Comm Blog from Penn State

ComMedia Continues Complete Coverage

2012-01-27T10:03:00.005-05:00

College of Communications students continue to provide complete coverage of the passing of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno.

ComMedia

With photo galleries, stories and video, student journalists covered "A Memorial for Joe" from many angles. Additional work will be showcased on the "Centre County Report," which airs on Campus Cable, WPSU-TV and online.

The memorial service itself, conducted Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Bryce Jordan Center on campus, also featured many communications-related alumni. Speakers included a representative player from each decade during Paterno's coaching career. Among the speakers were three members of the advisory board for the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism -- Charlie Pittman (1960s), Jimmy Cefalo (1970s) and Todd Blackledge (1980s) -- and Michael Robinson (2000s), who earned two degrees from the College of Communications.

Several media outlets -- including GoPSUSports.com (with the Big Ten Network coverage) -- have much of the memorial service available for online viewing and WTAJ-TV is selling DVDs of its coverage with all proceeds to benefit the Penn State Dance Marathon.

BTN to Air 'A Memorial for Joe' Live, Online

2012-01-26T08:22:00.005-05:00

The Big Ten Network will provide live coverage on TV and online of "A Memorial for Joe" at 2 p.m. Thursday. LINK HERE

The memorial service at the Bryce Jordan Center is expected to draw a capacity crowd to the Bryce Jordan Center on campus. Tickets for the event were made available online Monday, and they were all distributed in minutes.

Along with BTN, the service will be televised live by WJAC-TV (Channel 6) in Altoona/Johnstown, WTAJ-TV (Channel 10) in Altoona/State College and on ESPN Radio 1450 in State College.

Players from every decade of Paterno's career are scheduled to speak at the event -- among them Jimmy Cefalo (1970s, a College of Communications alumnus and member of the advisory board for the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism). Sixteeen members of the Penn State Glee Club were selected to sing the alma mater at the service.

After all of the other speakers has finished, Jay Paterno will eulogize his father.

Alumni, Students Provide Paterno Perspectives

2012-01-22T19:52:00.009-05:00

With the death of legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, reaction and support have poured in from across the country -- from every conceivable corner. That includes Penn State alumni, coaching colleagues, former student-athletes, media members and many more.

A sampling of some of those reactions from College of Communications alumni, faculty, friends and students includes:

Knight Chair Malcolm Moran, director of the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism, writes "Paterno lived and died with football" for the Philadelphia Inquirer;

ongoing, updated coverage by students on ComMedia;

commentary and video from Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who was part of a made-for-TV program sponsored by the Curley Center last June;

a column by alumnus Bob McKinnon ('90 Adv/PR) about the final judgment of Paterno; and

a report about the coach's death by Mike Poorman ('82 Journ), director of alumni relations for the college, on StateCollege.com.

Alumni Roll Out Red Carpet for THON in L.A.

2012-01-20T13:00:00.002-05:00

Alumni and friends of Penn State living in Southern California plan to roll out the red carpet for the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon with a special event in January.

With a Mini-THON, celebrity appearances and silent auction at the historic Avalon Hollywood on Jan. 29, organizers hope the event -- dubbed "Lights. Camera. Cure." will drive even more support for the Four Diamonds Fund, Dance Marathon and the fight against pediatric cancer.

"We had a small gathering last year to raise money for THON and we wanted to do something bigger this year," said Erica Wernick, a Penn Stater who serves as co-chair of the event with Gary Werkheiser, a 1981 Penn State graduate with a degree in accounting. "We came up with the idea to do a Mini-THON, Hollywood style because we wanted a fun, exciting event."

Participants will be dancing for six hours at the Avalon Hollywood, which was the site of the Beatles' first performance on the West Coast in 1964. During the club's rich history it has served as the site of Merv Griffin's talk show and performances by the Rolling Stones, Prince Tina Turner, Nine Inch Nails and many other legendary groups and musicians during the past four decades.

Information about the event supported by the Los Angeles Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association may be found at www.lightscameracure.com online. Organizers -- a group that includes many who danced or helped with THON as undergraduates -- hope to attract as many as 100 dancers and 500 guests for the event.

THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, is a yearlong effort to raise funds ans awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. Since 1977, THON has raised more than $78 million for The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.

THON 2012 will take place Feb. 17-19 in the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus. For more information, visit www.THON.org online.

ComRadio Students Conduct Q&A with Washington Post's Sally Jenkins About Paterno

2012-01-16T09:52:00.006-05:00

A pair of proactive reporters for ComRadio scored an interview with Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post minutes before her story about Joe Paterno (the first public comments by the former Penn State football coach) went public this past weekend.

LISTEN HERE

The reporters, Will Jungels and Patrick Woo, conducted a thoughtful and thorough Q&A during 15 minutes with Jenkins.

The discussion started with questions about how she secured the interview, and touched on a range of topics, including Paterno's, his relationship with Jerry Sandusky, his thoughts about the University, the hiring of Bill O'Brien as his success and a number of related topics.

ComRadio is the Internet-based, student-directed radio station operated by the College of Communications.

Alumna's Video Featured on J&J YouTube Site

2012-01-15T22:08:00.006-05:00

Months after the completion of her internship at Johnson & Johnson last year, alumna Kristen Prazenica ('11 PR) continues to make an impact.

A video she produced for the J&J's has been featured on the company's Health Channel on YouTube and has been embedded on the O'Dwyer PR Insider site online.

The video, titled "Learning PR Skills at J&J," may be found HERE as well.

Goodbye YELLOWBRICKROAD ...

2012-01-12T12:55:00.005-05:00

Alumnus Bob McKinnon ('90 Adv) has rebranded and renewed his successful cause-communications company as GALEWiLL Design.

Formerly YELLOWBRICKROAD Communications, the restructured GALEWiLL Design consists of:

1) GALEWiLL Design, a for-profit/for-purpose company that designs social change programs, communications, advocacy and action. A gallery of its work may be found at www.galewill.com online.

2) The GALEWiLL Center for Opportunity and Progress, which will be a non-profit ogranization whose purposed is to create and advance research, content and programs with the potential to move the world forward. It is established as a private operating foundation and will invest in ideas, people and organizations that empower others to improve their station in life. More about the center maybe be found at www.galewill.org online.

"As a small company that first sought to use communications to address children's issues we have been in a perpetual process of growth, to the point of outgrowing our original skin. Our new name and organizational structure better capture and reflect the diversity of our experience, our partners and our purpose," McKinnon said. "We have expanded from creating communications for causes to designing entire social change programs -- on issues as diverse as childhood obesity and climate change.

"Our partners have grown to include some of the country's brightest minds and largest socially minded organizations. And finally, while our purpose has always been to make a difference in the lives of those we serve, we have seen a specific focus taking shape that seeks to discover and advance new ways that move people's lives forward."

Memorial Service for Hall Set Thursday

2012-01-10T11:55:00.002-05:00

A memorial service for faculty member Jeanne Hall, who died unexpectedly Dec. 23, 2011, will be conducted at 5 p.m. Thursday in Carnegie Cinema.

Hall, 53, was an associate professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies. She joined the Penn State faculty in 1992 and taught film theory, history and criticism. She received a number of honors as a faculty member, including the College of Communications Alumni Society’s Excellence in Teaching Award.

"Jeanne, as my friend and colleague, was simply fantastic. She was so very wise, genuine, sensitive, supportive, cheerful, optimistic, creative, fun, smart, spunky and just plain wonderful," said Michelle Rodino-Colocino, an assistant professor of media studies.

The memorial service is open to all members of the Penn State community.

Prior to joining the Penn State faculty, Hall taught at the Ohio University School of Film and edited a quarterly film journal, Wide Angle. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Michigan, and a doctorate in film studies from the University of Wisconsin.

She is survived by her parents, Clark and Joyce Hall, West Bloomfield, Mich.; sisters, Kathleen (Frank) Gariepy, and Cheryl (David) Lindsay; brothers, Mark (Jodi) Hall, Thomas Hall, and James (Kristin) Hall, all of Michigan. She is also survived by Jean Stobart Hall, and her former husband, Ron Bettig.

Condolences may be shared online at the website of the Koch Funeral Home in State College.

Students Set to Cover Championship Game

2012-01-06T08:44:00.002-05:00

Two communications students will get an unrivaled hands-on opportunity when they cover college football's national championship game and events surrounding it as part of a partnership crafted by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism.

The students -- Shane Hennigan (photo, left) of Dunmore, Pa., and Shane McGregor of Ebensburg, Pa. -- will write stories surrounding the Jan. 9 college college football national championship game in New Orleans. Their work will be included in official Bowl Championship Series outlets and publications and will be available at http://comm.psu.edu/sports and https://blogs.comm.psu.edu/bcs online.

"They have earned this opportunity through outstanding work in class and professional opportunities," said Malcolm Moran, the Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society and Curley Center director, who will accompany the students during their trip. "After covering national championship games as far back as 30 years ago, it will be great fun for me to see this event through their eyes."

Such experiences for the most capable students are an integral part of programming for the Curley Center. Five students covered the Pan Am Games in October and two students covered the NCAA Final Four in April 2011 as part of similar partnerships.

Hennigan, a senior telecommunications major, and McGregor, a junior majoring in journalism and English, were part of a team of students during the fall semester that completed an independent study and wrote stories for the sports department of the Centre Daily Times.

McGregor, a reserve quarterback on the Penn State football team, was one of five students honored earlier this year with a $5,000 scholarship from the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation as part of a national essay competition.

He became the third Penn State student to earn a scholarship from the foundation in the past five years. Previous winners were Josh Moyer in 2007 and Mark Viera in 2008. Only two other schools -- Trinity College of Connecticut, which has a winner designated each year as a tribute to Murray's alma mater, and the University of Montana -- have produced as many winners in the competition the past five years.

The Center for Sports Journalism became the first of its kind when it was established in 2003. Three years later it was named for Curley, who in more than five decades served as a reporter, editor, publisher and, ultimately, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the Gannett Co. he was the first editor of USA Today.

Gifted Faculty Member Dies Unexpectedly

2012-01-02T09:14:00.005-05:00

Jeanne Lynn Hall, a respected faculty member in the College of Communications, died unexpectedly Dec. 23 at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College. She was 53.

Hall was an associate professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies. She joined the Penn State faculty in 1992 and taught film theory, history and criticism. She received a number of honors as a faculty member, including the College of Communications Alumni Society’s Excellence in Teaching Award.

"Jeanne was a dedicated member of our faculty who always placed her students first. She cared deeply about them -- and it showed, whether she was teaching small honors courses to undergraduates; working with graduate students in seminars; or teaching hundreds of students in large lecture formats,” said Dean Doug Anderson. “Her students thought the world of her and profited greatly from her knowledge and her enthusiasm. She was a wonderful colleague."

Prior to joining the Penn State faculty, Hall taught at the Ohio University School of Film and edited a quarterly film journal, Wide Angle. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Michigan, and a doctorate in film studies from the University of Wisconsin.

A memorial service will be conducted at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, in Carnegie Cinema (113 Carnegie Building). Condolences may be shared online at the website of the Koch Funeral Home in State College.

Cable Pioneer, Faculty Member Dies at 95

2011-12-28T12:54:00.004-05:00

Former College of Communications faculty member and television pioneer E. Stratford "Strat" Smith -- the man whose legal advice and approach opened the door for the growth of cable television across the country -- died Dec. 25, 2011. He was 95.

Smith, who worked for the Federal Communications Commission, served in the Navy and started his own law firm, was perhaps best known for a 1968 Supreme Court case, "Fortnightly Corp. v. United Artists Television." Led by Smith, the "master antenna" argument was that the typical cable television setup for communities -- with one master receiver sharing the signal by cable to many subscribers -- did not violate the copyright of those who had created the content.

"Without that ruling, cable night not have gotten off the ground, or might be very different than it is today," said Matt Jackson, an associate professor and head of the Department of Telecommunications at Penn State. "Cable TV started in rural areas, many in Pennsylvania, where people could not pick up good TV reception because they were living in a valley. People were literally sticking a TV antenna on top of a mountain, then running a wire down to the valley to hook up all the houses in the community."

Smith was Born in Brigham City, Utah, and grew up in Utah and Idaho. He studied electrical engineering at the University of Utah before entering law school. In 1941, he transferred to George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

An April 1998 article in Cablevision magazine about the case said: "Fortnightly stands as nothing less than a landmark decision. It paved the way for [cable] industry development and preserved a climate for entrepreneurial adventure and opportunity.

Smith helped found the National Cable Television Center and Museum at Penn State. In 1988, he became the inaugural holder of the Pioneers Chair in Cable Telecommunications, a position he held until his retirement in 2011. In 1999, Smith, along with Ted Turner and John Malone, founder of media giant Tele-Communications Inc., were among the first 10 people named to the Cable Hall of Fame.

Donation's in Smith's honor and memory may be made to: the Resurrection Orthodox Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 5173, Bellefonte, PA 16823; Centre LifeLink EMS, P.O. Box 272, State College, PA 16804; Mount Nittany Medical Center, 1800 E. Park Ave., State College, PA 16803; or the College of Communications, 100 Old Main, University Park, PA 16801.

'Communicator' Offers Glimpse of College

2011-12-27T21:00:00.007-05:00

Feature stories about the record-setting and successful internship program in the College of Communications, service-learning initiatives led by numerous faculty members and the impact of communications students in leading a candlelight vigil on campus are just part of an information-packed edition of The Communicator, which will arrive in mailboxes for alumni and friends in early January.

The Winter 2011 edition of the College magazine includes information about activities and events on campus during the fall semester and looks ahead and coming events in the spring.

In addition, the 68-page magazine includes an abundance of alumni information (awards, features and notes) as well as the annual "Honor Roll" of donors to the College.

Along with being mailed to alumni and friends, as well as to the homes of current students, the magazine may be found at issuu.com/psucomm online.

Open publication - Free publishing

Initiative, Social Media Stunt Spark Job Offer

2011-12-19T15:34:00.009-05:00

When the Philadelphia 76ers announced plans for fan voting in a contest to name a mascot for the team, they thought they had the bases covered in a pretty typical approach to interaction between a sports team and is fan base.

Alumnus Jerry Rizzo ('11 Adv/PR) helped them fine tune things a bit.

Among the options for the fan vote were Phil E. Moose and B. Franklin Dogg. It was Rizzo, not the team, who took the initiative and created Twitter accounts for the prospective mascots. He started tweeting to drive votes for each of them.

While team officials appreciated the publicity the accounts brought to the process, they also wanted control of things themselves.

So, after Rizzo and a friend had driven hundreds of people to follow the prospective mascots, team officials offered to exchange information about the sites for some season tickets.

Rizzo accepted the offer -- but team owner Adam Aron had more in mind. He contacted Rizzo and offered a full-time job as the team's social media coordinator. As the Sixers prepare for the NBA season that opens for them on Dec. 26, Rizzo has been working to drive even more attention and interest about the team.

Commencement Exercises Set Saturday

2011-12-14T11:33:00.005-05:00

The latest class of College of Communications students will participate in fall semester commencement exercises at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Undergraduate degree recipients from the College of Arts and Architecture, College of Communications, College of Education, College of Health and Human Development, College of the Liberal Arts, Eberly College of Science and School of Nursing will participate in the session.

An earlier session, beginning at 9 a.m. in the BJC, will be conducted for other University Park undergraduates.

