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Fall 1981 UA68/13/5 The ourF th Estate, Vol. 6, No. 1 Sigma Delta Chi

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Recommended Citation Sigma Delta Chi, "UA68/13/5 The ourF th Estate, Vol. 6, No. 1" (1981). Student Organizations. Paper 144. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_org/144

This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by TopSCHOLAR®. It has been accepted for inclusion in Student Organizations by an authorized administrator of TopSCHOLAR®. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Fourth Estate Vol. 6, No.1, FlU 1981, Journalis m Department, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky. 42101 Students document Kentucky town By JAN WOLFF tribute. And the community reception couldn't have been Signs were posted at better." headquarters - formerly Corn was joined by Mike Crady's Dry Goods Store - to Morse, another Western photo inspire the special agents to instructor; C. Thomas Hardin, complete their mission as best photography director at The they cooJd. Courier.Journal and Louisville "Some stories are like the Times; Kent Kobersteen, staff chickenless egg farm ," "Too photographer at The Min­ much wide angle" and neapolis (Minn.) Tribune; "Somebody lost their generic Susan McElhinney, a Pulitzer," may not have meant Washington, D.C., freelance much to the average person. photographer formerly with But to the people to whom Newsweek. they were addressed, the en­ The workshop is required for coded signs were almost in­ Com's photojournalism class at timidating. Western. Corn called it "a real­ Even so, the 16 students and life experience with real six professionals whose job was people, with students on their to document Burkesville, Ky ., own, with lots of pressure." in Western's fourth "Pn!ssure is good for them," photojournalism workshop he said. Sept. 17-19 accomplished their Corn said the s tudents mission, according to Jack started off slowly and "very Corn, photojournalism in­ poorly," but said they im­ structor. proved later. "It went well, very well ... the "They didn't grab the ball best we've ever had in terms of and run with it," he said. success," Corn said. "The " Everyone shot better the next faculty was the best by far; day; there was a great im­ they were unique, each with provement." Burkesville tobacco worker Roy Ragles. something different to con· -continued to page 4- Pros: Student interns gain experience Students can listen to jour­ For some, it was their first "What we try to do is figure out among the 40 nationally who nalism instructors for hours on "true" glimpse of the who's ready, then try to match earned copy editing internships end, but many in the field agree professional world; for others, up students with em­ through the Newspaper FWld. that students can double their their second or third. ployers. In other words, we Tommy George, a senior professional knowledge in as According to Jim Highland don 't want to send a freshman journalism .major from litUe as three months. and Jim Ausenbaugh, associate to The Kanaas City Star." Paducah, worked at the Rich­ That intensive education is professors, internships are "It doesn't make a lot of mond (Va.) Times·Dispatch, experience - an internship. valuable experiences - and it difference in your first job," and Margaret Shirley, a senior About 30 Western journalism doesn't matter where a student Ausenbaugh said. What does journalism major from Bliss, students entered the profession works. matter, he said, is how hard the worked at The Washington this summer, taking jobs in " It develops your intern WOrks . "I think the Post. reporting, photography, copy professional skills and gets you absolute key fOr anybody on an "When you sit at a terminal editing, advertising and public ready for full-time em­ internship is to work like hell." relations. ployment," Highland said. Two Western students were - contin"ed to page 8- r ,# , '" Page 2 - , -.. K9.pP~Tt9 u Alpha Journalism honor chapter formed

