University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Welcome to the UW-RF Journalism Department

Internships

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SPJ

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Working Journalists

Shelter from the Storm

Excellence in Student Journalism awards and other student honors

What we have to offer

Curriculum planning, internships, scholarships, competitions, workshops, advising, SPJ and job listings for current students

Alumni updates and job listings for alumni

The Student Voice, WRFW and NewCenterU

Journalism faculty, staff, and student workers

Department Newsletter

Contest information and past winners

Useful resources

UW-RF Journalism homepage

Welcome to the Journalism Department
Accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), the UW-River Falls Department of Journalism offers an undergraduate degree in journalism designed to prepare students to work in a converged media setting. Our academic program is grounded in the liberal arts curriculum, placing the study of journalism within diverse cultural contexts. Our mission focuses on the future with an understanding that history shapes tomorrow's journalism.

The Department welcomes and supports diversity in all its forms. Faculty and staff value a climate that is open and accepting, and make every effort to provide students with a learning environment that is free of harassment and discrimination.

The department offices, computer lab, and the student-run radio station, newspaper, and advertising group are housed on the third floor of North Hall. An entrance ramp and elevator provide accessibility.

Department News

Alum Wins National Emmy

Boyd Huppert

Boyd Huppert (1984 graduate) received an Emmy from the National Televison Academy in September for a feature story on an artist who paints portraits of soldiers killed in action. "Portrait of Compassion" aired on KARE-11 News Extra and NBC Today Show.

"If we don't open our eyes to the stories that uplift, we can get mired in the bad and the social ill," Huppert says. "It is important that we tell those stories, too, but we have to remind ourselves that there is also good in our communities and good in the world."

View the story

 

2007 M. Wayne Wolfe Outstanding Graduating Senior

Wayne Wolfe and Helen Clarke

MAY, 2007 - Wayne Wolfe, founder of the Journalism Department, presents the Department's highest award to Helen Clarke at the annual awards reception. Photo by Niki L. Paton, journalism student

 

On-Line Journalism

Brett Longdin

MARCH, 2007 - Brett Longdin, executive producer at Milwaukee Journalism-Sentinel Online, describes the organizational structure at JSO Online at a daylong meeting on media convergence March 31 with faculty and students. Longdin is a 1997 journalism graduate. The Department is preparing to offer students a practicum in on-line journalism. Photo by Niki L. Paton, journalism student

 

3 students win award for video documentary

FEBRUARY, 2007 - A video documentary entitled "High Hopes" produced by three UWRF students received second place in the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association's student competition. The documentary revealed the challenges of young mothers returning to high school to receive their diplomas. Students created the documentary for a semester project in the Documentary Production class taught by Ellis in Fall 2006. From left to right: Sandy Ellis, Journalism professor; Laura McLuen; Connie Regan; and Anjali Ranieri. Photo by Niki Paton, Journalism student

Student journalists win awards

FEBRUARY, 2007 - Jennie Oemig, assistant editor of the Student Voice, received second place in feature writing at the Wisconsin Newspaper Association's annual competition Feb. 9 for "The Heat is On," a behind-the-scenes account of the Central Heating Plant on campus. Other winners are Helen Clarke, former Voice editor and now education reporter at the Manitowoc Times Reporter, and Keighla Schmidt, Voice Viewpoints editor. Clarke received second place in editorial writing for "Protesters Lack Respect." Schmidt won a certificate of merit in Investigative Reporting for "Illegal Leaking."

 

Donovan RasmussenThrough a generous donation from Donovan Rasmussen (left), the Journalism Department offers an endowed radio news internship at WPCA-FM in Amery, Wis. Applications for Summer 2007 are now being accepted.

Biography of Rasmussen by Nick Hassel

Nick Hassel's experience as the program's first intern

Application for Summer 2007 WPCA Internship

 

Journalism professor interviewed on WPR

Sandy Ellis, broadcast professor

JANUARY 19, 2007 - Sandy Ellis, broadcast professor, discussed issues of race and prejudice in journlaism on the Wisconsin Public Radio program "Conversations with Kathleen Dunn" in mid January. Ellis teaches "Race, Class and News." Listen to the interview. (Select Jan. 19 for date and scroll down to 10 a.m.)

Al Murray Donates Vintage Photo Equipment

Al Murray, director of Engineering at WRFW

DECEMBER 14, 2006 - Al Murray, director of Engineering at WRFW, polishes a Speed Graphic view camera, one of several vintage photographic artifacts he donated to the Journalism Department. The camera was used by his father, Mark Murray, in the 1930s and 40s when he worked as a news photographer at several Wisconsin community newspapers. The Journalism Department hosted a reception Dec. 14 to acknowledge Murray's generous gift. The items are housed in a display case on the Third Floor of North Hall. Photo by Niki L. Paton, journalism student

 

Department recommended for re-accreditation

Members of the reaccreditation team

OCTOBER 25, 2006 - Members of the site team who evaluated the Journalism Department are (from left) Paul Smeyak, professor and graduate coordinator at the School of Journalism and Broadcasting at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla.; Dan Lattimore, vice provost of Extended Programs and Dean of the University College at the University of Memphis; and Carolina Gonzalez, consultant and freelance reporter from Brooklyn, N.Y. Photo by Niki L. Paton, journalism student.

 

2005-06 Department News

Monday, Sept 1
Weeks of Welcome (WOW)

Tuesday, Sept 2
Academic Day (no classes)

Wednesday, Sept 3
Classes begin. See calendar for other dates.

November 26-28
Thanksgiving Recess

Friday, December 12
Last day of classes

December 15-19
Final Exams

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