December 2011

Alumnus hits high note in journalism

Throughout his life, Doug Ramsey (BA, 1956) has followed the journalism career path. After graduating from the UW, he worked at the Seattle Times before joining the Marine Corps. A stint managing the armed forces radio station in Japan sparked an interest in broadcast. Today, a lifetime love for jazz is reflected in his blog Rifftides, voted 2010 blog of the year by the Jazz Journalists Association. He’s become an award-winning author on the topic, receiving the Lifetime Achievement award from the Jazz Journalist Association in 2003. His two books are Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond, published in 2005,and Jazz Matters: Reflections on the Music and Some of its Makers, published in 1989. Read more.

Domke Research Group emphasizes teamwork

When he became Department Chair a few years ago, Professor David Domke faced a challenge: Would he be able to carve out time to continue mentoring graduate students that he advises? He knew he needed to be creative. And that’s how the Domke Research Group was born. The Domke Research Group is a tight-knit group advised by Domke, who is in his third year as Chair of the Department of Communication. Students meet once a week to read over each other’s work, provide feedback, and talk about how each person can improve. What started out as a time-saving resolution for Domke developed into an indispensable tool and asset for everyone in the group, Domke included. Read more.

Domke to present presidential election series

The 2012 presidential election is coming up fast, and heated debate over the federal debt and the rise of the Tea Party will play huge roles in the election’s outcome. This winter, Communication Department Professor and Chair David Domke, a well-known authority in political leadership, news coverage and social change, will weigh in when he lectures on “Visions of America: Barack Obama, the Tea Party, and the 2012 Presidential Election,” presented by Seattle Arts & Lectures and the UW Alumni Association. UWAA members receive a discount. Read more.

Young alums pay it forward

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.

Alumni honored at Hall of Fame

Rain was in the forecast for the evening of Oct. 19, but it turned into a cool and calm night. Buzzing excitement built as alumni and friends filtered into the Center for Urban Horticulture at the UW Botanic Gardens. The Department of Communication honored six new inductees into the Alumni Hall of Fame. The 2011 inductees include Hal Newsom (B.A., 1952), Betty Houchin Winfield (Ph.D., 1978), Jack Geraghty (B.A., 1956), Shelby Gilje (B.A., 1958), Tony Angell (B.A., 1962), and Terry Tazioli (B.A., 1970). Read more.