ALUMNI HUCK BOYD LECTURE FACULTY INSIDE Physioc returns to Wilma Moore-Black Miller School Student wins fourth in Hearst 1 inspire students, delivers 12th Huck welcomes four new Music and radio history 8 call KSU game. Boyd Lecture. faculty members. London calls PR student 4 Alumni updates 13 12 9 10

FALL News From The A. Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications 2011 Kansas State University

Reconnected Reporting students writing again for K-State Collegian as part of classroom assignments Contents • Fall 2011

CLASSES 2, 3 After nearly nine years as director of the Miller School, Dr. Angela Powers steps down to focus on teaching and research.

Miller School students are having their work published and broadcast as part of class assignments.

STUDENTS 4, 5 Students land internships in New York City, Houston, London and Los Angeles.

Graduate student travels to Kenya with professor to conduct research on HIV/AIDS and links to alchohol.

FACULTY 6, 7 The Miller School welcomes four new GREAT PLAINS RADIO HISTORY SYMPOSIUM The sixth annual gath- faculty members. ering featured Marvin Bredemeir, Don Willis and Herb Hoeflicker. The panelists discussed their experiences in the era of live music on the radio. 8 SPEAKERS and EVENTS 8, 9 AWAKS REUNION Twenty five Great Plains Radio History Sympo- years ago, 44 photographers took sium. nearly 70,000 photos to document col- 12th Annual Huck Boyd Lecture. lege life at K-State for a photo book. A quarter-century later, alumni gathered EVENTS 10, 11 to reminisce about the creation of "A A Week at K-State photo project's 25th Week at Kansas State" and discuss anniversary brings photographers back the possibility of another project. 11 to Manhattan to celebrate and plan.

SPORTSCASTERS RETURN Hispanic journalist and activist Clau- Alumni Steve Physioc and Dan Musil dio Remeseria discusses role of media came back to Kansas State to share in coverage of minority groups. their experiences with students and give advice to those interested in simi- ALUMNI 13 lar careers. 12 Advisory Council president and pres- dient-elect visit Miller Schol to discuss ON THE COVER mentoring program. By requiring students to contribute to either the Col- Alumni Updates legian, the Royal Purple or 91.9, the school is recon- necting its classes to stu- Update, the news magazine of dent media. Faculty want the A. Q. Miller School of Journal- to ensure that students get ism and Mass Communications practical experience before at Kansas State University is graduating and joining the produced by the Magazine and work force. Feature Writing class. FROM THE DIRECTOR JMC BRIEFS Michael Jordan once said, “Talent wins games, but Students launch website for speech teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” Through intelligence and teamwork, we will What began as an idea for a K-State entrepreneurial contest in November 2010 is become a premier program by tying into President generating national attention. Loudspeaker, a non-profit organization created by three Schulz’s vision to become a top 50 public research undergraduate students at the university and is the brainchild of Chandler Johnson, institution by 2025. President Schulz has outlined a senior in journalism and digital media. The organization focuses on important social number of goals including issues and incorporating and creating a place dedicated to college forensic performances increasing endowments, through an online database. faculty awards, graduate "We're trying to take those speeches and show people how important their voices degrees awarded, fresh- are," Johnson said. "Putting your voice out there and stating your opinion where it has man-sophomore retention some type of credibility rates, undergraduate de- and structure to it has grees awarded and under- the ability to influence graduate research experi- more then just one or two ences. people." Sen. Pat Roberts As you will read in The team, Johnson and Dr. Powers this edition, our faculty and co-creators Jenna members are already mak- Surprenant, junior in meet at the KAB ing strides in these areas for communications studies, annual meeting the A.Q. Miller School. and Brock Ingmire, senior in communication studies, • Advertising and public relations faculty members, was awarded a $500 prize Curtis Matthews and Wes Wise, are creating an un- for best pitch in the finals dergraduate/graduate research lab involving more of K-State’s Next Big students in important studies such as the examina- Thing entrepreneurialThe creators of Loudspeaker, from left to tion of emotional processes involved when viewing competition. The team right: Brock Ingmire, Chandler Johnson, television segments. placed fourth overall in and Jenna Surprenant. the contest. • Academic adviser, Tom Roesler, is working with 1 our incoming students to pinpoint research and The team dedicated more than 700 hours to their idea and is focused on reaching professional interests and directing them toward out to high school and college forensic programs nationwide. appropriate faculty members and student organiza- The Loudspeaker website, www.speechneverdies.org, was designed by Casey Dwyer, tions upon their arrival. junior in journalism and mass communications, and launched November 20. • New professional faculty members, Vern Wirka As the instructor of communication studies and university forensics coach, Craig and Steve Harvey are impacting student retention Brown said in a press release he believes this initiative is exactly what President Schulz’s by providing hands-on media convergence experi- 2025 plan is all about: “demonstrating how undergraduates are doing something ence and cross promotion among our newspaper, important.” radio and television operations • We are also moving ahead on a proposal for a Castanon nabs fourth in Hearst fund-raising campaign for a state-of-the-art facil- ity on the north side of campus connected to Dole Kelsey Castanon, senior in Hall, as mentioned in last fall’s Update. This project journalism and digital media, ties directly into becoming a Top 50 institution, en- placed fourth in the feature abling our research, scholarship, learning, and pro- writing competition in the duction to flow seamlessly under one roof. Hearst National Journalism Awards it was announced De- Senator Pat Roberts, the keynote speaker for the cember 2. Kansas Association of Broadcasters this fall and an Castanon's piece, "Father, alum of our school, has for many years spoke of the daughter relationship tested greatness of Kansas State University. What we are set after his confession: 'I'm gay,'" to accomplish has the potential to impact the lives of was published in the October many students, faculty and media organization in our 13, 2011 K-State Collegian. region and the nation for years to come. This is an ex- The story details the emo- citing juncture in our 100+ year history, one in which tional experience of Castanon's everyone can play a part! discovery of her father's sexual It is our honor to work together with faculty, staff, orientation after reading her students, administration and all of you to become a mother's diary. Her shock leading program. turned to rebellion against him but she later came to accept, Sincerely, and to love him again. For her award, Castanon will receive a $1,000 scholar- ship from the Hearst Awards program. The Miller School Angela Powers Kelsey Castanon will receive a matching amount. UPDATE Fall 2011

