Winter 2008

Associated Press leader to receive 2009 William Allen White Foundation national citation

om Curley, president and chief executive offi cer of T The Associated Press, will receive the William Al- len White Foundation’s national citation during a public ceremony at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Woodruff Auditorium of the Kansas Union. Curley is the 12th person to head The Associated Press since its founding in 1846. Many of the AP bureau chiefs, reporters and photographers he leads are J-School alum- ni, including Tom Slaughter, Paul Stevens, Sally Streff Buzbee, Traci Carl, Bill Foreman, Julie Jacobson, Hal Rit- ter, Deb Riechmann, John Hanna and John Milburn. “The School of Journalism and the Associated Press (AP Photo) have a long and impressive history,” Journalism Dean Ann Brill said. “Our alumni have served as reporters, bureau chiefs and executives with- in this global media organization. We are honored to have Tom Curley join the ranks of those honored with this national citation.” As part of Curley’s strategy for the digital age, he has charted an international plan to drive content and new business. A fi rst milestone was the creation of a multimedia database that allows all AP content to be searched by AP journalists and customers. AP has added content for fi nance, online video and entertainment audiences. He also has established programs to encourage and celebrate exceptional journalism. The AP was the fi rst western news agency to open a bureau in Pyongang, North Korea, and it has added staff in Latin America, Asia and the Mideast, including Iraq, where AP has more than a hundred journalists. Among recognition during his tenure are the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography, awarded to AP for its work in Iraq, and the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography, awarded to AP for a West Bank photo. Photos from the recent military and the media workshop with Fort Leavenworth, 2008 Editors (William Allen White Day – continued on page 2) Day panelists and the 2008 Wooldridge Scholars. Letter from the Dean

s we turn the calendar pages to 2009, it’s only natural to engage in refl ection and an- In this issue... A ticipation. Few would argue there’s ever been a year quite like 2008. From the glob- + Students learn about fi nancial basics in al stage to KU classrooms, it’s been a year of remarkable achievements and challenges. unusual J-School course The year saw the culmination of the longest, most expensive, and quite possibly the + J-School and Fort Leavenworth bridge the most exciting presidential campaign in U.S. history. Regardless of your political pref- gap at workshop for journalists erences, one could only marvel at a campaign that defi ed the conventional wisdom of + Mary Wallace retires after 31 years the so-called pundits and resulted in the election of an African-American to the presi- + Corrie’s Corner: Your gift matters dency. Even more exciting was the high level of engagement our students had in the po- + Annual Kansas Editors Day features national litical process. We sent students to the conventions, talked about panel of political insiders the campaigns in our classes and used the events for reporting + J-School news briefs and editing exercises. Associate Dean David Guth’s class on the + Alumni News & Notes election was planned long before we knew how fascinating the - Sharon Woodson-Bryant: Media Manager, election would be, but our timing was perfect! His students heard First 5 LA from professional journalists, media critics, politicians and each - Barbara Spurlock Moffet: Communications other as they examined the elections from all angles. Director, National Geographic Society - Molly McNearney: Head Writer, (Dean’s letter – continued on page 2) “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Photos of Inna Sosnova, president of the Interjournalist Center, Ltd., in St. Petersburg, Russia, with Dean Ann Brill; Jack Nixon, grad and play-by-play voice for New Mexico State University; Joel Zeff, graduate and motivational speaker, author and humorist; and Kim Byrnes, graduate and reporter/anchor at WDAF-TV in Kansas City.

(Dean’s letter – continued from page 1) (William Allen White Day – continued from page 1)

And, along the way, they really enjoyed the class! In October 2007, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the The School also grabbed a little bit of national Press presented Curley with a First Amendment Award. RCFP said attention. For a second year, we claimed fi rst place he was selected because of his work encouraging media organiza- in the Hearst Intercollegiate Writing Competition, tions to fi ght for the public’s right to know what’s going on in gov- often called the “The Pulitzers of College Jour- ernment. In March 2008, he received the Radio and Television News nalism.” The College Business and Advertising Directors Foundation’s First Amendment Leadership Award for his Managers also named The University Daily Kansan role in pushing for more openness in government and for emphasiz- advertising staff best in the nation for a second ing reporting on First Amendment issues. straight year. KU journalism students continue to “Tom Curley represents big and appropriate repositioning at the do well in every competition they enter. Associated Press, which, like all of journalism, must redefi ne itself KU proclaimed 2008 the year of champions. in this time of change,” Tom Eblen, chairman of the William Allen In addition to the awards the J-School brought White Foundation, said. home, they covered a few other championships— Before joining the Associated Press, Curley was president and the Orange Bowl championship in January and the publisher of USA Today. From 1998 he was also senior vice president men’s national basketball championship in April. of the newspaper’s owner, Gannett Co., Inc., publisher of 100 daily Our students took advantage of the opportunity newspapers in the United States. Under Curley’s leadership, USA To- to demonstrate their competitive media skills. All day circulation grew to more than 2.3 million copies a day. reports show how well they did against the na- Curley was the original news staffer on the project that led to tional coverage. If you have not seen the special the creation of USA Today. He was assigned in 1979 by then-Gannett reports, I urge you to go the School’s Web site and Chairman Al Neuharth to study the feasibility of a national newspa- check them out. You also can see the outstanding per. He later worked in every department of the newspaper. In 1986, work of the campaigns students this year. This he became the newspaper’s sixth president and in 1991, added the truly was a year in which the school strengthened title of publisher. its reputation for graduating exceptional students Curley began his journalism career at the age of 15, covering who excel in many areas of journalism. high school basketball for his hometown Easton (Pa.) Express. He con- Our faculty continued to distinguish itself tinued working for newspapers during college, and joined Gannett’s within academia and the professions during the Rochester (N.Y.) Times-Union in 1972 as night city/suburban editor. He past year. Several wrote books. Others were rec- became director of information for Gannett in 1976 and began coordi- ognized for their service to the school, universi- nating Gannett’s newspaper research projects, which produced more ty, state and profession. All continued to inspire than 50,000 interviews on media use. He became editor of Gannett’s our students to develop the skills, integrity and Norwich (Conn.) Bulletin in 1982 and publisher of The Courier-News at passion required of 21st century journalists and Bridgewater, N.J., in 1983 before returning to USA Today in 1985. strategic communicators. This year also saw the Curley holds a political science degree from Philadelphia’s La retirements of two people who made incalcula- Salle University and a master’s degree in business administration ble contributions to the J-School, Professor Rick from Rochester Institute of Technology. Musser and Assistant to the Dean Mary Wallace. The White Foundation trustees chose Curley to receive the cita- Sadly, the year also brought the passing of a loved tion, presented annually since 1950. KU’s William Allen White School and respected colleague, Christy Bradford. of Journalism and Mass Communications is named in White’s honor. As we look ahead to 2009, it’s easy to see that White (1868-1944) was a nationally infl uential Kansas editor and exciting and challenging times lie ahead. There publisher. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1923 and posthumously in will be new leadership in Washington. The econ- 1947. omy will continue to dominate the news. Journal- Other notable recipients of the William Allen White Citation have ism, itself, will continue to undergo its historic— included James Reston, 1950; Walter Cronkite, 1969; Arthur O. Sulz- and sometimes painful—transformation. And our berger, 1974; James J. Kilpatrick, 1979; Helen Thomas, 1986; Charles school will continue to do what it does best, edu- Kuralt, 1989; Bernard Shaw, 1994; Bob Woodward, 2000; Molly Ivins, cate the next generation of Jayhawk Journalists to 2001; Cokie Roberts, 2002; Gerald F. Seib, 2005; and Gordon Parks, write, and edit, the fi rst drafts of history. 2006. A full list of past recipients is online at www.journalism.ku.edu. ‰

