my options, and I had been to example of the consequences of one’s relations consulting firm in 1994, working the J school but never had any aspirations career choices. primarily with high tech companies from of making a career out of it.” “The itinerant lifestyle causes people all over the U.S. to position them in Once Mayeux pushed him onto the to be alone a lot,”Alloway said. “He’s the national and international media. stadium sidelines, though, Cullinan found globe-trotter, and I’m the sit-at-home He had found a niche. “It was a real he loved the career the J school was guy.” thin slice of public relations,” he said. preparing him for. And he’s enjoyed the Alloway and Cullinan still stay in Cullinan would go into a company opportunities to see new places and meet close touch, e-mailing several times a and ask questions as if he were a reporter, new challenges. week. They reminisce about the times they figure out what was interesting in the But Cullinan admits the pace and the used to have when they attended UNL in company and find ways to make that travel meant trade-offs. He didn’t exactly the late 1970s and how much they learned appealing to the media. “Then I’d pitch settle down to a family and community. when they were in the situation students the story and do everything but write it Rick Alloway, a broadcasting faculty are in today. for CNN or The New York Times, The Wall member and Cullinan’s friend since grade Cullinan said he wouldn’t be where Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune and places school, said, “He’s somebody who’s been he is now without the education he got at like that,” he said. very driven professionally to do a lot of UNL. He said he cherished the hands-on Throughout his career, Cullinan had great things. He’s had a great, fulfilling life, activity the school provided and said he kept in shape by running, and he loved it. but the choices that any of us make elimi- hopes students today get to experience Then, five years ago, “I blew out my right nate other choices we could make. We all that and much more. knee.” He refused to have knee replace- have 24 hours in any given day.” “Students need to be a sponge and ment surgery, but his days as a soak up as much as they can,” runner were over. Instead, he start- Cullinan said. “If they don’t ed riding a bike, “much to my doc- From left, college classmates Rick Alloway and Bob Cullinan did the want to be there, then get out. tor’s chagrin,” he said. play-by-play for local high school basketball games aired on They have to be an active par- At first, he hated it. “I was a Cablevision, now Time Warner Cable, circa 1976 ticipant. I hope students runner, not a cycle geek in a little enjoy it because it should be spandex outfit.”After six months, a blast, and if they do it the though, he “sort of liked it. In a right way, it will be.” year, I was totally addicted. I love It certainly has worked the sport. I like being outside. I out that way for him. like the color, the pageantry and “I started out covering the personalities.” sports because I liked going He started attending some of to sporting events, and now cycling’s big events. In 2005, he I’m doing it again because I began submitting freelance photos like covering sporting and stories about the events to events.” Internet site Pez Cycling News. Today, the job may take Eventually, the company started him to Paris or Milan instead paying him to go to races in Italy, of Memorial Stadium, “but France and elsewhere. it’s still basically the same “I thought, ‘This is unbeliev- thing,” Cullinan said. He has able,’” Cullinan said. “I’m a kid closed the circle. from Lincoln. Suddenly, I’m at the ■ 28 WINTER 2007-2008 ALUMNI NEWS 33 “Everyone wanted him to be their videog- rapher because he had this knack for visualizing things and then going back and putting everything together so easily.” Manzi’s first real-world broadcasting job was at KOLN-KGIN in Lincoln where he worked as a master control operator while attending college. After graduation, he moved to New York City, staying with his grandparents on Long Island while he hunted for a job and a place to live. Manzi discovered that, much like finding an apartment in Manhattan, find- ion” ing a great job takes time and work. His dit first New York City job was at a dub house, where he said he endured incon- nside E venient hours and monotonous tasks, making hundreds of copies of video every day. courtesy “I o courtesy “It was like a video sweatshop,” he Phot said. “It was just horrible, but you have to start somewhere.” Manzi’s editing talent — and his long Soon Manzi was working his way up ‘Insider’ bike ride — and hired him. in the industry. At NY1, a 24-hour cable “If they hadn’t known me as the news station for New York City, he was crazy guy who rode his bike all the way able to diversify his skills, switching from Wild bike ride is key into the city, I probably wouldn’t have the a master control operator to a video edi- job right now,” he said. tor. to Manzi’s success in Manzi is now the video editor for the The varied experience he gained in promotions department at the nationally his three years at NY1 earned Manzi a job video editing world syndicated television news magazine. with CNN in 1996, where he edited video Every day he has just three hours to create for the “CNN Financial News.” a promo to draw viewers to the next day’s While Manzi’s career consisted pri- By CHELSEY MANHART show. After combining the most exciting marily of video editing, a surprise oppor- footage available with the announcer’s tunity at CNNfn — CNN’s financial net- hen a massive power outage shut track and sound effects, he sends it out to work — gave him a chance to use the W down transportation across New television stations across the country. interviewing skills he had learned years York City during the Northeast “He works under extreme deadlines earlier in his journalism classes at UNL. Blackout of 2003, Mike Manzi got a all day long,” said Betsy Siciliano, his boss Sent to the American Stock Exchange chance to do a freelance job for “Inside and vice president of creative services for as a field producer one day, Manzi spotted Edition.” the CBS television distribution group. George Pataki, the governor of New York, If he wanted the gig, he had to find a “The bulk of the work that he edits on a among the crowd. Manzi recognized the way to get from his house in Queens to daily basis is pretty incredible, and the opportunity, and although he had no job the “Inside Edition” studio in Manhattan. quality of the work he turns out is great.” experience interviewing, he pulled the In an hour. On his bike. Manzi said his experiences with governor aside to ask him a few financial “I jumped in the shower, changed my KRNU and other classes at the J school questions. clothes, grabbed my bike and ran to the prepared him for the intense deadlines of Within seconds, their little interview nearest gas station because, of course, the his job. caught the attention of the rest of the tires were flat,” the 1994 J school graduate “Getting it done is 90 percent of the media, and Manzi’s spur-of-the-moment said. “I pumped air in the tires and ped- job anywhere,” Manzi said. “Working for CNN reporting debut was under the spot- aled as fast as I could across town.” KRNU showed me that with the news, light of about 15 other news crews. Manzi made it, and “Inside Edition” you either get it done or it doesn’t get on “All of a sudden every other news was impressed with his ambition. Over the air.” outlet in the city swarmed. They all had the next two years, the UNL broadcasting Broadcasting professor Jerry Renaud microphones in [Gov. Pataki’s] face, and grad continued to freelance for the show said even Manzi’s UNL classmates recog- they were all waiting for me to ask him while also working full-time for CNN. nized his ability to get the job done the first question,” Manzi said. “That was In 2005, when “Inside Edition,” a syn- quickly and accurately. my big news media moment.” dicated news show, was looking for a new “Mike was the best person with a Manzi said the J school prepared him video editor, executives remembered camera in the class,” Renaud said. for just those types of situations. >>

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 29 ALUMNI fyi By ELENA MACDISSI continued from p. 29 “UNL gave me a pretty good hen Kristine Johnson came to the University of idea of how the whole industry Nebraska-Lincoln, she wasn’t sure what she worked,” he said. “I got hands-on wanted to do with her life. But then she fell in learning experience in all aspects of the news.” love with journalism. ¶ “I entered as an unde- That preparation paid off. clared major, and I kind of fell into broadcast- When CNNfn was shut down in 2005, many of his coworkers were ing,”W Johnson said. “During my freshman year, Desert Storm was laid off, but Manzi got to stick taking place. I remember watching the news in my dorm in Abel; around, and his willingness to go above and beyond expectations I was transfixed.” ¶ Johnson, a ’94 graduate, is now a weeknight co- brought him to his current posi- anchor at WCBS-TV in New York City. At the age of 35, her pas- tion at “Inside Edition.” “Doing promos is fun because sion for journalism has never faded. ¶ “For me, meeting people you get to take some of these over- the-top stories and make them a little bit more over-the-top,” he said. Manzi, who went straight from CNN — “the most trusted name in news” — to “Inside Edition,” said he isn’t worried about the stigma of the tabloid TV show. “Anna Nicole Smith is Anna Nicole Smith whether it’s on ‘Inside Edition’ or CNN,” he said. “All of our stories are on the other major news outlets, but I think we can have a little more fun with them.” courtesy WCBS-TV o courtesy Manzi’s boss at “Inside Phot Edition” appreciates him, too. Brittany Jones-Cooper (left), who had a summer internship with Katie Couric, and J school alum “Since Mike Manzi joined the Kristine Johnson pose for a picture on the WCBS-TV news set ‘Inside Edition’ creative services team, he has helped to raise the bar older brothers went to UNL, so Nebraska on the overall look of ‘Inside For the love was a familiar place to me.” Edition’s’ promos,” Siciliano said. In retrospect, she said her education at “He’s just terrific.” the College of Journalism and Mass Another plus for Manzi is the of the story Communications was invaluable. hours at “Inside Edition,” which “They showed me the basics and give him a little more time at home helped me build a foundation of knowl- with his 2- and 4-year-old boys, edge,” Johnson said. “I applied that to the Max and Michael — something he ’94 UNL grad thrives newsroom. Nothing can prepare you for the and his wife both appreciate. real world, but education gives you a better “CNN is really exciting, but it in one of biggest local understanding of what you’re getting into.” also means less weekends and Hubert Brown, who taught broadcast- evenings to spend with us,” Cindy news markets ing at UNL and is now an assistant profes- Manzi said. “‘Inside Edition’ is bet- sor in broadcast journalism at Syracuse ter from a family perspective.” and covering stories — reporting is what University, remembered Johnson as a hard Manzi said he’s happy with gives me a thrill,” Johnson said. “It’s why I worker. where his career has taken him so show up for work every day.” “She came ready to learn and be chal- far: to an exciting and challenging Johnson said she decided to attend lenged every day,” Brown said. “She had that job in the news and entertainment UNL because it was comfortable. Growing potential to be great. Over the years, I’ve business that still leaves him time up in a military family, Johnson moved had a lot of students, but she makes the to spend with his family. around a lot. Her family lived in Nebraska short list of best students I’ve ever had.” Quite a nice outcome from a twice during her childhood. Brown wasn’t the only person to notice four-mile, spur-of-the-moment “Nebraska was the closest place to Johnson’s potential. Jerry Renaud, a broad- bike ride. ■ home that I had,” Johnson said. “Both of my casting professor at UNL’s College of 30 WINTER 2007-2008 JLUMNI NEWS 33 Journalism and Mass Communications, remem- bered Johnson’s poise. “She had raw talent,” Renaud said. “She looked great on TV, and she liked being in front Thacker recognized of the camera. She could make easy conversa- tion with the other anchors.” After graduation, Johnson became a part- by Ad Age time assistant editor at Rhode Island’s WPRI/WNAC-TV station in Providence. For the next 10 years, she worked her way up from pro- By KATE MACARTHUR ducer to field reporter and then news anchor. Advertising Age “I always had a goal in mind — I wanted to report,” Johnson said. “Looking back, I realize eep in the throes of a post- that doing all the background work made me merger turnaround, office-sup- even stronger as a reporter. I was able to learn D ply marketer OfficeMax easily from others’ mistakes.” could have drawn comparisons to TV’s Johnson’s hard work at WPRI didn’t go fictional paper-supply company Dunder- unnoticed. She was nominated for two Emmys Mifflin of “The Office” fame. Luckily, for her part in producing the series “Brendan’s OfficeMax had Bob Thacker. Story” and “Newsmakers.” The first series Since joining the No. 3 office sup- focused on child abuse and eventually led to plier in 2005, the senior VP for market- changes in Rhode Island state laws. The second ing and advertising has crafted a sense series allowed journalists to talk about political of fun around the brand with a media issues once a week. For Johnson, the nomina- philosophy he used previously to por- tions were simply icing on the cake. tray Target’s cheap-chic. “Awards are fine, but for me, the awards are What resulted was a series of cam- just little bows on the package,” Johnson said. paigns that got people not only talking In 2004, Johnson left WPRI/WNAC to but also shopping at OfficeMax. For its work at NBC News, where she served as anchor crucial back-to-school season, Mr. for “Early Today,” alternating anchor for Thacker’s team created a “Punk’d”-style ‘Everything we do “Weekend Today” and daytime anchor for prank show called “Schooled.” Aided by MSNBC. parents, teachers and teen pop star has to have a news “I left Rhode Island because I wanted to Jesse McCartney, OfficeMax fooled a keep pushing myself,” Johnson said. “I didn’t class of eighth-graders into believing element to it or we want to ask myself ‘what if’ five years down the they had to pass difficult oral and writ- road if I didn’t take the MSNBC job. It was a ten exams to proceed to high school. don’t think we’re great experience and really forced me to stretch The entire process, including the big getting our my wings.” reveal and a concert by Mr. McCartney, At NBC, Johnson covered the London ter- was turned into an OfficeMax-produced money’s worth. ror bombings in July 2005 and the 2006 killing TV special that aired on ABC Family. of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, an al-Qaida insurgent With a PR budget of a “few hun- BOB THACKER leader in Iraq. But Johnson says her best experi- dred thousand dollars,” Mr. Thacker’s ence came when she covered the death of John team spawned the chain’s biggest back- The marketing strategy has helped F. Kennedy Jr. for WPRI in Providence. Kennedy ’ to-school season. the company’s turnaround with low-sin- died in a plane crash in July 1999, and it was Other inspired programs included gle-digit sales and margin gains quarter while she was working on that story that a holiday interactive campaign called by quarter. Johnson realized her heart was still in local news “Elf Yourself,” which drew 4 million “Bob is like a lightning rod in many coverage. hours worth of customer visits to elf- ways,” says Ryan Vero, exec VP-chief Later in 2006, Johnson returned to local yourself.com in five weeks. OfficeMax merchandising officer for the marketer. news when she joined WCBS. also sponsored an effort to create the “He energizes people to do great things “On the national level, I didn’t have much world’s largest rubber-band ball as part that they maybe didn’t think they could of a connection with the viewers,” Johnson said. of the unveiling of a new store format. do.” ■ “I went back to local news because I wanted that “Everything we do has to have a sense of belonging, of community with my news element to it or we don’t think Bob Thacker, senior vice president of viewers.” we’re getting our money’s worth,” Mr. marketing and advertising for national But her time at MSNBC taught her one Thacker says. “We’re continually using retailer OfficeMax, is a 1970 graduate important lesson. new media, but it has to have talk value of the J school. The article appeared in “Don’t let anyone tell you it’s impossible; and public-relations elements. It’s about the Sept. 14, 2007, issue of Ad Age and it’s possible,” Johnson said. “You just have to generating buzz.” is reprinted by permission. work your tail off to get there.” ■ 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 31 ALUMNI fyi

By CASSIE FLEMING ane Olson thought she was one of the lucky few. She earned a bachelor’ degree in journalism and history at Nebraska and then was offered a job at a news- paper. ¶ So, in the fall of 1964, Olson and her husband settled into a new home in Ann Arbor, Mich., where she began working at the Ypsilanti Press in neighboring Ypsilanti, Mich. But soon she did not believe herself to be so J lucky. Olson had been assigned to edit the Ypsilanti Press’ women’s pages. One Woman’s Work Jane Olson is dedicated to bringing justice to the world’s victims

“I was so mad, so insulted. That was Dedicating her life to social activism Growing up in Denison, Iowa, she not what I had been trained to do,” Olson and working entirely as a volunteer, she became interested in international issues said of her education in investigative jour- has done exactly that: extraordinary work by going to the movies. nalism, reporting and photography at the with what she is given.While raising three “I always went to the double-feature J school. children and now making time for eight matinees on Saturday, where they showed And she was not going to let this edu- grandsons, she has become a well-known black-and-white newsreels in between the cation go to waste. Olson turned the once and fierce leader in international justice movies,” Olson said. “It had a profound make-up-and fashion-filled women’s pages and humanitarianism. effect on me. I fell in love with war corre- into a feature section on interesting and Traveling the world on investigative spondence.” hardworking women in the community. trips and missions to conflict-ridden She said she became interested in From this experience, she said she countries such as the former USSR, human rights during the ’70s. learned a lesson she has taken with her Yugoslavia, Caucasus, Cuba, Vietnam, “My passion for the international throughout the rest of her career: “It is Cambodia and the Middle East, she has world really grew then,” Olson said. “The what you do with what you’ve got.” worked to witness and document critical cold war and the threat of nuclear prolifer- problems and human rights abuses for ation was the center issue of the time, the international peace, refugee and human most cutting-edge issue.” rights groups. In 1979, while raising her children For the first time since graduating in and doing volunteer work for schools and the spring of 1964, Olson returned to UNL the family’s Episcopal church in Pasadena, in September to speak with students about she co-founded with her church the her career — but, even more, to speak Interfaith Center to Reverse the Arms with students about how being a Mid- Race, which focused its efforts on building westerner, a woman and mother and being American-Soviet relations. trained at the J school have led to her suc- “It is important to put a face on the cess. enemy,” Olson said. With her husband, Ronald, she lives in She chaired the group for eight years, ‘My passion for the Pasadena, Calif., and chairs the board of traveling to Russia and bringing Soviets to trustees of Human Rights Watch, the visit the United States. international world grew largest U.S.-based nongovernmental “They had never been outside of the during the cold war. organization protecting human rights Soviet Union, outside of the Iron Curtain, around the world. She also chairs the so we took them to schools, to the grocery JANE OLSON board of directors for the Landmine store,” she said. “They thought the super- ’ Survivors Network, which aids individuals, market was just a showcase and asked families and communities affected by where the real one was. They had been landmines. told so many lies and so much propaganda 32 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 about the U.S.” very important characteristic for an organ- with concrete floors and no heat or insula- She also worked to promote the ization that asks people to make sacrifices tion. Nuclear Freeze Campaign, which eventual- with their time, money and sometimes “It was October and freezing,” she ly passed a proposition in California that safety for a larger cause. You can see her said. “There were feces all over.” called for an end to the nuclear arms race. background in her utter lack of pretension, Olson said her first job was to find out Through working on the Nuclear in her warmth and in her sincere concern the demographics of the group and how Freeze Campaign, Olson developed exten- for people.” many had been raped and were pregnant. sive political training and became known Olson also refuses to let the fact that But the women were suffering from post- for caring about issues. Human Rights she is a woman get in the way of her work. traumatic stress disorder and would not Watch, which was founded in New York Building on the lesson she learned at the talk. and not well-known in other parts of the Ypsilanti Press, she uses being a woman So Olson went back to her car to grab country, asked her to start a support group and a mother to her advantage. a sweater she had been knitting. She sat in based in California. “Being a woman and a mother is the corner of the barracks and knitted. “Everyone comes to California to raise essential for who she is,” said the Rev. “More and more women started com- money — and this was the largest U.S.- Anne Howard, who began working with ing over to see,” she said. “They all knew based nongovernmental human rights Olson in the 1980s on the nuclear arms how to knit but had never seen that pat- organization with a budget less than race issue. “She approaches the world as a tern before. The translator eventually came $50,000,” Olson said. mother; it is her guiding principle.” over, and we began asking questions.” Ken Roth, executive director of Today, both Howard and Olson serve She spent three hours knitting on the Human Rights Watch, said Olson has a on the board of the Beatitude Society, an floor, talking to the abused women. One profound personal commitment to the organization that works to develop and woman even gave Olson a pair of socks organization’s mission. sustain emerging Christian leaders at sem- she had knitted from her own sweater. “She has a deep concern for the vic- inaries and divinity schools. Olson learned widespread rape had, tims we serve,” Roth said. “And she has Howard said Olson is successful not indeed, taken place. She went back to great people sense. She knows whom we because she is driven by ambition but Bosnia seven more times after that initial should trust and who not. That helps build because she is just loving. visit. an organization, from hiring the staff to “I don’t know another person more “Women will talk to women,” she said. naming the board members to the recruit- grounded by love,” Howard said. “Women are the ones who suffer the most, ment of donors.” “Everything she does comes out of gen- and they are the ones who sustain and In addition to Human Rights Watch, uine love.” rebuild societies. They take care of the eld- Olson serves on the board of the Pacific Olson’s dedication to her work has erly and the children. I stay in this job Council on International Policy, which been recognized throughout the years. She because of women like this.” voices West Coast perspectives on global won the inaugural 2005 Eleanor Roosevelt Olson said the most important part of issues, and the board of the Nuclear Age Award from the Feminist Majority, the her job is to allow the victims’ stories to be Peace Foundation, which works to abolish Silver Achievement Award from the YWCA told. nuclear weapons. of Greater Los Angeles, the Community “What we need to do is to shed light She is also the vice president of the Achievement Award from Public Counsel on some of the worst human rights abuses Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and the Corita Kent Peace Award from in the world and bring the abuser to jus- and Children at the International Rescue Immaculate Heart College Center. tice,” she said. Committee, which defends the lives and Olson said she has been able to help In this way, she said, the work she protects the rights of refugee women and people because women have a certain abil- does now is compatible with her back- children, and is a member of the Council ity to communicate across barriers, cul- ground: She does investigative research on on Foreign Relations, a nonpartisan tures and languages. government abuses and then gets the find- resource for information and analysis on In 1992, at her 50th birthday party, ings to the media, presented in a way peo- international issues and policy. she was asked to go to Yugoslavia to inves- ple will want to read. Olson said she has no idea how she tigate reports of widespread rape in “Everyone is hungry for stories – went from living in a small Iowa town to Bosnia. human stories that inform and inspire,” where she is now. Bosnia had declared its independence she said. “I just always worked hard and stayed from Yugoslavia, where bitter ethnic rivals, While Olson has spent so much of her true to myself,” she said. “That is the most the Serbs and the Croats, had joined career working in heartbreaking situations important part of success: Staying true to together to fight and divide Bosnia with people who have undergone tremen- your roots.” between them. The result was a genocide dous abuse, she continually remembers the She said she had been self-conscious committed by the Serbs against the lesson she learned at the Ypsilanti Press. about growing up in an Iowa farm family, Muslims in Bosnia. She does the best she can with these situa- but she learned never to apologize for who “It was in my first experience in tions, working to bring justice to the vic- she is. Bosnia that I learned what it is to be a tims through the stories they tell. Roth said Olson’s background is what woman, a woman with training and a “She makes a huge difference on this makes her unique. woman with confidence,” Olson said. planet,” Howard said. “Her heart is bigger “She is the anti-ego,” Roth said. Thousands of women and children than anything.” ■ “There is a selflessness about her that there were living in barracks: rows and engenders trust and is contagious — a rows of wooden bunk beds in buildings 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 ALUMNI fyi