FACULTY Powers steps down By ASHLEY DUNKAK

r. Angela Powers took a risk when she left a Dposition as a professor in Illinois and accepted the job as the director of the Miller School in 2004. “It was a big decision for me because I loved what I did in Illinois, and I’d be doing something completely Director different here,” Powers said. “But it was the best decision I ever made. For almost nine years now, it’s just been a since 2004 wonderful whirlwind of exciting events.” Dr. Powers announced in October she would step down as the school’s director to return to her first love achieves goals, – teaching. About two years ago, Powers began to see in sight the will remain end of her administrative stint at K-State. “Everything that I wanted to do was starting to come to fruition,” she said. on faculty Updating parts of Kedzie Hall and establishing a converged newsroom in Dole Hall took longer than the other five goals she set for the school. When those two neared completion, she knew it would soon be time to make a change. 2 Powers’ other goals for the school included strengthening alumni relations, increasing diversity, enhancing curriculum and placing the school on solid financial footing. Associate Director of Graduate Studies Steve Smethers said the goals have been recognized and complement each other. “As she has been director of the school, we have done a lot more in terms of fundraising,” Smethers said. “We’re never as rich as we want to be - no school is - but we do have some really noticeable improvements in annual giving by alumni." Director Angela Powers The school continues to build its scholarship fund and fund for equipment and technology, he said. Miller School, she is looking to teach more as she Smethers said people would remember Powers for transitions back into the faculty. Smethers said whatever leading the Miller School into the era of convergence, classes she teaches would enrich students. modernizing its curriculum to reflect the use of new “I think she brings a lot because of the research that technology in communications. she’s done and because of her interest,” he said. “When Overall, though, he said he thinks her most significant you have an administrative role, one of the things that you achievement is in international outreach. She established really, really miss is the constant, day-to-day interaction new relationships and research opportunities in different with students. All of us got into this profession because countries for students and faculty, and she supported we love young people. And I know that in her particular faculty members who wanted to do likewise. Her love case, being director of the school doesn’t mean that you of international education, Smethers said, has given the get the opportunity to be in the classroom as much as Miller School a unique corporate culture. you want.” “I think that we have built an inclusive culture here Powers has done extensive research in media in JMC that is even more accepting than ever of people management and media economics. She currently of all nationalities,” Smethers said. “Our diversity has teaches a media management class and plans to continue greatly grown here in terms of the cultural makeup of our doing so. Also, since the school has not offered media faculty and student body. And we have, I think, a very economics in several years, she plans to teach that as well. welcoming culture here, something that our students Being a professor instead of director will allow her to who join us from other parts of the world and other parts teach graduate classes as well as undergraduate classes. of the country can feel very good about.” “I feel this is a really good opportunity for me to go Even though she is stepping down as director, Powers back to my first passion, which is teaching – or who knows will remain a part of that culture. what opens up?” Powers said. “When one door closes, While she now teaches media management in the another door always opens up. So I’m very excited.” Fall 2011 UPDATE

STUDENTS

Kyle Reynolds, left, junior in public relations, and Kelsey Peterson, junior in public relations, discuss their stories about the Kansas sesquicentennial during Prof. Gloria Freeland's news and feature writing class. Classes reconnect to Collegian

By EMILY WORRELL feature writing classes are once The option to have students copy editors – people who help again writing for the Collegian write for student media is now make their work better." 3 iller School student and other media outlets. The decided by individual faculty Student feedback seems Mjournalists are again concerns of faculty have been members, but most require positive so far, although some contributing stories to the addressed and students are again students to be published. The students say their workload has K-State Collegian as part of class making important contributions change to reconnect student seen a significant increase. assignments after nearly a decade. to the daily campus report. media was also pushed strongly by “I feel like it’s a pain,” said Starting in the 1960’s, students “We discussed it as a faculty, alumni of the Miller School. Katy Zimmerman, sophomore were required as part of their and we want the students to “It’s important for students in public relations, “Some due advanced reporting classes to have have more and better experience to be exposed to the newsroom dates are fine but other times it's articles published in the Collegian. before they go looking for jobs environment so they understand overwhelming, but it’s a good But this changed in 2001 when the and be more qualified when they how the newsroom works,” said experience.” link was cut between reporting are evaluated by their potential Andy Nelson, journalism and Some instructors leave the classes and the student newspaper. bosses,” said Steve Wolgast, digital media sequence head. option open as to where students At that time, Miller School director of Student Publications, “As journalists, they need to must be published. Students faculty members believed student Inc., and Miller School professor. understand how to report and not only have the option of the editors should not be in a position “This is one way to accomplish write but also how to work in a Collegian or the Royal Purple but to affect the grades of their fellow t h at .” structure that includes editors and are encouraged to send their work students. There was also concern to larger publications or broadcast about the interpersonal skills of media outlets. student editors and the manner Kelly Furnas, instructor in in which they provided feedback journalism and digital media, to peers. is a 2001 graduate of the Miller But in the ensuing years, School. He was required to have there was growing concern from articles published when he took both alumni and faculty about the advanced Reporting 2 class. journalism students completing He believed it was an important their college career without task for the class, although he ever knowing the location of had already been writing for the the Collegian newsroom and Collegian for two years before he graduating from an accredited took the class. program without being published. “For me it was a good A practicum system was put opportunity to bulk up my in place to give student media portfolio,” Furnas said. “But for experience, but it was not linked Prof. Gloria Freeland discusses a story during news plenty of my classmates it was a directly to the reporting classes. and feature writing class. Each of Freeland's students good opportunity to start their This semester, the news and contribute three stories to the Collegian. portfolios." UPDATE Fall 2011