More than 2,700 degrees will be conferred at the two events and the Graduate School ceremony at 4 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium. President Rodney Erickson will preside over all the sessions.

Overall, Penn State expects to award approximately 4,725 diplomas to students across the University. That includes 272 associate, 3,499 bachelor's, 720 master's, two medical, 13 law and 219 doctoral degrees. Through the end of summer 2011, Penn State had conferred a total of 682,318 degrees.

During the 12:30 p.m. undergraduate ceremony, the keynote speaker will be Gary Orfield, co-founder and director of The Civil Rights Project. He will be awarded an honorary degree as a doctor of humane letters.

Photog Captures 'Faces' of Marcellus Shale

2011-12-07T08:30:00.007-05:00

Faculty member John Beale, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism and former chief photographer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette who teaches introductory and advanced courses in photojournalism, compiled a photo essay for Pittsburgh Quarterly focusing on "Faces of The Marcellus Shale."

In the past several years, ancient organic matter trapped more than a mile beneath the surface of the earth has changed life in western Pennsylvania. Vast deposits of natural gas deep in rock, known collectively as Marcellus Shale, have brought many changes.

They include an economic boom to many (from landowners to supporting businesses), emotional debates about environmental impact for others and obvious challenges in terms of infrastructure throughout the region.

Beale's essay in the Winter 2012 edition of Pittsburgh Quarterly takes a look at nearly two dozen people who have a stake in the ongoing situation.

Beale's photography has been honored with numerous national awards, including two Sigma Delta Chi Awards, the Community Service Photojournalism Award from the American Society of Newspaper Editors and honored as Photo of the Year by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2010, he received the College of Communications Deans' Excellence Award for Integrated Scholarship.

Six Selected as Part of AAF Program

2011-12-05T09:08:00.001-05:00

For the seventh consecutive year, College of Communications students were honored by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) in its Most Promising Minority Students Program.

Penn State had five finalists among the 50 selected nationally. Another student was named to the “honor roll.”

The program, managed by the AAF Mosaic Center on Multiculturalism, aims to promote an advertising industry workforce that reflects society’s diversity. It connects recruiters and agencies in the industry with talented students.

To be considered for the program, students must possess a high grade-point average, complete an essay about creating a more inclusive environment in the marketing and communications field and submit a letter of nomination.

Senior lecturer Ken Yednock, who serves as Penn State’s AAF chapter adviser, nominated the students.

All six students will travel to New York City for the award ceremony -- scheduled Feb. 1-3, 2012 -- where they will network with executives and minority industry pioneers. The conference gives students a glimpse of the ad business by visiting the nation’s top ad agencies, advertisers and media companies.

In the past seven years, Penn State has produced 30 honorees (22 national finalists, eight honor roll selections) in the AAF program.

Respected Faculty Member on Search Committee

2011-11-30T07:57:00.003-05:00

Professor Emeritus John S. Nichols was named as a member of the University's search committee for the next football coach at Penn State.

Nichols, a member of the faculty from 1977 until his retirement last year, held many leadership positions in the College of Communications and at Penn State during his career. For example, he served as chair of the University Faculty Senate, a member of the Faculty Advisory Committee to the President and associate dean for graduate studies and research in the College.

Nationally, he serves as chair of the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics.

Other members of the committee that will select the 15th head coach in the 125-year history of the Penn State football program are:

-- Linda Caldwell, the University's faculty athletics representative to the NCAA;

-- Charmelle Green, associate athletic director and senior woman administrator;

-- Ira Lubert, chairman and co-founder, Independence Capital Partners and Lubert Adler Partners; and

-- Russ Rose, coach of the four-time defending national champion women's volleyball team.

Acting Director of Athletics Dave Joyner leads the committee.

Alum Helps 'LiveBIG' Focus on THON

2011-11-23T18:17:00.005-05:00

"LiveBIG" -- which airs on the Big Ten Network and tells the inspirational stories of students and alumni making a difference in their communities and changing the world every day by living big -- focuses on the Penn State Dance Marathon in its latest installment.

The THON piece was produced by College of Communications alumnus Bob McKinnon ('90 Adv) or Yellowbrickroad. His company works with government organizations, nonprofit groups and corporations to create communications programs that improve the lives of children and their families. McKinnon has years of experience designing social change programs for a range of organizations, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Boys Club of New York and many more.

VIDEO: BTN "LiveBig"

THON 2012 will take place Feb. 17-19 at the Bryce Jordan Center on campus at Penn State. Since its inception, THON has raised more than $78 million to fight pediatric cancer. It is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.

Internship Program Sets Record for Fall

2011-11-17T08:29:00.002-05:00

Thanks to the strong support of employers from around the region and country—and to the equally strong dedication and skill sets of our students—the number of for-credit internships completed during the fall semester in the College of Communications has reached a record level.

The 161 students completing internships eclipses the previous record of 149, set last fall.

A committed, full-time staff of three drives the thriving operation in the Office of Internships and Career Services in the College of Communications. Under the direction of Assistant Dean Bob Martin, the number of internships has increased steadily the past 12 years. In 1999-2000, 275 students completed for-credit internships. During the most recent academic year, 2009-2010, the number surged to 659.

Internship sites range from on-campus locations at Penn State to professional settings in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and many, many more. With a database of thousands of internship sites, students can select locations that interest them and then work closely with Martin, Colette Rodger and Stephanie Girouard to find an opportunity that matches their interest.

Overall, the emphasis on internships represents an integral part of a well-rounded approach to success stressed by the College of Communications.

Faculty Member Authors Blog for CNN Site

2011-11-14T08:43:00.003-05:00

CNN launched "Schools of Thought," a blog covering education from a variety of perspectives that includes people, policies and practices, on Monday -- and a faculty member from the College of Communications authored the first lead piece for the site.

Senior lecturer Steve Manuel, a former public affairs officer for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Marine Corps spokesman who teaches public relations and photojournalism, addresses the initial PR approach related to the scandal at Penn State that became public last week.

Message from Rod Erickson, Interim President

2011-11-10T14:46:00.002-05:00

A message from Rod Erickson, interim president of Penn State:

"Penn State has a long and storied tradition that has endured for more than 150 years. Our roots are deep, our constitution is resilient, and the importance of our work is as vital today as it was last week -- perhaps even more so in the face of such adversity. We are 96,000 students, 46,000 employees, and more than a half a million alumni. We are 24 campuses across the Commonwealth and a World Campus. We are a university that is committed to its core values of honesty, integrity, and community. We are a university that will rebuild the trust and confidence that so many people have had in us for so many years."

Dr. Erickson's complete message -- http://live.psu.edu/story/56307#rss49

Debut Nears as Students Get 'In the Game'

2011-11-09T15:49:00.009-05:00

Another showcase opportunity for College of Communications students -- a sports television show focusing on in-depth issues and storytelling -- will make its debut Wednesday, Nov. 16.

"In the Game" will allow students to conduct long-form stories and tackle topical issues.

Segments included the initial show focus on:

-- Penn State men's basketball coach Patrick Chambers and an attack that threatened his life;

-- high school coach Cindy Solic, who has not faltered in her commitment to her team through incredible personal and professional hardships; and

-- a personal trainer's motivation of young athletes through discipline, honor and integrity.

The show will be available on psucommedia.com online, ComMedia HD and Campus Cable at Penn State.

Former Spokesperson to Address Ethics

2011-11-07T11:42:00.002-05:00

The former U.S. government spokesperson who criticized the Army for its treatment of a military prisoner accused of leaking classified documents to the media will discuss that incident and the related outcome -- including the loss of his job -- at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, when he presents the Ben Bronstein Lecture in Ethics and Public Relations.

P.J. Crowley, former assistant secretary of state for public affairs and spokesman for the U.S. Department of State, will present a free public lecture titled "The Right to Know and the Need to Share: Sustaining a Credible Strategic Narrative in the Age of Terror, Political Turmoil and WikiLeaks" in the HUB-Robeson Center Auditorium.

Crowley was at the center of a heated incident in March when he criticized the Army's treatment of military prisoner Bradley Manning, who was accused of leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks. Crowley's critical remarks, made during a seminar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, led to his resignation.

The Ben Bronstein Lecture in Ethics and Public Relations is presented by the Don Davis Program in Ethical Leadership and the College of Communications.

Abrams' 'Pastor's Wife' Set for Debut

2011-11-04T14:41:00.002-04:00

"The Pastor's Wife," the latest film from Gerry Abrams, a 1961 grad and an Emmy Award-winning producer, airs this weekend on Lifetime.

Show times ...

-- 5 p.m. Saturday

-- Midnight Saturday

-- 8 p.m. Sunday

It stars Rose McGowan, and is based on the true story of Matthew Winkler, a beloved minister who, in 2006, was found shot and killed in his Selmer, Tenn., home, with his wife and young daughters missing.

Says Gerry: "It's very much in the spirit of 'The Burning Bed'"

Trailer/Preview

Alumna, Friends Launch Effort to Create Scholarship for Interns in Memory of Pat Boland

2011-11-04T09:32:00.007-04:00

Several College of Communications alumni have already pledged support to the Pat Boland Memorial Internship Award, created in memory of their fellow alumnus -- a longtime State College radio reporter who died this summer after battling cancer.

Boland ('91 Journ), a hard-working and well-respected radio veteran, made Happy Valley his home after he graduated from Penn State. He covered everything from crime to sports, invariably bringing an upbeat approach and sly wit to the long hours associated with his job.

His friends and former colleagues hope to honor Boland's memory with an endowment that will support internships for students interested in radio. More details about the effort may be found at www.patboldandscholarship.com online.

Alumna Sara Ganim ('08 Journ) and Gary Sinderson of WJAC-TV guided the effort, which must raise $20,000 for the award to be fully endowed and begin supporting students.

Donations to support the effort may be directed to: Kevin Musick, c/o Penn State College of Communications, 302 James Building, University Park, PA 16802. Also, questions may be directed to Musick by calling (814) 865-8801.

Along with the website -- www.patboldandscholarship.com -- the fundraising effort also has a Facebook page.

PRSSA Chapter Wins National Competition

2011-11-03T15:02:00.002-04:00

The Penn State chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) won first place in a national competition to create an awareness and promote family discussion about organ donation.

Groups from PRSSA chapters from across the country were challenged as part of the National Organ Day Awareness Competition. Students were required to conduct a daylong event and maintain a binder of materials that was submitted for judging.

The Penn State chapter focused its efforts on The Gift of Life, a non-profit organ procurement organization based in Philadelphia. In addition, Penn State students, faculty and staff were encouraged to register as organ donors.

“We’ve placed in the top three the last few years,” said Renea Nichols, a senior lecturer in the Department of Public Relations who helped guide students through the process. “The competition is great because it gives students experience from beginning to end and they get feedback from PR professionals.”

Nichols learned about the competition while working as a professor at Arizona State University, where her students also placed in the competition.

“I’m passionate about teaching public relations to my students, and I always want to get them involved,” she said.

Associate professor Ann Marie Major serves as the faculty adviser for Penn State’s Lawrence G. Foster PRSSA chapter, which includes some 300 members.

“We have been very blessed with the quality of students in our program,” said Major. “They bring an intellect and ability to national competitions that few other universities have. We have a great faculty, great administrators and great alumni who support us in every way.”

The competition -- sponsored annually by the PRSSA chapter at Rowan Univesity in Glassboro, N.J. -- allows PRSSA members the chance to enhance their public relations skills and gain experience working on a nationally recognized campaign.

ComRadio Offers 'Katy Perry Week'

2011-10-31T08:41:00.003-04:00

Listeners can win free copies of Katy Perry's double platinum album "Teenage Dream" and other prizes every day as ComRadio presents "Katy Parry Week."

Listeners may hear ComRadio -- the Internet based, student-led radio station based in the College of Communications -- at http://www.psucomradio.com/ online. In addition, they may contact the station by phone (814-865-6007) or by email (morningshow@psu.edu).

Every day this week during "The ComRadio Morning Show," which airs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., two copies of Perry's will be given away. Many other prizes, including ComRadio T-shirts, will be available.

The Monday edition of the show also features a visit from comedian Dave Coulier, who played Joey Gladstone on "Full House." Coulier will visit Penn State on Friday, Nov. 4, for a stand-up comedy show and his visit on ComRadio will preview that visit and update listeners on his career.

Students Covering Pan-Am Games

2011-10-21T08:56:00.003-04:00

Five students from the College of Communications will provide daily coverage of the Pan-Am Games for the U.S. Olympic committee throughout the month of October as part of an exclusive opportunity made possible by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism.

The Games began Oct. 14 in Guadalajara, Mexico, and continue until Oct. 30. Nearly 6,000 athletes from 42 nations will participate in 36 sports during the competition.

As the only U.S. college students with a chance to cover the Games for the USOC, the student journalists will provide as many as five stories per day about the competition. Writing from State College, with coordination from the USOC, sport-specific contacts and athletes on site in Mexico, the students will concentrate on feature material to supplement articles written by USOC staff members.

Coverage will focus on U.S. athletes in qualifying events for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.

Their stories will appear in "USA Daily," which is distributed to media members, sponsors, members of the U.S. delegation for the Games and representatives from nongovernmental bodies -- more than 7,100 people overall. In addition, their work will be posted at USOCPressBox.org online.

Students covering the Games are:

-- Virginia Harrison, 24, from Flourtown, Pa., a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in media studies who earned undergraduate degrees in journalism and history from Penn State in 2008;

-- Jeffrey Lowe, 20, from Cedar Park, Texas, a junior broadcast journalism major;

-- Emily Kaplan, 20, from Montclair, N.J., a junior journalism major;

-- Christine Newby, 21, from Pittsburgh, a senior broadcast journalism major; and

-- Audrey Snyder, 22, from Downingtown, Pa., a senior completing majors in journalism and secondary education/English.

Earlier this year, the Curley Center partnered with the NCAA and two students completed a similar assignment -- providing coverage for the NCAA of the Final Four in Houston. In January, two more students will provide exclusive coverage of the BCS Championship Game and in March and April of 2012, two more will again cover the Final Four, this time in New Orleans.

Complete ComRadio Coverage Continues

2011-10-21T08:40:00.003-04:00

Listeners all over the world know where to find free online play-by-play coverage of Penn State football and varsity sports teams: ComRadio.

ComRadio -- available at http://www.psucomradio.com/ with broadcasts produced by students from the College of Communications -- covers every Penn State football game, most Penn State varsity sporting events on the University Park campus and select events featuring teams from State College Area High School.

The football game at 7 p.m. Saturday, with the Nittany Lions facing Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., highlights this weekend's coverage.

During the first two months of the semester, ComRadio students have covered some four doze events, all live and available online. And people (more than just family and friends) are listening. During the most recent Penn State football broadcast, a home game against Iowa, a Penn State alumnus in Vienna, Austria, was happy to follow the game thanks to ComRadio.

Such stories are common, with listeners from all over the globe tuning into games and events, including the Penn State Dance Marathon, on ComRadio.

Coverage of the football game Saturday night begins with an hour-long pregame show at 6 p.m. Kickoff comes just after 7 p.m.

Faculty Member Ready for Puzzling Competition

2011-10-19T12:57:00.003-04:00

Faculty member Russell Frank, an associate professor in the Department of Journalism, will be participating in a live crossword puzzle competition to benefit the Mid-State Literacy Council on Sunday, Oct. 23.

