Ed Joyce editor at KPCC

Ed Joyce (’77) was recently promoted to Editor, Breaking News for Southern California Public Radio (KPCC). He also oversees KPCC’s business/economy coverage.

Posted: August 15, 2012

Mary Whipple wins gold in rowing

The United States women’s rowing team, led by UW Communication alumna Mary Whipple (BA, ’02), won their second straight Olympic gold in the women’s eight on Aug. 2 and preserved its six-year dominance of this event. Whipple was a student in professor Mike Henderson’s Writing for Mass Media class, along with her teammate Anna Mickelson, who also helped the team win the gold medal in Beijing in 2008. “Both (mostly) managed to keep their eyes open during class despite having been in the water practicing at 5:45 a.m.,” Henderson said. Go Huskies!

Posted: August 8, 2012

Priya Frank assistant director at UW’s Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity

Priya Frank (BA, 2004) is the new Assistant Director of Development for the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMA&D). She joins the OMAD team after spending more than seven years at the UW World Series at Meany Hall. Her most recent assignment was Individual Giving Coordinator. Frank is a 2004 graduate of the Department and the 2012-13 president of the Communication Alumni Board.

Posted: August 3, 2012

Wetzel interviewed on KUOW on new book

Last month, Frank Wetzel (BA, 1950) was interviewed on KUOW’s “Weekday” with Steve Scher on his new book, “Lizzie.” The book looks at three years of diaries of Bremerton woman Elizabeth Gordon, from 1909-1911. Wetzel constructs what her life must have been like at the turn of the century, through her details of her adventures in Seattle and the nightlife she enjoyed constantly. Wetzel found Gordon’s diaries in his late father’s belongings as he was cleaning out his home. After much research, Wetzel learned that Gordon played a very important, and tragic part in his father’s life. “Lizzie” is available on Amazon. Wetzel’s KUOW interview begins at 28:15 in the recording.

Listen here >>

Posted: July 20, 2012

Alum Heberlein credits journalism success to “unquenchable drive”

If there’s anyone that was ever destined to be a journalist, it would most certainly be Greg Heberlein (BA, ’69). With his innate enthusiasm for news and writing, Heberlein’s history in journalism began as a teen and served him well throughout his work for many news organizations and his 32 years at The Seattle Times.

Posted: July 10, 2012

Alum chosen for Fulbright-Nehru Chair

Alumna and former UW Communication adjunct lecturer Hazel Warlaumont (PhD, ’93) has been selected as the Fulbright-Nehru Distinguished Chair to India for 2012-13. Come December, she will be traveling to India where she will be stationed for four months at the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai (formerly Madras).

Warlaumont will be lecturing at various universities while teaching graduate students in Chennai. While there, she plans on taking part in symposia and conferences, as well as working with faculty on program development and curriculum design. “Like any intercultural experience I’m curious to see how my Indian students perceive the world, the U.S., and issues in mass communication,” she said. “I’m also interested in the Indian culture and how the media work in such a large country with so many different languages, religions, levels of education, and the caste system of social stratification.”

She also has plans outside her academic work in India that include doing some volunteer work for one of the women’s rights organizations in the area. Warlaumont will also make a point to see as much of the country as she can during her four months. “The country has a fascinating history and the monuments and temples are supposed to be among the most unique.”

Warlaumont finds the cross cultural understanding promoted by this appointment extremely important and she encourages others to pursue awards like this one. “Collaborations with cohorts in other institutions in other countries can result in a rich and varied experience for faculty, students, and professionals. The Fulbright program offers a unique and rewarding opportunity to develop international understanding.”

Posted: June 28, 2012

Hogan interviewed in Forbes

Jenni Hogan (BA, ’02) shared with Forbes readers how she became the professional she is today: the uber-popular traffic anchor for KIRO-TV who also hosts specials for the station with her social media presence on Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. According to Forbes journalist, Lisa Quast, Hogan covers all the bases on what it takes to live your dream. “The career lessons Jenni has learned and the advice she now provides others are important for all of us to emulate,” she wrote. “What she’s learned: Set your own job expectations and then overachieve them, dream big and tell people your dreams, and pay it forward while inspiring others to do the same. Her advice: Believe in yourself, be patient and work hard, and never forget to network.”

Read more on Hogan’s advice, tips and tricks for building your dream career >>

Posted: June 25, 2012

Alum Quade wins National Murrow Award

Veteran war reporter Alex Quade (BA, ’92) has won a 2012 National Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Digital Television News Association. The award recognizes her work for a National Online News Operation under the writing category, for Horse Soldiers of 9/11, an original, groundbreaking story for The Daily Caller. The story was later expanded into a short film of the same name, narrated by actor Gary Sinise, and is now being screened at film festivals across the country.

Read more about Quade’s career and her story here >>

Posted: June 19, 2012

Alum Fletcher Wins National Murrow Award

Phyllis Fletcher (M.C., 2011) has won a 2012 National Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Digital Television News Association. This award recognizes the same story of Fletcher’s that won a 2012 Gracie Award: “Secrets of a Blonde Bombshell.” The story reports her discovery that a swing bandleader from the 1930s had passed for white from her childhood until her death.

The Murrows were announced this week and the awards show is in October in New York City.

Posted: June 14, 2012

King (’06) earns UW Master of Public Administration

E. Dylan King (’06) earned her Master of Public Administration degree from the UW Evans School of Public Affairs, where she works as a Program Coordinator.  She was invited to present her thesis work at the 2012 Symposium of Public Affairs Research and was awarded the Dean’s Award for best poster for “The Role of Social Networking Technologies in Government Communication: An Analysis of Twitter Usage at Washington State Department of Transportation (@WSDOT)”.

