Indiana University School of Journalism

Photo by Rosemary Pennington

Associate professor Jim Kelly has returned to his alma mater to teach photojournalism.

New students aren’t the only ones learning the ins and outs of Ernie Pyle Hall this semester. New faculty and staff are as well.

Two new professors joined the school of journalism over the summer and two staff positions also were  filled.

"The program is always in the top ten in the nation," says Dean Bradley Hamm. "Our goal is to find people who will help keep us there."  

And Hamm says he’s confident the new faces at Ernie Pyle will do that. They bring with them a wide range of experience — both domestic and international — that Hamm says is crucial as the school works to build the next generation of faculty.

"We plan to hire three to five more faculty this year," Hamm says, "and about half of the current faculty will retire in the next four to five years. We’re working on building the future of the school."

Photo by Rosemary Pennington

Assistant professor Joann Wong is teaching broadcasting.

Although Dean Hamm calls new broadcast assistant professor Joann Wong a "gifted young scholar" in her field, journalism wasn’t always where she wanted to be.  Math, which features in so many jokes about journalists, was actually her first love. 

"I was joking I wanted to get the Nobel Prize," she laughs. "But my mom reminded me there’s no Nobel Prize in math.  (In undergrad) I had taken an intro to mass communication class and knew that’s what I liked."

So into the world of journalism she leapt, although she’s not entirely given up numbers.  This semester, Wong is teaching J600 Quantitative Research Methods for Journalists.

"It’s a graduate class to help journalists look at numbers and what they mean," she says. 

And while Wong will be helping her students unravel numbers and the secrets of broadcasting, she hopes to do more than just lecture.  The University of North Carolina alumna wants to make connections with her students that will change their lives.   

"I had a good experience with professors at North Carolina," she says. "The best teacher I ever had was at North Carolina.  They changed my life.  I want to be that person now, for my students."

Associate professor Jim Kelly is not entirely new to Indiana University.  He received both his master’s degree and Ph.D. at the School of Journalism 20 years ago. 

"Things are strangely familiar," he says of his return,  "even though I have little precision in recalling being there.  There have been a lot of changes, but a lot has stayed the same."

One of the things that has stayed the same, somewhat, is the faculty.  Some of Kelly’s professors have left the school, but a number are still teaching.  He says it feels good to be invited back to teach by the people who taught him. 

This semester, Kelly is teaching photojournalism and publications graphics.  He’s also waiting to hear back from the U.S. State Department on a grant proposal.  If awarded, Kelly will use the money to hold workshops for journalists in the United States as well as Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka to strengthen reporting on HIV/AIDS. 

"Jim brought to us a significant international focus in his teaching," Hamm says, "yet he’s just as likely to work with any student or any professional throughout Indiana." 

Photo by Rosemary Pennington

Jessica Gall, M.A. ’07, is the new Director of Experiential Education and Recruitment.

Jessica Gall didn’t wait as long as Jim Kelly to join the school’s staff.  After graduating with her master’s degree in journalism in May, Gall found herself heading up the newly created office of Experiential Education and Recruitment. 

"This job is a combination of a lot of things," she says.  And while she might be young, Hamm says she brings a lot to the table. 

"She has an ability to perform at the national level," Hamm says of Gall, who was a track and cross-country champ while at IU. "She can apply that here.  She understands the timing, energy and focus it takes to be the best." 

In addition to luring the best students to Indiana University, Gall will be working to get students already here out of the classroom. 

"Anything to do with study abroad" is how she describes her responsibilities as the head of experiential education. "We’re working to create more classes with travel components." 

So far, there are two in the works.  Winslow Visiting Professor Jim Bright will take the international public relations class to Tokyo over spring break.  At the same time, associate professor Owen Johnson will take his class on the life and work of Ernie Pyle to London, Normandy and Paris. 

Gall says the trips are important because they give students the context for what they learn in class. 

"To get the most out of (their education), students need to go out into the real world, especially now with globalization," Gall says. "This won’t help only in class, it will help them get a job.  They’ll be able to apply their classroom work to real world experience."

Photo by Rosemary Pennington

Interim Director of Student Media Nancy Comiskey has professional experience as well as several years as an instructor.

One place journalism students turn when looking to get real world experience is the Indiana Daily Student.  Longtime publisher and Director of Student Media David Adams died in June, leaving a void interim director Nancy Comiskey says she’s not trying to fill.

"Dave was a friend of mine," she says. "He was a wonderful advocate for student journalists, a wonderful person. I hope to continue his work until a publisher is found."

Comiskey’s certainly not new to the School of Journalism. She’s been relating her real world experience from her many years at the Indianapolis Star to students for years.   And she’s not new to the IDS, either.  She served as interim publisher in 2002-03 when Adams was on sabbatical.

"Things have changed a little since 2003," she says. "But "I love being back in the newsroom. I love the electricity, working with students." 

Hamm says her past experience — both inside the classroom and outside — is the reason Comiskey was chosen to helm the IDS for now. 

"Nancy is obviously the most qualified person to step in," he says. "We appreciate that she’s willing to do it."

The search committee to find a new permanent publisher plans to meet for the first time this week.

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