Alumni notes

 

1940s

Charles J. Smith III (M. A. 1948) is the author of a recently independently published 535-page autobiography entitled I Remember: A Black Son of the South’s 74-year Living History — Recollections of Growin’ Up “Cullud,” “Negra,” “Boy,” and “Stuff”, which covers the first 45 years of his life living and working in the south as well as his year as a graduate student.

1960s

Kathie Swift (B.A. 1963) officially stepped down after 26 years as the Iowa State Fair spokeswoman. After graduating from Iowa, Swift became the local editor for TV Guide Magazine in Washington, D.C., and returned to Iowa to work for a Des Moines ad firm and WHO-TV and WHO radio. On April 10, 1978, she became the official spokeswoman for the Iowa State Fair.

 

1980s

Neil Brown (B.A. 1981) was named executive editor of the St. Petersburg Times in St. Petersburg, Fla. after serving nine years as managing editor and a vice president. Brown joined the Times in 1993 as world editor, overseeing Washington, D.C., a Times affiliate. He worked for the Congressional Quarterly, including nearly four years as CQ’s managing editor. He also worked for eight years as a reporter and editor at the Miami Herald. Brown has served as president of the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors, a professional association of newspaper journalists. Originally from Chicago, Brown graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UI, majoring in journalism and political science.

Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier (B.A. 1985), a partner at Snell & Wilmer, was elected to a four-year term on the executive council of the American Bar Association’s business law section, of which she will be chairwoman of the strategic planning committee.

 

1990s

Chelsea Cain (M.A. 1995) has written her fourth humor book, The Hippie Handbook, and writes a weekly humor column for The Oregonian in Portland, Oregon. She is also expecting a child.

Veronica Khokhlova (M.A. 1998) recently had an op-ed article entitled “New Kids on the Bloc” published in The New York Times.

Lynn Tefft Melton (B.A. 1993) is Communications and Outreach Manager for Molina Healthcare of New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M. Melton previously worked in public relations at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and Albuquerque TVI Community College. She was also a reporter for The Gazette in Cedar Rapids.

Eric Van Danen (M.A. 1991) was named Director of Communications for the Division of Student Affairs at Duke University. Van Danen previously worked as senior communications director at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

 

2000s

Jac (John ) Coyne (M.A. 2003) joined the staff of the Dixon Tribune in Dixon, Calif., as a staff news reporter.

Michelle Moncrieffe Foreman (M.A. 2003) is working in health communication as regional coordinator for the Minnesota Asthma Coalition. She was also recently married.

Shawna M. McDonald (B.A. 2004) is Production Editor at McGraw Hill Companies in Chicago, Ill. McDonald previously interned at Grant Jacoby Chicago in the PR department as one of four interns.

Sean Thompson (B.A. 2004) is reporting on news and sports (golf and tennis) for the Powell Tribune in Powell, Wyo.

Ted Utoft (B.A. 2004) is working at the China Daily in Beijing.

Amanda Wehr (B.A. 2004) was part of John Kerry’s national advance team, which involved traveling 4-7 days ahead of the candidate to plan the events for the scheduled city. Wehr was responsible for press for the event as well as making accommodations for members of the press that traveled with the candidate.

Lana Zak (B.A. 2000) was recently married to Seth Andrew; their unique wedding was featured in The New York Times.

Amira Zamin (M.A. 2004) is working with the School of Science at Purdue Marketing Communications in Indiana.