Faculty

Adviser/Business Manager Track
Laura Widmer, workshop co-director and founder, advises two ACP Hall of Fame publications at Northwest Missouri State. Her publications have been recognized as Pacemaker or Pacemaker finalist 16 times, and Gold or Silver Crown winners 12 times. She was inducted into the CMA Hall of Fame, awarded the CMA distinguished Adviser Award for yearbook and multimedia, and earned the CSPA Gold Key.

Editorial Leadership Track
Linda S. Puntney, workshop co-director, has advised national award winners on every level. She is adviser to the Kansas State Royal Purple – Gold Crown and Pacemaker 16 of 17 years. Puntney has been awarded the CMA Distinguished Adviser Award for yearbook and magazine, received the CSPA Gold Key and was inducted into the CMA Hall of Fame.

Section Editors Track
Sally Turner started out as a newspaper writer and editor. For the past 20 years, she has advised collegiate newspapers and yearbooks. She is the yearbook adviser at Eastern Illinois University.

Feature Writing Track
Judy Thomas is a nationally-recognized projects reporter for The Kansas City Star. In her 20 years as a reporter, she has covered plane crashes, bombings and murders, been threatened with an assault rifle, found in contempt of court and sued for millions by the “patriot” movement. She also earned the Sigma Delta Chi Award for Excellence in Journalism for her series “AIDS in the Priesthood.”

Design Track
Michael Dunlap and his students consistently win top national honors, including the Pacemaker and Crown awards. As adviser at Blue Valley West, Dunlap has twice been runner-up for the National Yearbook Adviser of the Year Award. He’s been chairman of JEA’s national convention and was an editor at Northwest Missouri State University.

Design Track
Kevin Fullerton is an award-winning designer whose work is showcased in several graphic design books. He launched Springboard Creative after years as an art director and a creative director. His clients include a business magazine, a trade magazine, a federal agency and even a vineyard. Fullerton got his start on the Tower yearbook at Northwest Missouri State University.

Photography Track
Kelly Glasscock is a freelance photographer for the Wichita Eagle and a photography instructor. He served as photo editor for both the Collegian and the Royal Purple while a student at Kansas State. As a senior he attended the Eddie Adams Workshop in New York City where he won first in sports photography and was featured in the Leading Off section of Sports Illustrated.

Idea Forum
Kate Harrison has served as graphic artist, web designer and internet specialist while at Ritenour School District in St. Louis. Harrison was an editor at Northwest Missouri State University.