1. SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY S.I. NEWHOUSE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS SPRING 2007 VOL. 19 NO. 2

2. SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY S.I. NEWHOUSE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS SPRING 2007 VOL. 19 NO. 2
IN THIS ISSUE:
Dean’s Column 1
Mirror Awards 2
Dean Rubin Retirement 4
Turner Diversity Fellowhips 6
Dean
David M. Rubin 12 PSA Project 7
Executive Editor
Wendy S. Loughlin G’95 South Side Newspaper 8
Assistant Editor Newspaper Design Competition 10
Carol L. Boll
Contributors New Academic Programs 11
Courtney Allen G’07
Jaime Winne Alvarez ’02
Lorae M. French ’07
Kathleen Haley ’92
Meghan Hynes G’07
4 First Amendment
Student Snapshots
12
16
Kathryn Lee G’97
David Marc Schoonmaker Book 18
Photography Comstock Book 19
Steve Dorsey
Steve Sartori
Christine Singh ’09 Award-winning Documentary 20
Graphic Design Alumnus Kenneth Sparks 21
Quinn Design
Assistant Dean of
8 Alumni at Sirius Radio 22
External Relations
Lynn A. Vanderhoek ’89 SU in L.A. 23
Office of External Class Notes 24
Relations
315-443-5711
Alumna Kelly Brown 25
Web site
newhouse.syr.edu
23

3. Dear Friends of the School: In April I announced will open in the fall. Our successful “Newhouse in
my intention to step down as dean of the New York” breakfast series will continue. We will
Newhouse School at the end of the 2007-08 dedicate Newhouse III and welcome Chief Justice
academic year. (The lengthy academic search John Roberts to campus in September. We will
process requires a lot of advance planning.) I will celebrate a full “Year of the First Amendment” with
take 2008-09 as a sabbatical year (my first real a series of speakers, symposia, and other events
leave to re-charge in 36 years in higher ed) and to bring further attention to our building, wrapped
then return to the faculty in the fall of 2009. I as it is in the actual words of the First Amendment.
will be turning over to the next dean a school in One of the most rewarding parts of the job,
excellent shape. We should attract many strong for me, has been the relationships I have made
candidates for this position. Who wouldn’t want with so many people. Building a great school is a
DEAN’S
COLUMN
to lead a Newhouse School with a new building, team effort. It starts with the bright students who
an exciting new curriculum, a great faculty and leave us and make their mark on the industry. This
staff, a talented and ambitious student body, and can only happen with a dedicated faculty and staff
a loyal and accomplished alumni base—all within working closely with the students to bring out
a university on the move? their potential; alumni who help those graduates
This has been a long run, and every get settled and who contribute to the school so
organization needs new ideas and energy. Next that we can build a Newhouse III; an experienced
year will be my 18th as dean, about triple the Advisory Board providing advice, connections
normal longevity. I want to make sure that I am to the industry, and financial resources; and the
leaving at the right time in the life of the school, many friends of the school who have supported us
and I think June 30, 2008, is the right time. At by digging deep into their pockets. You should all
that point we will have been in the new building take a bow!!!
for a year, having gone through the “shakedown No one could have lasted 18 months as dean,
cruise.” Most of the elements of a new curriculum let alone 18 years, without such a fabulous group
should be in place by then, thanks to the hard of people all pulling together. You made it easy.
work of the faculty and staff. Our relatively new I will continue to make a contribution to
administrative team will have had another year of Newhouse in the classroom, as a writer, as a
experience under its collective belts. We will have donor, and as a person willing to provide
had more time to navigate the University’s new leadership across the campus when asked.
budget system. The school will be well-positioned I look forward to seeing many of you at events
to help with the University’s next capital in the upcoming year.
campaign. And undergraduate and graduate
For more information admissions will be flourishing.
about Dean Rubin’s We have worked together to transform the
retirement and career school, and we continue to look forward to great
with the Newhouse things ahead. The first Mirror Awards Presentation David M. Rubin
School, see story p. 6 will be held in June. New academic programs Dean
1

4. Peter Bart, editor-in-chief of Variety, will receive the inaugural Lifetime
Achievement Award at the Mirror Awards Luncheon June 14.
Meredith Vieira, co-anchor of NBC’s morning news program Today,
will MC the event at W New York, 541 Lexington Ave., New York City.
2

5. Seven jury awards will be presented at a the Internet. Seven categories recognize John D. Miller ’72, chief marketing
luncheon in New York City to recognize reporters, editors, and teams of writers officer, TV Group, NBC Universal; Eric
the outstanding work of people and who hold a mirror to their own industry Mower ’66, G’88, chairman and CEO,
organizations that report on the media. for the public’s benefit. Newhouse Eric Mower and Associates Inc.; Mike
Until now, no awards of this nature have established the awards to recognize Perlis ’76, venture partner, SOFTBANK
ever been given. winners for news judgment and Capital; Thomas S. Rogers, president
The Mirror Awards Luncheon will command of craft in reporting, analysis, and CEO, TiVo Inc.; Jeffrey A. Sine, vice
take place June 14 from 11:45 a.m. to and commentary on developments in chairman and global head, Technology,
2:30 p.m. at W New York in New York the media industry. Media & Telecommunications, UBS
City. Meredith Vieira, co-anchor of NBC’s The Mirror Awards are open Investment Bank; John Sykes ’77,
morning news program Today, will to anyone who conducts reporting, president of network development,
serve as mistress of ceremonies. Peter commentary, or criticism of the media MTV Networks; and Michael Terpin
Bart, vice president of Variety Inc. and industries—television, newspaper, ’78, president and CEO, Terpin
editor-in-chief of Variety newspaper, magazine, radio, advertising, public Communications Group.
will be honored with a special lifetime relations, the Internet, and other forms Mirror judges include Floyd Abrams,
achievement award. of content—in a format intended for a partner, Cahill Gordon & Reindel;
Luncheon committee co-chairs for mass audience. This year’s entries came Louis D. Boccardi, director, The Gannett
the event include Rob Light ’78, partner, from a wide range of media outlets and Company; Hodding Carter III,
Creative Artists; Judy McGrath, chairman organizations. professor of leadership and public
and CEO, MTV Networks; Ron Meyer, Luncheon committee members policy, University of North Carolina
president and COO, Universal Studios; include Barry Baker ’73, managing at Chapel Hill; Karen Brown Dunlap,
Aaron Sorkin ’83, writer; and Jeff Zucker, director and general partner, Boston president, The Poynter Institute; Esther
president and CEO, NBC Universal. Ventures; Edward Bleier ’51 of CKX/ Dyson, author, Release 2.1; Theodore L.
NEWHOUSE ESTABLISHES MIRROR AWARDS TO HONOR
EXCELLENCE IN MEDIA INDUSTRY REPORTING
“These awards are for anyone who Blockbuster/RealNetworks and the Glasser, professor of communication,
cares about the media, and about the Newhouse School’s Bleier Center for Stanford University; Charlotte Grimes,
public’s perception of the media in our Television and Popular Culture; Kathy Knight Chair in Political Reporting
economy and culture,” says Newhouse Bloomgarden, CEO, Ruder Finn; Harold and professor, S.I. Newhouse School
Dean David M. Rubin. “The media are Burson, founding chairman, Burson- of Public Communications, Syracuse
so central to every aspect of American Marsteller; Bill Doescher, president and University; Alberto Ibargüen, president
life, and so ubiquitous, that we thought CEO, The Doescher Group Ltd.; Fred and CEO, John S. and James L. Knight
it time to recognize coverage that best M. Dressler ’63, former executive vice Foundation; Alex Jones, director,
explains to the American public how the president of programming, Time Warner The Joan Shorenstein Center on
media work, and why. We believe these Cable; Alan Frank G’70, president and the Press, Politics & Public Policy,
awards are long overdue, given that the CEO, Post-Newsweek Stations Inc.; Eric Harvard University; Steve Kroft ’71,
media business, as a beat, has been Frankel ’74, president, Warner Bros. correspondent, 60 Minutes, CBS;
the focus of some of the country’s best Domestic Cable Distribution; Martin William T. Slater, dean and professor,
journalists. We are pleased to associate Garbus, partner, Davis & Gilbert LLP; College of Communication, Texas
the Newhouse School with these new Peter Guber, chairman, Mandalay Christian University Schieffer School of
awards, given that the school has such Pictures; Phil Gurin ’81, president, Journalism; and Judy Woodruff, special
a strong concentration in its mission on The Gurin Company; Andrew T. Heller, correspondent, NewsHour, PBS.
professional media work for its president of domestic distribution, For more information about the
graduates.” Turner Broadcasting System; Deborah Mirror Awards or to reserve a table at the
The Mirror Awards focus on all Henretta G’85, president, ASEAN, June 14 luncheon, see mirrorawards.syr.edu
media—traditional and new—including Australasia and India, The Procter & or contact Catherine Gay Communications
newspapers, magazines, radio, Gamble Co.; Philip I. Kent, chairman and at 212-501-7231 or mirror@cgcomgroup.com.
television broadcasting, cable, satellite, CEO, Turner Broadcasting System; Larry
film, and the entire digital sphere of Kramer ’72, advisor, CBS Interactive;
3

