2005 Mass Media Messenger by Washburn Mass Media Messenger

Mass Media Messenger

2005 Mass Media banquet Department chair moves on 2005 Scholarship winners

Mass Media Students

Athletes compete for time

Mass Media Department

Student Publications Program stands out from others Department notes achievement TV classes heat up Advertising class changes focus

Mass Media Faculty

Faculty updates Adjunct instructor moves to Texas Faculty pursue doctorate degrees

Mass Media Alumni

Mass media graduates Alumni provides internships Class notes

Topeka, Kan. Junior Public Relations and Writing and Publishing

Dani Castaneda 3 3 3

4 5 5 6 7 8 8 9 9

10 11 12 13 14 14

Topeka, Kan. Washburn Graduate English

Susan Crooks

Silver Lake, Kan. Senior Public Relations

Blake Edwards Columbia, Mo. Junior Public Relations

Kari Erpelding Topeka, Kan. Senior Advertising

Jeremy Fitzgerald Topeka, Kan. Senior Public Relations

Stephanie Gigous Topeka, Kan. Senior Public Relations

Julie Hoytal

Topeka, Kan. Junior Public Relations

Kip Kraisinger

Salina, Kan. Senior Public Relations

Vilay Luangraj

Dallas, Texas Senior Writing and Publishing

Amy Schulz

St. John, Kan. Senior Writing and Publishing

Regina Cassell

Topeka, Kan. Mass Media faculty and Student Publications Director

Contributing Staff Gene Cassell, WashburnSports Information Director Sarah Foster, Mass Media student Eric Meyer, Mass Media student Jessica Ransone, Mass Media student

By Julie Boggs

Lady Blues: National Champs The Lady Blues women’s basketball team finished the 20042005 season with a 70-53 win against No. 3 Seattle Pacific to win the first NCAA Division II title in Washburn’s history. Juwanna Rivers led the Lady Blues with a season high 22 points. Rivers, Lora Westling and Carla Sintra were named to the all-tournament team. Sintra was also named most outstanding player. The team improved to an overall season record of 35-2, the best in school history. The 2005-2006 Lady Blues basketball team will return nine players from this year’s national championsip team. Alumni and friends can catch the Lady Blues in conference action again next December. For a complete Lady Blues’ basketall schedule, visit www.wusports.com.

The look of Washburn University’s campus has changed dramatically in the last year. With three new buildings on campus, Washburn has more to offer students than ever before. With the opening of the $5.45 million Student Recreation and Wellness Center students are able to address their physical needs. The facility offers an indoor climbing wall, running track, weight area, cardio machines and basketball and volleyball courts. In addition to the recreation center, the university has also opened a chapel. It is located just east of Benton Hall in the center of campus. It was donated to address the spiritual needs of students. This non-denominational chapel was donated by the Menninger Foundation in 2003. It was originally called the Emily Roby lifts weights at the new Nunemaker Chapel Washburn Recreation and Wellness but was renamed after Center. The $5.45 million wellness center Carole Bloomfield opened in October. Etzel, a 1963 graduate. Etzel and her husband Tim provided more than half of the funds needed to complete renovation of the chapel. Construction will be complete with the opening of the art building and renovations to the Mulvane Art Museum. The 20,000-square- foot- art building, located just west of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, will give needed space to the art department. The building is expected to be ready for classes in Fall 2005. All studio art classes including; ceramics, sculpture, drawing and computer graphics will move from Garvey Fine Arts Center to the new facility.

Photo by Gene Cassell

Julie Boggs

The Washburn Lady Blues celebrate their National Championship win. This is the first NCAA Division II National Championship in school history

“Art students will finally have a space designed specifically for art studies,” said Ron Wasserstein, vice president for academic affairs and chairperson for the Mulvane art building committee. The Mulvane Art Museum will add more space above the current gallery area. The basement will have room for art education and additional office space. Over half of the $4 million project has been paid for through private gifts to the university.

Football team wins bowl

The team finished the season with an 8-4 record and capped off the season Dec. 4, 2004, by winning the Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo. It was the team’s first postseason win since 1986. Coach Craig Schurig has signed 13 new players to the team’s roster, and 10 of those are high school recruits from Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. Schurig also signed three junior college transfers to the program. “We’ve addressed needs on both sides of the ball,” said Schurig. “We believe that we have signed talented players who will help The Washurn football team celebrates after winning the Mineral us build on the Water Bowl in December. The team defeated Northern success of this State University, South Dakota. past season.” The Ichabods begin next season Aug. 27 in Golden, Colo., in a match-up with Colorado School of Mines. Photo by Chad Hickman

Mass Media News

Publication Layout and Design

Photo by Julie Boggs

Ichabods wins bowl New buildings emerge Lady Blues win national title

Created by MM 431

Spring 2005

Campus News

Mass Media News

Mass Media Messenger

Scholarships Zula Bennington Greene Endowed Scholarship:

(above) Nicole Corcoran accepts the Outstanding Alumni Award from Thimios Zaharopoulos at the Mass Media department banquet. The award was one of two honors awarded to department alumni. (right) Jade Hernandez gives a word of thanks to her parents and Washburn University for supporting her and helping her to succeed in her career. Hernandez was given the Rising Star award by the Mass Media Department.

