A Former Daily Iowan Staffer Supports Future Storytellers

Submitted Photo Brett Roseman is grateful for his time as part of The Daily Iowan, which is why he is leaving a gift in his estate plans to support the next generation of visual communicators.

Spring break always looked different for Brett Roseman (01BA).

While many classmates headed for warmer destinations, Roseman packed his camera equipment and traveled the country. As a Daily Iowan photographer, Roseman followed the University of Iowa’s sports teams throughout postseason competitions for the student-run daily newspaper.

Whether it was Iowa’s 1999 and 2000 national championships in men’s wrestling or the Hawkeye men’s basketball team’s run to the 2001 Big Ten Tournament title, Roseman captured many memorable moments for readers.

PHOTOS: BRETT ROSEMAN Brett Roseman captured a number of exciting moments during his time at Iowa. From left: Doug Schwab (01BA) celebrates a win during the 2000 national championships; Jason Smith (left) and Brody Boyd (05BA) hold up the 2001 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament trophy; and Reggie Evans slams home a dunk during the 2001 Big Ten Tournament.

“It was a lot of fun—hopping in a university vehicle with my reporter friends and hitting the road,” says Roseman, who grew up in Davenport, Iowa. “Getting that kind of real-world experience at The Daily Iowan was priceless, and it truly set the foundation for my career.”

Roseman also credits John Kimmich Javier, professor emeritus, and the late Kate Corcoran (70BA, 91JD), adjunct assistant professor and placement director, for preparing him for a rewarding professional journey that has now spanned more than two decades. After working for 10 years at Chicago Sun-Times Media, Roseman moved into various roles in higher education and is currently a digital asset manager at the University of Idaho.

“Getting that kind of real-world experience at The Daily Iowan was priceless, and it truly set the foundation for my career.” —Brett Roseman

However, Roseman hasn’t forgotten his Iowa roots. He recently decided to include The Daily Iowan and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in his estate plans. His gifts will support the Daily Iowan Endowment Fund and the William Casey DI Publishers Fund, while also establishing the Brett Roseman Visual Journalism Scholarship to financially assist Daily Iowan photojournalists and photo editors.

“I’ve been a Hawkeye my entire life, and when it came to planning for the future, I wanted to consider things that are close to my family,” says Roseman. “Receiving scholarships as a student made a difference for me, so investing in the next generation feels like completing the circle. It was also important for me to give to The Daily Iowan and the fund named for Bill Casey (81BGS). Bill served as publisher for 41 years, including when I was at Iowa, and he had a big impact on my time there.”

Submitted Photo Longtime Daily Iowan publisher Bill Casey (back row, fourth from left) hosts DI editors at his family’s property in Clear Lake, Iowa, ahead of the start of Roseman's junior year.

Roseman is also planning to support two other funds on campus—the UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital Fund, in memory of his nephew, Kyle, who died at age 3, and the UI Realizing Educational and Career Hopes (REACH) Fund in honor of his nephew, Ben, who recently completed the comprehensive transition program for college-age students with intellectual, cognitive, and learning disabilities.

Roseman, who is 47, hopes to inspire others to put a plan in place and find their own ways to make a difference.

“You don’t have to wait until you’re older to plan for the future, and I hope to motivate others to look at the many ways Iowa impacts our lives,” says Roseman. “I love Iowa.”