1. Dr.
Paulette
D.
Kilmer
3000
Sullivan
Hall
March
26,
2015
Ann Riggs, Receptionist & Secretary
The Ohio Newspapers Foundation
1335 Dublin Road, Suite 216-B,
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Dear Ms. Riggs:
Ms. Samantha Rhodes, the managing editor at our campus student newspaper, The
Independent Collegian, enjoys her role in the newsroom and loves the challenge of
managing her time. She balances extensive hours at the paper with maintaining a near 4-
point average, fulfilling Honors College requirements, serving as the marketing director
for a new student organization that coordinates volunteer opportunities in the community,
and participating in Phi Eta Sigma, a communication national honor society.
This semester (spring 2015) in my feature writing as true stories course, Ms.
Rhodes has impressed me with her drive to learn new things and challenge herself.
Instead of submitting articles she writes for the newspaper, she writes features to send to
magazines and then spends time carefully crafting her query letters. The result will be
improvement in her newspaper features, too. She writes fluently and imaginatively,
without errors, focusing on facts and incorporating details to show rather than tell readers
what is going on. Despite being extremely busy with duties at the paper, Ms. Rhodes
finishes her work often early so that I can read it before she submits the final version to
recommend changes in structure as well as addition or deletion of information.
In the past, her energy, enthusiasm, and perseverance have impressed me as I
have mentored her through the independent study courses I coordinate for IC students.
Her performance in my class this spring not only has demonstrated these strengths but
also has reflected her compassion and intelligence. She encourages other students in the
class who are not as skilled or experienced as she is to do their best because everyone can
publish. Her can-do attitude is infectious.
College of Communication and The Arts
Department of Communication
Mail Stop #505
Toledo, Ohio 43606-3390
419.530.2005 Phone
419-530.4771 Fax
www.utoledo.edu

2. As she passes on her skills in news writing, reporting, and training recruits to the
editors and writers she mentors, Ms. Rhodes also models the power of positive thinking
every day. She sets a laudable example for writers by taking pride in her schoolwork,
attending class, and earning high grades. Her academic efforts have put her on both the
UT President’s and Dean’s lists for academic excellence as well as earned her
scholarships from the Communication Department. Ms. Rhodes understands that
journalists need a strong liberal arts education as well as professional skills. She is
completing a double major in English and communication with a journalism
concentration. UT students select concentrations in the Communication Department to
pursue media careers. Her goal is to work as a journalist, possibly an editor or reporter.
She is open to opportunities that might arise online as well as in traditional newsrooms
and even in other venues of publishing where a journalism background will be essential.
Right now, she is concentrating on learning all the skills in writing, reporting, editing,
designing, and laying out pages as well as management possible during her service as a
leader of the IC editorial team. She knows that jobs will change a bit as technology
continues to evolve, but she has set a personal goal of finding her niche in serving the
public as a journalist. She has studied the SPJ Code of Ethics, too, which was not
required but shows her sincere determination to do all she can to prepare for a career in
news.
I cannot think of anyone more deserving for your University Journalism
Scholarship. Ms. Rhodes is learning invaluable time management skills as well as
professional tools to prepare for a future in journalism. She writes fluently and always
talks to enough sources to explain situations from diverse perspectives. She attends
workshops, learns computer programs that are essential in doing online journalism and
design, and seeks constructive criticism of her work because she knows that she cannot
grow if she does not learn from her mistakes (no matter how minor they may be). I
hesitate to list the programs she uses in her position at the paper because she eagerly adds
to her knowledge of social media as well as software whenever possible, which means
any account would be obsolete before you received it.
Without hesitation, I nominate Ms. Rhodes for your University Journalism
Scholarship. I think she would be an ideal candidate for your scholarship because she
strives to set an ethical example for her staff while maintaining a high grade point
average, which she considers practice in keeping promises—a trait that helps journalists
maintain their credibility. She cares about professionalism, fairness, and seeks to reveal
the truth in her articles. We have discussed active listening and the need to be attentive to
build rapport with interviewees. If you wish to talk to me about her many talents and
tremendous potential, contact me at 419-297-2764 or pkilmer@utnet.utoledo.edu. I never
tire of bragging about my most intelligent, flexible, and gracious students.
Yours truly,
Dr. Paulette D. Kilmer,
Professor of Journalism