June, said Sharon Robino-West, the devel- A new line of duties opment and marketing director of the YWCA in Omaha. Sands said it was an honor to receive the award. But it hardly marked the end of her volunteer work. Former Omaha World-Herald Sands is also a member of the Nebraska Alumni Association’s Cather managing editor finds retirement Circle, a networking group for women. She serves on Cather Circle’s strategic planning committee and on the executive commit- is no time to slow down tee, which set goals and oversees the organization. By SAMANTHA MOSLEY One of the students she has mentored in Cather Circle is Patti Vannoy, a journal- Whoever said retirement is supposed to be relaxing hasn’t met ism graduate who is attending UNL’s College of Law. Deanna Sands. ¶ “Retirement is a silly word,” said Sands, the Vannoy said Sands is one of those former managing editor of The Omaha World-Herald. “It just people she looked up to and got advice from. means I don’t work at the Wor ld-Herald. It doesn’t mean I don’t Vannoy said Sands is a warm-hearted have enough to do.” ¶ Sands, a 1972 graduate of the University and giving individual who will give up her time and resources to help. of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass “She embodies the qualities that I Communications, retired in January 2006. ¶ But she is still in- look up to in life and I hope someone will see in me someday,”Vannoy said. Sands is a good role model for the volved in journalism organizations, includ- new tests. women of Cather Circle, said Shelley ing the Society of Professional Journalists Since her retirement, Sands has Zaborowski, the senior associate executive and the Associated Press Managing Editors become more involved in her church, at the Nebraska Alumni Association. association. She said being a member of where she participates in two Bible study “She’s just a really warm and wonder- these organizations is a way for her to con- groups and sings in the choir and was ful person who can give advice about the tinue to support the journalism industry. recently named to the parish’s church professional world and how to live a bal- Sands was a journalist for 32 years council. anced life,” Zaborowski said. and spent 15 as managing editor at the She also serves as the president of the Sands estimated that she spends about World-Herald. By the time she retired, she Nebraska affiliate of Susan G. Komen for one week a month working with the said she no longer felt challenged. the Cure, which organizes and sponsors groups. “You only have to do a job so many Omaha’s annual Race for the Cure to raise Volunteering is like working at the times before you know how to do it,” the money and awareness to fight breast can- Omaha World-Herald in that everyone is 55-year-old said. “How many elections do cer. working for a common goal, Sands said, you have to cover in order to know how to “Being a part of an organization (the but there are some differences. cover an election?” Komen Foundation) that brought 13,600 “People only have so much time,” But Sands said volunteering — for people to Omaha (in 2007) and comes off Sands said. “At work you know they will be both journalism-related groups and other well, that’s pretty satisfying,” Sands said. there eight or nine hours, but there are organizations — has presented her with As president of the organization, periods in volunteering when the person Sands’ duties include being the chairman may have an hour here or an hour there.” of the board, recruiting and training board Sands said it can also be difficult to members and volunteers and making sure rally people behind a cause. She said you the money is handled properly. can’t just tell volunteers what to do and “As president, in a sense, you are a expect that it will get done. member of every committee, so you have “They all have real lives,” Sands said. to pay attention to what’s going on in “You have to be diplomatic and goal- every committee,” Sands said. oriented, and sometimes you have to be a Sands’ achievements in journalism cheerleader, but when it gets done it’s very and at The Omaha World-Herald and her rewarding.” contributions to the community are why ‘I’ve always felt that Being involved in various organiza- she was chosen by the YWCA of Omaha to tions has presented Sands with the chal- journalism is really the best receive its Tribute to Women Award in lenge of trying to find her niche, a place public service you can do. communications in 2007. xxx where she can make a difference and use Sands and several women in other her talent for the greater good. fields were honored during a luncheon in DEANNA SANDS “You try things, and if they don’t work 34 WINTER 2007-2008 ’ J ALMNI NEWS 33 or they’re not fulfilling, then you don’t do By TINA SEEHAFER them any more,” Sands said. “Be open to potential, possibility, opportunity and be open to new things.” ometimes it seems a man’s work is never done. ¶ That Sands, who manages and lives on her seems to be the credo of Rich Bailey, founder of Bailey family farm near Nebraska City, said her involvement in various organizations has Lauerman, a firm with offices in Lincoln and Omaha allowed her to contribute to the commu- that specializes in company advertising and promo- nity in a personal way. S “This is my chance to be back home, tion, public relations and marketing. ¶ Bailey, who in person, in the community,” Sands said. founded the firm with Bart Lewis in 1970, retired from his posi- Vannoy said she has always admired tion as chairman of Bailey Lauerman in March 2007. The com- Sands’ work in the community, particu- larly with the Komen Foundation. pany, originally named Bailey Lewis, was re-christened Bailey “It’s important to give back to the Lauerman in 1990 as a mark of Jim Lauerman’s leadership. community in whatever fashion that means something to you,”Vannoy said. But Sands said journalism is also a Leading by example way to do that. “I’ve always felt that journalism is really the best public service you can do,” she said. Being a part of the newspaper busi- Rich Bailey continues his work after ness for nearly 40 years has given Sands the ability to see the changes that newspa- pers have gone through. retiring from firm he co-founded She said today, the newspaper indus- try is in flux. Sands said the industry is Lauerman has replaced Bailey as current ment of graphic design. He took his new- changing on many different levels, and it chairman. found interest over to the College of Arts is trying to meet challenges that include a “Two years ago, I announced my and Sciences, which at the time housed lack of advertising dollars and loss of intentions to retire because I thought it UNL’s journalism program. readers. was appropriate to let those taking on “I decided design was probably a Sands said corporate bosses are more and more responsibilities in the good path to a career in advertising,” he telling newspaper managers they must do firm learn additional crafts and whatever said, “but to really produce that correctly, more with less money. else they needed to take over their posi- >> “It’s a very different time in our busi- tions,” Bailey said. “I knew it was time for ness, and in the near future I don’t see it those people to assume even stronger leveling off,” Sands said. leadership roles.” She has also noticed that journalists This idea of strong leadership has are not always trying to be appealing to allowed Bailey Lauerman to become one their readers. of the most successful and well-known “If journalists forget they are serving marketing firms in the Midwest. Bailey the readers, then they are not doing their was named 2007’s Marketer of the Year by jobs,” Sands said. “Until they get that they the Lincoln chapter of the American are serving the community and act like it, Marketing Association. His accomplish- they’re going to be driving readers away.” ments include serving as the president of But Sands said she believes newspa- the Advertising and Marketing pers will remain a permanent fixture. International Network, a global network “I think newspapers will always have of 65 communication agencies. a place because of what they are.” Yet, as Bailey tells it, the success

Today, Sands said she’s glad to be didn’t come early. tar The origins of Bailey Lauerman go doing what she’s doing. nal S She said she would like to continue to back to Bailey’s career as a student at ur volunteer and to do some traveling. UNL. Jo oln Although she has traveled to 25 countries “I started out in the college of archi- inc and has seen most of the United States, in tecture; then like many of my contempo- the future, she would like to try to take a raries of that time, I changed my major at foreign trip every year, possibly to Europe, least once,” said Bailey, a Lincoln native. L o courtesy

China or South America. In his stint as an architecture student Phot “The nice thing is, you don’t have to in the 1960s, he discovered what he RICH BAILEY be in a hurry about it,” Sands said. ■ enjoyed most about the study was the ele- 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 35 ALUMNI fyi coninued. from p. 35 / Rich Bailey I had to move to Arts and Sciences.” that old saying,” said Bailey, who is 63. “It From Lincoln Bailey eventually graduated in 1967, was time to let them take over.” earning a degree in arts and sciences with Bailey’s work is not finished now an emphasis in advertising. that he is retired, however. He fills the to London — While he was a student, he worked time much as he did when he was chair- as a radio announcer, a job he continued man of the firm. He continues to teach after college. That’s when he met Bart an occasional course at UNL’s J school and beyond Lewis, with whom he would found the where he has taught multiple semester- Bailey Lewis firm in 1970. long classes over the years and has been a The origins of the firm can be traced guest lecturer in many other courses. He Advertising grad’s back to a Lincoln and Omaha travel is back at UNL this spring to teach a magazine Bailey created in the ’60s as a course on campaign presentations. work with a U.K. firm college student and continued after grad- “We have always maintained a close uation. relationship with the college because we takes her to Qatar “We used that business as a starting find it such a valuable recruiting point,” Bailey said. “We were doing so resource,” he said. “So we have done By SARAH DAVIS many of the ads for the magazine that we everything we could to be of assistance to thought to expand it to a full-service ad the college, and that means helping out agency.” in the teaching area as much as we can. etsy Garbacz Rawson “I think any new venture like that We realize that the high quality of gradu- always has been open to takes some time to become successful,” ates is going to enhance our company.” B he said of the first few years his firm was Bailey also continues his work serv- new ideas, always want- in business. “We subsisted for the first ing on various nonprofit boards of direc- few years, but we weren’t what you would tors for area organizations, something ed to learn as much as she call a meteoric success.” that he says is an important priority could. The magazine, Around Town, started among all employees of Bailey out as a small-town business and mor- Lauerman. The boards that he has served Nancy Mitchell, an advertising pro- phed into an advertising firm that today on include the Nebraska Chamber of fessor at the College of Journalism and has clients that include the University of Commerce, the state Alzheimer’s Mass Communications at UNL, said she Nebraska, PepsiCo, ConAgra Foods, Association and Madonna Rehabilitation remembers the day Garbacz Rawson Union Pacific and General Electric. Hospital. came into her office. Lauerman joined the firm in 1973 Traveling is also high on Bailey’s list “She wanted to take everything,” and rose through the ranks, starting out of priorities; he said it satisfies his sense Mitchell said. in account management and sales and of curiosity as an advertiser. Once he Mitchell said Garbacz Rawson’s posi- moving on to become president of the travels to a certain city, state or country, tive attitude and willingness to try new firm and later chief executive officer. He that place becomes his favorite to visit, he things made her an ideal student. saw the firm grow from a small five-per- said. “It really sent her off on a spectacu- son operation to an 85-person business And although he’s retired, Bailey lar career path,” Mitchell said. with offices in both Lincoln and Omaha. said he still contributes to the work of Today, Garbacz Rawson, 25, lives in Both Bailey and Lauerman said the Bailey Lauerman, mainly as a consultant London, and her work for a strategic reason for the firm’s success stems direct- and a coach for employees. communications consultancy sometimes ly from its people. Although Bailey is no longer chair- takes her to Qatar, where she works with “We’ve been blessed with extraordi- man at Bailey Lauerman, his presence is some of her firm’s clients. nary people,” Lauerman said. “They’re still felt in the example he laid for the That’s a long way from Lincoln talented and creative in a variety of ways. rest of the firm to follow, Lauerman said. where she was a freshman theater and They have a passion for their job. “I think from day one, and even after advertising major at UNL. She said it “It’s just a group of people that love Rich retired, he helped establish a core didn’t take her long to realize she was not to do their job.” value — a DNA — of doing effective cre- ready to make a career out of theater, so Bailey said one of the reasons he ative work,” Lauerman said. “And every- she decided to devote her energies to decided to retire was to help the people one has sort of taken that same value and advertising instead. of his firm develop their obvious leader- enhanced it in their own way.” In the summer of 2001, after her ship potential even further. These leaders And after 37 years, Bailey said he has freshman year of college, Garbacz include Carter Weitz, president of cre- left the firm in good hands. Rawson went to Washington, D.C., for an ative development; Pam Hunzeker, presi- “I have such a continued faith in the internship with Nebraska Sen. Ben dent of administration; and Ron people that are going to lead the place Nelson. She said the internship opened Plageman, executive vice president and from this point on,” he said. “They are her eyes to politics, a field she found chief financial officer. incredibly passionate about their job, and interesting and wanted to explore. When “I realized that it’s a fairly youthful I think that is the main ingredient for she returned to UNL for the fall semester, industry as a whole, and I don’t think success.” ■ Garbacz Rawson added political science anyone should stay too long at the fair — as a second major. Working for the sena- 36 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALMNI NEWS 33 to do after college, she said her education loved,” Garbacz Rawson said. at UNL taught her how to do it. In partic- She happened upon Haggie Hepburn, ular, she said, the journalism college gave a company Garbacz Rawson describes as a her a comprehensive view of communicat- small firm that does big things. Haggie ing. Hepburn is a strategic communications “It combines so many things that you consultancy with offices in both London need to know if you’re in the communica- and Doha, Qatar. Doha is the largest city tions field in general,” Garbacz Rawson in the peninsula nation of Qatar, which said. juts into the Persian Gulf. When she graduated from UNL in Garbacz Rawson is an account execu- 2004 with majors in advertising and polit- tive and is currently working with Haggie ical science, Garbacz Rawson took the Hepburn’s Qatari clients. combination of skills she learned at the “They’re truly building the country journalism college and started to apply from the ground up,” Garbacz Rawson them. She worked for a year as a scheduler said. for Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey. Then, she Through her work with Qatar said, she was ready to explore some of her Foundation, Qatar Telecommunication other interests and further her education. and the College of the North Atlantic- She applied to only one graduate Qatar, Garbacz Rawson said she has been school — the London School of able to be involved in the fascinating and Economics and Political Science — and exciting development and progression of was accepted. the country. On Sept. 3, 2005, she married Jeff “We are able to see it grow through BETSY GARBACZ RAWSON Rawson. On Sept. 6, they moved to the the organizations we’re working with,” she United Kingdom where her husband said. works in London as a software engineer Despite her incredible experiences, tor made the difference. for ACI Worldwide, a transaction software Garbacz Rawson said she sometimes miss- “It is exciting to find opportunities to company based in Omaha. es home. be around interesting and inspiring peo- As she studied at the LSE to earn the “I am a Nebraskan through and ple,” Garbacz Rawson said. degree in politics and communications, through,” she said. Through the course of her college Garbacz Rawson had the opportunity to Her mother said that, while it is diffi- career, Garbacz Rawson had seven intern- meet people from all over the world. In cult to have her daughter so far away, she ships. She said her professors from the addition, she was able to explore unfamil- knows Betsy is not a stranger to working journalism college encouraged her to iar aspects of communications, the media and traveling internationally. Garbacz explore her options with internships. and politics. Rawson’s father, Stan, is the trade repre- “They allowed her to do the intern- Garbacz Rawson’s dissertation was sentative for the Nebraska Department of ships that have given her the edge in sever- about nation branding, a field of study Agriculture. When Betsy was a child, her al situations,” said Mary Garbacz. Garbacz and practice that concentrates on improv- father often brought international visitors Rawson’s mother is the director of ing the international community’s percep- home for dinner. Strategic Discussions for Nebraska, a tions of a nation. “For our family, the unusual is usual,” research project at the College of “I had some pretty firm views on Garbacz said. Journalism and Mass Communications. what it should be like,” Garbacz Rawson In addition, Garbacz Rawson has tried She said determination and a strong work said. “I don’t believe in the type of nation to stay in touch with some of her profes- ethic come naturally to her daughter. branding a lot of advertising agencies are sors from the journalism college. Garbacz Rawson interned for Bailey doing these days.” “They always have something very Lauerman, a marketing and communica- Garbacz Rawson said nation branding wise to pass on about advertising or deal- tions company in Lincoln. She also did is not about making a nation into a logo. ing with clients,” Garbacz Rawson said. another internship in Washington, D.C., Instead, she said, it involves creating a As Garbacz Rawson travels and works, for a nonprofit water resources organiza- strategy for the way a nation will commu- she said she learns something new every tion. However, she said one of her most nicate with the world. day. She adds this knowledge to the educa- interesting internships was during the fall “The country is not a commodity, so tion she received at UNL. In addition, of 2002 when she studied at the London traditional branding techniques are not Garbacz Rawson said she has been slowly School of Economics and Political Science. appropriate in working with countries on teaching her colleagues about Nebraska. Garbacz Rawson said she learned a lot their image,” Garbacz Rawson said. An “Hopefully,” Garbacz Rawson said, about another country’s political system article based on her dissertation was pub- “I’ve convinced everyone that Nebraska and media, which gave her a better appre- lished in the journal “Place Branding and needs to be their next vacation destina- ciation of the international political land- Public Diplomacy.” tion.” ■ scape. After earning the master’s degree, Although Garbacz Rawson’s intern- Garbacz Rawson was ready to go to work. ships helped her decide what she wanted “I wanted to find a job I absolutely J ALUMNI NEWS 37 ALUMNI fyi Former President Jimmy Carter (left), National Peace Corps director Ron Tschetter (center) present award to Shirley Maly finds second career Maly in Atlanta, Ga., on May 16, 2007 Maly began telling the stories of her Lillian Carter Award goes to Peace Corps volunteer Peace Corps service 12 years ago, accom- plishing the Third Goal of Peace Corps, which is “helping promote a better under- standing of other peoples on the part of Americans.” Since her completion of service in 1995, Maly has given countless presenta- tions on her Peace Corps service to the Lincoln Literacy, Lincoln Public Libraries, Aging Services’ Leadership for the Active Retired, International Tea and Talk, Pioneers Park Nature Center, the United Nations Association, Nebraska Herbal Society of Lincoln and the Retired and Senior Volunteers Program through the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging. y Maly le Maly has also been member of Lincolnites Interested in Perpetuating Storytelling, where she would tell stories of her Peace Corps service to members of courtesy Shir o courtesy the community and within the public Phot school system. In addition to public school presentations, she also volunteered hirley Maly, a 1954 journalism graduate, received the as a “storytelling grandma” at her grand- 2007 Lillian Carter Award presented by the Peace daughter’s kindergarten class at Campbell Corps last May at the Carter Center in Atlanta. The Elementary School. “I told them about Viviana, a kinder- award is presented every other year to someone who garten student in Uruguay,” she said. “I S turned it into a Little Red Riding Hood served in the Peace Corps after the age of 50. She was type of story, telling them about how among 35 nominees for the 2007 award. Following is the nom- Viviana had to copy everything from the inating letter written by a staff member in the Denver Regional blackboard because they had no books. This 15-minute presentation turned into office of Peace Corps. an hour because they had so many ques- tions. After the class, the teacher said that By JENNIFER MARCINIAK and about 60 households. she had never seen them sit and listen so Retired Peace Corps volunteer, “I loved being older in South attentively. They had never been so quiet!” Romania America,” said Maly, now 74. “They made Maly’s Peace Corps experience me feel like a queen. They are used to prompted her to continue her interna- Shirley Maly never imagined she’d live being nice to us abuelas, grandmas.” tional volunteerism. She has since volun- outside of her hometown of Lincoln, During her Peace Corps service, Maly teered with Elderhostel in the San Juan Neb., let alone the United States. Her five worked with women’s groups to market Islands and Puerto Rico, Global children were grown, and it was time for a their sewing skills and quality control, Volunteers in Costa Rica and Mexico and change. After working in advertising and taught English as a second language and Friendship Force in Peru and Brazil. public relations for 40 years — including worked on a recycling program with These groups allow volunteers to become eight years of running and operating her another Peace Corps Volunteer. After part of the community by living with and own small business — Shirley decided to three years in rural South America, Shirley working with the people who live there. apply for Peace Corps. returned home to her family and friends In June 2005, Maly published the pic- In 1992, at the age of 60, Shirley Maly in Lincoln. ture storybook, “Love Affair With The closed her public relations consultancy Three years older and a whole world Americas,” which chronicles her experi- and went to Uruguay as a Peace Corps wiser, Maly continued her mission in life: ence in the United States and Canada, volunteer. She spent three years as an to continue her own “personal growth” Central America and South America. She adviser to small businesses in the and help others achieve their hopes and credits her Peace Corps experience in Paysandu region of the South American dreams — and to have fun. Uruguay as a catalyst for her continuing country. She lived about 250 miles from “Basically, we are all alike,” she said. knowledge of the Untied States’ neighbors Montevideo, the capital, in a pueblo called “As far as Nebraska, Uruguay was like a to the south. La Tentacion, where she served 200 people visit to 1940s Lincoln.” “This was a ‘life-achievement’ experi- 38 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALUNI NEWS 33 ence for me where I gained confidence in myself, and I believe I have had a positive A SCIENTIFIC MIND influence on others,” she says in the book’s prologue. ‘The friendships, mutual insights and heartwarming experiences were like Reporter relishes an ever-changing beat none others in my life.” The book, a 2.5-year culmination of By Elena Macdissi effort, features sketch and watercolor illus- trations by Maly herself, as well as interna- self-described science geek, Warren Leary said it’s a tional recipes, folklore of the regions and cultural lessons in the form of prose. In July wonder he didn’t blow up his family’s house in 1995, the Denver Regional Peace Corps A Omaha during one of his childhood lab experiments Office and Lee Booksellers co-hosted a in the basement. book-signing for “Love Affair With The Americas.” Once he came to the UNL J school, Leary something else,” Leary said. “I started Due to the book signing, Maly came to turned his passion for science into a pas- with health and medicine, moved to engi- the attention of Meredith McGowan, cura- sion for science writing. And he was not neering and now I’m working on space.” tor of the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room to be stopped. Throughout his career, Leary has cov- of Nebraska Authors at the Bennett Martin When he began working for The ered technology, engineering, aeronau- Public Library. As a Nebraska-based Associated Press’s Boston bureau in tics, space flight and medical science as author, Maly was eligible to become one of 1971, it didn’t have a science beat. So well as science-related policy issues. the Heritage Room’s John H. Ames Reading Leary began writing science stories in his During that time, he has seen both sci- Series’ featured writers. The reading series spare time and created the beat himself. ence and journalism change. is in its 21st year this season. In the two “No one was doing it, and I wanted “Now, with the Internet, there are all decades since its inception, more than 150 to be a science writer,” Leary said. “So I these other voices that you’re competing writers have shared their books, inspiration wrote my way in there. Eventually, they with,” Leary said. “As a reporter, the diffi- and anecdotes with visitors to the reading gave me half my time to write science, culty is sorting out what’s good and series. and then it became full time.” Leary, what’s bad. It’s trying to be a credible “Part of the whole message is how now a New York Times science correspon- voice and separating yourself from the much more alike we are than different,” dent based in Washington, D.C., visited swirl of voices out there.” Maly said. “We have to think outside of the campus during Master’s Week on After 30 years on the beat, Leary ourselves. I just think there is a wonderful, Nov. 7. During his visit, Leary told stu- continues to learn about new areas in sci- wonderful world out there. If other cultures dents why science writing was a great ence. In his opinion, it’s one of the most had more contact with Americans and career choice. rewarding parts of his job. Americans had more interaction with other “It’s a huge field. If you get burned “What I like about science writing is cultures, we can really gain a better under- out in one area, you can move on to you learn as you go,” Leary said. “In the standing and make difference.” meantime, you accumulate a huge store Maly also has a message for older of knowledge.” Americans who think they are “too old” for While he was at UNL, Leary spoke to the Peace Corps experience. several classes, including Charlyne “If you really want to do it, go for it. Berens’ Principles of Mass Media. She What do you have to lose?” she said. said the soft-spoken Leary was a hit with “Especially for those who are ‘baby the students. boomers.’ What better way to learn about “The students were fascinated by his the world, and a safe way to do it. Peace stories about interesting things he had Corps makes sure you are alive and well. covered and places he’d been — places You are trained, so don’t worry about like Antarctica where he had a chance to learning the language. I think some people walk inside a glacier and, later, to look an are just plain afraid. People keep crediting emperor penguin right in the eye,” Berens me with being courageous, but I don’t ‘To be a science writer, you said. think it is that at all.” need an understanding of the “You can always tell when a speaker Maly has lived in Nebraska for 70 years. has been a hit by how many students She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education subject, but more importantly, want to talk to him after class. In Mr. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln you need passion. If you don’t Leary’s case, there was quite a line.” ■ with an English-journalism major and his- have passion for it, you tory minor. She is part of a five-member shouldn’t be doing it. Leary is a science correspondent for The group that meets weekly to practice New York Times. The Omaha native is Spanish. based in Washington, D.C. He is a 1969 Maly plans to continue her love affair WARREN LEARY UNL journalism graduate. with the Americas with a volunteer trip to ■ ’ the Galapagos Islands. 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 39 ALUMNI fyi

