The Review: Issue 11 | 2021-2022

THE REVIEW jnm.olemiss.edu

ISSUE 11 | 2022

WHY INTERNSHIPS MATTER pg. 10 PAT THOMPSON SAYS GOODBYE pg. 28 ALUMNI WORKING IN SPORTS pg. 34

OUR NEW DEAN

Dr. Andrea Hickerson joins the School of Journalism & New Media THE REVIEW

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e h t e k a T xt step! ne

LEARN MORE:

GET YOUR MAST ERS DEGREE IN JOURNALISM OR INT EGRAT ED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS Complete your classes online or in-person!

LEARN MORE: jnm.olemiss.edu/prospective-students/graduate-programs

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A LETTER FROM OUR NEW DEAN Hello!

I’m extremely honored and excited to join the School of Journalism and New Media community this summer. I left my campus visit this Spring energized by my interactions with faculty, staff, students and the administration. I sensed a strong drive to be creative and relevant in communication as it relates to local, state, national and international communities. It spoke to me and I’m so thrilled to work with you.

Indeed, it was the civic-mindedness of journalism that attracted me to the field in the first place. I’m often frustrated by the mischaracterization of communication fields as just publicity, or a conduit to expressing the idea of others.

Instead, we, as communication experts, are central to solving society’s problems. We are critical and strategic thinkers. We can listen to needs, assess situations, make recommendations, and design collaborative solutions tailored to different audiences.

The School’s core commitments to both the theory and the ethical practice of communication make the School a model for journalism and integrated marketing communications programs at a flagship university.

Through my interdisciplinary research on deepfake videos, fake videos generated by artificial intelligence, I focus on human-centered design. Human-centered design foregrounds humans and human behavior in problemsolving. Its goal is to come up with solutions that humans will use and benefit from. The human-centered design approach uses “how might we questions” to spur ideation

and collaborative solutions.

My deepfake team started with questions like, “How might we build a deepfake detection tool specifically for journalists?,” and “How might we design a tool that uses technology journalists are already familiar with?”.

In the quest to make expertise associated with the SJNM more central to solving society’s problems, let’s borrow the human-centered design approach. For example, consider: • How might we, the flagship university in the state, better serve the citizens of the state?

• How might we better prepare our students for careers in fields characterized by rapid technological change?

• How might we make SJNM, an elite community of teaching, professional and research problemsolvers, even better known and sought out for their expertise?

Of course, you are a critical part of these conversations and solutions. Please reach out to me to share your observations and just to introduce yourself so I can learn more about you and the role of SJNM in your personal experience.

My family and I are excited about the move to Oxford.

I look forward to meeting you, learning from you and collaborating with you.

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Best wishes,

Dr. Andrea Hickerson 3

CONTENTS

IMC Connect!: A Roundtable Experience PAGE 14

Learning Behind the Masks PAGE 18

Igniting International Insight and Inspiring Innovation at UM PAGE 22

Photo by Abby Hamelton

The Legacy of Assistant Dean Patricia Thompson PAGE 28

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CONTENTS

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MEET DEAN HICKERSON

NEW FACULTY AND STAFF

WHY INTERNSHIPS MATTER

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NEW BEGINNINGS FOR IMCA

ALUMNI WORKING IN SPORTS

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX

The 2022 issue of The Review was created by students in Journalism 501: Magazine Service Journalism Publishing, under the direction of Professor Kevin J. Seddon and graduate teaching assistant MacKenzie Ross.

Student Staff: Kylie Bowers, writer Haley Clift, writer Hayes Finklea, writer Abby Hamelton, designer & photographer Tia Jackson, writer & photographer Ellen McGregor, writer & designer Sydney Ray, writer

Allie Watson, writer Andrea Zabala Nieto, writer & designer Student Ad Copywriters Anna Brock Vanessa Clark Laikyn King Caroline McIntosh Contributors: HG Biggs, photographer Ally Bryan, writer Dayna Drake, writer Thomas Graning, Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services Edwin B. Smith, writer

MISSION STATEMENT The Review serves as a bridge, connecting past, present, and prospective students of the University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media. Our mission is to celebrate the successes of alumni, professors, and faculty, connect current and future students to resources and tools, and cultivate a sense of community. Both the journalism and IMC programs aim to prepare students to become the next innovators, leaders, and professionals. Since 1947, the School of Journalism and New Media has equipped students for the challenges of the real world. A creative body of work, The Review remains an inspiring, empowering publication with the power to create change in an ever-changing society.

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Photo by Kim Truett, University of South Carolina

WELCOME TO FARLEY HALL

Andrea Hickerson Named Dean of School of Journalism and New Media

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BY EDWIN B. SMITH

ndrea Hickerson, an internationally renowned researcher, educator and administrator, is joining the University of Mississippi as dean of the School of Journalism and New Media.Her appointment was approved May 19 by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning board of trustees at its May meeting.

Hickerson begins her new role July 1.

“The appointment of Dr. Hickerson resulted from a national search that attracted a well-qualified pool of applicants,” said Noel Wilkin, UM provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.

“She is an accomplished researcher and scholar with experience studying deepfakes and issues facing international journalism. She is also an

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accomplished administrator, having served as a director at two universities.”

Hickerson earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations at Syracuse University, master’s degrees in journalism and Middle Eastern studies at the University of Texas, and a Ph.D. in communication at the University of Washington. She has served on the faculty at both the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of South Carolina, where she most recently was director of the USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications, associate dean and professor.

The new dean said she is “incredibly positive” about coming to Ole Miss and Oxford.

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“I love the setting and the history,” Hickerson said.

“When I visited campus, I felt a great energy and sense of mission from faculty, staff and students.

I was excited by their drive to serve local, state, national and international communities in creative ways.

“I thought we would make great partners and thrive off of each other.”

Hickerson has been a principal investigator, coprincipal investigator or investigator on projects generating more than $1.6 million in external support from a range of sources that include the National Science Foundation, U.S. State Department, philanthropic foundations and news networks.

Hickerson said her vision for the school is to prepare students to meet the challenges of evolving modern media and deal with ongoing technological and social changes.

“A short-term goal is to enhance the things the school is already great at, like supporting student media and creating opportunities for experiential learning,” Hickerson said. “To do this, I look forward to listening to and learning from faculty, staff, students and alumni.

“I’m especially interested in traveling across the state and meeting current and future employers of the school’s graduates.”

Hickerson said she wants to make sure that the school is setting students up not just for their first job, but for successful careers.

“I also want to make sure our curriculum is wellrounded and has the right blend of skills classes and topical courses so our students can engage critically with key challenges facing citizens, especially those with backgrounds who differ from their own,” she said.

A long-term goal of Hickerson’s is to increase the school’s expertise and reputation as central to community problem solving.

“A pet peeve of mine is when people equate communication with ‘messaging’ or ‘publicity,’” she said. “Communication experts know how to listen, assess needs, contribute to solutions and communicate them to public and private audiences.”

The incoming dean said she hopes to accomplish this goal by prioritizing interdisciplinary projects and research, including grant-funded research.

“I also hope to achieve this through proactive programming and events that bring experts from different fields to campus to address a common problem,” she said. “I believe that if we take this initiative – creating spaces to discuss and iterate on problems – we can easily demonstrate our centrality to its analysis and solutions.”

A prolific scholar, Hickerson is the author or co-author of more than 25 peer-reviewed journal articles. She has also been a presenter at numerous national and international conferences, as well as at

professional development training seminars.

Hickerson said her strong background in research – particularly on deepfakes, manipulated videos that can make it appear that a person said something that they did not – should be especially useful in her new role.

“My research on deepfakes is an example of how journalism and communication can be paired with tech fields to solve a community problem; in this case, fighting misinformation,” she said.

“Also, at the heart of this research is a deep commitment to verification. No matter how we challenge and create new storytelling forms, verification is a central practice.”

Hickerson has received many awards for her teaching and research. One of the most meaningful for her is the University of South Carolina’s Educational Foundation Research Award from Professional Schools. The award is one of the university’s highest research honors.

“I’m proud of it because it recognized how my research impacted the overall practice of journalism, particularly through my deepfake research,” she said.

Hickerson said she is also proud of and grateful for being asked to serve on the advisory board for a community-based research project concerning media portrayals of race in Rochester, New York, in 2018 and again in 2021.

“Both the results of those reports and the community members working on it taught me to question traditional journalism practices and to reconsider who tells community stories and even the definition of ‘newsworthy,’” she said.

Her professional activities and memberships include the editorial board for the Journal of Global Media and Diaspora, the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the International Communication Association, and the International Association for Media and Communication Research.

Hickerson will bring “a thoughtful and measured approach” to leading the school, said Debora Rae Wenger, interim dean and professor of journalism.

“Dr. Hickerson appears to think deeply about the role that communication can, does and should play in our society,” Wenger said. “Under her leadership, I think we can reimagine the ways in which our school can contribute to the big conversation taking place around credibility, authenticity and accuracy of news and information in today’s tech-mediated world.”

Wenger said Hickerson’s plans to take the time she needs to understand the culture and to build strategically on past successes are also welcome.

“It’s always good to bring in fresh ideas and new approaches,” she said. “Dr. Hickerson’s previous administrative experience offers us the opportunity to grow.”

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We would like to welcome our newest faculty members

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Vanessa Charlot Assistant Professor

Dr. Chang Won Choi Assistant Professor

Dr. Bitt Moon Visiting Professor

Larz Roberts Director, S. Gale Denley Student Media Center

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Journalism Starts Here

The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics exists to create a better understanding of the roles media and politics play in our lives.

Since opening, the Overby Center has hosted 150 events, 47 public debates, 107 visiting speakers With more to come.

Visit OverbyCenter.com for more information on our latest programming and initiatives.

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WHY INTERNSHIPS MATTER

BY ABBY HAMELTON

Over the years, The University of Mississippi has had many successful alumni that have begun their careers at the bottom and worked their way up.

Whether they majored in Integrated Marketing and Communications (IMC) or Journalism, they all made their impact on this world by starting out on the right foot with a degree from the School of Journalism & New Media.

Liz Corbus graduated from Ole Miss in 2017 and has been building her career ever since. Being an IMC major, Corbus could have chosen several different career paths, but chose to stick with media. Now, as a result of her decision, she works at TikTok. While still in college, Corbus worked at two different internships, which she believed helped her better understand what she wanted to do after graduation. Although her internships did not necessarily relate directly to her eventual position after college, she believes that her internships in college helped her acclimate quickly to new work Liz environments and responsibilities.

