TMU 5(26) -- October 21, 2008

Lunch With Buffett
Communication Students Enjoy Wizard Of Wall Street

School of Communication students were treated to a question and answer session and lunch Oct. 17 with Omaha billionaire investor Warren Buffett.

This was the second group of UNO Communication students this year to be invited to participate in the national sessions. Business students from Tulane, Florida State, Missouri, Iowa and St. Louis University also attended the meeting at Berkshire Hathaway headquarters, which was followed by a steak lunch at Piccolo Pete’s.

In response to a question from UNO Forensics member and speech communication sophomore Danielle Steen, Buffett said public speaking and writing are the most important skills learned in college.

Jeremy Lipschultz organized the UNO event, which included a reception the night before the Buffett get together. Faculty members Cynthia Robinson-Moore and Barb Pickering joined two-dozen students, including those registered in the Electronic Media Management course this semester. Eight members of the UNO Investment Club from the College of Business Administration and two doctoral students in Information Technology also participated.

The day began with a private tour of the Nebraska Furniture Mart and discussion about their business model and management practices.

University of Iowa MBA students received publicity in an Associated Press story, and KETV interviewed Buffett and students as they arrived at the South Omaha lunch spot.

Buffett invites students from the U.S. and Canada throughout the year to come to Omaha and spend a day with him. He taught investment at UNO early in his career and enjoys meeting with students. Buffett said he overcame speech anxiety after graduate school by taking a course and seeking out opportunities to practice his speaking.

Actor Visits Campus
Taylor Played Anthony Bouvier

A star of the hit situation comedy Designing Women, Meshach Taylor, visited with School of Communication students in Teresa Lamsam’s class Oct. 16.

Taylor was nominated for an Emmy, has appeared in numerous Hollywood movies, and had a star role in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway.

Taylor has recently co-hosted a program with Florence Henderson on Retirement Living TV, and he is working on several ideas for new shows.

Taylor was on campus at the invitation of the Department of Black Studies and UNO Television.


Distinguished Lecture
Broadcast Journalism History Discussed

The UNO School of Communication sponsored a distinguished lecture at the Omaha Press Club on Oct. 20.

Loren Ghiglione, Northwestern University, talked about his new book, CBS's Don Hollenbeck: An Honest Reporter in the Age of McCarthyism. The book was reviewed Saturday in The New York Times. Professor Emeritus Warren Francke introduced Ghiglione at the lecture. Ghiglione is the Richard A. Schwarzlose Professor of Media Ethics at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

DebateWatch 2008 Concludes
Four Events Draw More Than 500 People

The fourth presidential debate Oct. 15 drew an overflow crowd to the Thompson Alumni Center for the final DebateWatch event at UNO this year.

Public and media interest were intense, as all four local television stations and the Omaha World-Herald reported on DebateWatch. Barb Pickering organized the campus events.

Recognition Banquet
Local Newspaper Awards Scholarships

UNO held the Omaha World-Herald scholarship banquet Oct. 15. The local newspaper annually awards scholarships to top high school students.

Terry Hynes, Deborah Smith-Howell, Gail F. Baker, Holly Miller and Jeremy Lipschultz attended the dinner. The UNO Honors Committee assists with the program.

Of Note
Excellence In Action

The School of Communication has selected Jessica Bernal as the first Albers scholar. Her internship is at KETV in the newsroom, and she also is a reporter on The Omaha News on campus. Jessica is a transfer student from DePaul University. Albers Communications Group will award a second scholarship next semester. Tom Albers is encouraging students to gain newsroom experience while in school.

* * * *

Bruce Johansen spoke at the Nebraska Book Festival Oct. 18 on, "Writing About Tomorrow's News: Environmental Issues," in the Conference Room, Nebraska State Museum of Natural History, Lincoln.

* * * *

Jeremy Lipschultz published an Oct. 14 essay in the Omaha World-Herald on the upcoming end of analog television, which is scheduled for early next year.

* * * *

Lynnette Leonard’s communication student Fairooz BoAli has research featured in the display case on the second floor of the Eppley Administration Building. Students from across campus will showcase the results of their research and creative activities undertaken at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The work is on display through Oct. 23.

Did You Know?
People In The News

Deborah Smith-Howell was interviewed for a recent Omaha World-Herald story on the UNO Centennial.

