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College of Information and Communications

2016 News Archive

PR has been vindicated

The contempt among journalists for PR has taken many forms, from scorn to evasion and outright misrepresentation, but it's now clear communications professionals are vital.

Managing the mayor

Lauren Harper, a 2016 public relations major, now works full time with the mayor of Columbia as his policy and communications advisor. See how her experiences at USC led to success in the work force and more.

Journalism class helps sustainable soap business expand worldwide

You might have heard that the used vegetable oil from USC’s dining facilities fuels vehicles around campus. But there’s another chapter of the biodiesel story that School of Journalism and Mass Communications students are helping to write.

Sports in society and now in the school

Dr. Kevin Hull taught Sports, Media and Society for the first time to 142 students last semester. The class was an instant hit teaching on the impact of sports journalism.

Alumni Spotlight: Desiree Murphy

Desiree Murphy graduated in 2011 with a print journalism degree. As a writer/reporter for ETonline and Entertainment Tonight, rubbing elbows with celebrities is all in a day’s work.

PR Prose: A revolution of ethics in public relations

Dr. Shannon Bowen examines seven important changes in the state of the field. She says the changes are evidence of more than just the evolution of ethics in public relations, but a revolution.

Translating faith: Cecile Holmes finds meaning in religion writing

Cecile Holmes is what you’d call a veteran journalist. In her nearly 40-year career, she’s covered just about everything, but one subject in particular—as multifaceted as any other beat in the business—has held her attention since she entered USC as an Honors student in 1973. That subject is religion.

Student-produced magazine wins Marcom Awards

For the third consecutive year, InterCom magazine, the student-produced alumni and donor magazine for the College of Information and Communications, won multiple honors for last year's issues.

CreateAthon@USC 2016: A 24-hour creative marketing blitz

From brochures to website building to logos to bumper stickers, 54 students from across campus and 18 mentors from across the country collaborated to strategize future communications for eight deserving nonprofits. See photos and videos from the event.

Staff Spotlight: Katie Bullard, career services manager

Freshly minted Career Services Manager Katie Bullard started her new position in May and is already off to a running start. Friendly and focused, she connects students in the School Journalism and Mass Communications with opportunities that they otherwise may not have had.

Bryson Allen-Williams’ interest in election coverage goes beyond seeing the results

Journalism student Bryson Allen-Williams isn’t the first college athlete to have a career in journalism in mind when his playing days come to an end.

Awards ceremony honors outstanding alumni and faculty

Pulitzer Prizes, Emmy nominations, Peabody awards, Mortar Boards. Just a few of the reasons the School of Journalism and Mass Communications honored seven individuals at their annual awards event.

Investigative journalism is not dead

Former Daily Gamecock editor and Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael LaForgia exhorted young journalists attending the Buchheit Lecture to carry the mantle of investigative journalism forward, in spite of skeptics who believe the industry is dying.

J-school hosts inaugural BEA Super-Regional Conference

More than 100 professors, professional journalists and graduate students from around the world — from as far away as Pakistan — gathered to discuss cutting-edge issues and research in broadcast and multimedia education.

Students shoot photos and goals at soccer match

Photovisual communications students refined their craft at a women's soccer match by shooting photos during the game. But two of their classmates were missing; they were shooting at the goal on the field.

Interning at New York Fashion Week

Fashion lovers everywhere dream of being able to go to New York Fashion Week, but being a student intern working it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Courtney Sterns, senior public relations student, got to spend Sept. 6-14 working for PR Consulting’s fashion department during New York Fashion Week.

Donald Trump and libel

It may be easy for journalists to dismiss Donald Trump’s calls for changes to libel law as part of the bluster that has characterized his public career and candidacy. But while he’s confused on the details, Trump is not alone in this call for fundamental changes in libel law.

PR Prose: The truth still matters, just ask Ryan Lochte

The bizarre fiasco at the Rio Olympics resulted in major losses for the star athlete while highlighting the importance of ethics and honesty required from all parties - including public relations.

Alumni Spotlight: Christopher Rosa

Christopher Rosa, a 2015 School of Journalism and Mass Communications public relations major, has found his voice as an entertainment staff writer for Glamour.

Professor Profile: Keith Kenney

His office is filled with African art pieces and books on photography, philosophy and research methodology. His life is filled with a passion for the ever-evolving field of photojournalism, both in the classroom and in his travels.

