Pulse - Alumni Updates

The University of Oklahoma • Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Comunication

Alumni Updates

MCMAHON DEDICATION: The board of directors for the McMahon Foundation of Lawton met at Gaylord Hall in the spring to dedicate the Eugene McMahon Seminar Room on the first floor of Gaylord Hall. Photo by Lance Thomas

Susan Payne, M.A. ’87, has opened her own Tulsa-based public relations firm. She previously was statewide public relations manager for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, director of public relations for Tulsa Ballet and public relations manager for the Tulsa Chapter – American Red Cross.

David Haspel, B.A. ’71, a Los Angeles-based writer/producer of documentary and feature films, has completed production of his latest documentary, “Borrowing Time.” The film was screened in Oklahoma City in June.

Jake Basden, B.A. ’06, has joined Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide as an assistant account executive.

Mike Saubert, B.A. ’72, is the new marketing manager for Front Range Precast Concrete in Boulder, Colo. Saubert will be responsible for marketing watertight septic and containment systems and precast concrete bridges.

Mark McGarrah, B.A. ’85, has founded the McGarrah/Jessee advertising and branding agency in Austin.

Tayo Oyedeji, M.A. ’05, won three competitive research paper awards during his first year of doctoral study at the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism.

Tim Bullins, M.A. ’98, is a copy editor and writer for the Taiwan News, an English language newspaper in Taipei.

Mickey Edwards, B.A. ’58, was named to the American Bar Association’s Task Force on Presidential Signing Statements and the Separation of Powers Doctrine. The task force will examine constitutional and legal issues raised by presidents of the United States attaching legal interpretations to federal legislation they sign.

Alumni Mayors

Journalism bred: The mayors of Oklahoma’s two largest cities are both alumni of the Gaylord College. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor have been instrumental in driving growth in their cities as a part of their public service careeers.

Natasha Washington, M.A., ’97, features copy editor for The Oklahoman, was selected as a fellow for the 2006 Summer Institute for Midcareer Copy Editors. The institute will meet at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Sharon Thetford Ervin, B.A. ’63, finished her sixth novel, “The Ribbon Murders,” in March. The novel was her first hardcover release.

Randy Gibson, B.A. ’88 and M.A. ’91, has been named as the communications manager for the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah. Gibson is responsible for supervision of the communications department staff, Cherokee Nation news and producer of the new Cherokee Nation Television Network.

Matt Geiger, B.A.’95, has opened the law firm of Gaddy Geiger & Brown PC in Kansas City, Mo. The firm represents clients in the trial and appeal of business disputes and white-collar criminal cases.

Lt. Col. Bruce Allen Collins, B.A. ’71, is deputy chief of operations for the multi-national-force Iraq communications division in Baghdad. He manages strategic communication mission/resources for division operations branch to ensure the U.S. mission and Iraq issues effectively are communicated to the Iraqi, Gulf States Region, U.S. and international audiences.

Ted Satterfield, M.P.W. ’05, has accepted a copy editor/designer position at The Great Falls Tribune in Great Falls, Mont. He also will write a humor column.

Melanie Wilderman, M.A. ’05, is an instructor of mass communication at Northwestern State University in Alva and adviser to the Northwestern News.

Deborah (Bunton) Harbsmeier, B.A. ’88, serves as executive producer of University of Louisville sports and special projects at WHAS-TV, in Louisville, Ky. WHAS-TV has the broadcast rights to the University of Louisville sports, and Harbsmeier oversees the broadcasts of football and basketball, as well as coaches’ shows and other sporting events and specials.

Stacy (McFarland) Lincoln, B.A. ’85, works for Cox Media in Phoenix as a commercial producer and director. Lincoln was previously employed at KTVK-TV as creative services producer.

Shawn S. Lealos, B.A. ’00, directed and produced a short film based upon a Stephen King short story. Lealos wrote “I Know What You Need” for a professional writing course. It was first screened last October at a film festival in Maine and was shown at a film festival in the Netherlands in March. Shawn and his filmmaking partners now are completing another film, “It Catches Up With You.”

Jim Butcher, M.A. ’75, continues to publish novels in two successful series, The Dresden Files, dealing with a wizard in Chicago, and Codex Alera, a fantasy series.

Shane Boyd, B.A. ’86, serves as the chief communications officer for St. Paul Travelers in Minnesota.

Andrea Kurys, B.A. ’06, landed a job with KTEN news in Denison, Texas.

