Winter 2006-2007

Home , Bill Barrett, Brad Moore, Dennis Rader, Haymarket Park, Jerry Pettibone, KRNU

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–LINCOLN

COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS ALUMNI MAGAZINE WINTER 2006-2007

Q&A With Steve Pederson Pages 44–51

Photo courtesy Lincoln Journal Star M E D I A

Wesley G. Pippert ‘JUST POLITICS’

The nation has been reminded in recent days of the quality of There had been jokes that Ford had played football too long President Gerald R. Ford’s life and the easy, comfortable rela- without a helmet, making light of his presumed lack of wit — tionship he had with members of the press corps. even though he finished in the top third of his class both at In many ways, this relationship was another demonstration Michigan and the Yale law school. So during the speech Ford of Ford’s general friendliness with everyone. And it seems to me tried to put on an old helmet he had worn — but it wouldn’t fit. that it also was the result of his having worked on a frequent, “Heads tend to swell in Washington,” he said, a remark that daily basis with reporters during a quarter of a century in brought down the house. Congress. It was something of a surprise, then, when in 1974 Ford In times past, reporters gathered on the floor of the Senate a vetoed a bill that would have strengthened the 1966 Freedom of few minutes before the start of the session for what was called Information Act. (FOIA gives any citizen the right to gain access “dugout chatter,” a time when the majority leader would answer to government documents, with certain exceptions such as questions. On the House side of the Capitol, the speaker met papers involving national security, personnel matters or com- with “pen and pad” reporters 15 mercial secrets. Reporters use minutes before the start of the FOIA frequently.) According to session. the National Security Archive, a Since Congress was con- private organization, Ford’s chief trolled by the Democrats for of staff, Donald Rumsfeld, his most of those years, the deputy Dick Cheney and govern- Republicans responded with ment lawyer Antonin Scalia per- what became affectionately suaded Ford to veto the bill on known as the “Ev and Charley grounds that it was unconstitu- show,” named for Senate tional and would lead to leaks. Republican leader Everett According to the National Dirksen and House GOP leader Security Archive, Ford had said Charley Halleck. in a handwritten notation that a When Ford became veto would present problems and Republican leader in 1965, it asked, “How serious are our became known as the “Ev and objections?” Ford also had the Jerry show.” These sessions were support of his long-time aide, held weekly in various parts of White House Counsel Philip the Capitol. And thus Ford met Buchen. But Rumsfeld, later on a regular, frequent basis with defense secretary, and Cheney, the congressional press corps. By now vice president, and Scalia, the time he became president, he now a Supreme Court justice, knew very well how to deal with prevailed. the press. Photo courtesy Wesley Pippert In the end, though, During the two years plus of Pippert is director of the Washington Program at the University Congress voted to override the the Ford presidency, he held 39 of Missouri School of Journalism veto and FOIA was strengthened. formal news conferences, meet- I covered Ford for about six ing considerably more often than most recent presidents and months during his presidency. I was the UPI reporter in the press especially so in the wake of the hostile environment of the White pool on Air Force One when Ford was returning from a weekend House Press Room during the Nixon presidency. In addition, in Michigan. It was April or May 1975 and Ford was vetoing bill Ford had numerous informal chats that the White House after bill the Democratic Congress sent him. Ford, wearing golf- referred to as “exchanges” with the press corps. Transcripts of ing clothes — a knit shirt and slacks — and with a stubble on his these exchanges often show a lot of bantering and just plain chat- chin, came aft to chat with the pool. At one point I asked him ting. how all those vetoes were affecting his relationships in the House Deputy House Historian Fred Beuttler recalled that in 1968 where he had served so long. I’ll never forget his reply. It spoke the rising young Congressman Ford spoke to the Gridiron din- of a healthy and good man. ner, a gathering of the most elite of the Washington press corps, “Oh, those vetoes are just politics,”he said. “They don’t have teasing them and poking fun at them in his usual good-natured anything to do with my friendships.” ■ way. More Ford coverage on page 75

12 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALMNI NEWS 33 CONTENTSx E.N. Thompson Forum J Alumni News is a Lecture at The Lied | 11.09.06 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 The J school was the site of a press Photographers Luis Peon-Casanova conference for for- Bruce Thorson mer U.S. Congress- David Story man and Senator

Journalism Alumni Association George McGovern Board of Directors prior to his appearance at The Lied. President Ann Pedersen-Gleeson Photo by Bruce Thorson Vice president/secretary FROM THE DEAN. The differ- Ashley Washburn 26 ALUMNI 4 ence between Lincoln and Ethiopia fyi National board representative is more than a difference of nine hours. ■ Native Nebraskans are a fashion hit Thom Kastrup It is a difference of decades, perhaps cen- ■ It’s a family affair for ’00 grads Board members ■ Jeans suit the sportscaster Terri Diffenderfer turies … we must help our Ethiopian Rhonda Gerrard colleagues to make up the time. ■ A small company succeeds in big city Barry Kriha ■ Monte Olson Journalism specialty leads to awards Tracy Overstreet COLLEGE. The fall semester was a ■ Footnote in Husker history Cheryl Stubbendieck 6 busy time for faculty and students. ■ Alum launches clothing line Past president ■ Newspaper is a voice for the voiceless ■ Connections help grads land jobs Dara Troutman ■ Riggs’ advice to aspiring journalists ■ Investigative reporter earns awards Student representative ■ A conversation on the the media’s future ■ Goal-setting alum starts anew Riana Perez ■ NPA v. Stuart marks 30th anniversary ■ Green Thumb Creative grows ideas College representative ■ ■ Alums join CUNY grad faculty Richard Alloway College/Journal Star conduct survey ■ ‘The Fox’ marks the end of an era ■ Fusebox is plugged in Foundation representative ■ ■ Photojournalist travels the world Steve Hill Travel to Berlin smashes stereotypes ■ Seeing the light in the City of Light Letters to the editor should be sent to: Athletic direc- ■ J Alumni News Depth report takes on local challenge 44 tor sits down CoJMC ■ Student looks at education in Ghana with J school dean P.O. Box 880443 and broadcasting pro- Lincoln, NE 68588-0443 ■ Twin disasters alters students’ views Phone ■ Students produce Election Night coverage fessor for a Q&A 402.472.3041 ■ ■ Cover Photo: The Schulte FAX A woman in a man’s world clock, in the north stadium, 402.472.8597 was converted from a game E-mail clock to a regular time piece [email protected] SPECIAL. D.C. Diva comes to J school to study journalism College Web site 42 JNews&Notes http://www.unl.edu/journalism/ G I V I N G B A C K Faculty Notes ...... 52 NewsNetNebraska Web site http://www.newsnetnebraska.org Former professor, business executives and Faculty Profiles ...... 53 research collection enhance J school ...... 70 Alumni Notes ...... 58 Daily Nebraskan Web site http://www.unl.edu/DailyNeb/ Student Notes ...... 66 The University of Nebraska–Lincoln does not dis- N O T E BOOK Honors ...... 50 criminate based on gender, age, disability, race, Dave Nuckolls, ’86, remembers President and NPA Hall of Fame ...... 67 color, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. Mrs.Ford ...... 75 Broadcasters Hall of Fame ...... 68 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 FROM THE DEAN Time Travel by Will Norton Jr.

thiopia is nine hours ahead of Central Standard Time. It is 11:15 p.m., approaching the end of Thanksgiving Day, Eas I begin this piece. It is 2:15 p.m. in Lincoln. Many Nebraskans have finished their turkey or ham dinners as I try to summarize the emotions of today when we visited Lalibela, Ethiopia, the site of historic rock- hewn churches for which the area is known worldwide.

Lalibela was the capital of the Zaguwe dynasty during the I found it difficult to understand why millions of Americans 12th and 13th centuries. This town is well-known among those would be enjoying plentiful meals while these people were in who know early church history and/or the history of Ethiopia. such a helpless situation. King Lalibela visited Jerusalem and returned home determined This was the first Thanksgiving that I had been away from to make his city a new Jerusalem. As a result, Lalibela is most family. We had flown to Addis Ababa for meetings with Dr. famous for its churches that have been carved out of stone and Andreas Eshete, president of Addis Ababa University, and his for other sites named after biblical figures. colleagues. Our discussions concerned cooperative programs Dr. Barbara Couture, UNL’s senior vice chancellor for aca- between their university and the University of Nebraska– demic affairs, and her spouse, Paul Couture, and I were travel- Lincoln. ing with Dr. Oyvind Aadland, director of international studies We also had met with Vicky Huddleston, charge d’affaires at the Gimlekollen School of Journalism and Communication at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, and Steven Smith at the in Kristiansand, Norway. office of USAID. We had talked about Nebraska’s partnership About 4 p.m. we walked from a cluster of churches toward with Gimlekollen and our increasing international profile. the classic St. George church. We passed through a community When we arrived at the Hotel Roha Lalibela about 12:30 of dwellings, past a weaver and a bread maker, before reaching p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, the television in the lobby was the clearing near the church. showing the funeral of Pierre Gemayal in Beirut, Lebanon. He Beggars were sitting on both sides of the path. They held was the latest of five (or six) prominent Lebanese to be assassi- their hands out toward us and murmured in Amharic. Some nated after making remarks critical of Syria. Syrian officials said, “Sele Lalibela.” Others said, “Sele Kristos.” denied involvement in the assassination. Meanwhile, the United Aadland later told me the phrases meant, “for the sake of Nations Security Council announced an investigation into the St. Lalibela,”and,“for the sake of Christ.” 2005 assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Harriri. I saw their poverty and their poor health, and I tried to We checked into the hotel and then toured the churches of look straight ahead as I shuffled down the dusty path. Lalibela during the afternoon before enjoying a traditional I had seen dozens and dozens of blind or lame persons Ethiopian dinner hosted by Dr. Aadland. This was our who begged for a gift or tried to sell some trinket, and I had Thanksgiving dinner. As I ate, I was thankful for the good been urged not to make donations because that only compli- things I enjoy: the food, the clothing, the freedom of expres- cated dealing with the problems of the people of this poverty- sion, a government under law and so many other blessings. stricken land. When we had finished dinner, we walked out on the hotel However, as I walked between the rows of beggars that day, lawn to watch an Amharic group perform. Despite the festivi-

14 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALMNI NEWS 33 University of Barbara Couture, Abiy Nebraska–Lincoln Tasse, AAU internation- faculty pose for picture al affairs, and Oyvind at Addis Ababa Aadland, Gimlekollen University. From left, journalism school and Paul Couture, Dean Will the Stromme Foun- Norton Jr., Andreas dation secretary Eshete, president, Addis general Ababa University, First graduate class of Senior Vice Chancellor AAU, Aug. 1, 2006 Photos courtesy Addis Ababa Ababa University Photos Addis courtesy ties, my thoughts were On our last full day, we drove of my family at home through the market in Bahir Dar in Lincoln, of the quiet near Lake Tana, from which the Blue dinner they would Nile flows. A young man walked enjoy without me and beside our van, talking to me the conversations they through the window. would have and of the “Where are you from?” he Colorado game the asked. next day. “The United States,” I said. I thought of the “Oh. You’re from heaven,” he funeral in Beirut and said. the increasing religious “Well we have places that need clashes between improvement just like some places Muslim radicals and in Ethiopia,” I said. “And you have a Christians in Ethiopia. beautiful country.” For centuries Ethiopia “But you have freedom,” he has been a place of said. He thought for several seconds, peaceful acceptance of Photo by Barbara Couture and then he said. “Some day we will religious differences. Norton and other Nebraskans travel through the market in Bahir Dar have freedom, but it will take a long More recently, there time. Now the only place we have have been reports of religious conficts, and I longed to be safely freedom is in heaven.” at home in Lincoln with my family. Even more, I longed for a With his comments, he summarized my observations of his world in which people could tolerate criticism. We desperately nation and my conclusion that the difference between Lincoln need more people and more governments to encourage differ- and Ethiopia is more than a difference of nine hours. It is a dif- ent points of view. ference of decades, perhaps centuries in the development of In a tense world, this college has an opportunity to help freedom, and we must help our Ethiopian colleagues to make prepare bright young Ethiopian men and women to bring free- up the time. ■ dom of expression and economic growth to a land that includes thousands of beggars.

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 53 COLLEGE

Paley, Murrow, Cronkite Add Grossman to the list of those who made an impact on TV news by ASHLEY LOUDD to information technology. Grossman said he always Larry Grossman is a pioneer knew that one “must be able in the history of television to face a changing field by news. Grossman was president being adaptable because the of PBS when the network news is changing.” became the first to distribute Grossman’s success story programming by satellite. He began when he was a student was president of NBC News at Columbia University. He when it was the dominant was originally a political sci- broadcast news organization ence major, but after working in the country. Now on his college newspaper, The Grossman’s pioneering con- Daily Spectator, Grossman tinues with a project to make decided to study journalism. the tools of the digital age Grossman’s early jobs more available in education included promotional work at and training. Look magazine, CBS and NBC. During a September visit It was only when he was to UNL, Grossman told his offered the presidency of PBS success story to J school stu- and then of NBC News that he dents and described his cur- finally achieved his long-time rent efforts to expand access dream of working on the edi-

to draw on the latest discov- Information eries at the Mayo Clinic and Memorial Sloan-Kettering technology Cancer Center. … Imagine using the Internet to teach helps first responders — police, fire and emergency medical tech- nicians — how better to learners respond to emergencies. … “That same technology DO IT could teach unemployed by LAWRENCE GROSSMAN workers new job skills — on their own time, at their own I end with the comments of pace and in their own homes. Republican Thomas Bliley, … Congress and the White former House Commerce House must act — and soon. Committee chairman, in an Happily, there’s a solution on op ed piece he wrote for the the horizon. … It’s called the Congressional publication Digital Opportunity

The Hill: “Soon, I predict, Investment Trust. DO IT.” Story David by Photo every inner-city school will Thanks in large part to have … the resources of our the work of DO IT support- types of educational games. ples from them on our Web greatest universities, and ers, Congress and several fed- Their purpose: to demon- site: digitalpromise.org. every rural clinic will be able eral agencies have funded the strate what DO IT can One game in science is development of three proto- accomplish. You’ll find sam- “ImmuneAttack,” a fascinat-

16 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALUNI NEWS 33 ( pioneer ) torial side of the business. “Visitors like Larry day he visited the J school, From his long experience in Grossman bring an enormous Grossman said, “Never have broadcasting, Grossman had level of experience and expert- education, training and life- solid advice for students. ise to our students,” she said. long learning been more When asked what he con- “How often do any of us get essential. The commercial siders to be the most impor- to talk to a former president world is racing ahead at tant attributes of a journalist of NBC News and PBS, for breakneck speed, embracing today, Grossman said, “There instance? How often do we get the new information tech- are five lodestars: accuracy, to hear a point of view that nologies. … Together, we must clarity, fairness, persistence has been shaped by those take on the challenge to and curiosity. It is disgraceful experiences? The opportunity ensure that these stunning to be inaccurate. One must to hear from someone like new digital information tech- achieve fairness in all com- Larry Grossman gives our stu- nology advances will also be ments. One must broadcast in dents an extra insight into the used to serve the public inter- a way that lets people know workings of the media of est.” what you are saying and com- which they are preparing to be Currently, Grossman and municate effectively. Be stub- a part.” Minow are leading an effort to born and get at the truth Grossman has moved on pass bills in Congress that because you will often hear from the broadcast industry to would set up the Digital things that are untrue. And a pro-bono position with the Opportunity Investment Trust ask why things work and Digital Promise project, which (DO IT) to provide funding what’s going on because this he co-chairs with former FCC for Digital Promise goals. opens new avenues.” chairman Newt Minow. The DO IT would be support- He told students, “When project, which was started in ed by revenues from a portion not satisfied with an answer, 1999, aims to incease the qual- of the congressionally man- pursue that answer.” ity of education in schools dated auctions of publicly Dr. Charlyne Berens, who and workplaces by using and owned telecommunications teaches of one of the classes expanding the information spectrum or other federal Larry Grossman spoke to, said technology now used largely sources. For information on speakers like him have a sig- for commercial and military Digital Promise, see nificant impact on journalism purposes. http://www.digitalpromise. students. In a speech at a UNL org. ■ humanities conference on the

embedding the student play- Imagine beyond your our Web site: DigitalPromise. ers in an army of white cor- Blackberries, beyond your org. On the site’s “Take puscles mobilizing to fend off iPods, beyond your computer Action” and “Contact attacks by infectious agents. screens, even beyond the Congress” pages you will find One game in the human- Internet. Imagine a virtual draft letters to your own ities: “Discover Babylon,” reality of the Constitutional members of Congress and demonstrates how archeolo- Convention that would allow easy-to-follow information gists searched for and uncov- the young viewer to “talk” to about how you can reach out ered the origins of writing, our founding fathers and to to them. They’re just a few numbers and geometry in see how their decisions affect- clicks away. Nebraska’s Sen. ancient Mesopotamia, the ed American history. Imagine Ben Nelson is on the key ancient civilization that exist- technology that will add a Commerce Committee, and ed where Iraq is today. sense of touch to virtual reali- Sen. Chuck Hagel is one of And the third game, for ty. Imagine how much that Congress’s leaders. With your training, “Mass Casualty will mean for workforce support, we’ll earn theirs. Incident,” produced in coop- training, medical science and Together, we can DO IT. eration with the NYC Fire surgical practice. Imagine a Department, enables respon- digital human body that will Lawrence K. Grossman, ders anywhere in the world to allow medical students to former president of PBS train to respond to high-rise explore the course of diseases and of NBC News, spoke at fires. All this content, this and their cures. UNL’s History in the Digital ing educational game that software, will be available to To learn more, to take an Age conference on Sept. 22 shows high school and college everyone in the United States active role in this moment of and also visited journalism biology students how the and beyond after it has been history and to follow the classes that day. This is an immune system works by completed and tested. Digital Trust’s progress, visit excerpt from his speech.

J ALUMNI NEWS 73 COLLEGE

and a half, he was named the first African-American execu- Giving voice to the voiceless tive editor of the Clarion- Ledger — a newspaper that had Agnew’s work as a newspaper editor in Mississippi once been considered one of 10 worst in the country because it lets him help direct the community conversation advocated segregation. “He’s considered one of the best young editors in the by BRENDAN WELLS and country,” Norton said of 44- KATIE STEINER year-old Agnew. As managing editor of one Ronnie Agnew sees journalism of the few remaining newspa- as more than just a job. pers that cater to a statewide “I believe there is no high- audience, Agnew is known for er calling than journalism,” demanding a lot of the Agnew said. “Journalists speak Clarion-Ledger’s staff. for the people, and they tell the “He pushes us to go stories of those phenomenal beyond our limits in the areas people.” of story development and pres- Agnew, the executive edi- entation,” said Earnest Hart, tor of the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger assistant man- Clarion-Ledger, visited the aging editor. “We might think J school in October at the invi- we’re done, but we’re not. tation of Dean Will Norton, a Ronnie always sees more friend and Agnew’s former potential in whatever we’re teacher. Agnew, the son of doing.” sharecroppers, was invited to Agnew Ronnie courtesy Photo During his J school visit, share with students his inter- attending class and learning the “The Mississippi Delta is Agnew said he will do anything esting perspectives on journal- academic side of journalism. one of the most economically to encourage people to pursue ism — and life. He wanted me to also know the challenged regions in the coun- journalism. “If you really want Agnew has been working practical side,”Agnew said. try. That was new to me, seeing to do this, I’ll help you every in journalism since his gradua- Norton invited Agnew and such poverty,”Agnew said. “It step along the way,” he said. tion from the University of a group of other students to was the first time that I had “To be a journalist is an Mississippi in 1984, following accompany him on a week- seen just how vicious the cycle admirable profession,”Agnew the calling he still sees as his long trip along Mississippi’s of poverty could be.” said, but it is not easy. mission. But his career was not Gulf Coast to write freelance Agnew said the stories Journalists need specific skills, always aimed towards newspa- articles for newspapers in the made a big impact on his the most important of which pers. towns they visited. During the career. “They still stick with me are flexibility and basic people- “I wanted to be the next trip, Agnew discovered his pas- today,” he said. “They’ve taught skills. Bryant Gumble,”Agnew jok- sion for print journalism. me that one of my newspaper’s “You have to be able to ingly told a UNL media law “After that visit,” he said, “I primary roles has to be to pro- make a connection on any class during his visit to the J realized that, although I would vide a voice for people who feel level,” he said. “You have to be school. graduate in broadcasting, my their voice doesn’t matter.” able to talk to the blue-collar To fill a graduation real love was for the craft of From Greenwood, Agnew man on the street in the morn- requirement his sophomore writing.” went on to report for the Biloxi ing and then your congressman year at Ole Miss, Agnew took a Norton recalled the expe- (Miss.) Sun Herald, and then in the afternoon. You have to public opinion class with Will rience: “Of the eight to 10 stu- the Cincinnati Enquirer,where be able to make everyone feel Norton, then a journalism pro- dents I brought with me, he became assistant city editor important.” fessor there. Recognizing Ronnie Agnew was the best by in 1988. In 1993 Agnew Agnew said journalists Agnew’s talent, Norton singled far.” returned to Mississippi to work have an important responsibili- Agnew out and advised him. Impressed by Agnew’s as managing editor at the ty in society. “He sat me down and work with him that week, Hattiesburg American. In 1997, “Journalists fight for the said, ‘You’re going to be a jour- Norton recommended Agnew he took the position of editor people who have no voice,” nalism major,’” Agnew said. for a reporting position at at the Dothan Eagle in Agnew said. “Journalism has Norton kept the pressure on. Mississippi’s Greenwood Alabama. the responsibility to be the “When he saw me in the hall- Commonwealth newspaper. Agnew moved back to agenda setter for the commu- way of the journalism school, Thanks to Norton, Agnew Mississippi in 2001 to become nity, to direct the community he would prod me to make began his professional career managing editor of the conversation.” sure I was doing more than on the Commonwealth staff. Clarion-Ledger. After a year Agnew had some advice 18 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 ( advocate ) for UNL journalism students, evening deadlines; now we “(In the newspaper busi- money together to send eight too. First, he advised them to have deadlines as soon as we ness) there are never two days of their nine children to col- get a broader view of their walk in the door (in the morn- in a row (that are the same). lege. world by reading the newspa- ing).” It’s a very complicated process,” Unfortunately, Agnew’s per every day. Despite the importance of he said. “I spend a lot of days mother did not get to see all “You must be willing to embracing technology, Agnew wondering, ‘Is this going to her children graduate; she died expand your mind and take also stressed learning the fun- work?’ But it always comes in 1986, he said. His father is yourself out of your comfort damentals of journalism. together in the end.” still going strong at 78. zone,”Agnew said. Recalling “When all is said and Life has not always come “I wouldn’t change any- Hurricane Katrina, he said, “It’s done, you must be a good together so nicely for Agnew. thing (about my career),” hard to be comfortable while writer,” he said. “You must be “I come from very humble Agnew said. “Everything has interviewing Katrina victims able to make compelling sto- beginnings,” he said. “My fami- been a building block for the who have lost everything.” ries, you must be accurate in ly has had to overcome bad sit- next step.” He also encouraged stu- your writing, and you must uations. It really is a great He has worked in prosper- dents to expand their horizons challenge the reader.” American story.” ous areas and poor ones, but outside their own world. But the readers aren’t the Agnew was the seventh of he said he learned the most “You need to realize you only people who will be chal- nine children born into pover- from working in the poorer have a responsibility to get out- lenged by journalism. ty in Lee County, Miss. As areas. side yourself,” he said. “You “You will be challenged,” sharecroppers, his parents “There are people, because need to go out, meet someone Agnew warned students. He hardly earned enough to raise of different factors, who can’t new and realize that it’s not added, “It’s fun when you’ve their family, he said. speak for themselves,” he said. always about you.” seen a difference you’ve made; Not wanting their children “Newspapers can speak for Many journalists do not it’s a good feeling. It’s what to do what they did for a liv- them. Newspapers can fill that fully understand the power keeps me going back to work ing, Agnew’s parents worked void for them.” ■ they have to affect people’s lives every day.” hard and scraped enough at the local, regional, national and global level, he said. Advice to journalists yet run on for upwards of 100 involved in verbal posturing “You need to always ask words. I am annoyed by sports and do not report a game yourself, ‘What can I do to stories that do not report a score until the third or fourth make this place better?’” ‘Don’t drop game score until the third or paragraph of a print dispatch In an interview, Agnew fourth paragraph. or minutes into a radio or tele- also advised students to keep the ball’ I am annoyed when writers vision item. Some stories fail to an open mind: “Embrace all sprinkle adverbs indiscriminate- identify the sport. Team names technology, because it is chang- by RODSON RIGGS ly throughout their copy. I am or nicknames may not help. ing everything. You can’t leave annoyed when editors allow Many games can end with a 3- school without training in new About mass communication … publication of phrases such as 2 score, and many teams are technology.” As a consumer of news “John Doe yesterday said …” named “Warriors” or “Chiefs.” reporting, I am distracted and I’m annoyed and amused Communication, like many He said technology offers annoyed by poor quality writing when I find homophones — human activities, requires a enormous possibilities for in much of what I read, hear words that sound alike — used pitcher and a catcher. When growth. The Clarion-Ledger’s and see. incorrectly in print media. I one fumbles, both suffer. I am Web site set a record with 10.5 The degree holders who have read “diffuse” instead of a news consumer. I want it to million views during Hurricane are today’s staff writers must “de-fuse” (a controversy), be easy to be a catcher. It Katrina in 2005. That record have been exposed to subject- “except” for “accept,” “peak” should not be hard work to was surpassed in 2006, and the verb-object sentence construc- for “peek” (of a lake), “break- read, listen to or view news numbers continue to grow. tion at some time in their edu- ing” for “braking” (in an acci- reports. “We can’t underestimate cation. Yet, I am delivered flab- dent report) and — my current The English language is the growth of the Internet,” by sentences that include multi- favorite — “isle” for “aisle” in rich in words that describe Agnew said. ple subjects and diversion into the description of a ceremony. human activity. To write clearly irrelevant subjects. These suggest a vocabulary takes dedication, discipline and Newspapers used to be the I am annoyed by lead generated not from reading but practice. To do less is no serv- main source for scoops, he paragraphs that do not sum- from listening. ice to the media or to the con- said, but now it is the Internet marize the story that follows, Many sports stories get sumer of the news product. ■ that often provides the breaking news. Readers, however, don’t care where they get their Rod Riggs was on the Daily Nebraskan staff and Student Union Board before graduating in 1951 information, just as long as with a B.A. and certificate in journalism. He served in the U.S. Army as public information NCO, they get it quickly, he said. then held various positions at the Kearney Daily Hub, the Ames (Iowa) Daily Tribune, the San Diego “We can get the informa- Daily Transcript and the San Diego Union-Tribune. He retired to Lake Arrowhead, Calif., in 1997 tion right now, and that’s what and served as business editor of the weekly Mountain News until 2002. Now, he lives with his wife, people expect,” he said. “It used Mary, in a high rise condo in downtown Los Angeles, writes books for children, freelances and tries to be that we would have to find Nebraska sports information in the local daily. 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 93 COLLEGE

CARNEY NELSON

THE FUTURE of MEDIA From left, Rod Bates, Dave Nuckolls, Michelle Hassler Photos by Marilyn Hahn Marilyn by Photos ustomized media. “Pull” media, not HASSLER: But as media become more per- vasive, the lines are blurring between news “push” media. Media on demand. and entertainment. Many young people, she noted, get their news from the “Daily Blurred line between news and enter- Show” on Comedy Central. Furthermore, she said the lines are tainment, between citizen journalism blurring between blogs, citizen journalists and traditional journalists. She said the and traditional journalism.xxxxxxxxx public needs to understand that trained xxxxThose were some of the themes journalists bring added value to the information presented in any medium. that surfaced during a conversation at NELSON: Citizen journalists are changing Andersen Hall in August to discuss the future of the the way the media work. In the 2005 mediaC and how the college can react to and help shape London bombings, for example, people trapped in the underground tunnels took that future. pictures with their cell phone cameras and reported what was happening in places The group included: Rod Bates, director The insights and ideas below are that rescue crews — and journalists — of University Television at Nebraska excerpts from the conversation. couldn’t get to. Educational Telecommunications; Jeff Carney, J school grad, now assistant man- NUCKOLLS: Young people expect to get BATES: Lots of solid information is avail- aging editor for graphics and photos at information via the medium they choose able on blogs, and online bloggers and citi- The Omaha World-Herald; Michelle and on the schedule they choose. CNN has zen journalists have made a fundamental Hassler, J school grad, former reporter and begun to provide content in multiple plat- change in the media scene. forms to meet those demands. “We’re moving away from ‘push’ now an adjunct faculty member at the J media to ‘pull’ media,” he said. People school; Jane Hirt, J school grad, now co- HIRT: As digital communication becomes want information on their own schedule editor of the Chicago Tribune’s publication more commonplace, the public wants its and their own preferred platform. RedEye; O.J. Nelson, another J school grad, media to adapt. “Everyone can customize,” now assistant managing editor at the she said — and expects to. NUCKOLLS: Besides that, people really Kansas City Star; Dave Nuckolls, yet want to be able to interact with the media. another J school grad and now a senior NELSON: Part of that is driven by conven- CNN has a popular spot on its Web site executive producer at CNN in Atlanta; ience. People want to be able to do two or where it invites people to contribute their and Kevin Smith, former journalist, now more things at once, he said, and they own news accounts, video and still photos professor of political science at UNL. expect their media to meet those demands. for possible use on the network. Those con- tributors, he said, are citizen journalists. 10 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALMNI NEWS 33 ( vision )

The conversation turned to how much citizen journalism, which often involves little or no traditional “gatekeep- ing,” contributes to the democratic conversation and how to be sure it meets the same standards of fairness and accuracy that traditional journalism demands.

