JDM professor convenes journalism panel

Matt Tullis, assistant professor of journalism and digital media, was asked by Creative Nonfiction literary magazine, to convene a virtual panel to discuss journalism as a form of creative writing. Over the summer, Tullis exchanged emails with Chris Jones, a writer at large for Esquire magazine; Thomas Lake, a senior writer for Sports Illustrated; and Ben Montgomery, an enterprise reporter at The Tampa Bay Times, discussing the subject. The piece will be published in a future issue of the nationally-distributed literary magazine.

More JDM publishing news

Dr. David McCoy, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Journalism and Digital Media, reviewed the book The Digital Divide for the Journal of Media Education.  The review appeared this spring in volume3, issue 2.  McCoy’s article Getting Started with Student Blogs: Tips for the Digital Immigrant was published in the March 2012 edition of the journal Faculty Focus.  His article Social Media Convergence: How a Blog Assignment Can Serve as a Professional ePortfolio is in submission for the Spring 2013 volume of the AURCO Journal.

JDM Professor publishes book review

Dr. Gretchen Dworznik, Assistant Professor of Digital Media was asked to review the book, Chronicling Trauma for the journal Journalism. The review appeared this summer in volume 13, issue 6. Dworznik also made three separate presentations at the Broadcast Educators Association conference in April. Her presentations centered on aspects of teaching media in the new educational reality those in higher education media organizations are facing.

FOX8 Meteorologist speaks to JDM class

On February 24, Fox8 Meteorologist Scott Sabol came to speak with the students from the Multimedia Journalism class. Sabol talked about how the business of television is changing, and added that students need to learn as many skills as they can in order to make themselves more marketable upon graduation. He also talked about how social media has changed the daily routine of reporters, anchors, and even meteorologists.

The Multimedia Journalism class is part of the new curriculum created by the Department of Journalism and Digital Media. The new curriculum took effect in Fall 2011, and focuses on teaching students how to produce content for multiple platforms -- web, print, and broadcast -- instead of allowing them to focus only on one. 

JDM creates AU Media Group on Linked-In

What's the value of your professional network? For aspiring media professionals and seasoned media pros alike your "rolodex" connects and sustains your career. And with today's technology tools like Linked-In, connecting to fellow media pros is easier than ever.

Which is why JDM is proud to announce a new Linked-In Group called the Ashland University Media Alumni Network. AUMAN is designed to let current AU media students connect with Ashland's vast, varied and talented network of media alumni working all over the world.

For Ashland's newly created and converged media department, using Linked-In was a natural according to JDM's Dr. Gretchen Dworznik, "We wanted to provide an avenue for our current students to connect with our large base of media alums working in the industry. Linked-In was the perfect place because many of our students and alums already use it." Dworznik said. "The idea was actually suggested by one of our current students - Tim Hawk. We thought it was a great idea!"

To join the AUMAN on Linked-in - if you have a Linked-In account - log on and search Ashland University Media Alumni Network. If you don't have a Linked-In account, sign up and then search for our group!

Way to go Tim Hawk!!

Dr. David McCoy appointed to journal editorial board

Congratulations to Dr. David McCoy, assistant professor of Journalism & Digital Media, on his appointment to the editorial board for Technoculture: An Online Journal of Technology in Society. The journal features critical articles on media use in society and informed reviews on technology and culture. Journal submissions come from communication, media and social science scholars who work in the general area of technology studies, including new media, technodrama and documentary. Dr. McCoy will serve a two-year term (2012-2013) on the editorial board.

Putting our stamp on 2011

2011 was indeed an exciting year for JDM as we continued to execute our college's (CAS) reorganization plan that created our new department from scratch; a unique and rare alignment of planets in higher education we were told.

For our part we took the ball and ran with it spending last year recruiting and retooling our innovative curriculum on the notion that today's media industry demands production professionals and journalists have converged skills.

Our department has much to be thankful for in 2011:

• To our Dean, Dr. Dawn Weber for her continued support and vision.
• To our largest freshman class, you had a great semester in 2011. Your assignment? Top it in 2012!
• To the newest member of our faculty, Dr. Dave McCoy, thanks for your insights, your passion to teach media and for your flexibility!
• To JDM's spiritual leader (and den mother!), Dr. Gretchen Dworznik, congratulations on your beautiful baby girl. We wish you both good health in 2012. You're not allowed to scare us like that again!
• And finally, to our Ops Manager, John Skrada, a thousand thanks for all the extra time keeping track of our equipment, and for your passion to teach high standards of media production across all of our outlets.

Our wish for 2012? Simple. Continue to strive to be the best journalism and digital media department in Ohio and beyond.

Happy New Year to all from JDM!

YouTube 2.0?

Interesting article in the media industry trade pub Ad Week speculating about an evolution of YouTube, the internet video site many of our students worship.

Interesting to meet the men behind the media curtain.

So, you want to be a storyteller...

Current JDM majors, take heart. Here's what a pro named Ira Glass, who produces a radio program called This American Life has to say to you.


Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.
To all of our aspiring storytellers, the JDM faculty has this to say to you: word!
We love you guys, stay the course and have a great holiday break. But be ready to craft your storytelling "taste" into better stories in 2012!

NATAS Faculty Seminar: Day 1

Our day began at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences complex in Hollywood. They have a cool courtyard with statues of the greats from TV. (If you can't tell by the nose, that's Bob Hope pictured!)

Our panel discussions featured a veteran producer on the business of television and the art of "the pitch." (Hint to students, successful pitches are not about TV or film, they're really about interpersonal communication, persuasion and having a killer script! Duh!!) Our second panel was hosted by two entertainment lawyers and was very enlightening about copyright, fair use and educational media.

After lunch we took a short bus ride over to the CBS Television City Studios and joined the audience for a taping of The Price is Right hosted by Cleveland native Drew Carey. The episode will air December 22nd so the audience was decked out in all of their Christmas glory. (Our group was on the far screen right...)

Tomorrow we'll hear from TV show executives (called show runners), Directors and will take a CBS Studio tour. In the evening we'll preview the new Kelsey Grammer show, An Evening with the Boss.

Still looking for a nearby IN-n-OUT Burger... A Double-double will be mine!

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Michelle Wilson (Valiquette)

Michelle Wilson (Valiquette) graduated from AU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television Broadcast Production and Professional Video.  Michelle is currently the Executive Producer of a nationally syndicated health and fitness show entitled Peter’s Principles with Peter Nielsen.  She is in charge of all aspects of the show’s production from producing, writing, managing crews, contacting sponsors and booking guests.

Name:  Michelle Wilson (Valiquette)

Degree Received upon graduation: Bachelor of Arts in Television Production and Professional Video

Graduation Year: 1992

Current Job: Executive Producer: Peter’s Principles Health and Fitness Show

Brief description of your duties:  I coordinate all aspects of production for a nationally syndicated health and fitness show including producing, writing, managing crews, contacting sponsors and booking guests.

How did AU and the broadcast/journalism department help you receive this job?  Ashland gave me hands on experience that was vital to succeed in the Television business. Through Ashland, I was able to secure an internship in a newsroom and by the end of the internship I was producing their 5pm newscast, all because of the knowledge and experience I learned at Ashland.  That same internship led to a full time news producing job, which lead to a health producer job in a larger market where I met Peter Nielsen and was hired as his Executive Producer.  It all started with knowing what to do in a newsroom from producing, writing, editing, shooting and even running scripts.  When you know the skills, you have the confidence and it can take you anywhere.

What is your favorite aspect of the job?: I am able to reach out and help people all across the country.  There is no greater joy than hearing from someone that you changed their life and in some cases, saved their life. 

JDM to Offer First Ever AU Course on Social Media!!

One need not look any further than how social media tools shaped and reshaped the Arab spring to know how powerful they've become on a global scale.

JDM's Dr. David McCoy will be teaching our newest course offering, Global Impact of Social Media next semester. Dr. McCoy is excited to explore with students why social media has the power to bring people closer together from all parts of the world. Dr. McCoy also notes that it will be interesting to study where the future of social media might lead us all.

And the best part? JDM 405 fulfills a Social Science requirement in the AU core!

Course Facts:
JDM 405 – Global Impact of Social Media
Pre-req - junior and senior status only.
Offered: T/TH, 1:40 – 2:55, or T/TH, 3:05 – 4:20

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Tom Walters

At A Blog Converged, we're excited to launch a new segment as a companion to our very popular Intern Spotlight, called Alumni Spotlight! Mr. Walters, you're in the leadoff spot!
 

Tom Walters graduated from Ashland College in 1985, and has worked as a news photojournalist for over 25 years. Originally from Syracuse, NY, he started at the ABC station (where he interned as part of an Ashland College internship), and worked his way up to Chief Photographer. In 1993, Tom moved to Tampa, Florida to work at the CBS station. Then, in 1995 it was off to Indianapolis, where he worked at WRTV, the ABC affiliate for four years. Tom moved back to Tampa, and returned to WTSP for another three years, before heading back home, to help start up News 10 Now (now YNN), a 24 hour local news station, owned by Time Warner. Tom has been the Senior Photojournalist at YNN Syracuse for the last 8 years. Part of his job is to help in the training of all the new One Man Bands or MMJ’s that work at the station.

Name:  Tom Walters

Degree Received upon graduation: Radio/TV Production

Graduation Year: 1985

Current Job: Senior Photojournalist, YNN Syracuse

Brief description of your duties: Shoot and edit daily news and sports stories, and statewide franchise pieces, run microwave/satellite truck, and train all VJ’s and photogs in use of their cameras.

How did AU and the broadcast/journalism department help you receive this job?  My degree at Ashland was instrumental in getting me into a career in television news. Ashland’s influence reached to WIXT, where they helped me to get my foot in the door with a summer long internship. The people at WIXT were impressed with my knowledge of TV production, and it was the multitude of opportunities at Ashland’s radio and television stations that gave me the skills and confidence, which I applied at the station.

