CommunicatorW09

Vol. 14, No. 1

Winter 2009

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

Contents

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CARNEGIE NEWS

Feature: State-of-the-Art Facility to Enhance Program Webcasts Provide Experience • Lecture Series, Programs

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FACULTY/STAFF NEWS Feature: NSF Grant Supports Study of Interactivity Awards for Faculty Work • Assistant Dean Named

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS Trustee Scholarships Honor Family Members Faculty Member Endows Award • Honor Roll

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STUDENT NEWS Feature: International Reporting Class to Visit China Active PRSSA Chapter • GE Partnership Award

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62 DEPARTMENTS

From the Dean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Faculty Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Alumni Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 The College: How to Reach Us . . . . 63

ALUMNI NEWS Feature: Statistician to the Stars • Alumni Fellow Alumni Authors • Alumni Awards • Alumni Notes

The Communicator is published twice a year by the College of Communications at Penn State.

Dean: Douglas A. Anderson Editor, Layout: Steve Sampsell Publication Policies All items relating to the College and its faculty, staff, students and alumni will be considered for publication.

All correspondence should be directed to: The Communicator College of Communications The Pennsylvania State University 302 James Building University Park, PA 16801-3867 Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce. U.Ed. COM 10-50

33 ON THE COVER: Distinguished Professor S. Shyam Sundar (center) and doctoral students Qian Xu (left) and Saraswathi Bellur earned support from the National Science Foundation for their study of interactivity. See story, page 12. (Photo by John Beale)

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Here are some numbers that highlight our progress: ❚ The College’s fall 2009 record undergraduate minority enrollment of 402 is up from 288 in 1999, a 40 percent increase. ❚ 184 of the College’s undergraduates are African American, 6.3 percent of its total enrollment. This is the highest percentage of University Park’s 11 academic colleges. ❚ 112 of the College’s undergraduates are Hispanic, 3.9 percent. This is the second highest percentage of UP’s 11 academic colleges. ❚ 11 of the College’s graduate students are minorities, 13.9 percent. This is the second highest percentage of UP’s 11 academic colleges. ❚ 127 of the College’s minorities earned baccalaure-

he College recently completed a report on the diversity progress it made from 2004 through 2009.

We’re guided by Penn State’s “Framework to Foster Diversity” and we adhere to the basic principles set by our national accrediting body.

The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications notes: “Programs should be committed to diversity and inclusiveness.

To inform and enlighten, the professionals of journalism and mass communications should understand and reflect the diversity and complexity of people, perspectives and beliefs in a global society and in the multicultural communities they serve.”

We are pleased with our progress, but we recognize we must do more.

In a nutshell, our everincreasing percentage of minority students exceeds University averages; our curricular emphasis on international mass communications and study-abroad programs has been expanded; our list of courses that includes diversity modules is extensive; we sponsor an extraordinary number of student organizations, special events and programs that enhance the environment for minority groups and cultures; and we possess an infrastructure to keep our wheels of progress in motion.

Indeed, the College has a strong system in place.

Our Office of Multicultural Affairs actively is engaged in recruitment and retention, counseling, workshops, and special programming.

Also contributing significantly to our intertwined diversity efforts are our Office of Academic Services and its six full-time advisers; our Office of Internships; and the heads and faculty members of each of our four departments.

We rely upon a combination of the people, the programs, the coordination, the cooperation and, ultimately, the accountability that can push diversity efforts forward—over time—and keep them going.

Sustainability requires more than the commitment of a few individuals, no matter how dedicated; it requires teamwork within a strong infrastructure that also includes university-level support services.

From the Dean

ate degrees in 2008-2009—a whopping 159 percent increase from 10 years ago, when 49 were graduated. ❚ 71 percent of the College’s minority undergraduates earned their baccalaureate degrees in four years in the most recent cohort for whom statistics are available.

This is 20 points higher than UP’s overall rate of 51 percent. ❚ 9.4 percent of the College’s staff members are minorities. This is the highest percentage of UP’s 11 academic colleges and well above the average UP academic college rate of 4.8 percent. ❚ 117 of the College’s course sections contain a diversity component—nearly double the number of sections we offered in 2001.

Numbers alone cannot measure the heart and soul of a college, but we are encouraged by the measurable progress we have made.

As I have noted previously, we recognize that enhancing diversity is not a sprint.

It’s a long-distance race—and even though we are gratified that we have made considerable progress, we have the desire, drive and stamina to continue our efforts.

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Room to Grow CARNEGIE CLOSE-UP

An important part of upgrades for the College’s Division of Broadcasting is a new-look studio (artist’s rendering above) that will serve as home for student programming, including “Centre County Report,” which is currently produced out of the existing studio (below left). (Photo by Mark Selders)

State-of-the-art facility upgrade to enhance course offerings, provide more hands-on opportunities for students.

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ith award-winning shows, often first-on-thescene reports and entertaining features, broadcast journalism students responsible for the weekly “Centre County Report” television news program have capitalized on the valuable capstone experience that combines classroom instruction and TV production in the College of Communications.

At the same time, the growth of a top-notch multimedia journalism program has helped students acquire and hone necessary skills to compete and thrive in an everchanging media marketplace.

To further enhance those opportunities—and to better leverage the strengths of increased collaboration—the College of Communications has committed to an expansion to serve its Department of Film-Video and Media

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In addition to a second control room at Innovation Park, the upgrades will include a dedicated editing area for film-video students, an expanded equipment room and more than 4,000 square feet of renovated space. (Photo by Mark Selders)

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Carnegie Close-Up

building, as well as addiStudies, its Division of SPACE SPECIFICS tional existing space, will be Broadcasting and all comrenovated to create a cutmunications students who As part of the expansion, renovation and upgrades, areas ting-edge editing and shootutilize video equipment to be brought online or improved include: ing facility for film-video owned by the College. students. On the same That expansion includes 600 square feet added to the equipment room; floor, the equipment room the addition and renovawill be expanded to nearly tion of more than 4,000 1,300 square feet for a new shooting space and editdouble in size—providing square feet of space at ing area for film-video; and much-needed room for the Innovation Park on the 3,050 square feet (including offices) for the new mul- high-tech equipment used eastern edge of the timedia center, which will house the TV studio, control by students on a daily basis.

University Park campus. room and nine multi-platform editing bays in an open “Space is hard to come Two buildings at floorplan that will facilitate interaction. by on campus, and our Innovation Park already facilities are spread over a serve as homes for College few different buildings, both in the center of campus of Communications classrooms and facilities. The and at Innovation Park,” said Karen Mozley-Bryan, buildings near the Penn Stater Conference Center manager of facilities for the College. “Dean Doug Hotel house: classrooms; faculty offices; radio producAnderson deserves credit for having the foresight to tion labs; a studio for ComRadio (the Internet-based, accommodate our growth. When space became avail24/7 streaming station housed in the College); a televiable at Innovation Park, we were able to take advantage sion studio; several digital editing labs; and the equipof the opportunity and start planning for the future.” ment room where students check out video cameras That future should become a reality by the start of and related hardware. the 2010-11 academic year.

According to architectural plans, all of the additions Along with alterations to existing space on the secand renovations will be in Lubert Building, located at ond floor of the building occupied by the College, ren101 Innovation Boulevard. ovations on the first floor of the same building will creSpecifically, space that serves as the newsroom for ate a second state-of-the-art television studio and con“Centre County Report” on the second floor of the

Carnegie Close-Up

trol room as well as a multiwhat exists in terms of outmedia newsroom and faculty put from other communicaoffices. tions programs across the College administrators country.

Although the existing and faculty members envifacilities were already topsion endless possibilities with notch—and drew nods of the combination of “CCR” approval from ESPN and the burgeoning—and President George already respected—multimeBodenheimer, who made a dia journalism approach campus visit and tour durpracticed at Penn State. ing the fall semester— “On one level, we want to Wasbotten, Chandler and be the defacto newscast of all those involved appreciate record for Centre County. the need for continued We also want to be able to improvements. serve neighboring communi“As a student-centered ties by training and helping College, we have a vision for journalists in rural areas or what we want to provide our smaller markets to understudents, and it will be an stand how to use the Web effort unlike any other,” and online resources,” said Wasbotten said.

Thor Wasbotten, assistant Specifically, Wasbotten dean for student media and points to daily TV news online operations. He teachshows at schools such as es the class that produces Missouri and Southern “CCR” and oversees the relaCalifornia and more of a tionship between that show, Web-based news presence at ComMedia (the showcase Florida and North Carolina. site for student work online, Hands-on opportunities for students will increase with the He and Chandler envision availability of two separate television studios. http://commedia.psu.edu) Penn State as the home of a (Photo by Mark Selders) and ComRadio. truly multi-platform, 24/7 “Right now we have our newscast produced by the news entity that goes beyond scheduled newscasts and CCR students, and we also have a Web site that we’re incorporates blogs and more. putting together,” he said. “Our efforts will become Along with altered delivery and enhanced quality, more strategically driven, and will take all of our profes- the expansion and upgrade of facilities creates numersional output courses and put them under one roof to ous opportunities. allow for more cross-platform reporting and cross trainWhen completed, two operating TV studios will be ing.” available—meaning that more class-related shows (probaIn name, the combination of efforts becomes the bly a public affairs news program) and more studentCenter for Media Innovation. Faculty members believe generated programming can be created. As a result, it can make innovation a reality. younger students in the program (freshmen and sopho“We have the ability to provide students with handsmores) will have opportunities to get involved earlier with production. on, real-life experiences with approaches and technoloPlus, the facility improvements impact the College in gies that are reshaping journalism,” said Curt Chandler, ways that stretch beyond those activities in the a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism who Department of Journalism because of the space created formerly served as editor for online innovation and director of photography for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In specifically for film-video students and the necessary expansion of the equipment room.

November, Chandler conducted a four-day multimedia Along with the space comes more cutting-edge editworkshop in Rome for the Vatican press corps. ing equipment, too.

As part of the preparation for the expansion and “It’s a positive change on many levels, something that upgrade, College faculty and staff toured other facilities benefits our various programs in numerous ways,” said and talked with news directors and organizations in Dean Anderson. “We’re excited about the facilities and large and small markets. ● In addition, College administrators and faculty know what they can mean for the College.”

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Carnegie News

DAY OF CARING Staff members from the College of Communications participated in the annual Day of Caring conducted by the Centre County United Way during the fall. Their duties for the day included cleaning windows, organizing a library in a local community building, sweeping and yard work.

Nikon Program Provides Enhancements for College, Students

Securely stored in the basement of Carnegie Building, professional Nikon photography equipment, worth more than $32,000, is signed out to advanced photojournalism students on a daily basis.

Since 2006, the College of Communications has participated in the Nikon College Locker Program, which is run through Nikon Professional Services. John Beale, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism, connected the College with the respected equipment manufacturer three years ago. Since then, the College has received more than $100,000 worth of high-end photography equipment on loan from Nikon.

Each summer, Beale and other photojournalism instructors request equipment for the upcoming school year that is tailored to the needs of the curriculum and students. The equipment is in turn loaned for the duration of the school year and is returned to Nikon Professional Services the following July.

“Through the Nikon College

Locker Program, our students have the opportunity to use the latest technology available at no cost to the University,” Beale said. “Our students are using equipment that many professionals would love to have available to them.”

In addition, Beale has the ability to request new equipment as it comes out throughout the year.

For instance, the Nikon Locker in the Carnegie Building has recently become home to the D3, a camera that is relatively new to the professional photography scene. A camera body alone carries a $4,999.95 retail price.

With expensive equipment comes tight security. Equipment is released to students for a 24-hour period and is monitored by Jeremy Wright, system administrator, and a student employee.

Michael Felletter, an advanced photojournalism student and a photographer for The Daily Collegian, is a regular in the Nikon equipment room and a fan of the D3 as well as the other equipment offered

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through the Nikon program. While he does own some of his own photography equipment, he admits that his college experience would be “much, much different” without access to the equipment provided by Nikon.

“With access to this equipment I have been able to shoot better in sports by using expensive lenses and bodies that I would otherwise never have access to,” Felletter, a senior, said. “Also I have been working on a photo story where my subject lives in a poorly lit apartment and the use of the D3 and its excellent ISO levels have made it possible to get some great photos.”

Ford Risley, head of the Department of Journalism, is also appreciative of Nikon’s generosity, providing students with equipment the College would not be able to afford.

“We’re very grateful to Nikon. It has just been such a benefit to our photojournalism program as it grows,” said Risley.

— Jennifer Quinlan (’10)

Carnegie News

Successful Webcasts Build on Class Preparation

SCommunications produced

tudents from the College of

three webcasts in five days during Homecoming week, including their fifth consecutive webcast of Penn State’s annual Homecoming parade—the largest event of its kind in the nation.

Before the parade, though, students produced back-to-back, live webcasts of outdoor productions of “Romeo and Juliet.”

The play was performed by the University Resident Theatre Company on the lawn of the Hintz Family Alumni Center.

The webcasts included interviews with the artists, a history of the performers and live backstage footage before the performances.

Naomi McCormack, an assis- A student director eyes camera options during a live webcast of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ from the Hintz Family Alumni Center. Students produced coverage of the play and the annual Homecoming tant professor who led a class parade. In the spring semester, students produce coverage of the Penn State Dance Marathon. specifically focused on the (Photo by John Beale) “Romeo and Juliet” webcast, webcasts were similarly successful. assisted with the students’ production. Karen Mozley“The Homecoming parade and the production of Bryan, manager of facilities for the College of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ both presented exciting challenges Communications, provided technical support. for our students,” said Matt Jackson, an associate pro“The students attended rehearsals and were excited fessor and head of the Department of about producing the webcast,” said McCormack. “Our Telecommunications.

“The production crews had to main challenges were the aesthetics and complications deal with the added complications of setting up and of live switching between three cameras in a dramatic producing a live event in unpredictable conditions far production.” from the comfort of a control room and studio. That The live webcast of the Homecoming parade resulted included dealing with lighting and weather-related from two separate classes taught by Maria CabreraBaukus. Students in COMM 498B Webcast Production issues as well as crowd control.”

Other faculty and staff from the College of focused on the parade itself while students in COMM Communications involved in the parade webcast 383 Production Administration produced a show that included: Chris Maurer, Mozley-Bryan and Mike took a behind-the-scenes look at activities in preparaZelazny, who provided technical support. tion for Homecoming.

Along with the College and its Department of “My students were very excited by the fact that their Telecommunications, the webcasts involved collaboraclass work would extend beyond the walls of the classtion and coordination between several Penn State units, room,” Cabrera-Baukus said. “This production gave them including the School of Theatre, WPSU-TV, the Office real-world experience that they really crave and enjoy.” of Physical Plant and Information Technology Services.

This year that experience also had an extra degree of “Students get to apply the skills they have learned in difficulty, thanks to Mother Nature. A record-setting their telecommunications courses to produce live events snowstorm hit Happy Valley the night of the parade, that will be viewed all over the world,” Jackson said. forcing student producers and all those involved with “We are happy to provide students with an opportunity the webcast to scramble and deal with unexpected to practice their skills and, more importantly, to give weather. something back to the community.” ● Still, the show came off without a hitch—and the play

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An alumna—and a leading media and cultural studies scholar—presented the fall 2009 Robert M. Pockrass Memorial Lecture, titled “Consuming Latina Bodies Through the Global Media,” and said the media present Latina women in an overly sexualized manner.

“The media influence and mirror our ideological values about minorities,” said Isabel Molina (‘92 Com), an associate professor of Latina/Latino studies, media and cinema stud- Isabel ies, and gender and women’s studies at the Molina University of Illinois. “It confirms our longheld beliefs and anxieties about groups we know little about.”

Molina serves as director of the Latina/Latino

Studies Program at Illinois. She is the cofounder and former chair of the Ethnicity, Race In Communication Division of the International Communication Association.

Molina’s research and publications focus on the contemporary politics of ethnicity, race and gender in the media.

Examining gendered narratives on news, television, film and the Internet, she has published journal articles and book chapters on a variety of case studies.

Her book "Dangerous Curves: Latina Bodies in the Media" (2010, New York University Press) explores both the media popularity and social backlash toward Latinas in the media. ●

WONDERFUL WORKSHOP For the second year in a row, faculty members from the College of Communications helped coordinate the Keystone Multimedia Workshop, during which a mix of professional and student participants used audio, still photography and video to create stories for the Web. The session at Penn State focused on the 40th annual Pennsylvania Special Olympics Summer Games. (Photos by John Beale)

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Carnegie News

Pockrass Lecture Addresses Latina Media Portrayals

Carnegie News Foster Conference visitors Mark Feeney (left) and Sonia Nazario (right), both Pulitzer Prize winners, participated in standing-room-only auditorium sessions and spent time one-on-one with students during their campus visits. (Photos by John Beale)

Visitors Encourage Students to Tap Passions, Senses

Two award-winning journalists who made campus visits during the fall told students they believe in the power of journalism to affect change and that what a journalist sees can mean just as much as what he or she writes.

As part of the Foster Conference of Distinguished Writers, Sonia Nazario, the former Los Angeles Times writer whose article became a novel (“Enrique’s Journey”), said journalism was the rare profession in which someone can identify a problem and help instill change.

Her 2003 article about a Honduran boy who traveled more than 1,500 miles by hitchhiking and riding on the top of train cars became a novel, and might become a made-for-television movie as well.

Her investment in the story included more than three months of time, including incidents that tested her ethics when interviewing and meeting Enrique, who had at times not eaten.

“I knew he was miserable, but I didn’t feel he was in imminent danger,” Nazario told the audience at her lecture. “I would have helped if he was in imminent danger, but

then I couldn’t have used what happened because I had altered it.”

Nazario’s stories have focused on difficult issues including hunger, drug addiction and immigration.

“Enrique’s Journey” won more than a dozen awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing and the George Polk Award for international reporting.

Along with writing and reporting, the balanced conference allowed the campus visitors to cite the importance of editing as well.

“A good editor is like a trampoline and can make you go higher than you would have on your own,” said Mark Feeney of the Boston Globe, an arts critic and the first critic to participate in the conference since its inception in 1999.

Feeney, a Pulitzer Prize winner himself, said journalists should use their senses to make sense of the world around them.

“The single most important part of being a journalist is being alert,” Feeney said. “Keep your eyes open.

“Be interested in everything around you. Make a living off of being interested.”

Feeney has worked at the Globe

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as a researcher, writer and editor since graduating from Harvard in 1979. He is the author of “Nixon at the Movies” and was awarded the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for criticism for his “penetrating and versatile command of the visual arts, from film and photography to painting.”

The mix of visitors for the conference since its inception has been extraordinary. Counting Feeney and Nazario, more than two dozen Pulitzer Prize winners have visited campus as part of the Foster Conference since it was created a decade ago.

“We’re always proud of the visitors we get,” said Ford Risley, head of the Department of Journalism.