Outstanding Students Michelle Simon Advertising

Andrew Ryan Electronic Media

Amy Schulz Media Writing and Publishing

Julie Boggs

Public Relations

Photo by Gene Cassell

By Blake Edwards The banquet for the Mass Media department was April 19 in the Washburn Room of Memorial Union. The “New Media Kids on the Block” theme set the mood for the mexican feast. Nicole Corcoran, press secretary for Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, was the speaker. She spoke on the fields of government and media relations and also received the Outstanding Alumni Award. At the event each emphasis — Electronic Media, Public Relations, Media Writing and Publishing and Advertising — celebrated the seniors and award winners from the Mass Media department. Jade Hernandez won the Alumni Rising Star Award. A recent graduate of Washburn University, Hernandez is now a broadcast reporter for KSHB-NBC Action News. Thimios Zaharopoulos, department chair, enjoyed his final banquet. Zaharopoulos is leaving Washburn and to be a dean at Park University, Parkville, Mo.

Spring 2005

Banquet has ‘The Right Stuff’

The Mass Media Department awarded scholarships to students on Tues. April 19 at the banquet. Julie Hoytal, Julie Boggs, Crystal Sinclair, Louis Bourdeau, Janea Gadelman and Jacob Phelps were among those awarded scholarships.

Zaharopoulos leaves department intimidated by Thimios when I first met him,” said Regina CasDuring his eight-year stay at sell, faculty member. “I realized Washburn University, Thimos upon receiving my first compliZaharopoulos has created a legament from him that Thimios is a cy that will be hard to replace. man who means what he says.” He leaves his position as the This spring, at the Mass Media Mass Media Banquet, department Zaharopoulos was chair, to be a honored with a slide dean at Park show and a personalUniversity in ized coffee maker Parkville, Mo. from the faculty in He will be the memory of his mornfirst person ing routine. to hold the In keeping with position. the New Kids on the When ZahaBlock theme of the ropoulos came banquet, students to Washburn, from the Public the departRelations Campaigns ment was Thimios Zaharopoulos class presented Dr. struggling. But Z with a platinum Dr. Z, as he is known to many record. students, will leave a solid de“Dr. Z. was a great menpartment that is looking toward tor and leader for anyone who the future. joined the mass media program,” “Dr. Z is going to be hard to said Mary (Hammel) Napier, replace. I am thankful to have 2004. him as my adviser. He was He will be greatly missed by always there to help me,” said the faculty in the department. Stephanie Gigous, current stu“Dr. Z is absolutely the best dent of Zaharopoulos. boss I have ever had,” said Kathy Zaharopoulos would often Menzie, faculty member. “He joke about his reputation with manages to be a supervisor, menothers. Some students and even tor and friend. Though that is a faculty, recall fearing him at one difficult balance, he does all three time. superbly.” “Like a few others, I was a bit

by Kari Erpelding

Julie Hoytal, Topeka, Kan.

Michelle Simon, Mayetta, Kan. Sarah Van Dalsem, Silver Lake, Kan. Crystal Sinclair, Topeka, Kan.

David C. Beeder Mass Media Scholarship: Karli Davis, Topeka, Kan.

Corey Jones, Topeka, Kan.

Thad M. Sandstrom Memorial Scholarship: Janea Gadelman, Topeka, Kan.

Anastasia Patterson, Topeka, Kan. Morgan Rockhold, Lindsborg, Kan. Adam Runyan, Topeka Kan.

Oscar S. Stauffer Scholarship: Louis Bourdeau, Tulsa, Okla. Jacob Phelps, Topeka, Kan.

Topeka Branch of the National League of American Pen Women Scholarship: Julie Boggs, Topeka, Kan.

Robert A. Hentzen Memorial Athletic Scholarship: Jake Lebahn, Salina, Kan.

Brandon Walker, Topeka, Kan.

Mass Media Department

Athletes compete for time

Photo by Gene Cassell

The challenge of going to school full time is enough for most students. But student athletes have the combined challenge of competing in their sport as well as in the classroom. Toss in a part-time job just to make ends meet and suddenly these student athletes find themselves in a competition for time. Athletes enrolled as mass media majors learn the value of time very quickly. Susan Crooks, a fifth year senior mass media student was a four-year letter recipient on Washburn’s successful volleyball team. Crooks balanced the rigorous demands placed on her from her teachers and coaches and came out on top. “Being able to take a lot of hours during your season made it difficult to keep up with your homework and tests while traveling and playing,” said Crooks. “Coach Herron made sure we did well in school by placing us in study hall if we did not meet and maintain a specific GPA for the semester and especially during the season.” The demand of athletes to do well in the classroom and on the playing field has caused many student athletes to reconsider their options. “There have been many times that I have wondered if I should continue being a student athlete,” said Kris Castillo, Washburn tennis senior captain. “There seems to be a lot of pressure that professors put on athletes. At times that can really build up.” Many student athletes find that the pressure of getting up sore every morning from the previous day’s workout cannot only be physically draining but mentally draining as well. Having a coach who wants nothing but success Kris Castillo, senior tennis captain and mass for an athlete is media major, returns a serve during a match. another added pressure. When the women’s softball season was finished, Katie Schmidt found more time to devote to her academics.

