CommunicatorS10 by Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications

Vol. 14, No. 2

Summer 2010

A publication for alumni and friends of the College of Communications at Penn State

Contents

CARNEGIE NEWS

Feature: Depth, Breadth of Offerings Important Bart Richards Award • Visitors Address Social Media

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS Feature: Associate Dean John Nichols to Retire Awards for Faculty Work • Books Published

DEVELOPMENT NEWS Fosters Provide $500K for Scholarships, Facilities Passion Drives Alumna’s Gift • Scholarship Recipients

STUDENT NEWS Feature: Blue Sapphire Puts PR Skills to Practice AAF Honorees • Hands-On Experience

ALUMNI NEWS

DEPARTMENTS

From the Dean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Alumni Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 The College: How to Reach Us . . . . 59

Feature: Alumnae Make Most of Internships Alumni Achievement Award • Alumni Notes

The Communicator is published twice a year by the College of Communications at Penn State. Dean: Douglas A. Anderson Editor, Layout: Steve Sampsell Publication Policies All items relating to the College and its faculty, staff, students and alumni will be considered for publication. All correspondence should be directed to: The Communicator College of Communications The Pennsylvania State University 302 James Building University Park, PA 16801-3867 Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce. U.Ed. COM 10-115

ON THE COVER: Senior Andrew McGill qualified for the individual championships of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s Journalism Awards Program for the second time, leading another strong performance by Penn State in the annual competition. Story on Page 38, and special section in center of magazine. (Photo by John Beale)

decade; our print, broadcast, visual and online journalism students have dominated the most prestigious national competitions; our film-video students have had their works shown in venues across the country; our media studies students have collaborated with faculty members on research that has been presented at international conferences; and our telecommunications students have spearheaded Web coverage viewed around the world of the Penn State Dance Marathon and Homecoming parade. I am proud of each of the nearly 9,000 communications majors who have earned Penn State

enn State long has enjoyed a national reputation for its communications programs—and that reputation continues to grow. The first journalism degree was conferred here in 1932. We now award baccalaureate degrees in advertising/public relations, film-video, journalism, media studies, and telecommunications, along with master’s degrees in media studies and telecommunications, and a Ph.D. in mass communication. More than 20,000 students have earned degrees in some area of mass communication since that first undergraduate journalism diploma was presented during the Great Depression nearly eight decades ago. Through the years, Penn State communications graduates have distinguished themselves— and, by extension, our College—in fields across the landscape. Many have risen to the pinnacles of their professions: in journalism; advertising; public relations; film; telecommunications; as entrepreneurs and leaders of business and industry; and in a variety of fields, including law, health care and teaching. As the stories in this issue make clear, our recent graduates and current students are destined to extend the success stories of those who walked the malls of Penn State and the halls of Carnegie Building before them. The remarkable successes across a spectrum of prestigious national competitions are a testament to the quality of our students, to their work ethics, and to the dedicated instruction they receive from what I consider to be the best-balanced journalism-mass communication faculty in the country. We’ve always drawn good students—and our 100-person-plus full-time faculty and staff have worked hard to prepare them for the professions that most will enter, for the graduate and professional schools many will attend, and, quite simply, for the society to which they will contribute. Our advertising/public relations students consistently have captured national accolades this

From the Dean

degrees since my arrival at this special University in summer 1999, just as I take pride in the legions of accomplished graduates who have gone before them. Those who have graduated since 1999 represent 45 percent of all students who have been conferred communications degrees here over the past 78 years. We are all part of Penn State—as is evidenced particularly on commencement days, crisp autumn Saturdays at Beaver Stadium, on THON weekends, at Nittany Lion bowl games and alumni functions across America. The University’s traditions have been established, cemented and expanded over the past 155 years as graduates from each major on campus have made their imprints. And after reading the stories in this issue of the Communicator about the impact our students have made on a national stage during the past decade, we can be confident that our traditions of excellence will keep expanding.

Sized to Succeed CARNEGIE CLOSE-UP

The largest spring graduating class in the history of the College of Communications—887—received diplomas in May, but small class sections and top-notch faculty members such as Krishna Jayakar, an associate professor in the Department of Telecommunications, remain the norm in upper-level classes. (Photos by Steve Manuel, above, and Mark Selders, below left.)

As the largest accredited program in the nation, the College provides a breadth of options and opportunities for its students

hen Jessica Quinlan arrived in State College as a freshman in 2006, she saw a big university with a wealth of opportunities and faced it with ample optimism. One of some 42,000 Penn State students? No problem. As a student in the largest accredited mass communications program in the nation—the College of Communications enrolls 3,600 undergraduate majors and nearly 100 graduate students—she believed bigger meant better. A big program meant: ❚ numerous opportunities for hands-on class assignments and internships (she eventually completed two);

❚ a diverse and experienced faculty (she enjoyed the range of perspectives they brought to class); ❚ a broad array of extracurricular activities (she served as editor-in-chief of La Vie and participated in the Penn State Dance Marathon); and ❚ a network of alumni—proud Penn Staters from whom she could seek expertise and guidance. Plus, Quinlan discovered the College of Communications was so big that it was even good at being small. That meant many offerings of course sections that provided a healthy student-teacher ratio—especially for her upperlevel classes.

Carnegie Close-Up

For example, in the fall maintain these lofty rankNOTABLE NUMBERS 2010 semester, the College ings and performances than will offer 131 course secit is to initially achieve Some recent highlights of student opportunities in the tions limited to 20 students them. College of Communications include: or fewer. “We cannot shift our That number is typical approach, which is a con15 number of films screened during annual Student of the offerings Quinlan stant quest for excellence.” Film Festival; could consider during her In the end, that plan career at Penn State. benefits students. They can 46 hours of live webcast coverage of the Penn State She graduated in May hone their professional Dance Marathon produced by students; with a degree in advertisskills and enjoy a well131 communications course sections to be offered in ing/public relations. And rounded educational expeFall 2010 limited to 20 or fewer students; she enjoyed every aspect rience. and opportunity the big They can travel abroad 250 number of students who work behind the scenes school provided along the for an international reportor on-air at ComRadio, the web-based radio station way. ing class or complete a senhoused in the College; “It was a wonderful ior film project while workexperience, from start to ing side-by-side with alumni 635 number of students placed in for-credit internships in finish,” Quinlan said. “I’ve the field. during the past year—a record and about double the been able to do things here They can put together total of six years ago; I’d never be able to do at the webcast of the Penn other schools.” 7,326 miles traveled to China by students in the inter- State Dance Marathon or A rich history and tradiwork on radio and TV national reporting class this spring for a weeklong tion also contribute to the news programs that can be reporting assignment; and program’s success. Penn heard and seen around the $540,201 amount of scholarship money awarded to world. State’s first communicastudents in 2009-2010, nearly triple that of 10 years ago. tions degrees, in journalThey can shape real-life ism, were awarded in 1932. advertising campaigns or In the eight decades since, the College has grown— work in state-of-the-art television studios and multimeadding faculty, staff, students and opportunities—with dia laboratories. regularity. Throughout that growth, administrators have “There’s just so much to do and so much to help focused on education and the student experience while you as a student,” Quinlan said. As a result, Quinlan valuing diversity. has never worried about the quality of her education— Each of the four departments—advertising/public or the size of the College and Penn State. relations, film-video and media studies, journalism, and “When you get involved, it gets smaller pretty quicktelecommunications—contributes balance to a whole ly,” she said. “It’s good that it’s big, because there are so that serves a large student body well. many options, and then when you realize it’s small as “We have a critical mass of professors and students, well, it just gets even better.” ● and the capability to ‘do it all.’ We are not one dimensional,” said Dean Doug Anderson. “Not many programs in the country can still say that.” Since his arrival at Penn State in 1999, Anderson has consistently emphasized the potential of the College to be the most comprehensive, best-balanced program in the country. By many measures—among them undergradute performances in national contests and reputational studies of programming and research—that potential has been realized. That’s not something that provides complete satisfaction, though. Instead, it’s a motivational tool for an approach practiced by those who lead and teach in the Jessica Quinlan (left) and Jessica Over, who provided leaderCollege. ship for La Vie, the Penn State yearbook, as it earned a “I am most pleased that we are not one-year wonCertificate of Merit from the Printing Industries of America. ders,” Anderson said. “In many respects, it is harder to (Photo by Steve Manuel)

Carnegie News

Award Honors C o l u m b i a J o u r n a l i s m R e v i e w

olumbia Journalism Review, which focused half of its six issues in 2009 on the survival of serious journalism in the United States, earned the 2009 Bart Richards Award for Media Criticism. “CJR really tackled some of the essential problems of the day in our profession,” said Barbara Cochran, president emeritus of the Radio and Television News Directors Association and one of three judges for the award. “They didn’t just do one issue or a small attempt. They thoughtfully considered the problem and what to do about it.” The Bart Richards Award, presented annually by the College of Communications, recognizes outstanding contributions to print and broadcast journalism through responsible analysis or critical evaluation. The award Columbia Journalism Review dedicated three of its six issues in 2009 to an examiis intended to recognize constructively critination of the survival of serious journalism. (Photo by Jessica Quinlan) cal articles, books and electronic media and Wall Street from Jan. 1, 2000, to Jan. 30, 2007. reports; academic and other research; and reports by Starkman also produced an online database of more media ombudsmen and journalism watchdog groups. than 700 stories to accompany the story and provided This year’s award, which honored work produced examples of coverage that was sometimes good but during the 2009 calendar year, was presented in May at more often off the mark and simply wrong. the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. “His work challenged, and ultimately debunked, the In 2009, CJR used three of its six issues to address narrative of the mainstream business-press establishdifferent aspects of the question about journalism’s sur- ment,” said Mike Hoyt, executive editor of CJR. “We vival. Those included: hope it leads to a greater recognition that the interests ❚ “Do or Die: Journalism’s search for a support sysof Wall Street and the interests of the reader are not tem,” about news innovation, and the search for new necessarily the same.” models and support systems for news; Again, the judges agreed. ❚ “No Free Lunch: How to split the tab for news,” “He was addressing what people were saying all over payment models for the services of news organizations; the country,” said judge Will Norton, dean of the Meek and School of Journalism and New Media at the University ❚ “The Reconstruction of American Journalism,” a of Mississippi. “It was a compelling story.” proposal with six specific ways to support serious jour“It was a fascinating piece,” said judge Rich Holden, nalism of all kinds. executive director of the Dow Jones News Fund. “His Judges believed the yearlong effort was unparalleled. reporting and the quality of writing made the piece very At the same time, another CJR finalist for the award, strong.” “Power Problem,” a 6,400-word article by Dean Columbia Journalism Review, founded in 1961 under Starkman that critiqued the work of business and ecothe auspices of Columbia University’s Graduate School nomic journalists leading up to the U.S. financial crisis, of Journalism, works to encourage and stimulate excelearned a separate special recognition from the judges. lence in journalism in the service of a free society. It Starkman’s article found that those media outlets strives to fulfill roles as both a watchdog and a friend of focusing on financial news did not provide ample warn- the press in all its forms—newspapers, magazine, radio, ing about the impending problems, even though they television and the Internet. claimed they had. His effort, with the help of two other Recent winners of the Bart Richards Award include: CJR staff members—Elinore Longobardi and Megan Project for Excellence in Journalism, 2008; PBS McGinley—over a three-month period, included an eval- “Frontline,” 2007; and Byron Calame, public editor of uation of thousands of articles on banking, mortgages The New York Times, 2006. ●

Carnegie News

TILLMON’S TIMEOUT Mark Tillmon, a college basketball analyst and former All-America basketball player, presented the keynote lecture as part of African-American Heritage Month activities coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in the College of Communications. He works for Comcast Sports Net and CBS College Sports, among others, and presented “A Broadcaster’s State of Mind: AfricanAmericans in Sports Journalism.”

Series About Boston Public Schools Earns Inaugural Award

A seven-part series in the Boston Globe about the plight of student-athletes in Boston public schools—a series that chronicled a pattern of neglect on and off the field and eventually led to action by the city’s mayor as well as business and community leaders— Bob was selected as the inaugu- Hohler ral winner of the Award for Excellence in Coverage of Youth Sports, presented by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State. Bob Hohler, an investigative reporter in the sports department at the Globe, found the city was spending a fraction of what other school systems were on athletics. He found many other things as a result, including: a baseball team practicing in a glass-strewn alley; football teams playing on fields dotted with manhole covers; incompetent coaches; and a class system that existed because of limited support for students who did not attend academi-

cally elite schools in the system. “Taken piecemeal, these may seem like relatively small failings, the sort that can be and were unnoticed for years by the city’s leaders and its media,” said Boston Globe editor Marty Baron. “But for the students of Boston schools, many of them victims already of urban violence, it is hard to imagine a more telling invitation to anger and a sense of abandonment.” More than three dozen media outlets from across the country submitted entries for the award, which was created by the Curley Center to recognize creative, in-depth and innovative coverage of youth and high school sports by broadcast, print and online journalists. A group of faculty members from the College of Communications culled the field of entries to four finalists, which were then sent to external judges. Those judges—John

Curley, the former president, CEO and chairman of Gannett Co. Inc., for whom the Center is named; Kimberly Jones of YES Network; and Jon Saraceno of USA Today— were unanimous in their selection of Hohler’s series. They cited its comprehensive approach, solid writing and impact, because it moved people to action. “Now the city is trying to show it cares more,” Baron said. “As a direct consequence of the Hohler series, more than $7.5 million has been pledged to rebuild school athletics over the next thee years, and to create an academic mentoring system for would-be athletes. Businesses, college and local pro teams have all promised to assist, with money and expertise.” The award was presented in April at the Nittany Lion Inn. Hohler, a sports enterprise and investigative reporter for the Globe, previously served as the paper’s beat writer for the Boston Red Sox from 2000 through the 2004 championship season. ●

Carnegie News

Grogan, Stark Offer Insights at Foster Conference

Each semester, students from the College of Communications flock to sessions of the Foster Conference of Distinguished Writers—typically a nighttime session followed by a morning session featuring two talented campus visitors—and they often comment that the event should have another name. It’s not about writers, it’s about storytellers. And the spring semester guests—John Grogan, author of “Marley & Me,” and Jayson Stark of ESPN—again proved that point. Grogan shared his experiences as a columnist, which allows a fair amount of freedom as a writer, and stressed the importance of journalistic basics. He said honing basic skills allowed him to earn the opportunity to eventually explore more personal topics as a columnist and, eventually, as an author. “What I learned is that everybody has a story,” he said during his presentation. “The police beat is real-life human drama played out every day.” Transferring a column about the family dog Marley into a best-selling book started as a matter of simple math, he said. “On a good day, my columns generated 100, 150 e-mails,” he said. “More than 800 people responded to the Marley column.”

John Grogan, author of the bestseller “Marley and Me” (right), talks with Brittany Murphy during a reception before his presentation. Professor Gene Foreman (second from left) organized the Foster Conference, which attracted large crowds, including faculty members such as John Dillon (second from right), for both of its sessions. (Photo by John Beale)

Grogan’s current book, “The Longest Trip Home,” also grew from personal experience. “I look forward to life happening to me and telling a story about it,” he said. Likewise, Stark takes what he covers—he’s one of the go-to baseball writers on ESPN.com and appears on ESPN studio shows—and brings the people and stories to life. That results in part from an always inquisitive approach and from an understanding of his circum-

Jayson Stark responds to a question from faculty moderator Marea Mannion.

stances—because it’s his job to write. “I have a very demented mind,” Stark said, and he believes that helps him come up with story ideas. Also, he knows he’s required to produce a story. “Every game I’ve gone to, somebody wins and somebody loses. But there’s going to be a story either way.” In terms of his writing process, Stark believes changing media approaches benefit him. Because he writes mostly for online publication, he has more liberal deadlines than he did when he worked in the newspaper industry. So, he lingers after games, waiting and waiting to find stories others cannot—and even waiting to conduct some interviews until other media members who have tighter deadlines leave. He also embraces the changing media landscape by filing podcasts or shooting video as well as compiling information for a story. He stressed to students the need to embrace such a jack-of-all trades, open-minded approach. ●

Marty Kaiser meets with students after presenting the Oweida Lecture in Journalism Ethics. Kaiser, president of the American Society of News Editors and editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, presented “Journalism 2010 and Beyond.” (Photos by John Beale)

Visitors for Separate Social Media Sessions Offer Insights on Changes, Opportunities

Two separate sessions organized by departments in the College of Communications brought experts to campus during the spring semester to address social media and its impact on communications. Ethics was the focus of the Bronstein Lecture in Ethics and Public Relations, which featured Tim O’Brien of Pittsburgh-based O’Brien Communications and Emmanuel Tchividjian, chief ethics officer at Ruder Fill Public Relations in New York City. They discussed the responsibility that businesses, governments and other groups should shoulder at a time when almost anyone anywhere can let the world know how they feel or share information immediately.

Many of those entities have moved toward social media to share their messages, and ethics remains a matter of concern anytime such groups communicate, the experts said. During the Pockrass Memorial Lecutre, Zizi Papacharissi, a leading scholar of online media, presented a lecture titled “Social Media, Social People: Emerging Sociabilities and Social Network Sites.” Papacharissi is a professor and head of the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Her work focuses on the social and political consequences of online media. Both sessions provided timely insights for students, faculty and members of the general public. ●

● Dean Doug Anderson has been elected to a three-year term as vice president of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. The structure for evaluating and accrediting journalism and mass communications programs was established in 1945. Council membership includes representatives from professional and academic associations. ACEJMC is the agency formally recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation for accrediting programs for professional education in journalism and mass communications in institutions of higher learning. Anderson served previously as a two-term chair of the Council's national accrediting committee. Since 1990, he has chaired accrediting site-team visits to or conducted preaccreditation visits to some 45 universities. ● The John Curley Center for Sports Journalism coordinated “Full Court Press,” a seminar for college and high school sports journalists, as part of events surrounding the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis. Knight Chair Malcolm Moran served as moderator for a panel discussion, which included Penn Stater Dana O’Neil of ESPN and others covering the Final Four. The event drew dozens of participants from schools in the region. Officials from the Basketball Writers Association of America have asked the Curley Center to coordinate the event annually. ● Krishna Jayakar, an associate professor in the Department of Telecommunications, served as an invited panelist during a workshop about the reform of Video Relay Service conducted by the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C.

Carnegie News

Notes, Numbers

Closing a Chapter FACULTY/STAFF CLOSE-UP

Professor John Nichols to retire after 33 years at the University, a place where he expected a “brief visit.”

fter 33 years at Penn State and a career marked by accolades and accomplishments, John Nichols admits he knew hardly anything about the University when he came east after completing his doctoral work at the University of Minnesota. A native of “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” Happy Valley might have been the Hudson Valley or Susquehanna Valley for all he knew. “But, they had an international communications position open and in an awful job market it looked like a good option,” Nichols said. “My recollection was that Penn State was viewed as kind of a B-plus university with a football coach who was making a name for himself. “I thought it would be a good stepping stone for my career.” Three-plus decades later, Nichols, professor of communications and associate dean for graduate studies and research, plans to retire in September. He ranks as one of the most respected faculty members at Penn State. He helped shape the creation and progress of the College of Communications, has been honored for his teaching, has chaired the University Faculty Senate and has served on numerous University-wide committees. Along with serving on the strategic planning commission that recommended the creation of what is now the College of Communications, Nichols chaired that group’s graduate programs subcommittee and was a founder of the Ph.D. program in mass communications. He chaired the committee for Penn State’s first Ph.D. student in mass communiJohn Nichols has called Carnegie Building home for 33 years. (Photo by Steve Manuel) cations, and has been a member of more

the College of Communications, Department of Film-Video and Media Studies, and Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication— gram has become the secondjust happened as a converlargest in the field and earned gence of time and place. many accolades, including a Others know better. No. 1 ranking in 2005 for “I understand that perscholarly productivity of its spective, because it’s easier faculty. for me to talk about John’s He might not have accomplishments than it known much about Penn would be for me to talk State when he joined the facabout mine. But let’s be ulty in 1977, but he knows clear, he has distinguished the institutional history of himself, repeatedly, with his From the 1980s to the 2000s, Nichols lost the big glasses but the College of balanced, thoughtful and retained a smile and an appropriate coat and tie when at work. Communications better than respectful approach. He’s anyone else these days—because he helped craft that history been a great teacher and administrator,” said John with his own creativity, enthusiasm and tireless dedication. Romano, Penn State’s vice president for commonwealth “Although I’ve had plenty of opportunities to leave, I campuses, a man who has worked in numerous leadership haven’t had to because Penn State has done all the steproles at the University (including a stint as interim direcping for me,” Nichols said. “We’ve gone from a pretty tor of the journalism program in 1982-83), for the past 41 good university to a great university. We’ve gone from a years. He plans to retire at the end of June. sleepy little journalism school to the largest and arguably “John has been a classic faculty member in the sense one of the very best communications colleges in the that he came here as a junior member, passed through the nation. ranks and took on important service to his College and “I’d rather be lucky than smart. I just happened to luck the University,” Romano said. “He’s served as a role into being hired by a university that has moved up pretty model for the junior faculty members who have come aggressively. It’s a wonderful university and it’s been on an after him. He’s done his best for decades to make this a extremely positive trend line for almost all of three better place—and he’s succeeded at that.” decades I’ve been here.” Nichols has taught at least a dozen different undergradWith typical Midwestern humility, Nichols often uate and graduate courses throughout his career and was points to luck or right-place-right-time explanations for his selected College or department marshal five times. He tenure at Penn State. Those who know him, those who also earned Penn State’s Most Innovative Teacher Award have worked side-by-side with him, know better, though. for work with an undergraduate international communiAccording to Nichols, his success—which includes roles cations course during which he transformed his classroom as an expert on Cuba and international communications into a mythical nation named Zangaro—a small, ethnically issues (he’s testified before Congress on the topic nine complex and war-torn country on the northeast coast of times and has made frequent national television and South America. Students are similarly transformed into radio appearances) as well as founding leadership roles for the leadership of the country, including the archbishop,

Faculty/Staff Close-Up

than 60 other graduate committees—the majority of them doctoral and most as chair. Under his leaderhip in recent years, the Ph.D. pro-

Nichols in his office (left) in 1977, his first year on the faculty, and (right) in the 1980s.

