The Greatest Newhouse Alums

Ask any Newhouse student why they chose to study communications at Syracuse University and you’ll get a variety of answers. From the outstanding faculty to the cutting-edge technology in the studios and labs to the mild winter weather, there are many things that make Newhouse an excellent choice. What really sets it apart though, is the vast alumni network – affectionately known as the “Newhouse Mafia”- which stretches across the country and around the world. The Newhouse Mafia is made up of thousands of Syracuse grads that have led the communications industry and continue to pave the way for Newhouse students to start their own careers. Here are a some of our greatest Newhouse alums!

Dick Clark ‘51

The late Dick Clark is an American broadcast icon and longtime supporter of the Newhouse School. Before landing hosting gigs on “American Bandstand” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” Clark started his career at local radio stations in Central New York, working at WAER-FM as an SU student and later at Utica’s WRUN radio. Dick Clark ushered in a new era of TV and music programming, bringing rock and roll to living rooms across America and helping to launch the careers of several big artists, from Smokey Robinson to Madonna. Clark’s legacy as an entertainment icon lives on in Syracuse in the state-of-the-art Dick Clark Studios in the Newhouse complex where students can bring their broadcast, television and film production projects to life.

Carol Cunningham ’87

Carol Cunningham is the Vice President Consumer Insights and Business Strategy Analytics at BET. Cunningham earned her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in Telecommunications Management and African studies. For years, Carol has led the industry in brand development and marketing communications research, specializing in consumer insights, trend spotting, questionnaire design and primary analysis for all qualitative and quantitative studies. Cunningham has remained connected to the Newhouse School, returning to speak with students and offer insight into the media industry and her process of finding “those who know what’s hot, what’s next and what matters” through research. In 2015 Cunningham was honored for her outstanding contributions to the communications industry and Syracuse University at the 50Forward Gala, which marked 50 years of the Newhouse School and celebrated the strength of the school as it moves into the next 50 years.

Sean McDonough ‘88

Sean McDonough is one of the most recognizable faces in sports broadcasting and a proud Newhouse alum. The son of sports reporter Will McDonough, Sean turned his passion for sports into a career as a play-by-play commentator at ESPN, covering a wide range of events from college basketball and football games, Major League Baseball, the NHL, tennis, the College World Series, and college soccer and hockey. McDonough got his start in broadcasting as a student at Syracuse University when he was asked to call games for Syracuse Chiefs baseball. Sean has been recognized for his excellence in broadcasting as a recipient of the Marty Glickman Award for Leadership in Sports Media and the Arents Award, Syracuse University’s highest alumni honor. McDonough has also made a mark outside of the press box through the Sean McDonough Charitable Foundation, which has given nearly $3 million to 129 children’s charities throughout Massachusetts.

Beth Mowins G’90

Beth Mowins has broken barriers as trailblazing play-by-play broadcaster for ESPN and CBS. Mowins covers a variety of men’s and women’s college sports and made history in 2005 when she became the second woman to call nationally televised college football games for ESPN. But the Syracuse native did not stop there. In 2017 Beth reached another milestone when she became the first woman in 30 years to call a National Football League game. Mowins continues to lead the way for women in sports media and sees her career as “a chance to open a new door for women.” Beth has stayed in touch with her roots, returning to campus to meet with students and share her insight as a woman in a male-dominated field. In 2015 Mowins was recognized for her outstanding achievements with the Marty Glickman Award for Leadership in Sports Media.

Stephen Wilkes ‘80

Stephen Wilkes is an acclaimed photographer whose work has been featured in museums around the world and in several major publications including Vanity Fair, Sports Illustrated, and the New York Times. Stephen began to take photos when he was 12 years old and followed that interest to Newhouse where he earned a Bachelor of Science in photography. After graduation, Wilkes opened his studio in New York City in 1983 and has since built a reputation as an acclaimed photographer. Stephen’s recent series, Day to Night, explores the space-time continuum by blending hundreds of still photos of iconic landscapes and events – from the Eiffel Tower to President Obama’s inauguration speech – throughout the day as the light changes. In 2016 Wilkes gave a Ted Talk on the series that has gotten more than 1.5 million views.