“This year was no exception. They brought different experiences and valuable insights.”

The Foster Conference was created by Larry Foster, a 1948 Penn State graduate, and his wife, Ellen Miller Foster, a 1949 graduate, who gave $500,000 to endow a professorship and the program—with the goal of supporting new strategies for exposing students to top writers and improving students’ writing skills. ●

ESPN ENTOURAGE ESPN President George Bodenheimer (second from right) and students from ComRadio, the Internet-based, 24/7 radio station housed in the College of Communications, listen as Chris LaPlaca (right), ESPN’s senior vice president of corporate communications, shares a story about radio sales during a campus visit. Bodenheimer, whose son James is a Penn State student, and LaPlaca toured communications classrooms and studios during the visit.

Speaker Addresses Privacy Online

An expert on privacy protection in the digital age served as the featured speaker for the Don Davis Symposium in Advertising Ethics and addressed online privacy during a free public session during the fall semester.

Ari Schwartz, vice president and chief operating officer of the Center for Democracy and Technology, addressed Internet advertising, behavioral marketing and consumer privacy during the session. His presentation was clearly tailored to a college-aged audience familiar with Facebook and comfortable with sharing much about themselves online.

“Younger people have always felt differently about privacy than older

people,” Schwartz said. “It doesn’t mean they care less.”

Schwartz stressed that students should protect themselves—and that what they post on Facebook, or anywhere online, can impact them and their careers.

Patrick Parsons, the Don Davis Professor of Ethics, moderated the session titled “Out of Control: Privacy in Online Advertising.” The Davis Symposium is designed to serve as a forum to discuss current issues related to advertising with the strong potential to directly influence the lives of the consuming public. Campaigns that have personal relevance to the end users are of particular interest. ●

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● Visitors for sessions conducted by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism during the fall semester included Michael Aresco, executive vice president of CBS Sports, and John Lowe, president of the Baseball Writers Association of America. ● Curt Chandler, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism who formerly served as editor for online innovation and director of photography for the Pittsburgh PostGazette, conducted a four-day multimedia workshop in Rome in late November. The session was for members of the Vatican press corps, including reporters from the Catholic News Service, the United Nations, the International Herald Tribune and representatives of aid agencies, among them Caritas Internationalis and the Jesuit Refugee Service. ● An internationally respected media expert and entrepreneur shared his experience and insights with Penn State students and the public during a two-day visit to the University Park campus in early November. David Mathison presented a free lecture titled “Be The Media: Entrepreneurial Media Models, Activism and Policy.” In addition, he visited classes on media activism and media ethics. Mathison is a media consultant, author, publisher, speaker and hi-tech entrepreneur. His book, “Be the Media,” offers solid, practical and proven techniques that show artists how to inexpensively create and widely distribute their content.

Carnegie News

Notes, Numbers

Research Rewards FACULTY/STAFF CLOSE-UP

Latest grant, a sizable award from NSF, keeps scholars on cutting edge.

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s the ever-growing network of digital media speeds through the first decade of the 21st century, adding “interactive” options at an almost dizzying pace, a group of Penn State communications researchers plans to evaluate how all that interactivity really affects those who consume the media.

While things such as chat functions on social-networking sites, customization options for Web portals and scrollbars in mobile texting devices regularly get hailed as advances, the researchers hope to find out whether the interactive options really lead to richer user engagement with the medium and its contents.

The National Science Foundation has awarded $432,313—the largest single research grant ever for the College of Communications—to support the timely project. Conducted over a two-year period, the project will involve graduate and undergraduate communications students.

The researchers will experimentally investigate three species of interactivity corresponding to the three central elements of communication—source, medium and message—as proposed by Distinguished Professor S. Shyam Sundar, the principal investigator on the project.

The work is based on his model of interactivity effects published recently in the Oxford Handbook of Internet Psychology. The researchers propose a series of six separate experiments, all focusing on the ways in which different kinds of interactivity influence user engagement as well as other outcomes of interest.

“The scope of the NSF grant will allow us to study not only individual effects but also combinatory and cumulative effects that arise from source, medium and message-based interactivity,” said Saraswathi Bellur, a fourth-year doctoral student in the College of Communications and one of the two project coordinators. The planned studies “will also help address the larger academic debate about paradoxical effects of interactivity, where very high levels of interactivity could be either positively engaging or overwhelm the user and lead to negative effects,” she added.

Bellur noted that the grant provides an excellent opportunity to test the overall theoretical model.

“In addition to the laboratory experiments that allow us to have better control over the participants and procedures, the field experiments in this research will provide us an opportunity to

Distinguished Professor S. Shyam Sundar’s research on the Internet and related issues makes him an expert in the field. (Photo by John Beale)

explore user behavior and psychology in a more natural environment,” said Qian Xu, the other project coordinator, who is also a fourth-year Ph.D. student advised by Sundar.

One specific area of the research will compare “power users”—

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Faculty/Staff Close-Up

those who are avid and expert users of technology—and The sizeble grant for research on interactivity represents regular users. a continuation of such support and the Media Effects Researchers hope information from those groups will Laboratory. shed light on interactivity’s potential to bridge the “digiUnder the direction of Sundar and Professor Mary tal divide,” which separates those who regularly have Beth Oliver, the other co-director of the lab, Penn State access to and use technology and those who do not. has emerged as a leading location for research about the “A scientific understanding of the psychological effects of effects of both traditional and emergent media. interactivity is critical for a society that is becoming saturatFaculty and students have consistently earned support ed with interactive digital media,” said Sundar, co-director and produced timely, topical research. of the Media Effects Laboratory housed in the College of A grant for such research from the NSF also provides Communications. He also chairs the Communication and an important boost for the College itself. Already home Technology Division to a growing and and serves as vice presrespected graduate “A scientific understanding of the psycholog- studies program, the ident of the ical effects of interactivity is critical for a socie- grant enhances Penn International Communication State’s reputation as ty that is becoming saturated with interactive Association. a leader in communidigital media.”

“Research results will cations research— feed directly into — S. Shyam Sundar especially that related design of interfaces to the Internet and for a variety of purposinteractivity. es, from learning systems to serious games.”

Sundar’s research has addressed many specific areas of Researchers believe dissemination of the work will likedigital communications and the Internet, among them ly spawn a wave of theoretically driven interactivity online news sites, Web advertisements, health portals, research. blogs, social networking sites and virtual worlds such as “A whole new science is emerging to address people’s Second Life. interaction with digital artifacts,” said Sundar, who “We have faculty members with a strong interest and helped launch a new discipline and Department of expertise in the area,” said John S. Nichols, professor and Interaction Science this summer at Sungkyunkwan associate dean for graduate studies and research. “They University in Seoul, Korea, by collaborating with an are addressing matters that impact people on a daily international team of social scientists and engineering basis, and they are matters that clearly shape how people professors, as part of a World Class University program communicate with each other. Funding organizations supported by the Korea Science and Engineering have recognized the importance of that work, too.”

Foundation.

Indeed, the far-reaching impact of such research has Sundar’s research investigates social and psychological kept Sundar, graduate students and other faculty memeffects of technological elements unique to Web-based bers busy. The collaboration in Korea to start-up efforts mass-communication. In particular, his studies experiwith the NSF interactivity study represent just part of mentally investigate the effects of interactivity, navigabiliSundar’s ongoing research agenda in the field. At the ty, multi-modality and agency (source attribution) in Web same time, he has other projects in the works—collaboratinterfaces upon online users’ thoughts, emotions and ing with experts in medicine, information science, engiactions. neering, health communication, mobile applications and A frequently cited source on technology, Sundar has robotics. testified before the U.S. Congress as an expert witness “Shyam is one of the most gifted teachers and and delivered talks at several universities in the United researchers with whom I have ever worked. And he is, States, Germany, Netherlands, Hong Kong, South Korea hands down, the most dedicated, unselfish and effective and India. His work has appeared in such leading jouradviser of graduate students that I have known,” Dean nals as Communication Research, Journal of Communication, Doug Anderson said. “Graduate students who work with Behaviour & Information Technology, Media Psychology, him are exceptionally well trained, mentored and producJournal of the American Society for Information Science and tive.

Technology, and The Information Society.

“They recognize how fortunate they are to have the He teaches courses in the psychology of communicaopportunity to study with him, and our entire College tion technology, communication theory and research benefits from his work, and the work of all our dedicated methodology. faculty members.” ●

Faculty/Staff News Faculty Member’s History Book Earns Award as Best of the Year

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book by a faculty member in the College of Communications has been honored as the top book on mass media history published in 2008.

Associate professor Ford Risley received the award for “Abolition and the Press: The Moral Struggle Against Ford Risley Slavery” (Northwestern University Press). The award is presented annually by the American Journalism Historians Association.

“Abolition and the Press” examines the critical role that abolitionist newspapers played in opposing slavery in the decades before the Civil War. It shows how a group of dedicated editors became a voice of outrage, consistently pressing for an end to slavery even in the face of criticism and violence.

Risley, who serves as head of the Department of Journalism, is the author of articles on the antebellum and Civil War-era press in various

publications, including American Journalism, Civil War History, Georgia Historical Quarterly and Journalism History.

Risley teaches mass media history, feature writing and other courses.

His research centers on mass media history, especially antebellum and Civil War journalism. He has also authored "The Civil War: Primary Documents on Events from 1860 to 1865" (Greenwood Press, 2004).

He is a past president of the American Journalism Historians Association and also served on the association’s board of directors.

He spent nine years as a reporter at various newspapers, including the Florida Times-Union and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His freelance work has appeared in the Dallas Morning News and The New York Times. He was awarded the College of Communications Alumni Society's 2002 Excellence in Teaching Award. ●

The latest film by Lyn Elliot, an associate professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies, made its debut in early September in Carnegie Cinema.

“Maybe Pittsburgh,” a 30minute short, follows a woman who tries to save her marriage with a romantic Lyn weekend trip to Pittsburgh.

Elliot Assistant Professor Richie Sherman served as director of photography for the film, which was supported and funded by the College of Commmunications, the Penn State Institute for Arts and Humanities,

and the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts.

During the past 10 years, Elliot’s films have screened widely at national and international venues.

Her work has been recognized with awards from the Ann Arbor Film Festival, the Humboldt International Film Festival, the Black Maria Film and Video Festival, the Magnolia Independent Film Festival, the James River Film Festival, the Trenton Film Festival and the Milwaukee Underground Film Festival. ●

Elliot’s ‘Maybe Pittsburgh’ Makes Debut

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Many Awards, Accolades for Documentary

A documentary produced by three faculty members from the College of Communications garnered numerous awards and accolades in the months since its world premiere in March.

“No. 4 Street of Our Lady” tells the remarkable story of Francisca Halamajowa, a PolishCatholic woman who rescued 15 of her Jewish neighbors during the Holocaust.

The film was: ❚ Selected for screening during the Three Rivers Film Festival in Pittsburgh. ❚ Named an official selection for the Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival, the largest documentary film festival in China. ❚ One of four documentaries selected for the 2009 Savannah Film Festival, which received a record-breaking 525 submissions from 37 states and 27 countries. ❚ Recognized with an Honorable Mention Award at the 57th Columbus International Film and Video Festival.

The film was produced and directed by Barbara Bird, an associate professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies; Judy Maltz, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism; and Richie Sherman, an assistant professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies.

It tells the tragic, yet triumphant story of Maltz's family during the Holocaust. It was based on 139 pages of journal entries by Maltz's grandfather.●

A book about ethics in environmen- Impacts of Environmental The grant recipients and their tal communication is the planned Communications.” projects are: outcome for most of the $48,800 in ❚ Charles T. Salmon (Michigan ❚ David Remund (Ph.D. candiresearch grants awarded to 14 schol- State University), “Examining date, University of North Carolina), ars by the Arthur W. Page Center Unintended Consequences of “The World’s Work: Editorial for Integrity in Public Environmental Social Marketing.”

Writings of Arthur W. Page, Communication at Penn State. ❚ Lee Ahern and Denise Bortree 1919–1927, and the Advent of Since its founding in 2004, the (Penn State), “Changing themes in Social Responsibility in Corporate Page Center has awarded $336,000 strategic environmental communica- Communications.” in grants to academics and ❚ Nancy Snow (Syracuse professionals making imporUniversity), “Truth is the tant contributions to knowlBest Propaganda: Edward R. More information online at edge, practice and public at the U.S. http://pagecenter.comm.psu.edu Murrow understanding of ethics and Information Agency.” responsibility in public com❚ Richard H. Cummings munication.

(Independent Scholar), “The This year the Center received 33 tion: A 30-year history of green ads Great Fund Raiser: Arthur W. proposals from researchers at 30 in National Geographic magazine” Page’s role in the evolution of academic institutions and four pro“We’re funding projects this year Radio Free Europe and the success fessional organizations in 18 states that will inform theory and practice of the nation-wide Crusade for and five foreign countries before in this growing and critically imporFreedom.” selecting 10 academic projects to tant area,” said Center associate The Page Center is named for fund. director Cinda Kostyak. the man who is considered the Those who received environmen“We see this as an exercise in world’s pioneer in corporate public tal communication grants and the engaged scholarship,” said Ahern, relations. Arthur W. Page joined titles of their projects are: an assistant professor of communiAT&T in 1927 and became known ❚ Brant Short (Northern Arizona cations at Penn State and co-princifor setting high standards for ethical University), “From Greenwashing to pal investigator for the Project for communication. His views have Social Advocacy: The Ethical Ethical Environmental been distilled into the Page Imperative in Green Branding.”

Communication. Bortree, also an Principles, his guidelines for ethical ❚ Janas Sinclair (University of assistant professor of communicaand effective communication.

North Carolina) and Barbara Miller tions at Penn State, is the other coThe Center was created with a (Elon University), “The Values Basis principal. “It should inform practileadership gift from Lawrence G. of Public Response to Marketplace tioners from industry, government Foster, retired corporate vice presiAdvocacy and Effects on and advocacy organizations in their dent for Johnson & Johnson, and Environmental Attitudes.” work on raising awareness, changing distinguished Penn State alumnus. ❚ Harsha Gangadharbatia and attitudes and promoting pro-enviThe Johnson family foundation and Kim Sheehan (University of ronmental behaviors.” the Robert Wood Johnson Oregon), “Framing the One of the spurs for the Page Foundation also have given signifiEnvironmental Issue: Implications Center’s “Ethical Environmental cant support. for Advocates.”

Communication Project” is a 2008 Robert Wood Johnson was the ❚ Jacob Park (Green Mountain essay by Tom Crompton titled long-time chair of Johnson & College), “BP and the Beyond “Weathercocks & Signposts: The Johnson, the family business that he Petroleum Campaign: Ethical Environmental Movement at a built into the largest health and Organizational Environmental Crossroads.” The paper caused a medical product company. He was Communication Case Study in the stir in the environmental communi- well known as a practitioner and Business Context.” ty and beyond. promoter of corporate social respon❚ Joe Brewer (Cognitive Policy Three other research projects also sibility.

Works) and Tom Crompton (World were funded by the Page Center for The deadline for the next round of Wildlife Federation), “Cognitive 2009-2010. grant proposals is March 5, 2010. ●

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Faculty/Staff Close-Up

Grants Eye Ethics in Environmental Communication

Faculty/Staff Close-Up

Faculty Members Participate in Entrepreneurship Panel

A panel of recent Penn State alumni entrepreneurs and faculty members addressed “Entrepreneurship in the Internet Age,” focusing on emerging opportunities for young media professionals, and attracted a standingCurt John room-only crowd in midChandler Dillon November on the University Park campus.

During the free public session, which lasted about 90 minutes, alumni panelists discussed how they started their successful companies—and the joys and challenges they encountered along the way.

Communications faculty members on the panel outlined the experience and skills necessary to survive as a small media entrepreneur or free lancer.

The session was moderated by John O’Keefe, a Penn State senior majoring in telecommunications, and included time for questions and answers from the audience.

“I was really excited to be part of the panel,” said O’Keefe, who has been involved in several small media businesses as a student and plans to get involved in several media-related startups after serving in the Marine Corps. “It was an important event for students, especially those of us getting ready to enter the job market.

“Given today’s economy, we should be thinking creatively about launching our careers. If media companies aren’t hiring, we can still work in the field if we start our own companies.”

Panelists included: ❚ Jason Brewer, a 2005 graduate with a degree in film-video and the founder/owner of Brolik (www.brolik.com); ❚ Curt Chandler, a senior lecturer who focuses on new media journalism and Linda who previously served as Feltman editor for online innovation and director of photography for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; ❚ Justin Goldman, a 2005 graduate with a degree in letters, arts and science who was co-founder of the company that created LionMenus.com, and who left that company earlier this year before founding Three Screen Games, a social gaming company that created www.FanGamb.com; ❚ John Dillon, a senior lecturer who previously taught at Virginia Commonwealth University and served as deputy managing editor for the Richmond Times-Dispatch; ❚ Linda Feltman, instructor of media entrepreneurship and a senior business consultant with the Penn State Small Business Development Center; and ❚ Davis Shaver, a sophomore in the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State who founded www.Onwardstate.com, a blog about the University.

The panel, presented by the College of Communications and the Small Business Development Center at Penn State, was part of the University’s celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week. ●

Faculty Research Integrates Undergraduates, Earns Support Four faculty members from the College of Communications were awarded support for their research projects from the 2009-2010 President’s Fund for Research at the University.

To qualify for the grants, faculty members integrated undergraduate students in their research. The students learned valuable research skills, experienced the creative side of scholarly work and enjoyed personal

mentoring by one of the faculty members.

This year’s recipients include: ❚ Frank Dardis, associate professor, “The Effects of Videogame Playing on Participants’ Enjoyment, Social Interaction, and Attitudes Towards Brands Advertised in the Games”; ❚ Michael Elavsky, assistant professor, “INDI—The Initiative to

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Nurture Democratic Identity”; ❚ Michel Haigh, assistant professor, “Late-Night Knowledge: Examining the Differences in Attitudes and Knowledge About Political Issues From Parody, LateNight Comedy, and Evening News Shows”; and ❚ Distinguished Professor Shyam Sundar, “Promoting Media Psychophysiology for Theory-based Undergraduate Research.” ●

to the topical and timely Thanks research of faculty members and

Gardner, one of the first women to earn a doctorate in mass communications from the University of Minnesota and a longtime faculty member at Michigan State University.

In addition, five faculty papers

the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies, for “Commodity graduate students, the College of Fetishism in the Digital Age,” honCommunications had a record-setored in the Cultural-Critical ting presence at the convention of Division; and the Association for Education in ❚ Mary Beth Oliver, a professor Journalism and Mass in the Department of Film-Video Communication this year. and Media Studies, for Penn State presenters “Do ‘Sad’ People Like had a school-record 37 ‘Sad Entertainment?'

