The Month in Mayborn - November 2019

Mayborn Homecoming "Out of This World."

Students, alumni, faculty and staff shared "UNT Out of This World" spirit in advance of the Homecoming Game against the University of Texas at El Paso at the Mayborn Homecoming Tailgate event on November 2. UNT won the game 52-26. For more photos, check out #UNTHC2019 or follow the Mayborn School on Twitter.

Real-World Opportunities

Mayborn students enjoy real-world opportunities to interact with clients on a variety of challenging programs. Here, students in Professor Rebecca Poynter's PR capstone class work with staffers at Network Richardson to develop communications strategies for their 35th anniversary.

Alumni Profile: Azia Tullos

By Maddison Poteet

Journalism is experiencing a cultural turbulence that only an institution coined the 'fourth estate' could withstand. The veins of journalism run deep through its creators, impacting newcomers and legacy figures alike. Honest about the current ebullience of the field is Azia Tullos, recent graduate of the Frank W. Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism.

"This really is a hard time for our field," said Tullos, "I can tell you that first hand." Reflecting on her time at the Mayborn, Tullos relayed her journey of highs, lows, and the pursuit of storytelling.

Coming straight from receiving her bachelor's at Tarleton State University, Tullos felt led to the Master of Journalism program at UNT after a tip from a mentor and former professor. She said, "Sports is what first led me to pursue a degree in journalism." Wanting to write and do photography for the school paper, Tullos found her true passion after taking a few classes and learning what journalism means on a bigger scale.

Read more

Mayborn School Boasts Award-Winning Librarian

Doug Campbell has been the librarian for UNT's Mayborn School of Journalism since 2011. He is the recipient of the "I Love My Librarian Award" sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation of New York. Each year ten librarians are selected nationally, receive a $5,000 cash award, a plaque, and a travel stipend to attend an awards ceremony and reception held in their honor in New York.

Read more

Donuts with Dean Andrea Miller

Dean Andrea Miller hosted her second monthly "Donuts with the Dean" event on Halloween. This is a monthly opportunity for students, faculty, staff and others to say hello and learn more about Dean Miller's vision for the school. The next event is scheduled for November 19 from 9-10 a.m.

Check out photos here.

Mayborn enjoys fright-filled Halloween

Ghouls, goblins, ghosts and miscellaneous friends of the Mayborn roamed the halls on Halloween, including former acting dean and wizard Michael McPherson (center, next to Dorothy) and (could it be?) Brandee Hartley as the Wicked Witch.

Mayborn Advisory Board Chair visits with advertising students

George Foster ('72), President of the Mayborn Board of Advisors and founder of Foster Marketing, shared advertising expertise with members of Bill Ford's art direction class. Foster Marketing is the world's largest agency focused on the oil and gas industry. Foster received UNT's Distinguished Alumni Award at ceremonies at Apogee Stadium on October 30.

Read more here.

Mayborn Alum Wende Zomnir delivers at President's Lecture Series

Mayborn alum Wende Zomnir ('89), founder of Urban Decay cosmetics, visited the University of North Texas in October to speak at the UNT President's Lecture Series. While at UNT, Zomnir shared with Mayborn students the importance of critical thinking, good storytelling and careful attention to detail.

Check out a video interview of Zomnir here.

Mayborn students connect with Mentors at first annual dinner

More than 80 Mayborn students enjoyed the opportunity to meet and network with nearly 20 Mayborn alums and mentors at the first annual Mayborn Mentor Dinner. Attendees discussed how classroom learning translates into professional skills and the nature of today's journalism and strategic communications workplace. Mayborn alumni represented every area of professional study at the school: advertising, public relations, print/digital, broadcast/digital and photojournalism.

Dean Andrea Miller visits with alumni in Houston

Mayborn Dean Andrea Miller, along with Board of Advisors President George Foster, hosted an alumni luncheon in Houston on November 5. Alumni spanning decades of attendance at the school were eager to learn about current programs and future plans. Additional luncheon meetings will be scheduled for San Antonio, Austin and Dallas over the coming months.

Students in Media Entrepreneurship learn from industry executives

L. Michelle Smith, founder/CEO of no silos communications and veteran communication exec, encouraged students to follow their passions and learn what they do well to succeed in life and business. She presented to students in Professor Neil Foote's Media Entrepreneurship class.

Mayborn Broadcast/Digital students cover major breaking news

Following up on last month's coverage of the Guyger sentencing: I saw Caroline Cluiss, one of my Jour 4410 Reporting of Public Affairs students, taking photos at the protest in downtown Dallas. She said she went there for the experience after we discussed the trial as part of a lesson on covering courts.

Read more.

Tacorian Tilley visits with industry

Tacorian is President of UNT's National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) chapter and is past president of UNT's Debate team.

Mayborn Ad Club hosts Buzzshift founder

The Mayborn School's Ad Club hosted guest speaker, Cameron Gawley, CEO and co-founder of Buzzshift in October. Gawley laid out the importance of digital advertising for today's online media outlets.

Sahali presents academic paper

Mayborn student Roqaia Sahali traveled to New Orleans to present an academic paper and serve on a symposium panel at Xavier University. "The symposium was informative, and I was happy to be with a panel with different concentrations such as journalism, mass communication, PR, education. It won't be the last," she said.

Notable Dates for Fall 2019

Connect with the Mayborn. Follow our social media - and help us extend our reach to journalists, alums and supporters. Share your news and views with us on how we can continue to prepare the next generation of journalists.