PR Prose: We should all be students of Socrates

Dr. Shannon Bowen writes: Reminiscent of the film Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (a comparison that would be lost on most of these young students), I invariably get the question: "What does Socrates have to do with PR?" My answer begins with one word: Everything.

Creative minds/mentors needed for CreateAthon@USC

Do you have 24 hours to give back for a great cause? CreateAthon@USC 2016 is looking for communication professionals to mentor students for our 4th annual pro bono creative marathon.

The journalism school welcomes new faculty

New faces abound in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Five new faculty members have joined the ranks of USC's celebrated staff. Experienced both inside the classroom and in the field, their breadth of specialties ranges from media law to public relations to news reporting.

Former broadcast student-athlete lands NFL opportunity

Caroline Cann was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of two different Gamecocks athletics teams, but it was the resources available through the University of South Carolina that helped put her on the path to living her professional dreams as a sports broadcaster.

Holmes named as 2016 Lifetime Achievement winner

Professor Cecile Holmes is recognized by the Religion News Association for her exceptional long-term commitment and service to the RNA and its members, and to the field of religion reporting.

PR Prose: Pseudo-events pay dividends from Cleopatra to Chipotle

Convention season is just one example of the value of pseudo-events when they are used in carefully planned and controlled ways.

Former student wins Southeast Emmy

Madisyn Kellough, a 2015 broadcast journalism alumna, won a Southeast Emmy from The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for a feature package she created during her senior semester capstone course.

PR Prose: Is PR ethical? Only when its practitioners are

If power is inherently evil, does that mean that public relations itself is an unethical practice? Not if PR practitioners are trained in ethical thinking.

Alumni Spotlight: Madisyn Kellough

Madisyn Kellough, a 2015 broadcast journalism graduate, won a Southeast Emmy from The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for a feature package she created during her senior semester capstone course. We caught up with her to discuss her time at USC and how it has impacted her career.

Baldwin workshop: a crash course for budding reporters

While many students see June as a time to unwind, 12 high school journalists spent their time learning the ins and outs of business and investigative reporting.

Atlanta attraction

Alumni in Atlanta still bleed garnet & black. And they still support their school by active involvement with undergraduate and graduate students who come their way.

Broadcast journalism student puts disability access center stage

Broadcast journalism major Sophie Keyes will place the public need for greater disability access center stage when she competes in the Miss South Carolina pageant in late June.

Lights, camera, audio

The tradition of the USC football team entering to "2001" works successfully in part to School of Journalism and Mass Communication graduate Mark Slice, the associate director of live operations and engineering for USC athletics.

Big Mo, Big Data

Dr. S. Mo Jang studies social media, especially Twitter, to determine whether it can be used to reflect public opinion on controversial issues such as gay rights and climate change.

Maymester classes take students around the world

Oman. Munich. 34 students and 3 faculty treked the globe through a whirlwind exploration of local culture, media practices and discovery of one-of-a-kind stories.

Leaving a Leagacy

One has handed out his final "I survived Jay Bender’s Media Law class.” coffee mugs. The other is already on a golf course somewhere. Both Bender and Tom Klipstine have retired from the faculty of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Off to Oman

Fourteen USC students and two faculty are in Oman during Maymester on the Media and the Mideast course. USC has a large number of Omanis as part of its international student body, but this is the first study abroad group to ever go to Oman from USC.

Free to Be

Vicky Free's office at BET Networks offers an enviable view of Midtown Manhattan, but the Spartanburg native and 1992 journalism graduate didn't come to New York to enjoy the view. As the international media company's executive vice president of marketing and chief marketing officer, she's there to do business and get things done.

Alumnus named dean at University of Oregon

Juan-Carlos Molleda is among an increasing number of SJMC graduates who have landed significant administrative roles at leading universities across the United States.

Symposium honors doctoral research and teaching

Jane O'Boyle and Mark Tatge were honored for research and teaching during the annual School of Journalism and Mass Communications doctoral symposium.

PR Prose: Cleopatra: The queen of public relations?

What comes to mind when you think of her? Beautiful seductress? Maybe. What about public diplomat, researcher, trail-blazing feminist, and public relations pioneer? Also true.

T-Mobile executives come to campus, claim Cocky Award

The Super Bowl of Advertising class had three special visitors in class: Cocky was there with trophy in hand for T-Mobile execs Peter DeLuca and Andrew Christou, recipients of the coveted award for best Super Bowl 50 commercial.

