U W U W M M W U UW W W Messenger
2021
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Business Directory The Department of Mass Media would like to congratulate NOTO for reaching its 10-years milestone! We are grateful for NOTO’s contributions to the Topeka community. We thank NOTO for its support and offer a special thank you to the NOTO businesses listed here who partnered with our students.
Galaxy Glass
912 N. Kansas Ave. 785-234-1020
Matryoshka Gallery 902 N. Kansas Ave. nototattoo.com
NOTO Arts Center 935 N. Kansas Ave. explorenoto.org
Amused
Norsemen Brewing
Arts Connect
Phoenix Finds NOTO
Corner Market
Round Table Bookstore
Compass Point: Home
Sparks & Steam
Dragon’s Realm
The Wheel Barrel
907 N. Kansas Ave. iamsoamused.com
909 N. Kansas Ave. artstopeka.org
900 N. Kansas Ave. facebook.com/ Cornermarketnoto
of Dirty Girl Adventures 800 N. Kansas Ave. dirtygirladventures.com
907 N. Kansas Ave. facebook.com/ thedragonsrealmslair
830 N. Kansas Ave. norsemenbrewing.com
823 N. Kansas Ave. phoenixfindsnoto.com
825 N. Kansas Ave. roundtablebookstore.com
907 N. Kansas Ave. sparksandsteam.com
925 N. Kansas Ave. thewheelbarrel.com
Con ten ts Contents
Washburn University | 1700 SW College Ave. | Topeka, KS | 66621
Messenger Staff 4. Chair discusses new curriculum 5. Faculty Briefs 6. Law class updates syllabus 8. Guest speakers share experience 9. Pamela Hollie wins award 10. Students share stories of veterans 11. Alumna works at hospital 12. Alumna returns from Netherlands 14. Meet alumna Kelly Haywood 16. Alumni attend grad school in Nebraska 18. Angie Grau opens up book shop in NOTO 20. Liandro Rodriguez teaches in Japan 22. Alumni Class Notes 24. Celebrating mass media graduates 25. Outstanding Students recognized 26. Mass Media presents alumni awards
Art Director
René Rentería Editorial Staff
Aaron McKinney Jace Williams Kate Drennon René Rentería Savannah Workman Tracy Randolph Contributors
Alyssa Storm Issac Deer Kyle Manthe Madison Dean Rebecca Lewis Cover Design
René Rentería Faculty Advisor
Regina Cassell
Volume 32 The Mass Media Messenger is created annually by students in Creative Media Practicum and is mailed to all department alumni and friends.
Chair discusses curriculum It was the best of times…but mostly, it was just the worst. The Department of Mass Media is eager to begin our next version of normal, and we are excited to roll out some significant changes to the department’s curriculum for fall 2021. While the faculty are always keeping their courses up-to-date, sometimes we need to step back and look at the whole picture. Then, we take a deep dive and examine each course individually and start building concentrations that match industry demands. Alumni might remember some long nights preparing papers for MM400 Media Literacy, but in the new curriculum we have created a hybrid law and literacy class that really brings these topics together in a relevant way for students. You can read more about that class on page 6. We also decided it was in the best interest of our students to combine the Creative Advertising and Public Relations concentrations into one. The Film and Video concentration will see some course name updates and an improved overall sequencing that will help students easily map out their time
at Washburn. The Contemporary Journalism concentration will see a stronger alignment with Washburn’s Student Media, and we’ve also addMaria Stover, Chair Department of Mass ed a brand-new Media concentration. The new Sports and Event Media concentration will give students an opportunity to focus specifically on two areas that always seem to have a high level of interest and wide applicability. Overall, the new curriculum underscores the commitment of all mass media faculty to provide a relevant education that produces prepared media professionals. Our ultimate aim is to create a balanced curriculum that reinforces foundational skills and competencies while giving students the soft skills that would prepare them to be nimble professionals who are able to face whatever the future of mass media brings.
Mass Media Faculty Briefs Andrew Anglin, Assisant Professor Anglin taught a new general education this spring, “Sports and the Media” and will be teaching another new course over the summer called, “Mad Men and the Creative Revolution.” This class examines the historical time period in advertising history through the lens of the Emmy-award winning television show. Anglin continued his role as a board director of the Topeka
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Advertising Federation, overseeing the organization’s scholarship award process and establishing Spark Topeka, a professional development event aimed at college students, which will be held this May. Also, his MM 415 Promotions Writing students assisted in promoting the 2021 WIFI Film Festival through social media. Anglin will also present a paper on Disney travel souvenirs at the Popular Cultural Annual Conference in June.
