J-School Breaking News

School of Journalism   The University of Montana   May 1999

 

School of Journalism has new dean

Jerry E. Brown, professor and head of the Department of Journalism at Auburn University, has been selected as dean of the UM School of Journalism.

"No wonder I was attracted to the University of Montana School of Journalism," said Brown, who visited the campus in early April. "It has a strong national and regional reputation for at least two good reasons--the professors and the students. The faculty impressed me as skilled professionals and gifted teachers. The students I met asked probing questions, which indicates they will join the ranks of successful graduates.

Brown, who will assume the dean's position this summer, said he's looking forward to his new job. "As dean, I hope to have a role in building on the school's strengths and in increasing the level of recognition and support," he said.

Brown has taught at Auburn, in Auburn, Ala., since 1979. Before that, he was editor of the Vinton Messenger, assistant professor of English at Longwood College and a graduate teaching fellow at Vanderbilt University.

He received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Auburn University, a master's degree in creative writing from Hollins College, and a doctorate in English from Vanderbilt University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Dartmouth College.

Brown is the author of "Roy Blount, Jr.," published in 1990, and co-author of the award-winning book "The Federal Road through Georgia, the Creek Nation and Alabama," published in 1989. He and his wife, Libby, have two daughters.

Brown's selection comes after two searches and two years without a permanent dean at the helm of the J-school. He was one of five candidates who met with faculty, staff, students and local professionals during the interview process in March and April.

 

PNNA gives J-school high marks

UM's School of Journalism produces excellent graduates who are "soundly trained in the fundamentals of print journalism," according to a recent evaluation issued by the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Association.

Four representatives of the organization were on campus in early March to evaluate the J-school's program and success at turning out students well prepared for newspaper jobs.

"The school's commitment almost exactly matches PNNA's philosophy," the report said, adding that UM "continues to be a model for journalism programs that meet or exceed PNNA expectations."

The report noted that classes at UM provide hands-on opportunities and make real-life demands.

"Teachers stress deadlines," it said. "And many of the teachers were described by the students as tough, but compassionate, great role-modeling for the real world where the best city editors exhibit both qualities."

PNNA also mentioned that the J-school has made significant progress in recruiting minorities through its creation of the Native American Journalist-in-Residence position, filled by Dennis McAuliffe, night foreign editor at the Washington Post.

The report singled out the "impressive effort" of the continuing Native News Honors Project, in which top students produce a 32-page newspaper tab on Indian issues in Montana. The annual tab is distributed statewide.

Areas of concern mentioned in the report were diminishing levels of state funding, leadership instability in recent years and the danger of faculty burnout due to a high student advisory load. Also mentioned were increasingly inadequate facilities.

"Historic and beloved as it is, the school's building needs to be replaced so that broadcast and print classes can be held at one site," the report said. "Eventually, a new building is needed. For now, the old building serves the school sufficiently -- and proudly."

UM is well ahead of the curve in some areas, including teaching design, photojournalism and computer-assisted reporting, the report said.

PNNA contacted state newspaper professionals for their opinions of the J-school.

In a survey of seven Montana editors, the J-school received a B+ for overall effort, "a very solid showing. Overall, respondents thought the school was doing a solid job and was serving the state's newspapers well."

PNNA represents about 60 papers in the Pacific Northwest region, which includes Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Utah and British Columbia. Along with promoting the newspaper industry, it evaluates journalism schools and provides financial support those that uphold its high standards.

PNNA team members visiting UM were: Paul Emerson, editor of the Lewiston (Idaho) Tribune; Jim Strauss, editor of the Great Falls Tribune; Rebecca Nappi, interactive editor at the Spokesman-Review; and Andy Perdue, news editor at the Tri-City (Washington) Herald.

 

J-school places fifth in Hearst Journalism Awards

The School of Journalism finished fifth overall in the 1999 Hearst Journalism Awards Program, in which points are accumulated for student performance in three divisions: print, photojournalism and broadcast news.

UM brought home medallions for a fourth-place win in the broadcast news division and a seventh-place win in photojournalism.

The J-school's Cari Cast placed in the top 10 of the second round of the Radio Broadcast News Competition. She will receive a $1,000 award, a medallion and a Hearst Awards yearbook.

Cast's award letter noted that she has earned the reputation as among "the best young talent in the country."

Also from UM, Nathan Schweber tied for 14th place in the final round of the Spot News Writing Competition. He competed against 57 students from 35 journalism schools across the country. Schweber will receive a certificate of merit and a copy of the yearbook.

Often called "the Pulitzers of College Journalism," Hearst's intercollegiate competitions are funded and administered by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. UM's students competed against other undergraduates from 107 accredited journalism schools in the United States.

 

Photo-J students win medallions in CPOY competition

Two University of Montana photojournalism students have won bronze medallions in the 54th annual College Photographer of the Year competition.

Senior Ann Williamson of Missoula won a bronze medal in the general news category for "Drive-by," a photograph of three handcuffed juveniles during their initial court appearance for the murder of an 8-year-old boy in Wichita. Williamson had interned at the Wichita Eagle.

John Locher, a junior from Milwaukee who was photography editor for the Montana Kaimin, was awarded a bronze medal in the sports portfolio category. His entry included eight sports photographs of swimming, ice climbing, calf roping, cross-country and rugby.

The prestigious annual competition, which is judged at the University of Missouri by some of the nation's top photojournalists, is open to undergraduate or graduate students at any university.


 

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