Chicago and on campus. They include certificates on data security, digital advertising, data analytics and visualization, and storytelling with data.

That brings us to philanthropy.

Gifts from our alumni and friends have a lasting impact on the College. Academic scholarships directly affect which students can afford to attend Illinois.

Internship scholarships allow students to gain valuable work experience during a summer, winter or spring break. Support for study abroad and study domestic opportunities give students a unique perspective on the world. Professorships support teaching and research. Unrestricted gifts to the annual fund give us the flexibility to address the most pressing needs quickly.

All of these gifts work together to help the College of Media continue to provide students with an education that leads to employment and our faculty the support they need to engage in meaningful research. And we thank you for each and every one of them. Your engagement and support have made this College what it is today. We are proud to count you among our alumni and friends.

2 C O L L E G E O F M E D I A A D V A N C I N G E X C E L L E N C E 2 01 5 3

advancing excellenceWe are thrilled to bring you this issue Advancing Excellence, the publication of the Office of Advancement at the College of Media. This past year, the College has experienced significant growth and progress toward the goals within our strategic plan, Building Opportunities for Excellence. Our academic reputation continues to receive national recognition, and we continue to attract the most talented faculty and students to our programs. In this issue of Advancing Excellence, we highlight our loyal alumni and friends who have chosen to partner with us in achieving our ambitious goals for the College.

Marlah Bonner-McDuffieAssociate Dean for Advancement

Jan Slater, Dean

As the University prepares to launch its next capital campaign, we will rely even more on our alumni and friends to help us reach the College’s goals. Our strategic goals remain centered around four top priorities for the college: transforming media education, building leadership in media scholarship, delivering exclusive University of Illinois programs, and expanding Illinois Public Media and Public Engagement. We continue to work diligently in recruiting and retaining the brightest students and faculty, securing industry partnerships with corporations and professionals, and strengthening the impact of Illinois Public Media.

As we reach the end of another calendar year, we would like to thank all of our alumni, friends, and industry partners who have invested their time, talent, and financial resources in the College of Media. The College is stronger because of your contributions, and we are grateful for your support. Your investment continues to have tremendous impact for our students, faculty, and programs.

Please contact us at media-giving@illinois.edu to learn more about the College of Media and how your support can transform the lives of future generations of students.

Message from the Dean

Advancing Excellence is a celebration of the gifts the College receives from alumni and friends. In recent years, as state funding has decreased and tuition has increased, those gifts have become even more important.

During the past 11 years, state funding has decreased from 23.8 percent of the University’s total budget for the 2003-04 academic year to 11.9 percent for the 2014-15 academic year. We anticipate these declines to be even greater in future years.

Several years ago, the College of Media made a commitment to reducing its reliance on state funding. There are several ways this can occur:

• Grow the enrollment of students into the College, resulting in more tuition revenue

• Create new programs that produce non tuition revenue• Increase the amount and number of philanthropic gifts

Growing enrollment takes time. Not only do we have capacity to add undergraduates within some of the majors, we are also launching new degrees and certificate programs. In fact, the Certificate in Sports Media will launch in the Spring 2016! This strategy must be undertaken carefully. Additional students will require additional teaching space and faculty, increasing expenses.

New programs have, and continue to be, developed. College of Media summer camps welcome high school students to campus to learn about creativity, entrepreneurship, sports media and more. Several professional development certificates are being offered in

4 C O L L E G E O F M E D I A A D V A N C I N G E X C E L L E N C E 2 01 5 5

has seen the entire business model of advertising change. “Media sees it first because we are most directly impacted by those consumer trends in terms of choice and control,” Jack said. “It helped us be ready for the breakneck speed of change.”

“My greatest naiveté,” said Jack, “you can’t find a business that doesn’t have numbers in it. The power of math — automation, computerization, algorithms — is increasingly encroaching on what was a very human industry. I think they are going to take over. I do worry that evil robots will see everything as a math problem to be solved. Hopefully, future generations of ad people will remember to also use the right side of their brains.”

These changes tie closely with Jack’s advice for today’s students. “It would be good to have a dual major, in part for career protection and in the other part for career growth and enhancement over time,” Jack said. “An ability to navigate and manage data — you don’t have to write code, but be able to manage and manipulate and aggregate data. It’s as important as any human communication or learning you can have about human behavior as it relates to marketing communication.”

The Jack and Elizabeth Klues Family Foundation recently made a gift to the College for scholarships in the Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising. The gift includes funds for current use and a bequest. The proceeds will provide scholarship support to underrepresented students in advertising who have significant financial need. The scholarships will be for both internships and experiential learning opportunities. Funds will also be used to provide high school students with financial need scholarships to attend a College of Media summer camp on the Urbana-Champaign campus. High school students who are involved in Off the Street Club will be one source of students considered for summer camp scholarships.

“There wouldn’t be a charity foundation if I didn’t have an equal partner — co-pilot — not sure where I would be,” Jack said. “My wife is tremendously supportive, works hard, gave up her own professional career, raising children, becoming a partner, understanding what I do for a living, becoming a fan of the Fighting Illini even though she didn’t graduate from here. There wouldn’t be money for a foundation without her.”

On a beautiful late-September day, more than 200 golfers played in a fundraiser for the Off the Street Club. The women-only outing, Swing for the Kids, is the brainchild of Beth and Jack Klues. The funds raised are used to support programming for girls who attend the club.

Off The Street Club, the oldest Boys & Girls Club in Chicago, is located in the Garfield Park neighborhood and provides, in the words of its executive director, a place where kids can just be kids. Jack has been involved with the club for 25 years and has acted as vice president of fundraising for the past 17 years. It is one of his passions.

Jack Klues grew up in Quincy, Illinois. As a kid, Jack knew he didn’t want to work in insurance like his dad had for 30 years, or be an accountant and work with numbers. His sister had the science and math brain, he said. During his junior year of high school, he took a communications class in which he read “The Medium is the Message.” Jack remembers being fascinated by the book. “The idea of manipulating the mass consumer marketplace into buying things they don’t need — you can also make them do things for good,” Jack said. “You can elect officials, raise money for good causes, get volunteers — all through the power of media and advertising.”

Jack started visiting colleges with advertising programs and met Professor Arnold Barban and Professor Kim Rotzell at Illinois. “They were welcoming because of their warmth and humanity and obvious interest in students,” Jack recalled. “The faculty saw their success in preparing students for entry into the industry.”

While at Illinois, Jack was a member of Alpha Tau Omega and served as internal vice president with the Interfraternity Council. He was active with the group and worked to resurrect the festivities surrounding homecoming, which had waned prior to that time. He may have been a bit too active, Jack admitted. “I spent so much time in the Student Services Center that I didn’t spend enough time in class. I had to really buckle down to complete my classes.”

Jack’s most vivid memories of his time at Illinois revolve around his professors. “Barban made a tremendous impression on me,” Jack said. “Gorden White, with his

black turtleneck and sport coat. Learning the basics of PR — they tried so hard to draw a line between paid advertising and publicity. The line looks blurry to me — and I’m OK with that! I am glad the blur is not only acknowledged, but effectively leveraged today.”

Ethics in advertising was also a memorable class. “It didn’t feel black and white,” Jack said. “I found it to be so philosophical, so gray. I didn’t want to sit in a class and hear ‘it depends.’ I found out later that every day I was running into ethical challenges. Between formal education and how I was raised by my folks — I think that’s what got me through a successful career. My folks always taught me to respect the 'Golden Rule' of treating and dealing with others as you want to be treated. It is a rule that has never let me down.”

After graduation, Jack went to work for Leo Burnett, the legendary ad agency in Chicago. He began his career as a client services trainee in the media department. In 1996, he was part of the management team that created Starcom, a distinct, dedicated media services agency. Jack became the global CEO for Starcom MediaVest Group in 2000, making it the one of the largest of its type in the world. In 2003, following the acquisition by Publicis Groupe, he served as global CEO for Publicis Groupe Media (SMG and ZenithOptimedia). From 2007 until his retirement in 2012, he served as global CEO and Directoire member with oversight of media agencies, as well as Digitas and Razorfish under Publicis’ holding company’s digital and media agency, Vivaki.