Kristen Grimmer, Assistant Professor Grimmer became fully remote this past year, changing all her curriculum and flipping it into a virtual learning environment. She is now offering two new classes. One called the Military in the Media, a summer elective looking at the military and how it is represented within the media and news. Grimmer has also received the Retention Star award from Washburn University, honoring her work in advising from the summer of 2020. She was also the mass media department’s official advisor for all incoming and transfer students. Maria Stover, Professor & Chair Stover had papers accepted at two conferences, but they were canceled due to COVID. She also had three publications in 2020 - two in an encyclopedia and one in an edited volume celebrating Bulgaria’s transition to a democracy. Matt Nyquist, Assistant Professor “Wow, what a semester!” With all the COVID-19 limitations going on Nyquist focused on matching students with professionals from the industry. Emmy Winner Allan Holzman and multi Academy Award winner Rick Carter (Jurassic Park, Star Wars) visited Filmmaking 2 class as did writer, director, and producer Anna Elizabeth James. Cinematography saw Leonora Anzaldua visit the students. Besides that, his main objective has been empowering students in this trying time. Patrick Early, Adjunct Instructor Early’s full-time job is Washburn’s public relations director, so his team was busy keeping students, faculty and staff informed through the changing situation in the pandemic – sometimes from home, sometimes from their offices. Early found teaching during the pandemic “odd.” Remote learning wasn’t something any of us (students or
faculty) signed up to do, and it was strange teaching that way. But, also he thinks we have learned a great deal about being flexible and hopes we’re able to keep the option to use remote learning sometimes. Regina Cassell, Senior Lecturer Cassell has earned a Certificate of Teaching and Learning the last 5 years. This year Cassell also earned the Certificate of Inclusive Teaching and Learning. 2020 marked 20 years of working at Washburn for Cassell, who started as a publication specialist for the Alumni Association. She worked on 13 issues of the Washburn Alumni Magazine from 2000 to 2003, and in 2004 she started working on the Washburn Messenger. She has worked with her students on 17 issues and counting. Cassell reflects that she has gotten to grow professionally at Washburn while watching Washburn grow and change. Sam Finch, Lecturer Finch designed the new course, Introduction to Video and Film Techniques, which replaces a video production course. The new course was created to give students in all mass media concentrations knowledge and experience in basic professional video production. The major difference between these two classes is that Introduction to Video and Film Techniques is a field class, submerging students into the world of Adobe Premiere Pro, DSLR caameras or smartphones to create media projects. Finch continued his support and student mentorship during the department’s second anual WIFI Film Festival. Tracy Horacek, Senior Admin. Assistant Horacek maintained relationships with coworkers and students via phone and ZOOM while working from home. She missed seeing everyone. She has also been asked to assume additional responsibilites by the College of Arts and Sciences.
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WU’s New Media Law Class
by Savannah Workman
Intersectionality is defined as the connected groups of social categorizations such as gender, race, caste, sexuality, religion, disability, physical appearance, even height. As the world continues to change and mass media continues to be a powerful force in society, the faculty decided a new approach to law and theory was necessary. Assistant Professor Kristen Grimmer redesigned the mass media law class to increase the scope of the course because it will now take the place of MM300 and MM400. “We wanted to include this section on diverse audiences, giving students the ability to interact with not only the changing landscape that we are in right now as a society, but also to understand how the media plays its role.” Students will spend a third of the semester covering laws and rights regarding freedoms of speech. The murky law of the First
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Amendment enables a democratic and truth-seeking exploration into the intrinsically diverse society that increasingly uses many different platforms of communication. Not only does Grimmer teach Supreme Court case studies in this new law class, but also the interconnectedness of ethics and race to point out government failings and social problems. “When we talk about diversity, we start talking about a long history of racism in the country,” said Grimmer. “How can this be changed? In the last 10 years, people have come to the forefront in the media and are showcasing that this is a problem.” Breckyn Rowley, senior mass media major with public relations concentration, took Grimmer’s special topic media law class during the spring semester. But, she also took Maxwell Kautsch’s law class in a previous semester. “We need to know what exactly
we can and can’t do in terms of the law,” said Rowley, who explained that Grimmer’s class also included weekly themes, such as religion. “In the current social climate, it is important to pay attention and have knowledge of diversity and inclusion, and what that means in a court of law,” said Rowley. Grimmer believes talking about these current events will give students the tools they need to navigate a changing landscape. “The only way you are going to change things is if you do talk about new ideas,” said Grimmer. “People are allowed to put out new ideas and the government does not censor them.” Kautsch, former adjunct professor of mass media law, accepted a new job at the University of Kansas, and he realized his schedule would not allow him to continue teaching at Washburn, too. Professor and Chair Maria Stover says the edition of ethics
and race into the new course helps close a gap in the curriculum. “The widespread issues of fake news and distrust in media bring the importance of the study of media ethics to the forefront,” said Stover. “This class has wide applicability because it aims to prepare our students not only as competent media professionals, but it also give them the knowledge and tools to act as informed media consumers.” Designing a curriculum in a set number of credit hours in an increasingly complicated world creates challenges that simply up-
t s en m Id er Div icu ct Pra ics, Law, Eth
photo illustration
dating one course cannot fix. The combining of MM300 and MM400 and the additional topics of coverage were part of the department’s mission to overhaul its existing curriculum. Exploring mass media law as a media practitioner can lead to empowering and rewarding career opportunities. Adding diversity and ethics to the law course allows students to challenge the status quo and sparks deeper conversations, which can lead to positive changes in society.
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Guests bring media expertise by Jace Williams Guest speakers within the Department of Mass Media add a real-world touch to the classroom. “It is good to hear from someone who is working in the mass media field,” said Emma Palasak. “They can give you direction on the path you want to take in mass media.” Students also appreciate the behind-the-scenes look guests can provide about different careers. “Guest speakers are very important to help inform us more on possible career options,” said Connor Deffebaugh. Guest speakers can inspire students to want to be successful in the mass media field and the speaker can layout the foundation for the students. “The guest speakers I had in my portfolio class helped provide insight for what a media career looks like after Washburn,” said Nigel Burgess. “To see real-life applications of my degree is not only inspiring, but it’s also reassuring.” There is life outside of college. “I really enjoy having guest speakers because they relate with us students and show us there is a light at the end of this long tunnel called college,” said Sydney Frantz. “All of our faculty value guest speakers because they bring such valuable knowledge that we cannot emulate in the classroom without them. Our guests are such a strong feature of our program,” said Maria Stover, professor and chair of the Department of Mass Media.
