About the Jandoli School

The Jandoli School of Communication is committed to continuing the tradition established more than 70 years ago by the late Dr. Russell J. Jandoli, who taught generations of aspiring journalists the tenets of good writing and instilled respect and admiration for the practice of journalism.

Jandoli worked as a reporter for Time magazine and served as editor of publications at the War Department in Washington, D.C. He founded the Department of Journalism at St. Bonaventure in 1949 and ran it for 34 years. The program was named for its founder in 1992 and elevated to school status in 1995.

Jandoli School Mission Statement

We are committed to preparing students to be extraordinary and ethical gatherers, analyzers and communicators of information in a diverse, interactive global environment.

We provide undergraduate and graduate programs where students learn to investigate and wonder in their pursuit of knowledge to find truth. We value freedom of expression and basic human understanding and humility in recognition of our personal responsibility and social impact worldwide.

Students become better global stewards through interdisciplinary learning that harnesses their creativity and wisdom, making them better communicators, no matter the medium. Through entrepreneurial classroom experiences, dynamic classes, mentorship, and professional internship opportunities, we promote integrity, accuracy, diversity, professional standards and ethical principles.

Adopted Aug. 19, 2014
Updated Jan. 24, 2023

Graduate Programs Mission Statement

We are committed to preparing students to be creative, extraordinary and ethical gatherers, analyzers, designers, leaders, writers, reporters and communicators of information to diverse audiences. Operating with a reverence for freedom of expression, in an open web environment, we emphasize an understanding of our social impact worldwide as professional communicators. We promote personal responsibility, accuracy, professional standards, inclusivity and ethical principles in all that we do.

Adopted Dec. 6, 2022

At the Jandoli School, you will become a teller of truth. Two important words in that statement: “truth” and “tell.”

You will find within yourself the wonder of knowing, the liberation of freedom of expression, your personal and social responsibility to be faithful to the truth.

You will come to revel in your own wisdom, your own creativity, your own sense of ethics, your own ability to affect the world far beyond the campus.

This will happen:

through dynamic classes, many of which mirror the entrepreneurial communication of the real world
through close and constant mentorship from your professors
through professional internships

Through all of these, you will become a true communicator and a communicator of truth, no matter the medium you make your own.

And that’s the truth.

We offer a broad curriculum in print, broadcast media and strategic communication to undergraduate majors and graduate students. Students also study the allied fields of public relations, sports communication, advertising, photojournalism and graphics.

Emphasis is placed on becoming proficient in the cornerstone skills of research, analysis and communication. At the same time, students are immersed in the rapidly changing technological aspects of broadcast audio and video production.

Above all, our students learn to write well, the foundation on which every successful communication career is built.

Our graduate programs in Marketing Communication, Digital Journalism and Sports Journalism are offered in an online-only format, making them perfect fits for today's busy professionals.

Program objectives for undergraduate majors in the Jandoli School of Communication are guided by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). The assessment tools used for these programs are also discussed below.

Learning Objectives

Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press in the United States as well as understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievance.
Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications; understand concepts and apply both theories and practical experience in the use and presentation of images and information, and conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.
Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race ethnicity, sexual orientation and other forms of diversity in domestic and global society in relation to publics/stakeholders and organizational dynamics.
Demonstrate an understanding and application of professional ethical principles in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
Think critically, creatively and independently; write correctly and clearly to build support and influence; critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
Understand and apply basic numerical and statistical concepts as well as tools and technologies appropriate for the communication professions.

Undergraduate Enrollment and Retention Rates

The retention rates in the table in the linked PDF file reflect first-to-second year retention at the university and, if the student remained at the institution, whether the student chose to remain in the original major in the School of Communication.

Six-Year Graduation Rates

The percentages in the table in the linked PDF file reflect 6-year graduation rates for first-time first-year students who entered the university with a first semester major in the School of Communication. The table also indicates whether the student graduated in the same program that he or she began in.

Graduate Retention and Graduation Rates

The table in the linked PDF file details graduation and retention rates for our graduate programs in Integrated Marketing Communication and Strategic Leadership.

The Jandoli School of Communication is committed to creating and encouraging an intentional and overt departmental, strategic focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.

We believe that a steadfast, overt focus on DEI throughout the academic pipeline, from recruitment through degree completion, is essential to living our university mission, values and departmental objectives.

Download the Jandoli DEI Plan

The Jandoli School of Communication has a long and rich history dating to the creation of the department of journalism in 1949. As the program nears its 75th anniversary, we are at a moment of growth and expansion for this proud school and look to focus on key priorities in the years ahead that align with broader university plans.

The goal of this strategic plan is to position the Jandoli School for continued growth and a sustainable structure, while solidifying it as a premiere school of communication that is a destination program for students in our fields. Simply put, the Jandoli School should be seen as the top school of its kind for a private university of St. Bonaventure’s size.

View/download the strategic plan.

Innovation: The Jandoli School's digital magazine

Cover of the Spring 2025 issue of Innovation Magazine

Our digital magazine, published each semester, keeps readers informed of the latest happenings in the Jandoli School as well as the activities and accomplishments of our students, professors and alumni.

