Murphy Reporter Summer 2018

REPORTER MURPHY

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER

David FAHRENTHOLD Opens up about the challenges for journalists in this political climate STUDYING ABROAD From Buenos Aires to Dublin to Hong Kong

STATE OF OUR SATIRICAL UNION Editorial cartoonists descend on Minneapolis

SUMMER 2018

CONTENTS MURPHY

REPORTER SUMMER 2018 DIRECTOR

Elisia L. Cohen

FEATURES

STUDY ABROAD............................................ 6

DAVID FAHRENTHOLD.........................12

EDITOR

Amanda Fretheim Gates

DESIGN

Jeanne Schacht

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Elizabeth Brunette, Giovanna Dell’Orto, Scott Memmel, Scott Meyer, Alex Smith

PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Cooper

STUDENT ASSISTANTS

Elizabeth Brunette, Alex Smith, Andrew Tomten

PROOFREADER Lynette Lamb

ALUMNI RECORDS

Mary Achartz, Kaylee Highstrom

2018-2019 HSJMC ALUMNI SOCIETY BOARD MEMBERS Tanya Wright, president Jacqueline Larson, president-elect Jenni Pinkley, secretary Heather Arnston Carolyn Ahlstrom Nicole Garrison Eric Hansen Brian Hurley John Maher Tim Nelson Karen Schultz Jennifer Sorenson

The Murphy Reporter is published semiannually by the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication for alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of the school.

Send questions or comments to murphrep@umn.edu or Murphy Reporter, 111 Murphy Hall, 206 SE Church St., Minneapolis, MN 55455 The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

This publication is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to murphrep@umn.edu

1

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

2 NEWS FROM THE DIRECTOR 3 AROUND MURPHY

Hazel Dicken-Garcia, 1939-2018............................ 3 New Faculty............................................................ 4

11

IN THE CLASSROOM

17

EVENTS

26

SCHOLARSHIP

28

LEARNING

30

Teaching Broadcast.............................................. 11 Community Journalism......................................... 11

Hate in the Headlines............................................ 17 Where Race and Sports Intersect......................... 17 The State of Our Satirical Union............................ 18 Spring Showcase.................................................. 22

Faculty News......................................................... 26

Meet a Student..................................................... 28 Graduate Students................................................ 29 Undergraduate Students....................................... 29 Staff News............................................................. 30

ALUMNI

Alumni News......................................................... 30 Alumni Spotlight.................................................... 32 Above the Fold...................................................... 33 Mentor Program Mixer.......................................... 34 Alumni Board Updates.......................................... 35

CONNECT WITH US! facebook.com/umnhsjmc twitter.com/umn_hsjmc instagram.com/umnhsjmc youtube.com/umnhsjmc U of MN Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication Alumni On the cover: Washington Post reporter David Fahrenthold speaks to students on March 2, 2018. Photo by Chris Cooper.

NEWS FROM THE DIRECTOR

OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE HUBBARD SCHOOL HAS taken on a variety of initiatives designed to build on the School’s strong tradition of promoting research and scholarly excellence. During 2017-2018, the Hubbard School participated in a process of self-study for reaccreditation and for Provost program review. Among the study’s findings was that the Hubbard School has the best fourand six-year graduation rates in the country, compared to other data available at accredited peer schools. More than 98 percent of students who entered the journalism major in 2011 completed it within six years; the average student completed their degree in less than 4 years.

I’m also pleased to report that we’ve recently increased our endowment support for education abroad programming and are one of the leaders in the College of Liberal Arts in sending students abroad (see related story on p. 6). We are also the only SJMC in the region offering a yearlong alumni mentoring experience for students, matching students with mentors for 35 years. Our recent review of our internship/employment system showed that we have more internships and student employment opportunities posted each year than there are undergrads looking for such positions.

Against this backdrop, the Hubbard School retains a strong intellectual commitment to professional and community engagement in support of its mission. The

of strategic communication. The professional M.A. program’s Spring Forum featured a panel of alumni professionals examining the underrepresentation of

The Hubbard

women and minorities in local and national agencies.

School has

The Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law hosts its 33rd annual lecture this fall, featuring Theodore

the best four-

J. Boutrous, Jr., discussing “The First Amendment and

and six-year

#MeToo.” We also celebrate the accomplishments of many new faces in Murphy Hall. More than 70 percent of our fulltime faculty have been hired within the last five years. I am delighted to announce four faculty hires (p. 4) that the School has made to bolster its reputation and availability of top-notch scholars and professionals to work with our students. These digital-savvy faculty are bolstering the development of our curriculum and leading-edge research centers in new and exciting ways.

As you may know, the School also has experienced faculty transitions. We are sad to report the death of Hazel Dicken-Garcia (p. 3), professor emerita, who

graduation rates in the country, compared to other data available at accredited peer schools.

retired from teaching in 2008 after 30 years of service but continued to supervise doctoral dissertations until 2011. Al Tims, who led the School as director for nearly 20 years after advancing through its ranks, announced his retirement last spring. An undergraduate scholarship was established to honor Dr. Tims, and I am pleased to report that its first recipient for 2018-2019 was named this year.

If you have the opportunity to return to Murphy Hall this year, you will notice a variety of studio, classroom, digital media lab, and display improvements supported by the generosity of donors. The building’s first floor also contains a new display case and naming placard dedicated to the Hubbard family. Murphy Hall has always had an exciting and forward-thinking intellectual climate, and I look forward to providing you with more news of the School’s accomplishments in the year ahead.

Minnesota Journalism Center continues to partner with media and professional societies to bring the best of the Twin Cities’ media community to Murphy Hall (read about past events starting on p. 17). We are also approaching our 15th anniversary for providing advanced, integrated professional training opportunities in the growing field 2

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

Elisia L. Cohen, Ph.D. Director

PHOTO BY CHRIS COOPER

the Society for Professional Journalists and other local

IN MEMORIAM

HAZEL DICKEN-GARCIA, 1939-2018

BY GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN FALL QUARTER 1996, I took my first class with Hazel—perhaps her favorite, Jour 3007, focusing on journalism and press freedom issues in the American Civil War. Two things happened: She gave me an A- on the final paper, because it exceeded the page limit, and she proposed that we work on it together to turn it into a conference submission. I was a sophomore. That paper became our book together, published a few years after I had received my Ph.D. from Minnesota, with Hazel as adviser.

That very first encounter introduced me to Hazel’s double and unique gift to all lucky enough to have her as teacher, mentor, friend—resolute adherence to the most exacting standards of conduct and scholarship, surpassed only by endlessly enthusiastic generosity.

I don’t know that I have ever met someone who could so consistently push you to do better while firmly cheering you on as the best.

There was no misplaced comma that her red pencil did not find, and no life occasion, great or tragic, that her perfectly chosen words did not mark in long-flowing handwritten cards or, when significant enough she wanted it all crystal-clear, her typed letters.

It was not until I became a professor myself—one of the first classes I taught was Jour 3007!— that I fully understood what price is

exacted by the kind of unbending integrity and constantly giving selflessness that Hazel exemplified. Her grace and her unflinching strength had made it easy to overlook that—and that she did all this while fighting immense personal hardship.

Even this May, when the crabapple trees finally promised to bloom by Como Lake, I couldn’t quite bring myself to believe that we wouldn’t take a walk around it—and that, despite a 40-year age difference, I wouldn’t find it hard to keep up with her pace, as so many times before.

At our last meeting, to celebrate our March birthdays, surrounded by flowers and the photos of former students and their families she kept on her mantel, she loved life as ever, but she also radiated a peace that could only come from knowing she had competed well and had finished the race.

It bore out her exhortation not to be sad. Of course, she was right.

I cannot be sad for her, because we share the belief that she has gone to rest into the arms of a loving Father. I cannot be sad for myself, nor for all of her students, colleagues and friends, because the only alternative to the searing pain of losing her would have been not to meet her, and that would have been a tragedy. I could be sad for all those who will not have that opportunity—but surely she would

rather want me to try to bring her gifts to them instead.

Thank you, Hazel, for never wavering from either your uncompromising standards or loving care.

And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Memorials may be sent to the Hazel Dicken-Garcia Graduate Fellowship, which was created in her honor to support graduate students in the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

3

NEW FACULTY

BOOSTING FACULTY EXCELLENCE Four new faces join HSJMC in Fall 2018.

BY ALEX SMITH

AMELIA REIGSTAD Amelia Reigstad joins the School this fall as a lecturer in strategic communication. She brings years

MATT CARLSON Matt Carlson joins the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication this fall as an associate professor in journalism studies. He previously taught at Saint Louis University as an associate professor of communication focusing on media and journalism studies. “I’m really excited to be joining HSJMC at such an exciting and important time to be studying news and media,” he said.

His work examines public discourse about journalism, with an interest in the cultural construction of journalistic norms and practices.

Rather than view journalism as a stable, self-determining entity, Carlson examines how individuals and groups struggle over the definition of what journalism is, who is a journalist, and what direction journalism should take. This interest in definitional struggle culminated in his most recent book, On the Condition of Anonymity: Unnamed Sources and the Battle for Journalism.

In the classroom, Carlson has taught a range of courses, from the introductory general communication course to graduate seminars in media research. He is excited to continue that work with the students at HSJMC. “HSJMC provides so many opportunities to have conversations about where the journalism industry is going,” Carlson said. “I hope to add to these conversations by 4

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

of experience from her work owning

raising questions about what we

a public research consultancy and

expect from news and journalism,

teaching internationally in places

and fostering deeper considerations

such as Croatia, Vienna, Austria and

about the impact of the digital media

Scotland. She joins HSJMC from the

environment on us all.”

University of Wisconsin-River Falls,

Carlson received a Ph.D. (2007)

where she’s been a faculty member

and M.A. (2002) from the Annen-

since 2013.

berg School for Communication at

“I hope to bring my passion,

the University of Pennsylvania. He

dedication and love of teaching to

received a B.A. in communication

the students of HSJMC,” Reigstad

from Loyola University Chicago.

said. “My teaching philosophy con-

Before pursuing his doctorate,

tinues to be based on a passion for

Carlson was a researcher and web editor at the Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism in Washington, D.C. During his time at PEJ, he helped shape the State of the News Media report, managed the journalism.org website, and compiled the Daily Briefing, an online compendium of stories about the news media.

Carlson has published widely in the areas of journalism and media studies. He published Journalistic Authority: Legitimating News in the Digital Era with Columbia University Press in 2017. He is co-editor with Bob Franklin of the edited volume Journalism, Sources, and Credibility: New Perspectives (Routledge, 2011), and co-editor with former HSJMC faculty member Seth Lewis of the forthcoming volume Boundaries of Journalism (Routledge). In addition, his work has appeared in several journalism publications.

HSJMC provides so many opportunities to have conversations about where the journalism industry is going.

the public relations/communications industry and dedication in seeing students succeed in the same field.”

Reigstad draws on her own professional experiences to educate her students. In 2007, she developed Crosspoint Communications, a full-service consultancy agency from a grassroots level. The business specializes in event planning, strategic communications and media relations. “Because the industry can be demanding, I try to instill real-life experiences into my teaching and treat all students fairly with a focus on how things are in the ‘real-world,’” she said.

She is passionate about teaching and traveling the world, exploring new opportunities and being a positive role model for her students. Reigstad studied public relations, media and communications and completed her master’s degree from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, where her dissertation focused on gender in public relations and why the industry is predominantly female.

NEW FACULTY

MATTHEW WEBER

local news, and to working with the

Matthew Weber joins the School as an associate professor and the Management. He has taught and completed research at several universities across the United States, including Rutgers University’s School of Communication and Information, the University of Southern California and the University of Michigan.

“I’m excited to continue developing my research and teaching at HSJMC when I join the faculty this fall,” Weber said. “HSJMC is home to a unique blend of researchers and practitioners, creating a vibrant space for discussion about the impact of new technology on news media.”

Weber’s research examines organizational change in relation to the use of new information communication technologies, focusing specifically on the ongoing transformation of news media industries. He has also researched organizations from both an internal and external perspective, focusing on the interaction between macro- and micro-level changes.

His research has also covered organizations in a variety of contexts, including an examination of transformation of the news media industry in the United States, an analysis of local newspaper ecosystems, research on technology use in large multinational organizations, and work on social movements.

“I look forward to expanding my research on digital technology and news media production, especially with regards to algorithms and

back in Murphy Hall, where I got

at HSJMC,” Weber said.

my master’s degree, being an

He utilizes mixed methods in his

Cowles Endowed Fellow of Media

HSJMC is

home to a unique blend of researchers and practitioners, creating a vibrant space for discussion about the impact of new technology on news media.

