Awards, scholarships presented at May 2 eventCheck out pictures from Just Desserts
AWARDSPhilip Mangelsdorf Award ~ Outstanding Newsperson Named for the former journalism department faculty member and department head.
Djamila N. Grossman was this spring's Don Bolles Fellow, covering the state Legislature for Community News Service and the Arizona Daily Wildcat. Before this assignment, Djamila worked as a Wildcat reporter and held news internships at the Arizona Daily Star, the Greeley (Colo.) Tribune and The Hill, a Washington, D.C., paper covering Capitol Hill.
Jeanie L. Bergen has distinguished herself in all media. This semester, Jeanie has contributed stories and photographs on the Minutemen in Cochise County for The Tombstone Epitaph, and she has written several stories for Border Beat, the department's online publication that reports on border issues. Jeanie, who intends to pursue a career in broadcast journalism, is a producer and reporter for the City of Tucson's Channel 12, and has accepted a part-time position in KOLD's news department.
Lauren E. LePage, a double-major in creative writing, has received honors and scholarships from across campus for her outstanding academic accomplishments. She has edited tirelessly on the copy desk at the Arizona Daily Wildcat, where she won an award for excellence in copyediting. She also has reported and edited at RedBlue magazine and is on the copy desk as an apprentice at the Arizona Daily Star this semester. A metro team leader at the Star said her colleagues found her "completely professional and a big asset to the desk."
Jennifer J. Tramm first committed to pursuing a journalism degree in 1988. It didn't work out. In 2003, as a wife, mother of two young girls and laid-off clerk-typist, Jennifer began at Coconino Community College in Prescott and then, with her family, moved to Tucson where she enrolled in the University of Arizona. Today, Jennifer is one of only five journalism seniors who has maintained a perfect grade-point average. She also is completing an apprenticeship at the Arizona Daily Star.
As vice president of the UA chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Anthony D. Ávila was a key player in generating the group's many valuable, thought-provoking events. Anthony has been a reporter and editor with the Arizona Daily Wildcat and was on the copy desk at the San Diego Union-Tribune last summer as an intern for the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund program. He also is a member of the UA Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society. Mika M. Mandelbaum joined the executive board of the UA chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists her sophomore year, dedicating herself to making the student organization relevant and fun. During her tenure, the chapter has been recognized nationally in consecutive years for its excellent performance. As president this year, Mika has led the group with successful, memorable events, including an ethics panel on blogging and journalism. Morgan E. O'Crotty's service to the department has been unsparing. She joined the UA chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists executive board this fall and quickly became a sparkplug for the many educational and social events. She also has been active on the department's Student Advisory Council and is a member of the UA chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
Victoria P. Tinajero is described by faculty members and journalism students as a born leader. She worked with a faculty member to develop a design proposal for a new TV program on Latino interests and culture. While working, holding internships and taking courses, Victoria played a key role in forming the UA chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Under her leadership the chapter has grown to more than 30 members. Victoria also tirelessly offered input as an active member of the Student Advisory Council.
Matthew S. Andazola, a National Merit Scholar who is double-majoring in history, has written some tough articles about the UA administration for the Arizona Daily Wildcat. The prolific reporter has written about the UA's new president and the provost and has reported on diversity-related issues, the Faculty Senate and the Board of Regents. He served as a copy editor and staff writer at RedBlue magazine. Matt also was elected the founding vice president of the UA chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
Nathan R. Olivarez-Giles, a Mexican-American studies double-major, has reported on student government for the Arizona Daily Wildcat and covered law enforcement, diversity affairs, the UA administration, science and clubs. He worked as a photo editor and editorial cartoonist for the paper until he took a reporting internship at the Arizona Daily Star, where he has asked tough questions on a busy crime beat. He also was a counselor for the annual Journalism Diversity Workshop and is the founding co-president of the UA chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
John Z. deDios, who previously won the outstanding senior award as an undergraduate in the journalism department, has continued to work tirelessly for journalism education. He has served as a lab attendant for photojournalism classes, a layout and design adviser for students in the capstone newspaper classes, a technology adviser for the online journalism class and as a liaison with the Student Advisory Council. He is a member of the student chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
William M. Kaner is a brilliant young photographer, writer, editor and artist. His photos of people reflect great depth. As photo editor of The Tombstone Epitaph for two semesters, William lent strong photography to the publication and showed great leadership working with Epitaph staff members. He also shot photos for RedBlue magazine.
Alexander J. Lau, through dedication and hard work, has emerged as one of the journalism department's best video journalists. His videography, featured in this semester's Arizona Cat's Eye, rivals the quality of many professionals. In addition to his work in the journalism department, he is finishing up a bachelor of fine arts degree in media arts and maintains a stellar GPA.
Chris S. Coduto has distinguished himself as a quality photojournalist during his UA career. In addition to appearing in most of the department's publications and the Arizona Daily Wildcat, his photos have appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and the Boston Globe. Chris is a regular freelance photographer for the Arizona Daily Star, ESPN, and the East Valley Tribune.
