University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Iowa Journalist 2012 - 2013
“This is going to change the trajectory of my career.� SJMC presents new Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Pages 28-34
Perlmutter bids farewell to SJMC 4 SJMC undergrad earns accreditation 7 Extensive Fourth Estate coverage 8 Photography by Mohammed Amro, Parker Smith and Bingyi Yan Iowa Journalist 2012-2013
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Director’s Note Welcome to the 2012-2013 issue of Iowa Journalist. Once again, we bring to you a compendium of the exciting people and events from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa. Each year as we plan Iowa Journalist I wonder, as must any publisher, whether we will find enough “real” news about the school, its students, faculty, staff, visitors, alumni, friends and happenings to fill our rather large and lavish news hole. Each year, my worries pleasantly dissipate as the great weight of fascinating news items piles up. So sit back, flip through and enjoy.
David D. Perlmutter, Ph.D. Director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication Professor & Starch Faculty Fellow
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The writers, editors and photographers of Iowa Journalist are preparing the next edition of the annual magazine and we need your help. Please send brief updates and photos about SJMC alumni to sjmc@uiowa.edu. These are always appreciated items! Thank you.
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School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 100 Adler Journalism Building, Room E305, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-2004, Phone: (319) 335-3486, E-mail: sjmc@uiowa.edu. Nondiscrimination Statement: The University of Iowa prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preference. The University also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to University facilities. For additional information contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, (319) 335-0705.
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Iowa Journalist 2012-2013
Table of Contents Perlmutter bids farewell 4 Andsager named interim director 5 Why I gave to SJMC: Dean Buresh 6 Undergraduate program earns accreditation 7 Fourth Estate banquet 8-11 Waxenberg elected to Hall of Fame 12 Mills elected to Hall of Fame 13 Q&A with Dean Chaden Djalali 14-15 Thomas Oates returns to Iowa-SJMC, joins faculty 16 Multidimensional Travis Vogan joins faculty 17 David Dowling moves from English faculty to SJMC 18 In their own words: Kirsten Jacobsen 19 In their own words: Scott Miller 20 Ready to lead: Ashley Allen 21 That ‘a-ha’ moment 22 Jensen’s move to high school journalism 23 IHSPA State Conference 24 Speed Networking 25 Breaking ground: new Event Planning course 26 Breaking ground: new polling literacy course 27 New master’s program 28-33
John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center Iowa-SJMC gives back to UI community NABJ celebrates 20 years on campus Where Iowa-SJMC graduates are landing jobs Iowa-SJMC beyond the classroom Prof. Don McCleese plays Nashville Strategic Initiative Funding for grad students McGranahan Lecture: Todd Gitlin Kristen East named new Daily Iowan editor Video-game course lures IGN’s Lynch Undergrad Tilly blogs for Washington Post What happens in Vegas… Prof. Meenakshi Gigi Durham shares her story New faces in the Ph.D. program Faculty honors Graduate student news and notes Alumni notes Why I gave to SJMC: Brittnee Henry In Memoriam Sending your gift IowaWatch expands
Contributors Publisher David D. Perlmutter Executive Editor David Schwartz Editor Natalia Mielczarek Design Editor Marleen Linares Assistant Design Editor Lindsay Graf-Juarez
Graphic Designers Katy Beightol Kallen Kramer Samantha Rossborough Molly Steffens Lead Photographers Mohammed Amro Parker Smith Bingyi Yan
34 35 36 37 38-39 40 41 42-43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50-52 53 54 55 56-57 58 59
Writers Mary LaPlaca Michelle Ngo Brittney Phillips Alissa Rosen Lainey Tick
Additional photography by Mike Hendrickson Paul Jensen Ake Phetdavieng David Schwartz
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Perlmutter bids farewell
On May 7, Iowa-SJMC director Dr. David Perlmutter announced he would leave Iowa City on June 30 to become Dean of the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University. Perlmutter, who joined Iowa-SJMC in 2009, took some time to discuss the department’s successes over the last four years and what lies ahead. David Schwartz: Looking back, what are you most proud of?
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David Perlmutter: Well, I’ve been here four years and I’m very proud of the staff, the students, the faculty, the alumni, our donors, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the University in how excited, enthusiastic and supportive they have been about the agenda of the school moving forward during our time together. We have a lot of major individual achievements to point to. We have completely revised our undergraduate and graduate curricula. We have the new Moeller Media Research Lab, which is state of the art and doing great work, especially in health communication. We have a new distance ed. and onsite hybrid Master of Arts in Strategic Com-
Dr. David Perlmutter’s last day as Iowa-SJMC director is June 30. He is leaving to become Dean of the College of Media and Communication at Texas Tech University. munication program headquartered in Des Moines; the McCormick minority scholars program; and the certificate program in Philanthropy and Fundraising Communication. More and more of our students are getting scholarships and fellowships. We’ve gone through our national accreditation process and been fully accredited for our undergraduate program. We’ve hired seven amazing new assistant professors who have really transformed a lot of the areas of the school, in our teaching and research, but also complemented our existing faculty with new and innovative areas that they’re working in, and I have to say that they are considered to be one of the best cohorts of new faculty at the University
of Iowa. That’s their reputation and it’s well earned. I also think that we have significantly increased our student services. We now have a full-time internship coordinator for the school. We have a very aggressive and high-performing high school outreach. We do a lot of industry alliance-building and partnering. I think we’re much more responsive to the job market. And that ends with I think probably the single greatest indicator that this school is very successful: our students, according to the statistics that are kept by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, are getting jobs at a very high rate, about 90 percent when they graduate. More important, we see, because of our strong connections with employers – whether they’re local Iowa employers or national employers – they hire our students and then they say, “Wow, she was terrific, send us more,” and they come back again the next year. At the end of the day, for a school that has a professional program at the undergraduate level, that’s the best indicator of success. DS: Those are a lot of accomplishments. Both in the immediate and the long-term future, what are some of the challenges still facing SJMC?
DP: Like all schools of journalism and mass communication, we need to keep moving
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forward. The media industries that we serve, but also the many non-media industries that are hiring people in communications, are rapidly changing their markets, their audiences, their technologies. We have to always be keeping up with that. That’s a huge challenge, because sometimes things change faster than the curriculum, they change faster than the technology we can get in the classroom, they change faster than the courses we are even thinking of teaching. So I think we always have to be keeping an eye on what’s going on, but then there’s another challenge that to some extent industry no longer even pretends to have all the answers to what the future will hold and are looking to us for answers. Why? Because our audience is the 18to 22-year-olds who will determine the future, not only the future of content, but the future of delivery, the future of understanding what kind of media will be popular and what kind of media will have an effect. So, I think there is a fantastic opportunity for unprecedented cooperation between the professions of the world of journalism and strategic communication and the practice, education and research about the world of strategic communication. In a more day-to-day vein, I think specifically the school needs to be aggressively raising money. We are very expensive. We have a lot of
equipment that we use which other programs don’t. We have small skills classes because we feel it’s important for students to get intensive one-on-one experience with instructors to really be trained in a lot of the new technologies and techniques and great ideas as well. That takes a lot of money, it takes a lot of time, and it takes a lot of attention. We need to always be making a strong case to our friends and supporters as well as the university that that mission is important, it’s relevant and it’s crucial to the success of Iowa students whatever their major is. Another major challenge is that our ranks at the senior level are thin. We need more tenured and full professors to mentor the young scholars, to lead the program’s areas. DS: What will you be taking away personally from here? What kinds of things, what kinds of moments and accomplishments will you most remember? What about Iowa will you take with you to Texas Tech?
DP: There’s sort of a unique spirit at Iowa that I’ve always appreciated. I remember very early on in my time here I was talking to an employer who is also one of our grads and he mentioned how he could see the difference between the Iowa kid in the office and people who came from other parts of the country. The Iowa kid had a roll-up-his-sleeves, work hard attitude, was focused on the success of the company
as well as the success of the individual, was more willing to work in a team and get along. Once they get in the workplace, Iowa students are really appreciated by every industry that hires them. DS: Because probably not all of our alumni saw your correspondence when you said that you were leaving, could you explain once more the opportunity that you have at Texas Tech?
DP: It was a difficult decision for me because I do feel like I’ve built so many friendships and I’ve got so much vested in all the great things that are going on here at Iowa, but it was a great personal and professional opportunity for myself and my family to be dean of an independent college. Also, the program at Texas Tech is substantially larger than Iowa’s. It’s probably four times the size, in number of students. As opposed to Iowa being one convergent single department, it consists of three departments: the Department of Journalism and Electronic Media, the Department of Public Relations, and the Department of Advertising. So, it was just more opportunities and more resources.
is sound. We’ve got some wonderful support from our major donors and our alumni. The faculty has grown in size, and we’ve added all these new areas of coverage. I think the curriculum is very good. We’ve fulfilled our requirements for accreditation. We’re attracting fantastic students not only from Iowa but from out of state, especially the Chicago area. We’ve become a destination school for many people who want to come to Iowa. The staff are the most pleasant, efficient, hard-working and dedicated people I’ve ever had the honor to serve with. We have the support of the administration of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, who really see the value of our mission. I think things are good. That said, again, we always have to be thinking about what’s the next mountain to climb and how to climb it most effectively, because we can’t just rest on our laurels and feel like we don’t have anything left to do. So, go Hawks!
DS: What is the state of Iowa-SJMC as you depart?
DP: Well, I like to think that I’m handing over a country that is at peace and secure in its borders. I think the funding model of the school
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Andsager tapped as interim director Iowa-SJMC professor Dr. Julie Andsager was selected in June to serve as interim director. Q: What are your thoughts on serving as interim director? Julie Andsager: I’m honored that Dean Djalali asked me to serve, and I hope that I will be able to keep SJMC moving in a positive direction this year. Q: What can SJMC students and alumni look forward to in 2013-14? JA: We will be conducting a national search for the next director of SJMC, which will be exciting. The new Master of Arts in Strategic Communication is getting underway. Several faculty members have developed interesting new courses for this fall, which should attract additional students. Q: What opportunities and challenges would you like to see SJMC address in the months and years ahead? JA: It’s important to continue the development of our curricula to keep pace with changes in the media. That’s imperative for the good of our students. The Ph.D. program is growing, which offers rewards and challenges. On the other hand, a major challenge is the shortage of senior faculty to handle much of the service needed to maintain the School and to mentor junior faculty.
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Why I gave to SJMC A native of Fairfax, Iowa, Dean Buresh is a member of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Professional Advisory Board. He holds a BS and a master’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa and an MBA from the Loyola University of Chicago. Buresh is former CEO of several communications companies and most recently the founder and CEO of Slipstream Communications. He is married and has two daughters.
Q: Why have you given to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication? Dean Buresh: It’s pretty simple. First of all, our daughter received a presidential scholarship at the University of Iowa, and I thought that as a minimum, we should give back that scholarship. She’s been out about 20 years. In addition to that, we’re also funding a couple of fellowships. It’s so important because communication is changing so rapidly that if you’ve been out of school for more than five, six or 10 years, you literally have to stay in touch and up to date. The third thing we’ve been involved in is helping design the curriculum for that new Master of Arts in Strategic Communication [program]. This program is for people who’ve been out working for some years and is going to be almost a mandatory degree
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that they’ll have to get. I have bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Communication Studies at Iowa, so just across the hall from the Journalism School. What those degrees did for me, much like the program in journalism does, is they taught me how to write. To me, those kinds of skills are important whatever direction you elect to go in your career. You have to know how to write well and communicate. … That’s also where I met my wife. I met my wife in a Spanish class, and we’ve been married for 45 years. We have two daughters, one of whom was at Iowa. All of our memories as a family unit started at the University of Iowa. Q: What sort of return on the investment do you expect?
DB: Nothing. I really don’t expect any accolades or my
Dean Buresh is a member of SJMC’s Professional Advisory Board who helped design the curriculum for SJMC’s new Master of Arts in Strategic Communication. name carved on the wall. In a grand scheme of things, if you’re doing it for accolades and recognition, then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. It’s that simple. Q: I gather from your responses that you have fond memories of your experiences at the University of Iowa. Would you elaborate, please?
DB: It was just a great time in terms of exposure to culture, the faculty and the students,
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even though it was during a difficult time. It was during Vietnam, and I was in ROTC, but still the environment on campus was great. Both of my parents were teachers so I was brought up in this environment, and still to this day I believe in helping people learn more.
Undergrad Accredited
by Natalia Mielczarek
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication received full accreditation in May from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). The official stamp of approval comes nearly three years after the school was deemed out of compliance on two undergraduate standards, in the areas of curriculum & instruction and assessment. SJMC’s director, Dr. David Perlmutter, called the school’s transition from provisional accreditation to full accreditation a significant milestone. “It’s a monument to the hard work of staff, faculty, students, friends and especially it underlines the support the school has gotten from the University administration and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,” he said. That work continues. SJMC was found out of compliance on student assessment, not for a lack of trying but for lack of time. The assessment standard is relatively new, and scores of schools have struggled to implement it, said Trevor Brown, chairman of the accreditation team that reviewed SJMC’s
progress. “It’s not unusual for a school to be found out of compliance on a standard and still be reaccredited,” he said. Former dean of the Indiana University School of Journalism, Brown said it takes at least four years – one graduating class – to roll out and adjust the different ways that schools measure student learning. “Since nothing [had] been done [in the time leading up to the original inspection], the program basically had to start from scratch,” he said. “In two years, it was not pos-
sible for the school to fully implement the plan. They had indeed come up with a good plan. They are well on their way to implementing it,” Brown said, referring to SJMC’s efforts. SJMC created a five-year plan that features different ways to gauge student achievement and tweak instruction accordingly, including student and alumni surveys and systematic evaluations of student portfolios. ACEJMC reviews journalism and mass communication programs across the country and comprises academics and professionals.
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Schools have to comply with nine standards to receive accreditation. Reaccreditation evaluation happens every six years. Journalism and mass communication programs don’t have to be accredited, but many are. “This means that the school has met the highest possible standards this body (ACEJMC) sets,” said Charles Munro, SJMC’s associate director of undergraduate studies. “There’s no higher standard. We’re in the league with all the top journalism schools across the country.”
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THE DETAILS What: SJMC Fourth Estate Banquet When: April 19, 2013 Scholarships given: 69 Total amount awarded: $197,500
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1. (Far left) The crowd enjoys the Hall of Fame speech of inductee Dean Mills. … 2. Professor Dan Berkowitz (back right) talks with SJMC graduate students Joy Chang (back left) and Zhengjia Liu (center). … 3. SJMC instructor Lisa Rose Weaver (left) won the faculty award, as selected by SJMC students. … 4. SJMC student Samantha Baehr (left) and her mother, Christine, enjoy a laugh during the Fourth Estate social hour. … 5. Once again, the awards banquet was held at the Marriott Coralville Hotel and Conference Center.
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1. SJMC director of undergraduate studies Charles Munro emcees the banquet. … 2. SJMC faculty Frank Durham (left), Meenakshi Gigi Durham (center) and Jane Singer share a laugh during the social hour. … 3. SJMC student Lindsay Graf stands to receive her award. … 4. University of Iowa Foundation executive director of development Jeff Liebermann introduces Hall of Fame inductee Alan Waxenberg. … 5. SJMC senior Darius Bowie plays to the crowd as he accepts his scholarship. … 6. Daily Iowan publisher Bill Casey (left), Hall of Fame inductee Dean Mills (center) and SJMC faculty member Jane Singer visit during the social hour. … 7. Scholarship winner Brittany Phillips hugs her father, Thomas, upon receiving an award. … 8. Quill & Scroll director and SJMC instructor Vanessa Shelton. … 9. SJMC director David Perlmutter (left) with Donor of Scholarship Hugh Schultz.