STUDENTS Astros a home run for Halsey Lauren Halsey is from Dallas. obtaining ticket vouchers, organizing clinics When she graduates in May 2012, the and arranging meet and greets with the major senior in public relations wants to work and league players. live in the Dallas area. She had worked with the K-State Athletic But last summer she said she wanted an Department in the past but gained insight internship that would push her out of her into the operations of a professional team. element, so she packed her bags for Houston. Connecting with people in the sports Online research led her to an internship industry was the most important part of her she felt was in her ballpark. She interviewed internship, she said. with the Houston Astros and spent the Halsey said the internship helped her summer working in the major league team’s learn how to work better with other people. sponsorship and sales department. “We had 30 interns – one for each She worked mainly with contract department," Halsey said. "People were from fulfillment, contacting businesses and taking all over, and each carried their own views." clients down for batting practices and other By the end of the summer she said she events at the ballpark. bonded with her fellow interns, and she still Lauren Halsey was a major league The Astros are involved in several charity keeps in contact with many of them. success as a Houston Astros intern. events, and Halsey assisted groups with – Kate Gillespie Rupert lands three internships with LA broadcasters Mikey Rupert, senior in journalism and While at Fox Sports Radio, Rupert worked shows hosted by Peter Tilden and Larry Elder. digital media, usually spent his time in Los with the J.T. Brick Show sports talk program, At KCBS-TV, Rupert logged games and Angeles on vacation visiting family, but where he edited sound and prepared clips wrote highlights for the nightly newscast. 4 summer 2011 was different. from games to be used on air. Rupert said he would do a few things Rupert interned at three Los Angeles At KABC-AM, Rupert acted as an assistant differently in his internships, but the media outlets: Fox Sports Radio KLAC-AM, to the KABC producer. He interviewed experience was worthwhile. KABC-AM and KCBS-TV. sources for stories and learned to use a more “Internships [to me] are more important Rupert said he found it hard at first to conversational writing style for broadcast than school,” he said. “They are how you get navigate in Los Angeles but quickly adapted stories. connected, how you get hired,” Rupert said. to LA traffic to make his way to work on time. Rupert also worked on the talk radio – Kate Gillespie Senior Stevens sharpens skills in UK internship

Brittany Stevens, senior in journalism and digital media, knew she wanted to travel the world when she started searching for intern- ships in fashion journalism. Her quest led her to a summer in London and a glimpse of the red carpet. Riding the Tube (the British subway), learning British slang and being thousands of miles away from friends and family were all Brittany Stevens' internship took her to the London fashion world. part of adjusting to life overseas. As work started with fashion design work on news releases for the duration of her deal with managers who felt interns did not company, Studio 13, she was given mundane internship. have talent. duties like cleaning dishes and preparing Stevens was among the Studio 13 repre- Stevens said she was expected to produce garments for sale. Stevens was also put in sentatives at the Scoop International Fashion professional work and the internship taught charge of making tea, a task considered an art Show in London. She said there were at least her to have tougher skin. form in London, she said. 80 different clothing brands represented. She “If they didn’t say anything, you knew Stevens eventually pulled her boss aside enjoyed seeing the designs of the future since you were doing well,” Stevens said. “But they and asked her if she could take home more the styles on display are made one or two were right there to tell you when things were journalism-based work. years in advance of commercial distribution. not as they wanted. They didn’t sugarcoat Her boss agreed and was so impressed Stevens said the internship was at times anything.” with her work that Stevens was assigned to challenging physically, and she learned to – Kate Gillespie Fall 2011 UPDATE

STUDENTS Tongish wows top 25 PR agency in New York City

Morgan Tongish said she wanted a summer internship in “The Big Market” and was thrilled when she received an offer to intern with 5W Public Relations, a top 25 agency in New York City. The senior in public relations from Topeka, Kan., had lived before in a big city, Seattle, while a student at the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and was able to adapt quickly to New York and 5W Public Relations. “It was easy to make friends with the other interns, and everyone was so helpful,” Tongish said. Andrew Morris shoots video as part of his research documentation. Tongish began her time with 5W Public Relations working on their public relations Morris joins Muturi in Africa for and marketing team. She loves writing and research on HIV/AIDS, alcoholism By COLLEEN QUINN When Muturi began looking into 'It’s an intense, whether or not alcoholism contributed Andrew Morris knew he had to go to behaviors that lead to HIV/AIDS, young and competitive 5 to Kenya when he heard there was an she originally assumed drinking too market, but I knew I opportunity to conduct research beside much alcohol would lead to risky sexual could handle it.' Prof. Nancy Muturi. behavior, but what she found was quite Morris, graduate student in journalism the opposite. and mass communication, began to “Not all of the men drinking were – Morgan Tongish, raise money to fund the summer trip to sexually active,” Muturi said. “Most of senior in public relations support his thesis about alcoholism in them are married men with families who central Kenya and how media can be used wake up, drink, go home and sleep. The to help lessen its effects. next day they wake up hungover and go Muturi, associate professor in public back out and drink. The AIDS is spread relations, doubted that Morris would by the non-drinkers.” asked for the chance to put her passion to join her in her in her hometown of Thika The non-drinking women in families, work. The agency put her on its consumer Town. But three months after the idea was Muturi explains, have a strong desire to team, and she worked with three clients the proposed, he was working by her side. have children, and their husbands cannot duration of her internship. In Nairobi, they wanted to see if there fulfill their need. The women then go In her job she sent pitches to the media, was a correlation with alcohol abuse outside the marriage and participate in made and updated contact lists, set up and HIV/AIDS. It wasn’t until they risky sexual behaviors. television spots, was a fact checker, wrote began their research that they realized The men and women of central Kenya pitches and planned a Christmas in July alcoholism was a bigger problem than do not see a solution, however. Muturi event. they imagined. says few alternatives are offered, and rehab Tongish said the most difficult part of “You see a lot of people, especially is not an option. She said the government her internship was learning the organization young people that have almost become is supposed to help alcoholics in the software program Cision. useless,” Muturi said. “It has consumed community, but their efforts are often Looking back on her summer in New them, and they are not productive underfunded and ineffective. York, Tongish says she wouldn’t have done any m ore .” Morris and Muturi are looking to anything differently. The focus of their research was help change the future by developing a “I got thrown into the job and had no idea primarily on men in central Kenya communications strategy to address the what I was doing at first,” she said. “It’s an because it is the men who have fallen into problem. intense, young and competitive market, but the pandemic. Morris says there is no one “We plan to write a grant to return I knew I could handle it.” specific reason for the excessive drinking, and commence a media campaign against The agency was surprised they liked a but the behavior is now engrained in alcoholism,” Morris said. “I also hope to girl from Kansas so much and called K-State society and has continued to be passed create a full length documentary about telling them to send all of their students to from generation to generation. the situation.” 5W Public Relations.