“I’m looking forward to being

incredible colleagues and students

advocate for visual communication

research work, including social net-

and a teacher and mentor to young

work analysis, archival research and

photojournalists,” McCombs said.

interviews. Recently, he developed

“Because I’ve worked at MPR,

a new methodology for utilizing

the Star Tribune and KARE 11, I

large-scale big data for tracing orga-

bring a broad perspective on the

nizational change. The research has

importance of good photojournal-

led to the development of a series

ism. After teaching at the Poynter

of tools that enable researchers to

Institute, putting on seminars and

access data made available by the

conferences, I think the symposium

Internet Archive.

we’ll host next spring will also be a

Weber received his Ph.D. in

great way to support photojournal-

2010 from the Annenberg School of

ists and to create stronger ties with

Journalism and Communication at

our students.”

the University of Southern California.

McCombs has won numerous

His work is supported by funding

Best of Photojournalism and

from the National Science Founda-

Pictures of the Year International

tion, William T. Grant Foundation,

awards for multimedia storytell-

Democracy Fund, Institute for

ing, as well as Emmys for her

Museum and Library Services and

video work. In addition, she has

the Knight Foundation.

presented at many industry conferences, including the National

REGINA MCCOMBS Regina McCombs (M.A. ’03) returns to the School this fall as a lecturer and fellow in visual communication and photojournalism. She was previously an adjunct faculty member and taught courses like advanced television news and electronic news gathering.

Before joining the School, she was the senior editor for visual news for Minnesota Public Radio, working with a team to develop photogra-

Press Photographers Association, the Online News Association, the Society for News Design, the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the Asian American Journalists Association and the Native American Journalists Association.

McCombs was also a 2007-08 recipient of the HSJMC Alumni Society Board’s Award for Excellence.

phy, video and multimedia. Prior to that, she was a faculty member at the Poynter Institute, teaching multimedia, mobile and social media.

She has also worked at the Star Tribune and KARE 11.

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

5

The Value of Learning A JOURNALISTS AND STRATEGIC communicators need to see stories from all angles to do their jobs effectively. And while college classes can open eyes and expand boundaries, nothing beats experiencing a different country, culture or media landscape. That may be why on

CENTRAL AMERICA Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama

average HSJMC students study abroad more than do students in any other department in the College of Liberal Arts (except for Spanish & Portuguese Studies). In 2017, 1 in 7 HSJMC students participated in

appropriate for the journalism pro-

learning abroad. In the last two aca-

gram and take place in destinations

demic years, HSJMC students have

that are appealing to students.

studied in nearly 60 countries.

Rassier also credits journalism

Most students who want to

majors for being planners; they

study abroad can get a lot of bang

come into Student Services well

for their buck. Many programs can

enough in advance to allow many

fulfill liberal education credits, major/

study abroad opportunities to work.

minor credits, language require-

“We help identify their goals, so

ments or other upper-level college

we can find the best program that

credits—or all of the above—while

works for them,” she said. Student

allowing students to still graduate in

goals usually break down into

four years. What makes HSJMC stu-

several main areas: type of study,

dents so prime for studying abroad?

an internship component and what

AFR Ken Moro South

SOUTH AMERICA Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador

Rebecca Rassier, associate

country they want to experience.

director of student services, meets

HSJMC also has many students

regularly with students who want to

Scholarship was pledged in 2017

who are double majors or studying

fit a study abroad opportunity into

and given to its first student in the

for a minor—such as a second

their schedules, and according to

2018-19 academic year.

language—and those factors can

Rassier, it’s usually not hard to do.

Conrad was excited about

also play into where they decide to

She appreciates the collaboration

helping students in this way. “I love

study abroad.

traveling myself, so when it was

between HSJMC and the Learning

The School also has a new

suggested we set up a scholarship

Abroad Center. Together, the two

scholarship specifically for students

groups have been able to enhance

to help students to study abroad,

who study abroad. The Judy

programs that both offer courses

I thought that was a great idea,”

Conrad and Jim Stai Study Abroad

she said. “We’re always telling our

6

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

g Abroad

HSJMC students study abroad at a high rate.

BY AMANDA FRETHEIM GATES

Studying abroad makes you more confident, indepenEUROPE Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain,United Kingdom

dent and ASIA China, India, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

capable, but it also exposes you to different opinions and brings you closer

OCEANIA Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand

AFRICA Kenya, Morocco, South Africa

to understanding cultures around the world.

grandkids that you can’t truly learn

Rome and Florence offer journal-

about the world through TV. Being

ism-approved courses as well as

there and actually experiencing a

three-credit internship experiences.

place is a very different thing. I’m

According to Jessica Harnett,

just glad I can help encourage

associate program director in

others to learn through experience

the Learning Abroad Center, the

via the scholarship.”

Italian programs are particularly

While HSJMC students study

well-suited for journalism students.

everywhere from Buenos Aires

“The local companies really value

to Hong Kong, there are several

the English language because

programs that are especially pop-

these businesses want to get the

ular because they meet journalism

word out to tourists,” she said.

requirements or offer internships.

Student interns often help with

For example, programs in both

blogging, social media and other

communication activities, which are all skills that boost resumes.

— Olivia Hultgren, senior

A program in the United Kingdom also offers journalism-approved courses and internships for three to six credits. Ninety percent of HSJMC students who study in London complete an internship as well. Other popular programs for journalism students take place in Denmark and Dublin. The possibilities and opportunities are endless.

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

7

of education and how its access is the key to further development.

“I participated in a six-week internship for a media NGO (non-governmental organization) called Slum-TV. It focuses on teaching interested youth who reside in informal settlements the technical aspects of film, photography and journalism. The main tasks they had me do varied from updating and consolidating their social media platforms to helping students with Adobe editing software. Holistically though, I was there to learn. I sat in on meet-

MARCUS AARSVOLD, NAIROBI, KENYA, SPRING 2017

I made it

Marcus Aarsvold (B.A. ’17) had

a goal of

in high school. In Spring 2017, he

mine to think about how I, as

wanted to study abroad since he was traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, through the Minnesota Studies in International Development (MSID) program. The semester consisted of seven weeks of classes every day and a six-week

a white

internship. He stayed with a host

privileged

the most valuable components of his

family, which he considered one of

American

time abroad.

journalist,

entry level Kiswahili, international

could best

development, country analysis,

tell the

Global South. I loved how enthusi-

“The classes I took were

and community engagement in the

story of

astic and energized our professors

people in a

spreading accurate information to us

were. Their love for their country and

community

really impacted the way I think about

I could not

Several times I felt helpless, when

relate to.­ — Marcus Aarsvold

the world and the way it develops. it came to the white superiority complex and colonialism, or other inequalities that were cemented in our global society and still affect people to this day. However, this helplessness in and of itself opened my eyes to the privileges I am awarded simply because of where I was born and how I look. Another large takeaway was the importance

8

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

ings and shoots and learned about how hard it is to finance and maintain an NGO in developing country.

“I found it most valuable to listen and learn from the people in each of the communities within Nairobi that I was fortunate enough to explore.

Halfway through the program I made it a goal of mine to think about how I, as a white privileged American journalist, could best tell the story of people in a community I could not relate to. My experience augmented my journalism education because I learned how crucial it is to think about the way one crafts a story. My job as a journalist is to give people in various communities a platform to share their stories to broaden the perspectives of my audience. My experience with Slum-TV put me in that position and taught me how small I am, but how big journalism can be if one acts as a conduit for the spread of valuable information.

“My best moment from abroad was simply hanging out with my host family, The Okoths. They were the warmest, most caring and authentic family. Altogether, I cannot articulate the gratitude I have for them nor the lessons I learned from the acceptance I felt coming into their home as a complete stranger and leaving it as a son.”

PARIS GRABEEL, FREIBURG, GERMANY, SPRING 2018 Paris Grabeel, a senior studying strategic communication, knows she wants to live and work abroad one day, so her first step was to study abroad. She was drawn to the IES European Union program in Freiburg.

She also stayed in Freiburg for the 2018 summer to participate in an internship and work on her professional German-language skills.

“I was able to tailor some of my coursework to fit my strategic communication interests. For example, I wrote a hypothetical news release and a story for an industry magazine as assignments. I found that being one of only two strategic communication track students in the program, I was able to provide a different perspective to a lot of topics discussed in class. One time, we were discussing the blame game

that Member State governments play with the European Union—they blame the EU for any bad policies but take credit for any good ones— which ends up with the general public having negative attitudes toward the EU. I mentioned how, rather than seeing this as a strictly political issue, I saw it as a lack of effective communication with its publics on the EU’s part. It was interesting to see how many of my classmates had not thought of the issue in that light.

“I took mostly political science, international relations and economics classes. I also took a German language course. I really enjoyed being able to take courses that focus on specific issues, such as the Black Sea Region or EU-U.S. relations. They allowed me to develop a certain level of expertise in that subject area.

“As part of the program, we visited major organizations and EU institutions across Europe, and I met with a lot of fascinating professionals. These experiences helped me figure out what topics I’m passionate or curious about and what kinds of organizations I want to work at eventually. My experiences also gave me the opportunity to narrow down what topic I wanted

OLIVIA HULTGREN, LONDON, ENGLAND, SPRING 2018

learned about what was going on in Britain as well as the U.S. Travel

Olivia Hultgren, a senior studying

writing was great, because we did a

professional journalism, chose the

ton of writing and then got feedback

London program primarily for its

on it, so it was a very hands-on

internship component at Business

approach to learning. My pop cul-

Traveller magazine. Taking classes and

ture class was probably my favorite

getting work experience at the same

though, because I learned about

time in a country with a huge media

British culture and how music and

industry was very appealing to her.

the arts has influenced it over the

abroad

years. Our professor was British too,

makes

“I was an editorial intern, so I worked mostly with content. I wrote articles for the BT website, and I

so it was pretty authentic.

“My brother once told me that

Studying

you think

worked on a weekly hotel update

you don’t understand your own cul-

article, where I outlined new hotels

ture until you’ve experienced that

opening around the world. I also

of another. I think studying abroad

wrote the occasional print article for

is something everyone needs to

the magazine. In addition to that, I

do. It makes you think differently

did a lot of proofreading and editing

about your own upbringing, the

content, fact-checking and picture

place where you grew up and the

research. It was nice because I got

places you’ve already been. It’s also

to see the ins and outs of magazine

kind of like just throwing yourself in

production as well as get writing

the water and learning to swim. It

experience.

makes you more confident, inde-

grew up

pendent and capable, but it also

and the

“I loved my classes. I took Media

differently about your own upbringing, the place where you

Ethics, Travel Writing and Post-War

exposes you to different opinions

British Pop Culture. The best part

and brings you closer to under-

places

about all of them was my professors,

standing cultures around the world.

who were all wonderful people and

I feel like I know a lot more, not just

you’ve

extremely capable teachers. They

about travel but about global poli-

already

also worked in international angles

tics and economics and, especially,

on the topics they taught, so we

global media.”

been.

— Olivia Hultgren, senior

to research for my senior thesis.

“There were so many moments that were important to me for so many different reasons, like our trip to Brussels, Belgium, where we met with officials from EU institutions, think tanks and the Russian and Turkish embassies. It was such an incredible experience meeting these professionals and learning about the work they are doing. I was able to connect what I was learning from them with what I have learned in my coursework, both in Freiburg and Minnesota.”

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

9

DIJON MCCAIN STUDIED IN NEW JERSEY, WORKED AT BET THROUGH THE NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM. If abroad opportunities are out of reach, or just not the best fit, the National Student Exchange helps students study at other colleges or universities within the United States. Senior Dijon McCain, a professional journalism track student, is active in student groups, has completed internships, and this past spring studied at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, New Jersey, while interning at Black Entertainment Television (BET).

“I love it here so far,” he said, when he was interviewed last spring. “I am

learning so much each day about the city, people, classes and the internship. I love the internship [at BET] and I am enjoying networking with the professionals at the company.”

McCain arrived in New Jersey in January, and enjoyed his time there and in New York City. Every day was different and exciting, he said. “You’re always seeing something new. I’ve always wanted to branch out, so it’s so cool to have this experience and do that.”

At BET, McCain was a program intern.

He looked at show ratings and made suggestions on ways to schedule episodes, along with anything else they needed help with. Despite the three train rides to and from his internship, McCain said the long commute was worth it.

“There are so many great professionals at BET who have been in the television industry for awhile and their willingness to help young people learn and grow is amazing,” McCain said.

