Drake University SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM & M A S S C O M M U N I C AT I O N ALUMNI NEWSLETTER CONNECTING WITH OUR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD
Summer 2001 • Volume 11 • Number 1
A Note
from Dean Janet Hill Keefer
This is my last letter to you as dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. I am stepping down from this post, effective June 30, 2001. Soon after, Dr. Henry Milam will begin transitional leave into retirement. He will move to Texas at the end of the summer. We are leaving the School in very capable hands. John Lytle, who was named this year as the School’s second Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Journalism, will become interim dean, and David Wright, GR’89, will become interim associate dean. Both will be great, and I hope you will support them as much as you supported me. When I came to Drake in 1994, I hoped to accomplish the following: First, improve the School’s financial condition and its national visibility. • Second, create a National Advisory Board that would take an active role in School affairs. • Third, win re-accreditation for the SJMC from the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. • Fourth, improve and enhance technology in the School. • Fifth, improve the School’s racial and gender diversity. •
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The Reliable Source, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication newsletter, is published for alumni and friends of SJMC Drake University Marketing and Communications 316 Old Main Drake University Des Moines, Iowa 50311-4505 Janet Hill Keefer dean janet.keefer@drake.edu 515-271-3194 Claudia Cackler development officer claudia.cackler@drake.edu 515-271-4049 Casey L. Gradischnig editor casey.gradischnig@drake.edu 515-271-3779
I have accomplished most of my goals.The School has renovated its main computer classroom and its graphics lab and has added a third computer classroom. It has entered the world of digital audio and video editing. There is now in place a technology endowment and an endowment for a Center for Magazine Studies. The annual contribution from Meredith Corp. has underwritten much of the computer technology in the School, provided funds for faculty development and student scholarships, and has made possible production of award-winning capstone magazines that have made our magazine sequence the strongest in the country at the undergraduate level. The SJMC National Advisory Board is indeed active and engaged and positioned to stay that way. The School won reaccredidation on all 12 of the ACEJMC standards, and I trust that this summer’s midterm accreditation update will give the accrediting council no cause to change its view. The diversity goal is still elusive, but we have made strides under my leadership. None of this would have been possible without the help of dedicated faculty, loyal alumni, concerned professionals and extraordinary students. I have had one howling failure, however. I have been unable to secure the SJMC’s long-term autonomy. You will read elsewhere in this newsletter about suggestions to merge the SJMC into a college that would include the School of Fine Arts and several departments from the College of Arts and Sciences. Nobody knows what this all might mean, but the suggestion worries me. I thank you for all your support. The School now needs your help more than ever.
Neil Baumhover designer neil.baumhover@drake.edu
RELIABLE SOURCE SUMMER 2001 • DRAKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION
HOT TOPIC
Newspapers: Dinosaurs on the Brink of Evolution by Rose Hoffman Toubes With today’s media fractionalization and the coming of age of the first generation of video consumers, I believe newspapers as we know them – those crisp broadsheets of foldable “hard copy” accompanied by amazingly decent digitized color photos lavished on Canadian wood pulp – will be gone in a quarter century or less. The deployment of state-of-the-art presses and the noble gestures of recycling and soy inks notwithstanding, who is going to read the newspapers of the future? Who is going to read, period? That’s the larger question some of us in academia have been asking. And we’re not alone. The remarkable ubiquity of the Internet has raised the “print doomsday issue” once again to a fevered pitch much like the one caused by television. Those sage bastions of nonfiction – like Harper’s and The New York Review of Books, among others – have been doing their fair share of recent worrying. And rightfully so. When today’s readers visit that heavenly reading room, will there be generations of readers here on earth to take their place? And not only readers of pulp fiction, of grocery store romances and airport thrillers, but readers for democracy, readers who care about the environment and human rights and world politics? With their breadth and depth of coverage, I believe top newspapers and print news magazines are the only media forms that can truly accomplish this global literacy for the average citizen. Though the demise of newsprint is inevitable, I find myself a staunch defender of the newspaper realm, more for the kinds of readers and thinkers it develops. Rose Hoffman Toubes, JO’78, GR’88, is an instructor of English/journalism at Des Moines Area Community College.
