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Mizell Stewart III and Gretchen Hoak

The Kent State School of Media and Journalism (MDJ) welcomed Mizell Stewart III, award winning reporter, corporate news executive and president and CEO of Emerging Leaders LLC, to give the third annual Dix Media Ethics Lecture, “Journalism as a Civic Good,” on March 1, 2023.

Bobby Makar collage

Bobby Makar, a name remembered fondly by students and faculty in the School of Media and Journalism (MDJ), was a storyteller, a compassionate friend and inspiring teacher.

He died unexpectedly in November 2020, and since then, more than 100 donations have been made to establish memorial scholarship in his name.

Makar earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MDJ. He went on to become a cherished adjunct faculty member in the digital media production major and made significant contributions to the curriculum.

McGruder Lecture Honorees

The annual Robert G. McGruder Distinguished Lecture and Awards Program celebrates diversity in the journalism field. This year, WKYC’s Director of Advocacy and Community Initiatives Margaret Bernstein delivered the keynote speech.

Students and faculty at PRSSA Conference

Kent State’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA Kent) Chapter won three national awards, including the prestigious Dr. F.H. Teahan Award for University Service. The national award was announced during the Awards Ceremony Brunch at the International Public Relations Student Society Conference in Dallas on Nov. 14, 2022.

School of Media and Journalism
Emily Metzgar photo with Jargon overlay

In our work lives we have the power to demonstrate leadership. In recent years it’s been fashionable to lament the lack of grit among our students. Now that we’re all living through difficult times, this is our opportunity to show students what perseverance looks like. 

Alumna Brandi Neloms

Brandi Neloms, '09, is Chief Strategy Officer and co-owner of Sipping Black Only, a business dedicated to driving equity for Black founders in the beverage industry. 

Caty Payette headshot

When Caty Payette, ’20, began working for Student Media, she didn’t imagine she’d one day work for a member of Congress. Yet since graduation, the journalism major has worked for three different U.S. Representatives, representing Ohio, Wisconsin and Alabama.  

Brenna Parker From Kent State to the White House And Back

The School of Media and Journalism hosted Brenna Parker, digital director for Vice President Kamala Harris, for refreshments and a discussion with Parker about her journey at Kent State and beyond.

School of Media and Journalism
Emily Metzgar photo with Jargon overlay

As I watch the calendar turn to September, I’m finding it hard to believe that the Fall 2022 semester marks the start of my third year at Kent State University. For the last two years, much of what we’ve been doing at the School of Media and Journalism could be described as moving from one urgent issue to another. Speaking with colleagues in higher education around the country, I hear the same thing. There’s been little time to focus on anything more than just the day to day. To wit: Masks or no masks? Remote or in person? Events or no events? Regular seating or limited seating? Refreshments or no refreshments? The list goes on. And on. And on. Every little thing that used to be just part of the fabric of planning for a semester was held up for examination, debate and painfully slow decision making. Until now