2 J-Links Winter 2008 Photos from a welcome reception and student panel for directly-admitted journalism students. Students learn about fi nancial basics in unusual J-School course By Sonya English, junior, Overland Park, Kan.

hile fi nancial markets swirled with historic uncertainty Win October and November, two unusual J-School classes became particularly relevant. Students in Professor Jimmy Gentry’s Financial Basics for Communicators course watched in real time as the House of Representatives rejected the bailout proposal via streaming CNBC coverage and the 778-point stock market dip that fol- lowed. Later, they wrote an analysis of the fi nancial crisis. “I always use a lot of current examples, but this semester seems to be particularly rich,” Gentry said. His graduate-level class at KU’s Overland Park campus, Financial Fundamentals for Communicators, followed the tur- moil as well. But that was just one in a wide range of fi nancially- related concepts that Gentry covered. In both courses, students discussed stock and credit markets, and learned how to analyze a company’s fi nancial statements. “We talk not only about the numbers, but we also talk a undergraduate course three years ago. lot about companies and strategies,” Gentry said. “How they “It’s fun to see the students, most of whom at the beginning target audiences and make money and how they spend it.” are like deer in headlights. It’s a total fear of business and num- He wants every student to leave the class with the vo- bers,” Gentry said. “By the end they’re pretty conversant.” cabulary to participate in fi nancial discussions. He said stud- Gentry sees the classes giving students a competitive edge ies showed that company CEOs wanted their communicators in a changing and highly competitive job market. As the world to be more involved in corporate decision-making, but were of reporting becomes more general, fi nancial knowledge can concerned they didn’t understand enough about business and become an important distinction. In public relations and adver- fi nancial statements. Gentry shared the concern. tising, a student who can go online, look at a company’s annual “Most students coming out of journalism schools don’t report or 10-K and then talk about its strategy in an interview have a clue,” Gentry said. will stand out. Sarah Hemme, Perry senior in journalism, said she certain- Hillary Frost graduated last year with a journalism degree ly didn’t. in Strategic Communication and is now assistant manager of “I didn’t understand what all of that data meant and I the Sonic Drive-In account at Barkley in Kansas City. She listed didn’t understand how it could be applied,” Hemme said. the coursework on her resume. The course connected Hemme to economic news that she “This is a class that is not offered at most journalism schools might have otherwise felt detached from. Even without the vol- so it really does make you more marketable as a journalist,” atile markets of this past semester, she saw value in the class for Frost said. any journalism student. Gentry, who has been at KU since 1997 and was dean of the She had already known where to fi nd a company’s fi nan- J-School from 1997-2004, is nationally known for his ability to cial statements, but this course taught her how to use them to turn complicated fi nancial and accounting information into un- learn about a company and for credibility as a communicator. derstandable language for corporate communicators and jour- As a Strategic Communication major, Hemme valued the abil- nalists. Over the past 25 years, he has taught thousands of com- ity to analyze the statements and translate important informa- municators and journalists how to understand the language of tion for different publics. business. “For a journalist, you want to turn that into everyday lan- Gentry received the Sherman Award for Excellence in guage that the average person would understand,” Hemme Teaching from the Media Management and Economics Divi- said. “I think if you haven’t had a course like this or been ex- sion of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass posed to analyzing this sort of information, it would be ex- Communication in 2008. tremely diffi cult.” Before joining KU, Gentry was dean at the University of The courses, which serve both Strategic Communication Nevada-Reno for fi ve years and a member of the faculty at the and News and Information students, are offered each fall. Gen- Missouri School of Journalism for almost 15 years. ‰ try created the graduate course fi ve years ago and added the J-Links Winter 2008 3 Photos from the “Bridging the Gap: A Military Experience for Journalists” intensive week-long workshop, held Sept. 14-18, at Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley. J-School and Fort Leavenworth bridge the gap at intensive workshop for journalists

ournalists from around the country recently came to Kansas Jto participate in an intensive week-long military education workshop. “Bridging the Gap: A Military Experience for Jour- nalists” was held Sept. 14-18, at Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley. The J-School and the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., hosted the event. It was sponsored by a grant from the McCormick Foundation. J-School professors Tom Volek and Barbara Barnett orga- nized the workshop. Volek accompanied the 12 participating journalists, who were from media outlets around the country. “It was an amazing experience,” Volek said. “The journal- ists and the offi cers got to know, understand and respect each other. They’d sit in a ‘battlefi eld,’ eat MREs and talk about their families. Every one of the journalists thanked me personally for being included in the workshop. I am really proud of the Jour- nalism School, the people at the Combined Arms Center and the McCormick Foundation for having the vision to put this workshop together. It truly ‘bridged the gap.’” Some of the military education activities the journalists Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV participates in a presentation on the fi nal day of the participated in included: workshop. Journalism Dean Ann Brill and Adrian Lewis, director of the KU-Fort • Overview of the Combined Arms Center (CAC) and Command Leavenworth program, are pictured in the background. and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth • Military 101 training “We sat in the mess hall at Camp Funston the fi rst night we • Military Transition Teams meetings were there,” Volek said. “All around us were soldiers and offi - • Observation of military training, including a paintball exercise cers in battle dress with their rifl es on the fl oor, eating their din- • Meeting with Joint Advanced Warfi ghting Studies offi cers ners. SFC Ken McCooey was our escort. The journalists began • Attendance at a Battlefi eld Wellness Seminar just talking with him over dinner, and McCooey explained—as • An “embed” with Regional Strategic Studies students only a sergeant fi rst-class can—how he and everyone else in • A Garrison overview and panel discussion on “home-front” issues the mess hall were just regular guys and gals who were doing (medical care, post traumatic stress disorder, etc.) their jobs. I remember looking at the faces of the journalists. • A discussion with Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, Commanding They were clearly full of a new-found respect, perhaps even a General of the Combined Arms Center little awe-struck. I later told Steve Kerrick, a retired lieutenant colonel from Fort Leavenworth who helped put the program together, that that was the moment the whole program came together for me. That moment was the reason we asked Mc- Cormick to fund the program.” In addition to the workshop, a new Media and the Military class was created and taught for the fi rst time at the J-School in spring 2008. Barbara Barnett taught the course. It will be of- fered again in spring 2009. It featured interaction between jour- nalism students and mid-grade fi eld offi cers attending CGSC, one of CAC’s 17 subordinate organizations. Another initiative of the partnership with Fort Leavenworth is a new Web-based electronic journal, called “Military-Media Issues.” CGSC fac- ulty and students will publish their ideas on military-media relations on the electronic journal. The $50,000 McCormick Foundation grant made these initiatives possible. The McCormick Foundation recently an- Mike Belt, Lawrence Journal-World, and Andrea Sutherland, grad student from the University of Colorado J-School, watch a military training session at Ft. Riley, Kan. nounced it would renew the grant with the J-School for another year. A second military and the media workshop is planned for next fall. ‰ 4 J-Links Winter 2008 Photos from the “Bridging the Gap: A Military Experience for Journalists” intensive week-long workshop, held Sept. 14-18, at Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley.

