Cam Simpson expresses passion for journalism By Barbara Harrington to be a journalist. He was the editor of his Cam Simpson said he high school paper The ournalist doesn’t always enjoy writing. in St. Charles, Ill., J Being a journalist, most and came to Eastern Newsletter for Journalism Majors & Minors people would think his state- after high school to Oct. 2007 • Issue 2 Vol. 5 ment was pretty odd. But ac- pursue a degree in cording to Simpson, a passion journalism. for current issues and making a Simpson previ- difference are the most impor- ously worked for the tant qualities a journalist can Chicago Tribune, Hyder named faculty member of the year possess. Chicago Sun-Times, “You don’t have to love Indianapolis Star By Derrick Johnson He has a lot of experience writing to be a journalist,” he and the Evansville in the field of journalism and said. “You have to love journal- Courier. University Board named passes that knowledge on to his ism to be a journalist.” James Tidwell, Dr. Les Hyder of the journalism students by giving us advice Simpson, an Eastern alum- chair of the journal- department faculty member of and guidance,” said Barbara nus and award-winning journal- ism department, said the year last spring. Harrington, a freshman journal- ist, visited campus Oct. 3–4. during Simpson’s He was surprised when the ism major. Simpson came to Eastern time at the Univer- Cam Simpson (right) talks with Dr. John Faust, retired political science award was given to him dur- Harrington, who is in Hy- professor and good friend of Simpson. as part of the Fox-Thornburgh sity, Simpson was a ing a meeting of the university der’s honors journalism and Photo by Amir Prellberg Visiting Professionals program. star reporter. board when he thought he was democracy class, believes that He has been working at the “He broke several exclu- “If [students] can figure out Eastern when deciding which coming to see student govern- importance Hyder places on his Wall Street Journal for one year sive stories about all the various how to be as passionate about four-year college to transfer to. ment induction ceremony. It students sets him apart from the and is currently living in Jeru- controversies that were going their chosen field as Cam is, “The program [here] is came as a big shock when his rest of the faculty, she said. salem. on at the time,” Tidwell said. they’ll be miles ahead,” Ryan geared towards helping you get name was called and he was +Because faculty member On Oct. 4, Simpson spoke John Ryan, professor of said. “Because it’s that type of a job in the real world,” Simp- presented with the award in of the year is an award given by at the Illinois Community Col- journalism and director of stu- passion that makes you want to son said. front of nearly all his students. students, it made receiving it all lege Journalism Association dent publications, had Simpson learn and be better.” He urged students to take “I was totally surprised,” the better, Hyder said. dinner. He spoke to about 100 as a student at Eastern. After giving a brief his- on extra courses outside of their Hyder said. “I thought I was “I can’t think of too many community college journalists He said Simpson always tory of his career at the ICCJA major, and to minor in another just there to see some of my stu- awards that I’ve received that and advisers from all over Illi- worked hard and did more than dinner, Simpson took questions field of study if possible. dent inducted into the student have pleased me more than nois, as well as Eastern students what was expected of him. Ryan from audience members. “Every experience you government positions that they that,” Hyder said. and faculty. said Simpson has an abundance Throughout the Q & A ses- have, everything that you study had been elected to. I think they “It’s nice to get awards from At the dinner, Simpson of knowledge to share with stu- sion, Simpson asked communi- is hopefully something you’ll had to call me twice because I your colleagues, but it’s a lot nic- said he always knew he wanted dents. ty college students to consider learn from,” he said. wasn’t paying that much atten- er to get awards from your stu- tion.” dents. That’s the primary reason University board presents we’re and if we’re doing some- Journalism professor Les Hyder helps journalism senior the award annually, each spring. thing that they find commend- Trina Cattani with her class schedule. Hyder was honored by University Board when he was named Faculty Member of the The members of the univer- able then that makes everything