Penn State presenters had a schoolpapers accepted for presMeaningfulness as a record 37 papers accepted for entation at the 92nd Mediator of Affective presentation at the annual convention Predictors of annual gathering.

Overall, the College Entertainment Choice of the Association for Education in contingent for the fourJournalism and Mass Communication. and Desired Affective day event in Boston Responses,” honored by included 22 faculty memthe Entertainment bers and 25 graduate stuStudies Interest Group. dents. were selected as top-three award Oliver’s paper was co-authored with The number of papers this year winners in their respective divisions graduate students Julia Woolley, ranked sixth among all universities at the convention.

Anthony Limperos, Daniel Tamul, at the convention, and marked the Those honorees were: Keunmin Bae and Marlena eighth consecutive year Penn State ❚ George Anghelcev, an assistant Freeman. has ranked in the top 10 at the professor in the Department of Along with paper presentations, event.

Advertising and Public Relations, numerous faculty members served One Penn State graduate stufor “Motivating Crowding and as moderators of panels and special dent, doctoral candidate Erin Word of Mouth Advertising: Why sections at the convention.

Whiteside, was selected as the recip- Extrinsic Incentives Could Make Other graduate students were ient of the Mary Gardner Award People Less Likely to Buzz,” honhonored as well. for Graduate Student Research by ored in the Advertising Division; Master’s student Erin Ash AEJMC’s Commission on the ❚ Denise Bortree, an assistant received a top-paper award from the Status of Women. professor in the Department of Minorities and Communication Whiteside’s work, titled “Power Advertising and Public Relations, Division of AEJMC for her coRelations Under the Glass Ceiling: for “New Dimensions in authored research on news coverage Gender, Sexuality and Identity in Relationship Management: of former Big Ten Conference footSports Information,” earned abunExploring Gender and Inclusion in ball player Maurice Clarett. dant praise from judges as well as a the Nonprofit OrganizationAsh also won a top student monetary award.

Volunteer Relationship,” honored paper award from the Newspaper Specifically, judges cited the in the Public Relations Division; Division for her paper with doctorpaper for its focus as “a great new ❚ Rob Frieden, the Pioneers al students Kirstie Hettinga and area of research,” and for its forChair and professor of telecommuDaniel Halpern, “Effects of a mat. “I particularly like that your nications and law, for “Lies, Damn Trend: Influence of User project design allows for interviewLies and Statistics: Developing a Comments on Readers’ ing the women and getting their Clearer Assessment of Market Perceptions of Online thoughts in their words,” said one Newspapers.”

Penetration and Broadband judge, referring to Whiteside’s Competition in the United States,” The AEJMC is the oldest and study, which involved interviews largest alliance of journalism and honored in the Law and Policy with women in sports information. mass communication educators and Division; The award is named for Mary administrators at the college level.● ❚ Matt McAllister, a professor in

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Faculty/Staff News

College Crafts Record Presence at AEJMC Convention

Faculty/Staff News

IIP Leads Event on Capitol Hill

Several Penn Staters played prominent roles when the Institute for Information Policy (IIP), housed in the College of Communications, served as a lead co-organizer for a program in Washington, D.C., which addressed ongoing U.S. policy issues regarding broadband access.

Three faculty members and one alumnus served on panels during a workshop that took place at the New America Foundation. The event—featuring an international panel of experts from Asia, Europe and the United States discussing the future of broadband and outlining possible policy approaches for the future—included 10 separate roundtables during the three-day period.

Penn State participants included: Rob Frieden, the Pioneers Chair in Cable Telecommunication; Amit Schejter, an associate professor and co-director of the IIP; Richard Taylor, the Palmer Chair of Telecommunication Studies and Law and co-director of the IIP; and alumnus Scott Forbes, who earned his Ph.D. from Penn State in 2000 and serves as vice president of technology ventures for General Electric.

The Institute for Information Policy, created in 1997, has conducted sponsored research and self-funded programs on the social implications of information technology, with an emphasis on the potential embodied in information technologies to improve democratic discourse, social responsibility and quality of life. ●

Faculty Member’s Book Outlines A ‘Muted Democracy’ in Israel

A book by an associate professor in the College of Communications that introduces the theory of a “muted democracy” and demonstrates how it applies to the regulatory framework of media in Israel has earned high praise from observers of Israeli culture and media.

In “Muting Israeli Democracy: How Media and Cultural Policy Undermine Free Expression,” Amit Schejter argues that the laws governing Israeli electronic media are structured to limit the boundaries of public discourse. Additionally, he argues that electronic media are designed to provide a plat- Amit Schejter form for some voices to be heard over others.

Schejter’s theory derives from an analysis of a wide range of legal documents recorded in Israel from 1961 to 2007.

“Unveiling the case of Israel, Schejter offers a fascinating analysis of the media and media law in a vibrant sociopolitical context,” said Gad Barzilai, professor of international studies, law and political science at the University of Washington. “It is a must read to observers, students and scholars of comparative media studies, politics and law.”

While Israel’s institutions may be democratic, and while the effect of these policies may be limited, “Muting Israeli Democracy” demonstrates in scrupulous detail how free speech in Israel is institutionally muted through the constraints and obligations imposed on electronic media to ensure the continued cultural domination of the Jewish majority and its preferred hegemonic interpretation of what Israel means as a Jewish-democratic state.

Professor Fania Oz-Salzberger, the

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Leon Liberman Chair of Modern Israel Studies at Monash University in Australia and founding director of the Posen Research Forum for Jewish European and Israeli Political Thought at the Faculty of Law at the University of Haifa, calls Schejter’s book “a refreshing critical view of Israel.” She notes that the term “muted democracy” could transcend the Israeli case and draw heated debate among theorists and members of the public. “If it does, this book could help combat the very evil it diagnoses,” she writes.

“Muting Israeli Democracy” (2009, University of Illinois Press), a 219-page book available in either cloth or paperback cover, may be purchased from the publisher or through Amazon.com online.

At Penn State, Schejter teaches courses on telecommunications regulation, media law, the media and information industries, comparative and world media systems, and media activism. He dedicates much of his time to promote and sustain a dialog between academia and the media advocacy community. In that capacity he has traveled to Israel to support the work of the I’lam Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel and of the Program on Cooperative Social Marketing at Tel Aviv University.

Schejter’s academic agenda focuses on everyday challenges created by the unequal distribution of resources and the silencing of the public’s voice. His work involves identifying regulatory responses to technological change; highlighting social inequalities and communication distortions created by them; and prescribing theoretically informed approaches to policy-making that enhance fairness and equality. ●

A visiting professor in the College of to think “in shades of gray, rather Communications who retired from than black and white,” the book profull-time teaching in December 2006 vides a foundation in applied ethics has authored a textbook about jourin journalism, and examines the subnalism ethics. ject areas where ethical questions Gene Foreman invested two years most frequently arise. Many other compiling “The Ethical Journalist: real-life episodes are cited in the Making Responsible Decisions in “The book is largely the product of the Pursuit of my half-century in journalism.

News” (2009, Although my approach is entirely a WileyBlackwell), practical one of trying to improve deciwhich became sion-making in the profession, I have available in been influenced by ethics scholars as September and was adopted as well as newsroom colleagues.” the text for — Gene Foreman three classes at Penn State during the fall semester. book’s narrative to illustrate how The 376-page book also earned journalists have dealt with ethical high praise. challenges.

“It’s like GPS for sound decisionForeman conducted more than making,” said James M. Naughton, 100 interviews with practicing jourpresident emeritus of the Poynter nalists and scholars.

Institute for Media Studies in St. “The book is largely the product Petersburg, Fla. of my half-century in journalism— “An essential road map for a rapmore than 41 years in the newsroom idly changing journalism landscape,” and more than eight as a college prosaid Leonard Downie Jr., retired edifessor," he writes in the preface. tor of The Washington Post.

“Although my approach is entirely a “A clear, compelling text ... practipractical one of trying to improve cal, principled and powerful,” said decision-making in the profession, I Robert M. Steele, Nelson Poynter have been influenced by ethics scholScholar at the Poynter Institute and ars as well as newsroom colleagues.”

Pulliam Distinguished Visiting Foreman’s project was supported Professor at DePauw University. by a grant from the Arthur W. Page “The book to guide students and Center for Integrity in Public the rest of us through the [Internet] Communications, housed in the revolution,” said Alicia C. Shepard, College of Communications. ombudsman for National Public Shannon Kahle, a doctoral student Radio. in media studies, worked with Foreman said he wrote the book Foreman throughout 2008 to conto give aspiring journalists the tools duct research and fact-checking, and they need to make responsible proto gather permissions for quoted fessional decisions. Illustrated with material.

24 case studies that demonstrate how The case studies, along with a

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dozen “Point of View” essays by distinguished writers, are drawn from the nation as a whole.

Still, the book has a distinct Penn State flavor.

Former reporter and editor Jane Shoemaker (’70 Journ) contributed a Point of View essay.

A case study on how the news media handled the 1987 public suicide of former Pennsylvania Treasurer R. Budd Dwyer is based on research by Penn State professors of that era, one of whom, Patrick Parsons, is the College of Communications' current Don Davis Professor of Ethics.

Five case studies are adapted from research by students in Foreman’s ethics classes: Jaime Fettrow (’00 Journ), Jeff Rice (’03 Journ), Alissa (Wisnouse) Stranzl (’03 Lib), Lindsay Bosslet (’04 Journ) and Sara Ganim (’08 Journ).

Three essays written by Russell Frank, associate professor of journalism, are quoted in the book’s narrative.

Foreman joined the Penn State faculty in 1998 after retiring from The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he managed newsroom operations for more than 25 years under various titles— managing editor, executive editor and deputy editor. At Penn State, he was the inaugural Larry and Ellen Foster Professor. He taught courses in news media ethics and news editing.

Now, as visiting professor, he continues to coordinate the Foster Conference of Distinguished writers each semester. ●

Faculty/Staff News

Foreman’s Book About Ethics Earns High Praise

Faculty/Staff News

Staff Member Enjoys A Hobby for the Dogs

By Jennifer Palmer (’09)

Sitems as a hobby, but one College of Communications ome people collect cars, stamps, antiques or other

staff member has a passion for dogs.

Katie Kennedy, a staff assistant in the Office of Academic Services, has been active in dog agility competition and training since 2000, when she began work with her oldest Border Collie, Glory.

Glory, now 10 years old, is also the dominant member of the pack in the Kennedy household.

“She bosses the two boys around, at least when it comes to toys,” Kennedy said. “She wants to keep all the toys for herself—even the ones she doesn’t like to play with, like tug toys.”

Glory has retired from dog agility events, but Kennedy now shows her 2-year-old Border Collie, Koi, and her daughter’s 7-year-old Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen, Gideon.

Kennedy usually participates in trials two weekends a month and enters trials that are as close to home as possible. “I mostly enter trials in Pennsylvania but have traveled to Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and New York,” said Kennedy.

There are three different levels in dog agility trials: novice, open and excellent.

“In each level, the dog needs to complete three qualifying scores in order to earn points and move on to the next level,” Kennedy said. “Some of the contact equipment used in these competitions includes the sea-saw, the dog walk and the A-frame, which the dog has to contact and touch down on the yellow paint in order to complete the obstacle.”

The highest title a dog can earn in American Kennel Club agility competition is the Master Agility Championship. To earn this title, the dog must earn 750 points and complete 20 double-qualifying runs.

Points are earned by the number of seconds the dog runs under standard course time. A double-Q is earned when a dog qualifies in both the standard course and the jumpers with weaves course in the same day.

“Glory has reached the master level and has won several blue ribbons,” said Kennedy. “It’s just easier to win blue ribbons when the dog is at a lower level because the competition is against fewer dogs.”

All Kennedy’s dogs have won numerous blue ribbons and everyone in the Kennedy houshold enjoys the excitement of winning.

Katie Kennedy with Koi (left) and Gideon.

“My family has been very supportive,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy grew up in State College. Her father worked at Penn State in agriculture and she took advantage of the Penn State employee education discount, earning her degree in French in 1982.

“My first major choice was forestry,” said Kennedy.

“But I discovered that it was only a two-year program at the time and my adviser convinced me to choose another major instead.”

Kennedy met her husband Harry the same summer she graduated from Penn State and followed him to Virginia with hopes of getting a job with the company where he worked.

“I got the job, we got married, bought a house and had two wonderful children,” Kennedy said. Kennedy then moved back to State College with her family in 1995 when Harry’s job in printing prompted the return.

“When we moved back, I ran into a friend, Skip Eagles, who told me that he and his wife had Border Collies. When they had a litter of puppies they called me,” Kennedy said. “I ended up coming home with a tricolored female (Glory).”

Kennedy doesn’t see herself stopping dog agility anytime soon. In fact, she wants to keep going until she (or the dogs) just can’t do it any longer.

“I have lots of fun doing it,” said Kennedy. “The dogs seem to enjoy it as well, and we all just have a great time competing together.” ●

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Results of the survey, “Sports Coverage: 'Toy Sports reporters who gamble on sports are more likely Department' or Public-Service Journalism,” by Hardin, than those who don’t to say sports journalists should an associate professor of communications; Bu Zhong, an operate according to more lax ethical standards than assistant professor of communications; and doctoral cantheir newsroom colleagues, and they are also more likely didate Erin Whiteside, appeared in the September 2009 than other sports reporters to admit that gambling hurts issue of the International Journal of objectivity in coverage, according Sport Communication. to a new survey.

Other questions on the survey, More information online at The telephone survey, conwhich administered by studucted by researchers in the John http://comm.psu.edu/sports dents inwasCOMM 412 Sports, Curley Center for Sports Media and Society (one of the Journalism at Penn State, asked core class offerings of the Curley Center) asked reporters 285 reporters who cover sports for newspapers and affiliwhether they believed sports journalists should do more ated Web sites whether they gambled on sports. investigative journalism. Most agreed, and many said they Four in 10 reporters said they did, and one in 20 said believed sports journalism should perform a “watchdog they had gambled on sports they were covering. role” for the public in relationship to sports operations.

Gambling on sports by reporters who cover them is The study found that reporters who embraced a pubbanned by the ethics codes of some news organizations, lic-service function for sports coverage were also more including The New York Times, because of the potential likely to reject behaviors like gambling on sports or takconflict of interest, said Marie Hardin, the associate director of research for the Center for Sports Journalism. ing free tickets.

Reporters also were asked whether they should vote in “What was most interesting was the admission by polls and rankings of teams or athletes, another conflictreporters who gamble on sports that it likely influences the ways they covered stories,” Hardin said. “That’s exact- of-interest issue that has been addressed by a number of newspaper sports departments. Reporters generally said ly the reason why it’s considered a no-no by some ethithey believed they should be allowed to vote. ● cists and editors.”

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Faculty/Staff News

Study: Sports Reporters Who Gamble Are Less Objective

Faculty/Staff News

Notes, Numbers

ALL ‘AMERICANA’ Russell Frank (third from right), an associate professor in the Department of Journalism, served as a panelist during “Baseball Americana,” a symposium in early October at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The symposium examined baseball from a number of perspectives, particularly the viewpoints of people who experience the game at home, in the stands and on the field. Other participants included Hall of Famer Ernie Banks (fourth from right) and Claire Smith of ESPN (second from right), a member of the advisory board for the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism, housed in the College of Communications.

Wasbotten Named Assistant Dean

Thor Wasbotten has been named assistant dean for student media and online operations in the College of Communications.

A veteran television journalist, Wasbotten joined Penn State in 2004 and served as a senior lecturer and general manager of television operations.

Under his guidance, the College launched “Centre County Report,” a weekly 30-minute television news program that airs on Thor WPSU-TV. Earlier this Wasbotten year, the show was named one of the nation’s top student newscasts by the Society of Professional Journalists in its annual Mark of Excellence competition.

“CCR” originates from the Division of Broadcasting facilities at Innovation Park, and the College presence there also includes: classrooms, radio and television laboratories, and offices and production space for ComRadio, the College’s Web-based radio station, and

ComMedia, the online showcase for student multimedia work.

“As we have methodically added to our constellation of student media platforms, it is clear that we have reached the point where we need focused leadership for our internal student media advances and our relationships with the professions and industries,” Dean Doug Anderson said. “Thor will provide necessary coordination, leadership and innovation as we move forward.”

Before coming to Penn State, Wasbotten served as news director of the ABC affiliate in Tucson, Ariz., where the newscast earned six Associated Press awards in 2004 and four regional Edward R. Murrow awards in 2003. He also held positions as station manager and news director for the Fox affiliate in Boise, Idaho; managing editor for the NBC affiliate in Boise; and weekend assignments editor for the CBS affiliate in Portland, Ore. ●

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● “Chasing Butterflies,” the feature-length romantic comedy produced by the husband-andwife faculty team of senior lecturers Rod Bingaman and Maura Shea, became available for purchase as part of its distribution deal on Dec. 22, 2009.

The film, a modern screwball comedy, tracks three separate storylines that intertwine. It builds on the premise that one small change can affect history by altering the never-ending chain of events that result from that decision. ● A video tribute to former State College Mayor Bill Welch, produced by faculty and staff, aired in October on WPSU-TV. Welch died Sept. 4, 2009. Dorn Hetzel, associate professor and associate head of the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies, served as the producer and director of the documentary, which was a group effort by several film faculty and students. ● Two faculty members served as expert panelists on TV shows that aired nationally on several occasions this year.

As part of “Expert Opinion with Graham Spanier,” both Knight Chair Malcolm Moran, director of the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism, and Marie Hardin, associate director of the Curley Center, provided their expertise on separate topics.

Those topics included careers in sports journalism and the impact of new media on sports journalism.

Faculty Forum

Program’s Focus on Ethics Part of Our Culture

(Editor’s note: In each issue of the Communicator, the Faculty Forum allows faculty members in the College to provide an update on their research or information about work in their field that impacts us on a daily basis. Patrick Parsons, the Don Davis Professor of Ethics, leads the Don Davis Program in Ethical Leadership.)

Personal, academic and professional integrity—these constitute the deep roots of the College’s historic commitment to ethics and social responsibility. They also represent the theme of the Don Davis Program in Ethical Leadership. The aim of the program is to encourage and advance academic and professional integrity across the College’s five majors.

Founded in 2005 through the generous support of Don Davis Jr., a 1942 Penn State graduate and the retired chairman and CEO of Stanley Works, the program supports an “Ethics-Across-the Curriculum” speaker series, an integrated campaign to promote academic integrity, and offers co-sponsorship and support for numerous ethics initiatives in the College.

Don Davis Sr. founded the advertising program at Penn State in 1936 and his son endowed the Don Davis Professorship in Ethical Leadership to honor his father’s commitment to ethics and to promote honor among today’s undergraduates.

Central to the program is the “Practice Integrity” campaign. The campaign reaches students at all points in their academic career, beginning with presentations at “Spend a Summer Day,” Freshman Testing Counseling and Placement (FTCAP) and Freshman Orientation.