Corbus Corbus explained that her first internship was for Comedy Central and was PR related. Her second was working in production at a television station.

“I would say most of the internshipsLiz that I did in Corbus undergrad didn’t set me up to know how to do this job,” explained Corbus. “I think that’s the great thing with each 10

new experience in the workforce. Most things you won’t know how to do until you start the job. So it’s really just a mentality of your work ethic and being open to learning. In general, when everyone’s applying for different roles, as long as in the interview you come across like you’re willing

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to work hard and learn, well, that’s what they’re looking for.”

While completing her internships, Corbus continued to take courses at the University to improve her knowledge in the field of marketing. Corbus believes the classes she took helped her best prepare for the real world.

“Overall, you really get to learn every different area of the IMC world through these classes,” said Corbus. “I think it gives you a very holistic approach. Even if it’s not necessarily what you do after graduation, you really learn each touch point in the business. The class that I was very excited about, which was one of my favorite classes, was a sales class that we had. It was the most useful class for what I do in my day-to-day job now because it was about how to pitch, the sales cycle, and how the sales world works.”

After graduation, Corbus was employed as a Digital Account Coordinator at Warner Media. During her three years at Warner, she was able to learn more about the industry, and her interest in and understanding of the different areas of marketing increased. According to Corbus, her time spent at Warner was productive, and it led to her current job at TikTok, which is yet another new opportunity for her to hone her skills in another area of marketing.

“I would say they’re pretty different. The role at Warner Media was on the publishing side. This role is very much a strategy role, as well as a sales role. But basically, throughout my whole week, I am tasked to understand my clients’ needs and how they’re ultimately trying to drive sales,” said Corbus.

Corbus has been at TikTok for 7 months and is working as a Client Solutions Manager for their Beauty and Personal Care Department. In her position, she works directly with L’Oreal to grow their brand identity through marketing efforts using the TikTok platform.

“I am responsible for growing the advertisers,” said Corbus. “Month over month, I’m responsible for making sure that clients meet their Key Performance Indicators (KPI), but ultimately, we want them to grow their business using TikTok. My day-to-day includes a lot of creative best practices. A lot of people are still trying to figure out how advertising works on TikTok because they think it’s apples-to-apples like Instagram or Facebook. But, creativity is the number one driver of success on TikTok,” explained Corbus. “So, if you don’t have the resources or the creative strategy to run ads on TikTok, it’s gonna be a little bit harder.”

Daniel Payne graduated in 2020 with a journalism degree and started his career as a reporter for The Desoto TimesTribune. Like Corbus, Payne also had two internships in college; however, he found that his experience as Editorin-Chief for The Daily Mississippian helped teach him a lot about what was to come in his professional career.

“The Mississippian was maybe the most important part of my education at UM,” said Payne. “Every aspect of that work showed me what a newsroom was all about and gave me a taste of what a career in journalism would

Daniel Payne

actually be like. It confirmed my love for journalism.

There’s no replacing planning, writing, and editing stories that will have real impact, even if it is just in the university or Oxford. I wasn’t sure if I was up to the challenges that came with all that, but I am so thankful for everyone who encouraged me to go for it. There really isn’t a workday that I don’t use what I learned at The Mississippian.”

Although Payne had a lot of experience showcased on his resume, finding work after graduation was not easy because of the Covid pandemic.

“Because I graduated just as the pandemic was starting, a lot of publications were not hiring, and others canceled their fellowship and internship programs,” explained Payne. “So, I just kept applying and doing the work I could and everything worked out.”

Payne finally landed his first job at The Desoto Times-Tribune, where he worked for seven months until later landing a full-time fellowship with POLITICO. He described how the work environments differed from one another.

“Those were very different environments, but both were really important and taught me a lot in their own ways.

The DeSoto Times-Tribune had a very small staff where I was busy reporting, editing, designing and planning coverage with a couple of other people. It was sort of like my time at The Daily Mississippian — trying to do impactful work that really mattered for the community, but overseeing that work from idea to execution, interviews to product redesigns,” Payne explained. “What I do at POLITICO is very different in some ways, but that mission

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of reporting for the good of a community is the same, even if that community is much larger. My reporting is focused in one area, and I’m not doing much besides reporting and writing — just trying to do it at the highest level I can. I’m thankful for time at both places, though. I wouldn’t have the skills, perspective or drive I have now without both environments.”

Payne is now a full-time reporter at POLITICO after completing his fellowship there.

“There are still a lot of great development and education opportunities in the newsroom,” said Payne.

Looking back at his time at Ole Miss, Payne has some advice for incoming freshmen and for graduating seniors.

He believes freshmen should begin reporting the news as soon as they can, and graduating seniors should be prepared to fill out a lot of applications.

“There’s really no replacement for doing journalism yourself in order to learn it,” Payne said. “Also, I have told friends who are graduating to get ready to apply for a lot of openings. It may have just been my experience, but it took a lot of time and perseverance to get a job in journalism that I really wanted. But it was absolutely worth it. The time invested is worth getting to do what you really love.”

Natalie Pruitt graduated with a degree in integrated marketing communications in 2021.

“During my spring semester, senior year, I essentially applied to every job that sounded remotely interesting to me as well as some that didn’t out of pure desperation. I spent a week perfecting my online resume and portfolio,” said Pruitt. “I also applied to post-grad internships at companies that were known for having excellent internship programs, since I felt my qualifications matched those of an intern role rather than the jobs advertised at larger firms.”

After going through the arduous process of job hunting, Pruitt finally landed her current job with FleishmanHillard (FH) as an assistant account executive, but she explained that her job is more like that of an assistant designer.

“Assistant Account Executive is the title given across the board to all junior level staff at FH,” said Pruitt. “The title that more accurately describes my role is assistant designer. I still can’t believe that I get to do design every single day. Working as a designer makes every day so much fun and different from the last. It’s also rewarding being able to use and to strengthen the skills I learned as an IMC major.”

Pruitt explained that having a job that is rewarding to her makes the hard work she put in at school all the more important to her. She explained that her internship at FH was also important because it led to her current position at the company.

“I was lucky enough to convert to the role of Assistant Account Executive/Assistant Designer at FleishmanHillard after working as an intern for six months,” said Pruitt.

“Honestly, the transition has been so smooth, and I felt very prepared to take on the new role and the new responsibilities that came with it. Before my internship at FH, the role that most prepared me for my current position 12

“There’s really no replacement for doing journalism yourself in order to learn it... it took a lot of time and perseverance to get a job in journalism that I really wanted. But it was absolutely worth it Daniel Payne BAJ ‘20

was when I worked as a Content Marketing Intern at Ole Miss in the Office of Marketing and Communications. It was while working in that position that I realized how much I love design. While there, I was given a multitude of opportunities to develop my design skills.”

Pruitt also offered advice for incoming freshmen and graduating seniors. She explained there are many things she could have done differently in college. However, her best advice is to work hard. ”Never let the fear of judgment stop you from unleashing your inner ‘try-hard.’” said Pruitt. “Being a ‘tryhard’ is what gets you noticed and opens doors that leave you asking, ‘How did I end up here?’”

Liz Corbus, Daniel Payne, and Natalie Pruitt have all had great success with their careers after graduating from the University of Mississippi. They are proof that hard work and the right internships can help to better prepare anyone for the future.

Natalie Pruitt

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LANDING THE RIGHT JOB

BY SYDNEY RAY

The School of Journalism and New Media has grown substantially, allowing students to learn hands-on through its programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs related to Integrated Marketing Communications are expected to increase between 13% and 32% by 2024.

Through its programs, the school offers students an array of specializations ranging from Fashion Promotion, Health Communication, Sports Communication and Promotion, and Visual Design.

Students are offered a range of options when it comes to finding a suitable career.

Our students are working as: Brand Ambassadors Promotions Coordinator Advertising Executives Broadcast Journalists Graphic Designers Magazine Editors Brand Marketing Specialists Social Media Managers Art Directors Market Research Analysts Project Managers Event Planners Client Relations Managers Merchandise Specialists Digital Marketing Coordinators Web Content Managers & more!

Our students are working for: NBC News Forbes NPR TikTok ESPN Amazon WWE The Weather Channel Harper’s Bazaar InVision FedEx Services USA Today Edelman Tom Ford BOTOX Anheuser-Busch & so much more!

# OF JOBS A YEAR

242,710 254,100 46,700 740,900 175,983 PUBLIC RELATIONS

GRAPHIC DESIGN

REPORTERS & JOURNALISTS

MARKET RESEARCH ANALYSTS

MARKETING SPECIALISTS

AVERAGE SALARIES INTEGRATED MARKETING MANAGERS

$114,808 $124,850 $135,500 ADVERTISING & PROMOTIONS MANAGERS

HOLDERS OF MASTER’S DEGREES IN IMC

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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BY ANDREA ZABALA

T

he University of Mississippi’s School of Journalism and New Media recently hosted the inaugural IMC Connect!: A Roundtable Experience. The event ran from March 31 to April 1. The conference brought together industry experts from some of the most prominent organizations in the country including academic researchers and faculty, as well as students from the University of Mississippi. The conference featured communication leaders from The Home Depot, FedEx, Chick-fil-A, and Carnival Cruise Line, agency representation from KQ Communications, and researchers from four peer institutions, who provided critical insights related to crisis communication, social media and big data, social justice in public relations, and advertising.

“The purpose of this event is to foster connections and collaborations among multiple stakeholders, including integrated marketing communications practitioners, academic researchers, faculty members, and students,” said Dr. Amanda Bradshaw, co-chair of IMC Connect! and assistant professor at the School of Journalism and New Media.

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The Big Idea Interim Dean and Professor Deb Wenger came up with the idea for the event in 2021. She wanted to create an event where academic researchers and leading practitioners in the field came together and participated in a series of workshops and roundtable discussions. Shortly after Dr. Bradshaw joined the School of Journalism and New Media’s faculty, she took over the workshop idea, set up a planning committee, and started developing the first-ever IMC Connect!: A Roundtable Experience.

Planning Committee Dr. Debora Wenger, Dr. Amanda Bradshaw,

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Dr. Jason Cain, Dr. Graham Bodie, Prof.

Evangeline Ivy, and Prof. Chris Sparks

Student Involvement

Students in IMC 580 pose for a photo with speakers for IMC Connect! on the first night of the round-table experience.

Photos by HG Biggs

IMC Connect! was initially being organized by faculty, but the end goal was to involve students in the planning process. “Event planning jobs are growing in a trajectory of 33%, and the majority of PR jobs include event planning,” said Bradshaw. She wanted to give the students the tools they need to be successful in their professional lives. Under her guidance, students enrolled in IMC 580: Topics in IMC I - Event Planning, Promotion, and Management. They learned firsthand how a conference is put together, from the very early stages of the planning process to the postevent evaluation. “The research shows if you can give them a real hands-on experience to plan, the overall learning experience is so much richer,” explained Bradshaw.

A combination of first-year and secondyear IMC graduate students took on the many responsibilities of planning the first-ever IMC Connect!. “The event planning class has been a great way to get real, hands-on experience in the event planning world. Being able to help out so much with planning the IMC Connect event this Spring has given us the opportunity to connect with real vendors, get quotes for catering, and tour locations to host our event,” said Reese Colaluca, a first-year graduate student in IMC. Dr. Bradshaw’s event planning class and IMC Connect! were featured in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) PR Division 2022 Virtual Conference. It was presented as an example of how students can plan and execute real events with an academic component.

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The Event Throughout the roundtable experience, students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to network and participate in many working sessions, including a discussion of the IMC curriculum at the University of Mississippi and how to best prepare students for entering the job market. To aid in these efforts, IMC Connect! 2022 featured a Q&A Job Prep Panel: The Connection Between Research and Practice, hosted by the University of Mississippi Public Relations Student Society of America chapter. Attendees also gathered at the Inn at Ole Miss for fourpanel sessions, which included valuable insights and knowledge on the following topics: crisis communication, social media, big data analytics, advertising and building your brand, and the role of advocacy and social justice in public relations.

Day 1 Private tour of Rowan Oak Q&A Job Prep Panel: The Connection Between Research and Practice hosted by PRSSA Dinner for invited guests, leadership, and planning committee at the Isom Place

Day 2 IMC Curriculum Jam Session led by Interim IMC Coordinator Dr. Jason Cain Session 1: Crisis Communication: Keep Calm and Sail On! Session 2: Social Media and Big Data Analytics | The Ballroom at The Inn Session 3: The Role of Advocacy and Social Justice in Public Relations Session 4: Advertising and Building Your Brand: Developing Consistent, Strategic Messages That Resonate Deep Dive Breakout Sessions

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Speakers

Chris Chiames

Jenny D. Robertson

Reade Tidwell

Steve Holmes

Carnival Cruise Line Chief Communications Officer

FedEx Services SVP of Integrated Marketing & Communications

Chick-fil-A VP of Corporate Communications

The Home Depot VP of Corporate Communications and External Affairs

Renee Malone

Amy Rosenberg

Dr. Timothy Coombs

Dr. Candice Edrington

KQ Communications President & Founding Partner

KQ Communications Digital Media Director

Texas A&M University

The University of South Carolina

Dr. Rebecca Britt

Dr. Debbie Treise

Dr. Marquita Smith

Dr. Ike Brunner

The University of Alabama

The University of Florida

The University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi

The IMC Connect! Conference will return in 2023. If you are interested in becoming a speaker or attending the conference please contact: Dr. Amanda Bradshaw asbrads1@olemiss.edu

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LEARNING BEHIND THE MASK THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC FROM THE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND NEW MEDIA’S POINT-OF-VIEW

BY HALEY CLIFT

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t has been two years since Ole Miss students were an influencer, how she makes money, and how to sent home, in-person classes were moved online promote a self-brand.” and COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic.

Remote opportunities have also provided many There have been challenging moments, deep options for students in terms of learning and future sorrow over lives lost and moments of social disconnect. possibilities for flexibility in the workforce. It has been Nonetheless, communities have come together in to the advantage of students to learn more about the remarkable ways to learn how to adapt and reconnect. latest opportunities that have emerged in the past few Integrating technology into classrooms has years. provided opportunities for students to learn beyond “I can go beyond what I have always known because the traditional classroom setting and instantly connect I have the idea now that you can work remotely from with anyone, anywhere and at any time. The enhanced everywhere. So, I don’t feel like I have to be stuck in learning environment inside and outside the classroom one city,” Cole said. “I could definitely move around and has provided interactive experiences and intentional have the opportunity to work for the same company, education. The combination of in-person, virtual, and and my life wouldn’t be affected because I had to move hybrid appears to be conditioning students for the to a different location for another job. I feel like this technologically-dependent world they live in today. The [opportunity] has definitely opened up since COVID.” current student generation should be better equipped, Since returning to campus this school year, Cole has more resilient, and more prepared to face whatever noticed the empathy of her professors. She feels like communication challenges and experiences should her health is a priority. When Cole has to miss class for come because of the skills learned by communicating being sick, she knows she can rely on her professors online. to work with her outside of class to make up her work.

Video conferencing, for example, has served a She feels less pressured to constantly show up for class variety of purposes and enhanced learning because when she is not feeling well. people have been able to virtually connect from across “The teachers have become more understanding,” the globe with their peers, co-workers, and family Cole said. “I have noticed that the teachers take more members. Students meet inspiring speakers from their time and are a lot more caring about out-of-class field on a Zoom call that they may not otherwise have circumstances. When students are sick, Zoom options had the chance to meet if they were in a traditional, for students make things healthier, especially for everyday classroom setting. Throughout the school someone who gets sick all the time. I never feel like I’m year, many professors, club leaders and organizations missing something anymore.” invite alumni and guest speakers to speak on Zoom. Jacqueline Cole is a junior Integrated Marketing Communications major from Memphis, Tenn., who enrolled at Ole Miss in Fall 2019. Cole reflected and compared her experiences before and through the pandemic.

“We didn’t videoconference in our classes or anything before the pandemic,” Cole said.

“But now, it’s a regular thing that I look forward to in many of my classes and clubs. Last semester, we had an influencer reach out to my internet marketing class. The influencer, Sara Caroline Bridgers, actually went to Ole Miss. She now lives in Hawaii, and we Students Zoom with Nicole Roberts, UI/UX designer with FabFitFun on November 16, 2021. Students were able to talk to her learned about packaging design during this monthly meeting hosted by the Ole Miss chapter of the about how she became Society for News Design.

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As the world is evolving at an extremely fast technological pace, The University of Mississippi is growing with it. The University has employed several initiatives to help students continue to learn and prevent learning gaps.

“I have been able to connect with people despite the literal communication gaps,” Cole said. “I think the pandemic has helped the world, as a whole, communicate.”

Students can pursue and balance their passions and hobbies with their academics when flexibility is built in by a remote schedule. Combining traditional and virtual procedures where necessary, timely, and convenient helps the day-to-day tasks flow more smoothly. The developments from the past few years, such as online advising, virtual tours and virtual speakers, should remain because they are efficient and informative.

Dawson Wilson is a senior majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications from Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He is the current Director of Photography for UM Square Magazine and was the 2020-2021 Photo Editor for The Ole Miss yearbook. Wilson also shoots freelance photography.

“Ever since COVID hit two years ago, I have learned just how much better of a learner I am when I take online and pace-yourself classes,” Wilson said. “I am a photographer, so this gave me leeway to really hone in on my craft while also being able to do school on my own time. I ended up finding the perfect balance of work, school, and play.”

The novelty of the technology and circumstances at hand proves there is no true expert in the room–or on the Zoom. However, this is how and where great ideas can be born and developed. Students are navigating, growing, and learning during a highly confusing time when much of the world is trying to do the same.

“I feel like going through all of this and knowing what I know now, the basic message that I have learned is just to live your life,” Wilson said. “If you don’t do it, your mind will eat away at you with the ‘what-ifs,’ but if you do it and don’t like it, then you have the ‘well, at least I tried it’ mindset.”

Wilson went on to say, “I think that whenever

“I can go beyond what I have always known because I have the idea now that you can work remotely from everywhere. So, I don’t feel like I have to be stuck in one city.”

Jacqueline Cole Junior, IMC 20

Adjunct Professor Ellen Meacham talks with a student in the hallway of Farley Hall during the first week of classes. something major like this happens, technology will always advance to make things easier for us. As much as I think I remember the internet being super popular before the pandemic, it, no doubt, got much more popular during and after COVID. A big thing that people learned is how easy it is to find inspiration and a passion, while also being able to monetize that passion. At the beginning of the pandemic, when people were making small businesses in their homes with their stimulus checks, they realized how much the internet could open the world to everyone.”

The world is more than what students have known thus far, in terms of location or opportunity. With the world becoming more technologically advanced, each generation must refine their online communication skills. Integrating technology into the classroom has helped college students navigate the complexities of communicating professionally and socially.

“I was literally blown away when Kara Brand, who worked at Vogue, told us her story in our Square Magazine virtual meeting one day,” Wilson said. “The story was that she had graduated from Ole Miss and decided to move to New York. She worked for the MET Museum, where she worked the MET Gala annually. One year, she met the editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, and she was offered a job on the spot. From there, she moved to L.A. to work for Teen Vogue, where she eventually ended up landing a job at Vogue in New York City. That is the short story, but I was so fascinated by her and her luck. I definitely do not think we would have gotten to hear from her if we had not had the pandemic.”

Elena Ossoski is a sophomore pursuing degrees in Education and Integrated Marketing Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. Ossoski currently serves as editor-in-chief of UM Square Magazine, where

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“If you don’t do it, your mind will eat away at you with the ‘what-ifs,’ but if you do it and don’t like it, then you have the ‘well, at least I tried it’ mindset.”

Dawson Wilson Senior, IMC

Jacqueline Cole

Dawson Wilson

Elena Ossoski

she works with a team of directors to lead the staff. The staff worked together to publish the first volume of the student-run fashion magazine during the pandemic.

The pandemic provided an opportunity for reflection, outreach, and creativity for Ossoski and the magazine staff. Since UM Square Magazine posts weekly content online, including social media and blog posts, the team members could still contribute to story-telling, despite obstacles put in place by the pandemic.

“I’ve been able to form connections and relationships with people through social media and email, whether they are professional or friendships, even with people I haven’t met in person,” Ossoski said. “I would reach out to alumni, fellow students, and just people I thought were cool. Since it was during the pandemic, most people I interviewed I haven’t met in person. I would form relationships and share the stories through Square.”

“It has been very rewarding,” Ossoski said.

Social media became a direct reflection of what people were craving during the pandemic. Society had been missing out on normalcy: students wanted to know what everyone else was doing daily, so students constantly watched everyone post about it online.

Students longed to be with each other.

