Decade: 1970-79
Gayly Gardner Opem
Gayly Gardner Opem, BJ ’70, recently retired from her position as executive vice president of marketing at the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) Abroad, a study-abroad program provider. During Opem’s five-year stay at IES, she helped double the organization’s revenues and the number of study-abroad participants. She built an impressive portfolio of … Continued
Diane O’Byrne
Preparation for a Career in Broadcast Journalism “You’ll work so hard at broadcast and you’ll be good, but you would be great in sales!” Not exactly the words broadcast news student Diane Campbell (O’Byrne) wanted to hear from her Missouri School of Journalism adviser and much-respected professor Dave Dugan. Little did O’Byrne know that Dugan … Continued
Jonathan Murray
Jonathan Murray, BJ ’77, had no idea one PBS documentary would influence the course of his career – and television history. But it did. The emotional storytelling and real-life characters featured in the series, “An American Family,” captivated young Murray, then a high school student in upstate New York. “You actually heard people talking the … Continued
Larry Meyer
From Practicing to Promoting Journalism Larry Meyer, BJ ’76, has been a leader in promoting journalism excellence and a journalist grounded in the craft’s timeless values: accuracy, integrity, honesty, transparency and factuality. At the Missouri School of journalism, he soaked in these values, and they became the codes in his career. Meyer began his print … Continued
Toni Messina
What do you do? I have served as the public communications director for the City of Columbia (Mo.) since May 2006. I retired from Missouri state government after almost 30 years in all three branches. Prior to state government service, I worked for a non-profit council of governments and an insurance company. How did you … Continued
Paula Melvin
What do you do? I manage IT documents and archival systems as a technical writer and editor. How did you get your job? By having a damned good resume and excellent references. What is the best professional lesson you learned at the J-School? Always be teachable. What advice do you have for current students? Quitters … Continued
Craig Ligibel
What was your first job? My first job was working for a small public relations firm in Columbia, Mo. We published an agricultural magazine. I had never set foot on a farm before, but then spent two years driving a sports car all over the country interviewing farmers about our client’s product. We produced black-and-white … Continued
Beth Keck
To see how much of the world Beth Keck’s career has spanned, one need only turn over her business card. One side identifies Keck, BJ ’76, as senior director for Wal-Mart and lists her contact information in English. The other side lists exactly the same information – but in Chinese. Keck said she has followed … Continued
Barbara Kain
Why did you choose the Missouri School of Journalism? My high school journalism adviser encouraged me to attend. She said it was the best journalism school in the country. I earned a scholarship, and as long as I had the money, I could attend. What was your first job, and how did you get it? … Continued
Ellen Jaffe Jones
What do you do? Author, health/fitness/recipe columnist, nationally certified personal trainer and running coach, media consultant. I spent 18 years in broadcast news as an investigative/consumer reporter, anchor, producer and photographer. I spent six years as a stay-at-home mom, then five years as a financial consultant at Smith Barney where I was the No. 1 … Continued