MCJ celebrates Hall of Fame inductees, awards scholarships

~ Pictured above, from left: Joe Rosato Sr., Jim Tucker and Tom Uribes

Eight industry leaders honored as MCJ Fellows; 30 scholarships presented.

~ By Taylor Blaire Mosher, student writer for the College of Arts and Humanities

Valley media giants Joe Rosato Sr. and Jim Tucker were honored alongside MCJ fellows and several scholarship recipients during the Fresno State Media, Communications and Journalism Hall of Fame and Scholarship Reception Thursday, Nov. 9, on campus.

The event brought Fresno State alumni back to campus to honor exceptional MCJ students, both past and present, during a reception held in Studio A in the Speech Arts Building, Room 172.

“Our Hall of Fame inductees included two industry legends, Joe Rosato Sr. and Jim Tucker, as well as numerous other highly accomplished media and communications professionals,” said Sara Frauenheim, president of the Journalism Alumni and Friends chapter and manager of events and corporate sponsorships for Saint Agnes Medical Center Foundation.

Rosato was a long-time reporter for The Fresno Bee before working as a public information officer for U.S. Representative Richard Lehman, UCSF Medical Center and the California State Parks Department, from which he retired. While at The Bee, he was a key figure in the “Bee Four” case, in which two reporters and two editors went to jail for 15 days to protect a confidential source.

Tucker, Professor Emeritus of Journalism, taught at Fresno State for 30 years, training thousands of students in storytelling, editing and ethical standards.

“As a young journalism student working to develop strong writing habits, Professor Tucker’s editing class was as valuable as any I took during my time at Fresno State,” said Eddie Hughes, alumni chapter board member and senior editor of Fresno State Magazine. “In his class, I learned that a strong editor has to be diligent in checking facts, style, spelling and structure within a story, and that every detail matters.”

The Hall of Fame and Scholarship Reception also raised funds for future MCJ scholarships with a silent auction featuring such items as two 60-minute massage gift certificates from A Beautiful Spine and a three-course dinner for two from the School House Tavern.

The event was presented by the MCJ Alumni and Friends Chapter of the Fresno State Alumni Association as well as 14 students in the public relations course “Cases and Campaigns,” taught by Jan Edwards. The students executed the entire event as part of their final senior project.

“The 2017 Hall of Fame event was one for the books,” said Stephanie Torralva, MCJ student and CEO of the Cases and Campaigns course. “We were able to give back to our inductees and fellows who paved the way with their many accomplishments and achievements and continue to inspire the 30 hopeful scholarship recipients who are just starting their careers. Our mission was to honor our remarkable inductees and fellows, raise funds for MCJ scholarships and put on a memorable event for everyone to enjoy — and I think we did just that.”

Eight industry leaders were honored as MCJ Fellows during the event:

• Albert Cano, media researcher.
• Betsy Hays, public relations professor.
• Blair Looney, marketing and advertising professional.
• Chris Chiames, corporate communications professional.
• Michael Carr, news director.
• Jane Quebe, media and advertising professional.
• Tom Uribes, public information officer for Fresno State.
• Paul McDougal, advertising professional.

Scholarships were also presented to 30 current MCJ students during the reception. The following is a complete list of this year’s scholarship recipients:

ABC 30 Scholarship

Recipients: Adrian Leuvano, Elisa Navarro

The ABC 30 Journalism Scholarship was created in January 2010 and has become the department’s largest scholarship. It is given to a broadcast student interested in the Central Valley’s emerging cultures. Eligible students must be studying an aspect of broadcast journalism.

Arthur Margosian Journalism Scholarship

Recipients: Kala Kelley, Thomas Bayhi, Austin Guibor, Angelyna Langridge, Victoria Tiscareno, Nancy Barragan

The late Dr. Arthur Margosian was a member of the department of journalism for 30 years before his retirement in the 1980s. He worked in journalism and public relations, and he headed the public relations option after Dr. Bernard Shepard retired. This scholarship was established through donations received from the community and is awarded to a junior or senior majoring in public relations.

Anthony Marquez Memorial

Recipient: Chueyee Yang

Given in memory of MCJ alumnus Anthony Marquez, an Associated Press intern who rose to Los Angeles bureau chief. This scholarship is given to the Managing Editor for The Collegian, Fresno State’s student-run newspaper.

Bernard A. Shepard Journalism/Public Relations Scholarship

Recipients: Katrina Covarrubias, Anthony D. Anderson, Jr., Mariya Zheleva, Sierra Jacobsen, Hannah Wrathall, Laura Ramos Cortez

Dr. Bernard “Bernie” Shepard was a key element of the Fresno State Journalism Department for the better part of 30 years. It was his efforts within the department from which the public relations program grew. Shepard passed away in the late 1980s but is survived by this scholarship. A former student, the late Gary Simpson, funded the scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to students who excel in their field of study and demonstrate a financial need.

