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On Sunday, December 11, the P.I. Reed School of Journalism acknowledged December graduates and recognized top graduating seniors at an open house held in Martin Hall. Dean Maryanne Reed and SOJ faculty gathered to meet graduates and their families before the University’s convocation at the WVU Coliseum. Lauren Dushkoff of Washington, W.Va., was named the top scholar in advertising; Whitney Godwin of Flatwoods, W.Va., was recognized as the top scholar in journalism; and Kathryn Pappa of Wheeling, W.Va., was named the top scholar in public relations. Godwin was also honored as the “Top Overall Scholar” for the December 2011 graduating class. An estimated 1,500 students graduated from WVU this month. View photos and read more about the WVU December Convocation on WVU Today.

In early December, Assistant Professor Rita Colistra and two public relations students joined Senator Jay Rockefeller and a panel of business owners from across the state to discuss the importance of buying local. Now in its sixth year, the “Making It in America” Roundtable is dedicated to creating jobs across the state of West Virginia and promoting small businesses. Colistra was asked to participate in the Shepherdstown, W.Va., event to share her work with Ritchie County’s Buy Local Initiative last spring. Colistra and students in her public relations writing course partnered with county officials to promote the initiative and plan the county’s first business expo in 10 years. Two public relations seniors, Andira Alvarez and Jared Lathrop, also attended the roundtable event to share their experience with the project. Visit the School’s Buy Local Initiative blog to learn more about Colistra’s project.

On December 2, faculty and staff of the School of Journalism’s West Virginia Uncovered project held an advanced video workshop, during which participants spent two days shooting and producing videos about High Street businesses in Morgantown, W.Va. Ten staff members from community papers learned advanced video techniques and digital editing. On Wednesday, December 14, the School hosted a photography and blogging workshop for Randolph County high school teachers. With support from the Board of Education, teachers attended the workshop to learn digital media skills to use in their classrooms. The InterMountain newspaper in Elkins co-sponsored the workshop. For more information about the project, visit the West Virginia Uncovered project website.

Organizers for WVU’s 2011 United Way campaign exceeded their original fundraising goal, and two School of Journalism students played a role in their success. Graduate student Evan Moore and visual journalism senior Mallory Bracken produced four multimedia videos for the campaign. The videos demonstrate the importance of employee and student involvement in the campaign and the campaign’s impact on Morgantown communities. WVU raised $335,100 for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. To view the students’ videos, visit WVU’s YouTube page.

Mark Whitaker, vice president and managing editor of CNN Worldwide, came to campus on Monday, November 14. During a round table discussion with School of Journalism students, Whitaker – the former Newsweek editor – fielded questions about his experience in both print and television journalism. Whitaker also gave a public presentation, “Covering the World 24/7: CNN’s Role in a Changing Media Industry,” which was sponsored by the P.I. Reed School of Journalism’s Emory “Pete” Sasser Lectureship in Journalism. In his current role at CNN, Whitaker is responsible for leading editorial coverage across CNN’s multiple platforms and directing the overall approach, tone and scope of CNN’s reporting. Watch the video of Whitaker’s presentation on the SOJ Website.

Kyle Scriven, a social media manager in the Washington. D.C., metro area, found the perfect fit for advancing his education through the School of Journalism’s Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) program. Scriven was searching for a graduate program that would help him take a more strategic approach to social media marketing and communications. While the flexibility of the WVU IMC program is a great asset of the program’s structure, Scriven says the curriculum is what he finds most valuable. Watch a new video with Scriven to learn how he applies what he’s learning in the program to his daily profession.

WVU is always a special place. During the holidays, though, a kind of magic spreads across the landscape of our campus and our memories. So as you share the love of family and friends this year, take a moment to follow the spirit of the season on a holiday fantasia – where a little Mountaineer magic lights every place and every heart.

Wishing you and yours health and happiness in 2012.

Jim and Beth Clements
WVU President and First Lady