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Dean's Newsletter

2018 Commencement

Dean’s Letter – June 2018

June 6, 2018

June 6, 2018 Greetings from North Gate Hall: At a time when the civic mission of the news media is under assault, the rise of the #MeToo movement reminds all of us of the transformative power journalism can have when determined reporters ignore decades of neglect and expose practices that systematically disadvantage millions of people.…

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A charming building with large windows glowing warmly from interior lights, surrounded by lush greenery and climbing vines. The brick pathway in front is illuminated by soft, ambient lighting, adding to the cozy and inviting atmosphere of the scene, reminiscent of a Berkeley Journalism retreat.

Dean’s Letter – March 2018

March 23, 2018

March 22, 2018 Greetings from North Gate Hall: Spring Welcome is the annual visit of students whom we’ve admitted, and it’s our chance to pitch the School to a lustrous group of aspiring journalists. It’s also a look ahead at the state of the profession in the years to come, something I’m often asked about…

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A charming building with large windows glowing warmly from interior lights, surrounded by lush greenery and climbing vines. The brick pathway in front is illuminated by soft, ambient lighting, adding to the cozy and inviting atmosphere of the scene, reminiscent of a Berkeley Journalism retreat.

Dean’s Letter – November 2017

November 27, 2017

November 17, 2017 Warm greetings from North Gate Hall: Fall is here, the air is crisp and fresh and, thankfully, the sharp smell from the devastating fires to the north of us has faded. Even while we remain in a defensive crouch–alongside many of you in this bizarre political culture, where journalism’s legitimacy is in…

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A group of five people gather around a man sitting at a desk in an office cubicle. The man at the desk looks at his monitor, while the others stand close by, watching with interest. The scene appears lively and friendly, with various office supplies visible, including a sign that reads "CAUSA JUSTA JUST CAUSE" and a Dean's Letter from June 2017.

Dean’s Letter – June 2017

June 1, 2017

June 21, 2017 Warm greetings from North Gate Hall: After a raucous year of political shocks, which continue to raise tough questions about the kind of journalism the times demand, it’d be nice to report that we’re all getting some year-end repose under the friendly Northern California sun, admiring the wisteria abloom in the courtyard.…

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In what appears to be an office or classroom setting, a group of thirteen men and women of diverse backgrounds pose together in a room with blue doors and posters on the walls. Some are standing while others are seated. It seems the moment captures their gathering for the Dean's Letter in March 2017.

Quarterly Dean’s Letter – March 2017

March 1, 2017

March 30, 2017 Warm greetings from North Gate Hall: Keeping up with the flood of news about our students, teachers and alums is one of the true pleasures of this job. The latest happenings include a continuing cascade of honors for our journalists, a two-week Robert Frank photography show that brought hundreds to North Gate Hall,…

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Dean’s Letter – November 2016

November 1, 2016

November 16, 2016 Warm greetings from North Gate Hall: The fall term is hurtling toward an unusually eventful close. The electoral outcome not only triggered fevered talk about press failings, social media power, and the need for a courageous Fourth Estate. It also touched off several nights of raucous street protest in Oakland, which J-students…

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A large group of graduates in caps and gowns poses together outdoors on a sunny June 2016 day. They stand on a curved pathway in front of a building surrounded by greenery and trees. Some graduates wear honor cords and sashes, while others are dressed in academic regalia, proudly holding the Dean's Letter.

Dean’s Letter – June 2016

June 1, 2016

June 3, 2016 Warm greetings from North Gate Hall: Under a blazing Berkeley sky we sent the Class of ’16 on its way a few Sundays ago. It was the biggest graduating class in recent memory (66 grads) as well as the most international (nearly 28 percent, from 12 countries.) It was a remarkably accomplished…

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A woman stands on a circular stage giving a TED Talk. Behind her is a large screen displaying a scientific diagram, and there are smaller screens with her image and name, Jennifer Kahn. The audience is seated in a semi-circular arrangement, captivated by the insights Jennifer shared in the March 2016 Dean's Letter.

Dean’s Letter – March 2016

March 1, 2016

March 2, 2016 Warm greetings from North Gate Hall: Sometimes things happen the way they’re supposed to, and virtue is rewarded. We’ve been having a strong run of good news, I’m pleased to report, from faculty and alums nominated for Oscars and drawing stellar reviews for new books and TV productions, to current students honored…

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Four smiling individuals stand together outdoors. One person has long black hair and wears a red and white striped top, another has short blonde hair and a black jacket, the third has long brown hair and glasses, and the fourth has long dark hair, wearing a green striped top. It reminds one of a scene from November 2015.

Dean’s Letter – November 2015

November 1, 2015

November 18, 2015 Warm greetings from North Gate: The intensity and creative richness of the Graduate School of Journalism never cease to impress me, as I’m sure they do you as well. From tales of injustice and unchecked power to stories of wrongs righted and corruption exposed, North Gate Hall produces an uninterrupted flow of…

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Dean’s Letter – June 2015

June 1, 2015

June 9, 2015 Warm greetings from North Gate: Whether you’re student, teacher, or staff, the end of the school year comes like the sprint at the end of a distance event, and you wind up feeling much the same mix of pride and exhaustion. This year’s harvest of student work—presented, for the first time, in…

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