By JANET RODEKOHR waste management or the latest farm bill. good reporter just needs to know how to ask the Those agents look to communicators to help deliver information. right questions and put the answers in context for Extension communicators help the reader. It doesn’t matter if the subject is taxes inform farmers about the latest break- or Texas. At least that’s what I believed until I got through or expert advice. At the same A time, they help the public understand the into agricultural journalism. ¶ I grew up on a value and impact of farming. Agricultural farm outside of Battle Creek, Neb., and discovered the joy of journalists in Cooperative Extension also writing as a 4-H reporter. Someone steered me to the advertis- provide media training and marketing strategies. ing sequence at NU’s journalism college. They said advertising, In media relations, we translate key combined with an understanding of economics and business, issues for reporters whose assignments can range from city hall to the mall. We would give me a good foundation. And I loved it. Analyzing a offer workshops, Web sites and tours for client’s needs and intended audience and choosing each word journalists on topics such as food safety, and image to meet a goal made sense to me. It allowed me to tie environmental issues or urban agricul- ture. You know you’re needed when a creativity to a business decision. new farm writer, looking over a harvest- ready soybean field, asks, “What’s that brown, dead-looking stuff?” But agricultural journalism is more Ag journalism than bouncing around fields in a pickup while trying to take notes. Agricultural scientists are tackling animal cloning, biotechnology, global warming. But most scientists need translators. Put them in Rodekohr tells the big story front of an audience and most slip into academic jargon in a heartbeat. It takes ag journalists to bring their work to the peo- But when I graduated in 1970, most ics from scholarship winners to windmills ple. of the ad agencies wanted experienced in farm folklore. Some audiences are specialized. copywriters, not me. So I started work in I was hooked. Agribusiness extends into food develop- the NU College of Agriculture’s agricul- In 1977, I earned a master’s degree in ment and processing, groceries, restau- tural communications office. It seemed a agricultural journalism from the rants, commodity groups, transportation, natural fit, combining my farm back- University of Wisconsin. The degree qual- textiles and community issues. Most of ground with journalism. I was the 4-H ified me for a position as a Cooperative these fields have targeted publications. reporter again. Working under Dan Lutz’s Extension news editor at the University of Urban agriculture has become a giant. guidance, I wrote news and feature stories Georgia, where I worked until I retired in Public parks, golf courses, ball fields, that ran in newspapers statewide on top- 2001 and still work part-time. businesses and residences all rely on land- My favorite part of the job was scapers, nurseries, pest-control experts spending time with farmers. My farm and other ag college graduates. background helped win their trust. But These fields are hungry for journal- mostly they just enjoyed talking to some- ists who can cover their niche. For body who would listen. I couldn’t help instance, media credentials before the but listen to the small farmer who built Master’s Golf Tournament at the Augusta his own golf course. Whenever he wanted National Golf Course usually go only to another hole, he just cut some more tim- sports writers. But the UGA plant pathol- ber. The wood paid the expenses, and the ogist, who advises the club on turf man- cleared land became the next hole. agement, got me onto the course and set Back in the ’70s, farming was a up interviews with key people. I wrote a lifestyle. One farmer told me he didn’t major cover story for a turf publication make much money on a certain crop, whose editors had never gained access to ‘So does agricultural “but it sure was pretty.” They can’t make the course. journalism have a future? decisions that way anymore. So does agricultural journalism have Do you like to eat? Families still live on farms, but if they a future? Do you like to eat? ■ aren’t good at big business, they lose the JANET RODEKOHR farm. Many rely on county agents to keep Janet Rodekohr graduated in 1970 from ’ them informed about pest problems, the advertising sequence. 40 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 By EMIL REUTZEL

remarks in that special June 8, 1950, first ‘This fellow Ben was extra special’ edition of Ben’s, gave thanks to Joe Alden and Bill Dayton of the York Republican for, as he wrote, “putting up for three weeks he ranks of the newspaper folks who responded a with the zaniest outfit of prima donnas little more than 57 years ago to Cal Stewart’s sug- gathered under one roof since the Ziegfield Show folded.” gestion that we help young Ben Kuroki get a start in Reed could exaggerate a little, but you the newspaper business have thinned. We had in get the idea that there was fun attached to the work. common a love and respect for the country weekly, In an editorial comment anonymously Tand Ben was to join us. attributed to the staff of “Operation Democracy” and whose authorship is in It was common then — as it is now scene. some doubt, readers would learn that Ben — for people in this part of the country In all cases, the publishers who took had wanted the effort to be labeled as it to rally when tragedy strikes, and news part brought some of their key employees was. people turned out in such circumstances — all of them volunteers in a great cause The editorial explained: much as farmers have always done. and many of them fellow veterans of “Fifty-eight missions over Europe and Helping launch a newcomer was different, wartime service. Asiatic lands and waters were Ben’s way of though. But this fellow Ben was extra spe- A key participant, the Blair Pilot- trying to show others that he was 100 per- cial. He still is. Tribune’s Reed O’Hanlon Jr., in his cent American. … It seemed impossible You have already heard or read much even to his crew mates that any man could about Ben’s unique career. But you may feel so deeply about others that he would not realize how courageous he and his go to such lengths to prove it to others.” partner, Shige, were to put his University Today, that is even more difficult to of Nebraska journalism training to work believe but intensely gratifying to know. in York by buying the Republican, a strug- And also today, we can see young people gling weekly with a highly respected editor of vastly diverse backgrounds who seem to who was ready to retire. It was an obvi- be in that rare mold. You can tell them by ously risky venture, given competition their uniforms. from a well-established daily newspaper in The same front page “staff-written” York. editorial had this comment which bears on My assignment tonight from Cal’s important debates of today: devoted son, Scott, is to relate a little “America has absorbed within its elas- about the then-new friends of the Kurokis tic bounds the people of many lands, and who, in a three-week span in June of 1950, it has molded their ideas into a strong spent the off-hours from their own papers structure. Its strength lies in its power to to travel to York, write stories, take pic- harbor many conflicting things but to A native of Gothenburg, Kuroki joined the tures, sell advertising and produce the lead assimilate them gradually and by some type which would result in the printing of U.S. military after Pearl Harbor and flew 58 superior process to make a wonderful a 40-page special edition that was Ben’s missions on bomber crews. He earned a whole.” inaugural. journalism degree from Nebraska in three Today, our duty is to keep it that way. From South Sioux City’s Dakota years, graduating in 1950. The Kuroki family provides a shining County Star came publisher Paul Wagner, After working on several weekly example. Bill Lee and Henry Trysla; from the papers in Nebraska, he and his brother Speaking for those newspaper folks Oakland Independent came the Carltons; who helped out in York long ago, I want bought the weekly paper in York and got it from the Stanton Register came Jim Ben and Shige to know they have given us Cornwell. Ord Quiz publisher Gene up and running with the help of newspaper the greatest reward they could possibly Leggett supplied a number of staff mem- friends from all over Nebraska. He later bestow: their lasting, firm friendship and bers. owned a paper in Michigan and then that of their families. ■ Special printing assistance came from worked as a reporter, copy editor and news the Edgecombes of the Signal in nearby editor at a California paper. Emil Reutzel, retired editor of the Norfolk Geneva and from Wayne Thompson of The late Cal Stewart of Lincoln, who Daily News, spoke to those gathered on Bruning. Jack and Helen Lough came had met Kuroki in the service, led the drive Aug. 1, 2007, to honor Ben Kuroki. The from Albion. I was there from the Neligh to get Kuroki his Distinguished Service occasion of Reutzel’s remarks was the News as was an associate, Joe Ryan. And, Medal in 2005, 50 years after World War II premiere of a documentary film about of course, Cal Stewart’s helpers at the Kuroki’s career, “Most Honorable Son.” Frontier newspaper in O’Neill were on the ended. 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 41 CoJM C

Robinson decided to come and domestic abuse lawyer. Expanding horizons to UNL because her high “Courtney and Jenna are school adviser told her how students that we really wanted good the journalism college is. to come to UNL. I believe they Increasing diversity is a top goal Robinson called Winter, and will accomplish great things soon he was in Washington, here and anywhere they might for J school recruiter D.C., taking her family out to go,”Winter said. By BRANDON JONES was editor in chief of her high lunch and explaining UNL’s He said a college that school paper and a recipient of journalism program. demonstrates interest in stu- Robinson is majoring in dents can attract the best stu- cott Winter says the J the Al Neuharth Free Spirit news-editorial and broadcast dents. “A college where the tal- school would like to see Scholarship, which is given to S one boy and one girl in every journalism as well as women’s ents of all students are includ- some changes to its studies. Her minors are in ed, recognized and valued is homogenous population. state. political science and pre-law. needed for continuous quality Winter has been recruit- Gibson had no plans to Robinson’s high school in improvement,”Winter said. ing for the CoJMC for three attend UNL until Winter spoke Maryland had very few white According to UNL’s Office years and said his number-one to her class. Over the summer students, and now she goes to a of Institutional Research and goal is to bring in the best stu- she visited UNL and fell in love school that is a mirror image of Planning, CoJMC has seen a dents possible. with the atmosphere. that situation. UNL’s total slight increase in its diversity. In “Since I have been work- “The people here really minority enrollment is 8 per- spring 2005, 64 minority stu- ing at UNL, the goal is to bring cared about my academic cent. dents were enrolled. By the fall in the best diverse population career,” Gibson said. “Other Robinson said she noticed of 2007, that number was 83. of students,”Winter said. “We schools I went to, like the racial disparities at UNL Will Norton Jr., dean of believe the more diversity we Northwestern, appeared cold but didn’t pay much attention the J school, said, “UNL has have here, the better.” and uninterested in me.” to them. been a top journalism school One reason UNL is seek- Gibson is a news reporter “I grew up having all dif- for years, but when I first got ing a variety of students is that for the Daily Nebraskan and ferent races as my friends,” here in 1990, 85 percent of the a diverse college creates more one day plans to be a foreign Robinson said. “I never held school’s population came from opportunities to understand correspondent in a French myself back because of race, within a 100 mile area. I knew and satisfy the needs of a speaking country. and I look at people as people.” we needed to change that.” diverse community, Winter Sophomore Courtney “It seems like there are Norton said CoJMC and said. Robinson is another example of more minorities around cam- UNL admissions have worked Winter’s way of recruiting the type of student Winter is pus this year than my freshman together to add quality students is different from most when he trying to recruit. Robinson, year,” Robinson said. “And I from farther away. Norton said goes into high schools. He from Lanham, Md., was the hope it continues. It seems like the number of students from doesn’t sit at a booth like many president of the mock trial club the school is trying to get more within a 100-mile area has recruiters; he goes into jour- and a host of other student people of color here.” dropped to about 75 percent nalism classes and teaches organizations at her high Robinson said she plans to this year. something the students would school, including the Honors go to law school when she According to Norton, it is like to learn. When he is done Society. Robinson was the only completes her undergraduate important to have as much teaching, he explains that the girl on her high school football degree. She would like to take enrollment diversity as possi- professors at UNL are all bet- team, where she played corner- all that she learns from journal- ble. “The rest of the world isn’t ter than he is and could teach back, and she graduated as ism and become a civil rights just white,” Norton said. them a lot more. valedictorian. “It’s my covert way to get the students’ attention. I’m not a salesman, which is great because this college could sell NET INTERNS itself.” Ivanna Jackson, Rob Elmore, Brittany Jones-Cooper, Jill Noren The work of students in the Jenna Gibson, a news-edi- and Erin Green joined the J school torial freshman, said Winter is College of Fine and Performing the main reason she decided to Arts, College of Journalism and Mass Communications come to UNL. and Nebraska Educational “Scott talked to my news Telecommunications intern- class and opened my eyes to ship program was showcased UNL,” Gibson said. “He made during the Johnny Carson UNL sound really personal School of Theatre and Film and interesting.” dedication in October. Interns Gibson is from Stillwater, who led the video project are Minn., and graduated 40th in (from left) John Albrecht, Josie a class of 734 students. She Azzam and Trevor Hall. Not pictured is Justin Petersen. 42 WINTER 2007-2008 “Students have to know how to In the summer of 2006, NET hired four work with all types of people interns. In the fall of 2006, four more joined the from all types of backgrounds. Rising to the team. “Nebraska’s out-of-state- “We wanted to get our feet wet and see how tuition is cheaper than many it would work,” Farrell said. “It worked out state schools’ in-state-tuition; next level great, and we thought more departments could with programs like ours, it is benefit from it, so we brought on more.” very attractive for students to NET Television now has 11 interns: 10 in come here,” Norton said. NET internship program gives television and one in graphics. In previous Winter said UNL recruits students hands-on experience semesters, one intern worked in interactive heavily in Nebraska, where the media. university is already well- in the broadcasting field Farrell said students gain valuable experi- known. It’s harder to get stu- ence from the internships because they are dents from out of state. By CATHERINE LEHN involved with each stage of the television “People in Nebraska know process including pre-editing, researching, how good this journalism One of the best programs Nebraska Educational screening interviewees and finding stories. school is, so I try hard to recruit Telecommunications Television presents can not “We produce hundreds and hundreds of out of different states,”Winter be found in any television guide. NET Televi- hours of television per year, so there are always said. “We found Courtney near sion offers an internship program for students projects at various stages of completion,” Farrell Washington, D.C.,” but the J eager to strengthen their classroom experience said. “Interns here gain real-world, practical school’s other largest recruiting and further prepare themselves for a career in experience.” markets are Minneapolis, broadcasting. Intern Shardea Gallion agreed. Kansas City, Denver and Dallas. The program, which began in the summer “I get hands-on journalistic experience,” Winter said The New York of 2006, is a joint effort of University of said Gallion, a broadcasting major. “I am not Times takes on five interns each Nebraska–Lincoln faculty and NET Television doing busy work, running errands or getting summer, and in 2007 two of staff. people coffee. It’s the best job that I’ve ever those were from UNL. “This is “I wanted to increase the number and kind had.” just one example of many that I of faculty teaching our students,” said Will Farrell said it was important that students can tell students who are think- Norton, UNL College of Journalism and Mass get paid for their work and be treated like real ing about coming here,”Winter Communications dean. “I thought staff mem- employees. To apply for an internship, students said. bers at NET Television would add significantly must fill out an application and submit a letter “Our CoJMC does great in to our faculty. Students would benefit by having stating why they want the position and what national competitions,”Winter access to the wonderful equipment at NET they have to offer. said. “We have a great internship Television.” According to Farrell, the program is prima- program, and many of the pro- Norton discussed the idea of an internship rily for students in the fine and performing arts fessors are respected profession- program with NET general manager Rodney and the journalism colleges, but he hopes to be als in journalism.” Bates, which prompted further discussion with able to expand the program to formally include Winter said one statistic he Giacomo Oliva, UNL Hixson-Lied Fine and students from other colleges in the future. likes to tell students is that grad- Performing Arts dean, who also was eager to Students who apply are selected based on uates who want jobs in their pursue the idea. It became a reality with the skills, their essays and recommendations from fields of study will get them. help of Michael Farrell, the NET production faculty members. Those who make it past that “What student wouldn’t want to manager who helped develop the program. step are brought in for interviews with a com- come here?” he said. ■ mittee of three to four people. The committee decides who would be a good match for the internships. “We need people who have their basic course work completed but also those who real- ize the value of being on time and where you should be,” Farrell said. “We expect professional behavior, and so far we’ve had great success with students acting professionally and con- tributing at a high level of skill. Gallion said she appreciates being given real responsibilities and projects to work on. She began her internship in June 2007 and has worked as both an outreach and a production intern. In the outreach department, she coordinat- ed more than 20 statewide screening sites for the PBS film “The War.” Her responsibilities included searching for potential sites, >> J ALUMNI NEWS 43 CoJM C continued from p. 43 / Interns making contacts, putting together informa- No excuse for sitting home tion packets for the various venues, securing confirmations and attending several movie showings. As a production intern, Gallion worked on a “Nebraska Connects” special, Student groups offer opportunities for “Drowning in Noise,” which explores the magnitude of noise-induced hearing loss. learning, networking and friendships Gallion assisted with research, script writ- ing, logging tapes and producing segments By HEATHER PRICE that were part of the program. “It’s a wonderful feeling to work hard ournalism students at the University of Nebraska– on something and see it broadcast with your name attached,” Gallion said. “It feels Lincoln learn valuable skills in the classroom, but for great to have people behind me who believe many students, the learning doesn’t stop there. ¶ in my abilities and are constantly pushing me to the next level.” Joining clubs and organizations in the journalism col- Farrell said NET has been fortunate, lege can set students one step ahead. With a variety of and all the interns have been professional J clubs to choose from, any student can gain further and shown excellent ability. But the interns are not the only ones learning from the information, meet professionals and create friendships with experience. their peers. “I have learned a lot from them,” he said. “They have a different way of looking stories, listen to other students’ experi- at the world. They bring with them fresh NEBRASKA PRESS WOMEN ences and learn what may lie ahead in ideas and come up with interesting and cre- their academic careers. ative approaches to things.” he Nebraska Press Women is one “We just want members to gain According to Farrell, one of the distinc- Torganization that offers students knowledge and confidence with their tions between the interns and others who information and support. But don’t be academics,” Schwenka said. “If you can’t have been in the business many years is that fooled — you don’t have to be a woman share a story with your fellow class- the younger generation is much more used to join. The group’s goal is to bring mates, then you’ll never be able to tell to the convergence of media forms. Farrell women and men together who all share your audience a story through print, said being multifaceted is key to a successful an enthusiasm about their chosen career, broadcasting or advertising.” career in mass media. want to learn more about potential The group has also collected books “Of course being able to write a story is careers and can have fun with fellow stu- for the Lincoln Action Program, has had the most important thing,” Farrell said, “but dents in a laid-back setting. guest speakers inside and outside the this generation cannot only write a story The group had been inactive for a journalism college and sold treats and but also edit, operate a camera and more. couple of years. “My understanding is painted faces at Husker home games. Employers want to hire people who are once (an active) class graduated, there “We experience a wide variety of skilled in multiple areas.” hadn’t been enough underclassmen to entertainment in our meetings, but Farrell said NET Television has not keep the group going,” said Katelyn there’s always a learning element hired any of its interns for full-time work, Kerkhove, a senior news-editorial and involved,” Schwenka said. but some help out with temporary jobs like broadcasting major This year, Nebraska Press Women producing videos for the Fine and But in the spring of 2006, the group has an additional adviser, Sarah Gloden, Performing Arts October celebration of its was reorganized by Kerkhove and a a former journalist who is a member of gift from the Johnny Carson estate. group of interested women students. the faculty at the Nebraska College of “There have been interns in this pro- Charlyne Berens, UNL news-editorial Law. She introduced the idea of combin- gram who I would definitely hire if we had professor, served as the adviser. ing with another organization, the a spot for them,” Farrell said. “Our hope is “I thought it was a great group for Society of Professional Journalists, to that when our more senior staff reaches networking,” said Kerkhove, “so we just give students more opportunities, such retirement, we will have qualified people to spread word around in classes and got as attending career fairs. take their places. The internship is one way friends together, and the group has been “We hope this change will give our to help make sure of that.” active since.” members a chance to gain more benefits Norton had much the same idea. Nebraska Press Women has around … we can gain access to as members of “I thought NET leadership would ben- 50 members on its mailing list, said the Society of Professional Journalists,” efit by being able to get acquainted with Whitney Schwenka, current president of Gloden said. outstanding students who would graduate Nebraska Press Women and a junior Nebraska Press Women is also dis- and consider joining the staff at NET broadcasting major. cussing holding fundraisers in the com- Television,” he said. ■ They meet once a month to share ing year and doing community projects 44 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 such as recycling newspapers, Schwenka planning to implement a mentoring pro- major.” said. gram in which juniors and seniors can Public Relations Student Society of help underclassmen use equipment prop- America is nationally linked with the NATIONAL BROADCASTING SOCIETY erly and see what it’s like to be on shoots Public Relations Society of America and that seniors are in, Whitsett said. has about 25 UNL students who meet tudents who are interested in electron- These shoots include upper-level every other week on Tuesday nights. Sic media are active in the National broadcasting classes where students put Several of these meetings include guest Broadcasting Society, which is both a stu- together news packages and do news speakers who talk about current theories, dent and professional organization. With spots for radio. ethics and procedures in public relations. 20 active members, NBS goes beyond the “The freshmen and sophomores can One such guest speaker, from classroom to prepare students and entry- see how interviews are conducted with a Methodist Hospital in Omaha, explained level professionals for careers in electronic camera in front of you rather than just on the actions the hospital’s public relations media. paper,”Whitsett said. “And then they’ll staff took when doctors misdiagnosed the The society does this by working watch how to edit an entire package.” heart condition of a 19-year-old man who with students and professionals who give National Broadcasting Society also died without proper treatment. positive feedback and have distinct held an internship night Nov. 7 where Another advantage PRSSA provides knowledge of the contemporary broad- students who had internships returned to is its mentoring program, which gives stu- casting world, said Adrian Whitsett, presi- share their experiences and give informa- dents one-on-one mentoring with profes- dent of the UNL chapter and a senior tion on how to apply for future jobs. sionals in the business, whether through broadcasting major. job shadowing or e-mail conversations. “National Broadcasting Society also PUBLIC RELATIONS STUDENT “It’s a way for students to get their provides the chance to have stories that SOCIETY OF AMERICA foot in the door,” Larsen said. were done for classes or résumé tapes cri- There are no requirements for being tiqued by professionals and also your lthough the university has no public in PRSSA, and members have a variety of peers,”Whitsett said. Arelations major, the Public Relations majors including marketing, communica- Members have attended a regional Student Society of America, a student-run tion studies and agriculture journalism. student convention in Des Moines, Iowa, organization, offers students information “There is a lot of leadership, and it is where they took a tour of a top news sta- about careers in PR. hands-on experience for the students,” tion in the city, KCCI, a CBS affiliate. Phyllis Larsen, adviser for PRSSA and Larsen said. Some student members also attended the a member of the J school’s advertising 2007 national convention in Chicago faculty, said the student organization has AMERICAN COPY EDITORS SOCIETY where they heard speakers like Bob Iger, been solid over the years. president and chief executive officer of “I’m impressed with the time and nother student club at UNL, American The Walt Disney Company. effort they’ve put in to run it,” Larsen ACopy Editors Society, attracts stu- National Broadcasting Society is said, “because it’s not directly tied to a dents interested in editing. >>