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Spring 2021 Classroom Guests MM155 Sports and the Media and/or MM393 Sports Branding & Promotion • Paris Buchanan, Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing & Fan Experience, Ole Miss Athletics • Marleah Campbell, Sports Director, WIBW TV • Gene Cassell, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications, Washburn Athletics • Tammy Cunningham, CEO of TLC Marketing Consultants and former Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Kansas City Chiefs • Matt Hutchinson, Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations, Washburn Athletics • Brittany Lauritsen, Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance and Senior Women’s Administrator, Washburn Athletics • Joy Smith, Assistant Athletic Communications Director, Washburn Athletics • Bruce Steinbrock, Assistant Athletic Director for Development, Washburn Athletics • Blaire Toedte, Digital Journalist, BBC
Monitoring MM312 Cinematography • Leonora Anzaldua, Hollywood Director and Cinematographer MM403 Journalism • Corey Jones, Reporter, Tulsa WorldHerald • Derek Richardson, Editor of Space Flight Insider and Creator of his own brand, Orbital Velocity MM414 Filmmaking 2 • Rick Carter, Production designer and art director • Allan Holzman, Moderated with Rick Carter. Emmy Award winning Editor and Director. • Anna Elizabeth James, Writer/Director of many films MM415 Promotions Writing • Taryn Reed, Social Media Coordinator, Woodruff MM420 Public Relations 2 • Patrick Early, Director, Washburn University Public Relations office • Leah Coons, Member Engagement Event Specialist, Kansas School Board Association in Topeka
• Steve Boylan, Associate Professor (Supervisory) at U.S. Army Command, from Fort Leavenworth’s Command and General Staff College MM432 Advertising 2 • Linda Bull, former Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Jones-Huyett Partners • Chris Callahan, Digital Campaign Manager, cohort.digital • Grace Clinton, Director of Business Development & Special Events, Helping Hands Humane Society
• Emi Griess, Communications Coordinator, Helping Hands Humane Society • Alissa Menke, Chief Digital Strategist & Owner, cohort.digital • Melissa White, Digital Marketing Manager, cohort.digital MM499 Career Development & Digital Portfolio • Jennifer Edwards, Communications Senior Manager, Lockheed Martin • Ian Edwards, Senior Project Analyst at Tyr Energy, Inc
• Taryn Reed, Social Media Coordinator at Woodruff • Shelley White, Head of Reinsurance Operational Excellence at Swiss Re • Duane Williams, Washburn Career Services • Marlou Wegener, Manager of Community Relations at Blue Cross Blue Shield • Pamela Evans, Director of Marketing and Development at Family Service and Guidance Center
Lifetime Achievement Award: Pamela Hollie The Department of Mass Media's grand plan to reveal its new alumni awards in the spring of 2020 lost some of its luster when all of the department’s events were canceled because of the pandemic. Plans had been underway to bring alumna Pamela Hollie, 1970, to campus for a special visit where the department had hoped to present her with the department’s first Lifetime Achievement in Mass Media Award for her many years of contributions to media. Ultimately, Hollie's award was presented in a more personal way during a planning meeting for Hollie’s virtual presentation this spring for Student Media. Hollie shared her experiences with a group of students who work for Washburn Student Media. As a former editor-in-chief of the Washburn Review, Hollie continues to honor student journalists. She established and endowed the Pamela G. Hollie Fund for Journalism Excellence in 1995, a fund that helps offset travel opportunities for employees of Student Media.
Hollie earned her Master of Science in Journalism degree from Columbia University in New York City, where she was a McGraw-Hill Scholar in 1971. She furthered her studies as a Gannett Fellow in Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii. Hollie has lived and worked around the world. For The Wall Street Journal she worked in Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York. During her 10 years at The New York Times, she was a national correspondent in Los Angeles, a foreign correspondent in Asia and a financial columnist in New York. She has lived in the Philippines, Micronesia, the Czech Republic, Malaysia, Palau, Hawaii, Illinois, California and Ohio. A promoter of journalism education, she created the highly-recognized Reuters Forum for international issues at Columbia University. As director of the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship for mid-career journalists, she created and edited a text, The Knight Bagehot Guide to Economics and
Business Journalism, Columbia University Press. Among her many honors from Washburn University are the Distinguished Service Award, which in 1981 made her the youngest recipient in Washburn’s history. She’s served on the board of the Washburn Alumni Association and Foundation. In May of 2004, Hollie received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Washburn University.
