SJMC announces Mass Comm. Week 2012

Mark your calendars for Mass Comm. Week 2012, which will be happening Oct. 29 - Nov. 1 at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. This annual week-long media conference invites professionals from around the world to discuss issues, trends and careers in mass media. Among the events we have planned, Common Experience speaker Ethan Zuckerman, the director of the MIT Center for Civic Media, will be speaking on Oct. 29. We're also excited to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the SJMC graduate program on Nov.1 featuring Bharati Naik, an alumna of our program who works for CNN International in London. More panel information, dates and times will be made available soon.

Texas State Finishes in Top 15 of National Bateman Competition

Texas State University was one of 12 universities in the nation to receive honorable mention recognition in the 2012 PRSA National Case Study Competition. In addition to Texas State University’s “Fit to the Core” campaign, entries taking honorable mention honors were, in alphabetical order, Ball State University, Brigham Young University, Butler University, Chapman University, Drake University, Illinois State University, Louisiana State University, Seton Hall University, the University of Alabama, Utah Valley University, and Western Kentucky University.

A total of 70 universities entered this year's national competition organized through the Public Relations Society of America. The three finalists who will move on to make presentations in Minneapolis in May are Loyola University in New Orleans, the University of Florida and the University of Maryland. This year’s clients were General Mills and United Way Worldwide. The campaign topic for this year’s competition was Childhood Obesity. Trista Bishop, Elizabeth McLellan, Holly Topper and Katie Wright comprised the 2012 Texas State team.

“Our students performed well in all phases of the campaign, from research and planning to execution,” said Charles Kaufman, SJMC senior lecturer and faculty adviser to the team. “They creatively branded their theme and implemented programs and social media platforms well, including a six-part interview with Mayor Daniel Guerrero, who committed the campaign month to healthy eating and exercise. He lost 18 pounds in the process. ‘Fit to the Core’ received attention from traditional media as well. I’m pleased we were in the running for the finals. Obviously, we were in some pretty good company.”

To reach students from underserved areas of San Marcos, the Texas State team worked through the local Head Start after-school program with food and fitness presentations. A variety of experts participated in activities in a club atmosphere for SMCISD students. The campaign touched the minds of students, parents and other targets with more than 95,000 impressions. United Way has embraced the campaign theme and plans to make it part of its future programs.

Texas State honors SJMC alumna with scholarship

On February 16, 2011 Kara Casey Meyer, a 1987 graduate of Texas State and presenter on the 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier AAF team, passed away unexpectedly. For everyone who was fortunate enough to know Kara they will recall her vibrant personality that lit up a room, made everyone feel comfortable, and brought a smile to your face.

While a journalism student at Texas State, Kara interned at GSD&M in Austin. After graduation she began her career in advertising and marketing with a summer internship at Chiat Day in Los Angeles. She moved to Dallas in 1988 to begin her career as an Account Executive at Stern Monroe and to marry Jay Meyer, a marketing graduate from Texas State. She was married to Jay for 22 years, raising two wonderful children, Alexis and Christian. She moved to Nouveau Eyewear in 1994 as Marketing Director, eventually becoming Vice President of Marketing during her 8 year tenure. In 2002, Kara joined REM Eyewear as Vice President of Corporate Accounts, being honored as one of Vision Monday’s “Most Influential Women in Optical” in 2005.

A scholarship is being established in her name. Mary Ann Stutts is organizing the effort. For online giving follow this link and follow the directions below:

Click on the “Click Here to Search” box, type Kara Casey Meyer under the “Enter all or part of Fund Name” and click on “Start Search.” The search results drop box will pull up the fund, which you will need to select. Now the gift amount may be added. Contributions can also be mailed to the address below. Please note Kara Casey Meyer in the memo area of the check.

