Spong PR in Minneapolis Hosts Missouri Journalism Reception

Dean David Kurpius shares updates from the J-School and campus.
Dean David Kurpius shares updates from the J-School and campus.

Alumni, Friends Meet the School’s New Dean and Network

Minneapolis (Dec. 10, 2015) — Missouri School of Journalism alumni and friends gathered at Minneapolis-based Spong public relations agency on Dec. 8 to meet Dean David Kurpius, network and receive an update from the University of Missouri campus.

President of Spong PR Julie Batliner, BS ’96 agricultural journalism, welcomed the group and introduced Kurpius.

Kurpius, who joined the School in July, is using his first months to meet with alumni, industry professionals and others as part of a listening tour. He is also meeting individually with the School’s more than 200 faculty and staff. Kurpius said he will use the feedback he has received as part of the strategic planning process that will begin in January.

Among the highlights Kurpius shared are the First Amendment Defender Award senior Tim Tai will receive from the Radio Television Digital News Foundation for student work being picked up by major news outlets and a top five placement in the feature writing category of the Hearst Journalism Awards.

The event included a tour of the agency, located in downtown Minneapolis. The creatively designed space is topped off by a 17,000-square-foot patio on the roof with a garden and perfect view of the Minnesota Twins’ Target Field. It is a responsibly-designed space structured to go beyond environmental and green initiatives to help its people achieve sustainable schedules and a better quality of life.

Updated: September 14, 2020

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