Alumni positive about CoJMC
By Patrick Havlat
J Alumni News staff
Positive results from a survey always boost morale. The most recent survey conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's journalism college showed that recent UNL journalism graduates are pleased with their education.
Each year the UNL Journalism College conducts an alumni survey to find out what graduates think about their education. This past year the survey polled graduates from the classes of 1988-89, 1993-94 and 1998-99. The survey found that 83 percent of graduates were satisfied with their experience in the college.
Kelli Scott, a 1998 news-editorial graduate, said the education she received was "top notch" and thought her education was superior to that of other reporters she has encountered while working for the St. Cloud Times in Minnesota. She also said the large amount of time dedicated to the practical experience is important to learning the craft of journalism.
Julie Haverman, a 1999 news-editorial graduate and entertainment editor for the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, N.J., said she had a slight advantage entering the workforce because of the work she had done on The Journalist, the UNL journalism college's laboratory newspaper.
"The well-roundness of my education most prepared me for my career," Haverman said.
Furthermore, the survey showed that 93 percent of alumni thought their professors were knowledgeable in their major. The survey also showed that 79 percent thought their professors showed some interest in them during their college career.
UNL Journalism College Associate Dean Linda Shipley said students and faculty have a strong bond within the journalism college. She said she thought the personal relationships were due to the smaller class sizes and the high interaction between faculty and students.
"It is more of a family atmosphere in some ways," Shipley said.
Jackie Ostrowicki, a 1998 advertising graduate, said her professors were very involved during her college career. She said she has maintained these good relations with her professors throughout the years. She also said she keeps in touch with her former professors and helps them out in any way by giving tours at the offices of her employer, Swanson Russell in Lincoln, or speaking to classes.
"Since the J school is a smaller college, I knew all of my professors and they knew who I was. It wasn't like a larger college where you might never meet a professor," Ostrowicki said.
Nick Kumpula, a 2002 broadcasting graduate, said his professors were what made his education excellent. He said all of his professors were knowledgeable and were willing to explain anything he had a question about.
"The professors really cared about the students and wanted them to get the best out of the classes," Kumpula said.
Shipley said she was pleased with the results of the survey and said it helps faculty to hear from alumni. She said the journalism college uses the survey to offer suggestions and make improvements.
"It is an assessment and education tool for the college," Shipley said.
