College of Information and Communications

2017 News Archive

The Critter Cabinet

What started as a Christmas tree adorned with the Pillsbury Doughboy, M&Ms and Campbell's soups cans is now a wall-length glass display case of hundreds of advertising trade characters in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Student-produced magazine wins industry awards

InterCom magazine, the alumni and donor magazine for the College of Information and Communications, won four gold awards and three honorable mentions in the 2017 MarCom Awards for its two most recent issues.

PR Prose: 8 tips for making moral judgments in public relations

Next time some ethically undereducated soul says, "You're being judgmental," the appropriate response is, "Thanks, I work hard to be!"

Alumni Spotlight: Jamie Hoffman Brooks

From walking cats in New York to overseeing food photo shoots in Texas, there’s never a dull moment in Jamie Hoffman Brooks’ career. Read about how she uses her degrees from SJMC .

Think Twice UofSC

A team of public relations students has created a campaign to stop subtle acts of discrimination that often go unnoticed. The campaign hopes to counter extremist speech before it starts by asking students to pledge to think twice before they speak, act or post.

Four Gamecocks thrive in their experience between the hedges

While the Gamecocks may have lost a tough football game against the Georgia Bulldogs, four students walked away with a big win — an amazing, immersive media experience covering the highly anticipated event.

Morrow Fellows attend SABEW Conference in NYC

Two J-school students reflect on their opportunity to attend a conference which is a high-powered gathering of New York business media who dig deeply into political and business issues of the day.

A leader among leaders for 50 years

In this historical piece, Dr. Kenneth Campbell discusses the Columbia Urban League and its leadership in the fight for social and economic equality, justice, and human dignity for African Americans and marginalized communities in South Carolina.

Kennedy assassination documents spark memories

Where were you when President Kennedy was shot? Senior Semester Instructor Carolyn Click wrote about her memories of the assassination in a 2013 piece for The State. Reflect with her in this anniversary month.

Ad Characters class dresses up for Halloween

They have studied giggling doughboys. Talking Dogs. Dancing Raisins. But at their last class we found real-life Flos, Jake from State Farm and the Energizer Bunny. You can see them here.

SJMC honors alumni and faculty

From politics to athletics to marketing to creative, they have all been successful in their careers in journalism and communications. Seven honorees were feted at the J-schools' annual awards ceremony. Videos, photos and more.

PR Prose: The underrated value of disagreement

Most ethical problems do not appear upfront. A warning sign indicating "ethical minefield ahead" rarely comes with the territory of what we are asked to do.

Truth Initiative lecturers to visit University of South Carolina

Representatives from Truth Initiative, America's largest anti-smoking nonprofit, will visit the University of South Carolina for a special guest lecture on Thursday, Oct. 12.

Charlottesville, the First Amendment and the Press

Dr. Eric Robinson discusses the march by white supremacists in Charlottesville last month and why they were allowed to hold their march and spread their message of hate.

Five SJMC students awarded prestigious media scholarships

Five students from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications have been named Washington Media Fellows by the Washington Media Scholars Foundation. To have five winners selected for the honor is a notable achievement — only 23 summer fellowship recipients were chosen from a nationwide pool.

PR Prose: PR ethics questions about privacy and security policy

The digital world is fraught with ethical challenges and technological pitfalls.

Alumni Spotlight: Suzi Roberts

Suzi Roberts is proof that an SJMC education can prepare graduates for just about anything. The 2016 public relations alumna will compete in the Miss America Pageant in mid-September.

School wins record number of awards for journalism and mass communications teaching and research

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications garnered a total of 12 awards for faculty and graduate student presentations, more than it has ever earned before.

Donor spotlight: Art Liberman

Art Liberman, '74, embarked on a fulfilling career in special education following his four years in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Even though he wasn't destined to become a "Mad Man," the advertising/public relations major never stopped using the skills he learned in the J-school.