HIRT: Maybe journalists should widely pub- licize traditional journalism’s ethics and standards and then let citizen journalists police themselves online the way eBay or Wikipedia does. Other users would then rate the citizen journalists’ standards and reliability. She blamed the perception that some blogs have become “artificial” on the fact that traditional gatekeepers are getting involved, deciding what is and is not OK to Hahn Marilyn by Photo be posted online. HIRT

BATES: That kind of interference will not 10 that do it right For one thing, RedEye gets humor serve the media well long-term. “We can’t right — not exactly something the news- give people a voice and then take it away,” paper industry has in its DNA. RedEye’s he said. Whose needs are the media trying RedEye sports section, for instance, pulls off a hat to meet and how? trick every morning by combining a soup- con of actual sports news, like game scores NUCKOLLS: It’s a moving target that and summaries, with out-of-left-field changes as technology changes. Rather Chicago humor and running gags. Like any good than running from change, media should by MARK FITZGERALD sports talk show, RedEye’s staff knows that embrace it and work with it. the important thing isn’t the game but the When the Chicago Tribune launched interplay of its yakkers. The question “What is news?” drew RedEye in the fall of 2002, media critics — And you don’t need to be a sports fan various responses: including this E&P writer — beat up pret- to laugh out loud at “Five on Five,” a daily —News is information about things that ty badly on the would-be youth tab. We feature in which five writers — joined affect people’s lives — even if they may jeered that the content was either yester- occasionally by creations like an evil not realize it. day’s celebrity news or severely shortened supercomputer — smart-aleck their way —News is different for every reader or versions of articles right out of that morn- through five topics. “Wearwolves” does the viewer. ing’s Tribune. It wasn’t really cool, it was same thing for fashion, as four fashion- —News may include “bad” stuff. It may condescending. And it was ugly, too. istas meow about the outfits of people also include entertainment. It didn’t help that Red Streak — creat- photographed at clubs. —News is “new” information about any- ed out of thin air in six days by a panicked “We’ve found our voice and personal- thing. competing Chicago Sun-Times just to con- ity,” says editor Jane Hirt. RedEye also fuse the market — seemed more like the found something else that’s eluded other All the participants agreed that jour- real thing: a sparkly mix of snarky celebri- quick-read tabs: money. The offshoot has nalism has a role in the democratic sys- ty dish, sports, and plenty of cheesecake been profitable every quarter since last tem. Journalists should give people both for the boys. fall, with ad revenues running about 50 what they want and what they need, Nearly four years later, though, it’s percent above 2005, says general manager should tell the stories well and should be time to give RedEye some props, as I Brad Moore, who won’t disclose specific sure to include what effect something will understand the kids used to say. figures. have on people. RedEye — which these days distrib- RedEye buried Red Streak long before Furthermore, Bates said, print jour- utes 100,00 free copies — is a mostly Sun-Times publisher John Cruickshank nalism won’t go away; it will just change smart and good-looking newspaper with a did. It outlasted a blog dedicated to docu- its function and presentation. It’s all about laser focus on serving its target audience’s menting its daily faults. And it’s still going convergence, he said. eclectic appetite for news and information months after The Quad-City Times pulled The group agreed the lines among about sex, mass transit, drink specials, and the plug on the more audaciously original the media are blurring. Bates said media Jennifer Aniston. It’s a quick-read paper mini-tab Your Mom. moved from the general to the specific — with some positively addicting aspects So RedEye, no hard feelings, eh? As the niche — and may now be moving that could teach mainstream newspapers a Ali G says, “Respect!” ■ back again to general. He said all media thing or two about connecting deeply need to start thinking about producing Reprinted with permission from Editor & with readers. news for multiple platforms. ■ Publisher, July 2006. J ALUMNI NEWS 11 COLLEGE NPA v. Stuart retrospective by JOHN R. BENDER

ight the candles! Today, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart Lis 30 years old.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx And for such a youngster, it has distinguished itself as one of the strongest defenders of the First Amendment, guaranteeing the public can know what happens in criminal cases. The NPA decision emerged from the prosecution of Erwin Charles Simants for killing six members of the Henry Kellie family in Sutherland near North Platte. Simants committed the killings on a Saturday night in mid-October 1975, plunging the town and Lincoln County into a night of terror. Radio and television stations broadcast news of the killings along with a description of Simants as the suspect and official warnings that residents should stay home and lock their doors. Simants was arrested the next day and eventually charged with six counts of first-degree murder in the course of perpetrating sexual assaults. In the meantime, the case had attracted national as well as state and local news coverage. County Judge Ronald Ruff, fearing the news coverage would jeopardize Simants’ right to a fair trial, ordered that no one publish in the mass media any but the most basic facts about the case. Ruff’s order applied even to information disclosed in Simants’ prelim- inary hearing, which was open to the press and the public. Lawyers call these kinds of orders protective orders; journalists call them gag orders. District Judge Hugh Stuart modified the order a few days later. The Nebraska Supreme Court modified it further. But even as modified, the order barred the reporting of information about confessions or admissions Simants had made to police or others and any other information Column reprinted with permission from “strongly implicative” of his guilt. The NPA and other Bender is an associate Lincoln Journal Star, June 30, 2006 Nebraska news organizations asked the U.S. Supreme professor of journalism Court to declare the orders unconstitutional. at the University of impose a gag order if the nature and So this is the question the court faced in the spring Nebraska–Lincoln, extent of the news coverage threatens to of 1976 when it heard arguments in NPA v. Stuart:Can where he teaches mass prejudice the trial, if alternatives to a courts impose gag orders without violating the First media law and news prior restraint cannot prevent the preju- Amendment? Chief Justice Warren Burger, who wrote the reporting courses. dice and if the prior restraint can prevent majority opinion, said gag orders are prior restraints — He is working on a the prejudice. essentially censorship — and are almost always unconsti- book about the Burger said the Nebraska gag failed tutional. Nevertheless, Burger said, a trial judge may NPA v. Stuart case. this test because the judges had not con-

12 WINTER 2006-2007 JALUMNI NWS 33 on further reflection. Some judges dislike the NPA precedent. In a South Carolina case, one of the few where a gag order was upheld on appeal, a state Supreme Court justice said the NPA guidelines were too rigid and should be modified. But Chief Justice Burger’s opinon and the opinions of the other justices (all of whom agreed the gag order was unconstitutional) show they fully understood how demanding the NPA test would be. Prior restraints are the most severe limitations on speech, Burger noted, and the barri- er to their use must remain high if the First Amendment is to survive. If judges can easily impose prior restraints, the extraordinary remedy may become ordi- nary. The NPA decision did not settle all questions regarding news coverage of criminal cases. The use of media gag orders has dimin- ished. Instead, judges have tried to close trials and pre- trial hearings to the press and public, gag prosecuting and defense attorneys and curtail access to documents, evidence, witnesses and jurors. But the Supreme Court has placed limits on most of these tactics, too. The criminal justice process, the court has said, functions best when the public knows as much as possible about what’s going on. Although the NPA deci- Illustration courtesy Nebraska Press Association sion frees news organizations sidered alternatives steps for protecting case. Many news organizations were not to decide how to cover crime, it doesn’t Simants’ fair trial rights. Judges can subject to the Lincoln County Distric guarantee they will cover it well or wisely. change the venue of the case, postpone it, Court’s jurisdiction, and much of the The obsession with sex and celebrity question potential jurors about their information was already circulating in the dominates too much of the crime news opinions on the case, sequester jurors and community. Americans see and hear. But without pro- admonish jurors to ignore news reports. Since 1976, dozens of cases have aris- tection from gag orders, the information Individually or in combination, these en in which trial judges have issued gag Americans receive about criminal cases measures can protect the fairness of a orders to protect fair trial rights. In all but would be limited, late and largely ignored. trial. Furthermore, Burger said, a gag a few, the orders have been reversed on So happy birthday, NPA v. Stuart! order on the media was ineffective in this appeal or abandoned by the trial courts And may you have many more. ■

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 13 COLLEGE “I’m an alum, and I know said she enjoyed having the Lincoln COLLABORATIVE what the J school does. I know Journal Star staff come into the they do great work,” Kennedy said. classroom and work with the stu- A team of Journal Star dents first hand. PROJECT reporters developed the six ques- “It was a great opportunity for Students survey newspaper readers tions for the survey. Each student the students; however, sometimes interviewed two people who were it’s hard for them to see the value by ANDREW GUINEY reading the Lincoln Journal Star. in their work if they don’t get The students were asked to find credit for it.” out specific information about the Students were given two weeks Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Fewer readers and the stories they were to interview at least two people. reading. After the two weeks, class members people are reading the newspaper. “The interview was very came together to compile the data That was one of the findings of a unscientific and informal,” from about 300 responses. Struthers said, “but it did give our “What took a lot longer was survey conducted by a group of students, first of all, the news side getting all the information into an University of Nebraska–Lincoln of trying to tune in to an audience. Excel spreadsheet in any way that Advertising has thought about that was remotely useable,” Struthers journalism students. Their survey (audience) forever, but news is said. “Analyzing data is at least as now coming to the realization that difficult as collecting it.” confirmed what recent studies have readers have a lot of choices about The students reviewed their shown: Fewer people are choosing where they get their info. So the results and handed over their data papers have to do a better job of to the newspaper. The information the newspaper as their medium of understanding what people want was to be used internally to help choice, and the average age of news- to hear.” the newspaper staff find insights Struthers, who started teach- and trends among readership. paper readers is climbing. ing in the J school in January 2003, Struthers said that what her students found didn’t surprise them. “We found what completely reinforced what the NAA (Newspaper Association of America) has been studying much more scientifically: People are reading less and skim- ming more. The newspaper audience is getting older.” Struthers said one interesting pattern the students discovered was that

Lincoln Journal Star Journal Lincoln the people who get their news from the newspaper are the same people who are logging on to the Photo courtesy courtesy Photo Internet to find their news. tudents in Amy Struthers’ Information Struthers and Kennedy agreed Gathering class conducted a survey on that the project brought benefits to readership habits in cooperation with the both the Journal Star and the stu- Lincoln Journal Star last fall. Jessica Jessica Kennedy, dents. Struthers appreciated the Kennedy, a marketing manager with the who graduated in 1997, opportunity to help her students newspaper,S had asked Struthers if her students would help was an advertising receive some real-world experi- with the project. The newspaper wanted to get a better feel major at the J school. ence; Kennedy said she enjoyed for which sections of the newspaper people found interest- She is an working with the students. ing and how the Journal Star could improve its coverage account executive “It helped us analyze our for its audience, Kennedy said. at the Lincoln readership and gave them great Kennedy and Struthers teamed up for the survey, Journal Star experience,” Kennedy said. “It was turning the project into something that would benefit a win-win.” ■ both the newspaper and J school students. 14 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALMNI NEWS 33 ( column ) years thanks to great pitching, solid defense and Dick Stuart’s home runs. Larry took care of the on-field activities, and Dick led ‘End of an era’ successful season-ticket drives and kept Sherman Field in sparkling shape. Dick Wagner departed for the Big Sports Wagner was a stickler for first-class operations for the fans at Venue last week, and I hope he found every stop on his career. Following his GM spot with the Chiefs — he was named 1958 Minor League Executive of the Year by the everything shipshape. If not, Old Fox will Sporting News — Dick managed Pershing Auditorium and the Ice bet “Daddy Wags” is in high gear improv- Capades before his love for baseball took him to St. Louis with Bob Howsam, former general manger of Western League and the ing the situation. Dick was general man- Denver Bears. When Howsam moved to Cincinnati to lead the Reds, Wagner followed, and Dick became the president/general ager of the Lincoln Chiefs (1955-1958), manager. and he moved on to the highest level of Dick left the Reds after the Reds’ great years with manager Sparky Anderson and catcher Johnny Bench, Pete Rose and many baseball administration. other superstars. He also served as general manager of the Houston Astros, then moved on to become assistant to Wagner, 78, passed away in Phoenix, Commissioner Peter Uberroth and American League president and funeral services are planned for Bobby Brown. What fun the media had during the Wagner era with the Saturday in Beatrice. A native of Central Chiefs. Fellow scribe Dick Becker and I covered spring training in City, Dick left the U.S. Navy with a love 1955 at the Chiefs’ camp in Huntsville, Texas, the minor league headquarters for the Pittsburgh farm. The camp had been built for baseball and a determination to make for German prisoners of war during World War II and consisted of clapboard barracks and huts, located far from civilization and a difference as a businessman and a pro- near the state penitentiary. After living in our “hut” for a week and moter. He succeeded in a big-time way. eating mess hall food (and becoming very thirsty in the heat), Wagner called to brighten our spirits. “I’m on the way down, guys,” he said. “Hang on. I’m bringing some great refreshments and food for you!” Wags arrived on schedule and presented us with a six-pack of hot beer and a sack of chips, gaining great pleasure at our disappointment. We got even with Dick during the season when a foul ball blasted through the wire covering the press box windows. A boy assigned to the roof to retrieve foul balls came in and asked for the ball. Becker, PA announcer Phil Sprague and I refused to sur- render the ball, and the boyreported us to Dick. Wags sent a police officer up to get the ball, and after a brief standoff, we agreed to give the ball to the cop for delivery to Dick — but not before we all autographed the ball with a suggestion on what he should do with it. All of us became great friends through our days in baseball, and the memories of the fun-loving Wags will no doubt flow at the memorial service on Saturday. Every time I walk into the by DON BRYANT Haymarket Park for a Saltdogs game, I think about Sherman Field Emeritus professor days. Those fun times after the war built great interest in minor Photo CoJMC archives CoJMC Photo league baseball. Lincoln had some great teams and some great After a rookie start in Class D Thomasville, Ga., Dick was players, and many fans missed baseball long after the Chiefs general manger of Class C Hutchinson (Kansas) before moving departed. to Lincoln to take the reins of the Class A Western League But the flames provided by Dick Wagner, Larry Shepard, Chiefs. Lincoln had just signed a working agreement as a farm Nellie Fox, Bobby Shantz, Dick Stuart and many more kept hopes team in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization led by the father of alive. Thanks to Jim Abel, Charley Meyer, the University of the minor leagues, Branch Rickey Sr. Nebraska and the City of Lincoln, the flames are once again Dick’s first manager was former major league pitcher Bill bright. Burwell, but pennant hopes in 1955 were dashed when the I know the spirit of “Daddy Wags,” together with the others Pirates summoned pitcher-outfielder Dick Hall to Pittsburgh in of the present and past, continues to thrive in Lincoln’s mid-season. Hall was Lincoln’s top pitcher and was hitting over Haymarket Park. I know, also, that Dick’s love of baseball was sur- .300 as the left-fielder in off days. The Chiefs never recovered passed only by the love for his wife, Gloria, son, Randy, daughter and skidded to the bottom of the league. Cynthia, and all the members of his family. Grandma and I join in Enter Larry Shepard to join Wags, and the team took extending deepest sympathy to them. ■ The Hickman Voice News,10/061 Lincoln baseball to a new level with WL pennants the next two J ALUMNI NEWS 15 COLLEGE

from Boston. The first two weeks, the class met at UNL and learned advertising principles and German culture. Then they all — including the student from Boston — spent one week in Berlin and one week in Dresden, returning to the United States at the start of the fifth week of the summer term to complete projects and write stories for NewsNet- Nebraska, a Web site produced by J school students. In Berlin, the class visited two advertising agencies: U.S.- based McCann-Erickson and the French, globally known Publicis. Hachtmann said when she contacted Publicis, the agency was willing to meet with the class, but they wanted students to do something for them as well.

Photos courtesy Frauke Hachtmann’s class members Hachtmann’s Frauke courtesy Photos Each student wrote an Cory Carlson is interviewed by CNN on the streets of Berlin as bystanders watch. At right: Class takes essay about his or her precon- a field trip to a Volkswagon plant. ceptions of the German culture. Publicis then had the stu- Smashing Stereotypes dents interview Germans on the street in an attempt to defy Global advertising class finds out what “It was sure a good way to stereotypes they may have had end the trip,” Sorensen said of before arriving in Germany. To Germans — and global advertising — the experience on the last day showcase what the students J school students and advertis- had experienced, Publicis held are really like ing assistant professor Frauke a press conference where Hachtmann spent in Germany. reporters from newspapers, by CASSIE FLEMING The summer global adver- magazines, television stations tising course has been offered and Internet news outlets lis- man walked into a bar. The at the University of Nebraska– tened to the students present Lincoln as a five-week summer their reports and answer ques- bar was an Irish pub. The course the past several years. tions about their before and But Hachtmann said teaching after perceptions of Germany. pub was in Germany, and about different cultures Many students held tradi- Germans were singing. They through books and videos did tional stereotypes of Germans not have the same impact as — that they ate bratwurst and were singing American actually immersing a person in sauerkraut and were cold peo- songs. And the man was surrounded by that culture, so last summer ple, Hachtmann said. But A she took her class to Germany. when they visited the nation, other men, most of whom were named “There are a lot of the students found many American ads in Germany and Germans were happy to talk to Dave: Dave from Wales; Dave from vice versa, so I thought them. Ireland; Dave from Liverpool; and Dave Germany would be a good “My views were complete- country to go to,” said ly different after talking to from Hastings, Neb. Hachtmann, who attended Germans,” said Julie UNL after growing up in Bohuslavsky, an advertising No punch line here. This was simply the scene that Nels Germany. major who graduated in Sorensen Jr., a senior advertising major, said was the most surre- The distance-learning December. “They were really al aspect of his trip to Germany with the J school’s global adver- class consisted of 11 students, welcoming toward us, and they tising class last summer. one of whom took the class are not rushed like us. They 16 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALNI NEWS 33 (study abroad) encourage you to take your time when eating.” Students see the light Hachtmann said the students were featured in several in the City of Light newspaper articles and a three- minute segment on TVBerlin. by KATIE SORENSEN The students completed the academic aspect of the trip by Their destination was Paris, the most romantic city in the world. And while the summer 2006 attending the prestigious trip to the City of Light didn’t necessarily guarantee romance for 14 journalism students, it did International Communication provide an unforgettable educational experience. Association conference in For five weeks, the students took classes, toured advertising agencies and newspapers and Dresden the second week of the worked on news stories — all while soaking up the French experience. trip. Most of the students studied French, while two news-editorial and two advertising majors Before returning to the took a course in international media. Both courses were taught by advertising faculty member United States, the students trav- Amy Struthers. The group of UNL students was joined by a student from the University of eled by train from Dresden to Nebraska–Kearney and another from Boston College. The classes met in a classroom at a dental Berlin and had the opportunity college, which was only a 15-minute walk from their hotel in the center of Paris. to form one last image of the “I loved going to a café and having chocolate, and then we would just sit and talk about the German culture. readings and stories. It was a cute little setting,” said Linsey Marshall, a junior news-ed major. “The one memory that The media course dealt with two texts, “Seducing the French” by Richard F. Kuisel and “The stands out is the last day of the United States of Europe” by T.R. Reid. Kuisel’s book, recommended to Struthers by UNL history trip when Germany was playing professor Patrice Berger, who also chairs the University Honors Program, chronicles the Argentina in the quarter finals Americanization of French culture from the late 1940s through the 1980s. Struthers chose the of the World Cup,” Sorensen second book because T.R. Reid had visited and spoken on campus. Students were able to view said. “In the morning we got Reid’s archived presentation on the UNL Web site. decked out in red, black and Outside of class, the international media students wrote stories, researching topics ranging gold clothes and face paint and from the French people’s opinions of President Bush to the prevalence of dogs in every Paris went to ‘fan mile.’” location except the grocery stores. “Fan mile” stretched for “It was interesting doing interviews in France because it was hard to know where to go to two kilometers through the find sources and if they could speak English,” explained Tessa Lorenzen, a junior advertising and heart of Berlin. It was where one public relations major. million people from around the Marshall edited the stories as well as writing her own. Stories were posted on NewsNet- world gathered to watch the Nebraska.org, the multi-media news and information service of the College of Journalism and game on several giant screens. Mass Communications. Students from both classes also participated in online blogs throughout Bohuslavsky said everything the trip, but the work didn’t stop there. she saw was related to soccer: “One woman was writing about new museums opening in Paris for ‘L’ magazine, and anoth- “Bushes were shaped and spray er was working on her honors thesis focusing on mens magazines while we were there,” Lorenzen painted as soccer balls.” said. It was at “fan mile” that The trip also included tours of newspapers and advertising agencies. Lorenzen said she Sorensen experienced his most enjoyed the opportunity to see advertising in a new light. surreal aspect of the trip. “As an ad major, I loved looking at how advertisements varied. In France, advertising is “I guess Dave from our sophisticated and admired — so they cannot market things the same way they do in the U.S. class started talking to Dave even for American products. London’s advertisements were also very different. It was incredible from Wales. The other Daves to see how different ads are in different countries.” heard the conversation and The group tried to average at least one media-related visit a week, Struthers said. joined in. They exchanged cell Her favorite was a tour of a RSCG, the world’s fifth largest global agency network. >> 18 phone numbers, and after the game, we all met at that Irish The president of CFPJ in Paris (left) poses with Maggie Tunning, Linsey Marshall, pub to listen to the Germans Kristy Bohnet, Tessa Lorenzen and Amy Struthers sing American oldies,” Sorensen said. Hachtmann said the students were amazed at the intense atmosphere of the World Cup games, even when compared to Nebraska football or the Super Bowl. “It was the magical summer to be in Germany,” Hachtmann said. ■ Photo courtesy Amy Struthers’Amy courtesy Photo members class 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 17 COLLEGE

>> Paris study from 17 a complicated & complex “EURO RSCG was a huge agency that took an old decrepit building in a rundown Paris neighborhood and renovated it into opportunity something modern yet historic,” Struthers said. “The renovation even helped to clean up the area around it. Our tour guide took by KELLI LANGDON us to the roof, and you could see all of Paris, including Sacre Coeur and the Eiffel Tower. They even had lawn chairs up on the roof.” ean Hagewood was asked to While students enjoyed the tours and class time, nothing could take the place of the pure French experience. play with the Clinton “The best part was our picnics under the Eiffel Tower as a Elementary School band. The group,” Marshall said. “We bought baguettes and wine and cheese; we’d all chip in and pass it around. It was fun to see the French trumpet player was missing, people at ease, and there would always be people juggling.” The students learned the nuances of French culture, includ- and someone had to fill that ing body language. Ssmall yet crucial role. “If you smile and say ‘Hi,’ they think you want them,” Marshall said of the French men. “French women don’t look men Sean timidly accepted the stories they found at and in the eye; they ignore the man if they are not interested. We assignment and, with the anx- around Clinton into an in- learned to be mean and stare at the ground. It’s not rude. It just iety of any young person who depth look at the school and means ‘not interested.’” has just been called upon, sat its neighborhood. The group gained a clearer perspective of French culture not down in the hard, plastic seat. The J school’s depth only through day-to-day life but also through special visits, He attempted to harmonize reports are typically large- including one that became Struthers’ favorite part of the trip. with the rest of the musicians scale, time-intensive creations “Harriet Welty Rochefort invited all of us into her home for a and their instruments, but the of articles and pictures for a wine and cheese party. She is an American journalist married to a trumpet valves weren’t oiled glossy magazine. Although French man and author of a number of books, including “French well enough. depth reports are sometimes Toast.” She writes about being an outsider to the culture and how “I ended up sounding stressful to produce, students to understand. We were able to talk about the issues of cross-cul- like a fifth grader,” Hagewood and faculty involved say they tural communication. One of the simple differences we talked said, chuckling. are well worth the time and about was wine as food. In France you don’t drink to get drunk. It Hagewood isn’t in fifth effort. They allow students to is about small samples to enjoy.” grade. He’s not in middle get useful experience and to The trip helped break down stereotypes, Struthers said. school; he’s not even in high reveal interesting issues. “There is the myth that French people are lazy, which is com- school. Hagewood graduated Mary Kay Quinlan, a J pletely untrue,” Struthers explained. “They have five vacation from the J school in school factulty member and weeks required by law, but their productivity per hour exceeds December. He was at Clinton teacher for the Clinton report, ours. We just stretch the work out over more hours.” Elementary School last spring said, “The depth reports give Marshall said the biggest thing she learned was that students observing a music class for a students the opportunity to have plenty of opportunities beyond Lincoln and the United depth report. And one of his learn about the process of States. It may sound like a cliché, she said, but the trip showed her assignments, this one from a writing and reporting about how true it really is. “You’re not limited; there are so many things Clinton teacher, was to be the a complex topic.” you can do.” band’s trumpet player for the Getting into the commu- Students can benefit in many ways from such trips abroad. day. nity was a main goal of this “Students can differentiate themselves in the job market,” But Hagewood did more report about an elementary Struthers said. “Instead of saying ‘I took this foreign language in than help out in the brass sec- school on the north side of college or I fulfilled the high school requirements,’ you can say tion; he and his fellow J town, not too far from the you have actually been there.” school classmates used their university. In addition to giv- She thought Mohammed put it best: “Don’t tell me how edu- journalism skills to paint a ing readers a look into the cated you are; tell me how much you traveled.” picture of one of Lincoln’s school, the project allowed “It was the trip of a lifetime,” said Lorenzen. “I’ve been on most diverse elementary everyone involved to gain a spring breaks and many trips before, but actually being able to schools and, in the process, better understanding of the immerse yourself in a culture is an incredible experience.” found many touching stories influence of local journalism. “It is life-changing,” Struthers said. “I had a student from close to home. “You get into journalism western Nebraska who had never been on an airplane, and all of a “There are stories that by doing things like this,“ said sudden she is in one of the biggest cities in the world. It is so vital need to be told in the com- Joel Gehringer, a news-ed to see that so many views exist outside of here.” munity,” Hagewood said. major who worked on editing The J school plans to continue its study abroad program in “You just need to find them.” the report. “Part of the maga- summer 2007, said Struthers, who encourages students to sign up. The journalism students zine was to get these stories “The lived experience of travel — there’s nothing like it.” ■ turned the many interesting out there and be involved in 18 WINTER 2006-2007 ALUNI NEWS 33 ( in-depth ) the community.” The seed of the project was planted in November 2006 when Quinlan agreed to teach a depth-reporting class. She said she looked for a topic that would captivate readers, explore unknown problems and have interesting stories with a proximity to local readers. “I hope these projects provide insights into the community that it might not otherwise get,” Quinlan said. Quinlan wanted to give insight to UNL’s own Lincoln community and teach journalism students that stories can be found right here at home. This approach differed from other depth reports about far- off places such as Cuba, Sri Lanka and France. “Although international stories are important,” Quinlan said, “the depth Clinton depth report cover, photo by David Story reports are also a place to show students the number of The school differs from many Family One Big House, an-in English Language Learners stories at home.” other elementary schools in depth look at Lincoln’s program, the idea of art as an When thinking of possi- Lincoln, and Quinlan wanted Clinton Elementary School,” is outlet and the families living ble homegrown stories, to give the community a look divided into three sections: the in the unique Clinton neigh- Quinlan’s interest in education at this special and diverse people, the school and the borhood. Each story and page led her quickly to a decision to school. neighborhood. The magazine’s reflects the accomplishments report about a school. “It’s easy for people in 18 articles include stories of students at Clinton and Quinlan contacted Mona Lincoln to ignore poverty,” she about the teachers, the stu- showcases the progress this Manley, a former principal at said. “People can live their dents, the families and the school has made. The report her sons’ school, who had whole lives in Lincoln thinking church next door along with lets people view the education become the principal of everyone else is just like them.” profiles of the school nurse, system in Lincoln differently. Clinton Elementary School. Quinlan and her six stu- the family-care coordinator As with any complicated Manley was instantly enthusi- dents set out to show citizens and the police officer who is a task, the Clinton project hit astic about the proposal, and in Lincoln that diversity exists liaison between the school and some bumps; Quinlan said at the project officially began at even within their own city the Lincoln police. A culmi- times the project was over- Clinton, a school that may limits. The journalism stu- nating story describes “A day whelming, but she said com- often have been largely invisi- dents toured the school and in the life at Clinton plexity is always part of a big ble to the drivers on 27th heard from guest speakers in Elementary School.” project. street, the busy roadway only a their depth reporting class. Each of the stories reflects “It will always turn out few blocks from the unique The combination of seeing the sense of cohesiveness more complicated than you school. and hearing about the school between the home and the think,” she said. “There will be Many of the school’s stu- gave them the information school that is vital to Clinton. more twists and turns than dents are from families below they needed to create the In the report, Jo Theis, the you anticipate, it’s always more the poverty level and, in the report and to begin telling the assistant principal said, “Trust time consuming than you past, had poor test scores. many stories found at the must be established between think and you always know Ninety three percent of the school. school and home, and that that the sum is greater than students receive free or Then the student editors trust is built one contact at a the total of the parts.” reduced-price lunches. Despite went to work in a class taught time.” The students also some- the many challenges, Clinton during summer school by The report describes the times felt the heat. has accomplished many Nancy Anderson, another of structure of Clinton, its per- “It was a lot of work, no things, and the teacher the J school’s faculty. The formance on tests, the impor- doubt about that. I filled two- turnover rate is extremely low. resulting magazine, “One Big tance of the school nurses, the >> 20 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 19 COLLEGE

>> Clinton from 19 and-a-half reporter’s note- Ghanaians books and at least four 90- minute mini-cassettes and sent out more than 100 e- adapt to life’s mails during the spring semester,” Hagewood said about the workload. limitatons As the stress mounted, though, Quinlan guided her students through the taxing by KAREN SCHMIDT process. “Dr. Quinlan worked hen I arrived in closely with students on story drafts, offering a lot of advice Accra, Ghana, on and encouragement,” Hagewood said. August 1 for a year of This encouragement study at the Univer- helped make the depth report investigative and enlightening. sity of Ghana, I was The report shed light on the greeted by young girls trying to sell me challenges the school faces but W also put its accomplishments yams, watches, bags of water — whatev- in the spotlight — and helped attract volunteers to the er they could carry on their heads. health office. People call them the kayayoo girls. This “This article let our community know that there are is just the way I pictured Africa, I families and community members that need support, thought. That was all the thought I gave not just in the Clinton area to them at the time. but in many areas of Lincoln,” principal Manley said. Accra, a West African city of 3 million people, seemed like a News-ed major Karen Schmidt The Clinton depth report good place to spend a year. It’s big, it’s on the coast and it’s is surrounded by friends in also helped J school students chaotic. When I left my room on campus to run errands, do vol- Ghana by giving them experience and unteer work at an orphanage or visit friends and their families, I knowledge they can take with found streets full of bad drivers and persistent street hawkers — school wasn’t a problem. them into their future careers. not a good combination. I watched the kayayoo girls dodge traf- Neither was college. “It’s a First Amendment fic under the strong African sun (which was even stronger than I told her about the jobs responsibility to give the read- I’d expected it to be), and I found it a little entertaining. I’d worked. I told her that jobs er a better understanding of A few weeks after my arrival, I went to a wedding and met were easy to find, and if I did- the community to make edu- my friend Anastasia, who was once one of those kayayoo girls. n’t like my job, I could quit cated decisions as voters,” During Anastasia’s elementary school days, she sold food on the and find another. It was then Quinlan said about the streets just to pay for school fees and a meal before bed. “You see that I began to realize how importance of the reports. the kids selling things and laugh,” she said. “But it’s not funny. many choices I’d been given as She said everyone It’s quite painful.” an American. involved in the project gained Although Ghana’s public schools provide free tuition for Anastasia’s education something. The students and elementary and junior high schools, they don’t provide money ended after junior high. Her faculty at Clinton had their for school fees, books or uniforms. Many children are expected family couldn’t pay for her school shown to the public; to pay these fees themselves, as Anastasia was. In the morning, high school tuition as they the J school’s student she went to school. In the afternoon, she was selling on the had for her older brother. She reporters and editors acquired streets. By the time she arrived home at night, she was exhaust- works at home as a seamstress. knowledge and experience as ed. She didn’t even think about studying for school the next There’s not enough room in well as a great showcase for morning. her small house for a sewing their work. “Education in Ghana is difficult,” she said. “When you’re machine, so she sews outside. “So far we’ve had nothing worrying about fees, how can you have a sound mind to “I would love to go to but positive feedback,” study?” school again, but the money is Quinlan said, “and there’s Anastasia asked me questions about my childhood and edu- keeping me from it,”Anastasia gratification in that. We’ve cation. I told her that, yes, all my friends and I went to elemen- said. So she reads storybooks, accomplished what we set tary school. No, we didn’t worry about money at the time. Yes, the dictionary, anything she out to.” ■ our teachers showed up to class each day. No, making it to high can get her hands on. “I do my 20 WINTER 2006-2007 ALUNI NEWS 33 ing the north for the life of a also happy that I was not one kayayoo girl in Accra. of them. Today Hawa is the director I love to make plans. of Northern Friends for When I was in high school, I Development: Kayayoo was looking forward to college. Activities Project, a program When I was at UNL last year, I in Tamale, the capital of was looking forward to my year Ghana’s northern region, that abroad. Now that I’m in Africa, aims to keep girls from leaving I sometimes find myself look- the north by helping them start ing forward to returning home their own small businesses. The at the end of the year. Would I project, which has operated have been too restless to begin since September 2005, receives a career at the age of 12 and funding and volunteer teachers stick with it, year after year? from the Netherlands and Probably. Canada. Even some of my friends The girls learn practical at the University of Ghana, the skills such as hairdressing and fortunate and educated weaving in the morning and Ghanaians, didn’t get to make subjects such as math, English plans the way I did. My room- and French in the afternoon. mate, Irene, wanted to study Hawa hopes to prepare the business, but her father said girls to open their own hair she would study home sciences salons or weaving shops, so instead. “It depends on fami- volunteers also teach them lies, but normally they dictate business principles. for girls what they will study,” “You have to push them,” Irene said. “Guys can choose Photo courtesy Karen Schmidt said Hawa, who visits neigh- what they want to do.” borhoods to convince these I got to pick my own own learning at home so I can children began playing, not girls to come to learn at her course of study. And if I want polish my English,” she said. working, in the streets. school. “You have to teach to, I can change my mind and Compared to others, Justice, a man I met in one them everything. At home, they study something else. Anastasia was lucky. She was of those villages, said that an don’t get any teaching.” This is Irene’s fourth year working only half days. At least assembly man oversees each I wondered what those of studying something she’s she had some education. village and doesn’t allow chil- girls were doing all day before not even interested in. Her In the mornings, I buy dren to work during the school Hawa found them. I wondered aunt, a lecturer in home sci- eggs from young girls at the day. He laughed at the thought if they liked their simple lives, ences at the University of market. They work all day; they of children selling in the streets and I wondered if they even Ghana, would like Irene to take don’t go to school. In the after- of his village as they do in the considered their lives simple. her place as a lecturer one day. noons, I ride tro-tros (mini- streets of Accra. Fourteen girls are in the Irene, soft spoken and shy, buses) to town and pay the bus But a growing number of program. Ten of those girls doesn’t want to be a lecturer. fare to the young boys work- Ghanaians are leaving their vil- never received any schooling. She still wants to study busi- ing. More children come up to lages in hopes of finding jobs The other four received part of ness. my bus window, trying to sell and new lives in the city. They an elementary school educa- Maybe Irene will never me newspapers, toilet paper, arrive in Accra, don’t find jobs tion. The youngest girls are 10 study business. Maybe even copies of Ghana’s consti- and join the kayayoo girls and years old (although most of the Anastasia will never get the tution. They don’t go to school, hawkers on the streets. girls don’t know their exact money to go back to school. either. Hawa, a woman from age), and the program lasts two Maybe the kayayoo girls will I spent two weeks traveling northern Ghana, noticed that years. That means some girls never leave the streets. But through Ghana with another young women were leaving the will begin their life-long maybe they’ll be happy anyway. American student. We spent north to find jobs in the south. careers at the age of 12. Maybe they’ve learned to be time in villages, where I never “I was in Accra,” she said. “I I was happy for the girls. I happy with decisions they did- saw kids working like they do saw the kayayoo girls, but they was happy that Hawa found n’t make and lives they didn’t in Accra. Those villages, quiet were speaking northern lan- them, and I was happy that choose. during the day, came alive guages.” Hawa said it made her they accepted her offer and I wonder if I would be. ■ when the school day ended and sad to see that girls were leav- came to her school. But I was 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 21 COLLEGE Covering the aftermath OF TWIN DISASTERS affects students’ views

by JENNIFER OLSON At first, the boy was grateful. “Finally, some water,” a Sri Lankan boy thought as he watched a giant wave rushing to shore. “The chicks have been thirsty.”

