Communicator, Summer 2014 by Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications

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INSIDE: Hardin named dean of College ... Faculty honored for excellence ... Students earn numerous awards

CONTENTS 4

CARNEGIE NEWS

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

STUDENT NEWS

Closeup: Anderson’s transformational tenure New dean named for College of Communications On-campus events showcase diversity guests

Faculty members recognized for excellence University-wide awards honor teaching, service Faculty members produce feature-length film

College surpasses goal as campaign closes

Closeup: ‘CCR’ succeeds with strong support University-wide awards honor service, success Six selected as student marshals

50 ALUMNI NEWS

Closeup: Achievement Award for Gifford Lockwood Alumna advances to national competition Prolific author working on his 19th book

DEPARTMENTS

From the Dean, 3 / Alumni Notes, 57 College Calendar, 59 / Contact the College, 59

ON THE COVER

Dean Doug Anderson, who led the College of Communications from July 1, 1999, to July 1, 2014, guided the program through a period of significant growth and success. Story, pages 4-6. (Photo by John Beale)

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The Communicator is published twice a year by the College of Communications at Penn State. Dean: Douglas Anderson Editor: Steve Sampsell Publication Policies: All items relating to the College and its faculty, staff, students and alumni will be considered for publication. Correspondence: The Communicator Penn State College of Communications 302 James Building University Park, PA 16802 Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other protected groups. Nondiscrimination: http://guru.psu.edu/policies/AD85.html

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FROM THE DEAN It hardly seems possible that nearly 15 years have passed since I wrote my first Communicator column. Now, as I write my last one, I recall how that 1999 column began: “Challenges and opportunities stretch across the horizon for the College of Communications as it embarks on the 1999-2000 academic year. “The challenges facing the College are substantial: the time-devouring preparation of a well-written, candid, crisp and forward-looking multivolume study for the Fall 2000 national accreditation review; efforts to bring into instructional harmony and efficiency the burgeoning number of students with our faculty, staff and financial resources; the continued quest to integrate teaching, research and service in ways that make our sum far greater than our individual parts; the constant pursuit of enhancing the academic-professional balance of our faculty with concomitant recognition of and respect for people who contribute in different ways to the collective whole; the movement to elevate trust among colleagues; the never-ending work to prepare students to the greatest extent possible for life and work after school; and the vigorous, systematic search for private funding to provide the wherewithal to make this truly a top-tier program.” After noting several positives about the College, I concluded: “The best accredited programs in our field share certain characteristics: they never lose sight of their primary reason for being (teaching students — graduate and undergraduate); they are studentcentered, always doing things for the benefit of the students, not merely for the convenience of the faculty and administration; they produce outstanding scholarship — using a variety of methodologies — that is of value to the discipline and their constituents; they are driven by the quest for quality and improvement; they contribute to the central missions of their universities by being fully

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engaged in the intellectual life of the campus; they integrate teaching, research and service in ways that maximize the effectiveness of their undergraduate and graduate programs; they covet and cultivate relationships with their professional constituents; they strive to diversify their faculties, student bodies and curricular offerings; and they keep pace with technological changes — using them to full pedagogical and instructional advantage — but do not let them consume the unit. Most of all, they value students — while they are on campus and after they become alumni. “We seek to become the embodiment of those characteristics.” Nearly a decade and a half after that column was published, I would not change a word. In large part, we have indeed come to embody those characteristics. We are — as I am fond of saying — the best-balanced, most comprehensive, student-centered, nationally accredited mass communication program in the country. Over the past 15 years, it has been a pure joy to watch the College’s needle point ever northward. For that I thank our dedicated faculty and staff; our strong student body; our supportive central administration; our loyal advisory boards and alumni; and our generous private financial supporters. I take great satisfaction in the marvelous accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students and alumni. Penn State truly is a special place. It has been a privilege to serve this extraordinary university. I look forward in the years ahead to watching its continued ascension — and that of the College of Communications.

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CARNEGIE CLOSEUP After delivering his remarks, Doug Anderson is applauded by colleagues at his retirement ceremony April 30. (Photo by John Beale)

Transformational

Dean Anderson’s tenure elevated College in all measures

rom his first day on the job to his last, and certainly every day in between, it was all about the people — and also about the numbers — for Dean Doug Anderson. Anderson, who has guided the College of Communications since 1999, retired effective July 1. “After 37 years in the academy and 27 in university administration, it’s time,” Anderson said. During Anderson’s transformational 15-year tenure, the College became the country’s largest nationally accredited mass communications program

and enjoyed unprecedented success. Anderson’s collaborative approach, leadership and vision guided the Penn State communications program to improvements in every measurable category. That includes significant increases during his tenure in the number of undergraduate students, the annual number of for-credit internships, the annual number of undergraduate degrees conferred, the annual number of scholarships awarded, and the value of the College’s permanent endowment. (See box, Page 6.)

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Still, Anderson, 66, has appropriately maintained an emphasis on undergraduate education. He takes pride in the program’s four-year graduation rate, among the highest of any of Penn State’s academic colleges, and he team-taught an in-depth reporting class each fall. His collaborative manner has made the College a popular place for faculty, staff and students. The collegiality of the program has played an important part in all that growth and success. “I feel blessed to have had the

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CARNEGIE CLOSEUP opportunity to work with so many tal- tently crafted strong performances in and the Don Davis Program for Ethiented faculty members, staff members competitions sponsored by the Amercal Leadership were created. and students during my tenure here,” The College’s graduate students ican Advertising Federation, earned Anderson said. “Their combined and faculty members have become regular praise for work produced by efforts have made us what we have fixtures at major academic conferstudents and faculty in the film-video become. And it has truly been a privences, and the faculty has expanded program, and received accolades for ilege to get to know so many extraorits wingspan with ever-increasing and work across all four of its departdinary graduates of our program and nationally ranked scholarly producments. so many exceptionally supportive and tivity. Penn State President Rodney Erickloyal constituents and friends.” The College has become more son said Anderson has been a stellar On July 1, 1999, Anderson’s first diverse, with the number of midean. During the past 15 years, Erickday of work, some staff memnority-group students nearly bers in Carnegie Building were “I feel blessed to have had the opdoubling from 380 to 752. In naturally unsure what to think portunity to work with so many tal- 2013, the College received the of their new boss. Will Norton, ented faculty members, staff memEquity and Diversity Award then the dean of the College of from the Association for Edubers and students. Their combined cation in Journalism and Mass Journalism and Mass Commuefforts have made us what we have Communication (AEJMC). nications at the University of Nebraska, phoned and asked The award is given to the one become.” to speak with Anderson. When mass communication program — Dean Doug Anderson that has attained outstanding a staff assistant inquired about the nature of the call, Norton, increases in racial, gender and son said, “he has led the development ethnic equity and diversity. who had not revealed his identity, of the College of Communications didn’t miss a beat. He said he was The down-to-earth Anderson prointo one of the most highly regarded trying to collect a gambling debt. vided an unflappable model for his and successful academic units of its That bit of humor from a longtime colleagues across campus and in the kind in the nation. He has done so Anderson friend raised some eyeCollege. Each year, he concluded his with strategic vision, a great blend of brows, but those who worked with start-of-the-academic year retreat with academic and professional talent, and his executive team with a reminder to him quickly discovered that the dean a spirit of collaboration he has helped “be unselfish.” was all about the numbers — none of to instill.” them gambling-related. Anderson led the College through During Anderson’s tenure, the full- three successful national accreditation Anderson constantly emphasized time faculty grew significantly and the reviews. The most recent accreditation measurable success, insisting on ways number of tenured communications to quantify the accomplishments site-visit team, in fall 2012, concluded: faculty members doubled. Anderson and growth of the College. Ander“Although the college is the largest also presided over these developson admits now that his preferred nationally accredited communication ments: description of the College — “the program in the country, the level of l The College was reorganized best-balanced, most comprehensive, personal attention and support prostudent-centered nationally accredited into four departments: advertising/ vided to students rivals that of much public relations, film-video and media smaller institutions. ... With a highly program in America” — was initially just a statement of his aspirations. He studies, journalism, and telecommutalented and dedicated staff ... focused wanted to give everyone a goal. By the nications. on advising, internships and career l The Office of Internships and final years of his tenure, though, his placement, and multicultural affairs, Career Placement was established. aspirations were a reality. this self-proclaimed ‘student-centered’ l State-of-the-art broadcast studios In 2014, the College won its third college lives up to this promise.” consecutive national championship in and newsrooms were built at InnoAnderson has made an impression vation Park as the College’s space the William Randolph Hearst Founon fellow faculty members, students increased by more than 40 percent, dation’s Journalism Awards Program, and alumni. and student showcases ComMedia, which is often called “the Pulitzers of One of those who particularly ComRadio and “Centre County college journalism.” remembers his thoughtfulness is Report” were launched. In 2012 and 2013, “Centre County Ryan Hockensmith, who was the first l The John Curley Center for Report,” a weekly 30-minute newscast, Penn State student to represent the Sports Journalism, the Jim Jimirro was named the best student newscast University at the Hearst Journalism Center for the Study of Media Influin America by the Broadcast EducaAwards Program in 32 years when he ence, the Arthur W. Page Center for tion Association. reached the individual championships In addition, the College consisin 2001. Integrity in Public Communication,

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CARNEGIE CLOSEUP Still, his THE ANDERSON YEARS trip to San Francisco for Year 1999 2014 the competiUndergraduate Students 2,825 3,153 tion was hardly Annual For-Credit Internships 275 588 Annual Degrees Conferred 618 918 easy. A bout Annual Scholarships and Awards $192,000 $816,939 with bacterial Permanent Endowment Value $8.9 million $34 million meningitis in 1999, just months after Anderson arrived at Penn State, nearly cost him his life. As it was, he lost most of his toes to the disease and was out of school for a year. His family and friends provided constant support, and so did the dean. “It was my interaction and relationship with him that I will always cherish,” said Hockensmith (’01 Journ), an editor at ESPN. “He cares. He genuinely cares.” Anderson is the author or co-author of six books, two of which have gone into subsequent editions: “Contemporary Sports Reporting” and “News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media.” The news writing text is now in its seventh edition and, through the years, has been adopted by more than 200 colleges and universities. Anderson also has written more Doug and Claudia Anderson than 75 academic articles, papers, book chapters and workbooks. communications education. In 2013 Anderson received the He also is a past president of the AEJMC Presidential Award for Association of Schools of Journalism “outstanding service to journalism and Mass Communication and the and mass communication education” Southwest Education Council on during the annual AEJMC ConferEducation in Journalism and Mass ence in Washington, D.C. Communication. He is the former Before coming to Penn State, he three-term chair of the national Acwas the Cronkite Endowment Board crediting Committee of the Accreditof Trustees Professor and director of ing Council on Education in Journalthe Walter Cronkite School of Jourism and Mass Communications. nalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State. A former daily newspaper reporter, In 1996, The Freedom Forum, a sports editor and managing editor, nonpartisan foundation dedicated Anderson is a past president of the to free press, free speech and free Nebraska Associated Press Managing spirit for all people, named Anderson Editors Association. Journalism Administrator of the Year. Anderson’s wife, Claudia, retired as He remains the youngest person ever an instructor in the College of Educato receive the award. In 1997, he was tion at Penn State in 2012. He plans the inaugural fellow at the Freedom to retire with her to Arizona, where Forum Pacific Coast Center in San their two daughters and twin grandFrancisco, where he conducted a study on the state of journalism-mass daughters make their home. l

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Donors’ gifts worth $2.6M a fitting honor More than 100 College of Communications alumni and friends made gifts to honor Dean Doug Anderson upon his retirement, providing a fitting tribute to his 15-year tenure with support that will make an ongoing impact for students. A total of $1,392,453 was gifted or pledged in Anderson’s honor and, thanks to the impact of the Trustee Matching Scholarship Program, the value of the gifts reaches $2,674,403. “The support was appropriate because of Dean Anderson’s commitment to undergraduate education and his own record of giving to the College,” said Kevin Musick, director of development for the College. “The level of support in his honor reflects the level of respect our alumni, faculty, staff and friends have for him.” The support is additionally appropriate because the gifts were largely made as Trustee Scholarship endowments. The College has created 51 of the endowments since the program was created in 2002. Anderson and his wife, Claudia, created the first Trustee Scholarship in the College — and later added two more: another in their names and one in the names of their daughters, Laura and Mary. Ten other Trustee Scholarships, through the years, have been created in his honor. Through the program, the University annually provides a percentatge match of the total pledge or gift at the time a Trustee Scholarship is created, making the funds available for student awards as soon as possible — even before a donor’s pledge is fulfilled. The matching funds continue every year thereafter, along with a percentage of the endowment’s market value. Trustee Scholarships created before March 1, 2013, receive a 5 percent match each year of the total pledge; Trustee Scholarships created between March 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014, receive a 10 percent match. l

CARNEGIE NEWS

University taps Marie Hardin as dean of College

arie Hardin, associate dean for undergraduate and graduate education and professor of journalism in the College of Communications, was appointed dean of the College, following a national search. Her appointment was confirmed by the University’s Board of Trustees at its July 11 meeting. She succeeds Doug Anderson, who retired July 1 after 15 years as the College’s dean. “I’m deeply honored to lead the College of Communications, which has been so supportive of Marie Hardin, a Penn State faculty member since 2003, has built a strong reputation for colmy scholarly interests and laboration and excellence within the College of Communications, the University and across the country during her tenure. (Photo by Steve Manuel) administrative growth,” from around the country, she Foundation Journalism and Mass said Hardin, who has also convincingly emerged as the leading Communication Teacher of the Year. directed of the Arthur W. Page Center candidate,” said Nick Jones, Penn During the 2010-2011 academic year for Integrity in Public Communication State executive vice president and Hardin was appointed an academic and served as associate director of provost. “Most important to note, leadership fellow with the Committee the John Curley Center for Sports though, is her investment in and on Institutional Cooperation, the Journalism. “I look forward to working passion for preparing our students to academic counterpart to the Big Ten with our outstanding students and my Conference. In 2011 she was elevated faculty colleagues as the College pursues be communications professionals and scholars in a rapidly evolving field. to the College’s associate dean for even greater levels of achievement.” Marie is the ideal candidate to build undergraduate and graduate education. The College of Communications is Hardin received her doctoral degree the nation’s largest nationally accredited upon the outstanding growth and level of achievement for which the College of in 1998 from the University of Georgia mass communications program. In Communications and its graduates have and previously worked as a newspaper recent years it has seen unprecedented reporter and editor and as a freelance growth and success, most recently when become renowned nationwide.” Hardin joined Penn State’s faculty in magazine writer. She is a member of the winning its third consecutive national collegiate championship in the William 2003 after teaching at Florida Southern national committee for the Accrediting College and the State University of Council on Education in Journalism R. Hearst Foundation’s Journalism West Georgia, respectively. In 2009 and Mass Communications. Awards Program, the first school to she was one of four Penn State faculty Hardin’s research focuses on issues achieve such an honor. recipients University-wide of the George of diversity, ethics and professionalism “Marie’s wealth of scholarship W. Atherton Award for Excellence in sports journalism. She is author and student engagement experience, in Teaching, and also was appointed of more than 80 journal articles and academic and industry service the College of Communications’ book chapters and is co-editor of a and record of administrative associate dean for administration. new book on sports and digital media. leadership complement wholly her Hardin was promoted to associate In 2013 The University of Georgia deep knowledge of the College of dean for graduate studies and research Grady College of Journalism and Communications and its capabilities. in 2010, and that same year she was Mass Communication named her a During the interview process that included many qualified applicants named a finalist for the Scripps Howard distinguished alumni scholar. l

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MICHAEL’S MOMENT

Michael Elavsky (second from right), an associate professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies talks with students before a class in Carnegie Building. (Photo by Will Yurman)

‘Beat the Press’ earns coveted Bart Richards Award A weekly television show that covers media issues in Boston and across the nation was selected as the 2013 recipient of the Bart Richards Award for Media Criticism, presented annually by the College of Communications. “Beat the Press,” which airs Fridays on WGBH-TV, drew praise from judges for the national award because of its balance, diversity and timeliness. The show, part of the station’s nightly “Greater Boston” news and pubic affairs program, provided eight episodes as part of its compelling and complete entry for the award. The Bart Richards Award recognizes outstanding contributions to print and broadcast journalism through responsible analysis or critical evaluation. The award was presented in late May at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The award is named after the longtime editor of the New Castle (Pa.) News, who was one of the founders and the second president of the Pennsylvania Society of Newspaper Editors. In addition, Bart Richards served as president of the United Press International Editors of Pennsylvania, director of the Reporters Institute of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association and was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association. Richards served three terms as a representative in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, representing the city of New Castle. Each weekly episode of “Beat the Press” presents three reports drawn from broadcast, online, print or social media. Creator, moderator and executive editor Emily Rooney leads a panel that regularly includes television producer and radio host Callie Crossley, Dan Kennedy of Northeastern University and guest analysts from news organizations in Boston and beyond. Judges for the Bart Richards Award cited numerous reasons for selecting “Beat the Press” for the honor. This year’s external judges were: Carole Feldman, director of

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news operations and finance for The Associated Press in Washington, D.C.; Steve Geimann, an editor for Bloomberg News and president of the SDX Foundation, which supports the educational mission of the Society of Professional Journalists; and Diane McFarlin, dean of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida. The judges reviewed finalists after dozens of entries from across the country were screened by faculty members from the College of Communications. “The show provided kudos before criticism, with a well-informed moderator and a strong panel,” McFarlin said. “They were thoughtful and they really seemed to take great pains to be fair to those they were criticizing.” The judges were unanimous in the support of “Beat the Press.” “They were so fair and thoughtful, and in one show went back to correct a mistake they had made in an earlier show,” Geimann said. “It was engaging and watchable. Emily Rooney did a great job as host and the subject matter kept me interested right down to the last episode in their submission.” Subject matter for the shows ranged from media coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings to ownership changes at The Boston Globe and The Washington Post. Other topics included coverage of the mayoral race in Boston — specifically how the media focused differently on the only female candidate in the race — and how the high-profile coverage of murder charges against a New England Patriots tight end was handled differently than charges against other accused Boston murderers. “Best of all, the show was accessible to the general public,” Feldman said. “It was not just for journalists or some insider program, and it was not beating up the media. It was fair, honest and accessible. Add in the timeliness, and it’s an impressive effort.” l 8

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AWARD APPLAUSE

Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs Joseph Selden (center) accepts the AEJMC Equity and Diversity Award from Paula Poindexter, president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The award recognizes journalism and mass communication academic units that have attained measurable success with approaches to increasing racial, gender and ethnic equity and diversity. Members of the College’s diversity committee on hand for the April presentation on campus included (left to right): Steve Bien-Aime, Carmen Frost, Katie Kennedy and BB Muré. The award was initially presented at the summer 2013 AEJMC Conference in Washington, D.C. (Photo by John Beale)

Pockrass Lecture examines memory of violent events A leading media scholar presented the spring 2014 Robert M. Pockrass Memorial Lecture, focusing on journalism and the public memory of violent events. The free public lecture by Carolyn L. Kitch — titled “What Story Survives? The Intersections of Journalism, Place and Vernacular Culture in Public Memory of Violent Events” — was co-sponsored by the Penn State College of Communications and University Libraries. Kitch is a professor of journalism at Temple University’s School of Media and Communications. She also teaches in the school’s mass media and communication doctoral program

and has been faculty director for the school’s study-abroad programs in London and Dublin. Her research and teaching areas include memory studies, media history, journalism theory, magazines, gender studies and visual communication. In addition to numerous journal articles, she has published four books: “Pennsylvania in Public Memory: Reclaiming the Industrial Past” (Penn State University Press, 2012); “Journalism in a Culture of Grief,” co-authored with Janice Hume (Routledge, 2008); “Pages from the Past: History and Memory in American Magazines” (University of North Carolina Press, 2005); and “The Girl on the Mag-

