Perley Isaac Reed SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM

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page 19
 C. Peter Magrath
Contents
4
Interim President,
West Virginia University
Catching the Klan
Ogden Newspapers Seminar Series brings Pulitzer finalist to campus
Maryanne Reed
Dean, Perley Isaac Reed

6
School of Journalism
YOUNG ALUMNI
Editors Where are they now?
Kimberly Brown
Editor in Chief

Jon Offredo
Editor 8 Martin Hall revamp
WVU’s oldest academic building and SOJ home gets a new look

Becky Moore

10 STUDENTS TOUR SOUTHEAST ASIA

Design Coordinator

Kendal Montgomery Valuable lessons learned from studying abroad

Photo Editor

14 journalism Pioneer
Copy Editors
Amber Marra
Rachel Fluharty
Gruine Robinson first female West Virginia AP reporter
Danielle Halle
James Carbone
Kristen Maczko

Designers
Kyle Ackermann
16 Pipes & Bikes
May grad gets charge out of skydiving, bagpipes and motorcycles

Casey Callanan
James Carbone
Jeremy Curtis
Brad Davis
Rachel Fluharty
18 LOVe is in the air
IMC program spells marriage for this couple

19
Leland Fry
Dominique Fusco journalism week 2008
Heidi Hall J-Week explores how digital media will help choose the next president
Danielle Halle
Michael Hodgson

29
Chris Jackson
Kristen Maczko A fiesta experience
Amber Marra Students gain professional experience covering the big game
Stephanie Mathias
Kendal Montgomery

32
Ian Shorts
Paden Wyatt
a tribute
Late professor taught photography as a career, not a hobby
Design Instructor
Steve Urbanski, Ph.D.

Design Consultation 1 Message from the Dean 28 Former USA TODAY editor visits
WVU Creative Services 2 Magazine gets new look 30 Visiting Shott Chair shares life lessons

index
3 J. Ford Huffman’s world of design 31 Visiting faculty profiles
9 SOJ, IMC marketing makeover 33 Esper featured in AP history book
12 Broadcast students on MSNBC 34 West Virginia Media Day
West Virginia University is an
13 IMC Weekend highlights 35 New SOJ Advisory Committee
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative 17 Alumna’s race to success 36 December Convocation
Action Institution.
23 Ray Gillette speaks at SOJ 37 May Commencement
West Virginia University is governed
by the WVU Board of Governors
24 Urbanski emphasizes design 38 Student Awards
and the West Virginia Higher 25 Harrison/Omnicom Professor shares 39 Scholarships 2007-2008
Education Policy Commission.
marketing expertise 40 Faculty Briefs
26 Documentary honors African 41 Faculty Promotions & Additions
American WWII vets 42 Alumni Honors
27 Dahlia’s documentary wins awards 43 Class Notes
 Message from
the Dean
W
Welcome to the revised Perley Isaac Reed School of Jour-
nalism alumni magazine, newly named, SOJ Insider. The
new design has a contemporary but classic appeal, repre-
senting our focus on the future while honoring our past.

Building on the basics, we continue to update our cur-

ricula, programs and facilities to prepare our students for
the careers of today and tomorrow. Our students are learn-
ing how to gather and produce stories using multiple
formats and to be change leaders in an integrated media
environment. To give our students yet another opportu-
nity to learn these skills, we have launched an online ver-
sion of the alumni magazine, which includes multimedia
and interactive features, produced by students across pro-
gram areas. The site is available at sojinsider.wvu.edu.

We also are asking our students to think critically about the

changes occurring within the media information professions.
Our cover story focuses on Journalism Week 2008, which
examined the impact of newer media — blogs, viral video
and social networking websites — on the 2008 presiden-
tial election. The cornerstone event was a panel of national
journalists, bloggers and new media producers, who raised
important questions about the influence of both mass and
targeted media in the era of online, instant communication.

As we continue to build toward the future, we will con-

tinue to rely on your support and friendship. Without
your help, we would never have been able to achieve our
current success and develop new initiatives that will help
our students make their mark well into the 21st century.
We hope to hear more from you in the coming year!

Sincerely,

Maryanne Reed

WVU Photo Services

1
 Magazine gets new look
and online presence BY KEENAN CUMMINGS

T This year, the School of Journalism alumni

magazine has a new look and name, as
well as an online presence. Two different
classes in the School helped to redesign the
magazine, now called SOJ Insider, and to
create an online version of the magazine.
Dean Maryanne Reed proposed the
redesign last fall to reflect the look and feel
WVU’s Creative Services built upon
the students’ work to create the final
look in line with the University’s
promotional and marketing materials.
Dean Reed also proposed putting the
news magazine online for the first time.
“We wanted to create a new venue for
photo slideshows and audio interviews
for the website, sojinsider.wvu.edu.
“The students are using the skills that
they have learned from the School of
Journalism and capitalizing on them,” said
Miro-Quesada. “The most important part
of the class is the idea that you not only
have to use the software, but go beyond
students to produce multimedia stories
of the School’s new recruitment materials. that. We wanted to exercise thinking
for the Web,” said Reed. “We also want
in terms of multimedia and expose the
Dr. Steve Urbanski, director of graduate to reach additional people who want to
students to trends in the industry.”
studies and assistant professor, assigned his learn more about our exciting programs,
copy editing and design class to create a student projects and successful alumni.” The School plans to incorporate additional
new look for interactive features on the website to
Visiting Assistant
the magazine. encourage more alumni to reconnect with
sojinsider.wvu.edu Professor Maria
their alma mater and become more engaged
“It’s a great Ines Miro-Quesada,
with the students and life of the School.
opportunity an online journalist
Infographic is available.
to get the from Peru, took on
students the challenge.
involved, and Video component on the website.
“Dean Reed presented
it is a great
the idea to me, and
experience for Watch a photo slideshow online.
I thought it was a
them,” said
great way to engage
Urbanski. “This Listen to an audio clip. students in learning
is the type of
about reporting
experience
and producing
that will help
for the Web.”
them get jobs, and that’s the point of the
School promoting a project like this.” Students in Miro-Quesada’s
online production class produced
Each student was given the opportunity
infographics, video segments,
to design the layout of an assigned story.
“I wanted to rely on the experience
I’ve had and work collectively with the
nline
students to achieve something that looks sider O
SOJ In
sharp,” said Urbanski. “I’ve really tried
to let the students take ownership
to let them know that they’ve had
a huge impact on this project.”

06.
02 and 20
1 9 4 1 , 1998, 20
from
ni newsletters
SOJ alum

2
Thinking outside the box
J. Ford Huffman
challenges students
to see design
differently
BY PATTY IRIZARRY

J. Ford Huffman challenges a visual journalism class to see life from a different Kendal Montgomery
perspective by looking through construction paper frames.

A
All journalism is visual, according to J. Ford
Huffman, former deputy managing editor in
the design department of USA TODAY.
In March, SOJ alumnus J. Ford Huffman
(BSJ, 1972) spent three days at WVU and the
School of Journalism talking to students and
faculty about the importance of page design
and composition for news publications.
read the newspaper. The study showed that
readers look at the art before they read the
headlines, cutlines and text. Huffman said
that 25 percent of the text is seen but only
12 percent of the text is actually read. Huff-
man said that a visually compelling presen-
tation can help direct readers to the text.
Huffman challenged the class to participate in
of his thinking process, in terms of page layout,
is seeing things through different colors.
“In order to train your mind to think dif-
ferently, look at things in different col-
ors,” said Huffman. He advised students
to jot down their ideas in a notebook
as inspiration for future projects.
Huffman brought some examples of layouts
an exercise with construction paper and colored
Associate Professor Joel Beeson described from USA TODAY that he had designed.
markers. The students were instructed to fold
Huffman as a “legend” in newspaper de- their papers in half, tear the papers on the fold One September 2007 page displayed an
sign. In early 1981, Huffman helped design two times and tear the middle of the papers illustration of a vintage cardboard home
the first prototypes of USA TODAY and, to form a ‘C.’ When the students opened being crushed by a red vise. The story
at the paper’s start in 1982, was a content their papers, they saw that they had made that ran alongside the illustration was
editor of the life section. More recently, he is frames. Huffman then asked the students about the housing and mortgage crisis.
It was a simple illustration, but USA TODAY’s
“You have to look at the world in different ways.” editors felt that the realism of the image was a
— J. Ford Huffman powerful way to draw readers into the story.
Huffman retired from USA TODAY in De-
known for his work designing the front page cember 2007 and is currently working with The
to look everywhere in the classroom inside Washington Post to help transform the graph-
of the Sept. 12, 2001, issue of the paper. their frames. The exercise was meant to help ics and visual display throughout the A section
“It seems to me that all journalism is visual,” students see things from a different perspective. and is a consultant for other newspapers.
said Huffman. “I have never been asked “We have to see things through the eyes, ears
by someone if they can read my newspaper. Huffman reminded students to view the
and mouths of the people,” said Huffman. “You world and their careers with an open mind.
Instead, they ask if they may look at the paper.” have to look at the world in different ways. If
During his presentation to Beeson’s intro- you do that, you will be a better journalist.” “As journalists, see things the way you always
duction to visual journalism class, Huffman have and see things differently,” said Huff-
With the students holding the colored markers man. “Take every opportunity you can.”
pointed out a study done by the Poynter that Huffman brought, he explained that part
Institute in the 1990s that showed how people

3
 Catching the
Klan BY HEATHER BONECUTTER

Ogden
Newspapers
Seminar Series
brings Pulitzer
finalist to
campus

Becky M
oore
H
He has been called “a loose cannon”
and “a white traitor.” Despite that, Jerry
Mitchell has never given up his quest
to bring unpunished killers to justice.
Since 1989, this award-winning investigative
reporter for The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson,
Miss., has unearthed documents, gleaned
confessions from suspects and quietly pur-
sued evidence in some of the nation’s most
notorious killings from the civil rights era.
During the fall semester, the 2006 Pulitzer
Prize finalist came to campus as part of
the Ogden Newspapers Seminar Series.
In his presentation, “Tales of Justice
and Redemption in the South,” Mitch-
ell described his reporting that led to the
reopening of cold cases from the civil
rights era in Mississippi and elsewhere.
For nearly 20 years, Mitchell has investigated
dozens of civil rights era cases, leading to 23
convictions. Among these was the case of
Jerry Mitchell speaks to
Byron De La Beckwith for the 1963 assas-
WVU students and faculty ty
in October 2007 about
sination of NAACP leader Medgar Evers.
the struggles of covering
the civil rights era.

4
 He also helped investigate the circum- In his lecture, Mitchell told stories that “I don’t have any sympathy for anyone
stances behind Ku Klux Klan (KKK) made the audience both laugh and cringe. who does something like that, no mat-
Imperial Wizard Sam Bowers for or- ter how long its been,” Mitchell said.
In the Vernon Dahmer case, Mitchell’s
dering the deadly 1966 firebombing
investigative reporting began after receiving a According to Mitchell, the most amazing
of NAACP leader Vernon Dahmer.
confessional call from a recovering gambling thing that he has witnessed while work-
The case of Edgar Ray Killen, who addict. The gambler, a former KKK member, ing with these cases is not the convic-
helped orchestrate the 1964 killings of was in the stage of recovery that required tions resulting from his reporting, but the
three civil rights workers, was one of him to make amends for his actions. Mitchell reconciliations. He has watched convicted
Mitchell’s crowning achievements. pursued that lead, and his reporting led to men go to their victims’ families and ask
the arrest and convictions of three people for forgiveness — and actually receive it.
For his reporting on Killen’s role in the
responsible for Dahmer’s death — Sam
1964 killings, the Pulitzer Board named “I offer the truth. I believe in the truth,”
Bowers, Devers Nicks and Billy Ray Pitts.
Mitchell a Pulitzer Prize finalist, prais- Mitchell said.
Mitchell also investigated
Mitchell’s quest for truth extends beyond
“I offer the truth. I believe in the truth.” the 1963 Birmingham,
the typical office day. He has been known to
— Jerry Mitchell Ala., church bombing. take KKK members and their families out for
Bobby Cherry, a suspect
barbecue or sit at home and read over docu-
ing him “for his relentless and masterly in the initial investigation, called Mitchell
ments for hours. He works to develop rela-
stories on the successful prosecution of saying he wanted to discuss the case with
tionships with sources and make them feel
a man accused of orchestrating the kill- him. Cherry said he wasn’t involved in
comfortable enough to share their stories.
ing of three civil rights workers in 1964.” the bombing but was watching wrestling
on television that night. After investigat- “It’s amazing to get people to talk and re-
In addition to being nominated for the
ing the television programming, Mitchell ally listen to them,” Mitchell said. “Some-
Pulitzer, Mitchell has received more than
discovered there were no wrestling shows times they’ve never told anyone their
20 national awards, including the George
on that night, destroying Cherry’s alibi. This story before. Few people really listen. It
Polk Award for Justice Reporting, Vernon
discovery helped lead to the conviction of is your job as a journalist to listen.”
Jarrett Award for Investigative Report-
Cherry and others involved in the bombing.
ing and the Elijah Lovejoy Award.

5
Young alumni highlights
Where are they now?
“I didn’t find myself that far out of my
comfort zone on how to communicate
with a new market,” said Maschari.
After Beijing, Maschari says that he “caught
the Asia bug.” A friend’s father held a
senior leadership position with Duty Free
Shopping, Ltd., in Hong Kong. Maschari
made the contact and sent a résumé. By
the end of the interview, the offer was on
the table and the papers had been signed.
“I hopped on a plane and went,”
said Maschari. “I found myself say-
ing, ‘What just happened?’”
Maschari’s company, Duty Free Shopping,
Ltd., or DFS, is part of the luxury goods and
duty free shopping industry. Since its incep-
tion in 1960, DFS has become associated
with such brands as Ralph Lauren, Coach,
Gucci, Prada, Salfatore Ferragamo and Fendi.
Marcus Riley (BSJ, 1993)
Maschari is a manager of business develop-
ment and one of six
“Don’t think about just being in broadcast people working to
Broadcaster turns news, for instance,” said Riley. “Get your expand the com-
pany geographically.
hands in as much as possible, because you
to the Web never know how the industry will evolve DFS is currently in
Vietnam, Cambo-
and what you will be asked to do.”
BY BRIANA WARNER dia, the Philippines,
Staying involved in emerging journalism Thailand and Chi-
Sitting at his Chicago desk producing pod- has paid off for Riley. In 2005, he won a na. DFS works with
casts for NBC5, Marcus Riley (BSJ, 1993) Regional Emmy for Media Interactiv- cruise lines, luxury
often reflects on his college education and his ity for his NBC5 podcasts and has been train lines and
work for WVU’s campus radio station, U92. nominated for his online coverage of the border crossings to
Riley says it was his production work and Chicago Bears during Super Bowl week. provide duty free
School of Journalism education that gave him shopping to tour-
“It is so important to be as broad as possible
the foundation to be successful in new media. ists and travelers.
and to differentiate yourself from other job
“Even though I’m working on podcasts candidates with new media skills,” said Riley. Maschari also
“Even if you don’t work with new media Nicholas Maschari (BSJ, 2005)
and web content, I use journalism skills plays a large role
every day,” said Riley. “The School of now, you will deal with it in the future.” in researching
Journalism gave me that strong base.” and assessing new company locations and
works closely with real estate developers to
Riley, an alumnus of the broadcast news scope out areas to build boutiques and duty
program, started his profession as a television
reporter but has since made the transition
PR graduate thrives free shops. In addition, he works closely
with local governments to identify ways in
into multimedia and online journalism. in Hong Kong which DFS can benefit local communities.
As the web development manager for Chi- BY HEATHER BONECUTTER After nearly three years abroad, Maschari
cago’s NBC5, Riley facilitates the direction remains happy with his decision.
of all online production and strategy. He When Nicholas Maschari (BSJ, 2005)
is the content designer for NBC5’s section graduated with a degree in public relations, “I have never once regretted [coming to
on the Summer 2008 Olympics. In addi- he had the world in front of him. Days Hong Kong],” said Maschari. “Many people
tion, he directs a group of bloggers called later, he was on his way to Hong Kong. think back and wonder how things could
the “Street Team” and other blogging groups have played out differently — not me.”
representing the disabled community and Maschari says that throughout his college
Chicago’s sports teams. Riley also reports career, he always was pursuing international
for and produces web-exclusive lifestyle and opportunities. During his sophomore year,
entertainment packages for NBC5.com. he studied abroad in England, working in
retail stores and immersing himself in the
Riley believes in keeping his skill set diverse culture around him. And just prior to gradu-
and encourages up-and-coming journalists to ation, he went on a trip to Beijing, China,
do the same. with the College of Business & Economics.