Faculty/Staff Close-Up

commander of the military, chiefs of indigenous peoples, heads of political parties, manager of the national telephone company and owners of newspapers and radio and TV stations. After decades of civil war, the United Nations has brokered peace in Zangaro and the country’s leaders must design a new media system, write the communications laws and address many other complex problems. “It was a great class. I was the superpower ambassador to the country,” said Sean Misko (’04 Media Studies, ’04 Int’l Politics), who now works for the State Department in Washington, D.C. “It was something that allowed you to grapple with practical and policy issues. You could see how Nichols meets with Fidel Castro in the early 1990s, one of eight meetings with the Cuban decisions impacted others. leader. Nichols’ first trip to Cuba and first meeting with Castro was in 1977, launching a “There were points of con- career-long specialization in Cuban media issues. tention among those who fidential document and wanted to know how to protect it were making decisions, and you could then see how decifrom another news organization that was doing the same sions that were made affected things such as intellectual story. property rights or limits on free speech.” “They wanted to short cut their reporting and I just It’s the kind of course that students never forget. needed some advice,” he said. “It seemed like he got a Former students regularly reconnect with Nichols in perkick out of hearing from a former student, and I just autoson or by mail with introductory lines such as “You probmatically assumed he would be responsive.” ably don’t remember me, but I was the archbishop of Cantanoso, now executive editor of the Business Journal Zangaro.” in Greensboro, N.C., returned to campus in the spring as “Most of the time, I actually do remember them,” a guest speaker for the Penn State Forum. He made time Nichols said. “Zangaro was fun and I thought it conduring his visit to meet with Nichols. tributed significantly to student learning.” “What was neat was that I felt like a peer for the first As a young faculty member, one of his early undergradtime,” Catanoso said. “We connected at that level I always uate advisees was Justin Cantanoso (’82 Journ), who had wanted as a kid.” visions of work as a foreign correspondent. Connections and decency might define Nichols’ career “I loved that he was into the Sandinistas, Cuba and all more than anything else. He’s a throwback of sorts, a those revolutions. I wanted to be able to talk to him, so “company man” who has given all he could to the instituI’d read about those things, just so I could say, ‘Hey, I tion with his proudest moments coming—as one did in read in The New York Times or Rolling Stone that ...’, and mid-May—when a graduating student brought her parents that would be our starting point. by to introduce them to Nichols. “He just exuded this presence that journalism was a “That’s what it’s all about,” Nichols said afterward. “I’ll serious profession.” miss that. I won’t miss the committees and e-mails but I’ll After graduation, Cantanoso remained in touch with miss that.” Nichols occasionally and then reached out for advice Nichols plans to maintain an office on campus and, about an investigative story he was writing about the with administrative burdens gone, focus on his already tobacco industry. Catanoso had obtained a copy of a con-

The communications graduate student basketball team won its first intramural game and then reached the playoff semifinals this spring. Team members were doctoral students (from left to right) Tony Limperos, T.C. Corrigan, Aaron Heresco, Eric Miller, Rafael Diaz Torres and “coach” Nichols.

Wins or Not (And Mostly Not), Basketball Team Important for Grad Program Success Halfway through the spring semester, during a regular monthly executive committee meeting in the College of Communications, Associate Dean John Nichols began his report on the graduate program with special vigor. He told the department heads and other College leaders gathered in a meeting room on the ground floor of Carnegie Building that he had an important announcement. He paused and prepared himself for the words that were about to follow. “Our graduate-student basketball team won a game,” Nichols said. A good-natured round of applause and cheers followed. In recent years, the futility of the intramural team had been a regular portion of updates from Nichols about the graduate program. In 2010, though, the team changed its ways—collecting three victories, three forfeits and a bye to reach the playoff semifinals. For Nichols, a sports fan and the team coach in name only, the season was rewarding. “Coach K has nothing on me,” he joked during another late-semester report to the committee. Still, his reference to Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski was about basketball and success on some level. While the intramural team of graduate students rarely won games during Nichols’ tenure, he believes the existence of the team was an obvious positive for the graduate program overall. “There was a study recently about students completing doctoral programs that focused on the factors that enhanced success,” Nichols said. “There were obvious factors—faculty-student mentoring, financial support, what you’d expect—but the biggest single predictor of success was what they called camaraderie. “Doctoral education is a strange contradiction. It’s very focused, individual work that’s often embedded in a social structure where few can succeed without support of the rest of the community. As much as I jest about the basketball team, the fact that the team exists is just as important to what we do as a lot of other things. In our program, building that community, that esprit de corps, is one of the things I’m most proud about. “With the success of the grad-student basketball team, I have accomplished all of my major goals for the program and can now retire in good conscience,” Nichols concluded, half seriously. ●

Faculty/Staff Close-Up

lengthy and impressive research efforts. Nichols is the author or coauthor of numerous mongraphs, books, chapters and articles on international communications and foreign affairs. His co-authored book, “Clandestine Radio Broadcasting,” received the Outstanding Academic Book award from the Association of College and Research Libraries. “I’m still young enough, and there’s a lot that’s going to happen, so I think it’ll be productive,” he said. Not surprisingly for a specialist on Cuba and revolutionary movements, Nichols has a rebel streak. In 1994, he participated in a constitutional challenge to the U.S. ban on travel to Cuba by going to the island without official permission. Nichols and faculty from other universities were detained by federal agents upon their return, but because U.S. authorities ultimately declined to prosecute, the constitutional test failed and the ban remains in place today. But Nichols continues to push the envelope. He testified before Congress on the right to travel, joined a recent lawsuit to force the U.S. administration to restore academic travel to Cuba and hopes to complete a book on the topic in retirement. Finally, in typical John Nichols fashion, he has set the stage for his successor. (See Page 14) “I doubt that any member of the University Park faculty has served the University in such far-reaching and dedicated fashion,” Dean Doug Anderson said. “His departure will leave a huge void. But thanks to his stay-the-course, consistent and visionary work of the past seven years, the next associate dean will be able to work from the nationally respected platform John has played a leadership role in constructing.” ●

Faculty/Staff News

Hardin Named Associate Dean for Graduate Studies

arie Hardin has been appointed to succeed John Nichols as the College of Communications’ associate dean for graduate studies and research, effective Sept. 1. Nichols is retiring after serving on the Penn State faculty for 33 years, the last seven as associate dean. “Dr. Hardin is one of the country’s foremost sports journalism scholars and she is a decorated teacher,” Dean Doug Anderson said. “She will make an ideal graduate dean.” Hardin joined the faculty in fall 2003. She has taught a variety of courses, including editing, newswriting and reporting, sports, media and society, and Marie Hardin, who was honored for her teaching at the University (above, with President Spanier in 2009), brings expertise and experience that have helped her earn graduate seminars. the respect of colleagues as well as graduate students to the associate dean position. In 2009, she earned the George W. “I’m deeply honored to have the support of the Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching, one of administration and my colleagues as I move into this Penn State’s major faculty honors. She also was a finalnew position,” Hardin said. “I’m indebted to John ist in 2010 for the Scripps Howard Foundation Nichols, who has built an incredibly strong, diverse proJournalism and Mass Communication Teacher of the gram over the past seven years. I come into a program Year. that is already highly regarded at the university and Hardin, who earned her Ph.D. at the University of around the country. My job will be to maintain the Georgia, has published 40 articles in refereed journals; momentum and to support our faculty and students as more than 30 chapters, articles and reports; dozens of they bring great ideas and energy to our mission.” academic papers; and has made scores of presentations Hardin has been a diligent contributor to the graduto academic and professional groups. ate program, serving during the past seven years as a Her recent work has focused on social attitudes and chair, adviser or committee member for 18 master’s values of sports journalists and bloggers and on the degree students and 13 Ph.D. students. experiences and career paths of women in sports jourShe served previously as director of the College’s nalism. Dow Jones Center for Editing Excellence and continues “Marie moves effortlessly and seamlessly between the to serve as the associate director for research of the academy and the media professions,” Anderson said. John Curley Center for Sports Journalism. “Her daily newspaper experience as a reporter and edi“Marie’s significant experience with major academic tor, before entering academia, has served her well in associations in our field, along with her work as a siteour professionally oriented college.” team member for the Accrediting Council on Hardin also has been extensively involved in service Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, to the discipline. provides her with a national perspective that will serve She currently serves on the President’s Advisory her well in her new administrative role,” Anderson said. Council for the Association for Education in Bob Richards, the John and Ann Curley Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication; she will chair First Amendment Studies, chaired the internal search AEJMC’s Professional Freedom and Responsibility that led to Hardin’s appointment. Committee in 2010-2011; and she is a former chair of "Marie Hardin drew overwhelming support from the the Mass Communication and Society Division, faculty, staff and graduate students who contacted the AEJMC’s largest. She also has chaired three different search committee,” Richards said. “She brings to the AEJMC interest groups. Her academic administrative experience includes two position a wealth of experience as an award-winning years as associate head of the Department of Journalism teacher, a first-rate scholar and a respected administrator. Her national presence as a leader in journalism and a year as the College’s acting associate dean for and mass communications education and research will administration.

Hardin to Assume Page Center Role

Marie Hardin has been selected as the new director of the Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication at Penn State. Her appointment is effective Sept. 1. She succeeds John Nichols, who is retiring. “Dr. Hardin’s research into journalism ethics and her broad administrative experience make her an ideal leader for the Arthur W. Page Center,” said Lawrence G. Foster, chair of the Center’s Advisory Board. “She will advance the fine work done by John Nichols, who has guided the Center to a point where it is one of the leading research units of its kind in the nation.” Founded in 2004, the Page Center is dedicated to the study and development of ethics and responsibility in corporate communication and other forms of public communication. The Center has awarded grants totaling more than $336,000 to researchers from all over the country. Some of the topics they have addressed include environmental communications, company codes of ethics, the principles of PR professionals, apologies by business firms, and ethical issues in fields such as journalism, crisis communications, children and media, decision making, health care, marketing, nonprofits and sports. Hardin is one of the nation’s leading scholars of sports journalism. She is the associate director for research at the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism and will begin duties as associate dean for graduate studies and research in the College of Communications on Sept. 1 as well. Nationally, Hardin serves on the

President’s Advisory Council for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. She will chair its Professional Freedom and Responsibility Committee next year. Hardin said she is excited about becoming involved with the Page Center. “It has an experienced, engaged advisory board and strong programming. It also supports innovative and important research,” said Hardin. “I’ll be looking for ways to help the Center continue to grow its outstanding reputation.” The Arthur W. Page Center was created by three senior executives: Edward M. Block, retired senior vice president for AT&T, Lawrence G. Foster, retired corporate vice president for Johnson & Johnson, and John A. Koten, retired senior vice president for Ameritech. Foster made a leadership gift to establish the Center. The Johnson family foundations and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation also have given significant support. Other contributions have come from former colleagues of Robert Wood Johnson and from the AT&T Foundation on behalf of Arthur W. Page. The Center is named for the man who is considered the world’s pioneer in corporate public relations. Arthur W. Page joined AT&T in 1924 and became widely known for setting high standards for ethical communication. The legacy of Robert Wood Johnson also is a vital part of the Page Center. Like Page, Johnson was a strong and visible advocate of responsible corporate behavior. Recipients of Page Center grants are known as Page/Johnson Legacy Scholars. ●

Faculty/Staff News

nurture and enhance our already highly ranked position in this field among the country’s leading colleges and universities." Hardin has earned the respect of students, too. “Dr. Hardin’s positive energy and work ethic are contagious and it is so exciting to know that our College’s already-strong program will continue to grow under her direction,” Erin Whiteside, a doctoral student who this fall will join the faculty at the University of Tennessee, said. “Working with Marie has been a tremendous experience for me at Penn State and one that I have benefitted from immensely. Marie has always valued my ideas and contributions in our work together, which reflects her communication style and one that I think graduate students will appreciate as they get to know her in this new position.” Doctoral student Thomas (T.C.) Corrigan agreed. “Dr. Hardin’s appointment as associate dean for graduate studies and research is an exciting moment for graduate students like myself,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity of working with and studying under her in several capacities, and I'm continually impressed by her knowledge, work ethic and savvy. The commitment Dr. Hardin brings to every endeavor and every individual she works with is unmatched. The College will greatly benefit, as I have, from her leadership—she makes everyone around her better.” Anderson said he is looking forward to working with Hardin on a daily basis. “Beyond her credentials, which speak for themselves, she possesses the necessary intangibles,” he said. “She has the energy, the temperament, the judgment, the savvy, the resiliency, the work ethic and the operating style to continue to push our graduate program forward.” ●

Faculty/Staff News

McAllister Gets Teaching Honor Professor Matt McAllister has been honored as a 2010 Penn State Teaching Fellow. The Penn State Alumni Association, in conjunction with undergraduate and graduate governing bodies, established the award in 1988. It honors distinguished teaching and provides encouragement and incentive for excellence in teaching. Recipients are expected to share their talents and expertise with others throughout the University during the year following the award presentation. McAllister joined the Penn State faculty in 2004 after spending 13 years at Virginia Tech and has taught three undergraduate communication courses and a first-year experience course. At the end of each semester, he makes a large lecture course like COMM 100 The Mass Media and Society more personal by sending letters of commendation for the top five to 10 students to the students’ department head. Among McAllister's roles have been chairing the College of Communications General Education Student Learning

Assessment Committee, Student Learning Assessment for Media Studies and the College’s Ad Hoc Committee on Student Rating of Teaching Effectiveness. He has shared his knowledge with peers as a panelist or presenter on teaching tips for the College of Communications new-faculty orientation and as a guest lecturer in COMM 502 Pedagogy in Communications, a teaching methods course required of graduate students. In 2009, McAllister earned the Deans’ Excellence Award for Integrated Scholarship. “He takes his service responsibilities seriously,” said Dean Doug Anderson. “He carries them out because he knows they are needed, necessary and important—not simply to make required notations on his vita.” His research interests include advertising criticism, popular culture, and the political economy of the mass media. He is the author of “The Commercialization of American Culture: New Advertising, Control and Democracy” (1996, Sage), and the co-editor of “Comics

Professor Matt McAllister addresses the audience during “Research Unplugged.”

and Ideology” (2001, Peter Lang). He has also published in such journals as Critical Studies in Media Communication, Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, and Journal of Communication. At Penn State, his efforts exemplify the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. Along with his classroom-based teaching and impressive academic accomplishments, he also willingly participates in event such as “Research Unplugged,” an informaal lecture series that allows Penn State faculty members to share their expertise with members of the public. ●

Faculty Members from Three Departments Earn Promotions Faculty members from three different departments in the College have been tenured and/or promoted. Those recognized for their efforts are: ❚ Colleen Connolly-Ahern, who will become an associate professor in the Department of Advertising/Public Relations; ❚ Ford Risley, who will become a full professor in the Department of Journalism, which he also

serves as head; and ❚ Richie Sherman, who will become an associate profesor in the Department of Film-Video and Colleen Media Studies. Connolly-Ahern All of the appointments become official July 1. Ahern has been at Penn State

Ford Risley

Richie Sherman

since 2004, Risley since 1995 and Sherman since 2004. ●

Mary Beth Oliver has been named Distinguished Professor of Communications by Penn State’s Office of the President. Oliver, a faculty member of the Department of FilmVideo and Media Studies, specializes in media psychology, focusing on both the psychological effects of media and on viewers' attraction to or enjoyment of media content. “Mary Beth has built an exceptional record as an integrated scholar. She enjoys an international reputation for her research; she makes significant contributions to our graduate and undergraduate instructional missions; and she performs diligent service to her department, the College, the University and the discipline,” Mary Beth said Dean Doug Anderson. Oliver Oliver’s research focuses on emotional and cognitive responses to media, media portrayals of racial groups and the effects of such portrayals on viewers' racial attitudes, and on entertainment theory. In 2008, Oliver co-edited with Jennings Bryant the third edition of "Media Effects: Advances in Theory and Research" (Routledge). In 2009, Oliver co-edited with Robin Nabi “The Handbook of Media Processes and Effects” (Sage). These books serve as comprehensive reference volumes for the study of media effects, providing theoretical overviews of research in this area, as well as roadmaps for future scholars. Her work has appeared in such journals as the Journal of Communication, the Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Communication Research, Human Communication Research, and Journalism and Mass

Communication Quarterly, among others. She was the recipient of a Fulbright award in 2006 to study media stereotyping of Maori populations in New Zealand. She served as co-editor of the journal Media Psychology, and has served as associate editor of the Journal of Communication and Communication Theory. She currently serves on the editorial boards of numerous journals, including Journal of Communication, Mass Communication & Society, and Human Communication Research, among others. Oliver teaches media effects, communication research methods, and data analysis. She also serves as co-director of the College’s Media Effects Research Lab, which has become a launching pad for much of the graduate-student research produced in the College. University Distinguished Professors must: ❚ be acknowledged leaders in their fields of research or creative activity, as evidenced by publications in leading journals and/or books and creative accomplishments; prestigious awards and citations; and a record of invited lectures or performances; ❚ have demonstrated significant leadership in raising the standards of the University with respect to teaching, research or creative activity and service; and ❚ have demonstrated excellent teaching skills and contributed significantly to the education of students who subsequently have achieved recognition of excellence in their fields. ●

Distinguished Professor Sundar Presents at Expo in China

A College of Communications faculty member recognized internationally as an expert on information and communication technologies (ICT) was invited to talk at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China. Distinguished Professor S. Shyam Sundar presented “Social Psychology of ICT Use” in May during a panel on ICT Use and Urban Life. The Shanghai World Expo opened in early May at a fair site measuring more than two square miles. And, with more than 190

countries participating, offiSundar’s research investicials expected nearly 100 gates social and psychologiforeign leaders and 100 milcal effects of technological lion people to visit, making elements in communicait the largest world’s fair in tion media. In particular, history. his studies experimentally The overarching theme investigate the effects of for the 184-day exposition is interactivity, navigability, “Better City, Better Life,” multi-modality and agency and organizers planned to (source attribution) in Web S. Shyam examine how the continuinterfaces upon online Sundar ing progress of information users’ thoughts, emotions and communication technologies and actions. He was among the first impact growth of modern cities and to publish refereed research on the the process of urban development. effects of new media. ●

Faculty/Staff News

Mary Beth Oliver Named Distinguished Professor

Faculty/Staff News Deans’ Excellence Awards Honor Faculty Members Deans’ Excellence honorees were (left to right): Martin Camden, Michel Haigh, John Beale, Denise Bortree and Chris Ritchie.

Four full-time faculty members, an adjunct faculty member and two graduate students with teaching responsibilities were honored with annual Deans’ Excellence Awards in the College of Communications. The awards recognize those who make the University ideals of teaching, research and service a reality. Chris Ritchie, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism, earned the Deans’ Excellence Award for Teaching. Ritchie teaches a minimum of three courses every semester and serves as an instructor during the Dow Jones News Fund’s summer boot camp at Penn State. He also serves as course coordinator for COMM 260 News Writing and Reporting, which has more than 15 sections each semester, with more than two thirds of them taught by adjunct faculty members.

As course coordinator, Ritchie helps ensure consistency across the sections—which account for nearly eight percent of all communications course sections—by providing information, resources and support for the instructors. He organizes regular meetings for the instructors to address concerns and share teaching tools. Ritchie joined the College of Communications in 2001, following 20 years at newspapers throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic. “He consistently earns outstanding student evaluations, and he capably balances a heavy workload,” said Dean Doug Anderson. “He handles his own work and helps others do their work, all to benefit students. He is the ultimate team player.” Denise Bortree, an assistant professor in the Department of

Advertising/Public Relations, earned the Deans’ Excellence Award for Research and Creative Activity. In the past year, she had four peer-reviewed articles published, including a sole-authored lead article in the Journal of Public Relations Research, the premiere public relations journal. She had five articles accepted for publication in peerreviewed journals with two more under review and seven more in progress. She also has a forthcoming book chapter and she presented five papers at national or international conferences. Her work went beyond presenting and publishing. She was named to the board of the Journal of Public Relations Research and served as a reviewer for that journal while providing reviews for three other journals. She also served as a co-editor of a

walls. He works evenings and weekends, often side-by-side with students as they practice what he preaches about photojournalism. At the same time, he remains active at a high level himself—completing assignments for outlets such as the Associated Press, USA Today, Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine and many others—and spends hundreds of hours each year preparing students for major national contests. Beale also coordinates the Nikon Locker Program, which makes professional-grade photo equipment available to students, coordinates student photography projects for use on Penn State Live and works as an organizational driving force for annual Keystone Multimedia Workshops, which benefit professional news photographers in the state. “He’s one of the hardest working and most dedicated members of our faculty,” Anderson said. Alumnus Martin Camden, who earned his bachelor’s degree in filmvideo at Penn State in 2000, was honored with the Faculty Associate Award. Camden, a longtime adjunct instructor, has taught courses such as beginning film production, beginning screenwriting, and introduction to audio and video production. Camden has earned consistent praise from students for his educational approach and teaching methods. He received the 2004 Liz Ralston Award from cinema and photography faculty at Southern Illinois University and the 2000 Samuel Abrams Endowment Award from the film-video faculty at Penn State. His filmography includes numerous short films, including "Homesick," which was screened at Big Muddy International Film Festival in 2006 and "Cal-de-sac," which was screened at the Athens International Film Festival in 2003. ●

Documentary Gets Silver Telly Award “No. 4 Street of Our Lady,” the documentary film produced by three Penn State faculty members about a Polish-Catholic woman who rescued 15 Jews during the Holocaust, earned another major award when it was recognized as a recipient of a 2010 Silver Telly Award. The Silver Telly Council makes selections for the annual awards, which honor the best local, regional and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and work created for the Web. This year winners were culled from more than 13,000 entries. A Silver Telly is the highest honor possible and winners receive a Silver Telly statuette, designed by the same firm that makes Academy Award and Emmy Award statuettes. “No. 4 Street of Our Lady,” an hour-long film, tells the remarkable, yet little-known, story of Francisca Halamajowa. The film was produced by three faculty members in the College of Communications—Barbara Bird, an associate professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies; Judy Maltz, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism; and Richie Sherman, an assistant professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies. Since its world premiere in March 2009, the film has earned numerous awards at film festivals across the country and has been a much-requested film for screenings. Most recently, the film was selected for its Los Angeles premiere during the Los Angeles ● Jewish Film Festival in May.