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azine Cover: The Origins of Visual Stereotypes in American Mass Media” (University of North Carolina Press, 2001). Kitch serves on the editorial board of nine scholarly journals and is an associate editor of Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. She is a former writer and editor for Reader’s Digest, McCall’s and Good Housekeeping magazines. The Pockrass Lecture was named after the late professor Robert M. Pockrass, a member of Penn State’s journalism faculty from 1948 to 1977. Pockrass, who specialized in public opinion and popular culture, served as the graduate officer and taught radio news writing. l

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Conference visitors challenge, encourage students Two award-winning and talented journalists shared the secret of their success during the Foster-Foreman Conference of Distinguished Writers — and they said what they did was the farthest thing possible from a secret. Speaking in separate sessions on campus in early April, Pulitzer Prize-winner Daniel Gilbert of The Wall Street Journal and Samanth Subramanian of The New Yorker told students success was in large measure hard work and persistence. They agreed that a successful journalist needs an inquisitive nature and a passion. Gilbert earned the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2010. While a staff writer at the Bristol Herald Courier in Bristol, Va., he spent more than a year investigating why millions of dollars in natural-gas royalties were being held in escrow by an obscure Virginia regulatory agency instead of being paid to land owners who badly needed the money. Gilbert acknowledged the year-long effort took time, but said it was often a matter of “making an extra call” about the topic while he was waiting for something to happen with another story. The story kept him intrigued, too. “I feel myself honored to have gotten to dig into that story whether it won a Pulitzer or not,” he said. “If you’re going to tackle something hard, make sure it’s something you think is really interesting.” Gilbert, who covers the energy beat while based in Houston for The Wall Street Journal, said dedication needs to go beyond reporting basics. He said data should be a valuable tool for any journalist and that reporting alone cannot guarantee the impact of a story. “It has to be written well enough,” he said. Likewise, Subramanian stressed preparation and quality as a route to professional success. For him, that preparation began at Penn State,

Foster-Foreman Conference visitors Dan Gilbert (above with moderator Lori Shontz) and Samanth Subramanian respond to questions during the event. (Photo by Dan Griswold)

where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2001. He said students should embrace the opportunities a communications and liberal artsbased education provides. “At a university like this, with so many options, it’s just a great excuse to go out there and take classes on anything,” he said, pointing to his electives that ranged from astrophysics to skiing. “It gives you the flexibility and knowledge base to be able to go out there and write anything, or almost anything.” Additionally, he said the repetitive nature of journalism — and the opportunities provided by repetition — were important ways in which journalists can improve. He said people who read and enjoy something should keep it and re-read it later. Then, going beyond what’s fresh or newsy about a piece, it’s possible to dissect the piece to gain a deeper understanding of its positives. “Figure out what makes it tick,” he said. “What is the mechanism that

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gives it color and a narrative impetus.” He said that’s something that can happen every day. Day after day. “That’s the great thing about journalism, our textbook is out there every day in newspapers and magazines, and it’s getting rewritten every day,” he said. In 1997, Larry Foster, a 1948 Penn State graduate, and his wife, Ellen Miller Foster, a 1949 graduate, gave $500,000 to endow the Foster Professorship in Writing and Editing in the College of Communications. The program was designed to support new strategies for improving students’ writing skills and enables the University to host the annual Foster-Foreman Conference of Distinguished Writers. l

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CARNEGIE NEWS

SMITH’S SESSION

The Rev. Al Smith, a longtime civil rights leader and former executive director of the NAACP, was one of three visitors to the College of Communications for separate Heritage Month celebrations coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs during the spring semester. (Photo by Dan Griswold)

Oweida Lecture focuses on audience changes, ethics News “gatekeepers” of old — those who controlled what got published and what did not in the top-down structure of traditional journalism — have been replaced by algorithms and thousands more sources and voices for information exist than ever before. Still, an ethics expert told an audience of mostly College of Communications students during the spring semester that an abundance of information creates even more ethical challenges for those who call themselves journalists — especially with an ever-more-cynical audience of news consumers. “We live in a very skeptical age now,” said Kelly McBride, head of the faculty at the Poynter Institute during the annual Oweida Lecture in Journalism Ethics. “In addition to being more transparent, we have to tell the audience why they have to believe us, and that’s a huge leap many professional journalists are having trouble doing. You have to give the audience a reason to believe it, because they don’t believe it just because they see it anymore.” McBride, one of the country’s leading voices on news media ethics, leads the Ethics Department and

the Reporting, Writing and Editing Department at the Poynter Institute, a nonprofit school for journalism. The world’s largest newsrooms, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, NPR and the BBC, frequently seek her advice for internal decisions and quote her in their stories. McBride said more information does not mean better information, and she said taking the human element out of decision making does not make what news the audience gets any less biased or more relevant. “Now there is this myth that every idea has an equal chance in the marketplace of ideas,” she said. “But the reality is you have too much information to search yourself. There’s this myth that the algorithms are neutral because they’re mathematical, but the reality is they’re programmed in ways that are not neutral. There’s always a way to ‘game’ the algorithm.” McBride described how journalism has changed and what news consumers can do to help ensure they receive better information. She challenged both journalists and news consumers, saying journalists have an obligation

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to know their audience better and that news consumers need to be more engaged in how they consume news. Along with her many other duties, McBride is also the director of the Poynter Institute’s Sense-Making Project, a Ford Foundation initiative examining the transformation of journalism from a profession for a few to a civic obligation of many, the values of the Fifth Estate and the effects of technology on democracy. She is the co-editor, along with Tom Rosenstiel, of “The New Ethics of Journalism: Principles for the 21st Century,” which features essays by thought leaders and practitioners, as well as a new code of ethics for journalists and people who care about journalism. McBride also served as the lead writer for the Poynter Review Project, when the Poynter Institute produced 40 columns over an 18-month period reviewing ESPN content across all platforms in 2011-12. The Dr. N.N. Oweida Lecture in Journalism Ethics is supported by an endowment from Margaret L. Oweida in memory of her husband, the late Dr. N.N. Oweida, a surgeon from New Kensington, Pa. l

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Sports Illustrated visitor stresses value of writing Award-winning sports writer Peter King of Sports Illustrated told Penn State students that ingenuity and versatility are important, and that writing is the most vital building block as they prepare for careers in sports communications and sports journalism. “Writing is the core of it all,” King said during a campus visit. “If you can’t write, you can’t communicate.” King, who has been named Sports Writer of the Year three times in the past four years by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, visited a regularly scheduled session of COMM 170 Introduction to the Sports Industry in Carnegie Building. Students from the two sections of COMM 476 Sports Writing also sat in on the session. Three other members of the team that creates King’s Sports Illustrated microsite, The MMQB, also visited, including alumna Emily Kaplan (’13 Journ). King started his information-packed session by reviewing two of his favorite projects from The MMQB — a multipart series when he was embedded with an NFL officiating crew and Austen Lane’s first-person account of what it’s like to get cut from an NFL team. Since its launch last summer under King’s direction, The MMQB has been driven by King’s passion for telling good stories and for telling stories others do not. “We want to do things every week that no one else does,” King said. With all the media attention focused on the NFL, he knows it’s difficult for any outlet to differentiate itself, but that’s his goal for The MMQB. “We all do a lot of the same stories, but there’s still a way to be innovative, to be unique.” As part of a question-and-answer session after his opening remarks, King addressed topics ranging from the NFL Scouting Combine and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (a contributor to The MMQB) to his opinion about the use of profanity in sports journalism (he does not think it’s necessary) and the impact of NFL Films and its late president Steve Sabol. King used the Scouting Combine — an event that has grown from 15 credentialed media members to more than

Session addresses doping, media work A respected sports journalist and a spokesperson for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) were part of a free public session titled “Breaking the Code of Silence: USADA, the Media and Lessons Learned

Peter King discusses his behind-the-scenes series about NFL officials during his campus visit.

900 in the past decade and a half — as an example of how sports journalism has changed. He said gaining access and finding stories can be more difficult in such settings, but not impossible. Many times success in such endeavors comes down to relationships, and that was the case with The MMQB’s publication of a column by Sherman after his emotional post-game interview after the NFC Championship Game in late January. One of the site’s editors contacted Sherman less than 90 minutes after his ouburst and he agreed to write for the next day. The column drew 3.9 million unique page views. “I would be surprised if anything else in sports this year got that many unique page views,” King said. King has focused more on storytelling than analytics with The MMQB, though. “Everybody is happy with how things are going. Nobody has sat down and told me you have to have this many uniques,” he said. Those good stories have made The MMQB a popular destination for people who follow the NFL. Similarly, King did not start building a presence on Twitter until 2009, but he has been a success there (with 1.26 million followers and counting) as well. l

from the Lance Armstrong Case” during the spring semester. Journalist Bonnie Ford of ESPN.com and Annie Skinner, USADA’s media relations manager, participated in the session moderated by John Affleck, the Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society and director of the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism, housed in the College

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of Communications. The session looked at how the media did their job, as well as how USADA did its job, during the ongoing, high-profile case that continually provided challenges for journalists. “There were so many nuances that a discussion about what happened was an important resource for our students,” said Affleck. l

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‘Varsity Blues’ earns coveted Curley Center award A five-part series addressing issues impacting high school sports that focused on topics ranging from budget shortfalls to sports specialization was selected as the winner of the Award for Excellence in Coverage of Youth Sports. The award for “Varsity Blues,” compiled by the Tampa Bay Times, was presented by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism during a free public event at the Nittany Lion Inn. One member of the team of reporters and editors who compiled the series that earned the award started his acceptance speech with a joke, but said he was a little bit overwhelmed by Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times accepts the Award for Excellence in Coverage of the honor. Youth Sports on behalf of his paper. (Photo by Dan Griswold) “I’m here to accept an judges alike,” said John Affleck, the was established in 2003 with Distinaward where two of the Knight Chair in Sports Journalism guished Professional in Residence previous four winners have Pulitand Society and director of the Curley and Professor John Curley and Dean zers,” said Matt Baker of the Tampa Center. Doug Anderson serving as founding Bay Times. “It’s humbling and mind The Award for Excellence in co-directors. boggling. I’m truly grateful and appreCoverage of Youth Sports recognizes It was named the John Curley ciative.” creative, in-depth and innovative Center for Sports Journalism in SepBaker said the series was a matter coverage of youth and high school tember 2006, honoring Curley, whose of determination and passion for staff sports by broadcast, print and online more than five decades of newspaper members, with several beat writers journalists. The award was created experience includes work as a reportworking on daily assignments and in 2009 to recognize work by daily er, editor, publisher and, ultimately, deadlines while compiling information for “Varsity Blues” simultaneous- and weekly newspapers, multimedia president, CEO and chairman of the ly. Their legwork for the series was and online news outlets, local and Gannett Co. He was the first editor of exhaustive. national television news broadcasts, USA Today. Reporters talked to administrators, and national news organizations. The Center’s undergraduate curricucoaches, parents, student-athletes and Previous winners were: John lar emphasis includes courses in sports many others. They enhanced their Branch, The New York Times, 2012; writing, sports broadcasting, sports work with research Rob Rossi, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, information, sports, media and society, External judges for the award were 2011; George Dohrmann, “Play Their and sports and public policy, which unanimous in their support for the se- Hearts Out,” 2010; and Bob Hohler, is cross-listed with the Penn State ries among three finalists. The overall The Boston Globe, 2009. Dickinson School of Law. The Center field of entries included submissions The John Curley Center for Sports emphasizes internships with newspafrom news organizations coast to Journalism, housed in the College pers, magazines and electronic media, coast, large and small. of Communications, explores issues and on-campus co-curricular work at “The Tampa Bay Times produced and trends in sports journalism the student-run newspaper (The Daily an ambitious and wide-ranging series, through instruction, outreach, proCollegian), the Penn State sports inforearning the respect of readers and our gramming and research. The Center mation office and campus radio. l

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FORSYTHE’S FORMULA

Tom Forsythe, vice president of global communications for General Mills, discusses the rollout of Cheerios made without genetically modified ingredients during a session in Willard Building. Along with class visits and individual sessions with faculty members, Forsythe delivered a public address titled “The Trust Imperative” during his multiday campus visit for the Arthur W. Page Center Professional-in-Residence and Lecture Series. (Photo by Hannah Biondi)

Grant supports business professorship beginning in 2015 Penn State will host a visiting business journalism professor in spring 2015 under an Arizona State University program funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. This is the fourth year the foundation has funded business journalism professors at universities to encourage development of stronger business journalism education. The $1.67 million grant is administered through the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The five-year program will ultimately create 11 visiting professorships at 11 different schools. The College of Communications has already started to share information about the professorship, and prospective professors may apply online. “One of our goals in funding this grant was to broaden the reach of the Donald W. Reynolds National

Center for Business Journalism into other institutions across the country,” said Steve Anderson, president of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. “This year, another grantee will join the existing cadre of institutions that will be able to enhance and expand their ability to teach the principles and skills necessary to train the next generation of business journalists.” In addition to teaching courses in business journalism in the spring 2015 semester, the visiting professor will help establish partnerships with local media and contribute to the BusinessJournalism.org website. Host schools, which also are eligible for funding for business journalism internships and visits by business journalists, provide space as well as technical and administrative support for the professors. All schools in the program commit to continue teaching business journalism after the grants conclude.

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In spring 2014, visiting professors are at California State-Fullerton and the University of Oklahoma. In 2013, visiting professors taught at Central Michigan, Elon and Louisiana State universities. The first business journalism visiting professors taught in spring 2012 at Colorado State University, Grambling State University, the University of South Carolina and Texas Christian University. Since 2003, more than 20,000 journalists have learned to cover business better through free training from the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism. The center also provides free regional workshops and webinars, as well as daily tips on how to cover business better on its BusinessJournalism.org website. It is funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. l

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Visiting journalist works closely with students, faculty during campus visit A respected journalist with more than 30 years of experience spent three days visiting the College of Communications and serving as the inaugural Norman Eberly Visiting Professional in Business Journalism during the spring semester. Len LaCara, business editor of the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle, worked closely with faculty members and students while visiting reporting methods and editing classes in mid-April. A native of Rochester, LaCara previously worked as the paper’s enterprise editor. He first worked for the Democrat and Chronicle from 1989-95 and has worked for news organizations in Huntington, W.Va., and central Ohio during his career. He returned to his hometown paper in April 2013. The opportunity for a visiting professional focusing on business journalism was made possible through a first-of-its-kind communications professorship — the Norman Eberly Professorship in Journalism. The support, which endows a faculty position and related programming, was created through the University’s ongoing Faculty Endowment Challenge. A major gift by Joseph Eberly and his wife, Shirley, endowed the professorship in the name of Norman Eberly, who graduated

from Dickinson College in 1924 and then worked as a newspaper journalist for more than 20 years — first as an undergraduate — before joining the Penn State staff as a writer-editor in the College of Agricultural Sciences. He helped publicize agricultural extension and outreach efforts across the state of Pennsylvania and worked closely with student writers. Norman Eberly retired from Penn State to continue his writing career with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, where he coordinated public relations efforts for the secretary of agriculture and made an impact across the Commonwealth, but he always stayed connected to Penn State. Joseph Eberly, the Andrew Carnegie Professor of Physics at the University of Rochester, learned the importance of writing from his father and hoped the gift would keep his father connected with journalism at Penn State in perpetuity. In just three years since its inception, the endowment has proven it can do that, and do it in a practical manner. “Having the opportunity to get top-level professionals on campus, working directly with our students, is always a good thing,” said Ford Risley, head of the Department of Journalism. l

NEWS, NOTES l The College’s annual undergraduate open house has been scheduled for Oct. 4 on the University Park campus. Prospective students from across Pennsylvania, and from neighboring states, will be invited to the daylong event on the Saturday in early October to meet faculty, staff and students. Breakout sessions for the day will focus on educational options in the four communications departments, co-curricular activities and the importance of internships. In addition, families and prospective students are able to tour campus, including College of Communications facilities in Carnegie Building and at Innovation Park, which serves as home for the state-of-the-art TV studios used by communications students. l Emmy Award-nominated multimedia journalist Masise Crow presented a free public lecture and shared a screening of her latest documentary, “The Last Clinic,” when she visited campus during the spring semester. The 50-minute documentary examines the fight between Mississippi’s only remaining abortion clinic and a state law that threatens to close the facility. “She is one of the best multimedia journalists in the world,” said Curt Chandler, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism. “She’s an exceptional storyteller. She’s very good with video.” Crow plans to expand the documentary to a feature-length film and make it available for festivals in 2015. l Alumna Dana O’Neil (’90 Journ), who covers college basketball for ESPN, visited with students and members of the student chapter of the Association for Women in Sports Media at Penn State as part of a busy, one-day campus visit during the spring semester.