Posted: June 12, 2012

Michael Harris: Acclaimed journalist debuts new film

By Collin Denton

Seattle-based broadcast journalist Michael Harris (Political Science, BA, ‘87) is a highly accredited producer and filmmaker most widely recognized for his work with wildlife. During his career he has made 30 full-length films, been nominated for 45 Emmys in 15 categories, and won 11 Emmy Awards. He has produced content for Yahoo and worked for high profile companies including ABC News, NBC News, MTV, and VH1. Harris describes himself as “third generation show business,” and says the work comes very naturally for him.

Harris was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and at the tender age of 6 he got his first break in the entertainment industry.

Read more about Harris’ history and his brand new film >>

Posted: June 4, 2012

Alumna Hogan wins Emmy for KIRO-TV

Last Saturday, alumna Jenni Hogan (BA, ’02) and her colleagues Michael Fox and Paul Balcerak walked away with an Emmy win at the 49th Annual Emmy awards for the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. They won under the “Interactivity” category for their work on the KIRO 7 Mobile Tweetup.

KIRO 7 and Jenni Hogan hosted the first Mobile Tweetup in December 2010 in an effort to try to boost donations to the station’s annual Toys for Tots campaign. The result was an overwhelming success and Mobile Tweetup has been resurrected several times since to benefit causes such as the Moyer Foundation’s Catch a Cure for Cancer and Northwest Harvest’s Baby Days.

Congratulations, Jenni!

Posted: June 4, 2012

Alumni Egan (’81) awarded honorary doctoral degree

Tim Egan (’81) – a Pulitzer Prize and National Book award recipient and a member of our Alumni Hall of Fame – was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from Western Washington University at their March, 2012 ceremony. Egan is a columnist for the New York Times and an author of fiction and nonfiction books. He is one of the first to receive Western’s new degree.  Recipients are chosen by Western’s Board of Trustees  after review by the university president and Faculty Senate.

Posted: May 31, 2012

Cheryl Ross: full-time student, fighter, and survivor

By Collin Denton

Cheryl Ross (BA, ‘02) was born and raised in Seattle and attended Nathan Hill High School. She fell in love with communication as she began working as an announcer on the student-run station, KNHC 89.5.  After finding her calling, she eventually wound up at the UW, but the years she spent earning her degree would prove to be the most difficult of her entire life. Ross suffered through severe diabetes and double kidney failure. Let alone earning her bachelor’s degree during this tough time, the fact that she has returned to complete her master’s degree in social work is something that she “never would have imagined possible.”

Read more about Ross’ inspiring recovery and ambition >>

Posted: May 25, 2012

Return to Sudan: Photographer Steve Shelton revisits the Sudanese oil conflict

By Collin Denton

The Department of Communication caught up with freelance photo-journalist Steve Shelton (BA, 1984) as he was preparing for his second trip to the village and refugee camp of Doro, Sudan. Once more partnering with Dr. Allan Kelly of the international non-profit medical care provider, Medical Teams Worldwide, Shelton documented his experience through the use of video, photography, and writing. However, the situation on the ground proved to be different from the village he had left in November 2011.

Read more about Shelton’s globe-spanning work >>

Posted: May 22, 2012

Alum Carlson’s career reflections provide insight for students            

By Amanda Weber

On Tuesday, May 15, Kurt Carlson (BA, ’85) stopped by to give our students some advice on what to expect when they enter the “real world.” Carlson, President and CEO of Propel Insurance, said that when he graduated he thought he would get into advertising. However, after all these years, he’s come to learn that he’s always been a salesman at heart.

Read more about Carlson’s career advice to students >>

Posted: May 21, 2012

The power of blogging: Two incredible cancer survivors linked through social media

By Collin Denton

My Tam Nguyen (BA, ’06) and Rose Egge (MCDM, ’11) were shining stars beating on the door of success when they were diagnosed with cancer. They both were in their early to mid-twenties and led healthy and active lifestyles. Neither thought of themselves as being at risk for cancer. Fortunately, they both beat the odds, finding solace in one another’s experiences and sharing their own inspirational stories through blogging and social media.

Read more about this inspirational tale of two cancer survivors >>

Posted: May 10, 2012

Monroe shares career stories, journo tips

 View large-size images >>

By Amanda Weber

Friday’s mentor lunch with alum and CNNPolitics.com editor Bryan Monroe (BA, ’87) was informative and entertaining. A handful of students took advantage of the chance of a lifetime to ask as many questions as they wanted of the highly successful and famous reporter. Among his stories about interviewing Michael Jackson (the last interview before MJ’s death), Senator and President Obama (being the first to get the interview with him as a newly elected President), and covering Hurricane Katrina and other breaking news stories, Monroe had plenty of tips for our future journalists.

Read more about what Monroe had to say >>

Posted: May 5, 2012

Alum Bryan Monroe to receive Timeless Award Friday

Bryan Monroe, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Editor of CNNPolitics.com and an Alumni Hall of Fame member, will be here on Friday, May 4, to receive a Timeless Award. He is one of more than a dozen accomplished Communication Alumni to be awarded. The College of Arts and Sciences is honoring 150 distinguished living alumni for their contributions and accomplishments with the first ever Timeless Awards in recognition of the University of Washington’s 150th anniversary.

Students are invited to hear Monroe speak at a mentor lunch on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 126.

On CNN’s national broadcast yesterday, he spoke about President Barack Obama’s trip to Afghanistan while wearing a gold and purple UW Husky tie in honor of the occasion.

 

Posted: May 3, 2012

Rave review for new book from Alum Tony Angell

The prestigious scientifc journal Nature has given an enthusiastic thumbs-up to a new book co-authored by Communication Alumnus Tony Angell. “Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans,” published by Free Press this year, was called “delightful” by reviewer Nicola Clayton.

This is the second book about crows from Angell, an accomplished artist and sculptor, and co-author John Marzluff. “Crows share seven striking similarities with humans: language, delinquency, frolic, passion, wrath, risk-taking and awareness…The authors persuasively describe the high intelligence of members of the crow family,” according to the review.