“Read a newspaper today. Save the world reading habit that needs to be nourished tomorrow,” I say. This self-coined maxim in the home over a lifetime. A decade ago is what motivates my efforts to have all of many of my students said they came from my composition students – nearly 125 each families where a newspaper subscription semester – subscribe to a paper for the was as much a part of daily life as a loaf entirety of our term together. But my of bread. Today fewer of my students recall purpose is ultimately a more pragmatic newspapers having been regularly available one. Newspapers perform a critical role in in their homes. And yet Gannett must have teaching students how to master their own cause for optimism. The economic decisions language. “Most of what you need to know behind The Des Moines Register’s new about writing is in here,” I tell my students printing operation presume a century of as I hold up a copy of The New York Times. future newspaper readers, at least. Or maybe Four dimes a day brings them the world. what newspapers are doing these days is But I’m not sure they want it – even at sharply reduced “ Newspapers perform a critical role in teaching student rates. At least not in students how to master their own language.” newsprint . . . er . . .dinosaur form. Maybe not at all. The litany of their complaints is merely keeping their “brand” alive, their predictable, endless, valid even: We do not teams of trusty news-gatherers intact for have time to read long stories, they say. If the time when they will mostly exist online. we want news, we can listen to the radio, I think future “readers” will access a watch TV or surf for headlines and updates. variety of media for display on wall-sized We have families (and cars) to support, too screens or handheld palm readers – a melange much homework, not enough space for of point-and-click customized audio, video newspapers in our lives, not enough patience and print packages based on individual to read long stories from beginning to end. preference. And possibly, a few of us will We don’t need all the details. Just the gist. still be able to download the news of our Right now we don’t care about the rest of choice and print it on paper in a type size the world that much. We have our own that corresponds to our visual acuity. lives. Save the trees. And newsprint gets Do I stew over the proliferation of TV our fingers dirty, thank you very much. news magazines and sensationalized realityStill, my students – eager for three hours based programming that seem to reduce the of credit – dutifully snip and paste to create world to glib entertainment at the expense their own newspaper grammar guides full of genuine knowledge? I suppose I do. As of hyphens, dashes, colons, semicolons, an educator I am striving to cultivate a participial phrases, colorful leads, literary motivated, critical-thinking citizenry, and allusions. They complete vocabulary noteI will have to continue to do so using the books. They respond to articles and editorials. best media available and by requiring my They analyze reporters’ research methods. students to read deeply and well. And some begin to really read the paper. Not because I make them. Others, regretYOUR OPINION WANTED: If you have an tably, lack the comprehension skills to tackle industry-related opinion you’d like to write a print behemoth like The New York Times. and submit for consideration as a future They have spent a lifetime not confronting Hot Topic, or if you want to respond to this any more print than necessary. editorial, send an e-mail to Reliable Source Perhaps I am trying too hard to insinuate editor casey.gradischnig@drake.edu. my newspaper habit on my students, a
DRAKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION • RELIABLE SOURCE SUMMER 2001
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IN BRIEF
Ryan Dick, JO’99 (left) and Peter Barber, JO’81 (right) visit with retiring professor Henry Milam at the annual SJMC Alumni Awards Dinner.
MILAM, DRAHOTA AND SWAIN HONORED AT SJMC ALUMNI DINNER
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Faculty, graduates and students gathered during Relays weekend at the annual SJMC Alumni Awards Dinner to honor Becki Roth Drahota, JO’72, and Warren Swain, JO’68, who were named outstanding Drake alumni (see profiles on pages 12 and 13). The dinner featured a festive Texas barbecue theme in honor of journalism professor Henry Milam, who plans to retire after 22 years of teaching at Drake and move to the Texas coast where year-round sailing is possible. SJMC student scholarships were also awarded during the evening.
DRAKE ALUMNUS WINS PULITZER PRIZE Tom Hallman Jr., JO’77, a writer at The Oregonian in Portland, OR, recently won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing for a profile of a facially disfigured teenager who underwent months of surgery to remove a mass on his face. Hallman has received numerous journalism awards, including the National Society of Professional Journalists Award and the Oregon Writer of the Year Award. After graduating from Drake, Hallman worked as a copy editor for a group of magazines in New York City. He then moved to a weekly newspaper in eastern Oregon; a daily paper in Washington and
finally The Oregonian, where he was worked April 30. The site includes an ongoing forum for more than 20 years. on major issues in the magazine industry; Hallman has gained a national reputation translating scholarly research into practical in the journalism community. Other awards information; and providing links to other he has earned include the National Livingston magazine sites for resource purposes. Award for best local story, 1985, and finalist, The Center will eventually conduct profes1989; the Best of the West Award for the sional development seminars to provide best series written by a reporter in the continuing education opportunities for local western half of the United States, 1989; and national magazine professionals. Topics and the John Patton will range from the Scholarship to attend implementation of rules the Wesleyan Writers of ethics to the influence Conference. He also has of the Internet on won regional and state magazines. awards for best spot, feature writing and DEAN KEEFER TO investigative reporting. RETURN TO FACULTY At Drake, Hallman Janet Keefer, dean of the has served on the School of Journalism and National Advisory Mass Communication Tracy Bainter, a senior magazine Board for the School since 1994, resigned her major, and Shawn Gilliam, JO’94, of Journalism and Mass position as dean, effective at the Center for Magazine Studies Communication. He was open house. June 30, to return to the the featured speaker at faculty. “This step ends the School’s annual alumni award dinner one of the most rewarding phases of my in April 1998. professional and personal life,” she said. Hallman’s series is posted on the Web at www.oregonlive.com/mask/. LYTLE APPOINTED INTERIM DEAN
