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Reaccreditation--the Home stretch

The J-School is in the home stretch of its reaccreditation. Saturday, the National Committee of the Accrediting Council of Journalism and Mass Communications, unanimously voted to recommend reaccreditation of the J-School to the Council itself in May. (Two members of the committee, both MSU alumni, recused themselves from the vote as required by the groups procedures.) The reaccreditation process involved an intense self study by the J-School faculty, a site visit in October and the meeting this weekend in Chicago.

Speakers

Busy week. Monday, we welcomed U-C Berkley professor Jane Stevens to talk about Science Journalism in a Web-centric World. Wednesday, AP senior managing editor Mike Silverman will be on campus to meet students in classes and give the annual Siebert Lecture on the future of news coverage on how the AP is addressing the tsunami of changes.

Awards

Scripps Howard Foundation
Junior Amanda Peterka was one of nine students nationwide selected by the Scripps Howard Foundation for a 13-day journalism study trip to Japan and South Korea in its annual Roy W. Howard National Collegiate Reporting Competition.

The competition, established in 1984 in cooperation with the Indiana University School of Journalism, honors the memory of the journalist who led Scripps Howard Newspapers from 1922-1953 and United Press International from 1912-1920.

Amanda is also studying Asian studies. She is managing editor of SpartanEdge.com, an alternative online publication. She also is a contributing writer to the university's environmental, international studies and independent online publications.

Society of Professional Journalists Region 4

MSU J-School students and the independent newspapers that serves the camps, The State News, were also big winners in The Society of Professional Journalists' Region 4 Mark of Excellence Awards.

The honorees were awarded certificates on March 15 during the Region 4 Spring Conference held in Pittsburgh. First place regional winners will advance to the national round of judging, which takes place next month. National winners will be announced in mid May.

J-School winners were:

Breaking News Reporting
•Third Place: Lindsay Machak, Michigan State University, “Owosso blaze kills 1; 4 hurt”

In-Depth Reporting
• Second Place: Kristen M. Daum, Michigan State University, “Beyond the divide”

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper (published at least four times per week)
• First Place: Staff, Michigan State University, “The State News”

Magazine Non-Fiction Article
• First Place: Jessica A. Knoblauch, Michigan State University, “Have it your (the sustainable) way”
Best Student Magazine
• First Place: Staff, Michigan State University, “EJ Magazine”

Television In-Depth Reporting
• First Place: Ben Phillips, Kathy Pence & Kevin Wilt, Michigan State University, “Dying to be heard”

Online Feature Reporting • First Place: Claire Cummings, Michigan State University, “Bowling in Detroit”

Online In-Depth Reporting • First Place: Andy Belaskovitz, John Allison & Ian Walker, Michigan State University, “Pine River Superfund site”

Congrats to one and all. What a great place this is to learn the business!