By ERICA SMITH

"Dea r journalism whiz ... ," the letter began. Then it continued. /lc,h,ic Compk:< And several students in the J journalism deparbnent found themselves invited by William ~ McKeen, adviser, into Kappa Tau Alpha , Western's first journalism honor society. Until then, each area of the department had been represented by at least one organiution, but it had no society to honor scholarship in all of its fields - journalism, photojournalism, journalism education, public relations and advertising. " We waited until we felt the program was stabilited, and not just a flash In the pan," said David B. Whitaker, journalism department head. Some people, he said, lelt "this sudden in­ terest in journalism wouldn't be sustained." The society, established in 19 10 at the University- of Find the buried treasure. Missouri, included 13 charter members locally last spring Part of a Kappa Tau Alpha promotional flier for the Journalism Resources Center. and added seven this fall . Each is a junior or senior with a grade-polnt average of at least 3.5. have a lot of problems," from the other two of the McKeen said. When McKeen attended the McKeen said. Because students department, with posters of And, with the school's money Association for Education in are sometimes afraid to ask a journalists who are also problems, the group is con­ Journalism co nference this teacher for help, he said, " I literary figures . The reading Sidering asking professional summer at Michigan State think it's an idea a lot of people room , McKeen said, "is stuck journalists to help get new University, he thought what could relate to." in a place most people regard books for the journalism other chapters were doing The project would bring as Siberia ." li brary. "didn't seem like much." money to both the tutor and the Other ideas included a Former Talisman adviser "So with the help of Bob club because the $5 per hour fee "crank society" to complain at Bob Baker had also suggested Baker (former Talisman ad­ - which is also the university's abuse of the language - a lecture services for area high viser), we sort of brain­ fee - would be split equally practice li ke that of McKeen 's schools and what McKeen stormed. At East Lansing, we between the two, McKeen said. basic reporting classes. called "kind of a rating service were coming up with all these Meantime, he said, the group " Here's a group of honor for high school newspaper and~ wonderful ideas, and I thought, hopes to make some quick students concerned with the yearbooks ." we ll, why couldn't we do money through a newspaper decline of the language," he " It just seems as though them ?" drive. "What's more ap­ said - only half-jokingly - there's a lot of things this group Though the group doesn 't propriate - we're all involved "and I think it would be ap­ can do," McKeen said. have many money-raising in print journalism, in one way propriate to call it to the at· But he foresees one big projects yet - "Most of our or another," tention of the people who made problem for the group. projects involve costing But , he added, " I don't kn ow the errors. If we're concerned .Being good students , money ," McKeen said - its if anything will ever come of it with excellence, I wouldn't naturally you're in volved in most important project yet is a since you don't get much think it would be out of order.'" lots of other things ," he told the tutoring service for journalism money ." The group could also group of five students who students . Another idea involves evaluate departmental cour­ attended the first meeting of " I think that was a good idea promoting the out-of·the-wa y ses. give an award for ex­ the semester. because as a basic reporting Journalism Resources Center cellence in Kentucky jour­ "So we'll mull this over. We teacher I know that there are a in the College of Education nalism, and. with other groups, could do a lot of things to help lot of students in there that Building, a few buildings away sponsor an annual lecturer, this university, and the state." P... 3 Aspiring journalists learn the basics

8y.JIMBATTLES yean pul to w8JTant more and NICK SHU'IT than one seuion," Adams said. Kentucky, Tennessee aDd While many of Western', IDdian.a students attended the 14,000 students were in clall worbbop. Adams said a record Sept. 25, about 340 hi&h school Dumber of students attended studenta were le.minl more this year. about journalism. Because room for worksh0p8 They were participating In is limited, Adams said, "We Western'. eighth annual Press were pleued with the turnout. Day. It is a good number to ac­ "Press Day is basically an commodate with the room we attempt to help people who have. We didn't have anyone work on high school out in the halls, hanging from Jim Highland uses an overhead projector in newspapers and yearbooks, so the ceiling or snything like his "hints on reporting" session. they can go back with new that. " story and how to handle an technical and put things on a ideas and enthusiasm," said The students reacted dif­ interview. This will help me in college, instead of a high BobAdams, Presa Day director ferently to the workshop. my coverage of football , and school, level. for the last five years and Heather Foster, a I'll have a different approach in "Some of the speakers acted College Heights Herald ad­ Madisonville High School how I'U talk to the coach and like they were nervous. I was viser. junior, said it boosted her in­ players," he said. paying more attention to them Students could attend as ~tive to go into journalism. Leigh Ann Word, a Clasgow moving their hands than what many as three one-hour Foeter, one of 15 from her High School senior, said the they were actually saying," workshops on newspapers, start to attend, explained, Careen in Public Relations said Elaine Browning, a senior yearbooks and photography. "Each time I come to one of session was "very interesting at Hughes-Kirk High School in Flewty and students from the these things, I want to do this and very informative." Muhieoberg County. deparbnent and three Western more. There's a lot of things Martin said that in one of his "The instructor was great. alwnni who work at Bowling you catch up on that you didn't sessions "some of the terms He explained what kind of Green's Daily News conducted know." they used wer-e foreign to me, careers are available In public the sessions. Clay Martin, an Adair County and unless they ta1ked about relations, and now I have a " In choosing the class sub­ High School senior, was 1m­ them, and. explained them, I good Idea of what kind of jobs jects, we try to have 8S many praaed with the sportswriting didn't know what they were are going to be offered." topics as possible. And we try to session he attended. "The in­ saying." double up on sessions that are structor really knew what he The only criticisms of some Stacy Bethel, a Muhlenberg for both newspaper and was doing. This is my fint year of the sessions were that some Central High School student, yearbook, and those that have on the staff, and he helped me of the instructors seemed was a little disappointed by one attracted enouah Interett in with what to look for in a sporta nervous aOO others we~ too of her yearbook sessions because "they taught it on a different level." She said what they taught was good for a college yearbook, but wouldn 't work the same way on their high school budget. Linda Otavies, yearbook and newsrnA gazine a dviser at Kn (It Central High Sdtool in Knox County said, "My sbJdenbl are already talking about ideas and are anxious toget back and use them. I thhl they agree wlh me thatit wasworth getting up at 2:30 in the mornng Ie::.- . I'm glad that we came."