Faculty/Staff News

special issue of a public relations peer-reviewed journal that focused on relationship building for nonprofit organizations. She works extensively on relationship building for non-profit organizations (primarily the communication between the organizations and volunteers) and on environmental communication. “She had an extraordinarily productive year,” Anderson said. “And her record is one of quality and quantity.” Michel Haigh, an assistant professor in the Department of Advertising/Public Relations, earned the Deans’ Excellence Award for Service. During a year when she handled her usual teaching load and continued to conduct timely research, she also spent literally hundreds of hours working unselfishly—at the University level, and at the college and departmental levels. Her extensive service included representing Penn State at the 2009 Higher Education Network for Community Engagement as well as service on the curriculum committee in the College of Communications. She served as a faculty senator and as a course coordinator in her department. She also volunteered for career services events that benefit current students, attended evening lectures conducted on campus and assisted with “Spend a Summer Day” sessions for prospective students and families. “Obviously, her service record extends well beyond ‘just showing up,’ ” Anderson said. “She doesn’t run—or hide—from service and outreach. She embraces it.” John Beale, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism, earned the Deans’ Excellence Award for Integrated Scholarship. He teachers upper-division and lower-division courses each semester while regularly extending his instruction well beyond classroom

Faculty/Staff News

Associate Dean Earns Award for Outreach Support

Anne Hoag, associate dean for undergraduate education and outreach in the College of Communications, earned the 2010 Shirley Hendrick Award. The Hendrick Award recognizes visionary accomplishments that lead to the success of Penn State’s outreach mission—to transform the quality of life for individuals and communities. It is named for the late Shirley Hendrick, an associate dean for continuing education in Smeal College of Business and the inaugural chair of the Commission for Adult Learners who died in 2000 at the age of 54. She was the first recipient of the Continuing Education Award for Outstanding Academic Leadership. The award was later renamed in her memory. It is open to academic administrators Anne Hoag University-wide, including deans, associate deans, assistant deans and chancellors. Penn State Outreach presented the award to Hoag during its annual awards ceremony. “The mission of the College of Communications has much in common with the University’s outreach mission,” Hoag said. “We’re preparing students for careers in media institutions. The media have a special role in society, as government watchdogs and as reliable sources of information. “Whether our students become filmmakers, journalists, public relations practitioners or communications policy activists, we prepare them for a lifetime of civic and community engagement. I’m proud to support and advocate for our dedicated faculty and students in their outreach

projects, service learning and public scholarship.” Suzanne Wrye, director of conferences in Penn State Outreach, has worked with Hoag. “Anne Hoag has consistently engaged with faculty in her college to build a portfolio of programs for Outreach that provides strategic enhancement of the college’s goals while also meeting the needs of external audiences," Wrye said. "She has worked tirelessly to create a strong group of academic youth programs, starting with selected ones and adding others over time as the initial efforts were successful. “She has consistently reinvested Outreach funds going to her area into supporting new program activities, providing them with the extra dollars sometimes essential to ensuring their successful launch. She also has created scholarship funds to support participation in some academic youth programs, making them accessible to a larger group of students.” Hoag served as director of outreach for the College of Communications from 2003 until 2005 and has continued in her outreach leadership role as associate dean since 2005. The Shirley Hendrick Award is presented annually by Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education. Outreach serves more than five million people each year, delivering more than 2,000 programs to people in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, all 50 states and 114 countries worldwide. ●

Study Finds Gender Diversity, Fewer Leadership Roles for Women College sports information offices have more gender diversity than newspaper sports departments, but women are still underrepresented in management, work in low status positions and generally leave the profession far earlier than their male counterparts, according to a recent study. Researchers from the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism used a national survey of 775 sports information directors to assess women’s standing in the profession. The study, appearing in the Journal of Sports Media and authored by doctoral student Erin Whiteside and Curley

More info online at http://comm.psu.edu/sports

Center associate director of research Marie Hardin, shows that women make up about 14 percent of those in leadership positions. An earlier study of newspaper sports departments by the Center found that 9 percent of supervisors in newspaper sports departments are women. Sports information directors handle media relations for college athlet-

ic departments and are often assigned to work with specific teams. The survey showed that work assignments were sharply divided along gender lines, with women most likely working with women’s sports and men most likely working with men’s sports. In particular, men comprised 86 percent of all the SIDs in charge of football and 79 percent of all those assigned to men’s basketball. The survey included comprehensive salary data. Most SIDs earn between $30,000 and $35,000 per year with no statistical difference by gender. ●

Wikipedia sites for AIG, Chevron, Citigroup, Many major corporations have embraced social media tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter as part of ConocoPhillips, Exxon, Ford, General Electric, General Motors, IBM and Walmart. In one year, they found an their overall public relations plans, and a Penn State average of 780,053 visitors to the sites—with faculty member and her colleague believe 1.6 million for GM and 1.4 million for Wikipedia should be monitored as part of those Walmart. efforts as well. The researchers encourage companies to Because Wikipedia allows online content to embrace social media and engage in conversabe edited by anyone (not exclusively controlled tions in the marketplace because their analysis by the company as is the case with other social of how public opinion forms on Wikipedia media sites), the faculty members who conductfound a significant shift in both rigor and ed the analysis of pages for 10 of the most visidiversity for the companies analyzed, with comble corporations in the United States over the panies that are engaged in social media faring past four years believe that Wikipedia can proMarcia better. vide an important barometer of public opinion Watson DiStaso “The tone of corporate Wikipedia articles for companies. has significantly shifted over time,” DiStaso said. “The “The findings indicate that PR practitioners must percentage of negative content increased in 2010, and pay attention to Wikipedia,” said Marcia Watson the trends in topics also have shifted from what hapDiStaso, an assistant professor in the College of pened in the past and to a much greater focus on what Communications. “It generates great influence over search engine results, so it’s often one of the first pieces is currently happening.” This study was presented at the International Public of information people find when they’re looking for a Relations Research Conference in March and will be company.” presented at the Public Relations Society of America DiStaso and Marcus Messner, an assistant professor national conference in October. ● at Virginia Commonwealth University, analyzed the

Faculty/Staff News

Analysis: Companies’ PR Plans Should Include Wikipedia

Faculty/Staff News

Book Examines U.S. Role in Global Telecommunications

A book by a College of Communications faculty member examines how and why the United States lost its “digital advantage,” and whether the country can regain its status in an ever-changing global communications marketplace. Professor Rob Frieden—in “Winning the Silicon Sweepstakes: Can the U.S. Compete in Global Telecommunications?” (2010, Yale University Press)—challenges conventional wisdom and sponsored research that the United States has best-in-class telecommunications infrastructure and services produced by an optimal, competitive marketplace. “I demonstrate that the glide path of deregulation has handicapped the nation’s competitive Rob Frieden advantage, and has contributed to a comparatively mediocre standing of the United States in both broadband and wireless markets,” Frieden said. “We need smarter, better-calibrated, light-handed regulation, coupled with efforts to promote greater consumer digital literacy.” The book addresses questions about several key issues, including: ❚ how did $1 trillion invested as part of the “information revolution” largely evaporate; ❚ how can incumbent telephone companies successfully argue the need for next generation investment incentives while at the same time claiming robust competition justifies deregulation; and ❚ how can nations successfully bridge a “digital divide” between residents that have access to information because of technology and those who do not? “Rather than rely almost exclusively on marketplace self-regulation, portions of the telecommunications marketplace need a government referee able to solve disputes and safeguard consumers,” Frieden said.

Frieden holds the Pioneers Chair in Cable Telecommunications. In addition to his teaching and research, he provides corporate training, legal counsel and consulting services in such diverse fields as personal and mobile communications, facilities interconnection, satellites and privatization. He is a leading analyst in the field of telecommunications and Internet infrastructure and has authored many comprehensive works on international telecommunications, cable satellite television and communications law. He previously published: “Managing Internet-Driven Change in International Telecommunications” (2001, Artech); and “International Telecommunications Handbook” (1996, Artech), a comprehensive book on the law and policy of international telecommunications. He most recently provided book chapters for “ ... And Communications for All—A Policy Agenda for A New Administration” (2009, Lexington Books); “The Economics of Digital Markets” (2009, Edward Elgar Publishing); and “Governing Global Electronic Networks—International Perspectives on Policy and Power” (2008, MIT Press). At the 2009 Pacific Telecommunications Conference, Frieden earned the Meheroo Jussawalla PTC Research Paper Prize for his paper, “The Spin in Broadband Statistics: Finding Ways to Make a Credible Assessment of Next Generation Network Deployment.” Frieden has served on several telecommunications and trade delegations and has authored numerous articles and papers that have appeared in law reviews, trade journals and proceedings of major conferences. He is a frequently invited speaker to forums hosted by organizations such as the American Bar Association and the International Telecommunication Union. ●

Faculty Member’s Book Examines Impact of Jazz in France

A College of Communications faculty member examines the impact of jazz, a form of music that originated in the United States, on popular music and culture in France in his first book. In “Le Jazz: Jazz and French Cultural Identity,” Matt Jordan, an assistant professor, traces an initially cool reception for the form of music in France, showing how French culture warmed to it through an ongo-

ing conversation about its significance until it became an assimilated and treasured cultural form after World War II. The 312-page book was published by the University of Illinois Press. Jordan, a member of the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies, teaches media studies, film studies and interdisciplinary approaches to history and culture. Before joining the faculty at

Penn State, he taught at the University of Louisville. In the past few years, he has presented nearly two dozen papers and had his work published in a variety Matt of publications. ● Jordan

TALENTED TEACHERS Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research John Nichols (left) with doctoral candidates Kathleen Kuehn and Mike Horning, who earned this year’s graduate teaching awards. Patrick Parsons, the Don Davis Professor of Ethics (second from right), and Jeanne Hall, associate professor, joined the presentation. (Photo by John Beale)

Faculty Present in China, Netherlands

Two faculty members from the College of Communications were invited to address foreign regulatory bodies during the spring and update them on the new American National Broadband Plan—a topic that is garnering worldwide interest. Richard Taylor and Amit Schejter, the co-directors of the Institute for Information Policy at Penn State, made presentations in China and the Netherlands, respectively. Taylor, the Palmer chair of telecommunication studies and law, was invited to make a presentation at the State Council Advisory Committee for State Informatization in Beijing. The State Council is the chief administrative authority of the People’s Republic of China. During his trip to Asia, Taylor also delivered a paper at the biennial conference of the International Telecommunications Society in Tokyo and lectured at Southwest Jiaotong University in Chengdu. Schejter, an associate professor in the Department of Telecommunications at the College, addressed the Independent Post and Telecommunications Authority of

the Netherlands, at its headquarters in The Hague. Schejter also presented his research during his visit to Europe at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and at the University of Hamburg in Germany. He has been appointed as a “Mundus Scholar” in both these institutions for the academic year 2010-11. The Institute for Information Policy, created in 1997 and housed in the College of Communications, has conducted sponsored research and self-funded programs on the social implications of information technology, with an emphasis on the potential of information technologies for improving democratic discourse, social responsibility and quality of life. Most recently it has published “ ... And Communications for All: A Policy Agenda for a New Administration,” an edited volume that was presented to President Barack Obama’s administration upon his inauguration. The book addresses many of the issues outlined in the National Broadband Plan and is cited in the plan. ●

Notes, Numbers ● Curtis Richner joined the College staff as an IT specialist. ● Associate profesor John Sanchez coordinated the seventh annual “New Faces of an Ancient People Traditional American Indian Powwow” in April. ● The College’s chapter of Kappa Tau Alpha, the honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication, was renamed as the Douglas A. Anderson Chapter of Kappa Tau Alpha after a vote of faculty members, who wanted to honor the current dean. ● Assistant professor Michael Elavsky and four students visited the Czech Republic in May to meet educators, professionals and students to learn about international communications. They prepared for the trip for much of the past year. During the spring, they used the Internet to communicate with their counterparts at two universities in the Czech Republic. On their sevenday trip, they met those other students and visited companies such as Google Czech and Czech MTV.

Development News

Fosters Give $500K for Students, Equipment Latest Suppor t for Trustee Scholarship, Multimedia Lab

wo of the College of Communications’ most loyal and generous friends have added to their longtime support with a $500,000 gift. Larry and Ellen Foster’s latest gift will create a $400,000 Trustee Matching Scholarship and will provide $100,000 for equipment in the College’s new multimedia laboratory and newsroom. “Larry and Ellen’s most recent contribution to the College will be a significant boost to our totals for Penn State’s ‘For the Future’ capital campaign, to be sure, but, most importantly, it will make life better for our students,” Dean Doug Anderson said. “The impact that the Fosters’ generosity has had on the College is unparalleled and strategically invested.” The Fosters previously have provided funds to endow the Larry and Ellen Foster Professorship in Writing and Editing and to support the twice-a-year Foster Conference of Distinguished Writers; they have contributed more than $500,000 to enhance Carnegie Building’s lobby, main conference room and student services area; they have created the Lawrence G. and Ellen M. Foster Scholarship Endowment, which has a market value of nearly $400,000; and they have provided a lead gift to establish the Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication, which is housed in the College. In addition to the Fosters’ personal gifts to the College, which

Larry and Ellen Foster have provided, through the years, some $2 million to the College of Communications and have touched the program in a variety of ways with their support for events, facilities, faculty and student scholarships. (Photo by Steve Manuel)

total some $2 million, Mr. Foster has been instrumental in securing contributions from individuals, foundations and trusts for the Page Center that total another $3 million. “To say that Larry Foster is the godfather of the modern-day College of Communications would be understatement,” Anderson said. “He and Ellen have, through their personal generosity, supported students, faculty, programs and facilities.” The Page Center is named for the man who is considered the world’s pioneer in corporate public relations. Arthur W. Page joined AT&T in 1927 and became known for setting high standards for ethical communication. “Two of my colleagues from the Arthur Page Society, Ed Block of AT&T and Jack Koten of Ameritech, helped me launch the Page Center, which already is making its mark in the public relations

profession thanks to excellent management,” Foster said. “Our goal is to make certain that future generations of students become familiar with integrity in communication.” The Page Center was the creation of Foster, retired corporate vice president for Johnson & Johnson, a distinguished alumnus of Penn State and one of the 20th century’s most respected public relations executives. “In addition to his and Ellen’s personal support of the Page Center, Larry single handedly, for all intents and purposes, has raised $3 million for endowment and operating funds for it,” Anderson said. “The spectrum of his impact on the College is incredible.” John Nichols, founding director of the Page Center, agreed. “Thanks to Larry’s vision and leadership, the Page Center has quickly become a national leader in the study and advancement of integrity in public communication

FRAMING THE FOSTERS “Larry and Ellen Foster are among Penn State’s most generous donors and loyal supporters. They have had a lasting impact on the quality of education in the College of Communications and indeed throughout the entire University. Their leadership for many University initiatives has been invaluable over the years.” — President Graham Spanier “We’re most grateful to Larry and Ellen for their continuing and extraordinary generosity in support of the College of Communications. They have made it possible for our students and faculty to excel in a multitude of ways, to stay on the cutting edge of theory and professional practice. And their gifts will help to provide access to a Penn State education for the next generation of students.” — Rod Erickson, executive vice president and provost “The Fosters continue to be remarkable champions for the College of Communications and Penn State. In the 1970s Larry encouraged University leadership to dedicate itself to expanding its philanthropic outreach programs. He saw both the need and the potential for the University to become a better institution through private support. Over the decades, Larry and Ellen have been role models for hundreds of Penn Staters. Their latest act of generosity will not only make a degree possible for many students in the College, but it will also enrich their learning experience.” — Rod Kirsch, senior vice president for development and alumni relations “Wow! What a magnificent contribution. Students, whether recipients of the scholarships or users of the multimedia newsroom, will benefit immensely. Larry and Ellen have been exceedingly generous through the years.” — John Curley, distinguished professional in residence and chair, “For the Future” capital campaign, College of Communications

The Fosters (seated, left) with several of their scholarship recipients and Foster Professor Tony Barbieri (right) during the donor dinner. (Photo by Mark Selders)

Development News

and, with its healthy endowment, will remain at the forefront of the dialog among professionals and scholars about issues of ethics and social responsibility,” Nichols said. “What a wonderful legacy.” The Fosters’ $400,000 Trustee Scholarship is the second largest in the College’s portfolio. The Trustee Matching Scholarship Program at Penn State, created in 2002 by the Board of Trustees, aims to ensure that a Penn State education is accessible to qualified students, regardless of their financial means. Under the program, the University matches approximately 5 percent of the principal of each gift annually and combines those funds with income from the endowment to effectively double the financial impact of the scholarship. A $50,000 gift payable over five years or less is the minimum gift eligible for the program. Donors may designate their gift to any campus or college and may specify a major field of such as a first preference. The 26 endowed trustee scholarships established to date in the College total $2,910,000, with an impact of a $5,820,000 endowment, counting the University’s annual match. The total endowment value of all the College’s scholarships, including those with University matches, is nearly $11 million. Of the College’s $22 million “For the Future” campaign goal, $7 million is the target for scholarships. Through the years, the Fosters have supported a number of Penn State programs, including the University Libraries, where among other things, they endowed the Foster Librarian in Communications, and Intercollegiate Athletics. ●

Development News

Hearst Foundation Provides $100K for Lab, Newsroom

The William Randolph Hearst Foundation has awarded the College of Communications a $100,000 grant to help equip its multimedia laboratory and newsroom. The lab and newsroom will occupy more than 3,000 square feet at the College’s Innovation Park facilities. The centerpiece of the newsroom, currently under construction, will be a state-ofthe-art television studio. The newsroom will be operational for the start of the fall semester. The multimedia laboratory and newsroom at Innovation Park will provide more than 3,000 square feet of “We are grateful to hands-on, state-of-the-art space (including another TV studio) for students to hone their skills. the Hearst Foundation past 50 years, scholarship support to dents to be successful in a multimefor deeming us worthy of this dia world,” Wasbotten said. “This students who excel in the grant,” Dean Doug Anderson said. will enable our students to utilize Foundation’s Journalism Awards “We are excited about the new the latest equipment and technology Program,” Anderson said. “And we space at Innovation Park that to produce content across multiple are particularly grateful for the Provost Rod Erickson has provided platforms. added support the Foundation has for us. The central administration “The key to a multimedia future provided to Penn State.” has been extremely supportive of will be to master how to use this Paul “Dino” Dinovitz, executive our efforts to provide the best possitechnology to create more comdirector of The Hearst Foundations, ble learning experience to prepare pelling content. The Hearst grant said: “The Hearst Foundations are our students for the rapidly changwill allow us to focus our efforts on delighted to support Penn State’s ing media landscape that so many producing great storytellers across multimedia lab and newsroom. of them will be entering.” all media distribution systems.” Penn State has been in the top tier The $100,000 award is the New delivery platforms are of awarding-winning collegiate jourCollege’s second six-figure grant emerging and developing at nalists. The new and enhanced stufrom the Hearst Foundation this unprecedented paces, and the dios will help prepare communicadecade. nation’s academic programs in mass tion graduates to fulfill the requireIn 2001, the College received a communications have been intensiments of their future employers.” $200,000 visiting professionals fying their efforts to ensure that Thor Wasbotten, assistant dean endowment grant. their graduates are grounded in the for student media and online opera“All of us at accredited journalcore values of their fields while tions, noted his appreciation. ism-mass communication programs being cognizant and capable of “We are grateful to the Hearst are in the debt of the Hearst working across emerging delivery Foundation for supporting our Foundation for providing, over the platforms. ● College in our quest to prepare stu-

Matt Jackson, head of the Department of Telecommunications, addresses a class in the Forum Building. (Photo by Mark Selders)

AT&T Designates $100K for Trustee Scholarship in Telecommunications

A $100,000 gift paid over five years from AT&T has created the first Trustee Matching Scholarship in the College of Communications designated specifically for telecommunications students. Along with being the first for students focusing in that field, the scholarship also represents a proactive collaboration between different units at the University. The funding was derived from a business agreement between AT&T and information technology services (ITS) at Penn State. “This is fabulous,” Dean Doug Anderson said. “It’s a wonderful example of the University’s studentcentered approach, with people keeping students and their educations at the forefront of what we do on a daily basis.” Jeffrey Kuhns, the University’s associate vice provost for information technology, who worked closely with AT&T officials on the business agreement, helped make the scholarship support a reality. “Our students certainly appreciate the opportunity a telecommuni-

cations-specific Trustee Matching Scholarship provides,” said Matt Jackson, associate professor and head of the Department of Telecommunications. “Scholarships allow us to keep a Penn State education affordable and reward students. It’s an opportunity that’ll help many students each year.” The Trustee Matching Scholarship Program at Penn State, created in 2002 by the Board of Trustees, aims to ensure that a Penn State education is accessible to qualified students, regardless of their financial means. Under the program, the University matches approximately 5 percent of the principal of each gift annually and combines those funds with income from the endowment to effectively double the financial impact of the scholarship. A $50,000 gift payable over five years or less is the minimum gift eligible for the program. Donors may designate their gift to any campus or college and may specify a major field of such as a first preference. ●

An alumna who has had abundant personal interaction with students in the College of Communications and believes in their commitment and talent has created an annual award to recognize them for their academic excellence. Jeanne Chapkovich (’73 Journ) committed to annual gifts of $1,000 a year over five years to support the award. “When you meet our students, talk to them and Jeanne get a sense of their Chapkovich passion, it’s hard not to want to support what they do however you can,” said Chapkovich, the retired director of customer service for Rodale Inc. “It’s a great feeling to be able to support them in some way, because every little bit helps.” All undergraduate communications students who have achieved academic excellence are eligible for the the Jeanne Chapkovich Communications Award—with a first preference for those who have transfered from the Mont Alto campus. Chapkovich serves on the College of Communications Alumni Society Board. She said her interactions with students, administrators and faculty in the College helped influence her decision to create the award. “Would I love to be able to give millions of dollars? Sure, but that’s not possible,” she said. “Still, I’ve learned that all those little $100 gifts do add up, and that our students do need extra support. Our College does a lot to be proud about and if I can help in a little way that’s great.” ●

Development News

Chapkovich Creates Annual Student Award

Development News

Significant Support Provides $540,201 for Students

Thanks to many contributors, the College made 420 awards worth a record $540,201 during the 2009-10 academic year. A list of awards and recipients follows. Advertising

Collegian AIG Scholarship Holly Colbo Rossilynne Skena

Jessica Stecklein Elizabeth Vaida

Ostar-Hutchison Daily Collegian Scholarship Matthew Fortuna

General Communications

Kent A. Petersen Memorial Scholarship Nathanael Mink Wayne Staats Daniel Tyson

Franklin Banner Scholarship Nicole Guven Ethics Marc A. Brownstein Scholarship in Advertising Kelsey Thompson Donald W. Davis Mass Communication Fund Jessica Bennett Douglas Flynn Wayne Hilinski Advertising Scholarship Melissa Bechtold Dana Pidliskey Interstate Advertising Managers Association Teresa Carosa Sharon Lynn Palaisa Jackson Memorial Hannah Qualley Lauren Smith

Daily Collegian Damon M. Chappie Memorial Award in Investigative Journalism Stephen Hennessey Audrey Snyder Collegian Alumni Hall of Fame Scholarship Rossilynne Skena

Don Davis Program in Ethical Leadership/The Davis Award Alyce Dilauro Kristen Gunnison Chenjerai Kumanyika Jordan McCollough

