Welcome!Waiting on our crewFalcon Media t-shirts were available.So great to partner with the school. Faculty, alumni, and a trustee – great conversations.Falcon Media legends: Harold Brown, Max Filby, and Tyler Buchanan (who also doubled up as a FMB alum).Great to see our students. SMC director Dr. Cheryl Bracken and President Rogers. Faculty members Sean Williams and Jasmine Crighton (who arranged the tent and food), bookend Dr. Bracken.Plenty of smiles to go around. Falcon Media students Tyler Kavalecz, Lucas Kleimeier, Steve Iwanek, and Olivia Ross photobombed by radio faculty advisor Phil Beskid and photographer Drake Hartlett.Great student turnout.The master at work – Don Lee delights with his caricature skills.Don Lee immortalizes radio faculty advisor Phil Beskid and daughter Lucy. Don Lee generated a record $200 for the BG News Fun. Journalism Hall of Famer Dick Maxwell met with students pretty much all day Thursday and Friday.Former BG Newsers brought in a 50-year-old copy!Showing off all our brands. The ’80s crew represented well!Former faculty member Vicki Hesterman stopped by the Kuhlin Center Friday. Former Falcon Media Director Bob Bortel, President Rogers and former faculty member Vicki Hesterman.PR legend Cliff Boutelle and Don Lee.Vicki Hesterman, Bob Bortel, Mizell Stewart, Karl Smith. The rose between two thorns. How is it that Bob looks younger than Karl?That ’80s crew.Vicki Hesterman and former student Dina Horwedel.BG alum Dina Horwedel and husband (and former Lantern reporter) Peter Eichstaedt.That ’80s crew again.The always stylish President Rogers spent time with faculty, alumni, and students.
The pictures pretty much tell the story – we had a blast. Just a few notes for those who couldn’t make it:
Journalism Hall of Famer Dick Maxwell spent most of Thursday and Friday meeting with students about careers in sports and sports broadcasting. What a tremendous resource for our students.
A former BG Newser who couldn’t make it to our tent brought a 50-year-old copy of the paper to the Kuhlin Center. So cool to see a great artifact.
The turnout for our alumni tent exceeded all expectations. We had a great mix of faculty (and former faculty – great to see Vicki Hesterman at the Kuhlin and the tent), staff (including Falcon Media legends Bob Bortel and Paul Obringer), alumni (shout out to the ’80s crew that REALLY showed up in great numbers!), and students (who appreciated being able to engage with our alumni).
A big tip of the hat to Don Lee (’87) who once again offered up his amazing caricature skills. He wasn’t sure that he could make it this year, but just as the festivities kicked off, he arrived, easel in hand. By the time he packed up, he had collected a record $200 for the BG News Fund, which we use for all things Falcon Media. Thank you, Don.
And thanks to all who came out. Once the university announces dates for Homecoming 2024, we’ll pass it on so you can make your plans to join us. In the meantime, save this date – April 12, 2024. That will be the first in-person journalism awards since COVID-19 altered our lives and we’re planning a few things for our alumni. Stay tuned!
