ByLines Briefs

Al-Jazeera English reporter Josh Rushing, left, and Jennifer Cook chat with Associate Professor Len Ackland at the SJMC-sponsored reception for journalists participating in CU’s annual Conference on World Affairs. Photo by Molly Rettig.

Amanda Haag Mascarelli answers questions about pitching science and environment stories after a panel on freelancing. Other panelists were Deborah Fryer, a Ted Scripps Fellow and freelance producer; Brian Metzler, a Boulder-based outdoor writer and editor; and Steve Knopper who covers the music business for Rolling Stone magazine.

Efrem Rodriguez, left, and SJMC instructor Sandra Fish listen to Tim Skillern offer career advice during the SJMC-sponsored “New Opportunities in New Media” panel, one of the New Career Series offered throughout spring semester.

School hosts CWA reception
Jennifer Cook (MA ’99), communications and cultural affairs officer for the Consulate General of Canada in Denver, organized a welcome reception for journalists at the 61st Conference on World Affairs co-hosted by the SJMC. About 40 graduate students and faculty met a half-dozen national journalists at the afternoon affair.

Religion writer visits classes
Adelle Banks, a senior correspondent for Religion News Service, visited the School as a Hearst Professional-in-Residence on April 6 and 7. Banks worked for The Orlando Sentinel, the Providence Journal, and newspapers in Syracuse and Binghamton, N.Y.

Spencer wins Nakkula award
Karyn Spencer, Omaha World-Herald reporter, won the 2009 Al Nakkula Award for Police Reporting. She visited classes in April to talk about her series on Nebraska’s antiquated 1917 coroner system. It provides no oversight and few standards, resulting in botched death investigations across the state. A law was introduced in January that would require training for county attorneys serving as coroners.

Hearst awards: Miller, Milani
SJMC Photojournalism student Kristi Miller finished in the Top 20 of this year’s Hearst Journalism Awards Program, in the category “Photojournalism: Picture Story/Series.” Phillip Milani (’08) was a top-10 winner in the Hearst Journalism Awards Program broadcast features competition. Milani, a reporter for KVIQ-TV in Eureka, Calif., placed seventh among 56 entries in the contest. The broadcast news competitions are held among 110 accredited colleges and universities in the United States.

SJMC offers career panel
The SJMC’s New Career Series launched in January designed to help students and alumni approach this competitive media market with confidence. Spring sessions included presentations and panels on multimedia, freelancing and nailing the job interview.

Efrem Rodriguez (’07) of JohnstonWells
PR discussed career options during the SJMC-sponsored “New Opportunities in New Media” along with Tim Skillern (’98), news director for Associated Content.com.

Gary Burandt, executive director of an international network of ad agencies and member of the school’s advisory board, told students “How to Nail the Job Interview.”

A panel on “Going it on Your Own: the Freelance Life” included science and environment writer Amanda Haag Mascarelli (MA ’06).