2022 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 Ann Brill, the dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications at KU. 

Following that, Kevin Willmott of the University of Kansas will provide the keynote. 

Kevin Willmott, who grew up in Junction City, Kansas, has worked with some of the biggest names in the movie industry along with earning an Oscar for his screenwriting. His work focuses on black issues in America and stories from Kansas. Willmott has worked on productions with Hollywood luminaries like Oliver Stone, Martin Sheen, Whoopi Goldberg and Spike Lee. For their screenwriting of 2018 film “BlacKkKlansman,” Lee and Willmott shared an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. The two filmmakers also collaborated for the 2020 film “Da 5 Bloods.”

Willmott has created films about Kansas as well. “Jayhawkers” told the story of the KU mens basketball team and Wilt Chamberlain. He also created a film, “What’s the Matter with Kansas?”, profiling William Allen White, the namesake of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at KU. He is also the director of “No Place Like Home,” a documentary about LGBTQ lives in Kansas.

Willmott’s work has been shown in theaters around the world and at the Sundance Film Festival. He teaches film at the University of Kansas.

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.)

“Get Out of Auto! “

Memorial Union: Kansas Room, 6th floor

Learn the basics of exposure and get your camera out of auto! We’ll focus on mastering shutter speed, aperture, and ISO in this class so you can be smarter than your camera and get the images you’ve always hoped for. Cameras are recommended for a hands-on experience.

Heather Springer, Olathe South

Heather Springer is the yearbook, newspaper, and photojournalism adviser at Olathe South High School, where she has been advising since 2018. Springer earned her bachelors from Western Illinois University and masters from Emporia State. Outside of teaching, Springer is a professional wedding photographer, gym rat, and cat mom.

“Writing Better Headlines“

Memorial Union: Pine Room, 6th floor

Tips and tricks to come up with headlines that will make people want to read your stories.

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, and digital media courses.

“Crowdsourcing Information for Your Publication”

Memorial Union: Divine Nine Room, 6th floor

Sometimes it is hard covering everything for your publication. This is why your staff should consider crowdsourcing information from your school community. This presentation will discuss crowdsourcing and different ways your staff can gather information.

Kristy Dekat, Gardner Edgerton High School

Kristy Dekat is the yearbook and newspaper adviser at Gardner Edgerton High School. She has been a journalism educator for over 20 years. Prior to Gardner Edgerton, she was the broadcast journalism adviser at Seaman High School and an assistant professor of journalism at Emporia State University. Dekat is currently on the KSPA board.

Q & A session with Kevin Willmott

Memorial Union: Woodruff Auditorium, 5th floor

Did the keynote session leave you wanting to ask tons of curious questions? This is your time to ask Kevin Willmott about his work in Hollywood, filmmaking and teaching. 

Kevin Willmott, University of Kansas

Did our keynote speaker just get your started in thinking up questions you wanted to ask? Keven Willmott will stay for a Q and A session in Woodruff Auditorium for any students and advisers who would like to ask about his work.

“At the Intersection of Journalism and Politics”

Memorial Union: Regionalist Room, 5th floor

A veteran Washington journalist looks at how journalism and politics connect, with lessons from his career and his current work at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics.

Jerry Seib, Dole Institute of Politics

Gerald F. Seib has been a journalist with The Wall Street Journal for almost 45 years. He served as the Journal’s Executive Washington Editor, wrote the weekly “Capital Journal” column for 29 years, moderated three presidential debates, and interviewed every president since Ronald Reagan. He’s now a fellow at the Dole Institute of Politics.

“Do Yearbook Design Better”

Memorial Union: Big 12 Room, 5th floor

You may use templates for your layouts, but you still have a lot of room for good (and not so good) design. The session will give you some tips for layout and using type that will put magazine design thinking into yearbook spreads.

Carol Holstead, University of Kansas

Carol Holstead has taught visual communication, magazine writing and publishing, and a whole lot of other courses during 31 years in the journalism school at KU. Before she came to KU, she was a magazine editor in Kansas City.

“Everything’s Video: Lessons from filming for Netflix and Logan Paul”

Memorial Union: International Room, 5th floor

A presentation featuring some fun work experiences I’ve had in the video production industry for any students that are interested in that field. 