Jack’s involvement with the College began shortly after graduation. “We were successful recruiters of Illinois talent,” Jack recalled. “When you were allowed to go recruit, you wanted to go back to where you came from. You fish where you knew the best fishing spot was.”

In the mid-1980s, when an instructor left unexpectedly, Jack taught an advanced media strategy class. It strengthened his ties to the College. Today, he serves on the James Webb Young board, offering guidance to the Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising.

Through his work on the media side of the industry, Jack

alumni profile: jack klues1977, B.S. Advertising, Retired

the only African American on previous marketing teams. Most important, Soft Sheen was located only 10 minutes from her home.

Eight years after leaving Kraft, Carol received a call from an associate she had worked with at Quaker Oats who was now at Kraft. Help was needed with ethic marketing on the Maxwell House, Kool-Aid, Jello and Post cereals brands. Carol was happy at Soft Sheen, but Kraft made a suggestion she couldn’t ignore: work as a consultant. Soft Sheen accommodated this new arrangement, allowing Carol to have a four-day work week. CHS Consulting — a full-service marketing, advertising and branding firm — was born, and Carol’s consulting career was launched.

When Soft Sheen was purchased by L’Oréal in 1998, Carol began consulting full time. Through the years, she has worked with Ameritech, Unilever, McDonald’s and Sunbeam, among others. All of these clients came through connections with her friends from Quaker Oats and Kraft. “They hired me without a brochure or a business card,” Carol said. The work with McDonald’s turned full time in 2004. What was to have been an 18-month appointment turned into seven years, then she returned to consulting.

Carol considers herself a bridge builder. “People did that for me,” Carol said. “Even today in this highly technical age, I

am gainfully employed because my business comes from relationships. It’s a small world. It becomes even smaller when you stay in the same community and discipline for 40 years.”

With those years behind her, Carol has perspective.

“I think there have been no changes in the fundamental aspects of marketing and communication” Carol said. “When you look at the elements and the tactics that prevail — they have changed and evolved with technology. For example, we communicate with different tools and different media now than we did 10, 20, 30 years ago. As a marketing professional, it’s my job to leverage whatever vehicles are available to deliver persuasive communication. Fundamentally, the job has not changed at all. The tools have changed.”

Her advice for today’s students reflects her own youth.

“Work. Work anywhere you can, any how you can,” she said. “That work experience is an important part of your education. Build relationships with people who work in environments in which you want to work. Build relationships with people who will help you move forward. There are no guarantees in life and nobody owes you anything. Hard work pays off. Building bridges will lead you to where you want to go.”

Carol Hillsman Sagers is a proud product of the Chicago Public Schools system. She and 25 of her Bowen High School classmates went to the University of Illinois. “New student week was off the hook,” Carol recalled. As the first person in her family to go away to college, Carol didn’t know what to expect. “It was comforting to get there and have friends from high school with me,” Carol said.

Getting there wasn’t easy. Carol’s mother died when she was young. Carol was separated from her siblings and had lived with different relatives in different states. Eventually, an aunt and uncle, who had no children of their own, allowed Carol to move in with them on the South Side of Chicago. Years later, Carol’s siblings joined her in this home. “My aunt and uncle changed the trajectory of my life by bringing me and my brothers into their home,” she said, “and they taught me that you have to work to get what you want.”

Carol applied to Illinois following the advice and guidance of her high school teachers. They helped her put together and submit her application. Carol was an Illinois State Scholar, which covered her tuition. Her room and board were covered by a number of other grants and scholarhips. One of those scholarships was a four-year progressive young woman scholarship from Alpha Gamma Pi Sorority. “Twenty years after I received that scholarship, I became a member of that sorority,” Carol said. “The Alpha Gamma Pi scholarships continue to support African American college students.”

Once at Illinois, Carol worked at the Student Services Center, was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the Illini Union Board, the Black Student Association, Torch and Sachem and the Illio staff.

“I loved every moment of it,” Carol said. “I loved most working at the Student Services Center and being in the know. I liked the fraternities and sororities, the weekends, the life of a student. You were in charge of you and had to be responsible if you wanted to continue to go there.”

Carol has fond memories of her membership in the Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha. “I’m a dues-paying life member,” she said. “I still go to meetings and to conferences with other members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, several of whom are also Illini.”

Carol had been an editor of her high school newspaper and selected journalism as her major. That changed when she took an advertising class taught by Gordon White. As summer break approached, Professor White asked Carol if she would like to work in an advertising agency for the summer. She applied and was hired by Foote, Cone and Belding as a copy writing intern. She worked there for three summers.

Senior year, Carol applied for graduate school through the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management and was accepted at Washington University in St. Louis. She graduated in 1981 with an MBA and took a job with Quaker Oats as an assistant brand manager. Twenty-one others were brought in at the same time, fresh out of college. That group would remain connected for many years. At Quaker, Carol worked on the 100% Natural Cereal line and the launch of Chewy Granola Bars. The work was hard and included many late nights, but she loved it.

Around this same time, Carol and Rudy, her boyfriend from the U of I, married. The many late nights at work would have to end. A call from Kraft helped that to happen. Carol was the first of her group to leave Quaker Oats for Kraft, with several more joining her in the next few years.

At Kraft, Carol was a product manager in charge of new cheese products, including the Kraft light naturals and reduced fat naturals product lines. These products were ahead of their time as consumers had just begun reading labels. The Food and Drug Administration hadn’t even defined the terms “light” and “reduced fat” yet.

The work at Kraft was challenging and rewarding, but she and Rudy were living in Hyde Park and Kraft was located in Glenview — an hour commute. As their family grew, that commute took a toll. She started to think about a change.

Carol connected with friends and was introduced to the Gardner family, the owners of Soft Sheen products — an innovative line of products designed specifically for people of color. She joined the team in 1988 as group marketing manager in charge of new products. This was traditional marketing and put to use everything she had learned at both Quaker Oats and Kraft. It was also a markedly different environment — an all-black company whereas she had been

alumni profile: carol hillsman sagers1979 B.S. Advertising, Principle Consultant, CHS Marketing Consulting

C O L L E G E O F M E D I A6 7A D V A N C I N G E X C E L L E N C E 2 01 5

8 C O L L E G E O F M E D I A

“Every day as I walk into The Daily Illini’s newsroom, I feel blessed that I not only attend a great institution, but I have the privilege of working at a great publication, the University’s independent student newspaper. While I can learn journalism’s latest trends in the classroom, it’s truly in the newsroom that I apply my knowledge every night.” — Megan Jones, '17 News-Editorial Journalism, scholarship recipient

an investment in excellenceThe goals established in the College’s strategic plan, Building Opportunities for Excellence, include a strong emphasis on recruiting and retaining the best students and faculty and providing them with the resources necessary to be successful in an ever-changing global marketplace. To reach these goals, we must increasingly rely on support from our alumni and friends. Significant decreases in state support combined with rising tuition costs make private contributions even more critical. The following gift opportunities represent the current needs of the College of Media.

Endowed Scholarships and InternshipsEndowed scholarships and internships allow the College of Media to attract the most talented students from across the country and around the world, and provide them with essential, real-world experiences to prepare them for successful careers. Many employers consider internships a vital part of a student's education. Many internship opportunities are unpaid and, therefore, out of reach for many of our students needing financial support. Minimum Investment Level: $50,000

Endowed ChairsAn endowed chair represents the highest honor the university can provide to distinguished faculty members, and attract and retain exceptional scholars. Funding for endowed chairs provides partial salary support and assistance to faculty making innovative advances in their scholarly work. Funding for endowed chairs ensures excellence in research, teaching and innovation and contributes greatly to the College’s future growth and success.Minimum Investment Level: $2,500,000

Endowed ProfessorshipsEndowed professorships give the College an important advantage in recruiting and retaining the most talented faculty members in the field. Minimum Investment Level: $500,000

Endowed Professors of PracticeProfessors of Practice are industry professionals who join the classroom for short- and long-term teaching periods. Support of teaching innovation through recruitment of Professors of Practice will better prepare our students to meet the demands of an ever-changing, competitive media environment. Minimum Investment Level: $500,000

Endowed Funds for Innovation and ResearchThese funds will support cutting-edge courses, curricula, faculty research, industry collaborations and student activities that will foster greater discovery and transform the delivery of content. These funds will also facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships with industry, and will allow the College to further distinguish itself as the leader in innovation and research in the emerging media landscape. Minimum Investment Level: $150,000

Digital Media LaboratoryThe Digital Media Laboratory is designed to foster collaboration of high-end cross-disciplinary academic research. This research would include media and software industry development, production and online distribution of news and information, audience analysis, and social media content and measurement. This “collaboratory” will be designed to connect scholars, professionals and students who are committed to addressing societal demands, identifying and meeting challenges, and asserting international leadership in our evolving digital age.Digital Media Laboratory: $300,000

We invite you to consider how you can make an impact on students and faculty in the College of Media. If you have interest in establishing an endowed fund for opportunities such as these, or you would like to explore other opportunities, please contact the College of Media Office of Advancement at 217.244.5466, or email us at media-giving@illinois.edu.