“Once I used up all of my eligibility for softball, it has made life so much easier in the classroom. I don’t feel the pressure from coaches, and the pain from all of those practices. It’s nice to know I can go home after class and just lie on the couch and be worthless. It’s a nice feeling for an athlete,” said Schmidt. Susan Crooks Blake Edwards has been playing volleyball tennis for Washburn for three years. This year he has taken on the role of captain. Edwards is a classic representative of a student athlete competing for time. He is a junior mass media major, teaches tennis at the Topeka Country Club every other day, and his chosen sport at Washburn continues year round. Edwards admits to the difficulty of juggling Katie Schmidt the academics with the athletics. softball Washburn’s requirement for passing is a 2.0 GPA but the athletes are held to a 2.5. Being involved in a specific sport is one thing, but another top student finds herself busy cheering on Washburn’s teams. “It’s hard as a mass media major, because I have a lot of projects to do outside of class, but most of the professors understand that I have things for cheerleading to do in addition to school work and they try to help me get everything done,” said Julie Boggs.

Photo by Gene Cassell

By Dani Castaneda and Blake Edwards

Mass Media Students in sports* Basketball

Soccer

Cheerleading

Softball

Jennifer Harris

Julie Boggs

Football

John Hoytal Jake Lebahn David Becker Kip Kraisinger

McKinley Rainen

Danielle R.White Katie Schmidt

Tennis

Blake Edwards Kris Castillo

Volleyball

Susan Crooks

* Not all athletes are current athletes

Student Publications mass media majors gain experience

Spring 2005

Mass Media Messenger

Mass Media Students

portunity, but it’s generally for one semester or summer. Add student pubs Each year, more and more mass me- to your resume and you have likely dia students gain valuable experience practiced leadership and management by working for Student Publications. first-hand. The two experiences are reThis year, those students have even ally different, and smart more to be proud students will experience of. both.” At the KanKarli Davis, who sas Associated worked this year as Collegiate Press business manager for conference in the Washburn Review karli Davis and Lydia Becker have earned Outstanding Wichita, the and promotions director Service Awards for their work with Student Washburn Review for the KAW yearbook, Publications this year. received the All said she likes working Kansas newspafor student publications portfolio up a level,” said Mapes. per award in the because of the hands-on Cassell not only encourages four-year public experience. students to get invovled in Student university divi“It’s nice having Publications, but she also makes consion, which is the the experience related nections between her writing students highest honor a to a job that I do. It’s and the newspaper or yearbook. paper can receive also nice working with “I think it provides students with a from KACP. The peers who go through good experience. When I did it for a KAW yearbook about the same stuff as class last year, it was cool to have my earned a silver I do,” said Davis, who articles published and for people to rating for the 2004 has been selected as the read them,” said mass media major yearbook. 2005-06 editor in chief of The Washburn Review received the All KanKip Kraisinger. Mass media the yearbook. sas newspaper award from the Kansas Other students find ways to be students work Pursuing an advertisAssociated Collegiate Press in the fourinvolved at different levels. alongside stuyear public university division. ing emphasis through “I’m very involved in other things dents from across the department is Lydia on campus,” said Carrie Babb, a senior campus to make Becker, who will serve in mass media minor. “I volunteer on Student Publications successful. her third year as advertising manager the Student The yearbook’s staff includes sevof Student Publications. Publicaeral majors, including Kerrice Mapes, During her two years, Becker tions Board a spring 2005 graduate. has tripled and then almost because I “I’m involved, and I see the studoubled again revenue for “Some of the things don’t have dents put out a lot of effort and really the newspaper. She has much time I’ve done here, care. But, there are not a lot of us who had experience managing a and the board are majors,” said Mapes, who worked staff, working with national outside of class, only meets as the Greek editor of the 2005 book. advertisers as well as makhave really put my once a month. Regina Cassell, director of Student ing plenty of contacts in a I’m really Publications, continues to recruit and portfolio up a level. ” variety of professions. only able to encourage students from the mass meCassell believes future -Kerrice Mapes give that dia department to give the newspaper employers will notice Davis’ time commitor yearbook a try. and Becker’s accomplishment.” “I know we have busy students, ments, which is one more Cassell and that many of our students have reason why both women said the to work. However, I don’t think we earned Outstanding Service board is a wonderful place for mass have anything in our program that can Awards for their work with Student media students to have a positive offer students the same experience as Publications this year. impact on student publications and its working in publications,” said Cassell. “Some of the things I’ve done here, future. “The internship is another great opoutside of class have really put my

By Jessica Ransone

Mass MassMedia MediaDepartment Department

Mass Media Department

Mass Media students at Washburn have additional opportunities, being in the capital.