“People in general love to talk about their passion, but the people over at BET will talk about their passion and then guide you in the right direction to achieving yours.”

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

many great professionals at BET who have been in the television industry

McCain doubts he would have taken advantage of an opportunity like this a few years ago. He transferred from St. Cloud University in the spring of 2016 and had a difficult transition to the University of Minnesota. However, he said the experience of going to a new school and being part of HSJMC helped him have a more positive attitude when faced with adversity and adapting to a new school.

for awhile

“HSJMC motivates me to want to do more in journalism. I have more confidence in myself and I believe I can do these things,” he said. “I’m glad I’ve grown to the point where I’m able to do this. It’s all a learning experience and I’m trying to experience as much as I can.”

amazing. ­

While it may have been stressful at times, McCain believes this experience helped him grow as a person and gave him a new perspective as he looks to post-graduation life.

He encourages students to think of National Student Exchange when looking to study elsewhere. “It’s amazing that you can choose so many different universities to attend— people don’t understand how there are hundreds of schools that participate,” he said. “This is an amazing program. [As students], we have all the freedom in the world and in our hands to have these experiences.”

—Alex Smith

10

There are so

and their willingness to help young people learn and grow is —Dijon McCain

IN THE CLASSROOM

FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE NEWS DESK EACH SPRING SEMESTER the Electronic Newscast Producing class (Jour 4452) plans, writes, produces and presents live TV newscasts called University Reports. The students take turns working on and behind the camera as anchors, floor directors, technical directors, TelePrompTer operators and news producers. They also report for each newscast.

The students pitch story ideas at weekly editorial meetings on Monday mornings, then spend the following days shooting, writing and editing their pieces, which are approved by Instructor Scott Libin before Friday’s newscast. Each Friday the class rehearses an hour before, and the newscast starts right at 10 a.m., “just like a normal

newscast would,” said Libin. The students allow for breaking news, too, like when it was announced on a Thursday afternoon that Gopher alum Lindsay Whalen would be the new women’s basketball coach.

The students gain valuable skills and guidance from a real-life news director in Libin, creating reels and segments that build resumes. The broadcast industry is starved for good news producers, said Libin, a career many students might not realize is out there.

Kirin Pandit (B.A. ’16) knew she wanted to work in broadcast news, but reporting didn’t feel like the right fit. “When I took this class, it introduced me to the world of producing and I felt like I finally found something I could see myself doing after

COMMUNITY JOURNALISM CLASS MAKES REAL CHANGE LAST SPRING, students in Gayle Golden’s Brovald-Sim Community Journalism Practicum got a taste of what it means to prompt change in a community through reporting.

For its semester project, the class created a news site called AccessU: Addiction and chose to uncover stories about the community of students in recovery from, or struggling with, alcohol or drug addiction—a “community” that, in so many ways, seemed invisible on campus, Golden said.

To get a clearer picture, the class distributed a survey to 5,000 undergraduate students, with 700 students responding. The survey

found that students were indeed affected by this: forty percent of respondents said they were either in recovery or struggling with addiction or knew someone in that situation.

The class also looked at how all Big Ten schools supported students in recovery—via counseling, support groups, peer groups and housing options—and graded how well colleges provided those services. The University of Minnesota received the second-lowest grade: a C-, ranking 13th out of the 14 Big Ten schools.

The group held a public forum in Murphy Hall on May 1, featuring

college,” said Pandit, who is now a morning news producer at WBAY in Green Bay. “I learned so much.

Students work behind the scenes of the class newscast.

It helped me get the experience I needed to get a job as the news apprentice at WCCO right out of college, and six months later, I got a producing job at WBAY.”

panelists from Boynton Health and the Office of Student Affairs, as well as a student in recovery and a student from the Greek community.

The forum, which was animated and well attended, prompted Boynton Health to vow to restart a student club for those in recovery, and to consider offering space in Coffman Memorial Union to students in recovery.

The class’ efforts received a thoughtful article by Andy Steiner in MinnPost.

“The bottom line is whatever happens, this class’ community reporting uncovered the fact that

The forum and class reporting prompted Boynton Health to restart a student club for those in recovery.

there is a community of students in recovery at the University of Minnesota and these students are not alone,” Golden said in the MinnPost article. “That was a very powerful act of reporting.”

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

11

David FAHRENTHOLD

Talks Transparency in Political Journalism The Pulitzer Prize winner inspired students, faculty, alumni, donors and friends during a daylong visit to the School.

DAVID FAHRENTHOLD HAS worked as a reporter for the Washington Post since 2000, covering everything from the Washington, D.C., police beat and the environment to Congress and federal bureaucracy.

During the 2016 Presidential campaign, Fahrenthold found an important reporting niche when he started covering Donald Trump’s businesses, charitable giving and conflicts of interest. He combined old-fashioned investigative journalism with social media to crowdsource information and reach out to more than 300 different charities to learn if the presidential nominee was honest about his giving.

Because of this effort, Fahrenthold won the Pulitzer Prize in 2017 for, according to the Pulitzer Prize Board, “persistent reporting that created a model for transparent journalism in political campaign coverage while casting doubt on Donald Trump’s assertions of generosity toward charities.”

It can only be assumed that his dogged reporting and popular social media presence is why in early October 2016, he received a phone call from a source who had video from a 2005 episode of Access Hollywood, featuring Donald Trump bragging about sexual assault. The story Fahr-

BY AMANDA FRETHEIM GATES

enthold wrote about the video and the incident became the most-read story of all time on the Post’s website.

Since breaking these big stories and winning a Pulitzer, Fahrenthold has become somewhat of “a mascot for journalism.” Which is why, with the help of Assistant Professor Benjamin Toff, HSJMC brought Fahrenthold to Minnesota to keynote the School’s first Professional Networking Day, held at McNamara Alumni Center on March 2, 2018.

Director Elisia Cohen wanted to create an annual event for HSJMC majors that matched industry professionals with students for a day of networking, learning and career advice. This year’s inaugural event was around 30 industry professionals.

NETWORKING OVER LUNCH

The event opened with a lunch. Students sat at tables with an industry professional, who could speak on a specific topic—interviewing sources, 12

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

PHOTOS BY CHRIS COOPER

attended by 75 journalism and strategic communication students and

“Be stubborn in your values, objectivity and commitment to the truth.

Don’t give away your values as a journalist because the times have changed.”

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

13

cross-cultural reporting, branding on social media,

being a journalist in today’s culture. First, he told them

joining associations—or answer any questions the stu-

to read. Not only are good writers good readers, but

dents may have about careers in journalism, advertising

reporters have to model the habits of the people who

and public relations.

read their articles. “You have to be the reader you want

“I would definitely recommend this for other students in the future,” said Macie Rasmussen, a strategic

to reach,” he said.

Next, he told the students to be open about what

communication track student. “I really liked how the

they know and don’t know. In these days of online

lunch was set up for networking. You didn’t have to just

publishing and social media, journalists can get caught

go up to someone and start talking to them. It made it a

easily when they’re wrong. When he’s reporting on

lot less intimidating.”

a story, he’ll show his facts, but also ask questions

Once lunch was complete, Fahrenthold spoke

about what he doesn’t know (yet). “By being open and

about covering the 2016 presidential campaign and

showing my work along the way, I cut through some of

what it’s been like to cover the Trump administration

the backlash on Twitter,” he said. “I can always point

since election day. He’s been a journalist for 18 years,

back to my reporting when questioned.”

he said, and he only realized in the last two years how

Finally, he told the students to be stubborn. It took

boring it used to be. He said that until the 2016 elec-

months of reporting for Fahrenthold to reach the more

tion, he took a few things for granted: that the truth

than 300 charities to which at some point Trump said

mattered to people, that shame mattered to people,

he donated. The presidential candidate even called him

and people who cared about the truth paid for it.

a “nasty guy” during an interview about the issue. “Be

“I’m so jealous of the time you’re entering journal-

stubborn in your values, objectivity and commitment to

ism,” he said to the students. “You get to follow your

the truth,” he said. “Don’t give away your values as a

curiosity, you have a license to solve mysteries and you

journalist because the times have changed.”

get to follow the truth wherever it leads.”

He wanted to leave the students with three tips for

After his speech, he took questions from students.

At one point he was asked what advice he’d give

AN EVENING WITH DAVID FAHRENTHOLD

The School and the Minnesota Journalism Center hosted local journalists, donors and industry professionals at an evening event featuring Fahrenthold. During the event, guests could mingle with Fahrenthold before he spoke. He told the group about his reporting process, particularly his trademark technique of using his legal pad in social media posts. By including the notebook in his posts, he’s “created a memory tool for readers so they remember the thread of the story,” he said. These posts are also a way to keep readers engaged between published stories, and updated as more information develops. “I want to give them custom-made content that’s up to date and accurate,” he said.

Guests asked about a number of issues the Washington Post deals with on a regular basis: anonymous sources, publishing curse words, reporting on different administrations, and Post reporters going on cable news.

Fahrenthold, who had just started a job as a correspondent for MSNBC, said, “If I’m informing you through other media, I’m happy. Plus, the way to get to Trump is through media.”

14

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

Guests mingled during the evening.

Shown here are Valerie Belair-Gagnon, director of the Minnesota Journalism Center and retired HSJMC professor Dan Wackman.

college students just starting out. He told them to learn how to be a project manager. Gone are the days of reporters only writing stories and sending them off to editors. Today he has to think of not only interviews and writing, but also the graphics, research, social media and more—and he usually has a team that works with him to complete all the elements.

“David Fahrenthold was wonderfully inspiring—just what any journalist needs every now and then as a reminder of how important the work truly is, and how much fun it can be at times,” said Senior Fellow Scott Libin, who emceed the lunch and moderated a panel discussion. “It’s so refreshing to meet someone at the very top of his craft who still doesn’t take himself too seriously but couldn’t be more serious about the work.”

BREAKOUT LEARNING

After lunch, students split into two breakout sessions on setbacks and opportunities in careers, divided between journalism students and strategic commu-

The story Fahrenthold wrote about the Access Hollywood video and the incident became the most-read story of all time on the Post’s website.

nication students. Journalism students listened to a panel featuring John Reinan from the Star Tribune, Mukhtar Ibrahim from MPR, Jana Shortal from KARE 11, and Ellen Burkhardt, a freelance journalist. The

MinnPost executive editor Andy Putz speaking with MPR reporter and HSJMC alum Briana Bierschbach.

Jorg Pierach, alum and founder of Fast Horse, speaking with Jenna Ross, alum and Star Tribune reporter.

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

15

panelists talked about mistakes and successes, the

and therefore their jobs, change so much. “We’re more

changes to the job since they were in school, what

likely to bounce back, because this world is ever-chang-

social media has brought to the role and more. “When

ing and we’re ever-changing,” said Johnson.

social media started, it had nothing to do with the

“The panel on setbacks and stretches with the

newsroom. Now it either gets me accolades or put in

strat comm professionals was my favorite part,” said

time-out,” said Shortal.

student Macie Rasmussen. “It’s really useful to hear

Burkhardt built on Fahrenthold’s theme of trans-

what people do when they fail because usually you

parency by stressing that reporters must always keep

only hear about how people succeed. It was interest-

asking questions. “Your job is not to be the expert,”

ing to hear from them and their different perspectives.”

she said. “Your job is to seek the experts.”

“The ‘Stretches and Setbacks’ session for journal-

Next, students chose from two more breakout sessions: Branding Yourself Online and Branding Your-

ism students was a lively, candid conversation about

self in Person. HSJMC Contract Teaching Assistant

the challenges everybody in the business faces at one

Professor Betsy Anderson moderated the panel on

time or another,” said Libin, who moderated. “The

branding yourself, which featured Sarah Haugen of

professionals on the panel were thoughtful, authentic

CHS, Erin Reichelt of University of Minnesota Career

and refreshingly self-aware. I could tell the students

Services, Hyedi Nelson of Bellmont Partners and

enjoyed the honest insight, and I know they will come

Emma Bauer of University Relations, talking about

to appreciate the advice even more in the months and

networking, interviewing and more. Assistant Professor

years ahead as their own careers get underway.”

