30 miles from campus — and a world away

The November episode of "Wichita State & The World" focuses on prairie restoration and biological research at the Ninnescah Reserve in southwest Sedgwick County. The above video clip gives you a glimpse of the show:
Host Provost Gary L. Miller explores the land, the new research center, and the work of students and faculty in the 30-minute episode broadcast on Cox Cable Channel 13. It airs at 8 p.m. Sundays, 9 a.m. Mondays, 3 p.m. Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays, and 1 a.m. Fridays this month.
In December, you can catch up to past episodes you may have missed — a variety will be rebroadcast in rotation at the above times.

"WSTW" is a production is of Wichita State's Media Resources Center, and I had a blast walking the prairie with awesome videographers Greg Matthias and Rik Dubiel for this project. Rik also edited, and did a terrific job, as you can see. I was producer, which included scripting out the storyline, creating a shot list, doing background research and lots of other behind-the-scenes tasks. The folks in the biology department were great to work with — and they did a great job explaining their research.

Stop, focus and read

Long before it was called "multitasking," researchers have been looking at just how well people can do two things at once. An article in The Chronicle of Higher Education gives a fascinating — and for many folks, counterintuitive — update. More than 100 years ago, the Industrial Age saw young factory workers rolling cigars while listening to books, newspapers and political or religious tracts being read aloud; the Tech Age finds today's college student sending text-messages in class while listening to the lecture, watching a PowerPoint with imbedded videos, taking notes and googling facts in anticipation of the professor's questions.

The multimedia experience, conventional wisdom tells us, enhances learning as it "lights up" more parts of the brain, but now it appears that people may be merely buzzed by over stimulation.

"Heavy multitaskers are often extremely confident in their abilities," Clifford I. Nass, a professor of psychology at Stanford University, told The Chronicle. "But there's evidence that those people are actually worse at multitasking than most people."

Nass and colleagues published a study in 2009 revealing that people who described themselves as multitaskers performed much worse on tests of cognition and memory that involved distraction than their counterparts who said they preferred to focus on single tasks. And a newer, as-yet-unpublished study by Nass, et al., shows that people who give a lot of time over to media screens fare worse on analytic questions, too.

"One of the deepest questions in this field," Nass says, "is whether media multitasking is driven by a desire for new information or by an avoidance of existing information. Are people in these settings multitasking because the other media are alluring — that is, they're really dying to play Freecell or read Facebook or shop on eBay — or is it just an aversion to the task at hand?"

So glad you dropped by to read this post — hope it didn't distract you for too long from your other tasks!

Quote of the day

"Businesses today fall into three camps – the social 'denyer,' the accidental socialite, and the socially aware.

— Michael Fauscette, IDC

Supervising social media

Guidelines issued Monday by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority are intended to “ensure that firms and brokers use social networking sites in an appropriate manner," says Chairman Rick Ketchum. FINRA is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States, overseeing nearly 4,750 brokerage firms, about 167,000 branch offices and some 633,000 registered securities representatives.
Regulatory Notice 10-06 says member companies need to supervise the use of Web sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn by their employees — and "associated persons," such as their brokers and representatives — for public communications, to ensure that customers are not misled.
Firms also need to ensure that they can retain records of those communications.
Twitter, a 140-character online text-messaging phenomenon, started as a way for people to update friends and family on what they were up to at any given moment, but has become a powerful business tool. According to a recent report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project,
46 percent of American adults who use the Internet logged onto a social networking site in 2009, which is up from 8 percent in 2005. The "of the moment" nature of Twitter postings and FaceBook chats have an almost ephemeral feel, compared to blogs — something FINRA seemed to take into consideration. (Get its updates on Twitter by following @FINRA_News.)
It considers static postings to blogs to constitute “advertisements,” and any firm or registered representative that sponsors such a blog must obtain prior principal approval of any such posting. The exception: real-time interactive communications — such as tweets that are fed onto a site. FINRA considers that portion of the blog to be an interactive electronic forum that does not require prior principal approval — but that must be supervised.
The guidelines address the use of social media sites by firms and personnel for business purposes, not use by individuals for purely personal reasons. Translation: It's still not a great career move to post photos from your BFF's birthday bash at the beach bar — but FINRA won't care if you do.

