UA to Host 20th Annual Minority Journalism Workshop

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences is recruiting high school students to attend the 20th anniversary session of its acclaimed Minority Journalism Workshop.

From July 6-17, the College will give students the opportunity to learn from top journalists and UA faculty about reporting, writing, graphics, production, broadcasting and online/new media. The 2003 workshop is free to qualified applicants.

The College has one of the most comprehensive communication facilities in the nation. While on campus, students will have the opportunity to tour the C&IS facilities including DatelineAlabama.com, the Center for Public Television and Radio, and WVUA7-TV.

Participants will produce a newspaper and a 10-minute news broadcast using the latest in digital video and computer equipment. It also gives participants the opportunity to learn about campus life. Students will share a University dorm room with a roommate and eat at campus dining facilities. They will also take field trips to well-known Civil Rights sites.

The workshop is one of the oldest of its kind in the country and is part of the University’s Minority Journalism Program, which is designed to recruit minorities into the media. C&IS maintains a database of all MJW alums that is used by news media across the nation to find top prospects.

“The 20th anniversary of our Minority Journalism Workshop is a testimonial to pioneers at UA who saw that in order to improve as a College and as a profession, we needed more minorities in our student body, on our faculty and in the profession,” said Dr. Ed Mullins, chair of The University of Alabama’s journalism department. “More than 1,000 students have come through our doors and walked out a few years later to take their place as a journalist, one of the most important roles in a democratic society.”

Alumni of MJW now number more than 300. Past participants have joined the media profession with top newspaper, magazine, broadcasting, public relations, advertising and on-line organizations.

“Because this is the 20th anniversary, we are making special preparations to ensure this is the most exciting workshop ever,” said Kathryn Adams, coordinator of the workshop. “There will be past participants, past directors and professionals all traveling here to be a part of this special celebration. We are proud of our program and the fact that is has been a premier opportunity for future journalists for two decades.”

Nancy Parker, a news anchor at WVUE/Fox 8 in New Orleans, is one of the UA alumni who will be coming to the reunion. She will join Merv Aubespin, intern director of the Louisville Courier-Journal, and former director Marie Parsons, as well as other former directors and faculty as speakers, panelists and mentors.

MJW participants come from a competitive pool of applicants and though most come from Alabama, students are recruited from around the country. The University also solicits nominations from high school advisers and professional journalists.

Students can request an application packet by writing Kathryn Adams at The University of Alabama, Department of Journalism, Box 870172 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0172; by e-mailing her, kadams@ccom.ua.edu; by phoning 205-348-6304; or students may download an application on the MJW Web site, www.ccom.ua.edu/mjw.

An official school transcript, a 250-word essay on the student’s interest in journalism, a list of school and community activities, writing samples and a recommendation from at least one teacher or guidance counselor must accompany all applications. Application deadline is March 1.

All students selected to attend the workshop are provided meals, housing and supplies. The Gannett Foundation, Dow Jones Newspaper Fund and the Knight Foundation have made grants to the University to help finance the workshop. Other sponsors include the Alabama Press Association Journalism Foundation, Alabama Broadcasters Association, Mercedes-Benz International, Mobile Register, Montgomery Advertiser and The Tuscaloosa News. A few travel grants are available for applicants who live more than 300 miles from Tuscaloosa.