Ginger Williams, ad man­ ager for the Herald, ex­ plains advertising layout to high school students during Press Day.

Mike Collins Burkesville: Faces and places of mountain life

as seen through students I eyes

-continued from ~ge 1- should have come up with the I could approach people and dullest set of aSSi gnments they were more than happy to The photographers were possible and see what have their pictures made." asaigned story ideas compiled everybody could come up with. Fina Bruce added that the by Don and Fins Bruce, editors Reputations are made on the residents were "so thrilled" of the Cumberland County ordinary assignments in this that the workshop had retur· News. field. ned. "People feU good about They had two days and 10 "The poorest reporter can be themselves because they had rollB of film to shoot their saved by a copy desk, but a been picked as the subject of a auignments. (photograph ) can't be documentary. They enjoy Five student lab technicians rewritten," Hardin said. seeing how the wo rkshoppers processed the film in tem­ Student reactions to the portray their lifestyles in porary facilities set up in workshop differed. pictures." closets and bathrooms a t the Kate Bowen found it "ex· The newspaper plans to worDhop's home base, the out· citing" 10 work under thai kind publish a special supplement of -business Crady's Dry Goods of pressure. " I loved it ," she with workshop picture storieS. on the Burkesville square. said. Depending on community P h otographers were But Todd Buchanan saw the response and sales, the assigned faculty advisers, workshop in an entirely dif· newspaper hopes to donate though they could have their ferent light. " It was a long prorits to a fund for future film critiqued by any par­ weekend, and personally very photo workshops , she said. ticipant. frustrating," he said. " I ex­ Bowen, who participated in On the first night, Hardin perienced some problems I had the Burkesville workshop last reminded the students that never encountered before, and year, said she plans to go again there would be no "war I didn'l deal with them too next year. "I'm going to go stories" - no excuses for bad well ." every year for the rest of my pictures. "Good photographers Buchanan did, however, life and be the perennial create their own luck," he said. learn a great deal about people, photojournalism workshop Though he viewed the county he said. "Befor e, I'd almost allender," she said . as a place with endless picture been afraid to take people's "It beats Ansel Adams' pOllibilities, he said, " We pictures. But while I was there, workshop all to pieces!" Page- 5