Mary Wallace retires after 31 years of service to the School of Journalism

early every offi ce has a “go to” person—the person you in 1962. She was a county Ncan always count on, the person who consistently goes government and court re- above and beyond the call of duty and the person who seems to porter for The Ann Arbor have an answer for every possible question. For 31 years, that News for seven years. She person at the School of Journalism was Mary Wallace. also was a reporter and Wallace retired this summer. During her time at the School the bureau chief in Or- she had served, most recently, as assistant to the dean, and in ange County, N.C., for The her earlier years, as a reporting teacher and assistant dean. Durham Morning Herald “Mary wore many hats,” Journalism Dean Ann Brill said. and Sun, reporting news “She always took on every challenge presented to her with en- of Chapel Hill, Carrboro thusiasm and great attention to detail. Her dedication to stu- and Hillsborough, for dents and to the tradition of excellence in the School was admi- fi ve years, and taught re- rable. We will miss her.” porting at the University One of Wallace’s many duties was serving as the School’s of North Carolina School coordinator of scholarships and awards for more than 25 years. of Journalism for a year. She read and re-read student applications every year, carefully She and her husband matching student needs with available scholarships. Vic moved from Chapel “One of the most rewarding aspects of my job was pairing Hill to Lawrence in 1976 when he was appointed full profes- students in need with scholarship funds,” Wallace said. “I en- sor and chair of the computer science department at KU. She joyed reading the applications and my contacts with our gener- joined the KU School of Journalism in 1977. ous donors and the KU Endowment Association. Working with Among Wallace’s honors and recognitions, she was selected the Roger Wooldridge Scholars was a particular highlight for as a semi-fi nalist for the KU H.O.P.E. Award, which recognizes me. Norris and Helena Wooldridge made young people the fo- excellence in teaching, in both 1986 and 1987. She was named cus of their charity. Since they had lost their own son, a journal- an outstanding faculty adviser to Women in Communications, ism student, at a young age, they considered the Wooldridge Inc. at its national convention in 1979. She also was elected to Scholars an extension of their own family. ” the Kansas Scholastic Press Association Hall of Fame in 1997. Wallace also was known as the offi cial historical records “I can’t imagine KSPA without Mary’s involvement,” John keeper of the School. She took extensive notes of faculty and Hudnall, director of KSPA, said. “She was among the greatest committee meetings and maintained historical archives, and supporters of both KSPA and the School of Journalism.” she documented all important faculty and student news and Along with her work at KU, Wallace has been involved achievements in the weekly Monday Memo, a J-School faculty in community service. Since retiring she has devoted herself and staff newsletter. In addition, she was closely involved with to volunteer activities in Lawrence. She served as a Court Ap- faculty and staff searches and wrote countless reports, lists and pointed Special Advocate (CASA) for a child in need of care letters for the School. Wallace also gathered much of the infor- from 1993-2001, and rejoined the group this year. She also vol- mation for accrediting self studies that the School must submit unteers as an archival assistant at the Watkins Community Mu- every seven years. seum of History and works on Lawrence Public Library book “The J-School was one of Mary’s children,” Tim Bengtson, sales. She was a Kids Voting poll worker for the November 2008 journalism professor and Strategic Communication track chair, election and is a member of the Endicott Society, KU’s retiree said. “She did all she could to help it succeed, including work- organization. ing most weekends and taking (and maintaining) meticulous Though happy to be pursuing volunteer activities on a full- notes for years of every meeting she attended. She also had time basis now, Wallace said she always would cherish the op- great common sense. I always enjoyed seeking her counsel on portunities she had to “work with the wonderful donors, stu- a wide range of topics. Her priority was to serve the J-School, dents, faculty and staff at the School and across campus.” especially its students, and to do what was right, even if an “As a teacher, adviser and counselor, I tried to challenge action might not be popular at the moment. Always working each student to learn what he or she does best and enjoys behind the scenes, Mary helped the J-School become what it is most,” Wallace said. “I hoped that each would understand the today. Thanks for everything, Mary.” importance of an informed public and that journalists work for Wallace earned her bachelor’s degree in government from the public, that each would be curious and probing, never stop the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va., in 1959 learning, and care about all people.” ‰ and her master’s in journalism from the University of Michigan J-Links Winter 2008 5 Photos from the 2008 Editors Day event. Corrie’s Corner: Annual Kansas Editors Day features national News from Corrie Moore panel of political insiders KU Endowment Association Journalism Development Director

Your gift matters

n response to the fi rst I “Corrie’s Corner” in the Summer 2008 edition of J-Links, I received a touching e-mail from an alumnus who remind- ed me why every gift to the School of Journalism—whatever the amount—means so much. My fi rst article discussed the student awards that are given each year in honor of retired faculty. This former Wooldridge Scholar was kind enough to share some won- derful memories of these professors and the time he spent with them at the J-School. In my travels from one coast to the other, I’m fortunate enough to hear these stories From left, Bill Lacy, Raymond D. Strother and Walter Shapiro. time and again. his year the School of Journalism partnered with the Robert J. Dole The alumnus went on to say, “My desire Institute of Politics to host its annual Editors Day program on Sep- to write you was simply to forward a word of T tember 6. The politically-themed panel discussion was titled “Post Con- support for KU. I am glad to hear some of my ventions: What’s Next in Election 2008?” old ‘J-School Legends’ are being honored… Panelists included: Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute of Poli- My personal health has slipped some in re- tics and former campaign manager for Fred Thompson’s presidential cent years so employment and money have campaign; Walter Shapiro, Washington bureau chief for Salon.com; and been slim pickings for me in my life… I hope Raymond D. Strother, author, political consultant and television political some of the big name journalism graduates commentator. J-School Associate Dean David Guth moderated the panel. do donate the money to make my old friends “This was a very exciting year for politics,” Journalism Dean Ann like Leibengood and Young an endowment at Brill said. “It was the perfect opportunity for us to bring together a panel KU. Please accept my letter and the upcom- of national experts to discuss the state of politics and to analyze the me- ing check as tokens of my appreciation for dia’s approach to covering these important issues. The panel discussion being a KU alum. The cash is small… but the helped us to better understand some of the undercurrents of the political gift of writing is sweet.” campaigns this year.” As a graduate of the Journalism School The KU School of Journalism sponsors Kansas Editors Day each fall. myself, I know from personal experience Editors and publishers from across Kansas attend the program, along how much this school and its faculty impact with a reception at the KU Chancellor’s home and a KU football game. our lives. It’s what makes the J-School so spe- “Editors Day is one of many outstanding programs run by the Wil- cial and why I love coming to work every liam Allen White School of Journalism,” Bill Lacy, director of the Robert day. I am so proud of the support that pours J. Dole Institute of Politics, said. “We were happy to be a co-sponsor in in from our alumni each year. I believe most this crucial election year.” of us have taken something from our time at See www.journalism.ku.edu/news/EditorsDay08.shtml for more on the KU, so I offer a special thanks to those who panelists and event. ‰ give back in whatever way they can. Thank you! 6 J-Links Winter 2008 Photos from the 2008 Editors Day event.

