Class of 2020 Commencement events to be held Sept. 17-19

Syracuse University will host a Commencement ceremony—delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic—and other celebratory events for the Class of 2020 during the weekend of Sept. 17–19.  

Commencement will be held Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Stadium. This University-wide ceremony, where Syracuse University Chancellor and President Kent Syverud will formally confer degrees, is for all undergraduate, graduate and doctoral candidates. Doors open at 8 a.m.

Following Commencement, all 2020 Newhouse graduates and their families are invited to join Dean Mark J. Lodato and the faculty and staff for a celebratory reception. The event will include a dean’s welcome, recognition of participating graduates and an opportunity to reconnect with faculty. A precise time and location will be announced soon; stay tuned for details.

For more information about Commencement activities for the Class of 2020, see the event listing.

University Names 2024-25 Remembrance Scholars

Thirty-five students, including Newhouse students Charlotte Ebel, Luke Elliott, Abigail Jones, Sophia Moore and Ryan Myers, have been chosen as the 2024-25 Syracuse University Remembrance Scholars.

The scholarships, now in their 35th year, were founded as a tribute to—and means of remembering—the students studying in London and Florence through Syracuse University who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Those students were among the 270 people who perished in the bombing. The scholarships are funded through an endowment supported by gifts from alumni, friends, parents and corporations.

Significant support for the Remembrance Scholarships has been provided by Jean Thompson ’66 and Syracuse University Life Trustee Richard L. Thompson G’67 in memory of Jean Taylor Phelan Terry ’43 and John F. Phelan, Jean Thompson’s parents; by Board of Trustees Chairman Emeritus Steven Barnes ’82 and Deborah Barnes; by The Syracuse Association of Zeta Psi in memory of Alexander Lowenstein; and by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation.

Learn more about the Remembrance Scholars

Donor Honor Roll

Honor roll information goes here.

Newhouse Student Awards Roundup

It’s student award season! Here are the Newhouse students who have been recognized so far this spring semester for their outstanding work. Check back for updates.

Syracuse University Scholars

Nicole Aponte and Yasmin Nayrouz were among the 12 seniors named as 2024 Syracuse University Scholars, the highest undergraduate honor the University bestows. 

2024 Syracuse University Scholars Announced

Hearst

Newhouse School senior Chilekasi Adele took top prize this spring in the Television News competition at the prestigious Hearst Journalism Awards. Adele was among several Newhouse students honored by the Hearst Journalism Awards as the competition announced winners over the past few months.

Newhouse Student Wins First Place at Prestigious Hearst Journalism Awards 

White House Correspondent Association Scholarship

Magazine, news and digital journalism sophomore Danielle Blyn is one of 30 students from 16 colleges and universities around the country to be selected for the White House Correspondent Association Scholarship.

2024 Scholarship Winners Announced

Berlin Indie Film Festival

Alexandra Siambekos ’23 won the Best First Time Director, Documentary award in the Berlin Indie Film Festival’s monthly competition. She won for her documentary film “The Keepers of Manari,” which served as Siambekos’s honors thesis while she was a television, radio and film student at Newhouse. 

Newhouse Students Honored in Berlin Indie Film Festival, White House Eyes of History Contest

The White House News Photographers Association

Four Newhouse students earned accolades in this year’s Eyes of History contest—sponsored by The White House News Photographers Association—including three wins for broadcast and digital journalism (BDJ) senior Nicole Aponte and a First Place honor for BDJ senior John Perik. 

Newhouse Students Honored in Berlin Indie Film Festival, White House Eyes of History Contest

Broadcast Education Association

Newhouse School students and their projects had a phenomenal showing at the 2024 Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of Media Arts with 25 awards, including a Best of Festival honor for the The NewsHouse‘s “Infodemic” reporting project and five First Place wins. 