6. END
Dean David Rubin and Chancellor Nancy Cantor flank
Donald and Susan Newhouse on the day of the Newhouse III
groundbreaking in November 2005.
DEAN RUBIN TO RETIRE AND RETURN TO THE FACULTY NEXT JUNE
By Wendy S. Loughlin
OF
This spring, Syracuse revolutionary change. David’s
University Vice Chancellor leadership will be missed on
and Provost Eric F. Spina campus and well beyond.”
announced that David M. “David Rubin has had
Rubin, dean of the Newhouse a profound impact on the
School for the past 17 years, Newhouse School and
will step down as dean generations of students here
effective June 30, 2008, and at Syracuse University,” said
return to the faculty. Spina. “His deanship truly
AN
“David’s impact on focused on and advanced
the Newhouse School and our quality—of programs,
its students and faculty of faculty, and of students.
has been broad and far- He will be sorely missed as
reaching,” said SU Chancellor the ‘dean of deans,’ but his
and President Nancy integrity, frankness, and
Cantor. “He has not only led focus on quality leave a high
Newhouse through one of mark for us all.”
its most productive eras as Spina has convened a
a school, but he has helped national search for Rubin’s
set the national agenda for replacement.
education in communications As dean since July 1990,
during a time in which the Rubin has had a major
profession has undergone influence on all aspects of the
4

7. school, from fund raising students in the incoming first- excellence in media industry September 19 with a keynote on the faculty of New York
and alumni relations to year class—from 10 percent reporting, will be held this address from Chief Justice University.
the quality of the student to more than 20 percent. June in New York City (see of the United States John “This is the right time for
body and the administrative Under his leadership, story p. 4) and should further G. Roberts Jr. It is funded a transition in leadership,”
structure. Always a school the school created a extend the school’s reputation in part through a lead gift says Rubin. “By June of 2008,
with a strong national special deanship and office in that important venue. of $15 million from the S.I. the new building will have
reputation, Newhouse is to support the graduate To support these branding Newhouse Foundation. had its first year of operation.
now generally recognized professional master’s degree activities, he recently hired Additional fund raising has Most of the elements of
as one of the nation’s students. He started graduate the school’s first director of increased this total to about the new curriculum will
premier communications programs in arts journalism, communications and media $24 million, and fund raising be in place. The school’s
schools, and its graduates new media, and media relations. continues. The building, new management team
are in demand in the media management. He revamped the along with renovations to will have had another year
workplace. Perhaps his most Rubin has taught a Newhouse Board of Advisors, Newhouse I and Newhouse of experience. We are well
important achievement—the section of the gateway creating a model group that II, will provide a 350-seat positioned for the University’s
construction of Newhouse III course to freshmen or the provides strategic advice, auditorium, a large dining next capital campaign.
—will be celebrated at a gala senior-level communications networking, visibility, and center, a state-of-the-art The school is so strong and
dedication on September 19. law course every semester financial assistance to convergent media center for visible nationally that we
Rubin has transformed he has been at SU, and the school. He also built a student experimentation, two should attract many excellent
the school with a number he regularly advises 30 or fundraising and external student lounges, an executive candidates to carry on this
of programs, new hires, and more undergraduates. Of advancement operation for education wing, and other work.
initiatives. Early in his tenure, the current 65 members the school and has helped important facilities. “I have been privileged
he established a Career of the full-time faculty, 41 secure funding for a number Outside the school, to spend 17 years working
Development Center and an were hired during Rubin’s of programs and chairs, Rubin hosts a weekly with a highly talented and
alumni relations operation deanship. including the Goldring Arts television show on public supportive group of faculty,
that have become models Rubin raised the school’s Journalism Program; the television station WCNY- staff, and alumni. We have
for other units at SU. He visibility through a number Tsairis Chair in Documentary TV, The Ivory Tower Half all benefited enormously
created a new faculty rank, of successful, high-profile Photography; the Knight Hour, which is the highest- from our association with
Professor of Practice, which branding events, including Chair in Political Reporting; rated local public affairs the Newhouse family, who
allows top professionals from the “Newhouse in New York” the Trustee Chair in Media program (other than local are models for philanthropy
the industry to bring their breakfast series, established and Popular Culture; the news) in Central New York. in their wisdom, generosity,
expertise to the University in partnership with Condé Bleier Center for Television The program is scheduled and trust.”
and assume full-time Nast and The New Yorker and Popular Culture; the Tully to go statewide in July. Following his retirement,
faculty positions without magazine, at which leading Center for Free Speech; the He is a member of the Rubin will take a yearlong
the pressure of a research media professionals are Carnegie Program in Legal advisory board of the sabbatical before returning
agenda. interviewed by “Annals of Reporting; the Carnegie Hearst Foundation’s College to Newhouse to teach. “I will
He hired the school’s Communications” writer Program in Religion and the Journalism Competition spend the next year learning
first admissions coordinator and author Ken Auletta for Media; the Healthy Campus and has twice served as a the things I need to learn to
and led Newhouse to an invited audience. He Initiative; the Newhouse Pulitzer Prize juror. He has contribute to teaching in our
its current status as one oversaw the gala “40 at 40” Minority Graduate Fellows served on a variety of arts new curriculum,” he says.
of the most selective celebration of the school’s Program; and the Turner boards, including for the “I also hope to get back the
communications schools 40th birthday, held in New Diversity Fellowship Program. Syracuse Opera and the same proficiency at the piano
in the country, with an York City and on campus, Perhaps his most Skaneateles Festival. He I had when I became dean in
admissions rate of less than which raised more than notable achievement as holds a B.A. from Columbia July of 1990 and have now,
25 percent. He initiated a $500,000 for scholarships. dean is the construction College in New York City, sadly, lost. I intend to make
focus on minority recruitment The first annual Newhouse- of Newhouse III, the third and master’s and doctoral Debussy, Ravel, Brahms, and
that has more than doubled sponsored Mirror Awards building in the Newhouse degrees in communications Mozart close acquaintances
the percentage of minority Presentation, recognizing Communications Complex, from Stanford University. He again.”
which will be dedicated previously spent 19 years
5