An emphasis on academic integrity is folded into all First-Year Seminars and subsequently incorporated into coursework throughout the majors. This past year the program sponsored creation of a seven-and-a-half minute video describing the College’s historic and ongoing commitment to ethics and professional responsibility. The video was premiered at Spend a Summer Day and is now included in materials sent to prospective students and their families. It also is available as streaming video at http://comm.psu.edu/davisethics online.

A poster campaign promoting academic integrity is kept fresh with an annual student contest to generate new ideas. The winner receives a modest cash prize and his or her ethics poster goes up in Carnegie Building

classrooms for the year. A student-produced screen saver featuring the Penn State Principles has been developed for all College-controlled computer labs, along with a student-created desktop “widget,” an academic integrity reminder and a direct link to the University Library Web site on plagiarism and citation. Currently, the program is working on a student honor code to further heighten student awareness of the importance of responsibility and integrity in their lives at Penn State and beyond.

The program has sponsored or cosponsored a number of “Ethics Across the Curriculum” events over the past year. The Don Davis Symposium in Advertising Ethics last October featured Ari Schwartz of the Center for Democracy and Technology speaking on the growing public concern about privacy and Internet advertising.

The program organizes the new Ben Bronstein Lecture in Ethics and Public Communications. The inaugural event, in September 2008, featured Jennifer Palmieri, the National Press Secretary for the 2004 John Edwards presidential campaign, and Dale Davenport, editorial page editor of the Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa., speaking on “The Current State and Hopeful Future of Campaign Promotion and Coverage.”

The program annually co-sponsors the Oweida Lecture in Journalism Ethics, which last March featured Ken Klose, president emeritus of National Public Radio.

The program also supported development of “No. 4 Street of Our Lady,” a faculty-produced documentary on the World War II efforts of a Polish-Catholic woman to save the lives of 15 Jewish neighbors.

In addition, I conduct academic integrity workshops for new instructors and frequently offer guest lectures on both professional ethics and academic integrity in various College courses. The program also provides resources and assistance to faculty to support in-class ethics education. It recently assisted the instructors of COMM 409 News Media Ethics in creating a shared page online to provide easy common access instructional materials. In addition, the program annually presents the Davis Prize to honor students for their demonstrated commitment to integrity and responsibility.

For more about the Davis Program in Ethical Leadership, visit: http://comm.psu.edu/davisethics online. ●

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Development News

Latest Scholarships Honor Family Members Martin Names Endowment for His Parents

State alumnus who serves as AaPenn vice president for the National

Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) has provided a gift to the University to endow the Christopher J. and Patricia S. Martin Trustee Scholarship in the College of Communications.

Chris Martin, who earned a degree in journalism from Penn State in 1992, directs sales and marketing efforts for NRTC, which helps rural electric and telephone utilities strengthen their businesses with solutions uniquely suited to the needs of rural consumers. He created the scholarship to honor his parents.

“The education I received at Penn State and from the College of Communications was second to none and provided a solid foundation for my personal endeavors,” said Martin, the youngest person to establish a Trustee Scholarship in the College. “It’s important for me to do Chris Martin meets with students during an on-campus mentoring session in the fall. my small part to give back and ensure first preference is for students from the state of that deserving students have the opportunity to pursue Virginia. their education at this place that means so much to me.

During the 2008-2009 academic year, 101 students in It’s even more special to create a scholarship in my parthe College of Communications earned Trustee ents’ name, because it was through their sacrifices and Scholarships through the existing endowments. support that I have such opportunities.”

Individual awards ranged from $1,200 to $1,500.

The Trustee Matching Scholarship Program at Penn The NRTC, founded in 1986, represents the State, created in 2002 by the Board of Trustees, aims to advanced telecommunications and information technolensure that a Penn State education is accessible to qualiogy interests of more than 1,400 rural utilities and affilified students, regardless of their financial means. Under ates in 48 states. the program, the University matches 5 percent of the The cooperative provides products and services develprincipal of each gift annually and combines those oped specifically to meet the needs of rural utilities and funds with income from the endowment to effectively their customers, such as high-speed Internet access via double the financial impact of the scholarship. satellite, full-service Internet access and support, autoA $50,000 gift payable over five years or less is the mated meter reading, SmartSCADA, wireless technolominimum gift eligible for the program. gies, power quality products, long distance programs, Donors may designate their gift to any campus or mobile phone service, IP backbone services, direct college and may specify a major field of study as a first broadcast satellite service with DIRECTV and Internet preference. For the Martin Trustee Scholarship, that protocol television. ●

24

An alumnus who has crafted a unique and unparalleled career in television—working always behind the scenes—has endowed a Trustee Scholarship in the name of his late son.

Marty Aronoff (’60 Lib), who works as a statistician for a variety of television networks, created the Marty and John Aronoff Trustee Scholarship with a $50,000 gift to the College of Communications.

Aronoff earned his Penn State degree in Arts and Letters.

For the past 26 years full-time (and for 34 years overall), he has made an art of providing information and statistics to national and regional networks that broadcast major sporting events. (Please see profile, pages 52-53.)

Before he switched careers, he worked 17 years for the federal government.

Still, Aronoff’s passion for statistics made the career change easy. He enjoys every day he goes to work— whether it’s in the Los Angeles Coliseum or Yankee Stadium—and he regularly earns the respect of the people with whom he works.

With his endowment, the College of Communications now has 24 Trustee Scholarship endowments available to students.

Aronoff returns to campus only occasionally (most recently last fall for the Iowa-Penn State football game he was working for ABC/ESPN), but his affinity for Penn State and its communications program certainly played a role in the gift. He hopes to visit the College of Communications, meet with students and visit sometime in 2010. ●

TRUSTEE SCHOLARSHIPS Trustee Scholarships in the College of Communications. Total value of the 24 endowed scholarships is $2.4 million, which, with the University match, effectively becomes $4.8 million.

Douglas and Claudia Anderson Trustee Scholarship

Christopher J. and Patricia S. Martin Trustee Scholarship

Douglas and Claudia Anderson Trustee Scholarship in Journalism

Warren L. and Carole L. Maurer Trustee Scholarship

Marty and John Aronoff Trustee Scholarship Donald P. Bellisario Trustee Scholarship Marc A. Brownstein Trustee Scholarship

Maralyn Davis Mazza Trustee Scholarship Robert J. O’Leary Trustee Scholarship Penn State Alumni Association Trustee Scholarship Eric W. Rabe Trustee Scholarship

Nile D. Coon Trustee Scholarship John and Ann Curley Trustee Scholarship

William Y.E. and Ethel Rambo Trustee Scholarship

Fetter Family Trustee Scholarship

Robert L. and Mary Lee Schneider Trustee Scholarship

Gene Foreman Trustee Scholarship

Andrew and Beatrice Schultz Trustee Scholarship

Tom Gibb Memorial Trustee Scholarship

Steinman Foundations Trustee Scholarship

Hayden Family Trustee Scholarship

Trustee Scholarship Fund for the College of Communications

Freda Azen Jaffe Memorial Trustee Scholarship

Christopher C. Wheeler Trustee Scholarship

Find us online ...

http://comm.psu.edu 25

Development News

Aronoff Cr eates Endowment in Son’s Name

Development News

Professor Endows Award for Seniors in Communications

A Penn State faculty Recipients of the award will be selectmember has put the ed by the College of University’s studentCommunications centered approach scholarship commitinto practice beyond tee. the classroom by “We have many endowing an award wonderful students to honor a senior for in the College who exemplary achievehave demonstrated, ment in on- or offthrough their media campus media relatwork, a tremendous ed to the First appreciation for the Amendment or First Amendment,” other legal issues.

Richards said.

Professor Robert Additional contriRichards created the butions to the award Robert D. Richards fund may be made Media and the Law by interested perAward with a sons or organiza$20,000 gift to the tions.

University.

Richards, the Each year, one author of three senior undergradubooks and more ate student from the than 130 articles College of about the First Communications Amendment and will be selected to mass communicareceive the award. tions law, appears The award reprefrequently in the sents a key contribumedia commenting tion to the on First University’s “For the Amendment issues.

Future” campaign, At Penn State, he designed to enhance has served as the student scholarships head of the Bob Richards’ annual award will honor senior students for achievement. and support at Penn (Photo Department of

by Mark Selders) State.

Journalism and “Penn State has been a major part of my life for near- undergraduate associate dean of the College. In addily three decades, and I’m delighted to contribute in a tion, he created and currently directs the Penn State way that honors students for their achievements,” said Washington D.C. Program.

In April 2007, Richards received the Scripps Howard Richards, a Penn State alumnus who holds an endowed Foundation National Journalism Teacher of the Year position as the John and Ann Curley Professor of First Award. He was the winner of the 2006 Dean’s Award Amendment Studies. for Excellence in Integrated Scholarship, the 1998 He serves as founding director of the Pennsylvania Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research, the 1997 Center for the First Amendment, and as a co-chair for Dean's Award for Excellence in Service, and the 1994 the faculty/staff campaign effort in the College of Excellence in Teaching Award from the College of Communications.

Communications Alumni Society.

More than 150 senior communications majors comHe teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in plete internships or work for on- or off-campus media mass communications law, the First Amendment and outlets each year, making all of them eligible for the news media ethics. ● award.

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A $5,000 grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences provided an opportunity for filmvideo students from the College of Communications to complete competitive, high-level internships again this past summer.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, known During the past six worldwide for conducting the Academy Awards, also supyears, nearly 30 Penn ports film-related non-profit organizations, schools and State students each sum- colleges with its Institutional Grants Program. mer have completed opportunity to enhance their eduinternships with production comcational experience. panies or studios, or in other areas The University was one of just of the motion-picture industry— 21 schools nationally to gain finanmany as a result of support from cial support from the Academy the program.

Foundation to further internship Since 1968 the Academy programs.

Foundation, the educational and “Their grant remains a huge preservation wing of the Academy boost for our film program, its facof Motion Picture Arts and ulty and, obviously, its students,” Sciences, has distributed more than said Dean Doug Anderson. “Our 400 grants to a faculty members variety of filmin the College of related non-profit Communications During the past six organizations, do a splendid job years, more than 30 schools and colpreparing film leges. The Penn State students students and the Institutional grant paves the have completed Grants Program way for opportuinternships thanks to nities aims to reflect students one of the the program’s support. previously could Academy’s fundanot accept.” mental purposes— In the past two to foster educational activities years, Penn State students supportbetween the public and the film ed through the program have comindustry, and to encourage an pleted summer internships at the appreciation of the motion picture following places: The American as an art form and a vocation.

Pavilion, Camelot Pictures, Double In 2009, the Institutional Feature Films, Killer Films, Los Grants Program distributed Angeles Film Festival, NFL Films, $500,000 to 64 institutions.

Public Road Pictures, Sony/BMG With support from the program Feature Films, Thunder Road for the sixth year in a row, more Pictures and The Weinstein Penn State students again had an Company. ●

27

BY THE NUMBERS 3,685 Students enrolled in the College of Communications for 2009-10 academic year.

70 Percent of students in the College of Communications who receive some form of financial aid.

13 Percent of students in the College of Communications who receive scholarship support from the College.

889 First-generation college students in the College of Communications who receive some form of financial aid.

$24,626 First-year undergraduate costs for 2009-10 in-state students at Penn State.

$1,207 Average size of scholarship awards in the College of Communications.

$6,555 Average amount of annual unmet need for students in the College of Communications.

$24,186 Average loan debt for College of Communications students graduating with loans.

Development News

AMPAS Grant Program Provides Support for Student Internships

Development News

Alumni Provide Estate Gift to Boost Existing Fund

Two award-winning Penn State alumni, a husband-andhonor that the University bestows upon an outstanding wife tandem of Hollywood producers, have made a alumna or alumnus. It salutes the achievements of out$100,000 estate gift to the University to support an standing alumni whose “personal lives, professional endowment for film students in the College of achievements and community service exemplify the Communications. objectives of their alma mater.”

Gerry Abrams, a 1961 Penn State graduate whose He also serves as a member of the Board of Visitors credits include two Emmy Awards, serves as chairman for the College of Communications, and previously of Cypress Point Productions. Carol (Kelvin) Abrams, a served as a member of the Penn State Alumni Council 1963 alumna, is an independent producer with a and the College of Communications Alumni Society Peabody Award to her Board. He was credit. named an Alumni “Gerry and Carol Abrams in their distinThey made the gift Fellow in 1981. to support the existCarol Abrams guished professional careers in the film and ing Samuel D. and earned her Peabody television industry have created a body of narLillian K. Abrams Award for “The rative work that embodies the very highest Senior Film Ernest Green Story,” Endowment. Abrams a film she produced standards of social commentary, profound and his mother, for the Disney humanism and cinematic artistry.”

Lillian, initially creatChannel in 1994. ed that endowment to “Gerry and Carol — Dorn Hetzel honor his father, the Abrams in their dislate Samuel Abrams, tinguished professionin 1992. al careers in the film and television industry have creatDuring the 2008-09 academic year, four students ed a body of narrative work that embodies the very received scholarship support from the fund. In the past highest standards of social commentary, profound decade, more than 30 students have benefitted from the humanism and cinematic artistry,” said Dorn Hetzel, resources it provides. associate professor and associate head of the “Gerry is a special talent. He is an incredibly gifted Department of Film-Video and Media Studies.

“With unceasing generosity, they have been great and writer, producer and thinker,” said Dean Doug abiding friends of the College and particularly the filmAnderson. “He is one of the College's best supporters video program from, quite literally, the very moment of and friends. He long has been a conscientious and its conception through to the present day. We are active member of several of our most important committees and boards. I admire his many accomplishments immensely grateful to them for not only this gracious gift to benefit the development of young film artists, and I truly value his loyalty to our program."

Gerry Abrams, honored as “Producer of the Year” by but equally for their unfailing support and encouragement through all these many years.” the Hollywood Caucus Group in 2004, has produced Carol and Gerry live in Los Angeles. They have two 65 television movies and miniseries through Cypress children, J.J. and Tracy. Among the numerous film and Point Productions. His credits include the Emmy television credits for J.J. as a producer or executive proAward-winning miniseries “Nuremberg” and “Out of ducer are: “Star Trek,” “Fringe,” “Lost,” “Alias” and the Ashes.”

“Felicity.” Tracy has written for TV series and shows He was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of such as “Felicity,” “Daniel’s Daughter” and the upcomthe University in 1986. ing Hallmark film “Fairfield Road.” ● The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest

http://comm.psu.edu 28

Two generations of Penn Staters combined to honor another recently with the creation of an annual award for students.

Anne (’80 Adv) and Ken Chubb combined with their daughter, Kelly (’07 Adv/PR), to create the William F. Simmons Memorial Award— named for Anne’s father and Kelly’s grandfather.

Anne Chubb (right) meets with students at a mentoring session during the fall semester.

With a minimum of $1,000 contributions each year for a period of five years, their gifts provide support to honor and recognize outstanding achievement by an undergraduate student in the College of Communications.

She has been with the company for more than 20 years, and has regularly supported Penn State and its communications program and students with her time and treasure. That desire to give back passed to Kelly Chubb as well.

Overall, there are six annually supported funds in the College. During the 2008-09 academic year, those funds provided support for 11 students. ●

Anne Chubb, a member of the Board of Visitors for the College, serves as advertising administrative manager for the Reading Eagle Company in Reading, Pa.

After getting yyourself ourself something special on eBay,y,y, go to www.giveto.psu.edu eBa www.giveto.psu.edu and give give something special to PPenn enn State.

Do It Online.

¦

Make Mak e a gift gift to P Penn enn State.

GGIFT IFT FT

-AKE AKE A

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Development News

Chubbs Create Award with Gift

Donor Dinner

Dynamite Dinner

Alumni, friends and students enjoyed the annual Donor and Scholarship Recognition Dinner at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.

The event, preceded by a social hour, allowed students and donors (in most cases the people who were funding the students’ scholarships) to meet face to face. Nearly 350 people attended the event.

30

Donor Dinner Photos by Erica Wallace (’10) 31

Up Close: Behind the S

Students of photojournalism senior lecturer John Beale explored the ins and outs of the University Park campus by photographing some of the Penn State employees who work behind the scenes to keep the school running. For several days in early October, two sections of Beale's COMM 269 Introduction to Photojournalism course explored the campus, first looking for interesting jobs and routines done by employees, and then photographing the people in action. A sampling of their shots are on these two pages.

Photos by (clockwise from upper left): Aubrey Whelan; Chad Uddstrom; Jaclyn Bealer; Vrinda Gupta; Johnie Emma Gall; Chad Uddstrom; and David Tuczek.

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Scenes

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Development News

HONOR ROLL The College of Communications received 1,719 gifts (not counting pledges and bequests) during the period between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. Of those, 1,578 were from individuals; 88 were from corporations; 34 were from foundations; and 19 were from organizations.

The contributions totaled $1,160,373. The Honor Roll recognizes alumni and friends who made gifts of $100 or more to the College during the fiscal year. The information has been provided by the Office of University Development.