Michael B. Schwartz has spent six semesters on the sports desk at the Arizona Daily Wildcat, serving most recently as assistant sports editor. He has been a department representative for the annual Hearst Journalism Awards Program not just once but four times. During fall 2006, Michael served as sports editor at the Wildcat. Michael's career aspirations are to work as a sports columnist or talk-show host.
Jeanie L. Bergen is a producer and reporter for the City of Tucson's Channel 12. She began there as a news assistant and has developed into a city news producer, responsible for entire shows. She is the producer of The Beat, Channel 12's award-winning program about downtown Tucson. After graduating, Jeanie will join KOLD-TV's news department.
Victoria P. Tinajero possesses tenacity, enthusiasm and intelligence Ð all necessary traits to achieve excellence in broadcast journalism. Her first-rate work as an intern at KGUN-9, Tucson's ABC affiliate, led the station's management to offer her job as an assignment editor before graduation. Her work in the journalism department and beyond clearly demonstrates her potential for success in broadcast news.
Michael J. McKisson has been working part-time at the Arizona Daily Star's online Web site, StarNet, since 2006, while doing outstanding work in his journalism courses. In addition to managing the Web site on weekends, he helps reporters create multi-media content for their story packages, such as slideshows, video, audio and supplementary pdf files.
Peter J. Stevenson's work in creating imaginative design for The Tombstone Epitaph is part of the reason for the recognition here. His outstanding GPA also marks his growth as a student scholar. He does design and covers sports for the Arizona Daily Star.
Julie A. Wetmore is interning at the Tucson Citizen as a designer and has interned and worked at the UA Press where she designed and typeset books and book jackets. She also worked at the Arizona Daily Wildcat as a reporter and designer. She instituted a redesign of El Independiente and developed a detailed design style guide for the paper.
Nina L. Conrad's professional dedication to the Arizona Daily Wildcat can be seen in the array of jobs she's held there, crossing professional lines, gaining experience from multiple departments and building a résumé many young journalists can't even imagine. At the Wildcat, Nina has been a copy editor, copy chief, photographer and sports writer. Jeffrey A. Javier has held two summer internships at Independent Newspapers in West Phoenix, has worked as a copy editor for RedBlue magazine and reported for the Arizona Daily Wildcat. The Freedom Forum named him a Chips Quinn Scholar and offered him an internship at a newspaper in North Carolina this summer. He is a member of the UA chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Courtney C. Johnson was editor in chief of The Tombstone Epitaph and features editor of RedBlue magazine. A Dean's List honors student, Courtney has written for the Arizona Daily Star and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the department's Student Advisory Council. A Magellan Circle scholar, Courtney has held the Provost's Scholarship for four years and has a double major in German. Meghan A. Martin had a newswriting internship with the Arizona Daily Star this semester and is a former cultural editor and writer with Tucson-based Soda Pop magazine. She also had an on-air internship with KAMP radio and was a reporter with El Independiente. Colin A. Moore's work bringing life to a class project regarding HIV infection rates among minority populations earned him the best-in-class distinction in his Jour 206 course. His instructor lauded his work on El Independiente for his commitment to his class and his classmates. Ernesto A. Romero quietly worked his way through the journalism department. His assistance on El Independiente, both reporting and translating, complements his work throughout his years at the UA. He also was a founding officer for the UA chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Nicole M. Santa Cruz -- despite a steady diet of late nights and tough decisions -- applied and was selected for a second stint as editor in chief of the Arizona Daily Wildcat. While Nicole was editor during fall and spring semesters, overseeing about 140 students, the paper won first place/Best in Show for college dailies in the Associated Press College Media awards.
Allison M. Winters was The Tombstone Epitaph editor in chief for fall 2006, leading a staff of 10. In her sophomore year, she held a reporting internship with an online magazine in London. An honors student, Allie has completed her thesis on blogging and has spoken on journalists and blogging at an SPJ forum on that topic.
Just conduct a Google search for John Ryan Casey on the Arizona Daily Wildcat Web site and you'll find more than 260 stories and columns on UA football, baseball and other sports. Student Media Director Mark Woodhams describes Ryan as "a pretty smooth sports writer and a calm presence on that desk." Claire A. Conrad, on the executive board of the UA chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, was new to the pages of the Arizona Daily Wildcat this year, but she has been prolific, emerging as a reporter to watch. She plans eventually to put her Spanish skills to work and hopes to make a career of covering Central and South America. Lauren K. Hillery has written insightful stories covering many aspects of the U.S. Ð Mexico border for Border Beat, one of the department's online publications. She was a part of the team that produced Border Beat's special report on St. Andrew's Clinic in Nogales and was chosen by her colleagues as co-winner of this year's Border Beat Award. Lauren is an inspiring student about whom one professor said, "Feeling her palpable excitement when working with her on stories, and watching her reporting and writing, is what makes teaching so rewarding." Joseph M. Pangburn has maintained a top GPA, even while working full time the past nine months at Inside Tucson Business. Joe frequently profiles individuals and small businesses for the 10,000-circulation weekly newspaper. "He's willing to do anything," said David Hatfield, his editor. His professors say he brings a valuable perspective to class because of his professional experience. Valarie L. Potell spent this semester as a NASA Space Grant intern at the Arizona Daily Star where she covered science. Her editors at the Star noted her professionalism and told one faculty member that Valarie "has written more stories than anyone here can remember a NASA intern producing." Valarie has accepted a position with Bear Essential News in Phoenix. Berenice Rosales had an opportunity to put her Spanish and journalism skills together this year, reporting extensively for La Frontera 360, El Independiente and La Estrella, the Arizona Daily Star's Spanish-language section. Her editor at La Estrella, José Merino, said, "It's very rare to find somebody with the passion, the attitude, the work ethic and the curiosity" that Berenice has.
