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“Taking on the

Building a foundation for the future”Three RsNEW

SUMMER 2012

Perley Isaac Reed SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM

WMessage from the Dean

Alex Wilson

Welcome to the SOJ Insider, our magazine for alumni

and friends of the P.I. Reed School of Journalism. In

this edition, we focus on our vision and goals for the

future, playing off the classic “Three Rs” of education.

Mapping on to the University’s 2020 plan, the School of

Journalism has created its own strategic plan for future

growth and success.

Similar to WVU, the School aims to enhance our

undergraduate and graduate programs, provide global

experiences for our students, and create a diverse and

inclusive community. We also look to elevate our

research profile not only to benefit industry but also to

enhance local communities within our state and region.

In addition, the School’s plan addresses our response to

a changing industry and world. At the crossroads of the

digital revolution, our program must continue to adapt

and evolve, so we can prepare our students to be skilled

multimedia communicators and leaders, innovators and

entrepreneurs who will ultimately redefine and reinvent

the media of tomorrow.

If our new strategic plan is a roadmap toward that future, our new “Three Rs” offer

a more simple set of directions. By ensuring the relevance of our academic programs

and research, we will enhance our national reputation as a leader in journalism and

media education and be able to attract the resources necessary for our continued

evolution.

But even with a good map, the road forward is not entirely clear. During this critical

time of media disruption and transformation, we will need to work together to chart

a successful future and “crowd source” the best ideas and insights.

That’s where you fit in. Along with our students and faculty, I ask you to join in our

journey toward an unknown but exciting future. This is the time to act boldly and

stake our claim within the changing communications landscape. We have the talent

and drive to reach our goals, but to achieve excellence at the highest level we will

also need your ideas, contributions and support.

Thank you!

Maryanne ReedDean

Read the SOJ’s Strategic Plan

goo.gl/luxWb

ADMINISTRATION

James P. Clements PresidentWest Virginia University

Maryanne ReedDean

Diana MartinelliAssociate Dean

Steve UrbanskiDirector of Graduate Studies

Chad MezeraDirector of Online Programs

EDITORIAL STAFF

Kimberly WalkerExecutive Editor

Christa Vincent Managing Editor

Angela Lindley

Kelly Taber

Kristen Wishon

PHOTOGRAPHY

WVU University Relations, News

Alex Wilson

DESIGN

WVU University Relations, Design

SPEcIAL THANkS TO:

Graham Curry, Forrest Conroy, and Angela Caudill

Contents

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.

West Virginia University is governed by the WVU Board of Governors and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

6Main StReet goeS Mobile: Mobile aPP develoPMent StRengthenS RuRal CoMMunitieS

22hoMetoWn ClaSSMateS taCKle national Media

30the heaRt and Soul of Wvu: a tRibute to geoRge eSPeR

2 Around Martin Hall

6 Main street goes mobile: Mobile app development strengthens rural communities

8 steeping tea: soJ students journey through China

11 soJ extends global reach: enters exchange agreement with Chinese university

12 the world was watching: social media and the Arab spring

14 IMC students focus on attracting businesses to the Mountain state

15 Interdisciplinary minor creates unique opportunities for soJ students

16 Rita Colistra: Finding zen within the chaos

18 student-run agency provides integrated communications experiences

20 Visiting Committee connects the soJ to industry leaders

21 Despite national attention, alumnus keeps his focus close to home

22 Hometown classmates tackle national media

23 “WVU news” is winning awards and launching careers

24 IMC program and PRsA join forces through university partnership

26 Finding “natural” talent: Alumna traverses rural America for reality tV

27 InteGRAte conference becomes national event for professionals

28 IMC student helps Floridians live to a healthy 100

30 the heart and soul of WVU: A tribute to George esper

32 Building resources for the future: Comprehensive Campaign kicks off for WVU and soJ

33 “J-Harmony”: Mentorship program proves valuable for soJ students

34 About our Donors

35 About our scholarships

36 Faculty Briefs and Additions

38 Class notes

2

Visiting Committee, he was instrumental in establishing the Ogden Newspapers and Nutting Family Journalism Endowment Scholarship Fund for juniors and seniors studying print media. Ogden Newspapers and the Nutting family also created the WVU Journalism Library Endowment Fund, the Ogden Newspapers Seminar Series, the Ogden Newspapers Multimedia Classroom, and the Ogden Newspapers Endowed Visiting Professorship, which was held for 10 years by the late George Esper.

WVU has recognized Nutting’s service with the Most Loyal West Virginian Award, the Distinguished Service Award and the first Paul A. Atkins Friend of the Journalism School Award. He also has been inducted into the Order of Vandalia and the WVU Business Hall of Fame. In addition, the Nutting Foundation received the WVU Foundation’s Outstanding Philanthropy Award.

dahlia earns Wvu’s top teaching award

In April 2012, Teaching Assistant Professor Gina Martino Dahlia received WVU’s highest teaching honor, the WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching. One of six professors selected for the honor each year, Dahlia knew she was a teacher after watching a student’s television story and realizing how much the student’s work had improved over time.

Known for teaching “with an iron fist and a warm heart,” Dahlia has witnessed her passion and refusal to accept mediocrity put students on paths that improved their lives. With her guidance, support and recommendations, Dahlia’s former students now work at television stations across the country.

Dahlia began teaching at the School of Journalism as an adjunct instructor in 2001. She now serves as a teaching assistant professor and chairs the television journalism sequence. One of her main roles is as executive producer of “WVU News,” an award-winning student-produced newscast that airs on PBS and cable television in West Virginia.

Though considered to be a demanding professor, Dahlia is beloved by students for the time she invests in their work and for her accessibility.

“They know they can call or text me any time of the day or night with interview questions, camera help in the field or editing support in the newsroom,” said Dahlia.

Dahlia was recognized during WVU’s Week of Honors in April.

On May 12, nearly 220 School of Journalism graduates crossed the Creative Arts Center stage during the School’s 2012 May Commencement ceremony. During the ceremony, WVU officials awarded keynote speaker G. Ogden Nutting with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

Nutting is chairman and publisher of Ogden Newspapers Inc., which publishes six daily and three weekly newspapers in West Virginia, as well as 34 daily newspapers in 10 other states. The newspaper company was founded by Nutting’s grandfather, H.C. Ogden, a WVU graduate of 1887, who published the first edition of the Wheeling News on September 22, 1890. West Virginia’s largest newspaper company, Ogden Newspapers has had its headquarters in Wheeling ever since.

Nutting has been a member of the WVU Foundation Board of Directors, and as a member of the School of Journalism

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g. ogden nutting receives honorary doctorate, serves as Commencement speaker

Watch the SoJ’s Commencement video

goo.gl/M019p

top graduatesMAY 2012 ScHOOL OF JOuRNALISM TOP GRADuATING SENIORS

casey HofmannAlexandria kosceviccodi Yeager

School of Journalism Top Scholarscasey Hofmann (Journalism)Alexandria koscevic (Journalism)Rachel Nieman (Public Relations)Logan Venderlic (Advertising)codi Yeager (Journalism)

DEcEMbER 2011 ScHOOL OF JOuRNALISM TOP GRADuATING SENIOR

Whitney Godwin

School of Journalism Top ScholarsLauren Dushkoff (Advertising)Whitney Godwin (Journalism)kathryn Pappa (Public Relations)

Student awards2011 Society of Professional Journalists Region 4 Mark of Excellence Awards

SEcOND PLAcEkelsey Pape – “WVu News”Television Sports Reporting

THIRD PLAcE“WVu News”Best All-Around Television Newscast

2012 broadcast Education Association’s Festival of Media Arts

FIRST PLAcEErica Mokay – “WVu News”Television News Anchor

HONORAbLE MENTIONErica Mokay – “WVu News”Television Hard News Reporting

Paul king – “WV uncovered”Television Feature Reporting

“WVu News: big 12 Special Edition”Best Newscast for Televisionproduced by Whitney Godwin

other notable awardsAva Awards

“WVu News: big 12 Special Edition”Gold Winner, produced by Whitney Godwin“WVu News: September 11 Special Edition”Platinum Winner, produced by Eva Buchman“WVu News Remembers Milan Puskar”Platinum Winner, produced by Whitney Godwin

Marcom Awards“WVu News: September 11 Special Edition”Gold Award, produced by Eva Buchman

Telly Awards“WVu News: big 12 Special Edition”Bronze Award, produced by Whitney Godwin“WVu News: September 11 Special Edition”Bronze Award, produced by Eva Buchman

PR seniors honored as Wvu representatives

SOJ students were awarded top honors during WVU’s Homecoming and the Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer competitions this past year.

In October, public relations senior Evan Bonnstetter was announced as WVU’s 2011 Homecoming King. A Morgantown native, Bonnstetter is a member of the WVU club tennis team and the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity. He is a student liaison for the WVU Gold and Blue Student Ambassadors and was part of the Student Government Association from 2009-2011. Bonnstetter is a member of the Honors College, an instructor of an Honors 199 class and an Honors Hall tutor.

The following month, Katlin Stinespring was recognized as WVU’s 2011 Ms. Mountaineer and was crowned during halftime of the WVU-Louisville football game

on Nov. 5. Stinespring, a Hurricane,W. Va, native and public relations senior, was sponsored by the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Stinespring is the assistant clarinet section leader and woodwind rank leader of the Mountaineer Marching Band and the vice president of public relations and membership for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Students create videos for Wvu’s 2011 united Way campaign

Organizers for WVU’s 2011 United Way campaign exceeded their original fundraising goal, and two SOJ students played a role in their success. Graduate student Evan Moore and visual journalism senior Mallory Bracken produced four multimedia videos for the campaign. The videos demonstrated the importance of employee and student involvement in the campaign and the campaign’s impact on Morgantown communities. WVU raised $335,100 for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties.

Watch the united Way videos

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Mallory Bracken and Evan Moore

Katlin Stinespring and Ryan Butler

Evan Bonnstetter and Julie Diamond

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industry professionals bring expertise to SoJ students

Each year, the School of Journalism hosts guest speakers who bring their industry expertise directly to the students of Martin Hall. During the 2011-2012 academic year, students had the chance to hear from a top cable television executive, a national publication photography director, the marketing VP for a national restaurant and retail chain, and a New York reporter.

In November, Mark Whitaker, executive vice president and managing editor of “CNN Worldwide,” visited campus to share an insider’s perspective on the rapidly changing news industry. Responsible for leading editorial coverage across CNN’s multiple platforms and directing the overall approach, tone and scope of CNN’s reporting, Whitaker has witnessed first-hand the evolution of the 24-hour news cycle.

His presentation, “Covering the World 24/7: CNN’s Role in a Changing Media Industry,” was co-sponsored by the P.I. Reed School of Journalism’s Emery “Pete” L. Sasser Lectureship in Journalism and WVU’s Center

for Black Culture and Research. Photography editor and media consultant

MaryAnne Golon also visited campus to speak with journalism students in November. Golon, the former director of photography at TIME magazine and now director of photography at The Washington Post, is well known for discovering talent and placing photojournalists in assignments that fit their niche.

In her presentation, “21st Century Photojournalism: Branding, Multimedia and Social Networking,” Golon discussed how she finds emerging photographers for projects and how those photographers market themselves.

Tom Marchese, vice president of marketing for Bob Evans, presented “Breakthrough Thinking” in November as part of The Martin-Hall Agency’s “Power Up Your Professional Network” speaker series.

Marchese is responsible for the marketing of 570 Bob Evans Restaurants and has focused those efforts on reaching a younger family audience. Formerly the chief marketing officer at Yum Brands, vice president of innovation

at Elmer’s Products and the director of brand marketing for Wendy’s International, Marchese has an extensive background in the marketing and communication industry. He shared with students insights on advertising, communication, brand positioning and strategy in the digital age.

In April, New York Daily News reporter Michael Feeney shared with students what it’s like to work in a New York City newsroom and offered advice on launching a career in today’s media industry. Feeney not only writes for one of New York’s top papers, but he also was the 2010 recipient of the National Association for Black Journalists’ Emerging Journalist of the Year award and is the author of the pop culture blog mfeenz.com.

Feeney provided guidance on ways students can utilize social media to improve their reporting and how to brand themselves as writers and make their blogs a “must read.” His visit was hosted by the WVU Association for Black Journalists.

Around Martin Hall

Watch the video of Whitaker’s presentation

goo.gl/K6Mm8Mark Whitaker Submitted photo

Michael Feeney Submitted photo

RelevanCe noun \’re-l -v n(t)s\

a: relation to the matter at hand b: practical and especially social applicability

e eIn response to the dramatically changing communications landscape, the school of Journalism must remain relevant to our students, the University and the industry we serve and lead. our challenge is to provide the current generation of journalists and professional communicators with an education that prepares them to be successful in the evolving media industry while grounding them in the principles of ethics, strong writing and critical thinking. And while the University looks to enhance its research profile, our faculty and students will innovate and incubate new solutions to the communications challenges of the 21st century.

Watch the video of Whitaker’s presentation

goo.gl/K6Mm8

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R elevanCe6

If you are a tourist traveling through West Virginia’s “high mountain paradise” and looking for a good fishing hole, where to buy tackle or just relax with a nice latte – there is now an app for that.

The app – short for “mobile application” – was developed by Associate Professor Dana Coester. She has been researching the fast-paced market of mobile platforms since 2008 and believes the project, called Mobile Main Street, has the potential to positively transform rural economies.

“We hope to see apps powered by Mobile Main Street across multiple rural communities before this project is done,” said Coester. “Mobile Main Street is engineered to be a flexible community-based mobile publishing system that enables small communities with limited resources to early adopt and become part of the mobile economy.”

Tip Top Coffee Bar owner Cade Archuleta is one of nearly 50 business owners in Tucker County, W.Va., partnering on the pilot project. He has attended workshops hosted by Coester and School of Journalism students during the development of the Mobile Main Street project.

“It’s exciting to me that [WVU] is seeking out small communities and helping support our small businesses that really help fuel the economy,” Archuleta said.

At the center of this community-based project is the search for new economic models for media through a networked, hyper-local, mobile publishing system.

Coester’s vision is for Mobile Main Street to become a platform for community groups and small businesses to reach new audiences, an alternative revenue stream for local media and a technology-transfer project for the School of Journalism. Her research began

with a pilot partnership with The Parsons Advocate, a weekly newspaper that serves Tucker County and the Canaan Valley tourist community.

“Through this model, the media

organization can begin to reclaim its role as the vehicle for commerce and, in a sense, the hub of rural economic development,” said Coester. “Local businesses signed on to Mobile Main Street to provide specialized content to mobile users. The app helps to showcase the county’s natural attractions and supplement the area’s tourism industry.”

At Tip Top Coffee Bar, an iPad serves as the register. There’s also an iPad available for customers to use, thanks to the grant-funded project.

Archuleta says that customers often ask him for local ski conditions or stream levels in the area. Now he can direct them to the Mobile Main Street app on the iPad. Archuleta and other business owners are currently learning how to use the app to post daily deals, videos and other promotions targeted to mobile users.

Coester and her students are not just developing the app, they also are working directly with business owners to help them understand the technology and its benefits. Through local workshops and one-on-one

MobileMain Street Goes

Mobile app development strengthens rural communities

“My hope is for people to realize how accessible the businesses are around here. I think Mobile Main Street really helps that.” — Cade Archuleta

“It’s going to help everyone. Once it gets out, it’s going to be great.” — Titi Ferguson

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by Kelly tabeR and KiMbeRly WalKeRPhoto by bRian PeRSingeR

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sessions, students work with community members to develop news ideas for attracting customers to their businesses and connecting with other local business owners through mobile technology.

“It’s neat that they’re coming out and getting students involved,” said Archuleta. “Students are learning a lot about communication with business owners, and using these test communities is a way to connect me with West Virginia and the University.”

Titi Ferguson and her husband, John, own WV Highlands Artisan Gallery in Davis, W.Va., another quaint town in the Canaan Valley area. Their biggest challenge has always been “getting the word out” about their town and their gallery to potential tourists.

Ferguson is an iPhone owner – carrying it with her everywhere and referring to it as her “backup brain.”

