A new collaboration with Advance Local will provide Newhouse School journalism students opportunities to write and report on investigative projects with local impact for newsrooms across the country.

The David Newhouse Investigative Reporting Fellowship program, which launched this year in conjunction with , will allow recipients to pursue individual reporting projects, partner with local reporters and take part in national investigative stories. Finn Lincoln, a senior majoring in , has been named the inaugural fellow.

The program is named for the late David Newhouse, who led The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to a Pulitzer Prize in 2012 for at Penn State University. As editor of The Patriot-News, Newhouse burnished the newspaper鈥檚 reputation for tough-minded investigative reporting, publishing work that landed some of Pennsylvania鈥檚 most powerful politicians in jail and freed several wrongly convicted people from prison after decades of incarceration.

Later in his career, Newhouse worked as editor at large for The Patriot-News鈥� parent company Advance听Local, where he helped establish a culture of excellence in digital journalism as the newspaper industry grappled with profound changes brought on by the shift to online publishing.

鈥淒avid was a fearless leader and an enthusiastic champion of the exciting opportunities that digital platforms provide local journalists,鈥� says John Hassell, senior vice president and editorial director at Advance Local. 鈥淚t is fitting his legacy should be celebrated with a fellowship that recognizes excellent young journalists and work that makes a difference in people鈥檚 lives.鈥�

The program is the latest collaboration between Advance Local and the Newhouse School that provides student journalists with valuable experiences to work alongside professional reporters and editors. Most recently, Newhouse students through coverage of the 2024 election campaign and other investigative reporting projects, along with social media strategy.

The new fellowship program reinforces the Newhouse School鈥檚 commitment to partnering with media platforms in support of comprehensive local news coverage, says.

鈥淲hile exhaustive investigative projects take time to report, they can deliver a lasting positive impact on communities,鈥� Lodato says. 鈥淲e are proud to partner with Advance Local on this new initiative that supports local news while offering an outlet for our talented students to hone the writing and reporting skills they learn in the classroom.鈥�

The Newhouse School offers several classes that focus on, or include, investigative reporting projects, including an advanced data journalism course that trains students to tell stories with data.

鈥淯ntil you鈥檝e actually had the experience of requesting public documents, analyzing government data and interviewing the gatekeepers, you can鈥檛 really understand what our government is up to or how it works,鈥� says , Knight Chair in Data and Explanatory Journalism at the Newhouse School.

鈥淒ata and document reporting is critical for reporters on beats, enterprise, investigations鈥� any kind of reporting,鈥� Upton says.

As a junior, Lincoln took the advanced data journalism class with Upton. The students worked on an exhaustive data reporting project that looked at the on communities across New York State.

Lincoln has already written or contributed to a half-dozen stories since February for AL.com, the Advance Local media platform in Alabama.

鈥淲e are excited to have Finn helping research some of the larger investigative projects this year, and it鈥檚 been good to see him involved in local news as well,鈥� says Challen Stephens, director of investigations at Advance Local. Stephens, who will run the fellowship program, has led an AL.com newsroom team that has won four Pulitzer Prizes in the past decade.

鈥淲e expect to see his name on more great work soon,鈥� Stephens says.

Jim Weiss ’87 (Photo provided by Real Chemistry)

The celebration of the Class of 2025 will take place Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome.

Weiss is chairman and founder of听, a global health innovation company. A member of the听, Weiss is an ardent supporter of initiatives that expand learning opportunities at his alma mater. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communications from the Newhouse School.

Weiss and his wife,听, founded the听听at Newhouse to develop programming on communications, influencer marketing, artificial intelligence and analytics, and their influence on society and the future of business.

The center aims to ensure students are immersed and educated in the digital world and help them seamlessly transition after graduation into careers in the fast-moving field of strategic marketing and communications.

Real Chemistry also provided the founding gift that established the听. The space is a state-of-the-art social media command center that serves as a central hub for the interfacing of digital media monitored and researched by students and faculty at the Newhouse School.

鈥淧ossessing an entrepreneurial spirit and forward-looking mindset, Jim Weiss serves as a role model for students as they begin to forge their own paths in technology-driven industries,鈥� Newhouse Dean听 says. 鈥淗e offers a distinct perspective as a Newhouse graduate, longtime champion of the school and leader in strategic marketing and communications.鈥�

Under Weiss鈥� leadership,听听has evolved over the past two decades from a one-person consultancy to a team of more than 2,200 employees who partner with clients at the highest levels of organizational decision-making. A pioneer in the application of analytics, data and precision targeting to the biopharmaceutical and health care business, Weiss has said he learned early in his career to follow the data to get to the right outcome.

Today, Real Chemistry uses real-world data, proprietary technologies and analytical insights to solve the health care industry鈥檚 most significant challenges. Weiss prides himself as an action-oriented driver to make the world a healthier place for all.

Reuters won the 2025 Toner Prize for national political reporting for comprehensive stories published as part of the news organization鈥檚 鈥淧olitics of Menace鈥� special report during the presidential campaign.

NJ Advance Media earned the 2025 Toner Prize for local political reporting.

The winners of the annual 鈥� 鈥�were announced March 6 by the 鈥�. The honors will be formally presented March 24 at the Toner Prizes Celebration in Washington, D.C.

Awarded annually by the Newhouse School, the Toner Prizes recognize the best political reporting of the past year. They are named after Robin Toner 鈥�76, the first woman to hold the position of national political correspondent for The New York Times.

In addition to the winners, Politico took an honorable mention in the national political reporting category.

The judges were:

• Christina Bellantoni, journalism professor at the University of Southern California鈥檚 Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, columnist and former editor-in-chief at Roll Call.

• Ann Compton, Emmy Award-winning retired reporter for ABC News and the first woman to cover the White House for network television.

• Lucy Dalglish, professor and dean emeritus at the Phillip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, former executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; attorney and former reporter and editor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

• Beverly Kirk, director of Washington programs and professor of practice of broadcast and digital journalism at the Newhouse School, with more than two decades of experience in journalism working at national and local outlets.

• Rick Rodriguez, professor of the Southwest Borderlands Initiative at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, and former executive editor and senior vice president of The Sacramento Bee.

• Maralee Schwartz, retired political editor of The Washington Post and contributing editor at Columbia Journalism Review.

• Joseph B. Treaster, professor at the University of Miami School of Communication; prize-winning reporter who spent more than three decades as a reporter and foreign correspondent听 at The New York Times.

Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting听

Winner: Reuters

Reporters: Peter Eisler, Ned Parker, Aram Roston and Joseph Tanfani

Entry: 鈥淭he Politics of Menace鈥�

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鈥淏reathtaking reporting 鈥� explains not just the actions, the impact, but also the grievances that empower.鈥� _Schwartz

鈥淲ell-documented catalogue of threats, their impact, the growth of combative political forces and the ferocity of cultural clashes.鈥� _Compton

Honorable Mention: Politico

Reporters: Jessie Blaeser, Kelsey Tamborrino, Benjamin Storrow, Zack Colman, David Ferris, Timothy Cama and Christine Mui

Entry: 鈥淏iden鈥檚 Billions鈥�

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鈥淭his is an important story that documents the success and failures of the Biden agenda.鈥� _Dalglish

鈥淢eticulous, dogged reporting inside every agency and delivered one well-written narrative after another. This is the kind of accountability and investigative work I like teaching my students.鈥� _Bellantoni

鈥淧olitico looked almost step by step into an enormous plan.鈥� _Treaster

Finalists

• ProPublica with Wisconsin Watch, Documented and The New York Times Magazine:鈥�鈥淚nvestigating the Christian Right鈥檚 efforts to influence elections,鈥� Andy Kroll, Ava Kofman, Phoebe Petrovic and Nick Surgey

• NBC News:鈥€漈he disinformation machine: How falsehoods shaped American politics,鈥� Brandy Zadrozny

• The Boston Globe:鈥�鈥淰ibe Check,鈥� Emma Platoff, Sam Brodey and Jim Puzzanghera

• The Atlantic:鈥�鈥淚nside the Trump Campaign,鈥� Tim Alberta

Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Political Reporting

Winner: NJ Advance Media

Reporters: Spencer Kent and Riley Yates

Entry: 鈥淧roject Extreme鈥�

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鈥淭he storytelling and reporting here was riveting and courageous 鈥μ� The writing was so clear I couldn鈥檛 stop reading.鈥� _Rodriguez

