January 2011 J-School Life October 2010: One Month in the Life of the J-School J-School Quiz: Ten Quick Questions on the World's First School of Journalism Mizzou Advantage: Facilitates Discussion on Media of the Future Journalism Organizations: Close Ties to the Industry Media Outlets: Technology Expands News The Role of Research: Six J-School Orgs Are Shaping Mass Media Scholarship Missouri Honor Medalists: Master Classes Enlighten, Provoke, Entertain Students Updated Interest Areas: J-School Remodels Curriculum for the Future Profile: Jana Hainey, Athlete and PRIME Lab Manager Profile: Alex Rozier and the YouTube Contest Profile: Kelsey Mirando and HerCampus.com 63 Accomplished Freshmen: Walter Williams Scholars Bring More Than Brilliance to the School of Journalism What's New? J-School Student Organizations Slideshow: Favorite CoMo Hangouts Faculty Meet the New Faculty of 2010, in Their Own Words Remembering When: The School's Story, As Told by Its Professors Slideshow: John Fennell Writing with Paint, Painting with Words Rich Intellectual Environment: Faculty Publish in Top Journals Worldwide Influence: Faculty Books Teach, Enlighten Alumni Crisis Coverage: Risking Their Lives to Report For the Love of Journalism: Three J-School Marriages The Next Generation: Missouri Alumni Pass on Passion for Journalism Daring To Be Different: Three J-School Alums and Their Start-Ups Promoting Goodwill: Journalism Alumni Transition to Nonprofits Grad Student Success: Professional Projects to Full-time Jobs From Missouri Journalism to the Red Carpet: Alumni Go Behind the Scenes in Hollywood Seeking J-School Grads: Missouri Alumni Search Within the Tiger Family for the Next Best Employee Where Are They Now? Missouri Journalism Alumni Around the Country Links Mizzou Alumni Association J-School Website Contact Us About the Magazine Magazine Credits/ Letter from the Student Editor

J-School Home ... The J-School Magazine: Jan. 2011 ... Walter Williams Scholars Bring More Than Brillance to the School of Journalism Walter Williams Scholars Bring More Than Brillance to the School of Journalism Theatre, State Journalism Awards, Sports Accomplishments the Norm among the Highest-Achieving Incoming Freshmen View larger version of this graphic, complete with student names, hometowns and mentors. [Text-Based Version] By Nathan Allen Master's Student Since the creation of the Walter Williams Scholars program in 2004, the Missouri School of Journalism has welcomed more than 500 of the brightest undergraduate students in the nation. As a group, they rank in the top half of the top one percent of high school graduates nationwide. This year's class consists of a record-setting 63 students from 18 states, which brings the number of Walter Williams Scholars currently enrolled at the School to approximately 250. Named for Walter Williams, the School's founding dean, this select group includes students who each scored an ACT composite of 33 or higher (1440 or higher on the SAT), ranked in the top 20 percent of his or her high school class and was selected on an invitation basis. Students enjoy the benefits of faculty mentors, placement in a Freshman Interest Group designated for Walter Williams Scholars, a $1,000 study abroad scholarship and accelerated admittance to the combined BJ/MA program. People Links Story Links AP Scholars Bright Flight Scholars Chi Omega Christian Science Monitor Columbia Missourian ESPN Freshman Interest Groups Journalism Education Association Les Bourgeois Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Missouri Journalism Undergraduate Curriculum MUTV National Geographic National Merit Scholars Radio Television Digital News Association Scholastic Press Association of Chicago SportsCenter USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Program Walter Williams Walter Williams Scholars Yale Book Award "Missouri gets the students who are really committed to journalism, advertising and public relations," says Brian Brooks, associate dean for undergraduate studies. "These students are among the best incoming students in the country." Here are some of the 2010 Scholars' many accomplishments and talents: Jimmy Hibsch, of Arlington Heights, Ill., was named the Illinois High School Journalist of the Year by the Journalism Education Association (JEA). Caitlin Swieca, of Chicago, won the Scholastic Press Association of Chicago's Journalist of the Year award. Devon Fasbinder, of Clarkston, Mich., was named Best Anchor by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. Tyler Castner, of Liberty Township, Ohio, received an honorable mention for JEA's Ohio High School Journalist of the Year. Castner also won the 2009 Yale Book Award. Grace Lyden, of Omaha, scored a perfect 36 on the ACT. Cody Cutter, of Overland Park, Kan., was the 2009 Kansas State Mock Trial champion. Ben Scroggins, of Allen, Texas, was the 2007 USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Champion. Max Conger, of Kansas City, Mo., is a black belt in the Japanese grappling art of Jiu Jitsu. Bryson Bruce, of Lee's Summit, Mo., was the lead in three out of four musicals at his high school. Natalie Cheng, of Lisle, Ill., won this year's Christian Science Monitor Young Poets Award. 