Alumni
From journalism to jewelry: How a J-School grad turned her passion for storytelling into an award-winning accessories brand
By Helton Walker Stuck at home, uninspired during the pandemic, Clare Ngai-Howard, BJ’13, reignited her creativity through jewelry design, launching BonBonWhims – a bold, whimsical company built off of childhood nostalgia and Y2K aesthetics. Those turn of the century aesthetics are a reflection of Ngai-Howard’s childhood: rainbow colors, rhinestones and over-the-top designs. Growing up in … Continued
On-air storytelling created the perfect foundation for a Missouri grad’s entrepreneurial influence
By Helton Walker As a sports writer in high school, Jill Bauer, BJ ‘89, didn’t need an extensive college tour to know that the Missouri School of Journalism was exactly where she belonged. When she heard that Mizzou’s J-School was the best, she needed no further convincing to apply and ultimately commit. Bauer quickly fell … Continued
A Missouri School of Journalism alum enhances community through artistic expression
By Helton Walker Public art is a public good. Through the ages, the expression has had its ups and downs. To artist and Mizzou grad Adrienne Luther Johnson, BJ ’18, it’s a theme that has defined her career philosophy. “I’m not thinking about art as a means to an end. I’m thinking about art as … Continued
Switching lenses: A J-School grad’s venture into sustainable eyewear
By Helton Walker On any given day, you might find Maureen Ryza, BJ ’17, rifling through flea markets in Europe, finding and curating pairs of eyeglass frames to repurpose. She’s not styling celebrities or designing costumes for television anymore, but uses her storytelling skills to bring eyewear back to life through her self-founded company, AZYR … Continued
The countdown to a career at NASA: For one grad, it all began at the Missouri School of Journalism
By Helton Walker When you first meet Katherine Herrick, BJ ‘19, at her job, you might not expect the conversation to take place underground. With low-textured ceilings, pale stone walls, and even fluorescent lights added, it still more cave than an office building. The unusual environment, she explains, is actually a Federal Records Center for … Continued
From sideline reporter to the Mom Game Podcast: One J -School graduate adds perspective to sports podcasts
By Helton Walker Podcasts aren’t a niche anymore — 54% of American adults have listened to one in the past 12 months. And while more than half of listeners are women, fewer than twenty percent of sports podcasts are hosted by women. Enter Julie Dobbs, BJ ‘07. As a Missouri School of Journalism graduate, Dobbs … Continued
From Mizzou to the big screen: Alumnus debuts film at True/False Film Fest
Filmmakers discuss their film on stage at the Missouri Theater at the 2023 True/False Film Fest. Jj Measer adds his name to short list of Murray Center alumni to screen a film at the nation’s premier documentary festival By Cary Littlejohn Contact: Cary LittlejohnPhoto by Mizzou Visual Productions Through its Jonathan B. Murray Center for … Continued
Mizzou students work to support company’s quest to modernize cervical cancer care
Journalism students Ayesha Khan (left) and Josie Menley create content for Mission-Driven Tech, a health care technology company founded by Eve McDavid, BJ ’08. Public Relations Student Society of America members conduct research and create content for alumna’s medical technology company By Cary Littlejohn Contact: Cary Littlejohn, carylittlejohn@missouri.edu Photo courtesy of Emily Gerhart Sydney Brown didn’t just want to gain … Continued
Melissa Farlow, MA ’94, to deliver December commencement address for Missouri School of Journalism
By Austin Fitzgerald COLUMBIA, Mo. (Dec. 16, 2025) — Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Melissa Farlow, MA ’94, will deliver the commencement address at the Missouri School of Journalism’s winter commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 20. It will be just the latest way she has given back to her alma mater during a career in which she has … Continued
‘It doesn’t get better than that’: How Mizzou helped Madyson Carruth find her audience
A first-generation transfer student readied herself for a career in social media and audience engagement, all thanks to the Missouri School of Journalism By Cary Littlejohn Contact: Cary Littlejohn, carylittlejohn@missouri.edu Photo by Habi Mugisha Madyson Carruth didn’t fully appreciate just how powerful a degree from the famed University of Missouri School of Journalism was until she stepped away … Continued