UM journalism professor Samir Husni launched the Magazine Innovation Center in 2009. In honor of his years of work, former student Amy Lyles Wilson has started an endowment to rename the center for her mentor and friend. Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole Miss Communications

OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi alumna Amy Lyles Wilson is working to raise $100,000 to rename the Magazine Innovation Center at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media for the center’s longtime director and journalism professor Samir Husni.

A former student of Husni’s, Wilson wants to rename the foundation of the university’s magazine program to the Samir “Mr. Magazine” Husni Magazine Innovation Center in honor of the professor’s years of service and dedication to his students.

Wilson’s family donated an initial $55,000 gift to support the effort, and she’s inviting others to contribute through the Ignite Ole Miss crowdfunding platform to reach a $100,000 goal. Just over $76,000 has been contributed thus far, and Wilson is hoping more of Husni’s friends, colleagues, and current and former students will pay tribute to his legacy on campus.

Wilson earned an M.A. in journalism in 1986 after enrolling in the program following a discouraging semester in another field.

“I dragged myself across the parking lot to Farley Hall and, thankfully, Will Norton took pity on me and the department granted me provisional admission, as I needed to take the GRE,” she said. “He told me to check out a class with ‘the new guy,’ who turned out to be Samir Husni. At that point, everything shifted.” 

Husni joined the UM journalism faculty in 1984 and has become known as the world’s leading magazine expert. Besides teaching, he continues to be a practitioner in the magazine industry by offering consultation and insight to new magazines.

In 2009, he created the Magazine Innovation Center to link the greatest minds in the industry with future industry leaders: Ole Miss students.

“I am humbled and honored,” Husni said. “I am thankful to Amy Lyles Wilson for starting this, and I’m proud to be serving Ole Miss magazine students since 1984.”

Since Wilson’s time in his classroom, she and Husni have become friends and peers, working together to publish his “Launch Your Own Magazine” book and supporting young people who dream of careers in magazine journalism.

“The magazine program has come a long way since a handful of us gathered in Samir’s classroom for his inaugural semester back in 1984, unsure of who he was or just what he was offering,” she said. “Even then, though, before he became world-renowned and tagged as ‘Mr. Magazine,’ it was obvious that Samir had an abiding interest in his students.”

Husni set the foundation for Wilson’s career, she said. Since earning her degree from Ole Miss, she has written for magazines, published books and developed communications materials for nonprofits. Wilson has co-authored or contributed to eight books, and her work has appeared in a variety of publications as well as on National Public Radio.

Wilson earned a master’s degree in theology from Vanderbilt University’s Divinity School and works as a story coach and spiritual director in Nashville, Tennessee. She teaches throughout the South and at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, and has served as adjunct professor and writer-in-residence at the Earlham School of Religion in Indiana.

“I couldn’t have crafted a better life for myself,” she said. “And I couldn’t have done it as readily without Samir and the journalism folks opening up such a versatile world to me. And I know they’ve done it for many others as well.”

Wilson said she believes society will always need talented, skilled communicators, whether online or off, in print or digital, and she wants to help Husni prepare them for years to come with this endowment.

Individuals and organizations can contribute to the fund at https://ignite.olemiss.edu/samir. Checks can be mailed to the University of Mississippi Foundation, with the name of the fund noted in the check’s memo line, at 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655.

For more information, contact Jason McCormick, development director for the journalism school, at jason@olemiss.edu or 662-915-1757.

UM students, along with Patricia Thompson (left), assistant dean of student media show off the recognitions they received for their work at the Southeastern Journalism Conference at Harding University. Submitted photo

OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi students earned more than 50 awards in three regional contests this spring for their outstanding work in newspaper, television, radio and online journalism.

“The Student Media Center is one of the best recruiting tools for the university and the Meek School,” said Patricia Thompson, assistant dean for student media and an assistant professor of journalism. “We have students from every classification, from freshmen to graduate students, working in our vibrant newsroom every afternoon. 

“They get a chance to develop communications skills and they learn to work with others to produce award-winning journalism. They love it. They are passionate about providing our campus community with news and information they won’t get anywhere else.”

The Southeastern Journalism Conference, held this year at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, featured more than 200 participants from 28 colleges and universities in seven states. UM was named Grand Champion at the conference for on-site competitions, where 15 students had to produce content on a deadline.

In the SEJC Best of the South competition, Ole Miss students won 17 awards, including first places for Abbie McIntosh, a junior from Cypress, Texas in the television news reporting category, and for Thomas DeMartini, a senior from Flowood, and Austin Hille, senior from Boise, Idaho, in the broadcast commercial category.