6
Advertising degree Turner Broadcasting hired Robertson as an
assistant in a marketing group after gradua-
benefits BET, tion, and in October 2000, Robertson moved
to BET, where he started his work in sales. In
alumnus just three years, he was promoted to account
manager, where his job involves working
BY JESSICA CARLOSS directly with agencies and clients, pitching
The youngest account manager work- various advertisement opportunities, ranging
ing at BET, advertising alumnus Sean from runway shows to television ad time.
Robertson (BSJ, 1999) is making his way “The journalism school is unlike any other
up the corporate ladder. Being one of program at WVU,” said Robertson. “It forced
the only members of the team with an me to be a creative problem solver. This
advertising degree has given Robertson is a lot of what my job is — it allows me
an edge over others in the company. to find solutions in different ways. That
was one of the most valuable things I
“What has helped make me successful has learned at the [School of Journalism].”
been my advertising degree,” said Robert-
son. “My WVU education has helped me
understand the business aspect of what I
do and has fed my creative side as well.” News-ed alum covers
When Robertson first arrived at WVU,
he knew what his path would be.
politics for the AP Christine Simmons (BSJ, 2007)

“I always knew that I wanted to do learning how federal agencies work in try-
BY BRIANA WARNER ing to protect consumers,” said Simmons.
some form of business or marketing,
and I quickly decided I enjoyed the cre- In May 2007, Christine Simmons (BSJ, In addition to learning on the job, Simmons
ative aspect of business advertising.” 2007) finished her term as editor in chief of finds herself drawing upon lessons from the
The Daily Athenaeum (DA). One month School of Journalism when she is reporting.
During his sophomore year, Robertson later, she began her career as an edito-
worked for The Daily Athenaeum as a copy rial assistant at The Associated Press (AP) “All my classes were helpful, but I use the
editor and then moved to advertising sales, Washington bureau. A 2007 news-editorial material from ethics and law the most,” said
which reinforced his post-graduation plans. graduate, Simmons works for the AP cover- Simmons. “I have thought about those topics
ing caucuses, primaries and debates in the most and use them in conjunction with
the upcoming presidential election. my own experience to succeed at my job.”
“I’m really grateful I came in at As a news-editorial student, Simmons
this time right before the election worked her way through the ranks at the
because it’s great experience to be DA from junior staffer to associate news
in D.C. during one of the hot- editor to editor in chief her senior year.
test moments in the election,” said In addition, Simmons held internships
Simmons. “I get that experience and at The Marietta Times, The Charleston
learn how to operate and process the Gazette and The Washington Times.
news during such a heated time.”
Her advice to students at the School
Simmons says that her daily tasks of Journalism focuses on the im-
include producing bylined stories portance of those internships.
and contributing research to other
“Employers are looking for experience
reporters. Last year, she worked
before you even graduate,” said Sim-
extensively on stories about the
mons. “If I hadn’t had any internships, I
Chinese lead paint product recalls.
wouldn’t be at the AP right now. I think
“That was certainly an eye-opener that’s the most critical thing for help-
for me and a good experience for ing out a student’s overall career.”

Sean Robertson (BSJ, 1999)

7
Martin Hall undergoes Andy Smith

renovations, updates

D
During the past year-and-a-half, WVU’s
oldest academic building has under-
gone extensive renovations — both in-
side and out — to update classrooms,
offices and public spaces, in response
to the School’s growing enrollment.
Paid for with funding from private do-
As the spring semester wrapped up, work
began in the second-floor broadcast edit
lab and the main office and dean’s suite on
the first floor. Both spaces will be upgraded
to improve work flow, provide more mod-
ern amenities and create a more inviting
atmosphere for visitors to the School.
nors, WVU central administration and To accommodate the School’s growing fac-
the School’s entrepreneurial off-campus ulty, room 104, a University-scheduled class-
room, has been
remodeled into
Visit Martin Hall and Celebrate Homecoming a suite of offices
and graduate as-
Join us for Homecoming 2008 festivities, which kick off on sistant cubicles.
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, with an Alumni Social and Open House. Cosmetic
Tour the building. Witness the changes. Share memories with upgrades to the
entire building
friends and fellow alumni. also were under-
The event will begin immediately following the WVU way during the
summer months,
Homecoming parade at approximately 7:30 p.m. inside the including new
newly renovated Martin Hall. Light hors d’oeuvres, desserts and paint, lighting
and flooring
beverages will be served. throughout the
All alumni and friends of the School are invited. Please RSVP to main corridors.
The Univer-
sojalumni@live.com by Oct. 3, 2008. This event is sponsored by sity also has
the School of Journalism and the SOJ Alumni Association. committed to
making major
Homecoming celebrations continue on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, infrastructure
at the SOJ’s annual Homecoming Tent. The tent will open two repairs to the Andy Smith
aging HVAC
hours before game time and will be located in Tent City I. system and the
Check the SOJ website at journalism.wvu.edu in early fall for building’s roof
and cupola.
additional details about both events. The main foyer
and entrance
to Martin Hall
also will see some improvements, includ-
programs, the projects will give Mar-
ing a raised ceiling, pendant lighting and a
tin Hall a more contemporary look
new wall of honor to recognize the contin-
to reflect the School’s focus on train-
ued support of our alumni and friends.
ing journalists and mass communica-
tions professionals of the future. The School hopes to make additional
improvements in future years, includ-
The series of projects began in Spring 2007
ing renovations to the ground-floor
when the former third-floor reading room
computer labs to create a more profes-
was renovated into a suite of offices for the
sional multimedia environment.
expanding IMC master’s degree program.
The area now includes an office, a mul-
timedia conference room and four work
areas for the program’s full-time staff.
Top: Major repairs to Martin Hall’s roof and cupola
Soon following was the creation of a mul- sojinsider.wvu.edu began in May 2008.
timedia conference space in rooms 101 and Middle: The first-floor hallway awaits new paint,
View a photo gallery of Martin flooring, ceiling tiles and lights.
102 to provide more flexibility for semi-
Hall’s changes.
nar classes, meetings and special events. Bottom: Workers use infrared heat guns to soften and
remove the paint on the cupola.

8
SOJ, IMC undergo
marketing makover BY BRIANA WARNER

W
With the goal of attracting the best and
brightest students to WVU, the School
of Journalism has redesigned its market-
ing and recruitment materials to focus
even more on the student experience.
“We based our new design on the Universi-
ty’s market research that demonstrated what
The School plans to revamp its web-
site to reflect the established look of our
printed materials and include several new
interactive and multimedia features.
In an effort to build enrollment and brand
awareness, the School’s Integrated Market-
ing Communications (IMC) online master’s
prospective students — and their parents — degree program also has developed new
are looking for in their college experience,” marketing and communication materials.
said Kimberly Brown, the School’s external
In addition to several website updates,
relations coordinator. “With those results
the IMC program unveiled a new recruit-
and with input from the SOJ’s Advisory
ment viewbook, premiered a new logo
Committee, we decided to highlight the
and produced a strategic direct mail piece.
academic experience, as well as the caring,
The pieces emphasize the program’s rel-
close-knit community of Martin Hall.”
evant, innovative curriculum and interac-
tive, online community.
“Potential students, alumni and “Our marketing developments
over the past year have been
industry professionals will see important because of the great
a more direct focus on our advancement of our program
and our brand,” said Chad
people and their successes.” Mezera, IMC program direc-
tor. “We know who we are as
— Chad Mezera, a program, and our brand
IMC program director
needs to reflect our successes
instead of our aspirations.
The new materials focus on students’ ex-
Potential students, alumni and industry
periences and alumni testimonials, em-
professionals will see a more direct fo-
phasizing the School’s hands-on learning,
cus on our people and their successes.”
high-caliber faculty and its small-school
atmosphere within a larger university setting. The IMC program began in 2003 and
just five years later has graduated over 97
Designed by Wall-to-Wall Studios, a
professionals, has 240 current students
Pittsburgh-based design company, the Top: Cover of the new SOJ recruitment viewbook.
and has grown to 31 faculty members.
viewbook is reminiscent of a reporter’s Middle: The new IMC program logo.
spiral notebook, features both student and Bottom: A two-page spread in the IMC program’s
professional photography and is centered new viewbook.
on first-hand accounts of students’ ex-
periences in the School of Journalism.
In addition to the printed materials, the
School also is revising its website. Through
the fall and spring semesters, the School
incorporated video profiles of outstand-
ing students and alumni, as well as intern-
ship testimonials and links to the School’s
multimedia projects. The weekly SOJ
eNews, which features upcoming events and
employment opportunities, also was added
to the website for easy access by current
students, alumni and friends of the School.
Other communications pieces are under-
going a similar transformation, includ-
ing the alumni magazine and the online
supplement at sojinsider.wvu.edu.

9
10
Students receive valuable lessons from

Southeast Asia
study abroad BY NATALIE EDDY
PHOTOGRAPHS BY KENDAL MONTGOMERY

T
Two SOJ students participated in a study-
abroad program last summer in Southeast
Asia that has changed their lives forever.
Robert Rizzuto, who graduated in May
2007, and Kendal Montgomery, a news-
editorial major, went to Vietnam, Cambodia
and Thailand to help put together a mul-
timedia documentary about the country’s
ries about sex trafficking in
Cambodia and Thailand.
The group visited a brothel in
Siem Reap, Cambodia, as part
of their fact-finding effort.
One side of the night club
held a family karaoke bar, and
behind a door on the other
culture, society and life, specifically, the side, 20 to 30 young women
growing problem of human trafficking in sat behind a glass enclosure,
Cambodia and Thailand. But the lessons called a fish bowl, with num-
they learned went well beyond the project. bers pinned to their shirts.
“We saw some extremely poor people with “Men would come in and order
no real chance of pulling themselves out a number,” said Montgomery.
of poverty,” said Rizzuto. “Once you see “Some guy would yell out the
poverty like that, it gives you a different number with a microphone,
perspective on life. To see someone born and the girls would come out
with nothing, live with nothing and then and leave with the buyer.”
die with nothing, it gave me the realization
“We paid to talk to a couple
that every day is a gift here in America.”
of girls at the fish bowl. Kendal Montgomery, left, and Robert Rizzuto, second from right
Montgomery echoed Rizzuto’s statements, They looked extremely
adding, “There was a lot of human traffick- young, but they all said they
ing with very young girls [in Cambodia]. were 18. They’re trained to do that.” 2007, edition of The Daily Athenaeum
Traveling through the villages and seeing featured some of Montgomery’s photos.
Most of the women working in the fish
all of those children with no opportunities The two students agree it was a personally
bowl are debt bonded. It is not uncommon
was so sad because that’s where it starts. It enriching trip.
for daughters to pay off personal or fam-
was an experience that changed my life.”
ily debt by serving as a sex worker. In more “I learned how lucky we happen to be here
The two went to Southeast Asia through a impoverished areas, young people become in the USA,” said Rizzuto. “There are op-
linkage agreement between sex workers just to provide portunities that exist in the United States
WVU and An Giang Universi- income for their families, and that are not present in many rural areas
ty in southern Vietnam. Mont- still others are abducted and of Southeast Asia. We like to complain
gomery and Rizzuto accompa- forced into prostitution. about how difficult it is here, but we’re
nied WVU Associate Professor lucky to have the luxury of complaining.”
Rizzuto and Montgomery
Neal Newfield, who teaches in
said the trip opened their “I went into the situation with a very naïve
the Division of Social Work;
eyes to how difficult life in outlook,” said Montgomery. “I thought that
Susan Newfield, Neal’s wife
other countries can be. Riz- I could truly make change in my short six
and associate professor of nurs-
zuto recorded many of his weeks after being over there. It was a really
ing at WVU; and Jim Keim,
experiences on the Univer- important lesson for me: that to make change
director of the Southeast Asia
sity’s popular Blogging from in something of such caliber would take
Children’s Project, a nonprofit
Abroad website, which can countless visits . . . Educating yourself and
organization dedicated to the
be accessed at http://froma- others on it is a step in the right direction.”
prevention of child trafficking.
broad.blogs.wvu.edu/.
The trip was multifunctional
Montgomery took more than 1,000 pic- sojinsider.wvu.edu
for the group — to teach and participate in
tures on the trip. “This was my dream — to
a social work and public health course with
travel, take pictures and show aspects of View a photo slideshow of the trip.
Vietnamese students at An Giang University
the world that aren’t always seen,” she
and to interview people for documenta- See a map of their travels.
said. A full-page spread in the Aug. 17,

11
Broadcast students on
MSNBC and online BY KEENAN CUMMINGS

L
Last fall, broadcast news major Chad
Beighley learned lesson number one about
live television — you can’t stop the news.
Beighley was the first SOJ student to
go live as part of a new partnership be-
tween the School and MSNBC called
“MSNBC on Campus.” Beighley was
was invited to collaborate with the
24-hour online, global television net-
work beginning in January 2008.
The online network is devoted to student-
produced programming and aims to provide
opportunities for students through experi-
ence and exposure. More than 100 televi-
set to report about WVU’s new text-alert sion stations, broadcast journalism and film
system, but he saw firsthand the challenge departments contribute to the network,
of live television when his segment was which serves nearly 60 million subscrib-
delayed by the breaking news of a land- ers in 46 countries around the globe.
slide in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to

represent my class and my university.”
— Chad Beighley

He waited six hours in the announcer’s “Getting your work featured on a news- Submitted photo
chair hooked up to a microphone that day cast via the Internet that’s seen by mil-
without any breaks but eventually had to lions really enables students to hit the Broadcast news major Chad Beighley describes his
experience with MSNBC as “nothing short of amazing.”
come back the next day to do the shot. ground running on their first job out
of school,” said Gina Martino Dahlia,
Nevertheless, Beighley calls the experi-
broadcast news program chair.
ence “nothing short of amazing.”
The stories chosen for broadcasting are review and select the stories they want to
“I am truly blessed to have had the opportu- be broadcast. When a story is selected, the
selected after the students pitch their “WVU
nity to represent my class and my university student is given the opportunity to either go
News” story to Dahlia in the news team’s
and to kick off what will hopefully be a long live on MSNBC or be broadcast on OSTN.
weekly meeting. Dahlia sends the stories to
and prosperous relationship,” said Beigh-
the producers of both networks, who then “I have received so much positive feed-
ley. “I was playing it off like it wasn’t a big
deal, but my hands were shaking. Luck- back from the students regarding these
ily, the camera didn’t show my hands.” partnerships,” said Dahlia. “It moti-
vates them to do the best they can,
“MSNBC on Campus” features college and it really builds confidence.”
reporters across the country covering local
news stories and breaking news, as well as Broadcast news senior Steve Butera did
student reactions to national news stories. a story for OSTN on a chemical spill on
I-68 and the emergency response after-
The School began its partnership with ward. The story was selected by the network
“MSNBC on Campus” in Fall 2007, to inform other students how to react in
when the network invited WVU to par- case they were in a similar situation.
ticipate after seeing SOJ students’ cov-
erage of the Virginia Tech tragedy. “Getting our stories out there to that big of
a following is dumbfounding,” said Butera.
The collaboration with MSNBC is one “We can give the viewers a little piece of
of two new partnerships that gives SOJ what WVU and West Virginia is all about.”
students the opportunity to showcase their
broadcasting and producing talents both Dahlia believes this real-world experi-
on a national and international level. ence will give students the confidence
to take the industry head on and leave
The other partnership with the Open WVU well prepared for their careers.
Student Television Network (OSTN)
provides students the opportunity to “Students feel that if they can get their
produce and broadcast stories that work featured on MSNBC or a 24-hour
will be shown globally online. Submitted photo network, then they can do anything
when they graduate,” said Dahlia.
After OSTN officials saw SOJ stu- Broadcast news major Steve Butera reports on a
dents’ broadcast on MSNBC, the School chemical spill and the resulting emergency response for
the Open Student Television Network.

12
 Bruce Nelson delivers
the keynote address at
the School’s 2008 IMC
Weekend in May.
WVU Photo Services

Omnicom executive, workshops

highlight annual IMC Weekend BY SHELLY STUMP

G
Good storytelling is the heart of any success-
ful marketing communications campaign.
That message was delivered by Bruce Nelson,
keynote speaker at the School’s Integrated
Marketing Communications (IMC) mas-
ter’s degree program information weekend
and reunion in late May. More than 100
Nelson, who confessed to majoring in
the obvious for his entire career, told the
group that he became a strategist out
of self-defense. “As a creative director,
I found it hard to follow someone else’s
strategy, so I would come up with my own.
I then realized I had a niche for it.”
Nelson went on to warn students that telling
the story itself isn’t enough — they must
also motivate the consumer to take action.
“Most practitioners don’t realize it is all
about motivation,” said Nelson. “Com-
mercials can be fun and likeable, but don’t
go anywhere . . . there is no motivation.
students, faculty and alumni gathered on When many in the marketing commu- Likability doesn’t equal motivation.”
campus for the fourth annual event to learn nications industry insisted that a cam-
IMC Weekend events continued into
more about the IMC program, network paign be just about the advertising or
Saturday and included an information ses-
and learn from industry professionals. the public relations, Nelson was quick to
sion and panel discussions for prospective
disagree. He recognized that consum-
Nelson’s speech helped kick off the 2008 students, roundtable discussions for faculty
ers don’t categorize persuasive messages
IMC Weekend at the Friday dinner and and current students and a series of breakout
according to specific disciplines but that
reception. As vice chairman of Omnicom sessions delivered by industry professionals
they react instead to content. That is why
Group, the world’s largest marketing and focused on such topics as green marketing,
Nelson believes so strongly in integration.
communications company, Nelson helps new and emerging media, entrepreneur-
Omnicom’s companies develop strategies “It is how you connect among all the ship and non-profit public relations.
to better serve their clients and to develop various disciplines that will make you
“It was a busy and fun weekend for every-
new clients and grow their businesses. valuable,” said Nelson. “That is key.”
one attending,” said IMC Program Director
“In the field of integrated marketing com- He reminded IMC students that they are Chad Mezera. “Each year, we work to make
munications, Bruce Nelson is a giant,” in the business of condensed storytell- it something beneficial for potential students,
said Maryanne Reed, dean of the School ing. Nelson referenced his famous “Alka- current students, graduates and faculty.”
of Journalism. “He has an international Seltzer to the rescue” campaign and how
The 2009 IMC Weekend is scheduled for
reputation for bringing together mul- proud he was to have summed up the
May 29 and 30 in Morgantown, W.Va.
tiple marketing companies and disciplines product in just four words. “Condensed
on behalf of his clients and has done it storytelling is at the core of what brings
on a larger scale than anyone else.” all of the disciplines together,” he said.

