Women's issues

I covered the women's issues beat for The Daily Illini at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign during the process of establishing a campus women's center. Also included are other stories focusing on women and their achievements and concerns.

UI Women's Resources Center coverage
(In chronological order, oldest story first)

- Activists planning campus women's center

published Feb. 13, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/02/13/activists-planning-campus-women-s-center


- Allies push for women's center

published March 10, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/03/10/allies-push-for-women-s-center


- Group sets up 'Center' in front of Swanlund

published April 24, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/04/24/group-sets-up-center-in-front-of-swanlund


- Women's resources moves to new location, gains status as 'Center'

published Feb. 27, 2009 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2009/02/27/womens-resources-move-to-new-location-gain-status-as-center


- Women's Resources Center celebrates one year

posted Feb. 25, 2010 on www.dailyillini.com

http://www.dailyillini.com/multimedia/video/2010/02/25/womens-resource-center-celebrates-1-year


Gender and salary analyses

UI affected by gender inequalities

published April 20, 2009 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/2009/04/20/ui-affected-by-gender-inequalities


- Salary study analyzes effects of race, gender

part one of a two-part series, published April 19, 2010 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/champaign-urbana/2010/04/18/salary-study-analyzes-effects-of-race-gender


- Statistical gender, salary analysis breaks down averages

part two of a two-part series, published April 20, 2010 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/2010/04/19/statistical-gender-salary-analysis-breaks-down-averages

Other women's issues coverage

- Book explores how Plan of Chicago could have used woman's touch

published Aug. 11, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=312205


- Palatine mom's parenting website makes top 200 list

published June 22, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=301427


- Planned Parenthood celebrates 70 years

published April 8, 2010 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/champaign-urbana/2010/04/08/planned-parenthood-celebrates-70-years

- Politicians, supporters commemorate Planned Parenthood's 70 years

published April 9, 2010 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/champaign-urbana/2010/04/10/politicians-supporters-commemorate-planned-parenthoods-70-years


- Project PEER prepares freshmen for healthy year

published Sept. 5, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/09/05/project-peer-prepares-freshmen-for-healthy-year


- Gender not an issue for students living with opposite sex

published Sept. 30, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/2008/09/30/gender-not-an-issue-for-some-students-living-with-members-of-the-opposite-sex


- Student-parents believe University environment benefits children

published Nov. 13, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/11/13/student-parents-believe-university-environment-benefits-children


- LGBT resources renames itself as 'Center'

published Feb. 18, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/02/18/lgbt-resources-names-itself-as-center


- Play seeks to inform audiences of female sexuality

published Feb. 26, 2009 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/02/26/play-seeks-to-inform-audience-of-female-sexuality


- Forum exposes opinions about gender, politics

published Feb. 29, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/02/29/forum-exposes-opinions-about-gender-and-politics


- UI alumna named accounting firm's first female CEO

published April 9, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/04/09/ui-alumna-named-as-accounting-firm-s-first-female-ceo


- Wellness week educates, unites women

published Nov. 5, 2007 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2007/11/05/wellness-week-educates-unites-women

Housing

Coverage of issues surrounding people's living arrangements, in Pittsburgh, Pa., Naperville, Ill. and Champaign-Urbana, Ill.

- Allegheny County inspectors assess Baldwin housing units

published June 28, 2010 in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_687938.html


- Traffic patterns, living conditions concern Baldwin Borough residents

published July 2, 2010 in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_688653.html


- Allegheny County seeks grant to renovate houses for disabled

published July 1, 2010 in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_688357.html


- Students' reactions vary to living with construction

published Sept. 23, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/09/23/students-reactions-vary-to-living-with-construction


- Cities allow partial occupancy after inspections

published Sept. 29, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/09/29/cities-allow-partial-occupancy-after-inspections


- Gender not an issue for students living with opposite sex

published Sept. 30, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/2008/09/30/gender-not-an-issue-for-some-students-living-with-members-of-the-opposite-sex


- Simple business practices determine rent

published Oct. 10, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/10/10/simple-business-practices-determine-rent


- Champaign housing market remains stable

published Sept. 22, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/09/22/champaign-housing-market-remains-stable


