Ariel Tung | Sept. 13, 2008
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| Photo by Ariel Tung |
| Junior Ashlee Green led the organizational meeting of the NABJ last week. The new group meets again Sept. 23. |
The idea for the chapter started last spring when a journalism student questioned the lack of a student chapter representing minority journalism students on campus.
“I thought how important it is to reach out to minority high school students and create interest in pursuing journalism studies in college,” said junior Ashlee Green, who approached Career Services Director Marcia Debnam and, later, associate dean of undergraduate studies Bonnie Brownlee with her idea last spring. “It surprised me that our campus did not have such an organization since it is undoubtedly one of the top journalism schools in the nation.” She will be the new chapter’s president.
“I am confident of Ashlee’s energetic leadership and I am enthusiastic about this student chapter. I hope that our student will work well with the High School Journalism Institute in collaboration to reach out to high school students, encouraging them to be journalists,” said Brownlee.
Green said the NABJ student chapter is intended for minority students, but alos is open to any students who want to join. For a $40 annual membership fee, students will have access to benefits such as scholarships, paid internships in print, broadcast or online disciplines at selected news organizations around the country, and networking opportunities. They are eligible to attend conferences organized every year by the NABJ Media Institute.
The NABJ student chapter will meet bi-monthly on Tuesdays at 6.30 p.m. beginning Sept. 23 (location to be determined). The NABJ organizers are creating a Facebook group to allow members to interact between meetings and to post announcements on upcoming meetings or events. Green said that those who are interested to join or find out more about the chapter are welcome to find the group on Facebook or drop into the meetings.
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