Back row: David Rianda, MA '65; Diane Sorenson, '75; Bruce Cappelli, '76; Mark Zusman, '78; Bill Mainwaring, '57; Steve Smith, '73; Esther Nelson, '63; Dean Tim Gleason; Neal Rosen, '74, JAC chair. Front row: Patsy Smullin, Steve Ryder, Butch Alford Jr., '60; Sheila Schroder, executive assistant. Photo: Hannah Cole

The Journalism Advancement Council returned to Allen Hall in October for its annual meeting. The council, made up of 21 distinguished J-school alumni and industry dignitaries and two standing faculty members, advises the School on strategic planning and development and provides a unique opportunity for students to connect with professionals in a variety of media.

While in Eugene, the JAC participated in a number of events with students, including two student discussion groups. Students in the news-editorial sequence and the advertising/public relations sequence met with the JAC. “The purpose of these discussions is to help us understand needs of students,” says JAC President Neal Rosen, “and also to give them a sense of what is happening in the ‘real’ world of job opportunities and employer needs.”

In addition to the discussion groups, the JAC met with Assistant Professor Kim Sheehan to discuss the SOJC’s Branding Project.

But only part of the JAC’s time on campus was spent with students. “We are in the process of creating a more formal structure and mission for the JAC,” says Rosen. “As a result, we are discussing how we can play a more productive role in development activities.” The council also is reviewing the composition of the JAC and determining where there are opportunities to add new members.

The council’s membership is distinguished and represents a wide range of journalistic experience. They count among their members Ancil Payne, a long-time Northwest leader in broadcast journalism and founder of the School’s Payne Awards. The annual awards honor journalists and agencies that exhibit exemplary ethical standards and courageous decisions in the face of political or economic pressures (see story, page four).

Joining Payne on the JAC is Michael Fancher, ‘68, executive editor of the Seattle Times; James Wallace, ’50, former editor of U.S. News and World Report; Patsy Smullin, owner and president of California Oregon Broadcasting; Carolyn Chambers, Business ’53, president of Eugene-based Chambers Communications; and a number of other notable journalists and business leaders from around the country. Dean Tim Gleason and Assistant Dean of Development and External Relations Jonathan Wanderstock also sit on the council.

One of the council’s most notable contributions to the School was the establishment of the Hall of Achievement. At a JAC meeting several years ago the council wanted to find a way to celebrate the history of the School and to better connect students with that history and with alumni and former faculty. In 1998, the Hall of Achievement inducted 14 members.

“We are very proud of the alumni and faculty in the Hall of Achievement,” says Gleason, “and humbled by their contributions to our world.”

In 2003, the School inducted three more alumni and one former faculty member to the hall for a total of 39 members.