- Study abroad housing varies by location, program

published Nov. 7, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/11/07/study-abroad-housing-varies-by-location-program


- Student-parents believe living on campus benefits children

published Nov. 13, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/11/13/student-parents-believe-university-environment-benefits-children


- Students deal with hassle of unfinished C-U apartments

published Dec. 12, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/2008/12/12/students-deal-with-hassle-of-unfinished-c-u-apartments


- Alpha Xi Delta leases fraternity house

published Sept. 18, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/09/18/alpha-xi-delta-leases-fraternity-house


- Renters suffer from overlooked lease details

published Sept. 2, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/09/02/lease-details-tenants-miss-are-not-necessarily-hidden


- Lock your doors to lock down on burglaries

published Oct. 9, 2007 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/2007/10/09/lock-your-doors-to-lock-down-on-burglaries


- Tower enhancement creates controversy: Man claims dirt path intrudes on his land

published July 25, 2008 in the Naperville Sun

William Miller lives on 75th Street in unincorporated Naperville, sandwiched between an American Tower Corp cell phone tower on the west and three Crown Castle International towers on the east.

On the night of July 16, he noticed some action at the American Tower Copr sight. A dirt path approximately 6 feet wide and 100 feet long had been built on an area he claims to be the southwest corner of his property.

"What I discovered when I went down there is they jumped the road onto my property," Miller said. "That used to be underbrush and trees back there. Now it's an open road from 75th Street to the Park District land."

The dirt path connects a gravel driveway leading from 75th Street to the tower, to teh grassy fields of Meadow Glens Park.

American Tower Corp. applied for a permit to build the tower in 2003, according to DuPage County records. The 902-foot tower is used by AT&T.

Construction at the site began last week, said Megan Roskopf, AT&T's Illinois spokeswoman. Crews from the Joliet firm Camco Construction worked at the site for three days to begin installing fiber-optic cables meant to enhance the tower's service providing ability.

A Camco official said the crews did not build a dirt path and only used existing roads to access the tower.

Roskopf also said she was not aware of any trees or bushes that were cleared, though the cables are being installed underground.

"Right now, there's no way of telling who put the road through there," Miller said. "I can't say who's guilty, and I doubt if anyone will fess up. People aren't that honest to admit their mistakes."

Sitll, Miller said he has no doubt a bulldozer came onto his property and knocked down plants to build the path.

"One small tree was sawed off," Miller said. "I found the stump there."

He also said the path has been driven on by construction trucks since it was built. But AT&T workers at the site Thursday accessed the tower from the park to the south, and left their three trucks parked there on the grass.

Miller believes the parh is on his land because a property survey he commissioned in 2004 shows no easement or extra space between the western edge of his property and the eastern edge of the tower's property.

To determine where the property lines lie and what the boundaries mean for the legality of the path, Miller hired a lawyer.

"We have to investigate to see first whether the path is on his property, and if so, why it's there," said Miller's lawyer, Joe Fortunato of the Westmont firm Fortunato, Knobbe, Davenport and Arnold. Fortunato said he will bring the surveyors back to Miller's property to find the iron pipes they placed underground in 2004 to mark the boundaries of his land.

If the path truly lies on Miller's property, Fortunato siad he would notify the owners of the adjacent land that they are not authorized to use it.

Miller, 84, lives with his wife Petronella, also 84. He said he not only worries about the unauthorized use of his property, but also about the safety issues associated with a new shortcut existing between a park and a large road.

"Kids are going to run through it," Miller said. "I was a kid once too and I know if there's a shortcut, they're going to take it."

Construction at the tower is scheduled to be complete in two weeks, according to Roskopf.

Once construction is finished and all the underground cables have been installed, she said crews will restore the area.

Copyright 2008 Naperville Sun

Religion

Stories I've written about religious people, groups, beliefs and issues.