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 45 CoJM C continued from p. 45 / Student clubs The national organization was Ad Club has about 50 members founded in 1997 as a professional jour- who meet every other Thursday and By MADELINE DONOVAN nalism organization for, by and about focus on preparing for three areas in copy editors. The American Copy the business: advertising agencies, client Editors’ aim is to provide solutions to relations and working in the media. Investigating copy desk problems through training, “The people around you will be discussion and an awareness of com- who you work with in the professional mon issues, according to the group’s world,” Struthers said, “so it’s important Nebraska’s Web site. to network with other students.” UNL started a student chapter of The club keeps up-to-date with water woes ACES in 2006 with about 15 members current information that goes beyond and has participated in job shadowing, the classroom, and their slogan this toured the Kansas City Star, held social year is “entertainment with a purpose.” activities with Nebraska Press Women and sent members to the national con- PHOTO CLUB In-depth report vention for the past two years. focuses on problems “We have a good group of students Photo Club is the newest student involved who know they want to copy group at the J school, having started with diminishing edit as a career or are considering it,” in spring 2007. The group meets every said Kelley Hascall, a member of ACES other week, usually on Fridays, and resources in the state and a senior news-editorial and English draws from six to 15 people at a time. major. “We have a couple of graphic Membership is open to a broad range oursing through Nebraska like an integral designers, too.” of people — from those with a strong vein supporting the lives of farmers, live- ACES also has social get-togethers C interest in photojournalism to people stock and hundreds of species of wildlife, and has had semester-long contests to who have just a general interest in pho- the Platte River has long been a critical source see who could catch the most errors in tography. of energy, irrigation and drinking water for the major newspapers, Hascall said. Bruce Thorson, the group’s adviser, state. The group is also planning to said the club has had several outstand- But the strain on the river and Nebraska’s attend the 2008 national convention in ing speakers. For instance, National other primary water resources from use and Denver on April 10-12. Geographic photographer Joel Sartore drought is causing a gradual drain of this pre- “You meet a lot of professionals in spoke to the group about the changing cious and limited resource. the business that can possibly lead to an landscape of photojournalism and what Completed in 2006, Platte River Odyssey internship or future job,” Hascall said. it may look like in three to five years. — a depth report put together by a reporting Matt Miller, a photographer with class that included J school students, science ADVERTISING CLUB the Omaha World-Herald, showed stu- majors and Lincoln Journal Star reporters and dents a selection of photos from stories an editing class that designed and produced dvertising Club had one major focus he’s worked on, including images from the magazine — illuminates the escalating Aduring the first week in November, an ongoing in-depth project about U.S. predicament surrounding Nebraska’s main and that was dodgeball. Highway 20, which spans the northern waterways. UNL Ad Club, a student organiza- tier of Nebraska counties from one end “It’s a reflection of a growing concern tion of the American Advertising of the state to the other. about water resources worldwide,” said Federation, which is paired with the Shannon Cross is a founding Carolyn Johnsen, a member of the news-ed Advertising Federation of Lincoln, held member of the group and its current faculty who taught the depth reporting class. its annual dodgeball tournament on president. She said she thought the club “So what’s happened in Nebraska — the Nov. 2 as a chance for staffers from is a good group for students to join decline of the aquifer, the decline of the professional advertising agencies to because “it can enhance just about any snowmelt from the Rockies that feeds our compete with each other and with stu- major.” For instance, she is an advertis- rivers — reflects what’s happening in dozens of dent teams. ing major who takes her own photos places around the world.” Amy Struthers, Advertising Club for her projects. Although the J school’s depth reports usu- adviser, talks about the dodgeball tour- The officers’ goal in 2008 is to help ally generate interest and praise from all cor- nament with passion. people at all levels of photography to ners of the journalism community, the 55- It’s passion, she said, that drives the improve their skills — and to have fun page, full-color magazine also has garnered student members forward. at the same time, Cross said. admirers from a different field. This year the “We have an amazing group of “Photography is a way for me to magazine won the Renewable Natural officers,” Struthers said. “The kids that express myself,” she said, “and I love to Resource Foundation’s Excellence in are super involved aren’t necessarily share it with others as well.” Journalism award, which was awarded on Nov. straight-A students, but the ones that 9 in Bethesda, Md. are involved and passionate can walk ■ The foundation recognizes publications out and get jobs right away.” containing scientifically based information 46 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 Anderson said. Anderson worked with a team of two editors and two designers and regularly met with them on Saturdays. When the editing phase began, the stories were already more than a year old, so rechecking and updating names and information was the first step in assembling Platte River Odyssey. Anderson said the designers also ran into minor obstacles while creating the lay- out and graphics for the magazine. With two designers, 2006 graduates Ben Van Kat and Ananda Walden, Anderson said they had to choose one main designer for consis- tency. “Even though we’d agreed on a certain scheme, they weren’t close enough,” he said. Deciding on a unified design for Platte River Odyssey led to the unique horizontal News-editorial professor Carolyn Johnsen (left) and Heather Sigle, graphic designer for format of the magazine to better accommo- Platte River Odyssey, accept the 2007 Excellence in Journalism award in Bethesda, Md. date more of photographer Brian Lehmann’s full-page pictures. Using a tradi- that contributes to the advancement of the science-based stories for P latte River tional vertical format “just seemed a understanding of natural resource issues. Odyssey. She said many students became tragedy, considering how good (Brian’s) Past recipients of the award include The friends of the farmers and other people they photos were,”Anderson said. Minneapolis Star Tribune, The Atlanta talked to, which was something she hadn’t Among the most noted of Lehmann’s Journal-Constitution and the Seattle Post- anticipated. photos is a picture of a Nebraska Supreme Intelligencer, among others. UNL is the first Seravalli said it was interesting to learn Court hearing of a water-use case. The pic- university to be recognized for the Nebraska’s “water story.” She talked with ture captures the legal strife many Nebraska Excellence in Journalism award. rancher Rex Nielsen and his family about farmers have to endure to maintain access “I think what it shows is just how Spear T Ranch, which the family operates in to their land and water resources. important water is as a resource,” said Morrill County, and Pumpkin Creek, the “Many of our depth reporting classes Rachael Seravalli, a graduate student at the small waterway that, until it dried up, ran have a foreign connection. We go to Cuba, CoJMC who worked on the magazine. “And through the ranch. to France, to Germany. These issues we I think as the crunch gets tighter and “There’s no question that it’s thorough- write about are ongoing, but in Nebraska tighter, we’re going to see more attention to ly heartbreaking what they’re facing,” we don’t hear much about them,”Anderson it in the media, and that’s a good thing.” Seravalli said. “(Nielsen) has been on that said. “Hardly a week goes by there’s not a Johnsen, who taught the science writing property long enough to know Pumpkin story in the Lincoln or Omaha paper (about students who contributed to Platte River (Creek) when it was vital and thriving, and the Platte River).” Odyssey, said its being the first college pub- to hear him tell the story about how that The law and policy stories of Platte lication to receive this award from the foun- changed over this lifetime, it’s very moving, River Odyssey, written by Journal Star dation is “a great honor for the college and and it’s very tragic.” reporters who were part of the class, have the students.” The magazine includes stories from given the project recognition and value out- “I think what pleases me most about what Johnsen said was a “wonderful mix” of side of the world of journalism. An environ- this … is that the RNRF is made up of sci- not only journalism students but also stu- mental law course on UNL’s East Campus entific organizations,” Johnsen said. “Being dents with majors in agronomy, natural regularly orders 20 copies of the magazine recognized by scientists for doing a good resources and computer science. She said for its students to study. job of representing the science was really a that no matter where these students end up, Platte River Odyssey’s personal connec- keen thing.” in journalism, agriculture or otherwise, they tion is demonstrated by the stories of strug- New to the UNL faculty in 2005 after will be well prepared to report. gling farmers and their families. Their 10 years as an environmental reporter for Tim Anderson, the CoJMC professor accounts, collected in the magazine, portray NET Radio, Johnsen said she knew the state who oversaw the editing and designing of the sadness and desperation in watching of the Platte River and Ogallala Aquifer was Platte River Odyssey, also said he saw stu- Nebraska’s main water sources slowly dry a topic of growing interest in Nebraska and dents with different academic backgrounds up. felt the project could enhance the discussion benefit from their work on the magazine. “I expected that the students and facul- of water issues. “There are journalism students who ty would get great satisfaction in creating Johnsen’s student reporters traveled to learned a lot about science in this class, and something that was useful to Nebraska,” parts of Nebraska devastated by drought there are science students who learned a lot Johnsen said, “and now that has panned and demanding irrigation practices to write about journalism by taking this class,” out.” ■ 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 47 CoJM C

By JAMES MCCAVE

uilting may seem a quirky topic for a depth report, but the University of Nebraska–Lincoln students and fac- Q ulty involved in the project can give you at least 3 billion reasons for pur- suing it. ¶ To begin with, quilting is a $3 billion a year industry. ¶ Depth reporting classes are designed to give students an oppor- tunity to improve their skills in gathering and presenting stories through extensive interview- ing and research. The depth classes produce Putting the pieces together

Depth reporting class focuses on the international quilting phenomenon stories for a magazine as well as broadcast cover the project for all three majors in world who are involved in quilting, and documentaries on their chosen topics. the journalism college. the festival made that possible,” she said. Evan Bland, a senior news-editorial Nancy Anderson and Charlyne “Had we not done that, every interview major who participated in the quilt proj- Berens supervised the eight students on outside our little area would have had to ect, said the experiences of his classmates the print side. Rick Alloway and two stu- be done by e-mail or phone, and this gave on previous projects made a depth report dents were in charge of the broadcast the students the opportunity to get to seem like an important thing to do. documentary, and Stacy James is working know people from all over, to see the kind “I wanted to do a depth report,” he with two advertising majors to promote of work that is coming out of different said. “I had seen what people did with the the project, which will be completed by continents and get perspective on how Germany, and prior to that, the Sri Lanka the end of the 2008 spring semester. widespread the whole quilting movement depth reports.” After dedicating their summers to is.” All 12 students involved in the fall quilt research, the depth reporting stu- Beyond allowing for in-person con- semester depth report on quilting had to dents attended the 2007 Festival of Quilts tact with sources, the festival provided an demonstrate a time and financial com- Aug. 16-19 in Birmingham, England. It is enormous number of visual samples. mitment to the project. the United Kingdom’s largest annual That gave the students a better idea of the The news and broadcast students quilting event. significance of quilting on a global scale, who were accepted for the project took a According to the instructors, the Berens said. one-hour independent study course over quilts on display were important for the “If you go to a quilt exhibit at a the summer to prepare for the fall class. research; however, the people at the festi- museum you are unlikely to see more They also paid their own airfare to val were the real resource. Berens said it than 20 to 30 quilts on display,” she said, England to attend an international was a deciding factor in taking the trip. “and at the festival there were easily more Festival of Quilts. “We needed a way for our students to than a hundred. The International Quilt Four instructors were assigned to be able to meet people from around the Study Center here is planning on exhibit- 48 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 British quilter Joe Budd explains her work at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England, in August 2007. J school depth reporting students attended the festival to interview quilters from all over the world. The IQSC has purchased at least one of Budd’s works for its collection.

lic marketplace, was displayed through their artwork and their quilting.” The depth reporting class has learned many lessons from its experiences with quilts and the people involved with them. To begin with, quilts have been a functional part of life. They provided warmth during cold winters and could be made from scraps of cloth. Secondly, quilting has an established presence in the history of the world. Many quilts can be used to trace genealo- gies of families. Ties can be made between different cultures by matching the similarities in the styles that were used in making quilts. Finally, many stereotypes have grown up around quilting. Getting rid of these stereotypes has been of particular interest to students like Bland. “(Doing the research) broke my stereotype about quilting,” he said. “I think a lot of people like me have this view of little old ladies sitting in their Photo by Kelley Hascall rocking chairs quilting away maybe with George Washington and the American ing 40 to 60 at a time, and that whole have unique quilting traditions. flag just sitting there.” museum is devoted to quilts.” The students’ second stories focused Bland said his research has made him The quilt center will be the focus of on themes in quilting. Some of the topics realize that his stereotype couldn’t have one of the stories in the depth report. include museums and academia, the busi- been more wrong. His own research has Each print student was required to ness of quilting and the art quilt move- shown him how global quilting really is complete three stories ranging from ment. and that the United States has just a small 2,000-3,000 words each. Students were able to freelance with part in the entire quilting picture. Laura Chapman, a senior news-edi- their third — and shorter — articles by Everyone involved in the project now torial major, liked the challenge of writing choosing a topic related to quilting but understands undertaking a depth report longer stories. not covered in the main stories. requires a series of small processes that, “I think anytime you get to work on The broadcast documentary when put all together, should turn into a a big project you become a better journal- describes the function of quilting and its beautiful product — much like quilting ist,” she said. “I don’t know if it changed importance to women throughout histo- itself, Alloway said. the way I report, but it really changed the ry. Alloway said quilting is invaluable as a “I think the journey we are taking on way I write. Even though these are really resource for learning how women lived in this documentary is a little bit like a quilt big pieces, every word that goes in it is earlier eras. itself,” he said. “There are lots of individ- critical because we are covering huge top- “The angle we are taking for the ual pieces that together make up the ics.” broadcast documentary is that quilting whole experience we are having. Each The first stories involved the geogra- was a form of communication for women interview we’ve had, each story we’re phy of quilting. Five of the students were over a long period of time where they had working on is like a block in the quilt, each assigned a continent to cover at the no formal means of public communica- and when it is all together, the sum will beginning of the summer. The other two tion,” he said. “Their form of expression, be so much greater than any of the indi- students covered Hawaii and Japan, which which was not always allowed in the pub- vidual parts.” ■ 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 49 CoJM C

By ANDY BOYLE

ichard Holman liked flying jets in the U.S. Air Force until someone’s foot ended his career in the cockpit. ¶ But Rthe University of Nebraska–Lincoln grad has had a high-flying career any- way, working as a journalist at places like Time Inc. and The Wall Street Journal and as a super- visory analyst for investment banks in New York City. ¶ His wife, Margaret Mezoff Holman, also a UNL grad, has done well in fundraising. But both Holmans’ roots have always been firmly planted in Nebraska. Flying high Nebraska values ground the Holmans’ successful careers

Dick enlisted in the Air Force after his office and won the top prize in the Network. 1969 J school graduation so he could stay Associated Press’s statewide newswriting Then in 1976, the Holmans decided to off the ground in Vietnam. But his flying contest. leave Nebraska and head to California. days ended in a game of soccer against a When Dick was assigned to cover a Their reason for leaving was simple: U.S. Air Force Academy graduate while UNL press conference about astronauts, “Something like 33 inches of snow and 30 Dick was stationed at the Craig Air Force though, he found more than just a story at below zero for 16 days in a row,” Dick said. Base east of Selma, Ala. One kick to Dick’s the end of the assignment. It was that press He found a job at the Monterey knee during mandatory physical training conference that led him to the woman who Peninsula Herald as a reporter, and took him out of the cockpit and into the would become his wife. Margaret got a job in community relations newsroom. As a first lieutenant, he was Margaret Mezoff was working part- at a local hospital. assigned to run the newspaper at Offutt Air time in the UNL public relations depart- That’s when her career path took a Force Base in Omaha. ment and finishing a degree in broadcast- turn. After he finished his stint in the mili- ing. Dick was an enterprising education “The hospital needed to raise money, tary, he joined the Lincoln Star, where he reporter who thought she had great legs. A and there wasn’t anybody else to do that,” had interned in college. The Star competed friend introduced the two, Dick asked her she said. “And I found myself as the chief for stories with the Lincoln Journal, which out for the next night and she agreed. fundraiser, so I did that for the rest of the occupied the space on the other side of a But Dick forgot her name. And she time we were in Monterey.” wall that used to divide what is now the forgot his. So he asked for her name from She learned how to raise money from Lincoln Journal Star newsroom in half. the friend who introduced them. And she her father, who was the president of Dana “The Journal was considered a little picked up the newspaper the next day and College in Blair, Neb. As a child in stronger … so in a way I was working for hoped he got a byline for his astronaut Pennsylvania, Margaret often went to the underdog,” he said. “We had correspon- story. He did, and six months later they events with him in his college administra- ding beats, and everybody competed really were married — on Nov. 3, 1973, the same tive posts and schmoozed with alumni. At fiercely, so in that respect it was a really year Margaret Holman graduated from the hospital in Monterey, she put her infor- lively journalism atmosphere.” He covered UNL. She parlayed her J school broadcast- mal Nebraska training to good use. beats ranging from night police to the ing degree into a position behind the cam- Eventually, Dick Holman became city Nebraska Legislature and the governor’s eras at the Nebraska Educational Television editor of the Monterey newspaper. At a 50 WINTER 2007-2008 SUNSHINE AND SCHOLARSHIPS The Holmans And that’s where Dick stayed for 14 support the college years. He jumped around a few times — copy editor, reporter, columnist — but in varied ways then he decided to move to Wall Street itself and he joined Morgan Stanley. Wall By STEPHANI RUIZ Street investment banks are huge publish- ing houses for their global research. No more old, cracked concrete and aging Morgan Stanley needed someone who bushes on the west side of Andersen Hall. could write and edit well and ensure that Instead, the area along Centennial Mall research met regulatory compliance has been renovated and transformed by requirements, so Holman got the job and shiny new tables and benches and decora- soon became a supervisory analyst. tive plantings. Meanwhile, Margaret Holman held The Holman Plaza, funded by a dona- executive fundraising positions at CARE, tion from Richard and Margaret Holman, is the American Academy of Dramatic Arts one of many contributions to the J school and the ASPCA. She founded Holman from Dick Holman, a 1969 graduate, and Consulting Inc. in 1991. In addition to Margaret Mezoff Holman, a 1973 graduate, serving clients and presenting seminars in who live in New York. the U.S. and Europe, she has published When approached about creating a two books on fund-raising, is president of scholarship for journalism students, the the Planned Giving Group of Greater New Holmans wanted to do even more. They York and — full circle — is an adjunct credit much of their success to the education instructor at NYU. they received at UNL, said Steve Hill of the More than two years ago, Dick University of Nebraska Foundation. Holman moved from Morgan Stanley to “They’re very rooted in this state,” Hill HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., a unit of said. London-based HSBC Holdings, which is The plaza design was inspired by Bryant one of the world’s largest banks measured Park in New York City. Originally an urban, Photo by Marilyn Hahn by assets and market capitalization. run-down park, it was transformed into a He said he is pleased where his career beautiful area for people to gather and drink journalism conference in San Francisco, he and his Nebraska education took him and coffee, read the paper or chat with friends. heard about a new medium — Teletext — said the new challenges every day at his The Holmans hoped to emulate this park on that he thought was fascinating. He saw an job keep him on his toes. a smaller scale, said Hill. ad in E ditor and Publisher mag azine from “I’ve had a career to kill for,” he said. The plaza proved to be a big success Time Inc. in New York City, looking for “I’ve been lucky. I’ve been blessed. I could- when the weather was warm last fall. “There someone to help develop this new medi- n’t ask for more.” are faculty members who go out and sit in um, which was similar to the Internet on Recently, the Holmans — both mem- the sun and grade papers,” said Dean Will television. bers of the University of Nebraska Norton. “I love to see that.” So in 1981, the Holmans packed their Foundation Board of Trustees — made As for the scholarship, Hill said the bags and traded the West Coast for the an investment in their Nebraska roots, logistics are still being ironed out. The first East. In New York City, Margaret Holman donating money to the College of scholarship will be awarded for the fall of found fundraising roles at New York Journalism and Mass Communications at 2008. University and Barnard College. Dick the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to cre- Norton stressed the significance of a Holman worked for Time Inc., until the ate the Holman Plaza on the west side of Holman scholarship. “The scholarship company realized Teletext was a medium Andersen Hall. They also have set up a makes a student feel like, ‘I’m getting money with no market demand and slim scholarship for journalism students. from this top professional. That means I’m prospects for profits and shut it down. Larry Walklin, a UNL broadcasting known by this top professional.’ That identi- He jumped to The Wall Street Journal professor who taught Magaret Holman, fication is really important.” in 1983 as a copy editor. He said his top said one of the reasons the Holmans have Hill said, “I cannot stress enough that editors realized he was the “master of con- gained success is that they kept their these are people who have just been suc- densation and tight writing,” so they asked down-to-earth Nebraska values no matter cessful at everything they have done, yet him to write the “What’s News World- where they were. On the West Coast, they they have remained humble, they remember Wide” column on the front page. were still Nebraskans; in New York City, where they came from and they try to honor That’s where Dick began his second they still are. that in everything they do. We are just so for- education. Walkin added: “They both may have tunate that they have that attitude,” Hill “I tell people I got my MBA at the lived on the coasts, but they have a said. ■ WSJ,” he said. straight Nebraska style.” ■ 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 51 JNews& Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

ADVERTISING program used to analyze student learning mentary was tentatively scheduled to air outcomes. (PEARL is the Program on public television in Ohio in February Excellence through Assessment, Research 2008. Joel Geyer, senior producer from FRAUKE HACHTMANN led a group of and Learning). NET, was an adviser on the project. journalism and marketing students to Advertising faculty member Bruce Germany during summer pre-session, LINDA SHIPLEY attended the mid-winter Mitchell was primary videographer, and studying international media in Berlin and meeting of AEJMC in St. Louis in WOSU’s Chris Hedrick is editing the doc- Munich. Hachtmann co-authored a schol- November as a member of the Standing umentary. arly paper with the students for presenta- Committee on Research. Her responsibili- He teamed with colleagues KATHY tion at the European Studies Conference in ties for the committee include coordinat- CHRISTENSEN and JERRY RENAUD to October. ing the 2008 Nafziger-White-Salwen teach convergence and Web writing cours- She presented two peer-reviewed arti- Dissertation Award competition and serv- es to journalism students at the Kosovo cles at the Association for Education in ing as a judge for the Tankard Book Award. Institute of Journalism and Communica- Journalism and Mass Communication In February, she was a member of the jour- tions (KIJAC) in Pristina, Kosovo, in conference in Washington, D.C., including nalism accrediting team that will visit San September and December, using UNL’s “Assessing student learning outcomes in Jose State. distance teaching technology. the advertising campaigns course: What do students learn and how can we measure JERRY RENAUD and his depth reporting NANCY it?” which she co-authored with BROADCASTING students who produced “In the Wake of MITCHELL LINDA SHIPLEY and , and “How Catastrophe” about the aftermath of the Japan’s Shinjinrui define their generation: KATHRYN CHRISTIANSEN participated in Sri Lanka tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, An exploratory collective case study,” a panel on the future of news at the were notified in June that their work fin- which she presented in the International International Society for Scientific Study ished among the seven best documentaries Communication Division. Hachtmann of Subjectivity annual meeting in of the year in the Student Academy Awards continues to serve on the executive com- Bethesda, Md., in October. competition. mittees of the AEJMC Advertising In September 2007, he organized and Division and the International BARNEY MCCOY spent the summer help- participated in a three-hour teleconference Communication Division. ing CoJMC depth report students finish seminar for first year students at the In the fall, she implemented the pro- writing and editing “Breaking Down Kosovo Institute of Journalism and motional plan for the Lincoln and Omaha Barriers.” The student-produced docu- Communication on convergence. In premiere of the college’s latest depth mentary focused on immigration and edu- December he helped organize and partici- report, including the magazine cation. It premiered on the UNL campus pated in a week-long seminar on conver- “Renovating the Republic” and the docu- and Omaha’s Joslyn Art Museum in gence. mentary “Breaking Down Barriers.” In September. The documentary won honor- He is working with AMY STRUTHERS, October, Hachtmann traveled to Germany able mention in the international Accolade advertising sequence head, on an informa- on a $3,500 grant she received from the Competition in late October, and NET2, tional program on renewable energy. They UNL Research Council to study the role of broadcast the documentary five times in will produce a documentary, television advertising in the post-Cold War German December. shows and Web site during the spring 2008 economy. He completed the script for the Don semester. Meier/“Mutual of Omaha’s Wild PHYLLIS LARSEN led a summer study Kingdom” documentary. Colleagues Carol abroad class with seven students to Mexico Cornsilk and BRUCE MITCHELL are also NEWS-EDITORIAL to explore use of mass media in a develop- working on the one hour documentary on ing country. She also presented a paper on Nebraska native Don Meier. Meier con- TIM ANDERSON earned a master’s degree “Student-to-Professional Mentoring as a ceived and was executive producer of in history at the University of Nebraska in Supplement to Public Relations “Wild Kingdom,” the most popular TV December. His thesis, “The Apprenticeship Education” at the summer Association for wildlife program in broadcast history. of a Poet: John G. Neihardt’s First Twenty Education in Journalism and Mass He is working with WOSU-TV in Years,” examined the childhood and edu- Communication national conference in Columbus, Ohio, on final editing of a doc- cation of Nebraska’s poet laureate and the Washington, D.C. In the fall semester, umentary he is producing on the 1952-54 impact they had on his life as a writer. Larsen taught the college’s first advanced Rio Redmen basketball team. The team Anderson and JOE STARITA joined scholars course, an online class for high- and star player Bevo Francis broke every Joseph Marshall III for a panel discussion ability high school juniors and seniors. major NCAA and NAIA scoring record “On Writing Biography” at the 2007 Larsen is also serving as a peer reviewer for and saved their tiny Appalachian college Nebraska Book Festival in Lincoln in UNL’s PEARL program, an assessment from bankruptcy. The hour-long docu- October. As part of the discussion,

52 WINTER 2007-2008 33 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

tribute chapters to the book, which has a target publishing date late in 2008.

BRUCE THORSON became a fellow with the Center for the Great Plains Studies. As the Region 9 associate director, he attend- ed the National Press Photographers Association annual board meeting and multimedia workshop in Portland, Ore., in June. He took second place in sports in the National Press Photographers Association regional photo contest and had photos about the Oak Ballroom pub- lished in Nebraska Life magazine’s November-December issue. He took a group of photojournalism students on an in-depth photo project to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in October. He continues to shoot UNL sports photographs for US PRESSWIRE, a sports picture agency, and has been pub- lished in Sports Illustrated, USA TODAY, ESPN Magazine and many other editorial publications, including numerous online editorial outlets.