Film-Video Samuel D. Abrams and Lillian K. Abrams Senior Film Endowment Brianne Aiken Jason Hellerman Erica Sperber Carmen Finestra Film Project Grant-in-Aid Sameer Barkawi Adam Bouc Debra Cohen Rebecca Eisenberg Michael Grimm Jason Hellerman Robert Kendrick Erica Sperber Elizabeth Vaida Alexander Zarnoski Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Grant Jordan Adams Alexander Hintenach Andrea Heiseman Brittany Peterson

Alumni Society Scholarship Staci Pawlak College of Communications Deanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Excellence Scholarship Amy Aubert Andrew McGill Edward Rather John and Ann Curley Scholarship in Communications Krystin Arrabito Stefanie Davis Jessica Knecht Samantha Nicholson Micahel Oplinger Angela Schlosser Brian Tripp Lawrence G. and Ellen M. Foster Scholarship John Bittner Nicole Colon-Quintana Stacey Federoff Eric Feinstein Amanda Hofmockel Danielle Zelinsky Raymond and Shirley (Gable) Galant Communications Scholarship Veronica Auger Tiffany Brennan Dax Frakes Alyssa Murphy Megan Shawver Adason Titus Mark Greenwald Communications Scholarship Ashley Hinson Jay Grossman Award in Communications Katie Flaherty

Development News

STACK SESSION Aileen Comey, a journalism major who graduated in May, organizes books in the stacks of Pattee Library. She worked part-time at the library throughout her career at Penn State. (Photo by Laura Shay)

David and Mary Lee Jones Washington, D.C., Scholarship Kelly Brough Samantha Cohen LAMCO Communications Inc. Scholarship John Dempsey Douglas Marino Shellie M. Roth Honors Scholarship Valerie Dames James Wiggins and Christine Fleming Scholarship in Communications David Rockwell

Graduate Studies Douglas and Claudia Anderson Communications Scholarship Sar Bellur-Thandaveshwara College of Communications Graduate Award Yong Tang Marlowe Froke Graduate Scholarship in Education and Public Affairs in Public Broadcasting Jonathan Obar

Gene and Fran Goodwin Journalism Scholarship Yong Tang Michael Todd Graduate Paper Competition Award Haiyan Jia Shannon Kennan Guan-Soon Khoo Kathleen Kuehn Jonathan Obar Daniel Tamul Julia Woolley

Incoming Freshmen Sidney and Helen Friedman Endowed Scholarship Weirui Wang

Lawrence G. and Ellen M. Foster Merit Scholarship Nicole Colon-Quintana

Development News

Jennifer Dobrovolski Georgina Feghali Jacob Feldman Michael Fliegelman Benjamin Greene Emily Kaplan Blaire Kelly Matthew Macmurchy Sara Matulonis Danielle Meyers Daniel Smith Elise Watson

Julianna Polizze Jessica Reyes David Sadofsky Alexa Santoro Antoinette Scherer Gabrielle Serafine Karissa Shatzer Raquel Silano Jennifer Stearns Jenny Smith John Walk Julia Weber

Howard J. Lamade Communications Scholarship Nicholas Dempsey

School of Communications Internship Grant Amy Aubert Elizabeth Murphy Wayne Staats

Lipson Family Scholarship in the College of Communications Kelsey Bonsell Zachary Johnston Richard and Victoria Mallary Scholarship in Communications Michael Simpson Christopher Tutolo

Internship Endowments College of Communications Alumni Society/Neal J. Friedman Internship Fund Brianne Aiken Veronica Bautista Brittany Berger Gino Bizzozero Alexandra Bostwick Stefanie Davis Abbey Farkas Erica Farmer Erin Fegely Dax Frakes Kevin Green Cassandra Hallacker Peter Jensen Rupal Joshi Ashley Mannings Rebecca Masterbone Nicholas Mittereder Lauren Mitsch Samantha Nicholson Mary Christine Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien Catherine Orlando Laura Peck

Knight Minority Internship Award Riccardo Ghia Nadin Naumann Honora and William Jaffe Scholarship in Communications Ashley Bennett Kathryn Giampa Michelle LaCroix Lauren Kuefner Sebastian Saraceno Laura Shay Jacob Wilkins

Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Robert K. Zimmerman Memorial Award Benjamin Simmons Morgan Signs/Barash Advertising Internship Jillian Panepresso Jessica Candelmo A.W. (Dude) McDowell Memorial Scholarship Alexa Keeley Rossilynne Skena Gregory Michael Schiff Memorial Scholarship in Communications Michelle Borek Marc Buono Megan Hershey Christopher Hush Morgan Nixon Gregory Yeager Robert K. Zimmerman Memorial Internship Endowment Megan Brophy Robert Early Brittany Trott Kara Warr

Journalism Marvin and Josie Krasnansky Internship Grant David Barchet Paula Broussard Erin Cunniffe Urja Dave Riccardo Ghia Kathryn Gorman Melanie Grinder Robert Kendrick Scott Muska Kylie Nellis Sara Pearson Eleni Psaltis Catherine Seraphin Leslie Small Michelle Todisco Devin Tomb Ashley Trott Danielle Vickery Pamela Wentworth Aubrey Whelan Joshua Wilensky

Donald E. Allen Memorial Scholarship in Communications Lane Borgida Kelsey Bradbury Anthony Duggan Alexandra Farrell Alex Federman James Gibbons Amy Lewis Kelly Martin Michele Mendelson Emily Pasi Anne Richards Danielle Vickery Jessica Yochim Caroline A. Bange Memorial Award Bryan Drissel

Louis H. Bell Memorial Scholarship Stephanie Goga S.W. Calkins Memorial Award Lauren Boyer Tamara Conrad Winifred Imhof Cook Journalism Scholarship Sierra Coppage Alexa Santoro Heather Schmelzlen Stanley E. Degler Scholarship Elizabeth Downey Karissa Shatzer Edward S. Dubbs Jr. Scholarship Anthony Duggan Andrew Ryan Samantha Smink Evelyn Y. Davis Scholarship Sarah Burton Urja Dave Meghan Walsh Gannett Foundation Multimedia Awards Christine Branigan Andrew Colwell Victoria Cooper Michael Felletter Nicole Ferrara Amanda Hofmockel Meagan Kanagy Andrew McGill Ricardo Morales Grace Muller Fiorella Otero Alexandra Petri David Reinbold Laura Shay Daniel Sullivan Evan Trowbridge Danielle Vickery Candace Worthen

Rheta B. Glueck Prize Kiera Missanelli George E. Graff Journalism Scholarship Eric Feinstein William Randolph Hearst Foundation Scholarship Kevin Cirilli Rachid Haoues Jeffrey Howanek Andrew McGill Ricardo Morales Katherine Redding Daniel Sullivan Aubrey Whelan International Reporting Class Awards Tamara Conrad Michael Felletter Eric Jou Phenola Lawrence Grace Muller Elizabeth Murphy Jodi Raab Eric Reed Kelly Rippin Courtlyn Roser-Jones Heather Schmelzlen Devin Tomb Evan Trowbridge Danielle Vickery Alexander Weisler Reuben Jaffe Memorial Journalism Scholarship Veronica Bautista Samantha Scheller David and Mary Lee Jones Journalism Scholarship Sarim Ngo Nicholas Waugh The Journalism Fund Jennifer Connor Laura Hibbs John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Diversity Scholars Program Kevin Green Brittany Marshall

Ricardo Morales Folashade Olasimbo Joesph Santiago Knight Diversity Scholarship in Sports Journalism Rachid Haoues Stanley Whyte Isadore and Anna Krasnansky Minority Scholarship Julie Knecht Ivana Lee Christiana Shyllon Julia Weber Marvin L. and Josie Krasnansky Undergraduate Scholarship in Communications Marissa Foy Travis Salters Jean Ward Lapton Memorial Award in Journalism Jaquelyn Tylka Julia Ibbotson Martin Scholarship in Journalism Alexia Miller Steinman Foundations and Lancaster Newspapers Inc. Scholarship Fund Alexia Miller John Walk Joseph F. and Mary P. Loftus Award for Outstanding Writing Peter Dombrosky Charles M. Meredith Sr. Scholarship Amanda Elser Andrew McGill Sebastian Saraceno John R. Jr. and John R. III and Jayne E. Miller Minority Scholarship Caitlin Defusco Norman C. and Mollie Miller Journalism Scholarship Ebony Martin

Development News

Quinton E. Beauge Memorial Journalism Scholarship Brad Heffner Kaitlyn Knopp

Development News

Linda Martelli Memorial Award in Journalism Rosemary Cochrane Kylie Nellis

Jerome Weinstein Journalism Scholarship Erin Fegely Mallory Gadye

Douglas & Claudia Anderson Trustee Scholarship in Journalism Taylor Larouche Raquel Silano

Harold E. Newlin Memorial Award Fund Stefanie Davis

Jeanne Stiles Williamson Scholarship Rebecca Blakeslee Brittany Stoner

Donald P. Bellisario Trustee Scholarship Brianne Aiken Joshua Armstrong Amber Bosland Jonathan Chorle Maggie Davis Jame Decosmo Marikaye Detemple Jonathan Evans Harry Green Melissa Grounds Pearly Huang Mallory Jaroski Dakota Kauffman Walter Krivitsky Laura Kruse Kimberlee Lawrence Katelynn Levanduski Shaira Lundy Pamela Maierhofer Zachary McManigle Jason Oshman Julianna Polizze John Rimer Whitney Rouse Ian Strong Michael Vincent Andre Woods

Bernie Newman Scholarship in Journalism Sara Matulonis Amanda Vazquez Jelanie Williams George E. Paterno Memorial Scholarship Paul Casella Peter Jensen Penn State Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Award Michelle Toennies

Study Abroad Helene Eckstein Study Abroad Scholarship Tamara Conrad Michael Felletter Eric Jou Phenola Lawrence Elizabeth Murphy Heather Schmelzlen Evan Trowbridge Danielle Vickery

William and Catherine Rzasa Scholarship in Journalism Erin Shields Corey Willinsky

Philip Radcliffe International Scholarship Katie Sullivan

Richard and Arlene Small Journalism Scholarship for Sports Writing in Memory of Ridge Riley James Bowen Rebecca Frack Ryan Konopki Patrick McDermott Nicholas Mittereder Kenneth Rubenstein Al-Hassan Sheriff Brendan Shorts Ryan Snyder Lauren Sujkowski Adam Wicks Katherine Wiedie Jacob Wilkins David Wolff Ryan Wood

Telecommunications-Radio

Salters Family Memorial Scholarship Ashley Basehore Katelyn Curran Ashley Mannings

Bradford Brian Communications Scholarship Michael Giannelli Jason Milnes Warren and Carole Maurer Radio Scholarship Bryant Powell Viviana Pineda Lou H. Murray Scholarship Paula Brossard Bree Feibischoff

Marc A. Brownstein Trustee Scholarship Stevie Clark Kay Makishi Nile D. Coon Trustee Scholarship Joanna Blake Meagan Ebmeyer Christine Gabel Eric Jou Craig Smith

Trustee Douglas & Claudia Anderson Trustee Scholarship Avery Kellam Danielle Samela

John & Ann Curley Trustee Scholarship Angelo Acampora Amanda Hartmann Samantha Howsare Jaclyn Taylor Megan Waldron

Development News

Fetter Family Trustee Scholarship Amanda Ulmer Jennifer Wallington Gene Foreman Trustee Scholarship Michael Holden Jennifer Reitz Jennifer Shutt Samantha Williams Tom Gibb Memorial Trustee Scholarship Kristina Repko Owen Rogers Shannon Simcox Hayden Family Trustee Scholarship Gichuhi Kamau Holly Millslagle Freda Azen Jaffe Memorial Trustee Scholarship Ashley Gabel Angelica Lu Warren L. & Carole L. Maurer Trustee Scholarship Angela Barajas Arielle Soriente Christopher J. & Patricia S. Martin Trustee Scholarship Phenola Lawrence Kaitlyn Ricany Maralyn Davis Mazza Trustee Scholarship Nicole Edelman Kiu Lau Christopher Nock Robert J. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leary Trustee Scholarship Eric Fung Mariya Saroka Penn State Alumni Association Trustee Scholarship Anna Bernat Mikhail Herrera

SNOW JOB A lone man clears a blanket of snow off his car parked in downtown State College after a February snowstorm. (Photo by Jill Marateck)

Eric W. Rabe Trustee Scholarship Unique Parker Katelyn Shelton William Y.E. & Ethel Rambo Trustee Scholarship Yasmein James Christina Jean-Louis Monika Kloda Robert L. & Mary Lee Schneider Trustee Scholarship Catherine Dempsey Annamarie Diraddo Laura Swinyer Andrew & Beatrice Schultz Trustee Scholarship Kaitlyn Hoffman Courtney Kirschman

Steinman Foundations Trustee Scholarship Kyle Cooper Alexia Miller Kristen Tunney Trustee Scholarship Fund for the College of Communications Brittany Berger Victoria Chu Demetria Wright Christopher C. Wheeler Trustee Scholarship Shane Guzowski Stanley White

Practicing Practical PR STUDENT CLOSE-UP

PJ Maierhofer (above right and at right) greets some participants of the event she organized to support a scholarship fund. (Photos by Andy Colwell)

Blue Sapphire gains hands-on experience by creating, implementing event.

By Jessica Quinlan (’10)

utting both her passions to good use, PJ Maierhofer—who served as the Blue Band’s feature twirler, Blue Sapphire, throughout her career at Penn State—provided a showcase for future baton twirlers and raised money for the scholarship fund that helped her during her career when she conducted the first-ever Blue Sapphire Classic on campus in March. “When I originally had the idea to do this, I thought ‘Well wouldn’t it be neat to take my passion and my profession and put myself to the test?’ ” Maierhofer said. This National Baton Twirling Association-sanctioned event brought in 215 participants from all over the region to raise awareness about the existence of competitive baton twirling. Additionally, the Blue Sapphire Classic raised money for the David and Lori Uhazie Feature Twirler Scholarship endowment.

Currently that scholarship pays for about a quarter of fall semester tuition and is awarded to Penn State’s feature twirler only during the fall semester. Maierhofer’s goal was to raise enough money from the competition to eventually support the feature twirler’s full fall tuition through the scholarship. Although the event became a reality in 2010, its development was more than a year in the making. Maierhofer, who graduated in May with a degree in advertising/public relations and also completed three internships during her time at Penn State, was responsible for designing a proposal, getting it approved and organizing everything related to the Blue Sapphire Classic. “This was a vision I had spring of my junior year,” she said. “I spent the majority of my childhood competing and always loved going to ‘big gyms’ to compete. Often, while practicing in Rec

Class Assignment Provides Real-Life Proving Ground for Students’ School Ideas Several College of Communications students, who worked on a group project for an advertising campaigns course, made presentations to board members for an independent school in State College—and some of those ideas might be part of the school’s overall development and marketing approach in the future. Students in COMM 424 Advertising Campaigns, taught by Bob Baukus, associate professor and head of the Department of Advertising/Public Relations, worked in four separate groups and put together advertising campaigns for the State College Friends School, an independent school for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. In order to complete the assignments, members of the groups visited the school and conducted market research before focusing on enrollment/recruitment and fundraising efforts for their projects. “I was pleased with the quality of their work,” Baukus said. “Each of the four groups really came up with strong plans.” In addition, each group of communications students worked with one MBA student from the Smeal College of Business on their plans. When final presentations were made in class, two officials from the Friends School were asked to visit. They came away impressed as well—so much so that they requested that full presentations be made before the school’s entire board of trustees. “We pulled two groups at random,” Baukus said. “They were all strong, and the board did not have time to hear all the groups.” Still, Baukus shared the materials from every group with leaders of the school. The two groups that made presentations to the board of trustees in January made an impact. For the non-profit school, the ideas about their programs—as seen by a fresh set of observers—provided invaluable feedback. “We have a small staff, and sometimes cannot afford to do the kinds of things they helped us with,” said Beth Giles, director of development for the Friends School. “Their market research was wonderful. The students conducted polling and because they were a third party, people were honest and we got important feedback.” While the project helped the Friends School, and some of the students’ marketing and recruiting ideas could be implemented by the school, the project itself was a valuable real-life opportunity for the students. “It was a great project for our students,” Baukus said. “They took what they did in the classroom and made an impact. Their efforts went beyond campus and into the community. They helped some others, and they also learned a lot.” ●

Student Close-Up

Hall I’d look around and just thought it would be a sweet place to have a competition.” Her work creating and organizing the event was one of many regular examples of students from the College of Communications who find practical applications for class work or who nurture an idea of their own from start to finish. (See sidebar for classroom example, at right.) Just like real-world endeavors, the assignments or ideas rarely come to fruition easily. For Maierhofer, one main setback was not receiving approval for the use of Rec Hall until December 2009. That prevented her from developing many of the marketing and promotional materials surrounding the event. But, once she got the approval to use the 82-year-old building, she rose to the challenge and publicized the event in expeditious fashion. She was given only a short time to reach out to twirling athletes and their coaches across the country. Maierhofer clung to all of the essential tools she had learned during her public relations education: press releases, posters, a web site and social networking tools. With all of the event falling on her shoulders and an always busy schedule, Maierhofer asked for some help and delegated when necessary. She enlisted some help from University staff, fellow Penn State majorettes and her family. Among those who were especially helpful were: President Graham Spanier, Athletics Director Tim Curley, Blue Band Director Dr. O. Richard Bundy, Kathy Bamat, Heather Bean, Pam Maierhofer, Janeann Lindsay and Dan Heckman. The day ran relatively smoothly and was filled with competitors, vendors and supportive spectators. The event even brought back several alumni feature twirlers who showed their thanks and support for the David and Lori Uhazie Feature Twirler Scholarship that provided for them during their time at the University. Rec Hall drew quite a crowd—a testament to Penn State’s highly respected spot in the twirling community. Maierhofer was pleased with the event and viewed it as a success for its inaugural year. She had some tangible results for that success, too, because her fundraising efforts approached $20,000—far beyond her $15,000 goal. She hopes to make the Blue Sapphire Classic an annual tradition. “I’m not always the best at taking a moment to look around, but at one point during the day I went upstairs to the mezzanine area and just stood for a minute and looked down,” Maierhofer said. “I just laughed and smiled. “It’s amazing what you can accomplish with a dream and a little effort.” ●

Student News

Seven Graduates Selected as Student Marshals

even graduating seniors served as student marshals for the College of Communications during spring commencement exercises May 15 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Students who excelled in both academics and extra-curricular activities were selected as well-rounded representatives of their respective majors. Lauren Smith, from Dunkirk, Md., Lauren was the overall marshal. She majored Smith in advertising and completed two other majors: international studies and Spanish. She added a minor in business. Smith received the President’s Freshman Award, the Evan Pugh Scholar Award and Sharon Lynn Palaisa Jackson Memorial Scholarship. She was active with the Lutheran Student Community and the student advertising competition conducted by the American Advertising Federation. She plans to pursue a career in advertising in either Chicago or New York. Jessica Chen of Branchburg, N.J., served as the advertising and public relations student marshal. Along with her classroom work, Chen worked as an intern for the Center for Performing Arts at Penn State, Edelman Public Relations, Organon USA and US Weekly. Chen was a member of Golden Key National Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She served as a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and the College of Communications Diversity Ambassador program. She was an active supporter of the Penn State Dance Marathon (THON). Ryan Quinn of Pittsburgh served as the film-video student marshal. He received numerous awards and scholarships for his work in film production. On campus, he put his skills to use as a director and co-producer for many shows featured on PSN-TV. Additionally, Quinn worked as a cameraman for “304,” a studentproduced sitcom, and has been a member of the Student Film Organization. Quinn also gained a great deal of hands-on film experience while at Penn State. In the summer of 2008, he served as a production assistant on a short film titled “Maybe Pittsburgh.” He has written and directed four short films and one feature-length film. Following graduation, Quinn plans to remain in State College for about a year with a contingent of peers while they prepare to open an independent film production company.

Jessica Chen

Ryan Quinn

Kylie Nellis

Creig Smith

Kyle Vinansky

Seth Bruckner

Kylie Nellis of Wexford, Pa., completed three majors while at the University: broadcast journalism, international politics and German. She served as the journalism student marshal. A Schreyer Honors Scholar, Nellis received numerous awards, scholarships and grants for her academic excellence. Nellis enhanced her broadcast journalism experience through internships and part-time jobs with the Big Ten Network, Fox News Channel, WTAJ-TV, KDKA-TV and Metro Networks News. Nellis also contributed to ComRadio, “Centre County Report” and PSN-TV. A member of the varsity cheerleading team, she was also an active supporter of THON. After graduation, Nellis will spend a year touring the country in the Wienermobile as one of the Oscar Mayer “hotdoggers.” Creig Smith of Newport, Pa., served as the telecommunications student marshal. A Shreyer Honors Scholar and regular dean’s list honoree, Smith also was an active participant of the Initiative for Nurturing Democratic Identity. He participated in the “Czech Mates” program, which combined classwork, interaction with students from other universities and a studyabroad opportunity to Czech Republic in its inaugural year. Kyle Vinansky of Mechanicsburg, Pa., served as the media studies student marshal. He completed majors in both media studies and finance. A Shreyer Honors

Student News

SUCCESS STORY A communications-specific job fair conducted in New York City and dubbed “Success in the City” has become a successful tradition for the College of Communications. This spring, more than 350 students attended the event at the Time Warner Building. They had the opportunity to meet 140 recruiters from 57 communications companies with headquarters in and around New York City. The event is one of two communications-specific job fairs conducted by the College each spring. Along with Success in the City, students may attend JobExpo.Comm(unications), which is conducted in the HUB-Robeson Center.