Read the rest of the book review (PDF) >>

Posted: May 3, 2012

Inspirational Alumna: Celebrating the career of Lorraine Howell

By Collin Denton

Lorraine Howell (BA, ‘82) author of Give Your Elevator Speech a Lift! is a highly accomplished Department of Communication Cum Laude alumna whose motivational seminars and skills conferences in media skills training have been requested by the likes of Starbucks, Microsoft, and ZymoGenetics. She is an outstanding example of how hard work, dedication, and perseverance can lead to many successful paths in life.

Read more about Howell’s illustrious career >>

Posted: May 2, 2012

Alum McIntyre awarded honorary degree

Jerilyn McIntyre (PhD, 1973) is one of five recipients who have been awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Utah, the university’s highest honor. The awards will be presented at the annual commencement ceremonies held on Friday, May 4, 2012, in the Jon M. Huntsman Center.

“Honorary degrees are awarded by the university to those who have achieved unusual distinction in academic pursuits, in the arts, in the professions, in business, in government, in civic affairs or in service to the university,” says Keven Rowe, chair of the Board of Trustees’ honors committee. “We are proud to recognize the honorees for 2012, who exemplify in every way the high levels of dedication and achievement that the degree confers.”

McIntyre will receive a Doctorate of Education. From 1977 to 2000, she served the University of Utah on the faculty as professor of communication, and in the administration as vice president for academic affairs, and twice as interim president. She was applauded in 1997 by the Board of Regents for her service as interim president for “making difficult internal decisions quickly and soundly, leading the institution toward semester conversion, and enhancing an environment of trust and collaboration … in the President’s Office.” Notably, she was the first woman to hold those administrative positions at the university.

Read more about McIntyre’s honorary degree >>

Posted: April 24, 2012

Alum Cheadle wins Peabody Award

For the first time in 22 years, KING5 News has won a Peabody Award for Investigative Journalism, thanks, in part, to Department of Communication alum Kellie Cheadle (BA, 1996). Cheadle works as the executive producer at KING5. Her work on the series that won the award, “Your Dime, Their Crime,” documented rampant fraud in the state’s taxpayer-funded public-assistance programs, prompting the creation of a $5 million fraud-prevention unit to investigate welfare and food stamp cheats.

First presented in 1941, the George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished achievement and meritorious service by broadcasters, cable and Webcasters, producing organizations, and individuals. The awards program is administered by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. Selection is made each spring by the Peabody Board, a 16-member panel of distinguished academics, television critics, industry practitioners and experts in culture and the arts.

Read more about Cheadle’s Peabody win at the Seattle Times >>

Posted: April 10, 2012

Alum Tazioli hosts new TVW show

Whether you love books, enjoy engaging conversations about interesting topics or are just looking for some tips on great new reads, you won’t want to miss an episode of the new weekly show on TVW, Well Read. Hosted by Terry Tazioli (BA, 1970), one of the Department’s most recent inductees into the Alumni Hall of Fame, the new show replaces Author’s Hour, his previous show on TVW. Well Read premiered April 3, and airs weekly on Tuesdays at 7 and 10pm, with repeats throughout the weekend.

In the premiere episode, author Kent Hartman of The Wrecking Crew explains how an uncredited group of musicians played instruments on hundreds of Top 40 hits in the ’60s. Introducing the author and his book, Tazioli says, “I had so much fun with this book. I’m not going to tell you what the title refers to. I’m going to let Kent do that because it’s huge, and it’s a fun part of a great adventure.” Following the interview with Hartman, Mary Ann Gwinn, Book Editor at The Seattle Times, joins Terry to recommend other excellent books to viewers.

Watch the first episode of Well Read here >>

Posted: April 5, 2012

Husky Comm grad Schachter returns to UW

Molly Schachter now supports the Associate Vice President for UW Advancement Communications. She was formerly with the Mackay Restaurant Group where she not only supported the CEO and COO but also worked with their marketing director on a variety of communications and promotional projects. She’s a proud Husky having graduated from the UW with a BA in Communications and Political Science. In January she participated in the Department’s Professional Development Month.

Posted: April 3, 2012

Alum Fletcher wins EWA and Gracie Awards

Communication alum Phyllis Fletcher (MC, ’11) has some resume updating to attend to. The KUOW editor recently won two awards; a first place Broadcast Beat Reporting Award from the National Education Writer’s Association, and a Gracie Award.

The award from the EWA recognizes a selection of her work with KUOW from 2011. The centerpiece of her submission was her radio series and accompanying photography, “Paramount Duty: K-12 Education and the Recession.” Fletcher said, “That series was my final project for the Master of Communication degree, and fulfilled requirements for my fellowship with the Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology.”

Fletcher’s Gracie Award is the result of her reporting on her discovery that a swing band leader from the 1930s, Ina Ray Hutton, passed for white from her childhood through her death. Her story was first published on blackpast.org. The award recognizes her radio report of the discovery, “Secrets of a Blonde Bombshell,” which she produced in 2011 for the public radio show “Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen.”

Fletcher credits many people for their support and instruction which she says put her in the position to win these awards. “Thank you so much to my MC committee John Gastil and Jim Gregory; also: Quintard Taylor, Stewart Tolnay, Mike Babb, Anita Rocha, Wolfram Latsch, Cindy Simmons, Randy Beam, Shannon Harper, the West Coast Poverty Center, David Domke, Leah Ceccarelli, Hanson Hosein, Paul Berger, Doug Underwood, Ralina Joseph, and UW Libraries.  You each played a special role in the projects that have been honored with these recognitions.”

The EWA and the Gracie Awards will each be presented in May, in Philadelphia and Beverly Hills.

Posted: March 22, 2012

Libbing reflects on Peace Corp service

Jessi Libbing (BA Journalism, 2009) arrived home late last year after serving more than two years as an English teacher in Qazax, Azerbaijan. Her blog “Peace, Love, and Azerbaijan” chronicles the sometimes difficult, but constantly rewarding adventure abroad. In a recent interview with Heraldnet.com’s Amy Daybert, Libbing talks about bringing American culture to Azerbaijani children and the lessons she learned from them.

