Jessica Birthisel | Dec. 15, 2009
 |
| Photo by Bruce Carver |
| Media Scholars students checked out the memorabilia at Nick’s Olde English Hut during a dinner at the pub. Students in the program often gather to discuss lectures or media topics over meals at local restaurants. |
“Now that I’m a scholar, I know that the people I’m talking with will take me seriously and are genuinely interested in what I have to say about journalism,” he said. “They aren’t going to shake it off and nod, like people from my old high school. This is a bigger stage, and we have bigger players, so to speak.”
LaFave is one of 10-15 freshmen accepted each year into the program, which provides opportunities for participants to meet guest speakers, have access to one-on-one mentoring and network with fellow students, professors and alumni.
The program, in its second year, seeks students with a strong academic record and a documented passion for journalism, according to Director of Experiential Learning and Recruitment Kathleen Lee. As part of the application process for IU, incoming students who meet the qualifications are invited to join Media Scholars. (All details are on this Web page.)
One key to the program, Lee said, is the mentor. This year’s mentor is visiting lecturer Marty Pieratt, who brings his experience in newspaper, radio, television, public relations and the business knowledge that comes from his years operating seven radio stations.
“These students are some of the best and brightest of IU’s incoming freshman,” said Pieratt. “The program is a little something extra to reward their past efforts in high school, their current efforts here at IU and to prepare them for what comes next.”
The group does not have a formal meeting schedule but gets together regularly to talk about current issues, to visit with School of Journalism guests, to tour local media outlets and to attend formal events, including this year’s Indiana Broadcasters Association awards ceremony.
Sometimes, the students gather after events to share a meal and chat with one another and Pieratt about the talk or tour.
Participating students run the gamut in terms of career interests, said Pieratt, so program experiences cover all areas of media including radio, print, broadcast and online journalism.
Freshman Juan Cano, who is pursuing a career in journalism education, says that this variety of experiences has been beneficial to his academic career.
“The exposure to all the sides of journalism helps us in our choice of what type of journalism we might want to pursue,” said Cano, who added that interaction with other journalism majors with different experiences and opinions has been valuable.
From both the student and mentor perspective, one clear benefit of the program is the fostering of relationships within the School of Journalism, especially with one another. Freshman Jessica Wimsatt agreed with others that spending time with other aspiring journalists as well as an experienced mentor has been beneficial.
She said she also has enjoyed meeting professional journalists, such as Fox Sports’ Joe Buck, who visited as a guest of the school’s Speaker Series. Buck met with Media Scholars and other students at lunch the day of his appearance. After the evening lecture, the Media Scholars and Pieratt met for pizza to reflect on Buck’s talk.
“I never would have dreamed of meeting Joe Buck, but thanks to Media Scholars, I did,” said Wimsatt.
Pieratt says that the experience of mentoring the scholars has been rewarding.
“They’re all really bright and really eager,” said Pieratt. “They all have this insatiable curiosity.”
As a father of four children between the ages of 17-24, Pieratt said he feels comfortable working with college students and helping them get their professional lives started.
“Plus, it helps me with my empty nest syndrome,” joked Pieratt. “I’ve adopted 15 more.”
Questions? Comments? Email the Web editor.