13
Photo submitted by Robinson

Journalism
pioneer
Bonnie Stewart

BY BRIANA WARNER

Robinson first female

West Virginia AP reporter

GGruine Robinson (BSJ, 1948) always

knew she wanted to be a reporter, but she
never imagined she would be a pioneer.
“I think I was in grade school when I saw
some movies that were centered on reporters
and there were some women reporters in the
movies, and I thought, ‘That’s what I want to
said she was resting and didn’t want any-
one to disturb her, but when she came out
of the room, she’d be going to the theater
where she’d be making her speech, and I
should approach her then, which of course
is what I did. And I got the interview
while we walked together to the theater.”
be — a reporter someday,’” said Robinson. The Amelia Earhart story led to Robinson’s
first byline in the Welch Daily News where
Robinson started her career by writ-
she went on to write after graduating from
ing for the Maroon Wave, the student
high school. While a reporter in Welch,
paper at Welch High School in south-
Robinson covered a McDowell County mine
ern West Virginia. She earned her first
explosion that killed almost 100 residents.
professional byline when famous avia-
tor Amelia Earhart came to town. “I remember reporters coming in from
various parts of the country,” said Robin-
“I knew she was staying at a hotel there in
Top left: Robinson as an son. “I enjoyed telling the news and be-
Welch, so I talked to the manager of the
information officer for the ing with the other reporters. It was only
National Public Health Service. hotel about how I could see her because
natural to feel the pain of the devastated
Top right: Robinson in her I was supposed to interview her for my
families, but I had to tell the news.”
Maryland home in 2007. high school paper,” said Robinson. “He

14
After attending WVU for one year from
1941 to 1942, Robinson took a writing
job in Richmond, Va., at an Army Service
Forces Depot. There, she produced press
releases and a magazine and wrote speeches
for the commander. Back in Charleston,
W.Va., The Associated Press (AP) needed a
wartime replacement reporter, and Robinson
jumped at the opportunity. She became the
first female AP writer in West Virginia.
Robinson has always claimed she was never
treated any differently as a female reporter.
“There were no other female reporters at
the bureau,” she said.
“But I never felt dis-
criminated against in my
whole career. I was always
treated like an equal.”
Robinson jokes that
one reason she may Bonnie Stewart
have been treated well
is that she passed on Robinson was offered a At the same time, Robinson was be-
her wartime rations of position but instead took ing recruited by the National Public
cigarettes and whiskey a job with McGraw- Health Service in Washington, D.C.
to her male colleagues. Hill Publishing in their
“I said let me go get my master’s, and if
In 1945, Robinson returned magazine department
you still have an opening when I’m done,
to the School of Journal- promoting articles to the
I’ll stay in touch,” said Robinson. “So
ism to finish her degree. media. As a “poor working
that’s what happened. When I was get-
While in school, she girl,” she lived at the East
ting ready to graduate, I got a call.”
worked part-time in the Photo submitted by Robinson End Hotel for Women
public relations office and for $10 per week while Robinson took a job writing news releases
wrote a column for The Daily Athenaeum. making $45 per week at McGraw-Hill. and promotional articles for the National
Public Health Service in Washington and
After graduation, the sky was the limit. “I loved everything about New York,
stayed there until her retirement in 1979.
my job, everything,” said Robinson.
“When I was getting ready to graduate, I Since retiring, Robinson has found joy in
decided I would like to go to New York, During the next few years she worked in
volunteering and teaching in the D.C. area.
and I would like to work for Time maga- Albuquerque, N.M., for the AP bureau
zine,” said Robinson. “So I wrote a letter to and later took a publicity job with the Robinson said she doesn’t feel as though
Time telling them of my experience and so New Mexico Department of Health. She she has been a pioneer for female journal-
forth. I got a nice letter back that said, ‘If publicized events, attended meetings and ists and public relations professionals.
you happen to be in New York, come by and even hosted a weekly radio program. Her
“There’s no comparison to how it was
we’d like to interview you.’ So, I managed boss at the health department encour-
then versus now,” said Robinson. “I don’t
to ‘happen’ to be in New York shortly after aged her to enroll in Columbia Univer-
think of myself as paving the way, but
I got that letter, and I did go to see them.” sity’s public health service program.
I’m happy to see we are on an equal ba-
sis with men now in the field.”
Assistant Professor Bonnie Stewart
Bonnie Stewart conducted the interview for this story.

Counterclockwise from left:

Robinson’s article on Earhart was picked up by the
Welch, W.Va., newspaper in 1936.
Robinson waits to receive a Superior Service award
from the National Public Health Service in 1972.
Awards and certificates of service from her career
remain as keepsakes in Robinson’s life.

15
Pipes & bikes
May grad gets a charge out of skydiving, bagpipes
and motorcycles BY NATALIE EDDY AND JESSICA CARLOSS

O
On any given day, you might find
Lauren O’Connor (BSJ, 2008) playing
the bagpipes, riding her motorcycle or
skydiving. The public relations graduate
doesn’t shy away from challenges.
That adventurous attitude brought her
halfway across the country from Houston,
Texas, to Morgantown as a direct admit
“I wouldn’t consider myself a fearless person,”
said O’Connor. “I do what I think I’ll enjoy.”
In addition to being a full-time student,
O’Connor worked as a tutor at the WVU
Writing Center, played flanker on the
WVU women’s rugby team, played bagpipes
professionally, ran a local lawn mowing
business and rode her motorcycle daily.
Andy Smith

When O’Connor decided she wanted to learn

student to the School of Journalism.
While in school, O’Connor found ways how to play the bagpipes, she attended the
She initially was attracted here by the
to connect her extracurricular activities to Balmoral School of Piping in Pittsburgh, Pa.
outdoor activities offered by WVU. As a
her career goals. “In every aspect of my life
freshman, she joined the WVU rowing After taking lessons for one week, O’Connor
I involve myself in PR,” said O’Connor.
team, getting up at 4 a.m. every morning engaged herself in the school’s marketing
“In addition to being the public relations
for practice on the Monongahela River. efforts for their inaugural Balmoral Classic, a
coordinator at the piping school, I was
weekend event in November 2007, featuring
“It was a lot of fun, but it was really the social officer on the rugby team.”
some of the finest bagpipers in the world.
difficult,” said O’Connor. The main event, which O’Connor helped
organize and promote, was a concert at
Living life each day to the fullest is what drives the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh,
featuring Dublin’s 48-member St. Laurence
O’Connor. Her definition of success is not how much O’Toole Pipe Band, along with dancers
and other traditional Irish music.
money is in your wallet but how rich your life is.
Following graduation, O’Connor set off on
Andy Smith another adventure to New Jersey, serving in
Professionally, she found her niche in her new role as Hewlett-Packard’s Global
journalism while enrolled in adjunct Marketing Communications Manager.
instructor Charles Harman’s public relations
health class. In that class, students serve as Continuing her adventurous spirit,
the public relations agency for real-world O’Connor is also considering flight school
clients, designing campaigns that help launch to become a helicopter pilot, an ambition
products and address public health issues. that stems from her childhood experience
of flying small planes with her father.
After taking Harman’s class, O’Connor
knew the public relations program Living life each day to the fullest is
was the right path for her. what drives O’Connor. Her definition
of success is not how much money is in
“As soon as I got involved in Professor your wallet but how rich your life is.
Harman’s class, I knew that PR was what
I really wanted to do,” said O’Connor. “I feel that I’m a really success-driven
person, and I strive to do things that I find
The major gave O’Connor the variety exciting and interesting,” said O’Connor.
she craved and the ability to apply “That’s what life is all about, not how much
something she loved to do in her you make but what you make of it.”
everyday life — meet people.
“PR is always changing and exciting,”
said O’Connor. “I love getting to
know people one-on-one.”
O’Connor’s curiosity and willingness
to try anything once has taken
Recent SOJ graduate Lauren O’Connor plays the
her down many paths.
bagpipes on WVU’s downtown campus.

16
Alumna’s career cruising
in high gear

T
BY BRIANA WARNER

Twenty-plus Saturdays a year and every Her love of sports and her journalism
day in between, you will find alumna Jenna training began to work together when she
Fryer (BSJ, 1996) traveling across North landed a sports stringer position with The
Carolina and the country, covering NA- Charleston Gazette while also writing for
SCAR races and interviewing drivers and The Daily Athenaeum. After graduation, she
other sources about the racing world. took a temporary reporter position at the
Charleston AP office. From there she went
Based out of Charlotte, N.C., Fryer is the
to the AP’s New Orleans bureau where she
national NASCAR beat reporter for The As-
covered Tulane University’s football team, as
sociated Press (AP).
well as the New Orleans Saints. From there,
A 1996 news-editorial graduate, Fryer she went to Montgomery, Ala., and covered
was born in New Jersey and grew up lov- Alabama and Auburn football for the AP.
ing sports — specifically the Pittsburgh In Alabama she was promoted to sports Jenna Fryer, AP’s NASCAR beat reporter, goes behind
Steelers and the New York Yankees. editor and covered all SEC college football, the scenes at a race.
She was a swimmer in high school and which primed her for her next position.
served as a manager of the male wres-
Fryer began covering professional sports in
tling team when she arrived at WVU.
2000 when she relocated to Charlotte, N.C., “I love it, but I love it because it’s a beat,”
“I was born into a sports crazy family,” said and started covering the NFL’s Carolina said Fryer. “No matter what beat it was for
Fryer. “We went to a lot of Yankee games, Panthers, the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets and me, I would love it because I thrive in the
watched the NFL on Sundays. I just always, NASCAR. Fryer’s responsibilities continued day to day, in the regularity and the getting
always wanted to be involved in sports. I to grow until 2006, when she was promoted to know the people. It’s very easy once you
thought I wanted to be a beat writer for the to her current position as a national writer know the people and they know you. It’s the
New York Yankees and that has not material- in charge of NASCAR. Fryer likes the sport familiar faces. And you know how people
ized. I don’t think it ever will at this stage.” but would be happy covering another beat. think and what makes them tick. I love that.”

Omnicom professionals speak to

advertising students BY PATTY IRIZARRY

S
Students at the School of Journalism had
the opportunity to learn about future ca-
reers in advertising from Omnicom Group
advertising professionals in Spring 2008.
Omnicom is the world’s largest market-
ing and communications company, with
more than 5,000 clients worldwide.
added, however, that traditional television
and print advertising will not disappear.
The digital revolution, according to Wil-
lie, is the “golden age of communication.”
Also in February, Ariane Vena, in:site’s lead
analyst, stressed the importance of ethnog-
raphy in advertising research. Ethnography
they were in a restaurant eating breakfast,
and the man had ordered bacon and eggs
and was dumping salt all over his food.
“That’s a good example of how eth-
nographers document the differ-
ence between what people say and
what they really do,” said Quilliam.
Representatives from two Omnicom is a behavioral science that includes inter-
Dr. Tom Harrison, a WVU alumnus
companies — Hall & Partners and viewing and observation to help understand
and chief executive officer of Diversified
in:site — visited WVU in February and peoples’ behaviors and habits. Vena said
Agency Services, a division of Omnicom,
demonstrated to SOJ students excit- strategic insights and recommendations are
facilitated bringing the guest speak-
ing new trends in advertising research. then developed based on that research.
ers to campus. Harrison is the spon-
Terry Willie, Hall & Partners’ group Vena showed video clips of how research sor of the Harrison/Omnicom Profes-
chief executive, spoke to advertising stu- teams gather information for their clients. sor of Advertising, held by Quilliam.
dents in Dr. Elizabeth Taylor Quilliam’s One clip, filmed for a pharmaceutical com-
“I think my students definitely benefited
advertising research methods class. pany, showed the ethnographer talking to an
from the presentation,” said Quilliam.
older man with diabetes and heart disease.
During the presentation, Willie told “It was an opportunity to be exposed
While riding in a car, the man talked about
students that their jobs would be harder to senior executives. It was really valu-
how he had changed his diet and was eating
than his because of current trends in able and gave them a different per-
only healthy foods. A few minutes later,
digital and interactive advertising. He spective from reading a textbook.”

17
Love is in the air of the
IMC program BY NATALIE EDDY

M
Move over Match.com and
eHarmony. The School of
Journalism’s Integrated
Marketing Communications
(IMC) online graduate
program is helping singles
find love, well, not officially.
Sprint as a senior retail
communications consultant.
Satterfield, a native of
Fairmont, W.Va., was working
in Charleston, W.Va., for Gov.
Joe Manchin as the gover-
nor’s liaison. The two had
been dating since April and
But for two graduates of the
were traveling on weekends
program, that’s just what
to see each other, despite
happened.
busy work and school
The WVU IMC program is schedules.
the first integrated market-
“After about eight months of
ing communications master’s
driving back and forth from
degree program in the world
Morgantown to Charleston, a
available exclusively online.
position as senior retail
It is designed to meet the
communications consultant
needs of busy working
opened at Sprint in Charles-
professionals, giving its
ton, so I took it,” said Camp.
students the opportunity to
continue working while A year later, the couple
receiving a master’s degree became engaged.
in the marketing field. Both graduated in May 2006.
Finding love was just an Following graduation, Camp
added bonus for program worked for a medical device
graduates Phil Satterfield company as a territory
(MS-IMC, 2006) and Stepha- manager, and Satterfield was
nie Camp (MS-IMC, 2006; employed by the Arnold
BSJ, 2002). Agency as a client service
manager for the Subway
Satterfield and Camp
account in Charleston.
enrolled in the IMC program
in Spring 2005. During their In July 2008, Satterfield
first course, IMC 610: began his new position as an
Introduction to IMC, the after-sales marketing
two chatted frequently specialist with Audi America
through the course’s in their Herndon, Va., office.
discussion board, but those Lee Ann Freeman
While the couple’s story may
conversations were mostly be unusual, developing both
limited to class topics. That opportunity came when Camp and personal and professional friendships is
“In the program, you’re given one or two Satterfield participated in the program’s common among students enrolled in the
questions a week that you have to annual IMC Weekend and Student IMC program. Despite the geographic
answer,” said Camp. “We had to respond Reunion in June 2005, where they both distance among classmates, many students
to at least three other students. I always attended a roundtable discussion. find that the online format allows for even
thought Phil had good insight, so I often After that, they talked on the phone and more social networking connections than a
found myself responding to his posts. e-mailed through the IMC network. Then traditional classroom.
“Once you were logged into the class, you Satterfield asked Camp out to dinner. “In a way, we really did meet online,” said
could see who was online and who “Suddenly, it was clear that the connec- Camp. “We made a lot of good friends
wasn’t,” she said. “You could even instant tion we made from talking online was through the program, too. I knew a lot of
message someone if you wanted. When developing into something more,” said good things would come out of getting my
you’re online with people day in and day Camp. “We had so much in common that IMC degree, but never in my wildest
out, it’s a unique bond. It’s always nice to we began dating.” dreams did I expect to find a husband.”
have the opportunity to actually meet The happy couple married July 5, 2008, in
At the time, Camp, a Pittsburgh native,
them in person.” Morgantown.
lived in Morgantown and worked for

18
Journalism Week

2008 PHOTOGRAPHS BY KENDAL MONTGOMERY

J-Week looks at how

digital media will
help choose the next
president

T
The 2008 presidential election may be
known as the “YouTube Election,” with an
increasing number of people turning to the
Internet to learn about the candidates and
become involved in the political campaigns.
This year’s Journalism Week, “New Media.
New Democracy,” focused on the impact of
online media — blogs, viral video and social
networking websites — on the upcoming na-
tional election. The main event was the panel,
“Digital Media and the 2008 Presidential
Election,” cosponsored by the WVU Festival
of Ideas, which drew more than 500 people.
Panelists included Philip
de Vellis, senior associate
and vice president of new
media at Murphy Putnam
Media; Ross Douthat,
senior editor at The Atlantic
Monthly and blogger for
TheAtlantic.com; Terence
Samuel, deputy editor of
TheRoot.com, an online
magazine aimed at black readers published by
The Washington Post; Abbi Tatton, Internet
reporter for CNN who covers blogs, web
video and other new media for “The Situa-
tion Room;” and Matthew Yglesias, associate
editor of The Atlantic Monthly and blogger
for TheAtlantic.com.
The moderator was Michael Tomasky (BSJ,
1982), editor of GuardianAmerica.com,
Photos from top: Abbi Tatton, the U.S.-based website of The Guardian
Matthew Yglesias, Ross Douthat,
Terence Samuel and Philip de Vellis. newspaper of England. In his introduction,

19
Tomasky described the current election as was biased against conservatives,” said ton as an Orwellian “big brother” figure,
a landmark in media coverage, comparing Douthat. “It made sense that initially has generated more than 5 million hits
it to the 1960 presidential race between the blogosphere would become a center on YouTube and cost de Vellis his job.
John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. for conservative opposition, in a sense to
“I thought it was clever, but I didn’t think
what bloggers are required by law to call
“It was the first time people were getting it’d be that big of a deal,” said de Vellis. “It
the ‘MSM,’ the mainstream media.”
their information from television and not took me one afternoon sitting at my dining
newspapers,” said Tomasky. “It was the first Since then, Douthat said, the pendulum room table. Little did I know that within
race where this new medium really asserted has swung the other way, particularly as 24 hours it started getting spread around.”
itself. There is reason to think, in some num- the Barack Obama campaign has reached
While new media is having an impact on
ber of years, we’ll look at this race as the first out to younger, Internet-savvy voters.
the current election, the panelists agreed
YouTube race — the first new media race.”
“What liberals figured out very quickly,” that most people still rely on traditional
Tatton says that the Internet first demon- said Douthat, “is that blogs are enor- media sources. However, they say new
strated its influence in the previous presiden- mously effective tools for political orga- media has accelerated the news cycle
tial race. nization and money raising. And that, and is helping to set the news agenda.
I think, is where conservatives and Re-
“It really grew out of the 2004 election . . . “The real influence of new media is the
publicans are still light-years behind.”
when political blogs had really become a influence it has on old media at this point,”
force,” said Tatton. “They were breaking According to the panelists, another said Samuel. “Now The New York Times
news, covering news. They were talking about change has been the influence of vid- has ‘The Caucus,’ and The Washington
stories that maybe we in cable news weren’t. eos produced for the Internet by ordi- Post has ‘The Trail.’ Everyone has a blog.”
There was a real gap there — a real lack.” nary citizens and political operatives.
“What you’re ultimately probably going to
Douthat, a conservative blogger, says the first While working as a consultant on the see is not new media taking over from old
wave of influential bloggers represented the Obama campaign, de Vellis independently media, but old media and new media sort
political right. produced a video in which he mashed of collapsing into each other,” said Douthat.
up clips from Clinton’s web chats with “As the population changes and more and
“When the first blogs appeared . . . you
Apple’s famous 1984 Super Bowl advertise- more people are getting their news online,
had a liberal media establishment that
ment. The video, showing Hillary Clin- you’ll just see more and more of that.”