– Kate Gillespie UPDATE Fall 2011

FACULTY NEW CATS IN TOWN STEVE HARVEY

s Steve Harvey, Miller School news director and instructor, Adarts around the maze of Dole Hall, it is clear academia has not slowed the professional mentality that helped him win four Emmy awards as a photojournalist at WBNS-TV in Columbus, Ohio. He is a man on a mission – or more likely multiple missions – and never stays in one place for more than a few minutes. Speed walking down a long hallway with offices off to the left, he stops briefly to say hello to several colleagues. Next, he pauses in the convergence 6 newsroom and consults with a student about a story he is pursuing. Photo by Tommy Theis After that, he moves quickly into the adjacent studio. From Left: Vern Wirka, Steve Harvey, Curtis Matthews and Wes Wise joined the faculty of the Miller School in August 2011. Once there, he converses with one of the anchors. Picking up an audio cable, he listens to the concerns of graduate student Andrew CURTIS MATTHEWS Morris, the show’s director, about getting good audio for the broadcast. On the way back to his office, people stop him and ask more questions. rof. Curtis Matthews was preparing his doctoral dissertation His mile-a-minute style indeed seems more fitting to a professional Pfocused on storytelling research as he took time out in October than a professor. But this professor wants to do everything in his power for a quick interview. Mountain Dew cans and coffee mugs line his to emulate a professional environment at the Miller School, where desk. He had a bit of stubble on his face and it was evident he had not students produce a weekly newscast on Channel 8 in Manhattan and slept much in recent days. Riley County. He earned his Bachelors of Arts degree from Texas Tech University in advertising/public relations in 1989 and master’s degree from Tech in 1995 in mass communications. 'I was one of those kids that took things apart Matthews worked in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for 15 years in education, public relations, advertising and marketing. But he realized to just figure out how they worked.' he had reached the end of his goals as the chief operating officer at the Curtis Matthews, publishing company at which he was working and decided he needed a new challenge. Assistant professor of When he reflected on the past, he saw a six-year teaching stint at advertising and public relations Southern Methodist University as one of the most rewarding times of his working life. He liked the dual track of academia, where he could interact with students and help them prepare for careers, and the ability to conduct research to feed his life-long hunger for understanding. For “I’m putting on a newscast the way you would see a newscast in his 12th birthday, he was given a set of Allen wrenches and soon began Topeka, Kansas City, Atlanta, Columbus,” Harvey said. “It’s a real to disassemble things around his house. show.” “I was one of those kids that took things apart to just figure out how From Harvey’s perspective, the print side of journalism is well they worked,” he said. established at K-State, and he wants to bring the digital side up to This curiosity led him back to Texas Tech to work on his Ph.D. speed. There are now phenomenal opportunities for students in As he neared the end of his doctoral research, Matthews met Miller digital journalism at K-State – almost more opportunities than there School Prof. Tom Gould, advertising sequence chair, at a conference. are students Harvey said. He and Gould hit it off, and in November 2010 Matthews interviewed. “My intent is for every student walking out of here to have the best “I liked the balance between teaching, research and service,” résumé and that they’re on the top of the heap to get that job, by far,” Matthews said. He also found the discussion of breaking down silos Harvey said. “And I’m going to use every means here in this television between all sequences to be appealing. studio to give them the skills to do that.” “That is the way the real world works,” he said. “It is the best – Ashley Dunkak approach to prepare students.” Fall 2011 UPDATE

FACULTY

'When the position at K-State came up and I saw that they wanted somebody who had the academic credentials, had the teaching expe- rience, had the radio experience and experi- ence on the business side, I thought ‘wow, I’ve been in training all my life for this position.'

Vern Wirka, Instructor and KSDB-FM adviser

“When the position at K-State came up and I saw that they wanted somebody who had the academic credentials, had the teaching experience, had the radio experience and the business side, I thought ‘Wow, I’ve been in training all my life for this position,’” Wirka said. “This is exactly what I have done, and this is the fit for me.’” He moved to Manhatan during the summer and began anew. Throughout his life he has used ventriloquism as a source of humor and a way to relax and make people laugh. Wirka does not use his ventriloquist puppet in his classes, but when he talks about his Photo by Tommy Theis “puppets,” he makes sure to note he does not use the word “dummy.” 7 From Left: Vern Wirka, Steve Harvey, Curtis Matthews and Wes Wise joined the faculty of the Miller School in August 2011. “It is a different way of looking at the world and is therapeutic because I naturally want to focus on the negative and get down, but I Matthews said he sees himself as not only a professor of public force myself to turn it around,” Wirka said. “Part of that process is to relations or advertising, but also a storyteller. He plans to bring a love utilize a sense of humor. Know and understand that, yeah, life is bad, for career building combined with knowledge of real world public but it can be better tomorrow.” relations, advertising and marketing to his students. – Colleen Quinn Matthews successfully defended his dissertation in October and the stubble on his face is long gone. WES WISE – Kate Gillespie

