Prep for Greensburg Story

I have decided to write a feature story on Dr. Steve Smethers and his research with the Greensburg, Kansas rebuilding project. This research is focused on the use of media to communicate with members of the community throughout the rebuilding efforts, and I find it to be a very interesting topic.

I have scheduled interviews with Smethers and other faculty members involved in the research project.

For references I have both the article published by Smethers as well as a video produced by KAKE-TV in Wichita, Kan. that chronicles the building of a media center in the town of Greesnburg.

These should be very beneficial before I conduct my interviews for the story, which will appear on the online component of our magazine.

Pennybacker Feature Story

I have finished with the Gail Pennybacker feature and turned it in to be edited for the magazine. I have a few ideas about how I want to tweak it, but for now I feel it will work as a good package in the middle of the magazine.

We have some good photos of Gail that can accompany the print story as well.

I interviewed Dr. Steve Smethers about his take on her address and am trying to find a way to work his perspective of the lecture into the story as well.

Craig Bolerjack Story Idea

When brainstorming more story ideas for the Magazine, I recalled a lunch I had a few months back with Miller School graduate Craig Bolerjack.

Bolerjack graduated the Miller School with a degree in Radio/TV broadcasting, and currently works as a sports broadcaster in Salt Lake City, Utah. He serves as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Utah Jazz.

When thinking about this story, I knew it would also make a great package for the magazine, and began researching his contact information.

Interview with Gail Pennybacker

The A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications kicked off the centennial with the Huck Boyd lecture presented by Gail Pennybacker.

The 1981 graduate of the Miller School presented an excellent address on the topic of covering local news. She drew several examples from her experiences at WJLA, and ABC affiliate in Washington DC.

Pennybacker's career began after graduating from the Miller School and accepting a job at KSTB (Now KSNT) in Topeka.

After her inspiring address, I decided she would make a great story for Update Magazine, and began feverishly brainstorming ideas in my head as to how to approach such a story, and requested an interview with her after the speech.

Thankfully she was able to make time for me in her busy schedule and we talked for about twenty minutes on the Forum Hall stage later that afternoon.

She again provided several anecdotes that I knew I could use for the story and several great quotes.

After the interview I knew I had a great angle for the story and plenty of material to make a good package for the magazine.