鈥淎n excellent examination of the different forms of extremism, the people affected by it and the threat it presents to democracy.鈥� _Kirk

Finalists

• The Texas Tribune, ProPublica and Votebeat:鈥� 鈥淣oncitizen Voting,鈥濃€疺ianna Davila, Lexi Churchill, James Barrag谩n and Natalia Contreras

• The Boston Globe:鈥�鈥淪tate Secrets,鈥� Laura Crimaldi, Samantha鈥疛.鈥疓ross, Emma Platoff and Matt Stout

• Chicago Tribune: 鈥�鈥淐ulture of Corruption,鈥� Ray Long, Rick Pearson, Gregory Royal Pratt, Dan Petrella, Joe Mahr, Rick Kogan and Kori Rumore

• Santa Cruz Local: 鈥�鈥淪anta Cruz Local鈥檚 Election Guide,鈥� Jesse Kathan, Nik Altenberg, Stephen Baxter, Jay Leedy, Tyler Maldonado, Jesse Greenspan, Samantha Lim, Jessica Zimmer, Fidel M. Soto, Corinne Kappeler and Kara Meyberg Guzman

• Houston Chronicle:鈥�鈥淗ow Gov. Greg Abbott made the Texas border America鈥檚 problem,鈥� Benjamin Wermund and Matt Zdun

• The Texas Tribune:鈥�鈥淎 Texas Supreme Court justice鈥檚 disregard for ethics rules,鈥� Robert Downen

About the Toner Prizes

First presented in 2011, the Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting highlight and reinforce quality, fact-based political reporting鈥攚ork that illuminates the electoral process, reveals the politics of policy and engages the public in democracy.

They are named after Robin Toner, who covered five presidential campaigns, scores of Congressional and gubernatorial races and most of the country鈥檚 major political figures during her nearly 25-year career at The New York Times. A 1976 graduate of 黑料不打烊, Toner earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree as a dual major in journalism from the Newhouse School and political science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Toner died in 2008, leaving a husband and two young children. To honor her legacy, family and friends established the Toner Program in Political Reporting at the Newhouse School.

Weijia Jiang

CBS News and Stations is partnering with the to explore the growing challenges of navigating misinformation and disinformation.

Two days of programming that focus on questions about how to discern truth from falsehood begin Jan. 30, when journalists will take part in the 鈥淎n Eye on Misinformation and Disinformation.鈥� Among those scheduled to attend are CBS News鈥� senior White House correspondent听听G鈥�06, congressional correspondent听听鈥�98, reporter听听鈥�15 and CBS News Confirmed executive editor听.

Scott MacFarlane

The and workshop mark the start of a new partnership with CBS News and Stations that will provide more distinctive opportunities for Newhouse students to engage with alumni and learn from leaders in the field. Plans include collaborative content creation with the network and student engagement with CBS News and Stations journalists in New York, Washington, D.C., and other cities.

Ali Bauman

鈥淲e are thrilled to work with Newhouse鈥檚 talented students and faculty, leveraging this relationship to foster meaningful discussions and prepare future journalists to navigate the complexities of reporting locally, nationally and globally,鈥� says Laurie Orlando, SVP of Talent Strategy and Development, CBS News and Stations.

The collaboration highlights Newhouse鈥檚 enduring commitment to excellence in journalism education as the school听, says Newhouse Dean .

鈥淭his is a tremendous opportunity for Newhouse students to learn from some of the best reporters, editors and producers in the country, starting with our timely and intensive discussions about maintaining journalistic integrity while combatting disinformation,鈥� Lodato says.听鈥淥n behalf of 黑料不打烊, let me express our deep gratitude to the CBS News and Stations team for sharing their time and insights about these critical topics.鈥�

Rhona Tarrant

, senior associate dean at Newhouse, and听, a research professor, will work alongside the CBS News team during the masterclass to help students navigate the tools and techniques available to analyze misinformation and disinformation. The session will include interactive case studies, analysis of real-world examples and a hands-on interactive session where participants learn and apply practical techniques to combat misinformation and disinformation.

The 25 Newhouse students participating in the masterclass have been selected from an application process, which was open to Newhouse juniors, seniors or graduate students. As part of the visit to Newhouse, members of the CBS News and Stations team will also review student reels.

Audra Weiss

When Weiss was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, she became a passionate advocate for early cancer detection and diagnosis, and holistic care. Weiss died Dec. 31, 2024, at the age of 57. Her husband Jim Weiss 鈥�87 and their two children, Ethan and Emily, were at her side. 鈥淎udra was a quiet yet powerful force who walked through life exuding grace, strength and class,鈥� .

Audra Weiss graduated from the , while her husband graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in public relations from the . Jim Weiss founded Real Chemistry in 2001.

In 2012, a gift from Audra and Jim Weiss established the at the Newhouse School. The Weiss Center鈥檚 goal is to ensure students are immersed and educated in the digital world as they prepare for careers across the communications industries.

Nine years later, the Weisses for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a new, state-of-the-art classroom established by a gift from Real Chemistry. The Emerging Insights Lab is a social media command center that serves as a central hub for the interfacing of digital media monitored and studied by students and faculty.

鈥淎udra Weiss鈥� support meant so much to 黑料不打烊. She will always be remembered at Newhouse for her dedication to helping our students succeed, collaborating with Jim on mentorships, career advice, classroom visits or the many other ways they gave back big and small,鈥� said Newhouse Dean Mark Lodato. 鈥淲e mourn her passing and extend our deepest condolences to Jim, Ethan, Emily and the rest of the Weiss family.”

Born and raised on Long Island in Coram, New York, Audra Weiss worked in healthcare communications after graduating from Whitman. She connected with Jim through a mutual friend鈥攖hey worked in the same field and shared a love for 黑料不打烊, though they never met while at school. They were married for nearly 25 years.

鈥淪he knew from the get-go that she鈥檇 happily trade in her stellar professional career for a lifelong role of motherhood.鈥� She welcomed Ethan and Emily into the world and devoted herself to her calling,鈥� her family said.

鈥淎udra鈥檚 intellect and brilliance shined in the backdrop of Jim鈥檚 entrepreneurial quest to build a leading global communications firm,鈥� the family said.鈥� 鈥淎s an advisor and confidant, Audra made her mark on the business that would become Real Chemistry.鈥疶o her, success was a vehicle to do good鈥攇iving back through the 鈥榃eiss Family Office.鈥欌€�

After being diagnosed with cancer, Weiss became a staunch advocate for the care of those living with cancer. She shared her wisdom about her cancer journey and connected with the Dempsey Center, joining the board of the organization founded by actor Patrick Dempsey. The Dempsey Center provides personalized and comprehensive cancer care at no cost.

The Weiss family said it would continue to advocate for early cancer detection and diagnosis, as well as advocating for treating cancer 鈥渉olistically, not just with pharmaceuticals but with wraparound care that makes the journey a much better experience for patients and their families.鈥�

Services will be held Jan. 8 in San Francisco, California. The family said donations in Weiss鈥� memory can be made to the , , and the . Read Audra Weiss鈥� .

Anthony Adornato, an associate professor of (BDJ) in the , has been named a Fulbright Specialist to train journalists in Kosovo on best practices for reporting across platforms.

Anthony Adornato

The BDJ department chair, will travel to the southeast European country in the summer of 2025 for the nearly three-week Fulbright Specialist assignment. Adornato will train staff at Radio Television of Kosovo on new trends in media and communication.

罢丑别鈥�, which is part of the larger Fulbright Program, was established in 2001 by the U.S. Department of State鈥檚 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It is designed to (two to six weeks) for faculty and professionals from the United States.

Previously, Adornato was named a Fulbright Scholar in 2020 and spent a semester teaching and conducting research at universities in Milan. Adornato explored the impact of mobile and social media on journalism and journalism education in Italy.

Laufey performed 鈥淔rom the Start鈥� and other hits from her decorated album 鈥淏ewitched.鈥�(Photo by Arnold Turner)

Grammy Award-winning artist captivated the crowd at an invite-only launch party for 黑料不打烊鈥檚 new music business master鈥檚 program at Spotify Studios in Los Angeles.

Laufey performed 鈥淔rom the Start鈥� and other hits from her decorated album 鈥淏ewitched鈥� at the event Tuesday night, which also saw the announcement of a new scholarship in the artist鈥檚 name that supports international students or those in need of financial aid in the Bandier music business master鈥檚 program.