Texas State University-San Marcos
Donor Relations, JCK-480
601 University Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666

SJMC grad students work hard; gain recognition

Celebrity Scholarship:
Graduate student Kiana Fitzgerald has won the Celebrity Scholarship competing with more than 150 students from across the university. Only about 10 students receive this award each year. (SJMC undergraduate with a 3.82 and a graduate GPA of 4.0. She is also a graduate assistant). This is the second year in a row, a mass communication graduate student has won the Celebrity Scholarship ($1,500 a semester until the student graduates). Valene Bummara won it last year. (Texas State undergraduate with a Sociology major and Business minor. Undergraduate GPA 3.97 and graduate GPA=4.0. She is a graduate assistant).

Graduate College Scholarship:
Among the 30 applicants in the College of Fine Arts and Communication, the following SJMC grad students won the Graduate College Scholarships:

• Valene Bummara--$1,500
• Kiana Fitzgerald--$1,000
• Emily Lyons--$1,000

Ph.D. Admission Graduate student Jose Andres Araiza has been admitted to the UT Ph.D. Program in journalism and has received a $20,000 scholarship per year for four years.

Katie Pengra's travel piece on New Orleans written for my graduate media writing class has been competitively selected for publication in the Austin American Statesman.

El Centro hosts third international spanish language documentary festival "Puntos de Vista"

Slated Friday, April 27th, 2012 at 9:00AM

The Center for the Study of Latino Media & Markets (El Centro) will host the 3rd International Spanish-language Documentary Festival, “Puntos de Vista”, on Friday, April 27th, 2012 at Texas State University LBJ Student Center. “Puntos de Vista” promotes the creativity and originality of documentaries written and produced by Hispanic students in Communications and Film Studies. The topics explored in the 15-20-minute documentaries cover relevant social issues on a global scale and depict how different groups experience their own reality under their own perspective.

“Our goal is to promote cultural and academic ties among students and to develop the students’ interests in significant social issues in their own countries thus increasing awareness and education,” said Dr. Sindy Chapa, Organizing Committee President and Associate Director of The Center for Latino Media and Markets (CSLMM) at Texas State University. Violence in Colombia, effects of drug trafficking in Florida and the blending of cultures along border regions in South America are some of the themes featured in the documentaries.

“This event provides an opportunity for students to gain an understanding in the differences and uniqueness’s among Latino cultures thus working as a platform to develop new ideas for storytelling and cultural interaction,” Chapa said.

Students from eight different universities will travel to San Marcos, Texas from Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Spain and the U.S. to display their work and compete for a 1st place prize of $2,000, a 2nd place prize of $1,000 and a 3rd place prize of $500.

Puntos de Vista 2012 will conclude with El Centro’s annual Lazos celebration honoring the participants and encouraging the integration of students who share similar cultures, ideas and goals.

For additional information about El Centro, “Puntos de Vista 2012”, Lazos, or to view and vote for your favorite documentary, please visit The Center for the Study of Latino Media & Markets (El Centro) website.

SJMC Faculty Receive Awards from College of FAC

Congratulations to the following SJMC faculty members who were selected to receive honors by the College of Fine Arts and Communication Presidential Excellence Award Committee:

• Teaching: Sindy Chapa, College runner-up $1,000; Cindy Royal, Friends of FAC $800
• Research: Kate Peirce and Jinbong Choi, Friends of FAC $800 each
• Service: Kym Fox, College nominee selected to be considered at the university-wide level

Oskam named SJMC Director

Dr. Judy Oskam has been named Director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University, effective July 1, 2012.

Oskam has served as Associate Professor and Associate Director for Round Rock Programs for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2006. Dr. Oskam was on the faculty in the College of Mass Communications at Texas Tech University for 12 years before joining Texas State University. Oskam has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio/TV/Film from the University of North Texas, a Master of Science degree in Mass Communications and Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Oklahoma State University. Earlier in her career, Judy worked in public affairs/outreach positions for Oklahoma State University, The University of Texas System and was a television journalist for stations in Oklahoma and Texas.

