The University Record, May 6, 2002

Michigan Journalism Fellows named

By Wendy Palms

The U-M Journalism Fellows program has named 12 American journalists for the academic year 2002–03. An additional six international fellows will be designated next month.

While on leave from regular duties, Michigan Fellows pursue custom-designed sabbatical studies and attend special, twice-weekly seminars at Wallace House, a gift from newsman Mike Wallace and his wife, Mary. The group of journalists named for the coming academic year is the 30th to be offered fellowships by the University.

Each Michigan Fellow receives a stipend of $55,000, supported by gifts from foundations, news organizations and individuals committed to improving the quality of information reaching the public.

Professor Charles R. Eisendrath, who directs the program, is a former foreign correspondent for Time Magazine with broad experience in print, broadcast and online journalism.

U-M fellows and their study projects are

  • Peter Elstrom, senior writer, Business Week—Business, politics and American history

  • Andrew Finkle, contract correspondent (Istanbul), Time Magazine, BBC World Service, The Washington Post—Corruption and strategies of reform in the developing world

  • Ron French, enterprise reporter, The Detroit News—Applying screenwriting techniques to narrative journalism

  • Sandy Heng, reporter, WXYZ-TV (Detroit)—Psychology of motorsports

  • Scott Huler, reporter/producer, Nashville Public Radio—History and impact of the Beaufort Scale

  • Robert Daniel Huntley, columnist, The Charlotte Observer—Economic history of the American South: 1865–1965

  • Lisa Lednicer, state government reporter, The Oregonian—Rise of anti-government movements

  • Kemp Powers, Chicago bureau reporter, Forbes Magazine—Global business

  • Michelle Quinn, business reporter, San Jose Mercury News—The business of medicine

  • Sally Sherry— news reporter, KGYV-TV (San Diego, Calif.)—Legal issues of international immigration

  • Yvonne Simons, education reporter, WRAL-TV (N.C.)—Education reform

  • Seth Sutel, media business writer, Associated Press (N.Y.)—Economics of the media

    revolution.