| EDITOR'S NOTES |
:: Chronological Order, 1966 to Present |
Robert L. McDearmid
Editor 1966 (The Sentinel's first editor)
Doing now: Retired and writing. I didn't graduate from college because my patriotic sense of duty led me a different way. I enlisted in the Marine Corps and stayed for 9 years. I was a radar technician. I later worked for 20+ years in the medical field as a field service representative where I worked on equipment that helped save lives. During that time I also wrote a book (it was technical), was president of the Atlanta PC Users Group (wrote for their newsletter) and I had a column in Atlanta Computer Currents. I currently write poetry and short stories and have an offer on the table to be published.
Memories: It's been so long ago, 42 years. I do remember putting the first paper together. Every column was cut out and placed to fit on each page by hand. I know because I did it. Most of the staff meetings we had were held in elementary schools, because the college was still months from completion. I have the original first copy of the newspaper in my possession.
Comments: Being the first editor was awesome. Today writing is my passion.
Get in touch with Robert at bobmcdea@bellsouth.net
Doug Couch
1968, I worked with Louise Bishop; wrote sports and columns.
Feel free to contact Doug at: photodoug@hotmail.com
Josh Langston
Editor 1969 - 1970
Doing now: Writing novels, novel query letters, novel synopses, and grocery lists. I'm gaining traction with the latter.
Memories: The Sentinel staff I worked with consisted of the wildest assortment of escaped lunatics it's ever been my good fortune to know. I'm convinced to this day that several of them were nearly literate. Rather than dig my hole any deeper, I think I'll take a look at the comments from some other folk first.
Comments: Can't think of anything just now. I'm pleased to have found this site, and I appreciate the effort that went into it. Many, many thanks.
Get in touch with Josh at: joshlangston@comcast.net
Raju Kotak
Editor and Business Manager, 1974-1975
Doing now: Advertising/Marketing; Produce a weekly TV show targetted to South Asians; Handle advertising for two monthly South Asian publications; Manage website featuring community events, concerts, etc.
Memories: Distributed newspaper off-campus to generate advertising revenue and readership. Actively involved in making Kennesaw into a 4-year college using the newspaper to garner support from students, faculty and general public. The writers were very creative. feedback from readers was positive. We had a lot of fun! Comments: Enjoyed Kennesaw. Went to GSUN for further studies.
Feel free to contact Raju at: raju@wownow.com
Michelle Spivey Reedy
Associate Editor, 1978-79, Associate Editor, 1979-80
Doing now: Currently opening a new chapter in the book of my life. For the past two years, I have been caregiver, teacher and patient advocate for my son who is now a Leukemia survivor. He has just gone back to school full time and I am looking at my next career move.
Memories: The Editor and I were as different as day and night. This led to many heated discussions especially around deadlines. Some favorite stories included an editorial about then-President Jimmy Carter and a review of the new movie, "Grease." Boy, I am old! Happy 40th Birthday, Sentinel!
Todd Daniel
Editor, 1982; 1979 - News Editor, 1980 - Associate Editor, 1981 - Associate Editor
Doing now: Technical Director for a metalworking trade association
Memories: A threatened lawsuit for liable was, well rather unforgettable. We fought the administration on their drop date policy and bad weather closing policy and, well, both policies were changed. We took on Pine Hill Country Club for cancelling a college event last-minute. I also alienated some people with some of our edgy editorials. When Iranians on campus burned a U.S. flag, I suggested that we burn them. Maybe not the best idea. My biggest blunder is when we ran a financial aid article that we thought came from the college, but it was actually one of those little sleeze operations. It's good that I learned many lessons about the power of the press in college, rather than the real world. It was good to get it all out of my system.
Michael Martinez
Editor-in-Chief, 1983, News Editor, Production Manager
Doing now: I work for Brown & Brown of Texas, a subsidiary of Brown & Brown Insurance. I have published three books on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, including Parma Endorion: Essays on Middle-earth, an eBook which has been downloaded more than 1,000,000 times and recognized by Yahoo! Internet Life as one of the leading scholarly resources on Tolkien on the Web. I founded and operate the Xenite.Org network, a group of Web sites devoted to science fiction and fantasy. I have written almost 200 essays under contract and independently about Tolkien and Middle-earth, Hercules & Xena, and other topics. I was the founding director for the Hercules & Xena/Tolkien and Middle-earth fan programming tracks at Dragon*Con. I also blog for SEOMoz, a search engine optimization firm based in Seattle, WA and featured by Newsweek and Slashdot. I have consulted for large media and marketing companies through the years on projects relating to Tolkien and other sci!ence fiction and fantasy topics.
Memories: Todd Daniel handing me my first layout page after carving up a galley into multiple pieces and saying, "Now you're a layout and paste-up artist. Fix it." Roy Johansen using pictures from "Return of the Jedi" to fill out a page because he forgot to write the review. Sandy Benjamin turning in paste-up boards faster than I could assign pages to her while six other people struggled to do one board each. Channel 11 ignoring my letter of complaint about calling the college "Kennesaw Junior College" on a news broadcast for a month until a campus administrator, hoping to discredit me, mentioned that the letter was written by a student. Then the news anchor sent us a letter of apology.