Tweet outburst of the day

from @toddramsey

Dear event planners: please put the dates of your event on your homepage. In big, garish, bold, and maybe even neon, type.

Man of Steel takes on self-righteous rants

He may not think of himself as a Superman, but the strength of John Stewart's political humor on "The Daily Show" is that he consistently conveys the message that he is looking out for Truth, Justice and the American Way. His delivery style shows that he's not grinding an ax, he's just trying to have an intelligent and witty conversation with friends (his audience). And like any good friend, when political observation degenerates into ranting, Stewart considers it his responsibility to lead an intervention.  Rhetoric and debate professors across the nation no doubt cheered his Jan. 21 Special Comment.

"Wichita" on video

Have you ever been watching a movie or TV show (or music video) and realized that you recognize the location? Maybe it's the 10,000th shot of Central Park featuring that little lake that you cruised past in a pedacab on your trip to New York City. Or a house with a lot of character near your old school. It gives you a little thrill, eh?

It's even better when the camera captures familiar images but gives them back to you in a way that opens your eyes. Lonny Quattlebaum and Wade Hampton, a couple of talented videographers and fellow Wichitans, took a quick nighttime tour through our hometown the other day and produced a startling little video. Thanks to the soundtrack by local musician Gooding, Wichita has never looked (or sounded) so space-age and gritty in the space of about two minutes. But that pretty much sums up the spectrum here!

WICHITA from Wade Hampton on Vimeo.

Creative video projects

I love working with videographers and editors because the time they spend with a new tool (camera, graphics software, etc.) is just one more reason to let their creativity run loose.

This "playing around" isn't wasted time — it's all about learning how to get the most from your resources. As a bonus, it usually produces something that's fun to watch, too!

Consider this "videoscrapbook page" from Wichita State University video/editing guy Rik Dubiel, who incorporates footage from a Cannon HV20, some fun music, nicely choreographed color effects, and one cute as a bug little boy exploring his back yard.

My Backyard 3 from Rik Dubiel on Vimeo.

Did you catch the basset hound wagging his tail to the beat? Nice work, Rik!

Check out that smile

I love this photo of Cokie Roberts, taken by Ken Davis as she signed books at Wichita State University's Metroplex. She was on an author's tour to promote her latest book, an updated version of her best-selling "We Are Our Mothers' Daughters," and I was impressed with how generous she was with her time. She gives off a definite vibe that she doesn't suffer fools gladly, but she was warm and kind to the fans who approached her at her many campus events. After all the years she's spent on NPR and ABC, they feel like they know her, and she responded in kind.

A whirlwind of a week!

Broadcasting legend Cokie Roberts visited Wichita State University as part of her national author's tour, and generously gave her time to several campus events, including a speech Wednesday night, a "Conversation With the Provost" Thursday morning and about an hour on the air during KMUW-FM's spring pledge drive. Cokie, promoting her updated best-seller "We Are Our Mothers' Daughters," has plenty to say about the changing roles of women, the expectations of men, the current state of politics and business, and much more. It will be a challenge to package the video footage we collected into just an hourlong show, but it's a good challenge to have. Several people have stopped me to ask when they could see "Wichita State & The World's" Cokie episode — look for it in May. (And check back for updates!)


Thursday night, local TV icon Anita Cochran hosted an in-studio Tweetup for her Twitter pals during the 10 o'clock news. Tonight is her final broadcast for KSN, Ch. 3, and though Wichita viewers will miss her terribly, I couldn't be happier for her. She decided a few months ago to invest more time in her family life, specifically her tween-age daughters. I may be biased; I made a similar move in 2007. Anita won't languish at home with daytime TV and bonbons (for those of you who cling to stereotypes!); she has some exciting projects in the works.