Read Libbing’s interview about her trip >>

Posted: March 20, 2012

WNC to hold hearing on complaint

The Washington News Council’s Board of Directors will be holding a hearing on a formal written complaint from the Vitae Foundation against KUOW 94.9 FM concerning a story that aired April 13, 2011. It will be held on Saturday, March 31 from 9 am-noon, at the UW Department of Communication, Room 120. It is open to the public.

The hearing will address what has been deemed by the WNC and the Vitae Foundation as “serious questions of journalistic performance or ethics,” as they pertain to a story reported by then-intern and current KUOW freelance reporter Meghan Walker, a recent graduate of the Department.

Read more about the upcoming hearing >>

Posted: March 20, 2012

Alum Mathews to speak on career in film industry

Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet an expert in the TV and film production field! Temple Mathews (BA, 1976) will share his experiences working in the film industry at the brown bag bunch on Thursday, February 2, from 12-1:15 p.m. in CMU 102E. The deadline to reserve a spot is 5 p.m. on February 1st, or until space is filled. RSVP to Victoria Sprang at vsprang@uw.edu. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early!

A producer at the American Film Institute, Mathews has written dozens of half-hour animation TV episodes, and several animated and live action features and direct-to-DVD and video films. Mathews has sold scripts and/or worked for hire at every major studio in Hollywood. His credits include the Walt Disney animated feature films Return to Never Land, The Little Mermaid II, and the MGM feature film Picture This.

Mathews was story editor on 35 half-hour episodes of The Judge, a daytime courtroom drama and story editor on two seasons of  Inside Out, an anthology series produced by Propaganda Films. Additionally, he was writer and producer of the feature film Off the Mark.

Posted: January 27, 2012

Public affairs firm led by Rita Brogan (’72) recognized by King County

King County has awarded Rita Brogan (BA, 1972; MA, 1975), owner and CEO of PRR, Inc., the 2011 prize for King County Woman-owned Small Business of the Year. PRR, Inc. emphasizes community building and the environment and has offices in Seattle and Washington, D.C.. She has strived to “give people the information and tools they need to participate constructively in civic life” for more than two decades as the firm’s owner and CEO since 1988.

Read more >>

Posted: January 24, 2012

Fimia (’89) finds passion in preserving family history

While Margaret Fimia (BA, 1989), a former King County Councilwoman, no longer works in the public sector, she has turned her passion for preserving her family history into another service for her community. What began as a hobby of recording interviews with relatives and recovering old photographs has turned into her new business, “Welcome Home” family history services. Fimia first began documenting her family’s history when her first daughter was about a year old. As she delved deeper into her hobby, she noticed that people often don’t know where to begin in preserving their family’s history, or don’t have the resources to do so.

Read more >>

Posted: January 23, 2012

Our Wondrous 12: Eric Nalder discusses UW and journalism during Vietnam era

The June 2008 issue of Columns Magazine featured a memorable story on 100 “famous, fascinating or influential living graduates.” The Department of Communication was impressively represented by 12 alumni from the list of 100. In celebration of the UW’s College of Arts & Sciences’ 150th anniversary, we are featuring those Wondrous 12 throughout the year as a reminder of the impressive and often awe-inspiring work our alumni are doing.

Eric Nalder is a 1968 graduate of the Department and an award-winning investigative journalist. Among his professional recognitions are two Pulitzer Prizes. He writes for Seattlepi.com and he is a senior enterprise reporter for Hearst Newspapers. In a Q&A for the Department of Communication, Nalder discusses how UW and the Vietnam War influenced his journalism career and his fondest memory (hint: meeting his wife!). Read more >>

Posted: January 23, 2012

Nate Miles to speak on leadership at MLK celebration

Communication alumnus Nate Miles (BA, 1982) has been given the honor of keynote speaker for the 38th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration, hosted by Seattle Community Colleges. Under the theme of leadership, the celebration will take place at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Friday, Jan. 13, at noon. It is free and open to the public.

Miles is Vice President for Strategic Initiatives for the Northwest at Eli Lilly and Company. He is the 2011 recipient of the Edward E. Carlson Outstanding Alumni Award, presented to an individual who has significantly contributed to the well-being of the community. He also serves as a director on the UW Foundation Board.

Posted: January 4, 2012

David Horsey chats about move to LA Times

At the stroke of midnight on January 1, Pulitzer-winning editorial cartoonist David Horsey (BA, 1976) ended his remarkable tenure with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, where he has worked for more than 30 years, to take a position with the Los Angeles Times political team. Department of Communication Chair David Domke caught up with Horsey to learn more about Horsey’s life working in newspapers and the transition he has made to digital news. Read the interview >>

Posted: January 3, 2012

Ken Baldwin (’84) hosts NBC fishing show

Ken Baldwin (BA, 1984) has done many interesting jobs throughout his career. Out of college, he worked with CBS Sports in New York. He then moved to Los Angeles where he made a living in the film industry, and as a salsa dancer. Today, Baldwin is living a dream that sprung up nearly 11 years ago, when he worked as a fishing guide in Alaska. He is hosting his new TV show, Season on the Edge, on the NBC Sports Network/Versus Channel.

“Fishing has always been a passion for me,” said Baldwin. “Every time I saw a fishing show I’d always think, ‘Wouldn’t that be cool to have a show where I could fish and travel to exotic places?’” After talking the concept over with his friend and fellow fisherman, Brett Gordon, the two decided to take on the project, with Baldwin heading up the creative side of production. “It started coming to life from that point forward,” he said.

Baldwin’s show is not your usual fishing show, as he made it a point to create something totally different from what’s already out there. Taken from the NBC website, Baldwin wrote, “Our show goes beyond the boundaries of your typical fishing show. We are explorers, seeking those places that are off the beaten path, sometimes dangerous and always exciting. Season on the Edge has an adventurous spirit, shows concern for the environment, and exhibits a stylized look and production quality that is usually only associated with filmmaking.”