Nathan Mennel, MMGY Global

Nathan Mennel is a videographer from Overland Park, KS and a KU journalism grad. He’s filmed for Netflix, ESPN, and has worked directly with two of the biggest online creators/influencers, Logan and Jake Paul. He’s had an interesting freelance career and currently directs, shoots and edits commercial ads for major travel clients at MMGY global.

KSPA Social Time

Memorial Union: Jayhawk Room, 5th floor

KSPA board members and KSPA member advisers

Come visit with your fellow KSPA member advisers. There’s no agenda, but there is some food, coffee and tea! It’s time to gather and share stories from our classrooms. 

“Careers in Journalism“

Memorial Union: Parlor ABC Room, 5th floor

Learn how the various skills you are developing in high school journalism set the foundation for a professional media career.

Steve Rottinghaus, University of Kansas

Steve is in his eighth year as the career & outreach coordinator at KU’s School of Journalism & Mass Communications, assisting students with job and internship placement. He previously was a sports writer, page designer, columnist, editor and public relations director.

“Media Arts and Production at KU“

Memorial Union: Alderson Room, 4th floor

Come learn about the newest concentration in our school at KU. We call it Media Arts and Production. Do you love making stuff: podcasts, videos, commercials? This might be your thing once you come to KU. 

Himee Kamatuka and Leah Kohlman, the recruiting team from the William Allen White School

Himee and Leah work together to introduce prospective students to the William Allen White School at the University of Kansas. They work with high school students and transfer students to help them find a great new home at KU. Rock Chalk!

Stauffer-Flint Hall Tour

Memorial Union: Meet in lobby of the 4th floor

This tour will show students the renovated Stauffer-Flint Hall, its studio, its collaboration spaces and its classrooms. It’s a great introduction to the home of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Journalism School Ambassadors, University of Kansas

 

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.)

“Beyond the Exposure Triangle“

Memorial Union: Kansas Room, 6th floor

Already know the basics of exposure? This class will expand on the basics and explore why different settings work better for different environments. We’ll also look at lighting and how to best naturally light your subjects. Cameras are recommended for a hands-on experience.

Heather Springer, Olathe South

Heather Springer is the yearbook, newspaper, and photojournalism adviser at Olathe South High School, where she has been advising since 2018. Springer earned her bachelors from Western Illinois University and masters from Emporia State. Outside of teaching, Springer is a professional wedding photographer, gym rat, and cat mom.

“Using Conscious Language”

Memorial Union: Pine Room, 6th 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, and digital media courses.

“Editors Round-Table”

Memorial Union: Divine Nine Room, 6th floor

Do you have questions about setting your staffs up for success? Do you have insight to share with other staffs about your own successes? Join us to discuss all things editors need to know.

Michelle Huss, Blue Valley High School

This is Michelle’s 17th year advising yearbook and newspaper. Referred to as “Computer Jesus” by some of her students, she loves InDesign more than Illustrator and knows how to rock an Excel spreadsheet like no one’s business.

“Photographing Academics (Making the Most of the Mundane)”

Memorial Union: Woodruff Auditorium, 5th floor

Not every photo assignment is flashy and fun, in fact, most aren’t! We’ll discuss how to approach a seemingly mundane assignment to make the best images.

Andy White, University of Kansas

Andy White is a staff photographer for KU Marketing and freelance commercial and documentary photographer living Lawrence, Kansas.

“How Kansas Politics Impacts You – and How to Cover It”

Memorial Union: Regionalist Room, 5th floor

Everyone knows about what is going on in Washington — but events in Topeka have an equal, if not greater, impact on the lives of residents. We take a look at some of the biggest issues facing Kansas and how to cover them in a way that is actually useful.

Andrew Bahl, The Topeka Capital Journal

Andrew Bahl is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal, covering state politics, the Legislature, the governor’s office and state agencies and anything else that is affecting Kansans.

“Elevate Your Video Editing”

Memorial Union: Big 12 Room, 5th floor

The perfect session for those new to video editing and need something simple. Want to add video to your online paper? Promote your yearbook on social? Join Heather to ELEVATE YOUR VIDEO EDITING.

