journalismdepartment of university of wisconsin oshkosh http://www.uwosh.edu/journalism/alumni June 2011 Journalism packing, moving to Sage Hall By Emily Williams got it.” SPJ chapter vice president In contrast to the present labs and Faculty in the Department of offices, the new facility will offer an Journalism are getting ready for the up-to-date atmosphere including new move to the soon to be completed furniture, cabinets and carpeting that Sage Hall, which will officially open will replace the 1970s-era items that in fall 2011. now dot the department in Clow. While the move will certainly “A new green building with bring many changes to the the latest technology, open space department, some things will remain and modern décor will help attract constant through the move. students to an already strong “I don’t think we lost anything,” program,” said Mike Cowling, chair Dr. Vince Filak said. “I think we’ve of the Department of Journalism. gained some stuff.” The department computer labs Some of the things that will will overlook Sage’s courtyard and remain the same in the new in the fall it will make the space building are the small class sizes even more aesthetically pleasing, and proximity of faculty offices, especially in comparison to the classrooms and supplementary closed-in spaces that now house the space. journalism offices. “Our goal has been to maintain Beyond improvements to the VandeHei awarded doctorate the same close and familial atmosphere of the classrooms, the Jim VandeHei of Politico received an honorary doctor- atmosphere in Sage as we now have department will also have additions ate degree during the university’s commencement cer- in Clow,” Dr. Tim Gleason said. emonies on May 14. Story on Page 5. “This was important to us and we Please turn to SAGE / Page 11 Reunion to mix the past, present and future The Department of Journalism is plan- accomplishments of alumni award winners, alumni honored this year by the university. ning an alumni reunion during Homecom- recognize the establishment of two new A webinar with a social media ing weekend on Friday and Saturday, Oct. scholarships in the department, and draw at- emphasis. Troy Janisch, digital market- 21 and 22, 2011. It will be the first such tention to the evolving age of digital media. ing manager for American Family Insur- reunion in several years. Final plans will be announced during ance, and a member of the advisory board, Faculty, professors emeritus, student the summer, and alumni will be kept up- is working to line up some top names in groups, and members of the Journalism Ad- dated on specific times and dates. Here are digital media. Alumni can watch and par- visory Board will be working on events for some of the activities tentatively planned ticipate in the webinar while it is ongoing. a celebration of the department’s move into for the reunion: In addition, current journalism students are the new academic building, Sage Hall. A panel discusion/symposium focus- being asked to serve as “mentors” to alumni Besides showcasing journalism’s new ing on the state of journalism today and attending the webinar. facilities, the reunion this year also will prospects for the immediate future. Panel- Please turn to REUNION / Page 11 provide an opportunity to acknowledge the ists are expected to include four journalism Two young alumni are selected for awards Two journalism alumni who gradu- writers. His firm does work for several TNT and the Cartoon Network. ated six years apart will have something in Fortune 500 companies. Her work as part of the CNN team has common this fall when they both receive “Most recently Mike helped us shape led to two Peabody Awards and a DuPont Outstanding our digital service offerings Award from Columbia University. Young Alumni and is currently spearheading If you go to a doctor’s office or Awards. an effort to expand the role and medical facility, you are likely to see the Mike Fre- stature of our creative services Accent Health Network on the televi- drick (1996) within the agency,” Jeff Young, sion. Kraus is responsible for determining and Lori executive vice president of which CNN programs should be promoted Kraus (2002) Bader Rutter, said in a letter of on this network. are among support. “These efforts have Prior to joining CNN in Atlanta, three alumni required vision, persistence where she started as a video journalist in chosen for the and patience, all of which Mike the Media Operations Department, Kraus award by the brings to his role daily.” honed her skills by working at several UW Oshkosh In his biographical material, radio stations and networks. Alumni As- Fredrick says, “I am committed “Lori exemplifies leadership, atten- sociation. The to helping mentor tion to detail and awards will be the creative lead- knowledge of the presented at a ers of tomor- news environment reception and row.” Those are around the world,” dinner on Oct. not just words. said Mary Lou 21 in Reeve Union. He is a regular guest Navarro of CNN. “Fredrick is one of those special peo- speaker in advertising and “She is extremely ple who has been moving up the corporate public relations classes in dedicated to her job ladder of success due to his hard work, the journalism department. and consistently but who at the same time remembers the He also volunteers to help goes above and people who have helped him along every nonprofit organizations beyond by work- step of the way, said Mike Cowling, the with advertising projects. ing long hours or chair of the Department of Journalism. Kraus, who also was weekends to make “The best word to describe him is nominated by Cowling, is sure our promotion ‘creative,’” added Cowling, who nominat- part of the CNN On-Air is effective.” ed Fredrick for the award. “It has been in Promotion team that facili- When noti- his job titles from the advertising agencies tates all on-air promotion fied that she would he