The , starting classes in summer 2025, expands on the success of the prestigious undergraduate program in the recording and entertainment industries in the . Both degree programs are named after Martin Bandier 鈥�62, the legendary music publishing executive and University Life Trustee. The master鈥檚 program was created in partnership with the , and reflects a true, cross-disciplinary, hands-on approach to study.

The Laufey Scholarship for Graduate Students will provide $100,000 over the next 10 years to the Bandier program.

In February, Laufey won the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album award at the 2024 Grammys. She has deep connections to the Bandier program through her core team, which includes manager Max Gredinger 鈥�13, of Foundations Music; attorney Harry Roberts 鈥�12, of Mark Music & Media Law; and publisher Gabz Landman 鈥�12, of Warner Chappell Music.

The team also includes digital marketing manager Izzy Newirth 鈥�23 and management coordinator Kaylee Barrett 鈥�24, of Foundations.

鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly proud to support this scholarship and be part of such an important moment for the Bandier program. The talent, knowledge and passion that my team brings to our work every day are a direct result of the incredible education they received at 黑料不打烊,鈥� Laufey said.

鈥淚 hope this scholarship will help future students find the same success and fulfillment in the music industry,鈥� Laufey added.

The is regularly recognized as one of the top undergraduate music business programs in the country. Billboard magazine鈥檚 list of the world鈥檚 top music business schools has always included the Bandier program.

Laufey (left) and Bill Werde, director of the Bandier undergraduate program (Photo by Arnold Turner)

Created in 2006 in the College of Visual and Performing Arts鈥� Setnor School of Music, the Bandier program was the brainchild of three Newhouse alumni: Rob Light 鈥�78, John Sykes 鈥�77 and the late Phil Quartararo 鈥�77, who suggested the concept to Martin Bandier.

The program established a solid foundation and grew at VPA before moving to Newhouse in 2017. Bandier students still take classes at VPA, as well as the .

The new will offer students the same top features that set apart the undergraduate program, delivering hands-on experiences and training for cutting-edge skills needed to make students job-ready upon graduation, as well as providing access to the large and loyal networks of Bandier and Newhouse alumni.

A comprehensive curriculum will cover topics, including music law, copyright, social media and the latest data tools used by top industry professionals. A key feature of the program will be a semester based in Los Angeles that provides students with valuable industry experience.

The new master鈥檚 program will be led by Bill Werde, director of the Bandier undergraduate program and former editorial director of Billboard.

鈥淎n overwhelming percentage of our undergrads are leveraging the skills, network and experiences built in the Bandier program into jobs upon graduation,鈥� Werde said. 鈥淲e look forward to welcoming these new graduate students into our community and working with them to develop the core that they need to succeed.鈥�

Mark J. Lodato, dean of the Newhouse School, expressed gratitude to Laufey and her team for their commitment to helping Bandier master鈥檚 students succeed.

鈥淭hrough the Bandier master鈥檚 program, students aspiring to work in the music industry will have exciting opportunities to hone the skills they learn in the classroom in real-world settings,鈥� Lodato said. 鈥淲e are so grateful to the Bandier alumni, who play pivotal roles working with such a gifted artist like Laufey, for setting examples for career success.鈥�

Chancellor Kent Syverud (left) and Newhouse School Dean Mark J. Lodato flank Donald Newhouse after the plaza at the Newhouse complex was renamed for his family to celebrate the school鈥檚 60th anniversary. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

The welcomed Donald Newhouse and his family back to 黑料不打烊 to mark the with an afternoon full of celebratory events highlighted by the renaming of the plaza in between the school鈥檚 three buildings in the family鈥檚 honor.

The festivities Wednesday included a special luncheon, a tour of the complex for the family and a ceremony on the plaza, where Chancellor Kent Syverud and Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato unveiled the new name as hundreds watched from the Einhorn Family Walk.

The owner of Advance Publications, Donald Newhouse, is the patriarch of one of the first families of American publishing. Advance was founded by his father, Samuel I. Newhouse, in 1922.

Donald Newhouse delivers remarks during the 60th anniversary ceremony. (Photo by Malcolm Taylor)

In remarks on the plaza, Donald Newhouse recounted how he observed a meeting in the late 1950s between his father and then-University Chancellor William P. Tolley during which the idea for what would become the Newhouse School was conceived.

Donald Newhouse was one of the honored guests on Aug. 5, 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson joined S.I. Newhouse to . That day also happened to be Donald Newhouse鈥檚 35th birthday.

鈥淚 am fortunate to have the chance in the same month that I celebrate my 95th birthday, to look back with overwhelming pride at the record of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. It is one of the great joys of my life,鈥� Donald Newhouse said Wednesday.

鈥淭hank you all for helping me celebrate this anniversary, and for your role in realizing the dream of my father and Chancellor Tolley.鈥�

The Newhouse family is one of the largest donors in the University鈥檚 history, including the $75 million pledge by the Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation to the Newhouse School in 2020. That pledge was the single largest gift in the University鈥檚 history.

鈥淭here are so many amazing alumni of this school that I鈥檝e met all over the world鈥攅ditors, broadcasters, leaders in print, cable news and network newsrooms. They founded and led radio stations, PR agencies, advertising firms, countless ventures in the business, digital music and entertainment industries,鈥� said before unveiling the plaza鈥檚 new name.

鈥淎ll of them amazing people, all made possible because of the transformational gifts of Donald Newhouse and the Newhouse Foundation,鈥� he added. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e really, in a meaningful sense, shaped the trajectory of the University, the Newhouse School and most importantly, the careers of tens of thousands of our students and our graduates and faculty.鈥�

Today, the Newhouse School offers and more than a dozen covering the gamut of fields in media and communications. The school also its first fully online bachelor鈥檚 program, in strategic communications, this year.

But what will not change, Lodato said, is an unwavering dedication to journalism education.

pledged to continue to work with newsrooms and journalism organizations on key issues like filling news deserts, and striving to ensure the diversity of newsroom staffs and leadership accurately reflects the communities they serve.

He cited expanded opportunities for students to hone their skills through study-away semesters in , or , or special trips such as of the recent Democratic and Republican presidential nominating conventions for professional media outlets.

Newhouse also combined the broadcast and digital journalism, and magazine, news and digital journalism programs, into starting this fall following state approval, the result of years of discussion with faculty.

Students will still choose one of two tracks under the new journalism major structure鈥攂roadcast and digital journalism, or magazine, news and digital journalism. But Lodato noted the change is reflective of how the Newhouse School pivots to meet the needs of an industry which increasingly is looking for journalists who can tell stories on multiple platforms.

鈥淚 can think of no better way of recognizing the vision and generosity of Mr. Newhouse and his extraordinary family than to reinforce our steadfast commitment to journalism and journalism education,鈥� Lodato said.

Hundreds of people gathered on the Einhorn Family Walk for the ceremony to honor the Newhouse School鈥檚 60th anniversary. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Newhouse was joined Wednesday by several members of his family, including sons Steven and Michael, the co-presidents of Advance. Larry Kramer 鈥�72, vice chair of the University Board of Trustees, offered remarks at the luncheon, as did Newhouse Dean Emeritus and , Kramer Director of the 黑料不打烊 , and a professor of practice of journalism at the Newhouse School.

David Zaslav, the president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, spoke during a videotaped message.

Marie Achkar, a senior in broadcast and digital journalism, spoke on behalf of students at the luncheon. Jada Knight, a senior in television, radio and film, spoke on students鈥� behalf during the plaza ceremony, which was followed by a reception for the family, students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Martin Bandier

Both degree programs are named after Martin Bandier 鈥�62, the legendary music publishing executive and University Life Trustee. The is regularly recognized as one of the preeminent undergraduate music business programs in the country.

The new will offer students the same top features that set apart the undergraduate program, delivering hands-on experiences, training for cutting-edge skills needed to make students job-ready upon graduation and access to the large and loyal networks of Bandier and Newhouse alumni.

Billboard magazine has never published its list of the world鈥檚 top music business schools without including the Bandier program.

“Our goal at the Bandier program has always been to be the premier music business school, offering the most comprehensive and cutting-edge education while forging top-tier industry connections,鈥� Bandier says. 鈥淲ith this new master鈥檚 program, we鈥檙e taking it to the next level, shaping future music leaders who are equipped, connected and ready to make their mark.鈥�

Bill Werde

Launching in fall 2025, the Bandier music business master鈥檚 program provides a true multidisciplinary education to prepare students for their first job in the music industry. The comprehensive program will cover subjects that include the fundamental rights, royalties and deal-making approaches of the modern music business, across the label, publishing, management, streaming and live sectors, and all genres.