Marpret Sh!r"v Page 6 Prized: Award-winning high school reporter. • • By ANDY DREWLINGER Shu tt also received an honorable mention for news When Nick Shutt was editor­ writing. in-chief of his high school A journalism class he had newll*per, he didn't really taken while a sophomore got believe he would win a major him interested In the field, he high IChool journalism award. said. He worked as a reporter But he did. for Generals' Delivery that Shutt, who was valedictorian year and attended Western's 01 his clau at Clarksville (Ind.) high school publications Hi&h School, won the Most workshop the following sum­ Valu.ble Staffer Award last mer, where he received a $200 May given by the Greater scholarship. Louisville High School Press "It taught me a lot more than Auoclation. my journalism class did," He received the award for his Shutt said. " It got me fired up work as editor of Generals' for the next year." Delivery, Clarksville High Shu tt's college choices In­ School 's student newspaper. cluded Western, Vanderbilt Shutt, now a freshman University in Nashville and the journalism major at Western, University of Kentucky. said he was "amazed" that he But because be didn't receive won the award. a scholarship from Vanderbilt, " I had entered the year because the University of before, and I thought the stuff Kentucky's main campus from my junior year was better seemed too big and because he than my senior year," he said. got a scholarship from Becauae the competition was Western, he came to Bowling tough, he said, he considers Green. himself fortunate to have won. He said he liked the campus After his staff nominated him and believed Western's jour­ for the award, he sent in a nalism program Is better than portfolio of stories, ads and those at the other two pictures, believing that the universities. judges were looking for a "well­ Shutt said he hopes to work rounded" person. on the College Heights Herald, " I think that was what im­ and after graduation, said he pressed them more than would like to freelance and Nick Shutt and Jim Battles anything," he said. work for a newspaper .

. . . and photojournalist come to Western

A lot of determination helped the previous year. editor. related issues, such as media Jim Battles win a Urst-place tie Battles attended Western's Buying a camera and having coverage of The Who's Cin­ in pbotosraphy and fil'lt In high school publications a cousin in a photo dass got ci nnati performance, when general interest writing in the woruhop the summer before him interested in photography. several people were trampled Greater Louisville Area High his junior year. He con­ he said. in a pre-concert stampede. " It School Press Association centrated on writing during his Battles said he thought he picked on how people make a Awards. junior year as editor-ln-chlef of won the photo award because big deal of isolated events," he Battles, a freshman The Bagpiper, the school the judges were looking for said. photojournalism major from newspaper. And after attending "pictures that told the story "(The columns were) picking New Albany, Ind ., said he Western 's photography and looked the beat." on somethini subtly with a geared almost all his work workshop the next summer - And he said he entered the little bit of sarcasm and a little during his senior year at Floyd and winning a $200 workshop general interest writilltl bit of bias," he said. Central High School toward scholarship - he continued as category because of the current Students reacted favorably to placing in the contest, judged editor his senior year. events column he wrote lor the his columns, Battles said . by Courier-Journal staff But after the nrst semester paper. "Everybody that 1 talked to members. that year, he decided to con­ " I had fun doing little short loved it. Us uaUy . . . the He had won an honorable centrate on photography and pieces," he said. columns didn't get a great, mention ilr editorial writing became layout and design Battles said he chose student- _ eoatlDued to p.,e 8 - Page 7 Editor discusses science writing By ERICA SMITH Reporters covering federal agencies should "shoot the I Dave Dooling has been what breeze" with public affairs he calls a "space cadet" since officeemployeea, he said. "You he was 8. can pick up bits of gouip that Now he's science editor at the way." Huntsville (Ala .) Times. Because the government uses Dooling di.scu.ued what he's public monies, it must publish learned in his 10 years as a spending information - in­ science writer with a group of formation which can be helpful about 20 Sept. 10 at Western. to reporters, especially when ''The bulk of my job is the government chooses not to covering the U.S. space send out press releases. program - specifically, what An important source is the they do at NASA, and also the Federal Register, Dooling said. Army Missile Co mmand," "Whenever a federal agency Dooling, who began his career wants to change the way (it) with the British "Spaceflight" operates, they have to publish magazine, said. it, where the public can get to Although science reporting is it ." specialized, much of his advice Others are Commerce to science reporters is like that Business Daily , which he called to any other reporter. a kind of classified ads ; the " Your objectivity and agency's phone directory and fairness are so Important," organizational chart; the final Mike Colli ns Dooling said. "Someone told yearly budget; and annual me, 'you 're on1y as good as reports, Dooling said. Dave Dooling, Huntsville (Ala.) Times science your last story.' " Government public affa irs editor, shows the "long-distance" video display He added, " I'm gung-ho in offices must comply with the terminal he uses when working on stories away the space program, but I'm a Freedom of Information Act, from the office. The system uses a special phone reporter, and I have to write connection to transmit copy to the memory. them straight." - continued to page 8- New Talisman adviser fits system