previously worked for in the Milwau- and strategic placement receive the award, kee area until today.” of promos for several of the company’s Kraus said, “I am speechless, but very As the creative director at Bader Rut- various networks. Her team also cross- honored.” She later added, “I know there ter, Fredrick is in charge of 20 associate promotes for networks under the Turner are so many qualified people out there creative directors, art directors and copy- Broadcasting umbrella, including TBS, with so many accomplishments.” NEWSPA conference draws 400 students to campus By Molly Linn “We’re trying to get younger people to be our keynote speak- SPJ chapter member ers at the request of the high school advisers and students,” said About 400 high school journalists and advisers attended the Barb Benish, the executive secretary of NEWSPA. “High school Northeastern Wisconsin Scholastic Press Association conference students can better relate to those younger speakers.” on April 13 in Reeve Union. Awards were presented, including the Skip Zacher Friend of The conference featured sessions at three time periods in the Scholastic Journalism Award and a NEWSPA Scholarship. morning, followed by a keynote speaker. Topics included social Joe Heller, an editorial cartoonist for the Green Bay Press- media, grammar “smackdown” and photo composition. Gazette and a NEWSPA presenter since 1979, received the The keynote speaker was Alex Gelhar, who once attended Zacher Award. The recipient of the $500 scholarship was Logan NEWSPA, whose topic was “The Walk-on Mentality.” Haen of Sevastopol High School. 2 Stiegman to be honored as distinguished alumni When Pat Stiegman graduated in 1988 a major factor in his selection in 1998 with a major in journalism, he had finished as a recipient of the Outstanding a program where typewriters and pencils Young Alumni Award. It is what he and paper were common tools used in the has done since then that has led to his classroom instead of today’s sophisticated latest university honor. digital technology. Stiegman joined ESPN in May He took those basic writing skills and 2004 as senior director and executive the ability to adapt to a changing industry editor for Insider, SportsNation and landscape, however, and became a leader editorial integration. He was named in online journalism. Stiegman’s skill at vice president in 2006 and added innovation is one reason he will receive a executive producer responsibilities Distinguished Alumni Award on Oct. 21 in 2007, overseeing all daily online during Homecoming weekend. sports content. Stiegman was a major player in the When contacted by alumni direc- John Kosner, the senior vice president development of Packer Insider and Badger tor Chris Gantner in mid-May about his and general manager of ESPN Digital Inc., Plus Online for the Milwaukee Journal latest award, Stiegman replied: “What a wrote a letter of support for Stiegman. In it Sentinel, and JSOnline.com. wonderful honor, and surprise, to learn he said: “Patrick’s body of work and inno- While at the Journal Sentinel, Stieg- about the distinguished alumni award. I vations at ESPN are a considerable part of man came to the UW Oshkosh campus have to tell you, that caps both a humbling our success and our leadership position in nearly every year to be a session leader and exciting stretch for me—two weeks sports web and mobile content. His com- at the department’s annual conference for ago I was named VP/Editor-in-Chief for mitment to continuous improvement and high school journalists. ESPN.com, and this award from my alma leadership is matched only by his ability to His work at the Journal Sentinel was mater is extremely gratifying.” make those around him better.” Journalism students benefit from new scholarships The number of scholarships that journalism majors can apply Backmann said. First as a reporter for the Advance-Titan and later for increased by two in 2011. as news editor of the student newspaper, he sought out interviews The Dave Engels Journalism Scholarship for students in the with leaders in student government. writing/editing emphasis was established by friends and by fellow His manner was friendly and outgoing toward the people he journalism alumni David and Terry Backmann (1978). It acknowl- interviewed, Backmann added. However, he enjoyed turning up the edges Engels’ passion and commitment to the field of newspaper heat as an interview progressed, especially with those he relished reporting. questioning—senators, governors, aldermen, assemblymen—all It is awarded to deserving journalism students whose personal manner of politicians. and professional qualities mirror the commitment to the field of The Orville C. Sherman Journalism Scholarship comes from reporting that Engels embodied. The $500 scholarship was given to an endowment by Sherman, who as a student had a passion for Emily Williams in spring 2011. journalism and music. Engels, a 1979 journalism graduate, was the classic hard- During his time at the Oshkosh State Teachers College in nosed newspaperman—an objective journalist committed to the the 1930s, now UW Oshkosh, Sherman was the editor of The principles of his craft—during more than two decades as a reporter Advance, the student newspaper. He also was a member of the and political analyst for his hometown daily, the Kenosha News. university band. He won 10 writing/reporting awards between 1981 and 1998, The scholarship will be awarded to a major in journalism including four from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and every other year. Applicants must be full-time journalism students three from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. Engels and must demonstrate financial need. The co-recipients of the died in 2003 at age 47. award in spring 2011 were Kayde Kempen and Samantha Ander- Engels’ fascination with politics began at UW Oshkosh, David son, each receiving $860.