An early mobile adopter herself, Ferguson is enthusiastic about using her business’ Twitter and Facebook accounts to

feed the app. The app offers full integration with individual business’ social media efforts for more streamlined outreach to their target audience.

“Websites are great, but you have to get people to your website,” Ferguson said. “You’ve got to get a lot of electronic advertising, and I think this app will be just the perfect thing for us and for everyone else in the community.”

To date, the project has received $250,000 in grant funding from the Ford Foundation, Verizon, the Verizon Foundation and CTIA – The Wireless Association. With this support, the School continues to expand the Mobile Main Street project.

By spring 2012, four additional pilot communities were added, including Two-Lane Livin’, a regional magazine serving 17 W.Va. counties and featuring a community of bloggers; The Hampshire Review, a weekly newspaper in Romney, W.Va.; the Spirit of Jefferson newspaper in Jefferson County, W.Va.; and a grassroots cooperative effort promoting historical tourism in McDowell County, W.Va. A sixth community will be selected through a competitive process in early fall.

In addition, Shaun Vendryes joined the project team as a full-time mobile developer. His top priority is to move the app from “pilot” phase to open source freeware.

“Although we’re piloting multiple apps right now to beta the system, our big release at the end of the project will be Mobile Main Street as an open source publishing system,” said Coester. “We’re building a flexible, plug-and-play solution to get community media into mobile space fast.”

With a full-time developer on board, Coester looks forward to the opportunities the next phase of the project presents.

“At the end of the day, this project is less about shiny apps and more about initiating new behaviors and seeding rural mobile economies,” said Coester. “I’m a big believer in the transformative potential of

early adoption for individuals and communities. I’d like to see more rural voices be part of the next generation of media entrepreneurship.”

“I’d like to see more rural voices be part of the next generation of media entrepreneurship.” — Dana Coester

“This project has been a crucial part of my college experience. It has given me knowledge that I couldn’t have gained from inside the classroom and an edge in the emerging mobile marketplace.” — Ethan Messineo

visit the project websitemymobilemainstreet.com

Buy EatPlaylivELocaL.

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Cade Archuleta, owner of Tip Top Coffee Bar, is one of nearly 50 business owners in Tucker County, W.Va., partnering on the pilot project.

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Steeping teasoJ students journey through China

In summer 2011, a group of School of Journalism students traveled overseas to one of the most dynamic regions in the world, applying lessons from the classroom to the streets, villages and mountaintops of the People’s Republic of China.

Participants embarked on the journey after completing an International Media course designed to survey global journalism and provide a more in-depth understanding of Chinese media and culture. Ultimately, the course served as a platform from which to more deeply engage with China, move among the people with greater awareness and more responsibly tell their stories through pictures and words.

Led by Visiting Shott Chair of Journalism Lois Raimondo, the group entered China through Shanghai, capturing images of the mega-modern city’s maglev trains, futuristic skylines and

CoMPiled by loiS RaiMondo and KiMbeRly WalKeR

cutting-edge art colonies. From there, they flew to Guilin – the launching point for hiking and story gathering in the thousand-year-old rice terraces and ancient villages of Longji.

This immersion experience was enhanced by Chinese hospitality – bamboo rafting and swimming with local college students in the Li River, touring Xian with English-language students and feasting on fresh fish during communal meals. Every step of the trip was designed to show the diversity of life and lifestyle inside this amazingly complex and charged region. The students were, in a sense, steeping tea.

Students spent two days trekking in hills and valleys of the the Longji (Dragon’s Backbone) Rice Terraces in Guangxi, China.

A Beijing couple connect in a rare moment of privacy during rush hour on board a Beijing subway. China’s urbanization has forced the need for massive and efficient public transportation projects. Beijing’s subway system, launched in 1969, now hosts 14 lines and 172 stops, delivering more than 1.8 billion rides in 2010.

the following is small sampling of the images produced by students during the trip. More photos and blog entries can be found online at steepingtea.wvu.edu/.

R elevanCe

Katie Patton

Lois Raimondo

SethMorrell“Always desiring to match vision with the other senses, my physical transportation to China was a learning

experience that could not have been resolved from any textual reading.”

CatLovell“In a city of 20 million, it’s easy to view the immense population as a mass rather than a city made of individual people

with their own stories. With more experience, I will not feel as nervous to take photographs of strangers and ask questions to develop an understanding of the subject.”

“the strangest thing about the whole trip was that nothing felt all that strange.”

RachelDavis

Tourists on bicycles break from the midday heat along a stretch of road in Yangshuo. Guilin’s picturesque landscapes and waterways are high-traffic tourist spots for China’s outdoor enthusiasts.

A second-grade student at Fuli Primary School approaches teacher Xu Yahong with work from a Chinese class.

MalloryBracken“I was both discouraged and disappointed on that first evening in shanghai but have built up nerve and self-assurance that

maybe I really can approach a situation, convey my sincere purpose and execute it in a part of the world so foreign to me.”

In Fuli village, a young student peeks from between beams of a broken door while playing a game with classmates during recess. Giggles erupt from around the corner as crumpled paper pieces get pushed through the opening from either side of the barrier.

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Cat Lovell

Mallory Bracken

Seth Morrell

BarbaraYanero

KatiePatton

“From a soho-style art village to tea tasting in a popular warehouse, we were able to indulge in so much culture

in a very short amount of time. When you go and experience the culture, it’s completely different from sitting in a classroom and learning facts from afar.”

“this was a journey in a foreign land but also a personal journey where I learned a lot about myself. I learned I could go off alone into a place where the majority of the people do not speak the same language as me.”

MeganGreco“no matter how hard we studied or what was researched, it was impossible to learn everything about the

country and its people. It was time to jump in – feet first.”

Freshly pulled noodles are stacked on bamboo poles to dry before delivery to local restaurants and packaging for distant lands.

A group of young Chinese students, all studying English at a private language school, spend the weekend swimming and biking country roads in the picturesque Guilin landscape.

A lady sells watermelons at a busy market hidden among the skyscrapers of Beijing.

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Barbara Yanero

Megan Greco

Katie Patton

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Exchange student Hong (Sabrina) Zhao came to America and “fell in love” – with multimedia storytelling. Zhao, a student journalist from Sichuan Province, China, says she came to WVU expecting to hone her skills as a print journalist but was surprised to find a new passion.

“Multimedia stories require much more than interviewing and writing,” said Zhao. “I also learned how to take photos and shoot videos. I think multimedia storytelling is becoming a necessary skill for journalists.”

Zhao and fellow exchange student Zicheng Gao (Summer Ko) learned multimedia techniques as student contributors to the School of Journalism’s “West Virginia Uncovered” project – one of several classes they took during the 2011-2012 academic year.

Zhao and Gao were the first students to take part in the newly established exchange program between WVU and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. The five-year agreement will give SOJ students the opportunity to study alongside their Chinese peers at GDUFS’s School of Journalism and Communication. In return, journalism students from China will study at WVU.

School of Journalism Dean Maryanne Reed says the partnership will help better prepare students to live and work in a global society.

“As part of the University’s strategic vision, our students need to be exposed to a variety of cultures on an international level,” said Reed.

“The relationship with Guangdong University is a natural fit – given the growing role of China in the global economy and the expertise of our faculty. In addition,

Guangdong has a top communications program that can add value to our students and curriculum.”

Visiting Shott Chair of Journalism Lois Raimondo helped facilitate the agreement with GDUFS. Raimondo has lived, studied and worked in China.

She says GDUFS’s extensive English language curriculum and opportunities for professional internships will give WVU students a comparative perspective on media in other cultures.

“As a journalist, it’s important to be able to step outside of yourself and experience other people’s perspectives,” said Raimondo. “When you travel, you learn about the relativity of your own cultural truths.”

Raimondo also has been instrumental in establishing a faculty exchange between the two schools. This summer, Jim Ebel, the School’s Harrison/Omnicom Visiting Professor of

Integrated Marketing Communications, is spending five weeks in China lecturing for GDUFS’s master of business administration and advertising programs and at other universities in Guangzhou.

“There is a great deal of interest among Chinese students in learning about positioning and brand building,” said Ebel. “I’m excited because these subjects have been my life’s work, and I can’t wait to impart my nearly 30 years of experience in these areas.”

In May, Zhao and Gao left Morgantown to return to China with a unique cultural experience and a new skill set. The School is working with GDUFS to bring two more students to WVU this fall and to send its first contingent of students to China.

EsoJ extends Global ReachEnters exchange agreement with Chinese university

Hong Zhao (left) and Zicheng Gao were the first students to participate in the exchange program between WVU and GDUFS.

by ChRiSta vinCent

“As a journalist, it’s important to be able to step outside of yourself and experience other people’s perspectives.” — Lois Raimondo

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WWhen protestors gathered in Cairo, Egypt, in January 2011 to demand political change, they used their mobile devices to share their stories across international borders. Photos, videos, tweets and status updates pieced together the narrative of their revolution, as people around the globe followed along in real time on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

The series of protests, known as the Arab Spring, toppled regimes in North Africa and the Middle East, sparked debates about the role of social media in democracy and highlighted its new role in journalism.

In April, the School of Journalism explored the topic in a moderated panel discussion, “The Revolution Will Be Tweeted: Social Media and Free Speech in the Middle East.” The discussion, moderated by Dean Maryanne Reed, was co-sponsored by the School’s Ogden Newspapers Seminar Series and WVU’s David C. Hardesty Jr. Festival of Ideas.

The panel consisted of bloggers, political analysts and influential journalists like National Public Radio’s Andy Carvin. Carvin, who is considered a pioneer in online reporting, covered the revolts from NPR’s rooftop in Washington, D.C., gathering tweets, images and videos from halfway around the world and vetting his information with trusted eyewitnesses.

“Basically I’ve used Twitter over the last year as my newsroom,” said Carvin. “I see my Twitter followers not as followers. I see them as my researchers, my editors, my producers.”

Carvin says while social media clearly played a central role in disseminating information and organizing protests, he wouldn’t label the Arab Spring a “Twitter Revolution.”

“Ultimately, it still took people going out into the streets and raising their fists, raising signs, shouting slogans and putting their lives on the line,” said Carvin. “If you didn’t see that combination of really savvy organizing online, getting their message out online, in conjunction with what was happening on the ground, I don’t think we would have seen the revolutions play out the way that we did.”

Issandr El Amrani, a Cairo-based blogger for “The Arabist,” added that social media was crucial to the way the revolution was experienced by the rest of the world.

“The world was watching, on television of course, but also in real time on Twitter and listening to activists – to participants in these uprisings – relay their fears, their emotions, their exhilaration,” said El Amrani. “I can’t think of any other event like that.”

Civil rights outreach director at the American Islamic Congress Nasser Weddady says the most important thing that social media did in this scenario was “smash the narrative” that had always been used – and commonly accepted – by the media and decision makers when discussing the Middle East.

“Most of the conventional wisdoms about the Middle East were shown for what they are – a bunch of hype,

outdated, disconnected from the realities of that area of the world,” he said.

“For the first time – at least in my lifetime – the Middle East and North Africa was seen to produce something positive other than chaos and destruction.”

Countless personal stories emerged, and continue to emerge, from the Arab Spring

The World Was WatchingS o c i a l m e d i a a n d t h e A r a b S p r i n g

“Ultimately, it still took people going out into the streets and raising their fists, raising signs, shouting slogans and putting their lives on the line.” — Andy Carvin

by ChRiSta vinCent and Kelly tabeRPhotoS by M.g. elliS

Pictured from left: Jigar Mehta, Jillian York, Andy Carvin, Nasser Weddady and Issandr El Amrani.

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uprisings – most submitted by ordinary citizens. Some of those are captured in the crowd-sourced documentary, “18 Days in Egypt.” Documentary co-creator Jigar Mehta says the power of social media is in its storytelling function and the fact that followers become vested in the characters.

“What’s really interesting is these [stories] are being told by people that are on the ground and so they are characters that you can follow,” Mehta said. “The people who had used these tools to document themselves in the 18 days had kind of written the first draft of their own history.”

Social media has not only provided the opportunity for people around the globe to observe intimate, first-hand accounts of the uprisings but also allowed the mainstream media to monitor and broadcast these personal perspectives from countries where citizens normally would not have a voice in the government-controlled media.

According to Weddady, traditional media were “enamored with this class of social activist.”

“Because of social media, reporters … and new media organizations were compelled to all of the sudden show these people who did not fit any of these perceived ideas,” he said.

But the question of social media’s direct impact on the uprisings is irrelevant, says Jillian York, director of international freedom of expression at the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

“I think a lot of the discussion that’s been had is frankly useless,” she said. “The Internet had no part in it. The Internet was all of it. Obviously it was somewhere in the middle. We don’t know if this [revolution] would have happened without the Internet – we can’t say that for sure. But what we do know is that it wouldn’t have happened the way it did without the Internet.”

So while social media didn’t create the revolution, it certainly played a role. Perhaps the most obvious impact is how it has forever influenced the storytelling and reporting process.

“A lot of [television reporters] – especially with Tunisia, Al Jazeera and France 24 – were using social media to inform their stories and to create their stories and then broadcast those back into people’s homes,” said York.

Carvin agrees. He says that tools like Twitter are “making our reporting better.”

“I do a lot of retweeting and have a lot of conversations, the goal of which is to create a narrative arc for different aspects of the Arab Spring,” said Carvin. “Sometimes it involves a lot of fact-checking … in other cases, it’s allowing people to speak for themselves.”

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#Wvuideas an audience that was once silent has turned into an audience with some of the largest voices in the 21st century @wvutoday—Carlyn stefanelli

@weddady: this time, to the world, more was coming out of the Arab world than violence #Wvuideas—WVU today

We have to consider our new idea of place. We come together ideologically, not physically. #Wvuideas—Heather sammons

@arabist: the young revolted because “I think it’s a fairly simple basic impulse to bear witness.” #Wvuideas—WVU today

“I’ve used the twitter over the last year as my newsroom. I see my followers as my researchers, editors & producers.” - @acarvin #Wvuideas—Jordan tyler

@acarvin: saw a Libyan video on young girl he thought was being prepped for surgery. His followers corrected him. she was dead. #Wvuideas—WVU today

@acarvin I love that you have a ‘twitter newsroom’ #futureofjournalism #Wvuideas—Kristin skeweris

Most. Interactive. Panel. ever.—Jillian York

“not only is it improving the freedom of expression, it’s improving our access to different areas of the world.” - @jilliancyork #Wvuideas—Jordan tyler

I think characters also make it seem real because the revolution is taking place so far away. these are real people talking. #wvuideas—Heather sammons

@RimaDrema I think syrian citizen journos have learned many lessons from the revolutions and applied them, esp Youtube and livestreams.—Andy Carvin

@bmlmeister soc media may not be the primary force in any revolution, but networks of people are. now it’s both offline & online. #Wvuideas—Andy Carvin

by ChRiSta vinCent and Kelly tabeRPhotoS by M.g. elliS

Watch a video of the panel discussion

goo.gl/Se1eh

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WWest Virginia has an enormous communications challenge – attracting businesses and entrepreneurs to a region not necessarily known for innovation and commerce. A recent project, however, tapped into the School of Journalism’s student and faculty expertise. What better assignment could there be for Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) graduate students at the state’s flagship university?

In the fall of 2011, the School’s IMC master’s degree program partnered with the West Virginia Department of Commerce to create a new capstone project for its students. While the Department of Commerce is comprised of nine divisions, IMC students worked directly with the Economic Development division toward retaining and recruiting businesses and entrepreneurs to the Mountain State.

Kim Harbour, director of marketing and communications for the West Virginia Department of Commerce, says IMC students bring a valuable perspective to the marketing challenges of her department.

“We were very excited to begin working with the IMC program because it is made up of working professionals from across the country,” said Harbour. “Now that there’s so much movement in social media and mobile applications, it is a perfect time to be tapping into students who are in touch with cutting-edge applications and have fresh ideas for new social media tools.”

Ray Gillette (BSJ, 1971), instructor for the new capstone section, believes real-world clients are important for communications students.

“Hearing and learning directly from clients about their problems, issues and opportunities is incredibly important,” said Gillette. “When a student knows that they’re working on a real problem, like driving business to a state, they become inspired. And knowing that their

idea might actually be used to solve these problems is a tremendous motivation to do the best work possible.”

Jade Waddy, a graduate from Houston, Texas, who completed the new IMC capstone project in the late fall term, says the course was challenging but well worth it.

“I learned so much about the West Virginia Department of Commerce, what the state has to offer, and the hard work and planning that it takes to attract businesses and build a strong economy,” said Waddy. “It was a challenging course but an incredibly rewarding experience. I now have an incredible portfolio piece in my final IMC campaign.”

Students’ projects included target market analyses, research findings, internal and external communications plans, evaluation plans, budget charts and more. Harbour finds great value in the communications tactics and supporting research presented in the students’ campaigns.

“I have been very impressed with the students’ primary research and focus groups,” said Harbour. “One student held focus groups with small-business owners and entrepreneurs outside of West Virginia, asking what they consider when locating to a new place. This is valuable, original research that emphasizes how people look favorably on a state government that supports businesses. West Virginia does a good job of this, and student research reinforces that we should strengthen those communications.”

The IMC program offered the capstone for three terms last year. Students’ ideas were shared with West Virginia’s Secretary of

Commerce and considered in the state’s marketing efforts. “The IMC program has been a really good brain trust to tap into,”

said Harbour. “We aren’t at ground zero in our marketing efforts. We have implemented projects and documented results, but it is always good to take a step back and get some new insight on where we go from here.”

IMC students focus on attracting businesses to the Mountain Stateby bRiana WilSonPhotoS by alex WilSon

Pictured above are campaign booklets produced by IMC students Jade Waddy and Jaime Hunt.

“It was a challenging course but incredibly rewarding experience…” — Jade Waddy

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IIn the era of digital and mobile media, traditional news organizations are struggling for their share of the marketplace. Increasingly, journalism graduates are being called upon to contribute new ideas and help develop new economic models to strengthen and reinvent media.

Recognizing the need for students to be innovative and entrepreneurial, the School of Journalism and the WVU College of Business and Economics will launch a new blended minor in Media Entrepreneurship in fall 2012.

The Media Entrepreneurship minor will build upon the existing College of Business and Economics’ entrepreneurship minor to support emerging industry trends in journalism and new media entrepreneurial development. Created specifically for SOJ students, courses will allow students to explore such areas as new economic models for publishing; audience building and

social media; content monetization; technology trends in media; new media marketing; and mobile opportunities.

The new minor will significantly enhance any of the current SOJ majors, providing students with an edge in today’s competitive marketplace and broadening their career opportunities. School of Journalism Dean Maryanne Reed says the Media Entrepreneurship course of study will give students a stronger foundation for a career in the media industry.

“In today’s evolving media landscape, it’s not enough for journalists and professional communicators to know their craft,” said Reed. “They also have to be enterprising and entrepreneurial and able to develop new projects, applications and platforms that will attract audiences and revenue in an increasingly

crowded media marketplace.”This minor is the second blended program

the School of Journalism has partnered to create at WVU. In 2009, the School and WVU’s College of Physical Activity and Sport Science launched a blended minor in sport communication to offer WVU students the opportunity to gain practical skills as professional communicators in the multibillion-dollar sports industry.

College of Business and Economics Dean Jose Sartarelli says the Media Entrepreneurship minor is an opportunity to expand the College’s popular curriculum to an external audience.

“I am very excited about this initiative between our two colleges,” said Sartarelli. “To be able to ‘turbo charge’ students’ careers as they prepare to enter the marketplace is beneficial all the way around.”

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Interdisciplinary minor creates unique opportunities for SOJ students

By Kimberly Walker

Interdisciplinary minor creates unique opportunities for soJ students by KiMbeRly WalKeR

Media entrepreneurship Minor Coursework

the program requires 18 credit hours, which can be completed in three semesters. by summer 2013, all courses will be offered online.

credit hours courses semesters

entR 320 Small business finance (3 hours)Students are introduced to the concepts of accounting and business finance necessary for an entrepreneurial venture and taught to apply these concepts in the entrepreneurial decision-making process.

entR 310 Communication, law and ethics (3 hours)Through experiential assignments, students will evaluate situations facing entrepreneurs, recognize potential legal and ethical issues, and develop and communicate action plans.

JRl 458 interactive Media and audience building (3 hours)Studying audience development and user behavior for multiple media platforms, students will be introduced to the latest and evolving practices for audience development and monetization in media and to the technology disruption in media and its impact on user behavior across platforms and applications.

entR 335 Small business entrepreneurship (3 hours)This course will offer a study of the concepts necessary to become a successful small-business entrepreneur. Coursework will include practical application of marketing and management skills.

entR 415 entrepreneurship in action (3 hours)In this course, students will envision and participate in a simulated “real-world experience” in managing an entrepreneurial business enterprise.

entR 435 new venture Creation (3 hours)This course will provide students with a general understanding of the issues involved in the planning and creation of a new venture. Students will be exposed to the various roles of the entrepreneur.

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cHAOSZEN

Finding

within the

Rita Colistra:

by angela lindleyPhotoS by M.g. elliS

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DDr. Rita Colistra might have a to-do list each day, but it usually goes out the window once she’s up and running.

“I can have a plan for my day, but some days I’ll only get one thing crossed off the list,” she said. “But it’s okay. I’ve learned to be flexible.”

Colistra, an assistant professor of public relations in the School of Journalism, never lets any obstacle stand in her way. She juggles her current responsibilities with the same fervor she has attacked every goal in her life.

A native of Rockcastle, W.Va., Colistra is the first person in her large family to graduate from high school, much less earn a Ph.D. She was initially motivated by the desire to leave her hometown but later realized she wanted to set an example for her nieces and nephews.

“I wanted to show them how to persevere and be up to the challenges of life,” said Colistra.

She taught herself to apply for financial aid and came to WVU at 18 years old to study public relations, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1998. After working in events and sports marketing in Colorado and traveling abroad, she returned to WVU for her master’s degree in journalism. But she didn’t stop there. She claims she was “bitten by the research bug” while working on her thesis.

“In graduate school, I would get deep into a topic and realize there were more questions I wanted answered,” Colistra said. “So I learned the skills to do research studies.”

Colistra then earned a Park Fellowship and enrolled at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, finishing her doctoral program in 2008.

“I think I pushed myself harder than my professors did,” she said. “I wanted to not just get through my work – I wanted to do it well.”

After finishing her doctoral program in 2008, Colistra returned to Morgantown, W.Va., where she accepted a tenure-track faculty position at her alma mater. She and her husband, Kevin, settled in with their son Waylon, now 5, and soon grew their family to five with twins Arlo and Blaze, now 2.

One of the School’s most prolific researchers, Colistra recently published a major, highly lauded research paper – the culmination of five years’ work. “Shaping and Cutting the Media Agenda: Television reporters’ perceptions of agenda- and frame-building and agenda-cutting influences” is the focus of the summer 2012 issue of Journalism & Communication Monographs.

The piece also unveils her new ground-breaking research that uses three different theoretical approaches to help explain and evaluate how forces both within and outside the media attempt to influence news coverage.

Colistra explains and tests a newer theoretical approach, “agenda cutting,” which refers to people and organizations attempting to keep certain news out of the media spotlight. Her research is the first-known study that attempts to develop and test the phenomenon.

Peers have described Colistra as “a workhorse.” Others might consider her the face of the future of academia – a ground-breaking researcher, dedicated educator and working mother.

“I’m one of those people who can’t sit still,” said Colistra.

Not surprisingly, Colistra approaches her teaching with the same zeal.

Her coursework and community service projects have received grant funding and

state-wide attention. Colistra has received two Campus-Community LINK grants to engage her classes in Buy Local initiatives in Ritchie County and Fairmont, W.Va. Because of the project’s success, Colistra was selected to take part in a Buy Local Roundtable in December with Sen. John D. Rockefeller in Shepherdstown, W.Va. She and her students also executed campaigns to promote the WVU Center for Civic Engagement and The House That WVU Built, a Habitat for Humanity partnership.

These community service projects earned Colistra the WVU Center for Civic Engagement’s Faculty Excellence Award and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication’s (AEJMC) SuPRstar Award. In addition, she was named the 2012

Educator of the Year by the West Virginia chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Colistra also was honored as the first-place recipient of AEJMC’s Promising Professor Award in August 2012.

Projects like the Buy Local initiative are particularly important to Colistra, who is drawn to efforts that help her home state and teach her students to engage with their communities as responsible practitioners.

“I tell my students, ‘If you trust me on this journey, you’ll be so very proud of yourself and what you’ve done for your community.’ And they work hard because they believe in themselves, and they know I won’t have it any other way,” said Colistra.

Colistra says it is gratifying when students tell her they admire her as a strong woman, mother and educator – and particularly when they tell her they are inspired to succeed because of her.

“To be able to motivate, mold and give confidence to my students, and then to see a change in them, is a very special moment,” she said.

Sitting at her desk, surrounded by manuscripts, student papers and photos of her family, she shows students that you can have it all if you have the right attitude.

“I once had multiple projects to finish in graduate school,” she said. “One of my professors just smiled at me and said, ‘Rita, you’re Zen with chaos. You’ll be fine.’”

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“I can have a plan for my day, but some days I’ll only get one thing crossed off the list. But it’s

okay. I’ve learned to be flexible.”

Colistra at home with her three sons, from left, Waylon, Blaze and Arlo.

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FFrom planning and executing integrated marketing campaigns to fundraising and competing on a national level, students in the new Martin-Hall Agency are applying classroom lessons to real-world projects.

Formerly known as the WVU Advertising Club, the Martin-Hall Agency is now a student-run integrated marketing group within the School of Journalism. Members are charged with creating campaigns for clients like the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Snap Lab Media, a mobile marketing management company based in Appleton, Wis. During the past year, they also worked with Flying High Zip Line, a Morgantown-based portable zip line start-up company, and WVU College of Creative Arts’ 2012 Designing for the Divide conference.

In fall 2011, Harrison/Omnicom Visiting Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications Jim Ebel was tasked with reshaping the Advertising Club into a more professional-oriented group that would provide students with real-world experiences. Out of this challenge grew the Martin-Hall Agency, through which students work directly with professional clients.

School of Journalism Dean Maryanne Reed says the hands-on experience that the agency provides is crucial in today’s competitive marketplace.

“It’s imperative that our advertising students have experience producing projects for real clients,” said Reed. “This exposure not only helps to boost their resumes but allows them to enter the job force ready to take on client work.”

Through their work, the Martin-Hall Agency has increased ticket sales for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra by 22 percent, driven Snap Lab Media’s digital presence and garnered media attention for their clients using media briefs and pitches.

Members also put their creative skills to work designing logos, slogans, brochures and websites for their clients.

“We developed a website and slogan for Flying High Zip Line company,” said Amy Bruzgo, the agency’s chief communications officer.

“Our slogan for this client is ‘Earn Frequent Smile Miles.’”To help fund the agency’s work and travel

to meet with clients, students implemented a fundraising speaker series focused on industry

trends and networking opportunities. Industry professionals, including Tom Marchese, the vice president of marketing for Bob Evans Restaurants, and Marty Boyer, the vice president of technology and innovations for Possible Worldwide, attracted diverse audiences from across campus.

“We were able to draw people from public relations, engineering and the

business school. We’re having a broader reach,” said Ebel, the group’s faculty advisor.

“We don’t think of ourselves as an ‘ad club.’ We think of ourselves as integrated communicators.”

In addition to its client work and speaker series, Martin-Hall Agency competed in this year’s American Advertising Federation’s

National Student Advertising Competition for District 5, presenting their campaign for NISSAN auto manufacturer.

Martin-Hall Agency members agree that they are receiving valuable guidance and opportunities that they often wouldn’t receive in an entry-level advertising agency position.

“We’re learning the skills to be successful – how to talk to a client, how to be reliable and how to work quickly,” said Palmer Brown, the agency’s president. “Not only do we get experience working on campaigns but also on managing multiple projects at a time. Overall, it’s helping us become more confident.”

Student-run agency provides integrated communications experiences

by KRiSten WiShon

“It’s imperative that our advertising students have experience producing projects for real clients.” — Maryanne Reed

MARTIN-HALLA G E N C Y

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through our innovative research, award-winning students and faculty, and the success of our graduates, the school of Journalism is poised to be a national leader in journalism and communications education. our prestigious alumni network helps to connect our students and faculty to leaders in the industry and to spread the story of our success. By engaging our alumni and friends at every turn, the school remains at the forefront of change, developing a reputation for being both nimble and adaptive. Moving forward, our strategic goal is to build on that reputation to become an even bigger player on the national stage.

RePutation noun \’re-py -’ta-sh n\

a: overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general

b: a place in public esteem or regard: good name

ee

R ePutation

A

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At the School of Journalism, we

pride ourselves on staying connected –

engaging with our alumni and friends on

a regular basis, connecting with local and

global communities, and leveraging our

relationships with industry professionals

so that we can remain on the forefront

of the ongoing media revolution. These

relationships help to inform how we educate

our students and our planning for the future.

Throughout the years, we have

partnered successfully on strategic initiatives

with our Visiting Committee members –

high-level professionals, alumni and friends

who serve in an advisory capacity to the

School. Appointed by the University’s Provost

in consultation with Dean Maryanne Reed,

committee members share their advice

and connections to help the School achieve

academic excellence and gain national

prominence. These individuals represent

the broad range of industries we serve and a

diversity of experiences and expertise.

With the radical shifts in the media

and strategic communications industries, as

well as the inevitable changes required in

journalism education, the School relies now

more than ever on the expertise and insights

of our friends and industry leaders. The

School of Journalism Visiting Committee

helps to bridge the gap between the world

of academe and the journalism and mass

communications professions and provides

valuable support that often moves forward-

thinking initiatives from ideas into action.

Utilizing their professional connections,

our Visiting Committee members also

help students land internships and jobs in

major markets and promote the School’s

achievements on a national stage.

by KiMbeRly WalKeRPhotoS by alex WilSon

visiting Committee connects the SoJ to industry leaders

Current visiting Committee Members

toM haRRiSon, CoMMitee ChaiR Chairman and CEODiversified Agency Services, Omnicom Group

linda aRnoldChairman, CEO and Founder The Arnold Agency

JaMeS blaiRChairman ONLINE Information Services

SCott boSley Former Executive DirectorAmerican Society of Newspaper Editors

Rob byeRS Executive Editor The Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette

PeteR CheRuKuRi General Manager, Politics The Huffington Post

david foReMan Director, Office of Corporate and Foundation RelationsBucknell University

nanya fRiend Editor and PublisherThe Charleston (W.Va) Daily Mail

MiChael fulton President, Washington, D.C., officeThe Arnold Agency

SaMMe gee AttorneyJackson Kelly Attorneys at Law PLLC

deboRah hayeS Communications and Business Development Consultant

noah KadyJournalism AdviserMiddletown (Md.) High School

betSy KlebeVice President of Corporate CommunicationsAir Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Judy MaRgolinExecutive DirectorBowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love LLP

Jane MCneeRFundraising Consultant

doug MitChellProject Manager National Federation of Community Broadcasters

JaSon neal Technical Operations ManagerNBC News

bill nutting Vice President Ogden Newspapers Inc.

StePhanie MatheWS o’KeefeExecutive Vice President for Communications American Bankers Association

david PavelKo Head of TravelGoogle, Inc.

alexiS PughOwner and PrincipalLakeshore Advertising Consultants

JaMeS J. RooP President Roop & Co.

Joe SteRanKa CEOThe PGA of America

MiChael toMaSKySpecial Correspondent Newsweek EditorDemocracy: A Journal of Ideas

loRetta uCelli Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Peter G. Peterson Foundation

John WallSVice President, Public AffairsCTIA - The Wireless Association

SCott WidMeyeRChairman and CEOWidmeyer Communications

david WilKiSon Director of Major Accounts The Associated Press

Read the SoJ’s Strategic Plan online

goo.gl/luxWb

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SSince his college days, Ken Ward Jr. (BSJ, 1990) has reported on environmental issues that affect his home state and his readers. More than two decades later, the award-winning Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette reporter has earned a reputation that reaches far beyond West Virginia’s borders, garnering national attention for his investigative pieces and his well-known blog, Coal Tattoo.

