University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Welcome to the UW-RF Journalism Department

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Shelter from the Storm

Excellence in Student Journalism awards and other student honors

What we have to offer

Curriculum planning, internships, scholarships, competitions, workshops, advising, SPJ and job listings for current students

Alumni updates and job listings for alumni

The Student Voice, WRFW and NewCenterU

Journalism faculty, staff, and student workers

Department Newsletter

Contest information and past winners

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UW-RF Journalism homepage

Welcome to the Journalism Department
Accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), the UW-River Falls Department of Journalism offers an undergraduate degree in journalism designed to prepare students to work in a converged media setting. Our academic program is grounded in the liberal arts curriculum, placing the study of journalism within diverse cultural contexts. Our mission focuses on the future with an understanding that history shapes tomorrow's journalism.

The Department welcomes and supports diversity in all its forms. Faculty and staff value a climate that is open and accepting, and make every effort to provide students with a learning environment that is free of harassment and discrimination.

The department offices, computer lab, and the student-run radio station, newspaper, and advertising group are housed on the third floor of North Hall. An entrance ramp and elevator provide accessibility.

 

Radio News Internship

Compass Award


Department News

Photo Contest Judging


APRIL 2008 - Students patiently wait for the judges' decisions in the 39th annual Photography Contest & Exhibition, sponsored by the Department. Carlos Gonzalez, photographer at the Star Tribune; Ginger Pinson, photo lab technician at the St. Paul Pioneer Press; and Jude Kroutil, former contest winner, judged 140 entries. Winning photos are on exhibit at the Harriet Barry Gallery in Davee Library from April 19-May 1.

Guest speaker Dr. Jane Rhodes

Dr. Jane RhodesFEBRUARY 2008 - Dr. Jane Rhodes, Dean for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, Macalester College, spoke about her latest book, "Framing the Black Panthers: The Spectacular Rise of a Black Power Icon." A book signing and reception followed her public lecture sponsored by the UWRF Black Student Union, Department of Journalism, and the Ethnic Studies Program.

Hometown Newspaper Highlights Wayne Wolfe's Career

Wayne Wolfe

JANUARY 2008 - M. Wayne Wolfe, professor emeritus and founder of the UWRF Journalism Department, was recently profiled in his hometown newspaper, the Valley Independent (Monessen, Penn.). Read more Photo by Niki Paton, journalism student

 

Journalism McNair Scholar

Samantha WenwoiDECEMBER 2007 - Samantha Wenwoi recently presented her research of news coverage on lynchings in the South from 1884-1930. Her research applied the method of content analysis to examine and quantify the changes in coverage over time, while raising issues of journalistic objectivity as well as the social and political intersection between race and the media. Samantha also presented her paper at the 16th Annual National McNair Research Conference in Delavan, Wis. (pictured above). Samantha graduated in December.

 

Student projects make the news

DECEMBER 2007 - The results of a public records survey conducted by students in two sections of the Information Gathering course were highlighted in a River Falls Journal story written by publisher Steve Dzubay. Read more . . .

 

Student Voice staff honored in state contest

DECEMBER 2007 - Two staff members of the Student Voice won awards at the Better Newspaper Contest by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. Ben Jipson earned 3rd place in column writing for his piece, "Cereal is essentail." Josh Dahlke earned honorable mention in feature writing for his story, "Student postpone schooling for military duty."

 

Alum Wins Regional Emmy

Nick with his wife, Marnie OCTOBER 2007 - Nick Kesler (2004 graduate) received an Emmy from the National Televison Academy for Best Documentary "Anthony Bonsante".

Pictured with his wife Marnie, Nick Kesler is a producer/photographer/editor for Fox Sports Net North.

 

Alum Wins National Emmy

Boyd Huppert SEPTEMBER 2007 - Boyd Huppert (1984 graduate) received an Emmy from the National Televison Academy in September for a feature story on an artist who paints portraits of soldiers killed in action. "Portrait of Compassion" aired on KARE-11 News Extra and NBC Today Show.