The College of Media Leadership CouncilLaunched in 2013, the College of Media Leadership Council provides leadership in fundraising, advocacy and stewardship for the College of Media, and assists in achieving the ambitious goals set forth within the College’s strategic plan. The College is thrilled to partner with this talented and dynamic group of industry professionals in achieving the College’s immediate and long-term goals. The council is assisting the College in a number of initiatives that will allow us to fully optimize our commitment to students, faculty and research missions of the College. The College of Media is pleased to recognize the following alumni for their gifts of time, talent and resources through their service on the Leadership Council:

Dawn Gareiss Barrerra '85 B.S. JOURNPresident, DMG Marketing Communications

Lori Bitter '84 M.S. ADVPresident/Senior Strategist, The Business of Aging

Suheily Natal Davis '04 B.S. JOURNCounsel, Labor and Employment Law, McDonald's Corp.

Katherine S.C. Denny '90 B.S. JOURNProject Manager, Editor

Jane Phillips Donaldson '67 M.S. JOURNPartner/Co-Founder, Phillips Oppenheim

William Forsythe '86 B.S. FINPresident, Frontier Partners, Inc.

Felicia A. Fortenberry '91 B.S. ADVAdvertising Sales Executive, BET Networks

Robin Gareiss '88 B.S. JOURNPresident, Nemertes Research Group Inc.

Wendy C. Levy '85 B.S. ADVMidwest Director, Conde Nast Magazine

Helen McGrath ‘77 B.S. ADV, '78 M.S. ADVVice President Market Insights, AT&T Inc.

Carol Hillsman Sagers '79 B.S. ADVPrincipal Consultant, CHS Marketing Consultants

James E. Schlueter '80 B.S. JOURNDirector, Technology CommunicationsBoeing Commercial Airplane Group

Jeanne Mariani Sullivan '70 B.S. ADVGeneral Partner, Co-FounderStarVest Partners, LP

If you are interested in serving on the College of Media Leadership Council or would like to learn more, please call 217.244.5466, or email marlahb@illinois.edu.

Dan and Nancy returned to campus for the 2015 Honors Reception. “We very much enjoyed meeting our first-time recipient,” Nancy said. “If that’s a prelude of what the others will be like, we’ll really look forward to this. We’re meeting smart, engaged, articulate future journalists. It’s very exciting.”

At the annual event, Angelica and her family sat with the Balzes. “They were so great talking with me and my mom and my aunt,” Angelica said. “Being able to keep in touch with them has been so great. Getting a scholarship is a validation of hard work. Your work doesn’t go unnoticed. It does help financially — any amount helps. Such a generous gift is something I really appreciated.”

“We think that she and other recipients will come out of here prepared to make their way successfully in journalism,” Dan said. “Journalism is an institution right now that is in a considerable period of change and transformation. Our hope is that the university will prepare them not just to be ready the year they leave campus and get their first job, but to be ready for whatever comes after that. They will know how to adapt and change and will be part of the generation that solves some of the problems that we’re grappling with at this point.”

Dan’s advice for aspiring journalists: “Read everything you can put your hands on; be curious about the world around you; be skeptical but not cynical; understand new technology, but don’t become a slave to it. Remember that the best of journalism is original reporting, fresh analysis and storytelling that compels someone to read it.”

Angelica LaVito’s first introduction to Dan Balz came in the form of a book report for her Journalism 200 class. She choose the book specifically because Dan was an alum of the College. Then she received the letter informing her that she had been awarded a scholarship the Balzes had endowed. Angelica was thrilled.

Dan and Nancy Balz met in the basement of Illini Hall where The Daily Illini was housed at the time. Nancy and a roommate visited the offices, and Dan happened to be there. “I count myself lucky to have been there at the time,” Dan said.

It was the mid-1960s, a time of unrest around the country. “Protests came a little later to the Illinois campus than to some other universities, but no place was immune from what was going on. It was an exhilarating time to be on the campus. Everyone’s life was touched directly in some way by what was happening in the world,” Dan recalled.

Dan and Nancy both grew up in Illinois and had older siblings who had attended the University of Illinois, making their decisions to enroll here easier. Dan received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism. Nancy was an English major and received her master's from the Graduate School of Library and Information Science.

“We remember lots of things from our time there,” Dan said. “Wonderful professors, challenging coursework, football and basketball games and dances and movies, cold winter walks across the Quad, coffee in the Union, late nights at The Daily Illini and even later nights at Uncle John’s Pancake House after the paper had been put to bed.

I found a home at the DI and in the College of Media, which set me on the path toward my journalism career.”

Both Dan and Nancy have had interesting and successful careers. Nancy has worked for the Library of Congress, the University of Maryland, Kramer Books and Oxford University Press. She retired from the Montgomery County Public Libraries in 2010.

“I have always felt, and continue to think, that being in a library then or today, is a special experience,” Nancy said. “Where else is one so completely surrounded by the creations of so many authors, writers, illustrators, artists, scholars, journalists, dramatists, humorists, commentators, both living and from the past, from both near and far? I enjoyed it every day.”

Dan is currently chief correspondent at The Washington Post. He joined the paper in 1978 and has served as national editor, political editor, White House correspondent and Southwest correspondent. He is the co-author of two books, “Storming the Gates: Protest Politics and the Republican Revival” and “The Battle for America 2008: The Story of an Extraordinary Election.” His latest book is “Collision 2012: The Future of Election Politics in a Divided America."

“So much of what I learned about being a journalist came from my time on campus," Dan said. “I benefited both from extraordinarily helpful professors — some who had worked on newspapers before joining the faculty and others who had followed an academic path to university teaching — and from the practical experience of writing and editing a daily newspaper.”

alumni profile: dan & nancy balzDan Balz 1968 B.S., 1972 M.S. JournalismNancy Balz 1970 B.A. English, 1972 M.S. GSLIS

“Mr. and Mrs. Balz have an interest in their investment in my education. They do care and want to see me do well. It’s really inspiring.”

— Angelica LaVito

11

C O L L E G E O F M E D I A12 A D V A N C I N G E X C E L L E N C E 2 01 5 13

“I pretty much lived at the Daily Illini, and ended my time there as managing editor,” Stephanie said. “I learned the value of hard work. Ask any hiring editor in Chicago and I bet they would characterize UI journalism grads as really hard workers.”

Ted wrote for the DI and also worked each year on the homecoming newspaper lampoon, The Tumor. “That was a kick,” he said. “Selling it on the Quad was a hoot. We got to keep a dime of every paper sold. With a run of 10,000 copies, that was a nice chunk of change for the handful of sellers.”

“I feel like one of the core skills I learned at U of I — whether it was through the College or WPGU — was how to be adaptable, learning how to make mistakes,” Jon said. “You need to research ahead of time and try and be as prepared as possible, but sometimes you're just going to be in a situation where you aren't 100 percent ready. Have faith in your abilities and just power through the situation with confidence. Fake it till you make it!”

Justin has been a regular volunteer with the College. He has served on the College of Media Alumni Board for six

years and has organized and hosted Journalism Career Night since 2011. “Journalism Career Night is my favorite ‘work’ night of the year,” Justin said. “Not only do I get to talk to some amazing alumni who have exceeded in the professional world, but you get to meet so many excited students who want to become journalism stars. Not much is better than that.”

Stephanie, Jon and Paul have all made trips back to campus to speak with students. Jon worked with Lynn Holley and one of her classes as they dug into the world of podcasting. Ted’s younger daughter is a sophomore on campus this year. “She’s a legacy!”