20
Student planning, involvement
highlight J-Week events BY KEENAN CUMMINGS

F
For Journalism Week 2008, “New Media.
New Democracy,” the School of Journal-
ism reached out to SOJ students to get
their input and involvement in planning
the annual week, which recognizes new
trends and celebrates best practices in
journalism and mass communications.
The School’s student organizations par-
ticipated in a variety of activities.

Logo Design
Under the direction of advertising instructor
Cathy Mezera, Advertising Club members
designed the red-white-and-blue logo for
the annual event. The logo was used in all
Journalism Week promotional materials.
Advertising seniors Keri Sams, Coley Chacos
and Bryce Post and junior Mallory Rho-
des helped in the design process. Sams was
responsible for creating the final design.
“The design needed to be versatile enough
to be printed on posters, stickers, banners
and other materials,” said Sams. “We got
together and brainstormed. We worked very
well together as a team. I’m very grateful
for being recognized. It’s a great honor.” Clockwise, from left: Dean Maryanne Reed introduces the J-Week panel event on April 3, 2008. PRSSA members
Jamie Campbell (left) and Nicole Riggleman sort through audience questions at the debate. Nicole Riggleman (right)
and Erin Murray take questions from the audience. Judy Bransford (left) and James Bailey prepare for a rebuttal
Ad Design Competition by the College Republicans. Jared Towner represents the Young Democrats at the debate. Erica Sladky defends the
Democratic platform. Visiting Assistant Professor Tori Arthur keeps time during the debate.
The Advertising Club also sponsored an
ad design competition open to all stu-
dents in the School of Journalism.
Students were asked to create a poster that “We were so excited when we heard
would encourage young people to vote and to
get involved in the political process. Students that we had won the competition.”
from all SOJ programs participated. — Jordan Parsons

21
 Kendal Montgomery

SOJ students vote for their favorite entry in the Ad Design Competition. The “Choose a Party for Life” poster (bottom left) won the competition.

Entries were displayed in Martin Hall, “This is such a pivotal and exciting election,” The debate was moderated by SPJ mem-
and SOJ students were invited to said Kellen Henry, SPJ vice president and bers Erin Murray, a sophomore broad-
vote — along with a panel of profes- news-editorial senior. “I think this contest cast news major, and Colin Booth, a
sional judges — on the best entry. was a great way for students to explore how senior pre-journalism major. Murray
the candidates are using new methods of was recently elected to serve as presi-
The “Choose a Party for Life” design by Mark
communication and how well these tools dent of the organization next year.
Donohue, a sophomore pre-journalism major;
reach voters.”
Renee Motto, a sophomore pre-journalism More than 100 students turned out
major; and Jordan Parsons, a senior advertis- Brittany Swisher, a broadcast news senior, to watch the event in Brooks Hall.
ing major, was selected as the competition won the competition and the $250 prize
“Many times in class we are told what to do
winner. The team received a prize of $250. with her essay titled, “How YouTube and
or what should be done,” said Nicole Riggle-
other New Media Impact Young Voters.”
“We put a lot of work into the project man, a public relations major who helped
and were so relieved when it was finally plan the event. “With this project, I had
complete,” said Parsons. “We were so Student Debate to actually apply all of that knowledge to a
excited when we heard that we had won the community-wide event. I feel like I learned
competition.” Public Relations Student Society of America so much during every step of the process.”
(PRSSA) planned and hosted a student
debate between WVU’s Young Democrats
Essay Competition and College Republicans, who debated about
such topics as the economy, the environ- sojinsider.wvu.edu
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
ment, the Iraq War and health care.
student organization sponsored an essay View a photo gallery of J-Week
competition, also open to all SOJ students. In advance of the debate, “Student Voices: events.
A Campus Debate About the Candi-
Participants were asked to write a 500- to Watch video interviews with
dates,” PRSSA members surveyed students
700-word essay explaining how new media J-Week speakers.
across campus to compile a list of the is-
(blogs, social networking, user-generated
sues that were most important to them. Watch “man-on-the-street”
websites, etc.) encourage young people to
interviews about the election.
vote and what new media could do better.

22
Gillette informs and entertains SOJ
students and faculty

P
BY ANDY SMITH

President of the inde- Gillette started in 1978 & Little Advertising in Atlanta, Ga. Later
pendent advertising and served as president at DDB Chicago, he worked on some of
agency Downtown from 2000-2004. the company’s largest accounts, includ-
Partners Chicago and an ing State Farm, Discover Card, Busch
Gillette said Bernbach’s
alumnus of the School of Beer and Qwest Communications.
“Lemon” and “Think
Journalism, Ray Gillette
Small” ad campaigns Gillette is considered a visionary in the
(BSJ, 1971) energized a
for the Volkswagen integrated marketing discipline, bring-
student audience with
Beetle are recognized ing its benefits to DDB clients long be-
his talk, “So, You Want
as two of the most fore it became standard industry practice.
to be in Advertising?”
important moments in Capitalizing on his entrepreneurial spirit
in September 2007.
advertising history. He and love of building new business, Gil-
Using pictures and took students through lette was named president of Downtown
Ray Gillette (BSJ, 1971) Kendal Montgomery
videos, Gillette led stu- decades of Alka-Seltzer Partners, an Omnicom agency, in 2004.
dents through a virtual commercials and
SOJ advertising student Jordan Goddard
timeline of advertising milestones, discussing Polaroid television spots starring James
was impressed by Gillette’s career and
Bill Bernbach, who was named as “the single Garner and Mariette Hartley and showed
presentation. “It’s always nice to see West
most influential creative force in advertising’s the more recent “Waaazzup” Budweiser
Virginia University graduates in the same
history” by Advertising Age’s survey of the commercials that were launched when
field of study as you who have made a real
top 100 campaigns of the century. Bernbach he was president at DDB Chicago.
name for themselves,” said Goddard.
was one of three founders of Doyle, Dane,
The SOJ alumnus began his advertising
Bernbach, known as DDB Chicago, where
career as an account manager at McDonald

Advertising students win awards

in regional competition BY NATALIE EDDY

F
Fifteen SOJ students won the Overall Best
Presentation Team Award this spring in a
regional advertising competition that offers
students a chance to compose a profes-
sional campaign for a real-world company.
The students traveled to Lexington,
Ky., to compete in the American Ad-
paign objective was to increase trial usage
and awareness of AIM’s social network
among 18- to 24-year-olds, primarily
through viral and non-traditional ad-
vertising, with a $25 million budget.
Advertising instructor Cathy Mezera com-
mented, “I’m extremely proud of the team’s
ielle Schultz of Potomac Falls, Va.; Crista
Short of Woodbridge, Va.; Kelsey Weigand
of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Ashlee Welch of Weirton,
W.Va.; and Morgan Yates of Belle, W.Va.
Presenters at the conference were Coscarelli,
Helfer, Sams, Schultz and Yates. Helfer also
won the award for the Overall Best Presenter.
vertising Federation’s National Stu- ideas and efforts. In a nutshell, they pro-
The competition was divided into 15
dent Advertising Competition against posed a new, branded AOL portal called
districts, each containing one to five states.
11 other colleges and universities. exclAIM, a promotional concert tour and
WVU is in District 5, which includes schools
street teams across major U.S. campuses.
In the competition, a corporate sponsor from Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.
They chose ADvocates as their agency name.”
provides an assignment outlining the history
Other colleges competing included West-
of its product and current advertising situ- WVU team members included: Jessie
ern Kentucky University, Ohio University,
ation. Students then research the product Blackwell of Wheeling, W.Va.; Brian Cash of
Cleveland State University, Youngstown
and its competition, identify potential Matawan, N.J.; Coley Chacos of Riva, Md.;
State University, Murray State Uni-
problem areas and devise a completely Chris Coscarelli of New Kensington, Pa.;
versity, Marietta College, John Carroll
integrated communications campaign for Tabatha Duffy of Clarksburg, W.Va.; Lindsey
University, Xavier University, Univer-
the client. Next, student teams “pitch” Helfer of Glen Dale, W.Va.; Bryce Post of
sity of Kentucky, Mount Vernon Nazarene
their campaigns to a panel of judges. Eldersburg, Md.; Justin Raiten of Freehold
University and Marshall University.
Township, N.J.; Mallory Rhodes of Seaford,
This year’s sponsor was AOL, a global
Del.; Keri Sams of Parkersburg, W.Va.; Dan-
leader in web-based businesses. The cam-

23
Urbanski emphasizes design as solid
entry point into today’s competitive
media markets BY NATALIE EDDY AND DYLAN JONES

subliminal ability to grab a reader’s atten- Urbanski is excited to be teaching at his

tion and hold it. Modern readers have less alma mater. He worked with students in
of an attention span for long articles, and his copy editing and design class to help
producing a fresh, visually appealing page create the new look for the SOJ alumni
helps to keep them interested in the story.” magazine. “We tried to establish a fresh
look for the magazine,” said Urbanski. “We
Urbanski said students who learn the basics
used several examples of different alumni
of design can carry that technique into
magazines from around the country, trying
all aspects of journalism, whether it’s on a
to meld some of the finer points of each
printed page, advertisement or website.
to come up with an inviting format.”
“If you understand and apply the basics of
According to Urbanski, many journal-
design, like good proportion and white space
ism schools view design as being strictly
balance, you can do it well,” said Urbanski.
in magazines, newspapers and advertis-
ing. But he likes students to extend their
“Teaching design is design view into their everyday lives.

essential in today’s “I challenge students to look at the world

around them with a more critical eye,” said
world of media Urbanski. “I want them to see how basic de-
sign components, such as proportion, balance
convergence.” and white space, are at work around them
all the time. By seeing these foundational
— Dr. Steve Urbanski
elements in action, I believe students begin
to grasp how vast design is in our world.”
For more than 28 years, Urban-
ski has been “doing it well.” His students seem to be taking the challenge.
WVU Photo Services One of Urbanski’s students went on a trip
His journalism experience encompasses
with his girlfriend and kept noticing that
design, editing and reporting with such
headlines in out-of-town newspapers weren’t
newspapers as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette;

M
“kerned” enough. Kerning is the altering of
the Herald-Standard in Uniontown, Pa.; the
space between each letter of a headline.
former Sun-Tattler in Hollywood, Fla.; the
Modern design is a core component of Mountain-Statesman in Grafton, W.Va.; “This is a funny but important story,”
media convergence and can make the The Spirit in Punxsutawney, Pa.; and the said Urbanski. “It’s funny because I’d
difference in keeping today’s busy read- former Dallas Times Herald. For 14 years, much rather the student enjoy spend-
ers interested in the stories on the page. he was a page design editor at the Pittsburgh ing time with his girlfriend. But it is
Post-Gazette where he won a number of also nice to know that he was applying
That’s a lesson Dr. Steve Urban- state, regional and national awards, includ- the techniques we discussed in class.”
ski (BSJ, 1978), a former newspaper ing portfolio awards in 2005 and 2006
design editor and the new director of from the Society of Newspaper Design.
graduate studies at the School of Jour-
nalism, passes on to his students. He also has experience in academia, hav-
sojinsider.wvu.edu
ing taught journalism classes at Duquesne
“Teaching design is essential in today’s and Point Park Universities, and he
Listen to an interview with
world of media convergence,” said Urban- was advisor for The Duquesne Duke
Steve Urbanski.
ski. “The importance of design lies in the school newspaper for eight years.

24
Harrison/Omnicom Professor
brings marketing expertise to
the classroom BY DYLAN JONES

W
With more than 20 years of professional
experience in marketing communications, Dr.
Elizabeth Taylor Quilliam brings real-world
expertise and strategic know-how to the
classroom as the School of Journalism’s first
Harrison/Omnicom Professor of Advertising.
Quilliam, who recently completed her
Quilliam also utilizes her research ac-
tivities to make students aware of broader
issues in the field. Her research primarily
focuses on the intersection of advertis-
ing and society and delves into such top-
ics as advertising and children, corpo-
rate social responsibility and privacy.
Ph.D. in mass media at Michigan State “For example, I teach how the sum total of
University, has a wide variety of experience, all advertising influences our lives, rather
working for both large and small companies than focusing on how a single advertise-
and as a consultant specializing in market- ment or campaign works,” said Quilliam.
ing communications and sales support. “The complete picture is how advertising
affects society, negatively and positively.”
“Where possible, I use examples from my
past experience to bring real-life illustra-
tions to the students,” said Quilliam.
“Where possible, I
For example, Quilliam has discussed in class
marketing campaigns she developed for the use examples from
New York Cash Exchange (NYCE) ATM
and debit card network. While at NYCE, my past experience
Quilliam won two Gold Effies, a highly to bring real-life
valued award in the advertising field that
is based on effectiveness and execution. illustrations to the WVU Photo Services

Quilliam also draws from her experi- students.” Ultimately, Quilliam said, she is guided by
ence as vice president and chief customer her sense of personal obligation to contribute
relations officer at Equifax Card Services — Dr. Elizabeth Taylor Quilliam to society.
and as an independent consultant.
“After working a number of years in the
To stay current, she calls upon her many marketing field, I wanted to give something
As the Harrison/Omnicom Professor of Ad-
contacts in the advertising field, which back,” said Quilliam.
vertising, Quilliam teaches a variety of cours-
now include Omnicom professionals, to
es, including advertising and society, direct “Hopefully, through a combination of
provide students with the latest informa-
marketing and advertising research methods. my experience, contacts and research, I’ll
tion about innovative trends in advertis-
ing, marketing and public relations. “What clearly impresses me about Liz is be able to help teach tomorrow’s com-
her open passion for the art of communica- municators to be responsible, ethical and
“While we were studying political advertise- creative. When I was younger, I never
tion and the science of advertising,” said
ments in one class, I used a political ad from would have thought about doing this. Now,
Tom Harrison, chairman and chief execu-
a contact to illustrate issue advertisements, I don’t see a home outside of academia.
tive officer of Diversified Agency Services, a
including story boards, production notes, This is where I want and need to be.”
division of the Omnicom Group, and sponsor
photos and the final product,” said Quilliam.
of the Harrison/Omnicom Professorship.
“As a result, I was able to show the students sojinsider.wvu.edu
how ideas are conceived, developed and im- “She embodies the innate ability to focus
plemented. They learned about the different on the relevance of the various disciplines Listen to an interview with
components of a political campaign and how within advertising to create a practical, Elizabeth Taylor Quilliam.
that was translated into an advertisement.” integrated curriculum,” said Harrison.

25
Documentary adds to African American
history of World War II BY NATALIE EDDY AND JESSICA CARLOSS

A
Associate Professor Joel Beeson’s docu-
mentary, “Fighting on Two Fronts: The
Untold Stories of African American WWII
Veterans,” reveals the stories of four “Great-
est Generation” veterans who were forced
to fight two battles — against an enemy
on foreign soil and racism at home.
exemplary national and community service
on behalf of African American veterans.
Beeson got the idea for the documentary
through his work as the director of the West
Virginia Veterans History Project, created to
help document stories of the state’s veterans.
The film became a reality in 2004, when
For the editing process, Beeson turned to
renowned filmmaker Jacob Young, currently
a producer at WVU Television Produc-
tions. Young has produced award-winning
documentaries, including “The Dancing
Outlaw” and “American Junkumentary.”
“We did in just a couple of weeks, what
“For many of the veterans it was their would normally take many months to ac-
the West Virginia Humanities Council
first time to tell someone exactly what complish,” said Young. “The documentary
funded the project, awarding Beeson a media
they went through,” said Beeson. “It got is set in a way that it takes the audience
grant to create a documentary about West
pretty emotional for them — and for along for the journey, making them feel
Virginia’s African American veterans.
me. I remember having to turn the cam- like they aren’t watching a documentary.”
era off at times to just cry with them.” The hour-long documentary premiered on
Beeson added that he wanted the veterans
Veterans Day 2007 on West Virginia Public
It also was one of the first attempts to to tell their stories in their own words.
Television.
document stories of the African American
“There is no narrator saying African Ameri-
experience during World War II on film. The film features the stories of Marcus
cans did this, or Americans did that,” said
By 1945, more than 1.2 million African Cranford of Charles Town, W.Va., who was
Beeson. “These are men and women who
American men were serving in Europe and part of a Navy Seabee Battalion of soldiers
have kept this information, a lot of times
the Pacific, yet little has been recorded to deployed at Iwo Jima to unload supplies
to themselves, for 65 years. Many of them
document their contribution to the war. on the beach; Madelean McIver of Charles
are haunted and have had nightmares about
Town, one of only 3,000 African Ameri-
Beeson’s film won acclaim from the Congres- this stuff. I thought it was only right and
cans in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC)
sional Black Caucus Veterans’ Braintrust. In fair to let them tell their own stories.”
during the war; John Watson of Bluefield,
September 2007, he received the Braintrust
W.Va., a crew chief with the Tuskegee Air-
Award during the 19th Annual Veterans’
men; and Hughie Mills now of Las Vegas, sojinsider.wvu.edu
Braintrust Awards Reception. Established by
Nev., who volunteered for the 761st Tank
Gen. Colin Powell in 1990, the Braintrust
Battalion after the Battle of the Bulge. Watch a video trailer of Beeson’s
Award recognizes people who have provided
documentary.