Charles L. Palmer Memorial Grant

Recipient: Cedric Hood

Charles “Charlie” Palmer was a newspaper man turned public relations practitioner. Palmer got his PR start as a practitioner for the Pacific Gas & Electric Company for many years. Palmer passed away in the later 1960s. This grant was established by his beloved family members, friends and colleagues. Preference for this grant is given to students on the basis of financial need, educational promise and an interest in journalism as a career.

Darrell Copeland III Mass Communication and Journalism Scholarship

Recipient: Jakeem Fedd

Each year since Darrell Copeland III passed away at age 25 in 2011, his parents, Darrell and Diana, have organized large softball tournaments and craft boutiques to raise money to establish a scholarship endowment in their son’s name. DC3 (as he was affectionately known) was a standout MCJ graduate who served as sports editor at The Collegian and was kick-starting his career in PR/marketing. But he’s most known for his lifelong passion for Fresno State sports, sharing his community pride with others in his booming voice as he cheered the ‘Dogs from the stands. The scholarship is awarded to MCJ majors who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and an interest in pursuing sports journalism.

Dayle H. Molen Journalism Scholarship

Recipient: Yuleni Ramírez López

Dayle H. Molen was a member of the faculty of the Fresno State Department of Journalism from the mid-1960s until his retirement in the mid-1980s. This scholarship is funded by contributions from his colleagues and students and is awarded to students majoring in print journalism of sophomore or higher class standing.

Fresno Bee Scholarship

Recipients: Hannah Ragsdale, Alexis Perez

This scholarship was created in the mid-1970s and is generously funded by The Fresno Bee.

Jim Zaillian Memorial Scholarship

Recipient: Bobby Falat

Jim Zaillian was a Fresno State alumnus who became one of the most prominent radio journalists in California. He eventually became the news director at KNX News Radio in Los Angeles. This scholarship was established by his friends and colleagues and is awarded to upper-division students planning a career in broadcast journalism.

MCJ/Journalism Department Scholarship

Recipient: Kylie Bell

The scholarship is funded by a grant from the late Hubert “Rick” Richert, who was editor of The Collegian from 1936–37. Richert established the scholarship in honor of his friend and fellow student from that period, Roger Tatarian, who went on to become editor and vice president of United Press International.

Merlyn D. Burriss Memorial Scholarship

Recipient: Jordan Kemp

Josie Burriss, wife of late professor Merlyn Burriss, created this scholarship in his honor shortly after his death in 2001. Burriss was a professor of radio-television production for 37 years at Fresno State.

Nathan Hathaway Collegian Scholarship

Recipient: Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado

The Nathan Hathaway Collegian Scholarship was established in spring 2006 in honor and memory of former Collegian Editor-in-Chief Nathan Hathaway. Hathaway was passionate about journalism and was headed for an extraordinary career. When he approached graduation in fall 2005, he had held editor positions at The Collegian for more than three years and had also completed five internships at major U.S. newspapers during the summers. He maintained a near 4.0 GPA. Hathaway planned to become a sports writer and eventually an editor, but near the end of his final semester, he suffered a cerebral aneurysm on campus and died a few days later at age 26. The Nathan Hathaway Collegian Scholarship recipient must be planning a career in print journalism and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Paul V. Sheehan Journalism Grant

Recipient: Angelica Hernandez

The late Dr. Paul Sheehan was the founder of the Fresno State Department of Journalism, which later became MCJ. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need and educational promise to an upper-division or graduate student.

Roberta Asahina Scholarship

Recipients: C’anna Rix, Kendra Winters

This scholarship was created to honor Dr. Roberta Asahina upon her 2009 induction into the Mass Communication and Journalism Alumni & Friends Hall of Fame. Asahina has taught advertising at Fresno State for more than three decades and is the adviser for Alpha Delta Sigma, the student advertising club. Over the years, Asahina has coached hundreds of students in the National Student Advertising Competition, which involves development of a national advertising campaign. In 2000, she was inducted into the Central California Advertising and Marketing Hall of Fame.

Roger Tatarian Journalism Grant

Recipients: Cali Peang, Paul Luna, Brandon Rowe

Like the Journalism Department Scholarship, this grant is funded by a donation from Hubert “Rick” Richert in honor of Roger Tatarian. It is awarded to entering freshmen, transfer, or enrolled students demonstrating an interest in journalism, and preference is given to minority students.

Sid Hosking Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Recipient: Matt Broughton

The late Sid Hosking Jr. was a World War II veteran and Fresno State journalism graduate who spent his entire career at the Visalia Times-Delta. This scholarship was established by his colleagues and friends and is awarded to a journalism major.

Stanley Stemmer Beaubaire Memorial Grant

Recipients: Brittney Steele, Skylar Munkers, Alyssa Honore, Chelsea Boone, Omar Lopez, Charles Hill

Stanley Stemmer Beaubaire was the publisher of The Hanford Sentinel. The Beaubaire grants were established in his memory by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Beaubaire. The grants are awarded annually to entering or enrolled MCJ students. Preference is given to students exhibiting financial need from Kings County, California.