Scholar, Vinansky received numerous awards and honors, including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, the President’s Freshman Award, and the Schreyer Academic Excellence Scholarship. Vinansky, a member of Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society, was active with PSN-TV since his freshman year, serving as question coordinator and producer for shows such as “After Hours,” “The U” and “What’s That Fact?” His experience extends outside of the classroom and he has worked as a financing and accounting analyst for Bryn Mawr Communications LLC, a company outside Philadelphia that specializes in

medical magazine publishing. Vinasky hopes to find a job in business and media or attend graduate school. Seth Bruckner, from Washington, Pa., earned his degree in film-video and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in May. He served as the ROTC marshal for the College of Communications. He participated in the Student Film Festival, completed mission trips to Jamaica and Mexico, and volunteered for Toys for Tots. He was a member of the Penn State boxing team. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in 2009 and will continue training at Quantico Marine Base in Virginia after graduation. ●

Student News Andrew McGill, who served as managing editor of The Daily Collegian in 2009-2010, relaxes in his office during the final days of the semester. In the Hearst Journalism Awards Program, he earned top-10 individual finishes in both broadcast and print. (Photo by Jessica Quinlan)

McGill Leads Performances in Hearst Competition

Andrew McGill captured first place this prestigious competition and and matching grants. in spot news writing and sixth place this year’s crop of students carried The Hearst competition is in its in radio news to lead the College of on our tradition admirably. 50th year and is administered Communications to multiple top“And I can’t say enough about through the foundation’s offices in five finishes in the 2009-2010 interAndrew’s performances. He is an San Francisco. collegiate school In the recently standings of the completed competiWilliam Randolph “We have established a pattern of success in tion, the College finHearst Foundation’s ished third in interthis prestigious competition and this year’s Journalism Awards collegiate broadcast crop of students carried on our tradition Program. news, sixth in writMcGill’s first-place ing, sixth in multiadmirably.” finish earns him a media, second in the — Dean Doug Anderson combined trip to New York in writingJune for the individbroadcasting point ual championships. totals, third in the He will be among eight writing honors student and an extraordicombined writing-broadcasting-phofinalists. nary journalist who reports well, tojournalism standings and third in This is McGill’s second trip to writes with voice and is comfortable the overall the national championships. He working across multiple platforms. writing/broadcasting/photojournalwon first place in the monthly spotHe is the complete package.” ism/multimedia standings. news competition in 2008 as a The Hearst Journalism Awards In all, the College garnered nine sophomore and went on to finish Program is conducted under the top-10 individual finishes and six auspices of the 110 accredited units places between 11th and 20th. second in the national writing championships that year in San of the Association of Schools of Some 1,105 students from the Francisco. Journalism and Mass country’s accredited programs entered the writing, photojournal“We could not be prouder of our Communication and is funded by the Hearst Foundation, which proism, broadcasting and multimedia award-winning students,” Dean vides more than $550,000 annually competitions. Doug Anderson said. “We have Penn State’s top-20 individual established a pattern of success in in student scholarships, stipends

RANKINGS Final 2009-2010 results for the William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s Journalism Awards Program. Overall Writing/Broadcast/Photo/Multimedia 1. North Carolina 2. Arizona State 3. PENN STATE 4. Missouri 5. Western Kentucky Combined Writing/Broadcast/Photo 1. North Carolina 2. Arizona State 3. PENN STATE 4. Northwestern 5. Ohio University Combined Writing/Broadcast 1. Arizona State 2. PENN STATE 3. Northwestern 4. North Carolina 5. Indiana 6. Nebraska 7. Montana 8. Florida 9. Missouri 10. Syracuse Intercollegiate Writing 1. Indiana 2. Northwestern 3. Arizona State 4. Missouri 5. Oregon 6. PENN STATE 7. Georgia 8. Montana 9. Kentucky 10. Iowa

Intercollegiate Broadcast 1. Arizona State 2. North Carolina 3. PENN STATE 4. Florida 5. Nebraska 6. Brigham Young 7. Syracuse 8. Northwestern 9 (tie). Montana 9 (tie). West Virginia

Intercollegiate Multimedia 1. Missouri 2. North Carolina 3. Illinois 4. Colorado 5. Western Kentucky 6. PENN STATE 7 (tie). Oklahoma 7 (tie). Kentucky 9. Southern California 10. Syracuse * The program is open to students from the nation’s 110 accredited undergraduate journalism/mass communication programs.

Student News

place winners in intercollegiate writing: McGill, first place in spot news; Kevin Cirilli, second place in spot news; Aubrey Whelan, fourth place in features; Katie Kevin Rachid Wiedie, 11th place Cirilli Haoues tie in sportswriting; and Rich Coleman, 14th place in editorials/columns. Penn State’s top-20 individual place winners in broadcasting: McGill, sixth place in radio news; Kate Jeff Rachid Haoues, Redding Howanek sixth place in television features; Daniel Sullivan, seventh place in television features; Jeff Howanek, ninth place in radio features; Kate Redding, ninth place in radio news; Chris Stewart, 11th place tie in television news; and Ken Rubenstein, 14th place tie in radio features. Penn State’s top-20 individual place winners in multimedia: Ricardo Daniel Morales, eighth, and Fiorella Otero, Sullivan 16th place tie. In photojournalism, Michael Felletter earned a 17th place tie in the picture story/series competition. Final school standings are computed based on the accumulated points of individual students from each institution. All students who finish in the top 10 receive scholarships, with matching grants awarded to their institutions. The intercollegiate writing competition consists of six monthly contests: features, editorials/columns, indepth, sports, profiles and spot news. The intercollegiate broadcast competition consists of two monthly contests in radio and television: one in features and one in news. The intercollegiate photojournalism competition consists of three monthly contests: portrait/personality and features; sports and news; and picture story/series. There is one monthly competition in multimedia. ●

Student News

Penn State’s 10 Selections Lead Nation in Dow Jones Program

Ten Penn State students—the most from any school in the country— were selected to work at media outlets across the United States this summer as part of internships coordinated through the competitive Dow Jones News Editing Intern Program. The students completed intensive twoweek training sessions in mid-May before starting their internships later that month. In the past 10 years, 63 Penn State students have been selected for the program. The 10 selections this year dominate a group of 60 students selected for the program nationally. Students qualify for consideration for internships by scoring high on a standard editing test designed by the Dow Jones News Fund staff and administered under controlled conditions on the students’ home campus. Final selections then are made by a panel of editing professors based on the test, an essay written specifically for the competition and on the student’s academic record. “Our program emphasizes developing strong editing skills by requiring all of our print majors to complete an editing course,” said Marie Hardin, associate professor and associate dean for administration. “It is gratifying to see some of our top students pursue editing careers, and many get a good start through the Newspaper Fund.” Penn State students, listed with their hometowns and the media outlets to which they were assigned, are: ❚ Tamara Conrad, a senior from

Pittsburgh, White Plains (N.Y.) Journal News; ❚ Kirstie Hettinga, a graduate student from Santa Maria, Calif., AccuWeather; ❚ Amanda Hofmockel, a junior from Schwenksville, Pa., California Watch; ❚ David Miniaci, a junior from Hawthorne, N.J., The New York Post; ❚ Alexandra Petri, a senior from Brooklyn, N.Y., Cape Cod Times; ❚ Diana Rodriguez, a senior from Hauppauge, N.Y.; White Plains (N.Y.) Journal News; ❚ Dan Rorabaugh, a senior from Mount Joy, Pa., Hartford Courant; ❚ Erin Shields, a senior from Phoenix, Md., Washington Times; ❚ Rossilyne Skena, a senior from Trafford, Pa., Palm Beach Post; and ❚ Chad Uddstrom, a fall 2009 graduate from Pittsburgh, Bay Area News Group. Students selected for the program attend free pre-internship seminars on college campuses and earn salaries of at least $350 a week for a minimum of 10 weeks. Interns who return to college as full-time students the following fall receive $1,000 scholarships from the Dow Jones News Fund. Twelve students from across the country will complete their preinternship training sessions at Penn State because the College of Communications plays host to one of News Fund’s “boot camps” to prepare students for their internships in mid-May. The Dow Jones News Fund is a non-profit foundation supported by the Dow Jones Foundation and other newspaper companies. ●

Academy Picks Three Students Three students from the College of Communications have been selected as members of the second class for the Presidential Leadership Academy at Penn State, a three-year experience that will enable them to become leaders in their respective fields in a changing and challenging world. The initiative spearheaded by President Graham Spanier seeks to ensure that the next generation of leaders develops the critical thinking skills necessary to make decisions based on all angles of a complicated issue. The Presidential Leadership Academy welcomed its inaugural class of 30 sophomores during the 2009-10 academic year. Students selected for the academy take a first-semester seminar taught by Spanier, participate in several field experiences, take additional courses that integrate the goals of the academy and complete a senior year capstone project. Rising sophomores from the College of Communications selected for the 2010-11 class were: Sara Battikh, from Santiago, Panama; Nicole Colon-Quintana, from Orocovif, Puerto Rico; and Josh Wimble, from Emmaus, Pa. They will be welcomed into the academy during an April 22 reception, and will begin fully participating in activities at the start of the fall semester for the 2010-11 academic year. The academy was made possible by a $5 million gift to the University in 2009 from alumni Edward and Helen Hintz, a couple that are among the University's most involved and generous benefactors. ●

Five students from the College of Communications were honored by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) in its Most Promising Minority Students Program. The program, managed by the AAF Mosaic Center on Multiculturalism, aims to promote an advertising industry workforce that reflects society’s diversity. It connects recruiters and agencies in the industry with exceptionally talented advertising students. Four of the Penn State students— Shari Allen, Victoria Chu, Christopher Mendez and Kelly Togashi—were chosen as national finalists while Christina Jean-Louis earned honorable mention status. All of the students are senior advertising majors. This year 50 students from 28 colleges and universities across the country were selected and received all-expenses-paid trips to New York City, where they were honored during a luncheon at The New York Athletic Club as part of a three-day conference. In order to be considered for the program, students had to possess a high grade-point average, complete an essay about creating a more inclusive environment in the marketing and communications field and submit a nominating letter from a faculty adviser. Senior lecturer Ken Yednock, who serves as Penn State’s AAF chapter adviser, nominated the students. “This was an exceptional opportunity for recognition of each of the students that can translate into

With five honorees in the Most Promising Minority Students Program this year, the College of Communications has produced 24, with 17 being national finalists, in the past six years.

future career prospects for them,” said Yednock, who joined the College of Communications in 2004. He previously served as principal and chief operating officer at GKV Communications in Baltimore. During his time in the private sector with advertising agencies, Yednock managed accounts for companies such as Keebler, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Lowe’s Home Centers, National Car Rental, Pillsbury, Royal Crown Cola and more. At the conference, students dined with leading executives and minority industry pioneers, providing an opportunity for networking and mentoring. The conference also allowed students to experience the excitement of the ad business firsthand by visiting the nation’s top ad

agencies, advertisers and media companies. The contest has been in existence for 12 years. In the past six years, Penn State has produced 24 honorees, with 17 national finalists and seven honor roll selections—second most of all schools in the country. In addition to attending the AAF conference, the national winners were featured in major publications and on the Most Promising Minority Students Program résumé CD, which is disseminated to AAF corporate members and other industry leaders. This résumé CD was developed to highlight these exceptional students and their accomplishments, as well as encourage future interviews. Recruiters were specifically invited to schedule interviews with students the afternoon of the awards luncheon. ●

http://comm.psu.edu 41

Student News

Five Students Honored in AAF Minority Program

Student News

ComRadio Team Provides Coverage of NFL Draft

For the second year in a row students from ComRadio provided extensive, on-location coverage of the NFL Draft—gaining hands-on, professional exeperience that was available only to Penn State students. “When people ask me what the coolest thing is I’ve done in my college broadcasting career, my answer is immediately, ‘Doing the broadcast from the draft.’ Getting to meet and interview the commissioner, all of the players and just the whole experience of being there is so cool and so exciting,” said senior broadcast journalism major Dan Krupinsky. Krupinsky helped initiate the coverage in 2009 when he and Matt Vratarich (’09 Journ) covered the event. Krupinsky had initially contacted the National Football League and requested a pre-draft interview with commissioner Roger Goodell. That proactive approach led to an even bigger opportunity when Penn State alumnus Mike Signora (’96 Journ), the NFL’s director of media relations and international communications, helped facilitate something more.

After a solid first year, ComRadio again had the chance to cover the draft—which expanded to a three-day event—live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City this past April. Coverage included a draft preview show the day before the event and live broadcasts all three days while selections were made. Krupinsky was on location with fellow senior Brian Tripp, also a broadcast journalism major. Other members of the draft team included: Alex Braunbeck, a senior broadcast journalism major; Kevin Haslam, a senior broadcast journalism major; and Kevin Foedinger, a sophomore broadcast journalism major. They helped organize production of the coverage from the on-campus ComRadio facilities. Established in 2003, ComRadio is a student-run, Internet-based radio station operated by students in the College of Communications. ComRadio broadcasts a nightly newscast, produces a variety of public affairs and talk shows, and provides play-by-play of all Penn State sports as well as many State College Area High School athletic events. ●

Penn State Tops List of Summer Interns Covering MLB

Four Penn State journalism students earned summer internships covering professional baseball teams after emerging from a competitive application process for a program coordinated by Major League Baseball. Their selection marks the third consecutive year students from the College of Communications have been selected for the program—and the four selections this year for Penn State rank as the most of any school in the nation. Through the MLB.com program, interns work as backup beat writers for a team, producing daily stories and videos during the season. Penn State students selected for the internships were: Matt Brown of Perkasie, Pa., who will cover the Cincinnati Reds; Matt Fortuna of New York, N.Y., who will cover the Pittsburgh Pirates; Quinn Roberts of Redondo Beach, Calif., who will

cover the Boston Red Sox; and Jocelyn Syrstad of Apple Valley, Minn., who will cover the Minnesota Twins. “We’re excited for the opportunity these internships provide for our students,” said Malcolm Moran, Knight Chair in Journalism and Society and director of the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State. “We’re also proud that our students have had repeated success in earning these coveted internships. Their selections are a testament to their hard work and talent, as well as the commitment we have to sports journalism.” Bill Hill, who coordinates the MLB.com internship program, said Penn State’s approach—with an emphasis on classroom work, co-curricular activities and internships— provides a wonderful training ground for the hands-on internships.

“They truly get to function as beat reporters. They often cover their team alone, writing six to eight stories a day, and they learn how to think and work as a beat reporter,” Hill said of the MLB.com internships. “There’s no ‘coffee fetchin,’ just a lot of reporting and writing. At the end of the summer, they’re ready to enter the job market.” The John Curley Center for Sports Journalism, created in 2003, explores issues and trends in sports journalism through instruction, outreach, programming and research. The Center’s undergraduate curricular emphasis includes courses in sports writing, sports broadcasting, sports information, sports, media and society, and sports and public policy, which is cross-listed with the Penn State Dickinson School of Law. ●

A team of College of Communications students placed second in the National Student Advertising Competition district meet for its plan to increase the number of young adult customers for State Farm Insurance. The team began its work during the fall portion of the 2009-10 academic year, conducting extensive research with 18- to 25-year-old potential customers. Under the guidance of “Man vs. Wild” star Bear Grylls, the student team used traditional and online communication media, including mobile advertising and various brand buzz events to bridge the communication gap between State Farm and this target audience. The judges recognized the students for the strong integrated efforts in their campaign. Team members and presenters were: Jill Marateck, Ryan Martin, Hannah Qualley, Lauren Smith and Kevin Weir. Other members of the team were: Crystal Levandowski, Kristin Hoglund, Brooke Randel and Jamie Silverman. The students were all members of the Donald W. Davis Penn State Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. “We are very proud of the accomplishments of all of the students who worked intelligently and creatively on this campaign, and especially the students who presented most professionally, with enthusiasm and Penn State pride,” said Ken Yednock, a senior lecturer in the Department of Advertising/Public Relations who serves as adviser to the AFF chapter. Brian Bronaugh, the president/executive creative director

Student News

AAF Team Places Second in District Event

Presenters (left to right) Jill Marateck, Hannah Qualley, Ryan Martin, Lauren Smith and Kevin Weir helped Penn State finish second in the AAF district competition.

at Mullen Advertising who served as one of the judges for the competition, said the Penn State group did an outstanding job with the competition. “The fact that they planned, presented and competed so well will go far in preparing them for the actual business,” Bronaugh said. Yednock agreed, and cited many such professional opportunities available to students. “The AAF National Student Competition is just one example of how Penn State advertising students are preparing themselves for careers in the competitive and ever-changing

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marketing communication business,” he said. This year, the National Student Advertising Competition attracted more than 150 schools in 15 districts nationwide. In District 2, Penn State competed against 18 other schools from New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington D.C. The American Advertising Federation is the nation’s oldest advertising trade association. It represents 40,000 professionals in the industry and works with 226 universities and educational groups across the nation. — A n t o in e t t e F r an c is ( ’1 1 )

http://comm.psu.edu 43

Student News SPJ STANDOUT A photo by Kimberly Yee of Clint Gyory practicing with the Penn State Gymnastics Club was recognized as a national finalist in the SPJ Mark of Excellence competition. Yee was one of 13 students from the College of Communications who earned Region 1 first-place finishes and advanced to the national competition. Aubrey Whelan was a national winner in feature writing and the College boasted four national top-three finalists: Yee (feature photography); Maxwell Kruger (sports photography); Rachid Haoues (television general news); and Dan Sullivan (television sports).

College Students Shine in Competition Against Professionals Students from the College of Communications garnered four topthree finishes in competition against professionals from throughout Pennsylvania in an annual competition coordinated by the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters’ Association. “Our students are competing and winning against professionals in solid medium-sized radio and TV markets across the state,” said Marea Mannion, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism who led the student contingent to the awards ceremony.

ComRadio students swept the student portion of the radio event while “Centre County Report” students dominated the television category. Winners were:

Medium Market Radio Enterprise/Individual Reporting: Second, Jeff Howanek, “The Future of Pennsylvania Coal” Feature Reporting: Second, Kenny Rubenstein, “So Few Left” Sports Play-by-Play: Second, Jacob Wilkins and Kevin Haslam, “ComRadio Football”

Medium Market Television Sports Feature: Third, Dan Sullivan, “Traban” Student Radio First, sports play-by-play by Brian Tripp, Tom Hannifan, Michael Ravotti and Kevin Foedinger. Second, sports play-by-play by Trevor Turner with Ravotti, Ryan Wood and Eric Reed. Third, Howanek, “Famous Trout”

Student Television First, Chris Stewart, “Weather Damage” Second, Rachid Haoues, “G-20” Third, Sullivan, “Woodward”

Student News

AWARD-WINNING ANIMATION An animated film produced by Penn State students, including three senior film majors, won the popular vote of the International Festival of Animation Online. The film, "A Modest Proposal," produced by a team that included Debi Cohen, Elizabeth Lordan and Jason Oshman, earned at least 1,000 votes and a prize of 2,000 euros (about $3,000). Their idea to produce an animated and updated version of Jonathan Swift's satirical essay, which was first published in 1729, emerged from a class, COMM 347 Junior Narrative. In its five-minute running time, the film—available online at http://video.com/4613163—tells a story with striking images and sound to match.

Effort Makes THON Webcast a Success

More than 150 students from the College of Communications gained hands-on experience when they produced live coverage of the Penn State Dance Marathon for the sixth consecutive year in February. Telecommunications students in two courses—COMM 498F Webcast Production and COMM 383 Production Administration, both of which are taught by senior lecturer Maria Cabrera-Baukus—comprised the core of the production crew for the webcast. Because of their efforts, thousands of people around the world were able to watch, and contribute to, THON—the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, which raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer.

A two-day (46 hours), no sitting and no sleeping marathon in the Bryce Jordan Center culminates year-long fundraising efforts. “The webcast is most definitely a great way to give to the community. For the students participating in the webcast, it was an opportunity to experience a live television production and practice their skills,” said Cabrera-Baukus, who has abundant professional experience in television. “It’s exciting. You can feel the energy. It’s a great experience.” This year the webcast included a simulcast of commentary on ComRadio. That combination produced more live interviews with THON participants and up-to-date features, information and profiles during the event. ●

Notes, Numbers ● The Lawrence G. Foster Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America was selected as the April 2010 FUNdraising Bowl winner. ● Seniors Emily Franklin, Laura Peck, Emily Simmons, Jen Wallington and Katie Wiedie comprised the annual Bateman Competition team. They focused on the U.S. Census, creating a plan to promote awareness and participation in Centre County. ● Senior Lauren Chapman led a team of students that worked with the Centre County “Out of the Darkness” walk and coordinated public relations efforts for the antisuicide support effort.

ALUMNI CLOSE-UP

Successful Strides

Arianna Davis excelled during a full-time internship and earned a job as an editorial assistant with Oprah Winfrey’s self-titled magazine, O.

wo recent graduates of the College of Communications have found opportunities— and made the most of them—working in separate positions with one of the most well known media personalities in the world and at one of the most familiar addresses on the planet. Arianna Davis works for Oprah Winfrey’s magazine, O, as an editorial assistant. Davis (’09 Journ) used her on-campus experiences and undergraduate internships as a springboard for her professional career. She got her first taste of magazine production while working on “Valley,” a student-run magazine that bills itself as Penn State’s life and style magazine. Through that experience, she realized she could combine her creativity and passion for writing. Davis eventually became managing editor and then editor-in-chief. By taking on leadership positions with the magazine, she began to appreciate the hard work, time and dedication necessary to build a good magazine. She realized that magazines were not a mere hobby for her, but a passion.

Recent graduates utilize post-graduate internships, make most of opportunities with O magazine and at White House.

