Frank Center for Leadership and Innovation in Media Events, College of Media
Thursday, February 5, 2026
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5:00 pmStudents are invited to an online workshop to learn more about television newswriting with Jeff Butera, author of Write Like You Talk: A Guide to Broadcast Newswriting. Butera is a 12-time Emmy Award-winning journalist who has reported for stations across the country. He is currently a weekday news anchor at Spectrum Bay News 9 in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
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5:00 pmRichmond Studio, 1110 W. Main, UrbanaStudents are invited to a workshop on in-studio anchoring tips with alum and Emmy-award winner Lauren Scafidi (BS ’19, journalism), anchor and reporter at 9NEWS in Denver, Colorado.
Friday, February 20, 2026
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12:00 - 1:30 pmFrank Newsroom at Richmond Studio, 1110 W. Main, UrbanaStudents are invited to a lunch with alum and Emmy-award winner Lauren Scafidi (BS ’19, journalism), anchor and reporter at 9NEWS in Denver, Colorado. During her time at U of I Scafidi served as president of the Society of Professional Journalists, helped start the University's first morning show Good Morning Illini, hosted a radio show on WPGU-FM, and more.
Friday, February 27, 2026
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12:00 - 1:30 pmFrank Newsroom at Richmond Studio, 1110 W. Main, UrbanaLearn more about the career journey of Joe Sargis (BS ’13, journalism) and his time at Fox News as a senior producer. During his time at U of I he was an on-air personality at WPGU-FM, an active member at UI7 News, and a Student U broadcaster for the Big Ten Network. Sargis worked at WCIU-TV in Chicago as a production assistant, associate producer, and then line producer.