Newhouse Students Win 25 Awards at BEA Festival of Media Arts

Graphic Design USA

Seven Newhouse School students each won an American Graphic Design Award for their design projects at the 60th annual Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) showcase. It was a remarkable showing in a competition with over 8,000 entries.

Newhouse Students Win 7 GDUSA American Graphic Design Awards

Graphis

Newhouse graphic design majors and multimedia, photography and design graduate students won 22 awards across several categories in this year’s design competition.

Silver

Stamps
Alex Ryberg Gonzalez 
Nicole Beaudet 
Samantha Swiss 
Hailey Lawless 

Type Design
Darren Cordoviz 
Quinn Carletta 

Honorable Mentions

Poster
Ally Manziano 
Elliot Rosenberg-Rappin 
Charlotte Little 

Illustration
Ally Manziano 

Product Design
Olivia Doe

Stamps
Charlotte Little 
Ally Manziano 
Amelia Flinchbaugh 
Lior Edrich 
Elizabeth Vogt 

Type Design
Ita Kim 
Ethan Rujak 
Dean Lourenco 
Cayla Israel 
Zhengrong Chai 
Jonathan Wideman 

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication

Newhouse students and faculty earned five Gold honors and swept the video/film and advertising categories in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) VIMFest Contest. The work will be featured at the AEJMC national conference in Philadelphia in August.

Large School (10,000+ )​ Schoolwide/Multi-class Media Project, Gold – Infodemic by The Infodemic Staff
Student – Video/Film, Gold – Murphy McFarlane​, “Full Circle”

Student – Advertising, Gold – Brooke Hirsch​ and Charlotte Shea, “Digital Blackout”

Student – Interactive and Motion Design, Gold – Emily Baird, “Metanoia”
Faculty – Advertising, Gold – Milton Santiago and Jason Lozada, “Infodemic Launch Spot”


Loneliness Can Lead to Mental, Physical Health Issues: What PR Can Do

Read more about the latest episode of the “Newhouse Impact” podcast and listen to the show.

How much have the pandemic, political divisions in our communities and other factors increased isolation and depression? New research by Newhouse School graduate student Amy Barone discovers loneliness might be the key factor that leads to physical and mental health problems.

Barone, who also teaches in the writing studies, rhetoric and composition department in the College of Arts and Sciences, conducted the research as part of a project with Hua Jiang, associate dean of academic affairs at Newhouse and an associate professor of public relations. The findings could help shape public health campaigns to help people find health care. The research focused specifically on Black people and African Americans in Generation X and Gen Z.

Listen to this episode of Newhouse Impact to learn more about the research and how it might help people.

Visit the WAER episode page to listen to the podcast.

Isabelle Kelly: Bridging Healthcare, Innovation and Communication

Isabelle Kelly, a talented dual degree student at Syracuse University, is making her mark as a 2024 Weiss Center Ambassador. With a passion for public relations, finance and healthcare, Isabelle is poised to become a trailblazer in the ever-evolving landscape where these fields intersect.

Isabelle Kelly headshot

A Dynamic Duo: PR Prowess and Finance Finesse

As a Newhouse student, Isabelle is honing her skills in strategic communication, media relations and campaign management through her public relations major. Simultaneously, she is studying finance at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, gaining expertise in financial analysis, investment strategies and business operations. This unique combination of disciplines equips Isabelle with a well-rounded understanding of both communication and financial realms.

Born to Make a Difference

Isabelle’s passion for healthcare runs deep, as she was born into a family of medical professionals. With a physician father and sisters pursuing careers as physician assistants, Isabelle recognized the vital role of healthcare accessibility and communication from a young age. When the opportunity to become a 2024 Weiss Center Ambassador arose, she saw it as a perfect alignment of her passions and aspirations.

Fresh Perspective and Engaging Strategies

As the youngest of six children, Isabelle brings a fresh perspective to her role as an ambassador. Focusing on promoting the Weiss Center to the Newhouse community, she envisions utilizing social media and word-of-mouth campaigns to keep people informed. Isabelle believes that engaging events and workshops can attract students from various disciplines, sparking conversations about the intersection of technology, healthcare and communication.

