“A talented and wise professional, the top of his field” ...
JOHN OHENDALSKI, 1928-2008
They’re still talking about John Ohendalski’s passion for ideas, the arts and lifelong learning. Mr. Ohendalski, an Army
veteran, devout Presbyterian and all-around TCU Frog — master’s degree, science writer, editorial services director, editor of The TCU
Magazine — died April 1. Let TCU Vice Chancellor Larry Lauer fill in the blanks ...
He was John O to most everyone. That was because no one could spell his last
name.
He came to TCU as a science writer from the Fort Worth Press even before I came
to TCU as a young professor in 1966. Years later when I became head of
university communications, John was still on that team, and thankfully he
stayed. By then he had become editor of The TCU Magazine and made it an award
winner, and clearly he had the reputation at TCU and beyond of being a
brilliant writer and editor.
John could edit for style, for grammar and for content. He was an encyclopedia
of TCU facts. I wanted anything official to go under his eyes before it went
out. I could rest easy only if John proofed it.
He also was a counselor to many, including me. Whenever I faced serious issues I
always consulted with John. He was a wealth of experience and approached every
situation with deep sensitivity and true humanity. Without exception, doing the
right thing was always his top priority.
It follows that John was very interested in his church. I remember the time he
roped me into teaching a course on a Wednesday night on religion and the mass
media. I hesitated to give up still another evening, but it turned out to be an
incredible experience that I have always treasured.
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MEETINGS
Program to be announced.
Time & date: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, May 27
Place: Petroleum Club, Carter-Burgess Plaza, 777 Main St., 39th floor
Parking: $2.50 in parking garage at Seventh and Commerce streets
Cost: members $25, nonmembers $30, students $20 (online add $1)
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It’s All About the Media on Media Day
Do we really need a fine expository paragraph here? The players tell you all you
need to know: Lauren Vargas, a local social media creator who has helped PR practitioners implement social
media techniques. Giovanni Gallucci, sharing real-life successes in social media and explaining how to measure
results via social networks. Gary Hardee, the man behind the transformation of the Star-Telegram web site, overviewing
how web sites are affecting news delivery. La Estrella publisher David Sedeño, exploring the growing role of media for specific audiences.
Time & date: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 14
Place: Petroleum Club, Carter-Burgess Plaza, 777 Main St., 39th floor
Parking: $2.50 in parking garage at Seventh and Commerce streets
Cost: members $25, nonmembers $30, students $20
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No meeting this month. Next month? Absolutely.
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STRAIGHT STUFF
Fiction and fantasy novelist turned screenwriter Jeffrey Turner will describe “Three Essentials of the Screenwriting Trade” at the Writers’ Guild of Texas third-Monday meeting at 7 p.m. May 19 at the Richardson Public
Library, 900 Civic Center Drive. Turner in 2002 was a finalist in the Hollywood
Symposium screenwriting competition and since then has optioned seven
screenplays to independent film companies. More from organizer Carol Woods. ...
Worth a repeat from last month: Radio personality and high-energy author Bryan Dodge will detail “How to Build a Better You” at the American Society of Business Publication Editors meeting Wednesday, May
14, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Southern Recipes Grill, 2715 N. Collins St.,
Arlington. Cost (includes lunch): $20 ASBPE members, $25 nonmembers. RSVP: Tonie Auer, 817-925-2013 or tonieauer@gmail.com. ...
Entry deadline is June 30 for the Bastiat Prize for Journalism, sponsored by the International Policy Network, a London-based think tank.
Three authors whose published articles “eloquently and wittily explain, promote and defend the principles of the free
society, including property rights, free markets, sound science, limited
government and the rule of law” will share the $15,000 prize.
IABC local update: IABC Fort Worth’s Summer Seminar Series debuts at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at Euless City Hall with “Brains on Fire” blogger Geno Church fronting a 90-minute webinar on how to spark a word-of-mouth revolution for a PR
campaign. Cost is $25 for chapter members, $30 nonmembers. IABC members, watch
your inbox for registration info.
IABC local update II: “Internal communication without paper at eBay.” It’s what Peter Vogt does, but it’s also the topic of his talk at the Dallas IABC meeting Tuesday, May 13. Info here.
PRSA local update: Chapter members will work the first More Life Festival, May
10-June 7, as part of PRSA’s yearlong volunteer push. A collaboration of the AIDS Outreach Center, Fort
Worth Opera, Samaritan House Tarrant County, AIDS Interfaith Network and more
than 20 arts, science and education organizations, the festival will educate
the community, boost awareness of resources and reduce the stigma associated
with HIV/AIDS. More from organizer Glenda Thompson at glenda@gesturesmarketing.com.
PRSA local update II: An information session on earning the APR, open to public
relations and communications professionals, will precede the monthly meeting
Wednesday, May 14, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Petroleum Club. RSVP to kim@balcomagency.com.
PRSA local update III: Save 5:30 p.m. May 29 for a special event at Rassi
Interactive presented by the GFW PRSA President’s Council and the Masters SIG. Details soon.
PRSA local update IV: Congratulations to Kristen and Richie Escovedo on the April 5 birth of their son, Ryan Gregory Escovedo. You want to see pictures, you know you do.
PRSA local update V: Join PRSA national in May or June, and get a year of
chapter dues ($45) free. New members, note promotional code CHAP2008 on the application. ... Web chair Richie Escovedo has updated the site. Shoot those comments to richie.escovedo@gmail.com. ... The Independent Practitioners SIG meets monthly. E- Nancy Farrar at nancyh829@aol.com. ... And for facts and figures on that new special interest group for PR pros in the nonprofit sector, e- Nancy O’Malley at nomalley@UWMTC.org.
PRSA local update VI: Teresa Henderson with Edelman Southwest will present “The 2008 Trust Barometer: Who Do You Trust?” at the Dallas PRSA meeting Thursday, May 8. Details here.
