Indiana University School of Journalism

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Photo by James Brosher

New Ernie Pyle Scholar Deanna Allbrittin chatted with Career Services Director Marcia Debnam during Thursdays reception for the new honors students.

Related White, Dvorak lead sessions at Journalism Day (Nov. 4) HSJI high school students arrive (July 7) HSJI teacher sessions kick off Monday (June 12)

The newest class of the School of Journalism Honors Program, the Ernie Pyle Scholars, gathered in the School of Journalism library Thursday to meet one another, to learn more about the program and to meet older scholars, faculty and staff members.

This is the fourth class of scholars in a program that offers enhanced opportunities for qualified undergraduates, such as direct admittance to the journalism program, access to special honors classes, travel opportunities and special access to the school’s many special guests and speakers.

Associate professor and Honors Program Director Dave Boeyink introduced professors, staff members, and other students in the program.

“A key part of the program is getting to know the people who are here to help you with the experience,” Boeyink told the new arrivals.
Assistant professor Emily Metzgar will serve as the Class of 2013’s mentor and will be with these students through the four years that they spend at IU, teaching classes as well as providing advising and traveling with the group.

Metzgar introduced each of the students, sharing some background information as well as anecdotes, including advanced black belts, identity theft debacles, moose chases and a lifetime ban from a popular retail outlet due to investigative journalism practices.

Following the program, the students mingled and talked about how they chose IU. Tommy Grooms and Erin Boland both are from Noblesville High School in Indiana, and both are High School Journalism Institute alumni as well as are former students of HSJI Director Teresa White, who taught at their school before becoming director a year ago.

Photo by James Brosher

New honors students (left) met with professors Dennis Elliot (center); their mentor, assistant professor Emily Metzgar; and associate professor Owen V. Johnson during the reception. Several of the new students mentioned that the program drew them to IU.

Boland says that she first heard of the program when a former high school classmate was applying years ago. She says that she looked into other comparable programs, but that one factor helped her finalize her decision to attend IU.

“The opportunity to go abroad sealed it,” said Boland.

Grooms agreed that the opportunity to travel in the program was a draw, as well as the opportunities for internships.

Brad Sanders of the Dayton, Ohio, area, said that most of the students from his area end up at Ohio State University or the University of Cincinnati.

“I guess you could say I stepped outside of the box,” said Sanders, who heard about the program after a journalism teacher received some information in the mail. “The scholars program was the single reason I applied to IU, and ultimately the reason I came.”

Each class is assigned a different faculty member as mentor. This is Metzgar’s first such assignment, one she said she is excited about.

“They are an impressive group and judging from my first interactions with them, I suspect they will keep me on my toes,” she said after Thursday’s reception. “I’m looking forward to getting to know them."

For more details about the program, such as academic eligibility and the application process, visit the Web site.