26
Dahlia produces award-winning
documentary

I
BY HEATHER BONECUTTER AND NATALIE EDDY

It has been called the worst mining di- by available mining jobs and the promise
saster in American history. On a gloomy of inexpensive housing. Dahlia’s family
Friday morning on Dec. 6, 1907, an explo- background drew her to work on this project.
sion and subsequent fire tore through two
Born in Italy, Dahlia’s mother, Rina Mar-
coal mines in Monongah, W.Va., killing
tino, came to America to make a better life
362 men and leaving 250 women widowed
for herself by marrying Dahlia’s father and
and more than 1,000 children fatherless.
starting a family. A native of Marion County,
To honor the women and children left W.Va., Dahlia feels a strong, emotional
behind by the disaster, Teaching Assistant connection to the Monongah mine victims.
Professor Gina Martino Dahlia (MSJ, 2007)
“My grandpa, Sam Martino, was a coal
produced, filmed and narrated an historical
miner for nearly 25 years,” Dahlia said,
documentary, “The Monongah Heroine.”
explaining her interest in the project. Her
In April 2008, the film won a national grandfather narrowly escaped the 1968
Broadcast Education Association Festival Farmington Mine disaster, in which 78 men
of Media Arts Award. The film was named were killed. “My grandfather wanted to work
a double shift that day,
“After the 1968 mine explosion, I saw but his ride was going
home, and so he had to
how hard my grandmother struggled to go, as well. That twist
of fate saved his life.”
keep everything together, even though
“After the 1968 mine
she knew my grandfather still had to explosion, I saw how Submitted photo
hard my grandmother
go underground to make a living.” struggled to keep ev-
Among those interviewed for the film
— Gina Martino Dahlia erything together, even were a well-known mining expert, a pho-
though she knew my
tojournalist, an author and local mining
grandfather still had to go
Best in Category in the Faculty Docu- historian, Italian immigrants, a genealo-
underground to make a living,” she added.
mentary Competition for Short Film. The gist and poet, a vice president of Calabria,
film also earned an Accolade Award for Based on that experience, Dahlia decided Italy, and a son of one of the widows.
Excellence in Historical Videography. to step back in time to tell the story of
Through the project, Dahlia formed rela-
the Monongah disaster from the families’
When the 1907 Monongah disaster oc- tionships with the people of Monongah
perspective. She spent four years do-
curred, almost half of the town’s bread- and got to know their heritage. She said
ing research, gathering archival photos
winners were killed, most of them Italian it is impossible to do an in-depth docu-
and shooting 25 hours of footage.
immigrants who came to West Virginia lured mentary without being changed by it.
Submitted photo “It’s a huge misconception that in order
to be a journalist you have to be removed,”
said Dahlia. “You have to be connected to
the story to connect with the audience.”

sojinsider.wvu.edu

Watch a video trailer of Dahlia’s

documentary.

Left: Family members wait outside the mine to

find out if their loved ones survived the explosion.
Top right: Dahlia visits the Monongah Heroine
statue in downtown Monongah, W.Va. The statue
was erected to pay tribute to the widows left
behind after the 1907 Monongah mine disaster.

27
Former USA TODAY top editor sings
praises of good ol’ fashioned hard work
BY SARAH MCLEAN

Bob Dubill, former executive editor

of USA TODAY, talks about the
paper’s coverage of the Sept. 11,
2001, terrorist attacks. B Bob Dubill, former USA TODAY ex-
ecutive editor, urged students to make
a difference with their reporting, while
staying hungry for challenges, dur-
ing a campus visit in February 2008.
“It is easy to become a good writer if
you are a good reporter,” said Dubill.
“You can make a difference with your
reporting if you go the extra mile.”
The extra mile for Dubill started when he
landed a job with The Associated Press
(AP) and worked his way up to bureau
chief of the AP’s New Jersey operation.
Dubill later became executive editor
of Gannett News Service in Washing-
ton, D.C. Under his direction, Gan-
nett won 24 national awards, including
the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
Dubill served as executive editor of USA
TODAY from 1995-2002. The paper’s
circulation grew to more than 2.2 mil-
lion copies per day under his leadership.
Dr. George Esper, Ogden Newspapers
Visiting Professor of Journalism, said
Dubill’s visits are always inspiring.
“Bob Dubill is my hero, a jewel in journal-
ism — passionate and prevailing, decent and
dedicated, generous and gracious,” said Esper.
“He is a legend in journalism, having helped
turn USA TODAY into such a huge success
that its critics later used it as a model.”
As a start-up paper, USA TODAY was
criticized for its heavy use of graphics and
shorter-length stories and was sometimes
referred to as the “McPaper.” Dubill dem-
onstrated to students how USA TODAY
staffers responded to the criticism. Wear-
ing a pair of oversized plastic sunglasses
and dancing, Dubill sang the lyrics from
Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”
Popular during USA TODAY’s early
Kendal Montgomery years, Dubill said newsroom employees
adopted the song as their anthem. He told
students they also need to stay hungry to
make their mark in journalism today.
“Who knows? Maybe headlines will be
Despite the advancing technology of
written in the sky in the future.” online newspapers, Dubill said he has
faith newspapers will be around, in one
— Bob Dubill form or another, in the years to come.
“Who knows? Maybe headlines will be writ-
ten in the sky in the future,” said Dubill.

28
 Students get winning experience
covering Fiesta Bowl BY KEENAN CUMMINGS

A As the final seconds of the 2008 Tostitos

Fiesta Bowl ticked away, the WVU foot-
ball team’s sideline was electric. A small
group of players lifted interim head coach
Bill Stewart onto their shoulders, and he
triumphantly pumped his fist into the air.
As the players poured onto the field in
celebration, five School of Journalism news-
Kathryn Gregory

editorial students interviewed players and

snapped photos to capture the experience.
Todd Krise, Kendal Montgomery, Tony
Dobies, Dan Stefano and Kathryn Gregory
were given the opportunity to spend four
days in Glendale, Ariz., to cover the Fi-
esta Bowl for The Daily Athenaeum.
“I was really excited to get the chance to
travel and get the valuable experience of
covering a huge sports event,” said Gregory.
“It was exciting to branch out of my com-
fort zone and go to my first bowl game.”
The trip was a long-awaited opportunity.
“I always told Dan [Stefano] that there
was a chance we could go to a BCS bowl,”
said Dobies. “This could be the highlight
of my career, and I’m still in college.”
The students traveled to Glendale from
Pittsburgh, Pa., at 5 a.m. on Dec. 31, prepar- SOJ students (from left) Dan Stefano, Tony Dobies, Todd Krise and (front) Kendal Montgomery stand on the field at the
2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl during their coverage for WVU’s student newspaper, The Daily Athenaeum.
ing to spend the New Year’s holiday covering
the biggest story of their college careers.
Mountaineers, who started out strong and Throughout the trip, the students were
For two days before the game, the stu-
maintained a lead they would never relin- on constant deadline and had to pro-
dents covered fan activities, includ-
quish. The four students in the press box duce multiple stories at once.
ing the Insight.com Bowl Block Party
sat above the WVU fan section but had
held at Arizona State’s campus, where “This experience was very valuable for
to keep their own excitement in check.
they chose WVU fans to interview from me because I got shots for my portfolio,”
a crowd of a few thousand people. “As everyone knows, the game went well,” said Montgomery. “It proved to me that
said Krise. “We tried to refrain from cheer- I could cover big sports for a living and
On game day, the students parted ways, with
ing in the press box, but it was hard not could be happy doing nothing but that.”
four of them heading to the press box at
to go crazy. We were all-smiles though.”
The coverage of the game also gave the stu-
In the fourth quarter, the other dents a chance to prove they are more than
“Once we got to go on the field and four students were allowed to head capable of covering sports at a national level.
down to the field and report on the
interview the players, it was one of celebration firsthand. As the final
“It was a great opportunity — everything
was first class,” said Stefano. “Profes-
the best experiences of my career...” seconds of the game ticked away, sionally, it gave me the motivating factor
the students’ school spirit erupted
— Dan Stefano as Stefano and Krise went so far as that one day I want to do this again.”
to do the signature shoulder bump
University of Phoenix stadium and Mont- that the Mountaineers do after big plays.
gomery going down to the WVU sideline sojinsider.wvu.edu
“It was unbelievable,” said Stefano. “Once we
to set up for photos during the game.
got to go on the field and interview the play- View a photo slideshow of Fiesta
Once the game started, emotions ran ers, it was one of the best experiences of my Bowl highlights.
high as the WVU crowd cheered on the career and especially special being a senior.”

29
Kendal Montgomery Locy speaks with Neil Saft, a student in her Law of the News Media class.

Visiting Shott Chair shares real-life lessons

BY NATALIE EDDY AND DYLAN JONES

S
She has written about the U.S. Supreme
Court, the mafia and just about every aspect
of state and local government. After more
than 25 years as a reporter, Toni Locy (BSJ,
1981) the 2007-2008 Visiting Shott Chair
of Journalism, found herself in the news.
Locy, who joined the faculty last fall, is
While the case was making its way
through the courts, students at the School
of Journalism got a front row seat to
this historical legal battle. In her classes,
Locy applied her experience, discussing
the importance of reporters being able
to offer sources confidentiality.
also tells them reporters must be curious
and skeptical to serve their readers well.
Locy is the third professor to hold the
Shott Chair of Journalism, which was cre-
ated by an endowment from the Hugh I.
Shott Jr. Foundation to honor the Shott
family’s 100-year-plus history of leader-
at the center of an anonymous source “I have discussed the case at length during ship in West Virginia’s news media and to
case that is making national headlines. lectures on shielding sources. Bob Dubill, enhance journalism education in the state.
the former executive editor of USA TODAY,
The case began in the aftermath of the The First Amendment guarantees free-
by sheer coincidence, was a guest speaker in
9/11 disaster when anthrax poison was dom of the press, cementing the media’s
my media law class the day after I was held
anonymously mailed to various media outlets. role as the watchdog of government,
in contempt. He basically interviewed me
While a reporter at USA TODAY, Locy but Locy’s court battle over the protec-
about the case in front of my class. I think
wrote a story naming Steven Hatfill as “a tion of journalists’ confidential sources
the students enjoyed it because many of them
person of interest” in the federal anthrax may lead her to a defining role in his-
jumped in and asked questions, as well.”
investigation. In 2003, Hatfill, who was tory on the issue of source disclosure.
never charged by the government, filed suit A 1981 graduate of the School of Journal-
Although Locy is more comfortable be-
against the FBI and Justice Department. ism, Locy’s impressive and multifaceted
hind the pen than in front of it, she
Locy and other reporters were subpoe- career has included reporting positions
knows the significance of this case.
naed and ordered to name their sources. at the Philadelphia Daily News, Boston
Globe, Washington Post, U.S. News & “I’m worried that privacy act lawsuits could
After getting their permission, Locy named
World Report and The Associated Press. be used in the future to silence reporters
two sources, but she has declined to reveal
and to keep news organizations from doing
more names of people she talked to about The veteran reporter-turned-professor
aggressive, hard-hitting reporting,” said Locy.
the case. A U.S. District judge found her uses her years of reporting on the national
“I do believe I’m doing the right thing.”
in contempt and ordered her to reveal the scene to pass along other valuable les-
names of the confidential sources or pay sons to students. She emphasizes basic sojinsider.wvu.edu
daily fines adding up to more than $45,000. writing skills and teaches students that
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District fairness and accuracy are the most im-
Listen to an interview with Toni Locy.
of Columbia Circuit blocked the fines while portant attributes of good reporters. She
her lawyers are appealing the decision.

30
Arthur brings
degree in electronic media Argentina sitting next to
production. While there, students from Sierra Leone
she produced the campus sitting next to students

experience newscast called “The Beat.”

After college, Arthur was
an associate producer at
from the Czech Republic.”
“Every professional experi-
ence I’ve ever had has pre-

to broadcast WDBJ7 in Roanoke, Va.

She spent three months
working night shifts
pared me for WVU,” said
Arthur. “Because no two
days in a broadcast news-
students and almost nine months
producing the morning
news briefs, which ran
room are ever the same,
you have to be flexible and

I
BY MARK PALANGIO adaptable. All of these are
throughout the morning.
qualities I’m working to
In 2006, Arthur received instill in my students.”
her master’s degree in
In January, Tori Arthur joined the SOJ Arthur has nothing but
creative writing from
faculty as a visiting assistant profes- positive things to say
American University in
sor in the broadcast news program. about the School and the
Washington, D.C. While Arthur was in
students. “I’ve been impressed by WVU
Arthur brings nearly 10 years of electronic graduate school, she worked as a teacher for
and the School of Journalism. The J-School
media, news writing and communications the Institute of Reading Development, de-
gives its students so many opportunities to
experience to the School. Most recently, she signed to help students, ages 4 through adult,
develop professionally and have real-world
worked as a television producer for CONUS improve their reading and writing skills.
experience before graduation. I think that’s
Communications, a satellite news-gathering
“Probably the most memorable class I taught why it will be among the top journal-
organization that provides coverage for more
was at the World Bank for employees from ism schools in the nation,” said Arthur.
than 100 local stations, television networks
around the world,” said Arthur. “None of
and news organizations across the country.
them were native English speakers, and they sojinsider.wvu.edu
Arthur completed her undergraduate work were all trying to improve their English
in 1999 at James Madison University in language reading skills. It was fascinating
Listen to an interview with Tori Arthur.
Harrisonburg, Va., receiving a bachelor’s and challenging because I had students from

Miro-Quesada earned her position I have had in

Peruvian bachelor’s degree in journal-
ism from the Pontificia Uni-
the U.S. and Peru. I love
the in-class experi-

journalist versidad Católica del Perú,

in Lima, Peru, and later re-
ceived her master’s degree in
ence and the outside
one — talking to the
students, learning from

joins SOJ journalism from the Univer-

sity of Missouri-Columbia.
Her professional experi-
them, seeing how they
progress and get better.”
Miro-Quesada says
faculty ence in Peru includes the
development of two national
she is impressed by the
SOJ faculty, who reach

M
BY MARK PALANGIO magazines, writing and out to students in the
editing for both print and classroom and beyond.
online media and produc-
“Everyone, including the
ing a radio show targeted
Maria Ines Miro-Quesada, a Peruvian dean, knows the students
at small-business owners.
online journalist, joined the SOJ faculty by their names,” she said.
in November as a visiting assistant profes- While at the University of “They know what their
sor. In addition to teaching visual journal- Missouri, Miro-Quesada strengths and interests
ism courses, Miro-Quesada is helping to worked as both the online director and a are and are always trying to find opportuni-
develop the online version of the School’s radio producer for Global Journalist, an ties for them to shine and to grow as profes-
annual alumni magazine, SOJ Insider, and international magazine with print, online and sionals. I have never seen that. We really
developing a class in international media. radio components. She also was the online have a one-on-one approach to teaching.”
editor for the Spanish-language efforts of
“When I came in October to visit, I re- Investigative Reporters and Editors organi-
ally liked WVU and the School in par- zation and the managing editor for Ad-
ticular,” said Miro-Quesada. “I instantly elante, a bilingual magazine published by the sojinsider.wvu.edu
felt welcomed. The School of Journalism University of Missouri School of Journalism.
feels like a family. It may sound cli- Listen to an interview with
chéd, but it is true. I have never experi- “I love teaching,” said Miro-Quesada, “and Maria Ines Miro-Quesada.
enced the collegiality present here.” I have really enjoyed every single teaching

31
 Former SOJ professor Bill
Seymour, who died on Dec. 31,
2007, served in many key posts,
including editor of the National
Press Photographers Association’s
Region 3 magazine, Bootstrap.
Photo courtesy of The Dominion Post