Their advice for today’s students reflects their experiences. Read the news every day. Follow those you admire on Twitter. Engage with your own stories. Learn how the Web works. Get as much on-the-job training as you can through internships, WPGU or the DI. Education is not the same as working. Do everything. Soak up as much as you can. Meet alumni. Make connections with different people. Learn to communicate. Be a well-rounded person. Enjoy being a student.

Chicago is home to the largest concentration of Illinois graduates in the country. It’s not unusual to find a number of Illini working for the same company. What is unusual is the three-year-old news organization, DNAinfo.com Chicago, where five journalism alumni have been changing the way news is delivered.

DNAinfo.com Chicago was launched in Nov. 26, 2012. One of its first major reports, ‘Murder in Chicago: The Human Toll,’ looked at the data associated with the city’s murder rate and the people who comprise that data. The resulting murder timeline, which continues today, was the culmination of months of research. It was a massive undertaking and earned the news organization an EPPY award from “Editor & Publisher” magazine for Best Investigative/Enterprise Feature on a Website with under 1 million unique monthly visitors.

The organization is working to break stories and build its reputation. “You build a reputation by breaking the story over and over again every day,” said Shamus Toomey, managing editor. “Every day we learn a little something new. There is no shortage of people wanting the news. You just have to get their attention. We’re all over the city — on radio, TV and in print.”

The philosophy at DNAinfo.com is to fill the neighborhood news gap that has been left by other news organizations. “We have the ability to do a small story that might not be as interesting to a larger news outlet,” Shamus said. “The whole organization is interested in telling interesting stories that people in the neighborhoods want to read and share.”

Justin Breen was the first of the Illini to join the team. He was the third person hired at the company in May 2012, before it had an office. He was part of the team that hired the first staff. “This place is an anomaly,” Justin said. “A growing company that is adding people; that is covering really local news and adding papers to several dozen neighborhoods in the city.”

As neighborhood reporters, Stephanie Lulay and Paul Biasco are deeply connected to their beats. They attend meetings, talk with business owners, know their neighborhoods and follow social media for scoops. They are also quickly adapting to how technology can add to their stories. “Back in school, they were just beginning to teach digital skills,” Stephanie said. “We use those now on a daily basis. You have to have everything in your arsenal.”

“We’re not going to give you a big block of text,” Paul said. “You’re going to have an audio clip, a Vine you took on the street, add in a map — knowing what’s possible is what we do. It makes the story more compelling.”

“I think we give them a streamlined version of the story,” Ted Cox added. “We give people the news that is applicable to their daily lives, make it straight forward, get in and get out. We include links to all of the background information on the story. If you want to dig in, you can.”

Jon Hansen, who recently left DNAinfo for Weigel Broadcasting agrees. “The ways we do it I think are very interesting,” Jon said. “The fact that you can go to one page for a story and you not only get a print version of it, you get audio enhancements. I think it’s something people have really taken a liking to. At the end of the day, people care about a good story.”

All five value their Illinois roots and feel the reputation of the program has made a difference.

“The Daily Illini had a great reputation — Ebert, Reston, the Ingrassia brothers,” Ted said. “Illinois has a reputation for producing capable and hands-on journalists.”

The Daily Illini and WPGU played an influential role with all of these alumni.

“I wrote for the Daily Illini for three years and was a copy editor for the paper for a year,” Paul said. “I learned how to work under pressure and conquer the fear of interviewing strangers, which was tough at first.”

alumni profile: Paul Biasco 2010 B.S. Journalism, Neighborhood ReporterJustin Breen 1999 B.S. Journalism, Senior EditorTed Cox 1981 B.S. Journalism, City Hall ReporterJon Hansen 2006 B.S. Journalism, Radio News DirectorStephanie Lulay 2008 B.S., 2009 M.S. Journalism, Neighborhood Reporter

Pictured L to R:Jon Hansen, Paul Biasco, Stephanie Lulay, Ted Cox, Justin Breen

C O L L E G E O F M E D I A14 A D V A N C I N G E X C E L L E N C E 2 01 5 15

Mr. Charles A. Boudreau Mr. Jason C. Bramhall V. & Mrs. Patricia L. Bramhall Mr. Otha L. Brandon Jr. & Mrs. Teri M. Brandon Mrs. Lisa E. & Mr. Marvin S. Brashem Mrs. Margaret M. & Mr. Matthew F. Breslin Mr. John A. Brockway Mr. David Michael & Mrs. Beth H. Brokaw Mr. Martin G. Browne Mrs. Elizabeth F. Brudos Ms. Kimberly D. Brun Lt. Col. Robert B. Buchanan Mr. Kenneth A. & Mrs. Margaret C. Buel + Mrs. Valerie Anne Burhans Mr. Nelson W. Campbell Mrs. Mary Legg Capouch + Mrs. Elizabeth T. Carey + Mr. Richard E. Carlson Mrs. Sylvia M. Carlton & Mr. Hartley L. Carlton Mr. Richard A. & Mrs. Sue Carvell Ms. Elizabeth C. Carvlin Ms. Mary P. Casey Mr. Michael A. & Ms. Joan C. Cetera Ms. Melanie Davis Chapman Mr. Patrick J. & Mrs. Nancy Micon Chesley Ms. Patricia Hendrix Chicoine Ms. Erin M. Ciciora Ms. Peggy A. Clark Ms. Ticey L. Cliff Ms. Carolyn Welch Clifford Ms. Kathleen M. Clonts Sister Joy Clough Mr. Jarrett S. Cohen Mr. Joseph W. Cohen Mr. Jeffrey D. Cohn Adriana E. Colindres Mr. Jack J. Colwell Ms. Barbara A. Conklin Mrs. Holly G. & Mr. John Thomas Jr. Conroy Mrs. Janet L. Coombs Mr. Charles G. Cooper + Mr. Darrell J. Corcoran Mrs. Christine C. & Mr. William L. Craven Mr. Robert P. & Mrs. Yvonne B. Crawford Mrs. Stephanie A. Cunningham Mr. Jeffrey Scott & Mrs. Ann Riley Currie Mr. Steven E. Curry Ms. Geraldine L. & Mr. John E. Cygnor Mr. Gregory J. Czernik Mr. Stewart K. & Mrs. Judith Lipsky Dan Tuyetnga Thi Dang

Mr. Andrew Davis Mrs. Linda S. & Mr. David A. Dawson Mrs. Teresa L. DeBartolo Ms. Nicole C. Denenberg Mrs. Sara C. Devlin Mr. Ben Dobbin Mr. Alan R. & Mrs. Mindie Dolinko Mr. Joseph R. Dominick Jr. Mr. Michael & Mrs. Elizabeth A. Drayer Mr. Ronald G. Dudzik Ms. Nadine A. Duerwachter Capt. Laurence A. Dwyer Mr. Richard L. Eastline Dr. Matthew Ehrlich Mrs. Judith M. Einbinder Mr. Alan B. & Mrs. Zora D. Eirinberg Mr. Stuart H. Ellis Mrs. Jody E. Ellyne Ms. Judy F. Emerson Mr. Perry W. Ergang & Ms. Anne M. Pachciarek Ms. Katelyn A. Erickson Ms. Danielle M. Evans Mr. Julian & Mrs. Merrily Finkelstein Mr. Dennis M. Finneran Mr. Douglas W. Fitzgerald & Ms. Karen Clausius * Mrs. Mary S. Fleming Dr. Karen J. Foli & Dr. John R. Thompson Mr. Donald C. Forti Mr. Robert E. & Ms. Erma Frala Mr. Michael R. & Mrs. Lisa Freimann Ms. Joan Friedman Ms. Heidi C. Fron Mr. John P. Fundator & Mrs. Jennifer L. Satterlee Mr. Robert P. Gallup Ms. Pamela M. Galowich Ms. Amy L. Garant Mr. Eldon P. Gee Dr. Richard H. & Mrs. Diane Koos Gentry + Ms. Antonina B. Geraci Dr. Robert R. & Mrs. Ileene Turovitz Giering Ms. Anna Maria Gillis Ms. Virginia S. Gilstrap Linda L. & Gary Paul Goersch Ms. Janice D. Goldberg Gary & Marla Goldstein Mrs. Linda L. Goldstein Mr. Eric R. Gordon Mr. Marc Gordon Mr. Robert W. & Mrs. Karen L. Gordon Mr. James K. & Mrs. Pamela Wade Grant Ms. Victoria C. Grayland Mr. Murray B. Greenberg Dr. Ulrike Gretzel Prof. Thomas V. & Mrs. LaRue V. Groth