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Class shares stories by Tracy Randolph Assistant Professor Kristen Grimmer designed a new hands-on project for students in her fall 2020 MM202 Creative Media Writing. The course introduces students to numerous forms of media writing styles and interviewing. When it came time for the feature story assignment, Grimmer decided the subject and focus would be profiles on military veterans who attend Washburn University. “My purpose for doing this project was to inform students and faculty that there are veterans on campus,” said Grimmer. “I also wanted to find a way to honor and celebrate veterans, not only assigning this project but having it done for Veterans Day.” Students who participated in the project had several takeaways from the assignment. “I got some insight into how our National Guard was helping Kansans in the wake of COVID-19,” said senior Shelby Hanson. “I thought it was really cool to see how they reached out and provided assistance.” Another student, Samantha Peters, learned about the types of information that is permissible to ask and things that remain off limits, like mental health. “I always thought that you can ask about PTSD,” said sophomore
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Peters. “But it’s not an easy thing for soldiers or vets to discuss and they shouldn’t have to.” Grimmer said that when she spoke to some of the veterans, there were some who were willing and eager to share their story and accomplishments. On the other hand, some veterans did not want to rehash their experiences, while others were restricted because some subjects were off limits and confidential. It’s common in MM202 for students to have limited interviewing experience, and COVID-19 did not help. “Normally, for this course I have my students practice with each other in the classroom, and I circulate around the class to give pointers on what to do and what not to do
graphic courtesy of the Washburn Review
Students in MM202 wrote profiles over 14 veterans who attend Washburn University. The stories were published online on Veteran’s Day. Find the profiles online by searching “veterans” at washburnreview.org. during an interview.” Despite not having the in-class opportunities, “students did a great job on this project,” said Grimmer, who also worked with Regina Cassell, director of Student Media, to get the profiles published online at washburnreview.org. The students, faculty, and veterans learned adaptability in a time of uncertainty. Additionally, the greater purpose was served — to recognize, celebrate and pay tribute to our veterans.
Alumnus
takes talent to local hospital
by Kate Drennon Ryan Bishop, 2008, fell in love with the ability to create at a young age, and he tied that passion to a desire to impact the community where he lives. Bishop has worked as a digital media specialist at Stormont Health for three and a half years. He was also selected as a member of the Leadership Greater Topeka Class of 2021. “[Ryan] is one of the changemakers here in our community and this is exemplified by his inclusion in the Leadership Greater Topeka class of 2021,” said Maria Stover, professor and chair of mass media. Bishop’s work includes photography, videos, motion graphics and print projects, and he still finds time to do some freelance work. For example, he worked for the Discovery Channel doing some freelance jobs. One of his projects allowed him to show off the state of Kansas by featuring the salt mines in Hutchinson. “I was able to work with the Discovery Channel early on and do some small things here and there,” Bishop said. “It was very interesting and cool to see your own work on Discovery Channel.” Bishop’s mass media internship with Gizmo Pictures, a production company in Topeka, turned into a full-time job that lasted several years. He has also spent time working at WIBW and within the 501 School District’s communication department. All of these experiences helped shape his perspective of the Topeka Community. “Having that experience is what really helped me out. Not only in the classroom but seeking out those internships and other production experiences will set you a part,” Bishop
photo courtesy of Ryan Bishop
Ryan Bishop is Digital Media Specialist at Stormont Health. He was also selected to be part of the 2021 Leadership Topeka class.
said. “At Washburn, I was able to pick up a camera and start editing and shooting content from day one,” Bishop said. “That’s an experience I would never exchange for anything else.” He said that experience is one of the most important ways of growing and improving in the industry. “My biggest advice is to get out and shoot,” Bishop said. “Don’t sit in the computer lab all day. Just get out there and get some shutter count behind your camera.” All that work has landed Bishop right where he wants to be. He said working for the hospital during the pandemic was impactful because not only was he showing the community how Stormont works to keep people safe, but he was also part of documenting this historical period in the world.
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Alumna applies her creative skills in the
Netherlands by René Rentería Alumna Paige Ross began growing her creative business, Ross Digital Expressions, when she graduated from Washburn in 2010. Her move to the Netherlands in June 2018 did not keep her from working with existing clients and pulling in new ones, all while adjusting to an entirely new culture and language. “We submerged ourselves into Dutch language, learning right when we landed,” said Ross. Ross’ time overseas did not completely revolve around design. “I started teaching English to people that did not know English but wanted to go to university in the Netherlands,” said Ross. “We were both outsiders in that culture, so I really connected with them,” said Ross. At the same time, the increase in new, home-based businesses created a demand for graphic design work. Ross produced three dozen illustrations alongside a nutritionist for a Dutch food magazine as one project. After spending two and a half years in the Netherlands, the family felt called to return to Kansas in March 2021. Ross is starting a new chapter in her career after
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she accepted a position for a production artist at Advisors Excel. “I’m looking forward to what life is going to be like at Advisors Excel. I’ll get way more experience than I would have just on my own… I’ll be working in an environment where we can bounce ideas off of each other,” said Ross. Ross’s older brother, Thad Lockard, also a mass media alumnus, is the chief printovator for Kalos Print Services, and he also has his own freelance business called Integritty. “Paige is very good at self-teaching,” said Lockard. “She’s not afraid to try different things, and she’s not afraid to do things as she learns.” Ross switched her major from education to mass media after being inspired by Lockard. “I kind of followed his footsteps in a lot of things,” says Ross. “I would just watch him work and it was just so fascinating to me.” Lockard has encouraged Ross to value her work and be selective in the projects she accepts, especially when time is limited.
photos and graphics courtesy Paige Ross
Paige (Lockard) Ross shows off her design work for a Dutch food magazine, a project she worked on while living in the Netherlands. She and her husband, Charlie, are back in Kansas with their three boys, Michah, Ivan and Seaver, after spending two years and eight months oversees.
