On the Front Lines: Klein Alumni Reflect on Roles as Journalists During a Pandemic

by Christiana Dillard
July 02
Several alumni from Klein College of Media and Communication are hard at work at various television and media companies, keeping the country updated on the state of affairs amid COVID-19. As a result of the ongoing pandemic, they have grappled with many major adjustments. Read on to learn more about their experiences.Kelly Antonacci, KLN '18, is a multimedia journalist and reporter for WSAV in Savannah, Georgia. One of the most difficult COVID-19 stories she tackled was early in the pandemic's spread in the United States. Arnold and Lorlee Tenenbaum, a prominent and influential...

Communication Studies Student Andreas Copes On Getting Ready for Temple

by Christiana Dillard
June 30
Andreas Copes has been preparing to attend Temple University for some time now. After spending two years at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP), he officially begins at Temple as a communication studies student at Klein College of Media and Communication in the fall. For now, he is sharing his enthusiasm for journalism by practicing and creating meaningful media and taking a continuing studies course online to stay on track.When Copes emigrated to the United States from Germany in 2017, he initially wanted to study anthropology. But his plans took a turn when his...

Professor Lance Holbert Honored With 2020 ICA Fellow Recognition

by Christiana Dillard
June 30
The Communication and Social Influence Department at Klein College of Media and Communication contains some of the most recognized communication scholars in the world. For his outstanding contributions to communication scholarship, Professor Lance Holbert was recently awarded a 2020 fellowship title from the International Communication Association (ICA), a title earned only after nomination by the association's members and an approval process by the association's previously awarded fellows and board of directors. With his new title, Holbert will be expected to review...

Klein Alumnus James Seykot Helps Curate Protest Music Playlist

by Christiana Dillard
June 30
Music has always served as a means for James Seykot, KLN '19, to process the events of the world. Thankfully, the media studies and production graduate found others who related to this practice. Rahmi Halaby and Vincenzo DiTrolio, both alumni of Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, connected with Seykot over their shared love for music and its healing power. Along with another colleague, they make up Savory Sounds, a collective of music enthusiasts who aim to showcase music that is meant to be "savored." One of their most recent Spotify playlists titled "Don't Stay...

“I’m Tired”: Alexis Johnson on Tension with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Lessons Learned from Temple University

by Christiana Dillard
June 23
After graduating from the Klein College of Media and Communication master's program in media studies and production and working at various media organizations, Alexis Johnson, KLN '17, was excited to return to her hometown of Pittsburgh as a journalist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2018. Now, her position at the newspaper is receiving national attention. Because of a viral social media post she created, the Post-Gazette is denying her the opportunity to cover Pittsburgh protests spurred by the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd. Klein faculty and staff acknowledge...

Journalism Alumna Jayna Alexandra Schaffer Enrolls in Columbia University Graduate Journalism Program

by Christiana Dillard
June 17
As a Temple University student, Jayna Alexandra Schaffer, KLN '20 (professionally known as Jayna Alexandra) was enamored with the university's media programs and opportunities. However, she knew that she eventually wanted to venture into an even larger media market than Philadelphia: New York City. Her dream will come true in the fall when she joins Columbia University's rigorous nine-and-a-half-month master of science in journalism graduate program. She believes that Klein College of Media and Communication gave her a secure foundation to build the skills she will need at...

"Pride Class" CSI 3100 Students Take Over Instagram for Pride Month

by Lindsay Hargrave
June 16
Under normal circumstances, the students in Klein's Communication Studies Pride course (CSI 3100) learn and engage with course materials through a combination of projects, quizzes and presentations, all leading up to the annual historic event every June, celebrating the Stonewall Riots that marked the beginning of the LGBTQ movement: the Pride Parade in New York City.With recent events having shifted the reality of the 2020 Pride Parade, these students now faced the challenge of creating the same experience found in a movement to an online platform. But through quick thinking...

Urban League of Philadelphia Hires Khalil Bullock KLN ‘18 as Manager of Administration and Communication

by Christiana Dillard
June 15
Ever since he started thinking about his career path, Khalil Bullock KLN '18 knew that he wanted to amplify the voices of Philadelphia's communities with his work. His love for interpersonal communication was evident while he pursued a degree from Klein College of Media and Communication in strategic communication with a concentration in public relations. Now, following graduation and two years working in the corporate realm, he has transitioned into a new role as the Urban League of Philadelphia's manager of administration and communication, in which he hopes to bring in...

Re’Mahn Davis, Communication Studies Student-Athlete, Wins Men’s “Newcomer of the Year” 2020 Stella Award

by Christiana Dillard
June 11
Re'Mahn Davis shows no signs of slowing down his success. Last season, the sophomore communication studies student and celebrated running back for the Temple University's football team ranked second in the university's history among freshmen in every rushing category and became a first-team Pro Football Focus All-Freshman Team selection. His performance earned him the men's "Newcomer of the Year" award at the 2020 Stella Awards, a set of honors eligible to student-athletes named after Temple's live mascot Stella the Owl, unveiled online this year due to COVID-19. However, his...

PR Alumna Takes Her Passion for Progressive Politics from the Sanders 2020 Campaign to a D.C. Startup

by Lindsay Hargrave
June 11
When Kate Yeager, KLN '18, graduated from Klein College of Media and Communication in December of 2018, she took a leap of faith. After completing an impressive string of internships during her time in college, she moved to Washington, D.C., with only her determination, love for politics and PR skills to guide her path. Now, her résumé boasts an internship in Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office, a job with the Bernie Sanders 2020 campaign and her latest position as a communications and development associate at the American Economic Liberties Project.As a student, Yeager completed...

