Location: Illinois
David Klobucar
If it were not for a fine arts credit needed to graduate high school, David Klobucar, BJ ’77, probably would be a doctor today. He had a passion for math and science and enjoyed everything from chemistry experiments to dissecting animals in biology class. During his junior year at Oak Park High School in Kansas … Continued
Len Ziehm
What do you do? Retired from the Chicago Sun-Times in June 2010 after 41 years in the sports department, I’ve stepped up my freelance writing and am coordinating my writing projects through the website, lenziehmongolf.com. In retirement. I’ve continued to do some writing for the Sun-Times. I’m also doing a weekly golf column for the Daily … Continued
Sally Renaud Turner
What do you do? I teach print journalism at Eastern Illinois University, including History of American Journalism, inspired by Dr. Taft’s History and Principles of Journalism class. I also advise the yearbook and direct the Illinois Journalism Education Association and the Eastern Illinois High School Press Association. How did you get your job? I had … Continued
Patrick Rollens
What do you do? I’m a community producer for TribLocal.com, the Chicago Tribune’s hyperlocal news site. I manage six suburban towns, helping publish stories from Tribune staffers and recruit citizen contributors who are interested in sharing news from their towns. Social media is a big part of my week, as is aggregating stories from around … Continued
Raegan Rinchiuso
What do you do? I am the marketing and public information specialist at Heartland Community College in Normal, Ill. I do a variety of both the advertising and public relations functions for the college, including writing press releases, making media connections, writing ad copy, making media buys, writing and editing college publications and helping with … Continued
Walter Reed
What do you do? I retired from a long-time PR position in 1989 – director of public relations of the U.S. vending machine industry’s national trade association – then operated an international consulting service until 2003. For 19 years, I have been a very active Rotarian in my club and Rotary district. I am also … Continued
Taylor Pensoneau
The year was 1965. The Vietnam War was raging; protests were rampant across the country; the civil rights movement was gathering steam; and recent graduate-turned-newspaper reporter Taylor Pensoneau was going to be writing about politics. And, not only was he going to be writing about politics, Pensoneau would be heading up the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s … Continued
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
Matt Michalik
What do you do? I’m a financial adviser with Edward Jones. What advice do you have for current students? Follow your dreams and passion. What is your favorite J-School memory? Covering the basketball Tigers for the Missourian as one of two beat writers (with Tom Friend, who has gone on to a successful career at … Continued
Richard Liefer
Learning the Nuts and Bolts Fresh off a 140-acre family farm in Red Bud, Ill., Richard Liefer arrived at Mizzou on a wave of baby boomers in 1964. Freshman enrollment soared, and campus dorms were so full, he was crowded into a two-person room with two other roommates. Mizzou was bigger and busier than his … Continued