Heather Lawrenz, University of Kansas

Heather Lawrenz: Trust me I’m good at this stuff. Come learn Adobe from an expert.

“How to Brainstorm Story Ideas”

Memorial Union: International Room, 5th floor

Students: There are story ideas in your midst. Let’s talk about how to find these gems, how to write pieces that everyone wants to read and how to be more diverse in the people and topics you cover.

Patricia Weems Gaston, University of Kansas

Patricia Weems Gaston is the Lacy C. Haynes Professor at the University of Kansas. She graduated from KU in 1981 and worked as an editor at The Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle; the Dallas Morning News where she was co-editor of the Pulitzer Prize-winning series Violence Against Women; and The Washington Post.

KSPA Advisers Meeting

Memorial Union: Jayhawk Room, 5th floor

Come to hear all of the exciting ways that your students can participate in KSPA programming. Plus, we are here to listen: let us know how KSPA can better serve you. 

KSPA Board Members and KSPA Member Advisers

“Camera Set-Up and Framing for Quality Video“

Memorial Union: Parlor ABC Room, 5th floor

This presentation will show students how to set up a DSLR camera and how to frame shots that will provide better video content. Setting up the camera will include how to put a face plate on a camera, set up and break down a tripod, where to place an SD card and how to format the SD card to fit your device. Framing will include b-roll, rule of thirds, length of clip, etc.

Dallas Milligan, University of Kansas

Dallas Milligan is a digital media specialist at the William Allen White School of Journalism.

“Become an InDesign Pro“

Memorial Union: Alderson Room, 4th floor

Have a working understanding of InDesign but want to get better, faster, stronger? Learn some advanced InDesign tips and tricks that will make your life easier and give your designs more depth.

Jeni Daley, Free State High School

Jeni Daley is in her 8th year advising, in love with the design aspects of journalism and an expert in tech-savvy ways to improve the scholastic journalism process. If it takes a long time or the process is painful, she’s probably researched a better way to do things. Her Insta stories are filled with mid-century houses, birds, and estate sale finds.

Campus Tour

Memorial Union: Meet in lobby of the 4th floor

Journalism School Ambassadors, University of Kansas

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.)

“It’s Not Creeping, It’s Journalism“

Memorial Union: Kansas Room, 6th floor

So you think you’re brilliant at Googling people? Learn about all the FREE public government records you can access online to write stories about businesses and individuals in your community.

Peter Bobkowski, University of Kansas

Peter Bobkowski is a professor in the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. He is a former high school adviser.

“Podcasting Basics“

Memorial Union: Pine Room, 6th floor

Do you want to start a podcast for your publication? It’s not as hard as it sounds. Get some tips on what questions you need to answer before recording, and how to convince your teacher and administrators that it’s worthwhile.

Brendan Praeger, Wabaunsee High School

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

“Did You Watch That? Unpacking Entertainment Research“

Memorial Union: Divine Nine Room, 6th floor

Media entertainment (TV, film, music) is part of our daily lives, and has the power to inspire, educate, and entertain audience members. This session will cover broad research questions discussed in the field of entertainment research and the influence of media on individuals.

Judy Watts, University of Kansas

Judy Watts (she/her) is an assistant professor in the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas. She recently received her doctorate from The Ohio State University School of Communication. Her research interests include narrative persuasion, health communication, and children’s understanding of media. Broadly, her research pursues the influence of media on individuals’ emotional responses, attitudinal change, and knowledge across the lifespan.

“Creating Personality with Typography”

Kansas Union: Woodruff Auditorium
“Should I use this font? Or this font? Or this font?” Spend time in a student publications classroom and you will hear lots of confusion about what kind of font to use — and when. This presentation will teach you how to serve your reader with what they want: clear typography that also has a personality. This session is a great fit, regardless of whether you are a beginning designer or an experience InDesign expert. 

ERIC THOMAS, KSPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & LECTURER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

Eric Thomas leads the Kansas Scholastic Press Association for his ninth year as executive director from the non-profit’s home office at the University of Kansas. He and his staff program a full year of events, scholarships, awards, contests and critiques to help student journalists do their best. During his teaching at KU, Thomas focuses on photojournalism and visual communication. He is a former high school journalism teacher and newspaper photographer. 

