Newspapers have shifted from strongly favoring Republican candidates in the 1950s to dividing their editorial endorsements almost equally In the 1948 U.S. presidential election, republican presidential candidate and Governor of New York Thomas E. Dewey was heavily favored and endorsed by more than 80 percent of America’s newspapers. Journalists at the Chicago Tribune were so sure of Dewey’s win that the newspaper printed its morning edition early with the now infamous headline “Dewey Defeats Truman.” What was predicted to be an easy win for Dewey is now considered to be the greatest election upset in American history as presidential incumbent Harry S. Truman swept the polls. It’s scenarios like the 1948 presidential election that have Journalism Professor Joel Campbell taking a closer look at the effectiveness of editorial endorsements of presidential candidates. “It’s difficult to say if there is any strong correlation between endorsements and how people vote,” Campbell said. “But more often than not, presidential candidates with the largest percentage of newspaper endorsements have won since 1940, the notable exceptions being Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.” According to Campbell’s research published in The 21st Century Voter: Who Votes, How they Vote, and Why They Vote, there was a substantial shift in how the news media endorsed candidates throughout the last 50 years: Newspapers have shifted from strongly favoring Republican candidates in the 1940s and 1950s to dividing their editorial endorsements almost equally between the two major parties. Democratic candidates are about 10 percent more likely to receive an endorsement than Republican candidates six decades earlier. Incumbents today receive an editorial endorsement about 90 percent of the time, up from 60 percent of the time in the 1940s. In the 2012 presidential election, 77 of the top 100 U.S. newspapers endorsed candidates: 41 papers endorsed President Barack Obama, 35 endorsed GOP candidate Mitt Romney and a single paper registered a split decision. Another 23 papers did not endorse any candidates, including the two largest newspapers, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. Even though the candidate with the most endorsements has traditionally won the election, Campbell predicts that editorial endorsements won’t make any difference this fall. “In this year's election there is so much information available on so many platforms, any media endorsement is likely to be drowned out by the din of voices,” Campbell said. “In the era of social media, the endorsement of those within one's circle of friends is likely to carry much more weight than that of a news organization.” It’s not just the endorsement and election result relationship that interests Campbell, but also the ethical practice of news media favoring a candidate. As a professor, Campbell teaches his students that journalists are supposed to be objective observers, but the long-standing tradition of editorial endorsements often gets in the way. The Society of Professional Journalists Ethics Committee encourages editorial pages to promote thoughtful debate and let readers know through endorsements which candidates share the newspaper’s vision, while also taking every opportunity to explain the firewall between news and opinion. But in an era of social media and frequently blurred lines between news and opinion, Campbell urges his fellow journalists to be more careful. “Most people say ‘journalism ethics’ is an oxymoron,” Campbell said. “The distrust of the media and the feeling of bias in the media is greater than ever. Newspapers and news media endorsing candidates probably feeds into that.” The College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences and the Office of Civic Engagement Leadership are partnering with Turbovote to facilitate online voter registration. If you are not registered tovote, but are eligible, or if you wish to obtain an absentee ballot, please visit the booths in and around the Wilkinson Student Center during the week of September 26 to register to vote or to get an absentee ballot. September 26, 2016 | Natalie Tripp

Editorial endorsements of presidential candidates have been a long-standing tradition for many newspapers, but new research shows a substantial shift in how the endorsements have changed throughout the last 50 years.

The BYU Department of Dance will present this year’s BYU DANCE in Concert in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center from Sept. 15-17, at 7:30 p.m. There will be a matinee performance on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 2 p.m. The concert will feature performances from the BYU Ballroom Dance Company, Contemporary Dance Theatre, International Folk Dance Ensemble, Living Legends and Theatre Ballet groups, in a rare opportunity to see multiple dance ensembles in one sitting.

This gorgeous stained glass window is a new addition to the BYU Museum of Art permanent collection, now on display in the current exhibition To Magnify the Lord: Six Centuries of Art and Devotion. The 11-foot window was part of the Astoria Presbyterian church in Queens, New York. Six stained glass windows were part of that original construction in 1922, donated by members of the congregation honoring benefactors and members.

The Brigham Young University BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series presents an evening with The Branford Marsalis Quartet, in the Pardoe Theater on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 7:30 p.m. The Branford Marsalis Quartet will be joined by guest-vocalist Kurt Elling, also a Grammy award winner, who is among the world’s foremost jazz vocalists. In a singular collaboration of musical forces, the tight-knit band will feature Marsalis on saxophones, Joey Calderazzo on piano, Eric Revis on bass and Justin Faulkner on drums.

The Brigham Young University College of Fine Arts and Communications 141st summer convocation commenced Aug. 12. Dean Ed Adams presided over this year’s program that featured five speakers from a variety of majors including public relations, public relations, studio arts, dance, graphic design, and media arts studies. If you missed the ceremony or would like to see it again, you can view it online.

The new BYU Arts 2016-17 Season Brochure is available at a number of locations on campus, including the HFAC, ASB and WSC info desks. See inside to select your arts schedule for fall and winter semesters. This link points to the online version of the brochure.