8. A new minority fellowship program at Newhouse offers
Turner communications students the opportunity to alleviate their biggest
concerns: paying for graduate school and landing a job to start
Diversity their careers. The Turner Diversity Fellowship Program provides
a fully funded education and a guaranteed job with a leading
communications company. Turner Broadcasting System Inc. is funding
Fellowship the fellowship with a two-year, $140,000 gift, which will enable two
students from underrepresented groups to pursue graduate study at
Newhouse in advertising; media management; broadcast journalism;
Provides television, radio, and film; or new media. Students will then work at
Turner Broadcasting in any of a variety of positions. “The fellowship
Tuition raises the bar for our students, and it increases our minority student
enrollment,” says Joel Kaplan, Newhouse associate dean for
professional graduate studies. “More importantly, it has the potential
and Job to increase the number of minorities in the industry.”
Combined with the Newhouse Minority Fellowship Program,
which provides an education and job placement with a Newhouse
Placement newspaper after graduation, this new fellowship illustrates the
school’s and the industry’s commitment to creating a diverse
workforce, Kaplan says. “All media industries have to do a better job
By Kathleen Haley in attracting and keeping minorities,” he says. “This is a step in the
right direction to help not just Turner but the entire communications
industry have a more diverse work force.”
FIRST TURNER FELLOWS TO ENTER NEWHOUSE THIS SUMMER
Je-Anne Jarrett (l) and Gretta Moody Moody also will enroll in the
(r) are the first students to participate media management program at
in the Turner Diversity Fellowship Newhouse. She graduated this spring
Program at Newhouse. They will enter from Hampton University, where she
the school this summer. studied advertising and marketing.
Jarrett, who will enroll in the She received several undergraduate
media management program, earned honors and awards, including the
a bachelor’s degree from Duke Scripps Howard School of Journalism
University, where she studied public and Communications Departmental
policy and Spanish and earned a Award; the Lotti B. Knight Book
certificate in film/video/digital. She Award; and designation by the
was an intern with the Emma L. Bowen American Advertising Federation
Foundation, which pairs students (AAF) as a “Most Promising Minority
with partner companies to work Student.”
during summer and school breaks. She worked as an intern with the
Jarrett worked at MJZ-TV in Baltimore, AAF’s Education Services and Mosaic
where she gained experience in Center, as an advertising/fashion
programming, creative services, news, intern with Victor Rossi, and as an
web, sales, public affairs, special intern with the Louis Carr Internship
projects, and human resources. She Foundation. She also served as
also participated in the foundation’s co-president of 10 (a college chapter
annual student conference and of the AAF) and a member of the
mentoring program. American Marketing Association, and
Since graduation from Duke, was a finalist for a Lighthouse Award
she has worked as a production for best print advertisement.
assistant for WRAL-TV, the CBS
affiliate in Raleigh, N.C.
6

9. PSA PROJECT COMBINES BY KATHLEEN HALEY
LEARNING WITH SERVICE
Television, radio, and film (TRF) associate professor designing a strong theoretical framework for the ads.
Larry Elin wanted students in his Short Form The project was developed during the last
Production class to get a true six weeks of the fall semester. ACR wanted the
understanding of a real-world focus on condom use, targeting both English- and
commercial production project, Spanish-speaking audiences. The ad design students
with a client, an ad agency, and produced concepts and storyboards, six of which
the collaboration to pull off a were assigned to three-person TRF production teams.
professional 30-second television The students learned how to execute the designs
commercial. They got that and more. like real production companies, while the client, ad
The 18 students in his class design students, and Chock continued to be active in
worked with AIDS Community the process.
Resources (ACR) and 30 advertising “I have a greater appreciation for the creative
design students to create six public process involved in advertising campaigns, from
service announcements that provided the basic idea to targeting the demographic to
students with a typical work experience and production and completion,” says TRF student Jordan
benefited a community agency and the people Friedman ’07. “As far as our production, I had to defer
it serves. “Typically, TRF students are taught to the client and advertising students and put our
how to write and produce their own work creative differences aside in the interest of producing
and rarely have anybody else in a position of the spot.”
‘authority’ involved at virtually every phase,” ACR’s HIV educators use the commercials to
Elin says. “I wanted to see if they could start conversations with students in the agency’s
function in this kind of potentially unpleasant Teen AIDS Task Force chapters. The agency is also
but completely realistic raising funds to air the spots locally. Agencies from
environment, and they all did around the country have requested DVD copies of
extremely well.” the spots, which Elin uploaded to YouTube. Chock is
Elin worked with Pete studying the effectiveness of the commercials and
VonDerLinn and Donna Korff, will write a paper about the study.
advertising professionals Students produced professional work for
and faculty members in portfolios, but they gained something else, Elin says.
SU’s College of Visual “They learned how to create something of great value
and Performing Arts, who for something other than a good grade,” he says.
adjusted coursework in “Their commercials were deeply appreciated for a
order for their 30 students very worthy cause. This is a life lesson that is hard to
to become the design team. achieve in the typical course assignment.”
ACR came in as the client after Andrew London, Jean Kessner, ACR’s publicity director, enjoyed
ACR’s board chair and an associate professor in working with the students and was impressed both
SU’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public by their efforts and by Elin’s enthusiasm in educating
Affairs, brought the opportunity to the agency’s them, which shows in their work. “The commercials
attention. To help deliver an effective message, are professional and get the message across
communications assistant professor Makana convincingly,” Kessner says. “Condom use is a dicey
Chock provided research and technical advice to topic. The PSAs put the topic out there in a direct and
the client and ad design teams, aiding them in appropriate way.”
7