- Carnegie man always made Christmas magical

published June 29, 2010 in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/obituaries/news/s_688035.html


- Former UPMC official joins ranks who find ministry appealing

published June 14, 2010 in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_685875.html


- Voters react to call for faith-based voting decisions

published Nov. 27, 2007 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2007/11/27/local-voters-react-to-church-call-for-faith-based-decisions-at-polls


- Morals, traditions lead to students' vegetarianism

published Dec. 3, 2007 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2007/12/03/morals-tradition-lead-to-students-vegetarianism


- Pastor protests war with trail mix

published Dec. 10, 2007 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2007/12/10/pastor-protests-war-with-trail-mix


- Hillel opens new home on Fifth and John

published Jan. 22, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/01/22/hillel-opens-new-home-on-fifth-and-john


- Zen center hosts retreat

published Jan. 28, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/01/28/zen-center-hosts-five-day-retreat


- Roman Catholic foundation sues UW-Madison

published Feb. 6, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/02/06/roman-catholic-foundation-sues-uw-madison


- Churches make alternative Unofficial plans

published Feb. 28, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/02/28/alternative-unofficial-plans-made-by-churches


- Intra-religious dialogue discusses faiths

published March 11, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/03/11/inter-religious-dialogue-speakers-discuss-faiths


- UI students to experience Jewish culture in Berlin

published March 13, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/03/13/u-of-i-students-to-experience-jewish-culture-in-berlin


- Jewish leadership weekend starts tradition

published April 7, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/04/07/jewish-leadership-weekend-starts-tradition


- Campus Crusade for Christ shares beliefs

published April 11, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/04/11/campus-crusade-for-christ-shares-beliefs


- Students celebrate Passover at home, on campus

published April 22, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/04/22/students-celebrate-passover-at-home-and-on-campus


- Hillel celebrates adult Bat Mitzvahs

published April 29, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/04/29/hillel-celebrates-adult-bat-mitzvahs


- Free Bible Day: Student reactions vary to New Testament handout

published Sept. 4, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/09/04/student-reactions-to-free-new-testament-booklets-vary


- Groups rally around Gaza conflict

published Jan. 28, 2009 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2009/01/28/groups-rally-around-gaza-conflict

Politics

My contributions so far to the newspaper's role as the Fourth Estate:

2008 Presidential election coverage

- Is this the biggest election of our lifetime?

published Oct. 29, 2008 in The Daily Illini

I compiled the important historic elections timeline and did the interview for the race and politics section of the Q and A

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/elections/2008/10/29/is-this-the-biggest-election-of-our-lifetime


- Election judges play critical role

published Nov. 4, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/11/04/election-judges-play-critical-role


- Students take issue with UI polling places

published Nov. 4, 2008 on www.dailyillini.com

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/11/04/students-take-issue-with-ui-polling-places


- County Clerk plans changes to election judge training

published Nov. 7, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/11/07/county-clerk-plans-changes-to-election-judge-training



Coverage of governmental bodies

- Urbana plans for Green housing

published Feb. 5, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/02/05/urbana-plans-for-green-housing


- Urbana-Champaign senate may address ethics controversies

published Oct. 6, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/10/06/urbana-champaign-senate-s-question-and-answer-session-may-address-controversies


- Senate discusses funding for capitalism academy

published Oct. 6, 2008 on www.dailyillini.com

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/10/06/senate-discusses-funding-for-capitalism-academy


- Senate discusses termination of academy for capitalism

published Oct. 7, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/10/07/senate-discusses-termination-of-academy-for-capitalism


Other political stories

- Questions still remain over ethics revisions

published Oct. 8, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/10/08/questions-still-remain-over-ethics-revisions


- Forum exposes opinions about gender, politics: Democratic presidential race raises complex gender issues

published Feb. 29, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/02/29/forum-exposes-opinions-about-gender-and-politics


- Voters react to call for faith-based voting decisions

published Nov. 27, 2007 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2007/11/27/local-voters-react-to-church-call-for-faith-based-decisions-at-polls


- Ikenberry starts as interim president

published Jan. 4, 2010 on www.dailyillini.com

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/2010/01/04/ikenberry-starts-as-interim-president


- University legislators focus on retaining faculty

published Oct. 16, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/10/16/university-legislators-focus-on-retaining-faculty