DEAN’S CIRCLE

Clay Calvert Thomas C. DeRocco Judith Friedman Marlowe and Marliene Froke Robert H. Giles Mark and Beverly Greenwald Robin Rimmler Heim Anne Hoag and J. Paul Rutter Bridget Hughes David and Mary Lee Jones John David Lambert Herbert Maltz Mary and Joseph Meder Robert Richards Alisia Salters Elaine Small Marylouise and Barry Uhlig Thomas M. Verducci Carol Woolford Jane Zimmerman

(Greater than $2,500) LaVonne Althouse Douglas and Claudia Anderson Jeffrey and Lori Baum Donald and Vivienne Bellisario Benjamin Bronstein Brownstein Group Warren and Rebecca Carmichael Kathleen and John Collins John and Ann Curley Helene Eckstein James Wiggins and Christine Fleming Lawrence and Ellen Foster Herman and Judith Gibb John and Diana Gibb Judith Hardes Jay Jackson Bill and Honey Jaffe Mary MacLaren Frederick and Ann Martelli Eric and Luisa Rabe George and Ann Richards Rochelle Roth Catherine and William Rzasa Mary Lee Schneider and Edward Flam Andrew and Beatrice Schultz Richard and Arlene Small Christopher Wheeler

COMMUNICATIONS PARTNERS ($500 to $999) Christopher and Betty Arantz John Beauge Alexander J. Bird Lois and William Clark Maureen Collins Charles Curley Philip and Joan Currie Jay Grossman and Dorothy Daub Robin Deacle Stanley Degler Robert A. Frydlewicz Marie Hardin

DEAN’S ASSOCIATES ($1,000 to $2,499) Gerald and Carol Abrams Richard and Antoinette Bange Robert Boulware

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Daniel Hartman Coulston S. Henry Wayne Hilinski Donald King Marilyn Koch Ronald Kolb John and Lucille Leach Christopher and Lisa Lydon Ann Major and Erwin Atwood David J. Morris Patrica Green Penman Bradley Risch and Deborah Rihs Douglas Roberts Michael R. Rose Robin and Michael Savage Frederick and Christine Thieman

Cheryl Dunlap Levkoff Wendy L. Lichtenstein Trudy E. Lipowsky Fern E. Margolis-Shire Patrick and Helia Maritato Dorothy Matts Abby Mayer Deborah Meder and Larry Gohn Graceann Migliaccio Norman and Mollie Miller Linda Murphy Joseph O’Connell and Kerry Schwed Nancy A. Ory Renee Craig Reeder David D. Reel Ronald and Susan Rickens Kathleen A. Ryan Lorraine A. Ryan Jeffrey and Stacy Schwartz Fuyuan and Robyn Shen Amit and Judy Schejter Barbara and John Sturgeon Lori Shontz and Matthew Herb Lisa Novajosky Smith Ann and Larry Spector James S. Ultman Mona Signorino Wunderlich David and Jamie Yadgaroff Randolph and Maria Yanoshak Allison W. Ziefert Philip Zimmer

CARNEGIE CLUB ($250 to $499) Ian and Lee Alexander Joseph and Karan Aman Mark Ashenfelter George Atiyeh Joan and Shadwick Barry Paul D. Boynton Walter Cherepinsky Jane and David Conley Malcolm and Janet Conner Lyn Kibler Culver Pamela and Keith Driftmier Kathryn J. Duncan Carole Feldman Fran Fisher and Associates Gene and JoAnn Foreman Kathryn Edwards Fucci Raymond and Shirley Galant Paul and Catherine Greenland William J. Hackett Stephen Heiser Alexandra W. Hughes Richard and Dorothea Hyk Dick Jones Communications Rebecca Jones Jeffrey and Maryann Klick

CENTURY CLUB ($100 to $249) Stephanie L. Albero David P. Allen Johanna L. Altland Abe Amoros Michelle A. Antonelli Kendra A. Aucker Ali M. Audi Melvin T. Axilbund Robert E. Baisch Tony Barbieri

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Development News

HONOR ROLL

Development News

HONOR ROLL Mike Feinsilber Emily and Johan Firmenich Eliza Newell Flanagan Kevin Flintosh Vito A. Forlenza II Robert B. Franklin Matthew G. Frazier Christine Bailey Fuller Lynn A. Gallagher Alison Wass Galluccio Erin E. Gibson J. Reed Gidez Christopher and Margaret Gilbert Edmund R. Gleason Jennifer A. Gottlieb Richard S. Greco William A. Guhl Lisa Volpe Hachey Carol E. Hagedorn Bonita Hamorsky Curtis R. Hare Thomas A. Harvey Michael E. Hayes Robert J. Heath, Jr. Sally A. Heffentreyer Heather A. Heigele Robert E. Heisse Carl H. Heller Chad Hershberger and Sarah Voorhees Kenneth E. Hershberger Jeffrey B. Hershey Pamela Hervey Scott H. Hezlep Susan K. Hirtle Karen Perillo Hockstein David Hodes Anita P. Holland Cheryl Cooper Holliday Joshua D. Howard Lesley A. Hummer Warren A. Hunter Jr. Matthew G. Iannacone Anderson Isaacs Matt Jackson Marilyn Rinker Jennerjohn

Michael and Diane Bauhof Hilary S. Becker Mary L. Suhrie Bellicini Nancy B. Bentivegna Karen M. Bernardo Paulette L. Berner Steve L. Bien-Aime Jennifer J. Bissell Amy C. Blew Kathryn L. Blum Mark A. Bohenick Kelly G. Boyles Courtney B. Brooke Anne Brubaker Burns Michael and Joyce Bussler James J. Callan Richard S. Caputo Jr. John A. Carfagno Mary Beth A. Casey Anne and Kenneth Chubb John C. Clark Hal D. Coffey Kim G. Cohen Clifton W. Colmon Richard C. Cook Nancy J. Coopersmith David and Amanda Coppola Patricia Gallagher Corcoran John and Vicki Cousley Christopher W. Crider Joan E. Dalessandro Marc A. Damico Dr. Victor J. Danilov Eleanor M. Daufenbach Gabrielle L. De Rose-Colombo Frank H. Deom, Jr. Jason E. Derck Judith Blackwell Detwiler Sandra Dillon H. R. Downey Vincent N. Driscoll Colleen P. Duerr James A. Dunlap Patricia McClure Enger Richard R. Evans

36

W. Bradford Mello Stephen B. Milner Wendy Kops Mondello Frederick Monsimer Sara Dreiling Moriber Betsy and Norman Murray James F. Murtha Srinivas Murti Kevin R. Musick Marian J. Myers Sharel Smith Neilland Susan H. Nichols Esther H. Northrup Katherine Moser Ontko Ellen Blakely Pagano David A. Partenheimer Steven L. Patterson George G. Peck Thomas and Rebecca Peeling Scott Pellis Jean Allen Petersen Gayle B. Petty Isaiah J. Poole Michael Poorman Jill M. Ramacciotti Patrick J. Raring Richard M. Ravitz Julie K. Rhen John M. Rice Andrew H. Richards Ashley D. Rickenbach Frances Eckstein Roberton Dennis J. Robinson Samuel V. Rogers Dyann Roth Benjamin S. Rupp John P. Rynkiewicz Richard A. Sabel Maureen Quinn Salamon Elaine B. Sauer Frank and Adina Schiffman Heidi Vancura Schumacher Nandy and Ralph Schumack Noreen Stock Schwartz J. Michael Shanahan

Amy Johns Lynn Johnson Ryan and Michele Jones Robert and Mary Joyce Robert Junas Elizabeth Kahn Jarred and Rachel Kassenoff John J. Kauffman Glenn N. Kaup Timothy and Linda L. Kearns Jacqueline S. Kehoe John W. Kelly Jr. Thomas F. Kelso, Jr. E. Sanford King Christian W. Kiser Jeffrey and Kimberly S. Klein Joseph and Karen Klein Daniel R. Klink Holly Knecht Peter A. Kowalski Christine Martin Kucik Brian P. Kweder Stephanie M. LaCapra Carl F. Lahr Barry C. Lewen Suzanne Clement Libby Christopher J. Liller Amy Takehara Lilly Mark X. Lima Maria Falsetta Livolsi Virginia Croft Lopez Vincent A. Loss Nancy E. Luse James C. Mansfield Samantha N. Marpe Ann Rittenhouse Martin Carleen R. Martin Scott and Nancy Mayes Michele M. McFarland Patrick J. McKenna Thomas C. McNulty Jerry M. Medley Ellis I. Medoway Kimberly E. Mehle Jacqueline Robinson-Melchor

37

Development News

HONOR ROLL

Development News

HONOR ROLL Elliot Shapiro Barbara K. Shelly Imix L. Shish Kathleen Kirsch Smith Carrie and Matthew Snyder Christopher F. Snyder Edward J. Socha Lauren Steinberg John W. Steiner Joanne Borrelli Steller Kathryn Brazel Stickel Taylor E. Strimple Christopher M. Stroz Norman and Susan Styer Sharon Stenzler Tessler Jonathan and Debra Thurley Donita Art Todd Robert R. Toothman James M. Townsend Jr. Timothy Trego John Troan Michael K. Trobich Susan Ferrell Troller Paul L. Tsompanas Brandon and Audra Uhlig Cynthia C. Viadella

Mark E. Vidonic Catharine Starbird Ward Thomas P. Waring Charles Warner Robert S. Wechsler Wendy C. Wehr Jaclyn Bootel Weinstein Paul H. Weinstein Bruce B. Wood Mary Ellen Wright William Elliot Young Patrice Bradley Zdeb Ralph and Lou Ann Zeigler Jr.

CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION GIFTS Academy Foundation Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Foundation Accenture Foundation American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Autel LLC Boca Raton Synagogue Inc. Charles D. & Mary A. Bauer Foundation Broadband Cable Assoc. of Pa. James E. & Diane W. Burke Foundation Inc.

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Centre Daily Times Collegian AIG Dauer Family Foundation Inc. Drew University Fidelity Investments Charitable Fund Finestra Foundation and Carmen Finestra Gannett Foundation Inc. Garner Anderson, LLC Harmelin & Associates Inc. William Randolph Hearst Foundation Honeywell Hometown Solutions Interstate Advertising Managers Association JNOT Inc. Robert W. Johnson 1962 Charitable Trust Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Inc. Kiplinger Foundation Inc. Kuhlman Communications, LLC John S. & James L. Knight Foundation LEV Associates, LLC Lightner Electronics Inc. Mathis Pfohl Foundation Media Democracy Fund MFS Investment Management Mid-Atlantic Newspaper Services Inc. Miller Communications Inc. Jim Murray Memorial Foundation

Murray Overhill Pharmacy Inc. Palm Beach Orthodox Patriot News Company PA Assn of Broadcasters PNA Foundation Premiere Sports & Entert. LLC PSAA Holding Corp.

Rodale Inc. Sharon Freeark & Associates Inc. Social Science Research Council Stocker Chevrolet Inc. James Hale Steinman Foundation John Frederick Steinman Foundation Taiwan Foundation for Democracy WJAC Television

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Development News

HONOR ROLL

Destination Shanghai STUDENT CLOSE-UP

A

Fifteen students and four faculty members will make a trip to Shanghai as part of COMM 497B International Reporting during the spring semester.

Faculty, students gear up for international reporting class, trip to China.

n upper-level journalism class designed to introduce students to the challenges and responsibilities of an international correspondent goes global this spring with a trip to China for a week of hands-on reporting in the country’s vibrant financial and social heart—Shanghai.

Last year, students taking COMM 497B International Reporting traveled south, about 1,940 miles to Mexico City. It was a logical destination for the first-ever class.

This year, though, Foster Professor Tony Barbieri (who teaches the class with assistant professor Bu Zhong) set his sights on a more ambitious, and distant, destination.

“We learned a lot from the trip to Mexico City,” Barbieri said.

“We navigated some logistical challenges, got there and back and got a lot done.

“In terms of destination, it was easy. It was basically the same time zone, we had a five-hour flight and several of the students spoke Spanish. Plus, there are so many elements of the culture that we absorb and appreciate because of our familiarity and proximity.

“That’s not the case with a trip to China, which presents many more challenges.”

Getting to Shanghai, more than 7,300 miles from Happy Valley, requires 14 hours on planes, and just one of the 15 students making the trip speaks even a little Chinese. Plus, the country’s culture, not the least of which is its government-controlled media, represents a striking contrast to that of the United States.

“We have a talented group of students. The biggest part of preparing for the trip will be helping them appreciate the culture,

40

Student Close-Up

political system and differences in Chinese society before Communications and Shanghai International Studies we leave,” Zhong said. “It’s quite different from what they University made finding such assistance fairly easy, too. know. It will be challenging and eye-opening at the same In 2008, Zhong and Dean Doug Anderson made a 12time.” day trip to China that set the groundwork for that relaMore than 60 students applied for spots in the class, tionship and others in the country and later in that year a and the corresponding opportunity to make the trip. For group of SISU faculty and students visited Penn State. the 15 students selected, that challenge was clearly part of With capable assistance, Barbieri and Zhong believe the appeal. their expectations are reasonable. They expect every mem“It’s exciting because it’s a whole new experience for ber of the class to complete one story from their work me,” said Heather Schmelzlen, from Altoona, Pa., who during the trip. Those stories will be completed when will serve as metro editor of The Daily Collegian during the they return. spring semester but While in China, has never traveled far they are expected to “If we’re trying to give them a sense of what provide blog reports from home. “Aside from going to Niagara and other content for an international correspondent does, they Falls in seventh ComMedia, the have to get the story.” grade—and we actually showcase site for work traveled to the U.S. — Tony Barbieri done by College of side and walked over Communications stuthe bridge to the dents. Relationships Canadian side—I’ve never been to another country.” with McClatchy Newspapers, Philly.com, the Pennsylvania Students selected for the trip represent a cross section Society of Newspaper Editors and others might provide of journalism majors—broadcast, print, multimedia and other avenues for broadcast and publication of the stuvisual communications. dents’ work.

During the early part of the semester, they will prepare “That’s the ultimate goal,” Barbieri said. “Some validafor the trip through classroom instruction, including a tion of the quality of the students’ work by getting it pubquartet of visitors from China who Barbieri and Zhong lished in a professional outlet. They’re clearly capable of hope can provide necessary background and context for doing that kind of work.” youthful student journalists.

Barbieri and Zhong said selecting students for the class The trip to Shanghai comes over spring break, with five and trip was the hardest part of their job. days on the ground in the vibrant city and a little time at They had hoped to limit the group to about a dozen the end of the week for a group trip to Beijing. students, but found an overabundance of qualified candi“It just pained me to think about taking them all the dates among the 60 who applied—and several of those stuway over there and not providing the opportunity to see dents started preparing for the trip before the fall semester the Great Wall,” Barbieri said. “At the same time, we’re ended. there to work. My message, and what I will continually “I’m looking forward to the class and the trip, and have tell them, is that a so-so story is better than a great excuse been keeping my eye more and more on news from for not having one.

China,” said Courtlyn Roser-Jones, from State College.

“If we’re trying to give them a sense of what an interna- “It’ll be enlightening to be in a country whose approach tional correspondent does, they have to get the story.” to media is not the same as our’s. I’m excited to see their Along with Barbieri and Zhong, faculty members maknewspapers, to watch television news there—it’s just the ing the trip include Ford Risley, associate professor and whole opportunity that appeals to me.” head of the Department of Journalism, and Barbara Bird, Barbieri admits the selection of Shanghai as the destiassociate professor and director of international programs nation for the class was “instructor preference,” and that for the College of Communications. In addition, a gradu- “Bu keeps telling me what we could do differently if we ate student from the College, Yuan Sun, will accompany were in Beijing.” Still, Barbieri believes the selection was the contingent. Sun previously lived in Shanghai and correct in many respects. worked for the New York Times bureau there.

“Shanghai just has this mystique,” he said. “It’s the Barbieri also used the Mexico City trip as a learning country’s financial capital, it’s stunning visually, and it experience for himself and plans to have additional transmight be the most outward looking city in the country lators and “fixers,” people who help facilitate interviews except for Hong Kong. It just stuck me as the coolest and serve as guides, available to students during the trip place to go. to China. A relationship between the College of “It was a no-contest choice.” ●

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Student News

Activity Leads to Success for PRSSA Chapter

H

alfway through the 2009-2010 academic year, the The communications committee enables students to Public Relations Student Society of America chapter write for the chapter’s monthly newsletter and blog. at Penn State has grown internally and externally by Members of the THON committee plan fundraisers and conducting timely programming and focusing on getting canning trips to raise money for the Penn State Dance more students involved within the organization.

Marathon and Four Diamonds Fund.

The Lawrence G. Foster Penn State Chapter of PRSSA— Event planning, the largest committee, coordinates named to honor the chapter’s events to raise funds for the professional adviser, Larry chapter and for other nonFoster—serves more than 230 profit organizations. members at Penn State. It One of the chapter’s ranks as the third-largest chapbiggest challenges is its size. ter in the nation.

With more than 230 memPRSSA strives to enhance bers, the organization works students’ knowledge of public to strategically create events relations by providing profesthat improve interaction sional development opportuamong all members. nities. The organization helps “Our challenge is making to develop highly qualified sure all members stay and well-prepared professioninvolved and we are providals looking to enter the public ing enough professional relations industry. development opportunities “My vision for this year is for everyone,” said to give members more handsBubonovich.

Members celebrate the chapter’s success at the National on experience,” said chapter For example, the chapter is Conference, where the Lawrence G. Foster Penn State Chapter president Dana Bubonovich. “I of PRSSA was honored with the Pacesetter Award. planning several workshops in want to have the Penn State the spring to further engage chapter more involved in national PRSSA events, including students. the National Conference, National Assembly and regional Those workshops will allow participants to learn more activities.” about topics such as CSS/Dreamweaver, InDesign, portfoSo far, the chapter has done just that—with its highest lios and e-portfolios, interviewing and how to write press honor and national recognition coming at the National releases. Also, the chapter will be hosting a mini-conference Conference in San Diego. that will provide alumni and public relations practitioners a The Penn State chapter won the Pacesetter Award, chance to interact with students. which honors the chapter that makes the most positive and “In PRSSA, we strive to give students hands-on experimemorable impact on society leadership, session speakers ence they can’t learn in the classroom,” said Bubonovich. and other national conference attendees. Ten representa“We provide them with opportunities and workshops they tives from Penn State attended the conference, where stucan use in their careers and in their future.” dents discussed issues with other chapters and participated The chapter has also worked hard to incorporate social in a variety of workshops. media into its operations. It recently created a blog The award is voted on by chapter presidents and honors (psuprssa.wordpress.com) to update students with public the chapter with the best spirit, unity and sportsmanship. relations events, news and issues. All students have the The Penn State students demonstrated their blue-and-white chance to express their creativity by writing on the blog.

“We use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and blogs to pride and spirit throughout the weekend by wearing jerseys, shaking pom-poms and performing Penn State cheers. update members, alumni and other PRSSA chapters of “Winning the award was a true honor for our chapter,” what we are doing,” said Bubonovich.

The chapter also takes part in an event called Bubonovich said. “The award, based on spirit and sports“#PRStudChat,” a monthly tweet-up inviting PRSSA chapmanship, truly exemplifies our chapter’s mission and ters, public relations practitioners, and news organizations vision.”

At Penn State, the PRSSA chapter is divided into three to discuss PR trends.

— M i c h e l e M e n de l so n ( ’ 1 1 ) committees: communications, THON and event planning.

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A senior public relations major in the College of Communications earned the National Gold Key Award, recognizing academic excellence and leadership in the Public Relations Student Society of America.

Jennifer Wallington of Philadelphia applied for the award in the spring, and it was presented in November during the PRSSA National Convention in San Diego.

“The PRSSA Gold Key Award recognizes an undergraduate student for outstanding scholarship and leadership, and Jennifer has proven herself as both a scholar and a leader,” said Ann Marie Major, an associate professor in the Department of Advertising/Public Relations and adviser for the PRSSA’s Lawrence G. Foster Chapter at Penn State.

“She’s an outstanding student.”

Wallington serves as the liaison from the Penn State chapter to the national organization. She previously served as a member of the national conference committee.

“When I received the letter about the award, I was so excited and proud,” said Wallington. “Its a big accomplishment and it feels like my hard work at school has really paid off.”

Wallington said Jamey Perry, assistant dean for academic services and her adviser in the College of Communications, was encouraging and helpful throughout the award application process. Perry said Wallington’s drive was instrumental and obvious.

“Jennifer has worked hard,” said Perry, who has been an adviser in the College for a decade.