The inaugural competition -- which begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Schlow Centre Region Library in State College -- will test participants' puzzling abilities as they compete for cash prizes.

To be eligible, puzzlers must collect at least $75 in pledges to further the Mid-State Literacy Council's programs in adult literacy.

Never-before-published puzzles for the competition will be provided by Rich Norris of Tribune Media Services. He's the editor of the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle that appears in the Centre Daily Times.

The Mid-State Literacy Council is a non-profit adult learning agency in State College, with offices in Clearfield and Philipsburg. It offers basic literacy, English as a Second Language and family literacy services.

For more information about the council and the competition visit the Mid-State Literacy Council online.

Royalty Crowned at Homecoming

2011-10-17T09:46:00.004-04:00

After a week of Homecoming events, the king and queen were announced Friday night at the annual Homecoming pep rally in Rec Hall.

Paige Rothaus (senior, advertising) was crowned this year’s Homecoming queen.

The student court waited patiently as members watched several performances from various organizations on campus, including the women’s basketball team. That squad showed off its dance moves while coach Coquese Washington addressed the audience.

“You’re looking at one of the nation’s best teams,” she said. “They’re exciting to watch -- on the court and as friends.”

After hearing the Blue Band, watching the Lionettes dance team and listening to alumni speak about what it was like during their time at Penn State, the Homecoming court was asked to take the stage.

Rene Garcia (senior, forensic chemistry) was crowned king, accepting his crown from last year’s king, Justin Ross.

Rothaus’s mouth dropped when as she heard her name and her family and friends cheered for her victory. Former queen Danielle DaSilva presented Rothaus with the crown, as well as a bouquet of flowers and a sash.

“What an honor,” Rothaus said. “This is a longstanding tradition at Penn State, and I am so excited to be a part of it.”

Homecoming Presence: Communications Students on Court, Ready for Parade Webcast

2011-10-12T12:48:00.004-04:00

Many students from the College of Communications have important and visible roles to play during Homecoming at Penn State.

Three of the 10 Homecoming court members are communications students, and several more students will again produce a live webcast of the Homecoming parade Friday.

Court members are: Shadé Olasimbo (senior-broadcast journalism); Paige Rothaus (senior-advertising/public relations); and Travis Salters (senior-broadcast journalism, African/African American studies). They attribute their involvement on campus, Penn State pride and academic excellence to their appointment to this year’s Homecoming court. The overall theme for Homecoming is "Forever Lions, Endless Pride."

Rothaus, from Huntingdon Valley, Pa., is the president of the Panhellenic Council and a member of Chi Omega Fraternity, the Advertising Club and THON.

Salters, from Bridgeport, Pa., Salters is the president of the National Associated for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Mr. Black Penn State.

As students in the College of Communications, each has some insight as to how to promote themselves and the value of great PR, an aspect of their studies each says will come in handy.

Voting for the Homecoming 2011 King and Queen will remain open until noon Friday, Oct. 14. The winners will be announced after the parade, during a pep rally that should begin around 9 p.m. in Rec Hall.

For more information on court members, visit httpp://homecoming.psu.edu online.

The parade begins at approximately 6 p.m. and last until about 8 p.m., and coverage may be found athttp://psucommedia.com/ and http://homecoming.psu.edu online. This marks the seventh consecutive year communications students have put together the live webcast of the parade.

Students from two separate classes will handle the production. Students in COMM 383A Webcast Production, taught by Maria Cabrera-Baukus, will present the parade itself while students in COMM 466 Public Affairs Reporting, taught by Marea Mannion, will produce supporting features that focus on different aspects of Homecoming and what goes into organizing the event. Mannion’s students will also host the live webcast.

"One of my main goals in class is to provide students with real-world experience, and we have been able to do that with the Homecoming parade for the past several years," said Cabrera-Baukus, a senior lecturer in the Department of Telecommunications. "It's an exciting opportunity for the students and they get to work the event on a couple of different levels. Some produce magazine-show aspects and others handle the live production. Students get a real taste of what a live production entails."

Numerous communications students will gain practical, hands-on experience while producing and hosting the webcast. Three senior journalism majors -- Jim Mowery of Centre Hall, Pa.; Phil Rosentraub of State College, Pa.; and Gabrielle Ziegler of Dix Hill, N.Y. -- will serve as hosts of the live coverage of the nation's largest Homecoming parade. The webcast will originate from a location along Shortlidge Road between the HUB-Robeson Center parking deck and White Building.

Other faculty and staff from the College of Communications involved in the parade webcast include: Matt Jackson, an associate professor and head of the Department of Telecommunications, and Chris Maurer, Karen Mozley-Bryan and Mike Zelazny, who will provide technical support.

"The Homecoming parade webcast and our coverage of the Penn State Dance Marathon are two annual highlights for the Department of Telecommunications," Jackson said. "We're excited to be doing the parade again. Students get to apply the skills they have learned in their courses and produce a live event that will be viewed by Penn State alumni and friends all over the world. It’s a great opportunity for the students to hone their skills and, more importantly, an opportunity to give something back to the community."

Along with the College of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications, the webcast involves collaboration and coordination between several other Penn Sate units, including WPSU-TV, the Office of Physical Plant and Information Technology Services.

Pulitzer Prize Winners Set for Conference

2011-10-10T09:19:00.006-04:00

A pair of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists will visit the University Park campus at Penn State for the renamed Foster-Foreman Conference of Distinguished Writers, interacting with students and participating in free public presentations and question-and-answer sessions this week.

The two-day event features Isabel Wilkerson, author of "The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration," at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, in Heritage Hall of the HUB-Robeson Center and Paige St. John, an investigative reporter for the Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune, at 10:10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, in the HUB-Robeson Center Auditorium.

Wilkerson earned a Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for her coverage of floods in the Midwest and for her profile of a 10-year-old boy who was responsible for his four siblings. St. John was honored earlier this year for investigative reporting in her series "Florida's Insurance Nightmare."

Counting the two visitors this fall, the conference has welcomed 33 Pulitzer Prize winners since its inception in 1999.

Legendary journalist and award-winning Penn State faculty member Gene Foreman, who has guided the conference since it was created and whose connections and universal respect in the journalism community have enabled the twice-a-year event to attract the best writers in the nation, will be honored as well.

Starting with the fall conference, the event has been renamed as the Foster-Foreman Conference of Distinguished Writers. It was previously known as the Foster Conference.

"It's an appropriate and deserved honor," said Doug Anderson, dean of the College of Communications. "Gene Foreman has been the driving force, the heart and soul, of the conference. Because of him, scores of the best writers in the nation have visited campus and thousands of students have benefited from their expertise and presence."

A gift from Penn State alumni Larry and Ellen Foster, who rank among the most consistent and loyal supporters of the University, made the conference possible in 1999.

Larry and Ellen Foster commented: "Gene Foreman has attracted to Penn State a remarkable array of distinguished writers and journalists, more than 30 of whom have won Pulitzer Prizes. We have attended many of the programs and heard students say how inspired they are to be better writers and journalists. No other College of Communications has a program quite like the one Gene Foreman has put together. It is an honor to have him as co-sponsor."

In the College of Communications alone, the Fosters previously have provided funds to endow the Larry and Ellen Foster Professorship in Writing and Editing and to support the twice-a-year conference; they have made major contributions to enhance Carnegie Building's lobby, main conference room and student services area; they have created the Lawrence G. and Ellen M. Foster Scholarship Endowment; they have created the Lawrence G. and Ellen M. Foster Trustee Scholarship Endowment; they have provided a lead gift to establish the Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication; and they have provided significant support for the new multimedia newsroom at Innovation Park.

Larry earned his degree at Penn State in 1948, and Ellen earned her degree in 1949.

Foreman worked 41 years in newspaper journalism -- not counting eight summer jobs in high school and college, or his carrier route before that. He was the managing editor of three newspapers: the Pine Bluff (Ark.) Commercial, the Arkansas Democrat in Little Rock and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Also during his career, he worked as a reporter and assigning editor at the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock, as a copy editor at The New York Times, and as the senior editor in charge of news and copy desks at Newsday on Long Island.

He spent 25 years at The Inquirer under various titles -- managing editor, executive editor and deputy editor. He also was a vice president of the company. He served as a Pulitzer Prize juror three times.

He was the inaugural Foster Professor of Writing and Editing at Penn State, teaching at the University from 1998 to 2006. He was twice honored for excellence in teaching. Since his retirement from full-time teaching, he has served as a visiting professor and has continued to coordinate the conference that now bears his name.

This year's speakers maintain the level of excellence of previous visitors for the event.

Wilkerson, who spent most of her career as a national correspondent and bureau chief at The New York Times, was the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize in journalism and the first black American to win for individual reporting. She also has earned a George S. Polk Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship.

Inspired by her own parents' migration, she devoted 15 years to the research and writing of "The Warmth of Other Suns," which won the 2010 National Book Critics Circle Award for nonfiction. She interviewed more than 1,200 people to tell the epic story of the six million African-Americans who left the South between 1915 and 1970 for new lives in the North and West.

For her Pulitzer Prize-winning effort that was honored this year, St. John conducted a two-year investigation of insurer reliability and created a database that showed the industry was short-changing consumers while escaping any meaningful government oversight.

She has been a working journalist for more than three decades, covering Florida politics, the environment and natural disasters. Her prior posts include statehouse bureau chief for Gannett News Service, environment reporter for The Detroit News, and Traverse City, Mich., correspondent for the Associated Press.

No registration is necessary for this free conference, which is comprised of two lectures and accompanying question-and-answer sessions.

Faculty Member's Photos on 'The Colbert Report'

2011-10-07T12:09:00.009-04:00

Photos taken by Steve Manuel, a senior lecturer in the College of Communications and award-winning photojournalist, will air Friday, Oct. 7, on "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central.

Manuel retired as a major in the Marines 15 years ago, but he continues to tour combat areas in the Middle East as a photojournalist for USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tours. Photos from his 2009 USO tour with Stephen Colbert will be included in the show.

During that USO tour, "The Colbert Report" taped shows in front of U.S. troops in Baghdad -- becoming the first TV show in USO history to produce a week of shows from a combat zone.

Manuel is a former public affairs officer for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Marine Corps spokesman. His primary duty, when not responding to media queries, was writing public affairs guidance for field commands of all the military services for response to any questions from the press on exercises, operations and specific events. He served in many locations throughout the world, including Hawaii, Vietnam, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New York.

Manual, who was commissioned as a major before leaving the Marines, earned both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Penn State. As a faculty member, he teaches photojournalism and public relations methods and problems.

"The Colbert Report," launched Oct. 17, 2005, has garnered ratings and critical success as one of the top shows on television. Since its inception, the series has received a prestigious Peabody Award for Excellence in Broadcasting in 2008 and 18 Primetime Emmy nominations. In 2010, Colbert and his writing team won the show's second Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program.

Hispanic Heritage Presentation Features Frost

2011-10-06T19:49:00.004-04:00

Carmen Frost from the Office of Multicultural Affairs in the College of Communications will be the featured presenter at 6:30 p.m. Friday for Hispanic Heritage Month activities coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Her free public presentation will be conducted in Carnegie Cinema.

The session also includes a tango and a tango and salsa demonstration by the Penn State Ballroom Dance Club.

Participants Featured in Online Photo Album

2011-10-06T19:43:00.006-04:00

The faculty and staff members from the College of Communications who participated in the annual Centre County United Way Day of Caring on Thursday were among a handful of Penn State employees featured in an online photo album about the day.

-- LINK TO STILL LIFE ON PENN STATE LIVE --

The team from the College of Communications worked at the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg. They sanded, scraped and painted park benches on the museum property.

Palmer Lecture: "Technology Leadership and Collaboration in a Connected World"

2011-10-05T14:40:00.005-04:00

The president and CEO of Verizon Wireless will address "Technology Leadership and Collaboration in a Connected World" during the Palmer Chair Lecture in Telecommunications, a free public lecture, at 4 p.m. Thursday in Carnegie Cinema.

-- VIEW LECTURE LIVE ONLINE HERE --

Dan Mean, a Penn State alumnus, has served as president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless -- the largest wireless company in the United States with 106 million wireless connections and $63.4 billion in annual sales -- since 2010.

Prior to his present position, Mead served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Verizon Wireless; president of Verizon Telecom, an organization that delivers telephone, Internet and entertainment services to millions of residential and business customers across 25 states and the District of Columbia; and president of Verizon Services Corp., where he was responsible for managing finance operations, real estate and supply services for all Verizon companies.

Mead earned a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in quantitative business analysis and finance from Penn State. He has remained actively involved with the University over the years and serves on the Penn State Corporate Campaign Committee. In 2010, he helped establish a grant partnership with Penn State to create a PBS documentary about domestic violence prevention, a cause supported by Verizon's HopeLine program.

The University named Mead an Alumni Fellow in 2008. He received the Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor given to a graduate of the University, in 2010.

The Palmer Chair in Telecommunications Studies, and associated programing such as the Palmer Chair Lecture, was created in 1988 win initial contributions of $1.5 million from State College residents and cable television pioneers James R. and Barbara R. Palmer.

Faculty-Staff to Participate in Day of Caring

2011-10-05T08:38:00.002-04:00

Nearly a dozen faculty and staff members from the College of Communications will participate in the annual Day of Caring conducted Thursday by the Centre County United Way.

Through the effort, thousands of volunteers fan out across Centre County and conduct small projects for non-profit groups supported by the United Way, or other organizations that simply need a helping hand and manpower for projects at their respective sites. In 2010, more than 1,375 volunteers participated, working on 129 different projects.

Volunteers from the College of Communications will be working at the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, sanding and staining park benches on the site.

'CCR' Offers Fun Look at Penn State QB Battle

2011-10-03T10:40:00.011-04:00

It's fall in Happy Valley and that means Penn State football. This season it has meant much discussion and reaction regarding the battle to play quarterback for the Nittany Lions, too.

Through the first five games of the season, redshirt junior Matt McGloin and sophomore Rob Bolden have shared snaps.

While the situation has prompted sometimes heated reaction on campus and beyond, a crew from "Centre County Report," the weekly TV news program produced by College of Communications students, recently got the two QBs to sit down and "decide" the matter themselves.

VIDEO LINK

TV Show Focuses on Media Effects Lab

2011-09-30T11:07:00.006-04:00

During a interview with Distinguished Professor S. Shyam Sundar, "Central PA Live" on WJAC-TV focuses on the Media Effects Research Laboratory and its cutting-edge research.

Sundar is the founder and a co-director of the laboaratory, a leading facility of its kind in the country. He teaches courses in the psychology of communication technology, mass-communication theory, and research methodology.

His current work, and much of that in the lab, is quite interdisciplinary. Sundar investigates social and psychological effects of technological elements unique to web-based mass communication. In particular, his studies experimentally investigate the effects of interactivity, navigability, multi-modality and agency (source attribution) in Web interfaces upon users' thoughts, emotions and actions.

LINK HERE

'Conversation' Features Two Basketball Experts

2011-09-30T10:53:00.001-04:00

Two nationally respected basketball experts will be featured in a free public program organized by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism and presented at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5.

"A Conversation with Mike Breen and Jim O'Connell" will be conducted in Kern Auditorium (112 Kern Building) on the University Park campus. Malcolm Moran, the Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society and director of the Curley Center, will moderate the session.