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Meet alumna Kelly Haywood by Kyle Manthe Anyone working for a health care provider got a front-row seat to the global pandemic. Alumna Kelly Haywood, 2016, is a coordinator for the St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Once the pandemic began, like many others across the world, Haywood was forced to work from home. She quickly adjusted to the logistics of working at home, but there were other parts of her life that she needed to balance at the same time. “I have two little
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ones, so I had to adjust my workdays, with making sure that my one that’s in school with her virtual learning that she had a good place so that she is adjusted to that, but it’s just that work-life balance,” said Haywood. One of the struggles created by all these changes in environments and routines is that of mental health. This is something that Haywood, and other staff at the hospital, recognized as a problem as they worked to create content to help people whose mental health might have been in a bad place at any point during the pandemic. “Especially working at a children’s hospital, we had a lot of people that would contact us about how they can make sure that their children’s mental health is on point,” said Haywood. Haywood has been eager to meet the challenges and expectations that come with her job, hoping to have a larger role in projects and
stepping up when given the opportunity. That mindset has helped Haywood construct a wide range of skills and to recognize what she might be lacking in order to get to where she wants to go. Focusing on her future led her to return to school in 2018, to earn a Master of Science in Administration and Project Management from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. “I knew that eventually I would love to be a supervisor and one day be a vice president in marketing and communication for a hospital organization,” said Haywood. “I knew that I needed to go back to school to have that advanced degree.” This path that Haywood has laid out for herself is not a recent development as she has been working around hospitals since her time at Washburn. She did give credit to her Washburn education, saying specifically that MM199 Mass Media Bootcamp class was important for her because it introduced her to a variety of different skills and technologies
Job Description
Coordinator St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation 2019-Present
• Draft and personalize gift agreements, proposals, stewardship letters, endowment reports, tax receipts, donor updates and contracts • Provide expert copy editing and proofreading • Schedule and manage campaign expert sessions • Help identify and meet diversity, equity, and inclusion goals • Plan and manage special projects, fundraisers and events …
that she has continued to develop. Faculty within the department remember her determination, too. “Her drive, her laser sharp focus on the goal of what she wanted to achieve, where she wanted to be, where she wanted to go, is clearly paying off, and that is how she was in school,” said Professor and Chair Maria Stover. After earning her master’s degree in 2019, Haywood started in her position at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where she has
been able to put more of her skills to use. While marketing and communication are what Haywood specializes in, she has been gaining more experience with interviewing, writing and editing. Those wide range of skills represent the flexibility and adaptability that Haywood has had to display over the past year as a person and professional. Those two qualities are also vital to staying organized and coordinated, which is the key
for Haywood. “This is just the beginning for her,” said Stover. “I really think that we should be checking with her again in five years because I wouldn’t be surprised if she had already achieved the goals she talked about,” said Stover. Haywood earned a mass media degree with a concentration in public relations and a minor in psychology. She has worked in various roles within the health care industry since 2010.
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photo courtesy of Colin Truhe
Colin Truhe finishes the first year of grad school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he is pursuing a master’s in higher education administration.
photo courtesy of Nate Lorenzen
Nate Lorenzen finishes the first year of grad school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he is pursuing a master’s in intercollegiate athletic administration.
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Alumni attend graduate school at NEBRASKA After years of late nights spent studying for undergraduate classes, some college students decide to go on and further their education at a graduate school. Under normal circumstances, graduate school is where students learn more in depth about their specialized discipline. Although that aspect remains true in 2021, things can be a little more complicated during a pandemic. One of Washburn’s mass media alumni, Nate Lorenzen, is part of the Intercollegiate Athletic Administration program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lorenzen described his initial feelings about being online. “It was weird because I felt like I was in a twilight zone,” said Lorenzen. “I was just doing the same thing every single day.” Colin Truhe, another Washburn mass media alumnus attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is part of the Higher Education Administration program there. Truhe explained his concern about the possibility of attending graduate school remotely. “I’m very much an in-person learner,” said Truhe. “I hate
Zoom classes and online classes. It’s just not my forte.” With each of their programs having small cohorts, both Truhe and Lorenzen attend in-person class sessions this semester. Though most of his classes have been face-to-face, Lorenzen thinks the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted his education. “[It’s impacted] the sense of a true classroom experience,” said Lorenzen. “I haven’t [been] able to do a lot of group projects because [we must] stay socially distanced.” Truhe has had a similar experience while attending his classes. “We really haven’t gotten to do any community building because people can’t really hang out outside of class,” said Truhe. “You show up and then leave because you’re not supposed [to] interact with people.” Although this semester has been anything but normal, Lorenzen and Truhe find ways to stay motivated. Lorenzen works as a community relations graduate assistant for the athletics department at Nebraska. “This time last year, I never
thought I’d be in graduate school. I didn’t like school that much to begin with,” said Lorenzen.“But now, I have my niche and I know what I want to do for my career and how necessary it is for me to perform well in school.” Truhe accepted a graduate assistantship, helping with undergraduate recruitment at Nebraska-Lincoln. “I really enjoy what I do,” said Truhe. “For me, it’s just exciting. Since I’m doing that, it’s motivating me to finish my programs.” Graduate school may not be for everyone, but if you have even the slightest interest, you should try it out. “Do it now 100% because you won’t want to do it later on,” said Lorenzen. “If you’re on the fence about it now and you do it, you can always say, ‘I didn’t like that,’ and move on.” Departments such as mass media at Washburn help to prepare students for their futures. “Washburn was huge in my development of grad school. It’s more project based,” said Lorenzen. “I think that they did a great job of preparing me and pushing me toward the right direction.”