The core music business instruction will allow students to be well-versed on the basics of everything from music law and copyright to current social media and data tools in use by top companies today. Students will also be able to spend a to work in the heart of the music industry.

The new master鈥檚 program will be overseen by , who is also director of the Before joining the Newhouse School, Werde served as editorial director of Billboard, which won a 2010 Ellie Award for Digital Media from the American Society of Magazine Editors during Werde鈥檚 tenure. Under his direction, Billboard also earned Eddie Awards for Best Media and Entertainment Publication from Folio magazine in 2006 and 2007.

Mark J. Lodato

鈥淏reaking into the music industry can be daunting. If you have great instincts and passion for what fans love in music and how those tastes evolve, the new music business master鈥檚 program will give you all the access, skills and network you need for an incredibly fulfilling career in the music industry,鈥� Werde says. “The Bandier program will open doors for students for the rest of their lives.鈥�

The program presents 鈥渁 fantastic opportunity for college graduates to acquire the dynamic skills and gain the hands-on experiences that will help them succeed in the thriving music business,鈥� Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato says. 鈥淲e are eternally grateful at 黑料不打烊 for the support of Marty Bandier and his enthusiasm to help the Newhouse School provide a first-class education for students aspiring to work in the recording and entertainment industries.鈥�

A new features a Newhouse School timeline and more information about the school鈥檚 history. The site will be updated throughout the year with anniversary-related virtual events and in-person alumni gatherings, such as Orange Central weekend.

The Newhouse 1 building was dedicated Aug. 5, 1964, during a ceremony on the Newhouse plaza featuring President Lyndon B. Johnson. The night before the dedication, S.I. Newhouse spoke during a dinner at the Hotel 黑料不打烊 to mark the momentous occasion.

鈥淚t is right and fitting that such a communications center be located within a dynamic university with world-embracing interests,鈥� Newhouse said at the dinner. 鈥淭he many fields of study provide an unparalleled opportunity for the interplay of creative talents of the first rank.鈥�

The Newhouse School draws upon those prescient words to mark this milestone year and connect our storied history with our long-standing, forward-thinking philosophy.

Unparalleled Opportunity

The Newhouse School is proud of its ability to pivot and adjust to give students the skillset needed to thrive in the ever-evolving field of communications. Moving forward, this means in part renewing a commitment to expand partnerships and collaborations to pursue research and creative activities for students and faculty; and developing excellence and expertise in technology-driven communication tools and practices, specifically in advanced and emerging media.

World-Embracing Interests

Experiential learning opportunities around the country and globe allow Newhouse students to hone the skills they learn in the classroom from our award-winning faculty, while also helping them build their career networks. Newhouse is committed to expanding access for all Newhouse students through school programs in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and University programs worldwide.

President Lyndon B. Johnson cuts the ribbon at the Newhouse 1 dedication ceremony on Aug. 5, 1964. (Newhouse School at 黑料不打烊 archival photo)

Creative Talents

The success of the Newhouse School is embodied through the generations of alumni who have walked through the halls of Newhouse and proceeded to write, produce, create and lead in their respective fields. The 鈥淣ewhouse Network鈥� supports the legacy of the Newhouse family not only through charitable giving, but by coming back to 黑料不打烊 to speak with students; offering internships, networking opportunities and job leads; and lending guidance and feedback via advisory boards and personal connections with faculty and staff.

鈥淣ewhouse remains rooted in journalism. It鈥檚 in our DNA,鈥� Dean Mark Lodato says. 鈥淎t the same time, one of the reasons our school has succeeded for so long鈥攁nd graduated generations of communications professionals鈥攊s a philosophy to embrace change and lead the way in forging new frontiers.鈥�

鈥淥ur Newhouse School community looks forward to celebrating the legacy of excellence that is rooted in the vision, generosity and commitment of S.I. Newhouse and his family.鈥�

The work is the result of comprehensive research through the ElectionGraph project from the University鈥檚 听(IDJC). In conjunction with the , IDJC ElectionGraph researchers released a report that found about 2,200 webpages have run ads on Facebook and Instagram between Sept. 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024.

The ads, which mentioned President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump or other presidential primary candidates, have collectively exceeded 1 billion impressions.

Jennifer Stromer-Galley

Though a majority of the pages analyzed appear tied to legitimate groups, a portion of the pages appear to be 鈥渋nauthentic influencers鈥� who are secretly coordinating and running identical videos or messages. Several of these groups include false or misleading information in their ads, the report found.

The research also captured evidence of a deepfake featuring manipulated audio of figures, including Trump and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. And the findings detailed different political issues on which conservative and progressive-leaning pages are focusing their ad spends.

For conservative pages, immigration has been the top issue, surpassing the economy, while the economy was the top issue for progressive pages. Accounting for all pages regardless of leaning, ads related to the economy received the most ad dollars.

This is the second , which seeks to identify misinformation trends in the U.S. presidential election and other top 2024 contests.听The project is supported by a grant and use of analytics software from鈥�, the world鈥檚 leading graph database and analytics company.

The Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship is a joint University initiative of the Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

The IDJC ElectionGraph team鈥檚 efforts included pinpointing origins of messages and tracing misinformation by collecting and algorithmically classifying ads run on Facebook and Instagram, as well as social media posts on Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter.

Johanna Dunaway

The network of authentic and inauthentic actors identified in the research represents just a fraction of all coordinated pages related to elections. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, is the only social media group that grants approved organizations access to ad data. This data is not required to be disclosed and is not similarly trackable on TikTok, Google, YouTube or Snapchat, according to the report.

鈥淲hat this research reveals is the surprising number of actors we know very little about who are spending money targeting voters with messaging on social media where there is little transparency,鈥� says Jennifer Stromer-Galley, professor in the School of Information Studies and lead researcher for the project.

鈥淚t underscores that tech platforms need to do more to allow academics and journalists access to platform data so that political actors can be held to account with the American public,鈥� Stromer-Galley says.

Johanna Dunaway, IDJC research director and a professor of political science in the Maxwell School, says that what stands out from the analysis is the reminder that the election information environment is more confusing than ever.

鈥淓ven as some things stay the same鈥攍ike emphasis on the economy and more focus on advocacy and attacks than issues鈥攐paque messaging from听random one-off groups or complex hidden networks with听questionable motives听makes it听increasingly difficult to identify credible messages and sources in听the听cacophony听of campaign-related听information,鈥� Dunaway says.

Margaret Talev

The prevalence of inauthentic groups, scams and deepfake voices just within the parameters of the search shows a massive amount of manipulation and misinformation targeting Americans through the political information consumed online, says Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of the IDJC, professor of practice in the Newhouse School and a journalist.

鈥淭his is a situation of 鈥榲oter beware鈥� but also 鈥榗onsumer beware鈥� because sometimes what looks like a bid for your vote may actually be a bid for your identity or your credit card information,鈥� Talev says.

Jim Webber, Neo4j鈥檚 chief scientist, says that covert operations by coordinated networks in digital civic spaces is a dangerous modern reality鈥攚hile the company鈥檚 graph technology is enabling IDJC鈥檚 researchers 鈥渢o uncover the hidden patterns and actions of those covert actors鈥� and identify misinformation and misleading content.

Each wave of findings from the is based on interviews with roughly 1,000 U.S. adults conducted by Ipsos through its probability-based KnowledgePanel.

Initial findings released Thursday found that Republicans were more invested in watching the first presidential debate between President Biden and former President Trump than Democrats or independents.

Based on a survey conducted May 17-19, 75% of Republicans said they were likely to watch the debate, compared with 61% of Democrats and 58% of independents.

鈥淭his project will help IDJC researchers expand our understanding of media consumption and an increasingly polarized electorate in a rapidly changing news climate,鈥� says , Kramer Director of the IDJC and professor of practice of magazine, news and digital journalism at the .

The is a joint University initiative of the Newhouse School and the . Based in Washington, D.C., the institute engages in nonpartisan research, teaching and public dialogue aimed at strengthening trust in news media, governance and society.

鈥淲hile many polls are focused on the horse race, this gives us the opportunity to understand how this election cycle is shaping Americans鈥� perspectives about patriotism, partisanship and the importance of democracy,鈥� says , IDJC research director and professor of political science at Maxwell.

