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.
Newhouse in the News
Some recent media appearances, interviews or stories by Newhouse School faculty and staff.
Nancy Austin, Advanced Military Visual Journalism
- CNY Heroes (WCNY-PBS)
Dwight Caines, Television, Radio and Film
Kuande Hall, Public Relations
Robert Thompson, Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture
- Trump’s trial is about more than sex and money. It’s about what presidents ‘can get away with’ (Los Angeles Times-subscription required)
- The Most Hated Sound on Television (The Atlantic)
- How Cindy Crawford and MTV’s ‘House of Style’ paved the way for TikTok (New York Post)
Roy Gutterman, Magazine, News and Digital Journalism
Joel Kaplan, Magazine, News and Digital Journalism
- Who Is David Pecker, the First Witness in the Trump Hush-Money Trial? (Time)
- Journalists critical of their own companies cause headaches for news organizations (The Washington Post-subscription required)
Margaret Talev, Syracuse University Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship
Bill Werde, Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries
- Coachella was the gold standard of music festivals. Has it lost its shine? (Los Angeles Times-subscription required)
- Inside Taylor Swift’s Surprise Return to TikTok (The Wall Street Journal-subscription required)
Michael O. Snyder, Visual Communications
- Climate Risk Assessment of the Ancient Nabatean City of Petra Published (National Geographic)
Jennifer Grygiel, Communications
- Instagram’s shift away from political content raises questions about what counts as ‘political’ (The Hill)
Comedy, Satire and How Humor Can Address Topics Related to Race, Diversity and Other Serious Issues
Read more about the latest episode of the “Newhouse Impact” podcast and listen to the show.
We often laugh at comedy and satire. But can these forms of entertainment be effective in spreading understanding about serious issues such as bridging racial gaps ?
On this episode of the “Newhouse Impact” podcast on WAER 88.3, Syracuse University faculty members Charisse L’Pree and Luvell Anderson discuss their work breaking down the messages that can be embedded in satire and humor. L’Pree is an associate professor of communications at the Newhouse School, while Anderson is an associate professor of philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences. Their interdisciplinary PoSH Lab (Psychology, Philosophy and Pedagogy of Satire and Humor) can help students examine serious topics and inform their work.
L’Pree and Anderson also said on “Newhouse Impact” that humor has long been a place where race and differences have been discussed, and in some cases it’s a way to call out stereotypes and break down barriers.
Newhouse to the NFL Network: Alumna Sara Ries ‘05 Oversees NFL Draft Coverage
The NFL draft weekend is one of the busiest times of the offseason for Sara Ries ’05, the senior director at the NFL Network. Almost a year’s worth of preparation culminates with a hectic, three-day event watched closely by dedicated football fans.
Ries, a broadcast journalism alumna, started as a production assistant for the network. She answered a few questions recently about how Newhouse prepared her for her career; covering the draft; her experience as a woman in a male-dominated field; and advice for students who want to get into the sports industry. Below are excerpts from her recent interview.
How did your Newhouse experience help you in your career journey?
I really feel that we gained a basis editorial background that we developed over the four years, and it was constant. And I think then you can kind of sprinkle in the other aspects because we were able to touch all the equipment nice and early at Newhouse. I loved that because I could take a camera out with me and shoot, there wasn’t a barrier to entry for that piece.
And so, then I could kind of not only be creative, but learn what I wanted to learn at my pace. And I did some work at the TV station on campus and the radio station as well because I thought the more I could do, the better. And that’s exactly what I took into my work here at the network, was the moment you walk in the door, just be ready to do anything. And whether it [would] be putting yourself out there and putting your hand up and saying “I’ll do it, I’ll learn it” or … just being ready to jump at any opportunity. That was something that Syracuse always helped kind of instilled in us and still to this day, I tell that to everyone.
The NFL draft has turned into a big offseason event for football fans. What do you like most about overseeing and producing draft coverage?
I really think what’s been cool about the draft is really making the city and the moment itself unique. How do we incorporate the music? How do we incorporate these big names that people know into our coverage? And how do we make those moments special? So, it’s unique every year. And honestly, at the end of the day, I feel just lucky to be a part of it.
And I’m here for the chaos, the trades and all the madness because that’s truly what makes it fun. And it’s like “boom,” we’ve got to go on to the next player, we’ve got to go on to the next team. And that kind of gives you the adrenaline rush that I think a lot of us got into live TV for.
Would you mind sharing your experience as a woman in sports, and give advice for women who are hoping to break into the industry?
When I first started, there were still very few women who were really, I think, visible to us. And that wasn’t just because we were in sports—we were pretty much never on TV. I mean, aside from the Olympics, there wasn’t that much coverage [of women’s sports]. I feel like we just weren’t really being seen, it was just about the women who were on TV. … I remember interviewing people at ESPN, some of their women were there when I did an internship, and I was just desperate to talk to them about what they had experienced. Because really, behind the scenes, there were two or three women, but that was it. I think there’s just been such a wave of women in industry and that I really hope it continues and it should be that way because we have to really be able to see and experience sports through everyone’s eyes before we can really make the coverage of sports fair and equal. You can’t just have one perspective.