Growth and Skill Development

As a brand ambassador, Isabelle hopes to gain valuable insights into the industry and sharpen her skills in campaign and event planning. She values the opportunity to learn from experts and receive constructive feedback to enhance her abilities further, setting the stage for a successful career in the dynamic world of healthcare communication.

Mastering the Juggling Act: Prioritizing Passions and Responsibilities

Despite her busy schedule as a dual major student, Isabelle maintains balance through meticulous organization and prioritization. She acknowledges the challenges of juggling academic and extracurricular responsibilities but emphasizes the importance of finding time for personal interests and relationships. To relieve stress, Isabelle immerses herself in her passion for geography, finding curiosity in the world’s diversity and intricacies.

Grounded in Values

As Isabelle navigates her journey as the Weiss Center Ambassador, she remains grounded in her personal values and commitments. She strives to find harmony between her academic pursuits, professional aspirations and personal well-being. With her resilience, creativity and dedication, Isabelle exemplifies the qualities of a rising star in the world of healthcare communication.

Isabelle Kelly’s journey is one of passion, innovation and the desire to make a difference. As she continues to bridge the gaps between healthcare, innovation and communication, there is no doubt that she will leave a lasting impact on the industry and the lives she touches along the way.

Meet Emma Johnson

Emma is a talented and driven Newhouse student who is making waves as a 2024 Weiss Center Ambassador. With her passion for advertising, marketing and public relations, Emma is poised to become a rising star in the dynamic world of communications.

Emma Johnson sitting on a flight of stairs

A Double Threat: Advertising Major and Marketing Minor

As a student in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Emma is pursuing a major in advertising. Through her coursework, she is mastering the art of persuasive communication, creative strategy and brand management. But Emma doesn’t stop there – she has also chosen to complement her advertising major with a minor in marketing from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. This powerful combination allows Emma to explore the fundamental principles of marketing strategy, consumer behavior and market analysis, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of both the creative and analytical aspects of the field.

Stepping Out of Her Comfort Zone

As a 2024 Weiss Center Ambassador, Emma is driven by her curiosity to explore the dynamic relationship between healthcare and advertising. She sees this opportunity as a chance to step out of her comfort zone and embrace new challenges. Emma’s goal is not just to spread awareness about the Weiss Center, but to foster meaningful connections and spark engaging conversations within the Newhouse community.

Engaging the Next Generation

Emma understands the power of social media in reaching and engaging younger audiences. By leveraging platforms like Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, she aims to raise awareness about the Weiss Center’s initiatives among her peers. Emma’s creative ideas, such as a “day in the life” series or Instagram takeovers, showcase her experiences as a college student and make the Weiss Center more relatable and accessible to her fellow students.

Creativity and Engagement

Drawing from her experience in student organizations like TNH, Emma knows how to create captivating content that drives engagement. Whether it’s producing compelling videos or tapping into the latest TikTok trends, Emma has a knack for capturing her audience’s attention. Her passion for creativity extends beyond academics, as she finds inspiration in her family, music and philanthropic endeavors.

Balancing Act

Balancing a busy schedule is no easy feat, but Emma thrives on organization and prioritization. With meticulous planning and effective time management, she successfully juggles her responsibilities while still making time for regular exercise and self-care to recharge and stay focused.

Resilience in the Face of Challenges

Like any journey, Emma has faced her fair share of challenges. From managing client expectations to handling unexpected setbacks, Emma’s resilience shines through in times of adversity. Through problem-solving and teamwork, she navigates challenges with grace and determination.