, IDJC senior researcher, says 鈥淥ur hope is that we can learn more about the relationships between identity, trust in media and attitudes toward democracy that shape the stakes of the election鈥攏ot merely try to predict the election.鈥� Darr also is an associate professor of communications at Newhouse.

The IDJC also offers foundational courses taught in the nation鈥檚 capital in civics, media literacy and ethics, and works with the Maxwell and Newhouse schools to facilitate internships, networking opportunities with alumni and other educational experiences for 黑料不打烊 students.

The polling partnership with Ipsos will provide another avenue to teach students about survey research and demographic trends in society, Talev says.

鈥淭hese are such important tools for aspiring journalists to have in their skillset,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 critical for reporters and writers to understand how voters feel and perceive developments on the trail to cover the campaign with proper context and authority.鈥�

Talev also is a senior contributor at Axios and Thursday.

Photo illustration by Peter Pietrangelo, USA TODAY Network

Police vehicle accidents and the impact such crashes have had on communities across New York State are the focus of a new听听involving Newhouse School students working in partnership with reporters from the USA Today Network and Central Current.

The first two stories from the 鈥淒riving Force鈥� investigative series were published last week on听, the result of exhaustive reporting that began in June 2023. The initial stories looked at听听and听听for officers in New York State, with more articles set to be published over the next few months.

At the Newhouse School of Public Communications, the project was led by , knight chair in data and explanatory journalism, and , assistant professor of听magazine, news and digital journalism. Students in three of Upton鈥檚 data journalism classes read hundreds of pages of documents, pulling out details such as the type of conduct, date, officer involved and the resulting discipline in a process called 鈥渄ata tagging.鈥�

The Driving Force reporting team meets at the Newhouse School in September 2023. (Photo by William Ramsey, USA Today Network)

The exercise helped the students to grasp the importance of how government PDFs can be converted into data for analysis, Upton and Husain said. The team went through the records, court papers and other state and police documents to locate individuals who were injured or killed in police vehicle accidents.

Overall, the reporting collaboration now includes 35,000 records from 115 departments ranging from those in large urban areas to village departments with only a handful of officers.

Upton and Husain said the partnership is building a public-facing police vehicle crash database. It plans to hold workshops to help the public and other journalists inspect local police department documents and understand the impact police vehicle crashes have had on communities.

The investigation was supported with funding from the听. That project is funded by the Google News Initiative in partnership with Northwestern University-Medill.

.

NBC News plans to report findings each month, giving faculty and researchers potential opportunities to discuss or analyze results on the network鈥檚 platforms.

Engagious, which will conduct the focus groups, and Sago, which recruits respondents, IDJC is developing questions for the monthly online panels with key voting blocs within each state. The first focus group panel was conducted Jan. 31 via Zoom and moderated by Engagious president Rich Thau. This initial installment focused on women voters from across Pennsylvania who previously backed Donald Trump but support abortion rights or oppose the 2022 landmark Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.

The Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship is a joint University initiative of the and . Based in Washington, D.C., IDJC engages in nonpartisan research, teaching and public dialogue aimed at strengthening trust in news media, governance and society.

鈥淎s a top research university whose communications and public affairs schools are among the best in the country, 黑料不打烊 is obligated to promote engaged citizenship and deliberative democracy for the sake of our students as well as our society,鈥� says Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter.

鈥淭he work of IDJC helps elevate those efforts and provides insights into some of the most important elements of our democracy, including the role of a free press,鈥� Provost Ritter says.

The hinge voters who are the focus of the 2024 Deciders project come from demographic groups that will likely play an outsized role in determining the outcome of the election.鈥疉 different category of voters will be interviewed each month.

鈥淭his partnership will shed light on issues and factors impacting key groups of voters and how news consumption helps form their views,鈥� Newhouse School Dean Mark J. Lodato says. 鈥淔or our students, this project can provide a valuable learning experience into how voters respond to political reporting, helping our aspiring journalists discern how such reporting takes shape.鈥�

鈥淎 critical part of solving the challenges we face as a nation begins with a foundation of understanding,鈥� says Maxwell School Dean David M. Van Slyke. 鈥淭his partnership builds that foundation by helping our researchers, students and the public at large better understand the people who may determine the 2024 election. This is exactly the sort of critical, policy-informing work that we envisioned when creating IDJC.鈥�

The work of the Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship, which was established in 2022, spans elections, governance and media, as well as a host of other broad topics including technology, business, science and health.

鈥淲e are learning from participants how key issues in the news affect them personally and how that relates to their views toward candidates and voting,鈥� says IDJC Kramer Director Margaret Talev.鈥� 鈥淲e also are interested to hear from them about where they get their news and information and how that relates to what they believe, who they trust and how they engage with society.鈥�

The idea for a new book about mindfulness by Adam Avin 鈥�26, a sophomore in the Newhouse School of Public Communications, is rooted in the days he spent with his great grandparents growing up in Florida.

鈥淪tress Less: Mindfulness for Teenagers鈥� was years in the making for Avin, a听. Avin鈥檚 book made it to No. 1 on the Young Adult and Teen Social Science category on Amazon after being released in the fall.

(Photo courtesy of Adam Avin)

鈥淭he support I鈥檝e gotten has been overwhelming,鈥� Avin says in recalling his family鈥檚 reaction to the book.

As a child, Avin would sit on the couch next to his late great grandpa, Jack, who would impart words of wisdom: Think well to be well. Smile and the world will smile with you. Smile and say 鈥渢hank you.鈥�

Those simple but powerful phrases of positivity held sway, so much so that Avin wanted to find avenues to share those lessons about mindfulness with other children and teenagers.

First, Avin channeled his energy into creating the听听at age 10. Wuf Shanti promotes health, wellness and happiness in children, and encourages peace and positivity. Wuf Shanti videos have been distributed by outlets including the Children鈥檚 Television Network, PBS stations and the Kidoodle streaming service for children.

While he was in high school during the COVID lockdown, Avin and Helen Maffini, an educator, author and consultant in the field of mindfulness and emotional intelligence, started interviewing experts over video chats as a way to keep conversations going.

The videos were a part of the听, a curriculum for middle and high schools across the country. Those virtual conversations ended up being the basis for 鈥淪tress Less.鈥�

鈥淲hy not take all of that knowledge and have it written down and available every day,鈥� Avin says. 鈥淲e wanted to formulate the book in a way that a teenager would understand or want to read. It鈥檚 really important for teens to understand that they鈥檙e not alone, and hopefully something in the book resonates with them.鈥�

Udonis Haslem (left) wrote the forward to Adam Avin鈥檚 book. (Photo courtesy of the Udonis Haslem Foundation)

The book even includes a forward by former Miami Heat forward and three-time NBA champion听, who was hired in November as the vice president of basketball development for the team.

Haslem is the founder of a foundation named after him that advocates for mental health in underserved communities. He also happens to be one of Avin鈥檚 favorite players on his favorite NBA team.

鈥淲ow, what I would have given to have a book like this when I was growing up,鈥� Haslem said in a听. 鈥淚鈥檝e actually been using some of these tips, so let鈥檚 just say this book hit home for me.鈥�

鈥淪tress Less鈥� walks readers through the importance behind how coping with emotions and stress in a healthy way is good for the mind and body. In the book, Avin talks about such tools as affirmations, breathwork, journaling and meditation.

Avin is certified in mindfulness-based stress reduction, and has become a mental health education advocate, speaking on the topic to groups. Avin听听in 2019 about getting mindful programs into the education system.

His work has also been the subject of stories in outlets including Mindful Magazine, the Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

鈥淪tress Less鈥� targets teens and young adults, and tips and lessons from the book can also apply to college students, especially during busy times of year like the end of the semester.

鈥淥ne of the biggest things we talk about in the book, when you talk about mindfulness, is that no one practices it in the exact same way,鈥� Avin says.

For some people, taking a little time to tune out the world to listen to music might calm them down during a crazy week of final exams and projects. For others, taking a walk or doing breathing exercises might do the trick.

Avin also draws from another member of his family鈥攈is late grandfather, Alan, for inspiration.