Ward is a three-time winner of the Scripps Howard Foundation’s Edward J. Meeman Award for environmental reporting and winner of the foundation’s Roy W. Howard Award for public service reporting.

Other accolades include the 1996 Scripps Howard National Journalism Award, given for his reporting on a proposed paper mill in southern West Virginia, and a 2006 medal from Investigative Reporters and Editors for his coverage of mine safety in the wake of the Sago mine disaster in Upshur County.

In 2010, Ward was named a “Game Changer” in the Green category by The Huffington Post for his coverage of the coal industry – an honor he shares with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, among others. He also was featured in a 2011 Columbia Journalism Review article, “Sustained Outrage: Ken Ward Jr. stayed home to make a difference,” by Brent Cunningham.

But Ward is less concerned with the attention and more so with keeping the people of his home state informed. As an environmental journalist,

he digs deeply into the state’s environmental issues and the coal industry, in particular.

In February 2009, the Gazette launched Coal Tattoo, a blog dedicated to investigating and chronicling coal mining in West Virginia and its impact on the state’s environment, mine safety practices, and the issue of mountaintop removal mining.

Ward says that while the blog format complements the paper’s strong print product, it also has several features that make it unique – the immediacy of information delivery and ability to link to source documents and data. It also enables Ward to connect directly with his readers.

“The blog format lets people interact with me and challenge me on what I’m saying,” said Ward. “This allows me to engage readers and get people talking.”

Dedicated to investigative reporting, Ward believes journalists’ primary responsibility is to keep readers fully informed – remaining ever-vigilant and cognizant of the issues and providing continual, clear assessments for their readers.

“Coal has been a dominant political force throughout the history of the state and has had a defining impact on the environment and on the people who live here,” said Ward. “There’s no end to the stories that need to be done on this topic.”

A native of Piedmont and Keyser, W.Va., Ward began his journalistic career as an environmental writer at WVU’s Daily Athenaeum. His talent caught the eye of former journalism professor Harry Ernst, who recommended Ward for an internship

at the Gazette. In the summer

of 1989, United Mine Workers members were striking against

the Pittston Coal Company in southern West Virginia. The Gazette sent Ward to cover the story.

“The joke was that I wasn’t on the company health plan, so they sent me to cover the picket lines,” Ward said. He spent the summer with a colleague, driving through Raleigh and Logan Counties and talking with people about their lives and the business of mining.

In 1991, Ward joined the Gazette staff and has been there ever since. His advice to emerging journalists is simple: you can have a rich career as a journalist without ever leaving the state.

“I can’t imagine a place that needs good journalism more than West Virginia does,” Ward said. “The people of West Virginia are good people. It’s a place where your neighbors will help you if you need help. It’s a place where people emerge from all manner of disaster and try to move on, and that’s uplifting. Journalists should be a part of that.”

Despite national attention, alumnus keeps his focus close to homeby angela lindleyPhoto by M.g. elliS

Read the SoJ’s Strategic Plan online

goo.gl/luxWb

“The blog format lets people interact with me and challenge me on what I’m saying.” — Ken Ward

Award-winning journalist Ken Ward Jr. keeps the people of his home state informed about environmental issues from his office in Charleston, W.Va.

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GGrowing up in the same town, Shay Maunz, Jamie McCracken and Ashton Marra shared many milestones – birthdays, prom, high school graduation. But they never shared their dreams of becoming media professionals until they came to WVU.

“I don’t think we ever talked about our careers, but we all assumed that we would go into journalism,” said Marra. “It’s kind of strange that we’ve all done such big things with it.”

All three Clarksburg, W.Va., natives are either interning or working for major media organizations this summer.

Maunz, who will graduate in August with a degree in print journalism, is spending her summer working as a multimedia intern at The New Yorker. She is shooting and editing video for the magazine’s website and iPad app – an opportunity that didn’t exist a few years ago.

Maunz says she always wanted to work for The New Yorker but thought that it was a dream to be reached far into the future. She says the multimedia skills that she learned while participating in the School of Journalism’s “West Virginia Uncovered” project pushed her resume to the top of the pile.

“If I were solely a writer, it would be harder to get there,” said Maunz. “But there’s something about these emerging fields where they need young blood.”

McCracken says his goal is to be “well

rounded” by the time he graduates in December 2012. Having already completed an internship with ESPN last fall, McCracken wanted more experience with print and digital media.

This summer, he is interning on the National Football League desk at USA Today in McLean, Va., where he is interviewing players, writing stories and selecting photos and videos for the USA Today website. McCracken says the opportunity is off the beaten path for a television journalism major, but it’s a detour worth taking.

“Say yes to every opportunity you can get. That’s what I’ve been taught,” said McCracken. “Whether it ends up being a fantastic experience or not, you at least learn about yourself and what you truly want to do for a career.”

Marra was able to turn her spring 2012 internship at ABC in New York into a freelance job as a production assistant. This summer, she is assisting with video shoots, pulling archive video for stories and monitoring wires for breaking news during the third hour of “Good

Morning America.” Although Marra is positive that broadcast

news is the right career choice for her, she says a strong background in print journalism laid the foundation for her to build her skills.

“When I took public affairs reporting, I started to realize there is so much more than just putting together a news story and sticking it on TV,” said Marra. “You have to be able to do everything. Especially now with online, you have to know how to write a story, and I think that’s all based in print.”

Marra, who graduated in May with a degree in television journalism, says the transition from working in local media to working on a national level is grueling – another bonding

experience for the long-time friends.“Even though we are in different aspects

of journalism, we’re all kind of in the same boat,” said Marra. “Being in the world of national media is a huge change from local news. I think having the same things going on, and the same backgrounds, and the same hometowns – it’s just a really good support system to have.”

Hometown classmates tackle national media By Christa Vincent

Hometown classmates tackle national mediaby ChRiSta vinCent Photo by alex WilSon

“There’s something about these emerging fields where they need young blood.” — Shay Maunz

Print journalism senior Shay Maunz is spending the summer producing multimedia content for The New Yorker’s website and iPad app.

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TThe School of Journalism’s award-winning “WVU News” airs statewide on West Virginia Public Television, but the show’s reputation reaches far beyond the state’s borders. Both national and international media organizations have recognized “WVU News” and its students as being among the best in college journalism.

Under the leadership of Teaching Assistant Professor Gina Dahlia, the School’s student-produced news program has garnered more than 50 prestigious awards in the past six years, including 15 Hearst Journalism Awards and the Broadcast Education Association’s (BEA) award for best student newscast in the country.

Erica Mokay, a native of Belle Vernon, Pa., is one of Dahlia’s award-winning students. In 2011, she placed 10th in the nationwide Hearst Journalism Competition for her radio news stories about Morgantown sidewalks and the controversial alcoholic energy drink, Four Loko. This year, BEA named Mokay the best student television anchor in the country for her work on “WVU News.” Mokay says Dahlia has been one of her biggest cheerleaders.

“Professor Dahlia is the one who approached me to submit a montage for the BEA competition,” said Mokay. “I never thought I would be the one to get first place, but she always had confidence in me.”

Mokay said the exposure she has received from anchoring “WVU News” has not only helped her to win awards but to launch her career as well.

During her final semester at WVU, Mokay commuted from Morgantown to Steubenville, Ohio, to anchor the weekend editions of “NEWS9 at Six” and “NEWS9 Tonight” at WTOV-TV. Mokay joined the NEWS9 team in December 2011 after the station’s former news director, Brandon Gobel, discovered her on the “WVU News” website. Mokay interviewed at the station and was offered a full-time position as an anchor/reporter.

“I was completely floored,” said Mokay. “Here it was November, and I wasn’t graduating until May. All of the sudden, I had this wonderful job opportunity. It just goes to show

you never know who’s watching.”“The website for ‘WVU News’ is a

great avenue for students to get jobs,” said Dahlia. “Erica Mokay is proof positive of the benefits of social media. She never applied for that position, and it’s almost unheard of for a student to get an anchoring job while still in school. That’s the power of social media as well as a testament to an extremely talented student.”

In addition to starting a high-profile career while still taking classes at the School, Mokay was able to maintain a strong academic record. She graduated magna cum laude in May 2012.

“WVU News” is winning awards and launching careersby ChRiSta vinCent PhotoS by bRian PeRSingeR

“I never thought I would be the one to get first place, but she always had confidence in me.” — Erica Mokay

Erica Mokay, an award-winning student journalist, began working as a weekend TV news anchor before she graduated.

Teaching Assistant Professor Gina Dahlia serves as executive producer for “WVU News.”

Watch “Wvu news” online sojnewscast.wvu.edu

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ITo meet the interests of their members,

the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) approached the School of Journalism’s IMC graduate program to establish an educational partnership.

While PRSA members across the country have gained an inside look at the School’s premier graduate program and the field of integrated marketing communications, the partnership has added value to the program’s stature as well. Now in its second year, the partnership places the School of Journalism and the IMC graduate program at the forefront of educational thought-leadership in integrated marketing communications.

“The partnership is a logical one,” said Chad Mezera, the School’s director of online programs.

“As PR professionals are being asked to wear more hats than ever before, they have a need for an IMC perspective. As an educational partner, we have been able to promote the concept of integrated marketing communications to tens of thousands of new and seasoned professionals across the country. We have provided content that serves PR practitioners in their everyday jobs and, more importantly, advances the IMC industry.”

Through the partnership, the School’s IMC faculty and advisory board members have contributed to PRSA publications including

Tactics, PRSA’s monthly newspaper; ComPRehension, the organization’s professional development blog; and PRSA’s Issues & Trends e-newsletter. In addition,

IMC faculty member Rebecca Andersen was featured in PRSA’s “On the Case With…” series, and faculty member Lisa Fall conducted a professional development webinar on generational marketing for PRSA members.

PRSA Chief Operating Officer William M. Murray, CAE, sees great value in tapping into the knowledge base of the IMC program’s faculty.

IMC program and PRSA join forces through university partnership

by bRiana WilSon

In 2011, the nation’s largest public relations membership organization asked its 31,000 professional and student members what they considered to be the most important PR proficiencies. Integrated marketing communications (IMC) ranked in the top five.

The IMC program faculty and staff attended the PRSA International Conference last fall, presenting a breakout session, networking and recruiting future students.

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learn more about the iMC/PRSa partnership onlinegoo.gl/ohsrr

“PRSA is honored to be associated with West Virginia University and pleased with the benefits the partnership is delivering,” said Murray. “As an academic thought leader in the area of integrated marketing communications, the knowledge and practical advice that WVU faculty are contributing to our publications and conference programming are helping PRSA members succeed in this increasingly important area of public relations practice.”

Of course, the partnership has led to significant exposure of the School’s IMC graduate program to a large – and very targeted – audience.

In 2011, the program was a featured sponsor of PRSA’s Digital Impact Conference and their International Conference, with WVU IMC faculty members presenting at both events. More than 1,500 communications professionals attended the International Conference.

Full-page ads for the IMC program have been seen in PRSA’s Strategist, Tactics and Forum publications, and web banners can be found throughout the PRSA and PRSSA websites. The School also developed a targeted direct mail piece that delivered the IMC program’s message to more than 17,000 public relations practitioners.

“Ultimately, this partnership is about communicating the value of integrated marketing communications and sharing resources with this impressive group of communications practitioners,” said Mezera. “We are happy that at the same time we’ve been able to increase WVU IMC’s national visibility and also accept several experienced PRSA members into our graduate program.”

During PRSA’s 2011 International Conference, SOJ alumnus Joe Gollehon (BSJ, 1973) was inducted into the prestigious College of Fellows. Gollehon was one of only nine inductees nationwide and was recognized for his lifetime dedication to the public relations profession.

He currently serves as Senior Vice President and Director of Governmental Affairs for TSG and Consulting, LLC – a public relations and governmental affairs firm with offices in Charleston and Beckley, W.Va. Prior to that, Gollehon worked at Charles Ryan Associates for 27 years, serving as their first Director of Public Relations, Regional Vice President, Senior Vice President of Public Relations and Senior Council. He also spent seven years at Union Carbide and four with Columbia Gas in public relations and government relations roles.

“It was an incredible experience and honor,” said Gollehon about the induction. “I’ve had a wonderful career and have worked with so many outstanding people, clients and companies. Having the chance to reflect on and remember all of them was very fulfilling.”

PRSA College of Fellows is an honorary organization, and inductees must be accredited PRSA members with more than 20 years of experience. Gollehon remains active in PRSA at the national and local levels.

Thinking about graduate school?

Meet Alison.Alison Zemanski2007 WVU IMC graduateMedia Relations Manager National Parks Conservation Association

I started working at a PR agency in Washington, D.C., and wanted additional skills in branding, marketing analysis, and creative strategy. The flexibility of the fully online IMC program at WVU allowed me to continue working while earning my graduate degree, and the curriculum gave me the edge I needed.

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Consider a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC). West Virginia University’s online IMC program will give you the practical skills needed to build, implement, and measure integrated communication programs in today’s dynamic digital environment – and it can be completed from anywhere in the world. Learn more about our dynamic curriculum and how it can enhance your career path at imc.wvu.edu.

Watch Alison’s video story by scanning the QR code.

imc.wvu.edu

Public relations is

DigitalDynamic

Evolving 24/7Interactive

INTEGRATEDAre you ready for the future?

PRSA survey respondents have identified integrated

marketing communications as one of the top-five

proficiencies needed through the next five years.

In today’s saturated media marketplace, it is harder than

ever to get the attention of distracted key audiences. Learn

how to mix today’s trends with traditional media to form a

strategy, focus your message and break through the clutter.

Gain the skills to stay ahead in today’s competitive

marketplace. Earn an M.S. in Integrated Marketing

Communications online from West Virginia University.

Learn more at imc.wvu.edu/prsa

We offer courses in:

Brand Equity Management

Creative Strategy & Execution

Emerging Media & the Market

Multicultural Marketing

Mobile Marketing

Digital Storytelling

Social Media & Marketing

Exclusively online courses

The reputation of an established land-grant university

Professional faculty

Accredited, cutting-edge curriculum

visit imc.wvu.edu or call 304.293.5685WVU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. West Virginia University is governed by the West Virginia University Board of Governors and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. James P. Clements is the 23rd president of West Virginia University.

Integrated Marketing Communications Graduate ProgramP.I. Reed School of JournalismWest Virginia UniversityPO Box 6529Morgantown, WV 26506-6529

Lisa Sands, APRMarketing Team Leader at Whole Foods Market

WVU Integrated Marketing Communications student

“I apply IMC skills to my career every day.”

WHY IMC IS RIGHT FOR MEQ&A with Lisa Sands, APR

Q: Why do PR professionals need IMC skills? A. “PR professionals need to use all tools available to them to communicate with their various audiences. The IMC program is like a cross-training program for an athlete preparing and developing a skill set across multiple areas.”

Why did you choose the WVU IMC program? “I chose the WVU IMC program because the courses covered topics I could immediately apply to my career. The program demonstrates how PR, marketing, advertising, design and Web functions work together toward a common goal.”

How has the IMC program benefited you?“I apply many of the tactics from my IMC classes every day. Most importantly, the critical thinking and academic rigor has helped me to be a smarter, curious and more strategic communicator.”

Take your career to the next level.Apply today!

Watch a video interview with Lisa Sands.

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“As PR professionals are being asked to wear more hats than ever before, they have a need for an IMC perspective.” — Chad Mezera

As part of the partnership, the IMC program developed a series of print mailers directed to PRSA members, banner ads for the PRSA website, and ads for various PRSA print publications.

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skills, she also discovered their reluctance to be on camera. Many of these “characters” didn’t envision themselves on television. Palek credits her broadcast news background for providing her with the “scoop” mentality that helped her capture their stories.

“Having the nose for that is something I learned in the journalism school — finding that story, getting people to open up and tell you things they wouldn’t tell someone else,” said Palek. “I want them to trust that Discovery is a great brand — and to trust me.”