Alumni Spotlight: Chaunté Turner

Alumna Chaunte’ (McLean) Turner has helped cover some of the biggest stories in South Carolina. But before she was executive producer at WCSC in Charleston, Turner was a broadcast student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Read about how the lessons she learned at the CIC still resonate today.

Students honored at public relations award ceremony

The South Carolina Public Relations Society named a former student from The Carolina Agency its Student of the Year and awarded the student-run organization two prestigious Mercury Awards.

Graduate student honored with diversity award

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Denetra Walker can now add an academic award to her resume. It's an accolade which will help enhance her career.

Visual Anthropology: The perfect combination

SJMC alumna Meg Gaillard has the dream job she never knew existed. It combines her undergraduate and graduate areas of study: visual communications and visual anthropology.

PR Prose: Strategy for strategic communications? Why it matters

Redefining our role as a strategic management function is extremely important, yet we have to grapple not only with access to the top of our organizations (or those of clients) to engage in strategy, but with the ongoing debates in defining strategy itself.

Nachlinger's next step

When Harvie Nachlinger started teaching at the University of South Carolina he was new to the job, but he was no stranger to a newsroom. Over the last 14 years, Harvie was able to share his knowledge with hundreds of aspiring young journalists.

A social network

What is the University of South Carolina doing to keep up with the ever-changing world of social media? Internally, the SJMC incorporates social media into classes and externally alumna CJ Lake is the university's newest social media strategist.

Doctoral student chases passion in communications

Doctoral student Khadija Ejaz had to overcome family reservations, cultural differences and even her own background in hard sciences to prove that mass media was the right field for her. She’s overcoming all those obstacles.

Journalism school wins Historic Columbia award

The Kennedy Greenhouse Studio at the School of Journalism has won the award for New Construction in Historic Context from the Historic Columbia Foundation.

The magical, mysterious, maddening world of Senior Semester

At the midpoint of Senior Semester of Spring 2017, Kyle Vuille stood in the middle of the newsroom amid the cheerful chaos of constantly moving broadcast and multimedia colleagues and wondered aloud, “So this is what it is all about?”

Student joins Carolina Agency client on video shoot in Louisiana

Daniel Collins, a junior advertising major and account executive on the team working with The General's Hot Sauce, traveled to Louisiana to experience a real shoot in the filming of a video for the company.

PR Prose: How we can end the era of CEO hubris

United Airlines' Oscar Munoz and Snap's Evan Spiegel are two examples of CEOs not learning a lesson from the ancient Greeks.

Alumni Spotlight: Marty Young

For alumnus Marty Young, fun is just part of the job. Whether he’s interviewing celebrities, cracking jokes or winning broadcast awards, Young finds ways to incorporate his J-school education into nearly everything he does.

J-school offers new accelerated master's program for undergraduates

Saving time and money. Getting equipped. That's what students who enter the school's new Accelerated Master of Mass Communication program will be doing.

Student Advertising Federation announces ad contest winners

The student chapter of advertising's professional organization honored the winners of its annual competition. In addition to fame and glory, students won more than $1,200 in prize money for persuasive and well-researched print and digital advertising.

SCPA Foundation names Mundy Scholar and two interns from USC

The South Carolina Press Association (SCPA) Foundation has chosen the 2017 Mundy Scholar and two of it's three summer interns from the USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Journalism school honors outstanding students

Scholarship. Leadership. Creativity. Students were recognized for this, and more, at a reception in their honor. Meet the outstanding students and view photo galleries.

Graduate symposium honors doctoral research and teaching

Anan Wan and Jo-Yun (Queenie) Li were honored by the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the annual Doctoral Research Symposium April 19.

Journalists to be recognized by South Carolina Press Association

The South Carolina Press Association will recognize the work of students in the USC Senior Semester Capstone program on April 21 when college students around the state gather for the SCPA Collegiate Meeting at Francis Marion University.

Creative team picks up Cocky Award from advertising class

Video and photos from the presentation of the Cocky Award to the creators of Buick's "Pee Wee" Super Bowl commercial featuring Cam Newton.

