SMAD News

See the winners of the 2022 SMAD awards
April 25, 2022: In the first in-person ceremony since 2019, SMAD honored its top graduating seniors and announced tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships funded by alumni and supporters.
Photojournalist Caroline Gutman to speak April 14
April 6, 2022: One of the award-winning photographers whose work is on display in Harrison Hall will talk about the power of photojournalism during an event at 4 p.m. April 14 in Darcus Johnson G008.
SMAD sponsors Reel Change Film Festival from April 11-14
April 5, 2022: The 8th annual Reel Change Film Festival returns to Court Square Theater between April 11-14 to showcase documentaries about issues relevant to JMU and Harrisonburg.
SMAD graduate selected as Fulbright semifinalist
March 27, 2022: Audrey Nakagawa, who graduated in 2021, is in the running for the prestigious program, which would send her to the Czech Republic to teach English.
Dr. Smalls' book chapter explores how 'Insecure's' Issa Dee connects with viewers
February 18, 2022: A new book contains a chapter written by Dr. Morgan Smalls that looks at how people described and reacted to the character Issa Dee from HBO's "Insecure."
Films in this fall's SMADFEST explore 'self-discovery and identity'
December 9, 2021: Digital Video and Cinema students produced three films — “A Night Alone,” “Roommates” and “True Stories of a Recipe Blog Writer” — that will debut at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Grafton-Stovall Theater.
Professor emeritus' documentary shifts the spotlight off stage
November 15, 2021: John Woody, a SMAD professor emeritus, followed concert photographers for his documentary “A Year in the Pit,” which will be featured Dec. 11-12 at Harrisonburg’s Court Square Theater.
Five pieces of career advice alumni offered during SMAD Day
November 7, 2021: SMAD students and alumni spent the Friday of Homecoming weekend connecting during resume reviews, panel discussions, workshops and general networking spread across Harrison Hall as part of SMAD Day.
Washington Post editing chief Courtney Rukan to speak with students Nov. 5
October 31, 2021: In a session on Nov. 5, Courtney Rukan, part of the first SMAD graduating class in 2000, will talk with students about digital and multimedia storytelling and editing.
Dr. Smalls featured on episode of ‘With Good Reason’ radio program
October 26, 2021: Dr. Morgan Smalls explained to a national audience how shows such as HBO’s “Insecure” and BET’s “Being Mary Jane” are reflecting a broader array of characters and peoples’ experiences.
SMAD Day returns! Be there Nov. 5.
October 14, 2021: The Nov. 5 event will allow SMAD alumni, students and faculty to connect with resumé reviews, career panels, workshops, a job fair and more.
Anderson wins interactive award for his teaching site
October 6, 2021: Dr. Steve Anderson won a w3 gold award from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts this week for his “Build this Portfolio” site that helps students learn how to incorporate features into their online showcases.
The Breeze gains national Pacemaker recognition
September 26, 2021: The Breeze, the multimedia news organization run by JMU students, is among 28 finalists for a Pacemaker Award for top collegiate online site for 2020-21.
Breeze TV among finalists for college TV station of the year
September 26, 2021: Five years after it launched, Breeze TV the weekly news program reported and produced by student journalists is one of five finalists for the College Media Association’s Pinnacle Award for four-college TV station of the
SMAD professor's workshop helps refugees find focus
September 20, 2021: Prof. Elisabeth Kvernen led a photography workshop with area high school students who are refugees from other countries. Now their images are being featured at a downtown gallery.
Prof. Dinç awarded $50K grant to produce documentary
September 13, 2021: Prof. Nefin Dinç received a $50,000 grant funded by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey to produce a documentary about environmental issues in the Mediterranean region.
SMAD students win Fulbright and Gilman awards
June 7, 2021: Aliyah Hall, a 2021 SMAD graduate, was named an alternate for a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, and Avery Goodstine, a rising sophomore, received a national Gilman Scholarship to study abroad.
Rising senior wins 2nd at international film festival’s ‘Pitch Fest’
May 25, 2021: Gannon La Croix, a DVC student, placed second at RiverRun International Film Festival’s “Pitch Fest” in May for his description of the documentary he’s working on about a special network of caves in Virginia.