study analyzed 51 state emergency man- agement agency Web sites (including D.C.) and results of an online survey of state public information offi cers. The re- port outlined 13 fi ndings of the research and made six recommendations to the nation’s emergency managers. Download the complete study at: http://people.ku.edu/~dguth/EMAreport.html

Notable student achievements this semester Rhonda LeValdo, grad student, was a runner-up in the “YouTube Project: Report,” competition for aspiring journal- ists. Her video, “A Fight for the Land,” told the story of efforts to preserve the Haskell Baker Wetlands, an area of historical and cultural signifi cance to Native Americans in Lawrence. The competition was offered in partnership with the Pulitzer Cen- ter on Crisis Reporting in Washington, D.C. As a runner-up, she will travel to the Pulitzer Center to be honored. She was chosen as one of 10 semifi nalists after the fi rst round of compe- tition for a video about her grandmother. In the second round, the semifi nalists prepared a video about a story unfolding in a community that touches on a global theme/issue. She teaches television production at Haskell University and produces “Na- tive Spirit,” a weekly radio show on the KKFI 90.1 FM commu- nity radio station in Kansas City. J-School redesigns Web site J.J. DeSimone, grad student, was lead author on a paper This fall the J-School redesigned its Web site, updating the accepted for presentation at the Central States Communication content, navigation and look. Association’s 2009 annual conference in St. Louis, Mo. The pa- We added a “Consider the J-School” section for prospec- per, “Can the President Affect the Media Agenda? An Examina- tive students and a “What others are saying about us” page, tion of Media Coverage of Iraq, Iran and North Korea Before featuring video testimonials from successful graduates of the and After Bush’s Axis of Evil Speech,” originated in his Fall 2007 J-School. Stay tuned as we add more multimedia elements and J840 seminar in political communication. Co-authors are jour- the latest school news to our site. nalism graduate students Rhonda LeValdo, Rauf Arif, Amanda Check out the new site design at www.journalism.ku.edu. Clemens, Josh Patterson, Ryan McGeeny and Prof. Tien Lee. If you have questions or suggestions, contact Jennifer Kinnard, The paper will be presented in early April 2009 in the Media communications coordinator for the J-School. Studies interest group in a panel called “And Now the News… Explorations into News Media in Contemporary Culture.” Study fi nds state emergency managers underutilize Web Thor Nystrom, May 2008 graduate, won fi rst place in the A study conducted by Associate Dean David Guth con- feature-writing category of Rolling Stone magazine’s 33rd an- cludes that despite post-Hurricane Katrina calls for improved nual College Journalism Competition. He won for “To Hell and communication, state emergency management agencies across Back,” his harrowing narrative about overcoming mental ill- the U.S. have been slow to adopt Internet-based resources to ness, that was published in the May 5 issue of The University reach the public during emergencies. Daily Kansan. He collected a $2,500 cash prize for the fi rst-place According to his study, “Untapped Potential: Evaluating award. Nystrom’s story beat out more than 150 entries from State Emergency Management Web Sites 2008,” state emer- other students nationwide. To write his story, Nystrom drew gency management agency Web sites appear to place greater upon his memories and diary entries, police and medical re- emphasis on reaching fi rst responders than they do citizens of cords, and conversations with family and friends. He details their state or the news outlets. The study urges state emergency the events that led up to his ordeal with mental illness, his planners to recognize that Internet and emerging social media journey through the mental health system and ultimately, his are important public outreach tools. recovery. ‰ Funded by KU’s Transportation Research Institute, the J-Links Winter 2008 7 Faculty at work: David Guth; Patty Noland and Terry Bryant; Barbara Barnett, ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES David Guth, Max Utsler and Tim Bengtson; and Jerry Crawford. Where are they now? Pharmaceuticals, promoting 2007 Celebrex, Lyrica and Aricept. Stephanie Bottoms is an assistant account executive Tim Veach is youth hockey 2008 Jarrod Morgenstern works for GolinHarris in Chicago. coordinator for the Iowa Travis Brown is editorial in digital advertising at Man- Previously she was with Chops of the American assistant/tasting coordinator ning Selvage & Lee in New Weber Shandwick. Hockey League. for Cigar Afi cionado in New York City. York City. Sam Carlson is a copy editor Thor Nystrom placed fi rst in with Vance Publishing. 2005 Blake Cripps is the sports the feature-writing category Stacey Archambault is a director for KUTT/KGMT in of Rolling Stone magazine’s Lauren Fulmer works in Chi- production assistant at ESPN Fairbury, Neb. 33rd annual College Jour- cago for CBS in the network in Bristol, Conn. She has nalism Competition. He sales department as a sales traveled to both a winter X Joseph Erba, MSJ, has received a $2,500 cash prize. planning analyst. Games in Aspen and a sum- obtained a three-month ap- His story was featured in the mer X Games in Los Ange- prenticeship with Trozzolo 10/3 issue of Rolling Stone. Kyle Hoedl is assistant les, and spent last season Communications Group in Nystrom won for his har- media manager of the AMC working on college basket- Kansas City. rowing narrative of overcom- Theatres account for VML in ball games. Currently she is ing mental illness, which Kansas City, Mo. working on NASCAR. Whitney Eriksen is the sales appeared in The University ([email protected]) and communications coor- Daily Kansan while he was a Jennifer Byrd is a reporter dinator for the KU Alumni student in the J-School. Tovah Mendelsberg works for Pensions & Investments, a Association in Lawrence. for Colorado Expression Maga- Crain publication in ([email protected]) Jessica Reber is producer of zine in Denver. Chicago. newscasts and online content Mallory Goldstein is an for KAKE-TV, Wichita, Kan. Susan O’Neil is an account Andrew Ledell is a junior assistant account executive executive at SHIFT Commu- account executive with at Bernstein-Rein in Kansas Jenny Ries is the Web and nications in San Francisco. The Strategy Group, City. marketing manager for retail ([email protected]) www.thestrategygroupllc.com, clothing chain J. McLaughlin in Wichita, Kan. Rikki Kite, MSJ, was recent- in New York City. Elyse M. Weidner is the ([email protected]) ly promoted from managing assistant editor of Modern editor to associate publisher Amelia Roudebush, MSJ, Luxury Media’s Houston Amy Cox O’Hara is market- of Linux Pro Magazine, is an account executive for Magazine. ing and communications www.linuxpromagazine.com. John Nohe & Associates in specialist for the Arizona The company’s North Overland Park, Kan. State University Lodestar American headquarters are 2006 Center for Philanthropy & Ali Bannwarth is a producer in Lawrence. Shawn Shroyer is a sports Nonprofi t Innovation. Under for Kurtis Productions in reporter with The Midland her direction, the Lodestar Chicago. Steven Levy is an assistant Reporter-Telegram in Midland, Center received the 2008 account executive on the Mc- Texas. PRSA Phoenix Chapter Cop- Donald’s account for Bern- Terena Santana Silva works per Anvil Award for Govern- for OMD Worldwide, which stein-Rein in Kansas City. Rachel Smith is the annual ment Special Events/Promo- is part of the Omnicom fund manager at Baker Uni- tions. The entry was for the Group. She was at Starcom th Adam MacDonald is the versity in Baldwin, Kan. 15 annual (2007) Nonprofi t community relations man- for two years. She lives in Conference on Sustainability Chicago. ager at the United Way of Sarah Weston is a sales coor- Strategies, titled “Mission Wyandotte County, Kan. dinator at NCC-Chicago, an and Messaging: Cutting Meg Swallow is a fi eld sales advertising rep. fi rm. Through the Noise.” representative for Pfi zer (News & Notes – continued on page 10) 8 J-Links Winter 2008 J-School visitors: Penny Reiss, Showtime executive and alumna; Dr. Adrian Lewis, director of the KU/Fort ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Leavenworth program; and Joe Gaylord, former executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, with Christina Martin, KU grad and former spokesperson for House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