Comments: www.michael-martinez.com
Sandy Bowman (Benjamin)
1984-86 production, writer, ad sales
Doing now: Sales Representative for Heidelberg Consumables
Memories: We were a small pack back then, and everyone pitched in to help. Titles didn't matter. Just get it done! What would take 2 seconds today, took 2 days back in the preputer world. Quality and Honesty were the 2 keys in going to print. The good ole times.
Sara K. Sissy Bowen
Editor in Chief 1984-85 and 1985-86
Doing now: I'm an investigator for the Office of the Circuit Public Defender, Southwestern Judicial Circuit, based in Americus, GA. Before joining this office in Jan. 2005, I was a reporter and editor for two daily newspapers for about 8 years. :-) Imagine that?
Memories: Getting the campus active again. We had Apartheid and other foreign policy issues to rage about internationally, and, of course, student activity fee concerns, and other local fights ... I loved my time at the Sentinel.
My favorite interviews for the Sentinel:
Donald Woods: You may recall Woods from the 1987 film "Cry Freedom." Directed by Richard Attenborough, the film starred Kevin Kline as Woods, and Denzel Washington as "Black Consciousness" movement leader Steven Biko. As editor of a 30,000-circulation newspaper in coastal East London, South Africa, Woods' attacks against apartheid, made him the nation's most famous charismatic and controversial journalist. He spoke at Kennesaw in 1985 (I believe it was), less than a year after his elaborate escape, with his wife and children, from South Africa. He died in 2001 of cancer.
Shirley Chisolm: The first African-American woman elected to Congress (D-NY, 1969-1983), and a 1972 presidential candidate. She died Jan. 1, 2005, at the age of 80. I honestly can't remember If I wrote the story for the Sentinel, or if one of the staff writers did, but I'll never forget the hour or so I spent talking with this gracious and strong legend. I believe she visited Kennesaw in 1984.
James Dickey: Author of "Deliverance," that was later made into the legendary movie. Dickey was one strange interview ... I'll never forget. :-)
Comments: I am proud to say that in the first year that I was editor of the Sentinel, the staff (often including Pamela Hudgins, alone, followed by a handful of other excellent workers) and I (with a lot of help from then Pub. Coordinator Cheryl Segal) turned a quasi-quarterly publication into a healthy, 16-32 page bi-weekly, publishing 28 issues in that first year. In the second year, we were able to justify the purchase of a $24,000 Computech typesetter. (My how times have changed since then!) :-)
I loved those years at Kennesaw and as editor of the Sentinel. I'm thrilled y'all have kept her going so well. Congratulations!
Julia Cotton
Staff writer, 1984 to 1986
Doing now: Marketing, business development, product management and strategy in new media and IP communications.
Contact Julia at: julia.cotton@gmail.com
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Eddie Blick
Student Publications Coordinator, 1986-1990 (Dr. Blick currently is part of the Journalism Department at Louisiana Tech University and manages the College Media Advisers listserv)
Recollections about my time with The Sentinel: Please remember that I am thinking back 16-20 years, so a few inaccuracies may slip in. I apologize in advance for any errors.I arrived at what was then Kennesaw State College in the summer of 1986, fresh from completing everything but the final touches on my dissertation at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Being coordinator of student publications was a challenge that I welcomed. I had previously advised the yearbook at Southeast Missouri State University while teaching journalism there, but this was my first time to work full-time with student publications, overseeing a college newspaper, yearbook and magazine.
David Cruze was the editor when I was hired, but he left that position soon after I arrived. He and I attended a workshop to glean ideas that would help with The Sentinel, but I think he resigned before any issues were published in the fall of 1986. Kim Kline was the first editor with whom I worked regularly. Others were Jennifer Carlile, Amy Allison, Cynthia Ryals, and Lee Allen Zaruba.
Dr. Toby Hopper was dean of students (if I remember her title correctly) at the time. Dr. Paul Benson replaced her and was dean when I left.
HIGH POINTS
Establishing a publication schedule
One of the first questions I asked about The Sentinel was how often it was published. "Whenever we get enough material" was the response. I knew then that an immediate priority had to be establishing a regular schedule for publication so that readers and advertisers would know when to expect issues to be published.
During my first year we published every other week. In 1987 we switched to weekly publication.
Converting to desktop publication
In 1990 camera-ready material for The Sentinel was prepared using a phototypesetting process. Two machines that sat in the corner of my office were involved.
The more complicated one was a computerized typesetting machine that used two 5 1/4 inch floppy disks (no hard drive). One floppy disk held the code that programmed the machine at startup; the other held the files for the stories, ad copy, etc. to be typeset for the newspaper.
Only four fonts were available at one time. Each font consisted of a glass plate in a negative format (clear letters on a black background). The output went on a roll of photosensitive paper -- like the paper used to make prints in a darkroom except that it came in a roll rather than in sheets.
Operating the machine required training because the operator had to type in specific codes to change size or font and create variations such as bold or italicized letters. I learned enough to operate the typesetter in a pinch and to train student workers to use it.
The other part of the typesetting equation was developing the latent image contained on the roll of paper. That required transferring the container that held the output paper to the other machine, a stabilization processor.
The stabilization processor held two chemicals, a developer that brought out the image on the paper and a stabilizer that stopped development so that the paper would not be exposed by ambient light. Although rollers removed much of the liquid as the paper came out of the processor, it was still damp. On busy days we had strips of paper lying around my office and the newspaper office while they dried.