The Daily Mississippian won first place for best all-around daily newspaper and best affiliated website in the Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence competition. The SPJ region includes universities in Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Louisiana.

“I’m so proud of The Daily Mississippian team and the other student media staff members that earned top honors this past year,” said DM editor-in-chief Lana Ferguson, a senior from Mechanicsville, Virginia. “So many of us put hard work in every day and we don’t do it for awards, but it’s always a great feeling to be recognized.

“The student journalists at Ole Miss are creating high-quality content, and I’m glad it’s getting the attention it deserves.”

Clara Turnage and Malachi Shinault, both 2017 UM graduates from New Hebron and Booneville, respectively, took home first-place awards in all three competitions for their online feature package of text, photo, video and audio published on theDMonline.com about activist Correl Hoyle as he prepared for graduation last spring.

Other students who won first-place awards from SPJ are:

• Devna Bose, senior from Philadelphia, for feature writing
• Marlee Crawford, senior from Oxford, for breaking news photography
• Lauren Layton, senior from Huntsville, Alabama, for online/digital feature videography
• Jules Marcantonio, senior from Franklin, Tennessee, for television general news reporting
• Ariyl Onstott, 2017 UM graduate from Carriere, for online news reporting
• Jake Thrasher, senior from Birmingham, Alabama, for editorial cartoons

All first-place winners will compete against winners in the 11 other regions of SPJ for national titles, which will be announced later this month.

In the Louisiana-Mississippi Associated Press Contest, the student news broadcast NewsWatch Ole Miss took home first place for its Dec. 1, 2017 newscast, which included coverage of the NCAA sanctions announced that day.

“Our students dedicate so much time into the show and providing our audience with the top news of the day, and to be recognized for that day-in and day-out hard work makes it all worth it,” said Abbie McIntosh, NewsWatch manager. “I’m honored to have received some awards on top of what NewsWatch won. It makes me happy to know people think our work is good.”

Matthew Hendley and Joseph Katool, from Madison and Jackson, were awarded first place in the Associated Press contest for their radio coverage of NCAA sanctions.

Ferguson took home first-place honors from the AP for her feature story about an Oxford church helping a Texas community rebuild after Hurricane Harvey.

Other students who won first place in the AP and SEJC competitions are:

• Devna Bose, arts and entertainment writing, SEJC
• Lana Ferguson, feature writing, AP
• Alana Mitius, freshman from Olive Branch, for radio feature, AP
• Ethel Mwedziwendira, senior from McKinney Texas, for current events, SEJC
• Marlee Crawford, sports photography, SEJC

Second- and third-place winners and finalists representing Ole Miss are:

• Grant Gaar, senior from Walnut, finalist for television feature reporting, SPJ
• Hayden Benge, junior from Tulsa, Oklahoma, design, SEJC
• Marisa Morrissette, senior from Oxford, media history/ethics/law, SEJC
• Clifton Carroll, senior from Yazoo City, public relations, SEJC
• DeAndria Turner, sophomore from Gauter, radio reporting, SEJC; radio sports, AP; radio journalist SEJC
• Matthew Hendley, TV anchoring, SEJC
• Lana Ferguson, feature writing and news writing, SEJC
• Erin Pennington, sophomore from Fulton, radio feature, SEJC
• Madison Heil, 2017 graduate from Mandeville, Louisiana, journalism research paper, SEJC
• Jake Thrasher, DM editorial cartoonist, SEJC
• Ethel Mwedziwendira, newspaper layout and design, AP
• Lana Ferguson and Clara Turnage, breaking news, AP
• Abbie McIntosh and Marlee Crawford, documentary, AP
• Italiana Anderson, senior from Ridgeland, radio news, AP

Debora Wenger

OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi journalism professor Debora Wenger has been honored for her service to journalism education by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

The association’s Electronic News Division has chosen Wenger as a recipient of the 2018 Larry Burkum Service Award. Wenger is an associate professor of journalism and assistant dean for innovation and external partnerships at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media.

Besides her roles at the university, Wenger is a trainer for the Society of Professional Journalists through its partnership with the Google News Initiative, and she has educated journalists around the country.

“For me, personally, this award is recognition that the academy values work that is focused on supporting and maintaining quality journalism,” Wenger said. “I love teaching and I love staying connected to the many great journalists who work hard to keep our communities and our country informed about issues that matter. It’s an honor to be recognized for service to this vital profession.”

A former reporter, anchor and news manager at numerous television stations, Wenger focuses on multimedia journalism practice and education. She regularly contributes research findings to academic and professional publications on the topic.