Claire Segijn moderated the panel on online branding,

Strategic communication students sat in on a similar

which featured Brian Hurley of Public Works, Christina

session with a panel featuring Aaron Pearson of Cre-

Milanowski of Regis Corporation and Miguel Otarola

ation North America, Lynn Robertson of FAME Retail,

of the Star Tribune, talking about social media, online

Ali Johnson of Boston Scientific and Heather Arnston

portfolios and more.

of Chobani, and moderated by HSJMC Lecturer Mark

The next Professional Networking Day takes place

Jenson. All the panelists had setbacks to share, like

on Feb. 22, 2019, and features keynote speaker and

losing a job, and stretches they made, like going for

alum Maureen Bausch.

a master’s degree or starting their own business. The panel even agreed that communication professionals

Additional reporting by Alex Smith

might handle change better in life, because the industry,

FAHRENTHOLD AT THE DAILY

PHOTO MADDY FOX

Before Professional Networking Day, Fahrenthold made a stop at the Minnesota Daily. He spent an hour answering questions from the Daily team.

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MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

SAVE THE DATE: SEPT. 20 100 MURPHY 4 P.M. Sue Robinson of the University of WisconsinMadison talks about her book, Networked News, Racial Divides: How Power and Privilege Shape Public Discourse in Progressive Communities.

EVENTS

HATE IN THE HEADLINES

a representative from the Jewish

Murphy Hall hosts an important seminar about covering hate crimes.

crime and an advocate for others,

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), HSJMC’s Minnesota Journalism Center hosted an afternoon seminar titled “Hate in the Headlines.”

More than 40 people—including journalists, faculty, students and other professionals—attended to hear from experts of hate groups, hate speech, law enforcement, sentencing and more. The event was held in Murphy Hall on Jan. 19, 2018.

The event opened with a presentation from HSJMC alum

January 19, 2018 Hate in the Headlines Seminar Murphy Hall

Alex Amend, who is a research director with the Southern Poverty Law Center. In

his role Amend researches and tracks hate group activity around the country. He talked about the center’s initiatives to work with law enforcement and the media to better cover these groups.

Attendees also heard from a journalist with ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that does reporting based on public interest, and from

Community Relations Council.

Asma Jama, a victim of a hate spoke to the group about her

A MEMBER OF THE FBI TALKED ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE AMONG HATE GROUPS, DOMESTIC TERRORISM AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, AND HOW JOURNALISTS CAN BEST COVER THE DIFFERENCES.

experience. A member of the FBI

Rana Cash (far right) moderated a discussion with (from left) Ray Richardson, Rebekkah Brunson and Carl Eller.

statement is essential to accom-

January 23, 2018 Race, Sports and the Media Workshop Murphy Hall

increasingly comfortable talking with

talked about the difference among hate groups, domestic terrorism and international terrorism, and how journalists can best cover the differences. An Anoka County attorney highlighted “motivational bias” and how people who commit acts using motivational bias can see their sentencing get increased up to 25 percent. Professor Jane Kirtley ended the seminar by speaking about the First Amendment and when hate speech may or may not fall under someone’s First Amendment rights.—AFG

RACE, SPORTS AND THE MEDIA How do these issues converge? and sports interact? What is the role of athletes? What should be the response of media? To discuss these issues, HSJMC hosted a workshop on Jan. 23, 2018, in Murphy Hall, in collaboration with the Twin Cities Black Journalists and the Society of Professional Journalists.

During the event, “Where Race and Sports Intersect: What is the Media’s Role?” moderator Rana L. Cash, NFL editor at the Star Tribune, asked questions of Carl Eller, retired Vikings defensive end and Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the illustrious Purple People Eaters; Rebekkah Brunson, forward for the Minnesota Lynx and the first and only player in WNBA history with five championship titles to her name;

and Ray Richardson, a DJ for KMOJ and former Pioneer Press sports reporter. “There’s never been a time when sports, race and politics did not collide,” Cash said.

PHOTO BY MELODY GILBERT

HOW AND WHY DO ISSUES of race

The discussion centered around whether athletes should take a stance on social issues and how journalists should cover such issues.

All three panelists said that it is important to remember that athletes are individuals with personal opinions, and that sports fan can agree or disagree with them. In addition, Brunson and Richardson noted that unless protests are reported on accurately and fairly, athletes cannot start the conversations they want to.

The panelists agreed that accurate representation of an athlete’s motivation for making a

plishing the positive changes many athletes hope for. “This is a new day, a new climate for coverage of stories like this,” Richardson said of his hope that reporters will become athletes directly about protests. The event concluded with questions from the audience.

—Elizabeth Brunette

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

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EVENTS

U R S AT I R O F O I

T H E S TA

UNION

April 21-22, 2018 The State of our Satirical Union Symposium Several Venues

E

CA L

T

T H E S TAT E O F O U R

people in attendance over the course of the two days.

Silha Center Director and Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law

Jane Kirtley and Roslyn Mazer, who

DELIVERING THE UNANIMOUS ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1988 case

on April 21, with more than 150

served as counsel to the AAEC et al. in

SATIRICAL UNION

the Hustler case and wrote a pivotal amicus

Hustler Magazine, Inc. v. Falwell, Chief Justice

brief, introduced the April 20 panel, “The

William Rehnquist wrote, “Despite their sometimes caustic nature, from the early cartoon portraying

Power of Satire from Gillray to Trump,” which

included Steve Sack, the Minneapolis Star George Washington as an ass down to the presTribune’s HUSTLER MAGAZINE, INC V. FALWELL AT 30 editorial cartoonist, Ann Telnaes, ent day, graphic depictions and satirical cartoons The Washington Post’s editorial cartoonist, have played a prominent role in public and political debate.. . . From the viewpoint of history, it is clear that our political discourse would have been considerably poorer without them.”

On April 20 and 21, 2018, the Silha Center

SPRING SYMPOSIUM MARKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF HUSTLER MAGAZINE, INC. V. FALWELL

for the Study of Media Ethics and Law, the Minnesota Journalism Center, and the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) co-sponsored a symposium marking the 30th anniversary of the Hustler case, which affirmed the First Amendment right of editorial cartoonists and satirists to lampoon public figures. The symposium, titled “The State of Our Satirical Union: Hustler Magazine, Inc. v. Falwell at 30,” included six panels and two speeches in which political cartoonists and First Amendment scholars discussed different aspects of the Hustler case, including Chief Justice Rehnquist’s opinion, the impact of the case, old and new forms of satire and political cartoons in society, and threats to satire in the United States and abroad, among other topics. The event took place at the Courtyard Marriott in Minneapolis on April 20 and the University of Minnesota’s Cowles Auditorium

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MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

BY SCOTT MEMMEL

and Michael Kahn, senior counsel at Crowell & Moring, LLP in San Francisco, who moderated the panel.

Telnaes addressed the question, “Is satire still relevant and powerful in the age of [President Donald] Trump?” She contended that President Trump’s comments calling news

organizations the fake news media and the enemy of the American people were “a significant choice of words, and dangerous to the role of a free press in democracy, which includes the editorial cartoonist.” She continued, “It is our job through satire and ridicule, humor and pointed caricatures, to criticize leaders and governments who are behaving badly. It is our purpose to hold the politicians and powerful institutions accountable to the people they are supposed to serve.”

On April 21, Pat Bagley, editorial cartoonist at the Salt Lake Tribune and president of the AAEC, welcomed everyone to the second day of the symposium. He stated that the event was taking place “because freedom of thought

EVENTS

matters [and because of] freedom of the press.”

Kirtley then introduced the panel “Reverend Falwell Goes to Court,” which discussed the background of the Hustler case and the ruling by Chief Justice Rehnquist.

Ben Sargent, editorial cartoonist at the Texas Observer and president of the AAEC during the Hustler case, explained the AAEC’s role in the litigation. Sargent contended that the ruling “still stands as a bulwark for free expression in these very perilous times.”

Mazer explained that the mainstream media had been perplexed about the case, namely whether they should support a petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court after the Fourth Circuit ruled against Flynt and Hustler magazine.

Mazer said she and the AAEC were surprised not only that the Court was unanimous, but that Chief Justice Rehnquist, who generally had a poor track record on First Amendment cases, wrote the opinion. However, Mazer stated that Chief Justice Rehnquist’s ruling was less surprising after biographer Roger Newman uncovered that during high school, Rehnquist’s “favorite pastime, in and out of school, [was] cartooning.”

Sargent concluded by observing that “the media environment . . . is fundamentally and substantially different from the seemingly long-ago world of 1988.”

But, he added that “[h]owever things play out in the new media environment, for now we can trust that the hardline protections from the First Amendment’s long history are still in place, and we should be vigilant to ensure that they are defended, strengthened, and expanded. Speech is still speech and liberty is still liberty.”

The second panel on April 21, “The Hustler Decision and its Impact,” included four media law scholars, including Len Niehoff, a professor at the University of

Michigan Law School; Jonathan Peters, an assistant professor at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia; Erica Salkin, an associate professor of communication studies at Whitworth University; and George Freeman, the executive director of the Media Law Resource Center, who served as the moderator. The panel also included Steven Breen, the editorial cartoonist at the San Diego Union.

Freeman asked what the panelists viewed as the significance of Chief Justice Rehnquist’s ruling in the Hustler case. Salkin explained that the case has “a wide application to a wide variety of speech,” including student speech in which courts have “embraced the protection of satire [and] echo[ed] the language of Hustler.”

Niehoff argued that “[a] lot of the power here for First Amendment purposes comes from the fact that satire is counterfactual. That it invites you into this imaginative process where the world just looks different. What it invites you to do is compare this alternative reality to our lived reality and it does it efficiently, it does it quickly, it does it through a variety of devices like words and images and humor, [and] it cuts across socioeconomic lines,” he said.

Finally, Peters explained that “[w]e protect some false speech because we are afraid that if we held public officials and public figures to a lower standard [than actual malice], it would be easier for them to sue and to win and that would have a chilling effect on the public discourse.”

WHY SATIRE IS GOOD FOR DEMOCRACY

Sophia McClennen, a professor of comparative literature and international affairs at Penn State University, spoke about the important role satire plays in the United States.

She identified the necessary elements for a healthy

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

19

EVENTS democracy, including citizens who are active, informed and engaged, as well as a thriving news media, community action, the public sphere and satire.

McClennen then argued that satire “helps remind us of the actual story and emerges in force in moments of crisis.” She added that satire also exposes faulty thinking and “point[s] out stupidity anywhere it can find it, on the left, on the right, it doesn’t matter.

“Every human culture has satire. Every community will produce it when it’s being told that it is not allowed to think, when it is being told that it’s supposed to just get in line and follow whoever is in power,” she said. McClennen concluded by arguing that satire is closely tied to the millennial generation, social media and social action, and is “constantly part of the public sphere,” citing the example of signs at recent marches or protests competing to be the most witty or ironic.

SPEAKING FREELY IN THE AGE OF TRUMP

In the symposium’s keynote address, Jack Ohman, editorial cartoonist at The Sacramento Bee, began by discussing his background, including as a cartoonist at the Minnesota Daily. Alluding to earlier statements that the number of cartoonists working for daily newspapers had shrunk to between 30 and 50, he turned to the “importance of [his] shrinking, but hearty craft.” “The cartoonists are the rebels,” he said. “Cartoonists are not just here to amuse, although we do. Cartoonists are not here solely to draw Trump’s hair.

We are here to hold him accountable.

“We are not portraitists of the absurd,” Ohman said.

“We are looking for an honest man or woman and we have the ability to hold that lantern and shed light, not throw shade. Every single person on the podium today does that professionally. But it’s not just that, we are not just gag writers of the apocalypse, we are part of the vanguard of the return of the value of truth in our democracy.”

The next panel, “Old and New Forms of Satire,” was

forms of satire, including woodcuts and magazine parodies,

CARTOONISTS Pat Bagley★ The Salt Lake Tribune Chip Bok★ Creators Syndicate

and newer forms, such as Twitter parody accounts. Signe Wilkinson, editorial cartoonist for the Philadelphia Media Network, explained that Flynt and Hustler magazine had followed in the footsteps of Martin Luther and his use of the printing press. She also contended that “religious figures are granted more deference than political figures,” therefore making the Hustler case even more important because it

Steve Breen★ San Diego Union

protected cartoonists who depict religious figures.

Genelle Belmas, an associate professor at the William

Jim Morin★ Miami Herald

Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Jack Ohman★ Sacramento Bee

associate professor and program director at the Center for

Mike Peters★ Mother Goose and Grimm Joel Pett★ Lexington Herald-Leader Cullum Rogers, freelance cartoonist and writer Steve Sack★ Minneapolis Star Tribune

Ann Telnaes★ The Washington Post

discussed portions of a collaborative research paper regarding legal questions around parody accounts on Twitter, which Vanacker called a “new form” of satire. Vanacker contended that individuals behind parody accounts are “pretty well protected” from such arguments and that artistic value and expressive elements may prevail over the commercial interests of plaintiffs.