The only way we can grow is for women to keep pushing their way in, keep wanting their voice to be heard, whether you’re on the sidelines as a fan raising your hand, or whether you’re really wanting to break into this industry. And just know that there are those of us here with welcome arms for whoever wants to join.
Forever Orange: Aaron Partnow ’23
While completing a bachelor’s degree in political science and geography at Syracuse University, Aaron Partnow developed an interest in documentary film. During his senior year, Partnow learned of the Forever Orange Scholarship, which provides half of the tuition for students who enroll full-time in a qualifying graduate degree or certificate program at Syracuse University.
The scholarship is automatically available to all Class of 2024 graduating Syracuse University seniors who are eligible for admission—no separate scholarship application is needed. Graduating seniors who have already been admitted to a qualifying graduate program are also eligible.
Partnow saw the scholarship as an opportunity to obtain a master’s degree in television, radio and film at the Newhouse School, where he would get to work with and learn from the school’s experienced and knowledgeable faculty like Richard Breyer, a professor and documentary filmmaker.
Aaron Partnow
Undergraduate Program: Political Science and Geography, 2023
Newhouse Master’s Program: Television, Radio and Film, 2024
What drew you to Syracuse University for your undergraduate studies?
My mom grew up about an hour north of Syracuse in Watertown, and so she always rooted for the Orange. When I was looking for schools, I wanted a place that had a strong sporting environment and good academics, something that was really lacking in Alaska. Syracuse seemed like a place where I could be equally passionate about my academics and rooting for the sports teams. The more time I spend here and learn about it, the more I realize it is truly an “everything” school. There is a way to find passion and purpose, even if you never step foot in the Dome.
What made you want to pursue a master’s degree?
I had an unusual undergrad experience. My first semester was dictated by a racial reckoning on campus during the #NotAgainSU movement and later by COVID-19, which made the college experience I wanted impossible. I ended up spending a full semester at home managing a political campaign in my sophomore year, and a semester abroad in London my junior year. I then graduated a semester early as I had enough credits. Had the pandemic not happened, I think it may have been easier to take on a minor or double major at Newhouse, something I always wanted to do. For most of undergrad, my goal was just to focus on political science and getting those requirements done. Now that I’m in the television, radio and film graduate program, I see this as an opportunity to gain new skills and focus more narrowly on documentaries than I ever have, even if I do not go into the entertainment industry in the future.
How did you first hear about the Forever Orange Scholarship and how did it play a role in your decision to attend graduate school?
I hadn’t heard of it until late in the fall of my senior year. I was certain I was going to be moving on from school, but I thought it might be good to give myself a one-year buffer before going into the “real world.” It also allowed me to stay close with some of my friends on campus who were younger than me and still enrolled as undergraduates. Towards the end of undergrad, I found myself trending more towards the creative side of political discourse, i.e. documentaries, and I eventually learned that SU was a great place for that as well. It would allow me the flexibility to gain new skills while also avoiding the traditional path of law school or consulting, neither of which seemed as meaningful to me.
The Forever Orange scholarship made a big difference. Especially as someone with a significant amount of student debt, I didn’t want to further burden my mom who had paid for my undergrad as much as possible. The scholarship made it more accessible to obtain a new degree without taking on additional debt, something I am very proud of.
What unique features of your graduate program made you want to apply?
I had always heard about Newhouse’s broadcast and digital journalism program but less so about television, radio and film. As I was doing research, I discovered there was a decent amount of faculty also interested in documentaries. In fact, there used to be a documentary, film and history program, an ideal career path for me. While the program no longer exists, I figured the remnants were still intact and it would be a great opportunity to learn more from seasoned professors I had wanted to work with in undergrad, including Professor Breyer. Because of this program, I was able to take Documentary Production with him, the highlight of my first semester.
It also made a huge difference that this was only a one-year program. It made it easier to sell to myself that this was not a long commitment but more of a pit stop on my journey towards doing something impactful.
What moments in graduate school have been the most exciting or defining thus far?
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed being a TA for COM 107. It was really exciting to get to know the students who are the future leaders in communications. I also appreciated the opportunity to develop a solid working relationship with Professor Faren Karimkhan and better understand that teaching is much more than what happens in the classroom alone. I think education is a great form of public service and the unique opportunity to TA as a grad student made me believe that even more so.
What advice would you give to students that are in the initial stages of deciding to pursue graduate school?