After leaving the bank, her stock is up By Sonya English, junior, Overland Park, Kan.

hat do you do when the bank where you’ve worked the W last decade downsizes and eliminates your position? If you’re anything like Sharon Woodson-Bryant, you hurry to the door where opportunity stands knocking. “It was the universe saying, ‘Whoa, time to move on,’” Woodson-Bryant said. “I would not have left if that hadn’t hap- pened.” In April 2008, when Woodson-Bryant left her job as vice president and news bureau manager of Union Bank of Cali- fornia, she only indulged her astonishment momentarily. Then she looked to what would come next. Her friend told her about an opening with First 5 LA, a nonprofi t created by a California initiative that uses cigarette taxes to fund pre-school programs to advocate early childhood development. In less time than it had taken to pack her things at the bank, she was hired as the media manager at First 5 LA. “I had an interview on a Thursday evening and they of- fered me a job Friday afternoon,” Woodson-Bryant said. “It was uncanny.” It helped that she came to the interview with a fully- loaded resume, the highlights of her nearly 40-year career in “It’s just in my DNA,” she said. “I always have to take ac- journalism. Newspaper reporter, newspaper publisher, college tion on issues important to me. I enjoy it. It’s part of how I see instructor, advertising and marketing manager, press deputy myself fi tting into the world.” and columnist are only some of the titles that Woodson-Bryant Calder Pickett, her professor of American History who re- has assumed since graduating with her bachelor’s in journal- tired in 1988, challenged part of her world-view when he said ism from KU in 1969 and her master’s in 1975. that maybe blacks didn’t have a history. Infuriated, the com- Although her experience does not include raising children, ment stayed with her until she returned for graduate school. she’s now writing public relations pieces to educate parents, When they reconnected, she confronted him and he explained and learning as she goes. Woodson-Bryant enjoys having full that he meant there was little written on the history of Afri- control over her responsibilities instead of working through can-Americans at that time. Working through this exchange the layers of approval that are part of a larger institution. She brought them closer together and they maintained a friendship describes most news releases for banks as “just so boring,” but long after Woodson-Bryant left KU. He served on her thesis at First 5 LA, she feels her writing has more relevance. committee along with Sam Adams, who was one of the fi rst “It’s an entirely new world; a lot more exciting than bank- black faculty members of the J-School and another lasting infl u- ing,” Woodson-Bryant said. “Well, I’m sure banking is exciting ence and friendship for Woodson-Bryant. now, but not the kind of exciting that I like!” In all her jobs, Woodson-Bryant said her ability to write in Children are part of a new realm, but advocacy is not. a news style, make a quick point and research have helped her Woodson-Bryant has played an active role in the black commu- continuously. nity throughout her career, using her public relations skills to “Going through journalism school and understanding how promote the causes of several organizations. She was publisher the public thinks have just been invaluable for me,” she said. of The Outlook, a black weekly newspaper, and a columnist for She said her new job is an opportunity to stretch, grow and The Wave, a newspaper for black and Hispanic readers. The Na- learn. Refl ecting on her career, she identifi ed this as a reward- tional Association for the Advancement of Colored People Le- ing aspect of public relations. gal Defense Fund named her Black Woman of Achievement in “Every day was different and I’ve been doing this a long 1991. Woodson-Bryant doesn’t characterize herself as an activ- time,” she said. “There are always different people, different ist, but considers her outlook a product having parents active situations and always the unexpected.” ‰ in their community. J-Links Winter 2008 9 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Photos of Journalism students in action. ing on a Ph.D. there in social 2002 and behavioral science. (News & Notes – continued from page 8) Curtis Green was high- Advertising Agency. She is ([email protected]) lighted in “Creatives Under engaged to Eric Silvinski, Laura Snyder is the com- 30: Screen Magazine’s Annual another J-School graduate, munications coordinator for Spotlight On Agency Youth.” 2000 who owns Tropical Sno Ha- Black Hills Corp., a diver- He started work at Euro Erik Ashel is a special proj- waiian Shave Ice in Phoenix. sifi ed energy company in RSCG Chicago in 2005 after ects producer at Metro Sports ([email protected]) Golden, Colo. She provides working at a few smaller in Kansas City. For the past both internal and external agencies in Kansas and Wis- year he has been working Marcella Vasconcellos communications support consin. His clients include on a documentary entitled earned her MBA in fi nance for the oldest continuously- Barilla and Powershares. Last “Border War” which details from KU in 2008 and is a operating coal mine in the fall he traveled through Italy the history of the Kansas- fi nancial analyst at Embarq U.S. and seven power plants to pen what would become Missouri rivalry. It will be a Corp. in Overland Park, Kan. in Gillette, Wyo., as well as a scrapbook print campaign, full feature-length project. Previously, she worked in Enserco, a Golden-based nat- documenting the essence See www.borderwarrivalry.com account management for two ural gas and oil-marketing of Barilla pasta in its home for more information. years at PlattForm Advertis- subsidiary. Previously, she country. This year he went ing in Olathe, Kan. worked as the communica- back to Tuscany to fi lm a (Cody) Ryan Riggin has tions coordinator for Aquila, commercial he co-wrote for been promoted to vice presi- Inc., in Kansas City. 2003 the brand’s new miniature dent of client development Leslie Gerstenkorn is a pasta line, Piccolini. at Kowabunga!, a provider Natasha Trelfa is a reporter paralegal for Thompson of interactive performance- for KAKE News in Wichita, Ramsdell and Qualseth, P.A. Kate Williams is a content based advertising networks Kan. Previously she was the in Lawrence. producer for the clothing and technology platforms. In morning anchor/reporter for ([email protected]) chain Urban Outfi tters at its his new role as vice president KTKA in Topeka, Kan. New York City headquarters. of client development, he will Kristi Henderson is the She manages the blog and be responsible for managing outreach coordinator for the editorial content for and expanding the revenue 2004 growth of Kowabunga!’s Lauren (Karp) Hodges is a College of Liberal Arts and urbanoutfi tters.com. Pre- strategic client relationships, reporter at The Villager in The Sciences at KU. Previously, viously she was an editor at providing them with ad- Woodlands, Texas. Previous- she worked as a copy editor Nylon magazine. ditional technology solu- ly she was a police reporter for The Milwaukee Journal tions and managed service in Humble, Texas, and an Sentinel. 2001 options. He has several years advertising executive and Thad Allender is the new Missi Schoen is an attorney of industry experience, serv- features reporter at The Daily multimedia producer at in Norton, Kan., practicing ing as director of marketing Union in Junction City, Kan. USA Today in McClean, Va. primarily in family law and at ClickSpeed and working ([email protected]) Previously he was director of criminal law. in the marketing and busi- photography for The Law- ness development group at Samia Khan is an associate ([email protected]) rence Journal-World. Virtumundo. He also earned attorney in the Mass Media Jessica Tims-Seeliger is the his MBA from Baker. group at Wiley Rein LLP in Marc Harrell is the general editor and publisher of The Washington, D.C. sales manager for Mix 93.3 Wellington News in Wel- and Star 102 Radio in Kansas 1999 lington, Kan. Previously she Johanna Maska is deputy City, Mo. Danny Boresow is an ac- director of media logistics for was with The Morning Sun in count executive with Enter- Pittsburg. the Presidential Inaugural Rupali Limaye (Slusher) is a com Radio (98.1 KUDL and Committee, Washington, D.C. program offi cer at the Johns 106.5 The Wolf) in Kansas Ryan Wood is a content pro- Hopkins Bloomberg School City. He has been with the ducer for Active.com in San Kate Piotrowski is an ac- of Public Health, in the company since 2000. Diego, Calif. count supervisor for FabCom Center for Communication ([email protected]) Programs, and also is work- (News & Notes – continued on page 11) 10 J-Links Winter 2008 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Photos of Journalism students in action.