News, events and more online. http://comm.psu.edu

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FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

Deans’ Excellence Awards honor teaching, more

our College of Communications faculty members earned annual Deans’ Excellence Awards that recognize teaching, integrated scholarship, research and service that were presented at the end of the academic year. Those awards for full-time Russ Michelle Kevin Eshleman Rodino-Colocino Hagopian faculty members, as well as an award for outstanding faculty associate, when covering Election Day,” Anderson were presented by Dean Doug Andersaid. son after consultation with Associate During the seven years Eshleman has Dean Marie Hardin. taught the depth-reporting class, more “Our selection process was not than two dozen of his students have easy,” Anderson said. “Several faculty captured top-10 national writing awards members were strong contenders in and scholarships in the William Raneach category, but, ultimately, we came dolph Hearst Foundation’s Journalism down to a handful. And each of our Awards Program, which annually draws recipients symbolizes in each of his or more than 500 entries from students her respective categories, the full depth across the country. of talent we have on this faculty.” “He embodies all that is right about The honorees were: undergraduate teaching,” Anderson l Russ Eshleman, Excellence in said. “He has the ability to make stuTeaching Award; dents better than they ever thought they l Michelle Rodino-Colocino, Excelcould be.” lence in Research and Creative Activity; Rodino-Colocino, an associate prol Kevin Hagopian, Excellence in fessor in the Department of Film-Video Service; and and Media Studies, had work published l Fuyuan Shen, Excellence in Intein refereed journals, produced book grated Scholarship. chapters and encyclopedia entries, and Lecturer David Norloff was named was the author or co-author of refereed Outstanding Faculty Associate. presentations at seminars and workEshleman, a senior lecturer and shops. associate head of the Department of Her research focus explores relationJournalism, has taught eight different ships between gender, labor and media courses during his career at Penn State — and she continues to branch beyond and has consistently put students at the that, with a book project as her focus center of his approach. during an upcoming sabbatical year. He has earned high ratings from She serves as an editorial board memstudents evaluations, but his impact ber for the discipline, and as an active goes beyond those numbers. He serves mentor for graduate students at Penn as a mentor in the classroom and about State — serving on the doctoral, master’s crafting a career. or honors thesis committees of more “He is the embodiment of an effecthan 20 students. tive, gifted journalism professor who is “She’s truly hitting full stride as a both ‘old school’ and ‘new school.’ He researcher and scholar,” Anderson said. is as strategic and comfortable reading “And like so many truly impressive to his depth-reporting students from producers of scholarly work, she also the foreword of The Final Days, a book earns strong evaluations while teaching by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein a regular load of courses.” published in 1976, as he is requiring Hagopian, a senior lecturer in the students in his reporting class to tweet Department of Film-Video and Media

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Fuyuan Shen

David Norloff

Studies, provided yeoman service to the College and the University in the past year — most notably on the General Education Task Force, which is charged with redesigning the general education system at Penn State, across all campuses. “It’s a Herculean task, and extremely time consuming,” Anderson said. “This is not a committee where you just show up, spout a few words and move on.” Hagopian also serves as his department’s representative to the Student Learning Objectives Committee and several ad-hoc committees for master’s degree thesis revision, honors theses and academic integrity. Along with that, he teaches a full complement of courses that includes large sections of COMM 150 The Art of the Cinema. He also regularly serves as a contact for media outlets seeking experts to discuss film history, topical movie industry news and a variety of other issues. Shen, an associate professor in the Department of Advertising/Public Relations, was one of several faculty members who combined teaching, research and service well. In the classroom, the taught undergraduate and graduate courses, including a first-year seminar. At the same time, he co-authored articles published or accepted for publication in three different journals and he presented papers in the United States and abroad. He also served on more than 10 graduate committees. “He is one of the hardest working and most dedicated members of our faculty,” Anderson said. Norloff has developed courses that

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FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

CINEMA CLASS

Senior lecturer Kevin Hagopian discusses the impact of digital technology on the moviegoing experience during a class as part of his COMM 150 The Art of the Cinema course. The class meets at the State Theatre in downtown State College. (Photo by Dan Griswold)

introduce students to cutting-edge technologies by drawing on his significant professional experience in the wireless industry. After working as a senior manager or director in new product and market development for several brand-name companies, Norloff began teaching in the Department of Telecommunications in 2009. During that time, he has developed two new courses and earned strong ratings for his teaching from students, who consistently cite him as highly organized, enthusiastic and student-centered. Said one student: “Instead of just having a cell phone in my pocket, I now understand how and why my cell phone came to be. Instead of being a ‘wireless zombie,’ I feel like I’ve learned a great deal of information.” l

Graduate students earn teaching awards Three graduate students were honored for their teaching — with two earning University-wide awards and another receiving the Jung Yoon Choy Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student from the College of Communications. Janelle Applequist and Drew Shade were among 10 graduate students from all disciplines at Penn State who received the Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Award. Recipients must have served as a graduate assistant for at least two semesters within the last two years. The award is named for Harold F. Martin, who earned his doctoral degree in education in 1954 and retired as a director in the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

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Separately, Steve Bien-Aimé earned the College award named for Choy, who was a doctoral student in the College of Communications from 2001 to 2005 before she died in a car accident. She was an exceptional teacher and the award was endowed in her name by her family. Bien-Aimé puts a premium on critical thinking and skill development. Plus, as a former Penn State undergraduate himself he brings an important understanding of undergraduates to the classroom. One faculty member who observed his teaching said: “He remains open to new ideas and asks smart, probing questions of his class and peers. His enthusiasm is contagious.” l

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Barbara Bird, an associate professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies, accepts a round of applause from colleagues during an award ceremony when she was honored upon her retirement. (Photo by John Beale)

Bird makes most of second act, ready for a third Barbara Bird remembers her first sight of Penn State, and it felt a bit like a scene from a movie. She was flying into Happy Valley for a job interview and looked out the airplane window. “You could just see this little patch of lights glimmering down there,” Bird said. “It looked small and quaint. It looked nice.” Bird, taking a big step in her second career after 20 years as a nurse, was visiting central Pennsylvania for an interview for a full-time teaching position after completing her graduate work at Northwestern University. Penn State was not the first choice for her academic career, but it turned out to be the right choice for her, hundreds of students through the years and a program that crafted a productive and respected role at the University. “I think we’ve been successful togeth

er,” Bird said. “We have this lovely jewel of a program that can give students a tremendous amount of personal attention, and I’m so proud to have been a part of its growth.” After 17 years at Penn State, Bird decided to retire, effective June 30. During her tenure, the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies was one of four created in the College of Communications. Bird quickly emerged as leader within the department and the College. Along with her teaching and committee work, she has served at different times as acting head of the department and as director of international programs for the College. Dean Doug Anderson arrived on campus two years after Bird and leaned on her early in his career. “I knew back in 1999 that it was

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terribly unfair to expect a tenure-track assistant professor to assume service and administrative responsibilities, but, let’s face it, anyone who had been a charge nurse in the operating room of a major hospital could handle the task,” Anderson said. “Obviously, Barbara has made an enormous contribution to the College and its film-video students over the past 17 years.” And, as she envisions retirement Bird does not foresee herself slowing down or stopping. She’s just moving on to different challenges and opportunities. She plans on spending more time with her three grown children and five grandchildren in Chicago. She also has a few projects in mind. She’s clearly looking forward — although she did entertain a few sentimental moments. “There were times during the final semester when I thought about the last

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FACULTY/STAFF NEWS time I’d be doing this or that, and I’ll certainly miss the fall — there’s such a great energy on campus at that time of year,” Bird said. “But, it’s just time to do something different.” Bird is not one to shy away from an opportunity — often parlaying her passion into productivity. Her career in higher education was one such opportunity. It seemed like a drastic change to some, but not Bird. “It made perfect sense Bird with fellow faculty member Richie Sherman. to me,” she said of the (Photo by John Beale) transition from nursing. “It Her thesis documentary, “Handmaiddidn’t seem the least bit odd, articularly ens,” was about nurses — a personal with the background my dad gave me.” story that also earned several awards. Influenced by her father (with whom Bird’s varied portfolio also ranges she made films that were much more from a film made for a suicide survivor than simple family narratives when she was a child) and filmmakers like group to a 15-minute documentary Michael Moore, Bird found her voice in titled “Ghosts of Carnegie.” The documentaries. latter was made to celebrate the 100th Many of her film credits, as well as anniversary of Carnegie Building, which those on which she advised students or serves as the on-campus home for the collaborated with community groups, College. were “cause” efforts — things done to She approached every project with benefit and support others. She invarithe same focus on storytelling and ably encouraged her students as they level of professionalism. And, while did the same. she brings a passion to all her work she “I told my students that my work came from being ticked off,” Bird said. also brings important perspective — an “It’s fabulous to be able to find a place approach that works well on a busy to express that. I love to rock the boat. campus and with varied audiences. That Plus, made up stories are not as interest- statesperson-like approach, albeit a bit ing to me as real issues.” vocal at times in her preferred rock-theBird’s credits include: “No. 4 Street boat style, was important in the growth of Our Lady” (2009), which looks at of the film program. the 60-year silence of some Holocaust “We are supported and I think survivors; “Album” (2002), which explores a family’s struggles with addiction valued,” Bird said. “I’ve alwas felt included.” and dysfunction; and “Handmaidens” (1995), which looks at abuse and lack of During her final spring semester, a power in the workplace. pair of 2001 film-video graduates (Tony The most recent film in that trio Layser and Dave Leopold) with whom allowed Bird to help tell the personal Bird had worked closely, were among story of another person’s family while the visitors to campus to share their collaborating with fellow faculty memexpertise. bers. Her skills were vital in helping “When something comes full circle convey the story for a film that earned like that it’s really rewarding,” Bird said. numerous accolades, including a Silver “That’s just one of the things that made Telly Award and was honored at an Academy Award-qualifying festival. working here so special.” l

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Longtime assistant Mulberger ends career Longtime College of Communications assistant to the dean Kathy Mulberger retired in March after 35 years at Penn State. The final 11 years of Mulberger’s career were in the College, where she supported Dean Doug Anderson, provided personality and perspective in the ever-busy dean’s suite and played Kathy Mulberger a big behind-thescenes role in the success of students in national competitions in recent years. Mulberger began her Penn State career in 1978 and worked in several units at the University before moving to the College in 2003. “She set the tone of caring and professionalism in our office,” Anderson said. “I always admired and appreciated her for her dedication to her job, her consistency, her demeanor and her good temperament in good times and challenging times.” As expected, Mulberger maintained Anderson’s schedule and provided topnotch office support. She also had a deft touch with an audience that ranged daily from parents of prospective students to other campus administrators and from faculty and staff to students. Additionally, Mulberger was often the final and most important person to manage the paperwork and ensure all the I’s were dotted and the T’s were crossed when the College compiled entries for national awards and contests. During retirement Mulberger plans to enjoy time with her family and focus more on her craft projects and volunteer endeavors. l

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Feature-length comedy debuts at State College festival When a group of 1960s British pop rockers gets mistakenly launched into space and lands on a planet populated entirely by women, some groovy craziness can follow — and that’s exactly what happens in “Ripped!” the latest feature-length comedy produced by a husband-and-wife filmmaking team in the College of Communications. The film — which made its premiere in mid-April at the State Theatre in State College — follows Norman’s Normans, a moptopped quartet that work at the British Space Agency. They get sent into space when a trained chimp accidentally punches in a launch code. On the faraway planet they meet women wary of anything male, although the queen’s daughter falls in love with the band’s music and its lead singer, Norman. At the same time, officials back on Earth are working to help the band return home. The film trailer is available to watch online. “Ripped!” — a 105-minute, comedy sci-fi musical — provides a tip of the cap to some well-known movie-and-music combinations. The film is the fourth feature-length film from writer/director Rod Bingaman and producer Maura Shea, both of whom are senior lecturers in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies. “It’s what they used to call a jukebox movie. It started with Bill Haley and the Comets in ‘Rock Around the Clock,’ has 31 Elvis variations, has a Herman’s Hermits version, a very trippy Monkees movie and was raised to what might be called an art form by director Richard Lester and the Beatles,” says Bingaman. “What I see in ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and ‘Help!’ are the unscripted and charming personalities of John, Paul, George and Ringo, not to mention their music. The films themselves have all the attributes of the band: spontaneity, an openness to improvisation and a feel

for the audience that neither preaches nor panders. You wish you were in the movie yourself. That’s the flavor we went for in ‘Ripped!’” The film’s debut came on opening night of the College Town Film Festival. Led by Bingaman and Shea, “Ripped!” was produced with professional actors in lead roles and with dozens of Penn State alumni, students and community members playing vital roles in making the production possible. “This cast and crew were not hardened, industry-connected impresarios. We were a mix of modest film/theatre professionals and young energetic newcomers,” Bingaman said. “About as regular folk as it gets with lights, boom ops and jibs. The technology has changed, but ‘Ripped!’ is still a garage movie. Its real spirit is in the people making and performing it — a groovy collection of fun-loving creative people.” In coming months, “Ripped!” will be screened at various festivals across the region. Photos of the cast and production crew and more information

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about “Ripped!” may be found at rippedthemovie.com online. In addition, Norman’s Normans have their own Facebook fan page, which includes an interview with the band about the film. With their production company, Ma & Pa Pictures, Bingaman and Shea previously produced “Chasing Butterflies” (2009), “Hooray for Mister Touchdown” (2004) and “A Holiday Affair” (2000). Bingaman has more than 20 years of industry experience, including work on feature films, broadcast television, commercials and corporate communications as a writer, director, cameraman and editor. Among his directing credits are various commercial spots, including a national March of Dimes campaign and an award-winning short narrative film, “Why Wilbur Bowls …” (1994). “A Holiday Affair” (2000) earned the Audience Award at the Brooklyn Film Festival 2000 and “Chasing Butterflies” earned a national distribution agreement. He is the former recipient of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Grant and has received both the College of Communications Excellence in Teaching Award (2001, 2011) and the College of Communications Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award (2005). Shea boasts experience as a sound designer and editor on projects ranging from independent feature films to award-winning documentaries such as “Malcolm X: Make it Plain” and two segments for “Sesame Street.” She served as producer of all the Ma & Pa Pictures’ feature films. She also wrote, directed and produced the award-winning short drama “Under Control” (1992), which won first prize in the National Council on Family Relations Media Awards Competition. She teaches non-linear editing and beginning and advanced film-video production. l

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Independent films get focus at town festival The College Town Film Festival — a four-day event with guest lectures, high-profile visitors, panel discussions and nearly two dozen screenings — brought a celebration of independent film to Penn State and the State College community in mid-April. The second-year festival included documentary, feature length and short films with screenings at the State Theatre in downtown State College as well as Carnegie Cinema and Foster Auditorium of Paterno Library on the University Park campus. A busy day at the State Theatre began the festival, with four separate screenings that ranged from a documentary about brain drain in Iran to a series of short horror films. The first day also included the world premiere of “Ripped!” a feature-length comedy produced by a husband-and-wife production team in the College of Communications. A lecture, four screenings (including the world premiere of “First Light”), a script reading and a

concert comprised the schedule for the second day at the State Theatre. And the options and variety continued subsequent days at the downtown theater and locations on campus. The festival ended with “Speak Now,” a wedding comedy featuring the acting of alumnus Rane Jameson (’05 Film-Video), who attended the festival to talk about the film. “We’re excited that the festival was able to return to State College,” said Matthew Jordan, an associate professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies and president of the board of directors for the festival. “Students and community members had a great opportunity to see new independent films and talk about them with the people who made them.” Most screenings during the festi-

val were accompanied by discussion and question-and-answer sessions with directors, producers or actors involved in the productions, as well as Penn State faculty members who work on topics touched on by the films. The list of guests included: actor James Denton, a festival board member and champion of independent film who has appeared in film, on stage and in television shows such as “Desperate Housewives”; editor Julian Doyle, who edited the acclaimed and controversial “Brazil,” as well as three Monty Python films; and Rod Bingaman and Maura Shea, the senior lecturers in the College of Communications who wrote, directed and produced “Ripped!” Several colleges and units across campus provided support for the festival. l

Faculty member co-edits book about media, social life A Penn State faculty member has co-edited a book that examines how media intersect with the social lives of people in three broad areas: media and the self, media and relationships, and social life in emerging media. “Media and Social Life” (2014, Routledge) highlights cutting-edge scholarship from preeminent scholars in media psychology. The 240page book — co-edited by Distinguished Professor Mary Beth Oliver, a member of the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies and co-director of the Media Effects Research Laboratory, and Arthur A. Raney of Florida State University — examines how media touch on all aspects of people’s social lives. Because of the pervasive nature of media, how people understand themselves and others is largely dependent on how they perceive themselves and others in media.

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That includes how they interact with one another through mediated channels, and how they share, construct and understand social issues via their mediated lives. The scholars provide insightful and up-to-date examinations of theories and research that inform the current understanding of the role of media in people’s social lives. They also detail provocative and valuable roadmaps that will form that basis of future scholarship in the important and rapidly evolving media landscape. Oliver’s research in media effects focuses on entertainment psychology and on social cognition. Her recent publications on these topics have appeared in the Journal of Communication, Human Communication Research and Communication Research. She is an associate editor of the Journal of Media Psychology. l

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McAllister receives Graduate Faculty Teaching Award Matthew McAllister, professor of media studies in the College of Communications, received the 2014 Graduate Faculty Teaching Award at Penn State. The award, established in 1992 by The Graduate School, is presented to faculty members in recognition of outstanding teaching performance and advising of graduate students. During his 10 years at Penn State, McAllister has taught a range of graduate-level courses, including core courses, colloquium and special-topics courses. “Many of our top doctoral applicants over the past few years have been drawn to the program by Dr. McAllister’s work, and they seek to take his classes as soon as they arrive,” one nominator said. McAllister’s student ratings in graduate-level courses have averaged 6.34 for “quality of course” and 6.72 for “quality of instruction” on a

Professor Matt McAllister accepts the Graduate Faculty Teaching Award from Penn State President Rodney Erickson.

seven-point scale. One former student said about McAllister, “He achieved a rare

balance: The classroom discussion was open enough to allow each student to share and develop his or her understanding of the material; however, Dr. McAllister always had that incisive knack for guiding the discussion or interjecting with expert analysis, when necessary.” McAllister has advised or co-advised seven doctoral candidates and served on doctoral committees for 16 more. In addition to official advising, he said, “All of my classes also involve a strong degree of mentorship.” A former student said: “His unwavering support, enthusiasm and dedication to my project kept me motivated during the hardest semester of my graduate school career, one where I applied to 60-plus jobs (and interviewed with six schools), was prepping and teaching a new undergraduate course and simultaneously writing a lengthy dissertation.” l

Sampsell honored with Barash Award for Human Service Steve Sampsell, director of college relations and senior lecturer in journalism in the College of Communications, was named the 2014 recipient of the Barash Award for Human Service at Penn State Created in 1975 by the family of the late Sy Barash, the award honors a full-time member of the faculty or staff or student body on the University Park campus who, apart from his or her regular duties, has contributed the most to human causes, public service activities and organizations, or the welfare of fellow humans. Sampsell was cited for his service to the University, community organizations and his church. He has chaired the College of Communications’ United Way committee for a decade, during which time the College consistently has posted the highest percentage of faculty and staff who contribute and the highest per-capita faculty-staff

contribution among academic colleges. He initiated and continues to coordinate the Charity Stripe Challenge as a campus-wide United Steve Way fundraiser, Sampsell is an adviser to the Student United Way and coordinates College of Communications teams for the United Way Day of Caring. In the community, Sampsell has been a coach and board member for the Centre Soccer Association and a coach and booster club officer for girls basketball and track at State College Area High School, including creating State High’s first Pink Zone basketball game. Although his daughters have graduated from high school, he has continued to volunteer at the After Prom All Night Senior Party.