The final panel, “Threats to Satire Here and Abroad,” moderated by HSJMC Associate Professor Giovanna focused on the potential dangers and threats faced by satirists and cartoonists in the United States and around the world. Andrew Pritchard, an assistant professor at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Iowa State University, and Courtney Carstens,

Signe Wilkinson★ Philadelphia Media Network Matt Wuerker Politico

★

Pulitzer Prize winner or finalist

Digital Ethics and Policy at Loyola University Chicago, each

Dell’Orto, included both cartoonists and scholars who

Ben Sargent★ Texas Observer

★

at the University of Kansas, and Bastiaan Vanacker, an

the editor-in-chief of Veritas, a student-run magazine at Iowa State, discussed aspects of their research paper looking at the pros and cons of immense protection for religious speech in the United States. Pritchard argued that the Hustler ad (see sidebar, p. 21) was “speech about religion” and that Falwell was not only a public figure, but a “sacred” figure because he was a religious leader.

Therefore, according to Pritchard, the ad could be argued

moderated by Kirtley and consisted of both media scholars

to constitute a form of “blasphemy” or “profan[ing] the

and political cartoonists, who collectively focused on older

sacred.”

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MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

EVENTS Carstens explained that in most countries, these two

speech, concluding that religion is part of the public

characteristics of the ad “would create some serious

sphere in the United States, whereas it is a “private prac-

legal problems” because of blasphemy and defamation

tice” in Western and Central Europe.

of religion laws. However, she contended that the United States took a different course related to offensive religious

Ritu Khanduri, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Texas–Arlington discussed her research paper titled “Hustling Free Speech in Global World,” in

WHAT IS HUSTLER V. FALWELL?

which she contended that offensive cartoons depicting other races and ethnicities “can be deeply fraught” because they can “give a new lease on life to the colonial imagination

Hustler Magazine, Inc. v. Falwell arose following the publication of the November 1983 issue of Hustler magazine, which featured a parody of a Campari liqueur advertisement on the inside front cover. The ad was titled “Jerry Falwell talks about his first time,” playing on the double entendre meaning of one’s first sexual experience. The bottom of the ad included a disclaimer that it was an “ad parody” and was “not to be taken seriously.”

and its troubling representation of ‘natives’ and unwittingly

Immediately following the publication of the ad, Falwell filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia against Hustler Magazine, Inc., Larry C. Flynt, the publisher of the magazine, and his distribution company, Flynt Distributing Co., Inc. (“petitioners”). Falwell sought to recover damages for libel, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

to threats to free speech in the United States, including

In an 8-0 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the petitioners, reversing a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Chief Justice Rehnquist found that “[a]t the heart of the First Amendment is the recognition of the fundamental importance of the free flow of ideas and opinions on matters of public interest and concern” and that sometimes the “sort of robust political debate encouraged by the First Amendment is bound to produce speech that is critical of those who hold public office or those public figures.”

Chief Justice Rehnquist held that public officials and public figures may only recover damages for the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress by “showing . . . that the publication contains a false statement of fact which was made with “actual malice,” the standard created in New York Times v. Sullivan requiring plaintiffs to prove that the defendants knowingly made false statements or made statements with reckless disregard for their truth or falsity.

mobilize deeply conservative politics.”

Chip Bok, an editorial cartoonist at the Creators Syndicate, an independent media and syndication company founded in 1987, discussed how “nowadays, hurt feelings seem to be very important and we tend to steer away from unfortunate physical traits.” He then turned Facebook’s efforts to censor or remove hate speech, and the shouting down of speakers at college campuses, a practice known as the “heckler’s veto.” “Our job isn’t to make people feel safe, it is to make them feel uncomfortable,” he said. But he added that cartoonists do not have to risk their lives in the United States as they might in other countries.

Joel Pett, editorial cartoonist at the Lexington Herald-Leader, further elaborated on the dangers for cartoonists abroad. He discussed the Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI), which aims to “defend political cartoonists on the front lines of free speech.” Pett, who serves as president of the board of directors of CRNI, provided several examples of cartoonists abroad being detained, arrested, jailed or physically harmed.

The symposium concluded with a session in which Matt Wuerker, editorial cartoonist and founding staff member at Politico, along with Pett, displayed cartoons drawn by several of the cartoonists during the event.

Silha Center activities, including the symposium and annual Silha Lecture, are made possible by a generous endowment from the late Otto and Helen Silha.

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

21

22

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

PHOTOS BY CHRIS COOPER; BACKGROUND PHOTO BY TOMOKO UJI

SPRING SHOWCASE 18 EVENTS

EVENTS

MICHELE NORRIS AND MANY OTHERS HONORED AT ANNUAL SPRING SHOWCASE.

BY AMANDA FRETHEIM GATES April 25, 2018 Spring Showcase McNamara Alumni Center MORE THAN 200 SUPPORTERS of the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication came out to McNamara Alumni Center to celebrate the accomplishments of students, donors and alumni. Held on April 25, 2018, the event welcomed old friends and new faces, providing the chance for reconnection and networking.

The popular Student Showcase opened the event, with 15 groups of students sharing their work from the past academic year. Undergraduate groups like Ad Club, the National Student Advertising Competition, and the field-based practicum courses participated, as did graduate students who showcased their research.

The program opened with a welcome from Director Elisia Cohen and dinner. After dinner, Cohen returned to the stage to thank donors, faculty and staff, and congratulate scholarship, fellowship and award recipients.

“We have a strong history of supporting students from admission to graduation,” said Cohen. “And one of the reasons we have such student success is that the scholarships we award to our students make the difference in their ability to stay at Minnesota during tough times and provide them with extra opportunities for career development and education abroad.”

Cohen informed the group about upcoming initiatives 2018 Spring Showcase (clockwise from top left): Dan Dodge shows off the student magazine, Lemonaide; Director Elisia Cohen (left) presents Michele Norris with the Award for Excellence; Cohen speaks to attendees; alum Marc Watts coaches student Miguel Octavio; staff of The Wake magazine present at the Student Showcase; Norris speaks to attendees.

the School hopes to launch, including a center for media entrepreneurship and digital strategy; a center for health communication, which will coincide with a national search for the Don R. and Carole J. Larson Endowed Professorship; and a center in data-driven communication research.

“Next year, led by Professor Jisu Huh, we hope to search for a tenured faculty member in advertising with a leading-edge research focus on data analytics,” said Cohen. “Today’s media firms, including Google, Facebook and others, have more data than they know what to do with. As a school of journalism located in a top 10 public research university, we have a special mission to train the next generation of scholars and social scientists to model, simulate and analyze social trends by analyzing the digital footprint individuals leave behind in their online activities.”

Cohen celebrated the creation of several new scholarships for the past and upcoming academic years. The Yuzer-Klatt Award for Conservation & Environmental Journalism & Strategic Communication supports a student’s internship experience related to conservation and/or environmental journalism and advocacy. It was awarded for the first time in 2018-19.

Following her 35-year career as an investigative journalist, primarily covering health care, Diane Siegel Lund created and funded the Diane Siegel Lund Scholarship fund to inspire young people to become investigative journalists. Cohen also announced that the new Albert R. Tims Undergraduate Scholarship fund reached endowment status through a combination of gifts from his colleagues, former students, family and friends.

Cohen then introduced Leah Comins, a junior and the recipient of the Herbert Berridge Elliston Memorial Scholarship. Comins spoke about her time at HSJMC, thanked donors for their more than $252,000 in undergraduate gifts, and illustrated how scholarships such as hers help offset future costs, allowing her to worry less about the compensation level of a summer internship.

“In addition, this financial assistance will allow me to dedicate more time to other opportunities,” she said.

“This will include serving next school year as a co-president of our campus PRSSA chapter and continuing my virtual volunteer internship with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.”

After Comins, Ph.D. student Allison Steinke, recipient of the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication Graduate Fellowship, spoke to the group. She talked about her journey as an industry professional who chose to return to college for an advanced degree. She also thanked donors for their nearly $133,000 in graduate fellowship gifts. “In addition to supporting my husband and me financially, my fellowship helps me to pursue research that I’m passionate about and helps to prepare me to be the faculty member I hope to become,” she said.

Next, Tanya Wright, incoming president of the HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

23

Alumni Society Board, came to the stage to introduce the 2018 Above the Fold recipients. Four alumni under 40 years of age were recognized for their accomplishments: Andrew Donohue (B.A. ’00), managing editor of Reveal from The Center of Investigative Reporting; Mukhtar Ibrahim (B.A. ’11), former reporter at Minnesota Public Radio and current reporter at the Star Tribune;

“For the young

Shreya Mukherjee (M.A. ’07), senior vice president,

and aspiring

group planning director, at Deutsch; and Alex West Steinman (B.A. ’11), co-founder of The Coven. (For

journalists and

more on the Above the Fold winners, see page 33.)

storytellers with

To end the evening, Alumni Society Board President Tim Nelson introduced the 2018 Award for Excellence

us tonight,

recipient, Michele Norris (B.A. ’85). Norris is a Peabody

Michele’s

Award-winning journalist and founder of The Race Card Project, where people are encouraged to share their

incredible career

thoughts about race and identity in just six words. The

and leadership

project, with more than 200,000 stories from all over the world, now fuels The Bridge, The Aspen Institute’s program on race, identity, connectivity and inclusion, which Norris serves as executive director.

Norris is also recognized for her work as a host of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” where she interviewed world leaders, American presidents, Nobel laureates, leading thinkers and groundbreaking artists. She was the recipient of the International Women’s Media

example of the possibilities that exist when you’re an alumni

recognizes outstanding female journalists of color.

of this great

tellers with us tonight, Michele’s incredible career and leadership can serve as a promising example of the possibilities that exist when you’re an alumni of this great program,” Nelson said, before inviting Norris up to the stage.

After Norris arrived on stage, she first thanked her mother, who was sitting in the crowd, for the dinner conversations they had when Norris was young. She then remembered fondly her time with the Minnesota Daily and the tough professors in the classroom who taught her to write with precision, encouraged her to interview multiple sources and gave her a guiding sense of profession(Top to bottom) Spring Showcase attendees observe student work; undergraduate Leah Comins speaks to attendees; graduate student Allison Steinke speaks to the group.

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

a promising

Foundation inaugural Gwen Ifil Award in 2017, which “For the young and aspiring journalists and story-

24

can serve as

alism. Her time at the School also taught her “worth ethic,” she said. To fight for the stories that are worth it.

“Maybe those stories don’t make it ‘above the fold,’ but we still need to cover them.”

program.”

WHY I GIVE

WHY I GIVE: DAVE & JULIE LEE

“Dave and Julie’s contribution has helped me immensely. I spend a lot of time stressing out about money, especially with a job in journalism. It’s comforting to have a little snippet of a security blanket so I don’t have to worry about paying all that money back through loans. I met Dave and Julie, and they’re both absolutely wonderful people. It

BY AMANDA FRETHEIM GATES DAVE LEE IS A RECOGNIZABLE force on Twin Cities radio. He’s been with WCCO radio for more than 25 years, and is the long-time host of The Morning News. He’s received Edward R. Murrow awards, Minnesota Associated Press Broadcast awards, and been named Broadcaster of the Year six times over. For 13 years, he worked with University of Minnesota

was great to talk to them and hear Dave’s story about how he got into journalism, which helped me understand my industry more.”

sports doing play-by-play for Gopher football and basketball.

“It was never a chore for me and always fun,” Lee said about his time with Gopher sports. When the gig ended, he thought a nice way to

—Olivia Hultgren, recipient of the Dave and Julie Lee Scholarship

thank the U for the opportunity would be to give back.

The Lees participate in many philanthropic causes, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,

Lee knows journalism is a job

the Minnesota Military Family Tribute

that takes passion and drive. The

located at the Capitol, the Masonic

hours may be long, but the job

Children’s Hospital and Big Brothers

comes with a purpose and a mission,

and Big Sisters of Minnesota. But edu-

he said. He wants to help support

cation is also close to Dave’s heart. “I

the School, provide opportunities,

was blessed with a mother who was

encourage students and help in

an educator; she was dedicated and

any way he can. “When you get a

selfless and giving,” he said. “It really

chance to visit with these students –

all started with my parents.”

it absolutely solidifies the giving. You

The Lees worked with the College

leave a meeting with them and think,

of Liberal Arts to create the Dave and

‘I think our future is in pretty good

Julie Lee Scholarship Fund in 2010.