Athletics

I would love to cover women's sports some day, but I've chosen to get my start as a news reporter. Here's a list of links to the sports-related coverage I've done so far:

Chief Illiniwek

- Parade bans Chief symbol from floats

published Oct. 23, 2007

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/2007/10/23/parade-bans-chief-symbol-from-floats


- Council selects new Chief

published April 29, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/04/29/council-selects-new-chief


- Students for Chief Illiniwek plans 'The Next Dance'

published Oct. 30, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/10/30/students-for-chief-illiniwek-plans-the-next-dance


Other Illini sports coverage

- Kevin Hambly turns Illinois volleyball into family affair

published Nov. 14, 2009 on the website of the Champaign News-Gazette, www.news-gazette.com

http://illinihq.com/video/view/1473/

- Students assess Illinois spirit

published Nov. 18, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/11/18/students-assess-illinois-spirit


Other athletics and fitness stories

- Sports camp participants gain experience, risk burnout

published July 6, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=304188


- New pool safety law drains park district budgets

published July 6, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=304852


- Gurnee man's team of diabetic athletes wins cross-country bike race

published July 6, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=304353


- Slow-bouncing balls help beginners learn tennis ... and fast

published June 29, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=301825


- 'Healthy competition' encourages commuters to bike

published June 12, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=300178


- Wellness week educates, unites women: Events kicked off with 5K Sunday

published Nov. 5, 2007 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2007/11/05/wellness-week-educates-unites-women


- Warrior winners: Waubonsie celebrates girls state soccer title at pep rally

published June, 2008 in the Naperville Sun www.napersun.com

The first 45 minutes of the second-to-last day at Waubonsie Valley High School were dedicated to the annual recognition assembly for athletes.

For the second year in a row, the school celebrated the achievements of its girls soccer team in winning the Class AA state championship.

The 24-member team also boasts an undefeated season, a 58-game winning streak, and the winner of the Gatorade State Girls Soccer Player of the Year Award, junior Bri Rodriguez.

"As an individual award, she deserves it," coach Julie Bergstrom said. "But it also is representative of Waubonsie soccer and where we've come with the players on the team in the last few years."

Through all the team's accomplishments, Bergstrom has taught her players not to think about championships or winning streaks, but to take the season one game at a time.

And her players bought into her philosophy.

"We tried to take it one game at a time because we know that no matter who we're playing, every team is going to come out and try to beat us," Rodriguez said.

Bergstrom, a physical education teacher at the high school, also taught her players to step up in pressure situations and not to depend solely on a few star athletes to carry the team.

And when Rodriguez tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in a tournament game Friday against Maine South, Bergstrom said the entire team stepped up.

Rodriguez said she gave her captain title to sophomore Vanessa DiBernadino after her injury. DiBernadino joined junior captains Rachel Bostick and Claire Hanold in the leadership position.

The team went on to clinch the state title with a 3-0 win against Belleville's Althoff High School at North Central College.

For seniors Emily Bielaga, Hillary Blake and Jessica Blake, the state championship game was their last in a Warrior uniform.

The location of the state tournament allowed Waubonsie's fans to continue attending games and supporting the team, Bergstrom said.

A slideshow at the pep rally showcased Warrior fans cheering on the team decked out in body paint, flags and all forms of green and gold gear.

"It's amazing, especially at the home games," Rodriguez said of the team's fan support. "It's probably hard to play against, but when you know it's for you, it definitely gets you pumped up."

Parents and family members also celebrated the team's achievement in the crowd of about 3,600 at the assembly.

"At girls events, let alone soccer, a lot of times you don't get much support," said Lisa McClellan, mother of junior Kiki McClellan. "The girls here and the students here love the coach so much and I think she has a lot to do with that. She makes all these T-shirts and really gets people excited about sports."