To bridge the gap, a new role was created at the Discovery Channel, and Palek assumed the position of Senior Director, Talent Strategy and Management.

“Discovery needed someone who could provide human contact, understand their business and understand that they were people but who could also be part of the network,”

said Palek. “I’m sort of a voice that can help lead them to other opportunities, such as books, advertisements and events. But also if they have questions, they only have to go to one person.”

Palek credits the School of Journalism for preparing her for her career. She says she learned to work hard — but be kind — and to never “bulldoze your way into anything.” These lessons and the understanding that “content is king” have helped her create a unique niche in the industry.

She remains proud of her education and of her alma mater.“I still tell people at Discovery and all over that the experience of

going to WVU is what got me to where I am,” said Palek.

by KRiSten WiShon finding “natural” talent Alumna traverses rural America for reality tV

“Having the nose for that is something I learned in the journalism school — finding that story, getting people to open up and tell you things they wouldn’t tell someone else.”

“I still tell people at Discovery and all over that the experience of going to WVU is what got me to where I am.”

FFrom the icy waters of Alaska to the swamps of Louisiana,

School of Journalism alumna Gretchen Palek (BSJ, 1999) gives a voice to the characters of television’s most authentic reality shows. Palek’s ability to connect with ordinary people who have phenomenal stories has blossomed into a 12-year career at the Discovery Channel and its sister networks — working on such shows as “Deadliest Catch,” “Man vs. Wild” and “Curiosity.”

Palek, a Clarksburg, W.Va., native who currently lives in Los Angeles, began her career as a tape librarian and project manager at Animal Planet, Discovery Channel’s sister network. Within a couple of years, she moved to Discovery where she found herself gravitating toward the talent side of the business.

In her first position with Discovery, Palek negotiated and handled talent agreements for the Business and Legal Affairs department. However, she found she was more interested in telling people’s stories than negotiating their contracts.

“On the side, I would look for these characters that I thought would make good TV shows,” said Palek. “I had relationships with [talent] development officers and would ask, ‘What do you think of this person? Would it make a good show?’ Then, we might create a series from that.”

Her initiative ultimately landed Palek a job as Director, Talent Development. Soon she was traveling the country with a cameraperson, scouting and casting Discovery’s latest television shows.

As she continued to find everyday people with extraordinary

Gretchen Palek takes a break from shooting the Discovery Channel series, “Alaska: The Last Frontier,” in Homer, Alaska.

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SSocial media posts from INTEGRATE 2012 speak volumes about the growing impact and quality of this annual conference.

“If you’re wondering what the head of a top-ten agency was doing at a banquet in Morgantown, W.Va., on a Saturday night, well so was I,” said Barry Fuchs — a conference attendee — in his blog post. “It says a lot about the IMC program.”

In June, the School of Journalism’s Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) graduate program hosted its most ambitious INTEGRATE conference to date. Participants travelled from all over the country to attend, including Fuchs, who made his way from Seattle, Wash.

Fuchs, who graduated from the IMC program in December 2011, was referring to GolinHarris CEO Fred Cook, the keynote speaker at INTEGRATE 2012. Cook described how he led the restructuring of GolinHarris from a seniority-based hierarchy to global teams of dedicated specialists who are “embedded in every account.”

Cook also talked about how his agency’s innovative — and much talked about — “g4” model leverages both traditional and social media.

“The idea of media channels doesn’t make sense anymore,” said Cook. “Ad Age did a survey with 20-somethings that found they switch media 27 times per hour when they’re at home . . . from Facebook to email to text to television to whatever. They’re just getting information. They’re not even thinking about where it’s coming from. It doesn’t get anymore integrated than that.”

While Cook was the highlight of the conference’s keynote dinner, INTEGRATE 2012 also featured other high-profile guest speakers,

interactive workshops, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.

The Head of Google Travel, Dave Pavelko, led a general session in which he provided an in-depth look at the latest in web consumption and marketing. Pavelko told attendees that they can’t just “run an ad and pray it works.”

“If you’re marketing campaign is based on faith, you will lose,” said Pavelko. Instead, he encouraged them to watch the trends, do their research and make informed decisions. During Pavelko’s session, prospective student Jennifer Nichols tweeted:

Other conference presenters included globally recognized marketing consultant, author and 1982 SOJ graduate Mark Schaefer; WVU Vice President for University Relations Chris Martin; and IMC faculty members from across the country.

The two-day conference also highlighted a “Social Media Challenge,” which produced more than 425 tweets for #integrate2012 and more than 70 Facebook posts.

The IMC program has been bringing faculty and students to the Morgantown campus since 2005 for its first annual “IMC Weekend.” In 2011, the program shifted the focus to a two-day professional conference. This year, INTEGRATE 2012 attracted 130 attendees, with more than one-third coming from outside of the IMC program.

INTEGRATE 2013 is scheduled for May 31-June 1, 2013.

integRate conference becomes national event for professionalsby bRiana WilSonPhoto by alex WilSon

Kim Rine Schwalje @schwaljek At the Pittsburgh airport heading home from #integrate2012 awesome time. Great speakers, new friends.

Karen Freberg, Ph.D. @kfreberg Chris Martin discusses the importance of stories related to graduation / commencement #integrate2012

Rachel Nieman @rachelnieman8rLearned: Treat your followers like they’re customers.... and your #biz is customer service. @markwschaefer #Integrate2012 @wvuimc

Qiana McKoy @adashofpr Wonderful time at the @wvuimc #integrate2012 conference. Fred Cook blew me away with the innovation at GolinHarris. Still excited!

LeAnn Dickens @LeAnnMarieWV Had a great time at #integrate2012. Met some awesome people and learned a lot. Can’t wait till next year!

for integRate 2012 session videos, visit the iMC Knowledge base

goo.gl/pvgku

Fred Cook, CEO of GolinHarris, served as the keynote speaker at INTEGRATE 2012.

What a great conference! I just learned more about Google Travel and how to leverage online marketing and analytics.

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WWhat do you want to do when you’re 100 years old?

Integrated marketing communications (IMC) master’s degree student Kayla Eubanks asks central Floridians this question every day as the marketing specialist for Florida Hospital’s “Healthy 100” program. The wellness program encourages people to make a pledge and practice healthier habits to take them to 100 years old and beyond.

In 2004, a National Geographic photographer and writer teamed up to examine regions of the world where people tend to live longer. These regions, identified as “blue zones,” include places like Okinawa, Japan, and Loma Linda, Calif., which has a high concentration of Seventh-Day Adventists. Florida Hospital, a Seventh-Day Adventist facility in Orlando, decided to set up the Healthy 100 program based on the findings from this “blue zone” research.

The program follows eight secrets to healthy living, matching the acronym “CREATION”: choice, rest, environment, activity, trust, interpersonal relationships, outlook and nutrition.

Guidance on how to successfully improve these aspects of one’s life and many other resources are available on the program’s website – www.Healthy100.org – which Eubanks manages. The website features articles on healthy living, wellness events, videos, health calculators, recipes and discounts at local stores – all helping members on their path to a healthy 100.

Eubanks also develops and distributes program e-newsletters, provides event support and works on strategy for many of the subsidiary Healthy 100 programs, including a program for the hospital’s more than 15,000 employees.

Eubanks finds her job at Florida Hospital incredibly rewarding.

“I knew from a young age that I wanted to go into the healthcare field,” Eubanks said. “I thought about being a doctor, but then I thought I really should combine my two passions – communications and that willingness to help others. I came into this healthcare marketing role, and it really is the perfect fit for me.”

The Healthy 100 program was launched in 2009 and has approximately 20,000 members, mostly residents of central Florida. One of the features offered through the website is a life-expectancy calculator, and Eubanks encourages

those signing up for the program to complete the calculator upon initial membership and again one year later. Participants are able to see how many years they’ve added to their lives by committing to the program.

Eubanks says that she is able to apply the skills she is learning in her IMC classes to her job on a regular basis.

“I took the mobile marketing class while developing a mobile app for the Healthy 100 program,” Eubanks said. “Thanks to the course, I was able to strategically think about the type of app I wanted to build. Through the course readings and discussions, I learned what works and what doesn’t. I’m also using skills from previous courses every single day.”

Eubanks enjoys talking with program members who have been able to turn their lives around. She remembers the story of one Florida Hospital employee who was diagnosed with diabetes through the Healthy 100 employee program. The employee received the medical treatment that she needed, changed her lifestyle and diet, and

now credits the program with saving her life. “Everyone wants to stick around and be

with their family for as long as possible,” said Eubanks. “I love educating people on how to do that while also being on the cutting edge of communications. I know that what we’re doing is changing people’s lives. What’s great is that I’m able to communicate with our members and the general public in a way that makes them want to engage and come back to our website again and again.”

Watch Kayla’s video onlinebit.ly/Mca3Jk

IMC student helps Floridians live to a healthy100 by bRiana WilSon

Photo by alex WilSon

Kayla Eubanks applies the skills that she learns in her IMC courses to market Florida Hospital’s “Healthy 100” wellness program.

ReSouRCeS noun \’re-,sors\

a: a source of supply or support: an available means b: a source of information or expertise

With our strategic plan serving as the roadmap, the school of Journalism is committed to achieving our vision for the future and exceeding our goals. to do so, we must rely on our most valuable resources: the expertise of our alumni, the intellectual capital of our faculty and students, and the financial support from external grants and private giving. While our alumni keep us connected to current industry practices, they also provide important networking opportunities and scholarship dollars for our students. our faculty generate award-winning research and teaching that serve our students and the larger communications industry as well. As we move into the University’s Comprehensive Campaign, our focus is not just on the dollars raised but also on the impact those funds will have on future generations.

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YYears ago, Christine Martin, former School of Journalism dean and current vice president for WVU University Relations, had a long talk with Associated Press (AP) Special Correspondent George Esper about what he would do when he “grew up” and left the AP.

“I thought there was a place for him – a really important place for him – at WVU,” said Martin.

Although leaving the AP was difficult, Esper agreed to come to WVU to teach in the School of Journalism.

“He instantly found his place here as a beloved professor,” said Martin.

This past February, Esper passed away at age 79 after teaching at the School for more than 10 years.

Before returning to his alma mater as a faculty member, Esper had an illustrious 42-year career with the AP. He earned accolades for his coverage of the Vietnam War and was named bureau chief for his last two years there. With the fall of Saigon to the North Vietnamese in April 1975, he was one of the last Americans to leave the city. The Uniontown, Pa., native also was one of a handful of AP reporters to earn the title of

By AngelA lindleyphotos m.g. ellis

the heart and soul of WVUA t r i b u t e t o G e o r g e E s p e r

AP Special Correspondent.Esper also covered the presidential

primaries in 1980 and 1988. He was there for the first Gulf War and U.S. peace missions in Somalia and Bosnia, and he reported on the devastation of Hurricane Andrew and the terror of the Oklahoma City bombing.

But for all the prestige of Esper’s reporting career, perhaps his greatest gift was teaching.

The 1953 WVU alumnus returned to his alma mater to teach in 2000. That same year, Esper received an honorary doctorate degree from WVU. In 2003, he was named the School’s first Ogden Newspapers Professor of Journalism.

In addition to teaching writing, reporting and journalism history, Esper served as a coach and mentor to countless journalism students throughout the years. Most notably, though, he would take a personal interest in his students and encourage

them in their growth as individuals and journalists. “Not too many people take the time to get

to know each of their students, but George did that,” said Cassie Waugh, a former student and now an instructor at the School of Journalism.

Candace Nelson, a graduate student in the journalism program and former editor of The Daily Athenaeum, says the pressure of classes and working for a student paper was sometimes overwhelming – but Esper was always there to support her.

“There were a lot of times when I would think, ‘I don’t know why I’m doing this. I don’t know if I’m the right person for this,’” said Nelson, “but George would always encourage me to keep going. I feel like he gave a lot of himself to his students.”

Associate Professor John Temple says Esper had a passion not just for teaching but also for

Watch a video tribute to george esper

goo.gl/9fro0

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Dr. George Esper walks with former student Jessica Rhodes between classes in 2007.

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facebook postsKasey Hott I met Dr. Esper as a wide-eyed sophomore, who had NO idea how to write a good newspaper article. :) I was nervous for him to even see my work, but he treated me like a star. That’s how he treated all of his students. Despite his busy schedule, I’ll never forget him making it a point to get together for lunch or dinner. He would offer advice and encouragement that shaped who I am as both a journalist, and as a person. I am so fortunate to have known him . . . and I’m sure that everyone else who he taught feels the exact same way.

Heather Sammons I remember the last time I talked to George. We were in his office and he told me how proud he was of me. I never would have gotten to this point in my life without his influence. I’m glad I got to tell him I love him and give him a hug that day.

Vicki Smith He made us all better.

Brad Pedersen My time with him was extremely short, but his passion for the field and extreme knowledge helped shape my reporting style and career. My heart goes out to his family.

Bill Frye It was an honor to have learned from him and know him.

Ivy Guiler Dr. Larry Schwab, a dear friend of George, sent me a quote from Dr. Seuss that I wanted to share. It’s very fitting of George. “Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened.”

Andy Soloman I worked with George in Hanoi in 1993. He was a gent, a lovely man. Every story was important, he would drive everyone really hard, but once it was done he would genuinely thank us all. RIP George.

Zu LeHoang • He and Nick Ut loved to go to Vietnam any time. Together they reopened the AP Hanoi Bureau, covering all the first stories of the AP when it was reopened in Vietnam in 1993. They were such nice and cool reporters of the AP Hanoi. Those were the beautiful days . . . They both loved riding “xich lo” to go to the office and to go to the local restaurants to eat the tasty Vietnamese and other food. And worked “effortlessly” to cover the news for the AP.

Ryan Ver Berkmoes I met George when I was in college in the early 1980s when he spoke at a journalism conference. Afterwards I got to know him and he was incredibly generous with advice which has shaped my career to this day. He was also just very fun to be around. My condolences to everyone who cared about him.

David C. Briscoe Jr. George Esper was one of those rare journalists you meet and you immediately love. That was the secret of his success in attracting the affection of colleagues and in getting people to open up. He and fellow AP correspondent John Nance were my link to Vietnam when I was in Asia. Both are gone now. Gen. Douglas MacArthur said, “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Journalists and mentors like Esper and Nance never die either. Their spirit passes on through the colleagues they inspire, and their words write history. Old journalists never die; they just move on to the next story.

giving students the confidence they needed to succeed.

“George inspired students because he believed they would go on to careers as far-reaching and exciting as his own,” Temple said. “Many times I heard him say that his students were better journalists than he had been in college. Students aren’t accustomed to hearing this from their professors, and coming from one as distinguished as George, it bolstered their confidence and inspired them to reach higher.”

Dr. Rita Colistra, assistant professor of public relations, agrees that Esper’s influence extended well beyond the classroom.

“He would take the time to sit down and talk with his students about their lives,” Colistra said. “And George taught me life lessons, too. He made me want to be a better person.”

“George Esper was a great journalist, teacher, colleague and friend,” said SOJ Dean Maryanne Reed. “His time in Martin Hall was relatively short, but he gave us so much. He taught me forever-lessons about facing life with courage, curiosity, tenacity and joy.”

Bill Nutting, whose family established the professorship that brought Esper to WVU, traveled to Esper’s home in Boston with Reed and Martin for a visit just two months before Esper passed.

“We reminisced about everything,” said Martin. “We talked a lot about Vietnam – that was one of his favorite things to talk about.”

Nutting commented that Vietnam must have been the most exciting time of Esper’s life. Esper agreed but only momentarily, claiming that his time teaching at WVU was the best time of his life.

“And he meant it,” said Martin. “He was the heart and soul of this place.””

George Esper International Study Enhancement FundAs a tribute to Esper’s dedication to teaching and learning, the School of Journalism established the George Esper International Study Enhancement Fund to support students participating in study-abroad or faculty-led international trips. The fund was endowed this June by 1979 alumnus Joe Steranka, CEO of The PGA of America. Steranka has led the international development of golf for the PGA and views the fund as a catalyst for more global personal development of SOJ students.