As I worked with this process, I remembered having seen a demonstration of desktop publishing while I was in graduate school. From that experience I knew that a Macintosh computer and a laser printer would provide a much better typesetting system than the current one.
After monitoring costs of paper and chemicals for several months, I calculated that if The Sentinel would buy a Macintosh and laser printer we would save enough on supplies in the first year to cover the cost of the equipment. The committee that allocated funds from student fees agreed with the proposal, and The Sentinel converted to desktop publishing using a Macintosh, an Apple LaserWriter printer and PageMaker software.
Increased availability of ad revenue
One of the things that concerned me about The Sentinel when I arrived at Kennesaw was the small number of ads that it contained. I was told, "There's no incentive to sell ads because any revenue from ads goes into the college's general account. The newspaper doesn't benefit from ad sales."
I didn't understand why a situation like that would exist, so I talked to someone in the business office about it. He was very helpful and explained that ad revenue initially went into the general fund, but that at any time I could request a transfer of advertising monies from the general fund to an account specifically for The Sentinel.
From that point on I regularly did the paperwork to transfer money from ad sales, which provided a useful supplement to the student fee funds that the newspaper received.
Establishment of Student Publications Board
Soon after I arrived at Kennesaw, Dr. Hopper asked me to draft a proposal for a committee to oversee student publications. I was already familiar with the concept of a student publications board, and I came up with suggestions after reviewing documentats from several colleges and universities that had similar boards.
I don't remember the exact composition of the first board, but it included the editors of the three student publications, the head of the college's public relations office and a professional journalist (a reporter from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution). I think I was an ex-offico member. I think we had a representative from the journalism faculty, too, but I'm not sure.
The board's main function was to appoint editors for the publications. It was also available to advise the editors on policy matters when necessary and to consider complaints against the publications should they arise.
Improvement in Quality
When I began working at Kennesaw, many people were concerned about the quality of the newspaper. At times envelopes from anonymous sources arrived in campus mail to bring copies of the latest issue laden with red ink that marked errors in grammar and other areas.
Fortunately some concerned, talented students began to take an interest in The Sentinel, and the quality began to improve. They worked hard and produced a newspaper of which the college could be proud. If I remember correctly, The Sentinel won either a Medalist or a First Place rating from Columbia Scholastic Press Association shortly before I left. This improvement was the highlight of which I was -- and still am -- proudest. The students produced fine examples of collegiate journalism.
Editor's note: Journalism educator and student−publications adviser Eddie Blick has won the 2006 Ron Spielberger Service to CMA Award. The award is conferred annually by College Media Advisers‚ Inc.‚ a national professional organization‚ to recognize individuals who have provided exemplary service to the organization. Blick’s award was formally announced at the National College Media Convention at St. Louis‚ MO‚ October 29‚ 2006. |
LISTEN :: WEBSITE
David Cruze
Editor in Chief 1986, Sentinel Staff 1985-1986
Doing now: ~Attendant of the Word - James 1:22-26 ~ Entech Corp. - Structural steel detailing.
Memories: My favorite people memories are of Sara Bowen, Pamela Hudgins, Michael Martinez, Connie Cunningham and of course perpetual student, Olin Sturdivant... and so many many others. I hope you all are doing well.
My favorite event memories are of KC-Day and fall bonfires. And I enjoyed being part of the cinematic arts committee. I was also the projectionist for several years. I think Student Center was the best! There was so many people to meet and hang out with.
One thing I'll never forget... I remember first hearing about the Challenger shuttle disaster in the Sentinel office. Michael and several others were gathered at the layout tables talking about it when I came in. I think they had to tell me twice. I just couldn't believe it.
Comments: I would like to add this Quote from The Sentinel, April 29,1986, Volume 20; Issue 10, From the Editor's Desk:
"But about nine months ago, I started helping out with production of the Sentinel. To be quite truthful, I had romance on my mind rather than the paper. However, when my blurry interests diminished, I found that working on the Sentinel was an irresistable challenge for me. I saw 'Sissy' Bowen, our past editor single-handedly putting out issue after issue of the Sentinel. I learned what student involvement could really be. It's more than just going to events and helping out occasionally; it's being a part in planning, organizing, and implementing an event, product, or policy.
Kennesaw College is the best thing that ever happened to me, and the least I can do is see that the Sentinel, the Voice of the Students, is kept going through its period of uncertainty and beyond.
In closing, I would like to give "Sissy" a very special thanks for her past dedication to the Sentinel and her continued support. I would not be here if it weren't for you, my dear friend."
Feel free to get in touch with David at priest@planetc.com
Cynthia A. Dusenbery
Editor in Chief 1988, Managing Editor 1987
Doing now: Editorial Supervisor, ISC Publications ? I oversee a department of four the writes and edits 31 souvenir race programs for all tracks owned by International Speedway Corp, including the Daytona 500, as well as several event-day publications, and a magazine
Memories: The closeness of a four-person staff that, with a small team of writers, published a weekly newspaper from a broom closet. It was during my tenure that we began using our first Mac computer (that's right, singular -- Mac). We also convinced the dean of students to let us take over the workroom as our office and quadrupled our space. We rocked the campus with a hard-hitting story on cheating in the classroom, and covered an abduction of a fellow student.