A Beacon of Positivity and Professionalism

At her core, Emma values kindness, optimism and a commitment to excellence. Whether collaborating with colleagues or interacting with clients, Emma brings positivity and professionalism to every endeavor. Her unique blend of creativity and compassion sets her apart, making her an invaluable asset to the Weiss Center and the Newhouse community. As Emma continues her journey at Syracuse University and beyond, there is no doubt that she will make a lasting impact in the world of communications. With her talent, drive and infectious positivity, Emma Johnson is a rising star to watch.

Newhouse Advisory Board

Barry Baker ’73 

Senior Advisor, Lee Equity

Angela Bundrant ’89

Head of Brand and Business Development, Purple Strategies

Neil I. Canell

Managing Director, J.P. Morgan Securities

Deborah B. Curtis ’90 

CMO, On Location Experiences

Brian A. Edelman ’03 

CEO, RAIN

Andrea Fant-Hobbs ’82

Chief Brand Officer,

Brand Strategy, Development and Innovation LLC

Shelly L. Fisher ’80

CEO, Pay it Forward Group LLC

Eric D. Frankel ’79

CEO, AdGreetz

Steven Fuchs ’79

CEO, True North

Nicholas B. Godfrey ’02 

COO, RAIN

Kristina Hahn ’98

Director of Global Sell Side Strategy and Operations,
Google

Deborah A. Henretta ’85

Partner and Vice Chairman,

G100 Co.

Joyce Hergenhan ’63 

Retired Vice President, Communications,

General Electric

Peter A. Horvitz ’76 

President,
PAH Investments LLC

Beth Ann Kaminkow ’89

Global CEO,
VMLY&R Commerce

Keith Kaplan ’91

Global CEO,
Kinetic Worldwide

Lawrence S. Kramer ’72 

Board of Directors,

Advance Local

Senior Advisor, Advance

Michael Lehman

Partner/Attorney,

Lehman & Lehman LLP

Rob Lewis ’84

Senior Director of Multi-Format Production, Dow Jones/
The Wall Street Journal

Christopher A. Licht ’93

Former Chairman and CEO,

CNN Worldwide 

Gary T. Lico ’76

Proprietor, GARYLICO.TV

Robert R. Light ’78 

Head of Music Department, Partner and Managing Director,

Creative Artists Agency

L. Camille Massey ’87

President and CEO, Synergos

Sandra Cordova Micek ’91

President and CEO,
WTTW/WFMT

John Douglas Miller ’72

Retired Chair, NBCUniversal
Marketing Council

Robert J. Miron ’59 

Retired Chairman and CEO,

Advance/Newhouse Communications

Eric Mower ’66, G’68

Chairman and CEO, Mower

Philip Nardone Jr. ’82

President and CEO,

PAN Communications 

Tonia O’Connor ’92

Independent Board Director

Michael S. Perlis ’76 

President and CEO,
Forbes Media

Bruce Perlmutter ’81

Content Strategy,
Showrunner, Amazon 

Melissa Richards-Person ’89

CMO & Vital Brand Builder, Third Arm Consulting

Angela Y. Robinson ’78 

Director of Operations,

National Association of
Black Journalists

Doug Robinson ’85

President,
Doug Robinson Productions

Gary C. Schanman ’92

Executive Vice President
and Group President, Sling TV

Alyson Shontell ’08

Editor-in-Chief, Fortune

Seth Solomons ’91

CEO, Eastlake Advisory Group

Shari M. Stenzler ’92

Owner/Founder,
London Misher Public Relations

Charles W. Stevens ’77

Principal, Global Writers Group

Adjunct Associate Professor,

Columbia University
Graduate School of Journalism

John L. Sykes ’77

President, Entertainment Enterprises, iHeartMedia

Michael T. Tirico ’88

Sportscaster, NBC Sports

Luis C. Torres-Bohl ’82, G’85

President/Founder,

Castalia Communications Corp.

Joyce Tudryn ’81

President and CEO,
IRTS Foundation

David Watson

President and CEO,

Comcast Corp.