OF DRAKE JOURNALISM SCHOOL MAGAZINE CENTER OPENS The Center for Magazine Studies at Drake University recently hosted an open house for faculty, staff, students and alumni. The center was initiated by the E.T. Meredith Family Foundation and the Bohen Foundation, with a $500,000 endowment, as part of a $1.1 million Meredith gift. The center is designed to be a resource for scholars and professionals who want to further their knowledge of magazines and the magazine business. The center includes a magazine resource room for academic and professional research housing a diverse archive of high-quality publications that are rarely part of library collections. Continuous runs of numerous publications from Ms to Mother Earth News will be available as will historical background The center’s interactive Web site, www.magazinestudies.com, was launched
John W. Lytle, professor of journalism and mass communication at Drake University, has been appointed interim dean of Drake’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, effective July 1. In announcing the appointment, Drake Provost Ron Troyer said, “John Lytle enjoys the strong support and respect of the School of Journalism faculty members. Students, alumni and colleagues admire his fairness, high standards, integrity and thoughtfulness. John has served the University exceptionally well in a variety of roles. John Lytle I am confident he is the person to lead the School of Journalism during this time of change.” Lytle was named the Ellis and Nelle Levitt distinguished Professor of Journalism in
RELIABLE SOURCE SUMMER 2001 • DRAKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION
May. He joined the Drake faculty in 1977 as an assistant professor and coordinator of the broadcast news sequence after teaching journalism at South Dakota State University. He was promoted to tenured associate professor in 1982 and professor in 1990. In addition to his Drake activities, Lytle has served four terms as director of the Iowa Broadcast News Association and is active in the Radio-Television News Directors Association.
FORMER SJMC DEAN MICHAEL CHENEY LEAVES DRAKE Michael R. Cheney, associate provost and director of research at Drake, has been appointed provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS). Before joining Drake in 1981 as an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Cheney was a faculty member at Rutgers College in New Brunswick, NJ. At Drake, he was promoted to associate professor in 1985, and in 1986
he received the University’s President’s Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching. He was named dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Michael Cheney 1988 and served in that position until 1993, when he was appointed to his current post.
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Drake Historical Moment In 1965, Meredith Hall was dedicated. The new home for the School of Journalism was designed by the distinguished international architect Mies Van de Rohe. The building was named in recognition of Edwin T. Meredith, Sr., a former Drake trustee and the individual responsible for developing Meredith Publishing into one of the top magazine publishers in the nation. When the Journalism Department became a School in the mid-1960s, former Better Homes and Gardens editor Hugh Curtis became its first dean. DRAKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION • RELIABLE SOURCE SUMMER 2001
IN BRIEF
Van Harden, JO’73. broadcasts live from Drake campus as part of “J-Days.”
FIRST “J-DAYS” A SUCCESS
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The SJMC hosted “J-Days” March 12-15 to draw attention to the School and its programs. The event was sponsored by the Journalism Council, the reincarnation of the Dean’s Council, a student advisory group representing the School’s sequences, clubs and activities. Student Senator Christie Gebauer, who will be a senior this fall, was the driving force behind the rejuvenation of the group and of the series of J-Days activities. The week began with a live broadcast from Meredith Hall of WHO Radio’s “The Van and Bonnie Show” hosted by Van Harden, JO’73. Drake University President David Maxwell,
Faculty Profile
SJMC Dean Janet Keefer, several SJMC professors and students were guests on the four-hour, drive-time program. Other events included a panel discussion, “Recovering Media Credibility,” which focused on media coverage of Election Night 2000. Panelists were Bill Headline, executive director of Voter News Service; Dave Busiek, news director of KCCI-TV and national president of the Radio-Television News Claudia Directors Association and Foundation; Dennis Ryerson, editor of The Des Moines Register; Joe Shannahan, press secretary to Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack; Sarah Leonard, communications director, Iowa Democratic Party; and Craig Schoenfeld, communications director, Iowa Republican Party. Jerry Parkin, GR’84, director of government affairs for Deere & Co. moderated the discussion. An internship/jobs fair, an ice cream social and a Peggy’s Party were part of the week’s activities.
CACKLER JOINS DRAKE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE Claudia Cackler is the new alumni and development director for the SJMC. Cackler is a Des Moines native who brings 20 years of development, management and marketing experience to the position. She has worked with a number of non-profit organizations including the Des Moines National Poetry
Classes Taught: Numerous PR courses such as “PR Principles” and “PR Campaigns” as well as courses like “Basic Photojournalism” and “Intro to Visual Communications.”