3 Two students inducted into Kappa Tau Alpha By Eric Balkman SPJ chapter member Two seniors were the latest inductees into Kappa Tau Alpha, the national honor society for achievement in journalism. Jon Feyen of Fond du Lac and Michelle Yandre of New London became the two newest members in the David J. Lippert chapter of Kappa Tau Alpha at UW Oshkosh on May 6, 2011. No more than 10 percent of the junior and senior class of journalism majors may hold membership at one time in Kappa Tau Alpha, and the members were selected based on their grade point average and character. “I haven’t received much recognition outside of the dean’s list,” Feyen said. “So this is a great honor to obtain right before graduation.” Yandre said she takes pride in her academic standing in the department. “I came into the journalism program with a passion for what I do, so it only Photo by Eric Balkman made sense to me to be 100 percent dedicated,” she said. Jon Feyen and Michelle Yandre received Kappa Tau Aplha awards from Professor Miles Maguire. Faculty achievements

Professor Mike Cowling Facebook Game Play” at the Games, Learning and Society •Is working during summer 2011 as a copy editor on the Foreign/ Conference 7.0 in June 2011 in Madison. National desk at The New York Times. It is the 14th summer that Cowling has worked in New York at The Times Dr. Julie Henderson: •Had a feature on Ida B. Wells published in the latest edition of •Completed second year serving as National Faculty the journalism history textbook The Media in America Adviser for the Public Relations Student Society of America •Served on several national boards, including: Dr. Tim Gleason: *PRSA Student Affiliate Task Force •Presented these papers at the Association for Education in *PRSA Educational Affairs Committee Journalism and Mass Communication in Denver in summer 2010: *PRSA Educators Academy Board *“Photographic Sharing: A Ritual (Over)View,” for *PRSSA National Committee the Cultural and Critical Studies Division •Received the Outstanding Service Award for the College of Letters *“Reality Does Bite: Generation X Enters and Science in fall 2010 Adulthood,” and “How the West was Family Friendly: Disney’s Westerns and Generation X in Dr. Jin Kyun Lee: the 1970’s,” for the Entertainment Studies Interest •Will present research titled “Country-of-Origin Cues in Cross- Group Border Strategic Brand Alliance: How Do Advertisers Do It?” at the •Published a book review of The Routledge Companion to News Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and Journalism in Journalism & Mass Communication Educator Conference in St. Louis in August. •Received a travel grant during summer 2010 to visit the archives of the Bowling Green State University Popular Culture Library Miles Maguire: •Led a group of 19 students to England for the Travel and •Won the 2011 Susan L. Greenberg Research Prize for Literary Documentary Photography class during spring 2011 interim Journalism Studies for his paper, “Literary Journalism on the Air: •Published two essays in 2010 in September 11 in Popular What David Isay’s Travels in the Footsteps of Joseph Mitchell Can Culture: A Guide; “The Despair of a Social Landscape: Nathan Tell Us About the Nature of Multimedia” Lyons’ Photographs of Messages of Mourning,” and “Green Day, Punk Rock, and a Masculine Rebuttal to the War in Iraq” with Matthew David (adjunct faculty): former colleague Elizabeth C. Crawford. •Flash Mobile (Focal Press) was published in February •HTML5: Designing Rich Applications (Spanish and Japanese Dr. Sara Steffes Hansen and Dr. Jin Kyun Lee: translations) published in April •Presenting research titled “Advertising Interactions in Exchange •Articles on HTML5 published on Microsoft’s MIXonline.com and for Virtual Currency: Exploring Ads and Promotions in Casual Adobe’s website

4 VandeHei receives an honorary doctorate Jim VandeHei, a 1994 journalism graduate, was awarded Washington governance. It quickly became one of the leading the university’s highest honor during spring commencement new-media companies in the nation, and a must-read site for ceremonies in May. political figures everywhere. VandeHei was presented with a Doctor of Humane Letters, As the executive editor, VandeHei helps to direct Politico’s honoris causa, for his editorial content and oversee outstanding record as a its business strategy. traditional and online In December 2009, journalist, and as an Columbia University alumnus who has returned announced that VandeHei had to UW Oshkosh many been elected to the Pulitzer times over the years to be Prize Board. He became the a keynote or classroom first member of the board speaker. from a primarily online news “Wow. Just received outlet. this,” was VandeHei’s Sig Gissler, who initial response when administers the Pulitzer he heard that he had Prizes, described VandeHei as been nominated for the “a bright, talented journalist, honorary degree, and that who given his new-media Chancellor Richard Wells background, would add to had asked the Board of the mix of backgrounds and Regents to approve it. outlooks on the board.” “Thanks so much Besides his skills as for the nomination and a writer and an Internet news,” he said in an company executive, VandeHei e-mail message to Mike has become a common face Cowling, the chair of the on national news talk shows. Department of Journalism. He is a regular political “I would love to come analyst on MSNBC’s to speak to your classes “Morning Joe” and is a anytime, of course. frequent guest on numerous Always amazed at the UW Oshkosh cable and network television booming growth of the Jim VandeHei accepts his award from Chancellor Richard H. Wells. programs. campus.” “VandeHei is proud of his VandeHei, the co- Wisconsin upbringing and founder and executive editor of Politico, is the youngest person to education,” Cowling said. “Despite the many demands on his receive the honorary doctorate from the university. time, Jim always answers the call when he is asked to speak at a “We have many outstanding alumni of the journalism university event.” program,” Cowling said. “Jim, however, has taken a top-notch In 2008 and in 2010, Chancellor Wells asked VandeHei to career in traditional print journalism and moved on to excel in the be the keynote speaker at the UW Oshkosh Foundation’s annual online world. He is a valued ambassador of our department and Report to the Community Breakfast. In April 2010, he co-hosted the university.” a UW Oshkosh alumni reception at the National Press Club VandeHei reached what many in the field of journalism would in Washington. In April 2008, he returned to Oshkosh to be a consider the apex of their career when he first worked as White keynote speaker at the spring conference of the Northeastern House correspondent for The Wall Street Journal and then as a Wisconsin Scholastic Press Association. VandeHei also has been White House correspondent for The Washington Post. He held a guest speaker in several journalism classes over the years. these two prestigious positions while in his early- to mid-30s. Journalism students returning from the public relations He had a vision about the technological reincarnation of conference where he spoke last year brought back a huge poster journalism, however. In 2007, he co-founded Politico, a Web- with VandeHei’s picture. It had been used to promote his keynote based company focused on covering national politics and address. On that poster he wrote, “Thank God for UW Oshkosh.”