“Such an innocent thought,” said Krystal Overmyer, a UNL journalism student who interviewed the boy a year after a tsunami destroyed his home. It was one of many poignant moments that remain with Overmyer, one of 10 students from the journalism college who traveled to Sri Lanka in late 2005 to document the Christmas 2004 dev- astation. The students’ journey ultimately would change the way they looked at themselves and the world. A The group had a unique opportunity to research an international story in post-tsunami Sri Lanka and post- CHANGED Katrina New Orleans as part of a depth reporting class. The poverty students Faculty members Joe Starita and Jerry Renaud accompa- REALITY encountered was shocking, espe- nied the group, whose mission was to answer the ques- cially in Sri Lanka. Renaud, ges- tion: “What can we learn from these horrific events?” turing around his desk in his 12- The original focus of the report was Sri Lanka, and Students each received three foot square office, said people in the class prepared to travel there with the help of Sriyani story assignments months in Sri Lanka would divide a similar- and Tom Tidball, old friends of the college, Renaud said. advance. They spent the first ly sized room in half, with a fami- The Tidballs live part of the year in Nebraska and the rest semester of the class researching ly of five living on each side. in Sriyani’s native Sri Lanka where they operate the Sri Lankan history, politics and The most powerful image, Community Concern Society. They recommended that the ethnic conflicts there. They Renaud said, was that of a train students study the ethnic conflicts and culture of Sri generated lengthy source lists and where 3,000 Sri Lankans who Lanka in addition to the aftermath of the tsunami. contacted their sources for inter- could not swim tried to climb on As the planning for the Sri Lanka trip was in views. Later, they sifted through top of the cars to escape the mas- progress, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August hundreds of U.S. government sive wall of water rushing toward 2005. The students saw graphic pictures all over the news. documents from the House and them. There was no escape for “New Orleans looked like a Third World country Senate that were released six them. They all died. here in America,” Renaud said. months after Katrina hit New Perspective-altering experi- College officials saw a unique opportunity for stu- Orleans. ences are important for budding dents to compare and contrast the situations in Sri Lanka In addition to the extensive journalists. Exposing students to and New Orleans, so they set up travel arrangements to research, the students talked to an experience such as the Sri Louisiana for two broadcasting students and a faculty dozens of people in Sri Lanka Lanka/New Orleans project is a member. during their visit there. Students great stepping stone to success, “The utter destruction was very much the same with who were not able to set up inter- Starita said. half a world in between the disasters,” said Kelly Mosier, views before arriving in Sri Lanka “It’s hard to take Donald one of the broadcasting students who traveled to both started scheduling interviews as Trump or Paris Hilton seriously areas. soon as they got to the hotel, after seeing a tsunami refugee To prepare to write a magazine and produce a docu- some for as early as the next day, camp,” Starita said. mentary, the students participated in a year-long depth Starita said. During their two- And the students had an reporting class. week stay in Sri Lanka, the stu- opportunity to write about things “These were some of our best and brightest students interviewed more than 50 that profoundly affect themselves dents,” Starita said. people. and others. 22 WINTER 2006-2007 ALUNI NEWS 33 Students collaborate on Election Night coverage

by BRADY JONES College is all about experiences. It’s the bridge between a student’s dependence on parents and the greener-grass side of adulthood. Here, in a comfortable middle ground, one can breathe life into the words of that frizzy-haired elementary teacher with the magic school bus: Take chances. Make mistakes. For students at the journalism college, this year’s mid-term elections ■ Sri Lankan villagers attempt offered a chance to make Ms. Frizzle to salvage debris in the aftermath of the tsunami. proud. Photo courtesy Tom and Sriyani Tidball and Sriyani Tom courtesy Photo

“The students are going to ture. Most recently, Starita said, inherit a small, complex inter- Kansas State University asked connected world unlike any- the UNL students to visit and thing else that has ever existed,” share their expertise on interna- Starita said. “We need to prepare tional reporting. them for that.” “I learned more on this trip This is the J school’s third than in any other class,” group of students to set out on Overmyer said. “It was the cap- investigative journeys outside stone of my work in the jour- U.S. borders. Past reports nalism college.” focused on Cuba and France. In The devastating images of January 2007, a group traveled Hurricane Katrina and the to Germany; that magazine and tsunami that racked Sri Lanka documentary will be released in will haunt the world for years to late summer. come. The disasters and their The Sri Lanka/New Orleans aftermath profoundly affected depth report premiered its mag- the student journalists who cov- azine and documentary “In The ered them — both in how they Wake of Catastrophe” in The view their work and how they Photo by UNL by Photo & Publications Photography Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts view themselves. CREIGHTON Center in Lincoln on the one- “This project was so much year anniversary of Hurricane bigger than those of us who Trina Creighton, the broadcasting faculty member Katrina. The event left the Ross worked on it,” Mosier said. who taught the news videography class during fall semes- with standing room only, Starita Overmyer said she realized ter, worked with a flock of journalism students to manage said, so the J college held anoth- the importance of the project the production of a four-hour election coverage program er event two nights later. because people still needed help. produced by students, broadcast live from the college via The documentary and mag- “We gave a voice to voice- the public access channel and streamed on the NewsNet azine were sold at the event with less people,” she said, “and Web site, making it available across the globe. great success. The Lincoln maybe this report will help the “I just wanted to do it big and make it look like the Journal Star ran excerpts from victims now and help prepare commercial TV stations,” Creighton said. “It was the the magazine as a three-day fea- for any future disasters.” ■ highlight of my semester.” >> 24 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 23 COLLEGE >> Election night coverage from 23 Creighton said the whole thing started when she changed an assignment for the 15 students in her videography class to a political coverage piece, generating some material for the show. But as word about the coverage Estrogen spread around the college, students from all three disci- and a plines volunteered to help with the project. “Anyone who wanted could be involved,” Creighton sportswriters’ tale said. “That was what was so cool about it.” The students produced multiple packages, including coverage of President Bush’s pre-election visit to Nebraska, a few pieces on the proposed spending cap and a spot on Third District Democratic congressional candidate Scott Kleeb; they were the only news outlet to do a piece on Kleeb. As election returns started coming in, the J school newsroom was hopping. Students wrote out scripts, manned the studio equipment and hammered out the technical and aesthetic aspects of the broadcast. They went out to election events and brought back coverage of victory and concession speeches and taped live interviews with political science professor John Hibbing and J school faculty members John Bender and Charlyne Berens about the different aspects of the political process. “We covered everything the commercial reporters covered,” Creighton said, “and you know what the students said? ‘Oh, my goodness! They were treating us like we were journalists.’ And I said, ‘You are!’ They liked the feeling of being in the mix, and that’s what we wanted.” Megan Carrick, a senior broadcasting major and producer of the election program, said she was really glad to be a part of the coverage. She said her favorite part of the experience was working with her friends on the project while learning a lot about the process. “The faculty thought it would be a great learning experience for all the students involved, as well as another bragging right for the college,” Carrick said. “Not only did I learn more about the technical aspects of television production, but I also learned the importance of staying calm, Thorson Bruce by Photo being patient and being a team player. … This was a huge production with more than 50 students volunteering their by KATELYN KERKHOVE | Junior news-editorial major time to help, and I was expected to tell them what they needed to do and when they needed to do it.” At the end of the night, when all of the excitement had Walking into a Memorial Stadium press died down and elections had been decided, knowledge and room full of middle-aged men spouting experience were the real winners. “I think these kinds of experiences are imperative to football trivia would seem intimidating to journalism students, especially broadcasting majors,” Carrick said. “Everyone involved learned so much about most females. television production. … Also, taking risks like election That’s because, well, it is. coverage is an important step in keeping the J school competitive and increasing the educational level of all stu- The way I’ve learned to handle being dents.” one of the lone female football writers is: Creighton was really energized by the entire experience and is ready to work on the next big project. Don’t show up in a dress, high heels or “I think we’ve just touched the very surface here,” she said. “I think it shows us what we are capable of, and I with your nose pierced, especially at the think with a little planning, the students in this college will same time. It just doesn’t make for good blow away the community with what they are capable of doing.” ■ conversation. 24 WINTER 2006-2007 ALUNI NEWS 33 Nonetheless, this atmosphere, fit in with my writing peers by UNL WRITERS LOOK AT STATE with all of its male-bonding, is my sporting baseball caps. However, I job, and I’ve embraced it. found that my favorite Duke hat Small-town, rural issues Putting aside the many differ- covered my eyes and let coaches illuminated in series by ences between my life and the and players escape more complex lives of these male writers — no questions because of the lack of journalism students wife, no kids, no high school foot- eye contact. ball past — I’ve come to the sim- Conclusion: No hat. Wear Thanks to seven journalists-in-training at the University of ple conclusion that picking their wedges. Stilettos sink into the Nebraska–Lincoln, central and western Nebraskans have brains is quite beneficial. turf. received a timely primer on key rural and small-town issues as After two severe blisters Next, ask questions. I never the Legislature begins a new session. turned to scars following a two- understand why some people The Kearney Hub, the North Platte Telegraph and the hour tromp around the new assume they know everything Scottsbluff Star-Herald (three newspapers owned by The Nebraska athletic facilities at the about football. World-Herald) recently ran a 15-part series written by mem- beginning of the season, I took I don’t. bers of last fall’s class in depth reporting at UNL’s College of the obvious advice from a veteran Whether it’s asking what a Journalism and Mass Communications. male writer and have opted to touchback is — please tell me Professors John Bender, Mary Kay Quinlan and Carolyn don less trendy shoes in the hopes you know that — or whether or Johnsen guided the project, in which student journalists inter- of saving my feet. not NU coach Bill Callahan chose viewed residents and officials in the three papers’ coverage Two months later, I’m happy the right blitz pickup informa- areas, plus state leaders and UNL experts on rural issues. The series’ major focus was on Nebraska’s 93 counties, to say I’ve moved on to more pro- tion, ask. but some stories explored other vital issues: discontent over fessional lessons: Nebraska foot- At the weekly Tuesday press state and local taxes, the future of small towns and schools, ball oddities, lingo and history. conference following Nebraska’s Latino immigration, “brain drain” and job-growing strategies What I’ve come up with, I 28-10 loss to Southern California such as value-added agriculture. pass along to you in hopes of on Sept. 16, I pushed my way into It is encouraging to see these Nebraska journalism stu- transforming our generation into the huddle of tape recorders and dents directing their energies toward issues of such funda- male and female football experts. asked junior running back Kenny mental importance to the state. Among the notable findings Dumbing it down is not an Wilson the following: presented in the UNL series: option. Just because I’m a female “What did you take away ■ Eighty-six counties have a county clerk doing the jobs doesn’t mean I don’t know foot- from the USC game?” that are handled elsewhere by two to five elected officials. ball. Seriously, it’s been my life His answer: “I don’t know; ■ A 2004 survey found that 98 percent of counties and 80 since April. nothing really.” percent of cities and villages share services through interlocal So here’s the real deal. OK, so my plan backfired. agreements. If you want to get into the Blushing a little and glancing over ■ Law enforcement and road needs drive up county budg- nitty gritty, you have to focus on to my Daily Nebraskan writing ets. “It doesn’t matter if there are five guys farming (land) or the game: every alignment, every partners who laughed at me 500,” said Perkins County Commissioner James Deaver. “You play, every movement. Pick out a unmercifully, I walked away from still have to have the roads.” position and watch that guy, just the experience thinking, ‘He ■ Despite perceptions of ever-rising property taxes that guy. looked worse than I did, right?’ (which, in fact, do regularly rise in dollars unadjusted for infla- My bread and butter is the Hope so. tion), since 1968 the combined state and local tax bite into offensive line. While it is not the But for the most part, the personal income has hovered around 10 percent, says Tom most glorious position to follow, Nebraska coaching staff has been Bergquist, deputy director of the Legislative Fiscal Office. ■ Former Gov. Norbert Tiemann, defeated for re-election it has allowed me to learn the fairly welcoming to my attempts. in 1970 after securing the state’s first income and sales taxes, offense as a whole rather than bit For at least the next six said “a lot of the people who had supported me (in 1966) were by bit. weeks, Husker Nation will contin- now against me. So when I asked them, ‘What did you go and Think about it this way: The ue to follow the arm of senior vote against me for? I told you what I was going to do,’ they O-line blocks for the quarterback quarterback Zac Taylor, and those said to me, ‘We didn’t think that you’d get it done.’ People real- and the running backs, so if you of us in the sixth floor skyboxes ly resent change.” learn everything about these will continue to write about it. Many reporters and editors across the Midlands, not to guards and tackles, you are also By Nebraska’s Nov. 24 game mention some at the nation’s largest papers, first learned learning these scoring positions. against Colorado, I guarantee to their craft at the UNL journalism college. It’s good to see the To dig deeper, find out about have used my professional male school sharing the talents of its budding writers with the their different handgrips, schemes counterparts for better advice Nebraskans who help give them their start through the state and shuffles. than what shoes to wear. ■ university. ■ As a side note, this is a good time to wear heels. That way, you This column appeared in the The UNL series may be read on the North Platte Telegraph can look these big men in the eye. Oct. 11, 2006, edition of the Web site (www.nptelegraph.com). Click on “Advanced During the spring, I didn’t Daily Nebraskan and is reprint- Search,” type “UNL” in the byline search box and choose “last realize this trick and attempted to ed by permission. 30 days.” This editorial appeared in the Jan. 17, 2007, Omaha World-Herald. 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 25 ALUMNI fyi oversees. Kuhlman’s most recent addition opened in Lincoln’s SouthPointe Pavilions on May 12. It’s what’s called a flagship store, meaning it has both the men’s and women’s lines. If the experiences of Kuhlman’s two other Nebraska stores are any indication, the SouthPointe store should be well received and successful. “The store has done real well, and we’re real happy to have them,” said Rich Warren, general manager of One Pacific Place in Omaha, where Kuhlman opened its first Nebraska store last June. The company’s second Nebraska store opened at Omaha’s Village Pointe shopping center in October. Kim Jones, Village Pointe’s marketing director, said Kuhlman “fits very well” in the mall’s lineup of stores. “Their unique mix of apparel is unlike anything we have here at Village Pointe, so it was a nice complement,” Jones said. That unique mix includes brightly Nebraska colored woven shirts with European styling and has been referred to as “luxu- natives ry for the masses.” While Kuhlman caters to young pro- a fessionals, its clothes are appealing to a wide demographic. “My dad (who’s in his 70s) wears it fashion from head to toe,” Susan Kuhlman said.

Lincoln Journal Star Journal Lincoln Warren said he owns two Kuhlman shirts, “and whenever I wear them, people always ask me, ‘Where’d you get that?’” Rob Simon, a retail veteran and lec-

Photo courtesy courtesy Photo turer on the subject at the University of by MATT OLBERDING HITThey opened a store. The result: a Nebraska–Lincoln, said Kuhlman fills a Lincoln Journal Star nearly overnight success story. couple of different niches. That first store, in Minneapolis, was One, its clothing is very colorful, Scott and Susan Kuhlman didn’t neces- almost immediately profitable, and in which is different from most of its com- sarily set out to open their own clothing less than three years, the company has petitors, and two, everything is priced in store. grown to about 50 stores in 19 states and the midrange. The western Nebraska natives and the District of Columbia. Men’s shirts are $55-$75, and ties are former Lincoln residents were perfectly While profitability has eluded the $45. Suits for both men and women run happy running a wholesale business out company — it posted a nearly $9 mil- about $400-$500. of Minneapolis that provided clothing lion loss in 2005, and its stock, which is Simon said Kuhlman also is in posi- for large retailers. publicly traded on the American Stock tion to benefit from a corporate culture The work meant frequent business Exchange, is hovering near a 52-week that is becoming a little more formal than trips to Europe. While there, they noticed low — its prospects seem bright. the days of the ’90s Internet craze, but a trend: shops on virtually every corner Sales more than doubled in the first not quite as buttoned-down as the ’80s were selling brightly colored woven shirts quarter of this year. Wall Street days. for men. The Kuhlman Company recently “I think the kind of merchandise Thinking that was an idea that recruited a former Sears executive to be they carry fits very well in that niche,” might appeal to shoppers in the United its part-time chief executive officer, and Simon said. States — a sort of Starbucks model for the company has an ambitious growth clothing stores — they pitched it to plan that aims at doubling the number of GETTING THEIR START their clients, to no avail. stores within a year. So how did two people from small-town “In our frustration, we decided to What began as a men’s shirt compa- Nebraska wind up starting a hip cutting- get our own shirts together,” Susan ny now has men’s suits and a women’s edge clothing chain? Kuhlman said. line of clothing, which Susan Kuhlman For Scott Kuhlman, now 42, the call- 26 WINTER 2006-2007 WS 33 ing came early — in seventh grade, actually. Darren and Cassie Ivy, ’00 That’s when his science teacher in Ogallala quit to open a clothing store and Scott began working there after school. Susan Kuhlman said Scott has been in It’s a Family Affair the clothing business ever since, except for a short stint around 1989 or ’90 when he managed Lincoln’s Prairie Life Center at 70th and A streets. Before beginning his own business, Scott worked for various clothing companies, including the upscale Joseph Abboud. He also worked as a buyer at Ben Simon’s in Lincoln, which was owned by Simon’s family. Simon said Kuhlman’s clothing “kind of reflects the taste I remember Scott had as a buyer.” Susan’s road to the clothing business was a little more winding. She graduated from UNL, where she met Scott, with a degree in broadcasting in 1986 and then did stints at “Backyard Farmer” and a cable TV gardening show. But when she and Scott moved to

Minneapolis, she found it difficult to break & Darren courtesy Photo Ivy Cassie into the local TVscene. So she got a job as a manufacturer’s rep- by SARAH BAKER, ’01 resentative for a neckwear company and later became involved with Scott’s wholesaling It’s 18 miles south to Sutton, Neb., from the business. town closest to Interstate 80, Henderson. The Susan, also 42, who is from Cozad, said Midwestern upbringing has a lot to do with land in between is flat, covered with corn and their drive to succeed. “I was raised to work hard and make soybeans, and the only sound is of late summer something succeed,” she said. cicadas and crickets singing in the sun. OPPORTUNITY FOR SUCCESS Darren Ivy and his wife, Cassie, they’d be welcomed. But it took eight or Long-term success for the company is still to drove down this stretch many times nine trips to the town before Darren was be determined. before making the town at the southern convinced. But the Kuhlmans believe in their prod- end their home. “Owning a paper versus working as uct and believe there is a market out there When they first visited, Darren, a a reporter at a daily — it’s a perpendi- for it. sportswriter, published book author and cular turn,” Ivy said. “It’s actually a com- “We continue to believe that we have a newspaper man and UNL journalism pletely new path.” After graduating from national market opportunity, and we are graduate, didn’t think enough could ever UNL’s journalism program in May 2000, determined to be prepared, both operational- happen here to sustain a newspaper, the Ivys moved around the country: four ly and strategically, to execute on a growth even a weekly. What would there be to months in Omaha, four years in Little plan that will flow strong returns and value write about? His wife, Cassie, also a Rock, Ark., where their first daughter to our shareholders for many years to come,” journalist, didn’t think he’d ever want to was born, and then a short stint in Scott Kuhlman said in April when the com- stay in such a sleepy place. Bentonville, Ark. pany announced its 2005 financial results. The weekly newspaper they’d begun The Ivys’ home in Bentonville had a Susan Kuhlman said that national to think of buying — the Clay County lot of the same traits they loved about opportunity is evident in Web site sales and News — had a devoted readership but Nebraska: miles of open pasture, cows the fact that residents of her hometown of needed a major aesthetic overhaul. The and a small-town feel. Soon after they Cozad have been wearing the brand almost Ivys saw a small town — Darren hadn’t arrived, most of that land fell prey to since it debuted. ever lived in a place with fewer than urban sprawl, and they found their once “We haven’t even begun to tap the sur- 20,000 residents — but the town had secluded home in the midst of thou- face,” she said. J well-kept homes, a pool that their two sands of new homes and a Wal-Mart. daughters, Josie, 3-1/2, and Brooklyn, They decided to do what they had to do now almost 14 months — would love. to get back to Nebraska. This story appeared in the May 21, 2006, edi- The people in Sutton made it known to Darren began applying for sports- tion of the Lincoln Journal Star and is reprinted the couple that if they did move to town, writing jobs in and around by permission. >> 28 J ALUMNI NEWS 27 ALUMNI fyi >> Ivys from 27 the Midwest. Cassie continued to story we go out and get.” work at a legal job she’d started in The changes in staff have been Bentonville, all the while learning a as numerous as those in design: It’s lot about the financial world. been no small feat for the Ivys to Darren didn’t have much luck with maintain a solid team. Darren’s the sports jobs, and so when the goal is to write about what the peo- opportunity to purchase a paper in ple in the town want to know about, Nebraska came their way, the cou- and he currently has a staff of three ple checked it out. The more times (himself, Cassie and a news they visited Sutton, the more they reporter) — to do that job. liked it. Cassie’s newfound financial Cassie has focused on sustain- knowledge, along with parents and ing the paper’s relationships with grandparents still living in Nebras- long-time advertisers and working ka, made the Ivys decide to become to garner new ones, all the while a newspaper family once and for taking care of the couple’s two all. They started negotiating to buy daughters. the Clay County News in July 2004; Another one of the modifica- they would be the sole owners by tions the Ivys made was converting March 2005. an old darkroom into a “kids’

The Ivys moved to Sutton in room.” The room is just off Darren’s Kugler Kevin courtesy Photo September 2004 and began work- office and has a number of toys as ing at the paper. Things were defi- well as a crib, which has come in nitely old school: The paper’s pro- handy many a late night or week- FORGET THE SUIT duction department worked in the end. At first, Darren would work cut-and-paste method, something anywhere from 60- to 100-hour Kugler does sports in blue jeans most papers abandoned for com- weeks. Now, his average is about puter programs decades ago. 50 hours, but that can change if a by JORDAN PASCALE Darren became the news reporter, story breaks. sports reporter and design director, “It’s going to take a community and Cassie sold ads, learning the for us to raise our kids,” Cassie When radio personality Kevin ropes from the community’s old said, laughing. “Community journal- Kugler was a teenager, he discov- hands in the business. ism is a different ball game. It’s a They finally took over a few different way of thinking, a different ered he was not athletic enough to months before the original turnover way of living. The challenges aren’t play varsity sports, but he still date and immediately began to the ones we foresaw.” make changes: The first thing As for Darren, he’s got his eye wanted to be a part of the sports Darren did was take the paste- on the future, both for his family boards out back and toss them and his business. He sees them as world. So in 1990, Kugler enrolled while installing design software on one: a family business. at the University of Nebraska– the computers. They added color to Earlier this year, the Ivys pur- the front page of the paper and chased a second community news- Lincoln’s College of Business made a number of other simple paper, The Doniphan Herald, and Administration, intent on becom- changes that added up to a sizably Ivy wants to purchase more. different look and feel for the paper. “When we bought (the Clay ing a sports agent. It’s been challenging covering County News) the owner sold it to the Clay County News’ community, us because we would keep it a fami- Kugler soon stumbled upon another unfortunate which includes 10 towns. Ten towns ly paper,” Darren said. “If I had the discovery: It seemed as if every student in the business means 10 city council meetings and capital, I’d buy five, six, seven, eight college was wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase to five school board meetings. more papers, run them the way they class. And that just was not Kugler’s style. Yet the sports National and international news, should be run and save the towns bug was still biting. Reinventing his dream, Kugler too, is a priority at the paper: two from being bled dry. And I know turned to Avery Hall and the journalism program to soldiers from the 10 towns the Clay there’s going to be enough news for pursue a degree in broadcasting. County News covers have died in my daughters to someday run these “My mom always told me that I should go into the war in Iraq. papers for themselves.” J broadcasting,” Kugler said. “She noticed that I had a “Big cities laugh at what we do knack for it because I would always pre-empt what the out here,” Darren said. “But this is This story appeared in the Winter TV announcer would say during the games. She always 100 percent pure local news. We 2006 edition of the Nebraska encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and I’m still don’t rely on wire services for our Magazine and is reprinted by per- thankful for her support.” content. Every story we have is a mission. Now 34, Kugler is living his dream of working with sports — and he gets to wear jeans to work. 28 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALUMNEWS 33 “My friends are still con- and issues,” said Kugler, adding Nessler routine while calling a thing, he would do more,” vinced that I don’t have a job,” that he’s had a lot of fun inter- live game,” Kugler said, laugh- Alloway said. “He had a good Kugler said. acting with Nebraska sports ing. grasp on play-by-play in col- This summer, Kugler was fans, whether they are talking From doing Husker foot- lege, and he understood the offered the opportunity to call about Husker football or just ball’s “Big Red Wrap Up” on two things you need to suc- nationally broadcast college engaging in “guy talk.” NETV to calling basketball, ceed in that: He had the tech- football games for Westwood “Nebraska has a passion football, soccer and even nical delivery aspect as well as One, the radio network where for sports. I remember cele- rodeo, it appears there is noth- a great command of the game, he had been calling College brating the national champi- ing Kugler hasn’t done. One and I think that demonstrates World Series games for the onship that Nebraska won in stone he has left unturned, why he has risen on the past three years. He expected ’94. The streets of Lincoln however, is calling play-by-play Westwood One ladder and to fill in maybe once or twice were flooded with people,” for a video game. done so well in his career.” in the season when the net- Kugler said. “Nebraskans are “That’s one thing that I Others in broadcasting work needed help, but when excited if we win, but if we have always wanted to do — apparently agree. For the past he got the call in July, lose, they are depressed or play-by-play for video games,” three years, Kugler has been Westwood One offered Kugler mad, but either way it turns Kugler said. “Heck, I think I’d voted “Nebraska Sportscaster the primary play-by-play posi- into great sports talk, and it even do it for a bad video of the Year.” Kugler said it’s a tion for national broadcast makes my job easy and enjoy- game — I think it would be great honor because the award each week alongside Terry able.” so much fun.” came from his peers in the Bowden, ex-college football Kugler said he loves his Kugler attributes much of business. coach turned color commenta- jobs equally but each has its his broadcasting success to his “It’s a great note of tor. own unique aspects. opportunities at UNL. In col- respect for me, and I’m really “Doing play-by-play is “I like how I can have fun lege, he said, he “definitely fortunate to work in this busi- hard to beat,” Kugler said. and be goofy on weekdays, and wasn’t the kind of guy to be ness,” Kugler said. “I’ve had the “Attempting to paint a picture then on weekends, I can be involved in the chess club” but privilege of meeting some fun of what’s in front of me and serious for the commentating,” participated in nearly every people and doing great things flying by the seat of my pants Kugler said. “I get the best of available broadcasting oppor- over the years. It’s amazing. If is the best. The atmosphere at both worlds.” tunity. He remembers doing someone told me 12 years ago games is so electric.” This fall, Unsportsmanlike an internship for KKAR in that I would be where I’m at “And working with Terry Conduct sponsored a contest Omaha that wasn’t the best for right now, I’d call ‘em crazy.” is great. He’s an easy guy to involving one of Kugler’s his social life. Every Friday and Kugler lives in Omaha work with, and he’s down to favorite pastimes — NCAA Saturday night from midnight with his wife, Michelle, of 12 earth and most of all, he’s very Football 2007 on XBOX 360. to six in the morning, all he years and his two young knowledgeable.” Each week, Kugler played did was announce the time daughters. The pair travels to the Nebraska’s opponent, and the and temperature every hour. “My family is great; they “game of the week” each listener who guessed the cor- But a more glamorous are so understanding. It’s diffi- Saturday. They’ve called the rect score of the game had a and fun memory of his college cult because I am gone on the Ohio State-Texas match up, chance to win an XBOX 360. career was his first sports talk weekends but they know that the Texas-Nebraska game and While Kugler is still “stellar” at show, Monday Night Sports I’m doing what I love,” Kugler USC vs. Oregon. After the the video game, the weekend Live, on UNL’s radio station said. “They are so supportive USC game, the Lincoln native job takes away from his play- KRNU. and loving, and so far it has found himself rubbing elbows ing time, so he admits he is “That show gave me a been working out. Hopefully, with Hollywood stars, includ- not as good as he used to be. head start to my career,” said they won’t get fed up with me ing comedian Andy Dick. “My friends say to me, ‘Ya Kugler, a 1994 graduate. “I and my career anytime soon.” “The producer of my know, you’re 34 years old. Isn’t don’t know about other As far as future endeavors show also produces Andy’s it time you stop playing video schools, but UNL gave me the go, Kugler is taking it step by radio show, and he was at an games?’” Kugler said. “I tell opportunities to get ahead and step. While he is always jump- after-party that my producer them that I’m not gonna stop succeed early in life. I wouldn’t ing at new opportunities, he was hosting,” Kugler said. until arthritis kicks in and I be where I am now without said that he is happy with his “Hanging out with celebrities can’t hold the controller any- the help of the J school, and current situation. is definitely not my forte, but more.” I’m forever grateful for it.” “I’m very satisfied with at least it creates good stories However, his hobby isn’t Broadcasting faculty the moment. I enjoy what I do for Monday’s show.” all fun and games. Early on in member and KRNU station and I’m living a dream — On weekdays, Kugler co- his career, Kugler used the director Rick Alloway remem- going to the biggest games hosts Unsportsmanlike video game as a practice tool bers being impressed with every weekend, going to great Conduct, a sports talk show, for calling play-by-play. Kugler’s abilities at the college cities, working with great peo- with Mike’l Severe on Omaha’s “I’ve played the game so level. ple. It’s a great gig.” Kugler 1620 the Zone. The show is much I have the commentary “Kevin was a hardworking said. “I’m fortunate to be “different from any other engrained into my brain. At student and put a lot into blessed with the opportunities sports talk show in that we times, I’m afraid that I might everything he did. Whenever I I’ve received. It’s everything don’t do just boring facts lapse into a Lee Corso or Brad would ask him to do some beyond my wildest dreams.” J 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 29 ALUMNI fyi “She was really into her major, especially the creative side,” said advertising faculty member Stacy James. UNL prepared Dinneen for all the facets of advertising. She said she believes the classes she took in layout and design, public relations and copywriting helped foster respect for the importance and difficulty of the jobs done by her co-workers. When Dinneen attended UNL in the late 1980s, technology was not as advanced as it is now. “In Cari’s day creative work had a look all its own,” James said. “Students hand-sketched visuals, traced headlines and executed their layouts with markers or colored pencils.” Dinneen studied diligently and participated in many events on campus. She was appointed rush chair and president in her sorority, Pi Beta Phi. She said her time in the sorority taught her how to deal with all types of personalities — and gave her excellent training for her future with many different types of clients. As vice president of integrated marketing and promotion, Dinneen works to “evolve the client’s communication plans beyond the status quo.” Dinneen believes that advances in technology have made it harder for traditional advertising to reach its project- ed audience. Since her time at UNL, advertising has come to rely almost exclusively on computers. She says she has been lucky to receive “an ongoing tutorial” of technology by her employers. “They present new opportunities,” she said. Dinneen works to provide clients with “ideas, strategies and tactics that reach consumers in a fresh way.” She says TDH offers more than just print, radio, television and Internet advertising. For example, Dinneen herself rode on Moosehead beer trucks Photo by Luis Peon-Casanova Luis by Photo Cari Dinneen met Dean Norton while on a tour of Andersen Hall in order to promote the product. From big agencies to small agencies, Dinneen says she couldn’t be happier than she is at TDH. The company works to find Success comes in all sizes the best creative solution for the client and takes time to learn Tom, Dick and Harry is a small company in a big city about each business. “You have to learn their idiosyncrasies,” Dinneen said. “You by JESSICA WILLIAMS have to get your hands dirty.” Dinneen’s achievements in the advertising business are obvi- Life has taught 1989 J school graduate Cari Dinneen that bigger ous. With her help, Moosehead beer has raised its sales in target- isn’t always better. ed areas by 25 percent. She was born in Minneapolis, the biggest city in Minnesota, “I’m not surprised she has been so successful in her post-col- but moved frequently throughout her childhood. From kinder- lege life,” James said. garten to 12th grade, Dinneen attended schools in Minnesota, Even though the work can be long and hard, Dinneen says her South Dakota, Michigan, Illinois and Nebraska. job is fun. When it came time for college, Dinneen was unsure of her “I feel so blessed because I work with people I respect and direction. After much debate, she chose the good-sized University admire,” she said. of Nebraska — located in the small city of Lincoln. Last fall, she applied the intimacy and involvement of the TDH “There was something about the environment, the people and workplace to her small wedding. In October, Dinneen and Vince the culture at UNL,” Dinneen said. Griffin were married on the coast of Ireland in the presence of 26 In the past 16 years, she has worked at large, prestigious friends and family members. agencies such as Cramer-Krasselt, Tracey-Locke, Frankel & “We wanted something different, something small and some- Company and Ogilvy Mather. Dinneen now is vice president of inte- thing that celebrated our Irish heritage,” Dinneen said. grated marketing and promotion at Tom, Dick and Harry Just as Dinneen was essential to the ceremony, each of the Advertising (TDH) in Chicago. The agency is home to 15 employ- TDH employees is essential to the business. ees, and Dinneen has come to love the small, tight-knit workplace. “We have a small, experienced team that thoroughly loves the “Everyone from the four managing partners to the junior craft of advertising and marketing,” Dinneen said. “There are designers is involved in new business and day-to-day manage- fewer ‘layers’ than you would typically have at a larger agency; ment,” Dinneen said. “You truly feel as if you are making a differ- thus an individual’s contributions are greater.” ence.” While Dinneen has accomplished many great things, she’s rel- Dinneen didn’t enroll in college with advertising aspirations. ishing where she is now. During her freshman year, Dinneen focused on art classes until a “I have never felt so involved,” she said. “The highlight of my teacher suggested she look into advertising. After one class, she career is now!” J was sold. 30 WINTER 2006-2007 ALUMNI NEWS 33 we do, all aspects of our lives are made up by science — the Leary’s interest in science makeup we wear, the cars we drive, the food we eat and the water we drink. I was able to translates into lifelong career find the connections.” The fact that thousands of by AMBER JOHNSON reporters write science stories shows that the role of science in For Warren Leary, science is journalism is promising and more than an important writ- will only to continue to grow, ing specialty in journalism — she said. it’s an unavoidable issue that As for Leary, his current affects everyone’s life. career goals are to continue sci- Leary, an award-winning ence journalism and do more science reporter for The New teaching and lecturing. He said York Times, has had a lifelong he sees a need for more science interest in far-reaching science education because the news is and technology issues. Born full of subjects like global and raised in Omaha, he initial- warming, stem cell research, ly enrolled at Iowa State to weight-loss concerns and “mira- study aerospace engineering. cle cures” making it difficult for Although he gave up his quest people to sort out fact and fic- to become an engineer, he con- tion while drawing their own tinued to be interested in sci- conclusions. ence. “The public is being asked “Because of my writing to make decisions, either indi- ability, some advisers suggested Leary Warren courtesy Photo vidually or at the ballot box, on I look into journalism as a way Science and Technology Policy, member of the National issues that affect their lives and of not only making a living but the old National Bureau of Association of Science Writers, those of future generations. also exploring other things that Standards and the U.S. where he served on various How can people sort through interested me, such as writing,” Geological Survey.” recruitment and membership all of this and make any sense Leary said in an e-mail inter- For the past decade, Leary committees and judged writing of it without help?” Leary asked. view. “Finding out that UNL has focused his coverage on the awards. Activities of the group Whether one is talking had one of the best journalism affairs of the National include publishing a “Guide to about newspapers, traditional schools in the Midwest, I Aeronautics and Space Science Writing” for young broadcast or so-called new applied there and was accept- Administration (NASA), journalists and sponsoring writ- media, Leary sees an important ed.” including reporting on dozens ers to attend medical and sci- role for science writing in jour- Leary graduated from UNL of human and unmanned space ence conferences they otherwise nalism. in 1969 with a degree in jour- flights. could not afford. “Someone should act as nalism and liberal arts and In his 19-year career at The “For years I have tried to an objective, honest broker in earned a master’s degree in New York Times, Leary has had encourage young journalists to analyzing this information and journalism from the Columbia the opportunity to cover diverse consider becoming science writ- presenting it to the public, even University Graduate School of science topics. For example, his ers, or to at least consider get- if it’s a reluctant public that Journalism in 1971. He has recent stories include a piece ting some science writing train- doesn’t think it is interested in spent the past 18 years in the about NASA’s plans to upgrade ing even if they focus on other science and other technical Times’ Washington bureau as a the Hubble Space Telescope and journalism specialties,” Leary things.” science reporter. another about the man who said. “Interested or not, these Leary, out of career and “At first I primarily covered found the cause of sickle cell issues will unavoidably affect personal interest, is and has developments in health and anemia. your life, and you will have to been that “someone” for the medicine, covering such agen- Although Leary has “never face them in one way or anoth- past 30 years. cies as the National Institutes of put much stock in awards,” he er.” “It makes no difference Health and the Food and Drug has received state, regional and Carolyn Johnsen, a UNL J what you write about — poli- Administration,” Leary said. national awards from The school faculty member who tics, national security, sports, “Then I broadened my beat to Associated Press, the New York teaches a science writing class, business, food, entertainment include more science, engineer- State Press Association and the agrees. Johnsen insists that a — the world has made science ing and technology, moving on National Association of Black successful journalism student and technology a part of it,” to cover science news involving Journalists. must be able to cover any beat, Leary said. “If the future contin- Congress and the White House Besides his work with The including science. ues to have a role for journal- and agencies such as the New York Times and previous “I came to science journalism, in whatever form, science National Science Foundation, work with The Associated Press, ism because it was so interest- journalism will be an intricate the White House Office of Leary has been a longtime ing,” Johnsen said. “Everything part of it.” J 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 31 ALUMNI fyi After working out with the human story from generation team for months as a punter, to generation.” she donned Nebraska football Famed reviewer Roger uniform No. 16 for the Red- Ebert met her at a Cannes Film White spring game of 2000. Festival in France, and wrote in With nine minutes left, a coach his Chicago Sun-Times column told her: “All right, you’re in.” that her story would make a That was a magical good movie, “Beanie Goes to moment for KaLena “Beanie” Nebraska.” Barnes, who didn’t give inter- Beanie has written an views leading up to the game unpublished novel and was an because she didn’t want the associate producer on “Lords team to think it was a publicity of Dogtown,” featuring Heath stunt — the first woman to Ledger. play Nebraska football in a After Hurricane Katrina competitive atmosphere. struck, she spent a month help- “I really wanted to be ing relatives near Biloxi, Miss., taken seriously,” she said. “I and gaining perspective. wanted the guys to respect “That had a profound me.” effect on me,” she said. “When Since then, a lot has hap- you’re around people who lose pened. She graduated with a everything, you find out what degree in broadcast journal- means the most to you.” ism, worked behind the cam- But back to her punt: era on Hollywood films and As a student-athlete, she traveled to nine countries. had imagined how amazing it Now she is studying for a would be to run out of the sta- master’s degree at Yale dium tunnel onto the field, University’s renowned School which led her to try out as a of Management. kicker, go through winter con- This week, she returns to ditioning and to practice inces- attend one of Omaha investor santly. Warren Buffett’s sessions with In warm-ups before the students, and to speak at the Red-White game, the 5-foot-4 University of Nebraska– Beanie kicked some nice spi- Lincoln. rals but didn’t know if she A native of Mississippi would get into the game. who grew up in the Los When she got the fourth- Angeles area, Beanie came to quarter call from then-assis- Nebraska as an indoor-track tant coach Dan Young, she ran sprinter. At 28, she is still run- onto the field and felt nervous. ning hard through life. “My long snapper said, Photo CoJMCPhoto archives “I’m a storyteller,” she ‘Don’t worry, I’ll get you the said. “I didn’t want to stay in ball.’ I just thought to myself, the bubble in L.A. Going to ‘Don’t drop it.’” She got a real kick Nebraska — and anything else She didn’t, and got the to get out of a mold — is a punt off. It wasn’t her best blessing and enriching as a kick, 35 yards, but there was out of the Huskers storyteller.” no return. Teammates slapped She hopes to start her her helmet in congratulations. by MICHAEL KELLY own film company. Beanie credited Frank World-Herald columnist “I have a friend from high Solich, head coach at the time, school who graduated from with making her feel part of Harvard Medical School,” she the team. “He treated me like Even though Beanie Barnes sports said. “I told him I realize what a player, even though he knew he does is important, but what the situation was a little awk- a memorable name, you may not I do is important, too. ward for me.” “Film has the capacity to Players saw that she was remember her footnote in Husker save lives, to affect people and serious about her training. make them smile or think. It’s Some even confided in her history — truly a foot note. a very powerful tool, telling the about girlfriend problems.