‘A window to where we are’: Jackson picks up where he left off at the White House
May 16, 2021: Alumni spotlight: Lawrence Jackson, a 1990 graduate, has made a career capturing historic images. And he’s back in the White House as the official photographer for Vice President Kamala Harris.
SMADFEST will feature student films at 7 p.m. May 6 on YouTube
May 3, 2021: Digital Video and Cinema students will present their work — five films by 17 seniors — during SMADFEST, which premiers at 7 p.m. May 6 on a YouTube livestream.
Creative Advertising students to present capstone presentations May 5 on Facebook Live
April 29, 2021: Senior-level Creative Advertising students will present their capstone projects, a compilation of advertising campaign designs, at 8 p.m. May 5 on SMAD’s Facebook page.
Interactive Design students to make their pitches to client
April 21, 2021: Students in the Interactive Design concentration on April 24 will present online systems they've created for a client.
Alumni spotlight: Understanding the gravity of the situation was grad’s goal
April 19, 2021: Jesse Sands, who graduated in 2020, turned an independent study project into an animated video about the basics of astrophysics that’s already being used in Virginia classrooms.
Congratulations to SMAD scholarship winners and outstanding seniors
April 15, 2021: SMAD faculty, donors, alumni and supporters honored graduating seniors and scholarship winners at the annual awards ceremony. Here's who won.
SMAD ceremony on April 14 will honor seniors, scholarship winners
April 6, 2021: SMAD scholarship winners and graduating seniors from all concentrations will be honored at the department’s annual awards ceremony at 7 p.m. April 14 in a video ceremony streamed on Facebook Live.
The Breeze toasts its graduating leaders and welcomes new top editors
April 1, 2021: After a year like no other, leaders of the news organization hand over the reins to their successors. Here's what's ahead for all of them.
Alumna enlists SMAD students to help cover influencers
March 26, 2021: Nastacia Nickolaou (‘18) launched Behind the Filter, a site that covers social media influencers. And she’s selected current SMAD students to report on that world.
SMAD Spotlight: 2020 grad starts career with Va. Press Women Foundation award
March 17, 2021: Peyton Kennedy — now a multimedia reporter for the CBS affiliate in State College, Pennsylvania — won the 2020 Agnes Cook Scholarship.
First generation student event set for 5 p.m. March 24
March 16, 2021: The CAL Diversity Council and TORCH, the FirstGen student organization, will host a Zoom reception. Here's how to preregister.
SMAD students' film wins national BEA award of excellence
March 5, 2021: “Michelle,” a film produced by a trio of SMAD students, won an award of excellence in the national Broadcast Education Association’s “narrative” category at its virtual ceremony.
New student-run agency replaces Ad Club
March 1, 2021: Seven Dukes — including five SMAD students — rebranded JMU’s chapter of the American Advertising Federation into an agency that launched March 1 and is aimed at helping area businesses.
Production company founder to host March 10 SMAD Connect event
March 1, 2021: SMAD alumnus Douglas Newton (‘11), who started his own production company, will answer questions and discuss career paths with students during a Zoom event 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 10. Students must register in advance.
SMAD Spotlight: Student balances roles of National Guard soldier and journalist
February 26, 2021: Jillian Carey, a junior in SMAD’s journalism concentration, was deployed to protect the U.S. Capitol for three weeks with her National Guard unit after the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Reminder to SMAD students: Scholarship deadline is March 1
February 22, 2021: SMAD students have until March 1 to apply for shares of about $12,000 in competitive scholarships. Here’s what’s available and how to apply.
National Press Club president to talk with SMAD students Feb. 24
February 16, 2021: SMAD students will get to ask questions to JMU alumna Lisa Matthews, the longtime AP journalist and new National Press Club President, at a Zoom event 6 p.m. Feb. 24.
Feb. 18 SMAD Connect event to highlight Elon's grad program
February 12, 2021: Maggie Mullikin, a 1985 JMU graduate, will host a Zoom event Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. to tell SMAD students about Elon University’s graduate program focusing on interactive design. Students must register to attend.