Friends Circle: $1 - $249Mr. Seymour Adelman Mr. Joseph W. & Mrs. Rachel A. Ahrens Ms. Diane L. Alblinger Dr. Michelle A. Amazeen Mr. John C. Ambrose Jr. Mr. Carl D. Anderson Mr. K. Stephen Anderson Mr. Kevin R. Anderson Mr. Wayne J. Andrews Mr. Michael D. & Mrs. Debra E. Annes Ms. Sandra U. Antonelli Mr. Larry A. & Mrs. Karen Hansen Apfelbaum Mr. Richard D. & Mrs. Martha Applegate Mrs. Betty Araujo Ms. Ann E. Arellano Mr. Nicholas J. & Ms. Trente C. Arens Dr. Lance E. & Mrs. Rhonda K. Arsenault Mr. Robert C. & Mrs. Linda T. Arterburn Ms. Mary B. Ashe Ms. Ann F. Aspell Mr. Jospeh J. & Mrs. Barbara H. Attinello Mr. Abraham I. Aviner Mrs. Geraldine R. Baader Mrs. Marguerite M. Baer Ms. Kristen L. Ball & Mr. Gary L. Ball Jr. Mr. John P. Balz Ms. Megan S. Bandy Mr. Paul E. & Mrs. Elizabeth L. Bargren Mr. Blaine Barnes Mrs. Marilyn Lee Barr Mrs. Janet Barrett Mr. Edward G. Bauer Mrs. Kim S. Bauman Mr. John R. & Mrs. Nancy P. Baxter Mrs. Nancy F. Beasley Ms. Rachel S. Beck Dr. Jules & Mrs. Jody Anne Becker Mr. James A. Beckwith Mr. Michael J. Begoun Ms. Amanda R. Bekoin Mr. J. William Bell Dr. Lary S. Belman Mr. Richard Bernal Ms. Barbara L. Bickers Mr. B. J. Bilocerkowycz Mr. John L. Bird Mr. Don E. Bissell Mr. Sean M. Black Mr. Brian R. Bland Mr. John G. Bluck Mr. Steven S. Bojan Ms. Natalie J. Bomke Ms. Marlah Bonner-McDuffie Mr. Robert A. & Mrs. Joan M. Borich

Mr. Robert J. & Ms. Marilyn Geskey Gunthner Mrs. Susan & Mr. Murray Haber Mr. James M. & Mrs. Dorothy J. Hackett + Mr. Terry M. Hackett & Ms. Anne E. Rago Dr. John S. Hadley Mrs. Susan D. Hajny Mr. Vernon & Ms. Lorraine P. Hall Mr. Dale R. Haller Ms. Megan S. Hambleton Mr. Richard L. & Mrs. Marilyn M. Hare Mr. Thomas A. Harm Ms. Wendy Harris Mrs. Joan Joiner Harrison Mr. James J. & Mrs. Nancy L. Hartmann Mr. James G. Hattendorf Ms. Gretchen L. Wolfer Hatton Mr. Anthony J. & Mrs. Lynn Hebel Ms. Kathy L. & Mr. Larry A. Hedin Mr. David L. Heim Mrs. Alison L. Heiser Ms. Mary K. Heitzman Mr. Randal J. Hendee Mrs. Joan K. Henderson Dr. Bruce M. Hensel Mrs. Jennifer Pierceall & Mr. Gerald Herman Mrs. Patricia A. Hess Ms. Sarah C. Hester Ms. Holly C. Hildebrand Ms. Sarah A. Hoban Dr. Edward L. Hoffman Ms. Michelle L. & Mr. Peter F. Hoffman Mr. Brian L. & Mrs. Nancy A. Hogan Ms. Shannon C. Hogan Mr. Brian A. Hollock Mr. Tomlinson M. Holman II Mr. David Michael Holmes Ms. Michele M. Horaney Mr. David J. Hornung Mr. Kenneth W. & Mrs. Carol D. Hounsell Mr. T. Lee Hughes Mrs. Barbara E. Hulseberg Dr. Donald L. & Mrs. Rita F. Hurwitz Mr. Jung-Hwan Hwang & Ms. Susan L. Niemeyer Mr. Michael Imrem Mr. Albert P. Ishu & Ms. Cindy Pennington Dr. Ralph S. & Mrs. Janet P. Izard Mr. Lawrence V. Jagnow Ms. Cari S. James Mr. David R. Jern Mr. Bruce C. Johnson +* Ms. Julie C. Johnston Mr. Steve & Ms. Lesa A. Joiner Mr. Raymond C. Jones Mr. Russell C. & Mrs. Marlo D. Jones

Dr. Kristan M. Cockerill Col. Robert B. Downs Ms. Janet S. Eisen Mr. Lee M. Finkel Mrs. Jean S. Fornango Mrs. Barbara Oettel Francis Mr. Paul & Mrs. Lisa Gaffigan Ms. Nancy A. Gravatt Dr. Arthur T. Gronner Mr. Robert P. & Mrs. Joan R. Gundersen Mr. G. Robert Hillman Mr. Lawrence A. & Mrs. Vicki Johnson Ingrassia Ms. Paula E. Jones Mr. Terry P. & Mrs. Abby Kasdan Mr. Robert G. & Mrs. Cynthia M. Kennedy + Mr. Steven E. & Mrs. Marla R. Krause + Ms. Laura E. Larson Ms. Shari Beth Levine Mrs. Bonnie M. & Mr. George M. Lowrey Mr. Harley J. Manning Mr. Alan R. Morris Mr. Robert F. Murphy Ms. Laura R. Oftedahl Mr. Walter R. Petersen Ms. Mary Jo Porreca Mr. Charles L. Rasberry Mr. Henry E. Reich Jr. & Mrs. Laurie R. Mansell Reich Mr. John R. Rodenburg Jr. & Mrs. Linda Giering Rodenburg Ms. Karen A. Rugen Mr. John R. & Mrs. Alma L. Schmitz Mr. John W. Scott Jr. Ms. Jeanine Simnick Mr. Bradley C. Stillman Mrs. Joette G. Storm Mr. Joel A. Sucherman Ms. Veronica A. & Dr. Paul J. Toussaint Dr. Christina D. Urban Mr. William H. Weintraub Mrs. Roberta R. Whitworth Ms. Anne M. Woodward Mr. Richard Zoglin

FY 2015 Giving LevelsDean’s Society: $10K & aboveMr. Daniel J. & Mrs. Nancy J. Balz +* Roger J. Ebert Trust + Mrs. Helen B. Gray +* Mr. Ronald L. Hartshorn & Ms. Nancy A. Ronald +* Mr. Jack M. Klues +* Mr. Timothy M. & Mrs. Judith M. McAuliff +* Jane Phillips & William H. Donaldson +* Mr. James E. & Mrs. Amy K. Schlueter +* Mr. Paul D. & Mrs. Janet C. Schrage +* Michael L. VanBlaricum +* Mr. Gordon L. Wangers & Ms. Jennifer A. Schwab +*

Leadership Circle: $5K - $9,999 Ms. Katherine S. C. & Mr. Bradley J. Denny * Mr. D. Neil & Mrs. Lynn Patton Gissler +* Ms. Joan Mudd * Ms. Cynthia Amadon Schliemann +* Mr. Eric A. Ullman & Dr. Helen E. Katz * Mr. Joel D. & Mrs. Analee Weisman +*

Visionaries: $1K - $4,999Ms. Catherine D. Adamescu Mr. Ryan G. Baker +* Mr. Thomas S. Barber Mr. Richard J. & Mrs. Lauren A. Barnett * Mrs. Dawn Gareiss Barrera Dr. Victor C. & Mrs. Ellen Kay Bastron Dr. Robert A. & Mrs. Kathleen V. Bauernfeind + Mr. Bryan W. & Mrs. Linda W. Brown +* Mrs. Edna M. Campbell +* Dr. Edwin S. Chim & Mrs. Peili Lo +* Mr. Blake L. Crawford +* Mr. Aaron D. & Mrs. Doris Cushman + Mr. Robert O. Endres +* Mr. David J. Farber Ms. Linda D. Friedman *