10. CAROL PERRY INTERACTS WITH A CUSTOMER AT HER SOUTH SIDE NEWSSTAND.
8

11. TAKING A STAND
FOR SYRACUSE’S SOUTH SIDE BY COURTNEY ALLEN
The Newhouse School and the South Side professor Sue Alessandri’s classes plan to
Community Coalition are working together complete a market survey of the South Side
to provide news coverage for the South this spring. It will feature a list of potential
Side of Syracuse through the South Side advertising clients in the community, giving
Newspaper Project. Professors Steve Davis organizers an idea of what clients might pay
and John Hatcher launched the project after for ads as well as their desired frequency of
sending students to report there in spring advertising. “That’s the beauty of getting
2005 and receiving encouraging feedback classes involved,” Davis says. “The students
from the community. “The South Side is a are getting job experience with real clientele,
community different from the area students and we’re benefiting from their work. Our
are accustomed to,” says Davis, chair of paper is nonprofit, but there are many expenses
the Newhouse Department of Newspaper involved in operating it, and paying someone
Journalism. “The project is a good way to to do such things would not be possible.”
immerse students in diversity, being that Enthusiasm within the South Side
most residents are minorities.” The project’s community has also contributed to the
goal is to create a monthly publication that newspaper’s progress. “We have 35
takes an in-depth look at the South Side’s committed volunteers from the South Side
unique aspects. devoted to being writers, photographers,
Project coordinator Tasneem Tewogbola and graphic designers,” Tewogbola says.
’96 says organizers are currently trying The majority of the volunteers have no
to raise funds for the publication. “We’re prior journalism experience and will work
looking for money from a variety of sources,” alongside upper-level journalism students
says Tewogbola. “Before next fall, we plan to and be mentored by Newhouse professors,
apply for five or six grants as well as obtain says Davis. According to Tewogbola, the
nonprofit status.” Also in the works is a community has already chosen a name for
plan to establish a home for the publication. its newspaper: The Stand. “It represents
“The University has agreed to do everything the seriousness of those involved and their
in its power to find property on the South vow to have a paper that speaks to the
Side that will serve as the communications community,” she says. “A lot of times the
center, whether that means purchasing and coverage paints one broad stroke of the
renovating an existing building, renting, or South Side as a place of crime when there’s
building a new facility,” Davis says. really amazing history and people there.”
Project organizers expect to publish Davis says the ultimate objective is
the newspaper’s inaugural issue in fall to assist the South Side with creating a
2007 or spring 2008, but Davis admits they newspaper its community members can one
have much to accomplish by then. However, day operate as their own. “When the paper is
constant support from Newhouse makes up and running five to seven years from now,
the process more feasible. For instance, we will hand it over to the community and
advertising students in one of associate send our students there as interns,” he says.
9

12. Some of the world’s biggest, best, and most opportunity to have their portfolios reviewed by
innovative newspapers converged on Syracuse the judges and professional facilitators involved
in February for the Society for News Design’s in the competition. “It’s a terrific learning
annual Best of Newspaper Design Creative experience,” he says. “It gives our students an
Competition. Hosted by Syracuse University and opportunity to work alongside some of the best
the Newhouse School under the direction of professionals in the print business. Some years,
Newhouse professor emeritus Marshall Matlock students have gotten internships or jobs based
at Drumlins and the Sheraton Syracuse on their performance at the judging.”
SUCCESS
BY By Lorae M. French
DESIGN University Hotel & Conference Center, the One student landed an internship at
competition drew 13,862 entries from around the Chicago Tribune simply because he was
the globe. observed at the judging doing all the right
“Every year has new challenges,” says things. After a successful summer working for
Matlock, who organized the event for the the paper, he returned to SU for his senior year.
18th year. “This year it was the unheard-of The Tribune later bucked its own hiring policy
number of winners—1,746—which more than at the time and offered him a job right after
doubled from most past years.” The four top graduation, even though he had no substantial
prizewinners, recognized as the “World’s newspaper experience. “They would compare
Best-Designed Newspapers” by the SND and every other person they interviewed to him, and
the Newhouse School, were all from Europe: he came out on top every time for what they were
Aripaev of Tallinn, Estonia; El Economista looking for in graphics design,” Matlock says.
of Madrid, Spain; Frankfurter Allgemeine Newhouse alumni also descend on
Sonntagszeitung of Frankfurt, Germany; campus each year to help with the competition,
and Politiken of Copenhagen, Denmark. The often returning as editors, managing editors,
newspapers are judged by an international array designers, art directors, and news directors.
of editors, designers, and academics. Matlock “Newhouse needs to graduate a well-rounded
says American newspapers, traditionally, take student who has the skills the industry needs,”
fewer risks in design than their international Matlock says. “Newhouse faculty and staff work
counterparts. “Unlike many international papers very hard to make sure that happens, and, from
that are designed well from cover to back, U.S. our overall track record, we’re doing a good job.”
papers tend to have wonderful covers, but when Matlock, who received the SND Lifetime
a reader gets inside the paper, there isn’t the Achievement award last fall, considers it a
same quality,” he says. privilege to bring the competition to Syracuse
While the awards are prestigious, Matlock each year, especially for the students. “I hope
says the real winners are Newhouse students. that by attending the judging, students leave
Sitting in on the judging and assisting as Drumlins with ink on their fingers and a better
“facilitators,” these students also are given the understanding of what’s happening out there in
the print design world,” he says.
10

13. THE NEWHOUSE SCHOOL WILL ADD TWO NEW GRADUATE PROGRAMS AND AN UNDERGRADUATE “MILESTONE” TO ITS ROSTER STARTING THIS FALL
>
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Documentary Film and History Public Diplomacy Fashion and Beauty Communications Milestone
A collaboration between the Newhouse Another collaboration between the A new concentration for undergraduate
School and SU’s Maxwell School of Newhouse School and the Maxwell students in the Newhouse School and SU’s
Citizenship and Public Affairs, the joint M.A. School, the Public Diplomacy program College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA),
program in Documentary Film and History trains students for public communications the Fashion and Beauty Communications
is designed for students who are interested responsibilities with governments or Milestone explores fashion and beauty
in the related disciplines of history and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). as communication. Coursework is drawn
documentary filmmaking. The one-year “We are excited about this program,” from both Newhouse and VPA and covers
program teaches the methodologies of says Dennis Kinsey, Newhouse associate such topics as the history of fashion;
historical research, proposal and script professor of public relations and director contemporary fashion in popular culture;
writing, and production, with a focus on the of the program. “In less than two years, visual communications; fashion advertising
commercial realities of documentary film students earn two master’s degrees—one and promotion; fashion photography; and
distribution. The program is appropriate in public relations and one in international beauty and fashion journalism. The three-
for students interested in research, writing, relations.” year milestone also will include a lecture
production, and distribution of nonfiction The program addresses the challenges series, benchmark trips, internships, and
films, as well as those who plan to teach inherent in cross-cultural communication study abroad opportunities.
either history or documentary production. and the problems that can arise when In addition to their chosen majors
The new program was inspired by the theory and practice of public and minors, students who complete
today’s content-hungry digital age, in communications is not understood. As part the program will receive a “milestone
which the Internet, cable television, of the program, students participate in distinction” in fashion and beauty
DirecTV, iPods, Zunes, media on screens internships and policy-oriented seminars in communications. About 40 students have
in classrooms, and home entertainment Washington, D.C. enrolled.
centers have created an enormous Public diplomacy has evolved to “This milestone has been four years
demand for new, engaging programs, include nongovernmental communications in the making, so it will be great to see it
especially documentaries. The digital that have an impact on government, as well finally launched this fall,” says Carla Lloyd,
age has also brought on changes in how as government communications that affect Newhouse associate dean for creative and
films are produced. Relatively inexpensive nongovernmental sectors, including the scholarly activity and one of the milestone’s
cameras and computer-based, nonlinear private sector. In government, international founders. “I appreciate the enthusiastic
editing systems make it possible for small organizations, nonprofit organizations, response from students and am looking
groups of people to create professional NGOs, and the private sector, there is a forward to serving them next year and in
documentary films at relatively low cost. call for people who understand diverse years to come.”
“We have created a program for audiences at home and abroad and are For more information, contact Lloyd at
filmmakers, historians, educators, and skillful at crafting messages that describe 315-443-2305 or cvlloyd@syr.edu.
anyone inspired to explore the potentials the organization, convey its vision, and
of the documentary, as the form develops help communicate its message in times of
and morphs in response to each new wave change or crisis.
of technological innovation,” says Richard For more information, contact Kinsey
Breyer, co-director of the program and at 315-443-3801 or dfkinsey@syr.edu.
Newhouse professor of television, radio,
and film. “We encourage students to bring
their own interests to the program.”
For more information, contact Breyer
at 315-443-9249 or rlbreyer@syr.edu.
11