has many unique aspects that set it apart from other institutions. From the courses offered to its location in the capital city, the mass media department at Washburn has a lot to offer. One of the most unique things is the requirement of an internship. And when it comes to getting jobs, Thimios Zaharopoulos, department chair, said media professionals consider internships very important. Being located in the capital city gives students internship opportunities in a governent and a diverse media market. In addition to the internship requirement, all mass media majors must submit a portfolio of their work during Senior Seminar. “The portfolio serves a dual purpose,” said Zaharopoulos. “It is useful for graduates when they are applying for jobs as well as assessment for ways to showcase their talents in the final portfolio.” Washburn is the only school in the

state to have a TV station right on campus. KTWU offers an up-close view at what happens at a station and provides internships. Yet another uniqueness is that Regina Cassell, a lecturer from the department is also the director of Student Publications. “Besides our internships, Student Publications offers a wonderful handson opportunity for our majors,” said Cassell. “In fact, it is one of my goals to increase the number of majors who work for the newspaper or yearbook..” Cassell said the program is a great way to build leadership skills and practice the day-to-day schedule, deadlines and pressure of working the various mass media fields. Like all good things there is always room for improvement, Zaharopoulos said that the department could use more video technology equipment as well as a full-time advertising faculty member, which are both things that the department is striving to obtain.

Evaluation draws positive reviews By Sarah Foster As good as the Mass Media department is, it always has room to improve. This year, the department did just that. The mission statement of the Mass Media department states that, “through teaching, research, creative activities, and service, mass media faculty strive to continuously improve teaching and advising.” To ensure that the department is holding true to its mission statement, it is evaluated by themselves and the university every five years. When the Mass Media department undergoes an evaluation, it focuses on its mission, goals and objectives, statistical information, outcome measurement, strengths and weaknesses and changes for the future. Coming up with several strengths and weaknesses helps the department determine what types of short and long term goals it

Education in Journalism and Mass needs to have. Communication to visit our departOne identified weakness was not ment and begin the process,” said having enough faculty members with Zaharopoulos. a terminal degree. Thimios ZaharoAfter the visit, the faculty agreed poulos, professor and department that accrediation is a realistic and chair said that the department has already begun working on turning it attainable goal for the Mass Media into a strength. department. Lecturer Maria “Accrediation places Raicheva-Stover us in a stronger position “Through teaching, has recently when you compare us to research, creative earned her other neighboring journalactivities, and service, mass doctorate degree ism departments,” said media faculty strive to and lecturer Menzie. continuously improve Kathy Menzie Zaharopoulos said the teaching and advising.” is expected to department also works on - Mission Statement earn hers by the making sure that the stuend of the next dents coming out of the academic year. Mass Media department In addition are well prepared for the to obtaining more terminal degrees real world. “We try to see if students are learnwithin the department, another long ing what they are supposed to learn,” term goal is to become accredited. said Zaharopoulos. “We have taken the first step by Washburn agrees that the departinviting a member of The Council of

By Jeremy Fitzgerald

Students familiar with the old student news production, “Washburn Edition,” decided a change would be good for the old style “magazine” show, which is taped, edited and then aired. They felt that to make it in the broadcasting industry, one needed the real life training of doing a live news show and going out and finding the story. “The students voiced to me they wanted to do something different, and doing a taped news show defeats the whole purpose of a broadcast news show,” said Charles Cranston, the new broadcasting professor in Washburn University’s mass media department. Cranston, brings a bundle of broadcast production experience to Washburn University from his 16 years of teaching and real world experience of writing, producing and directing for shows in Texas and California. Cranston helped produce a live news show at another university, and he believes a live show better prepares students to find jobs and internships in televised news. He said it is more important for broadcast production students to be able to report and find news, than run a machine.

“Most of our news stories come from here on campus, but I want the reporters to also become familiar with contacts in our community that they can use if they work for a local station,” said Cranston. Producers of the new production learned quickly Frank Hernandez Trevor Kirkwood Chrissy Polk show off their Tom Brokaw skills of the stress preparing for a show that starts in 5-4-3-2-1. involved with a live newscast. news markets have made the change. “When we go live at 5:30 on “Final Cut Pro” is the non-linear Thursdays, everything has to be weapon of choice for students. The ready,” said Ingrid Robinson, a field reporter. “It’s just like what you would JVC digital tape cameras available to mass media students are on target find in the real world.” with industry standards, but Cranston Keeping up with changing is pushing for more funding to technology is also crucial for young purchase new Panasonic cameras. adults entering the job market. Washburn’s Mass Media A college graduate expects to department plans on striving to keep be prepared to enter their field up with today’s ever changing media competitively after they graduate. The technology to best prepare its students use of non-linear editing equipment for their future careers. is quickly taking over. Even smaller Photo by Jeremy Fitzgerald

