2018 News Archive

From interests to investments

Therese Griffin (B.A., 1982) has done everything from hosting public affairs shows to corporate marketing and communications. Since graduating, her broadcast degree has opened doors — now, she's finding ways to return the favor.

All in the family

“Say ‘Gamecock,’” Erika Grimes' dad said. “G-A-M-E-C-O-C-K!" She was only 1 at the time. Now, she's graduating from USC, just as both her parents did and as her two siblings will, too. It's something of a family tradition.

Student-produced magazine wins industry awards

InterCom magazine, the student-produced alumni and donor magazine for the College of Information and Communications, took home two platinum awards, four gold awards and two honorable mentions in the 2018 MarCom Awards for its two most recent issues.

Tanner to step down as director

From creating new classes to increasing faculty research, Dr. Andrea Tanner has made a mark on the School of Journalism and Mass Communications during her tenure as director. Now, Tanner is shifting gears.

Broadcast students win big at RTDNA convention

Seven broadcast students were honored with eight awards at the 2018 Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas/Associated Press convention and awards luncheon.

Morrow Fellows study business journalism at SABEW Fall Conference

Four USC students spent two days in New York City in October learning about business journalism from industry experts and networking with journalists in the city.

Fitzpatrick receives lifetime achievement award

Dr. Mary Anne Fitzpatrick, professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, has received the 2018 Distinguished Scholar Award by the National Communication Association. The award is NCA’s highest honor and recognizes her lifetime study of human communication.

PR Prose: How ethics, the civil society, and PR are inseparable

In her monthly column, Dr. Shannon Bowen discusses how ethics, the disintegration of civility and public relations are connected.

Brook's life in journalism: Front page to back page

Nina Brook has done it all in the world of journalism. She has worked for traditional news outlets, taught journalism at the high school level, and now is an instructor in the J-school. Despite changes in the industry, she still encourages students and her own kids to enter the field.

Testimonial of a CreateAthon@USC volunteer

Students, mentors and professors alike joined together on November 2 to produce complete advertising campaigns for nine nonprofits in the Columbia area. Abe Danaher, a volunteer at the 24 hour CreateAthon affair, tells his story of how the night went.

A killer career

J-school alumnus James Jude Courtney stars alongside actress Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween, a sequel to the same-named 1978 slasher film. But you won’t recognize his face. That’s because he plays Michael Myers, the masked murderer who’s inspired nightmares — and Halloween costumes — for the past 40 years.

A 'knack' for production

She may have started out as a pharmacy major, but it didn’t take long for Jessie Knaak to figure out that broadcast journalism was her real calling. Now, she’s racking up Emmy Awards as a producer in the NFL.

To ESPN, and beyond

With hard work and a lucky break, current USC school of journalism student Alyssa Butterson now finds herself on the sideline of Monday Night Football games providing coverage for ESPN.

SJMC honors accomplishments of alumni

From Hootie and the Blowfish to Glamour magazine, this year’s Alumni Award winners have done big things since graduating from the J-school. See photos and videos from the awards ceremony here.

Brick by brick

Alumnus David Robinson and his 15-year-old son used more than 5,000 Legos to construct the field, stands, ramps, press box, coaches' offices, scoreboard and the rest of Williams-Brice Stadium.

USC's associate director of visual branding finds purpose in going back to school

Despite working full time, Bob Wertz has been able to balance family time, teaching, being a student and multiple side projects involving his love of typeface, design and writing.

Landess looks to grow the Student Advertising Federation

Jack Landess knows the difference that SAF can make on each of its new members for one simple reason: he was there before.

Research Roundtable discusses corporate social responsibility and advocacy

Dr. Denise Bortree discussed corporate social responsibility and corporate advocacy as they relate to sustainability and nonprofit communication at the J-school's monthly Research Roundtable.

Former USC tennis player continues education through accelerated program

Hadley Berg earned an undergraduate degree in May 2018. But before her graduation date had even arrived, she had already begun working towards her Master of Mass Communication degree through the J-school's accelerated program.

