Journalism and Mass Communications students complete quilt depth report

Released on 11/14/2008, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Lincoln, Neb., November 14th, 2008 —

Students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications recently completed the first phase of a year-long depth report on global quilting traditions. The first product of this depth report is a 104-page, full-color magazine produced by college news-editorial students. The magazine is "Fabric as a Narrative: Constructing a Global Quilting Tradition" and features the writing, photographs and designs of 16 students.

For the project, students focused on quilting's global history and the art form's expanding popularity. Research for the project began in spring 2007, when students interviewed quilters from around the world and investigated the origins of quilting. Work on the magazine extended into 2008, as students edited stories and designed the magazine's layout.

The highlight of the students' research was an August 2007 trip to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England. While at the festival, the journalism students interviewed quilters from five continents and gathered information about the craft's global reach.

The magazine is the first phase of the college's depth report on global quilting. A 30-minute video documentary titled "Soft Power" will be released this month. The documentary focuses on women's use of quilting as a form of expression. Broadcasting students from the college are completing this portion of the depth report.

The University of Nebraska Foundation, the Sarah Meyer Lahr Educational Fund and Sara Rhodes Dillow provided funding. The depth reporting classes, started in 1970, give students an opportunity to intensively research and study a particular subject. Past depth reports have been nominated for student Pulitzer Prizes.

Copies of "Fabric as a Narrative" are available in Lincoln at Barnes & Noble, Lee Booksellers, the International Quilt Study Center Gift Shop, Nebraska Bookstore and the Sheldon Museum of Art Gift Shop. Copies of the magazine and documentary are also available by contacting the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at (402) 472-3041.

Following is a list by hometown of students who participated in the quilt depth report classes. Information includes academic majors and the student's graduation date.

NEBRASKA

Beatrice: Tanna Kimmerling, news-editorial journalism, May 2009.

Broadwater: Kirk Fellhoelter, advertising, December 2008.

Columbus: Alicia Roth, textiles, clothing and design and news-editorial journalism, May 2009.

Fremont: Sara Lackey, news-editorial journalism, May 2008; Audrey Pribnow, news-editorial journalism, May 2008.

Hickman: Shannon Smith, news-editorial journalism and history, May 2010.

Imperial: Maika Bauerle, broadcast journalism, May 2008.

Lincoln: Antona Beckman, textiles, clothing and design and news-editorial journalism, December 2008; Evan Bland, news-editorial and broadcast journalism, December 2008; Metta Cederdahl, news-editorial journalism, August 2008; Kristin Limoges, textiles, clothing and design, news-editorial journalism and broadcast journalism, May 2009.

Omaha: Laura Chapman, news-editorial journalism, May 2008; Ashley Ermel, news-editorial journalism, May 2008; Katie Nieland, news-editorial journalism, May 2008; Michaela Stevens, broadcast journalism, May 2008.

Scribner: Jill Havekost, advertising, May 2008.

ELSEWHERE

Centennial, Colo: K.J. Hascall, news-editorial journalism and English, December 2008.

Kuwana, Japan: Takako Iwatani, news-editorial journalism, December 2009.

Sidney, Iowa: Linsey Marshall, news-editorial journalism, May 2008.

Sioux Falls, S.D.: Madeline Donovan, news-editorial and broadcast journalism, December 2009

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