Catch the premiere of Season on the Edge Dec. 27 at 10:30 a.m. PST. It also airs every Saturday at 4:30 a.m. PST.

Posted: December 23, 2011

Lee Cowan correspondent at CBS News

Lee Cowan (BA, 1988) is at CBS News as a national correspondent based in Los Angeles. He contributes to CBS News broadcasts and platforms across the division and he will be a substitute anchor for “CBS Sunday Morning.”

Most recently, Cowan has been a correspondent for NBC News since 2007, contributing to various NBC News shows, including “NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams,” “Today,” and MSNBC broadcasts. While there, he covered major news stories and events, including presidential candidate Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential election campaign and the tsunami that devastated Japan in March 2011.

Prior to joining NBC, Cowan was a CBS News correspondent for the “CBS Evening News.” In that role, he reported on a variety of stories of national and international importance, which included coverage from Ground Zero on the September 11 attacks, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the 2006 conflict in Beirut and the 2006 tsunami in Indonesia.

Read the CBS news release about Cowan >>

Posted: December 15, 2011

December issue of Communication Works!

The December 2011 Communication Works! e-newsletter features:

• Journalist and jazz blogger Doug Ramsey (BA, 1956), recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award from the Jazz Journalist Association.
• Professor David Domke started the Domke Research Group to allow him to continue to mentor student researchers when he became Department chair.
• This winter, Communication Department Professor and Chair David Domke will weigh in on the presidential election during the SAL/UWAA lecture series, “Visions of America: Barack Obama, the Tea Party, and the 2012 Presidential Election.”
• Recent grads share hurdles, victories, and advice on finding a job in a tough economy.

Subscribe to the e-newsletter >>

Posted: December 12, 2011

Young alums share career hurdles, victories

When the Department of Communication, in partnership with the Communication Alumni Board, kicks off Professional Development Month in January, there will be no shortage of inspiring alumni from whom students can go to for “real world” advice and job insight. True to our mission to provide meaningful experiences outside the classroom, we are offering students four weeks of programming that addresses real-life issues they will face when they graduate. Here we highlight the accomplishments of a few recent graduates. Read more >>

Posted: December 12, 2011

Tony Angell art show at Foster/White Gallery

Through December, the Foster/White Gallery will feature the most recent work of artist and author Tony Angell (BA, 1962). Foster/White has displayed Angell’s work continuously since 1971. The show is titled, “Conversations with Nature in Stone and Bronze.” Angell has a forthcoming book, co-written with author John Marzluff, The Gift of Crows, available April 2012.

Angell (BA, 1962) has written and/or illustrated 15 books; he has received the Governor’s Literary Award in nonfiction and the prestigious Master Artist Award of the Leigh Yawkey Art Museum. Angell is one of the newest inductees into the UW Department of Communication Alumni Hall of Fame.

Posted: December 6, 2011

Our Wondrous 12: Eric Nalder and Norman Rice

The June 2008 issue of Columns Magazine featured a memorable story on 100 “famous, fascinating or influential living graduates.” The Department of Communication was impressively represented by 12 alumni from the list of 100. In celebration of the UW College of Arts & Sciences’ 150th anniversary, we will feature those Wondrous 12 throughout the year as a reminder of the impressive and often awe-inspiring work our alumni are doing. See the list of all of our Wondrous 12 >>

Eric Nalder (BA, 1968): Pulitzer-winning journalist

Eric Nalder has covered some of the top stories of the last few decades, including the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska and the 1995 Seattle fire that killed four firemen. His story blew open problems with safety precautions within the Seattle Fire Department. Nalder continues to bring his excellent investigative skills to regional, national, and international news. Among his professional recognitions are two Pulitzer Prizes. He writes for Seattlepi.com and he is a senior enterprise reporter for Hearst Newspapers.

Norman Rice (BA, 1972): Seattle civic leader

Norman Rice graduated from the School of Communications in 1972. He is President and CEO of The Seattle Foundation, leading the Foundation’s efforts in creating and sustaining a healthy, vibrant community. Rice became a member of the UW Department of Communicationʼs inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame cohort in 2004 and was the Department’s first Distinguished Alumni named in 2003. A civic leader most of his life, Riceʼs professional and civic awards and his contributions to the city, the University and the Department are too numerous to list.

Posted: November 29, 2011

Horsey credits UW for broad educational perspective

David Horsey (BA, 1976) says that his liberal arts education has given him the ability to do what he does in an entertaining, yet intelligent fashion. Seattle Post-Intelligencer’s Pulitzer-winning editorial cartoonist Horsey is known for his keen perspective on politics and current events. “My real talent is in reducing complex issues to their essence and then creating visual metaphors that explain that essence to an audience,” Horsey said.

As an undergraduate at the University of Washington, Horsey spent much of his time at The Daily, where he wrote, cartooned and edited. Though he started as a graphic design major, working at the paper convinced him to switch to journalism. He says that having been immersed in liberal arts has had much impact on his career, and life in general. “What I know is this: my life feels rich and, without my unending education in the liberal arts, it would be far poorer.”

Read more in Perspectives >>

Posted: November 17, 2011

Lamont to speak on visual journalism at WNPA

On Saturday, Oct. 8, Dan Lamont (BA, 1989; MCDM, 2004) will present at the 124th annual Washington Newspaper Publishers Association convention in Everett. Lamont is part of Tatoosh Media, a multimedia collaborative. His seminar, “Photography for Community Newspapers,” will cover visual journalism, multimedia and community publications. Registration is required.