Late professor taught photography as

a career, not a hobby BY SARAH MCLEAN

N
Not only did Bill Seymour have a good
eye for photography, but he also had a
talent for teaching his students how to
find emotion through photojournalism.
Professor Emeritus Bill Seymour died
on Dec. 31, 2007, in Mount Morris, Pa.,
at the age of 70. Seymour joined the
SOJ faculty in 1975 and taught for 27
years before his retirement in 2001.
Seymour joined the National Press Pho-
tographers Association (NPPA) in 1967
and was a former Region 3 officer. He also
served as the editor of Region 3’s maga-
zine, Bootstrap, which received NPPA’s
Outstanding Publication Award in 1983.
Seymour’s service to NPPA and photo-
journalism was also recognized when he
was presented with NPPA’s Joseph Costa
left directly from his job interview with
Stewart to help with the photo lab plans.
“Bill was a very enthusiastic fellow, and
photography became very popular all
around the University because of him,”
said Stewart. “I had a very good work-
ing relationship with Bill, and I was
one of his strongest supporters.”
When Seymour retired from teaching photo-
Award in 1984, a Morris Berman citation in
According to Seymour’s former teach- journalism, he served his community in many
1981 and a Kenneth P. McLaughlin Award
ing assistant Bob Gay, Seymour taught other ways, including volunteering for the
in 1979. The Costa Award is presented to
students more than just how to take a Monongalia Emergency Medical Services for
an individual for “most outstanding ini-
great picture — he taught them how nine years as an emergency medical techni-
tiative, leadership and service in advanc-
to make a living as a photographer. cian. Seymour also worked as a part-time
ing the goals of NPPA in the tradition of
photographer at The Dominion Post.
“Bill was the ideal journalism professor Joseph Costa, a founder of NPPA, its first
because he taught photography through president and chairman of the board.” Seymour will be remembered by photojour-
his own personal street experience, and nalists for lobbying to create the 1977 West
Seymour also was a member of the
he lived what he taught,” said Gay, who Virginia state law that allowed cameras
WVU Faculty Senate for six years.
currently works as a staff photographer inside courtroom proceedings. However,
for The Dominion Post in Morgantown. He made an impression on his fellow his former journalism students and SOJ
“Bill was hard on you, but if you did faculty members, as well as the students he faculty will remember him best for his
good work, he was not shy to tell you.” mentored. SOJ Professor Emeritus Paul passion for teaching photojournalism.
Atkins worked with Seymour for 11 years.
Seymour taught by example and encour- “Bill was a great asset to the J-School, and
aged students to carry their cameras around “Bill was always outspoken, and you always they will never find another Bill Sey-
with them at all times and to be ready in knew where he stood,” said Atkins. “I will mour,” said Gay. “I can’t imagine what
case anything happened. One time, he even always remember the main hallways of Mar- my life would have been without him.”
set up a staged police arrest to test stu- tin Hall being filled with his students’ picture
dents but did not tell Gay that Gay would — many were very handsome.”
be the one “arrested” during class time.
Former SOJ Dean Guy Stewart recalled
“The first arrest stunt assignment was that Seymour was the perfect addition to
done on me and from then on Bill’s stu- the faculty in 1975 because an architect
dents made sure that they had their was finalizing additions to Martin Hall
cameras by their sides,” said Gay. to include a photography lab. Seymour

32
 Esper discusses his
experiences with the AP
during one of his news-
editorial classes.
Jon Offredo

Esper featured in history book

of The Associated Press BY HEATHER BONECUTTER

O
Ogden Newspapers Visiting Profes-
sor in Journalism, Dr. George Esper, is a
veteran journalist with plenty of his own
stories to tell. He spent 42 years working
for The Associated Press (AP) in Vietnam
covering the major stories of the war.
Sharing the stories of his career, he is now
featured in the book, “Breaking News:
How The Associated Press Has Cov-
In the war chapters, Esper describes his
experiences of reporting during the Vietnam
War and working later as the Saigon bureau
chief. In one story, Esper describes what
happened when Saigon fell and all outgo-
ing telephone connections were severed. He
says he was desperately asking for “a circuit
to anywhere,” so he could
send his story over the wire.
Esper spoke about the book on a National
Press Club panel in June 2007, which aired
on C-SPAN the following month. The other
participants included Darrell Christian,
former AP sports editor; Kathryn Johnson,
former AP reporter known for her coverage
of the civil rights movement; Ron Edmonds,
Pulitzer Prize-winning
Washington and White
House photographer; and
ered War, Peace, and Everything Else.” Getting information out
Walter Mears, a Pulitzer
of Vietnam was one of the
“I’m really proud of the book,” said Esper. Prize-winning former AP
biggest challenges journalists
“It’s been about 25 years in the making.” political correspondent.
had to work around during
The AP was formed in 1846, but until the war. Reporters like Esper, “It was a real honor to appear
now the most recent comprehensive his- though, capitalized on the at the National Press Club,”
tory of it was published in 1940. In 2005, limited resources they had said Esper. “And I had the
under the leadership of AP president Tom to send the stories to their best of both worlds because
Curley, the organization developed a team editors. The war chapters of I was representing the AP
to produce a more current version of its the book provide accounts of and West Virginia Univer-
history. A team of a dozen veteran AP writ- these obstacles and the many sity’s School of Journalism.”
ers and editors set out to gather anecdotes dangers the reporters faced.
The book features 12
from former members of the AP to tell the
“The book was long overdue,” chapters, covering such
stories of the world’s first wire service.
said Esper. “I had a lot of fun. I really enjoyed issues as war, trials, sports and disasters,
According to Esper, the book is a tribute to it because I love talking about Vietnam.” with a foreword written by David Halber-
the AP and those who have worked there stam, who died in an automobile accident
Pyle writes in the book that Esper “had
since it was founded. He says the book is a shortly before the publication of the book.
scored a series of scoops and produced
major contribution to journalism because
more than twice as many words as any “It’s a fascinating non-fiction book,” said
it shows the courage and sacrifices jour-
other journalist in Vietnam, bang- Esper. “It really takes you inside the AP.”
nalists make in times of war and peace.
ing out daily war roundups that ap-
“It was a monumental job that couldn’t be peared in hundreds of papers.”
done by two people,” said Richard Pyle,
Pyle said Esper is humble and would
author of the two chapters on war. “When sojinsider.wvu.edu
deny that he is one of the greatest report-
the book was being written, you have a
ers in history. “I regard George Esper as
choice of (who should) lead. It was an almost View photographs and listen to an
a brother,” said Pyle. “I also know what
foregone conclusion that I would begin interview with George Esper.
he did, and he is the best there is.”
with George Esper and the fall of Saigon.”

33
School hosts second-annual
West Virginia Media Day BY PATRICK SNYDER AND NATALIE EDDY

M
More than 30 SOJ students took advantage
of a networking opportunity to meet with
professional journalists from West Vir-
ginia Media Holdings, a statewide media
network, whose holdings include four
television stations and The State Journal.
This was the second year for West Vir-
ginia Media Day, which was held in the
Rhododendron Room of the Mountain-
lair. Many students brought resumes and
tapes to apply for internships or perma-
nent jobs, and others just came to learn
about the day-to-day operations of a
local television station or newspaper.
“West Virginia Media Day introduces
students to a wide variety of opportunities
available to them in West Virginia media,” SOJ students review resumes and discuss opportunities with professionals from West Virginia Media. Andy Smith
said Pam Hanson, the School’s director of
advising and internship coordinator. “It’s
good for everyone — broadcasting, print, Kirby, news manager at WOWK; Jacque bright journalists coming out of the P.I. Reed
public relations, multimedia and advertis- Bland O’Bryant, managing editor at The School of Journalism. As a former grad of
ing. Students are always interested in the State Journal; and Amanda Leaseburg, WVU, I think it helps open doors to what is
opportunity to come and sit down with promotions coordinator at WBOY. available in West Virginia and gives students
someone who’s already in the business.” the opportunity to start their careers here.”
“It’s a networking opportunity,” said Kaull
Media professionals who participated (BSJ, 1995). “Something students maybe West Virginia Media was founded by Bray
in the event include Bill Galloway, chief don’t realize when coming out of college is Cary (BSJ, 1970) and a group of pre-
engineer at WOWK (Charleston); Larry how important creating relationships can dominantly West Virginia investors. Cary,
Cottrill, general manager at WBOY (Clarks- be as they start their professional careers. who serves as president and CEO, is a
burg); Brenda Danehart, news director at This event gives them the opportunity to member of the WVU Academy of Distin-
WTRF (Wheeling); April Kaull, state- sit down and meet people and make those guished Alumni and sponsor of the Cary
wide news coordinator at WBOY; Dave connections. There are a lot of qualified, Journalism Scholarship at the School.

IMC hosts reception in Washington, D.C.

T
BY BRIANA WARNER

The School of Journalism’s Integrated

Marketing Communications (IMC) on-
line graduate program hosted a “meet and
greet” event in February 2008 at the Na-
tional Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Current IMC students and faculty and
D.C. professionals attended the reception
to meet face-to-face and learn more about
Washington. “That is why I was pleased to
help shine a light on the IMC program. As
someone who constantly looks for tal-
ent at GolinHarris, we appreciate those
who understand and have been trained in
integrated communications techniques.”
IMC Program Director Chad Mezera said
and our value comes from the students and
faculty who contribute to the community.”
Mezera hopes to hold another reception
in Atlanta, Ga., and to form a program
alumni chapter in Charleston, W.Va.
While the event attracted potential stu-
dents from the D.C. area, current students
the event allowed students and professors
the innovative master’s degree program. in the online program to meet in person. also benefited from the opportunity.
The event was coordinated by SOJ alum- “While our program strategy is to deliver “At every IMC event I attend, I experi-
nus Mike Fulton (BSJ, 1979) to help quality curriculum in an online environment, ence a sense of community,” said Dave
raise awareness about the program. we realize that face-to-face contact is what Micheals, IMC student. “From my con-
inspires prospective students,” said Mezera. versations with prospective students,
“The online IMC graduate program is one
“The point of the event was to promote a it’s clear that the IMC program has re-
of WVU’s crown jewels with in-state appeal
sense of community. IMC is not just another ally tapped into an unmet need.”
and out-of-state potential,” said Fulton,
executive vice president at GolinHarris in online program. We are about interaction,

34
SOJ Advisory Committee welcomes new
members, new structure

T
The School of Journalism’s Advisory Com-
mittee has undergone changes during
the past year. The group, now led by new
chairman Scott Widmeyer (BSJ, 1974),
has decided to meet twice a year and held
its first spring meeting in April 2008.
In addition, the Advisory Committee
specific assignments to help the School
enhance opportunities for students and
strengthen its national reputation.
“There is a great deal of excitement within
the School as its programs aim to engage a
new generation of communications pro-
fessionals,” said Widmeyer. “We believe
School remains a top priority for them.”
The Committee also was expanded to
include several new associate members,
who will provide additional expertise,
feedback and support on new initiatives.
The IMC subcommittee met separately
in New York City in March 2008 to
established three working subcommittees strongly that the Advisory Committee discuss curriculum development, re-
to focus on development and advancement, exemplifies that same sort of energy in cruitment of top faculty and market-
curriculum and IMC program innova- charting new directions for the School. ing the program to new audiences.
tions. Each subcommittee will be given These folks are all busy professionals, but the

Advisory Committee Members Associate Members

Linda Arnold Hoppy Kercheval Frank Ahrens
Jim Blair, Development Subcommittee Chair Bill Kuykendall Richard Benedetto
Scott Bosley Pamela Larrick Wendell Cochran
Mark Casey Jason Neal Michael Davis
Carolyn Curry Bill Nutting Cari Gerrits
Tara Curtis Jim Roop Ivy Guiler
Bob Dubill Louise Seals Noah Kady
Nanya Friend, Curriculum Subcommittee Chair Craig Selby Bob Lynn
Ray Gillette Trip Shumate Judy Margolin
Tom Harrison, IMC Subcommittee Chair Michael Tomasky Jane McNeer
Ralph Izard Patty Tompkins
April Kaull Loretta Ucelli
Patrice King-Brown Scott Widmeyer, Advisory Committee Chair

School develops five-year strategic plan

A
As part of a University-wide initia-
tive, all WVU colleges and schools
were asked to develop their own five-
year strategic plans in alignment with
the University’s 2010 strategic plan.
The School of Journalism worked on its
plan during the 2007-2008 academic year
SOJ Mission
The P.I. Reed School of Journalism prepares students to be skilled,
innovative communications professionals, who think critically and
practice ethically in a global community.

to help set priorities for the School in SOJ Vision

the areas of enrollment, curriculum and
faculty development and retention.
The P.I. Reed School of Journalism aspires to a national reputation
Efforts began in early Fall 2007 with an for excellence and innovation in curriculum development, experiential
all-day faculty retreat led by a professional learning and research.
facilitator, during which the School’s overall
mission, vision and goals were established.
SOJ administration continued to work with SOJ Goals
faculty in smaller group sessions to develop
the measurable objectives and action steps. 1. Recruit and retain high-quality students.
Dean Maryanne Reed presented a draft of 2. Recruit and retain high-quality faculty.
the SOJ’s strategic plan to the Advisory 3. Prepare our students to be industry professionals and leaders.
Committee in Spring 2008 for reaction and
feedback and will continue to work with 4. Create knowledge that advances the disciplines.
the Provost’s Office to finalize the plan. 5. Engage our students and faculty in service to the global community.

35
 DECEMBER
CONVOCATION BY ANDY SMITH

WVU Photo Services

U
“Use your voice. Speak up and speak out.
You have been in an environment that has
relished that thinking — that has freed those
stories. Your story is unfolding. Take a step
when you need to. Open your arms. Enjoy.”
That was the message of encouragement de-
livered by Pamela Larrick, keynote speaker at
“As I’ve gone through my career, I have made
it a point to be in situations where I could
learn from others or from other situations,”
said Larrick. “For example, I’ve raised my
hand often to take on different assign-
ments. Assignments that presented me with
a challenge and a learning opportunity.”
the School’s December Convocation on Dec. Larrick told students to be patient and
8, 2007, at the WVU Health Sciences Center. work hard, adding that “your journey in life
will be many steps, take one step at a time”
Larrick (BSJ, 1972) currently is a stra-
and “do your best at whatever you do.”
tegic consultant with the Interpublic Pamela Larrick delivers the
Group of Companies (IPG), one of the keynote address at the 2007 Top graduating senior Sarah Braswell, a
big-four global advertising agencies com- December Convocation. public relations major, also spoke at the
prised of hundreds of communications December Convocation, offering this
agencies in more than 100 countries. advice to her fellow graduates. “As we leave
Larrick is known as a leader and an innova- WVU, I hope that we will all go forward
In her speech, the Clarksburg, W.Va., na-
tor in the areas of digital, interactive and with excitement and with the knowl-
tive and member of the WVU Academy of
customer relations marketing. In her more edge that we are ready to take on what-
Distinguished Alumni urged the graduates to
than 30 years of professional experience, ever the world throws at us,” she said.
embrace the changing world of communica-
tions and encouraged them to step out into Larrick’s clients have included Microsoft, “We came into this school as talented and
the world, take chances and enjoy their lives. General Motors, Kraft and Hampton Inn. intelligent individuals who were ready
Prior to joining IPG, Larrick was Chief to learn. Today, we leave as talented, in-
Larrick said barriers are being torn down,
Digital, Direct and CRM Officer at the telligent and well-educated adults.”
giving graduates a chance to “blaze new
trails.” newly formed DraftFCB, where she led In her speech, Braswell touched on not only
the company’s efforts in strategic consult- the importance of support from her family
“You are all about to join a revolution, a ing, online services and branded content. and friends but also the support from the
revolution about, for and of the people — Before that, Larrick was chairman and SOJ faculty.
the people, who will be your viewers, your CEO of Fcbi Worldwide, overseeing
readers, your client’s customers,” said Larrick. operations in 40 offices in 28 countries. Braswell said Visiting Shott Chair of
“These people have, through the power of Journalism Toni Locy, who has worked for
technology, taken their role, their involve- In 1997, Larrick was named one of 25 The Associated Press, The Boston Globe,
ment in what you will do to another level.” women leaders of the advertising industry by The Washington Post and USA TODAY,
Ad Age magazine. And in is just one example of the outstanding
She added that companies 2002, Larrick was named faculty at the School of Journalism.
are now merging business
with social responsibility.
TOP GRADUATES one of Ad Age Global’s
Global Power 100 a list “Although I am not a news-editorial
“Corporations who have Top Graduating Senior of the most “innovative, major, I was excited and inspired by her
usually had a foundation Sarah Elizabeth Braswell daring, and dynamic stories about life as a reporter,” said Bras-
where they did ‘good’ and leaders in marketing, well. “It is always encouraging to see
the company where they did Advertising advertising, and media.” someone who loves what she does.”
‘business’ are now under- Charles Bryan Frye In addition, Larrick re-
standing the power of align- ceived the Andi Emerson
ing the two and doing ‘good Broadcast News Lifetime Achievement
business,’” said Larrick. Jacqueline Diane Gilbert Award for Innovation
Since receiving her bach- in and Service to the
News-Editorial
elor’s degree from the Direct Marketing Creative sojinsider.wvu.edu
Heather Evelyn Bonecutter
School of Journalism in Community by the John
1972, Larrick has gone on Public Relations Caples International Watch a photo slideshow of
to achieve great success. Sarah Elizabeth Braswell Awards organization. Convocation highlights.

