ILLUMINATE!
Introducing Murrow Symposium 48 – “Illuminate! The Power of Untold Stories,” an exciting annual event designed to captivate the minds of both students and communication professionals alike. In a world where communicators skillfully blend words and visuals, we invite you on a compelling journey with us.
Murrow Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Maria Hinojosa
The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication is delighted to announce Maria Hinojosa, the Pulitzer Prize winning broadcast journalist, will receive the Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism at the 48th Murrow Symposium, where she will also deliver the keynote address on April 3, 2024.
Born in Mexico City, raised in Chicago and educated at Barnard College, Hinojosa’s career includes reporting for PBS, CBS, WNBC, CNN, and NPR, as well as anchoring the Emmy Award-winning talk show “Maria Hinojosa: One-on-One.” Hinojosa made history as the first Latina in many of the newsrooms in which she worked. She has earned numerous accolades including four Emmys, the John Chancellor Award, the Studs Terkel Community Media Award, two Robert F. Kennedy Awards, and the Ruben Salazar Lifetime Achievement Award.
PRE SYMPOSIUM AUTHOR TALK WITH MARIA HINOJOSA
Once I Was You
As a special addition this year, the WSU Alumni Association’s virtual book club, Well Read Cougs, selected Hinojosa’s 2020 book, “Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America,” as the first Group Pick of 2024. All WSU alumni, faculty, and friends are invited to participate at no charge. Book club members have access to an online discussion space and will be invited to a hybrid conversation with the author at 4 pm on April 2, 2024.
Meet Our Keynote Speakers
APRIL 3 OPENING BREAKFAST KEYNOTE
Lisa Young
Lisa Young (’02) joined the Seahawks in 2005, steadily advancing within the organization’s partnerships department. Young oversees all aspects of the team’s Corporate Partnerships group.
Lisa also contributes to academia as an Adjunct Professor at Seattle University, teaching in the Albers School of Business & Economics, Sports & Entertainment MBA program.
Before joining the Seahawks, she initiated her career in advertising at a boutique firm in San Diego. A graduate of the Murrow School of Communications, Lisa resides in Woodinville, Wash., with her husband Jeremy and their two children, Caroline and Harrison.
APRIL 4 BREAKFAST KEYNOTE
Doug Thielen
Doug Thielen (’02) has spent the past 20+ years working in the outdoor, sporting goods, retail, apparel, CPG, and food industry sectors, where he’s led award-winning campaigns for companies like REI, Filson, Ford Bronco, Mtn Dew, Native Eyewear, Qdoba and Dickies. As the current Chief Marketing Officer for Selkirk Sport, Thielen is shepherding this hyper-growth-oriented brand towards the intersection of Commerce x Content and Culture x Community; the place where modern brands thrive.
While he received his start with WSU’s Athletic Marketing Department activating sponsorships, Thielen has gone on to build brands and engage communities through work in brand strategy/positioning, growth and performance marketing, social media, email, content creation, PR, and experiential initiatives.
APRIL 4 CLOSING LUNCH KEYNOTE
Janie McCauley
Janie McCauley (’98) started her professional journey at the Spokesman-Review where she dedicated two and a half years to reporting local sports. In November 2000, she transitioned to The Associated Press’ Seattle Bureau, covering Ichiro Suzuki’s remarkable rookie year with the Mariners, a season in which the team won 116 games.
In 2002, McCauley relocated to San Francisco, covering the iconic Barry Bonds and his quest to become home run king, which he ultimately achieved in 2007. She was named AP’s Sports Writer of the Year for her exemplary coverage in 2005. McCauley remains based in the Bay Area focused on duties as a national baseball writer and covering the Golden State Warriors and Stanford women’s basketball.
McCauley is gearing up for her sixth Olympic assignment, slated to cover swimming and other beats at the upcoming Summer Games in Paris. Her previous Olympic coverage includes the Summer Games in Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro, as well as the Winter Games in 2006 and 2010. She has also reported on the World Cup in Brazil, Women’s World Cup in Canada, Warriors’ NBA Finals, two Super Bowls and four World Series.
McCauley is married to fellow AP Sports Writer Josh Dubow and they have two daughters, Emma and Lily.
The Art Eckman Fund in Sports Communication honors Murrow alum and renowned sports broadcaster, Art Eckman (’64).
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Make an impact for students in the Murrow College.
Looking to increase your company’s brand recognition with Murrow Cougs? Recruiting talented individuals for internships or full-time positions? Want to network with communication leaders? Was the Murrow Symposium an impactful experience for you which you want to pay forward to current students?
Sponsors of the Murrow Symposium receive unique recognition benefits, including brand recognition, opportunities to recruit top communication students, and networking opportunities with Murrow College alumni and industry leaders. Sponsors allow the Symposium to be a free event for students, alumni and community members.
We can work with you to customize your sponsorship level and recognition package to best suit your needs.
Sample sponsorship levels and recognition benefits can be found in the 2024 Symposium Sponsorship Grid.
To discuss this opportunity, please reach out to April Johnson, Senior Director of Development, at april.s.johnson@wsu.edu or 206-428-3026.