KU Cocktails

When the AEJMC (Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication) meets in DC, the University of Kansas alumni association hosts a reception for KU J-school grads, so this year David (J ' 73) with Bill as the "spouse" arranged to meet Rita Haugh Oates (J '72) on August 8 at the primo lobbyist hangout, The Capital Grille.

On our way in we ran into Professor Suzanne Shaw getting out of a taxi complaining about the 106 degree heat, the 83 percent humidity and the Code Red smog alert. David walked directly to the maitre d' and asked, "Where are you hiding the Jayhawks?" It had been meant as a joke but a waiter led us through the restaurant to a little room tucked away in the back. The little room was like the stateroom scene in A Night At The Opera; Jayhawks were falling out into the restaurant.

We found Rita and met her co-worker, then David spied Professor Del Brinkman and cued for a chat. Bill was the only person in a room full of journalists actually taking photographs! Before the Dean spoke, David tried to get to the hors d'ouevres buffet and a man said "DAVID HEALY" and it turned out to be Steve Cohen (J '73). David and Steve had worked as reporters at the now defunct Hollywood (Fl) Sun-Tatler 33 years ago and had a lot of catching up.


After the Dean spoke, David chatted up the rather recent advertising professor Tien-Tsung Lee. Rita then introduced David to Dan Austin of Voice of America, and when he learned that David was from Lincoln, KS, they chatted about John Marshall, editor of the Lindsborg, KS newspaper.