Alumna Lisa Matthews becomes National Press Club president
January 31, 2021: Lisa Matthews, a 1990 graduate and award-winning Associated Press broadcaster, plans an ambitious agenda as the new president of the National Press Club.
JMU alum named chief photographer for Vice President Kamala Harris
January 17, 2021: Lawrence Jackson, a 1990 graduate, will return to the White House to serve as chief photographer for Vice President Kamala Harris after Harris and Joe Biden are sworn in Jan. 20.
Creative Advertising seniors unveil campaigns for well-known products
December 19, 2020: Creative advertising students developed full campaigns for Perrier, Nudie Jeans, Dubble Bubble, and The Pop Shoppe soda as their capstone projects this fall.
Interactive Design students chose their own adventures in capstone classes
December 17, 2020: Students in the Interactive Design capstones this fall harnessed their creativity to turn ideas for apps — as well as informational and advocacy projects — into reality.
DocFest premieres students’ work on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.
December 15, 2020: Pandemic or not, the show must go on. So SMAD students will present their documentary projects through a virtual version of DocFest through Zoom and Facebook Live on Dec. 17 at 7p.m.
Virtual SMADFEST set for 7 p.m. Dec. 16 on YouTube
December 13, 2020: Despite challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, SMADFEST 2020 prevails and will feature a virtual watch party of the senior students’ short fiction videos at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 on YouTube.
SMAD students innovate to produce media during the pandemic
December 9, 2020: As the first full semester affected by COVID-19 comes to a close, SMAD students have found creative ways to produce media during the pandemic while maintaining safety guidelines.
Alumna goes from The Breeze to Columbia U. and launches a news site in between
December 3, 2020: Since graduating in May, Shanna Kelly ('20) entered a prestigious journalism grad school program while also running a local news site she launched to serve an area in New Jersey.
Dr. Morgan Smalls wins National Communication Association award
December 2, 2020: Dr. Morgan Smalls won an award for the outstanding book chapter in an edited volume — a top honor from the National Communication Association's African American Communication and Culture Division and Black Caucus.
SMAD students design COVID-19 signs for JMU
November 30, 2020: As part of their “Visual Communication Design” course this semester, SMAD students designed signage for different spaces on campus to enforce social distancing and mask-wearing requirements.
SMAD professor and student win national visual analytics award
November 20, 2020: Dr. Chen Guo, who teaches in the Interactive Design concentration, worked with Susie Nguyen, a senior SMAD and computer science double major, on an interface design model that won a national award this fall.
Dr. Mitchell to take over JMU in LA when it resumes
November 15, 2020: While the 2021 JMU in LA program has been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it resumes, it will have a new leader: Dr. Talé Mitchell, who teaches in the Creative Advertising concentration.
SMAD students and faculty explore ways to cover 2020 elections
October 28, 2020: SMAD students and professors working across three courses this fall have been studying and covering the local, state and national candidates and campaigns through various media.
SMAD alumni team up for Emmy-winning production
October 26, 2020: Led by Tiffany Lewis (’11), a team from LAI Video produced the documentary series that focuses on artifacts and artwork in the U.S. State Department’s diplomatic reception rooms.
Thankful for JMU, alumnus Will MacGill wants to pay it forward
October 19, 2020: Twenty-eight years after his graduation, alumnus Will MacGill (’92) says he’s ready to give back by mentoring students and even offering internships.
SMAD grads help fuel Richmond newspaper's COVID coverage
October 5, 2020: Several recent SMAD graduates are among a quintet of JMU alumni covering the COVID-19 pandemic for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
SMAD innovates to keep students safe and focused on learning
September 22, 2020: As JMU prepares to shift back to in-person classes for most courses Oct. 5, SMAD has implemented precautions and is using new technology this fall to keep students safe and focused on learning.
The Breeze three-peats as Virginia's best non-daily of its size
September 17, 2020: For the third straight year, The Breeze won the Virginia Press Association's Grand Sweepstakes award for non-daily newspapers in its circulation class.