Breen has been the lead voice for ESPN/ABC on its coverage of the National Basketball Association, including the NBA Finals, since 2003. Before that, he amassed 12 seasons of NBA play-by-play experience, working national telecasts for NBC Sports and New York Knicks games for Madison Square Garden television and radio networks.

Breen also has done NFL play-by-play for NBC Sports and Fox Sports. In 1998, the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association named Breen "Broadcaster of the Year" in his native state of New York.

Jim O'Connell was the winner of the 2002 Curt Gowdy Print Media Award for outstanding lifetime coverage of basketball and has covered more Olympic basketball than any reporter in history. He serves as the national college basketball editor for the Associated Press and was president of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association from 1997-98. He has been on the Associated Press Staff since 1978.

Along with his induction into the media wing of the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, O’Connell received the Big East Media Award in 2001 and was honored as the NIT National Man of the Year in 1997.

The Curley Center’s "Conversation Series" has attracted visitors such as: Bob Costas, Brent Musburger, John Feinstein and Chris Fowler. Other participants in recent center programs include: Todd Blackledge, George Bodenheimer, Matt Millen, Bob Ryan, Lisa Salters, Jon Saraceno and Rick Telander.

Students Showcase Skills in Classes, on TV

2011-09-27T15:38:00.005-04:00

Students in every major in the College of Communications have many opportunities to showcase their skills with hands-on work, and those opportunities come with professional-level expectations.

For example, at this point of the semester, students in the class (COMM 480 Television News) that produce the weekly "Centre County Report" newscast have two complete shows -- that's news, sports and weather -- under their belts.

In addition, students in capstone classes in other majors have already started work on projects with nonprofit partners or "clients" as they work to create everything from advertising campaigns and public relations events and programs to public-service documentary films and market studies.

Some samples -- especially multimedia journalism -- may be found on ComMedia, the showcase site for student work.

'SNL' Director Don King Earns Emmy Award

2011-09-18T22:35:00.003-04:00

Alumnus Don King, the director of "Saturday Night Live," earned the Emmy Award for "Directing, Variety, Music or Comedy Series" during the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night.

King, who earned his Penn State degree in 1969, has worked at "SNL" for five seasons and his work during that time has produced two Emmy Awards and four nominations.

During King's award-winning illustrious career he has served as a director for network television morning shows ("The Early Show," "CBS This Morning," "Good Morning America") as well as afternoon talk shows, variety shows and news programs. In addition, he serves as the creative director for a company that brings live theatrical performances to other theaters and pay-per-view cable.

King will return to campus for the Penn State Forum Speaker Series in March 2012.

He was not the only Emmy Award-winning Penn Stater on Sunday night, either. Actor Ty Burrell, who earned his MFA from Penn State in 1997, was honored as "Supporting Actor, Comedy Series" for his work on "Modern Family."

Football-Themed Dinner Theater Kicks Off

2011-09-16T08:38:00.003-04:00

Senior lecturer Pam Monk calls her latest play "a cross between Romeo & Juliet, Friday Night Lights and American Idol” and it kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday at the University Club on West College Avenue.

Monk -- who teaches magazine writing, serves as the adviser for Penn State's venerable humor and satire magazine "Phroth" and has established a strong reputation in the State College community for quality live theater productions -- told The Daily Collegian that people who watch the series of monthly plays titled “Play-by-Play: A Romantic Comedy for Football Fans (In Six Quarters)" will "see themselves in a town that is strangely like Penn State yet unlike Penn State."

The play tells a love story about two people, one who is football crazed and the other who is football phobic. People who watch one or a couple of the monthly installments will find it just as enjoyable as those who watch every show in the series, Monk said.

Subsequent shows are scheduled Oct. 17, Nov. 17, Feb. 17, March 17 and April 17.

More information and ticket details may be found at www.pamelapolis.com online.

CLICK HERE to link to the complete article from The Daily Collegian.

ESPN Producer Gets 'In the Game' with Students

2011-09-14T16:49:00.004-04:00

Nearly two dozen students from the College of Communications who are on the verge of launching an in-depth TV sports show that features long-form segments and focuses on timely topics spent a good portion of Wednesday afternoon sharing their ideas and working with an important special guest -- ESPN senior producer Ben Houser.

Houser was invited to meet with the class by Thor Wasbotten, assistant dean for student media and online operations and the senior lecturer who leads the course that will produce "In the Game" beginning this semester.

During the session, Houser answered a variety of questions -- everything from interview preparation to reporting challenges and more. He also shared samples of his ESPN work and left impressed with the Penn State communications students.

"It's a good group," he said. "They're starting something special. I don't know of anywhere else in the country where they're trying this on the college level, and they have a good plan. I can't wait to see the finished product."

Students Cover Flight 93 Memorial Dedication

2011-09-12T09:01:00.004-04:00

Fifteen communications students traveled to Shanksville, Pa., on Sunday and provided exclusive online coverage of the dedication of the Flight 93 National Memorial.

Some of the initial results of their work may be found at ComMedia, the showcase site for student work from the College of Communications.

While Jill Knight documented the day's activities in photos, Paige Minemyer wrote about the event that drew 5,000 people to the memorial site.

More reports from the endeavor, including multimedia efforts by many students, will be added to ComMedia in the near future.

Faculty Members Begin Work on Fourth Film

2011-09-09T11:21:00.004-04:00

A husband-and-wife team of film faculty members in the College of Communications has started production of its fourth full-length romantic comedy.

“Ripped!” is the story of a 1960s British pop group who accidentally blast-off to another planet where they become the center of a battle of the sexes between rival female and male civilizations. Meanwhile, back on earth, Dr. Hans Gerbils is desperately trying to retrieve the ship in order to calm his love-struck daughter.

“The film was shot in 11 days,” said senior lecturer Rod Bingaman, who founded Ma & Pa Pictures in 1999 with his wife, fellow senior lecturer Maura Shea. “We have completed about 40 percent of the film and plan to complete principle photography during summer 2012.”

The crew featured many Penn State alumni and students, including: Jim Westrick ('02 film-video) cinematographer; Clara Benice ('02 film-video), associate producer; and Lauren Belizzi ('04 film-video), assistant director.

Ma & Pa Pictures’ other full-length productions include "Chasing Butterflies" (2009), "Hooray for Mister Touchdown" (2004) and "A Holiday Affair" (2000). The films were all shot in State College and the surrounding area using both professional actors in the leading roles and students and community members as the supporting characters.

Bingaman has more than 20 years of experience, including work on feature films, commercials, broadcast television and corporate communications as a writer, director, cameraman and editor. Shea boasts experience as a sound designer and editor on projects ranging from independent feature films to award-winning documentaries such as "Malcolm X: Make it Plain," and two segments for "Sesame Street."

For more information about Ma & Pa Pictures, visit http://mapapictures.com/ online.

Alumna's Dominating Dog Story Part of Book

2011-09-07T08:43:00.004-04:00

A story by an award winning author and Penn State alumna has been included in a collection of stories about man’s best friend that goes on sale this month -- just in time for National Adopt-A-Dog Month in October, with 10 percent of the book’s royalties reserved for the Humane Society of the United States.

Author Jenny Gardiner, a 1984 Penn State graduate with a degree in journalism, deservedly joins a lineup of writers for the book that includes 11 New York Times bestselling authors, two Emmy Award winners and one Tony Award winner.

The book, “I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship,” edited by Wade Rouse, includes 20 stories.

Within the anthology, Gardiner’s account, titled “My Dog, The Dominatrix,” tells the hilarious story of Bridget, her adopted-from-the-side-of-the-road mutt that simply cannot be contained.

Bridget, who is lovingly referred to as “Smoochie Pooch,” “Looch,” “Loochie” and “Lulu,” comes to life with Gardiner’s entertaining tale of their life together. She effectively relays her dominating dog’s unforgettable personality in a charming and relatable story.

“Bridget has remained loyal and loving and every day we are so grateful we didn’t listen to that well-intended advice to get rid of our adorable little pooch,” Gardiner wrote in the book. “She’s enriched our lives probably more than we hers.”

Gardiner, author of the award-winning “Sleeping With Ward Cleaver,” has authored several works, including: “Winging It: A Memoir of Caring for Vengeful Parrot Who’s Determined to Kill Me”; “Slim to None”; and “Over the Falls.” Her work has been featured in Ladies Home Journal, The Washington Post and on NPR’s “Day to Day.”

She and her family live in Virginia with a houseful of pets. Details about her previous works may be found at www.jennygardiner.net online.

“I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship” is available online and in bookstores across the nation.

ComRadio Covers Penn State News, Sports

2011-09-01T12:57:00.007-04:00

With football season just days away and the fall semester under way, ComRadio has started to provide another jam-packed year of news, sports and talk to keep Penn State students, alumni and fans up-to-date on all the happenings on the University Park campus.

ComRadio is the College of Communications’ web-based station run by students. Penn State news and sports are never out of reach of the Internet stream and there are no restrictions and no blackouts. All broadcasts are free.

As in years past, ComRadio will provide coverage of all Penn State home athletic events that translate to radio. In addition, ComRadio will cover all Penn State football games, both home and away. Other Penn State fall sports set for ComRadio coverage include women’s soccer, men’s soccer and women’s volleyball. A select number of State College Area High School athletic events will be covered during the fall as well.

ComRadio airs a newscast at 6 p.m. weekdays that includes happenings from around the Penn State campus as well as state, national and world news. In addition, ComRadio regularly airs at least 30 original talk shows on a variety of topics from entertainment to news and sports.

For the most up-to-date schedule information, check out the ComRadio calendar, as well as the station's Facebook and Twitter pages.

University Launches PSU4PA Campaign

2011-08-30T13:31:00.004-04:00

Do you know all that Penn State does for Pennsylvania? Or even have a sense of the broad variety of the University's impact?

For more than 150 years, the University has been reaching out to communities every day through its mission of teaching, research and service.

Penn State for Pennsylvania (PSU4PA) offers a a series of short, amateur videos that focus on the impact the University has had on the life, community or business of Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth. In addition, the site for the informational effort features the videos, provides links to the PSU4PA Facebook and Twitter pages, and features live social media feeds.

Film-Video Grad a Senior CLASS Candidate

2011-08-26T13:19:00.004-04:00

Penn State linebacker Nate Stupar, a State College native and dean’s list student who graduated in May with a degree in film-video, has been selected as one of 30 candidates nationally for the prestigious Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for the 2011 college football season.

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.  

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.

Stupar is among eight Big Ten Conference football student-athletes are candidates for the award. He has played in all 39 games in his career on defense and special teams. Last year, he earned seven starts and was third on the team with 73 tackles, recording 6.5 tackles for loss, with two sacks, one interception, a forced fumble and four pass break-ups.

Stupar, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree now taking graduate-level classes, should be a strong candidate for CoSIDA Academic All-America recognition this fall. He earned a 3.95 grade-point average during the 2011 spring semester, with a 3.64 cumulative GPA in his film-video major.

Among Stupar’s community service activities are: THON Make-A-Wish, Special Olympics Pennsylvania State Summer Games, Penn State Uplifting Athletes Life For Life and Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) Reading program.

Documentary Series Set Wednesday Nights

2011-08-24T10:33:00.001-04:00

Movies that display a variety of filmmaking approaches and styles will be screened during the Carnegie Cinema Documentary Film Series, which will be conducted Wednesday nights throughout the fall semester.

Ten different movies were selected for the free public series. While all of the films are documentaries, some feature an activist approach while others were made from a first-person perspective and others rely on re-enactments.

"Docs are hot content in today's reality-obsessed culture. They bring personal perspectives and ideational focus to the tsunami of information and disinformation that engulfs us as media consumers," said Naomi McCormack, an assistant professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies who coordinated the series and selected the films for screening. "I created this series with an eye toward showcasing a variety of doc styles that engage the audience in a critical thought process. These films will excite, intrigue and provoke viewers into learning more about the world and themselves."

All of the documentaries will air at 7:45 p.m. in Carnegie Cinema, located in 113 Carnegie Building.

Movies (listed with title, date made and director) will screen according to the following schedule:
-- "Touching the Void" (2003), directed by Kevin Macdonald, Aug. 31;
-- "The Road to Guantanamo" (2006), directed by Michael Winterbottom, Sept. 7;
-- "Exit Through the Gift Shop" (2010), directed by Banksy, Sept. 14;
-- "Let's Get Lost" (1988), directed by Bruce Weber, Sept. 21;
-- "Tarnation" (2003), directed by Jonathan Caouette, Sept. 28;
-- "Persepolis" (2007), directed by Marjane Satrapi, Oct. 5;
-- "Gasland" (2010), directed by John Fox, Oct. 12;
-- "Bowling for Columbine" (2002), directed by Michael Moore, Oct. 19;
-- "Fog of War" (2004), directed by Errol Morris, Oct. 26; and
-- "Gimmee Shelter" (1970), directed by Albert and David Maysles, Nov. 2.

Faculty Member's 'Easy Passion' Honored

2011-08-21T15:19:00.003-04:00

For the second consecutive year, Russell Frank -- an associate professor in the Department of Journalism who also writes a regular column for StateCollege.com -- has placed highly in a national competition.

Frank won second place this summer in an online-only category of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists' annual competition. His work was judged on a selection of three columns that he submitted for consideration.

"Frank writes with an easy passion that makes his columns delightful," competition judge Mae Israel wrote in explaining her decision. "He skillfully transforms the reading experience into a choreographed dance."

Frank, who has written for the site since 2009, claimed second place in the contest last year as well.

LINK TO a complete story about his success in the contest as well as samples of his columns.

LINK TO Frank's complete bio.

It's Back-to-School Time!

2011-08-15T16:56:00.002-04:00

Some students who live off campus have already arrived.

Others who live on campus move in later this week.

Classes at Penn State begin next Monday.

Here's a look at just some of the preparations for student arrival and the start of the fall semester.

Communications Majors Dot Football Roster

2011-08-05T08:39:00.004-04:00

Preseason practices for the Penn State football team began Thursday and the team's roster features 15 graduates or students in the College of Communications, including several potentially important contributors for a squad that was ranked No. 25 in the USA Today coaches' poll this week.

Two starters have their degrees from the College of Communications. Offensive tackle Chima Okoli (Virginia Beach, Va., pictured above) earned his degree in advertising/public relations in the spring. This fall, he's taking some media studies classes. Linebacker Nate Stupar (State College) earned his degree in film-video. He's focusing on sociology classes this fall.

Other notable communications students on the football team include:
-- junior quarterback Matt McGloin (Scranton, Pa.), a journalism major who led the team on 24 scoring drives last season and will battle for the starting spot again this fall;
-- junior running back Brandon Beachum (Strothers, Ohio), an advertising/public relations major who carried a 3.0 grade-point average into his summer classes, and could emerge as a significant contributor to the running game after returning from injury;
-- junior wide receive Justin Brown (Wilmington, Del.), a media studies major who has averaged 14.0 yards per reception during his career; and
-- sophomore wide receiver Curtis Drake (Philadelphia), a media studies major and former letterman returning to the team after missing last season because of an injury.

The coaching staff will schedule practices around the last seven days of classes and final exams for Penn State's second summer academic session. Final exams are Aug. 12.