Oletha recognized as a leader

Congratulations to Kansas Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau of Wichita's 29th District — she is among the 40 members of the 2009 Leadership Kansas class, the Kansas Chamber announced today.
I worked with Oletha on her campaign last fall, and it is a testament to her commitment to the community and her work as a state representative that she earned 70 percent of the vote in the general election. It was a historic moment: She is the first African American woman chosen by voters to serve in our state Senate.

It is fitting that she's been selected for Leadership Kansas, a program that works to develop and motivate future leaders in Kansas. More than 500 people are nominated each year. The 40 who are chosen participate in training sessions in six Kansas communities over the course of the year. Discussion topics include business, education, agriculture, public policy, societal health and development, economics and government.

Way to go, Oletha!

A victory for Wichita

So satisfying to see Wichita City Council candidate Janet Miller elected Tuesday. She is going to do a great job representing District 6 (a wedge that starts downtown and runs along I-135 on the east and the Big Ditch on the west). Integrity isn't just a campaign buzzword when it comes to Janet; it's central to her character.

I served as her campaign media coordinator, which meant working on everything from postcards to TV ads to Web site content. Greg Sullivan of Sullivan Gang Graphics did an outstanding job on her "visual message" (everything from developing her logo to designs for mailers and the Web site) and offering gentle counsel — he's worked on countless local and state campaigns.

And the volunteer organization was awesome. I especially admire those who gave up their weekends to walk neighborhoods in the wind, rain, cold (13 degrees one day!) A severe ankle injury kept me from joining them, but I'm not sure I would have made it that day even if I had been whole!

After 26 years in a newsroom, where professional ethics prevented me from taking an active role in a political campaign, it is so good to be able to do more to ensure that voters get a clear view of the best candidate in a race.

Next stop, Wichita . . .

Cokie Roberts — award-winning broadcaster, best-selling author — is coming this month to Wichita State University for two days of appearances, and folks are going wild. Her campus visit is part author's tour (an updated version of her book "We Are Our Mothers' Daughters" has just been released) and part fund raiser for public radio station KMUW.

The moment tickets were made available to her public appearances, the organizers were overwhelmed with requests.

I'm happy to be part of the team that's documenting her visit, including her "Conversation With Provost Gary Miller" before an audience of primarily students and faculty. Those who don't have the chance to attend the WSU events will have a chance to see her in May via "Wichita State & The World" on WSU-TV, Cox cable Ch. 13.

The 3 R's for the new economy

I'll be speaking at the Wichita Professional Communicators' March lunch meeting on a topic that's become hot in this chilly economy: Career reinvention.

I happily took on this task because I've built my work life on the principles of taking calculated risks, accepting creative challenges and other key factors that help keep life interesting and rewarding.

My presentation is called "Reinvent, Revitalize, Renew: The 3 R’s You Must Master Now," and here's the pitch: "As a professional communicator, you’re a whiz at readin’ and ’riting, and thanks to calculators, you can even handle ’rithmatic. But your old reliable skills may not be enough to help you ride out these rough economic times. Media consultant L. Kelly offers practical advice for rejuvenating your job skills — and your life — at the March 4 Wichita Professional Communicators luncheon meeting.

"L. Kelly spent 26 years with The Wichita Eagle, working a variety of jobs as a writer, editor and page designer in the news, features and opinion sections. After directing the paper’s coverage of the BTK investigation, she was project leader and co-author of the true crime book 'Bind, Torture, Kill: The Inside Story of the Serial Killer Next Door' (HarperCollins 2007). She is now a media consultant, TV producer and communications trainer with her own company, L. Kelly Media Services, and teaches at Wichita State University."

