Dean John Lavine

• Dear Alumni:

Every day, a hard-hitting news story or a powerful marketing campaign affects the global community directly. The fields of journalism and integrated marketing communications are significant professions, and Medill is recognized internationally as a top-tier institution in these fields. Medill offers students real-world experiences and teaches them to meet the needs of ever-changing media and business marketplaces. Thanks to you, our alumni, Medill has earned a reputation for producing talented leaders.

The school has recently launched many new and exciting initiatives and projects. I invite you to learn more about these recent accomplishments:

• Medill 2020, a specific, strategic curriculum plan for the school, was initiated. This new curriculum teaches journalists to reach their audience with compelling stories while still focusing on the core fundamentals of reporting and writing excellence. Integrated marketing communications (IMC) students are learning to write and present with clarity and are pursuing innovative new residencies around the globe.

• Medill joined the School of Communication to offer undergraduate academic programs at Northwestern’s new branch campus in Doha, Qatar.

• Undergraduates in the United States will now have an opportunity to spend a quarter in the Washington, D.C. newsroom and to pursue a special six-course certificate program in Integrated Marketing Communications. 

• The school added six new faculty members with expertise in multimedia journalism, investigative business reporting, and audience understanding and, on the IMC side, consumer insight and marketing mix issues. 

• Richard Engel, NBC Beirut Bureau Chief and Middle East correspondent, was named the Medill Medal for Courage in Journalism winner for his documentary, War Zone Diary.

• The school recently became the first and only U.S. journalism school to offer courses and programs in National Security and Civil Liberties.

As alumni, you are a large part of the ongoing success of Medill and Northwestern. Your involvement with the school and the University—from mentoring current students to contributing to the annual fund—helps maintain our reputation. I encourage you to stay connected and informed by joining Medill’s alumni network, reading Medill magazine, or becoming a part of Medill’s official LinkedIn group.

Together, Medill and Northwestern have made a significant impression on the academic and global landscape. You, as alumni, can help uphold and extend our reputation by continuing your involvement in our vast and evolving community.

Sincerely, 

John Lavine
Dean, Medill

Read more messages from your NAA and University Leaders.

Posted: Februrary 9, 2009