Since then, the couple has doubled the gift to help grow the fund. The scholarship is used as a recruiting incentive and provides four years of financial support to one student.

Because Dave Lee is passionate about the industry and helping the next generation of journalists, one of the goals of the gift is that the scholarship will go to an aspiring journalism student. Since it was formed,

two HSJMC students have received the scholarship.

“Julie and I want to help students

“Hopefully, along the line we will

hands!’” he said. “I’ve been really overwhelmed by the students.”

For the Lees, philanthropy only makes sense, especially as Dave Lee

achieve their passion,” Lee said. “For

help someone.

me, that’s what I’ve done all my life [as

It’s an opportu-

“When I was younger, I met people

nity wasted if I

were instrumental in who I am,” he

a broadcaster]. And there is a need for really good journalists out there.

When I got in the business it was just newspapers, TV and radio. There may be a stronger calling for talented journalists now more than ever.”

looks back on his life and his career. along the way who gave back and

don’t take advan- said. “Hopefully, along the line we tage of what I’ve been given.”

will help someone. It’s an opportunity wasted if I don’t take advantage of what I’ve been given.”

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

25

SCHOLARSHIP

FACULTY

Sid Bedingfield

Giovanna Dell’Orto

COLIN AGUR published the article

KENNETH DOYLE’s book, Peace

JISU HUH received the Distinguished

“Re-Imagining the Indian state:

of Mind for Your Aging Parents: A

Alumni Scholar Award from the Uni-

external forces and the transforma-

Financial, Legal and Psychological

versity of Georgia Grady College of

tion of telecommunications policy,

Toolkit for Adult Children, Advisors

Journalism and Mass Communication

1947–present” in Global Media and

and Caretakers, co-authored with

during an event to honor its outstand-

Communication, an international

Larry Houk, was published by Prae-

ing graduates.

peer-reviewed journal.

ger in June.

In March, SID BEDINGFIELD received

GAYLE GOLDEN served as one of 22

the 2017 George C. Rogers Jr.

members on the University-wide

and associate professor, University

Book Award from the South Carolina

Liberal Education Redesign Com-

of Oklahoma) and Claire Segijn to

Historical Society. The award honors

mittee, charged with re-envisioning

prepare a manuscript for publication

the best book on South Carolina

the requirements all undergraduates

on the effects of multiscreening on

history published during the previous

must take to satisfy general educa-

political knowledge during the 2016

year. Bedingfield received the award

tion. She will continue that service

presidential campaign. Using data

for his book Newspaper Wars: Civil

during the 2018-19 academic

from a national U.S. survey con-

Rights and White Resistance in South

year, along with service on the

ducted before the November 2016

Carolina, 1935-1965.

University’s Senate Committee on

election, the researchers found that

Educational Policy.

people who multiscreen (use a device

VALERIE BELAIR-GAGNON co-published (with Avery Holton) the article “Boundary work, interloper media, and analytics in newsrooms: An analysis of the roles of web analytics companies in news production” in Digital Journalism about the role of

Kathleen Hansen

Jane Kirtley

STACEY KANIHAN worked with colleagues Patrick Meirick (Ph.D. ’02

Christopher Terry

“You can own a Harley and feel like badass—the brand makes you feel that way. It gets you to believe something you subconsciously feel,”said Teaching Professor Steve Wehrenberg about how advertising works by appealing to an identity consumers may aspire to, for a WCCO story “How Persuasive is Advertising?”

web analytics companies’ managers in the journalism industry.

GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO will publish a

KATHLEEN HANSEN and NORA PAUL

like a smartphone while also watching TV news and debates) have greater

collaborated with a colleague from the

self-confidence about their political

new book with Routledge this fall.

University of Seville in Spain, Ruben

knowledge, but lower actual knowl-

Refugee News, Refugee Politics is

Dominguez-Delgado, to conduct a

edge, than people who only watch TV

a co-edited volume with 30 contrib-

study of journalism curriculum about

news about the campaign.

utors from half a dozen countries,

news archives. Dominguez-Delgado

including journalists, academics and

spent six weeks in Minneapolis to

JANE KIRTLEY appeared on the “Late

civil society advocates. The book

work with Hansen and Paul on their

Breaking Panel: Addressing 21st

explores the intersecting influences

mutual interests in news archiving.

Century Misinformation Campaigns”

of journalistic practices, news

The piece the trio produced was

at the American Society of Interna-

discourses, public opinion and poli-

published by Journalism and Mass

tional Law’s 112th Annual Meeting in

cymaking on migration and refugees,

Communication Educator in its online

Washington, D.C., on April 5, 2018.

one of the most polarizing issues of

first venue, and will appear in a print

The fight against “fake news” has

our time.

issue of JMCE later this year.

been used as a pretext to suppress

26

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

Stacey Kanihan

SCHOLARSHIP

Mark Jenson

Hyejoon Rim

Claire Segijn

freedom of expression and silence legitimate journalism, critique and debate. This panel considered how international law can help define, understand and address the problem.

In MARK JENSON’s Strategic Communication Campaigns class (Jour 4263), the final project was for virtuwell, an online clinic owned by HealthPartners.

The class was divided into four teams

Gayle Golden

and given the same objective: how to boost the brand awareness and attract more 18- to 25-year-olds to this innovative online healthcare resource.

Each team made a final presentation to the clients on April 30. The client was very impressed with the outcomes and will consider using some of the ideas presented as they move forward.

Senior Fellow SCOTT LIBIN, chairman of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), traveled to Germany, the Czech Republic and Belgium in June with a group of American journalists. The trip was part of an exchange program between RTDNA and the Rias Berlin Commission. The group visited Berlin, Dresden, Prague and Brussels for meetings with news organizations, refugees and representatives of NATO and the European Commission, as well as tours of the Reichstag/Bundestag, a Stasi prison and Hitler’s bunker.

REBEKAH NAGLER and SUSAN LORUSSO co-authored the article “Conflicting information and message competition in health and risk messaging,” in the Encyclopedia of Health and Risk Message Design and Processing.

HYEJOON RIM was awarded a $27,054

BENJAMIN TOFF published, “I just

Grants-in-Aid of Research grant,

Google it: Folk theories of distributed

effective Jan. 1, 2018, through June

discovery,” online in the Journal of

30, 2019, for the project “A cross-cul-

Communication.

tural comparison of corporate social

“Pure opinion is absolutely protected by the First Amendment, but it needs to be based on accurate facts,” said Professor Jane Kirtley, in a Vox article about Seth Rich’s parents taking Fox News to court for intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent supervision.

responsibility: Transparency signaling

STEVE WEHRENBERG’s Generation

and stakeholder expectation.” The

and Selection of Communication

study measures transparency sig-

Strategies class (Jour 8202) served as

naling and identifies prevailing CSR

communications consultants for the

message themes using computational

City of Ramsey. The class took on a

content analysis.

rebranding assignment for the city as

CLAIRE SEGIJN received the Annie

part of the University’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP). The class

Lang Dissertation Award from the

made strategic recommendations on

Information Systems Division of the

how to improve and strengthen the

International Communications Asso-

City of Ramsey’s brand identity.

ciation for her dissertation “Everyday multiscreening: How the simultaneous

MARCO YZER spoke at and devel-

usage of multiple screens affects

oped a panel of experts for the 15th

information processing and advertising

biennial Kentucky Conference on

effectiveness.”

Health Communication in April. The

CHRISTOPHER TERRY spoke about

conference theme was the role of communication and information

Net Neutrality at the April “Headliners”

science. The panel of experts

event, a popular series hosted by the

responded to the wide use of per-

College of Continuing & Professional

ceived message effectiveness (PME)

Studies in which University of Minne-

measures in the field, yet a lack of

sota scholars and researchers share

consensus on how to measure PME

firsthand knowledge of today’s most

and what its conceptual meaning

intriguing stories.

actually is.

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

27

LEARNING

MEET A STUDENT: MOLLY KWAKENAT USES HER SKILLS IN VOLUNTEER JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS ❙ INTERVIEW BY ALEX SMITH MOLLY KWAKENAT IS A SENIOR IN THE STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION TRACK. SHE HAS KNOWN SHE WANTED TO MAJOR IN JOURNALISM EVER SINCE JOINING HER HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER AS A FRESHMAN. SHE HAS DEVOTED HER TIME IN COLLEGE TO INTERNSHIPS, STUDENT GROUPS AND PHILANTHROPIC OPPORTUNITIES, ALL DESIGNED TO PREPARE HER FOR LIFE AFTER GRADUATION.

Q What has been your favorite part of your experience at HSJMC?

A I think my favorite part of being in HSJMC is simply being able to take

advantage of all of the resources that they have to offer students. Whether it be the mentor program, clubs or advisors, I have had an immense number of opportunities and have been able to find my path within the school to really help maximize my time.

Q Which journalism class or professor has had the biggest impact on you?

A I think Information for Mass

Communication (Jour 3004) has had the biggest impact on me in terms of a course. Being one of the first classes you take within the major, it really set me up for the experience I would have moving forward in HSJMC. It gave me a chance not only to work with my peers and create strong relationships, but work on projects that taught me how to prepare for my future. I remember putting countless hours into our final project and thinking it was more fun 28

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

than anything to be constructing all of the research and preparing for

passionate about in life such as vol-

“All the

unteering and philanthropy and relate

experiences within the course that

instructors

left an impact on me.

each one has set me up for success

have been

within the industry down the road.

influential in

I have learned in my courses back

presentations. It was really the overall

I took Psychology of Advertising and it’s been one of the most intriguing classes I have taken so far.

Especially if you’re interested in strategy within advertising like I am, it is a great way to better understand the minds of consumers and why things work or don’t work in the advertising world. I am also someone who is

to my positions and I think that has

and they have

being able to maximize my time while being involved. Each experience has

me valuable

myself fitting in and the jobs I will

the way they do, and so this kind of

continue to

plan of wanting to do research and

implement in

strategy of consumers and niche

my life.”

All the instructors have been influential in their expertise and they have all taught me valuable lessons I will continue to implement in my life.

Q What minors, internships or activities are you pursuing outside of your Journalism major?

A I’ve been involved with the Ad Club, where I held the position of social

media chair for some time; Love Your Melon as the public relations manager; marketing intern for The Minnesota Daily; communications intern for Minnesota Miss Amazing, a nonprofit program for young girls with disabilities; and vice president of administration for my sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi. I am so lucky to have been able to take the things I am

made all the difference in terms of

all taught lessons I will

audiences.

I’ve been able to apply my skills that

their expertise

very into knowing why people think combines that interest with my future

them back to my major, and I think

been able to teach me where I see hopefully have a chance to pursue post graduation.

Q What is your dream job?

A I am hoping to work in a downtown advertising agency within their stra-

tegic department, and to spend my days working on some of my favorite brands along the way. I am a huge Minnesota girl, so while I do want to spend many of my days traveling and seeing all the world has to offer, getting to work in the heart of my home state would be a dream come true.

Q What advice do you have for future HSJMC students?

A Keep an open mind. I came into

college thinking I wanted to pursue professional journalism without even really knowing what strategic communication was. But because of my experiences within Ad Club and meeting so many people within the major, I was able to learn where my skills fit best. Now that I’m pursuing advertising, I have never felt more at ease and comfortable with my future.

I truly am excited to see where the valuable things I’ve learned here will take me.

LEARNING

GRADUATE STUDENTS

screening’s benefits and harms” (faculty adviser: Rebekah Nagler).

Hyejin’s research project is titled “The

FERNANDO SEVERINO DIAZ received third place for the best student paper at the Ethnicity and Race Communications Division at the 2018 International Communication

messages influence people’s perceptions of targeted health behaviors and intention to perform the behaviors. Pfeuffer’s project, “The effects and underlying mechanisms

Conference.

of sponsorship disclosure in eWOM,”

LAUREN GRAY graduated with a Ph.D.

and important topics discussed in

in summer 2018 and plans to teach at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls this coming academic year.

addresses one of the most timely advertising across different countries­—consumer perceptions of and responses to sponsorship disclosure

role of trust in rumor suppression on social media: A multi-method approach applying the trust scores in social media (TSM) algorithm” (faculty adviser: Jisu Huh).