James G. Weiss ’87

Chairman and CEO, 

Real Chemistry 

Bryan Wiener ’92

CEO, Profitero

Melinda Witmer

Former Executive Vice President,
Chief Video Officer and
Chief Operating Officer,

Time Warner Cable Networks

Howard E. Woolley ’80 

President, Howard Woolley Group LLC

Dana Zimmer ’92

President of Distribution,

Nexstar Media Group

Emeritus Members

Joan L. Adler G’76 

Assistant Vice President of Regional Programs,

Syracuse University Los Angeles

James C. Andrews G’93 

Vice President, Licensing,

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Roger W. Conner ’70 

President and CEO, 

Conner Communications LLC

Shanti D. Das ’93 

CEO and Founder, 

Silence the Shame

Founder, mibo LLC

William F. Doescher G’61 

President and CEO,
The Doescher Group Ltd.

Pamela Giddon Freedman ’73

Retired Owner,

Giddon & Company
PR Marketing

Andrew T. Heller

Retired Vice Chairman,

Turner Broadcasting System

Steven D. Leeds G’73

Retired Vice President,
Talent Relations and
Industry Affairs,
SiriusXM

Arthur S. Liu G’66 

President and CEO,

Multicultural Radio Broadcasting

Donald R. Lockett G’74 

Principal, iD-Media Solutions

Sean McDonough ’84

Broadcaster, ESPN

David G. O’Neil ’84

Partner, Rini Coran PC

Andrea Davis Pinkney ’85

Vice President and
Editor-at-Large,
Scholastic Trade

Howard W. Polskin ’73 

President, Polskin Media

Anthony F. Renda ’60 

President,
Renda Broadcasting Corp.

Stephen A. Rogers ’62

Retired Publisher and
Editor-in-Chief,
The Post-Standard

Walter Sabo ’74

Owner, Sabo Media

Marianne L. Samenko ’79

Retired Senior Director, Marketing, JPMorgan
Chase & Co.

Mark D. Sena ’76, G ’78

President, Mars Communications

Michael J. Terpin ’78

CEO and Owner,

Transform Group

George P. Verschoor ’83 

Producer/Director,
Television and Film,

Hoosick Falls Productions

Stephen J. Wilkes ’80 

Photographer,

Stephen Wilkes Photography

Honorary Member

Steven Newhouse

Chairman, Advance.net

Class Notes

60s 

Linda Mason ’65 wrote a memoir, “Speak Up: Breaking the Glass Ceiling at CBS News.”

70s 

Joe Castiglione G’70 is the 2024 Ford C. Frick Recipient for Excellence in Baseball Broadcasting from the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Howard Sholkin ’72 joined the board of directors of The Newton (Massachusetts) Beacon.  

Jayson Stark ’73 was elected to the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame. 

Bob Costas ’74 was a featured speaker in the Newhouse School’s Leaders in Communications series. 

Mark A. Guttman G’75 retired after 45 years in television operations management at NBC, CBS and Sportsnet New York. 

Gary Lico G’76 served as executive producer of the TV show “Forensic Files: A Special Tribute,” which won a Telly Award for Best True Crime Program. 

Matthew Sieger G’76 is the author of “The God Squad: The Born-Again San Francisco Giants of 1978.” 

Allen Adamson ’77 is the author of “Seeing the How: Transforming What People Do, Not Buy, to Gain Market Advantage.” 

Budd Bailey ’77 is the co-author of “The Buffalo Bills: An Illustrated Timeline of a Storied Team” and “Buffalo Braves From A to Z.” 

Kathy Corbalis ’77 was awarded the 2023 D. Richard Petrizzo Award for Career Achievement from the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations. 

Larry Pantages ’77 and Budd Bailey ’77 are the co-authors of “Game Day! Today in Cleveland Sports History.”

80s 

Howard Woolley ’80 gave a financial gift to the Newhouse School to support students studying in Washington, D.C.