By LISA BEATY AIUlough the Talisman has well·trained, it's a matter of members would be more aware and ANDY DREWLINGER won many awards, Vander giving them an outlet for the of what the students wanted in Heyden sa id he wasn 't In· skills they've picked up. (They ) the book because they would After eight years of teaching timidated by its reputation. have a strong feeling of ex­ have to rely on sales. Vander in student publications, Terry "The yearbook I advised before cellence - that they Should do Heyden said. Va nder Heyden decided he had won awards, so it just something as well as It can be He has a bachelor's degree in needed a break. seemed like a continuation of done. journalism education from BaD He took a job with a Chicago what I was doing before," he " The faculty has a sense of State University and a master's graphics company at the end of said. ~ professionalism 1 haven't in communication arts from the 1979-80 school year, but he " I feel like 1 fit naturally into worked with before. They seem Notre Dame University. didn't lose interest in the system . The books are so to like the students and like He worked in advertising at educa tion. This summer he similar that it (the adviser's teaching." took the job as Talisman ad· the Pulaski County Journal in job) is just a natural step." Though Vander Heyden Winimac , Ind., and as a viser and a print design in· Va nder Heyden said he hasn't yet been able to develop structor in Western's jour· reporter for the Michigan City decided to teach instead of his own ideas about th e Ond.) News-Dispatch. He was nalism department. continuing to work in Talisman operation, he has newspaper adviser and jour­ He replaced Bob Baker, who professional publications supported selling the 1982 book. nalism and English leacher two resigned to join his wife in because he believes teaching is University Publications was years each at the Angola (ind.) Battle Creek, Mich. " more flexibl e," and, he said, forced to sell the Talisman for and Quincy (Ill .) high SChools . Vander Heyden, a 31·year-old "You can do professional work the first time because of budget Vander Heyden said he ac· South Bend, Ind., native, was at the same time. " cuts. student publications adviser at cepted the job as Talisman " I felt like I needed to be in Northeastern Missouri State "When they (the students) adviser because the operation University until 1980 . That something where I was helping pay for something, even for $10, was already sound1y based. "1 year, the university's year­ people ...a nd teaching pretty they will appreciate it more," had already advised a year· much satisfies me. " book, the Echo, won the he said. " It makes everything book that started from the Associated Collegiate Press' He said he is impressed with (in the yearbook ) seem that ground up. I wanted to work for Five·Star AII·American and the department's students and much more important." a book with a grasp of what Pacemaker awa!'ds. faculty. "The students are so And the yearbOOk staU makes a good publication." Page 8 WINNERS SCIENCE - c:_tIII1Ie4I f.... pale • - $200 award from the College -eo.U•• e4 from pale 1- keep track of the science and overwhelminl, joyous reaction Heights: Herald. He also "liked he said. technical conferences." from the administration," he everybody down here and It " I try to use it sparingly Conference abstracts and said, "but I got tremendous (Western) wasn't that big." because it's better if you can technical libraries for specifiC ruder response; nobody wrote build a rapport with the people titles are good sources, Dooling me a letter or anything, but He described the Western's in Public Affairs so they will be said. Reporters should be on people would ...yell at me in publications program as more wining to help you out," press release lists, he said, but the ..... "stricter" than his high school Dooling said. ''They're in that warned, ''Take them with a " It was the first time we had program. Battles said he did a organiution daily, and they'll grain of salt, but they can be a gotten any feedback, 80 it was variety of work before, but at know more about what', going good starting point for stories." getting across." Western the work is more on." And talking with people at Battles said he came to specific and job descriptions " Covering science and