The following is a lightly edited version of Jeff Liebermann's remarks during the AJB anniversary celebration during the 2026 SJMC Hall of Fame luncheon.
This is a great time of the year. The semester is ending, graduation is approaching, the campus comes to life both literally and in its energy. And it’s also a time for us to celebrate. For this school, celebrations started last night when the School of Journalism and Mass Communication presented more the $450,000 in scholarships and awards to 100 students.
Today, we’re welcoming two new members to the School’s Hall of Fame.
On top of all that, this afternoon we’re celebrating the 20-year anniversary of this beautiful facility, the Philip D. Adler Journalism and Mass Communication Building. It’s a pleasure to be asked to share a bit of history about this AJB with all of you. Of course, many in this room were key players in the building from the start. We’ll get to that in a bit.
Let’s start with the physical history of the School itself.
More than 100 years ago, SJMC got its start in Close Hall at the corner of Iowa Avenue and Dubuque Street, roughly where the Biology Building stands today. That building was a hand-me-down—it was a converted YMCA and auditorium that was also home to the Iowa Hawkeyes basketball team from 1896 until 1905.
Several years later, SJMC moved a couple of blocks down Iowa Avenue into what was then known as East Hall. This home also came second-hand—it was the original University Hospital.
In 1953, the UI opened the new Communication Center on Madison Street.
In the late 1990s SJMC was on the move again. The College of Engineering was undergoing a major construction and remodeling project—the engineers needed a place to work, so they took over the Communication Center.
SJMC was on the move again. This time it was back to East Hall, which has a name change to Seashore Hall, for temporary housing during the engineering project.
Fast forward to Fall 2005 when this new, modern, and first-owner media facility opened.
The funding for this building came in the form of a public-private partnership, with the State of Iowa committing $13 million and a fundraising campaign launched to secure another $6 million.
We could talk bricks and mortar for a long time, but from the start the building was about much more than walls, windows, and floors. Taking a page from the playbook of former UI President Sandy Boyd, it was all about the “people” that made this building come together like it has.
Let’s reintroduce you to some of the key players.
First, the SJMC leadership. We have the three former directors who guided this project with us today.
John Soloski—worked with Mary Sue Coleman and Linda Maxson, engaged our early prospects, sold the vision.
Venise Berry—guided the School and the campaign through a key transitional period—we needed to keep momentum and connections. People wanted to know the School was in good hands.
Pam Creedon—worked tirelessly to not only close the campaign but to work with the faculty and staff to introduce new curriculum and develop many of the programs that would call AJB home.
Faculty were involved. We highlighted there work in our campaign story, and they helped us connect with prospective contributors.
From the Daily Iowan—Bill Casey—had kept in contact with a few decades worth of DI alumni. He agreed to move into this building and become its front door. Bill and Pam launched DITV.
At the UI—Linda Maxson, Mary Sue Coleman, Sandy Boyd, David Skorton, Rod Lehnertz.
From the UI Foundation—Michael New, Dave Dierks, Rich Wretman—Andrea Beeson, our communications team.
Our campaign committee led by Alan Waxenberg. Committee members were Mike Beck, John Cochran, Pete Jeffries, Shari Roan, Brian Ross, Chuck Wanniger, Liz Mathis, Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier, Joe Hladky, Lamont Olson, Mark Mathis, Mike Moran, Neil Brown, Ron Steele, Sarah Jepsen de Tagyos, Woody Wallce, and Bill Casey.
In memoriam, Peter Sturtevant, Gil Cranberg, Jerry Hargitt, Dick Mau, Jerry Depew, Bill Mertens.
The SJMC Professional Advisory Board were advocates and contributors—our front line of best friends.
Last but not least, campaign contributors—led by Lloyd and Betty Adler Schermer who made the naming gift in memory of Betty’s father, Philip D. Adler.
Hundreds more alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and media companies contributed to this project, and each one of them has a story.
We’ve come a long way in 20 years. The world of media has changed immeasurably—content, production, distribution, consumption, and it will keep changing. This School, this building, and most of all the people—students, faculty, staff, alumni, corporate partners—will be up to the challenge.
As former director Ken Starck said in our campaign video, Iowa students will be prepared for careers that don’t even exist at the time they graduate.
Thanks to all of you who do so much to allow this School—our School—to be among the best in the country.
The photo gallery includes photos from the AJB dedication and ribbon cutting in 2005.