Oskam has directed various health, agriculture and safety public awareness campaigns and grant projects. Several of her videos and television programs have won awards and recognition. Dr. Oskam's documentary (with Melinda Goodspeed), Images of Tony Gleaton, was distributed nationally by American Public Television and has aired on PBS stations around the country. Images of Tony Gleaton received a 2005 Bronze Telly Award (Film/Video-Cultural category). Oskam and Goodspeed won a 2008 Bronze Telly Award for their documentary, Barry Lopez: Working Writer. She served as the 2008-2009 President for the Southwest Education Council for Journalism and Mass Communication. In 2009, Oskam received the Alan Scott Rising Star Award from the Texas Public Relations Association.

An award-winning educator, Oskam teaches traditional, hybrid and online classes. In 2011, she earned the Sloan Consortium Online Teaching Certificate. Oskam conducts workshops and presentations on hybrid and online teaching. She serves on the Texas State University Extended and Distance Education Steering Committee.

Oscars College Journalist Contest

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is partnering with several ABC affiliates and KABC News’ “On the Red Carpet” for a College Journalist Contest. Team of college journalists (reporter, producer and videographer) from around the country will compete head-to-head for the chance to fly to Hollywood for the 84th Academy Awards and report live from the red carpet during the “On the Red Carpet” pre-show.

Prospective teams will upload a 3-minute reel of work to YouTube that showcases why they are the best team to represent the “college nation” at the 84th Academy Awards.

This is a great opportunity for students to get some practical experience and a potential launching pad to an exciting journalism career! Rules and submission forms are still being finalized and more detailed information will be available soon. For more information, contact go to www.oscars.org/press, or contact publicity@oscars.org.

Rao Receives Award for International Education

Dr. Sandy Rao, received the 2011 Staff Award for Outstanding Achievement in International Education given by the members of NAFSA: Association of International Educators at Texas State on November 16, 2011. She was recognized for her consistent and longstanding involvement in international education, her outstanding work as the Chair of the Internationalization Task Force and for her participation in the Fulbright Program.

Village Voice Digital Media Fellowship for Minority Students

Most students hear about the important role an internship plays in college, but have you ever considered applying for a fellowship? Fellowships immerse students in a job much more deeply than most internships and are usually paid.

The Village Voice Digital Media Fellowship for Minority Students is all of the above, and more! This summer, Village Voice Media is partnering with the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University for an intensive, 8-week, paid summer fellowship for minority students concentrating on web and digital media.

Digital fellows will be immersed in blogging, photography, video, audio and social media and will produce original, reported material for Village Voice online publications. Program instructors will include top Cronkite faculty as well as the nation's leading news, music and food writers from the Village Voice family of websites and newspapers.

Fellows will be paid $500 per week, and housing is provided. The program is open to students who are withing one year of graduation, graduate students or post grads. The course runs from June 18 - Aug. 10, 2012, at Cronkite's state-of-the-art journalism school in the heart of downtown Phoenix.

This is a great opportunity for students because it is VVM's way of testing out potential recruits for full-time jobs within the company. Application deadline is Feb. 24, 2012. Those accepted will be notified by March 9. For more information, visit their website or call the Cronkite School at 602-496-9448.

Public Relations Student Team Places Third

The Texas State University team placed third among 12 teams from six Texas universities in the annual Texas Public Relations Association competition Friday at UT Dallas. This year the competition focused on the use of social in public relations. The judges said the Texas State University team used a variety of social media tools in its plan and demonstrated a high level of knowledge in the use of computer optimization and computer analytics to both execute and evaluate their plan. TCU placed first and Abilene Christian University placed second in the competition. The teams were given a fact situation and 90 minutes to email their plan to the judges. Others teams were from UT Austin, Baylor and Texas Tech.

CNN Anchor Soledad O'Brien shares for Common Experience

by Jessica MacCall

Entering the landscape of a college campus, students often find themselves surrounded by chatter and voices pulling their ears in every direction. But in a sea of words and ideas, the voice of one can be easily drowned.

The Texas State 2011-2012 Common Experience theme, the First Amendment, aims to provoke thought about these voices, to provoke each student’s voice, to cultivate conversation and foster the intellectual life of the campus according to Pam Wuestenberg, Assistant Dean of the University College.