During his 35-year career, Lamont has covered social issues, land use, health care, education and environmental issues for publications that include Time, Newsweek, and The New York Times. He is an independent photojournalist, and was chosen last spring for a fellowship at Seattle University to cover family homelessness in Washington state. The fellowship was sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Read more on the WNPA website >>

Posted: October 5, 2011

Our Wondrous 12: Assunta Ng

The June 2008 issue of Columns Magazine featured a memorable story on 100 “famous, fascinating or influential living graduates.” The Department of Communication was impressively represented by 12 alumni from the list of 100. In celebration of the UW’s College of Arts & Sciences’ 150th anniversary, we will feature those Wondrous 12 throughout the year as a reminder of the impressive and often awe-inspiring work our alumni are doing.

Up first is Assunta Ng (MA, 1979), a recent Odegaard Award recipient. Assunta received her undergraduate degree in International Studies and a master’s degree in Speech Communication. She also holds a certificate in teaching. She is the founder and publisher of the Northwest Asian Weekly and the Seattle Chinese Post. The Department of Communication faculty, staff and alumni inducted her into the inaugural class of the Communication Alumni Hall of Fame in 2004 and she was the Department’s Distinguished Alumnus and keynote speaker at the 2005 Graduation Celebration. We asked Assunta a few questions about her UW experience. Here are her answers >>

Posted: October 5, 2011

Alumni e-newsletter Communication Works!

The Autumn 2011 Communication Works! e-newsletter features:

• Information about UW’s sesquicentennial (150 years) celebration and how we are looking toward the future.
• Alumnus Matt Highsmith (BA, 1982), founder of TailoredMail, a cloud-based email marketing business.
• The women leading the Association for Women in CommunicationsSeattle chapter (six of of them alums).
• A study by Assistant Professor Gina Neff to learn how teams collaborate using building information management software.
• We are beginning a series of profiles on our “Wondrous 12,” including Assunta Ng (MA, 1979).

Posted: September 30, 2011

Jack Johnson is UW President’s new chief of staff

UW leadership reorganization includes an alum of the Department: Jack Johnson (’76) is UW President Young’s new chief of staff as of October 24. Read more >>

Posted: September 29, 2011

Merry named editor of National Interest

Robert W. Merry (’68) was named editor of the National Interest. Merry, a former president and editor-in-chief of Congressional Quarterly, will assume leadership of the prominent foreign policy bimonthly on Sept. 26. Merry will oversee the print magazine as well as the website. Read more >>

Posted: September 29, 2011

Spring Wrap-Up

A Match Made at NBC

UW alumnus and L.A.-based NBC correspondent Lee Cowan (BA, 1988) and Today show producer Molly Palmer meet covering the “Balloon Boy” story.

Carrie Wood, editor of Kirkland Reporter, featured

NewsLab student Peggy Kunkel wrote a feature about the editor of the Kirkland Reporter, Carrie Wood (BA, 2005).

Nicole Lieburn-Diaz at Abercrombie and Fitch

2011 grad Nicole Lieburn-Diaz was recruited at the La Raza Graduation by Abercrombie and Fitch and began her new career in mid-September.

Newly-minted doctors in 2011!

• Fahed Al-Sumait
• Whitney Anspach
• Manoucheka Celeste
• Madhavi Murty
• Penny Sheets
• Jonathan Tomhave
• Mary Lynn Veden

See placements for Communication Ph.D. alumni >>

M.C. project airs on KUOW

Phyllis Fletcher’s M.C. project (a series on K-12 children, parents, teachers, school administrators, and the recession) aired on KUOW the week of June 20. Fletcher earned her Master of Communication degree this year.

George Ray receives NCA Outstanding Book Award

Professor George Ray (Ph.D., 1983) received the 2010 Outstanding Book Award from the International and Intercultural Division of the National Communication Association (NCA). Dr. Ray received the award at the 2010 NCA convention. His book is entitled Language and Interracial Communication in the United States: Speaking Black and White (2009; NY: Peter Lang)

George Ray has been teaching at Cleveland State University for 18 years. His focus is in culture communication, language communication, and interpersonal communication. Dr. Ray, Associate Professor of Communication, teaches many different courses including: nonverbal, interracial, and intercultural communication. I like to stimulate discussion, says Dr. Ray on his teaching style.

Dr. Ray’s first job out of school was working in sales, as a fire protection manufacture representative. Shortly after, he took a position as an assistant professor at Berea College in Kentucky, where he taught public speaking and persuasion. In the fall of 1987, Dr. Ray came to Cleveland State University.

Currently, Dr. Ray is involved in many different activities. He is working on a book about language and speaking styles in interracial communication, an article, with Cleveland State University colleagues, examining the communication techniques between physician and patient interaction.

When Dr. Ray is not teaching, he enjoys watching baseball, traveling, and being outdoors. Hiking is one of his favorite activities. He has traveled to Colorado, New Mexico, Hawaii, China, Europe and New Zealand.

Posted: September 19, 2011

Jack Hart reads from Storycraft Sept. 14

On Sept. 14 at 7 p.m., the University Book Store will host Jack Hart (BA, 1968), former managing editor of the Oregonian and writing coach extraordinaire, for a reading from his latest book, “Storycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction.” Admission is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow.

About the book: From the work of the New Journalists in the 1960s, to the New Yorker essays of John McPhee, Susan Orlean, Atul Gawande, and a host of others, to blockbuster book-length narratives such as Mary Roach’s Stiff or Erik Larson’s Devil in the White City, narrative nonfiction has come into its own. Yet writers looking for guidance on reporting and writing true stories have had few places to turn for advice. Now in Storycraft, Jack Hart, who guided several Pulitzer Prize–winning narratives to publication, delivers what will certainly become the definitive guide to the methods and mechanics of crafting narrative nonfiction.