“There’s so much knowledge that you can share from one person to another,” Ossoski said. “You can share someone’s life experiences, what they did that day, what they did at school, what they choose to wear each day– it’s a very intimate way to get to know somebody–and it also happened during the pandemic, when we also weren’t able to meet face-to-face, so it was just nice to hear about how other people lived their lives and share about these experiences on social media and on the blog. It just gave more insight to life in general.”

Social media and blogs became an outlet to get to know each other. Students desire human connection.

Sometimes, you need that “push” from someone who has done something slightly scary before you; deep down, you know it will be okay, but when you hear a story from an inspiring individual who has “made it,” it motivates you. Social media provided that extra level of connection during that time of disconnection that allowed our generation to reach out instantly and take that leap of faith that students otherwise may not have been brave enough to take.

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Igniting International Insight and Inspiring Innovation at UM

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BY TIA JACKSON

oving from one country to another seems daunting, but it can be an incredibly exciting experience. One has the opportunity to obtain a new perspective on life, try different cuisines, and build relationships with people from an array of different backgrounds. The University of Mississippi does an excellent job of making people feel right at home, according to domestic and international students. The Office of Global Engagement (OGE) at the University of Mississippi has a goal to educate and engage global citizens by enhancing study abroad programs and opportunities for students, increasing international student enrollment, and expanding faculty engagement abroad. Elise Denoulet and Abdullah Alqahtani are two journalism graduate students who are familiar with the process of enrollment and educational partnerships. The School of Journalism and New Media has done an outstanding job through their programs and initiatives, according to both students.

Born in Lille, France, Denoulet always knew she wanted to study abroad. “My parents would always take us on vacation in the summer around France, but I have always had the desire to go to other countries,” she explained. She would go on summer camps or participate in school trips abroad to different countries, and she eventually enrolled at Georgia College & State University in the United States. “I was an exchange student there for a year, in partnership with the University of Lille,” said Denoulet. Once her exchange ended, she soon realized she wanted to continue her educational pursuits in the United States.

“I was looking for several things. I wanted a 22

Master’s in Journalism. I wanted to go back to the South. And I wanted to live in a fairly small town. Ole Miss checked all the boxes,” she said enthusiastically.

“Also, to put things in context, I applied right in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. Out of all the schools I applied to, Ole Miss was the first to tell me, ‘You are welcome in our program and we have a job for you.’”

Like Denoulet, Alqahtani also was in search of a Master’s of Journalism.

“I came across the University of Mississippi among other universities in my preferred list, but I felt Ole Miss would be the best choice,” he said. “The University’s reputation and the program’s quality met my interests. More interestingly, it was located in the South, which is the place I long to be.”

Alqahtani is from Saudi Arabia. “Back home, I worked as a journalist for a widely known daily newspaper named Alwatan. I have good experience in print media, but I felt that I needed to strengthen my academic background in journalism, considering my desire to study peace journalism in particular.”

Saudi Arabia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. However, Alqahtani considers himself to be a regular man. “I grew up in a remote village in the southern part of Saudi Arabia, so I felt more connected to Mississippi as it is located in the South. Here, I am a big fan of two things, southern food and visiting the old downtowns around the state. I would be happy to photograph and write about these fantastic and distinguished historic places that tell much American history and self-reliance.”

The southern region of the United States has a very

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Photos by Tia Jackson

Elise Denoulet interesting and sometimes turbulent history, indeed.

There is certainly a perplexing and mystical spirit that lingers within its bustling cities and small, quaint towns. People may have preconceived notions about Mississippi, but most would find its culture captivating, and progress is being made.

“I was looking for several things: I wanted a Master’s in Journalism, I wanted to go back to the South, and I wanted to live in a fairly small town. Ole Miss checked all the boxes.”

Elise Denoulet “I learned that there are nuances and that there are all types of people and political affiliations in the South,” said Denoulet. “Moreover, I learned a lot about the racial dynamics of the U.S. thanks to living in the South. And as hard as it is sometimes, I am grateful for the exposure to opinions who differ from mine.”

Denoulet says she has learned so much about her own culture while experiencing another. “When you live in a different country, you actually realize that things

which seem like a norm to you are actually cultural,” said Denoulet. “I thought everyone in the world gathered at the dining table with their family to enjoy a meal, especially on Sundays at your grandparents’ house, and spent the day eating and chatting. I learned that Americans mostly do this on Thanksgiving, but not on a regular basis,” she said with a hint of humor.

Alqhatani is no stranger to this concept either.

Unfortunately, other countries have created a negative perspective about certain countries within the Middle East. “As a journalism student, I do not doubt that this negative notion is not their fault. It is purely the media perspective that blankets the way many people think,” Alqhatani explained. “I hope that those groups of people give it another chance and see my culture and beliefs through me, a humble but well-educated person, rather than learn from TV and radio programs,” he said. “He who has seen is not like he who has heard.”

The School of Journalism and New Media continues to produce quality students. Each year, the school holds the Silver Em awards to recognize notable student journalists and this year Elise Denoulet received recognition. She received an excellence in journalism award for graduate students and will be honored on April 6.

“The advice that I would give to another international student looking to attend Ole Miss is that Ole Miss is one of the most beautiful campuses that you will see,” says Denoulet. “Ole Miss provides you with a golden opportunity to accumulate knowledge and cultural experience. Its location and school spirit

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“I hope that those groups of people give it another chance and see my culture and beliefs through me, a humble but well-educated person, rather than learn from TV and radio programs.”

Abdullah Alqahtani will add unforgettable moments to your personal and academic journey. It is a welcoming campus with rich resources that you, no doubt, will love. And one last thing, don’t forget the Grove.”

Abdullah Alqahtani

While in the United States, Alqahtani has taken advantage of his time off of school, traveling throughout the U.S.

Hear It Here First Visit The Daily Mississippian online for local updates and news from Mississippi.

When searching for the best local news, theDMonline.com is the website for you.

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HIGH SCHOOLERS, ARE YOU READY? OLE MISS HELPS LAUNCH INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION IN HIGH SCHOOLS

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BY HAYES FINKLEA

he School of Journalism and New Media recently launched a new high school organization. The organization is called the Integrated Marketing Communications Association, and is named for the University of Mississippi’s Integrated Marketing Communications major. The new association offers high schoolers an entry into the shared space that lies between journalism and traditional marketing practices.

This new organization is the brainchild of Instructional Associate Professor Dr. R.J. Morgan.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic began, an idea formed in his mind. As the Director of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association, Dr. Morgan is charged with frequenting high schools throughout the United States.

As a result of his meetings with high school students, he found that they needed, in his estimation, to understand the concepts of integrated marketing communications (IMC) and the impact the discipline has and will continue to have in the communications industry. As one of the largest IMC programs in the country, it made sense to Morgan that the University of Mississippi’s School of Journalism and New Media should be home to IMCA. IMCA kicked off its efforts in the spring of 2022.

A competition was held, and students could enter as teams, or produce a solo project in several different categories. The majority of entries were submitted by teams and the event campaign and product campaigns were the most popular with those competing. More than forty different entries were submitted. This was considered a very good response given the small number of schools invited for the inaugural event. A much larger turnout is expected next spring when IMCA is fully launched.

Students competing in the spring truly embraced the team challenge of building a fully integrated marketing campaign. This challenge allowed them to showcase what they had learned in their high school programs, as well as gather input and receive guidance through their

collaborative efforts on their projects.

“I think those campaign categories are really exciting, especially the opportunity to have the national finalists in each of the categories come to our convention and compete,” Morgan explained. According to Morgan, an in-person Shark Tank-style event is being planned for next spring.

When asked about the reach of the program, Morgan indicated that they branded the high school initiative as IMCA to increase overall awareness of what IMC or Integrated Marketing Communication means. Since many do not know the acronym’s meaning, naming it in this manner and exposing high school students and faculty to it provides a means for promoting the discipline. The purpose of IMCA is to create interest among high school students so they might pursue a degree in IMC and eventually a career. Of course, it won’t hurt that another result might be increased enrollment at the Ole Miss IMC program.

If you know of a student that might be interested in this program, reach out to Dr. R. J. Morgan at morgan@olemiss.edu.

High school students visit the Ole Miss campus for the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association’s spring conference.

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The JNM Journey THE CLASS OF 2022 OFFERS INSIGHT INTO THEIR TIME IN FARLEY HALL

BY SYDNEY RAY

Hayden Wiggs B.A. Journalism Atlanta, Georgia

Brendan Galbraith B.S. IMC Reston, Virginia

Q1. What made you want to attend the SoJNM? Hayden: “I have always had a passion for writing.

When I was little, I would staple together pieces of copy paper and write short stories for my parents and in high school, I started writing professionally for our small-town paper, The North Gwinnett Voice. There was something so exciting about conducting interviews and visiting events and places I would have never found interesting otherwise. When it came time for me to choose a major, I went with what I knew I loved, which was Journalism.”

Brendan: “I was sold after attending a virtual transfer orientation in the summer of 2020. The School of Journalism and New Media Ambassadors did a fantastic job of pitching the IMC & Journalism majors. At the time, I was more concerned with career-placement opportunities than faculty and class content. Looking back, it makes me smile to remember how excited I was to declare as an IMC major without having any idea how much I’d enjoy working with our faculty and student body.”

Q2. Do you think the SoJNM helped you find a career path that you’re passionate about? If so, how?

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Hayden: “Absolutely. The most formative classes, I think, have been JOUR 580 (International Reporting), JOUR 368 (Peace Journalism), and JOUR 377 (Advanced Reporting). Each of these classes helped push me towards a career in foreign correspondence, as well as helped me decide to enter the field of print journalism. I am, by birth, a writer, and discovered that for certain during Advanced Reporting.”

Brendan: “Not only did it fuel my passion for public relations, research and brand strategy, but the curriculum was so diverse that it enhanced my appreciation for skills and specializations that I likely never would have encountered in another program.”

Q3. Are there any professors who have directly impacted your life? If so, who and how?

Hayden: “There are so many amazing professors here in our School that it would be impossible to name just one. In the Journalism field, the most impactful professors would have to be Randall Pinkston and Cynthia Joyce. At a time in my life when I was feeling burnt out and frightened for the future, Professor Pinkston’s class helped redirect my trajectory and reignite my love for this field and this profession. And

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Professor Joyce’s invaluable suggestions helped reshape the very way I write and report, thus changing my entire perception of the craft.”