Ms. Nancy E. Gallagher Mr. Aran Hegarty +* Ms. Joyce E. Hodel * Mr. Warren E. Holtsberg Jr. & Mrs. Mary J. Holtsberg Marilyn M. Kaytor Estate Mr. Daniel J. & Dr. Karen W. King +* Mr. Frank A. & Mrs. Margaret M. Kulze Mr. Robert C. & Mrs. Cathy M. Lachky + Mr. Bruce H. & Mrs. Cheryl Sullivan Little +* Mr. Roger D. & Mrs. Catherine J. Lundstrom +* Mr. David Edward McCraw * Ms. Ann Helen McGrath +* Ms. Tonise Paul & Mr. Eric Harkna +* Mr. Jeff & Ms. Kathryn Podjasek Ms. Marcia L. Rodgers Dr. James E. Ross + Mrs. Elaine Finney Sagers + Mrs. Betty A. & Mr. Lloyd G. Schermer +* Mr. Edward J. Sherman & Mrs. Ilene B. Goldstein Mrs. Mary Lynch & Mr. Andrew Snowdon Mrs. Mary H. Sotir + Mr. J. Shadley Thomas & Mr. Mark Mueller * Ms. Sunita Mathur & Mr. David D. White Mr. Patrick L. & Mrs. Diane K. Wilkey Mr. Kurt L. & Mrs. Cara R. Winter

Innovators: $500 - $999 Mrs. Mildred L. Barnett +* Dr. H. Woods Bowman & Dr. Michele M. Thompson +* Ms. Mary Susan Britt Mr. Joseph & Mrs. Tani Caparelli Mr. Gregory A. Daugherty Mrs. Jacqueline L. & Mr. John Davidoff Mr. Donald C. Dodds Jr. +* Mrs. Carol J. & Mr. I. Steven Edelson Mr. Edward L. Epstein Mr. Robert Edward Erickson Mrs. Linda Jena & Michael J. Fisher Florence J. Johnson Estate +

Mr. Philip L. Johnson + Mr. James B. & Mrs. Patricia M. Jurgens +* Mrs. Robin Neal & Mr. J. Christopher Kaler + Ms. Mary Louise Kandyba & Mr. Timothy E. Moore +* Ms. Marisa H. Mandrea Mrs. Susan G. & Mr. Philip A. Marineau Ms. Mary Jo Meisner Mr. Daniel W. & Mrs. Laurisa M. O'Dear Dr. Frederick M. O'Hara Jr. Mrs. Nicole Bugajski Ostendorf Ms. Lois Minute Pausch +* Dr. Elizabeth A. Hopp-Peters Ms. Karen Lucas Petitte + Mrs. Cynthia Browne Placek + Ms. Jenice Rochelle Robinson Mrs. Carol G. Schillerstrom * Mr. Glendon A. & Mrs. Julie A. Schuster +* Ms. Pamela T. Sebastian-Ridge Mr. Joel A. & Mrs. Kathy Segall Ms. Judy L. Sennett & Mr. Richard Koblin + Mr. Isadore & Mrs. Mary Anne Shrensky Dr. Janet S. Slater Mrs. Marcia H. Thalhimer Mr. John J. Toomey Mr. Greg T. & Mrs. Gloria Welch Towles +* Mr. Jeffry S. Unger Mrs. Enid & Mr. Kalman Wenig Mr. Andrew Stuart Werner Mr. Douglas E. Winter Advocates: $250 - $499 Mr. Richard L. Adams & Ms. Patricia A. Januszki + Mr. William F. & Mrs. Joan M. Amideo Ms. Laura J. Benson Mrs. Linda M. Bergstrom Dr. Jack Zeljko Bratich Mr. Terry P. & Mrs. Linda L. Brown Mrs. Sandra R. Casserly * Mr. Kenneth H. Chang & Ms. Ling Chen Dr. Clifford G. Christians

Advancing Excellence: Gifts in Support of the College of Media (July 1, 2014–June 30, 2015)The following list represents contributions to the University of Illinois College of Media (excluding WILL) from generous alumni and friends during the 2015 fiscal year. We are grateful for your support of our talented students and faculty and your commitment to the goals and mission of the College of Media. Members of the Presidents Council are designated with (+). The Presidents Council, the University of Illinois Foundation’s donor-recognition program for those who give at the highest levels, is reserved for donors whose outright or cumulative gifts total $25,000 or more. Members of the Chancellor’s Circle are marked with (*). The Chancellor’s Circle honors donors who provide cumulative support of $2,500 or more between July 1 and June 30.

Mr. David A. & Mrs. Diane A. Manthey + Mr. James P. Marchiori Mr. Steven C. Marcus Mr. Joseph H. Markman Mr. David E. & Mrs. Alicia D. Marlow Mr. Jerry D. & Mrs. Catherine A. Marlow Mr. John O. & Ms. Joan Van Ark Marshall Ms. Alice E. Martin Mrs. Joan H. Martin Ms. Karen M. Martinek Mr. Richard M. Marzec Mr. Edwin D. Mason Mr. Howard D. & Mrs. Charlene Mathis Ms. Karol R. Mattes Mr. Donald O. Maylath + Mr. John F. McCabe Ms. Riviera S. McCollum Mrs. Kay S. McElroy Mrs. Janet V. & Mr. Laurence M. McGrath Mr. Paul G. Meeden Dr. Vicki S. & Mr. R. Norman Megginson +* Mr. Larry S. Meisner Mr. John R. Melchi Jr. & Mrs. Cheryl M. Melchi Mrs. Leslie A. Mertz Mr. Thomas F. Meyer Mr. Gerald Y. Meyers Mrs. Kristin M. Miceli Mrs. Mae A. Michels Mr. Andre D. P. Mitchell Ms. Natasha A. Montague Ms. Lea K. Morford Mr. Bruce C. Mosher Mrs. Susan K. & Mr. Michael Mumm Mrs. Nancy Ann Mutter Mr. Brian G. Nadig Ms. Laura H. Nash Ms. Andra E. Naylor Mr. Denis L. Naylor Ms. Kristin Lea Nevius Ms. Janet Lily Nicholson Dr. Michael C. Nielsen Mrs. Linda M. Niemerg Mrs. Sharon Andrews Niemet Ms. Betty N. Norberg Mr. Richard W. Norris Sr. Ms. Cara E. & Mr. Joseph Novelli Mr. Charles R. Novitz & Ms. Eve Krzyzanowski Mr. Paul F. & Mrs. Linda L. Nowack Mr. Sal A. Nudo Mr. John P. & Mrs. Shirley L. O'Connell Mr. Steven J. & Ms. Cynthia M. O'Dell Mrs. Sandra R. & Mr. Martin M. Offergeld Mr. Gary A. Olson Mr. Robert W. O'Rourke

Ms. Jennifer A. Orwick Mrs. Glenna & Mr. LeRoy R. Ousley Mr. David T. Overturf Ms. Nina B. Ovryn & Mr. Jerrold A. Schwartz Dr. Donald E. Parente Mr. Charles B. Parker Mr. Joseph Robert Paszczyk Dr. John J. Pauly Jr. Mr. Robert A. Pearson Ms. Diane E. Penny Ms. Elaine L. Persichitte Mr. Michael G. Peskura Mr. Thane E. Peterson Ms. Barbara Mangel Nemiroff Pfeifer Mr. David L. & Mrs. Janet C. Phillips Ms. Katelyn J. Phillips Mrs. Margaret E. Pinsky Mr. Duane R. Placko Ms. Mary M. Pluth Col. Gary L. Poleskey, retired & Mrs. Barbara E. Poleskey +* Mr. Mark F. Porst Mr. Tony & Mrs. Christina Porterfield Ms. Gwen E. Potucek Mr. Gary W. & Mrs. Maureen C. Pratscher Mr. William L. & Mrs. Joan W. Prentiss Mr. Timothy E. Pretzsch & Ms. Dona L. Miller Mr. Ricardo B. Pringle Mrs. Julia M. Pusey Ms. Janet Neiman Reed Dr. Leonard N. & Mrs. Sharon L. Reid Ms. Laura M. Reilly Mrs. C. W. & Mr. Howard Reinhardt Mrs. Francine P. Richard Mr. James M. & Mrs. Sue E. Rick Ms. Nancy Ridgeway Mr. Tom M. Ritondale Jr. Ms. Megan R. Rivera Ms. Megan Robertson Mrs. Jennifer J. & Mr. David I. Roen Prof. Karen M. Roloff Mr. Paul L. Rotter Mr. Gary N. Rowe Dr. Brandon S. & Mrs. Judith C. Rubens Mr. Joshua N. Rubenstein Mr. Kenneth M. Ruehrdanz Ms. Marjorie K. Ruschau Mr. Keith F. & Mrs. Diane M. Ryan Mr. Michael B. Sachs Mr. Irwin J. & Mrs. Janice G. Saltz Mr. Jeffrey P. Sanderson Mr. Lawrence A. Sandler Mr. L. E. Sarbaugh Dr. C. Dennis & Mrs. W. Jan Schick Mr. Daniel J. & Mrs. Diane L. Schick Mrs. Judith Schindler Mr. Bernard A. Schoenburg Ms. Georgia Marie Schreiner Mr. James S. Scofield