Outstanding students recognized at awards ceremony

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications honored students for outstanding leadership, academic performance and creativity at the annual Honors and Awards Ceremony.

SJMC student work stands out in competitions

Journalism students captured 13 awards in the 2015 South Carolina Press Association Collegiate News Contest and claimed 10 awards as winners and finalists in the Region 3 Mark of Excellence contest sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists.

T-Mobile advertising execs to claim the 2016 Cocky Award

The Cocky Award has become a coveted recognition for ad agencies. This year's winning team will travel to campus to claim the prize and discuss the making of the commercial.

CreateAthon@USC seeking nonprofits in need of marketing communications

If your nonprofit needs help - a website, brochure, business cards, logos or any kind of marketing communication materials - you can apply now to be helped by USC students and mentors who want to give of their talents and time to help you advance your mission.

Jay Bender presented with Lifetime Achievement Award

He's the soon-to-be-retired bow-tied mass communications law and ethics professor with many accolades. But this honor is for his 30-years representing the state's newspapers and press association.

Pr Prose: Public relations professionals should prepare to tackle nanotechnology

Dr. Shannon Bowen says nanotechnology should not be avoided just because the social and ethical issues surrounding it are complicated.

'Spotlight' journalist calls for return of investigative reporting

At the Buchheit Family Lecture, journalist Walter "Robby" Robinson, portrayed by actor Michael Keaton in the Academy Award winning film ‘Spotlight,' discussed the vital role investigative reporting must continue to play in journalism.

Alumna lands leading role on network news

Millions of Americans are getting to know a School of Journalism and Mass Communications alumna in a new way - as the co-host of "Fox & Friends," one of cable news' highest-rated morning programs.

Interns get real-world experience on national stage

Jill Goodtree, Olivia Currey and Richard Lipkin are interns for the university’s Office of Communications and Public Affairs. The three public relations majors in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications had the opportunity to work for CNN during the television network’s two “town hall” events at the UofSC law school.

USC students use pets, PR to make military veterans feel welcome

Student veterans at the University of South Carolina got some much deserved attention Monday with the help of some furry friends. The school's Student Veterans Association teamed up with a group of public relations students to host "Vets and Pets."

Cameron Kirksey named one of the 50 Most Promising Multicultural Students in the nation

This public relations senior joined an elite class of students in advertising and marketing related majors who are "destined for great things."

Boston Globe Editor at Large Walter "Robby" Robinson to discuss "Spotlight" and the future of investigative reporting

Robby Robinson, a central figure in the award-winning movie "Spotlight," is the speaker for the Buchheit Family Lecture. His topic: "Investigative Reporting: How Hollywood Came to Celebrate What Newsrooms Believe is No Longer Worth the Cost."

Students get a front row seat to history during presidential campaign year

Armed with media credentials, 32 USC multimedia students report alongside veteran journalists from CNN, MSNBC, the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Former professor and interim director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications dies

Dr. Tom Weir, an award-winning and compassionate professor and colleague, passed away Sunday, February 14, 2016.

Alumnus was face of the flood for SC

If Derrec Becker looks familiar, perhaps it’s because you saw a lot of him during news coverage of the flooding that inundated the Palmetto State in October.

PR Prose: Neuroethics, public relations, and the need for answers

New technologies present ethical questions that the public relations industry must be ready to face - and explain to others.

It's official: T-Mobile wins the Cocky Award

The votes are in! Steve Harvey turned his Miss Universe announcement blunder into a winning Super Bowl ad for T-Mobile.

Q&A with advertising professor Bonnie Drewniany

The class meets to watch the Super Bowl, but the focus for those in attendance will not be the football game, but rather the advertisements in between the plays.

Charles Lewis to discuss the role of money in presidential campaigns

Journalist and educator Charles Lewis is the speaker for the Baldwin Business and Financial Journalism Lecture. His topic, “The Buying…and Selling…of the President,” will examine the role of money in politics, particularly in the current presidential campaigns.

Former CNN investigative journalist to discuss documentary, Assignment China: Follow the Money

"Follow the Money," focuses on the behind-the-scenes story of the journalists who during 2012 conducted ground-breaking investigations about China's nouveau riche, and the dramatic, controversial and often frightening consequences.

Former professor and advertising media guru dies

Former professor Ralph Morgan, who inspired many advertising students to become media planners and buyers, passes away.

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