Mass media students at Washburn can celebrate the fact that the program

Photo by Stephanie Gigous

Mass Media Messenger

By Eric Meyer

Lights, camera, action and roll ‘em

Spring 2005

Department offers unique opportunities

Future advertisers: class resembles real life By Keri Erpelding

Before this spring, students enrolled in Advertising: Copy & Design will recall completing one huge advertising campaign developed by the American Advertising Federation. In the past, these campaigns have included the Toyota Matrix, Bank of America, DaimlerChrylser and the state Florida. This semester, Phil Grecian, teacher of both Advertising I and Advertising II, and Thimios Zaharopoulos, department chair, decided to drop the AAF project and extend the class into different projects that would teach the students how to create advertising as well as how to develop ideas. “I thought we were spending too much time putting together the final project and not enough time learning how to create advertising,” Grecian said. “It was like trying to win an auto race before you’ve finished building your car.” Throughout the semester the students will produce two mini campaigns and will also be responsible for a multimedia campaign, employing at least three media. They must be willing to answer questions from Grecian and the class about their choices.

“This class has been very hands on and what you would see in real life. We have had virtually no book work,” said Vilay Luangraj, a senior. Using these projects and methods, the students will be able to use products or clients that they are interested in, and they can choose which direction to point their campaign without having to fit the guidelines that the AAF had set. It also gives the students free reign on how to control their projects and ideas and how far they can take them. “I think they will benefit in knowing more about how advertising is created and knowing how to do it themselves,” said Grecian. To be able to participate in the original campaigns that the former classes did, there is a projected class design just for developing advertising campaigns. Having this class as an option, students will be fully prepared to fulfill the objectives required of the campaigns class. “This way we actually teach the students more about advertising,” said Grecian.

XX 9

Mass Media Faculty

Story by Amy Schulz and Brian Ice

Each mass media faculty member at Washburn University seems to participate in interesting things with each passing year. This year the faculty members are doing an array of activities inside as well as outside the classroom. Perhaps Charles Cranston the most exciting year came for Charles Cranston, the new professor of electronic media and said he has enjoyed working with the students at Washburn this year. “I am excited about [Cranston] joining the team because of his experience,” said Thimios Zaharopoulos, mass media department chair. “He brings in professionalism, an experimental approach and a fresh start in the [electronic journalism] area.” His journalism career began in the Lone Star State when he earned degrees from Texas A&M University. His involvement over the years has spanned from being an industry professional to being a teacher. For many years, Cranston’s passion has been in the television aspect of journalism. The early days of Cranston’s television career consisted of working on regional and national commercials in Dallas, where he also produced daily news programs. “Experience in television is rewarding for me because I am able to draw on that experience in other jobs later on, including teaching,“ Cranston said. He is using his vast amount of experience at Washburn, serving as the professor of production and writing classes. During the spring broadcast

writing course, “I am excited he about [Cransplans to do someton] joining the thing team because of different his experience.” by incorporating -Thimios broadZaharopoulos cast journalism into the curriculum. Also at Washburn, Cranston is currently working on developing a program with KTWU which will be a film-style project relating to Territorial Kansas and ethnic cultures. “I hope to involve students on the crew of the production,“ Cranston said. The potential production date is May 2005. Although Cranston had a busy year adjusting to Washburn’s students and environment, he wasn’t the only faculty member with his hands full. Perhaps Professor Regina Cassell has the most exciting news of the faculty taking place outside the walls of Washburn. She and her husband, Washburn Athletic Sports Information Director Gene Cassell, are expecting their second baby in May 2005. The 2004-05 school year was the second year for Cassell to teach and advise Student Publications at Washburn. “A large focus of mine is on student publications,” Cassell said, Regina Cassell “It’s a big part of my job.” Cassell is the Director of Student Publications and is excited to see students getting more enthused about the

yearbook, newspaper, and journalism in general. “Fourteen students traveled to Nashville for a [student publications] fall conference in November, “ Cassell said. She also pointed out that for the first time in several years, the KAW yearbook will sell all copies of the 2005 book. The Washburn Review newspaper doubled its revenue last fall and the newspaper itself keeps improving and generating positive feedback from its readers.. Cassell summed up student publications and the mass media students as “great students doing a lot of great things.” Frank Chorba, professor of mass media stepped down as the editor for the Journal of Radio Studies (JRS) after completing the December issue. Chorba founded JRS here at Washburn University in 1994. It is the world’s first scholarly journal exclusively dedicated to radio research and has brought Washburn international recognition. JRS was adopted by the Broadcast Education Association as it’s scholarly Frank Chorba publication in 1998 and is distributed to more than 2,000 academic institutions in North America and Europe. Chorba is looking forward to taking a break and relaxing after 12 years as editor of the JRS. He teaches a number of classes in the Mass Media program including Media Management, Broadcast Performance and Programming & Sales. In addition to Zaharopoulos’ normal duties as the mass media department chair, he attended a faculty seminar for the International Radio and Television Societies in New York and developed further study on his Summer Olympic

research endeavor. In August, he traveled to Athens, Greece, to obtain information and gather data on specific information about the Olympic games and how they have affected Greek citizens. Zaharopoulos first conducted a survey in December of 2003 to get any idea on how citizens of Topeka and surrounding areas were going to watch the Olympics, he was surprised at the degree of positive feelings toward the games. The Thimios second part Zaharopoulos of the study was a content analysis of the Olympic games during the games and people’s reactions to them. “It is always educational when I go back to Greece and I had the opportunity to be there when major events took place. I write about Greek media, and it’s important for me to consume it,” said Zaharopoulos. The faculty continues to be appreciative of the numerous tasks secretary Ginny Falk does for the department each year. Now in her 10th year at Washburn, Falk is always busy behind the scenes, either helping Ginny Falk students or keeping the department running smoothly.