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Hall of by Brittany Phillips
Fame
Alan Waxenberg and Dean Mills Inducted into Journalism Hall of Fame
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication inducted Alan Waxenberg (BA ’56), a long-time supporter and major donor of the School, into its Hall of Fame during the April 19 Fourth Estate Banquet. The Iowa native served as the executive vice president and publisher of Good Housekeeping magazine for 22 years. He retired from the Hearst Corporation in April 2000, after a 43-year career in magazine publishing. “There are an awful lot of great journalism graduates from Iowa out there in the world, and I am just thrilled to have been chosen for this award,” Waxenberg said. Waxenberg started his journalism career at LOOK Magazine, an Iowa-based company, in 1958 as a marketing trainee. LOOK went out of business in 1971 following a recession, which hit advertising companies hard. He then ran the Detroit office of Peterson Publishing Company as the vice president and advertising director. After working for Peterson Publishing for six years, Waxenberg moved to New York for the company and was contacted by Hearst Publishing Company, which at the time was trying to revitalize its publications. He first served as publisher of Motor Magazine, followed by Sports Afield. In 1982 he was named vice president and publisher of Redbook, where he oversaw the redesign of the magazine, transforming it into one of the nation’s most successful publications. But before Waxenberg entered the world
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Alan Waxenberg addresses the Fourth Estate crowd in April during his Hall of Fame speech. of magazine publishing, he had his eyes set on a different career. He came to the University of Iowa initially to become a doctor. After struggling with the required course material, Waxenberg said he knew he had to shift his focus elsewhere. “My adviser sat me down, and I still remember his words,” Waxenberg said. “He said, someday you might be president of a great corporation; someday you might be president of the United States, but there is one thing you will never be. You will never be a doctor.” With his adviser’s help and suggestions from his peers, Waxenberg decided to go into marketing and advertising and switched from pre-med to journalism. While at the SJMC, he represented the school at an advertising function in New York City and got an offer he couldn’t
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refuse. “When I was in New York I had the opportunity to meet the people at LOOK magazine, and I was offered a job,” Waxenberg said. “Fortunately I was able to take it. I was just in the right place at the right time.” Waxenberg also took advantage of several other opportunities while he was at Iowa. He was on the cheerleading team, was the president of the Central Party Committee and was president of his fraternity, Phi Epsilon Pi. “I enjoyed my time at Iowa very much,” Waxenberg said. Following his graduation, Waxenberg has stayed very involved with the University of Iowa. He has made frequent visits to campus and is an active member of The University of Iowa Foundation, which raises money for the university. He sponsors events in New York on behalf of the University of Iowa Alumni Association and serves as a member of the Career Information Network, which helps recent graduates find jobs. He is also a member of the UI Foundation’s President Club and in 1992 received the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest award offered by the Alumni Association. Waxenberg has also stayed involved with SJMC, chairing the campaign committee that raised $6 million for the Philip D. Adler Journalism and Mass Communication building, which opened in 2005. He has also helped several journalism students find jobs.
Dean Mills Induction
Dean Mills (center), 2013 SJMC Hall of Fame inductee, with associate professor Jane Singer (left) and SJMC director David Perlmutter. Forty-eight years after he graduated from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Dean Mills (BA ’65) was back on campus to receive the school’s highest honor. He was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame April 19 during the Fourth Estate banquet. “I am both touched and amazed that Iowa, to which I already owe so much, has chosen to add to the debt this very special award,” Mills said. Mills is a professor and dean of the Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia, Mo. His research interests include international journalism, journalism ethics, cross-cultural journalism and qualitative methods. “Dean Dean Mills is the leading administrator in our field,” said Dr. David Perlmutter, SJMC director. “No one has brought more prominence to schools of journalism
and the teaching of professional communication than him.” As dean, Mills has overseen the addition of eight endowed chairs, the construction of two new buildings and, what he cites as the most exciting addition, the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute. “We have a very good team here [at Missouri],” Mills said, crediting the faculty and staff for the successes of the world’s first journalism school. The Donald W. Reynolds Institute, founded with more than $70 million from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, is a research and development center with a full-time staff of 20 people. The purpose of the institute is to use new technologies to figure out how to deliver journalism that helps serve democracy. Mills entered the academic world in 1981, while completing a doctorate in com-
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munications at the University of Illinois. He also served as the director of Pennsylvania State University’s School of Journalism and as a coordinator of graduate study in communications at California State University. Before switching to academia, Mills worked as a journalist at the Baltimore Sun, covering stories that ranged from the Watergate scandal and the resignation of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew to the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision. Mills said he knew he wanted to be a journalist since he was a child. “I think the first time that I heard what a journalist is or does is when I decided that’s what I wanted to do,” he said. He also always knew he wanted to attend the University of Iowa because of the quality of the journalism program. “It never even occurred to me to go any place else,” said the Mount Pleasant, Iowa, native. At the UI, Mills earned bachelor’s degrees in Russian and journalism. He served as editor of the Daily Iowan and recalls two journalism professors who influenced him, John Harrison and Bill Porter. His fascination with the Russian language started after taking an introductory course at the UI. He later used his language skills in Moscow where he was the bureau chief for the Baltimore Sun. After graduating from the University of Iowa, Mills received his master’s degree in journalism from the University of Michigan. He also worked for the Toledo Blade. The Hall of Fame currently has 67 members, among them Iowa alumni and faculty. The first Hall of Fame inductee was pollster George Gallup, for whom the Gallup Poll is named.
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Q&A with Dean Djalali by Natalia Mielczarek
Chaden Djalali became dean of the University of Iowa’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences in August 2012. He is also a professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy. Before moving to Iowa, Dean Djalali was a professor at the University of South Carolina, where he joined the Department of Physics & Astronomy in 1989. He was the chairman of the department from 2004 to 2012. In addition to pursuing research there, Dean Djalali taught at all university levels and was the recipient of top awards for research, teaching and service.
Q: Based on your interactions with the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, what do you think about the program and the direction it’s taking? What would you like to see happen? Would you have any suggestions or advice? Dean Chaden Djalali: I believe the School of Jour-
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nalism and Mass Communication is in terrific shape and only getting better. I’m excited and impressed by the leadership in the School, and by the quality of the faculty, including the recent faculty hires over the past few years. That influx of new energy, which adds to the outstanding faculty who have built the School’s reputation over the years, is essential for the School as it faces modern challenges. I am very happy that the School is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. That’s often not the case in universities, where the journalism school is a separate administrative entity. But it allows journalism to connect much more holistically with the humanities, the sciences, the social sciences, the arts. And the fact that the School is actively seeking ways to embrace 21st-century technology and interdisciplinary collaboration—while remaining true to the traditional roots of journalistic and
Dr. Chaden Djalali, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, which oversees the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, says SJMC is “in terrific shape and only getting better.” scholarly inquiry—is crucial and offers tremendous opportunities to students. In today’s world, the liberal
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arts and sciences are concerned not just with scholarly and creative production, but also with engaging society
“ … the fact that the School is actively seeking ways to embrace 21st-century technology and interdisciplinary collaboration—while remaining true to the traditional roots of journalistic and scholarly inquiry—is crucial and offers tremendous opportunities to students.” and helping citizens solve problems. The engagement enriches the scholarship and teaching, and the teaching and scholarship inform the engagement. Because it has at its essence the articulation of the issues we face as a society, the discipline of journalism and mass communication is perfectly suited to play an increasingly central role in the issue of meaningful public engagement in academia. And that sense of service will play out in our graduates’ careers.
Q: Your predecessor, Dean Linda Maxson, talked about a potential unification of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the Department of Communication Studies at some point in the future, a move that would make sense because of national trends in that direction and the overlap of those two fields. What is your take on it? May we expect some form of a “merger” or closer collaboration? If so, what is a potential timeline? What benefits would you see in that? CD: As a new dean, I am open to any idea that will, on a practical and measurable level, benefit the School, the University, and the College. I believe that the correct approach is to have
open, honest, consultative discussions that include everyone who would be affected, from the departments’ faculty, to the students, to the University administration, to the employers who rely on us to graduate excellent professionals. We need to look at other universities where this may be taking place and see what works and what doesn’t. Then, ultimately, we’d make a decision based on whether it’s right for us here at Iowa. A larger division would have to be more than just the sum of its parts. It would have to bring new and better educational opportunities for students and open new avenues of collaboration and creativity among scholars that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. It would require some breaking down of boundaries between what is considered “professional” work and “scholarly” work, with the understanding that both are stronger when working together in a liberal arts and sciences context. There is no timeline for such a decision. Such a move has many implications, including in resources, and would involve many people. Q: What role do you think the
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School of Journalism and Mass Communication Advisory Board should play in the School’s life/future?
CD: The Advisory Board, which is made up of successful professionals in the field, is crucial in that its members can help us understand, from their perspective as employers and longtime journalists, what we should be teaching our students. Are we doing a good job, producing the kinds of graduates that employers value and need? Are there emerging needs for certain kinds of skills that we should be attuned to now so our students graduate ready to tackle new challenges? Are there certain types of internship or mentoring experiences we can offer, and that the Board members can help us offer? While ultimately decisions about the School’s operation and future are made by School, Collegiate, and University leadership, the Advisory Board is an indispensable partner, bringing to the table a valuable perspective. The Advisory Board’s members are the School’s ambassadors, and they are very important in making the case for private fundraising for the School and its programs. Ultimately, the Board has at its heart the well-being of the School, its students, the professional field, and the University of Iowa.
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Oates finds his way back to Iowa City, SJMC by Lainey Tick and Mary LaPlaca Assistant Professor Thomas Oates may be a new arrival to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication faculty, but he is no newbie when it comes to the program. In 2004, Oates received a Ph.D. from the school. His position is a joint appointment with the Department of American Studies. “I attended Iowa for my doctorate and in the years I spent here, I found it to be an intellectually stimulating place, full of top scholars and ambitious students,” Oates said. Oates’ general area of study is sports media. Most of his work has focused on commercialized professional sports, especially the National Football League. “I study how the league and its media partners have produced new ways for fans to engage with the NFL and how these new entertainments work to shape popular ideas about race, gender and sexuality,” he said. Oates taught two classes in the spring: Sport and the Media and Topics in Sport Studies. He pushes his students to explore topics that lie at the intersection of sports and media, especially when it comes to new technology. “I’ve done a lot of research
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Dr. Thomas Oates earned his Ph.D. from Iowa SJMC in 2004. In the fall of 2012, he joined the faculty as an assistant professor. on new media around sport, and there is a growing body of literature,” Oates said. “Understanding the cultural and economic part of sport is beneficial for students who are looking into a career with sport media.” Dominick White was in the Topics in Sport class and said he appreciated Oates’ style. “I have felt encouraged to critically think through indepth class discussions,” he said. “As a student, this course can be challenging because you don’t really know what to expect next, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.” Oates said he knew at a young age he wanted to be a sports journalist. His fascination with sports as a cultural
phenomenon gradually developed in college. “I was an avid fan from an early age and read everything about sports that I could get my hands on,” he said. He never stopped. He is co-editing two books, one that compiles research on the contemporary National Football League and the other that gathers critical essays on sports video games. When he is not teaching, Oates enjoys time with his family and dog. He also plays casual sports and follows the St. Louis Cardinals and The Liverpool Football Club. After living in various places while pursuing education, Oates said he’s happy to settle in Iowa.
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Multidimensional Vogan Assistant Professor Travis Vogan (Ph.D. 2011) joined the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in the fall to continue studying and teaching his passion: sports and media. He came to the University of Iowa from St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., a small private college, where he primarily taught communication courses. Vogan said he eagerly welcomed the opportunity to come back to the Midwest. He completed his Ph.D. at Indiana University, and upon leaving missed the people and the friendliness. But the switch has been beneficial for another reason. “All along I felt I was better suited to teach media classes,” he said. His classes now include sports writing and undergraduate and graduate classes in media, sports and entertainment. Vogan also desired to teach at a university that allowed for more research, so that he could continue working on his dissertation – which will be published as a book – and further his own studies. Finding the balance between research and teaching proved difficult at first, he said, but rewarding nonetheless. “It’s been a welcome shift,”
by Brittany Phillips
Dr.Travis Vogan, whose research includes sports and media, joined the SJMC faculty in the fall of 2012.“To understand sports’ impact on society,” he says,“you need to know its mediated representation.” said Vogan, a first-generation college graduate. Vogan’s interests in sports stem from participating in a variety of sports as a child and his interest in cultural studies. To understand sports, he has researched the way that they are represented in the media. “To understand sports’ impact on society, you need to know its mediated representation,” he explained. His dissertation, for example, examines the way that NFL Films portrays the league in history. These films have helped establish football as a heroic, American past time. They have also paved the way for sports media shows that are regularly aired non-live throughout the week, opening up doors for ESPN and other sports net-
works, according to Vogan. “I see sports as a way to think through some of the key elements of our culture, from issues of identity to American nationality, to global politics to how people connect on social media,” he said. In his undergraduate class, Vogan uses sports to focus on the skills students need to succeed as journalists. “I want the students to leave being better writers than they were when they came in,” he said. The small class size allows Vogan to work with each student individually. “I try and create assignments where I can meet them where they are at individually, so I can help them each improve,” he said. SJMC Director David
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Perlmutter said that sports media are important because they are undergoing radical change, as well as expansion. “We live in a world where sports have a huge influence on universities, people’s lives and the way we think about the world,” he said. Perlmutter said Vogan was perfect for the job because “he thought very deeply about some of the very important issues of sports and society and media.” Perlmutter also said he saw the drive that Vogan had, and his passion for combining research and teaching. “He seemed multidimensional, as a researcher and teacher, and he cares about how his research finds things that have impact on society and daily life,” Perlmutter said.
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Passionate Dowling seizes his opportunity by Alissa Rosen and Lainey Tick In Room E334 of the Adler Journalism Building, Assistant Professor David Dowling sat tall with his legs crossed and hands weaved gently upon his lap, sporting a serene smile in his spacious yet relatively empty office. In fall 2012 Dowling transitioned from the UI’s English department to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. It was a natural fit: Dowling’s research focuses on media history and the politics of the publishing industry. “The J-School is an openminded community, accepting different approaches to teaching,” Dowling said. “That’s a unique strength that you don’t find with other departments on this campus.” Dowling’s research on the careers of 19th century American writers and journalists has appeared in a variety of academic journals, including American Periodicals. “I write like a journalist,” he said. “I don’t sit around.” In the fall Dowling partnered with SJMC Director Dr. David Perlmutter to produce “How Humanities and Journalism Can Save Each Other,” in the Chronicle of Higher Education. The piece concen-
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Assistant Professor David Dowling has already endeared himself to SJMC students. He previously worked in the UI’s English department. trates on how long-form and humanities subjects function in the face of the digital age. Dowling will teach a course this fall called “The Internet and Journalism.” “The piece Dr. Perlmutter and I wrote for The Chronicle gets into the long-form stuff I’ve been researching, but that’s journalism and not scholarship, it’s much more,” Dowling said. “We wrote it totally on deadline, it was like get moving get moving, here’s the fact checkers and here’s the editors in your face – you know the whole sweat-it-out in the newsroom. That was the environment of writing that piece. You can’t beat it.” When Dowling isn’t working on his research or with his students, he is outdoors partaking in a variety of endurance sports. He has participated in three triathlons with his daughter, who
just graduated high school. Dowling also has run six marathons and takes part in just about every outdoors sport he has the opportunity to try. Each summer Dowling, his wife Caroline, a Political Science professor at the University of Iowa, and their three children trek to Boulder, Colo., for some quality outdoor adventures and the chance to recharge their batteries. David and Caroline both received their Ph.D.’s from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1995. Perlmutter said Dowling’s research area and skills are an ideal fit with SJMC. “He is a very accomplished writing teacher – the crucial job skill for our students to fully develop,” Perlmutter said. Dowling is working on his fifth book, “Emerson’s Proté-
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gés: Media and the Development of Transcendentalism’s Journalists, Artists, Poets, and Critics,” to be published by Yale University Press. “What happened with this book is I was simply sending off a proposal for a conference, and the conference was on Emerson as a mentor,” Dowling said. “I was thinking, ‘Wow, that’s intriguing, why don’t I approach that, Emerson not only as mentorship of his followers but the way he may have acted as a publicist or promoter of their works, I bet nobody has done that,’ and by gosh I was right! Nobody had touched that!” Dowling shows as much passion in the classroom as he does in his research. SJMC junior Scott Albanese said Dowling’s enthusiasm inspires his students. “Every teacher has their guidelines and everything, but David lets you work as a full-time journalist and treats the classroom as if it were a real newsroom,” said Albanese. “He gives us full responsibility to go out and do our research and our interviews. He’s really accepting of all of our ideas and has never shot any one of us down. I think that freedom and open-mindedness is great, and he really is one of the best professors I’ve ever had.”