In the Spring 2025 Edition:

Dean Aaron Chimbel's update.
Chris LaPlaca, '79, serves as the 2025 Lenna Visiting Professor.
Donna Ditota, '83, added to the Wall of Distinguished Graduates.
Prof. Carole McNall, '75, retires; Prof. Anne Lee, '76, pays tribute to her.
Save the Date for the 2025 Hellinger Award Luncheon.
Student, alumni and faculty updates.
And more!

Read the Spring 2025 issue today!

Jandoli School awards and special events

Each year, the Jandoli School bestows prestigious awards on achieving students in its graduating class.

They include the Mark Hellinger Award, which is presented to the top students — a winner and runner-up — in the school's graduating class. They are recognized at the annual Hellinger Award Luncheon, which also honors distinguished Jandoli School alumni.

The school also hosts a number of events that bring some of the nation's top communicators to campus for discussions and presentations.

The Mark Hellinger Award, named for the late journalist, Broadway columnist and film producer, is presented annually to the top students in St. Bonaventure University's Jandoli School.

The Hellinger ceremony is also an occasion to recognize distinguished graduates with the school's Alumnus(a) of the Year Award, and to bestow other honors.

Hellinger Awards

The Dr. Mary A. Hamilton Woman of Promise Award, presented yearly, recognizes a female student who has excelled in and out of the classroom, set an example for peers, and demonstrates great promise for future success.

The award is named in honor of Dr. Mary Hamilton, ’59, retired associate professor and professor emerita with the Jandoli School of Communication.

LEARN MORE & MEET OUR WINNERS

Undergraduate:

Jandoli Award for Achievement in Journalism
Koop Award for Achievement in the Broadcast Curriculum
Mosser Award for Achievement in Strategic Communication
Fr. Cornelius Award for Achievement in Photography
Wieland Award for Achievement in Sports Media

Graduate:

Deborah A. Henretta Award for Outstanding Achievement in Integrated Marketing Communications

Dick Joyce Sports Symposium 2025
11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25
Rigas Family Theater, Quick Center for the Arts

The Future of College Sports: Navigating Media Access and Athlete Autonomy

Moderating the discussion will be Amy Moritz, '95, the Professional in Residence
at the Jandoli School of Communication.

Panelists:

Bob Beretta, '87, Vice President and Athletic Director, St. Bonaventure University
Michael "Mex" Carey, ’94, Associate Director of Athletic Communications, Michigan State University
Rachel Lenzi, College Sports Enterprise Reporter, The Buffalo News

The Dick Joyce Sports Symposium, held spring semester every other year,* brings together sports journalists and professionals for an open discussion of issues of the day. It includes presentation of the John Domino Award to a graduate who has excelled in sports media.

Institute probes the intersection of media & democracy

The Jandoli Institute was created in 2019 to explore today’s media landscape through research studies, op-ed articles, social media, speaking engagements, commentary, analysis and other platforms.

“A healthy democracy requires a healthy media, so it is important to identify and explore ways to ensure that the media continues to play a constructive role in our nation’s democracy," said Dr. Richard Lee, associate professor of communication and the institute’s executive director.

The institute is named for the late Dr. Russell J. Jandoli (pictured), who founded the Department of Journalism at St. Bonaventure in 1949.

The Jandoli Institute

Aaron Chimbel, Dean

Room 202
Murphy Professional Building
(716) 375-2040
Send an email

Dean Chimbel is a former journalism professor and TV news reporter. He was one of the first reporters in any U.S. market to produce original, web-only video content, and he has published two books on video and digital journalism.

Prior to his arrival at St. Bonaventure in August of 2018, Chimbel taught journalism at Texas Christian University, his alma mater, for 9 years. He has taught a wide variety of journalism classes and focuses on the industry shift to digital delivery of news, as well as broadcast journalism.

His academic writing has been featured in the Online Journalism Review, Newspaper Research Journal, Convergence Newsletter, MediaShift, Journal of Social Media in Society, Electronic News, Journal of Media Education and College Media Review. He is also the author of “Introduction to Journalism,” a textbook that corresponds with the TCU course of the same name he created, and the editor of "Why I'm a Journalist: Personal Stories from Those Who Cover the News."

Before joining the TCU faculty full time, Chimbel worked at WFAA-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth. He was hired as likely the first person at any television station to produce original video content for the Web as the “MoJo” or mobile journalist for wfaa.com.

While at WFAA, his work was recognized by a variety of major organizations including the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Radio-TV News Directors Association, the National Press Photographers Association and the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters. He won five Advanced Media Emmy Awards and was part of the WFAA team that was awarded a prestigious national Edward R. Murrow Award.

Chimbel was also a reporter for KWTX-TV (Waco-Temple-Killeen, Texas) and a producer at Texas Cable News. He has also produced two documentaries: “Soldier of God” chronicled the religious anti-war movement leading up to the 2003 war in Iraq and “Learning the Language” was an innovative web-based project examining Dallas’ largest ESL-only program.

Chimbel graduated from TCU in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. He also earned a master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and taught part-time at TCU and Central Texas College in Killeen.