Gooding challenges students By Kerrice Mapes

end,” said Gooding. Challenging herself is what GoodAs “Head Honcho and Creative ing did in December as she moved Crusader” of Synergy Public Relawith her family to San Antonio, Texas, tions and Advertising, Velma Gooding to pursue her doctorate and relocate knows the value of having your own her company. slogan. “Moving to Texas will add to the Synergy Public Relations and company by being around so many Advertising is one of the few ethnic people with different cultural backmarketing and research firms in grounds and having more resources Kansas and primarily works with Afavailable,” said Gooding. rican American and Latino consumer Gooding, who considers herself to markets. be a very positive and spiritual person, “Integrative markets are lucrative knows that her life has become much and they’re shared value,” said Goodbetter through new challenges. “Even ing, “You just have to show people the when you’re faced with challenges or value and that people are valuable.” meet negative people, you’ll come out Showing value segued into Gooda stronger person in the end.” ing’s teaching career. As an adjunct Gooding’s positive attitude was professor at Washburn for the last also exemplified during her classes. two and half years, Gooding “brought “Students were grateful and we never energy and creativity to her classes,” heard a complaint,” said Zaharopousaid Kathy Menzie, another profeslos. sor in the Gooding’s teaching approach inmass media cluded asking students to scratch department. under the surface, ask questions, “Usually be perceptive, use many sources we try to find and don’t take things as they are people like laid out. “See what’s behind the Velma who question, don’t be cynical, but bring in don’t be a sheep,” said Gooding. professional Gooding’s assignments inexperience cluded having students get “out with the abilof their comfort zone,” and “presity to teach,” ent creatively,” said Alicia Garcia. said Thimios “She would ask a question, and Zaharopouif no one answered, she wouldn’t los, departgo on or just answer the question, ment chair. she would wait. She pushed Velma Gooding will be missed as an “One doesn’t you to answer.” adjunct faculty member. predispose the During Gooding’s chalother and we lenges she would never give look, but we her opinion and she fostered don’t always find both.” self-guided studying and learning. Both qualities were found in Good“I’ll miss watching the students grow, ing, as the CEO of Synergy, she has becoming more critical thinkers and worked as a reporter, editor, public retheir questions,” said Gooding. lations specialist, advertising manager As Gooding enters her next chaland researcher. lenge, she urges students to “venture Gooding said it would be easy into the unknown so that you can to stay here, but, “synergy is really prosper. You’ve got to live your life moving and I’m in a comfy zone. But because you only have one.” when you get to cushy, comfy, then it’s time to move on. It’s time to challenge yourself. You’re good for it in the Photo by Regina Cassell

Faculty members update

Faculty, continued

Spring 2005

Mass Media Messenger

Mass Media Faculty

Mass Media Department

By Laura Stillings

Photo by Julie Hoytal

Two teachers in the mass media department really understand what being a student is all about. This past fall, Maria Raicheva-Stover completed her dissertation and earned a doctorate degree from Southern Illinois University while Kathy Menzie passed her compresensive exams and will work this next year to finish up her dissertation from the University of Maria Raicheva-Stover finished her dissertation and earned her doctorate from Southern Illinois UniverKansas. sity this spring. Raicheva-Stover joined the mass media departher about the ment in fall 2003. time and effort Originally from it would take Bulgaria, Raichevato complete her Stover attended doctorate in high school in Bulmass communigaria and began colcations, but she lege at the Ameriassured them can University in that she was up Bulgaria, a branch for the chalout of Maine. lenge. Kathy Menzie passed her comprehensive exams “The education She admits this fall and will work to finish her dissertation in Bulgaria was very next year. there were brief strict and rigid,” Ramoments and icheva-Stover said. “You had no say feelings of weakness, but she never on what classes to take, what profesacted on the thought of giving up. sors to have or anything.” “It’s been one of the hardest things She transferred to SIU to pursue I’ve ever done, juggling family, her undergraduate degree in January teaching more than 100 students and 1997. She was close to graduation at writing and being constructive,” said Southern Illinois when she attended Raicheva-Stover. “It’s more an aspect a Global Fusion conference and was of endurance than capability, and if placed in the same section with the that means having to get up at 2 a.m. chair of the mass media department, to write, so be it.” Thimios Zaharopoulos. In December, after two years of Raicheva-Stover now teaches writing, Raicheva-Stover finished her two sections of Introduction to Mass dissertation. Media, as well as Basic Media Writing, “It’s done,” she said. “I will ofPublication Technology and Online ficially graduate in May.” Publishing. While Raicheva-Stover has been ofShe enjoyed working on her fered an official tenure-track position master’s degree, and some professors at Washburn, Menzie works to finish told her she had the potential to get a doctorate. She really loved the interac- her own dissertation. Menzie began her career at tion with the students and she decided Washburn in 1996. She attended Baker to go for it. University in Baldwin City, Kan., Raicheva-Stover’s adviser warned

