Conversations with COJO

Landon Dierks

Student host Taylor Tennant talks with Landon Dierks, who is an SDSU journalism alumni and sports editor for the Mitchell Republic. 

Stefanie Fauth

Student host Jordan Roemeling talks with COJO graduate alum Stefanie Fauth. Stefanie is a Senior Communications Specialist at Dominium, Inc. and also an actor and filmmaker.  Her graduate project was a documentary film entitled "Women in Film in Minnesota," which will be featured during the COJO Cinema event at the South Dakota Art Museum on April 14.

Steve Jurrens

Student host Annie Witt talks with Steve Jurrens, who is the News Director at KXLG Radio 99.1 in Watertown, South Dakota.

Jeanine Basinger

Student host Natalie Dean talks to Jeanine Basinger.  Basinger is the Corwin-Fuller Professor of Film Studies at Wesleyan University, where she is also the founder and curator of the Wesleyan Cinema Archives and chair of the Film Studies Department. She has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from SDSU, and has authored several books on film history.

Finn Kane

Student hosts Coryn Wolff and Tessa Henderson talk to COJO graduate student Finn Kane.  Finn is a teaching assistant in the Basic Media Writing course and it is working on a documentary for his graduate professional project.

This is the last episode of the fall semester, however look for new episodes in January.

Mary Jo Nesmith

Student hosts Coryn Wolff Tessa Henderson talk with COJO faculty member Dr. Mary Jo Nesmith, who has designed and taught the online SPCM 101 course for over 10 years.

Lura Roti

Student host Anna Poull talks to COJO alum Lura Roti. Lura is an agriculture journalism and Master of Mass Communication graduate of SDSU. She grew up on a ranch in western South Dakota but today she calls the Cathedral Historic District of Sioux Falls home.
Lura has worked as a freelance journalist and media relations specialist for more than two decades. She loves telling the stories of agriculture and rural life – and engaging with the people, places, science, culture, businesses and organizations that make up South Dakota agriculture. Utilizing diverse platforms to share these stories, Lura’s work can be found in print publications, on the radio, TV and web.
Since 2020, Lura has had the opportunity to share her knowledge with the next generation as an adjunct professor. 

Kevin Kling

Student hosts Coryn Wolff and Tessa Henderson talk to playwright, actor, author, storyteller and cultural advocate Kevin Kling. Kevin visited SDSU on October 16th, and Coryn and Tessa talked with him prior to his visit.

V.J. Smith

Student host Anna Poull talks with V.J. Smith, a 1978 graduate of SDSU. V.J. worked as an assistant athletic director and then executive director of the SDSU Alumni Association. He is a motivational speaker and author, including a book entitled "Jackrabbit Tales."

Jon Bakken

Student hosts Coryn Wolff and Tessa Henderson talk with Jon Bakken, who is the elementary 4th and 5th grade orchestra teacher in Brookings. He is also the author of the book Tiger Meat: The Stories Behind South Dakota’s Best Music, which will be featured at the South Dakota Festival of Books on campus this weekend.  Jon is also hosts the website Tiger Meat: South Dakota Music.