Tony Caridi ’84 was inducted into the WAER Hall of Fame. 

Jay Francis ’84 was a featured speaker in the Newhouse School’s Leaders in Communications series. 

Jim Weiss ’87 joined the board of directors of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health. 

Dawn Aikman Dinnan ’88 purchased Watermark Office Services Inc. 

Larry Hryb ’89 was a featured speaker in the Newhouse School’s Leaders in Communications series. 

90s 

Traci Geisler ’90 was appointed director of the Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University Libraries. 

Shanti Das ’93 launched a new podcast, “The Mibo Show,” which addresses health in hip-hop. 

Eric Grode ’93 won a 2023 Syracuse University Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award.

Nicole Avery Nichols G’93 was named top editor of the Detroit Free Press. 

Gregg Bernard ’94 is executive vice president of international strategy and business development for the Professional Fighters League.

Beth Uznis Johnson G’94 is the author of the novel “Coming Clean.” 

Rani Raad ’97 was named president of RedBird IMI. 

Robyn Munn Gengras G’98 was elected to the board of trustees of St. Lawrence University. 

Kimberly Bissell Ph.D. ’99 was appointed dean of the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication.

Kyle Grimes ’99 was named vice president of New England for Hearst Television.

Jason Jedlinski ’99 was named CEO of WQED Multimedia in Pittsburgh. 

Shana Novak ’99 is the author of “The Heirloomist: 100 Treasures and the Stories They Tell.” 

00s 

Andrew Catalon ’01 was inducted into the WAER Hall of Fame. 

Olivia Stomski ’01 served as executive producer for the TV show “Forensic Files: A Special Tribute,” which won a Telly Award for Best True Crime Program.  

Emilie Harkin ’02 was appointed senior vice president of growth at The Guardian.  

Jeff Passan ’02 was named 2023 National Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. 

Dave Schwartz G’02 joined the Minnesota Wild as senior manager of communications and engagement.  

Shannon Slatton Schwartz G’02 was named executive director of CCX Media in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

Mark E. Johnson ’03, G’05 won the National Press Photographers Association Educator of the Year Award.

Jason Murray G’03 was named sports editor at The Washington Post. 

Adam Ritchie ’03 owns Adam Ritchie Brand Direction, which was selected by American Ninja Warrior Adventure Parks to handle PR for its first U.S. location, in partnership with Universal Live Entertainment. 

Eli Saslow ’04 won a Pulitzer Prize for feature writing for a series of stories in The Washington Post. 

Erin Westerman ’04 was named to Variety’s “Power of Women in Hollywood 2023” list and gave the keynote address at the Newhouse School’s 2023 Convocation Ceremony.

Wesley Cheng ’05 is a site publisher at Yahoo Sports/Rivals. 

Kacie Barton ’06 was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Video for her work as a producer on “In Your Love” by Tyler Childers. 

Matt Blitz ’07 joined WAMU/DCist as the producer of WAMU’s weekly live local politics show, “The Politics Hour.” 

10s 

Rebecca Schmid G’10 is the author of “Weill, Blitzstein and Bernstein: A Study of Influence.”  

Lorna Oppedisano ’12 is project manager for events and programs at the Onondaga Historical Association.

Travis Parman G’12 joined Philip Morris International as vice president and chief communications officer. 

Kelundra Smith G’12 is managing editor at American Theatre Magazine. 

Leah Stacy G’12 is editor-in-chief of Rochester City Magazine. 

Allyssa Kaiser ’13 was named a “Leader to Watch in 2024” by CommerceNext and received a CommerceXcellence Award for her work as senior director of performance marketing at NEST New York. 

Danny Connors ’14 was named general manager of the Rip City Remix basketball team. 

Liz Sawyer ’14 was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting. 

Emily Bailey ’16 served as the colorist on the film “Perfectly Good Moment.” 