Comments: My involvement with The Sentinel help to get my first job. I hope that more J students are involved with the paper and that the staff is in the classrooms promoting involvement as a step to future employment.
Lee Allen Zaruba
Editor in Chief - 1989, Business Manager - 1988
Doing now: IBM - Project Manager
Memories: Far too many to recount in this little box.
Christopher Black
Production Manager 90 - 93 (I think)
Doing now: CIO of the Marin Community Foundation, http://www.marincf.org. Also a chef. Personal info at http://www.ckblack.com
Memories: We received an All American Rating one year. First ever. Ed "Big Nose" Bonza became the Pub coordinator while I was there. I was the editor for the April Fools editions for three years and got into some hot water for being a less than marginal student at the same time.
"Duck History Month" was the biggest controvery.... A search/replace to "duck" generated a surprisingly strong article. It just spiraled out of control from there.
The following year was a parody of Sigma Pi getting thrown off campus article. We re-ran the article to say Campus Crusade for Christ was thrown off campus for hazing. We re-ran the same headline with Campus Crusade guys in the picture in the same pose as the Sigma Pi pic. I knew a lot of the CCC guys and they even contributed to the article.
Comments: At 3 in the morning, with enough beer in you, you can play "Love Shack" to a room of delirious editors, writers and artists over and over and over again and no one will get tired of it? Also, never let your Sports editor write headlines drunk. Did you know "snatch and clean" was a double entendre?
Bonza told me the joke that I still use today - "If you ever pick up a friend named Jack at the airport, never yell his name when you see him." (it takes a little thought)
I would also add that I was in a fraternity, but I ended up much closer to my Editors over time. I was recently married and two of my old Editors in Chief were groomsmen.
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Brian C Kennel
Ad Sales Mgr, Ad Sales Rep, Production Mgr, 1990-1992
Doing now: Sales Manager for the Atlanta Division of Centex Homes, a national residential homebuilder. Happily married (Martina Sweany is also a Sentinel alumnus) and recently became a father of a healthy baby boy.
Memories: Besides having the opportunity to work with Ed Bonza, I would say my favorite memories were witnessing each week fellow students spending quality time with a product I assisted in creating. Oh and who could forget the weekly 3:00AM "staff meeting" at the local Waffle House after completing paste up of the flats and rushing them to press.
Comments: The Sentinel was an incredible experience that helped me develop interpersonal & leadership skills that was not taught in the classroom. Many of these learned skills I use on a daily basis managing my staff today.
Feel free to contact Brian at: kennel01@bellsouth.net
G. Walt Murray
Managing Editor (+/- 1991), Sports Editor (+/-) 1990
Doing now: Private Investigator/Sales Manager- TLS Intelligence
Memories: I really enjoyed the people I worked with. We did not always see eye to eye, but that was part of the fun.
Feel free to contact Walt at: gwmurray@yahoo.com
Robin Ellard Cochran
Copy Editor, 1991
Doing now: Full time mom and part time sports program director
Memories: Late nights, fun people!
Feel free to contact Robin at robin@cochranonline.com
Kyle T. Cobb, Jr.
1992 Editor-In-Chief. 1991-1992 Assistant Editor, 1990-1991 Feature Editor, Commentator, reporter
Doing now: Traveling the world as a professional adventurer. I have a radio show on Rock 100.5 (formerly 99X). I pay the bills as a JD Edwards project manager and reorganize very large companies to work more efficiently with the software.
Memories: I had the first all color swimsuit issue! I think I bankrupted the paper with that one. I started in writing thanks to Rob Garrett with a series of articles about my adventures in Eastern Europe as the Soviet Union collapsed. The articles were a lot of fun for me back then. Years later, they have given me a wonderful historical record of the events. I can honestly say, I learned a great deal from my stay at the Sentinel. Forcing myself to do layout at 3am in the morning was but one valuable lessons that I carried forward.
Comments: It is great to see the paper around after all these years. In our day, there was always a struggle between the school and paper over independence. Cheers to everyone there for a battle well fought.
Say hi to Kyle at sirkyl@mindspring.com
Elaine Gibbs
Sports layout/production and event calender page coordinator, 1991-1993
Doing now: High School Chemistry Teacher (6 months on the job)
Memories: Waiting for the stories from the sports writers who were at the games, the infamous racoon that had to be shot a thousand times, the swimsuit edition that my mother (Ann Cunningham, a fellow writer for the Sentinel) had to defend my reputation at the "meeting"( I was not an abused child!)
Feel free to contact Elaine at: eihpd@yahoo.com
Heather Fritz
Photographer and Writer 1993-1995, Photo Editor 1996-1997
Doing now: Marketing Coordinator of America's Oldest Homebuilder, Levitt and Sons
Memories: the people I met there made college some of the best times in my life.
Christy E. Brightman
Features writer, 1993-1996
Doing now: RN in a hospital
Memories: I remember one awards dinner where the staff had our own hotel suite. We had a great time. Marty Dye and John were hilarious.
Feel free to contact Christy at: rnchristy75@yahoo.com
John R. Moriarity Sr.