What is your favorite aspect of the job? The best aspect of the job is that every day brings something new, and no day is ever boring. This job has allowed me access to people and places I would normally never get to meet or see. One day, you could be in the same room with the President of the United States, while the very next day, you could find yourself shooting inside of a C-130 transport plane. For someone who enjoys professional sports, I have been lucky enough to be in the middle of a Super Bowl, multiple NBA playoffs, Major League baseball games, college bowls and I even got a chance to shoot in a pace car on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with golfer Greg Norman as my personal driver. All of these things were possible because of Ashland University.

We look forward to featuring as many of our talented AU media alums as we can in the coming days! Given JDM's bloodlines and rich history from the R/TV days, we should complete this project in the year 2050!

Guest Speakers to visit JDM classes this month!

This month, Professor Randolph's Media Management class will be joined by Natalie Walston the Founder, CEO and Owner of The Walston Group, LLC. The Walston Group provides Public Relations, Social Media Management, Crisis Communications and Media Training. Natalie worked for more than 15 years in Central Ohio as a media reporter and producer as well as a public relations director for the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association.

Also this month, Karen Kasler, the Statehouse Bureau Chief for Ohio Public Radio & Television, will visit JDM Professor AJ Randolph's Intro to Journalism this month. The Statehouse News Bureau covers state government and statewide issues for Ohio’s 33 public radio and 12 public television stations. Kasler, an award-winning reporter and editor has also worked for WTAM in Cleveland and WBNS-TV in Columbus.

JDM Professor's article published!

How are reporters and photographers psychologically affected by the tragic stories they cover? That’s the topic of an article published by Dr. Gretchen Dworznik in July of 2011. “Factors Contributing to PTSD and Compassion Fatigue in Local Television News Workers” was published in the International Journal of Humanities, Business and Technology. The article was based on a study of 280 local television news workers that was completed as part of Dworznik’s dissertation.

JDM student travels to LA to film Documentary

A Blog Converged is excited to report JDM student Ashliegh Jarzenski was chosen to join a select seven women crew set to direct, shoot and edit a documentary beginning August 13th in LA. The doc will help create awareness on the issue of domestic violence on behalf of the Mary Kay Inspiring Stories program and Dreaming Tree Films.

Jarzenski, a sophomore broadcast communication major who recently worked on JDM's 9.11 Remembered doc, is excited to practice what she's learned at AU on a worthy cause.  

"I am so blessed to have this opportunity to create an awareness on this important cause while also learning so much more about the film and broadcast industries! I know I will be well-prepared to take on Hollywood thanks to the experiences that I've had in the short amount of time in the JDM Department. Hollywood, here I come!"

The piece features former Spy Kids star, Alexa Vega, and Joanna Garcia Swisher, who starred in the shows Privileged and Reba, who will narrate the film.

Stay tuned for reports from the set!

(R/TV) Alum featured in JDM's 9.11 Documentary

How do you know you're a Journalist? Like Police, Fire and Medical first responders, when everyone is moving away from danger, a Journalist moves towards the story.

In addition to the many outstanding faculty interviews, a highlight in JDM's new documentary on the 10-year anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks, 9.11 Remembered, features an interview with R/TV alum Jess Baker ('02), who along with her partner Laura Allenbaugh ('03), drove from Ashland to NYC with a video camera to cover the biggest story since Pearl Harbor.

Why? Because that's where the story was.

Photo by Robin Holland

At a Blog Converged, we get asked this question a lot, "Who do you want your journalists to be like?"

It's a good question. Our ingredients would includes smarts, savvy, great writing skills, empathy, good interview skills and last but not least, what we call "the fire" to tell stories.

On top of our list of journalists we hope our students emulate? Bill Moyers. The host of the acclaimed PBS series, "Bill Moyers Journal" talks about his new book, "Bill Moyers Journal: The Conversation Continues."

To all aspiring journalists, be like Bill!

Long-form journalism finds new platforms

The Los Angeles Times had a great piece in Sunday's newspaper about new platforms arising for long-form, narrative journalism. The piece talks about new sites like Byliner.com, the Atavist and Virginia Quarterly Review, all of which have given literary journalism a new, highly-visible home.

Byliner / May 15, 2011

Byliner.com launched in a big way with John Krakauer's "Three Cups of Deceit," which was a takedown of Greg Mortenson's untruthful memoir "Three Cups of Tea" and the tremendous amount of money Mortenson takes from the charity he created to fund his own book promotions.

This story backs up our belief here at AU that journalism is not dead, and long-form, literary journalism, still has a strong market. People will read it.

State of Journalism bodes well for JDM Grads

Your college major checklist:

Take classes in my major...check.

Gain practical experience in Journalism writing for the college newspaper, radio, TV outlets and web site...check.

Research the hyper-evolving industry I'm about to enter to see if my skills match the jobs offered... Whoa! Not sure what awaits you in Journalism and Digital Media?

Here's a great resource: The Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism just published its State of the News Media 2011 Annual Report on American Journalism.

The survey and the project director, Tom Rosenstiel, were featured recently on NPR's Talk of the Nation. Read the transcript and listen to the story.

Last thing on a JDM major's checklist...be prepared!