A Year In Review
Moody Gets the Gold
Moody College faculty, staff and alumni take home top awards
Burnt Orange at the Academy Awards
In March, Radio-Television-Film alum Mac Ruth took home the Oscar for Best Sound at the 94th Academy Awards for his work on the epic science fiction movie “Dune.” It was his fourth nomination and first win. A production sound mixer, Ruth graduated from UT in 1990. When asked how it felt to take home the most prestigious award in cinema: “I waver between loud pride and imposter syndrome,” he said. “It’s a great privilege.”
The Pinnacle of Reporting Honors
In May, Journalism alumna Lisa Falkenberg and adjunct lecturer Michael Lindenberger and their team at the Houston Chronicle won the Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Writing for their series “The Big Lie,” which used original reporting to reveal voter suppression tactics used in Texas. It was the second Pulitzer for Falkenberg, who graduated with a degree in journalism in 2000. She is now the Chronicle’s vice president and editor of opinion. Lindenberger has taught classes in opinion writing at Moody.
UT’s Star of Tomorrow
UT alum Glen Powell, who graced screens this summer in “Top Gun: Maverick,” received CinemaCon’s Star of Tomorrow award for his recent and upcoming work. “Pinching myself that hard work is paying off and dreams are coming true,” he wrote on Instagram.
Speech Team Achieves Major Win
The Texas Speech team, led by Communication Studies Professor of Instruction Randy Cox, took the top prize at the 2022 American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament. The Texas House of Representatives recognized the team in a resolution, and the City of Austin issued a proclamation declaring May 17, 2022 Texas Speech Team Day.
Acclaimed Work
This year, Moody faculty and alumni produced compelling creative works, including these books, movies and podcasts.
BOOKS
Bots
Written by Samuel Woolley with Nick Monaco
Latino TV: A History
Written by Mary Beltrán
It’s Not Just the Cookies: Stories and
Recipes from the Tiff’s Treats Kitchen
Written by alumni Tiffany and Leon Chen
The Man Who Made Mark Twain Famous
Written by alumnus Cappy McGarr
With the Bark Off: A Journalist’s Memories
of LBJ and a Life in the News Media
Written by alumnus Neal Spelce
PODCASTS
Devilish Deeds
The Drag Audio
Crooked Power
The Drag Audio
Darkness: Season 2
The Drag Audio
Tenfold More Wicked
Created by Professor of Practice Kate Winkler Dawson
MOVIES
Top Gun: Maverick
Featuring alumnus Glen Powell
What We Leave Behind
Directed by Assistant Professor Iliana Sosa
Brother
Directed by Associate Professor Ya’Ke Smith
Dune
Sound by alumnus Mac Ruth
Sing 2
Featuring alumnus Matthew McConaughey
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
A Recap of Some of This Year’s Most Notable Events
Second Annual Diversity in Media Symposium
LGBTQIA+ athletes, photographers, filmmakers and other creatives came together in April to talk about their struggles in the writer’s room, on film sets and in the field. They shared what they’ve done to make a name for themselves, while also carving out space for other queer and trans people to succeed. Emil Wilbekin, former editor in chief of Vibe Magazine and founder of Native Son, gave the keynote speech. Panels focused on centering the stories of trans athletes, the dynamism and diversity of queer storytelling and life after Moody, featuring alums and their allies.
Moody College Family Spring Social
Moody College faculty and staff shared food, drinks and played games at the spring social in April, held at Bouldin Acres. Several kids and dogs also showed up in what was a welcomed reunion for many who have been working remote.
Screening of Dylan Clark’s The Batman
Executive Producer Dylan Clark visited Moody College in May for a special screening of his new film “The Batman,” a fresh take on the Caped Crusader. He stayed after for a Q&A with students, sharing his inspiration for the movie and advice to students entering the film world.
A Visit From Mike Jackson
Emmy and Tony Award-winning producer Mike Jackson, who recently moved to Austin, visited a Radio-Television-Film class in April to talk about his experience in the industry and his production company Get Lifted Film Co., founded with music superstar John Legend, which aims to elevate Black voices.
Kickoff of Sports Journalism Camp
A group of 25 Texas high school students attended the inaugural Sports Journalism Camp, a three-day crash course in skills like podcasting, opinion writing, anchoring a news broadcast and writing a game story, among other skills, featuring the state’s top athletes and sports journalists. The camp was made possible in part through donations from The Headliners Foundation of Texas’s Verne Lundquist Institute.
2022 Hearst Lecture
In April, Matt Murray, editor in chief of The Wall Street Journal, gave the 2022 Hearst Lecture, titled “Challenges and Opportunities for the Press Amid Rapid Change.” He shared his thoughts about the skills and qualities journalists need today and the opportunities they have to fill critical gaps in news coverage, as well as the challenges amid today’s political climate and having the time and resources to write thoughtful feature stories.
Family Network Gathering
The Moody College Family Network held its annual incoming students party this August. Hosted by chairs Julie and Buddie Ballard at their home near the UT Austin campus, students and families gathered from across the country and nation to meet college leadership, network with other families and send their Moody College students off in style, all while enjoying an Austin staple, the breakfast taco.
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