Prof. Dinç presents never-before-seen memoirs of WWI soldier
September 14, 2020: Prof. Nefin Dinç will present to the world on Sept. 17 the memoirs of World War I solider Antoine Köpe, whose experiences offer a rare window into several key developments in world history.
New professor Elisabeth Kvernen brings global perspectives
September 10, 2020: Elisabeth Kvernen, SMAD's newest professor, has lived all over the world, speaks four languages and brings design and multimedia experience to the classroom.
SMAD Students Honored Nationally for App
August 14, 2020: Two SMAD students won second place in an Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication digital competition for their proposed app to help match people with an ideal place to study.
SMAD Calls for Removing Confederate Names on JMU Buildings
June 19, 2020: We call upon JMU to immediately remove the names of Confederate leaders from prominent buildings on JMU’s campus, including Harrison Hall, where the School of Media Arts and Design resides.
Capstone Course Produces Creative Advertising Campaigns
May 14, 2020: In Dr. Tale Mitchell’s SMAD 443 course, students are split into advertising agency teams to produce a comprehensive creative advertising campaign that spans across a range of traditional and new media.
Photojournalism Course Documenting COVID-19
May 11, 2020: As a way to adapt and change the curriculum for the online environment SMAD’s photojournalism students were tasked with the project of producing a photo essay documenting some aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Journalism Student's Prestigious Internship
May 4, 2020: James Faris is one of 17 students nationwide selected for the business reporting internship sponsored by the Dow Jones News Fund.
Professor O’Reilly Won Award at the Worldfest-Houston Film Festival
April 29, 2020: Tumbling Towards Home, co-written and directed by professor Imelda O'Reilly, won the Bronze Remi Award at the Worldfest-Houston Film Festival.
SMAD Spring 2020 Policy on Credit/No Credit Grades
March 27, 2020: To clarify the provost’s message on Tuesday, as it pertains to SMAD majors and coursework that counts toward major credit, I provide you with the SMAD policy on Credit/No Credit.
Professor Alessi Wins Virginia Press Foundation Award
March 4, 2020: Ryan Alessi, a SMAD journalism professor, receives the Virginia Press Foundation’s 2020 Leadership and Innovation Award.
SMAD Class Creates Designs for Nonprofits in the Community
March 3, 2020: Professor Adrienne Hooker’s visual communication design class, produced a fundraising campaign for Way to Go and recently began working on several new projects for nonprofits.
JMU Alumni Washington Post Snapchat Editor Visits SMAD
March 2, 2020: John Taylor, a 97’ alumni, visited SMAD last week to share about his role as the Washington Post Snapchat Discover Editor.
Seven Student Projects Won BEA Awards
February 18, 2020: SMAD Students won seven awards at Broadcast Education Associations international digital media and broadcast competition.
SMAD Alumna’s Documentary Premieres at Sundance Film Festival
February 6, 2020: Marley McDonald, a 2015 SMAD alumna, worked as the Associate Editor for Spaceship Earth, a documentary that premiered at Sundance Film Festival on January 26.
DVC Student Receives Gilman Scholarship from the U.S. State Department
February 3, 2020: Elli Imel, a junior SMAD student, will be attending a study abroad program to Ireland to study media, culture, and society. Her trip will be partially funded by her scholarship.
New Professor Highlight: Professor Morgan Smalls
January 27, 2020: Dr. Smalls’ research uses popular culture to explore topics of gender, race, and class. She has done research on topics ranging from an SNL skit about Beyoncé to the Charleston shooting.
James Acosta (’93) Scholarship for Media Excellence
December 6, 2019: Paige Ellenberger, the lead anchor and managing editor for Breeze TV, is the first recipient of the $5,000 James Acosta (’93) Scholarship for Media Excellence.
WJLA News Director Cheryl Carson Gave Speech on SMAD Day
October 31, 2019: Cheryl Carson, the News Director for WJLA, gave a keynote speech about the shifts in journalism, staying relevant to views, and covering the hard-to-hear stories everyday on October 25th.
Professor Mike Grundmann’s Documentary Receives Recognition
October 25, 2019: Professor Mike Grundmann created a documentary Breaking Free, about a riding center that works with veterans to help them “overcome the effects of trauma, emotional hardships."