5 Photo by Eric Balkman Some members of the Social Media Club were: (back row from left) Adam Drent, David Rathsack, Kris Nelson and Laura Cox. (Front row from left) Katie Bailey, Monica Jazwiecki, Jessie Tadder and Paige Wagner New student club focuses on social media Eric Balkman he said. “However, we have typically do so. SPJ chapter member gathered support from marketing and No matter the topic, each week the In the constantly evolving world of journalism students.” goal is for members to gain insight into journalism, a group of students at UW- The club’s other co-president, the changes and new waves of social Oshkosh banded together to share their Katy Bailey, stressed the importance media and how to connect with other users knowledge by connecting with others in of responsible social media use for to benefit their careers, as well as personal the exploding social media scene. journalism students’ futures. lives. The UW Oshkosh Social Media Club “As we all know, the journalism The Social Media Club has also was formed in fall semester 2010 to help industry has gone through tremendous arranged special guests to give students use different forms of social change, and a lot of us will probably be presentations. They have included social media to their advantage for their future using social media on a daily basis after media expert Thomas Clifford, Wisconin’s careers. graduation,” Bailey said. “It’s important most followed Twitter user at more than “The Social Media Club’s mission is to know how to use it properly.” one million followers, and New York to connect media makers from around the The club meets each week during the social media marketing director Amanda world to advance media literacy, promote semester, learning about a different social Baldauf via Skype. industry standards, encourage ethical media network at each meeting. Topics Rathsack said that even bigger things behavior, and share the lessons they have this year included personal branding, are in store for the club in fall semester learned,” the club’s Facebook page says. Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Foursquare 2011. David Rathsack, the club’s co- and blogging. “We hope to host more tweet-ups with president, said all students are invited to Although the club meets every the campus community, provide hands-on join, no matter what their major. Thursday night, members stay in touch consulting work for other campus clubs “I think social media is important every day and always live tweet the and organizations, and provide panel to anyone interested in building their proceedings using the hashtag #uwosm so discussions with industry professionals,” personal brand, regardless of major,” that anyone who wants to follow along can he said.