14. HE POWER
BY
WENDY S.
LOUGHLIN
F WORDS
12

15. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances
The words are spelled out in letters six feet The People in the Driver’s Seat
high, etched in glass, wrapping the edifice. The The Founding Fathers believed strongly in the
third building in the Newhouse Communications importance of an informed public and open, public
Complex is more than just a building; it is a debate. “Our liberty cannot be guarded but by
message, and a symbol. Displaying the words the freedom of the press,” Thomas Jefferson once
of the First Amendment, it makes a striking said, “nor that be limited without danger of losing
statement to all who visit the Syracuse University it.” As a safeguard against possible government
campus—that the First Amendment continues to tyranny, and with its provision for freedom of
be a vital part of American democracy, and lies at the press, the First Amendment positioned
the heart of American journalism. journalists in a unique role within the democracy:
“This is who we are and this is what we do,” that of watchdog. “There was a suspicion of a
says Newhouse Dean David Rubin. “Without government that was too strong, a suspicion
the First Amendment, most of what we do in the about letting government control what got
Newhouse School would not be possible or would printed and what got said,” says Newhouse
be done in a vastly different way.” professor of communications Jay Wright, an
Indeed, since its adoption in 1791, the expert in communications law and co-author of
First Amendment has played a crucial role in the books The First Amendment and the Fourth
the evolution of communications. “I don’t think Estate and The First Amendment and the Fifth
American journalism or American journalism Estate (both published by The Foundation Press).
education would be possible without the First “The assumption would be that in a democracy,
Amendment,” says Charlotte Grimes, Newhouse’s if you have power resting in the press to expose
Knight Chair in Political Reporting. wrongdoing by the government, you’re less likely
to have wrongdoing.”
13

16. Says Grimes: “That whole notion of freedom That change came later on, during the 19th
of the press embodies everything that we do century era known for “Yellow Journalism,” with
as journalists, and it’s at the heart of what the birth of the “penny press,” the widespread use
we teach our students—that they have this of the Associated Press and the rise of “crusading
obligation to be a watchdog on government journalism” by the great press barons like Joseph
and those with power. You can’t be a Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. Despite
watchdog if you don’t have some wonderful its negative connotations, Grimes says, “Yellow
protection from interference. The First Journalism actually did a lot of good. Many of
Amendment gives us that.” those crusades changed things.” She points to
Fittingly, the First Amendment was the story of Nellie Bly, who, as a reporter for the
truly a product “of the people, by New York World in 1887, had herself committed
the people, for the people,” Grimes to the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s
says. “It’s important to remember Island in order to chronicle the conditions there.
that when the Constitution was “Her stories so horrified people,” Grimes says,
passed, it didn’t include the “that great changes were made in the care for
First Amendment,” she says. the mentally ill. You wouldn’t have had that being
“It was the people who rose done under a partisan press.”
up and said, ‘We want This tradition of “accountability journalism,”
more protections.’ That’s which holds people in power accountable and
why we have the First often leads to reform, has become the hallmark
Amendment—people, of American journalism, viewed by many as
the people, demanded it. journalism at its best. The Watergate stories of
And the First Amendment the 1970s and, more recently, the unveiling of
assures—at least as much as problems at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center,
anything can—that the people are notable examples. “Journalists are eager to tell
are in the driver’s seat.” untold stories and journalists are eager to point
out wrongdoing by government and other large
An Independent Press authorities,” Wright says. “The long tradition of
The media’s watchdog legacy people breaking stories is all part of the package.”
evolved over the past two centuries,
but Grimes points out that the Threats and Challenges
gatekeeper role of the press was all But the First Amendment also has faced its share
but absent in the early days of the of threats and challenges. In the late 18th century,
democracy. In the years immediately the Sedition Act made it illegal to criticize—in
following the American Revolution, speech or in writing—the Constitution or the
newspapers were usually partisan, having government of the United States. The act expired
been founded by the political parties in 1800. In 1971, when The New York Times began
themselves. “They chewed up each other, but publishing stories based on the “Pentagon
they didn’t really ever look at themselves,” she Papers,” top secret documents detailing the U.S.
says. “They never raised questions about their government’s involvement in Southeast Asia
own parties, who were paying for the ink and as early as the 1940s, the Nixon Administration
the paper. I think it was a profound change when secured court orders stopping publication for
newspapers in particular became independent 15 days. Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled
from the parties.” the restraint unconstitutional, and publication
resumed.

17. Some would argue that attacks on the First Making a Statement
Amendment have escalated in recent years. In The showcasing of the First Amendment on the
particular, the threat of terror, seemingly more outer walls of Newhouse III is a statement not
pressing since September 11, 2001, has in many only about the importance of the amendment to
cases led to a suppression of information in the journalism and journalism education, but also
name of national security. “Terrorism is a real about the Newhouse community’s commitment
threat, but people are increasingly trying to to the amendment. “The Newhouse School
control speech-related things that might or might must be a place that challenges government
not be terrorism,” Wright says. “It’s easy to toss to respect the value of free speech and open
that word around and use it as a justification for debate, and its graduates must accept the
a lot of things that don’t fit well with the notion of responsibility of advancing this cause in
freedom of expression.” their own work,” Rubin says. “We are
Wright says the modern notion of being charged with promoting the free speech
“politically correct” also is a possible threat. and press that the Founding Fathers YEAR OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT
“Many people have a big concern with not hurting knew were necessary to a functioning Beginning this fall, the Newhouse School
other people’s feelings, with trying to curtail democracy.”
free speech that wouldn’t do physical damage to The display also makes a will host a yearlong celebration of the
somebody, wouldn’t damage their reputations in statement about the importance of First Amendment and its five freedoms.
the libel sense, wouldn’t invade their privacy, but the First Amendment to American Special events will be held on campus and at
might hurt their feelings, because they might not society at large. “Embedded in
other locations from September until March.
be words that the subject of the comment would those five freedoms are the
like used about them,” he says. things that we value most in For more information or to get involved,
Grimes sees the changing nature of our democracy,” Grimes says. contact Charlotte Grimes at 315-443-2366 or
today’s newsrooms as another problem. “I fear “If you look at free speech, a free cgrimes@syr.edu. More information is also
for the future of watchdog journalism in our press, freedom of religion, freedom of
environment today, where news organizations assembly, the right to petition... throw available online at newhouse.syr.edu/nh3.
are trying to convert themselves into ‘information in elections, and you’ve got democracy.”
centers,’ and cutting back on the numbers of “That we can put this right at the
reporters,” she says. “If you think of yourself gateway of campus is something for the
as an ‘information center,’ you’re not doing Newhouse School to be particularly proud
much watchdog journalism. In fact, you may of. It is a statement about and for us, but it is
not even be doing journalism. It’s a shame to also a statement about and for the things that
have that powerful, vivid protection of the First a good university always stands for—the values
Amendment, and to degrade it to protect our right of democracy.”
to purvey mere information instead of news.”
Still, despite threats, the First Amendment
has thus far prevailed, a fact that “speaks to
the wisdom of the founders, and speaks to and
illuminates the values that are embodied in the
First Amendment,” Grimes says. “But history tells
us that the First Amendment is constantly under
threat, and that it always will be. We have to keep
fighting for it. Anybody who believes that we’re
ever going to be able to stop fighting for the First
Amendment is deluded.”