“She set a bar for herself in terms of goals and expectations and rather than just reaching the bar, she raised it to do even better.” ●

Passionate Boyer Serves as Marshal Lauren Boyer, of Hummelstown, Pa., served as the student marshal for the College of Communications during fall commencement in the Bryce Jordan Center.

Boyer, 21, completed her career at Penn State with a 3.97 grade-point average, earning a degree in journalism with a minor in communication arts and sciences.

Boyer was escorted by faculty marshal John Curley, professor and distinguished professional in residence in the Department of Journalism.

“John Curley has always been an inspiration to me, not only because of his professional accomplishments, which are amazing, but also Lauren because it means a lot to a Boyer student that someone of his stature has an open-door policy,” Boyer said. “I know that I can come in any time to talk about journalism pursuits and life in general.”

Boyer took two classes with Curley, the former president and CEO of Gannett Co. Inc. and the first editor of USA Today, who also served as Boyer’s supervisor for her Schreyer Honors College thesis.

After graduation, Boyer was selected for a year-long reporting fellowship at the Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa. She said choosing a career in journalism was a “no brainer.”

“Throughout my life, my parents had always encouraged me to read the newspaper,” Boyer said. “The passion to pursue a career as a journalist really didn’t kick in until high school, when I found my niche as the editorin-chief of Hershey High School’s newspaper.”

During her junior year of high school, Boyer traveled to Carnegie Hall in New York City where she accepted a national Scholastic Writing Awards Gold Key for journal-

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Student News

Student Merits National Award

ism, for an article she wrote about Alzheimer’s disease.

“Since then, my life has literally revolved around journalism,” Boyer said. “When I graduated, I purposely started Penn State in the summer session of 2006, with the idea of getting a head start at The Daily Collegian.”

During her time at Penn State, Boyer involved herself in writing-centered organizations. From June 2006 to April 2008, she covered beats at the Daily Collegian, reporting on student government and the first elections of the University Park Undergraduate Association.

In the summer of 2008, Boyer was a city desk intern at the Patriot-News, where she wrote more than 70 articles and learned how to improve her confidence as a writer and reporter. Last summer, Boyer interned with the Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents’ Association where she covered state news from the capitol newsroom.

“As a reporter, that was the biggest challenge I ever faced, being thrown into the fire of the longest state budget impasse in modern Pennsylvania history,” she said. “Everything was new to me, and the reporters from the various papers were invaluable to my educational experience.”

Boyer wrote her honors thesis on newspaper coverage of the state budget stalemate.

She was honored with her selection as student marshal.

“Because I’m graduating earlier than most of my peers, in three and a half years, it is especially meaningful,” she said. “It’s an honor to be recognized for the hard work I’ve put into not only getting good grades in my courses but also putting those skills to work in real-world situations.”

— Mich ele M end el son (’1 1)

Student News

Company’s Video Touts Its Internship Relationship

Just over 200 miles from Happy Valley, Success Since 2002, Communications Group, Success showcases its Penn State Communications pride by creating a Group has had YouTube video that highlights the relationship 39 Penn State between the firm and its interns.

Penn State interns.

A full-service communications agency in Chiarella said students Parsippany, N.J., Success interning at Success Communications has Communications are an accepted 39 Penn State stuessential part of the fulldents studying advertising, service agency and are public relations and jourexpected to complete a nalism into its internship range of tasks including: program since 2002. contacting clients, networkHowever, it was not until ing with local businesses, this summer that the attending meetings, taking agency visually showed its pictures, editing videos “informal relationship” and making Web sites. with the University.

While some of those Self-proclaimed a skills are taught on site, “Success Story,” the video much of the knowledge is features all six Penn State brought to the agency by interns from summer 2009 the College of Nicole Chiarella enjoyed her summer internship with Success clad in blue and white Communications Group because the company provided interns Communications’ stuthe opportunity to work directly with clients. interacting with staff and dents. going about their daily “We found that consisduties. After Carlyn Perrotty, a Success tently we are impressed with the level of professional Communications account executive and Penn State preparedness shown by Penn State students,” Praschak graduate, talks about what the agency offers and how said. the University’s students fit well into that dynamic, the Success Communications has even hired Penn State video concludes with a handful of “We Are …” chants students into full-time positions after graduating. and one last “We Are Penn State and Success Perrotty, a former intern for the agency, was hired as an Communications Group,” from Perrotty (’09 Journ). account executive following her graduation this past The agency intended for the video to not only reach spring. One of her favorite parts of working at the comthe family and friends of interns but prospective interns pany is that the Penn State interns bring Happy Valley a from Penn State and other universities with strong com- little closer to her home. munications programs.

“It’s the camaraderie and togetherness from the “We’ve really come to believe that video is extremely beginning,” said Perrotty. “[We] share that passion powerful for communicating messages and informainside for our school and athletic teams. It makes it easy tion,” said Kurt Praschak, vice president of public relato become genuine friends.” tions, “and we just wanted to let people know and see Perrotty and Praschak hope that the agency’s relawhat we are doing at the agency.” tionship with Penn State, with the help of Bob Martin, And what these interns do are no simple mindless assistant dean for internships and career placement, will tasks. “I knew from day one that I wasn’t going to be flourish and continue to attract talented and spirited making people coffee,” said Nicole Chiarella (’11 students.

Adv/PR), a summer 2009 intern.

— Jessica Qui nlan (’1 0)

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Student News

PROUD PARTNERS Michael Antonietti of General Electric (left) presents the GE Partnership Award to Bob Martin, assistant dean for internships and career placement in the College of Communications. The College was one of three units at Penn State honored with the award, which is presented only once every five years. The award recognizes schools that are top producers of talent for GE, and whose students excel in academics, leadership and work experience.

Summer Intern Earns Working Role at Video Music Awards

storming about ideas to workAs birthday presents go, ing with our sales team,” she Lauren Mitsch believes her’s “I was overwhelmingly excited.” said. “Turnarounds on our this year ranks as one of the — Lauren Mitsch projects depend on the size of best. the effort, but could be anyOn Sept. 1, one day before thing from a quick couple of her 22nd birthday, Mitsch, a such as Comedy Central, MTV, weeks to something that was months Penn State senior majoring in adver- Nickelodeon and VH-1, were challong and had all kinds of chaltising and marketing, found out her lenged to create promotional camlenges.” summer internship at Nickelodeon paigns for the Video Music Awards. had produced an unexpected In a previous internship, Mitsch They had no budgets, and had to reward—an all-expense-paid trip to worked for the Bank of New York submit their digital or word-ofthe annual MTV Video Music Mellon not long after those two sepmouth approaches every Thursday Awards in New York City. arate financial institutions became during the five-week period. Mitsch’s It was not exactly a gift, though. one.

Her duties included brand marwork, including a Web site, emerged It was an assignment, because she keting as BNY Mellon reached out as the best of the bunch. worked as a red-carpet host at Radio to college-aged customers.

She lived in the city during her Mitsch made her first call about City Music Hall and blogger for the internship from May to August, but the Video Music Awards opportuniawards program watched by millions she was flown back to the Big all over the world.

Apple, picked up at JFK Airport in a ty and trip to her mother, Karen.

“She was probably more excited “I was overwhelmingly excited.

Lincoln Town Car and stayed at the than I was,” Lauren said.

There was some pressure because W Hotel in Times Square for her Larry Mitsch was happy about his that would be my dream job,” said assignment. daughter’s work this summer and Mitsch, from Level Green, Pa., At Nickelodeon this summer, about 20 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Mitsch worked in integrated market- the latest trip as well.

“He’s the quiet one, like all “I’ve always been fascinated with the ing, collaborating with the network’s dads,” Lauren said. “When he starts media and entertainment.” sales team and coordinating efforts telling his friends about it, you know Mitch earned the opportunity with clients. As part of that team, it’s big.” after a five-week contest among she helped organize events, pitch Lauren’s sister, Katlyn is a junior interns at MTV-related entities this approaches and work on promotions majoring in accounting at Penn summer. Members of that “Intern with advertisers and their clients.

State. Her brother, David, is a junior Army,” working in New York City “The internship allowed me to at Penn-Trafford High School. ● and Los Angeles for media outlets experience everything from brain-

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Student News

Senior Tandem Follows Team, Produces Coverage

By Rebekka Coakley

DDiVito are getting national an Krupinsky and Tommy

exposure while strengthening their resumés producing and announcing for Penn State women’s volleyball.

Both seniors, the two are getting hands-on, real-world experience thanks to Penn State’s athletic department and the Big Ten Network.

“The experience I’ve had working with and broadcasting for the team this season has been incredible,” said Krupinsky, a sports broadcasting/journalism major from Shrewsbury, Pa. “Normally, with student broadcasts, you kind of do spot duty, as in you get one game here, one game there, so it’s hard to really get into a rhythm and get to know a team.

“But with volleyball, I get to do every match. I’m around the team all the time, so it creates a really professional work environment, and it’s something that a lot of people the same age as me aren’t getting.”

Krupinksy, who was asked to broadcast the games during his sophomore year (he was already announcing them for ComRadio, the Internet-based station operated by the College of Communications), said this year has topped the two before.

Now he gets to travel with the team, work as technical director while on the road and use new equipment provided by the Big Ten Network for international webcasts as well as announcing.

“There are definitely worse ways to spend my weekends than traveling around with the No. 1 team in the nation as they’re chasing history, trying to become the first women’s Division I program to win

three straight national titles,” Krupinsky said.

DiVito, a broadcast journalism student from St. Petersburg, Fla., works on technical aspects of the productions. Working with the volleyball team and the Big Ten Network to execute successful sports broadcasts will help secure his future out of college. The technology he has learned to use, including state-of-the-art fly pack equipment, will put him a step above many college graduates in his field.

"The BTN productions are a lot of fun— it’s great career experience with top-of-the-line HD equipment,” DiVito said.

He said producing the While the two-time defending national champion telecasts with his peers is women’s volleyball team, led by Megan Hodge, through the regular season, Dan Krupinsky and a great opportunity and romped Tommy DeVito (inset left) covered all the matches. he really enjoys working (Volleyball photo by Mark Selders) with the broadcasters, pen on the volleyball court, the camera ops and director. camera or the microphone.

“It’s not just a resumé builder, its “There’s only so much you can practical career experience. Plus, it’s prepare for and, granted, preparareally cool when you hear the numtion takes a lot of work and certainber of paid customers viewing the ly helps. But once the game or webcast live,” he said. “When I see match starts, you never know where it on TV it really hits me, and I'm you’ll end up,” he said. “Sports has just like ‘Wow, I helped produce always been a passion of mine, and that.’ That’s the best part, watching I love being on camera as much as I it on TV, because when you are do behind the scenes because either working, you are focused on the way, you’re able to piece a broadcast specifics of the job, but when you together, capture the atmosphere get a chance to step back and look and bring it to fans across the at the big picture, you see how proglobe.” fessional it really looks.”

DiVito, also a member of DiVito likes working in live ComRadi, originally provided the sports broadcasting because he has audio for many Penn State volleyball learned to go with the flow—he webcasts before Krupinsky was able never knows what is going to hapto do play-by-play and analysis. ●

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Student News Students Gain Working Experience at G-20 Summit Journalism major Natalya Stanko interviews police officers on duty at the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh. (Photo by John Beale)

Eshleman’s experience includes 15 years with The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he was Harrisburg bureau chief and state political writer. In 1992, he won a distinguished writing award from the American Society of Newspaper Editors. After leaving the Inquirer, Eshleman wrote a column on Pennsylvania government and politics that appeared in a handful of newspapers across the state.

In 2007, his column was awarded a first place in the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association’s annual Keystone Press Awards for newspapers.

The Group of Twenty (G-20), comprised of finance ministers and central bank governors from around the world, was established in 1999 to bring together important industrialized and developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy. The inaugural meeting of the G-20 took place in Berlin in December 1999.

The event in Pittsburgh made the western Pennsylvania city a focal point and gathering place for news media from around the world because participants included world leaders.

Also, thousands of people converged on the area to either attend, or protest—making it a wonderful learning environment for student journalists. ●

A team of five journalism students from the College of Communications covered the G-20 Economic Summit in Pittsburgh for media outlets in the state and for ComMedia, the showcase site for student work in the College, during the fall semester.

All of the students who made the trip were seniors.

They were: Michael Felletter of Pocono Lake, Pa.; Rachid Haoues of Southbury, Conn.; Scott King of Andreas, Pa.; David Reinbold of Lebanon, Pa.; and Natalya Stanko of Havertown, Pa. Two faculty members accompanied the students on the trip—senior lecturers John Beale and Russ Eshleman.

Beale spent 21 years as staff photographer and chief photographer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette before joining the Penn State faculty. A member of the U.S. Senate Press Photographers’ Gallery, his work has been honored with numerous national awards, including two Sigma Delta Chi Awards, the Community Service Photojournalism Award from the American Society of Newspaper Editors and photo of the year by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

His photos have been widely published in numerous magazines and books.

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Student News

Graduate Program Enrollment Reaches Record-High Level

A strong graduate studies program in the College of Communications continued to grow during the first half of the 2009-10 academic year.

Enrollment in the master’s degree and doctoral programs in communications increased 8.9 percent for the year.

In the past nine years, enrollment has increased 32 percent—from 65 graduate students in 2000 to the 86 who are enrolled in the program this fall.

“It’s good growth. We’ve increased our numbers and we’ve increased our quality,” said John S. Nichols, professor and associate dean for graduate studies and research.

“We have a strong mix of students who bring professional experiences or come to us from different institutions across the country and around the world.

“That variety of perspectives makes us stronger.”

Students get the opportunity to work with 45 distinguished graduate faculty members who possess a range of interests.

The result of that interaction in recent years has led to accolades for the program and recognition for the research productivity of graduate students and faculty. ●

Rob Frieden, the Pioneers Chair in Telecommunications, a respected researcher and teacher, addresses a class. (Photo by Mark Selders)

2009-10 NEW MASTER’S DEGREE STUDENTS

Anna Allsop

Janelle Applequist

Sarah Burton

Bachelor’s, Denison University

Bachelor’s, Penn State

Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Program

Laura Caldwell

George Christo-Baker

Loren Crispell

Katie Cuppett

Bachelor’s, Saint Francis University

Bachelor’s, University of Toledo

Bachelor’s, Penn State

Bachelor’s, Penn State

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Student News

2009-10 NEW MASTER’S DEGREE STUDENTS

Valerie Dames

Daniel DeIuliis

David DeIuliis

Carolyn Donaldson

Megan Duke

Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Program

Bachelor’s, Penn State

Bachelor’s, Penn State

Bachelor’s, Siena Heights University

Bachelor’s, Penn State

Stephen Fiehler

Jennifer Fyock

Rachel Guldin

Sharde Hardy

Courtney Herring

Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Program

Bachelor’s, Penn State

Bachelor’s, Penn State

Bachelor’s, Bluefield (Va.) College

Bachelor’s, Denison University

Ji Young Li

Seoyeon Lee

Omar Maglalan

M Nadhir Ibn Muntaka

Yuan Sun

Bachelor’s, Penn State

Bachelor’s, Illinois State University

Bachelor’s, Virginia Tech

Bachelor’s, Penn State; Master’s, Lock Haven University

Bachelor’s, Peking University

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Student News

2009-10 NEW DOCTORAL STUDENTS

Mun-Young Chung

Jian Cui

Lauren DeCarvahlo

Margaret Diamond

Xue Dou

Bachelor’s, Kwangwoon University; Master’s, Sogang University

Bachelor’s and master’s, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications

Bachelor’s and master’s, Penn State

Bachelor’s, Duquesne University; Master’s, University of Pittsburgh

Bachelor’s, Shizuoka University; Master’s, Michigan State

Kyun Han You

Sangyong Han

Aaron Heresco

Brian MacAuley

Cristina Mislan

Bachelor’s and master’s, Yonsei University

Bachelor’s, Hankuk University; Master’s, Indiana University

Bachelor’s and master’s, Penn State

Bachelor’s, University of Massachusetts; Master’s, Suffolk University

Bachelor’s and master’s, Louisiana State University

Jeeyun Oh

Yong Tang

Justin Walden

David Weinert

Bachelor’s and master’s, Seoul National University

Bachelor’s, Sichuan International Studies University; Master’s, George Washington

Bachelor’s, University of Albany; Master’s, Syracuse University

Master’s, Michigan State University

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STATE IN SPAIN Two current Ph.D. students, two graduates of the doctoral program and a faculty member attended an international conference in Benasque, Spain, in November. The conference, organized under the auspices of the Centro de Ciencias de Benasque Pedro Pascual was titled “Entertainment=Emotion” and focused on the role of entertainment in viewers’ and users’ emotional responses to media entertainment. Guan-Soon Khoo and Julia Woolley (current graduate students) were participants in the conference and workshop; Mina Tsay (Ph.D. 2007, now at Boston University) and Maja Krakowiak (Ph.D. 2008, now at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs) were presenters; and Professor Mary Beth Oliver served as a keynote speaker. Pictured, left to right: GuanSoon Khoo, Julia Woolley, Mina Tsay, Mary Beth Oliver and Maja Krakowiak.

SWEET START A welcome-back session for all communications students, coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs in the College of Communications, was a popular event at the start of the fall semester.

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● Along with the webcast of the annual Homecoming parade, which was produced by students and staff from the College of Communications, the Homecoming court also had a strong communications flavor.

Three members of the 10-person court were communications majors. They included two candidates for Homecoming queen (CriCri Henry, a public relations and international politics major from Westfield, N.J., and Kylie Nellis, from Wexford, Pa., who is completing majors in broadcast journalism, international politics and German) and one candidate for king (Austin Miller, a journalism major from New York City). ● Dozens of recruiters made on-campus visits to the College during the fall semester, searching out communications students for internships and full-time positions. Among the many companies on campus were: ESPN, LifeScan (a Johnson & Johnson company), Major League Baseball (for its coveted MLB.com internshps), Ogilvy, Raytheon and Towers Perrin.

Student News

Notes, Numbers

ALUMNI CLOSE-UP

Statistical P Storyteller

Marty Aronoff prepares notes before working a football game at Beaver Stadium earlier this year. (Photo by Mark Selders)

eople across the United States celebrated Thanksgiving less than two months ago, and some might already have forgotten all the details about the day—even if what happened represents a long-standing tradition for them.

Some people just find it easy to forget or to miss details.

Marty Aronoff is not one of them.

He makes his living—and helps entertain and inform millions of people several times a week—by not forgetting and by making details matter.

He certainly knows where he was on Thanksgiving: College Station, Texas.

“There’s a football game every year. We have a big dinner the night before and then in the morning the whole crew gets together. We have 20 to 25 people, men and women. We play eight on eight, and I’m alltime center and referee.

Alumnus Marty Aronoff brings meaning to broadcasts—so many broadcasts—with numbers that help tell the story.

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53

Alumni Close-Up

“I snap the ball for one team and then jog down the Washington University or a World Series game, gives field to ref the play. If there’s something controversial, me the same pleasure.”