VERN WIRKA fter Wes Wise's first visit to K-State in November 2010, he felt Athe surroundings were to his liking. “Not everybody matches up with every place,” Wise said. “For me, hat originally began as pure entertainment and a hobby to it just felt really good here.” Wa Cub Scout developed into a second source of income for Wise has enjoyed the simple things at the university since his Vern Wirka and gave him a different perspective on life. arrival in Manhattan in July. Whether it is walking over to the K-State Wirka, instructor of journalism and KSDB-FM adviser, had an Union or to Hale Library for a cup of coffee or simply being able to immediate fascination with ventriloquism when he saw a performance take a walk or talk with students or faculty, he said he enjoys the pace on a children’s program on ABC television. As a Cub Scout he saw a on the K-State campus. magazine ad about how to become a ventrolquist and decided to learn Wise teaches research methods and managing intergrated strategic the art. Years later, his hobby has taken him from New York City to communications. Wise enjoys the size of his classes and the fact he Honolulu. can have conversational classes instead of only lecturing. Wirka has brought his show to The Little Apple, but a busy few Wise has experience in both advertising and public relations. He months have stopped Wirka's performance schedule since joining the was first inspired by his adviser at Texas Tech to get into research. Miller School faculty in August 2011. One of the things he is starting at the Miller school is a research He spent most of his life in Nebraska and most recently taught lab. He will collaborate with fellow professor Curtis Matthews to get at Dana College, a small liberal arts school in Blair, Neb., where he students involved in research and work in a cross-disciplinary model joined the faculty in 1997 and taught courses in radio and television with the psychology department. broadcasting technology, communication law and ethics. “What I really look forward to being able to do is getting established In June 2010, Wirka opened an e-mail informing him that Dana and having a chance to really explore some of the good opportunities College was closing and that he would no longer have a job. The news that I think exist at this university,” Wise said. came as a complete shock. He had no plan and said it was the first Wise is looking to get students involved in research on media and time in his adult life he had been without a job. But Wirka felt worse interactions with media and emotion and attention. He hopes the for his students and did not know what alternatives they would have lab will become an incubator of ideas where students can come and after the closure. discuss issues in a long-term process. But Wirka, like his students, had to move on. – Emily Worrell UPDATE Fall 2011

GREAT PLAINS RADIO SYMPOSIUM

sponsored talent shows where winners became regulars on the local programs. Bredemier said that he and Hoeflicker were “a great Looking back team” and always played for a live audience. “If there weren’t people in the audience, we would invite people in to listen,” Bredemeir said. The relationship with his audience hasn’t changed much over the to when music years, and he still plays weekly, but at an unusual venue – a Burger King in Overland Park, Kan. “It’s always been a real trip,” he said. “I get the same love and respect as always." was live and... Willis played every Saturday night for close to 25 years. He said he enjoyed watching the people and enjoyed playing dances more than shows. “The more fun the people were having, the better they played,” Willis said. Willis came in the radio business later than the other panelists and said that he became used to the changes as radio began to switch from live music to records. He later became a country music disc jockey. As the sound quality on records improved, Hoeflicker said he could see the end to live music was inevitable and also transitioned to being a disc jockey. BY KATE GILLESPIE The three panelists agreed today’s radio is nothing like that of the past. Music of their day was down-home entertainment Hoeflicker When Marvin Bredemeir took out his fiddle and began to play, said. There was a purity in the acoustic roots and clear-cut lyrics of the attendees at the Sixth Annual Great Plains Radio History the music. Symposium were transported to a bygone era when live music ruled “Musicians today don’t play like they did in the 50’s,” Willis said. 8 the airwaves. “Songs don’t tell a story like they used to.” The lure of radio for Bredemeir back in the 1950s was the Telling stories in music highlighted the morning but the in-the- attention that came with being broadcast and, like decades ago, moment storytelling of legendary K-State sports broadcaster Dev Bredemeir’s fiddling found a rapt audience this October day, too. Nelson was part of the afternoon discussion. “We could play at a local store for a few people or for millions on Ralph Titus, Miller School professor emeritus, discussed the air,” he said. Kansas State Sports Network's roots and led a tribute to Nelson. Bredemier, a fiddler and vocalist for the “Cowtown Jubilee” back Nelson took over for Kansas State Sports Network founder Bob in the 1950s was part of a three-person panel at the symposium Hilgendorf in 1954 and called Wildcat games until 1979. co-sponsored by the Miller Titus shared how in the School and the Huck Boyd early stages of his career, Nelson National Center for Community would, by necessity, make Media. Don Willis, a long-time things up to fill in the telegraph musician, radio announcer gaps between play-by-play re- and engineer, and Kansas creations when covering the Country Hall of Fame inductee, minor league baseball games. was next to Bredemeir on the He fashioned together his own panel while Herb Hoeflicker sports broadcasting table after joined the group via telephone. sneaking into Nichols Gym. Hoeflicker, a former live radio When frustrated, Nelson had music entertainer and Kansas a penchant for saying “This is the broadcaster, starred on weekly last straw!” One day his cohorts radio shows as “Little Herb” at decided they had heard enough. the age of 14. They filled his office with straw Hoeflicker had listened to the from a local farm and left a note radio as a kid and started picking saying, “No, THIS is the last guitar at an early age. When he straw!” Nelson didn’t appreciate later heard people on the radio, Marvin Bredemeir takes out his fiddle to entertain at the the prank and almost quit. But he became more interested in Great Plains Radio History Symposium October 14. he stayed on for a 25-year career announcing. He had a first-class in the booth. His listeners knew engineering license, which was required to run a station, and he games were getting exciting when he let them know it was a "rip- soon fell under the spell of broadcasting. snortin', hootenanny, double-barreled, deep-dish dilly." Willis was hired by telephone for his first job. He got a call on Nelson was selected to be in the K-State Athletic Hall of Fame in Saturday to be to work in York, Neb., on Monday. 1991 and the Kansas Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2001. “I stood behind the announcer for an hour and then did a three The symposium was a time for students and others to learn to four hour show, knees knockin’,” Willis said. about this legendary era and for those who love and enjoy radio to Both Hoeflicker and Bredemier got their start in station- reminisce about an important time in radio history. Fall 2011 UPDATE

HUCK BOYD LECTURE

A Huck Boyd lecturer Passion assists kids' access to journalism-focused for helping college experience

