Journalism Alumni Speakers Series resumes with John Wallace, Feb. 16-17

Feb. 10, 2009 -- John Wallace, the former public affairs director for national operations for Verizon, is the first speaker in the spring resumption of the Journalism Alumni Speakers Series at Arkansas State University. Wallace, a 1974 graduate of ASU, will address students and faculty Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 16-17.

He has a full slate of events during his visit, including speaking to the Principles of Advertising and Principles of Public Relations classes on Monday. After meeting with ASU Chancellor Robert L. Potts, Wallace is also scheduled to attend Public Relations Case Studies and Campaigns and meet with the Herald staff later in the day.

Tuesday’s agenda includes a visit with executive director of public relations Markham Howe before attending Crisis Communications and Public Relations Tools and Techniques and Public Affairs Reporting classes.

Wallace has spent 27 years in the journalism field, including holding the position of strategic employee communications director for Verizon. Before Verizon, Wallace worked for several different newspapers, including working as sports editor for the Blytheville Courier News, news editor of the Paragould Daily Press and editor of the Jacksonville Daily News.

He was hired at General Telephone in 1978 and served as media relations director, public affairs director, and as coordinator of employee communications and media relations of General Telephone’s eight regional public affairs directors. When Verizon bought General Telephone in 2001, Wallace became the public affairs director for national operations.

While at ASU, Wallace was the editor of The Herald when the school’s newspaper earned All-America status. He was also the first president of the student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and was awarded a Student of Distinction Award. The Department of Journalism named him an outstanding graduate.

Wallace retired in 2005 and now works as the legacy planning director for his church in Colleyville, Texas, and does some freelance writing.

For more information, contact Dr. Joel Gambill, chair of the Department of Journalism and associate professor of journalism, at (870) 972-3075, or e-mail him at jgambil@astate.edu.
 

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--release by Caitlin Berry, student intern in the Office of Public Relations/University Communications.