Speakers

DRC Sponsor: Alan Lerstrom

Communicating and receiving support has implications for physical, emotional, and relational health. The importance of this has become increasingly salient as people have navigated the global pandemic. This presentation by Sara E. Wilder, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Luther College, will explore what makes communicating support more or less effective and why that matters to us as individuals and in our relationships.

Dr. Wilder's credentials include a Ph.D. in Communication Studies (2012) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; an M.S. in Communication (2008) from Illinois State University, and a B.A. in Communication and Performance Studies (2005) from Buena Vista University.

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Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW, supplemented by Zoom broadcast. The meeting announcment, agenda, and logistical information including Zoom meeting link will be distributed to all members by email in advance of the meeting. Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting using the previous week's agenda information.

DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

One of the most recognizable and beloved faces in Iowa, KWWL News Anchor and Reporter Ron Steele will join our club to share his life experiences and perspectives gained over his 47 years in broadcasting.

Mr. Steele, born in Washington in southeast Iowa and a graduate of Wapello High School, graduated from the University of Iowa in 1973. He worked for a time at the NBC affiliate station in Davenport before coming to KWWL on April 1, 1974. In 2017 he became the longest serving news anchor at any station in Iowa history.

During his tenure as KWWL's sports director, Mr. Steele did play-by-play for NBC Sports and ESPN. He was the original play-by-play voice of the Iowa Television Network, which broadcast University of Iowa basketball games over a statewide network. He has extensive national and international reporting experience including on-site coverage in the Middle East during the Persian Gulf War. One of his most cherished achievements is his "Iowa's Child" broadcasts, working with social service agencies to feature difficult-to-adopt children in search of a good home.

As stated by Jim McKernan, former General Manager at KWWL, "Ron is the bedrock of KWWL. His years serving viewers in eastern Iowa have been filled with stories of great triumph, great tragedy, and stories which reflect the times in which we live. Through it all, Ron has maintained unfailing humility in a business where strong egos are well known."

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Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW, supplemented by Zoom broadcast. The meeting announcment, agenda, and logistical information including Zoom meeting link will be distributed to all members by email in advance of the meeting. Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting using the previous week's agenda information. Due to the notariety of today's speaker, your advance responses will be crucial to a successful event.