“People focus on how the First Amendment protects their rights and forget about the responsibility of those rights,” said Soledad O’Brien, CNN correspondent and news anchor.

O’Brien spoke Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011 the Strahan Coliseum as part of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Distinguished Lectures Series in conjunction with the Common Experience.

“Envision a life you thought could be, minimize the voices saying you can’t. Ignore those external messages to do what you want to do,” said Soledad O’Brien. Her speech opened the doors of discussion to opportunity, triumph and challenging adversity, which she said she believes the founding fathers intended.

Working as a journalist, the First Amendment is vital, according to O’Brien. As an active member of the media, she said she feels a notion of accountability, responsibility and credibility.

“I think it is important that students are aware of their rights, especially one as vital as the right to speak and believe as you please,” said Jordan Engberg, junior.

Freedoms: A Voice to the Voiceless

The theme was chosen in hope of getting students to see different things, with the desire of giving them something to engage in, according to Pam Wuestenberg. It is a goal of the University College to choose a theme that will reach every area of education across the campus.

“I am particularly excited because it is relevant to my degree,” said April Henshaw, senior electronic media major.

O’Brien talked about her self-regulated responsibility in the media to connect with viewers in order to tell stories of voices who otherwise would not have their story told. She conveyed a belief that the First Amendment means nothing to those who don’t voice their thoughts, don’t speak their mind or simply allow the voices of others to silence their own.

Conversations on Twitter circulated and student engagement spilled into social media.

“First Amendment protects journalist, but journalist must be responsible, be accountable to the people and tell their story,” tweeted Kym Fox.

Members of the campus media groups also had a chance to meet with the speaker prior to her speech. Students from KTSW, the University Star and the Honors College asked O’Brien questions directed to provoke thought and cultivate conversation with O’Brien and the students.

“I think my job is to serve the people, and sometimes that means telling stories that are not so pleasant. Sometimes it means talking about things that otherwise people would prefer to go away and having really blunt conversations about issues,” said O’Brien.

The Common Experience

Since Texas State’s first common experience program in 2004, the University College has become increasingly experienced at developing the ideas and events behind the theme of the year, according to Wuestenberg. She hopes to encourage engagement with the university beyond just going to school and attending class. The Common Experience is about motivating students to “get involved with organizations, become leaders and explore” the things going on around campus and in the community according to Wuestenberg.

“Most student come to college and begin discovering what they believe in and ultimately who they are. Texas State choose a relevant issue to address in this years common experience,” said Engberg.

The university is creating opportunities for students to pursue. The First Amendment ensures the protection of the rights of freedom, but it is the responsibility of the people, according to O’Brien, to succeed in the vision of the founding fathers, and with that is the potential to change the game.

“We don’t want the conversation to stop!” said Pam.

College Radio Day

College radio is under threat and we need your help! Rob Quickie of WPSC at William Patterson University is behind the organization of a nationwide College Radio Day on October 11th, and more than 250 college radio stations are uniting to put their best stuff on air. Here at KTSW, we’re planning personalized playlists, live in-studio performances, and interviews with various supporters about why college radio is important. Halley Anna Finlay will be in our studios at noon, followed by War Planes on Other Side Drive at 4 p.m. and Those Nights at 8 p.m.

We’ve got a full day of fun planned with ticket and merchandise giveaways, our best DJ’s in the studio from 8 a.m. to midnight, and much more. So show your support for the official radio station of Texas State and tune in to KTSW at 89.9 FM or stream us online at www.ktsw.net on College Radio Day 10/11/11!

Chapa wins Presidential Award for Excellence in Service

It is our pleasure to announce Dr. Sindy Chapa as this year's winner of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Teaching at Texas State University. This award is given annually to faculty in the Assistant Professor/Instructor/Lecturer rank who have demonstrated outstanding performance in service. She will be honored at the Faculty Convocation in August.

News Archives