18. >>> LAMONICA FALKQUAY Hansen, a public relations student, decided new opportunity, and Jane is ready for its
LaMonica Falkquay ’07 was honored to develop a way to help Newhouse challenges.”
last February as part of the American students learn more about social media— The program was developed by
Advertising Federation’s Most Promising things like blogs, podcasts, My Space, Lockheed Martin to attract, develop,
Minority Students (MPMS) Program. She Facebook, and YouTube. He came up and retain high-potential professionals
and other honorees from colleges and with the Newhouse New Media Series, a by establishing a pipeline of talent for
universities across the country attended a semester of interactive seminars dedicated future business and technical leadership
special program at the New York Athletic to the changing world of communications. positions within the company. Students
Club in New York City, where they met Hansen taught series attendees how are recruited to each of the company’s five
with top advertising, media, and agency to effectively use new media in PR, business units—communications, finance,
companies and attended an awards while Newhouse public relations faculty engineering, operations, and human
luncheon. members Bob Kucharavy and Sung-Un resources.
The MPMS Program was developed Yang secured the speakers. The series Students chosen for the program take
to address the issue of a lack of began in February. entry-level jobs with the company upon
multiculturalism in the advertising industry. “The series is really about the graduation. The program includes job
Sue Westcott Alessandri, Newhouse intersection of online communications rotation, technical training, and leadership
assistant professor of advertising and and public relations,” says Hansen. “It’s development conferences to fast-track
public relations, nominated Falkquay for important for PR students to understand college graduates into management
the honor. the ins and outs of new media, because too positions with the company.
“LaMonica is one of the most many corporations and PR practitioners are
intelligent and poised students I’ve dropping the ball. The increasing number >>> JENNIFER MCKNIGHT
taught at the Newhouse School,” says of stories in The Wall Street Journal or The Jennifer McKnight G’07, a master’s student
Alessandri. “She showed promise early on. New York Times about corporate fumbles in the Goldring Arts Journalism Program,
I nominated her because she embodies and lost reputation due to an ignorance came to Newhouse with a degree in
what this recognition is about: She is of new media really were a wake-up call environmental journalism from Northern
ambitious and eager to make a difference about the risks of not educating future Arizona University. She previously had
in the advertising industry. I believe she practitioners on the subject.” worked as a journalist at The Daily Record
has a bright future.” in Morris County, New Jersey, where she
Falkquay finished up her senior year >>> JANE KHODOS launched two glossy magazines, Edge
by working on “Empowering Minds,” a Jane Khodos ’07 was one of five students and Panache. She decided to enroll at
conference for hundreds of area junior nationwide selected for Lockheed Martin’s Newhouse in order to pursue her other
and senior high schools, held on the SU Communications Leadership Development passion—a love of architecture and design.
campus. The conference was designed Program. “I’ve always been fascinated with the
to let young people know that college is “This highly competitive selection physical beauty of spaces and things,” she
possible, and that when they go on to is a great tribute to Jane,” says Maria says. The marriage of journalism with the
higher education they’ll find people just Russell, chair of the Newhouse Department arts in the newest Newhouse program was
like themselves. of Public Relations and one of Khodos’s a natural fit.
professors. “From her very first days She’s already made a name for herself
>>> ERIC HANSEN in my Introduction to Public Relations in print. Her review of the television
Steve Rubel, senior vice president at course, Jane showed great passion and channel Discovery HD Theater was
Edelman Public Relations; Jen McClure, excitement for her chosen career path. published in The New York Times. She also
executive director of the Society for Over her four years at Syracuse, Jane wrote, edited, and designed the Goldring
New Communications Research; Mark has consistently worked to build a track program’s first annual newsletter and has
McClennan, vice president of Schwartz record in academics, in internships, and produced podcasts for Pulse, an arts and
Communications; Aedhmar Hynes, CEO in service to the Newhouse School and culture program sponsored by Syracuse
of Text 100; Michael Terpin, president of University communities. She’s thoughtful, University.
Terpin Communications Group. What do she’s strategic, but she’s not afraid of In 2002, she designed and self-
these people have in common? They were taking risks. She’s done internships in published a book of letters, artwork, and
all guests of the Newhouse School this entertainment, banking, and consumer photographs titled Through Our Eyes: A
past spring, largely due to the efforts of products, and in every case, her sponsors Tapestry of Words and Images in Response
Eric Hansen ’07. praised the professionalism of her work to September 11, which will be included in
and actually used her contributions. the World Trade Center Memorial Museum.
The Lockheed Martin program is a great
16

19. >>> ADDY AWARD WINNERS Students had the option of submitting work
Six Newhouse students received local developed specifically for the Student ADDY
2007 Student ADDY Awards this spring. Competition or from previous projects or
Presented by the Syracuse Ad Club as part student contests. The work was required to
of its annual Syracuse Advertising Awards have been created while the entrant was a
and ADDY Awards program, the competition student. A distinguished panel of advertising
recognized winners at an awards show in creative executives judged the 62 student
Syracuse in March. entries and recognized the best work
“The ADDY awards are a unique way based on creativity, originality, and creative
to introduce our students to the inner strategy. Judging was conducted at the
workings of the advertising industry. Newhouse School in January.
Winning means they are given the same The American Advertising Federation’s
recognition as professionals,” says Sue Student ADDY Awards Competition is a
Westcott Alessandri, Newhouse assistant unique three-tier national awards program
professor of advertising and public relations. based on the advertising industry’s
“Seeing Syracuse students recognized for professional ADDY Awards. Student ADDYs
their creativity is recognition of what we are designed specially for college students
professors already know: Students come who are enrolled full- or part-time in an
up with great, creative ideas and deserve to accredited U.S. educational institution.
have them showcased. The winners should
>>>
be very proud of themselves. Winning these >>> AWARD-WINNING STUDENT PAPERS
Kristin Haley won a
awards is a pretty good indicator of success Three graduate students placed first in the
silver ADDY Award
in the ad industry.” Broadcast Education Association (BEA)’s
for her ad “Envy”
Newhouse’s 2007 Student ADDY Award media management and sales division
for Ford.
winners include: paper competition, part of the BEA annual
conference held in April.
Judith Fajardo ’07 Zach Schlessel G’07, Nicole Harris G’07,
Joshua Schwartz >>>
Silver for Elements of Advertising, Logo: and Shane Zambardi G’07—all of whom are
won a silver ADDY
“Judith Fajardo” (Judith Fajardo) students in the television, radio, and film
Award for his “Just
Leslie Gnaegy ’07 program—won for their paper “Time-Slot
Remember Who
Gold for Consumer or Trade Magazine Ad Switches: A Maximization of Ratings or
You’re Getting It For”
Campaign: “Wasabi Peas” (Wasabi Peas) Viewer Confusion?”
campaign for Back
Nirali Bhagdev G’07, a graduate
to Basics Toys. Kristin Haley ’07 student in Newhouse’s media studies
Silver for Consumer or Trade Publication, program, placed second in the BEA’s research
Single Ad: “Envy” (Ford) competition for her paper “Engaging with the
Zuhaili Ismail ’07 Stars and Survivors: Measuring Engagement
Gold for Out-of-Home and Student Best of for Reality TV Programs.”
Show for Art Direction: “It’s Hot” (Crisco) All four papers were originally written
for Newhouse’s Television Research course,
Gold for Consumer or Trade Magazine Ad taught by Professor Fiona Chew.
Campaign: “Chit-Chat” (Starbucks)
Andrew Mitchell ’07
Silver for Consumer or Trade Publication,
Single Ad: “Smile” (Murphy’s Oil Soap)
Joshua Schwartz ’07
Silver for Consumer or Trade Magazine Ad
Campaign: “Just Remember Who You’re
Getting It For” (Back to Basics Toys)
17