Alumni Close-Up

After graduating, Davis was hired as O’s only paid, full-time intern. Knowing she was working from the bottom up, she brought a simple approach to her pursuit of a career in the magazine industry. “No task was too big or small,” she said. Everything from answering phones and making appointments to transcribing interviews and making copies fell under her job description. As an intern, she was also responsible for supporting the staff and providing them with daily news digests to keep them abreast of what was going on in the world. While completing all those tasks Davis developed a well-rounded perspective on the industry she was trying to enter. “They might sound boring but they are a really big part of the learning process and paying your dues when you are trying to start a career,” Davis said. Megan Simpson (right) and a fellow intern on the White House lawn. As an editorial assistant at O, Davis wears cal for many communications and public relations promany different hats and can never predict what will fessionals, her internship is anything but ordinary. happen each day. Her short time at the White House has been highWorking with editor-at-large Gayle King and helping lighted by listening to and speaking with some of the to coordinate the internship program are just a few of most important people in the United States. the many duties in her portfolio. Additionally, she And, it has included some unforgettable experiences. works on brainstorming new ideas for the magazine One of her favorites occurred on the first day of her and serves as a liaison to Harpo, the company that prointernship when she was able to watch Marine One duces “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” land on the While House lawn as it returned the first “What I love about O is that we really focus on confamily from a Christmas holiday in Hawaii. Along with tent that matters,” Davis said. “I’ve really learned how many other highlights, Simpson especially values her to live my best life personally and it’s an amazing feelinteraction with senior staff members. ing to help spread a message that I truly believe in to “The people who work here are incredibly talented millions of people.” and they are great to learn from,” she said. Fellow alum and post-graduate intern Megan The internship also comes with a service compoSimpson (’08 Adv/PR) knows the place she works has nent. Interns are required to volunteer their time at an impact as well. She reports each day at 1600 Capital Area Food Bank, sorting and packaging food Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C., where she to be distributed to community members who utilize works as an intern in the Office of Communications at the service. the White House. In addition, Simpson serves as a mentor and meets “I don’t believe that there is any better place to gain with an 11th grade student from a Washington, D.C., experience than at the White House,” Simpson said. high school on a weekly basis. She has been collaborat“There is no higher place to go.” ing with her assigned student on initial work for the Simpson certainly worked her way up. She was introstudent’s senior project and admitted that the experiduced to political communications while working on ence has been “very rewarding.” the Obama for America presidential campaign in 2008. But that’s just scratching the surface in her life. In She also worked on the campaign of Sen. Clair addition to her full-time internship and volunteer McCaskill, D-Mo., and for Campaign and Elections’ work, she is still a student. Politics magazine. She’s enrolled at George Washington University, At the White House, Simpson attends daily media pursuing a master’s degree in professional studies. affairs meetings, monitors coverage of the president in She’s on schedule to graduate from that program in newspapers, pitches stories to media outlets and escorts July. ● reporters to events. While her day-to-day tasks are typi-

Alumni News

Krewson Selected for Alumni Achievement Award

A College of Communications alumnus was one of 13 young Penn State graduates who were honored for outstanding professional accomplishment and presented with the Penn State Alumni Association’s Alumni Achievement Award at a dinner ceremony in April at The Nittany Lion Inn on the University Park campus. Christopher Krewson (’98 Journ) became the fifth Award winner Chris Krewson (second from right) with (left to right): Penn State Alumni Association President Barry Simpson, Dean Doug Anderson and President Graham Spanier. (Photo by Steve Tressler) communications alumnus recognized a 1972 graduate by the program since its inception. AWARDED ALUMNI of Penn State’s The Alumni Achievement Award master of fine arts recognizes those who reach an College of Communications alumni who have been honprogram. extraordinary level of professional ored with the Alumni Achievement Award since its incepKrewson has tion. accomplishment by the age of 35 or been the editor of younger. Variety.com, a 2010 Chris Krewson, Variety.com Academic colleges or campuses premier source of nominate young alumni who are news about the 2009 Riva Marker, Independent film producer then selected by a University-wide entertainment committee. industry, since 2008 Michael Signora, NFL Penn State President Graham February. He Spanier then invites them to return 2007 Jaered Romesburg, Romesburg Media oversees all editoto campus for several days to share rial content on their expertise with students and 2006 Jill Cordes, Food Network the web site, as the University community. The well as the ongoAlumni Achievement Award proing development was executive online editor of The gram began in 2005 and since then of Variety's vision and content strat- Philadelphia Inquirer. has honored 62 outstanding alumegy. At Penn State, he was an arts ni. Krewson started his career as a writer for The Daily Collegian and Spanier presented each award reporter at the Centre Daily Times in editor of Penn State Hazleton’s The recipient with a commemorative State College before moving on to Highacres Collegian. medal. The Morning Call in Allentown, Pa., At Hazleton, one of Krewson’s The medal was commissioned by where he was online producer, first assignments was covering a speech on that campus by Spanier online editor and multimedia edithe Alumni Association and during his first few months at Penn tor. designed by internationally recogState. ● Before joining Variety, Krewson nized artist Jeanne Stevens-Sollman,

Alumni News

FILMS & FRIENDS “Films and Friends The Three-quel,” the third annual networking event for filmmakers from the College of Communications (alumni as well as students), attracted a big crowd to the Dolby Screening Room in New York City in April. Among the attendees were (at right, left to right): Nick Camacho (’09), Awareness Audiobooks; Lindsay Myers (’07), Grey NY; and Lindsay Brzowski (’07), Red Line Films.

Board Accepts Nominations for Annual Alumni Awards

The College of Communications Alumni Society Board sion and gained an exemplary reputation among colleagues and students. of Directors is seeking nominaThe Achievement Award is tions for its annual alumni awards More info online at presented to a graduate or friend to be presented at the board’s fall http://comm.psu.edu/alumni/awards of the College whose significant meeting in September. The deadcontributions to the College line for nominations is June 25. and/or University, in terms of Each year, the board presents time and talent, have brought distinction to themselves, awards to communications professionals in three categories: Outstanding Alumni, Achievement Award and the the College and the University. The Emerging Professional Award is presented annualEmerging Professional Award. The Outstanding Alumni Award is presented to a com- ly to recent alumni (10 years or fewer since graduation) for professional achievements and/or distinguished commumunications graduate who has demonstrated excellence nity service. ● in his or her field, contributed significantly to the profes-

Alumni News

Alum’s VFX Drive ‘The Road’

As a father and son struggle for survival in a country with virtually no life, viewers experience the sights and sounds of the post-apocalyptic world of “The Road” through the visual effects of alumnus Mark Forker ('77 Film-Video). The film, released at the Austin Film Festival in October 2009 and then to North American theaters, evokes both compassion and fear as a father stops at nothing to protect his family. As visual effects (VFX) director for “The Road,” Forker showcases his special effects by creating an authentic and ominous setting for the characters to interact with along their

journey. With much of the film set in Pennsylvania, “The Road” brought Forker closer to his alma mater while shooting in places such as Braddock, Breezewood, Erie, Harmony and Pittsburgh. Thanks to Forker and his team at DIVE, “The Road” was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture during The Visual Effects Society’s eighth annual VES Awards. Forker has worked on some of the biggest blockbusters in Hollywood. His credits include “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Cinderella Man,” “Titanic” and “Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.” ●

Mark Forker

LIVELY AT LOEWS An annual College of Communications visit to Los Angeles for special sessions with alumni and friends took place in February. Events were hosted at Sony Pictures Studios, and the Loews Theatre on the studio lot. A panel discussion with alumni was one of the highlights. President Graham Spanier moderated the panel that included (below, left to right): Mike Marcus (’67) of Echo Lake Productions; Melissa Stone (’91), vice president of marketing and advertising for The Style Network; and Riva Marker (’00), an independent film producer.

Alumni News

Long-Distance Mentors Dispense Advice Online

with more experienced alumni nationwide for the purA graduating public relations student from New Jersey pose of networking, career advice and making commuwants to network with the Big Apple public relations nications industry connections. community. Alumni information will be posted on the College’s A sophomore journalism major from Harrisburg is web site, where comtorn between print munications students and broadcast. More info online at will be able to view A recent grad information about wants to move to L.A. http://comm.psu.edu/alumni/long-distance-mentoring participating Long — “Are there any Penn Distance Mentors. State grads out From there, initial contact with alumni will be via ethere?” mail. Students and young alumni from the College of Posted will be a list of participating alumni—with Communications are constantly seeking advice, such basic information as name, graduation year, whether about networking, job-hunting or figuring out degree, job title, employer, city, state and e-mail address. what they want to do with the rest of their professional No addresses or telephone numbers will be listed. lives. Alumni submit their own information for the listing. Often, alumni are eager to help them sort it all out. If alumni opt to participate in LDM but do not want But distance and time constraints don’t allow them their e-mail addresses listed, in place of the e-mail will be to attend the four to six annual mentoring sessions the a line that indicates, “Contact alumni office for alumni College and the Alumni Society Board sponsor on the contact information.” Then, any requests to contact the University Park campus and around the country. alumni will be filtered through the alumni relations The solution? Long Distance Mentoring. office and the e-mail request will remain private. LDM is a new program designed to connect current The program will go live online in August. ● Penn State students and young alumni of the College

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Alumni News

ALUMNI BOOKSHELF

Career Killer: A Journalist’s Wild Ride ... Chance Conner (’74 Journ) (2009, Inkwater Press)

❚ In his first novel, Conner examines the rise and fall of reporter Jack Clancy, whose cockiness and reckless style often land him in trouble—and just as often get him out of it.

Pie Traynor: A Baseball Biography

James Forr (’94 Brcab, ’00 MBA) and David Proctor (2010, McFarland Publishing)

❚ Biography of Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer Harold “Pie” Traynor, a popular legend in the city.

MARTY’S MOMENT Colonial Athletic Association commissioner Tom Yeager (right) congratulates alumnus Marty Aronoff (’60 Lib) for his longtime work as a television statistician for the annual CAA men’s basketball championship. Aronoff, one of the most highly regarded TV statisticians in the United States, has worked at every CAA championship since its inception 25 years ago. (Photo by Scott Brown)

Five Join Alumni Board, BOV

The College’s two largest boards have added a total of five members, including a pair of new student representatives on the Alumni Society Board. Laura Schaaf, a junior from Collegeville, Pa., is majoring in broadcast journalism, with a minor in international studies. She will serve a two-year term on the ASB. Schaaf is vice president of Penn State’s Student United Way and a board member of Centre County United Way. Schaaf will be joined on the ASB by junior Ricardo Morales, an East Stroudsburg, Pa., native who is pursuing a double major in journalism and comparative literature. He is a Schreyer Honors Scholar and has written for both The Daily Collegian and The Pocono Record. Amy Quinn (’94 Journ) was

voted to one of the 25 seats on the Alumni Society Board. A former newspaper journalist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia City Paper and the Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, Quinn maintains her own blog, CitizenMom.net, and teaches journalistic writing and media ethics at Rowan University. Quinn, husband John and son Jack reside in Mullica Hill, N.J. Mark Lima (’87 Telecom) also was named to the Alumni Society Board. Lima, a State College native, is senior producer for ABC News “Nightline.” In that capacity, last fall he hosted a group of College of Communications upperclassmen for a day in the life of “Nightline.” Lima was formerly deputy bureau chief of ABC News Western Bureaus in Los Angeles. Prior to

Winging It ...

Jenny Gardiner (’94 Brcab) (2010, Simon Spotlight)

❚ Gardiner’s second novel, “Winging It: A Memoir of Caring for a Vengeful Parrot Who’s Determined to Kill Me,” relates how a family grudgingly accepts a bird as a member of the family.

that, he served as director, sports services and special projects at ABC NewsOne, the network’s affiliate news service. He has won two Emmys with ABC News. He lives in New Jersey with his wife Stacey and daughter Madelyn. Shellie Roth (’64 Journ) was recently named to the Board of Visitors, an advisory board to the dean. Roth is president and CEO of Investor Relations Partners. She is a very active participant in the College’s Mentoring Program, both on campus and in New York City. She has established the Shellie M. Roth Honors Scholarship, presented to students who are enrolled in or planning to enroll in the College of Communications and the Schreyer Honors College. She resides in New Jersey. ●

The Advertising/Public Relations Alumni Network Group, affiliated with the College of Communications, recently elected eight new board members. They’ll represent all graduates of the College with degrees in advertising and public relations and/or with professional experience in those fields. The Alumni Program Group (APG) sponsors programs, mentors students and provides networking opportunities for current students and alumni of the College. The APG, under the auspices of the Alumni Society Board of the College of Communications, is led by incumbent presidents Katie Krebbs (’99 Adv/PR) and Meredith Topalanchik (’99 Adv/PR). Krebs is a marketing and PR consultant based in State College, while Topalanchik is director of client services for CooperKatz & Co., New York-based public relations firm. In 2007 the APG was awarded the “New/Innovative Event or Program Award” by the Penn State Alumni Association. The alumni group marketed the 2006 publication, The Collegian Chronicles: A History of Penn State from the Pages of The Daily Collegian 1887-2006.

Here are the eight new board members: ❚ Rachel Bornak (’05 PR) is a senior account executive at Hill & Knowlton. Previously, she was with Edelman. ❚ William Epstein (’69 Journ) is director of communications for the United Food and Commercial

Workers Local 1776. ❚ Ellyn Fisher (’99 Journ) is vice president of corporate communications for The Advertising Council, promoting The Ad Council’s more than 50 public service campaigns. ❚ Richard Frank (’94 English) is advertising and web site manager for the Baltimore Orioles. He is also an adjunct instructor in mass communications at Towson University. ❚ Becky Andrews Peeling (’79 Journ) is vice president for university relations and marketing at Palm Beach Atlantic University. She is immediate past chairman of the Commission for Public Relations Officers for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. ❚ BJ Ramos (’94 MassComm) is a senior associate for Booz Allen Hamilton. Previously, she worked for the federal government’s Dept. of Homeland Security and Dept. of Defense. ❚ Samuel Rogers (’81 Journ) senior vice president/market manager for CBS Radio. He oversees five stations in the Washington, D.C., region. ❚ John Wagner (’58 Adv) is CEO of The Wagner Group and has experience as a creative director at such ad agencies as Leo Burnett, Interpublic Group and McCann Erickson. A special thanks to the outgoing board members, who along with Krebs and Topalanchik served for the past five years: past president Sharyn Fitzpatrick (’79 Journ), secretary Virginia Sirocky (’67 Journ), Linda Murphy (’69 Journ) and Jim Blew (’91 Adv). ●

Notes, Numbers ● R. Thomas Berner (’71 Lib, ’74 MA Journ), professor emeritus of journalism and American studies, received the prestigious New Mexico Press Women Communicator of Achievement Award at the organization’s annual dinner in April. He has also authored a number of books, most recently “Chianti: From a Tuscan Villa” and “Tamaqua.” ● Paul K. Martin (’82 Journ) was confirmed by the Senate as NASA Inspector General on Nov. 20, 2009. Prior to his NASA appointment, Martin served as the Deputy Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General. Martin began his professional career as a reporter with The Greenville News, a daily newspaper in South Carolina. ● Tom Ortenberg (’82 Lib) launched One Way Out Media, which provides motion picture consulting as well as financing for independent productions and acquisitions. He previousy served as president of theatrical films at Lionsgate Entertainment. ● NFL running back Michael Robinson (’04 Ad/PR, ’05 Journ) formed the Excel 2 Excellence Foundation, which conducted its first events—a football camp in Virginia and a visit to the VCU Children’s Medical Center—in May. The foundation was established to help develop leadership, life skills and teamwork among youths. ● Amanda Curry (’98 Telecom) conceived, developed and produced “The Good Food Factory,” the first-ever healthy kids cooking show, which made its TV debut in San Diego, Palm Springs, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz., in March.

Nominate an worthy alumnus for an award -- http://comm.psu.edu/alumni/awards 53

Alumni News

Ad/PR Alumni Network Elects Eight New Board Members

Alumni News

Longtime Faculty Member, WPSU Founding Force, Dies

Marlowe Froke, a professor of journalism for 33 years who helped establish the strong public broadcasting presence at Penn State and also helped set the foundation for the College of Communications, died Feb. 23 at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College. He was 82. Froke, born Nov. 4, 1927, in Vienna, S.D., was a passionate believer in education at all stages and stations of life. He was an early and lifelong proponent of television's power to bring education to rural areas and to anyone who could not physically attend school in a classroom. As part of that approach, he established WPSX-TV (now WPSU-TV) at Marlowe Froke (second from left) with Patrick Parsons, the Don Davis Professor of Penn State in 1964, and took the lead Ethics (left), and friends Ruth and Nile Coon in 2003. (Photo by Steve Manuel) in the early days of cable and public and four sisters. TV to establish networks of connections among In many ways, everyone he touched was treated as Pennsylvania stations and cable operations that precedfamily. ed today’s Public Broadcasting System. “He was very good at making people feel comfort“He was one of the early and strong champions of able,” said Katie O’Toole who hosted, produced and cable television,” said Patrick Parsons, the Don Davis wrote for “What’s In The News,” a current-events show Professor in Ethics in the Department of for children that Froke conceived and that was eventualTelecommunications. Parsons wrote “Blue Skies: A ly syndicated nationally, for 24 years. “He was soft-spoHistory of Cable Television,” which has been repeatedly ken, you always heard him saying ‘very, very good,’ and hailed as the definitive history for cable television. he put people at ease. He gave them space to do their “Marlowe’s vision was instrumental in the early developthing.” ment of cable television, and in how cable television Still, Froke was clearly driven and passionate about developed locally, regionally and nationally.” public television. Above all, Froke was an extraordinarily nice and “There was a vision. He could look ahead and see decent person. He did the right thing, always. where we were going and what it was going to take to He made friends with cable industry millionaires and get us there,” O’Toole said. “That was the difference taxi drivers in Denver, waitresses, professors, nurses, between stations that did well and those that did not. business leaders and bus drivers in State College, and “I think his passion came from growing up in rural children in the neighborhood for whom he was a surroSouth Dakota, so far from a major market. He believed gate grandfather. and knew that there had to be a way to connect people He never ceased to say “please” and “thank you.” over those vast distances. Plus, his early radio work was And he meant it. clearly an influence.” “Marlowe was, indeed, a person of great accomplishAfter serving as news director for the Armed Forces ments, but, at his core, he was, very simply, a good Radio and Television Service in Osaka, Japan, from man,” said Dean Doug Anderson. “We will miss him.” 1946-48, Froke earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism He is survived by his family: wife Marliene and at South Dakota State College and worked as news daughters Paula Froke of New York City and Dana director for KWAT-AM in Watertown, S.D. Plumley of Indiana, Pa., and Dana's husband, Glen. He He earned a master’s in journalism from was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Northwestern University and worked as news director at Amanda Froke of Vienna, S.D.; his foster parents, WGN and WGN-TV in Chicago, then taught journalRalph and Hazel Olmsted of Vienna; and two brothers ism and supervised television news courses at the

taping and then we went to dinner. Marlowe thought it was a great time to pitch a partnership, but the people from CNN wanted to do their own thing. “Marlowe was clearly upset, but he launched into the most eloquent defense of public service television I’d ever heard. He told them they just wanted to steal our ideas and model and then someday, when it was not making money, Ted Turner would cancel the show. He was passionate about public service television and the role it could play. We’re really losing one of the giants in the field.” As a young boy Froke loved playing the piano in a small South Dakota Lutheran church. Decades later he returned to that love and filled the house with the sounds of Mahler and Bach and Beethoven. When arthritis prevented him from playing any more, he donated the piano to Penn State Public Broadcasting, which uses it for various musical productions including the annual “Music Theatre Spotlight.” He reveled in the wild and beautiful trees and flowers that grace the quiet lane where he lived, and—lest they somehow run out—added seedling after seedling to the centuryold trees already towering above the lane, and flower after flower to the wild array of pinks, purples, reds and yellows. He weeded with equal enthusiasm, dedicated to the belief that there must always be room to grow. Services were private. Contributions may be made to Penn State Public Broadcasting, 238 Outreach Building, 100 Innovation Blvd., University Park, PA, 16802; or to South Dakota State University, Department of Journalism and Communication, 823 Medary Ave., Box 525, Brookings, SD, 57007. Or he would ask that you simply do something nice for someone else today. ●

College Blog, Newswire Offer Updates A blog and a monthly e-mail update provide alumni and friends with easy access to the latest information about the College of Communications. A link to the blog may be found on the College page at http://comm.psu.edu online, and it gets updated several times each week. The brief monthly notes, part of Penn State Newswire and PSUTXT system, provide a paragraph or so of information on a handful of topics. Each bit of news ends with either contact details or a URL where readers may get more information. For Newswire subscriptions visit, http://newswires.psu.edu/ Also, please pass along updates to your e-mail with the College of Communications when you can. Individual entries on the blog preview upcoming events or provide description of and reaction to recently completed activities in the College. The Newswire, one of just a handful for individual colleges at Penn State, focuses on College-related activities as well as news about alumni, students, faculty and staff. It also includes important dates and events at Penn State in general. Those range from the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts to athletic events, the start of academic semesters, commencement activities and the timing of finals week. ●

Alumni News

University of Illinois, where he met his future wife. He joined the Penn State faculty in 1959 as an associate professor of journalism, developing the school’s first broadcast journalism curriculum. In 1964 he was named Penn State's director of broadcasting and established WPSX, which within a few years featured such popular programs as “TV Quarterbacks” and “What’s In The News.” In 1971, he was named director and general manager of what became the University's Division of Media and Learning Resources, including WPSX and other groups. Working with Pennsylvania’s cable television operators, he established in 1976 a 24-hour statewide education and public affairs network of cable systems then called PENNARAMA, now the Pennsylvania Cable Network. He later served as chairman of the strategic planning committee whose report led to the establishment what became the College of Communications. He retired from Penn State in 1992 with emeritus status and served in a variety of volunteer positions after that. Continuing his deep interest in the significance of cable television as an educational medium, Froke worked with cable industry pioneers both before and after his Penn State retirement to establish the first cable television museum, initially housed at Penn State in a joint effort of the Cable TV Pioneers and the University. The museum later relocated to Denver in a new and greatly expanded facility now called The Cable Center. Froke served as the center and museum’s first president in Denver for three years. “My favorite Marlowe story happened back in the early 1980s. CNN was starting up a children’s program and they wanted to come to Penn State to see what we did,” O’Toole said. “They spent the whole day watching everything we did and a

Alumni News

IN MEMORIAM ■ Marvin L. Krasnansky, 80, of Bainbridge Island, Wash., died March 8 at his home. Krasnansky (’52 Journ), a loyal Penn Stater who shared his talent, time and treasure with the College of Communications and the University, enjoyed a long career in journalism and investor relations. He worked at the Easton (Pa.) Express; the Lancaster (Pa.) New Era; the Wall Street Journal; The New York Stock Exchange; Paine Webber Jackson and Curtis; Becton Dickinson; and McKesson Corp. In 1984, as a vice president of McKesson, he was instrumental in forming CALSTAR, the California Shock Trauma Air Rescue, which served California and Nevada. He served on the board of directors of the San Francisco Zoological Society and The California Parks Foundation. He was named a Penn State Alumni Fellow, the highest honor the University can extend among its alumni base of more than 600,000, in 1989. He was also a member of Lion’s Paw. In 2006, he served as editor-inchief and creator of “The Collegian Chronicles,” a 383-page history of Penn State from the pages of The Daily Collegian. As a student, Krasnansky served as editor-in-chief of The Daily Collegian. He was later the founding president of the Collegian Alumni Interest Group. He and his late wife established

several scholarships at Penn State and the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa., where his wife had graduated from nursing school. He was proud of being a first-generation American and prouder still to be in a position to pay it forward to help young people attain their educational goals. Krasnansky was born Feb. 18, 1930, Brooklyn, N.Y., to Anna and Isadore Krasnansky. He grew up in Brooklyn and Philadelphia. He was a graduate of Central High School in Philadelphia. He lived in San Francisco and Sonoma, Calif., for 25 years prior to his move to Bainbridge Island to live near his daughter and her family. His wife of 50 years, Josie

Krasnansky, died in 2005. He is survived by his daughter, Melanie Jo Olson (Douglas) of Bainbridge Island, Wash.; his sons, Timothy Krasnansky, D.V.M. (Dr. Loyanne Wilson) of Davis, Calif., and William Krasnansky; and his grandchildren, Samantha Olson of Seattle, Midshipman Olaf D. Olson of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and Katie and Kai Krasnansky; his brother, Dr. Ed Keynes of Kiel, Germany; and his poodle, Lady Bug. Donations may be made to: Doctors Without Borders, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741; Westsound Wildlife Shelter, 7501 NE Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island, Wash., 98110; or a charity of your choice. ●

■ Dale Davenport, 65, former opinion page editor of The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa., died May 19 at his home after a yearlong battle with cancer. Davenport (’66 Journ) retired as opinion editor in 2009, a position he had held since 1988. He joined the Patriot-News in 1972 as a reporter and served as city editor and managing edi-

tor. He continued to write opinion pieces after his retirement. A fierce defender of the First Amendment, he opened up the paper’s pages to readers and testified before the U.S. Senate about a federal shield law for journalists. He is survived by his wife Sherry; two sons, Brian and Mark; and five grandchildren. ●

■ Sarajane (Cherashore) Hurst, 82, of Philadelphia died June 10, 2009. Hurst (’49 Journ) was a producer for WPVI-TV (Channel 6)—and one of the first female TV producers in Philadelphia, at a time when the business was often unfriendly for women. She is survived by her husband and children. ●

Marv Krasnansky (right) at his home in Bainbridge Island, Wash., working with fellow alum Pete Waldron (’84 Journ) on the “Collegian Chronicles” in 2005.