(News & Notes – continued from page 10)

Jay Erickson is territory Michael Martin is a full-time manager for Shaw Industries freelance writer. His piece in Chicago. for The New York magazine, “Springtime for ‘Xanadu,’” Deborah Henry is a parale- was honorably mentioned in gal at McAnany, Van Cleave the Idolator’s “The Best Mu- & Phillips, PA, in Roeland sic Writing 2008.” The article Park, Kan. is available online at: nymag. com/arts/theater/features/32380 1997 Sara Wilhelm, former direc- David Day is arts and enter- tor of advertising and sales at tainment editor for Weekly The Lawrence Journal-World, is Dig, in Boston. now vice president for sales and business development Jennifer Fortney is president at Mediaphormedia, the of Cascade Communications commercial software division in Chicago, which specializes of The World Company. She in marketing communica- recently won the Suburban tions for small businesses. Newspapers of America’s Advertising Director of the Year award, which was 1996 Jennifer Carter is a regulato- given as part of the 2008 SNA ry-submissions writer for the Advertising and Promotions non-clinical research depart- Contest. ment of Wyeth, a global J-School Calendar of Events pharmaceutical company. 1998 She works in Pearl River, N.Y. Jan. 15: First day of spring classes Chris Arreguin opened a small business, Kustum Feb. 5 & 6: William Allen White Day, honoring Tom Curley, Kribs baby boutique, with his 1993 Marlene (Dearinger) Neill is CEO and president of the Associated Press wife Lisa in Park Ridge, Ill., community relations special- outside of Chicago. See ist for the city of Waco, Texas. Feb. 20: KSPA Regional Competition www.kustumkribs.com for more information. Hale Sheppard is a share- April 29: J-School Awards and Scholarships Ceremony, ([email protected]) holder in the Atlanta offi ce 4–5:30 p.m., Woodruff Auditorium and Big 12 Room of Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, Ashleigh Roberts Black White, Williams & Martin, May 2: KSPA State Competition is associate director of the where he represents clients George Washington Univer- during federal and state tax May 6: Kansas City Alumni Reunion Event, details TBD sity Center for Global Health audits, criminal tax inves- in the School of Public tigations, tax appeals, tax May 16: Journalism Graduate Recognition Ceremony, Health and Health Services litigation and tax collection Lied Center and Stauffer-Flint lawn in Washington. She worked procedures. He recently on The Kansan and also ma- became a member of the Edi- May 17: KU Commencement, Memorial Stadium jored in Spanish. She went to torial Board of the Georgia Costa Rica after graduation June 14–18: Kansas Journalism Institute and also was in Rome for (News & Notes – continued on page 13) three years. For more event details, visit www.journalism.ku.edu. J-Links Winter 2008 11 Photos of Bill Kurtis, 1962 graduate and acclaimed television documentary host, news anchor, and author. ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Kurtis was at the J-School shooting a video about his experiences at KU and his career.

J-School grad spreads the news for National Geographic By Sonya English, junior, Overland Park, Kan.