Editor in chief, 1994; News and Sports Editor, 1991-1993 (Held both positions at various times from 1991-1993, occasionally held both positions at the same time); News & Sports Reporter, 1990; Sports Reporter, 1989
Doing Now: I am currently recovering from a serious illness/injury. After leaving school in 1994, I continued working for the KSU Athletic Department as the baseball and basketball stadium announcer. Throughout the winter and spring of 1996, I worked for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games as an assistant producer and stadium announcer. During the Game's, I had the honor to announce for different sports: basketball, baseball, field hockey and track and field events.
After the Olympics, I opened a Web design firm. At the height of my firm's success, I had 10 employees designing, maintaining and selling Internet sites. My firm designed and maintained the athletic department's first web site. We also designed and maintained web sites for numerous schools and athletic conferences throughout the Southeast. As soon as my health allows, I hope to return to creating interactive Web applications.
Memories: My earliest memories at The Sentinel half to do with being a young journalist. There's nothing like the feeling, a young journalist gets when he knows he has the "Big Story," has written the "Big Story" fairly and concisely, and then stands by for the truck to deliver that story and watch over the balcony in the student center as the paper's readership reads the "Big Story." There's no drug that delivers a better feeling than the one you get when you know you have the story right, despite the fact that everyone else thinks you have it wrong. I could live on that!
Comments: I think the idea of honoring former Sentinel writers and editors, production and sales staff is a great idea... in fact it's been a long time in coming. If there's anything that I could do to assist in the event, please let me know... I'd be glad to help out in any way I can.
Kathy Wagstaff
1994 - 1997; Staff writer, Campus Life Editor
Doing now: Assistant Director of News Services, Office of University Communications and Marketing, University of West Georgia
Memories: Creating the Betty Seigel Halloween Mask; Creating the new Lifestyle section; The Newt Gingrich Scandal; Falling over John's wheelchair; John falling out of his wheelchair.
Comments: This [40th Anniversary Reunion] will be so much fun. I'm bringing the kids. They practically grew up in the Sentinel office as babes.
Feel free to contact Kathy at: kwagstaf@westga.edu.
Daniel Dreiske
1994-96 Senior Staff Writer, 95-96 Production Assistant
Doing now: Project Implementation Coordinator, COXnet (Cox Newspapers)
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Christina Mari-Elizabeth Piper
Editor in Chief 1997; Campus Life Editor 1996
Doing now: I'm the Office Manager for a gutter cleaning company in Marietta, GA. I'm married to a fantastic man who shares my desire for two cats and no children. :-) We sing at weddings and parties, and I am currently trying to get my own wedding planner business started.
Memories: I loved the camaraderie of those late nights when graphic designers were cursing, writers were panicking and Ed Bonza was cracking bad one-liners!
I do have stories, but most of them are just not able to be published. ;)
Comments: For those of us who knew Editors who came before and after us, how about a contacts list if we'd like to talk to one another?
Chris Myers
1997-1998 - Staff Writer, assistant Sports Editor, Sports Editor
Doing now: Last semester of graduate school, working on my M.Ed. I will be student teaching high school economics this upcoming semester (spring 2007)
Memories: I was promoted to Assistant Sports editor after a week and a half of working there, and then promoted again to sports editor five days later. I actually never had the title: assistant sports editor published in the paper. I remember monday's as being the worst days because I had one staff writer who never returned calls, much less turned in assignments and so I had to write up sports stories for events that I had not even attended since everything was due by 5pm that day. I remember traveling to Chicago under a false ID so we wouldn't have to buy a new ticket and John Fuchko jokingly asking me if I had removed the bomb from my carry on as we checked bags--needless to say, the baggage guy was none too pleased.
Comments: My wife and I just had our first child, a daughter named Hannah. We live outside Athens, Ga and love it here.
Contact Chris at: cmyers78@gmail.com
John M. Fuchko, III
Summer 1997 - Spring 1998 - Editor in Chief, Fall 1996 - Staff Writer
Winter 1996 - Spring 1997 - Opinion Page Editor
Doing now: Financial Representative, Northwestern Mutual
Intelligence Officer, Georgia Army National Guard
Treasurer & Member, Board of Directors, The HOPE Center
Member, Board of Directors, KSU Alumni Association
Memories: I remember working late each night until 3:00 a.m. on production night each week.
Megan McKoy
1997-2000 Served as a reporter, Campus Life Editor and did a lot of production work. Also served as editor of Talisman and SHARE magazines (1999 and 2000).
Doing now: I'm Assistant Director of Communications and Member Relations for GreyStone Power, an electric cooperative on the west side of Atlanta. I never knew the event planning, graphic design and writing skills I picked up in the middle of the night through student publications would be so useful! I focus on newsletter & ad production (I love InDesign!), maintain our web site, work on media relations and created an intranet for our employees. My job allows me to do a lot of work in the community, which I really enjoy ~ currently I'm a member of Rotary International and serve on the board of our local United Way.
Memories: I remember working on deadline and staying up all night (complete with an eye twitch in the morning) to get everything just right. NOTE: Perfectionists should NOT work in production! And talk about a zeal for the news.... one night I was in a car with John Fuchko and Suzanne Gregory when an ambulance went rushing by us. John was driving, and without even thinking about it he started following the ambulance so we could cover the story! My favorite memories were the friendships we created and the amazing people we interviewed -- for me the best interviews were with Beverly Sills and James Earl Jones. All in all everyone in student publications (especially Mr. Ed!) helped me become who I am today, and I can never thank them enough.