32 WINTER 2006-2007 JLUMNI NEWS 33 “One thing I can say about our team,” she said, Asbaty launches clothing line “is that we have gentlemen.” She recalled with a by LORI GRIFFIN Capping her week was her championship chuckle that Husker defender Lincoln Journal Star win against Lisa John of England in the World Keyuo Craver, on the other Cup. Asbaty earned the best-of-three champi- team in that Red-White game, Diandra (Hyman) Asbaty has more than just onship with 232-214, 226-199 wins in the first got to her just as the ball left bowling on her mind these days. Asbaty, the two games. her foot. current U.S. Amateur Champion, recently won It was the third straight year an American “Push me!” he shouted. her first World Cup title after a weeklong has won the women’s title and the fourth time She pushed him, and he adventure in Caracas, Venezuela. in five years. fell over backward. But the security guards with machine guns “This year has been busy,” Asbaty said. “It was a playful and swords and the other top “Venezuela was great. To be moment,” she said. “He gave bowlers of the world were the there, it wasn’t the safest place me a memory.” least of her worries. we could have been. But they Beanie didn’t make the The spokeswoman for kept us safe. There was really team as a punter and then youth bowling was beginning nothing to do but bowl. wanted to become a receiver. yet another career. “But bowling was good and She worked out over the sum- The 26-year-old launched a having my parents and (hus- mer and gained weight. new line of athletic apparel. band) John there really made it But her 4.8-second time “It’s something I’ve always special,” Asbaty said. in the 40-yard dash fell to 5.1, wanted to do,” Asbaty said. “I can’t put it into words. It was and she was cut. She was dis- “I’ve always thought the bowl- a dream come true. This title appointed, but says she ing clothes were kind of blah, so wouldn’t be possible without all wouldn’t trade the experience. I just did it.” Photo courtesy Husker Athletics the great coaches I have had in “It taught me a lot about The first line of clothing is known as The my life. So many people have believed in me myself, my drive,” Beanie said. Bogota Collection, named after the capital of from my family and husband to all my coaches “I don’t let obstacles get in Colombia. along the way.” my way.” Asbaty hopes to capture the “essence and “I feel fortunate to have had such great KaLena Barnes got her characteristics of each city,” according to a people in my life — and for that — this World lifelong nickname from her company press release. Cup is for them,” Asbaty added. mother’s love of the 1960s The line was released a day before the Asbaty will continue to compete with Team “Beany and Cecil” cartoons. World Cup finals. USA and remain the United States Bowling (Beany’s uncle was captain of “It was good timing that it came out the Congress youth spokeswoman as well as coach the good ship “Leakin’ Lena.”) day before I won,” Asbaty said. “We’ve (Asbaty bowlers of all ages when she is home. After she and her Yale and her partner Joe Scarlato) been (working) “I have a lot of energy and passion for classmates meet Friday with since June and finally, I made a company. It what I do,” Asbaty said. “ I always like to be Buffett — a big Husker fan — really feels like it now.” busy.” J Beanie will go to Lincoln to The orders have been flowing, Asbaty said. speak at 4 p.m. at the Student And the Web site, www.kaizenbydiandra.com, This story appeared in the Nov. 20, 2006, edi- Union. has been getting several hits since its inception. tion of the Lincoln Journal Star and is reprinted You get the impression “There’s been a lot of interest,” Asbaty by permission. that she is going places, but said. Beanie won’t forget a place that was special to her, Nebraska. MAKING CONNECTIONS “I often tell people,” she said, “that spending nearly a year on the field with those Networking helps grads land careers boys was the most fun thing I’ve ever done, the accom- by CHELSEY MANHART plishment that I am most proud of and the key event Dave Kortum is living his dream. Fresh out of the UNL J school in May 2006, he packed his bags that allowed me to learn so and left Nebraska for bustling New York City. He was hunting a big-city job in advertising and much about myself as a needed connections to help him capture it. person.” J Kortum is now an account coordinator for Renegade Marketing Group in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan where he works with big-time companies like Panasonic. The Grand Island This column appeared in the native said he owes landing his dream job to networking. Nov. 7, 2006, edition of The “It’s all about finding someone you know and not being afraid to make a few phone calls,” Omaha World-Herald and is Kortum said. He was talking about networking, a technique that has helped more than one adver- reprinted by permission. tising grad land a job. >> 34 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 ALUMNI fyi >> Networking from 33 “I’ve always wanted to live one of three people in charge was really good friends with foot in the door.” in New York, so I started to ask of promoting readership for the owner,” Cooper said. “I had At the semiannual gather- everyone I knew if they knew the newspaper and heading them put a good word in for ings of Cather Circle, Klein anybody there, and I ended up campaigns such as “Millionaire me.” met many distinguished UNL getting two or three names and Mania” and “Six in the City.” Because coincidental con- alumnae. One of her mentors numbers,” Kortum said. “Get involved in anything nections aren’t always easy to was Celia Swanson, an execu- One of those names that is going to positively find, Cooper recommends that tive vice president at Wal-Mart turned out to be just enough. reflect your interests and who journalism students get started Stores Inc., who offered Klein Paul Jarrett, who now works at you are,” Bergman said. “That networking as early as possible. an internship at SAM’S Club the minnow PROJECT in is how you are going to put “I really waited till the last for a summer and introduced Lincoln, connected Kortum to a woman Jarrett once worked with during an internship. Kortum contacted her when he got to New York. “I just called her up and showed her my resume over a cup of coffee,” Kortum said. Kortum’s resume made its way to the hiring committee of Renegade Marketing Group. After passing his first round of meeting and greeting, Kortum landed an interview and eventually a job. Many other UNL advertising graduates are using networking to make connections and expand their careers. The J school faculty emphasize the importance of networking and encourage students to put STRUTHERS & KORTUM

themselves out there to obtain Kortum Dave courtesy Photo jobs, said Amy Struthers, an advertising faculty member. yourself out there.” minute to start networking,” her to the corporate world. “The faculty all agree that Josie Cooper, who gradu- said Cooper. “I can’t imagine “The internship at SAM’s the prime measure of our suc- ated in May 2006, also set her- how much further ahead I Club opened a number of cess is our students’ getting self apart from the competition would be if I had started my doors for me when I was mak- great jobs,” Struthers said, “and through internships and con- freshman year.” ing my career decision,” Klein networking is key.” nections. She landed a summer While links through family said, “and the strength of that Megan Bergman, a 2005 internship at Dinger Associates and friends helped Cooper experience made my resume graduate, formed connections while attending a practice stand out, many J school stu- stand out.” that helped her stand out. In interview and resume review dents form links through col- Another UNL connection her junior and senior years at sponsored by the Ad Club. lege groups to get an edge after helped Klein obtain her cur- UNL, Bergman volunteered at “I knew one of the guys graduation. Angie Klein, a 2000 rent job when an alumna and the Sheldon Art Gallery, where that worked there from a class graduate, benefited from rela- sorority sister recommended she got to know her coworker we had together, and their tionships she developed in her for Verizon in 2001. Jessica Kennedy. When account executive was in a Cather Circle, which was estab- Now, as the director of Bergman applied for a position sorority with a girl that was in lished during her senior year at broadband customer experi- at the Lincoln Journal Star after my campaigns (class) group,” UNL. ence at Verizon in Basking graduating, Kennedy was one Cooper said. “I am sure that “Cather Circle is a men- Ridge, N.J., Klein is working on of her interviewers and eventu- helped me stand out.” toring and networking organi- deploying FiOS, a fiber-optic ally became her new boss. Associations that Cooper zation that brings together out- network for customers’ homes “Coming into the inter- discovered after a job interview standing female alumni and and businesses. view and knowing her from may have helped secure her current women students,” said “This project is one of the Sheldon probably helped me current position as a graphic Shelley Zaborowski, associate largest capital projects in the distinguish myself from oth- designer at Brite Ideas Inc. in executive director for programs U.S. right now — with $22 bil- ers,” Bergman said. Omaha. for the Nebraska Alumni lion being spent on the FiOS Bergman was hired and is “I found out my dad had Association. “It is a great way network through 2010,” Klein now a marketing coordinator a friend who knew the owner, to meet other successful said. for the Lincoln paper. She is and my brother’s wife’s uncle women and to help get your Klein advises other adver- 34 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 tising graduates seeking success to take the same route she did. Investigative reporting “Take advantage of every opportunity to meet those people who can provide advice or open doors for garners major awards you,” Klein said. Emily DeCamp also rec- ‘Olsen went into journalism for the right reason — to help others’ ognizes the importance of keeping contact with others by MOLLY MULLEN in the industry. She used networking to land a job at Getting 100 people freed from Universal McCann in New jail was a big deal for UNL J York City and continues to school alum Lise Olsen. apply networking to advance “This was a time when one her career. of my investigative stories had “You are not just net- a big impact,” Olsen said working when you are trying about the story she wrote to get a job. You network all while working at the Seattle throughout your career,” Post-Intelligencer. DeCamp said. “I’m always In both Seattle and meeting people and main- Houston, where she now taining contact with them.” reports for the Chronicle, DeCamp, who graduat- Olsen’s investigative reporting ed in 2005, now works as a has won many awards, and, media planner with a team more importantly, it has who decides when and where changed the lives of the people ads run for L’Oreal Paris. she wrote about and the lives Because she works in nation- of her readers. al print advertising, she also Olsen’s Post-Intelligencer enjoys occasional invitations story focused on a series of to high-profile parties hosted detentions of immigrants who Lise Olsen courtesy Photo by major magazines such as had been arrested on a variety Rolling Stone. of charges, such as driving Texas Associated Press for It wasn’t until after she Networking is so vital to without a license. The immi- three stories she wrote in the talked to the witness that success, said Decamp, that grants were held in jail indefi- Houston Chronicle. Olsen decided to commit to the she wants to help other UNL nitely and essentially forgotten, The award-winning stories story. advertising graduates con- she said. covered a variety of topics: the “I approached him and his nect more easily through a Because of interest gener- possible wrongful execution of wife at lunch,” she said. “At the peer-to-peer network. ated by her story, the case a man accused of committing end of the conversation, I “I would like to get a went to the U.S. Supreme murder at 17; the failures of brought up the case. He said group of UNL journalism Court, where the detentions Louisiana’s local government he was pressured by the police alumni together in a data- without trial were ruled uncon- after Hurricane Katrina; and to lie. He said the wrong guy base with phone numbers stitutional and more than 100 an explosion at a Texas BP oil was executed.” and e-mail addresses so immigrants were subsequently refinery. The lead on her award- recent graduates could con- freed from custody. Unfortu- At first, Olsen said she winning story read: “Texas exe- tact them for advice,” nately, she said, since 9/11, was hesitant to pursue the executed its fifth teenage offender DeCamp said. the trend toward indefinite cution story for time and loca- at 22 minutes after midnight DeCamp hopes a net- detentions has increased, and tion reasons. The execution on Aug. 24, 1993, after his last work of alumni contacts now places like Guantanamo happened more than a decade request for bubble gum had would open more opportu- Bay hold prisoners for years at ago, and the crime was com- been refused and his final nities for J school graduates a time. mitted in San Antonio, outside claim of innocence had been — even those with big-city The immigrant story was the Houston Chronicle’s usual forever silenced.” aspirations — to get their only one of many Olsen said coverage area, she said. The story was widely car- dream jobs: “I think it would she is proud to have written In 1993 Ruben Cantu of ried throughout the United be a lot easier for students to during her 20-year career. And San Antonio was executed States over the past year, and talk to big people in the this past year, she had some- after being found guilty of mur- Olsen was interviewed on CNN industry if they knew they thing else to be proud of: win- der when he was 17. But now, and PBS about the subject. came from Nebraska, too.” J ning the Headliners Star the only witness to this murder Now, due to public pressure Reporter of the Year from the maintains Cantu was innocent. >> 36 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 35 ALUMNI fyi Get out another sheet of paper >> Investigative from from 35 from her story, she said, the dis- said. “No one wanted to look at trict attorney’s office has the failures of the city; no one Juhl is setting reopened the case. wanted to blame New Orleans.” During nearly two decades Because hers was the first as a reporter, Olsen, a 1988 story to pursue Hurricane UNL graduate, said she has Katrina from that angle, she new goals worked hard on fine-tuning her said she was the first to inform interviewing skills. When talking the public that many more lives by ALINA SELYUKH to people like the parents of could have been saved by local Ruben Cantu, she said she has government. t was a task that would put to be careful about what ques- In addition to Olsen’s tions she asks and how she award, the Texas Associated many freshmen into a stupor. approaches the interview. Press also honored the Houston But not Katie Juhl. “The parents were pretty Chronicle with first place among upset the case was getting large newspapers in the In a Media Today class reopened,” she said. “Absolutely Community Service category during the fall of 1998, she nothing can ever make it right and Team Effort for its coverage for them. After 13 years, they of both Hurricanes Katrina and Iwas among the journalism newbies are still very bitter about the Rita, according to a press whole thing.” release. Olsen worked on cover- whom the teacher, Nancy Mitchell, The execution story was not age of both storms. confronted with this assignment: the only hard-hitting piece of In honoring Olsen with the journalism Olsen wrote this past Headliners Star Reporter of the Write down on a piece of paper year. In August, she became the Year award, the judges praised your goals for the next five to 10 first journalist to look at the fail- her diligence. ings of New Orleans Mayor Ray “Lise’s work stands out as years. Nagin after Hurricane Katrina classic investigative spade work hit the Gulf Coast. at its best,” they said in a press Juhl didn’t have to scratch her head and ponder her The story, which attracted release. goals. She knew them all: Be a reporter by 23, a field pro- national attention, came about Her award came as no sur- ducer by 25 and a network producer by 27. after Olsen saw Associated prise to Bud Pagel, an emeritus She says it’s not in her nature to abandon her goals. Press photos of flooded city faculty member at the J school, If she says she’s going to do something, she does it. buses and wondered why they who had Olsen as a student in As a 20-year-old junior, Juhl was reporting for weren’t used in a citywide evacu- depth reporting and advanced KLKN-TV (ABC) in Lincoln. At 23, she was a production ation plan. reporting classes. coordinator for ABC NewsOne Washington. By 26, she “We were all doing stories “She is one of my favorite was working as a network producer/reporter for Reuters on Katrina,” she said, “but I students,” Pagel said. “I have 70 in Washington, D.C. came up with that one. I love or so favorite students, though. Everything happened just the way she wrote it down doing stories that are investiga- She was just such an easy teach, but more quickly. tive by nature.” so curious.” “Katie was one of those people that you knew was Olsen discovered that city Olsen’s award-winning going to have success,” said Jerry Renaud, who was co- officials had 550 municipal story about the minor who was teaching the Media Today class that semester. “She had buses and hundreds of addition- executed shows how great she is this drive, this desire, this energy.” al school buses at their disposal as a reporter, Pagel said. “She is Juhl was never afraid of challenges, never questioned but made no plans to use them just so dogged,” he said. “A lot her own abilities. to evacuate residents before the of other journalists would think, “You can’t let yourself be scared,” she says. “You have storm. The story also found fault ‘Well, he’s dead. He’ll be just as to have a strong backbone. You have to have tough skin, with the city’s overall evacuation dead whether or not I do a story stay true to who you are. Everything that you do will plan. on it.’ But Lise kept after it eventually lead you to where you’re going.” “The mayor’s mandatory because she gets what she As a sophomore, Juhl interned at KLKN-TV. Only a evacuation order was issued 20 wants.” month into the internship, she was offered a part-time hours before the storm struck Pagel said Olsen went into job as a photographer who would shoot, write and edit. the Louisiana coast, less than journalism for the right reason — “Could you do this, Katie?” the KLKN staff won- half the time researchers deter- to help others through writing. dered. mined would be needed to get “That’s why everyone Juhl hadn’t taken any broadcasting production class- everyone out,” an excerpt from should go into it,” he said, es. She had no idea. Still, she answered, “I guess so. I can the story read. “to do good for people who have do this.” “Everyone else was looking no one to do good for them. A year later, she was asked the same question. Only at the failures of FEMA,” Olsen She’s done that.” J this time, she was offered an on-air job. 36 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALMNI NEWS 33 Juhl had no clue about However, while Juhl’s answered. “And I’m going to spring she plans to start her stand-ups or tracking. So she practical experience was thriv- get a job in D.C.” distance MBA program at had to learn — fast — because ing, she began to think the And she did. With the UNL. She says business educa- she never says “no” to an general ed courses she still had help of a professor at tion will help her avoid dead opportunity. to take seemed irrelevant. But Syracuse, she made a connec- ends in her career and boost “Katie was one of those a solution soon emerged: tion with the NewsHour with her chances of reaching the people who are ready to take graduate a semester early. A Jim Lehrer on PBS. After the executive level of the broad- on whatever task,” said Mark course load of 19 to 20 hours six-month position ended, she casting industry where only a heard of job few women survive. Besides, it openings at will be a “nice bookend” to ABC News, her non-doctorate degrees, she sent in her said, so that some day she can resume, had an get a Ph.D. and become a pro- interview and fessor. was offered a Juhl is undeterred about job that very combining a demanding job at day. A few Reuters with pursuit of a busi- months later, ness degree; she’s used to she was offered being busy. She is a board a job as pro- member for the National duction coor- Capital Cornhuskers in dinator for Washington, D.C., a life mem- ABC ber of the Nebraska Alumni NewsOne. Her Association and a vice presi- duties were to dent for the Nebraska Society coordinate live in Washington, D.C. Every

Photo courtesy Katie Juhl Katie courtesy Photo feeds, live shots weekend she teaches private and video piano lessons to 10 students. Haggar, news director at didn’t frighten her; she was services to ABC affiliates and Once or twice a month she KLKN-TV.“She was always determined. both domestic and interna- travels to South Carolina to ready to step up and handle Juhl’s UNL adviser, pro- tional clients. visit her boyfriend. And she anything.” fessor Larry Walklin, didn’t try Nearly two years after always finds time to go to That’s why Juhl couldn’t to stop her. that, however, there wasn’t events and network. She help but join the team work- “Katie is a person who anywhere at ABC for Juhl to works 4 p.m. to midnight but ing on national PBS docu- has excellent judgment,” he move up. A tip from a corre- makes sure to get a healthy mentaries that later received said. “She knows what she is spondent about a job posting eight hours of sleep. She tries Emmy awards. That’s why she able to do and manages herself at Reuters relieved her from to never skip a breakfast or a found herself reporting 20 to pretty well.” “being stuck,” she said. Juhl daily work out session. 24 hours a week. That’s why Juhl proudly wore her thought about it for a second: It’s all just a matter of she took on two, three, even graduation gown in December Yes, it would be a stretch, but organization, planning and four jobs at a time. 2001. She was armed with a it was too good to refuse. setting priorities, she said. It’s “Through school and National Broadcasting Society Now Juhl is a reporter all about setting goals and even after that,” Juhl says, presidency, memberships in and producer covering domes- being devoted to them. “people tell you, ‘This is five other national broadcast- tic, Latin American, early Juhl now has worked her tough; you won’t be able to do ing associations and honors breaking European and Asian way through everything she it.’ I take that and I say, ‘Let’s societies, three awards for out- news for “Reuters Reports,” an wrote down as a freshman. see if I can.’” standing promise and superior international satellite syndi- She says she’s arrived where That aggressive pursuit of initiative in pursuit of broad- cated news service for the she is now “through luck and her goals and projects is why cast journalism career and world’s largest news organiza- will” — mostly, will. she stood out to Joel Geyer, an three first-place and one tion. Her voice can be heard “I’ve accomplished those executive producer at KUON- grand-prize victories in all over the world on the goals that I set for myself TV, Nebraska’s public televi- reporting and scriptwriting English-speaking channels, as when I was 18. Now it’s eight sion station. Geyer knew Juhl competitions. She was ready well as online on Reuters’ years later, and I’m in the through his documentary class to attend graduate school at Web site. process of setting new goals at UNL and her internship at Syracuse University. “I don’t think anybody is for myself. Yes, I’m happy KUON-TV. He recalls her as “Katie, it’s the number surprised at all by the success where I’m at now, and I’m an outstanding student, a one school in the country. Do that she’s had and where she’s proud of where I’ve gotten. thorough and competent you think you can do this?” ended up,” Renaud said. But now I want to keep mov- researcher and a great manag- her parents asked her. But Juhl is not about to ing forward. Now I need to get er and organizer. “Yeah, I do,” she stop moving forward. This out a new sheet of paper.” J

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 37 ALUMNI fyi

Custard said. “It is not just about grades. It’s about being Green Thumb Creative involved.” J school advertising professors encourage students to grows ideas, grows business be involved in things like the Daily Nebraskan, Ad Club and by BREANNA HUFF The Ad Federation of Lincoln. “It’s the work outside of Green thumb: an extraordinary class that makes the differ- ability to make plants grow; a ence,” Struthers said. “Sure, knack for productivity. A it’s important to do well and Lincoln advertising firm? work hard in the classes, but UNL J school graduate to be successful you have to go Babar Khan had the phrase’s above and beyond and grab definitions in mind when he the opportunities that are out chose the name Green Thumb there.” Creative for the advertising Struthers believes that the agency that he and his class- men of Green Thumb really did mates Dan Gibson and Nate their best to take advantage of Custard created the summer the resources that the J school after their senior year. offers. “We wanted to poke fun “They were involved at and acknowledge the fact because they wanted to be, that we were a design agency not because they had to,” from Nebraska as well as por- Struthers said. “They made tray an image that denoted their own opportunities and Photo courtesy Green Thumb friendliness,” Khan said. CUSTARD & GIBSON their own luck.” As Green Thumb’s creative Green Thumb specializes director, Khan wanted cus- said. Kahn moved back to his in creating strong brands. That tomers to know that the The team faced the task of home in Karachi, Pakistan, on means it doesn’t just create agency feels the same way creating a campaign for July 4, 2005, to work with ads for a company, but it has a about advertising and design Yahoo.com that would encour- designers the company hand in almost everything that that someone with a “green age teens to use the site more already had based there as has to do with how the public thumb” feels about growing often. They produced several well as to gather new Middle- sees that company. Letter- plants. templates for Yahoo’s home Eastern clients. heads, business cards, Web “It’s a hobby but some- page, including a graffiti- “The exciting thing about sites and even the type of thing we’re good at,” Custard inspired hip hop theme, a pas- Pakistan is that there are a lot music played in a restaurant said, “something we’re good at tel-pink-and-purple fashion of corporations looking for or the drinks on the menu — but like to do.” theme and a 3D graphic-driven quality advertising, but only a Green Thumb does it all. Custard and Gibson met video-game theme. few agencies are capable of “We truly care about our each other in the J school’s Ad “They distinguished them- delivering,” Kahn said. “The clients,” Gibson said. “If they Club. They later teamed up selves right away in front of a potential for expansion is pret- aren’t happy, we’ll go back with Khan their senior year huge crowd,” Struthers said. ty huge.” and redo it all.” and approached Ad Club After placing second in Kahn finds it easier to The company’s design adviser Amy Struthers in the competition, Custard, work in Pakistan because he style is as varied as the cus- January of 2005 about work- Gibson and Khan were is able to co-ordinate the tomers they cater to. They can ing on an entry for the approached by Green Valley Pakistani designers more effi- offer stylistic and wild photo National Student Advertising Ranch in Aubrey, Texas, to cre- ciently and is still able to keep illustrations or clean-cut, clas- Competition. ate a new advertising cam- in contact with the American sic designs. Green Thumb “We got along ridiculously paign. When more work start- office through e-mails and accents what is important to well and bounced a lot of cre- ed coming in, they decided online chats. each client. ative ideas off of each other,” they should incorporate and Custard said he believes it For the Wasabi! sushi bar Khan said. He had found his become a business. In May of was the professors more than menu, the designers used red- match in Custard and Gibson. 2005, Green Thumb Creative actual classes at the J school and-yellow-toned illustrations “The thing that attracted me was born. that helped the trio become a of men and women in kimonos the most to them was that “We wanted a bigger chal- success. on a black background to both of them were extremely lenge than taking an entry- “They really made us real- match the color tones of the intelligent people who weren’t level position for some other ize that there is a lot more sushi pictured in the menu. shy about working hard,” Khan agency,” Custard said. than what is in the textbook,” This technique resulted in a 38 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALMNI NEWS 33 Photos courtesy Lieberman/Strasser bold, classy look that is both SHARING NEBRASKA VALUES eye-catching and appetizing. On the other hand, for the J school Habitat for Humanity Annual Report, they used a floral, alums part lace-like pattern with a simple black-on-white theme to of CUNY produce an elegant but sleek pamphlet. grad school The employees of Green Thumb also use their talent to serve the community. The faculty company works with non- by JOHNNA HJERSMAN profit organizations and has LIEBERMAN STRASSER made a promise to do one pro bono job a month. Trudy Lieberman and Steve Strasser, two alumni of the “We realize there are organizations out there that University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Journalism, are require our services and may or may not have the money involved in an exciting development at the City University of necessary to pay for them,” New York: the premiere of a graduate program in journalism. Gibson said. “It’s easy for us to give them pro bono work Last fall, thanks to increased funding from in Moscow and Hong Kong. Back in New York, because of the great causes the New York Legislature, CUNY launched its he served as national affairs editor of Newsweek the organizations often sup- new Graduate School of Journalism, where the and as managing editor of Newsweek Inter- port.” two UNL alums are faculty members. The national. He has written or co-authored four Though the trio loves a school features a three-semester program with books. challenge, Custard finds that four concentrations: urban, business and eco- Both Lieberman and Strasser are excited to working in advertising can be nomics, arts and culture, and health and medi- have the opportunity to be building a program frustrating when it comes to cine. from the ground up and hope to help make it a meeting a client’s expecta- Because this is the CUNY J school’s first leading program in the nation. tions. He believes the main year, only 54 students are enrolled for what Lieberman’s experiences as a student at challenge for a designer is Strasser called a “shakedown cruise.” UNL are reflected as she teaches her own stu- finding a happy medium “When we’re fully ramped up, we will have dents at CUNY. She will teach two courses on between making the cus- as many as 300 students here at a time,” Strasser health and medical reporting and is the director tomer happy and maintaining said. of the health and medicine concentration the company’s standards. With successful careers behind them, reporting program. “There are times when Lieberman and Strasser offer students stellar At UNL, Lieberman double majored in you put a lot of work into journalism credentials. home economics and journalism. Initially, she something, and you think it’s Lieberman, a 1968 graduate, has received intended to be a food writer, but by the time a really good idea and it’s numerous awards, including two National she was a senior, Lieberman had fallen into con- going to be really effective,” Magazine Awards, 10 National Press Club sumer reporting. After graduation she moved to Custard said. “Then you go awards, an honorary doctorate from UNL and a Detroit and began working as the first con- and present it, and they Fulbright Scholarship. She has written five sumer reporter for the Detroit Free Press and immediately don’t like it, books, wrote a monthly column for the Los one of the first in the nation. because of something really Angeles Times and recently brought her 29-year After eight years in Detroit, Lieberman small.” career at Consumer Reports and Consumers received a Knight-Bagehot Fellowship and Though the job can be Union to a close. moved to New York City to study at Columbia frustrating at times, the Strasser effortlessly transitioned from University. employees of Green Thumb Midwest student to big-city professional after A native of Scottsbluff, Lieberman had Creative love what they do. graduation in 1973, going straight from UNL to always wanted to leave Nebraska and pursue her “Where else can travel- the Miami Herald, where he worked for four career in the big city. She remembers receiving ing to other cities, taking years. After spending a year at Columbia great support from neighbors and people in her photographs, goofing around University earning a master’s degree in journal- hometown, but she also credits much of her at a conference table and ism, he joined Newsweek. He spent three years success to the experiences she had at UNL. immersing yourself in pop as a correspondent in Moscow and later lived in “The program at UNL was fabulous,” culture be considered work?” Hong Kong as the first Asia regional editor to be Lieberman said. “I was able to immediately Gibson asked. “It’s fun, it’s stationed on the continent rather than in New work in a large city like Detroit and become an hip and every day presents a York. He won a National Headliner Award and in-depth reporter.” new, exciting challenge.” J three Overseas Press Club Awards for his work >> 40 J ALUMNI NEWS 39 ALUMNI fyi >> CUNY from 39 When asked to give advice Plugged In to journalism students or those considering a career in journalism, she paused before answering. “It’s a lot of hard work,” she began. “Being a good journalist requires a lot of hard work. [But] it’s a wonderful profession, and it’s lots of fun.” Like Lieberman, Strasser credits much of his success to his experience at UNL. “UNL was the most important thing that happened in my professional life. I was really lucky to go there,” he said. “The Midwest has the best journalistic values in the country. They care about the story and about getting the Fusebox Brand Communications wins international competition story and the facts right. It’s much less personality driven by RYAN KAUP ration, Siedell and Roncka world, and traditional ad agen- than it is on the coasts.” developed their idea, which cies were slow to react,” Siedell Strasser, described his Using an off-beat Nebraska used a picture of Carhenge said. “We wanted to be able to father as a corporate nomad tourist attraction as inspira- along with the headline “Every follow new trends more quick- and said he lived in several tion, a Lincoln, Neb., advertis- idea has its ly.” states in the Midwest when he ing firm recently beat out 600 time.gohybrid.com.” Soon after, The company’s name — was growing up. After high competitors to become the first they learned they had won the Fusebox — comes from the idea school he enlisted in the Navy. Americans to win a worldwide contest and its $1,800 prize. of fusing strategy and creativi- By the time he was 22, Strasser contest. The award reflects ty in one place. Siedell and wanted to “see dry land” again Fusebox Brand Communi- Fusebox’s emphasis on creative Roncka knew they didn’t want and enrolled at Nebraska’s J cations was featured in the ideas. The firm is a brand com- to name the company after school. Jan. 31, 2006, issue of munications studio, not a tradi- themselves, and “Fusebox” let At CUNY, Strasser is an London’s Financial Times for tional ad agency, Siedell said. them demonstrate their philos- associate professor and is cur- winning “World’s Toughest The staff focuses on the brand ophy in an interesting way. rently teaching the foundation Briefs,” a contest that the pub- and goes wherever it takes Stacy James, who was one course, Craft of Journalism, lication and OpenAd.net has them. The décor of the Fusebox of Siedell’s teachers at the J which he describes as a sort of held every other month since studio, located in a loft at the school in the early 1990s, said “boot camp course” for jour- March 2005. The competition corner of Eighth and O streets, she remembers him as a great nalism students. It combines places the focus on the idea reflects the nontraditional. student. Now, she sometimes basic and advanced skills and and the idea alone. Giant wooden spools rest in takes her current students to techniques. In future semesters It all started during the middle of the showroom, visit Fusebox where Siedell he will teach feature writing Christmas vacation 2005, posters of unique ad cam- talks to them about how he and editing. when Fusebox co-founders, Tim paigns cover the walls and and his colleagues develop a Strasser has high hopes Siedell and Yayle Roncka, scooters stand near the door- creative idea and the accompa- for the budding school and its closed down the studio as they way. There are no cubicles. No nying strategy. One thing he students. do each year to allow their six secretaries. Only desks and a stresses, James said, is that “These are exciting times employees to spend time with room filled with ideas. creativity requires a lot of in journalism,” he said. “The their families. Wanting to find Siedell, a Lincoln native, homework. rules are changing; how we some kind of creative endeavor and Roncka co-founded “It’s not OK to just come deliver stories is changing. Our to keep themselves busy, they Fusebox in August 2000. After up with a cool idea. The hard goal is to produce journalists came upon the contest in the holding senior positions at part is to come up with a cool who have traditional skills and Financial Times. Swanson Russell, Bailey idea within the framework of traditional values, yet journal- The publication’s chal- Lauerman and Ayres, the pair your target clients and the ists who can work in the com- lenge was an advertising cam- decided to start their own com- campaign itself,” she said. munication age and invent the paign to sell hybrid cars out- pany. That’s what Fusebox does. new ways of delivering the side the environmental market. “We saw a lot of stuff hap- Siedell got interested in stories.” J Using Carhenge as their inspi- pening in the advertising advertising while he was work- 40 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALUNI NEWS 33 Illustration Fusebox courtesy Photo courtesy David Story David courtesy Photo ing for his high school news- is passionate about advertis- paper at Lincoln Southeast. ing, and he takes it very seri- At first he wanted to be a ously.” Penguins and seals and sports writer, but he had As for the future of some reservations about the Fusebox, brand communica- feldspar — oh, my! career. tion will remain its focus. “I didn’t want to work Siedell and Roncka are Story takes camera to the ends of the earth crazy hours and have to always brainstorming and drive to watch some C-2 vol- approaching companies with by MATTHEW BUXTON leyball game and miss out brand ideas. on time with my family. I “We try and think of Once students learns how to use a camera, wanted a more structured ‘8 new things like video game to 5’ kind of job,” Siedell concepts and TV show UNL’s photojournalism professors have explained. ideas,” Siedell said. always expected them to come up with His search for a more But as for awards, it’s structured occupation led unlikely Fusebox will seek some interesting subjects for their work. him to advertising. He gradu- more for its trophy case. In But not many students can top David ated from the J school in fact, the “World’s Toughest 1991. The best thing about Briefs” was the only contest Story’s interesting subjects. the program for him was the company has entered. how well-rounded his journal- “Fusebox is not about A world traveler, Story has seen Greenland, Antarctica, Thailand, ism education was, he said. awards,” Roncka said. Australia, New Zealand and many other places. And he’s brought “It’s a liberal arts edu- “Clients hire us to get a job back pictures from all those places. How many J school students can cation, and students study done, not to focus on include photos of penguins and seals in their portfolios? political science and history awards.” Story has always been involved with the outdoors; he hikes, and lots of other things, “We feel that sometimes mountain bikes, camps and rafts. He works at the UNL Rec Center which make them better it (winning awards) becomes and has organized and been involved with many of the activities the employees in the future. I a company’s focus,” Siedell center sponsors. believe that input makes for said. “That’s not what we’re And he grew up with photography. His mother wa s nontradi- a good output. When you’re about. This contest was dif- tional journalism student at UNL, and she always encouraged Story’s well-rounded, you come up ferent. It was a competition interest in art and journalism. with better ideas. UNL where everyone was using “I had an affinity for it, especially spending time in photo labs” makes you do that.” the same creative brief. It Story said. “It always just seemed like a natural thing.” James said what makes was an opportunity to flex When he started at UNL, though, Story wasn’t quite as interest- Siedell and his company suc- our creative muscles.” J ed in academics as he might have been. “He was more interested in cessful is that “he loves what being an outdoorsman and spending his time exploring,” >> 42 he’s doing, and it shows. He 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 41 ALUMNI fyi >> David Story from 41 said professor emeritus George Tuck. During a year spent in Antarctica, Story volunteered with Story did put out some good work when he was interested the Search and Rescue team. He never had to deal with any real in the material. rescues; most of the calls the team got were to escort mainte- “The more it had to do with the outdoors, the more he liked nance workers to their destination during storms. it,” Tuck said. To train for the team, Story had to rescue someone during a In 2000, Story took a break from school and went to simulated emergency. The process took nearly three hours on a Greenland to work with UNL’s Polar Ice Coring Office as a gen- clear day. Later in the season, Story participated in the same eral field assistant. He returned to Lincoln for a year of school at practice exercise during whiteout conditions and a wind chill of UNL, then traveled to Antarctica to work with the United States 75 below zero. Story said that working with the crew under Antarctic Program where he moved from general assistant to car- whiteout conditions taught him how to work with a team. penter helper and carpenter apprentice. “We nearly halved our time. We were all pretty proud and a In his travels to the Antarctic, in particular, he has seen and lot more comfortable with our responsibility, knowing how well photographed many wild animals. A fair share of his collection we had learned to work with each other,” Story said. of Antarctic photographs is filled with penguins and seals. Story returned to UNL in 2004 to finish his degree. Once, while working with the USAP at McMurdo station in “I had a $17,000 debt with nothing to show for it,” Story Antarctica, the crew and Story were packing up a seal-research said. camp. After they finished, they had some time to sit and watch “Some students are more ready for college when they’re 14 the seals for a while. He captured a picture of a curious seal pok- and some when they’re 60,” said Tuck.“David found what ing through the ice to look at the machinery. worked best for him … he’s making his own path.” “Animals are always a hit. I have been fairly close to seals and Story found that returning as a nontraditional student gave penguins. The Antarctic Treaty prohibits interacting with them him better focus for his studies. “It gave me a new clarity that I … but is not meant to prohibit you from seeing them,” Story hadn’t had before,” he said. Without the peripheral clutter of liv- said. “In Antarctica or otherwise, my favorite way to see wildlife ing on campus he was able to find new depth and meaning in his is sitting quietly on the periphery.” classes.