BY EMILY WORRELL formal education. Moore-Black reminds her students that even CEOs have to type memos. Huck Boyd Lecturer Wilma Moore- “My favorite part of my position is working Black found her love for journalism in directly with the students,” Moore-Black said. elementary school. She always loved to write Moore-Black’s job involves working and was inquisitive about things she did not Journalist and educator Wilma with the students and making sure they are understand and she was in a hurry to succeed. Moore-Black delivers the 12th Annual prepared for college and get the option of In high school, she began working at The Huck Boyd Lecture September 20. going. The program also provides a support Wichita Eagle. system for the kids. Some are in a foster home She completed her education at K-State in financial status and whether parents were or have parents who work a lot. When parents three years. high school graduates. The program enables cannot attend meetings or parent teacher “I pushed the three year thing because I was the high school students to experience life conferences, Moore-Black and the program getting bored,” Moore-Black said. on a college campus, spending four weeks at steps in and attend support system for the Now she is encouraging and supporting Wichita State during the summer residential students. kids in Wichita to go to college and find their program. Moore-Black has also brought a group route to success. It is a bit of a “wake-up call” to see what of middle school students to KSU Student 9 Moore-Black works with ninth to college life is like. The students get to take Publications summer Flint Hills Publication twelfth graders as the assistant director and courses and are busy all week. Workshop. The goal is to get the students curriculum coordinator at Wichita State “It’s about time management, learning to interested in journalism early. University’s TRIO Communication Upward share, being respectful of other people’s space Moore-Black supports strongly the Bound (CUB) program. and the program they have,” Moore-Black said. overriding concept of fairness and accuracy in Students learn journalism skills while in The program offers courses in math, English reporting and how training to be a journalist CUB and put together a publication. They have and science as well as foreign languages and means training kids with a solid core of beliefs. classroom instruction in interviewing, writing public speaking. “The most important thing for a journalist and photography. They then get experience in Moore-Black emphasized that writing to have is honesty and a commitment to keep the field and go on assignments to interview and communication skills are crucial for the first amendment,” Moore-Black said. “As subjects for stories. furthering education. journalists, I believe we have a duty and The CUB students are chosen based Verbal and written communications skills obligation to our chosen career to uphold on several criteria including their family’s are also a must for achieving success after character and integrity about whatever we do.” Media changes as Hispanic population rises

The Hispanic population is making transformation and not just of the Hispanic in the media is also challeging journalists. its mark on mainstream media. Claudio population, but all other segmented groups,” The division in media between diverse Remeseira, award-winning journalist and he said. “Latinos have a major role in the groups like African-Americans, gay or writer, came to talk about just that with mass change.” lesbians and Hispanics, leads to the under- communications students on Sept. 22. Remeseira also said that with the increase representation of these groups in mainstream As the founder and director of the Hispanic in population comes a huge boom in the media, Remeseira said. New York Project, Remeseira discussed the market of Hispanic media. “We don’t want these groups to remain in importance of diversity in media and the Limiting the scope of media to a Spanish- a segregated media, which is what we have impact of the fast-growing Hispanic presence speaking only audience would not be effective now,” he said. “We want them to integrate from both a historical perspective and for the long term. Spanish-language media is among each other.” future. important for the first generation of Hispanic Powers said she brought Remeseira to The 2010 Census Bureau reported that the immigrants, but the growing majority of campus to expand students’ horizons. She U.S. Hispanic population grew by 43 percent Latino families have English-speaking said it’s important to bring in different since 2000 to nearly 50 million or 15 percent children and grandchildren, he said. perspectives from individuals with diverse of the total population. A report by the Pew “They are no longer a separate entity. backgrounds and knowledge. Hispanic Center finds if the growth trend Instead, it’s important for influential people to “He’s an expert on the growth of the continues, by 2050 Latinos will be nearly tell their stories in English,” said Miller School Hispanic population and the impact that has one-third of the nation's population. Director Angela Powers. on media,” Powers said. “The phenomenon is there is an increasing Breaking down the segregation of groups – Kelsey Castanon UPDATE Fall 2011

ALUMNI Photogs gather to celebrate AWAKS project's 25-year milestone BY KELSEY CASTANON