Brendan: “I’m not exaggerating when I say that each and every professor I had positively impacted my life in their own unique way. In my experience, if you gave this faculty any effort at all to seek individual guidance they would move mountains to be there for you. Their expertise and passion about their subject matter was inspiring. I have to mention Professor Sparks, Dr. Bradshaw, Dean Wenger, and Assistant Dean Simmons. It’s difficult for me to sufficiently describe how greatly they impacted my life, but it boils down to them for helping me find an unwavering selfconfidence.”

Q4. Are there any extracurricular activities that you’re involved in currently or in the past that relate to your career path? How has your experience been?

Hayden: “During my time at Ole Miss, I have been involved in over 13 clubs and organizations, many of which have related to Journalism. I have worked as the News Director at Rebel Radio 92.1 FM and the Copy Editor for The Ole Miss yearbook, both of which have been incredible learning experiences. I learned so many skills including time management, how to decide whether a story is newsworthy, and how to craft a story, and I learned them in the field rather than in a classroom. I also served as the Newsletter Chair and the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for my sorority. One of the core values of ethical journalism is, of course, diversity (we must accurately depict the diverse nature of our communities in our stories and sources), and I feel as though this position helped me better understand the impact and importance of DEI initiatives. Other amazing positions include the Social Media Coordinator for the Ole Miss Cardinal Club and a Student Ambassador for the School of Journalism & New Media.”

Brendan: “This 2021-22 school year I worked as News Director for WUMS 92.1 and helped launch our University’s first Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter while serving as PR Director.

My experience was amazing! It was challenging at first to manage extracurricular activities along with classwork but I am so glad I adjusted while giving each responsibility my all. The Student Media Center team and my fellow PRSSA members were a delight to work alongside.”

Q5. Either from experiences, professors, or classes, what is the most valuable thing you’ve learned that you think will apply to your career in the future?

Hayden: “Ethics is not just a tool for journalism, it is a tool for life.” Professor Kathleen Wickham opened with this bit of wisdom on our first day of Media Law & Ethics and all these months later, I have yet to

stop thinking about it. As students, we often discard everything we’ve learned in a class the second we leave the final exam, but for journalism, so many of the things we learn in the classroom can be applied to not only our careers but to our real lives as well.

As of late, journalism seems to be focused more on sensationalism rather than ethics and we, as upcoming journalists, cannot ignore the ethics and values that will help rebuild the media’s trustworthiness. And, outside the newsroom, we must remember to serve our community, to do what’s right, and above all, treat people with kindness.”

Brendan: “I will forever appreciate the diversity of thought I was exposed to in the School of Journalism & New Media. Working on group projects and being involved in engaging classes led to me learning from an immense variety of unique perspectives. I think that embracing different viewpoints will benefit me as a team-player and positive collaborator in my career.”

Q6. What are your plans for after graduation?

Hayden: “After graduation, I will be in Oxford for another year until I graduate with my M.A. in Journalism next May! After I earn my Master’s degree, I hope to follow one of three paths, whether that be as a foreign correspondent for Eastern European politics at CNN, a true-crime reporter for Dateline NBC, or a published novelist. Thankfully, the School of Journalism and the University as a whole have prepared me for whichever path I ultimately choose!”

Brendan: “Currently on the job hunt! I’ve had some promising interviews but haven’t landed the ideal position just yet. Whoever I land with will be lucky to have me so I’m in no rush. I’m thankful that the School of Journalism & New Media offers such versatile degrees because there are several positions with very different responsibilities that I am equally wellqualified for.”

Q7. What advice would you give to a prospective Journalism and New Media student?

Hayden: “Get as involved as you possibly can. You will learn so much more by actually doing things than you will just by sitting in a classroom. And, don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. It’s cliché, I know, but had I not pushed myself outside my comfort zone, I never would have discovered my passion for audio media. Don’t get comfortable and never settle for mediocrity. The world is full of it and you are not mediocre. You are a journalist, a producer, an editor with things to say and the means to say it with. So, take the chance and raise your voice; the world is waiting!”

Brendan: “Keep in mind that you don’t have to be firmly decided on a career to choose a Journalism or IMC major. You can truly find your passion here! With this curriculum, it is so easy to identify and hone your strengths while growing new skills that can lead to such a wide variety of careers.”

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THE END OF AN ERA From the Newsroom to the Classroom, Assistant Dean Patricia Thompson Leaves Ole Miss with a Lasting Legacy

Photo by Abby Hamelton

BY HALEY CLIFT

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Photo courtesy of Adam Ganaucheau

rom her childhood years, Patricia Thompson had a passion for journalism. Thompson took that passion from the newsroom and brought it to Ole Miss in 2009. Now, Thompson is stepping away from the University of Mississippi but will continue her work with journalism programs.

Thompson’s childhood friends and teachers noticed her leadership skills and aptitude for journalism. Her sixth-grade classmates elected her as editor of the class newsletter. In high school, Thompson became co-editor of the newspaper and yearbook. She was a U.S. Presidential Scholar and was awarded national scholarships to attend the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri, where she covered county government and the state legislature for the newspaper owned by the school, and was on the staff of the newspaper created by black journalism students at the university. Her first full-time job when she graduated was staff writer for The Washington Post.

Thompson came to the School of Journalism and New Media in 2009 as assistant professor and director of student media. In 2018, Thompson was named the Executive Director of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). As she leaves the university in May, she will continue her work with ACEJMC, working with journalism and mass communications schools at universities in the United States and other countries.

Pat Thompson poses for a photo with Adam Ganucheau at the the 2014 Southeast Journalism Conference awards banquet.

“Journalism is a wonderfully rewarding career for someone like me who has a deep passion for social justice, shedding light on important issues,” Thompson said. “When I was young, there weren’t many journalists of color in mainstream media, and I wanted to help lead the efforts to change that and to improve the way media.”

Adam Ganucheau (BAJ ’14), Mississippi Today’s editor-in-chief, was one of Thompson’s first students when she first arrived at the university. Ganucheau began his career with state news publications in college followed by serving as editor-in-chief of the Daily Mississippian. Working with Thompson prepared him for the various reporting roles and experiences he has gained during his career.

“I think often about many of the tough decisions I had to make as editor of The Daily Mississippian that drastically shaped my entire journalism career. Being a young journalist — particularly while covering some of the heavy stories like I had to at UM — was so hard.

Having the wise counsel of Pat Thompson was the difference for me in the early days of my career, and I’m beyond fortunate that she continues to help guide me today. I’m one of many people who can say this, and it’s true: I wouldn’t be a journalist if it weren’t for Pat Thompson. And I strive to carry on her legacy of helping teach and grow younger generations of Mississippi journalists.”

Over the last decade, Thompson has worked with hundreds of students through the Student Media Center.

Alexis Neely (BAJ ‘18) served as a news editor and staff writer for The Daily Mississippian while at Ole Miss.

“Ms. Pat is one of the first faces you see as a black student in the Journalism School at Ole Miss,” said Neely, a graduate student in American University’s film and media arts program. “She makes sure she always has a hand on you. You can tell she cares. It goes beyond any work you might do in a classroom or in the Student Media Center. She cares about you as a person, as well. Ms. Pat does a great job of staying in touch. It matters because you’re not just developing a student in a program–you’re developing a person in life.”

Brittany Brown (‘19) graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. On campus, Brown was active in the Student Media Center with The Daily Mississippian and NewsWatch, and she was one of the students in a in-depth reporting class in Puerto Rico that Thompson led. Brown is currently the work and labor reporter for the MLK50 newsroom in Memphis.

“Ms. Pat was not only an adviser to student media, but for me, she was a mentor,” Brown said. “I could ask her questions about journalism, questions about my career field or really anything. She was really just a constant source of support and really made me feel comfortable as a young black woman in that space, and seeing her and her background and her accolades–she has worked everywhere, she has won a Pulitzer Prize, she is really a formidable journalist.”

Thompson encouraged Brown to be confident and tap

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“She makes sure she always has a hand on you. You can tell she cares. It goes beyond any work you might do in a classroom or in the Student Media Center.

She cares about you as a person, as well.”

Alexis Neely BAJ ‘18

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Photo courtesy of Lyndy Berryhill

into her skills, which influenced her career today.

“When I was an undergrad, I was the University’s inaugural News21 Fellow, and it was actually Ms. Pat who put that fellowship on my radar–I never even considered applying for a fellowship as rigorous as that one,” Brown said. “She brought it to my attention, and she told me that she thought I should apply. I told her that I wasn’t quite sure I was the student they were looking for because I wasn’t confident in my abilities or skills. I applied, I got the fellowship. I had other professors’ support, too, but if Ms. Pat had not told me about that opportunity, I would have never applied. I would have never gotten the fellowship, and I don’t think my journalism career would have been what it is today because that experience really showed me a different side of journalism. I was able to go more in-depth, do more documentary-type work, focus on the south, focus on criminal justice issues, focus on history, focus on the past, and that’s what I’m doing now.”

Brown also explained how Thompson helped guide her and the other students.

“For us, as students, there was never really a doubt that we had Ms. Pat’s support or backing or even her mentorship,” Brown said. “Even when we needed a check, Ms. Pat was real with us. It wasn’t all rainbows and daisies. Not only was she a guiding light, but she helped shape us and guide us.”

– The mark of an unforgettable educator is someone who makes a genuine impact. Thompson’s drive for student learning, her commitment to maintaining academic and journalistic excellence, and her sincere desire to help others define her legacy.

“The job as director of student media seemed like a perfect next step for me, building on my years as a journalist and leading programs at the Medill School of Journalism,” Thompson said. “I was thrilled to teach reporting and editing classes, while continuing to work in a newsroom every day, developing the talents of young journalists, in a state with many fascinating stories to tell, and at a time when media and higher education

were going through many disruptive changes.”

Former Assistant Dean and Professor Scott Fiene transitioned from the public relations profession to Ole Miss as an adjunct professor for the summer of 2011.

He met Thompson at the Student Media Center, and they later went out for lunch and discussed the transition from profession to academia.

“Pat is one of the very first people I met at Ole Miss,” Fiene said. “Little did I know at the time that I’d be hired full-time and that she and I would end up being colleagues who worked together in leadership roles at the school for nearly a decade. I’ve got tremendous respect for Pat and what she has done for our program and the academy in her work as leader of the ACEJMC. She has made a difference and will be missed by many, many people.”

Since arriving at Ole Miss, Thompson’s almost 13 years have been filled with memorable experiences, from working daily in the Student Media Center to leading award-winning reporting class trips. There is never a dull moment when it comes to the media.