RSVP to Becky Funke by noon Monday, March 2, at bfunke@activeagingonline.com, call 942-5385, or reserve and prepay using WPC’s online PayPal account at www.wichitaprofessionalcommunicators.com.

DATE: Wednesday, March 4
TIME: 11:30 a.m. sharp-12:30 p.m.
PLACE: Larkspur, 904 E. Douglas
COST: Members $12, students $10, guests $15

Greensburg tornado headed for WSU TV

Working on a "Wichita State & The World" episode that blends interviews with WSU associate professor Les Anderson and a handful of students, excerpts from their on-location video stories, blog entries and still photography from their Greensburg project, and of course an epic F-5 twister.

What will we have when the debris settles?

Stay tuned; it airs in March on WSU TV, Cox cable Ch. 13.

Ripples on a pond

Back in the 1990s, when I was working as a reporter for The Wichita Eagle, I traveled to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale to meet Don and Shirley Beggs. I was working on a profile of Don, who was a finalist for (and ultimately received) the job of president of Wichita State University.

I'll never forget how warm, gracious and genuinely open the Beggses were (and have continued to be to me and my husband over the years). Journalists who cover education and politics — and this story had elements of both — don't encounter that routinely.

It was also clear from the start that Don and Shirley were a unique kind of "power couple." There was real substance behind those smiles; hard work, solid character, and caring underpinned their their quiet confidence.

I see less of them now than I once did, so I was as surprised as any reader to pick up the paper this week and discover that Shirley is being treated for breast cancer. As the story by Roy Wenzl details, Shirley has faced it with her typical determination, and minimal disruption to her university duties, but finally decided to go public with her story in hopes that it might help someone else.

The day Shirley's story was published, my mother-in-law was headed in for yet another chemo treatment. It's Maggie's third go-round with breast cancer and as she'd tell you: It's kind of a drag.

But reading about Shirley's strength of spirit — and learning they go to the same clinic — gave Maggie the boost she needed to make it through the morning. Chances are these two wonderful women will never cross paths there, but like ripples on a pond, their stories have.

Go ahead, make my day!

Just got this note from a client in response to a quick editing / rewrite task I did for her this afternoon:

"Thanks for the feedback. . . . I knew it needed help. Sometimes an objective eye is the just the thing needed! It reads great now. Thanks."

Made my day!

Now playing

The long-ago promised video clips of Tom Otterness are finally here! Thanks to Lonny Quattlebaum, Greg Matthias and Rik Dubiel of Wichita State's Media Resource Center for their fantastic videography and more.


Former Wichita Eagle publisher Lou Heldman, creator of "Wichita State & The World," interviewed Ulrich Museum of Art director Patricia McDonnell.

Tom Otterness' fascinating introspective of his work included slides ranging from childhood paintings to computer-assisted designs for recent projects.

Please stand by . . .

Dreaded "technical difficulties" prevented Episode 5 of "Wichita State & The World" from airing Thursday night. Reportedly a problem with an air conditioning unit caused massive overheating in master control, which . . . well, the bottom line is, this hourlong show featuring A-list sculptor and native Wichitan Tom Otterness will debut at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11 instead. WSU TV is on Cox cable Ch. 13.

It's worth the wait — and I'd say that even if I wasn't the producer. Really. For more about the show, check out www.wichita.edu/provost.

Tom Otterness, sculptor

I'm wrapping up work on Episode 5 of "Wichita State & The World," featuring Tom Otterness. An acclaimed figurative sculptor based in New York City, Tom is a Wichita native best known for public art that combines whimsy and social satire.
The show, which debuts at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, on Channel 13 on Wichita's Cox cable, will feature footage from the installation of "Millipede" on the WSU campus as well as an illustrated lecture by Otterness.

One of my favorite things about this hourlong episode — aside from the fact that the art is a treat for the eyes — is how well it captures the fact that despite living virtually all his adult life in New York City, Otterness is still clearly a Guy From Wichita.

Check back for an update; I'll add video clips here when available.