Posted: Sept. 13, 2011

Hogan dedicates Catch a Cure to alum with cancer

Alumna Jenni Hogan (’02), traffic anchor at KIRO 7, is hosting Catch a Cure for Cancer Mobile Tweetup on Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. You can help by Tweeting with the hashtag #mobiletweetup to raise awareness and by donating. Proceeds will benefit the Moyer Foundation. Hogan has dedicated her fundraising efforts to My Tam Nguyen (’06), a fellow UW Communication alum who is battling cancer. Read more about Hogan and Nguyen’s chance meetup >>

Posted: August 23, 2011

Heather Brooke featured in Huffington Post UK

The Huffington Post UK interviewed Heather Brooke (BA, 1992) about why she thinks data dealing is a bigger scandal than phone hacking and the reasons she lost faith in WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

In 2009, Brooke helped set the stage for the resignation of England’s speaker of the House of Commons by requesting expense-account information from members of Parliament.

Her latest book, The Revolution Will Be Digitised: Dispatches from the Information War, explores the most urgent questions of the digital age: Where is the balance between freedom and security? In an online world, does privacy still exist? And will the Internet empower individuals, or usher in a new age of censorship, surveillance and oppression? Along the way, she visits the headquarters of Google and Facebook, Iceland’s free speech revolution, the hackerspaces of Boston and Berlin, and the UK’s journalism hub.

While attending the UW, Brooke worked at The Daily and was an Olympia Legislative Reporting Intern.

Posted: August 19, 2011

Alumni Hall of Fame 2011 inductees

The Department of Communication at the University of Washington will induct six new members into its Alumni Hall of Fame on Oct. 19 at the University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture. This year’s inductees are:

• J. Anthony (Tony) Angell: B.A., 1962
  Prominent and respected artist and environmentalist
• Jack Geraghty: B.A., 1956
  Former mayor of Spokane
• Shelby Gilje: B.A., 1958
  Writer, editor and columnist at The Seattle Times
• Hal Newsom: B.A., 1952
  Former president and CEO of largest advertising agency
• Terrence (Terry) Tazioli: B.A., 1970
  Newspaper journalist and television host
• Betty Houchin Winfield: Ph.D., 1978
  Missouri School of Journalism faculty

You can nominate an outstanding alum for the 2012 Hall of Fame. Read more >>

Posted: August 12, 2011

Disney screenwriter featured in Columns

Temple Mathews (BA, 1976) was featured in the June edition of Columns Magazine. He describes himself as someone who never shies away from a challenge, and he credits this attitude for getting him to Hollywood.

As a screenwriter for Disney, the Southern California-based Mathews authored a number of recognizable titles, including the 2002 animated film Return to Never Land.

“I managed to be one of the fortunate ones,” Mathews says. “Writing has provided me with a living over the years.”

Mathews has written a number of books as well. During the 2007-08 Writers Guild of America Strike, he wrote The New Kid, which later became a trilogy. He hopes to see it become a film.

In the future, Mathews would like to direct small or independent films. One of his movies on YouTube, Driving While Italian, has gone viral and has been viewed more than 750,000 times.

“You can think all you want,” says Mathews, “but half of the creative process occurs simply by putting your hands on the keyboard and typing.”

Posted: July 28, 2011

Peter Clarke explains why he gives to the UW

Peter Clarke (BA, 1958) is featured in the UW College of Arts and Sciences’ new feature, “Why We Give,” which highlights faithful supporters of the University of Washington. An excerpt:

“Peter Clarke (’58) was ambitious right out of high school, starting an industrial photography business and taking college courses at Seattle University. As his business grew so did its demands. Clarke had no choice but to drop out of school. Eventually, he returned to school, but this time at the UW to pursue journalism. Now Clarke is a donor to the UW Department of Communication and a member of the Communication Alumni Hall of Fame, providing support for graduate students’ research.”

Posted: July 20, 2011

Choe (’76) wins Women of Valor ‘trailblazer award’

Martha Choe (BA, 1976), chief administrative officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, received the “trailblazer award” at the Women of Valor Award ceremony in February. Read more >>

Posted: July 14, 2011

Hogan explains why she pays it forward

For alumna Jenni Hogan (BA, 2002), paying it forward has been a resounding lesson throughout her life. “When I graduated, I reached out to mentors to help me to get to where I am, and the one thing they asked me in return was to pay it forward,” she said.

In September 2010, Hogan co-founded Go Girl Academy, a company that empowers women in all stages of their professional lives through a ten-week structured course. The classes teach women how to define, polish, communicate and manage their brand. It also passes on the lesson of paying it forward.

Students who are unable to pay course fees up front receive help from the Pay-It-Forward Fund, established by friends and alumnae of Go Girl Academy. Hogan said, “All we ask in return is their pledge to voluntarily reimburse the fund on a schedule they can afford.”

Hogan blogged about this life lesson at Marketing NW >>

Posted: July 11, 2011

McChesney’s latest book on collapse of journalism

Robert McChesney’s (MA, 1986; PhD, 1989) most recent book, co-edited with Victor Pickard (MA, 2003), is called Will the Last Reporter Please Turn Out the Lights: The Collapse of Journalism and What Can Be Done to Fix It.

The book includes 32 new essays on the crisis of journalism in the United States, written by leading scholars, journalists, activists and policymakers. The essays cover a broad range of approaches to the topic and viewpoints and offer an equally broad range of prospective solutions. The pieces are all written since 2008 and mostly in 2010, and include considerable ground-breaking research and analysis. McChesney co-wrote three essays in the book.

Posted: June 16, 2011

Carbaugh named 2011 Distinguished Alumnus

Donal Carbaugh’s (PhD, 1984) successes are a result of his experiences studying and participating in communication cultures. Carbaugh will add one more honor to his list as he joins the Department of Communication Graduation Celebration Thursday, June 9, as the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus and keynote speaker. Carbaugh is a Professor of Communication at the University of Massachusetts. He has been co-chair of the Five College Committee on Native American Indian Studies, chair of the Language and Social Interaction Division of the International Communication Association and the National Communication Association, and a consultant for U.S. Congress.

