Decade: 1960-69
Tom Frazee
What do you do? I am an executive communicator who provides advice, counsel and support to corporate clients in the U.S. and globally on all aspects of internal and external communications/public relations. This includes employee, shareholder and client/customer communications; local, regional, national and global media relations support; event oversight including video productions and presentations; roles … Continued
Eric Engberg
What do you do? Retired radio/TV correspondent, CBS News Washington Bureau. How did you get your job? I was working for a broadcasting company, Westinghouse, when it closed its Washington Bureau, laying off 12 people, as an economy measure. I sent letters, resumes and writing samples to all the networks. (There were then only three). … Continued
Ward Degler
The Early Years Ward Degler was born May 4, 1935, in the small town of Phillips, Wis. The country was in the depths of the Great Depression. His father, a forester from Indiana, earned about $60 per month as a superintendent for the Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCC, a public work-relief program for unemployed men, … Continued
Tanya Collins
Why did you choose the Missouri School of Journalism? I wanted to be a journalist when I graduated from high school in Japan. My dad said to choose the best school for journalism. That’s how I wound up at Mizzou. What was your first job, and how did you get it? I applied to three newspapers … Continued
Gary Burandt
Who do you feel has influenced the profession of advertising the most? It’s not a who. It is a group of people: David Ogilvy, Bill Burnbach, Leo Burnett, Ray Rubicam, Ed Ney, and Bill Marstellar. Is there a common characteristic that resonates with this group? They all had great respect for the consumer, and they … Continued
Jeff Buhai
Life is all about having fun and doing as many things as possible for Jeff Buhai, BJ ’69. He did not want to live with the regret of missing new professional opportunities or exploring uncharted territory. A born storyteller, Buhai began to chase his dream of becoming a journalist while attending a summer journalism program … Continued
William Brown
What do you do? Television play-by-play broadcaster for Houston Astros baseball games. How did you get your job? Interview process. What is the best professional lesson you learned at the J-School? Commitment to the craft and dedication to being thorough. What advice do you have for current students? Seek internships and networking. Seek people of … Continued
Fred Bleakley
Waitlisted by the Ivy League, nearly sidetracked by interfering deans and his own egregious spelling error did not halt Fred Bleakley’s ambition for a successful career in journalism. Determination, perhaps, is the key to his achievements. He has won prestigious awards, including the John Hancock Award for Excellence in Business Writing. He has held editorial … Continued
John Bick
What do you do? Presently retired after a career that included the St. Louis Suburban Journals and a long career in the local business newspaper realm. Was founding general manager of the St. Louis Business Journal in 1980, leading to a primary role in founding seven more business journals and the turnaround of three others. … Continued
Howard Alexander
What do you do? For the past five years I have been running a speakers’ bureau for a three-hospital medical center in Scottsdale, Ariz. I arrange for medical experts to discuss health and wellness topics with local civic groups. You might say I’m the “casting director” for the hospital system. How did you get your … Continued