20. Schoonmaker Book Explores Filmmaking as an Educational Tool
Michael Schoonmaker has long level, and easier to operate, and music, and virtually every detail of
been known to Newhouse students he is convinced that ubiquity and the film were all opportunities for
for his skills with a camera, mike, greater accessibility have enhanced them to show what they had learned
and editing software. But to some the appeal of filmmaking among about Mexico, and then, in the next
his latest media conquest is his young people. “It’s becoming so sequence, about France.” Another
most impressive. Cameras in the easy for kids to use production school where Schoonmaker was
By David Marc
Classroom: Educating the Post-TV and post-production equipment working was suffering from a series
Generation, Schoonmaker’s new that they are just crying out to use of bomb threats. When asked to
book, was released this January filmmaking to express themselves,” make a film about the experience,
by Rowman and Littlefield. “It’s a he says. Teachers, however, are not students came up with a monster
guide for K-12 teachers, illustrating always prepared to capitalize on film, in which the monster was
ways to integrate film and video the educational opportunities that making the threats. “I saw kids take
into their curricula,” says the chair this energy generates. In Cameras in critical command over the material
of the Newhouse Department of the Classroom, Schoonmaker offers and deal with the subject matter as it
Television, Radio, and Film who was teachers concrete steps they can take appeared in their own eyes,” he says.
a producer at MTV and NBC Sports to “unlock the moviemaking minds” Schoonmaker admits that when
before joining the Newhouse faculty. of their students. he started working with school-age
“The subject of this book is not “If we define print literacy as the children, he had a conventional view
teaching production mechanics. It’s ability to read and write, then I feel of what needed to be done. Like most
about the teaching of moviemaking we should get beyond a definition “visual literacy” teachers, he thought
as a tool that kids can use to explore of visual literacy that is limited his job was to inoculate everyone
their interests, and a means of to the ability to watch a movie,” against the dangers of TV. But the
communication for reporting their Schoonmaker says. “Kids are full project evolved into something very
research and expressing their of ideas and images they want to different. “The kids were already
thoughts and opinions.” put up on the screen.” He points to sensitive and savvy about TV and
For more than a dozen years, the example of a third-grade social movies—and frankly they were bored
Schoonmaker has worked with studies class he worked with. “The with me telling them how to watch
teachers and children in primary teacher was reluctant, and who could what was on the screen,” he says.
and secondary classrooms in the blame her? What kind of movies “They wanted to get their hands
Northeast, testing his ideas on how could third-graders possibly make on the equipment and celebrate it
the attraction that children have for for social studies?” he says. “But and use it and do it. All that energy
film and video can be harnessed as the students came up with a time gave me a boost and taught me a
a force in their learning. During this travel concept—not a documentary, lot, but most importantly, they were
time, he has seen video equipment as most adults would have done, expressing the movies in their minds.
become progressively smaller, but a fantasy film—to report on We can do a lot with that kind of
lighter, less expensive at the entry what they had learned about foreign energy.”
cultures. Their choices of costumes,
18

21. Media and the American Child Released This Spring
Media and the American Child, co-authored by Newhouse
professor George Comstock and Newhouse alumna Erica
Scharrer G’98, was released by Academic Press this spring.
Written at the request of the publisher, the book is a revision
of Comstock’s 1991 Television and the American Child.
Using social scientific research, the book investigates
By Wendy S. Loughlin
the role of the media in the lives of children and adolescents
and answers a number of pressing and timely questions:
How much time do young people spend with TV, radio, video
games, the Internet, magazines, and other media forms, and
what are their favorite content choices? How are gender,
race, violence, and sex (among other attributes and topics)
depicted in the media most popular with young audiences?
How do media serve as socialization agents, teaching
children and adolescents about gender roles, about politics,
and even about fashion and appearance? What and how do
young people learn from television and other media, and how
does time spent with media relate to their performance in
school? And how do children and adolescents understand,
evaluate, and respond to advertising?
Comstock is S.I. Newhouse Professor, an endowed chair
position he has held since 1993. He was science advisor
to the Surgeon General’s Scientific Advisory Committee on
Television and Social Behavior that issued the 1972 federal
report “Television and Growing Up: The Impact of Televised
Violence.” From 1991 to 1993, he served as chair of the
Department of Journalism and Communication at Chinese
University in Hong Kong.
Scharrer, who received a Ph.D. from Newhouse in
1998, is currently an associate professor at University of
Massachusetts Amherst. She and Comstock have co-
authored two other books—Television: What’s on, Who’s
Watching, and What it Means (Academic Press, 2003) and
The Psychology of Media and Politics (Elsevier, 2005).
19

22. FROM SENIOR THESIS TO AWARD-WINNING
DOCUMENTARY It took more time and hard work than they ever
imagined, but it all paid off in the end for television,
Blitz and Kahn spent three to four days a week
filming and five to six days a week editing for the
BY MEGAN HYNES
radio, and film (TRF) graduates Matt Blitz ’06 and entire spring semester of their senior year. And what
Ben Kahn ’06. Their film, A Walk in the Dark, won became more than a senior thesis class project in the
an Achievement in Filmmaking Award for best end, was always more than just making a film for Blitz
short documentary at the New York International and Kahn. “We did this to help others and let others
Independent Film and Video Festival in November. understand that maybe we’re not all that different,”
“Making this film wasn’t easy, and it consumed my Kahn says. “Maybe some people just do things in a
life,” Kahn says. “But we were doing a good thing, different way. Walk in their shoes and see.”
and that’s why it’s wonderful to receive recognition.” The documentary was created in a class taught
The documentary tells the story of SU graduate by TRF professor Richard Breyer. “I’m very proud
student Glenn Stewart, who lost his sight 10 years of what they did,” Breyer says. “They took risks to
ago in a car accident. “Everyone has a story to be told, make it right, took criticism, and worked hard. There
and it needs to be told,” Blitz says. So when Kahn are a lot of films out there, and it’s difficult to be
came to him with the idea of making a documentary recognized.” Breyer says he wasn’t surprised Blitz
based on a blind student, Blitz was eager to explore and Kahn won the award. “It was a very important
the idea further. piece,” he says.
Blitz and Kahn shared in the work of filming, Since graduating, Blitz has moved to Los Angeles
editing, and producing the 34-minute documentary and is a production assistant for CSI Miami. Kahn
chronicling Stewart’s life as a blind student. In lives in New York City and works for Tupelo-Honey
the film, Stewart is shown learning to use special Productions. Both agree that winning the award for
technologies, interacting with another blind student, A Walk in the Dark has been a positive boost for their
meeting SU men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim careers. “It is definitely a stepping-stone to much
and former player Gerry McNamara ’06, and taking bigger things,” Blitz says.
a long-awaited trip to New York City. During the “We can’t all be Steven Spielberg or Mark
filming process, Stewart quickly became more than Burnett,” Kahn says. “But winning this award was
just a subject. “We shot basketball, worked out, got a small step in the right direction.”
haircuts, and even went to bars together,” Kahn says.
20