鈥淢y grandfather was a very positive person. It was hard for him to be positive when he was sick, but he said there was a place between negative and positive,鈥� Avin says. 鈥淗e said he would try to get to neutral. He still wanted to be a positive light for others.鈥�

Students from Newhouse assistant professor J. Christopher Hamilton鈥檚 television, radio and film capstone course, meet virtually with senior executives from Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. (Photo by Lena Osso)

A new immersive learning opportunity lets students pitch ideas about actors, directors and producers to senior executives in the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. The executives are also getting feedback on their scripts through virtual conversations with the students. This learning experience is all part of a capstone course this fall for TRF students interested in careers as executives in media, entertainment or the arts.

The collaboration is spearheaded by Erin Westerman 鈥�04, president of production of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, and , a TRF assistant professor. Conversations about the idea started when Westerman returned to her alma mater in May to at the Newhouse Convocation Ceremony for the 2023 graduating class.

鈥淲e wanted to offer 黑料不打烊 students real feedback to projects they are developing and workshopping,鈥� Westerman said. 鈥淎ccess can lead to opportunity and this class offered real insight from executives who are working in the business.鈥�

Erin Westerman (left) and J. Christopher Hamilton during Newhouse鈥檚 2023 graduation weekend in May. (Photo by Lynn Vanderhoek)

It鈥檚 the latest example of experiential learning opportunities that Newhouse has developed for 黑料不打烊 students in the TRF executive track. Other experiences this semester included a class trip to the Toronto Film Festival to screen movies, learn from industry veterans and network with filmmakers, as well as Newhouse visits from Robert Halmi 鈥�79, founder and chairman of Great Point Studios, and Joseph Cohen, president of American Entertainment Investors and author of 鈥淚nvesting in Movies: Strategies for Investors and Producers.鈥�

Lionsgate Motion Picture executives Brady Fujikawa and Chelsea Kujawa, as well as department coordinator Alex Tannebaum, have also been instrumental in implementing the studio鈥檚 collaboration for the TRF executive track course.

鈥淎ll of these experiences culminate with students interacting with Lionsgate executives to pitch scripts they have in active development,鈥� Hamilton said.

鈥淪tudents must identify the actors, directors and producers that they think would be the most compelling talent choices to transform their project or literary property into a greenlighted success story and present a compelling business and creative analysis for their project,鈥� he added.

While pitching to studio executives might sound intimidating, senior Samantha Meir said the process was conversational, though preparation was key. The TRF major hopes to draw from the experience as she builds toward a career of working at a talent agency to represent television writers.

A new immersive learning opportunity this fall lets television, radio and film (TRF) program students pitch ideas about actors, directors and producers to senior executives in the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. (Photo by Lena Osso)

鈥淭he partnership has been really helpful for us to get a more present view (of the entertainment field) from current executives,鈥� Meir said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e been able to give us a lot of valuable insight on where the industry is going.鈥�

Mia Rodriguez, a TRF senior minoring in theater, said she appreciated the feedback that students received about realistically making cast pitches according to budget. The Lionsgate interaction, coupled with the trip to Toronto, also helped students focus on the business side of the industry and practice their networking skills, which will be important to hone as they enter the entertainment field.

鈥淚t was really nice to be able to take this kind of class, especially as someone who wants to enter the business side of the industry,鈥� she said.听 Rodriguez, who wants to go into the music industry, is thinking about specializing in copyright law.

This learning experience helps students focus on the business side of the industry and practice their networking skills, which will be important to hone as they enter the entertainment field.听(Photo by Lena Osso)

The foray into motion picture development with a major Hollywood studio comes on the heels of Newhouse offering students another immersive opportunity in the field of talent representation. launched a robust partnership for Hamilton鈥檚 artist representation training course in 2022, which includes in-person instruction from the company鈥檚 agents.

Students spent a day at UTA鈥檚 New York City headquarters in the Fall 2023 semester, learning from seasoned agents and executives representing clients in music, television and broadcast news. The students also spent part of the day pitching the agency on talent they鈥檝e tracked and who they believe the company should represent, in addition to networking with Newhouse alums working at UTA.

In 2022, Newhouse also launched a partnership with Halmi鈥檚 Great Point Studios to offer internships for TRF students enrolled in the program. Lionsgate has also partnered with Great Point Studios on three production facilities in cities including Yonkers, Atlanta and Newark.

The veteran music executive introduced U2 to the United States in the 1980s and developed the careers of artists like Paula Abdul, Linkin Park and the Spice Girls. And that was only a small number of the big-name performers who worked with someone who became known fondly in the industry as 鈥淧hil Q.鈥�

Phil Quartararo

Just as important to Quartararo was his dedication to 黑料不打烊 and the , and a commitment to helping develop future leaders of the music industry. Quartararo was one of a handful of executives who worked with Martin Bandier 鈥�62 and the University to create the .

Quartararo died Nov. 22 in Los Angeles of pancreatic cancer. He was 67.

Born in New York City, Philip Michael Quartararo led EMI Records, Virgin Records and Warner Bros. Records during his influential career. Quartararo, a longtime Newhouse Advisory Board member, was also a strong supporter of the Bandier Program鈥檚 move to the Newhouse School.

鈥淧hil was an outstanding board member, and one I had come to count upon for wise counsel, especially when it came to the music industry, future opportunities for Newhouse in audio听and our growing presence in Southern California,鈥澨� says.

He recounted last seeing Quartararo in October in California for the celebration of the Kari and Dick Clark Foundation鈥檚听Forever Orange Campaign gift听to expand the University鈥檚 presence in Los Angeles and impact in the entertainment field.

鈥淗e was as positive as ever,鈥� Lodato says, 鈥渁nd as he always did, pledged his full support to me and the Newhouse School. I often heard this refrain from Phil: 鈥榃hatever you need, Mark!鈥欌€�

Quartararo first began booking acts in high school and took a job as a college representative for A&M Records while studying at Newhouse, where he graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in television, radio and film. He then moved to Buffalo as the local promotional representative for A&M, where he helped break in artists like The Police and Bryan Adams.

It was the start of 46-year career that included leadership positions with nearly every major record label. Quartararo was named Billboard鈥檚 Music Executive of the Year Award in 2001.

, director of the Bandier Program, described Quartararo as a 鈥渂eloved founding father鈥� who was a trusted advisor to many in the program and Newhouse. 鈥淎 role he clearly cherished was that of helping the next generation of music industry leaders,鈥� Werde says.

A funeral service was held in Santa Monica, California, with a Mass of Celebration being planned in New York City sometime in January. Another celebration of Quartararo鈥檚 life is planned for Jan. 29 in Los Angeles, which is the start of Grammy Awards week.

In lieu of flowers,听听for donations to be made in his memory to the Phil Q Memorial Fund at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at 黑料不打烊. Donations may be made online at鈥€痮r sent to 黑料不打烊, 640 Skytop Road, 2nd Floor, 黑料不打烊, New York 13244. For more information contact Lynn Vanderhoek at鈥�.

R. Gustav Niebuhr

As a journalist and author, R. Gustav Niebuhr changed the coverage of religion in the United States by reporting on stories that showed how people鈥檚 faiths contributed to shaping their political and civic activities and beliefs.听听

As a 黑料不打烊 faculty member, Niebuhr shared his unparalleled expertise and enthusiasm for writing and reporting with students while providing a patient and encouraging presence in the classroom.听

Niebuhr died Oct. 20, as a result of long-term complications from Parkinson鈥檚 Disease, says his wife, Margaret L. Usdansky. He passed away peacefully at his home in Skaneateles, New York, after spending his final days surrounded by his wife and their two sons, Christopher and Jonathan, as well as Niebuhr鈥檚 sister and other family. 听

Niebuhr, whose full name was Richard Gustav Niebuhr, joined the University in 2004 following three years at Princeton University and a distinguished career of 20-plus years in journalism. A leading writer about American religion, Niebuhr worked at some of the country鈥檚 most respected newspapers, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.听

At 黑料不打烊, Niebuhr had a dual appointment in the Newhouse School of Public Communications and the College of Arts and Sciences as an associate professor of religion and media.听听

鈥淲hile I did not have the privilege of working with Gustav, it is clear he has left a remarkable legacy both here at the University and in the journalism profession as a whole,鈥� Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato says. 鈥淲e are so thankful that someone of Gustav鈥檚 stature shared his experiences and wisdom with aspiring journalists at 黑料不打烊.鈥澨� 听

David Rubin, dean emeritus of Newhouse and the school鈥檚 leader at the time of Niebuhr鈥檚 arrival in 2004, said convincing him to join the faculty was an easy decision. Niebuhr would lead efforts to educate students about coverage of religion and religious issues by the media, a topic that until then was rarely discussed.听