Alumni Notes 1940s

Bobbie Hutchison Ostar (’48 Journ) and husband Alan (’48 Edu) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They live in Seabrook Village, Tinton Falls, N.J.

1950s Ralph Thomas (’57 Journ) and wife Regina celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Vince Carocci (’58 Journ) of Camp Hill, Pa., and norm Mawby (’58 Lib) authored Part of the Parade, a behind-the-scenes look at the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Dianne Mather Herold (’58 Journ) and husband Robert celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

BOB AND BOONE 1960s Kenneth E. Hershberger (’65 Comm) recently took early-retirement after serving as director of planned giving for The Ohio Masonic Home Foundation. He opened his own firm, Hershberger FR Consultants, to serve clients nationwide regarding fundraising.

1970s John Rice (’77 Film-Video) screened his film “Milk Crate” in March at the 2010 Beverly Hills Hi-Def Film Festival. The 12minute short was one of more than 200 films entered for the event, which selected 17 features and 26 shorts for screening. The film follows long-time resident Charlie, who follows a local custom and saves his parking spot with a milk crate, in a changing neighborhood in Pittsburgh as old and new mix it up. Neighbor Floral Duster watches all the action from her window. Elliot Grossman, (’79 Journ) has launched Ashire Communications (www.ashire.net), a Cincinnati-based public relations firm specializing in writing, editing and media relations primarily for nonprofits. He moved into public relations after a 25-year career as a newspaper reporter and editor, most recently at The Cincinnati Enquirer. Edward Ritenour (’79 Adv) is director of marketing for Southern Methodist

Alumnus Bob Raser (’68 Brdcstng) served as executive producer for the PBS fundraising hour “Pat Boone, Love Letters in the Sands of Time.” Boone (left, under light) and Raser (second from right) worked closely on the all-HD program that featured clips from the host’s late 1950s variety series, “The Pat Boone Chevy Showcase.” The show included performances by 26 artists, including Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Tourme. Raser is an award-winning producer/director and president of RLR Production Group Inc.

University in Dallas. Rick Weber ('79, Journ) has contributed to two Chicken Soup for the Soul books in 2010 (Teacher Tales, NASCAR), giving him three in the past year. His first biography, Pink Lips and Fingertips, was published in 2009. To order a copy of Pink and the accompanying study guide, go to pinklipsandfingertips.com and click on the author page. Contact info: webodespo@yahoo.com.

1980s Mark Bomberger (’83 Journ) is a senior vice president with Citizens Bank. He resides in Philadelphia. Guy A. Hobson (’83 Journ) of New York, N.Y., is manager of customer care for Cablevision, based in the Bronx, N.Y. Kimberly (Kirchartz) Barlow (’89 Adv/PR) of Pittsburgh is a staff writer for the University Times at the University of Pittsburgh. Brenda Bassaro Sheridan (’89 Journ) is the new executive director of Drexel University Computing Academy. The Drexel University Computing Academy is a five-week, residential summer learning

experience at Drexel University in Philadelphia. She is also the director of college relations at The iSchool at Drexel.

1990s Alan Wagmeister (’91 MassComm) of Clemmons, N.C., is special projects producer at WFMY News 2 in Greensboro, N.C. He won the 2010 Emmy Award for Business/Consumer Report. He has been nominated six times in the past six years. Jill Harris Helmer (’92 Journ, ’95 MEd Edu) and husband Chad (’93 Lib) welcomed son Brady Griffin on Aug. 4, 2009. He joins siblings Reilly Jack and Devon Kate. They live in Allentown, Pa. Lisa Loeffler Maddux (’93 Journ) welcomed daughter Veronica Pearl Maddux on Oct. 3, 2009. Lisa lives in Portage, Wis., with husband Jason and daughter Olivia, 6. She is a part-time freelance writer, college lecturer and full-time mom. Contact info: lisa.maddux@yahoo.com Chad Hershberger (’94 Journ) and his wife, Sarah, welcomed Claire Margaret Hershberger on December 29, 2009. They live in rural Millmont, Pa. Chad is executive director at Camp Mount Luther, Mifflinburg; part-time director of commu-

Alumni Notes

his music coverage. It is the first Keystone award in the history of the Weekender in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where Lello has been the editor for three years.

2000s Michele (Marino) Chasky (’00 Journ) and her husband Matthew ('00 Bus) welcomed their first daughter, Daniela Brooklyn on Dec. 31, 2008. Michele also is a first year ambassador for the Reading Express Smokin' Hot Steam Team. Patricia Tisak (’01 Journ) is copy chief at NYC & Company, the official marketing agency of New York City. Jonathan Grindell (’02 Telecom) is a community organizer with the Long Island Progressive Coalition in Massapequa, N.Y. He resides in Lynbrook, N.Y. Kathryn Miller (’02 Media Studies) is an assistant in the animation department of 20th Century Fox Television in Los Angeles.

COOL CONCERT Alumnus Gary Ezard (’84 Telecom, left) served as lead editor for MVI Post as the company handled post-production work on “In Performance at the White House” featuring American Idol’s Rickey Minor (right). Because of an impending blizzard for Washington, D.C., the event was moved up a day and took place Feb. 9, 2010. It aired on PBS two days later.

nications for the Upper Susquehanna Synod, ELCA; and teaches communications courses part-time at Susquehanna University and the Pennsylvania College of Technology. R.J. Hufnagel (’94 Journ) married Dena Terrano on April 25, 2009. He is the assistant business editor for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. They live in Pittsburgh with their daughter, Isabel. Contact info: rjhuf@yahoo.com Nina Jack (’94 Film-Video) serves as an assistant director for the award-winning TV series “Mad Men.” Alison Turminski (’94 Brcab) married Marty Dauer on Aug. 8, 2009. She is the owner of Grayson Bridge Communications & Events. They live in Princeton, N.J. Contact info: alison_dauer@yahoo.com Tysen Kendig (’95 Journ) was named vice president for strategic communication at the University of Iowa. Courtney Cairns Pastor (’96 Journ) and Frank Pastor welcomed Nathaniel Scott

on Aug. 14, 2009. They live in Tampa, Fla., where she is a reporter for The Tampa Tribune. Contact info: cpastor@tampatrib.com Matt McKinney (’97 Journ) is the multimedia executive producer for WFMY News 2 / Digtriad.com in Greensboro, N.C. Anthony Pisco (’97 Film-Video) and wife Emily Ruhmel (’01 Edu) welcomed son Evan David on Oct. 10, 2009. The family resides in Northampton, Pa. Tony is an art director at Innovative Designs and Publishing. Larry Tiscornia (’98 Telecom) works as director of broadcasting for Major League Soccer. Molly Fellin Spence (’99 Journ) and David S. Spence (’98 A&A) welcomed Phoebe Kate Spence on Aug. 1, 2009. They live in Frederick, Md. Phoebe joined big brother Jackson, 3 1/2. Michael Lello (’99 Journ) won a secondplace Keystone Press Award in the Feature Beat category in Division VI for

Mike Levine (’03 Journ) is part of the radio team broadcasting University of Miami baseball for WQAM 560 Radio in Miami, Fla. He handles both color and play-by-play duties. He is a sports anchor/reporter for WQAM. Meghan Sanders (’03 MA Media Studies, ’06 PhD Mass Comm) was honored as the recipient of a Tiger Athletic Foundation Teaching award at Louisiana State University, where she works as an assistant professor. Tommy Viola (’03 Journ) is the director of public relations/media relations for the Reading Phillies, the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, and host of his own sports talk radio show. Nichole Dobo (’04 Journ) and Wade Malcolm (’06 Journ) were married in August 2009. The former Daily Collegian staffers live in Wilmington, Del., and both work as education reporters at The News Journal: Dobo covers statewide education and Malcolm covers higher education. Amanda G. Lockwood (’04 Journ, ’04 Edu) was promoted to a position as program director at ESPN Radio. She’s in charge of a half-dozen shows and weekend programing for the all-sports radio network. Jarrad Turner (’05 Telecom) is athletics marketing coordinator at Mercer

University in Macon, Ga. Tim Wharton (’05 Adv/PR, ’05 A&A) was promoted to senior art director at Mullen Advertising in Pittsburgh. Julie Capaci (’06 Adv/PR) is a senior analyst, advertising and sponsorship marketing, for Continental Airlines. She resides in Houston, Texas. Michele Jarchin (’06 Journ) works as a producer for CBS News. Derek Levarse (’06 Journ) is a sports writer at the Times Leader in WilkesBarre. Carl Mandell (’07 Telecom) works as video coordinator for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer, controlling the video board and at PPL Park, the 18,500-seat stadium in Chester, Pa., that serves as the team’s home. Mike Prince (’07 Journ) of Montgomery Newspapers had a pair of second-place finishes in the 2010 PNA Keystone Awards. In the sports story category, he placed second with "Passing of a Legend," an appreciation of the late Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas. His high school sports story, "LaSalle Tops prep," was runner-up in the sports event category. Marcus Williams (’07 Journ) joined President Obama’s administration as a special assistant on agency events and congressional affairs at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Lauren Farrell (’08 Journ) joined the Pittsburgh Pirates as an account executive. Melissa S. Jackson (’08 Telecom) is campus director in training for Strayer University, which has 70 campus locations throughout the United States in addition to offering classes online. Taryn Rosada (’08 Journ) is an associate publicist with Simon & Schuster. She resides in Hoboken, N.J.. Autumn Strass (’08 Adv/PR) married Andrew Niggles (’08 Bus) on Sept. 25, 2009. She is an associate specialist, corporate communications, for the American College of Cardiology. He is a cost analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense. They live in Rockville, Md.

How To Reach Us

Area code is (814) Addresses are University Park, PA 16802

OFFICE OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS 301 James Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .865-8801 Kevin Musick, Director of Development Jonathan Thurley, Assistant Director of Development Janet Klinefelter, Development Assistant Barbara Ryzner, Administrative Assistant Sue Beals, Administrative Assistant Mike Poorman, Director of Alumni Relations Steve Sampsell, Director of College Relations DEAN’S OFFICE 201 Carnegie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .863-1484 Douglas Anderson, Dean John Nichols, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .865-3370 Anne Hoag, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . .863-0526 Marie Hardin, Associate Dean for Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .865-1395 ACADEMIC SERVICES 204 Carnegie Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . .865-1503 Jamey Perry, Assistant Dean for Academic Services CAREER PLACEMENT & INTERNSHIP OFFICE 208 Carnegie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .863-4674 Bob Martin, Assistant Dean for Internships and Career Placement MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS 208 Carnegie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .863-6081 Joseph Selden, Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs STUDENT MEDIA 101 Innovation Blvd., Suite 213H . . . . . . .865-2802 Thor Wasbotten, Assistant Dean for Student Media and Online Operations WEB SITE http://comm.psu.edu

Kent Zwikl (’08 Media Studies) is a legislative correspondent for Homeland Security in the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C. He resides in Alexandria, Va.

Stephanie King (’09 Adv/PR), a former student assistant in the College’s alumni relations office, is an account coordinator, public relations, at CooperKatz & Co. in New York City.

Joe Dolan (’09 Journ) is a senior writer at fantasyguru.com

Scott King (’09 Journ) is a reporter/photographer at the Smithfield (Va.) Times.

Rachid Haoues (’09 Journ) is an assistant director at WINK-TV in Fort Myers, Fla.

Cait Knoll (’09 Journ) is a production assistant at Bader TV News, a television production company.

Alexa Keeley (’09 Journ, ’09 A&A) works as a production assistant for ESPN.

Mark Viera (’09 Journ) is a sports writer with the Washington Post.

The Communicator College of Communications The Pennsylvania State University 302 James Building University Park, PA 16802

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Washington Program 15th Anniversary Celebration & Reunion Save the date: Friday, Sept. 24

The Penn State Washington Program will conduct a reunion for program alumni this fall to commemorate its 15th year in the Washington area. To receive information as it becomes available, join our Facebook group titled “Penn State Washington Program Fifteen Year Reunion.” Also, alumni may e-mail Robert Richards (rdr2@psu.edu) or Scott Colburn (sbc136@psu.edu) for more information.

It’s not a reunion without u!

A Decade of EXCELLENCE

uring the first decade of the 21st century, students in the College of Communications have compiled record-breaking performances in two major national competitions.

In both the William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s Journalism Awards Program and the Dow Jones News Fund Editing Internship Program, Penn State students have consistently ranked among the nation’s leaders.

Previous top-10 placewinners in the Hearst Journalism Awards Program include (left to right): Rachelle Santoro, Brian Chapman, Lauren Antonelli and Wade Malcolm. (Photo by Steve Manuel)

In the Hearst competition, Penn State is the only program in the country to rank in the top five of both the intercollegiate writing and intercollegiate broadcast news during the first decade of the 21st century. In the Dow Jones program, Penn State has had more students—63—accepted for internships than all but one other school.

These competitions provide just one measure of success for the College, and it comes as a result of collaboration and planning by faculty and staff and, of course, the standout efforts of our students. The pages of this special section provide some insights and memories from those involved in Penn State’s performances.

PENN STATE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS: A Decade of Excellence

Results: Alone with Top-5 Finishes in Broadcast, Writing The College of Communications is the only program in the country to finish in the top-five standings in intercollegiate writing and intercollegiate broadcast news in the William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s Journalism Awards Program for the first decade of the 21st century. The Hearst competition often is called “the Pulitzers of college journalism.” The standings are based on total points accumulated in each of the competitions during the 10-year period from contest year 2000-2001 through 2009-2010 by the country’s 110 nationally accredited programs. Penn State finished fourth in both competitions. During the 10-year period, students in the College earned 127 individual top-20 awards in the intercollegiate writing, broadcast, photojournalism and multimedia competitions, with 62 of the finishes in the top 10. All top-10 student winners received scholarships from the Hearst Foundation, with matching grants awarded to the College. “The mark of a strong program is to excel—year after year—in prestigious national competitions,” Doug Anderson, dean of the College, said. “We are particularly proud of the successes our students have enjoyed in the Hearst competition through this century’s first decade.” John Beale, a senior lecturer who coordinates the College’s photojournalism entries, agreed. “Penn State students are proud to have the opportunity to represent their University in the Hearst competition,” he said. “They know that only the very best journalism is submitted for consideration. It’s satisfying to see the quality work produced by our visual journalism students recognized on a national level.” The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, now in its 50th year, is conducted under the auspices of the 110 accredited units of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication and is funded by the Hearst Foundation, which provides more than $550,000 in scholarships, matching grants and stipends each year. From 2000-2001 through 2009-2010, Penn State finished in the top-10 in the final Hearst intercollegiate writing standings nine times, tied for second-most top-10 finishes in the country. From 2000-2001 through 2009-2010, Penn State also finished in the top-10 in the final Hearst intercollegiate broadcast standings nine times, tied for second-most top-10 finishes in the country. “For the past decade, I have seen the quality of our students’ radio work continue to rise, and the Hearst competition has served as an excellent barometer of that achievement,” Bob Richards, the Curley professor of First Amendment studies and coordinator of radio entries, said. “It has been tremendously useful to see our radio news students measure up against other top students nationwide. “As far as student broadcast competitions are concerned, Hearst is the bellwether. “If our radio students fare well in Hearst, I know they will do well in the regional student and professional competitions.” Thor Wasbotten, assistant dean for student media and online operations and coordinator of television entries, said: “Our students look forward to competing in Hearst more than in any other competition. They know they will face the best student reporters in the country, and they want to prove that they belong. In recent years, our television

HEARST FOUNDATION JOURNALISM AWARDS PROGRAM Cumulative standings from 2000-01 through 2009-10—the 21st century’s first decade—based on total points scored in monthly competitions. INTERCOLLEGIATE WRITING 1. Northwestern....................................................................2,784 2. Missouri ...........................................................................2,086 3. Kansas..............................................................................1,995 4. PENN STATE ...................................................1,922 5. Nebraska ..........................................................................1,611 6. Arizona State ....................................................................1,545 7. Indiana .............................................................................1,502 8. North Carolina ..................................................................1,290 9. Iowa .................................................................................1,279 10. Kentucky.........................................................................1,200 INTERCOLLEGIATE BROADCAST 1. Arizona State ....................................................................2,083 2. Syracuse...........................................................................2,028 3. North Carolina ..................................................................1,922 4. PENN STATE ...................................................1,487 5. Florida ..............................................................................1,476 6. Northwestern....................................................................1,170 7. Brigham Young.................................................................1,100 8. Western Kentucky ............................................................1,038 9. Montana ...........................................................................1,025 10. Nebraska ...........................................................................921

Total top-10 yearly finishes in intercollegiate writing and intercollegiate broadcast standings for the first 10 years of the 21st century. 1. PENN STATE .......................................................18 2. Northwestern ........................................................................17 3. Arizona State .........................................................................16 4 (tie). Missouri ........................................................................14 4 (tie). North Carolina ...............................................................14 students have consistently finished in the top-10. Not only do our students belong with the best, they are now helping set the standard for student reporters everywhere.” Penn State’s total top-10 finishes in intercollegiate writing and intercollegiate broadcasting—18—during the decade stand as the most of any school in the country. “I’m pleased with our consistency,” Anderson said. “And to fare so well in both writing and broadcasting is a testament to our balance.” During the 10-year contest period, the Hearst Foundation awarded Penn State scholarships, stipends and matching grants totaling $143,000.

PENN STATE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS: A Decade of Excellence

Reflections: Director, Dean, Participants Share Memories JAN WATTEN, Program Director, Hearst Journalism Awards Program This year marks the Hearst Journalism Awards Program’s 50th anniversary, and we have much to celebrate. The program has grown and changed over the past half century, but what has remained constant is its enduring purpose—to inspire excellence in journalism education and to encourage undergraduates to pursue careers in journalism. In 1960, Randolph A. Hearst designed the Journalism Awards Program with the participation of administrators from the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication. Since then, the program has expanded from six writing competitions to 14 competitions that include photojournalism, broadcast news and multimedia. Fifty years ago, 46 accredited schools were eligible to participate—and now there are 110 accredited schools across the country eligible to enter the competitions. Each year the program awards up to $550,000 in stipends and scholarships to students and matching grants to schools. Today, the Journalism Awards Program regularly exceeds 1,000 entries in the total monthly competitions. Our panel of professional judges continues to be impressed by the quality of work submitted by entrants from the country’s best journalism schools. Penn State’s College of Communications is a model participant in the program. Over the past decade, under the leadership of Dean Doug Anderson, Penn State journalism students have entered every Hearst monthly competition offered—a feat unrivaled by any other participating journalism school. Penn State’s students consistently enter stellar work and excel in our program. As a result, Penn State ranks in the top 10 of the Hearst intercollegiate competition—which is based on the students’ collective success—year after year. The legacy of Randolph Hearst continues on with the Journalism Awards Program and through the students at Penn State.

DOUG ANDERSON, Dean, College of Communications The five-minute telephone conversation took place 20 years ago, but I remember it as if it were yesterday. I was then the director of Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunication—and I was on the Brigham Young University campus in Provo, Utah, conducting an external review of its mass communications program. When I returned to my hotel room late in the afternoon, I called my office to check in. My assistant, Norma Kennedy, told me that I needed to return a call to Jan Watten, director of the Hearst Foundation’s Journalism Awards Program in San Francisco. I immediately called—and Jan said she was pleased to tell me that the Cronkite School had captured first place in the 19891990 intercollegiate writing championships. I had known we were in the running, but I had not expected us to win. I was ecstatic, and I took even greater pride in the news when I learned that we had edged Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, which finished second, and Missouri, which was third. We were an up-and-coming program at ASU—and, suddenly, we found ourselves among the blue bloods in this prestigious national competition. We received our first-place gold medallion

and cash award at a meeting of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication in late April in Los Angeles. I remember well the firm handshake of Randolph A. Hearst, president of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and board chairman of the Hearst Corporation, when he presented the check. He said that the cash prizes “recognize each year those colleges and universities which distinguish themselves among their peers.” I recall the adrenaline rush. What never occurred to me at the time, though, was this: that exciting moment would actually turn out to be the first of many I would experience with the Hearst contest, which was then celebrating its 30th anniversary. We went on to enjoy many rewarding Hearst experiences at ASU throughout the 1990s. And now I feel doubly blessed to have watched the ear-to-ear smiles of more than 125 Penn State students who have earned Hearst contest individual places over the past 10 years. The Hearst Journalism Awards Program will observe—indeed, celebrate—its 50th anniversary this June in New York City. It’s a marvelous program, and I’m not embarrassed to say that I feel the same sense of excitement and satisfaction today when our students excel in it that I did when Jan Watten gave me the great news two decades ago.

PENN STATE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS: A Decade of Excellence

Penn State has been well represented in the 21st century’s first decade at the Hearst Journalism Awards Program’s individual championships. Each year, 24 students—from the approximate 1,000 who enter the competition throughout the academic year—qualify for the championships held in June: eight in writing, six in photo, five in radio and five in television. Seven students from the College of Communications—by virtue of their top performances in the individual monthly competitions—earned spots in the finals during the past 10 years: Ryan Hockensmith in writing, 2001; Alexa James in writing, 2002; Bob Viscount in radio, 2003; Halle Stockton in writing, 2007; Angela Haupt in writing, 2008; Aaron Patterson in television, 2008; and Andrew McGill in writing, 2008 and 2010. One of them, Halle Stockton, captured first place in 2007, and another, Andrew McGill, won second place in 2008. During the first nine years of the decade, the individual championships were held in San Francisco. In 2010, in observance of the contest’s golden anniversary, they will be held in New York City. RYAN HOCKENSMITH, 2001 When I arrived at the Hearst individual championships, the only thing I could say for awhile was, “Wow.” San Francisco, Alcatraz, great student journalists everywhere, a competitive environment—it really was a culmination of everything I ever hoped for from going to college. I didn’t yet have my degree, but this felt like a graduation of sorts. I really believe that there’s no better place in the country to get realworld journalism experience than Penn State. From sports to culture, the environment at PSU gives a young reporter every opportunity to find his or her calling. So I got to the finals of the Hearst competition because of the opportunity provided to me by my College. But when I got to San Francisco, I was reminded that there’s a world outside of my own. I may have been a solid sports reporter in State College, Pa., but I was now among some of the nation’s best young writers, from diverse backgrounds, in another time zone and climate, covering varied topics. This was the first big stage I’d ever been on.