Roman Veytsman, the lead beat writer for men's basketball for the Arizona Daily Wildcat, has thrown his life into his beat this year, sacrificing school and other activities along the way. Student Media Director Mark Woodhams says Roman "has gone into locker room after locker room and not backed down from asking big-ego players and coaches the tough questions."
Fall 2006 First Place - Chelsea R. Hodson Second Place - Juli R. Louttit Third Place - Claire A. Conrad Spring 2007 First Place - Brian P. Kimball Second Place - Taylor Baughman
Third Place - Katherine E. Saavedra
Fall 2006 Amy L. Biggs Joel G. Monson Spring 2007 Michael W. Skow
Alexander J. Lau
Fall 2006 Jacqueline A. Kuder William M. Kaner Spring 2007 Robert A. Watkins
Valarie L. Potell
Fall 2006 Mika M. Mandelbaum Spring 2007
Mercedes G. García
Fall 2006 Aaron M. Gudenkauf Spring 2007
Victoria E. Harben
Lauren K. Hillery
Rebecca Noreen
Chris S. Coduto
Jamie E. Blanchard Constance L. Blombaum Carrie Bui Catherine A. Casaigne Lauren E. Clark Whitney L. English Mercedes G. García Uma D. Goyal Sarah M. Griisser Victoria E. Harben Amanda E. Hines Kara M. Karlson Maayan Katz Rachel H. Nahmias Rebecca Noreen Sarah D. Paoli Angela M. Poulson Heather H. Raftery Katharine M. Ryan Kari A. Shaffer Emilia M. Sienicki Tessa C. Strasser Robert A. Watkins Stefanie B. Weiser
Gemma N. Zanowski
Associate Professor of Practice Maggy Zanger
HONORSPhi Beta Kappa Honorary Nominees Owen B. Allen Anthony D. Ávila Victoria E. Harben Joyanna L. Jones Thomas A. Knauer Christine E. McGowan Tessa C. Strasser
Kathryn A. Van Voorhees
Kelsey J. Bullington Allison A. Hamila Michelle R. Jakoby Jordan L. Leboeuf Lauren E. LePage Katharine M. Ryan Bethany J. Slim
Gabriela Renteria-Poepsel
ScholarshipsThe generosity of our many benefactors enables the journalism department to support those who have a financial need and to salute those who have attained the highest level of scholastic achievement and classroom leadership.Edith S. Auslander Scholarship The scholarship is named for a UA journalism graduate who is an assistant to the UA president and a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame.
Fayana N. Richards
The scholarship is named for the former Arizona Daily Star feature writer, political reporter and expert on Arizona history. Justin G. Adler Claire A. Conrad
Michael B. Schwartz
The scholarship is named for UA journalism graduates Mildred and Gordon Gordon, the couple who wrote 20 novels, including "That Darn Cat," which was made into a Disney movie. Michael J. McKisson
Chelsea J. Simpson
The scholarship is named for the long-time TV news journalist and intended for students interested in broadcast or print investigative journalism.
Jamie M. Blanchard
This honor goes to a student who is among the most elite in academics and professional ability.
Jeffrey A. Javier
The scholarship is named for a UA journalism graduate who was the long-time food editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Kelly A. Hart Ryan L. Kraft
Maria T. Martinez
The scholarship is named for the author, Pulitzer Prize-winner and founder of the UA journalism department.
Jennifer J. Tramm
The scholarship was established by Betty Milburn, a former Tucson Citizen staffer, for her husband.
Fayana N. Richards
Named for the founding editor of The National Edition of The Tombstone Epitaph.
Djamila N. Grossman
The scholarship is named for the long-time vice president and general manager at Tucson's KVOA-TV. Constance L. Blombaum
Katharine M. Ryan
Recipients are selected based on academic excellence and financial need.
Courtney C. Johnson
Recipients should be outstanding journalism students needing help completing their educations. Named for a former UA student and aspiring writer who made a career in retail. Ashley M. Barrett Jamie M. Blanchard Constance L. Blombaum Sarah D. Bruner Djamila N. Grossman Allison A. Hamila Allison Hornick Nicholas Hornung Jeffrey A. Javier Courtney C. Johnson Megan R. Levardo David Martinez III Maria T. Martinez Kate E. Mater Nina M. Padula Fayana N. Richards Katharine M. Ryan Ariel N. Serafin Jennifer J. Tramm Ashli D. Woods
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