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College of Information and Communications

2020 News Archive

A degree 49 years in the making

After a life of presidential planes, television commercials and documentaries, George Patterson is keeping his promise to his parents and finishing his degree at the University of South Carolina.

Taking stock of photojournalism

As newspapers look for ways to cut costs, stock photos have increasingly taken the place of professional staff photos. But what happens when the quality of that visual news in compromised? That's what associate professor Tara Mortensen is trying to figure out.

The class assignment that morphed into legislation

Most school assignments get turned in for a grade and are soon forgotten. But the speech public relations major Gweneth Gough wrote became the foundation for new legislation recently signed by the governor.

Alumni Spotlight: Carson Mason

Growing up, Carson Mason was a huge sports fan. In college, she majored in public relations. Those two interests have allowed her to excel in a career creating social media for several professional sports teams.

Oh, snap! SJMC class dives into augmented reality

Augmented Reality is what lets Snapchat users transform into puppies, tacos and more. One new class in the J-school is exploring how AR works by creating Snapchat lenses of their own, and what they learn could translate into big opportunities after graduation.

Deepfakes: How USC is fighting to stay ahead of misinformation

How do you know that video you just shared isn't fake? Director Andrea Hickerson is part of a team of researchers building software to help journalists identify deepfakes and stay ahead of misinformation.

Deepfakes: How tomorrow's reporters see tomorrow's challenges to truth

Deepfake technology is getting better and better. Senior journalism students Andrea Betancourt and Shelby Beckler share their perspectives on this dangerous, emerging technology, the opportunity for journalists to step up and the weight of public trust in this story for South Carolina Public Radio.

Overton named Page Center research fellow

Associate professor of public relations Holly Overton has been named an Arthur W. Page Center senior research fellow. In her role, she will lead a call for research on corporate social advocacy as part of the Penn State center’s 2021 Page/Johnson Legacy Scholar grants.

Davis named to PRSA College of Fellows

From leading boards to mentoring students, Kelly Davis has long been a formidable force in the public relations profession. Now, her efforts have earned her one of the profession's highest honors.

Why rushing a COVID-19 vaccine by November could be dangerous

Dr. Brooke McKeever discusses how targeted messaging to different audiences and not cutting corners could help increase public trust in the vaccine.

How a virtual advertising 'camp' saved internships for 200 students

Recent advertising graduate Jonathan Corchado is featured in this AdAge article for his summer “passion project,” which included building a website and the social media launch of Black Lives Matter South Carolina.

And the J-school scores!

The J-school has developed a new sports media concentration which will allow students to follow their interest in sports media in a variety of majors and prepare them for real-world jobs in the field.

A tasty course: PROOF alcohol ice cream

This past semester the J-school offered a satisfying course “Integrated Campaigns,” where the learning covered all facets of integrated brand communications for a UofSC alumna's startup company

Q&A with author Rachel Beanland

Rachel Beanland’s first novel, Florence Adler Swims Forever, was published last month to strong reviews. We caught up with the SJMC alumna to talk about her book, her family, the writing process and her time at UofSC.

Faculty and students recognized by national association

The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication has named nine School of Journalism and Mass Communications faculty and graduate students recipients of top awards and accepted 27 papers for presentation.

Journalism alumnus is the new president of the Alumni Association's Board of Governors

Robin Roberts, ’76, a recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus award and founding member of the college's Dean’s Leadership Council, will serve a two-year term and preside over the 19 -member board.

UofSC alumnus’ company makes millions of face shields for health care workers

ZVerse, a Columbia company founded by 2004 advertising alumnus John Carrington, has become an important player in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19.

A few tidbits of advice for new graduates

SJMC adjunct instructor and 1983 alumna Reba Campbell offers advice and inspiration for graduates challenged with navigating the job market in the post-COVID-19 era.

Breakthrough Star: Kevin Hull

As an ex-sportscaster, assistant professor Kevin Hull brings personal insight to study his former industry. His groundbreaking research and scholarly excellence have earned him a 2020 University of South Carolina Breakthrough Star award.

How citizen journalists, cell phones and technology shape coverage of police shootings

Doctoral student Denetra Walker has studied the experiences of journalists who’ve covered some of the most publicized police shootings in recent history. She shares what she’s learned about technology as a catalyst and how it may influence journalism education moving forward.

Research spotlight: Seeking insight into COVID-19-related discrimination

Racist attacks targeting Asian Americans have increased in the COVID-19 era, and assistant professor Jungmi Jun is working to better understand victims’ experiences. Her research could guide efforts to support victims and provide insight into combating discrimination.

The other threads: Public relations graduate paves path to accessibility

Ask anyone who knows Sarah Massengale to describe her in a word and they might say she’s brazen. Or fearless. Or even stubborn. What they won’t tell you — at least not at first — is that she’s blind. The public relations major is applying her communications knowledge and personal experience by helping the university with its widescale effort to address its digital accessibility.