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At St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Sampsell previously has served as a Sunday school teacher, cooked lunches for Penn State students at the church’s Wesley Center and volunteered with youth activities including the after-school program, summer Bible school and mission trips to the District of Columbia. He volunteers as a small-group leader for senior high boys and as Sunday service lighting crew member at Fairfax Community Church in Fairfax, Va. “Steve Sampsell is a true humanitarian,” one nominator said. “I have never worked with anyone who gives so freely, generously, efficiently and effectively of his time for good causes across the spectrum.” Another nominator wrote: “He doesn’t just show up at activities and work 10 minutes; he gives his heart and soul to everything he does.” l

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FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

Respected Davis earns prestigious Lifetime Achievement in Scholarship Dennis Davis, professor emeritus in the College of Communications, has been named the recipient of the 2014 Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Lifetime Achievement in Scholarship. Davis is currently serving as a visiting professor at the University of Oklahoma. He holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College (1967) and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota (1973). He has held adminDennis istrative positions and Davis served on the faculty at Cleveland State University, Southern Illinois University, the University of North Dakota and the University of Otago in New Zealand. BEA’s Lifetime Achievement in Scholarship, formerly called the Distinguished Scholar Award, recognizes significant contributions to research and scholarship involving broadcast and electronic media. Recipients are selected for their extensive publication in books and leading journals for at least 20 years. The award was presented to Davis at BEA’s annual convention in Las Vegas during a ceremony and reception. He also made a formal presentation, titled “From the Black Box to the World Wide Web: A Lifetime in Media Research,” during the convention. Davis was editor of the Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media from 1994 to 1997. He was an associate editor of the Journal of Communication, a review and criticism editor for Critical Studies in Mass Communication and has served on editorial boards for Journal of Communication, Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, Political Communication and Communica

tion Quarterly. He was a Fulbright Senior Lecturer in the Netherlands and Belgium in 1979-80. His research and teaching interests include new media, political communication, international communication, media theory and research methods. Davis co-authored “Mass Communication Theory: Foundations, Ferment and Future,” with Stanley Baran.” His works have won the Donald McGannon Award for Social and Ethical Relevance in Communication Policy Research from Fordham University and the Broadcasting Preceptor Award from San Francisco State University. In 2010, he received the Distinguished Educator Award from the Mass Communication and Society Division of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. BEA’s annual convention is held in conjunction with National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas every spring. The convention attracts 1,200 educators and students with 200 sessions, events, research panels, technology workshops and an exhibit hall, making BEA the largest conference partner of the NAB Show. BEA is the professional association for professors, industry professionals and graduate students interested in teaching and research related to electronic media and multimedia enterprises. There are more than 2,500 individual and institutional members worldwide. l

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Schejter gets role leading regulatory committee A faculty member in the College of Communications who also holds an appointment at Ben-Gurion Amit University of Schejter the Negev has been appointed to lead a committee tasked with developing regulatory recommendations for the burgeoning audiovisual market in Israel. Amit Schejter, an associate professor in the Department of Telecommunications and an associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Ben-Gurion University, was appointed by Israel’s communications minister, Gilad Erdan, to lead the 10-person committee that will propose the regulatory framework as Israel’s broadcast market changes as the result of fiber-optic cable and Internet broadcasts. Along with proposing the framework, the committee has been charged with poposing the structure of oversight bodies in the audiovisual market as Israel attempts to facilitate a transition for existing broadcasters and introduce new service providers. The committee’s recommendations are due by August. At Penn State, Schejter serves as codirector of the Institute for Information Policy. He is a founding co-editor of the Journal of Information Policy, a former director of legal affairs and international relations for the Israel Broadcasting Authority and former vice president for regulatory affairs at Cellcom Israel. l

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

Distinguished Professor S. Shyam Sundar, co-director of the Media Effects Research Laboratory, displays some “cool” technology from the past and present. (Photo by Patrick Mansell)

Tech products can turn ‘uncool’ with rise in popularity In the tech world, coolness takes more than just good looks. Technology users must consider a product attractive, original and edgy before they label those products as cool, according to researchers. That coolness can turn tepid if the product appears to be losing its edginess, they also found. “Everyone says they know what ‘cool’ is, but we wanted to get at the core of what ‘cool’ actually is, because there’s a different connotation to what cool actually means in the tech world,” said S. Shyam Sundar, Distinguished Professor of Communications, and co-director of the Media Effects Research Laboratory. The researchers found that a cool technology trend may move like a

wave. First, people in groups outside the mainstream begin to use a device. The people in that subculture are typically identified as those who stand out from most of the people in the mainstream and have an ability to stay a step ahead of the crowd, according to the researchers. Once a device gains coolness in the subculture, the product becomes adopted by the mainstream. However, any change to the product’s subculture appeal, attractiveness or originality will affect the product’s overall coolness, according to the researchers, who report their findings in the current issue of the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies. If a product becomes more widely adopted by the mainstream, for example, it

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becomes less cool. “It appears to be a process,” Sundar said. “Once the product loses its subculture appeal, for example, it becomes less cool, and therein lies the challenge.” The challenge is that most companies want their products to become cool and increase sales, Sundar said. However, after sales increase, the products become less cool and sales suffer. To succeed, companies must change with the times to stay cool. “It underscores the need to develop an innovation culture in a company,” Sundar said. “For a company to make products that remain cool, they must continually innovate.” However, products that have fallen out of favor can have coolness

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FACULTY/STAFF NEWS restored if the subculture adopts the technology again. For example, record players, which were replaced in coolness by digital files, are beginning to increase in popularity with the subculture, despite their limited usefulness. As a result, participants in a survey considered the record players as cool. The researchers asked 315 college students to give their opinions on 14 different products based on the elements of coolness taken from current literature. Previously, researchers believed that coolness was largely related to a device’s design and originality. “Historically, there’s a tendency to think that cool is some new technology that is thought of as attractive and novel,” said Sundar. “The idea is you create something innovative and there is hype — just as when Apple is releas-

ing a new iPhone or iPad — and the consumers that are standing in line to buy the product say they are buying it because it’s cool.” A follow-up study with 835 participants from the United States and South Korea narrowed the list to four elements of coolness — subculture appeal, attractiveness, usefulness and originality — that arose from the first study. In a third study of 317 participants, the researchers found that usefulness was integrated with the other factors and did not stand on its own as a distinguishing trait of coolness. “The utility of a product, or its usefulness, was not as much of a part of coolness as we initially thought,” said Sundar. Such products as USB drives and GPS units, for example, were not

considered cool even though they were rated high on utility. On the other hand, game consoles like Wii and X-box Kinect were rated high on coolness, but low on utility. However, many products ranking high on coolness — Macbook, Air, Prezi Software, Instagram and Pandora — were also seen as quite useful, but utility was not a determining factor. “The bottom line is that a tech product will be considered cool if it is novel, attractive and capable of building a subculture around it,” said Sundar. Sundar worked with Daniel J. Tamul, assistant professor of communications at Indiana University-Purdue University, and Mu Wu, agraduate student at Penn State. — Matt Swayne

Mobile users may not buy into instant gratification cues Gimmicky contest ads and flashy free-prize messages may be an instant turnoff for mobile users, according to Penn State researchers. In a study, a tempting offer of a free prize drawing for registering on a mobile website led users to distrust the site, said S. Shyam Sundar, Distinguished Professor of Communications and co-director of the Media Effects Research Laboratory. Sundar said that in an increasingly information-loaded world, people tend to lean on cues, such as icons and messages, for decision-making shortcuts, called heuristics. However, some cues may elicit user reaction in the opposite direction of what most marketers would anticipate. “Even though we turn to our mobile devices for instantly gratifying our need for information, we may not be persuaded by advertising appeals for instant gratification,” said Sundar. “It’s a boomerang effect--marketers may think that they are activating the instant gratification heuristic when they display time-sensitive offers, but what they’re actually doing is cuing red flags about the site.” Mobile users tend to be more knowledgeable about technology than regular users. “It could be that an instant gratification message makes mobile users, who tend to be more tech savvy, leery about the site,” said Sundar. Even though free-prize ads are ubiquitous on the Internet, marketers may want to seek other ways to reach mobile customers, according to the researchers. The researchers, who presented their findings at the Association for Computing Machinery’s Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, also tested a warning cue that seemed to prompt more conflicting reactions from users, said Sundar. When a security alert -- a caution icon with a warning message -appeared, users became more worried about security, as expected.

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However, users were willing to reveal more information about their social media accounts after viewing the security prompt. One possible explanation for this behavior is that the security cue makes the users distinguish more carefully between public and private information. “People may feel that the social media information is already public information, not necessarily private information, and they are not as concerned about revealing social media information,” said Sundar, who worked with Bo Zhang, Mu Wu, Hyunjin Kang and Eun Go, all doctoral students in mass communications. “The ‘privacy paradox’ of giving away information when we are most concerned about its safety may not be all that paradoxical if you consider that the information we give away is not quite private.” The researchers recruited 220 participants to test four different mobile sites. The participants were first asked to navigate to a mobile site. One site included a caution symbol and a security warning that the site was insecure and another site contained a gift box icon with a message that the user could win a free prize for registering. A third site showed both a warning and an instant gratification message and a fourth site, which featured neither alerts, served as the control in the study. Except for these cues, all other content in the four sites was identical. Participants could choose how much or how little personal, professional, financial or social media information they provided in the registration form, which served as a measure of their information disclosure behaviors. After registering, they filled out an online questionnaire about their impressions of the mobile website. — Matt Swayne 25

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FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

Two faculty members to lead sustainability initiative Penn State has created the Sustainability Communications Initiative with the help of a $37,500 seed grant from the University’s Sustainability Denise Institute ReinvenBortree tion Fund. The Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication, a research unit housed in the College of Communications, will be the home for the Sustainability Communications Initiative (SCI). The grant was secured by two of the Page Center’s senior research fellows — Denise Bortree, an associate professor in the Department of Advertising/Public Relations, and Lee Ahern, an associate professor in the Department of Advertising/Public Relations. They will lead the project. “This will be a major effort for the Page Center with three key areas of emphasis,” said Bortree. “We believe it will establish Penn State as a leading institution in sustainability communication research and practice.” The three areas of emphasis are: first, that the SCI will conduct original sustainability communication

research that can be shared with communication practitioners; second, it will partner with other organizations to create databases Lee of existing sustainAhern ability research that will be shared with the media and communication practitioners; and, finally, it will work with student groups at Penn State to promote sustainability knowledge and behaviors on campus and in the State College community. Beyond the grant provided by the Reinvention Fund, the Page Center has committed to fund the SCI for at least three years. “We want to develop, highlight and share best practices in sustainability communication across disciplines,” said Ahern. “We hope to publish annual reports on sustainability communication with a focus on creating research that is useful to the practice of communication.” It is anticipated that the SCI will partner with other organizations to maintain a “curated database of sustainability communication re-

search.” Plans are to distribute article summaries to media outlets to raise journalists’ level of interest in and knowledge of sustainability communication. In addition, a second database of sustainability and corporate social responsibility reports, videos and other materials such as ads, press releases and social media content, will be maintained. This will be available to academics, communication professionals, undergraduates and graduate students. Outreach projects, with the participation of Penn State students, will act as a living laboratory in which students, faculty and staff work together to implement best-practices in sustainability communication. “This effort will leverage Penn State’s vast resources in the areas of energy, environment and green technology, making it a one-of-a-kind initiative at a major university,” Bortree said. “We’re excited to begin.” In addition to Bortree and Ahern, the SCI will involve a full-time graduate student and provide opportunities for participation by numerous undergraduates interested in research into sustainability communication. l

Researchers address corporate social responsibility during session Corporate social responsibility (CSR) research projects supported by the Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication took center stage during a pre-conference session of the International Communications Association (ICA) annual meeting in Seattle in May. “The research presentations addressed a broad spectrum of CSR work, including environmental sustainability, social responsibility, nonprofit-corporation partnerships, employee diversity and measurement of CSR impacts,” said Denise Bortree, an associate professor in the Department of Advertising/Public Relations at Penn State and a senior research fellow in

the Page Center, a research unit of the College of Communications. “Following a panel of prominent scholars discussing recent CSR research, local practitioners shared their experiences with practical application of CSR in the field,” said Bortree, who coordinated the pre-conference session. Seven scholars from around the world whose CSR-related research was funded last year by the Page Center presented perspectives on their work. Among those making presentations was Bortree, who discussed strategies and impacts of environmental sustainability communication from Fortune 500 companies. The Page Center at Penn State is

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named for Arthur W. Page, longtime vice president for public relations at AT&T. Page is often regarded as the founder of the modern practice of corporate public relations. He was widely known for management according to the “Page Principles,” his guidelines for ethical and effective communication with key publics and for responsible corporate behavior. The Page Center seeks to foster a modern understanding and application of the Page Principles. It supports innovative research and educational or public service projects in a variety of academic disciplines and professional fields. l

SUMMER 2014

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS NEWS, NOTES

HONORING FROST

Carmen Frost (center), multicultural affairs coordinator for the College of Communications, accepts the Rainbow Award for Outstanding Service presented by the Penn State Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity. The award was presented by Annyce Schafft, diversity planning analyst (left), and Victoria Sanchez, assistant vice provost for educational equity. (Photo by Jim Frost)

Frieden makes important contribution to ‘The Broadband Strategies Toolkit’ A Penn State faculty member recognized as an international expert on telecommunications and the Internet contributed a chapter to an important online resource for policy makers, regulators and other stakeholders. Professor Rob Frieden, who holds the Pioneers Chair in the Department of Telecommunications, was one of the main contributors to “The Broadband Strategies Toolkit,” (http://broadbandtoolkit.org/en/ home) an extensive online resource, with his chapter on infrastructure technology. The toolkit addresses issues related to broadband development. It aims to help readers, particularly those in developing countries, by identifying challenges in broadband development, analyzing potential solutions to consider and providing practical examples from countries that have

addressed broadband-related matters. Frieden, a professor of telecommunications and law, has written several books, most recently “Winning the Silicon Sweepstakes: Can the United States Compete in Global Telecommunications,” published by Yale University Press. Frieden also has written more than 70 articles in academic journals and provides biannual updates for “All About Cable and Broadband” (Law Journal Press). Before accepting an academic appointment, Frieden served as Deputy Director-International Relations for Motorola Satellite Communications Inc. Frieden also has held senior telecommunications policy making positions in the United State government. In the private sector, he practiced law in Washington, D.C., and served as assistant general counsel at PTAT System Inc. l

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l The Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the U.S. Supreme Court, asking the justices to clarify the meaning of “true threats” in an online forum. In the case of United States v. Elonis, the defendant posted alleged threats on Facebook. His messages mimicked the style of rap music. The Center filed the brief in conjunction with the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, which is housed at the University of Virginia. “We are asking the Court to consider the context of social media messaging and the rap genre of music in framing a national standard by which to judge allegedly threatening expression,” said Robert D. Richards, the John and Ann Curley Professor of First Amendment Studies and founding director of the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment. “The Court has said previously that the context of true threats matters, but it has not applied that notion in the light of today’s evolving technological and cultural trends.” Established in 1992, the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment, housed in the College of Communications, promotes awareness and understanding of the principles of free expression to the scholarly community, the media and the general public. l Thirteen faculty members, 20 graduate students and five College of Communications alumni produced 31 papers or presentations, and faculty members served on three separate panels during the 64th annual conference of the International Communications Assocation (ICA). ICA is an academic association for scholars interested in the study, teaching and application of all aspects of human and mediated communication. ICA began more than 50 years ago as a small association of U.S. researchers and now counts more than 4,800 members in 77 countries. Since 2003, ICA has been officially associated with the United Nations as a non-governmental association. l Pamela Monk, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism, has written a play, “An Evening with Aphrodite,” that will be performed Aug. 12, Aug. 15 and Aug. 17 during the Thespis Theater Festival at the Cabrini Repertory Theater, located in New York City.

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Campaign closes on high note, tops $15M goal

he University’s seven-year fundraising campaign, For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students, came to a close June 30, with the College of Communications exceeding its $15 million goal, raising $15,798,135. The campaign started Jan. 1, 2007, and 64 percent of gifts to the College during the campaign were designated for endowments — critical permanent funding that provides support for students in perpetuity. In the past 15 years, the value of the permanent endowment in the College, counting Trustee Scholarship matches, has increased from $8.9 million to $34 million. “We’re pleased with the response of our alumni and friends throughout the campaign,” said Kevin Musick, director of development. “The generous people who support our programs Alumnus Donald Bellisario endowed the $1 million Donald P. Bellisario Trustee Scholarship understand the impact to help launch the just completed fundraising campaign and then he and his wife, Vivienne, endowed a $50,000 Trustee Scholarship in 2014 in honor of Dean Douglas Anderson. and value of their gifts, which are truly appreciatl the Michael Allen Humanitarian l the David and Mary Lee Jones ed by students.” Memorial Trustee Scholarship; Trustee Scholarship; Donors at all levels who supported l the Trustee Scholarship in Honl the Eric Rabe Family Trustee different aspects or areas of interest or of Dean Douglas Anderson; Scholarship; and in the College helped the program l the Donald and Vivienne Bellisl the E. Stratford Smith and Bette exceed its fundraising goal. Overall, ario Trustee Scholarship; B. Jackson Smith Trustee Scholar10,968 gifts from 4,067 donors were l the Mildred Blazek Trustee ship. received during the campaign. Scholarship; Most of the College’s fundraising Eleven endowments in the last six l the Norman Eberly Trustee success during the campaign came for months of the campaign through Scholarship in Communications; scholarships that help keep a Penn the Trustee Matching Scholarship l the Elizabeth Fetter Trustee State education affordable. Program helped close out the commu- Scholarship; The College has created 51 Trustee nications portion of the University’s l the Jay and Dorothy Grossman Matching Scholarships since the overall $2 billion campaign. Trustee Scholarship; program began in 2002. Recipients The recently created endowments l the Marie Hardin and Jerry of the scholarships boast an average Kammer Trustee Scholarship; grade-point average of 3.39 and more were:

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS

$10,703,087

CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

Endowed value of gifts/pledges to the College because of Trustee Scholarship matching funds.

than half are in the first generation of their family to attend college. The matching funds continue every year thereafter, based on a percentage of the endowment’s market value. Along with the Trustee Scholarships, other named funds recently created were: the Dr. W. Bradford Mellow Communication Scholarship; the Richard M. and Rayna K. Ravitz

Scholarship; the Paul L. Tsompanas Journalism Award; and the Connie and Randy Yanoshak Memorial Internship. In addition to the scholarship and award commitments during the homestretch of the campaign, Warren Carmichael, president of the College’s Alumni Society Board, made a significant addition to an existing endowed fund. l

John Curley, Chair Mark Brownstein (’81) Jack Chidester (’80) Anne Simmons Chubb (’80) James Donna (’71) Elizabeth Fetter (’80) Thomas Hayden III (’77) Amanda Gifford Lockwood (’04) Chris Martin (’92) Robert O’Leary (’71), deceased Eric Rabe (’68) Linda Yaccarino (’85)

Equipment room coordinator Michael Zelazny (left) accepts delivery of equipment from Gywn and Tom Chobot.

Family’s equipment donation ensures Chobot’s legacy A popular College of Communications student who made an impression on classmates and faculty before he died at age 26 has left a legacy for future students because of a gift by his parents. Gywn and Tom Chobot donated the sound and studio equipment of Michael Chobot (’09 Film-Video) for the creation of the Michael T. Chobot Studio in Room 16 of Carnegie Building. Family and friends also made memorial gifts to the College in Chobot’s name. Chobot, an Emmy Award-nominated sound engineer for DuArt Film in New York City, died Aug. 6, 2013, after a 22-month battle with leukemia. He was posthumously

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awarded the Emerging Professional Award from the College of Communications in November 2013. The award is presented annually to an alumnus who has graduated in the past 10 years and recognizes professional achievement and/or distinguished community service. “He was one of the most generous and good-hearted students that I’ve ever known, and he was a pleasure to have in the classroom and on the set,” said Richie Sherman, an associate professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies. The equipment will bolster the College’s state-of-the art offerings and technological options for students. l

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Capturin Senior Kelly Tunney, a photojournalism major, was a member of the international reporting class that traveled to Cuba during spring break. His work on these pages represents a small piece of the overall student work that emerged from the trip (photos, multimedia packages, stories and video) that can be found online. Also, the studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; work has been shared with McClatchy News Service for media outlets across the United States.

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ng Cuba

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STUDENT NEWS

College provides record support — $816,939 — for students Thanks to the support of numerous contributors, the College of Communications made a record 573 awards totaling a most-ever $816,939 to its students during the 2013-14 academic year.

