Elements of Journalism 4-8

Two key points from Elements of Journalism chapters 4-8:

1. (pg. 89) The discipline of verification isn't just a nice, general goal to aim for; there is a distinct set of principals, a "science" per se, to reporting with accuracy. In short, the "scientific method" is 1) don't add, 2) don't deceive, 3) transparency, 4) originality, and 5) humility. Even with these key principles in place, it is the job of every journalist to develop them and make them his own.

2. (pg. 140) One of the main roles that journalists play is that of the monitor of power or "watchdog." The fact that the press even exists already prevents a lot of corruption, but when those in power still try to get away with misdeeds, the press is also there to report the incident to the people and keep those in power accountable. It is also the job of the press to inform the people about how those in power are supposed to function so that they can determine what is just and unjust, moral and immoral.

Student Response to Sexuality Week Mixed

For many Christian school students, the topic of sexuality can be an uncomfortable one. As a result, the topic is often avoided all together, and students are either left to wonder or become misinformed by the media and their peers. In response to this dilemma, the Center for Student Development organized a series of events October 17^th-21^st in what was known as “Sexuality Week.” The week consisted of discussions on love, managing sexual drives, building a bridge between the Christian and LGBT communities, Christian perspectives on pornography and masturbation, as well as reflections from single and married faculty and staff members on relationships and sexuality and a convocation dedicated to answering students’ questions.

“We will provide a factual, God-honoring, biblically-based understanding of sexuality, with opportunities to ask questions and to dialogue,” said Janice Holton, Dean of Counseling and Student Care, in an email informing students about the week.

The student response was mixed. Many students were neutral about the week, saying, “I just went for the chapel credit.” Others had stronger opinions.

“I think we should have something like this every year,” says Alinne DeOliveira, 20, of Boston, MA. “It’s an opportunity to talk about something that isn’t easily talked about at a Christian college. I think many students are scared that they will be judged.”

One highlight of the week was the Wednesday chapel at which Andrew Marin spoke.

Marin is the president and founder of the Marin Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to reconciling and creating understanding between the Christian and LGBT communities. After chapel, students were given the opportunity to further the conversation in an informal lunchtime with Marin in the Lion’s Den.

“As a gay person, I’m often discouraged by the way Christians and LBGT people are so often very wary of and quick to judge one another,” said one student who wishes to remain anonymous. “I thought that Wednesday’s chapel promoted a sense of togetherness between the LBGT community and Christian community, and that’s something I think is so very necessary.”

Some students were less than impressed with the week, finding the discussions to be too open-ended rather than drawing biblical conclusions.

“I think sexuality week overall and the message had no care on speaking on a spiritual level,” said Justine Guirguis, 18, of Milford, MA, “and if there was care for the students, there would have been a stressor on coming to terms with answers and less on pre-proposed reactions of an audience.”

Thomas Lake '01, Sports Illustrated Reporter Talks

Last week, Gordon alum Thomas Lake '01, a reporter for Sports Illustrated, spoke in our journalism class. Lake got an internship at a local paper while at Gordon and has worked at small newspapers before getting a position at SI. One thing that stuck out to me was his dedication and perseverance through the mundane parts of his career, particularly how he worked through writing for a daily and reporting on community events. He explained that even though journalists will inevitably need to cover boring stories, the best way to get through them is to find some aspect or angle that they can be passionate about. I was inspired by how he turned an uneventful assignment about town hall meetings into a "bust" of sorts, uncovering the story behind the unethical "executive sessions." Another point that hit home for me was what he said about getting away from your desk and out in the action. I struggle with this because, since the actual writing comes easy for me, I tend to just call or email people, get the facts, and write the story with no problem. However, I know that my stories could have so much more substance if I experienced the story first-hand or interviewed people face to face. There are details that you can't possibly include if you are just obtaining the information from second-hand sources behind a desk, and it's those details that make the story worth reading. Lake said that he has always been a shy kid, so the fact that he overcame that fear and dives into his stories gives me hope. It was such a treat to have Lake come speak in our class! It was interesting to hear how he has progressed in his journalism career, and hearing him talk got me excited about where I'm headed!

Great Scot Alumni Awards Show Possibilities for Students

Dr. Carrie Dahl Tibbles is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, the associate director of the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency Program, and the associate director of Graduate Medical Education at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. But amidst this mouthful of titles, there is one that hits home: Gordon grad. Tibbles ’93 is one of eight alumni that will be honored at the Great Scot Alumni Awards this Homecoming Friday, October 8^th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Ken Olson Science Center. The event will begin with hors d’oeuvres, followed by the presentations at 7:45 p.m., and will close with coffee and desserts.

“The awards are an opportunity for the college to honor alumni who have impacted their work places, communities, and the lives of those around them,” said Adrianne Cook, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, “work that is often done faithfully and selflessly, without fanfare.”

Alumni are nominated by faculty, staff, fellow alumni, friends, or family via the Gordon website. This year, there are six awards. Tibbles will be awarded the Alumna of the Year Award for her outstanding accomplishments in the medical field. Owen Webb, a graduate of '03 who has already achieved great success in his career field, will receive the Young Alumnus Award. Jason Revilla ’01 and James Grumbine ’01, co-owners of Faith & Fortune, a clothing company that helps promote non-profit organizations, will receive the Jack Good Community Service Award. As missionaries in France for years, Robert ’97 and Heidi Walker Winslow ’97 will be awarded the A.J. Gordon Missionary Service Award. A high school chemistry teacher for the duration of his career, Harry Hesketh Jr. ’63 will receive the Winifred Currie Alumni Award in Education. Professor Theodore Wood, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, taught for 30 years at Gordon in the Business and Economics Department and was the founding director of the Center for Nonprofit Studies as well as founder of the academic minor in Nonprofit Organization Management and Philanthropy.