Hail to the book! SCOTT WINTER earned an M.A. in creative Book lovers took over Andersen Hall and environs on Saturday, Oct. 27, during the writing from UNL’s English Department annual Nebraska Book Festival. in May and was accepted into the depart- The J school’s home served as one of several sites for workshops and sessions that included “On Writing Biography,” moderated by John Wunder, who holds a joint ment’s doctoral program. He had a fellow- appointment in history and journalism at UNL. Joe Starita and Tim Anderson were ship with the Vermont Studio Center for among the panel members for that session. the month of May, spoke at four national Other sessions focused on writing poetry, mystery and crime fiction, Nebraska high school journalism workshops during nonfiction and philosophy. the summer and was a keynote speaker at two state high school conventions in fall. He taught reporting and design at Marshall read from his 2004 Lakota histo- JOHN BENDER received the College University of Addis Ababa in December. ry, “The Journey of Crazy Horse,” Starita Distinguished Teaching Award in spring read from his soon-to-be-published man- 2007. JOHN WUNDER, who has a joint appoint- uscript on Standing Bear, and Anderson ment with journalism and history, pub- read from his master’s thesis on John G. CAROLYN JOHNSEN traveled to Potomac, lished two books in 2007: Nebraska Neihardt. Md., Nov. 9 to receive the 2007 Excellence Moments with Susan Wunder and Donald in Journalism Award for the depth report, Hickey and Spain and the Plains: Myths CHARLYNE BERENS, with faculty mem- Platte River Odyssey. The award from the and Realities of Spanish Exploration and bers RICK ALLOWAY, NANCY ANDER- Renewable Natural Resources Foundation Settlement on the Great Plains with Ralph SON, STACY JAMES and BRUCE of Bethesda, Md., honors and encourages Vigil and Frances Kaye. He also published THORSON, took a depth reporting class to excellence in print journalism that accu- an essay, “Native American History, England in August to visit with textiles rately explains science related to natural Ethnohistory and Context” in Ethnohisto- experts in London and to attend the resources. ry in fall 2007. He served as historical International Festival of Quilts in She is editing a book on communicat- adviser to the DVD “Hard Times Swing” Birmingham. The class spent the fall ing science to the public, to be published written and produced by Joel Geyer at semester writing stories and working on a by the University of Nebraska Press. About NET Television and gave the Robert documentary about quilts from an inter- a dozen scientists, journalists and public Atheam Lecture at the University of national perspective. information officers have agreed to con- Colorado in November. ■

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 53 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS Reflection and gratitude from a new U.S. citizen

remember crossing the border between Texas and Mexico in Dallas Cowboys still capture my imagina- tion on any given Sunday during the fall. 1982 in a lime green Volkswagen Beetle, chasing the Through thick and thin, I have always American dream, which at my young age could be synthe- been a fan. I But I’m a bigger fan of other institu- sized as smoking Marlboro cigarettes, drinking Coca-Cola and tions such as our college. We the people watching “Charlie’s Angels” and the Dallas Cowboys on TV. I make it what it is, and you can’t imagine how much I have enjoyed every minute of did not know that one day I would realize the dream, nor did I the past five years. I have learned so know that the reality would be much different from what I had much, and I continue to be challenged to excel every day, just to keep up with you. envisioned back then. As we waited for what seemed like hours last Friday to start the ceremony in By LUIS PEON-CASANOVA the Federal Building, I actually imagined Advertising faculty member we were all immigrants in a boat arriving at Ellis Island, separated only by time and circumstance. It was a strange but intrigu- ing thought. Most of your families got here before I did, but as I looked at the faces of us, the newcomers, and you, the Americans, I saw a common bond that transcended time and space. I felt a con- nection, a sense of belonging like I had never felt before. I hope you did, too, for I imagine it’s hard to relate to the actual journey if you are not on it. After we, the newcomers from Africa, Asia, Europe, North, Central and South America, the Middle East and elsewhere, pledged allegiance to our new country and received our certificates of citizenship

n from the judge, some of us immediately so registered to vote outside of the court- hor room. e T Bruce Thorson, who documented the event with his camera, asked me, “What by Bruc o by were your first American thoughts?”

Phot “Mexican food,” I replied, as we The years that followed my arrival In light of the recent terrorist attacks headed out to join friends and family at were filled with grand adventures, such as on the U.S. and the debate surrounding La Mexicana restaurant. How appropriate. graduating from the University of Texas, the value of immigration, I feel a respon- I just wanted to express a heartfelt and grand experiences, such as landing sibility to communicate my experience thank you to all who came to my natural- awesome jobs and finding a great wife in and the experiences of those who are ization ceremony and to let you know Nebraska, who taught me the value of struggling to realize their own American that it meant a lot to me to see so many of home and family. dream. That’s why, after all these years, I your faces there. I also want to thank As I grew older and wiser — and it decided to become a U.S. citizen. To you I those who wanted to come but couldn’t. did take me a long time — I came to real- promise that I will bear such responsibili- To all of you, I’m humbled and honored ize that I have a responsibility to my com- ty and my new citizenship with care and by your presence, good intentions and munity and to my fellow Mexican citizens, pride. kind words. ■ those who come here with very little or Today I realize that I haven’t smoked nothing, perhaps like your parents, your Marlboros since 1989, and I don’t drink Professor Peon-Casanova wrote this mes- grandparents, your great-grandparents or pop, either. The original (and still hot) sage to his colleagues at the J school after maybe even yourselves. Charlie’s Angels are in their 50s, and the he took the oath of American citizenship on Dec. 7. 54 WINTER 2007-2008 33 JNews Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

with Nebraska’s U.S. senators and repre- A balance of power sentatives to get their views about alterna- tive energy. They also have looked into what the general public is doing to utilize other energy sources, such as home solar panels. The project will span two semes- Project will spread information ters, bringing new students into the mix in January. The current class consists of on alternative energy sources eight hand-picked journalism students from the broadcasting or advertising By ANTONA BECKMAN alternative energy. sequences. “The goal of this [program] is to Because of the grant, students have enewable energy. give Nebraskans a sense about what their been able to travel to neighboring states The phrase sounds good, but options are when it comes to renewable to record progress in alternative energy many Nebraskans may not energy,” Struthers said.“We want to get use. Students also traveled to Washington, know much about what it people in Nebraska talking and get them D.C., to interview senators and represen- R to be active citizens.” tatives. means. People may have seen those two wind turbines north of Lincoln, With general information as the key Renaud described the video as some- but what do they do, and whom do they message, all parties involved stressed that thing that would resemble a documentary serve? And what other alternative energy they will not be choosing sides. The but include more than hard statistics. Not sources are available? Would it be possible researchers simply want to help only will the video touch on professional and efficient to use solar power? and government opinions, but it And what exactly are the benefits will feature multiple vignettes of ethanol? highlighting individual people In an effort to inform who use alternative energy. Nebraskans about such alterna- “It will be fun to watch,” tive energy options, the College Renaud said. “We’re excited of Journalism and Mass about it. It’s the first time adver- Communications, along with the tising and broadcasting students University of Nebraska Public are working together like this.” Policy Center, received a grant of He explained that the $12,000 to help Nebraskans learn broadcasting students will work about and be more familiar with alongside advertising students, the energy options that exist. learning more about marketing The project, titled Energy the information they will pro- and the Future, started in the fall vide. On the other side, advertis- semester of 2007 with ing students will learn more researchers from both the jour- From left, Sarah Jensen, Kurtis Harms and Kristy Bohnet strike about what it takes to capture nalism college and the policy a pose outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. and edit video. center. Project plans call for Abdel-Monem and developing a one-hour informa- Struthers both expressed their tional video, a Web site marketing renew- Nebraskans explore the options available enthusiasm about the final products. able energy and written materials for for renewable energy. According to They said Nebraskans will become more public distribution. Struthers, information about many alter- knowledgeable about their options, and The $12,000 grant is funded by the natives — bio-fuels, solar energy and an important issue will receive the atten- Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences wind energy — will be included. tion it deserves. Although the information Research, a UNL entity collaborating with This grant is unusual not only may not change the behavior of every the Nebraska Public Power District. The because of the partnership between the Nebraskan, it will give people an opportu- information from the grant will be University of Nebraska Public Policy nity to make an informed decision about released to 200 different public entities. In Center and the College of Journalism and alternative energy. addition, public forums will be held to Mass Communications but also because According to the policy center, mate- discuss the information, and the video students are involved. rials are to be finalized and produced in may be broadcast on NET. “This is the first time I know of that the summer of 2008, before presidential Broadcasting faculty member Jerry we have worked with the journalism col- elections in the fall. A key part of this Renaud and advertising faculty member lege for a student-driven project,” said grant is to explore each candidate’s views Amy Struthers are co-investigators on the Tarik Abdel-Monem, the policy center’s on the issue of alternative energy. Abdel- project. Both have been leading student research specialist. “We are very optimistic Monem said the information that surfaces involvement, guiding a class of eight stu- and enthusiastic.” from this project will help the public ■ dents who are extensively researching Students are conducting interviews make an educated vote choice.

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 55 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

Testing the waters journalist, kind of teaching me the importance of being inter- ested and taking the time to get to know people.” J school students dive into the culture, media of Cozumel Instead of just focusing on research, Larsen also wanted the students to branch out and By STEPHANI RUIZ become part of the community as she had. She relied on some of her native friends to give Phyllis Larsen considers Cozumel, Mexico, almost a second home. An students a cultural experience avid scuba diver, Larsen, a member of the advertising faculty, and her that included salsa lessons and husband have traveled to Cozumel to dive for more than 25 years. But a personal tour around the city. when she wasn’t observing the tropical fish of the Caribbean, Larsen got When asked about the involved in various community service projects and developed close rela- biggest advantage of the trip, Pribnow said it was, without a tionships with local people. ¶ During the three-week summer school pre- doubt, the cultural experiences. “It’s a very slow-paced cul- session in May 2007, Larsen about Cozumel. Once they greatest cultural obstacles arose ture compared with our cul- was able to share her love for arrived in Mexico, the students in scheduling appointments ture here in America and very Cozumel with seven students were able to divide their with professionals in the com- different from what I’m used as part of an elective class research so that each person munity, Audrey Pribnow, a to, especially as a student,” said called “Global Media.” The trip would have his or her own senior news-editorial major, Pribnow. had been in the works since focus area to study in greater said. In Cozumel, punctuality The trip seemed to end Larsen approached Dean Will detail. is not very important. It is too soon for Abraham, who Norton with the idea the previ- Each day, students set out common to show up late to plans to study abroad in the ous winter. to gather interviews and con- appointments, open up your spring of 2008 in Rome, Italy. “Our goal was to go to duct research. They visited business a couple of hours late, He said he never would have another community and look media sources that are similar or even, at times, not show up taken advantage of study at how mass media are used in to those in the United States, at all. Students grew accus- abroad opportunities at the a developing country,” Larsen such as radio and television tomed to waiting at least an university before he made the said. stations. But they also wit- hour for each scheduled trip to Cozumel. Students began their nessed communication tactics appointment, which some- “It was more of a culture research in the classroom in that are no longer used in the times changed their plans for shock to come back. In just Lincoln, gathering information United States, such as a truck the rest of the day. two short weeks, I was able to that drives around Andrew Abraham, a junior see my culture through the town with a loud- advertising major, focused his eyes of another culture and speaker announc- research on business-to-busi- really break some of the per- ing coming sales ness advertising. He found the sonal stereotypes I had,” and events. most effective form of commu- Abraham said. Some media nication in Cozumel to be At the end of the class, familiar to U.S. cit- word-of-mouth. students created personal proj- izens were used in Abraham interviewed ects, displaying their research ways that better fit Javier Polanco, a Cozumel resi- and cultural experiences as a the Cozumel envi- dent, who runs a shop where compilation of the trip. Trips ronment. he builds and maintains all the like this one are vital as part of Billboards, for necessary equipment for scuba an education in journalism, instance, would not diving. said Larsen, who was not paid last long against “It was interesting that he to take the students to the harsh winds of (Polanco) never did any formal Cozumel because the group ‘Our goal was to go … and Cozumel. So busi- advertising. All of his business did not meet the minimum look at how mass media are nesses pay to have came from referrals and size for summer school fund- their advertise- friendships,”Abraham said. ing. are used in a developing ments painted on Pribnow noticed the same “The point is that we’re country. blank walls of thing.“The people (in committed to giving students buildings through- Cozumel) will sit and talk to these experiences, even if the out the city. you for hours,” she said. “But it PHYLLIS LARSEN conditions aren’t ideal,” Larsen ’ One of the taught me a good lesson as a said. ■ 56 WINTER 2007-2008 ALUMNI NEWS 33 JNews Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS ollege credit for spending a favorite assignment was design- types in the media that the ing an advertisement because it French were rude, that they month in the southern French required students to do more didn’t like Americans. They countryside? ¶ Sounds too good than simply find a good pic- were actually very kind, very ture. They needed to find a pic- welcoming people.” to be true, but that’s exactly ture that fit with the back- Washington said that she C ground and product that they felt that the photography what Luis Peon-Casanova were advertising. helped the local people warm offered to university students last June. ¶ Eight Amber Booton, a news- up to the students. editorial graduate student, said “People like having their By ZACH BUCKLEY she enjoyed all of the assign- pictures taken,” she said. ments that centered on people. “People wondered why there “It’s difficult to catch peo- were 12 people walking around ple candidly when they see you with cameras in their hands Picture perfect walking up with a camera in and took an interest in what we your hand,” she said. “Whether were doing.” we were at the market or at The trip was open to any Photography class gives students their vineyards, it was challeng- student who had an interest in ing to catch someone in their photography and a desire to a new view of France daily life.” travel. Peon-Casanova, who had Peon-Casanova led the led a class to this location group on more than 10 trips before, noted that the experi- through the region. The group ence always leaves a burning traveled to a wildlife reserve, desire to travel more. visited a 15th-century castle on “The culture is so different, a winemaker’s estate, went and most students go over there bungee jumping and attended a with little or no knowledge bullfight. about the countries them- Peon-Casanova said he selves,” he said. “By the time it’s hoped the students gained a over, their perceptions are total- better understanding of pho- ly different.” tography as well as French cul- Peon-Casanova is coordi- ture. While there were some nating with a student to pro- obvious challenges, most duce a video about the group’s notably the language barrier, he adventure that he hopes will be said that the benefits of the trip completed by the end of the fall easily outweighed those chal- semester. He is also producing a Washington e lenges. magazine that should be pub- at “Going overseas gives you lished early next year.

by K o by the opportunity to evaluate the All of the students said that

Phot things that you have,” he said. they would recommend the “It allows you to expand your experience to any college stu- students from the University of group’s classroom, laboratory knowledge and get a leg up on dent who has the means to Nebraska–Lincoln accompa- and place of relaxation. other kids that haven’t been attend. They said that the trip nied Peon-Casanova to Sainte Boasting an outdoor pool, as outside the country.” was well worth the $4,500 price. Cecile, a small farming town well as ping-pong and pool Jake Johnson, a junior “I feel like any experience located in southern France tables, the house alone was advertising major who partici- you can have in another coun- about 90 minutes north of enough to make the trip enjoy- pated in the class, said it was his try is a wonderful opportunity Marseille. The trip offered stu- able. first trip overseas. to have in college, because once dents a chance to gain a better Peon-Casanova gave the “From the time we landed, you’re hired it’s going to be understanding of the technical students nine lectures during we were always learning about hard to take a month or a aspects of photography and the course, one every other day. (French) culture,” he said. “It semester off to go travel,” also to experience life in a dif- The students were then given gave me a different perspective Johnson said. “Getting it in col- ferent culture. assignments that revolved on how other countries per- lege really helps you understand Peon-Casanova and the around the topic of that day’s ceive Americans, and how other your place in the world and students spent a month work- lecture. Lighting, lines, color, countries operate.” how everything interacts with ing out of a house rented by the people in emotion and people Booton said the stereotypes everyone. instructor. Complete with a in movement were some of the that she had heard about the “It’s worth every penny,” he projector in Peon-Casanova’s topics discussed. French were far from the truth. said. “Or every euro.” ■ computer and wireless Internet Kate Washington, a senior “I tried to keep an open access, the house served as the news-editorial major, said her mind,” she said. “I heard stereo- J ALUMNI NEWS 57 JNews Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

2007 magazine. She also supervises one student JOSH FIEDLER, South Royalton, Vt., is with an independent study in the history a communications associate with the NICOLE ALBERTSEN is an interactive of journalism. Student Conservation Association in project coordinator at Swanson Russell JUSTIN ENOS, Fremont, works at Charlestown, N.H. He is a desktop pub- Associates in Lincoln. She previously was KPTM FOX 42/KSVO CW 51 in Omaha. lisher who designs recruitment materials public relations director at the New Digital LAUREN FISCHER, Omaha, is week- for college students to help them find Group in Lincoln. end producer for Pappas Telecommuni- summer internships in conservation-relat- MEREDITH GRUNKE GARDNER is a cations-KPTM in Omaha. ed fields. health and business reporter at The Grand LAURA LIGGETT joined Swanson RYAN GAGER and Gina Witt were Island Independent. She took second place Russell Associates, with offices in Lincoln married July 7 at Faith Lutheran Church in for in-depth writing in the 2007 Nebraska and Omaha, in October as a public rela- Hastings. He is employed by KEVN TV, Press Association contest. tions associate. She facilitates media rela- Channel 7, in Rapid City, S.D. MIKE KUHL is a project manager at tions and publicity for various clients. She SARAH HERMSMEIER, Bellefonte, Pa., Bailey Lauerman’s Lincoln office. previously worked in PR at the Omaha is program director in the Center for STEVE HERMANN, who earned the Home for Boys and was a reporter for Student Engagement at Penn State M.A. in August 2007, is director of student Omaha’s KETV Channel 7 news. University in State College, Pa. She is publications and an instructor at Nichols KYLE OLIG, Phoenix, is a med pay spe- responsible for PSU’s efforts to involve and State University in Thibodaux, La. cialist with Nationwide Insurance in engage students and leads the center’s CALI HLAVAC is a marketing and Scottsdale, Ariz. community service and service learning event coordinator for A Sound Impression AMANDA REESON, Omaha, is direc- initiatives. She earned a master of arts in Lincoln. She was a member of the Ad tor of communication and marketing for degree in student affairs administration Club, National Society of Collegiate the American Shorthorn Association. from Michigan State University in May Scholars and Husker Choices and was a DAVID STORY earned second place in 2007. While at MSU, she served as presi- campus health aide. the Nebraska Press Association’s 2007 dent of the Student Affairs Graduate JASON HUWE,Kansas City, Kan., is Better Newspapers contest for a photo Association, was elected to a national lead- an account coordinator at Barkley in page in the Seward County Independent. ership position in the American College Kansas City, Mo. He and Adam Drey produced the photo Personnel Associations and traveled to MARK KARPF is teaching journalism page together as part of the beat reporting Ghana, West Africa, with the ACPA and social studies classes at South High summer class that spent two weeks work- Cultural Study Tour. School in Omaha. ing for the Seward paper. MICAH INTERMILL, Arlington, Va., is COURTNEY RODGERS has joined ALEXIS ZGUD, Lincoln, is a financial a public policy research analyst for the Swanson Russell Associates in Lincoln as development and communications spe- Assisted Living Federation of America account coordinator and is responsible for cialist with the American Red Cross. based in Alexandria, Va. daily oversight of Gateway computers LESLIE JOHNSON, Highlands Ranch, client projects. Before joining SRA, she was 2005 Colo., was married in July to Richard an intern at a Lincoln advertising agency. Johnson, also of Highlands Ranch. A ANASTASIA CERVANTES is employed in native of Holdrege, she is an event consult- 2006 the public affairs office at Rice University ant at National CineMedia in Centennial, in Houston. She works for multicultural Colo. He is a math teacher and golf coach HALEY ARMSTRONG, Omaha, is heart community relations, university relations at Rocky Heights Middle School in walk director for the American Heart and government relations. She helps with Highlands Ranch. Association in Omaha. event and meeting planning, newsletter TOBY MANTHEY, who was part of the ANNA BAKER is marketing coordina- writing and editing and database upkeep. journalism graduate program from 2003- tor at Vic Gutman and Associates in She is also in charge of purchasing and 2005, is a reporter at the Arkansas Omaha where she is responsible for devel- budgeting. Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock. He was oping marketing and public relations cam- J.S. ENGEBRETSON is director of the winner of the September Starr Award paigns. VGA specializes in planning, mar- higher education services at Service for his story about the collapse of Acxiom’s keting, fund-raising and special events. Research Corporation of Lincoln. She proposed sale to private investors, accord- Clients include the Summer Arts Festival works with colleges and universities devel- ing to a memo from executive editor in Omaha and the Detroit 300 Festival in oping market research, prospective and Griffin Smith. The award, presented to a Detroit, Mich. current student surveys, employee surveys, reporter each month, is named after the BRANDON BIODROWSKI and Abby program assessment, campus visit evalua- paper’s late managing editor, John Robert Woodring were married April 28 in Blair. tions and alumni research. She has more Starr. GLORIA BUCCO is an adjunct faculty than 20 years of experience in communi- MAGGIE PAVELKA will leave in March member at Midland Lutheran College in cation and higher education, most recent- for Theis, Senegal, on Africa’s westernmost Fremont. She teaches one section of Mass ly as executive director of communication tip to work for the Peace Corps with the Communications and Society and works and marketing at Doane College. She Senegalese Ministry of Health. She will with students to improve their writing in holds the master’s degree from the J help develop and implement awareness the Journalism Department’s quarterly school. and prevention programs to help the pop-