“I wish everyone could experience the awesome evenings when students are here working on deadline,” Thompson said. “Leading reporting classes in Mississippi and on trips to Belize, Ethiopia and Puerto Rico was an unexpected and wonderful bonus. Working with two of our distinguished alumni on the 2011 event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the student newspaper, including creating the 100th anniversary publication, was also a highlight of my time here.”

Many students attribute their professional success to how Thompson helped them develop as journalists

Lyndy Berryhill with her daughter on graduation day, 2017.

Photo courtesy of Thomas Graning, Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

Thompson with faculty, staff and the 2021-22 student employees of the Student Media Center. during their time at the School of Journalism and New Media or the Student Media Center. Thompson motivates and encourages students in the big moments and in the everyday.

Lyndy Berryhill (BAJ ‘17) served as the news editor of The Daily Mississippian from 2016-2017. She is currently general manager of the Stone County Enterprise and a freelance investigative reporter.

Berryhill says she tears up when she thinks about Thompson’s tremendous influence on her education and her career.

“Ms. Pat held us to high standards and gave us independence and gumption to go after the important stories, whether that be sexual assault allegations on campus or housing insecurity in the community,” Berryhill said. “She always had cool, steely courage that left me in awe. Nothing ever took her by surprise in the newsroom, and she had a fathomless knowledge of so many issues.”

“Secondly, Ms. Pat was always supportive of my education, even more so than my own family,” Berryhill said. “I found out I was pregnant right before my final semester and was really worried I’d be unable to complete my education. The first person I told was Ms. Pat. She gave me great advice and encouragement.

Before my last day of class, she gave me this great, smocked baby dress in school colors as a gift. Less than six months later, my daughter wore it at my graduation ceremony. I couldn’t have done that without Ms. Pat.” Whether she offered a shoulder to cry on, kind words of encouragement, or an open office for escape,

“She always had cool, steely courage that left me in awe.

Nothing ever took her by surprise in the newsroom, and she had a fathomless knowledge of so many issues.”

Lyndy Berryhill BAJ ‘17 Thompson always showed how she cares.

Abbie McIntosh Geveshausen (BAJ ‘19) is a communications specialist in Texas. She served as the station manager for NewsWatch during her junior and senior years, from 2017-2019.

“Ms. Pat always had an open-door policy,” Geveshausen said. “I remember a particular conversation I had with her during my senior year. I broke down into tears because she could tell I was struggling–my senior year was tough, personally–and she wanted to make sure I was OK. I don’t think she knows, but her simply asking and checking in meant the world to me. Ms. Pat not only cares about you as a

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Thompson with the 2018-2019 SMC Managers, MacKenzie Ross, Slade Rand, Abbie McIntosh Geveshausen and DeAndria Turner student-journalist but simply as a person. Her office was and is a safe space and for that I’m forever grateful.”

Devna Bose (BAJ ‘19) met Thompson at freshman orientation when she went to ask about joining The Daily Mississippian and ended up serving as a reporter, section editor and managing editor. Bose credits her career as a reporter to her relationship with Thompson.

“Ms. Pat is probably one of the main reasons why I am a reporter today,” said Bose, who is a reporter covering underserved communities for the Charlotte Observer through the Report for American program. “I was a journalism major the whole time, but I thought I could do something else. A journalism degree can be applied to a lot of different careers. I, for some reason, had always thought – which is true – that journalism is a really hard career to break into, because it is a very competitive career. You have to be really good to rise to the top and to make it. I didn’t think I was made of the stuff to make it through until a conversation I had with Ms. Pat at the end of my sophomore year. Having Ms. Pat believe in me helped me to believe in my own ability to be a reporter.”

The students Thompson poured herself into over the years embraced her efforts and celebrated her as well.

In 2019, Thompson traveled with SMC students to the Southeast Journalism Conference at Middle Tennessee State University, where she was named SEJC Educator of the Year. Her students had secretly nominated her. She was surprised when her name was announced.

“When Ms. Pat won the award, I remember we all stood up so fast,” Bose said. “It was such a great moment for so many of us – especially Ms. Pat. It felt so good to celebrate the person who constantly works so hard for all of us and for her to finally get recognition for the work she does.”

– Logan Kirkland (BAJ ‘16) served as editor-in-chief of The Daily Mississippian in 2016. Kirkland is currently a marketing specialist for the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education at the University of Mississippi as 32

well as a freelance photographer for print and online publications.

“I would be in the Student Media Center from three o’clock in the afternoon until one in the morning– back when we used to print daily–and even the slight interactions with Ms. Pat slowly grew into medium interactions, which turned into a mentorship-friendship,” Kirkland said.

Kirkland said that the candid conversations formed the best memories over the years.

“I wouldn’t be where I am in my life if it were not for Ms. Pat,” Kirkland said. “She pushed me, challenged me, laughed with me–she was always there. I really don’t see a storyline of my success without also mentioning Ms. Pat.” Thompson understands how a quintessential mentorship is not confined by the walls of a classroom or newsroom, and it is not restricted to the margins of journalism and academic work.

“I am proud of what our students accomplish here, and in their professional careers after they graduate,” Thompson said. “I am blessed to lead a staff where we help students hone their journalism, teamwork and watchdog-reporting skills. Most people don’t realize that as a student media director and faculty adviser, I worked with some students for hours each day, five days a week, from their freshman through senior years. The long hours of work are worth it because we are working with students who are major leaders on this campus, telling the university’s true story and helping the campus move forward.”

Interim Dean Deb Wenger reflects on Thompson’s journalistic integrity.

“I’ve known her for more than a decade, and I cannot recall one instance in which she didn’t put truth, accuracy and ethics first and foremost in her work,” Wenger said. “As a teacher and mentor to students, she has been exceptional. There are many, many graduates who owe their careers and their success to her caring and coaching. She will be missed.”

Thompson values the relationships she has formed over the years. By listening and helping others achieve their goals, Thompson has also opened doors for so many to achieve countless goals and opportunities.

“I am grateful for the many people on campus who embraced me by including me on university-wide committees and providing opportunities for service,” Thompson said. “I love recruiting new students, because I remember how important it was to me when I was young. You have to reach out to make sure the best and brightest and most ambitious know what you have to offer.”

Thompson said she will always treasure her time at the university.

“I have kept every thank you card from my students and colleagues,” Thompson said. “I keep them in a box – there are more than a hundred cards – and on days and nights when I’m tired and I need some inspiration, I open the box and read some of them.”

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Curious about the Student Media Center?

If you are a student who enjoys a fun, fast-paced environment, the S. Gale Denley Student Media Center is the place for you! Get the paid opportunity to apply your classroom knowledge in a hands-on environment and work as reporters, editors, TV anchors, graphic designers, station managers, photographers, and more.

Reach out for job opportunities! smc.olemiss.edu

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A LOOK BEHIND THE SWITCHBOARD Broadcast Journalism Alum Works Behind the Scenes at ESPN

BY ALLIE WATSON

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Photos courtesy of Mary Payne Dillard

ost would agree that the Covid pandemic took a toll on many. It proved especially difficult for senior college students who were anxiously awaiting college graduation while also searching for professional employment upon graduating. Mary Payne Dillard was a fifth-year sports broadcast journalism major who returned home to Tupelo to finish the semester “Zoom-style.” Like many seniors in college, Dillard expected to get a job following graduation, but the prospect seemed daunting because of the pandemic.

“I was applying for a job at ESPN when the pandemic hit. I thought I would get a job right out of college, but that definitely did not happen. The pandemic messed so many things up,” said Dillard. However, according to Dillard, in some ways, the pandemic was a blessing. “I am very thankful because I ended up getting a better job. It ended up all working out.”

In fact, Dillard did end up at ESPN, a dream job for many graduating from Ole Miss with IMC or Journalism degrees. Since July 2021, Dillard has worked as a technical director for ESPN. ESPN headquarters are located in Bristol, Conn. Dillard never imagined herself living in a state such as Connecticut.

“I work and live in Bristol,” said Dillard. “It is crazy! The town is so small and is actually smaller than Oxford. The ESPN campus is located right in the middle of Bristol. It is kind of a random place for it to be.”

Snowy winter conditions aside, living in Connecticut does have its perks. Despite being in the Northeast, Dillard explained that she can jump on a train and be in New York City in two hours, hop in a car and travel to Boston in short order, or stay in Connecticut and go snow skiing in the afternoon.

When asked about the ESPN headquarters, Dillard says the campus is big.

“It is similar to a college campus,” she said. “There is a cafeteria, several buildings, and a gym. We even have little P.O.D. markets similar to those on the Ole Miss campus. It is fun.”

During undergrad at the University of Mississippi, Dillard gained much experience working with the SEC Network crew on television sporting events.

“I did everything from working the camera to directing, and I helped technically direct games,” said Dillard.

She explained that her time working with the SEC

“I had to learn everything starting in July. It is just so much. I feel like I am drinking out of a firehose all the time. It is overwhelming, but I am getting there.”

Mary Payne Dillard BAJ ‘21 Network helped her learn the basics of producing sporting events, but since then, she has learned so much more.

“While working during college, I learned the basics of cutting a show but nothing in-depth. It is completely different from working the switcher,” said Dillard. “It is basically like knowing how to work your iPhone and then having to get someone to teach you to work from an Android phone.”

As a technical director, Dillard works in the control room on the ESPN Campus.

“I sit next to the director, and I have this big switcher in front of me. It has hundreds of buttons on it,” said Dillard.

“As far as technical stuff, I had to learn everything starting in July. It is just so much. I feel like I am drinking out of a firehose all the time. It is overwhelming, but I am getting there.”

At ESPN, much of her work consists of listening to the games, reacting, and trying to anticipate what the next move is going to be.

“In television, things happen so fast. If you are not anticipating the next move, you can really mess yourself up,” explained Dillard. “I am listening to the director because he tells me everything I need to do, but sometimes the director may be focused on other things and not hear the producer calling for something. In that situation, I need to be listening to the producer to anticipate where we are going next for when the director does call it. I do not need to be scrambling around trying to find the button.”

“I also need to listen to the graphics people to know whether they are wanting to put something on air,” said Dillard. “We are not going to just throw a graphic up on TV; we are going to make it look pretty.”

Dillard explained her job as a technical director at ESPN is more than rewarding and she never feels as though she is truly working.

“It is just the coolest job in the world. It is so fastpaced,” said Dillard. “I wear my Apple Watch when I work, and I can see how my heart rate goes down during commercial breaks and back up during the game. I have a job that makes my heart race, my body sweat, and my adrenaline pump.”