6 Curriculum revised to enhance emphases By Jeremy Ott The current curriculum was approved in their emphasis, and two general elec- SPJ chapter president in fall 2007, and through advising most tives. As the new school year begins in students took the classes they needed to be Journalism majors will continue to September 2011, the Department of Jour- prepared for careers in their area of em- need 36 credits in journalism to complete nalism will begin implementing a new cur- phasis. But the site team from the Accred- the major, or 24 credits for the minor. riculum for incoming journalism majors. iting Council for Education in Journalism All incoming freshmen and new jour- An impetus for the change was a re- and Mass Communication said that the nalism majors will be required to follow port from a site team for the organization curriculum needed to be more directive. the new curriculum beginning in fall 2011. that accredits the department’s program. The same five emphases will be of- “This would all be very, very easy if we In the report it was noted that students in a fered in the new curriculum, but within had 10 faculty members and if we could particular emphasis, for example advertis- each emphasis students will be required offer as many classes as we want, but ing, could complete the emphasis without to take three specific courses, rather than that’s where it gets tricky,” said Dr. Julie taking a course with advertising in the choosing three from a grouping of six or Henderson, who was chair of the Cur- title. seven as is the case in the current curricu- riculum Subcommittee in 2010-11. “We’re “It’s important that our students take lum. The emphases are Writing/Editing, limited in the number of classes we can courses offering theoretical foundations, Advertising, Public Relations, Visual, and offer a year. There are eight full-time fac- market-ready skills and learning experi- Media Studies. ulty, who each teach six classes, so that’s ences that prepare them for media careers Four core courses remain in the new 48 classes we can offer a year. Which 48 in general, as well as a specific emphasis curriculum—Intro to Mass Communica- do we offer?” in writing, public relations or advertis- tion, Writing for the Media, Editing, and Dr. Henderson and Dr. Hansen are of- ing,” Dr. Sara Steffes Hansen said. “Our Law of Mass Communication. In addi- fering trial courses in New and Emerging curriculum changes aims to reach those tion, students must take the three specific Media so students are better prepared to goals.” courses in their emphasis, three electives use social media in the work place. ‘Best of Show’ among several Advance-Titan awards By Emily Williams The Advance-Titan submitted its Oct. 21, 2010, issue, the SPJ chapter vice president first big one of the semester, in the category of four-year weekly The Advance-Titan student newspaper was recognized with broadsheets where it competed against 30 other entrants. five awards during the past academic year, including its first Best Having no great expectation of winning, the staff was of Show award. shocked when the A-T was announced as the Associated Colle- Beginning the school year with a new editorial staff, the giate Press Best of Show winner. focus was on building a successful team and creating a quality “It’s honestly one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part newspaper. Emily Miels, the managing editor, said having an all- of,” A-T news reporter Samantha Strong said. “It’s such an honor new staff was helpful because everyone was learning at the same to be part of the team that makes the paper so great.” time and willing to try new things, one of which was attending a Shortly after receiving that award, the A-T was recognized national conference for student newspapers. in December as one of the top 50 student publications by eCol- “We were such a new staff and we thought we could gain legeFinder.org, an “educational portal committed to excellence in a lot from seeing what other schools have and hear from other education.” professors and people in the industry,” Miels said. Adding to its list of awards, the A-T was recognized in Feb- Members of the editorial staff traveled to Louisville, Ky., ruary 2011 at the ACP Best of the Midwest journalism conven- in October for the Associated Collegiate Press/College Media tion in Minneapolis, winning second place in its category for Best Association national college media convention. More than 2,000 of Show, and taking second place for Best Single Page Design. students attended. Miels said the page design that won the award was based off “When we started planning for the convention, Professor information the staff learned while at the convention in Kentucky. Filak [the Advance-Titan faculty adviser] had proposed to us the To top off the awards the Advance-Titan had already won, idea of doing a bigger issue that had more pages and focused a lot the paper received a general excellence honorable mention from more on graphics and art and really hard-hitting news and feature the Wisconsin Newspaper Association in the 2010 Better News- stories in an effort to really see what we could accomplish,” Miels said. paper Contest.

7 tants to helping maintain the journalism ‘New’ Schultz computer labs. “You wear a lot of different hats in that position,” Cindy said. “You juggle a filling a void lot of different roles within the depart- ment but it’s kind of fun because it makes every day different.” in department While Cindy is working to fill the void left by Judy, she said she doesn’t feel too much pressure in replacing the By Jeremy Ott only program assistant the department SPJ chapter president ever had. The Department of Journalism knew “I know that when you come on board that filling the void left by the retirement with somebody who has had 43 years of of program assistant Judy Schultz after 43 experience within a department you know years was going to be difficult. With only that she’s well loved,” Cindy said. “I think a change of a first name, however, Cindy it’s more the pressure I put on myself than Schultz has been a perfect fit. anything.” laughing. “I love it. It’s kind of quirky. Cindy, who started in the UW Osh- Despite such a major change, Cindy She even has some of us saying it now.” kosh music department in February 1984, said she was given the freedom to do Despite confessing to not being able has finished her first year in the journalism things her own way. to remember many of the students’ names, department. Her co-workers say she has “I was welcomed to make the job my Cindy said the best part of her new posi- been as efficient as her predecessor. own,” Cindy said. tion and the entire department is the col- “Cindy is doing great,” said Barb Cindy, who previously worked in the laboration with the students. Benish, the department’s internship social work department, had little time to “The student involvement is big coordinator and the executive secretary adjust to the journalism department. But for me,” Cindy said. “I always think the of NEWSPA. “She’s a pleasure to work she said the members of the department students keep you young at heart no matter with, and she always goes the extra mile to have been more than happy to lend a hand. what position you are in on this campus.” get things done.” Whether she’s helping students or With 27 years of service at the univer- As the department’s program assistant, filling out paperwork, Cindy always has sity, Cindy is hoping to stay in her position Cindy balances several responsibilities, a smile and often responds with “cool and retire after many more years of work. from helping students get registered for beans.” “I figured if Judy liked it for 43 years, classes to helping supervise student assis- “She’s says that a lot,” Benish said, it must be a good place to be,” Cindy said. Photo students earn finalist honors in magazine contest By Kayde Kempen Werner said she has been involved with photography for two SPJ chapter secretary years and was in awe that her photo was chosen. Six journalism students in the Media Photography II class “I didn’t have that much faith in myself, but I did fall in love were selected as finalists in the semi-annual Photographer’s Fo- with the concept of my photo,” Werner said. “I totally am going rum Magazine contest. to do it [enter the contest] next fall and spring.” Zak Krauss, Kari Cassidy, Heather Hanson, Patti Werner, Dr. Gleason said the contest is indicative of the journalism Danielle Beyer and Josie Bennett were finalists in the contest. department’s standards in terms of photography. Bennett also received an honorable mention for her photo. “The department values professional skills, and I think our “It is a requirement of the Media Photography II class to continued success in this contest is testimony to the importance enter the contest,” Professor Tim Gleason said. “Some students we place on practical aspects of photography,” Dr. Gleason said. place with photos taken in Media Photography I.” “Too many programs emphasize computer trickery, which I think Dr. Gleason’s students often show him their photos before suggests a lack of faith in their students to create excellent im- submitting them to Photographer’s Forum. ages.” “I think about what judges will like and what will make it Cassidy said she almost didn’t read the letter from Photog- easy for judges to toss out entries,” Dr. Gleason said. “The judges rapher’s Forum Magazine because she assumed she didn’t win go through many photos, so I look for things that will make it anything. “Then I saw in bold lettering that I was a finalist,” she easy for the judges to reject, like poor focus or exposure. I tell said. “It was a pretty cool feeling. I was also excited to see my students not to submit those with obvious concerns.” picture in the magazine full of other finalists.”

