Why alumni and friends of the Missouri School of Journalism gave on Founder’s Day
COLUMBIA, Mo. (Sept. 13, 2024) — The Missouri School of Journalism today celebrated Founder’s Day, the anniversary of the School’s founding in 1908 and part of a call to encourage alumni and friends to donate $19.08 in honor of the founding year.
Gifts in honor of Founder’s Day are accepted throughout the month of September, offering those who have experienced positive impacts from the School the opportunity to show support for the oldest and finest school of journalism in the world. To join in the celebration of the School’s historic legacy and continued excellence, visit mizzou.us/GreatSince1908.
In comments left alongside their gifts, supporters have offered a wide range of perspectives on why the School remains relevant and critical not only to the future of the industry and to their own careers, but to the continued functioning of an open, democratic society.
“I believe that journalists trained through the Missouri Method can help restore faith in news media by reporting fairly and accurately.” — Stephen Kappler, BJ ’67
“We are blessed to have the ability to learn and practice our freedom of speech here in America. This school has guided so many into amazing careers.” — Kimberly Ballard-Madison, BJ ’96
“Mizzou’s J-School gave me the education that allows me to live my dream.” — Robert Sanchez, BJ ’99
“Opened doors to this Cuban refugee more than 60 years ago!” — Helga Silva, BJ ’69
“All the great teachers I had — Joye Patterson, Earnest Morgan, Daryl Moen, George Kennedy, John Merrill, Robert Knight, Lester Pope, and Dale Spencer — helped me to become the best journalist I could be. Thanks so much!” — George Sylvie, MA ’78
This year, we also spoke with two alumni for deeper perspectives on their continued support of their alma mater. Read on to learn more.
Dennis Briskin, MA ’71. Author, photographer and owner of ghostwriting and editing service Catalyst Creative Services
“Any citizen of our democracy is better off learning to think critically, to have thoughts and opinions and actions based on facts rather than emotions,” Briskin said. “Journalism training emphasizes both accuracy and critical thinking, and that is such an important contribution to our civic life.”
Inspired by Ernest Hemingway, who trained as a journalist at the Kansas City Star, Briskin sought the School of Journalism’s Missouri Method of practical, hands-on learning after spending two years in Iran with the Peace Corps (where he took a series of black and white photographs later published in two volumes).
Afterwards, stints at the Chicago Tribune and in book publishing gave way to offering a variety of editorial services through his own business, Catalyst Creative Services.
“So much of the time, I’m applying what I learned from newspaper writing and editing to other types of writing,” Briskin said. “The discipline I learned at the School of Journalism really helped me stand out as a writer.”
He credits some of that discipline to introductory journalism professor Hal Lister — who helped him get his first job post-graduation at the Tribune — and feature writing professor Thomas Duffy, remembering the latter as “a tough bird.” But he said a J-School education offers lessons that go beyond storytelling.
“Journalism training is terrific for preparing one mentally to participate in an open society,” he said. “That’s what journalism did for me, and that’s what it ought to do for today’s students.”
Heather Peters, BJ ’99. Vice president of external communications, U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance
“I’ve always been proud to say that I graduated from the School of Journalism,” Peters said. “There’s just a real sense of pride and connection whether I’m in Columbia or not. The J-School still carries a very high reputation because when I tell people I work in communications and I went to the University of Missouri, they say, ‘oh, were you a journalism student?’”
Like Briskin and many students, Peters’ career plans evolved during her time at the School of Journalism and after entering the workforce more than two decades ago. Initially working post-graduation as a broadcast reporter at WVLT-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee, she soon moved into the world of public relations and corporate communications, finding that the skills she developed at the School were highly adaptable.
“Whether I’m working on the journalist side or the public relations side, the J-School taught me how to write a good story, how to tell a good story,” she said. “That’s a huge part of my current position and what I’ve done for the last several years, which is storytelling.”
Now, in supporting the School by participating in Founder’s Day, Peters hopes to see a new generation of journalists and strategic communication students find their path forward with the help of the Missouri Method.
“The real world experience that students get at the J-School, that’s huge,” she said. “That’s just something you can’t get anywhere else, and it 100% prepared me for that first job out of college. I also think it gave me the confidence that I needed in my career.”
Updated: September 13, 2024