College experiences too often go undocumented. The use of digital media has made it easier to share those moments. K-State photojournalists and friends gather in Manhattan in October to celebrate the But while technology may be 25th anniversary of the shooting of the photo book, "A Week at Kansas State." changing, photographs remain a 10 concrete representation of those One of the greatest outcomes college experiences. In 1986, of the project, however, was alumni photographers got the the formation of long-lasting opportunity to capture those friendships. college occurrences. “At the time, it was quite a The photo book project, called victory and relief to see the book,” “A Week at Kansas State: College said Janicke. “But in retrospect, life as seen by 44 photographers,” the payoff was working with all represented the essence of student the people. Everyone was really life on campus. Photographers cooperative.” came back to shoot a week’s On October 14, alumni worth of photo stories. Students photographers gathered at K-State within Student Publications were once again. This time, with the in charge of putting the photo prospect of discussing a new book together under the guidance photo book project – 25 years of editor Tim Janicke, ’86, print later. journalism. The reason this project is “The goal was to showcase Maggie Clarkin Spano and AWAKS Editor Tim Janicke important, the photojournalists all of the photographers,” look at one of the opening spreads of the photo book. say, is because pictures document said Rhonda Corle, ’87, mass experiences and are lasting. communications and designer of campus to foreign students and film and contact sheets,” Nelson “Pictures are as important as the book. nontraditional students.” said. “That meant that the first words are,” Janicke said. “When The photographers captured Nelson said students night, we had hundreds of rolls of you look at a publication, you look students at football games, in the working on the project were film to process. We had to pull all- at the pictures first.” dorms and on campus. By the end in charge of taking photos and nighters.” Photographers met in Kedzie of the week, there were a total of processing the film of alumni Though creating the photo Hall and discussed the details 68,000 pictures taken on 1,900 photographers. Janicke and book took a lot of time and effort, of planning such an endeavor. rolls of film. student photographer’s narrowed it was a project that set K-State The book discussion began with “We wanted to ensure we 68,000 pictures down to the final photojournalism apart from other ideas of making it in celebration had a broad prospective of 231 published in the book. schools. of K-State’s 150-year anniversary. campus life,” said Andrew Part of the students’ jobs were “We were doing something Though Janicke said the details Nelson, ’87, print journalism to narrow down the focus of a people weren’t doing at other have not yet been solidified, and assignment coordinator for photographer’s broad story idea. universities,” Nelson said. “We there was much discussion at the the book. “We wanted to cover “We promised (the had energy around this idea and meeting. everything from the fraternity to photographers) that by the next photojournalism that was very Nelson said he hopes the sororities to people who live off day, they would be able to see their special.” photographers bring the same Fall 2011 UPDATE intensity to the new photo book as they did the first time around. “We had a really good time doing it,” Nelson said. “It was an New adviser back in Kedzie opportunity for several ‘eras’ of photogs to come back and get to help in students' success to know each other and share a common legacy.” BY KELSEY CASTANON being a student, he is now the one offering According to Corle, the advice to a new generation of students. new book will better represent ometimes, it takes a second endeavor “It just felt it was a natural fit, where I people of K-State and where they to appreciate what one has. At least this could invest in the lives of students that are are now, rather than events on is the case for Tom Roesler, ’99, public going down the same road that I’ve been Srelations, and new academic adviser for the down,” he said. “These are my old stomping campus during that one week when photographers came back. Miller School. grounds.” “The concept is that this time, Roesler worked Though Roesler photographers would be able to for ESPN as a college said he has a lot to generate their own story ideas, football researcher learn in terms of whereas last time Andy Nelson in Connecticut, but technical aspects spent a year generating story ideas decided to come back of the advising on campus,” Corle said. “We all to his roots in Kansas job – such as thought during our discussion after a few years. the curriculum, today, “Can’t we expand this “I didn’t realize requirements for beyond the borders of campus?’” how much I loved graduation and the Corle also said there will be the Midwest until I iSIS system – his more creative opportunity than moved away,” Roesler passion to help the first time around. said. “Maybe my first students makes the “We want to start using the time through I didn’t learning process appreciate it as much. exciting. Internet and tools we didn’t have 11 available 25 years ago,” she said. The first time I was “I come into work “Now with the use of the computer, like, ‘I just want to every day excited,” there are endless possibilities.” have fun, get a job he said. “If I can’t A second project could also and get out of here,’ answer a student's give the alumni a chance to learn but now that I’m question right from past mistakes. back I realize this is then, I’m excited “We were way too general a really special place because it gives me with the first book,” Janicke said. with really special an opportunity to “The concept ‘A Week at KSU’ was p e op l e .” find the answer and too broad. I don’t think (the new Roesler always learn more." project is) very well defined yet, knew he had a More than but it’ll be interesting to see.” passion for giving learning the However, no discussion of back, but he came to mechanics of his a new project could go without the decision to invest job, what Roesler talking about the first project that in the lives of others said he hopes to brought them all together. after repeatedly build is a trusting “We talked a lot about how asking himself what Adviser Tom Roesler relationship with we did the project 25 years ago, he really wanted students. which included a lot of the dark out of life and if he could fulfill that on the And while one of his main goals was to room work and rolling film and football field. build an understanding that students have making contact sheets and all of “What I really enjoy is the one-on-one “an advocate and someone they can go to,” these things,” said Corle. “If we did conversations about life and things that really Roesler said he expects them to make an the book now exactly how we did matter,” he said. “For a while, that was in the effort on their end, as well. back then, we wouldn’t use those world of athletics. But I kept wanting more. “Doing the work for the students would things because we would be doing Ultimately I found that what I really want is handicap more than help,” Roesler said. “I want them all digitally.” for someone to tell me years down the road, ‘I them to understand and have responsibility But above all, keeping the wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t met for their classes and the direction they take.” purpose in mind is essential to you, or we didn’t have that conversation.’” Having an advocate can help guide a successful photo book. In that After working in several other departments students to the place they need to be. For sense, Corle said she would like to at K-State, such as the athletic department Roesler, coming full circle marks yet another see one thing consistent. and alumni association, Roesler said the new new beginning in the place he was always “I want to see great academic advising job came as a pleasant meant to be: the Miller School. photography. That’s the number opportunity. “I can relate to every student here,” Roesler one thing we strived for last time. But what’s unique about Roesler’s return to said. “I’ve been there so I think that will be a And I think that was made it Kedzie is that a little more than a decade after neat experience.” successful.” UPDATE Fall 2011

ALUMNI

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Steve Physioc talks with Miller School students about the importance of planning and preparation in calling games. Sportscasters return to K-State By ASHLEY DUNKAK saw his future in broadcasting after calling his their way up. Between them they have covered first football game, a contest between Lucky the NBA, NFL, MLB, college sports and even Sports broadcasters Steve Physioc (’77 in High and Wakefield. His hands shook as he the Olympics. radio-TV journalism) and Dan Musil (’74 left the booth; he knew what he wanted to do Of course, none of that came easily. At one in radio-TV journalism) returned to the for the rest of his life. Looking back, he credits point in his career, Physioc turned down a six- halls of Kansas State this fall to share about the university for the opportunity. figure job as a sports anchor at an NBC affiliate “None of it would have happened if it to pursue a job in the Bay Area that paid just hadn’t been for K-State,” Physioc said. $150 per week but would get him closer to a “You can’t just ‘jack For Musil, a 31-year veteran of KHOU 11 position as a play-by-play announcer. Musil, News in Houston, where he is currently the on the other hand, gave up part of his name around’ and learn anything of sports anchor, broadcasting kept him close to to take a job. There were too many anchors merit. Oh, you’ll learn some the games he loved after he stopped playing named Dan at KHOU, so Musil chose to use things, but until you really them. He wanted to be a professional baseball “Matt” for the alliteration. For both Physioc apply yourself, you won’t player, but breaking his elbow between and Musil, the sacrifices are worth the end his sophomore and junior years of college result of jobs they love. really learn anything great.” hammered home the point that any athlete’s “It has been an absolute joy,” Physioc said. career is just one bad injury away from being That sort of enthusiasm comes across – Dan Musil over. With that in mind, he started focusing during a broadcast, and it came across to the KHOU sports anchor on his journalism classes. Making a point to students who came and listened to Musil and always finish projects he started, he learned Physioc speak. the necessity of tightly focused hard work. Sean Frye, sophomore in digital news, siad their career paths and how students today “You can’t just ‘jack around’ and learn Physioc’s presentation was the best he has seen should pursue similar ones. Both discovered anything of merit,” Musil said. “Oh, you’ll at K-State. broadcasting while at K-State, and they had learn some things, but until you really apply “I thought it was really good to see alumni plenty of advice for students who have found yourself, you won’t really learn anything great.” come back and support the program, support that same passion. Both Physioc and Musil started out in small the school, and try to educate the students Physioc, best known for his 14 years as the markets – Hastings, Nebraska, for Physioc and here now about the path to get where a lot of voice of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Marysville, Kansas, for Musil – and worked the kids want to go,” Frye said. Fall 2011 UPDATE