ven after working more than 30 years for National E Geographic, one of the most prestigious organizations in the world, Barbara Spurlock Moffet assesses her life after KU with humility. Moffet is a director of the National Geographic Society communications offi ce, which she helped create. When she graduated from the J-School in 1973, could she have anticipated the vital role she would play at National Geographic? “When I came out of Journalism School, I really wanted to be a reporter,” she said. In her fi rst ten years at National Geographic, though, she did write feature stories for the society’s news service. She But it’s not her only fingerprint on the company. The entered media relations as a necessity in 1987. The following year Explorers-in-Residence program was her idea as well. The would mark the magazine’s 100-year anniversary and Moffet program funds explorers and scientists that work with National recognized the potential media interest. She and MJ Jacobsen, a Geographic to tell their stories. The program started with one freelance publicist at the time, organized the organization’s fi rst explorer in 1996. Now there are 13, including Paul Sereno, media outreach program. who has discovered a new species of dinosaur on almost every Moffet guessed she would do public relations for a year or continent, and Robert Ballard, who found the Titanic. so, while she was needed. It’s the second condition that never National Geographic funds fi eld research, exploration and expired. The Centennial proved to be an extremely busy year and conservation projects through grants. Moffet decides which she the media relations offi ce she created quickly became essential thinks would generate media interest, looking for what she calls to the National Geographic operation. the “gee whiz factor.” She coordinates all the media surrounding Now she may not report the stories, but she works with the the story’s release. press on a daily basis and is responsible for many front-page She had no trouble deciding to announce one grantee’s recent stories in newspapers around the world. discoveries about Stonehenge. In January 2007, Mike Parker The office promotes just about everything National Pearson announced discovery of the remains of little houses that Geographic does, he supposed belonged to the builders of Stonehenge. A few miles which these days—with away, he had also found a second Stonehenge, made of wood. multiple magazines, a In May of this year, he made news again when radiocarbon channel in some 150 dating showed teeth and bones he’d found spanned 500 years, countries, a Web site, supporting his theory that Stonehenge was a cemetery. books, traveling exhibits Moffet breaks these big stories, developing a strategy to and more—is a lot. present them and overseeing all the planning behind their release. For this story, that meant helping Parker Pearson prepare The June 2008 National Geo- a presentation for the teleconference, and coordinating release graphic cover story reported dates for the magazine story, TV program and news release. evidence that Stonehenge Each story brings new challenges, Moffet said. was used as a cemetery for “It’s hard because science is changing every day,” Moffet more than 500 years, the said. “It’s impossible to keep up with all the fi elds that we’re work of research grantee Mike funding so I really have to rely on colleagues at the offi ce and Parker Pearson. Barbara Moffet publicized the story, which other outside experts.” appeared in the magazine, as She uses skills she learned in the J-School in all the releases a documentary on the National she writes. Geographic Channel and as a “A lot of what I learned in reporting class about verifying feature in the June/July issue of and about being thorough and gathering information really National Geographic Kids. served me well,” she said. ‰ 12 J-Links Winter 2008 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Photos from the 2008 Wooldridge Scholars annual recognition dinner. Journalism Job Listing Service (News & Notes – continued from page 11) Battalion Alumni Association (JBAA) Wall of Fame. The The Journalism Career Center Bar Journal and the Board of Wall of Fame is for KU Army provides an online listing of jobs Trustees of the Atlanta Tax ROTC participants who in the journalism fi eld that require Forum. He recently pub- have been successful in their at least two years of experience. lished multiple articles in military career and/or civil- The job listings and descriptions various tax and legal publi- ian occupation. The Jayhawk are posted on the J-School’s Web cations and journals. Battalion Alumni Association site, www.journalism.ku.edu, under was founded four years ago the “Alumni & Friends” tab. This service and is open not only to those is for jobs that require two-four, three-fi ve, fi ve-seven and 10 1987 who received a commission or more years of experience. We hear about such positions Bill Ackerly, MSJ, is the from KU, but to anyone who on a regular basis and immediately post the jobs online. If strategic communications is willing to support the you know of relevant job openings that should be listed, manager for the Battle Com- Army ROTC program. mand Knowledge System e-mail Patty Noland, career development coordinator, at (BCKS) at Fort Leavenworth, [email protected]. Kan. He conducts strategic 1984 communications for BCKS Sarah Burt is the curator and implements media/mar- of American Western Art ber of Commerce Board of keting strategies to support at Joslyn Art Museum in 1981 Directors. He was recently the integration of knowledge Omaha. She previously spent Dreux DeMack, who took honored by the Counselors management (KM) across the 12 years working for the classes in the J-School and Academy section of PRSA Army. BCKS serves as the Georgia O’Keeffe Founda- graduated with a BGS, works as a member of the inaugu- lead agency for providing tion. ([email protected]) for KUSA-TV in Denver. He ral class of SAGE (Strategic Army enterprise KM, provid- is the executive producer of Advisors for Growth and ing KM training, products “Colorado and Company,” Excellence) Counselors. and services for the Army, 1983 Bruce Harris was promoted a talk show that debuted in including 90 online profes- to executive vice president 2004. The program features sional forums, online knowl- of the Benefi ts Consulting international celebrities, lo- 1977 edge portals and unit KM Group in Dallas. cal community groups and Alison Gwinn is executive assessments. He previously ([email protected]) world-class events. editor of Women’s Health served in corporate commu- magazine and also is teach- nications roles in a variety Glen Huschka is director of Vickie Walton-James joined ing journalism courses at of industries, from fi nancial communications and market- National Public Radio in New York University in the services and insurance to ing for the American Heart Washington, D.C., this sum- fall of 2008 and the spring mass transit and electric utili- Association, in Austin, Texas. mer as supervising editor of 2009. Previously, she was ties. He spent 20 years in the for the Midwest and South. deputy editor of InStyle Army, including eight years Darrell Preston with Previously she was with the magazine. as a public affairs offi cer. Bloomberg Media, has been Tribune Company, where she honored with several presti- had been senior Washington Carol O. Hudler is now gious awards for excellence editor. She had been with the president of Gannett’s south 1985 regional group. Gannett Col.(R) James H. Thomas, in journalism. His work has Tribune Company, mostly recently announced the reor- 1975 BS and 1985 MSJ, is the been featured in an article The Chicago Tribune, for ganization of its U.S. Com- military leadership program about good work in the Co- nearly 20 years. munity Publishing division, manager for the U.S. Army lumbia Journalism Review. He with fi ve regional groups Command and General Staff received the top award for 1978 becoming four. Hudler has College, Fort Leavenworth, best business story written Eric Morgenstern, president been president and publisher Kan. He retired after 30 years in English from the Inter- and CEO of Morningstar of The News-Press in Fort My- of active service in 2005. national Press. He also was Communications, was He was recently selected as featured on a news television recently appointed to The (News & Notes – continued on page 15) an inductee into the Jayhawk program for his work. Greater Kansas City Cham- J-Links Winter 2008 13 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Photos of the fall colors at KU. She started as the executive producer’s There’s no business like funny business assistant, but quickly moved up the ranks to By Sonya English, junior, Overland Park, Kan. segment coordinator, then on to writer’s t’s 8 a.m. Molly McNearney faces a blank computer screen assistant and then in her Los Angeles home. In the next three hours, she’ll fi ll I staff writer in Nov. the screen, spinning the day’s news into jokes and bits that she 2006. hopes will get laughs from the studio audience and viewers of “I had a huge “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Some days a politician or an heiress make advantage being able her job easy. Other days, death and war make the laughs harder to prove myself while to fi nd. Either way, at 11 a.m. she’ll sit among the other writers working other jobs to pitch ideas to Kimmel. here,” she said. “As Since she became a writer for “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” a a writer’s assistant sarcastic late-night comedy talk show on ABC, this is how I just watched and J-School grad Molly McNearney starts the work day. She was learned for a year.” promoted to head writer in May 2008. Though star- “It’s really exciting to see an idea you had at 8 in the morning struck by the Alf ready to go on the air at 7 that night,” McNearney said. puppet her fi rst week, In 2000, McNearney graduated from the J-School with a she learned quickly PhotoPh t by b David D id Noles. N l degree in advertising. She discovered she loved the process of that celebrities are just ordinary people. advertising in Tim Bengtson’s ad class. She ended up in sales. “Her life is pretty surreal,” her sister Kelly McNearney, a “Sales is a great job, but I wasn’t happy,” she said. 2003 J-School grad, said. “I can call her in the middle of the day Her job took her to Los Angeles where she learned of a job and she can’t talk because she’s on the set of Grey’s Anatomy as assistant to the executive producer of “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” doing a bit with Michael Phelps or she’s in the studio with Josh She’d never seen the show, but had performed improvisational Groban shooting a Ben Affl eck music video.” and sketch comedy for three years. Celebrity encounters are a favorite topic at family get- Host Jimmy Kimmel remembers McNearney’s fi rst week, togethers. though she would argue not very clearly. “I think some people misunderstand her job and think she’s “When I fi rst met her, I was suspicious of Molly because her going to dinner with Tom and Katie or vacationing with Brad fanny pack always seemed to be loaded with offi ce supplies. and Angelina,” Kelly McNearney said. “She’s not friends with She left a trail of thumbtacks and Post-Its wherever she went,” these people. She gets paid to make fun of them constantly.” Kimmel said. “I learned later that it wasn’t stealing. Molly has That’s the job description and Kimmel said she does it a poor sense of direction. She would use those items to mark a admirably. path back to her offi ce. That’s just the sort of forward thinking “Molly is an extremely talented writer,” Kimmel said. “When we were looking for.” an assignment is in Molly’s hands, it always gets done and done McNearney denies ever carrying a fanny pack in her fi ve well.” years with the show, but as the only female writer, she’s learned Her day ends after the show, around 8 p.m. The morning to roll with the punches. Or, as sister Kelly McNearney says, will bring a new day, and another screen to fi ll. Her successes channeled her inner frat-guy. are short-lived, but the fl ops too are quickly forgotten. Co-head writer Gary Greenberg said that even in a room “There will be times my mom will call me and ask, ‘Did you full of men, McNearney is right at home. have a bit on the show?’” and I say ‘No,’” McNearney said with “She has a great combination of toughness and positive a laugh. “But I did. Just nothing she needs to see.” energy that serves her well in dealing with a room full of Her improv experience helps her comedy, but she credits testosterone-addled comedy writers,” Greenberg said. the J-School for her business know-how. He said her gender only occasionally comes into play, like “Often creative people are not necessarily managers and when the Sex and the City movie came out. managers aren’t necessarily on the creative end,” she said. “I “Pretty much all the male writers were scratching our heads think the Journalism School helps you hone both those skills.” trying to come up with bits, but Molly seemed to have an endless McNearney lets her creativity spill into journals spread all supply of material,” said Greenberg, who now knows he is a over her house. They’re fi lled with ideas for books, movies, web- “Miranda,” thanks to McNearney. isodes and sitcoms that she would love to develop someday. For now, she’s happy where she is. ‰ 14 J-Links Winter 2008 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Photos of the fall colors at KU. In Memory: Barbara Macdonald (News & Notes – continued from page 13) member of the J-School family, Barbara Macdonald, 1971 A died on March 14. She and her husband, Peter, who ers, Fla., since 2000. She also Michael K. Yearout died in 2001, were longtime friends of and generous donors has been group president of launched a new career in to the School of Journalism. the Sun Coast Group since professional photography in Peter had served the Harris Enterprise Group in several its inception in 2006. She January 2006. He specializes positions, including president of the board from 1966 to 1978, began her journalism career in real estate and architec- and chairman from 1978 until he retired in 1984. in 1977 as the assistant to tural work, in and around “The School continues to benefi t from the generosity of the advertising manager of Breckenridge, Colo. He Peter and Barbara Macdonald,” Journalism Dean Ann Brill Vance Publications in Kansas recently joined the Dispatch- said. “Barbara told me that they established the Peter M. and City. She held advertising Photo.com group. See Barbara A. Macdonald Visiting Professionals in Journalism and sales jobs at a number of www.mkyphotography.com fund to make sure that students would have the opportunity publications before joining for more information. to meet and learn from professionals in the media. We Gannett in 1988 as director of continue to honor their wishes by bringing such professionals advertising at the Fort Myers into the classroom, have them meet with faculty and provide newspaper. She also served 1968 opportunities for students to meet with them informally.” Tom Bowser was elected as director and vice president Barbara is survived by two daughters, both KU grads, and chairman of the Blue Cross of advertising at Gannett’s three grandchildren. Daughter Heather Smith, a 1968 J-School and Blue Shield Associa- Rochester, N.Y., newspaper. alumna, said, “giving back to students was an important tion for the next two years. part of their lives. They wanted to perpetuate the connection Bowser is president and between the professional and academic worlds.” CEO of Blue Cross and Blue 1972 The Peter M. and Barbara A. Macdonald Visiting Jack Nixon is the play-by- Shield of Kansas City. The Professionals in Journalism fund is a tremendous gift to the play voice for New Mexico Blue Cross and Blue Shield School and one that continues to honor the legacy of the State University in Las Association is the governing Macdonald family. Cruces. He also is the news body for the 39 Blue Cross “Barbara was a delightful, well-read woman,” Brill director for the four radio sta- and Blue Shield Plans, which said. “Whenever I visited her in Hutchinson, we talked tions of Radio Las Cruces and cover 102 million members, about what book she was reading—biographies were her writes two columns for The and has annual revenues of favorites—and she brought me up-to-date about her children Las Cruces Bulletin. Previously more than $300 million. and grandchildren. She also was keenly interested in politics he was the play-by-play man and art. We will miss her.” ‰ for Tulsa University from Bob Dotson, of NBC News, 1982 to 1983, and also for the has won a record fourth Oklahoma Outlaws in 1984. Edward R. Murrow Award He was the general manager for writing on Today’s 1967 1958 of KWOC AM & FM radio “American Story.” The Constance Myers Gaston Carol Ann Huston stations in Poplar Bluff, Mo. stories that won him this got her Ph.D. in community/ Schneider is retired. After year’s award chronicled clinical psychology in 2000 graduating she went to work Bill Redlin wrapped up a brothers who found their from Wichita State. She is in New York City for Reader’s 23-year career in September father’s sunken World War the day shift manager for Digest in its advertising as host/news anchor of II submarine in the Bering Wichita’s Crisis Intervention department. She did promo- “Morning Edition” at Sea when the Navy couldn’t Services, Comcare Commu- tional writing and proofread- WAMU-FM in Washington, and an Idaho doctor who nity Mental Health Center. ing, and ran the advertising D.C. He is now the host of fl ies to see patients. A third library. Later she moved into WAMU’s mid-day program- followed young women in advertising research. After ming. Previously he worked Kansas who found a call- 1963 eight years she returned to Doug Farmer retired in 2007 at Mutual Broadcasting in ing performing their play the Midwest and taught Eng- after a 24-year career as a Washington, at Channel 27 in about a Catholic nurse who lish and Yearbook in Belton, realtor. He also served on the Topeka, and at KMBZ-KMBR saved Jewish children during Mo., for 14 years. She lives in Blue Springs, Mo., Planning in Kansas City. He also was a World War II. Holiday Island, Ark. ‰ part-time newscaster at NPR and Zoning Commission. for 10 years. ([email protected]) J-Links Winter 2008 15 Winter wonderland scenes from the beautiful KU campus. SendSend usus YourYour NewsNews Winter 2008 Please mail us your update or e-mail it to Jennifer Kinnard, J-Links editor, at [email protected].