Michael Fulton @hillrat1156George Esper was a well-loved and respected reporter, teacher and father.

Nicole Lemal @runninamazonLooking on Twitter, it touches my heart to see how loved George Esper was on this earth. No doubt we were all better people for knowing him.

Daniel Coyne @RareCoyneI never knew until now how much of a legend George Esper was. I’m honored that I was one of his students #WVU

Wayne Slater @WayneSlaterGeorge Esper was my friend and one of the greatest reporters I’ve ever known. Rest in Peace, buddy.

Margie Mason @MargieMasonAPRemembering George Esper, my hero. U left too soon. Your girl n Hanoi misses u dearly.

Rebecca Dole @RebecksterA journalist. A mentor. An amazing human being. RIP George Esper

Chris Martin @ctonk144Journalism lost a hero. We all lost a friend.

Dave Ryan @ddryanRIP George Esper. You were nice enough to guide me for a few years and help me where I am today.

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Learn more about the fund at http://journalism.wvu.edu/contribute.

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this June, the school of Journalism joined WVU and the WVU Foundation

in the public launch of the new Comprehensive Campaign, “A state of Minds:

the Campaign for West Virginia’s University.”

the school’s aim during this campaign is to raise funds around our

strategic goals including providing students with a relevant 21st century

education; producing research and discoveries that advance the industry and

empower rural communities; building technology-enhanced learning labs that

foster teamwork and innovation; and creating real-world, hands-on opportunities

for our students.

Beyond funding individual priorities, the campaign offers the school a

unique opportunity to engage soJ alumni and friends in our goal to become a

national leader in journalism education and media innovation.

the school of Journalism has identified a list of essential funding priorities that

will power our accomplishments in education and research in the coming decades.

named Professorships and faculty SupportAs we face increased competition for top faculty, we must create salary and incentive

packages that will allow us to recruit and retain the best professionals in our field. Our goal is to create one additional endowed professorship, an endowment to support a rotating research position and funds that support faculty research and travel to relevant academic conferences.

Student Scholarships and enhancementBy creating new scholarship endowments, we will be able to provide financial support

to many more eligible students. We also seek funds to support students doing internships and studying abroad – experiences that enhance their portfolios and professional opportunities.

visiting Professional ProgramWith the industry changing so rapidly, it is imperative that we are able to hire

professionals whose experience is current and cutting-edge. An endowed Visiting Professional Program would allow us to bring top professionals to campus on a rotating basis to teach classes and seminars, give public lectures and help the School develop innovative curricula and programs in new areas.

Multimedia innovation labWe are building an innovation lab in which students will develop new applications,

projects and platforms that utilize digital and mobile technologies and enhance rural media. One-time funding is needed to create the lab, and an additional endowment is needed to generate funding to replace technology and equipment on an ongoing basis.

integrated Marketing Communications (iMC) doctoral Program

The School of Journalism plans to launch a doctoral program in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) that would prepare graduates for careers in academia and targeted industry positions. The fund would provide monies for curriculum development, program research, travel and research support for IMC faculty, as well as additional start-up costs.

building resources for the futureComprehensive Campaign kicks off for WVU and soJby KiMbeRly WalKeR

SoJ Campaign Committee MembersScOTT WIDMEYER, cOMMITTEE cHAIR

Chairman and CEO of Widmeyer Communications

JAMES bLAIR

Chairman of ONLINE Information Services

PETER cHERukuRI

General Manager, Politics for The Huffington Post

DAVID FOREMAN

Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Bucknell University

SAMME GEE

Attorney with Jackson Kelly Attorneys at Law PLLC

ELLEN GOODWIN

Former Vice President for Development at the WVU Alumni Association

RAY GILLETTE

Former President of DDB Chicago

TOM HARRISON

Chairman and CEO of Diversified Agency Services, an Omnicom Group

PAMELA MAPHIS LARRIck

CEO of Javelin Marketing Group

JANE McNEER

Fundraising Consultant

JASON NEAL

Technical Operations Manager at NBC News

bILL NuTTING

Vice President of Ogden Newspapers Inc.

JOHN WALLS

Vice President, Public Affairs, for CTIA – The Wireless Association

Read more about the SoJ’s campaign goo.gl/22y6j

W advertising agency in the Philadelphia area. When Steve Butera (MSJ, 2010) entered the

Mentorship Program, his mentor was Mark Casey, vice president and news director of KPNX-TV Gannett Broadcasting and a 1976 SOJ alumnus. Casey helped Butera define his career goals, refine his resume tape and prepare for job interviews. This guidance helped Butera land his first job at WBIR Channel 10, another Gannett Broadcasting station, in Knoxville, Tenn.

“Mark really helped me get my career going in the right direction, and for that I am forever grateful,” said Butera.

While the Professional Mentorship Program has provided resume assistance, networking opportunities and internships for many students, participants agree that the program is not a job service.

“Peter got the ball rolling, and I made sure I kept up,” said Lavender. “My mentor did not get me my job. You can get out of the mentorship what you want to get out of it.”

Cherukuri agrees. “I was very honest in my relationship with

Paige in terms of what I could provide and what I could do,” said Cherukuri. “She’s gotten two promotions in the short time that she’s been here, and I think that has nothing to do with me whatsoever. It has a lot to do with the School of Journalism and with how good she actually is at her job.”

When Paige Lavender’s (BSJ, 2011) mentor offered to set up meetings with major media professionals in the Washington, D.C., area, Lavender held him to it.

With the help of Peter Cherukuri, general manager (Politics) for The Huffington Post, Lavender met with professionals from the Los Angeles Times, ABC News and CSPAN. Eventually, she landed an internship and later a full-time position at The Huffington Post.

“I made it a priority when he said, ‘I can get you meetings,’” said Lavender. “Peter got me the meeting that got me my internship.”

Lavender, a print journalism senior at the time, was paired with Cherukuri as part of the School of Journalism’s Professional Mentorship Program. Created in 2009, the program now pairs students with nearly 40 professionals working in the industry. Through a competitive application and selection process, students are matched with their mentors based on career goals and interests.

“One of the things that struck me about my introduction to what the journalism school is trying to achieve – and is something that is also an area of interest for me – is training journalists for the realities of the media industry,” said Cherukuri. “That’s something that attracted me to being involved with the J-school: the opportunity to share with someone whatever small lessons I can impart and whatever doors I can open.”

As a result of the program, current and

past mentees also have connected to network and provide internship and career guidance. In 2011, advertising senior Margaret Matsko was paired with her mentor, Ray Gillette (BSJ, 1971), former president of DDB Chicago and adjunct faculty in the School’s IMC graduate program.

Matsko approached Gillette about finding an advertising internship for the summer. Her interests fell in line with Gillette’s first mentee, Sean McNamara (BSJ, 2009), who was working as an associate media planner in Philadelphia at the time.

Gillette worked with Matsko to refine her resume and prepare her for agency work, and McNamara connected her with an internship opportunity by forwarding her resume to an

“Peter got the ball rolling, and I made sure I kept up.” — Paige Lavender

by KRiSten WiShonPhotoS by alex WilSon“J-harmony”

Mentorship program proves valuable for soJ students

33

During her senior year, Paige Lavender was paired with Peter Cherukuri of The Huffington Post as part of the School of Journalism’s Professional Mentorship Program.

R eSouRCeS34

SoJ giving SocietiesIn recognition of the growing importance

of private giving, the school of Journalism

honors its friends and supporters through a

tiered system of giving levels and inducts new

members each fall. Below is a list of new

donors and donors who have moved into new

giving societies during the past year.

FRIENDS OF MARTIN HALL ($100,000 - $249,999)

•CaryFoundation,Inc.

P.I. REED cIRcLE OF FRIENDS ($25,000 - $99,999)

•ColonelThomasJ.Boyd•CTIA–TheWirelessAssociation

P.I. REED SOcIETY ($10,000 - $24,999)

•Mr.andMrs.FrankB.Ahrens•VerizonFoundation•VerizonWireless

SoJ donor honor Rollthe school of Journalism would like to thank

our donors who have given to the 2011-2012

annual fund. We especially want to recognize

those supporters who give $1,000 or more on

an annual basis. those donors are part of the

soJ’s Loyalty Club, established in 2010 and

indicated by an asterisk. the annual giving list

represents cash and pledge payments received

through May 15, 2012.

$15,000 OR MORE•VerizonFoundation*

$5,000 - $14,999•CaryFoundation,Inc.*•CMGRP,Inc.*•NuttingFoundation*•VerizonWireless*•WestVirginiaUniversityHospitals,Inc.*

$1,000 - $4,999•AirProductsFoundation,Inc.*•Mr.PaulA.Atkins*•Ms.BarbaraS.Casey*•Mr.andMrs.WendellCochran*•Mrs.ElizabethK.Diedzic*•Ms.SammeL.Gee*•Mr.andMrs.RaymondGillette*•Ms.LuellaT.Gunter*•Mr.MarcusHassen*•Mr.JamesR.Hunkler•Mr.StephenN.Hunsicker*•Mr.andMrs.DavidG.Lied*•Ms.JaneMcNeer*•Mr.andMrs.ChadMezera*•Ms.MaryanneReed*•Mr.StanleyJ.Reed*•Mr.JamesJ.Roop*•Dr.andMrs.LarrySchwab*•Mrs.LouiseCrumrineSeals*

•Ms.J.JanetShaffron*•Ms.MargeryA.Swanson*•WVUMedCorp*

$500 - $999•Ms.BonnieJ.Bolden•C.PeterMagrathRevocableTrust•Mr.andMrs.H.NelsonCrichton•Mr.GilesC.DavidsonII•Mr.andMrs.ThomasP.Dowling•Mr.andMrs.MichaelFulton•Mrs.NicholeE.Gatto-Wild•GlobalStrategyGroupLLC•Mr.NormGoldstein•Mrs.SuzanneK.Johnson•Mrs.PamelaM.Larrick•Mr.JamesA.Pahl•WilliamF.QueenDDS•Dr.andMrs.GuyH.Stewart•Mr.MichaelJ.Tomasky•Mrs.JulianneS.Worrell•WVPressAssociationFoundation,Inc.

$100 - $499•Allison&Partners•Ms.SusanM.Aspey•Mr.andMrs.CharlesR.Bailey•Ms.JohnnaG.Barto•Ms.MariaT.Bips •Mr.andMrs.WalterC.Bird•Mr.DanielW.Bosch •Mrs.JoyceA.Bower•Mr.andMrs.JerryBowles •Mr.EdwardO.Buckbee•Mr.FrancisB.Buckley•CampaignWorkshop•Mr.JohnS.Carroll•Chubb&Son,Inc.•ConsolidatedEdisonCompanyofNewYork,Inc.•Mr.andMrs.RonaldL.Cutright•Mr.andMrs.MarkDalessandro•Mr.andMrs.GaryL.Davis•Davis&GilbertLLP •Ms.SandraM.Desbrow•Mr.andMrs.D.LynDotson•Mr.DouglasElwood•Ernst&YoungFoundation •Mrs.StephanieN.Finnegan•Dr.JenniferL.Fisher•Mr.MauriceR.Fliess•Mr.andMrs.DavidM.Foreman•Ms.SusanE.Fox•FreddieMacGivingstation•Ms.AnnH.Garcelon•GeneralElectricCompany•Ms.RondaJ.George•GrantCountyPress•Ms.LeighF.Gregg •Rev.andMrs.LeonardS.Gross•Mr.andMrs.JonathanR.Hickey•Ms.AlisonN.Hill•Ms.JacquelynH.Hinchliffe •Mrs.JaneN.Hopkins•Mr.andMrs.R.DouglasHuff•Ms.DonnaM.Huffaker-Evans•Mr.BenjaminA.Inzel•Mr.ArnoldR.Isaacs•Johnson&JohnsonFamilyofCompanies

•Mrs.VirginiaG.Kavage •Mrs.ConstanceM.Kelly•Mr.JamesA.Kelly•Mr.andMrs.RoryJ.Kelly•Mr.andMrs.ANicholasKomanecky•Mr.RichardH.Korn•Mrs.DianaH.D.Kuai •Ms.PaigeLavender•LeadershipAcademy•Mrs.EdithM.Lederer•Ms.AsuntinaS.Levelle •Mr.andMrs.DanielL.Lofstead•Dr.BrendaJ.Logue•Mrs.StephanieM.Louden •Mr.MichaelMadia•Mr.LawrenceJ.Malone •Dr.DianaL.Martinelli•Mr.andMrs.VictorW.MasonIII•Ms.LisaC.Mattiace •Mrs.KassyJ.McGourty•Ms.MarrianneMcMullen•Ms.PatriciaMeyer•Ms.DeborahL.Miller•Mrs.TaunjaWillis-MillerandMr.PerryF.Miller•MindspireTechnologies,LLC•Mr.andMrs.HarryJ.Mitchell•Ms.ChristinaL.Myer •Mr.HenryC.NagelII•NationalCenteronEducationandTheEconomy•Mr.andMrs.WilliamJ.Nevin•Dr.CynthiaNkana•NYCLeadershipAcademy•Mr.PhillipD.Page•Mr.LanceA.Parry•Mr.ThomasD.Perry•Pill&Pill•Mr.MichaelPutzel•Mr.RobertM.Rine•Mrs.KarenP.Robbins •Dr.DavidL.Rodgers•Mr.ArchieA.Sader•SAIC•Searchmojo •Mr.DavidB.Sherman •Mr.andMrs.PrestonL.Shimer•Mr.AlbertM.Skinner •Mr.BernieD.Sousa •Mr.andMrs.RichardA.Stewart•Mr.ThomasJ.Stewart •Mr.SidneyW.Stolz•Ms.StephanieD.Taylor •Mr.andMrs.TimothyJ.Tewalt•Mr.andMrs.GordonR.Thorn•Ms.SusanW.Tice•Mr.andMrs.WilliamS.Tiernan•Mr.andMrs.JohnB.Ullom •Ms.SandraUtt•Mrs.KathleenS.Vincent •W.K.KelloggFoundation•Mr.EdwinQ.White •Mr.WilliamG.Wilkinson•Mrs.KarenK.Wohl•Mr.DavidE.Wozniak•WVUnitedHealthSystem•Mr.BillYahner •Mrs.TatianaG.Yastremski

ABoUt oUR donoRS

35

Six new SoJ Scholarships establishedDuring the 2011-2012 academic year, soJ

alumni and friends contributed to the school’s

scholarship funds by establishing six new

endowed student scholarships.

bROWN cOMMuNIcATIONS LLc ScHOOL OF JOuRNALISM ScHOLARSHIP•JohnH.(BSJ,1968)andC.BryanBrown(BSJ,1994)

DR. ELIZAbETH A. ATWATER ScHOOL OF JOuRNALISM ScHOLARSHIP•SammeGee(1983,JD;1976,MPA;1975,BSJR;1973,AA,PotomacStateCollege)

FRANk AND REbEkAH AHRENS ScHOOL OF JOuRNALISM ScHOLARSHIP•Frank(1987,BSME)andRebekahAhrens

MADELYN JEANNE RuPINSkY ScHOOL OF JOuRNALISM ScHOLARSHIP•Jennifer(Rupinsky)Manton(BSJ,1991)

RALPH AND JANET IZARD ScHOOL OF JOuRNALISM ScHOLARSHIP•Ralph(1962,MSJR;1961,BSJR)andJanetIzard(1963,BSHomeEconomics)

RObERT AND LuANNE kITTLE ScHOOL OF JOuRNALISM ScHOLARSHIP•Robert(BSJ,1975)andLuanneKittle

2011-2012 Scholarship Recipientsscholarship donations are the school’s top

priority. Private contributions for student

academic support have helped ease the

financial burden many students face.

