Student editors attend N.Y. Times workshop
Two Henderson State University students attended a New York Times Editors Workshop for college media editors April 8 in New York.
Ashley Smith, a junior communications major from Gillham, and Emily Bell, a graduate innovative media major from Arkadelphia, were selected to attend the workshop by Michael Taylor, professor of communication and advisor for the Henderson student newspaper The Oracle.
“I chose two students who would be likely to work in senior Oracle staff positions next year,” Taylor said. “I wanted them to be able to bring back and implement ideas from the Times for next year’s staff.”
Smith and Bell met and spoke with veteran New York Times reporters and editors. The workshops included editing exercises, debates on ethical reporting, foreign correspondence, only publication design and layout, and investigative reporting.
Speakers included Richard Jones, associate editor; Andy Rosenthal, editorial page editor; and Marc Lacey, national enterprise editor. The workshop involved students from about 30 universities who were invited by the Times.
Much of the workshop focused on what is ethical and moral in the world of serious journalism. Jones led thought-provoking seminars and debates on how to be ethical, and what “ethical” specifically means to a reporter and editor.
Tamra Gaines, education account manager at the Times, contacted Dr. Lewis Shepherd, vice president for student and external affairs, to invite two Henderson student editors to the workshop.
Dr. Steve Adkison, Henderson provost and vice president for academic affairs, provided funding through student travel accounts.
“Dr. Shepherd and I were happy to work together to fund the trip for our students to attend the workshop, given the excellent opportunity it offered to broaden their professional perspectives and connections,” Adkison said.
“Along with our outstanding undergraduate research program and other opportunities like this workshop, Reddies continue to be well-served, indeed.”