Come in with a plan. I think the students who find a one-year program most valuable are those who have an idea that they want to fully flesh out and a plan to use Newhouse resources to get there. In my case, I am learning that to make a documentary in a short period of time, you need to do a lot of research and find story inspiration outside of class time. If you just wing it, you are less likely to come away with something you are proud of, and which makes the grad school investment worthwhile. Overall, having a concrete end goal-and writing it out explicitly when applying-is a great way to determine if grad school or any program at Newhouse is right for you.
For more information on Newhouse School graduate programs, please email nhmasters@syr.edu.
Newhouse Students Win 10 SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards
Newhouse students had a great showing at the Society of Professional Journalists’ (SPJ) Mark of Excellence Awards with 10 winners and 17 finalists in the regional contest honoring work from the past year.
The winners will advance to compete against other SPJ regional winners for the national Mark of Excellence Awards announced this summer.
Print/Online
Best Independent Online Student Publication, Winner: “Infodemic,” Infodemic Staff
Best Ongoing Student Magazine, Winner: Moody Magazine, Moody Staff
Finalist: Jerk, Jerk Staff
Feature Writing (Large Schools), Finalist: “How Gen Z became the face of skincare marketing,” Jenny DeStefano, The NewsHouse
Sports Writing (Large Schools), Finalist: “Colleges lacks resources for addiction to online sports gambling,” Lizzy Reardon, The NewsHouse
Best Affiliated Web Site, Finalist: Zipped, Zipped Staff
Finalist: Moody Magazine, Moody Magazine Staff
Art/Graphics/Multimedia
Photo Essay/Slideshow, Winner: “Southside footsteps”, Xinning Li, The NewsHouse,
Photo Illustration, Winner: “Fresh Squeezed Sports Podcast” covers, Cole Ross, The NewsHouse
Finalist: Doechii live in concert, Maxine Wallace, The NewsHouse
Feature Videography, Winner: “Kay & Mal,” Collin Bell, The NewsHouse
Finalist: “Dandelion,” Wendy Wang, The NewsHouse
Breaking News Photography, Finalist: “Take Back the Night,” Bennett Hense, The NewsHouse
Sports Photography, Finalist: “Flippin’ football,” Kayla Breen, The NewsHouse
Audio
Radio In-Depth Reporting, Winner: “How museums can misrepresent people and cultures,” Charles Sirey, WAER/Infodemic
Finalist: “Phone scammers wreak havoc on Americans and their wallets,” Alejandro Rosales, WAER/Infodemic
Radio Sports Reporting, Winner: “Playing for something bigger,” Jordan Leonard, WAER
Radio News Reporting, Finalist: “Hidden identity,” Ronnie Parrillo, NCC News
Podcast (Conversational), Finalist: “To tell the truth: An NCC News Spotlight podcast,” Jared Johnston; Zach Goldman; Jack Oberlander; Kamryn Page, NCC News Spotlight Team
Broadcast
Television Breaking News Reporting, Winner: “Pro-Palestinian protestors gather at Syracuse University,” Peyton Spellacy, CitrusTV
Television General News Reporting, Winner: “Syracuse reacts to controversial speaker,” Nicole Aponte, CitrusTV
Finalist: “Zipcar zooms out of Syracuse,” John Perik, NCC News
Television Feature Reporting, Winner: “Miraculous Marathon Meg,” John Perik, CitrusTV
Finalist: “Preaching pride to the choir,” Nicole Aponte, NCC News
Television Sports Reporting, Finalist: “Is Syracuse/Clemson really a rivalry?” Chilekasi Adele, CitrusTV
Best All-Around Television Newscast, Finalist: “CitrusTV News Live at 6,” CitrusTV Staff
All Platform
Food/Restaurant Journalism, Finalist: “Full Circle,” Murphy McFarlane, The NewsHouse
Learn more about the many other Newhouse students who have been recognized so far this spring semester for their outstanding work.
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.
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.
Society of Professional Journalists
Newhouse students had a great showing at the Society of Professional Journalists’ (SPJ) Mark of Excellence Awards with 10 winners and 17 finalists. The winners will advance to compete against other SPJ regional winners for the national Mark of Excellence Awards announced this summer.
Newhouse Students Win 10 SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards
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) 2023-2024 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”
- Silver – Collin Bell, “Bets on a Burning Farm”
- Bronze – Will Birks, Tien Tran, Brett Rood and Jacob Dean, “44 Films: SyraCruz”
- Honorable Mention – L.J. Guerra, Elizabeth Coleman and Justin Dalaba, “Scarification”
- Honorable Mention – Tien Tran, “44 Films: Home”
Student – Advertising, Gold – Brooke Hirsch and Charlotte Shea, “Digital Blackout”
- Silver – Matthew Powers and Jasmine Chin, “Cruelty Rebranded”
- Bronze – Meiling Xiong, “The Necessity in Continuation”
- Honorable Mention – Noah Lourie and Dashawn Austin, “Second Favorite Arch”
- Honorable Mention – Tori Aragi and Kayla Beck, “Avoidable Reality”
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.
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.
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.