TMU 7(11) -- September 14, 2010

UNO students assist with NOMA. The North Omaha Media Alliance (NOMA) launched its third season Sept. 9. Speech and broadcasting undergraduates are assisting high school students from across the city. The project, founded by the School of Communication, Girl's Inc. and Omaha North High now also includes Benson High, as well as students from Omaha Central, Omaha Northwest and Mercy High School. At the first meeting, students brainstormed story ideas and interviewed UNO students before an evening football game. Assistant Professor Lynnette Leonard organized the program and was discussion leader.

Omaha welcomes new UNL dean. Journalists and members of the Omaha Press Club welcomed UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications Dean Gary Kebbel at an Omaha reception Sept. 8.


Dean Kebbel responds to a question from retired Omaha World-Herald Publisher Harold Andersen

Kebbel comes to Lincoln from the Knight Foundation -- a group encouraging development of digital media. Kebbel said he plans to launch student coverage of the Unicameral and a mobile media course. UNO School of Communication Director Jeremy Lipschultz met with Kebbel to discuss changes in the field of journalism.

Excellence in action. Reilly Professor and Assistant Director Karen Dwyer and Associate Professor Sherrie Wilson offered School of Communication graduate teaching assistants a full week of training before classes began. The program is a model in the nation. Dwyer's Public Speaking Fundamentals course training included use of an online book, review of a handbook and workbook, availability of online resources, and Speech Center pedagogy. "The GTAs represent a variety of backgrounds, and their experiences and maturity shined in all the activities," Dwyer said. Mass communication GTA's assist with courses, such as Introduction to Mass Communication, Media Writing, and Publication Design & Graphics. Wilson and Dwyer also provided part-time faculty training in UNO's new student information system. *** Assistant Professor Ana Cruz has been selected to serve on the University Committee on the Advancement of Teaching (UCAT). The group reviews funding proposals for faculty travel to conferences and provides support for curriculum development. *** Assistant Professor Lynnette Leonard and a colleague at Central Michigan University are presenting outcomes from their Second Life project at the Lilly Conference in Traverse City, Michigan on Sept. 23. Students increased awareness about HIV/AIDS and raised about $60 donated to two non-profit organizations working in the online space. *** The final proceedings of the 2010 Student Research and Creative Activity Fair are now available online. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Student Research and Creative Activity Fair Final Proceedings 2010.

Alumni Notes. Alumnus Pat Halloran joined Catherine Zeta-Jones, Denzel Washington and Scarlett Johansson, as he accepted his third Tony Award in June. Halloran, a producer, was instrumental in the promotion and marketing of MEMPHIS and played a key role in raising $14 million to stage the show in New York. MEMPHIS, The Musical, also topped the 2010 Drama Desk Awards for Best Musical, Best Actress, Best Music, and Best Orchestrations. Halloran was also honored at the 60th annual Outer Critics Circle Awards where MEMPHIS earned seven nominations, winning in four categories including one for Outstanding New Broadway Musical. MEMPHIS launches its international tour at the Orpheum in Memphis, Tennessee in October of 2011. MEMPHIS is loosely based on the life story of radio disc jockey Dewey Phillips who challenged racial barriers by introducing black music to white radio in the segregated 1950s. Halloran won two previous Tonys for Thoroughly Modern Millie (2003) and Spamalot (2005). He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1965 with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication: “As a major at then University of Omaha, my education laid the foundation for what I do today," he said. "My time there was invaluable for no other degree could have equipped me with the promotional and marketing skills necessary to tackle the entertainment industry of Broadway shows, television, radio, and concerts.” Halloran served on the Memphis City Council from 1975 to 1980 and was a candidate for Mayor in 1980. He currently resides in Memphis, Tennessee where he has become a prominent figure. For the past three decades Halloran has been the President and CEO of the Memphis Development Foundation, which operates the Performing Arts Center in downtown Memphis. He served on the Board of Governors of the Broadway League for eight years and the Broadway League’s Executive Committee for four years, which governs the Broadway Theatre industry in North America. In 1999, the League presented Halloran with “The Outstanding Broadway Executive Award.” He is also President of the Independent Presenters Network, a consortium of over 100 theaters across the United States, Canada, and Japan who present touring Broadway productions and concerts in their communities. Halloran is the author of The Orpheum-Where Broadway Meets Beale, the history of the Orpheum Circuit and the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis. Mr. Halloran and his wife Anne live in Memphis and have four children Patrick, Kat, Steve, and David.

Photo gallery.

Jeremy Lipschultz, Matthew Hansen of the Omaha World-Herald and Sherrie Wilson speak to JOUR 1500

Alumnus Rudy Smith and friends remember CBS News Reporter Harold Dow

New alumni Juan Carrillo and Andrea Ciurej at Omaha Creative Week

Broadcasting major Adam Hilt works for UNO Athletics

Associate Dean Mike Hilt at the KVNO 38th Birthday

Kim Balkovec and KVNO volunteers in the phone room

The UNO-UNK football game was broadcast live on NET

Jim Saker, Music, conducted the UNO Band

New Scoreboard

Faculty Mavlink Training

Hugh Reilly at the PRSSA Bake Sale

Join us for Omaha 10-10-10

Events. Maverick PR and UNO PRSSA held a Back to School Bake Sale Sept. 9 in Arts and Sciences Hall. Students are working on several events. UNO Voices Against Violence "Dare to Speak for Those Who Don't" is scheduled for, Sept. 21, 6:30-10:15 p.m. at Caniglia Field. There will be self defense demonstrations in judo and kickboxing followed by a showing of 2005 film, "North Country." A panel discussion about the "Tough Guise" documentary features football Coach Pat Behrns, Coach Patty Patton Shearer, Director of Women's Studies Karen Falconer Al-Hindi, and UNO YWCA Advocate Emily Nuygen. Tickets are also on sale for the seventh annual La Notte Italiana, PRSSA benefit dinner, Sunday, Sept. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 9302 Blondo Streets. Order or reserve your seat by contacting Karen Weber at kweber@unomaha.edu or 554-2246. Advance tickets cost $20 for adults; $12 for students and $5 for kids 12 & under. Tickets also are available at the door for $25, adults; $15, students; $5 kids 12 & under.

September
21 - UNO Voices Against Violence, "Dare to Speak for Those Who Don't," Caniglia Field, 6:30 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.
26 - Italian Night, All Saints at 93rd & Blondo, 5-8 p.m.

October
9 - Heartland Regional Emmy Road Show, Thompson Alumni Center, 8 a.m.- 1 p.m.
10 - Omaha 10-10-10 Kick-off Events, CPACS 4 p.m. & OPC dinner 7:30 p.m.
11 - Omaha 10-10-10 Panel Discussions, CPACS, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.