Klein Student Megan Phillips Wins Top Freshman in Public Relations Recognition and Dr. Jean Brodey Scholarship

by Christiana Dillard
June 10
Student-athletes are required to keep their head in the game both on and off the field. But rising sophomore Megan Phillips takes this sentiment — and Temple University's motto, "Perseverance Conquers,"  — to heart. Despite her busy schedule as a double major in public relations and communication and social influence and a member of Temple's women's field hockey team, Phillips earned the Top Freshman in Public Relations recognition and the Dr. Jean Brodey Scholarship at the end of the spring 2020 semester. She was recognized during an online student ceremony....

Two Klein Students “Stay Sharp” with a Sports Media Podcast for the COVID Age

by Lindsay Hargrave
June 09
When rising sophomore communication studies major Brian Mermelstein and rising senior journalism major Ben Medland found themselves with extra time on their hands due to the pandemic, they knew the time was finally right to start their podcast. Having worked together closely at Temple Athletics for the past six months, the two had thrown the idea around before. But with their present lack of entertainment as well as sudden decline in opportunities to practice their broadcast and production skills, they knew they needed this time to "Stay Sharp,"—and felt inspired to name...

Thrift and Flop, Launched By Communication Studies Students, Wins “Outstanding New Student Organization” Award

by Christiana Dillard
June 09
When a need for environmentally-conscious fashion arose at Temple University, Klein College of Media and Communication students knew exactly how to take care of it. Miyalani Wagner and Allison Altobelli, both rising junior communication studies majors and classmates, discovered that they both wanted to join a student organization that resonated with like-minded stylish and environmentally conscious students. They decided to create Thrift and Flop, a club that allows students to transform their clothing so that they can practice more sustainable and affordable living. Following...

Professor Kathy Mueller Creates COVID-19 Crisis Brand Initiative Final Project for Art Direction Students

by Christiana Dillard
June 04
When students, staff and faculty were forced to adjust and respond to the changes brought on by COVID-19, Assistant Advertising Professor Kathy Mueller quickly brainstormed and executed a final project idea for her Art Direction 1 students that incorporated both the lessons of the class and circumstances surrounding COVID-19. Students in her spring 2020 semester class were required to design a possible crisis brand initiative for an established brand of their choosing that helped spread positivity to customers and community members during the pandemic. By all accounts, the...

Communication Studies Alum Phil MacNeal ‘20 is a 2020 Scholar-Athlete of the Year

by Lindsay Hargrave
June 04
When rower, writer and recent graduate Phil MacNeal '20 logs into Zoom, the first thing you notice isn't the recent Communication Studies graduate himself, but instead the striking poster right over his shoulder depicting a mechanical eye next to the text "Rift." This striking image isn't just a poster to MacNeal - it's the cover of his debut novel, self-published during his time at Temple University. This poster also sheds light into his professional life, which, in addition to "author" and "athlete," MacNeal was recently presented with another title by Temple University...

Three Klein College Students Earn 2020 Temple University Diamond Awards

by Christiana Dillard
June 03
The Diamond Award, Temple University's Student Affairs' most prestigious honor for undergraduate students, is awarded annually to changemakers on campus. Awardees are expected to exhibit standout academic, service and leadership qualities. This year, three Klein College of Media and Communication students earned the prize. Siani Colón '20, Kenneth Cooper '20 and Max Eagle '20 were recognized as having left a marked impact on the university and its surrounding communities. Siani Colón graduated with a BA in journalism in spring 2020. She gained executive board leadership...

REFINE Magazine Wins Best Student Magazine Nationwide from the Society of Professional Journalists

by Lindsay Hargrave
May 28
When REFINE Magazine entered the running for the Society of Professional Journalists' (SPJ) Mark of Excellence Award for Best Student Magazine, they had no idea what was to come. Against countless well-funded, institutionally supported magazines from public and private schools across the country, REFINE - an independent magazine run entirely by students without so much as a penny of funding or a faculty advisor - has come away with the Best Student Magazine award not only from the Midatlantic region (Region 1), but nationwide. The winning issue, "Sustainability," was published...

Shark Tank Gets a Temple Twist: Virtual Shark Tank Held For The Entrepreneurial Journalist Class Final Project

by Christiana Dillard
May 27
When Bryan Monroe, associate professor of practice in the Department of Journalism, designed his The Entrepreneurial Journalist class, he knew that it had to reflect both the challenges and rewards that real entrepreneurs in communication and community-centered businesses face. As a result, he made the final project of the class a modified version of a "shark tank." Based on the ABC reality show Shark Tank, the class' take consists of a panel of judges — known as "sharks" — who decide whether they would invest in the hypothetical business idea after a student group'...

2020 Klein College Alumnae Among Temple’s Largest Group of Fulbright Recipients

by Christiana Dillard
May 27
By the time Maggie Andresen '17 graduated from Temple University, she already established an impressive career in photojournalism. However, one experience was missing: a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award. After two attempts at securing an open study/research award, she is now a recipient for her project "Documenting Resilient Communities Fighting Climate Adaptation Apartheid in Lagos." For the 2020-2021 Fulbright award cycle, Andresen is one of two Klein College of Media and Communication recipients and one of the 16 Temple awardees.Andresen, who graduated from Klein with a...

Communication Studies Alumna Ruth Oshlag Earns Position At Pittsburgh Advertising Agency

by Christiana Dillard
May 27
Ruth Oshlag '19 epitomizes individuality and interdiscipline. While at Temple University, she majored in both communication studies and English with a minor in art. All of those interests culminated post-graduation when she started working as a freelance copywriter, and most recently as a communications specialist at Garrison Hughes, a Pittsburgh-based advertising agency. Oshlag is excited to work onsite with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), one of Garrison Hughes' primary clients, and credits the clarity she received at Klein College of Media and...