cARY JOuRNALISM ScHOLARSHIP•KelseyAmsdell•RachelBrowski•AmandaHarshman•KatherineMurdock•JosephRinaldi

cATHARINE PATTON cLARk PRESIDENTIAL ScHOLARSHIP•JessicaAustin•ChelsiBaker•KatherineSaria

cuMMINGS ScHOLARSHIP•JessicaAustin

DAVID MATTHEW HASSEN JOuRNALISM bOOk ScHOLARSHIP•MalloryBracken

DON S. MARSH ScHOLARSHIP•SarahCordonier•JesseTabit

DOuGLAS AND RuTH ANN WIDMEYER ENDOWED JOuRNALISM ScHOLARSHIP•KelseyPape•AlexandraSebestyen

EDITH WATSON SASSER ScHOLARSHIP•RachelNieman•KateSmallwood

GEORGE GIANODIS JOuRNALISM ScHOLARSHIP•RachelBrowski•LauraClark•NicoleCurtin•AliciaElkin•AlysonFurey•MelanieHoffman•SarahO’Rourke•AshleighPollart•LaurenSobon•VictoriaStambaugh

GILbERT AND MARGARET LOVE JOuRNALISM ScHOLARSHIP•KarissaBlackburn•EvanBonnstetter•AntoniaCekeda•HayleyClover•CaitlinKaser•JakeNewman

GOLINHARRIS MOuNTAINEER IN Dc•BlairDowler•TreyHollern•RachelTaylor

IRENE cAPLAN MOkSAY ScHOLARSHIP•LucasVigilanco

LINDA E. YOST ScHOLARSHIP•ChelsiBaker

LINDA JEANNE LEckIE ScHuLTE ScHOLARSHIP•JacquelineRiggleman•KatlinStinespring

MARk S. AND FRANcES S. GROVE ENDOWED ScHOLARSHIP •BrittanyFurbee

MARTHA E. SHOTT ENDOWED ScHOLARSHIP •BrianAluise•SamanthaRedd•KatlinStinespring•LoganVenderlic

OGDEN NEWSPAPERS AND NuTTING FAMILY JOuRNALISM ScHOLARSHIP•EvaBuchman•SarahCordonier•ZacharyKing•LoganVenderlic

PAuL A. ATkINS ScHOLARSHIP •AlexanderBerry•CoriLucotch•DanSweeney•JimYaria

PEGGY PRESTON TIERNEY ScHOLARSHIP•RachelDuryea•ShayMaunz•AllysonParrish•KelseyShingleton

PERLEY ISAAc REED ScHOLARSHIP•WhitneyGodwin

RAYMOND AND SuSAN GILLETTE MINORITY ScHOLARSHIP•MalikaHolder

ScOTT D. WIDMEYER AFRIcAN AMERIcAN ScHOLARSHIP •JocelynEllis

ScOTT D. WIDMEYER FIRST GENERATION ScHOLARSHIP •ChelsiBaker

THOMAS PIcARSIc ScHOLARSHIP IN JOuRNALISM•AndrewSilva

W.E. cHILTON III JOuRNALISM ScHOLARSHIP•ChelsiBaker•LaceyBeattie•AlexanderBerry•SarahCordonier

2011-2012 Student enhancement awardsthe soJ student enhancement Fund was

established to assist students with the costs

of unpaid internships and international

experiences. through the generosity of our

donors, deserving students gain valuable

professional experience through high-level

internships and study-abroad opportunities.

•MalloryBracken,China•ChloeDetrick,London•AlexaHadfield,Philadelphia•KatiePatton,China•HayleyPeluchette,NewYork•JosephRinaldi,Boston•KatlinStinespring,London•BarbaraYanero,China

ABoUt oUR SCholaRShiPS

Why i give . . . “I think it is important to give to the school of Journalism to recognize the role that the school played in my career development and that, because of my education, I was able to accomplish the things that my mother, Jeanne Rupinsky, envisioned for me. Giving to the soJ means making a resource available to someone who can be another example of that vision.”

– Jennifer Manton (bSJ, 1991) Chief Marketing Officer for Loeb and Loeb, LLP

how do i give?to learn more about providing scholarship funding, visit our website at http://journalism.wvu.edu/contribute or contact:

luella gunterDirector of DevelopmentWVU P.I. Reed school of JournalismLuella.Gunter@mail.wvu.edu304.293.6775

R eSouRCeS36

n Joel beeson

InJanuary2012,AssociateProfessorJoelBeesonreceivedWVU’sMartinLutherKingJr.AchievementAward,givenoutannuallybytheWVUCenterforBlackCultureandResearchtorecognizeanindi-vidualembodyingthelegacyofDr.Kingbyfurther-ingcivilrights,humanitarianismandequality.BeesonwashonoredforhislifetimeofworkinMexicoandAlabama,documentingbluescultureandcommunityactivism,andinWestVirginia,capturingstoriesofthestate’sveterans,disabledartists,andHurricaneKatrinaevacuees.Alsothisyear,BeesonwasawardedtwoLINKgrantsthroughtheWVCampusCompactandWVU’sCenterforCivicEngagementandaWVUSenateResearchGrant,totalingmorethan$35,000,tocontinuehisworkwiththeKimballAf-ricanAmericanWarMemorialprojectinMcDowellCounty,W.Va.TheSenategrantisacross-disciplinarygrantwiththeBenjaminM.StatlerCollegeofEn-gineeringandMineralResources’computerscienceprogramtodevelopaninteractivetouchtablefortheproject’sexhibit,aswellastabletandmobileapplica-tions.Theexhibit,titled“SoldiersoftheCoalfields,”wasnamedtheTopCreativeProjectfor2011bytheVisualCommunicationDivisionatthenationalAssociationforEducationinJournalismandMassCommunication(AEJMC)conferenceinSt.Louis,Mo.,inAugust2011.InMarch,Beesonsuccessfullydefendedhisdissertationentitled“UntilLionsHaveTheirOwnHistorians:CriticalRaceTheoryandOralHistoryinaDocumentaryFilmProject.”

n bob britten

Insummer2011,AssistantProfessorDr.BobBrittenwasnamedavisitingprofessorinthepilotyearoftheScrippsHoward(withAEJMC)VisitingProfessorinSocialMediaexternship.Brittenwasoneofthreeprofessorsselectedfrom64applicantsfromaroundthenationtospendtwoweeksatTheOregoniannewspaperinPortland,Ore.Brittengavemultipleresearchandprofessionalpresentationsatseveral2011conferences:“UsingLocation-BasedServicestoAddSomeMobiletoYourJournalismCourse”and“TheEffectsofNormalizingForcesontheDevelop-mentofanOnlineRadicalizedPublicSphere”atAEJMCinSt.Louis,Mo.,inAugust;“SustainingtheConvergenceCourseintheAgeoftheSmartphoneandiPad:TeachingTipsforSocialMedia,InteractiveMediaandMobileMedia”attheConvergenceCon-ferenceinColumbia,S.C.,inOctober;and“BaracktheBarbarianMeetsTimeLincoln:ComicsandtheIconicPresident”attheVisualCommunicationConferenceinTaosSkiValley,N.M.,inJune.

n Rita colistra

AssistantProfessorDr.RitaColistrapresentedherresearch,“AreAdvertisersPotential(andEffective)InfluencersonNewsContent?AnExaminationofTVReporters’PerceptionsofPossibleExtramedia

PressuresonMediaContentandCoverageDeci-sions,”totheRadioTelevisionNewsJournalismDivision(nowtheElectronicNewsDivision)atthenationalAEJMCconferenceinSt.LouisinAugust2011.Inaddition,her98-pagemanuscript,“ShapingandCuttingtheMediaAgenda:ReporterPerceptionsoftheAgenda-andFrame-BuildingandAgenda-CuttingInfluencesintheTVIndustry,”waspublishedinsummer2012inJournalism&CommunicationMonographs,oneofthetop-tieredacademicjournalsinthefield.Inspring2012,Colistrawasawardeda$5,000LINKgrantthroughtheWVCampusCompactandWVU’sCenterforCivicEngagement(CCE)toprovideservicelearningopportunitiesforherpublicrelationscampaignscourse,inwhichstudentsresearched,plannedandimplementedaBuyLocalCampaignforFairmont,W.Va.Shealsowasawardedanadditional$1,000LINKgrantfortheclasstohelpcreateanawarenesscampaignfortheWVUCCE.ColistraalsoearnedaWVUSenateResearchGrantintheamountof$9,770tosupporthercontinuedworkon“DoesMediaFinancialInterestDriveNewsandEditorialCoverage?ALongitudinalExaminationofCoverageandEditorialFramingoftheFCC’s2002,2006and2010ReviewofMediaOwnershipRules.”

n Gina DahliaDuringtheApril2012BroadcastEducationAssocia-tion’s(BEA)nationalconferenceinLasVegas,Nev.,TeachingAssistantProfessorGinaMartinoDahliaservedontwopanelsandpresentedresearchrelatingtoherworkwith“WVUNews”:“IntegratingCollegeNewscastswithCompanionWebsitesandSocialMediaComponents”and“CurriculumSwapshoponSoloJournalism:TeachingStrategies.”DahliaalsoservedasapapercompetitionreviewerfortheBEAInteractiveMediaandEmergingTechnologyDivi-sioninNovember2011.

n April Johnston

TeachingAssistantProfessorAprilJohnstonhadseveralstoriesacceptedbyliterarymagazinesthispastyear.“GroceryList”appearedintheFall/Winter2011issueoftheFoundlingReview,and“TheBabyIsaBomb”appearedintheFall2011issueoftheOklahomaReview.Inaddition,herstory,“Ira,”wasafinalistinthe2011NewportReviewFlashFictionContest,andtwootherpiecesofflashfictionwerepublishedinrecentissuesof50to1andBlinkInk.Herstory,“HowtheParkingAuthorityRuinedMySaturdayNight,”(previouslypublishedbyFastForwardPress)wasperformedattheSuTeatro@DenverCivicTheatreinJanuary2012.

n Diana Martinelli

Infall2011,Dr.DianaMartinelli,associateprofessorandWidmeyerProfessorinPublicRelations,wasappointedtothePublicRelationsSocietyofAmerica(PRSA)CommissiononPublicRelationsEducation.

In2012,sheauthoredthebookchapter,“StrategicCommunicationPlanning,”inTaylor&FrancisGroup’sThePracticeofGovernmentPublicRela-tionsandco-authoredanotherchapter,“TeachingtheFundamentalsofPublicRelations,”inthePRSAtextbook,LearningtoTeach.

n Mary kay McFarland

Lecturerand“WestVirginiaUncovered”projectcoordinatorMaryKayMcFarlandcoordinatedfiveworkshopsinvideoandphotoproductionanddigitalstrategiesforstatemediaoutlets,highschooleduca-torsandcommunitymembers.InMarch,thedigitalstrategiesworkshopwasco-sponsoredbytheWestVirginiaPressAssociationandthePoynterInstitute.InSeptember2011,McFarlandservedasastudentnewsroommentorattheOnlineNewsAssociationannualconferenceinBoston,Mass.,andinApril2012,shewaspartofapanel,“WestVirginiaUncovered–InteractiveLearning,TeachingandStorytelling,”attheannualBEAconferenceinLasVegas,Nev.

n Lois Raimondo

ShottChairofJournalismLoisRaimondowasoneofeightpeople,drawnfromphotographersandeditorsacrossAmerica,invitedtoserveasfacultyattheMis-souriPhotoWorkshopheldthisyearinMacon,Mo.Thiswasher18thyearontheworkshop’sfaculty.InJanuary2012,RaimondoattendedtheNationalGeo-graphicMagazineSeminar,joiningfellowphotogra-phers,editorsandjournalistsfromaroundtheworldatthemagazine’sheadquartersinWashington,D.C.

n Maryanne Reed

DeanandAssociateProfessorMaryanneReedservedonapanelattheAlNeuharthFreeSpiritandJournal-ismConferenceattheNewseum’sKnightConfer-enceCenterinWashington,D.C.,inJuly2011.Theconferenceconsistedof51tophighschoolstudentsfromeachstateandWashington,D.C.ReedalsowasselectedtoparticipateintheAmericanCouncilonEducationNationalLeadershipForuminWashington,D.C.,inDecember2011.FemalehighereducationadministratorsfromaroundtheUnitedStatespartici-patedinsessionsfocusedondevelopingandenhancingleadershipskills,suchascrisismanagement,mediarelationsandstrategicplanning.

n Steve urbanski

DirectorofGraduateStudiesandAssistantProfessorDr.SteveUrbanskipresentedapaperentitled“WalterLippmann’sEthicalChallengetotheIndividual”attheAEJMCconventioninSt.Louis,Mo.,inAugust2011.Anotherpaper,“TheIdentityGame:MichelFoucault’sDiscourse-MediaIdentityasanEffectiveToolforAchievingaNarrative-BasedEthics,”waspublishedinDecember2011bythepeer-reviewedOpenEthicsJournal,Volume3.

faCulty bRiefS & ADDItIons

n Hongmin Ahn

Dr.HongminAhnjoinedtheSchoolofJournalisminfall2011asanassistantprofessorintheadvertisingprogram.ShereceivedherPh.D.andmaster’sdegreeinadvertisingfromtheUniversityofTexasatAustin.Whilethere,shewasawardedtheTracy-Locke/Mor-risHiteEndowedPresidentialAward.Shereceivedherbachelor’sdegreeinmasscommunicationfromChung-AngUniversityinSeoul,Korea.Ahn’sprimaryareaofresearchfocusesonbrandmanage-ment,advertisingappealsandcross-culturalmedia

psychology.HerresearcharticleshavebeenpublishedintheJournalofBrandManagement,JournalofFinancialServicesMarketingandInternationalJournalofe-BusinessManagement.Shealsohaspresentedherresearchatnumerousconferences,includingAEJMC,International

CommunicationAssociationandAmericanAcademyofAdvertising.Beforepursuinghergraduatedegrees,Ahnworkedatadvertisingagencies,planningandconductingcampaignsforinternationalandlocalcompaniesinKorea,includingRoche,SKTelecomandHyundaiMotors.

n Emily corio

EmilyHughesCoriojoinedtheSchoolofJournalismasateachingassistantprofessorinthejournalismprograminfall2011andteachescoursesinbroadcastandmultime-diareporting.BeforejoiningtheSchool’sfaculty,CorioservedasassistantnewsdirectorforWestVirginiaPublic

Broadcasting.In2008,shewasawardedaKnightCenterforEnvironmentalJournalismFellowshipandtraveledtoAlaskatostudytheimpactsofclimatechange.Herradioreport-ingandstorieshaveairedonNationalPublicRadio’s“AllThingsConsidered”and“MorningEdition,”WNYC’sandPublicRadioInternational’s

“TheTakeaway,”andtheCBC.CoriobeganhercareeratAlleghenyMountainRadio,acommunityradiostationinPocahontasCounty,W.Va.,asthenewsandpublicaffairsdirector.Corioearnedherbachelor’sdegreein2001fromtheBroadcastingandCinemaDepartmentattheUniver-sityofNorthCarolinainGreensboroandhermaster’sinjournalismfromWVUin2009.

n Jim Ebel

JimEbeljoinedtheSchoolofJournalisminfall2011astheHarrison/OmnicomVisitingProfessorinIntegratedMarketingCommunicationsandteachesundergraduateandgraduatecoursesinadvertising,healthcaremarket-ingandentrepreneurship.EbelalsoadvisestheMartin-HallAgency,astudent-ledintegratedmarketingagency.EbelservedmostrecentlyaschiefmarketingofficerforTheUniversityofMississippiandalsoasanexecutive-in-residenceattheCollegeofBusinessattheUniversityofTennesseeatChattanooga,teachingcapstoneand

undergraduatecoursesinentrepreneurship.EbelhashadsuccessfulcareersasanentrepreneurandasacorporatemarketerforsuchcompaniesasKimberly-ClarkandBristol-MyersSquibb.Heisanationallyrecog-nizedexpertonbrandpositioningthroughhisconsultancyCenterBrain®

Partners,havingdevelopedpositioningandstrategyforclientsincludingKimberly-Clark,AbbotLabs,YUMBrandsandnearly70otherFortune500companies.HeearnedhisM.B.A.fromIndianaUniversityandhisbachelor’sinaccountingfromtheUniversityofTennes-seeatChattanooga.

