spring
2 0 1 1 a l u m n i n e w s l e t t e r | t h e i n d e p e n d e n t s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r o f s y r ac us e , n.y.
M AKING NEWS
R EFLECTIONS
D.O. alumni report, photograph and illustrate from around the world. Page 3
Daily Orange staffers from the 1930s recount the stories they’ll always remember. Page 2
A F O N D FA R E W E L L
Friends and former co-workers give a hats-off to Rob Howard for his nearly 10 years of service to The Daily Orange. Page 4
From the editor’s desk: Anniversary weekend successful, staffers receive awards for work
B
raving a near-blizzard, my
K ATIE McINERNEY
managing editor Kathleen
series of speakers and discussions held at Newhouse. The morning
Ronayne and I made the trek
began with stories about the 1971
from the East neighborhood to
independence, the 1991 financial
the Newhouse complex early one
independence and finally, today’s
Saturday morning. Typically, we
D.O. We also separated into
wouldn’t be up that early. But as we
smaller groups to talk about more
hiked through the quickly piling
such a chief
snow, we knew the trip would be worth it.
cess. And boy, did that feel good.
That Saturday morning kicked
As my time as editor in chief
specific topics — from sports enterprise beat writing to finding feature stories to covering issues visually. The weekend ended
off the bulk of a weekend celebrat-
winds down, I know the 40th anni-
with a small goodbye brunch on
ing The Daily Orange’s 40th anni-
versary celebration will stand out
Sunday morning.
versary of independence. We were
most in my mind. Meeting alumni
honored when we discovered
who were in the same position
anniversary for the rest of cam-
we’d be the management team in
as me years ago is inspiring and
pus, we published a small section
charge of commemorating the
gratifying. If that doesn’t show me
in that Thursday’s edition (to read
anniversary. But that excitement
why I work at The Daily Orange, I
the content, visit dailyorange.
quickly became nervousness —
don’t know what will.
com/alumni). Kathleen and I
we knew we’d need to pull it off
The weekend began with a
To commemorate the 40th
would like to thank everyone who
well.But at the end of the day,
casual meet-and-greet at 744
attended. It was more than any-
after the room had cleared out
Ostrom for staff members to meet
thing we could have imagined.
and we were left on our own, we
alumni. Saturday was the bulk
But that was not the only
realized the day had been a suc-
of the celebration, with a daylong
NEW FEATURES FOR ALUMNI Feeling nostalgic for your D.O. days? See what your friends have been up to at alumni.dailyorange.com and make or update your own profile. Then check back in the next few months as we make improvements. Suggestions for the new site? Let us know by sending an email to alumni@dailyorange.com.
An easy way to contribute Giving a gift is now as easy as making an online purchase: www.dailyorange. com/donate.
Stay up-to-date Visit dailyorange.com/ alumni for alumni newsletter archives and other content produced especially for our valued alumni until our alumni site is finished.
SEE MCINERNEY PAGE 2
Alumni, we need your help!
The newly relaunched Alumni Association is looking for volunteers to help with various projects.
Fundraising: Extra manpower is needed to run a fundraising campaign. Contact Frank Surette at fsurette@aol.com or 703-736-1660.
a lumni@ da ilyor a nge.com
Event/reunion planning: Help plan the next alumni weekend in Syracuse. We’d also like to organize regional meetups. Email alumni@dailyorange. com.
Newsletters: Article pitches and writing volunteers are always welcome. Contact Brittney Davies at brittney. davies3@gmail.com.
Mentoring: We’re looking for journalism vets to read over student work and provide feedback, and advertising pros to help our business students. Email alumni@dailyorange.com. spring 2011
1
The good old days By Beckie Strum
I
Alumni recall perks of working for The D.O. in the ‘30s: Covering FDR, strong ad sales and an excuse for the women’s curfew
Having celebrated her 100th birthday last June,
From their offices in the long-ago demol-
Wartman said she remembers little from her SU
ished Yates Castle, D.O. staffers worked long
n the thick of the Great Depression,
days, but with a few details, strung together a very
and hard hours, Wartman said.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt kicked off his
different country, university and newspaper.
EDITORIAL EDITOR
1936 re-election campaign from today’s
Armory Square in downtown Syracuse.