Overall, Joe Paterno welcomes back 44 returning letterwinners and 15 starters for his 46th season as head coach and 62nd year on the Penn State coaching staff.

Penn State opens the season Sept. 3, hosting Indiana State for a game that kicks off at noon and will be televised by the Big Ten Network. In the second week of the season, the Nittany Lions play host to Alabama, as the national powers meet in Happy Valley for the first time since 1989. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m., with the game televised by ABC.

Alumna Makes Most of Life-Saving Donation

2011-08-03T16:40:00.004-04:00

A normal day for Penn State alumna Judy Mosteller never lacks for drama, potentially high-stress moments and last-minute decisions. As a control room supervisor for QVC, the live shows she directs for the home-shopping channel every day are seen by millions of viewers.

As a surgical patient who received life-saving blood transfusions during surgeries, she’s also thankful for the gift of blood millions of people make every year.

“I’m in a unique position because I’ve been on all sides of the blood donating process,” said Mosteller, who earned her Penn State degree in broadcast-cable in 1993. “I was a repeat donor where I had the chance to save lives, and then needed the blood to save my life and I realized first-hand how important donation is.”

Mosteller, who has been with QVC since 1994, was was diagnosed with fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths on her uterus, after a routine annual checkup with her physician in 2005.

After trying nonsurgical options, doctors decided to do a hysterectomy in July 2006. Mosteller’s situation became more severe when doctors tried to move the growths away from her kidneys and the vein they were compressing. But, with every cut, Mosteller bled excessively -- eventually needing 19 units of blood before doctors decided she had lost too much blood and she was put into a medically induced coma for 24 hours.

A year later, Mosteller had another surgery to finish what was started and remove the remaining fibroids.

After her final surgery, Mosteller became a volunteer for the American Red Cross. In that role, she gets to thank donors who save lives every day. She also helps recruit donors to save lives in the future.

When she is not volunteering, Mosteller is probably traveling, something that is also plays a big role in her life. She has visited more than 30 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, and been to four of the seven continents.

Mosteller first started giving blood in high school and donated frequently throughout the years. Now, as a member of the Red Cross Speaker’s Bureau, she gives both her blood and her time.

“I think it helps when donors meet me to see that they really are making a difference in someone’s life,” Mosteller said. “And they’re making the biggest difference one could make ... saving lives like they did mine!”

Alumna's Latest Book Chronicles 'Dog's Life'

2011-08-01T11:03:00.001-04:00

It's a dog's life -- a celebrity dog's life to be exact -- and it provides a charming focus for the latest book co-authored by a Penn State alumna who regularly covers celebrities, Hollywood and much more.

In "A Famous Dog's Life," Rennie Dyball and co-author Sue Chipperton share the story of Gidget, an A-list Chihuahua best known as the Taco Bell dog. The 270-page book details the life of Gidget and Chipperton, the dog's trainer.

Dyball, a 2002 Penn State graduate with a degree in journalism, works for people.com as a news editor. Before that, she worked nine years for People magazine.

The idea for a book spring from a where-are-they-now magazine story about celebrity animals. After working with Chipperton and Gidget on the magazine article, that relationship led to the book.

"Sue and I kept in touch and she asked if I would be interested in writing a story for her," Dyball said. "Between loving animals and being well-versed in celebrities, I thought it would be a fun blend for the project."

The book, available online at Amazon.com and in stores, has already garnered some wonderful reviews.

Along with her work at people.com, Dyball is working on an inspirational memoir titled "Dwarf," which will be released in 2012. She previously co-authored "Fierce Style" with Christian Siriano in 2009.

"I'm happy with what I'm doing now and look forward to the future," Dyball said. "The next steps might include starting to write my own fiction."

Dyball said her experiences at Penn State helped make her a better writer and helped her understand the realities of the industry.

"I learned writing and editing skills in my classes that I use every day on the job," Dyball said. "I got a good foundation and learned early on about tough love." In the acknowledgments for "A Famous Dog's Life," she thanks R. Thomas Berner, professor emeritus of journalism and American studies, and the faculty member who led her introductory news writing class, for his "tough love back in the day."

Alum Authors Book for College-Bound Daughter

2011-07-26T15:33:00.004-04:00

With his oldest daughter ready to start college this fall, one Penn State alumnus wanted to provide her with a practical, memorable gift when she went away to school.

So, Steve Sampsell, who also serves as director of College Relations for the College of Communications at Penn State, gave his daughter, who will attend the University of Pittsburgh, a book.

And not just any book. He authored it himself.

He then presented "Men Are Pigs: 93 Things A Dad Wants His Daughter to Know About College" to his daughter Dani in mid-July. It got an immediate positive reaction after she took a photo of the book and uploaded that image to Facebook to spread the word to her friends.

Sampsell's 100-page book, which features 93 pieces of advice because his daughter was born in 1993, touches on topics that range from the relationship with a roommate and how to schedule classes to the importance of going to class and making good decisions.

While Sampsell, who earned his journalism degree at Penn State in 1990, believes he could have come up with all 93 things himself, the book's structure -- with one piece of advice and some commentary or specifics on each page -- was enhanced by contributions from some of his Penn State classmates and friends, as well as recent University graduates who know his daughter.

"It was a personal labor of love, and it became something that can be useful for any young woman headed to college," Sampsell said. "It's not just me preaching. With contributions from other people, it became much stronger. And I learned some things, too."

More about the book and purchasing information may be found at www.93things.com online. Fifty-one percent of all sales for the book are being donated to charity.

The book was illustrated by Alidia Strouse, a high school classmate of Sampsell’s daughter who will be a freshman at Penn State Altoona in the fall. Advanced Color Graphics in State College, Pa., printed the book.

Alumna Earns Lifetime Achievement Award from Special Olympics Pennsylvania

2011-07-21T10:39:00.002-04:00

Mary Meder, president of Harmelin Media, was honored by Special Olympics Pennsylvania with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the group's annual Hall of Fame Dinner earlier this year.

Meder ('84 Adv) has been involved with Special Olympics Pennsylvania for over a decade and served as Chairman of the Board for the past two years.

As part of her many contributions, and especially during the past two years, she was instrumental in the creation of the popular Beaver Stadium Run/Walk.

The event, a 5K and family walk conducted the day after the annual Blue-White Game at Penn State in April, was popular during its inaugural year in 2010. Then, in 2011, participation doubled to some 1,600 participants with $86,000 raised for Special Olympics.

Meder joined Harmelin Media in 1987, was named executive vice president in 1992 and became the company's president in 2002. Under her leadership, Harmelin Media has doubled billings in less than 10 years and continues to provide strategic creative and successful campaigns for clients. Meder credits the success of the company to the Harmelin Media staff, who all work toward the singular goal of exceptional service to the clients.

Harmelin Media specializes in strategic media solutions, and has more than 28 years of experience helping clients navigate a rapidly changing media landscape across off-line, digital and lifestyle forms. The firm has grown to more than $350 million in billings with a diverse client roster including Fortune 500 companies and is now one of the largest independent media service firms in the United States.

Campers Enjoy Challenging, Full Week

2011-07-14T16:31:00.004-04:00

Nearly four dozen high school students from across the Northeast completed communications camp for film-video and journalism Thursday.

During their time on campus (which started Sunday), students stayed in dorms and were able to learn more about the respective communications areas. They worked with state-of-the art cameras and computers and were challenged to produce high-quality materials on a daily basis.

In addition, the students heard from and worked with industry leaders and full-time faculty members during lectures and work sessions. Their visit (and some assignments) corresponded with the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and a minor league baseball game featuring the State College Spikes, who play their home games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on the Penn State campus.

VIDEO W/REFLECTIONS FROM CAMPERS

Information about the summer camps for next year will be available at a later date. For details visit http://comm.psu.edu/prospective online.

Faculty Member: Excision of Residential Listings Might Impact Elderly the Most

2011-07-11T11:07:00.004-04:00

College of Communications faculty member Rob Frieden, the Pioneers Chair in Cable Telecommunications and an international expert on telecommunications, told the Centre Daily Times that the excision of residential listings to traditional phone books in central Pennsylvania and other areaa might have the biggest impact on elderly residents.

The article appeared Monay, July 11, in the Centre Daily Times.

In addition to his teaching and research, Frieden provides corporate training, legal counsel and consulting services in such diverse fields as personal and mobile communications, facilities interconnection, satellites and privatization.

He is a leading analyst in the field of telecommunications and Internet infrastructure and has authored many comprehensive works on international telecommunications, cable satellite television and communications law. He recently published "Managing Internet-Driven Change in International Telecommunications." He also authored the "International Telecommunications Handbook" (Artech, 1996), a comprehensive book on the law and policy of international telecommunications. He is the co-author of "The Cable and Satellite Television Industry" (Allyn & Bacon, 1998) and contributed three chapters to a comprehensive treatise on communications law (West Publishing, 1999).

ComRadio Students Make Most of Internships

2011-07-06T08:11:00.004-04:00

With no classes and no ComRadio over the summer, students are keeping busy in the broadcast and media industry through internships this summer.

Current ComRadio members are working at numerous companies across the eastern half of the United States, close to where many ComRadio students live over the summer. And, despite a tough economy and a competitive industry, ComRadio's recent graduates are finding much success in the broadcast field.

Pete Jensen, who graduated in 2010, is a producer with the National Hockey League and manages multimedia content to the websites of all 30 NHL teams among many other duties.

Ryan Staloff found work with Major League Baseball upon graduation and was recently hired at the Westwood One Radio Network.

Tom Hannifan is working part time as a board operator for WWZW-FM (95.3) in State College.

Tom Ferguson works for Times-Shamrock Communications in Scranton. He works in the radio division of the company, as a part-time promotions employee for three radio stations in Scranton (Rock 107, FM92.1 and NEPA's ESPN Radio).

Ferguson's job is to be the right-hand man to the promotions director, Mark Hoover. Ferguson is also the producer for a twice-a-week radio show that airs on NEPA's ESPN Radio ("In the Zone" with Joby Fawcett and Dave Mehall). Starting in the fall, Ferguson will likely become the lead sports play-by-play announcer for high school football and basketball coverage on the station. He is also working toward becoming a part-time presence on Rock 107 as a jock, along with providing a one-minute sports update every hour on NEPA's ESPN Radio.

Current ComRadio students are represented at a plethora of media companies, including Major League Baseball, Clear Channel Radio, CBS Radio, MSNBC, B94.5 in State College, The Sports Network and Scout.com.

The experience ComRadio students are gaining is above and beyond what they would have expected.

Justin Rocke is working with MSG Varsity in New Jersey.

"It has been a fantastic experience thus far," Rocke said. "I have gotten experience going on shoots for video features and learning how everything should be run. I am also learning how to use video editing software like Final Cut and PTP programs like FileZilla. Some of the shoots I have gone on have allowed me to meet professional athletes like Miami Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano and New York Yankees pitching prospect Dellin Betances."

The Women's World Cup is currently under way, and Bob Long is getting involved on WBCB-AM (1490) in Levittown, Pa., as an intern for the show, "Vuvuzela: The World Soccer Show."

Nicholas Berault is also working with soccer as a part of Voice of America. Berault has been given the opportunity to interview Danny Mwanga of the Philadelphia Union and Joseph Ngwenya of DC United. He also appeared on a TV segment about the Women's World Cup.

Johnathan Blauvelt is gaining experience in both the sports and entertainment fields with his position at Clear Channel Radio in Pittsburgh. He has been working with 105.9FM The X and 970AM ESPN.

Blauvelt works with the 105.9 Morning Show and works with the Joe Bendel Show for ESPN Radio.

"I have interviewed many Pirate players including Andrew Mccutchen, Charlie Morton, Garrett Jones, Josh Harrison, Jeff Karstens, James Mcdonald, Evan Meek, Xavier Paul, Lyle Overbay, Paul Watson, and Bucs Manager Clint Hurdle," Blauvelt said. "At each Pirate game, I spend time with many Pittsburgh TV/radio personalities and journalists. Lastly, I met comedian, Ralphie May, during one of the X morning shows. Overall, my internship has been a very rewarding experience so far."

Catherine Marvin works with The Martin Bashir Show on MSNBC.

"I have had the opportunity to write, research, and interact with guests for the show, as well as learn editing, script, and graphics programs," Marvin said. "I have also had the opportunity to meet many prominent people from the NBC Universal community."

Alex Gilliland is working with FOX 43 TV filming and editing sports footage.

"I am having an amazing experience up to this point and I am excited to gain experience in the broadcasting field during the rest of the summer that I can use back at Penn State," Gilliland said.

Jeremy Kahn is working with "The Early Show" on CBS working with producers to help generate ideas, help with research, view tapes and assist on shoots.

"It's a very rewarding experience that gives great insight into the broadcast news field and CBS News as whole," Kahn said. "I have had the opportunity to meet and work with names such as Chris Wragee, Erica Hill, Russ Mitchell and Rebecca Jarvis."

Many other current ComRadio students are out gaining experience at a variety of places during the summer months and they plan to bring back advanced skills and experiences in order to ensure the best content possible for ComRadio in the fall.

Student Work From South Africa to Air on WPSU

2011-06-30T23:23:00.003-04:00

A television special titled "Centre County Report in South Africa," which showcases stories produced by 16 College of Communications students who traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, earlier this year, will air on WPSU World several times in July.

The program will air at 6:30 p.m. July 9, 5 p.m. July 16 and 7:30 p.m. July 24.

The trip to South Africa was part of COMM 498B: International Reporting, led by Tony Barbieri, the Foster professor of writing and editing. The semester-long course includes one week of intensive on-site work that provides and opportunity for students to experience duties similar to those of foreign correspondents working for media outlets.

While in Cape Town, students conducted interviews and participated in hands-on activities to complete their stories that were made into a final portfolio of projects. This was the third consecutive year Barbieri has led his students on an international trip during spring break. Previous trips have been to China in 2010 and Mexico in 2009.

Along with Barbieri and the 16 students, faculty members who made the trip were: Barbara Bird, associate professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies; Russ Eshleman, senior lecturer and associate head of the Department of Journalism; and Thor Wastbotten, assistant dean for student media and online operations and a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism.

"'Centre County Report in South Africa' airing on WPSU presents an opportunity for our student work to be showcased at the highest level," said Wasbotten, who teaches the class that creates "Centre County Report," Penn State's weekly student newscast, produced during the academic year. "Our students continue to produce professional-quality shows, and with our relationship with WPSU, it allows us to share our accomplishments with viewers throughout central Pennsylvania and Penn Staters everywhere."

"Centre County Report in South Africa," which runs 30 minutes, will air on WPSU-TV beginning in August. Additional samples of the students' work may be found at commedia.psu.edu online.

WPSU World is the digital channel of WPSU. WPSU is Public Broadcasting Service station housed on the campus of Penn State and serving central Pennsylvania. Its mission is to engage communities in the heart of Pennsylvania with educational and commercial-free programs that reach across generations to inform, intrigue and inspire.

'Dfference Makers' to Air Thursday on ESPN

2011-06-26T21:29:00.007-04:00

"Difference Makers" -- a one-of-a-kind show featuring Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski will air at 8 p.m. Thursday on ESPN and continue at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.

Taped before an appreciative, live audience at Eisenhower Auditorium on the Penn State campus on June 20, the special program features the coaches talking about ethics, integrity, families, leadership and much more.