24 Walter Williams Scholars earned varsity letters in various sports. Why did you choose Missouri? Celia Ampel, of Tucson, Ariz.: "Besides Missouri, I considered the University of Southern California, New York University and other public in-state universities in my home state. Nothing felt as friendly or personal as Mizzou. The journalism school is top-notch, but what really drew me in was the FIG program. I knew that in the Walter Williams FIG, I would be surrounded by kids with a similar drive and love for journalism and that with our FIG leader, our co-fac and Brian Brooks, I would always have someone to turn to for advice. Mizzou let me know my success was important and that no one would let me slip through the cracks." Danielle Carter, of Belleville, Ill.: "I considered Harvard, Yale and Northwestern in addition to Mizzou. I picked Mizzou because of its extensive journalism program. I also loved the campus and the school spirit so much. The fact that I could major in international journalism was the final factor in my decision to choose Mizzou." What activities are you involved in at Missouri? Bethany Christo, of Maple Grove, Minn.: "With journalism, I'm involved with MUTV's The Prowl and have been learning valuable skills for my broadcasting career. My biggest time commitment has been to my sorority, Chi Omega. It's been a great experience so far, and it was a really great decision to be involved in Greek life. I'm also in the service sorority Little Sisters of the Pearls and Rubies. It's been another great way for me to meet lots of great girls while serving the Columbia community. Also, I recently made Mizzou's club women's lacrosse team, so we have practices three days a week." Devon Fasbinder of Clarkston, Mich.: "I have become involved with the two official student fan sections, Tiger's Lair (football) and ZouCrew (basketball). In the J-School, I joined the Radio Television Digital News Association and not only are the meetings fun with important information, but the group also allows me to start networking early with both news stations and older students at Mizzou. It's a great way to get started on my career and learn a lot about broadcast journalism. I also participate in the Discovery Fellows Program with Associate Professor Stephanie Craft, and I'm working on a project regarding media and news literacy. The Walter Williams program gave me the opportunity to have Professor Craft as my mentor, and it will be extremely beneficial in the future to have research experience and a faculty mentor I am close with." How have you benefited from the Walter Williams Scholars FIG? Kristen Herhold, of Englewood, Colo.: "I have loved being in the Walter Williams FIG. It's been very beneficial getting to know other students with my same interests and having built-in study groups for various class assignments and tests. I have already made some great bonds with people because of the program. My mentor is a sports editor of the Columbia Missourian, and because of him and his recommendation, I was chosen to attend Big 12 Media Day for the conference's upcoming basketball season. There, I was able to interview the coaches and select players of both the men's and women's teams, which was a great experience, especially because I am only a freshman. I made some connections with various journalists from sports media such as ESPN, which will definitely prove beneficial in the long run." Jimmy Hibsch, of Arlington Heights, Ill.: "We have a really interesting mix of personalities in the FIG, which usually makes for some interesting discussions in class. I've found almost all of my friends here through the FIG. We've got an awesome group of people, and I can already tell that we push each other to do better. I couldn't be happier with all of it." Describe the best experience you have had since arriving at Missouri. Andrew Owens, of Sugar Land, Texas: "Biking to Les Bourgeois (winery and vineyards in Rocheport, Mo.) for a soul music concert and documentary screening." Dawn Schillinger, of Fenton, Mo.: "The Homecoming game. Being part of the student crowd at the most hyped-up game yet is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Storming the field, surrounding the players like part of the team, cheering all the way back to the dorms - it's things like that that made the game one of the most amazing experiences of my life, let alone the school year." What are your career aspirations? Emily Van Etten, of Naperville, Ill.: "Right now my dream job is actually to be a high school journalism teacher and be an adviser of a high school newspaper. Ideally, I'd want some experience in the professional field as well. But I've found that I enjoy teaching others about journalism immensely, so hopefully in that way I would play a part in helping secure journalism's future." Katarina Sostaric, of Skokie, Ill.: "I want to work in magazine design, writing or editing. I'm not completely sure what I want to do, but my dream job would be working for National Geographic." What interest areas appeal to you? Aaron Maassen, of Kansas City, Mo.: "I have decided on radio-television journalism. I have known I wanted to do broadcast from the time I was young. I woke up every morning so I could watch SportsCenter. I would turn the TV off and call games myself when Big 12 football was on. I suppose I am fascinated by the exposure and power those who discuss sports enjoy. I always thought I would like