Dorothy Hamburger (’39) remembers type-
Throughout the ’30s, The D.O.’s masthead
writers, radios and cameras being the only
included a special group of women’s editors,
technology in the newsroom. “Certainly there
Virginia Wartman, an undergraduate stu-
she said. She worked alongside about five other
were no computers,” she said with a laugh. “It
dent at the time, remembers covering the
women, and the job excused them from the 9
seems when people talk about computers, each
Democratic State Convention as one of the
p.m. women’s curfew, which wasn’t fully lifted
time I say, ‘My gosh, how did we survive without
most memorable and exciting moments as a
until decades later.
them?’ as we were doing any of the activities we
D.O. reporter. “My days at The Daily Orange
“We were second-class citizens in the ’30s,
were a good time. The Democratic Convention
so of course there were curfews,” Wartman
was held in Syracuse and I got to cover it,” she
recalled. “We had to be in at 9 o’clock — on
said. “Of course it was not always that exciting.
special occasions we could stay out to 11. But if
I remember Syracuse held a bakers conven-
we worked at the paper, we got to stay out to at
tion. I was so annoyed — all they talked about
least 1 a.m. It was one of the perks.”
was what do they do about stale bread.”
had to do. But we were always capable of doing everything, somehow.” The university required students to pass a typing course, Wartman said. “I remember an editor, Drew Middleton, who later became a very famous journalist for the AP,”
Even though SU owned the paper, much of its
she said with a laugh. “I remember we sat side by
The fall of 1936 was also a time of change on
funding came from advertising, recalled Win-
side, trying to pass that freshman typing class.”
campus. The university had named William
ifred Skversky (’36), a former ad representative.
Wartman said she spent hours typing
P. Graham the new chancellor that summer,
A host of department stores and locally owned
articles, but her commitment to the paper
after Charles Wesley Flint’s 14 years of leader-
shops — Flah’s, H.J. Howe, Inc., and Edwards
sometimes got in the way of academics — a
ship. The now-iconic Maxwell School of Citi-
Store for Men, all located on South Salina Street
symptom that persists for D.O. staffers today.
zenship and Public Affairs and a number of
— filled the paper, Skversky said. Many of the
other buildings — ones now relegated to SU’s
businesses, excluding Varsity, were wiped out
history — went up that year.
during the city’s economic decline. summer internship at The Oregonian. Jared
MCINERNEY FROM PAGE 1
bright spot of this gray Syracuse winter.
Beckie Strum (‘12) is the editorial editor at The Daily Orange. She can be reached at opinion@ dailyorange.com.
Kathleen and I will be stepping down from
Diamond (sports editor, fall 2009) earned third
our positions next semester to take on differ-
place in the sports writing category for a story
ent roles. Although we’re sad this year has
about the culture of lacrosse on Native Ameri-
passed so quickly, we can only hope we set a
can reservations near SU.
sturdy platform for our newest staff members.
Three former staff members were selected
Staff members have accepted internships
As always, please reach out with any com-
for Region 1 Mark of Excellence awards by
at several reputable news outlets: The Center
ments, questions or concerns. Feedback from
the Society of Professional Journalists. Molly
for Responsive Politics, The Buffalo News,
alumni is not only helpful, but it’s also heart-
Snee (art director, spring-fall 2010) earned
The Denver Post, Alloy, The Cleveland Plain-
warming to hear from others who care about
a first-place award for editorial cartooning
Dealer and Newsday, among others. Most staff
The D.O. as much as we do.
and will continue on to the national competi-
members are waiting to hear back. But if last
tion. Andrew Burton (special projects editor,
year is any indication, The D.O. will again see
spring 2010) took home a second-place award
its editors employed by some of the top publica-
for feature photography from work at his
tions across the country.
RECENT
DONORLIST Thank you for supporting independent student journalism. Your donation is appreciated.
2 spring 2011
Katie McInerney is the editor in chief of The Daily Orange. She previously held the position of presentation director from fall 2009 to spring 2010. Contact her at editor@ dailyorange.com.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ludewig 1952 Mr. Larry Kramer 1972 Mr. Robert S. Benchley 1974 Mr. Robert Tischenkel 1974 Mr. Patrick McCue 1985 Mr. Stephen Cohen 1999 Mr. Michael Swartz and Ms. Elyse Andrews 2006 Mr. Michael D. Becker 2006 Mr. Timothy Gorman 2007 Mr. Matt Gelb 2009 The Toby and Nataly Ritter Family Foundation
a lumni@ da ilyor a nge.com
NEWSM A KERS Alumni in Japan
chronicled his trip through words and photos
spirited” comics. And that was that. “Evil
Chico Harlan (’04), The Washington Post’s
on his personal blog, www.andrewburtonpho-
Twin” became the title of the strip that ran
East Asia correspondent, found himself in
to.com/blog (scroll down for Japan coverage).
during his tenure as a D.O. illustrator.
the thick of Japan’s national disaster when
Follow him on Twitter @HABurton.
the March 11 earthquake and tsunami struck.