ADVERTISING / PUBLIC RELATIONS

Mary M. Meder Scholarship Briana Beil Michael Schanbacher

Donald W. Davis Penn State Chapter of the American Advertising Federation Jordan Abramson Kayla Ariza Jennifer Brinsko Emily Burke Elle Burkert Adriana Brokus Jieyu (Patricia) Chen Jenny Cifuentes John Curlett Kelly Jackson Ethan Kisan Kayla Kisan Jessica Korch Janelle Klueber Samantha Maceil Lindsey Meyers Tyler Pilarski Logan Roger Michael Schanbacher Yujun Shao Gemma Smith Carly Wenderlich Ali Young Yuting Zhang

Sharon Lynn Palaisa Jackson Memorial Scholarship Alyssa Kaplan Kristina Lintz Sydney Martincic Rebecca Welk

Lawrence G. Foster Award for Excellence in Public Relations Maria Esposito

Don Davis Program in Ethical Leadership The Davis Award Enica Castaneda Jei-Laya Hassan Katelyn Mixer Cheyenne Sexton

The Interstate Advertising Managers’ Association Scholarship Fund Sarika Patel

Marc A. Brownstein Scholarship in Advertising Kelly Stock

Donald W. Davis Mass Communications Fund Mariah Blake Jennifer Weintraub

ETHICS

Wayne Hilinski Advertising Scholarship Tyron Gorman Jonathan Mercuri

COMMEDIA

Randy and Maria Yanoshak Technology in Media Award Kirsten Appleton Maria Bryant Abigail Johnson Jessica Paholsky

FILM-VIDEO

Samuel D. Abrams and Lillian K. Abrams Senior Film Endowment Bryan Keith Laura Kriss Ryan Mills Andri Pavlenko John Querio Erin Ryan Christopher Schuck Darian Stansbury Cody Weamer Carmen Finestra Film Project Endowed Grant-in-Aid Aliza Berger Benjamin Correll Donald Kinney Allison Ornik Jonathon Riley James Rohan Robert Shipley

THE DAILY COLLEGIAN

Damon M. Chappie Memorial Award in Investigative Journalism Brittany Horn Collegian Alumni Hall of Fame Scholarship Jessica Paholsky Sarika Patel

GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS Vijaya L. Balaji Memorial Scholarship Brodney Nicol Darian Stansbury

Collegian AIG Scholarship Brittany Horn Sarika Patel

Jeanne Chapkovich Communications Award Melissa Conrad

Ostar-Hutchison Scholarship Sarah Rafacz

College of Communications Alumni Society Scholarship Mollie Dronson Donald Kinney

Kent A. Petersen Memorial Scholarship Farheen Ashrafy Eric Shultz

Harmelin Media Scholarship in the College of Communications Christina Cruz Chelsea Emerson

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College of Communications Deans’ Excellence Award Sheridan March Cassandra Nissi Blake Padua Jill Tatios

STUDENT NEWS

PHOTO PLANS

Students complete a photo editing exercise during an introductory photojournalism class. (Photo by John Beale)

College of Communications General Scholarship Kathryn Blitz Emily Burke Michelle Demaio Danielle Egick Frederick Ennette Stacy Finkelstein Brad Imming Bryan Keith Paul Kemper Austin Lederman Kevin McLaughlin Paulina Moussavi Jessica Paholsky Callie Rojewski Victoria Scialfa Robert Shipley Torri Singer Alicia Thomas Erin Witt Alexander Yakacki Scholarship in Memory of Terry Leach Rachel Chernaskey

Kathleen and John Collins Fellows in the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment Michael Appleman Nicholas Berault

Lawrence G. and Ellen M. Foster Scholarship in Honor of Joseph V. and Suzanne P. Paterno Michael Crane Eric Deberardinis

John and Ann Curley Scholarship in Communications Samantha Allen Courtney Barrow Joseph Garofalo Emily Grabowski Beate Liepina Matthew Marzzacco Sarah Peterson Sabriana Pimentel Brittany Smith Renee Szukics Alex Woodin

Raymond and Shirley (Gable) Galant Communications Scholarship Amber Askew Nicholas Bernitt Lauren Blum Melissa Conrad Kaidian Gordon Kendra Hepler Nicholas Laspina Jonathan Mercuri Daniel Prosick Connor Whooley

Lawrence G. and Ellen M. Foster Scholarship Amber Askew Jaya Davis Daniel Norton Kelly Tunney

Jay Grossman Award in Communications Matthew Wilson David and Mary Lee Jones Washington, D.C., Scholarship Akilah Griffith Knight Minority Scholarship Kiyana Banks Ashley Vargas

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STUDENT NEWS LAMCO Communications Inc. Scholarship John Falconi Madison Geck William F. Simmons Memorial Award Sarah Desiderio Devan Lombardi

Daniel Hartman Honors Scholarship in the College of Communications Nicole Cheshire Tracy Crouthamel Shellie M. Roth Honors Award in the College of Communications Julia Bacanskas Brittany Horn

GRADUATE STUDIES

Douglas and Claudia Anderson Communications Scholarship Elizabeth Brennan Don Davis Professorship in Ethics Dunja Antunovic Stevie Berberick Tanner Cook Lauren Flanagan Richard Kopecky Ariel Johnson Cristina Mislan Paulina Moussavi Excellence in Communications Doctoral Award Jennifer Hoewe Larry and Ellen Foster Professorship in the College of Communications Brittany Brown Sidney and Helen Friedman Endowed Scholarship Arienne Ferchaud Marlowe Froke Graduate Scholarship in Education and Public Affairs in Public Broadcasting in the College of Communications Xue Dong Robert Wood Johnson Lecture Series Kelly Chernin Arthur W. Page Center Endowment Brittany Brown Kelly Chernin Melanie Formentin Brandy Nonnecke Djung Yune Tchoi Memorial Excellence in Teaching Award Steve Bien-Aime

HONORS SCHOLARSHIPS

James Wiggins and Christine Fleming Honors Scholarship in the College of Communications Jenny Kim Rachel Steinberg

INCOMING FRESHMEN

Lawrence G. and Ellen M. Foster Merit Scholarship Nicholas Ambolino Christina Enrico Morgan Guarino Jordyn Jagolinzer Machado Mark Marino Kristen Nelson Alejandro Rodriguez Vanzetti Jonas Saint Preux Bria Williams Bryce Zielinski Howard J. Lamade Communications Scholarship Andrew Greenberg Madison McGillicuddy Richard and Victoria Mallary Scholarship in Communications Arianna Dedominicis Paul Kemper

INTERNSHIP ENDOWMENTS Patrick Boland Memorial Internship Award Brendan Zipfel

College of Communications Alumni Society Neal J. Friedman Internship Emily Burke Natasha Cooper Tracy Crouthamel Brittany Cruickshank Yewande Demola-Seriki Mollie Dronson Kaley Ebling Michael Esse

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Erica Finet Cynthia Hill Emily Hockenberry Amanda Hommer Brittany Horn Anthony Iafrate Chelsea Johnson Mikel Jones Erica Kasan Jenny Kim Marissa Miller Morgan Nalley John Patterson Kaitlyn Rigney Giovanna Roselli Lindsey Smith Paul Sweeney Samantha Tardif College of Communications Internship Grant Nicole Arteca Lauren Burrell Mary Tetzlaff Richard R. Evans Memorial Internship Award Emily Burke Elle Burkert Carmen and Tonia Finestra Internship Award Tyler Marchewski Allison Ornik Honora and William Jaffe Scholarship in Communications Michael Boylan Ashley Holgate Nuo Li Matthew Westlake Marvin and Josie Krasnansky Internship Grant Brielle Adler Samantha Agostino Tyler Ainge Marielena Balouris Madeleine Brown Yu-Ting Chang Jessica Davidson Eric Deberardinis Hannah Epstein Nicole Frankfort Caroline Goggin Rebecca Himmelstein

STUDENT NEWS Josey Jenkins Heather Miller Mary Kate Morrow Shawn Quinn Jonathan Semborski Zachary Slater Alyson Stark

Ilana Ruben Jessica Tully Caroline A. Bange Memorial Award Jessica Reilly Eric Shultz Franklin Banner Journalism Scholarship Abigail Johnson

Bob and Marylou Martin Internship Award Danielle Egick J. Gilliland Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Robert K. Zimmerman Memorial Award Tiye-Saran Mutazz Morgan Signs/Barash Advertising Internship Award in Advertising Jessica Korch A. W. (Dude) McDowell Memorial Scholarship Christina Gallagher Jessica Paholsky Lindsey Smith Gregory Michael Schiff Memorial Scholarship in Communications Julia Bacanskas Tatiana Flowers Stephanie Kerr Heather McDevitt Jessica Schoenenberger Robert K. Zimmerman Memorial Internship Endowment Alexandra Beebe Gregory Leon Andrea Navarro Amina Ogboro Roman Rogalla Rachel Steinberg

JOURNALISM

Donald E. Allen Memorial Scholarship in Communications Samantha Agostino Julia Alexander Inci Askin Kaitlin Eckrote Kelly Jackson Emily Kless Shayna Mowatt Anastasia Orso

Quinton E. Beauge Memorial Journalism Scholarship Kevin Horne Louis H. Bell Memorial Scholarship Fund Dakota Debellis S. W. Calkins Memorial Award Torri Singer Kristin Stoller Jonathan Wheel Winifred Imhof Cook Journalism Scholarship Molly Cochran Christina Gallagher Stanley E. Degler Scholarship in Communications Amanda Dash Kelsie Johnson Edward S. Dubbs Jr. Scholarship Sarah Desiderio Angelic Sinova Evelyn Y. Davis Scholarship Tyler Ainge Cheuk Wai Lam Blair Patterson

Gene and Fran Goodwin Journalism Scholarship Jasmine Godard Ebony Martin George E. Graff Journalism Scholarship Megan Bailey William Randolph Hearst Foundation Awards Christina Gallagher Brittany Horn Jill Knight Anastasia Orso Stephen Pianovich Savannah Smith Jessica Tully International Reporting Class Awards Jon Blauvelt Maria Bryant Vicki Cazanas Eric DeBerardinis Liz Dennerlein Alex Eliasof Caroline Goggin Christian Heilman Willie Jungels Noelle Mateer Dan Norton Jessica Paholsky Steve Pianovich Leah Polakoff Torri Singer Alex Steinman Kelly Tunney Rachel White Reuben Jaffe Memorial Journalism Scholarship Jaclyn Saumell Eric Shultz Ashia Tokponwey

Norman Eberly Professor of Practice in Journalism Awards Alyssa Appleman Steve Bien Aime Kevin Horne Julia Kern Kelly Tunney Anastasia Orso Haley Wildeson

David and Mary Lee Jones Journalism Scholarship Victoria Faconti Sarah Olah Kelly Tunney Kimberly Valarezo

Rheta B. Glueck Prize Kevin McLaughlin

The Journalism Fund Tatiana Flowers

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STUDENT NEWS Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society Ally Ayton Josiah Bates Katie Blitz Hannah Leigh Byrne Robert Chen Melissa Conrad Caitlyn Cossu Christopher Doon Megan Flood Christelle Joasil Mikel Jones Katelyn Marmon Katie McKenna Ryan McManus McKenzie Millward Kelsie Netzer Greg Pickel Eric Shultz Wyton Somerville Jolie Wehrung Patrick Woo Knight Diversity Scholarship in Sports Journalism in the College of Communications Brett Johnson Patrick Woo Isadore and Anna Krasnansky Minority Scholarship Nicole Colon-Quintana Yaa Hunt Nia Nicholson Kimberly Valarezo Marvin L. and Josie Krasnansky Undergraduate Scholarship in Communications Christopher Stratton Kaitlyn Zurcher Jean Ward Lapton Memorial Award in Journalism Kaitlyn Knopp Julia Ibbotson Martin Scholarship in Journalism Lindsey Smith May McNeer Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Journalism Award Jessica Paholsky

Penn State Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Award Benjamin Emminger

Salters Family Memorial Scholarship Kaley Ebling

Theodore and Patricia Serrill Scholarship in Journalism Rachel Garman Shannon Gethard

Richard and Arlene Small Journalism Scholarship for Sports Writing in Memory of Ridge Riley Alexandra Beebe Nicholas Coppola Michael Esse Amanda Hommer Mikel Jones Kacie Lazor Steven Leech Ryan Noone Vincent Weltz James Werner

Steinman Foundations and Lancaster Newspapers Inc. Scholarship Fund Kelsey Myers Donavon Stadel Joseph F. and Mary P. Loftus Award for Outstanding Writing John McGonigal Stephen Pianovich

Jerome Weinstein Journalism Scholarship Megan Flood Daniel Griswold

Charles M. Meredith Sr. Scholarship Cameron Harrison Antoinette Manigoult

Jeanne Stiles Williamson Scholarship Leo Dillinger Hayley Wildeson

John R. Jr., John R. III and Jayne E. Miller Minority Journalism Scholarship Shantelle Johnson Norman C. and Mollie Miller Journalism Scholarship Ashley Smalls Linda Martelli Memorial Scholarship in Journalism Michael Appleman Taylor Shelly Stephen Shiflett Harold E. Newlin Memorial Award Fund Austin Lederman

STUDY ABROAD

Helene Eckstein Study Abroad Scholarship in the College of Communications Kelsey Tamborrino Alicia Thomas Philip Radcliffe International Student Award Brad Imming

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Bernie Newman Scholarship in Journalism Nicole Barros Sarah Bruce Rachel Nagpal George E. Paterno Memorial Scholarship Mikel Jones Jessica Reilly Kimberly Tyborowski

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SUMMER 2014

Bradford Brian Communications Scholarship Alexandra Menosky Jessica Schoenenberger Warren and Carole Maurer Radio Scholarship Brendan McCullough Garrett Shawley Lou H. Murray Scholarship Kelly Boyd Tyler Wentz

STUDENT NEWS TRUSTEE

AT&T Trustee Scholarship in the College of Communications Alyssa Curnow Pier Lopez Vincent Tran Ronald Weidman Michael Sherman Allen Humanitarian Memorial Trustee Scholarship in the College of Communications Donavon Stadel Michael Wargon Douglas and Claudia Anderson Trustee Scholarship in the College of Communications Austin Lederman Emily Malnik Zoe Walker Douglas and Claudia Anderson Trustee Scholarship in Journalism in the College of Communications Aaron Carr Rachelle Gaynor Laura and Mary Anderson Trustee Scholarship in the College of Communications Kaitlin Eckrote Sarah Emeigh Marianna Saucier Marty and John Aronoff Trustee Scholarship in the College of Communications Brooke Rightnour Amy Ross Jason Shawley Alexis Shelton Eric Sion Barash Family Trustee Scholarship in the College of Communications Madeleine Archambault Mollie Dronson Ashley Vargas Donald P. Bellisario Trustee Scholarship Brittany Adams Ashley Beatty Briana Beil Mariah Blake

Joaquin Breedlove Alssya Broome Andrea Carney Sheila Castillo Janelle Courtney Lena Cox Brittany Cruickshank John Curlett Nicholas Dietrich Jacqueline Dinarte Kaleigh Floyd Heather Freitag Robert Hopkins Michael Johnson Donald Kinney Andee Kiraly Samantha Kostenbader Shamir Lee William Leonard Lane Lohman Corey Lonberger Brazillian Mitchell Lydia Mutono Marlea Otis Kaitlyn Rigney Roman Rogalla Benjamin Shipman Connor Simon Margaret Sinkevitch Mbeta\ Sokolo Megan Soltis Samuel Tavares Alan Taylor Bradley Welles Brownstein Family Trustee Scholarship in Memory of Beverly B. Brownstein Patricia Noel Ryan Stephen Marc A. Brownstein Trustee Scholarship Brianna Babik Crissy Tang Nile D. Coon Trustee Scholarship in the College of Communications Tanner Akman Laura Barbosa Kelly Jones Mara Kern Carlmichel Laguerre Aiesha Marshall Grace Rzodkiewicz

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John and Ann Curley Trustee Scholarship in Honor of Douglas Anderson Ryan Noone Wynton Somerville John and Ann Curley Trustee Scholarship in the College of Communications Kayla Ariza Josiah Bates Brandi Copeland Saige Marinoff Ryan Mills Nicole Salerno Kristen Smith Meghan St Clair Kristen Stasik Philip and Joan Currie Trustee Scholarship in Honor of Douglas Anderson and John Curley Haley Kerstetter Alejandro Rodriguez Vanzetti Fetter Family Trustee Scholarship Kylee Orriss Brooke Robinson Gene Foreman Trustee Matching Scholarship Tamara Hall Daniel Isenberg Madeline Klebe Samantha Lowe-Wilson Lawrence G. and Ellen M. Foster Trustee Scholarship Kiyana Banks Danae Blasso Amira Coleman Benjamin Emminger Ejiro Enaohwo Frederick Ennette Niccia Griffin-McKinney Akilah Griffith Joyann Jeffrey Caitlin Kelly Jason Kohlers Katelynne Kulakowski Dylan Nelson Catherine Pearce Hilori Rzotkiewicz Frank Savastano Jack Small Omayra Soto Cassandra Wiggins-Dowdell

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STUDENT NEWS

CAPPING COMMENCEMENT

A senior film major put an artistic touch on her cap during commencement exercises at the Bryce Jordan Center in May. (Photo by Steve Manuel)

Marjorie Mousely French, Class of ’48, Trustee Scholarship Scott Anderson Aaron Baker Mary Callas Lauren Ertl Samantha King Laura McCarthy Kalleen McLaughlin Jessica Paholsky Faith Rodriguez Kellie Yekel Friend of the College of Communications Trustee Scholarship Michael Esse John Patterson Tom Gibb Memorial Trustee Scholarship Alexandra Otero Cristina Recino Hayden Family Trustee Scholarship Timothy Madore Ashley Sprain Freda Azen Jaffe Memorial Trustee Scholarship in the College of Communications Yaaasantewaa Faraji Daniel Spevak Kasselman Kohn Family Trustee Scholarship Jenna Abate Leah Blasko Wendy Lichtenstein Trustee Scholarship Jeremy Bratton John Pergosky

Joseph M. Marchand Memorial Trustee Scholarship Victoria Burdo Marissa Silverman Christopher J. & Patricia S. Martin Trustee Scholarship Sarah Caskie Demetria Webb Ana Zelada Maralyn Davis Mazza Trustee Scholarship Natasha Bailey Chandler McCauley

Brad and Virginia Remmey Trustee Scholarship Marquitta Davis Kelsea McSparron Nicholas Veres Remmey Family Trustee Scholarship Renee Fisher Alexandra Stewart Robert L. and Mary Lee Schneider Trustee Scholarship Briana Gilbert-Brown Raneika White

Warren L. and Carole L. Maurer Trustee Scholarship Bernard Bennett-Green Brianna Blair John S. Nichols Trustee Scholarship Junessa Dello Russo Theresa Huynh Katherine Perkins Robert J. O’Leary Trustee Scholarship Clifton Graves Brooke Weidenfeld Penn State Alumni Association Trustee Scholarship Donovan Quinn Eric W. Rabe Trustee Scholarship Natasha Cooper Victoria Glaude Bryan McSorley William Y. E. and Ethel L. Rambo Trustee Scholarship Danielle Gallo Eric Webb

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SUMMER 2014

Andrew and Beatrice Schultz Trustee Scholarship Devin Burke Josey Jenkins Asharae’ Jones Nyshiria Robinson Stephanie Wain Steinman Foundations Trustee Scholarship Jeremy Nolt Kyle Young Trustee Scholarship Fund Casey Chappel Terrence Edison Gabrielle Mannino Christopher C. Wheeler Trustee Scholarship Sara Hernandez Francis Keyla Medrano Dillon Smith Yaccarino-Madrazo Family Trustee Scholarship Jesse Steinberg Tayler Ward

STUDENT NEWS

College sweeps writing spots at championships

enn State earned an unprecedented sweep of the first three spots in the individual national writing championship conducted by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s Journalism Awards Program in Washington, D.C., in early June. Students advanced to the championship based on results of monthly competitions during the academic year. Through those competitions, the College of Communications had already secured a third consecutive overall national championship in the program often referred to as “the Pulitzers of college journalism.” (See complete results, other College successes in “Champions” pullout section.) Still, Anna Orso, Christina Gallagher and Jessica Tully capped the University’s most successful year ever in the 54-year-old program by finishing first, second and third, respectively, in the on-site competition. Students were challenged to write a personality profile, a news story and an on-the-spot human-interest story. More than 1,100 students from 105 accredited communications programs across the nation submitted entries for monthly contests in writing, photojournalism, radio, television and multimedia during the year. Just 29 students qualified for the on-site championships — eight in writing, six in photojournalism and five each in radio, TV and multimedia. Winners were announced late June 5 during an award ceremony and dinner at the Newseum. “When they named all of the runners up and none of us were on the list, I knew something good was going to happen and I think they had to probably pick my jaw up off the floor,” Orso said. “Jess Tully and I were sitting at the table together. It was a great feeling. “They told us over and over again during the week that we’re winners for just being here, and when they tell you that so much you do start to believe it. Still, it’s a competition and we all came