Along with the legendary coaches, the 90-minute program includes former student-athletes from each school -- Jay Bilas and Jay Williams from Duke and Matt Millen and Michael Robinson from Penn State.

In advance of the show, video previews of the program include ...

The show will be hosted by ESPN college football and basketball studio and game host Rece Davis.

Stories From South Africa Get Exposure

2011-06-23T08:20:00.007-04:00

A series of stories and videos produced by Penn State communications students who traveled to South Africa earlier this year as part of an international reporting class have been posted online and made available to members of the McClatchy Newspapers group throughout the United States. Link to McClatchy Site

Sixteen students made the eight-day reporting trip to South Africa during spring break.

While there, they produced blog entries and updates on their trip. When they returned, their work was completed and shared in a variety of places. That includes a featured portion of the ComMedia showcase site for student work in the College of Communications as well as a 28-page special edition of The Lion's Roar, produced regularly to feature longer-form work from communications students.

In addition, McClatchy Newspapers -- which featured work from previous international reporting classes at Penn State -- also launched a site dedicated to the students' work.

ESPN Taping of Coaches Attracts a Crowd

2011-06-21T08:51:00.004-04:00

More than 900 people were in Eisenhower Auditorium on Monday as Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski participated in the taping of an ESPN special that will makes its debut June 30.

The special -- which will be titled "Difference Makers: Life Lessons with Paterno and Krzyzewski" -- will air at 8 p.m. June 30 on ESPN and continue at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.

Those at the taping heard the coaches address topics such as leadership and family. The coaches also responded to numerous questions from people in attendance, as well as others watching from the Duke campus thanks to Cisco Telepresence.

Coverage of the event Monday may be found in numerous locations online, including ...

Also, photographer Mark Selders produced this photo gallery for Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.

Tickets for the event were free. After an initial invitation-only distribution, more than 200 tickets were claimed the day of the event -- including three dozen in the first row of the auditorium that became available based on changes for TV.

About 400 Tickets Available for ESPN Taping

2011-06-19T20:24:00.000-04:00

About 400 tickets for the ESPN taping of a TV show featuring Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski will be available to the public beginning at 8 a.m. Monday at Eisenhower Auditorium.

The taping will begin at 1:30 p.m. Monday. Tickets are available to the general public, Penn State faculty/staff and Penn State students with a limit of two tickets per person. Once the limited quality of tickets has been distributed, no other tickets will be available.

The TV taping will produce two TV shows that will air at 8 p.m. June 30 on ESPN and at 9 p.m. June 30 on ESPNU.

Student Tickets Go Quickly for Coaches Event

2011-06-17T14:44:00.003-04:00

A total of 119 student tickets available at 8 a.m. Friday, June 17, for the Monday, June 20, session featuring Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and Mike Krzyzewski were distributed in just over 20 minutes.

Some students lined up as early as 6 a.m. to pick up the free tickets.

The coaches' session -- which will be conducted on campus at Eisenhower Auditorium and taped by ESPN to appear June 30 -- will begin at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

After camera positions are determined over the the weekend, a limited number of tickets for the general public (students, faculty/staff and the public) may be available beginning at 8 a.m. Monday.

An announcement of that availability will be made on local radio and television in the State College market as well as at ...

http://psucommblog.blogspot.com/

GoPSUSports.com; and

"CurleyCenter" on Twitter.

Student Tickets for Event Available Friday

2011-06-16T10:03:00.003-04:00

Student tickets for the Monday, June 20, taping of an ESPN special featuring Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski at Eisenhower Auditorium will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 17.

Penn State students with a valid student ID may pick up a maximum of two tickets, while supplies last, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Eisenhower Auditorium.

After camera locations are confirmed for the ESPN taping over the weekend, a limited number of tickets may be available to Penn State faculty/staff and the public beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, June 20. An announcement of that availability will be made on local radio and television as well as at

http://psucommblog.blogspot.com/

GoPSUSports.com; and

"CurleyCenter" on Twitter.

Tickets to the event are free. Those ticketed for the event must remain in attendance for the entire event -- which begins at 1:30 p.m. and is expected to last 90 to 120 minutes.

Parking for the event will be free in the Eisenhower Parking Deck, with any necessary overflow directed to the East Deck, located off Bigler Road.

The legendary coaches will discuss teaching leadership and teamwork, among other subjects, for a show, "Difference Makers: Life Lessons with Paterno and Krzyzewski." The unique event will be held at Eisenhower Auditorium on the Penn State campus.

Ten days after the taping, the hour-long show, "Difference Makers: Life Lessons with Paterno and Krzyzewski," will air at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 30, on ESPN. The program will continue at 9 p.m. on ESPNU with questions from the audience for the legendary coaches. Penn State and Duke students will be asking questions of the Hall of Fame coaches for the program.

The on-campus component of the event is sponsored by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism, housed in the College of Communications at Penn State, and made possible with cooperation from Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics and Duke Athletics.

Student Comedy Winner on 'Lopez Tonight'

2011-06-15T08:53:00.004-04:00

One of the leaders of a team of Penn State students that claimed the national championship in a stand-up comedy contest will appear on "Lopez Tonight" tonight on TBS.

Brandon Scott Wolf earned the opportunity as MVP of the team that won RooftopComedy.com's National College Comedy Competition presented by TBS. Videos of the competition and the Penn State team’s comedy may be found at www.rooftopcomedy.com/college/ online.

"I've never been on television. It's going to be very fun," Wolf told the Centre Daily Times in an article about his appearance and the competition.

"Lopez Tonight" airs at midnight on TBS.

The contest itself -- conducted over a period of more than two months and modeled after the NCAA Tournament -- pitted 32 teams from schools across the country against each other in a series of live and online competitions that whittled the field to 16 teams, then eight and then a "Funniest Four."

Each round provided a different challenge, with some votes completed online and others by professional stand-up comics in a live audience. In the final round, Penn State’s competition came from Florida, Ohio State and Portland State.

The Penn State team itself was trimmed from eight to four members as part of the competition, too.

In the end, the students were named the nation’s funniest and Wolf was selected as the MVP, earning him the opportunity to appear on "Lopez Tonight."

"It's really an honor, and the opportunities that are coming from the competition are just amazing," Wolf, from Huntingdon Valley, Pa., said in late May. He graduated with a degree in print journalism on May 14.

Along with Wolf, other members of the team were:

Sean Becker, a freshman majoring in advertising from Marlboro, N.J.;
Travis Czap, a senior majoring in secondary education from Boyertown, Pa.;
Kyle Dodson, a senior majoring in film from Duncansville, Pa.;
Kevin Gallagher, a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism from Broomall, Pa.;
William Hood, a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism from Freeland, Pa.;
Matt Rainstein, a senior majoring in film from Buffalo, N.Y.; and
Stephanie Wain, a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism from Mount Bethel, Pa.

Of that group, Gallagher, Rainstein (known as Matt Rain on stage) and Wain were finalists as well. They will join Wolf on the trip to Los Angeles.

For Wolf, who celebrated his 22nd birthday June 9, the trip to Los Angeles represents a great belated birthday present. It’s also another interesting step on his comedic odyssey.

After all, he honed his skills as a stand-up comic and helped lead the development of a stand-up comedy club on campus thanks to determination and a willingness to take risks. When he discovered he was unable to perform during open mic nights at many State College area nightspots because he was under 21 a couple of years ago, he bought a banner and created a Facebook page to invite people to his apartment on the second floor of his building.

Second Floor Stand-up was built that easily, and a core handful of aspiring comics has grown from small meetings in that apartment to a full-fledged campus club. Members now regularly perform in Carnegie Cinema, which seats more than 120 people, on a regular basis.

Wolf found out about the team’s success and his victory while riding back to campus on a bus. He borrowed another rider’s smart phone and checked the results online.

"I couldn’t believe it," Wolf said. "It was the best ride of my life."

As he prepares for what he anticipates will be a short set on "Lopez Tonight," Wolf plans to take the same approach as always to his comedy.

"I try to write new stuff all the time, and always carry a pad in my pocket and have a pen," he said. "When you have something you think will work, you keep working on it, bounce it off your friends and try to get it just right."

Student Places Third at National Championship

2011-06-10T16:11:00.005-04:00

Recent graduate Paul Casella, who earned his journalism degree in May and immediately started an internship with mlb.com, took care of some unfinished business and continued a tradition of success for the College of Communications this week.

Casella, representing Penn State during the individual championship round of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation's Journalism Awards Program in San Francisco, finished third overall in the competition. He earned a $3,000 scholarship and the College of Communications received a matching monetary award.

Casella, from Macedon, N.Y., was one of 26 students competing in the championship round. He secured his berth into the event with a story that won an award during a monthly competition as part of the program. That story was published during the fall semester of Casella's senior year, and the contest success this past week allowed him to make the most of the overall opportunity.

His performance also added another chapter to Penn State's success at nationals in recent years. In 2007, Halle Stockton was the national champion and Andrew McGill was second in 2008 before winning the championship in 2010.

Casella -- who was the sports chief of The Daily Collegian during his time at Penn State and is covering the covering the Chicago White Sox for mlb.com -- won first place in a monthly Hearst Foundation competition for feature writing. His story was about Marty Aronoff, a 1960 Penn State graduate and well-respected sports statistician who works for major television networks. Casella shadowed Aronoff when he was on assignment and Casella’s story was published in The Lion's Roar, a College of Communications publication that showcases longer-form student stories.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program was founded in 1960 and awards upwards to $500,000 in scholarships annually to students for outstanding performance in college-level journalism, with matching grants to the students' schools. Its mission is to provide support, encouragement and assistance to journalism education at the college and university level.

The William Randolph Hearst Foundation was established in 1948 and has since contributed more than $759 million in the areas of education, health care, social services and the arts in every state.

Mutimedia Workshop Coincides with Games

2011-06-10T14:28:00.003-04:00

The fourth annual Keystone Multimedia Workshop is under way on the Penn State campus, conducted in conjunction with the annual Pennsylvania Special Olympics Summer Games, which run through June 11.

The workshop features three days of low-cost multimedia training for professional journalists and students.

Leading this year’s workshop are College of Communications senior lecturers John Beale, Curt Chandler and Will Yurman, along with other journalism professionals.

The goal of the workshop, which has attracted participants from five states in the past three years, is to give students, professional photographers and educators the basic skills needed to produce compelling narrative multimedia stories. Past participants have included editors, reporters, photographers, freelancers, students and educators.

The Keystone Multimedia Workshop was founded by faculty members at Penn State in 2008. It is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.

Researcher Seeks Phone Users for Survey

2011-06-10T10:46:00.002-04:00

A researcher in the College of Communications is seeking participants for an online survey titled "Mobile Phone Use and Quality of Life."

All participants -- who must be 18 or older -- will be entered to win a $50 VISA gift card, and two winners will be selected at random.

Participants in the survey will be asked to answer questions about their mobile phone use patterns and their personal traits. Participation in the research is confidential and estimated to take less than 30 minutes to complete.

The survey may be found at http://pennstatecomm.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9H30l3e20GEGpDe online.

Any questions may be directed to Ken Keunmin Bae at kub157@psu.edu or (814) 863-4328.

Students Completing Internships in China

2011-06-06T16:12:00.001-04:00

Five Penn State undergraduate students have been selected to complete internships in China this summer with "China Daily," the country’s national English-language newspaper, and other media outlets in China.

In the past two years, Penn State has sent 12 students overseas for similar opportunities. While in China, students will read, write, report and design layouts for the newspaper, all while soaking in their new surroundings.

Those selected for this year’s internships are:
-- Zenqian Zhu of Beijing, working at "China Daily" in Beijing;
-- Laura Nichols of Broomall, Pa., working at "China Daily" in Beijing;
-- Yu Chung Sze of Hong Kong, working at "China Daily" in Hong Kong;
-- Nina (Mengqin) Cao of Shanghai, working at International Channel Shanghai; and
-- Xiao Wang of Shangdong, working at China Central Television.

All of the opportunities were facilitated by the Office of Internships and Career Placement in the College of Communications and Bu Zhong, an assistant professor in the Department of Journalism who previously lived and worked in China.

The College of Communications first became affiliated with "China Daily" in 2008, when Dean Doug Anderson visited the country with Zhong, a former reporter at the paper before he held positions with CNN and other media outlets, as part of a trip to institutions of higher learning and media outlets in the country.

"China Daily" employs more than 500 nationally trained news professionals from China and abroad, 60 of which are senior journalists from the United States, Britain and other countries. The paper, with established editions in Hong Kong and the United States, plans to soon establish editions in Europe and Asia-Pacific as well.

Two Penn Staters who previously participated in the internship program are now working full-time in China. Eric Jou, who earned his journalism degree in 2010, works as a reporter for the U.S. and European editions of "China Daily." Brandon Taylor, who earned his journalism degree in 2009, was hired immediately following his internship as a copy editor at "Beijing Review" and now works as an editorial consultant for that paper.

The China Daily Group is a member of the Asia News Network and publishes 10 other publications, including "China Business Weekly," "Beijing Weekend" and the "Shanghai Star."

Free, On-Campus Events Focus on TV

2011-06-01T10:18:00.004-04:00

Two events on the University Park campus this week feature College of Communications alumni and faculty members talking about television -- past, present and future.

"Small Screen/Big Life: Gerry Abrams and the Transformation of Television" starts at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Nittany Lion Inn as TV producer Gerry Abrams ('61) discusses the changing face of TV with assistant professor Matt Jordan. Their session is part of the 61st Alumni Institute Lecture Series.

Abrams has been making magic on TV, producing gripping dramas for the small screen, living the dramatic transformation of television as a medium. Jordan will provide a brief introduction of the history of television, charting the growth of the medium from an experimental novelty in the 1940s to the high-definition digital experience that now plays a central role in American lives. Then Abrams talk about his own 40-year history with TV, the peaks and valleys of his career, and offer some thoughts on the future of television.

Abrams has worn a variety of hats in the industry, working as an account manager, sales executive, producer, executive producer, actor, and production company owner. These experiences of have given him a unique perspective on the changes in a medium that has become an important cultural force.

Jordan teaches media studies, film studies, European cultural history, European intellectual history and interdisciplinary approaches to history and culture. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies.

Then, at 1:30 p.m. Friday in Carnegie Cinema of Carnegie Building, located along The Mall, the College of Communications will share an entertaining and lively multimedia program highlighting the many broadcast shows and classes at Penn State.

The special presentation will featuring TV clips and sound bytes produced by today's students.

Areas of focus will include the College's student-produced weekly news program, "Centre County Report," which is broadcast by several PBS stations in Pennsylvania and New York; ComRadio, a 24/7 Internet-based student radio; and student reporting initiatives from around the world, including China and South Africa.

Thor Wasbotten, a veteran newsman who has worked in TV stations across the country, heads the College's broadcast programs. He'll provide a fast-paced and fun 45-minute visual overview of what Penn State's award-winning students are putting on air.

Beverages and light refreshments will be served. No RSVP is necessary. If you have questions, please contact the College of Communications' Office of External Relations at (814) 865-8801.

Penn State Students Land Most ESPN Internships

2011-05-29T13:11:00.005-04:00

It's summer internship time across the country and ESPN represents the Holy Grail for many college students with sports-related interests.

With just 89 spots, those coveted internships are hard to land.

Still, Penn State students have earned more of those internships than their counterparts from any other school this summer. Five Penn State students earned assignments this summer, ahead of four students from USC.

