Student Profile
Sara Goers

Major: Broadcast news and sociology

Hometown: Omaha, NE

Internships or work experience: News intern, WHO, Des Moines; news intern, KCCI, Des Moines; production assistant, WOI, Des Moines; news intern, KPTM, Omaha, NE.

Notable Achievement: Top Sophomore and Junior of the Year awards, two-time Jim Duncan Journalism Scholarship recipient, Germany Today for American Student Journalists participant, 4.0 GPA in major, 2003-2004 Journalism Council President, DrakeLINE Best Newswriter.

Campus Activities: Campus Fellowship, Drake Broadcasting System, Peer Advisory Board, resident assistant, Investment Club, orientation counselor.

Off-Campus Interests: Running, rollerblading, hanging out with friends, Tae Kwon Do.

"At Drake, I have been exposed to ideas, issues and people that are very different than what I ever knew before. But I have learned that difference does not automatically mean 'good' or 'bad,' 'right' or 'wrong.' Dealing with diversity on a whole new level has challenged my beliefs and caused me to grow into a person I never dreamed of being."

Faculty Profile
John Lytle

Title: Ellis and Nelle Levitt Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication

Background: B.S. in Telecommunicative Arts and M.S. in Mass Communication from Iowa State University. Arrived at Drake in August 1977 following 19 months at South Dakota State University and full-time broadcasting experience in Sioux City, IA, and State College, PA, and with the U.S. Army in New York City and Stuttgart, West Germany.

Various Classes Taught: Primarily radio and television reporting and production classes, with a smattering of other courses serving a broader constituency.

Professional Associations: Iowa Broadcast News Association, Radio-Television News Directors Association, Society of Professional Journalists.

Research Interests: Salary and work condition research for the Iowa Broadcast News Association.

Campus Activities: Adviser, Drake chapter, Society of Professional Journalists. Member of various SJMC committees. Spearheads annual holiday newsletter for radio-TV and broadcast news alumni.

Off-the-Job Interests: Assistant organist, Plymouth Congregational Church, Des Moines.

"From the beginning Drake SJMC has attracted wonderful teachers possessing professional experience in their various fields. It's a joy to work beside these dedicated individuals as we confront challenges of this new century."

Alumni Profile
Sarah Stokes, JO'00

Occupation: Reporter, fill-in anchor at KOLR, Fox 27 News in Springfield, MO.

Notable Achievements: Stokes has been nominated for an Edward R. Murrow Award and has received two broadcast writing awards from both the Minnesota and North Dakota Associated Press. She also was instrumental in taking the fourth-ranked KVRR Sunday night broadcast in Fargo, ND, to No. 1.

Off-the-Job Interests: "Delta Gamma! I fell in love with it at Drake and continue to love it! I want to get a chapter started in Springfield. I also like to read, fish, water ski, snowmobile and shop with friends."

Favorite Drake Class: "Anything in the basement of Meredith! I loved our broadcast practicum, and DrakeLINE was the closest thing to the real TV deal a college kid could get."

"I had a wonderful four years at Drake, learning from the best and taking charge of my life and leadership potential within Delta Gamma. I continue to chat with my professors even three years out of school. They are valuable mentors and resources."