8 Journalism evaluated for CEPR designation

By Kayde Kempen Dr. Henderson said the site team was busy every day, meeting SPJ chapter secretary with people on campus, including Chancellor Richard Wells, and A two-member evaluation team to determine Certification several other administrators. for Education in Public Relations (CEPR) visited the journalism “The team sat in on classes, met with groups of professionals department in mid-April, the first step in getting certified. in the area, and met with students,” Dr. Henderson said. In an exit interview, the evaluators said they were The site team writes a preliminary report for Dr. Henderson “enthusiastically” recommending certification for the public to fact check. The report is then sent to the Educational Affairs relations emphasis of the journalism major. Committee, forwarded to another committee, and finally to the The CEPR evaluation team is made up of Public Relations PRSA for review. Society of America educational affairs committee members. The Twenty-eight schools have received CEPR status, although UW Oshkosh program was evaluated on curriculum, resources, none of them are in Wisconsin. facilities and university support of the public relations program, “It would be a tremendous designation for our program,” Dr. according to the PRSA website. Henderson said. “Even though we are small, we have an amazing The first step in the certification process was preparing PRSSA chapter.” packets of information for the application. The CEPR site team members told Dr. Henderson they were “The application was very long and took two months of very impressed with the students and the alumni of UW Oshkosh. working on it full time over the summer,” Dr. Julie Henderson “Alumni could still indicate that they graduated from a said. “The application is then sent to a committee and it decides department that is CEPR designated,” Dr. Henderson said. “It’s if the school is worthy of a site visit.” good for their resume.”

PRSSA members get involved in 3 major campaigns

The UW Oshkosh chapter of the Pub- vampires fighting to win the love of a Sarah Hartwell, Heather Wade, Courtney lic Relations Student Society of America human girl, by sponsoring a speed dating Rinka and Kristen Manders were faced participated in three full-scale campaign night in the Reeve ballroom. with the topic of financial literacy, which competitions in the 2010-2011 academic The night included the speed dating required them to promote a series of finan- year. sessions, alcoholic-free cocktails, and a cial literacy courses on campus. Fall semester featured fund-raising screening of the latest Vampire Diaries The team of students received an hon- efforts, preparing for the Special Olympics episode. About 50 students participated in orable mention in the national competition Polar Plunge, and planning and imple- the event. for their work on the campaign. menting the CW campaign. PRSSA was The beginning of the spring semester After the Bateman competition, PRSSA able to get some of the funds necessary was dominated by PRSSA’s involvement students began planning for the national for the year through candy bar sales and in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Organ Donor Awareness competition, partnering with Buffalo Wild Wings for a Menominee Park. PRSSA was asked to sponsored by Rowan University. The com- fund-raising night. promote the plunge to students on campus petition challenges students to come up The CW campaign, sponsored by in order to help the event get more teams with a campaign to promote organ donor PRSSA and the CW Network, is an op- signed up to participate in the plunge and awareness on their campus. portunity for students to plan a public to raise more funds. PRSSA members planned a campaign relations campaign aiming to promote one The PRSSA chapter also formed a around the event they created, Minute to of the CW’s television series. This year, team, which consisted of seven students Give It, which was a game show-style PRSSA was challenged to promote “The who raised more than $800 for the Special competition based on NBC’s show, “Min- Vampire Diaries” in a creative way to Olympics. ute to Win It”. increase awareness of the series and the PRSSA students in Dr. Julie Hender- In addition, PRSSA teamed up with network on the UW Oshkosh campus. son’s campaign class also began planning students from the university’s nursing PRSSA members decided to focus on for the national Bateman Case Study program to promote the event, which had the plot of the show, which involves two Competition sponsored by Ally Financial. a turnout of nearly 50 students.