Copyright 2008 Naperville Sun

Multimedia news and feature reporting

It's the wave of the future, it's choosing the best way to tell a story, it's ... multimedia journalism. Take a look at my style of multimedia work at the links below:

- Big Broadband - website

published Dec. 15, 2009 through the Champaign News-Gazette

*Recognized as the fourth place winner of the 2010 Hearst Journalism Awards' Multimedia Competition*

I did all the reporting, editing, multimedia production and web design for this website, which tells the story of plan to improve broadband Internet access in Urbana-Champaign, Ill.

http://multi.media.illinois.edu/ng/J480fall2009/broadbandinternet/InternetAccess/Home.html


- Kevin Hambly turns Illinois volleyball into a family affair - video

published Nov. 14, 2009 on the website of the Champaign News-Gazette


http://illinihq.com/video/view/1473/


- The Liquid Edge: Fueling water skiing in Central Illinois - video

published Oct. 15, 2009 on the website of the Champaign News-Gazette

http://www.news-gazette.com/video/2009-10-15/water-skiing-farmer-city.html


- Women's Resources Center celebrates one year - video

published Feb. 25, 2010 on the website of The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/multimedia/video/2010/02/25/womens-resource-center-celebrates-1-year


- Three Rivers Arts Festival attendees get creative - video

published June 4, 2010 on the website of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/s_684574.html


- The Chicago suburbs at night: Yeah, there's stuff to do - video

published July 17, 2009 on the website of the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/multimedia/?category=1&type=video&item=249

Lunch bunch reunites Champaign High School class of '54 - video

published Dec. 1, 2009 on the website of the Champaign News-Gazette

http://www.news-gazette.com/video/2009-12-08/champaigns-class-54-lunch-bunch.html


Pilots fly model airplanes in the Armory - video

published Feb. 1, 2010 on the website of The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/multimedia/video/2010/02/01/pilots-fly-model-airplanes-in-the-armory


Allen Hall zombie mob marches again - video

published Nov. 1, 2009 on the website of The Daily Illini

http://www.news-gazette.com/video/2009-11-01/zombie-mob-krannert-center.html


Bugscope program shows new side of science - photo/audio slideshop

published Oct. 5, 2009 on the website of The Daily Illini

http://multi.media.illinois.edu/ng/j480fall2009/Bugscope/Bugscope/Beckman_Bugscope.html


Allerton festival brings music to barn - photo/audio slideshop

published Sept. 6, 2009 on the website of the Champaign News-Gazette

http://multi.media.illinois.edu/ng/J480fall2009/allerton/allerton_music/Allerton_Music_Barn_Festival.html

Columns

Read my opinions - for once! A compilation of humorous, yet thought-provoking columns I've written during six years as a journalist.

When hunting for jobs, worry less, do more

published Feb. 2, 2009 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/spring-career-guide-2009/2009/02/02/column-when-hunting-for-jobs-worry-less-do-more


In job search, I'll take 'Whatever I can get'

published Feb. 1, 2010 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/spring-career-guide-2010/2010/02/01/in-job-search-i-ll-take-whatever-i-can-get


In the ABCs of college living, U is for Underwear

published Feb. 8, 2010 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/housing-guide-2010/2010/02/08/u-is-for-underwear


Driving down 'Goodbye lane'

published April 26, 2010 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/graduation-guide-2010/2010/04/26/driving-down-goodbye-lane

Music writing

Links to a few features I've written about Chicago area bands:

- Determination drives 18-year-old's singing career

published July 30, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=308954


- Greensugar takes its bluesy rock to local stages

published Aug. 12, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=312448


- Good Luck Jane comes home to suburbs for local debut

published Oct. 1, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=324214&src=145


- Free spirits: Patience Gloria likes giving its music away

published March 17, 2010 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=365531&src=145

A look back: Project improves Campustown streetscape

published May 6, 2010 in The Daily Illini

For my real last piece for The Daily Illini, published in the last normal edition of the spring semester, I teamed up with another senior writer to take a look at a streetscape improvement program that created the current look of Champaign's Green Street.

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/2010/05/06/a-look-back-project-improves-campustown-streetscape

Graduation column: Driving down 'Goodbye lane'

published April 26, 2010 in The Daily Illini

The last in my string columns written during the second semester of senior year of college, this piece is an ode to I-57, the flat, four-lane highway that connects Champaign-Urbana to Chicagoland, and a graduation goodbye to the drive to and from college.