Doctoral student wins Carolina Breakthrough award

Jo-Yun “Queenie” Li is a recipient of the coveted Carolina Breakthrough Award. She is one of only 13 USC students chosen from various fields of study ranging from political science to chemical engineering to receive this award.

March Madness creates opportunity of a lifetime for two broadcast journalism students

It has been a wild March ride for South Carolina's men's basketball team as the Gamecocks danced their way to a Cinderella run. It has also been a madcap adventure for two broadcast journalism students who have covered the team from game one.

Student's personal story influences choice of practicum experience

Leslie Knight's master’s practicum at Proverbs 22:6 is not just a degree requirement; it’s personal. The organization serves as an advocate for children with incarcerated parents. Children like her.

PR Prose: Teaching ethics is crucial to teaching PR leadership

Leadership and ethics are forever intertwined, inseparable from one another.

Contemporary art for the journalism school

Custom 3D art pieces were created for the School of Journalism and Mass Communications building. But they are more than just items hanging on a wall. 20th and 21st century technology with a modern design combine to represent the evolution of communication.

Civil rights documentarian keynotes symposium and public events

Stanley Nelson is the keynote speaker for the Media and Civil Rights History Symposium at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and will present at three events which are open to the public.

NY Times columnist to discuss Trump's ascension to the presidency

Pulitzer Prize-winner David Leonhardt will deliver the Baldwin Lecture. Titled, "The Great Stagnation: How "It Created President Trump," the lecture is free and open to the public.

Students win advertising awards, including best of show and four golds

Students from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications garnered a Best of Show, four Gold Awards and five Silver Awards at the AAF of the Midlands American Advertising Awards gala.

Scholastic media organizations inspire and develop future college multimedia students

On March 3, as many USC students are leaving Columbia for spring break, another, slightly younger, group gathers. Meet some of our current students and alumni who, at one time, were also members of this "younger" group of visitors.

Public relations majors earn national recognition

School of Journalism and Mass Communications alumna Chardonnay Ismail and senior Alexis Monroe were recognized by the American Advertising Federation as two of the nation's Most Promising Multicultural Students.

The Carolina Agency wins coveted Donate Life trophy

The campaign by this student run agency helped USC beat Clemson for the third year in a row by registering the most organ donors during the schools' annual blood drive.

Fake news is a real dilemma for the law

Dr. Eric Robinson gives his legal perspective on "fake news." Can it be barred from publication? What can be done after it's published?

Fieldwork: Alum captures the Falcons in action

Kara Durrette, ’10 journalism, showcases the Atlanta Falcons and uses all aspects of her Carolina education as the team’s digital media producer.

Students participate in Facebook Live Town Hall with WIS TV

Millennials and politics - what's their take on the recent election? Fake news? The immigration order? The challenges facing the nation? WIS TV wanted to know.

College hosts conversation on fake news during Leadership Week

Fake news. It's the new buzzword and the hot topic at an information session hosted by the college as part of USC's Leadership Week

Ad class chooses top spot in Super Bowl

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton wasn't on the field for Sunday's Super Bowl, but the ad he starred in for Buick was chosen as the winner of the Cocky's Super Ad Poll.

PR Prose: PR decisions require more than gut instincts

When you face a decision with ethical implications, do you go with your gut? If so, there's a more reliable alternative.

MMC alumna wins top prize in ChooseATL Ultimate Job Interview Contest

After a rigorous social media campaign, interview, trip to Atlanta and televised competition, a School of Journalism and Mass Communications graduate won a $10,000 cash prize and the opportunity to interview with some of Atlanta’s biggest companies.

Tune in: College, SCETV team up on new public affairs show

"This Week in South Carolina" featuring interviews with the state's news and policymakers premieres this week. Dean Charles Bierbauer is host, but journalism students are producers, researchers and graphic artists on the show which is shot in the school's new Greenhouse Studio.

Studying abroad in Thailand

Stephanie Woronko does not do traditional. China. Oman. Thailand. Her study abroad trips take her to countries that are outside of the typical go-to-Europe programs available to students.

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