Alumni, friends celebrate JMS launch
Alumni, students, faculty, University officials, and local media professionals gathered together on Nov. 1 to celebrate the opening of the School of Journalism & Media Studies at San Diego State University. About 150 people attended the event, which was held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the patio at KPBS TV/FM on the SDSU campus.
Several distinguished alumni spoke at the event, including:
- MaryLee Sachs (class of 1981), chairman of Hill & Knowlton USA, one of the largest public relations firms in the world;
- Armen Keteyian (class of 1976), chief investigative correspondent for CBS News; and
- George Lewis (class of 1964), a correspondent for NBC News.
Also during the evening, the School unveiled its “digital lab of the future,” a model of a new learning laboratory being planned for students. J.W. August (class of 1982), managing editor of Channel 10 News in San Diego and president of the Friends of Journalism and Media Studies, made the presentation. The alumni group worked closely with Professor Kotaro Nakamura’s interior design class to develop the model.
See more photos in the JMS Image Gallery
JMS Director Diane L. Borden told attendees that the digital lab is one of the School’s top priorities. “The School envisions a true laboratory,” she said, “one where students and professionals will learn together to experiment with the latest digital techniques – whether they be used to produce news reports, advertising messages, or public relations campaigns.”
The School of Journalism & Media Studies, which began official operations on July 1, 2007, is home to undergraduate programs in advertising, journalism, media studies and public relations as well as a master’s program in mass communication and media studies.
2008 Commencement scheduled for May 24
JMS students will participate in the first of two College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 24, at 12:30 p.m. in Cox Arena. For the first time, PSFA will have two ceremonies this year. The first ceremony will include students from the School of Journalism & Media Studies, as well as students from the School of Art, Design and Art History; School of Communication; School of Music and Dance; and School of Theatre, Television and Film. The second ceremony, which begins at 4:30 p.m. in Cox Arena, will include students from the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences; School of Public Affairs; and School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Rehearsal for JMS students will be 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, in Cox Arena. More information and a full schedule of Commencement activities can be found at http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/commencement.
Two JMS faculty members receive grants
JMS Assistant Professor Noah Arceneaux and Professor Joel Davis have received research funding from the San Diego State University Grant Program. Dr. Arceneaux was awarded $3,556 to support research that explores the role of department stores in the development of commercial broadcasting. Dr. Davis was awarded $3,200 to research the effects of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising on teen attitudes and behaviors. Of 139 applications received this fall, the University Grant Program awarded funding totaling $396,985 to 55 different projects.
Dr. William Eadie receives service award
JMS Professor William Eadie received the Samuel L. Becker Distinguished Service Award at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Nov. 15-18, 2007, in Chicago. The award is presented annually to a member of NCA who is “judged to have made the greatest contribution to the association and to the profession during his or her career.” Dr. Eadie served as NCA associate director from 1993 to 2001. He also served as the first editor of the Journal of Applied Communication Research and has participated in several departmental program reviews across the country.
Dr. Bey-Ling Sha receives PRSA honor
JMS Assistant Professor Bey-Ling Sha was named Professional of the Year by the San Diego chapter of the Public Relations Society of America at its annual awards banquet on Oct. 16, 2007. Named in memory of Deborah Baker, an outstanding public relations professional, the award recognizes professional achievement and excellence in public relations. It has been awarded in select years since 1963.