Biology to Journalism to China by Kirsten Jacobsen (‘11)
If you were to tell me five years ago that in 2013, I would be living in rural Hunan province, China, writing for an American newspaper and teaching high school English, I would have answered with a disbelieving stare. A sophomore at that time, I was tentatively majoring in biology, taking art and Japanese classes on the side. (I didn’t—and still can’t—speak Mandarin.) The Middle Kingdom was just a big red splotch on the map – that communist country with way too many people – and “current affairs” weren’t really my milieu, anyway. That began to change, albeit slowly at first, when I began picking up daily copies of the New York Times and the Daily Iowan to peruse over otherwise-lifeless Burge lunches. Within their pages, I was offered the rare opportunity to read only the articles that intrigued me,
to unknowingly learn about what was happening in my own community and in the farthest corners of the world without the dry, lecturing tone of a textbook. From advances in neuroscience to the capture of a former Khmer Rouge general to troop surges in Iraq to policy wonks waxing poetic about Iowa’s role in national politics, getting to read the news at lunch became my only motivation to sit through flummoxing Organic Chemistry lectures. As the light at the end of the sophomore-year tunnel came into view, it became apparent that the hyper-competitive, memorization-heavy realm of college biology no longer held much sway over me. I was almost a junior, and still without a major. Up to that point, journalism and newspapers had always been an escape, never an option. Anyway, it was a dying field,
everyone said, and the world had enough talking heads and Daily Show writers. Upon learning that you not only had to apply to get into the rigorous journalism program, but choose a second major or area of concentration, I did a quick cost-benefit analysis and decided against taking the leap. A year of absorbing the news day in and day out did not necessarily a journalist make. But the next day, I found myself in the Adler Journalism Building, grabbing a copy of the Times before heading upstairs to fill out an entrance application. Back down in the foyer, journalism students pecked away on laptops in front of a blaring nine-screen TV news display; reporters and editors were bustling around the Daily Iowan newsroom, phones and notepads in hand. Not exactly hopeful about my chances, I registered for the pre-journalism major classes, and waited. Perhaps the best thing about the School of Journalism and Mass Communication is that even students with zero background experience (like myself) are treated like future news reporters, anchors, photojournalists, social media experts or press liaisons from Day One. Getting accepted into the school is just the first step on your way to becoming
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a successful journalist, and it’s an exciting path to be on right now. I know this thanks to researching and reporting for Prof. David Perlmutter’s class on new media and political communication (019:169), which also introduced me to the wonderfully quirky world of alternative-media politics. This course emphasized the immense importance of accuracy in modern-day reporting (which can make or break your credibility) and the roles alternative media play in politics. Seeing how intertwined governmental and media spheres have become encouraged me to complete my second major in political science (a field consistently overlooked by young women for being too “dry.” If you’ve seen “The Newsroom,” you know it’s anything but!). As I write this, I have eight months of China life under my belt, although it has been, at times, a steep learning curve. I’ve had the opportunity to be published monthly in the Register, meet other amazing Iowans living the expat life, and become a member of a community entirely different from that of Iowa City or Des Moines. It’s hard to guess what the future will bring, but this is a fascinating time to be in China and an even more exciting time to be a journalist.
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SJMC in the 1st person The other night I was lying in bed and, as has become nightly tradition, aimlessly scrolling through my Twitter feed on my iPhone. It was a pointless exercise, really. I was too tired, too disengaged for anything to have a truly profound impact on me. But I kept scrolling anyway – and I’m glad I did. I stumbled on a series of tweets from Don Van Natta. Don and I share the same employer, ESPN The Magazine, but to call us colleagues would be like calling Mitt Romney and Barack Obama lifetime friends. Don has won a Pulitzer, and I, well, have not. But on that night, I felt a certain kinship to him as I read his advice to aspiring journalists. He spread his thoughts over 15 tweets, but it was the first two that reminded me of my time at the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Read everything. Write every day. Every journalism professor I ever came across at Iowa – whether it be Steve Berry or Dave Schwartz or Judy Polumbaum – uttered those same words. And it was the best advice I ever got. They don’t tell you this during freshman orientation: Writing is hard. It’s a constant struggle. But for me, it got a lot easier after I started following my professors’ – and Don Van Natta’s – first piece of advice: Read everything. Yeah, being a journalism major can sometimes
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mean getting inundated with a seemingly endless list of nightly reading assignments. But how can you be a good writer if you don’t know what good writing – and, for that matter, bad writing – sounds like? How do you know what makes a killer lede or a knock-your-socks-off kicker if you’ve never spent an afternoon reading Wright Thompson or Tom Junod or Chris Jones? How do you find the inspiration to write – and keep writing – if you’ve never been profoundly affected by a story you read? Some of my fondest memories from the SJMC were spent in class sessions devoted entirely to discussing a single story. Sometimes we’d spend 10 minutes debating the use of a certain phrase or writing device. Other times we’d analyze transitions and sentence structure and verb choice. And then there were times we’d just marvel at a story – its level of detail, its precise reporting, its effortless storytelling. Today, when I’m writing or editing a story for ESPN The Magazine, I think back to those discussions, because they’re not unlike the ones we have at work every day. When I arrived in Iowa City as a freshman, I thought I was a pretty good writer. I had won a few awards in high school, and when you’re an 18-year-old wannabe wordsmith, those types of things seem like an affirmation of talent, a harbinger for a
cushy career ahead. In reality, I didn’t really know a thing about writing. I hadn’t done enough of it. I hadn’t written on a deadline. I hadn’t spent weeks working a hunch or an angle or a source, only to have it not work out. I hadn’t stared at a blank Word doc, struggling to find the words. That all changed as an SJMC major. My professors pushed me to write every day. Longform, blogs, diary – it didn’t matter. The point was to get words on a page, to find your voice, to gain confidence. But more than anything, the daily repetitions gave me a glimpse into what life as a journalist is really like, and it didn’t take long for me to get hooked. Through trial and error – and with the help of feedback from my professors – I found where my talent lay. I decided I wanted to be a sports writer. There are few assurances in our business, but this much is guaranteed: I would not be at ESPN The Magazine had my SJMC professors – and my mentors at The Daily Iowan, where I was lucky to work for three-and-a-half years – not challenged me to fulfill my potential. I remember meeting with Jennifer Wagner, the DI’s writing coach, and always leaving her office motivated to find and write the next great story. I remember leaning on Dave Schwartz and Steve Berry for advice on how to become a more complete reporter, a
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by Scott Miller (‘11) more creative writer. And I remember being challenged by Judy Polumbaum to keep digging and prodding and searching while working on my Honors Project. All of these experiences, all of these interactions have served as the foundation on which I’ve built my career. It was late on a Thursday night. I don’t remember which issue of ESPN The Magazine we were working on – or even what month it was. After awhile everything starts to blend together. But I do remember pulling up a chair next to another editor at The Mag. We were trying to cut a few lines from a story with seemingly no cuts left. For anyone who’s worked in publishing, you know this is a special kind of nightmare. But we made it work: We tightened the text just so until everything fit. After an hour of working on the most tedious of details, my co-worker turned to me and said, without a hint of sarcasm, “You know, I f-----love this.” All I could do was smile, because I felt the exact same way. Working in journalism is a daily challenge; I found that out pretty quickly at Iowa. You either love it or you don’t, and graduating from the SJMC made me love journalism.
Ready to lead 2010 grad Allen advocates taking advantage of opportunities
“This school really taught me so much and gave me a strong foundation so I could build this from the ground up.”
Ashley Allen, a 2010 SJMC grad, founded United Now to Ignite Today’s Youth, a non-profit organization. by Alissa Rosen Some 300 people packed the Pentecostal Church of God in Davenport, Iowa, Sept. 21-23 for the first Youth Conference hosted by United Now to Ignite Today’s Youth (U.N.I.T.Y), a non-profit organization founded by Ashley Allen, a 2010 University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication graduate. Titled “I’m Coming Home, Declaring my Freedom,” the conference was designed to help young people recognize their relationship with
God and that they are free to be anything they want to be. Allen said she used what she learned at SJMC to turn the conference blueprints into reality. “I had to do the public relations, videos and flyers for the conference,” Allen said. “This school really taught me so much and gave me a strong foundation so I could build this from the ground up. There’s broadcasting, public relations, print – and getting experience in all those different areas made me a well-rounded candidate whether it is in the workplace, or church, or just within my community,” she said. Allen has not only used the journalistic skills she picked up at SJMC to create a successful non-profit organization, but she has also landed
a position in Davenport as a data coordinator at John Deere, the world’s leading manufacturer of agricultural and forestry equipment. Charles Munro, associate director of undergraduate studies for SJMC, went from teaching Allen in his broadcast journalism and writing course to helping her achieve her current career position as a graduate. “I did a reference for her for John Deere, and she wrote me after she got the job and said, ‘I just want to tell you that I’m using all my journalism skills even in this position,’” Munro said. “She said, ‘I believe that I can succeed not necessarily being at a broadcast station, which would be my wish, but I can find ways to succeed by using my skills at a
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non-broadcast company.’ She is absolutely thrilled to be working there.” Allen is an advocate for taking advantage of opportunities that present themselves – or creating them, if they don’t. “I would stress the fact of don’t limit yourself, because you never know what you’re capable of,” Allen said. “If you limit what you do you won’t be able to grow and learn about yourself. “I figured out my purpose early, and because I was able to volunteer in my community and attend the School of Journalism, different opportunities have been opening up for me.”
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That ‘a-ha’ moment 2012 grad on her job and SJMC by Brittany Phillips Although Erin Steffen graduated just a year ago, she has already found her niche in the professional world, putting the fundraising skills she learned while studying at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication to good use. Steffen (B.A. ’12) works as a fundraising coordinator in the Cedar Rapids office of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), a non-profit agency dedicated to finding a cure for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related diseases by raising funds for research. As one of three fundraising coordinators in her office, Steffen primarily plans regional events in Southeast Iowa, including the Iowa City area. The biggest portion of her job involves communicating with donors and sponsors, most recently Harley
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Davidson. Steffen credits a piece of advice she received from SJMC Director Dr. David Perlmutter while she was a student. “His advice was to know what area I wanted to go into and get as much experience in that area as possible,” Steffen said. Steffen’s interests have always been in non-profit fundraising, but she said it is important to find a non-profit whose mission aligns with one’s own. At MDA, Steffen said, 76 cents of every dollar is donated to the families, not to administrative costs or salaries, which she believes is extremely important. Steffen first became interested in non-profit fundraising while she was working as the public relations intern at SJMC. The Certificate in Fundraising and Philanthro-
py Communication, which provides courses in public relations, fundraising and nonprofit management, had just become available, and one of her big roles was pushing it out to the students. It’s these experiences – working outside the classroom – that Steffen believes have contributed most to her success in the professional world. Along with her internship, Steffen also served as the firm director for Inspire, the student-run firm in the Iowa chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Through PRSSA, Steffen said, she learned how to handle conflicts professionally and also picked up some words of wisdom from guest speakers who visited the PR chapter. “You have a speaker come in and there is always that
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a-ha moment when you’re like ‘okay, I get it right now,’” Steffen said. If Steffen has any advice for current journalism students, it is to find these experiences outside the classroom, whether it is through an internship or a student organization. “I look back at those experiences I had in college and that’s how I know MDA was a good fit for me,” she said. Perlmutter remembers Steffen as a star in the program. “She worked for the school's publicity efforts, and I recall everyone who heard her suggest ideas or make presentations was awed. I used to joke with her that if she didn't graduate soon, she would be given my job! I'm glad to see her in her new position, but I'm not surprised she is already doing great work.”
Switching
Roles
by L.C. Graf
Jensen takes over IHSPA; Schwartz slides into Iowa Journalist, Ph.D. program David Schwartz has stepped away from the Iowa High School Press Association to join Iowa Journalist as its editor and, at the same time, hit the books. The position comes as a bit of a swap. Previous Iowa Journalist editor Paul Jensen has taken over as Executive Director of IHSPA, while Schwartz has begun working full time toward his Ph.D. in mass communication. “I decided I wasn’t ready to be done learning in a formal setting,” Schwartz said. “This is a huge undertaking, and I’m really lucky because I get to do it with a really talented class of first-year Ph.D. students.” While students may find it hard to balance class time, work and their social lives, Schwartz is able to manage being a father, full-time student, publications editor, and sports writing coach for The Daily Iowan. “If I had tried to do this much when I was 19, I’m sure I would have failed miserably … but, you know, I manage my time and I slot my calendar carefully and hopefully make it all work,”
Schwartz said. “I’m really excited for my kids to see me – as they get to become school age – doing this, and hopefully I become a good example for them.” Schwartz, however, isn’t the only one who continues on with a heavy workload. Jensen still maintains his position as the internship and job placement coordinator. “When I went from my old career to my internship and placement, many of the people I connected with, I knew from a past life,” Jensen said. “I am now connecting with high school teachers across the state, and I wasn’t connected before. “The question I’m going to be asking all along, is there something that’s possible because of my connections in the professional world and the high school world that hasn’t been thought of before?” Jensen tackled new responsibilities such as planning conferences and workshops, and organizing high school skills contests. “In a way this is coming full circle, because it’s connecting back to those
“In a way this is coming
full circle, because it’s connecting back to those high school journalism instructors, like the one that influenced me
.” -Paul Jensen
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Paul Jensen, SJMC’s internship coordinator, took over leadership of the Iowa High School Press Association. high school journalism instructors, like the one that influenced me,” Jensen said. “The summer workshop that kids did – the Iowa Summer Journalism Workshop – I did that!” Dr. David Perlmutter, SJMC director, spoke about the enthusiasm he had for Jensen to be directing IHSPA. “Paul will be dealing with everyone, high school recruits and senior alumni, which I think is very good because that can help,” Perlmutter said. “He can talk about our wide range of graduates and their careers and he can talk to the alumni about all of the new exciting things our students can do. It’s that broad continuity.”
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Conference Across the State The
SJMC, IHSPA welcome 500 high school students
by Lainey Tick The Main Ballroom in the Iowa Memorial Union shook as close to 500 high school journalism students and their teachers from across the state attended the Iowa High School Press Association’s annual State Conference, organized by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. To kick off the Oct. 17 event, IHSPA President Jonathan Rogers (City HS, Iowa City) split the room into two groups and led the youngsters in shouting “Free!” on one side and “Speech!” on the other. High school junior Isabelle Williams, who is in her yearbook publications club, said she felt inspired. “I really feel like I’m leaving here with some awesome ideas about how to make my work better,” she said. “Now I just want to get started!” IHSPA’s mission is to ignite and nurture interest in journalism and secondary school journalism programs such as newspapers, news websites, yearbooks and broadcasting clubs. At 90 years old, IHSPA is one of the oldest scholastic journalism organizations in the country. IHSPA has been part of SJMC for more than 60 years. This year’s conference saw a change in leadership as the new executive director of IHSPA, Paul Jensen, took over from David Schwartz, who stepped down to pursue a doctorate in mass communication at SJMC. Jensen, an SJMC instructor and internship and career adviser, recruited 28 professional speakers for this year’s conference and set up judges for several on-site journalism contests. Students who attended
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Five hundred Iowa high school students listen to IHSPA keynote speaker Aaron Manfull in October 2012. could go to various seminars and advanced journalism workshops to not only hone their writing and reporting skills but also learn from professionals how to adapt to the changing nature of the profession. “We appreciate you being here,” SJMC director David Perlmutter told teachers during a special luncheon. “We appreciate all that you do for your students and for high school journalism.” To start the day, students heard from Aaron Manfull, director of student media at Francis Howell North High School, in St. Charles, Mo., about how to become a “game-changer” in today’s journalism. “Twenty years ago I was sitting where you guys are today,” said Manfull, a native of Washington, Iowa, the 2011 Dow Jones
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News Fund National Journalism Teacher of the Year and an instructor at the University of Iowa Summer Journalism Workshops. “This is special for me because I used to be in this crowd. I want to show students and advisers that journalism can be fun while learning how to survive in the new era.” Perlmutter also urged a unified message to high school students: “The media world is changing very rapidly and every institution, from government agencies to video-game makers to branding agencies to news orgs, is looking for creative young people to help them invent the future. There has never been a more exciting time to study journalism and communications.”
Photograph special from Mike Hendrickson
SPEED NETWORKING
The fifth speed-networking event, hosted Oct. 10 by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, drew the largest turnout since its launch in 2010. About 30 area professionals from the fields of journalism, public relations and marketing filled the Adler Journalism Building’s atrium to attend the affair. As many journalism students, dressed in their best business attire, were there to meet them, including Erica Sturwold, a senior journalism major who helped coordinate the event. “We got some more public relations and marketing professionals because it seemed like it was in high demand,” she said. “It was great to communicate with the large variety of professionals present
this year, and being able to conduct yourself in front of professionals in that kind of context is very beneficial.” The first part of the event, which lasted about 40 minutes, organized professionals and students into two circles facing each other. Paul Jensen, SJMC internship and placement coordinator, blew a whistle every three minutes to prompt students to rotate around the professional circle to the next person – and the next, and the next. He initiated speed networking at the school because he wanted to give students a non-traditional networking experience, he said. “I came to campus, and a lot of students were good on social networks like Facebook, Twitter and that sort
of stuff, but I had this idea,” Jensen said. “I thought, let’s do something that’s not a job fair. Let’s invite professionals that can offer advice and make a personal connection with the students.” Some of the professionals participated for the first time; others were veterans of the event. Rod Peterson, news director at WHO-TV in Des Moines, was so impressed by the SJMC students he met during his first networking experience that he decided to come back for a second go at it, he said. “We come down here because of the caliber of these students,” Peterson said. “I know that in these five minutes, I’m going to meet the best and the brightest people.”
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This past summer, Peterson hired three SJMC students to intern at his station, and it was because of the contacts he had made through speed networking. A week before the event, Amy A’Hearn, director of professional development and career adviser at the University of Iowa, held a “Networking 101” training session for students. “I offer helpful guidance on the basics of one-on-one networking, from discussing the importance of good eye contact and body language to discussing what it takes to be a good listener and communicator,” A’Hearn said. “[SJMC majors] are really at an advantage when it comes to networking because they’re already good listeners and communicators.”
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SJMC breaks ground on new Event Planning course
by Michelle Ngo
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Booking a venue. Working with clients. Collaborating on a marketing campaign and advertising strategy. Those are just a few tasks on a long list of activities that 20 University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication students learned in the fall semester in a new class called Event Planning. “Event planning was first seen as a narrow area, but now the field has taken off as a career and in every industry,” said David D. Perlmutter, professor and SJMC director. “I hope students understand how complicated modern event planning is. You’re like an app, always upgrading, so you need to have basic skills that are transportable.” The idea to offer an eventplanning course was born in a Chicago restaurant at a UI alumni event last spring, Perlmutter said. After he saw the work that alumni had done via social media for
Heather Spangler (standing) taught SJMC’s first event-planning course. Enrollment filled in less than 24 hours. the occasion, Perlmutter called Heather Spangler, strategic communications writer and director of alumni relations for the UI College of Education. Spangler’s responsibilities include planning events for UI alumni, overseeing social media and writing the Education@Iowa alumni magazine. With Spangler’s extensive event-planning experience, Perlmutter said he knew she would be the right person to teach the course. Spangler agreed. Registration opened. The class reached maximum enrollment overnight. “The journalism school is the perfect home for this course because many of the skills that make someone a successful journalist also make for a successful event planner,” Spangler said. “My course highlights the
importance of being detailoriented, juggling multiple facets of projects, feeling comfortable with deadlines, having good communication and people skills, and being social media savvy.” SJMC senior Jenna Kirsch was part of the class, which met each Monday and Wednesday. “I am planning to go into public relations after I graduate,” she said, “so I felt like getting actual networking experience working with clients and their needs would benefit my learning.” Kirsch and her fellow classmates worked in four teams of five students, each group in charge of planning a different event this semester: College of Education Homecoming Tailgate; Girls on the Run 5K; Election Night
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Watch Party; and Social Media Scavenger Hunt. Students spent class time conceptualizing ideas, brainstorming logistics, promoting the event via social media, carrying out details, hosting the event and following up on the event. In addition to their group events, those enrolled in the course worked together on creating and planning Halloween and finals-week events. They heard from professionals in the field: Event planners from Google and the NFL Super Bowl spoke to the class. The last day of class was for networking with local professionals. Perlmutter was pleased with the success of the class and hopes to see it offered in the future. “We want the students to get a taste of the many, many careers out there and develop skills that apply to new and exciting opportunities,” he said.
SJMC innovates polling literacy course by Alissa Rosen The University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication broke new ground this semester by offering a polling literacy and public affairs course. Backed by a gift from Rhonda Roland Shearer of the Art Science Research Laboratory (ASRL), a New York-based not-for-profit she co-founded with her late husband, Stephen Jay Gould, the course aimed to educate SJMC students not just in the science of polling but in interpreting their meaning. “The reason that this is so important is because these polls aren’t just used to make a news story; they’re used and quoted and quoted over and over again in scholarship, in actually creating public policy, and even in lawsuits, litigations and legislations,” Shearer said. “It’s very powerful information, and that’s where as journalists we have a duty to truth, and to verify polls, if we’re going to use those numbers.” The course was taught by Associate Professor Stephen Berry and enrolled 13 students. One polling tactic they learned to uncover was priming respondents – feeding them information before a question is asked. That tactic can unfairly influence responses, but if journalists don’t know what to look for,
Associate professor Stephen Berry leads a discussion during his polling literacy course, which was supported by a gift from Rhonda Roland Shearer of the Art Science Research Laboratory. they might report the poll’s results without using a critical eye. “I think this course will definitely evolve beyond its infancy in this semester, and – I hope – will grow to serve future students who, like myself, wish to have a career in political reporting,” said Kristen East, a sophomore SJMC and political science major in the course. “I’ve learned that polling literacy is an important skill to have as a journalist and as a member of society.” After students learned the basics, they put together their own poll with the help of professional polling expert David Moore. Moore is the former vice president of the Gallup Organization and was a senior editor with the Gallup Poll for 13 years. Currently, he is an iMediaEthics pollster and PollSkeptic col-
umnist. From in-class Skype sessions to weekly phone sessions, Moore helped teach students skills to develop scientific polls. “There are a bunch of key elements and points to be learned about, but two that I have highlighted to the class include sampling, which is the scientific part, and wording of polls,” Moore said. “If you are going to use a sample to generalize to a larger population, you have to make sure the sample is as representative of the larger population as possible. The wording element is a very important part of the survey process, because the way questions are worded can strongly influence the kind of response that you get.” Patrick Riepe, SJMC adjunct instructor of Web Basics, also has been working with Berry and the polling literacy class
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to provide technical, structural and conceptual support. Multimedia components are used throughout the course, and one of the largest exercises administered by the students consisted of publishing a national poll on iMediaEthics’ website. “We want to have different multimedia, different modules and different articles in which we can post, and the students will in fact share the responsibility for not just learning these things, but for educating others on these things,” Shearer said. “This is really the point of journalism in the first place, and it tends to get lost in the pursuit of clicks. “We do have a duty to serve the public and act in the public interest.” Shearer’s support has not only allowed SJMC to offer its students valuable knowledge and experiences to help them leverage their journalistic abilities, but it is providing a resource that others can refer to when seeking accurate representations of journalistic polls. “This is unique because I don’t recall ever seeing polling done, and it makes sense that it wouldn’t have been done because it’s expensive, and the idea that our program is based on testing polls and fact checking polls by doing polls, I don’t believe has been done before either,” she said.
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The New Master Plan Introducing SJMC’s new degree: Master of Arts in Strategic Communication by Alissa Rosen
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication is poised to become the state’s leader in the advancement of professional communication via distance education. On Oct. 25, the Iowa Board of Regents approved SJMC’s new degree: Master of Arts in Strategic Communication. The program, which will be headquartered in the UI’s John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center in Des Moines, combines online and in-class instruction for traditional and non-traditional students. Students will be required to complete 30 credit hours. All classes will be available online. “We have as many as 10,000 alumni, and they’re all over the world,” said SJMC director David D. Perlmutter. “We had to figure out a way to serve Iowa and to serve professionals better, to reach them with the best curriculum, but also to go where they are.” The MA-SC project has been in the works for two years. It will allow professionals from all walks of life, as well as traditional
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graduate students at the University of Iowa, to take courses in the diverse field of strategic communication, from event planning to crisis communication. “An important point is, even if some course is having a classroom session, the sessions won’t be restricted to those who are geographically able to make it to the classroom,” said Don McLeese, associate director of online programs and distance education at SJMC. “I teach classroom sessions in Des Moines, but I have students online accessing those classes from Sioux City, Iowa City and other places,” McLeese said, referring to online graduatelevel courses in strategic communication he has been teaching since 2011. The hybrid program combines instruction in a traditional classroom setting with online teaching. Many courses will be offered online only in a virtual classroom with a professor leading and facilitating the activities. Others will be self-paced, so enrolled students will be able
to access material at their convenience. SJMC began with a handful of pilot strategic communication courses that then became part of the new program, McLeese said. SJMC faculty have been creating other portions of the curriculum from scratch. Even before enrollment was open, the buzz about MASC was high. Mike Gerrish, vice president, corporate and marketing communications at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, said several Wellmark employees have taken strategic communication classes through SJMC. “There are many changes in the health insurance industry that affect peoples’ lives,” Gerrish said. “The ability to deliver clear messages using the right channels is key to our success in a very changing and fluid environment.” The launch of the MA-SC program was the next logical step for SJMC, said Charles Munro, SJMC associate director of undergraduate studies. “For this school to have this kind of program, it’s just the next step in what inevitably is
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going to be the way we educate in college,” Munro said. “Now we’ve got to the point where the technology offers a classroom-style experience: team projects, breakout groups, opportunities to discuss feedback from the professor, group presentations, and even the ability to bring in guest speakers. It’s all possible now.” The program was designed by SJMC faculty, staff, alumni and consultants. “From day one we all agreed we want this to be of the highest quality,” explained Perlmutter. “Students in advanced professional MA programs from top universities want the most out of the curriculum and the instructor. “They are often paying for classes themselves or using a subsidy from their employer. They maintain very busy work and family lives. You have to give them the best. We think we are.” SJMC graduate student Natalia Mielczarek contributed to this report.
Q&A:
The story behind the story: Dr. David Perlmutter on SJMC’s new degree
University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication director Dr. David Perlmutter discusses the new Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, which is based in Des Moines
by David Schwartz David Schwartz: What factors led you and SJMC to create this type of degree? David Perlmutter: It is no secret that we live in a world where media professions, technologies, styles, platforms and venues are rapidly changing. Our students are helping lead revolutions in traditional journalism and public relations fields but also are finding careers in entire new industries such as event planning and digital gaming. The big challenge for anyone working in communications is how to keep up with, even be ahead of, the curve. There are many people out there in their 30s and 40s who got a J-school degree and want to retrain themselves to advance their knowledge, skills and career. Likewise, people who don’t have a JMC background are finding that communications is increasingly important in any institutional, private, non-profit or governmental situation. We wanted to create a degree for this population that could be offered to them where they are, within the limitations of their time. Strategic communication encompasses many areas, like social/digital media persuasion, public relations, political communication, health & science communication, advertising, marketing, corporate communications, investor/client/customer
relations, branding, event planning and nonprofit advocacy & fundraising. From the point of view of the school, we also concluded—and Dr. David Perlmutter many of our alumni and outside reviewers agreed—that it is difficult to sustain a residential professional master’s program when you aren’t within or right next to a major urban area. You need to be available, and distance ed. is simply the way to go to the people who want your degree. DS: How did this program come together? Please tell me a little bit about the process of creating a degree from the ground up. DP: Looking back, it is incredible how much time and effort it took. Probably hundreds of people, including faculty, staff, alumni, outside consultants, potential employer/sponsors and future students as well as university administrators cooperated. We conducted focus groups, surveys and interviews and looked at other programs. Among the key people were Don McLeese, our now As-
sociate Director for Online & Distance Education programs, and Dean Buresh, a wonderful alum. We had help and lots of guidance from UI Distance Education, led by Vice Provost Chet Rzonca; the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, including the former dean, Linda Maxson; the Graduate College, including Deans John Keller and Dale Wurster and key staff people; and most crucially former provost Wallace Loh and current provost Barry Butler. Amy Jo Reimer-Myers, Caren Cox and Becky Scott also contributed so much to this effort. It’s almost like thanking everyone who helped make a Hollywood movie! But I think all the work was worth it. The proposal was approved unanimously and enthusiastically every single step of the way, through the Board of Regents. All along, our guiding principles were to create a program that (a) served the needs of communication professionals who want to update and accelerate their knowledge and skills, (b) was convenient to access, and (c) was of the highest quality and made no compromises about rigor and intensity. DS: In what industries and professions will a MA-SC be beneficial, and why? DP: I can’t think of any institution from which we might not
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draw students. At the undergraduate level, our students are finding jobs in hundreds of kinds of places, from banks to newspapers to video game companies. Everyone needs smart, creative, thoughtful, technically adept professional communicators to help them achieve their mission. So I won’t be surprised to see a really mixed group in every virtual classroom. By the way, we found that the professional diversity of students is one of the strengths of this kind of program. Students learn from the instructor, of course, and from the assignments, but the interchange between them that the technology now allows is truly delightful to watch and appreciate.
DS: What sorts of skills will MA-SC graduates bring to the job market? DP: Our classes range from risk communication to health communication to effective writing and leadership. We want to help people enhance their knowledge and skill sets, not just to be better employees but to be creative assets, real innovators, in their institutions. We also offer updating and upgrading of technology capabilities such as video and web and focus on the role of new and emerging platforms such as social media.
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t t t t t
Come back to Iowa to upgrade and update your knowledge, skills and experience for career success—from your home! The University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication announces a new online graduate program in Strategic Communication for professional communicators in media and non-media companies, nonprofits and government agencies. The Master of Arts in Strategic Communication (MA-SC) combines the convenience of online education with the rigors and rewards of a graduate degree from the University of Iowa. You will learn the latest in new technologies, techniques and platforms for communications across any media for any institution. Nationally recognized University of Iowa professors as well as professional experts in strategic communication teach the courses. You can earn a master’s degree at your own pace, without putting your career on hold, taking one course per semester and during the summer. The program is eligible for many corporate and institutional educational subsidy programs.
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For more inFormation
see http://www.uiowa.edu/sjmc-stratcomm/ or email donald-mcleese@uiowa.edu
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 30
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School of Journalism and Mass Communication
University of Iowa – School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Master of Arts—Strategic Communication Strategic communication encompasses a variety of careers in professional communication, including corporate communication, organizational communication, public relations, integrated marketing communication, advertising, political and public affairs communication, health communication, event planning, risk communication, professional writing, etc. The MA in Strategic Communication program lays a foundation of principles and platforms common to all of these disciplines
(communication, leadership, social media and new technologies and venues, cross-cultural persuasion) while giving you the option to focus on your career aspirations through elective courses. The combination of the foundation provided by the required courses and the flexibility afforded by the electives enhances the value of the program for a wide range of professions.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS Core courses 019:225: (JMC:5300) Media Principles, Problems and Challenges, 3 s.h. 019:226: (JMC:5400) Master’s Advanced Reporting and Writing, 3 s.h. 019:279: (JMC:6800) Mass Communication Leadership Seminar, 3 s.h. 019:299: (JMC:5955) Capstone Project in Strategic Communication, 3 s.h. (above all mandatory) 019: 240: (JMC:5240) Social Media and Web Communication, 3 s.h. 019: 237: (JMC:5237) Financial and Budget Fundamentals for Communicators, 3 s.h (one of the two required, both recommended) Total core course hours: 15 Electives (all 3 s.h.) will include the following: 019:238: (JMC:5238) Strategic Communication Campaigns 019:239: (JMC:5239) Strategic Web Video Communication 019:266: (JMC:5266) Risk Communication 019:248: (JMC:5248) Strategic Political Communication 019:267: (JMC:5267) Strategic Health Care Communication 019:269 (JMC:5269) Media Management for Strategic Communicators 019:285 (JMC:5285) Strategic Communication Externship Required elective course hours: 15 Minimum total credits for the MA-SC degree: 30 semester hours
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What University of Iowa leaders are saying about the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication
“The Master of Arts in Strategic Communication demonstrates the SJMC’s forward-looking approach to providing educational opportunities for working professionals who want to advance their careers. I’m excited about the School’s willingness to constantly challenge themselves when it comes to creating new degree programs. Many will benefit from the new program.” – P. Barry Butler University of Iowa Provost and Executive Vice President
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“I am delighted that this new degree has won full approval – it will certainly be popular among and valued by our students, present and future!” – Linda Maxson Former Dean, University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
“I am very happy to see this important program approved. Strategic communication is more than ever vital to all aspects of our society. Once the SJMC at UI determined the critical need for such a program, it took the initiative in developing it, making sure it complemented other programs offered in the state. Having such a program offered online will benefit anyone in Iowa or the region who is involved or interested in the field of communications.” – Chaden Djalali Dean, University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
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“The Graduate College is pleased that the new MA in Strategic Communications has been approved. Not only is this program useful for an emerging set of communications professionals seeking advanced professional development opportunities, but the new program also serves as a model for how other professionally oriented programs can be structured via distance learning capabilities to meet the ever-changing needs of the Iowa and U.S. workforce.” – John Keller Associate Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate College, University of Iowa
What the new degree means for prospective students by Natalia Mielczarek Jack Ratekin has some 30 years of professional experience: as a journalist, a communications and publications manager and, most recently, a project analyst. What he’s noticed consistently missing from the business world are effective communication skills. He wants to enroll in the MA-SC program to improve his. “I’ve heard about this program, and right away I knew I wanted to get involved,” said Ratekin, who has worked at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines for five years. “Having been away from the communications field for a while, this is an excellent opportunity to sharpen my skills. It’ll give me tools I can use for any employer in any situation. This kind of training is invaluable.” Ratekin, 55, has already taken two classes in strategic communication at SJMC; both were offered in a virtual classroom that allowed Ratekin to travel and not miss class. So far, he beamed in from hotel rooms in Alabama and Florida, he said. “For somebody who’s a working professional,” Ratekin said, “being able to be flexible on how you attend the class is tremendous.” A marketing coordinator
at St. Luke’s Health System in Sioux City, Iowa, Mandie Norby wants to land in the “experienced with a master’s degree” job-application category. She is convinced the newly approved Master of Arts in Strategic Communication program will take her there. “I don’t necessarily want to stop working,” said Norby, 29, who has been in her current position for five years. “Finding a program in my field in Sioux City was difficult; there were limited options,” she said. “I also wanted a classroom experience, and this offers the best of both worlds.” Norby already has taken three online courses in strategic communication at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where she sat in her home in Sioux City but interacted with fellow students and a professor in a virtual classroom. She is about to wrap up her fourth course. “A master’s degree shows that you’re willing to put in the extra time and have the expertise that you need for advancement,” Norby said. “I’m a creative person, but I also have a business mindset, and this program offers both. It’s better suited for me than an MBA.” For a leadership class that
Jane Turpin took through the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, she had to write her own eulogy. She also dabbled in reporting and writing for a semester as part of another strategic communication course. This semester, it’s on to media principles and challenges. “I have always wanted a degree from the University of Iowa but didn’t want to leave Des Moines to do it,” said Turpin, 36, a mother of two and a web consultant at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. She won’t have to. Turpin, who has worked at Wellmark for six years, said she will enroll in the MA-SC program. “Continuing my education was something I had been thinking about, but I just didn’t think pursuing an MBA was for me,” she said. “Strategic communication is what I do. This fits me.” The three courses that Turpin has taken so far have been offered through a hybrid format, she said. Professors and some students met in a classroom, but instruction was also available online. “I have been in the classroom because the location is right across the street from where I work, so it is super convenient,” Turpin said.
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Jack Ratekin
Jane Turpin (back left)
Mandie Norby
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New Building, New Program, New Opportunities Master of Arts - Strategic Communication
Courses in SJMC’s new Master of Arts in Strategic Communication program will be taught at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center in Des Moines, a state-of-the-art business and communication facility. Photos special to SJMC by Ake Phetdavieng
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#ThankAHawk by Natalia Mielczarek
In the middle of teaching a class, Clinical Associate Professor Motier Haskins got interrupted by Herky and a School of Journalism and Mass Communication senior, Kathleen Kuhar. The duo recognized Haskins, a professor in the University of Iowa’s School of Social Work, in April for his kindness toward students through a newly launched social media campaign called Thank A Hawk. SJMC adjunct instructor Heather Spangler and her students in the spring event planning class spearheaded the project, which launched March 27. “I have become aware of positive uses of social media because of this project,” said Kuhar, who helped with brainstorming the idea and promoting it on social media. “…It’s great to know there is a movement to make social media a pleasant experience for everyone. … My favorite part was surprising Professor Haskins during his class. No matter the situation, watching someone’s face when a massive bird walks through the door is priceless.” The idea behind Thank A Hawk (tweet @thankahawk; Twitter and Instagram
SJMC students in Heather Spangler’s event-planning course helped launch ThankAHawk, an on-campus social-media campaign. hashtags #thankahawk) was to nominate people who make a positive impact on campus, no matter how large or small. Each week, participants enter a contest through social media to win the recognition for someone and two T-shirts from the Iowa Hawk Shop, one for the nominee and the other for the person who submitted the nomination. “I think people enjoy the idea
of a project that’s focused solely on spreading cheer and highlighting the great people who make up the UI community,” said Spangler, a strategic communication writer for the UI College of Education. “I hope my students have learned some logistical details about how to create and manage a social media event. They’ve been able to see the
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idea take shape from an informal brainstorming session to something that is really happening in the real world with a real sponsor and real participants,” Spangler said. One of the lessons for Colleen Froehlich was figuring out how to inspire people to participate. She and other students made flowers with Tootsie Pops and Twitter handle #ThankAHawk written on them and handed them out to people on campus they saw doing good deeds. “It was great to hand out the thank-you flowers for many reasons, but mostly because of how happy each person would get after receiving one,” said Froehlich, a journalism senior. “We are hoping that through our little pushes and tactics, even more people will be thanking a Hawk and keep(ing) the good coming.” By late April, it had close to 100 likes on Facebook and more than 150 Twitter followers, Spangler said. “A cool thing about a social media project like this, though, is that it can live on after our class has ended,” she said. “I would love to see #ThankAHawk pop up in my Twitter feed months from now.”
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by Natalia Mielczarek
NABJ celebrates The University of Iowa chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) celebrated its 20th birthday in April. Part of the festivities included a panel discussion about diversity in journalism and featured five professionals who converged on campus from across the country. One of them was Meryn Fluker, a multimedia education reporter at The Gazette in Cedar Rapids. “The National Association of Black Journalists, as well as The Daily Iowan, are both great avenues for students to discover and refine their skills,” said Fluker, who graduated from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2009. “Being a student journalist prepared me for entering the industry. I can say with complete certainty that I would not have gotten any of my post J-School job opportunities had I not been as involved as I was during my time as an undergraduate.” The chapter has 10 student members. Incoming president Lindsay Graf wants to increase membership. “So we know we’re a small group,” said Graf, a rising junior from Texas. “What we’ve gathered is that students get thrown off by the ‘black’ in NABJ. But here’s the thing: we don’t care about your race. We want people that are willing to make a difference and look at the bigger picture.” Graf said she and the rest of the chapter members plan to spread that message throughout campus next school year to recruit. “I became a part of NABJ because I want to represent minorities. I’m a woman. I’m also Hispanic. I’m underrepresented everywhere I look. I’m the first woman in my family to go to university and I’ll be the
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Left to right: Terrence West, SJMC student; Maudlyne Ihejirika of the Chicago Sun-Times, SJMC alum and Professional Advisory Board member; Jason Hackett, reporter KGAN-TV in Cedar Rapids; Malcolm Christie of the United Negro Scholarship Fund, SJMC alum and Professional Advisory Board member; Brandon Campbell, owner of Little Rock Fashion Week, SJMC alum and former NABJ president; Mugo Odigwe, reporter KGAN-TV in Cedar Rapids; and Jacqueline Jordan, NABJ president. Ihejirika, Christie, Hackett and Campbell were panelists during the anniversary celebration and shared their keys to success. Campbell also was a visiting professional the following week. first one to have three degrees. And yeah, this is awesome, I’m proud and so is my family but why isn’t this common?” said Graf, who is a triple major in journalism, religious studies and nonfiction writing. SJMC Associate Professor Venise Berry and Vanessa Shelton, executive director of Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists, have been advisers to the NABJ chapter since its inception. Shelton said part of the reason to celebrate anniversaries like
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this one is to make students aware of the chapter. “This gives them a sense of the history and importance of the chapter,” Shelton said. “It’s also a motivating factor for them. When you do something like we did, bringing in some alums and professionals, it also gives them a chance to network and to see some role models. They really enjoy meeting these young professionals who look like them.”
GOING PLACES Under the leadership of Internship Coordinator Paul Jensen and SJMC Director Dr. David Perlmutter, the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication is working to help its undergraduates land top internships and first jobs. The following is a list of organizations where current students have interned or recent graduates have landed their first jobs in the last 12 months. American Rebel PR Amerisource Bergen Specialty Group Cedar Rapids Kernels Cerner Corp Chatman Children’s Heart Foundation Chicago Children’s Theatre Chicago Social Cities 97 Clear Channel Communications CNN Atlanta College Helper Conde Nast- W Magazine Congressman Dave Loebsack Congresswoman Betty McCollum in Saint Paul, Minn. Consumer Media Network Council for Competitiveness Cy Wakeman Inc. Czech & Slovak Museum & Library The Daily Herald Dalrymple Cincy Magazine daytrotter.com Des Moines Register Design / WHO Design Ideas Eagle View Partners Real Estate European Union’s Washington DC delegation Fleishman Hillard Florida League baseball, Orlando Fox Sports Chicago Fox Sports North Gannett Design Gazette Goodwill of the Heartland Gorsh B100 Radio Station Hughes 1630 KCJJ Hurwitz Artreach at the Lillstreet Art Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Iowa City Book Festival Iowa Public Radio Iowa Women’s Foundation in Iowa City
Johnson Club Industry Magazine Joliet Herald-News Liquid Thread LiveNation KAAL KARE11-Minneapolis KCAU TV KCRG Kerns Children’s Miracle Network, University of Iowa Hospitals KFAN radio in Minneapolis KGAN KTCK 1310 The Ticket Kuhar CBS Radio 104.3 K-Hits in Chicago KWWL Lucile Packard Foundation The Marketing Store Medix Staffing Solutions Meier Hardacre Community Garden METRO magazine in Minneapolis Michigan Avenue Magazine MindFire Communications MLB.com NBA-TV NBC News Northwest Herald Northwest Iowa Review Occasions Magazine Perfect Game USA Petersen Cityview Magazine Proofreadingpal The Quad City River Bandits / KWQC RED music Regina Foundation Richards Group Riviera magazine Rockwell Collins Rosen Zimmerman Advertising RTS Fellowship in NYC The San Jose Group Sarasota Herald-Tribune Scott TourTheTen.com
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SiriusXM Radio 670 The Score in Chicago SSPR in Glenview, Illinois StyleChicago.com Summer of the Arts Sun Times Media Productions Target Corporation thecelebritycafe.com thesportsfan.com Think Glink Publishing Time Warner Cable Metro Sports UIHC Marketing and Communications UIHC media center United Way Team NFL player promoter University of Iowa Health Care University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics VA Hospital / Corcoran Communications Verum media group LLC Walker Sands Communications WCCO-TV in Minneapolis WGN Radio WGN-TV WHO-TV Williams Iowa Social Science Research Center WJMK WTTW TV Zealous Good
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SJMC alum Maudlyne Ihejirika of the Chicago Sun-Times meets with members of SJMC’s Living Learning Community during a spring visit to Chicago.
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SJMC student Briana Byrd (left, with associate professor Jane Singer) is inducted into Kappa Tau Alpha, the national honor society for journalism and mass communication.
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Stephen Schmidt of Patch. com speaks at SJMC as part of an ethics panel discussion.
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SJMC Ph.D. candidate Paige Madsen (left, with professor Julie Andsager) won a UI Outstanding Teaching Assistantship award.
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SJMC Ph.D. candidate James Carviou was one of two graduate students in the department to win an Outstanding Teaching Assistantship award from the UI.
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Sen. Liz Mathis of the Iowa Legislature (left), formerly of KWWL and KCRG in Cedar Rapids, catches up with UI broadcast instructor Charles Munro in Des Moines.
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Sam Lane, a student in Munro’s class, sets up a shot inside Iowa’s State Capitol building.
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Members of SJMC’s Living Learning Community traveled to Chicago in the spring to meet with Scott Reifert, VP of Communication for the Chicago White Sox and an SJMC alum. Here, the students gather in the White Sox’s media room, site of the postgame press conference.
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In May associate professor Jane Singer’s Journalism Ethics course hosted three judges. From left: Mark Cleve of the 7th District of Iowa, Mark Fowler of the 7th District of Iowa, and Steven B. Jackson of the 6th District of Iowa.
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McLeese plays big in Nashville by Lainey Tick
Nashville, Tenn. is accustomed to music celebrities who roll through town, but on Sept. 14, Music City USA received a visit from one of Iowa’s local celebrities, award-winning music journalist and University of Iowa SJMC Associate Professor Don McLeese. The Americana Music Festival and Conference invited McLeese to discuss his newest book, Dwight Yoakam: A Thousand Miles From Nowhere, which came out in March 2012 but continues to draw national praise and attention. McLeese offers the first biography of this dynamic artist while tracing the contrasting influences in Yoakam’s music. “Country and rock are totally different worlds – in terms of audience, radio, publications – and no artist has so successfully bridged those worlds like Dwight has,” McLeese said. Although McLeese has written three books since joining the SJMC faculty in 2003, this one most exceeded his expectations.
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Associate Professor Don McLeese’s book on country and rock music artist Dwight Yoakam,“A Thousand Miles from Nowhere,” took him to the Americana Music Festival and Conference in Nashville,Tenn. “I originally had no guarantee that Dwight would cooperate by talking with me,” McLeese said, “and nobody knew that Dwight would re-sign with a major label and start recording his first album of new material in seven years, as the book was being edited.” Accoring to Americana Music Festival and Conference administrators, this year’s
gathering was the most successful one yet. The sold-out shows and approximately 175 panels, workshops and musical performances over the five-day period created a blockbuster scene for McLeese and the discussion of his book. “Since mine was the only book highlighted at the Country Music Hall of Fame, I felt really privileged,”
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McLeese said, “and since I’ve attended so many such events to report on those who were featured, it definitely felt different to be on the program rather than writing about it.” The festival coincided with the release of Yoakam’s new album 3 Pears, which “ensured even more attention and a bigger draw,” McLeese said.
The Graduate College will earn credit and add to Strategic Initiative Fund their professional develop(SIF) has granted the SJMC ment. $22,000 to move forward “Over the summer a lot of with its proposed Digital our graduate students aren’t Multimedia Fellowship taking course work,” Ekdale Program, which has granted said. “They have to find SJMC M.A. and Ph.D. students jobs because when you’re the opportunity to become working as a T.A. you’re not their best and stay on top in journalism’s ever-changing media environby Alissa Rosen ment. making a ton of money and “Strategic Initiative Fundyou still have to pay bills. So ing is a process that is novel, this was a great opportunity innovative and that makes and a great time to work with a difference in the lives of graduate students and teach these graduate students,” these kinds of key skill sets said Dr. Lyombe Eko, Associthat will help them out on the ate Professor and Associate job market.” Director for academic graduSix to eight students will be ate studies. selected to ensure a ben“So when the quorum eficial instructor-to-teacher came out calling for proposratio. Techniques to be taught als for initiative funding, through the duration of the Melissa Tully, Brian Ekdale course include digital audioand I decided that we were visual storytelling, digital going to write something video, digital photography that involved new media, as well as data visualization a modern media, and new and social media skills. A media education.” variety of speakers will be Melissa Tully and Brian invited to address important Ekdale are both SJMC assisareas of focus, ranging from tant professors with credendigital entrepreneurship and tials in the emerging areas management to the legal of multimedia and digital and ethical issues involved communication. Tully and in digital media law and its Ekdale teamed up to craft a periphery fields. curriculum that would cater “One of the things that to benefiting and building Dr. Eko was interested in doctoral students’ skill sets. was also giving the students These teachings would start industry experience,” Ekdale in the summer of 2014 and said. “At the end of learnspan a few weeks. With the provided SIF grant from the Graduate College, these masters and doctoral students
ing these skills they can be connected with some kind of media company for a short internship, so when they go on the market they have a certain amount of time actually working in the media’s industries.” Eko pursued the idea
of multimedia skill sets is essential for graduates looking for jobs in higher education, as most jobs in journalism and mass communication now require a background or knowledge in digital and multimedia practices. These skills helped Tully and
following a wealth of recommendations he received by peer institutions at a recent journalism doctoral education summit at the University of South Carolina. The SJMC Professional Advisory Board, alumni, and internship coordinator Paul Jensen will help students link up with professionals. Potential places for internship placement include converged newsrooms, multimedia production companies, news agencies and more. The program should help SJMC attract potential graduate students. “For our journalism program to attract students from other parts of the country, or the world, we need to be modern,” said Eko. “We have a modern building, we have modern facilities, but our curriculum was a little behind the times so we decided to modernize.” In this modern day and age, possessing this palette
Ekdale earn a spot on SJMC’s faculty. “When I started back in 2011 I went right into the Introduction of Multimedia Storytelling course. I did a section that semester, and since last spring I’ve been the lead instructor and designer of the course,” Tully said. “So that skill set really did help, and we’re just continuing to see that more and more when we get the job descriptions for faculty positions.” The SIF grant is seed money to support two years of the program’s startup process, through 2016. But as the need and demand for professionals possessing multimedia and digital communication skills continue to grow, it is anticipated that this Digital Multimedia Fellowship Program will continue to grow and sustain a strong presence in the summers to come.
Build The Future
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Todd Gitlin visits:
The Whole Campus Was Watching
(Left) Students packed in to hear a lecture from Professor Todd Gitlin of Columbia University. (Above) Professor Frank Durham listens as students pose questions to Professor Gitlin. by Brittany Phillips Todd Gitlin, renowned media scholar and doctoral program chair at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, visited Iowa City April 4 to deliver the M. Holly McGranahan Lecture and to meet with undergraduate and graduate students. Gitlin’s lecture addressed the challenges that mainstream journalists face because of routines and fast-
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paced technological changes and the profession’s importance to democracy. The M. Holly McGranahan Lectures series brings distinguished journalism and mass communication scholars to Iowa and was set up through a gift to the University of Iowa Foundation from journalism alumni M. Holly and Robert S. McGranahan. As a part of his Iowa City visit, Gitlin spent time talking with graduate students
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during lunch at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Much of the conversation revolved around social media’s impact on journalism. “Social media got here two minutes ago, the Internet got here three minutes ago, so what do we know about what the Internet is,” said Gitlin, who has written 15 books, including the 1980 seminal work The Whole World is Watching: Mass Media in the
Making & Unmaking of the New Left. “What did we know about what the television was in 1936? Not much.” SJMC graduate student Kyle Moody attended the luncheon and Gitlin’s lecture. “I chose to attend the luncheon with Dr. Gitlin because it is always an honor, privilege and opportunity to meet with an esteemed scholar,” Moody said. “The opportunity to learn from a person who formed such a strong core of progressive journalism research could not be passed up.” Moody said he believed that the topic of Gitlin’s research, particularly his interest in online groups and communities, directly related to Moody’s own dissertation research. Gitlin also visited Professor Frank Durham’s undergraduate class, “The Conservative Media and Framing in the New Media Environment.” There, he touched on the beginning of right-wing and left-wing journalism and the way audiences consume journalism. “I think journalism is always changing,” Gitlin said. “By next week it will have changed a little more.” Undergraduate student Patrick McAreavy said hearing from such an esteemed expert was incredibly rewarding. “A lot of the things he
Professor Todd Gitlin begins his lecture on campus with a brief overview of important moments in journalism history. touched on, whether it was his knowledge or experiences, directly related to what we learn about in the class,” McAreavy said. SJMC Professor Meenakshi Gigi Durham was one of the lecture organizers and helped reach out to Gitlin as the guest speaker. The lecturers each year are chosen by faculty members and must be prominent mass communication scholars. “Professor Gitlin is a renowned and very influential media scholar,” Durham said. “He has written more than a dozen books about journalism, media and democracy, and he is the author of numerous articles and essays on these topics.”
Li Chen (right), SJMC Ph.D. candidate, asks a question of Professor Todd Gitlin during his lunch with Ph.D. students. Durham said she was extremely pleased with the turnout to the lecture. “It’s really important to connect the UI School of Journalism and Mass Communication with the exciting
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and challenging ideas about journalism and media being discussed in the world,” she said. “It’s vital that students and faculty are informed about, and engaged in, these discussions.”
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Paper
Top of the
Rising Junior takes Emily Busse’s place as Head Editor of the Daily Iowan Reprinted from The Daily Iowan
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SJMC major Kristen East will enter her junior year at the University of Iowa next year, yet she’ll also take on a role typically left for seniors: editor-in-chief of The Daily Iowan. “I’ve always wanted to be the editorin-chief of a collegiate newspaper someday,” she said. “Now that I’ve had the opportunity to work with all the sections [of the paper], I’m able to facilitate that.” East’s age puts her in a unique position in the eyes of Daily Iowan Publisher Bill Casey. “She’s young,” he said. “[East] is only the second sophomore going into junior year to be editor in the 38 years I’ve worked here.” Alex Ginsberg, the acting chairman of Student Publishing Inc. — the governing body that oversees theDI’s operations — said East impressed the board with her interview. “Even being a sophomore, the way she answered the questions and her experience makes her best for the job,” he said. “She’s young, and passionate. She’ll be able to figure it out.” The 20-year-old from Arlington Heights, Ill., says her experience has helped prepare her for the position. East attended Rolling Meadows High School where she wrote for and edited the school’s student newspaper The
Pacer. “I really liked the sense of community [at The Pacer],” she said. “I want to have that same sense here, putting names to faces and getting to know everyone.” East worked as a metro reporter for the DI her freshman year, covering the University of Iowa Student Government and the Iowa City City Council. She also covered UI Dance Marathon 18, reporting and posting stories each hour during the full 24-hour charity event. She became a Daily Iowan Scholar in the spring of 2012, providing her $4,500 in tuition a year for the rest of her time at the UI. East is currently a Metro editor alongside Jordyn Reiland. The two became editors last May. During her time as editor-in-chief, East hopes to improve the visual aspects of the paper, increase the visibility of the DI website, and aim for better communication between staff. “I think she’ll bring a more authoritarian style leadership, which will help the newsroom feel more like real life,” Ginsberg said. Current DI Editor Emily Busse thinks East will be up to the job, but hopes she’ll keep every aspect of the paper in mind. “Coming straight from metro, [East]
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Kristen East will be 2013-14 editor-inchief of The Daily Iowan as a junior. will have to be sure to think about the paper as the sum of many parts,” she said. “You have to invest equally and spend time with each section to put out the paper.” As for whether East thinks she’s ready? “My age is a concern for a lot of people, but I have enough knowledge working in the newsroom, and have resources available to help me [as editorin-chief],” she said. And Casey thinks East will be ready by the time she takes the helm. “Anybody who becomes editor here isn’t ever quite ready,” he said. “But she will be by fall.”
From Editor-in-Chief to Educator-in-Chief:
IGN’s Lynch visits SJMC by Alissa Rosen Bags packed – Xbox and all – IGN editor-in-chief Casey Lynch took a break from leading his 70-person editorial staff in San Francisco to lead an SJMC classroom of 20 students in the Adler Journalism Building throughout the third week of October. “I have always been interested in education,” Lynch said, “but I’m looking for a way to integrate from a real-world perspective, because video-game journalism isn’t something that historically is looked at as a specific discipline that is taught at the university level. The fact that this Video Games & Communication course popped up, I just immediately had to reach out.” Lynch contacted Kyle Moody, SJMC Ph.D. candidate and instructor of SJMC’s new video-game course, and Moody’s adviser, SJMC director David Perlmutter who originally suggested Moody teach the class, and proposed a partnership with IGN. IGN is the biggest video game and fan culture media website in the world, with about 60 million unique visitors a month to its site, Lynch said. “Casey Lynch reached out to us after hearing the news about this class and said that IGN is offering the opportunity for professional involvement so that the students can undergo a sort of editorial criticism inherent within the journalism gaming sphere,” Moody said. “In other words, we’re taking the editors’ room and we’re putting the students inside there, letting their work be vetted by
IGN editor-in-chief Casey Lynch spent a week at SJMC working with students in Ph.D. candidate Kyle Moody’s Video Games and Communication course. industry experts and professionals in a way that has never been done before in any class whatsoever. I saw this as a huge opportunity that I could not pass up for my students.” Students – some of whom appeared with Moody to discuss the class on Iowa Public Radio – didn’t want to pass up the opportunity, either. The course filled quickly. The UI has offered other courses focused on different aspects of the videogame industry, such as video-game design and analytics, but there had yet to have been a course focused on videogame journalism that incorporated feedback from professionals. Ben Moore, a senior journalism major and student in the class, said he learned a lot about the video-game industry through his internship at GameTrailers.
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com in Los Angeles in the fall of 2011. Moore said he understands how hard it is to get in touch with editors in gaming journalism – or any field of journalism. “Access is the hardest thing to get,” Moore said. “You can write and write all day, but editors are very busy people that have very small periods of time where they can free up their schedule and talk to you, and that’s not them being jerks, that’s just the way it is. So for me it was very amazing and a very rare learning opportunity to have Casey come in and teach.” Perlmutter said, “Having Casey come was a fantastic example of industry–academia partnership: The students saw that he was a serious professional who wanted to find the highest quality contributors and content. He talked about integrity, creativity, story-telling – what we think our major is all about.” Added Perlmutter: “Video games are the world’s largest media business and they influence many other parts of media and society. It’s important to study their effects as well as learn how we can help our students fulfill career aspirations related to them.”
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12
Welcome to The by Alissa Rosen
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As Election Day drew near and the races intensified, Zach Tilly, an SJMC junior double majoring in political science, stood by as the Iowa eyes and ears of The Washington Post. Tilly was one of 14 college student journalists from the 13 swing states chosen to contribute to the Post’s Tumblr platform, called The 12, which documented the 2012 election. “I’ve cultivated an interest in politics over the last year, year and a half or so,” Tilly said. “I’ve sort of gotten more into it, by both blogging and reading about it. So when I got the opportunity to talk about politics on a bigger scale, I was very interested in doing it. It seemed like a good fit.” Tilly wasn’t just handed this opportunity; he grabbed it. Natalie Jennings, manager of social media and engagement for PostPolitics.com, The Washington Post’s website dedicated to political coverage, had contacted SJMC Associate Professor Jane Singer in the summer looking for the last swing-state student contributor. “She had someone from every (swing) state except Iowa and asked if Iowa wanted to be a part of it,” Singer said. “I said ‘Yeah,’ we’ve got lots of great students that said they would be interested. Zach jumped on it. I mean, several students said they were interested, but he jumped on it.” In the fall, Tilly took Singer’s SJMC course On the Campaign Trail: Elections and Media, where students used Twitter and Wordpress to post links and coverage about the campaign. By weaving social media platforms into the class, Singer
SJMC junior Zach Tilly contributed regularly to a Washington Post political blog during the 2012 presidential campaign. kept her 39 students up to date on the latest on the election front and journalistic practices. Between using Wordpress and Twitter in class, and Tumblr for the Post, Tilly observed how prominent a role social media played in the classroom and the campaign. “I guess social media in this campaign affects me because it certainly allows me to see what other people are thinking,” Tilly said. “A lot of the time it serves as a good platform for a discussion that you don’t often get to have face to face, or in real life. Social media has sort of a forum for sharing and discussing information that is beneficial.”
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Said Jennings, “We are always experimenting with different social platforms and looking for ways to crowd source content and opinions from readers via social media. So this idea of The 12 evolved from other social media efforts in the past.” Iowa remained on the minds of both presidential candidates as they visited the state and circulated their ads. Every step of the way, Tilly was been there to report the developments. “Zach is really on top of things,” Jennings said. “He’s a strong writer, and he really has a handle on the state’s politics. You all have a strong journalism program and Iowa obviously has a very rich political tradition, and Zach embodies both of those.”
What happens in Vegas... by SJMC staff
Travels Globally
SJMC director Dr. David Perlmutter (above left) and Ph.D. student David Schwartz presented “Journalism 101 for Bloggers” in January at NMX (formerly BlogWorld).
One by one the hands went up, bloggers new and old from across the world curious about what it takes to get their posts into the mainstream consciousness. In early January SJMC director Dr. David D. Perlmutter and Ph.D. student David Schwartz presented “Journalism 101 for Bloggers” at the New Media Expo convention in Las Vegas. Formerly known as BlogWorld, NMX has grown into the world’s largest conference for bloggers, podcasters, and Web TV and video series creators. The event hosted attendees from 50 countries. Perlmutter, one of BlogWorld’s original attendees, and Schwartz, an NMX rookie, presented a session they hoped would help champion the tenets of journalism – accuracy, ethics, organizational protocol – to bloggers from many fields, most of whom have had no formal journalism training.
“It’s very important for us to reach out to non-journalist social media entrepreneurs and show how the journalistic method has almost universal application,” Perlmutter said. “I was delighted at the size of the crowd, the enthusiasm, and the connections we made.” Schwartz said the session ran over the allotted time because of an enthusiastic Q&A portion of their presentation. Once the session formally ended, several bloggers stayed behind to get even more questions answered. “I’m glad they had us scheduled just before lunch, because if there had been someone scheduled right behind us, there would have been a traffic jam,” Schwartz said. “One blogger was a stay-at-home mom who stepped away from her job as an engineer to raise her kids. Another shook my hand and said, ‘I can write a little bit, but otherwise I have no idea
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what I’m doing.’ Another was a homeschooled teenager from Washington State who wanted to develop his sports blog. “They all had these incredibly important questions – the sort of skills Iowa SJMC students pick up their first couple of years on campus. Hopefully we helped them.” About 100 people attended the session. Some wanted to know how to monetize their blogs in an era of content aggregators such as Huffington Post. Others simply wanted to know the best and worst times to try to reach out to editors in professional newsrooms. “The people we met already had a passion for whatever they blog about, otherwise they wouldn’t have been there in the first place,” Schwartz said. “We think the next step in their development – a vital step – is attaching journalistic methods to those passions.”
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Sharing her story by Alissa Rosen
SJMC professor Meenakshi Gigi Durham shared stories of graduate school in her essay “Hunger Pangs,” published in fall 2012 in The Iowa Review.
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As a college student, Meenakshi Gigi Durham, professor and Collegiate Scholar at the School of Journalism and Mass Communi-
cation, was literally starving for a good education. Durham was full of personality, full of passion and full of knowledge, but what
wasn’t full was her stomach. More than 20 years have passed since Durham wrapped up her days as a graduate student at the University of Florida, but she has just recently reflected on the struggle she faced to satisfy her hunger in her non-fiction essay titled Hunger Pangs. “Hunger Pangs is basically about not having enough money for food when I was a student,” Durham said. “I had kind of been thinking about it for a long time, and it seemed like I had the time now and I felt like I had the perspective to write about it objectively.” Durham submitted her essay to The Iowa Review, a nationally known literary magazine, and Hunger Pangs was selected and published in the Review’s Fall 2012 issue of its 42nd year of continuous publication. Durham read her essay Aug. 28 at The Iowa Review’s Annual Reading at the Prairie Lights bookstore in Iowa City to help kick off the magazine’s release of the Fall 2012 issue. The memories came back, from the time she celebrated her 21st birthday and ate her first real meal in months, to the time her weight dwindled down to less than that of a professor’s young dog that she had been caring for. Thomas Oates, SJMC and American Studies assistant
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professor, was in the audience. He was captivated by the degree of self-disclosure, he said. “I loved it. I thought it was really evocative and very moving,” Oates said. “I liked how it described experiences I’ve never had myself, but it did so with such sort of expert detail that it was sort of easy to imagine oneself in that situation.” Russell Valentino, editorin-chief of The Iowa Review, who also was present at the reading, said he was staggered by the severe struggle for survival Durham had endured. “The audience was clearly engaged, waiting to hear how the essay would develop,” said Valentino, professor in Cinema and Comparative Literature. “I think the essay keeps people on edge in a way, almost as if they are listening and wondering, could this really be true? Could this person really have been starving in the way she describes?” This was Durham’s second reading at Prairie Lights. She previously read from her book The Lolita Effect, in which she takes a critical look at how media sexualize young girls. Durham is currently teaching the Writing Across Cultures course and working on various writing projects.
New Faces
Iowa-SJMC welcomed nine first-year Ph.D. students for the 2012-13 academic year
Andrea Weare M.S., Iowa State University B.A., Buena Vista University
David Schwartz M.S., Northwestern University B.A., The University of Iowa
David Tuwei M.S., Kansas State University B.ED., Moi University, Kenya
Heungseok Koh M.A., Michigan State University M.A., Korea University B.A., Korea University
John C. Carpenter M.A., Indiana University B.S., University of Indianapolis
Patrick Bigsby
Joshua Murphy M.S., University of Louisiana at Lafayette B.A., The University of Iowa
Stephanie Miles M.A., Texas Tech University B.S., Texas Tech University
Zhang Yafei M.A., Hong Kong Baptist University
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M.A., University of Southern California
B.A., University of Iowa B.M., University of Iowa
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WANG Wenlan (center), China Daily’s first staff photographer, signs copies of a book of his work for SJMC professor Judy Polumbaum and deputy chief editor Huang Qing. Photo by Feng Yongbing/courtesy of China Daily
Professor Dan Berkowitz’ recent publications include: • Carlson, Matt & Berkowitz, Dan (2013). The Late News: Memory Work as Boundary Work in Commemoration of Television Journalists. In B. Zelizer & K. Tenenboim-Weinblatt (Eds.) Journalism and Memory. New York: Palgrave MacMillan. • Carlson, Matt & Berkowitz, Dan (2013). “The Emperor Lost His Clothes”: Rupert Murdoch, News of the World and Journalistic Boundary Work in the UK and US. Journalism: Theory, Practice & Criticism. • Berkowitz, Dan & Gutsche, Ted (2012). Drawing Lines in the Journalistic Sand: Jon Stewart, Edward R. Murrow and Memory of News Gone By. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 89: 643-656. • Carlson, Matt & Berkowitz, Dan (2012). Twilight of the Television Idols: Collective Memory, Network News and the Death of Walter Cronkite. Memory Studies, 5: 410-424. • Liu, Zhengjia & Berkowitz, Dan, “Apotheosizing Jobs, Mythologizing America: Consumerism and the Liberalist Media in China,” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association For Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Chicago, August 2012. • Liu, Zhengjia & Berkowitz, Dan (2013). The Social Cultural Construction of News: From Doing Work to Making Meanings. In R. Fortner & M. Fackler (Eds.), International Handbook of Media and Mass Communication Theory.
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Faculty Honors
Assistant Professor Kajsa Dalrymple was awarded a seed grant from the Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research in order to investigate Iowans’ attitudes about water sustainability. This study will help inform future educational campaign efforts statewide. She will be presenting a paper on water sustainability titled “Making waves: Mass media, opinion leaders and the campaign for environmental change” at the annual convention of the International Communication Association. Additionally, Dalrymple and Stephanie Miles (Ph.D. student) have partnered with the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) in order to engage students in a service learning project implemented in the City of Muscatine. Dalrymple’s risk communication class is the first to be working with the Muscatine Blue Zones Campaign in order to encourage citizens to adopt healthier behaviors.
Assistant professor David Dowling is the author of Emerson’s Protégés: Media and the Professionalization of Transcendentalism’s Journalists, Poets, Artists, and Critics, which will appear with Yale University Press in 2014. The work Literary Partnerships and the Marketplace: Writers and Mentors in Nineteenth-Century America, Louisiana State University Press, appeared in 2012. It also deals with journalism history, treating such key figures in the nineteenth century periodical press as Rebecca Harding Davis and Sarah Willis Parton. In
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November 2012, Dr. Dowling published “How the Humanities and Journalism Can Save Each Other” in The Chronicle of Higher Education with Dr. David Perlmutter. His other research projects that have recently appeared include the essay “Emerson and Publishing” in Emerson in Context, Cambridge University Press, 2013 and “Poe at Sea” in Poe in Context, also with Cambridge. Both works historically situate the authors with the culture of the periodical press and publishing industry. He presented three conference papers, “’The Real Captain Ahab’ Goes Viral: The Latest Chapter in the Essex Industry” for the American Culture Association/ Popular Culture Association in Washington, D.C. March 2013; “’Revenge on a Dumb Brute’: Animality and Agency in Television and Film Adaptations of Moby-Dick” for the Media Panel of the Midwest Modern Language Association in Cincinnati November 2012; and “Melville’s Debt to the Essex Industry: Exaggerated Pulp as Source of Wisdom,” serving as panel chair also at the Midwest Modern Language Association. Dowling was unanimously elected Program Co-Chair for the Emerson Society, a term that extends through 2015. Journalism History has accepted “The Nineteenth-Century Weekly Press and the Tumultuous Career of Journalist Leon Lewis” for publication in the October 2013 issue.
Professor Meenakshi Gigi Durham’s article, “Vicious assault shakes Texas town: The politics of gender violence in the New York Times’ coverage of a schoolgirl’s gang rape,” was the lead article in the February 2013 issue (Vol. 14, No. 1) of the refereed publication Journalism Studies. Her essay “Hunger Pangs” appeared in the August 2012 issue of The Iowa Review and was nominated for the Best Food Writing anthology. Her essay, “Body matters: Resuscitating the corporeal in a new media environment” was reprinted in the anthology Current Perspectives in Feminist Media Studies (Routledge 2012). She presented papers at the 2012 meeting of AEJMC in Chicago and the “Adaptation and Continuity” conference in Hong Kong in 2012. She has two book chapters in press: “The audience in the graduate curriculum: Training future scholars” (The International Encyclopedia of Audience Studies, Volume 3, Blackwell, 2013) and “Children’s technologized bodies: Mapping mixed reality” (Handbook of Children and Media, Routledge, 2013). She was awarded an Arts and Humanities Initiative grant in 2012 by the University of Iowa to work on her book TechnoSex: Technologies of the Body, Mediated Sexualities, and the Quest for the Sexual Self. She also gave numerous invited talks and presentations during the year. Her paper, “’Your body is a battleground:’ Theorizing the politics of the body in Barbara Kruger’s culture-jamming,” co-authored with former Ph.D. student Michael Glassco, has been accepted for presentation at a refereed session of the annual ICA conference in London in June 2013.
Assistant professor Brian Ekdale and colleagues from USC, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Northwestern, and George Mason published the article “YouTube, Twitter and the Occupy Movement: Connecting Content and Circulation Practices” in Information, Communication & Society (2013). *(Full author citation: Thorson, K., Driscoll, K., Ekdale, B., Edgerly, S., Thompson, L. G., Schrock, A., Swartz, L., Vraga, E. K. & Wells, C. (2013). YouTube, Twitter and the Occupy movement: Connecting content and circulation practices. Information, Communication & Society, 16(3), 421-451.) Ekdale published the chapter “Telling Whose Stories? Reexamining Author Agency in Participatory Media in the Slums of Nairobi” in A Companion to Media Authorship, edited by Jonathan Gray and Derek Johnson (2013). Ekdale and co-authors Jane B. Singer, Melissa Tully, and Shawn Harmsen’s paper “‘Happy is a Lot to Ask for from a Job’: Job (In)security and Contemporary Newswork” was accepted for presentation at the International Association for Media and Communication Research Annual Conference in Dublin, Ireland (2013). Ekdale also presented the paper “Negotiating Competing Identities and Becoming ‘Friends’: Methodological Entanglements in Global, Urban Production Ethnographies” at the International Association for Media and Communication Research Annual Conference in Durban, South Africa (2012).
Associate Professor Lyombe Eko’s book, “New Media, Old Regimes: Case Studies in Comparative Communication Law and Policy” was published by Lexington Press in July 2012. Eko was quoted in the nationally run Associated Press story, “Iowa high court extends libel protection to online publishers.”
David D. Perlmutter (Professor, Starch Faculty Fellow and Director) continues to write his regular column, “Career Confidential,” for the Chronicle of Higher Education and now blogs for CHE’s “The Conversation.” He also writes for CHE on other topics, such as a piece (with SJMC assistant professor David Dowling) on “How the Humanities and Journalism Can Save Each Other.” In fall 2012 Perlmutter was appointed as a faculty Fellow in the University’s International Programs. During his IP year he has been working on various research projects, including: a presentation on “Making Peace with Pictures: The Research Evidence,” for the International Conference on Peacebuilding through Education, The Fountain Magazine and Peace Islands Institute of New York. Perlmutter is also organizing outreach and friendship-building trips to Turkey through the Chicago-based Niagara Foundation. Among his other IP service activities has been joining IP’s new Advisory Council and being a judge for the IP Strategic Global Initiatives Awards and the Stanley
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more faculty honors Graduate Award for International Research. For the third year in a row Perlmutter got funding for a grant on “Training Minority Students from Chicago in Iowa Journalism Workshops” from the McCormick Foundation. Among his other presentations were “Completing your dissertation” to the Graduate Student Collective, University of Wisconsin-Madison; a workshop on “Journalism 101 for Bloggers” (with Ph.D. student and Iowa Journalist Editor David Schwartz) at the New Media Expo, Las Vegas; a keynote speech on “The Politics and Priorities of Faculty Retirement” at the 2012 biennial conference of the Association of Retiree Organizations in Higher Education in Chapel Hill, NC.; “Job Application Material Checklist” for a National Communication Association (NCA) online virtual seminar; moderating the Plenary Centennial Panel on “Reflections on the Next 100 years of Communications Research” for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference, Chicago, where he was also discussant for the Political Communication Interest Group Best Paper Awards; “Creating Better Engagement of External Constituencies by U.I. Departments,” a presentation to the Provost and University of Iowa Deans Council; “Images of War/War of Images: A Brief History of Visual Persuasion and War” at the Visual Propaganda and Online Radicalization Conference, Georgia State University & U.S. Army War College, Atlanta, GA; and about a dozen other presentations. He was executive producer for the “Thank You, Dean Maxson” tribute video to the outgoing Dean of CLAS. Iowa has a longstanding exchange agreement with China Daily, China’s national English language newspaper: a China Daily senior editor comes to Iowa for three weeks each spring to teach an intensive course on Chinese news and culture, and the visiting editor selects an Iowa journalism student to assume a paid summer internship with China Daily in Beijing. The program entails collaboration among SJMC, International Studies/CLAS, the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies and the Division of Continuing Education. The program arises from SJMC Professor Judy Polumbaum’s longstanding association with colleagues at the paper; she worked for China Daily during its inaugural year (1981-82) as a features editor and writer, sharing an office with Ms. HUANG Qing, who is now the paper’s deputy editor-in-chief at large.
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Associate Professor Jane Singer piloted a new course for SJMC honors students in spring 2013, supervising nine terrific projects, which are required for graduation with honors in the major. She also served as national plenary program chair
for the Professional Freedom & Responsibility Committee of AEJMC, of which she is vice chair. Her article, “User-Generated Visibility,” was published online by New Media & Society and featured by Harvard’s Nieman Journalism Lab in its March 2013 edition of “What’s New in Digital Scholarship,” and she will present research papers at both the ICA (London) and IAMCR (Dublin) conferences in summer 2013.
Assistant Professor Melissa Tully and co-authors Emily K. Vraga, Heather Akin, and Hernando Rojas’s article, “Modifying Perceptions of Hostility and Credibility of News Coverage of an Environmental Controversy through Media Literacy,” was published in Journalism: Theory, Practice, and Criticism (2012). Tully presented “Fist to Five for Change: Analysis of the Effectiveness of an Integrated Media Strategy to Promote Conflict Resolution and Peace” at the 2012 International Association for Media and Communication Research conference in Durban, South Africa. Tully and co-author Assistant Professor Brian Ekdale presented “‘Makmende is so powerful he showed us who we truly are’: Kenya’s Collective Reimagining and a Meme of Optimism” at the 2012 Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication (AEJMC) annual conference in Chicago, Illinois. The paper received the second place poster award in the Cultural and Critical Studies Division. Tully was elected for a second term as the co-vice head of the Civic and Citizen Journalism Interest Group at AEJMC. Tully and co-authors Ekdale, Associate Professor Jane B. Singer, and SJMC graduate student Shawn Harmsen’s paper, “‘Happy is a lot to ask for from a job’: Job (In)security and Newswork in Contemporary Journalism,” has been accepted for the International Association for Media and Communication Research 2013 annual conference in Dublin, Ireland. Tully and Professor David Perlmutter co-designed a new SJMC course, “Social Media Today,” which they co-taught in spring 2012. The course has been approved as a General Education course in the “Values, Society and Diversity” area and enrolled 200 students in spring 2013 (co-taught by Tully and Assistant Professor Petya Eckler).
Iowa Journalist 2012-2013
Graduate student news and notes SJMC Professor Dan Berkowitz and SJMC graduate students Rauf Arif, James Carviou, and Etse Sikanku are contributors to the book, “The Iconic Obama, 2007-2009: Essays on Media Representations of the Candidate and New President,” edited by Nicholas Yanes and Derrais Carter from the UI Department of American Studies. The book is published by McFarland books. Zhengjia Liu’s 2012-13 publications include one published referred article, one book chapter and four conference acceptances. They are: • Liu, Z. & Rodriguez, L. (2012). Fashion magazines in the lives of Shanghai’s female college students: Psychological and sociological motives for uses and gratifications. Journal of Magazine and New Media, 13(2), 1-17.
• Berkowitz, D. & Liu, Z. (In press). The social cultural construction of news: From doing work to making meanings, in Fortner, R. S. & Fackler, P. M. (Eds.), International Handbook of Media and Mass Communication Theory, Chapter 16. Blackwell. • Berkowitz, D. & Liu, Z. (2013). Study news production: From process to meanings. Advancing Media Production Research, Postconference of 2013 Annual Conference, International Communication Association, Leeds University, UK. • Liu, Z. & Wu, X. (2013). People’s hero vs. Ms. Lane Crawford: Populist and petit-bourgeois manifestations in Chinese popular culture, 15th Annual James F. Jakobsen Graduate Conference, The University of Iowa.
search university. “Specialized Writing and Reporting: Video Games and Communication” was offered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Fall 2012. The course was designed to teach students to write about video games and electronic media as part of their professional development as journalists, and to explore how journalism affects the video game industry and the persons involved in it. It was also designed to foster critical thought towards how video games function as communication of narratives, social ideas, cultural norms, and gendered, racial, and sexual dimensions. Students were expected to be able to write meaningfully and effectively about digital games from a critical-cultural evaluative framework. The course was covered across a large number of online news sites, including the blog hosted by noted media pundit Jim Romenesko. David Schwartz (Ph.D. student) co-presented a workshop on “Journalism 101 for Bloggers” (with SJMC director David Perlmutter) at the New Media Expo, Las Vegas. In February he took over as host of the “New Books in Journalism” podcast, part of the New Books Network of podcasts dedicated to new books in academia. He presented a session, “Conflict Management in the High School Newsroom,” in October at the Iowa High School Press Association State Conference. Andrea Weare (Ph.D. student) was accepted to present her paper entitled “Thin is what we’re supposed to be, not what we’re supposed to talk about: A qualitative study of pro-eating disorder blog users” at Console-ing Passions: International Conference on Television, Audio, New Media, and Feminism in June 2013 in Leicester, UK. Andrea also presented this paper at the University of Iowa’s annual Jakobson Conference in April and the Craft Critique Culture Conference in March of this year.
• Liu, Z. & Berkowitz, D. (2012). Apotheosizing jobs, mythologizing America: Consumerism and the liberalist media in China, presented at 2012 Annual Conference, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Critical and Cultural Studies Division, Chicago, IL. • Liu, Z. (2012). The double dealer: Website hosting companies and the virtual surveillance in China, accepted by 2012 Annual Conference, International Association for Media and Communication Research, Communication Policy and Technology Section, Durban, South Africa.
Kyle Moody designed and taught the first reporting and writing class focused on video game journalism at a major re-
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Alumni Notes Stephanie Wilbur Ash (B.A. 1997) is a senior editor at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and senior editor of ATA World, the magazine of the largest martial arts organization in the world. Lt Col Wm. James “Jim” Annexstad (B.A. 1995) recently accepted a position as the Military Assistant and Special Counsel to the General Counsel for the Department of Defense. In this job, he functions as the Chief of Staff and coordinates the legal review of a broad array of policy determinations, investigations, acquisition programs, international agreements, environmental programs, personnel issues, operational plans, intelligence programs, legislative initiatives, Congressional responses, and fiscal questions. He assists in the development of strategy in coordination with Department of Justice attorneys to
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defend the Department and the Secretary of Defense in litigation on a variety of issues. He also coordinates the staff work of more than seventy attorneys in the immediate office and technical guidance to more than 6,000 uniformed and civilian attorneys assigned to Department of Defense offices around the world. Finally, he operates at the right hand of the General Counsel who advises on the myriad legal issues associated with an organization of more than two million uniformed and civilian employees and an annual budget exceeding $250 billion. Ted Anton (B.A. 1984)
is publishing a new book with University of Chicago Press, titled The Longevity Seekers: Science, Business and the Fountain of Youth, a new journalistic account of the business and science race for a longevity drug. John Seabrook at the New Yorker called it “enthralling.”
at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine with a focus on health and families. She is also senior editor of ATA World, the magazine of the largest martial arts organization in the world, which is also health- and family-focused. She splits her time between Minneapolis and Mankato, Minn.
Stephanie Wilbur Ash (B.A. 1997) has recently returned to Mpls.St.Paul Magazine after a 12-year hiatus, during which time she raised kids and created and performed in a wildly popular fake radio show that was actually aired on the radio (Minnesota Public Radio). She is a senior editor
John Bohnenkamp (B.A. 1988) was named 2012 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. He also took fifth place in the game story/spot news category in the United States Basketball Writers Association writing contest
Iowa Journalist 2012-2013
for the story on Iowa’s win at Wisconsin last season. Dan Dorfman (B.A. 1993) is a planning producer for C-Span in the Chicago area. He has had a successful writing career with many pieces appearing in prominent publications such as The New York Times, Boston Globe and Philadelphia Inquirer. A 2012 series he penned on the 20th anniversary of WSCR Radio in Chicago was an outgrowth of a term paper he wrote for the late SJMC Professor John Bennett. Thomas Fensch (M.A. 1967) received a Citation from the President of Virginia Union University, Richmond, in May for “outstanding service and unselfish commitment” to the university. He is chairman of the university’s Mass Communication department and is the author of 31 nonfiction books. Betty Lin-Fisher (B.A. 1995) received the 2013 Diversity in Media Distinguished Leadership Award from Kent State University in Ohio. She is the first Asian-American to be acknowledged with this award, which recognizes the accomplishments of media professionals who encourage diversity in the field of journalism. An 18-year veteran of the Akron Beacon Journal, LinFisher is a business reporter and consumer reporter and columnist. She has also been a metro reporter and weekend editor and copy editor. Prior to joining the Beacon, LinFisher interned at the Philadelphia Inquirer and Wichita
(Kansas) Eagle and worked for the Iowa City Press-Citizen and The Daily Iowan. She has received many awards for her work, including several state and national awards. A project looking at the challenges of the middle class and offering them financial makeovers won awards, including the 2009 Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism and placements in the National Headliner Awards for Journalistic Innovation and Scripps Howard National Journalism Awards Public Service Reporting. Lin-Fisher also won 2009 Society of Business Editors and Writers Best in Business Projects. She lives in the Akron area with her husband and two children. Patrick Regan (B.A. 1995) is a Bureau Chief at the Chicago Tribune, directing local news coverage in Chicago’s south and southwest suburbs. Arlecia D. Simmons (Ph.D. 2009) enrolled in Duke University Divinity School in August 2009 while completing her dissertation. In May 2012 she received her M.Div. from Duke and was ordained to Christian ministry. In August 2012 she was hired as an Assistant Professor of Media Studies at Paine College in Augusta, Ga. Mike Weiler (B.A. 1998) in March 2013 started working at the University of Colorado’s School of Medicine, where he is the website administrator for the department of pediatrics. From 2010-2013, he worked as a web content editor for the University of Notre Dame.
In Memoriam …
Col. William G. McClanahan (B.A. 1937) Dec. 29, 1989 Mr. Thomas B. Newsom (M.A. 1965) April 1997 Ms. Lori D. Leonard (B.A. 1983) June 17, 2002 Mr. Roger L. Klemas (B.A. 1953) Sept. 27, 2003 Mr. Murray C. Harris (M.A. 1969) Feb. 8, 2005 Mr. William D. Krahling (M.A. 1967) April 6, 2005 Mr. Carl D. Sherman (M.A. 1961) June 9, 2005 Mr. Glenwood J. Clonts (M.A. 1961) Aug. 13, 2005 Mr. Harley H. Ashbaugh, Jr. (B.A. 1949) March 31, 2006 Mrs. Ruth L. Laird (M.A. 1967) June 3, 2006 Mrs. Geraldine J. Hansen (B.A. 1948) April 4, 2008 Mr. Roy W. Walker (B.A. 1957) July 20, 2009 Mr. Dennis W. Binning (B.A. 1964) Sept. 18, 2009 Mr. Albert R. McLaughlin (B.A. 1948) Nov. 14, 2009 Ms. Rebecca J. Maatman (M.A. 1977) Feb. 25, 2010 Dr. Paul B. Snider (Ph.D. 1968) Nov. 19, 2010 Mr. Thomas J. Chapman (M.A. 1962) June 3, 2011 Ms. Patricia M. Miller (B.A. 1948) Sept. 6, 2011 Mr. George H. Williams, Jr. (B.A. 1962) Sept. 24, 2011 Mrs. Patricia A. Toner (B.A. 1968) Sept. 29, 2011 Mrs. Irma L. Komro (B.A. 1981) Oct. 9, 2011 Mr. John B. Hermann (B.A. 1950) Oct. 19, 2011 Mr. Timothy A. Franklin (B.A. 1987) Oct. 30, 2011 Mrs. Marjory B. Shanda (B.A. 1946) November 2011 Ms. Rochelle Bozman (B.A. 1988) Nov. 2, 2011 Mr. Donald A. Stanley (M.S. 1953; B.A. 1950) Nov. 8, 2011 Mr. David W. Eichman (B.A. 1948) Nov. 15, 2011 Mrs. Louise Schroeder Stoeckly (B.A. 1944) Dec. 4, 2011 Mr. William M. Barry (B.A. 1968) Jan. 12, 2012 Miss Kathryn Larson (B.A. 1947) Jan. 18, 2012 Prof. William J. Zima (M.A. 1948) Jan. 20, 2012 Ms. Betty Bruns Anderson (B.A. 1985) Feb. 16, 2012 Ms. Mary L. Schnack (B.S. 1977) Feb. 20, 2012 Dr. Janice J. Miller (Ph.D. 1978; M.A. 1973) Feb. 29, 2012 Mrs. Frances S.Van Duren (B.A. 1948) March 4, 2012 Ms. Elaine Hess (B.A. 1948) March 19, 2012 Mrs. Maridee H. Hegstrom (B.A. 1947) March 22, 2012 Mrs. Marilyn R. Benda (B.A. 1949) April 1, 2012 Mr. Wayne W. Zoller (B.A. 1973) April 13, 2012 Miss Beth J. Rochefort (M.A. 1950) April 28, 2012 Ben Silver (M.A. 1955; B.A. 1950) May 2, 2012 Mrs. Ruth S. Hoover (B.A. 1947) May 14, 2012 Mr. William O. Gross (B.A. 1940) June 4, 2012 Mr. George J. Wine (B.A. 1956) July 6, 2012 Mr. Donald L. Stone (B.A. 1959) July 10, 2012 Mrs. Rose M. Marshall (B.A. 1945) July 11, 2012 Mr. Changsup Hahn (M.A. 1968) July 12, 2012 Mrs. Cele C. Lubin (B.A. 1933) July 21, 2012 Dr. Frank E. Ryerson, Jr. (Ph.D. 1957; M.A. 1949; B.A. 1947) Aug. 8, 2012 Dr. Richard H. Baxter (M.A. 1946; B.A. 1944) Aug. 8, 2012 Ms. Judy Koch Ecker (M.A. 1957) Aug. 20, 2012 Mr. Ros Jensen (M.A. 1953; B.A. 1952) Sept. 1, 2012 Dr. Milton C. Hollstein (Ph.D. 1955) Sept. 24, 2012 Mr. James J. Dooley (B.A. 1955) Oct. 5, 2012 Mr. John M. Rowley (M.A. 1962) Oct. 6, 2012 Robert L. Dillon (M.A. 1969) Oct. 8, 2012 Mrs. Frances J. Goodwin (B.A. 1943) Oct. 16, 2012 Rear Adm. Donald Mac Showers (B.A. 1944) Oct. 19, 2012 Mrs. Mary Lee Sauermann (B.A. 1950) Oct. 27, 2012 Mr. Donald H. Elfstrom (M.A. 1958) Nov. 3, 2012 Mr. Stuart L. Block (B.A. 1974) Nov. 14, 2012 Mr. Hal A. Hartvigsen (B.A. 1951) Jan. 1, 2013 Lois M. Ottaway Estate (M.A. 1962) Jan. 21, 2013 Mr. Stanley R. Tripp (B.A. 1950) Feb. 1, 2013 Mr. Ward W. Weldon (M.A. 1961) Feb. 12, 2013 Mr. Daniel Hinson (B.A. 1957) Feb. 18, 2013 Mr. Kenneth E. Sharp (B.A. 1958) Feb. 23, 2013 Mr. Harvey Ingham III (B.A. 1947) March 9, 2013 Mr. Glenn R. Mayo (B.A. 1961) March 14, 2013 Mr. David E. Pullman (M.A. 1952) April 25, 2013 Mrs. June M. Snider (B.A. 1943) April 26, 2013 Miss Marian L. Petkovsek (B.A. 1951) May 1, 2013 Mr. Robert F. Thompson (B.A. 1948) May 7, 2013 Mr.Vernon H. Uecker (B.A. 1950) May 13, 2013 Mrs. Clara J. Kasper (B.A. 1974) May 16, 2013 Mr. James F. Zabel (B.A. 1944) May 23, 2013 Dr. Gretchen G. Hayes (B.A. 1947) May 28, 2013 Mr. W. A. Krause (B.A. 1957) June 19, 2013 Mr. Donald C. McQuillen (B.A. 1955) June 21, 2013
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In Memoriam
John Robertson, 86 by Alissa Rosen John Robertson, a 1950 graduate of the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication and dedicated former editorin-chief of The Gazette, died Aug. 18 in Cedar Rapids. He was 86. Robertson also founded Iowa Farmer Today, now nearly three decades old. At The Gazette, where he worked for 41 years, Robertson was a respected reporter, valued editor-inchief, charismatic colleague and vibrant visionary. “[Robertson] was an oldtime newspaper man, but he was completely open to change,” said Mike Deupree (SJMC 1969), who worked at The Gazette for 34 years. “A lot of guys that were his age, and that had broken into the newspapers when he did, were resistant to these
changes, but John was not. He understood what was going to happen, and educated himself about it.” Robertson initiated gamechanging innovations during his time at The Gazette, including transitioning it from an evening to a morning newspaper in 1981. Lyle Muller (SJMC 1987), executive director of the Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism, worked at The Gazette at the tail end of Robertson’s career. “He was able to pull [the transition] off and produce a really good newspaper. He was able to make this switch, and deal with the public who like their afternoon paper,” Muller said. “He helped them get through with a morning paper, and produced a strong product.”
Like Deupree, Muller noted Robertson’s willingness to adapt. “Twenty-five years ago, emerging technology was new laptop computers … All papers were doing this, but at The Gazette he saw this as an important need, and John Robertson (SJMC ‘50), who worked at The a good newsgath- Gazette in Cedar Rapids for 41 years, died in August. He was 86. Photo copyright 2013 Iowa ering tool,” Muller SourceMedia Group. said. “We could only of responsible newsreport things from more remote places. And do gathering, but also maintaining a calm demeanor,” Elsea it on deadline.” Jerry Elsea (SJMC 1962), said. “That was valuable for editor at The Gazette before young reporters, because there were older reportRobertson, viewed Roberters that weren’t exemplars son as a role model in the of respect. He was truly an newsroom. inspiration.” “He set an example. Not
John Merrill, academic giant; Sandy Polster, worked with Cronkite
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John Merrill (Ph.D. ’61) died Sept. 20 in Birmingham, Ala. Merrill, a longtime professor of journalism at the University of Missouri, authored or edited more than 30 scholarly books. A true giant in the academic study and practice of journalism, Merrill’s research focused on journalism ethics and philosophy and international media systems. Merrill served in the Navy from
1942-46 and graduated from Delta State College in Cleveland, Miss., in 1949. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy. Sandor M. “Sandy” Polster (M.A. ‘66) died March 21 in New York. Polster worked in broadcast news for 25 years, including at CBS with Walter Cronkite and then Dan Rather, and at NBC
Iowa Journalist 2012-2013
with Tom Brokaw. In 1999 he became an unpaid adviser to The Orient, the student newspaper of Bowdoin College. In Polster’s obituary, which he wrote himself, he called teaching his “true calling.” He worked with Bowdoin students for 12 years. Polster is survived by his wife, Rea Turet, a daughter, Rebekah, son-in-law Timothy Hansen, and a grandson, Benjamin.
Barbra Kamer, 44 by Natalia Mielczarek
“Deadlines are deadlines” was Barbra Kamer’s mantra that she repeated almost weekly when she met with the School of Journalism and Mass Communication board members of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). As the group’s professional adviser for years, Kamer, a 1990 SJMC graduate, offered guidance on a variety of projects – from how to accurately balance the chapter’s budget to how to produce, market and sell “spirit tutus” at Hawkeye football games. Her energy, those who knew her said, was limitless. “She was never afraid to get her hands dirty and dig in to whatever thing or project we needed help with,” said Erica Sturwold, PRSSA’s president and SJMC senior. “She was a great leader and treated us as the adults and professionals we needed to learn to be. … She was so giving with her time, advice and best of all, her friendship. She would always be bringing small treats to our board, forwarding us important
Honor roll contributors
news in the PR industry and coming up with ways for how we could improve.” Born and reared in Clinton, Iowa, Kamer, 44, died of breast cancer March 29. She was first diagnosed with it at the age of 29 and beat it, her siser Brandi Koering said. The cancer returned in 2010, Koering said. “She was always a mother hen, and her ability to come back to the University of Iowa as a professional adviser was a way for her to use those skills to help kids like she once needed help herself,” said Koering, of Fort Madison, Iowa. “She loved helping out kids and helping the school. She had a love affair with the school.” Kamer spent the last 12 years working as a communications project manager at the Midwest Division of the American Cancer Society. Calling herself the “Survivor Chick,” Kamer was going to lead her Relay for Life Team Hodge Podge June 15 in the walk to raise money for cancer research, according to her Relay for Life online profile. SJMC Assistant Professor
The University of Iowa Foundation (UIF) migrated to a new Institutional Advancement database. Currently UIF will be unable to produce the annual honor roll of School of
Petya Eckler met Kamer a couple of years ago when Eckler became PRSSA’s faculty adviser. “I like how easily she got excited about new projects, ideas and events,” Eckler said. “Any time one of the students suggested a cool event that they could do, Barb was the first one to get excited and jump on board and start suggesting venues, contacts and others. “It was sometimes hard to keep up with her.” With strong ties to the public relations community in Iowa, Kamer connected students with professionals and served as a liaison between PRSSA and the Public Relations Society of America, the largest US association of PR professionals. To Paul Spooner, the 201011 PRSSA president, Kamer was more than a teacher. “She was a mentor to all her aspiring PR students and a mom away from home,” said Spooner, SJMC 2011 graduate who works at a St. Louis PR firm. “She illustrated what a PR career entailed and opened
Journalism & Mass Communication contributors, which would customarily appear in this space. We are committed to recognizing the generous support of our alumni and
Iowa Journalist 2012-2013
students’ eyes to the professional world. Beyond basic PR skills, she brought to life the importance of ethics and accountability.” When students had a project idea they wanted to tackle, they first turned to Kamer to solicit her input, said Pamela Creedon, SJMC director between 2002-07 and PRSSA adviser. “She wasn’t reluctant about speaking up, advising and sharing her ideas,” said Creedon, who retired in 2012. “She made suggestions at every executive committee meeting and encouraged the students to do more to serve the community.” Before she joined American Cancer Society, Kamer worked for seven years at the Marion, Iowa offices of Frank N. Magid Associates, a public relations firm. She was also a reporter and announcer at KROS AM radio station in the early 1990s. According to her LinkedIn profile, Kamer’s interests and hobbies ran a gamut: from cancer advocacy and genealogy to knitting, traveling and cooking.
friends in meaningful ways, and we look forward to including this important listing in a future edition of the Iowa Journalist. Thank you for your generous support.
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Spread the News Private support helps the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) stay in touch with alumni and friends. Contributors help fund the production and mailing of Iowa Journalist, a student-written publication that helps you keep up on the news at the SJMC. Generous gifts help fund student financial aid, online database resources and subscriptions to newspapers and
SJMC Director’s Club:
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journals. Private support also helps bring guest speakers to campus and helps students and faculty participate in professional conferences. Special recognition is given to alumni, faculty and friends who show their commitment to the future of journalism at the University of Iowa. High-level annual contributions qualify you as a member of the Director’s Club, Patron, or Alumni and Friends.
SJMC Patron:
$250 to $499 per year
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You can become a member of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Club with gift support of $1,000 or more annually during the fiscal year July 1 - June 30 to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or any other area of the College. Gift support totaling $2,500 or more will qualify you for membership in the Patrons’ Circle of the Dean’s Club, designed to recognize the College’s most generous benefactors.
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The School of Journalism and Mass Communication The University of Iowa Foundation Levitt Center for University Advancement P.O. Box 4550 Iowa City Iowa 52244-4550 (319) 335-3305 (800) 648-6973 Jeff Liebermann e-mail: jeff-liebermann@uiowa.edu
The State University of Iowa Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization soliciting tax-deductible private contributions for the benefit of The University of Iowa. The organization is located at One West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242; its telephone number is (800) 648-6973. Please consult your tax advisor about the deductibility of your gift. If you are a resident of the following states, please review the applicable, required disclosure statement. GEORGIA: A full and fair description of the charitable programs and activities and a financial statement is available upon request from the organization using its address/telephone number, listed above. MARYLAND: A copy of the current financial statement is available upon request from the organization using its address/telephone number, listed above. For the cost of copies and postage, documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are available from the Secretary of State, 16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401, 410-974-5521. NEW JERSEY: Information filed with the attorney general concerning this charitable solicitation and the percentage of contributions received by the charity during the last reporting period that were dedicated to the charitable purpose maybe obtained from the attorney general of the State of New Jersey by calling 973-504-6215 and is available on the Internet at http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. Registration with the attorney general does not imply endorsement. NEW YORK: A copy of the last financial report filed with the Attorney General is available upon request from the organization using its address/phone number, listed above, or from the Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. PENNSYLVANIA: The official registration and financial information of the State University of Iowa Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. WASHINGTON: Financial disclosure information is available upon request from the Secretary of State, Charities Program, by calling (800) 332-4483. WEST VIRGINIA: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement.
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Iowa Journalist 2012-2013
IowaWatch Expands by SJMC Staff
Lauren Mills (SJMC ‘12) joined the Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism as its second full-time employee. The Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism (IowaWatch.org), the state’s first nonprofit news organization that has its home in the Adler Journalism Building, had quite the academic year. First, IowaWatch hired its second full-time employee, Lauren Mills (SJMC ’12). Mills had previously worked at the Sioux City Journal. She also worked at IowaWatch while she was a student at Iowa. “Lauren’s return to IowaWatch, where she was
so instrumental in setting a high bar for journalism as a student, is a significant move for us,” said IowaWatch executive director Lyle Muller, also an Iowa alum. “She brings rich knowledge and perspective to what we are trying to accomplish as our first paid, full-time reporter and digital analyst.” In addition to reporting, Mills took over management of the website. “I started out at IowaWatch as [an SJMC] student soon after it was founded in 2010,”
Mills said. “I got to be a part of the first few years as it grew and developed to the point where we were getting our stories on the front pages of newspapers. It’s wonderful to be back again, working with a new batch of student journalists on some really wonderful projects.” She joined Muller plus a staff of 13 interns, nine of whom were SJMC students and three of whom are SJMC graduates. “IowaWatch is really hitting its stride with great watchdog stories,” IowaWatch board president Erin Jordan said, “including Sarah Hadley’s and Sujin Kim’s piece about how more than half of Iowa’s landfill waste could be recycled and Nora Heaton’s story about the effort to decriminalize the transmission of HIV.” IowaWatch also received nearly $120,000 in grants, including $100,000 from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation for a second consecutive year. The staff produced stories in collaboration with some of the state’s largest for-profit news organizations on issues ranging from veterans affairs to landfills to healthcare. “These grants are huge for IowaWatch. The Ethics and Excellence in
Iowa Journalist 2012-2013
Journalism grant’s impact is obvious from the financial standpoint,” Muller said. “But it and the Fund for Investigative Journalism grant also show confidence on a national level that we are on the right track in trying to produce journalism that fills a need for investigative and public affairs reporting.”
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The University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts & Sciences School of Journalism & Mass Communication 100 Adler Journalism Building Room E305 Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2004
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Iowa Journalist 2012-2013