36
 MAY
COMMENCEMENT
WVU Photo Services

O
On May 18, 2008, a packed auditorium at
the WVU Creative Arts Center awaited
the commencement of seniors and mas-
ter’s degree candidates from the School
of Journalism. Among the crowd were
aspiring graduates, friends and family
members, all with one common purpose
— to celebrate the end of a journey and
the beginning of a new chapter in life.
Commencement speaker, Vince Gonzales,
an award-winning CNN correspondent,
perhaps best known for investigating the
identity of the fallen hero in the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier, gave graduates advice
Vince Gonzales offers advice to the School’s 2008 graduating class at May Commencement.
that can be applied to any discipline.
“I don’t have to tell you that today we live
with an explosion of media and informa-
tion sources,” said Gonzales. “We’re in an
amazing period of transition right now, and His speech was met with applause and “They have prepared me extremely well
it offers great opportunities to people who gratitude from the graduates-to-be, moving for a career in public relations,” said
can grasp them. That’s where you come in.” the event to the much anticipated presenta- Brandt. “Professors like Pam Hanson
In offering his perception of what the future tion of candidates and conferring of degrees. gave me a very solid foundation.”
landscape of communications may look Graduates also had the opportunity to hear Even though Gonzales spoke from his
like, Gonzales countered the conventional from an industry professional who had experience as a broadcast journalist, Brandt
wisdom. donned the same graduation cap and gown found his advice to be informative.
“It’s not true, as some would tell you, that twice before.
“It’s still relevant,” she said. “He had
network news broadcasting and newspapers, Alison Zemanski, a 2005 SOJ graduate some very encouraging words for me.”
otherwise known as ‘old media,’ are dead. from the public relations program and a
Not yet,” he said. “The truth is, right now, 2007 IMC master’s degree recipient, offered
old media and new media need each other. the Alumni Charge to the class of 2008.
They need to evolve together and become
something different. Your job Graduates also had the
is to figure out what that is.” chance to see their fellow
TOP GRADUATES classmates honored, as
And, then, Gonzales ad- Dean Maryanne Reed
dressed the question Top Graduating Senior presented awards to
that was on the minds Elizabeth Whitney Brandt students with the high-
of many graduates.
sojinsider.wvu.edu
est academic honors,
Advertising including top graduating
“So, how do we succeed? Tarah Marie Formica Watch a photo slideshow of
How do you succeed?” senior Elizabeth Brandt, Commencement highlights.
Broadcast News a public relations major.
Giving simple bits of advice, Watch the photo slideshow
Megan Susan Baker After the ceremony, shown at Commencement.
including “be bold” and “make
the truth your friend,” Gon- Brandt commented
News-Editorial on how the SOJ fac-
See where SOJ ’08 graduates
zales gave students a wealth Joshua Lynn Austin are bound.
of knowledge by supplement- ulty influenced her while
ing his statements with his she was a student. See SOJ ’08 graduates by
Public Relations
own stories and experiences. program.
Elizabeth Whitney Brandt

37
STUDENT AWARDS 2007-2008
American Advertising Federation’s National Student
Advertising Competition: Overall Best Presentation
SOJ’s Spring Student
Team Award went to Chris Coscarelli, Lindsey Helfer,
Keri Sams, Danielle Schultz and Morgan Yates; and
Awards Banquet
Overall Best Presenter went to Lindsey Helfer. Advertising Program
Excellence in Advertising Campaign Planning awards went to
Hearst Journalism Awards Program 2007: Megan Erin Cunningham, Tarah Formica, Keri Sams, Danielle Schultz,
Bowers received 20th place in the Radio I competition; Morgan Steinhauser and Brittany Zwick.
Steve Butera won 11th place in the Television I
Broadcast News Program
competition; and Justin Weaver received 4th place in
Outstanding Beat Reporting in the KDKA/WVU Bureau
the Television Broadcast News Feature competition. Partnership went to Steve Butera.

Society of Professional Journalists 2007 Region 4 “WVU News” Outstanding Broadcast News Senior went to
Megan Baker.
Mark of Excellence Awards: Kendal Montgomery
won 1st place for General News Photography and “WVU News” Outstanding Sports Reporting went to Dave
Cacciapuoti.
1st place for Feature Photography; and Jon Off redo
received 3rd place for Feature Writing. “WVU News” Outstanding Executive Producer went to Janet
Irwin.
Kappa Tau Alpha 2008 inductees: Lindsay Anderson, “WVU News” Outstanding Beat Reporter went to Amy Skeens.
Eric Arnold, Tricia Cesarino, Natalie Committee, Charles “WVU News” Outstanding Feature Reporter went to Jessica
Holden, Kelly Matheney, Ashley Elaine McMillion, Wheeler.
Nicole Riggleman, Briana Warner and Candice Weigel.
News-Editorial Program
Outstanding News-Editorial Seniors went to Josh Austin,
PRWeek Awards 2008: Elizabeth Brandt was a team
Kathryn Gregory, Kellen Henry, Todd Krise, Dan Stefano and
member on “The Meth Project: ‘Not Even Once,’” a Emily Wright.
finalist for Public Affairs Campaign of the Year.
Public Relations Program
IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors) Awards: Justin Outstanding Leadership as PRSSA President went to Jamie
McLachlan was a Finalist in Online/Other Media category. Campbell.
Outstanding Public Relations Seniors awards went to Jamie
Walter J. “Buzz” Storey Awards for Public Affairs Campbell, Nicole Fernandez, Michael Koehler, Sarah McLean,
Reporting: Kellen Henry took 1st place; Tricia Fulks Larisa Niehaus and Nicole Riggleman.
received 2nd place; and Jon Off redo won 3rd place.
Visual Journalism Program
Outstanding Work in Visual Journalism went to Becky Moore.

Joshua Austin receives Order of Augusta

Joshua Austin, a May 2008 news-editorial tional Ambassadorial Scholarship, which He is the son of
graduate, was among eight WVU students will permit him to study for one year at the Sandra Johnston.
who were awarded the Order of Augusta, the University of Glasgow. The award is valued
Recipients of the
University’s most prestigious student honor, at more than $23,000 and will help fund his
Order of Augusta
for their outstanding academic performance, work toward a master’s degree in interna-
are chosen from 50
campus leadership and public service. tional politics.
WVU Foundation
Austin is a contributing reporter for The
For the Grafton, W.Va., native, a future in Outstanding Seniors
Dominion Post and WVU Alumni Maga-
journalism — preferably in Moscow — is on for their achieve-
zine. He also has volunteered at the Ronald
the horizon. ments and were
McDonald House, served on the community
honored at the 2008
Austin, who graduated with two degrees — a advisory board for The Dominion Post and
Honors Convoca-
Bachelor of Arts degree in political science helped organize a triathlon to raise money
tion at the WVU Austin
and a Bachelor of Science degree in journal- for the Save Darfur Coalition.
Coliseum in May.
ism — recently earned a Rotary Interna-

38
2007-2008 SCHOLARSHIPS
CARY JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIP GOLINHARRIS MOUNTAINEER IN DC PEGGY PRESTON TIERNEY
Michael Koehler Elizabeth Brandt SCHOLARSHIP
Britney Parsons Briana Warner Natalie Aliff
Megan Bowers
CATHARINE PATTON CLARK IRENE CAPLAN MOKSAY Amanda Cutright
PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHOLARSHIP Tricia Fulks
Holly Lantz
Thomas Cullen Casey Hofmann Alissa Murphy
Paul Espinosa
Casey Hofmann LINDA E. YOST SCHOLARSHIP
Courtney Hughes PERLEY ISAAC REED SCHOLARSHIP
Sarah Michael William Ujek Stephanie Grimm
Katherine Smith Tara Romberger
Karen Snyder LINDA JEANNE LECKIE SCHULTE
Lindsey Snyder SCHOLARSHIP SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM
Adam Stivers
April Scott SCHOLARSHIP
Mary Plymale
CUMMINGS SCHOLARSHIP
MARK S. AND FRANCES S. GROVE
Nicole Riggleman ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP SCOTT D. WIDMEYER AFRICAN
Cara Folk AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP
DAVID MATTHEW HASSEN
Courtney Hughes
JOURNALISM BOOK SCHOLARSHIP
MARTHA E. SHOTT ENDOWED
David Slusarick SCHOLARSHIP SCOTT D. WIDMEYER FIRST
Ennis Barbery GENERATION SCHOLARSHIP
DON S. MARSH SCHOLARSHIP Kellen Henry Thomas Varney
Candace Weigel
MERIDETH ROBB MEMORIAL THOMAS PICARSIC SCHOLARSHIP IN
EDITH WATSON SASSER SCHOLARSHIP JOURNALISM
SCHOLARSHIP Mary Plymale David Slusarick
Stacey Herron
NANCY HENRICHS HODEL W.E. CHILTON III JOURNALISM
GEORGE GIANODIS JOURNALISM MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
SCHOLARSHIP Mary Plymale Nicole Fernandes
Michelle Goodliff Stacey Herron
Charles Holden OGDEN NEWSPAPERS & NUTTING Adriane Lohr
Elaine McMillion FAMILY JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIP
Jon Off redo
Lindsay Anderson WEST VIRGINIA PRESS ASSOCIATION
Bryce Post
Brandon Radcliffe Belinda Capel FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
Kandace Ramseur Natalie Committee Guy H. Stewart Scholarship
Ian Shorts Lauren Speelman Erin Wooddell
Stephen Stone
Cecil B. Hyland Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Rachel Taylor PAUL A. ATKINS SCHOLARSHIP
Sarah Michael
Amanda Karpeuk
GILBERT AND MARGARET LOVE Adam A. Kelly Premier Journalism
Daniel Stefano
JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIP Emily Wright Memorial Scholarship
Jamie Ziegler
Aubrey Mondi
Susan Sullivan PAUL S. AND THEO S. DEEM BOOK Roy Owens Memorial Scholarship
Brittany Swisher SCHOLARSHIP LeAnn Arthur
Thomas Varney
Sarah Perry
Kelsey Weigand WILLIAM F. TOLBERT JOURNALISM
SCHOLARSHIP
Matthew Carpenter

39
FACULTY BRIEFS
n TORI ARTHUR her mother and writing partner Barbara Andrews. n DR. ELIZABETH TAYLOR QUILLIAM
Visiting Assistant Professor Tori Arthur was a panel- Hanson also received the Golden Key International Elizabeth Quilliam, Harrison/Omnicom Profes-
ist at the WVU Chapter of the Hugh O’Brien Youth Honour Society Golden Apple Award for advising, sor of Advertising, presented a paper with Nora J.
(HOBY) discussion at the Mountainlair in March, making her the first person ever to be the recipient of Rifon entitled, “Can You Have It Your Way? Parental
along with journalists from WVAQ and WBOY, on two Golden Apple Awards. Response to Food Marketing Strategies Targeting
the subject: “Does the Media Report or Create the Children,” at the American Marketing Association
News?” High school students from across the region n DR. SAMMY LEE Marketing & Public Policy Conference, Philadelphia,
attended the conference and participated in team- Assistant Professor Sammy Lee attended the Ameri- Pa., in March. Quilliam and Rifon also presented
building and personal-development workshops. can Academy of Advertising Conference in San Ma- “Happy Meals, Happy Parents: Food Marketing and
teo, Calif., in March, presenting a paper entitled, “The Corporate Social Responsibility” at the American
n JOEL BEESON Effects of Brand Familiarity on Puffery Expressions.” Academy of Advertising 50th Annual Conference,
Associate Professor Joel Beeson’s documentary, In May, Lee presented his paper, “The Impact San Mateo, Calif., in May. Quilliam and Richard
“Fighting on Two Fronts: The Untold Stories of of Repetition on Puffery Advertising Claim,” at Cole co-wrote a chapter in the peer-reviewed Hand-
African American WWII Veterans,” won an Award the International Communications Association book of Research on Effective Electronic Gaming
of Excellence for Long Form Documentary in the Conference in Montreal, Canada. He also attended in Education (Richard E. Ferdig) entitled, “Online
Broadcast Education Association’s Festival of Media the Marketing and Public Policy Conference in Games: Powerful Food Advertising to Children.” The
Arts Awards. In April, Beeson presented a portion Philadelphia, Pa., presenting a paper entitled, “False book is in press.
of his documentary and served as keynote speaker at But Not Illegal? The Effects of Brand Familiarity and
the 63rd Annual J. Edward Kelley Awards ceremony Repetition in Puffery Advertising.” n BONNIE E. STEWART
at Keyser (W.Va.) High School. The awards were In February, Assistant Professor Bonnie Stewart was
named in memory of Kelley, who served as a member n TONI LOCY a panel member at the Association for Education in
of the 78th Lightning Division and was awarded the Visiting Shott Chair of Journalism Toni Locy was a Journalism and Mass Communication Midwinter
Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for guest speaker at the Society of Professional Journal- Conference at Point Park University in Pittsburgh,
bravery during World War II. ists’ regional conference in Pittsburgh, Pa., in March. Pa. The panel discussed “Trends, Challenges, and
She also was the keynote speaker at the National Opportunities in the Communication Field.” Stewart
n JAN BOYLES Freedom of Information Coalition’s conference in was awarded a Faculty Senate Research Grant and an
In April, Advising and Enrollment Coordinator Jan Philadelphia, Pa., in May. SOJ Faculty Summer Grant to continue her research
Boyles served as a moderator/discussant for a panel on the 1968 Consolidation No. 9 Mine Disaster in
discussion focused on new media and online political n DR. DIANA KNOTT MARTINELLI
Farmington, W.Va.
communication at the Midwest Political Science As- Diana Martinelli, Widmeyer Communications
sociation’s annual conference in Chicago. Professor in Public Relations, was one of 60 public n JOHN TEMPLE
relations professors nationwide selected to attend a Assistant Professor John Temple received a Faculty
n GINA MARTINO DAHLIA New Media Summit in New York City, sponsored by Senate Public Service Grant for a project he is doing
Teaching Assistant Professor Gina Martino Dahlia Edelman Public Relations and PRWeek. In August, next year called “West Virginia Uncovered: Multime-
served as the keynote speaker at the State Capitol in she became chair of the Association for Education in dia Journalism in the Mountain State.” Temple and
March 2008 for West Virginia Women’s Day at the Journalism and Mass Communication’s Mass Com- six students will conduct multimedia training and
Legislature in Charleston, where Gov. Joe Manchin munication and Society Division, which has some develop multimedia packages for weekly newspapers
presented her with The Distinguished Mountaineer 600 members. In March, she presented a health com- around the state. The Charleston Daily Mail also will
award, recognizing her contributions to the state. munications research paper, “Applying the Extended run the packages.
Dahlia also was selected to Generation Next 2008 Parallel Process Model to Stroke Communication,”
by The State Journal, which highlights “40 under 40” at the 11th Annual International Public Relations n DR. STEVE URBANSKI
promising leaders throughout the state. Research Conference in Miami, Fla. Martinelli also Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Studies
is a co-investigator on two grant-funded projects, in Steve Urbanski presented his paper, “Benin, West
n DR. GEORGE ESPER which she is partnering with faculty from WVU’s Africa: Home of the Dissident Media,” at the 66th
In August, George Esper, Ogden Newspapers Visit- College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. Annual National Conference of the Midwestern Po-
ing Professor in Journalism, litical Science Association in Chicago, Ill., in April.
served on a panel, “The Associated Press, War, and n MARIA INES MIRO-QUESADA He also presented “The Identity Game: Michele Fou-
The Right to Know,” at the McCormick Tribune Visiting Assistant Professor Maria Ines Miro-Que- cault’s Discourse-mediated Identity as an Effective
Freedom Museum in Chicago. In March, he served sada presented a poster, “Latin American Election Tool for Achieving a Narrative-based Ethic” at the
on “The Media and the Vietnam War,” a panel Coverage in U.S. and International News Magazines: 99th Annual Eastern Communication Association’s
discussion at Texas Tech University Vietnam Center’s The Economist and Time,” at the Association for national convention in Pittsburgh, Pa., in May.
Sixth Triennial Symposium in Lubbock, Texas. Education in Journalism and Mass Communica-
tion’s annual conference in August in Washington,
n PAM HANSON D.C. She also was a panelist on the “Latin American
Director of Advising Pam Hanson presented two Perspectives on Journalism and Research” panel at the
workshops at the West Virginia Writers Inc. 30th Association for Education in Journalism and Mass
anniversary conference held in June 2007. She also Communication Annual Conference in August.
co-wrote a book for Guideposts Publishing Inc. with

40
FACULTY PROMOTIONS
n JOEL BEESON, who chairs the School’s new visual home to WVU in 2005, having earned both her professor in 1998 and was appointed interim dean
journalism program, was awarded tenure and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the School of of the School in 2004. Reed was named to the
promoted to the rank of associate professor this Journalism. After working in various communica- permanent dean’s position in March 2006. She
spring. Beeson’s specialty areas are visual journal- tion and public relations capacities, including po- has produced several news features for broadcast
ism, multimedia and documentary fieldwork. He sitions in broadcasting, health care and federal pro- and cable television, as well as two award-winning
brings nearly 15 years of professional experience grams, she was awarded a Park Fellowship at the documentaries. Her film, “Righteous Remnant:
as a photojournalist, photo editor and designer University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where Jewish Survival in Appalachia,” originally aired on
to the classroom. His photography has appeared she completed her doctorate in mass communica- West Virginia Public Television in 1997 and was
in USA TODAY, Southern Living magazine, the tion in 2001. Martinelli is a member of the na- distributed nationally by PBS. Reed also directed
Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, tional journalism honorary Kappa Tau Alpha and students in the production of an Emmy award-
San Francisco Chronicle, Phoenix Gazette, The holds committee positions in the Public Relations winning documentary profiling five cancer pa-
Times of London and the Dallas Morning News, Society of America (PRSA) and the Association tients, “Cancer Stories: Lessons in Love, Loss and
to name a few. Beeson holds his bachelor’s and for Education in Journalism and Mass Communi- Hope.” The documentary aired on West Virginia
master’s degrees from the University of Missouri- cation. She received a West Virginia PRSA Crystal Public Television in December 2003 and has been
Columbia and has pursued doctoral studies at the Award in 1998 and has presented and published distributed nationally by the National Education
University of California, San Diego, in commu- her research nationally and internationally. Her Television Association. Reed is currently doing
nications. He is presently a doctoral candidate in research interests include strategic communication research on community radio in Appalachia and
Ethnic and Media Studies at the Union Institute and public relations history. She teaches public is directing the Monroe County Radio Project.
and University researching how digital technolo- relations and graduate-level research methods.
gies can be used by communities to document,
preserve and promote their local cultural resources. n DEAN MARYANNE REED was promoted to full
professor, the highest academic rank at the
n DR. DIANA KNOTT MARTINELLI, Widmeyer University. Reed has been a member of the SOJ
Communications Professor in Public Relations, faculty for 15 years and served as the chair of
was awarded tenure and promoted to the rank of the broadcast news program for 10 years. She
associate professor this spring. Martinelli returned received tenure and was promoted to associate