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SPORTS PRODUCTION FOR FUTURE FANS

BY DAYNA DRAKE

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Photos courtesy of Josh Hinkle

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or those who love sports, the next best thing to being at the game is watching the game – whether that’s on a giant flatscreen or the smallest smartwatch. That’s good news for sports production gurus like University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media grad Josh Hinkle.

After graduating with a degree in integrated marketing communications in 2019, Hinkle is now the technical lead for Raider Network, the broadcast service for Jackson Academy High School in Jackson, Mississippi. It is not your average high school sports production set-up, though — in fact, they have the same 36-foot production truck that ESPN uses.

“At our high school, especially 10 years ago, there were a lot more people that came to the game because that was the only way you’re going to watch the game.

If you want to watch your grandkid play football, well, you’re gonna come to the game and you’re gonna watch it, whereas now you do have other alternatives.”

Just like ESPN, YouTube, and all other streaming platforms, Hinkle and Raider Network are searching for how to make watching a game through a screen something special.

“One of the big things you want to do is to make it realistic,” Hinkle said. You want to make it feel like the viewers are sitting right there in the stands, but you can only go so far.”

What does it take to make you feel like you’re in the bleachers?

“A lot of streaming services, like ESPN, definitely try their best to put you in the seat,” said Hinkle. “You know, obviously the more cameras they have, the more microphones they have, and even now, I mean sitting at your house, a lot of times you’re gonna have more angles, and a lot more insight to the game than you would if you were actually at the game.”

Hinkle and others point out that the view via streaming may actually be better than that from versus the top deck of a stadium.

Fans may prefer to watch the game on a screen because they miss too much in the stadium without automatic replay and multiple camera angles. Hinkle says a fan’s budget is also a factor.

“A lot of times you have to pay to get into the game,

especially college games, they’re not cheap to get into,” Hinkle said. “It’s not something you’re going to do every weekend, especially if you don’t want to pay for it.”

Fans may have to pay for streaming services, of course. Raider Network uses YouTube to stream Josh their games.

Hinkle “YouTube is such a big company, and they’ve just got streaming down,” Hinkle said. “To me, [YouTube] is probably the best there is out of all the paid or free streaming services. So we’ve stuck with that for several years now.”

Hinkle is anticipating even more fans will rely on their live streaming in the next coming seasons.

“I think for sure, streaming is going to continue to go up,” Hinkle said. “Look at 10 years ago, there was no way you’re going to watch an Ole Miss soccer game online, that just wasn’t possible. Whereas now, almost every soccer game there is streamed online.”

Still, Hinkle said he thinks we will always see fans in the stands.

“There will never be a streaming service that provides the same [experience] as being at the game. It’s just not possible.”

THE REVIEW

Oxford native with storytelling legacy creates his own path with NFL Films n Oxford native with a family journalism legacy is gaining recognition for his sports storytelling skills with NFL Films. Merrick McCool works in the camera department for the National Football League’s film and television production company that produces commercials, television programs, feature films and documentaries.

“I think a lot of my childhood memories would center around Ole Miss athletics,” said McCool, a UM School of Journalism and New Media integrated marketing communications student. “That, for one, kind of set me right in a field of athletics, right now, working for the NFL.” McCool had many hobbies growing up, including theater, music, photography and film. He was involved in film festivals from an early age, and his mother, Leighton McCool, bought his first camera.

“He is our most passionate child,” she said. “He’s so creative. He’s got a great eye, which is what he’s doing with his filmwork now. He’s also extremely musical. At the age of 2, he would sit in the back seat when we would drive over from Atlanta. We would have music playing, and he would be beating on his car seat to the beat of the drum.”

McCool may have been inspired to become a journalist and storyteller by his grandfather, Curtis Wilkie, a notable author, reporter, and former UM professor.

“Journalism has kind of always been a part of my upbringing,” McCool said.

But it’s something he’s been doing since age 8.

“For Christmas that year, he asked for a film camera,” Leighton McCool said. “You know, basically like a director’s camera, like one of those huge, put over your shoulder, kind of cameras. So we bought him a huge one, real expensive at the time, but a nice director’s camera.”

Merrick McCool worked with Oxford High School’s broadcast journalism team as soon as he could, serving as the sports production director and producer.

“There’s a really good journalism program at Oxford High School,” McCool said, “so I was kind of introduced to that at a pretty young age.”

He was co-director of “The Season: Oxford High School.” It won three Southeast Emmy Student Production Awards and received three National Emmy Student Production Awards nominations, according to The Charger online. Two episodes of “The Season” were accepted into the All-American High School Film Festival in New York, screened at the AMC theater on Times Square.

McCool knew he wanted to attend Ole Miss.

“You’re learning a lot from stories and experiences,” he said, “and you’re gaining experience in the school.

There’s so many opportunities to do that, so many creative people around you, that it’s just hard not to.”

Attending UM led McCool to his current job in the NFL Films camera department.

“Basically, the idea behind NFL films, when it was created, was to bring Hollywood to football,” he said. “A lot of people don’t know what NFL Films is. There’s an assumption that it’s kind of just football, and there is a lot of football involved with it – obviously, a lot of shooting football games on the weekends. But aside from that, we produce, I wanna say, probably 25-30 TV shows and feature length documentaries, a lot of which are scripted and not 100 percent football-related.”

Through his work, McCool has been given amazing opportunities and experiences, such as working on popular TV shows and meeting celebrities. He even attended the Super Bowl this year in Los Angeles.

His advice to journalism students: Get work experience while you are in school. And you have to love what you do.

“You’ve got to be able to get out and try new things and experience a lot while you’re at Ole Miss, or wherever you’re at doing journalism,” he said. “There’s so many opportunities set forth before you, wherever you are, and so a lot of people just kind of sit back, and they’re like, you don’t think about working until you’re done with college, but you’ve got to go out and learn things while you’re there that aren’t what you’re learning in the classroom.”

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Photo courtesy of Merrick McCool

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BY ALLY BRYAN

REMEMBERING THE ONES WE’VE LOST

BY HAYES FINKLEA

Photo courtesy of A.J. Norwood

Oscar Pope (seated, center) worked hard to achieve success working as the marketing director for the NBA on TNT.

A.J. Norwood on the set of NBA on TNT during their Final Four show on April 2, 2022. | Photo courtesy of A.J. Norwood.

ast year, the School of Journalism and New Media was sad to lose a recent graduate and distinguished alumni, Oscar Pope. A scholarship was recently set up in his name by Pope’s family and friends. The Oscar Pope Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to students studying Integrated Marketing Communications at Ole Miss. A 2013 graduate, Pope double majored in broadcast journalism and graphic design while he studied at the University of Mississippi.

When asked about his time on campus he said, “The education and wide range of experience I received at Ole Miss prepared me to wear many hats, without hesitation, simultaneously and effectively.”

Pope’s education at Ole Miss, combined with his talent and professionalism, led him to great heights.

His last position was as NBA Content Marketing Manager for NBA on TNT. The scholarship in his honor is designed to provide generations of new IMC students the transformative experience that laid the groundwork for Oscar’s career. While at the University of Mississippi, he was deeply involved in the Ole Miss community. He was a production manager for Rebel Radio and a news anchor for NewsWatch. Loved and lauded across the school, his passing left a void for many.

Turner Sports is also honoring Pope through the

Oscar Pope Lift Every Voice Fellowship. Renamed this past year in his memory, this fellowship provides an opportunity for one undergraduate journalism student of color to work with NBA on TNT during the NBA AllStar weekend. During the two week experience, the student works alongside the Turner Sports production team and is given the opportunity to conduct a one-onone interview with an All-Star.

For the 2021-22 NBA season, A.J. Norwood was selected as the recipient of the fellowship. Norwood, a recent graduate who studied journalism, is the first to be awarded the fellowship in Pope’s memory. During March Madness, Norwood had the opportunity to sit down and interview two time all-star Jerry Stackhouse along with Arizona State basketball coach Bobby Hurley. He described the experience saying, “Simply put, it was a blessing. It was a culmination of all the hard work that I have put in over the course of my undergraduate career.”

Norwood hopes that this honor will open a plethora of opportunities in the near future.

“I’ll always be grateful and appreciative of the namesake of the Lift Every Voice Fellowship in honor of the late Oscar Pope,” said Norwood. “His initiative strives to amplify the voices of young, black, underrepresented journalists.”

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Dr. Nancy Dupont Dr. Nancy Dupont passed away on December 25, 2021.

She joined the faculty in 2006 after spending 17 years as a broadcast journalist and 13 years as a journalism educator.

In recent years, she made history by becoming the first person ever to win the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication – Broadcast and Mobile Journalism Division’s two most prestigious awards in the same year.

Dupont won the Edward L. Bliss Award for Distinguished Broadcast Journalism Education and the Larry Burkum Service Award. She was the 38th recipient of the Edward L. Bliss Award and is only the fifth woman ever to win.

Dupont retired in 2021 from the School of Journalism and New Media. In her academic career, she also served as chair of the Radio-Television Journalism division (now Broadcast and Mobile Journalism) of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC). She served twice as chair of the news division of the Broadcast Education Association. In 2019, she was elected to a two-year term to the Broadcast Education Association Board of Directors.

Dupont co-authored the book Journalism of the Fallen Confederacy in 2014. She authored 12 book chapters. She frequently presented her research at the Symposium of 19th Century Journalism, the Civil War, and Free Expression and at the Transnational Journalism History conference. She published extensively about 19th-century Mississippi and Louisiana newspapers.

Mykki Newton Mykki Newton passed away July 3, 2021. The Huntsville, Alabama native had recently retired from the school, where she worked as a producer, director, writer, videographer, editor and camera equipment manager. She assisted students, staff and faculty with their creative work.

Professor Joe Atkins said Newton was a special person who brought a world of experience to her craft.

“She could be so funny with her tales of monster movies and her cats,” he said. “I always looked forward to her posts on Facebook. I told her one day I really wanted us to get together sometime so she could tell me about her days in New York studying and working with stage and screen legends. We never got to have that conversation, and I regret that. She’s going to be missed by a ton of people.”

She studied at both The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and The Actor’s Studio in New York City. With more than 30 years of professional experience as a broadcast journalist, actor and filmmaker, she was an award-winning journalist, producer and director. Prior to her journey at Ole Miss, she was a news anchor and reporter at several TV stations, including WATN in Memphis and WAFF in her hometown.

