SJMC Monday Memo

Drake SJMC Spirit Week continues

Join us on Instagram this week to show off your SJMC pride and win prizes.

Here’s how it works:
• Dress up based on the prompt (or use an old photo that goes with it).
• Go to the @drakejmc Instagram Story.
• Click the Add Yours sticker for that day.
• Upload your photo following that day’s prompt from a public account.

Here’s the schedule:

Jan. 31: Show your Drake spirit
Feb. 1: Dress like your major
Feb. 2: Favorite sports team day
Feb. 3: Wear something from high school

Each time you participate, you’ll get one entry into our drawing. On Friday we will draw a winner to receive a prize package including gift cards to area restaurants.

Nominate your favorite professor

The calls for the Levitt Teacher Award and Levitt Mentor Award are now open and welcome nominations for these prestigious awards from students, faculty and staff. The details for nomination requirements are found in the 1/25 OnCampus. You are also welcome to email renee.cramer@drake.edu for details about how to nominate a Drake teacher or mentor who has made a significant positive impact on the lives of students!

Save the date for SJMC 100+2!

We can’t wait to see everyone back in Meredith Hall for our annual Drake Relays alumni gathering and our delayed Centennial Celebration — SJMC 100+2! The party will be Saturday, April 30, 5-8 p.m. with food and drink stations throughout Meredith Hall. We will toast friends and faculty past and present. It will also be the last gathering in our iconic building before it closes for a yearlong historic renovation. Alert your Drake friends and plan to join us! Keep an eye on the Drake alumni events page for details on registration.

Alumni news

Alexis Davis, JO’13, MCL’17, has joined Business Publications Corp. as content strategy manager for dsm magazine and WriteBrain custom publishing. Davis previously was strategic communications project manager for United Way of Central Iowa.

Sevareid Awards deadline extended

The deadline for the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association Sevareid Awards has been extended to Friday, Feb. 4. There are professional and student categories for radio, television and online work: https://midwestjournalists.org/sevareid-awards/.

Freshly Minted Finance seeks social media intern

FM is currently seeking an unpaid, virtual social media intern to assist with managing social media platforms. As a member of FM’s team, you will have the opportunity to help shape the start of a developing organization. You’ll be able to contribute your skills to help Black, recent college graduates grow their knowledge, capability and confidence in managing their personal finances. The position will last for 4-6 months starting in February 2022. The opportunity to continue working with the team will be assessed and determined throughout your time working with us. You can expect to dedicate about 5-10 hours per week to the position and FM can provide assessments for school credit. Please apply by Feb. 4 through  https://bit.ly/3G6Nvup (deadline extended for Drake students).

Please visit https://www.freshlymintedfinance.com/ for more on Freshly Minted Finance. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tarela Moses at freshlymintedfinance@gmail.com.

As a social media intern, you will:
1. Participate in weekly meetings to determine tasks, set goals and go over progress.
2. Create content to advertise programming, disseminate personal finance knowledge, and further FM’s brand and mission. Implement social media strategies by posting across all of our social media platforms. These include Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok. 
3. Support FM’s personal wellness workshop by providing event support.
4. Receive guidance, mentorship and recommendations from our team and board of directors.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Currently an undergraduate student
Experience with social media platforms
Flexible, creative, reliable

Participate in NPR’s podcast challenge

NPR encourages students to participate in its fourth annual College Podcast Challenge. The competition is open until Feb. 28. This year for the first time there will be a $5,000 grant for the College Podcast Challenge winner plus $500 for finalists.

Students will produce a podcast 3-8 minutes long on a topic, issue or story of their choosing. To help students get started, NPR will also share suggested but not required prompts, along with a set of criteria that judges will use to pick winning podcasts.

In addition to having their work featured on national NPR programs, winning students will also have NPR journalists report features on their entries. Other standout podcasts may be featured online, on other NPR programs or on local Member stations.

Learn more about how to enter: HERE
Find the official submission page for college students: HERE

LGBTQ journalists host student conference

The Association of LGBTQ Journalists will be hosting its second annual Student Conference on Feb. 25-26. It will feature opportunities for students to learn from industry experts, connect with fellow student journalists and explore the intersections of the media world and LGBTQ identities. 

Registration is free for NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists student members and students who are not members may register for $25 (which includes a complimentary one-year membership). 

Have a news item for the Memo?

The SJMC Monday Memo (and other days of the week as needed) is a 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 subscribe to the Monday Memo via email here: http://eepurl.com/bPNbxn