Anna Orso calls her mother to share news of her success during the on-site championships in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Curt Chandler)

here to win. I was telling Professor Ford Risley before the announcement that I was trying really hard not to worry about where we’d finish.” All students in the on-site competition wrote about the same person, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), for the profile, and a news conference with Murphy provided the topic for the news story, which was Medicaid expansion. After that, they were on their own to find a human-interest story at a memorial in the nation’s capital. At the Vietnam War Memorial, Orso found people who had family members die on a Navy ship during the war, but because the ship was not in a designated combat zone at the time it went down the names of those 74 people were never included on the memorial. Orso was pleased with the human-interest story she wrote, and with her story about Medicaid expansion. “I thought my profile was horrible, though,” she said. “Thankfully, stories like that are subjective and the judges liked it.” With her first-place finish, Orso earned a $5,000 scholarship. Gallagher and Tully earned $4,000 and $3,000, respectively. Orso, Gallagher and Tully earned their journalism degrees in May. Gallagher worked all week during the competition in the nation’s capital but was not able to attend the final

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award presentation. She had scheduled a backpacking trip to Europe three months ago that was set to leave June 2. She pushed back the flight four days to compete, and found out about the Penn State sweep via text message at Dulles International Airport. “Her flight took off at 10:15 and we found out we’d won at 10:05,” Orso said. “We texted her and she texted back ‘I don’t believe it.’ So we called her and put her on speaker phone with everyone.” In addition to leading the Penn State sweep, Orso’s sports story about college football recruits who de-commit submitted as part of one of the monthly competitions was cited as Article of the Year in the overall competition. She was proud of Penn State’s performance for several reasons. “Without Professor Risley and (senior lecturer) Russ Eshlemen, and especially without Dean Doug Anderson, none of us would be in this position,” Orso said. “Plus, I’m so happy that we were able to do this in the dean’s last year.” Anderson had previously announced he would resign as dean of the College of Communications, effective July 1. He has guided the Penn State communications program since July 1, 1999. l

SUMMER 2014

STUDENT CLOSEUP Production team members communicate with on-air anchors for “Centre County Report.” (Photo by Lauren Ingram)

Technology helps drive ‘CCR’ success, impact

ilence spreads through the busy newsroom as Rachel White, executive producer, begins the 10-second countdown to the week’s one and only trial run of the “Centre County Report” — the award-winning student newscast of the College of Communications. The reporters and technical crew quiet themselves as the seconds on the clock tick away, but the pause is fleeting. On stage, the show’s anchors, Kacie Lazor and Kiyana Banks, take deep breaths, look to the camera, smile and kick off the rehearsal. Reading from a teleprompter, Lazor delivers the first story of the day with ease, even as the producer whispers directives in her earpiece. Behind the scenes, students in the control room are communicating well above a whisper.

The crew has little more than an hour before the start of the live newscast and almost too much to cover. The story docket is packed, and so is the control room; chairs hold the technical director, audio specialist, teleprompter operator and other crewmembers. Meanwhile, reporters spread out at computers in the newsroom are making final edits to their scripts and promoting media packages on Facebook and Twitter. In less than an hour, the students will broadcast live on Penn State Campus Cable, and the pre-recorded show will air in a primetime slot on WPSU in 29 counties, potentially reaching more than half a million households. In a time of declining news viewership across the country (major networks and their affiliates lost nearly 6 percent of their TV viewers in 2012,

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according to the latest “State of the News Media” report), the “Centre County Report” (CCR) uses a variety of information technologies to keep people tuning in week after week. “As the IT used to consume and produce news transforms yearly, news professionals are forced to keep pace with the rapid rate of innovation,” said Steve Kraycik, director of student television and online operations in the College of Communications. “We have better equipment here than in half the television stations I’ve worked during my 27-year career in news,” he added. Penn State is training future news professionals before they graduate, with such industry tools as robotic cameras operated by joysticks and equipment that uses cellular signals to instantly transmit live footage back to

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STUDENT CLOSEUP the “CCR” studio. Bill Gardner, a “CCR” alumnus “Newsrooms in the field don’t even And it’s paying off. who is now employed by Penn State have equipment or workflows like For two years in a row, “CCR” has as the show’s multimedia specialist, this,” Gardner said. “Just five years won the Best of Festival award in the helped build the studio in 2010 to ago, Penn State students would have student newscast category at the Broad- prepare students for the digitization of had to shoot on tape, ingest it into the cast Education Association Festival of modern news studios. The newsroom computer in real time and physically Media Arts, a nationwide competition features a classroom with 20 computers carry a hard drive to the control room, that recognizes student-produced for editing, a secondary editing room, and now there’s no wait time.” media. sound booth, control room and stage. As the students wrap up the morn“‘Centre County Report’ is literally But tools like the XSAN server, roing rehearsal, breaking news of a fire in the gateway to our students’ first jobs botic cameras and portable live camera State College comes to the attention of in TV. We try to operate it as not just a units are what set Penn State apart a producer via Twitter. In less than five campus newscast, but as a newscast for from other college newscasts and even minutes, two reporters are all of Centre County — we treat it like a real job in TV sent to the scene to investinews,” Kraycik said. “We’re gate and collect footage. uniquely positioned to preShooting live video pare our students for what became a lot easier for the they’re really going to need crew last year when “CCR” to know in the real world.” invested in a set of Teradek Lazor is one those stuportable live units — camera dents. A broadcast journalequipment that stations ism major, Lazor has wanted around the country are now to be a reporter since she starting to use — to feature was a little girl growing up communities like Bellefonte, in Indiana, Pa. While her Altoona and even Hershey. friends chose pop culture The technology makes it icons and athletes as role models, Lazor found her possible for the team to heroes on the evening news. Erin Ryan prepares equipment before reporters leave the “go live” anywhere they can newsroom to cover a story. (Photo by Lauren Ingram) And nearly 10 years later get a Verizon cell phone she’s learning how to do the signal and instantly transmit some professional studios, Gardner job herself — reporting, anchoring and high-definition video back to the consaid. directing — in three-week rotations at trol room for editing in the studio. “When our students get into the “CCR.” Like every student involved “‘CCR’ mimics our first job in industry, there’s going to be a lot of auwith the show, Lazor has the opportulocal news, and we’re competing with tomation. The eight technical positions nity to work each job in the newsroom other local markets, not other colwe have at CCR will be performed and develop multiple skills to use lege stations,” said Erin Ryan, a film by only two people in a real control behind and in front of the camera. student and the show’s lab technician. room,” he added. “We want these guys “I have a lot of experience behind “Because our show encompasses all of to experience the technology now so the camera, and I think that makes they don’t run into bumps when the Centre County, not just Penn State, we me versatile, but I like going out and listening to peoples’ stories and putting stakes are higher.” have to appeal to a wide audience to The SAN, as the crew refers to the segments together for families across stay in the game.” XSAN, is a massive server with 43 terathe state,” Lazor said before the show. As the fire continues to burn at “I grew up watching Pittsburgh journal- bytes of fiber optic storage for archived a downtown motel, the episode’s video interviews, photos, audio clips ists Sally Wiggin and Marcie Cipriani producer decides to feature it in the and more. Every computer in the stuon TV. I used to pretend I was doing top block of the show, knocking the dio connects with the SAN and has inthe news report along with them, and mystery of Flight 370 off the roster. stantaneous access to everything on it. now I get to be the one in front of the In a breaking news situation, live video With only seconds to spare, co-anchor camera.” Lazor sneaks a momentary peek at the shot on location can be brought back The students’ professionalism and new script as the camera pans her way, dedication is the heart of the newscast, to the studio, edited in the newsroom, the lights fade and the director counts exported to the SAN and immediately but the show wouldn’t be possible — made available in the control room for them down. or as fun to produce — without the technology. placement in the story lineup. — Lauren Ingram

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SUMMER 2014

STUDENT NEWS

Students who will travel to Dublin to cover the Croke Park Classic are (left to right): Melissa Conrad, Hannah Bressi, Kelsie Netzer, Jake Somerville, Bobby Chen, Greg Pickel, Eric Shultz and C.J. Doon. (Photo by John Beale)

Students ready for Ireland trip, opportunity Eight Penn State students have been selected to comprise a news bureau coordinated by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism that will serve media organizations throughout Pennsylvania by providing coverage of the Croke Park Classic in late August. The Croke Park Classic, a season-opening matchup between Penn State and the University of Central Florida on Aug. 30, represents the first international football game for either program, and the first at Croke Park since 1996. In addition, Penn State will be the first Big Ten Conference team to play internationally since Michigan State and Wisconsin met in Tokyo for the 1993 regular season finale. Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association (PNA), the Curley Center contingent will provide both coverage of the game and stories related to the unusual setting, including pieces on Irish sport

and culture. Highlights of the students’ coverage also will be made available at the Curley Center site (http://comm. psu.edu/sports) online. The nine-day working trip will serve as the core of a for-credit class, with the students functioning as a professional team of journalists, developing their own stories and contacts and meeting tight deadlines. In addition to the Curley Center site, the students’ best work will be featured on ComMedia (http:// commedia.psu.edu), the showcase site for work by Penn State communications students, and form the foundation for an edition of “The Lion’s Roar,” a College of Communications publication featuring top undergraduate journalism. “We’re truly excited to provide this experience for our students. It represents a major opportunity for them to develop their professional skills,” said John Affleck, the Knight Chair

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in Sports Journalism and Society and director of the Curley Center. “At the same time, it’s gratifying to be able to help the commonwealth’s media industry through our partnership with the PNA. This kind of collaboration is key, I believe, to keeping journalism vibrant in the future.” Students selected for the effort were: l Hannah Bressi, from York, Pa., l Bobby Chen, from Wayne, Pa., l Melissa Conrad, from Hamburg, Pa., l C.J. Doon, from West Sayville, N.Y., l Kelsie Netzer, from Bakersfield, Calif., l Greg Pickel, from Middletown, Pa., l Eric Shultz, from Shamokin, Pa.; and, l Jake Somerville, from Philadelphia. The news bureau effort provides the latest example of the Curley Center’s student-centered commitment to sports journalism education. In the

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STUDENT NEWS past, Curley Center students have covered the Summer Olympics in London, the Bowl Championship Series title game and the Final Four. The trip to Ireland, however, ranks as the most ambitious endeavor of its kind for the Curley Center both in terms of the size of the group and its professional media partnership. Affleck will be joined by Lori Shontz, a senior editor for The Penn Stater as well as a Curley Center board member and adjunct lecturer in the College of Communications, and John Beale, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism and former chief photographer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Affleck, who coordinated numerous special assignments for The Associated Press during his two decades with that news organization before he joined Penn State last year, conceived the news bureau approach and has worked closely with PNA to develop a plan to provide complete and timely coverage of the game and activities that surround it. Teri Henning, president of PNA, said that the organization is excited to work with the University and share the students’ work with its newspaper and digital members across Pennsylvania and beyond. “We are always looking for high-quality, original content to share with our news media members, and welcome any opportunity to partner with Penn State to promote both the present and future of journalism,” Henning said. The game will kick off at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 30 in Dublin (8:30 a.m. ET), and will air on ESPN2, ComRadio and the Penn State Sports Network. Established in 2003 as a first-of-itskind emphasis in higher education, the Curley Center, housed in the College of Communications at Penn State, explores issues and trends in sports journalism through instruction, outreach, programming and research. Along with hands-on, real-life sports reporting experiences for students, Curley Center programming regularly attracts top-notch sports journalists to campus. l

MAYMESTER MOMENT

Students completing the Maymester session of COMM 497B International Documentary Production take a break from working in Ireland for a group meal before their return to campus to complete their film projects.

Support helps for Hollywood intern A 22-year-old Penn State student earned an internship with the Academy of Television, Arts, and Sciences Foundation in Hollywood, Calif., this summer. Donghee Lee will be working at ATAS for six to eight weeks. Her host network is Warner Bros, and she will be helping produce television and online research reports to support internal clients, provide rating analyses on television programs, write newsletters, create and maintain social media sites, and attend focus group sessions. “I am indescribably excited to work there. Not only is Warner Bros one of the most prestigious and renown production companies in the world, but also some of my favorite shows, including ‘The Middle’ and ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show,’ are in partnership with it,” said Lee. Lee first learned about the internship through College of Communications Career Adviser’s internship and job postings in January. “I was initially planning on applying for a public relations internship because that was my major. But my professor suggested I apply for the

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media research category because I had a lot of research experience,” said Lee. “It just made sense. Fortunately, re-writing my professional statement wasn’t Donghee hard or time-conLee suming because I had a lot to say for research. Having research experience and professors to really encourage me and believe in me truly helped me get this position.” California will be full of many new experiences for Lee. “I’ve never been to California before. My friends and family are worried because Los Angeles is a big city, but I’m originally from Seoul, South Korea, which I think is bigger and more crowded than NYC. So, I will be careful, but I’m not worried,” said Lee. Lee is set to graduate next spring with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s in media studies through the Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate program. l

SUMMER 2014

STUDENT NEWS

Six students serve as marshals during commencement exercises Six graduating Penn State seniors from the College of Communications served as student marshals during spring commencement exercises at the Bryce Jordan Center. These six students, one from each major plus an overall marshal, were chosen because of their outstanding achievements in academics and extra-curricular activities. Jessica Paholsky, from Littlestown, Pa., served as the overall marshal. Paholsky graduated with degrees in journalism and in visual arts. She completed internships with Naked Nutrition LLC, The Carroll County Times and Voices of Central Pennsylvania. On campus, she interned with WPSU and the College of Agricultural Sciences. Paholsky was part of the National Press Photographers Association, Triathlon Club, Cross Country Club, Kappa Tau Alpha national honor society, Golden Key international honor society, Phi Eta Sigma national honor society and The Daily Collegian. Kelly Jackson, from Hershey, Pa., served as the student marshal for advertising and public relations. She’s also a member of the Schreyer Honors College. She has completed internships with the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Abel Communications, and Allen and Gerritsen. On campus, Jackson was part of the Advertising Club, American Advertising Federation, Valley Magazine, and a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Kappa Tau Alpha. Lauren Murphy, from Philipsburg, Pa., served as the student marshal for film-video. Murphy graduated with a double major in film-video and mechanical engineering. She was involved with the Engineering Ambassadors, Phroth and TEDxPSU. She also worked for the Department of

Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering creating profile videos. Murphy was a counselor for the College of Communications Film Camp, a Fresh START team leader and studied abroad in England. Samantha Agostino, from New City, N.Y., served as the student marshal for journalism. Agostino worked on the “Centre County Report” and completed internships for Rubenstein Public Relations, Picture Shack Entertainment and Pennsylvania Business Central. Agostino was also both a morale and public relations captain for the Penn State Dance Marathon and a peer mentor for the College of Communications. Jianghanhan Li, from Shangrao, Jiangxi, China, served as the student marshal for media studies. During her time on campus, Li was part of the National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications, Penn State International Dance Ensemble, Penn State Statistics Club, Innoblue and PSNtv. She was also a tutor in the Morgan Academic Support Center for Student Athletes and conducted undergraduate research for Ubiquitous Computing Project and for the ICT4D Project. She also completed an advertising and media internship at The Townsend Group. Victoria Grice, from Lancaster, Pa., served as the student marshal for telecommunications. She completed internships with Penn State Public Broadcasting, Surge Business Development Communications/Film, CNBC and was team video producer for the Penn State men’s varsity soccer team. Grice was heavily involved in THON, was a peer mentor for the College of Communications, and was involved with PSNtv and PSNsports. l

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SUMMER 2014

Paholsky receives Kopp Award Jessica Paholsky, a senior majoring in visual journalism in the College of Communications and photography in the College of Arts and Architecture, was awarded the 2014 W. LaMarr Kopp International Achievement Award for undergraduate students. The award recognizes undergraduate students who have contributed significantly to the advancement of the international mission of the University. It is named in honor of the late deputy vice president for international programs. As a Schreyer Honors College freshman, Paholsky told her professors of her intent to become a photographer for the National Geographic Society. Since then, she has photographed laborers in Mexico and an olive harvest in Italy, and this spring traveled to Cuba as part of an international reporting class. “Her roots are in small-town Pennsylvania, but Ms. Paholsky is developing a sophisticated worldview by taking advantage of opportunities to study and report overseas,” one nominator said. Paholsky said she seeks subjects that “when viewed through the common Western lens, are not seen with widespread acceptance. However, through my photography, I aspire to capture the human nature that is locally and internationally shared but too often overlooked due to some form of cultural bias.” Another nominator said, “Through her choice of programs, her photographic projects and her independent travel, she immersed herself in ways that brought her far closer to the people and the nuances of the culture than the standard tourist thoroughfares or the more popular study-abroad destinations would have ever permitted.” l

STUDENT NEWS

Internship fund helps student pursue her dreams

undreds of students in the money that could be placed on College of Communications an opportunity like that, but participate in internships every the scholarship award makes year, but there are very few like it so much easier for a student Marissa Miller. to worry less about the cost of A senior majoring in public things and instead focus on their relations, Miller used her recent experience.” internship with the American Red Miller’s evolution into a public Cross as a vehicle to raise scholarrelations professional may have ship money — not for her, but for started before she even arrived at her fellow students. Penn State. True to her “pay it Talk about paying it forward. forward” philosophy, it was her “I created an entire social media campaign from start to finish involvement with a non-profit called #CrossMyHeartRED,” said group in high school that led her Miller, who is originally from down her chosen career path. Johnstown, Pa. “It gave students “I actually love to bake, and the chance to create a video to I was deeply involved with a share on Twitter. The video that non-profit organization called received the most retweets won Cookies for Kids Cancer,” said a scholarship that I was able to Miller, adding that the urging secure sponsors for.” of her parents led her to start Those two scholarships totaled thinking about public relations. $6,000. And the entire experience “I aspire to be the marketing or was made possible by a little help communications director for a from the College of Communications Alumni Society Neal J. major food company that has Friedman Internship Fund. excellent corporate or social reStudents who participate in sponsibility, a fun organizational internships often need help in culture, and one that’s true to its filling the gaps created by cost-ofvalues.” living expenses that aren’t covered Supported by the College of by their employer or student Communications Alumni Society loans. Marissa Miller worked for the American Board of Directors, the Friedman In Miller’s case, the Friedman Red Cross last summer and crafted a Fund continues to provide the social media campaign to raise money for Fund literally made it possible for scholarships that support other students. necessary funds for dozens of stuher to get to her internship. dents to comfortably participate “You spend hundreds of hours working for free, and that doesn’t pay for food or gas,” in their internships every year. said Miller. “Gas prices hit the wallet hard, and it was It’s easier than ever to contribute, with online donice to know I could get to my internship every day nations accepted at www.psu.edu/give (with “College because I had the money for gas.” of Communications Alumni Society Internship Fund” Along with easing the strain of gas prices, Miller has selected in the drop-down menu). seen the Friedman Fund fulfill other aspects of her Miller figures to be the next in a long line of com“pay it forward” mantra. munications professionals whose career was launched, The support saved her money she could then use to at least in part, by the Friedman Fund. pay tuition. “This really helped me to cut down on the “I could absolutely see myself with a career at the amount of interest I’m going to have to pay back for all American Red Cross,” said Miller. “But, this summer, the loans I’m taking,” she said. I have an internship with a food giant, and I am so Miller believes it could actually save her an entire looking forward to that, since it’s really where my year’s worth of tuition. heart lies.” “I saw myself grow into a true professional during my internship,” said Miller. “There is no amount of — Mike Conti

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SUMMER 2014

STUDENT NEWS

FILM FESTIVAL

Student filmmakers respond to questions after a screening at the annual Blue and White Film Festival, conducted at the end of the spring semester at the State Theatre in State College. The festival featured more than a dozen student films in a variety of production styles. Students across majors were able to submit work for consideration and a panel of alumni and faculty judges made festival selections. (Photo by Dan Griswold)

Student gets Philly Ad Club support A Penn State student earned a scholarship from the Philadelphia Advertising Club as part of the organization’s annual competition for college students from Pennsylvania. Emily Burke, a junior advertising major from West Chester, Pa., became the second Penn State student honored by the program in the past three years. After an application and interview process during which she competed against 15 other students from across the state, Burke earned a $2,500 scholarship. “It was pretty exciting news. I feel honored to represent Penn State,” Burke said. During an interview with five members of the Philadelphia Advertising Club, she discussed her future plans in advertising and her experiences during her time at Penn State.