conferences helps a reporter Western because of the are emphasized, he said. technology can be as complex become familiar with his beat photojournalism program's He said he hopes to work for as covering the federal and establishes a needed reputation and becaU&e be had The Co urier-Journal after he government," Dooling said. "connection" with sources, he received another scholarship, a graduates. "The simplest way Is to just said. INTERNS - continued from page 1_ and I love to sit down and talk for experience. "My relationship with the for hours, you can't help but to people - that's all in­ Diane Co mer, a Bardstown, paper was kind of a love-hate learn a lot," George said. "You terviewing is," he said. Ky ., senior, was a reporter at thing," she said. "One day have to be knowledgeable in Shirley is the opposite. She'd the Nashville Banner, mainly they'd do something I liked, the every field - and meticulous." rather edit than write : " 120 on the night police beat. next they'd do something I'd Though George is sports percent editor!" she said. " I was really ready to start - hate. It was a real weird editor for Western's College She worted for 13 weeks on I wanted to jump right in and summer," she said. Heights Herald, he edited the Post's national, foreign and write something but they " It was never boring." everything but sports. "Sports metro copy desks. wouldn't let me." Instead, she has their own desk," he said. " If they would have given me followed other reporters on " I can see myself later on, any indication that I could have their beats: for two weeks - being a copy editor," George stayed, I would have," Shirley which, she said, really helped said, if an editor had to take off said - and she said she hopes her to learn. from work . But he's decided to wort full-time at the Post Then she worked on the that sports writing is still " it." within three years. Metro courthouse beat, and " I love to interview people, Students went to other jobs finally, on the police beat. 50 students get summer internships About 50 students in the Johnson , The Kentucky Jackson (Tenn.) SWl . journalism department were Standard, Bardstown ; Mary Advertising and public interns this summer. Jour­ Ann Lyons, The Daily Times, relations students: : Mark Hess , nalism and photojournalism Glasgow; Vena Matlock and Doe-Anderson Advertising students ; Ellen Banahan, Barry L. Rose, Tennessee Agency ; Sherry Howell , Edmonson News, Brownsville; Valley Authority's Land Bet­ Universal Sports Camps; Lisa Beaty and Sally Raque, ween The Lakes. Melissa Kimbro, Church Western 's Office of Public Alan Mattingly, Ashland Growth Designs i Dawn Infonnation; Todd Buchanan, Daily Independ'ent; Cyndi Lampert, Santa Claus Land, Des Moines (Iowa ) Register­ Mitchell, Associated Press, Ind .; Kumlko Nishida, Housing Tribune; Robert Carter, The Nashville; Tommy Newton, Information Department Japan News-Enterprise, Ellzabeth­ Breckinridge Co. Herald News, Recruit Center. town ; Chuck Clark and Gary Hardinsburg; Wilma Norton, Pat VanHook, Bowling Green HairlJon, The Gleaner, Hen- Tri-City Times, Hardinsburg: ' Department of Recreation ; Maureen O'Connor, Iowa­ Cindy Weddle, Administrative Diane Comer and Linda Illinois Gas and Electric Co., Services Occupational Safety -Dono, .Nash ville (Tenn.) and Health Program; Vicki Davenport, Iowa . Banner; Robin Faulkner, The Robert W. Pillow and Bob Berling, Brown-Foreman Com monwea I th-J ourn'aI , S kipper , Owensboro Distillers Co .; Linda Bouland, Somerset; Amy Galloway, Messenger-Inquirer; John Owensboro-Daviess County Palm Beach (Fla.) POI t; Jim Rott, Evansville (lnd .> Press; Hospital ; Shawn Braden, Gensheimer, The Courier­ Carol Sheets, Grayson County Special Events Department of Journal and Louisville Times ; News-Gazette, Leitchfield; Sanger Harris. Elise Given and Sandy Kinsner, Margaret Shirley, The Laurie Chambers, McCann­ Non-Profit Park City Daily News, Bowling Washington Post. Erickson Advertising Agency ; Ol'lanlutlon Green. Erica Smith, The Fort Cheryl Dillingham, Baptist U.S. Post.,e Bulk Rite Mark Heath, The Paducah Campbell Courier; Becky Sunday School Board; Vicki Permit 398 SWl ; Perry Hines, The Ten­ Suiter, Huntsville (Ala.) Hawkins, Warren Rural Bowlin, Green, Ky. 42101 nessean, Nashville ; Nathan Times; Michele Wood, The Electric Cooperative Corp.