2023 KU Fall Conference

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 in the 5th floor lobby of the Kansas Union, 1301 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045. We will have a small registration packet for each school.

KSPA executive director Eric Thomas will welcome students and teacher to the event in the Woodruff Auditorium on the 5th floor of the Kansas Union. Students will also be welcomed by Scott Reinardy, the associate dean for undergraduate studies at the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications at KU. 

We also will welcome Eric Meyer, the editor of the Marion County Record, the small-town newspaper that was raided by law enforcement officials in August. Meyer’s story made international news as he struggled to keep his newspaper publishing. In the aftermath of the raid, his mother died at the age of 98. Meyer’s staff, however, succeeded in publishing their newspaper as planned. Meyer is a former journalist at the Milwaukee Journal and a former associate professor at the University of Illinois. 

On-Site Critiques

Memorial Union: English Room, 6th floor

Please see the section, near the bottom of this page, titled “On-Site Critique Information” for a schedule of when each publication will be reviewed. (On-Site critiques are only available to schools that registered for them on our website.)

“Careers in Journalism and Media”

Memorial Union: Centennial Room, 6th floor

Learn more about the fascinating careers in storytelling, communications and all media.

Steve Rottinghaus, University of Kansas

Steve Rottinghaus is in his ninth year as career and outreach coordinator for the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications and adviser to KU PRSSA and KU Ad Club. Previously was a sports writer, columnist, editor, page designer and public relations director.

“Sports, Media and Society”

Memorial Union: Kansas Room, 6th floor

I provide a PowerPoint presentation that helps understand the critical and creative thinking necessary for understanding the connection of sports and media in the 21st century.

Al Wallace, University of Kansas

I worked for 40 years as a broadcast journalist. Specifically, as a sports reporter, producer and anchor. I am a graduate of Texas Tech and currently teach at KU.

“Editor Roundtable”

Memorial Union: Regionalist Room, 5th floor

As an editor of a publication, it can sometimes you feel like you’re on an island and no one else “gets it.” Come meet editors from other schools to see what works for them, share ideas and get help if needed.

Rachel Chushuk and Michelle Huss, Blue Valley School District

Mrs. Chushuk and Mrs. Huss advise publications in the Blue Valley school district in Johnson County, Kansas. Both Chushuk and Huss have over 10+ years experience advising award-winning yearbooks, newspapers & websites. They are full of ideas and can problem solve with the best of them!

“Starting a student-run photography business”

Memorial Union: Big XII Room, 5th floor

Creating a student-run photography business can take your photography skills to the next level, teach you important business skills, and promote your program to parents and students. Plus, you’ll make some money!

Allie Crome, Silver Lake High School

Allie Crome is the adviser at Silver Lake High School, where she teachers junior high and high school journalism. She teaches a little bit of everything – including yearbook, photography, and video.

“Breaking into journalism and finding your way “

Memorial Union: International Room, 5th floor

Laddha breaks down his path to entering the sports media world, now as a reporter at the Kansas City Star….especially without a journalism degree!

Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star

Shreyas Laddha is a KU beat reporter for the Kansas City Star. Before that he covered UConn for the Hartford Courant and sports life and hunting/fishing for the York Daily Record. He’s a university of Georgie alum (class of 2020).

“Using Conscious Language”

Memorial Union: Parlor ABC Room, 5th floor

Conscious language is about being sensitive to your audience and understanding that words can mean different things to different people. We’ll talk about the topics that have led stylebooks and news organizations to increase their emphasis on using conscious language.

Gerri Berendzen, University of Kansas

Gerri Berendzen is a lecturer at the University of Kansas School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She worked as an editor and reporter for 32 years at news publications in the Midwest before moving to full-time teaching in 2014. She currently teaches editing, writing, information management and digital media courses.

“Shield Law“

Memorial Union: Alderson Room, 4th floor

Learn about the laws that protect journalists from revealing their research to law enforcement — and the limits of those laws — with a First Amendment and journalism law expert from KU.

Genelle Belmas, University of Kansas

Genelle Belmas teaches and researches in the sexiest of all areas, media law, at KU. She lives and breathes free speech and press, and she wants to help students understand the rights and responsibilities that come with the First Amendment. She also loves cats, yarn, MMORPGs, office supplies, and strong coffee.

“Q and A with Keynote”

Memorial Union: Woodruff, 4th floor

Do you have questions for Eric after his keynote? We bet you do! Please remain in the Woodruff Auditorium if you would like to be part of the Q&A session that will follow the keynote address.