Burke serves as president of the AdClub, Penn State’s Donald W. Davis Chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF). She has been a member of the group since her freshman year. In addition, she was a member of the AAF competition team, which created an ad campaign for Mary Kay Cosmetics as part of the national competition this spring. Burke also serves as a peer mentor in the College of Communications and is a member of the Trilogy, a special interest group that supports the Penn State Dance Marathon. The Philadelphia Advertising Club is the largest professional advertising organization in Philadelphia and a member of the American Advertising Federation. The group awarded a total of $42,000 in scholarship money this year. l

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SUMMER 2014

Three receive scholarships Three College of Communications students who performed well during recent media-related and multimedia internships received scholarships from the T. Howard Foundation. Support from the fund managed by the T. Howard Foundation (THF) went to just 11 students from across the nation, including the three Penn State seniors: Tamara Hall, from Philadelphia; Cristina Recino, from St. James, N.Y.; and Kristen Smith, from Marietta, Ga. THF scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit, internship performance and a demonstrated commitment to pursuing a career in the multimedia and entertainment industry. This year, the foundation awarded $15,000 in scholarships. l

STUDENT NEWS

ACADEMIC, ATHLETIC

Gymnast Adrian Evans, an advertising major from Boulder, Colo., was the male recipient of the McCoy Award, presented annually to one male and one female Penn State student-athlete who have combined academic and athletic excellence. Evans’ many accolades include being named Academic AllBig Ten and earning College Gymnastics Associaiton All-America Scholar-Athlete honors. The McCoy Award is named for Penn State’s longtime dean of the College of Physical Education who served as the University’s athletic director. (Photo by Mark Selders)

Four students recognized for commitment to ethics, integrity Four Penn State students earned awards honoring ethics, integrity, and professional and social responsibility that are presented annually under the auspices of the Don Davis Professorship in Ethics. The Davis Award recognizes College of Communications students who distinguish themselves in the classroom, in their activities around campus and in the community. Faculty members nominate students who have displayed an above-and-beyond commitment to service and integrity, and who deserved to be recognized as ethical leaders or role for the next generation. This year’s honorees were: Enica Castaneda, Jei-laya Hassan, Katelyn Mixer and Cheyenne Sexton. “All of our honorees clearly represent the highest standards in ethics, integrity and service,” said Patrick Parsons, the Don Davis Professor of Ethics. Castaneda, a first-year doctoral student whose dissertation will focus on mediated interventions for at-risk youth, was honored for her commit

ment to social justice. Along with her work in the classroom, she is working on recommendations for removal of barriers to study-abroad opportunities for low-income students and she has been an active voice as graduate students address increasing insurance premiums. Hassan, who’s completing a double major in public relations and sociology with a specialization in race relations, has organized fundraisers for the Alzheimer’s Association, been an undergraduate teaching assistant, and worked on research about the political beliefs and behaviors of millenials. She’s also a member and public relations manager for an a capalla group on campus. Mixer, an advertising/public relations major, was nominated for her work ethic, leadership and strong commitment to public relations that can “do good.” She has worked on promotions for Northwestern Pennsylvania’s 4-H youth camps, served as the public relations chair for the Penn State Blue Band and worked as an intern with Collegiate Wind Com-

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petition Team, based at Penn State, promoting “green” technology and sustainability. Sexton, an adverting/public relations major with a passion for the environment and sustainability issues, led the communications team for the EcoCAR2 effort at Penn State this year. Sexton also presented a paper about mainstream news coverage of under-represented and under-served communities at the 2013 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication convention in Washington, D.C. She also completed an internship with the Children’s Miracle Network. The Don Davis Professorship was created by Don Davis Jr. in honor of his father, Don Davis Sr., who established the advertising curriculum at Penn State in 1936 and taught most of his 37 years as a college educator at Penn State. The younger Davis, a Penn State Distinguished Alumnus, was the longtime CEO of Stanley Works who spent his life emphasizing the importance of “doing the right thing.” Both men are deceased. l

SUMMER 2014

STUDENT NEWS

Personal story shapes graduate student’s TEDx presentation She had just five minutes to share constant headaches and a limit on taps as part of her treatment and only her message but Janelle Applequist attended half-days of school as a high physical activity. knows much can happen in a lot less school senior. Her surgery was at age 14. That time, so she was excited about the op“I had to learn how to learn again,” came after a first day of school, just portunity to address attendees at the she said. “I think I was less optimistic days after the fall, when Applequist fourth annual TEDxPSU Conference about the future at that time. It’s gave a speech to incoming seventh at Penn State. not really the kind of condition they graders. As the student council presApplequist, who earned her bachcan fix. They can’t really prop your ident, she stood in front of her peers elor’s and master’s degrees from the cerebellum up in your head. Maybe in a neck brace and braces — because College of Communications, needs someday there’ll be new technology.” the fall had required some dental only to complete her dissertation to Surgeries have left Applequist, 27, adjustments as well. earn her Ph.D. She’s been without approximately six incha member of the campus es of bone at the base of her “I had to learn how to community for eight years. skull in the back of her head. learn again. I think I was Her time at the University As a result, certain physical less optimistic about and some serious health activities remain off limits and experiences have helped she has to be careful about the future at that time. shape her personally and anything she does — even a It’s not really the kind of professionally — and she sneeze. Headaches are fairly talked about that during her condition they can fix. constant, but she has completportion of the on-campus ed pain management programs They can’t really prop conference in early March. to deal with them. Plus, when your cerebellum up in your head.” “I encourage my students she does have children it can — Janelle Applequist only be by Cesarean section, to learn by listening to others and I know if they in order to prevent her from do that they can do amazing pushing and enduring the things,” Applequist said. “Learning accompanying pressure. to listen to other people is really She’s not about to complain, important.” though. Conference attendees got the “It was scary at times, for me and Watch chance to heed the advice Applequist my entire family, but I cannot stress Applequist’s gives her students when she stepped enough how much my mom, dad and TEDx talk online. to the podium for her brief speech. two older brothers taught me during “You can picture that, right?” said It took much less than five minutes the experience,” she said. “They were — just seconds really — for Applequist, Applequist, who could no longer para daily example of how to be there for ticipate on the cheerleading team bethen a 13-year-old junior high school someone, to provide a support system. cause of the injury. Eventually friends cheerleader, to fall off a trampoline And that’s something I carry into the during a summer workout and sustain started referring to her as “Aspen,” classroom with me. I want my stuthe manufacturer of the neck brace a serious head injury. A slow recovdents to know they have a person they whose label was visible on the device. ery from what was thought to be a can come to, should they ever feel In addition, almost everyone knew concussion revealed something even overwhelmed, pressured or scared. who she was. “Especially the teachers. more serious. That’s important to me.” Everybody knew I could not bump my The fall literally had shaken her Family members believe Applequist head, so everybody was always watchbrain, revealing and worsening a has supported them just as much in ing out for me,” she said. preexisting Chiari malformation — a return, and they know how she conStill, Applequist thrived at Seneca structural defect in the cerebellum nects with her students. She has two Valley High School, about 32 miles when the brain stem does not fit into older brothers, Chad and Bret. Bret north of Pittsburgh. She was always a its intended place in the skull. earned his degree in elementary edstrong student, but the head injury, “When it happened, I had all ucation from Penn State and teaches complications and surgery made kinds of problems and I guess I just third grade in the Northern Lebanon school harder. She still got As, but expected it to eventually go back to School District. He has learned a couit required more effort than before. normal. It never did,” Applequist ple of key things from his sister. She was home-schooled for half a said. Symptoms included an inability “Perseverence and toughness. to eat or even swallow. There were year while enduring numerous spinal That’s Janelle,” he said. “She’s not

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SUMMER 2014

STUDENT NEWS NEWS, NOTES

DESK DUTY

Shahkila Daniels, a senior veterinary and biomedical sciences major, started working at the White Building gym during the spring semester. (Photo by Shawn Vengoechea)

one to complain and while other people might worry about her health, she finds ways to be a part of what happens rather than simply not attempting it. Plus, she’s genuine and passionate. That sincerity helps her connect with students becuase they know she cares. As I reflect back on what she’s been through, I think I’m learning more from her now than before.” Applequist has grown from an undergraduate student, getting motivated in a COMM 410 International Mass Communications class taught by C. Michael Elavsky, an associate professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies, to teaching that very same course herself as a graduate student. “Although it’s unusual for a student to earn an undergraduate degree and then two graduate degrees at the same institution, it’s not unheard of,” said Marie Hardin. “When an exceptional student, such as Janelle, is interested in continuing with us, we’ll look at the case and decide whether it’s in the best interest of everyone involved. Janelle’s interdisciplinary work, her fit with our

faculty’s research and her strong academic record made the decision an easy one. “She is one of the most balanced, collegial and accomplished graduate students I’ve seen come through our graduate program,” Hardin said. “She brings energy and a deep level of care to any task she encounters. She’s goal-driven, but people-oriented. That’s a rare combination.” That people-oriented approach shows in Applequist’s love of teaching. In addition, she has focused her health care-related research on people and qualitative measures, the words that doctors and patients use with each other, and how patients report what they feel. In a health-care world concerned mostly with hard numbers and quantitative research, her approach is slightly different — but no less important, and potentially impactful. “I don’t think it’s so much overcoming adversity as dealing with what you have to deal with,” she said. “The experience 100 percent led me to where I am, to the researcher I am and to the chance to teach, which I love to do.” l

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l Jessica Tully, a senior majoring in journalism and political science from Wexford, Pa., was one of five Penn State students honored for leadership in their respective areas with the 2014 John W. Oswald Award. The award, established in 1983, annually recognizes graduating seniors who have provided outstanding leadership in at least one of several areas of activity. The award consists of a medallion honoring John W. Oswald, president of the University from 1970 to 1983. Tully was a writer/editor for Onward State’s Facebook page and Twitter feed, and opinions editor, campus news editor and crime reporter for The Daily Collegian. She served as a freelance reporter and news intern at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and USA Today, covering breaking news and writing investigative pieces. She was also one of eight students selected for the College’s depth reporting class and one of 17 chosen for the international reporting class. l After conducting a telephone survey that found most Centre County residents were happy and satisfied, a group of Penn State public relations students conducted a “Happy in Happy Valley” event at the end of the spring semester. The free, family-friendly event included activities and entertainment for all ages, and aimed to celebrate happiness and help residents who are not as happy. Students conducted the telephone survey in February as part of their public relations campaign class. Calls to a random sample of 412 county residents presented questions about satisfaction with things such as affordable housing, community involvement, finances, health, local government and work life. l Thirty-four College of Communications students were inducted into the Douglas A. Anderson Penn State Chapter of Kappa Tau Alpha, the national honor society for journalism and mass communication, during a ceremony at the end of the spring semester. l Two episodes of “In the Game,” the sports magazine TV show produced by College of Communications students, aired on WPSU in May. The complete episodes may be found at http:commedia.psu.edu online. l ComRadio covered the NFL Draft in May for the sixth year in a row. It remains the only student outlet to cover the draft in its entirety.

SUMMER 2014

ALUMNI NEWS

Achievement Award recognizes Gifford Lockwood

manda Gifford Lockwood, the College’s 2014 recipient of the university-wide Alumni Achievement Award, knows how to deliver. The award, given annually to no more than 10 Penn State graduates, recognizes alumni who are 35 years of age or younger who have shown extraordinary professional accomplishment. It was delivered to Amanda in ceremonies April 25 at the Nittany Lion Inn. Lockwood (’04 Journ, Edu) has delivered at ESPN for more than a decade, working on several national radio programs and events. These days, she is a program director with ESPN Radio, overseeing sports talk programming to millions of sports fans nationwide. Under her purview are the nationally syndicated “Mike & Mike in the Morning” on ESPN2 and ESPN Radio, and “The Dan LeBatard Show” on ESPN Radio. “Mike & Mike” is heard on more than 350 affiliates, including the ESPN Radio app and Sirius/XM. For nearly a decade at ESPN, Lockwood has produced national radio shows such as “ColAmanda Gifford Lockwood delivers her acceptance speech. lege GameDay” and “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.” She began at ESPN as an intern and was a ACHIEVEMENT AWARD production assistant, associate producer and producer prior to her role as program director. She played a key role Previous Alumni Achievement Award winners from the College. in organizing ESPN Radio’s annual “Don’t Ever Give Up 2013: Dan Victor (’06 Journ), The New York Times V Foundation Auction,” which has raised more than $6.5 2012: Ellyn Fisher (’99 Journ), The Advertising Council million in nine years. Lockwood has delivered as a leader, too. She was named 2011: Ryan Hockensmith (’01 Journ), ESPN a “Rising Leader” by Women in Cable Telecommunica2010: Christopher Krewson (’98 Journ), Variety tions. And for five years, she coached high school basket2009: Riva Marker (’00 Film-Video), Rosemark Pictures ball and softball in Connecticut, where her teams had a combined record of 100-21. 2008: Jessica Stuart (’96 Brcab), ABC News She has delivered as a Penn State undergraduate and as 2007: Michael Signora (’96 Journ), NFL an alumni volunteer. She earned two bachelor’s degrees 2006: Jarred Romesburg (’98 Telecom), Romesburg Media and was the student marshal for both the College of Communications and the College of Education. She is 2005: Jill Cordes (’92 Journ), Food Network a member of the College of Communications’ Board of Visitors, a regular guest lecturer on campus, and a mentor delivered again — just three weeks after returning home at events on and off campus. She has served as a moderato her husband Mike (’05 Engr) and daughter Abigail in tor for on-campus events featuring high-profile speakers, Connecticut. On May 16, Lockwood made a very special including Bob Costas, Jim Jimirro, Gerry Abrams and delivery. That’s when, at 6:16 a.m., she gave birth to her Carmen Finestra. son, Ryan Michael Lockwood. And, after visiting campus in late April to receive the award and meet with faculty and students, Lockwood It was a very special delivery, indeed.

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SUMMER 2014

ALUMNI NEWS

Alum among 25-member Peace Corps team in Kosovo A College of Communications alumna was one of two Penn Staters who accepted positions as English education volunteers in the first Peace Corps group traveling to Kosovo. The group left June 6 for their assignment in the Peace Corps’ 140th country of service and its first entry into a new county since 2007. Vera Greene, who completed bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science in 2013, and Lauren Matakas, who earned her bachelor’s degree in English in May, were accepted as two of the 25 volunteers in the inaugural group to the eastern European country. “Pioneering a new program takes a lot of patience and acceptance to change,” said Greene, whose parents met in the Peace Corps. “I’m excited to help forge this new trail with my fellow volunteers.”

While at Penn State, Greene was a reporter and editor at The Daily Collegian. She also was a member of an international reporting class Vera in the College of Greene Communications that traveled to China and she completed an internship at China Daily in Beijing. Matakas served as the director of community relations for TEDxPSU, Phi Mu-Beta Mu sisterhood development chair and the Out of the Darkness community walk captain. Both consider Penn State instrumental in their decision to serve in the Peace Corps. “Penn State and the students I met there guided me in the direction of the

Peace Corps,” said Greene, who grew up in Nashua, N.H. “The atmosphere there is an example of how dedicated individuals can change the world. I came into my own during college and am forever in debt to my university for everything it has provided me.” Penn State ranks 18th among large schools whose alumni commit to the Peace Corps with 42 undergraduate alumni volunteering worldwide. Since the first days of the Peace Corps, 1,013 Penn State alumni have traveled abroad to serve others. “When I applied, I had said I wanted ‘greatest need.’ Receiving an invite to Kosovo was absolutely incredible,” Greene said. “It’s the second youngest country in the world (only six years old), with a sometimes tumultuous past. I hope to go into international relations later on, so places like this fascinate me.” l

Alumna earns job with respected production company A College of Communications graduate has turned her internship into a full-time job. Megan Ruffe was hired as an apprentice editor for Florentine Films, the documentary production company owned by award-winning director and producer Ken Burns. Ruffe has been working on the company’s series about the Vietnam War — a 10- to 12-hour TV series that will debut on PBS in 2016 — as an intern, and she will continue her work on the project in her new role. As an apprentice editor, Ruffe will be preparing media — making the editing process easier because footage, music and photos are organized for other editors. Most of Ruffe’s responsibilities have involved media management, logging footage and editing scripts. “The best part has been working with the amazing people here,” said Ruffe. “I’m really excited. The stories being told in this series are important, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Ruffe had the opportunity to be part of a rough-cut screening of the series a few months ago. Interns were also invited to sit in on meetings with Megan the staff members Ruffe to discuss potential changes. A series of question-and-answer lunches with staff members helped interns get more information about editing, producing and writing films, too. Ruffe, from New Hope, Pa., served as the student marshal for College of Communications commencement exercises in August 2013. She earned a bachelor’s degree in film-video and a bachelor’s degree in geography. While at Penn State, Ruffe was the co-creator and editor of two short documentaries. She also directed “Stories at Sea,” an oral history project documenting the stories of people aboard the Semester at Sea MV Explorer.

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Ruffe completed a multitude of internships during her time at Penn State and studied abroad on four separate occasions. Along with Semester at Sea, she traveled to Egypt, India and London. She achieved dean’s list status every semester and was a part of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Burns, known for his use of past footage and photographs, has produced numerous award-winning documentaries for PBS, including: “The Civil War” (1990); “Baseball” (1994), which earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Series; “The War” (2007); and “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (2009), which earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series. His documentaries “Brooklyn Bridge” and “The Statue of Liberty” earned Academy Award nominations in 1981 and 1985, respectively. Burns provided the commencement address for the College of Communications and received an honorary degree from Penn State in 2010. l

SUMMER 2014

ALUMNI NEWS

Author’s career consistently moves northward — from crafting accessible policy books to well-received fiction After he had proven adept at writing engaging books about public policy, a U.S. senator called. And after that it was the president. By then, everybody knew Will Nothdurft could write. He knew long before that, though. When his eighth grade English teacher, Mrs. D’Ascoli, known for her high standards and tough grades, returned students’ critical essays of the epic poem “Evangeline,” Nothdurft was the last to receive his paper. Along with it came an explanation — to the entire class. “As you know, I always give grades for both style and content,” she said. “I have here a paper to which I have awarded William Nothdurft has written everything not two, but three A’s: one for from public policy books to a presidential style, one for content and one biography, and his move into fiction was a hit when his debut novel earned a hefty advance for something I cannot begin from a division of Random House. to explain to you.” Initially embarrassed, ghostwriting job on his book, “ComNothdurft (’77 MA Journ) embraced mon Sense Government,” and that the certainty he could write. At Penn prompted a call from President Bill State, he bolstered his skill set with Clinton to help write “Between Hope guidance from a savvy professor. and History.” “Bob Pockrass was my adviser, and “I met with him almost weekly in a wonderful man. Also patient. I took the Oval Office and in three months the thesis option — no one did, then we’d completed the book that was — and it took me a few years to come his vision for the country’s future,” up with a subject I cared about,” Nothdurft said. Nothdurft said. “Bob trusted me and Still, while Nothdurft was engaged waited.” with his work he realized his heart was Nothdurft worked for the Institute not. for Land at Water Resources at Penn He moved to Seattle and was State and that experience, combined asked to write a book about the first with his proven writing skills, helped explorer of Mount Everest (Englishhim secure a White House policy post man George Malloy who disappeared under president Jimmy Carter. Later in 1924). The result, “Ghosts of ousted because of an administration Everest,” earned widespread critical change, Nothdurft spent a decade acclaim and two international awards. writing policy books that proved It was labeled “a book of historic readable and prompted action. A call importance that reads like a detective from vice president Al Gore meant a mystery” by Publishers Weekly.