Posted: June 8, 2011

PhD grad wins Burd journalism research prize

Looking back on her undergraduate years, Kristin Gustafson (PhD, 2010), lecturer at the University of Washington Bothell, says she never planned to pursue a career in academia. But today, Gustafson is an award-winning academic: the recipient of the 2011 Gene Burd Urban Journalism Research Prize along with an Honorable Mention Award from the American Journalism Historians Association for the AJHA Margaret A. Blanchard Doctoral Dissertation Prize competition. Her dissertation examines two Seattle-based grassroots newspapers: The International Examiner and Seattle Gay News. Read more >>

Posted: May 16, 2011

Assunta Ng (’79) receives 2011 Odegaard Award

 

Charles E Odegaard Award 2011 from Scott Macklin on Vimeo.

“Being a Husky means to learn to grow and to inspire,” said Assunta Ng (MA, 1979), founder and publisher of the Seattle Chinese Post and Northwest Asian Weekly, and that is exactly what she has done throughout her life. On May 5, Ng was the guest of honor at the 41st annual Celebration, Fête, and Honors, hosted by the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMA&D) and the Friends of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Read more >>

Posted: May 10, 2011

Event raises $75,000 for student experiences

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our April 28 fundraising event, “Transforming Communities: One Communication Student at a Time.” With your generosity, we raised about $75,000. These funds will go directly toward supporting transformational learning opportunities for our students, such as Andrew Doughman, Damon Di Cicco, and David Krueger.

Lesa Linster (’00) named outstanding alumna

The Department of Communication has named Lesa Linster (BA, 2000), its 2011 Early Career Outstanding Alumna. Linster is the Director of National Camp Erins; Corporate & Foundation Relations at The Moyer Foundation. She is a dedicated volunteer and great friend of the Department.

Posted: April 20, 2011

Erin Mayovsky now Sounders sideline reporter

Erin Mayovsky (BA, 1997) is the newest member of the Sounders FC broadcast team. Hear more from Mayovsky >>

Posted: March 21, 2011

Ellen Cockrill produces Little Engine That Could

Ellen Cockrill (BA, ’80) has produced a new film coming out on DVD March 22, 2011. The Little Engine That Could, a feature-length film based on the classic children’s book, has an all-star cast including Whoopi Goldberg and Jamie Lee Curtis. Produced in conjunction with the Starlight Foundation, the film is targeted to kids 4-8 years old and moves along well so parents will enjoy it, too.

Cockrill is Senior Vice President for Animation Production at Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Earlier projects include Curious George on PBS, winner of a 2010 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Animated Program and nominee for a 2011 award; and The New Woody Woodpecker Show on Fox Kids.”

Posted: March 21, 2011

Professor of online courses wins teaching award

From a student’s perspective, taking an online course can be intimidating. Without the direct interaction that a traditional classroom setting provides, online courses can inhibit communication between professor and student, and eradicate the supportive relationships students have with one another. However, if Linda Lawson (PhD, 1988) is teaching the online course, students find they can get all of the advantages of being in a classroom, if not more. That could be why Lawson won a UW Professional & Continuing Education Excellence in Teaching Award for 2010. Read more >>

Posted: March 17, 2011

Seattle: A New Media Case Study

Mike Fancher, retired executive editor of the Seattle Times, has written “Seattle: A New Media Case Study” as part of “The State of the News Media 2011,” an annual report released by the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism.

Posted: March 14, 2011

Profile: Hogan (’02) finds time to ‘pay it forward’

Jenni Hogan (BA, 2002) is a wearer of many hats, as she puts it. She is the star personality for KIRO-7’s traffic team, a social media maven, a mentor, community activist, public speaker, entrepreneur, and a full-time wife and mother to a 10-month-old baby girl — certainly enough roles for a closet full of hats (something this fashionista surely wouldn’t mind).

One of Hogan’s biggest professional ventures is Go Girl Academy, a ten-week course for women in all stages of their professional lives, built on the idea of paying it forward.

• Read more and watch video of Jenni at KIRO >>

Posted: March 4, 2011

Profile: Heuston (’97) puts creativity to work

Returning to the Communications Building was like a flashback for Andrea Heuston (BA, 1997). Heuston had come back to her old stomping grounds to participate in a panel for Professional Development Week on January 27: “Turning Entrepreneurialism into a Paycheck.” Today, the founder of Artitudes Design and one of the “Top 40 Business Leaders Under 40″ has accomplished a lot, but she’s learned to adapt along the way. She has learned that attaining success in all areas of life is all about balance. Read more >>

Posted: February 9, 2011

Bryan Monroe named editor of CNNPolitics.com

Award-winning journalist Bryan Monroe (’87) has joined CNN as editor of CNNPolitics.com. In this newly created role, Monroe will lead the editorial planning and content strategy for CNN’s online and mobile political coverage from the network’s D.C. bureau.

Most recently, Monroe was a visiting professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, and is a former president of NABJ, the National Association of Black Journalists. Also, while at Knight-Ridder in 2005, he helped lead the team in Biloxi, Miss., that won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal for their coverage of Hurricane Katrina. Read more >>

Posted: January 10, 2011

Assunta Ng named Odegaard Award recipient

Assunta Ng (MA, 1979) is the 2011 recipient of the University of Washington’s Charles E. Odegaard Award. Ng is founder and publisher of the Seattle Chinese Post and Northwest Asian Weekly and has devoted her life to promoting and mentoring women and youth.

Established in 1973, the Odegaard award honors individuals whose leadership in the community exemplifies the late UW President Charles Odegaard’s work on behalf of diversity. It is the only University and community-selected award, and is regarded as the highest achievement in diversity at the UW. Ng joins a long list of civic leaders who have received the award, including former Seattle mayor Norm Rice and Washington state representative Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney.

She was inducted into the UW Department of Communication Alumni Hall of Fame in 2004 and was named a UW Department of Communication Distinguished Alumna in 2005.

The award will be presented on May 5. Read more >>

Posted: January 7, 2011