Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief of USA TODAY and best-selling author, will receive the 2026 William Allen White National Citation, on Thursday, April 9 at the Kansas Union to celebrate William Allen White Day. The award, which recognizes individuals for outstanding journalistic service, came from a vote of the trustees of the William Allen White Foundation, which is named in honor of White.  Page will give an address at 3 p.m. in the Kansas Union Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public.

“It’s truly an honor to present the William Allen White National Citation to Susan,” said Scott Reinardy, interim dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. “Her unwavering dedication to journalism reflects the ideals emblematic of William Allen White. At a time when covering national politics is increasingly complex and contentious, Susan continues to deliver fair, credible, fact-based journalism. Her work exemplifies the highest standards of our profession.”

Page has covered 12 presidential campaigns and eight White House administrations and has interviewed the past 10 presidents (three of them after they left the office). In 2020, she moderated the vice-presidential debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris, the only print reporter ever to be a solo moderator for the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Jaden Huehl, a junior from Sylvan Grove, Kansas, is one of four KU students nominated for the Harry S Truman Scholarship. The prestigious award, given to college juniors for leadership in public service, provides up to $30,000 for graduate study. Huehl is on the pre-law track, majoring in journalism with a concentration in multimedia and secondary education with a concentration in English. She works as the producer of Good Morning Indian Country and as a youth coordinator for Connect Church in Lawrence. Huehl also hosts “The Crimson Chat,” a weekly broadcast highlighting KU research and campus initiatives, and is a beat reporter for the University Daily Kansas.

Save the Dates: JMC Dean Finalist Public Presentations Please join us at the upcoming JMC School Dean candidate public presentations. More updates, including livestream details, will be available on the dean search page and in KU Today over the next few weeks.

Candidate 2, Judith Rosenbaum-Andre, associate dean for faculty affairs and administration in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Maine, 2-3 p.m., Monday April 6, Watson 3 West
Candidate 3: 2-3 p.m. April 13, Watson 3 West
Candidate 4: 2:15-3:15 p.m. April 16, Capitol Federal Hall 1020.

Harold Kuntz (center), a sports anchor and reporter for Fox4 in Kansas City, recently spoke to JMC 626: Multimedia Sports Reporting/Advanced Media, led by Al Wallace, adjunct professor. | Photo courtesy of Al Wallace

Sports reporter Harold Kuntz (above) recently spoke about his broadcasting career as a guest speaker for JMC 626: Multimedia Sports Reporting/Advanced Media.

Wichita Eagle Editor-in-Chief Michael Roehrman visited the JMC 201-Journalism in the Movies class on Tuesday, March 31, to discuss the BTK serial killer’s interactions with the news media, tying in with this week’s film, “Zodiac.” 

Steve Rottinghaus, career and outreach coordinator, judged the business ethics category on March 30 at the Future Kansas Future Business Leaders State Leadership Conference at the Stormont Vail Events Center in Topeka.

A retired chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court, Lawton Nuss, will speak to Professor Stephen Wolgast’s Media Law & Ethics class at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Justice Nuss will be discussing the importance of the rule of law. If you would like to attend, visit with Wolgast in 207C or send him an email at wolgast@ku.edu.

Sixteen student teams in Assistant Professor Elizabeth Cox's JMC 330: Sports Media in the 21st Century class (below) recently participated in a Mario Kart competition to learn about the influence of gamification in sports media and how gamified elements can lead to fan engagement. The Best Team was the winning team.

Students compete in Mario Kart in a recent JMC 330: Sports Media in the 21st Century Class in Wescoe Hall. | Photo by Steve Rottinghaus

Associate Professor Alyssa Appelman and master’s student Neelofar Ahmad published "Doctoral Education Trends: Content Analyses of Dissertations and Job Postings" in Journalism and Mass Communication Educator. Co-author Huong Ha is a former JMC doctoral student.

Associate Professor Alyssa Appelman was a guest on Connecticut Public Radio (WNPR)'s show "The Wheelhouse" for their segment on "How AI is distorting politics and the media.”

Professor Teri Finneman received grant funding from the Nebraska Press Association and a rapid response grant from the School to help four Nebraska newspapers with their business model this summer.

LinkUnite VI will be in Kansas City April 19-21 for a three-day experience designed to build community, mentorship, and real-world career insight for women and students across industries. The free event offers students and early-career professionals a unique opportunity to expand their network, gain practical career knowledge, and engage with experienced professionals in an encouraging, collaborative environment. For more information. To register.