Photos courtesy D.C. Divas of sleep in a week,” Robinson PLAYING THE FIELD said. “That’s like about 30 minutes a day!” In addition to her impres- J school sive academic achievements, freshman turns Robinson also played football in high school — with the boys. her attention to She said she grew up playing with the boys and, in high journalism school, decided to try out for the football team. She played a lot and pre-law on the junior varsity team her sophomore and junior years by BILL CITRO and sparingly on the varsity team her senior year. ure, quite a few journalism students played football when Robinson, 18, said her dad Athletic ability, attitude they were in high school. But only one of them is told her she never “yelled or and spunk helped Robinson suc- a woman. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx fussed but proved my point like ceed. For example, her JV foot- Courtney Robinson, a Lanham, Md., native has the a lawyer does.” Together, they ball coach doubled as her trading card to prove it. There she is, in full football decided she’d make a great wrestling coach, and she was regalia,S ready to play with the boys. lawyer, and she hasn’t looked on good enough terms with him But Robinson has more on her mind these days than pads and back. that he suggested she try practice. She wants to become a civil and domestic lawyer She hasn’t had time. embarrassing his own brother. to help women around the world, and she’s relying on the UNL Some of Robinson’s accom- “I put my hand out as J school to help her make that goal a reality. plishments at Duvall High though I was going to shake “You have to learn to communicate well,” Robinson said, School include: valedictorian in [the brother’s] hand, and then, explaining why she chose majors in news-editorial and women’s a graduating class of 256, pres- without warning, I flipped him,” studies with pre-law as a minor. ident of the National Honor said Robinson. “He was so Robinson’s combination of academic and athletic accomplish- Society, editor-in-chief of The shocked and amazed. He said I ments set her apart. But with football behind her — at least for the Duvalian newspaper and recipi- did a very good job, and he was present — her college studies are now her focus. She said law is a ent of the State of Maryland dizzy and laughing.” natural for her. Scholastic Award in recognition Football was only the “I used to get into arguments with my dad when I was little,” of scholastic achievement. flashiest part of Robinson’s high Robinson said. “I always won . . . most of the time.” “I once got only five hours school athletic endeavors. She 42 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 During his four years away, Story took many pictures, and at 4 a.m. and hiked throughout the morning so he could take his ability as a photographer vastly improved, but he didn’t feel as advantage of the morning light to capture the reflection of a comfortable taking pictures of people as he would have liked. mountain in the lake below. In spring of 2006, Story worked with the CoJMC’s weekly His motivation and dedication in photography have served newspaper, Redweek. As a student of photojournalism professor him well, and Thorson said Story’s technological abilities help Bruce Thorson, Story learned about the styles and techniques of him adapt well to the evolving world of journalism. journalistic photography. “He embraces technology,” said Thorson, “and that’s impor- “I saw potential in David, but he needed the experience that tant in a world that is increasingly more visual.” working in a journalistic environment can offer,” said Thorson. Story looks forward to creating an Internet publication that Story learned both the ins and outs of photojournalism and would be a collaborative work between him and his travel part- the legal boundaries that surround it. While shooting at the ners. Publishing on the Internet would help Story reach more Union for Redweek, he was confronted by a student who claimed people, and he could add photos to his Web site from anywhere to be a photojournalism major at UNL (a degree not offered). in the world. The student told Story he couldn’t take pictures without a waiver. “I don’t ever really see myself having consistent access to Before Story could explain that it was a public place and his printers,” Story said. assignment was not for private sale, the student called the police. He currently maintains a Web site and blog of his photogra- Feeling frustrated, Story decided to stay and wait for them to phy and adventures at http://www.mombok.com. The site has arrive. allowed him to experiment and is similar to what he would even- “If I left, I would have secured this individual’s beliefs and, of tually like to do. course, appeared more suspicious,” said Story. “If I had left, how- The name “mombok” came from a feldspar crystal formation ever, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to hear the policeman that is considered an oddity. In fact, Story considers himself say, ‘As far as I know, there is nothing wrong with taking pictures something of an oddity. He finished his degree in December and in a public place.’” is looking for a photojournalism job. Those pictures from Story has always been dedicated to taking good pictures. In Antarctica make his a portfolio that will stand out from the usual Los Glaciares, Argentina, Story and his wife, Martha, once set out work. Being an oddity may turn out to be a real advantage. J

also ran track, has a black belt Robinson. astonished when Robinson first football. after eight years in karate and Jamie Dilla, an assistant told him she was going to col- Robinson said she made practiced with the wrestling defensive coach for the Divas lege in Lincoln. the right choice in coming to team, though she didn’t partici- for the past six years, said foot- He remembers thinking, Nebraska. pate in the meets. In those high ball builds character and true “It’s such a small world” and “It has a lot more opportu- school years, Robinson effec- love of competition. But women being excited that someone of nities than back home in D.C.,” tively balanced athletics with start out at a distinct disadvan- Robinson’s caliber chose she said. “If I never left for col- academics. tage compared to men, Dilla Nebraska. lege, I might have never left the In her graduation speech said, because they simply don’t Her head coach, Ezra area. I broadened my hori- as valedictorian, Robinson have the understanding of the Cooper, said, “She will work zons.” offered some advice for other game that so many boys grow with the students to help bring Robinson said that becom- students. She said, “You need up with. energy and fire to the commu- ing a beat writer covering the attitude to succeed. Attitude is Robinson’s high-school nity.” rifle team and working on agri- one of the few things you own.” experiences in football gave her Although Robinson hasn’t cultural stories are experiences Robinson used her talents a head start over other Divas had the time or will to partici- unique to Nebraska. and her winning attitude last rookies. pate in college athletics — Robinson said she thought summer while playing for the “They hadn’t played on a because she’s “too tired” — she Nebraska would give her the D.C. Divas professional high school team,” she said. has kept busy with her two part- best chance to attend her women’s football squad. The “They weren’t used to the con- time jobs, one of which she is dream law school, Harvard. Divas had an undefeated sea- cepts, like teamwork.” still getting used to. She said She hopes to use her desire, son and won the National More than playing goes writing stories for the Daily attitude and determination to Women’s Football Association into women’s football. Because Nebraskan is very different make an impact on many lives Super Bowl in August. it isn’t as popular as the men’s from being the editor-in-chief by being a lawyer. Playing mostly defensive game, the women have to make for her high-school paper, “Being a lawyer is obvious- back and some wide receiver, an effort just to be in a position where she ran things her way. ly the choice for me. I don’t Robinson was the youngest to play. For example, the Divas In writing for both the have a passion for anything among team members who have to raise money to pay for sports and news departments else,” Robinson said. averaged in the mid-to-late 20s. their own lodging, travel and of the paper, she said she has Knowing what Robinson is Football movies show how foot- equipment. Imagine the learned a lot about Husker pas- capable of when performing ball can shape men, but Cornhusker football team hav- sion and pride. Robinson had with passion, Cooper said, “Any Robinson said the sport can ing to do that. never heard of the Big 12 college would be grateful to help women to grow, too. Dilla, who lives in Grand before she came to Nebraska, have her.” “We’re not just playing the Island and often wears Husker and she quickly learned that ● sport and getting by,” said apparel to Divas practices, was fans around here know their 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 43 Q&ASTEVE PEDERSON

NU athletic director Steve Pederson has devoted most of his career to Husker athletics. Now he sees great days ahead.

Steve Pederson became athletic director at NU in 2003. He sat down in November with Will Norton and Rick Alloway to talk about his career and his observations on college athletics, his job at NU and the media. This is an edited version of the interview.

WILL NORTON JR.: Steve, you’ve had a long career in athletics. Would you briefly recount the major milestones, going back as THE far back as you want to go? (As a ■UNL student, he asked Don Bryant, then sports information director, for a job.) I said, “I’ll volunteer. I’ll do anything you want. It would just be exciting to be involved here in some way.” I got so I couldn’t wait to get to work. POWER Probably the next kind of unusual thing that happened was Tom Osborne hired a recruiting coordinator by of the name of Jerry Pettibone . … He was interested in doing ONE this and interested in doing that, and we didn’t have a very ● big staff. I would see Bill Bennett, who was the assistant The Sea of Red coach, say, “I apologize. We just don’t have time to help “Through these gates pass the you.” greatest fans in college football.” So one day I wandered upstairs and said, “Coach, I’m Nebraska football fans have packed just a student here, but I’d be glad to do anything you want me to do.” And so that’s really how I got kind of involved Memorial Stadium for every game in recruiting. And then when Jerry left to go to Texas since 1962. The addition of 6,000 seats A&M, that’s when Tom (Osborne) came and asked me to in 2006 brought the capacity of the come back as administrative assistant and recruiting coor- stadium to more than 80,000. dinator (in 1982).” 44 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 $12,000 a year. And I said, “Well, coach, I’ve been offered a job at Missouri making 18 five.” And he said, “You greedy son of a gun!” He just absolutely berated me for about the next 15 minutes — told me how selfish I was and if I couldn’t live on $12,000 a year I needed to adjust my lifestyle and that he didn’t need a bunch of arrogant spoiled brats working around here. I stood up and I said, “Coach, I’ll take the job. Thank you,” shook his hand and walked out and told my fiancé, Tammy, now my wife, that I just dropped $6,500 at a moment’s notice, and … it was great. So I worked at sports information for a period of time and then was offered the job as director of public relations and advertising at Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha, and that was when Ak-Sar-Ben was running top 10 thoroughbred racing, and it was a pretty neat time. And then that’s when Tom hired me back.

■ WN: You must’ve learned some terrific things from coach Devaney. He was an unusual administrator in so many ways because he could absolutely go right to the core, and you felt like you’d just absolutely been annihilated. And the next day he’d see you and thought you were the best hire he’d ever made. He had a great personality. He was always straightforward and honest with people, and that’s probably the thing that I appreciated the most. Even in the story about offering the job, he was basically saying at Nebraska this job pays $12,000, and if you don’t want it, then you ought to go somewhere else. If what you’re looking for is a certain amount of money, it’s probably not the right place for you. We don’t work for that. I’ve always remembered that, and I never did take a job for money after that. ■ WN: So where had you been working Every job I took was because I thought the when you got the call? I was at Ak-Sar- job was a great job. Ben. When I got ready to graduate, Tom Devaney had a great way with people. Osborne and Jerry Pettibone had gone to I don’t think anybody that worked for him coach Devaney and said, “We can’t let this ever wondered where they stood with him. guy leave; he’s graduating in a month, and I’ve tried to operate in the same way — to he’s got a job offer from the University of make sure people know what the expecta- Missouri.” I had a job offer in their sports tions are and that we’ll do anything we can information office … making $18,500 a to help them, but at the same time we year. want them to be straightforward with us. So coach Devaney called me into his You know, we laugh because the way office and said, “You’re doing a good job that everything functions now is so differ- around here, and we’d like to have you stay ent than it was when Devaney was athletic full time at Nebraska, and we’ll pay you director. It’s just a different day and age. Photos courtesy Husker Athletics 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 45 Q&ASTEVE PEDERSON

We had one all-staff meeting in the time ■ WN: Yeah, I would think he would hate that I worked for coach Devaney, and he all the paperwork. Yeah. He loved the only really called it because the chancellor people parts of this. The one thing I’ve told him he should start having staff meet- tried to remember is that this is a people- ings. first department and not get so wrapped We were all waiting in the room for up in all those other things that we start to the staff meeting. It was about 8:10, and forget about the kids who play and the then it was about 8:15, and finally his sec- people who work here and coach here. retary poked her head in the door and said, When I was at Pittsburgh I got a call “Coach Devaney is running late; staff from a New York newspaper who said, meeting cancelled.” “We’re doing a story on the new-age athletic director.” And I said, “What’s a new- ■ RICK ALLOWAY: How has athletic age athletic director?”And they said,“Well, administration changed from the days of Rutgers is getting ready to hire an athletic Bob Devaney and his compatriots in director, and we’re using you as a model of terms of the focus on the job and the a new-age athletic director.” budgets and staff and all those sorts of I said most of what I learned, I learned things? Well, you know, we had fewer from a guy who was an athletic director in things that we dealt with on a day-to-day 1964, and I’ve been fortunate to work for a basis. The size of the department was lot of great people during that time much smaller, the number of sports was because everybody brought different fewer and you didn’t have compliance strengths. But they aren’t what I would call offices. new-age athletic directors. The basics of For instance, if we had a question this should, I hope, still remain the same. about the NCAA rules, we picked up the phone and called Prentice Gautt at the Big ■ RA: Let’s explore that a bit. Do we think 8 office and said, “Prentice, can I do this or that most athletic directors down the “ can’t I do this? Well, now we have six full- road are going to be more business peo- time people in our compliance depart- ple who have an interest in athletics and Athletics Husker courtesy Photo ment. knowledge as opposed to moving in from [Devaney] had a great Our academic counseling center was coaching? I hope that we stay with people personality and he had Ursula Walsh; she worked with every one who have been in the locker room. I think a great way with people of our student athletes. And if you look at you have to have a business background, and he was always our training table, it was really built only but I hope that you have some exposure to for football and basketball players at that having been in the locker room. I made straightforward and time. In 1983, we used the money from the what was probably kind of an unusual honest with people. Kickoff Classic to build that. We did not decision in hiring our senior women’s have a full-time fund-raiser; the money administrator and that was to ask Rhonda business, and you’re making decisions that Revelle to also serve in that role. “ was raised through the foundation. So the can be multi-million dollar decisions, business office was composed of three The number one reason is that I think right or wrong, on a daily basis. people. Rhonda is very smart, very talented. But, All those things have just changed also, I thought nobody was talking about ■ RA: You mentioned that you’d had both dramatically. A lot of it is the require- what our student athletes want, and I business courses and journalism courses ments, and a lot of it is the way you do thought it would really benefit us to have at UNL. Yes, and, frankly, I viewed the business. The concessions manager was someone who is with kids in the locker journalism courses as the fun courses if our business officer, and he ran conces- room every day in those meetings talking you will. They weren’t easy, but they were sions. about how this really impacts coaches and energizing — whether it was being on And think about where I started, in student athletes. KRNU or writing for something or taking the sports information office. It was Don And actually the senior women’s a public relations class or actually mocking Bryant, his assistant Bill Bennett, secretary administrators from the conference have up ads and so forth. All that stuff was ener- Susan Landon and two students. I was one loved it because Rhonda has a great per- gizing and fun. And I was fortunate in the of them, and we handled all the rest of spective. I told her I also want somebody fact that I was able to combine a lot of everything. So it’s grown dramatically and next to me who’s continuing to think like a what I was doing at work with what I was from a $15 million budget to an almost coach. You can’t have people who are sole- turning in for classes. I was doing a press $68 million budget. So I think coach ly either business people or compliance guide anyway, so that became part of my Devaney would be surprised at what it people; they lose perspective on what’s news writing things. looks like today. I think that he would going on. probably think that there’s too much. That You do have to have a business back- ■ RA: How do you feel about the quality would be my guess. ground in this, though, too. I mean it is big of education you got in our college? As I

46 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 came out of school, I felt like I was everybody wants to know is what kind of equipped to do anything that I could ever experience level have they had. have the opportunity to do. When I was at I will say this, too, that because of this Ohio State, we had a professor who met college, we have more young people in our with recruits, and one time — he had sports information office than most places taught at Yale for 15 years — he said you do. We have certainly way more talent in can get a great or a lousy education at Yale. HuskerVision than we could probably ever You can get a great or lousy education at afford if we were going out and trying to Ohio State. He said, “It’s all up to you.” hire full-time people to do that. And that’s the way I feel about Nebraska. I think there’s everything in the world ■ RA: Let me ask you what has changed at the fingertips of the students. I tell about working with boosters from when recruits this in all of our sports. You have you first got into the job? What are the to take advantage of it, though. If you want expectations, the demands, the to slide by anywhere in the country, you requests? And how much time do you can probably slide by. If you want great spend doing it? We spend a lot of time, things, you can get great of things here as certainly, dealing with our donors and well as anywhere in the United States. boosters. Fortunately, those people have It’s interesting when we recruit; we sell been great; they have not interfered; they the University of Nebraska as much as we have let us run the program. I credit coach ever sell any of our football or volleyball Devaney with setting that tone a long time success or anything else. We talk about ago. what a great university this is. Now, that doesn’t happen everywhere, The other thing I tell young people is unfortunately; there are places where the that the faculty here are so engaged with boosters have tremendous influence. our students. I think that’s a real advan- What’s happened here is that the numbers tage. At some schools you have famous have grown dramatically; it used to be that “ people on the faculty who, during your we had the Extra Point Club and then the four years, you will never actually see in Touchdown Club, and that was the gist of Athletics Husker courtesy Photo person. That does not create a better envi- it. We had a couple of meetings a year, and Bill Callahan offered me ronment. now obviously that’s grown. But I think a job making $18,500 a What creates a better environment is Nebraska still has its priorities right. The year when he was a sitting in the room with the real people. people who help us with their donations sports information direc- Think about your case, Rick, for instance know they’re helping educate people; — the time you spend with those kids like they’re helping build good facilities for tor at the University of Larry Walklin did with me up in the booth those people, and it’s for the right reasons. Missouri. at KRNU. That’s how they really learn; that doesn’t happen everywhere. ■ RA: How about working with the fans? ■ RA: How about working with coaches And so I would say, separate what’s I think that that hasn’t changed a lot. I felt “ and assistant coaches today compared real from what’s reputational, and find out like maybe we’d become a little discon- to what it was like in the Devaney sort of what you’re really going to learn. Because nected from our fans, which is one of the boys’ club — the chumminess that existed ultimately when you’re out there in a job, it reasons we’ve started things like the back then? I hope that we still have a great doesn’t matter where you went to school. It Husker Nation Pavilion — to bring them relationship. One of the things that I’ve only matters what you know and what back around the stadium and get them tried to do is make sure that all of our you’re willing to learn and how you’re will- involved and be right there. coaches are interconnected, that they all ing to go about it. I think at Nebraska you I think we’ve tried to reach out and do know each other, that they work together. can be equipped to do anything in the some events; we’ve gone around the state Our head coaches’ meetings are fascinat- world that you want to do. in the Husker Nation caravans. We go out ing. to schools and talk to young people. Coach Now we’ve started some assistant ■ RA: OK, back to that question: If you’re Callahan’s done a lot of events that bring coaches’ meetings, and they’re talking talking to a student who’s interested in young people in. Those kinds of things are about recruiting. We’re doing some things doing what you’re doing now, where fun and kind of a reconnection. that we’ve never done before. Coach should somebody start — at an intern- I’m afraid that the more success we Callahan welcomed the recruits from all ship while they’re in school or their first had the more we maybe pulled away a lit- sports into the pre-game recruiting lunch- job out of school? I’d tell every young per- tle bit. I worried that when you get 5,000 eons. It’s a great atmosphere, and it’s what son who comes to see me, “Volunteer any- people who want autographs and you can’t I believe in, too. where you can.” Get some experience and satisfy all 5,000 people you may slowly We all do this together. We all support some exposure, because when I try to help wean yourself away from doing any of each other. The coaches enjoy each other, young people with jobs, the first thing them, and we probably pushed a little too they know each other and I think we’ve far. I think we’ve tried to remedy that. had more interaction with them than at

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 47 Q&ASTEVE PEDERSON any other time. I think they’ve enjoyed anything. You can pretty much put up that. whatever you want, and then if it’s wrong you just take it down, and it’s as though it ■ RA: How about working with student evaporated from the face of the earth. And athletes? It’s fabulous. The interesting that’s just real life. part now is that we engage our student athletes a lot more than we ever did years ■ WN: It seems to me that you almost ago. We get together, and we talk with have to give up on trying to control infor- groups of student athletes about what they mation in this world. Is that a wrong feel about this or that or what they believe. impression? You would spend all day We talk about NCAA legislative issues. We explaining that rumors were inaccurate. get their opinions on how they feel about You would almost have to have a full-time how it will affect them. Before, we were person who spent all day — and I know making a lot of those decisions in a vacu- that there are schools who actually have um. decided to hire somebody that goes on all And the other thing is that the student these blogs and sets the record straight. athletes like being engaged. I don’t know To me, if you do things the right way, 25 years ago if they would’ve cared. I think that will eventually play itself out. If you we’ve built a culture where they know that start trying to answer everything that we want to talk to them about things and comes along the pipe, pretty soon you’re encourage their input. I think that we just playing their game. You’re not any dif- must’ve done a good job of letting them ferent than they are in a lot of ways, and know that it does get relayed on, what they then I think you start to lose credibility of say, and so they feel like it’s valuable time your program, and you get focused on the for them to spend. wrong things.

■ RA: What’s changed most about work- ■ WN: When you first came into town, ing with the media? There are so many you came in as a hero because you were different forms of media out there. When I Tom’s (Osborne’s) boy. And then you started in sports information, after prac- made a decision that most people who tice every day there would be somebody know football knew had to be made. from The Omaha World-Herald, somebody (Pederson had been athletic director only from the Lincoln Journal Star, somebody a few months when football coach Frank from the Daily Nebraskan and me or Solich was fired.) There are still rum- somebody else. We talked to coach blings about that. Tell us how you dealt Osborne about practice for a few minutes, with the kinds of controversy that swirled and then I’d go back, and I’d call around you. How were you going to let Associated Press, and I’d call UPI and tell people know what was true? I think first them what happened at practice that day, of all, my parents said you have do what and they’d put it on the wire and send it you believe is the right thing. Not every- out. From time to time there would be body is always going to agree with that, some television people there but not regu- and what we chose to do was not to larly. respond to every rumor or innuendo or Now after practice there are 30 people suggestion. crowded around the coach, and a number I believe the truth is a powerful thing, of them are from what I guess we’re calling and over the course of time the truth even- new media now. You don’t know exactly tually comes out. Now during that time who they’re representing or what’s hap- you might get beat up for a while, but we pening. tried not to justify too many decisions or You also have newspaper people who too many things because sometimes it’s now appear on TV. Or they have a radio not in everybody’s best interest to know show that promotes their story the next everything. People kept saying, “You need day. So a lot of it has changed in that way to tell us more,” and I said, “I can’t tell you from even just the few writers every day. more. It is what it is, and we’re going to I’m not saying that it is bad. I think keep moving forward.” that the legitimacy of some of the Internet I wish in retrospect that, in the stuff bothers me because I don’t know process of making the coaching change, we always what the motivation is. I don’t would’ve spelled out more clearly what the know whether there is any monitoring of process was going to be. I think we did that what they’re doing or if anybody reads in basketball (in 2006), and it seemed to be

48 WINTER 2006-2007 Photos courtesy Husker Athletics J ALUMNI NEWS 33 much more effective. I know they reported great head coaches work with their teams that I talked for 25 minutes when we in successful times at Nebraska — both announced that we were looking for a new Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne — and basketball coach, but I spelled out in detail know what it looked like when they were how we were going to go about it, and I winning championships. I hope that gives wish that we’d done that in football. me some view of how that works and the I think we did the basketball transi- things that were beneficial to us and the tion with a more orderly explanation, and things that make Nebraska special. maybe it helped in our working with the We’ve got to think into the future, but media a little bit because in those situa- we also have to stay with the baseline of tions the media are telling your story for how Nebraska has been successful for the you. And when you’re not talking, you past 40 years. I think coach Callahan have to understand that they’re going to understands those things. He understands tell the story in whatever fashion they can what we have to be able to do. Somebody get it. will say we need to run more, we need to throw more. Remember this: Good coach- ■ RA: Does part of that whirlwind es do what they believe is the most suc- around the coaching situation stem from cessful way to win. what we were just talking about: the The first few years that Tom immediacy of the new media and the 24- (Osborne) was the head coach he threw hour news cycle? Now we’ve got this vac- the heck out of the ball and then decided uum to fill 24 hours a day, and if some- the best way for us to win was to run the body sitting in a restaurant sees you hav- ball more, so at that point we put in a dif- ing dinner with Rick Majerus (football ferent game. But then the games changed, coach at the University of Southern and the conferences changed, and so you California), suddenly they could call a have to be able to respond to whatever that reporter, and that’s all over the news. I is. think that’s accurate, and I guess I hope the I’ve never told a coach what he should old-line media will continue to be the do offensively, defensively. When I hired source of accurate information and not Ben Howland at Pittsburgh as a basketball move towards competitiveness with that coach, his theme was “recruit to shoot.”He particular medium. led the nation in three-point shooting and I think about the Monday after we three-point percentages and shooting per- made the football coaching change. There centages at Northern Arizona, but when he was a report that Steve Spurrier was in came to Pittsburgh, he said, “That’s not town and that I was driving him around how we’re going to win here. We’re going and that I picked him up at Duncan to have to play defense, and we’re going to Aviation. The one thing missing in that knock people down, and we’re going to be was that Steve Spurrier was at practice that physical. So then all of a sudden we’re win- day with the Washington Redskins, and I ning 42-41. That’s what great coaches do. was in my office in South Stadium and They adjust the situation and do what they they could’ve knocked on the door and have to do to be successful. asked me. But that rumor swirled like crazy. ■ WN: You had the advantage of following some legends and having a great tra- ■ RA: Do you think as Nebraska’s athlet- dition, but when you came, the regents ic director that it’s easier or tougher for had just turned down a chance to expand you in dealing with these kinds of situa- the stadium. The one thing I think is that tions because you are a native in a state of 1.7 million people, everybody Nebraskan yourself? What additional has to pull together on what’s best for the pressure or advantages does that give institution. As for the stadium project, you? I hope I still think like a Nebraskan when I came back, fortunately Chancellor and look at things in the best interest of Perlman understood where we were and Nebraska. Often, when somebody accuses was agreeable to letting us move forward. me of making changes, I’ve said what I Certainly, we wouldn’t have done it if we believe we’re doing is changing things back didn’t think financially we could handle it, the way I know they have been when we’ve but we had to get started differently from a been successful, and to me that’s the most normal fund-raising way where you would important thing. raise X- amount of dollars in hand. If we I was fortunate to be able to watch two did that we would’ve put ourselves anoth-

12 SUMMER 2005 Photos courtesy Husker Athletics J ALUMNI NEWS 49 Q&ASTEVE PEDERSON er two years behind in recruiting. Athletics is just another part of this. does your business school stack up?” Or, “I We had to start building the day we We’re trying to keep pace with the great want to study psychology, and I’d like to got here or we were going to be in big trou- things that are happening, and it is the best visit with people in the psychology depart- ble. It wasn’t until this August that we real- way in Nebraska for us to train the next ment.” They are measuring that just like ly saw the advantage of that. We haven’t great century of Nebraskans. they do football wins and losses. actually seen as many benefits yet from I don’t believe kids graduate from recruiting as we will into the future. Until Harvard and come to Lincoln, Neb., to ■ RA: What was the toughest lesson you young people can walk into the building start a business. They graduate from had to learn on the job? That, as much as and see it — you can show them all the Nebraska and stay in Lincoln or go to you try, the world’s not perfect, and every- graphics and pictures and sketches and Omaha and start a business, and that’s body’s not perfect and some of the people walk them through a steel structure, but how success will come here. We have to you have the highest expectations for and until they see it and they see that could be grow our state right here on our campus. do the most for will disappoint you the my locker, it’s a tough sell. I think we’re most. But you can’t let that get you down just now starting to see the advantages in ■ RA: Talk a bit about what you think the because there are so many wonderful peo- recruiting. relationship is between athletics and the ple out there. rest of the university. There are certainly ■ RA: You hear some people refer to the a lot of places where they appear to be ■ WN: I wanted to ask one more ques- facilities situation as a facilities arms separate entities with just the same tion: The Big Twelve north really has race among all the different schools. Is name on them. And I have never felt a taken a lot of criticism compared to the that a fair characterization, and if so, is great cohesion here. I hope we’ve done south. There are new great coaches in there a point where a state like ours says our part in that. We know that what hap- the north as well as in the south; great that’s all we can do? How does that chal- pens in athletics is just one part of making athletic directors have been added. This lenge you? I look at what we did for $50 the university of Nebraska a special place. is a completely different conference than million, and we have people come in and Our students first and foremost go to when it used to be either Nebraska and say it’s the finest facility they’ve ever been school here, and we want them to get a Missouri, or Colorado or Oklahoma. This in — and these are people that travel all degree doing something that they love to is a tough conference now, and it’s not as over the country. Other people spend a lot do, so we always try to be respectful of our uneven as a lot of people say. How do you more than we have. faculty and the university community. get that message across to the public I think we’ve tried to do it prudently We hope that shows and that the fac- when you have competition from the Big with the things that we need to make ulty and staff here know that we do prior- East, the Southeastern conference, the Nebraska competitive and successful, and itize education and we do expect our kids Pac10 and we’re not in a media center? I we’re not going to spend money just to to toe the mark just like anybody else. We think what’s happening to us is that we’re spend it. However, the cost of getting out don’t ask for any special favors — and beating ourselves up internally. I think of the business is far greater than staying in wouldn’t get them anyway, I don’t believe. some of the southern papers are writing it. That’s really no different than it is in any Our students know the day they get here that the north isn’t that good, and then the other part of the university. The great that our expectation is they’re going to do northern papers are writing that they’re things that are happening — whether it’s the same thing everybody else in their class not sure the north is that good, either. the virology center or the new computer is doing. Yet the last time I remember this dis- science center — those are essential in I also believe that a great university cussion really heating up, Kansas State bringing the best and brightest students helps us get great people. We have to have went down to the Big 12 championship and the best and brightest faculty to our a great university as part of our recruiting game and just whacked Oklahoma. That campus and making sure that they can pitch. The student athletes are not just was the year that the Big 12 north was just practice their profession in the very best selecting us based on how many football hideous in the minds of most people. So way they can and that students want to games they think we’ll win; they’re saying, there’s outstanding athletics going on in all come study here. “I really want to study business, and how 12 of these schools.