It’s now the name of the comic book publishing company Dunlavey launched in 2005 with
In an email recounting his experiences a few
Alumna on Pulitzer-winning team
weeks ago, Harlan wrote, “In the last week I’ve
Paloma Esquivel (G ‘06), a former staff writer,
gotten a better sense for the destruction, as
was part of a Los Angeles Times team recognized
Evil Twin Comics’ first hit, the “Action
I’ve spent a few days in some areas/towns that
with a 2011 Pulitzer Prize. Led by Ruben Vives
Philosophers!” series, light-heartedly summa-
were completely wiped off the map. Totally
and Jeff Gottlieb, the reporters won top honors
rizes the lives and thoughts of prolific thinkers
annihilated… As a journalist in Japan, life is
in the public service category for exposing cor-
such as Plato, Nietzsche and Thomas Jeffer-
exhausting (often) and thrilling (sometimes)
ruption in Bell, Calif. At The D.O., Esquivel wrote
son. It’s now sold as a comic anthology of the
and plenty intimidating, too, when you think
about the role tenure played in faculty response
history of philosophy.
about the weeks and months ahead.” Follow
to the HillTV shutdown and the struggles of the
his work at washingtonpost.com and his expe-
Onondaga Nation, among other topics.
riences on Twitter @chicoharlan. Andrew Burton (‘10) spent nine days travel-
fellow SU alumnus Fred Van Lente, whom he met in the campus club Comics Plus.
The duo continued their nonfiction track with “Comic Book Comics,” about the comic book industry. No. 5, “The All-Lawsuit Edition,” was
Company named after a D.O. comic
published in March, and the last issue, which
ing in Japan to shoot photographs for USA
Ryan Dunlavey’s (’93) nice-guy reputation
covers graphic novels, Japanese comics and the
Today. His work appeared on the front page,
inspired the name of his D.O. comic strip. “It’s
future of the industry, is slated for a June release.
and he produced a video explaining some of his
like these were done by your evil twin,” the
—Compiled by Brittney Davies (’10)
photographs for the newspaper’s website. He
then-art director said of Dunlavey’s “mean-
and Kathleen Ronayne (’12)
A L U M N I U P DAT E S
1998
Kristen (Bergman) Morales (Lifestyle Editor) left her position as senior design editor at The Times in Gainesville, Ga., to pursue freelance writing and graphic design. Her recent projects include newspaper redesigns, InDesign training sessions and designing books, logos and brochures. She is married to Ed Morales, has a daughter, Sofia, 3, and lives in Athens, Ga.
2006
Elyse Andrews (Managing Editor) and Mike Swartz (Presentation Director) are getting married in August 2011 in New Hampshire. They currently live in Boston, where Elyse is an editor at Cabot Heritage Corporation and Mike owns a Web design and development firm, Upstatement. They met and fell in love at The Daily Orange. Jessica Hegger (Ad Representative) was recently promoted after four years of moving up the chain at a Denver ad agency.
2009
Heather Mayer (Copy Editor) was promoted from project manager to junior copywriter at grey healthcare group, a pharmaceutical advertising agency in New York City. She is also a freelance reporter for Carroll Gardens Patch, a hyperlocal news site for the Brooklyn neighborhood. She continues her love for copy editing as chief copy editor for The Juice Online, a Web-based publication for Syracuse University athletics.
In memoriam More than two decades later, those who worked with Denise Cramsey (’90) at The D.O. remember her work ethic and passion. “She loved The Daily Orange and was my News Editor in 1989/90,” Bruce Carroll, the paper’s editor in chief in 1990, wrote in an email. “I’m not sure there was a harder worker that I’ve ever met in my life than Denise.” Cramsey died in November of a brain aneurism. She was 41 and had recently executive produced NBC’s “School Pride.” After graduating from Syracuse in 1990, she became a producer at Medstar Television, then Banyan Productions. She was an executive producer for TLC’s “Trading Spaces” and ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” for which she was also showrunner. Among other shows, she also worked on TLC’s “A Baby Story” and “A Wedding Story” and ABC’s “True Beauty.” She received two Emmy Awards for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” and was nominated four other times. a lumni@ da ilyor a nge.com
2010
Brittney Davies (Copy Editor) joined the oodles of other D.O. alumni at The Star-Ledger. It’s almost like being on the 744 porch again, minus the floor slant. Releasing a book soon? Win an award? Finish a degree? Let us know! Submit your alumni update to us at alumni@dailyorange.com.
Special thanks to: • Brittney Davies for organizing and editing the alumni newsletter • Kathleen Ronayne for editing and factchecking alumni newsletter content • The Daily Orange Board of Directors • David Dwiggins (‘98) for overseeing the alumni website over the years • The Daily Orange Alumni Association Questions? Comments? Feedback? Contact alumni@dailyorange.com or editor@dailyorange.com. Stay in touch! Facebook.com/dailyorangenews (profile) Facebook.com/thedailyorange (news) @dailyorange @DOSports
spring 2011
3
D.O. Heart Rob
It’s about time we fawned over Rob Howard (‘05), who retired from the Board of Directors after nearly a decade of service to the paper. (He’s currently kicking back in South America, living the newlywed life.)