An account team from BarkleyOKPR in Kansas City will visit the KU campus to share their recent client-winning pitch for Inspire Sleep during a special lunch and learn session, “Campaigns: Turn the Tables,” from 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, at the Dole Building, Room 2092. It is a rare opportunity to see how top professionals develop, structure and deliver a campaigns presentation. Lunch will be served across the hall at 11:15 a.m. in Dole 2000. Learn more about BarkleyOKPR at www.barkleyokpr.com

Anyone interested in learning more about KU's fully online Digital & Integrated Marketing Communications master’s degree program are welcome to attend a virtual open house at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 23. Director of Professional Graduate Studies Michelle Keller will share details on the application and degree process, including upcoming deadlines for Summer or Fall entry. Sign up online to receive meeting information.

Internships and student jobs

Job opportunities

JMC alum Katie (Rhodes) Wilkinson, (above) sports marketing manager for REV Entertainment in Arlington, Texas, was a recent Cheers to Careers podcast guest. Cheers to Careers

The JMC School is launching a Student Portfolio site to highlight exceptional undergraduate work. This is an opportunity to showcase your work to employers and community partners, increase your professional visibility, and publicly document your growth and experience. Submit your portfolio here for the showcase.

Don't forget to get a head start on that portfolio with help from our JBar Associates. They are available 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon Friday.

Started your Tech Tools classes? Stop by the JBar to get help running Creative Cloud or get support as you work through your first assignments!

Make sure you are following @jschooltech on Instagram. JSchoolTech is offering quick tips to help students build portfolios all week.

JMC alum Chad Rader was recently honored as Kansas Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Sportscaster of the Year for his work with 810 Varsity. He received the KIAA plaque from Kelli Kurle, Blue Valley North athletic director. | Photo courtesy KIAAA 

• Kevin Flaherty is director of high school and junior college relations at KU football.
• McKenna Harford covers Aurora and local governments for the Sentinel Colorado.
• Natalie Nolte is an associate client partner for Spotlight Analyst Relations.
• Chad Rader (far left) of 810 Varsity was honored as Kansas Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Sportscaster of the Year. Rader created and has overseen 810 Varsity in 2008 including 2,400-plus Kansas State High School Activities Association postseason online broadcasts and working with athletic directors in Kansas and Missouri.
• Evan Riggs is the communications and content manager for the Kansas State High School Activities Association.
• Aurora Turner is a brand manager at TRG, an advertising agency based in Dallas, Texas.

Scott Reinardy
Interim Dean

Mugur Geana
Interim Associate Dean
Research & Faculty Development

Lisa McLendon
Interim Associate Dean
Student Success

Calendar

• April 6: JMC dean finalist candidate No. 2, Judith Rosenbaum-Andre, associate dean for faculty affairs and administration in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Maine, at faculty forum, 11-11:45 a.m., Clarkson Gallery
• April 6: JMC dean finalist candidate No. 2, Judith Rosenbaum-Andre, 2-3 p.m., Watson Library 3 West
• April 7: JMC dean finalist candidate No. 2, Judith Rosenbaum-Andre, at staff forum, 2:15-3 p.m., Clarkson Gallery
• April 8: KU PRSSA meeting and PR Star recognition, 6 p.m., Stauffer-Flint, Room 303
• April 9: William Allen White National Citation award ceremony, 3 p.m., Kansas Union Ballroom
• April 13: JMC dean finalist No. 3 at faculty forum, 10:45-11:30 a.m., Clarkson Gallery
• April 13: JMC dean finalist No. 3 presentation, 2-3 p.m., Watson 3 West
• April 14: JMC dean finalist No. 3 at staff forum, 11:10-11:55 a.m., Watson Library, Clark Instruction Center (third floor)
• April 16: JMC dean finalist No. 4 at staff forum, 9:45-10:30 a.m., Watson Library Clark Instruction Center (third floor)
• April 16: JMC dean finalist No. 4 presentation, 2:15-3:15 p.m., Capitol Federal Hall 1020
• April 16: JMC dean finalist No. 4 at faculty forum, 3:30-4:15 p.m., Capitol Federal Hall, 3056A
• May 16: JMC School Recognition Ceremony, 8:30 a.m., Lied Center
• May 17: KU Commencement, 10:30 a.m., David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium

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

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