ALUMNI Alumni Updates 1985 2005 CHERYL MAY DAVE SKRETTA Master's in Journalism and Print Journalism Mass Communications Skretta, Kansas City, is the lead May is K-State’s associate vice sports writer in the region for the president for communications and Associated Press. He covers the marketing and will start phased re- Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City tirement in January 2012. May’s Royals, Sporting Kansas City, K- Alumni Advisory Council President-elect 32-year career began in 1979 in the State and the University of Kansas. Paul Arnold, left, and President Ryan College of Engineering working for As a student, Skretta worked for the Hayter meet with Miller School students. Dean Don Rathbone, and spanned Collegian as a sportswriter. “It was several departments at K-State. In through the Collegian that I was able 1984 she moved to University Rela- to start stringing and got hired by the tions, now the Division of Commu- AP,” he said. His wife, Kelly, a 2006 Alumni Council nications and Marketing. “The best graduate of K-State, is a registered part of my career has been having dietician. The most recent addition to leaders explore the opportunity to mentor people the Skretta family is Walter, a min- who worked in my units," May said. iature Australian shepherd. Skretta's "I have been fortunate to work with mentor program recommendation for journalism stu- 13 many very talented individuals and dents today is to be as versatile as implementation I got as much - or more - from that possible. “It helps to be able to do a experience as they did.” little bit of everything,” Skretta said. Alumni Advisory Council president Ryan Hayter and president-elect Paul Arnold returned 1996 2008 to Manhattan in October to work on finding CARY CONOVER CHUCK ARMSTRONG ways to boost usage of a mentoring program to Print Journalism Journalism and Digital Media­­ connect Miller School students with alumni. Conover is the photojournalism Armstrong is the assistant program The program concept was developed about teacher at Andover High School. He director for 77 WABC-AM Radio five years ago as a way to help undergraduate lives in Wichita, Kan., with his wife, in New York City which is the most students connect with journalism and mass Yvonne, and 15-month old son, Ju- iconic talk radio station in the na- communications professionals but was never lian. He returned to Kansas in 2010 tion. He lives in New York City with implemented. Hayter, '99 in public relations, and after working in New York City since his wife and K-State graduate, Ce- Arnhold, '02, public relations, are now taking 2000. He is working to expand his line Andersen Armstrong. During his steps to fine tune the program. freelance photography business time at K-State, Armstrong was the “This mentorship program offers students and is shooting weddings and other program director for Wildcat 91.9 the opportunity to learn how to communicate events. Conover worked on the Col- and a columnist for the K-State Col- with professionals who are already established,” Hayter said. “Students can connect with them, ask legian and Royal Purple during his legian. “It gave me a thick skin and questions and we can help them get comfortable time at K-State. prepared me for the professional en- talking to professionals and also give them advice vironment knowing not everyone is in career directions and interests.” 2001 going to agree with me and I won’t Hayter and Arnhold want to make all Miller TIFFANY (MINOR) STEPIEN always agree with everyone,” Arm- School alumni aware they can be part of the Public Relations strong. mentoring program. Stepien is the continuing medical “You look at both of our careers and educator for Wesley Medical Center 2011 networking has been a key to every job we have in Wichita, Kan. She works to ensure JASON STRACHMAN MILLER ever had,” Arnhold said. “I tell students this the teaching hospital's accredita- Journalism and Digital Media is the most unique time in your life because tion, plans continuing education for Miller works as the associate editor the difference here is, K-Staters want to help physician, and organizes national, of the politics division for MSNBC. K-Staters.” state and local obstetrics, pediatrics com. He is currently working on the The mentor program will targets both alumni and trauma conferences. She is a company’s 2012 election website. and students. They are determined to keep founder of Wesley’s leadership in- While at K-State, he was the Col- pushing the program forward. stitute and the Dream Big non-profit legian editor-in-chief and managing “The faculty we have talked to and have invited golf tournament. At K-State, she was editor. He said his Collegian roles us here are helping students and are engaged,” a member of PRSSA. She lives in tuned his ability to filter content that Arnhold said. “To me that is the biggest thing. Andover, Kan., with her husband, he now uses. Miller lives in Wash- Your people are where it all starts.” James, and their 2-year-old daugh- ington D.C. with his wife, Marjorie – Colleen Quinn ter, Sophia. Strachman Miller. UPDATE Fall 2011 Update A. Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION Kansas State University U. S. Postage PAID Kedzie Hall 105 Permit 525 Manhattan, KS 66506-1500 Manhattan KS 66506

HOMECOMING

Evert Nelson '14 Alpha Delta Pi with Alpha Tau Omega create human patterns with their routine during Pant the Chant in Bramlage Coliseum, one of the contests in which sorotites and fraternities compete during Homecoming Week at K-State.