Congrats to fall semester graduates

COJO graduates at the December commencement ceremony.

Professor named to editorial board

Dr. Gracie Lawson-Borders was recently appointed to the editorial board of the International Journal of Media Management.

COJO faculty win merit awards

Two COJO faculty members received Extraordinary Merit Awards from the College of Arts and Sciences this semester. Dr. Frank Millar won Extraordinary Merit in Teaching. Dr. Tracey Patton won Extraordinary Merit in Research. Congratulations!

COJO student meets Gorbachev

Congratulations to Justin Klein, a senior in communication from Gillette, who was selected as one of eight UW students who met and dined with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Oct. 14. For more information, see this UW press release.

Communication honorary inducts members

The communication honorary Lambda Pi Eta, Omicron Pi Chapter, has announced its Fall 2011 inductees. Chapter president Kayla Lunemann, vice president Marci Christensen and secretary Alex Barrett welcomed the following new members: Kayla Davis, Tyson Finnicum, David Knight, Brendan LaChance, Jamie Magrum, Anna Rader, Kirsten Ryel, Amanda Stith, Kelsey Tramp, and Kayli Westling.

Alumni news

Mary Anne (Shields) Ackatz, a 1982 graduate of the University of Wyoming with a B.A. in journalism, published a book in December called, "To The Ends Of The Earth." It is a sci-fi fiction and is her first attempt at a book. She worked in the newspaper industry for more than 20 years. She now works as a substitute teacher. She has had two book signings, as well as several venues at local events to sell the book.
Ron Franscell, a 1979 journalism graduate, will have a discussion and book signing for his new books "Sourtoe" and "Outlaw Rockies" on Oct. 10 at 3 p.m. at University of Wyoming's American Heritage Center. The event is free and open to the public. He also is holding other book signings around Wyoming.
Chad Baldwin, a native of Wyoming and graduate of the University of Wyoming, has been hired as director of Institutional Communications at UW. He will begin work Monday, Sept. 12. Baldwin comes to UW from the Casper Star-Tribune, where he has served as editor since 2008. His award-winning newspaper career began in 1988 as a reporter at The Riverton Ranger following his graduation from UW with a B.A. in journalism. While at UW, Baldwin was editor and sports editor of The Branding Iron.

COJO newsletter features author interview

The annual issue of the COJO Department newsletter features an interview with 1979 journalism graduate Ron Franscell about his latest book, "Delivered from Evil." The newsletter also includes stories on UW/CC lecturer Carol Tarantola's retirement and Professor Frank Millar's battle with cancer, as well as alumni, student and faculty news.

Congrats to Spring 2011 graduates

COJO students win scholarships

Scholarships were awarded recently at the annual Communication and Journalism Department awards reception. The department would like to congratulate recipients and thank the scholarship donors.
Click here for a list of the winners.

Brown gets 'Extra Mile' award

Professor Michael Brown has received a "Going the Extra Mile" award from University Disability Support Services. The award is presented to UW faculty, staff and departments for "demonstrating qualities of knowledge, sensitivity and helpfulness in assisting students with disabilities at UW."

COJO graduate on Lummis' staff

Hayley Douglas, left, a 2007 UW journalism graduate, is a press aide for U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo. Professor Conrad Smith visited with her while he was in Washington, D.C., over spring break.

Honor society names new members

Lambda Pi Eta, Omicron Pi, the UW chapter of the Communication and Journalism undergraduate honor society, announces its new members: Alexandria Barrett, Marci N. Christensen and Tracey Rosenlund. These students were accepted based on their outstanding scholarship and achievements. Congratulations to them.

Shannon Smith named outstanding senior

Shannon Smith, a senior in journalism from Evanston, is among the outstanding senior graduates for the 2010-11 academic year in the UW College of Arts and Sciences.
Each year, the college's Scholarship Committee, comprised of faculty members from each of the college's divisions, selects outstanding graduates from among students nominated by advisers and instructors.
The names of the outstanding graduates will be engraved on a bronze plaque mounted in the lobby of the Arts and Sciences building. In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences will host a private breakfast to honor these outstanding students the morning of commencement.

Stewart wins PIE honors - and a pie

Assistant lecturer Justin Stewart received a 2011 Promoting Intellectual Engagement in the First Year (PIE) award for his efforts teaching freshmen classes. The PIE Award recognizes outstanding faculty who inspire students intellectually in first-year courses.
This year, nominees were chosen by both freshmen and sophomore students in an on-line survey. A committee selected winners based on number of nominations and students' comments regarding the faculty member's success in engaging students meaningfully in course material, promoting successful transition to college expectations, and fostering investment in learning.
At a reception in April, Justin will receive a pie!

Professors Price, Brown publish articles

Associate Professor Cindy Price has the lead article, "Using Visual Theories to Analyze Advertising: A Case Study of South Dakota's Abortion Commercials," in the upcoming issue of Visual Communication Quarterly.

Cindy Price and Professor Michael R. Brown published "Adapting Small Market Rural Media to the Challenges of New Media: Interviews with Small Market Rural Managers" in a special issue about community journalism in Online Journal of Rural Research and Policy.

Gladney publishes book chapter on Moldova

Professor George Gladney has a chapter (“Moldova’s ‘Twitter Revolution’ as Myth: A Critical Assessment of World Press Coverage of Moldova’s 2009 Election Protest Riots”) published in the 2010 book Advances in Communication and Mass Media Research, published by Atiner Publications, Athens, Greece. The research is an outgrowth of Gladney’s visit to Moldova soon after the riots there.

Professor wins research grant

Assistant Professor Kristen Landreville received a basic research grant from the College of Arts and Sciences for her study, "Changing Hearts and Minds with Multimedia Journalism: How Multimedia Impacts Story Comprehension, Attitude Change, and Recall."

Fall 2010 graduation photo

Dr. Ken Smith, left, with the Fall 2010 graduating class of COJO seniors. Click on photo for larger size.

Student gets internship with NBC News

Brooke Eades, a junior in journalism from Casper, is in Washington, D.C., this semester as an intern for NBC News. She is assigned to work with Pete Williams, a senior correspondent covering the Justice Department and Supreme Court.

Journalism majors are required to complete a three-credit-hour internship.

Student writes article in UW magazine

Shannon Smith, a senior in journalism, wrote a story for the new issue of UWYO, the university's official magazine, about Engineers Without Borders' work in Kenya.