year. The Journalist sity board are not the only ones worth while.” who see Hyder as being worthy In the end, Hyder can’t of the honor. Hyder’s students imagine having a higher honor. “I assume this is a onetime I can receive it or not,” Hyder Contact us! hold their professor in high re- He only intends to repeat the only award but I’d like to be said. “ If I can stay at that level • Editors: Joshua Van Dyke gard as well. same great performance. worthy of it every year whether then I’m happy with that.” Cory Dimitrakopoulos • Agency Director: Katrina Zaret Professor discusses James Jones’ popular novels • Agency Faculty Adviser: Terri Johnson By Chris Robison his work at meetings of the of local sites to create a back- Trouble was, the Robinson • E-mail story ideas to: James Jones Literary Society. ground for his novel. Lawhead Public Library wouldn’t let him [email protected] or James Jones novels that One long-time fan is jour- also serves as the Society’s have it. [email protected] were turned into films were the nalism professor Doug Law- newsletter editor. “They told me I needed recent focus of the Embarras head. Lawhead was a presenter Lawhead was 17 when he a note from my mother,” said Page 4 The Journalist October 2007 Valley Film Festival. Fans also at the Embarras Valley Film went to check out James Jones’ Lawhead. “They said it was be- have an opportunity to discuss Festival, discussing Jones’ use novel Some Came Running. cause Continued on page 2 John Ryan sets students for the future 2007 Journalist of the Year awarded By Jennifer Gritti is important to build your ex- By Kathleen Kidwell weekly publication to a three working at the Lincoln Courier. ceremony at the 48th Annual perience while still in school times a week publication. He has been with the Courier as Journalism and Student Me- Students in the journalism so that after graduation you Jeff Nelson, an Eastern Nelson then went to the the managing editor since 1993. dia Awards Banquet held on department who want to build are more marketable and have alumnus, was recently named State Journal-Register. There, The Courier has won the Illinois Eastern’s campus in April. Ap- a portfolio for graduation look more opportunities to find a Eastern’s 2007 Journalist of the proximately 150 people came to John Ryan, professor of jour- job,” Rueff said. Year by the Eastern Journalism to the ceremony to help honor nalism, for help. Ryan helps student to find Department. “I will tell anyone who will listen Nelson. Ryan helps coordinate in- internships close to their home. Nelson, who recently re- “Jeff has had an outstand- ternships for students through- “It’s best for the students so tired as the managing editor that I’ve got the best job in the ing career and is deserving of out the state. Dow Jones News- they can live at home and save of the Lincoln Courier, was the honor,” Journalism Depart- wires, Journal Gazette-Times money.” recognized for his “outstand- world.” ment Chair James Tidwell said. Courier, and The Star are just He has no requirements ing contribution to the field of Nelson is the sixth journal- a few newspapers Ryan works to help find an internship for journalism.” - Jeff Nelson ist to be named a Journalist of with to obtain scholarships for a student, but does prefer that Nelson graduated from the Year and be included in the students. they have experience. Eastern with a BA in English he served as assistant city edi- Press Association sweepstakes Journalist of the Year Hall of Each summer, about 20 “It wouldn’t benefit the and a minor in journalism in tor, Saturday magazine editor, trophy for the best daily under Fame. students take advantage of Ry- person or the paper if they have 1971. He served as the edi- feature story writer, columnist 10,000 circulation in 11 of the “I will tell anyone who will an’s help. no previous experience,” Ryan tor-in-chief of the then-East- and photographer. last 14 years, all under Nelson’s listen that I’ve got the best job Ashley Rueff, a senior jour- said. ern News. During his time, After his run with the State leadership. in the world,” Nelson said, at nalism major, was one student Larger companies require the Eastern News went from a Journal-Register, Nelson began Nelson was honored at a the awards dinner last spring. who approached Ryan about an more experience as opposed to John Ryan helps coordinate internships for students through- internship opportunity. Work- smaller papers, which are more out the state ing with Ryan throughout the lenient. internship. terested,” Rueff said.