A publication of the Indiana University School of Journalism Vol. 34, Issue 1 Spring 2008 Alumni Working Abroad Enjoy Challenges | New Courses Include Travel Dean’s Message Journalism Experiences Program Aims Beyond Classroom and the liberation of Paris — all covered • Special course-based journalism travel by Pyle from 1940 to 1944. (Dozens of programs in Spring 2008 to Europe and alumni already have expressed interest in Asia and additional programs for next year; participating in a similar course, perhaps • An increased commitment to internship in a summer session. We’ll work on that opportunities and support; version for the future.) • Projects within courses at all levels that Students might not remember the can include onsite reporting or partici- details about D-Day from a textbook, but I pation at top workshops and conferences know they will never forget walking along in our field, such as SPJ, IRE, NAB or PRSA. the coast of Normandy to understand The basics of journalism require that Dean Brad Hamm what happened in June 1944. “I took a we go to the site of the story, if possible, walk along the historic coast of Normandy and that we interview people directly and ometimes when people measure uni- in the country of France,” Pyle began his observe what is there. Journalists need to Sversities, they analyze such things as famous June 16, 1944, column that then get out from behind their desks to see the the number of books in the library, the told of the “awful waste and destruction” larger world. At a university, classroom number of faculty with advanced degrees he saw that day. work is important. Yet time spent outside and the SAT scores of the entering class — Retracing Pyle’s travels is just one of of the classroom is essential to the com- or, essentially, the measures of what exists the Journalism Experiences available plete development of our students. onsite prior to the arrival of a student. to students. Those in other courses and Already, with our new programs, we’ve Forgotten in all of this is what happens programs may participate in an array of seen a 40 percent increase in enrollment to the student — you, your child, a friend events, from chatting over dinner with the in the journalism school. Increasing our — during the four years of college. best journalists, talking to Beijing report- size is not the main goal; attracting the How do we change the lives of our ers by video conference, working late into best students and offering the best train- students during their days at Indiana the night on student media and spending ing and opportunities is. University? How do we in the School of a semester abroad. Pyle spoke of a time when he would see Journalism train the best journalists and We are adding significantly to all Journalism London after the war, though he never did. citizens? Experiences programs this year and have “Someday when peace has returned to Our Journalism Experiences program hired Jessica Gall, an IU graduate, to make this odd world I want to come to London is designed to take the goals and dreams sure we include all of our students. again and stand on a certain balcony on of each student and work during the next The main Journalism Experiences pro- a moonlit night and look down upon four years to help make these goals and grams include: the peaceful silver curve of the Thames dreams possible. We are investing in an • A national lecture series with monthly with its dark bridges,” Pyle wrote Dec. aggressive learning model where students speakers, who often attend luncheons 30, 1940. “And standing there, I want to study ideas and skills through specific and dinners with students, and nearly tell somebody who has never seen it how — and often unique — experiences. 150 professionals, including many London looked on a certain night in the In the spring, for example, 30 students alumni, each year on campus working holiday season of the year 1940.” will enroll in a new Ernie Pyle course. with our students; We want the students to see for them- They will take classes during the weeks • Student media that rank among the selves. And if you have ideas or can help throughout the semester. Early in the nation’s best; in any way as we build these Journalism semester, they will visit Dana, Ind., Pyle’s • New study abroad programs and fund- Experiences, please let us know. All of us home and museum. At spring break, stu- ing to match our foreign language can make these dreams come true and cre- dents will travel to London, Normandy requirements; ate an IU School of Journalism education and Paris. Using Pyle’s letters and col- • A new journalism honors program that that is truly a life-changing experience. umns, the students will learn about the has attracted top students from across bombing of London, the D-Day landings