Alumna Eva Pilgrim to anchor Good Morning America Weekend Edition

ABC News has just announced that Eva Pilgrim will be an anchor for their Good Morning America weekend show. Pilgrim is a graduate of the journalism school and a past recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Grigg receives PR News award for leadership of The Carolina Agency

Ernie Grigg, an instructor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and the faculty advisor of The Carolina Agency, was selected as PR News' 2018 Platinum PR Winner for Educator of the Year at their Platinum PR Awards luncheon on September 21.

Souza gives emotional recollection of history at Buchheit Lecture

There were tears. There was laughter. And there were many rounds of applause. At the Buchheit Family Lecture, Pete Souza and his audience became bound by emotion as they experienced history through his lens.

PR Prose: Those who stand for truth stand alone - Part 2

In this month's article, Dr. Bowen completes the guide for navigating conflicts of interest and competing obligations.

Pierrotti inspires students during week-long visit

As award-winning investigative journalist and USC alumnus Andy Pierrotti turns and faces the students in the J-school's senior capstone class, the room gets quiet. Their attention seems to hang entirely on his upcoming words. This is Thursday, four days into Pierrotti’s week-long professional-in-residence stay at the school.

Pete Souza to present eyewitness account of history at Buchheit Family Lecture

Pete Souza, the former official White House photographer for Presidents Obama and Reagan and award-winning freelance photographer, will deliver the Buchheit Family Lecture on September 26 at 7 p.m.

Alumna continues to make a difference in Columbia

After graduation, Merritt McNeely used her PR education promoting some of the city's most significant projects. But now these skills are being employed for clients of a boutique integrated communications firm.

PR Prose: Those who stand for truth often stand alone

In her latest article for PR Week, Dr. Shannon Bowen provides a guide for navigating conflicts of interest and competing obligations.

No crisis: Instructor feeds on same teaching energy — in the classroom and online

Senior Instructor Lisa Sisk's innovative teaching in her public relations classes has earned accolades from students and a Garnet Apple Award from USC's Center for Teaching Excellence.

USC student hones skills at The Island Packet

T. Michael Boddie, a multimedia journalism student at the University of South Carolina, spent his summer as an SCPA Foundation Intern with The Island Packet in Hilton Head Island.

A legacy of learning

Zoe Caulder Hartley graduated with a B.A. in advertising in 1998. Hartley died in 2016, but her devotion to her alma mater didn't end there. Last year, her parents, Stanley Caulder and Zoe Josephson, and brother, Mark Caulder, established an endowed scholarship in her memory. Read more about Zoe, her family and their commitment to the University of South Carolina.

Exploring the world, expanding a major

Capturing photographs in faraway lands and leading study abroad students around the globe are just part of the job for associate professor Van Kornegay. Read more in this August Faculty Focus.

SEC Network adds South Carolina alum Alyssa Lang

SEC Network has hired Alyssa Lang (SJMC '15) as a host and anchor for its studio show programming. Lang joins the network as the new host of SEC Featured on Monday nights, and will have a supporting role in SEC Network's hit studio show, Thinking Out Loud.

USC announces the hire of Michelle LaRoche

Michelle LaRoche, a journalist with more than two decades of experience at Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal, will join the USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications in August as its first Baldwin Business and Financial Chair in Journalism.

Student PR team wins prestigious chapter award

The University of South Carolina chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America has been recognized with PRSSA's prestigious Star Chapter Award for the 2017-18 school year. This marks the second year in a row that USC has received this award.

Journalists invited to apply for Media Law School 2018 fellowships

The 2018 Media Law School will provide selected journalists with the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the key stages of civil and criminal proceedings and to learn enough basic law to report accurately on many important issues in the news.

CreateAthon@USC announces 2018 nonprofits

Nine South Carolina nonprofits have been selected to receive free marketing services during a 24-hour creative blitz in November, making this year’s CreateAthon@USC the largest event to date. Read about this year’s nonprofits and find out how you can help.