JISU KIM won the 2018-19 Graduate School Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (DDF) Award, for her dissertation project, “Influence of incorporating citizen eyewitness images in the news

in sponsored eWOM in social media.

on audiences’ trust in the news orga-

faculty presented LAUREN GRAY and

HYEJIN KIM and WEIJIA SHI won

The DDF gives the University’s most

the CLA Graduate Research

accomplished Ph.D. candidates an

Dissertation Research Award, the

Partnership Program (GRPP),

opportunity to devote full-time effort

a graduate student fellowship

to an outstanding research project by

program that supports research

providing them with the time to work

partnerships between faculty and

on a dissertation during the fellowship

At the end of 2017, the HSJMC

ALEX PFEUFFER with the Ralph D.

highest honor given for graduate student achievement, which recognizes the best Ph.D. dissertation project of the year. Gray’s dissertation project, “Construal level factors influencing a reasoned action approach to health promotion message design,”

students enrolled in graduate programs housed within CLA. Weijia’s research project is titled “Association between media exposure and

examined how temporal components

confusion about cancer screening:

of behavioral definitions in health

A pathway through awareness of

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

nizations and news engagement.”

year. The Fellowship also includes a DDF Conference Presentation Grant for Fellows invited to present their work at a national or international

BY THE NUMBERS: STUDENT POPULATION 2017-18 Undergraduate: 804 Journalism track: 238 Strategic Communication track: 546 Mass Communication track: 20 Digital Studies minors: 101 Mass Communication minors: 123 Mass Communication master’s: 11 Professional master’s: 41 Health Communication master’s: 4 Mass Communication Ph.D: 20

conference outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

SOPHIA WIITALA played the clarinet with the University of Minnesota marching band during the Super Bowl

The Minnesota Daily Board of Direc-

tors selected senior KELLY BUSCHE as

her Minnesota Daily story “Despite accommodations, some UMN

halftime show.

HSJMC nominated two students for

its editor in chief for the 2018-19 aca-

students clash with professors over

demic year. She hopes to increase

accommodations.”

the Hearst Journalism Awards for best

HSJMC nominated KAREN HABTES for

Minnesota Daily story “Meditation and

The Daily’s investigative reporting and explore implementing podcasts. The

Board also selected junior GENEVIEVE

the Hearst Journalism Awards for best

Sports Writing: JACK WHITE for his

‘swag class.’ Life is different under P.J.

BY THE NUMBERS: 2017-18 EVENTS HSJMC hosted events: 20+

Photojournalism Picture Story/Series.

Fleck, and the Gophers are buying in,” and JACK WARRICK for his Minnesota

Attendees: 1,700+

communication track, Locke hopes

Senior JACOB STEINBERG received

Daily story “Conor Rhonda’s journey

to expand digital and social media

the Talle Family Scholarship, which is

Meals served: 1,500+

platforms.

awarded to exceptional undergraduate

LOCKE as its business operations officer. A student in the strategic

HSJMC nominated RILYN EISCHENS

students during their senior year. This award provides 10 students with an

for the Hearst Journalism Awards

academic scholarship that covers the

for best Enterprise Reporting for

full cost of tuition and fees.

from nearly losing a scholarship to sharing the quarterback role.”

Venues used: 13 Speakers: 118

The Magazine Editing and Production class (Jour 5174) created Lemonaide, a magazine themed around the life HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

29

ALUMNI lessons, opportunities and expe-

ALUMNI NEWS ❙ BY ALEX SMITH

riences that shape people. “That even when life gives you lemons, it’s teaching you lessons,” wrote editors,

JUSTINE PEREZ and DAN DODGE.

HEATHER ARNTSON (M.A. ’09) became senior customer marketing

STUDENT GROUPS GET OUT AND EXPLORE

manager at Chobani in March 2018.

MARGO ASHMORE (B.A. ’78) received

SEVERAL HSJMC STUDENT groups

a 2018 CLA Alumni of Notable

utilized their free time over the 2017-18 winter break to travel and visit companies in the industry.

Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) members traveled south to experience the charm of Atlanta, Georgia. The group toured several companies, including The Burnette Agency, Cookerly, The Coca-Cola Company, FleishmanHillard, and Edelman. “It is really rewarding to experience how different the culture of agencies is from city to city and even within the cities themselves,” said Rachel Oehlke, a junior and PRSSA member.

Oehlke felt that visiting these different work environments helped her feel out cities to narrow down her specific career and lifestyle interests. “Trips like these are important because it gives you a taste for just how many job possibilities there are in our field,” she said.

Visiting the Coca-Cola Company was one of Oehlke’s trip highlights.

They toured the office and listened to a panel of professionals speak about their experiences and give advice. “It’s interesting and refreshing to get that corporate advice we don’t always hear,” she said.

Ad Club ventured west for their trip to Denver, Colorado. The group visited Spire Digital and Scream Agency and gained insight into the world of advertising agencies.

Sophomore Maegan Green’s favorite part of the trip was seeing how the big and small agencies differ in the content they create. “It’s amazing to visualize where you can see yourself working after graduation,” she said. “The trip was so fun and spunky. Denver was like Minneapolis, but with mountains.”

—Alex Smith

30

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

Achievement Award, which celebrates and honors the significant achievements and contributions of CLA alumni.

JESSIE BEKKER (B.A. ’17) was a

BY THE NUMBERS: 2018-19 SCHOLARSHIPS Undergraduate scholarships: 55 Undergraduate recipients: 103 Undergraduate scholarships in dollars: $252,000+

BY THE NUMBERS: 2017-18 FELLOWSHIPS Graduate fellowships/ scholarships: 34 Graduate fellowship/ scholarships in dollars: $133,000+

Hearst Journalism Award top 20 winner in the best Enterprise Writing category for her Minnesota Daily story “An obstacle to justice: How Delta Upsilon leaders tolerated a culture that dismissed sexual assault.”

BRIANA BIERSCHBACH (B.A. ’09) started as a reporter at Minnesota

Public Radio in May. Prior to that she was a state government reporter at MinnPost.

ELLEN BURKHARDT (B.A. ’10) became the managing editor at The Growler magazine last spring.

The MPR News podcast 74 seconds, which tells the story of the first police shooting to go to trial in the state of Minnesota, won a Peabody Award. JON COLLINS (B.A.

’08) and RIHAM FESHIR (B.A. ’08), both reporters at Minnesota Public Radio, contributed to the podcast.

MCKENNA EWEN (B.A. ’09), digital producer for CNN, received a 2018 CLA Emerging Alumni Award.

STAFF Christine Mollen (left),

HSJMC undergraduate student services coordinator,

and Erin Reichelt (B.A. ’04), career services counselor

assigned to HSJMC, both received the College of Liberal Arts 2017-18

Outstanding Service

Award on Feb. 8, 2018, at

McNamara Alumni Center.

The award celebrates the

many outstanding contributions of staff members in CLA.

ALUMNI

MARCHETA FORNOFF (B.A. ’13) was promoted from associate producer to producer at Minnesota Public Radio.

JERRY GROHOVSKY (B.A. ’75) is currently president and co-founder of JPG & Associates, Inc., a technical communication company located in St. Paul. Grohovsky and his business partner celebrated 25 years in business.

SARAH (HOWARD) HAUGEN (B.A., ’06, M.A., ’13) is manager of content strategy and development at CHS, the nation’s largest farmer-owned cooperative. Previously she was editorial director at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health

Seven HSJMC alumni were honored at the Ad Fed 32 Under 32 reception in May 2018:

CARLY CHARLSON

(B.A. ’08), senior manager, public relations at Best Buy

CASIE COOK (B.A.

MONICA HYING (B.A. ’18) is an

LOUISE (TONNESON) RODRIGUEZ (B.A.

account services coordinator at

’91) earned an M.A. in journalism

Cross Screen Media in Washington,

from the University of Texas at

D.C.

Austin in May and is now a producer

MUKHTAR IBRAHIM (B.A. ’11)

that explores, through firsthand

Tribune in April. Previously he was

stories, the cultural, political and

a reporter at Minnesota Public Radio.

economic trends and events that

SARAH BAUER JACKSON (B.A. ’06)

’09) senior insight strategist at Colle McVoy

HILLARY KLINE

LINDSEY MACHTEMES

Revealed,” an oral history project

became a reporter at the Star

joined Propel Nonprofits in Novem-

(B.A. ’10), public relations specialist at Travel Leaders Group

for PBS affiliate KLRU’s “Austin

continue to reshape the heart of Texas.

ber 2017 as a loan officer, financial

JENNIFER SORENSON (B.A. ’01),

specialist and trainer. She works

Alumni Society Board member,

with organizations and leaders from

started as the Minnesota Campus

across Minnesota, helping to build

Director at Brightmont Academy in

a more vibrant nonprofit sector.

June.

Previously, Jackson was program director for the Minnesota Newspa-

DR. KASISOMAYAJULA VISWANATH

per Association.

(M.A. ‘86, Ph.D. ‘90), Harvard Uni-

SHAHBAZ KHAN (B.A. ’15) is the

Mass Communication.

(B.A. ’13), media operations/analytics supervisor at broadhead

for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In 2017, MICHAEL WHERLEY (B.A.

IBRAHIM HIRSI (B.A. ’11), a staff

ALEX WEST STEINMAN (B.A.

and communications manager at the Hubbard School of Journalism &

writer at MinnPost, received the MLK Commitment to Service Award at the annual Governor’s Council at the MLK Day celebration in St. Paul. The award honors those who serve their state and work toward inclusivity.

JAMIE HUNT (B.A. ’99) has been named vice chancellor for strategic communications at Winston-Salem State University. Hunt joined WSSU in 2015 as the director of public and media relations and chief communications and marketing officer.

Since joining the university, Hunt led the development of an integrated marketing communications model for campus.

senior manager of digital content

versity, received a 2018 CLA Alumni of Notable Achievement Award.

Previously, he worked as the digital

’95) was promoted to director of

’10), co-founder of The Coven MPLS.

managing editor for the Sacramento

investor relations at FMC Corpo-

Kings.

ration. Wherley leads strategic

GRACE TAIT

After eight years at Maccabee Public

(B.A. ’16), brand manager at I Am Sarah Edwards

BRAD WELLMAN

(B.A. ’09), account supervisor at Carmichael Lynch

communications and marketing Relations, CHRISTINA MILANOWSKI

efforts with FMC shareholders, potential shareholders, and the Wall

(B.A. ’06) began a new role as social

Street research analysts who cover

media manager at Regis Corporation

FMC equity.

in November 2017.

AL ZDON (B.A. ’91) recently published

The Washington Post featured

CHELSEA REYNOLDS’ (Ph.D. ’17)

the third book of a trilogy titled War Stories, Volume III, Further Accounts

dissertation in the March 27, 2018,

of Minnesotans who Defended Their

article “As Craigslist personal ads

Nation. The book contains 31 stories

shut down, we’re losing an important

of Minnesota veterans who served

queer space.” Reynolds dissertation

in the wars. Zdon is the editor of the

focused on “Casual encounters:

Minnesota Legionnaire newspaper.

Constructing sexual deviance on Craigslist.org.”

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

31

ALUMNI

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: EMMA CAREW GROVUM BRIDGES JOURNALISM WITH TECHNOLOGY ❙ BY AMANDA FRETHEIM GATES

then train journalists on how best to use them. “Journalists need to be really engaged with their stories from conception to distribution to engagement with the end reader,” she said.

FROM THE GET-GO, Emma Carew Grovum (B.A. ‘09) has been pushing newsrooms out of the dark ages and into a digital world. She made the leap from print to digital relatively quickly after graduation. She worked as an editorial research assistant for the Chronicle of Philanthropy in Washington, D.C., before starting at the Star Tribune as a reporter in 2010. That’s when two things happened: she realized reporting might not be her strong suit (“It was kind of a crisis for me,” she said) and she was tapped by leadership to train the newsroom on social media.

“I went team to team and taught them how to use Twitter, how to set up Google alerts and give them tips on how to improve their workflow,” she said of her early days at the Star Tribune. This passion for digital storytelling and her knack for workplace training helped her carve out her own niche in the industry. “I was interested in how we could do better storytelling than just a hero image and text.”

Her career trajectory led her from the Star Tribune in Minneapolis back to Washington, D.C. as a social media consultant and then as a director of digital content at Foreign Policy magazine. She then became a staff editor at The New York Times, where she managed home page promotion for the Opinions section, as well as social media and reader engagement strategy. In 2015, she became assistant managing editor at The Daily Beast, where she oversaw day-to-day news operations and story planning, and also helped in the effort to build a new 32

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

“Journalists are curious by nature

content manage-

and to not turn that curiosity to their

ment system.

own organization seems strange.