New Professor Highlight: Professor Ryan Alessi
October 12, 2019: A political journalist for 18 years, Alessi is now a full time professor at SMAD and will take eight JMU student journalists to the Democratic and Republican conventions on a new study away program in the summer of 2020.
SMAD Students Won Deloitte Digital Design Challenge
October 4, 2019: On Tuesday, September 24th, Deloitte Digital and SMAD sponsored the Deloitte Digital Design Challenge, a recruiting event designed to engage students in a real-world design challenge.
DVC Students Won Two Awards at the International Film Festival
October 3, 2019: “Home,” a short film directed and produced by SMAD students won two Independent Short Awards categories at the International Film Festival.
Professor Flamiano to Speak on Women Photojournalist Hansel Mieth
September 9, 2019: Professor Dolores Flamiano will be sharing her expertise of female LIFE Photographers at the New York Historical Society on September 13.
2018-2019 Faculty Accomplishments
September 2, 2019: Professor Dolores Flamiano will be sharing her expertise of female LIFE Photographers at the New York Historical Society on September 13.
Professor Nefin Dinc Featured on With Good Reason Radio
June 16, 2019: An interview with professor Nefin Dinc was aired by the With Good Reason show on June 14.
Former White House Photographer Lawrence Jackson (’90) Publishes First-person Recollections from President Obama
May 17, 2019: Lawrence Jackson (’90) will publish his book "Yes We Did" featuring his time as the former White House photographer during Obama Administration in October.
Professor Johnson to Retire After 31 Years at JMU
April 28, 2019: After 31 years at JMU, Johnson is calling his career.
SMAD Banquet Honors Award Winners and Scholarship Recipients
April 15, 2019: On April 11, 2019, SMAD Banquet honored concentration award winners and 14 scholarship recipients from 11 scholarship programs that provide more than $30,000 in support for students.
7th Reel Change Film Festival Aims to Reveal Injustices Through Issue-driven Documentaries
March 29, 2019: The screening of 16 Bars at Reel Change Festival serves as the official launch of REAL LIFE Virginia Campaign with an aim to seek restorative justice practice.
JMU Alumni and Emmy-Award Winning TV Writer Meets SMAD Students
March 21, 2019: Phoef Sutton, the recipient of JMU Distinguished Alumni Award, gave a lecture to SMAD students about his career as a playwright, Television writer, producer and novelist.
Pulitzer Prize Winning Photojournalist Ryan Kelly Speaks About Storytelling
March 19, 2019: Ryan Kelly’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photo has been used in national news stories, in courtrooms and more recently in Spike Lee’s award-winning film BlacKkKlansman.
Andy Parker Visits JMU to discuss “For Alison” book
March 18, 2019: Thursday night, Alison’s father, Andy Parker, visited JMU to speak about the writing process of his newly released book, “For Alison,” and to inform and remind the JMU community of Alison’s legacy.
SMAD Faculty and Students Won Five BEA Awards
February 18, 2019: SMAD Students and faculty won five awards at Broadcast Education Associations international digital media and broadcast competition.
The Washington Post Sports Writer Kent Babb Speaks about the Art of Reporting
January 29, 2019: Kent Babb specializes in sports’ features that examine cultural and societal issues through the lens of sports or what he calls “writing a big story in a small way.”
Alison Parker's father to publish book honoring her life
January 10, 2019: Since the death of JMU alumna and television journalist Alison Parker, her father, Andy Parker, has written a memoir in her honor that’s scheduled to release March 5.
Professor Imelda O'Reilly On With Good Reason Radio
December 11, 2018: An interview with professor Imelda O’Reilly will be heard on the upcoming With Good Reason show on December 15th.
Professor Tom McHardy Retiring After Two Decades in SMAD
December 11, 2018: After 21 years, Tom McHardy will be retiring with a legacy of numerous awards from BEA and AEJMC for his and his student’s interactive multimedia work.
DVC Students Won Big at Poe Film Festival
November 28, 2018: “The Golden Cage” a documentary film produced by SMAD alums Maeve Reiss and Kacey Dolan won 2018 College Film Awards for Best Documentary at the Poe Film Festival.