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! ! O ! O ! O G ! O G ! ! GO
Alumna’s business brings education, fun to NOTO
by Alyssa Storm
Angie Grau, a Washburn University alumna, has continued to be just as successful and hardworking as she was in her collegiate career. Grau was a double major throughout college, majoring in mass media and business with an emphasis in marketing. She graduated in December of 2009, but she decided that she wasn’t done learning yet. “I've always been somebody who likes to stay busy and likes to be overly involved,” said Grau. She went on to get her MBA from Washburn in 2012. Grau met her husband while she was in the graduate program. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Grau was looking for a job at an advertising company, Jones Huyett Partners, JHP, where she got hired as an administrative assistant. She worked her way up to a media coordinator and fulfilled her dream of working at an advertising agency.
After she got pregnant with her first child, Charlotte, she knew she wanted a job that would help her spend as much time with her family as possible. After spending a year at Civic Plus in Manhattan, where she worked as a campaign coordinator and a marketing communications specialist, Grau realized she didn’t enjoy the commute. She got a job at Advisors Excel, where she worked for six years in the Creative Department as one of the account managers. While working at Advisors Excel, Grau and a coworker, Sara Batman, would always talk about how cool it would be to have a children’s bookstore because at the time they both had kids around the same age. “For years I would talk to her saying ‘wouldn't it be cool, wouldn't it be cool.’ And she would just ask me like, ‘why don't you just do it,’” said Grau. As time passed, she thought to herself “why
couldn’t I?” While she was on maternity leave with her last of three kids, she knew she wanted to focus on one thing and accomplish it; and that was Paper June. “I was so incredibly proud of her for taking the big jump to become a small business owner,”
photo by Alyssa Storm (right) Book lovers of all ages might enjoy a stroll through Paper June, located at 907 N. Kansas Ave., but this bookstore is geared toward younger children.
photo by Alyssa Storm
Alumna Angie (Marquart) Grau, 2009, stands at the register of her bookstore, which is called Paper June, which opened for business in June of 2019.
said Batman. “It is also incredibly unique in that you can also take classes or use the art studio in the store. Her passion to provide easy introductions to art and writing to children is something our community has been in great need of.” Grau purchased the training books from PAW and Associates, a training company for indie bookstore owners, and started reading. She got ideas from Pinterest and reached out to people and other book stores on Instagram. Batman, who is a graphic designer, helped Grau come up with the graphic for Paper June.
Paper June got its name and graphic in memory of Grau’s mother as well as incorporating her mother-in-law. Grau’s mother was a very influential part of her life and bookstore. Grau said that she fell in love with reading because her mother would always read to her as a kid. Her parents were both literacy teachers, so it was only fitting that she opened a bookstore. Grau got the name for the store from her mom’s name, Deborah June. The hummingbird on the logo is for her mother, they were her favorite animal, as well as them being enjoyed by her mother-in-law.
Paper June started off as a pop-up shop to make sure that it was a viable business opportunity. They were in a children’s boutique to start off. This is when she realized that there was a market for her store. Paper June opened the storefront in June of 2019 in the NOTO district. The store has all things for kids from books to art activities. The book selection ranges from babies to ages 12-14. “ I want parents to know that this is a place just for kids. The content that they have is going to be something that they can feel safe about letting their kids see,” said Grau. The store also has
wooden toys and a small selection of creative kits. “Our tagline is Paper June, a book and creativity shop. Our mission is to nurture and encourage creativity through reading, writing, art and play,” said Grau. Paper June offers a variety of classes for kids ages preschool through elementary. Grau’s advice is don’t say no to an opportunity and don’t worry if your dreams change as you do.
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Meet Alumnus Liandro
Rodriguez by Rebecca Lewis Since graduating from Washburn University with a Bachelor’s degree in mass media, concentrating on public relations, alumnus Liandro Rodriguez, 2018, lives his life in Japan as an assistant language teacher. The love for his career is overpowering, but not as much as the care and adoration he has developed with students. “I know this sounds cheesy,” said Rodriguez,“but man, they are the best.” Rodriguez’s time at Washburn gave him the confidence to pursue opportunities that he would not have in the past. “My first semester at Washburn University was the most difficult,” said Rodriguez, “I had very poor time management. But during that point in my life, I had never taken time to do homework or study.” For a split second, Rodriguez thought about giving up, believing he wasn’t cut out for school. But the support he received from multiple mass media professors inspired Rodriguez to keep on going and to not give up. Dr. Kristen Grimmer, his advisor in public relations, stated Rodriguez’s love for traveling was a way of discovering his passion in life. “I loved being his adviser in mass media because he and I both chose to study abroad in Japan when we were students,” said Grimmer. “After he completed his study abroad experience, we talked about all the cool things he got to do and learn. He presented to my class about his trip and talked about how traveling helped him expand his career goals. All of his class-
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mates enjoyed working with him and I could not be any more proud of all that he’s accomplished since he graduated.” A year after his graduation, Rodriguez moved back home to be in the comfort of his own home with family. Two months later, Rodriguez applied for multiple jobs, again without luck. He settled for a manual labor job.
photos courtesy of Liandro Rodriguez
English Instructor, Liandro Rodriguez, discusses challenges teaching abroad in Japan.