“Style history – how the past influences our future”

Memorial Union: Regionalist Room, 5th floor

Design impacts fashion, architecture and graphic design. Take a look at major design trends of the past 100 years and how it continues to shape and impact our style today. Maybe that new trend isn’t so new after all.

Heather Hooper, Topeka High School

Heather Hooper, CJE, has been a journalism adviser for the past 18 years in Topeka. Currently, she advises the newspaper, news site and yearbook for Topeka High School. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked as a daily newspaper reporter for about seven years.

“Impress Your Audience with InDesign”

Memorial Union: Big 12 Room, 5th floor

Let’s make InDesign easier and IMPRESS YOUR AUDIENCE. We will look at some great tricks for type, color, and explore some basic design rules as we get to know InDesign

Heather Lawrenz, University of Kansas

Heather Lawrenz: Trust me I’m good at this stuff. Come learn Adobe from an expert.

“The Origin, Planning, and Use of a Yearbook Staff Planner“

Memorial Union: International Room, 5th floor

The brainchild of aspiring editors in chief, the BV West yearbook planner came to life this summer. The 68-page volume includes contact information, calendars, forms, and chapters on design, photography, and yearbook writing. The panel will discuss how the planner has impacted their staff so far this year.

Debbie Glenn, Blue Valley West

A strong supporter of student journalists, Blue Valley West’s Deborah Glenn will present with her yearbook editors in chief. The group will share their staff planner, discuss its development, and the impact it is having on the year.

“10 Tips to a Better InDesign Workflow“

Memorial Union: Jayhawk Room, 5th floor

InDesign is a beast of a program. After using it for nearly 15 years, I have some tips that might make your own time in the program a little bit easier. Come hear some tips to make InDesign a friendlier time.

Tucker Love, Shawnee Mission South High School

Tucker Love is the publications adviser at Shawnee Mission South. He works with yearbook, newspaper, website, lit mag, and photojournalism students to produce publications that students hopefully enjoy.

“William Shakespeare Was Really Just a Frustrated Sports Reporter“

Memorial Union: Parlor ABC Room, 5th floor

We will talk about the straight sports story, provide ideas on some different ways to deal with statistics and producing feature pieces that are a little different, and provide tips on getting good photos for your sports pages.

Ted Cotti, University of Kansas

Ted Cotti is currently a part-time adjunct professor at KU. He taught high school journalism for 35 years in California and worked simultaneously for most of those years as a sports reporter, photographer and editor.

“Write it Right: Yearbook style“

Memorial Union: Alderson Room, 4th floor

You CAN and SHOULD write copy for your yearbook. But not the boring kind of copy no one will read. Learn how to write interesting and unique copy your readers will love.

Kathy Habiger, Mill Valley HS

Kathy Hill Habiger, MJE, is in her 26th year teaching and teaches Photo Imaging and 21st Century Journalism and is the adviser to the JAG yearbook, JagWire newspaper and Mill Valley News Online at Mill Valley High School. Both the yearbook and newspaper are in the NSPA All-America Hall of Fame. She has been a member of the KSPA board of directors for nearly 20 years and currently serves as secretary.

Campus Tour

Memorial Union: Meet in lobby of the 4th floor

Journalism School Ambassadors, University of Kansas

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.)

“The Basics of Interviewing”

Memorial Union: Kansas Room, 6th floor

Get nervous at interviews? Do you find you have too many questions — or too few? Join this session and try an interview exercise that will help you think about questions but also prepare you to ask questions that come up in the conversation.

Steve Wolgast, University of Kansas

Steve Wolgast has worked as a photographer, reporter and editor in Topeka, Tallinn (Estonia), New Orleans and New York, where he was living on 9/11. He was part of The New York Times’ efforts that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2002. Steve started teaching at KU in 2019.

“An Introduction to Audience Journalism”

Memorial Union: Pine Room, 6th floor

Journalism is better when it’s made with its audience in mind: What they care about, how news impacts them, how they want the information. This session, for reporters, editors and everyone else, outlines how to reach your audience and center them in your work.