Feel free to contact Megan at: realmckoy@hotmail.com
Tara L. Goers (formerly Tara L. Bates)
1997- Reporter
Doing now: I am the Operations Manager for It's The Journey,Inc., the non-profit organization that produces the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer. I oversee all operations, including marketing (advertising, public relations, events, etc.) office management, and donor relations.
Memories: I have so many great memories! I used to answer the phones in the Sentinel office in the old Student Center- those were always interesting. When on deadline, the radio would be turned up and it was clear everyone was running on no sleep and little food- there would usually be some sort of dance contest going on. Dan Dreiske taught me how to do a clipping path in PhotoShop while in the Sentinel office, which turned out to be the beginning of my love for graphic design.
Comments: Ed Bonza probably remembers me very clearly crying in his communications class in the spring of 97.
Donna Michelle Smith "Mickie"
Movie Critic,1988?,1989?,1990?
Doing now: Interlibrary Loan, Horace W. Sturgis Library, Kennesaw State University
Memories: The day I signed up to work at the Sentinel I covered vice-president Dan Quayle's visit to Etowah High School on George Bush's election campaign. Reporters from the Boston Globe and CNN were amused by the eighteen year-old on her first assignment; I was a bit too exhilarated. Journalism turned out not to be for me, but that was the the Sentinel's purpose; to try on for size the experience of publication in reality. Of course, some things I liked, some things I didn't. But I always loved being PAID to watch movies! And sitting anonymously in the student center when the paper went to press and hearing students mutter, "So did this chick Mickie Smith hate 'Tremors 4' or what?!!"
Comments: The Sentinel was a safe, learning ground in which to publish as an apprentice writer. The experience was invaluable.
Contact Mickie at: msmith@kennesaw.edu
Sarah Alexander
1998-2002: Most of that time I was a staff writer, and for one semester I was the News Editor.
Doing now: Staff Writer for the Cherokee Tribune and Cherokee Life magazine. In 2005, I won Story of the Year from the Georgia Associated Press.
Memories: One of my best memories is when I went to Washington, D.C., with the staff. With just one student media pass, another staff writer and I were able to sit in the media section for the WWII memorial groundbreaking ceremony and see President Clinton and Tom Hanks. That was a lot of fun!
Comments: Working at The Sentinel definitely prepared me for my current job!
Sara O. Henderson
News Editor 1999
Doing now: I am a proposal writer for a global travel management company and a mom to the cutest little girl ever! I'm also preparing for grad school.
Memories: One time we played frisbee on the campus green at about midnight. I also remember sleeping on this really ugly sofa in the EOC's office. Those were fun times at The Sentinel.
Contact Sara at: saraohenderson@msn.com
Christy Smith
1999-2000 Reporter
Doing now: Reporter - Gwinnett Daily Post newspaper - 2000 - present
Earned MAPW at KSU 2005
Memories: My year at the Sentinel changed my life and I realized I would never want to work at anything other than reporting. The staff was very patient with me when I made a mistake. Mr. Bonza served as a mentor and guided me into an opportunity to help produce a local TV show. That in turn led me to a chance to film and produce a documentary film. It was a great experience...and they even paid me to have so much fun!
Feel free to contact Christy at: c15smith@yahoo.com
Paul Benton
1999-2004. Oh lets see, staff writer, photographer, production assistant, Sports Editor, News Editor, Distribution Manager, Advertising Manager and Office Manager from October 1999-2004.
Doing now: Attending Tennessee Technological University seeking a Masters of Biology. I am studying the Barren's Topminnow, a rare, endangered non game fish. I am also married and a proud father of a six month old baby girl
Memories: I will always remember the late nights on production night. One time we were working on an April fools issue and it was getting to be 3 AM and we needed a break so we headed out to the campus green to through a football for awhile. KSU police thought that was curious and stopped to ask us a few question. It was morning before we put that issue to bed.
Doug Goodwin
Editor-in-Chief, spring 1999, Production Manager, 1998, Writer/Photographer, 1996-1998
Doing now: I'm a graphic designer and work in the Communications Office for the Cobb County School District. I also do freelance work with my company, Artrinsic.
Memories: The crazy late nights in production, seeing the paper come out every Wednesday and getting reaction from the campus and being the last EIC in the old office, before the new student center opened. One of many fun memories I had is when we wrote a story about the notorious 'bike man' on campus who was caught looking at Internet porn in the library lab. Hey, it was sort of news!
Kenneth Adams
1999 - 2002 Photo editor, Production Assistant, Production Manager
Doing now: Designer at Turner Broadcasting
Memories: Late night partying and conferences
Contact Ken at: ksushare@yahoo.com
Hannah E. Key
Editor In Chief (2000); Advertising Manager (2004-2006); ViewPoints Editor (2001-2002); Production Manager (2002); ViewPoints Columnist (2001), Photographer, Staff Writer
Doing now: I am working as an AmeriCorps VISTA for the Humboldt Community Breast Health Project in beautiful Arcata, CA, which is on the coast and in the redwoods. I am presently coordinating a $40,000 fundraising campaign, Sales for Survivors, where I recruit businesses to donate 10% of their sales, including media sponsorships. A big part of managing the campaign is ad and promotional material design. My work with The Sentinel has been invaluable for this and all of my endeavors in life! After Sales for Survivors has completed I will work on volunteer coordination and then another $50,000 fundraiser.