n Elizabeth Oppe

Dr.ElizabethOppejoinedtheSchoolofJournalism’sfacultyinfall2011asateachingassistantprofessorinthepublicrelationsprogram.PriortocomingtoWVU,OppeheldfacultypositionsatFloridaStateCollegeatJacksonville,GlenvilleStateCollege,Universityof

Charleston,WestVirginiaStateUniversityandWestVirginiaWesleyan.Shehastaughtcoursesinbusiness,publicrelationsandcommunications,aswellasgraduatecoursesinchangeandinnova-tion.OppealsoworkedasasidelinereporterforCBSCollegeSports.SheearnedherPh.D.ininstructionaland

organizationalcommunicationfromOhioUniversity,withherresearchfocusedonservicelearning.OppeiscontinuingthisfocusoncommunityservicebyengagingherstudentsinprojectswiththeWVUCenterforCivicEngagement.Oppereceivedherbachelor’sdegreefromGlenvilleStateCollegeandhermaster’sdegreeinbusi-nessadministrationfromWVU.

n Tom Stewart

TomStewartjoinedtheSchoolofJournalisminfall2011asateachingassistantprofessorinthejournalismprogram.Heteachespublicaffairsreportingandthenewcombinedlawandethicscourse.Afterreceivinghisbachelor’sdegreeinjournalismfromPennsylvaniaStateUniversityin1975,Stewartworkedpart-timeattheTribune-ReviewinGreensburg,Pa.Hemovedontobecomeageneral-assignmentreporterandtwoyearslaterwaspromotedtoSundayfeatureseditor.Stewartlaterservedasnewseditor,Sundayeditorandthen

editorofthenewspaper.Stewartretiredfromthenewspaperin2005tobeginasecondcareerineducation.Heearnedhismaster’sdegreeinjour-nalismatWVUin2006andiscurrentlyenrolledintheEnglishComposi-tiondoctoralprogramatIndianaUniversityofPennsylvania.Stewart’s

dissertationfocusesonthelateDonaldM.Murray,aformerjournalistwhowentontobecomeanotedwrit-ingteacherandtheorist.

n Oliver Street III

OliverStreetIIIjoinedtheSchoolofJournalisminNovember2011astheAssistantDeanforStudentServices.Inthisrole,Streetleadsanadministrativeteamresponsibleforstudentrecruitment,reten-tionandundergraduateadvising.BeforejoiningtheSchool,StreetservedasthedirectoroftheHonorsCollegeatStonyBrookUniversity.Duringhistenure,theHonorsCollegerosetonationalprominenceas

oneofthemostselectivecollegesinthecountry.Streetalsoinstitutedcurricularreformsthatimbuedbothacademicrigorandinnovationintohonorscoursework.PriortoStonyBrook,heservedinmultiplecapacitiesatGeorgetownandYaleuniversities,intheofficesofUndergrad-uateAdmissionsand

theUndergraduateDeanoftheMcDonoughSchoolofBusiness.Streetearnedhisbachelor’sdegreeininternationalaffairsfromGeorgetownUniversityandhismaster’sdegreeinliberalstudiesfromStonyBrookUniversity.

faCulty bRiefS & ADDItIons

faculty & Staff additions

37

R eSouRCeS38

1940s Maj. john W. Boggess (Bsj, 1948)cel-

ebratedhis88thbirthdayonSept.11,2011,inWinterPark,Fla.BoggessisaveteranofWorldWarIIandtheKoreanWar.HeservedasanewseditortoTheUnitedStatesInformationAgencyinWashington,D.C.,untilhisretirementin1975.

1970s joseph Cerenzia (Bsj, 1977)isself-

employedwithAlpha/OmegaCommunica-tionsinCanonsburg,Pa.

Darrell CoChran (Bsj, 1976)receivedtheUnitedStatesDepartmentofState’sMeritoriousHonorAwardforhisassistancetotheU.S.EmbassyinCairoinmaintain-ingtheembassywebsiteduringthepoliticalunrestinJanuaryandFebruary2011.

paul Marks (Bsj, 1975)lefttheaviationbeatatTheHartfordCourantinHartford,Conn.,after30yearsinthenewspaperjournalismindustryandisenjoyinganewcareerincorporatecommunicationsasaspeechwriter.

DaviD shaW (Bsj, 1979)isasportswriterandcolumnistatTheSalisburyPostinSalisbury,N.C.

1980s ann reynolDs CarDen (Bsj, 1980)isan

associateprofessorofcommunicationatSUNYFredoniainFredonia,N.Y.

joseph kaCik (Bsj, 1989)isasportslayoutandcopyeditorattheVirginian-PilotbasedinNorfolk,Va.

Marianne MCMullen (Bsj, 1982)wasappointedbytheObamaAdmin-istrationtodirectpublicaffairsforthesecond-largestdivisionoftheUnitedStatesDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesinWashington,D.C.

jennifer starsiCk (Bsj, 1983)isaclas-sifiedinsidesalesmanageratCharlestonNewspapersinCharleston,W.Va.

jon sWerens (Bsj, 1988)isthedirectorofcommunicationsfortheGreaterFortWayne,Ind.,ChamberofCommerce.

1990s staCy Moffa Deel (Bsj,

1998)waspromotedtodirectorofaccountopera-tionsatTheArnoldAgencyinCharleston,W.Va.

BranDt jaMes (Bsj, 1991) isacontributingwriterforSportsIllustrated(SI.com)andESPNW.com,afemale-targetedsportswebsite.

2000s Megan Baker (Bsj, 2008)

graduatedfromtheWVUCollegeofLawinMay2011.ShesuccessfullytookthebarexaminationinJulyandwasadmittedtotheStateBarofWestVirginiainOctober2011.SheandJamesKolodziej(BSJ,2008)willbemarriedinMorgantownonOctober21,2012.

saMantha Bialek (Bsj, 2009)isagraph-icscoordinatoratWebbMasoninBaltimore,Md.

kristen Bost (Bsj, 2002)isateacherintheFoxChapelAreaSchoolDistrictinPittsburgh,Pa.

elizaBeth BranDt (Bsj, 2008)isapressofficerattheU.S.DepartmentofStateinWashington,D.C.

Dan BulloCk (Bsj, 2005)isanaccountexecutiveatQuinn&Co.inNewYork,N.Y.

heath CoMBs (Bsj, 2003)servesasastaffreporterforFurnitureTodayinGreensboro,N.C.

joel Danoy (Bsj, 2009)isaneditorandreporterforTracyPress,afamily-ownednewspaperinTracy,Calif.

karen snyDer Duke (Bsj, 2009)isaneditorialassistantatParentsMagazineinNewYork,N.Y.

paul espinosa, jr. (Bsj, 2011)isanewsreporterandanchorforWHAG-TV25inHagerstown,Md.

laura fahnerr (Bsj, 2011)isamarketingassis-tantatTheWaterfontPlaceHotelinMorgantown,W.Va.

niCole fernanDes (Msj, 2010; Bsj, 2008) isaprogramcoordinatorattheAmericanSocietyofClinicalOncologyinAlexandria,Va.

traCey goulD (iMC, 2010)isthedirectorofmarketingatBaskervillArchitecture,Inc.,andpublicitydirectorandcommunicationschairfortheSocietyofAmericanMilitaryEngineers(SAME)inCentralVirginia.GouldwasrecognizedbySAMEasthe2011IndividualMemberforOutstandingLeadership.

BenjaMin hanCoCk (Bsj, 2011)isagraduatestudentatColumbiaUni-versityinNewYork,N.Y.

M. jeanine herron (Bsj, 2002)isaregisteredPCAatJanneyMontgomeryScottinPittsburgh,Pa.

stephanie horst (Bsj, 2004)isanewsandsocialmediaspecialistatNeumannUniversity.

jonah jaBBour (Bsj, 2003)istheseniorremotevideographerfortheChristianBroadcastingNetworkinVirginiaBeach,Va.

riCky jones (Bsj, 2004)istheleadgen-erationmanageratDominionEnterprisesinNorfolk,Va.

laura layva (Bsj, 2003)isanadvertisingaccountexecutiveatTheDominionPostinMorgantown,W.Va.

heiDi Martella (Msj-iMC, 2009)isthecommunicationdirectorattheWashingtonConferenceofSeventh-DayAdventistsinFederalWay,Wash.

Majorie Miller (Bsj, 2008)isastaffwriterfortheCentreCountyGazetteinStateCollege,Pa.

ClaSS notes

soj aluMna appointeD neW DireCtor of CoMMuniCations for gov. toMBlin

Amy Shuler-Goodwin (BSJ, 1994)wasnamedthedirectorofcommunicationsforWestVirginiaGov.EarlRayTomblininFebruary2012.ShulermostrecentlyworkedwithTheGoodwinGroup,anexecutivesearchfirm,andinthecommunicationsdepartmentunderformerGov.BobWise.Duringher17-yearcareer,GoodwinhasservedasananchorandreporterforWCHS-TVinCharleston,W.Va.,andWTRF-TVinWheel-ing,W.Va.,aswellasstatedirectorofcommunicationsforpresidentialcandidateJohnKerryinthe2004election.

Benjamin Hancock

Stacy Moffa DeelPaul Espinosa, Jr.

Marianne McMullen

Brandt James

39

kiM vitale (Bsj, 2005)isanassociateme-diadirectoratCBSFilmsinLosAngeles,Calif.

laura Watson (Bsj, 2007)isanassociateproduceratCBSinNewYork,N.Y.

Bethany WilliaMs (Bsj, 2010)isamediaplannerandbuyeratTBC,Inc.inBalti-more,Md.

ranae WineMiller (Bsj, 2005)isthedirectorofmarketingatInStepDanceandFitnessinClarksburg,W.Va.

Bailee Morris (Bsj, 2010)isworkingasaprojectadministratorattheNASAIV&VFacilityinFairmont,W.Va.

Chase ofori-atta (Msj-iMC, 2012)istheleaddocketingconsultantatCOAConsulting,LLCinManassas,Va.

arManD patella (Bsj, 2011)isanaccountmanageratGoldRuninNewYork,N.Y.

noelle pina (Msj-iMC, 2008)isanemployerspe-cialistattheNewBedfordAreaChamberofCom-merceinNewBedford,Mass.PinawasmarriedinOctober2010andholdsateachingpositionatBristolCommunityCollege.

elizaBeth reinharDt (Msj-iMC, 2011)ismar-ketingdirectorforGold,KhoureyandTurak,L.C.,lawfirminMoundsville,W.Va.

heather riCharDson (Bsj, 2004)isaseniorconsultantforAnnGreenCommunicationsinCharleston,W.Va.

Marli riggs (Bsj, 2009)isanassociateeditoratEmployeeBenefitAdvisermagazineinArlington,Va.

Christopher siekMan (Ms-iMC, 2011)isacom-mandingofficerintheU.S.MarineCorps.

Melanie (lofton) sMith (Bsj, 2003)isthemainanchoratWHSV-TVinHarrisonburg,Va.ShewelcomedhersecondchildinJune2011.

kristin snyDer (Ms-iMC, 2011)isseniormarketingmanagerforNorthAmericaOutdoorProductsatTech-tronicIndustriesCo.Ltd.inAnderson,S.C.InNovember2011,SnydercompletedtheIronmanFloridatriathlon.

ClaSS notes

rossi honoreD for Coverage of youth sports

InSeptember2011,sportsenterprisewriterforPittsburgh’sTri-buneReviewRob Rossi (BSJ, 2000)washonoredbytheJohnCurleyCenterforSportsJournalismatPennsylvaniaStateUni-versityasthewinneroftheAwardforExcellenceinCoverageofYouthSportsforhiscoverageofconcussionsamonghighschoolathletes.Rossi’sexamination,“BrainWaves,”tookanin-depthlookathighschoolathleteswhosufferedfromconcussionsandimplementedpreventionplanstoprotecttheseyoungathletes.ThepublicationpromptedthePennsylvaniastatelegislaturetotakeactionagainsttheissue.JustmonthsafterRossi’sarticlewaspublished,Gov.TomCorbettsignedabillrequiringanyyoungathletewhosufferedfromaconcussiontoobtaindoctor’sapprovalbeforereturningtotheteamandengag-inginanystrenuousphysicalactivity.

stephanie strouD (Ms-iMC, 2011; Bsj, 2005)isasalescoordinatorforSAEInternationalinPittsburgh,Pa.StroudgraduatedfromtheSchool’sIntegratedMarket-ingCommunicationsmaster’sdegreeprograminDecember2011.

MattheW uMsteaD (Msj, 2000)isabureaureporteratTheHerald-MailinHagerstown,Md.

Heather Richardson

Melanie Smith

Christopher Siekman

Stephanie Stroud

Kristin Snyder

Armand Patella

huffMan Co-eDits anthology puBlisheD By the Marine Corps university press

FormerUSATodaydeputymanagingdirectorJ. Ford Huffman (BSJ, 1972)co-editedananthologybasedontheimpactofthe“Don’tAsk,Don’tTell”(DADT)repealwithDr.TammyS.Schultz,directorofnationalsecurityandjointwarfaredepartment.Theanthology,TheEndofDon’tAskDon’tTell,iscomprisedof27personalessaysandscholarlystudiesanddepictspersonalhardships,sufferingandhonestysurroundingDADTfrombothstraightandgayactive-dutyservicemembersandveterans.Itwaspublishedin2012bytheMarineCorpsUniversityPress.ReviewsofthebookappearedintheMilitaryTimes,USATodayandtheSanFranciscoChronicle.HuffmanservedasthedeputymanagingeditorofdesignforUSAToday,recommendingtheartanddesignaspectsofPageOneuntil2007,whenhelefttopursuehisownworksasaneditor,designerandartistatJ.FordHuffman&Associates.

Marli Riggs

R eSouRCeS40

transitions

TheSchoolofJournalismwishestoacknowledgeouralumniwhohavepassedawayduringtheyear.

Don Bonazzo (Bsj, 1969)

BarBara D. freson (Bsjr, 1964)

gloria D. hopkins (Bsj, 1972)

roBert k. kissler (Bsj, 1970)

ruth l. MarloW (Bsjr, 1974)

DonalD p. MurDoCk (Bsj, 1959)

roBert n. provenCe (Bsjr, 1942)

eDWin n. prugh (Bsjr, 1992)

rayMonD n. sehon (Bsj, 1950)

john f. skinner (Bsj, 1951)

tristan v. WilliaMs (Bsjr, 1947)

in memory of… BarBara Crookshanks (Bsj, 1950)wasanhonorededitorandhistorianadmiredforherdevotiontothecityofFredericksburg,Va.FollowinggraduationfromWVU,CrookshanksbeganhercareerinMorgantown,W.Va.,asaneditorattheWestVirginiaFarmNews.Shortlyafter,shetransferredtoTheCharlestonGazette.CrookshankslaterservedasanassistantunderthemakeupeditorofTheLadiesHomeJournalinPhiladelphia,Pa.In1956,sherelocatedtoFredericksburgwhereshewroteforseveralpublications,includingTheFredericksburgTimesmaga-zine.Crookshankspassedawayatage82inMaryWashingtonHospitalonSept.3,2011.

Carolyn MCCune (Msj, 1974) wasmostnotedforherdevotiontoeducation.McCunetaughtEnglish,journalismandyearbookatParkersburgHighSchoolformorethan30years.ShealsospenttwoyearsteachingatHamiltonJuniorHigh.Inadditiontoherteachingresponsibilities,McCunemanagedParkersburgHighSchool’snewspaper,TheJournal.UnderMcCune’sdirection,TheJournalandtheyearbook,TheParhischan,receivednumerousnationalawards.McCunepassedawayonSept.6,2011.Shewas65yearsold.

loray roBinson (Bsj, 1981)wasarenownedmiddayradiopersonalityinMorgantownandClarksburg,W.Va.,formorethan30years.ShebeganhercareerinbroadcastasanewsinternwithWAJR.Robinson,knowntoradiolistenersas“MiddayLoray,”washiredbyWVAQwhenthestationfirstwentontheairin1981.ShelaterworkedatWWLW,Magic106.5,inClarksburg.RobinsonpassedawayinherhomeonFeb.7,2012,atage53.

ClaSS notes

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