where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s in journalism. In addition to her studies, Menzie has a full load at the university. She has taught Editing, Publication Technology, Introduction to Mass Media, Public Relations, Public Relations Campaigns, Senior Seminar and has served as part-time internship coordinator. She has also spent the last three years in classes, 14 “It’s more an hours of comprehenaspect of sive exams, endurance than two hours of oral capability and if exams and that means having is currently to get up at 2 a.m. writing her dissertation to write, so be it.” to get her - Maria Raichedoctorate in va-Stover communication studies from KU. “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, but I hadn’t had the opportunity until I started teaching,” Menzie said. Trying to keep up on her personal studies and grading her students’ work can be a challenge all of its own, but Menzie seems to keep those parts of her life separate from each other. “I wouldn’t necessarily say I was sane all the time,” Menzie said. “I spend days on my Washburn stuff and evenings and weekends on studying.” After reaching her goal and being able to call herself Dr. Menzie, she plans on staying at the university. “I just wish there were more hours in the day to learn more, to prepare more and to come up with more activities, but teaching is a terrific career,” said Menzie. “I feel very fortunate to have found it and extremely fortunate to be working in the best department at Washburn University … mass media.”

World welcomes graduates By Alicia Garcia and Vilay Luangraj Mass media students are eager to complete their college education and move on to the next phase of their lives. After years of hard work and overcoming many challenges, students graduate and receive their degrees. It was an exciting time in their lives, but before the excitement there were frustrations, concerns and fears of not graduating. For Jayme Adkins, the challenge was passing mass media law. “I thought I would fail mass media law miserably, but did OK,” said Adkins, media writing and public relations major. Another struggle for most students was to learn to use the AP Stylebook. “You have to learn it early and use it the rest of the way through your classes,” said Summer Broeckelman, public relations major. The AP Stylebook is one example of how writing for the media differs from other types of writing. Learning to use AP style can be a tedious task, but it’s an important aspect of media writing. “The most challenging thing is to go from writing in English classes to writing ad copy, news writing and feature writing,” said Travis Brown, public relations major. Though some students were concerned about not meeting all the requirements such as passing media law and completing 192 hours of internship to graduate, Kathy Menzie said graduating was not a concern for her students. “[Students’] biggest concern is that Washburn is going to find something that keeps them from graduating,” said Menzie. Those who complete all the required courses with a passing grade can look forward to the working world. It will be quite different from

Photo courtesy of Janice Hoytal

Menzie, Raicheva-Stover reverse roles after class

Spring 2005

Mass Media Messenger

Mass Media Department

David Conklin (2nd from left) and John Hoytal (2nd from right), mass media majors, receive their degrees in December 2004.JS

the school schedule they are used to. They can look forward to not doing homework and studying for exams. Instead, most will trade in their school attire for suits and ties. Jeremy Fitzgerald hopes that there will be nothing keeping him from graduating. After coming back to school to finish his degree, he is ready to move on. “I’m looking forward to moving on to a different chapter in life, going to work full-time and planning a good future,” said Fitzgerald, public relations major. While some are still job searching, others already have a job waiting for them after graduation. David Conklin, electronic media

Graduates Jayme Lynne Adkins Stephanie Nicole Auguste Jesse Antonio Bernal Michael Breneman Summer Broeckelman Travis R. Brown David M. Conklin Brian P. Ice Floyd Anthony Lee

major, who graduated in December, was eager to leave and begin a career. “I have been at Washburn since the fall of 2002 and I am not going to miss school. It was fun at Washburn but I am ready for a career,” said Conklin. For Conklin, his internship with KTWU was an exciting start to a career. His internship experience helped him land a job as a Creative Services Producer at KTKA, Channel 49, in Topeka. Kerrice Mapes would like to go to Kansas City and pursue a career there. “I would really like to work in a public relations firm in Kansas City,” said Mapes. “I am excited about the education I have received, and I am ready to use it.”