Chandler Boese, The Kansas City Star

Chandler Boese is the senior audience producer at The Kansas City Star, specializing in digital readership strategy and content promotion. She previously worked in Texas and Ohio as an editor. A native of Wichita, Chandler was a student journalist in high school and college at KU.

“Sports, Media and Society”

Memorial Union: Divine Nine Room, 6th floor

This session highlights the evolving connection between contemporary sports, modern society and present day media practices.

Alva D’Andrea Wallace, University of Kansas

Al Wallace is now in his 4th year as an adjunct professor in the KU School of Journalism. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University, and spent 40 years in the industry of broadcast television news and sports, working as an anchor, reporter and producer.

“What Infographics Teach Us About Page Design”

Memorial Union: International Room
Would you love to create an infographic, but you don’t really know what one is? Or, are you a page designer who wants to learn exciting new ways to tell stories through your page’s coverage? This session is great for yearbook students and newspaper students who want to design visuals that your audience will actually read — and love!

ERIC THOMAS, KSPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & LECTURER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

Eric Thomas leads the Kansas Scholastic Press Association for his ninth year as executive director from the non-profit’s home office at the University of Kansas. He and his staff program a full year of events, scholarships, awards, contests and critiques to help student journalists do their best. During his teaching at KU, Thomas focuses on photojournalism and visual communication. He is a former high school journalism teacher and newspaper photographer. 

“The Power of Personal Expertise in Journalism“

Memorial Union: Regionalist Room, 5th floor

Conversations on bias, media ethics and objectivity often shy journalists away from chasing stories that are close to their own lived experiences or identities. I share how, and why, this is important to producing human-centered and compelling work. Two reports that took at look at city hall’s proposals to curb homelessness and interviews with folks experiencing homelessness was nominated for a Mid-America Regional Emmy. Both were fueled by questions brought up in conversations with my mother who was experiencing homelessness at the same time. Through personal examples and my own story, I hope to empower the next generation to seek out stories that matter to them to make meaningful change, through journalism, in their own communities.

Vicky Diaz-Camacho, Kansas City PBS

Vicky Diaz-Camacho is an Emmy-nominated Kansas City-based journalist. Diaz-Camacho leads an engagement series called curiousKC at Kansas City PBS, produces for a current affairs TV program The Flatland Show, and writes enterprise reports on education, health and culture for Flatland. Her work centers people impacted by current issues, with a focus on community engagement and education. Diaz-Camacho is also a digital editor, podcast creator, producer and host. Find her work for Kansas City PBS, on air and online, and on Flatland KC. Previous publications include KCUR, NPR, Alt. Latino and PBS Newshour’s Arts Canvas.

“Political Reporting for the Grungy Populace“

Memorial Union: Big 12 Room, 5th floor

The Kansas Reflector’s approach to writing compelling news stories of public interest for a statewide audience.

Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector

Sherman Smith is the editor in chief of Kansas Reflector. He is the 2021 and 2022 Kansas Press Association’s journalist of the year.

“Cover Breaking News Free of Breakdowns”

Memorial Union: Jayhawk Room, 5th floor

In a time when news seems to break every day, discover how you can put your entire staff to work producing high-quality work on deadline.

Barb Tholen, Lawrence High School Journalism

After 10 years as a newspaper reporter, Barbara Tholen finds that her students are ready and up to the task of covering some of the toughest stories reporters can face. She loves watching them cover breaking news. Ask her about her favorite spreadsheets and she’ll totally geek out.

“Sports Stories: using sources & stats”

Memorial Union: Parlor ABC, 5th floor

Ted Cotti, University of Kansas

Here’s how to find the right sources — and how to use the most storytelling statistics — to tell your sports stories. 

“How to Clean Your Copy Before Publication”

Memorial Union: Alderson Room, 4th floor

The story is done, but is it ready to go? This session will help writers and editors spot and fix common mistakes in copy so your publication looks clean, clear, correct and credible.

Lisa McLendon, University of Kansas

Lisa McLendon is chair of the Multimedia Journalism concentration and runs the Bremner Editing Center at the KU School of Journalism. Before KU, she worked 12 years as a news and copy editor.

Visit to the Studio

Memorial Union: Meet in lobby of the 4th floor

Melissa Greene-Blye, University of Kansas