Mr. Charles L. & Mrs. Martha R. Scott Mr. Charles A. Sengstock Jr. Mrs. Joni M. Lucas Shapiro Mr. David C. & Mrs. Annilee A. Shaul Mrs. Rebecca L. Shaw Mr. C. William & Mrs. Marie L. Shepherd Mr. Jeffrey A. & Marilyn M. Sherman Ms. Ann Shilladey Mrs. Danielle M. Short Mr. Franklin R. Shuftan Mr. Michael D. & Mrs. Sallie M. Sienza Mr. Steven J. Silverman Mrs. Rebecca S. Simpson Mrs. Moira K. Skinner Mr. David L. Slader Mr. Thomas J. & Mrs. Rosetta M. Slavin Mrs. Janelle H. Slockbower Mr. Dale E. Smith Mr. Lowell F. & Mrs. Katherine L. Smith Mrs. Lynn C. Smith Ms. Melissa A. Smith Ms. Ramona A. Smith Mr. Robert D. Smith Mr. Norman Snitovsky Mrs. Sara D. Snowden Dr. Alvin D. & Mrs. Sandra E. Sokolow Ms. Patricia G. Solomon Mrs. Jutta W. Spanke Mrs. Elizabeth H. Stafford Mr. Zachary & Ms. Melissa Mares Stambor Mr. Richard J. & Mrs. Louise A. Stancliffe Ms. Susan L. Stapleton Mr. William Edward Steiger + Ms. Lynne M. Stiefel Mr. Bruce L. Still Mr. John N. Strandin + Mrs. Barbara S. Strang Mrs. Barbara I. & Mr. Kent Strange Mrs. Carole Ann & Mr. William Strong Mrs. Joanne I. & Mr. James B. Strong Mr. Martin Joel & Mrs. Judith Kreutz Suffield Michael & Dorit R. Suffness Mr. Mark E. & Mrs. Peggy Swerdlik Mrs. Phyllis Tabak Ms. Bette Nance Terry Mr. Geoffrey M. Thomas Mr. James P. Thompson Mr. Robert H. & Mrs. Carole C. Thornberry Mrs. Linda F. Tierney Mr. Thomas J. Tierney Ms. Jaime E. Toepp Mr. August R. Tonne Ms. Connie L. Tonsor Mr. Donald R. Torrant Mrs. Kathryn D. Triller Mr. Wayne & Ms. Heather Tucker

Mr. Quinn T. Turner Mrs. Jamie L. Turpin Ms. Deborah M. Tzakis Mr. Timothy J. Unzicker Mr. Michael W. Vainisi Dr. Angharad N. Valdivia Mr. Robert M. VanAntwerp Ms. Vikki Vargas Mr. Christopher J. Walker Ms. Nancy B. Walker Mr. Gene A. Wallace Mrs. Janet A. Wallis Ms. Jacqueline B. Walsh Mr. Cody M. & Mrs. Amanda C. Ward Mr. Patrick G. Ward Ms. Renate & Mr. George B. Wasserman Ms. Emily Webb Ms. Nancy E. Webb Ms. Linda A. Wedenoja Mr. Martin Jay & Mrs. Elisabeth Weiss Mr. Raymond B. Weiss Mrs. Mary Kathryn Northam & Mr. Richard K. Welge Mr. Michael C. Whalen Mr. Grant M. Whisler Mr. Phillip A. White Mr. Romayne C. & Mrs. Linda M. Wicklund Mr. Edward J. Wietecha & Dr. Peggy J. Burke Mr. Robert K. Williams Mrs. Beverly F. Wilson Mr. L. Patrick & Mrs. Holly M. Windhorst Mr. Thomas E. & Mrs. Bonnie L. Winski Mr. Jeffrey D. Wohlschlaeger Mr. Richard L. & Mrs. Mary Lou Wright Mr. Thomas G. & Mrs. Jane B. Wuellner Mr. Steve & Mrs. Bambi Wulf Ms. Whitney B. Wyckoff Mr. Ervin E. & Mrs. Joyanna H. Wyne Mr. Richard R. Zaker Mr. Eugene F. Zelek Jr. & Ms. Margaret A. Christie Chidong Zhang Ms. Susan L. Zimny

C O L L E G E O F M E D I A16 17

Mr. Keith M. Jorstad Mrs. Adele K. Joseph Mr. Robert T. Joseph & Ms. Karen R. Goodman Ms. Antone M. Joza Mr. Richard William Judy Mr. Michael P. & Mrs. Debra A. Jurgensen Mr. Robert E. & Mrs. Arlene M. Kagan Mr. James M. Kaiser Mr. Kenneth R. Kalthoff Ms. Paula R. Kamen Mr. Bruce J. Kandel Mr. Jeffrey L. Katz Mrs. Marilyn Schnirring Kennedy +* Dr. Charles T. & Dr. Leanne B. Kerchner Ms. Lisa C. Kernek & Mr. Edward J. Woell Mr. Shi-Yong Khim Mr. Brian C. Kiczula Dr. John M. Kittross Ms. Linda S. Kleczewski Mr. David L. Klehr Mr. Emerson D. Klein Mr. Marvin & Mrs. Roberta J. Klein Mrs. Nancy K. Klemm Mrs. Karen Huelsman Klicki Ms. Kim Knight Mr. Michael K. Konrad Ms. Marianne Kroeger Mr. Jay Krupp Mr. Lynn P. Landberg Mr. Barry M. & Mrs. Barbara E. Larrain Ms. Marie-Pierre Lassiva-Moulin Ms. Jordanka L. Lazarevic Mr. Timothy J. & Mrs. Rosemary L. Leahy Mr. Christopher J. Lee Ms. Melisa G. Lee Dr. Richard W. Lee Mrs. Sharalyn Leginski Ms. Jane M. Lehan Ms. Kim M. Leistner Ms. Allison Leopold Ms. Della Olsher Levine Mrs. Karen V. Lilleleht Mr. Daniel M. Logue Mr. Lynn R. & Mrs. Kathy A. Loken Mr. Alden K. Loury Ms. Ellen J. & Mr. Andrew W. Lowitt Ms. Pamela M. Lowrey Ms. Ann Lowry Mr. James C. Lukas Mr. James R. & Mrs. Marjorie Lundgren Ms. Taylor E. Lundy Ms. LaVerne Macy Mr. Tim Mahl Mrs. Phyllis A. Mahoney

Corporate GiftsDean’s Society: $10K and aboveCorporation for Public Broadcasting Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund The Ian Fleming Foundation Jewish Community Federation Marajen Stevick Chinigo Foundation The PNC Foundation Schwab Charitable Fund Thirteen Productions LLC

Leadership Circle: $5K - $9,999 The Boeing Company

Visionaries: $1K - $4,999Adler Schermer Foundation Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Chicago Community Trust Davidoff Communications, LLC Deloitte Foundation Emerson College Ernst & Young Foundation Glass Box Research Company The Hill-Snowdon Foundation Kraft Foods Inc. Meredith Corporation

Innovators: $500 - $999 Duquesne University Endicott College Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Legacies & Endowments J. P. Morgan Chase Foundation U.S. Charitable Gift Trust Universidad de Navarra Facultad de Comunicacion William Randolph Hearst Foundation

Advocates: $250 - $499 Bank of America Foundation Chicago Tribune Foundation Elsevier Foundation Event Photography Group GE Foundation IBM Matching Grants Program Scripps Howard Foundation The Urban Charitable Trust

Friends Circle: $1 - $249Energizer Equitable Resources, Inc. Exelon Ishu Productions Jewish Community Foundation Lockheed Martin Foundation MetLife Foundation Monroe and Florence Nash Foundation, Inc. salesforce.com Foundation Tampa Bay Times Fund TLM Enterprises

Advancing Excellence is a publication of the Office of Advancement, College of Media, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Fall 2015

Associate Dean for Advancement: Marlah Bonner-McDuffie

Director of Development: Nancy Rampson

Assistant Director of Annual Fund and Alumni Relations: Jeanine Simnick

Visiting Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Special Events: Cari James

Office Administrator: Colleen Hammel

Director of Communications: Heather Smith Tucker

Email: media-giving@illinois.eduWebsite: www.media.illinois.edu

Follow the College of Media!