Matt Kaufax ’17 joined WTOP News in Washington, D.C., as a features reporter. 

Brian Yuran ’17 directed the short film “Guardian Angels.” 

Aub Driver G’18 is the director of marketing at IDW Publishing.

Yerin Kim ’18 is the author of “I Love BTS.”  

Jerald Pierce G’18 is Chicago editor at American Theatre Magazine. 

20s 

Conor Wight’s ’20 report on lead poisoning and youth violence for CNYCentral.com won a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Hard News Reporting. 

Jenna Fink ’21 is a sports anchor and reporter at KVOA in Tucson, Arizona. 

Kamal Morgan G’21 joined the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram as the racial equity reporter. 

Matthew Nerber G’21 joined Syracuse Stage as the marketing content and publications manager. 

Jenna Webster ’21 is a weekend morning anchor at WQAD in Moline, Illinois.

Kate Brennan ’22 won third place in the Hearst Journalism Awards Multimedia Digital News/Enterprise category for her multimedia reporting project, “Aloha ‘āina.”

Kiana Papin ’22 received a Fulbright teaching assistantship to teach in France. 

Steven Rodas G’22 received the 2023 Media Award from the New Jersey Clean Communities Council. 

Quinn VanAntwerp G’22 joined the cast of the Tony Award-nominated musical “Shucked.” 

John Eads ’23 is a sports anchor and reporter at WAFB in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

Maya Pow ’23 joined People Magazine as an associate platforms producer. 

Trey Redfield ’23 is a weekend sports anchor/multimedia journalist at NTV News in Kearney, Nebraska. 

Tien Tran G’23 won a 2023 Clio Sports Gold Award for Best Student Film.   

Anthony Vasquez ’23 joined KGET-17 in Bakersfield, California, as sports director. 

In Memorium

Edward Bleier ’51

Bleier, the pioneering media executive whose generosity supported the study of television and pop culture for generations of students that followed in his footsteps at Syracuse University, died Oct. 17. He was 94. The former president of Warner Bros.’ Domestic Pay-TV, Cable and Network Features division, Bleier worked in almost every aspect of radio and television. Fittingly, his name is memorialized at the Newhouse School through the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture, which serves as a kind of think tank on the art of television and the exploration of pop culture.

Phil Quartararo ’77 

Quartararo, the influential music executive who introduced U2 to the United States in the 1980s and developed the careers of such artists as Paula Abdul, Linkin Park and the Spice Girls, died Nov. 22. He was 67. Quartararo’s 46-year career included leadership positions with nearly every major record label. Just as important to Quartararo was his dedication to Syracuse University and the Newhouse School, and a commitment to developing future leaders of the music industry. He was one of a handful of executives who worked with Martin Bandier ’62 and the University to create the Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries.

Charles Reichblum ’48 

Reichblum, the original “Voice of the Orange” and a co-founder of WAER-FM, died Oct. 30. He was 95. The sports director when WAER (then known as WJIV) officially launched in 1947 as the first low-power FM station in the country, Reichblum served as the radio play-by-play voice for Syracuse football and basketball games. Later in his career, Reichblum became known as Dr. Knowledge, a fitting tribute for someone who amassed one of the world’s largest collections of stories during 50-plus years in journalism. He broadcast the daily “Dr. Knowledge” feature nationwide on the CBS Radio Network, and hosted “The Dr. Knowledge Show” on KDKA-AM in Pittsburgh.

John Philip Jones 

Jones, an emeritus professor, longtime Newhouse faculty member in the advertising department and influential voice in the field, died March 23. He was 93. Jones had an illustrious career in Europe, working for nearly 25 years at J. Walter Thompson in London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen before arriving at Newhouse in 1981. Jones brought a wealth of knowledge that would benefit the students that he went on to teach. In 2001, Jones received the Syracuse University Chancellor’s Citation for Exceptional Academic Achievement. He was also a prolific author, writing about 18 books.

