By Jada Poindexter (PR ’27)
On Wednesday, October 22, the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications hosted The Robert H. McGaughey Lecture on Press Freedom and Responsibility. This year’s featured speaker was Don Gonyea, National Public Radio (NPR) Political Correspondent. Moderating the discussion was WKMS “Morning Edition” anchor, Daniel Hurt.
Gonyea spoke on his experience as a journalist working presidential campaigns for former
President Obama, Hilary Clinton, and President Trump. Gonyea was also NPR’s White House
Correspondent and covered the presidency of George W. Bush and experienced the events of
Sept. 11, 2001, at the White House.
Despite a successful career in journalism, Gonyea told the audience that journalism was
not on his radar after he received an advertising degree from Michigan State University. Gonyea
spoke to aspiring journalists saying, “We need journalists, we need proof doctors, and news
organizations that are committed to covering news fairly and presenting it in a fair manner.” He said what gives him hope for the profession is his admiration for the next generation of journalists, and the best and brightest are needed to pursue it.
Dr. Kevin Qualls, associate professor and chair of the JMC Department, gave closing
remarks and presented Gonyea with a gift of appreciation on behalf of the Arthur J. Baunerfeind
College of Business. Qualls explained that this was the third year the JMC Department has
hosted the McGaughey Lecture, named in honor of beloved past department chair “Doc” McGaughey, and supports student scholarships through the McGaughey Fund for Excellence.
Established in 1975, the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications (JMC) at Murray
State is one of only three programs in Kentucky that is accredited by the Accrediting
Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). The department
prepares students for careers in Strategic Communications, Visual Communications and Multimedia Journalism. For more information, visit our website.