to be a SportsCenter anchor and therefore do television broadcast, but I believe my tendency to argue might mean I am better suited for the radio." Kelsey Maffett, of Bloomington, Ill.: "I've decided on either the news reporting or news editing interest area. I chose this sequence because reporting and editing are really the heart of journalism, and it's really what I love to do." Kristine Kerns, of Naperville, Ill.: "The area I've decided on is strategic communication because it involves advertising and publicity, in which I know I can be successful. I'm going to combine it with a business minor and probably go on to graduate school, if I can, for an MBA." Walter Williams Scholars: Where Are They From? This year's freshman class of Walter Williams Scholars is the largest in the history of the program. The group of 63 represents 18 states and a variety of interestes. Each has been given a faculty mentor. They are also the first class affected by the new curriculum with 25 models of study. Graphic: Tanya Ortiz. 2010 Walter Williams Scholars: Alphabetical by Last Name Student Hometown Interest Area Mentor Celia Ampel Tucson, AZ International Fritz Cropp Evan Arnold Evansville, WI Photo/International David Rees Orko Bagchi Wheeling, IL International Bill Allen Morgan Barton Warrenton, MO Political Science Yong Volz Ethan Baxter Lees Summit, MO Radio-TV Reporting Rod Gelatt Theresa Beno Medina, OH Undecided Stephanie Padgett Caroline Bishop Germantown, TN Convergence/Photojournalism Keith Greenwood Aaron Braverman Rockville, MD Radio-TV Kevin Wise Bryson Bruce Lees Summit, MO Emerging Media/Multimedia Production Earnest Perry Danielle Carter Belleville, IL International Radio-TV Mary Kay Blakely Student Hometown Interest Area Mentor Tyler Castner Liberty Township, OH Radio-TV Reporting/Sports Chris Gervino Dylan Chapman Huntsville, AL Arts and Culture Andrea Heiss Natalie Cheng Lisle, IL Arts & Culture/Convergence TV Reporting John Fennell Bethany Christo Maple Grove, MN Undecided Jake Sherlock Sarah Clancey Overland Park, KS International Jacqui Banaszynski Maximilian Conger Kansas City, MO Entrepreneurial Randy Smith Cody Cutter Overland Park, KS Radio-TV Reporting/Convergence Debra Mason Mike Decrescenzo Dardenne Prairie, MO Watchdog/Strategic Communication Mark Horvit Winn Duvall Mobile, AL Magazine Editing Jennifer Rowe Devon Fasbinder Clarkston, MI Radio-TV Reporting Stephanie Craft Student Hometown Interest Area Mentor Charley Field Saint Louis, MO Entrepreneurial Marty Steffens Brandon Foster Saint Louis, MO Magazine or Newspaper Tom Warhover Marie French Springfield, VA Watchdog/International Jeanne Abbott Jake Gordon West Bloomfield, MI Radio-TV Reporting Randy Reeves Emily Hauger Shakopee, MN Radio-TV Reporting Angie Bailey Kristen Herhold Englewood, CO Sports Greg Bowers Jimmy Hibsch Arlington Heights, IL Strategic Communication Mark Swanson Sammi Hill O'Fallon, MO Radio-TV Reporting Stacey Woelfel Allison Hinga League City, TX News Reporting/Emerging Media John Schneller Mark Hodges Carmel, IN Radio-TV Reporting Jim Riek Student Hometown Interest Area Mentor Nicole Jones Fenton, MO Magazine Jennifer Rowe Lucas Kamp Saint Louis, MO Convergence/Multimedia Production Steve Rice Kristine Kerns Naperville, IL Science Journalism Bill Allen Hank Koebler Kingwood, TX Convergence Shelley Rodgers Robert Langellier Springfield, IL Magazine Writing Mary Kay Blakely Peter LeGrand Geneva, IL Convergence Lynda Kraxberger Grace Lyden Omaha, NE Undecided Charles Davis Aaron Maassen Kansas City, MO Sports/Broadcast Chris Gervino Kelsey Maffett Bloomington, IL News Reporting or Editing Jeanne Abbott Jesse Markway Jefferson City, MO Undecided Maria Len-Rios Student Hometown Interest Area Mentor Miranda Morgan Lynchburg, TN Magazine Editing or Writing Berkley Hudson Kristian Mundahl Minnetonka, MN Undecided Jake Sherlock Jack O'Brien River Forest, IL Radio-TV Reporting/Sports Eric Blumberg Andrew Owens Sugar Land, TX Magazine Writing Michael Grinfeld Anna Petrow Mission Hills, KS Photojournalism Mary Nguyen Allison Pohle Solon, OH Arts and Culture Pat Smith Elliott Pollack Buffalo Grove, IL Sports Greg Bowers Mallory Proctor Saint Louis, MO Strategic Communication/Magazine Suzette Heiman Casey Purcella Albuquerque, NM Undecided Lee Wilkins Tony Puricelli Saint Louis, MO Undecided Randy Smith Student Hometown Interest Area Mentor Garrett Richie Auburn Hills, MI Magazine Brian Brooks Dawn Schillinger Fenton, MO Strategic Communication Barbara Ifshin Benjamin Scroggins Allen, TX Strategic Communication Brad Best Kara Sharp Kansas City, MO Arts and Culture Andrea Heiss Jessica Smith Northbrook, IL Magazine Amanda Hinnant Katarina Sostaric Skokie, IL Magazine Design Timothy Vos Caitlin Swieca Chicago, IL News Reporting/Emerging Media Laura Johnston Erica Vandenhouten Grafton, WI Sports/Broadcast Jennifer Reeves Emily Van Etten Naperville, IL News Reporting Tom Warhover Brennan White Minneapolis, MN Sports Eric Blumberg Student Hometown Interest Area Mentor Laura Willenbring Shoreview, MN News Reporting or Editing Margaret Walter Jaime Williams Pleasantville, NY International Magazine Paul Bolls Amy Willsey Kansas City, MO Undecided Mary Kay Blakely   Profiles in Success  Submit a Profile In-depth looks at life after J-School. 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