First person: My experience at the 2018 Kellar Radio Talent Institute

In June, public relations major Derrick Vaz attended the Kellar Radio Talent Institute, which brings in industry professionals to teach aspiring broadcasters. Read more about Vaz’s experience and how it built upon the skills he learned in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

PR Prose: Reasons to listen — and really listen

In this column, Dr. Shannon Bowen discusses the importance of "listening" to public relations ethics, especially in this age of alternate facts, fake news, fragmented social media, and covert analytics.

From the warm hearts of South Carolina to the warm heart of Africa

Students preparing for a service learning trip abroad teamed up with individuals and a national company to deliver toys and blankets to vulnerable children in Malawi.

Learning through service, living through adventure

The Maymester study abroad to Malawi, Africa, merges adventure, learning and service to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for USC undergraduates.

Advertising major wins national case competition

Senior advertising major Allyssa Andrews knew she would have a great time participating in the Washington Media Scholars Foundation’s case competition this summer. What she didn’t know was that she’d bring home the prize.

Senior semester students sweep production awards

It's not the first time SJMC students have won awards from the Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, but it is the first time they have swept the news-related categories.

May grad lands "dream" Coca-Cola internship

Sydney Bugg's public relations major has opened many doors for her, including an advertising internship at an agency in New York City and a spring break academy for diverse ad/PR students. Now, another door has opened — a post-graduate internship with The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta.

Faculty Focus: Kevin Hull

Dr. Kevin Hull has a knack for scouring social media for sports data and translating his findings into real-world implications. The real-world part of his research is something he knows well — before becoming a broadcast journalism professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Hull spent nearly a decade behind the camera.

Donor spotlight: Jennifer Pearce Hammond

Jennifer Hammond, SJMC ’85, has found a multitude of ways to give back to her alma mater. From volunteering with CreateAthon@USC to supporting CIC initiatives through her Dean’s Circle Society membership, Hammond explains the many ways she’s working to prepare the next generation of advertising professionals.

PR Prose: How PR ethics will affect you

In this column, Dr. Shannon Bowen discusses how all levels of communications, from the CCO to the front desk, must work toward consistent credibility.

Mercury Awards honor SJMC students, faculty and alumni

Top educator. Top student. Top practitioner. The School of Journalism and Mass Communications was well-represented at South Carolina's premier public relations awards ceremony.

Graduate with Leadership Distinction: Janelys Villalta

When Janelys Villalta entered UofSC, she was focused on entertainment news. But after taking an interest in sociology, the journalism student found her passion in social advocacy.

Alumni Spotlight: Ore Oluwole

Ore Oluwole’s public relations degree has taken him a long way, professionally speaking, even though he’s only a few blocks away from the heart of campus. That’s because Ore now works as the director of alumni relations at My Carolina Association.

Teaching and research awards headline symposium

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications held the Fourth Annual Doctoral Research Symposium to recognize and celebrate the success of graduate research and teaching.

Student Spotlight: Alondra De La Rosa

Alondra De La Rosa is a first-year student in the Master of Mass Communication program at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Learn more about Alondra and her experience in the J-school.

USC mascot hands out 15th Cocky Award to Tide ad team execs

‪Saatchi & Saatchi executives shared how they came up with the "clean is everywhere" concept and what it was like to "hack" the Super Bowl.

SJMC celebrates outstanding students at awards reception

Media stars. PR specialists. Designers. Leaders. Students from all majors were recognized for outstanding performance in the classroom and in outside endeavors by the faculty and staff of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Britt Hogg named Student Organization Advisor of the Year

When he’s not managing the Kennedy Greenhouse Studio, Britt Hogg spends his time coaching SGTV students on everything from picking staff members to working equipment. Now, his efforts have been recognized by USC Student Life.

From national champion to WNBA to the newsroom: Allisha Gray's journey back to Columbia

After winning the national championship a year ago and getting drafted into the WNBA, Allisha Gray is completing the promise she made before the draft to finish her degree in broadcast journalism.

PR Prose: The AI revolution and selfishness: What it means for PR

In this column, Dr. Shannon Bowen cites Uber's recent autonomous car accident as one example of new dilemmas posed by the tremendous rate at which artificial intelligence is progressing and the role public relations professionals may play as they advise and develop policy for clients.