In memoriam: Dr. Ron Farrar

Ron Farrar, faculty member, long-time associate dean for graduate studies and interim dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications died on May 18. We’ve collected tributes and memories from former colleagues and alumni.

The master of the ‘thinking person’s game’

Doug Fisher worked hard and took every opportunity he could in life. Now, he hopes his students do the same.

Victoria Canada named Public Relations Student of the Year

The South Carolina Public Relations Society of America recognized a recent graduate as the most outstanding public relations student in the Palmetto state.

CIC honors stand-out faculty and staff

Outstanding faculty and staff in the College of Information and Communications were surprised in a special online awards ceremony on April 30.

SJMC honors outstanding graduate students

In virtual ceremonies, faculty in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications honored three graduate students for exceptional achievement in academics, leadership, teaching and research.

SJMC recognizes outstanding students

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications was unable to host its annual Awards Day ceremony, but that didn’t stop faculty from honoring the school’s best and brightest students.

Meet the SJMC's 2020 MAIP fellows

Three School of Journalism and Mass Communications seniors have been selected to participate in the highly competitive MAIP program, a 22-week nationwide fellowship that helps aspiring marketing professionals launch their careers.

Tech-savvy faculty help in transition to online teaching

Visual communications instructor Jason Porter is one of many faculty across the university who have more experience with online teaching and have worked to help their less tech-savvy colleagues during this time of remote-only classes.

Team earns second place in advertising competition despite unexpected challenges

Ad Team is always tough — long hours and hard work. Although this semester was especially challenging, it didn't stop them from taking one of the top prizes.

Adapting to the new norm: Student work shifts online

When the university shifted to remote instruction in March, faculty and students found innovative ways to adapt in-person courses to an online format.

Reporting live outside our newsroom

At an extraordinary moment in American history, Carolina News & Reporter students rise to the challenge of reporting from far-flung places.

SJMC students win big at AAF awards

University of South Carolina students, including many from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, took home nearly 20 awards at the American Advertising Federation of the Midlands' annual gala on Feb. 22.

Broadcasters association names SJMC professor recipient of Distinguished Education Service Award

Dr. Augie Grant has been named the 2020 Broadcast Education Association's Distinguished Education Service Award winner.

Student newscast and documentary win broadcast awards

The Carolina News team and two visual communications majors have been honored with Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts awards for outstanding work in news and film.

Turning connections into a career

How do you go from anthropology major to building an agency's voice marketing department? Just ask Ja'Qor "Jay" Goodwin, strategist and voice team lead for Nebo in Atlanta. The 2018 MMC alumnus shares how he got where he is today and offers advice for students hoping to do the same.

Sonic the Hedgehog animator Tyson Hesse to speak at UofSC

Sonic the Hedgehog animator Tyson Hesse will speak at the first installment of the University of South Carolina’s Studio South Speaker Series on Feb. 20.

Long live Mr. Peanut! Planters wins Cocky’s Super Ad Poll

Were you nuts for Planters’ Super Bowl commercial? Students at the University of South Carolina were. They voted the ‘Baby Nut’ commercial the winner of Cocky’s Super Ad Poll.

SJMC student named among the 50 Most Promising Multicultural Students in the nation

Advertising senior Divneet Lamba isn’t afraid of a challenge. That mindset is one of the reasons she’s been named one of the American Advertising Federation’s 50 Most Promising Multicultural Students.

Softball partners with J-school to bring audio broadcasts

South Carolina softball will provide student-run broadcasts for up to 27 home games this season. With help from Director of Content Brad Muller, juniors Trey Martin, Zach McKinstry and Dillon Clark will team up to bring the audio broadcasts for Gamecock fans throughout the 2020 home schedule.

Picture perfect: Kelly Davis and her PR family

The relationships that Kelly Davis built through the Public Relations Society of America inspired her to become the faculty advisor for the university’s student branch of the organization. Today, she works one-on-one with students to shape them into communications professionals.

Journalist Manie Robinson joins UofSC as sports media instructor

In 14 years as a journalist, Manie Robinson has racked up more than a dozen SCPA awards and was even named National Sports Media Association’s 2018 South Carolina Sportswriter of the Year. Now, he’s taking his talents to the classroom as the J-school’s first-ever sports media instructor.

Cultivating legal minds

Eric Robinson isn’t just a lawyer. He’s also been a client, worked at a newspaper and reported for a magazine. And now he’s passing his knowledge on to students so they can keep themselves and the companies they work for out of trouble.

Capturing the ‘weight of the profession’

It sometimes can be difficult to explain the exhilarating, frustrating, exhausting experience of Senior Semester. Instructor Carolyn Click reflects on this storied program through black-and-white images made by Hayden Blakeney during the fall semester.

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