HUSKERS

George Flippin ● Big 12 Conference ● Strength training was one of the first African The Big 12 Conference began its Nebraska is known as the birth- American play- second decade of competition in 2006- place for strength and conditioning of ers in NCAA 07. The league encompasses seven collegiate athletics. Nebraska hired the football . He states, more than 42 million people first strength coach in 1969. The played at and more than 18 million television National Strength and Conditioning Nebraska in the late 1800s households. The conference has distrib- Association was founded in Lincoln in and early uted $807.2 million to its 12 members. 1978. 1900s. 50 WINTER 2006-2007 Photos courtesy Husker Athletics

The HuskerVision video board was part of the North Stadium addition and made its debut in August for the 2006 football season.

I think what’s happened is that every- like some other conferences have? I the winner. body is better. I think the biggest change is don’t know. We’re in that discussion right that there are no “gimmes,” and so every- now. As we start to play 12 games like we ■ RA: What’s the future of athletic body’s better. So the appearance is some- are this year that may eventually change administration, both on this campus and times that everybody’s worse. people’s view of the championship game. as an industry? Well, it’s exciting because The strength of the conference will The championship game was born more you get to deal with great people. I get to move in various directions, and there’ll be of revenue than it was of competitiveness, deal with 220 of the greatest people and periods of time where one side of the con- and so probably the next round of review 550 of the greatest kids that there are in the ference will dominate maybe more than of that game will make a big difference in world, and so I hope that the tougher parts the other, and then that’ll come full circle. what people think. If it ends up not being of this job don’t chase good people off In the early years of this league, the north that much money, a lot of schools might from doing it. It’s enjoyable, and there’s dominated, and now the south is stronger say we don’t need to keep doing this. never been one day where I’ve been dis- in a lot of ways. The reality is there aren’t that many couraged by going to work. We’ll probably always be judged by schools who have played in that game. If our best teams, so whoever has the best you do play in the game, sometimes it ■ RA: More specifically, what’s in your team in the league at that point is going to affects the overall outcome of where our future? Are you happy to stay here and be the apparent outstanding side of the conference ends up, and so I think there’ll ride it out or … Yeah.We’re trying to make conference. Nebraska was dominating be more and more discussions about this thing better every day, and it’s fun to when we first went in to this, then whether to keep the championship game. watch the progress not just in football but Oklahoma was dominating, and Texas is in all of it. We’re enjoying what’s going on. now in a more dominant role. ■ RA: Is there some recruiting value in a I’m proud of the University of Nebraska. championship game — for the two teams It’s as strong as it has been since I can ■ WN: Will we continue to have a cham- and for the conference? I think probably remember, and I think great days are ahead pionship game, or will we maybe drop it only for the two teams, and maybe only for as well. ■

● Academics ● Fan Day Nebraska student athletes from A Husker tradition for more than all teams and all sports combined to 30 years attracts nearly 10,000 fans lead the nation with a total of 235 annually to Memorial Stadium during GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans fall camp. Every Husker player and followed by second place Notre Dame coach signs autographs and poses for with 178 honorees. pictures with fans.

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 51 JNews& Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

ADVERTISING Nelson during the Nebraska Broadcasters Vegas and was re-elected to the executive Association convention. He began serving committee of the documentary division. FRAUKE HACHTMANN led a group of adver- a term as one of two broadcasters repre- He was executive producer of “In the tising students to Berlin and Dresden, senting Nebraska on the board of direc- Wake of Catastrophe,” a 60-minute docu- Germany, in summer 2006 to study global tors of the Northwest Broadcast News mentary comparing and contrasting the advertising practices. She also presented a Association. In August, he began serving Tsunami in Sri Lanka to Hurricane paper at the 2006 International as secretary of the UNL Academic Senate; Katrina. It debuted on Aug. 29, 2006, at Communication Association Conference. he continues on the Senate’s executive the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center Hachtmann then traveled to Duke committee. He interviewed George and played again on Aug. 31. In January University to conduct research about how McGovern as part of the “Campus Voices” 2007 it aired on Nebraska NET. Along J. Walter Thompson, one of the leading radio/podcast series for 90.3 KRNU and with Barney McCoy, he presented semi- global advertising agencies, promoted NewsNetNebraska. He was a contributor nars to the UNL Athletic Department and consumerism in Germany during the to a book on the a cappella music move- the UNL communicators on writing and Cold War. She was one of two recipients ment written by a German musician (and producing material for the Web. He made of the J. Walter Thompson Research frequent contributor to Alloway’s weekly a presentation to high school students at Fellowship. KRNU show), which was released in the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center In August, Hachtmann was elected to Europe last fall. about depth reports at the CoJMC and serve on the AEJMC advertising division’s made a presentation at Kansas State executive committee. She also presented LAURIE THOMAS LEE wrote a book chapter, University at a workshop titled two papers at the 2006 AEJMC “Digital Media Technology and Privacy,” “Community Readiness Communi- Convention in San Francisco. One of for a book titled “Communication cations: Accurate Messages in times of them, titled “How to Improve Critical Technology and Social Change,” edited by Crisis” in November. He and Amy Thinking Skills in the Media Strategy Carolyn Lin and David Atkin and pub- Struthers wrote a grant proposal to pro- Course Using Online Peer Collaborative lished by LEA, 2007. She presented a duce a 60-minute informational video Learning: A Mixed Methods Approach,” research paper, “Viewer Privacy over with supporting material on alternative will appear in the “Journal of Advertising Cable, Satellite, the Internet and other energy sources. Education” in the spring. MVPDs: The Need for Uniform In the fall, Hachtmann was inducted Regulatory Protection,” at the annual con- NEWS-EDITORIAL into Phi Beta Delta, an honor society for vention of AEJMC in San Francisco in international scholars. She also presented August. She was appointed by the mayor NANCY ANDERSON went to Vietnam for a paper at the 31st Annual European to serve on the Cable Advisory Board for three weeks in the summer as a graduate Studies Conference in Omaha. The paper Lincoln for a three-year term starting in student in a class on contemporary was co-authored by three graduate stu- August. She spoke on a panel, “Security Vietnam. She also taught a magazine editing class that edited and produced an in- dents who were part of the study abroad vs. Freedom: The 9/11 Age,” as part of a depth report on Lincoln’s Clinton group that traveled to Germany earlier in week-long “Crimethink” symposium at Elementary School and an award-winning the summer. the UNL Lied Center in October. She also alumni magazine for the Hixson-Lied Now in her fourth year as Peer judged contest entries for the Oregon Review of Teaching fellow, Hachtmann College of Fine and Performing Arts. She Association of Broadcasters annual con- will again lead a six-member UNL faculty is the adviser for the student chapter of test. team to develop inquiry course portfolios. the American Copy Editors Society One of her previous course portfolios will (ACES). This fall, members of the group BARNEY MCCOY worked with John Bender be featured in “Inquiry into the have attended a regional workshop in and Nancy Mitchell on a computer assist- Classroom: A Practical Guide for the Omaha and a chapter workshop on writ- ed campaign finance analysis report on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning” by ing resumes and compiling portfolios. the U.S. Senate race that was carried Savory, Goodburn and Burnett (2007). across the state by the Associated Press. CHARLYNE BERENS participated during the The Columbus Dispatch carried a feature PHYLLIS LARSEN served as a paper reviewer fall in a number of events related to the article that he wrote on the only survivor for the International PRSA conference, an launch of her book, “Chuck Hagel: of a Great Lakes shipwreck. He also par- evaluator for UNL’s Institute for Moving Forward,” a biography of one of ticipated in CoJMC’s partnership teaching International Teaching Assistants and a Nebraska’s United States senators, pub- project with the Kosovo Institute of reviewer for the Department of Theatre lished by the University of Nebraska Journalism and Communication by Arts productions. Press. In May, she directed the two-week teaching students in Pristina, Kosovo, in residency for 13 sports copy editors as BROADCASTING December. part of the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund editing program. She spoke about the JERRY RENAUD attended the Broadcast RICK ALLOWAy moderated an August Nebraska Unicameral to newly elected Education Association convention in Las debate between Pete Ricketts and Ben state senators in November and wrote an 52 WINTER 2006-2007 33 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS op-ed piece about the Legislature for The Omaha World-Herald in December. WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?

CAROLYN JOHNSEN discussed the process of producing the depth report, “Platte Students learn French culture River Odyssey,” on a panel of environmental and science journalism teachers at and improve their photo skills the annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Journalists in Burlington, Vt., in October. She is working on plans by MARCUS SCHEER 22 years he worked in film and television for the 2007 water conference and for production in Texas and Nebraska, Peon- another conference to bring prominent ith its ancient Roman ruins, Van Casanova has traveled to Italy, Brazil, China, Ireland, Uruguay and Cuba. His science writers to UNL in April. Gogh-inspiring scenery and rich culture, Provence, France, is a adventures exposed him to different cul- photographer’s paradise. Nine tures as he used video and photography to LUIS PEON-CASANOVA judged more than W UNL students were given the capture special perspectives on those cul- 3,000 pictures for the Nebraska State Fair opportunity to learn and polish their pho- tures. photo competition in September and the tography skills there on an international At the young age of 6, Peon-Casanova international students’ photo competition academic journey last summer. took his first photograph using his father’s in November. He conducted two J school faculty member Luis Peon- Olympus camera. Photoshop workshops for Casanova “I remember the sound of the shut- high school students in escorted the ter,” Peon-Casanova said. “Captivating.” October. His work was students to Students themselves were captivated part of a J school photo the south of by the French region’s quaint villages, his- exhibit in the Rotunda France to help torical cities and serene settings. And Gallery in the Union in them gain an while the scenery was enchanting, the trip December. He will serve international also was beneficial to students in other as a consultant on the perspective ways. project LOOK: Sixties and capture “I think traveling in general helps you Survivors, funded by the the landscape, grow as an individual because it makes Cooper Foundation in architecture you get out of that comfort zone and try 2007. and culture in new things,” Peltz wrote. pictures. The While the study abroad program offered students a chance to develop their GEORGE TUCK, news-ed three-week journalism skills, it also helped them professor emeritus, trip in the become more culturally diverse, Peon- taught a seven-week study summer of 2006 bal- Casanova said. The students agreed. session on photography “I learned just as much about France for UNL’s Osher Lifelong anced academics, sight- and its culture, as well as how people live Learning Institute. “Photo seeing and their lives on a daily basis,” wrote Tricia WOW” was a soup-to- multicultural Ramaekers. “This trip was an eye-opening nuts course designed for experiences, experience.” anyone with a camera. he said. Peon-Casanova plans to take another The course covered the In post- group abroad in the summer of 2007. This basis of camera operation trip reviews time, he wants to include other aspects of Photo by Luis Peon-Casanova and composition. they wrote for journalism, including broadcasting, adver- Peon-Casanova, students discussed the tising and news writing. There is so much SCOTT WINTER has been selected for a unique learning opportunities the trip in Provence for students to explore and writing fellowship at the Vermont Studio gave them. capture — whether through photography, Center in May and June. He will finish “Taking this photography course over- filmmaking or writing, he said. his M.A. in English in May. He spoke at seas gave me a very different perspective For many students, the lessons two national conventions in San than I would or ever could get in a class- learned on the trip continue to reverber- Francisco and Nashville, state high school room,” senior advertising major Veronica ate. journalism conventions in Texas and Peltz wrote. “What I was living, I was Wrote student Jen Seefeld: “It wasn’t Arkansas and five summer conventions at shooting.” until I returned to the States that I really University of Kansas, University of Texas- Peon-Casanova said he wanted stu- realized that this experience — and the Austin, Chapman University (Orange, dents to share the same opportunities he opportunities that I was given — did in fact change how I now view life and the things Calif.), Dallas County and University of had had when he traveled beyond the around me.” ■ Nebraska. ■ shores of the United States. During the

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 53 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

Cornsilk’s film gets national attention

by KRISTA BIERI Her Emmy nomination for scriptwriting came during her 13 years at NPT for a docu- With a resume that includes an Emmy nomination, film pre- mentary about the birth of mieres at major national venues and experience in public tele- Impressionist art in Normandy. vision, Carol Cornsilk — a versatile and accomplished film- After working at Native American Public Television for maker — has now brought her many skills to the J school. four years — from 2000 to 2004 — Cornsilk worked for a while as an independent con- WIn the fall, Cornsilk’s film, tractor and then decided to “Indian Country Diaries: return to school for her mas- Spiral of Fire,” premiered at ter’s. the National Museum of the “It’s been in the back of American Indian and was my mind to get a master’s shown at the 13th Native degree for about, oh, I would American Film and Video say at least 15 or 16 years,” Festival in New York and on Cornsilk said. When her son PBS stations nationwide. In an turned 16, she said, graduate e-mail, Cornsilk wrote that the school became feasible. “The best part of the experience was light bulb went off, and I said, “the prestige of being selected ‘OK, now I can do it. He’s in for exhibition in a major high school and pretty self- national venue for American sufficient, and I need to do it Indian work.” before he goes off to college.’” “Spiral of Fire” follows Cornsilk also wants to LeAnne Howe, a member of teach while she develops more the Choctaw nation of projects revolving around Oklahoma, through her inter- Native American content. actions with the Cherokee in As a graduate assistant at North Carolina. Howe looks the J school, Cornsilk teaches deep into Cherokee traditions a videography lab and works and into current problems on a project for the college, a related to tourism, bloodlines, script for a documentary health and maintaining cul- about Don Meier, a J school tural identity. alumnus who started “Wild Cornsilk, a member of Kingdom,” the classic TV pro- the Cherokee nation of gram, which now airs on the Oklahoma, took on the four- Animal Planet cable station. year job as executive producer Cornsilk’s advice to aspir- of the miniseries “Indian ing journalists: “Networking, Country Diaries” after the networking, networking.

project was already under way Peon-Casanova Luis by Photo Begin to establish networks.” at Native American Public tech skills, editing and com- that produces “Austin City Carol Cornsilk has taken Telecommunications in pletion,” said NAPT director, Limits.”At KLRU, Cornsilk her own advice, and it has Lincoln. She also was direc- Frank Blythe. “She prided her- wore many different hats, worked so far. Networking has tor/producer of “Spiral of self on being meticulous including producer, director, taken her to Austin, Nashville Fire.” about quality details.” writer and editor. and Washington, D.C. Now, at “She brought in a lot of Cornsilk’s career as a In 1987, she took a job as UNL, she’s further expanding expertise that we didn’t have filmmaker started in Austin, senior producer/director at her network. Who knows in the office: production skills, Texas, at KLRU-TV, the station Nashville Public Television. where it will take her? ■

54 WINTER 2006-2007 33 JNews Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

“The Visiting Professor Outdoor advertising is an Program offers professors who important and challenging qualify a two-week, behind- component of the advertising the-scenes look at an advertis- industry, and Struthers said ing agency, marketing or she was excited to work on an media company,” said Sharon outdoor advertising campaign Hudson, vice president and for Bertoli Olive Oil. With the manager of the program. Bertolli team, she went on a The program’s Web site photo shoot in Manhattan’s says another goal is “to pro- Chelsea neighborhood, where vide a forum for the exchange old warehouses have been of ideas between academia remodeled as, among other and industry.” things, studios. Although Struthers The goal of the shoot was worked for McCann Erickson to photograph several actors for only two weeks, she said who were playing the role of she was integrated into the Italian chefs in order to create company as a full-time a series of outdoor boards employee. Her mentor at the called “lenticulars.” A lenticu- Photo by Luis Peon-Casanova Luis by Photo agency was Linda Luca, execu- lar advertisement is a printed tive vice president, who made image that shows depth or sure Struthers participated in motion as the viewing angle BRIGHT LIGHTS, many different projects. changes. As the viewer walks For example, Struthers by the board, the image worked with Luca’s Unilever appears to move or change. BIG CITY account team to test concepts “This lenticular was for television commercials for designed to make it appear as Struthers joins McCann Erickson team during a the product “I Can’t Believe if the Italian chefs were leap- summer program It’s Not Butter.” She learned ing to cover up the ‘secret’ of about the process called ani- Bertolli products. When you by RILEY COURTRIGHT matics, a method of using walk by it in the subway sta- rough animation of a script tions, it looks as if the model and storyboard to turn ideas is in motion,” said Struthers. into a spot that can be shown “It was great working on this Amy Struthers updated the skills she to test audiences. The team project, but you can’t imagine teaches at the J school to work last sum- created three test spots for how much discussion there is focus groups to learn if the on what the actors should mer for two weeks in New York at one of commercial’s message was wear or what actions they clearly presented and under- should make.” the most respected advertising firms in stood. An introduction to new the country. As a participant in the “Creating commercials is advertising trends was only not cheap, so it’s important to one example of how Struthers AdvertisingA Education Foundation’s test concepts before producing benefited from the fellowship. Visiting Professor Program, Struthers them,” said Struthers. “The program is designed Struthers also traveled to to educate professors about contributed her own unique expertise to New Jersey with McCann what is happening in the Erickson to conduct a series of world of advertising today; the work of McCann Erickson. She also focus groups for a new busi- trends, fads, styles and meth- brought ideas back for her students. ness sales pitch for a company ods,” Struthers said. that manufactures compound McCann Erickson is one decking material designed to of the nation’s leading adver- imitate wood decks. The team tising agencies with clients like “I wanted to participate in the program because I want to brainstormed ideas and dis- Microsoft, Verizon, Major make sure what I’m teaching is the most current and up-to-date cussed how to advertise this League Baseball, the U.S. in the industry,” said Struthers, an assistant professor of advertis- new product and to whom Army and MasterCard. ing. based on the information “We developed Out of the 75 professors nationwide who applied for the fel- gathered from the focus MasterCard’s ‘Priceless’ cam- lowships, 15 were selected. Ten worked in New York City, four in groups. paign, which basically reposi- Chicago and one in Miami, Fla. >> 56 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 55 JNews Notes

FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS >> Struthers from 55 tioned MasterCard to where it is today,” said Linda Luca of McCann Erickson, in an e-mail interview. “Before, MasterCard was basically third behind American Express and Visa. People had MasterCard but didn’t use it because it was kind of looked down upon. Now it is all over because of the Priceless cam- TEACHING paign.” So if McCann Erickson is so success- journalists ful, what would be the benefit of having college professors come and work for the in the company? “They bring in a fresh way of think- BALKANS ing and perhaps an expertise of a specific topic,” Luca said. “They become part of the team and provide insight and present ideas we have not heard of.” Luca said Struthers made important contributions during her short time with McCann Erickson. “Amy brought a lot to the company. She did a lot of research on the Internet, sat in on focus groups and took notes to find out what the consumers were saying by MARILYN HAHN about some of our test commercials. She NewsNetNebraska | 12.10.06 really provided a fresh perspective and gave us good ideas of how to improve,” Luca said. “Sometimes we thought visuals were meaningful and informative, but to Amy they meant nothing.” At the end of her stay in New York, Struthers gave a presentation on ethnography to the people at McCann Erickson. “Ethnography is a type of anthropol- ogy where you watch people and record everything they do, basically shadowing them,” said Struthers. “This helps with advertising because you get a better understanding of your target audience. You see what they actually do and not just what they say.” Photo by Barney McCoy Struthers’ time in New York wasn’t all work and no play. ■ McCoy went to Kosovo “I love New York City. I was able to for one week in December see a couple of Broadway shows while I ’06 to teach working jour- Winds of political change continue to nalists Web writing skills was there, and I also got to do a little sightseeing,” said Struthers. “It was a lot sweep across southeastern Europe, and Barney McCoy, of work though, working until 8 o’clock the J school is helping teach journalists associate professor some nights.” of broadcasting, Struthers said that working for one who are monitoring those changes. taught journalists at of the premier advertising firms in the the Kosovo Institute United States left her with a better Barney McCoy, an associate professor of broadcasting, of Journalism and understanding of advertising in today’s taught working journalists Web writing skills at the Kosovo W Communication world. She hopes that the skills she Institute of Journalism and Communication in Pristina, for a week in learned will help educate her students Kosovo, in December. He will return to Kosovo for another December 2006 for successful advertising careers. ■ week of teaching in March along with broadcasting faculty 56 WINTER 2006-2007 33 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS members Jerry Renaud and role in the functioning of a hensive education with a multi- wing and nationalist groups. Kathy Christensen. democratic government.” media approach,” Nura said. Any settlement, experts “This is a pivitol time for Students from different say, will have to strike a delicate journalism in Kosovo,” McCoy A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE ethnic backgrounds in Kosovo balance between historical ter- said in December. “As Student Anamari Repic is news and across the region attend ritorial claims by the Serbs and Albanians and Serbs try to bro- editor of Blue Sky Radio in the institute. Irina Gudeljevic, demands by the majority pop- ker an acceptable form of gov- Pristina and says KIJAC’s mul- from Serbia, said the media in ulation of ethnic Albanians ernment, journalists who can timedia approach to teaching her country were a powerful that Kosovo be granted full hold Kosovo’s emerging gov- journalism is unique in the tool for a dictatorship. She independence. ernment accountable will play region. “I am a radio reporter, believes in the importance of critical roles in laying a foun- but I never edited myself,” unbiased reporting. “I came KIJAC’S PLEDGE dation for democracy.” Repic said. “What’s most inter- from Serbia to improve my The Kosovo Institute has Kosovo is formally part of esting for me here is having an skills and knowledge as a jour- pledged to contribute to the Serbia but has been run by the opportunity to learn how to nalist. I believe if we all have reconstruction and transforma- United Nations since 1999 produce a TV story and write the common journalistic tion of Kosovo through the when a NATO air war ended a for print.” ground in every relevant aspect professional training of jour- crackdown by Serbian troops Like Repic, most students of ethical journalism that is nalists. Students gain not only on separatist ethnic Albanian are professionals who work in taught in KIJAC, media and academic competence but also rebels. the media or public relations this society can change,” she an understanding of the Kosovo’s Albanian majori- and who are seeking more said. media’s role in a democratic ty — about 90 percent of the experience in print, radio, TV society. They can go on to pur- province’s 2 million population and Web journalism. KOSOVO: A DIFFICULT PAST sue media research and Ph.D. — wants to establish its own Student Adriatik Stavileci Conflict between Serbian and programs at international uni- independent state, while Serbia works as a customs press offi- Yugoslav security forces and versities and then return to has insisted Kosovo remain cer. “KIJAC is an opportunity the Kosovo Liberation Army Pristina to help the institute part of its territory. for me to build my skills and to flared between 1996 and 1999. develop future journalists. The UNL faculty teach develop professionally,” Between 10,000 and 13,000 The UNL journalism under a program established by Andriatik said. “This school is people were estimated to have college and the Gimlekollen the University of Nebraska- an excellent combination of died in the fighting and war- School of Journalism and Lincoln and the Kosovo work and study.” related atrocities. Nearly one Communication in Kristian- million people fled Kosovo sand, Norway, are participating seeking refuge in countries in an ongoing exchange of fac- where their lives would not be ulty, students and staff in endangered. Many KIJAC stu- Kosovo and the wider Balkan dents and their relatives on area. A similar partnership is both sides of the conflict were under way with the School and forced from their homes. Centre of Journalism and Social and economic Communi-cation at Addis development in Kosovo has Ababa University, Ethiopia. stalled because Albanian and In October 2005, Dean Serb leaders have been unable Norton, news-editorial faculty to agree on who will govern the member Tim Anderson and province. Unresolved human broadcasting faculty member Photo byPhoto Flutra Limani rights issues in Kosovo also Trina Creighton, taught print Institute. Dean Will Norton, a Gjyle Morina, a reporter continue to threaten regional and broadcast classes at Addis member of the institute’s for Radio Kosova, said journal- security. This is a primary rea- Ababa University. Rick Alloway, board, helped pioneer the ism is more than a job. “It’s son 17,000 NATO troops con- broadcasting, and Scott Winter, teaching partnership. about bringing correct infor- tinue to provide security for news-ed, taught in Ethiopia in Institute director Willem mation to the audience at a the province. early February. Houwen said the press in the time when they need it most,” The UN talks were sup- In addition, the college has region has not had a strong tra- posed to be completed by the been hosting a visiting scholar, dition of holding government THE KIJAC DIFFERENCE end of 2006 but were post- Zenebe Beyene, from Addis accountable. “We hope to train Many universities in Kosovo poned until after the Jan. 21 Ababa University. Beyene, who journalists at the institute in offer media studies, but KIJAC elections in Serbia. The delay started his graduate work in the liberal, democratic tradi- student Elmaze Nura said the came amidst fears that the elec- January 2006, will earn the tion of journalism,” Houwen others aren’t as diverse in their tion outcome could incite anti- M.A. in journalism at UNL said. “We believe that form of offerings. “I joined KIJAC Western sentiment in Serbia in May 2007. ■ journalism can play a major because it provides a compre- and play into the hands of right 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 57 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS 2006 Breanna Gabehart has joined the works with communities in Otoe County, minnow PROJECT, a Lincoln advertising implementing Girl Scouts programs in Brandon Curtis, Lincoln, is youth media agency, as an account manager. At UNL, Nebraska City, Syracuse and Talmage. developer at Archrival in Lincoln and a Gabehart earned a Buffett Foundation Jennifer Roth, Lutz, Fla., is studio member of the Advertising Federation of Scholarship and was an officer in the manager at LifeTouch Portrait Studios in Lincoln. UNL Ad Club. The minnow PROJECT Tampa. Eric Gerrard is working for bills itself as a “creative lab.” Bethany Luedders Vanek, Waverly, is OfficeMax in Naperville, Ill., just outside Tony Gorman started in January as a technical writer for Information Chicago, as a communications specialist, evening news anchor for KFDI-FM in Technology Inc. in Lincoln. writing for the firm’s internal publica- Wichita. Dan Dillon, the station’s news tions. director, is also a J school grad. Gorman 2003 Andrew Moseman is working for had previously worked as a traffic Operation Fresh Start, an Americorps reporter/remote broadcast engineer for Diandra Hyman Asbaty won the program in Madison, Wis. In addition to Clear Channel Lincoln. women’s bowling World Cup in building homes for first-time homebuy- Frank Klock was promoted to assis- November in Venezuela. Asbaty also ers, he tutors young people in the organi- tant professor in the journalism depart- competed in the World Cup in 2000 zation in literacy skills and helps some ment at South Dakota State University, in Portugal. She is the U.S. amateur prepare to achieve a GED or high school Brookings, after completing the master’s champion. equivalency degree. degree from UNL. He also was honored Rita Brhel joined the staff of the Christina Prince and Jeff Wieting, as distinguished alumnus by the journal- Coleridge Blade and Northeast Nebraska both of Denver, were married Oct. 28, ism department at SDSU. News Company in October. She is cover- 2006, in York. She is employed by CRESA Crystal K. Wiebe spent 13 months ing the agricultural and regional beat for Partners in Denver. He is an accountant as the arts and entertainment reporter for the six newspapers the company owns. with Rothstein Kass, also in Denver. the St. Joseph News-Press in St. Joseph, While working toward the degree in agri- Elizabeth Shanahan is an account Mo. In addition to covering the local cultural journalism and advertising, coordinator in the media department at scene, she organized a rock concert Brhel worked in PR for a variety of Cox Communications in Omaha. She sponsored by the newspaper. She moved organizations. After graduation, she manages the existing accounts of the two to Kansas City in December to become joined the Daily Press and Dakotan news- account executives, conducts research calendar editor of the Pitch, an alterna- paper in Yankton, S.D., as an agricultural and creates proposals for new promo- tive weekly newspaper owned by Village reporter. She won several awards for her tions and for potential customers. Voice Media. work in spring 2006. Tomomi Shineha, Hiroshima, Japan, Jay Burgert, Charleston, S.C., and is working for Chugoku Shinbun,a news- 2004 Alyss Heying were married Oct. 17, 2006, paper in that city. in Nebraska City. The groom is a route Tessa Warner is an administrative Emily DeCamp,New York City,is a manager at Ecolab, and the bride is a aide to State Senator Abby Cornett in the media planner with Universal McCann. nurse at the Medical University of South Nebraska Unicameral Legislature. Joanna Gerken of Omaha and Josh Carolina, both in Charleston. Crystal Weaver, Phoenix, Ariz., is Nordhues of Norfolk were married Sept. Bryna Keenaghan, San Francisco, is public relations director for Event 1 at St. Cecilia’s Cathedral in Omaha. She a brand strategist at Venables Bell and Solutions magazine. is employed by the University of Partners in San Francisco. She graduated Megan Weil, Los Angeles, Calif., is an Nebraska Foundation in Lincoln as an from the Virginia Commonwealth assistant negotiator/broadcast buyer at assistant director of development. University’s Adcenter in Richmond, Va., BBDO West/PHD in Los Angeles. Chris Goforth works for Three in May with a master of science in mass Eagles Communications in Lincoln as a communications after studying 2005 creative services/news reporter. strategy/account planning. Summer Latham, Minneapolis, is an Joachim “Kim” Nyoni, Fremont, Tricia Akerlund is marketing communi- account executive with BBDO Calif., is assistant director of corporate cations specialist for Creighton Minneapolis. and foundation relations at the Haas University Medical Center in Omaha. Jodi Long, Lincoln, is membership School of Business at the University of Lindsay Albers, Lincoln, is circula- specialist for the Girl Scouts-Homestead California-Berkeley. tion territory manager for two magazines Council in Lincoln. She is also a member published by Sandhills Publications in of the Community Services Initiative 2002 Lincoln. She manages magazine distribu- Youth Development Coalition and works tion of First Glimpse and PC Today in with other non-profit organizations and Ieva M. Augstums, who was with the hotel chains and Best Buy stores in a Lincoln Public Schools faculty to ensure business desk at The Dallas Morning regional area. quality programs for youth in Lincoln. News since her graduation, left Texas in Toru Fujioka, Tokyo, Japan, is work- She is also a member of the Otoe County September for Charlotte, NC. At Dallas, ing for Bloomberg News Service in Japan. Coalition for Youth and Families and she covered banking and financial servic-

58 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALUMNI NEWS 33 JNews Notes

FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS es and wrote about career, workplace, lion a year in revenue. Prior to joining Calif. She had been on the copy desk at personal-finance and other issues affect- Johnson & Johnson, he worked two years The Sun for more than three years and ing the so-called Gen Y/Millennials. In in advertising sales for Gannett in had been its primary Page One designer Charlotte, she is working to expand the Rochester, N.Y. since the summer of 2005. AP’s coverage of banking and is develop- Wendy Polson, Kansas City, Mo., Melanie Green, Indianapolis, is ing a national beat covering consumer works in new business development for director of marketing/client services for banking and finance. Hallmark Business Expressions in Kansas Baker and Daniels LLP in Indianapolis. Brad Davis, New York City, is an City. She serves on the Safeway International account executive for Development Andy Washburn was promoted last LPGA Tournament Committee and the Counsellors International, the largest fall to director of membership and mar- Banner Health Golf Council and is co- economic development and tourism marketing at the Nebraska Alumni chair of the Pro-Am Committee. She keting firm in the world. DCI focuses on Association. In addition to his new mem- is also a member of the Legal Marketing “marketing places” for cities, regions, bership duties, he continues to manage Association. states and nations. advertising and corporate relations and Jackie Ostrowicki, Lincoln, joined Cara Medley Ortega, Omaha, is chair the staff membership marketing Nelnet as director of creative services in coordinator of articulation and special team. September after six years with Swanson programs at Metropolitan Community Russell in Lincoln. At Nelnet, she leads College in Omaha. and manages the account, creative and 1999 production groups within creative servic- 2001 es and is part of the marketing and Heidi Anderson is responsible for adver- branding development management Liz Givens, Manhattan Beach, Calif., is a tising sales and marketing at the Imperial team. producer for “The Greg Behrendt Show” Republican in Imperial. A native of in Culver City. Wauneta, Anderson moved with her hus- 1997 Neal Obermeyer, an editorial car- band moved to Imperial from the Denver toonist at the Lincoln Journal Star and area. They have one son, Kade, who is Gene Ambroson is director of alumni San Diego Reader, was the featured speak- almost 2. relations at Morningside College in Sioux er at an IABC/Lincoln meeting in Ryan Brauer, Minneapolis, Minn., City, Iowa. November. His presentation was titled and Leigh Irons were married Sept. 30, George Haws is an extension associ- “1,000 Words and Then Some: an 2006. He earned a juris doctor degree ate for UNL Extension in North Platte. Editorial Cartoonist’s Views of Local from the University of Minnesota School Charles Isom began serving as Rep. Leadership.” of Law and is an associate with the law Adrian Smith’s (R-NE) communications Kimberly Sweet Rubenstein, firm Fredrikson and Byron in director Jan. 2. Isom will be responsible Bremerton, Wash., is wire editor at The Minneapolis. The bride is also an associ- for Smith’s overall communications strat- Kitsap Sun in Bremerton. She earned the ate of the firm. egy, constituent communications and M.A. in journalism from the University Greg Cichy is an electronic techni- day-to-day interaction with the media. of Kansas in May 2006. cian media tech at the University of Isom comes to Smith’s staff after serving Courtney Russell, Brooklyn, N.Y., is Wisconsin-Extension in Madison, Wis. as communications director in the offices a strategic planning analyst for CNN in Faith Colburn is a communication of Congressman Chris Cannon (R-UT) Manhattan. She moved to New York to specialist at the UNL West Central and Lee Terry (R-NE). He has also work for the Cartoon Network in 2005 Research and Extension Center in North worked in the press offices of former- and now works for CNN’s digital divi- Platte. She also teaches English and tech- Congressman Bill Barrett (R-NE) and sion. nical communications at the Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE). Christopher Schmidt, Lincoln, hosts College of Technical Agriculture. Julie Sobczyk Mitchell is a part-time the Average Joe Sports Show on ESPN. Shawn Nichols, Sioux Falls, S.D., is copy editor, features, at the Forth Worth an attorney with Cadwell Sanford Star-Telegram. She had been a copy editor 2000 Deibert and Garry in Sioux Falls. at The Dallas Morning News for more Jason Stuehmer, Westborough, than six years and says the shift is giving Ka’Ron Johnson was promoted to Mass., is a product manager for Iron her more time with her son, Jack, who is Johnson & Johnson Division Manager Mountain Digital in Southborough, 3. Plus, her husband is on the staff at the (Ethicon Endo-Surgery) in Houston, Mass. Star-Telegram, and she says, “It’s good to Texas. He has been with Johnson & be on the same team instead of competi- Johnson for five years and previously 1998 tors.” worked in sales and marketing in the Robert Ray, Chicago, is a photojour- company’s pharmaceutical sector in Gina Dvorak, San Bernardino, Calif., is nalist/producer with High Definition Buffalo, N.Y. In his current position, he design editor for both The Sun in San News in Woodbury, N.Y. HDN is a 24/7 will lead a team of 10 surgical specialists Bernardino and its sister paper, The news network on DISH network. that will generate an estimated $250 mil- Inland Valley Daily Bulletin in Ontario, >>