Carew Grovum’s

You have to care about the business

curiosity for how

side—the website, the newsletters

things work, and

and whether readers are clicking

her desire to make

through.”

a journalist’s job

This past spring, Carew Grovum

easier, put her in the

was picked as one of 28 women out

position of bridging

of more than 600 applicants to take

the newsroom with

part in Poynter’s Leadership Acad-

the product development department. “Every newsroom needs one of these bridge roles,” she said. This experience led her to make the jump from the newsroom to product development last year. Now as a product manager, she’s helped launch a number of storytelling tools to enhance The Daily Beast pages, developed new ways to make stories online more engaging, rebuilt RSS feeds, and set up a SecureDrop site for tips and leaks.

The move has been a great fit for Carew Grovum not only because she is helping the newsroom become better, but she’s part of a team in which risk-taking and problem-solving is part of her job every day.

She knows that the bar is low for innovation across most newsrooms, and she wants The Daily Beast to be on the forefront. “The status quo isn’t working [in newsrooms], so almost anything is better than nothing,” she said. “Journalism is already in a broken system for advertising or video or onsite engagement—any innovation you can come up with or deploy has potential.”

The times of journalists working in a vacuum are over—which is why it’s important to Carew Grovum to help develop new systems, and

emy for Women in Digital Media. The

“The worst thing you can do as a young journalist is get trapped in an organization that’s not committed to your growth.”

week-long program focused on the skills and knowledge needed to rise to the highest levels of digital media leadership. Sessions covered how to develop effective management styles, handle difficult situations, manage burnout, master negotiation tactics and build collaborative teams.

“The women I met were just extraordinary,” she said of the experience. “The people doing digital and local news today are doing a radically different job than I did back in 2011 and I’m not sure I could do that job today. They’re really holding up the house for their communities.”

Continuing to push boundaries and grow as a professional have been common themes in Carew Grovum’s career, and things for which she constantly strives. “I think it’s an exciting time to be in journalism because there is just so much work to be done,” she said. “There are so many different jobs to be done.

But you also have to advocate for yourself throughout your career. I learned what kind of environment that I needed to succeed in. The worst thing you can do as a young journalist is get trapped in an organization that’s not committed to your growth.”

ABOVE THE FOLD

ALUMNI SOCIETY BOARD HONORS FOUR UNDER 40 ❙ BY ALEX SMITH

the internet, in video and for Reveal, a weekly radio show and podcast that airs on more than 450 public radio stations. The stories Andrew has reported and edited have forced

AT SPRING SHOWCASE, THE HSJMC ALUMNI SOCIETY BOARD RECOGNIZED THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2018 ABOVE THE FOLD AWARDS, WHICH HONORS ALUMNI UNDER THE AGE OF 40 WHO HAVE MADE EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR FIELDS.

MUKHTAR IBRAHIM (B.A. ’11) recently became a reporter at the Star Tribune. Previously, he was an award-winning reporter for Minnesota Public Radio News. He covered national security-related matters and immigration, among other issues. After joining MPR in early 2015, he investigated ISIS recruitment in Minnesota and the FBI’s use of an informant who helped federal prosecutors build their case against several ISIS recruits. His work has been recognized by the Minnesota chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Minnesota Associated Press Broadcasters.

ALEX WEST STEINMAN (B.A. ’11) is the co-founder of The Coven, a collaborative community and co-working space for women and those who identify as non-binary.

Prior to this, Alex was the communications director for Fallon, Minneapolis City Council candidate

Jillia Pessenda, and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges. With her talents in PR and communications

Since 2011, the Board has celebrated the work of several awardwinning journalists, PR pros, social media influencers and some of the most creative minds in advertising.

positive change. He also helped build and lead Voice of San Diego, a pioneering local news startup.

SHREYA MUKHERJEE (M.A. ’07) is the Senior Vice President, Group Planning Director, at Deutsch. Previously,

strategy, she helps brands get

she oversaw global branding and

noticed through earned media.

sponsorship for Citigroup. Shreya

She also has a blog and apparel

honed her career as a “future trend

company called Strong Like Mama,

forecaster” as Senior Director, Global

dedicated to celebrating the strug-

Consumer Strategist, helping build

gles and triumphs of motherhood.

the global division of Iconoculture

ANDREW DONOHUE (B.A. ’00) is

(global consumer trends company, now part of Gartner), and working

the managing editor of Reveal

at Now What, leading strategy and

from The Center for Investigative

innovation projects for brands like

Reporting. He works with a team of

Pfizer and Hershey’s. She has used

investigative reporters to find issues

her unique global perspective in

across the country and tell the world

her career to create a worldwide

about them, in longform stories on

network.

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

33

MENTORS

MENTOR PROGRAM WINTER MIXER THE ALUMNI BOARD PLANNED A MID-YEAR MEET-UP FOR MENTORS AND STUDENTS INVOLVED IN THE ALUMNI MENTOR PROGRAM. THE EVENT, HELD ON FEB. 7 AT COLLE MCVOY, BROUGHT TOGETHER 50 MENTOR AND MENTEE PAIRS FOR NETWORKING.

1

1 Mentors and mentees listened to a welcome from Alumni Board president Tim Nelson.

2 The networking

activity started out with a few tips on how to get started.

3 Mentors and mentees were encouraged to mingle with other pairs.

2

4

4 Attendees filled out bingo cards to help break the ice.

3 5 5 Attendees were

encouraged to share contact information.

3

an appealing venue for the mixer event.

7 Students received

6

34

MURPHY REPORTER â?™ Summer 2018

door prizes for attending the event.

7

PHOTOS BY JENNI PINKLEY

6 Colle McVoy provided

ALUMNI

CONNECTING PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLERS AS THE HUBBARD SCHOOL of Journalism and Mass Communication

“We all work

Alumni Society, our official goal is

to tell the

to reconnect you, school alumni, with each other in support of the

stories of our

academic mission of the school and

communities,

promote communications professional practices. Noble and true.

Also true is that our fellow alumni

companies

represent all facets of the industry:

and causes.”

professional journalists, public relations strategists, advertising professionals, graphic designers, strategic communicators and more.

But within our widely varied day jobs, at our heart, alumni of this school have common roots. We all work to tell the stories of our communities, companies and causes. We can all help each other if we get and stay connected.

Some may call it networking or think of it as something you have to do as part of your career, but at its core, networking is really just two people sharing their professional stories with each other over a coffee, a lunch or a happy hour. Not so hard when you think of it that way. The alumni board, together with the HSJMC staff, have worked to expand the opportunities for you to reconnect with other graduates or meet those you may not yet have met.

We invite you to join us in a variety of ways this year:

 CONNECT WITH OTHER LOCAL ALUMNI. Attend mixer events just for alumni (watch the HSJMC social media accounts for upcoming dates).

 WORK WITH STUDENTS. Become a volunteer mentor during the academic year, or host a student who is job shadowing for a day.

 VOLUNTEER ON A SHORTER TIME FRAME. Help out on the board as a nonvoting member with shorter committee roles. Those may include helping to match mentors and mentees or offering leads for job shadow pairs or event ideas.

 SPONSOR AN EVENT OR ACTIVITY. New this year, your organization can sponsor HSJMC Alumni Board events and activities to show your support of this great school and also ensure that we continue to support the students and alumni through our programming.

Visit z.umn.edu/hsjmcalumni for more information on the above

opportunities.

I look forward to meeting more alumni like you, hearing your professional stories at a mixer and serving as your alumni board president this year. We hope you see a place for yourself here and welcome you at any time. Please contact me if you have feedback or ideas on how we can improve and work together.

Ski U Mah! Tanya Wright (B.A. ’95) is the current HSJMC Alumni Society Board president and likes the University so much, she came back to work as the communications director for the Admissions Office. You can reach her at tanyamwright27@ gmail.com.

HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

35

NEW FACES ON THE BOARD THE ALUMNI SOCIETY BOARD WELCOMED TWO NEW MEMBERS THIS SUMMER. NICOLE GARRISON (B.A. ’02) is director of communications, content strategist at RBC Wealth Management-U.S., where she oversees all external communications, internal communications and some content marketing strategy for the firm. In her role, Nicole bridges the

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

gap between traditional corporate

The Alumni Society Board will have two more open positions in June 2019. If you’re interested in becoming a member, head over to the website and fill out an online form at z.umn.edu/hsjmcalumni.

PR and classic marketing in order to help organizations increase brand recognition and connect with stakeholders in an authentic and meaningful way.

A journalist by training, Nicole spent the first eight years of her

Nicole Garrison

career as a business reporter covering a multitude of beats,

SEND US YOUR NEWS!

including food manufacturing, health care and financial services.

While working at the Pioneer Press, Garrison’s work earned her multiple awards from the Associated Press, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and the Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Since leaving journalism, Nicole has established a reputation as a trusted communications advisor to senior corporate executives and government officials. She started her career in public relations for the

Karen Schultz

state of Minnesota and has also

KAREN SCHULTZ (M.A. ’09) comes to

served as vice president of public relations for U.S. Bank.

the University of Minnesota HSJMC alumni board with a wealth of marketing and business development experience. With a graduate degree from the HSJMC in strategic communication and a digital marketing certificate from the University of St. Thomas, Karen prides herself on being an obsessive learner—which really comes in handy given that her

36

MURPHY REPORTER ❙ Summer 2018

primary focus is in the digital space.

She currently works as the director of marketing at Riley Hayes.

When she’s not busy getting ahead of the next big trend, Karen loves hanging out with family and friends, gardening, running, doing yoga, golfing, biking, and writing poetry. And when she’s not doing all that, you might just find her practicing the fine art of lounging.

Win an award?

New job?

Big career accomplishment?

Keep HSJMC and your fellow alumni informed.

Send any updates to murphrep @umn. edu.

Please include your full name and graduation year.

IN MEMORIAM

He was an incredibly loyal person. He was loyal to his Irish heritage, his faith, his community, the hundreds of people who worked for him over his career. His friendships seemed to have no end. His loyalty was buttressed by deep pride and unconditional love for his family. His support never wavered.

He cherished his education at DeLaSalle High School and the University of Minnesota. He loved his time at the J-School. He learned from the giants. Smitty Schuneman. John Cameron Sim. Virginia Harris.

Edwin Emery. Mitchell Charnley. J. Edward Gerald.

Good writing was never enough for Dennis. It had to be great writing. It was a skill he honed at the University and he never stopped sharpening it. He was, in

DENNIS MCGRATH

his heart, a journalist. His questions always insightful.

They cut me down and I leapt up high.

I am the life that’ll never die.

I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me.

I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.

—Lord of the Dance (Irish Folk Song) Years ago we would have conversations with our people at Mona Meyer McGrath & Gavin that one day we would remember our good fortune of having worked

He was engaged with life. His reading, his writing and his relationships informed him.

For nearly two decades I had the unique advantage of working with Dennis and a team of people to build something really special. I believe it profoundly changed a lot of us. Inspiring times.

Dennis, you made a wonderful life. You lived it elegantly. And your influence will continue to be felt for a long, long time.

with Dennis McGrath (B.A. ’63).

That day is here. Dennis passed away on May 12, 2018, at age 81.

I have never lived in a world without Dennis McGrath.

He lived large. He left lasting impressions. His laughter was a magnet. He had the best stories. He was a mentor. He believed in and practiced community service. Truth was important to him. He had an Irish temper. And he had strength and courage to deal with the adversities that came his way.

He was, indeed, a legend.

One word keeps coming to the surface when I reflect on Dennis.

Loyalty.

Scott Meyer (B.A. ’72) was a partner of Dennis at Mona Meyer McGrath & Gavin. He is currently chief marketing officer of the College of Liberal Arts.

SUBMIT AN OBITUARY If you have news of the death of an HSJMC graduate, please contact murphrep@umn. edu. Please include the name of the deceased, class year, date of death and if possible, the published obituary.

REPORTER MURPHY

Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication College of Liberal Arts University of Minnesota 111 Murphy Hall 206 Church St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455

facebook.com/umnhsjmc twitter.com/umn_hsjmc instagram.com/umnhsjmc youtube.com/umnhsjmc U of MN Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication Alumni

SAVE THE DATE: 2018 SILHA LECTURE

THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND #METOO The 33rd annual Silha Lecture will feature THEODORE J. BOUTROUS, JR., global co-chair of the Litigation Group of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. The lecture will discuss the many First Amendment issues implicated by the #MeToo movement, including the need to protect the free speech rights of women speaking out about sexual harassment and misconduct and the use of defamation lawsuits to combat such wrongful behavior. The lecture will examine these issues in light of today’s social media

Oct. 17, 2018 7:30 p.m.

Cowles Auditorium University of Minnesota, West Bank

platforms, which disrupt traditional notions that until recently have informed First Amendment doctrine.