And, for the most part, I whiffed. I didn’t win. I didn’t even place in the top three, out of eight. When the winners were announced, and I wasn’t among them, I went back to my hotel room and wrote myself a note. I carry the note around to this day. It reads something like this: “Congratulations on winning awards for your writing and going to San Francisco for the finals of a major competition. But don’t forget what happened while you were there. You need to always do your homework—when you sit down with the director of the Sierra Club, know what the Kyoto Protocol entails and why it was on the front page of every newspaper that week. You must improve your writing— quote, transition, quote isn’t a story formula, it’s a copout to meet a deadline. Mostly, you need to grow. Take what you’ve accomplished and be proud. Take what you didn’t accomplish and go to work. You know enough from this experience to never have to write another apology note to yourself again.” Almost 10 years later, I’m proud to say I haven’t had to. Ryan is an associate editor at ESPN The Magazine. He joined the magazine as an intern in 2001.

PENN STATE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS: A Decade of Excellence

ALEXA JAMES, 2002

BOB VISCOUNT, 2003

I don’t remember who won the Hearst writing championships in San Francisco in 2002. Obviously, it wasn’t me. I can’t recall the list of guest speakers or even the name of that luxurious hotel in San Francisco. The Palace something? What I do remember, to this day, are the words, pictures and sounds of great reporting. Hearst taught me that journalism isn’t about my big byline or anyone else’s. Journalism is about a team of professionals committed to a craft that is far bigger than any one person or news outlet. Though the Hearst experience is fueled by competition, it also encourages cooperation and mentorship. Rookie reporters from schools nationwide make fast friends with seasoned professionals and industry leaders. Contestants from print, television, photo and radio mingle throughout the championships, reminding everyone that journalism’s future relies on its ability to adapt and to communicate across media. I arrived in San Francisco as a brand new Penn State graduate trying to win a big contest [I admit it: the finalist trophy is perched on my bookshelf.] But I left the Hearst championships, a few days later, as a more selfless journalist, one with a stronger understanding of and commitment to the well-being of our craft.

I remember how extraordinary I felt when arriving in San Francisco with the other finalists to compete. It really felt like a big deal. I was nervous and excited and ready to get to it. After getting our assignments, the next 24 hours felt like a bit of a blur. I was in an unfamiliar city with no contacts and only a few working hours to get my facts and interviews for the story. So I did my best, and it all came together in the end. I didn't place in the top three, but being in that situation taught me how to use my reporting skills and creativity when I started out at my first job in a new city with no contacts. After working as a television reporter/anchor/photographer for three years, I made a career change. I’ve been working in pharmaceutical sales since July 2006. Bob’s first job in journalism after college was as a reporter for WHIZTV, an NBC affiliate in Zanesville, Ohio. He’s currently a pharmaceutical representative for AstraZeneca in Baltimore.

Alexa recently accepted a position in Afghanistan as a foreign affairs specialist with the U.S. Department of Defense. She was scheduled to deploy in May. Her first journalism job was with the Baltimore Sun.

HALLE STOCKTON, 2007 The moment right before the announcer revealed the winner of the Hearst national writing championship was a life high—and hopefully the closest I’ll ever get to having a heart attack. But participating in the William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s Journalism Awards Program was much more than an adrenaline rush. All writers, photographers, radio and television reporters are forced to step out of their comfort zone and showcase their talent in an unfamiliar setting. It is a test of applying the basics with flair. The competition requires each person to push his or her skill to the next level. It is an exciting but intimidating challenge to search for a style or unique story that will make your work stand out among a pool of highly talented peers. It’s really not the plaques or certificates that stay with you after the trip to San Francisco. The knowledge that you can be thrown into a foreign location and still succeed at your chosen craft is the real gift. It allows you to confidently tackle new challenges as you finish school and find a job in your profession. The College of Communications and Penn State’s many studentrun media outlets cannot go unnoticed in the University’s accomplishments this decade. Without the fundamentals taught by caring, talented advisers and professors, and realistic experience, this long-term success would not have been realized.

Halle, who works for the Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune/New York Times regional media group as a staff writer, holds her national championship award in 2007 flanked by judges Stephen Buckley of the St. Petersburg Times (left) and Pat Andrews of the Miami Herald.

PENN STATE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS: A Decade of Excellence

ANGELA HAUPT, 2008

AARON PATTERSON, 2008

The 2008 Hearst championship in San Francisco was more than just a contest. On a personal level, it was my first cross-country trip, the culmination of a lot of hard work and perhaps my proudest moment yet. It was the chance to compete against—and, more importantly, get to know—seven other writing finalists. On our first night in San Francisco, we received our spot assignment: a story on “going green” in the city. We all felt the same adrenaline rush and the same nerves about venturing into an unknown city, and we bonded quickly over the kinds of conversation that only journalists would understand. I ultimately reported on Green Dog Walks, a local initiative that promotes sustainable dog walking, thus preventing erosion and loss of vegetation. Our experiences, however, transcended reporting challenges. We networked with our esteemed judges and faculty members, and we explored the city. We also enjoyed a dinner overlooking the Pacific Ocean at dusk. That night, I remember posing for a photograph with a group of Penn Staters—including Dean Anderson, Professor Bob Richards and two fellow contestants—and feeling a sense of awe, and pride, that our success had taken us across the country together.

The first night in San Francisco at the Hearst championships I realized I was in for a challenge. I knew it was a competition, but just a few hours after getting off the plane I was in a room with a news executive from Hearst-Argyle and the other four student television news finalists. I really wasn’t sure how I would stack up coming from central Pennsylvania. But as I looked around that table at the other finalists I saw the same mix of excitement and trepidation on all their faces as we received the assignment. There was a moment of “Can I really do this?” But after a night of scouting locations online and little sleep, I found that once I got a camera in my hands it was as if I had never left State College—except, of course, for the traffic and that big red bridge in the background. My Hearst experience was amazing. Being there is like being in the best newsrooms and universities in the country at the same time. It’s a gathering of talented veteran journalists, faculty and young professionals. Penn State gave me the tools to get there, and I wasn’t alone; that year we had three Nittany Lions at the championships!

Angela is a freelance reporter for Newsday on Long Island, N.Y.

ANDREW McGILL, 2008 and 2010 In the Hearst national news writing championships, there’s no warning. There’s just the assignment—that and the no-nonsense understanding that if you don’t complete it on time, you might as well get on a plane and go home. That’s how I found myself during the 2008 championships in an abandoned Navy base on the San Francisco Bay, cautiously following the wild-haired man in front of me to his garden. He was a former South American journalist who followed his daughter north to California and was now eking out a living selling the rich, dark soil he composted along this stretch of waterfront. I had spoken to him for the first time that morning. Now, I was writing his story. That’s the pace of the competition. You find out your spot-news topic the night before—in my case, it was “Going Green in San Francisco.” You report and write the story the next day. It’s a breakneck pace that seems destined to lead to failure. It’s also one of the most exhilarating challenges a young reporter could hope for. The composter showed me his soil, drove me around Oakland, bid me farewell. I took the subway back to our hotel, wrote my lead in a Starbucks next door and spent the night typing out the rest. It’s said that when someone is given a challenge, he rises to the occasion. Hearst is proof of that. Andrew, a senior who graduated with honors in May, has accepted a position as a reporter at The Morning Call in Allentown, Pa. (Photo by John Beale)

Aaron works as a research support manager at Blue Heron Research Partners, a company he joined immediately after graduation that conducts research about companies for investors.

PENN STATE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS: A Decade of Excellence

Results: 63 Placements in DJNF Among Nation’s Best With 63 of its students earning Dow Jones News Fund editing internships during the 21st century’s first decade, the College of Communications stands second only to the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism for total placements. DJNF internships, which involve a training residency followed by 10-week paid internships at newspapers such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post and at news organizations such as ESPN.com, AccuWeather and the Center for Investigative Reporting, are considered the gold standard for journalism internships. Students who complete the internship also receive a scholarship from the Fund. Hundreds of students from colleges and universities across the United States apply each year by taking an exam, writing an essay, and submitting their grades and resumes to the Fund. Those who pass the test—a tough combination of language precision, current events, geography and editing—are then vetted by a panel of editing professors and news professionals. Roughly one in five applicants each year lands a coveted internship. This summer, 10 Penn State students, nearly half of those from the College who applied, were selected. That put Penn State well ahead of all other programs that place a strong emphasis on editing, such as Missouri, Kansas, Central Florida and Nebraska. Almost every summer since 2001, Penn State has been in the top five for placements. Students who land these internships have completed the College’s news editing course, an upper-division class required for journalism majors that emphasizes the nuts and bolts of editing. Department of Journalism faculty members John Dillon and Marie Hardin also oversee the College’s efforts to prepare students for the application process. Students interested in applying get extra drills in current events and language-precision topics. Students who have completed DJNF internships help sell the opportunity to their classmates and so does Richard Holden, executive

director of the Fund, who visits editing classes each fall. “Every year the selection is greeted with great deal of excitement among our journalism students,” Hardin said. “Students know what a News Fund internship means: A terrific summer, lifelong friendships, invaluable contacts in the industry and an unparalleled learning experience.” Of the 63 College of Communications students who have earned DJNF internships since 2001, a handful have attended the editing “boot camp” offered at Penn State. The College is among six training sites for interns, and it receives an annual grant from the Fund to run the workshop. Other on-campus sites are at Missouri, Texas, Temple, Nebraska (with a focus on sports) and Western Kentucky (with an emphasis on multimedia editing). Penn State is responsible for training interns who report to about a dozen news organizations around the United States. Dillon and Hardin direct the boot camp, and faculty from the College’s journalism department provide instruction on a variety of topics, including multimedia editing and legal and ethical issues for editors. Holden and editors from news organizations also pitch in. Students receive instruction from legendary editors such as Gene Foreman, retired managing editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer and founding director of Penn State’s DJNF residency, and William Connolly, retired New York Times senior editor and co-author of the Times’ style and usage manual. “It’s intense training, and the opportunity to be in contact with and learn from some of journalism’s best editors adds a lot to the experience,” Dillon said. Connolly challenges interns with a series of tough language-precision drills and a case study that requires students to dissect "big-picture" problems in a story. “The visit to Happy Valley is an annual treat, in no small part because the students are always bright, engaged and engaging,” Connolly said.

DOW JONES SELECTIONS (2005-2010) 2010 ❚ Tamara Conrad, White Plains Journal News ❚ Kirstie Hettinga, AccuWeather ❚ Amanda Hofmockel, California Watch ❚ David Miniaci, The New York Post ❚ Alexandra Petri, Cape Cod Times ❚ Diana Rodriguez, White Plains Journal News ❚ Dan Rorabaugh, Hartford Courant ❚ Erin Shields, Washington Times ❚ Rossilyne Skena, Palm Beach Post ❚ Chad Uddstrom, Bay Area News Group 2009 ❚ Marissa Carl, Wall Street Journal ❚ Arianna Davis, New York Daily News ❚ Kathryn Dvorak, Naples Daily News ❚ Phenola Lawrence, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ❚ David Reinbold, Charleston Gazette ❚ Emily Sher, New York Times News Service

2008 ❚ Kristen Huth, Virginian-Pilot ❚ Michael James, White Plains Journal News ❚ Kimberly Meyer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ❚ Heather Hottle, Pocono Record ❚ Alexandra Petri, New Bedford Standard Times 2007 ❚ Lauren Bootier, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ❚ Kim Cicconi, Sarasota Herald-Tribune ❚ Christopher Ednie, Medford Mail Tribune ❚ Sarah Goldfarb, Argus Leader ❚ Martin Gutman, Hartford Courant ❚ Alex Muller, Kankakee Daily Journal ❚ Jennifer Shew, St. Petersburg Times

2006 ❚ Lauren Antonelli, Virginian Pilot ❚ Sarah Goldfarb, Roanoke Times ❚ Jennette C. Hannah, Newsday ❚ Justine Maki, Indianapolis Star 2005 ❚ Hannah Aboul-Hosn, Houston Chronicle ❚ Neil Barbour, (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) Sun News ❚ Michael Catalini, Buffalo News ❚ Joanna Citrinbaum, Palm Beach Post ❚ Brandon Linton, Santa Cruz Sentinel ❚ Laura Michalski, Virginian Pilot ❚ Jeanette Schreiber, Columbus LedgerEnquirer ❚ David Simon, Erie Times News ❚ Sean Smyth, Naples Daily News ❚ Paul Weinstein, Indianapolis Star ❚ Megan Wolf, Portsmouth Herald

PENN STATE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS: A Decade of Excellence

Reflections: Faculty Prowess, Program’s Commitment Key RICHARD HOLDEN, Executive Director, Dow Jones News Fund My friends at Penn State kiddingly tell me that the only reason I visit the campus frequently is to stock up on Peachy Paterno ice cream from the creamery. Well, that’s not the only reason. First and foremost, I visit because I find meeting with the students and faculty interesting and stimulating. I’m most impressed by the importance placed on editing, the dedication of the faculty and the interest shown by the students in this “lost art.” Years ago, Gene Foreman invited me to visit the campus and discuss with students what the Dow Jones News Fund had to offer. After that initial visit, it became clear that if

we ever had an opportunity to set up another of our “centers for editing excellence” it would be at Penn State. That opportunity became a reality in 2004 when the Ottaway Newspapers group of Dow Jones & Co. rejoined our intern training program. The results have been outstanding. The editing triumvirate of first Gene Foreman, then Marie Hardin and most recently John Dillon have produced outstanding interns. With Dean Doug Anderson batting cleanup, we’ve hit a grand slam. Students from universities around the country come to the Penn State training site,

PROFESSOR GENE FOREMAN In the decade that Penn State has been a part of the DJNF program, our students have succeeded to a degree that could hardly have been imagined in the spring of 1999. That semester, so few students signed up for COMM 467 News Editing that the course’s only section had to be canceled. It turns out that all they needed was a little push. Two things happened during the 1999-2000 academic year. One was that our new dean, Doug Anderson, thought the editing course deserved more faculty emphasis, and he said so. The other was that we looked at DJNF and decided that there was nothing not to like about it: a national competition in which excellence would be recognized, two weeks of intense training at a campus site, a paying job for the summer, and a modest scholarship for students returning in the fall. We wanted our students to have that opportunity. The problem was that nobody on the faculty had any familiarity with DJNF. I decided to put in a phone call to DJNF Executive Director Rich Holden. To my delight, the affable Rich proved to be a fan of Penn State. He eagerly accepted the invitation to visit the campus and give our editing students his splendid lecture/practical exercise on math in journalism. In his inimitable way, he also kindled enthusiasm for becoming DJNFers. As professors urged their print-journalism students to enroll in COMM 467, the course soon was adding sections. Once in the editing class, students were signing up to take the national written test that narrows the field for the prestigious DJNF internships. In the summer of 2001, two Penn State students were among the

and their comments about the quality of the training, the campus and the community are uniformly positive. Bill Connolly, a retired senior editor of The New York Times, joins me on my visits to the intern “boot camp” every summer. He shares my enthusiasm and respect for the job that the faculty does in preparing the interns for work as editors on copy desks and websites for a dozen or more organizations. I’ve spent the past 18 years visiting universities around the country. Of all the colleges, schools, divisions and departments of journalism and mass communications that I have had the pleasure of seeing, none is better than Penn State. I’m looking forward to my next visit this summer, and just maybe a half gallon of Peachy Paterno ice cream.

more than 100 winners nationally. In the summer of 2002, four Penn State students won. And in the summer of 2003, there were five. We were just getting started. The program really picked up momentum in the fall semester of 2003, when Marie Hardin joined the faculty as an assistant professor of journalism. Marie came with an extensive network of contacts in DJNF, having been an associate director of one of the DJNF summer boot camps in Florida. Her networking paid off the next summer when nine Penn State students won internships—and when Penn State was chosen as one of the boot-camp sites where DJNF winners from around the country practice their editing skills for two weeks before going to their summer jobs. We’ve run a boot camp every year since then. During the decade, news editing has become one of five courses required of print-journalism students at Penn State (the others are basic and advanced reporting, news media law, and news media ethics). The goal has been to expose these students—most of whom are heading for jobs as reporters—to a set of skills that augments what they learn in their reporting classes. In news editing, they look at news stories the way editors do. They analyze the content, applying news judgment; and they examine the copy in detail, applying the disciplines of style and grammar. They also learn about newspaper and web design. As their semester in COMM 467 progresses, it’s not unusual for some of the students to decide that editing is their future. Especially for these aspiring editors, DJNF offers a great summer experience and a resumé entry guaranteed to get an employer’s attention. And, as the DJNF competition has demonstrated, these Penn Staters are among the best in the country. We should have known that all along.

PENN STATE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS: A Decade of Excellence

PROFESSOR MARIE HARDIN While Penn State has built a decade of experience with the News Fund, I, too, reached my own 10-year milestone with the program last year. Although I didn’t arrive here until 2003, my first summer as an instructor for DJNF was in 1999, during a training residency (we often call them “boot camps”) at Virginia Commonwealth University. That’s also when I met Rich Holden, executive director of the program, who has been a trusted friend and mentor since that day. In 2000, I became associate director of the DJNF residency at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla. The department there was small, and none of the other faculty had an editing background. I relied mostly on professional editors to supplement my instruction. Of course, that wasn’t the case when I arrived at Penn State. We have a wealth of editors-turned-teachers on our faculty. I quickly began to tap this resource, and journalism faculty members have become regulars at our annual residency. Curt Chandler, Curtis Chan, Chris Ritchie and Judy Maltz have taught from their areas of expertise, such as new media (Chandler) and editing business stories (Maltz). Faculty member John Dillon brings an especially valuable mix of skills and experience to our DJNF efforts. John joined our faculty in 2007 after three decades at the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Richmond, Va., where he served as deputy managing editor for metro news and Virginia news. He oversaw 65 reporters and editors covering local and

state news. For 15 years, he also recruited newsroom interns and managed the paper’s internship program. Soon after John arrived at Penn State, I invited him to become involved with our residency. He started as an instructor and last summer moved to assistant director duties. This year, he is co-director, overseeing all instruction during the eight-day boot camp. During the fall, he directed our efforts to prepare our students for the DJNF test, and his coaching paid off with one of the College’s largest DJNF classes: 10 students. I am excited about what John will do with the residency. Obviously, he is experienced and well connected to editors across the country. In fact, his experience in dealing with the Dow Jones News Fund goes back nearly 20 years. He knows what editors are looking for in good interns, and he knows what kind of training is most effective. But he is also resourceful and innovative. For instance, when we were looking for ways to expand our reach into new media, John suggested we contact AccuWeather – a media operation based in State College. I called an alumnus there, and the company quickly came on board. John has also used his network of contacts to reach out to other new-media ventures. I am convinced there are two reasons for Penn State’s continuing success in DJNF placements: top-notch students and dedicated, experienced faculty. The reason for Penn State’s continuing success as a residency, though, is singular: our faculty.

PENN STATE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS: A Decade of Excellence

STEVE BIEN-AIME´

ARIANNA DAVIS

I am one of the lucky few to receive an editing and a business reporting internship through the Dow Jones News Fund. Having that brand on my resume´ helped me attain quality jobs. Since graduation I have worked in three cities, and I am amazed at how many News Fund alumni have made big impacts in journalism. Also, one doesn’t make a lot of true friends in this industry, but I will always have a special relationship with the colleagues I met in training. The genius of the program is the boot camps that prepare students for internships. The instructors and volunteers work so hard to make sure their pupils shine at their news organizations. I don’t think I can ever repay them for their efforts. When Penn State began hosting a boot camp in the last decade, I was honored to be asked to help. It benefited the students. But I think it benefited me more because I love journalism and the News Fund, and it allowed me to pay tribute to both. I don’t know what the future of journalism will be. I do know that the Dow Jones News Fund will play a big role in it.

When I learned about the Dow Jones News Fund internship, I was in an editing class listening to a former DJNF intern talk about her internship. I couldn’t exactly pinpoint why—because I had a reporting background with no formal copy editing training—but the challenge of the DJNF “boot camp” and the opportunity to build my editing skills at a newspaper immediately jumped out at me. Eight months later, with the support of my editing professor and after completing a challenging test, I found myself at the University of TexasAustin in boot camp. I quickly learned that I was the only copy editing newbie of all of the interns, which was definitely intimidating. As I worked through the challenges, however, I found that the boot camp and education at one of the nation’s largest newspapers, the New York Daily News, was enough to whip me into shape. I met amazing people and learned an incredible amount about news and editing through DJNF. I know that I will carry my DJNF experience with me for a lifetime.

Steve, a 2004 graduate, works for FoxSports.com

RENEE PETRINA As a Penn State senior, I paid the HUB copy center $11 to fax a completed editing test to The Washington Post. The fee was worth it—I got the internship, and I joined the 2004 class of the distinguished Dr. Ed Trayes’ DJNF boot camp in Philadelphia. (Alumni surprised him with a 25-year reunion while we were there. At the time, we thought it odd. But today, many of us are still in touch.) Copy editing took me from State College

Arianna, a 2009 graduate, works as an editorial assistant at O, The Oprah Magazine

to Jacksonville, Fla., to Indianapolis, where I worked wires while part of a great team. The coolest thing I heard at The Indianapolis Star? “Great headline” or “Good work tonight.” But on July 9, 2009, Gannett called – another copy editor’s job eliminated. On the strength of my Penn State and DJNF credentials, I joined the journalism faculty at Ball State University, in Muncie, Ind. I teach editing (of course!) and more. I’m now redeveloping our editing syllabus to widen its scope, adding broadcast editing to a

course that already covers print and online. The coolest thing I hear these days? The sarcastic, yet honest: “Thanks to you, Petrina, I edit everything now.” I hope Dr. Trayes is proud. Renee, who is finishing her master’s degree in the College, teaches journalism at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.

PENN STATE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS: A Decade of Excellence

Photos by Jessica Quinlan

College of Communications The Pennsylvania State University 201 Carnegie Building University Park, PA 16802 (814) 865-1484 http://comm.psu.edu