The College of Communications at Penn State has a longstanding relationship with ESPN taht includes internships as well as classroom visits by network officials and talent and on-campus programming in coordination with the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism.

Award Presentation Thursday in D.C.

2011-05-25T10:10:00.003-04:00

The annual presentation of the Bart Richards Award for Media Criticism -- a major annual event for the College of Communications, which coordinates the national award -- will be conducted Thursday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

A Los Angeles Times columnist who focused his work on unethical practices by local television stations, including the use of paid content on newscasts, was selected as the 2010 award recipient. Media columnist James Rainey used his columns to describe the deterioration of traditional journalism on local television.

In place of reporting on local TV news, Rainey found a pay-for-play approach that benefited big businesses (organizations such as automakers, hospitals, toy companies and others) that ensured their "news" was televised through payments and relationships not made public -- until Rainey's work shed light on the practice.

His efforts led to the departure of the news director of one network affiliate in Los Angeles. It also prompted a public interest group to file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission.

"The phenomenon might be going unnoticed entirely were it not for the dogged and insightful reporting of James Rainey," said Davan Maharaj, managing editor of the Times, who submitted Rainey's work for the Bart Richards Award. "His tough inquiries spared no target, including the Times' corporate sister, KTLA-TV in Los Angeles."

The Bart Richards Award, presented annually by the College of Communications at Penn State, recognizes outstanding contributions to print and broadcast journalism through responsible analysis or critical evaluation. Along with recognizing the winner, the awards presentation allows Penn State communications alumni, friends and students to meet and network in the nation's capitol.

Recent winners of the Bart Richards Award include: Columbia Journalism Review, 2009; Project for Excellence in Journalism, 2008; PBS “Frontline,” 2007; Byron Calame, public editor of The New York Times, 2006; Sydney Schanberg, a columnist for The Village Voice, 2005; and “State of the News Media” by Project for Excellence in Journalism (Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel), 2004.

Miss Black USA to Appear on National TV

2011-05-22T16:47:00.005-04:00

Miss Black USA Osas Ighodaro will make a guest appearance on an episode of "The Mo'Nique Show," which airs at 11 p.m. Tuesday on BET.

Ighodaro ('05 Journ), who has competed pageants regularly since the age of 15, pursued an acting career after she graduated. She starred in feature, independent and short films. She then used her acting skills to perform a monologue, “What If I am a Black Woman,” for the pageant.

“I wanted to perform something that would be memorable, but that would also send a positive message,” she said. “I performed the monologue in four dialects to showcase that even though black women are diverse, we all are beautiful in our own ways.”

As Miss Black USA, she works as a celebrity advocate for the Heart Truth Campaign to raise awareness of heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women in the United States.

“I hope to use my crown to raise awareness by reaching women at a much younger age so that we can prevent the disease later. I want to encourage women to lead a healthy lifestyle and know their risk,” she said.

Using her title to give back is especially exciting for Ighodaro, who has always believed in the importance of community service. As a global ambassador, Ighodaro plans to travel extensively to raise awareness for both heart disease and her personal cause, malaria awareness.

Her parents, Joseph and Patricia, are originally from Nigeria, making Ighodaro the first Nigerian-American to be crowned Miss Black USA. “I am extremely excited about the opportunity to travel to the continent of Africa and return to my roots,” she said.

Limited, Weeklong Nationwide Run for Alum's Award-Winning Feature Film Begins Friday

2011-05-19T10:23:00.004-04:00

A feature-length film created by a Penn State alumnus that won an online contest will begin screening nationwide on Friday.

"Cost of a Soul" won the distribution opportunity by winning "The Big Break Movie Contest," which was hosted by a partnership between Relativity Media's Rouge Network and AMC Theatres. (Link HERE to movie site and listing of theaters, including locations in Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.)

Alumnus Sean Kirkpatrick, a 2006 graduate with a degree in film-video, wrote and directed the film about two veterans who have returned home to Philadelphia from the Iraq War. (An online interview with Kirkpatrick may be found HERE.)

One of the protagonists, Tommy Donahue (Chris Kerson) has connections to the Irish-American mob, and is portrayed slipping back to his criminal tendencies in order to make ends meet for his family. The other protagonist, Darren “DD” Davis (Will Blagrove), returns home from Iraq only to find his younger brother has taken control of the African-American drug trade. The film shows how these two parallel stories unfold, and offers the viewer many plot twists and dramatic situations along the way.

Documentary Honored in Competition

2011-05-18T08:44:00.004-04:00

"Toyward Daylight," a documentary directed by film-video faculty member Barbara Bird, and produced and directed by Andrea Murrell and Ken Campbell, respectively, has earned a prestigious Award of Merit from the Best Shorts Competition.

Murrell earned her film-video degree in 2006 and Campbell graduated last week as a member of the Class of 2011.

The Best Shorts Competition recognizes film professionals worldwide who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those that produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film industry.

"Toward Daylight" focuses on suicide and survivorship in Centre County. It was produced for the Centre County Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

MLB.com Interns Set for Summer Assignments

2011-05-17T09:05:00.002-04:00

Some high-profile summer jobs started for a half dozen College of Communications students this week as they fanned out across the country to begin summer internships with mlb.com, working as backup beat writers for a specific team.

Penn State's six selections for the program are the most of any school in the country.

Participants and their assignments are:
-- Paul Casella of Rochester, N.Y.; Chicago White Sox;
-- A.J. Cassavell of Pennington, N.J., Los Angeles Dodgers;
-- Matt Fortuna of New York, New York Yankees;
-- Nate Mink of Allentown, Pa., Philadelphia Phillies;
-- Audrey Snyder of Downingtown, Pa., Milwaukee Brewers; and
-- Jeffrey Lowe of Cedar Park, Texas, who will be working with mlb.com's overall digital operation.

Their selection marks the fourth year in a row students from the College of Communications have been selected for the program. Penn State had three students selected to participate in each of the past two years.

Thanks to the presence of the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism, a strong curriculum, knowledgeable faculty and co-curricular activities like The Daily Collegian, Penn State students have a competitive edge and experience that often set them apart from many other applicants for the internship program.

“I feel Penn State has prepared me very well for this internship,” Casella said. “Working as a reporter and editor at The Daily Collegian for the past four years and having professors that have so much experience in the field has put me in a position where I believe I'm ready for the opportunity.”

“We’re excited for the opportunity these internships provide for our students,” said Malcolm Moran, Knight Chair in Journalism and Society and director of the Curley Center. “We’re also proud that our students have had repeated success in earning these coveted internships. Their selections are a testament to their hard work and talent, as well as the commitment we have to sports journalism.”

The Curley Center, created in 2003, explores issues and trends in sports journalism through instruction, outreach, programming and research. The Center's undergraduate curricular emphasis includes courses in sports writing, sports broadcasting, sports information, sports, media and society, and sports and public policy, which is cross-listed with the Penn State Dickinson School of Law.

CNN's Blitzer Gets Degree, Gives Advice

2011-05-14T17:24:00.005-04:00

Millions of people know CNN's Wolf Blitzer as one thing -- a proven journalist, the network’s lead political anchor and the anchor of “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”

After Saturday, though, hundreds of thousands of fellow alumni know the award-winning journalist as something else -- a Penn Stater.

Blitzer accepted an honorary doctoral degree after delivering the commencement address during College of Commencement exercises in the Bryce Jordan Center. (VIDEO: President Graham Spanier with Blitzer on commencement day.)

During his address, Blitzer challenged and encouraged the graduates.

"If you get a lucky break, don't coast with it. Grab it and make the most of it," Blitzer said. "Bottom line ... no matter what field you pursue keep doing your best every day. You don't have the luxury of slacking and you are much to young to settle."

He ended his address with another challenge, a familiar refrain that prompted a response from the graduates and all in attendance. "We are," Blitzer offered. And the thousands in the Jordan Center replied "Penn State!"

PHOTO GALLERY OF WOLF BLITZER'S VISIT

Blitzer to Present Commencement Address

2011-05-13T13:44:00.003-04:00

Wolf Blitzer, CNN’s lead political anchor and the anchor of “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer,” CNN’s innovative, fast-paced political news program, will present the commencement address to the College of Communications Class of 2011 during exercises at noon Saturday in the Bryce Jordan Center.

In addition, Blitzer will receive an honorary doctorate from Penn State, as approved by Penn State's Board of Trustees during its Sept. 17, 2010, meeting.

Blitzer has been with CNN for more than 20 years. In addition to politics, he is known for his in-depth reporting on international news.

Blitzer began his career in 1972 with the Reuters News Agency in Tel Aviv. Shortly thereafter, he became a Washington, D.C., correspondent for The Jerusalem Post. After more than 15 years of reporting from the nation’s capital, Blitzer joined CNN in 1990 as the network’s military-affairs correspondent at the Pentagon. He later served as CNN’s senior White House correspondent.

Over the decades, Blitzer has reported on a wide range of major breaking stories around the world. He has interviewed some of history’s most notable figures, including six U.S. presidents and many foreign leaders.

Blitzer has earned numerous awards, including: an Emmy Award (for coverage of the 1996 Oklahoma City bombing); a Golden CableACE (for coverage of the Persian Gulf War); a George Foster Peabody Award (for coverage of Hurricane Katrina); an Edward R. Murrow Award (for CNN’s coverage of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks); and the Ernie Pyle Journalism Award for excellence in military reporting.

Blitzer is the author of two books and has written articles for many publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University.

Students Capture Reaction to Bin Laden News

2011-05-02T10:31:00.003-04:00

Practical experience covering the most important news of the day?

Students in the College of Communications got it again late Sunday night and early Monday as they chronicled reaction to the death of Osama Bin Laden.

Senior Andy Colwell created a photo gallery on ComMedia, the showcase site for student work, and fellow senior Ashley Gold contributed an insert, photos and iPhone video on HuffPost College.

Late last week, students from ComRadio covered the NFL Draft for the third consecutive year. While other college media outlets have since been credentialed to cover the event, Penn State students were the first to chronicle the annual event in Radio City Music Hall.

Screening of Student-Produced Documentary

2011-05-02T10:30:00.002-04:00

The premiere screening of the short documentary, "Feral Fixation: The Work of The Hundred Cat Foundation," will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday, May 6, in Carnegie Cinema. The session is free and open to the public.

The documentary is a service-learning project undertaken this past semester as an independent study course. It was supported by a grant from The President's Fund for Research.

The film, directed by College of Communications students Johanna Kirchheimer and Megan Ruffe documents The Hundred Cat Foundation's efforts to reduce the feral cat population in Centre County by conducting high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics.

The Hundred Cat Foundation will use the documentary to aid in fundraising and volunteer recruitment. Volunteers from the Hundred Cat Foundation and the filmmakers will be in attendance to discuss the process of making the film, and to answer questions about the organization. A reception with refreshments will follow.

Photo Exhibit Runs Throughout April

2011-04-18T08:48:00.002-04:00

An exhibit of the best work from photojournalism students in the College of Communications runs through April 25 in Kern Building on the University Park campus.

"ComPhoto 2011" includes images ranging from football coach Joe Paterno's 400th win and the Penn State Dance Marathon to President Obama's visit to Penn State and a street scene in China.

Nearly two dozen standout images are included in the exhibit, which was organized by John Beale, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism, for the third year in a row.

Four courses comprise the core of the photojournalism program in the College of Communications, and upper-level students may put together plans for independent study. Along with class assignments, numerous opportunities exist for students to obtain hands-on experience.

To complete their assignments, students have access to University-owned digital single lens reflex cameras. In addition, through a program sponsored by Nikon, students in advanced classes use a pool of professional-grade cameras and specialty lenses.

Complete Blue-White Coverage on ComRadio

2011-04-15T14:54:00.006-04:00

One of the biggest weekends of the spring semester provides an opportunity for College of the Communications to gain experience and share their talents with alumni, family and friends all over the world.

ComRadio, the University's student-run radio station on the web, will provide coverage of Penn State varsity athletics and on-campus activities during Blue-White Weekend.

Game coverage includes Penn State baseball at 6:30 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 1:05 p.m. Sunday as well as the Blue-White Game at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Coverage of the Blue-White Game begins with a "Tailgate Show" from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fans on campus are encouraged to stop by the ComRadio tent on the carnival grounds near Beaver Stadium to talk Penn State football and win prizes.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, ComRadio will air coach Joe Paterno's traditional news conference before the spring frootball game. A pre-game show will follow and then complete play-by-play coverage of the game.

Students, Recruiters to Meet in New York City

2011-04-14T08:34:00.002-04:00

An annual communications-specific job fair exclusively for College of Communications students in New York City has attracted a near-record number of recruiting companies.

"Success in the City," scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Friday at the Time Warner Building in New York City, features more than 125 recruiters from 55 companies. They will be available to meet with more than 340 Penn State students during the session.

Activities begin with lunch, and then students have nearly four hours to move from table to table and meet with representatives from companies. The session is the second of two annual job fairs the College of Communications conducts for its students. The first took place in March on campus.

"We're committed to providing opportunities for our students," said Bob Martin, assistant dean for internships and career services. "With two job fairs just for our students, one on campus and one in New York City, where we're taking students seeking jobs right to the doorstep of major media companies, I believe what we do is unrivaled in terms of providing opportunities."

The commitment of Martin and his staff is unrivaled as well. Their planning for "Success in the City" includes coordinating all aspects of the day, including chartering a half dozen buses for the trip -- because students who sign up for the annual session get transportation to and from New York City as well as lunch.

During its eight years of existence, "Success in the City" has provided face-to-face opportunities for thousands of students, many of whom have parlayed the trip into job offers.

Alumnus Produces Athletes' Personal Stories

2011-04-11T16:33:00.007-04:00

Some people who work in the professional sports industry spend their time interpreting statistics and making predictions about how teams and athletes will perform in future seasons. Matt Rissmiller ('02 Adv) sees the world of professional athletes in an entirely different light.

Rissmiller (above, red shirt) works as an associate producer on ESPN’s "E:60," the network’s award winning news magazine show that covers athletes’ off-the-field stories and produces investigative sports features. The position has given Rissmiller the opportunity to work with some of the world’s most high-profile athletes.

Some of his recent work includes: 
-- Michael Jordan Motorsports;
-- Maria Sharapova Returns Home; and
-- Big Wave Surfer Makua Rothman.

“Working on these stories with people who have been through extraordinary experiences both positive and negative has been an honor,” Rissmiller said.

Rissmiller said the "E:60" production crew goes to great lengths in order to produce such stories. First, he and his colleagues typically fly to a location to produce an interview with an athlete. On the day before the interview, the production crew carefully surveys the site to ensure the facility is acceptable for a high-quality production.

On the day "E:60" meets with an athlete, hours are spent simply assembling the shooting space for an interview that typically lasts no more than 45 minutes.

“It never ceases to amaze me how much work goes into just producing an interview,” Rissmiller said.

One of Rissmiller’s most memorable projects was producing the story about Michael Jordan’s motorcycle racing team, Michael Jordan Motorsports. When Rissmiller was producing the feature, Michael Jordan Motorsports achieved its first Superbike win at the American Motorcycle Association’s season opener at Daytona International Raceway.

Rissmiller and the "E:60" camera crew were present with Jordan in his skybox and captured the whole moment on film. "The emotion of the win, and most importantly that my camera operators were in perfect position to capture Jordan and his crew’s reactions made it very memorable," Rissmiller said.

