Students pose for photo at the 2026 Scholarship Recognition Ceremony | Photo by Kaden Milner

Congratulations to the more than 260 students who received scholarships at the 2026 Scholarship Recognition Ceremony. Donors, students and their families gathered at the Burge Union to recognize this year's award recipients. In her remarks, Dean Judith Rosenbaum-Andre credited students for their commitment to academic excellence and thanked donors for their generosity. Professors Matt Tidwell and Melissa Greene-Blye then read the name of every student who received a scholarship.

Dean Judith Rosenbaum-Andre hands Jackson Kurtz the School's first Rising Star Award | Photo by Kaden Milner

The Scholarship Recognition Ceremony also marked the presentation of the School of Journalism & Mass Communication's inaugural Rising Star Award. The honor recognizes an outstanding alumnus who graduated from the University of Kansas within the past 10 years and has demonstrated significant professional achievement, leadership and service to the community and alma mater. A committee selected KMBC weekend anchor and reporter Jackson Kurtz as the first recipient. Kurtz graduated from the JMC School in 2018 and has earned numerous honors for his reporting, including a regional Edward R. Murrow Award. After accepting the award, Kurtz thanked the JMC faculty and staff members who helped him reach his professional goals.

Kurtz's attendance also drew media attention to the event. His station, KMBC, sent a videographer to capture video of him accepting the award and to interview Dean Rosenbaum-Andre. The story aired on the station's 6 p.m. newscast.

Dean Judith Rosenbaum-Andre interviewed by KMBC | Photo by Kaden Milner

KMBC coverage of the Scholarship Recognition Ceremony

KU J-School Students join NASCAR Hollywood Casino 400 Champion Kyle Larson on stage in Victory Lane Sunday following the conclusion of NASCAR Weekend at Kansas Speedway.  | Photo provided by Maria Scott

JMC students assist with a press conference during NASCAR Weekend at Kansas Speedway. | Photo by Maria Scott

JMC students pose at the finish line during NASCAR Weekend at Kansas Speedway. | Photo provided by Maria Scott

KU’s J-School was well represented at Kansas Speedway for NASCAR Weekend as more than 20 students supported the NASCAR Communication and Events staff. Students were part of a new program, officially launching in Spring 2027, that takes students into the field to practice their skills in Sports PR, social media, special events, and more. Working under the direction of professionals and alongside Associate Professor of the Practice Maria Scott, students gain valuable first-hand experience in the Field Experience Program. 

On race weekend, students worked at the infield Media Center assisting with press operations, assisting with press conferences and assisting the media covering the event. Additionally, students worked with the VIP Events team to escort essential performers to the main stage before the race. 

The participating students included (by day): 

Friday - Rylee Becker, Ally Boos, Breanna Miller, London Myers, Emerson Naylor, Isabelle O’Donnell, Kendall Toedter, Sophia Verdoom, and Olivia Welhoelter

Saturday - Annabel Ackerly, Emma Holton, Sophia Morris, Rosie Oades, and Lexi Oelker.

Sunday - Nick Berger, Justin Cafe, Sophie Goldberg, Alex Hesskamp, Maddi Lang, Sophia Morris, Vincie Nelson, Andrew Ratzlaff, and Sophia Windsor. 

Alumni pose in front of Stauffer-Flint Hall during Hail to Thee, JMC: (left to right) Samuel Valdez, Alexandra Brown, Adam Scherzer, Nicole Dolan, Brianna Mears Belcher, Claire Olmsted, Abby Stuke (Not pictured: Sydney Clark, McKenzi Davis, Aiden Droge, Taylor Kauffman, Jackson Kurtz, Andrew Lind) | Photo by Kaden Milner

Some familiar faces returned to Stauffer-Flint Hall on Thursday for Hail to Thee, JMC. Thirteen JMC alumni came back to campus for a day of networking and career development opportunities.

Participating alumni included Brianna Mears Belcher (MERGE), Alexandra Brown (MBB), Sydney Clark (KSNT-TV), McKenzi Davis (Burns & McDonnell), Nicole Dolan (Kansas City Ballet), Aiden Droge (Kansas Athletics), Taylor Kauffman (KMBC), Jackson Kurtz (KMBC/KCWE), Andrew Lind (WIBW-TV), Claire Olmsted (KU Endowment), Adam Scherzer (VML), Abby Stuke (Nabholz Corporation) and Samuel Valdez (VML).

The day began with alumni providing resume reviews, followed by a lunch open to students, faculty and staff. The event concluded with journalism-themed games in the Clarkson Gallery.

Claire Olmsted helping a student review her resume. | Photo by Kaden Milner

Alumni and students playing a mock press conference game in Clarkson Gallery. | Photo by Kaden Milner

KU PRSSA poses with speaker Tess Koppelman at first meeting. | Photo by KU PRSSA

KU Public Relations Student Society of America kicked off the year with its first meeting of the semester, welcoming Emmy Award-winning journalist and public relations professional Tess Koppelman as the featured speaker. Koppelman shared insights on media relations, including what journalists look for when evaluating pitches and how public relations professionals can move beyond generic press releases to build more effective relationships with reporters. Drawing on her experience in both journalism and public relations, Koppelman shared stories from her time in the newsroom and discussed the challenges and opportunities of building a PR practice from the ground up. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and gain advice on careers in strategic communication and media relations.