* * * *

Bruce Johansen will debate UNO Chemistry Professor Robert Smith on global warming at the Omaha Press Club Nov. 20. Hugh Cowdin is organizing the event.

* * * *

PRSA-Nebraska’s executive board approved Karen Weber’s request for a $450 stipend to help pay for National Conference travel costs to Detroit. Alumnus Paul Critchlow also matched funding from College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media Dean Gail F. Baker for the trip. Weber and students attended the PRSA-Nebraska meeting last week.

* * * *

CNN News Services is making available their Newsource feed material for The Omaha News election coverage Nov. 4. The live program begins at 7 p.m. on The Knowledge Network (TKN, Cox 17/Qwest 74). Verizon Wireless is providing two dozen telephones and several wireless cards for laptop computers to enable video feeds from the field.

* * * *

Lynnette Leonard is collaborating with Jack Shroder in Geography on a major grant application to NASA, "Second Life: Climate Change and Landscape Evolution."

Footnotes
Evidence Of Excellence

1. Alumni Joan Lukas and Howard Marcus will chair and vice chair the School of Communication Director’s Advisory Board. The group held its first meeting Oct. 11.

Marcus, Lipschultz and Lukas

2. Lynnette Leonard coordinated an Oct. 15 meeting of the North Omaha Media Alliance. NOMA recently received its first grant. Alumna Angel Martin is working with NOMA to fund computer equipment for development of a newsroom at Girls Inc.

3. Gary Repair, UNO Television, is teaching Television Production II and producing a program called Inside Arts for The Knowledge Network (TKN, Cox 17/Qwest 74). The first installment aired Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. Students produced stories on glass blowing, the Latino Museum, the UNO Marching Mavericks, electronic music, the Maverick Dance Team, and UNO Department of Theatre sets, props, stage make-up and special effects. The broadcasting students are learning to shoot and edit video for the program. Repair is working on a graduate degree in the School of Communication and also assisted with DebateWatch.

The Week In Photos
Images From Around The School

The UNO Forensics team prepares for another great season.

Thompson Learning Community (TLC) members attended DebateWatch.

Chantel Crocket and Chris Allen participated in an advising refresher course.

The new Wohlners opens at 67th and Center.

Students ride the bus home from their visit with Warren Buffett.

Dates & Times
Mark Calendars For Interesting Events

October
22– Illinois-Chicago Professor Steven Jones meets with students online in Second Life.

23 – Alumna Joan Lukas will speak to the PRSSA Induction and Senior Recognition Dinner at Caniglia's Venice Inn, 5-8 p.m.

24– Friday, Oct. 24 to Tuesday, Oct. 28 National PRSSA Conference in Detroit.

30 – Thursday, Oct. 30 Halloween Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

November
4 – The Omaha News election special, TKN Cox 17/Qwest 74, 7 p.m.

15 & 16 – UNO Forensics @ Doane College.

20 - Thursday, Nov. 20 Thanksgiving Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

December

5 – Nebraska Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy will officiate at the Certified Public Manager (CPM)
graduation on Dec. 5 at the new CPACS Collaborating Commons on campus at UNO, 4 -6 p.m.

CFAM college meeting, Thompson Alumni Center, 3 p.m.
CFAM college Holiday Party, Thompson Alumni Center, 4 p.m.

10 – School of Communication Holiday Party, Arts and Sciences Hall 140, 11:30 a.m.

2009
January
15 - High School Journalism Dinner, 6-9 p.m. at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room.

February
12 - Thursday, Feb. 12 Valentine's Day Bake Sale first floor ASH 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

26 - Thursday, Feb. 26, MBSC Nebraska Room Bateman team campaign event for National Banking Association College Program 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March
12 - Thursday, March 12, MBSC Nebraska Room One-Five-0 and in Control Alcohol Awareness event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

31 - Thursday, March 31, MBSC Dodge Room Communication Career Development Workshop 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

April
23 - High School Journalism Workshop, 12 p.m. at the MBSC Ballroom.
28 - PRSSA Presentations, 4 p.m. at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room.
30 - 10 a.m. Scholarship Breakfast at the MBSC Chancellor’s Room; 5th Annual Alumni Panel at 1 p.m. at the MBSC Dodge Rooms); 54th Annual Awards Banquet, 6 p.m. at the Thompson Alumni Center.

May
8 - Friday, May 8, at the MBSC Ballroom School of Communication Graduation Breakfast 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.