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SPENCER’S SPOT

Alumna Lara Spencer (’91 Journ) was named co-host of “Good Morning America” in April. She’s also a bestselling author — with another book on the way — and the creator and executive producer of “Flea Market Flip” on HGTV. Spencer was honored with the Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Communications in 2012.

A successful move into fiction writing followed. Under the pen name Will North, he proved he could write no matter the format. “I’d never written a sentence of fiction, didn’t think I had it in me despite people saying for years how vivid and creative my nonfiction books were,” he said. “But, something happened in my life which led to my first novel.” He wrote that first book in 90 days, secured a $200,000 advance from Random House and has never looked back. He’s working on his fifth novel, which would be the 19th book in his 35-year career. l

SUMMER 2014

ALUMNI NEWS

Rob King discusses the future of communications on various platforms during his campus visit. (Photos by John Beale)

King: Audience change drives media As vice president of news at ESPN, Penn Stater Rob King leads all news gathering operations for the all-sports network and “SportsCenter,” arguably the biggest brandname show in sports television. With a strong journalism background, including graduate studies in the College of Communications, he knows about the business of journalism, good journalism and sports. He also knows what he wants for “SportsCenter” and ESPN’s news gathering efforts does not matter nearly as much as what sports fans and viewers want. “We’re really focused on what the audience is doing and what they want,” King said during a campus visit in March when he talked with students. “You don’t expect to wait for information, and you don’t expect to pay for it, either. Most of the time you’re watching on the smallest screen you own, not the biggest. It’s not a generational thing, either. It’s a behavioral thing, and in the end everything we do is targeted toward serving fans.” King, a former staff member at The Daily Collegian, has been editor-in-chief of ESPN.com and served as a senior coordinating producer for studio production during his time at ESPN. He began his career in the newspaper business, working for the Commercial-News in Danville, Ill., the Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., and The Philadelphia Inquirer. “My job I have now has nothing to do with what I knew I was going to do when I was 22 years old,” King said. “You have to embrace the age you are. It’s hard to hear that, but

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if you want to get to the highest level of the business you have to start small and make mistakes. In order to make great stuff, you have to make a lot of really bad stuff first. And that’s OK.” Along with career advice, King addressed tropics ranging from the measurements ESPN values beyond TV ratings (specifically online behaviors such as “ad starts” and navigation behavior, and even which teams and athletes make a ratings impact) and the proliferation of sports TV networks in general. “We welcome competition. We were thrilled, really thrilled, to see Fox Sports 1 launch, because we geared up for a massive competition,” King said. “We’re in sports. We love competition. I don’t think anybody at ESPN would feel good if there were no competition. Everybody who has ever worked in a news organization knows what it’s like to get something before someone else and deliver it to an audience.” l

SUMMER 2014

ALUMNI NEWS

Wilkins works — and networks — as he crafts his career It’s not an easy road for an who support that ambition.” aspiring network-level sports Without any background play-by-play personality, or connections in sports mebut not much deters Jacob dia before he came to Penn Wilkins. State, Wilkins passion has He only knows one way to been driven with a tinge of pursue his dream job — with pragmatism. Despite strong passion and persistence. support from his family, his Wilkins, who earned his father’s connections in the broadcast journalism degree financial planning industry from Penn State in 2010, and his mother’s role as a works as a sports update teacher in Brooklyn did not anchor for WFAN-AM transfer into even superficial (the nation’s first all-sports connections in the competistation), CBS Sports Radio tive sports media world. and Sirius XM Radio. Based So, Wilkins has gladly in New York City, he also shouldered the necessary Jacob Wilkins already has ample experience on his way to handles play-by-play duties networking duties. He’s his dream of a network job. (Photo by John Meore) for Stony Brook University leaned heavily, and successWilkins, 26, had pitched an women’s basketball. fully, on College of Communications interview-style show to a few outlets Just four years after leaving the and Penn State connections, and he but found limited interest. After College of Communications, where said those networks have contributed brainstorming with a family friend, he he stayed busy in a variety of roles greatly to his success. At the same time, decided to do the show himself, hopwith ComRadio, Wilkins has already he embraces the work associated with ing the podcast would eventually draw handled play-by-play duties for a networking. short-season Class A baseball team and interest and wider distribution because “My approach is I’ll talk to anybody of its quality. completed assignments for mlb.com, and even if they’re not the right person “The toughest part was getting the the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, they might know someone,” he said. first guests. It was sort of streaky,” MSG Varsity, CBS Sports and YES “Once you open one door, you can Wilkins said. “Fortunately, we got Network. open others. A lot of it is trying to be “There are just so many opportunities a couple of good ones early and it’s tactful and the adage that you don’t found a rhythm. It’s still not easy — out there,” Wilkins said. “So far, New ask for the job. But, you might ask for and I spend more time working on York has been a great place. It’s where advice that leads to a job.” the podcast, just lining up guests and I’m from, not that I’m tied to the city, Still, he stays busy as a sports update scheduling, than the other jobs — but but I’ve been able to stay busy.” anchor for the three outlets, balancing it’s worth it.” As if balancing several jobs was not his schedule between WFAN and CBS As Wilkins pursues his network enough, Wilkins created more work Sports Radio because both are located for himself last fall, launching a regular dream job, his commitment to in the same building. Also, the WFAN podcast titled “Let’s Talk” that recently networking, with a sincere interest schedule comes every month and the in getting better and getting to know welcomed College Football Playoff CBS Sports Radio schedule every three people in the industry, provides an executive director Bill Hancock. Preweeks. After that, Sirius XM shifts unmistakable calling card. He’s driven vious guests include New York Giants round things out. It’s a process Wilkins and sincere about meeting media and running back Tiki Barber, Fox Sports compares to completing a puzzle. “My sports personalities. He’s authentic, play-by-play man Kenny Albert and bosses deserve a lot of credit, too,” he not a schmoozer or someone simply YES Network host Bob Lorenz. said. “They’ve all been willing to be collecting contact information. Wilkins has also interviewed Penn flexile and work with my fluctuating “I’m constantly learning and Staters for the show, including Carmen schedule.” networking is something you try to Finestra (’71), the co-creator of “Home He then tracks down guests for improve on,” Wilkins said. “It’s about Improvement” and former supervising “Let’s Talk,” and prepares for those developing relationships and learning producer for “The Cosby Show,” and interviews in what time remains. Mitch Lukevics (’76), director of minor how to better present myself as well “I really do love the craft,” as really listening to people. I’ve tried league operations for the Tampa Bay Wilkins said. “It’s busy, but it’s supRays. to be fairly ambitious and find people posed to be.” l

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SUMMER 2014

ALUMNI NEWS

Marathon run for charity benefits others, boosts alum For the 31,931 runners who completed the 2014 Boston Marathon it was not just another race. A year after the tragic bombing at the historic event, every participant brought additional motivation and experienced heightened emotions during the 26.2mile race through the streets of Boston. Twenty-six-year old Jessica Davis (’09 Adv/PR) was one of those motivated competitors. She was running for a reason, and participating even led to an unexpected professional opportunity that matches her personal passion. Still, overcoming memories of 2013 was the first challenge. “Last year I was on the course running with my friend when the bombs went off. It was a tragic day for runners, spectators and the entire city,” Davis said. “I promised myself that day that I would run in 2014.” The fear and shock of 2013 were in direct contrast to a typical Patriot’s Day in Boston. With the Marathon traditionally contested on that holiday Monday, which usually includes a home game for the Boston Red Sox as well, many people anticipate the activities as a positive sign of summer. “The energy is insane. People wake up early in the morning to line 26.2 miles surrounding the city and suburbs to support strangers in the race,” Davis said. “Last year was shocking. The streets of Back Bay were like ghost towns with the exception of bits of trash and debris and lots of stoic police officers. The day was ruined. That was why it was important for me to run. I wanted to take the day back for the runners, the ones we lost or who were injured, and for the city I love.” With a record-setting turnout, she was not alone. And she was one of many running for a charitable cause. Davis completed her first full marathon in 2012. She has run a dozen half marathons. She finished at Boston in 3 hours, 51 minutes. Davis represented Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary during the marathon. Mass Eye and Ear is a hospital

Alumna Jessica Davis completed the Boston Marathon in 3 hours, 51 minutes.

dedicated to the care of disorders that affect the ear, eye, nose, throat and adjacent areas of the head and neck. The hospital helped treat victims after last year’s bombing. Davis raised $8,123. Along with the hospital’s role in last year’s recovery, Davis also had a personal motivation. “Each person in my family suffers from vision problems at the most basic level because we wear glasses and contacts. I am 26, and most recently, my ophthalmologist told me that my eyes were maturing at a rapid rate, which is very troublesome,” Davis said. “In addition, my father had both cataracts removed from his eyes, my mom and sister suffer from vertigo, and I have struggled with sleep disorders since infancy.” The marathon also led to a profes-

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sional opportunity for Davis. After working as a sales manager for a corporate catering company in Boston for two years, she accepted a position at an organization called RaceWire shortly after the marathon. RaceWire provides electronic timing and online registration for road races, triathlons, duathons and other events. “After my experience running the marathon, it was clear to me I wanted to be in an industry that was so positive and inspiring. When the RaceWire opportunity presented itself, it was hard to turn down,” Davis said. “It is a small company, so I am sure I will be doing a lot of everything, but most of my time will be surrounding sales, expanding the business presence in New England and executing our race events.” — Mary Elder

SUMMER 2014

ALUMNI NEWS

“Loyalty, pride, confidence, charity and honor. To the world you’ll face, these values are as important as anything else about you. It’s what Penn State has given you. And, I promise, that these are the values that will set you apart from everyone else.”

— Linda Yaccarino (’85 Telecom), president of advertising sales for NBCUniversal, in her commencement address

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(Photos by Steve Manuel)

SUMMER 2014

ALUMNI NOTES 1980s Joyce Venezia Suss (’80 Journ) was named editor of the BergenCounty. com, a division of North Jersey Media Group. She and her family live in Ridgewood, N.J. Thomas Judd (’89 Film) served as director of photography for the feature film “Injun,” which premiered at the Central Florida Film Festival. He lives in Orlando. John Dolan (’89 Adv, ’13 PhD Edu) is director of executive education for the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife Teresa Sullivan (’90 Sci, Lib) and their children.

1990s Jack Freeman (’90 Adv/PR) is the creative director and marketing director for American Program Bureau, one of the country’s largest speaker, celebrity and entertainment agencies. He and his family reside in Needham, Mass. Brian Hunn (’93 Adv/PR) is vice president, group creative director at DigitasLBi in New York. Suzanne Clement Libby (’97 Adv/ PR) and husband Reed have sons Spencer and Nicholas “Marco,” born April 24, 2012. They live in Arlington, Va. David Jefferis (’98 Telecom) married Trisha Boslet (’12 H&HD) on Dec. 28, 2013. They live in Kennett Square, Pa. Rachel Litcofsky (’98 Adv/PR) is a public relations consultant for the nonprofit The Good People Fund. Sunetra Sen Narayan (’98 Telecom, ’02 PhD MassComm) recently published “Globalization and Television: A Study of the Indian Experience, 1990-2010” (2014, Oxford University Press). She is an associate professor at the Indian Institute of Mass Communications.

Alumnus publishes 13th short story with ‘The Deadliest Game’ What happens when a group of wealthy hunters gets tired of the usual prey of deer and bears? They decide to hunt on “The Deadliest Game,” and Michael Danese that’s the focus of the latest fictional short story — the 13th such story —by alumnus Michael Danese. “My ideas come from many sources,” said Danese (’77 Film-Video), who lives in Allentown, Pa. “A rash of school shootings led me to ‘Julie’s War.’ The TV show ‘Dexter’ inspired ‘The Lost Boy.’ Watching about 20 minutes of the second Hunger Games movie with my daughter eventually led me to ‘The Deadliest Game.’ Sometimes the spark just appears in my head, and sometimes it needs to be drawn out.” Danese manages the visual communications department at Allentown-based Air Products. His unit produces photos, videos and webcasts that he directs and edits. Even after investing all that creative energy in his daily job, Danese still has plenty of ideas for his growing list of short stories. In “The Deadliest Game” the men being hunted are death-row inmates who volunteer to participate. If they survive, they win their freedom. According to the rules of the game, there are five hunters and five “runners”

2000s Daryl Lang (’01 Journ) and Sydney Applegate were married Nov. 9, 2013, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Daryl is the copy manager for Shutterstock, the online photo and video library. Sydney is a production designer for Kate Spade New York. They live in New York. Elizabeth (Sarcia) Johnson (’02 Adv/PR) and Gary Johnson (’02 Bus) welcomed daughter, Ella Catherine,

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in the 10-square-mile area. Hunters are armed with a .22 rifle and runners have only a machete. Part of the story focuses on a runner named Jim, who was framed for murder, has been on death row for six years and misses hs wife and two daughters. The story also focuses on a father and son-in-law pair of hunters. The father, Jake, lives for the game, while his son-in-law, Pete, is not thrilled about killing animals and cannot bare the thought of killing humans. The short story ends with an interesting twist. All of Danese’s stories are available online. — Mary Elder on Aug. 13, 2013. Big brother Luke is 3. Elizabeth is director of public relations and content development at Frost Miller Group. Jason Bartolone (’03 Journ) is the East Manatee editor of the Bradenton (Fla.) Herald. Leah Benedict Krull (’03 Ad/PR, Lib) and husband Mark (’03 Bus) have children Grant, 3, and Maddox “Max” John, born May 15, 2013. They live in Hershey, Pa.

SUMMER 2014

ALUMNI NOTES Jeanine (Noce) Larson (’04 Journ) earned three first-place finishes, three second-place finishes, two third-place finishes and an honorable mention in the North Dakota Professional Communications (NDPC) contest. Larson was honored for her work on the web and with social media in a variety of approaches, including website editing/management, blogs, social media campaigns and writing. She was named the 2014 Communicator of Achievement for the NDPC and will represent her state at the National Federation of Press Women national contest Sept. 4-6 in Greenville, S.C. Monica Pryts (’04 Journ), a staff writer for Allied News in Grove City, Pa., recently earned two honors for a series of articles about local gas and oil drilling issues. They were: first place, ongoing news coverage, Keystone Press Awards; and finalist, public service category, “Best of CNHI” awards, sponsored by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. Alison Herget (’05 Journ) is assistant director of admissions at Brandeis University. Justine Maki (’05 Journ) is a copy editor on the metro desk of The New York Times. April Trotter (’07 Journ) was recently named to Editor & Publisher’s “25 Under 35” feature. She works as niche publications editor for the York Daily Record. Maggie Shuttlesworth (’08 Journ) is employed by Commonwealth Media Services in Harrisburg, Pa., and works as a photographer and multimedia specialist for the Governor’s Office and other state agencies. Regan Hutchins (’09 Journ) gave birth to a daughter, Rory, and a son, Connor, on Feb. 22, 2014, in Hazleton, Pa. Brittany Wilson (’09 Journ) is assistant sports editor at the York Daily Record.

2010s Rossilynne (Skena) Culgan (’10 Journ, Lib) accepted a job as market

News to share? Engaged? Married? Honored? Promoted? Proud Parents? Whatever the news, just let us know and we’ll spread the word with other College of Communications alumni. Submit Alumni Notes online http://comm.psu.edu/alumni ing and communications manager at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh.

WVEC-TV in Norfolk, Va. Tyler Sizemore (’12 Journ) is a photographer at The News-Times in Danbury, Conn. Brian Yermal (’12 Journ) is a copy editor and page designer at the Altoona (Pa.) Mirror. Dan Yesenosky (’12 Journ) is a multimedia journalist at WCNC-TV in Charlotte, N.C. Jared Abbott (’13 Journ) is the director of broadcasting and media relations for the Elmira Jackals. Mike Hricik (’13 Journ) is a reporter at the Dickinson (N.D.) Press. Emily Kaplan (’13 Journ) is a writer and reporter at Sports Illustrated. Paige Minemyer (’13 Journ) is a reporter at the Altoona (Pa.) Mirror.

Marcus Pringle (’10 Journ) is an associate attorney for Roetzel. He lives in Hudson, Ohio.

Anita Oh (’13 Journ) is a reporter at WMAZ-TV in Macon, Ga.

Lauren (Grimes) Selman (’10, Adv/ PR) was recently named the public relations manager for AFI Docs Film Festival in Washington, D.C.

Allison Ornik (’13 Film) accepted a full-time position at The Gersh Agency, a talent and literary agency in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Nathan D. Waterman (’10 Telecom) is an interactive designer with Avrett Free Ginsberg in New York City.

Victoria Wain (‘13 Journ) is a video producer for the Diocese of Charleston.

Andy Colwell (’11 Journ, A&A) won the 2014 Edith Hughes Emerging Journalist Award in the Pennsylvania News Media Keystone Awards. Elizabeth Murphy (’11 Journ) is a communications manager for the League of American Bicyclists.

Matt Strohmier (’13 Journ) is a producer at WTAJ-TV, Altoona/Johnstown, Pa. Anna Orso (’14 Journ) is a reporter at the Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa. Kristin Stoller (’14 Journ) is a reporter at the New Haven (Conn.) Register.

Ryan Staloff (’11 Journ) is a production assistant at ESPN. Kevin Byrne (’12 Journ) is an online journalist at AccuWeather. Justin Cortes (’12 Adv/PR) is the corporate communications coordinator for VillageCare and VillageCareMAX, MLTC in New York City. Kaila DeRienzo (’12 Journ) recently accepted a new job as a reporter for

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SUMMER 2014

COLLEGE CALENDAR AUG 16

Summer Commencement

AUG 25

Fall Semester Classes Begin

(10 a.m., Bryce Jordan Center)

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HOW TO REACH US

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SEPT 12-14

Black Alumni Reunion

SEPT 26-28

Homecoming Weekend

(Various Locations)

Mike Poorman, Director of Alumni Relations Steve Sampsell, Director of College Relations Janet Klinefelter, Development Assistant Sue Beals, Administrative Assistant DEANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OFFICE

OCT College of Communications Open House 4 OCT Foster-Foreman Conference of Distinguished Writers 7-8 OCT 10-12

Parents and Families Weekend

OCT 12-13

Ad/PR Alumni Board Meeting

OCT 26-27

Alumni Society Board Meeting

NOV 22-29

Thanksgiving Holiday

DEC 12

Fall Semester Classes End

DEC 15-19

Fall Semester Final Exams

DEC 20

Fall Semester Commencement

JAN 12

Spring Semester Classes Begin

MAR 8-14

Spring Break

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