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Thinking Outside of the Box GRADUATES ARE REDEFINING THE TYPICAL JOBS IN JOURNALISM & IMC

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BY KYLIE BOWERS

ecessity may be the mother of invention, however, after that creativity, hard work and the ability to aptly communicate that invention’s attributes to a target audience is necessary. That’s where innovators and entrepreneurs make their entrance.

Many graduates from the School of Journalism and New Media have made their mark as entrepreneurs. Thinking critically as well as creatively is essential whether one is preparing to relay a complicated or nuanced news story, market a product’s benefits, or a candidate’s platform.

These communication and business “essentials” are part and parcel at the School of Journalism and New Media at Ole Miss and as a result, the school produces not just journalists, PR and marketing professionals, but also independent, entrepreneurial thinkers that use their skills in business. Journalism and IMC alumni are not afraid to think outside the box and pursue diverse careers that bring them success and happiness, even when the proposed path is uncharted and bumpy along the way. For many, their road to success started while they were still students at Ole Miss.

Ronald Odom, Jr. - Better Hospitality USA Ronald Odom, Jr. recalls that one of his fondest memories was when he was afforded the opportunity to step out on the Ole Miss football field in Vaught Hemingway to sing the National Anthem prior to an important football game. Odom was given his chance to perform prior to the Egg Bowl in 2016 with the UM Opera Theatre Ensemble and Alumni. “Just feeling that energy and the love and excitement of Ole Miss football. I think that day really brought my love of people, love of music and level of wholeness all together in one moment,” said Odom. After graduating in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, Odom founded Better Hospitality USA, which provides education and career support to the community of food and beverage professionals. The company also offers a slate of services including online networking events, career growth planning, resume review, mock Interviews, educational resources, and ongoing support. Better Hospitality USA is in New York City, but Odom’s goal is to expand the business to improve the lives of career hospitality professionals throughout the country.

According to Odom, Better Hospitality USA came about because of his personal journey and experiences while navigating the hospitality industry. “Better Hospitality was born out of a need in the industry,” he said. “I have been working in the food and beverage industry since I was in high school. When I was in Oxford, I worked at Prime 40

Ronald Odom, Jr.

Steakhouse before I moved to New York.” Odom explained that although he was excited about his move to New York, he quickly realized that he would need to completely rebuild his professional network. “I had to start all over. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t have any contacts. I know what that challenge felt like for me then, and I know others are facing similar challenges now.” Odom went on to explain that he found that there were many in the hospitality industry that were still growing professionally, navigating their careers, and searching for ways to ensure the trajectory of their careers would trend upwards rather than remaining flat.

“For example, if you want to become a manager or want to own your own business eventually or work in some other part of hospitality later. I never knew how to navigate that or who to even talk to. Our goal is to provide that support” Odom’s own experiences, as well as those of his peers, inspired him to launch Better Hospitality USA. “We can create a space where we support each other, answer questions, and all rise together. I believe in collaboration.

Investing in people is the best way to succeed and to have a happy life.”

Odom explained that their mission is to support the people that are in the industry by understanding what they are experiencing. “We want to help the workers that are customer-facing, so they are ultimately better equipped to perform their jobs and more knowledgeable, said Odom.

As a result of their success at work, they should be happier and have a better quality of life.” According to Odom, the effects of providing industry professionals with these tools for success results in higher productivity, a better customer experience, and larger profit margins for the business at which they work.

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Betsy Baird

Betsy Baird - Betsy Baird Jewelry Betsy Baird’s love for jewelry flourished from all the countless hours spent rummaging in her grandparents’ jewelry boxes as a child. Baird was the little girl that dreamed of getting a David Yurman bracelet for Christmas, knowing that it would be something she would cherish forever. She felt that jewelry gave a sense of time and place, and transcended generations. Of course, that little girl grew up and eventually made her way to the University of Mississippi where she graduated in 2014 with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications.

Baird spent quite a few years finding her way after graduation, however, her passion for jewelry never subsided. She also knew she wanted to operate her own business, so she followed her heart and launched Betsy Baird Jewelry.

According to Baird, there are three skills that a future entrepreneur needs – passion, resilience, and cheerleaders, and while at the School of Journalism and New Media, she believes she built relationships with many cheerleaders and her passion and resilience was tested and tempered.

“The reason why I do what I do, and I’m excited to do it every day, is because I love it so much,” explained Baird. “I have loved jewelry since I was seven years old. My family took a trip down to New Orleans, and while there, my grandparents bought me cameo jewelry for the first time.

At that point, if I was not totally hooked, that solidified it for me!” Baird explained that without real passion and an absolute love for your work, you can quickly run out of steam. In addition to passion, Baird found that resilience was a trait she was fortunate to have when she started her business and as it began to grow. “Owning your own business is really challenging and there’s a lot of times where you’re going to learn hard lessons. There is usually no manual. You must go all-in with the knowledge

that there are going to be growing pains!” Finally, Baird reiterated, an entrepreneur needs cheerleaders – friends and family that support you. “I have an older sister and some awesome friends that have been my biggest cheerleaders and supporters. Whether they are shooting a text message saying, ‘I’m thinking of you,’ or building me up on social media platforms or buying my products, they have provided a community of support for me and my business.”

Baird explained that one central theme that is focused on at her company is that they should always maintain a personal touch and feel. “My dream is to become a recognizable brand and when a customer sees my logo or watermark, I want them to associate it with more than just quality. I want them to associate it with caring, said Baird.

As an example, she explained that most of her clients are males often searching for the perfect engagement ring.

“They come to me and don’t know the difference between platinum and white gold,” she said. I have to do a bit of handholding, walk them through it, and listen to their needs rather than just bulldozing through the process.” Baird went on to explain that from her perspective, these young men are in love, willing to spend a substantial amount of money and they want to find the perfect wedding band for the love of their life. “This is why I still have my hand in everything we do at the company,” she said. “Buying jewelry is a personal experience, and I want to continue to create the perfect pieces, classics with a twist, that are unique and different from the norm!”

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Alden Easter

Alden Easter - Jaw Media Alden Easter’s love for Instagram began to grow when she started working at Ophelia Swimwear in Seaside, Florida. The owner of the swimwear retail store took Easter under her wing and taught her much about how to leverage the social media platform as well as operate a successful business. At Ophelia’s, Easter realized she now only had a passion for retail, but also for Instagram.

According to Easter, she could six hours editing an Instagram reel, never come up for air, and love every minute of it.

Easter graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications in 2018. Soon after, her sister, Jordan Taylor, hired her at Jaw Media, a company she founded in 2015. Taylor knew that Easter’s IMC education, inherent talent and understanding of social media would help her refine and expand her business.

Easter explained that Jaw Media places great importance on two areas of focus – authenticity and growth. “Our goal really is to help small businesses grow through the use of social media,” said Easter. “But we also help them focus on what they need to do to build their brand overall. Our mission is to help them grow by helping them find their voice and the right audience for their brand,” said Easter.

Easter explained that Jaw Media focuses on building a social media following for its client that is authentic and has a real interest in the company. “We’re not going to go out and ‘buy’ 20,000 followers that are fake and don’t work. We want to showcase who they are as a company,” she explained.

In addition, Easter explained that, although helping small businesses grow is a priority, perhaps the most rewarding task she has is working with young women interns. “My sister and I want to help high school and college women learn about being entrepreneurs and professional 42

marketers. We want to give back and give these young women the skills and confidence they need to do great work in the field.” Easter went on to explain how rewarding it was to add their first additional employee and launch their internship program. “It was exciting to see that we had grown enough to add even one employee,” she explained.

“And our internship program continues to get better and more streamlined every year. Our goal is to make sure that all our interns gain as much hands-on experience as possible, and that we’re here for them later on when they begin applying for jobs elsewhere.”

When asked about what advice Easter would give to soon to graduate IMC majors, she was quick to say that they must be willing to overcome any fear of putting themselves out there. “I think there’s a lot of fear factor,” said Easter. “I’ve talked to a lot of young female professionals who direct message (DM) me and want to be influencers, but they’re afraid of what other people will think. I tell them don’t be afraid to just show up and be you. You never know what will happen and letting other people’s opinions stop you is never a good idea.”

THE REVIEW

Hal Cato

Hal Cato - Thistle Farms From the moment he graduated from Ole Miss in 1987 with his degree in journalism, Hal Cato knew he wanted to pursue a career in advertising and marketing. “I spent my entire twenties listening to others’ voices and not my own. I was living from the ‘outside in’ rather than from the ‘inside out’ and this mindset kept me from growing and evolving,” explained Cato. “I felt a need to make my parents proud or do whatever my friends and peers were doing and ultimately this made me unhappy. Eventually, I decided to listen to my inner voice and follow my heart.

That’s when things started to click.”

Cato came to realize he had a true passion and excitement for community impact work. This led him to launch a non-profit organization, Hands on Nashville.

Cato has since held numerous other leadership positions at a string of businesses and organizations. He was Vice President of Development for Bright Horizons Family, a leading global provider early education and childcare, back-up care, and workplace education services. He was President and CEO of Oasis Center, a nationallyrecognized organization with a mission to help at risk youth in Middle Tennessee. He was CEO of Zeumo, a mobile enterprise communication management solutions company and currently, Cato is the CEO of Thistle Farms.

He joined Thistle Farms in 2015 as their first CEO. Thistle Farms is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution and addiction. “We do this by providing a safe place to live, a meaningful job, and a lifelong sisterhood of support,”

explained Cato.

When asked what he thought was his greatest achievement, Cato indicated that creating a positive and supportive work environment for others at his various stops in his career. “I think what I’m most proud of is creating a workplace where people want to come to work and where they can grow into being their best selves, build connections, and achieve things that they never thought possible,” said Cato. “To me, that’s the payoff.”

From Thistle Farms to Mayor of Nashville?

In an article by the Tennessean published in December of 2021, Cato announced that he would be stepping down from Thistle Farms and is considering a run for mayor of Music City. “I’ve been here (Thistle Farms) for seven years, and I feel the company is in really good, strong shape,” said Cato. “Now might be a good time to hand the reins over to the next person and go do my next thing.

I’ve always been interested in politics, just never saw myself pursuing it. But when I started looking around where Nashville is and asked myself, ‘Am I happy with the direction the city is going right now?’ The answer was no.

So I thought, well, this is what you need to do.”

When asked what the most important lesson is he has learned in business, Cato explained that building trusting relationships with staff and coworkers is of the utmost importance. “Respect is something you earn, and you don’t command it,” said Cato. “And honestly, people say this all the time – nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”

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