The College of Media Legacy Society: Creating a Legacy of ExcellenceThe College of Media Legacy Society acknowledges and honors those who have chosen to include the College of Media through a bequest, charitable trust or other planned gift. Donors who remember the College of Media in their estate plans provide critical funding to establish scholarships, awards, fellowships and other student and faculty support.

The College of Media would like to recognize the following alumni and friends as members of the Legacy Society:

You may establish an estate gift (via will, trust, IRA, etc.) for the College of Media by including the following language:

I leave (% of estate, $ amount, residue) to the University of Illinois Foundation (37-6006007), to be used for the College of Media (add department or program) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

We invite you to become a member of the Legacy Society by including the College of Media in your will or other planned gift. We encourage you to share your plans so that the intent of your gift is properly executed and recognized. If you would like information on how to establish a bequest or other planned gift to benefit future generations of students in the College of Media, please call 217.244.5466, or email marlahb@illinois.edu.

Dr. Jules & Mrs. Jody BeckerMr. Charles M. BellattiMr. Morris R. BeschlossDr. Denise D. BielbyMs. Marian Boruck BrodyMr. Clarence O. EricksonMr. Dennis G. FraryDr. Richard H. GentryMrs. Helen B. GrayDr. John Laddie LastovickaMr. David A. & Mrs. Diane Manthey

Ms. Ann Helen McGrathMr. Kent E. Parks, deceasedMr. David A. PearsonMr. Harry O. RichardsDr. James E. RossMr. Martin H. SnitzerMr. David R. & Mrs. Susan D. WeigandtMr. Joel D. & Mrs. Analee WeismanRobert B. Wentworth TrustMs. Jeanne E. Zasadil

A D V A N C I N G E X C E L L E N C E 2 01 5

+ President's Council* Chancellor's Circle

8 C O L L E G E O F M E D I A

7

roger ebert's film festivalRoger Ebert’s Film FestivalFounded by the late Roger Ebert, University of Illinois Journalism graduate and a Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic, Roger Ebert’s Film Festival takes place in Urbana-Champaign each April for a week, hosted by Chaz Ebert. The festival presents 12 films representing a cross-section of important cinematic works overlooked by audiences, critics and distributors. The films are screened in the 1,500-seat Virginia Theatre, a restored movie palace built in the 1920s. A portion of the festival’s income goes toward ongoing renovations at the theater. The festival brings together the films’ producers, writers, actors and directors to help showcase their work. A filmmaker or scholar introduces each film, and each screening is followed by a substantive on-stage Q&A discussion among filmmakers, critics and the audience. In addition to the screenings, the festival hosts a number of academic panel discussions featuring filmmaker guests, scholars and students. Roger Ebert's Film Festival is a special event of the College of Media at the University of Illinois.

Roger Ebert’s Film Festival donorsFILM CIRCLE SPONSORS: $25,000 + Roger & Chaz EbertChampaign County Alliance for the Promotion of Acceptance, Inclusion, & Respect Steak ‘n ShakeShatterglass StudiosUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

DIAMOND SPONSORS: $10,000 +Betsy Hendrick Leone AdvertisingHollywood Foreign Press AssociationL.A. Gourmet Catering The News-Gazette *

PLATINUM SPONSORS: $5,000 +President & Mrs. Robert A. EasterBig Grove Tavern Debbie HartmanBusey

GOLD SPONSORS: $2,500 +Steve & Susan ZumdahlMarsha WoodburyCarol Livingstone & Dan GraysonJim Johnson & Coleen QuinnSAGIndieTawani Foundation

SILVER SPONSORS: $1,500 +Thomas P. SquiresStan Lanning & Colleen QuigleyLinda Smith Tabb & Charles TabbPatty & Jon McNussenMaxine & Jim KalerJ. Michael LillichLinda & Nelson BarnesMidstate Collection Solutions, Inc.Lex TateFraeda & Gary Porton Chuck & Eileen KuennethDOUG LOVES MOVIESMarsha Clinard & Charlie BoastDon TingleBullock & Associates, Cheryl & Don BullockDavid GrahamSharon Shavitt & Steven ZimmermanPeter & Wanda TracyPresence Covenant Medical CenterRobeson Family Benefit Fund Cinespace Chicago Film StudiosElliott Counseling GroupBrand FortnerChuck & Lynn NelsonAnn Benefiel & Joseph KunkelCobalt Digital, Inc.Cowboy MonkeyGuido'sSoma Ultra LoungeJupiter's Pizzeria & Billiards Seven SaintsTammy Schaefer & Acacia StamperChipman Design ArchitectureJen Shelby

PATRONS: $750 +Ashley Rodman & Matt Gladney Karen LeavittBill & Wilma O’BrienPaul & Martha DiehlMarge PerrinoAnn Beddini Suzi & Don Armstrong Hilary Frooman & John LeeCarol Spindel & Thomas J. BassettTom & Regina Galer-UntiTodd SalenPaul & Lynn KaneEric & Shirley Pierson

FESTIVAL FRIENDS: $500 +Dianna K. ArmstrongGreg & Anne TaubeneckNell Minow & David ApatoffGary & Connie WikoffEmmie FisherOne Main Development

FESTIVAL ASSOCIATES: $250 +Doc EricksonBarb Hulseberg Ed & Nancy TepperRobert & Beth ZeidersChris & Anne LukemanHolly HildebrandYvette SchevenTroylene Ladner

MEDIAIllini Radio GroupMIX 94.5WIXY 100.3REWIND 92.5WYXY CLASSIC 99.1OLDIES 97.9EXTRA 92.1HITS 99.7WAND TVIllinois Public Media

GIFTS-IN-KIND Leone Advertising L.A. Gourmet CateringFleurishEinstein Bros BagelsHerriott’s Coffee CompanyStella ArtoisSilver Creek & The Courier CafeCarter’s FurnitureCarltonBruettDesignThe Daily IlliniChampaign Park DistrictVirginia TheatreNews Talk 1400/Lite Rock 97.5 Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD)40 North/88 WestThompson.McClellanRalph & Joe, Garcia’s Pizza in a PanCommunity Concierge MagazineChampaign County TentSun Singer Wine & Spirits, LTD.Cream & FlutterRosati’s Pizza

* The News-Gazette has made a one-time donation of $50,000 toward the remodeling of the Virginia Theatre's projection booth.

C O L L E G E O F M E D I A18 19A D V A N C I N G E X C E L L E N C E 2 01 5

by the numbers

$31,116cost of attendance for Fall 2015 - Spring 2016

(full-time advertising student, Illinois resident, Tuition: $12,816 + Housing, books, misc.: $14,710 + fees: $3,590)

107number of College of Media students who received scholarship aid for 2015-16

313number of student scholarship applicants

29%received support

105donors gave more than

$160,000to scholarship funds in FY 2015

$297,550in scholarship awards provided by the income from endowments and current-use funds

$8,129unmet need = cost of attendance - expected family contribution - total aid received

Scholarship funds for the College of Media continue to be a priority. Gifts toward college-wide scholarships provide the most flexibility in recruiting an ever-growing, diverse student population.

Please note, the word “scholarship” used in this context represents aid that includes internship assistance and graduate student awards.