Decade: 1980-89

Laura Bryant, BJ '80
1980-89

Laura Bryant

Journalism Grad Discovers Love of Corporate Communications: Laura Bryant’s Planned Career Diverges in New Direction The plan was set. The timing was perfect. Graduate in May from the Missouri School of Journalism and go to Moscow for the Olympic Games as a journalist. Laura Bryant, BJ ’80, had the skills, especially since she had been studying … Continued

Bruce Kleiner, MA '89
1980-89

Bruce Kleiner

Bruce Kleiner, MA ’89, is always ready for a new adventure. With 22 years clocked in at the U.S. State Department as a public affairs officer, he has worked in almost a dozen embassies around the world, from Ethiopia to Pakistan to Romania. Currently stationed in Havana, Kleiner’s wanderlust never lets him stay in one … Continued

Brian Brooker, BJ '83
1980-89

Brian Brooker

After 30-plus years of working in advertising, Brian Brooker, BJ ’83, has learned the importance of relationships. Whether they are between him and his creative team, or between the products he works on and their consumers, Brooker’s success in building strong relationships comes down to one thing: He gets people. “You have to figure out … Continued

Lynne Ann Davis, BJ '87
1980-89

Lynne Anne Davis

After moving constantly throughout her childhood and never spending much time in one place, Lynne Anne Davis, BJ ’87, unexpectedly found her home in Hong Kong when she was 30 years old. While her initial move to Hong Kong – prompted by her public relations position with FleishmanHillard – was not meant to be long … Continued

Janice (Kalmar) McDill, BJ '82
1980-89

Janice McDill

Janice (Kalmar) McDill, BJ ’82, had a dream of reporting breaking news. While attending the Missouri School of Journalism, she worked with the state capital reporting team in Jefferson City. This experience, internship and hands-on education provided McDill with a solid foundation and skill set to succeed within the industry. Why did you decide to … Continued

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1980-89

Michael Pointer, BJ ’88

Michael Pointer, BJ ’88, left the newspaper industry “about a year ago, with some sadness,” he reports, and accepted a position in the media department of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Washington, D.C. Pointer misses being a sports writer, but loves the new challenge, the security it provides and living in Washington.

Bob Donaldson, BJ '82
1980-89

Bob Donaldson

It was Bob Donaldson’s first story for KOMU-TV, and it was an important one. KOMU wanted to be the first to break the story over a strike in Columbia, Missouri. A jittery Donaldson, along with staff photographer Brow Lester, shot video at the scene and pushed through a crowd of angry boisterous citizens. Back in … Continued

Sara Weaver-Wescott, BJ '84, BA '84
1980-89

Sara Weaver-Wescott

Sara Weaver-Wescott, BJ ’84 and BA ’84, is a problem solver. As the national sales manager for KPIX-TV, the CBS owned and operated television station in San Francisco, she helps media buyers and planners for some of the country’s largest advertising agencies rearrange the many pieces of multi-million-dollar television advertising buys until they fall perfectly … Continued

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1980-89

David Murray, BJ ’86

David Murray, BJ ’86, was named press secretary for Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder in November 2015. He had served as deputy press secretary since July 2013, and previously worked for The Grand Rapids Press, The Flint Journal and what is now The Connecticut Post for 26 years.