23. by Carol Boll
KENNETH SPARKS A CAPITAL COMMUNICATOR
When Kenneth R. Sparks ’56, G’61 and consider myself one of the luckiest guys
’64 enrolled at Syracuse University as a to have come upon the position.”
speech major, he planned on a career in Sparks, who worked with the U.S.
radio or television. Instead, he landed in Information Service and the federal
Washington, D.C., where his exceptional Office of Economic Opportunity before
communication skills proved invaluable joining the Federal City Council, earned
in bringing together business, civic, and a master’s degree in television and radio
government leaders on projects that and a Ph.D. in mass communications,
would transform the landscape of the both from Newhouse, and a juris
nation’s capital and touch the lives of doctor degree from George Washington
countless people who live there. University. In addition to his consulting
As executive vice president of work, he teaches communications law
Washington’s nonprofit Federal City at William and Mary College, serves on
Council for 30 years, Sparks headed the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of
an organization of 200 top business, Richmond, and is consulting with Medstar
professional, and civic leaders that was Health and Georgetown University on a
created to advocate for the economic and project to establish a life sciences center
human needs of the district, which has no in collaboration with the university’s
voting representation in Congress. “We medical school and area hospitals.
would deal with top corporate people Sparks’s work on behalf of
and top government people,” he says. Washington, D.C. has not gone
“And we would have to do everything by unnoticed: He was named Washingtonian
persuasion, because there’s no law that of the Year in 1987, and last fall he was
says they have to work with us.” inducted into the Washington Business
Among the group’s accomplishments Hall of Fame. A former U.S. Marine, he
during his tenure: construction of the also is a recipient of the Marine Corps
MCI (now Verizon) Center, redevelopment Scholarship Foundation’s Globe and
of Union Station, and development of Anchor Award. In accepting the award, he
the International Trade Center at the indulged another love of his—music—and
Ronald Reagan Building, among other penned a composition titled “What It
projects. The group also advocated for Means To Be Marines.” The song was so
the development of low- and moderate- well received that sheet music and CDs
income housing, drug treatment of the composition are sold at the Marine
programs, and education reforms. Corps Museum.
“We worked with lots of interesting While the many building projects that
people—and we had really exciting Sparks helped bring to fruition may be
projects that we worked on,” says Sparks, the most visible accomplishments of his
who retired from the council in 2004 and long tenure on the Federal City Council, he
now heads his own management and says it’s the work on behalf of residents
consulting company. “It was fantastic— that has proved most rewarding in the
for instance, helping to build a $10 long run. “We created jobs that enabled a
billion subway system for the nation’s lot of people to be productive and able to
capital and redoing Union Station as care for their families,” he says. “We were
a centerpiece of commerce as well as able to do a lot of really good things for a
transportation. It was fascinating stuff. I lot of people.”
21

24. When alumnus Dave Gorab joined Sirius explore possible collaborations with the
Satellite Radio three years ago, the Philadelphia Orchestra, where he worked
fledgling company had about 150,000 in public relations. “I soon found that
subscribers. Today that number has the folks at Sirius shared my passion for
exceeded 6 million, and it continues to listener-based radio,” he says. “I’ve always
grow. And Gorab, along with several other believed that radio has a responsibility
Newhouse alumni, is enjoying the ride. to both entertain and educate. I take that
“It’s a great place to work,” Gorab responsibility very seriously, and it’s a vital
Dave Gorab (l), Brian Atwood, and Ryan Sampson says of Sirius, a pay-for-service satellite part of my programming philosophy.”
radio enterprise that offers subscribers In his sixth year at Sirius, Atwood
Alumni Find more than 130 channels of specialized
programming. “I was excited by the chance
says the commercial-free aspect of the
music channels gives him a freedom he
Challenges and Plenty of to come here because I believe
in it. It’s really the essence of
why I got into radio. You can be creative,
wouldn’t otherwise have. “We can include
some formats traditionally not considered
lucrative in commercial radio,” he says.
Fun at Sirius Radio break new ground, and be an important
part of people’s lives.”
“Even the more challenging areas like
contemporary works and opera are fair
Gorab is one of several Syracuse game. I love having the opportunity to
By Carol Boll
University alumni working at Sirius, a share that with our subscribers.”
company that claims to be “changing the Alumnus Ryan Sampson works the
way people listen” to radio. It’s one of two other end of the music spectrum, serving
satellite radio companies in the United as format manager for Sirius Hits (top
States—the other being XM Satellite 40) and Super Shuffle, an eclectic mix of
Radio—and its service is based on a music that spans genres. He also programs
concept similar to cable television, offering Celebrity Shuffle, which features music
subscribers access to 69 commercial-free selected by various artists themselves.
music channels and 65 channels of sports, Sampson applied for the position with
news, talk, and entertainment. Subscribers Sirius two years ago after getting a call
pay a fee, usually monthly, and tune in to from alumnus Rich Vilchitski, who was
Sirius via receivers that are available moving to a position as on-air personality.
through various retail outlets. As director Joining the new company “was a little
of talk programming at Sirius, Gorab is scary,” Sampson admits. “Not everybody
part of a team that produces content that knew what it was all about, and some
includes current events and public affairs, people couldn’t even pronounce its name.
political talk, comedy, and various special- But it was an opportunity to do something
interest channels. “We work to create new and make a difference, and I couldn’t
targeted talk stations to deliver the most turn it down.” He hasn’t regretted it, he
choice and the most options for listeners,” says. “It’s pretty much the best radio job
Gorab says. “We want to make sure every you can have, because you have the ability
interest is served.” to do ‘good radio.’ Here, you can program
Likewise, music channels cover a something that’s entertaining and that you
range of genres, including jazz, country, can be passionate about.”
hip-hop, Latin, and rock. Alumnus Brian Atwood agrees. “I like to think that
Atwood, who graduated from SU with a Sirius has brought back the thrill of
dual major in public relations and music listening to the radio,” he says. “I enjoy
history/fine arts, is format manager for it as a listener, and, as the company
three of the classical music channels— continues to grow, I enjoy my job even
Symphony Hall, Metropolitan Opera Radio, more. It’s just an exciting place to be.”
and Sirius Pops. He first visited Sirius to
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