It’s been a busy Fall semester in JMC. Already we have had the McGaughey Lecture, our annual High School Media Workshop, a student-organized cookout on the quad and “Meet the Pros.” Leigh Wright and students from The News have traveled to a college media conference, and Ed Rode traveled with students to the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar.
Let me share some details. For our second McGaughey Lecture on Press Freedom and Responsibility, we had the good fortune to have KET’s Director of Public Affairs, Renee Shaw, as our speaker. She has a powerful message about the role of journalism in an informed democracy. In addition to her evening address in Lovett Auditorium, Renee shared her message at a keynote luncheon for area high school students attending our High School Media Workshop. As the luncheon ended, dozens of high school students gathered around her with questions about the practice of journalism. It was, in my opinion, the best part of a fantastic day.
There is a positive and growing culture in JMC. In September students from PRSSA, Ads Club, The News, and TV Club joined efforts to host a cookout in the greenspace just outside the newsroom. Dogs and burgers, music and fellowship were all on the menu. It is refreshing to see students engaging with each other, working on projects together and creating community. If you enjoy fond memories of your time in JMC, I hope it pleases you to know that current students are building those fond memories, too.
More of those memories were made as photography students traveled with JMC faculty member Ed Rode to the Atlanta Journalism Seminar. Our revised curriculum leans heavily into Visual Storytelling, so we are particularly grateful to JMC alumni Dr. Kyser Lough for helping make this trip possible. And even more memories attached when Media Advisor Leigh Wright and staff from The News traveled via train to New Orleans to attend a meeting of the Associated Collegiate Press/College Media Association.
Spoiler Alert—in this edition of the JMC Journal, we tell you about the awards won! Thank you for continuing to be part of our mission. In this JMC Journal, you will find links that will take you to donation pages. You can help us continue “The McGaughey Lecture on Press Freedom and Responsibility.” And, you can help support The News. In doing so, you can help foster our positive and growing JMC culture.
From all of us in the Department of Journalism and Communications at Murray State, we wish you peace and joy this holiday season, and may we all continue to learn, thrive and grow in the New Year!