Eric Meyer, Marion County Record

Meyer is a former journalist at the Milwaukee Journal and a former associate professor at the University of Illinois. He currently publishes the Marion County Record.

Advisers Meeting

Memorial Union: Jayhawk Room, 5th floor

A chance to gather with your fellow advisers to talk about teaching and publications — plus, hear from the KSPA board members about ongoing projects and plans for the year. Refreshments served as well!

On-Site Critiques

Memorial Union: English Room, 6th floor

Please see the section, near the bottom of this page, titled “On-Site Critique Information” for a schedule of when each publication will be reviewed. (On-Site critiques are only available to schools that registered for them on our website.)

“Storytelling: All it takes is an idea”

Memorial Union: Centennial Room, 6th Floor

Students will learn how to generate story ideas, how to take the idea and see it grow into a potential story along with visuals, how to interview sources as well as discuss who you might talk to and why. Students will create a full-blown coverage idea (complete with potential sources, visual ideas) that they can take back to school and pursue for their high school publication.

Patricia Gaston, University of Kansas

Patricia E. (Weems) Gaston (j’81) joined the University of Kansas two years ago after a long, stellar career at The Washington Post, where she was an editor who worked on several desks including National, Foreign and Editorial. Before coming to the Post in 1997, Gaston worked at the Dallas Morning News, where she was an assistant foreign editor and was co-editor of the 1994 Pulitzer Prize-winning series on violence against women.

She grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and graduated from the University of Kansas in 1981. She has a master’s degree in sports management from The George Washington University.

SESSION CANCELLED

Memorial Union: Kansas Room, 6th Floor

This previously scheduled session has been canceled.

This previously scheduled session has been canceled.

This previously scheduled session has been canceled.

“Intro to Sports Media”

Memorial Union: Regionalist Room, 5th Floor

Learn from Rylee about how she started her own Sports Media business, RH Sports Media, as a high school sophomore. She continues to develop her media skills with job responsibilities including managing social media platforms, taking, and editing professional sports photos, filming, and editing game/match and practice film, and graphic design among many others.

Rylee Hackmann, Basehor-Linwood High School

Rylee Hackmann, junior at Basehor-Linwood High School, manages three sports while running her own sports media business (RH Sports
Media). She continues to develop her media skills by managing social media platforms, taking, and editing professional sports photos, filming, and editing game/match and practice film, and graphic design. Rylee utilizes her passion and skills to growing her own business while also aiding coaches in running and managing successful sports programs.

“Podcasting Basics“

Memorial Union: Big XII Room, 5th Floor

It’s easy and important to start podcasting for your publication. Learn how to get started, how to get better and how to convince your administrators not to be afraid of something new.

Brendan Praeger, Wabaunsee High School

Brendan Praeger has advised the weekly newspaper and podcast at Wabaunsee High School for more than a decade. He previously advised at Manhattan High School. He also serves as a KSPA board member and works as a contributing writer for the Manhattan Mercury.

“Applying for Student Journalist of the Year”

Memorial Union: International Room, 5th Floor

Learn how to build a strong application for KSPA Student Journalist of the Year from a previous winner and collect some other tips and tricks from a former KSPA high school editor and reporter.

Cuyler Dunn, University of Kansas

Cuyler Dunn is a student journalist at the University of Kansas and works as a reporter for The University Daily Kansan and The Lawrence Times. He attended Lawrence High School where he was named the 2022 KSPA Student Journalist of the Year and won four national awards for his editing and reporting. 

“Creating Icons in Adobe Illustrator”

Memorial Union: Parlor ABC Room, 5th Floor

We will learn how to use the shapebuilding tool in Illustrator to create illustrations and icons for your publication. It’s helpful to have a computer with Illustrator for this session.

Sarah McCambridge, Bishop Miege

Sarah McCambridge, the adviser at Bishop Miege, found her start in journalism working for her high school newspaper and yearbook staffs. Throughout college, she worked at the Kansas State Collegian and Wichita Eagle. Her journalism experiences helped shape her, and she hopes they do the same for her students.

“Magazine writing: It’s everywhere. Learn how to do it”

Memorial Union: Alderson Room, 4th Floor

Magazine writing isn’t just for magazines–it’s for yearbooks, websites and even newspapers. Get tips how to make your stories more enticing using magazine writing techniques.