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 59 JNews Notes

FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

Ray’s job has taken him all over the band, Keith Zaborowski, who works for gram that takes viewers on a tour of the world. University Housing, have two children: state. It debuted in November on TV sta- Misty Wendt joined Swanson Russell Madeline, 4, and Ethan, 3. tions in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney and Associates’ Lincoln office as an account Sioux City. Each episode includes stories manager in July. Prior to joining SRA, 1995 from throughout the state. He is a former Wendt was the public relations manager television reporter and producer who has for INTRALOT Inc., the online lottery Peggy Moyer Connot, Marshall, Minn., worked at KHGI in Kearney, KOLN/ vendor for the Nebraska Lottery. She also was promoted last spring to director of KGIN in Lincoln and KM3 and KETV served as communications director for public relations and communication in in Omaha. United Way of Lincoln and as a legislative the corporate services department of The Kristine Stelzer Ripa was one of the aide to Nebraska state Sen. Elaine Stuhr. Schwan Food Company. She joined Lincoln Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” She is active with the Updowntowners Schwan in 2002 and was manager of in May 2006. She works for Bailey organization in Lincoln and is the steer- media relations for the Red Baron Lauerman Marketing and Communi- ing committee chair and entertainment Squadron flight team, an aerobatic per- cations of Lincoln, where she manages committee chair for the annual July formance team that promotes Red Baron Bailey Lauerman’s second largest client, Jamm. pizza across the United States, until tak- Allstate. With a team of 10 to 15 and ing the job as head of public relations. three project managers, she manages 1996 She and her husband have two daughters. nearly all campaign aspects for broadcast, Bridget Rohan has taken a position print and direct response media. Before Jill Blacketer, Chicago, is associate art as copywriter for Turnpost Creative joining Bailey Lauerman in 2000, she director/senior designer for Redwood Group in Omaha. She had previously spent seven years in higher education Custom Communications in Chicago. worked in the advertising, financial and marketing in Houston, Texas, and at She has won 10 awards for her work in retail industries. UNL, where she was an assistant director design. for national recruitment. She is a mem- Jamie Karl became vice president- 1994 ber and past president of the American public affairs and policy for the Nebraska Marketing Association and a member of Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Heather Buller was one of the Lincoln the Advertising Federation. December. After graduation, he served in Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in May Brad Simmons was among six stu- the U.S. Army from 1997-99, then 2006. After graduation, she worked in the dents who were awarded the first gradu- worked as legislative assistant to U.S Sen. marketing departments of American Tool ate certificates in technical communica- Chuck Hagel in Washington. He was leg- and Pfizer Animal Health and was a free- tion at UNO in May 2006. The program islative director for U.S. Representative lance graphic designer at Ameritas. She is designed for graduate students and Lee Terry from 2003-05. He joined the launched Dinner Date as a place where industry professionals seeking a founda- Nebraska Department of Agriculture as families, singles and empty nesters can tion in the theory and practice of techni- assistant director in June 2005. Most select recipes and ingredients for several cal communication. Simmons is now a recently, he worked on Adrian Smith’s meals to assemble there and take home to technical writer at Ag Leaders Technology successful campaign for Nebraska’s Third cook. in Ames, Iowa. District seat in Melissa Castro,New York City,is a Congress in fall 2006. At the chamber, he graduate student in investigative print 1992 will be responsible for the executive journalism at Columbia University in newsletter, news releases, the legislative New York. Randy Hawthorne, Lincoln, was one of report, legislative monitoring, State Lee Denker was elected president the Lincoln Business Journal’s “40 Under Chamber Council staffing and lobbying. and CEO of the University of Nebraska at 40” in May 2006. He is executive director Shelley Zaborowski was named one Omaha Alumni Association in July. He of the Nebraska Sports Council. He is of Lincoln’s “40 under 40” by the Lincoln had been executive director of the Boise director of franchise services and over- Business Journal. The awards recognize 40 State University Alumni Association in sees the expansion of regional locations young people each year who the maga- Idaho, where he had been on the staff in all 50 states for Digital IMS, a firm he zine believes are making a difference in since 2001. From 1996 to 2000, he was joined in 2001 as director of marketing. their community. Zaborowski earned a director of campus relations for the UNL He is president of the Lincoln Chapter of master’s of education in educational Alumni Association. the American Marketing Association, a administration in 2000, and she was pro- member of Leadership Lincoln and of moted last fall to senior associate execu- 1993 Rotary Club 14 and past president of the tive director of the Nebraska Alumni Updowntowners. He is also active with Association and secretary of the associa- Bret Koehler, New York, is an associate the Lincoln Community Playhouse. tion’s board of directors. She will stand creative director at Campbell Mithun in Dave Mlnarik was one of the Lincoln in, when needed, for the association’s Manhattan. Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in May executive director and will continue to Barry Kriha is producer/director of 2006. He is executive director of the oversee program staff. She and her hus- “This Is Nebraska,” a new half-hour pro- Nebraska Sports Council. He oversees 60 WINTER 2006-2007 33 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS administration and supervises the coun- writes a weekly feature on the distiller Andy Pollock was one of the Lincoln cil’s two core programs, the Cornhusker grain industry and is back-up for DTN’s Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in May State Games, an amateur athletic event weekly ethanol blog. 2006. He is executive director and general open to Nebraska residents, and N- counsel for the Nebraska Public Service Lighten Nebraska, a statewide wellness 1990 Commission, overseeing 45 employees. program. He and his wife, Chrystal, have He earned a juris doctor degree with dis- three children: Cody, Tristian and Doug Carr, partner in Snitily Carr, a full- tinction from the NU Law College. He is Mackenzie. service advertising agency in Lincoln, was immediate past president of the Lincoln one of the Midland’s Business Journal’s Bar Association and is on the executive 1991 “40 Under 40” in May 2006. After gradu- committee of the government practice ation, Carr worked as a cable runner on section of the Nebraska State Bar. He is a Michelle King and Robert Seibert, both the production crew for Chicago Bulls past president of Heartland Big Brothers of North Platte, were married Sept. 30 at games. He returned to Lincoln and Big Sisters. the First Presbyterian Church in North formed Snitily Carr, a video and animat- Platte. She is a train dispatcher for Union ed graphics company, with classmate 1987 Pacific Railroad. Dave Snitily in 1992. The company now Sara Quale is the marketing and employs 47 people. Carr is on the board Keith Groteluschen is a self-employed promotions manager at the Loveland of Girls on the Run and is a member of loan officer in Las Vegas. His company is Reporter-Herald in Colorado. She joined Leadership Lincoln, Updowntowners, the called Savings by Keith. the newspaper in 1995 as city reporter Advertising Federation of Lincoln and and later was special sections editor in Knights of Columbus. He and his wife 1986 the advertising department. Before mov- have two daughters. ing to Colorado, she held reporting posi- Kristin Ward Camp, Omaha, is market- tions at the Hastings Tribune and the 1989 ing coordinator for Alvine Engineering in Scottsbluff Star-Herald. In her new posi- Omaha. tion, she is responsible for community Doug Killian, Portland, Ore., is an attor- promotions and events involving the ney and metropolitan public defender in 1985 newspaper and marketing the newspaper Hillsboro, Ore. and its various print products to readers Mike Reilley was one of the Lincoln Ulysses Carlini of KHAS TV, Hastings, and advertisers. She lives in Loveland Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in May was elected chairman of the board of the with her husband, Brian, and their two 2006. He is director of sports marketing Nebraska Broadcasters Association in sons. for Bailey Lauerman Marketing and September. Chris Ruhaak was one of the Lincoln Communications of Lincoln. After grad- Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in May uation, Reilley spent nine years as a 1984 2006. He opened Heartland Photos & sports and business writer at the Chicago Design in 2001. He does creative work Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. Later, Ward Jacobson, St. Paul, Minn., left and photography for some 500 clients he served as an online editor at AOL and KFOR Radio in Lincoln last summer for and recently built a new studio in at washingtonpost.com and helped launch Minnesota Public Radio where he is the Council Bluffs. He had previously worked the Chicago Tribune’s Web site. He taught national host of Classical 24. as a graphic artist for AAA Home & Away reporting, editing, Web design and public Magazine and then for an ad agency, relations at Northwestern University’s 1981 which closed following the 2001 econom- Medill School of Journalism for three ic downturn. years, completing a master’s degree in Kristin Gilger is director of student Cheryl Warren, Fremont, is a staff media management in 1995. media and a journalism instructor at reporter for DTN in Omaha. After gradu- Arizona State University in Tempe. She ation, she was a reporter, news editor and 1988 does training on newspaper management photographer for The Ashland Gazette for issues in newspapers around the nation eight years where she won awards from Brian Noonan and his wife, Melissa, own after 21 years at newspapers, most recent- the Nebraska Press Association for writ- Sonata, a home decorating store in ly as deputy managing editor for news at ing and photography and from the Lincoln’s University Place neighborhood. the Arizona Republic. Nebraska Domestic Violence Sexual Noonan said representatives of ABC TV’s Beth Lueders has been interrogated Assault Coalition for a five-part series on “Extreme Makeover” stopped at the store by Communist soldiers and threatened at domestic violence. After five years in when they were in Lincoln last fall to do knifepoint while on overseas magazine public relations, she moved three years a segment for the show and ordered assignments. She is an award-winning ago to DTN, an agricultural news service about $2,500 in mirrors, artwork and journalist who has documented stories in and media company in Omaha. She is a lamps for the home they built and deco- nearly 20 countries, including the general staff reporter and also reports on rated in Havelock. plight of radiation-poisoned Byelo- issues relevant to the dairy industry. She >> 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 61 JNews Notes

FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS russian children and at-risk prostitutes in law clerk for Judge John Wright of the and is also active in Sheridan Lutheran the Philippines. She is currently founder Nebraska Supreme Court. Church and the Boy Scouts. and director of MacBeth Patti Peterson was one of three Communications, a writing and editorial women named Ladies of the Realm dur- 1973 business in Colorado Springs, Colo. A ing the 2006 Kass Kounty King Korn UNL agriculture-journalism graduate, Karnival in September. She was a reporter Joanne Roberts, Mukilteo, Wash., is a she has served as a writer and editor for at the Nebraska City News-Press for 10 palliative care physician in practice in numerous magazines, advertising groups years and is now at the Plattsmouth Everett, Wash. She worked at papers in and catalog companies nationwide. She Journal. Lincoln, Clearwater, Fla., and has also co-written and edited several Minneapolis before entering medicine in books. Her first solo book is “Two Days 1977 the 1980s. She has practiced in Longer” (Howard Books, 2006). She Minneapolis, Chapel Hill, Baltimore, remains an avid Husker fan. Craig Harms, Dallas City, earned a mas- London, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, David Moore, Avon, Ohio, is presi- ter of science degree in instructional Bellingham, Wash., and now Everett, dent/executive creative director with technology and telecommunications Wash. She is former North American edi- Liggett Stashower in Cleveland, Ohio. from Western Illinois University in tor for the British Medical Journal. Kayk Van Booven, Atlanta, Ga., died Macomb, Ill., in spring 2006. He is Nov. 16 at age 47. She earned a master’s employed at Eagle Teleconferencing in 1971 degree from Webster University in Kansas Rushville with corporate offices in New City and worked for the Phoenix New York Cit y. Andrea Cranford is a member of the Times before moving to Atlanta to work Peg Schoen, Lincoln, has been pro- senior management team at the Nebraska for Ted Turner. Survivors include two sis- moted from account executive to local Alumni Association. As of October, her ters, Rebecca Hasty of Lincoln and Julie sales manager for Time Warner Cable title is chief communications officer. Hasty Cottrell of Scottsdale, Ariz., as well Media Sales. She has been with the firm as nieces and nephews. since July 2004. She won a silver medal in 1970 the 2003 Advertising Federation of 1980 Lincoln competition and at the Ninth Ray Depa is the vice president/general District competition. manager at WAAY-TV, the ABC affiliate Michael Sweeney is professor and in Huntsville, Ala. The station is owned department head at the Utah State 1974 by Calkins Media, a small family-owned University department of journalism and company with newspapers in suburban communication. He earned the Ph.D. in Dan Dillon is news director at KFDI- Philadelphia and ABC stations in communication from Ohio University in FM/KFTI-AM Radio in Wichita, Kan. Sarasota and Tallahassee. He began his 1996. As a student at Nebraska, he Last summer, for the fourth year in a career as a reporter for KFOR Radio in worked as a sports information assistant row, the stations’ news department won a Lincoln and later was with WOW Radio and as a photographer for the Nebraska national Edward R. Murrow Award from and TV in Omaha from 1970-79 and was Press Association. After graduation, he the Radio-Television News Directors news director at KETV in Omaha from was a reporter at the Springfield (Mo.) Association. The award was for continu- 1981-86. He has also been with radio and Daily News, then spent 12 years at the ing coverage, small market division, for a TV stations in Springfield, Ill., Tucson — Fort Worth Star-Telegram. His most compilation of stories on Dennis Rader, three different times — Wichita, El Paso recent book is “Return to Titanic,” which who was arrested as the BTK killer. The and Honolulu. chronicles Dr. Robert Ballard’s 2004 coverage ran from his arrest in Park City, expedition to the shipwreck. He has writ- Kan., to his incarceration at the El ten two other books for the National Dorado Correctional Facility. 1969 Geographic Press. A book based on his Ray Metoyer, Atlanta, Ga., is execu- dissertation, “Secrets of Victory,” a history tive producer, news, for the Black Family Warren Leary, Washington, D.C., is a sci- of World War II press censorship, was Channel in Atlanta. ence correspondent for The New York named 2001 book of the year by the Cheryl Stubbendieck, Lincoln, is Times, working from the paper’s American Journalism Historians vice president/public relations for the Washington bureau. He earned a master’s Association. Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation. She from the Columbia University Graduate has been with the Farm Bureau for 24 School of Journalism in 1971, then 1978 years. She is a member of the J school worked for the Associated Press as a sci- advisory board; the Nebraska State Fair ence and general assignment reporter in Robin Hadfield taught mass communi- 1868 Foundation board; the Omaha the Boston and Washington bureaus from cations at Moorhead State University in Agri-Business Club board; the Nebraska 1971-88. He has been with The Times, Minnesota before returning to Lincoln to AgRelations Council board; the Edenton since 1988. He is a member and former attend law school. She earned the J.D. South Homeowners Association board. officer of the National Association of from Nebraska in 1989 and is a career She joined UNL’s Cather Circle in 2006 Science Writers and a board member of 62 WINTER 2006-2007 J ALUMNI EWS 33 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS the Council for the Advancement of 1953 Gamma sorority. She is a substitute Science Writing. teacher in the Lincoln Public Schools, Patricia A. Peck Agnew is the author of and both Wynn and Bill sing in the choir 1967 “How to Talk to Your Doctor,” published at St. Mark’s Methodist Church in in October 2006 by Quill Driver Books, Lincoln, having moved from Fairbury in Eric Brown, Lexington, was one of four Sanger, Calif., as part of their Best Half of 2005. Nebraskans honored in November as Life Series, aimed at readers over 50. They have four children, all gradu- recipient of a Public Service to Doctors have written many books on that ates of UNL. Nancy is the wife of Lincoln Agriculture Award at the Nebraska subject, but this book is written from the podiatrist, Wayne Videtich, and they have Agribusiness Club’s 40th annual awards point of view of a patient who has to do two children at Lincoln East. David is banquet. Brown is general manager of the talking, Agnew said. Agnew and her senior executive produce in charge of KRVN AM/FM in Lexington and the husband Richard (1949) live in Lake special projects with CNN in Atlanta, is Nebraska Rural Radio Network, which Havasu City, Ariz. Following her gradua- married and has two children. Dan is includes stations in Scottsbluff and West tion from the University of Nebraska doing Web site work at home in St. Louis, Point. President of the Nebraska College of Journalism, she worked as a Mo., following a severe stroke; he is Foundation for Agriculture Awareness, he reporter for The Sidney Telegraph and the married and has two children. T. J. is sin- is a board member of the Nebraska Hastings Daily Tribune. The Agnews lived gle and is director of creative design for Humanities Council and the Nebraska for 30 years in Denver, Colo., where they Big Screen Network Productions, Inc. in Water Resources Association, trustee of raised three daughters. Agnew worked as Thousand Oaks, Calif. All three sons are the Nebraska 4-H Foundation and the a stringer for The Denver Post and as a graduates of the College of Journalism at Nebraska Historical Society Foundation freelance writer. She served as president UNL. Nancy’s degree is in physical edu- and former board member of the of the Denver Woman’s Press Club. cation and community health. Agriculture Builders of Nebraska. He was Following a move to Granby, Colo., in named last fall to the Nebraska 1986, where the Agnews operated The 1949 Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. Frontier Motel, she worked as investigative assistant for seven years at the Grand James Larson, Des Moines, died Oct. 24, 1960 County Sheriff’s Office. 2006, at the age of 82. He served as a U.S. Army tank sergeant in the European the- Larry K. Brown, Cheyenne, Wyo., has 1951 ater during World War II. He worked written seven books as well as stories in part-time for the Lincoln Star while he such nonfiction works as the National Bill Nuckolls, Lincoln, received the was in college and full-time after gradua- Cowboy Hall of Fame’s publications and Nebraska Press Association’s Master tion until he accepted a position with in journals of the National and Western Editor/Publisher Award in spring 2006. The Des Moines Register in 1955. He was Outlaw and Lawman associations. He He graduated from UNL, where he was a news editor for 19 of his 50 years with spent 20 years as an information/public member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, with the Register. He retired in 1984 but con- affairs officer with the U.S. Air Force and a B.S. degree in business administration tinued to work part-time until April earned a master’s degree in public rela- and a certificate in journalism. He served 2006. In a column printed after Larson’s tions from Boston University in 1970. He in the Air Force before returning to death, Register staff writer Ken Fuson and his wife, Florence, have four grown Fairbury, his hometown, but stayed in the wrote, “Larson was a portrait in con- children. Reserves, attaining the rank of major. He trasts. He could spot an error in a cross- published the Fairbury Journal-News for word puzzle clue, yet often forgot to 1955 37 years. buckle his galoshes. He would rewrite a His grandfather founded The banner headline two dozen times to get Marlin Bree, Shoreview, Minn., writes Fairbury Journal in 1897, and Bill started the tone just right but ignored the tiny nonfiction for magazines and runs a working there when he was 10, doing odd bits of tissue paper stuck to his face small nonfiction book publishing compa- jobs and selling ads, collecting accounts where he had nicked himself shaving ■ ny. After graduation, he worked on the and running small presses and a folder. that morning.” European edition of the Stars and Stripes. He purchased the competing daily His last job as a full-time journalist was Fairbury News to form The Fairbury as the magazine editor at the Minneapolis Journal-News, which he published for 37 Star Tribune. He also served as president years until selling the paper in 1990. of the Minnesota Press Club. He has He was president of the Nebraska written several books, including “Alone Press Advertising Service in 1972 and Against the Atlantic,” with a co-author. It email president of the Nebraska Press your news to became a national best seller. Association in 1986. His wife is the for- [email protected] mer Wynn Smithberger of Stanton, UNL http://www.unl.edu/journalism/ graduate and member of Kappa Kappa

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 63 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS J STUDENTS ARE HOMECOMING QUEEN, COURT MEMBER Elaine Norton was the 2006 UNL homecoming queen, and Jenny Green was a member of the homecoming court. Norton, a news-editorial and history major, is president of Chi Omega Sorority, internal vice president of ASUN and vice president of Innocents Society. Green is an advertising major and a pole vaulter for the women’s track and field team. She serves on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and the Student Alumni Association board of directors.

CATHER CIRCLE Photo byPhoto Thorson Bruce Seven journalism majors were among the 39 students added to the ros- ter of the Nebraska Alumni Association’s Cather Circle last fall. They include: Metta Cederdahl, news-editorial, Lincoln; Sarah Haskell, advertising, Columbus; Courtney Hejny, advertising, Eagle; Student, J school hit it bi Tessa Lorenzen, advertising, Rapid City, S.D.; Jillian Noren, Omaha; Kelli Shannon, news-editorial, Kansas City, Mo.; Amanda Walter, advertising, Grand Island.

Four journalism students were awarded paid internships thanks to the Cather Circle internships program. Advertising majors Amy Grantzinger and Michele Kaiserman had summer 2006 internships at non-profits. Grantzinger worked at the Nebraska Children’s Home Society Foundation in Omaha. Kaiserman worked for J school grad Lynne Grasz in New York City. During the fall 2006 semester, Sarah Haskell, a sophomore advertising major, and Kelli Shannon, a junior new-ed major, had paid internships in the college’s dean’s office.

Two journalism grads were among 13 alumnae added to the group in fall: Susan Leopard Weidner, B.A. 1977; Cheryl Westcott byPhoto Story David Regional This was one big enchilada! Stubbendieck, B.A. 1974, M.A. 1981. advertising manager Ryan Dan Sheppard, a UNL advertising student, Cather Circle was formed in 1999 to connect women students Murrin (left) won several parts of a national advertising con- who possess exceptional leadership potential with outstanding alumni awards test last fall with a 30-second spot titled “Dady,” $10,000 check and friends of the university. More than 200 alumnae and 350 students which he conceived, shot and produced for to Sheppard Chipotle Mexican Grill’s “30 Seconds of Fame.” have participated. (right)

● CANADAY RECEIVES PRSA SCHOLARSHIP ● FOUR J SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE NBA Courtney Canaday, a senior advertising major at the University of SCHOLARSHIPS Nebraska-Lincoln from Prairie Village, Kan., was the sole UNL stu- Kevin Bair, Jeff Wilkerson, Michaela Stevens and Molly Oberg dent chosen for Nebraska’s Public Relations Society of America received scholarships from the Nebraska Broadcasting Association Foundation Scholarship. The $500 check was awarded on Sept. 12 for 2006-07. at the PRSA luncheon in Omaha. Bair is a junior from Blair and a member of the UNL Honors Canaday also received the Lee Foundation Lincoln Journal Star Program, the U of N Student Alumni Association and the National Award and the Kinman-Oldfield Scholarship earlier this year. Broadcasting Society. Canaday received the award based on strong scholastics, out- Wilkerson, Coleridge, is also a junior. He won first place in the standing campus leadership and service. She is a member of audio public affairs/interview program at the National Kappa Delta sorority and participates in PRSSA (Public Relations Broadcasting Society’s Region 5 convention. Student Society of America), Student Foundation and NU Stevens is a junior from Bennington and a member of the UNL Ambassadors for Out-of-State Students. Honors Program, the Big Red Express, Navigators and the Canady will graduate in May 2007 with a bachelor of journal- American Meteorology Society. ism degree and intends to search for career prospects in Kansas Oberg is a sophomore from Waverly. She has received several City and Omaha. scholarships from the journalism college and a Pepsi Scholarship 64 WINTER 2006-2007 ALUMNI NEWS 33 from UNL. JNews& Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

LEHMANN WINS FIRST NEWS-ED STUDENT PLACES NORTON IS AK-SAR-BEN COUNTESS ROUND OF HEARST SECOND IN CONTEST Elaine Norton, a news-editorial and history major, was named one of PHOTO COMPETITION Maggie Stehr received a check for 26 Ak-Sar-Ben countesses for 2006. She is a member of Chi Omega Brian Lehmann took first place in $2,500 for her second place finish sorority, Cather Circle, the Nebraska Human Resources Institute, the November photojournalism in the Thomas L. Phillips ASUN Student Government and the Innocents Society. Her father is competition of the Hearst Collegiate Journalism Awards for the dean of the journalism college. Journalism Awards Program. 2005-06. Countesses are young women whose families have actively con- Seventy entries were submitted The awards recognize excel- tributed to their communities in Nebraska (excluding Omaha) or west- from 29 journalism schools lence in news stories or analytical ern Iowa. The 2006 Ak-Sar-Ben coronation ball was held Saturday, Oct. nationwide. reports in collegiate publication. 14, at the Qwest Center in Omaha. The top four winners, along The entries must demonstrate an with the top four finalists in the understanding of the basic ideas Elaine Norton (left), Jenny Green (right) pose for photo at the next two rounds of competition, supporting a free society, according 2007 Homecoming ceremony. will submit additional photos for to a press release from the Institute JOURNALISM STUDENTS the semi-final round of judging on Political Journalism. STUDY AT OXFORD next June. Following that round Stehr’s winning entries, pub- of judging, six finalists will be ig on YouTube Five journalism students were lished in the Daily Nebraskan, chosen to compete in the pro- included a piece titled “Alcohol and A one-man team, Sheppard part of the Nebraska at Oxford gram’s national photojournalism Our Peers.” produced the second place spot to program July 16-Aug. 12 at championship in San Francisco. Five professional journalists win $5,000 for himself and anoth- England’s Oxford University, the Lehmann received a $2,000 served as judges for the awards. er $5,000 for the J school. oldest university in the English- award. They included syndicated colum- Additionally, because his piece speaking world. Alyssa Schukar, who gradu- nist Robert Novak; Tony Mecia, was the most viewed contest entry The program is sponsored by ated in May 2006, tied for 20th staff writer for The Charlotte on YouTube.com, Chipotle awarded UNL’s College of Business place in the competition. Observer; Steve Hayes, staff writer Sheppard and the college another Administration and is based at The two students’ wins put for The Weekly Standard; and Jake $5,000 each. Oxford’s Jesus College. The stu- UNL in second place overall in Batsell and Kristen Holland Shear, “Dady” beat out 70 other sub- dents take two lecture-tutorial the photojournalism category. both staff writers for The Dallas missions from across the nation courses for six hours of UNL Morning News. with more than 8 million views and credit. The journalism students Students from 44 colleges and is included in the Top 20 Most were: Jessica DeLay, Omaha, CoSIDA AWARD TO GRIES universities submitted entries for Viewed YouTube videos of all time. sophomore advertising major; Brandon Gries received a fourth the contest. Funding for the awards Representatives from Chipotle Kelli Donnelly, Manhattan, Kan., place award from the College is sponsored by publisher Thomas presented the checks to Sheppard junior broadcasting production Sports Information Directors of L. Phillips, chairman of Phillips and the J school on Monday, Dec. major; Stephanie Jacob, West Des America during the group’s International in Potomac, Md. 4, at Lincoln’s Chipotle restaurant Moines, Iowa, sophomore broad- national convention at Nashville, The Institute on Political at 13th and Q streets. casting major; Alison Richard, Tenn., for his work on the UNL Journalism, a program of the Fund Sheppard’s spot is at Naperville, Ill., sophomore adver- cross country media guide. A jun- for American Studies, administers http://youtube.com/ tising major; William Roper, ior, Gries works for UNL’s sports the awards program. watch?v=R2I0nCcf8Uo. Kearney, sophomore advertising information office. major. SCHOLARSHIP ● JOURNALISM STUDENTS RECIPIENTS OF ● WELCH WINS ONE OF 10 SCRIPPS HOWARD FREE SPIRIT SCHOLARSHIPS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS The Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship and Conference Program Chris Welch, a senior broadcasting major, is one of 10 journalism annually awards $1,000 college scholarships to each of the 102 students from across the United States chosen to receive a high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in jour- $100,000 Scripps Howard Foundation scholarship for the 2006-07 nalism and who demonstrate qualities of “free spirit.” Two top academic year. scholars are selected to win a special award of $50,000 each. Welch has a double major in political science and had a sum- The Free Spirit program comes together in one evening in mer 2006 internship at NBC News in New York. He had an earlier March at the National Press Club and honors the Al Neuharth Free internship as an on-air reporter at KTIV-TV in Sioux City, Iowa. Spirit of the Year Award winner, honorees and the 102 high school Every journalism and mass communication school in the students for their exemplary abilities as free spirits to dream, dare nation could nominate one full-time student as its representative and do. in the competition. A panel of newspaper, broadcast and TV net- —2002-03 Nathan Rohr, Beatrice High School work professionals chose the 10 recipients from the pool of candi- —2003-04 Katie Nieland, Millard West High School, Omaha dates. —2004-05 Brady Jones, Harrisburg High School News-editorial major Josh Swartzlander received one of the —2005-06 Carson Vaughan, Broken Bow High School Scripps Howard scholarships for 2005-06. —2005-06 Elicia Dover, Bryant High School, Bryant, Ark. J ALUMNI NEWS 65 JNews Notes FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS J school grad is Marshall Scholar Advertising graduate Aaron Eske found out in December that he has been awarded a Marshall Scholar- ship to fund his schooling at the London School of Economics. The May 2006 graduate was one of 40 scholars selected (from approximately 1,200 applicants) to spend two years at a British institution pursuing any field of study, according to a press release from