鈥淗e proved to be a caring and demanding teacher, and a delightful colleague with a playful sense of humor,鈥� Rubin said. 鈥淗e was a public intellectual who brought distinction to the University. Gustav’s high standards, moderating voice and classroom presence will be sorely missed.”听

At the Newhouse School, Niebuhr most often taught reporting classes. His biggest contribution might have been helping to establish the schoolwide reporting project in 2018, when he took his class to Washington, D.C., to cover the March for Our Lives. 听

A meaningful experience that produced compelling stories has since been replicated annually, involving hundreds of students and winning dozens of awards, says Aileen Gallagher, a professor and chair of the magazine, news and digital journalism department. 听

鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the best things we do in the program, and we have鈥疓ustav鈥痶o thank for getting us started,鈥� Gallagher says.听

Niebuhr also proved to be a perfect fit for the Arts and Sciences faculty.听

听鈥淭hanks to Gustav鈥檚 leadership and cross-disciplinary expertise, the religion and society program grew and thrived, attracting students from across the University,鈥� says William Robert, professor and chair of the religion department in the College of Arts and Sciences. 听

鈥淕ustav worked programmatically to create fantastic learning opportunities for students to investigate what historical, social and political differences religion makes in our local and national communities and media,鈥� Robert says. 鈥淗e was a beloved teacher, wonderful colleague and amazing person.鈥�听

Niebuhr, who grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts, came from a family of thought leaders in American religion. He was the great-nephew of 20th century theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, the grandson of theologian H. Richard Niebuhr and the son of Richard R. Niebuhr, a professor at Harvard Divinity School.听

Niebuhr graduated from Pomona College in 1977 and earned a master鈥檚 in history from Oxford in 1980 before beginning his journalism career later that year at the Berkshire Eagle in Massachusetts. He worked at the New Orleans Times-Picayune before moving to the Journal-Constitution in 1986 to cover religion and politics.听听

Stops at the Post, Journal and Times followed. Niebuhr also appeared as an occasional guest on NPR鈥檚 鈥淎ll Things Considered,鈥� where he explored the impact of religion on society in the United States and around the world. During his career, he interviewed luminaries, including Buddhist leader Thich Nhat Hanh and author and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. 听

In 1994, Niebuhr swept the top awards given by the Religion Newswriters Association for stories that included an analysis of the tragedy at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas.听听

That same year, Niebuhr also married Usdansky, his former Journal-Constitution colleague. Now a sociologist, Usdansky is the founding director of the Center for Learning and Student Success at 黑料不打烊 and interim director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. 听

Niebuhr is the author of鈥€淏eyond Tolerance: Searching for Interfaith Understanding in America鈥濃€痑nd鈥€淟incoln’s Bishop: A President, A Priest, and the Fate of 300 Dakota Sioux Warriors.鈥�听

A memorial service will be held Dec. 29 at the University, with plans to be announced at a later date. that any donations be sent to the .听

The two-day AI Policy Symposium that begins today in the nation鈥檚 capital is organized by the (IDJC) and the (ASPI).

The event also serves as the venue to launch the Academic Alliance for AI Policy, an academic advisory body formed to serve as a resource for lawmakers, policymakers and others seeking to regulate and better understand AI.

鈥淎I is affecting more and more aspects of daily life in America and beyond,鈥� says , director of ASPI and a University Professor. He will lead the alliance.

鈥淯nlike the early decades of its development, when it was the intellectual curiosity of a small number of academics, AI is nobody鈥檚 monopoly anymore,鈥� Ekbia says. 鈥淚f there is a benefit from AI, it should apply to everyone, and if there is harm, someone should be held accountable. This needs oversight and regulation.鈥�

The new alliance and AI policy will be the focus of discussions Thursday at the symposium. How AI will affect the future of work, and its impact on the 2024 presidential election are topics to be discussed Friday.

鈥淐onnecting top AI researchers with policymakers听and journalists thinking about AI regulation and impacts on society is key to informing regulation, news coverage and the public鈥檚 understanding of these emerging issues,鈥� says , Kramer Director of the Washington-based IDJC. 鈥淭he symposium also is an opportunity to bring journalists from a range of news organizations together as they navigate coverage and use of AI.鈥�

Still in formation, the alliance will be comprised of academic leaders representing K-12 schools, community colleges and research universities. It is guided by a steering committee that includes representatives from Cornell University, Duke University, Indiana University, Oregon State University, Purdue University, The Ohio State University, the University of California and the University of Illinois.

Joining Ekbia in representing 黑料不打烊 is , assistant professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Ekbia, who joined the University in January 2023, says the alliance will serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas among academics from various backgrounds and as an advisory body for lawmakers as they grapple with the increasing number of challenges arising from AI.

The alliance will also connect AI experts with journalists reporting on related issues to help distill the implications for greater public understanding.

Ekbia says the regulation of AI in the U.S. is lagging and has enabled rampant gaps in information, knowledge and accountability. This, he says, has allowed the economic agendas of a few to take priority over public interest. 鈥淎cademics can, and should, help correct this state of affairs,鈥� adds Ekbia. 鈥淭he Academic Alliance for AI Policy is a step in that direction.鈥�

Based at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, ASPI is a Universitywide initiative focused on the intersection of technology, policy and society that boasts dozens of affiliated faculty researchers across disciplines.

The IDJC engages in nonpartisan research, teaching and public dialogue aimed at strengthening trust in news media, governance and society.听It is a joint initiative of the and the .

In addition to the symposium, the institutes are co-sponsors of the Axios-Generation Lab-黑料不打烊 AI Experts Survey. The found that a majority of computer science experts at top U.S. research universities wanted to see the creation of a new federal agency or global organization to govern artificial intelligence.听The next wave of findings is to be released in November.

Ed Bleier

Bleier was a pioneer in media, serving as president of Warner Bros. domestic pay-TV, cable and network features division during a decorated and distinguished career that saw him work in almost every aspect of radio and television.

Thanks to his generosity to his alma mater, Bleier enabled generations of 黑料不打烊 students to follow in his footsteps through the , a think tank on the art of television and the exploration of popular culture housed in the .

Bleier requested in his memorial notices that gifts be sent to the Bleier Center in lieu of flowers.

鈥淓dward Bleier was a titan of the communications industry, a visionary who helped build the foundation for so many of the platforms for consuming content that we take for granted today,鈥� said .

鈥淥n behalf of the Newhouse community, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Bleier family,鈥� Lodato added. 鈥淲e are so thankful for his tremendous generosity to 黑料不打烊, where his legacy will live on at the Bleier Center.鈥�

The Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture, located in the Newhouse 3 building, is named after Edward Bleier 鈥�51, who died Oct. 17. (Photo by Genaro C. Armas)

Bleier was a key executive in implementing changes in the media landscape, principally at Time Warner/Warner Bros. and ABC-TV. At ABC in the 1960s, he at various times headed daytime and children鈥檚 programming; news, sports and prime-time sales; and marketing, public relations and long-range planning.

From 1969-2004, while at Warner Bros., Bleier was a key player in Warner Communications鈥� development of cable systems, cable networks, home video, sports and its 1990 merger with Time Inc.

In 2005, the Center for the Study of Popular Television was renamed the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture thanks to a generous donation from Bleier. The center is headed by , one of the most well-known and widely quoted popular culture experts in the world.

鈥淢edia, particularly popular media, are the new DNA of our global society. With Internet and satellite, ideas, images, stories and information affect every aspect of the world, often instantly,鈥� Bleier said in 2005 in an announcement about the renaming of the center.

鈥淭he content of American media is so pervasive-for good or ill-it must be seriously taught and examined,鈥� Bleier said. 鈥淏ob Thompson is at the forefront and I am honored to add my support.鈥�

Thompson, who planned to speak at a memorial service for Bleier held on Sunday in East Hampton, New York, said Bleier 鈥渒new everyone in 鈥� and everything about 鈥� American television.鈥�

鈥淚n over 30 years as my friend, he taught me volumes. I was always taken by how a guy who had been such a VIP for 70 years was also so humble and kind. And hilarious,鈥� Thompson said. 鈥淎lthough he鈥檇 been retired for a while, he remained up-to-the-second on the monumental changes happening in the industry.鈥�

Thompson recalled a conversation a few weeks ago, during which Bleier provided insights about streaming, artificial intelligence and the Hollywood writers and actors strikes 鈥渨ith wisdom and aplomb,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 am proud to see his name on my door every morning.鈥�

Tyger Munn, a Newhouse broadcast and digital journalism graduate student, stands in front of a green screen to be filmed for a video to introduce the Infodemic project. (Photo by Collin Bell)

鈥溾€� includes more than 30 stories packaged with photos, videos, illustrations, audio, data visualizations and other interactive media. The wide-ranging report was released May 1 on , a multimedia news site for听黑料不打烊听University to teach practical and digital skills needed for the media industry, in conjunction with and newspaper.

