Archives: Class Notes
Brigid F. Cech Samole, BJ ’99
Brigid F. Cech Samole, BJ ’99, a shareholder in the Miami Appellate Practice of international law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A., has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of Chapman Partnership for the Homeless. The charitable organization provides emergency housing, meals, job training and various types of assistance to help homeless men, women and families … Continued
Joe Hardy Jahraus, BJ ’63
Joe Hardy Jahraus, BJ ’63, died May 1, 2015, in Tulsa. Following graduation, he worked as an editor of Hallmark Cards and later as director of sales and promotion for Skelly Oil, which later merged with Getty Oil. As a student at MU, he was a cartoonist for Show Me Magazine. A prolific artist, his … Continued
Charles Burgess, BJ ’55
Charles Burgess, BJ ’55, died April 27, 2015, in Alton, Missouri. During his career, Burgess served as an editor of the Tazwell Courier in East Peoria, Illinois; a reporter for the Peoria Journal Star; and a reporter and education writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He then became the public affairs director for the St. … Continued
Valon L. Beasley, BJ ’98
Valon L. Beasley, BJ ’98, is the author of “Drama” (You Need to Succeed, 2014). The book covers a multitude of issues covered in mainstream media such as domestic violence, transgender complexities and homophobia.
Lili Vianello, BJ ’88
Lili Vianello, BJ ’88, celebrated the 20-year anniversary for the company she owns, Visionworks Marketing Group of Columbia, Missouri. Visionworks is a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) certified by the State of Missouri and serves clients in a variety of industries, including dining and hospitality, construction trades, education and non-profit, among others.
Robert Howard Lewis, BJ ’50
Robert Howard Lewis, BJ ’50, died March 27. According to his son Jack, Lewis always had been proud that he graduated from “the best journalism school in the country” and that he “beat the system” by graduating with two degrees on the GI Bill – putting him ahead of many other returning soldiers – and … Continued
Alex Swoyer, BJ ’10
Alex Swoyer, BJ ’10, has joined the Breitbart News Network as its newest Capitol Hill reporter, covering politics, policy, the 2016 elections and scandals in Washington. The appointment is effective March 30, 2015.
Barri Marsh Bronston, BJ ’81
Barri Marsh Bronston, BJ ’81, has written “Walking New Orleans,” a new entertaining guide through the city’s unique neighborhoods and parks.
Barbara English Leach, BJ ’54
Barbara English Leach, BJ ’54, died March 12, 2015. She was the daughter of Missouri School of Journalism Dean Earl and Ceola English.
Gwen Girsdansky, MA ’14
Gwen Girsdansky, MA ’14, has been promoted to news editor of the Parker Pioneer and River City Newspapers in Arizona. She has been a copy editor and page designer for the Today’s News-Herald for almost a year and has been designing the Parker Pioneer since September.