Faculty Focus: Holly Overton

Less than two years into the job, Dr. Holly Overton is already making an impact as faculty director of a new student research group.

Edwards named MVP of Ad/PR Academy week

When Henry Edwards’ professors recommended he attend the 2018 AdPR Academy over spring break, he had no idea how much he’d learn — or how much he’d stand out.

Student spotlight: From anthropology to advertising

After one semester in the MMC program, Jay Goodwin found himself with a coveted summer internship at BBDO San Francisco. His work at the agency provided him with valuable experience and a clearer picture of where he wants to go after graduation.

Staffer receives prestigious press adviser award

Bringing a “new energy” to scholastic journalism in South Carolina and “smashing” the model for SIPA’s summer workshop are just two reasons why Leslie Dennis was recognized with the 2018 James Paschal Award for Outstanding Service to a Scholastic Press Association.

First person: My master's practicum at WIS-TV

"Every day in news is a new adventure," says Desirae Gostlin in recounting the final semester of her master's degree. From covering car crashes to active shooter safety in schools, she discusses this hands-on learning experience.

PR Prose: Deeper into the abyss — Why liars do it

Dr. Shannon Bowen takes a second look at one of the biggest challenges for communicators: How to deal with a liar.

Journalism students launch campaign to help children with cancer

Young patients at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital will receive care packages, thanks to a group of students from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

The Conqueror Movement

Alumna Khadijah Dennis founded The Conqueror Movement which gives young, black creative and professional individuals, primarily from the Carolinas, a platform to help establish their brand.

Two SJMC students named among the 50 Most Promising Multicultural Students in the nation

Public relations senior Vanessa Ruiz and advertising senior Pedro Bernardino were recognized as two of the 50 Most Promising Multicultural Students (MPMS) in the nation by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) at a ceremony in New York February 12-15.

Q&A: Wall Street Journal reporter discusses how online shopping is changing communities

Valerie Bauerlein will explore how the acceleration in online shopping ripples out into the places we live in her talk, “Retail Meltdown: How Online Shopping is Changing our Communities.”

Janet and Tal: A tradition of giving

Janet Tarbox and her late husband, Tal LeGrand, have a long tradition of giving to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. The story of how two people who never attended the school became some of its most ardent supporters is one that spans two marriages, three deaths and more than 40 years.

Faculty Focus: Ken Campbell

Ken Campbell has made quite the impact in his 30 years with the J-school. In addition to his work to improve diversity within the media, he also heads up the school's newest major — mass communications.

Advertising class picks standout Super Bowl commercial

The Eagles won the Super Bowl, but Tide won the Ad Poll. Humor caught the attention of the students who selected the 2018 Cocky Award winner.

First-year mass communications major nominated for Pushcart Prize

When Mary-Bryant Charles' Facebook notification popped up that she had been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, her first reaction was a combination of a scream and a squeal. But few can say they've been nominated for a literary prize before the end of their first semester of college.

The Gullah Project: Protecting their land

Since 2014, Denise McGill’s award-winning documentary short film, The Gullah Project, has been screened in festivals around the country. The project’s success is giving the School of Journalism and Mass Communications professor the creative push needed to turn the short film into a full-length documentary.

From the schoolhouse to the White House

Josh Dawsey, a 2012 SJMC grad, is making a name for himself in the political realm. Dawsey started his career at The Wall Street Journal as a City Hall reporter, then got picked up by POLITICO to be a White House correspondent. Very recently, he was poached by The Washington Post.

SJMC's best of the best

School of Journalism and Mass Communications student Ryan Gareis is taking her job as Freshman Scholar seriously.

PR Prose: The 3 types of liars — How to spot and deal with them before they ruin your team

Everyone's worked with them. Here's how to effectively and ethically deal with a liar in your organization.

Switching Carolinas

As former executive producer of television broadcasting for the Carolina Panthers, Greg Brannon is now sharing his experience with the next generation of broadcast journalists as an instructor for the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

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