Kelly T. Loosli On Aug. 22, animation Professor Kelly T. Loosli received the Karl G. Maeser Professional Faculty Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in fulfilling professional faculty responsibilities. Loosli was one of five individuals at the conference to receive the award. Kelly T. Loosli has worked in animation and live-action media production for 23 years, 15 of which he has managed and taught in BYU’s nationally recognized animation program, of which he is the co-creator. Loosli began his animation career at age 15 as a clay animator for television commercials. In 1996, he graduated from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in film. Throughout his career, Loosli has also played a significant role in many widely acclaimed productions such as DreamWorks’ “Shrek,” Disney’s “Spirit” and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ “Meet the Mormons.” He also has experience with Buena Vista Motion Pictures, and has worked with the popular rock band “The Killers.' Loosli is currently working with students to complete several large computer-animated group projects, two live-action and animated mixed films and one traditionally animated film. Even with 17 Student Emmys and five Student Academy Awards, Kelly is known to care more about the student learning than the quality of the creative work being produced. An award-winning work being produced is just further evidence to the quality of the teaching and mentoring that Kelly and his colleagues provide, and has been integral in building one of the most effective learning centers on the BYU campus. Much of its success is attributed to the dedication that Kelly has to student learning, quality mentoring, honest feedback and hard work. Kelly is a model citizen and a wonderful professional faculty member. Daniel T. Barney On Aug. 22, art professor Daniel T. Barney received the Joseph E. White Teaching & Learning Faculty Fellowship. This fellowship recognizes the sacrifice and efforts by the university’s support services in providing a transfer of positions and budget to enhance teaching and learning. Daniel Barney graduated from Brigham Young University in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in printmaking and a certification in Art Education K-12, and in 2004 with a master's degree in art education. Barney is currently faculty in the Art Department at BYU. Although his degree was in printmaking and drawing, Barney has shown jewelry, glass work, photography, paintings, videos, drawing, and sewn work in galleries and museums across the US and Canada, including Ayden Gallery in Vancouver, BC, Coda Gallery in Park City and Exit9 Gift Emporium in New York City. His artwork has also been exhibited on campuses that include the University of Utah, The University of Illinois, Maryland Institute College of Art and The University of British Columbia. As an arts education research professor, Dan Barney’s research and writing contributes to the education of students not only at BYU but across the United States. He is a dynamic, committed, and inventive teacher and excels in his ability to make students feel comfortable and engages while challenging them in meaningful ways and helping them to stretch intellectually and creatively. He is continually seeking ways to improve student learning and to involve students in active learning. He is known to be demanding and to have high expectations, but students respect him for his knowledge, intelligence, and experience. He is a fine and loyal colleague, an effective and engaging teacher, and an accomplished scholar.

Robert L. Marshall passed away at age 71 on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. He was a retired faculty member of the BYU Department of Art (retired July 2008). He is survived by his wife, Janice Marshall. Marshall graduated from Brigham Young University in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in art and in 1968 with a master's degree in painting and sculpture. He served as chair of the BYU Department of Visual Arts for 12 years (1985-1997) before returning to the studio and the classroom full-time. As a professor, he was invited to speak at a campus devotional in 2003, and was also asked to deliver a Distinguished Faculty Lecture in 2002. He is the recipient of many awards, including the College of Fine Arts and Communications annual award for Excellence in Creativity and the Karl G. Maeser Research and Creative Arts Award (1994). Marshall has exhibited throughout the US and Europe. In 2012, the Springville Museum of Art hosted his artwork, along with fellow BYU professors Bruce Smith and Wayne Kimball. Marshall and other members of the artistic group Frank's Boys were commissioned to paint murals for the Nauvoo Temple (2002) and the Provo City Center Temple (2014). Funeral services for Marshall will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. in the LDS Chapel on 860 East 200 North in Springville. There will be a viewing held on Friday from 6—8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 North in Springville, and on Saturday one hour prior to the services at the church. The burial will take place in the Springville City Cemetery.

The Brigham Young University College of Fine Arts and Communications 141st summer convocation commences Aug. 12 at 8:00 a.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center. Families and friends are invited to watch the students complete this part of their education. Those individuals who who can’t be present at the convocation can view the ceremony online by clicking here. Dean Ed Adams will preside over this year's program that features five speakers from a variety of majors including public relations, studio arts, dance, graphic design, and media arts studies. This convocation differs from other college’s ceremonies as it includes a special musical number from a graduating student. This performance features 'Une ChÁ¢teleine en sa Tour” for the harp by graduating Music Performance Major Eliza Jane Holland. “I recognize that your graduation is a result of much personal determination, self-discipline and dedication,” advisement center supervisor Julee Braithwaite said of students participating. “I hope that as you move on to new opportunities, you will enjoy a sense of satisfaction in the things you were able to learn, create and achieve while here at BYU wish you all the best as you pursue your future professional and personal endeavors.” After the presentations, graduates will individually walk across the stage to receive their diploma. Students who graduate in December are invited to attend the next April graduation ceremonies and those who graduate in June are invited to attend the August graduation ceremonies. The ceremony will last approximately two hours. Students participating in convocation should arrive in the HFAC tunnel at 7:15 a.m. prior to the ceremonies.

Name: Wade Hollingshaus BYU employee since: 2006 My job at BYU is... chair of the Theatre and Media Arts Department. A department chair does a wide range of things. One that I find very rewarding is the work I do to make sure that our faculty have what they need to teach and continue their research.

Students create experiential technology to help patients explore outside hospital walls