Tuesday Morning Update: TMU 9(5), June 5, 2012

Overseas learning. School of Communication International Communication students recently returned from their trip to Europe. Associate Professor Hugh Reilly and part of the group are seen here at Warwick Castle. The annual class and visit were organized by Associate Professor Chris Allen, who has led the trip for more than a decade. Allen has been on a Fulbright fellowship teaching in Oman for the last year. He recently completed his teaching and traveled to Turkey. Allen and his spouse Elaine return to Omaha in late June.

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Next issue: Summer activities

Excellence in action. The UNO School of Communication High School Media Conference awards were recently published by the Omaha World-Herald's Omaha.com site. The conference attracted a record crowd of nearly 400 at the Milo Bail Student Center in April. Students and their advisers were treated to workshops in the morning, as well as a pizza lunch sponsored by UNO's recruitment office. Alumnus Matt Tompkins spoke to the students. Mass Communication Division Head and Associate Professor Sherrie Wilson and a group of students organize the annual event.

Associate Professor Teresa Lamsam was featured in a Kansas City Star article. She and a colleague are researching a diabetes epidemic among Native Americans. Lamsam recently completed a visiting professorship at the University of Kansas and returns to UNO in July. She grew up in Pawhuska, Oklahoma on the Osage reservation.

Undergraduates Nick Argyle and Bailey Buller were guests at a breakfast to hear ABC News' Bob Woodruff and spouse Lee. Bob Woodruff nearly died in a 2006 roadside bombing while reporting from Iraq. He had a brain injury from the attack. Undergraduate Argyle also sustained a traumatic brain injury in an automobile accident last year. Argyle later interned for the Nebraska Brain Injury Association, adviser Karen Weber said. After a 20 minute conversation between Bob Woodruff and the students, Woodruff called Argyle his "brain injury brother." Alumna Joan Lukas invited UNO students to attend the event as her guests. Woodruff's appearances were sponsored by the Omaha Salvation Army.

Professor and Art and Art History Chair Bob Carlson celebrated 35 years at UNO during the recent Service Awards Ceremony. Other faculty and staff recognized included: Isaacson Professor Bruce Johansen, 30 years; and Michelle Thies, five years. College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media staff members Nita Armendariz and Jim Adams also were recognized at the luncheon.

Alumna Jenn Mullins has accepted a position as an instructor at Central Missouri University. She begins her new job in August.

Alumna Bre Gehrken has been hired as Smart Ads Project Manager at the Yahoo! Omaha office.

Adjunct Instructor Mike Whye was recognized with two of the top Mark Twain Midwest Travel Writers Association awards at a recent meeting in North Carolina. Whye won for best magazine article in the Midwest in Nebraska Life about open road racing in the Sandhills. He also won for best photography in an article about mushroom hunting in Iowa Outdoors, as well as articles appearing in recent editions of Nebraska Life and AAA Home & Away.

Retired Omaha World-Herald publisher Harold Andersen recognized the work of Hugh Reilly in a recent letter to UNO Chancellor John Christensen. "Hugh is a good researcher and an excellent writer," Andersen said. "Please share with him... congratulations on his recognition... by being chosen to give the Paul A. Olson Lecture this spring at the Center for Great Plains Studies."

Assistant Professor Adam Tyma was a panelist on media issues at a program sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Lecturer Marlina Davidson was elected first runner-up for a seat on the UNO Faculty Senate representing the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media. She will serve should there be a vacancy.

Master of Arts graduate Andrea Iaccheri has been accepted into the doctoral program at Ohio University, which was her top choice for further graduate studies. At UNO, Iaccheri was a graduate teaching assistant and adjunct instructor. She has presented her research at the National Communication Association and the Central States Communication Association.

Alumnus Mort Crim had his first complete engine failure in 60 years of flying airplanes. His single engine plane began to vibrate and then the engine died at 4,500 feet while flying from Vero Beach to his home in Jacksonville, Florida. He received permission and made an "almost perfect" landing at Melbourne (photo courtesy Mort Crim). He and his wife were met by police, fire and airport emergency personnel.

Events and photos. Alumni Rose Ann Shannon, spouse Phil Johnson, and Rudy Smith are being inducted into the Omaha Press Club Hall of fame during a June dinner. Professor and Chair Emeritus Hugh Cowdin also is receiving the prestigious honor.