Here in New Orleans

For the second year in a row, the CHIMES editors are attending the national convention of Associated Collegiate Press. It's a group we joined when we became a 4-year program; our recent move to Student Government Organization funding allows us to give CHIMES editors this invaluable conference experience—and to visit a great American city (last year was in Chicago).


Our students are mixed in with thousands of college journalism students from across the country. Some work with large university programs that churn out daily print and online news editions; others are from colleges smaller than Morrisville, with even more modest means and output. 


All share a common interest in the critical issues facing journalism today. Walking past workshops, you hear old-school terms like “fair use” and “copy deadlines” and “source vetting”. You also get caught up in discussions of social media. One workshop offers to teach students how to write about religion “Without proselytizing or being a jerk.” Another explains developing a mobile app for your newspaper. There are sessions built around the seven design techniques. There’s a workshop titled “Editorials in 140 Characters: Using Twitter for Opinion.” (No, really.)


Probably the most popular item at the conference is the newspaper exchange table, where student drop off copies of their print publications and pick up copies of others they have not seen. There are always students around it, marveling at the work of others and getting fresh perspectives on their own efforts.


We will leave this place Saturday morning having heard the keynote address by NBC’s Hoda Kotb (topic: “The Multifaceted Journalist”) on Friday and with dozens of great new ideas and, possibly, a new online news production package. We’re still using ideas from Chicago; this year will be even more useful, I think.


And then, there’s Bourbon Street, two blocks away. But that’s another post. 

-Brian L. McDowell

Chair and Assistant Professor, Journalism

CHIMES Advisor for Sports, Photography, Production, and SGO