Indiana University School of Journalism

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Photo by Jessica Birthisel

Marge Blewett, BA'48, chats with Tom French, BA'81, and his young nephew during the SPAA reunion Sept. 25. French also talked to attendees about his new book, Zoo Story.

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Former staffers of Indiana University student publications gathered Saturday in the Indiana Daily Student newsroom to reminisce about their days on staff and to hear Riley Endowed Chair in Journalism Tom French talk about his latest book, Zoo Story.

French, BA ’81, talked about the book writing process and current and retired faculty and staff made the rounds, but the event mainly gave alumni a chance to reflect on their days in student media and reconnect.

Sara Brazeal, BAJ ’97, Eric White, BAJ ’97 and their two daughters, now living in Chicago, were just some of the alumni in attendance.

“Sara was my boss one semester,” recalled White, a former IDS art director, as he bounced his youngest daughter in his arms.

Brazeal, who served many roles at the IDS, including managing and campus editor in addition to working on the Arbutus, said the couple first met at an IDS party. Today, they continue their media work, with White serving as an assistant sports editor at the Chicago Sun Times and Brazeal working as an account supervisor in a public relations firm.

They were classmates with French’s younger brother, yet another connection to Saturday’s event.

Brazeal and former IDS staffer John Martin also represented the recently-formed IU Student Publications Alumni Association, where they serve as board member and vice president, respectively.

“We're a relatively new group, but we're trying to let people who worked at the IDS and Arbutus and other student publications know about it,” said Brazeal. “Many of us who worked at the publications were journalism majors, but many people work at the publications while majoring in something else. This is a way to connect those people. For those of us who did work at the IDS and Arbutus, we tend to have really positive memories of the time and we often enjoy connecting and catching up.”

The association organized special tables Saturday at the Alumni Association Hoosier Village tailgate party before the IU-Akron football game.

Brazeal encouraged all former publications staffers to check out the association’s website to find out more information about the group and ways to get involved.

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