58 WINTER 2007-2008 33 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS ulation face the threat of malaria, tubercu- ues to appreciate the education she ciate with the University of Nebraska losis and HIV/AIDS. She has been working received at UNL and keeps her Husker ties Athletic Program. He began his work there for the Juvenile Diabetes Research as a freelance coach for the speech and in October. Foundation in Lincoln. debate team. KEVIN SHEEN and Elonie Lewis were MARCELLO PLIOPLIS is art director at KRISTEN MARIE OLSON married married July 28 in Omaha. He is employed Bailey Lauerman’s Lincoln office. He was a Rusky South in September at Papillion. by Nelnet in Lincoln as a communication publications specialist at the UNL distance She is employed at WOWT-6 Omaha as a coordinator. education department and is an adjunct television producer. Her husband is an MARGARET STAMP, Plattsmouth, is professor in the advertising department. account executive at InfoUSA. executive director for Habitat for He earned the M.A. from the J school. VAN JENSEN and his wife, Amy, Humanity of Sarpy County. She and her ELIZABETH POLLES was hired last moved to Atlanta from Little Rock, Ark., in husband, Jerod, had a daughter, Joslyn, on summer as a copywriter for the American August. He is a writer in the university Sept. 26. Refugee Committee, an international relations department at the University of humanitarian aid organization based in Georgia, and she is working for the Atlanta 2002 Minneapolis. Since graduation, she has Journal-Constitution. also worked as a reporter for News Link, a DANA WITHERBY and GREG LUDVIK ADAM CIELOHA of Shawnee, Kan., mar- Lincoln-based company that produces (2003) were married Aug. 18 at the Sunken ried Megan Starzec in October at employee newsletters, primarily for major Gardens in Lincoln. They are both broad- Columbus. He is a senior affiliate manager railroads. casting grads. She is a public relations spe- with Virtumundo, Inc., in Overland Park, CARA TONINI and Mark Hautzinger cialist with the Child Guidance Center in Kan. His wife is employed by PRA were married July 7 in Las Vegas. She Lincoln. He is a consumer interviewer with International in Lenexa, Kan. works as an e-commerce specialist for the Gallup Organization in Lincoln. JUSTIN KEMERLING is the design Goodwill Industries. lead at Swanson Russell Associates market- 2003 ing communications firm in Lincoln. He is responsible for keeping up with evolving 2004 JILL CONNER, Lakewood, Colo., is imple- design trends and managing a budget for mentation manager at DataJoe, LLC, a the purchase of fonts, publications and JESSE BOECKERMANN, Bluefield, W.Va., company that designs and implements other design tools. He joined SRA in 2003 is a producer at WAMN 1050 AM ESPN software for the business journal industry. as a graphic designer. Radio in Bluefield. She is the mother of a 4-year-old boy. MATTHEW MAST, Colorado Springs, LIBBY GUTHMAN is an account exec- KRISTIN EWING, Naperville, Ill., is an and Julianne Mashke of Chicago were utive for Element 79 in Chicago. She works assistant account executive, public rela- married in September in St. Joseph, Mich. on the Celebrity Cruises account to help tions, for Rhea and Kaiser in Naperville. He is a security analyst at Smith Barney in create national TV and print advertising. She previously worked as community rela- Colorado Springs. She has also worked on Pepsi Health and tions manager for Petland of Omaha and ANDREW NELSON is a staff reporter Wellness, Lowes, Finish Line and was awarded the Quest Award from for the Omaha World-Herald, covering Children’s Memorial Hospital. Petland, Inc., for her community service public safety. He previously covered the SARA MCMILLAN and NEAL efforts. Among other programs, she devel- police beat for The Clarion-Ledger in OBERMEYER (2001), both of Omaha, were oped “InVEST in K-9s,” which worked to Jackson, Miss., and night general assign- married July 7 at St. Francis Xavier Church purchase bullet- and stab-resistant vests ments for the Birmingham Post-Herald. in St. Joseph, Mo. She is a marketing coor- for police dogs in the Omaha area. She ERICA RAMAEKERS and Jeffrey dinator with Baird Holm LLP in Omaha. worked with the police departments in Sorensen were married in August in He is a freelance editorial cartoonist. Bellevue, Papillion and LaVista and with Omaha. They live in Chicago where she is LINDSAY MINCH and Robert Bankus, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Depart- employed by ID Media and he by both of Dakota Dunes, S.D., were married ment’s K-9 units. Antunovich Associates. Aug. 18 at St. Andrew’s United Methodist ANDREA HEISINGER, Omaha, is the SARA READY is a producer with Church in Omaha. Both are pharmaceuti- investment grade market reporter for WLOS-TV in Asheville, N.C. cal sales representatives with Sanofi- Prospect News, based in New York. KIM STORK and Jake Wilhelm were Aventis Pharmaceuticals. RACHEL KLEMME LARSON earned a married Nov. 17, 2007, in Lincoln. She is JUANITA PAGE has been working for master’s degree in educational administra- employed in marketing and communica- the Discovery Networks since graduation. tion in 2006. tions with Ameritas Group, and he is oper- She works on the Discovery Channel, SHANE PEKNY, Omaha, is the ations manager with Bestorq, Inc., both in Animal Planet, Discovery Health and oth- Youthbuild Omaha coordinator for Lincoln. ers. Last fall, she was promoted to market- Goodwill Industries in Omaha. ing and programming network manager CHRISTOPHER REZAC and Kathryn 2001 for Discovery Health. She produces all the Sup were married Sept. 8 at St. Luke advertising and sales commercials for United Methodist Church in Omaha. He is TYSON BARR has joined Swanson Russell Health and Fit TV. She also has done some an automotive account executive at the Associates in Lincoln as an account man- commercial voice-overs and has appeared Omaha World-Herald. ager, acting as the primary liaison for in a few commercials. She says she contin- ETHAN ROWLEY is a marketing asso- Gateway computers clients on a daily >> 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 59 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS basis. He previously worked as key of Spam, which was available in summer in September 2006. She is regional senior accounts manager for INTRALOT Inc., the 2007. He worked at BBDO Minneapolis marketing manager of a Colorado-based online lottery vendor for the Nebraska where he was art director on the SPAM homebuilder, Richmond American Lottery. account for five years. He said he accumu- Homes. Her husband is a bid sponsor for ABIGAIL BRIGGS DAVIS was awarded lated “a bunch of unused jokes that were Kiewit Construction Company’s building a Bronze Quill Award from the too good to let go.” The book is published group in Englewood, Colo. International Association of Business by Atria, a division of Simon and Schuster. KEVIN REINER and Kimberly Communicators for her work on the “Take Black described it as “a 208-page, full-color Bousquet were married Sept. 22 in Time to Take Care” brochure she devel- hardcover journey through the SPAM uni- Omaha. He is head video editor at Clark oped to introduce a wellness program to verse.” Learn more at www.thebookof- Creative Group in Omaha. Barry-Whelmiller employees. She is a spam.com. LISA SCHULTE and Jason Maxson communication specialist for Aon CHARLES BLIESE, Kansas City, Mo., is were married Oct. 26 in Omaha. She is an Consulting, a human capital consulting an automotive account executive for The associate editor at Catholic Voice newspa- firm, in St. Louis. She specializes in devel- Kansas City Star. per. oping and implementing benefit, internal NIKKI FOX, Harrisonburg, Va., is and corporate change communication ini- deputy director of photography at the 1998 tiatives. Daily News-Record in Harrisonburg. She KATIE JUHL married Will Telligman of had previously been staff photographer for TRICIA AKERLUND, Norfolk, is marketing Chester, S.C., on Oct. 13 at Capitol Hill the paper for two years. coordinator at Wayne State College. She Presbyterian in Washington, D.C. They EMILY GETZSCHMAN, Fort Worth, plans, implements and evaluates the met two years before when Will was an Texas, is director of communications and strategic marketing communications plan intern on the Hill. Katie works at Agence government relations for the American for the college. Prior to joining Wayne France-Presse as North American business Red Cross in Fort Worth. She earned the State, she was the marketing communica- development manager and also as a piano M.A. from the J school in 2004. tions specialist for Creighton University teacher. Will graduated with a philosophy JOSEPH KOPP and Meagan Fischer Medical Center in Omaha. She earned the degree from Winthrop University in May were married Sept. 22 in Greensboro, N.C. master’s degree from the J school in 2005. ’05 and is a legislative assistant for the Kopp is creative services director for Dick SHANE GILSTER is the advertising/ International Dairy Foods Association. Broadcasting Co. in Greensboro. His wife marketing director of Big Red Report,a The newlyweds reside in Washington, is a marketing specialist with Goodwill magazine and Web site covering NU ath- D.C., in their home on Capitol Hill and Industries Central N.C. in Greensboro. letics. He writes, promotes, markets and spend much of their free time with their BRIAN POPE, Omaha, is a graphic sells advertising for the publication, which adopted retired racing Greyhounds named artist for Gallup in Omaha. is owned by Scout Publishing and Fox Macy and Bart. DARREN AND CASSIE ROSE IVY Sports. The magazine Web site is JERIMIE LOGAN and Kristie Harmon, (2002), publishers of the Clay County www.BigRedReport.com. After gradua- both of Englewood Colo., were married News in Sutton, received an award for tion, he worked for First Down Aug. 25 at Lincoln Berean Church. Logan Outstanding Service to Agriculture at the Publications in Boulder, Colo., as an is a unit manager with Travelers Insurance. 2007 Nebraska Press Association conven- advertising/marketing director for the JAYSON SCHMOLKE is an account tion. The award was made by the Omaha company’s Colorado and Colorado State executive at Bozell in Omaha. He provides World-Herald. The paper also received 12 publications before his company merged account support for CoCo Key Water awards in the annual NPA Better with Scout Publishing and asked him to Resort and First National Bank among Newspapers contest and placed second move back to Nebraska to take his current other accounts. Before joining Bozell, overall in its class for the sweepstakes position. Schmolke was an account associate for award. The Doniphan Herald, which the CHRISTIAN ZOUCHA, Lincoln, is Weber Shandwick in Chicago. Ivys also publish, received eight awards in director of client and public relations for JEREMY STANISLAV has joined its class. TalentMine, a Lincoln-based pre-hire Swanson Russell Associates in Lincoln in JAY SAUNDERS, Milwaukee, is the 10 assessment firm. TalentMine assists the account services department. He previ- p.m. news producer for WTMJ-TV in employers nationwide with online assess- ously was marketing director for Milwaukee. ment tools that match candidates to a Bockmann Inc. of Lincoln and also desired job and culture. Zoucha also works worked for Pickering Creative Group. 1999 closely with The Marcus Buckingham ANGIE BEELAERT VOLLMERS, Company in providing the online survey Gastonia, N.C., is an account executive JODI KENNEDY has been promoted to for Buckingham’s best-selling book, Go with Busch Media Group in Charlotte, senior account executive with Connect IT Put Your Strengths to Work. He formerly N.C. in Omaha. She joined the company in managed public relations for Lydian Trust September 2005 after working for Cox Co., in Palm Beach, Fla. For four years after 2000 Media for five years as producer, produc- graduation, he was a news producer, tion coordinator and account executive. reporter and anchor for both KOLN/KGIN DUSTIN BLACK, St. Paul, Minn., is the co- KOLLEEN QUINN and Nick Benjamin and KLKN-TV in Lincoln. author, with Dan Armstrong, of The Book of Centennial, Colo., were married in an outdoor ceremony near Estes Park, Colo., 60 WINTER 2007-2008 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 JNews Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS 1997 He worked for newspapers in Wyoming, to work in media and public relations Colorado and Washington and now oper- while expanding into the realm of health JOANNE FOX earned a third place award ates a business, Keyhole Photography, with care marketing. He also does volunteer from the Suburban Newspaper of America his wife, Meggan. public relations for Susan G. Komen for NICOLE TEICH in best feature series for her “back to is the news director of the Cure-St. Louis. RONALD NG school” series. She is a reporter at the Sioux NEWSRADIO 980 KMBZ in Kansas City. is head of creative at City Journal in Sioux City, Iowa. Suburban BBDO Malaysia. Newspaper of America recognizes out- 1994 standing work in suburban and communi- 1992 JON HEIBEL ty newspapers. is the marketing team leader ROBERT PATTERSON JESSICA KENNEDY was named one of of Behlen Building Systems and Inland , assistant executive Lincoln’s “40 Under 40” by the Lincoln Buildings, a business unit of Behlen Mfg. director for Social Settlement, Omaha, was Business Journal in June. The marketing Co. with headquarters in Columbus, Neb. named as one of 2007’s “40 under 40” by manager for the Lincoln Journal Star, she He also is facilitator of the corporate mar- the Midlands Business Journal. He has was part of the team that launched keting board for the worldwide company helped the organization increase its budg- Lincoln’s Young Professionals Group and with manufacturing plats in Nebraska, et and fund-raising capacity, increased the is president of the Lincoln Community Tennessee, Oregon and Alabama and a efficiency of its operations and created and Playhouse board of directors. She has also joint venture in Beijing, China. Heibel has implemented in-house budgeting, taught classes at the J school and at been with Behlen since 2004. His duties accounting and human resource systems. Southeast Community College. include developing and executing strategic He was a district administrative assistant CAMERON WESSEL SATTERFIELD, St. marketing and promotional strategies, for the Muscular Dystrophy Association Louis, Mo., is a public information officer advertising campaigns and promotional before joining Social Settlement. for the St. Charles County government in materials. He writes and designs all St. Charles, Mo. brochures and Web sites for Behlen and 1991 JENNIFER WINDRUM was promoted Inland, plans and prepares company JEFF BEALS in October to public relations manager at events, trade shows, strategic planning ses- , vice president of operations at Swanson Russell Associates. In addition to sions and district sales manager meetings. Coldwell Banker Commercial World KEVIN HYNES managing the Omaha office’s public rela- was named 2006 Air Group, was named as one of 2007’s “40 tions staff, she is responsible for develop- National Guard Journalist of the Year. He under 40” by the Midlands Business ing, planning and executing clients’ public is a captain in the Air National Guard. Journal. Beals also is co-host of the Grow KARA MORRISON relations programs. She previously worked is a features Omaha radio program and has written a at an Omaha Ad agency and was press sec- reporter and columnist at The Detroit book, Self Marketing Power: Branding retary and communications director for News w here she’s worked since leaving the Yourself as a Business of One, published in former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub. She also Lincoln Journal Star in February 2000. She early 2008. Before joining Coldwell Banker worked as a reporter at Omaha’s KMTV earned a master’s degree in journalism at in 2001, he was dean of student affairs at Channel 3 news. the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her Clarkson College. He is now an adjunct husband, Ron Hansen, is a criminal justice professor at the University of Nebraska at 1996 and legal affairs reporter at The Detroit Omaha. News; he was a finalist for the Pulitzer THOM KASTRUP was named director DEBORAH MCADAMS is senior telecom Prize in Public Service Journalism in 2003. of advertising at The Omaha World-Herald editor at Fierce Markets, a business-to- in December. He previously was retail business newsletter and events firm in 1993 advertising manager. MONTE OLSON Washington, D.C. She had previously been was named one of BARRY KRIHA managing editor of TV Technology maga- is a senior account executive Lincoln’s “40 Under 40” by the Lincoln zine. and broadcast producer at Ervin & Smith Business Journal in June. He is senior vice Advertising and Public Relations, Omaha. president and director of marketing at 1995 His primary responsibilities include help- TierOne Bank in Lincoln. Previously, he ing clients with strategic planning, public was director of marketing for Bank of JEN AUSTIN, Little Elm, Texas, works for relations and broadcast productions. Prior America and held management positions Clear Channel’s Mix 102.9 in Dallas. She to joining Ervin & Smith, Kriha was in four of the world’s top 10 advertising does programming and is on the air from account executive for KETV and public organizations in Chicago, Los Angeles and 7 p.m. to midnight. relations manager for Envoy. San Francisco. He is a member of the J TOM MILLER JEFF HALLER, Mobile, Ala., had a solo , St. Louis, is network school’s alumni advisory board and serves photo exhibit at the Red Cloud Opera communications manager for SSM Health on the boards of the Lincoln Arts Council House in November and December. Titled Care-St. Louis. After working for the and the Lincoln Children’s Museum. MARCI RICENBAW “Somewhere in the Middle of America; Missouri Department of Transportation and James Life in a Prairie Town,” the exhibition was for more than 11 years, he joined a firm Funderburk, both of Riverview, Fla., were the culmination of two months of photog- that has eight hospitals, four physician married on the beach May 26 in raphy he did in Red Cloud, his hometown. groups and more than 10,000 employees Clearwater Beach, Fla. She works at in the St. Louis metro area. He continues Barrx Medical as a clinical research >> 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 61 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS assistant. Her husband is a professional nies like MCA, O’Brien and Co. and The consulting geologist. 1982 Maids International. JEREMY STANISLAV is an associate account manager at Swanson Russell JILL NISPEL BOULLION is co-founder 1975 Associates in Lincoln. He works with with her husband, Patrick, of Boullion optics manufacturer Leupold and with Graphics, which was named 2007 Small MARY GARBACZ has been named to the outdoor recreation accounts. Prior to join- Business of the Year by the Small Business Nebraska Alumni Association’s Cather ing SRA, he was marketing director for a Development Center at North Harris Circle, a mentoring network for alumnae Lincoln-based remediation company, Montgomery Community College District and women students at UNL. She is Bockmann, Inc. He also worked for the in Houston, Texas. The firm was a finalist employed at the J school as director of a Pickering Creative Group, also located in for the award in 2006. The graphic design research and outreach project focusing on Lincoln, in the marketing services depart- and marketing firms serves business-to- Nebraska. ment. Stanislav is a member of the business clients including marketing direc- American Marketing Association and tors of large public companies, marketing 1974 Lincoln’s Young Professionals Group. and sales managers at mid-sized firms, government, non-profit and education ANN PEDERSEN has been named director 1989 entities and owner-operated firms. of public relations for Lovgren Marketing Boullion Graphics provides logo creation Group, Omaha. She began her career at KELLY LYNN ANDERS, Topeka, Kan., is and brand identity programs, brochures, WOWT, Omaha, as the first female anchor associate dean for student affairs at trade show graphics, advertising, direct of a regularly scheduled newscast, then Washburn University School of Law in mail, packaging, catalogs, Web sites and worked at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis Topeka. She has received a “Forty Under marketing assistance. before returning to Nebraska. She has 40” award from the Denver Business LISA LACKOVIC, marketing director worked in broadcast news, market research Journal and is a member of the for Watkins Concrete Block, Omaha, was and corporate communications for the “Leadership Topeka” class of 2006. She named as one of 2007’s “40 under 40” by past 30 years. serves on the board of directors of the the Midlands Business Journal. She is past Colorado Lawyers for the Arts. president of the Nebraska Chapter of the 1972 Construction Specifications Institute and 1988 the Nebraska Concrete Masonry DEANNA SANDS was honored by the Association. She is responsible for market- YWCA as one of 10 outstanding women in SCOTT MORTON was named general ing concrete masonry products and also Omaha for their contributions to the com- manager by Lamar Outdoor and oversees oversees the firm’s advertising and promo- munity. The retired managing editor of all operations in the Lincoln and Grand tions. The Omaha World-Herald, she was the key Island offices. Lamar is one of the largest editor in two major overhauls of the owners and operators of outdoor advertis- 1981 paper’s look and design. She is president of ing structures in the United States. the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s BRAD STEPHENS is the prime time JEANNE MOHATT died Sept. 8 at the Utica Nebraska Affiliate and chairs the strategic news anchor for KCTV (TV) Channel 5 in Community Care Center after a long planning committee for the NU Alumni Kansas City. struggle with multiple sclerosis. After Association’s Cather Circle. graduation, she moved to Scottsbluff and 1984 was a copy editor for the Scottsbluff Star- Herald until 1983. She returned to Lincoln 1971 JIM CLEVELAND, Aurora, Colo., is parks to be a copy editor at the Lincoln Journal and recreation director for the city of and was named wire editor in 1986. She JIM SHIELDS is director of development at Parker, Colo. His department received the held that position until taking disability Madonna School in Omaha. He worked in National Gold Medal, the highest honor retirement in 1996. She was a member of the broadcast industry for 30 years and given by the National Parks and Recreation Nebraskans for Peace, Lincoln, and the was sales manager for the Journal Association, in 2000 and also has been a Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Broken Broadcasting Group, for Waitt finalist for the honor four additional Bow. She was buried at St. Joseph’s Broadcasting Group and for KMTV before times. Cemetery in Broken Bow. joining Madonna. GREGG DAHLHEIM, marketing coor- dinator at the Nebraska Medical Center, is 1978 serving out the remaining term of some- 1968 one who resigned from the Gretna City GERY WHALEN has been named director RUTH BROWN, Johnson Lake, received the Council. Dahlheim served as a reporter for of marketing for HunTel Communi- 2007 Woman of Achievement Award from the Gretna Breeze and as editor of the cations, an Omaha-based subsidiary of the Nebraska Press Women during the Gre tna Guide and News bef ore joining the HunTel Systems. His duties include brand group’s annual fall convention. She is an Medical Center about 11 years ago. He and management, advertising and public rela- associate professor of communication at his wife, Roxanne, have a 19-year-old son tions. Before joining HunTel, he had held the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a 15-year-old daughter. executive marketing positions for compa- where she teaches advertising and public 62 WINTER 2007-2008 33 JNews& Notes relations. She will be Nebraska’s nominee as National Federation of Press Women’s Communicator of Achievement. That Internship in D.C.? ‘Priceless’ award will be announced next September. BY BRIAN BLACKWELL Afghanistan opium production. CYNTHIA HOIG is vice president and Though I had spent five years as a director of advertising at the Midlands A friend once told me that living in reporter for a weekly newspaper in Business Journal and Lincoln Business Washington, D.C., is an experience one Louisiana prior to this experience as part of Journal. She began her career in broadcast never will forget. I never realized the truth my education for my master’s degree, this journalism and now works with the sales to those words until I landed a reporting was the toughest story I’d ever written staff for the two publications. internship at the Washington Times’ for- because of the language used in the report eign desk last summer. and by the government’s officials. When I 1967 From the moment I left Lincoln returned to my office, I stared at the report Municipal Airport on Aug. 3, excitement for an hour, trying to interpret the lingo PATRICIA PIKE died Aug. 5 in South awaited me. The first few hours of my trip used. After several cups of soda from the Beach, Ore. She worked as a journalist and included a string of flight delays and mis- paper’s exceptional cafeteria — where I ate editor for a variety of publications and placed luggage. Thankfully, I arrived in the nearly every day — and much prayer, I final- had published seven books of poetry. She D.C. area just in time to visit the attraction ly was able to write an interesting and print- and her late husband, Joseph Pike, lived in I had wanted to attend so badly ever since I able story. Lincoln for many years. After her Another lesson I learned was the importance of being a self-starter. Though retirement, she traveled the world Washington is an exciting and bustling city and published a children’s book. every day, August is a dead month for those She had moved to Oregon two years covering political issues because Congress ago. is in recess at that time. Since I came to the FRANK PARTSCH was named newspaper then, I was not able to choose to the Nebraska Newspaper Hall of from a wide variety of articles that would Fame in ceremonies last October. have been available had I been writing for Partsch was recognized for his edi- the newspaper while Congress was in ses- torial leadership at The Omaha sion. World-Herald, where he was edito- My first hour of each morning consist- rial pages editor from 1982 to 2002. learned about the internship — a ed of surfing media and foreign policy Web He joined the World-Herald in 1976 as the Washington Nationals baseball game. sites for story ideas. While my editor Lincoln Bureau chief. Before that, he was Aside from the countless free museums, the assigned me a handful of articles, the editor of the Sidney Telegraph. Nationals’ games were about the cheapest majority of the 15 stories I wrote were the entertainment one could experience in our result of hours of Internet research. 1949 nation’s capitol. By the end of my first day, I was While sitting in the stands at the less- assigned to cover a press conference inside STEVEN KELLY died Aug. 1. He studied than-desirable RFK Stadium, I contemplat- the National Press Club building about journalism at Nebraska but left school in ed the month that awaited me. Never did I Amnesty International’s human rights con- 1949 to become assistant publisher of The dream it would be an experience I would cerns regarding China one year prior to the Atkinson Graphic, a paper his father and never forget and one of the best months of Summer Olympics. As I made my way into grandfather had owned and operated my 29 years on earth. the building, I had to remind myself this was since 1914. He served in Japan during the Each morning I boarded a bus in the not a dream. For years, I had only heard Korean War and was publisher of the Capitol Hill area for my short 10-minute about the National Press Club. Now, I was paper from the mid-1960s until he retired ride to work. One of my favorite memories experiencing it first hand. in 1991. was seeing the United States Capitol in the While the National Press Club building distance as I was riding to the Washington was exciting, the most impressive structure 1948 Times office. I couldn’t have asked for a I visited while on assignment was the more spectacular commute. Woodrow Wilson International Center for ISABEL DOZET died July 12 in Portland, During my month-long stay in D.C. — Scholars. Established in 1968, the nonparti- Maine. She was employed by newspapers thanks to UNL alum Viola Drath, who pro- san institute offers scholars a forum for in Broken Bow and Hoquiam, Wash., then vided the stipend for the internship — I open dialogue about a broad spectrum of was a secretary at the journalism school. learned a plethora of lessons. issues and also provides them an avenue She was a second lieutenant in the Women My editor said that when journalists for advanced study for extended periods of in the Air Force, stationed at Randolph Air first arrive on the political scene in time. As I walked into the building, I was Force Base in San Antonio. She earned a Washington, they usually have a difficult amazed at the architecture both inside and master’s degree in teaching at the time grasping the terms used by govern- outside. The room where my assignment — University of New Hampshire and a ment officials. This proved to be true when I a forum about Mexican human rights — library science certificate from the attended a State Department press briefing took place was nicer than most board- University of Rhode Island. ■ regarding a report on the danger of rooms I’ve encountered. >>

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 63 continuedFACULTY from p. 63 / D.C. intership PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS Perhaps the most memorable story was about an Ethiopian human rights bill ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN STEHR WINS HEARST HONOR that is pending in Congress at the moment. WINS AWARD The Ethiopian government was disturbed MAGGIE STEHR, a news-editorial major by legislation that would restrict military Advertising students were recognized who graduated in May 2007, earned first assistance and travel to the United States with a special media award in the 8th place in the first round of the Hearst writing for certain officials in the country unless Annual Homeless Coalition/Lincoln’s awards in November. The winning entry was President Bush certifies that the Addis Continuum of Care Recognition a story on eating disorders called “Being Ababa administration is acting to address Celebration for the “I just needed a Perfect.”The story was based on Stehr’s hon- specific human rights concerns. I talked change” panhandling campaign. ors thesis, which she completed in April. with several Ethiopian officials, along with In the summer of 2006, Polly MICHAEL PAULSEN, an education groups opposed to what the country’s gov- McMullen, president of the Downtown major with an emphasis in news-editorial, ernment is doing. Lincoln Association, asked the advertis- took third place in the November round of After the article was published, I dis- ing sequence to assist with the develop- the Hearst photojournalism competition. covered the story appeared on an ment of a special advertising and public Entry categories were portrait/personality, Ethiopian blog site. By the second day of its relations campaign that would help edu- feature and “personal vision.” publication on the Web site, more than 200 cate Lincolnites, including UNL stu- News-editorial major JOSH SWARTZ- postings appeared by Ethiopians and oth- dents, about downtown’s “panhandlers.” LANDER finished in a tie for 12th place in ers who expressed their opinions on the Downtown retailers had been con- the Hearst editorial writing competition. issue. It was at that moment that I realized cerned about the growing number of that journalists truly can make a difference people, many of whom are homeless, TWO NEWS-ED MAJORS WIN in the world by reporting for those who looking for handouts of money or food NATIONAL AWARDS can’t speak and providing an open forum from passersby. The retailers understand for discussion. the issues of being homeless and poor, TERESA PRINCE, who will graduate in May While I spent about seven hours a day yet realized that panhandling has a neg- 2008, and BRIAN LEHMANN, who graduat- in the office, I still was able to enjoy the ative impact on downtown activity and ed in May 2007, were among the winners in sites that the Washington metropolitan safety as well. the College Photographer of the Year com- area offered. In addition to about 10 “We wanted to educate people that petition. Nationals games, I soaked in a variety of there are better ways to deal with pan- Prince took second in sports feature museums and attractions. Among my handlers than just giving them money,” and Lehmann second in the portrait catego- favorites were the Holocaust Museum that said Todd Ogden, UNL ad major who ry. brought the atrocity to an entirely new spearheaded and managed the campaign This year’s contest included 10,645 still level; the changing of the guard in front of details that included window posters and images and 122 multimedia projects entered the tomb of the unknown soldier at constructing “shadow people.” by 461 student photographers from 88 col- Arlington National Cemetery; riding the The advanced communications leges and universities in 10 different coun- amazing Metro, the underground trans- graphics class, taught by Marcelo tries. portation system; attending a Baltimore Plioplis, developed the campaign theme Orioles baseball game; and eating crab and graphics. Students intended the MAHONEY EARNS HONORS cakes near Baltimore’s beautiful but humid campaign to offer citizens an alternative Inner Harbor. to giving panhandlers money or food. MARK MAHONEY, a May 2007 graduate, My least favorite memories were walk- The campaign “suggested we give this took second place in the Tom Allen ing in the wrong part of town by myself one money to one of Lincoln’s homeless Memorial Award competition for student evening after the conclusion of a Nationals shelters or food kitchens instead,”Ogden journalists during the Nebraska Press game (I chose a different mode of trans- said. Association convention in Lincoln in April portation for the remainder of the games I The campaign was a partnership 2007. attended.) and sleeping in my month-long with some of Lincoln’s key social service home without power one night due to an agencies, the journalism college and outage in my neighborhood. That evening UNL Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs ● AFL AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS the temperature reached over 100 Juan Franco’s office. degrees, one of the hottest of the year on Advertising students have worked Two of the three $1,000 scholarships awarded record there. with McMullen and the DLA on a vari- by the Advertising Federation of Lincoln went to Reminiscing about my experience ety of integrated marketing communica- UNL students during the 2008 Ad Camp on more than six months later, I will be forev- tions campaigns in the past, including Nov. 14. er grateful for the lessons I learned both the “do it downtown” branding cam- Megan Petratis and Lourdes Almazon, inside and outside of the Washington paign and the companion “park it down- both senior ad majors, received the scholar- Times office. This truly was a gift from God town” campaign. ships. and I was fortunate to have spent August “We have gotten our money’s worth Also at the Ad Camp, students were able 2007 soaking in what many people dream and more from the advertising students,” to have their portfolios reviewed by profession- about during their lifetime — an experience McMullen said. “It’s like they’ve become als and attended workshops on topics related that is priceless. ■ our agency of record.” to advertising. Nineteen UNL students attend- ed the camp. 64 WINTER 2007-2008 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