I’ll go to the sideline, put a towel over my head and With the proliferation of games on television, hunpretend I’m looking at a replay and then make a ruldreds of people shoulder responsibilities similar to ing.”

Aronoff (’60 Lib) on a given night at venues across the Aronoff has the final word, and that word has a last- nation. They cite statistics and dig for ways to help the ing impact. broadcasters tell the story.

“At last year’s game, I made a call on a play by Jesse So, Aronoff works in a world of aberrations and Palmer [an ABC/ESPN analyst and former college trends, firsts and streaks. quarterback] that he’s been complaining about ever During a TV broadcast he sits near the on-air crew since,” Aronoff said. “Finally, wearing headphones that I had to talk to him and let allow him to communicate him know he’s young and with people in the produc“... it’s not about volume. I eventually the calls will go his tion truck and to hear and don’t want to just jam numbers way.” communicate with everyone at them for the sake of showing Aronoff, 71, travels the from the graphic artists who country from his home in design information that them how prolific someone can Washington, D.C., working appears on the TV screen to be. I want to give them a note as a statistician for network the game announcers. when it matters.” sports broadcasts. He started He can hear the broadcast the job as a hobby, working (and see it on a monitor in — Marty Aronoff Washington Bullets NBA front of him) as well as the games in 1975, and his abiliinput from directors and ties eventually led to more opportunities. producers behind the scenes.

By 1983 (after he had retired from working 17 years “It’s a pretty hectic situation,” Aronoff said. for the federal government), Aronoff had a full-time Despite the din, Aronoff also charts action during job. the game—using four different color pens to put He does the same type of things from game to game, together a personal play-by-play account of what has but he never has a typical week—except for a grueling happened. As the game progresses, he provides infortravel schedule that often means four or five different mation and notes to the game announcers, and drops cities in the same number of nights. He works a variin details from his previous research about the game ety of games that include college and professional baswhen appropriate. ketball, baseball and football.

With games almost every day, he’s preparing conFor example, a typical late-fall week included succes- stantly. That pays dividends when he provides the justsive events in Washington, D.C.; Stillwater, Okla.; right note at the perfect moment.

Ann Arbor, Mich.; Houston; Washington, D.C.; and “That’s a feeling that’s hard to explain,” Aronoff Atlanta. said. “But when you get it right, you know it—and so Aronoff handles many top-level assignments for do the announcers. You’ll get a nod or a thumbs up, ABC/ESPN and other outlets, including “Monday and that makes it all worthwhile.”

Night Football,” and his fall schedule usually includes Aronoff’s instincts and timing draw raves from those duties at the World Series. He works nearly 300 games for whom he provides statistics. a year.

He invariably seems to pass along a little square of A list of the announcers with whom he has worked paper with a meaningful and timely statistic just when reads like a who’s who of sports broadcasting—Chris it’s needed most.

Fowler, Al Michaels, Brent Musberger, Dick Stockton, “That’s where I take the most pride in what I do, Mike Tirico and more. reliability,” Aronoff said. “If I’m giving somebody a No matter the game, though, Aronoff brings the note instantaneously, they know it’s going to be OK. same approach.

There’s no hesitation, because they trust what they’re “When you show up, the people who are paying you getting is right. expect you to give them a professional effort,” he said.

“At the same time, it’s not about volume. I don’t “I take every assignment, every night, and give them want to just jam numbers at them for the sake of my best. Doing games and doing them well, whether showing them how prolific someone can be. I want to it’s something local at American University or George give them a note when it matters.” ●

Alumni News

Alumni Fellow for Brownstein

A graduate of the College of Communications was among 24 from across the University honored as Alumni Fellows by the Penn State Alumni Association this year.

The honorees were recognized for their outstanding professional accomplishmenta. The lifelong title of Alumni Fellow is the highest award given by the Alumni Association.

Marc Brownstein (’81 Adv) is president and CEO of the Brownstein Group, a brand communication firm with offices in Philadelphia and Seattle.

Marc The firm is a Brownstein leading integrated marketing agency specializing in brand strategy, digital and traditional advertising, and public relations.

Brownstein, a life member of the Alumni Assocation, serves on the Board of Visitors for the College of Communications and regularly gives of his talent, time and treasure to his alma mater.

“Marc truly stands among the most successful of our graduates,” said Dean Doug Anderson. “He’s the consummate professional: accomplished, energetic, positive, forward looking, savvy, authentic, responsive and responsible.

“I also truly appreciate—and admire—his loyalty to our program and to his alma mater ... I simply wish we could clone him.”

Brownstein serves on the board of directors of several groups, including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. ●

Alumni Society Board award winners recognized earlier this semester are (left to right): Bob McKinnon, Evan Harris, Ken Yednock and Tanya Biank.

Awards for Achievement, Excellence and Teaching

Three College of Communications graduates—two of them authors— and a faculty member were honored with awards from the College’s Alumni Society Board.

Tanya Biank (’93 Journ) was accorded the Outstanding Alumni Award, which recognizes demonstrated excellence in communications. Biank is an author, journalist and syndicated columnist. Her book, “Army Wives: The Unwritten Code of Military Marriage,” is the basis for Lifetime network’s hit series, “Army Wives.”

Bob McKinnon (’90 Adv) earned the Achievement Award, which recognizes a graduate’s significant contributions to the College in both time and talent. McKinnon is founder of Yellowbrickroad, a Manhattan-based firm that designs social change through programming, communications, advocacy

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and action. He edited and contributed to “Actions Speak Loudest,” a compilation of essays by national figures, including Joe Paterno.

Evan Harris (’04 Telecom) earned the Emerging Professional Award, given in recognition of achievements by a Penn Stater who graduated in the past 10 years.

Harris held positions at HBO and A&E before moving to CBS College Sports as a senior writer/producer.

Ken Yednock, a senior lecturer, was given the Excellence in Teaching Award. Honorees are nominated by students in the College. Yednock, who has more than 30 years of agency experience, teaches various advertising creative strategy courses and a course he developed on client/agency relations. ●

An alumnus who leads his own cause-based company that designs social change has compiled and edited a book featuring 32 essays from a diverse group of headliners—among them President Jimmy Carter, Rachel Ray and Penn State football coach Joe Paterno—that addresses compelling and timely topics.

Robert McKinnon (’90 Adv) created “Actions Speak Loudest: Keeping Our Promise for a Better World” as a starting point in a process to transfer sentiment into reality.

“Every generation makes an implicit promise to leave their children a better world than they have inherited,” said McKinnon, who founded Yellowbrickroad Communications in 2005. “And this book is intended as a clarion call to say there is some work to be done by each of us if we are going to make good on our promise.”

The book delves into 32 issues critical to the well being of the next generation with evocative, award-winning photographs; articulate and accessible essays; and attainable, ambitious ideas for action. Each chapter pairs a 1,000-word essay with a poignant photograph and closes with two-page calls to action that give readers

Hall for Molinari Dave Molinari (’77 Journ), longtime hockey writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, earned the highest award for newspaper journalists who cover professional hockey (and a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame) this fall, when he was presented with the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award.

Molinari, 54, has covered the Pittsburgh Penguins for the paper since 1993. Before that, he worked for the McKeesport Daily News and The Pittsburgh Press. During his tenure, he has covered the team’s Stanley Cup championships as well as its bankruptcy and possible threats to leave the city.

practical advice on how to become involved in effecting change in their own communities and on the national level. More details about the book may be found at www.actionspeakloudest.org online.

Coach Paterno provided an essay about character for the book.

“Making sure that we instill in our children the right values to build strong character is a critical issue today, especially amidst so many distractions,” McKinnon said. “Given my own experience observing coach Paterno on and off the field, I could think of no more appropriate person to write this essay and was thrilled when he agreed to contribute.”

Along with well-known celebrities and personalities, authors of the essays that represent the heart of the book include many everyday American heroes who have overcome their own personal challenges to make a difference in the lives of youth in their communities. All of McKinnon’s proceeds for the book are going back to the causes and charities highlighted in the book.

National Public Radio commentator Juan Williams provided the forward for “Actions Speak Loudest” (2009, Lyons Press). ●

Alumna Earns Award from Directors Guild An alumna has earned an important award from the Directors Guild of America.

Theresa Wu (’01 Film-Video) was awarded the Best Student Filmmaker Award (AsianAmerican/East Coast) for her film “Smoke and Mirrors.”

The Directors Guild awards honor minority and women filmmakers at specifically chosen universities. Winners get a $2,500 cash prize and are presented with their award at ceremonies in either Los Angeles or New York City.

Fellow alum Jesse Ehredt (’99 Film) was Wu’s sound supervisor/designer on the project.

Wu, who grew up in Philadelphia and was raised by her

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immigrant parents, has also won the Filmmakers of Color United in Spirit Fellowship, the Digital Media Center Fellowship, the Columbia University Merit Fellowship and The Carmen Finestra Award for her filmmaking.

Wu has written, directed and produced several films, including “Silent Reminders,” “Going Home” and “Fallen Yellow Tears.”

She is currently working on “Changing Winds,” a story of struggle, hope and identity as well as “Educate,” a story of a young woman’s journey after the death of her father. Wu earned her M.F.A. in directing at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Film in 2009. ●

Alumni News

Book Outlines ‘Loudest’ Actions for a Better World

Alumni News

Social Networking at Top of Agenda for Board President

Michele Marchetti (’95 Journ.) will serve as the new president of the College of Communications’ Alumni Society Board—effective with the board’s spring meeting—working closely with alumni, faculty and students to stress the importance of social networking as a successful way of connecting Penn Staters.

Marchetti, a busy and talented freelance writer and mother of two, balances her home and work life as well as Alumni Society Board duties.

As president of the Alumni Society Board, Marchetti will lead a dedicated team of members. The board works closely with Dean Doug Anderson, faculty members and fellow alumni to support the College through endeavors such as fundraising, student menMichele toring and more.

Marchetti “Michele is a veteran member of the board—-and she’s long been a significant contributor to it,” Anderson said. “She understands the importance of the academic side of the College, as well as the importance of the deep ties we must have with our alumni and professional constituents. She’s a talented journalist, a smooth writer and upbeat person.”

As the former vice president of the board, Marchetti anticipates her new role.

“The College of Communications already has an excellent reputation among students (both present and future), members of academia and alumni,” Marchetti said. “So my job, helping to keep that momentum going, is actually quite easy.”

The board convenes twice a year, although the majority of its work is conducted by committees year-round.

This year, the board will focus on communication through the use of online media sites.

“We’re working on strengthening our Web presence, getting more communications alumni engaged with the College and strengthening our already successful student events,” Marchetti said.

The board recently launched a Facebook page, which quickly attracted more than 800 members.

“The trick, which we hope to figure out in the next few years, is capitalizing on this captive audience,” Marchetti said. “This will be one of my biggest goals as president.”

The Facebook page is part of an overall goal for Marchetti as the board will utilize social media sites as a tool for alumni and students seeking job opportunities and for those interested in networking. Most of the ini-

ALUMNI SOCIETY BOARD Abraham Amoros (’90 Journ)

Mark Lima (’87 Telecom)

Rob Boulware (’86 Journ)

Michele Marchetti (’95 Journ)

Kerrie Aman Carfagno (’94 Brcab)

Scott Mayes (’74 SPCH)

Warren R. Carmichael (’58 Agr Journ)

Susan Sheaffer Rickens (’83 Journ)

Jeanne Tremblay Chapkovich (’73 Journ)

Michael Signora (’96 Journ)

Cynthia M. del Rosario Tapan (’99 Journ) Sharyn Fitzpatrick (’79 Journ) Jay Grossman (’67 Journ) Robert E. Heisse (’79 Journ) Wayne Hilinski (’62 Journ) Rocco Impreveduto (’99 Telecom) Katie O’Hara-Krebs (’99 Ad/PR) Reenie Kuhlman (’97 Media Studies)

Stacy Smollin Schwartz (’95 Adv) Carrie A. Snyder (’95 Adv/PR) Lara Steiner (’95 Adv) Joyce E. Tomana (’79 Journ) Rodnell Workman (’95 Brcab) David S. Yadgaroff (’90 Brcab) Student Representatives Vrinda Gupta (senior-advertising) Lauren McCormack (senior-journalism)

tial effort was to get the page up and running but Marchetti said it is now taking on a life of its own as students and alumni are reaching out to one another, strengthening the Penn State connection.

“We are working on the Web site and ways to leverage the people signed up on Facebook and ways to get them even more involved,” Marchetti said.

The board is toying with the idea of creating a workshop to teach students about social media and the possible ramifications for students who abuse these sites.

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Mentoring events that facilitate interaction between alumni and students represent a primary focus for members of the Alumni Society Board.

“You don’t want what you do to ruin your future professional career,” Marchetti said.

Marchetti also wants to plan another “Comm Idol” event for next year.

The first such event offered an opportunity for students to meet with alumni and compete for a chance to win an interview at one of four major companies. Marchetti wants to make it even more fun for students and offer different ways for students to network and interact with the attending alumni.

“It’s a different way to shake up the mentoring program,” Marchetti said.

Most of all, Marchetti enjoys working with her fellow alumni.

“I’m humbled to lead a group of diverse, accomplished volunteers who somehow find time between their own professional and personal commitments,” Marchetti said. “We could probably start a Future Alumni Group with the number of babies who have been born to board members to act on their Penn State pride.”

Marchetti is a resident of State College and lives with her husband, Ryan Jones, a 1995 Penn State graduate and a senior editor of The Penn Stater alumni magazine. They have two children, Ethan and Abby.

As a healthy food advocate, Marchetti co-founded the blog, “Homegrown Happy Valley,” to share information about purchasing healthier food from local markets. She also does freelance work for RecycleBank, an organization that focuses on green issues, recycling programs and profiles of companies with green initiatives.

In 2004, Marchetti won a Neal Award for “Best Regularly Featured Department or Column” for her work on “The Pitch” in Sales and Marketing Management magazine. She also won a 2003-2004 Journalism Fellowship in Child and Family Policy from the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism. which enabled her to participate in a reporting seminar on child policy.

— Mich ele Me nde lson (’11 )

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A blog and a monthly e-mail update provide alumni and friends with easy access to the latest information about the College of Communications.

A link to the blog may be found on the College page at http://comm.psu.edu online, and it gets updated several times each week.

The brief monthly notes, part of Penn State Newswire and PSUTXT system, provide a paragraph or so of information on a handful of topics. Each bit of news ends with either contact details or a URL where readers may get more information.

For Newswire subscriptions visit, http://newswires.psu.edu/ Also, please pass along updates to your email with the College of Communications when you can.

Individual entries on the blog preview upcoming events or provide description of and reaction to recently completed activities in the College.

The Newswire, one of just two for individual colleges at Penn State, focuses on College-related activities as well as news about alumni, students, faculty and staff.

It also includes important dates and events at Penn State in general. Those range from the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts to athletic events, the start of academic semesters, commencement activities and the timing of finals week. ●

Alumni News

College Blog, Newswire Offer Updates

Alumni News

Jamison Offers Dedicated, Proven Leadership for BOV

Jayne Jamison does so much for College of BOARD OF VISITORS Communications students, you’d think that was her fulltime job instead of the one that actually is— James Jimirro (’58 Lib) Gerald Abrams (’61 Bus) vice president and publisher of Seventeen magazine.

Cypress Point Productions J2 Communications Jamison has mentored, advised and hired Penn State students. She has welcomed undergraduates David Baldwin (’70 Edu) Richard W. Jones (’70 Journ) HBO and Cinemax into her office in New York Dick Jones Communications City to shadow her employees.

Donald Bellisario (’61 Journ) Charles Kelly She’s sponsored a mentoring Belisarius Productions Preston Kelly event for 70 alumni and students at Hearst Tower. And Marc A. Brownstein (’81 Adv) John A. Kirkpatrick III she’s even played host to a Penn The Brownstein Group The Patriot-News State breakfast for young alumJack Chidester (’80 HHD) Stanley Lathan (’67 Brcst) ni who work for her parent Delaware Valley Wholesale Film-TV Producer/Director company, the Hearst Corp.

Flower Transfer Inc. So it should be no surprise Michael Marcus (’67 Bus) that as the newest chair of the Anne T. Chubb (’80 Adv) Echo Lake Productions Jayne College of Communications’ Reading Eagle Company Jamison Board of Visitors Jamison Chris J. Martin Jr. (’92 Journ) Philip R. Currie (’64 Journ) would bring those same stuNat’l Rural Telecommunications Retired, Gannett Company Inc. Cooperative dent-focused ideals to the boardroom table. After holding her first meeting as chair in September, John Curley (’99h) Mary J. Meder (’84 Adv) she has begun to outline her goals for the board.

Professional-in-Residence, Harmelin Media “It would be great for us to advise more stuCollege of Communications dents, especially with a tough economy and a very Robert O'Leary (’71 Adv) James Donna (’71 Journ) tight job market” said Jamison.

Infinity Building, LLC Retired, Associated Press The Board of Visitors serves as an advisory board Eric Rabe (’68 Journ/Brcst) to the College and meets twice a year with the dean Elizabeth “Liz” A. Fetter (’80) Verizon to provide support, advise students and faculty, and Technology Executive hear news and updates on the College. It is comHal Sadoff (’86 Bus) Jack Goodchild prised of leaders, executives and alumni.

International Creative Mgmt.

Cancer Treatment Centers Jamison’s contributions—past, present and future—to the College, its students and alumni are Alisia Salters (’88 Journ) Alan Grodin (’64 Bus) ESPN not lost on Dean Doug Anderson.

Attorney “I am grateful that she is willing to put in the Richard Schrott Thomas J. Hayden III (’77 Lib) time to lead our Board of Visitors, which she has WJAC-TV Showtime Networks Inc. served on with admirable dedication for many years,” said Anderson. “She is a terrific idea perPeter Shih (’67 Journ) Lou Heldman son—and she is a realist. That’s a wonderful combiRetired, American Adv. Wichita State University nation."

Federation Jamison received the Distinguished Alumna Coulston Henry (’64 Journ) Chris Wightman (’85 Journ) Retired, News Gleaner award from the Penn State Board of Trustees in Publishing Consultant Publications 2005 and was named an Alumni Fellow by the Penn State Alumni Association in 1999. She delivTim Williams Jayne E. Jamison (’78 Adv) ered the commencement address for the College in Seventeen Magazine Pa. Newspaper Association 1998.

“Jayne is one of Penn State’s most distinguished their respective fields are important goals of the Board of alums and she is, very possibly, the most enthusiastic supporter our College can claim,” said Anderson. “I am confi- Visitors. Board members will also look to guide the College dent that every person who works in the spectacular Hearst by tapping their collective experiences.

“We want to help the College understand the opportuTower in New York knows where she earned her degree. nities and challenges that students will face in our various Jayne relates as well to our students as any professional who industries when they enter the work force,” said Jamison. has ever graced our hallways.”