9 Photo students travel to London By Taylor Krentz ists see, but we also got to get into Student Assistant the nitty-gritty of London, which On May 19, Dr. Tim Gleason was neat. After a week in London and 19 students left Oshkosh for and Cambridge, I would definitely London. Students of both Media go back.” Photo 1 and Travel and Documen- Some other favorite activities tary Photography went across the the students did included punting Atlantic to capture the beauty of the on the Cam (boating in Cambridge), historic city. walking the Princess Diana Memo- After a seven-hour flight, stu- rial trail, and riding the London Eye. dents arrived in London and went One week after their London off to the streets to begin photo- adventure began, the students ar- graphing. rived back in Chicago on a cold, During the weeklong trip the windy day. students visited places such as Throughout the next week, Cambridge, Brighton, Bath and the editing and evaluation process Stonehenge. They mastered the un- began. The students admired their derground subway, known to locals fellow photographers’ work and as “the Tube,” and experienced the shared ideas with one another. interesting activities the country has Part of the students’ assignment to offer. was to post photo albums to a blog Travel and Documentary stu- set up specifically for the trip. If dent Samantha Strong was excited you would like to view photo as- to spend a week outside the U.S. signments the students created and and explore a new country. She said: see the many places they toured, “The trip was absolutely amazing. It visit http://travelshooter.blogspot. Taylor Krentz, left, and Samantha Strong admire one of the famous was great to see all of the sites tour- com. red telephone booths in London. Leach Amphitheater client for ad competition class The Leach Amphitheater is a scenic many more people will enjoy the venue,” it is frequently available just minutes entertainment venue nestled along the said Dr. Jin Kyun Lee, who taught the from campus on many nights during Fox River that was given to the City of class and was adviser for the students. the summer,” Dr. Lee said. After our Oshkosh by the Leach family. “If the target audience can discover and campaign, the target audience will not Despite its attractive location, experience the amphitheater, it will result only be more aware of the amphitheater, however, college students, who make in more revenue and awareness.” but will also attend the events held there. up an important segment of Oshkosh’s The lack of awareness among college On May 12, 2011, the student team population, are either not aware of the students was documented after extensive presented its findings to representatives amphitheater or they don’t often attend research. Part of that research included of the Leach Amphitheater. “We expect events held there. surveys, focus groups and writing research that they will implement and execute our That made the amphitheater a perfect papers. The results showed that college- suggestions based on our plans booklet,” client for the students in the Strategic age students need to be targeted in order Dr. Lee said. Campaigns in Advertising class in spring to obtain the increased revenue and The advertising campaign team semester 2011. The audience targeted in awareness that is desired. members were: Monica Jazwiecki, Jessie the campaign was the 18- to 24-year-old One way the campaign targets the Tadder, Beth Schellhammer, Megan Kok, age group, one that includes a majority of group is by using the slogan “Streaming Diana Miller, Jaquelynn Pettinato, Cory college students. Live“. Zahringer, Steve Hunt, Kris Nelson, “If this audience discovers the Leach “The slogan indicates that the Mardy Wiesman, Ryne Eberle and Nate Amphitheater and its entertainment value, venue is known for its live music and Tornow.

10 SAGE: Journalism department moving to new building Continued from Page 1 technological needs of the public relations field. to the technology available to journalism students. “[The lab] will have built-in dual projectors and dual screens, “I think that the facilities there are going to allow us to which will be of particular use for classes that are using Twitter,” do a lot more to help advance students, especially in terms of Cowling said. multimedia,” Dr. Filak said. The journalism department in Sage will include three fully One of the improvements in multimedia is the replacement of equipped computer labs, a scanning room, the digital photo the outdated photo lab. studio, a reading room, a conference room, the main office, a “[Sage Hall] has a photo studio that is really well developed, student workroom, and offices (with windows) for 10 faculty and including everything up to a refrigerator to keep food in so that adjunct instructors. if you wanted to shoot still life photos of food or something like In addition to updated spaces, the incorporation of several that you are not shooting five-day-old rotten lettuce,” Dr. Filak new types of technology will allow students to adapt to the ever- said. changing field of journalism, Cowling said. The digital photo studio in Sage Hall will have a new digital “It shows progress in the sense that we are continuing to move SLR camera, new lighting for set designs, and a new table where forward despite tough economic times,” he said. displays can be arranged to shoot photos for special projects. According to Dr. Filak, the move from Clow to Sage Hall and In addition to the photo lab, journalism students will also the incorporation of new technology and green energy will be have access to two rooms specifically designed for focus group beneficial for the entire university. research, which will be shared with the College of Business. “Just for the university in general to be able to have that kind “[The focus group rooms] will have two-way glass,” Dr. Filak of attempt at saying ‘you know even in a down economy, even said. “I know that PR people are very excited, and the advertising when there are uncertain things we think highly enough of the people will make good use of them too.” University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to invest in the way that we One computer lab will also be specially designed for the have,’” he said.