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					The University of Oklahoma • Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Comunication
					Alumni Updates MCMAHON DEDICATION: The board of directors for the McMahon Foundation of Lawton met at Gaylord Hall in the spring to dedicate the Eugene McMahon Seminar Room on the first floor of Gaylord Hall. Photo by Lance Thomas Susan Payne, M.A. ’87, has opened her own Tulsa-based public relations firm. She previously was statewide public relations manager for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, director of public relations for Tulsa Ballet and public relations manager for the Tulsa Chapter – American Red Cross. David Haspel, B.A. ’71, a Los Angeles-based writer/producer of documentary and feature films, has completed production of his latest documentary, “Borrowing Time.” The film was screened in Oklahoma City in June. Jake Basden, B.A. ’06, has joined Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide as an assistant account executive. Mike Saubert, B.A. ’72, is the new marketing manager for Front Range Precast Concrete in Boulder, Colo. Saubert will be responsible for marketing watertight septic and containment systems and precast concrete bridges. Mark McGarrah, B.A. ’85, has founded the McGarrah/Jessee advertising and branding agency in Austin. Tayo Oyedeji, M.A. ’05, won three competitive research paper awards during his first year of doctoral study at the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism. Tim Bullins, M.A. ’98, is a copy editor and writer for the Taiwan News, an English language newspaper in Taipei. Mickey Edwards, B.A. ’58, was named to the American Bar Association’s Task Force on Presidential Signing Statements and the Separation of Powers Doctrine. The task force will examine constitutional and legal issues raised by presidents of the United States attaching legal interpretations to federal legislation they sign. Alumni Mayors Journalism bred: The mayors of Oklahoma’s two largest cities are both alumni of the Gaylord College. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor have been instrumental in driving growth in their cities as a part of their public service careeers. Natasha Washington, M.A., ’97, features copy editor for The Oklahoman, was selected as a fellow for the 2006 Summer Institute for Midcareer Copy Editors. The institute will meet at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Sharon Thetford Ervin, B.A. ’63, finished her sixth novel, “The Ribbon Murders,” in March. The novel was her first hardcover release. Randy Gibson, B.A. ’88 and M.A. ’91, has been named as the communications manager for the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah. Gibson is responsible for supervision of the communications department staff, Cherokee Nation news and producer of the new Cherokee Nation Television Network. Matt Geiger, B.A.’95, has opened the law firm of Gaddy Geiger & Brown PC in Kansas City, Mo. The firm represents clients in the trial and appeal of business disputes and white-collar criminal cases. Lt. Col. Bruce Allen Collins, B.A. ’71, is deputy chief of operations for the multi-national-force Iraq communications division in Baghdad. He manages strategic communication mission/resources for division operations branch to ensure the U.S. mission and Iraq issues effectively are communicated to the Iraqi, Gulf States Region, U.S. and international audiences. Ted Satterfield, M.P.W. ’05, has accepted a copy editor/designer position at The Great Falls Tribune in Great Falls, Mont. He also will write a humor column. Melanie Wilderman, M.A. ’05, is an instructor of mass communication at Northwestern State University in Alva and adviser to the Northwestern News. Deborah (Bunton) Harbsmeier, B.A. ’88, serves as executive producer of University of Louisville sports and special projects at WHAS-TV, in Louisville, Ky. WHAS-TV has the broadcast rights to the University of Louisville sports, and Harbsmeier oversees the broadcasts of football and basketball, as well as coaches’ shows and other sporting events and specials. Stacy (McFarland) Lincoln, B.A. ’85, works for Cox Media in Phoenix as a commercial producer and director. Lincoln was previously employed at KTVK-TV as creative services producer. Shawn S. Lealos, B.A. ’00, directed and produced a short film based upon a Stephen King short story. Lealos wrote “I Know What You Need” for a professional writing course. It was first screened last October at a film festival in Maine and was shown at a film festival in the Netherlands in March. Shawn and his filmmaking partners now are completing another film, “It Catches Up With You.” Jim Butcher, M.A. ’75, continues to publish novels in two successful series, The Dresden Files, dealing with a wizard in Chicago, and Codex Alera, a fantasy series. Shane Boyd, B.A. ’86, serves as the chief communications officer for St. Paul Travelers in Minnesota. Andrea Kurys, B.A. ’06, landed a job with KTEN news in Denison, Texas. Back to Top











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