KC2026 director of marketing Matt Smith poses with Sports Media in the 21st Century class. | Photo by Elizabeth Cox

Students in Professor Elizabeth Cox's Sports Media in the 21st Century class welcomed Matt Smith, director of marketing for KC2026, for a discussion on sports marketing and the FIFA World Cup. Smith shared insights into the partnership between FIFA and Kansas City, the efforts to showcase the city to a global audience and how storytelling helps connect fans with major sporting events. Students also asked about his career journey and how his experience as a professional baseball player influenced his path into sports marketing.

KU graduate students have until Sept. 30 to apply for the 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, which challenges participants to present their research to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes. The competition helps students strengthen their research communication, presentation and public speaking skills while competing for cash prizes of $500, $300 and $150. Participants also have the opportunity to be featured on Kansas Public Radio's Research Matters program and advance to a regional competition with travel expenses covered by KU. Preliminary heats will be held Oct. 14, and the final round will take place Oct. 23 at the Kansas Union. Additional information is available on the KU 3MT Competition website.

Students interested in filmmaking can participate in the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Film 48 Competition, which challenges teams to write, shoot, edit and submit an original short film in just 48 hours. During the competition, teams must complete all creative work while incorporating required elements such as a prop, line of dialogue, theme or genre. Films are judged on storytelling, creativity, technical execution, originality and effective use of the required elements. Registration closes Oct. 1, and the competition will take place Oct. 2-4. Sign up your team online.

JMC Professor Rebekka Schlichting demonstrates shelling of traditional Ioway corn. | Photo provided by Rebekka Schlichting

Assistant Professor of the Practice Rebekka Schlichting recently shared her 2023 PBS documentary Seed Warriors as part of a program focused on seed sovereignty and preservation. Schlichting also participated in the panel discussion, “Seed Sovereignty: The Importance of Protecting and Saving Seeds into the Future,” and led a demonstration on shelling traditional Ioway corn grown on the Ioway reservation in White Cloud, Kansas. During the demonstration, she discussed traditional uses of corn and the Ioway Tribe's efforts to restore prairie lands and revitalize traditional medicines.

Sarah Cavanah - JMC Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor Sarah Cavanah has been selected for the Center for Teaching Excellence's 2026-27 Teaching Scholars Program, a faculty development initiative that supports innovative teaching and learning research. As part of the program, Cavanah will receive a $1,500 stipend to develop a teaching scholarship project and share the results of her work with the broader academic community.

Teri Finneman - JMC Professor

Professor Teri Finneman and doctoral student Ethan Andaloro hosted a community event in Pleasanton, Kansas, on Sept. 21 with Linn County News Editor Jackie Taylor. About two dozen people attended the event to learn more about the state of journalism today. The event followed focus groups conducted earlier in the day as part of their Reviving Rural News Hall Center grant.

Professor Teri Finneman also served as a discussion leader at the Future of Kansas History Summit hosted by the Kansas Historical Society. Topics focused on what stories are missing in history, how to tell uncomfortable history, and how to document history in the age of the internet and AI.

Henry Allan Davis Jr. published his memoir Solo Schizophrenia: My Own Tale (Second Edition.) The JMC alumnus shares a first-person account of his experience with schizophrenia to help readers better understand the mental health condition.

Sarah Burns is the internal communications coordinator at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.

Amanda Palovcsik is director of marketing at Daugherty Enterprises.

The Student Success Series returns Wednesday at noon in the Clarkson Gallery. “Connecting for Career Success,” led by Career and Outreach Coordinator Steve Rottinghaus, will focus on resume development, interviewing and networking tips, and professional pitches to prepare for the JMC Career Fair on Oct. 8. Lunch will be provided.

Students can also swing by Stauffer-Flint Room 120 on Thursday, Oct. 1, for a resume review. From 9 a.m. to noon, Steve Rottinghaus will help students get their resumes in tip-top shape ahead of the career fair.

Join the KU Ad Club this Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Clarkson Gallery to hear from guest speaker, Katie Reynolds. Katie is an Account Coordinator at Waltz Tetrick Advertising, a member of the KC Ad Club Board of Directors, and a proud KU J-School alum. Come get insider tips on making the leap from college into the professional world and setting yourself up for success before graduation. Follow the club on Instagram  and join its GroupMe for updates.

JMC Professor Diego Gutierrez will join Helen Ortiz, president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, this evening for the Pitches & Plática Workshop. Hosted by the KU Latin American Student Union, the event will help attendees refine their elevator pitches with guidance from Hispanic professionals. The workshop begins at 6:30 p.m. in Room 4015 of Capitol Federal Hall.

Jobs

Internships and student jobs

JMC alumnus Ryan Blethen, publisher of the Seattle Times, was a recent guest on Cheers to Careers.

• Sept. 30: Student Success Series - Connecting for Career Success, noon-12:50 p.m.

• Sept. 30: KU Ad Club Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Clarkson Gallery

• Oct. 1: Student Success Series - Drop-In Resume Reviews, 9 a.m.-noon, JMC Career Center, Stauffer-Flint Hall, Room 120

• Oct. 8: Career Fair, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Stauffer-Flint Hall

• Oct. 17-20: Fall Break

• Oct. 23: Faculty and Staff meeting, 1-2:30 p.m., Clarkson Gallery

• Nov. 4: Student Success Series - Budgeting 101, noon-12:50 p.m., Clarkson Gallery

• Nov. 10: Donuts with the Dean, 9-10 a.m., Stauffer-Flint Lobby

• Nov. 25-29: Thanksgiving Break

• Dec. 10: Last day of classes

• Dec. 11: Stop Day

• Dec. 14-18: Finals Week

• Dec. 28:  Grade submission deadline, 11:59 p.m.

Next Monday Memo

• October 5

William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications
journalism.ku.edu

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