REUNION: Alumni invited back for look at the future Continued from Page 1 building. This summer, the department move out of Clow. Three journalism alumni will be will be moving to the third floor of the The reunion also will provide alumni recognized at the Alumni Awards Dinner four-story building. Journalism will have with a chance to visit with current and on Friday night, Oct. 21. Mike Fredrick three computer labs, a reading room, a past faculty members. Several professors and Lori Kraus will receive the univer- conference room, new faculty offices and emeritus, including Bill Biglow, Gary sity’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award. a digital photo studio with new equipment Coll, Peggy Davidson, Harvey Jacobsen Pat Stiegman will receive the Distin- for special projects. and Skip Zacher, have been invited to guished Alumni Award. Reservations are A ceremony to recognize the estab- participate in the various events. required for the dinner, and the cost is $25 lishment of two new scholarships. They Members of the Journalism Advisory per person. For more information, call are the Dave Engels Journalism Scholar- Board also will be involved in the reunion. (920) 424-3449, or toll-free (877) 896- ship for writing/editing students, and the Several alumni are members of the board, 2586. Orville Sherman Journalism Scholarship. including two previous Outstanding Young “Journalism will have three of the A salute to Jim VandeHei, a co- Alumni Award winners, John Feld and seven alumni being recognized that eve- founder and the executive editor of Laura Denissen. ning by the UW Oshkosh Alumni Asso- Politico. VandeHei received an honorary During spring semester, the board ciation,” said Mike Cowling, the chair of Doctor of Humane Letters degree from worked on ideas the help the faculty the Department of Journalism. “It would UW Oshkosh at the spring commence- implement the department’s new strate- be wonderful to have a huge turnout of ment ceremonies. It is the highest honor gic plan. Faculty formally adopted the journalism alumni at the awards dinner to awarded by the university. strategic plan in January. It will provide help honor the recipients for their many Displays of memorabilia from the guidance for the journalism program in accomplishments. journalism department. Many fascinating moving forward in areas including alumni An open house in the journalism items were discovered and saved as the relations, curriculum, diversity, student facilities in Sage Hall, the new academic journalism faculty and staff prepared to achievement and technology.

11 Student Awards Contributors Gary Coll Journalism Fellowship Jessica Bedore, Tom Hanaway, The Department of Journalism is proud to recognize the following alumni and patrons Sarah Hartwell, Brett Kaepernick for their generous donations. These donors assisted the journalism program by and Katherine Steil contributing to the Journalism Fund, various scholarships offered by the department in the past academic year, and special projects involving students. Kappa Tau Alpha new members John & Linda Antaramian Kurt Koesser Jon Feyey and Michelle Yandre David & Terry (Folkedahl) Backmann John Krerowicz Diversity in Journalism Scholarship Michael Beno Craig & Michelle Lamont Hajra Ahmad Mary Bergin & Mike Hill Nancy Locante Patricia Brady Deborah Mann Dave Engels Journalism Scholarship Sandra Buettner Patrick Marley Emily Williams David & Barbara Christenson Mary (Rodwell) & Curtis Meier Jeff Griffith Portfolios Scholarship Clifford & Shirley Christl Mary M. Micke & Jim Dickrell Patricia Werner Barbara Colicki Mike Robertson Gary & Elaine Coll Sheree (Olson) Rogers E. Garner Horton Duane Corso Robert & Cindy Rudolph Memorial Scholarship Michael & Melanie Cowling Cory & Cassie Schmitt Jessica Bedore Margaret Davidson Bryan Smith Terry Devitt Gerald Smith David J. Lippert Michael Dickey Memorial Scholarship Penny Smith Stephanie (Pfau) & Joseph DiGiovanni Robert Smith Samantha Strong and Kayde Frank & Brenda Engels Kempen John & Elizabeth Sorensen Susan Engels & Gordon Hebert Spot Drive In Orville C. Sherman Charles Gehring Bradley & Jane (Shatters) Stratton Journalism Scholarship Willard & Dolores Henken Mark Suckow Kayde Kempen and Samantha Thomas & Lori Higgins Cathy Templeman Anderson Andrew Horschak Jennie Tunkieicz Jay Jansen James & Sally (Garbo) Wedde Virginia Sokolowski Kay Jones David Wiercinski Memorial Scholarship Kenosha News Sheryl Zaionc Samantha Strong Kristin Kochman V.J. Brad Zibung

To make a donation to support the UW Oshkosh Department of Journalism: · Send a check payable to the UW Oshkosh Foundation, Attn: Department of Journalism, 842 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901. Indicate on the memo line that your gift is for the Department of Journalism. · Give a gift online at www.uwosh.edu/foundation. Click Give Now in the middle of the page, and fill in the donation informa- tion. Under the “Please allocate my gift to” section, click Other, and type Department of Journalism · Call the UW Oshkosh Foundation at 920.424.2178 For information on establishing a scholarship fund or including the UW Oshkosh Department of Journalism in your estate plans, please contact Barbara Beuscher ’99 at [email protected] or 920.424.2428. Journalism Alumni Newsletter Designer: Taylor Krentz Contributors: Members of the student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists: Eric Balkman, Kayde Kempen, Molly Linn, Jeremy Ott, Emily Williams Stay in touch with the Journalism Department: Blog: http://uwoshjournalism.wordpress.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/uwo.journalism Twitter: http://twitter.com/UWOshJournalism LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com - UW-Oshkosh J-School Alumni

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