UNL STUDENTS DOMINATE INTERNATIONAL NEWS COMPETITION PRITCHARD NAMED TO PBK

UNL students swept the 2007 competition sponsored by the International Advertising major ASHLEY JEAN Communication Division of AEJMC, the journalism educators’ association. PRITCHARD, a December 2007 graduate, First place went to MAGGIE STEHR for a story titled “Ethnicity and race.” She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and initiated received a $100 award. on Wednesday, Dec. 12. JOEL GEHRINGER and KATIE BACKMAN tied for second place; each received a $75 award. Gehringer’s story was about culture in Germany, and Backman’s story was about COJMC STUDENTS TAPPED FOR Turkish immigrants in Germany. Both were part of the depth reporting class that trav- CATHER CIRCLE eled to Berlin in January 2007 and produced a magazine about Germany. Awards were presented at the AEJMC convention in Washington, D.C., in August. Eleven women journalism students have been selected as members of the Nebraska RIANA PEREZ IS HOMECOMING QUEEN Alumni Association’s Cather Circle, a men- toring network for alumnae and women students. The students and their hometowns are: SHANNON CROSS, Beaver Crossing; PAIGE FASTENAU, Bertrand; KARALYNN BROWN, Gretna; BRETT LAHM, Lexington; KAYLA MYHRE, Lincoln; JACQELLE LANE, Ogallala; SAMANTHA MOSLEY, Omaha; KELLEY HASCALL, Centennial, Colo.; RIANA PEREZ,Cheyenne, Wyo.; BRIDGETTE MULLER, Windom, Minn. Cather Circle was formed in 1999 to connect outstanding alumnae and friends askan with women students who possess excep- tional leadership potential. Since its incep- y Nebr

ail tion, more than 225 alumnae and 400 col- legians have participated in Cather Circle. JOURNALISM STUDENT IS AK- courtesy D o courtesy SAR-BEN COUNTESS Phot

Senior broadcasting major Riana Perez was named UNL homecoming queen in ceremonies ANNE FRANCES AULD, who graduated on Oct. 13. ¶ A member of the Innocents Society, she won Aaron Douglas and Kinman from the J school in December, was an Ak- Oldfield Foundation scholarships and received the Lenor Fitzsimmons Johnson Award. She Sar-Ben countess at ceremonies Oct. 13 at has minors in political science and English. ¶ Her campus activities include serving as vice the Qwest Center in Omaha. A countess is a president of standards for Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, ASUN student government sen- young woman whose family members have ator for the College of Journalism and Mass Communications and diversity education chair actively contributed to their community in for the University Program Council. ¶ Off-campus, she volunteers with Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska (excluding Omaha) or western Colorado and The Gathering Place. ¶ She is the daughter of Mike and Michele Perez of Iowa. Auld is the daughter of William Auld Cheyenne, Wyo. ¶ Joseph Manglitz of Lincoln, a music education major, was named home- of Gothenburg and the late Corrine Auld. coming king. SCHOLARSHIPS

● COSIDA AWARDS TO JOURNALISM MAJOR ● NPA SCHOLARSHIPS TO NEWS-ED STUDENTS

Brandon Gries, a news-ed and broadcasting major and a media Josh Swartzlander and Alina Selyukh were awarded scholarships relations information student assistant at the Athletics for the 2007-08 school year by the Nebraska Press Association Department, earned two College Sports Information Directors of Foundation at the NPA’s spring 2007 convention. America awards during the group’s national convention in July. Swartzlander, a senior news-editorial major, received a $2,000 Gries earned two fourth place awards for his work on the scholarship. He is the son of David Swartzlander of Seward and 2006-07 University of Nebraska women’s swimming and diving Mary Kay Roth of Lincoln. media guide and the men’s and women’s cross country media Selyukh, a sophomore news-ed and broadcasting major, guide. The department’s media relations office led the nation with received a $1,000 scholarship. She is from Russia. a total of 18 CoSIDA awards. Gries’s goal is to become a sports information director for men’s basketball at a major BCS school.

J ALUMNI NEWS 65 JNews Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

really good about telling and convincing me finds when living far away from home, she to persevere through the hard times and knew this was the chance she was looking A world of that I’d appreciate it later.” for to grow as a person. Selyukh eventually embraced her natu- “Obviously, it wasn’t an easy step for opportunities ral talent for the language and was soon me to leave home and live here. But I did it, competing — and placing — in national and now my opportunities are even wider UNL student from Russia keeps English-language Olympiads. The competi- than if I had stayed at home,” she said. her focus while far from home tions gave way to the opportunity Selyukh Opportunities seem to follow Selyukh had been waiting for: her first trip to the around like a lost puppy, dating back to age United States. 14 when she began honing her journalistic By LIZ STINSON The 14-year-old came to Nebraska skills in Samara. through an exchange program between her But as impressive as the young journal- Every so often, on the stretch of P Street school and Lincoln High School in October ist may seem, she wasn’t always sure of that runs from The Mill to the University of 2003. The program brought Russian stu- what she wanted to do with her life. Nebraska–Lincoln, you can see her walking. dents to Lincoln to stay with families for Like most seventh- and eighth-grade A confident stride carries Alina three weeks, and, in turn, Lincoln High stu- students, Selyukh’s career path was still Selyukh from the coffee house where she dents went to Russia for three weeks. pretty undefined. But unlike many, Selyukh has a special connection and past the build- Selyukh remembers being entranced by would discover what direction that path ings that line the downtown street, ade- the openness of Nebraska — something she would take, thanks to her mother. quately disguising the fact that the 18-year- had never experienced in Russia. “I was in seventh or eighth grade and old is far from home. “When I came here to Lincoln for the she sat me down and asked, ‘What do you Thousands of miles, 24 hours of travel first time, the most astonishing thing is to want to be in the future?’ It was the first and an ocean separate the sophomore be outside and not see a person around or time I ever had anyone ask me that,” she news-editorial and broadcast major from in the street,” she said. “You can’t find a spot said. “I said I had no clue. So she got me a her home in Samara, Russia. like that in Samara. There’s always some- bunch of tests. I did about five of them. You’d never know. thing going on. I’m sitting on my porch, Every single one of them had journalism as Only in rare moments does Selyukh’s and there’s not a single person around. It’s the first priority.” tongue slip, revealing a slight accent that amazing. I needed that refreshment.” Selyukh’s introduction to journalism tells of her native country. Selyukh made a lasting connection soon followed when she met Yuliya Selyukh was born in Siberia but moved with her host family, Dan Sloan, Wanda Illarionova, the information services direc- to Samara, the sixth-largest city in Russia, Freeman and Miranda Freeman-Sloan, with tor of a local TV station, for a research in the southeastern part of European whom she lived, and returned to Lincoln to project she was working on for school. Russia, when she was in third grade. There, spend the 2004-2005 school year at Lincoln Selyukh and the woman connected, her parents enrolled her in Gymnasia High. At the same time, Selyukh enrolled in and soon 14-year-old Selyukh was job- “Perspective,” a school that concentrates a journalism class at UNL, planting a seed shadowing reporters at the station. The job primarily on English. Selyukh’s parents her mind that she might want to return yet shadow turned into an internship, and she thought she should learn the language, again after she graduated from high school began reporting feature stories on her own. believing English could be her key to suc- in 2006. By the time she finished high school, cess. After her stay in the U.S., Selyukh was she was freelancing for various newspapers “I hated English. Honestly, just sitting determined to come back to Nebraska for around the city, writing profiles and feature there and learning words — who does college. But finances and logistics created stories as well as continuing to work at the that?” Selyukh said of her first years of hurdles that she wasn’t sure her family TV station. learning the language. “But my parents were could overcome. Selyukh recalled the journalistic atmos- Selyukh made all of the preparations, phere in Russia as being less stable and just in case it would work out. She took the objective than that in the United States, SAT, sent in her application and waited. which was a situation she found difficult to Good news came back. work in. Selyukh received a scholarship from “A lot of stories I’ve seen written were International Affairs that made the cost of basically based off of a press release without coming to UNL much cheaper than if she consideration of two sides the issue might had stayed in Russia. have,” she said. “I could never deal with So she packed her bags and kissed her that, so I tried to come up with my own family goodbye yet again as she came to story ideas and try to dig into them.” ‘(Alina’s) just a little more Nebraska for a third time — a time that Selyukh remained at the newspapers, will keep her here for the remainder of her Strukovsky Sad and Volzhsky Comsomolec aware of the world and college career. Today, until they were shut down for vari- the importance of it.xxx Living half a world away from her ous reasons. family and friends has had its highs and It may seem like a heavy load for an lows for Selyukh, but despite bouts of 18-year-old, but Selyukh is that rare breed ADVISER AND PROFESSOR JERRY RENAUD homesickness and general difficulties one of person who knows what she wants and 66 WINTER 2007-2008 ALUMNI’ NEWS 33 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS goes after it with a vivacious tenacity until team. she accomplishes it. That tenacity might The coaching staff drew Cicmanec to explain her dedication to her job as a beat From the UNL. reporter for the Daily Nebraskan as well as “The coaches called a lot,” Cicmanec to various projects at UNL’s College of Soviet Bloc said. “They helped me get everything Journalism and Mass Communications. together and seemed to be the most inter- “If I come off as career-oriented, it’s ested in me.” because I am,” she said. to Lincoln Today, Cicmanec is an anchor of the Dan Sloan, Selyukh’s host father, is a Hard work and sacrifice open Husker women’s tennis team, said Hayden co-owner of The Mill and often gives doors for advertising major Perez, assistant women’s tennis coach. Alina a morning ride to that spot a few “We always look to Kika for her fight- blocks from the campus. He said she is ing spirit,” Perez said. fortunate to have found a goal. By SAM ERB Cicmanec remained in the No. 5 spot “She’s got a luxury of really feeling all last season, Perez said. She will bring her like she really knows what she wants to arianne “Kika” Cicmanec remembers fighting spirit along with one year’s experi- do. Some kids are casting around looking M the blisters on her father’s shoulders ence to the coming season, which will make for what they want to do, where Alina was from carrying her through the forest her an even stronger player, Perez said. This very young when she identified what she toward their new life in Germany. fighting spirit comes from a deep pride wanted to do,” Sloan said. “Her career “My parents left everything behind to originating from her family. path is kind of clear to her, and that has give us children a better opportunity for Cicmanec said that her family sacri- really allowed her to focus very strongly the future in Germany,” said Cicmanec, a ficed everything they had. When they left on getting what she needs educationally.” junior advertising major. Czechoslovakia, they left their house, family To some, it might seem that Selyukh When Cicmanec was 2 years old, her and lifetime friends. They gave everything is a 30 year old in an 18 year old’s body. family fled former Soviet-controlled com- up so that she and her brothers could have She has a commanding presence and sage munist Czechoslovakia — now Slovakia — a better life, she said. knowledge of the world that most people and planned to start over in Germany. The first two years in Germany, the don’t find until decades after they reach Using a Yugoslavian vacation as a decoy, Cicmanec family had to share a large flat adulthood. they were able to escape the borders of with families from Russia, Slovakia and Sloan remembers that the first time their homeland and meet family in Austria Poland, she said. Though the situation was he met her he found it hard to believe she who drove them to Germany’s border. They far from ideal, it helped her learn a lot was only 14 years old. were dropped off and sneaked across about cultures and people, she said. It also “She has always been one of those through the forest to West Germany where was the foundation for her ability to speak- kids that surprises you when you first find they were picked up by other family. ing three languages and to understand out how young she really is because she Cicmanec dreamed of going to school many more, she said. comes off older than she really is,” he said. in the United States, but she knew her only Cicmanec said that she didn’t realize it Her maturity might be explained by way to get here was to earn a scholarship. at the time but now can look back and see her extensive traveling and having lived She went to architecture school in how much her parents gave up to make without the direct guidance of her parents Germany for a little more than a year and sure their children had as many opportuni- for the past few years. played club tennis. After the tennis season, ties as possible. Her older brother, Josef, Jerry Renaud, Selyukh’s adviser at the Cicmanec sent tapes to 13 schools in the and younger brother, Enrico, are two of her UNL College of Journalism and Mass U.S. Nebraska took the most interest, and best friends. When she is able to go home, Communications, said her worldliness is in August 2006 she arrived at the University she spends her time with them, trying not an asset that is useful not only now but of Nebraska-Lincoln to join the tennis to waste a single minute, Cicmanec said. also for the future when she’s looking to Her close family ties are what will take find an international reporting job. her back to Germany when she graduates. “Most of the students here don’t have Cicmanec is studying advertising and that international experience and interna- broadcasting, and she already has a concen- tional awareness that she does. She’s just a tration in architecture. She loves the little more aware of the world and the thought of being on camera and once importance of it,” he said. thought she would like to take acting class- That keen awareness of the world es and try her luck in the world of movies. around her has opened doors for Selyukh, She has since moved away from this dream who is ready to go wherever her opportu- but hasn’t eliminated it. She said that her nities take her. ‘(Marianne) could adjust goal now is to work for MTV in Berlin. “It’s really, really fantastic how the “She could adjust to any environment world has these boundless opportunities to any environment … she would have found herself in because for for those who see them and for those who because her glass is her, a glass is always half full,” said Ewelina kind of burst their little bubble and go a Skaza, a good friend from Poland and a little out of their way to take advantage of always half full.xxx J school grad and fellow tennis player. ■ them,” she said. ■ J SCHOOL FRIEND EWELINA SKAZA 12 SUMMER 2005 ’ J ALUMNI NEWS 67 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS Food for thought Head over heels Advertising major investigates Campaigns class designs plan to spread the word career opportunities in the city about healthy eating to adolescents of her dreams By TERESA PRINCE sented two campaigns to the health By JOAN WORTMANN department. Dingman, her colleagues and t all started at the dog park,” Holly department heads were impressed with the ew York, j’taime. You’re one of a Dingman said. well-researched and creative campaigns. kind, and your diversity is an inspi- “I Dingman said she loved the creativity. N Dingman is the nutrition coor- ration. You’re my future. dinator for the Nebraska Department of “One of the invitations came with a Last October I packed my suitcase Health and Human Services, which banana. … It was really cute.” and hopped on a plane to New York City worked with a J school campaigns class in But in addition to being cute, she — no doubts, only ambition. I went to 2006. The advertising students designed a added, “the final product was really profes- take part in the Advertising Women of campaign called “Whatcha doin?” to pro- sional and complete.” New York career conference. I also con- mote nutrition and exercise among high The health department funded the tacted staff members at Teen Vogue and school students. campaign and hired Abbott, a fifth-year ESSENCE magazines and was able to set The collaboration started when Holly senior, to work part-time as the account up a couple of informational interviews. Dingman’s husband, Harry, met UNL executive to carry out the campaign. One Instead of spending my extra day in New advertising professor Amy Struthers at the year later, the campaign is beginning to York as a tourist, I chose to use part of it dog park near Holmes Lake in Lincoln. appear in four pilot Lincoln high schools. as a way to immerse myself in the indus- Struthers and Harry Dingman had worked It is a stealth campaign, which means try of fashion advertising and journalism. together at the Daily Nebraskan years ago most students will not notice it right away. My first excursion was my informa- when they were undergraduates at UNL. Instead of lots of posters and video clips, tional interview with Fred Jackson, the They were catching up when Struthers high school students sign up to be buzz promotion director for ESSENCE maga- mentioned her research on wellness mes- agents. They work with the state depart- zine. Because it is one of the magazines I sages aimed at adolescents. Dingman told ment to promote the campaign’s ideas to read on a monthly basis, visiting Struthers that his wife did similar research their fellow students. This peer-to-peer ESSENCE was a thrilling experience. Fred and helped them connect. marketing strategy will be the campaign’s talked about his work in promotions for Struthers and Holly Dingman shared primary strategy until early March. ESSENCE and answered all my questions e-mails about their concerns for childhood A video contest for high school stu- about what a day on the job is like and obesity. Struthers said research shows that dents will conclude the semester-long what kinds of events he helps prepare as most students enter high school with campaign. well as what I as a student should do to healthier habits than when they graduate. Abbott worked hard in class and dur- work towards my future goals. She said that most messages addressing ing the summer to develop and carry out The next day I met with Jason childhood obesity are directed at young the “Whatcha doin?” campaign. “It’s been Schneider, the advertising director of Teen children, not adolescents. a lot of fun,” she said. “I’ve had a great Vogue . I’ve been reading T een Vogue for In the fall of 2006, Struthers decided time working with it and gained profes- years and have always dreamed of work- to challenge her campaigns class. Instead sional experience that will help me get a ing there, so walking into the Conde Nast of selling a product, the class had to work job.” ■ building was an amazing feeling. I was with the health department to sell a well- excited as I rode the elevator up to the ness campaign to teenagers. Hailey Abbott, a senior advertising Campaigns Joan Wortmann and international business major, said the project was overwhelming at first. The health department wanted to convince high school students to walk to school instead of driving and to snack on fruits and vegetables instead of chips and sweets. Abbott and her fellow students researched the problem and reassessed the campaign’s goals. Abbott’s group created the “Whatcha doin?” campaign that tried to teach teenagers to incorporate healthy choices into their lives. The campaign stressed that being healthy can be fun and individual. After months of work, the class pre- 68 WINTER 2007-2008 ALUMNI NEWS 33 JNews Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

recording of the incident. It was her first Photography leads experience with the technology. 10th floor and walked out to see the big Hascall to the chance She also got to see many confiscated glass doors with the bright red “Teen weapons, a fingerprinting machine and Vogue” lettering behind them. of a lifetime other high-tech state patrol equipment. As Jason described his career, I real- Hascall took pictures of that equip- ized more and more how passionate I am ment and of courtrooms, of specific peo- about fashion and advertising and how By SARA GALLATIN ple and of an impounded car whose occu- much I would love to be in his shoes. He pants had been busted for drugs. gave me a tour of the offices and intro- nternships provide students with once- Hascall said the three-month intern- duced me to a few people in the public in-a-lifetime experiences. That time ship was unpaid, but she just wanted the I experience. relations department. It was a remarkable came for Kelley Hascall when she experience that I am so thankful for. interned for the Nebraska State Patrol and “You get to do all these cool things as At the AWNY career conference’s had a chance to fly in a helicopter. an intern, and that’s why you do it,” opening event, I was able to meet many Hascall, a senior news-editorial and Hascall said. “It’s not paid, but you get to ad agents from the area. The following English major at UNL, has a fear of flying. do really fun stuff.” day I attended workshops with many But when she received the state patrol Hascall did, however, refrain from one industry professionals on subjects like internship for photography in the spring activity. She did not get into the bite suit, a media sales, fashion marketing, intern- of ’07, she had the chance to overcome padded costume used in K-9 training. A ships and portfolio building. I got the that fear. person wearing the bite suit runs until he chance to speak with a representative The man she worked with most close- or she is caught and brought down by the from Conde Nast, E! Entertainment, ly at the state patrol was forensic photog- police dog. Instyle, Google, and Lacoste and many rapher Marshall Wright. A forensic pho- Hascall could not force herself to do more. I gained a lot from the conference tographer reproduces an accurate account this. “It just convinces you that you should and left feeling prepared to take another of a crime scene to benefit the court. never, ever run from police dogs because step forward. While Hascall was there, Wright was they will always win,” she said. During my days in New York, I was given an assignment to photograph the Hascall said she plans to graduate in exposed to many opportunities provided state penitentiary and other government December 2008 with an emphasis in pho- by the magazines I visited and the work- buildings from the sky. Wright said he tojournalism. shops I attended. I look forward to in the wanted to give the intern the chance to fly “I just started doing photography two future: taking part in internships while with him. years ago,” she said. “I’m pretty new to the expanding my knowledge and love for “Going up in the helicopter was an whole program, but I love it.” fashion advertising. Whatever challenges I important moment for me because I don’t Her passion for photography has may face along the way, I am convinced I like to fly, so I was facing my fear,” Hascall taken her all over the world. She traveled can make it through them. said. “I said, ‘I’m scared, but I’m going to to England as the student photographer New York, you hold my hopes and do it anyway.’” with the depth reporting class to attend an dreams. You provide me with ample Hascall heard about the internship international quilt festival in preparation opportunities. I am waiting for you. ■ opportunity through the journalism col- for producing a magazine about quilts and lege e-mail system. She responded to the quilting. Joan Wortmann, a freshman advertising message, went in for an interview and Hascall also completed a depth report major, wrote this reflection on her visit to received the internship. at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in a New York City advertising conference Throughout her time at the state South Dakota. She focused on taking pic- and several publications last fall. patrol, she saw many different tures of the Lakota women who are posi- aspects of law enforcement. tive influences in their communities. Kelley Hascall One of her main projects In the summer of 2007, she went to was to begin putting file cabi- Egypt as a part of a program through the net after file cabinet of old pho- University of Arizona. She took an Arabic tos online and archiving them. language class so she could communicate Hascall said some of the photos with the people. dated back as far as the 1930s. She wrote a story and took pictures, She also had a chance to which focused on child labor. It was pub- ride with a trooper in a patrol lished in the Daily News Egypt, affiliated car. with the International Herald Tribune. “We got up to 115 mph,” Upon graduation, Hascall would like she said. “It was so fun.” to be a part of Teach for America, which is While Hascall was in the a program for recent graduates who com- cruiser, the trooper made a mit to two years to teach and to effect routine traffic stop of a speed- change in rural and urban public schools. ing vehicle. She saw the camera in the police car making a ■ 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 69 JNews Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

dents to advertising professionals, accord- Creativity pays ing to The Clean Energy Current, the SmartPower monthly newsletter. Then, on June 18, the group announced Sheppard’s commercial as the overall win- Junior advertising major is on the road to success ner at an award ceremony in New York City, landing Sheppard his second $10,000 prize in less than a year. By BRADY JONES “If you have seen this ad, you will know why it won,” SmartPower president Brian F. Keane said in a press release. “It Dan Sheppard said he has moved so many times he doesn’t uses humor to convey a very serious mes- know where he’s from. ¶ But as a junior advertising major at the sage to people.” University of Nebraska–Lincoln, he said he thinks he knows It would be easy for all of the atten- tion and success to go to anyone’s head, where he wants to go. ¶ And all roads point to advertising. but Struthers isn’t too worried about Sheppard. “I just haven’t seen that with “I’m hoping I’m going down the right Sheppard and the journalism college Dan,” she said. path with the choices I’m making because each received $10,000 from the contest. But these contests aren’t the only big I’ve really enjoyed (advertising),” said The college put its share into a scholarship steps Sheppard is taking in his early Sheppard, 19. “I think it’s something I fund, and Sheppard said he used his to career. could see myself doing the rest of my life.” invest in better equipment. But he said After attending the Advertising Plenty of signs line Sheppard’s road more than anything, his success inspired Women of New York conference in New of life, guiding him forward in the ad him to enter more contests. York City with Struthers and other UNL world and marking where he has been. “It made me proud,” he said. “It made advertising students, Sheppard made a Amy Struthers, assistant professor in me feel like I could do good work.” contact with Grey Worldwide, a New York advertising at the journalism college, said So Sheppard entered a similar contest advertising agency, that led to an intern- Sheppard is pushing himself there. with SmartPower, a nonprofit clean ener- ship with the group last summer. As one “Dan knows what his career goals are, gy promotion campaign that is pushing of eight creative interns, Sheppard said he and he is looking for every opportunity to for clean, renewable energy to account for was able to work on projects for national advance them,” she said. “He’s not afraid 20 percent of the nation’s energy supply companies such as Dairy Queen, Nokia to do stuff outside of class, and he’s not by 2010, according to the group’s Web site. and Captain Morgan. waiting for people to tell him what to do.” Sheppard said as a cause-marketing “It was a lot of fun, but most impor- Sheppard took his first step outside of campaign, the SmartPower commercial tantly it was a learning experience,” the box in the fall semester of 2006 when was a bit different from the product pro- Sheppard said. “I got to learn about what he entered an ad he wrote, filmed and motion of the Chipotle competition, but it was like working in an agency rather edited in a contest for Chipotle, a national the process was the same: Start with than just learning about it in school.” Mexican restaurant chain. Not only did it research. Sheppard’s successes and experiences place second in the creative section of the “I think any inspiration for any good are contagious, inspiring other students in competition, it also won the most-viewed commercial starts with research,” he said. the college to go beyond the classroom, award after the ads were posted on “That’s the foundation for the message Struthers said. YouTube.com, a public video-sharing Web you’re trying to send.” Spencer Lee, a junior broadcasting site. After Sheppard decided to pick a cou- major and Sheppard’s friend, said ple of energy facts as the basis for possible Sheppard is the reason he is branching off ideas, the brainstorming continued. into film. Sit down. “I’ve been a part of a couple of his Take out a pencil and a piece of projects, both in front of the camera and paper. behind the scenes,” Lee said. “It’s frustrat- Start writing out ideas. ing working with him because he keeps Usually the early ideas are bad, saying, ‘Let’s do it again. All right, just one Sheppard said, but this time, he went back more time. I know I’ve said it about five and used his first one. times now, but just one more time.’ And it was a good thing he did. “But he knows what he wants, and ‘I think any inspiration The commercial shows people con- when he finds it, he turns it into some- for any good commercial serving energy by using tin cans connect- thing just amazing. I’m jealous of him, ed by string instead of telephones. It was but I learn from him, and he’s so cool starts with research.xxx selected as one of 10 finalists from more because he wants to help me get better as than 150 submissions produced by con- well. That’s why when I make something DAN SHEPPARD testants ranging from high school stu- myself, I want his opinion first.” ■ 70 WINTER 2007-2008 ALUMNI’ NEWS FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

