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Alumni Achievements

Julie Wootton, '09

Major: Communication Studies

Current Position: Reporter at The Times-News, a daily newspaper in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Why Whitworth? "After receiving information in the mail and visiting campus, I was struck by the fact that Whitworth seemed to be just the school I was looking for. In particular, the journalism program, the faith-based college environment, and the beautiful campus were selling points."

Whitworth Activities: Performed in the concert band, was involved in small groups, and wrote for The Whitworthian, Whitworth's student newspaper, including serving as its news editor.

Quote: "The wide variety of classes offered at Whitworth allowed me to explore different facets of journalism as a profession and to learn more about my own interests. As a journalism and mass communication major, I found that professors emphasized the importance of being well-rounded and gaining a number of skill sets. At many newspapers, reporters are expected to do more than just write, and Whitworth helped prepare me for that reality.

Influential Whitworth Experience: "By far, working for The Whitworthian was the most valuable career experience during my time at Whitworth. I was news editor for two years, and it was a learning experience to mentor younger student journalists, develop editing and page design skills, tackle more in-depth stories, and learn how to handle time management."

Career Goals: "I'd love to further pursue education reporting, possibly for a big city newspaper or national news organization."

Here's what some other recent Whitworth graduates are doing with their communication studies degrees:

• Jasmine Linabary, '09, was the managing editor of weekly newspapers in Montana, the Bigfork Eagle and the West Shore News. She is now attending graduate school at Fresno State University.

• Danika Heatherly, '10, is the manager of the Visalia Convention & Visitors Bureau, in California.

• John Williamson, '08, is a coach for College Forward, a college-prep program for high school students in Austin, Texas, who anticipate being their families' first-generation college students.

• Lukas Bratcher, '10, is a communications officer at the Spokane County Sheriff's Department.

• Shannon Newth, '08, received an E.B. Craney Award as first runnerup for Montana Weathercaster of the Year. She co-anchors the morning news and weather for KRTV, in Great Falls, Mont.

• Tyler Tupper, '08, is working in video production at Corner Booth Productions, a film and video production company in Spokane.

• Kyle Pflug, '08, is enrolled at the University of Washington School of Law.

• Tracey Brown, '08, is director of marketing for It Cosmetics, in Seattle.

• Sarah Tunall, '09, is pursuing a master of divinity degree at Wesley Theological Seminary, in Washington, D.C.

• Nate Chute, '08, is a photographer for Appeal-Democrat.com, in Marysville, Calif.