Carol Holstead, University of Kansas

Carol Holstead teaches writing and visual communication in the the journalism school at the University of Kansas. Way way back, she edited a magazine in Kansas City. She’s been teaching at KU for 33 years.

“Interviewing 101“

Memorial Union: Woodruff, 5th Floor

Sourcing and interviewing are the keys to great stories. Learn to up your game.

Jim McCrossen, Blue Valley Northwest High School

Jim McCrossen is the journalism teacher, newspaper adviser and yearbook adviser at Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park. He’s OK-ish.

Advisers Meeting

Memorial Union: Jayhawk Room, 5th floor

Students here at KU are working on a project: they are planning KU’s involvement in the upcoming JEA/NSPA convention in Kansas City in April. We would appreciate if you, as an adviser, could meet with these students from the Campaigns class. They want to know about you, your students and your plans for the convention. Thanks so much for your help with this student project!

On-Site Critiques

Memorial Union: English Room, 6th floor

Please see the section, near the bottom of this page, titled “On-Site Critique Information” for a schedule of when each publication will be reviewed. (On-Site critiques are only available to schools that registered for them on our website.)

“Capitalize on Color in InDesign & Output”

Memorial Union: Centennial Room, 6th Floor

The basic technology and application of color modes in Adobe products is explored including syncing color settings in Adobe Bridge, ensuring high quality output for PDFs & web-based files, color profiles, color theory, and how important color decisions are in an overall design’s look.

Mike Lavin, Eudora High School

Mike Lavin is in his 4th year teaching and advising journalism, graphic design and photography classes with Eudora High School’s school newspaper “The Cardinal.” Originally from Wichita, KS, Lavin graduated from KU with a BGS in Film & Media Studies with a minor in journalism. Lavin completed an alternative teaching licensure program at Fort Hays State in the summer of 2022. He has helped lead, produce, and distributed three yearbooks independent of any yearbook companies.

“Editing Schmediting“

Memorial Union: Kansas Room, 6th Floor

Drop on in for advice on copy editing workflow and suggestions for making the editing process fun. Yes, fun! It can be fun! 🙂

Kathy Habiger, Mill Valley High School

Kathy Habiger advises the yearbook, newsmagazine and news website at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee. She is a long-time member of the KSPA board. She is a frequent workshop and convention speaker and judge for several state press associations and for NSPA.

“Data Visualization”

Memorial Union: Regionalist Room, 5th Floor

Telling stories effectively with numbers is an important skill for sports communicators. Data visualizations give sports writers an important new tool to tell those number-heavy stories. In this session, we will discuss some available resources that sports storytellers can use to tell a more interesting story.

Chris Etheridge, University of Kansas

Chris Etheridge teaches data storytelling, message development, sports media, and audience experience in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. He researches how communities without news organizations spread important information. His favorite thing about fall is watching the leaves turn.

“The Total Package”

Memorial Union: Big XII Room, 5th Floor

Good stories and photos don’t automatically equal a great package. To bring them together in a way that makes impact for readers, you need planning and communication. We’ll look at lots of examples to illustrate how even a short chat and a quick sketch can make a better end result. 

Megan Moser, The Manhattan Mercury

Megan is the executive editor of the daily Manhattan Mercury, as well as 313, a regional lifestyle magazine. Previously, she was editor-in-chief of the K-State Collegian and her high school newspaper.

“Eye-catching photos every time”

Memorial Union: Parlor ABC Room, 5th Floor

Whether you have the fanciest DSLR or just a smartphone, the basic rules of photography help create stunning images every time. Learn the art of composition, master lighting, and enhance your photos with Lightroom editing. Elevate your photography skills and take stunning shots with confidence. (Camera recommended.)

Heather Springer, Olathe South

Heather Springer, CJE, advises yearbook, newspaper, and photojournalism at Olathe South High School. Springer earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and master’s degree from Emporia State. Beyond advising, Springer is a professional wedding photographer and HIIT-addicted gym rat with two adorable fur children.

“Editorial Writing”

Memorial Union: Alderson Room, 4th Floor

How to brainstorm ideas and craft your argument — either column or editorial — for a high school journalism program.

BriAnne Chayer Paola High School

I teach print and digital journalism publications at Paola High School. I have taught and advised journalism in Paola for 18 years in addition to teaching ELA courses. I earned a graduate degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.

“Winning Work to Inspire You”

Memorial Union: Woodruff, 5th Floor

Are you looking to be inspired to greatness? Are you hoping to win some recognition for your program or yourself? We’ll break down the work of young journalists and programs that have won KSPA’s portfolio and Courage in Journalism awards to help you up your game this school year.

Barbara Tholen, Lawrence High School

Barbara Tholen spent 10 years working as a newspaper reporter before making the leap to teaching in 2010. Her students at Lawrence High School routinely take on tough stories and embrace covering breaking news.

“Journalism School Tour”

Memorial Union: Meet in lobby of 4th Floor

Take a look inside the University of Kansas J-School’s state of the art studio, newsrooms and more while you explore where you could fit in at KU. 

University of Kansas Journalism School Ambassadors

On-Site Critiques

Memorial Union: English Room, 6th floor

Please see the section, near the bottom of this page, titled “On-Site Critique Information” for a schedule of when each publication will be reviewed. (On-Site critiques are only available to schools that registered for them on our website.)

“How to Write an Editorial”

Memorial Union: Centennial Room, 6th Floor

A solid argument, logical structure and a little bit of reporting lead to effective editorials. This session covers the basics of editorial writing, with examples.

Lisa McLendon, University of Kansas

Lisa McLendon teaches writing and editing and runs the Bremner Editing Center at the University of Kansas J-school. She spent 12 years as a newspaper copy editor, including at the Wichita Eagle. McLendon is also the author of “The Perfect English Grammar Workbook.”

“Sports Photography”

Memorial Union: Kansas Room, 6th Floor

Learn how to take on the challenge of getting perfect sports photos at your high school’s events. 

Kathy Habiger, Mill Valley High School

Kathy Habiger advises the yearbook, newsmagazine and news website at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee. She is a long-time member of the KSPA board. She is a frequent workshop and convention speaker and judge for several state press associations and for NSPA.

“Design Through the Ages”

Memorial Union: Regionalist Room, 5th Floor

Are you working on a vintage or retro themed yearbook? Take a look at 100 years of evolving style in architecture, graphic design and fashion to see what influences impacted the culture then and now.

Heather Hooper, Topeka High School

A former newspaper reporter, Heather Hooper, CJE, advises the newspaper, news web site and yearbook at Topeka High School. This is her 20th year teaching. A highlight of her journalism teaching career was meeting Mary Beth Tinker – twice!

“Writing about Politics”

Memorial Union: Big XII Room, 5th Floor

What is harder in 2023 than writing about politics? Consider all of the polarization, all of the tension, all of the conflict. But also consider how important it is! This veteran editor and columnist will explain how he thinks about politics — and writing about it — in his job at the Kansas Reflector.

Clay Wirestone, Kansas Reflector

Clay Wirestone serves as Kansas Reflector’s opinion editor. His columns have been published in the Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle, along with newspapers and websites across the state and nation. He has written and edited for newsrooms in Kansas, New Hampshire, Florida and Pennsylvania.

“Basics of Adobe Illustrator”

Memorial Union: Parlor ABC Room, 5th Floor

Unlock your design potential with this basic Adobe Illustrator course! We’ll cover essential skills for creating stunning vector graphics, from navigating the interface to mastering powerful tools. Perfect for beginners and aspiring designers looking to bring their creative visions to life.

Heather Springer, Olathe South

Heather Springer, CJE, advises yearbook, newspaper, and photojournalism at Olathe South High School. Springer earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and master’s degree from Emporia State. Beyond advising, Springer is a professional wedding photographer and HIIT-addicted gym rat with two adorable fur children.

“Design Principles & Strategies”

Memorial Union: Alderson Room, 4th Floor

An introduction to using design principles and techniques for multimedia storytelling.

Alex Treaster, University of Kansas

Alex Treaster is an Assistant Professor of the Practice in the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. He teaches a variety of courses on topics including visual storytelling, social media, message development, media arts and campaigns in digital marketing communications.

“The AI Experiment”

Memorial Union: Woodruff, 5th Floor

At Lawrence High, AI has us feeling excited, confused and really queasy. So we’re putting it to the test this year. Students and their adviser will share what they’ve learned so far, along with a pretty funny game.

Barbara Tholen, Lawrence High School

Barbara Tholen spent 10 years working as a newspaper reporter before making the leap to teaching in 2010. Her students at Lawrence High School routinely take on tough stories and embrace covering breaking news.

“Journalism School Tour”

Memorial Union: Meet in lobby of 4th Floor

Take a look inside the University of Kansas J-School’s state of the art studio, newsrooms and more while you explore where you could fit in at KU. 

University of Kansas Journalism School Ambassadors