While I was working this job, I did some freelance work around town,” said Rodriguez. “Eventually, some months later, I was able to land a job at the local community college, [working] as an admissions representative.” Rodriguez’s idea to become a language teacher began when he visited Japan in 2017 through Washburn’s study abroad program. The two-week trip, put together by Sangyoub Park, professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Washburn, triggered Rodriguez’s longing for the country. “A friend who I met on that trip later told me he was applying to teach in Japan through a program called the JET program,” said Rodriguez. “That stayed in the back of my head until I decided to pull the trigger in 2018 and apply.” Rodriguez’s biggest challenge as a teacher in Japan was his inability to speak Japanese fluently, especially when trying to teach English. It was a daily challenge for Rodriguez, one that he continued to improve. Rodriguez explained his most challenging instances are when he takes charge of a lesson or project in a different language. “Of course, the Japanese teacher can jump in and translate, but we try to avoid that and have the stu-
dents understand in English,” said Rodriguez. His role as an assistant teacher involves teaching, helping students prepare for interview tests, writing tests, and college entrance exams. “Since I can’t speak Japanese too well, this has really helped me break that language barrier and gotten me closer with them,” said Rodriguez. Rodriguez’s love for his career grows along with his love for Japan. He lives on a small island with less than 2,000 people, and he said that he is the only foreigner. “Some days, I take an eighthour boat ride to get to Tokyo, Japan,” said Rodriguez. “I can’t speak Japanese very well, so every interaction has to have real effort put in. Other than that, it is super relaxing.” Besides living a couple minutes away from a “beautiful, clear blue beach,” it takes Rodriguez less than an hour to get from one side of the small island to the other. “Because it’s such a small community, everybody is very nice and laid back. It really is a special atmosphere,” said Rodriguez. “I love it here.”
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Class Notes Bayley Baker, 2020, was promoted to senior copywriter at Summit Marketing Agency.
Tricia (White) Connors, 2008, received Security Benefit’s 2020 Home Office Leadership award. She is the company’s distribution and marketing coordinator.
Kara (Protasio) Baden, 2015, is a field experience representative for HOKA ONE ONE, a shoe company. She and her husband, Josh, welcomed baby boy Flynn on Sept. 28, 2020. Jennifer (Funk) Bell, 2015, and her husband, Dalton, are expecting their first child, a boy, in June 2021. Joshua Cannon, 2020, is a livestream production specialist for Washburn University.
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Fahra (Noorani) Daredia, 2010, and her husband had a baby girl. Daredia started working for Kern County Library systems as head library associate, and she created
a podcast called “Book Talk Bakersfield.” She’s currently working on a master’s degree, with an emphasis in library information and science.
Sarah Farlee, 2008, was promoted to public relations and marketing director at FreeState Electric Cooperative in Lawrence, Kansas. She is a 2020 Spotlight on Excellence Award winner after winning a gold award in the special publications category. The award also recognizes excellence in cooperative communications across the country by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Tesa (DeForest) Eldred, 2012, has been a
graphic designer and assistant to general manager at QuikPrint in Topeka for 5 years. She married Stephen Eldred in September 2019, and her daughter, Amelia, is 8.
Mark Feuerborn, 2018, directs the “FOX 43 AM Live” show, and he won an award for Best AM Newscast in 2020 from Kansas Association of Broadcasters. He also passed the Federal Aviation Association’s Part 107 Certification exam, making him the station’s new drone pilot. Feuerborn is also working toward a ComTIA’s A+ Certification for IT support specialists. James Gorman, 2020, is a program analyst for the General Services Administration, which is an independent agency of the U.S. government established to help manage the basic functioning of federal agencies.
Eriko Hanoi, 2020, is a production sound mixer at Shiba Tech in Japan. Jessica Herrera Russell, 2014, has worked as a public information officer for the Kansas Lottery since February of 2020. She married Eric Russell April 17, 2021. She also graduated with a master’s in leadership and communication from Washburn in December of 2019. Amy Horvath, 2011, is now the business operations manager in the Office of Academic Affairs at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Maggie (McKinley) Hubbard, 2012, accepted a new position with The Moody Center based out of Massachusetts. She is the director of marketing and donor engagement. She had her first child in 2019, and she and her husband are now expecting their second child in October of 2021.
Matthew Kelly, 2013, is the marketing manager at the Capper Foundation.
Curtis Kitchen, 2002, was selected to join the American Society of Association Executives Research Committee’s AI Automation Task Force on a one-year term. Misty (Ribordy) Kruger, 2007, and her husband, Tom, welcomed baby Ryken Cole on July 9, 2020. He joins sister, Kayleigh, and brother, Thomas. Kruger works as an advisor training manager at Advisors Excel.
Hailey Mann, 2020, started a new job as web coordinator/graphic designer at Peterson Publications in Topeka.
Shalyn (Marsh) Murphy, 2009, and husband, Stuart, had their second son, Solomon James, Sept. 3, 2020. He joins older brother Elliot, 5, who says “it sure is nice to have a baby around the house.”
Bob Platt, 2008, joined the Culligan team as a Residential Water Expert in 2019 and earned the Sales Contest Record Holder award in 2020. Bob resides in Tonganoxie with his beautiful family and serves the Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City areas. Taryn Wilkins, 2018, is a transaction associate for HPC Puckett & Co.
Alicia (Phillips) Mowder, 2008, has been head of U.S. marketing for Circle K, in Charlotte, North Carolina. She also earned her certificate in Destination Marketing from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She is a also serving on a customer advisory board member for Waze.