R. Gustav Niebuhr 

Niebuhr, a leading writer and author about American religion who went on to teach about religion and media at the Newhouse School, died Oct. 20. Niebuhr, whose full name was Richard Gustav Niebuhr, changed the coverage of religion in the United States by reporting on stories that showed how people’s faiths contributed to shaping their political and civic activities and beliefs. An associate professor with a dual appointment at Newhouse and the College of Arts and Sciences, Niebuhr shared his unparalleled expertise and enthusiasm for writing and reporting with students while providing a patient and encouraging presence in the classroom.

Adapting to AI

Newhouse faculty members are immersed in study and research across a host of topics that investigate how artificial intelligence touches our lives, from the challenges of rooting out fake news to the opportunities and risks that come with the integration of AI and extended reality. Here, they share insights into how AI is affecting their respective fields. 

Makana Chock 

David J. Levidow Endowed Professor of Communications 
Director, Extended Reality Lab 

The integration of AI and extended reality (XR) offers incredible opportunities for creativity and heightened immersion, but also increases the risks of misinformation and privacy violations. XR technologies collect individualized information about users’ body motions. Generative AI can incorporate that information to create personalized interactive experiences that enhance the experiences of XR users. This has great potential for education, job-training, therapy, entertainment and gameplay. However, this data could also be used to manipulate and mislead through tailored persuasive techniques and interactions with personalized virtual avatars.

Joshua P. Darr

Associate Professor, Communications
Senior Researcher, Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship 

AI forces the dwindling local news industry to answer a difficult question: Is AI-generated local news better than nothing? If we want AI to be a civically useful part of local news’ future, local governments need to provide transparent civic information that will train and supply AI “journalism.” One part of my research into new models of nonprofit news asks whether we can use the efforts of these new sites to create informative, equitably focused civic products (including meeting notes, how-to guides and policy analyses) that could be scaled and delivered to broader audiences using AI. 

Jason Davis

Research Professor
Co-Director, Real Chemistry Emerging Insights Lab

While the challenges of fake news and misinformation are not new, the speed, scale and global impact created by digital media channels certainly are. The application of generative AI systems capable of creating completely synthetic text, images, audio and video has the potential to disrupt this dynamic and even further erode public trust. To meet this challenge, our research has had to move beyond a focus on development and evaluation of new digital detection tools and start working with these AI systems directly. By pushing AI generative capabilities to the limit, we can help shape digital literacy and ethical frameworks.  

Regina Luttrell

Senior Associate Dean
Associate Professor, Public Relations

The integration of AI into mass communication classrooms has effects that will reverberate for years to come. Proper utilization and integration of AI-driven tools are key to the future of our industry. For instance, PR professionals rely on data analysis powered by AI to make data-driven decisions, a stark change from traditional roles in the field. However, rushing to incorporate AI without being aware of its vast potential and limitations can lead to unintended results. The value of artificial intelligence to professionals and rapid proliferation in strategic communication make it an indispensable addition to the field and the classroom. It is vital to research and comprehend these shifts and their ramifications.  

Adam Peruta

Associate Professor, Magazine, News and Digital Journalism
Director, Advanced Media Management master’s program

Generative AI, like GPT-4, has revolutionized product development by automating parts of the user interface design and coding processes. Through AI, code generation can be achieved at unprecedented speed, reducing human error and enhancing efficiency. In the advanced media management program, we are examining this shift toward automated product development by studying the quality of AI-generated code and design and its impact on developers’ productivity. We are also looking at the implications of this technology on workforce policies, dynamics, job roles and skills required in the future. We aim to better understand how AI can complement human developers, rather than replace them. 

 

A Fresh Look

Those iconic lecture halls got a fresh look this spring following renovations during the Fall 2023 semester. Among the highlights of the remodeled spaces: 

Room 102 reopened for classes in January, while 101 opened later in the Spring 2024 semester.