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/graduation-guide-2010/2010/04/26/driving-down-goodbye-lane

Race, gender and faculty salaries series

published April 19 and 20, 2010 in The Daily Illini

I wrote a two-part series announcing that the University was just beginning a study of whether race and gender are unfairly influencing salaries. I did all the reporting and planning of extra elements including photos, graphics, break out boxes, pull quotes and editor's notes for this series.

The first part describes the issue of race as it relates to salaries:

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/champaign-urbana/2010/04/18/salary-study-analyzes-effects-of-race-gender

The second part discusses problems relating to gendered disparities in salaries:

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/2010/04/19/statistical-gender-salary-analysis-breaks-down-averages

Police take man into custody for possession of heroin

published April 15, 2010 on www.dailyillini.com and April 16, 2010 in The Daily Illini

I was lucky enough to live right next to this apartment building and be on my way home from the newsroom when we got a call about a drug bust. A police brief resulted.

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/2010/04/15/police-take-man-into-custody-for-possession-of-heroin

Planned Parenthood celebrates 70 years

published April 8, 2010 in The Daily Illini

A look back at the history of Planned Parenthood in east central Illinois.

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/champaign-urbana/2010/04/08/planned-parenthood-celebrates-70-years

And an online-only brief with coverage of the 70th anniversary event.

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/champaign-urbana/2010/04/10/politicians-supporters-commemorate-planned-parenthoods-70-years

Women's Resources Center celebrates 1 year

published Feb. 25, 2010 on www.dailyillini.com

A video of the event held to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the University of Illinois' Women's Resources Center. I covered the efforts to establish a center beginning in fall 2007, which were successful by early 2009.

http://www.dailyillini.com/multimedia/video/2010/02/25/womens-resource-center-celebrates-1-year

U is for Underwear

published Feb. 8, 2010 in The Daily Illini

Assigned the letter "U" for The Daily Illini's ABCs of college living edition of the spring housing guide, I sat down to write about the city of Urbana. At the last second, I switched gears and wrote about underwear, instead, producing a lighthearted and laughable column that actually shares a lesson about avoiding awkwardness.

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/housing-guide-2010/2010/02/08/u-is-for-underwear

In job search, I'll take 'Whatever I can get'

published Feb. 1, 2010 in The Daily Illini

A column I wrote for the spring career guide likens the search for job after graduation to the status markers used on Facebook for the search for the perfect relationship. This column was well received for its humor and creative connections.

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/spring-career-guide-2010/2010/02/01/in-job-search-i-ll-take-whatever-i-can-get

Model airplane flying fest

published Feb. 1, 2010 on www.dailyillini.com

Every year, model airplane pilots descend on the Armory to fly their hobby crafts inside the large open space. Watch a video of "E-Fest."

http://www.dailyillini.com/multimedia/video/2010/02/01/pilots-fly-model-airplanes-in-the-armory

Graduate student union ratifies contract: Vote officially ends strike

published Nov. 23, 2009 on www.dailyillini.com

After the Graduate Employees Organization two-day strike, the organization ratified a new contract with University administration.

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/2009/11/23/graduate-student-union-ratifies-contract

Hearst Journalism Award-winning multimedia website: Big Broadband in Urbana-Champaign

published Dec. 15, 2009 on the website of the Champaign News-Gazette, www.news-gazette.com

In two months, I built an entire website and by doing all the original reporting, editing and production of videos, photos and text elements to tell the story of a plan to improve broadband Internet access in Urbana-Champaign, Ill.

On May 17, 2010, I was awarded fourth place in the Hearst Journalism Awards Multimedia Competition for my work on this site. The honor came in the 50th year of the prestigious college journalism award and earned $750 for both myself and the Department of Journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

http://multi.media.illinois.edu/ng/J480fall2009/broadbandinternet/InternetAccess/Home.html

Lunch bunch connects '54 Champaign HS graduates

published Dec. 1, 2009 on the website of the Champaign News-Gazette, www.news-gazette.com

Many female members of the Champaign High School class of 1954 still live in central Illinois and get together for monthly lunches.

http://www.news-gazette.com/video/2009-12-08/champaigns-class-54-lunch-bunch.html