— Aly s o n Ro tz ( ’ 10) Jamison says relating with and preparing students for

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Alumnus and former writer for The Daily Collegian Walt Meyer (’78 Adv) published his newest novel, “Rounding Third,” in September, covering the controversial topic of homosexuality in high school.

His third novel illustrates a love story between two teenage baseball players and their struggle with their sexuality, in addition to dealing with the typical pressures of high school.

Deemed by Meyer to be a “stealth gay novel,” the underlying struggle with homosexuality often remains unnoticed until later in the book. This deception was intentionally Walt created by Meyer to develMeyer op a connection between the reader and the novel’s characters. “[I wanted to] sucker people into this story,” said Meyer, “Some [readers] don’t even know they’re (main characters) gay until they are invested in them. By the time you find out they’re gay, it doesn’t matter.”

Drawn from his personal experiences struggling with homosexuality as a teenager, Meyer was thrilled to have published a book on a topic of personal interest. In his past two books, Meyer was hired to coauthor novels on Alzheimer's disease and 21st century sales.

Although he developed curiosity for these topics during his pre-writing research, “Rounding Third” remains closer to his heart, having been created as a more intimate expression of his life.

While Meyer is currently able to openly write about homosexuality, that was not always the case. His experience as a member of the Homophiles of Penn State (HOP) in the 1970s was not always a pleas-

ant one. Constantly faced with ridicule and discrimination, Meyer said he and many of his fellow writers at The Daily Collegian who published on the topic of homosexuality were greeted with a flood of public backlash.

“We couldn’t even dream of a day when there was an LGBTA center that people could walk in and out of openly and freely,” said Meyer when referring to himself and other alumni of The Daily Collegian.

When comparing the experience of Penn State students now with his own personal experiences as a gay college student, Meyer notes it has changed, “definitely and drastically.” He finds today’s LGBTA Student Resource Center to be a great asset to the University and gives the center’s director, Allison Subasic, credit for that success.

Meyer traveled to the University Park campus in October to discuss his new novel in an event sponsored by the LGBTA Student Resource Center, and was welcomed by an unexpected snowstorm. Even though the snowstorm deterred many students from attending the event, his animated presentation on his novel did make an impact on the small crowd.

“Any time there’s a book like this, it can sometimes give a student hope and give people an idea that there are other people like them in the world,” said Subasic, director of the LGBTA Student Resource Center.

Meyer hopes to return again to share his experiences and writing with students — J e s s i c a Q u i n l an ( ’ 1 0 ).

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ALUMNI BOOKSHELF Penn State Football: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports Jared Trexler (’05 Journ) (2009, Savas Beatie)

Penn State’s football history is told through 1,000 nuggets of trivia, insight and analysis. Trexler is a college basketball columnist for The Sports Network, a sports wire service based in Philadelphia, and a copywriter for Ed Slott and Co. Trexler spent two years writing and researching the book.

“Professionally, it was exciting to have someone who thought your work was good enough to put the money and effort behind you to make it come to fruition,” Trexler said.

Pink Lips and Fingertips Rick Weber (’79 Journ) (2009, Xulon Press)

What would you do if your knew your time was short? Rick Weber answers that through the life of Jeri Ivison Paholek, who was born with a rare heart defect and given a death sentence by the medical community.

Instead of retreating and playing it safe, Jeri chose to impact the world.

Career Killer: A Journalist’s Wild Ride ...

Chance Connor (’74 Journ) (2009, Inkwater Press)

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

Alumni News

Alum’s Third Book Offers ‘Stealth’ Approach to Intensely Personal Topic

Alumni Notes 1960s

1980s

William John Wassell (’60 Journ) celebrated the graduation of his two children, Peter and Kristen, from the University of Colorado. He is a freelance speech writer.

Don Ellenberger (’80 Adv) is a senior vice president and co-head of the government and mortgage-backed securities group at Federated Investors in Pittsburgh. He was an Evan Pugh Scholar and earned a master’s degree in business administration from Stanford University.

Don worked for 10 years as a derivatives trader at Bank of New York/Mellon before joining Federated Investors in 1996. He resides in Mars, Pa., with his wife Gina and three children, ages 18, 16 and 8.

Michael Shanahan (’65 Journ) is assistant director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University.

Charles Bierbauer (’66 Journ, ’70 MA Journ), an Alumni Fellow and Distinguished Alumnus who serves as dean of the College of Mass Communications and Information Studies at the University of South Carolina, was named an honorary life member of the University of South Carolina Alumni Association. He also received an honorary doctorate from Lander University. He lives in Columbia, S.C.

1970s Janice Selinger Kline ('76 Journ), a Phi Beta Kappa, has worked at NJN Public Television in Trenton, N.J., for 29 years serving as a temporary acting executive, temporary acting president of the NJN Foundation, chief operating officer and deputy executive director for production.

She is a 12-time Emmy Award winner who was the second vice chairman and national secretary of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

She was a summer editor and managing editor of The Daily Collegian.

John Vockley (’77 Journ) retired on July 1, 2009, after 16 years at the Washington Post. He now works at AHRI as communications director.

John W. Williams, Jr. (’78 SpCom) celebrated the birth of his grandchild at the end of June from his only son, Rob, who lives in San Diego, Calif.

Jane Watrel Herzberg (’79 Journ) is currently an adjunct professor of communications at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., where she teaches a broadcast writing class. She has also worked as a reporter in Washington, D.C., for NBC-4 and MSNBC. She is working toward her master’s degree in corporate communications/public relations at Georgetown University.

Diane Corcoran Makgill (’81), owner of 3D by Designs, was awarded the continuing contract for the Wrightsville Beach location of the Carolina Ale House. This is the 18th restaurant that 3D has designed for LM Restaurants.

Diane J. Salvatore (’81 Journ) was named vice president/publisher of Broadway Books, a division of Random House, in May 2009.

Andrew O’ Hearn (’83 Comm) is the director of internal communications at the Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic.

Ronald Wagner (’89 Adv) was appointed to the advisory board for Penn State Outreach.

1990s Eric Meckley (’90 Journ) is Of Counsel at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in San Francisco, Calif.

Tim Harten (’91 Brcab) and wife Rebecca welcomed daughter Hanna Grace, born July 12, 2008. They live in Hauppauge, N.Y. Contact info: mta356@yahoo.com Andrew Savitt (’91 Journ, ’99 MBA Bus) and wife Nina McAdoo have children Aidan and Caitlin Sydney, born Jan. 15, 2008. Andrew is a marketing and communications consultant. They live in Tuckahoe, N.Y. Contact info: atsavitt@gmail.com Vernon B. Harper Jr., Ph.D. (’92 Brcab) is an associate provost for Wilkes University. Earlier in his career, he was associate professor of communications at Christopher Newport University and an assistant professor at California State University, San Benardino. Vernon earned his master’s degree in communication from West Chester University and a doctorate in Human Communication from Howard University.

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Wanted: Alumni Notes

If you have something to share, we would love to know. Please send information for Alumni Notes to sws102@psu.edu. Or by mail to: Alumni Notes, 302 James Building, University Park, Pa. 16801-3897. ●

Nina Huntemann ('92 Mass Comm) was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor of media studies in the Department of Communication & Journalism at Suffolk University in Boston, Mass. She co-edited the recently published “Joystick Soldiers: The Politics of Play in Military Video Games” (2009, Routledge).

Andrea L. Philips (’93 Adv) married Timothy Peters on May 2, 2009. She serves as vice president and associate general counsel and compliance officer for Capital Access Network Inc. They live in Atlanta. Contact info: apeters@advanceme.com R.J. Hufnagel (’94 Journ) married Dene Terrano on April 25, 2009. He is the assistant business editor for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. They live in Pittsburgh with their daughter, Isabel.

Contact info: rjuf@yahoo.com Karen Milheim (’95 Brcab) earned her doctoral degree from Penn State Harrisburg in Adult Education. She is the president of Milheim and Associates, an educational consulting firm located in Central Pennsylvania.

Nicole Ostrow Signora (’95 Journ) and Michael Signora (’96 Journ) welcomed Nicholas Michael Signora on April 18, 2009. They live in Malverne, N.Y., along with big brother Peter Christopher, who was born on April 10, 2006.

Judith (Chirozzi) March (’97 Film-Video) married Gregory Marcy, an assistant professor and map/GIS librarian, at the University of Tennessee, on May 16, 2009.

Gary G. Summerfield (’97 Telecom) works in Los Angeles as director of pro-

News feeds, tweets and blog posts are in Chris Krewson’s everyday vocabulary.

Krewson (’98 Journ) works as the executive online editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

After graduation, Krewson spent a year and a half as a reporter at the Centre Daily Times. He then spent eight years at The Morning Call in Allentown where he became more familiar with the Internet and how to incorporate multimedia tools into journalism. He was a Web producer, online editor and multimedia editor.

Krewson, 33, wears many hats at The Inquirer. Each day, he trains reporters to Chris Krewson blog and write for the Web site, shoot video and teaches how to apply the Web to staff projects.

“Everything we post—everything in the printed Inquirer, every blog post, every special project and breaking news story—is my responsibility,” Krewson said.

Krewson enjoys his work environment and the staff he interacts with every day.

“I love working with some of the most talented journalists of their generation—Bill Marimow is a legendary editor, and the staff here is amazingly competent at what they do,” Krewson said.

While legendary staffers offer years of experience to newcomers, the Web has provided many opportunities for today’s journalists to teach the experts. Those younger journalists are changing the face of journalism and communications as almost all newspapers now have online sites as additional sources of information.

“There’s a hunger to understand how the Web is changing what we do, and how [journalists] can use it gram effectiveness systems for General Electric/NBC Universal. He has worked for Universal GRP Records, Walt Disney Mammoth Records, Warner Music Group and AT&T Broadband/Comcast. Gary received RIAA's Gold Album award for exemplary marketing efforts for DreamWorks Recording artist Buckcherry.

Robert Creely III (’98 Telecom) is an enterprise site engineering manager at JPMorgan Chase. He lives in New Boston, Mich.

to enhance their reporting. I love being able to help them learn,” Krewson said.

Krewson saw the transition to online/digital media as an exciting opportunity for news media. He also recognizes the constant struggle newspapers like The Inquirer are facing in attempting to keep up with technology.

“There’s still a lot of paper left in newspapers,” Krewson said. “But we’ll get by.”

Krewson credits the radio, photo and Internet courses he took as an undergrad, which helped to prepare him for this technological switch. As executive online editor, working online provides challenges for Krewson and has many perks. Breaking news stories are Krewson’s favorite pieces. “[Anything] from big local stories like a mobile crane collapse to historic stories like the Phillies’ World Series win last year, or the historic Pennsylvania primary election,” he said.

Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook are becoming wildly popular, and they are constantly being incorporated into businesses.

Krewson stresses the importance of these sites in the newsroom.

With more than 10 years of experience, Krewson has many insights to share with students about to graduate.

“Learn to learn. Don’t get too hung up on one program, technology or track,” he said. “Our reporters write, blog, and do video; one of our summer international fellows from Argentina built a Google map with video and photos. Be flexible.

“There will always be a need for reporting, but the final product will look radically different than it does today.”

In his spare time, Krewson enjoys reading non-fiction, working on his home and spending time with his wife and two children, ages 7 and 4.

— M i ch e l e M en d e l so n ( ’1 1 )

Larry Tiscornia (’98 Telecom) and wife Kelly welcomed their second daughter, Kady Ryan Tiscornia, on June 6, 2009.

She joins older sister Ella, 2. He is director of broadcasting for Major League Soccer. They reside in River Vale, N.H. Bridgette Blair (’99 Journ) is the editor of Public Citizen News, a publication of the advisory group Public Citizen. Public Citizen News received an Apex 2009 Award of excellence for “Most Improved Megapapers & Newspapers.”’

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Kendra Corman (’99 Adv/PR) is marketing director at Burns & Wilcox, an insurance and brokerage company. Kendra has worked as advertising manager for Jeep at Chrysler LLC. She earned her master's degree in accounting from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Mich.

2000s JoAnne Johnson Damico (’00 Adv/PR) and Leonard Damico Jr. (’00 Adv/PR) welcomed their first child, Alexander

Alumni Notes

I n q u i r e r ’s Online Editor Harnesses Technology For the Paper, Readers

Alumni Notes

Cross-Country Bike Ride, Documentary Honor Friend

A Penn State film graduate turned tragedy into triumph by creating a documentary honoring the life of his best friend.

Justin Jarrett (’09 Film) set out to make the film, “For Aaron,” a tribute to his best friend, Aaron Klinger, who was killed in a car accident in January 2009.

Following Klinger’s tragic death, Jarrett decided to honor his friend by completing the cross-country bike trip they had both planned to take together.

“Before this trip to honor Aaron, I really didn’t know what to expect,” Jarrett said. “We were not cyclists, we didn’t have a ton of money and we had never been out west before. It was an adventure to say the least.”

Jarrett traveled with friend Kylar Krebs and a film crew in tow. The crew was there to capture every moment of Jarrett’s journey.

The trip began in Santa Monica Calif., and continued for 2,800 miles east. Jarrett biked 50 to 100 miles a day, thinking and reflecting on Klinger with every push of the pedal.

“When it was 124 degrees and I was pedaling thorugh the Mojave Desert, I just kept telling myself if I could make it through Aaron’s funeral, I can make it up a mountain,” Jarrett said. “And, after awhile, the Rocky Mountains didn’t look so big when you step back and look at the actual reason we are making this journey.”

On Oct. 24, Jarrett and Krebs were surprised to find a crowd of supporters, friends and family cheering them to the finish line at Milton (Pa.) High School. Two hundred people gathered to show their pride and appreciation for Jarrett’s hard work and dedication at the school where Jarrett and Klinger both attended. Klinger’s father was also there.

“Three thousand miles later, without a shadow of a doubt I can say it was the most incredible experience of my life,” Jarrett said. “It tested Krebs and me physically, emotionally, and at times spiritually, and I’d like to believe that we came out in a good place—Aaron would be proud.”

The film crew shot hours of footage and documented Jarrett’s most memorable moments of the journey. Today, he is busy organizing and editing the hours of film while looking into soundtrack and musical rights to include in Joseph, on May 27, 2009. JoAnne is a senior media buyer for Harmelin Media and Len is an art director at Star Group.

The family resides in the Philadelphia area.

Ryan Ritchie (’00 Adv) works as a group project director for Hamagami/Carroll Inc. He resides in Los Angeles, Calif.

Alumnus Justin Jarrett (second from right) with fellow rider Kylar Krebs and members of the film crew.

the documentary.

The film will take four to five months to complete and then Jarrett hopes to travel to film festivals.

“The editing process will be the most daunting,” Jarrett said. “We have over 300 hours of video footage to sift through and create a magnificent story that will not only chronicle our journey across the country to keep a promise to our best friend, but also capture the emotional struggle of two 22-year-old individuals dealing with the aftermath of death at such a young age.”

The financial cost of the documentary has provided challenges for Jarrett who is searching for funds to help finish the film. This obstacle has not stopped him from continuing to project a positive attitude throughout the process.

“Any problem that we have encountered along our journey, any bump in the road that we may have hit, we look at it as an opportunity, another chance to show just how much Aaron’s friendship has meant to all of us that he touched,” Jarrett said.

All proceeds of the film will be donated to the Aaron Klinger Memorial Scholarship Fund.

— M ic h e l e M e nd el s o n ( ’ 1 1 )

Brian Kulbaba (’01 Film-Video) and wife Katie (Palmer) (’01 ERM), married in January 2002, and welcomed daughter Zoë Hope on April 18, 2009. The family resides in Orlando, Fla., where Brian is the associate course director of photography at Full Sail University.

Paul Lazar (’01 Journ) won a 2009 Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters

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Award for “World War II Stories,” a news feature he wrote and produced that centered on a veterans' trip to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Kelly Schoeninger (’01 Adv/PR) has joined Penn State as assistant director of development in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Jessica M. Brandes (’02 Journ) and Alex Vulpis (’02 Bus) were married on Sept. 22, 2006. She received her juris doctorate from Hofstra Law School in 2005 and is working as a fourth-year associate at Carabba Locke LLP, an employment and labor law firm in Manhattan. Alex is a retirement plan specialist for UBS. They live in Bayonne, N.J. Contact info: jvulpis@carabbalocke.com Nick Mantegna (’02 Journ) works as a sports broadcaster for Villanova University and reports on women’s basketball, baseball, lacrosse and soccer.

Jamie Truszkowski Murphy (’02 Journ) accepted a position with the University of Pittsburgh Center for Global Health. She is also a member of the Parent Advisory Council to the NICU at Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC. Jamie and husband Max are parents of twins Mackenzie and Jake.

Ben Rupp (’02 Journ) is director of the Orange & Blue Club and oversees athletic development for Gettysburg College. He resides in Chambersburg, Pa., with his wife, Karla, and enjoys playing inline hockey, tennis and collecting sports memorabilia.

Colleen M. Rzucidlo (’03 Journ) earned her master’s degree in communications from Drexel University in June 2009. She is currently the recruitment and publicity manager for the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Jennifer Lemanski (’04 Adv/PR) resides in Houston, Texas, where she works for PKF Texas.

Katherine Hansen (’05 Media Studies) works at McGraw-Hill and lives in New York City.

How To Reach Us

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

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

lives in Pittsburgh.

Michele Jarchin (’06 Journ) works for CBS News as a producer. She resides in Greenwich, Conn.

Kristen Wynn (’06 Media Studies) married Stephen Tomko (’07 Eng) on Feb. 28, 2009.

They live in Palm Bay, Fla.

Doug Bauman (’09 Journ) is a staff photographer at the York (Pa.) Dispatch.

Brian Eller (’09 Journ) is a sports reporter at the Northern Virginia Daily in Strasburg, Va. Devon Herrick (’09 Adv/PR) has joined Penn State as a development officer in the College of Health and Human Development.

Stefen Lovelace (’07 Journ) is an associate account executive for Maroon PR, a firm specializing in sports and entertainment, business public relations and non-profit organizations in Marriottsville, Md.

Katharine Lackey (’09 Journ) is a copy editor at The News Leader in Staunton, Va.

Meagan McGrane (’07 Journ) works for UPMC in its media relations department. She

Sarah Nathan (’09 Journ) completed a postgraduate internship at National Public Radio.

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Caryln Perrotty (’09 Journ) is an account executive in the public relations department at Success Communications Group in Parsippany, N.J. She provides account management, media relations and social networking services to clients in retail, health care, real estate, higher education and transportation.

Andrew Staub (’09 Journ) is a copy editor at the York Daily Record.

Melissa Yingling (’09 Adv) is an advertising account executive apprentice with The Morning Call, in Allentown.

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

We Are ... College of Communications Alumni!

1) Join us on Facebook for a Join today win chance to kets! football tic

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