Jessica Deane Nelson

Stephanie R. Gigous

Kerrice Mapes

Brooke Rochelle Rhoden

Nicole E. Haibon

Matthew D. Miller

Kara Lynn Sack

Beau M. Harkness

Jason T. Owen

James F. Breneman

Parrish A. Harsch

Andrea Lee Pennock

Kristina R. Castillo

Nicole D. Hayes

Ingrid E. Robinson

Elizabeth A. Davis

John M. Hoytal

Katie L. Schmidt

Steve M. Dillion

Arthur Lee Hur

Timothy Michael Scholtz

Kari A. Erpelding

Heather M. Jones

Lucas L. Thompson

Jeremy Daniel Fitzgerald

Jared D. Keller

Terasina m. Tobler

Sarah E. Foster

Jamie L. Kennedy

Sunny J. Trosper

Alicia A. Garcia

Kip A. Kraisinger

James Wilper

Mass Media Department Mass Media Alumni

Mass Media Department Alumni

One Washburn alumnus in the community is helping current students earn their degrees. Jamie Overocker knows what it is like to need an internship for college credit and experience. He is now giving back to the university he attended by providing internships for students. Overocker is responsible for producing and marketing informational materials, assisting the media in coverage and reporting on events for Heartland Park of Topeka. He also acts as a liaison between the business and the community. “Internships give the best hands-on experience to prepare you for almost any profession that is out there in today’s fast-paced world,” Overocker said. “In today’s world it is important to have interns. They really do a great job when tasks are delegated to them.” It is important for students at Washburn to participate in an internship for graduation. Overocker said his internship prepared him for the real world more than any other college experience. “I really learned that ideas and technology are ever-changing. One has to adapt to that or they will have a tough

David Conklin, 2004, is a creative services producer at KTKA, Channel 49, in Topeka. Brooke (West) Connell, 2004, is an assistant account executive at Glynn Devins Marketing/Advertising in Kansas City. Lyila Devlin, 2001, works at the Central Illinois Foodbank in Springfield, Ill., as development director. Cassandra (Mullinix) Fisher, 2003, is a graphic artist at Feist Publications. Emily (Friedstrom) McGee, 2001, is the special events coordinator for the Stormont-

time becoming successful,” Overocker said. As students at Washburn find themselves working for local businesses, Overocker notices a correlation between students and their success in the community. “I feel very strong about giving opportunities to Washburn students. It opens up their world and the possibility of maintaining a professional relationship with the business Julie Hoytal works with Washburn alumnus Jamie Overocker during her that gave them internship at Heartland Park of Topeka. an internship,” Overocker said. them as they complete it, making a “It’s great to see students branching visit to their place of work once during out in their community.” the semester. Kathy Menzie, mass media faculty “Internships are an incredible at Washburn, also serves as the internexperience for students,” Menzie said. ship coordinator. “There really aren’t any limits to what She helps students set up their internships and then keeps in touch with you might be able to do. Photo courtesy of Julie Hoytal

Mass Media Messenger

By Blake Edwards and Amy Schulz

Vail Foundation in Topeka. Tim Gassmann, 1999, is working as the engineering department and master control operator at Fox Broadcasting O&O KMSP-TV. Brenda Hanrahan, 2000, is now working as the editor of special sections for Peninsula Daily News in Port Angeles, Wash. Amy Hendrickson, 1993, is the special events and fund manager at the Capper Foundation.

Christina Jamis, 1999, is the office

manager at Bergkamp Chiropractic in Wichita. Erin (Younkin) Kaberline, 2003, is the marketing specialist at MurphyHoffman Co. in Kansas City, Mo. Maureen (McKay) Kamprath, 1998, is project specialist at the Kansas Foundation for Medical Care Inc. Jennifer Kirmse, 2002, is working at Western National Bank as the downtown branch manager.

Amanda Millard, 2000, is the assistant director of University Relations at Washburn University. Jade (Hernandez) Murphy, 2000, is working as a Reporter at KSHB-NBC Action News, Channel 41 in Kansas City, Mo. Mary (Hammel) Napier, 2004, is the communication/membership specialist at the Kansas Motor Carriers Association. Michele Nikkel, 2002, is an account manager at Allen Press in Lawrence. Michael Perkins, 2003, works as a branch manager at Columbian Bank. Keri Renner, 2003, gave birth to Grace Elizabeth Renner August 2, 2004.

Seeking Alumni

Spring 2005

Alumnus provides

Curtis Kitchen, 2002, is the public relations manager at Sports Car Club of America Inc.

The Mass Media department at Washburn welcomes alumni news. The department also wishes to say a special thank you to those alumni and friends who have donated money for student scholarships. As the price of tuition continues to rise, scholarships will become increasingly important to our students. The department strives toward excellence in all that it does, which is why opinions and observations from alumni in the field of mass media are appreciated and taken to heart. We don’t want to lose touch. Take a moment and send an e-mail to massmedia@washburn.edu or simply fill out and return the following form.

Name: Graduation year: Address: Degree: Job title:

Debra L. Scott, 1995, is the layout and advertising designer at Parade of Homes Real Estate Magazine in Hollister, Mo.

Company:

Kristen Trapp, 2003, is the social coordinator at Topeka Blueprint Co. Inc.

Your news:

Company address: E-mail address:

Beth Warrington, 2004, is the publication coordinator at the Kansas Bar Association. Kacie Wessel, 2004, is attending graduate school at the Patterson School of Diplomacy at the University of Kentucky. Denise White, 1998, is a language arts teacher at Dodge City High School.

The Mass Media department collects notes from alumni letters, newspaper clippings and e-mails. The department encourages all alumni to keep in touch.

Mail to: Washburn University Mass Media Department 1700 SW College Ave. Topeka, KS 66621