Special thanks to Mike Swartz for compiling the following:
R
ob Howard is a Daily Orange institu-
When I came to The D.O. I was a D student
tion. He started as a sports writer,
with some Photoshop skill, and Rob was a
worked his way through almost every
huge inspiration to me as I learned to be
[Tito Bottitta could not be reached for comment — Ed.]
department, then rose to editor and eventu-
an adult. When we started our company,
ally long-serving alumni board member. On
Rob taught me how to build a business and
journalism. Now, seven years later, as he’s
January 15, a group of alumni gathered in
shmooze clients like a pro. Now that he’s
working on other ventures, I’m still writing. I
Washington, D.C., for Rob’s wedding to his
graduated to marriage, I think we can all
am forever grateful for that. And, even if they
high school sweetheart, Chrissy. The weekend
learn something from how Rob’s particular
don’t realize it, so too are the people of Dallas.
showcased Rob’s singular skill to bring us all
brand of adulthood plays out.
For without me, there would be no one review-
together, and we partied like it was a guide
Mike Swartz
night. Here are some of our memories of Rob through the years:
Sophomore year, Rob restored my faith in
ing all these CDs from crappy local bands. And, OK, some decent ones, too.
Rob always said “College is a Sham” and
Pete Freedman
then, as if to prove it, he managed to complete it in 2.5 years. Turns out life wasn’t any less
I’ll never forget the first time I met Rob.
integrity who rose to power thanks to his
Howard, Rob: A champion of journalistic
shammy — he breezed through building (and
We were both covering a field hockey game
sharp wit, charismatic demeanor and a
selling) a Web start-up; helped start a success-
for The D.O. We decided that I would write the
general lack of viable competition. During the
ful Web design firm (before bolting); married
game story and Rob would write the sidebar.
rowdy aughties, he spearheaded a campaign to
his high school sweetheart and then took off
Thank God, I thought, because I didn’t really
reform Syracuse University’s corrupt Student
(fled) to South America ... just like the Nazis.
understand what a sidebar was. Neither,
Association. Although no changes were actu-
Jared Novack
ally made as a result, tens of students read the
apparently, did Rob. He wrote his sidebar, which never ran, on the rules of field hockey.
barrage of articles with moderate interest. He
Pup food did Rob in
That man went on to become one of the finest
enjoys long conversations and short pants.
But now he is pin thin
editors in chief I ever had the honor to serve
Half the man he used to be
under.
Eric “Snowflake” Grzymkowski
Still the same ol’ Rob to me From f***ing with copy to dealing with the
Scott Lieber Elyse Andrews
consequences of printing the word f*** in 120-
Rob ran The D.O.
point font, Rob did it all. Whether it was ask-
Tito and I, as a management team, decided
As if it were a cruise ship
ing people for their input on sensitive stories
to hire Rob at The D.O. while… inebriated. Rob
‘Oh, God, we’re sinking!’
or coordinating spot-news coverage, he never
did an amazing job. Considering some of the
lost sight of the fact that The D.O. is a place to
a**holes we hired sober, we probably should
hang out with your friends.
have done that more often. Ryan Gainor
Justin Young
Michael Becker
Dave Levinthal (‘00) and Tiffany Lankes (‘03) filled Rob’s seat on the Board of Directors. We’re happy to have them aboard.
D.O. alumni APSE winners of 2011
The Associated Press Sports Editors ranked the work of these writers in the top 10 for the following categories. For more results and to see final placings, see http://apsportseditors.org/. Circulation: 175,000 or more Game story Andy McCullough (‘09), The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.) Greg Bishop (‘02), The New York Times Jeff Passan (‘02), Yahoo! Sports Breaking news Jackie Friedman (‘08), The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.)
Circulation: 30,000 to 75,000 Game story Pete Iorizzo (‘04), Times Union (Albany) Feature writing Tyler Dunne (‘10), Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer Tyler now works for The Buffalo (N.Y.) News Explanatory writing Tyler Dunne, Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer
Circulation: Under 30,000 Game story Chris Carlson (‘04), The Berkshire (Mass.) Eagle Chris now works for The Virginian-Pilot.
While we tried to ensure all D.O. alumni recognized by the APSE were included in this list, it is possible that names are missing here. If that’s the case, please email alumni@dailyorange.com.
4 spring 2011
a lumni@ da ilyor a nge.com