"If we don't open our eyes to the stories that uplift, we can get mired in the bad and the social ill," Huppert says. "It is important that we tell those stories, too, but we have to remind ourselves that there is also good in our communities and good in the world."

View the story

 

2007 M. Wayne Wolfe Outstanding Graduating Senior

MAY, 2007 - Wayne Wolfe, founder of the Journalism Department, presents the Department's highest award to Helen Clarke at the annual awards reception. Photo by Niki L. Paton, journalism student

 

On-Line Journalism

Brett Longdin

MARCH, 2007 - Brett Longdin, executive producer at Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Online, describes the organizational structure at JSO Online at a daylong meeting on media convergence March 31 with faculty and students. Longdin is a 1997 journalism graduate. The Department is preparing to offer students a practicum in on-line journalism. Photo by Niki L. Paton, journalism student

 

3 students win award for video documentary

FEBRUARY, 2007 - A video documentary entitled "High Hopes" produced by three UWRF students received second place in the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association's student competition. The documentary revealed the challenges of young mothers returning to high school to receive their diplomas. Students created the documentary for a semester project in the Documentary Production class taught by Ellis in Fall 2006. From left to right: Sandy Ellis, Journalism professor; Laura McLuen; Connie Regan; and Anjali Ranieri. Photo by Niki Paton, Journalism student

Student journalists win awards

FEBRUARY, 2007 - Jennie Oemig, assistant editor of the Student Voice, received second place in feature writing at the Wisconsin Newspaper Association's annual competition Feb. 9 for "The Heat is On," a behind-the-scenes account of the Central Heating Plant on campus. Other winners are Helen Clarke, former Voice editor and now education reporter at the Manitowoc Times Reporter, and Keighla Schmidt, Voice Viewpoints editor. Clarke received second place in editorial writing for "Protesters Lack Respect." Schmidt won a certificate of merit in Investigative Reporting for "Illegal Leaking."

 

Donovan RasmussenThrough a generous donation from Donovan Rasmussen (left), the Journalism Department offers an endowed radio news internship at WPCA-FM in Amery, Wis. Applications for Summer 2007 are now being accepted.

Biography of Rasmussen by Nick Hassel

Nick Hassel's experience as the program's first intern

Application for Summer 2007 WPCA Internship

 

Journalism professor interviewed on WPR

Sandy Ellis, broadcast professor

JANUARY 19, 2007 - Sandy Ellis, broadcast professor, discussed issues of race and prejudice in journalism on the Wisconsin Public Radio program "Conversations with Kathleen Dunn" in mid January. Ellis teaches "Race, Class and News." Listen to the interview. (Select Jan. 19 for date and scroll down to 10 a.m.)

Al Murray Donates Vintage Photo Equipment

Al Murray, director of Engineering at WRFW

DECEMBER 14, 2006 - Al Murray, director of Engineering at WRFW, polishes a Speed Graphic view camera, one of several vintage photographic artifacts he donated to the Journalism Department. The camera was used by his father, Mark Murray, in the 1930s and 40s when he worked as a news photographer at several Wisconsin community newspapers. The Journalism Department hosted a reception Dec. 14 to acknowledge Murray's generous gift. The items are housed in a display case on the Third Floor of North Hall. Photo by Niki L. Paton, journalism student

 

Department recommended for re-accreditation

Members of the reaccreditation team

OCTOBER 25, 2006 - Members of the site team who evaluated the Journalism Department are (from left) Paul Smeyak, professor and graduate coordinator at the School of Journalism and Broadcasting at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla.; Dan Lattimore, vice provost of Extended Programs and Dean of the University College at the University of Memphis; and Carolina Gonzalez, consultant and freelance reporter from Brooklyn, N.Y. Photo by Niki L. Paton, journalism student.

 

2005-06 Department News

Thursday, May 8
5:00 p.m. Journalism Awards Reception, 5:30 p.m. Program, UC Falls Room

Friday, May 16
Last day of classes

 

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