Henry Milam Favorite Class to Teach: “Public Relations Research.” Title: Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications and Associate Dean. Milam has been at Drake since 1979.
Background: B.S., University of Houston; M.S.,Ph.D., Texas A&M University; newspaper
Festival, Salisbury House, The Nature Conservancy and the American Institute of Architects. “The thing I love most about my job is getting to talk to our grads and finding out what amazing things they’ve done with their lives after attending Drake. It is truly an inspiration,” she says. Cackler can be reached at 515-271-4049 or via e-mail at claudia.cackler@drake.edu. Cackler
NEW RELIABLE SOURCE HOT OFF THE PRESS The spring 2001 printing marks first edition of the newly redesigned The Reliable Source. Drake’s Office of Marketing and Communications has reworked the newsletter to give the publication a more reader-friendly, contemporary feel. In addition to the visual enhancements, the content of The Reliable Source has been updated to include more SJMC students, faculty and graduates in new and unique ways. If you have a comment on the newsletter or would like to contribute to The Reliable Source, e-mail Editor Casey Gradischnig at casey.gradischnig@drake.edu or call 515-271-3779.
editor; corporate PR professional; PR consultant.
Research Interests: Public relations, Internet.
Professional Associations: Public Relations Society of America, International Association of Business Communicators, American Statistical Association, Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication.
Off-the-Job Interests: Sailing, antique autos and musical instruments. Retirement Plans: Warmer climate and more sailing.
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REGIONAL SCOOP: DALLAS From a small settlement on the banks of the Trinity River, Dallas has evolved into a major metropolis that Fortune magazine called the “best place in the nation to do business.” BUSINESS
CULTURE
Dallas is headquarters to more oil firms than any other U.S. city, and headquarters to more insurance companies than any other city in the south. The city ranks seventh in the nation on the Fortune 500 list with eight of the nation’s largest public firms headquartered in the city of Dallas. Dubbed the “Silicon Prairie,” Dallas is among the largest high technology employment centers in the U.S. Dallas is the distribution center of the Southwest, with wholesale and retail trade being the second largest employment sector in the Dallas economy.
The Dallas arts district is the largest urban arts district in the country and is anchored by the Dallas Museum of Art and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. There are approximately 36 professional and community theaters, 12 symphony and chamber orchestras, three ballet groups, a world class opera association and over 160 museums, galleries and artistic attractions. Dallas is one of a few cities in the nation with seven major league sports teams including Cowboys football, Mavericks basketball, Rangers baseball, Stars hockey, Burn soccer, Sidekicks indoor soccer and Dragoons polo.
DALLAS BY THE NUMBERS
(1999 data)
Greater Dallas population Unemployment rate Median household income Median house sale price Avg. monthly apartment
3,366,618 4.1% $50,473 $121,498 $811
ALUMNI CHAPTER Thinking of visiting or moving to Dallas? Connect with other Bulldogs in the area through Drake’s Dallas Alumni Chapter by contacting Drake grad Jesse Cox at 214-368-9018, jesse.m.cox@pwcglobal.net. Or you can connect in cyberspace by visiting Drake’s online alumni community at www.drakealumni.net.
“This is a great place to live and work. There is a major focus in this region to improve transportation infrastructure, expand the light rail system, and even build another airport besides our already-existing DFW International Airport. One of my favorite things about this area is that we have mild winters here.” Richard Cameron, JO'91, licensed professional counselor intern for Counseling & Life Development Center.
“The abundance of businesses operating in the Metroplex means that there are many job opportunities. Commuting to work was the biggest adjustment I had to make. Now I live less than 5 miles from my job, and my commute only takes 15 minutes. My advice to anyone moving here is to sign a short-term lease, so that once you find the ideal job you can move closer to it.” Cindy Schielke, JO'94, advertising team for Weir's Furniture Village.
“Dallas is one of the quickest growing cities in America with many corporate and non-profit job opportunities. Dallas is a very suburban city and has a lot to offer for young single people and young couples. Personally, through my work at the synagogue, I have developed a great relationship with key people in TV, radio and newspaper media.” Robyn Faintich, JO'95, director of programming and marketing for Congregation Shearith Israel.
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Charting the Road Program Review and the Future of the SJMC DRAKE UNIVERSITY’S REVIEW AND PRIORITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE (RPAC) RELEASED ITS INTERIM REPORT ON ACADEMIC ORGANIZATION ON APRIL 27. THESE IDEAS ARE INTENDED TO STIMULATE THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION; THEY ARE NOT RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEY ARE NOT FINAL. ON THE NEXT THREE PAGES ARE DISCUSSIONS ON THE REPORT.