Photo courtesy Adam Daicy Adam courtesy Photo the UNL public relations office. Eske’s award follows on the Hagel biography celebrated heels of a record-breaking year in Nebraska’s U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel joined a gathering in which seven UNL students Washington, D.C., Nov. 15 to celebrate publication of his received Fulbright grants. Eske Aaron courtesy Photo biography, written by Charlyne Berens, news-editorial facul- “The Marshall is an extremely Daily Nebraskan columnist, and a ty member. prestigious award,” said Laura member of Phi Beta Kappa and Viola Herms Drath, a Nebraska graduate who has Damuth, director of undergradu- Mortar Board. spent a long career in journalism and foreign service, was ate research and fellowship advis- The scholarships were found- host for the party at the DACOR-Bacon House. Guests ing at UNL. “It is exciting, and a ed by an act of the British included UNL graduates who live in the area as well as wonderful, wonderful reflection on Parliament in 1953 and commem- friends and associates of Sen. Hagel, who signed books for undergraduate education and orate the humane ideals of the many of those attending. preparation at UNL.” European Recovery Program, com- Pictured are, from left, Sen. Hagel, Berens, Drath and Eske, 23, will attend the monly known as the Marshall Plan. Allen Beermann, executive director of the Nebraska Press London School of Economics. In They were named in honor of Gen. Association. his first year he will complete a George C. Marshall, who served as The book, “Chuck Hagel: Moving Forward,” was pub- master’s degree in global politics, chief of staff of U.S. armed forces lished by the University of Nebraska Press. ■ and he will use his second year to from 1939 to 1945, building and pursue a master’s degree in devel- directing the largest army in histo- opment management. His studies ry. A diplomat, he acted as secre- will commence in October. tary of state from 1947 to 1949, “I’ve been thinking of going to formulating the Marshall Plan, an the London School of Economics unprecedented program of eco- for a while and thought this would nomic and military aid to foreign be a great way to actually make it nations. He won the Nobel Peace happen,” Eske said. “Actually, I kind Prize in 1953. of applied on a whim; I only dis- Noteworthy Marshall Scholars covered the scholarship about a include New York Times columnist month before the deadline.” Thomas Friedman, former Arizona Things have happened so governor and U.S. Secretary of the quickly that Eske said the news has Interior Bruce Babbitt, and Harold Photo courtesy PRSSA courtesy Photo yet to really sink in. “My family Koh, dean of Yale Law School. UNL PRSA chapter and alumnae honored and friends have been really Marshall Scholarships are UNL’s Public Relations Student Society of America chapter encouraging about the opportuni- funded by the Foreign and and two CoJMC alumnae were honored at the Dec. 7, ty,” he said. “Then they have all fol- Commonwealth Office and admin- 2006, PRSA Gala and Awards Banquet in Omaha. PRSSA lowed up by checking their calen- istered by the Marshall Aid officers Paulette Lopez and Becky Jolly (far left) accepted dars to see when they can visit.” Commemoration Commission in an award of merit for the “Evening of Etiquette” communi- Eske, who works as press sec- the United Kingdom. The selection cation program entry. Meg Lauerman (second from right), retary for Sen. Ben Nelson in process in the United States is a broadcasting alumna (’73), was named Professional of Washington, D.C., graduated from managed by the British Council, the Year. She was selected out of a membership of more Lincoln Southeast High School in on behalf of the British Embassy in than 200 for the honor — the organization’s highest. 2001. At UNL, he majored in Washington D.C., and the regional Broadcasting alumna Kellie Habeeb (’00) was named advertising in the College of consulates-general in Atlanta, Newcomer of the Year. Lauerman is UNL’s director of Journalism and Mass Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los University Communications and Habeeb is director of Communications. He was a Peter Angeles, New York and San media relations with Bozell advertising and public relations Kiewit scholar, Regents scholar, Francisco. ■ in Omaha. ■ 66 WINTER 2006-2007 ALUMNI NEWS 33 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS Photo courtesy Nebraska Press Association Press Nebraska courtesy Photo

ud Pagel and Viola Drath ■ Viola Herms Drath, second were among the five jour- from left, Alfred “Bud” Pagel, far B Nebraska right, at Hall of Fame banquet. nalists inducted into the Nebraska Press Association Hall of Fame in October. The Press inductees for 2006 were: dinner and ceremony took honors Viola Herms Drath, Alfred ‘Bud’ Pagel Lee Warneke, publisher place at the Wick Alumni and editor emeritus of the Center on the UNL campus. Plainview News in northeast Pagel is well-known to courses and served as depart- spondent for the National Nebraska and a former presi- generations of journalism stu- ment chairman from 1990 Observer. dent of the Nebraska Press dents from his years on the through 1995. During his A native of Germany, Association. faculty at the J school. He career, he received more than Drath published commentaries Burt James, the late man- began teaching in 1982, retired 30 writing and teaching in Frankfurter Allgemeine aging editor and editor at the in 1997 and continued to teach awards. Zeitung, The Washington Times, Hastings Tribune. an occasional class through fall Pagel and his mother, The Christian Science Monitor, Bob Bogue, the late pub- semester 2006. Ruth Best Pagel, are the first the Chicago Tribune and lisher and editor of the He learned journalism in mother-son members of the Businessweek. In October 1988, Oakland Independent in north the back shop of his family’s NPA Hall of Fame. she published a paper titled central Nebraska. newspaper, the Neligh Leader Viola Herms Drath came “The Reemergence of the The Hall of Fame was in northeast Nebraska, and to Lincoln with her husband, German Question,” which is started in 1973 by Jack Lowe, earned a journalism degree Col. Francis Drath, after World widely recognized as laying the retired longtime editor and from Northwestern University. War II. She earned a master’s groundwork for the “2+4” copublisher of The Sidney After a brief stint in the Army, degree from Nebraska in 1952 process of German reunifica- Telegraph. The awards have Pagel returned home in 1957 and moderated numerous pro- tion. In recognition of that honored more than 80 people to take over as publisher of the grams on KUON-TV, work, she was awarded the who have distinguished them- Neligh paper, founded by his Nebraska’s public television William J. Flynn Initiative for selves in print journalism. A grandfather, C.J. Best, in 1885. station. She also became editor Peace Award of 2005. Her plaque and photo of each of Later, Pagel worked for the of the German language paper biography of the former the honorees hangs in the Norfolk Daily News, the Lincoln Die Welt-Post in Omaha and German chancellor, “Willy Nebraska Press Association Journal, The Omaha World- became the U.S. correspondent Brandt: Prisoner of his Past,” offices and another in Herald and The Miami Herald. for the German magazine was reissued in 2006. Andersen Hall, home of the At UNL, he taught reporting Madame and the Europe corre- Other NPA Hall of Fame J school. ■ 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 67 FACULTY PROFILE ALUMNI STUDENT HONORS

many pictures at our annual ERIC BROWN INDUCTED INTO meeting in November.” The NRRA annual meeting draws hundreds of station “own- Broadcasters Hall of Fame ers” from across the state, and this year’s participants will get to by BARB BIERMAN BATIE | Lexington Clipper-Herald | SEPT. 11, 2006 enjoy clips from the video being prepared for Brown’s induction. LEXINGTON – KRVN general manager The video is done as a toast- roast with many funny contribu- Eric Brown will join some lofty company tions from politicians, state farm when he is inducted into the Nebraska group leaders, staff and longtime acquaintances from the Broadcasters Hall of Fame on Aug. 10 many boards and volunteer organizations Brown serves on. during ceremonies at the Nebraska One clip in particular Broadcasters’ 73rd annual convention in brings a smile to Brown’s face. “I became acquainted with J.B. Lincoln. He will be honored along with Millken, the current president of the University of Nebraska, Don Gill, a former Husker play-by-play Eric courtesy Brown Photo before he held that post, and he announcer for KLIN radio in Lincoln and now retired as has quite a sense of humor: I had devoted from 7 a.m. to 4 director of development for Nebraska ETV. p.m. one day to the University of Brown literally grew up at work at KRVN before I headed he was finished,” Brown said. Nebraska President’s Advisory KRVN, where his father was the to Lincoln, Bob Spearman called In the end Brown earned Council meeting. The meeting general manager from 1951 to from the journalism school and the board’s respect and was their was at Varner Hall and at the 1979. “I emptied wastebaskets, invited me to lunch the Saturday choice to become the station’s end of the day I came out to helped with the lawn and ran before school started. He con- second general manager. find a parking ticket on my car errands,” he said. vinced me I should change my Under his direction KRVN — at Varner Hal,l no less! I’m He began his broadcasting planned major, and that’s how I became the flagship station for sure I uttered or thought a few career in 1962 as a part-time DJ. ended up in journalism.” the nation’s only farmer-rancher expletives until I flipped the “I had three duties. I did the Brown graduated from the owned group. In 1984 KNEB ticket over and saw the only Sunday morning sign-on; I UNL School of Journalism in AM-FM in Scottsbluff was thing on it was the word, taped the ‘Masterworks of 1967, earned a master’s degree in added, followed in 1997 by “GOTCHA!” Music’ program on Sunday journalism from the University KTIC-AM and KWPN-FM in Of his 37 years with the sta- mornings, and Monday through of Missouri in 1968 and then West Point, spreading the news, tion, Brown notes part of his Friday from 3:30-5:30 p.m. I did taught at South Dakota State markets and music border-to- job, as administrator, has been a rock-n-roll request show called University in Brookings. border. to hire help. “We have a staff ‘Teen Time.’” In the mid-1970s, Brown In 1989 KRVN moved from with very low turnover. Several The magic of radio often went to Ohio University where its downtown Lexington loca- of our staff members were here amazed Brown’s high school he earned a doctorate in broad- tion to the former Federal Land before I came back in 1979,” friends. “Once in a while I would casting. Bank and Production Credit Brown said. tape the show on reel-to-reel, He returned to SDSU where Association building along what Of the mission of the and the Friday afternoon news- he was director of the educa- is now Plum Creek Parkway. NRRA, Brown said, “It is a serv- man would play it back so I tional media division, which The new location put every- ice you can provide to help peo- could go out to Johnson Lake included KESD television and thing on one floor and provided ple. Severe weather, winter or and water ski. My friends could- FM radio, the school’s educa- staff with modern studios, summer — with the station we n’t understand how they could tional channels. geared for the best sound quality can contact a lot of people with hear me on the radio and have In 1979 Brown returned to possible. timely and accurate informa- me water skiing with them at the Lexington where he interviewed KRVN’s latest project, tion.” same time,” Brown said with a with the Nebraska Rural Radio Brown said, is construction of a That devotion to accuracy chuckle. Association board of directors new 1,000-foot tall FM tower earns praise from his peers and Brown headed to the for the general manager position near Lexington. “We hope to those he serves. Bob Anderson, University of Nebraska–Lincoln at KRVN. complete construction by former president of the in the fall of 1963, but it wasn’t “Howard Lamb (of September. It will allow us to Nebraska Cooperative Council, to study journalism. However, Anselmo) was on the board at increase our FM coverage area noted, “You know he’s always staff at the journalism school got that time, and he asked good without increasing the power,” going to get both sides of the word that he was coming and penetrating questions. You had a he explained. “It’s an exciting story.” ■ had other ideas. “My last day of bit of sweat on your head when project, and we hope to have 68 WINTER 2006-2007 ALUMNI NEWS 33 FIRST PERSON

Bill Rische, ’52 Information junkie&& writing addict Born in Lincoln, I was elected editor the Daily Nebraskan, with people In 1958-61, I was communica- “The schools I saw were not of my fifth-grade paper, the 205 like Gerald Warren, Ruth Raymond tions coordinator for the Torrance those the media and critics so often Press, at Prescott Elementary Thone, Lyle Denniston and Chuck Unified School District. As a rookie derided as ‘failing.’ Such unfair School in Lincoln. It changed my Mohr. newspaper reporter in Torrance, I stereotypes made colleagues mad; whole life, and I produced, on car- One semester, I was the editor. had been stuck with the education they often complained to me as jour- bon paper, a pun-filled “Dribbleville In retrospect my editorials were beat. Nobody else wanted it. I liked nalism teacher. Like other public Times.” Fond relatives declared it embarrassing and immature, on it. schools, Torrance was enjoined to “great.” such topics as NU’s holding the The superintendent, who was ‘solve’ social problems and inequal- I delivered the morning World- nation’s second panty-raid and from Nebraska, liked me. (His best ities it didn’t cause and couldn’t Herald for a while, worked in circu- bemoaning NU’s yearly football friend was Ken Keller, adviser to the really fix. Inflation, baby-booming lation and the back shop at the losses to Oklahoma. Daily Nebraskan when I was editor.) and immigrant enrollment, comput- Lincoln Journal. I’ve even operated An exception: With a hangover I handled press releases and publi- ers, TV, a societal push for ‘equality,’ a Linotype — badly. Ever since, I one Saturday, I wrote a column won- cations until a new, anti-superin- floods of ‘special’ and non-English have been involved with some form dering why Nebraska’s best and tendent school board was chosen. speaking students.” of writing and publication. Now, on brightest didn’t stay in Nebraska. I got an emergency credential I joined the Education Writers my computer, I edit newsletters and My conclusion: the conservatism of and taught high school journalism, Association in the late 1970s and take pictures for some groups I many legislators, one of whom said English, history, sociology and pho- attended a number of their meet- belong to. loudly if people didn’t like it, they tography until 1985. Papers I spon- ings all over the country. I worked My Lincoln high school journal- could leave. My thoughts brought a sored got several awards. More with Fred Hechinger, an education ism teacher, Belle Farman, is memo- flurry of editorial comments from all than 100 of my students went into writing guru, on an article on the rable for initialing all the copy “BF” over Nebraska, much of it unfavor- some form of newspapering and “real” problems of education writ- and once, the printer set the entire able to me, an ungrateful young other forms of communications over ing. It didn’t fly. Cliches and plati- school newspaper boldface. But my whippersnapper. I checked 20 years the years. I taught a couple of stints tudes still abound. high school class heard Bill later; most boys and half of the girls part-time at a local junior college. I wondered how classroom Laurence, a Lincoln High grad then in my graduating class’s National I got a Ph.D. from USC in 1976, teachings affected the district’s working for The New York Times, Honor Society had moved else- hoping to teach in college, but this 100,000 graduates, so I asked talk about his career. I was where. Hmmm. was a budget-cutting period. I had many of them. The book includes enthralled. On graduating, I thought I had built up good retirement benefits, several surveys of grads’ occupa- At NU, professors Nate a job as press aide to a now long- and my wife didn’t want to leave the tions and recollections. These Blumberg, Neale Copple, Bill Hice, forgotten Nebraska Congressman beach area where we were. included two assistant U.S. secre- and Robert Crawford were memo- in Washington, D.C., arranged by an For retirement, I bought a type- taries of defense, entertainers and rable. The late, great James older grad, who was leaving the job. setting shop, but desktop publishing athletic celebrities, the driver of a Lawrence, Lincoln Star editor and But another congressman died, and was coming in — and I got out just in Mars moon-landing vehicle and outspoken progressive, taught or his aide shoved me aside. So it goes. time. For several years, I was a sub- adults from all walks of life. co-taught one class I loved. Truly a I went to California instead. stitute teacher. Society is racing into a future divergent thinker, he could wander Thus, after graduating from I became editor of a paper, the where no one has ever gone before. all over the map, tie it together and NU in 1952, I attended UCLA grad- South Bay-Torrance New Times, an Let no child be left behind is a good end up where he started. Absent- uate school (on a Seacrest Scholar- attempt to restart community jour- slogan, but teachers know that kids’ minded Dr. Bill Swindler, a so-so lec- ship; I chose history) for two years. nalism, but it didn’t succeed for energy, hormones and home situa- turer, was a great conceptualizer for Culture shock, love, finances and a many of the same reasons papers tions often get in the way. a senior seminar in which men in disagreement with a prof made me are now in trouble. As editor I won My wife, Gerry, and I celebrat- various occupations (women were leave grad school for a while. an award from the California ed our 50th wedding anniversary in mothers and secretaries then) told In 1954, I became a reporter, Teachers Association for a series of June and have lived in the same how journalism affected their work. later city editor, for the Torrance editorial commentaries on educa- Torrance house for 49 years. We are Nathan Blumberg saw possi- Herald, now-defunct bi-weekly tion and for a history of the city of inveterate travelers, having visited bilities in me I did not see in myself, paper which then looked as if it Torrance. all 50 states and 70 foreign coun- and he nominated me for a Seacrest might become a daily in a rapidly- In all those capacities, includ- tries. Both of us have been active on Scholarship (got it) and Rhodes growing town. It did not. ing that of parent and gadfly, I was city commissions and civic groups. Scholar (didn’t get it) and got me a For a year, I edited the associated with the Torrance Our son, Bruce, 40, a computer trou- job at the Lincoln Star. (Nate also Highland Park News-Herald, a Schools for nearly a half-century. So bleshooter, lives in Olympia, Wash. edited some of the Star’s editorial weekly in an northeast LA suburb. It I wrote “The History of Torrance I am an information junkie and page.) I also worked on the “Rag”, was sold. Schools, 1890-2000.” a writing addict. ■

12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 69 G I V I N G B A C K Once a Husker … Patten is loyal to the craft of journalism, the UNL J school — and the Big Red

by MINDA HAAS

It doesn’t matter if they’re behind late in a game, or even if all the bookies have picked them to lose. Husker teams do not quit. Neither did professor Jim Patten, who retired from the University of Arizona in 2002, only to return to teaching as an adjunct professor at UNL the following fall. Now he’s retired once more but said that if anyone asked him to come back,

he’d probably “suit up again.” Bastie Audra by Photo He and his wife, Patricia, do what you have to do. If you Patten studied at UNL years ago, long before recently expressed their UNL have to miss sleep or work Andersen Hall opened and even before journalism class- loyalty in another big way: seven days a week … whatever. rooms existed in Avery Hall. Patten is old school, from They donated $25,000 to start You just put your head down back when the UNL’s journalism program was housed in a scholarship for a news-edito- and do it.” Nebraska Hall. After graduating in 1967, he went on to rial student at the College of And he did. When it came teach at UNL for 13 years. In 1972, he won UNL’s Annis Journalism and Mass to a showdown, the UA faculty Chaiken Sorensen Award for Distinguished Teaching in Communication. The scholar- senate voted to keep the jour- the Humanities and in 1973 was selected as an honorary ship, called the Jim and nalism department. member of the Innocents Society. Patricia Patten Scholarship, “The final vote was 36-3,” In Arizona, he picked up excellence-in-teaching will be awarded for the first Patten said. “Sounds kind of awards from the College of Social and Behavioral time next year, Patten said. like a Husker football score, Sciences and the National Association of Hispanic Patten is not only a don’t you think?” Journalists. But despite working for newspapers in three teacher of journalism; he’s an Today the UA program for states, spending two years with the U.S. Navy and teach- ardent defender of the craft. which Patten battled is housed ing all over the Midwest and Southwest, he’s still a Beginning in 1994, he led a in a new facility, and enroll- Husker. two-year battle that ultimately ment numbers are on the rise. “After, lo, these many years, my loyalty to UNL still saved the University of “Every time I walk shows,” said Patten, who lives in Tucson.“All of my Arizona’s journalism depart- through the department now friends know not to joke with me if Nebraska loses. It’s ment. When UA administra- and see how it’s thriving in no laughing matter.” tors started talking about elim- enrollment, new quarters, and Yes, Patten is definitely a loyal and visible Husker. inating the department, Patten many new faculty members, it Even his e-mail address — [email protected] — stood up to fight. gives me great satisfaction,” reflects how he feels about his alma mater. Asked how he held up Patten said. “The fight was “We have a Big Red room, and we fly an NU flag during the ensuing and very worth it.” from our house every minute of every day, all year,” he public battle to save the A few of Patten’s former said. department, Patten said, “You students are familiar faces for 70 WINTER 2006-2007 ALUMNI NEWS wanted to be a newspaper- large measure, do not know man. And I still do.” their rights,” he said. “If we As Patten was working end up creating a generation toward his bachelor’s degree of young journalist who don’t from UNL, the director of the object mightily and with all School of Journalism left UNL their strength to government for a job at Ohio State. Patten interference, I see bad days said his favorite teacher, Neale ahead for the press and our Copple, became the director republic.” and needed someone to fill his College students need to teaching position. be on the lookout for censor- “I told myself I’d give ship on the horizon as well, he teaching five years and then said. decide whether to stay with “There is a court case it,” Patten said. “The five years lurking out there as we speak were up in 1972 — and here I that would apply Hazelwood am.” sorts of censorship to college Much of Patten’s journal- newspapers.” In fact, when the istic passion stemmed from Seventh Circuit Court of his experience working on his Appeals heard the case, Hosty high school newspaper. v. Carter, in June 2005, the “The newspaper was the court ruled that Hazelwood only thing that kept me in could be applied to college school,” he said. “Like so many and university campuses. The journalists, I got hooked on it U.S. Supreme Court declined in high school — and have to review the case, so the deci- never wavered.” sion stands in the states that Because he was so are part of the Seventh inspired by his own high Circuit, although no high-pro- school journalistic experience, file instances of its application Patten has spent much time have surfaced. during the last two decades Patten has great faith in fighting for high school jour- the student body at UNL, say- nalists’ First Amendment ing the school has high-quali- current UNL students. rights. He’s been speaking out ty students and faculty. Associate professor Joe Starita ■ Jim and Patricia Patten on this issue ever since the “The students are what I took beginning news writing Supreme Court’s landmark remember most about UNL; and reporting from Patten and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier ruling they were great. They were remembers Patten’s personali- in 1988, in which the court sort of cocky, the ones in the ty clearly. one who had actually knocked ruled that school administra- 1970s, but that was all right “Jim Patten was the real out a murder story on dead- tors could exercise control because they were good, and deal,” Starita said. “He was line, covered a complex city over the content of their they knew they were good.” intense, focused, thorough, council budget hearing, writ- school’s newspaper. This die-hard Husker fan, demanding — someone who ten a light-hearted feature and “The worst part of the recently inducted into the not only seemed to know a dug deep into an intricate new [post-Hazelwood] rules is Arizona Interscholastic Press good deal about the subject investigative piece,” Starita that many high school stu- Association’s Hall of Fame, matter but who was also quite said. “His real-world experi- dents — and their advisers — will always remember Lincoln passionate in conveying it to ences gave him a good deal of think nothing about having fondly. his group of 15 or so neo- what would be called ‘street school administrators tell “When I think of UNL’s phytes.” cred’ today, and it added an them what to print,” Patten journalism program, I think It seems that a Jim Patten intriguing dimension to the said. “Accept it in high school of one of the best programs in class was more of an “experi- class.” and you’ll accept it later in our the country, certainly the top ence” than just another lec- But how did Patten’s jour- profession. five,” he said. “I’m proud to ture. nalistic passion begin? “No one has ever granted have a degree from there and “One of the things that I “I have no idea where my a high school principal a proud of serving UNL stu- really appreciated about being interest in journalism came blank check to censor the dents for 13 years. I thought it in his classroom was the fact from. No one in my family journalists in the school, but was pretty good in my day, that this wasn’t some coddled, had even been in journalism many principals have seized and I suspect it’s even better cut off, isolated egghead or expressed any interest in it,” that authority anyway, taking now.” ■ standing there speaking about Patten said. “I do know, how- advantage of the fact that stu- theoretical abstracts but some- ever, that by age 9 I knew I dents and advisers, in some 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 71 G I V I N G B A C K Youth-branding agency turns weakness into strength by MAX HOLMQUIST It was 10 p.m. when Charles Hull arrived at the prison parking lot in Macon, Ga., one day in the fall of 1999. Representing his company, Archrival, he was there to tour a brand new unoccupied prison to develop a marketing presentation for a national architecture firm that wanted to sell prison design to communities.

The parking lot where Hull was sup- easy to get swallowed up; but Archrival posed to meet the warden was empty. has turned what seems like a weakness — Hull looked into the camera at the gate a Midwest location — into a major and pressed the button next to it. The strength. gate opened to a series of more gates. He “Six years ago we were pitching for continued this procedure all the way to Lowe’s at the national level,” Runge said. the main prison hall. He walked around “There was heavy competition from all Archrival courtesy Photos the perimeter but still found no one. over. One competing group asked us Then, through a cellblock door, he saw where we were from, and when they the course. someone pushing a broom. heard we were from Lincoln they “Having that kind of relationship “I asked him where I could find the responded, ‘Lincoln, Nebraska? You real- with the University of Nebraska gives us warden,” Hull said. “He gave me a funny ize you’re playing with the big boys now several competitive advantages in our look and then pointed down a long hall- right?’ We fired back with a confident, niche industry,” Hull said. “First, it helps way. Here I am, some kid with nicely ‘Yeah, we are.’ We were so motivated that train students who later become great done hair and a camera around my neck.” we went in there, made our pitch and employee candidates for our firm. As the man turned away, Hull won the bid.” Secondly, it gives us tremendous credibili- noticed numbers on the back of the man’s “Our location has become a strong ty with existing and potential clients shirt. Hull looked down the hallway and point,” Hull said. “Our clients are nationwide who are looking for an agency saw prisoners in the cells. This was no intrigued that Archrival is from Nebraska. with expertise and insight into youth cul- janitor, and the prison was definitely Lots of companies feel like advertising ture.” occupied. Hull had landed during a shift firms from big cities are out of touch with This relationship with UNL started change, and the guards in the tower mainstream American youth, so our 10 years ago while Hull and Runge were assumed that the guards from the next Midwest roots and close relationship to a attending UNL. They began doing design shift were pressing the buttons, so they let major university is a big competitive work on their own while they were still in him all the way through, unnoticed. advantage for us. There are no other school. This episode reflects the way youth-branding agencies that I know of “You learn a work ethic in the archi- Archrival flew under the radar for its first that have a Division One university in tecture program that quite honestly nine years to arrive where it is today, a their back yard.” makes it so you can’t help but succeed,” leading youth-branding advertising Recognizing the opportunity to Hull said. “When you come into the real agency with clients such as Microsoft, strengthen this advantage, Archrival world after architecture school, every- Walgreens and SPAM. Recently the firm recently donated $40,000 to the J school thing slows down, but we didn’t. One- has expanded its reach to include interna- to establish the Archrival Youth Trend hundred-hour weeks were nothing when tional clients such as Red Bull of Austria Research Fellowship, a program designed we started. and L’Oreal of France. to develop a course that teaches the “At that point in our lives, we had This small firm, started by UNL J importance of understanding youth-con- nothing to lose by starting a business. We school graduate Clint! Runge and UNL sumer trends and their effects on buying financed it with our credit cards, loans College of Architecture graduate Charles habits of young Americans. In addition to from our families and what we could get Hull, has had its share of challenges that the monetary donation, Archrival will from the bank,” he said. “It was a constant grow out of their location in the also provide input on the course develop- game of ‘don’t get in over your head and Heartland. In an industry dominated by ment and structure, as well as give feed- don’t spend more than you can afford.’” firms from big cities on the coasts, it’s back and guidance to students who take Since those first years, Archrival has 72 WINTER 2006-2007 ALUMNI NEWS 33 you put into it the more you get out. You will get all of your hard work back in div- idends.” Archrival recently launched the European Beauty Collection, a collection of imported premium skincare brands, for Walgreens. Seven different companies from Europe ship cosmetic products to the stores. The need for problem-solving and creativity was clear in this project. It was much more than just a design project. Archrival assisted in everything from the packaging and design to shipping and getting everything through U.S. customs. Hull remembers one problem that popped up unexpectedly. “One company thought it would be cute to send cookies with their shipment of skincare products,” he said. “When it got to customs in Chicago, the entire shipment was refused because the cookies weren’t FDA-approved. You find yourself HULL RUNGE saying, ‘Who would have thought of something like that ever being a problem?’ However, everything managed to go through and launch on time. It was a very rewarding project.” Hull and Runge feel that Archrival evolved from a local generalist design focused attention on the upstart candi- has done a lot of rewarding work, includ- shop to the international youth-branding date. People were intrigued by the fresh ing Step Up, Speak Out, and a campaign agency it is now. Archrival’s work now and unconventional approach to political for the Nebraska Book Company. ranges from developing the National branding. Step Up, Speak Out is a statewide Collegiate Rock Paper Scissors “We’re averaging about 500 people program against gender abuse and its Championship, to doing the branding for per day on the Web site, and people are prevalence in pop culture. Nobody at Red Bull’s new NASCAR racing team. spending an average of over six minutes Archrival was passionate about the issue Jim Esch, 2006 Democratic candidate there per hit, which is almost unheard of before working on the campaign, but as for Congress in Nebraska’s 1st District, in this type of Web site,” Esch said. the team of 16 people worked more and said he had heard a story about a car The site had a very young feel to it. more on the campaign, everyone began to wash that was re-opening in Lincoln a few The logo, an American flag with the let- feel strongly about it. years ago. The business hired Archrival to ters J and E in the stripes, stood out. At “It really has had an effect on the help promote its launch. Archrival came the top of the page was a banner where work we do. We are very conscious about up with a guerilla campaign that involved people could click and read Esch’s stand it now,” Runge said. “We use a lot of what putting what looked like parking tickets on each campaign issue. The site showed we learned working on the Step Up, Speak on people’s dirty cars, as if they were the creativity of Archrival. Out campaign in our work now.” being fined for being too dirty. The cita- Hull and Runge both credit much of For Nebraska Book Company, tions looked so real that people were their success to their knowledge of the Archrival designed a national campaign going to the courthouse to pay them. The creative process. called “Buy a Book, Build a Forest.” For campaign drew local, regional and “It’s all about design and problem every book a student buys, a portion goes national press coverage. It was this out-of- solving,” Runge said. “The same principles to plant a tree. Nebraska Book Company the-box thinking that pushed Esch to ask of design apply to any type of design, be works in partnership with the National Archrival to produce his campaign adver- it architecture, graphic design or advertis- Arbor Day Foundation. At the end of the tising. ing.” promotion, Nebraska Book Company and “We’re running a very grassroots Hull advises students: “Don’t be too National Arbor Day Foundation will plant campaign, and they’ve been great about medium-focused. Learn the fundamen- a minimum of 100,000 trees in the greater everything,” Esch said during the 2006 tals. Explore your boundaries. Most of all, Yellowstone region. election campaign. Archrival developed learn to be creative. Explore the different With a resumé including work for the “Jim Esch for Congress” logo, the possibilities and then learn the different everything from SPAM to a congressional campaign identity system and the Web tools necessary to make those possibilities candidate, it’s easy to understand how this site. The branding was so striking that happen — never the other way around.” Lincoln-grown, youth-branding agency, very early in the campaign, national Runge advises students: “Pour your- Archrival, is enjoying success and contin- media and the advertising industry self into your work right now. The more ued growth. ■ 12 SUMMER 2005 J ALUMNI NEWS 73 G I V I N G B A C K “They got rid of everything that was typical in a journalism school,” said Norton. Legendary administrator The UI program asked students to form teams, build donates collection to UNL’s J school a message and then receive points and grades based on the audience’s response to the by ASHER BALL message. The experiments used game theory and simula- Lined up on shelves in the tions to teach journalism. The Hitchcock Center in Andersen change was hard for many Hall are dissertations and beginning journalists, but for books that have helped shape the doctoral students it was a the UNL J school’s program. blessing. These volumes are the “Before MacLean, the Talbott Collection, and they comprehensive doctoral exam- often have elaborate titles such inations at Iowa were univer- as “Play Theory Applied To sally feared — actually loathed Journalism Education” by Ann — because success lay in the Debra Buzard and “Television quantity of knowledge that a Reporters’ Perceptions of Role student had accumulated and Expectations” by Patricia L. in who was that student’s Kent. The collection is named adviser,” said Michael in honor of the man who Stricklin, a former CoJMC donated them, Albert Talbott, professor who was also a stu- a 74-year-old native of dent of Talbott’s at Iowa. Scottsbluff. But other journalism “It was a good opportuni- experts were not so receptive. ty to give the books I accumu- On April 23, 1972, the lated over the years to stu- American Council on dents and programs,” Talbott Education for Journalism said. denied accreditation to the UI Throughout his career in journalism school. Not long business and academia, after, 46 percent of those Talbott’s more than 50 aca- enrolled in UI journalism demic communications arti- courses had dropped out. cles have made him one of the “The Iowa experiment key figures in research meth- was way ahead of its time,” ods. For nearly 30 years, Story David by Photo said Stricklin. “It is always Talbott was a research consult- ELLSWORTH risky to be too far ahead.” ant to the R.H. Donnelley Co., in the college and placed the doors. The stress of that incident the largest publisher of tele- binding on the volumes in the “You don’t want to not proved to be too much for phone Yellow Pages in the Talbott Collection, said, “I’m take precautions,” Norton MacLean, and soon after world. Talbott is also a profes- not even sure if the faculty said. “Those works represent resigning, he died of a heart sor emeritus at the University knows about the collection — the contribution of Al Talbott attack. After MacLean’s death, of Iowa, where he oversaw probably just a few of them.” to people’s lives.” Talbott became the disserta- many doctoral students. One But for someone needing Talbott may be best tion committee chairman and of them was the CoJMC’s own access to a variety of disserta- known for the period during picked up many of MacLean’s dean, Will Norton Jr., who tions and research methods, the late 1960s and early 1970s doctoral students. Norton was knows the value of having the the collection is always avail- when he taught at one of the Talbott’s second doctoral stu- collection available to stu- able. first experimental college dent. Together they formulat- dents. “We have a college full of journalism programs. ed Norton’s doctoral thesis, “Actually touching it people who have expertise and Working under his mentor “Reader Feedback to a makes a difference,” said priorities,” Norton said, “but and the director of the Newspaper Editor: A Case Norton. “It’s different than a for the kind of person that University of Iowa’s journal- Study.” During the dissertation computer screen.” this collection is a priority, ism school, Malcolm S. work, Norton could see But the collection may they’ll find it.” MacLean Jr., Talbott helped Talbott’s strength as an educa- not yet be well-known at That may be true, but any launch a program that empha- tor. UNL. Valerie Ellsworth, who interested party would need a sized more scholarship and “Talbott wasn’t a great works with graduate students key to get past the locked less academic bureaucracy. lecturer,” Norton said, “but he 74 WINTER 2006-2007 ALUMNI NEWS 33 N O T E B OOK was good across the table.” Stricklin said, “Dr. Talbott listened and learned. Usually he wouldn’t say a thing, and I marveled at his discipline and patience.” Will Norton said he manages the UNL J school by many principles he learned under Talbott and MacLean. As in Talbott’s open system, Norton encourages the par- ticipation of anyone who would like to improve the college, and he also empha- sizes the importance of scholarship. But unlike the often disorganized school

that MacLean ran, Norton REMEMBERING Nuckolls David courtesy Photo tries to keep the college A PRESIDENT structured. by DAVID NUCKOLLS, ’86 “Even though we have a chaotic college in some ways, JAN. 2, 2007 – President Bush has declared this day to be a day of remembrance for President Ford. we try to have an orderly After watching a day of wall-to-wall coverage of his memorial services, I thought I might offer this administration,” Norton said. personal story. Nearly 10 years have In my capacity at CNN, I had the honor and pleasure of interviewing President and Mrs. Ford passed since Norton and on Feb. 12, 1999. Stricklin first worked to have By coincidence, that was the day President Clinton was acquitted by the Senate. At the exact Talbott’s library brought to time we were to start the interview, President Clinton was coming on the television to apologize UNL. “My feeling on the and ask the country to move on. I asked President Ford if he wanted to wait a while to start our books is that it was time to interview so that he could watch and he said in a matter-of-fact way, “No … no … I’ve seen turn them over to someone enough.” We switched off the television. I thought that was interesting. else.” After asking about a dozen questions, I got to the proverbial “How do you hope that you’ll be Other books were added remembered?” This was his response: to the collection in honor of Stricklin’s joining the faculty PRESIDENT FORD: “I hope and trust that when the pages of history are written, they’ll say the Ford adminis- of the Federal University of tration inherited the tragedies of Watergate and Vietnam and economic problems. And that we were Piaui in Brazil. All of the able, in the two-and-a-half years that I was president, to heal the wounds, where people in this country books were sorted and cata- in early 1970s were arguing, fighting, disagreeing with one another. And the Ford administration, I trust logued as the Talbott will be remembered as one that healed the differences and restored public confidence in government, Collection and have been in our nation’s capitol.” placed in the Hitchcock Center for any person to see I asked Mrs. Ford about her husband’s legacy. This was her response: and read. Talbott’s dissertations FIRST LADY BETTY FORD: “I think President Ford will be remembered as a very fine man who has great … “were a great number of suc- [SHE STARTS OVER] cesses,” Norton said. “As I think of him in history, I truly think he will be remembered most for his bringing the nation Stricklin agreed. “Talbott together at a time of a terrible crisis, when things were falling apart. He was the steadying influence broadened my scope of that really solidified the nation at a time when we were going through the Watergate crisis.” vision and heightened my intellectual sensibilities,” said But what I will remember most about the Fords is what happened after the interview. So as Stricklin, whose own disser- not to intrude, I had arranged for the interview to take place in a hotel suite not far from their tation, “The New Printing home in Palm Springs. After asking about 20 questions or so, we turned off the lights and the cam- Technology and Journalism era, and I thought we would then say goodbye. Mrs. Ford excused herself and was driven away. Education: Toward a President Ford said, “David, tell me about what you do.” He then asked me a bunch of ques- Paradigm,” is in the Talbott tions. We probably talked for 30 minutes or so. The fact that he was born in Nebraska didn’t hurt Collection. our connection. I felt like I was talking with my grandfather. He was so nice and seemed genuinely Will Norton hopes the interested. Maybe he was stalling until his tee time, but I really enjoyed my time with him. Talbott Collection will edu- I have also interviewed President Carter (twice) and Mrs. Carter, President Clinton, Ladybird cate others and help them Johnson (Her story about the Kennedy Assassination is chilling!), and Nancy Reagan (She gave me succeed as well. ■ suggestions for sleeping better!). All were very kind and provided moments I will always remember, but President Ford and I really connected, and I’ll remember my afternoon with him most. ■ J ALUMNI NEWS 75 Photo by Clay Lomneth Heisman Trophy winner and new author Johnny Rodgers was at Andersen Hall on Nov. 24 to promote his new book, “An Era of Greatness: Coach Bob Devaney’s Final Four Seasons in University of Nebraska Football (1969-1972).” Rodgers graduated with a degree in advertising in 1997. Judy Yeck (at left), a longtime staff member of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, is one of Rodgers’ biggest fans.

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