Elaine Viets, BJ ’72

Elaine Viets, BJ ’72, will publish her 11th Dead-End Job mystery, “Final Sail,” with Obsidian, a division of the Penguin Group, as a hardcover and an e-book May 1. Publishers Weekly said, “Viets presents an eye-opening exposé of spoiled yachters and the not-so-glamorous lives of their crews in this action-filled cozy.” Viets will embark on … Continued

Grady Laird, BJ ’01

Grady’s Cold Brew, created by Grady Laird, BJ ’01, was featured in an April 15, 2012, “New York Magazine” article on artisanal products made in Brooklyn.

Amy Keller, BJ ’97

Amy Keller, BJ ’97 (magazine), was named the co-executive editor of Women’s Health in November 2011.

Walter H. Dyer, BJ ’49

Walter H. “Walt” Dyer, BJ ’49, died April 13, 2012. Dyer enjoyed a 50-year career starting with editing newspapers and publications in Missouri, Texas and Illinois, working on Madison Avenue in New York and San Francisco in public relations and eventually moving to Chicago to manage communications for the Midwest Region of the U.S. Postal … Continued

Randy Picht, BJ ’80

Randy Picht, BJ ’80, has been named the second executive director of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism. During his 29 years with The Associated Press, he has worked on both the news and business sides of journalism at a national level. [More]

Sonja Steptoe, BJ ’82

Sonja Steptoe, BJ ’82, will serve as deputy director of public affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce, effective April 16. She most recently was director of global communications at O’Melveny & Myers LLP.

Didi Tang, MA ’00

Didi Tang, MA ’00, has been named a correspondent in Beijing for The Associated Press. Previously, she covered business and education in Missouri, most recently for the Springfield News-Leader.