Hectic to Harrisonburg: Grundmann Trades L.A. Times for Quieter Times
B
y joining the SMAD faculty in That means making his classes
2007, Mike Grundmann fulfilled entertaining – “rewarding the
his quest for a dramatic change in listener” – while ensuring students are
his work and surroundings. challenged.
Grundmann came to Harrisonburg Grundmann encourages students to
from the Los Angeles Times, where develop the passion for accuracy and
he worked for the nine years as a copy language of a copy editor – a job he
editor, capping a newspaper career that describes as “the last line of defense for
spanned 26 years. a publication, responsible for catching
Grundmann then sought a different
challenge and, weary of Southern
Grundmann
California traffic, was open to a change
crisscrossed the
of scene. JMU and the Valley fit the bill.
“Happily,” he said, “my commute country as he rose
is two miles and I like the charms of
small-town life surrounded by farm
through the ranks of
country. But my colleagues are the
journalism
big plus. They’ve made me feel right
at home and we keep each other errors from missing commas to factual
laughing.” goofs and libel.”
Before arriving in Harrisonburg, He adds that copy editors get to
Grundmann crisscrossed the country
Expert eye: Professor Grundmann consults
“write headlines and captions for
as he rose through the ranks of
with Breeze Sports Editor Matt McGovern.
dessert.”
photo: Tony Bootz
journalism. He worked as a reporter/ In addition to teaching News
photographer and “editor of all stripes”
During his last four years in L.A.,
rW iting, News Editing and Feature
for such newspapers as the Nevada
Grundmann began teaching.
rW iting, Grundmann is also the faculty
Appeal (Carson City), Sacramento Bee,
“I really liked it. It was live, on-stage
adviser to The Breeze. “I give (the
Philadelphia Daily News and Orange
communication,” he said.
editors) suggestions and they use about
County (Calif.) Register.
As a writer, Grundmann says he
one out of 10,” he says with a laugh.
hW ile pursuing his print career,
puts himself in the reader’s
Grundmann also produced six award-
shoes. As a teacher, he self-
winning video documentaries, most of
monitors from the student’s
them appearing on PBS affiliates.
point of view.
day cards on Byrd’s birthday. corporations new employees
Guiniven next tried his hand in the are expected to contribute on
corporate world, joining International day one. No more shadowing
Paper Co. and then Chrysler Corp. another employee to learn
Although he admits he knew little the ropes. Jump right in and
about cars, Guiniven spent 12 years as get to work.”
Director of Corporate Public Relations at He said his students also
Chrysler. His experiences there include must take the initiative in
traveling with Iacocca and others to their education. “We don’t
China on a mission to expand Chrysler’s give you an education, we of-
business in the Communist country. fer you an education,” he tells
Guiniven was named to the Public them.
Relations Society of America’s College In his classroom, Guini-
of Fellows in 2001. In 2007, the PRSA in ven encourages students to
Class act: Professor Guiniven brings corporate, Capitol Hill,
North Carolina recognized Guiniven’s be comfortable voicing their
and journalism experience to his Corporate Communications
long career of achievement with its opinions, but be uncomfort-
classes. photo: Jaclyn Cole
highest honor, the Spinks Award. able remaining set in those
Corporate Communications students opinions. “It’s important to find out
wants to be at this point in a career of
are now in the right place to benefit you’re wrong,” he said.
many accomplishments. “This is my
from Guiniven’s unique experiences. However, Guiniven says he’s certain
last stop,” he vows, “even if they fire me
Guiniven tells students, “In today’s Harrisonburg and JMU are where he
tomorrow.”
— Rebecca Leggett
SMADAbout You 12
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24