Memories: The Sentinel played a substantial role in my life from 2001-2006. Most importantly, many of my closest friends were also Sentinel staff members. I have wonderful memories with everyone, whether it is the staff under Kort's leadership or those I worked with later on. There are stories and legends, but I think we'll all fondly look back on those 3 am nights pasting up the front page as the most cherished memories. Tuesday production nights were the best, even if we did detest them back then!
Comments: Maybe you could do a special insert on how the newspaper has changed, how production has changed with musings from people of each time period.
Feel free to contact Hannah at: vwchick909@yahoo.com
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Miki Hall Skelton
2000. I started in 2000 as a writer and copyeditor. Then a columnist for ViewPoints. Then, I was temp editor for that section. I was also Photo Editor after someone quit. I have been fill-in writer. Ummm...oh! I was also Office Manager for quite sometime.
Doing now: I am teaching private art lessons for children and am a nature photographer.
Memories: Oh, man...One of the worst was the Bush/Gore election night. I kept putting in Gore...no Bush....wait, Gore....no, no Bush...I eventually gave up when the guy came to pick up the flats for printing. I have made some great friends working at the Sentinel. I had great times. The rest of the stories I'll keep between me and those who know already :o)
Becca Moore
Editor Chief Spring 2001, Copy Editor Summer 2000, Campus Life Editor Fall 2000
Doing now: I am a first grade teacher in inner city Dayton. I am graduating in July with my master's in School Counseling. I will be having my first child in November!
Memories: I loved the deadlines and pushing people to be done by 10 pm. I never remember having to stay past midnight. I enjoyed just dancing around and cutting up with the staff. We all had a great time together.
Ila Mary Atkins
Features Editor, 2001, Photo Editor, 2001
Doing now: Customer Service Representative at Packaging Corporation of America, but hopefully soon back at KSU.
Memories: I remember how strong the bonds were between the Editors, and how Kelly decorated everyone's desk laps for them. I remember how badly we needed to improve the copy editing dept...and I remember covering 9-11. It was a very pivotal moment of my life.
Comments: Copy Editing is Key!!! As important as content! Think about it, one day, when you want to use this paper as an example of your writing, and your article has spelling errors or isn't laid out correctly, you will be so frustrated.
John Legg
Editor in Chief 2002
Doing now: 2nd Year Law Student
Memories: Wow, there is so much. Of course there are the classic Tuesday late nighter's at The Sentinel getting the paper finished. I think for me the most memorable issue was the Fall 2002 "Welcome Back" that featured the opening of campus housing. All the RA's in their bright yellow shirts with Dr. Seigel and the Foundation lined up to cut the ribbon in front of University Place. What an exciting moment for KSU!
Jim Pennington
Advertising Manager 2002-2003
Doing now: Office Lead (Manager) and Mortgage Underwriter, Republic Mortgage Insurance Company
Memories: Many interesting stories and great memories.
Comments: Stay connected through the current issues. The publication has really grown and become a great source of information.
Allison Kappelman-Formby
2002-2003; Campus Life editor, staff writer, and of course the person to bring toys in.
Doing now: I am married to a wonderful man, named Jason and we are currently pregnant, due August 15, 2006. I am teaching Pre-K and loving every minute of it. getting ready to go back to school for an education degree next summer.
Memories: A few of us a Intro to Anthropology together my first semester on staff. We were all joking about some type of monkeys we had learned about....well, "free monkey love" became the theme of that semester And to make it worse, it got published...the "free monkey love" battle was fun.
Claudie Biassou
Part-time staff writer, 2003
Doing now: I am a Realtor with Heritage Real Estate Brokers and currently is a volunteer at Harrison Hoya newspaper.
Memories: I wrote a piece on Abercrombie & Fitch hiring practice.
Comments: I really enjoyed the opportunity that I was given to write and to take pictures at times for The Sentinel. It was a fulfilling experience.
Feel free to contact Claudie at: claudie_realtor@bellsouth.net
Darin Givens
Staff Writer, Entertainment Editor (2003-2004)
Doing now: Webmaster / Communications Specialist with the Georgia Public Library Service.
Memories: I really got a lot out of my time with The Sentinel. The pressure of a deadline was a great, eye-opening experience that gave me a taste of the kinds of conflicts and tensions I would deal with in my professional life. The group I worked with was very fun and I especially remember getting some great advice and encouragement from Ed Bonza.
Feel free to contact Darin at: daringivens@mindspring.com
Kirsten Ott
Editor in Chief - 2003, Campus Life Editor - 2002
Doing now: Freelance Writer and Editor
Memories: The people, the people, the people. My coworkers were a joy to work with, and Ed Bonza's guidance was both inspiring and hilarious. Ed, you rock.
My best memory was our trip to the Big Apple for a college newspaper conference. What a weekend!
Random students were often visiting The Sentinel offices to pour their hearts out. Sometimes I felt like more of a guidance counselor than the editor.
Serving at The Sentinel really afforded me the opportunity to get to know students and faculty that I otherwise probably would never have met, and it instilled in me a sincere respect for newspaper staffers everywhere.
