Documentary filmmaker alum to speak, meet with students
Jon Bowermaster, JO’76, will discuss his career as a National Geographic adventure journalist, filmmaker and environmental activist at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, in Mer. 101. The speech is titled “From Journalism to Advocacy: 30 Years Reporting on the Planet’s Health.”
Bowermaster is founder of Oceans 8 Films, reporting on the health of the world’s oceans. He has written a dozen books and produced and written more than 15 documentary films. His recent work has been in environmental activism, including anti-fracking films and a series of short documentaries on the Hudson River:
Bowermaster will be a guest lecturer in several classes, and he will have open “drop-in” hours to meet with students and faculty in the Meredith Magazine Center (Mer. 111) on Tuesday (10:30-11:30 a.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.) and Wednesday (3:30-4:30 p.m.). There is also a reception in the Innovation Studio (Mer. 124C) from 6-6:45 p.m. before his lecture. His visit is sponsored by the Principal Center for Global Citizenship.
PR senior wins Fulbright fellowship
Drake senior Meghan Walters, who is earning degrees in both public relations and international relations, has been chosen to receive a 2018-19 Fulbright scholarship. Meghan, who will teach English in Bulgaria, was chosen from a pool of nearly 10,000 applicants.
Say farewell to Professor Wright!
The annual SJMC student awards reception will be Thursday, April 19, 4-6 p.m. in Levitt Hall of Old Main. Everyone is invited to help celebrate all scholarship and award winners from throughout the year. Plus, help us say goodbye to Professor David Wright, who is retiring after this year!
Learn results of SJMC climate survey
Earlier this semester, students in all SJMC classes completed a “climate survey” to provide feedback on whether they found the School a welcoming place. The results will be discussed at two forums: Tuesday, April 17, 4:30-5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, April 18, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Both sessions are in Mer. 124B. Enjoy snacks, find out the survey results, and provide feedback and recommendations on next steps.
Make blankets for homeless
Join the SCSS 076 and LEAD 199 classes as they host Taylor McKee from the Iowa Homeless Youth Center for an evening of service and simulation. Stop by Pomerantz Stage anytime between 6:30-8:30 p.m. on April 19, to help make tie blankets for youth experiencing homelessness in Des Moines. Taylor will be putting on an educational simulation, as well. If you feel so inclined, we will have a donation box for the items the shelter is need of. We will also be tabling the week of the event so keep an eye out for that!
Weekly academic help offered
Academic Achievement Seminars will be held every Wednesday, Feb. 28-May 2, 6-7 p.m. in Cowles Library, 201. Get individualized attention to help build the skills for academic success.
Have a news item for the Memo?
The SJMC Monday Memo is a weekly newsletter to keep members of the wider SJMC community updated on School news, achievements, events and opportunities. If you have an item for the Memo, please send it to Dean Kathleen Richardson (kathleen.richardson@drake.edu) or SJMC webmaster and multimedia professor Chris Snider (christopher.snider@drake.edu). SJMC alums and other professionals can also contact Chris to have the Memo delivered via weekly email.
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication strives to create a community of scholars that represents the complexity of the human experience in regards to race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, economic status, gender identification, religion, age and physical abilities. We are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all our faculty, staff, students and visitors, and celebrating our differences through the lens of the First Amendment value of freedom of expression.