Brittany Jones-Cooper and Katie Couric take time to have fun

she found that journalism was Mendoza said. “She did not go a perfect way to combine the to work every day because it two things she loved most: was her duty or because she public speaking and commu- wanted to prove herself. She nity involvement. went to work every day Jones-Cooper said she because she looked forward to couldn’t have asked for a bet- it and was excited to learn or ter experience in New York witness something new.” where Couric welcomed her Jones-Cooper said her with open arms. Jones- most embarrassing moment at Cooper’s responsibilities CBS came when she was given included putting together the job of handing Couric briefing books on Iraq and copies of her script between terrorism, answering phone each news segment, just in calls and running tapes. She case anything would go wrong even had an opportunity to with the teleprompter. work with “48 Hours” for Typically, interns are not given courtesy WCBS-TV o courtesy three weeks. this job, she said, because it’s Phot However, it wasn’t always stressful and easy to make a all work and no play. One day, mistake. However, since it was By STEPHANI RUIZ Couric had a free moment her last day, Jones-Cooper was and invited Jones-Cooper into given a chance. her office for a “newspaper She did a great job and Dreams do come true party.” They slipped off their followed directions perfectly shoes, plugged in Couric’s but was misdirected by a iPod and read newspapers, member of the production Broadcasting student spends the summer just for fun. Jones-Cooper got crew and almost walked in interning for Katie Couric to know Couric on all differ- front of the camera during the ent levels: as a serious jour- middle of a live newscast. ummer plans changed nalist who does live newscasts Fortunately, a camera operator Jones-Cooper, a senior fast for Brittany Jones- five nights a week; as a family was able to stop her before she S broadcasting major from woman, raising two daughters went too far. Cooper, a senior broad- Omaha, has been chosen casting major at the University on her own; and as a friend, Jones-Cooper is planning as the first ever Nike field of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her who took her out to lunch and to graduate in May with a reporter. ¶ Starting in two-minute news package on spoke about the difficulties of major in broadcasting and January, she has been trav- global warming earned her a anchoring an evening news minors in political science, eling the nation, interview- summer in New York City show that didn’t have the rat- history and English. She works ing sports stars and up- with Katie Couric, anchor and ings everyone had hoped for. a part-time job, serves as pres- and-comers, checking out managing editor of CBS News. “She was very candid, ident of the National new sports products and Jones-Cooper sent her very real,” Jones-Cooper said. Association of Black training techniques. She work to Springboard, a com- In her free time Jones- Journalists- Nebraska Chapter will post her work — text, petition organized to help stu- Cooper visited museums, and is a member of Alpha Chi photos and video — on nike- dents earn elite summer shopped and got to know the Omega Sorority. Her past women.com. ¶ The direct internships. She was one of city. All of the CBS interns internships include a summer link to her page is: the 10 finalists from whom lived in apartment-style hous- at KETV Channel 7 in weeks to pack her bags and interns from across the United and Mass Communications, head to New York City. It was States but found a special said she saw Jones-Cooper’s exactly the kind of opportuni- friend in Jessica Mendoza, one passion for broadcasting when ty she was looking for to break Jones-Cooper discovered of her roommates. Jones-Cooper was a high into her chosen field. broadcasting her senior year Mendoza said she was school student touring UNL. “There was never another of high school when she trav- impressed with Jones- “She is bright, intelligent, option,” Jones-Cooper said, of eled to different schools and Cooper’s dedication to broad- sweet, yet tough enough to be her love for broadcasting. spoke as a representative of cast journalism. “I have never a great journalist,” Creighton “There was never anything DECA (Distributive Education met anyone who wanted said. “She is also a born else I could see myself doing.” Clubs of America). She said something more in her life,” leader.” ■ 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 71 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS Across the nation A | C | R | O | S | s T | H | E N | A | T | I | O | N ot all journalism students have internships working with network TV anchors, but dozens of students N each year do have internships and part-time jobs that help them prac- tice and polish their skills. Here’s a list of (most of) the 2007 interns.

ADVERTISING MARISSA PIETTE, The Ad Club, Boston SETH POLLARD, Downtown Lincoln Association; The Minnow CLAIRE ABELBECK, Speedway Motors, Lincoln PROJECT, Lincoln LOURDES ALMAZAN, Swanson Russell Associates, Lincoln JENNA PRESTON, United States Olympic Committee, Denver HAYLEY ASK, Fanscape, Los Angeles, Calif. ASHLEY PRITCHARD, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; KRISTY BOHNET, University of Nebraska Press; Pickering Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln Creative Group, Lincoln CARISSA ROSE, KFRX Radio Station/Three Eagles KAYLIN BRABEC, University of Nebraska–Lincoln athletic Communication, Lincoln department KYLE SEBBINS,West Gate Bank, Lincoln DANA CLEASBY, Daily Nebraskan ad manager DAN SHEPPARD,Grey Worldwide, New York City BRANDON CURTIS, University Health Center; Archrival, Lincoln LINDSEY SMITH, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications ALEX DAMM, Billabong USA, Irvine, Calif. AMBERLY THOMAS, Lincoln Children’s Museum; University of JULIE DEAN,Trozzolo Communications Group, Kansas City, Nebraska–Lincoln Student Involvement, Student Mo. Organization; University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University STEPHANIE DEMERS, Ayres Kahler Brand Navigation, Lincoln Program Council JV DORSEY, Bozell Advertising, Omaha MACKENZIE VOGT, Swanson Russell Associates, Lincoln KRISTIN L. EWING, Rhea & Kaiser, Naperville, Ill. EMILY MAE HUME, Kingery Construction Co., Lincoln MATT GARDNER, Blurimag.com, Omaha LESLIE WATERMEIER, Write Time Communications, Melville, NINA GRAZINANO, Lincoln Electric System N.Y. AMY GREENWOOD, KHUB/KFMT Radio, Fremont KATIE WISBON, Footloose and Fancy, Lincoln DEREK HESTER, University Program Council; University JESSI WOLFE, Palm Springs POWER Baseball Club, Palm Publications Board; Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, Springs, Calif. UNL BROADCASTING STEPHANIE HOLIDAY, Swanson Russell Associates, Lincoln KELLY JACOBS, Sheldon Art Museum, Lincoln JOSHUA ANSTEY, Channel 21 Sports, Lincoln JAKE JOHNSON, Apple Inc., Lincoln MAIKA BAUERLE, KOLN-TV, Lincoln MICHELE KAISERMAN, Nebraska Alumni Association KATE BIERMAN, KNEN Radio, Norfolk DAN KOHLER, Swanson Russell Associates, Lincoln DANI BLECHA, KLKN Channel 8, Lincoln (part-time) KELLY KRAUSE, E! Entertainment, Los Angeles, Calif. JOHN BONDEGARD, HuskerVision, Lincoln; Channel 21 Sports, JOHN MCMILLIAN, Suburban Newspapers Inc., Omaha Lincoln KALEE OLSON, Dinger Associates, Lincoln ELIZABETH BRIDGES, KETV, Omaha HANNAH PETERSON, University of Nebraska College of KATIE BRUTLA, KMSP, Minneapolis, Minn. Engineering; BigRed Report RIELLE CREIGHTON, KLKN Channel 8, Lincoln STEWART PETERSON, 10/11 KOLN/KGIN, Lincoln JODY FRAZER, HuskerVision, Lincoln; Lincoln Saltdogs Baseball MEGAN PETRATIS, National Research Corporation, Lincoln; Team Lincoln Journal Star 72 WINTER 2007-2008 ALUMNI NEWS 33 JNews Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

N | A | T | I | O | N

SHARDEA GALLION, NET, Lincoln EDEN WILLIAMS, RFD-TV, Elkhorn BRANDON GRIES, University of Nebraska Media Relations, ALLISON WILSON-ADAMS, NET, Lincoln Lincoln YEW LING WONG, WOWT-TV, Omaha TREVOR HALL, NET, Lincoln; University of Nebraska College of GARRETT WRIGHT, KMTV, Omaha Fine & Performing Arts, Lincoln NEWS-EDITORIAL CURTIS HARMS, University of Nebraska Communications & Information Technology ANDY BOYLE, Erie Times, Erie, Pa. CHRIS HOLZSCHUH, NET Radio, Lincoln MICHELE BROWN, Des Moines Register JUSTIN JANICEK, Dickinson County News, Spirit Lake, Iowa METTA CEDERDAHL, Meredith Corporation, Des Moines BRITTANY JONES-COOPER, CBS News, New York, N.Y. ELICIA DOVER, Fox 16 News, Little Rock, Ark. ANDREW JORGENSON, KOLN-TV, Lincoln CASSIE FLEMING, Institute on Political Journalism ADAM KEANE, CSTV, New York, N.Y. JOEL GEHRINGER, Tucson Daily Star NATHAN KELLY, HuskerVision, Lincoln KYLE HARPSTER, the Omaha World-Herald CASSIE KLEINSMITH, KFOR Radio, Lincoln; KMTV, Omaha KELLY HASCALL, Nebraska Highway Patrol; Summit Daily News, LYNDSAY LEE, Husker Sports Radio Network, Lincoln Frisco, Colo. SPENCER LEE, KLKN Channel 8, Lincoln ALEX HAUETER, Lincoln Journal Star BRITTANY LOVE, HuskerVision, Lincoln; Fox Sports, Los Angeles BRIAN HERNANDEZ, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; Clev eland MICHAEL MASON D’CROZ, Lincoln Journal Star online Plain Dealer SPENCER MILLARD, Fox Sports Net Midwest, Indianapolis, Ind. EMILY INGRAM, Lincoln Journal Star ADAM NEILL, ESPN Radio, Lincoln ANGEL JENNINGS, The New York Times RIANA PEREZ, KMGH 7News, Denver, Colo. JENNA JOHNSON, The Washington Post JENNA PRESTON, U.S. Olympic Committee, Boulder, Colo. KATELYN KERKHOVE, Norfolk Daily News ; CampusSports corre- KERRY TER KUILLE, KETV, Omaha; American Idol Productions, spondent, the Omaha World-Herald Hollywood SAMANTHA MOSELY, Douglas County (Neb.) Post-Gazette DEREK SASMAN, HuskerVision, Lincoln; Dog Pound MOLLY MULLEN, Vicksburg (Miss.) Post Productions, Lincoln ASTRID MUNN, Lincoln Journal Star WHITNEY SCHWENKA, Pappas Telecasting/NTV/KHGI, Axtell KATIE NIELAND, The Grand Island Independent SPENCER SCHUBERT, NTV, Kearney; ESPN Radio, Lincoln ZACH PLUHACEK, Lincoln Journal Star ERIC SIDERS, Westwood One Radio, Kansas City TERESA PRINCE, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel TANNER STRUCKMAN, KRNU Radio TINA SEEHAFER, Dallas Morning News LOGAN THOMPSON, KRVN Radio, Lexington LIZ STINSON, Lincoln Journal Star ADAM TROESTER, Fox Television Studios, Los Angeles JOSH SWARTZLANDER, St. Louis Post-Dispatch DREW WEBER, Moody County Enterprise, Flandreau, S.D. DALTON WALKER, The New York Times JESSICA WENDT, HuskerVision, Lincoln JEFF WILKERSON, ESPN Radio, Lincoln; ESPN Radio, Bristol, Conn. 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 73 NOTEB OOK Dave Nuckolls Commercials count The new Nielsen TV ratings system concentrates on viewers’ commercial habits

What television programs do you watch? Why do you watch them? Some of the other methods are interesting, and you may start Do you watch the commercials? What commercials are your noticing them. For example, during a broadcast of the movie favorites? “Jurassic Park III,” a cable network shrank the commercial breaks We’ve all heard of the Nielsen Ratings, though no one ever into a window and provided trivia about the movie on the bottom knows anyone with a “box.” Every day the overnight reports come of the screen. A music channel that was airing a live concert kept back with statistics gleaned from the viewing habits of only 15,000 the concert in the background of a commercial that was made up families. Recently, Nielsen has decided to up that number. only of symbols that represented the sponsor. The viewers were But there is another big change under way. These boxes are able to see the concert stage between songs and knew they were now measuring how many people are watching the commercials — not missing anything. not just the programs. Such techniques are much tougher for news networks/pro- Other than providing fodder for countdowns and lists on grams. Product placement, matching content to the commercial entertainment programs, the real reason for measuring television and using humor just isn’t possible. So what can be done? audiences is to determine how much advertisers should pay for the Keeping the news ticker on the bottom of the screen is one air time they buy for their commercial spots. We always hear how thing being tested. Another is to finish a story after the break — not much a commercial costs for big events (like the Super Bowl), but just teasing the headline of a story but actually breaking that story measurements used for determining air time costs are taken all into two parts. Counting down the commercial time with a clock or day, every day. a progress bar lets the viewer know how long the break will last. With the advent of digital video recorders, it has become nec- The format of the break structure is being studied. For exam- essary to add a category called LIVE ple, news junkies have a pattern of PLUS THREE. If a Nielsen viewer watches switching to other news channels during a program in the first three days of commercial breaks. Some networks are recording it, that number counts toward intentionally not in break at the same the final rating. time as other networks in hopes of cap- So if it’s the commercial viewing turing those wandering viewers. that is the real interest, why not measure The length of commercial breaks the viewing patterns of the breaks and how many there are has proven to instead of the programs? That’s exactly be an interesting pattern to study. If the what has recently begun. first break in a movie comes later, the Every broadcast outlet is now intent- viewers tend to stay because they are ly focused on keeping viewers through more wrapped into the story. However, if the breaks. From The Weather Channel a news show runs a commercial late, the to the big three networks, everyone is show will more likely lose the viewers experimenting to find the perfect hook to DAVE NUCKOLLS is a 1986 broadcast journalism grad- since the assumption is that they have keep viewers from changing the channel uate and senior executive producer at CNN. gotten most of the news and they want or getting up to grab a bite to eat during to see what else is on. Conversely, a the commercials. break closer to the top of the show works because viewers are Clearly, one of the best ways to retain viewers is to have real- more likely to stay around to see more of the news. ly creative content in the commercial breaks. Studies show there These are just a few of the experiments currently being tried. are three main types of commercials that keep viewers. The best It will be interesting to see what tests will be most successful and results come from having humorous content like the PC/Mac com- to what lengths the networks will go to get you to stay in your seat mercials, Geico or Holiday Inn. and not flip to another channel. The second most effective method is commercials that are Initial reports are just starting to come in. Early results show themed to the program being watched (a motor oil commercial some success with the experiments in sports and kids program- during a NASCAR race — especially if pitched by a race car driver). ming. The others may have to keep working to find creative solu- The third is product placement. You’ll notice more soft drink tions. cans and computers with their logos NOT covered in television Keep your eyes open. I’m sure you’ll see some different pat- shows lately. This method means fewer or shorter breaks are need- terns in the way shows and commercials are being programmed. ■ ed because the networks get their advertising dollars from spon- sors who pay for that product placement.

74 WINTER 2007-2008 ALUMNI NEWS 33 B R E A K I N G N E W S

tures. Kosovo’s autonomy and sent Present at the creation The show was followed by a troops to suppress civil disobedi- Broadcast professor Jerry Renaud was in Pristina fireworks display — “and then ence there. But the Kosovars never everybody went into the bars.” accepted Serbian rule. By the late when Kosovo declared its independence on Feb. 17 By Monday, things had 1990s, the Kosovo Liberation calmed down a bit, although Army was waging guerilla warfare erry Renaud remembers anticipating an announcement many businesses and schools were against the Serbian forces. being in Kansas City the night from the “extraordinary session” closed, including KIJAC. At that In 1999, NATO attacked J the Royals won the World of the parliament. point, Renaud said, he hadn’t seen Serbia by air. Milosevic retaliated Series in 1985. People were all After the parliament voted any protests or any violence, by forcing hundreds of thousands over the city’s downtown, singing unanimously for independence, although the Kosovars were well of ethnic Albanians to flee their and shouting and celebrating. the prime minister, Hashim aware of Serbia and Russia’s Kosovo homeland and killing But the weekend of Feb. 16 Thaci, read the official declara- opposition to the declaration of thousands more. Eventually, and 17 in Kosovo was “so differ- tion. Then he and the new independence. Milosevic agreed to withdraw ent,” Renaud said. “There was so nation’s president both spoke to Most of the threats running from Kosovo, and the United much passion. People would the crowds. the other way — from Serbia Nations set up an agency to break into chants, would break “Everybody went absolutely toward Kosovo — were economic, administer the region. into songs. Everybody was hug- nuts,” Renaud said. Booths and Renaud said. Kosovo imports Renaud saw some of those ging, kissing, crying.” tables along the streets offered free many of its goods and services UN troops patrolling the streets of It was a new beginning for beer, free water and free Coke. An from Serbia, including electrical Pristina on Monday after Sunday’s Kosovo. After a history that had huge celebration. “There’s lots of entwined them for centuries with security out,” he said Monday the Serbs and other ethnic groups afternoon, “but it’s been a pretty within the former Yugoslavia, the quiet day.” Kosovars had declared their inde- The J school’s relationship pendence from Serbia. A new with KIJAC, which grew out of an nation was born. And Renaud was initiative by the Norwegian gov- there to see it. ernment, took Renaud and other He arrived in Pristina on faculty to Kosovo almost a year Saturday, Feb. 16, prepared to ago for several weeks of teaching. teach classes in convergence and Barney McCoy was scheduled to Web journalism for two weeks at go back for the first two weeks in the Kosovo Institute of March 2008. Journalism and Communication. KIJAC’s mission is to teach- He found that the independence more Western-style journalism, partying had already begun. Renaud said. Historically, the “We got three blocks from state owned the media in Kosovo. the hotel and got stuck in traffic,” Jerry Renaud (center) said people had been in the streets all day Privatization is gradually arriving, he said. “We almost couldn’t Sunday, Feb. 17, after Kosovo declared independence from Serbia but it’s difficult in an unstable move.” People were wall to wall, economy where advertising dol- blocking all the streets in the city enormous cake appeared, and power, and one of the most realis- lars are hard to come by. center, including Mother Teresa people lined up down the block to tic threats may have been that Most journalists have little Avenue, the address of his hotel. get a piece of the new nation’s first Serbia would shut off Kosovo’s training, so the UNL faculty are Once he’d checked in at the birthday cake. lights. trying to help them upgrade their hotel, Renaud headed into the All the speeches had been “None of that has happened writing and videography skills as streets with Naser Miftari, who amplified by loud speakers so that yet,”Renaud said on Monday, Feb. well as instilling ethnical stan- heads the print journalism pro- people blocks away could hear 18, “but I think people are wary dards and helping the school lay gram at KIJAC. They waded what was being said, including and a little apprehensive about it.” out a plan to become less tied to through people waving the those at the Grand Hotel where Kosovo, with a landmass the political system, Renaud said. Kosovo flag, the American Stars Renaud was staying. But, of about the size of Connecticut, is Only a few of the KIJAC stu- and Stripes, the British Union course, it was all in Albanian. So home to about 2 million people. dents are ethnic Serbs, Renaud Jack. Renaud spent the morning watch- At least 90 percent of them are said. The new nation’s president, “People were standing on ing the proceedings on BBC ethnic Albanians, mainly secular Fatmir Sejdiu, told the media that tops of cars, screaming, chanting, World, taking advantage of the Muslims, while Serbia is a pre- an independent Kosovo would be singing traditional folk songs,” English translation. dominantly Christian Orthodox a nation where all citizens of all Renaud said. “It was pretty crazy.” Then he joined the ongoing nation. ethnicities would feel appreciated. But it was going to get even celebrations in the street. From 8 Kosovo was one of the In the meantime, his fellow more intense. to 11 p.m. Sunday evening, well- autonomous regions that made Kosovars were basking in the glow The celebrating started again known musicians from Kosovo up Yugoslavia under Josip Broz of their new status as citizens of Sunday morning about 10 a.m., put on a free show on an outdoor Tito from the early 1940s through an independent nation. Renaud said, and kept building. stage. “People knew the songs and his death in 1980 and for most of And Renaud was in the midst Soon, tens of thousands of people were singing along,” Renaud said, the following decade. But in 1989, of it, enjoying a front-row seat at were gathered in the city center, despite the sub-freezing tempera- Slobodan Milosevic rescinded history’s stage. ■ J ALUMNI NEWS 75 braries LI o courtesy UNL Phot The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries, the College of Journalism and Mass Communications and the Nebraska State Historical Society are working together on a two-year, $271,000 “We The People” grant. About 100,000 pages of Nebraska newspapers chronicling historical events and everyday life from 1880 through 1910 will be digitized. Nebraska is one of nine states selected in the early phases of this project.

Non-profit U.S. Postage COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM PAID AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS Permit 46 Lincoln, NE 147 Andersen Hall P.O. Box 880443 Lincoln, NE 68588-0443