Jennifer Yi, 2021, was accepted into the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
Send us your news! massmedia
@washburn.edu The Department of Mass Media loves hearing from alumni!
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celebrating Graduates
Camden Blosser
Nigel Burgess
Joshua Cannon
Alexis Chicalas
Grace Cole
Eliot Eckersley
Shelby Edwards
Natalie Fredrickson
Andrew Gill
James Gorman
Kathryn Heger
Kimberly Hess
Joshua Irsik
Francesca Kelley
Melissa King
Katie Larkin
Lexie Longbine
Adyson Narber
Gus Ramirez
Breckyn Rowley
Balin Schneider
Delainey Williams
Emma Wittmer
Jennifer Yi
Department of Mass Media Outstanding Service Award Amanda Zoetmulder
Francesca Kelley
Graduates who earned Departmental Honors Joshua Cannon Grace Cole Melissa King Lexie Longbine
Breckyn Rowley Delainey Williams Emma Wittmer Jennifer Yi
Amanda Zoetmulder
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2021-22 Department of Mass Media Scholarship Recipients
• Jaden Leffler • Brooke Donaldson
Robert A. Hentzen Memorial Athletic Scholarship
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Jamison plans to graduate in Spring 2022. Leah is the editor-in-chief of the Bod Magazine EIC and Advertising Manager at WU Student Media and leads two departments at Kohl’s. She serves on the WIFI Student Council as treasurer and runs her own photography business, Photos by Leah.
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• Emma Palasak
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Arthur Capper Scholarship
• Katelyn Drennon • Daphne Williams • Aleena Vincy
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During her time at Washburn, Dean has worked for Student Media as a journalist and graphic designer. She has also worked in ITS as a production assistant and is currently the producer for WU Sports Video. Madison, a December 2021 graduate, plans to use her skills to find a career she loves.
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Kenneth C. & Edith M. Bronson Scholarship
Dick Snider Scholarship • Kyle Manthe
• Zackery Hall
Madison Dean
• Rebecca Lewis • Savannah Workman • Lou Collobert
Mr. & Mrs. Oscar S. Stauffer Scholarship
Contemporary Journalism
DoGood Mass Media Scholarship
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• Mariah Rollwagen
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Edwards Family Scholarship
• Magdalena Cabrera • Katelyn Drennon
Thad M. Sandstrom Memorial Scholarship
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• Alyssa Storm • Anna Larson • Andrew Mercer
David C. Beeder Mass Media Scholarship
• Adin Replogle • Taylor Province
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• Lauryn Massey • Leah Jamison
Zula Bennington Greene Scholarship
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Dan and Rosy Bennett Scholarship
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• Emma Palasak • Leah Jamison • Mariah Rollwagen
Shelley E. White Scholarship
Dean’s Scholarship: Topeka Pen Women Endowed Scholarship
Andrew Gill
Emma Wittmer
Matthew Self
Gill is a creative who has minors in leadership studies, ceative writing and criminal justice. He is interested in writing, film, leadership and sports, which lead him to coach tennis at Seaman High School, where he graduated. He is moving to Los Angeles to pursue his film passion, and has accepted a job with Amazon.
Wittmer has honed her writing, designing and marketing abilities and has proven to be creative and efficient. With a long-standing record of initiative and innovation, Emma has developed and executed strategies within digital media, which will bring value to future employers.
After spending two years as a journalist within Student Media, Self became the editor-in-chief of the Washburn Review, which allowed him to expand his leadership skills and his passion for news. With two majors in English and political science, Self hopes to use his background in a career that will both test and appreciate him.
Film and Video
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Molly Howey, president of “GO Topeka” and senior vice president of economic development for the Greater Topeka Partnership, oversees economic efforts for Shawnee County. After graduating from Washburn, Howey became a certified economic developer through the University of Oklahoma’s University Economic Development Institute. “There’s a lot of cool things I’ve gotten to be a part of,” said Howey. “However, I think what I’m most proud of is how I’ve been able to be a part of so much positive change in my community. It hasn’t always been easy, but we have made great strides and we aren’t done yet!” After spending some time in marketing, Howey realized she loved creating professional connections. “I kept growing in my passion, which included knowledge of the community and economic development, and I had great support to continue my path in the leadership role I’m in today.” She also had her fair share of challenges in the workforce making and mainting relationships. “This industry was extremely male-dominated when I started out. There have been huge strides made to increase diversity, which is encouraging. However, it has been tough at times to overcome stereotypes and prove my credibility.”
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Terri Benson, advertising sales manager for USA Today/LocaliQ, manages a team of sales representatives who provide businesses with marketing solutions to reach local customers to grow their business. “I started at The Topeka Capital-Journal in 1993,” said Benson. “Four years later our content started publishing on CJOnline.com. I’ve grown professionally by learning and adapting to how the audience consumes our content and how they interact with advertising businesses.” Like Howey, Benson is also proud to live and work in Topeka. “The month after I graduated from Washburn with a BA in Communications, I began at TCJ,” said Benson. “I have been there for 26 years. In July of last year, I was named a sales manager for USA Today/ LOCALiQ and worked with a regional team in Kansas, Iowa and Missouri.” Benson said the hardest career transition was moving between director of marketing to a role as an advertising representative.” “I value partnerships with my clients, share their stories, engage with customers and help with branding. I enjoy advertising and marketing, learning and mentoring, and giving back to my community through leadership and volunteering.”
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