NAME: Here’s a donation of $______ADDRESS: to help fund J-School initiatives.

CITY/STATE/ZIP: Even if you are unable to send a donation, we’d like to hear from you. CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX: current address new address Please make checks payable to: PHONE: KU Endowment P.O. Box 928 E-MAIL: okay to print in J-Links? Lawrence, KS 66044-0928 GRADUATION YEAR: Please write “School of Journalism” PROFESSIONAL UPDATE: in the memo line of your check. (Include name of company and city)

**NEW: Sign up to receive J-Links via e-mail** E-mail only, indicate the e-mail address we should send it to: To save printing and mailing costs, and to help save a few trees, please let ______us know if you would prefer to receive your copy of J-Links via e-mail, in an Adobe PDF fi le format. Please check appropriate box: I prefer to continue receiving J-Links via regular mail.

Non-profi t J-Links is a publication for the alumni and friends of Organization the University of Kansas William Allen White US Postage Paid Permit #116 School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Lawrence, KS Editor Jennifer Kinnard, Communications Coordinator [email protected], 785-864-7644

Printed by Allen Press Inc., Lawrence, Kansas

Financial support provided by The Ward Family Foundation Fund in Journalism The School of Journalism acknowledges, with gratitude, the support provided by the Ward family.

For more information 200 Stauffer-Flint Hall, 1435 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045-7575 • [email protected] • 785-864-4755 www.journalism.ku.edu 16 J-Links Winter 2008