The project, which involved more than 100 student journalists, investigated the sources and effects of disinformation that have undermined trust in communities and democracy overall, and explored ways to combat disinformation. About a dozen Newhouse faculty and staff members advised the student editors and contributors who worked on stories during the 2022-23 academic year.

鈥淚nfodemic鈥� drew inspiration from work connected to a led by , an assistant professor of magazine, news and digital journalism, and Shelvia Dancy, a former Newhouse professor of practice now teaching broadcast and digital journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

That project, 鈥淐ombatting Disinformation in Communities of Color,鈥� has been developing and testing on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 South Side,

Erin Westerman 鈥�04

Erin Westerman 鈥�04, president of production for the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, will give the keynote address at the Newhouse School鈥檚 2023听, to be held Saturday, May 13, at 12:30 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome.

Overseeing the development and production of Lionsgate鈥檚 theatrical film slate, Westerman has grown the studio鈥檚 portfolio of well-known movie franchises during her tenure. They include her recently released fourth installment of 鈥淛ohn Wick鈥� and 鈥淏allerina,鈥� an upcoming spinoff film starring Ana de Armas.听Later this year, Lionsgate also plans to release 鈥淭he Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,鈥� the prequel to the studio鈥檚 nearly $3 billion blockbuster franchise.

Other projects overseen by Westerman read like a go-to list for movie lovers. They include the original 鈥淜nives Out;鈥� a film adaptation of 鈥淎re You There God? It鈥檚 Me, Margaret;鈥� and the critically loved 鈥淭he Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent鈥� starring Nicolas Cage.

Westerman has frequently been named to The Hollywood Reporter鈥檚 Women in Entertainment Power 100 list, where she is recognized for 鈥渉er knack for courting A-list talent and winning bidding wars.鈥�

Before Lionsgate, Westerman was head of development at Good Universe, where she produced such hit films as 鈥淎lways Be My Maybe,鈥� 鈥淭he Disaster Artist,鈥� 鈥淣eighbors 2鈥� and 鈥淒on鈥檛 Breathe.鈥�

She began her career as a production executive at Walt Disney Studios where she oversaw the production of films including 鈥淐inderella,鈥� directed by Kenneth Branagh, and 鈥淚nto the Woods.鈥�

Westerman earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in听听from the Newhouse School in 2004 and graduated with a minor in psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences.

All graduating students and their families are invited to attend the Newhouse Convocation Ceremony. 黑料不打烊 Commencement will be held Sunday, May 14. For the most current information about Commencement weekend, visit .

Abby Phillip, anchor and senior political correspondent at CNN, serves as the master of ceremonies at the 2023 Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting ceremony in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Scott Robinson Photography)

Politico won the 2023 Toner Prize for national political reporting, and chief investigative reporter Phil Williams of WTVF-TV in Nashville, Tennessee won the Toner Prize for local political reporting.

The winners of the annual听听were announced by 黑料不打烊鈥檚听听during a ceremony Monday night at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington. Sen. Mitt Romney delivered the keynote speech and CNN anchor and senior political correspondent Abby Phillip served as master of ceremonies.

Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting

Winner: Politico

Reporters: Josh Gerstein, Alex Ward, Peter Canellos, Hailey Fuchs, Heidi Przybyla, Elena Schneider and Holly Otterbein
Entry: 鈥淭he Supreme Court and Abortion鈥�

• 

  The reporting team from Politico pose on stage while accepting the 2023 Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting at the Toner Prizes ceremony in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Scott Robinson Photography)

Politico broke the news that the U.S. Supreme Court voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision granting abortion rights. The outlet published a PDF of the initial draft majority opinion, which was circulated inside the court and obtained by Politico. No draft decision in the modern history of the court has been disclosed publicly while a case was still pending. The revelation intensified scrutiny of the tactics of the conservative legal movement in building a new Supreme Court majority during the Trump presidency. Politico鈥檚 reporting also transformed the political year, putting abortion rights front and center in the 2022 midterm elections.

J耻诲驳别蝉鈥� comments

鈥淎 bombshell scoop with seismic repercussions for the third branch of government. Cautiously written to stick to the facts. Revelatory follow-ups on conservative outsiders trying to influence conservative Justices. This reporting took courage and professionalism.鈥� 鈥� Ann Compton

鈥淚t was the political story of the year, and the extraordinary leak reverberated nationally and locally, galvanizing women and demonstrating the degree conservatives have shaped the judiciary. And it opened the window into how the Supreme Court operates, especially highlighting silent conflicts of interests.鈥� 鈥� Maralee Schwartz

Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting听Honorable Mention

Jeremy Schwartz, an investigative reporter for the ProPublica-Texas Tribune Investigative Initiative, accepts the Toner Prize for Excellence in National Political Reporting Honorable Mention awarded to ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, at the Toner Prizes ceremony in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Scott Robinson Photography)

ProPublica and The Texas Tribune
Reporters: Jeremy Schwartz, Jessica Priest, Chris Morran, Perla Trevizo and Andrea Suozzo
Entry: 鈥淐hurch Politics,鈥� which explored the political activity of churches and the potential impact on candidates and campaigns.

Judge鈥檚 comment

鈥淧roPublica and The Texas Tribune joined forces in a ground-breaking five-part series on how churches and right-wing organizations representing themselves as churches violate the terms of federal tax exemption by taking sides on political candidates and issues.鈥� 鈥� Joseph B. Treaster

Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Political Reporting

WTVF-TV chief investigative reporter Phil Williams accepts his 2023 Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Political Reporting at the Toner Prizes ceremony in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Scott Robinson Photography)

Winner: Phil Williams, WTVF-TV, Nashville, Tennessee

Entry: 鈥溾€�

As the station鈥檚 chief investigative reporter, Williams led WTVF鈥檚 dogged efforts to look into how laws are made in the Tennessee General Assembly. The legislative branch is ruled by a supermajority with near-absolute power that sets its own rules. The exhaustive 鈥淩evealed鈥� investigation was based on a simple premise: citizens cannot fully understand how the system can be fixed unless they understand how it really works.

J耻诲驳别蝉鈥� comments

鈥淚t is so hard to crack into the secretive world of campaign cash and lobbying in a state capital 鈥� and nearly impossible to do it on video. But somehow Phil Williams managed to do just that in this brilliant series shining light on state lawmaker practices and crisply showing viewers exactly HOW legislation is shaped and the exact questionable practices that are difficult to put into clear journalistic examples in any medium. I鈥檓 blown away by these pieces and will be using them to teach.鈥� 鈥� Christina Bellantoni

鈥淭his is what a great local news investigation looks like. Documentaries like this one are not done nearly enough. It is excellent! It informs residents about what their lawmakers are doing and who has influence and power over them.鈥� 鈥� Beverly Kirk

About the Toner Prizes

More than 250 people attended the first in-person Toner Prizes event in three years. The awards, along with the听听at the Newhouse School, are named after Robin Toner, a 1976 graduate of 黑料不打烊 and the first woman to serve as national political correspondent of The New York Times.

US Sen. Mitt Romney gives the keynote speech at the 2023 Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting ceremony in Washington D.C. (Photo by Scott Robinson Photography)

Among other speakers at Monday鈥檚 ceremony were 黑料不打烊 Chancellor听, Newhouse School dean听听and听, Kramer Director of the 黑料不打烊 Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship.

Judges

• Christina Bellantoni, professor at the University of Southern California鈥檚 Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and former political reporter and editor for The Los Angeles Times
• Ann Compton, retired reporter and White House correspondent for ABC News Radio
• Beverly Kirk, director of Washington Programs at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Professor of Practice in the broadcast and digital journalism department
• Maralee Schwartz, retired political editor of The Washington Post
• Joseph B. Treaster, professor at the University of Miami School of Communication, a former correspondent at The New York Times and a contributor to the Times and other publications