-- Michael Young

Camps Offer Access, Hands-On Opportunities

2011-04-06T14:40:00.002-04:00

High school students may gain exclusive access to state-of-the-art facilities and work with award-winning faculty from the College of Communications during two communications camps this summer.

The camps, one for students interested in filmmaking and one for students interested in journalism, will be conducted July 10-14, on the University Park campus. Participants in the weeklong sessions may earn college credit as well.

Registration details may be found at www.outreach.psu.edu/communications-camps/ online. The deadline to register for the camps is July 5, although registration will be closed if the camps fill before that date.

The journalism camp will be a fast-paced session that emphasizes multimedia reporting, providing students with the opportunity to experience many aspects of a modern journalism career. Students will work together as a team in a newsroom setting as they write print and online feature stories and profiles.

Faculty members will help students enhance their photography, video and audio gathering skills.

In addition, students will spend an evening covering the State College Spikes, the minor league baseball team that plays its games on the Penn State campus, and participate in a news conference. Students also will be given a tour of the College of Communications’ multimedia newsroom and the offices of The Daily Collegian.

By the end of the week, students will gain a better sense of what it takes to be a 21st century journalist.

During the camp for filmmakers, students will explore different roles that apply to making movies. They will be divided into three to four small groups and rotate while producing their films, serving at different times as directors, cinematographers and editors. Students also will take turns acting in each other’s work.

Students will have access to Penn State’s cutting-edge equipment to produce the films. All films will be shot using high-definition video cameras, and students will be taught how to edit at the Finestra Lab in Innovation Park with Apple’s Final Cut Pro. Students also will have access to recording equipment, lights and studio space for their work.

In addition, film faculty members will share their expertise with students during classroom sessions that focus on cameras, lighting exercises and editing. With that combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience, participants will have a greater understanding of the fundamentals of film production by the end of the week.

Free Screening of 'The Social Network'

2011-04-04T15:18:00.003-04:00

A free screening and discussion of "The Social Network," the Academy Award-winning film that chronicles the creation of Facebook, will be conducted at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Carnegie Cinema (113 Carnegie Building).

Faculty panelists include: Matt McAllister, Kevin Hagopian, Matt Jordan and Michelle Rodino-Colocino.

Light refreshments will be provided afterward. The session is sponsored by the Media Studies Society and the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies.

Students Serve NCAA, Share Final Four News

2011-03-31T16:24:00.004-04:00

Penn State has an important presence at the Final Four, thanks to two senior journalism majors covering the event exclusively for the NCAA and for a news blog created by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism.

As part of an agreement with the NCAA, Matt Fortuna and Nate Mink will provide a variety of stories about all aspects of the Final Four throughout the weekend.

Those stories will be posted on the NCAA’s web site -- a first-of-its-kind opportunity for student journalists -- and the Curley Center has launched “Final Four Focus 2011,” a news blog available at http://blogs.comm.psu.edu/finalfour that will carry the students’ stories for the NCAA as well as additional stories they write from the Final Four.

Fortuna and Mink arrived in Houston early Thursday morning and immediately went to work at Reliant Stadium. They will remain on site until Tuesday morning, after the conclusion of the national championship game Monday night.

For the Curley Center, their presence signals the start of what’s expected to be an annual opportunity for top sports journalism students to gain hands-on experience by supporting the NCAA’s coverage of its most visible championship event.

No other sports journalism programs in the country have made a commitment to provide such a hands-on opportunity—especially as part of an ongoing relationship with the NCAA—for their students.

“We are grateful for the confidence the NCAA has shown in our students,” said Malcolm Moran, the Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society and director of the Curley Center. “Matt and Nate have shown that they are ready for the next level. We are working hard to create opportunities like this for students that are ready for the challenge.”

Fortuna, from New York City, has worked for four years at The Daily Collegian, currently serving as arts editor after covering and editing sports for three years. His freelance work has appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, The New York Times and the Detroit Free Press, among others. He previously held internship positions at the Altoona (Pa.) Mirror and with MLB.com in Pittsburgh. This summer, he will return to MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Yankees.

Mink has worked four years at The Daily Collegian, currently serving as a copy editor after providing football coverage the last two years. His freelance work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Detroit Free Press and Baltimore Sun, among others. He previously held internship positions at The Morning Call in Allentown, Pa., and the Philadelphia Daily News. This summer, he will work as an associate reporter with MLB.com in Philadelphia.

The Center, founded in 2003 and housed in the College of Communications, explores issues and trends in sports journalism through instruction, programming and research. Four full-semester core courses (sports writing; sports broadcasting; sports information and management; and sports, media and society) comprise the undergraduate classroom portion.

Complementary sponsored programming for the Center includes on-campus lectures, panels and workshops on journalism and the role of sports in society. The Center also conducts regular studies and surveys about trends in sports journalism.

'Hamony' Screenings Set Stage for Discussion

2011-03-29T21:02:00.001-04:00

The first U.S. theatre screenings of "Harmony" -- the award-winning film about the environment that captures the passion of Prince Charles regarding the issue and provides a perspective about how the world can meet the challenges associated with climate change at the nexus of ecological and economic concerns -- will be conducted Wednesday, March 30, at the State Theatre in State College.

Free public screenings of the 48-minute film will be conducted at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

A later session, which will include short films produced by students in the Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State and a post-screening discussion with "Harmony" producer/director Stuart Sender, will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tickets for that session cost $5 and are available at the State Theatre.

"Harmony" made its television debut on Nov. 19, 2010, on NBC. It was honored earlier this month as a recipient of an International Green Film Award during the Cinema for Peace Gala at the Berlin International Film Festival.

The film conveys the passion of Prince Charles, who has been a leader on critical global issues for more nearly three decades. He has worked side by side with an business and governmental leaders as well as artists, environmental activists and others to address the global environmental crisis and find ways toward a more sustainable, spiritual and harmonious relationship with the planet.

From organic farms and the rainforests of British Columbia to rare footage of Prince Charles interviewing Al Gore about climate change in 1988, "Harmony" introduces viewers to a perspective about how the world can meet the challenges of climate change globally, locally and personally.

Filmmaker Sender and his wife and partner Julie Bergman Sender are principals in Balcony Films Inc., a Los Angeles-based media production and consulting firm. Balcony Films produces feature and documentary films, television programs, web series and social campaigns.

Pockrass Lecture (April 4) to Focus on Role Morals Play to Influence Entertainment

2011-03-29T13:51:00.003-04:00

A visiting scholar will focus on what kinds of media entertainment people like and why they enjoy it during the Robert M. Pockrass Memorial Lecture at 7 p.m. Monday, April 4, in Foster Auditorium of Paterno Library at Penn State's University Park campus.

The free public lecture by Arthur A. Raney, a leading media effects scholar, titled “The Ongoing Morality Play: Media Entertainment and Our Sense of Right and Wrong,” is sponsored by the College of Communications and University Libraries.

Raney is an associate professor and director of doctoral studies in the School of Communication at Florida State University. His research examines the psychological processes associated with enjoying media entertainment, addressing the question “how and why do we enjoy what we enjoy?” More specifically, he explores the role that moral judgment plays in the enjoyment of dramatic, violent, sports and interactive content.

His work has been published in many entertainment and media-effects anthologies, as well as the Journal of Communication, Media Psychology, Communication Theory and Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media. He also is the lead editor of “Handbook of Sports and Media.”

The Pockrass Lecture was named after the late Professor Robert M. Pockrass, a member of Penn State's journalism faculty from 1948 to 1977. Pockrass, who specialized in public opinion and popular culture, served as the graduate officer and taught radio news writing for the School of Journalism, which later became the College of Communications.

Foster Conference Features AP White House Correspondent, Philly Pulitzer Prize Pair

2011-03-25T11:04:00.002-04:00

An alumnus who covers the White House for the Associated Press and two Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters from the Philadelphia Daily News will be featured guests during the Foster Conference of Distinguished Writers at Penn State.

The conference includes free public sessions on Tuesday, March 29, and Wednesday, March 30, when the writers will read excerpts of their work and then participate in question-and-answer sessions with those in attendance.

Ben Feller, the chief White House correspondent for the Associated Press, will be featured in the first session, which begins at 7 p.m. March 29, in the State Theatre in downtown State College.

Feller covers all facets of President Barack Obama's domestic, foreign and political agenda. Feller is based at the White House and oversees the AP's reporting team there.

In 2010, he won the Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency. Judges for the award described Feller as a "master of deadline reporting."

A 1992 Penn State journalism graduate who grew up in Boalsburg, Pa., Feller began his career in 1993 as a reporter for the Centre Daily Times.

Barbara Laker and Wendy Ruderman of the Philadelphia Daily News will be featured on the second day of the conference, at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, March 30, in the HUB-Robeson Center Auditorium.

Laker and Ruderman won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting with their year-long series, "Tainted Justice," about a rogue squad of narcotics officers.

Ruderman has worked for the Daily News since 2007. Laker joined the Daily News in 1993. The two reporters are co-writing a book, "Midnight in the City of Brotherly Love," to be published by HarperCollins in 2012.

The Foster Conference of Distinguished Writers, made possible by a gift from Penn State alumni Larry and Ellen Foster, was designed to bring students together with some of the best reporters and writers in journalism.

The conference is the 24th to be held under the auspices of the Foster Professorship since its inception in 1999. With the participation of Laker and Ruderman, 31 Pulitzer Prize winners have been part of the conference since that time.

Lecture Pegs PR Pros as Conscience of Orgs

2011-03-24T10:35:00.001-04:00

An expert with nearly 20 years of communications and corporate marketing experience will present a lecture that emphasizes the importance of public relations professionals in shaping the ethical behavior of organizations during a visit to Penn State.

Patricia Whalen, an assistant professor at DePaul University and a member of the board of ethics and professional standards for the Public Relations Society of America, will present the Ben Bronstein Lecture in Ethics and Public Relations on Saturday, March 26, on the University Park campus.

The free public lecture, titled "The Public Relations Professional: The Conscience of the Organization?" will begin at 3:30 p.m. in 121 Sparks Building. The lecture is being held in conjunction with the regional convention of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) hosted by the Penn State PRSSA chapter.

Whalen, director of the master’s degree program in public relations and advertising at DePaul, built her experience in the fields of automotive, aviation and maritime, health care, consumer packaged goods and telecommunications.

Before joining DePaul, she taught for eight years at Northwestern University. She has also served as an industry consultant in change management, consumer research, crisis communication and integrated marketing communications.

The Ben Bronstein Lecture in Ethics and Public Relations provides an example of programming in the College of Communications that consistently stresses the importance of doing the right thing.

Alumnus Ben Bronstein, who earned his journalism degree in 1961, a longtime supporter of the University, was the founding director of public relations at the Penn State College of Medicine and Hershey Medical Center and held director positions in public relations at two statewide healthcare associations. He endowed the lecture in order to support special events in the College of Communications.

Bronstein, a member of the Mt. Nittany Society as a result of his lifetime contributions to the University, formerly served as president of the Lion’s Paw Alumni Association and the Mount Nittany Conservancy.

As an undergraduate, Bronstein was editor of the Penn State Student Handbook, a sportswriter for The Daily Collegian, secretary-treasurer of the Interfraternity Council (IFC), secretary of the IFC Board of Control, president of Phi Sigma Delta social fraternity and a member of Lion's Paw and Skull and Bones senior leadership honor societies.

Faculty Member to Moderate After Film

2011-03-22T14:52:00.002-04:00

Penn State's Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity will present "Reel Injun," a documentary directed by Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, in the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.

"Reel Injun" traces the evolution of cinema’s depiction of Native American people from the silent film era to today, and highlights some of the stereotypes lingering even in 21st century films.

The film features interviews from Clint Eastwood, Robbie Robertson and Russell Means.

The screening will be followed by an interactive discussion lead by John Sanchez, an associate professor in the College of Communications. Both the movie and the discussion are free and open to the public, but seating is limited.

Risley Examines 'Dilemma' in Commentary

2011-03-22T14:44:00.005-04:00

In an exclusive online commentary for The New York Times, Ford Risley, professor and head of the Department of Journalism, examines why the South moved its capital from Montgomery, Ala., to Richmond, Va., and what it meant for the Civil War. LINK TO COMMENTARY

Risley's research centers on mass media history, especially antebellum and Civil War journalism. He is the author of "The Abolitionist Press: The Moral Struggle Against Slavery" (Northwestern University Press, 2008) and "The Civil War: Primary Documents on Events from 1860 to 1865" (Greenwood Press, 2004). He also has published articles, essays and book reviews in a variety of scholarly publications including American Journalism, Civil War History, Georgia Historical Quarterly and Journalism History.

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

"Abolition and the Press: The Moral Struggle Against Slavery" won the American Journalism Historians Association's award for the best book on media history published in 2008.

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

FCC's Chief Diversity Officer to Share Insights

2011-03-21T13:21:00.003-04:00

The Federal Communications Commission’s chief diversity officer will speak about media diversity during a free public lecture at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, in the auditorium at the HUB-Robeson Center on Penn State's University Park campus.

Mark Lloyd will present “Promoting Media Diversity and Competition in the Digital Age,” discussing current FCC policies and initiatives aimed at promoting competition and diversity in the electronic media industries during an event sponsored by the Department of Telecommunications in the College of Communications.

As the FCC’s associate general counsel and chief diversity officer, Lloyd works to help ensure that the communications field is competitive and generates widespread opportunities.

Lloyd was most recently the vice president for strategic initiatives at the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights/Education Fund, where he oversaw media and telecommunications initiatives. He was also an adjunct professor of public policy at the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute and, from 2002 to 2004, a visiting scholar at MIT, where he conducted research and taught communications policy.

Before that, Lloyd was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, the General Counsel of the Benton Foundation, and an attorney at Dow, Lohnes & Albertson. Before becoming a communications lawyer, Lloyd was a broadcast journalist, working at CNN and NBC. He is the author of numerous popular and academic articles, a contributor to books on communications policy and journalism, and the author of one book, “Prologue to a Farce: Communication and Democracy in America.”

Free Online Chat to Focus on Youth Sports

2011-03-18T08:13:00.001-04:00

Some basic sports rules -- including three strikes and you’re out in baseball or 10 yards for a first down in football -- apply whether a game is contested among professionals or pre-teens, but accepted and expected conduct of the media when covering those competitions often differs according to the age and experience of participants.

The challenges, ethics and responsibilities for journalists covering youth sports will be discussed at 1 p.m. Monday, March 21, during an online chat conducted by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism.

"Ethical Issues in the Coverage of Youth Sports" is free, and people may access and participate in the session by visiting http://sportsjourn.psu.edu/live-chats online.

Participants include:
-- Steve Barr, director of media relations for Little League Baseball and Softball;
-- George Dohrmann, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who writes for Sports Illustrated and authored "Play Their Hearts Out," which examines grassroots basketball, in 2010;
-- Tracy Greer, online editor of the North County Times in Escondido, Calif.; and
-- Malcolm Moran, the Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society and director of the Curley Center.

Marie Hardin, an associate professor of communications at Penn State and associate director of the Curley Center, will serve as moderator for the hour-long session, which will focus on journalism coverage of youth sports and how the age of the participants can and should shape how media outlets cover those activities.