The awards represent a wide range of possibilities that come with a Gordon education. It’s a chance for current students to see how their time spent at the college can affect the rest of their lives.

“It’s easy to put blinders on and focus only on the next paper or test or game,” said Cook. “Hearing the stories of these alumni serves to take those blinders off and expand the scope of what students think is possible.”

Page One Thoughts

Page One: Inside the New York Times is a documentary that follows the New York Times for a year through this time of drastic change for journalism. . Even through this transition, the elements of journalism remain as relevant and crucial as ever. As seen with the cases of Judith Miller and Jayson Blair, one bad journalist can ruin the reputation of the entire paper. Thus, papers can't afford to hire dishonest and corrupt journalists.

I was encouraged to hear that, while blogs and other online sources may be a more popular source of information at the moment, they are often unreliable. Newspapers will come out on top in the end if they continue to be a steady source of accurate news.I was discouraged to hear that, as part of this transition, the Times had to let go of a significant amount of its staff as well as begin charging for the online edition of their paper. I was surprised to hear that, despite this turbulent time for the Times, they have a new editor, Jill Abramson--the first woman editor of the paper. They have also been trying to stay afloat by making extensive use of blogs and Twitter. At this time in America, they don't have much of a choice but to conform to some technology fads. If they can adapt to the changing times while still maintaining their trustworthiness as a news source, I don't think they will shut down.

Faithful Leadership for the Common Good: Gordon’s Eighth President Delivers Inaugural Speech

The afternoon of Friday, September 16th, members of the Gordon community congregated on the sun-lit quad for the installation ceremony of Gordon’s eighth president, D. Michael Lindsay. Students and professors had the day free of classes so they could participate in the full day of events, which included a symposia and worship service in the morning, the robing ceremony in the afternoon, and a concert featuring Sara Groves in the evening. However, the installation service at 2:00 was the main event.

The ceremony commenced with a processional, accompanied by Gordon’s Wind Ensemble. Faculty members stopped and greeted students and friends beside them in the crowd. Many joined in singing hymns such as Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee and Be Thou My Vision before Dr. Nathan O. Hatch, President of Wake Forest University, delivered a speech. The Gordon College Choir gave a performance of Here I am, Lord before Gordon’s sixth and seventh presidents, Dr. Richard F. Gross and Dr. R. Judson Carlberg respectively, presented D. Michael Lindsay with the presidential medallion.

Finally, Lindsay stepped to the podium to deliver his inaugural address, entitled “Faithful Leadership for the Common Good.” He launched the speech lightly, making jokes about his struggles driving in Boston and his unpreparedness for the fickle weather. The rest of the speech focused on three main imperatives for Gordon: to expand the intellectual horizons of young people, and thus Global Christianity; to deepen faith and fully serve the Lord; and to elevate contribution to students, the community, and Gordon as an institution.

“I’m convinced that ‘good enough’ never is,” said Lindsay. “Going forward, if Gordon has been doing X, I want us to do X-squared.”

Lindsay ended the speech recognizing three people who have influenced and inspired him to take on this task as Gordon’s president. He reminded the audience that change is the process of individual efforts working together for a common mission.

“I pledge to do everything in my power to guide and equip the next generation of Christian leaders with a framework of faithfulness as they influence cultures throughout the world,” said Lindsay. “And I trust you will join me in this effort.”

The ceremony commenced with How Great Thou Art: a reminder that Gordon College cannot fulfill any mission without God’s help.

Meet Jay Lindsay: The Tartan's New Advisor

The Gordon Tartan is alive and in-print this year, but not without the help of its advisor Jay Lindsay. Lindsay, 41, of East Brookfield, MA graduated from Gordon in 1992 and went on to the Colombia University Graduate School of Journalism from which he graduated in 1998. His career in journalism includes working at the Boston Globe as a cooperative education student, the Community Newspaper Company, Daily News of Newport, and the Associated Press, where he is currently working.

Lindsay wasn’t always interested in writing. In fact, his gateway to a career in journalism was rather unusual.

“I played baseball my whole life and figured if I couldn't be a pro athlete, it would be fun to write about sports,” said Lindsay. “But I started reporting on high school sports, and just found news to be far more interesting.”

Throughout his career, Lindsay has conducted interviews with high-profile people, mostly athletes, including Pedro Martinez, Tom Brady, and Derek Jeter. He’s been on some interesting adventures in pursuit of a story, one being travelling to Riker’s Island to write about prison chaplains. Even apart from journalism, Lindsay has led quite the wacky life.

“I've dressed up as Barney the dinosaur for money, but just once!” said Lindsay. “And in college, I wore an industrial gas mask while driving because my 1979 Omni had a leak and I couldn't afford to fix it.”

So how did this man of the world with an impressive background in journalism end up helping Gordon with the Tartan? Jo Kadlecek, a journalism professor and Senior Communications Writer for the college asked Lindsay if he would like to help with the revival of the Tartan.

“I have a lot of loyalty to Gordon,” said Linsday. “There aren't a lot of journalists from Gordon and I viewed this as a chance to help strengthen the program by strengthening the school paper.”

The Tartan is honored to have Jay Lindsay as an advisor this year to help make its re-launch successful and instill honest journalistic habits in Gordon’s aspiring journalists.

“I hope the people who work for the Tartan start to see themselves as stewards of a proud legacy,” said Lindsay. “I really want to help students turn the paper into something they are proud of, and something the campus community trusts.”