FACULTY ADDITIONS
n ROBERT BRITTEN will begin teaching in Fall in mass communication from the University of and communications at Duquesne, Point Park,
2008 as an assistant professor in the visual North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) in May Seton Hill University and University of Pitts-
journalism program. He is completing his Ph.D. 2008.She earned both her bachelor’s (1998) and burgh, among others. Recently, Crowley taught
in journalism from the University of Missouri- master’s (2004) degrees from the WVU School of a study abroad course in international public
Columbia. Britten earned his master’s in journal- Journalism. While at UNC, Colistra taught public relations, advertising and media practices.
ism from the University of Missouri in 2004 and relations writing courses and served as a research
his bachelor’s in English from Allegheny College assistant and guest lecturer. Prior to that, she was n SARA MAGEE will join the faculty this fall as an
in 2000. He co-instructed qualitative research and a strategic communication consultant for a video assistant professor in the broadcast news program.
photography in society courses and taught courses production company, a public relations consultant Magee is scheduled to complete her Ph.D. in mass
in information graphics and interactive graphic and an events and sports marketing coordinator. communications at Ohio University (OU) in 2008.
design at the University of Missouri. Britten also She earned her master’s degree in English litera-
served as the editorial director of the school’s n KELLEY CROWLEY will join the faculty this ture from Virginia Commonwealth University in
magazine, Vox, and managed the daily newsroom fall as a visiting teaching assistant professor and 2005 and received her bachelor’s in journalism
operations of the graphics staff of the Missourian. will teach courses in journalism, public rela- from OU in 1997. Magee was an instructor at OU
Prior to that, he was a designer for a national tions and advertising. Crowley is completing her for the past two years, where she taught broadcast
agriculture magazine, an information graphics re- Ph.D. in rhetoric from Duquesne University. news producing. She also served as a host for the
porter, an editorial assistant and a freelance writer. She earned her master’s in communications from school’s public radio station and anchored and
Duquesne in 2002 and her bachelor’s in applied produced news for the campus television station.
n DR. RITA COLISTRA will begin teaching as an history from Point Park College in 1997. She Prior to that, she was a television producer and re-
assistant professor in the public relations program has served in communications and public rela- porter at stations in Las Vegas, Nev., and Erie, Pa.
in Fall 2008. While serving as a Roy H. Park tions positions since 1988 and has taught classes
Doctoral Fellow, Colistra completed her Ph.D. in media writing, advertising, public relations

41
ALUMNI HONORS
Charles Ryan named dean Scott Widmeyer accepted
at University of Charleston into NYC fellowship program
Charles Ryan (BSJ, 1962) was Scott Widmeyer (BSJ,1974),
named dean of the Univer- sponsor of the SOJ’s Widmeyer
sity of Charleston Graduate Communications Professor
School of Business in Charles- in Public Relations, became
ton, W.Va. The appointment a member of the prestigious
was effective Dec. 1, 2007. New York City 2007-08 David
Rockefeller Fellows Program.
Ryan is the former chairman and
CEO of Charles Ryan Associ- As part of the program,
Ryan
ates, an integrated marketing executives participate in working
Widmeyer
firm he started in 1974 and built sessions with New York’s
into a $30-million business with offices in Charleston; top corporate, nonprofit and
Cincinnati, Ohio; Lexington, Ky.; and Richmond, Va. government leaders to discuss major issues impacting
the city and explore opportunities to partner with
Ryan has received many business awards and honors in
public and nonprofit organizations to support the city.
his 33-year business career that followed 17 years in
broadcasting. He was awarded the Oshel Craigo 2007 Widmeyer has provided strategic counsel to numerous
Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on behalf decision makers, including presidents, governors, chief ex-
of the West Virginia Travel and Tourism Industry. ecutive officers and union leaders for more than 25 years.

In 2002, he was elected to the West Virginia Uni- He is founder and chairman of Widmeyer Communi-
versity College of Business and Economics Hall of cations, an independent, full-service communications
Fame. In 1997, he was named West Virginia’s Mas- firm with offices in Washington, D.C., and New York.
ter Entrepreneur of the Year and in 1994 was hon-
ored by the Public Relations Society of West Vir-
ginia with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ralph Izard honored with SPJ Distinguished Teaching Award

Ralph Izard (MSJ, 1962; BSJ, 1961) munication at Louisiana State Univer- 1976 to 1979. In
received the Distinguished Teaching in sity and professor emeritus in the E.W. 1985, he received
Journalism Award f rom the Society of Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio the Wells Memo-
Professional Journalists (SPJ) in the fall University. He worked at Ohio Univer- rial Key, SPJ’s
of 2007. The award honors an outstand- sity for 32 years, 12 as director of the highest national
ing journalism educator who has made a E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. award for service.
significant contribution to the profession
He was president of the Association of
and/or journalism education.
Schools of Journalism and Mass Commu-
Izard is the Sig Mickelson/CBS Professor nication f rom 1992-93 and vice president
in the Manship School of Mass Com- for campus chapter affairs of SPJ f rom
Izard

42
CLASS NOTES
1960s 1980s 1990s
n KATHARINE ANN CAMPBELL (BSJ, 1969) is the n JACK AYLOR (BSJ, 1980) is the director of n CHAD CIPOLETTI (BSJ, 1995) is currently the
administrator/CEO of Mayers Medical Center in development for Treasure Coast Campus Florida creative director at Rapp Collins Worldwide in
Fall River Mills, Calif. Atlantic University in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Prior to Los Angeles, Calif.
that, Aylor was director of development at Frost-
n AL MARTINE (BSJ, 1968) is the principal at burg State University. n MORGAN CLEVENGER (BSJ, 1991) accepted the
Meadow Bridge High School in Meadow Bridge, position of Regional Vice President for SIFE USA
W.Va. n LAURA GARNER (BSJ, 1986) is the director of Campus Programs, effective July 1, 2008. He came
marketing communications for the National 4-H to SIFE World Headquarters in January 2005 as
n BOB SHAFFER (BSJ, 1964) planned to retire at Council in Chevy Chase, Md. a Program Director where he was charged with
the end of 2007, following a 39-year career in cor- creating special emphasis in SIFE Criteria 4: Fi-
porate public relations, to pursue a second career n JENNIFER HOUTMAN (BSJ, 1988) was named nancial Literacy with the HSBC Financial Literacy
in his newly established leisure travel business spe- publisher/editor of The Marietta Times in Ohio. Programme. As the demands of the HSBC rela-
cializing in cruises for couples, families and groups. She recently served her second term as member tionship grew, he was promoted to Development
of the Associated Press Managing Editors Board Director in September 2006. The HSBC Financial
of Directors and will serve as chairwoman of the Literacy Programme has been a huge success with
1970s Ohio Newspaper Association Convention Com-
mittee. Houtman has been with The Marietta
nearly 17,000 university students working with
more than 416,000 individuals to better their
Times since 1994 as a reporter, city editor and understanding and application of financial literacy
n TOM HEATHERMAN (BSJ, 1972) is the corporate
managing editor. concepts.
communications director for Michael Saunders &
Company in Sarasota, Fla.
n JAMES KELLY (BSJ, 1980) joined the faculty of n CRAIG FERRENCE (BSJ, 1997) is art director for
n BARBARA GRIM KEILING (BSJ, 1978) is the prin- the Indiana University School of Journalism as an Ground Zero in Los Angeles, Calif. He and his
associate professor in August 2007. He previously copywriting partner shot 15 commercials with
cipal of Thurmont Middle School with Frederick
spent 17 years at Southern Illinois University Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit of
County Public Schools in Frederick, Md.
Carbondale. Kelly received his Ph.D. from IU in ESPN College GameDay, which began airing last
n SUSAN MASSENGALE (BSJ, 1975) is the public 1990. He teaches photojournalism and publica- fall.
information officer for the North Carolina Divi- tion design and is currently heading a project to
sion of Water Quality in Raleigh, N.C. strengthen journalism reporting of HIV/AIDS in n CYNTHIA INGLE (BSJ, 1990) is an announcer/
India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with funding from producer for C-SPAN Television in Washington,
n JANET MCNALLY (BSJ, 1977) is vice president of the U.S. Department of State. D.C. Ingle hosts live and recorded public affairs
human resources for the Pennsylvania Newspaper and political programming in the evening. Prior
Association in Harrisburg, Pa. n MARC KRAMER (BSJ, 1982), president of Kramer to that, she freelanced as an announcer/host at C-
Communications, was selected to be a columnist to SPAN for 10 years, while working as a reporter for
n MICHAEL STEPHAN III (BSJ, 1976) is a district write on entrepreneurship for TheStreet.com, the the public radio program, Marketplace, The World
sales manager for Yellow Book USA in King of second most visited online financial publication on and The Christian Science Monitor, among other
Prussia, Pa. He recently celebrated his 16-year the Internet, and was selected to be a weekly con- news outlets.
anniversary with Yellow Book USA working the tributor on entrepreneurial advice for the country’s
Philadelphia markets. Stephan also celebrated his third largest all-news radio station, KYW 1060 n RODNEY JONES (BSJ, 1991) is a key account
27th anniversary of marriage to Linda Stephan AM, in Philadelphia. manager for Great American Financial Resources
with their two daughters Taylor and Madison. in Cincinnati, Ohio.
n SUE (SCANCELLA) MORGAN (BSJ, 1981) is a se-
n MARC WALDECK (BSJ, 1979) is founder and nior web content developer for Children’s Hospital n ERIC LENKOWITZ (BSJ, 1999) is a reporter/as-
president of Brave New Markets in Owings Mills, of Philadelphia. signment editor for the New York Post in New
Md. York, N.Y.
n WILLIAM O’CONNELL (MSJ, 1980) is in his 10th
n BOB WEINZIERL (BSJ, 1973) marked his 30th year at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, n MARGIE MASON (BSJ, 1997), AP’s medical
year with WTHR-TV, the NBC affiliate in India- following a 20-year career in the U.S. Army and a writer, was awarded a prestigious fellowship from
napolis, Ind. Weinzierl served as chief photogra- Ph.D. program in journalism at Ohio University. the Neiman Foundation and will spend a year at
pher there since 1983. Over the years, he has won Harvard University studying the international
the Indiana News Photographer of the Year three n MICHAEL TOMASKY (BSJ, 1982) was appointed response to emerging infectious diseases in devel-
times and was nominated for Regional Emmys, editor of GuardianAmerica.com, the Guardian’s oping countries.
as well as an IRIS and New York Film Festival U.S. website, in May 2007, and is responsible
awards. He has covered every Indianapolis 500 for developing the Guardian’s online presence in
race since 1979 and was elected to the Indy 500 America.
Oldtimers Club in 2004.

43
CLASS NOTES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43

n THOMAS D. PERRY (BSJ, 1992) and Traci Perry n MEGAN DAMEWOOD (BSJ, 2007) is a customer master’s degree in corporate and organizational
welcomed William Thomas Perry on Dec. 4, 2007. service manager for Bed Bath and Beyond in communications at WVU.
He was born in Parkersburg, W.Va. The family Morgantown, W.Va.
celebrated his birth with their first daughter, Taylor n HALLIE PAINTER (BSJ, 2006) is an account ex-
Danielle Perry. n MEGAN FRUSH (BSJ, 2007) is an assistant media ecutive with FedEx in Moon Township, Pa.
planner for CARAT USA, an independent media
n DANIEL PULKA (BSJ, 1996) is the director of and advertising agency in Atlanta, Ga. Frush n MAREA PARISER (BSJ, 2002) recently returned to
marketing for Pepper Hamilton in Philadelphia, handles the accounts for Carrabba’s, an Italian the United States after four years in Japan. Praiser
Pa. restaurant in Atlanta. accepted a job as associate producer for NHK
( Japan Broadcasting Corporation) in their Bureau
n RYAN SHAFFER (BSJ, 1999) is a senior specialist n SAMANTHA HAVERLOCK (BSJ, 2006) is the for America in New York.
in channel marketing for Diebold, Inc., in Union- education coordinator for the West Virginia Breast
town, Ohio. and Cervical Cancer Screening Program at the n ERIN ROONEY (BSJ, 2005) is a senior marketing
Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center in Morgan- associate for Digitas in New York, N.Y.
n MATTHEW TABEEK (BSJ, 1994) is an assistant town, W.Va.
sports editor for The Fayetteville Observer in n AMANDA SHANE (BSJ, 2006) was recently
Fayetteville, N.C. n JONAH JABBOUR (BSJ, 2003) lives in Virginia promoted at PBS to a newly created position with
Beach, Va., and works as a videographer for Chris- PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO!
n JENNIFER ZOLAK (BSJ, 1996) is an e-commerce tian Broadcasting Network.
manager for GNC in Pittsburgh, Pa. n JESSICA (GUICE) SPATAFORE (BSJ, 2006) is a
n CHARLES JOHNSON (BSJ, 2003) is an assistant media buyer for Media Vision in Bethesda, Md.
general manager for the Hagerstown Suns in
n MATTHEW STANMYRE (BSJ, 2004) is a sports-
2000s Hagerstown, Md.
writer for The Washington Post in Washington,
n ROBIN JOHNSON (BSJ, 2006) lives in Rockville, D.C. He covers high school and college sports in
n BREANNE ALIOTO (BSJ, 2007) is a creative spe- the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
Md., and is an account executive for WWDC-FM
cialist for Advertising.com in Baltimore, Md.
Washington, owned by Clear Channel Radio.
n KATHRYN STURMS (MSJ, 2006) serves as the
n HEATHER BONECUTTER (BSJ, 2007) is a recruit- CSC and public relations representative for WVU
n ANGELA JONES (BSJ, 2004) is a public relations
ment counselor for WVU in Morgantown, W.Va. Extended Learning in Morgantown, W.Va.
specialist for WVU Hospitals in Morgantown,
W.Va.
n STEPHANIE BOSTAPH (BSJ, 2007) is working as n FAITH THOMAS (MS-IMC, 2007) is a public affairs
an office receptionist at the U.S. Senate in Wash- officer for the U.S. Navy in Oak Harbor, Wash.
n KEVIN KINKEAD (BSJ, 2007) is a producer for
ington, D.C.
WJBF News Channel 6 in Augusta, Ga., and her
n TOM VOSE (BSJ, 2007) is a production coordina-
n CATHERINE BYERS (BSJ, 2002) is the public rela- show is currently rated #1 in the DMA.
tor for Snippies in New York, N.Y.
tions and communications director for the Lewis
n CHERIE (BOUDREAU) LEE (BSJ, 2002) is a pro-
School of Princeton in Princeton, N.J. n BRENT WARDEN (BSJ, 2007) is a marketing
posal coordinator for USIS in Falls Church, Va.
assistant with Greenbrier County Convention and
n SCOTT CASTLEMAN (BSJ, 2005) is an account Visitors Bureau in Lewisburg, W.Va.
n JENILEE MASON (BSJ, 2006) is a producer at
coordinator for Gallagher/Goodwin-Gregg Com-
WBOY-TV in Clarksburg, W.Va.
munications Group in Charleston, W.Va., which n ANDREW WOROB (BSJ, 2005) is an account
was recently acquired by Charles Ryan Associates. n RONTINA MCCANN (BSJ, 2003) is the main executive for G.S. Schwartz & Co. Inc. in New
anchor for WVNS-DT in Ghent, W.Va. York, N.Y.
n HEATH E. COMBS (BSJ, 2003) was named editor
of Furniture/Today’s new Green e-newsletter. n KELLY MCNEIL (BSJ, 2007) is working for USA n BRADLEY WRIGHT (BSJ, 2007) is a sales and ac-
Combs is responsible for managing Furniture/ TODAY as an advertising sales coordinator in count manager at TKD International in York, Pa.
Today’s online coverage of eco-friendly furniture, McLean, Va.
including news and analysis relating to the sourc-
ing, marketing and retailing of green products. He n JULIA MEGYESY (BSJ, 2007) is a production
joined Furniture/Today in 2006 from the High assistant for Retirement Living Television in
Point Enterprise, where he covered local business. Washington, D.C.

n STEPHANIE BALLARD CONRAD (BSJ, 2003) is n RANDALL MULL (MSJ, 2001) is a technical writer
married to John Conrad, a 2003 WVU graduate. for SAIC in Sterling, Va.
They had their first daughter Paige Camille Con-
rad in May 2007. Stephanie is Assistant Director n ASHLEY NORMAN (MSJ, 2003) resides in Miami
of University Events at WVU. Beach, Fla., and is an account executive with
Cheryl Andrews Marketing in Coral Gables, Fla.
n AMBER CORRIN (BSJ, 2006) is an assistant editor
at SIGNAL Magazine/AFCEA in Fairfax, Va. n STEPHANIE OCTAVE (BSJ, 2004) is an admis-
sions counselor at WVU and recently finished her

44
You’re invited!
2008 Homecoming Festivities

Alumni Social and Open House Homecoming Tent

Come see the newly renovated Martin Hall. Continue the weekend celebration at the
Tour the building. Gather with friends and SOJ’s annual Homecoming Tent!
fellow alumni.

• Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 • Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008

• 7:30 - 9 p.m. (or immediately following the WVU Homecoming Parade) • Tent will open 2 hours before game time
• 101-102 Martin Hall • Tent City I
• Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, desserts and beverages • Plenty of food and fun provided

Please RSVP to sojalumni@live.com by Oct. 3, 2008. No RSVP necessary.

*Sponsored by the School of Journalism and the

SOJ Alumni Association.

All SOJ alumni and friends are invited to both events.

Check the SOJ website in early fall for additional details.
journalism.wvu.edu
Perley Isaac Reed SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM
Non-profit Org.
West Virginia University U.S. Postage
PO Box 6010 PAID
Morgantown, WV 26506-6010 Morgantown, WV
(304) 293-3505 Permit No. 34
journalism.wvu.edu
PIREED@mail.wvu.edu