SJMC Monday Memo – Feb. 12, 2024
Monday, February 12th, 2024
Drake Broadcasting System updates
Looking for ways to get involved with DBS? Here are some opportunities. Reach out to Erica Sawyer at erica.sawyer@drake.edu for more information.
- DBS’ first live show of the semester is on Feb. 16, with a rehearsal on Feb.13.
- A list of upcoming live sports broadcasting opportunities at basketball games through DBS Sports was recently posted to Instagram.
- DBS’ monthly news show “What the Dog Doin’?” is looking for helpers during recording & reporting sessions at the TV studio in Meredith.
- In Case You Missed It (DBS News podcast) is back and looking for interviewees – people with a Drake story, or an interesting background to bring into the pod and interview in a Thursday version of the podcast. They’d love to have either professors or students on for interviews!
High School summer camp registration open
Registration is open for our Media Now high school journalism summer camp. The camp runs July 8-11, 2024.
Media Now at Drake University gives students and advisers a single-track to immerse themselves in the three-night, four-day overnight camp experience. Participate in hands-on projects and showcase them in a campus-wide awards ceremony to cap off our time together. It’s an awesome opportunity to deep dive into that area of interest and hone your skills. No matter what level you arrive with, we’ll push you, encourage and train you to move to the next.
Drake SJMC accreditation info for students
The site visit as a part of the Drake SJMC accreditation process is this week. Accreditors will be here Monday and Tuesday (Feb. 12-13).
What does accreditation matter?
Only 119 schools globally are accredited – almost all of them are in big state schools and only 18 are in private universities.
Studying at and graduating from an accredited school elevates our students’ value in the workplace. The site team – a mix of professionals and academics – essentially give their stamp of approval that we are teaching a relevant curriculum that prepares them for the jobs of tomorrow.
How students can get involved
There are three opportunities to meet with accreditors:
- Mon., Feb. 12 – 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. – Open to All SJMC Majors – MER 124 C
- Mon., Feb. 12 – 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. – Major-Specific Meetings
- DMP, Mags, MMJ – TV Studio – MER 0005
- ADV, PR, SPC – MER 124 C
These are not drop-in meetings. Students should select a meeting time that works best for them, and they should be there right at the start of the meeting.
Accreditors will want to know about the student experience. They’ll likely ask about classes (format, projects, etc.), extracurricular activities and faculty/student mentorship. They may ask about advising, internships/career services and our alumni/Bulldog network. They may also ask what students would like to see in their school – how can we improve?
The accrediting process can be a great opportunity to showcase our award-winning publications, class projects and other unique elements of our SJMC Family. Students should be proud to brag about their accomplishments during the visit!
NLGJA student conference
Join NLGJA: The Association for LGBTQ+ Journalists for their 4th annual Student Conference! This virtual gathering will take place February 23-24, and will include 10+ informational sessions as well as an Internship and Career Fair. Students and early-career journalists will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts, connect with fellow student journalists and with recruiters from top news organizations, and to explore the intersections of the media world and LGBTQ+ identities. In addition, students who actively participate in the conference will receive a $25 discount on registration for the 2024 National Convention in Los Angeles! Registration is available here and is free for NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists Student Members and $25 for non-members.
Journalist Ernie Suggs on campus
The Slay Fund for Social Justice is hosting an evening of civil rights history and social justice featuring Ambassador Andrew Young and Atlanta Journal-Constitution journalist Ernie Suggs.
This special event, held on Monday, February 26 at 7:00pm, will offer an in-person presentation complementing the ‘Many Lives of Andrew Young’ exhibit featured at Drake University during Black History Month. The event, free and open to all Drake students, faculty, and staff and the general public, will begin at 7:00pm in Olmsted Center (Parents Hall, upper level) and will also be live-streamed and can be accessed through https://live.drake.edu/. Sign up here.
Generative AI Workshop March 14
SJMC professor Chris Snider and Chris Porter (head of Drake’s AI department) are hosting an Introduction to Generative Artificial Intelligence Workshop on March 14 at Drake. The workshop will introduce attendees to generative AI tools, and discuss how they can be used to be more productive in your every day life. Early bird pricing ends Feb. 29.
Alumni news
Lucius Pham, JO’21, a writer, producer and videographer for Iowa Public Radio, produces stories about the state’s music scene, including this story about an Iowa art collective whose members took a three-hour musical train ride on the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad. Pham was program director for “The Dog” and started his own music video production company focusing on hip-hop while a student at Drake.
Crystal Nance Everett was honored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Real World Learning team with the Elevating Equity Award.