Wenger has taught journalism courses at Ole Miss since 2009.

“The Meek School has many faculty who focus on work that helps make our teaching and our disciplines stronger,” she said. “Whether it’s research into best practices, training for practitioners or turning out graduates who are job-ready, our school values those contributions.

“This award offers outside recognition that strong industry ties are vital to successful journalism and communication programs everywhere.”

Wenger is being honored alongside Deborah Potter, founding director of NewsLab and former correspondent, anchor and program host at CBS, CNN, PBS and local television and radio stations. NewsLab, an online journalism training center, was transferred to the operation of the UM journalism school last year.

“Dr. Wenger has been a crucial player in the development of the Meek School,” said Will Norton, the school’s dean. “She has used her network of professionals and academics to enhance the reputation of the Meek School and its faculty. She sets rigorous standards in the classroom and works diligently to support faculty.”

The award is named for Larry Burkum, who served as the association’s secretary, newsletter editor and webmaster from 1995 to 2005. The Electronic News Division will honor Wenger and Potter in August in Washington, D.C., at the AEJMC annual conference.

Students can earn an IMC graduate degree online through a new program. The application deadline is July 31. Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole Miss Communications

OXFORD, Miss. – Interested professionals can earn a graduate degree in integrated marketing communication completely online through the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi starting in August.

This program is designed to give mid-career professionals an opportunity to learn how to use communication to connect people and organizations, without having to uproot their lives to become full-time students on a college campus. It also is opening the school’s programs to students around the world.

The master’s program in integrated marketing communication allows online students to take the same courses as residential students, with the only differences being the flexibility of delivery and the sequence of the courses.

“Demand is high for advanced study in how to integrate communication efforts to influence people’s behavior, but moving to Oxford to complete a graduate degree is quite difficult for people who are working full time and have other obligations,” said Robert Magee, program director and assistant professor of IMC.

Students can complete the 36-credit-hour degree program in two years by taking courses throughout the fall, spring and summer semesters.

“Because the online program is designed for people who are working full time, courses will be offered one at a time in the half-semesters and summer sessions,” Magee said. “This will enable a student to focus energy on each course and advance in a systematic way.”

The curriculum combines theory, insight and real-world application in the areas of audience research, analytics, creative production and brand strategy.

The demand for more education in the constantly changing industry of IMC is national and international, and this is the most effective way for professionals to pursue this degree, said Will Norton, UM journalism dean.

“We have partnerships in other nations with universities and schools that would like their graduates and students to be able to pursue our graduate degree program in integrated marketing communication,” Norton said.

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in advertising and public relations agencies, corporations, media, nonprofit organizations, health care, political communication and sports.

The university’s IMC program was introduced in 2012 for undergraduate and graduate studies. Ole Miss is one of just a few institutions to offer this type of specialized degree, which has resulted in tremendous increase in student enrollment within the journalism school during the last six years.

Faculty members hope this program will offer unique opportunities for students, no matter where they live.

“People around the world will gain access to the knowledge and skills they need to influence behavior,” Magee said.

The application deadline is July 31. To apply for the program, click here. To learn more about the journalism and IMC programs at Ole Miss, visit https://meek.olemiss.edu.

OXFORD, Miss. – “Print Proud and Digital Smart” is the message of this year’s ACT 8 Experience, a one-of-a-kind magazine media conference at the University of Mississippi.

The ACT Experience, which stands for “amplify, clarify and testify,” is hosted by the Magazine Innovation Center at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. This year’s conference, set for Tuesday through Friday (April 17-20), brings in the top names in every aspect of the magazine media industry for the only comprehensive conference of its kind in the country.

This year, the discussions focus on a multiplatform approach to magazine media brands, whether in print or digital. The main goal of the experience is to have students directly interact with industry professionals with the goal of landing a job in the magazine industry.

“The idea is that the experience is student-driven,” said Samir Husni, Ole Miss journalism professor and Magazine Innovation Center director. “That’s why these professionals come here. The presence of students in the audience has a positive effect on the speaker, in which they lose their guard and engage more freely with the future industry leaders when they are at an academic setting.”

Husni launched the annual conference in 2010 with 14 featured speakers. After just eight years, the conference has grown to feature more than 30 speakers and nearly 100 total attendees, including CEOs of major magazine and marketing companies, publishers, editors and other industry leaders.

Journalism and magazine students have opportunities to network with industry professionals from major companies including Hearst, Meredith, Trusted Media Brands, LSC Communications, Sappi Paper Co. North America, Democrat Printing, James G. Elliott Co., and Delta Magazine.

