Thomas Miller | April 1, 2011
 |
Related
|
KTA is a national journalism honorary society that promotes academic excellence in the field of journalism. Associate professor and director of the school’s Honors Program Dave Boeyink led the lengthy application process.
“We sent in an application that was an inch thick and it wasn’t easy to get together, “ Boeyink said,” but I wasn’t worried about getting accepted.”
For the students selected to join IU’s inaugural class, KTA recognizes the work they’ve done in the classroom. As many journalism students have numerous extracurricular opportunities outside the classroom, some find it a challenge to balance. Honors student Alex Farris said he thought membership in KTA would encourage students to balance their school work with their extracurriculars.
“I'm grateful that there is now more recognition for people who can balance academics and practical media work,” Farris said. “One is as necessary as the other.”
Senior Abby Liebenthal found that having a strong work ethic in class did more than just boost her GPA.
“I think that my academics are just as important as my extracurricular activities, because the material I learn in my classes help me succeed in these activities as well as my future adventures,” she said.
Liebenthal said she was pleasantly surprised by her invitation to join KTA because it’s an outlet to recognize students who are not in the Honors Program, known as Ernie Pyle Scholars. Boeyink said while this class of students included a few Ernie Pyle Scholars, it also includes a number of students from other areas.
KTA national director Keith Sanders said grades indicate more than just ability to follow directions.
“Of course, it isn't the grades per se that matter, but what one learned in the achieving those grades,” said Sanders from KTA headquarters in Columbia, Mo.
He added that KTA recognizes the work ethic it takes to be an outstanding student.
“By inducting the outstanding students at Indiana, IU will be identifying role models for others and promoting scholarship, thereby contributing to KTA’s mission,” he said.
Both Sanders and Boeyink said KTA exists to help students.
“We’ve great students here, and if we can do anything to help demonstrate that on their resume,” said Boeyink, “that’s a positive thing.”
2011 inductees are:
Daniel Allalr, Christine Astbury, Amanda Day, Alex Farris, Kristina Hunter, Caitlin Johnston, Paige Keefe, Kelsey Kincaid, Stephanie Kuschel, Abby Liebenthal, CJ Lotz, Kimberly Marshall, Ashley Nichols, Melissa Orizondo, Caitlin Peterkin and Rachel Stark.
Questions? Comments? Email the Web editor.
