Alumni
Jonathan Murray, ‘father of reality television,’ still finding new ways to tell stories half a century into illustrious career
By Austin Fitzgerald When MTV’s “The Real World” featured Pedro Zamora in its third season, the result was a watershed moment. As an openly gay man who was also HIV positive, his presence brought attention to seminal cultural issues, and former president Bill Clinton credited Zamora with putting “a human face” on the AIDS epidemic. … Continued
From the stands to the sideline
Alumna Carly Stephens’ journey from covering Mizzou Football to working for the Dallas Cowboys By Sydney Perry Many students at the University of Missouri dream of working in the sports industry. Missouri School of Journalism alumna Carly Stephens made it happen, working for the Dallas Cowboys as a corporate partnerships marketing manager, a position that … Continued
From Mizzou to Manhattan: Alumna Jenn Ott’s journey to her dream city and beyond
Jenn Ott standing with a flag in Antarctica, completing her journey of traveling to all seven continents. By Sydney Perry After successfully setting foot in all seven continents and over 50 countries, with no intention of slowing down any time soon, University of Missouri alumna Jenn Ott credits her initial desire and ambition to travel … Continued
Murray Center student film to feature at True/False Film Fest, alums continue to find success
The Missouri School of Journalism’s documentary journalism program is off to a roaring start this year The Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism has had its share of success stories in its first decade at the Missouri School of Journalism, but 2024 has seen another milestone reached: for the first time, a capstone film … Continued
Karen Pensiero’s address at the Missouri School of Journalism’s Dec. 2023 commencement
Karen Pensiero, BJ ’85, former managing editor and 38-year veteran of the Wall Street Journal, delivered the alumni address at the Missouri School of Journalism’s winter commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 16. President Choi, Dean Kurpius, esteemed faculty members, family, guests and graduates, I am delighted to be here with you to mark this occasion … Continued
Karen Pensiero, Wall Street Journal veteran, to deliver Missouri School of Journalism commencement address
By Austin Fitzgerald COLUMBIA, Mo. (Dec. 11, 2023) — Karen Pensiero, BJ ’85, former managing editor and 38-year veteran of the Wall Street Journal, will deliver the alumni address at the Missouri School of Journalism’s winter commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m. “Karen’s long and storied career of leadership at the Journal … Continued
Missouri School of Journalism to recognize 84 students at Dec. 16 graduation ceremony
The Missouri School of Journalism will recognize 84 students at the 11 a.m. commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 16, in Jesse Auditorium. Seating is open and no tickets are required. A link to a live stream of the ceremony will be available on the MU Graduation and Commencement Live Streaming page. Graduate degrees will be awarded to … Continued
Kia Breaux, Missouri School of Journalism alum, receives Black Alumni Trailblazer Award
By Austin Fitzgerald COLUMBIA, Mo. (Oct. 20, 2023) — Kia Breaux, BJ ’96, the Midwest regional sales director for the Associated Press, will accept the Mizzou Black Alumni Network’s Trailblazer Award this evening at a 6:30 p.m. ceremony in the Reynolds Alumni Center. The award recognizes Mizzou alums who stand out as role models for … Continued
Kassidy Arena named Rising Star in Public Media
Photo: Grant Gerlock By Austin Fitzgerald COLUMBIA, Mo. (Aug. 1, 2023) — Kassidy Arena, BJ ’20, was named a Rising Star in Public Media by Current, a widely-read trade journal covering the public broadcasting industry, in an announcement this morning. Arena, the engagement producer at the Missouri School of Journalism’s NPR-member station, KBIA-FM, is one … Continued
Twelve Missouri School of Journalism students and alumni chosen as 2023-24 Report for America corps members
By Nate Brown (Columbia, Mo., April 27, 2023) — Four members of the Class of 2023 and eight alumni will join the 2023-24 class of Report for America, which sends journalists to news outlets across the country to report on under covered issues and communities. This year’s reporting corps of more than 200 journalists and photojournalists … Continued