2022 WSU Regional Conference

8:30-9 a.m.

We will not be distributing paper programs for this event, both to save paper and to give attendees the most up-to-date schedule of events. But come say hi before the opening remarks outside the ballroom of the Rhatigan Student Center, 1845 Fairmount St #56, Wichita, KS 67260 on the campus of Wichita State University.

9:00-9:20 a.m.

Our local host, Amy DeVault of Wichita State University, along with KSPA executive director Eric Thomas will welcome students and teachers to Wichita while providing an overview of the day and preview upcoming events on the KSPA calendar. 

9:25-10:10 a.m.

“How to write reviews your audience will devour”

Gridley Room

Denise Neil, a Dodge City native and a KU graduate, started as a reporter at the Wichita Eagle in 1997. She took over the restaurant beat in 2000 and since then has built her popular column and Facebook page, Dining with Denise, where she keeps Eagle readers updated on all the happenings in the dining scene.

Leading through the worst of times: Tips for motivating and energizing your staff and yourself

Santa Fe Room (RSC 233)

Tom Shine is the director of news and public affairs at KMUW, Wichita’s NPR station. He’s also the host of KMUW’s The Range, a show about where we live and the people who live here. Before joining KMUW, he spent nearly 40 years in a variety of reporting and editing roles at The Wichita Eagle.

“Capturing sports moments big and small with storytelling photos”

Lucas Room (RSC 265)

Travis Heying has been a staff photographer at the Wichita Eagle since 1997. In addition photographing numerous news and sports events, he’s produced three documentary films.

“Google Trends: Harness Google’s data to help research stories — from local to worldwide”

Olive Room (RSC 261)

Daniel Petty is the director of audience strategy for ProPublica, a non-profit investigative journalism outlet. He was previously director of audience development at MediaNews Group, the parent company of publications including The Denver Post, San Jose Mercury News and Boston Herald. At ProPublica, he leads efforts to build direct relationships with audiences on the organization’s digital platforms. He previously spent seven years at the Denver Post in a variety of production and editing roles and was a part of the staff that won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in breaking news. He is currently pursuing an MBA at the Wharton School and is expected to graduate in August.

Advisers Meeting

McKay Room (RSC319)

Eric Thomas is the executive director of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association and a lecturer at the University of Kansas. He teaches photojournalism and visual journalism, where his students produced a photography book about the pandemic and its effect on campus.

10:20–11 a.m.

“Hook them to keep them: How to improve a story’s opening”

Gridley Room

Shelby Kellerman is a reporter at the Wichita Business Journal, covering commercial real estate and economic development. Before that, Shelby was a features reporter at the Naples Daily News in Naples, Fla., and is one of those weirdos who decided to be a journalist at age 15. Who does that?

“Creative ways to use Instagram for your publications”

Santa Fe Room (RSC 233)

Amy DeVault is a journalism instructor at Wichita State University where she advises The Sunflower newspaper. She is current president of Kansas Collegiate Media, a board member for National Scholastic Press Association and a longtime supporter of student media.

“The Ten Must-Have Images of Photojournalism: It’s your checklist of photos to gather for any assignment”

Lucas Room (RSC 265)

Eric Thomas is the executive director of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association and a lecturer at the University of Kansas. He teaches photojournalism and visual journalism, where his students produced a photography book about the pandemic and its effect on campus.

“Adobe Premeire: Advanced Tips & Tricks from a Pro”

Spencer Room (RSC 264)

John Willome is the world’s greatest puppy sitter.

“Google Maps (Beginners) Learn the power of Google Maps for telling stories to your readers and doing research”

Olive Room (RSC 261)

Daniel Petty is the director of audience strategy for ProPublica, a non-profit investigative journalism outlet. He was previously director of audience development at MediaNews Group, the parent company of publications including The Denver Post, San Jose Mercury News and Boston Herald. At ProPublica, he leads efforts to build direct relationships with audiences on the organization’s digital platforms. He previously spent seven years at the Denver Post in a variety of production and editing roles and was a part of the staff that won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in breaking news. He is currently pursuing an MBA at the Wharton School and is expected to graduate in August.

11:10–11:50 p.m.

“Don’t be a bore: Sharpen your writing style to engage readers”

Gridley Room

Carrie Rengers has been a journalist for just over three decades. She writes the Have You Heard? business column in The Wichita Eagle in addition to writing on a variety of other topics, from COVID-19 to raising chickens.

“Interviewing for a sports feature — let’s practice”

Santa Fe Room (RSC 233)

Joanna Chadwick is the journalism adviser at Derby High School and member of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association’s board She spent 20 years as a high school sportswriter at The Wichita Eagle, where she wrote stories, created videos and built a brand for VarsityKansas online and on social media.

“Look beyond the obvious: Creative photo composition makes all the difference”

Lucas Room (RSC 265)

Matt Crow is the Multimedia Coordinator for the Office of Admissions at Wichita State. He has previously worked as a photojournalist for KAKE News and served as sports editor and a photographer for Wichita State’ student newspaper, The Sunflower.

“The power of video storytelling — what makes a visual story work?”

Spencer Room (RSC 264)

George Taylor is chief photojournalists / investigative producer at KWCH-TV in Wichita. He has worked in television for 22 years in Denver and Wichita, earning Emmys and regional and national Murrow awards. He was the 2015 regional photographer of the year for the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA).

“Visual storytelling through infographics”

Olive Room (RSC 261)

This is what your readers want: Infographics are the combination of vital text and visual reporting. But how do you get started? And what are the elements that you need to collect? This session will show you how to construct infographics.

ERIC THOMAS, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

Eric Thomas is the executive director of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association and a lecturer at the University of Kansas. He teaches photojournalism and visual journalism, where his students produced a photography book about the pandemic and its effect on campus.

noon–12:40 p.m.

“Conversations with Risk” :: Learn how to interview subject in way that is both fun and productive.

Gridley Room

Eric Thomas is the executive director of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association and a lecturer at the University of Kansas. He teaches photojournalism and visual journalism, where his students produced a photography book about the pandemic and its effect on campus.

“Stories are everywhere, but we always do the same ones — coverage ideas and brainstorming”

Santa Fe Room (RSC 233)

Kylie Cameron is a news reporter at KMUW, Wichita’s NPR station. Before KMUW, Cameron worked at a TV news station, and was editor of The Sunflower, Wichita State’s newspaper. She’s also been involved in student media since high school.

“Multimedia Storytelling — Building Great Packages”

Spencer Room (RSC 264)

Spencer O’Daniel is a journalism adviser at the Maize Career Academy, a member of the Kansas Scholastic Association Board, and leader of the Wichita Area Journalism Educators. In his 10 years advising, his student journalists have won nearly 500 awards including collegiate Photographer of the Year, Pacemakers, several All-Kansas publications and a 2017 KSPA 6A sweepstakes championship.

“Image Verification and Advanced Search”

Olive Room (RSC 261)

Daniel Petty is the director of audience strategy for ProPublica, a non-profit investigative journalism outlet. He was previously director of audience development at MediaNews Group, the parent company of publications including The Denver Post, San Jose Mercury News and Boston Herald. At ProPublica, he leads efforts to build direct relationships with audiences on the organization’s digital platforms. He previously spent seven years at the Denver Post in a variety of production and editing roles and was a part of the staff that won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in breaking news. He is currently pursuing an MBA at the Wharton School and is expected to graduate in August.