the nation; Tyra Robertson Tyra On the Cover CONTENTS 2 Calendar of Events 3 The Scoop Ask the Pro 10 Alumni Working Around the Globe by Sara Brazeal 14 The Ultimate Field Trip Chris Bistline, BAJ’97, worked in Egypt before relocating to South Africa. Courtesy photo by Elizabeth Beltramini 17 On the Record Page 3 Page 14 Alumnus’ Film Wins Prize Borman Leads Travel Writers’ Group Gordon L. Smith 21 Reminisce with Marge Ernie Pyle Society ‘Always Ready To Talk’ 22 The Big Picture Will Counts’ iconic photo of desegregation Winners of the Roy W. Howard National in Little Rock, Ark., was in demand during Collegiate Reporting Competition traveled the 50th anniversary commemorations. to Japan and South Korea. Courtesy photo Big Picture Andrew Prinsen, BAJ’07, contributed this issue’s ‘Big Picture.’ He traveled in India last fall as his Hazeltine Travel Scholarship experience. Calendar of Events FEB. 11 to write a Sunday column focusing Newswire is published by the Indiana on grammar, usage and etymology. In Andrea Koppel University School of Journalism with sup- 2006, he won the Presidential Medal port from the Journalism Alumni Board. It is Andrea Koppel, of Freedom. mailed twice each year to alumni, faculty, most recently a Before joining The New York Times, staff and friends of the school. congressional Safire was a senior White House correspondent speechwriter for President Nixon. He Please send questions, for CNN, starts has worked as a radio and television comments and story ideas to: the School producer, U.S. Army correspondent, Beth Moellers, Director of Communications, of Journalism reporter for The New York Herald IU School of Journalism, 940 E. Seventh Spring Speaker Tribune and as president of his own St., Bloomington, IN 47405 or e-mail her Series at 7 p.m., public relations firm. at [email protected]. Feb. 11, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington. APRIL 4-5 Dean Koppel joined CNN in 1993 and The School of Journalism plans to host Brad Hamm reported from around the world as the Society of Professional Journalists’ State Department correspondent, fol- Editor Region 5 conference April 4-5, bring- lowing three U.S. secretaries of state Beth (Spangle) Moellers, BAJ’99, MA’05 ing professionals and student journal- in their travels. Previously, Koppel Gena Asher, BA’79, MLS/MIS’03, Spring ists to campus. served as the network’s Beijing bureau 2008 editor The conference, for SPJ members chief and correspondent, reporting on in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, will more than half of China’s 30 provinces. Consulting Editors feature development workshops and She is the daughter of former ABC Marjorie (Smith) Blewett, BA’48 the SPJ Mark of Excellence awards “Nightline” anchor Ted Koppel, who Bonnie J. Brownlee, BA’72, MA’75 luncheon April 5 to honor the best in also reported on State Department Tim Street, BAJ’03 college student work. matters, including covering Secretary Copy Editors of State Henry Kissinger in the 1970s. APRIL 14 Elizabeth Wallis Winkler, BA’52 Ted Koppel now reports for the Discovery Doris Brineman, BA’48 Channel and National Public Radio. Michael Beschloss Historian Michael Staff Writers FEB. 28 Beschloss is the Jonathan Hiskes, ‘08 Alumni Reception, Chicago last guest of the Rosemary Pennington, ‘08 Spring Speaker Details to be announced. Contact Series. He talks Design [email protected] for updates. at 7 p.m., April Mediaworks MARCH 24 14, at the IU Auditorium. William Safire Author of The second of the eight books, including the recent best- Speaker Series’ seller “The Conquerers: Roosevelt, guests, Pulitzer Truman and the Destruction of Hitler’s Prize-winning Germany,” Beschloss addresses cur- commentator rent election issues through the lens of William Safire vis- his own work as an author-historian its 7 p.m., March examining presidents’ actions and 24, in Alumni Hall reactions during pivotal points in their in the Indiana tenures. Memorial Union. In addition to his writing, Beschloss From 1972-2005, Safire wrote a is the presidential historian for NBC political column for the Op-Ed pages News and is a regular commentator on of The New York Times and continues PBS’s “News Hour With Jim Lehrer.” Cover photo by Tim Street (top and bottom left) Courtesy photos. (right) Simon & Schuster < 2 > newswire / Spring 2008 the scoop THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE IU SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM Little Rock Anniversary Renews Interest in Counts’ Photo no idea how big it was,” she said gave the collection to IU. She retains rights shortly after returning home to to publication fees, but for the last three Bloomington from a 50th anniver- years, Cook has been fielding requests to sary commemoration in Little Rock use the photos.