Jim Elliott, president of the James G. Elliott Co., has served as a sponsor for all past ACT conferences and has attended six. Elliott said this conference is by far his favorite.

“It is the most interactive and informative of all the conferences due to the way it is set up,” Elliott said. “It is not only the speakers and attendees, but also the interaction with the students that makes this so valuable. I’ve always gotten a number of great ideas from this conference, and as an added plus, a number of summer interns.”

Anna Grace Usery, a graduate student in integrated marketing communications from Elkmont, Alabama, hopes to strengthen her established relationships with industry professionals and gain more insight into today’s magazine industry.

“Even though it can be overwhelming to realize these professionals hold impressive titles, they still enjoy conversation with us students because they know we are the future magazine industry leaders,” Usery said. “They understand their love for all things magazines extends to providing an avenue for future leaders to succeed, which is the essence of this conference.”

Each year, students have received job offers as a result of the experience, Husni said.

“They have a captive audience with these CEOs, and some of them leave an impression,” Husni said. “Our ultimate goal as professors is to get a job for those students. I feel like we fail the students if we don’t provide them with jobs when they graduate.

“Anytime we put students first, including them in these events becomes the normal thing to do.”

Students also will accompany registered participants on a trip through the Delta to experience the music, food and culture of north Mississippi. The group will travel to Clarksdale to visit the Delta Blues Museum and the Shack Up Inn, ending the day with dinner and music at Ground Zero Blues Club.

“As a man who attends a dozen media conferences a year, Dr. Samir Husni’s ACT Experience at the University of Mississippi is the best,” said Bo Sacks, president of Precision Media Group. “There is no other event that mixes students and professionals in such an intimate and thoughtful environment.

“It is an opportunity for students to meet and mingle with top magazine leadership and sometimes even get a job. I have made lasting friendships there and look forward to it every year.”

ACT 8 Experience lectures will explore a range of topics related to the magazine industry, including storytelling, advertising, creating digital platforms, reaching audiences and creating the best print product.

All lectures are free and open to the public and will be conducted in the Overby Center Auditorium. Registration for the conference includes all meals, additional sessions and transportation to and from the Delta.

A full schedule and registration can be found at http://maginnovation.org/act/intro.

Students head to and from classes at Farley Hall, home of the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole Miss Communications

OXFORD, Miss. – The Meek School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi will host the Lens Collective, an annual multimedia workshop that features collaborations with mentors, students and eight universities, on March 28-31.

This year’s focus is on stories about civil rights in the Mississippi Delta.

“The Lens Collective is fun and intense,” said Alysia Burton Steele, UM assistant professor of journalism. “We have incredible mentors helping students and sharing their inspiring work.”

Three distinguished guests who mentor students and present their work are Smiley Pool, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist from the Dallas Morning News; Eric Seals, a nine-time regional Emmy Award-winner from the Detroit Free Press; and Josh Birnbaum, award-winning photojournalism professor at Ohio University and author of the coffee table book “Dream Shot: The Journey a Wheelchair Basketball National Championship” (University of Illinois Press, 2017).

Birnbaum will have a book signing as part of the activities. See https://www.lenscollective.org/ for the schedule.

“We plan to take a bus tour in the Delta, enjoy dinner with people we’re documenting and will premiere student work on the last night of the program,” Steele said.

Rolando Herts, director of the Delta Center for Culture and Learning, has partnered with the Lens Collective to provide a civil rights heritage tour of the area. The tour will include the Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden in Ruleville, the historic town of Mound Bayou and a Mississippi Delta soul food experience at The Senator’s Place restaurant in Cleveland.

Herts, Lee Aylward and Sheila Winters of The Delta Center organized the tour and connected the Lens Collective with Delta residents whose stories are being documented.

“We are pleased to host for a second year this group of talented students and mentors from across the country,” Herts said. “They are documenting and preserving important Mississippi Delta stories.”

This is also the second year the Ole Miss journalism school has partnered and will sponsor all other events, which provide an opportunity for participants to build their resumes and portfolios.

“Universities that can provide immersive field experiences to their students like the Lens Collective are taking their education seriously,” said Charles Mitchell, the school’s assistant dean. “They understand that classroom alone is not sufficient for a media practitioner.

“They find out how much fun it can be and their college work is better because seeing what it’s really like being out in the field inspires them.”

Events are free and open to the public. Meals are reserved for faculty and students only. For more information about the activities, go to https://www.lenscollective.org/.