Feel free to contact Kirsten at: ink@kirstenott.com
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Cheryl K. Miller
2004 News Editor; 2002-03 - general assignment reporter and did some photography.
Doing now: Communications, PR, etc. at the Small Business Development Center at Kennesaw State. I didn't land far from the Sentinel Offices, since I now work in the Burruss Building. I'm also looking forward to graduating with my MAPW degree spring, 2007.
Memories: The Sentinel Staff, especially Ed Bonza, create a wonderful, collaborative environment for everyone who works with The Sentinel. The biggest story while I was there was a writer who blatantly plagiarized from The Rolling Stone magazine and rewrote the material for the Sentinel music reviews - not a highlight of my time at the Sentinel, but a worthwhile experience.
Patrice Lomax
Sports Editor, May 2004 - May 2005
Doing now: I'm currently working as a Sports Editor for FOXSports.com in Beverly Hill, California.
Memories: The meetings and just the good people that we had on staff there, not to mention the student life office! Hannah Key gave me the opportunity, and I just ran with it. I had a great time. Working for the Sentinel really made me feel like an integral part of the KSU community. I got to cultivate relationships with so many people and was afforded a great deal of opportunities because of working as the Sports Editor.
Feel free to contact Patrice at: lomaxpat@mailcity.com
Heather Croas
2003-2004. Roaming reporter/staff writer, production assistant Summer and Fall 2003, features and entertainment editor Spring 2004
Doing now: Working for a collections call center for Cingular wireless but I'd give anything to working for a newspaper again
Memories: Late Tues nights getting the paper ready for print on Wed
Comments: If I decide to go back to school at Kennesaw I just hope that I get the opportunity to work for The Sentinel again, it was by far my favorite thing about college. Really glad my brother, Eric Croas, twisted my arm into joining the staff.
Melissa Spielholz
Dec 2004- May 2005: Editor in Chief, Jan 2004- May 2004: Sr. Staff Writer
May 2004- Dec- 2004: Features Editor
Doing now: Working @ KHEC and Grad School @ The University of Memphis, (Masters in Journalism)
Memories: Nashville CMA & NYC; We broke the basketball story and also got to do the story on the campus shooting. The late nights in the office, Nash-vegas, NYC.
Get in touch with Melissa: mspielholz@gmail.com.
Sasha Bailey
Fall 2004 to Fall 2005: Photographer; Spring 2005: Assistant Features Editor; Summer and Fall 2005: Features Editor
Doing now: Working in the "real world"
Memories: I enjoyed being in the office and hanging out the staff. I think I was with those people more than my family. I remember when we when to Missouri, the most boring city in the world with the best people in the world. I will never forget that trip.
Feel free to contact Sasha at: sashabailey@msn.com
Meredith Pruden
Editor in chief 2005, Features Editor (2005), Sr. Copy Editor (2004), Copy Editor (2004)
Doing now: Rock & alternative editor for Greenroom Magazine and freelance writer.
Memories: The staff when I was EIC was just wonderful. It was really the best semester I had at The Sentinel - not because I was EIC -but because the atmosphere in the office was almost always pleasant. People who didn't even work with us stopped in just to say, 'hi.' That was good times.
Tommy McNulty
Sports Editor, Spring 2005 semester. Columnist of "Sidelined," Fall '04-Spring '06.
Someone above must have made a mistake because I was the Sports section editor from Jan. '05 to May '05!
Doing now: Professional musician: I sing and play guitar in various bars and venues around Atlanta and N. Georgia. Wrapping up my final year here at KSU, planning on going to UGA for master's soon after.
Memories: NYC trip! Anyone who went remembers!
Chauntrell Brewer (Lofton)
Staff Writer 2004; Senior Staff Writer 2005-2006
Doing now: I graduated from KSU Fall, 2006. I'm currently pursuing a career in human resources at Medtronic, Inc.
Memories: Reading the police reports. Kids do crazy things.
Comments: Most of all, I miss being a student. My advice to students is to enjoy this time.
Feel free to contact Chauntrell at: chauntrelllofton@bellsouth.net
Rick Winters
Photo editor (fall-2005), Distribution Manager (fall-2005), Sports Editor (spring-2006), Production assistant (2005-2007)
Doing now: Working full time as the Sports Editor for the Calhoun Times and as a sports writer/photographer for the Rome News-Tribune and other News Publishing Company papers.
Memories: The KC trip was just amazing... we had a group that in no other circumstance would have gotten together, but because of the paper we did and we just jelled. I worked under some great editors including Meredith and Colleen and am still close friends with them and a few other staff members today. Oh yeah, and I will also remember Jason falling asleep under his desk and getting locked in the production room, big boat, huge fun, Hannah didn't come, office basketball record, frenchy, Aussi-isms and representing!
Say hello to Rick: ric.winters@yahoo.com
Jason Michael Nimer
Editor in Chief - 2006; Op. Ed Editor - 2005; Staff writer - 2004
Doing now: Web editor/copy editor @ Marietta Daily Journal/Cherokee Tribune; Freelance video game guide writer/critic for ign.com, gamerstemple.com
Memories: Let no one forget the party bag. Other than that, working at The Sentinel was easily one of the most valuable and memorable experiences I've ever had. I learned a ton, made some great friends and had the time of my life.
Comments: Every year, every semester... every day, The Sentinel gets better. Keep up the good work!
Email Jason at nimerjm@hotmail.com
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The Sentinel
The Kennesaw State University Newspaper
Editor in Chief, 1966 to present:
