Brad Babcock

Writer Brad Babcock is a senior from Elmhurst, Ill., with majors in journalism and English. After graduation from the UI, Brad plans on going back to school to get his teaching certificate and teach English and journalism at the high school. Brad has been a member of the Iowa Crew and Lacrosse teams. Last summer he interned at Riordan, Dashiell & Donnelly ltd., and has worked as a staff member for the University of Indiana Alumni Association Alumni Camp in Elkhart, Wis.

Merrisa Brown

Web designer and writer Merrisa Brown is a sophomore from Urbandale, Iowa, with majors in journalism and history. She has written for The Daily Iowan, the UI Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists’ newsletter, the Newshawk, and worked on the staff of earthwords, the undergraduate magazine. This summer, she will continue to intern at WOI-TV 5 in Des Moines, where she manages the station’s web site. After graduation, she would like to work on the web site of a major publication.

Shannon Burrill

Designer, writer and copy editor Shannon Burrill is a junior from Milwaukee, Wis., with double majors in journalism and communication studies. She currently works as a paginator at The Daily Iowan. This summer, she will become co-design editor at the DI. After graduation, Shannon plans to pursue a career working in publication design. She would like to pursue layout for a newspaper, and eventually design for a magazine.

Erica Driskell

Writer and copy editor Erica Driskell is a senior from Creston, Iowa, with majors in
journalism and political science. She was involved with the UI's literary magazine earthwords, and has written for The Daily Iowan as the political reporter during the 2000 presidential election. During the 2001 spring semester, Erica studied political science at University College in Dublin, Ireland. Currently, she volunteers for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. After graduation, she hopes to work for a nonprofit organization before returning to graduate school.

Jennifer Franklin

Photographer, designer and writer Jennifer Franklin is a senior from Knoxville, Iowa, with majors in journalism and theater, with an emphasis in photography. She writes her own column in the Hometown News, located in Knoxville, and has interned at the Oskaloosa Herald as a photographer. After graduation, Jennifer plans to pursue a career in the entertainment business and as a freelance photographer. Her long-term goal is to work for the Los Angeles Times or the New York Times as a columnist or photographer.

Leah Grout

Writer and copy editor Leah Grout is a senior from Iowa City, Iowa, with majors in journalism and psychology. She is currently an intern for the City of Iowa City in the department of Planning and Community Development. She writes the downtown newsletter every other month, assists with the updating and redesigning of city government web pages and was a member of the Iowa Avenue Dedication planning committee. Leah also interns at the UI Career Center and hopes to use that experience after graduation to pursue a career as an admission counselor for a college or university.

Samantha Houston

Designer, writer and copy editor Samantha Houston is a junior from Van Meter, Iowa. She is an English major and journalism minor with a focus in public relations. She is the newsletter editor for the UI chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America and has written for the Iowa City Press-Citizen and the Iowa Advocate. Samantha has had internships with University Relations, The Integer Group and the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce. Currently, she is the Marketing Services Assistant for the Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau and plans to work in event planning.

Michael Junker

Web designer and writer Michael Junker is a junior from Lansing, Ill., with majors in journalism and history and a minor in English. He has served on the executive council for RiverFest the past two years, this year as Director of Media Relations. Michael is also a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. This summer he will be working as a student adviser for the UI's Orientation Services. After graduation, Michael hopes to have a career involving education, politics or publishing.

Jennifer Litterer

Photographer Jennifer Litterer is a senior from Dougherty, Iowa, with majors in journalism and theater. She is a photo assistant for University Relations Publications. Jennifer had a photo internship at the Globe Gazette in Mason City, Iowa, and was assistant editor for LOGOS, a student run newspaper at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. She plans to pursue a career in freelance and documentary photography.

Kristin McComas

Writer, designer and web designer Kristin McComas is a senior from Downers Grove, Ill., majoring in journalism and dance. She has interned at Dome Communications, a Chicago Public Relations firm, the Hancher Auditorium marketing department and has worked as a paginator at The Daily Iowan. She is also the educational director of the UI chapter of PRSSA and is active in Alpha Xi Delta sorority. After graduation she hopes to pursue a career in PR or advertising in the Chicago area.