SMAD Alum Nominated for Emmy Award
November 13, 2018: The documentary Olivia Merrion co-directed, "Before Prison," was part of “Locked Up,” a series from the Center for Investigative Reporting, which explores the rate of incarceration among women in Oklahoma.
Lindsay Czarniak Shared Career Experience with SMAD Students
November 8, 2018: Former SportsCenter anchor and SMAD alum Lindsay Czarniak returned to her alma mater to an audience of eager SMAD students ready to be inspired.
SMAD Day 2018: A Harrison Hall Homecoming
November 7, 2018: With over 200 students registered and 56 alumni returning to their alma mater, SMAD Day 2018 was a great success.
SMAD Students Won BEA Award of Excellence
September 13, 2018: Two student documentary films, "Diego" and "In Absence," won BEA Awards of Excellence.
SMAD Professor Presented Byrd-Mim Scholarship
September 6, 2018: The Byrd-Mims Scholarship, named after late Virginia Senator Harry F. Byrd Jr. and D. Lathan Mims, is a competitive, four-year scholarship awarded to an incoming freshman with the most promise in the field of journalism.
Remembering Alison Parker
September 4, 2018: Students from The Breeze ended their recent two weeks of training for the academic year with a remembrance of Alison Parker, a class of 2012 alumnus who was killed in an on-air shooting in 2015.
New Professor Highlight: Dr. Chen Guo
September 1, 2018: Dr. Guo's research interests include human-computer interaction, user interface design and user experience, information visualization and analytics.
New Professor Highlight: Professor Nefin Dinc
September 1, 2018: For more than two decades, Professor Nefin Dinc has been working as a documentarian and taught documentary filmmaking in the United States and Turkey.
SMAD Professor's Work Chosen For Cannes Film Festival
April 17, 2018: From May 8-18, Imelda O’Reilly will be in France at one of the most competitive film festivals in the world.
SMAD Banquet 2018
April 17, 2018: SMAD’s top seniors and scholarship winners celebrate after the annual SMAD Banquet April 12.
JMU Alum Jim Acosta Speaks To Student Journalists
April 5, 2018: Jim Acosta visited JMU campus to give expert advice on life as a journalist.
Visiting Scholar Shares His Experiences in Filmmaking
March 29, 2018: Willmott told SMAD students the best advice he could give was to make their first movie, and then make another one.
Alison Parker Studio Dedication
December 12, 2017: During a program on SMAD Day, the sound stage and control room in Harrison Hall were christened the Alison Bailey Parker Studio.
SMAD Day 2017
December 11, 2017: A record 211 students registered for SMAD Day 2017, the student-alumni networking event
Diversity expert engages students during SMAD visit
October 17, 2017: Keith Woods, a noted media diversity expert, spent two days on campus as a College of Arts & Letters Visiting Scholar
Stephen Jaffe Visits SMAD
September 26, 2017: An award-winning photojournalist talks about his work in SMAD 301 (The Media Arts: Culture by Design)
A Good Blinder
September 14, 2017: A documentary produced by SMAD Professors Shaun Wright and Mike Grundmann airs on WVPT-TV (PBS, Harrisonburg)
3 in SMAD Land Prestigious Journalism Internships
June 7, 2017: SMAD scores big with three senior journalism concentrators winning prestigious Dow Jones News Fund internships
Randi Clarke Lennon Visits SMAD
April 11, 2017: Clarke Lennon discussed her career in a SMAD Connect presentation in Harrison Hall. She said her experience at JMU helped lead her down a path that led her to directing CBS News This Morning.
Thanks, Jesse, for sharing your career adventures with us!
April 4, 2017: Working at one of the hottest agencies in the U.S., Jesse Wright's typical day includes working with national brands to create ad campaigns. But this past Tuesday, he helped SMAD students prepare for the future.
SMAD Professors' Films Screen at NYC Film Festival
March 28, 2017: Professors Kevin Reynolds and Imelda O'Reilly show latest works
SMAD student named JMU Student Employee of the Year
March 28, 2017: Amanda Harner wins award for her work with Digital Communication Consulting for sharing her expertise across campus.

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