SJMC National Advisory Board Responds to Academic Reorganization Report
have in reducing costs and improving the years and historically attracted a large share quality of education. The NAB offered to of new students (currently 13 percent of the work with President Maxwell to find suitable student body). It will make it difficult to alternatives to the elimination of the SJMC attract and retain qualified journalism as a stand-alone school. The NAB recomfaculty. And it will seriously devalue the By Ed Mattix, JO’75, SJMC National mended that Drake place even greater journalism degrees of current and future Advisory Board chair emphasis on publicizing the benefits and students and alumni. historical strengths of the SJMC to attract Every NAB member voiced the opinion One of the RPAC’s ideas is to consolidate even more students and revenue to the that if Drake did not have a stand-alone the School of Journalism and Mass university as a whole. SJMC, he or she probably would not have Communication (SJMC) into a new college chosen Drake as a including the School of Fine Arts, rhetoric university home. Still and communication, English, philosophy “I strongly encourage all SJMC alumni to participate today when choosing and religion. This would end the SJMC’s in this ongoing discussion. RPAC asks that ideas and a university, students history as a stand-alone college. The SJMC suggestions about the Interim Report on Academic look at journalism National Advisory Board (NAB) also met Organization be shared with the committee by July 1.” school programs to on April 27 and discussed reactions to the see if they operate as report, and sent a letter to President David The NAB is ready to call on the SJMC’s stand-alone school because it is important Maxwell stating its views. Highlights from lengthy list of talented alumni to identify to know that the major is viewed with this the NAB response are: every possible resource from which we can emphasis and appropriate resources are The SJMC NAB strongly opposes the draw to improve Drake’s scholastic program, being allocated. report regarding the future of the SJMC, increase contributions and minimize adminThe proposed realignment could have especially the elimination of the SJMC as a istrative costs. a serious effect on university fundraising. separate college and combining it into a new I strongly encourage all SJMC alumni to While alumni might continue to support college “devoted to the arts, human commuparticipate in this ongoing discussion. RPAC Drake at some level, the NAB believes the nication, and the humanities.” asks that ideas and suggestions about the masses give because they want to support the The proposed elimination of the SJMC Interim Report on Academic Organization program from which they graduated. Alumni as a stand-alone school and its realignment be shared with the committee by July 1. If need a rallying point around which to give with primarily unrelated programs will lead you have any questions or concerns about the their money. Whatever money saved in to a significant reduction in the quality of SJMC NAB’s position, feel free to contact me. administrative costs could be more than offset education for SJMC students. It will by the reduction in alumni contributions. diminish Drake’s ability to recruit students ed.mattix@mail.sprint.com All this said, the NAB recognizes the to the journalism program, which has been a Senior VP-Public Relations and Brand challenge that RPAC and the administration shining jewel in Drake’s crown for so many Management, Sprint Corp. 913-624-8778 (work) 816-210-6700 (PCS) Program Review The Priorities and Review Advisory Committee’s Interim Report on Academic Organization can be found on the Web at www.drake.edu/review/. Comments may be sent electronically to president@drake.edu (this address automatically distributes your comments to all members of RPAC). The deadline is July 1. ●
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to Success Dean Examines Implications of Interim Report By Janet Hill Keefer, SJMC dean Drake’s university-wide Review and Priorities Advisory Committee (RPAC) has issued an interim report recommending that Drake’s five undergraduate colleges be merged into three. You can — and should — read the report. As I said in my report to RPAC in round one of program review, there is perhaps no university in the country with as much “journalistic ambiance” as Drake. Its library is named for the legendary Cowles family, a journalism dynasty whose publications included The Des Moines Register, The Minneapolis Tribune, Look magazine and other media enterprises. Gardner “Mike” Cowles headed Drake’s Journalism Department in 1927-1928, when he was 25 years old and managing editor of The Register. He was followed by Dr. George Gallup, a pioneer in public opinion research. And the list goes on. The RPAC report shows us remaining a school within a college. That strongly suggests that the next full-time leader of this enterprise will be a director or chair without a direct reporting line to the provost. Many schools similar to Drake are taking their journalism and mass communication programs in the direction Drake took nearly four decades ago. Quinnipiac in Connecticut; Texas Christian (where Mick Ferrari is now president); American University in Washington, DC; Elon University in North Carolina; Hofstra University of Long Island, NY — all have elevated mass communications programs to college or school status in recent years. As these schools have
recognized, being a separate school in a enough) so that we can support the ourselves university’s organizational structure is a very in a manner in which our University budget important step — one that says to potential would never allow. In my opinion, consolistudents and faculty that the programs dation with anyone would make fundraising involved are of excellent quality and are more difficult. important to the mission and brand identifiIf this consolidation takes place, we have cation of the parent institution. The RPAC no idea how many students would start proposal seems to be sending Drake in the seeing our program as being more like other direction for reasons that are neither Bradley's and less like Missou’s or Kansas’s. good nor compelling. We can safely say that no students would The RPAC report before us now posits decide not to come to Drake because we are that the consolidations will save $300,000 a School. We can just as safely say that an to $400,000 by eliminating two deans’ unknown number will decide not to come to positions and some associate deans’ positions. Drake if we are not a School. At Drake, loss To me, it seems a small savings in the face of even four or five potential students is of opportunity costs that we can’t begin to significant. calculate. We have some indication, based upon the Nevertheless, we recognize that many at uniformly negative reaction of our National Drake believe that we are too small to rate Advisory Board members, that losing our our current status as a school with a dean. autonomy will cost us a great deal in terms We are a small faculty — only a dozen right of alumni relations. Professional constituents now. Our 470 or so majors constitute “Being a separate school in a university’s organiabout 13 percent of zational structure is a very important step — one the undergraduate that says to potential students and faculty that the student body. But programs involved are of excellent quality and are of course, our size important to the mission and brand identification is what makes us of the parent institution.” attractive to students who don’t want to get lost at also have expressed concern to me over what Big State Mega-U. When our program is they regard as diminishing the importance of compared with other accredited, professional journalism and mass communication at programs with similar sequences and Drake. They fear a lessening in quality of curricula, that 13 percent figure shows us instruction. to have much more apparent “clout” on our But what worries me more than anything campus than our competitors have on theirs. else is what this change will do to the Even the largest programs, which might School’s fabled esprit d’corps. I can’t think enroll 2,000 students or so, are small that this change — offering no clear advanpotatoes in universities that enroll 30,000 tage to students or faculty of the School — to 50,000 students. Our status as a separate will do much to enhance the feeling that this school also has allowed us to raise funds is a truly special place. effectively (although one is never effective
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Committee Chair Outlines Review Process By Lon N. Larson, RPAC chair As Chair of RPAC (Priorities and Review Advisory Committee), I want to thank all of you for your interest in the program review process. The comments and feedback we have received in response to all of our recommendations have been insightful, considered, and civil. The process has heightened my pride in being a member of the Drake community. Since completing the review and disposition of individual programs (the President’s report was issued in January), the RPAC has focused on the organization of the academic unit. At the end of April, we issued an interim report, which is the subject of the editorial by Mr. Mattix. My purpose here is not to rebut the sentiments of the National
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One of the ideas presented in RPAC’s Interim Report on Academic Organization include reorganizing the academic departments as follows: College number one would include the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science and policy, physics, mathematics and psychology. College number two would include the Collage of Business and Public Administration, the School of Education, anthropology, economics, sociology, geography, history, politics and international relations. College number three would include the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, rhetoric and communication, English, philosophy and religion. College number four would be the Law School.
not negate our intention to continue working diligently to increase enrollment and retention by improving academic programs, renovating dorms, “Every expenditure has an opportunity cost – improving the something is foregone because the money is quality of student spent on another alternative. Are there better life , etc.). ways for Drake to spend its limited resources Oh, if reallocathan on six full-time deans’ offices? ” tion were only as simple as it sounds! Advisory Board, nor to defensively justify As pointed out by Mr. Mattix, reallocating the contents of the interim report. However, resources via reorganization can affect I want to clarify a couple of points, and in enrollment, fundraising, and program quality. so doing, convey to you (I hope) that the So the decisions are complex. Yet the program review process is one deserving of economic fact-of-life remains: Every expenyour confidence, support and participation. diture has an opportunity cost – something First, I want to reiterate the purpose of is foregone because the money is spent on program review. The next-to-last bullet another alternative. Are there better ways point in Mr. Mattix’s editorial suggests for Drake to spend its limited resources than “publicizing the benefits and historical on six full-time deans’ offices? Phrased strengths of the SJMC to attract even more specifically for the issue at hand: Is a fullstudents and revenue to the university.” time dean’s office the most effective way The fundamental premise underlying the of using limited resources to build and entire program review process is that Drake maintain outstanding programs in cannot “grow itself” into prosperity. The journalism and mass communication? demographic trends of the Midwest are such This is a very complex question, and one that enrollment growth in traditional-age where we want ideas and suggestions. Hence, students is unlikely. Hence, the strategic we issued the interim report on reorganizadecision was made to focus on reducing tion. The purpose of this report is to stimucosts and reallocating resources. (This does late discussion; it is not a proposal or a set
of recommendations. This is noted by Mr. Mattix in his introductory paragraph. We will issue a proposal at the beginning of the academic year, after we receive and digest responses from the community. The RPAC wants your ideas! Reactions to the report are certainly welcome, but so too are your thoughts and suggestions of other approaches to organization. What “things” – tangible or intangible – make a Drake experience meaningful, and do these “things” relate to the organization and administration? What made Drake special for you? Please let us know. Each of you is an important member of the Drake community, and your ongoing support and input are greatly valued. Thank your for your thoughts. Lon N. Larson, PH’72, RPAC chair, is a professor of pharmacy administration and the Windsor Professor of Science.
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STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS CYRUS C. CLIFTON AND LUCILE R. CLIFTON MEMORIAL
HARRISON-HARDING SCHOLARSHIP Established by a bequest to support the editor of the Times-Delphic.
Michael Corey
Deanna Truman
ERIK ISGRIG MEMORIAL ADVERTISING SCHOLARSHIP Scholarship established in 1991 by Barbara Powers Hazlehurst, JO’69, in honor of Erik, who was a distinguished member of the University’s advertising faculty from 1965 to 1969. William Aeschliman
THE GREEN EYESHADE AWARD This award, which honors Joe R. Patrick’s dedication to copy-editing and his service to the J-School as teacher and assistant dean, recognizes outstanding copy editors, nitpickers in the Patrick tradition. Frances Starkey
TOM NORQUIST MEMORIAL Tom was a 1979 Drake graduate. This fund was endowed with a contribution from Cowles Syndicate, Tom’s employer, and with funds from the Norquist family and friends. Christine L. Gebauer
ROBERT BLISS BOWL For scholarship and academic achievement, this honor is presented each year to the graduating senior with the highest overall grade point average. Rhonda Carver Lynn Walters
KARYL VAN SCHOLARSHIP The recipient of this award will work as an assistant in the Center for Magazine Studies. Alexis Walters
BUSINESS PRESS FOUNDATIONS INTERNSHIPS Charmaine Sutton Sara Walker Katherine Willhite
TERRY STOFFER SCHOLARSHIP AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGAZINE EDITORS INTERNSHIPS
Scot Talcott
MEREDITH CORPORATION SCHOLARSHIPS Jeremy Geppert Katie Mills Laura Ann Turner
Darby Harris Amanda Repine Janine Salkowski
Abbey Klaassen Stacey Rice
Jennie Dorris Abbie Klaassen
11 KATHARINE FUTCH SCHOLARSHIPS Kailyn Reid Eric Duffee
Student Profile Becki White Major: News/Internet – Class of 2001 Hometown: Arvada, Colorado Notable Achievement: One of the first News/Internet majors, White arrived at
Drake 1997 never having using the World Wide Web or e-mail. She graduated with 3.971 GPA and along the way was a Dow Jones intern at Newsday in New York; rolled an internship at Meredith Corp. into a three-year Internet production job for Better Homes and Gardens online; was a key designer of the new interactive Iowa Web site for the Journalism 171 class; and was featured on the C-Span Web site during the Iowa 2000 Caucuses. Campus Activities: Times Delphic sports editor and features editor; rugby team, mock trial team, Journalism Dean’s Advisory Board.
Michael Corey Sara Reimer
Off-campus Interests: Drake Community Center volunteer, horseback riding, reading and writing. Career Track: Hired as an online editor at the Rocky Mountain News in Denver. “Drake has done a wonderful job of not only teaching me the basics, but getting me great interships, and that’s what really counts in this field. My experiences at Drake taught me how to think and the interships taught me how to do.”
DRAKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION • RELIABLE SOURCE SUMMER 2001
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS ROBERT AND LOTTIE BROWN SCHOLARSHIPS Caroline Pakenham Jenna McMullin
Cara Hall Katie Patterson
TED SELL MEMORIAL Michelle Tolan
DOW JONES EDITORIAL INTERNSHIP WINNERS Mike Corey will be an online intern at the Columbus Dispatch. Kari Linder will be a copy editing intern at the York Daily Record.
AD PROS SCHOLARSHIP Dan Pickerel
KAPPA TAU ALPHA
ALPHA DELTA SIGMA
Leah Anderson Tom Cronin Elizabeth Cross Amanda Fritzel Sutton Meagher Richard Harman Aimee Phipps Katherine Pronk Sara Reimer Todd Ruger Theresa Thomas Heidi Waldman Katherine Willhite
Jeremiah Adams Magdalen Ang Brian Armogan Kevin Biggins Jason Boucher Anisha Carter Amanda Fritzel Megan Goldsmith Sorcha MacCafferty Sutton Meagher Justin Paris Evin Shutt Wendy Ungari Jessica Willems
IOWA BROADCAST NEWS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDENT MEMBER Eric Duffee
PACEMAKER AWARD 515 Magazine The 2000 issue of 515 magazine has been selected as a National Magazine Pacemaker winner by the Associated Collegiate Press. This is the ACP’s most prestigious award and was given to only eight other magazines throughout the country. The magazine previously earned an All American rating from the ACP.
TimesDelphic Staff
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Alumni Profile Becki Drahota, JO’72 Occupation: Founder and president of Mills Financial Marketing, a 26-year-old Storm Lake, IA, company specializing in strategic planning, research, promotional production and training. Her company’s client roster
Executive Editor - Beth Cross Business Manager - Megan Baron Advertising Manager - Kelly Gale Managing Editor - Frances Starkey News Editor - Joe Lewandowski Features Editor - Deanna Truman Sports Editor - Sean Hoffman
includes the nation’s twelfth largest credit union and the SHAZAM EFT Network. She is also responsible for developing the industry prototype for the marketing audit process.
Bankers Association Best of Iowa Awards; and several Iowa Advertising Federation Addy Awards including Best of Category. Drahota is currently authoring a book on financial marketing.
Professional Associations: National Federation of Independent Businesses, American Society of Professional and Executive Women, American Marketing Association, Rotary International - Paul Harris Fellow.
Off-the-Job Interests: Golfing and boating.
Notable Achievement: Golden Eagle Awards from Bank Advertising News; three Best of Show Awards and several other Iowa
“Drake gave me the academic and experiential foundation to secure a wonderful entry-level position when I first graduated, and prepared me for starting my own company three years later. My professors were inspirational.”
RELIABLE SOURCE SUMMER 2001 • DRAKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION
Talk of the Town Welcome to Talk of the Town, the public forum for airing opinions, gripes and predictions regarding issues of interest to SJMC faculty, students and graduates. In this round folks address the following question: “With the advent of the Internet, the proliferation of TV news magazine shows and the success of sensationalized reality-based TV shows, what do you think the future holds for traditional newspapers?”
“BECAUSE of those things, intangible and transitory as they are, the future of newspapers is safe in the dirty hands of traditionalists who remain grounded in the need for local reality in a hot medium.” – Anne Fredrickson, JO’75, producer/director, Iowa Public Television, Des Moines, IA
Newspaper publishers should stick to the basics and ensure that reporters communicate only the facts, without the interjection of adjectives, so that no bias is ever perceived.” – Eric Yaillen, JO’84, president of Aspen Information Systems, Inc., Mill Creek, WA
“Reading off a computer screen just isn’t the same as the feel of the thin paper, the smell of the ink, and the ability to fold it up and save it for later. Newspapers are already offering online interactive Web sites to complement their print publications and I think that they will continue to serve as a supplement rather than a replacement of the printed piece.” – Gressa Rowland, 2001 advertising grad, Golden Valley, MN
“Shows such as ‘Dateline’ and ‘48 Hours’ are fine, but they can only cover so much in an hour. Imagine trying to cram The New York Times or even The Des Moines Register into a TV show. We would be watching for several hours just to get the
Alumni Profile Warren Swain, JO'68 Occupation: Swain works for Pinnacle Sports in Gretna, NE, where he is the “voice of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.”
news. Plus, there is no option for choice. The thought of networks selecting my news is frightening.” – Chris Wolter, JO’91, commercial pilot, Webster City, IA
“Daily and weekly newspapers will be with us for a long time. Hard copy at the breakfast table or on your desk is a hard habit to break. Besides, the advertising penetration of newspapers is difficult to beat.” – Elwin Basquin, JO’57, retired broadcasting executive, Peoria, IL
“A well-sourced and staffed newspaper will have greater credibility than many Internet news sources, and in-depth news reporting and thorough analysis are more likely in print than on any broadcast medium.
“Traditional newspapers will continue to play an integral role in the lives of Americans. Newspapers are a lifeline to the community and serve as the pulse of society.”– Catherine A. Huggins, JO’85, director of corporate communications, GuideOne Insurance, West Des Moines, IA
“Until people start carrying a laptop to the bathroom in the morning, newspapers will still be a viable medium. Plus, it’s fun to make hats out of them.” – John Carpenter, JO’84, president, MCM Communications, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA
More Talk of the Town responses can be found on the Web at www.drake.edu/reliablesource.
Background: Swain's broadcasting career includes covering sports for KDSN in Denison, IA; KHAS in Hastings, NE; KMA in Shenandoah, IA; KUGN in Eugene, OR; and KRNT in Des Moines.
of the Iowa State Cyclones” in 1971 and six times as the “voice of the University of Virginia Cavaliers.” On April 30, Swain received his ninth Sportscaster of the Year award.
Notable Achievement: Recently named Sportscaster of the Year for the state of Nebraska by the National Sports Broadcasters and Sportswriters Association. Swain is one of only three people to ever win the award in four different states, having received the award as the “voice of the Oregon Ducks” in 1981, the “voice
Off-the-Job Interests: Traveling, collecting old movie serials and “B” movie westerns. “I have not forgotten my days at Drake. Jim Duncan was my true mentor. He always had his students thinking ‘big’ and that’s what gave us confidence.”